PCA General Meeting• Tuesday, June 1• 7:30 PM• Palisades Recreation

Center• July 4 Celebration

Committee Report (see right)• Aircraft Noise Committee

Report (see below)• Architect Larysa Kurylas,

of the The Kurylas Studio, willexplain the process by which thescale and character of two verydifferent houses in the sameblock of Sherier Place weredetermined. Client needs,contextual analysis and theexploratory nature of theschematic design phase will beemphasized. Kurylas hasBachelor of Architecture andMaster of Architecture degreesfrom the University of Marylandand Harvard University,respectively.Agenda items and order are subjectto change.

Volume 15 No. 8, June 2004Representing The Greater Palisades Area www.palisadesdc.org

As July 4 Parade & Picnic Grow, sodoes Need for Volunteers

Last year’s Fourth of July Parade was a tremendous success and was named BestParade of 2003 by the DC Federation of Civic Associations. People from all over theregion come to the Palisades to experience our “small town” parade in the big city. Lastyear’s parade drew mentions from The Washington Post to London’s FinancialTimes.

This year, the 38th Palisades Fourth of July Pararde will be even better: there arealready six bands signedup, including LostMemories (formerlyknown as Havin’ Fun),Bolivian Soul, DCDifferent Drummers,Metropolitan All StarHigh Steppers, UnitedH o r s e m e n ’ sAssociation andWashington ScottishBagpipers. Volunteeringat the parade will getyou the best – and mostrewarding – seat in theneighborhood!

The paradeconcludes with a freepicnic with food, drink,moon-bounces, facepainting, and a host ofother activities at thePalisades Park &Recreation Center onSherier Place. Thanksto strong support fromPalisades businesses, awelcome and repeat guest at the picnic will be the 60’ x 90’ tent. There will be a lot ofactivity under the tent, including live music by Lost Memories, a PCA membership table,

Continued on page 4Continued on page 8

PCA to be on theForefront of Efforts toControl Aircraft NoiseNationwide

The study that the Aircraft NoiseCommittee is pursuing on the feasibility ofContinuous Descent Approach (CDA) toReagan National (DCA), reported on in theMay issue of The Palisades News, has

Volume 15, Number 8, June 2004page 2

on theBULLETIN BOARD

Friday, May 28: Vocal presentation of “DurufleRequiem”, 7:30 PM, by the Cathedral Choir of Men, Boys,and Girls under the direction of Michael McCarthy,Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts andWisconsin Avenues NW, free.

Sunday, May 30: Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra, 9-11 PM, 16-piece big band dance / concert outside on the terrace at theKennedy Center (Millennium stage if it is raining), free.

Tuesday, June 1: The Palisades Readers Club for grades4-6, 4 PM, Palisades Library Children’s Room, 282-3113.

Tuesday, June 1: PCA general membership meeting, 7:30PM, Palisades Rec Center.

Wednesday, June 2: ANC3D meeting, 7:30 PM, SibleyHospital’s Ernst Auditorium.

Saturday, June 5: 15th Annual Komen National Race forthe Cure, a 5K run/walk benefiting breast cancer research,education, screening and treatment, 8 AM, 9th Street andConstitution Avenue NW, www.nationalraceforthecure.org.

Saturday, June 5: Hillcrest Community Civic Associationgeneral membership meeting, 10 AM, Lutheran Churchof the Holy Comforter, 3319 Alabama Avenue SE (corner ofBranch and Alabama Avenues), followed by a fish fry, $10.

Saturday, June 5: Writer’s Workshop with MarjorieHudson, author of “Searching for Virginia Dare: A Fool’sErrand” (www.searchingforvirginiadare.com), 10:30 AM-5PM, Palisades Community Church, 5200 Cathedral AvenueNW, room 101, $65, registration required, 362-1632,kathlife@comcast.net.

Saturday, June 5-Sunday, June 6: 24th Annual WashingtonFolk Festival, Sat, Noon-10 PM, Sun, Noon-6 PM, dance,music, storytelling and crafts, Glen Echo Park, 7300MacArthur Boulevard, free, www.fsgw.org.

Saturday, June 5-July 11: Adventure Theatre presents“The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-SightedDragon”, Sat & Sun, 1:30 AM & 3:30 PM, Glen Echo Park,see above, $7, 301-320-5331, www.adventuretheatre.org.

Saturday, June 5: Dentzel Carousel under the Stars, 6-9PM, Glen Echo Park, see above.

Sunday, June 6: Community Flea Market, 10 AM-4 PM,with crafts, antiques, and bake sale, benefiting the PalisadesGeorgetown Lions Club charities, Wachovia Bank parking lotat MacArthur Boulevard and Arizona Avenue NW, contactLee Wilson, 966-4418, to secure vendor space.

Monday, June 7 or June 14: Bicycle safety class, 6-8:30 PM,

learn proper lane positioning and traffic interaction, and basicbicycle maintenance, combine one evening session with an“on-the-road” session on Sunday, June 20, 10 AM-Noon,sponsored by DDOT and the Washington Area BicyclistAssociation, 3rd District Police Station, 1620 V Street NW,628-2500, waba@waba.org.

Tuesday, June 8: The Palisades Readers Club for grades2&3, 4 PM, Palisades Library Children’s Room, 282-3113.

Tuesday, June 8: Friends of the Palisades Librarymeeting, 7:15-8:45 PM, Palisades Library, 282-3139.

Tuesday, June 8: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, an outdoor adult fitness class taught by Linda andRachel Posell, and outdoor activities for children five andolder, 7:30-8:30 PM, the Kaplan-Allen family yard, 5738Sherier Place NW, $40 for eight classes (see additional datesbelow), open to all, Janice Kaplan, 966-8411.

Wednesday, June 9-July 18: The Puppet CompanyPlayhouse presents “The Wizard of Oz”, Wed, Thu &Fri, 10 & 11:30 AM, Sat & Sun, 11:30 AM & 1 PM, GlenEcho Park, see above, $6, 301-320-6668,www.thepuppetco.org.

Wednesday, June 9: PCA board meeting, 7:30 PM,Palisades Community Church, parlor, see above, open to all.

Thursday, June 10: Build a Living Wreath, 6 PM,Washington National Cathedral, Greenhouse (near Beauvoirschool), see above, $50 to make a wreath or $10 forinstruction, registration, 537-6263.

Saturday, June 12: Lawyers Have Heart XIV, 10K run &3K fun walk, benefiting the American Heart Association, 8AM, Washington Harbor, Georgetown, 703-914-3710,www.runlhh.org.

Saturday, June 12: 7th Annual Walk for Hospice, a non-competitive 2.5K walking event followed by a Family FunFest featuring games, music and children’s activities,benefiting hospice patients in VA, DC and MD, 9 AM, TheWashington Home, 3720 Upton Street NW, 895-0160.

Sunday, June 13: Citizens Association of GeorgetownSummer Concerts in the Parks, featuring the swing musicof King Teddy (www.kingteddy.com), 4:30 PM, Rose Park,26th & P Streets NW, 337-7313.

Monday, June 14: DC Library Summer Quest Kick-Off, 4PM, Palisades Library Children’s Room.

Monday, June 14 & June 21: Breast Cancer support groupfeaturing Nutrition, 7-8 PM, Sibley Hospital’s Hayes Hallconference room 2, free, 243-2320.

Tuesday, June 15: “Save Your Back” with physical therapistPacky Kennelly, 11 AM-Noon, Sibley Hospital’sRenaissance building, room 1, free, 537-4700.

Tuesday, June 15: The Palisades Stamp Club, 7:30 PM,Palisades Library.

The Palisades Citizens Association page 3

from the.......

PRESIDENT'S DESKIt’s been a very active

year for your PCA and itsvolunteers and I want to thankeveryone for their service. Wehave had enthusiasticparticipation by many individualPalisadians and tremendoussupport from our businesscommunity. Thank you all verymuch and please keep it up.

This year the PCA washonored as the City’soutstanding Citizen’s

Association; Alan Aiches was the “volunteer of the year”; werevised our by-laws to streamline our operation; Julie Russellhas expanded the size, scope and quality of our newsletter; we

have jumped in with both feet on zoning and environmentalissues; Mat Thorp has put the PCA on the national map inaircraft noise and emissions reduction; our new member drivehas already produced 101 new members (vs. 21 in the sameJan-Apr period last year), a higher rate of renewals, and it’s notover yet; we will inaugurate in October the first-ever PalisadesHouse Tour; and, of course, Spence Spencer, his committeeand our business partners are hard at work on the 38th AnnualPalisades July 4 Parade & Picnic, which will again feature thebig tent and all the fixings we have come to enjoy over thedecades the PCA has sponsored this acclaimed event.

I have enjoyed working with some old friends and gettingto know some new ones and while I’m sure we haven’t alwaysgotten it right, we are going to keep trying to do just that. Havea great summer and see you on the Fourth!

—Stu Ross, President

Tuesday, June 15: The Palisades Book Club, 7:30 PM,Palisades Library.

Tuesday, June 15: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, 7:30-8:30 PM, see above.

Wednesday, June 16: Arthritis support group featuring“Reiki: A Healing Therapy”, 11 AM-12:30 PM, SibleyHospital’s Renaissance building, room 1, free, 364-7602.

Thursday, June 17: Tree Identification tour in TheOlmstead Woods, 10 AM, meet at the George Washingtonstatue on Pilgrim Road, Washington National Cathedral, seeabove, free, 537-2319.

Thursday, June 17: DC Historic Preservation Workshopon how and why to nominate your home or another propertyto the DC Inventory and the National Register of HistoricPlaces, 7:30-8:45 PM, Lab School board room, 4759Reservoir Road NW, free, enrollment required, AliceStewart, 364-1505.

Friday, June 18: Dinner & a Movie for the whole familyfeaturing “Charlotte’s Web” and grilled cheese sandwiches,6 PM, Palisades Community Church, see above, $10 peradult, $7 for children 13-18, and $5 for children 12 and under,966-7929.

Saturday, June 19: Hillcrest annual garden tour, 11 AM-2PM, starting at 2900 Park Drive SE, www.hillcrestdc.com.

Sunday, June 20: “Meet Clara Barton” dramatic production,1-2 PM, Glen Echo Park, see above, free.

Sunday, June 20: Summer Solstice Celebration service,

7:30 PM, Institute for Spiritual Development, 5419 SherierPlace NW, 362-2456, www.isd-dc.org.

Tuesday, June 22: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, 7:30-8:30 PM, see above.

Wednesday, June 23: “Cancer: What You Need to Know”with Dr. Gregory Sibley, Radiation Oncologist and Chairmanof Sibley’s Cancer Committee, 10-11 AM, Sibley Hospital’sRenaissance building, room 1, free, 364-7602.

Thursday, June 24: Underused and Unusual Perennials, 6PM, Washington National Cathedral, Library (across fromGreenhouse), see above, $10, registration, 537-6263.

Saturday, June 26: Join Hillcrest for the Twining SquareClean-up, 7 AM-Noon, 2700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE,www.hillcrestdc.com.

Monday, June 28-July 16: High School Musical Theatreworkshop from Adventure Theatre, M-F 9 AM-4 PM,for ages 14-17, Glen Echo Park, see above, $895 for threeweeks, 301-320-5331, www.adventuretheatre.org.

Tuesday, June 29: SleepyTime Story Hour, 7 PM, childrenages 3-7 are invited to wear their pajamas to the Library toenjoy soothing stories and a bedtime snack, PalisadesLibrary Children’s Room.

Tuesday, June 29: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, 7:30-8:30 PM, see above.

Saturday, July 3: Hillcrest general membership meeting,10 AM, see above.

Continued on page 9

Volume 15, Number 8, June 2004

and presentation of parade prizes and T-shirt design winners.Sure to be under the tent are

Abbie and Whit Fosburgh, parentsof July 4, 2004 T-shirt designerCallie, a 5th grader at Key School,and the runner-up, her sisterElizabeth, a 3rd grader at KeySchool. Callie and Elizabeth’sdesigns were selected anonymouslyfrom over 50 other Palisadeselementary school entrants. TheFosburgh girls will be presentedwith savings bond from theMacArthur Boulevard Citibank atthe picnic. A big thank you to all thechildren who submitted designs.

T-shirt sales, along with PCA businessmember donations, are the primary sources of funding for theparade and picnic. T-shirts will be on sale in the communitythroughout June and July for $15. Please support the Palisades bypurchasing t-shirts for the whole family.

Parade MarshalsWe need parade marshals to help keep the parade moving

down MacArthur – you’ll be right on the route, and help make theparade more enjoyable for your neighbors. David Mitchell willserve again as the parade’s Grand Marshal. He hopes to meetwith the marshal volunteers at 11 AM at the beginning of theparade route at Whitehaven Parkway to make locationassignments; distribute equipment, and coordinate the paradelineup. At least one Spanish-speaking marshal would be extremelyhelpful. We also need volunteers to hang signs announcing theparade along MacArthur Boulevard in mid-to-late June, and put up

page 4

Officers ElectedAt its meeting on May 4, the PCA general

membership elected the following ExecutiveOfficers for 2004-2005:

President: Stuart Ross1st VP: Spence Spencer2nd VP: Carolyn OrtweinTreasurer: William BarnardSecretary: Alan Aiches

No Parking signs along the parade route on July 1.

Join the ParadeMaybe you can’t be a marshal

because you are going to march inthe parade. Everyone is invitedand no pre-registration is necessary.Show up at 11 AM at WhitehavenParkway; marching order is basedon arrival and the discretion of themarshals. Because July 4 is onSunday this year, the parade willbegin at Noon so as not to conflictwith most church services.Vehicles are strongly discouraged,but if you must drive, please limit it

to one vehicle per group. Whether youmarch, drive, walk or ride, celebrate our great country and ourneighborhood by decorating your entry in full patriotic regalia. JoelAchenbach and Mary Stapp, and their daughters Paris, Isabellaand Shane, will be judging in such categories as Most CreativeChild, Most Creative Adult, and Best Decorated Pet. (Make sureto bring water if you march in or watch the parade with pets.)

Help with the PicnicThe parade is always capped with free hotdogs, watermelon,

and beverages at the Palisades Park. The Shriners cooked andserverd over 3,000 hot dogs last year; the Lions Club assisted withthe drinks. But the PCA needs your help to make the picnic runsmoothly. Volunteer crews of 3 to 4 people are needed for:

· 9 AM — Transporting of food and drink from theMacArthur Safeway to the park (with cars);

· 10-11 AM — Set-up at the park;· Noon-1:30 PM and 1:30-3 PM — Food preparation and

serving at the park; and· 3:30-5 PM — Cleanup at the park.The April 2004 issue of The Washingtonian magazine lists

the Palisades as one of Washington’s 50 Great Places to Live.The article notes: “The Palisades has the feel of a bygone era,”says real-estate agent Tom Williams. "Neighbors throw barbeques,kids play baseball, and everyone joins the annual Fourth of JulyParade.” Don’t miss the Palisades biggest event of the year –volunteer, promote, sponsor, participate, celebrate – do whateveryou can to make the 38th PCA July 4 Parade and Picnic the bestyet! Contact PCA Administrator Anne Ourand about volunteering,363-7441or Palisadesdc@hotmail.com.

—July 4 Celebration Committee

July 4, continued from page 1

July 4, 2004 Runner-Up T-shirt design.

The Palisades Citizens Association page 5

ART IN THE PALISADES

The work of Rebecca Volkmann is on display at thePalisades Post Office through July. Volkmann has just graduated,May 2004, from the Corcoran College of Art + Design, with aBFA in painting. She began her studies at the School of The ArtInstitute of Chicago in 1987, and transferred to the CorcoranCollege of Art + Design in 1996. After a long hiatus, Volkmanndecided to return to school in order to finish her long awaitedundergraduate degree. Of her work, she writes: “The inspirationsfor these paintings were personal objects from my home, theirplacement next to each other in space, and the importance of myconnection to them. My appreciation for these “things” is endlessand comes from my love of history. My focus is now on morecareful observation of what comes out in the painting itself throughexperimentation with color, layering, and texture.... I feel there isan endless potential for investigation of my technique by focusingon the mark making, color choices, texture, scale, and by creatingmultiples. Throughout this past year, I have struggled with scaleand the notion of overworking a painting. The pieces in the showare examples of how I am trying to resolve these issues”. Thissmall show celebrates Volkmann’s long dedication to her art.

—Sheila Rotner

“Opening”, Acrylic on Board, 3' x 4', 2004.

2004 Membership Campaign Explodes Past TargetSince the beginning of the year, 101 new households and businesses have joined the PCA and 218 renewed their memberships.

This is an almost 40% increase in new members from the previous year, and, with different levels of membership taken intoconsideration, a 56% increase in revenue. A door-to-door campaign conducted by board members in June will culminate themembership drive, with the final results announced at the Fourth of July Picnic.

Our goal for the campaign was a 10% increase by July 4, which we have already exceeded. The purpose of the campaign wasto re-energize the PCA by bringing in new members with new ideas who are able to champion new programs, such as the fall HouseTour, to name just one. A dual purpose was to replenish the PCA coffers in order to: balance the budget; pay for the expandingprograms and acitivies; and continue to advocate for the high quality of life in the Palisades that we all cherish.

—Carolyn Ortwein, 2nd VP and Membership Campaign Chair

committee report:AIRCRAFT NOISE

The March 2004 draft recommendations of the Part 150Noise Compatibility Study included two of the major PCArecommendations endorsed by the general membership at itsNovember 4, 2003 meeting (see November 2003 issue of ThePalisades News):

1) “Formation of a technical working group (ofwhich I will be a member) to develop advance navigationsprocedures” addresses the “soon solution” we proposedfor Flight Paths; and

2) “Updating noise monitoring and flight tracking,improving noise complaint, and establishing compliancesystems” addresses the “now solutions” we proposed forthe issues of Compliance/Enforcement, Response System,and Noise Measurement. One exception is that thecontractor rejected meaningful fines for complianceviolators.That’s progress, but we still want more, so at a public

meeting in Montgomery County on April 28, I requested on therecord that our “now solutions” for DCA arrival and departureFlight Paths be adopted. Arlington and Montgomery countiesjoined us in this request, as the draft currently proposes adjustmentof arrival flight paths from the south.

On June 3, the Part 150 Advisory Committee will see a finaldraft of the recommendations. I serve as the DC CitizenRepresentative on that committee. As such, before, during andafter the June 3 meeting, I will continue to advocate for adoptionof favorable recommendations in the final report, due in latesummer or early fall.

—Mat Thorp, Chair, Aircraft Noise Committee

Volume 15, Number 8, June 2004page 6

neighborhood NOTICES

Wondering what’s happened to L’Appetito, at DanaPlace and MacArthur Boulevard? It’s been closed sincemid-February, but finally there are signs of change. Theowners are renovating the inside of the restaurant andadding a few parking places in the rear. They are alsolooking into the possibility of adding seating for 20-30people on the roof. L’Appetito hopes to reopen the mainrestaurant in early June.

Linda Starke, lstarke@starpower.net

Readers Rule!Come to the Palisades Library Children’s Room for

our annual Summer Quest reading program kick off onJune 14 at 4 PM. Great prizes and performances awaitour readers throughout the summer, so sign up early andstart reading. The Palisades Readers Club for grades4-6 will continue to meet throughout the summer at 4 PMon the first Tuesday of the month; readers in grades 2 &3 will meet on the second. Tuesday. For children ages3-7, the Children’s Room will host a SleepyTime StoryHour on Tuesday, June 29 at 7 PM. Children wear theirpajamas to the Library to enjoy soothing stories and abedtime snack. This is a great way for both parents andchildren to enjoy a long summer evening. Call theChildren’s Room at 282 –3113 for details about any ofthese wonderful programs. For high school students,the Library is a terrific place to volunteer and/or fulfillcommunity service hours – flexible hours, pleasantworking conditions and all the books you can read awaitmotivated individuals who enjoy a variety of library jobs.Please call me to apply. Not forgetting the adults, thePalisades Book group will continue to meet throughoutthe summer at 7:30 on the third Tuesday of each month.Happy summer reading to EVERYONE and be sure tovisit us on a regular basis for vacation reading, travelguides, books on tape for long car trips, and everythingelse we have to offer.

Many thanks to Friends of the Palisades LibraryBook Sale co-chairs Elinor Tucker and Sarah Ely andtheir hardworking volunteers for another spectacularand successful sale. The two-day sale netted over$2500 which will directly benefit the programs andcollections of the Palisades Branch Library. People

often tell us how much they enjoy these sales and weappreciate both our friends who bring in, and our friendswho buy, the books. The sales are large undertakingsthat require year-round organization. If you are interestedin helping at any time, please call Elinor, 416-7651, orSarah, 244–4724.

Lucy Thrasher, Palisades Branch LibraryManager, 282-3139

PCA Membership Update: The PCA welcomed4 new memberships and registered 66 renewals in May,including 33 businesses! Has your membershipexpired? Check your mailing label on your newsletterand, if expired, send dues, made out to PCA, to PCA,PO Box 40603, WDC 20016. Thank you for yourcontinued support and a warm welcome to all newmembers.

The onslaught of the cicadas may be preventing youfrom enjoying your porch, but don’t let them stop you fromenjoying Mike Dolan’s "The American Porch: AnInformal History of an Informal Place", due out inpaperback for $16.95 in early July (www.theamericanporch.com). Dolan, a journalist and filmmaker,researched and wrote American Porch, his first book,

a f t e rcompletinga renovationthat includedr e p l a c i n gthe frontporch of hisf a m i l y ’ sS h e r i e rP l a c ebungalow.Photos of hishome andm a n yPal isadesh o u s e sa p p e a ramong thebook’s 200illustrations.

Author Michael Dolan on the Palisades porch that inspired him to write TheAmerican Porch: An Informal History of an Informal Place. Photo by Marty Dolan

The Palisades Citizens Association page 7

The main activity of thePalisades-Hillcrest Partnershipthis year will be the NeighborsThrough ART celebration theweekend of October 23-24. ContactNTA Executive Director JimWhittaker, 250-5922, to participateas an artist or a planner. We willpresent artistic expressions(literary, visual, musical) on thetheme of integration and civil rightsin honor of the 50th anniversary ofBrown v. Board of Education andthe 40th anniversary of the CivilRights Act. There are many otherways for Palisades residents to getinvolved with Hillcrest. One is to goon the Hillcrest annual garden touron June 19, from 11-2 PM, startingat 2900 Park Drive SE. Another isto attend a Hillcrest Community CivicAssociation (HCCA) monthlymeeting, the first Saturday of everymonth at 10 AM at the LutheranChurch of the Holy Comforter, 3319 Alabama AvenueSE. The June 5 meeting will feature DC CFO, NatwarGandhi, and will be followed by a fish fry ($10 per personfor chicken, fish, salads, dessert and drinks). There willalso be meetings on July 3 and August 7. Finally, if youprefer an environmental activity, the Twining Square(2700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE) clean-ups will be onSaturday, June 26 and Saturday, July 24 from 7 AM-Noon. This park was recently featured in an article byKathy Chamberlain in The Washington Post.Chamberlain is a Hillcrest resident who maintains theexcellent HCAA website (www.hillcrestdc.com). Checkout their calendar of events for details on the activitieslisted above and contact me for more information aboutany aspect of the partnership.

Alice Stewart, 364-1505

The Institute for Spiritual Development (ISDChurch) celebrated its 18th Anniversary on May 9 with aspecial Worship Service and Hospitality Buffetafterwards. The ISD Church was founded by Rev.James E. DeBiasio, and has been located in thePalisades at 5419 Sherier Place NW since 1990. Rev.

DeBiasio leads the Church along with Rev. MarcusCapone and Rev. Patricia Makin. Rev. Makin used theoccasion to kick off the Church’s $10,000 Building FundRaffle for which only 400 raffle tickets will be sold, givingparticipants odds of 1 in 133 to win. First Prize is$10,000; 2nd Prize, $2,500; and 3rd Prize, $1,500. Thewinner will be announced Sunday, June 27 at 2 PM. Forraffle tickets, call Carol Dubard, 362-2456.

Nick Case, ncase@prodigy.net

Be a docent for the Potomac Conservancy onweekends at its new Lockhouse 8 Learning Center(www.potomac.org/action/ctg/lockhouse.html) bydistributing literature, greeting visitors, and assistingwith other tasks. Monthly commitment required; noexperience necessary; training provided. Lockhouse 8is just inside the Beltway on Clara Barton Parkway(parking is accessible only in the eastbound direction).

Matt Berres, berres@potomac.org

The historical Palisades poster can now bepurchased for $25 at the Palisades Image Center (Kodak

Continued on page 10

Tony Cato of Citibank and Dolly Tucker and Kirsten Williams of WC&AN Miller were our guest speakers forthe May 4 PCA general membership meeting on the topics of commercial and home mortgages, and buyingor selling a home in the Palisades. Pictured with the speakers are: Spence Spencer, PCA Special EventsChair; Carolyn Ortwein, PCA 2nd VP & Membership Chair; Bill Barnard, PCA Treasurer; Joe Mirarchi, BranchManager, Citibank; and Colette deChalus Lee, PCA Business Chair, Commercial Markets Group, Citibank.

Volume 15, Number 8, June 2004

Norton/Newark Alley Set for Drainage, PavingAn irksome alley between Norton and Newark Streets will get a new storm sewer

and a concrete surface this summer. The alley, which runs behind houses in the 5800blocks of Sherier Place and MacArthur Boulevard NW, has stirred ire because of itsragged condition, its role in flooding yards and basements in all seasons, and its clouds ofmosquitoes during warm weather. After persistent complaints by residents, city officials

agreed to act. They took theunusual step of hiringconsultants to devise a planfor dealing with theunimproved alley. “We don’tusually design alleys, but thisone is unique,” city officialMohamed Khalid said at aMay 5 meeting on the plan.“We usually eyeball the alleyand bring in a crew. However,most alleys are gulleyed – theruts are lower than adjoiningproperties. This alley is theopposite.” Thanks to repeateddressings with bluestone, thealley sits much higher thanyards abutting it, preventingwater from running off. Toaddress that problem, United

Design Engineers calls for a complete reconstruction. After they remove the gravel,crews from Capitol Paving will excavate for a storm sewer to run from mid-block to atie-in beneath Newark Street. The sewer will include two drainage grates; so that it isbelow the frost line, the 15-inch pipe will run four to five feet underground. After installingthe sewer, crews will compact a soil base, atop which they will lay six inches of reinforcedconcrete. That roadbed, 15 to 16 feet across, will be about nine inches lower than today’sgravel surface, said Engineer Adil Rizvi of United Design Engineers. To move water tothe storm sewer, the alley will have a four percent slope and be swaled – angled towardits centerline with a drop of about six inches from edge to center. To reduce runoff intothe alley from Norton Street, reconstruction will place a lip to direct Norton gutter flowto a storm sewer at Norton Street and Sherier Place NW.

At the other end of the alley, workers will remove and replace a concrete aproninstalled last fall at Newark Street by a federally funded street project. As currentlyconfigured, that apron is so high that it would compromise the alley’s handling of runoff.

At the request of Sherier Place resident Sharon Hays, whose yard includes a treeright on the alley right of way, Khalid promised to have an arborist assess risks to the treerecommend steps to protect it. Hays pointed out the enormous maple to Khalid and Rizviduring an inspection stroll that saw Barbara Shaw, who marshaled citizen input on thealley, temporarily lose a sandal to the sorry surface’s shoe-sucking mud shoals.

Reconstruction could begin as early as mid-June, said Khalid. During the three-to-

page 8

taken an exciting turn. Now, in addition toapplying PCA’s study methodology at otherairports, PCA is being encouraged topropose how it could “become a conduitfor citizens groups across the country.” Ineffect, the PCA would take the lead inorganizing and convening other citizens /civic associations’ participation in FAAresearch on the subject.

PCA will deliver a proposal to theproject manager the week of May 24. Ifaccepted, the proposal would make PCAa partner with academic and industryheavyweights such as MIT, Stanford,Purdue, Boeing, GE, Bell HelicopterTextron, and Metropolitan WashingtonAirports Authority, the owner and operatorof Reagan National and Dulles airports.This would give PCA a national profilewhile also serving locally as an example ofhow our association is proactive in itsefforts to maintain a high quality of life inour community.

The PCA board envisions thecontract being managed as a “cottageindustry”, a business model which reflectsthe strength of our Palisades communitymore than other models such as flextime,home office or small business. Accordingly,we’ll be seeking input and participationfrom any interested Palisades citizens andbusinesses when we present the proposalto the PCA general membership on June 1.The proposal will specifically name andbudget for an administrative assistantdedicated to the project. Any interestedparties should contact me, 363-4048, PCAPresident Stu Ross or PCA AdministratorAnne Ourand.—Mat Thorp, Chair, Aircraft Noise Committee

Aircraft Noise, continued from page 1

four-week project, the alley will be closedto vehicles. Khalid said his office wouldwork with those that manage trash removaland recycling to prevent interruption ofservices. He can be reached at 671-4577.

—Michael Dolan

As neighbors and fellow activists Bill Bradford and Eleana Gomez lookon, Barbara Shaw retrieves her sandal from the rapacious mud of thealley that runs behind her house. Photo by Michael Dolan.

The Palisades Citizens Association

Sunday, July 4: 38th Annual PCA July 4 Parade & Picnic,Noon, parade begins at Whitehaven Parkway and proceedsup MacArthur Boulevard to Dana Place, ending at thePalisades Park & Recreation Center for food, drinks,moonbounce, parade awards, entertainment and more, 363-7441 with questions or to volunteer.

Tuesday, July 6: The Palisades Readers Club for grades4-6, 4 PM, see above.

Tuesday, July 6: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, 7:30-8:30 PM, see above.

Friday, July 9: Dinner & a Movie for the whole familyfeaturing “The Wizard of Ox” and BBQ sandwiches, 6 PM,see above.

Friday, July 9: Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra, 7:30 PM, bigband concert at the Carter Baron Amphitheater as part ofThe Washington Post’s summer concert series, free.

Sunday, July 11: Citizens Association of GeorgetownSummer Concerts in the Parks, featuring the big bandtunes of the US Army Jazz-Blues Ensemble(www.armyblues.org), 4:30 PM, Volta Park, 34th & QStreets NW, 337-7313.

Tuesday, July 13: The Palisades Readers Club for grades2&3, 4 PM, see above.

Tuesday, July 13: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, 7:30-8:30 PM, see above.

Tuesday, July 20: The Palisades Book Club, 7:30 PM,Palisades Library.

Tuesday, July 20: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, 7:30-8:30 PM, see above.

Wednesday, July 21-September 3: The Puppet CompanyPlayhouse presents “Dreamosaurus”, Wed, Thu & Fri,10 & 11:30 AM, Sat & Sun, 11:30 AM & 1 PM, NEWPRICE-$7, see above.

Saturday, July 24: Join Hillcrest for the Twining SquareClean-up, 7 AM-Noon, see above.

Saturday, July 24-August 29: Adventure Theatre presents“The Adventures of Paddington Bear”, Sat & Sun, 1:30AM & 3:30 PM, Glen Echo Park, see above.

Tuesday, July 27: Fitness on the Green & Firefly-Catching, 7:30-8:30 PM, see above.

Monday, August 2-6: Puppet Making for Kids, M-F 9:30AM-12:30 PM, kids make several types of puppets and get abackstage seat during a Puppet Company performance, forages 8-12, Glen Echo Park, see above, $225 for one week,registration at 301-320-7757.

Monday, August 2: Cancer support group featuringpractical advice and demonstrations on ways for womenreceiving cancer treatment to look healthy and stylish, 11AM-1 PM, Sibley Hospital’s Hayes Hall conference room 2,free, 243-2320.

Tuesday, August 3: The Palisades Readers Club forgrades 4-6, 4 PM, see above.

Saturday, August 7: Hillcrest general membershipmeeting, 10 AM, see above.

Monday, August 9-13: Puppet Making for Kids, M-F 9:30AM-12:30 PM, see above.

Tuesday, August 10: The Palisades Readers Club forgrades 2&3, 4 PM, see above.

Tuesday, August 17: The Palisades Book Club, 7:30 PM,Palisades Library.

Friday, September 3: Dentzel Carousel under the Stars, 6-9 PM, Glen Echo Park, see above.

Monday, September 6: Dentzel Carousel under the Stars,6-9 PM, Glen Echo Park, see above.

Saturday, September 10: Yard Sale, 9 AM-4 PM, Institutefor Spiritual Development, see above.

Tuesday, September 14: Friends of the Palisades Librarymeeting, 7:15-8:45 PM, Palisades Library, 282-3139.

Wednesday, September 22: Autumnal EquinoxCelebration service, 7:30 PM, Institute for SpiritualDevelopment, see above.

Sunday, October 17: 1st Annual PCA House Tour, 2-5 PM.Saturday, October 23-Sunday, October 24: Palisades-

Hillcrest Partnership 3rd Neighbors Through Artcollaboration, showcasing literary, performing and/or visualartists’ celebration of the 50th anniversary of Brown v.Board of Education and the 40th anniversary of the CivilRights Act, Jim Whittaker, 250-5922.

Bulletin Board, continued from page 3

to Mat Thorp for his tireless work to reduce aircraftnoise and emissions over the Palisades

to July 4, 2004 Palisades business donors as ofMay 17, 2004: Safeway, Institute for Spiritual Development,MacArthur Liquors, Sibley Hospital, Grand Lodge FAAMof DC, Parker’s Exxon, St Patrick’s Episcopal Day School,Bambu Restaurant, Dorothy Holland Lessard, HD Johnson,Howard Eales Inc., Our Lady of Victory, Georgetown DaySchool, Dennis O’Leary DDS, French Seams Inc.,Listrani’s, Mimi’s Convenient Store, Paychex, Chen’sGourmet, Bedrock Management, Abramson & Associates,Marcia Bogert Hayman Inc., John I. Haas Inc., MakotoRestaurant, The Lab School, Reingold Inc., Interplan Inc.,Starland, J.R. Zimmerman, Plumbing & Heating, MacARTurCustom Framing, Feldenkrais Center of DC, Brazilian NavalCommission, Davic Cumins Mitchell T/A Design 1, ShahinBagheri, Patricia A.Makin / REMAX

KUDOS....

page 9

Volume 15, Number 8, June 2004

The Newsletter of The Palisades Citizens Association is published 9 times each year by The Palisades CitizensAssociation, P.O. Box 40603, Palisades Station, Washington, DC 20016.

Material must be submitted to the editor by the 15th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s edition.Editor: Julie Russell -- 244-5513, FAX: 509-479-0688, email julie.russell@palisadesdc.org. Contributing editors:

Judith Dollenmayer, John W. Finney, Janice Kaplan, Penny Pagano, Sheila Rotner, Ruth Samuel, Linda Starke

President: Stuart Ross, 966-0645; First Vice President: Spence Spencer, 363-3662; Second Vice President:Carolyn Ortwein, 338-2603; Treasurer: Bill Barnard, 966-2167; Secretary: Alan Aiches, 364-2412.All email addresses are firstname.lastname@palisadesdc.org.Administrator: Anne Ourand, 363-7441, palisadesdc@hotmail.com, www.palisadesdc.org.

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The Palisades Citizens Association Membership: Individual: $15; Household: $25; Sponsor: $50; Patron: $100.To join, or for additional information, contact Administrator as listed below.

store next to Marvelous Market). Alternatively, you canbuy one by sending a check made payable to PCA for$28 (to cover postage) to PO Box 40603, WDC 20016.

Funding for the Palisades July 4 Parade & Picniccomes from our generous business members and T-shirt sales. Contact me if you can take a one- to two-hourshift selling July 4, 2004 T-shirts (see image p. 1).

• Sunday, June 6: 9 AM-3 PM at the Lions FleaMarket, Wachovia Bank parking lot

Outside MacArthur Boulevard Safeway• Saturday, June 19: 11 am – 7 pm• Sunday, June 20: 11 am – 7 pm• Saturday, June 26: 11 am – 7 pm• Sunday, June 27: 11 am – 7 pm• Tuesday, June 29: 6 - 8 pm• Thursday, July 1: 6 - 8 pm• Friday, July 2: 6 - 8 pm• Saturday, July 3: 11 am – 7pm• Sunday, July 4: 9 am – 1 pmLinda Starke, 387-4238, Lstarke@starpower.net

Crime Report: The Second District Police reporteda 15% decrease in crime in our Police Service Area(205, formerly 203) for the first four months of 2004compared with 2003. Theft and theft from autos amountedfor over half of the crimes. Fortunately, there were noreports of homicide, rape or arson, and only one reportedassault. Burglaries and thefts tend to be concentratedon the American and Georgetown University campuses.PSA 205 Lt. Sullivan offered the following advice todeter burglaries, thefts and thefts from autos: cancelmail and newspaper deliveries while away, even for theweekend; leave front porch and garage lights onovernight; use timers for both interior and exterior lightsand radios / TVs while away; park in well lit areas; do notleave anything of any value visible in your car. Thelargest number of infractions of any kind in our areacontinues to be traffic violations, with 125 speedingviolations in the 4900-5300 blocks of MacArthurBoulevard in the month of April alone!