Wishing You a Happy New Year

The Cleveland Park Listserv's iconic photo

We wish all of our readers a happy, healthy and fun New Year. We'll see you  in 2011.

Bill Adler and Peggy Robin
Publishers
All Life Is Local, founded 2010
Cleveland Park Listserv, founded 1999

Still Life with Robin: Many Happy Returns of the Season

by Peggy Robin

It’s that jolly time of year: Time to exchange all the holiday gifts that you got but didn’t want. If you saw the article in Monday’s Washington Post, you’ll know that Amazon.com has patented software that will alert you when someone is sending you a gift through Amazon and let you to decide even before the object is put in a shipping box whether you’d like to receive it, exchange it for something else, or just have Amazon put a credit in your account to use at your own convenience. Your gift-giver --called “Aunt Mildred” in the newspaper article-- will never know that you didn’t receive the fill-in-the-blank that she wanted you to have, and since you’ve been notified as to what that thing was, you'll be able to thank her effusively, as if you had actually unwrapped and oohed-and-ahhed over the original present. Unless she arrives for tea one afternoon and asks you point-blank, “Why aren’t you using the embroidered tea-cozy I sent you to keep the teapot warm?” she’ll never know you traded in that tea-cozy for downloads of your favorite rap artists.

Sooooo Cute Cats for Adoption on Jan 1

Angelo needs a home. How about yours?

Meet cute, sweet adoptable cats at the new Unleashed by Petco in Aspen Hill. These cats were rescued from dangerous situations and are now looking for their forever homes. They have all received appropriate veterinary care. For more information, visit Rock Creek Cats.

Adoption hours are from 3pm - 5pm on Saturday, January 1st. What a wonderful way to start the new year, by adopting a cat in need. 

Unleashed by Petco is at 13685 Connecticut Avenue, Aspen Hill, MD, in the Aspen Hill shopping center near Connecticut and Georgia.

Good Morning: 50 (Not an Anniversary, But Friday's High)

After a mostly very chilly December, Friday the 31st will be the warmest day we've seen in a while: The high will be about 50 degrees. Sunny skies will make it feel even a little warmer. And for January 1, 2011, the mercury will creep up toward 60. I doubt we'll actually see 60 degrees, but the upper 50's will be an antidote to what we've had lately.

On this day in 1999, the Panama Canal was turned over to Panama.

Recommendation: Nearby B&B

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need.


I can recommend George's Mill Farm B&B in Lovettsville, VA. It's a great location right near the Maryland and West Virginia line, so you can be in three states within minutes. It's a short driver from Harper's Ferry and Charlestown, WV. So far I've stayed there twice. The Civil War-era stone house is very comfortable and has been in the family for generations. There's a barn on the property (run separately) where I keep my retired horse. Fran, the proprietor, is a warm and welcoming hostess who makes a great breakfast. She spoiled us with fruit salad, blueberry and plain pancakes, slices of cooked ham and fresh eggs from free range chickens just up the road. There is plenty to do in the area, including an upscale farm to table restaurant that I'd like to try. At night you can choose from a good selection of games and books/magazines. Also, the B&B is both kid and dog friendly! Abby, the house golden retriever, welcomes visiting dogs and is great with kids. If you go, tell her I sent you and feel free to visit my horse Hobbes (he loves carrots and apples). George's Mill Farm Bed & Breakfast: 11867 Georges Mill Rd Lovettsville, VA, 540-822-5224

The New Tenley-Friendship Library Opening on Jan 24, Party on Feb 5

Today, Thursday, December 30, 2010 is the last day the Tenley Interim Library will be open.

The new Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library will open Monday, January 24, 2011 at 4450 Wisconsin Avenue, NW.  And be sure to mark your calendars for the grand opening party on Saturday, February 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In between now and then, books on hold may be picked up at the Cleveland Park Library.  For more information, visit the DC Public Library's website.

New Year Tip from the MPD: Take a Holiday Inventory Now

Here's a bit of advice from the Metropolitan Police Department that you'll be glad you followed in the event your home is ever burglarized:

The holidays are a good time to update --or create-- your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.

Make sure things like TVs, DVRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment, and power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice!

Good Morning: Texting and Driving, Part 3

The day will start out a bit cloudy, but we'll see sunshine as the day progresses. And it will be warmish for December -- in the mid-40's. Not bad at all.

Pilots are taught: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. Flying and focusing on where the airplane is -- that's most important thing to do. Navigation comes second, and communication a distant third. Fly the airplane and you and your passengers will be safe. Get distracted by looking at your GPS or charts, or communicating with air traffic control and you run the risk of losing control of the airplane. The same safety principle applies to driving: Focus on driving ahead of everything else. Communicating --using your cell phone-- will always make driving more dangerous.

Recommended: Professional Cleaning and Maid Services

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need.


I heartily recommend Maria Valez Maid Service, who we have used every week since about 1992.  This is an excellent cleaning service founded by Maria Valez, who is a very wise business woman and takes very good care of her clients as well as her cleaning teams.  We used her for our big house in NW and now for our condo on Connecticut Ave. Their number is 301-229-3358; she is based in Bethesda.

I was very happy with my one experience with Ash Maids, 202-239-5539. They use environmentally friendly cleaning products. The two women who came were polite and thorough and even arranged some small items in an artistic way that I liked.

I have used Maid to Clean in Bethesda. I have recommended them to several clients who have been happy with their services. You can reach them at 301-656-7171.

Ask Kelli: The Talker, the Food Obsessor, the Thank-You Seeker

by Kelli Miller

Dear Kelli,

I really love my job. The problem is this guy who sits near me. He won’t stop talking to me! I mean all the time! Not only am I having a problem getting my work done but I have no interest in anything he talks about. I don’t want to be rude or talk to Human Resources; I just want to nip this in the bud myself. Any advice?

Signed,
Shut Up!

Dear Shut Up!

You know those big Bose headphones? Invest in a pair. After you keep saying, “What?” every time your co-worker talks to you, he’ll eventually get the hint. Even if you don’t listen to music, you can "pretend."

If that still doesn’t work, then unfortunately it’s time to talk to HR about moving your cubicle location.

All the best,
Kelli

Recommended: Sealing Floors

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. The search box, in case you have trouble finding it, is to the right.


If you are thinking of painting your furnace room/garage floors using epoxy paint -- giving it a finished look, sealing cracks, etc. -- I strongly recommend Dave Mroceck. 703-517-4697, email: davemrochek @ yahoo.com He's ultra-conscientious, meticulous, and reasonably priced. A joy to work with.

Good Morning: Texting and Driving Part 2

Another cool, wintry day is in store for us today: With a high of in the lower 40's there will be no doubt in your mind that it's December. Looking ahead to 2011, it appears that the new year will start in the mid 50's with a chance of rain. But that's still several days out, so the forecast is only approximate.

Yesterday somebody commented on my article about the danger of texting and driving, pointing out that talking on a cell phone is also a very dangerous thing to do. And that's absolutely true: talking on a cell phone is on par with driving drunk. Driving is visual and cognitive: Your safety, and the safety of other drivers and pedestrians depend on your ability to see what's going on around you, and be able to react swiftly. Texting and talking on a cell phone diminish your ability to do those things.

Car and Driver magazine's own real-world experiment showed without doubt that texting while driving is going to make you a bad driver, a dangerous driver.

Expressing One's Love

I'm a big fan of the website, DamnYouAutocorrect. Why? Because I recently sent my daughter 10 pairs of chopsticks at college. I did that because she texted the request to me, and it was a fairly easy request to fulfill. It was only after my daughter called, quite perplexed, that we both realized that she had meant to text chapsticks. (College in Boston necessitates a chapstick in every pocket.)

If you're feeling any holiday blues --or simply want to laugh-- hop over to DamnYouAutocorrect and be prepared to laugh so hard that you cry.

Airbag Thefts in Chevy Chase, DC

A member of the Chevy Chase Listserv reported two airbag thefts, one from her own car and one from a neighbor down the street.  Here's her account of what happened:

Unfortunately last week (December 23rd during the day), my air bag was stolen while
my car was parked in my driveway. The police were called and a report was filed.  I do know this was not an isolated incident as I've seen one other car down the street with a stolen air bag as well. For those who may question:  Yes, the car was locked. They broke a window. And, from what I  have heard and read, it only takes a few minutes to steal one.

Please make sure you call the police if you see anyone walking the streets or in a car that looks suspicious.

Best Places In and Around DC to See Holiday Light Displays

Recently on the Cleveland Park Listserv a poster wondered where to go to see the best displays of holiday lights.  List members had a number of great suggestions, but please feel free to add others by using the comments section below.



This one is pretty remarkable. It's at 1602 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, VA.  You can read more about it here:  http://bit.ly/fvM69P



See the house at the far northern tip of DC at N. Portal Drive and Birch Drive.  The house, known as the Bishop's House, attracts crowds every year. It was written up in the Washington Post in December 2003.


Outside of the Mormon Temple, just beyond the Beltway in Kensington, MD, there are thousands of lights on the grounds that you can stroll around.  (Note: Only members of the Mormon church are allowed to go inside the temple.) For information and directions go to: http://dctemplelights.lds.org/.


If you're willing to go slightly outside the DC area, Baltimore's 34th Street is always worth checking out. I once saw a busload of Japanese tourists there snapping pictures.

Good Morning: Texting and Driving Part 1

Today will be your typical wintry day: cold (a high of 38) and windy (or blustery, if you prefer). The 17 mile an hour wind will make it feel more like 26 degrees on exposed flesh.

We all know that texting while driving is dangerous, very dangerous. But so many of us do it -- except for people who have been injured or have injured or killed somebody else while texting and driving. (There are other dangerous things you can do while driving, too, of course, but texting is both a relatively new and especially dangerous thing to do while you're driving.)  Sometimes a reminder of how dangerous it is helps, because we think, "It will only take a sec for me to check this text." With that in mind, for the next several days, we'll be posting short videos about texting and driving, starting with this public service announcement produced in Wales.

Washington Tweets

Washington tweets. A lot. The Washington Tweets column is a collection of the most interesting, recent Washington-area tweets. These tweets reveal a candid and fascinating portrait of what is on our collective minds: Twitter gives a snapshot of what we're doing, thinking and hoping for as a group. Washington Tweets is Washington in the raw. Bill Adler tweets at @billadler.

Good morning twitter! I had a wonderful xmas. Its very dry downtowndc right now. its like a ghost town

Not cool. From @washingtonpost Adrian Fenty moves $495,000 from adult jobs training to "separation pay" for his staff

I was beyond excited that it didn't snow in DC this Xmas, I got out of shovel duty. Hows it going over there?

Heard CM Brown considering making Mary Cheh Chair pro tem, taking it away from Evans. However, the decision is still up in air.

Amtrak cancels service from New York to DC, doesn't tell anyone

Snow in Gaithersburg has yet to live up to hype. Then again, we in the DC-metro area have been known to panic over such things.

green with salt here in Cleveland Park as well. Roads in NE DC are green with salt. Guess they missed the forecast update.

Recently on the Cleveland Park Listserv

Cleveland Park Listserv's Iconic Symbol

Blogging, twittering, Facebook status updates, Flicker photos, website comments -- these are some of the many different kinds of social networks that we participate in. But the most enduring --and still popular-- kind of social network is the humble email list, also called a listserv. Listservs have been around for eons, and in the DC area there are dozens. All Life Is Local is itself a an offshoot of the Cleveland Park Listserv, the largest neighborhood email list in the United States, with over 10,000 members.

What kind of questions get asked, what kind of issues discussed on neighborhood listservs? Here is a sampling of messages posted recently on the Cleveland Park Listserv. To join the Cleveland Park Listserv, send an email to cleveland-park-subscribe @ yahoogroups.com or visit www.cleveland-park.com. The Cleveland Park Listserv is fun, enlightening and calorie-free (unless you're tempted by the restaurant and chocolate store reviews on the Cleveland Park Listserv.)  Google is great, but email lists can give you the kind of answers that only real people can provide.



I just wrecked my van and the steering is really bad. Does anyone know of a place in DC that can do both kinds of work?
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I have been buying Cacao's delicious baguettes for lunch and to toast for breakfast for several weeks now, but today I made a big mistake. I went in there late and hungry and got two of the baguettes and a bunch of their other things because they looked and were fabulous. This is a place we want to keep in Cleveland Park.
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Free Golf Bags: Taking a holiday trip somewhere warm? We are giving away two used but good condition travel golf bags: One is all black by OGIO, One is black and red by OGIO
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What seems to totally negate the random Metro bag inspections effectiveness is that they are saying you can refuse to have your bag inspected and leave Metro. If a would-be terrorist is stopped, can't he or she simply walk out and try again? I would assume they have considered this?
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Can anyone recommend good blocks or neighborhoods in the DC area to see elaborate holiday lights?
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I'm starting a new job in January in Alexandria. Does anyone have any insight on the daily commute to Alexandria, which route is best from Cleveland Park and how long it might take?
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A family I know is in need of beds, pillows, etc. The mom has breast cancer and is living on the floor. She has three kids, from 3 to 16 months and they are all sleeping on the floor. She gets little money ($300 for rent) for food and shelter. Anything you have to give, I can make arrangements for someone to pick up. Please let me know what you can donate.
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At 5pm today when I exited the Metro, the sidewalks of the bridge were still unshoveled/unsalted from this morning's snow. I filed a 311 report as soon as I got home; I've been checking the tracking number online and no updates. I can speak firsthand to the fact that this is a constant problem during snowfalls. There's no reason why that bridge shouldn't be shoveled proactively instead of requiring repeated 311 calls.
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My flip phone has died (drowned, if you must know) and I'm thinking of taking things to the next level. So, I'd like to try an iPhone, but I'd also rather not get into a new 2 year contract with AT&T. Does anyone have an extra iPhone or other smartphone that would work with AT&T? Please be in touch with details. Feedback on various models of smart phones is also welcome!
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I am considering using Mulheron Tree Experts to do some major tree work. Does anyone have positive or negative experiences with them that I should be aware of? Recommendations for other companies will also be appreciated.
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My wife is delivering in 3 weeks and we need a pediatrician nearby with weekend hours. We live near the Cathedral. I greatly appreciate your help.

The Best Bagels: Recommendations and Discussion

A couple of months ago Morty's Deli in Tenleytown closed for good. Although the restaurant reportedly had not been profitable for its last few years, it had its dedicated fans, especially for its bagels. Recently on our companion listserv, the Cleveland-Park Email List, posters have been debating where to find good bagels now that Morty's is no more. There were recommendations for bagel places from Georgetown to far-flung Rockville, along with fond memories of bagels past, especially those bought for small change in delis in Brooklyn or Boston.

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Parkway Deli on Grubb Road in Silver Spring could be the answer for those of us lamenting the loss of Mortys. I've eaten in the restaurant, and it seems like the real deal (or real deli).

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Bagel City on Rockville Pike and Ize's on Rockville Pike both have delicious bagels.

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I'm a former resident of Cleveland Park who is surprised that people don't mention Calvert-Woodley Liquors for bagels. I think they are brought in from H&H in New York City and they are outstanding. Not to mention the cheese samples and other yummy stuff.

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Good Morning: Where Did the Snow Go?

DC kicks ass! That snow, we just pushed it north to New York City and beyond. While they're getting exercise shoveling lots of snow, we can relax in front of the fireplace, after barely breaking into a sweat with the paltry dusting we received. But never mind. On to the matter at hand: Monday's forecast. Look for mostly sunny skies, cold and wind: 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Did you know that it takes about 12.5 gallons of milk to make a gallon of ice cream? Next time you have an ice cream cone, think about how hard those cows worked.

Tip From MPD: Hide Your Opened Electronics Boxes

Here's a very helpful holiday burglary prevention tip from the Metropolitan Police:

After You've Opened the Gifts

Burglars know that many households have new, and oftentimes expensive, items in their homes following the December holidays -- especially items such as new computers and peripherals, stereo components, televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment. In too many cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view with their other garbage. Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in garbage bags and place them inside a trash can. (In many cases, especially with computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, shipping or moving in the future.)

Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside --in a garage, for example-- until the evening before your regular garbage pick-up. Some burglars actually look inside garbage cans for evidence of holiday gifts. And, of course, if you see someone suspicious casing your alley, call the Metropolitan Police Department's non-emergency number, 311. If you see a burglary in progress, call 911.

Recommended: Knitting Store

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. The search box, in case you have trouble finding it, is to the right.

I was hitting a few dead ends searching for particular knitting supplies in DC but finally discovered Fibre Space in Alexandria. It's far away, but if you're thinking of doing a knitting or crocheting project, I highly recommended them for service (cheerful and helpful!), selection, and a well-designed layout for the visiting craftsman/woman.

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There is a yarn shop called Knit and Stitch Equals Bliss on Bethesda Avenue across from the Farm Women's Market. It is not cheap but the people there are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There's a small parking lot for customers: Turn left off Wisconsin and left again immediately into the lot. They are on the second floor.
 

iScreener

Drawing by Abstruse Goose

Good Morning: How Do You Like the Snow?

If you're a snow lover, today's going to be a great day. If you're not a snow lover, then take some solace in that it's even worse to the north. A good chunk of the east is going to be clobbered today. How much snow will we get? Look for under a half foot, but the exact amount won't be known until it stops snowing. It will remain around freezing all day today (and only reach about 34 on Monday), so what you see is what you're going to see for a few days.

A lot of us may be trapped visiting with relatives longer than we expected or have relatives stuck staying with us for a couple of extra days because of this large storm. If that's your situation and you're surviving the holidays thanks to wine and other spirits, you might want to install Social Media Sobriety Test, a Google Chrome extension that prevents you from updating your status on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, and YouTube while under the influence.

Incident

Drawing by xkcd

Good Morning: Merry Christmas

Today the weather will be making every possible effort to turn the day into a white Christmas, but despite the cool, cloudy day that smells a lot like snow, we'll only see a few flurries at most. Look for a high of about 38 degrees -- perfect for sitting in front of the fireplace, drinking hot apple cider. Sunday's got a better chance of snow, but this is one of those storms that could bring us nothing, an inch, or as much as four inches. Stay tuned.

We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and all good things.

Bill Adler and Peggy Robin
Publishers
All Life Is Local

In the Neutral Zone

Drawing by Abstruse Goose

Recommended: Art Consignment

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. The search box, in case you have trouble finding it, is to the right and down a bit.


A number of people asked that I copy them with the responses I received regarding advice/recommendations for art consignment. I actually received more requests for whatever information I received than I did answers. So here, for everyone who asked me, is a compilation of the information I received in response to my query:

* If you want a tax deduction instead of the sale price, the Art Connection will place your art in a non-profit.

* The Christ Child Opportunity Shop in Georgetown on Wisconsin is a long established one, and many art dealers and collectors go there. The address is 1427 Wisconsin Avenue, near Appalachian Spring. Phone: (202) 333-6635, opshop @ christchilddc.org

* Capital Consignment in Bethesda, 4909 Cordell Avenue, 301-986-1414, is good, honest and reliable. The owner is Judith Carrig. I have bought and sold furniture and paintings there.

Still Life with Robin: Where Have All the Holiday Cards Gone?

by Peggy Robin

We have a fireplace with a nice mantel that can hold ten to twelve holiday cards, depending on the size. Behind the fireplace is a wall of built-in bookshelves that can hold perhaps up to 150 cards. We never get that many, but in years past, we’ve had cards all across the shelves at eye level and have had to use a stepstool to put cards on the next two levels of shelving, but never all the way up to the top-most shelves. It’s made for a cheery holiday look in our house at this time of year.

Last year and maybe even the year before, I noticed that the number of cards we received was a little less than the previous year. A few of the organizations that used to send us pretty cards in the mail were now sending e-cards instead. At first it was just the environmental organizations, and I guess that’s to be expected. Their point is to save trees, and if they save on postage, too, they can put that money to use saving even more trees. But then the banks and some other businesses started sending e-cards, too. I doubt very much they’re worried about the money going to pay for paper and postage to send seasonal cheer, given the amount they seem able to lavish on executive bonuses in December.

Good Morning: It's Fun Friday

After a cold (lower 20's) and windy (gusts to 40+ miles per hour) night, the day before Christmas will be a relatively balmy 40 degrees. But windy and gusty, too. Looking ahead, Christmas day itself will probably be mostly cloudy -- no (or very little) snow for Santa's sleigh. At present, Sunday is an iffy day: We might see a fair amount of snow, or we might not. It will be one of those situations where we won't know for sure until we're closer to the actual day.

If it does snow heavily over the weekend (doubtful) or snow a lot later this winter (given last winter, I'd say the odds are good for that), here's some news that might come in handy if you need to go to the supermarket after it snows:

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Recommended: Tile Store

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. (The search box is to the right.)

I found beautiful tiles at Architectural Ceramics. The selection of tile, and their assistance in the selection, was the best I have ever seen at their location on East Gude Drive in Rockville. They also have a store on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. I chose to go to the East Gude Drive location because of the many "mini" floors they had there to view.

Ooops...Autocorrect Again

A few weeks ago, we mentioned website that's probably the funniest website on the planet. If you haven't visited DamnYouAutoCorrect, then take a break and let yourself laugh. Oh, and by the way, you can turn off autocorrect on your phone. But why ruin a good thing by turning off autocorrect?

Recommended: Dog Groomer

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. The search box is to the right.


We just had our dog groomed at Wag Time and were very pleased with the grooming. Wag Time is a complete pet center with doggie daycare, grooming and a pet shop. They are located in NW DC at 1232 9th Street, near the convention center and it wasn't difficult at all to get to.

Good Morning: Are You Done Shopping?

Look for a high of about 38 degrees today, with sunny skies. Friday will be just about the same -- perhaps a degree cooler. And now for the forecast you've been waiting for: No, it doesn't look like the snow will keep you trapped at your grandparents on Christmas. Sunday is when we have the best chance of snow. But for exactly when and how much, stay tuned.

On this day in 1776,Thomas Paine penned the words, "These are the times that try men's souls."

Reasonable Expectation

Drawing by Abstruse Goose

Recommended: Doctors Who Treat Children's Asthma

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. The search box, in case you have trouble finding it, is to the right.

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I have been very impressed with Dr. Scarupa at Institute for Asthma and Allergy at 5454 Wisconsin Ave in Chevy Chase. Dr. Scarupa has a calm demeanor while taking the issue seriously and I think he is excellent. He also helped us to identify certain allergies that were exacerbating her asthma. Identifying these made a huge difference in dealing with the asthma.

Police Arrest Four Suspects in Burglary on 47th St, NW

Arrests Made in Burglary in the 3800 block of 47th Street, NW

(Washington, DC) - The Metropolitan Police Department announced today that four suspects have been arrested in connection with a burglary that occurred earlier today.

On Monday, December 20, 2010, at approximately 2:30 a.m., members of the Second District responded to a radio assignment for suspicious persons in the area of Rodman Street and Corey Place NW after an alert citizen called 911. When police canvassed the area they observed subjects matching the description in a vehicle and another subject exiting a home in the 3800 block of 47th Street NW.

Five subjects fled on foot and officers were able to apprehend four of the suspects. After discovering that the premises on 47th Street had been burglarized, the subjects were arrested for Burglary One and items from the burglary were recovered.

The arrested suspects include 21-year-old Rico Carr of the Unit block of Q Street, NW; 19-year-old Andre Dicks of the 3400 block of Stanton Road, SE; 20-year-old Andre Reid of the 5700 block of 6th Street, NW; and a 17-year-old of NW, DC.

A description of the fifth suspect was not available.

Ask Kelli: Unwanted Facebook Friend, Unwanted Remarks, Unwanted Gift

by Kelli Miller

Dear Kelli,

I went to a holiday party about three days ago and briefly --maybe for half an hour-- talked to a woman there. We had a pleasant conversation, then moved on. Nothing earth-shattering. Well, I just noticed she Facebooked me. Is that weird? I’m also a woman (married) so it’s not an interest thing. I just find it odd that I just met her and she friended me.

Signed,
Facebook Friend?

Good Morning: It Might be 40 Today

Yes, you read that headline right: It might get up to 40 degrees today. It probably won't, but we can dream, can't we?  At least it won't rain, snow, or do anything else nasty in the weather department until Saturday, when it might snow.

On this day in 1968, the first live video broadcast was sent from space: On their journey to the moon, the Apollo VIII astronauts broadcast from a distance of 139,000 miles from Earth.

Neighborhood Groups Can Learn Disaster Preparedness

Are you part of a neighborhood watch program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), neighborhood association, or civic group? Your group can receive free training and participate in online preparedness exercises to improve your community's response to a natural disaster or other type of emergency.

A team of national, regional and state organizations invites all of these types of groups to participate in one of the scheduled disaster "tabletop exercises" being run via the internet.  These exercises have been designed specifically for organizations that work to support the disaster-caused needs of neighborhood residents during an emergency.

By participating in one or several of these exercises you will be able to assess your organization's existing disaster response capabilities.

There is no charge for participation in any of the exercises.

Six distinctive exercise scenarios are available.

• Earthquake
• Flood
• Hurricane
• Influenza Pandemic
• Tornado
• Wildfire

For additional information and to register please visit the Disaster Resistant Communities website. If you have questions, please contact Chris Floyd, chrisfloyd at drc-group.com.

Best Consumer Tip Ever

From the folks at Consumerist comes this tip. When you feel lost while talking with "customer service" over the phone, try this simple question. Ask, "What would you do if you were me?" That often can lead to a happy resolution to whatever problem you're having.

How to Move Your Stuff from Your Cellphone or iPad or Netbook to Your Computer and Vice Versa

Smartphones (not to mention tablet computers and netbooks) are great, but they have a number of annoying properties. On the top of that list is the trouble getting information --files, clips, notes, photos-- from one device to another. This can be especially aggravating with iPhones and iPads because they don't have USB ports into which you can plug a little thumb drive.

In the realm of software solutions, there are those programs that will transfer your stuff when you connect your device to the mother ship, your PC. But in a perfect world, you shouldn't have to physically connect your phone or tablet computer to another machine: You should be able to transfer everything without wires. No wires is one of the points to having a smartphone or tablet computer in the first place.

There are two programs that can easily move data from one device to another: DropBox and Evernote. Using them is a cinch, and both applications are free. (DropBox and Evernote cost if you exceed a certain amount of data, but for the purpose of moving data between phones, tablet computers and desktop computers, the free plans should work fine.) DropBox and Evernote serve different functions, so you'll need both.

DropBox is the perfect solution for transferring files, especially videos and photographs. Because it works wirelessly, you can transfer your data anywhere and anytime you want. I found DropBox to be perfect for getting photos from my iPhone to my iPad. Prior to using DropBox, I had to first sync my iPhone, then find the photo on my computer, then sync it back to my iPad. If DropBox sounds handy to you, sign up here.

Evernote has a different function, but also useful: Evernote lets you sync everything else between devices -- and that everything else includes notes and items in your clipboard. With Evernote, anything I copy (you know, that control-C command in Windows) can automatically arrive on my iPhone. It's great for putting phone numbers, web URLs, directions --anything-- you want on your smartphone or tablet computer. Sign up for Evernote here.

The concept behind this is that your data should, and can be, available to you on any device. The device and platform don't matter with DropBox and Evernote: They're designed to make your data-life simple and easy, regardless of what technology you're using.

Good Morning: You Won't Believe What Americans Believe

It will be another cold, wintry-feeling day today, with a high of about 38 degrees. Skipping ahead to Saturday (believe me, the weather between now and Saturday is worth skipping), there's a chance for snow. How much and if we'll really get it is something we won't know for another few days, but you know the new Washington, DC: If there's a chance for snow, we usually get that snow.

Some revealing insight into Americans: Forty percent of us believe in creationism, according to a Gallup poll that was released a few days ago. Here's the exact wording of the question, if you're curious: "God created humans pretty much in their present form at one time within the past 10,000 years or so." To which 40 percent responded, "agree." That number is down slightly from 1999, when 47 percent of Americans said that they believed in creationism.

Washington Tweets

Washington tweets. A lot. The Washington Tweets column is a collection of the most interesting, recent Washington-area tweets. These tweets reveal a candid and fascinating portrait of what is on our collective minds: Twitter gives a snapshot of what we're doing, thinking and hoping for as a group. Washington Tweets is Washington in the raw. Bill Adler tweets at @billadler.

D.C. Council member Cheh breaks arm: D.C. Council member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) suffered a serious fall while running

Happy Monday! It's the start of another cold week in #DC - we hope everyone is keeping warm!

Can I see the lunar eclipse from Washington, DC tonight? Yes, if weather is clear. Totality 3:17 am. Brrr Yawn Stretch

Everybody so friendly in DC this morning, so many waving at us... oh wait, they are doing the "baby it's cold outside" taxi wave...

"DC Residents deserve to be treated like first-class citizens..." -Vincent Gray

I want vincent gray to cut this speech short so we can eat! Say hey and sit down!!

#WMATA hires local "Mad Men" to boost image and use "guerrilla marketing" to reach riders

Forget guerilla marketing for DC's Metro. Give good service and they will come. Simple as that. #wmata #dc

I think I finally will cross "see a show at the 9:30 club" off my DC bucket list in February

ZooLights Now Has Train Display, Rides, and Special Events

If you haven't yet seen the free ZooLights display at the National Zoo -- or if you have and want to return to see even more fun stuff -- here's a schedule of special events over the next week. There's a new train display and a train ride, too.

Stuff a Hippo Crate - Ongoing

This year the Zoo is helping to brighten the holidays for many in this area by stuffing a hippo crate with canned goods. Contribute by bringing canned goods to the hippo crate in front of the Great Cat Giftshop. Donations will go to the Capital Area Food Bank.

Special Themed Nights

ZooLights offers a variety of entertainment groups and themed evenings.

Artisans, Authors, Illustrators: Sell Your Wares at The Gan Preschool Fair

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Gan HaYeled preschool at Adas Israel is hosting an Artisan and Book Fair. It will take place on February 23, from 6 - 9 pm. Authors, illustrators and artisans will each have a table from which to sell wares, and 10-minute reading/presentation slots are available. Participants are asked to donate 10 percent of any sales to the school. Please contact Pam Ehrenberg at pmehrenberg @ alumni.upenn.edu or Caroline Friedman at carolinevfriendman @ yahoo.com if interested or if you have any questions. The Gan welcomes your participation.

Good Morning: Lunar Eclipse Tuesday Morning

It's Monday, so rise and shine!  If you liked Sunday's weather, mid-30's and some sun, you'll love Monday, which will be the same, only a bit colder. Look for a high of around freezing. I know what you're thinking: If you wanted Vermont weather, you'd have moved to Vermont. And you know what else? It's actually not much colder in Vermont, either. (Monday's forecast for Montpelier is a high of 25 degrees.)

If the skies are cloudless on Tuesday morning at around 3:15am, when the eclipse is at its peak, step outside to see a once-in-a-lifetime lunar eclipse that occurs on the winter solstice. The last time there was a total lunar eclipse on the winter solstice was in 1638.

Trash, Recycling, and Parking Rules for the Next Two Weeks

In any week with a legal holiday, trash collections and other city pick-up service usually "slide" to the next day. With the both Christmas and New Year's Day on Saturdays this year, the disruption is minimized.

Here's how Department of Public Works (DPW) will handle all collections for Christmas Day and New Year's Day: DPW crews will follow the normal collections schedule and pick up trash and recycling Friday, December 24, and Friday, December 31. This applies to both once-a-week and twice-a-week collection neighborhoods. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on the collection day.

Recommended: YakTrax to Keep You Safe on Icy Sidewalks

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. The search box, in case you have trouble finding it, is to the right.

Since you can't count on all homeowners, the city, or landlords to shovel the snow, you need a way to keep yourself safe when you encounter snow and ice in your way.  Here's what has worked for me: YakTrax. These pull on over your boots or shoes and give terrific traction. They're like tire chains for your feet. Great for walking the dog, coming home from work, taking a winter walk. You might want to keep a pair at home and a work, just in case you're caught off guard by a sudden winter storm. Just remember to take them off before you step inside onto your nice tile or wood floor, so that you don't scratch the floor.

Have a safe winter!

Good Morning: The 30's Again

It will be another wintry day today, with a high in the mid-30's. Don't let the sunshine fool you, it's winter winter winter. I'm sorry to report that Monday will be a duplicate of Sunday.  There's a slight chance of a slight amount of snow on Tuesday.

On this day in 1863, Londoner Frederick Walton applied for a patent for linoleum.

Get $10 Off Your Christmas Tree at John Eaton School If You Say "Happy Birthday!"

The John Eaton Elementary School Tree Sale closes this weekend. Get your trees early for the best selection.

We have a special offer today and tomorrow, Saturday, December 18 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, December 19 from 11am to 4pm.  When you buy your tree, say: "Happy 100th Birthday, John Eaton" to the cashier and get $10 off the price of your tree!

Trees are selling fast, so come soon! See you there! John Eaton is located on 34th Street between Lowell and Macomb Streets.

Don't forget that your purchase benefits the John Eaton Home and School Association.

Clean Team Pushes Recycling in Adams Morgan

For many years DC has had curbside recycling pickup, but if you're out in public, what do you do with your recyclable bottles and cans? If you happen to be in Unity Park in Adams Morgan, the answer is simple: Toss them in the recycling bins at the public park.

The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) and Adams Morgan ANC1C have teamed up to install not one but two new recycling cans at Unity Park, on Columbia Road, NW at Euclid and Champlain Streets. Look for the bright blue cans next to the standard black trash cans. Both of these cans were paid for and installed by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation.

The recycling bins will be maintained by the "Clean Team" of the Adams Morgan Partnership BID.  The Clean Team is comprised of four trainees and one supervisor working through a contract with the Gospel Rescue Mission located in Chinatown. The Clean Team works from 7am to 3pm, seven days a week including all holidays, collecting an average monthly total of 50,000 pounds of trash and cleaning up illegally placed posters, stickers, graffiti, etc. They also remove discarded furniture, broken glass, repair clogged drains, clean up leaves and fallen trees, water trees during the warm months, and report broken street lights and signage. The Clean Team is supported in part by a grant from the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development.

Additional recycling cans are scheduled to be placed along Columbia Road, NW in Adams Morgan in the coming year.

Good Morning: Here's Today's Weather

Today will be 81 degrees and sunny, after a evening low in the 60's. With ample sunshine and a warm breeze off the ocean, it will feel more like 85 degrees, but still well within the comfortable range.

Oh no. Never mind. That's the forecast for Honolulu. My bad.

Today will be actually be nothing special weather-wise. It will be in the mid-30's and cloudy. Sunday, in case you're curious, should be a repeat of Saturday.

If thoughts of Hawaii are filling your mind but you're scratching your head about how to get there, here are two travel sites we like: Lastminute.com and Kayak.

Mr. Kafka and Parking in DC

Getting a parking ticket in DC is usually considered an unpleasant experience, even when you deserve it. Parking in DC is among the most tweeted about subjects when it comes to living in the District of Columbia. (And 'fess up: When we're angry about a parking ticket, that anger often comes about because we know that we earned the ticket. We're just mad that we got caught.) In the olden days, disputing a parking ticket meant taking off a good chunk of the day to dispute the ticket in person.

Now you can dispute a parking ticket online, in your pajamas while having your morning coffee. But just because there's a computer between you and the human at the Department of Motor Vehicles who looks at the data you submit, doesn't make the system perfect. Nor does it mean that the result of your dispute will make any sense. Here's what happened to on DC resident, as reported on the Tenleytown listserv.

I don't mind paying a ticket when I'm wrong, but what happened this week really burns me.

A few nights ago I got a ticket for parking at an expired meter. The sign said it was okay to park after 6:30. I got the ticket at 7:30.

I went to the DMV website, created an account on the adjudication page and contested the ticket - explaining what the sign said and sending pictures of the sign, the meter and the street. On Friday I got an email saying a decision had been made on my case. I logged into the website and there was one line: "Decision: Liable for ticket." So I paid the ticket.

Three days later I got a letter in the mail from DMV listing the facts that I supposedly submitted to them when I contested the ticket. But the facts in their letter were not the facts I submitted.

The letter said, "The respondent reported that the meter was not operating properly because it displayed the word 'fail.'" In fact, I reported that the sign said it was legal to park after 6:30 (along with photographs of said sign and of the meter and of the street).

So they said I was guilty without explaining why and then after I paid the ticket, they sent me a letter explaining why they'd found me guilty. If I'd had that wording before I paid the ticket, I wouldn't have paid the ticket.

And it gets better. I just got the information on how to appeal the appeal. To appeal a $25 ticket, it costs $60.

Outwitting Squirrels on BoingBoing's Top 10 List

One of my books, Outwitting Squirrels, made BoingBoing's Top 10 list of recommended books for 2010. Wow. Very cool and very fun. And if you're clueless about what Outwitting Squirrels is about, it's about just that: How to outwit squirrels, who have nothing better to do all day long than figure out ways to break into our birdfeeders and gardens.

I had to brag. Sorry. Now back to our originally scheduled blogging program.

Still Life with Robin: A Festivus Story

by Peggy Robin

The Cleveland Park Listserv gets its share of complaints about city services. That’s one of its reasons to exist, to give people a chance to air their grievances. (I’m writing this close to the Seinfeldian holiday of Festivus, December 23rd,  dedicated to the Airing of Grievances, so it’s the appropriate time of year for this subject.)

Here’s my complaint, complete with surprise ending (wait for it). About a week ago I noticed that the deadline for the city to vacuum up the leaves on our block had come and gone. Piles of leaves that the residents (or their paid helpers) had dutifully raked to the treebox strip were still there. DPW leaf crews had been spotted sweeping up very similar piles all along Newark and Ordway Streets, just a block away in each direction, but somehow they had skipped over our block. I decided to report the omission and request the return of the leaf truck.

It should be a simple matter, I thought, to fill out a service request form at DC.gov, but it was a bit trickier than I thought. On the pull-down menu of problems to report, there was no choice for “uncollected leaf piles.” The closest thing I could find was “uncollected yard waste.” I selected that, but in the free-form comments box I made clear that the leaf truck needed to return to vacuum up the large piles of leaves on the corner; I was not asking for our regular sanitation crew to pick up bagged leaves. I completed all the parts of the online form, submitted it, and in return received a tracking number.