Dangerous
Dear Endangered:
There's some good news. Five Guys has opened its first franchise in
DC, on Georgia Avenue in the old Wonder Bread Plaza complex (http://www.fiveguys.com/images/F.G.E./001.html).
Five Guys, if you don't know it from its suburban Virginia locations,
serves the best hamburgers and fries in the nation. Their hamburgers are
tastier than any I have had since my parents first let me cross the road
by myself and order a burger in Bennie Bader's Tavern. Bennie's wife,
Iris, really knew how to grill a patty. Of course, that was in the good
old days, when nobody went crazy if a five or six-year old neighbor kid
went into a tavern, as long as he didn't actually order a six-pack of
Buds to go, and nobody was insulted if a nice neighborhood joint called
itself a tavern. Today we're lucky that the city council hasn't yet
banned serving hamburgers altogether; the Montgomery County Council is
probably contemplating legislation to do that right now.
Those were also the good old days when a third grade teacher could
put a shiny little glob of mercury in a box and pass it around to the
kids in the class, so we could play with it and squash it, and see how
it was a solid that behaved like a liquid, with just the admonition that
we shouldn't put it in our mouths, and that we should wash our hands
after class. None of us experienced the slightest ill effect. Today's
kids, who are too weak and frail to have enjoyed playing on swings and
seesaws and jungle gyms on a blacktop playground, would probably have to
be hospitalized after that trauma, as the overheated mercury scare at
Ballou High School shows.
And there's some bad news. Have you been following the story of how
the city council wants to give a free pass to a criminal corporation,
Fort Myer Construction, which was convicted of bribing city government
employees so that it could cheat taxpayers on its contracts with the
city? You probably haven't, if you only read the Washington Post,
which buried this important story on page 3 of the District Weekly
section, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27973-2003Oct1.html.
By contrast, the Washington Times has carried substantive page one
stories about it by Jim McElhatton for three days, and you need to read
them: http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20031005-111127-5701r.htm,
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20031006-101708-4217r.htm,
and http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20031007-102440-3350r.htm.
Fort Myer had been suspended from doing business with the DC government
for three years, but the council passed a bill overturning the
suspension. Basically, the council approved of bribing government
employees and cheating taxpayers, and argued that dishonesty shouldn't
be taken too seriously, at least as long as Fort Myer continues its
generous campaign contributions. Councilmembers actually argued that the
corporation shouldn't be held liable for the criminal acts of its
employees, from which it benefited, since it fired a few dishonest
employees after they were caught. Other councilmembers pointed to the
Maryland employees that Fort Myer had bused into the hearing and moaned
about the poor DC workers who would suffer if DC did business with some
other company. The short honor roll of councilmembers who voted for
honesty and integrity in government consists of Carol Schwartz and Kathy
Patterson. If Mayor Williams were really a reform mayor, he would
support the arguments for suspending Fort Myer made by Dan Tangherlini,
his Director of Transportation, veto the council bill, and force the
councilmembers to vote in favor of government corruption and cheating
taxpayers a second time.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
###############
Am I the only one who feels that the members of the teachers union
and the public as a whole have been hoodwinked by the deal worked out
between prosecutors and chief union swindler Barbara Bullock? First of
all, we had been told for months that they were going after the small
fish in order to build a stronger case against the big fish (Bullock and
Gwendolyn Hemphill). Now they tell us that Bullock may be given a
reduced sentence if she provides information to assist in the
prosecution of others involved in the embezzlement. Are we going around
in circles or what?
The Post reports that a deal has already been offered to
Hemphill. If so, who is left for Bullock to be ratting on? Unless there
are even bigger fish to fry than we've heard about, the whole idea of
negotiating with the likes of Bullock baffles me, especially since the Post
makes it sound as if she was the one calling the shots during the
negotiations. I can understand a plea bargain if it will avoid a lengthy
trial, but with such overwhelming evidence, why are we led to believe
that the deal was more on her terms than on the prosecutors'? One
sentence in the Post article is telling. It states that Bullock
also agreed to "relinquish all the furs, clothes, artwork and other
ill-gotten gains that FBI agents carted away after a December raid at
her Northwest Washington apartment." Duh! What we're talking about
are, in effect, stolen goods. Since when do we need to get an agreement
with crooks to "relinquish" the loot they've acquired through
thievery?
###############
Bullock’s Conviction Doesn’t Solve Problem
Ed Dixon, Georgetown Reservoir, jedxn@erols.com
With a plea agreement from Barbara Bullock, there is a possibility
that the case involving corruption at the Washington Teachers Union (WTU)
may well end. Securing an indictment may please the press and the public
enough to at least put the investigation on the back burner. However,
the tidiness of such a conclusion should concern skeptical critics of
the current state of affairs in the District. Bullock's cronies Leroy
Holmes, Michael Martin, and Errol Alderman were all officially charged
in order to bring forward a conviction of Bullock. But Gwendolyn M.
Hemphill's role has not been clearly identified. Bullock and Hemphill
aren't aberrations, but have been key players in the formation of this
city's electoral equation for years. Hemphill's association with
political leadership did not start in 2002 with overseeing bogus
petition drives for the William's campaign.
Former Marion Barry's political dependence on the WTU should shine
more light on Hemphill's role in city politics. In 1984, Hemphill was
Marion Barry's special assistant for organized labor. At the same time,
Bullock was assistant to William H. Simons, the WTU president whose
leadership stretched from pre-home rule to the Kelly administration.
Bullock surfaced as president of the WTU in 1994 after a controversial
union election forced the Department of Labor to intervene. By the time
the control board took power and the Barry agenda, or lack thereof, was
effectively put in check by Congress, the embezzling had begun. Hemphill
moved to the WTU in 1996 to take over day to day financial duties as
assistant to the president and legislative representative for the union.
By 1998, both women had moved the WTU behind the William's campaign.
For FY 2001, the William's administration had gotten a 19 percent
teachers' pay raise in place; the same teachers' pay from which Hemphill
and Bullock would garnish money to enrich themselves. In April of the
2002 campaign year, Bullock had a request into DCPS to increase the
payroll deduction from teachers. At least one Democratic operative close
to the campaign remarked in early 2003 that WTU money was flowing freely
in the 2002 campaign. Both the WTU and the Williams campaign shared the
same bank whose president coincidentally contributes generously to local
political campaigns. In 2001, the Hemphill's contributed $3000 to the
Williams campaign and almost $500 to the Jarvis campaign the year
before. As the executive director to the DC Democratic Party and
assistant to the president of the WTU, Hemphill connects the dots to the
Williams administration and the corrupted interests in this city that
back Williams. Her responsibility in petition forgery and
misappropriation of union dues at the highest levels of the Williams
administration and the Democratic Party should not be overlooked. Her
dismissal from the Mayor's campaign last year and resignation from the
city's Democratic Party should not end by dropping the WTU investigation
after Bullock's plea bargain.
###############
Only Two Months Behind
Ed T. Barron, edtb@aoldotcom
That's the answer I got from the records office of DC that records
mortgage satisfactions. My mortgage was paid off in July and the
satisfaction paperwork was sent to the County Clerk's Office of the
District of Columbia. The Office of Tax and Revenue person whom I talked
with acknowledged that his office was responsible for processing
mortgage satisfactions, but that I should not hold my breath looking for
anything from his office since the office was at least two months behind
in processing satisfactions. Perhaps, he suggested, that I call back in
December.
This, on top of the fact that the District Office of Tax and Revenue
acknowledges that I made an estimated tax payment of $550 last year that
they had not credited to my tax payments. Despite two trips to the Tax
Office with copies of my canceled checks, I still have not received a
refund check for the payment made last Summer. I am dealing with
incompetent idiots.
###############
But I Wouldn’t Want to Live There
Ed Barron, edtb@aol.com
Ah, Baltimore. Easy to get there from here and a really neat place to
visit for a weekend. The Baltimore Museum of Art, on the northern part
of the city (right near the Zoo), is a very delightful museum. Very
digestible in size and with a varied collection of art that would
delight any aficionado of Matisse, Cezzane, Gauguin, et al. This was the
Fells Point Festival Weekend and the place was mobbed. If you think
street parking in DC is tough, just go to B'more and try to find a spot
in Little Italy or Fells Point on a Saturday night. Nice place to visit,
but. . . .
###############
Parking
John Whiteside, johnwhiteside at earthlink dot net
Regarding the conversation on parking: the DC code provides that,
“There is established an Authority to be known as the Public Parking
Authority of the District of Columbia ('Authority')” and that among
its purposes shall be “providing public parking facilities to serve
specific geographical areas in the District and services relating to the
management of those facilities, parking feasibility assessment, facility
design criteria, financing, construction management and oversight, and
facility management and maintenance within specific geographic areas.”
This has been on the books for years. So where's the parking
authority and where are its public parking facilities? If you can't
think of any, you're not alone. I suppose it would be cynical to think
that donations by the operators of private parking facilities to our
local politicians have anything to do with the situation.
###############
High-Priced Parking on MCI Nights
Gabe Goldberg, gabe@gabegold.com
James Treworgy, jamie@trewtech.com,
said that he has no problem with uncapped parking fees because Metro
serves the MCI Center well. He adds that “the ability to drive
downtown and park cheaply would seem to be more of a privilege than a
right.” I'm happy that this is a non-problem for him, but he might
consider that not everyone lives or works anywhere near a Metro station.
For me, taking Metro requires driving further away from DC, through the
Springfield Interchange — the Mixing Bowl — likely at rush hour. So
it's generally much easier/faster to simply drive downtown. I
occasionally use Metro; I'd prefer it and would use it a lot more if my
home station were more accessible. Similarly, handicapped individuals
may not be able to use Metro.
I wonder regarding Mr. Treworgy's qualifications for determining
citizen rights versus privileges and his willingness to deny some people
opportunities he deems privileges. Perhaps in a future mailing he'll
help define for whom driving and parking is a right, and for whom it's a
privilege. Since DC's infrastructure is to some extent supported by
Federal funds, I'd suggest that anyone paying Federal income taxes has
standing to consider driving a right. And it seems a legitimate local
government function to prevent price gouging.
PS: I've never been to an MCI Center event — though I frequently
walk by it on the way to meetings. The issues are the same; I'd like to
drive and park economically, no matter what my destination. If it's OK
with Mr. Treworgy. I generally manage to do that by being willing to
walk a bit further after parking than I think most people would consider
doing, and by having some favorite streets with friendly parking meters
on which I can usually find a spot.
###############
Open Letter to Democratic National Committee
Timothy Cooper, worldright@aol.com
Dear Mr. McAuliffe: We note with some satisfaction today's editorial
in the Washington Post, which chastises the DNC for attempting to
sabotage the DC presidential primary. As author of the DC presidential
primary idea, conceived, as you know, to highlight the District's
deplorable lack of voting rights in Congress and our insufferable
second-class citizenship at the hands of the United States Congress, we
make no apologies for doing whatever is necessary to move our agenda
onto the national stage. Regrettably, over the past number of decades,
the DNC has done little to promote our most fundamental interests, even
when it would clearly serve the DNC's best political interests to do so.
The DNC's current attempt to destroy our voting rights campaign by
discouraging presidential candidates from participating in the DC
primary is tantamount to a betrayal of the people of Washington, DC.
Moreover, your personal efforts to undermine our vital concerns speaks
poorly of your commitment to equal rights for all taxpaying US citizens.
Further, it serves to undermine a key platform of the Democratic Party,
which calls for full political rights for the residents of the District
of Columbia. It is time the DNC stopped undercutting the DC presidential
primary and embraced it. The DNC should do whatever is necessary to end
our era of political impoverishment.
###############
Vote January 13, 2004, Primary Pledge
Sam Farmer, DCFirst.org
Two things will happen at the DC Primary: 1) Candidates will be
judged on how many votes they get. 2) DC will be judged on how many of
us vote. The more DC residents who vote, the more coverage we get, the
more coverage the more people who will be made aware of our situation
which will lead to us gaining the rights we all know we deserve. Plus,
for the first time DC will have a major role in selecting Presidential
candidates.
Sign the “Vote Jan 13, 2004” pledge today to show the nation that
we are serious about wanting equal Congressional representation and full
local self-government: http://dcfirst.org/pledge/.
###############
Comment on Respect, by Dorothy Brizill,
October 5
Mark David Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) did not object to DC's
“unilateral effort” to set its primary date — that is the right of
every state and DC. It objected to DC setting the date before two states
that are grandfathered to be first, Iowa and New Hampshire. If DC moved
its primary first and made it binding, it would be in violation of DNC
rules. Holding an advisory primary is not against the rules — but the
DNC discourages non-binding primaries and calls them “beauty
contests.” Although every state and DC has the power to set its
primary date, the local Democratic Party has the power to determine if
it will be binding or non-binding. The DC Democratic State Committee
(DSC) voted against making DC's primary binding by two votes. But, the
DSC agreed to an advisory primary followed by binding caucuses in which
about one-third of DC delegates will be selected. (The rest of DC's
delegates are “super delegates” and can vote any way they want
regardless of the timing of the primary.) Most involved in moving the
primary accepted the DSC's decision as a compromise and today we are
working together to make a successful primary season.
New Hampshire's law has a trigger mechanism so that if any other
state tries to hold a primary before their date, they move their date.
Although New Hampshire Democrats were somewhat annoyed with DC, they did
not move their date because DC is not a state and they understand that
DC did this for a single purpose related to seeking equal rights, and
not to compete with New Hampshire or Iowa. Delaware Democrats held a
non-binding primary February 5, 2000: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/PCC/DE-D.html.
Despite compliance with the rules, DNC officials have encouraged
Presidential candidates to skip DC and even told the DSC that they could
be punished in some way if they try to encourage voter turnout for the
Jan. 13 primary. Thankfully, some candidates have ignored the DNC and
have been coming to town to ask for DC's support. DC statehood and
voting rights have been discussed more recently than in many years
thanks to DC's first-in-the-nation advisory primary. The Washington
Post editorialized on the DNC's ugly behavior today: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58167-2003Oct7.html.
Last week, Councilman Orange held a hearing in which others and I
testified about possible ideas for voter education and increasing voter
turnout. In the 2000 May primary, only 8.8 percent voted. By May, of
course, the primary was virtually useless so that could explain the low
turnout. Around election time many speak about the need for increased
participation but little action is taken to understand or solve the
problem. This year, in part because the DC primary will be so visible,
many have been thinking for months now about how to encourage people to
register and participate — before the election rather than just
complaining after it is over. Democracy activists and the DSC are
working together to educate voters about next year's elections and
encourage participation. Although the January primary is advisory, its
impact will be greater than any primary previously held in DC. The Board
of Elections and Ethics (BOEE) does not do get-out-the-vote work —
they leave that to the political parties. Instead, they focus on
education so people know how to register, where to go on what dates, how
to use the voting machines, etc. Visit http://blog.letsfreedc.org
and http://www.dcFirst.org for more
information.
###############
Correcting the Record
Marc K. Battle, Counsel, Committee on Government
Operations, mbattle_hus2002@hotmail.com
Ms. Brizill, in her letter regarding the impending presidential
primary entitled “Respect,” [themail, October 5] stated that
District Democratic leaders supported “giving non-citizens the right
to vote in all future elections” at last Friday's Council hearing.
This is not accurate. Those testifying at that hearing supported giving
nonresidents the right to vote in local elections only. Several in
attendance noted that federal law prevents non-citizens from voting in
federal (i.e., presidential) elections including January's non-binding
primary.
###############
In the October 5 edition of themail Dorothy Brizill writes, “In
recent weeks local Democratic party activists have started to worry that
the January 13 primary may turn out to be a major embarrassment.” I
beg to differ. Of those with whom I communicate, local Democratic Party
activists who advocate for and work to promote the January 13 primary
have no such concern. Rather, they continue to push forward,
unwaveringly and creatively, an agenda for garnering national attention
with respect to the disenfranchisement long suffered by District
residents, and have done so with great success.
Since January 2003 countless national news stories about the DC
primary have been published. In the past three weeks the DC primary has
been covered and/or referenced by the New York Times, Washington
Post, ABC news, the Associated Press and numerous other
publications/outlets, all of which cite the stated reason for DC's
“First Primary;” advancing the fight to achieve equal rights for
District residents.
As for concerns about “a major embarrassment,” there are a few
local Party officials who have done little or nothing to promote the
January 13 primary, and some have even attempted to thwart it. The
potential embarrassment they most often cite is poor turnout on January
13 (an outcome that could be avoided by action, not talk). The true
embarrassment is the unwillingness of these naysayers to stand up for
DC, challenge the DNC and demand a seat in the front of the bus. No one
ever got rights playing by the rules.
###############
For all those who question the wisdom of the DC primary as a tool for
educating the nation about our lack of voting rights, please E-mail me
at stenner@mrss.com and I will be
happy to send you over 160 pages of national news articles about the DC
primary, nearly all of which educate their readers about DC's
disenfranchisement. In addition to the other candidates, Democratic
front-runner Howard Dean continues to campaign in the District,
including recent stops at Howard University and Ballou High School. And
for those who don't believe us about the primary's impact, please see
this quote from last Sunday's New York Times: “No sooner had
District of Columbia officials dissed political tradition by moving the
city's primary to Jan. 13 — making it the nation's first presidential
test — than Democratic leaders trashed it as unofficial, meaningless
and disrespectful to Iowa and New Hampshire. They also urged candidates
to avoid it. But most of the Democrats running have dissed the party
leadership, recognizing the symbolism of Washington as a majority
African-American city and the only jurisdiction in the United States
without a voting representative in Congress.”
Sean Tenner, executive director of the DC Democracy Fund, a political
action committee that supports candidates who favor voting rights for
the city, said all but Senator Bob Graham and General Clark have
campaigned in the District or have sent aides on their behalf. Jack
Evans, one of six City Council members endorsing Dr. Dean, said the
primary provided an early forum on issues important to urban residents
like crime and race relations, which don't necessarily get play in Iowa
and New Hampshire. “Regardless of how some people want to put down the
DC primary,” Mr. Evans said, “to win the first primary, that's a big
deal.”
###############
Dorothy Brizill, in the October 5 themail, wrote about efforts by the
Democratic National Committee (DNC) to undermine the District's January
13 Primary Day, which Council passed in agreement with DC democracy
advocates that the early date would draw national attention to our lack
of democratic rights. Some of us in the DC Statehood Green Party had
reservations about the proposal (the absurdity of a ten-month campaign
period, from January 13 until election day; the increased financial
burden on third party candidates, independents; and any Dems and Repubs
not swimming in corporate campaign money), but it ultimately endorsed
it. The DNC is now urging Democratic presidential candidates to ignore
the new DC primary date and avoid campaigning in DC. The Green Party of
the United States has greater respect for democracy in DC, so if you
want to register your protest against the DNC and vote in a party
that'll have a full menu of candidates on the primary ballot, you might
consider reregistering in the DC Statehood Green Party. A couple of
national Green hopefuls have already made stops in DC: a reception for
presidential candidate David Cobb took place at Cafe Mawonaj near Howard
University on October 4; Ralph Nader (who has not formally announced
yet) held a 'Democracy Rising' rally on October 7 that called for DC
statehood, restoration of DC General Hospital, resistance to school
vouchers in DC, and housing rights. (Democratic candidate Dennis
Kucinich appeared with Nader.)
According to Ms. Brizill, the Council intends to pass some election
reforms, and will do so without inviting public discussion. The
Statehood Green Party already supports some of these measures, such as
same-day registration and extending voting rights to noncitizen
residents, and also insists that public have some opportunities to weigh
in on all these changes. But if Council passes an authorization to place
all the Democratic Party's primary candidates on the January 13 ballot
automatically, “without a filing fee, petitions, or any
requirement,” you can be sure that Statehood Greens will demand that
all political parties in DC deserve the same waiver.
On a related subject, why do so many DC democracy advocates use the
imposition of school vouchers on DC (now delayed in the Senate) as an
argument for voting rights in Congress? The outrage is not that Del.
Norton lacks a vote in this decision, but that Congress wields power to
impose laws and policies on DC, regardless of our will. Ms. Norton's
vote would have negligible effect on outcomes in a Congress dominated by
Republicans. The voucher legislation was passed by a single vote in the
House, but let's not fool ourselves. House Republican leaders waited
until a remote hour when they knew they'd pass it by at least one vote.
They'd have done the same if Ms. Norton had a vote. What the voucher
outrage proves is that we need full and permanent legislative and
budgetary autonomy, the same as any state. Let's please stop confusing
voting rights in Congress with democracy. Let's also stop misapplying
the 'taxation without representation' complaint. When our Founding
Fathers and Mothers protested taxation without representation, the
solution they sought was independence, not voting seats in Parliament.
If we win a voting seat in Congress without statehood, it'll give a
single DC citizen (Ms. Norton) full citizenship and grant her the lone
power to determine DC's political agenda. Furthermore, Congress will say
“we gave DC what it asked for” and shelve further consideration of
self-governance for DC, probably for decades. If you want democracy,
full citizenship, and all your constitutional rights, support statehood
for DC.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
March to Reopen DC General Hospital, October
11
Vanessa Dixon, vmdixon@earthlink.net
On Saturday, October 11, at 2:00 p.m., the DC Health Care Coalition
is sponsoring a march to the US Capitol from DC General (1900
Massachusetts Avenue, SE, at the Stadium/Armory Metro Blue/Orange Line).
When the public health system was privatized by closing DC General
Hospital and responsibility was transferred to the DC Health Care
Alliance, Mayor Williams assured that the new system would provide more
effective health care. The CEO of George Washington University Hospital
has described that system as an “abject failure” and calls for
reopening a public hospital at the DC General site (Washington Post,
September 14). For more information about this event, or to learn about
additional DCHCC events, please call 635-5099.
###############
Meet Tuesdays With Morrie Author Mitch
Albom, October 14
Lois Kirkpatrick, lois.kirkpatrick@fairfaxcounty.gov
The Fairfax County Public Library invites you to a live event with
author Mitch Albom at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, at the Ernst
Community Center on the Annandale campus of the Northern VA Community
College. Free tickets will be available at 6:30 the evening of the event
(limit two per person). Albom will discuss and sign his latest book, The
Five People You Meet in Heaven. For details go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
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Washington Area Gentrification, October 15
Matthew Gilmore, dchist@hotmail.com
Washington-Area Gentrification, a panel discussion with Mayor
Williams, will be held on Wednesday, October 15th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at
The City Museum, 801 K Street, NW (Mount Vernon Square). Gentrification
— the influx of high-income individuals into previously poor
neighborhoods — is one of the most important phenomena shaping 21st
century Washington. Yet rarely is gentrification discussed with much
respect for the complex group of forces that it represents. This panel
discussion, with experts from the fields of government, development and
community activism, aims to promote a responsible and informative public
dialogue on this contentious issue.
Panelists: Anthony A. Williams, Mayor of the District of Columbia; Al
Eisenberg, former chair of the Arlington County Board, current Vice
President for Government relations at the Washington Board of Trade and
candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates; Jim Abdo, president of
Abdo Development, a builder of luxury urban homes in Washington’s
Dupont, Logan Circle and Capitol Hill neighborhoods; and Maria
Maldonado, Director of Housing Programs at Casa of Maryland, an activist
organization for Maryland’s Latino communities. Erik Wemple,
editor-in-chief of Washington City Paper and frequent guest on
WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show, will moderate the discussion. The event is
hosted by the City Museum; The Next American City (a new magazine
of urban affairs); the Loeb Fellowship of Harvard; and the Washington
City Paper. It is free with museum admission: $3 adults, $2 students
and seniors.
For more information, contact Josh Olsen, josh@americancity.org,
The Next American City, 209 W. 108th St., #11, New York, NY
10025.
###############
Daniel Burnham Talk at National Building
Museum, October 20
Briana Hensold, bhensold@nbm.org
Kristin Schaffer, professor of architectural history at North
Carolina State University, will explore the foundations of
twentieth-century American architecture in the life and work of noted
architect, city planner, and civic leader Daniel H. Burnham, the
architect of Washington's Union Station and author of the MacMillan
Plan. After her talk, she will sign copies of her book Daniel H.
Burnham: Visionary Architect and Planner (Rizzoli). Monday, October
20, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. $10 members and students, $15 nonmembers.
Registration required. National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW
(Judiciary Square Metro, Red Line).
###############
Linda Zoblotsky Is Luvchild!, November 9
Linda Zoblotsky, lzoblotsky@yahoo.com
The District of Columbia Arts Center Theatre at 2438 18th Street, NW,
will play host to Linda Zoblotsky Is Luvchild! on November 9, 2003 at
7:30 p.m. Admission will be $15.00 for the general public and $10.00 for
DCAC members. Linda Zoblotsky Is Luvchild! is a funny, entertaining,
thought-provoking story of one woman’s search for her identity. With
over 30,000 children being placed into the adoption system each year,
there are a growing number of people searching for their genetic roots.
Linda Zoblotsky Is Luvchild! allows the audience to share in the
fantasies of a child’s imagination. A “detective” uncovers the
clues to a great mystery. Audiences get involved in with the numerous
characters of “Luvchild” and appreciate the eight original uplifting
songs performed by Linda Zoblotsky. Please call 202-462-7833 or E-mail lzoblotsky@yahoo.com
for reservations. This theater only has fifty seats.
“I told a friend of mine about your wonderful performance. Do you
have the songs on CD?” — Sheila Ganz. “I stopped being an observer
and became a willing coconspirator on her journey.” — Herbert
Felsonfeld. “Your work personalized the issue which is so effective at
touching our common humanity.” — Harry Stark.
People are curious about how adopted people cope with the questions
of missing information, ethnicity and medical background. What do my
birth parents look like? Do I look like them? Do we have the same
talents? Why did they give me up? There are 6,000,000 adopted people in
the United States. Written by: Linda Zoblotsky, lzoblotsky@yahoo.com
or 212-229-7632. Co-written and edited by Rick Paul, songs by Howard
Beckerman, directed by Wendall Goings. DCAC is located at 2438 18th
Street NW, between Belmont and Columbia Roads. If heading towards Adams
Morgan from Downtown DC take the 42 Bus up Columbia road to DCAC. DCAC
is also a ten minute walk from the Woodley Park/Zoo-Adams Morgan Metro
station, and fifteen minutes from the Dupont Circle station. Street
parking in Adams Morgan can be very difficult, but there is a commercial
parking lot close to DCAC, on the east side of 18th Street across from
the intersection with Belmont Road.
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CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED
Election Workers Needed for Presidential
Primary Election
Bill O’Field, wofield@dcboee.org
District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics Director Alice P.
Miller announced today that Election Day Workers are needed to work at
the polls for the upcoming January 13, 2004 Presidential Primary. “Any
District of Columbia resident who is a registered voter can apply to
qualify as a poll worker on Election Day,” Miller noted. “The Board
of Elections is committed to conducting fair and impartial elections
that are well organized and professionally managed. This would be
difficult without the dedicated service of our poll workers who are
needed to operate the voting precincts on Election Day. The work of the
polling place officials — our election day workers — is a very big
part of this overall effort.”
Training is required of all poll workers with classes provided by the
Board’s staff prior to each election. The poll workers' hours are from
6:15 a.m. to about 9:00 p.m. on Election Day and approximately two to
three hours on Monday before the election for polling place setup. Poll
workers are paid a stipend of $100.00. Interested in applying for a poll
worker position should contact the Board by calling 727-2525.
Individuals with hearing impairments can call the Board’s TDD at
639-8916.
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CLASSIFIEDS — SERVICES
Attention animal lovers! I will care for your doggie in my home and
give him or her lots of loving care while you are away. Call Lindsay at
Critter Sitters for more information, 537-3792.
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CLASSIFIEDS — SPACE
Off street parking in the 16th Street/Park Road, NW, area of Columbia
Heights/Mt. Pleasant. Inside, outside, shared, whatever. I'll take any
leads you can give me. Need soon — like now.
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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
Can anyone recommend a reliable service station or garage to repair a
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