Gullible
Dear Skeptics:
Sometimes media spin works just perfectly. For example, every
television and newspaper report repeated without any hint of doubt the
estimates of government spokesmen that three thousand DC citizens
attended the Citizen Summit II yesterday. The only exception was the Washington
Post, which inflated that estimate to 3,500, and Mayor Williams is
now saying attendance was “more than 3,500.”
You can judge that estimate, and make a good assessment of its
validity, for yourself. The room in the Convention Center was set up
with two hundred tables that sat ten people each. If all the seats were
full, that would be two thousand people. But more than a dozen tables
toward the back of the room were completely empty. Be generous and
subtract only two hundred people for empty tables. Another fifteen to
twenty tables had only three or four people each. Again be generous, and
subtract only one hundred twenty people at those tables. Be further
generous, and assume that all the other tables were completely full,
even though they weren't. That leaves total attendance at one thousand
six hundred eighty (1,680), at most. However, the majority of those who
came weren't simply citizens, and many of them weren't even residents of
DC. Government employees who attended told Dorothy and me that between
sixty and seventy percent of those who attended the Thursday reception
and the Saturday event were DC government employees, who had been
ordered to come — as Officer Bullard of the MPD, who came on Saturday
wearing plain clothes, said to Channel 4 news, she had been ordered by
her Commander to come. But be extremely generous and reduce that last
estimate of government employees to only fifty percent, and we're left
with at most eight hundred forty (840) civilian citizens who attended
the summit voluntarily.
There are many more volunteer opportunities in this issue of themail,
and we're very far from exhausting the list. Please keep sending
suggestions for volunteer opportunities that you've enjoyed, or have
found to be particularly worthwhile. I'm sure that the hundreds of
thousands of readers — uh, make that millions of readers — of
themail will appreciate it.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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Emergency Management Agency Web Site
Jonathan Prince, jonathan@killyourtv.com
The District has been placed under a state of emergency since the
terrorist attack on the Pentagon on September 11th. One would assume
that the District's Emergency Management Agency would update its web
site to announce this fact and help citizens during this time of crisis.
Think again. It has not been updated since August. http://dcema.dc.gov/main.shtm.
###############
Is anyone as embarrassed as I am today [Thursday] by DC? While the
FDNY was battling heroically at the World Trade Center, what did we see
from members of the DC Fire Department? Petty theft.
The story in the Post today about their turning up at the Pentagon
and proceeding to knock off Arlington County's equipment is nauseating.
Even more so is the warning from director of communications Lisa Bass
that raising the matter needs to be carefully considered, lest it be
considered insensitive to “minorities.” Ugh.
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Temporary No Parking Signs
John Whiteside, Logan Circle, john@logancircle.net
Last Sunday night, signs were posted on my block informing us that
there would be no parking from 7 a.m. Monday through 5 p.m. Friday. Wow,
I thought, maybe they are finally fixing our street, replacing our
decrepit sidewalks (we've only been calling the city about this for a
year and half), or doing some other major improvement. Monday passed.
Nothing happened. Tuesday passed. Nothing happened. On Wednesday, when
most residents had started ignoring the signs since they seemed to have
nothing to do with reality, a big truck showed up. It appears that some
cable was laid, resulting in a patch of tar on the street a couple of
feet square. Thursday, Friday, no more activity. Which leads to two
questions:
1). Why does the city have to restrict parking for an entire week to
do one day of work? 2) OK, so maybe they don't know exactly when they'll
get there. But couldn't the signs have been removed when the work was
done, so we'd know we could park again for the rest of the week? I
understand that the logistics of all this are complex, but a little
respect for residents would be nice; and it would less annoying if we
actually saw improvements on our street. Like it getting cleaned, even
just once (this has never happened in the sixteen months I've lived
here).
###############
I must take exception to the way Gary Imhoff has phrased his
questions about the Control Board. It was never intended to pick up the
trash, solve homicides, or teach home economics to teenage mothers. As
far as I am concerned, it was intended to change the near-term course of
the city's government, its finances, and perhaps more indirectly, to
improve the image of DC as the nation's capital city. It could not
possibly have run the day-to-day affairs of the city directly. But one
way or another, it helped significantly in changing the caliber of the
city's leadership, both executive and legislative. Many of the changes
they have collectively put in place will continue to take hold over
another several years. Converting a huge recalcitrant bureaucracy to a
professional, fiscally-responsible basis will take a decade. But the
changes have clearly increased the confidence of both residents and
businesses in the city's future. This is evident in the construction
going on downtown, the evolving demographics, and the upgrading of
residential properties all over the city.
Having said all that, the Control Board failed to inspire city
leaders in several areas that could have been instrumental in assuring
the longer term course of the city (in fact I doubt they considered this
part of their job). The Board induced little if any emphasis on regional
cooperation. It has been silent on upgrading Congressional oversight. It
did little to encourage a firm new direction for urban economic growth.
It exerted little or no influence on the appalling lack of
transportation planning. And the city clearly still has no plan for the
alleviation of concentrated poverty and/or its impact on the education
system. The past course of the city has been irreversibly altered, but a
stable future course has yet to be defined by its leaders with or
without the Control Board.
###############
Once Again, the DMV
Ed Kane, ERMK@aol.com
I must say, with both pleasure and admiration, that I have just
completed a totally satisfactory interaction with the DC Department of
Motor Vehicles. About two weeks ago, I received by mail notification of
the necessity of renewing my automobile registration certificate, plus
my resident parking certificate, both expiring on November 14th. Having
heard of the horrendous delays in this process, I replied immediately by
E-mail, including my credit card number and expiration date. Ten days
later, I received both stickers! Bravo, DMV! Perhaps we have, finally,
arrived at better days!
###############
Long Live Medicaid, Uncle Sam, and Lawyers
Len Sullivan, lsnarpac@bellatlantic.net
Despite the extravagant claims of those pressing for a greater DC
voice in Congress, less than 54 percent of DC's $6 billion FY02
operating budget will be raised from local taxes, and a good quarter of
that comes from business activities, not individuals. Medicaid alone
kicks in one billion. That also lets DC pay less than 80 percent of its
public school costs, and no more than half its special ed costs. On the
income side, over 34 percent of DC's gross domestic product comes from
just federal government employment, and about 60 percent of the private
sector's share comes from services. Within that services category, the
legal profession contributes more than hotels, amusements, trade
(wholesale and retail) and education put together. These odd factoids,
plus some thoughts on DC's post-9/11 priorities, and an exclusive photo
of one of the first upright pilings for the new Wilson Bridge brighten
the October update of the NARPAC web site at http://www.narpac.org.
Bag the gloom. Get positively involved.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Tenley-Friendship Library Book Sale
Martha Saccocio, MarthaNS@aol.com
The Friends of the Tenley-Friendship Branch of the DC Public Library
will host its semiannual used book sale on Saturday, October 27, from
12-4 p.m. A special preview sale will be held for members of the Friends
of the Tenley Library from 11-12. We have thousands of books at great
prices. Memberships may be purchased or renewed at the door ($10 for
individuals; $20 for families). The sale will be held on the second
floor of the library, which is located at the intersection of Wisconsin
Avenue and Albemarle Street, NW, across from the Tenley Metro. Anyone
who is interested in volunteering, please contact Martha Saccocio, at MarthaNS@aol.com.
###############
Reminder: Institute for Transformation Through the Arts is presenting
a Beads of Peace workshop Saturday, Oct. 13, 3-6. Suggested
tax-deductible donation: $50 (includes all tools and supplies). In these
times when most of us feel so powerless, we're not powerless to make
something beautiful. In this workshop we'll be decorating a picture
frame with semiprecious stones and other natural materials. Stones --
pearls, amber, turquoise, jaspers -- have different emotional and
spiritual qualities. Bringing them all together into a piece of art is a
process that is both exuberant and relaxing. Elena Crusoe, jewelry
artist, will share her knowledge about natural materials and her design
techniques. We'll deepen the process through journaling. To register,
call Juliet Bruce at 667-3766 or E-mail juliet@artsforlife.com.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — FREE
We are giving away a Xerox XC23 full-sized photocopier (3-4 feet
tall). It was never used because on arrival, a few years ago, it didn't
work. Xerox service never responded, so Staples refunded our cost and
then failed to come get the machine. It has sat, mostly forgotten, in a
corner of the office until now. The machine collates, staples, enlarges,
and does other fancy things; it has three paper drawers. We assume it is
repairable and will donate it “as is” to any person or organization
willing to remove it from our office in Chevy Chase, DC. (Will need two
big people to carry.) Please respond by E-mail if you're interested.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — SPACE WANTED
Parking in Adams Morgan
Irini Livezeanu, irinal+@pitt.edu
I have just moved to the Adams Morgan neighborhood, a very difficult
place to park as I found out, even by New York standards. Any
information leading to an off-street parking space in the vicinity of
Adams Mill would be greatly appreciated. (It does not have to be that
close even).
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED
Director, GWorld Card Program
Jeffrey Itell, story@intr.net
My employer is looking to fill the following position. Please pass
this message to anyone who might find it interesting. George Washington
University, centered in the national and international crossroads of
Washington, DC, commits itself to excellence in the field of knowledge.
We are currently seeking an individual that will manage and coordinate
all aspects of the campus card services program. This position will also
coordinate and manage the financial duties related to the operation of
the campus card office including vendor/partner business relationships,
ensuring that required reconciliation's and financial transactions are
performed with efficiency/accuracy; plan, implement and coordinate
on/off campus marketing efforts for the card program; oversees the
required technical services necessary to maintain a reliable card system
from a data and systems administration perspective.
The requirements are: Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in
Business Administration, Computer Science or related field; a minimum of
5-7 years of related experience (preferably in a university environment)
or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience;
excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary.
Experience with computer hardware/software and operating systems is a
plus. We offer a compensation package to include health insurance and
tuition benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. Easy access to
Metro. To be considered, send your resume and cover letter (reference
Job #R10159) to The George Washington University, Dept. of HR Services,
2033 K St., N.W. Suite 220, Washington, D.C. 20052, fax: 994-9609,
E-mail: gwujobs@gwu.edu. GW is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — VOLUNTEERS
Dear Volunteers, CPCUG (Capital PC User Group)
Gabe Goldberg, gabe@gabegold.com
I've been involved with Capital PC User Group (CPCUG) for about ten
years. It's a nonprofit community-oriented DC regional organization with
about 2,000 members, aimed at helping people effectively use PCs, the
Internet, and other technology. It offers a monthly magazine, a couple
dozen meetings throughout MD/VA/DC every month on diverse topics,
thrice-yearly seminars on buying or building PCs, and lots more.
CPCUG runs on volunteer labor. If you're interested in helping, we
can point you to opportunities we've identified or give you a framework
in which to suggest and pursue your own ideas. Visit
http://www.cpcug.org for info, or contact me or CPCUG President Dennis
Courtney at DennisC@iadb.org. I
run CPCUG's Internet SIG (special interest group); this meets next on
Thursday, October 11. Visit the presentations URL (http://www.cpcug.org/user/internet)
for info, click link for meetings, scroll down to October event.
###############
CHIME (Community Help In Music Education) welcomes volunteers with a
wide variety of skills, and can provide community service credit for
students. We are an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to
mobilize community resources to promote and provide music education for
DC public schoolchildren during and outside of school. Activities
include placing qualified volunteer music instructors in school and
after school programs; distributing donated instruments in good repair
(DCPS will pick up and deliver pianos and other non-portables); putting
on free family programs in libraries and other public venues in our
series "Music Around the World" (20 planned this school year);
organizing "Music Buddies" to take kids to music performances
they otherwise would not be exposed to (in partnership with performing
organizations) and running an advocacy campaign to include music
education in the required elementary school curriculum. Besides
musicians to teach or assist music teachers on a weekly or short-term
basis, we could use many other kinds of organizational help: with our
many programs; with developing our infrastructure (accounting system,
database, website); liaisons to schools, churches and other community
organizations; marketing, publicity, fundraising. Something for
everyone! So far we have reached over 3000 children in eleven school and
three after-school programs and could do much more with your help and
donations. We all know the role music plays in expressing, comforting,
inspiring and uniting us in ways beyond words in times of personal and
national traumas. Opportunities for basic human expression and
fulfillment in the ability to create, produce and enjoy many kinds of
music should be available to all our children — sadly, it isn't. You
can help! Contact Dorothy Marschak, dmarschak@chime-dc.org, or check our
website http://www.chime-dc.org,
for further information, to volunteer, to donate instruments, or to make
a donation. All contributions are tax-deductible.
###############
I am currently volunteering as an ESL teacher at Language, Etc., on
Sundays, and it is a wonderful, hands-on volunteer experience. I can't
recommend it highly enough. Language, Etc., located in Our Lady Queen of
the Americas Church, is recruiting native English speaker volunteers to
teach English to adult immigrants Saturday or Sunday morning or
afternoon. Classes started September 15th. Training is provided and
parking is available. It is located at 2200 California Street, NW,
between Connecticut and Massachusetts Avenues, and only minutes away
from the Dupont Circle Metro Station. For more information, call or
E-mail Melissa Zervos, ESL Coordinator, Language, Etc., 387-2222 or
387-2616, eslcoordinator@erols.com.
###############
Recording for the Deaf
Stewart Reuter, Rtlreuter@aol.com
An excellent volunteering opportunity is with the Washington Chapter
of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD). The studio is located
very near the Friendship Heights Metro. Volunteers are first taught how
to monitor/direct readers of textbooks and other printed material for
all levels (grade school through graduate studies). They then are given
the opportunity to read the materials, to produce recordings (taped and
digital). The clientele of RFBD are those who are unable to use or have
difficulty using printed materials through blindness, vision limits,
dyslexia, or other conditions. Many such students have completed studies
from grade school through advanced degrees because of the work of RFBD's
volunteers. Readers with specific knowledge of foreign languages,
science and engineering, medicine, computers, programming, etc., are
always needed. Volunteer hours are available during the day and in the
evening, and an auxiliary studio has been established at NIH. RFBD's
phone is 244-8990, or E-mail at RFBDDC@erols.com.
###############
Red Tulip Garden for Bancroft Elementary
Peg Blechman, blechman@access-board.gov
This November we starting a new tulip garden at Bancroft Elementary
(18th and Newton Streets.) We're looking for community volunteers to
help prepare the soil and plant red tulip bulbs. Whether you're an
experienced gardener or a novice, we sure could use your help. To
volunteer, please contact Peg at blechman@access-board.gov.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
Inexpensive Venue for Wedding Reception
Ashley Inselman, ainselman@yahoo.com
I am new to the area and am planning a wedding for April 2002. I
would like suggestions on a venue for the reception. It does not have to
be fancy, but a big (maybe funky/unique) hall that can accommodate a
buffet meal and dancing (150 guests). Would prefer within the District,
but willing to go to burbs as well. Contact Ashley Inselman at ainselman@yahoo.com
or 363-5955.
###############
Chimney Sweep
Valerie Kenyon Gaffney, vkg0531@aol.com
I need to have my chimney swept and my HVAC system cleaned and
serviced before the snow flies. Would welcome recommendations for one or
both of these services. Foggy Bottom neighborhood, if that matters.
###############
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