The Application
Dear Applicants:
When you apply for a job with the District of Columbia government,
you sign a certification on the employment application form that reads,
in part: “I understand that a false statement on any part of my
application may be grounds for not hiring me, or for firing me after I
begin work (DC Code §1-617.1(d)(1) et seq. (1991 Repl.)). I understand
that the making of a false statement on this form or materials submitted
with this form is punishable by criminal penalties pursuant to DC Code
§22-2514 et seq. (1991 Repl.). I understand that any information I give
may be investigated as allowed by law or Mayoral order.”
That sounds serious. Unless, of course, you're Fire Chief Ronnie Few,
or Few's three Assistant Chiefs from East Point, Georgia, or Robert
Newman, or Kelvin Robinson, or Sam Kaiser. Unless, of course, you lie to
the Williams administration, which temporizes and waffles and hunts for
excuses not to enforce the law. In response to Fire Chief Few's resume
whoppers, Mayor Williams has been a portrait in indecision, trying to
convince the public that he really cares about the honesty of his top
appointees, without, of course, actually having to do anything to prove
that honesty is required. No wonder Chief Few encouraged, or at least
allowed, his three cronies from East Point to inflate their resumes when
they came to DC. He had done it himself; his “errors” had been
exposed two years ago at his confirmation hearing; and he had suffered
no consequence. Just as he, and they, are suffering no consequence now.
When I apply for a job in DC government, I'll be sure to mention my
Rhodes scholarship, my MacArthur genius award, and the years that I
spent as president of IBM before I retired to become a wealthy
philanthropist. Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't?
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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Appreciation of the District, and It’s Not
Just the Alleys
Joan Eisenstodt, jeisen@aol.com
First a note about why we love living here. All that Gary said and
more. I love the ease of getting around in a smaller city (protests and
votes on the Hill the exceptions), Eastern Market (as long as the new
developers keep it close to the same) and the ability to walk to so many
places. The Smithsonian programs (day and evening) that are reasonably
priced and easily accessible allow us to learn more.
That said, I'm with Heather Scott (whose alley is not cleaned) when
it comes to DC services. The recent storm where trees fell in many parts
of the District made those on our street quite nervous. We have a huge,
mostly hollow tree that sheds many limbs w/ each storm. Calls by many of
us have given us case numbers and promises of help. Wonder if the recent
problems will make the DC govt. more responsible?
Then there are the case numbers on the cross walk that isn't . . .
and the cars that go through. Another story for another time.
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One Happy Resident in DC
Theresa Nunnally, tnunnall@yahoo.com
I'm no cynic, I'm a Virginian who crossed the river to buy a home in
DC three years ago. I love the Lincoln Park area of Capitol Hill,
because diversity and multiculturalism are the fabric that make the
District what it is, a celebration of life through food, people, and the
arts. People are friendlier — I know my neighbors by name; even
strangers say hello when walking by. Public transportation is clean and
safe, taxis are plentiful, and much is within walking distance. A prime
location — you can get to the ocean, mountains, a sleepy southern
town, or NY city in a matter of hours; and three airports are nearby.
Sports teams — there is something for everyone (sans baseball), CAPS,
Redskins, DC United, Freedom, Wizards, and Mystics. Am I happy, you bet.
Now if I could only get my recycling picked up on a regular basis and
perhaps some representation in Congress. . . .
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Wanda Bubriski for undertaking the immense job of organizing the
first Adams Morgan House Tour in 22 years as a benefit to save the
deteriorating Holt House. (I couldn't help but think that maybe if some
of the homeowners on the tour sold off a few of their enormous number of
possessions and gave to the cause, the Holt House could be saved with
far less trouble.) The wildflowers along the banks of the Potomac seen
from Carderock area trails and Turkey Run and Scotts Run Park trails are
spectacular right now. See them while the Virginia bluebells, trilliums
and may apple are still out!
Speaking of trilliums, DC's proximity to the best trillium display in
the world at Thompson Wildlife Management Area in Linton, VA, is also a
great advantage! Lots of trilliums are out right now, but they may not
peak until the first or second weekend in May.
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Just yesterday, I flew in from Las Vegas, and I was glad to get home.
DC has problems, lots of problems, that is true, and my little
neighborhood of Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park has our share: 1) Kelly Miller
public housing that looks like the housing project DC forgot; 2) Gage
Public school — open classrooms in a public school that serves 95%
kids who qualify for free school lunches with the WORST test scores in
the city; Kelly Miller School, the nicer of the two public schools, is
now a “swing school” serving (first) the Oyster kids, and now
Cleveland Park kids, as our local kids languish at Gage; 3) the Old Gage
School — caught for years in the DHCD tolerance of the People's
Involvement Corporation non-improvement of this beautiful and decaying
building; 4) burglary and drug sales being the only type of employment
opportunity in the neighborhood for youth; 5) a large DPW property that
lacks basic maintenance so weeds and trash contribute the general
chaotic environment; 6) a building that serves as the Mayor's parking
lot that looks like something from a Steven King movie; 7) the Water
Authority building, a beautiful building, fenced in with hideous chain
link; 8) the McMillen Sand Filtration site, a lovely site also fenced in
with chain link, sitting and waiting for the Office of Planning to
figure out how to do something with this potentially beautiful parkland.
We are more motivated to complain, I think, than to speak out on what
we like. I will take am minute to talk about what I love in DC. Property
values are skyrocketing because, in spite of our civic ills, this is a
good place to live. My neighbors are friendly, with most of the
neighborhood still first generation DC homeowners and/or their
descendants. When I realize that until the mid-60's, DC was segregated
by Jim Crow, I am amazed at what has been accomplished so quickly by
African-Americans who were shut out for so long. On my street, we know
each other and greet each other with a cheerful good morning. People
collect contributions when someone dies, and Mrs. Shields has everyone's
keys, just in case they get locked out. I have lived on my street for
nine years, and our lives are intertwined. Living in a row house means
getting to know your neighbors. None of that suburban distance when I
can see into my neighbors dining room when I water the plants on my back
porch. It's good morning and good afternoon, and how are y'all doin.
The neighbor kids spend the night frequently on Saturday's at my
house, and the parents drop by to chat. I don't have kids, so it is a
pleasure to me that folks trust me with their kids. And that I can help
out — one neighbor is raising her 4th grandkid, and another neighbor
has six: two of hers, two of his, and two they had together. Another
neighbor watches her grandkids while her daughter works. It is a good
thing to be a part of the lives of these folks I respect so much. We
loan each other milk, eggs, and yard tools. We wish each other well. We
cry when someone in our family dies, and celebrate when someone
graduates from high school. We come from different ethnic backgrounds,
and have different educational and economic stories. But it is people
that make up a community, and the folks on my block are some fine
folks.
We have a great pool for summertime swimming — Banneker on Georgia
Avenue. Granted, it needs some maintenance, but it is free, it is big,
and it is open in the hot summer. The adult section of the pool rarely
has many adults, so for me it is like a private pool. And when the
Georgia Avenue festival or the Caribbean festival goes along down
Georgia Avenue, I can swim and listen to music, and just enjoy the
urban-ness of my life. The G2 bus whisks us to Dupont Circle or
Georgetown, the 80 down to Union Station, and the 70 South to the
American Art Gallery, the Building museum or North to Silver Spring
mall. I don't have to own a car, saving thousands of dollars. Two Metros
are within a twenty-minute walk or a five-minute bike ride. I can walk
to work or take the bus, and now it is simple to take the bike on Metro.
It is a neighborhood in transition, which means that though my house
needs painting, I don't feel pressed to keep up with the neighbors. This
is slowly changing, but for now I am going to stay relaxed. Since I have
lived there, my house has gone up $100,000 in value. That is a startling
and amazing thing to experience. The houses around mine are slowly being
fixed up, one at a time. It is a pleasure to watch beat up back yards
turned into attractive spaces. My own garden receives hours and hours of
my time, and it rewards me (and my neighbors) with a steady stream of
blooms every day. There are at least six of us in the neighborhood that
I know of that have adopted a street or two for trash pickup. Is it sad
that DC folks eat so much junk food and drink so many beers, and leave
them discarded on public streets? Yes. Is it rewarding that so many
folks take responsibility for their community? Yes.
DC is all Democrat, which is perhaps something I love the very best
of all. In Las Vegas, they have a sizable population that doesn't argue
about the quality of government services to the poor, they argue the
government shouldn't be doing it. They don't have easy-to-use public
transportation. Taxis charge $26 an hour to wait in traffic, and the
Mayor recently said they should just ship the homeless out of town! They
don't have messed up city services because they simply don't offer them:
no problem of what to do about the uninsured — do nothing. No problem
about closing a public hospital: don't open one. In Los Angelos, (I read
the LA paper while I was there too) the police chief is considering
suing the city and there is a group of folks that want to break off from
Los Angelos because city government is so bad in LA. Sound like DC? Yup.
While DC has a long way to go, my fellow citizens warm my heart. We
may not do a good job with city services, but most of us agree that we
should offer them, and we want to do better. And we are mad that they
aren't better. And we write about it, complain about it, go to meetings
about it, and, as frustrating as it is, keep working on it in spite of
the lack of progress. Your average DC citizen, Jack Evans
notwithstanding, is not beating down the door for a tax reduction — I
don't mind paying taxes. I'm a Democrat! I went to public schools. I got
reduced lunch. My mom graduated with a federal Pell grant. My dad
collects Social Security and relies on Medicare. Because of the
generosity of my fellow Americans, I have had a good life. I want to
share the wealth with those whose lives do not have the economic
advantages of mine.
So I pay my taxes, I go to community meetings, and I work to make
things better in between swimming and biking and doing all the fun DC
things I like to do. It is a wonderful thing to live in a place where I
can go do free stuff to my heart's content. It cost $15 to get into an
art exhibit in Las Vegas. They make their money off “gaming” — so
many folks working in casinos, breathing in all that smoke filled air.
It was fun to visit, but for someone concerned about community health, a
sad thing to see. And DC is ethnically mixed. My family all lives in
Portland, Oregon, which has a government to dream of — they are very
responsive and offer high quality services. But 85 percent of the
population is white. Where are the immigrants? The African Americans?
The Latinos? It is strange to visit — the whole city look like upper
NW DC!
The weather here too is great. While it is hot in the summer, we get
a lot of sunshine, not too much snow, and that keeps me in a good mood.
If we can get the DC government to improve its performance, and if we DC
citizens can learn to hold ourselves accountable and do a better job, we
would really scare people with what a great place this is. I want this
Democratic city to prove the rest of the country that Democratic ideals
can make life better, and that social programs can work.
So, we aren't cynical in DC. Democracy is a system made up of people,
imperfect people. And we humans have a long and sad history of not
taking care of one another, of setting standards low, of brutality and
warfare and abuse and evil. DC is working to transcend that history, but
it is imperfect people that must lead and do, and that makes it
difficult work.
###############
Did anyone else catch the fact that a DC Police Officer escorted
Washington's Cardinal to National Airport, and all the way to the gate?
I caught one there during the television coverage. Did I pay for a tiny
fraction of this as a DC resident? Do all myriad church leaders across
the city get this benefit? Is there really separation of church and
state?
###############
Dumbo and Dumber
Kenneth Katz, kskatz@toad.net
I am saddened by my undoubtedly cynical expectation that few-to-none
of the artists who decorated the donkeys and elephants adorning our city
took advantage of the opportunity to proclaim both parties deafening
silence to the continuing lack of democracy in this selfsame city. In
response, I have been cherishing the notion that random acts of civil
disobedience will emerge whereby all such beasts will mysteriously don a
DC vote bumper sticker, or perhaps an artistic graffito to make clear to
all that the parties being celebrated are no more than the mere asses
and lumbering forgetful beasts as they appear.
By the way, I bear an even greater drop of respect for all the city
officials who gladly accepted these tokens to simultaneously celebrate
their taskmasters while showing that they are a happy colonial people,
with no need to get sassy.
###############
Dear Councilmember Patterson: The following is an E-mail that I sent
to you and the Mayor on October 9, 2000. It is truly unbelievable to me
that this road has still not been repaired. It continues to be a hazard
and a very dangerous stretch especially for the children who utilize
Ordway Street as a drop off for the National Child Research Center. We
have met with John Flemming who assured us that we were at the “top of
the list.” I certainly would like to know what happens to those who
are at the bottom? What do we need to do? I look forward to hearing from
you.
The October 9, 2000, E-mail: “I live in Cleveland Park on Ordway
Street. The road bed on Ordway, east of 34th Street, is collapsing.
There is a large hole in front of 3314 Ordway where the road is now
starting to separate. The road bed, which is sinking in the center,
continues from 3314 down to the bottom of the hill. I have called and
E-mailed to all the appropriate offices and to a Mr. Rice with no
response. This has now become a very dangerous stretch on Ordway. As our
Ward 3 Councilmember I hope you will do something about this, since I am
not getting a response as a DC taxpayer. Thank you for your attention to
this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.”
The reply from Councilmember Patterson on October 10, 2000: “We'll
contact DPW and urge them to make this a priority on safety grounds.
Thanks for letting me know.” The reply from Mayor Williams on October
10, 2000: “Dear Councilmember Patterson, Hi. Since I have to do this
anyway — on a referral from Councilman Patterson I thought I would
just address it immediately. I have asked the transportation director to
talk to you and identify what the need is and put in place a program to
fix it. I would be interested to know, who have you contacted, in
addition to Bill Rice, about this. Thanks. Mayor”
###############
Public Space and ABC Abuses on Two Blocks of
17th NW
Phil Carney, philnopus@erols.com
A-frame advertising in public space: 1513 17th, advertisement for a
business at 1742 Church NW; 1519 17th; 1605 17th, ABC license renewal
pending; 1615 17th; 1617 17th, ABC license renewal pending; 1636 17th,
ABC license renewal pending. Advertising signs in public space: 1507
17th upstairs, ABC license renewal pending; 1507 17th basement; 1515
17th; 1523 17th; 1623 Q (patio on 17th), ABC license renewal pending;
1633 17th, ABC license renewal pending; 1601 17th basement. Banner
advertising in public space: 1513 17th; 1527 17th, 2 signs, ABC license
renewal and illegal ABC expansion pending; 1601 17th, 3 signs; 1635
17th; 1638 17th, advertising for 1704 R. Permanent structures in public
space: 1609 17th, ABC license renewal pending; 1633 17th, ABC license
renewal pending (this is especially egregious because the structure is a
wood plant deck and the spacing between planks allows food to drop
underneath the deck and feed rats. This is a public health and public
space issue.) Heaters in public space: 1531 17th, ABC license pending;
1637 17th, ABC license pending.
I apologize for any errors, but think this gives you an idea of the
extent of the problem. We seem to have a serious lack of competent
delivery of city services by Public Space, ABC, and DPW Enforcement.
Tony Williams was elected to competently deliver these services. After
three long frustrating years, to now start making improvements so Tony
can get reelected is an insult. City services should not be delivered
once every four years for the sole purpose of politicians getting
reelected. It's no wonder DC residents are burned out, disgusted, and
cynical. DPW Inspectors haven't responded to me for years and, given
their disrespect to me, I've written them off as hopeless.
###############
Here is another installment in “Living in Washington, DC, How Sweet
It Is.” How wonderful it is to reside in the District of Columbia when
you can ignore complaints for months and then berate the consumer who
initiated the complaint. In January 2002, I contacted the Mayor's Call
Center regarding the trash which had accumulated on my neighbor's porch.
Initially, it wasn't a major amount of trash, but with the supercan,
recycling bin, and loose papers, it not only started to look bad, but
smell bad too. It took three tries to get to the right department
(consumer and regulatory affairs). Follow up calls got nowhere. We were
now in March. I was finally able to speak with an Inspector who
proceeded to berate me for questioning her and expecting her to know her
job. Who the heck am I but a taxpayer? Calling her supervisor did
nothing, calling her supervisor's supervisor did nothing. In fact the
message on their machines said that they would contact me back in 48
hours. Yeah, right, guess my phone must have been off the hook.
Giving up, I attempted to receive an explanation from my former
council member Sharon Ambrose's office. Almost on the ball, they took my
complaint. It only took three calls here before Skip Coburn addressed it
to the proper office. The response: there is no law restrict homeowners
from having trash cans on the front of their property. I guess there is
no law which prevents homeowners from having open containers of oil and
gas cans on their property. I guess I shouldn't care if I have to pass
the neighborhood raccoon as he opens the trash can nightly looking for
his dinner. Nor should I care when I drive up and see the possum on the
trash can fighting with the possum, either. If the City had responded
when I requested, they would have seen this and the body parts of birds.
If they had responded when I requested, I wouldn't have had to kick
those body parts back onto his porch from when the wind blew them. If
the District had responded when I requested, they would have seen what I
had to put up with for four months.
Unfortunately, for the city, or perhaps fortunately for me, they
haven't heard of the term “quiet enjoyment.” I could not enjoy my
front porch or open my front door to catch a breeze during these past
heat filled days for the odor. But why should that matter? I should be
grateful for the “right to live in the best city of the world.” But
no one ever addressed why it took four months to respond to a complaint.
No one looked into why those responsible for supervising investigators
didn't do their jobs. No one looked into why rude behavior is
acceptable. It seems that they spend so much time keeping their jobs
that they forget to do their jobs. They are there because of the
taxpayers, not in spite of us. But what do I expect (this from a
government who allows a liar to keep his job — read Few), where's the
integrity? Oh that I were Queen for a Day, I would make everyone in DC
Government reapply for their jobs — from the Mayor down (perhaps
recommend him for a position with Arthur Anderson).
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Power in DC and Voting Rights
David Pansegrouw, dpansegrouw@atpco.net
Wow! Michael Binder in his posting to the April 21 issue of themail
raises issues that I have long wondered about but have never seen
addressed in all the debates about voting rights, statehood, and
retrocession. Power -- not the people's power but politicians' power. I
have long wondered why retrocession or some form of congressional voting
rights through Maryland is totally dismissed by DC politicians. Mr.
Binder seems to say that, for example, Eleanor Holmes Norton sees it as
threat to her power! Now we are getting somewhere! Same goes for DC
council and the mayor. If DC were part of Maryland, DC politicians would
be able to run for Maryland offices. Thus, there perhaps would be more
competition in DC politics, as politicians could see DC offices as a
stepping stone to other, higher, offices. Just possibly, no more
mayors-for-life and council members for eternity!
By Mr. Binder's scenario, DC could end up with not one rep in the
House but three! Maybe I am naive, but I'd like to think that citizens
of this city, even if divided by congressional districts, would have
more in common, and in interests, with fellow city citizens than
citizens of the suburbs. Thus, there could be direct, meaningful
pressure on three representatives concerning matters relating to DC.
Three reps who have votes that count seems to me to be a better deal
than one whose vote doesn't count.
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Learning to Love the DMV: Patience Required
Sid Booth, Sidbooth1@aol.com
Perhaps life under our DC government is getting better, but why do I
often feel as if I'm trying to swim upstream? Last week I realized that
my auto tags would expire on April 23 and that I hadn't received the
official notification form. The DMV website said that I could perform
the renewal at its offices at C Street, NW, Georgetown Park, or at a
First Union Bank branch. The bank was closer, but a wary telephone call
there advised that I needed to bring the renewal form and that the bank
would merely mail in my check; arrival of new stickers would depend on
1) efficient turnaround at the DMV and 2) efficient delivery of the mail
by the U.S. Postal Service.
Forewarned, I headed to Georgetown Park carrying evidence of current
auto insurance, the original, soon-to-expire registration card, and a
photo ID. I was in and out of the branch DMV office in less than fifteen
minutes, new stickers in hand. A pleasant had clerk assured me that the
renewal forms are mailed ninety days in advance of expiration. Ironic
postscripts: 1) registration renewal is slated to be available at DMV's
web site, effective April 30, and 2) I found in my mail box on my return
from Georgetown Park, you guessed it, an enveloped containing the errant
DMV tag renewal notice and application!
###############
This time when I went to renew my driver's license I expected things
to be better at the DMV. But that was not the case. The good news is
that I received a reminder postcard. The bad news is that the postcard
is confusing and the information is inaccurate. First, here are the
opening two sentences: “Our records indicate that your DC Driver's
License expires within sixty (60) days. You may renew the license up to
sixty (60) days before the expiration date.” Does anyone see a
contradiction here? Second, it only mentions two places — 301 C street
and 616 H street. Monday I took the day off work and hurried to C street
only to find it closed “due to protesters.” The nice policewoman
directed me to Georgetown — an option closer to where I live that
wasn't even on the reminder postcard.
Second, the postcard says “IF YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL OR MENTAL
DISORDER, YOU MUST APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE MUNICIPAL CENTER [C
Street].” “If your vision is corrected by glasses or contact lens,
you may need them at the time of renewal.” I head off to Georgetown,
worried that my physical defect (glasses) and the fact that my license
expires in two weeks may invalidate my chance of renewal. The line to
get the applications moves quickly at Georgetown until we are assigned
numbers. The new PA system is so hard to understand that after sitting
there for an hour, I missed my number. (And I have excellent hearing --
what about those with hearing disabilities?) The PA system is loud, but
with all the people in the room “B” sounds like “D” and “C”
sounds like “G.” There is lots of confusion in the room. I then have
to get a new number and this time I go stand in the front, crowding the
hallway where electronic signs with the numbers are visible and I can
hear the announcements. (From the designated chairs you can't see the
reader boards). After 1 hour and 45 minutes I walk away with my prize
— frustrated again. Aside from fixing the wording on the postcard
about the 60-day rule, making the PA system audible (why not use the
military version “Charlie 002” instead of the easily confused
“C”), making the signs visible from the designated waiting area,
including all three office addresses, they should also make it clear you
need to bring proof of residency. Lucky for me I had a voter
registration card.
And when I called the customer service number on the card to get an
E-mail address, I followed the prompts. When I pushed “1” for
“renewing a driver's license,” the happy voice told me “that
option is not valid.”
###############
Irina Livezeanu's taxi ride was so expensive because she crossed 22nd
Street, NW, which is the zone dividing line. One could spend $6.90 by
riding a cab from a doctor's office at 21st and K to George Washington
Hospital, which essentially is across the traffic circle. That's one of
the arbitrary aspects of a zone system.
###############
Yes, it is very possible for this to happen. Foggy Bottom pretty much
straddles the boundary between zones 1 and 2, so there you are. Also, DC
has recently raised fares, to compensate for rising gas prices, and rush
hour only adds more to that. So $6.90 is a very normal 2-zone fare; I
think not even rush-hour based. Remember, a zone is
geographically-based, not distance-based; I live only five blocks from
central Adams Morgan, but because I'm one block south of Florida Avenue,
a ride into Adams Morgan would cost me $6.90. The compensation is that I
live within the coveted and ridiculously large zone 1, and therefore
rides as far as Capitol Hill are usually only $5.00. You can't beat that
with a stick, so as a matter of self interest I'm pro-zones.
I also think that the cab commission has done a fairly admirable job
of providing clear information about fares and zone boundaries that are
posted in all cabs; the one thing they still need to improve is
orienting that stupid zone map on a north-south axis. Alas their own Web
site, http://dctaxi.dc.gov/,
has absolutely no information that is useful to consumers. It's hard to
write about cabs, in my opinion, without lamenting the fact that as a
white woman I never have a problem hailing a cab, but black men are
worse than invisible to cabbies much of the time. One article that might
be helpful to you: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/visitorsguide/features/taxis.html.
Now, somebody needs to put that zone map up online in a fashion that
actually lets people read it without tilting their head and risking
getting impaled on a staple! Gary noted a while back that the Post
ran a much clearer zone map in the District Extra section on Thursday,
January 31, 2002, but it still has not been posted at their Web site, as
near as I can tell.
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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Quaker Book and Craft Sale
Tim Cline, Timandann@aol.com
Quakers have a well deserved reputation for being both thoughtful and
eclectic. That reputation will be in abundant evidence at the Quakers
book fair and craft sale, Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the
Friends Meeting of Washington (http://www.quaker.org/fmw/
) historic Meeting House in Dupont Circle (2111 Florida Avenue, NW).
More than 10,000 fine and collectable books, carefully read books,
novels, reference works, fiction, nonfiction and everything in between.
CDs, videos, arts and handcrafts, coins, stamps and plants will also be
available. You can have morning coffee or tea and some fresh baked
pastries, browse through the books and merchandise and even stay for
homemade lunch. The Meeting House is at 2111 Florida Avenue, NW just off
Connecticut Avenue two blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro station. If
you have never been to the 1930s building, that alone is worth the trip.
The proceeds of this annual event will benefit the School for Friends,
the AIDS Coffee house, the Kutzner Navajo Project and the American
Friends Service Committee.
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Chain Reaction Bicycle Rodeo Saturday
Alexander Padro, Padroanc2c@aol.com
On Saturday, April 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Chain Reaction
Youth Bike Shop will present its second annual Bicycle Rodeo on the 500
block of R Street, NW, next to the bike shop (1701 6th Street, NW, near
the Shaw/Howard University Green Line Metro station). Highlights of this
free event, which promotes safe riding, will include an obstacle course,
speed races, slowest person race, bicycle registration and repairs,
helmet decorating, games, prizes, and food. Youth ages 11-19 can also
sign up for this year's Summer Bicycle Mechanics Camp. Registration for
the camp is free. The second annual Chain Reaction Bicycle Rodeo is made
possible by Fresh Fields/Whole Foods Market.
The Chain Reaction program was started in 2001 by youth from the Shaw
EcoVillage Project's EcoDesign Corps. Chain Reaction promotes the use of
bicycles as alternatives for safe, affordable and pollution-free
transportation through activities such as Earn-A-Bike Courses, where
youth ages 11-19 learn the how-to's of bike mechanics, safety and bike
transportation, and receive a free bicycle at the completion of the
course; Group rides to historic locations and parks; The Urban Racers
team, which trains youth to participate in local racing events; and the
Youth Bike Shop, where advanced youth mechanics complete bike repairs
for customers 18 hours a week. For more information, call Chain Reaction
at 265-0179, send E-mail to ChainReaction@shawdc.com,
or visit the Shaw EcoVillage website, http://www.shawecovillage.com.
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The DC Office on Aging and its Senior Service Network will hold a
Caregivers Fair on Thursday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at One
Judiciary Square, 441 Fourth Street, NW, Lobby Level. Find out what
services are available for District residents sixty years of age and
older. Many programs and services are also available for informal
caregivers. For more information, call 724-5626.
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Emergency Response Certificate Course
Sally MacDonald, Sn3macd@aol.com
There will be a two-day seminar, a certificate course, taught by Tom
Creamer, one of the best government experts and trainers, on Emergency
Response to Chemical and Biological attacks, on May 30/31. Call Karen
Clark, 673-2101, ext. 1193. If it is at all possible for you to attend,
please make arrangements to do so! He is a most effective and thorough
exponent of what is needed, of what equipment should be given to/used by
responders, and of what overpriced equipment should not be bought by
governments as wastes of money! For that reason city government and
Council employees should be there!
When I took the course, there were Police officers (paid to attend);
Firefighters (on their own time); security guards (very important, as
they may be the very first to have to respond and also later to help the
Police/Fire); I was one of three community reps. This is the kind of
course that should be mandatory for all first responders! The reactions
that are needed are not what you would expect and are not what you have
been already trained to do! Good luck — I know you will enjoy it!
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CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED
Attorney and Investors Needed
Robin Ijames, ccadadc2@aol.com
The Wingate Apartments, a 700-unit apartment complex in Congress
Heights, DC, is being offered to the tenants association. The group
needs a pro bono attorney and venture capital angel investors to help
the residents buy this building. Contact Ms. Ijames at 563-6769 or
E-mail Ms. Ijames at ccadadc2@aol.com.
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CLASSIFIEDS — FREE
After a recent renovation of my home, I've got enough so-called
“shelter magazines” to build a shelter. I've probably got a
three-foot stack of copies of Renovation Style, Old House Journal,
House Beautiful, etc., that I'd be happy to part with (only, I'm
sure, to start collecting all over again). Few are in pristine
condition, as I'm apt to cut out articles of interest and tend to carry
these in my purse, to the job site, and into the tub. But all are
chock-a-block with interior decorating and renovation ideas from the
last five years. Available to anybody who is willing to come to my
Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan home to pick them up. Will also be happy to
try to arrange delivery to a community organization that might want
these, if you have one to suggest. Please contact me at sara@paperlantern.com
to discuss.
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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
Seeking Party Venue
Sarah Eilers, sarah@dchome.com
I am looking for indoor/outdoor space to host a crawfish boil in May
or June. It needs to accommodate about 75 people, have basic kitchen and
bathroom facilities, have space to set up tables outside, and permit the
serving of alcohol. We're looking to pay under $500 to rent the space
for about 7-8 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. Does anybody have
recommendations?
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I am looking to have a recliner reupholstered. Does anyone have a
recommendation for an upholstery shop in DC? Please E-mail me at sawillet@aol.com.
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