ALERT
From:  "Richard Abbott" <abbott1229@erols.com>
Last night (Monday, 3/24) a man knocked on our door about 8 PM and
identified himself as a former convict trying to make it by selling
magazine subscriptions.  My wife, who was home alone, did not open the
door to him.  He appeared to have a list of magazines but she couldn't
tell if it was legitimate or not.  Did anybody else see this guy?  What
should we do in such situations?
Richard Abbott
 
 
 

THE GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN

****  From: <Pavukmatt@aol.com>
Some members of Tenleytown Neighbors Association are participating in
the Great American Cleanup next Saturday, March 29, at 10 am, to clean
up some of the Wisconsin Avenue commercial corridor. The city is
providing trash bags, tools and gloves.  All are welcome to participate
with us.  We need you.  If you can volunteer, please respond by e-mail
or our home number is 362-8241.  Thanks. Cheryl Browning

**** From:  "Diskan, Jill (EOM)" <Jill.Diskan@dc.gov>
In connection with 2003's Great American Clean-up, a nation-wide litter
prevention and beautification program, the District's Clean City Office
is
launching an eight-week clean-up campaign on Saturday March 29.   For
the
kick-off of this year's campaign, the Clean City office would like to
have
up to three designated clean-up sites in each ward on Saturday, March
29.
Neighborhood residents can select the clean-up sites and need to recruit
the volunteers.  The City will provide tools, trash bags and gloves, if
wanted
and needed, and will pick-up the collected trash.

As your Ward 3 Neighborhood Services Coordinator, I am serving as
liaison
between resident groups and the Clean City Office.  If you are
interested
in gathering a group of neighbors to participate in this city-wide
effort,
please let me know.  You can select a residential area, a commercial
area,
a neighborhood park, an alley.  I just need confirmation that you intend
to
participate and that a group of volunteers will appear at your selected
site on Saturday, March 29 at a time of your choosing, say 10 or 11AM.

Participants can provide their own tools, gloves and trash bags, OR can
obtain a Tool Kit from Helping Hands, a DC agency that assists
neighborhoods with clean-ups.  Each Tool Kit, containing 5 rakes, 5
brooms, 2 shovels and 20 trash bags, requires a $20 deposit which is
refunded upon return of the
tools.

The only limitation on trash collected is NO BULK TRASH and NO HAZARDOUS
WASTE.

If you want to use Helping Hands, you can contact them directly at
202/245-7190 to get a form.  Or, you can contact me, 282-7952, and I can
FAX you a Helping Hands form.  Either way, please keep me in the loop so
I know
which neighborhoods in Ward 3 are participating and can arrange pick-up
for
the trash you collect.

The official kick-off celebration of the District's Great American
Clean-up
will be 9AM, Saturday, March 29 at 14th and V Streets, NW, in case you
want
to attend the festivities.
Jill Diskan
Ward 3 Neighborhood Services Coordinator
202/282-7952
 
 
 

REMINDER: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MEETING FOR WARD 3 ON MARCH 31ST
****  From: <anc3b@aol.com>
Peter LaPorte, Director of the Emergency Management Agency will host an
Emergency Preparedness Meeting for Ward Three in the library at Woodrow
Wilson Senior High School,  3950 Chesapeake Street, NW on Monday, March
31 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Tenleytown Metro Stop)
 
Representatives from the following agencies will be at these meetings to
answer questions: Emergency Management Agency, Metropolitan Police
Department, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services, District Department
of
Transportation, District of Columbia Public Schools, DC Department of
Health, DC Department of Mental Health, and the  DC Commission on
National
and Community Service .

Discussion will include:
How does the city's evacuation plan work?
What does Code Orange mean?
What will happen in my neighborhood to help residents get through an
emergency?

If you have any questions,   please contact Mary Ann Floto in the Office
of
Community Outreach at (202) 442-8150.
 
 
 
 

UPPER WISCONSIN AVENUE CORRIDOR STUDY - UPDATE
From:  "Collins, Robert (OP)" <Robert.Collins@dc.gov>
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Upper Wisconsin
Avenue Corridor Study Community Planning Charrette that was held from
February 3-6, 2003.  The Charrette proved to be a big success in
kicking-off the planning phase of our study.  A tremendous amount of
information was shared and the events were all well attended by the
community.

Since the Charrette, I have been meeting with the consultants as well as
the Advisory Steering Committee for the study to discuss next steps.
Our recommendation is to hold four (4) Community Focus Group Meetings to
discuss issues and options for each of the four sub-areas of the study
as we move towards the preferred option plan that will be in the final
document.  HOK is currently preparing additional exhibits and background
materials for each of the sub-areas.  As a reminder the four sub-areas
are:  1) Friendship Heights - Western to Harrison Street; 2) Harrison
Street to Chesapeake Street; 3) Tenleytown - Chesapeake Street to Tenley
Circle; and 4) Tenley Circle to Rodman Street.

The Community Focus Group Meetings are as follows:

1) Friendship Heights - Western to Harrison Street - Tuesday April 22,
2003 from 7-9pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Chevy Chase Pavilion

2) Harrison Street to Chesapeake Street - Wednesday April 23, 2003 from
7-9pm (location to be determined).

3) Tenleytown - Chesapeake Street to Tenley Circle - Wednesday April 16,
2003 from
7-9pm at St Ann's Church at Tenley Circle

4) Tenley Circle to Rodman Street - Thursday April 17, 2003 from 7-9pm
at 4000 Wisconsin Avenue, Fannie Mae's West Building.

 Everyone is invited to attend one or all of the focus group meetings,
but discussions will be limited to just the specific areas at each
meeting.  Following the Focus Group Meetings, block specific meetings
might be held if needed.  Our goal is still to have the first draft of
the final product - the Strategic Development Plan - out by late May,
2003.  Please mark your calendars for these important meetings and I
will follow up as they get closer with specific room numbers and a
location for the April 23 meeting.  Please share this information with
anyone that may not get this email.

As always, thank you for your interest in neighborhood planning,
Robert Collins
Neighborhood Planning Coordinator - Ward 3
202.442.7617
fax 202.442.7638
 
 
 

 
NEW SIDEWALKS
From:  "Burch, Alan" <alan.burch@occ.treas.gov>
Thru:  tenleytown@yahoogroups.com
As you may have noticed, DC is now rebuilding sidewalks on certain
streets
in AU Park, e.g. Windom Pl. and Warren St.  You have probably also
noticed
that the sidewalks on many blocks in AU Park are incomplete.  But you
can
request that DC build a sidewalk in front of your house.  Go to
http://dc.gov/citizen/request.htm and fill out the request, selecting
"New
sidewalks" under the Service Request heading for "What service do you
need?" It doesn't cost anything, as far as I know.

If you do not already have a sidewalk in front of your house, please
consider making this request--it really helps all of us, especially the
young kids on their bikes, trikes, skateboards, etc.
 
 
 

RE: TAX ASSESSMENTS
From:  <Jdinges@aol.com>
I received a flyer offering to handle an appeal of the increased
assessment. It was from Tessa Morris, a real estate agent at
Caldwellbanker.  She charges $450 to fill out the forms and provide
"comps" from the real estate data bank of recent sales. The comps are
comparable homes that recently sold for less than the new assessed value
for my home. The idea is that if I can show that a house similar to mine
sold for less than the new assessed value I can argue that the new
assessment is too high.

Is this a worthwhile service?  Is there any other way to file an appeal
if one does not have access to the  real estate agents data base?
John Dinges
 
 
 
 

STUDENT PARKING ISSUE
From:  "Steve Kopperud" <skopperud@poldir.com>
We've been having increasing trouble with AU Law School students parking
in
front of our house, sometimes until after 7 p.m., often out-of-state
plates, but a lot
of DC types with no Zone 3 stickers. The problem began to escalate about
45
days ago. We've been leaving notes on the cars, and even went so far as
to
call the President of AU to complain -- one student received a $75
ticket
-- but there has to be a more efficient way to deal with these
scofflaws.
I'd appreciate it if anyone has information they can share.  Thanks.
 
 
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** From:  "Ellis, Susan" <sellis@pd.state.gov>
CARPENTER'S HOME PHONE HAS BEEN CHANGED.  SHOULD READ:
Excellent home repair, carpentry, painting and plastering.  Jaime
Barrera has worked for me for 10 years, doing everything from building a
deck over my garage to plastering and painting my hall and upstairs and
many smaller tasks.  His phone number is: (home)[*NEW] 301- 422-7111 ;
cell
phone: 301/509-2675.

[Please make the change in your printed-out copies of the
Recommendations -- KS]

We could also USE A LISTING FOR SNOW REMOVAL people.  Especially the
shovellers who will do sidewalks.
Susan Ellis

****  From:  <nancila@att.net>
I called a roofer (Paul Hair) who was recommended in the last
round-up (and probably in an earlier newsletter, too).  He asked me to
let your
readers know that the phone numbers in that referral are not correct
(They are his
home and cell phone.)  His office number -- Action Roofing & Home
Improvement,
Inc. - is 301-292-6300.  That's the number to call.  He certainly
deserves the
outstanding rating Stephanie Hellerman gave in her referral.  Thanks,
Nancy  LeRoy

[Again, please make the change in your printed-out copies of the
Recommendations -- KS]

**** FREE Sears Push mower. It needs some work and sharpening and comes
with a grass catcher. E-mail me if you want it.  -- Kathy Smith

**** From:  "Dennis Beaufort and Kathryn Ray" <kcrdlb@bellatlantic.net>
Due to really bad weather, Girl Scout Troop 3481 of Alice Deal Jr. High,
still has cookies to sell.  If you would like to buy some cookies,
please respond to this e-mail.  Scouts will deliver the cookies if you
live in the Tenley area.  They are still $3.00 per box.  Thanks!

**** From:  "Patrick G. Talmon" <patrick.talmon@verizon.net>
Would you happen to know of a good wallpaper hanger you would
recommend?  I checked your
1/5/2002 Community Recommendations but found none.  Thank you.

**** From: "VanMeter, Stephen" <sbielaus@hotmail.com>
WOOD BLINDS.  Does anyone have recent experience with Blinds To Go?
We've
received very positive recommendations about Next Day Blinds, but Blinds
To
Go (the store near Tyson's) gave us an estimate that was significantly
lower.  So, we'd like to go with BTG unless there's some reason to
expect
quality or service problems.

**** From:  "Gail Rebhan" <grebhan@starpower.net>
Does anyone have a recommendation for deck sealing?

**** From:  "Lefrancois/DC" <nicmich@starpower.net>
Transitional housing alert: Some formerly homeless men shortly will be
moving into their own apartments and would benefit from your
generosity.  Especially needed are night tables, dressers, coffee table,
bedroom set, iron & ironing board, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes,
pots/pans, sheets/towels.  Here's one way to convince your college kids
that 'the nest is bare.'   Let me know if you can part with any of these
items and I'll pick up and deliver. Good condition please!  Ron
Lefrancois

**** From: "Susan Baer" <baer@aclcinc.com>
I am a computer trainer and consultant.  We have been in business for
over 8 years, and we make house calls, handle telephone troubleshooting,
and make people's lives
easier by making technology work and making it understandable.  Our
website
is www.learningcomputers.com.
Susan Baer, President
Advanced Computer Learning & Consulting, Inc.
P.O. Box 5401, Washington, DC 20016-5401
Phone: (202) 364-1000  Fax: (202) 364-2355

****  From: "Aker, Janet (ELS-CCM)" <J.Aker@elsevier.com>
I would like to add to your pet sitter/walker recommendations. Michele
Roberts of Quadrapeds is excellent. She has taken care of my cats (now
four!)  and a former Shepherd for a number of years and is very prompt,
takes dogs for long play romps, teaches them new behaviors and stays
with the
cats for extended periods. She also walks at least three other dogs on
my block,
4300 Brandywine St NW, so could provide references in addition to mine.
Quadrapeds also transports animals. Michele can be reached at
202-462-1025.
Reasonable rates and great care. I've hd no problems whatsover. Strong
recommendations!!

**** From:  <DCGreen1@aol.com>
Read the cover story of Thursday's (March 20) Washington Post District
Extra, and see why the School Without Walls High School auction is the
place to be on Saturday night April 5 at the Reeves Center. There, you
will
have the chance to meet and mingle with students, teachers and parents
of
"one of the city's most successful academic institutions".
We'll have over 250 items up for bid: Gift certificates for health
clubs,
photographers, family-prepared meals and scores of restaurants are
available. We've got lunch with politicians and a ground-breaking shovel
and a bowtie from Mayor Williams. Also, original artwork, signed books,
theater tickets, videos, jewelry, accessories and weekend getaways.
There
are bargains that you won't get anywhere else.
Let us know if you would like to see the auction catalog. We have it
online. There'll be food and drink and live music. Admission to the
auction is
$20 per person in advance, $25 at the door. If you'd like to purchase
admission in advance, please email us.
The Reeves Center is located at 14th and U Streets. Parking is available
underground for $5, or take the Green Line to U Street/Cardozo.
Melissa Hippler
 
 
 

COMING EVENTS AT LEVINE  SCHOOL OF MUSIC
From:  Brian Jones <bjones@levineschool.org>

**** EVENT:          Clarinet Recital
WHO:             clarinetist Brian David Jones with
                      Karin Firsow, piano & James Batts, viola
WHEN:           2:00pm Saturday afternoon, April 12, 2003
WHERE:         Levine School of Music
                      Jane Lang Recital Hall
                      2801 Upton Street NW DC
COST:            FREE
INFO:             202-686-9772 or www.levineschool.org

**** EVENT:          Levine School of Music Encore Series Concert
WHO:             The Ensemble da Camera of Washington
WHEN:           Friday, April 11 at 7:30 pm
WHERE:         Levine School of Music
                      The Jane Lang Recital Hall
                      2801 Upton Street NW DC
COST:            $15
INFO:             202-686-9772 or www.levineschool.org
 
 
 
 
 

THE BRAZIL BULLETIN
From: "Heilbron, Shana (COUNCIL)" <SHeilbron@dccouncil.washington.dc.us>
In This Week's Issue...
     Budget Oversight Hearing
     Conevntion Center is Moving Along
     Baseball Trip to Arizona
     Cherry Blossoms Bloom at Capital Children's Museum
     Emergency Preparedness in the District
     The U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Megan's Law, 8-1
     Bonehead of the Week
 
 
 
 
 

AND FINALLY . . .
From: <edw3qc@att.net>
From:    "Raymond A.Reedy" <cojrail@kiski.net>
The couple was 85 years old, and had been married for sixty years.
Though they were far from rich, they managed to get by because they
watched their pennies.  They were both in very good health, largely due
to the wife's insistence on only healthy foods always and daily exercise
for the last decade.

One day, their good health didn't help when they went on a  rare
vacation and their plane crashed, sending them off to Heaven. They
reached the pearly gates, and St. Peter escorted them inside. He  took
them to a beautiful mansion, furnished in gold and fine silks, with a
fully stocked kitchen and a waterfall in the master bath. A maid could
be  seen hanging their favorite clothes in the closet. They gasped in
astonishment  when he said, "Welcome to Heaven.  This will be your home
now."  The old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost.
"Why, nothing," Peter replied, "remember, this is your reward in
Heaven."

The old man looked out the window and right there he saw a championship
golf course, finer and more beautiful than any  ever-built on  Earth.
"What are the greens fees?", grumbled the old man. "This is heaven," St
Peter replied. "You can play for free, every day." Next they went to the
clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch, with every imaginable cuisine
laid out before them, from seafood to steaks to exotic deserts, free
flowing beverages. "Don't even ask," said St. Peter to the man. "This is
Heaven, it is all free for you to enjoy." The old man looked around and
glanced nervously at his wife. "Well, where are the low fat and low
cholesterol foods, and the decaffeinated tea?" he asked. "That's the
best part," St. Peter replied. "You can eat and drink as much as you
like of  whatever you like, and you will never get fat or sick. This is
Heaven!"
The old man pushed, "No gym to work out at?" "Not unless you want to,"
was the answer."No testing my sugar or blood pressure or..." "Never
again. All you do here is enjoy yourself."

The old man glared at his wife and said, "You and your bran muffins. We
could have been here ten years  ago!"
 
 

-- END --