99 Percent Satisfactory

Dear Consumers of City Services:

“I ask you to remember the 99 percent of the time that this department does not fail,” Deputy Mayor Carolyn Graham said to the City Council yesterday, defending Robert Newman's management of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Mayor Williams has expressed similar satisfaction with the Department, claiming that it has improved tremendously in the past year. All right, team, let's hear your testimonials. Is the administration right? Do the parks and the city's recreation services in your neighborhood work well 99 percent of the time? Have they improved in the past year? Or is the administration already falling into the same pattern as all of our past administrations, defending its top management against the public interest and ignoring and dismissing the citizens' complaints? (“Tom Sherwood's Notebook,” in the current issue of the Current Newspapers, is well worth reading for his take on the Parks Department.)

One further potential scandal in the Department surfaced at yesterday's hearing, but has not been reported in the press. Last year, the Council restored funding for the Roving Leaders program. Councilmember Phil Mendelson disclosed that since August the Department has spent nearly $1 million to pay Roving Leaders, but that a staffing report from the Chief Financial Officer showed that not a single Roving Leader had been hired. The Parks Department claimed that Roving Leaders had been hired and were at work, but didn't provide any evidence of that, and none of the Councilmembers had seen one. What about us? Has anyone seen a Roving Leader at a park or recreation center? Let us know where they're hiding. If they're not to be found, on what was the money really spent?

Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com

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Childs Is Bad Choice for School Board President
Susan Gushue, smgushue@starpower.net

The Post has got it wrong again. Don't vote for Childs! Washington deserves much better. Rev. Childs has made his mark with his tardiness and his absenteeism. Even when the school board was able to have extra members on the Board of Trustees and Rev. Childs was one of them, he was notable only for his absence. He has not made a positive contribution to the deliberations of the board when I've been there. He was particularly vicious when it came to Mrs. Harvey and her alleged misdeeds. His knowledge of school system issues and education issues in general is surpassed by both the other candidates. Rev. Childs has been willing to let others do the hard work then he takes the credit. Rev. Childs supports vouchers but wishes they were larger. Rev. Childs expended almost no energy on trying to defeat the referendum although he did claim to oppose it. While following the board quite closely for the last four years I have not seen him throw himself into anything except getting himself elected president.

Mrs. Cafritz has 27 years experience working with the Duke Ellington School. Mrs. Cafritz is passionate about education, intelligent, and motivated by a desire to provide all children with what they need to grow. When I heard her at a forum in Ward 5 she talked about “academics, arts, and athletics” and how we should provide these for all children. She has come up against the inadequacies of DCPS and she has found ways to make Ellington work. She would be a fine choice for school board president. She is also smart, tough, and will stand up for the kids when others might want to sell the schools short. She is a good choice.

Larry Gray is an even better choice. He is a committed, articulate, informed activist who can work with anyone. He has a record of keeping his eye on the goal of delivering a good, safe, challenging education to children. He also has a record of treating everyone with respect — children, teens, parents, teachers, and administrators. Mr. Gray has worked at the city-wide level with the DCPTA and the “Vote No” campaign and has years of work in Ward 6 and at Spingarn HS and Miner Elementary. He has worked on individual school plans and on the Committee of 21 which is doing facilities planning for the whole city. Mr. Gray would devote himself full time to the School Board president's job. At the Ward 5 forum, both Mrs. Cafritz and Mr. Gray answered a question posed to them about how they would evaluate their tenure as school board president by saying they would look at the schools and the children in them. Rev. Childs has a much lower expectation for himself. He stated his tenure would be a success in his eyes if the board meetings were civil. Choose Mrs. Cafritz or choose Larry Gray. Don't settle for Rev. Childs. He has disqualified himself by taking his job, his responsibilities and the children of this city so lightly.

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Wells for School Board — District 3
Kenan Jarboe, kpjarboe@erols.com

I am actively supporting Tommy Wells for School Board for District 3 (Wards 5 and 6). I have gotten to know Tommy while working with him on ANC 6B (he is the former Chair of 6B). A social worker who went to law school at night to become a better child advocate, Tommy is the director of the DC Consortium for Child Welfare. Besides having a strong background in children's issues, Tommy has impressed me with his deep commitment to the future of DC's children. To me, this is the key issue: the kids. Professionally, I work on issues of economic development in the new information economy. If DC is to have a future in this new economy, it must improve the quality of public education. Otherwise, we run the risk of leaving a large segment of this city's population behind and turning the current digital divide into an unbridgeable chasm. We must begin by realizing that the system is broke and that we all must work together to fix it. That is another reason I am supporting Tommy. We are embarked on a new experiment with our schools. Regardless of how you feel about the new school board structure, we must all realize that this system can not afford to fail. The future of DC's children are a stake. We cannot afford to continue the bickering, the posturing, the “I'll get mine” attitude that has permeated the school board in the past. To quote Ben Franklin, either we hang together or we will hang separately. I have seen Tommy's work on the ANC to build consensus and to get the job done. I think he is exactly the type of person we need at this time and at this place. I urge all voters in District 3 (Wards 5 and 6) to join with me in supporting Tommy Wells for School Board.

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School Budget Woes
Anthony Watts, e7777777@hotmail.com

I appreciate Helen Hagerty's comments in response to my post about the District 1 School Board meeting. However, I am a bit intrigued by them, as well. She states: “[Per pupil spending] is actually less than half. If we took the overall DCPS budget, including the Special Education private placement tuitions, and divide it by the number of students, we would come up with roughly $10,000. With the Weighted Student Formula budget, schools receive about $4,200 per student.” I may be incorrect, but aren't national per pupil spending figures generally determined precisely by taking the overall budget and dividing by the number of students? I think the reason this number is often “kicked around” is exactly because it is accurate in terms of how “per pupil spending” is generally determined. If Ms. Hagerty's response to this is that the amount actually spent in the classroom on students is $4,200 per, one would still need to look at the national figures for this and compare them to the District.

One other point. What also upsets me about the school budget debate is that we have many people who simply want to spend more money without looking at the broader picture (this is the real problem that I had with candidate Smith's comments). DCPS is in utterly DIRE need of increased efficiency, re-routing of misused and/or misappropriated funds, and/or more competitive bidding of contracts within the DCPS system. The Washington Post's 5-part series on school mismanagement under former Sup. Franklin Smith, as well as the previous and current DCPS busing budgets, are alone sufficient to make this point. While I cannot rule out specific, targeted taxpayer funded dollar increases for certain vital expenditures, I really think at this point that our elected officials and career administrators may have a moral and ethical obligation to properly channel the money that is already in the system.

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Driving While Black in D.C. on Friday the 13th
John Richardson, jrichardson@uspsoig.gov

Pardon the stream of consciousness, but my situation calls for expediency over formality. On Friday, October 13, 2000, I was taken into custody by 5D police officers for an expired registration. Just a few days earlier (October 10th), I visited the District's DMV to register my auto and my wife's auto and obtain new District licenses for both of us. However, an error on the part of the clerk who helped us led to me being arrested in the heart of Capitol Hill. Despite all the evidence and documentation my wife and I presented to the officers on that evening, showing that I am a law-abiding citizen and the victim of a bureaucratic error, I was taken away in handcuffs. The situation seemed unreasonable to others who watched as well. After I was placed in the back seat of the unmarked police car, a fellow citizen — a white woman who lived nearby — approached the window of the car and questioned the officer seated at the wheel, “Why are you taking him to jail for something that I got a $100 dollar ticket for?” His reply. “This is something we have to do.” Is the new D.C. for everyone?

On October 8, Sunday, my wife (Felicia) and I married in Cincinnati. On October 9, Monday, my 42nd birthday and Columbus Holiday, we returned to D.C. On October 10, we went to DMV. My wife and I got new D.C. diver's licenses and registered her car. We both told the clerk my registration was expired and my wife asked if I could get temporary tags. She said no, but gave me a form letter to fax to my lien holder to get the title sent to DMV, and gave me a zone six sticker. She used the expired registration card to fill out the temporary parking card. For some unexplained reason, clerk failed to give me temporary plates. On October 11, I faxed a form letter to Toyota Motor Corp. requesting that the title be sent to D.C. DMV. Admittedly, I removed the month and year stickers from the front plate and placed 00 over the month side on back plate to look less conspicuous until I got regular plates — I did not like having the expired month sticker on the car. I had already visited DMV and thought that I had necessary documents to operate my car. On October 13, at 7:00 pm, we left from the Car Barn Apartments, where we now reside until we close on our house on October 30th, to go to dinner and a movie. We exited the private parking area of Car Barn on to 14th Street and turned right on East Capitol and stopped at the traffic light facing Lincoln Park — we later realized the car that immediately pulled behind us as we exited the Car Barn was an unmarked D.C. Police car. Immediately, after the light turned green, the police car's lights and siren came on, and I pulled over at the bus stop in the 1200 block of East Capitol (7:04 PM). Keep in mind our licenses showed the Car Barn as our residence. All of this took place less than two blocks from where we live. Both officers, D. Phillips and J. Jones, seemed overly aggressive and frightened both Felicia and me. Officer Phillips questioned me about my stickers (“00” “00”, with no month indicated). I showed them my registration and insurance and license. I was reluctant to remove my hands from the wheel at because Officer Phillips had in hand on his weapon during our initial exchange. He convinced me to give him my license and documents. I attempted to explain our recent visit to the DMV, but he did not accept any this explanation. We sat for approximately 15-20 minutes, and Officer Phillips returned to ask me why I showed him the temporary zone six parking car. I explained again, there must be a mix-up because we went to the DMV just a few days ago and the clerk must not have entered my information into their system, but our licenses showed the 10th as the date of issue as did the temporary parking card. I told Officer Phillips that I changed the stickers to avoid being stopped, and if it was wrong to issue me a ticket. Both officers returned to their car and we waited for another 10-15 minutes. At one point they got out of the car and opened their trunk for about three minutes and closed it and got back in their car. I knew then something was horribly wrong. At approximately 7:40, they exited their car, and Officer Phillips told me my car was unregistered and this was a jailable offense. Both officers claimed they could not find any information on my car and my VA plates in any of their databases (this seems highly unlikely).

I told Felicia they were taking me to jail. We both tried to explain this was simply a mistake that we could fix on Monday, but the officers would not listen. They seemed determined to take me away. I told them we were both Federal employees who worked for an Inspector General's office, and that I am an Intelligence Officer in the Navy Reserve and this could jeopardize my security clearance and career. I told them we lived right around the corner and begged them to allow us to take the car back to the Car Barn and leave it until we find out what went wrong at the DMV, but again they said no. The officers claimed their supervisor said to arrest me. I had to give my belt, wedding band, William & Mary ring, Rolex, and gold bracelet to Felicia. Officer Jones parked my car on the street — “legally” according to him (it was parked legally, but I was being arrested for it being unregistered). Felicia walked home to get her car to get me out custody from the 5D station. A Detective at 5D asked why I was arrested (he said I did not look as though I belonged there) and after I told him what happened he interceded on my behalf, had my hand cuffs removed, and kept me from being placed in a holding cell. He told and Felicia and I that I should not have been arrested. I was later thumb printed, and eventually I was released to Felicia on a 50 dollars forfeiture. We went home, I drank an entire bottle of Merlot, and literally cried myself to sleep. This was the most humiliating thing that has ever happened to me. My background and resume will explain why I am so ashamed and angry about what happened to me. I want a formal apology from the D.C. government and I intend to pursue a civil suit to accomplish this — not for monetary gain. Felicia and I are a well educated, law-abiding, middle-class African American couple. We want to live in D.C., but we want assurance from the city's government that this renaissance is for everyone. The city's services are going have to improve and become more customer focused. You don't make a mistake that can cause someone the kind of encounter I had with these officers. Our officers should not take a good citizen to jail simply because of a technicality. And once this kind of error is discovered, someone in the government should acknowledge the mistake and rectify it.

On October 16th, I visited Mitchell Dennis, Manager of the District's DMV, who told me I should have been issued temporary plates and the officers should not have arrested me for something so insignificant. Half an hour later, I had temporary plates. I visited the Chief of Staff's Office for the Chief of Police, where Lt. Aiello said I had significant documentation to give these officers the discretion to not arrest me. The Corporation Counsel's Office stated that I am the type of citizen the District needs and that the law and these circumstances were not meant to capture people like us. We are both African American, college educated professionals, working for a federal audit agency. Why did this happen to us in the heart of the Capitol Hill area? Is this one way that the mayor's office and the police are discouraging blacks from moving or staying in the district and encouraging whites to move back to the District? How many people are actually arrested for an unregistered auto and what is the demographic breakdown of those arrested? I believe this was an instance of racial profiling despite the racial make-up of the officers involved.

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Report Card Time
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aol.com

As we near the end of the year it seems that it is time for some report cards to be issued for all the Departments who set goals and objectives that were set at the beginning of the year. These were supposed to be a measure of the performance, or lack thereof, for each of the major Departments of the city government. As for the Mayor, if I were to be generous in my grading of his performance to date, I would be hard pressed to come up with anything better than a C-minus. The Mayor's continued support for Newman is just one example of his indecisiveness and lack of leadership.

The person I voted for two years ago, expecting a visionary, forceful, make things happen Mayor, has turned out to be a somewhat wimpy, wait for things to happen Mayor. My expectations for the Mayor and for the city are, as yet, unfulfilled.

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The Next Director of Parks and Rec
Helen Hagerty, Helenmhag@aol.com

Before anyone launches into another nationwide search for a Director of Parks and Rec, they should take a look at a couple of hard working people we already have. While renovating Volta Park, we had the opportunity to work with two outstanding individuals in the Rec department, Diane Quinn and Connie Haynes. I know Mr. Haynes is still with Rec, and I hope Ms. Quinn is, as well. Diane Quinn is extremely professional, has some great ideas, and actually gets things done. She works well with communities and has the ability to bring people together to accomplish great things. If anyone on the Council or in the Mayor's office reads this, please take it into consideration.

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Sit, Rest, and Enjoy
Gene Solon, gsol@erols.com

The benches are back! Finally, I'm able to announce that, after much consultation with and exhortation to the D.C. government and the National Park Service (including my emphasizing the fact that scores upon scores of Southwest residents signed petitions for reinstallation), solidly built, beautifully designed benches have been installed today on the lower promenade of the Southwest waterfront. It's sad that, although I asked for help on this project, neither Councilmember Evans' office nor ANC2D lifted a finger to help me. But kudos to the Williams administration and to the Park Service!

I invite you to sit, rest and enjoy the waterfront scene! And I urge individuals — and business groups — and government agencies — to be diligent in keeping the promenade clean!

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Constitutional Quicksand
Timothy Cooper, Democracy First, worldright@aol.com

While there has been a recent flurry of activity regarding Delegate Norton's and the City Council's unified strategy on behalf of DC voting rights now that the Supreme Court flatly refused to hear oral arguments in both of the lawsuits which sought to remedy our inequity through the courts, it is not yet quite clear on what legal basis they plan to hang their hats for this subsequent strategic enterprise. At a recent press conference, they stated that they would seek full voting representation by Congressional legislation. That is, by a majority vote of Congress. This is a dubious proposition at best, particularly in light of the majority opinion of the Three Judge Court, which the Supreme Court just upheld. The court declared, among other things, that DC is not a state and that therefore it is not entitled to voting rights. Why? Because its residents are constitutionally unqualified due to the fact that they are not residents of a state, notwithstanding their actual US citizenship.

According to the court, only if Congress exercises its powers to make DC a state can its residents enjoy these rights because statehood and voting rights are inextricably intertwined. Whether or not Congress treats DC is a state for other purposes, especially economic purposes, is completely irrelevant to the question of its authority to grant DC voting rights. The threshold question here is: Are we a state? If yes, we get voting rights. If no, we do not.

In fact, the recent case makes clear that the legal means of achieving voting rights in DC are as follows: constitutional amendment, statehood, and retrocession to MD. Nowhere in the decision does it enunciate the theory that Congress can pass simple legislation to grant DC full voting rights. Also, it is apparent that the court has linked full voting rights to the requirement of a secure state legislature, which DC does not currently enjoy, and which simple legislation could never totally ensure. Since the prospects for statehood are currently bleak given that the city is not in full possession of all of its state functions, and in light of the fact that there is no substantial movement for retrocession to Maryland, it would appear that the most constitutionally firm proposition would be the formulation of a constitutional amendment for Equal Rights for DC Residents (which would also allow for a true republican form of government) and a campaign to 1) unite the city behind it; 2) educate the nation on its imperative; and 3) prepare for the time when the political stars align to make it practicable. The strategic plan currently on the table is set on constitutional quicksand. It is ironic that it is based on legal assumptions which have just been refuted by the Supreme Court.

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Tentacles of Tyranny
Scott McLarty, scottmclarty@hotmail.com

Tom Briggs (candidate for Council Ward 2 on the DC Statehood Green ticket) and his travails, which he described in the last themail (“Hatch Act Violation”), might represent the seeds of a new lawsuit against the federal government's denial of our rights as US citizens. The District is the only place in the US where a public school teacher is prohibited from running for partisan public office. Can you imagine the outrage if public school teachers in the states were told, drop out of the race or resign your job? The case also shows how the movement for DC Voting Rights in Congress, as represented by the Daley v. Alexander lawsuit, has been a distraction. Representation will not give us democracy (legislative and budgetary autonomy, freedom from the kind of political suppression now suffered by Mr. Briggs). The DC Council held a press conference last week to denounce the Supreme Court's rejection of the Daley v. Alexander suit, but made no mention of the other rejected suit, Adams v. Clinton (“20 Citizens”), which sought democracy and self-determination.

The Clinton Justice Department, contrary to rhetoric from Clinton and Gore in support of our rights, urged the Court to reject both cases. It said DC should seek redress through legislative means — even though we lack the legislative representation to demand either legislative representation or democratic self-determination. This is bad faith and betrayal. At least half of Congress wants to use DC as a “laboratory experiment” for their own policies; nor should we expect enthusiasm for political autonomy from Representatives from surrounding states with an economic interest in keeping DC under their control. The lone presidential candidate who goes around the country talking about DC democracy and self-determination is Ralph Nader (something never reported by The Post), who also helped raise money for the 20 Citizens lawsuit. Nader will hold one of his “Super Rallies,” which usually draw 10,000 to 13,000 people, at the MCI Arena on Sunday, November 5. If you're worried about Nader “spoiling” for Gore (who hasn't lifted a finger to promote our rights in DC), remember that Gore will easily win all the electoral college votes in DC, regardless of your vote. In other words, a DC vote for Gore motivated by panic over a Bush victory is a wasted vote. Stay tuned for details about the Nader Super Rally — the theme of which will be “DC Statehood.”

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Hours to Vote
Margaret E. Minton, meminto@hqcnsg.navy.mil

Help! I'm trying to find out what hours the polls will be open in the District of Columbia on November 7th. Can you help me, please?

[7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. — Gary Imhoff]

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Re: I'll Take One From Column B
Malcolm L Wiseman, Jr., wiseman@us.net

Well, it's historic. Ed Barron's enmity for certain potential leaders, i.e., Marion Barry and Jesse Jackson, would lead him to choose “Column B,” a tax-free, second-class citizenship, over the right to lobby for and perhaps elect his favorite representative candidate. He would deprive everyone of a choice if he can't have his. It was this sort of selfish, fearful acceptance among DC's then-voting populace (white, propertied males only) that sustained the egregious rights violation in the first place. Constance Green stated as much several times in her historical study, Washington: Village and Capital, 1800-1878 (1962).

Then, even though it was not offered, they actually got “Column C.” This item included several unforeseen pits in the peach, e.g., federal income taxes, mandatory military service, oppressive oversight, and a very hard row to hoe to get back to Column A.

I compliment Mr. Barron, who in a later post makes thoughtful suggestions regarding DCPS teacher job reform.

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Katie Mann's Inquiry Re Barbed Wire
Peter Wolff, intowner@intowner.com

It is my understanding that it is NOT legal to incorporate barbed wire or razor wire along fencing in the District. Correct me if I'm wrong about this.

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Voters’ Guide
Kathy Sinzinger, EditorCD@aol.com

This week's issue of The Common Denominator has a Voters' Guide to the D.C. council and school board races. All candidates for at-large council and school board president answered our questionnaire — and most district school board candidates also responded. You can find The Common Denominator in bright red vending boxes around town, including at most Metro stations. You also should be able to find us at Safeways and Giants and a number of other independent stores.

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Replies to Fascism in Cardozo-Shaw

Wayne Murphy, murphy@va.jaycor.com
To Ms. Persiflage: Time to move to Virginia. All signs are allowed here (we believe in free speech and have actually fought for it) and we do not have the racist,
divisive bigots that seem to populate the capital city. We would welcome you. To Karen -- sorry to hear your choice, but I guess family comes first. I just wish Joe
were running as VP under Cheney).

Rick Otis, rdotis@yahoo.com
With respect to the political free speech mentioned by Ms. Dorothy Persiflage in her mail entitled “Fascism in Cardoza-Shaw,” do refer to an E-mail I sent a few weeks back where I noted: “Oh that those who express vile, hateful, and deleterious speech were aware of what the rest of us do to protect the rule of law and their right to so speak. We are often the very same ones they so stridently attack.” In many instances, the things “the rest of us do” include creating jobs and all sorts of economic growth that fund the public payroll — the very thing that for too long had been the basic (and failed) public policy used to expand economic opportunity in the District. With that in mind, perhaps those in Cardoza-Shaw who decry minority opinions in such strident terms should note several things: 1) some of us strongly oppose public policies based solely upon government as the source of all solutions; 2) we oppose them as well as the political parties and politicians who offer us nothing more but dressed up versions of such policies; 3) we oppose them not because we are, at heart, evil people (although I know many are so easily manipulated that they are convinced this is truly the case), but because they cost too much, create all sorts of undesirable, unintended side effects, and — most important of all — ultimately fail to solve the problem they were created to solve; 4) poor schools, low quality public services, high crime, the ongoing murder of our city's young men, economic development and jobs only for the rich elite, high taxes, high unemployment rates, and continued racist poverty here in the District are clear proof that such public policies ultimately fail; 5) those of us who oppose such big-government public policies find it oddly curious that those who are its strongest supporters are often the most afflicted by its failures; and 6) we find it less curious, perhaps even unfortunate, that many supporters of such failed public policies can not see beyond them and are addicted to public funds — making their living off the public till — while those who truly need our help remain as downtrodden as ever.

Peter Luger, lugerpj@georgetown.edu
Whomever placed the note in Mrs. P's mail slot regarding her support for Bush/Cheney was absolutely, positively wrong. And, just as someone who bombs an abortion clinic should not be considered representative of the anti-abortion movement, someone who expresses a political view opposed to your own in such a way should not be considered representative of the Democratic Party. As Mrs. P and everyone else knows, it is just as likely that someone with a Gore-Lieberman sign posted somewhere in Utah would get a similar note with an opposite slant. Regardless, if Bush and the Republicans were really for LESS Federal Government regulation, they would be FOR some sort of fairness for the District of Columbia. Republicans COULD agree to give DC some rights. In the past, under the Democrats, Rep. Norton had a vote in the Committee of the Whole, which was just short of full voting rights. The Republicans took that away as soon as they won the House of Representatives. The same Republicans use their power to restrict the free-will of DC constantly. The Republican Congress has not allowed DC to spend its own tax dollars (not Federal tax dollars) to pay for abortions, needle exchange, domestic partner registration and ballot initiative tabulation. They have also not allowed any consideration of a commuter tax. Whether you agree with any of these ideas is irrelevant. A majority of the people who live in DC are for these initiatives (with the possible exception of the commuter tax) and the “leave the Federal Government out of local decision making” Congress doesn't care. While Congress has the RIGHT to override the will of DC residents, they are not REQUIRED to override their will. There are many more examples of the inconsistency on this issue, but I'll stick to the “it should be about DC” rule of themail.

Jeffrey Bensing, jeffbensing@earthlink.net
Ms. Persiflage, I am afraid that the vulgar missive you received is not only the product of an astoundingly narrow and ignorant mind but is a byproduct of the class warfare demagoguery emanating from the very top of the Democratic ticket. The Vice President makes his arguments in a far more refined manner but his message is the same; that life is a zero sum game of the haves vs. the have-nots and that those with differing opinions from the liberal establishment on any issue from taxes to welfare to vouchers are elitists, racists or worse.
The raw intimidation and violent intolerance embodied in that note repudiate the very core values of democracy and liberalism and the author should be truly ashamed. At the same time, those who clothe their intolerance and invalidation of opinions differing from their own in more acceptable terms share a portion of the responsibility for Miss Persiflage's harassment.

Judith Turner, judith@turner.net
I apologize on behalf of all of us who support democracy and the right to support a candidate of your choice. Unfortunately that same democracy also protects stupid people who say stupid things. I am sorry that such vitriol should have been directed at you, and I hope that you are not daunted in your cause.

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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS

Election Night Hangouts? — A Reply
Michael Karlan, michael@dcyoungpro.com

The D.C. Society of Young Professionals is hosting an election night party at the Rock, 717 6th Street, N.W. (across from the MCI Center). The event begins at 6 p.m., and there is a big screen TV. to watch the results. The cost is $10 if you RSVP ahead of time or $12 at the door. We will have $2 hot dogs, $3 chili, and drink specials. For more information or to RSVP, E-mail michael@dcyoungpro.com, visit www.dcyoungpro.com, or call 686-6085.

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Fall Sale of Used Books Benefits DC — Takoma Branch Library
Dodie Butler, dodie_b@yahoo.com

Saturday, October 28, Friends of the D.C. Takoma Branch Library are holding a used book sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 5th and Cedar Streets, N.W. (two blocks west of the Takoma metro station). Join “Friends” and you have half-price privileges. In addition to hardback and paperback novels, we have received someone's collection of books on baseball, lots of travel books, boxes of record albums — and a bumper crop of paperback romances. Also have a selection of Halloween dress-up items for kids. For more information, call 291-5338.

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Urban Institute First Tuesdays
Matthew Gilmore, mgilmore@clark.net

Join us at our next noon-time discussion, “Election 2000: What Impact on the District?” Panel: Mark Plotkin, WAMU (moderator); Lawrence Guyot, Jr., ANC Commissioner; Courtland Milloy, Washington Post; Alice Rivlin, Brookings Institution; Margery Austin Turner, Urban Institute; and others. Lunch is provided. RSVP: 261-5709. Urban Institute, 2100 M Street, NW, 5th Floor, Tuesday, November 7, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

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Democracy 7 Trial
Mark David Richards, mark@bisconti.com

This has received scant press coverage. The only coverage I saw was in Tom Sherwood's Notebook. [Forwarded E-mail from Anise Jenkins, anisej@hotmail.com]: The trial of the Democracy 7 has begun. The jury has been selected and United States government begins its prosecution of 7 brave D.C. residents who stood up for democracy in the U.S. House gallery to claim the voice (and vote) that the U.S. Congress stole from us. Please show your support for the Democracy 7 and for D.C. residents' right to representation and full democracy! Give what time you can and show you care. Thursday, October 25 - Friday, October 26, approximately 10:30 am - 4:30 pm each day, D.C. Superior Courtroom #116, 500 Indiana Ave., NW (red line, Judiciary Square, 30 and 70 bus lines).

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TasteDC.com's Late October Through December Calendar of Wine and Food Events
Charlie Adler, wine@tastedc.com

1) October 24th, Tuesday, “New American Wine Dinner at Tahoga Restaurant,” 2815 M St., NW, 7-9:30 PM, $70 per person. Join us for a 5 course meal at Tahoga Restaurant, one of the area's premier restaurants specializing in regional American cuisine. The dinner will include an appetizer, salad, fish course, meat course, and dessert, all paired with Breaux Vineyard's (their 1999 Viognier won the “Best of Show” at the VWGA Virginia Wine Competition) award winning wines. Space is limited to only 35 people, so please sign up early! Dress is business casual. 2) October 25th, Wednesday, “Fall Wine Xtravaganza,” Cafe Soleil Restaurant, 839 17th St., NW, steps from Farragut West Metro, street parking, 7-9 PM, $35 in advance, $45 at the door if available. Xtravaganza's are a great way to taste over 35 kinds of wine in an informal setting and also purchase them for 20% off per bottle and 25% off per case (sales are handled by a local D.C. retailer). William-Harrison Imports is showcasing their portfolio of hand-picked French wines from the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the south of France. Light hors d'oeuvres will also be served. Dress is business casual. 3) November 4th, Saturday, “Oyster and Wine Festival,” Christopher Marks Restaurant, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, 1-4 PM, $65 per person, tax and tip inclusive. Oysters, oysters, and more oysters — and great wine! Taste a variety of at least 15 different types of oysters freshly shucked on the half-shell from both the East and West Coasts paired with wines from New Zealand and California (think incredible Sauvignon Blancs) and France (Muscadet from the Loire Valley, oyster's perfect accompaniment!). Executive Chef Robert Polk (formerly of Bistro Bis under Jeffrey Buben, and Occidental Grill) will also prepare Oysters Rockefeller and a tasting of other prepared oyster specialties. If you love oysters, don't miss this one! Dress is very casual for this standing event.4) November 7th, Tuesday, “Wine Basics 101,” Radisson Barcelo Hotel, 2121 P St., NW, valet parking, Metro Dupont Circle (Red Line), 7-9 PM, $40 per person. Our most attended event! Learn how to order wine in a restaurant, determine basic wine styles and varietals, pair wine and food and more! 5) November 8th, Wednesday, “Mixology 101: Cocktail Expo and Tasting,” Radisson Barcelo Hotel, 7-9 PM, $38 per person. This is one of our most popular events! Two bartenders with phenomenal Mixology skills will mix, entertain and serve you samples of various classic and trendy mixed drinks (over 20 sample drinks available per attendee). You will also learn the basics of setting up your own home bar, secrets of the trade, and a whole lot more! 6) December 12th, Tuesday, “Best of the Best for 2000 with Ann Berta, Wine Columnist of Washingtonian Magazine,” Radisson Barcelo Hotel, 7-7:30 PM Reception, 7:30-9 PM wine tasting, $55 per person. Come celebrate the great wines of 2000 with Ann Berta, wine columnist for Washingtonian Magazine. Very little needs to be said here — 2000 had some excellent wines and we'll enjoy them together as the year winds down. This event is for beginners as well as knowledgeable wine aficionados, everyone should taste and savor the year's best! 7) December 13th, Wednesday, “Wine Basics 101,” Radisson Barcelo Hotel, 7-7:30 PM Reception, 7:30-9 PM Wine Tasting, $40 per person. Reservations, click on  https://labyrinth.dgsys.com/clients/tastedc.com/order.cgi or phone 333-5588.

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CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED

Technology Works for Good Circuit Rider
Julie Heffern, heffernjulie@hotmail.com

Technology Works for Good seeks to hire a full-time “Technology Circuit Rider.” Technology Works for Good is a new nonprofit network of funders, training centers and technical assistance providers dedicated to enabling our community-based nonprofits to use technology to serve their mission. Founded with investments from the Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, Fannie Mae Foundation, America Online and the World Congress on Information Technology. Technology Works for Good's mission is to enhance the capacity of our region's community-based nonprofits to serve humanity better in the digital age. Circuit Riding entails performing technology assessments, helping agency leaders to draft technology plans and working with them to implement those plans. The Circuit Rider enjoys access to several networks of technologists, funders and nonprofit leaders. The Circuit Rider will be managed, trained and supported by Technology Works for Good but will spend 70% of his/her time in the field working with various community organizations. We offer a small educational stipend, ongoing product and solutions training and a high quality, solution-oriented working environment.

Qualifications: strong commitment and history of working with AIDS-related nonprofit community organizations within the National Capital Region; excellent communication and organizational skills; command of at least two of the following technologies: LAN, web design and programming, database development, nonprofit software or wireless communications; ability to interview and assess grantee's organizational and technological needs; two years minimum training or consulting experience; familiarity with a range of technologies; ability to translate and demystify technology terminology for lay-persons; ability to provide some hands-on support; aptitude for learning and problem solving; requires high energy, good sense of humor and your own car. Salary and benefits: salary ranges $43,500-47,000 commensurate with experience; standard benefits package; professional development and training stipend; Technology Works for Good provides a “saddle bag” of tools, including: laptop, handheld computer, webcam and digital camera; a creative working environment where learning is encouraged and supported; monthly parking allowance. Please submit a cover letter and resume with references to funjobs@technologyworks.org. Once we receive your materials you may be called for an interview. The application process closes ASAP. If you are a finalist, then you will be asked to meet with the review committee during business hours. Start date: September, 2000. If you have questions or want a complete job announcement, direct them to the E-mail listed above. No phone calls, please.

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CLASSIFIEDS — TRANSPORTATION

Car Pool from Baltimore Area
Ann Bond, ortacb@gwumc.edu

Does anyone know of a car pool from the Baltimore area to DC and back Monday through Friday? Please call Ann at 994-4390 or 544-7272; or E-mail ortacb@gwumc.

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CLASSIFIEDS — CITY PAPER PREVIEW
Dave Nuttycombe, webmeister@washcp.com

From washingtoncitypaper.com's LOOSE LIPS column, appearing this Friday:
BOARD STIFF? School board president candidate Peggy Cooper Cafritz speaks clearly on most educational issues that have come before her during this fall's campaign. Ask her about teachers, for example, and she'll propose testing them on their subject areas. On reestablishing the link between schools and their neighborhoods, Cafritz proposes keeping schoolhouse doors open 24 hours a day.
But when you ask Cafritz about her relationship with Mayor Anthony A. Williams, you may want to pull in Dr. Frasier Crane to assist with interpretation.
Read the entire Loose Lips column here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/lips/lips.html

From washingtoncitypaper.com's CITY LIGHTS page, here are a few early warnings for upcoming events:
SUNDAY: Little Feat, 7 p.m. at the State Theater, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church. $27.50.
TUESDAY: Ghost Hunters of Baltimore give tips and tricks. At 6:30 p.m. at the Decatur House Museum, 748 Jackson Place NW. $5 (suggested donation).
More details and more critics' picks are available online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/pix/pix.html

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