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May 9, 2004

Access

Dear Accessers:

I missed the original announcement about the Open Park Project, even though the Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/business/20040428-092510-9998r.htmc) and The Hill (http://www.thehill.com/news/050604/internet.aspx) carried stories about it. Here's what Kevin Werbach wrote about the project on his blog site, Werblog (http://www.werblog.com): “The Open Park Project is a nonprofit working to establish free public WiFi ['wireless fidelity,' a high frequency local area network and can provide access to the Internet] connectivity on the National Mall in Washington, DC. I'm one of the cofounders, along with Washington telecom lawyer Greg Staple and two others. On Wednesday [April 28], Open Park launched its Website [http://www.openpark.net] and its first location, on Capitol Hill. Hard to believe, but this is the first public outdoor WiFi hotspot in Washington, DC. The area around [the] Supreme Court, the Capitol Visitor Center, and the Library of Congress is now 'lit.' Next stop: a wireless mesh from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Not just for free connectivity, but ultimately serving as a testbed for new wireless technologies and applications. We've received a generous hardware donation from Tropos Networks and plan to announce support from other companies and foundations soon. I'm excited about this project both for the important symbolism and for the real practical benefits of a WiFi zone in the heart of the Nation's Capitol.”

I first heard Kevin Werbach speak at the Broadband Summit 2004 last month at the Reagan International Trade Center. Werbach is best known as the leading proponent of “open bandwidth.? Werbach believes that the shortage of airwaves — the bandwidth spectrum used for broadcasts and narrowcasts of television, radio, CB radio, WiFi, etc. — is an illusion. There is no shortage, he says, since receivers of all sorts have become so much more sensitive and discriminating. Instead of regulation's being necessary to allocate scarce bandwidth — which was the argument initially used to license broadcast stations and create the Federal Communications Commission ? the scarcity today is being artificially created by regulation.

Whether or not you buy that idea, grab your Wi-Fi enabled notebook, run down to the Mall, and access DCWatch and DCPSWatch from there.

Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com

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A Zoning Commission Grin
Jack McKay, jack.mckay@verizon.net

The notices that we ANC Commissioners get from the DC Zoning Commission seldom have any entertainment value. But this one, concerning a revision of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to provide for Metropolitan Police facilities in neighborhoods, is unintentionally amusing: “A new subsection 2117.16 is added to read as follows: '2117.16. Required parking spaces for a Police Department General Facility or Police Department Local Facility may be arranged so that all spaces are not accessible at all times.”

Darn, isn't bureaucracy wonderful?

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Private Lead Tests “Mishandled”
Larry Seftor, larry underscore seftor dot the767 at zoemail dot net

This is an alert to those who used Pro-Lab for personally funded lead tests and didn't see the Post on Saturday (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9465-2004May7.html). It turns out that Pro-Lab subcontracted the work to Schneider Labs in Richmond and they conducted the wrong test. I personally don't call the erroneous results that were reported to me the result of mishandling, I call it fraud. The bottom line, however, is that if you are feeling smug, as I was, about Pro-Lab results, you need to start over.

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World War II Memorial and DC World War Memorial
Mark David Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com

I'm sure WWII veterans are happy to be honored with the new World War II Memorial; that part is good. It recognizes the service of the District of Columbia and the territories, and that too is good. But overall, I agree with Marc Fisher's assessment of the WWII Memorial [“A Memorial That Doesn't Measure Up,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64436-2004May3.html]. Also, the location seems inappropriate, and while there are places from which to admire the Lincoln memorial from within the WWII memorial, the central area on the side of the Lincoln memorial unnecessarily blocks the vista. That is a shame.

I passed by the DC World War Memorial also and someone was setting up for a wedding, placing chairs all around under the shade trees. The National Park Service claims to steam clean the memorial each year. Apparently it hasn't gotten around to that work yet this year. The marble is still filthy and there are small trees growing from the dome. I overheard one woman commenting to another, “And she's wearing a white dress!”

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My Last Posting on Speed Cameras and Speed Limits
Natalie Hopkins, nehopkins@hotmail.com

This is my last post on this topic. I want to respond to John Whiteside and Gabe Fineman's comments. First, John [Whiteside, themail, May 5], I know what you mean when you describe Houston's drivers as courteous and surprisingly good at stopping at red lights. I moved to DC from Houston in the early 90s and was shocked at the rampant red light running and other moving violations in DC, which the police completely ignored. Admittedly, my personal driving habits have suffered from being in DC's traffic environment. Enjoy the traffic habits of your new home and good luck!

Second, Gabe [Fineman, themail, May 5] on page 30 of the report you referenced, it states that “Drivers report a greater likelihood to have driven over the speed limit on arterial and non-interstate multi-lane roads (83%) than on any other roadway type.” No matter what people say about safety and speed, they still speed. My point was that MacArthur is a multi-state road like Connecticut, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, 16th Street, Canal Road, etc., and that type of road is designed for efficiently and quickly moving traffic, thus encouraging speeds more than 25 mph. To change that, Palisades citizens could ask that DC narrow it down to one lane each way or install speed bumps or put in other traffic calming devices like more red lights. Speed cameras alone will not change this entrenched driving behavior. Finally, to put everyone's mind at rest, you don't have to fear my speedy driving because I live in Dupont Circle and usually walk and/or take mass transit. Happy driving to all.

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Accidents Kill, Not Speed
Harold Goldstein, mdbiker@goldray.com

[Gabe Fineman, themail, May 5, wrote:] “Fortunately, Ms. Hopkins is in the minority. Surveys find that 92 percent of drivers think that the current speed limits are appropriate or too high on city streets.” Mr. Fineman points out that a study says that 92 percent of drivers think that the current speed limits are appropriate or too high on city streets. That is misleading. It seems they were responding to a general question and felt that most speed limits were "about right." I wager if they were asked specifically about the 25 mph limit the results would be different and, in fact, in the study they say that 30 percent feel that on multi-lane urban roads the limits are too low. Further that study also indicated that most people consistently ignore those limits and so go 7-8 mph faster.

My point is that unrealistic speed limits result in two levels of drivers — those that obey limits no matter what and the majority that drive about 10 mph faster. This is what causes most moving accidents — speed and behavior differential. I am not necessarily suggesting that we raise speed limits, but where these limits are unreal we cause dangerous situations, such as on Connecticut Avenue north of Chevy Chase Circle, where most drivers know are cops often hide and an artificial slow speed is observed, and that is dangerous and the results show that.

Also the majority of accidents, those involving pedestrians as well, occur at intersections and are usually not related to the speed limits on the road. The study also suggests that most feel that non-speeding unsafe behavior is more dangerous to them, and that is where enforcement can have more benefit — tailgating, weaving, red light running, passing stopped school buses, etc. Speeders are easy to catch; these other behaviors require more work to stop. That does not seem to be a priority, and so we have an unfortunate focus on speeding

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Not All Our Ex’s Live in Texas
Lea Adams, workinprogress247@mac.com

[Re: John Whiteside, themail, May 5:] I'm glad it's over. If Houston is your “new home town” after one weekend, you never really lived in DC; you just owned property here, which you probably flipped for a hefty profit. As for "the way DC lowers citizens expectations of what is acceptable," try changing that to “the way Congress lowers residents' expectations for what is possible,” and maybe you'll stop spewing sour grapes and forgive us our imperfections.

I'm sorry you didn't stay long enough to appreciate the fine job our Department of Public Works generally does, especially when you consider that they repair and maintain streets for commuters from two other jurisdictions and tourists from fifty, none of whom pays taxes to support the effort. But then, it only took you a weekend to be “struck by how consistently” people in Houston drive well. Did you really say “voters have given the go-ahead” for public transportation expansion down there? Well, dog my cats! Congress stops our go-aheads and runs through our stops with impunity. Or weren't you in DC the last time they trashed our budget and overruled our will?

As for that Metro you're hoping to take from Dulles to DC, we'll have it watered, fed, and ready to ride by the time you lobby your new best friends and Congressional representatives down in the Lone Star State to vote for a fifty-first state! Now, run along and register so you can enjoy the full citizenship rights we are still denied, and come back when you're finished complaining, y'hear? We'll leave the lights on for you. We take good care of our company. That's why y'all keep coming back.

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Priorities and Sacrifice
Chuck Thies, chuckthies@aol.com

Gary Imhoff's assertion that Jim Graham “caved in to pressure” exerted by Chairman Cropp is a far cry from reality. As an advisor with intimate knowledge of Councilmember Graham's thinking, I can say with certainty that Jim's decision to forgo the contest against Harold Brazil was based on concern for the community and the ability of this Council to function effectively in addressing many unsettled matters.

I relentlessly urged Jim to run. We understood the risks, but I put forward that any wounds would heal. The end justified the means; D.C. would be better served with Jim Graham At-Large and hard feelings would depart in the wake of Harold Brazil's return to private life.

Mr. Imhoff says politics can be “blood sport.” In this instance, however, Jim Graham took the high road — a road far often less traveled — sparing our community a potentially divisive campaign and forsaking his own ambitions for the time being.

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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS

In Celebration, May 11
Debra Truhart, debra.truhart@dc.gov

Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m., Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Come see the film version of David Story’s play, In Celebration, directed by Lindsay Anderson and starring Alan Bates. Public contact: 282-3080.

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Will Bruder at the National Building Museum, May 12
Brie Hensold, bhenhold@nbm.org

Architect Will Bruder explores inventive forms and compositions while responding thoughtfully to each project's physical context and the client's needs. Principal of the Phoenix-based firm Will Bruder Architects, he will discuss his award-winning work, including the Riddell Residence in Wilson, Wyoming, the Phoenix Central Library, and the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno. At the National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Judiciary Square stop, Metro Red Line, May 12, Wednesday, 8:00-9:30 p.m. $12 Museum members; $17 nonmembers; $10 students. Prepaid registration required.

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iChat AV Videoconferencing Software Presentation, May 15
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com

Interested in how you can be using videoconferencing with family, friends, or work? The Washington Apple Pi's iLife special interest group is sponsoring a free presentation on iChat AV software (for recent Macintosh computers) on Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at Mac Business Solutions, in Gaithersburg. http://www.mbsdirect.com. Tips and techniques for using this software will be shared. The door prize will be a copy of the book: Visual Quickstart Guide to iChat AV, by Jeff Carlson. This event is free, but advance registration is required. (I'll be the person presenting, so RSVP's should be sent via E-mail to me. Subject: iChat AV presentation.) This presentation will also be showing and explaining how to capture and iChat AV videoconference session to a QuickTime file -- for placement on the web or distribution on CD's/DVD's. A QuickTime movie showing how to drive to MBS from DC and lower Montgomery County can be seen at http://www.writersforliteracy.org/drivingtombs.mov (best viewed with Netscape or Mozilla on Windows computers, or any web browser on Macintosh computers.)

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Glover Park Garage Sale for Cuba, May 22
Margaret Guroff, mguroff at aol dot com

Got any clutter that's too good to trash? On Saturday May 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3655 Calvert Street, NW, in Glover Park is having a charity garage sale. Lighten your load (and fatten your wallet) by renting a $15 table and selling your stuff. Too much trouble? Then how about donating your sellable stuff at the church next Saturday, May 15, between 12:30 and 3 p.m.? We'll give you a tax receipt.

A team of twelve volunteers from the church is traveling to Matanzas, Cuba, this August to do construction work. Each member will pay his own travel expenses, but the team is also raising cash to carry there for the poverty relief work of the Methodist Church in Cuba. One hundred percent of table rental fees and proceeds from the sale of donated goods will go to that cause. For more information or to rent a table, call 333-4949.

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CLASSIFIEDS — HOUSING

Houseboat
Deborah Ruttenberg, druttnberg@aol.com

Would you like to live in one of the best neighborhoods in D.C.? I have bought a larger houseboat and now need to sell my forty-foot Holiday Mansion Houseboat. Asking price is $40,000.00. It has many amenities and is set up for living aboard and cruising the Potomac. Use it as your primary home or your weekend getaway. The boat is located at the Gangplank Marina on Water Street in SW, close to Metro, shops, restaurants, the Mall, etc. Please E-mail me at druttnberg@aol.com if you are interested.

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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS

Clothing Dyer
Joan Eisenstodt, jeisen@aol.com

In need of those who dye clothes professionally. In the District preferred; in the suburbs OK. If you have experience (first hand or because you've seen something done by the company) please E-mail me.

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