BACK IN BUSINESS IN THE ‘HOOD
My hard drive crashed several weeks ago and I took the opportunity to
get a new computer. I am now back in business. If you sent something and
it is not in today’s issue, and is still timely, please feel free to
send it again. It may have gotten lost in the crash.
Kathy Smith
 
 
 

CHANCE TO REGAIN STOLEN PROPERTY
JAMOORE@mpdc.org (Commander Jeff Moore)
We are having a viewing of proceeds of an arrest we made for a suspect
that committed over 30 daytime residential burglaries in the upper end
of 2-D and in 4-D. The information is listed below.

On June 5, 2003, members of the Metropolitan Police Department arrested
an individual for burglary. Subsequent to his arrest the perpetrator
confessed to committing over thirty burglaries in the Second and Forth
Districts over a three-month period [April-June '03]. Many of the
reported burglaries occurred during daylight hours where the perpetrator
would enter a single-family home through a rear window. Once inside the
residence the perpetrator would steal small items such as cash, jewelry,
cell phones, and laptop computers. Also, the perpetrator on occasion has
changed clothes and eaten in the victim's homes. Most of the burglaries
occurred in PSAs 201, 202, and 203.

Based on the cooperation of the perpetrator, a large amount of property
has been recovered. On Saturday, October 4, 10:00am-2:00pm, the Second
District will be hosting a viewing of the seized property. If you were a
victim of a burglary between April-June 5, 2003, and the pattern was
similar to that previously mentioned in the above paragraph, contact the
Second District Detectives office. On the day of the viewing please
bring with you a copy of the police report and a detailed list of stolen
items.

POC: Detective Neil Jones: 202-282-0043 or njones@mpdc.org
 
 
 

UPDATE ON 911 RETOOLING
pfleeger@rand.org (Shari Pfleeger)
I have been working with the DC Council and the Metropolitan Police
Department to find out why 911 was busy when I called, and to find out
how DC plans to ensure that that won't happen again. I have a background
in telecommunications and used to work for a telephone company. I am
pleased to report that DC has hired Howard Baker, former Deputy Police
Commissioner in New York City, to head the effort to fix DC's problems
with 911. Mr. Baker led a similar effort in New York, and he has a good
understanding of how the police and telephone systems should interact.
In fact, a problem similar to mine occurred in New York, and the source
of the problem was a software defect in a Nortel switch used by Verizon.
I am confident that, under Mr. Baker's guidance, DC's problems will be
fixed. Hearings related to the budget for 911 are starting next week,
and hearings soliciting citizen input will begin in several months'
time. As I learn more from Mr. Baker, I'll pass the updates on to you.

Several of you have asked about the self-defense course I took. The
skills I learned at my self-defense class 11 years ago stayed with me
and enabled me
to fight my attacker. The class is still being offered regularly here in
DC. You can read about it at DC IMPACT Self Defense's web site:
www.dcimpact.org The class is very intensive: five five-hour sessions
where you not only learn a set of self-defense skills but also use them on a
heavily-padded attacker so that you can develop the instincts you'll
need in an emergency. I strongly recommend it; even if you never the use
the skills,
the class is very empowering.
 
 
 

NEW WARD 3 PLANNER; UPDATE ON THE UPPER WISCONSIN AVE CORRIDOR STUDY
From: cindy.petkac@dc.gov
Let me introduce myself, I am the new Neighborhood Planning Coordinator
for Wards 3 and 6. I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio but most recently
worked in Savannah, Georgia. I have a strong background in the areas of
public involvement, community planning, transportation and environmental
planning.
An update on the Upper Wisconsin Ave Corridor Study - The report should
be released the week of October 13th with a public meeting being planned for
sometime during the last week of October. If you have any questions,
please feel free to give me a call or drop me an e-mail. I look forward
to working with you on this project and on future planning efforts in
Ward 3.

Cindy Petkac
Neighborhood Planning Coordinator, Wards 3 and 6
DC Office of Planning
801 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 4000
Washington, D.C. 20002
p. 202 / 442.7600
f. 202 / 442.7638
e. cindy.petkac@dc.gov
 
 
 

ADVICE TO COMBAT VIRUSES
From: aajacks@starpower.net
Don't know about you, but my computer was struck by a devastating virus
last year. So I'm passing along some good advice from a New York Times
columnist
--- Most viruses arrive as e-mail attachments. Avoid opening them,
especially if they come from strangers, and especially if they're
applications (their names end in .exe).
--- . On the other hand, be aware that some viruses forge their return
addresses, substituting your friends' (culled from your e-mail address
book) or even your own. Examine the wording: does it really sound like
(for example) your mom?
--- . Microsoft is frantically patching the many security holes in
Windows, but it says that a big part of the problem is that you, the
customers, aren't downloading and installing its patches promptly. Visit
www.microsoft.com/security/protect for step-by-step instructions for
your version of Windows.
--- Particularly if you have a broadband connection like D.S.L. or cable
modem, get yourself a firewall. That's a box that goes between your PC
and the wall, or a piece of software like the one built into Windows XP,
to keep out hackers' virtual fingers. (Of course, turning on firewall
software may kill your ability to share files or printers on your office
network. You can re-open the so-called ports that you've just shut down,
but it takes some technical foraging to do so. To find a list of
software firewalls for your Windows version - and to find out how to
re-open the ports you need - see
www.microsoft.com/security/protect/firewall.asp.)
--- Buy anti-virus software and a subscription to keep it up to date.
This advice pains me, because I hate to see McAfee and Symantec getting
rich off of our vulnerability and pain (few companies generate so many
unsolicited complaint letters in my e-mail box). But painful times call
for painful action.
---- As Mac and Linux fans are fond of pointing out, neither SoBig nor
any of the other well-publicized viruses affect non-Microsoft operating
systems. (They're not necessarily less technologically vulnerable; it's
just that so far, Windows has served as a much bigger, juicier target
for the software terrorists who write viruses.

-- Aaron Epstein
 
 
 
 

LOOKING FOR TEMPORARY HOME FOR OUR TERRIFIC DOG!
From: editerra@verizon.net
My family and I own a delightful 5-year-old Weimaraner. We are leaving
the country for 6 months at the end of December, and we are looking for
someone in the greater D.C. area who might be able to take her into
their home while we're away. She is housebroken and gets along with
other dogs and with children. She requires morning and evening exercise,
but is otherwise calm and a good house dog (she pretty much sleeps all
day). We're looking for someone who is an experienced dog owner --
someone who understands the work as well as the reward of caring for a
dog. I would appreciate any ideas or leads anyone might have to help us
find a good temporary home for our lovely dog. You can contact me at
<nevel@eli.org> or 202-537-9630. Thank you! Bonnie Nevel
 
 
 
 

IONA VOLUNTEER NEEDS
DPennington@iona.org
Listed below are some of IONA current volunteer needs :
— Friendly Visitors, volunteers visits homebound or isolated seniors at
least one hour a week. They offer companionship and conversation to
seniors who might be lonely without these visits. Weekdays & Weekends
— Grocery Shoppers, Transport seniors to the grocery store and assist
with shopping. Weekdays &Weekends
— Saturday Meal Delivery, A team of two and one car. Time requirement 2
hours.
For information contact Daryl Pennington at 2/895-9425
 
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

**** nashunt@starpower.net
We are in need of a company to replace or fix a number of
double-thickness, insulated panes of glass, about a dozen, and also to
either fix or replace a
large-ish palladium window, also double thickness. The smaller panes are
Pella, but post-warranty, and have become clouded. We're not sure of the
brand of the palladium window. Any assistance would be appreciated. Has
anyone done good, reasonable, work and who'll stand by the product?

**** FJHDCME@aol.com
My long-time supplier of firewood has retired. One of the levels of my
house is heated by a wood burning stove. I am looking for a new source.
Does
anyone know of a reliable sDinsmoreB@doaks.orgupplier who sells a honest
cord of seasoned hardwood, 4'x4'x8'? I will need two cords. Thanks in
advance for help. Frank Haendler

**** DinsmoreB@doaks.org
Piano for sale - Sohmer studio, ebony. Beautiful piano. $2,900, OBO.
Call Barbara Dinsmore at 202-244-6214 or email at dinsmoreb@doaks.org.

*** From: cattfam@starpower.net
Wonderful entertainment right in our neighborhood! EVERY THURSDAY
evening at 8:30pm there is BELLY DANCING and, twice a month, live middle
eastern
music. WHERE? The Mediterranean Cafe located at 4629 41st St., NW,
202-362-1006. We look forward to seeing you there! Mina (resident of ANC E3)

**** equiknox@juno.com
I am in search of a firm who can clean a 10x 12 foot white wool carpet
properly and efficiently. Please tell me who you like!
Alexandra Knox, 202-332-2929

**** BGAChahine@aol.com
I have two questions:
1. Does anyone know where I can find a wooden storm/screen door combination?
2. Could anyone recommend a good carpenter to work on my front door?
Thanks, A. Chahine
 
 

SPEAK UP FOR DC'S UNWANTED, LOST, AND STRAY ANIMALS
sellis@pd.state.gov (Susan Ellis)

Please put a notice in your next community newsletter about the Mayor's
plan to give operation of the DC Animal Shelter over to a Canadian group
which is
sponsored by AnimalLink, a discredited organization which once ran the
DC shelter and was expelled, at which time WHC, the Washington Humane
Society,
once again took over.

The director of the Friendship Hospital for Animals on Brandywine
St.,NW, Dr. Peter Glassman, has written a letter asking that the DC
Council reject
the Mayor's plan and that the members give the shelter contract back "to
the experienced and qualified WHS." You can read the details online or by
getting a copy of the Washington Post of Tuesday 9/23.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55416-2003Sep23.html

The Mayor's Hotline, which I called and had my message dictated and was
given a tracking number is: 202-727-1000. The council member for Ward 3 is
Kathy Patterson at 202-724-8062 Email: kpatterson@dccouncil.us I'm sure
Dr. Glassman will forward you his email if you call Friendship
Hospital at (202) 363-7300 or email him at
peterglassman@friendshiphospital.com

Susan Ellis
Phone: 202-619-4080
 
 
 

MEDITATION CLASS
From: SDrobis@aol.com
Introduction to Meditation:
An 8 week class to learn and practice some basic meditation techniques.
Meditation is a tool that can help:
-- Reduce stress
-- Manage anxiety
-- Quiet self-criticism and judgment
-- Develop self-acceptance and compassion
-- Facilitate transitions and change
-- Clarify internal conflicts and struggles
-- Reduce suffering
-- Enhance ability to live in the moment

The focus of this course will primarily be on mindfulness and vipassana
meditation techniques. Each class will be experiential with a chance to
practice new skills each week.

Teacher: Susan Drobis, LICSW is a Diplomate in clinical social work with
over twenty years of experience as a psychotherapist. She teaches
courses in imagery and relaxation and has been a student of meditation
for ten years.

Time: Tuesdays 6:15-7:15 PM. Begins October 14, 2003
Place: Tenleytown, DC. One block from the Metro.
For more information: Call Susan Drobis: 202-686-9005 or email: Susan
Drobis@ aol.com
 
 

–END–