COMMUNIT-E
February 1, 2007
HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!
THIS IS THE FINAL COMMUNIT-E
-- -- IN THIS FORMAT
If you have already responded to the Yahoo invitation
to join COMMUNIT-E, you can ignore this item. If not,
or if you were unable to open the letter I included in
the invite, read on:
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To: Recipients of COMMUNIT-E:
I am changing the format of COMMUNIT-E. Very soon it
will begin coming out only as a Yahoo newsgroup newsletter.
I will still be the publisher and screen all items before they
are sent to you, as is now the case. The only real difference
is that instead of receiving the news as one long newsletter,
you will get it as individual items, as I receive and forward
or write them. This will make items more current and allow
COMMUNIT-E to be used for getting really important notices
out as soon as possible, except in those instances when
publication is delayed because I am on vacation, etc.
As before, it will still be possible to send me confidential
notes and nothing will go out until I determine that an item
is appropriate for the newsletter. The e-mail address list will
remain confidential. Your e-address will be shown when you
publish an item in the newsletter, as it is now.
The reason for this change is that the e-mail providers have
set limits on the number of “copies” that can be sent out in
an hour. They are doing this to try to control spam and will
not give me an exemption for a neighborhood newsletter. It
has been taking me more than eight hours to send out an
issue. This has become a real drag.
In order to continue to receive COMMUNIT-E, albeit in its
new form, ignore most of the form letter from Yahoo that
came to you with this note. Scroll down to the part that says:
“As an alternate option, you may join the mailing list instead”.
Click on that link and your address will be sent to me in
a format that the Yahoo system will accept. That’s all you
need to do.
As I am new to this, please bear with me until I get the
hang of working within the Yahoo system. Thanks for your
patience.
Kathy Smith
Publisher, COMMUNIT-E
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If you are having problems finding the link, let me know and
I can add you directly. However, I can only add ten names a
day, so it may be several months before you get on the list.
The link has no day limit to it, that’s why I chose to use
that method as much as possible. But I understand that some
readers have had difficulty.
Starting next week, at the earliest, I plan to begin sending out
items in the new format, so let me know ASAP if you want to
continue to receive COMMUNIT-E.
I WILL ONLY SEND THE NEWSLETTER TO THOSE
WHO CONTACT ME, either via the link or by a direct
e-mail.
MY THANKS TO SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY
I’d like to thank Fred Vinson, Moderator of the Tenleytown
Yahoo listserve for answering my questions and helping me
set up the COMMUNIT-E Yahoo format. He showed me
that it was possible to do it the way I wanted and helped me
work through the somewhat complicated process.
I also want to thank Bob Maudlin, the former webmaster for
the ANC3F web site, for setting up a separate web site for
back issues of COMMUNIT-E. Anyone wanting to look up
tradesman recommendations, or other back issues, can do so
at www.geocities.com/communit_e/
Bob has done a service
to the ‘Hood that is far and above.
I also want to thank Janet Bachman for keeping the recommendations
list up to date, every six months. This too is a great service to
the community.
These are the kind of people who make this a wonderful place
to live. Thank you all.
Kathy Smith
FENTY AND CHEH AT NEXT ANC 3B MEETING
From: [email protected]
Mayor Fenty and Councilmember Cheh will be attending the
next ANC 3B meeting on Thursday, February 8th. The two
main topics of discussion will be the Guy Mason Recreation
Center and the Glover Park Retail Study.
The ANC 3B meeting will be at 7 pm at the Guy Mason
Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert Street.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
**** AFFORDABLE DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING
From: Peter Silverman <[email protected]>
High quality digital video editing at a reasonable rate. I can edit
your video on a professional grade system and deliver a finished
product on MiniDV, DVD, or VHS tape. I charge much less than
a professional postproduction house but deliver comparable results.
I am an experienced filmmaker and hold a BFA in Film Production
from a top tier university film program.
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**** RESTORE AND PRESERVE FAMILY PHOTOS
I provide the following services:
-Scanning of prints, slides and negatives
-Digital Restoration of dirty, damaged, underexposed or de-saturated pictures
-Creating data DVDs for archival purposes as well as DVD slideshows of
your pictures.
Inquire for a project rate quote ($25/hour rate but negotiable based
on specific project requirements)
Email Peter at [email protected] or call 202-341-8971.
**** MAC REPAIRS
From: <[email protected]>
RE: recommended tradespeople, Computers. Listings all
seemed to be for PCs. For Mac people (of which I am one), I
recommend Mitch at 301-718-0822. He's off Wisconsin Ave. on
Jones Bridge Road. Free estimates, fast work and he takes credit
cards.
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DOG SITTER WANTED
Also, I am looking for dog sitters to take care of my dog when
I'm away (not for daily walks). I wonder if there are AU Park
retired types who'd be interested. Thanks.
Nancy LeRoy 202-362-8803
**** RENTAL HOME NEEDED FOR PART OF SUMMER
From: [email protected]
Dear Neighbours - we are AU Park residents who moved
overseas for 3 years and have rented our house out. We will
be coming to Washington Dc from June 15 - July 15 2007
and are interested in renting a house in AU Park -close to
summer camp and friends. We will be myself and my two
boys. Pleasec ontact me on [email protected] if
you have a place that is available. Thanks.
Mohini Malhotra
**** MATH TUTOR
From: [email protected]
Former Deal student, at Wilson, soon to be enrolled at Cornell
University, available to provide tutoring in Pre Algebra, Algebra I,
and Algebra II.
Algebra is an extremely important building block for the rest of
high school and college math, but it can be very difficult and even
the brightest of students can get lost. Private tutoring helped me
gain a solid understanding of Algebra where I might have otherwise
fallen behind. I have been through the math sequence at Deal and
have a good feel for what it takes to succeed. I work to make sure
the student understands the theories and techniques presented but at
the same time make sure they stay up to date with their work and
are prepared for tests. If interested contact Joseph Shapiro at
202 557 9708 or email me at [email protected]
Thanks.
**** From: Don Chen <[email protected]>
I want to thank all the folks who recommended tree service
companies to take down our ash trees. Based on many suggestions, we
ended up going with Anderson Tree Service, and they took down the
trees on Monday and did a great job. The project got delayed by 40
days because we had to get a "Special Tree" permit from the city to
cut down such old trees. The trees had to be assessed by an
internationally certified arborist, who declared the trees a public
safety hazard.
SOUNDING OFF — EXPERIENCES WITH HOME
REPAIR SERVICES – This is a reminder that different
folks can have different experiences with home repair
services – KS
**** From: Jeanine Black <[email protected]>
I no longer recommend L&L Tree Service (Kenny Lantinga).
I was so unhappy with work he did for me that I reported him
to the Better Business Bureau.
**** From: <jodygoodman@[email protected]
RE: Blaine Window Repair – Perhaps they are OK for replacement,
but I used them for a repair, and I was extremely disappointed.
**** From: [email protected]
Kensington Heating & Cooling has changed hands, and we've had
very bad experiences with them since then. We wound up dealing with
them through the BBB - it got so bad.
DON’T GET NAILED BY A HOME IMPROVEMENT
CONTRACTOR - Follow These Tips from Dcra's Office
of Consumer Protection
From: [email protected]
If you want to have some work done on your home, think carefully before
choosing a contractor. Choosing the cheapest contractor might be easy, but
without careful research your construction project could cost extra time,
money, and energy.
Research contractors before accepting their services. If you plan to hire
a home improvement contractor, follow these suggestions:
• Ask for a written estimate.
• Do not sign a contract that does not have all blank spaces filled in.
• Ask for proof that the contract was approved by the Department of
Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).
• Ask for a copy of the contract after you sign it.
• Get two copies of a letter that describes your right to cancel the
contract within three business days. You can cancel the contract if you
signed it in your home or at a place that is not the seller’s office.
• Ask for names and license numbers of all salespersons or contractors who
helped negotiate the contract.
• Ask to approve any charges that are more than the written estimate.
• Do not pay for work that is not described in the contract if you did not
previously approve it.
• Ask for written warranties for materials and workmanship.
• Ask for proof that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid.
• Ask for a receipt for your payment.
• All home improvement contractors in DC need a home improvement
contractor’s license to do business in the District. For information about
home improvement contractor laws in DC, see Title XVI of DC Municipal
Regulations (DCMR) and DC Licensing Law 47-2851.
Ask each contractor the right questions:
• How long have you been in business?
• Are you licensed and registered with the District?
• How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year?
• Will my project require permits?
• May I have a list of references?
• Will you use subcontractors on this project?
• What types of insurance do you carry?
A less than reputable contractor:
• Solicits door-to-door.
• Offers you discounts for finding other customers.
• Happens to have materials left over from a previous job.
• Only accepts cash payments.
• Tells you your job will be a “demonstration.”
• Pressures you to make a decision right away.
• Offers extra-long guarantees.
• Asks you to pay for the whole job up-front.
• Suggests that you borrow money from a lender the contractor knows. If
you’re not careful, you could lose your home.
Completing the Job
Before you sign off and make the final payment, use this checklist to make
sure the job is complete and that you are satisfied with the work. Check
that:
• All work meets the standards in the contract.
• You have written warranties for materials and work.
• You have proof that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid.
• The job site has been cleaned up and cleared of excess materials, tools,
and equipment.
• You have inspected and approved the completed work.
WASHINGTON ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE -
PASTA FOR PETS - BENEFIT
From: Carolyn C. Donnelly <[email protected]>
Annual spaghetti dinner and family game night
Saturday February 10th, 6-9 pm
Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church
3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW (across from American University)
Tickets: $15 each or $50 for "4-Love pack"
Tickets available at the door
Donations of used towels and blankets welcome
(no sheets please). Fetch more info about the
Washington Animal Rescue League at
www.warl.org
THE BIG READ!
From: Kathryn Ray and Dennis Beaufort <[email protected]>
Attention all readers-
DC has chosen Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston's
Their Eyes Were Watching God as the book for its citywide
reading extravaganza. The Big Read, as it is called by its creators
at the National Endowment for the Arts, is intended to promote
reading for pleasure. The idea is to interest everyone in reading
and discussing the same book at the same time in a given city or
town. (http://www.neabigread.org )
In D.C., The Big Read begins officially on April 19 and will
run for a month. Area book clubs and reading groups are
encouraged to select this book during March, April or May.
A public discussion will take place at the new Interim
Tenley-Friendship Branch located at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue.
(202-244-3212) Several city wide events will be held at the
MLK Library.
Kathryn Ray
DDOT MEDIA ADVISORY: NEW CITY MAPS
TO BE UNVEILED THURSDAY
From: Linden, Erik (DDOT) <[email protected]>
202-671-2004
The new citywide map is the first city map ever produced
using GIS: Geographic Information Systems technology.
It clearly outlines District streets in an easy-to-read format.
The reverse side provides detailed bus and Emergency Snow
and Evacuation routes, a message in English and Spanish
from Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and other useful information.
The updated bicycle map includes the latest, easy-to-read
outlines of the District's bicycle lanes, off-street trails and
future trails. It also includes a message about cycling from
Mayor Fenty.
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