Dog Attack in Lincoln Park

US Air Force photo

We noticed this report on the NewHillEast listserv from an eyewitness to a dog attack in the Hill East neighborhood (which, as the name logically implies, is east of Capitol Hill). This report is both a specific warning to people and their pets who visit that particular park, and a more general warning about the dangers of aggressive, unleashed dogs -- a problem throughout the city.

As I was walking home through Lincoln Park this evening at around 7:30 I witnessed a disturbing dog attack that should serve as caution if you take small kids or dogs to the park. As I headed towards the north side of the park I saw what looked like a two hundred pound, shaggy-haired grey male dog (appeared to be an Albanian Mountain dog) attack a small mutt that weighed maybe 20 pounds. Neither were on their leashes of course and the big dog attacked completely unprovoked, running over and sinking its teeth into the small dog's neck, then shaking it off the ground for a good few minutes. I ran over with several other bystanders and was able to break them up, but there was definitely blood on the dogs and on several people.

The owner of the aggressive, big Mountain dog (which of course wasn't neutered) was a middle-aged Asian woman who was about 5'6" and headed in the direction of the south side of the park. Apparently she's a regular in the park, and I warned her that if I saw her with the dog off the leash again I'd call the cops.

I suggest exercising caution if you see this aggressive Mountain dog in the park. (You'll know it because the dog is twice the size of his owner and there's not too many Albanian Mountain dogs in the neighborhood.) Call the police if you see him off his leash. Several people who witnessed the incident said that the dog has previously demonstrated aggressive behavior and yet the owner continues to let it off the leash in Lincoln Park.

Hokey Pokey on Rock Creek Creek Parkway

I've been reading about the newly announced traffic patterns to get in and out of Rock Creek Parkway during the reconstruction of the Cathedral Avenue and Calvert Street access roads, and it puts me in mind of the Hokey Pokey. You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you shake it all about... But the thing about the Hokey Pokey is that the song tells you what to do and when to do it. The Rock Creek Parkway Hokey Pokey would be a lot more memorable if the moves could be fit to the music. Unfortunately, the ins and outs are a bit too complicated to sum up in so few syllables.

Here's the Cathedral Avenue verse:

You put your car in (starting Monday, July 18 from 7:00 to 9:15am)
You take your car out (all other times at that location)
...and you'll do the pokey part of the trip on the 1.2 mile segment from Beach Drive to P Street due to reconstruction that began last fall and will continue through winter.

Here's the Calvert Street verse:

You put your car in (starting July 18 from 7:00 to 9:15am)
You can't take your car out (since the exit ramp is closed at all other times)
So you'd better have another exit in mind or you'll have to turn your car around....
That's what it's all about!

If you think it's too much trouble to try to remember those words, with or without music, we suggest you enter and exit via the Massachusetts Avenue access road at Waterside Drive NW, which still follows its usual rush hour/non rush hour patterns.

Two Odd Car Crimes in Northwest DC

Periodically we check the Second District Police reports for not-your-garden-variety crimes. Here's one in which the car was stolen just before it was to be moved out of state by a car transport company, and another in which the car was destroyed by an arsonist.

On June 30, 2011, between 7 pm and 11 pm, the complainant reported her vehicle was stolen while it was parked in the 4300 block of 47th Street, NW. The complainant reported she had left the keys readily available for a car transport company to move the vehicle to an out of state location. The transport company reported it did not move the vehicle. The vehicle was taken by unknown suspect/s; there is no lookout. The vehicle is a 1995 black Saab station wagon with Oregon tags.

On Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 10:12 pm a Destruction of Property/Felony offense occurred in the 5300 block of Potomac Avenue, NW (PSA 205) and was subsequently reported by the MPD. A reporting person stated she heard a loud bang in the area and when she looked outside she saw a vehicle on fire. Investigation revealed the fire was intentionally set. There is no lookout for this offense.

DC Youth Services Will Mow Lawns for Seniors

Good news for seniors who are not up to mowing the lawn. This announcement arrived from the DC Government:

The Office on Aging has been working with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) to expand the free lawn cutting service for seniors initiative that was started last year in Ward 5. This program is being expanded to all eight wards.

DYS kicked off this intergenerational initiative on July 8 by cutting the lawn of one 92 year old senior in Ward 3 and the lawn of another senior, 111 years old, in Ward 5.

They are looking for additional senior residents who are in need of this service.

Under this initiative:

• DYS workers will cut the lawn (size not a problem) 
• The youth performing the work will be supervised. 
• The lawn cutting can start as early as next week. 
• Priority is given to seniors who are physically challenged and live alone. 

Please identify senior resident(s) who need this service by the close of business July 11. Please send the name, address and contact information to:

Sedrick Muhammad
Executive Office of the Mayor
Office of Neighborhood Engagement, Ward 1
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW  Suite 332
Washington, DC 20004
202-213-9467
Sedrick.Muhammad (at) dc.gov

PS: Let us not forget the District regulations prohibit property owners commercial and residential from allowing grass and weeds on their premises to grow more than 10 inches in height. Failing to adhere to the rule could lead to fines of more than $500. Between May 1 and October 31, DCRA can immediately mow properties and issues fines.

The Zoo Bridge Flasher

Here's something you don't see everyday (thankfully!) in Cleveland Park. This report was posted yesterday on the Cleveland Park Listserv:

This morning around 7:00am, a Caucasian male flashed my wife on the bridge between the Zoo and Cleveland Park, pulling down his athletic/sports shorts to reveal a penis with a condom on it.

The young man was dressed athletically (shorts, T-shirt or similar) and was holding a soccer ball. If memory serves correctly, the same man has been seen before in the approximate neighborhood. As the male involved could potentially be involved in a future flashing incident or worse, if anyone sees this person in the act again, we would encourage you to report the incident to the police (in which case, we would be happy to also provide supporting evidence). 

Here are the details:

• Caucasian male who appears between 20-30 yrs of age. 
• Dirty blonde/light brown hair in a pony-tail (perhaps shoulder-length if let down) 
• Somewhere between 5'5" and 5'10" in height. 
• Normal build.
• In athletic attire, holding a soccer ball.

Cleveland Park Business Association Seeks Volunteers to Work on Streetscape Planning, Other Ideas

Cleveland Park has a relatively new organization of business owners, the Cleveland Park Business Association (CPBA), which is currently seeking volunteers to join Main Street Training.

The Cleveland Park Business Association (CPBA), a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed in 2010, has announced a new initiative to build upon the vibrant Connecticut Avenue business community.  With over 30 business members, the CPBA is engaged in a coordinated effort to build upon the unique and historic character of the business district through new programs and services for residents.

Thanks to a grant from the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, the CPBA has begun working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation on training through the National Trust’s Main Street program.  For over 30 years, the MainStreet program has helped historic commercial districts work together to revitalize and preserve their character.  Specifically, the Main Street program helps organizations organize and promote their goals through extensive training and education.

Residents of Cleveland Park are urged to join with the CPBA in this effort to preserve and improve the business district along Connecticut Avenue.  Residents will join focused committees and attend Main Street training with members of the CPBA.

Committees are focused on the following areas: 

• Public Spaces Committee
• Marketing Committee
• Membership and Finance Committee

To sign up for one of the committees and join in the Main Street training, contact info@cpbiz.org.

Founded by some of Cleveland Park’s long-time business owners, Susan Lihn, Jane Treacy, Kerry Walsh Benton and Pierre Abushacra, the Cleveland Park Business Association was formed to help promote and improve the historic streetscape along Connecticut Avenue between Macomb and Porter Streets.  The Cleveland Park Citizens Association and local ANC 3-C board members were also critical to the successful formation of the CPBA. CPBA goals also include the preservation of the neighborhood-serving character of the commercial area, improving its appearance and helping local businesses thrive.

Capital Bikeshare Is Running a Contest to Reward Reverse Commuters

Like to bike? Do you have a counterflow commute that you could do on a two-wheeler? Then you could be a winner in the new competition announced by Capital Bikeshare, the regional bikesharing network. "CaBi" (as it's commonly called for short) is launching a "Reverse Rider Rewards" competition on June 1, which will help to redistribute and rebalance the number of bikes throughout the system.

The Rewards program will provide CaBi members with incentives to use bicycles in the reverse rush hour direction during the peak hours of 8am-10am, Mondays through Fridays.

“Like any transportation system, Capital Bikeshare has a rush hour when demand spikes,” said Terry Bellamy, Acting Director of the District Department of Transportation. “Rebalancing crews are constantly moving the bikes around to keep up, but any additional help provided by members could help ensure there’s a bike available when you want it.”

Capital Bikeshare's membership has increased dramatically in recent months and is currently up to 13,835 annual members and climbing. Members who participate will earn points for taking bicycles from any of the “typically full” stations to “typically empty” stations. Each trip will earn participants one point, as well as one entry into a raffle. At the end of the contest, the individual with the highest number of points will win a one-year extension of his or her Capital Bikeshare membership, while the nine runners-up in the top ten will receive one-month extensions. Five raffle prize winners will also receive one-month extensions.

Reverse Rider Rewards officially launches on Wednesday, June 1, and will run through Wednesday, August 31. Winners will be posted on the 5th of each month. For complete information about the rules, prizes and eligible stations visit http://www.godcgo.com/reverse-rider-rewards.aspx.

Questions and comments may be emailed to reverseriderrewards@capitalbikeshare.com.

Capital Bikeshare is the product of a unique public/private partnership between DDOT, Arlington County and Alta Bike Share. The two jurisdictions worked closely with Alta Bicycle Share to develop the program in the fall of 2010, offering regional service with 1,100 bikes and 115 stations. Based on the initial success of the program, both jurisdictions plan to add additional stations and bicycles to the system by the end of the year.For more information about Capital Bikeshare, visit http://www.capitalbikeshare.com.

Elderly Couple Mugged in Best Buy Underground Parking LotGarage

The following eyewitness account was posted on the Second District Police Listserv on May 17 after it had originally appeared on a neighborhood listserv.

I was the first witness to a violent mugging of two elderly people in the garage
below Best Buy at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Albemarle. The two young males fled  as I got out of my truck to assist and one was inches from my grasp.

Unfortunately, I witnessed the entire thing: It happened so fast I couldn't stop
them even though I did block their escape for a minute with my truck. But since
I was wearing my crocs (floppy soft rubber shoes) on my feet I could not pursue.

I had noticed the the two young males in the Best Buy acting odd, just didn't
seem right, something off. They had apparently stalked their prey and watched
them buy an iPad, followed them to the garage, and when the old man was putting
the bag into the back seat, the thugs grabbed the old lady and threw her to
ground so hard she split her head and was bleeding, and pushed the old man into
the car, ripping the bag with the iPad in it so hard they tore his thumb and
dislocated it.

Police Lieutenant Alan Hill posted a lookout for two suspects: 

Suspect #1 Black Male, 5' 8" - 5' 9", "Skinny" wearing dark clothing, dark skull cap.
Suspect #2 Black Male, 5' 8" - 5' 9", "Skinny" wearing dark clothing.

Lt. Hill reported that a third individual was "detained for an interview in reference to the assault." The police are urging anyone with information to call the Command Information Center of the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099.


A subsequent poster on the Second District Police Listserv commented that she had previously been a victim of a crime in that garage and reminded drivers to be aware of their surroundings as they go to and from their cars, and never leave any packages visible in their cars.

Home Break-in Thwarted by Alert Neighbor in Bloomingdale

This report from a resident of the Bloomingdale neighborhood near Howard University was posted on the 5th District Metropolitan Police listserv on May 16:

I live on the corner of 1st and Adams. On the morning of the 15th, (Sunday) at approximately 3:30am, one of my neighbors was up and walking his dog (thank God and thank my neighbor). He sees a black male on the northeast corner of 1st and Adams who makes a high pitched whistling noise and then my neighbor turns the corner and looks up to see two or three black males in their twenties up on the fire escape of my home. He hears them asking each other "Do you see any TV's or computers we can take?" My neighbor then yells up to them, asking what they are doing up there. They immediately exit the fire escape and head east on Adams and turn north up the alley. The police were called and they canvassed the area looking for them but were unable to find them.

I am sending this note out so that everyone can be on the alert that the criminals are getting more brazen every day. They were attempting to get into my tenants' unit that is no less then thirty feet off the ground. My tenants were home asleep at the time of this incident. I can only think the only reason the burglars didn't attempt to come in my unit on the lower floor is because they saw the window contacts for the alarm system and the sign in the front yard for the alarm company. My tenants will have a brand new alarm system with monitoring installed today.

Everyone stay on your toes and keep a careful watch out for yourself and your neighbors.

Nordstrom Rack Coming to Friendship Heights on May 16

Photo by Daniel Lobo

Friendship Heights has long been a shopping mecca but after the departure of Linens 'n' Things, it seemed a little forlorn, with a big empty storefront bridging the space between Maggiano's Restaurant and Loehmann's. Now there's a giant banner stretched across those empty windows announcing the May 16 opening of Nordstrom Rack, the discount version of Nordstrom's upscale department store.

The opening of Nordstrom Rack makes the two-block stretch of Wisconsin Avenue between Western Avenue and Ingomar Streets into something of a mini-outlet mall. There are already three other discount clothing/department stores in that area: Loehmann's, just next door to the new Nordstrom Rack; Filene's Basement, in Mazza Gallerie across the street and T.J. Maxx, just across Jenifer Street from Mazza Gallerie.

Now if only we had a Costco!

GW Says Beware of Fake Student Door-to-Door Scammer

Officials at the George Washington University have issued a warning about a young woman who claims to be a GW student going door-to-door asking for donations for her "study abroad" program. When questioned about the program, she cannot provide any specifics. Some neighbors who have been approached have said that it quickly becomes clear that she is a scammer.

Britany J. Waddell, the Director of Community Relations at The George Washington University says, "The university has no indication that this person is in fact affiliated with the university and [we] ask neighbors to be cautious of such solicitations and notify the Metropolitan Police or GW police at 202-242-6110 immediately if you are  approached by anyone in such a manner."

Neighborhood Impact of New Zoning Regulations: Thursday Forum

The Cleveland Park Citizens Association is sponsoring a forum, "Proposed New Zoning Laws -- Neighborhood Impacts."

The forum will be held at the Cleveland Park Library, 1st floor, this Thursday, January 20, at 7PM. All are welcome. (A business meeting for CPCA members will precede the forum at 6:30PM.) The library is at Connecticut Avenue and Macomb Street, NW

At this forum, you'll hear about the DC Office of Planning's rewriting of the DC zoning regulations in ways that could have significant impact on our neighborhoods.

According to the Cleveland Park Citizens Association:  "While the DC Comprehensive Plan adopted by the City Council four years ago emphasizes the preservation of neighborhoods, the new proposed zoning laws could allow commercial enterprises on our residential streets as a matter of right, including in homes. And they could allow agricultural uses as a matter of right as well."

At Thursday's forum Travis Parker, DC Zoning Review Manager, and Nancy MacWood, ANC3C09 Commissioner, will explain what is going on and will answer questions from the audience.

Opinion: KOed.... MSNBC or Keith Olbermann?

by Christine Maginnis

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC’s Countdown has been suspended indefinitely without pay due to political contributions. According to Politico, Olbermann made three separate donations of $2,400 to three different Democratic candidates.

This move on the part of MSNBC has the same corporate, underhanded stench that reeked when NBC fired Conan O’Brien from the Tonight Show. Phil Griffin, the head of MSNBC said in a statement released late Friday afternoon, "I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."