Sinatra
Dear Pallie:
I walked to the Metro station this morning — now, I'll stop right
here and point out to those cynical people who think that I'm completely
computer centered, and that I never do anything but sit in my room
staring at the computer monitor, that I did indeed leave the house and
walk to the subway stop. After all, I had to take the Metro to get to my
computer conference. In my defense, I'll submit that this was the sort
of computer conference that was concerned more with business than with
computers, as proven by the fact that the speakers used words like “productized”
and phrases like “attachment rate” to describe how much people used
computers. As I was saying, on my way to the subway I picked up a copy
of the Washington Post's Express, the weekday giveaway tabloid
that is edited for people with the attention spans of gnats. Express
is designed for those readers who think the stories in Jet Magazine
are too long and wordy.
In any case, a paragraph in Express caught my attention —
the note that the Felix Lounge in Adams Morgan has designated Wednesdays
as “Frank Sinatra Night,” featuring martinis and live music of swing
and standards. It seems to me that Sinatra is the obvious, perfect
choice to typify the style that Felix wants to capture, the high style
of the late 1940's and the 1950's. Other singers could claim their own
distinctions — Bing Crosby had, if anything, a longer career with even
greater popularity; Dick Haymes' voice was just as good and possibly
even richer; Tony Bennett probably introduced as many standards and
certainly his taste in songs was as good. But Sinatra triumphed at
setting the scene, creating the mood. He did this not with any single
song, but with the innovation of the concept album, the record album
that didn't mix song styles and tempos, but was all love songs, or all
swing, or all dance songs. The two best Sinatra albums, in my opinion,
the 1950's classics In the Wee Small Hours and Frank Sinatra Sings Only
for the Lonely, were albums filled with songs of failed love, broken
hearts, sorrow, and despair. They're the quintessential sad guy albums,
perfect to play when you want to feel good about, to revel in, feeling
so bad. And in both albums Sinatra sang with tenderness, longing, and
regret, with deeply felt and true emotion, which proves that as a singer
he was a great actor. If you want to set the scene and create the mood,
rely on Frank; put on the right Sinatra album.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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1300 Vouchers
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aoldotcom
Thirteen hundred vouchers are one small step for the feds and one
giant leap for our kids. These federally funded vouchers will allow at
least 1,300 kids to get out of the quagmire of the DC Public Schools and
into a learning environment with good teachers and no dumbing-down
teachers' unions.
The number that will be funded is small but appropriate. The existing
parochial and private schools should easily be able to provide enough
spaces for those 1,300 kids. The good news about that is that absorbing
the kids into established existing schools won't encourage the Anigbos
to crawl out of the woodwork to establish storefront scam schools.
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Noise Ordinance in DC
Annie McCormick, amccormick@itic.org
I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find it in the
archives. Is there a noise ordinance in DC with regard to major
construction projects? The parking lot of the Capital City Christian
Church at Thomas Circle is a huge construction site. The noise at the
site starts around 7 a.m., and by 8 a.m. the noise and construction are
at full swing. I have heard 8 a.m. is OK, but 7 a.m.? I live across the
street from this mess. It is bad enough that many of us had no idea
there was a project proposed until we woke up one morning in February to
the sound of pile drivers, that we lost over two full city blocks of
parking, that there was at least a three-week transition because they
took out the Metrobus stop and some drivers knew about it and some
didn't, that pedestrians had to cross the street up until a week ago
(now there are wooden covered walkways), and that huge construction
vehicles consistently block up additional lanes causing traffic jams and
pile ups. And now I am awakened at 7 in the morning. All inconveniences
aside, I detest being woken up that early by construction noise.
###############
An editorial in today's Washington Post, “How Goes the
Hospital?” (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51936-2003Sep9.html),
quotes from the executive summary of a report drafted earlier this year
by Denise Pope, administrator of the Department of Health's Health
Regulation Administration: “Over the past 18 months, Greater Southeast
Community Hospital has demonstrated an inability to provide safe,
quality health care.” The report goes on to note that, “the closure
[of Greater Southeast] would affect the operations of other DC area
hospitals, resulting in patient overloads and possible emergency room
closure.”
Ms. Pope's report resulted in DOH's decision on August 12 to link the
renewal of the hospital's operating license to compliance with specific
performance measures detailed in a sixty-day consent decree (http://www.dcwatch.com/issues/health030812.htm).
Her report also mirrors the reasons why the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations decided to withdraw the
hospital's accreditation in August. With thirty days remaining in the
sixty-day consent decree, there is every indication that Greater
Southeast won't comply with the provisions of the decree on time, and
won't get a passing grade on October 12. Already the hospital's problems
are having a rippling domino effect on other hospitals in the District
and the region. To make matters worse, this morning Mayor Williams
abruptly cancelled, without explanation, a meeting on the crisis that
was scheduled at 5:00 p.m. today with the chief executive officers of
District hospitals. The other hospitals in the District and the
surrounding area are bearing the brunt of the failure of Greater
Southeast as the keystone of the mayor's health plan, but the
administration's stubborn refusal to admit its mistakes is making it
difficult for it to deal with the failure of its health care plan and
causing it to compound the problem by cutting the hospitals out of
planning how to deal with the imminent closure of Greater Southeast.
###############
Telephone Service at Real Property Service
Center
Suellen Foth, dernier_cri@hotmail.com
I recently called the Real Property Service Center, Office of Tax and
Revenue, to request a duplicate copy of a my letter for the tax
abatement program. After a relatively short time on hold, I spoke with
Ms. Pointer, who listened to my request and referred me to Ms. DiCampo,
giving me her name and direct phone number. I left a message for Ms.
DiCampo, who returned my call in less than an hour, looked up my
information, and promised to send me the document I needed. In summary,
I spent fewer than ten minutes total on the phone, was effectively
assisted by courteous and knowledgeable personnel, and received the
information and services that I needed. That's how DC government should
work; it's not often that I feel that my tax dollars are well spent.
###############
Senate Committee Vote Would Allow DC
Government Funding of Representation Lobbying
Kevin Kiger, DCVote, kkiger@dcvote.org
On September 4, the Senate Committee on Appropriations voted to
rescind the prohibition on the use of local funds by the District of
Columbia to lobby for congressional voting representation for residents
of the nation's capital. Under current law, DC is barred from using even
locally raised funds to lobby for congressional voting representation.
The Committee's bill would change the law to only prohibit the use of
Federal funds for lobbying.
“DC Vote has been working on this issue for nearly a year, and sees
this as an important step forward for the DC voting rights
movement," said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of DC Vote.
"The change adopted yesterday, if signed into law, allows the
District to engage more vigorously in the movement to secure full
congressional voting representation. We thank Senator Mike DeWine for
making this important change in his bill. We also thank Senator Mary
Landrieu and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for their strong
leadership.” Common Cause, one of DC Vote's coalition partners, and
the law firm of Arnold & Porter were also instrumental in securing
this change.
The House version of the DC appropriations bill reflects existing
law. Both Chambers are expected to complete action on their respective
DC appropriations bills in September 2003. DC Vote will continue to work
to ensure that the change made by the Senate Appropriations Committee
will be adopted by the full Senate and agreed to by the House of
Representatives.
###############
National Park Service Director Seeks Public
Involvement
Ann Loikow, Cleveland Park, johnl@erols.com
National Park Service Director Fran Mainella has issued a new
Director's Order promoting “Civic Engagement and Public
Involvement,” and is seeking public comment . I would encourage anyone
concerned about public input on Park Service actions to comment.
Comments are due by September 15. Here's the official notice:
“To Our National Park Service Friends and Partners, As you know I
greatly value the voices and involvement of partners and stakeholders as
we go forth together managing the National Parks. To that end, I have
created a new Director's Order to institute a consistent policy and
approach for civic engagement and public involvement opportunities. I
believe that together, we can ensure that the NPS continues and enriches
its legacy of welcoming, collaborating with, and involving the public.
This Director's Order will convey to NPS employees the importance and
priority of two-way communication, consistent with my approach to issues
and challenges, and that of Secretary Norton and her 4 Cs principle of
'consultation, cooperation, and communication in the service of
conservation.' The policy encompasses both a bright opportunity to
engage the American public anew, welcome them to our National Parks, and
comply in a superlative manner with all legally mandated public
involvement in our decision-making. This policy emphasis represents to
me a much needed and, I hope, welcome focus on the positive ways in
which we can carry out our management responsibilities for the benefit
of the American people. In that spirit, I invite each of you to comment
on the proposed Director's Order on Civic Engagement and Public
Involvement. The public comment period ends on September 15, 2003. For
easy viewing and downloading, the policy is posted at http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/75A.htm.
Comments may be faxed to my Office of Policy and Regulations at
202-219-8835, E-mailed to waso_opr@nps.gov,
or mailed to: National Park Service, Office of Policy and Regulations,
1849 C Street, NW Room 7252, Washington, DC, 20240. Fran Mainella
[Director, National Park Service]”
###############
Forewarned Is Forearmed
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aoldotcom
Imagine my surprise when I returned to my car parked on Fulton
Street, NW, right at the corner of Dana Place, in front/back of Key
Elementary School. The arrow on the sign in the middle of the block
pointed in the direction I was parked and gave me two hours parking. I
was there only about an hour before finding the ticket which said I was
parked within 25 feet of a stop sign. Yup, that, apparently, is one of
the laws on the DC books, and I am $20 poorer for not knowing that.
On my early morning constitutional through AU Park (where they have
cornered the free world's supply of stop signs) I noted that most of the
streets that allow parking have a sign placed about twenty-five or more
feet from the stop sign with the allowable parking arrow pointing away
from the stop sign. I have often seen cars parked in that very spot, and
just this morning, when dropping off the grandgals at Key, there was
another car parked in the same spot. So, forewarned is forearmed.
###############
DC Doesn’t Work Without Child Care
Parisa B. Norouzi, parisa@wishdc.com
Support working families: Maintain eligibility for subsidized child
care! The Department of Human Services is proposing to change the income
limits for the Child Care Subsidy Program, in order to reduce the number
of families who are eligible. Only a few years ago, the District raised
the income limits in recognition of the inability of low-income working
families to afford market-rate care. Existing rules allow families
currently enrolled to earn 300 percent of poverty. Too, existing rules
allow new families to earn up to 250 percent of poverty. The proposal is
to lower it to 200 percent. For example, for a family of two, the
current income limit is $33,180, and the proposed income limit is
$24,240; for a family of three, the current income limit is $41,640, and
the proposed income limit is $30,520.
Comments are urgently needed by September 15. Deliver the message:
“Do not reduce eligibility requirements for the Child Care Subsidy
Program. Instead, increase the FY 2004 budget. Low-income working
parents rely on the subsidy program! No child care, no work!” Send the
comments to: Barbara Ferguson Kamara, Office of Early Childhood
Development, 717 14th Street, NW, Suite 1200, 20005. For a sample
letter, contact Parisa at 332-8800. Copy comments to Child Care for All
Campaign c/o WISH, 1419 V Street, NW, 20009. The next meeting of WISH
will be on Thursday, September 11, 6:30-8 p.m., at 1419 V Street, NW.
###############
Virus Attacks and DC Government
Bob Summersgill, summersgill at yahoo dot com
Ed T. Barron asked, in “Brain Dead Machines” [themail, September
7] how the DC Government is coping with the virus attacks. From my
limited experience, pretty well, after a fashion. At least one agency
simply shut off outside E-mail until the threat is past. Not a very good
solution, and considering how easy Microsoft has made fixing their own
blunders, a really poor way of handling the problem.
While I don't get the volume of E-mails that a public list like
themail receives, I applied the simple downloadable and self installing
patches to my home computer, let my virus checking and firewall software
work, and received no more than a dozen easily identified infected
E-mails a day. My office took similar steps, and I received no infected
files at work. I still get a couple of Nigerian scam letters a day, of
course.
###############
Actually, E-mail is easy and not difficult if you're on a Mac instead
of a Windoze system! Sobig, pif files, exe files, etc., all don't work
on Macs. Some fifty viruses have ever been written for Macs, over 20,000
for Windoze.
Then there's the matter of Microsoft software. Outlook Express won't
let you disable HTML code, which is a serious problem. Oh well. . . .
###############
Self-Defense
Paul Dionne, News at pauldionne dot com
I may be a PC user, but I will admit that Macs and PCs running Linux
or Unix are more secure than PCs running Windows. Unix (which Linux is
based on) was designed as an operating system to be used in networks. It
has always had better security. For example, it requires at least two
user accounts to be set up: the Administrator (or Root) user and a
general user. Only the root user can perform installations of new
software. Which means that anyone hacking into the system, must first
obtain the password for the root user. Not something a virus can be
programmed to do. Windows, on the other hand, was designed for
stand-alone PCs, and only with the advent of the Internet was it
modified for networking as a default. Microsoft has not been very
security conscious in the process. By default, users can install
software, which means that viruses they contract can also make
installations and changes to the hard disk. Many Microsoft programs also
open “ports,” access points through which someone else can gain
access to the computer. (Linux keeps these access points closed).
Macintosh is very good about closing these ports, but they do not
require two users like Linux does.
Statistically though, Microsoft Windows is the dominant operating
system and therefore, someone who wants to do the most damage will
program a virus to attack Windows. One step you can take to make your
computer a little more secure is to install a firewall. This is a
program that monitors traffic in and out of your computer. One is
installed by default in Windows XP, 2000, and ME. However, it is not
enabled by default. To enable it open the control panel, then
right-click on each network listed, click on the “Advanced” tab then
enable the firewall.
Another step you can take is not to open files unless you are
expecting them. Or, at the very least, wait a day or two before opening
them. If a big virus hits you will probably hear about it after a day or
two. I was one of the first among my friends to receive the “I love
you” virus. I was very tempted to open it, but I waited an extra day,
and was glad that I did; I was never infected.
###############
I want to comment on two submissions to themail. First, Mark's
comments about DC Forestry's Division. After mutilating the trees in his
neighborhood, they denied it and blamed his neighbors. Of course they
did it, Mark. Their blaming the neighbors is equivalent to a fifth
grader telling his teacher that the dog ate his homework assignment. I
keep hoping they'll learn to lie better, but they never do. They're so
transparent. It's kind of sad.
Second, Phil Carney complains about rats and asks why the city
doesn't do something about them. Phil, ask Mayor Williams. His first
pledge as mayor was to get rid of the rats. He kept that promise like
he's kept all his other promises.
###############
Some trivia tidbits for you to ponder. The Department of Parks and
Recreation takes pride in announcing their rat exterminator contractor.
What isn't mentioned is that the contractor makes about $15 per month to
eradicate at Stead Recreation Center, in the 1600 block of P Street, NW.
No wonder we always have rats at Stead.
The Department of Health takes pride in announcing that Ronnie
Herrington is our Ward 2 exterminator. What isn't mentioned is that DOH
apparently doesn't even provide Ronnie with a vehicle. He has to share a
vehicle with another Ward exterminator. It's time for the Williams
administration to stop playing CYA and start correcting the reality of
indifferent and inadequate governmental services.
###############
What anthropologist? The whole Chinese empire(s) ran that way.
Emperors ruled because it was the “will of heaven,” and when things
went bad, they got overthrown. The other thing to learn from Chinese
history was that after the fierce Mongols invaded and took over, they
soon became ensnared by the prevailing culture and ended up fat, dumb,
and happy just like the people they conquered. More dim sum, Mr. Mayor?
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Washington Metro residents are invited to our Howard Dean House Party
on September 13. This event will bring visibility to current Dean
positions, allow for questions and answers, listen to a Dean call-in at
7:20, raise funds, while enjoying the company of neighbors. We live at
1837 16th Street. Now we are a part of Ward Two after the rezoning, but
many friends and business associates are still in Ward One. The party
starts at 6:45 p.m. Our cohosts will set up the Howard Dean tables in
the front courtyard to bring high visibility to the Dean campaign. We'll
accept contributions there, and also on a computer set up for credit
card donations to deanforamerica.com. Funds go directly to the national
campaign. Inside the house will be refreshments, videos, Dean position
papers, and knowledgeable volunteers. Can you help us spread the word?
People can also RSVP and contribute online in advance. We are seeing
a lot of community participation. Most recently, I was at Ben's Chili
Bowl, and saw the outpouring of Howard Dean interest there. After all
— DC is the First Primary, and it appears we've got a lot of momentum
for Dean! We'd like to thank DCwatchers for their activism, and interest
in getting out the vote. Party info is at: http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1200&px=1362947
(please note the underscore "_" before the letters
"id" if you type this web link), or RSVP to 483-8558 or to dcfordean@itglobalsecure.com.
###############
The Fairfax County Public Library invites you to the fifth annual
Fall for the Book Festival, which will run from September 15-20 on the
Fairfax campus of George Mason University. There will be live
presentations by more than one hundred authors; a children's fun fair;
performances by musicians, dancers and actors; poetry readings, and
writers' workshops. Festival admission is free. For more information,
check the Library's Web site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/fallforbook.htm.
###############
Rally to Get DC the Vote on Capitol Hill,
September 17
Andrew Catanzaro, andy@stampouttax.com
The Stamp Act Congress, made up of local residents, will hold a rally
Wednesday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m. to let America know that
Washingtonians are working to stamp out taxation without representation
in our nation’s capital. Rubber stamps that bears the inscription,
"Stamp out Taxation without Representation in Washington,
DC!", will allow supporters to stamp money and show America that we
are outraged at this affront to our freedom. The stamp is a quick, easy
way to communicate the injustice we in the capital live under and you
can stamp whatever you like: letters, bills, envelopes. I stamp money.
Money is a symbol of the taxes I pay, the message on the stamp is about
how frustrated I feel.
The Stamp Act Congress (a local group of voting rights advocates)
will assist attendees in stamping greenbacks, kids will be taught about
DC’s taxation without representation and learn how they can stamp to
educate America. The Stamp Out Taxation Without Representation Kickoff
Rally, will be Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 p.m., at 712 Butternut
Street, NW. Please call for directions.
The Stamp Act Congress is a grass roots organization that distributes
information about the injustice of 500,000 residents of Washington, DC,
being taxed and not having a voting representative in Congress. Our
vision is to acutely raise the level of discussion and convince America
that this injustice shall not stand.
###############
Women’s Bar Association Annual Fall
Networking Reception, September 18
Joe Libertelli, jlibertelli@udc.edu
On September 18, at 6:00 p.m., please join us at the Homer Building
601 13th Street, NW (Metro Center) as we honor these "Stars of the
Bar" for their outstanding accomplishments! Cory Amron, Partner,
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease; Kathleen Behan, Partner, Arnold and
Porter; Katherine Shelley Broderick, Dean of the University of the
District of Columbia Law School; Ruth C. Burg, Administrative Judge
(Retired), Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals; Cheryl C. Burke,
General Counsel, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; Dara
Corrigan, Acting Principal Deputy Inspector General, Department of
Health and Human Services; Jamie S. Gorelick, Partner, Wilmer, Cutler
and Pickering; Judith L. Lichtman, President of the National Partnership
for Women and Families; M. Elizabeth Medaglia, Partner, Jackson and
Campbell, P.C.; Jennifer Porter, Gurne, Porter and Baulig, PLLC; Michele
A. Roberts, Partner, Shea and Gardner; Sandra H. Robinson, Senior Trial
Attorney, Jack H. Olender and Associates, P.C.; Martha Purcell Rogers,
Partner, Ober, Kaler, Grimes and Shriver; The Honorable Patricia McGowan
Wald, Former Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia
and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia;
Karen Hastie Williams, Partner, Crowell and Moring LLP; and Diana M.
Daniels, Vice President and General Counsel, The Washington Post
Company.
Remarks by Judith Richard Hope, author of Pinstripes and Pearls and
partner, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker, LLP. RSVP to the WBA with
your complete contact information via E-mail to WBA@wbadc.org,
fax 639-8889, or phone 639-8880.
###############
Lectures at the National Building Museum,
September 22-23
Briana Hensold, bhensold@nbm.org
Elizabeth Loudon, The Digital Statue of Liberty, on Monday, September
22, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Texas Tech University's School of
Architecture is one of the first public entities to use light detection
and ranging (LIDAR) scanning equipment to document historic structures,
completing the first precision-measured documentation of the Statue of
Liberty. The school's associate dean of research, Elizabeth I. Louden,
will discuss the project and show how this technology can be used
throughout the preservation field.
Greg Kiss, Productive Buildings: Sustainability and High Performance,
Tuesday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Gregory Kiss, principal of
Kiss + Cathcart Architects in New York, will discuss his firm's evolving
approach to "productive architecture": buildings that benefit
the environment, the economy, and the human spirit. Based on an
inventive mix of high and low technologies, the firm sets aggressive
goals for sustainable performance and architectural quality.
Admission to each lecture is $12 for Museum members and students; $17
for nonmembers. Registration is required. National Building Museum, 401
F Street, NW, (Judiciary Square Metro, Red Line).
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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
Does anyone know of a business in the local area that sells Murphy
Beds? If so, please E-mail me at kardy@worldnet.att.net.
###############
I need someone to repair or change our pond pump and the electrical
system connected to the garden lights
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