Commercial
Dear Donut Eaters:
No, I’m not going to write about slot machines in the middle of the
Board of Elections hearing on the slots initiative petition. I’m going
to think about something pleasant for a few minutes.
The last time I wrote about food in themail I was being enthusiastic
about the opening of the first franchised Five Guys hamburger stand in
the District, on Georgia Avenue near Howard University. Now Five Guys
has two other locations in DC, one on H Street downtown and the other in
Georgetown (http://www.fiveguys.com/images/LocateDC.html).
And in keeping with my obsession with good, healthy food, I must mention
that Krispy Kreme has introduced a new line of frozen drinks, including
one that is flavored like the original Krispy Kreme donut (http://www.krispykreme.com/frozenblends.html).
Builds strong bodies eight ways, just like Wonder Bread used to do before
it changed its slogan to “Helps build strong bodies twelve ways.”
This does have a DC connection, by the way; Krispy Kreme has finally
announced that its long-delayed Dupont Circle store will be opening next
month. Think of it: a donut-flavored drink available in Dupont Circle.
Who says things aren’t getting better?
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
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Bizarre and Restrictive Parking Regs
Gabe Goldberg, gabe@gabegold.com
I E-mailed someone I know in DC government, a Good Guy involved with
streets/traffic: "Jefferson Drive on the Mall used to offer
reasonable/friendly parking. Now one side of the street is restricted to
Ag Department people until 6 p.m. and the other side is permit parking
24/7. It's unreasonable for DC to keep losing parking to the Feds,
especially in a destination like the Mall! And how can full-time permit
parking be justified? Real people ought to have higher priority usage
than the government which supposedly serves us."
And he responded: "Unfortunately, the street you cite, Jefferson
Drive, is controlled by the federal government and leaves me of no use
to you regarding your inquiries. The district has no say in how those
streets controlled by the federal government are used for parking or
other purposes. You may want to forward your concern to the National
Capitol Police or the Architect of the Capitol. From your description,
the Federal government has taken the street and turned it into yet
another benefit, easily justified I am certain." Then we chatted,
and he said that DC government handles north-south streets through the
Mall and Federal government handles east-west streets. So the Feds can
appropriate all the parking spaces they want and ignore locals and
tourists and people trying to conduct business.
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I just learned that Eleanor Holmes Norton has rewritten the statehood
plank in the Democratic platform so that for the first time since 1988
the national Democratic Party will no longer be supporting DC statehood.
WTOP's Mark Plotkin first reported this and said that when he talked to
her she described statehood as “not economically viable” and
“won't happen in your lifetime.” What is going on?
For those who don't know or have forgotten, in November 1980,
District voters approved — by over 60 percent — a statehood
initiative; a constitutional convention was held in 1982; the convention
approved a proposed a constitution for the State of Columbia in May
1982, which was adopted by District voters at the November 1982
election; and a petition for statehood was first transmitted to Congress
in September 1983. Over the years statehood bills have been introduced
in Congress and revisions to the proposed constitution forwarded to
Congress, but Congress has not acted. In the 1970's a constitutional
amendment authorizing voting rights for DC in Congress was passed by
Congress but failed to be ratified by the states and died. In the
meanwhile, DC has had limited “home rule” under Congress's active
and sometimes heavy-handed oversight. Despite what Delegate Norton may
think, a vote for the DC delegate in the House of Representatives is not
full self-government and democracy for residents of the District of
Columbia. As long as Congress has control over everything the city does
— including veto power over acts of the Council and the DC budget --
we are still a colony. A vote in Congress will not change that, only
some form of statehood will. If you care about getting the platform
changed, please contact the Democratic National Committee (863-8000),
the Kerry Campaign (712-3000), Delegate Norton's office (224-8050), the
Mayor and the DC Council, and the DC Democratic State Committee
(554-8790).
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Has anyone else noticed that the public business is conducted in
secret by the mayor and the council? Are they not employed by the
citizens of the District of Columbia and therefore accountable to us?
using the taxpayer's money, the taxpayer's staff and the taxpayer's
time? Are they choosing to ignore us and the Sunshine provision of the
city charter?
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Two Fridays ago, July 9, I was a caller on WAMU's DC Politics' Hour
and asked about two of the biggest issues facing DC with regards to
housing, and no one knew what I was talking about and they just hung up
the phone. I called to say that DC does not have a Homeowner Association
(HOA) Act, much like the Condo Act, but for residents of all those new
townhouse and single family homes that are being built in the District,
and that the Mayor has not yet signed into law several provision of
Condominium Developer Warranty Program that has been on his desk since
1999.
Without a HOA Act, the residents of these homes do not have any laws
governing how the board of directors will run the association, and the
board also has no law ensuring that they can collect assessments and
reserve funds allocations. That leaves the communities with lots of
responsibilities and no power to carry em out. As for the condo's,
without enacting these amendments developers are left without clear
notice from the city on how to ensure that they projects that they are
developing will be warranted against possible problems or defects and
the residents may have just bought into a building that could bankrupt
them and leave them homeless.
These are very important issues to the residents of the District, and
our elected leaders need to get on the ball about getting this
straightened out. With the recent windfall in revenue, mostly from home
sales, having such outstanding issues could lead the District and the
residents into troubled waters.
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Internet Corner — Creative Collaborations
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
So out of the blue last month I receive an E-mail from an educator in
Oklahoma City. “I'm curious to hear how you like this narrated
animation of one of your children's stories.” My response? “Your
animation looks better than when I originally visualized the story in my
head.” Apparently this educator, Kimberly Race, must have come across
this story when searching Google for children's stories. I wrote it soon
after I started my teaching career here in the DC area, back in the late
1980's. If the Internet can be used for collaborative creative projects
between persons 1000 miles apart, can it also be used for collaborative
creative projects between persons who live a few miles apart? Perhaps. Http://richmediaphil.blogspot.com.
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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
Tribal Love Party and Fundraiser for Jews
United for Justice, July 28
Maude Bauschard, mbauschard@usaction.org
Come celebrate the Jewish “Valentine's Day,” Tu B'Av with JUFJ.
(Learn more about this holiday at: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Modern_Holidays/Tu_BAv.htm.)
Bring your significant other or find a new lover at Bossa Bistro &
Lounge (http://www.bossa-dc.com) in the heart of Adams Morgan. Bossa
serves succulent, organic Middle Eastern cuisine in the perfect
atmosphere for romance and dance. Also come for the funky, flirty sounds
of DJ Neil (http://www.funkdc.com/neil.htm).
All proceeds benefit JUFJ! Wednesday, July 28, at 6 p.m. and going till
the DJ stops spinning. Fabulous raffle prize giveaway at 7:30 p.m. You
can win a grand prize pair of tickets for a romantic Potomac River
cruise to and from Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria (www.potomacriverboatco.com)
among other fabulous prizes! At Bossa Bistro and Lounge, 2463 18th
Street, NW, in the heart of Adams Morgan. Second floor is smokefree from
6 to 8 p.m. By Metro: Woodley Park/Adams Morgan, walk or take the U
Street Link Shuttle for just $0.25. Cost: $7 suggested minimum donation,
no one turned away! All proceeds benefit JUFJ!
For more information about this event or to become a member of JUFJ,
contact Maude Bauschard, mbauschard@hotmail.com,
or 256-2446. Jews United for Justice (http://www.jufj.org/)
was created in April 1998. Drawing on a tradition of Jewish commitment
to justice and the talents and dedication of our growing membership,
JUFJ is an exciting community-based organization that seeks to begin
repairing the world by concentrating on issues of local concern
including fair housing and fair labor practices. If you cannot make this
event but would like to make an online contribution to JUFJ, please
visit the web site or mail a check to Jews United for Justice, Tu B’Av
Fundraiser, 2027 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20036.
###############
AARP Candidate Forums, August 18-19, September
8
Grier Mendel, Gmendel@aarp.org
Come find out where the District Council candidates stand on the
issues older District residents have told AARP they care most about --
affordable prescription drugs, nursing home quality and assistance for
grandparents raising grandchildren. Join AARP District of Columbia for
three candidate forums: AARP District Council Ward 7 Forum, Wednesday,
August 18, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, 3000
Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Reservations required for box lunch. Call
434-7711.
AARP District Council At-Large Forum, Thursday, August 19, 11
a.m.-12:30 p.m., Martin Luther King Library, 901 G Street, NW.
Reservations required for box lunch. Call 434-7715. AARP District
Council Ward 8 Forum, Wednesday, September 8, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,
Washington Highlands Library, 115 Atlantic Street, SW. Reservations
required for box lunch. Call 434-7713.
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CLASSIFIEDS — JOBS WANTED
Good Job or Internship in the District
Karen Szulgit, thirdpartygirl@juno.com
For nearly one year, this activist has been unable to find a good
full-time position in DC with benefits, health insurance, and a salary
in the mid-thirties. Ideally, I would like to test my communication and
community organizing skills, but am also willing to put fifteen years of
considerable administrative skills to use at a nonprofit organization
doing good work. Good references (from local community leaders, elected
officials, and employers) are available. Descriptive qualities include:
creative problem-solving, hardworking, imaginative thinking, mature in
age, passionate and persistent about my causes (democracy and
recycling). Clean driving and police records and recently documented
computer and typing scores available. If you know of any open positions,
please E-mail any and all ideas to me — cut and paste only. (I am
unable to view attachments on my old computer). My savings are depleted
and unemployment benefits have long expired — I need your help!
###############
Attention DC and Virginia residents. Are you tired of cleaning the
house after a long, long day at work? If you are, hire me! I clean
bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, and even take out the
trash! I charge moderate fees. For more information, E-mail me at sandy_the_cleaning_lady@yahoo.com.
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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
I am in search of a reliable, experienced carpenter who can repair my
ailing front porch (damaged wood under leaking gutters, to be exact).
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Does anyone know where milk can still be purchased in a glass bottle?
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