HAS ANYONE SEEN THIS KITTY CAT?
From:   Lmohrefbg@aol.com (Liz Mohre)
We returned home Sunday night from a weekend out of town and were very
disturbed to learn from our house-sitter that our calico cat, Sunshine,
hasn't been seen since going outside Friday evening the 2nd.  It's very
unlike her to be away for more than a few hours, or overnight at most.  I was
dismayed when I saw the announcement re fox sighting at 45th and Davenport.
We're near 47th and Windom, and I'm fearing the worst.  Can you pass this
along and ask if anyone has seen her or knows anything?  She's 3 years old,
very friendly, and unfortunately, de-clawed.  Even if the news is not good,
we need to get some "closure"--my 6-year-old daughter and I are both very
anxious.  We'd appreciate any information anyone has.
 
 

CAN SOMEONE ADVISE THIS NEIGHBOR?
From:   gregwerth@erols.com (Greg Werth)
I have a problem and I'd like to get your advice. I have a neighbor who
started using a car alarm several months ago. Unfortunately, the alarm goes
off almost on a daily basis. I've asked the neighbor several times to either
fix the alarm or stop using it. This problem has dragged on now for over
three months and no progress is being made. Do you have any suggestions? Can
I file a complaint with the police, and if so, will it do any good?

This is probably a nuisance for other neighbors as well. I would appreciate
receiving advice, especially from Lt. Carter or Commander Newsham. -- KS
 
 

WARNING FROM COMMANDER PETER NEWSHAM
At the 2D CAC meeting, he said that there have been several groups of armed
robbers operating in upper NW. One group was recently caught on Connecticut
Avenue, but that one or more may still be roaming the area looking for
victims. They tend to strike in the evening. To put this in perspective, I
walked to the ANC meeting last night, but hitched a ride home when the
meeting broke up very late, when I knew the streets would be deserted. Go out
and have a good time, but be alert.

MPD is going all out on traffic enforcement throughout the city. There will
be more about this in upcoming issues of COMMUNIT-E.  Lt. Pat Burke, who
never does anything in a listless manner, is heading the program. I advise
you all to slow down, stop at stop signs and lights, and be aware that Pat is
eager to get out there and try out some new high tech tools he is buying with
federal grant money. He is also going after under-age drinkers, fake ID card
users and anyone selling alcohol to minors.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Also, be aware of a nasty scam where someone steals a purse or wallet, then
calls the victim and pretends to be a high level bank employee, who says the
thief was caught. In the course of the conversation, he'll ask for a PIN
number or other information about the person's account.  Remember that  no
legitimate bank employee or police representative will ever ask for this type
of information over the phone, if at all. The bank personnel will already
have it. These scammers are good at what they do. But once they ask you for
confidential information about any kind of account, you know they're fake.
 
 
 

WARD 2 & 3 TOWN MEETING
From:   maudlin@alum.mit.edu (Robert V. Maudlin)
Councilmembers Jack Evans and Kathy Patterson Announce a Ward 2 and Ward 3
Town Meeting On New Directions for D.C. General Hospital and How Changes in
Health Care Delivery Affects YOU.

February 13, 2001 -- Tuesday,  St. Columba's Episcopal Church,  4201
Albemarle Street, N.W. 7:30pm

The District of Columbia is preparing to privatize services now provided by
the Health and Hospitals Public Benefit Corporation (D.C. General Hospital
and Health Clinics), which will have a major impact on all hospitals, medical
care providers, as well as residents who use PBC services and all who are
committed to a health care safety net for vulnerable District residents.
Invited Speakers:
Dr. Ivan Walks, Director of D.C. Department of Health
Michael Barch, PBC chief executive officer
Ana Raley, Greater Southeast Community Hospital, chief executive officer
Robert Malson, President of Columbia Hospitals Association
Dr. Fernando Daniels, head of Emergency Medical Services
Representatives of the Financial Authority and the Medical Society of
the District of Columbia
 
 

IMPORTANT HEARING ON TOWER BUILDING REGULATIONS
New rules are being developed that will have wide-ranging effects on tower
building in DC. A Roundtable to gather advice on how these rules should be
written will be held on March 5,  7 pm in Room 220 of One Judiciary Square.
The industry attorneys, including those for the monster tower, will all be
there. It's important, according to Anne Loikow, one of the community leaders
fighting the big tower in Tenleytown, that members of the community show up
and express their concerns. The outcome of this Roundtable will probably
affect such future issues as: community notice when a company wants to build
a tower; setbacks from the street; medical equipment interference; electronic
pollution, to name a few.  According to Ann,  the industry has a lot riding
on the outcome of this Roundtable. At present there is no monitoring or
enforcement of this type of radiation at the Federal level. There certainly
isn't any at this point at the local level. A lot hinges on this Roundtable
and on community visibility at and interest in these proceedings.
 
 

APPLICATION FOR HISTORIC STATUS
According to Jean Pablo, an application has been submitted for historical
status for the old grey and white 1897 farm house at 46th & River. The estate
has applied for a raze permit to tear it down.

Can someone provide a phone number or e-mail address for questions about
this?  -- KS
 
 

MONEY-MAKER FOR JANNEY AND BEERS SCHOOLS
Janney-Beers Auction
From:   aschwartz@sysnet.net (Anne Schwartz)
The big event is March 31 at the World Bank. The goal is to raise $150,000 to
be used for arts, science, and math enrichment for 1,000 children in these
two DC public schools. The money will be split evenly between the two
schools.  We look forward to communitywide and citywide support of this
effort.

We are asking members of the community to donate goods and services to the
auction, to attend the auction and spend money, and to purchase ad space in
the auction catalog.

Anyone interested in running an ad; donating goods, services, or cash; or
attending the event can find the appropriate forms at
http://www.hillcrestdc.com/auction.htm. You can find photos of the clock that
the children will build with a Janney parent artist at another website:
http://bjauction.homestead.com/

If you would like to purchase an ad in the catalog:
Business Card Size Ad       $35.00
One-Half Page Ad (5.5 x 8.5   inches wide)  $75.00
Full Page Ad (11 x 8.5 inches  wide)  $150.00
Inside Front Cover Full Page Ad   $250.00
Inside Back Cover Full Page Ad   $250.00
Back Cover Full Page (glossy)  $500.00

Please print this page, circle the desired ad size, enclose a check made
payable to Anne Beers - Bernard Janney Auction and include your ad copy. Ads
must be received no later than March 1, 2001. Please return to Janney
Elementary School, attention AUCTION, 4130 Albemarle St., NW Wash., DC 20016.
Questions may be directed to Molly Fitzmaurice 202.363.8103.

---------

We're limited only by our imaginations as to what services or goods we
purchase or donate toward this effort. We can purchase "coupons" for hair
cuts, restaurant meals,  videos, movie tickets, delivered pizza; or offer
services for baby-sitting, house-cleaning,  yard work, golf lessons, computer
lessons, and on and on. Sounds like a fun event. -- KS
 
 

AU's 10-YEAR CAMPUS PLAN
From:   Leslie.Quynn@msdw.com (Quynn, Leslie)
AU Park Citizen's Association voted unanimously last Wednesday to request
that the Zoning Commission REJECT AU's 10-Year Campus Plan as submitted,
citing that:
the Plan is not a comprehensive one;
the Plan does not go far enough in addressing the community's concerns
regarding a population cap for the University;
the Plan does not include an Agreement regarding parking;
the Plan does not provide sufficient information regarding proposed buildings
(use);
and, therefore, recommend that the Plan be remanded for further discussions
with community representatives in order to reach a satisfactory written
agreement between the parties.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------
AUPCA voted to authorize up to $3,000 to spend, if needed, regarding
negotiations with AU over the campus plan.
--------
ANC3E voted last night 4 to 1 to oppose the plan. Commissioner McNamara voted
against the resolution because he said he felt that the community demands of
AU on its plan should be specific and not open ended. He said he feared that
a resolution would not be possible if the objections were not specified.
---------
This has been an ongoing and complex process involving the University and a
number of citizens groups. If anyone wants more information, I would refer
you to members of the ANC3E; Chuck Ruttenberg - President of AUPCA or Leslie
Quynn; and David Tayor at AU -- KS
 
 

STREET TREES
From:   dkennedy@cais.net (Deborah Kennedy)
Re the comment on the planting of street trees on 45th Street, Japanese
zelkova (zelkova serrata) is a lovely tree that grows to about 100 feet,
with leaves that turn red or orange in autumn and gray peeling bark. It
resembles Dutch elm, to which it is related. I hope the city is planting
"Village Green" or another cultivar that is resistant to Dutch elm disease
-- not all of them are.
 
 

FOX SIGHTINGS
**** From: CMossiRhein@DevIS.com (Cristina Mossi Rhein)
I saw a fox on Reno and Van Ness a few months ago.

*** From: RPRESCOT@email.usps.gov (RICK PRESCOTT)
I live on the 4400 block of Albemarle and last year about 6:30 AM I
heard a bunch of crows making a racket.  I looked out the front
door and saw about a half-dozen crows harassing a red fox as it was
running into my neighbor's back yard across the street.  I
telephoned her and she saw it also.  She said that foxes use
greenways and storm drains to get around the city.

**** From: whitelaw@his.com (Jim Whitelaw)
I have personally seen a family of foxes with 2 pups at the 18th hole of the
Hains Point Golf Course.  This was over a year ago.  It is extremely
possible that we have foxes around our area.  I'm no expert on foxes, but a
grown cat might be a bit troublesome when so many delicious mice, voles and
rats are around.  But again, I am not an expert.

**** From: vual7@yahoo.com (Anji Henderson)
I saw two last year in boundary park... It is across Western from Bayrd
park..

**** From: Marthans
We have seen fox(es) a number of times on our street (the 3700 block of
Brandywine).  The first time, we reported it to animal control.  They were
unimpressed -- apparently it happens all the time...

**** From: shorsey@erols.com (shorsey)
We live at 45th & Davenport and yes indeed, saw a fox ( our dog saw it too!!!)
the first week of  January.  It was sniffing at neighbors' garbage can and
then coolly crossed Davenport Street and eventually ambled off into the dark.
The following morning my husband saw blood on our wooden deck and, having
ascertained that both our cat and dog were fine, attributed the evidence to
the same fox. We have not seen it again so far.
 
 

SPECIFIC HOMELESS PROBLEM
From:   Judy.L.Chesser@ssa.gov (Chesser, Judy L.)
I am increasingly concerned about the homeless gathering outside the
Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church.  These gentlemen are sometimes belligerent.
There is an ever increasing cache of sleeping bags, blankets, coats, etc. I
have called Rev. Lynn Bergfolk, 244-2810, 3568 Brandywine.  He is supposed
to be talking to his trustees.  If others are concerned also it might be
good for you to talk to the Minister.  My feeling is that the number of
people camping out around the church will only increase if something is not
done now.
 
 

GUTTERS AND BUSES
From:   WTBreer@aol.com
Please permit me to comment on two things:  street cleaning and bus service.
The street gutters around AU Park are often filled with leaves and other
litter.  While the city is responsible for running machines through the
neighborhood periodically, the truth is that it doesn't and even if it did,
there are so many parked cars that it would do little good.  It only takes a
minute to clean the street in front one's home.  That would make the
neighborhood look better and prevent litter from washing into storm drains,
many of which are already clogged (can the city clean these more
systematically?).

People should be encouraged to use the N buses.  They are clean and deliver
one relatively predictably to the center of the city.  Further, one can read
the entire paper without having to deal with road rage.  If there were more
riders, we could apply to have frequencies increased.  Ten minute intervals
at rush hour would be terrific.
 
 

SENDING COMMUNIT-E AND COMPUTER SECURITY
>From time to time I get a message that a particular address(s) did not
receive the edition of COMMUNIT-E just mailed. Unless this occurs for a whole
group of addresses, I do not resend. If you want to know if you received the
latest COMMUNIT-E's, you can check the ANC3F web site at:
http://www.dc.net/maudlin/communit-e.html. This web site is kept current by
Bob Maudlin. Many thanks to him for doing this. -- KS

**** From: Aijacelbl (Aija Blitte)
CALIFORNIA IBM is another virus.  Then, a screensaver with Budweiser frogs on
it will also destroy something (I'm not really into computers yet so I don't
know what it will do).

**** From: JHolway1@starpower.net (Jim Holway)
I kept getting on AOL a Pretty Pink.exe :) allegedly from my son, but
the return earthlink was spelled eartlink, no "h".  When I started with
Starpower, I got the same download from my new address but with my son's
name.  I'm sure it's a virus, but guess what?  I'll never know.  I have
deleted it and deleted it...

****  From: vwheeler@erols.com (John & Valerie Wheeler)
Kathy, Your warning about viruses reflect your, and most people's lack
of understanding of viruses.  People need to be careful opening
attachments to messages, especially from people you don't know.  But
viruses or similar programs can attack a person's e-mail address book
and send itself to all persons in the book.  Messages warning about
viruses are nearly always the virus. As you said, the warning sounds
plausible, so you send the warning to everyone in your address book.
Many of those people do the same.  Soon there are millions or billions
of messages warning people of this virus--but the only virus is the
warning message clogging up cyberspace.  The name of the message rarely
means anything.  (The "I Love You" virus is an exception because what it
did was send itself to everyone in a person's address book, if they used
Microsoft Outlook as their e-mail system (that's probably the most
popular system.)  That automatically accomplished what the "send me to
everyone you know" message accomplishes by human folly.  Many warnings
are designed to make you believe them.  Such as saying that they come
from IBM.  I doubt your list really came from IBM.  Writing a virus is
not easy.  Changing a file name is.  Virus recognition programs look for
clues other than the names of files.  Conclusion:  Be careful about
opening attachments to messages.  Be even more careful about saving
attachments, especially executable files (most common end with ".exe,"
but there are many others), and most important get a virus checking
program (e.g., Norton's AntiVirus) and have it running all the time and
update it regularly (can be done automatically on the software company's
website.)

**** From: whitelaw@his.com (Jim Whitelaw)
Information about real viruses can be found at:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.asp
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

Neighborhood Watch
From:   gators1@erols.com (Michelle & René LeRouzes)
We had a purse snatching just last week at the 4400 block of Garrison (down
the block from Rodman's). I was wondering if we had any kind of "Neighborhood
Watch" program in the district, similar to those types of programs in the
Virginia suburbs.  I think it would help combat crime and