Luke_Wilbur

Thanks Nelson. It will be interesting to review results.

Ever wonder why Al Gore does not belong to the Green Party. It seems a perfect fit. Both are committed to extending the greening of waste management by encouraging the spread of such practices as reduce, return, reuse, and recycle. We strongly oppose the recent attempts to roll back the federal environmental protection laws that safeguard our air, water, and soil. Al Gore and the Green Party both believe energy management must be governed by the principle of conservation, efficiency, and clean renewables. Of highest importance is to use less, then to use wisely, and to have clean production of what is used. Both believe that we need ecologically sound forms of transportation that minimize pollution and maximize energy efficiency. Surfaces impermeable to rainwater, polluted storm run-off; paved over or polluted wetlands, the heat island effect, air pollution, and acid rain are all directly related to a transportation system run amuck. Both Al Gore and the Green Party have urged the U.S. Congress to act immediately to address the critical global warming and climate change issues. So why is Al Gore not heading the Green Party?

After several hours of tailgating at Fedex parking lot it was almost time for the game against the Eagles. As I walked toward the gates a season ticket holder was selling his seats for $10.00 each. I could not believe it. Then I went to sit down and the ticket holder next to me asked if I knew anyone that would be interested in purchasing his seats. I was quite amazed how a losing season can change the dynamics of the fan base. Most fans seem to be fed up with the high costs of going to a football game. On top of that. the Redskins have had a heart breaking season. All the Redskins draft picks have been traded away, so there seems to be no hope for next year.

Mainly on the basis of reports from Japan, drug manufacturer Roche and US regulators are warning that influenza patients treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) may have an increased risk of self-injury and delirium. "People with the flu, particularly children, may be at increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior," says a warning that Roche has added to its official product information, according to a company letter posted on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site. Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, is used both to prevent and to treat flu and is regarded as the best available drug for dealing with a potential pandemic strain of flu. The United States and many other countries are stockpiling it because of the pandemic threat. The warning follows an FDA review of 103 reports of neuropsychiatric adverse events associated with oseltamivir use between Aug 29, 2005, and Jul 6, 2006, of which 95 came from Japan. That compares with 126 such adverse events reported between 1999 and August 2005. About two thirds of the problems were in children and youth (younger than 17 years). A report by the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research says the adverse events included three fatal falls—one in a 14-year-old boy who apparently fell to his death from a condominium balcony and two in men. Most of the events (60 of 103) were described as delirium with disturbed behavior. Other problems included "suicidal events," panic attacks, delusions, convulsions, depressed consciousness, and loss of consciousness. The FDA and Roche both say the contribution of the drug to the adverse events is not known. The FDA report says influenza by itself can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders, but many of the problems reported, especially delirium and suicide attempts, were not typical of those associated with flu alone. Citing factors that seem to implicate oseltamivir in the events, the FDA said most of the problems occurred within a day after the start of treatment, and in many cases the physician suspected the drug was the cause. In addition, many of the patients recovered quickly after they stopped taking oseltamivir. "It is still unclear whether these neuropsychiatric events are drug-related only, disease manifestations alone, or a combination" of the two, the report states. The analysis notes that oseltamivir is used much more widely in Japan, with 24.5 million prescriptions from 2001 thorugh 2005, than in the United States, with 6.5 million prescriptions in the same period. In Japan the product information already includes a warning about possible psychoneurological problems. The FDA report expresses concern that if oseltamivir use in the United States increases to the levels seen in Japan, the number of adverse events will increase as well. "Therefore, it would be prudent to update the U.S. labeling to be similar in scope with the current Japanese labeling," it says. The Japanese origin of most of the adverse event reports might suggest that the problems are related to genetic characteristics common in Japan, the FDA analysis says. But given the much greater use of the drug in Japan and the possibility of different surveillance practices there, the lack of cases reported in the United States doesn't constitute good evidence for that hypothesis, it states. The FDA analysis was prepared for the agency's Pediatric Advisory Committee, which is scheduled to meet Nov 16. The latest developments come about a year after that committee concluded that 12 deaths in Japanese children who had been taking oseltamivir were not related to the drug. The FDA said then that the deaths seemed to be part of a wave of flu-related encephalitis and encephalopathy cases in Japanese children that began in the mid-1990s, before the drug was approved. But the committee asked the FDA to continue monitoring the situation and report again in a year. See also: FDA advice about potential neuropsychiatric side effects of Tamiflu http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/sa...m#chronological Roche letter about possible risks http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/Ta...dhcp_letter.pdf FDA staff analysis of adverse-event reports concerning Tamiflu Roche patient information on Tamiflu http://www.rocheusa.com/products/tamiflu/ppi.pdf

Iraq Study Group report released today states If Iraq continues to decline, its government could collapse and ignite a "humanitarian catastrophe" prompting neighboring countries to intervene and hand a propaganda victory to Al-Qaeda. The group says the main thrust of U.S. military involvement in Iraq should become training, with a five-fold increase from 4,000 to about 20,000 American military trainers in Iraq. And it says they should be for the first time assigned even to small units of 50-100 Iraqi soldiers. The report says the U.S. military should put its best troops in the training jobs and should reward them for such service. Commission member and former Defense Secretary William Perry. "We believe that the thing they needed at this stage, to be able to come up to the task they have is, effectively, on-the-job training," said William Perry. "And that on-the-job training can be best done when they have role models of American teams in front of them." Perry says he believes the increase in trainers can be made without increasing the overall number of U.S. troops in Iraq, currently about 140,000. Another commission member, former Senator Charles Robb, says the move to primarily a training role is a significant policy shift. "This represents a dramatic change in the way we have been doing business," said Charles Robb. "It represents a clear break from the past tradition of being the principal combat units to a role of combat support." The group also says the Iraqi military should be given better equipment, perhaps by having departing U.S. units leave their equipment behind. It calls for better U.S. civilian and military intelligence gathering and analysis on Iraq to improve U.S. understanding of the situation there, and how to improve it. And it says the president and the congress should ensure that the global U.S. military capability is restored and enhanced as the combat commitment in Iraq is reduced. But some of the Group's recommendations sound a lot like what senior U.S. military commanders have been saying for some time. The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, General John Abizaid, told congress a month ago that he is already moving more troops into training roles. What is interesting to note is the Group's idea for our government to start a dialogue both Iran and with Syria without preliminary conditions and no mention of the Iranian nuclear program which continues to advance. Click on the link below and download the report. iraq_study_group_report.pdf

I have attached John Bolon's resignation letter. In a Dec. 1 letter to President Bush, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton wrote that, "after careful consideration," he has decided to resign when his recess appointment expires in a few weeks. "I accept [the resignation]; I'm not happy about it," Bush said yesterday. The president installed Bolton at the United Nations. after his nomination ran into bipartisan opposition on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee over a series of complaints, including his efforts to manipulate intelligence, bully subordinates, and demean consensus-building efforts with a brusque and blustering style. Because he was a recess appointee, Bolton's term was set to expire at the end of the current congressional term. Bush resubmitted his nomination on Nov. 9, a few days after the midterm elections. bolton2006120.pdf

Our current leadership is "preparing to walk away from their most basic constitutional responsibility - passing a budget," to allow themselves to "run out early." After being dumped by the American people, the 109th Congress is now dumping its remaining responsibilities. They are sore losers.

The Administration for HIV Policy and Programs partners with health and community-based organizations to provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care services to District and Washington area eligible residents. Services include medical support, HIV counseling and testing, data and information on HIV/AIDS programs and services as well as on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the community, education, information, referrals, and intervention services. A drug assistance program (ADAP) provides drugs at no cost to eligible District residents who are HIV positive or have AIDS. The Administration for HIV Policy and Programs administers the District’s budget for HIV/AIDS programs, provides grants to service providers, monitors programs, and tracks the incidence of HIV and AIDS in the District of Columbia. Select from the following links to find out more about HIV/AIDS services, reports, and programs. 64 New York Avenue, NE Suite 5001 Washington, DC 20002 Telephone Number: (202) 671-4900 Senior Deputy Director: Dr. Marsha Martin AIDS Hotline: (202) 332-AIDS (2437) http://doh.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,1371,q,57...7C34259%7C,.asp

Is Augustana a local band?

Atlanta travels to our house for the first time in 12 years. The Redskins are ready to continue the Falcons losing streak this Sunday at Fedex. The Redskins and Falcons know each other more than you might think. Coach Joe Gibbs was a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons before coming back to Washington. Coach Gibbs coached under Falcons President and General Manager Rich McKay's father on two seperate occassions. Gibbs was on McKay's staff at USC and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Al Saunders was also on the USC coaching staff. The last time the two teams met was in the Georgia Dome in 2003. The Redskins had a 17 point comeback to win the game 33 to 31. Look for a stellar game from Jason Campbell this week. The Falcons gave up 349 passing yards against Brees. Falcons Defense RE John Abraham has tallied nine tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and one pass defensed in three starts. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 1. NT Grady Jackson has recorded 34 tackles, two passes defensed and one forced fumble in 11 starts. Posted a seasonhigh nine tackles against the Saints last week. UT Rod Coleman has notched 15 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and three passes defensed in 10 starts. LE Chauncey Davis has tallied 27 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed in nine starts. OLB Keith Brooking leads the team with 107 tackles after posting multi-tackle games in four of his past five starts. Had his second sack of the season last week against the Saints. MLB Edgerton Hartwell had a sack and eight tackles in his return to the starting lineup last week against the Saints. OLB Michael Boley has registered 61 tackles, five passes defensed, two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and three fumble recoveries in 10 starts. RCB Allen Rossum has posted 13 tackles and one pass defensed in three starts at right cornerback. LCB DeAngelo Hall has posted 37 tackles, a team-high four interceptions and a career-high 11 passes defensed in 11 starts. SS Lawyer Milloy leads the secondary with 73 tackles in addition to having recorded one sack and one pass defensed. FS Chris Crocker has registered 29 tackles, seven passes defensed and one sack in 11 starts. The Falcons Offense WR Michael Jenkins has 28 catches for 322 yards with five touchdowns on the season, including four scores in his past six games. LT Wayne Gandy has helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing with 2,175 yards this season. LG Matt Lehr returned to the starting lineup last week against the Saints. C Todd McClure made his 75th consecutive start against the Saints and will play in his 100th career game this week. RG Tyson Clabo made his fiftth career NFL start against the Saints. RT Todd Weiner has helped the Falcons rank 9th in the NFL in total offense this season (339.1 yards per game). TE Alge Crumpler leads the team with 37 catches and 526 receiving yards with six touchdowns. Has caught five touchdown passes in the past six games. Tied Jim Mitchell’s franchise record for career touchdowns by a tight end (28) with a touchdown reception against the Lions. WR Ashley Lelie has tallied 18 receptions for 307 yards (17.1 avg.). QB Michael Vick has connected on 149 of 291 passes for 1,770 yards with 13 touchdowns. Ranks first on the team with 870 rushing yards. RB Warrick Dunn has rushed for a 865 yards on 208 carries with four touchdowns. FB Justin Griffith has caught 17 passes for 127 yards and rushed five times for 31 yards. So far this year, the Falcons have out-rushed their opponents by 1,095 yards over 11 games (99.5 yards per game), which is the largest differential in the NFL. Head coach Joe Gibbs had talked all week about getting back to "Redskins football," of dominating the line of scrimmage and establishing the running game. On Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, the Redskins accomplished that goal. In a taut, defensive struggle most of the game, the Redskins' offense finally broke through in the fourth quarter with a big play: Jason Campbell and Chris Cooley connected on a 66-yard touchdown pass, giving the Redskins a 17-13 lead. The defense, maligned in recent weeks, stepped up to stop Carolina on two fourth quarter drives, sealing the win and improving the Redskins' record to 4-7. Sean Taylor tackled Panthers' wide receiver Drew Carter on fourth down to end one drive, then intercepted a deep pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme to end the game. After weeks of tumult for the struggling Redskins, the win was a welcome breath of fresh air for the team. "That was something we really needed--obviously a real morale booster," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "It was really a tribute to the players and their character, the way they stood up. I felt like today was our style of football. Everybody contributed." The offense, committed to running the football, compiled 143 rushing yards. Ladell Betts led the way with 104 yards on 23 carries, a 4.3 yards-per-carry average. Campbell, making his second NFL start, turned in an uneven performance, completed 11-of-23 passes for 118 yards, with two touchdowns. After tossing an interception after the Panthers had taken a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead, Campbell shook off his mistake and guided the Redskins to the game-winning score. The defense expected to have its hands full with a Panthers wide receiver corps that includes speedster Steve Smith and veteran Keyshawn Johnson. The unit yielded just 163 passing yards, with Carlos Rogers logging three pass break-ups and Taylor and Vernon Fox each recording interceptions. It was apparent early on that Sunday's game would be a defensive battle. Early in the first quarter, the Redskins took advantage of a poor pass by Delhomme, who tossed a deep pass to Smith. Fox was playing deep and leaped up for the interception. Washington took over at its 46-yard line, but the Redskins could not capitalize on the strong field position, as Jason Campbell's third-down pass to Santana Moss was broken up. Most of the first quarter, neither team could generate much offense. The Redskins could not pick up a first down on the offense's first three possessions. The Panthers began to move the ball late in the first quarter, as running back DeAngelo Williams raced around left tackle for a 28-yard pickup. Delhomme then completed passes to Smith and Williams to get the offense in scoring range. Kenny Wright broke up a 3rd-and-4 pass to Carter at the Redskins' 24-yard line, and the Panthers settled for a 42-yard field goal by John Kasay. The Redskins responded quickly, with Rock Cartwright returning the ensuing kickoff 33 yards to the 40-yard line. Campbell completed a 17-yard pass to Chris Cooley, then Ladell Betts picked up 13 yards to the Panthers' 30-yard line. Two plays later, on 3rd-and-10, Campbell showcased his scrambling ability when he avoided the rush by scrambling up the middle for a 10-yard gain. The drive stalled on 3rd-and-9 when Campbell's short pass to Brandon Lloyd was broken up by linebacker Thomas Davis. Nick Novak came on for a 37-yard field goal attempt, but his kick sailed wide left. Midway through the second quarter, the Redskins moved the ball into Carolina territory again. T.J. Duckett converted a 3rd-and-2 run, then fullback Mike Sellers gained 13 yards to the Panthers' 31-yard line. The drive stalled on 3rd-and-13 when Moss was stopped three yards short on a pass from Campbell. Novak came on for a 42-yard attempt, and this time he converted. With 21 seconds left in the first half, Carolina linebacker Adam Seward blitzed up the middle, past Adam Archuleta, to block a Derrick Frost punt. The Panthers took over at the Redskins' 44-yard line with 13 seconds remaining. Williams picked up 4 yards on a run, then after a time out, Delhomme connected with Johnson for seven yards to set up a 51-yard field goal attempt by Kasay with four seconds left. His kick had just enough distance and the Panthers went into halftime with a 6-3 advantage. Late in the third quarter, with Carolina punter Jason Baker punting from the Panthers' 18-yard line, Rocky McIntosh came in for a punt block of his own. Baker's tipped punt traveled 11 yards and the Redskins took over in excellent field position. The Redskins used a power rushing attack to advance the ball. Betts picked up 11 yards on two carries, then Duckett broke through tackles for a 19-yard gain to the Panthers' 5-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal, Campbell scrambled left and found Antwaan Randle El open at the goal line. Randle El grabbed the pass one yard in the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Redskins a 10-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Carolina's offense responded with a 15-play, 73-yard drive that consumed 7:07 off the game clock. Delhomme mixed in passes to fullback Brad Hoover, Johnson and Smith and the Panthers converted four third-down plays to keep the drive alive. On 3rd-and-7 at the Redskins' 8-yard line, Delhomme threw a high-arching pass to Smith in the back of the end zone. Smith leaped above Springs to grab the ball, then managed to keep both feet in bounds. It was a remarkable catch that gave Carolina a 13-10 lead with just under eight minutes to play. On the Redskins' ensuing drive, Campbell threw a deep pass that was intercepted by cornerback Richard Marshall, and Carolina took over at its own 32-yard line. It was Campbell's first NFL interception after 54 passes. The turnover did not hurt the Redskins, though, as the defense forced a quick 3-and-out. Campbell had a second chance for a come-from-behind win, and this time he would not disappoint. After Betts picked up 14 yards on two carries, Campbell found Chris Cooley running a crossing pattern. Cooley broke one tackle by cornerback Chris Gamble, then slipped by a tackle by safety Mike Minter to get into open field. Cooley raced down the left sideline untouched for a 66-yard touchdown catch-and-run. Cooley leaped into the stands to celebrate with fans and ran around the stadium high-fiving with fans until he reached the Redskins' bench. Carolina had two chances to re-take the lead late in the fourth quarter. But Taylor would have none of it. On the Panthers' last opportunity, with just under two minutes left to play in the game, Delhomme passed deep to Smith, who was in double coverage. Delhomme's pass was off the mark, though, and Taylor ran across field to haul in the game-ending interception.

"A LIVELY COMEDY. OUTLANDISH" - Washington Post "JUICY CHARACTERS pulled straight from a Jerry Springer script...hearty laughs" - Washingtonian "RELENTLESSLY FUNNY... brisk, convincingly performed & wholly absorbing" - Express More importantly, here's what our audiences have to say: - "One of the best plays I've seen in DC...don't miss this one!" - "All of the acting was top notch... I laughed until I hurt. The whole show was so much more than I expected. Well done!" - "Whimsical, fun, and smart! I highly recommend it." - "A hilarious romp proving that a family is more than people you're related to." Special offers: - This Friday... get $10 off regular price tickets. Click here and enter code "DECM." - This Sunday... get 25% off regular price tickets for the matinee and evening performances. Click here and enter code "DECM." Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis by Charlotte Jones, directed by John Vreeke Now extended... must close December 17! Classes coming up at The Workshop at Woolly: The Workshop at Woolly is the new name for our theatre education program -- formerly called Theatre School. This new title suggests brevity and intensity -- all sessions are now 6 weeks and provide the expert training that developing actors have come to expect from Woolly Mammoth. The Workshop at Woolly is unique; participants work in small groups with the brightest and most experienced theater professionals working in Washington today. We offer classes at all skill levels (beginning, intermediate, advanced and master classes) for students who want to take their training to the next level. Click here to find out more about our sought after faculty, exciting course listings and brand new registration process. Winter Term classes begin January 16 - 22. Classes are enrolling now! Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company 641 D Street NW, Washington DC Tickets: 202-393-3939 http://www.woollymammoth.net

Virginia duck and goose hunters, and waterfowl hunters in other parts of the U.S., might for the first time find themselves approached by state game officials who are testing harvested birds for the presence of Avian Flu. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) announced last week, at the start of the waterfowl hunting season, that it is working cooperatively with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interior in its national strategy to monitor the spread of the pathogenic strain of Asian H5N1 among migratory birds. Species of particular interest are the brant, tundra swan, mute swan, mallard, and snow goose. VDGIF staff are in the field checking popular hunting spots, waterway boat ramps, and wildlife management areas where returning hunters may be asked to allow them to perform a swab test on bagged birds. The VDGIF press release says the procedure only takes seconds to perform, and those who bagged 3 birds of the targetted species can call the department to have someone come check the birds. Avian Flu first surfaced in Asia in 2003. It is uncertain what factors contribute to the spread of the disease, but newer strains of H5N1 are more communicable than earlier recognized strains. "Although the spread of H5N1 in Asia has been primarily due to movement of domestic birds, the movement of this virus into wild birds raised the possibility that these species may also spread the virus," the U.S.Department of the Interior found in its March 2006 interagency strategic plan for early detection of the disease. It was found that Avian flu moved into wild birds and caused mortality among species of barheaded geese, brown-headed gulls, black-headed gulls, ruddy shelducks, and great cormorants in China in 2005. The migratory flyways considered most at risk of disease transmission are on the Pacific side of the Americas in Alaska and the Pacific NorthWest, closest to Asia. The Atlantic flyway shares migratory influence from Europe and Africa where the Avian Flu has also been found. A low pathogenic strain of H5N1 that currently exists in North America is common among waterfowl. Testing for the more virulent strains involves swabbing the bird's throat or rectum.

I hope he gets better. I am a smoker. I am doing my best to quit, but it sure is not easy.

CLC has over 500 individual children hoping Santa will bring them something to open on Christmas morning. Our clients come from the poorest families in Washington. Some are abused and abandoned, some live in foster care, and most are in desperate need of health and education supports. We hope you will plan to become an Adopt-a-Family Volunteer Santa and give a child the joy and surprise of opening holiday gifts! Simply contact our Head Elf, and let her know if you want to adopt a child or family. She will match you with a child, share that child’s story, and pass on her wish list – sizes included! We ask that you, as “Santa,” commit to giving each child two new gifts from that child’s wishlist, and a new outfit – shirt, pants, and shoes. We also ask that you provide a gift card for the family so they can buy the fixings for a holiday meal. So - instead of giving your father another ugly tie, adopt a child in his honor! Instead of the same tired secret santa gifts, get together with your office and adopt a family or two! Instead of having a holiday party with your friends, adopt a family and go shopping together for “your” children! Or if you want to make a difference in a child’s life but have no more time for shopping, make a donation to CLC and the Head Elf will make sure every child has a gift or use it to support our children all year long. If you’re ready to be a Volunteer Santa or have questions about the drive, please contact Head Elf Catharine Clarenbach at cclarenbach@childrenslawcenter.org or give her a call at 202-467-4900 X567

1,500 volunteers from all faiths are needed for the largest interfaith project of the Washington DC metropolitan area. You can choose from such projects as preparing meals & serving them to the homeless, painting shelters, throwing parties for sick children in hospitals, visiting seniors in nursing homes, distributing gifts at over 20 homeless shelters, donating blood and many more activities. Online registration at http://www.washingtondcjcc.org/volunteer Want to take a more ACTIVE role? Lead volunteers in activities at your selected site. The December 25th Community Service Day needs 60 volunteer team captains to lead clusters of volunteers to sites all around the city on this big day of community service. If you would like to be a team captain, please email Naomi Oppenheim at teamcaptain@washingtondcjcc.org or call (202) 777-3243. Location of Project / Street Address: Across the metropolitan area. All volunteers meet at the Washington DCJCC to pick up supplies and then head out to their project site. Number of vol. needed: 1,500 volunteers Minimum age w/adult: 10 Minimum age w/o adult: 18 Donations needed! Support the 20th Annual December 25th Community Service Day by donating the items most needed by over seventy social service agencies. Below is a list of Gift Requests from our partner social service agencies (number of items needed in parenthesis): New adult-size socks (3,000 items) Gloves, mittens, hats and scarves—for adults and kids (3,000 items) Large-sized (men's and women's sweaters and other large-sized warm-weather clothes) New travel or full size toiletries for adults in shelters (4,000 items) Non-slip slippers—large sizes for senior citizens in nursing homes (1000 items) Travel-size games, puzzles, and crafts for children in hospitals (200 items) Sports equipment, cosmetics, and gift certificates for teens in shelters (2000 items) Diapers and pull-ups for infants and toddlers up to two years old (1,000 items) Rattles, mobiles, and books for infants and toddlers in hospitals (500 items) Gift bags, wrapping paper, tape, scissors and ribbons to wrap the gifts (100 items)

Volunteer “captains” to oversee the making of a basket for local seniors – a list of the items that go in the basket will be provided (2 cans of green beans, box of mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, etc.) and then the volunteer would rally together folks in their network (co-workers, neighbors, family members, church buddies, etc.) to donate the items to make a basket together. The total cost of the items runs about $15.00 or less per basket. The volunteer(s) would then bring the basket(s) to SOME’s office so they can be distributed them to seniors. SOME needs a total of 60 baskets for Christmas. Drivers Needed to Deliver Christmas Baskets to Seniors Some needs drivers on Saturday, December 16 to deliver Christmas baskets. Volunteers will need to use their own transportation. For information about either opportunity contact Jenna Jones at 202-581-8000 x104 or jjones@some.org.

I live in Ward 5 and saw many signs of Support of Fenty. Right now we are dealing with several neighborhood issues. Mine is our library system sucks an egg. Major Issues in Ward 5 Brentwood Shopping Center The New Market Center Crime and Homicide Condemning Homes Developing a Children's Art Center

Microsoft made me update to their new Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11 I keep trying to change my home page, but microsoft keeps adding a redirect program http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?p...6.0&ar=home in the home page box that sends me to MSN. Anyone seen this problem.

Adrian Fenty knows you? Are you roughly the same age as him? It is hard for me to believe this. I have only heard praises from the African American community in my neighborhood about him.

The 22nd Annual Mayor's Arts Awards Gala will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in March of 2007. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, December 5, 2006. If you know someone you would like to nominate, please click here. http://dcarts.dc.gov/dcarts/frames.asp?doc...rts/maa2007.pdf The Mayor's Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on individual artists, organizations and patrons of the arts. The evening will feature award presentations and entertainment by the finest talents in the District. For more information, please contact Lisa Richards at (202) 724-5613. Check back frequently for information on the event date, time, and how to reserve your free tickets.

Rees, You are stating that you knew Adrian Fenty as a child?

You are funny! A spammer goes on a message board to promote their spam cleaner.

Jason Campbell has been named the Redskins' starting quarterback for next Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Joe Gibbs has announced.

Here is a good article by the City Paper for people in Ward 5 Korean businessman Sang Oh Choi is pretty serious about making certain his massive redevelopment proposal for the Florida Avenue Market moves swiftly through the D.C. Council. The 24-acre market is located north of Florida Avenue near the New York Avenue Metro station. To remake the place in accordance with the standards of gentrification, Choi has already sunk about $1 million into design, PR, and legal help. In addition to produce stands and specialty stores, the vision calls for—what else?—a mixed-use development including affordable housing and a new warehouse for the current market tenants. It would be called the New Town at Capital City Market. A project like that, of course, doesn’t happen without some help from City Hall. In the case of the Florida Avenue market, Choi needs approval from the D.C. Council. Here, Choi’s work in fashioning council allies may prove helpful. Choi and some of his family contributed $8,000 to the mayoral campaign of Ward 5 Councilmember Vincent Orange. Council Chairman Linda Cropp’s mayoral campaign raked in the legal maximum from Choi. Choi’s lobbyist for the project is former Councilmember John Ray, who dumped $25,000 into Orange’s mayoral exploratory campaign coffers. Ray contributed something to practically every incumbent candidate running in 2006. Earlier this year, the Chois also handed a chunk of change over to the Korean Business Association of Greater Washington. The group turned around and immediately financed a trip to Seoul for Mayor Anthony A. Williams. All that political lubrication by the New Town team appeared to have dead-ended this fall. Sharon Ambrose, the Ward 6 councilmember who chairs the Committee on Economic Development, had no plans to move the bill. Ambrose is on the verge of retiring from the council after a long career serving the District; she also suffers from multiple sclerosis. So you might think that her colleagues would grant some deference to her preference to leave the New Town issue for her successor. Nope. In a shameless display of disrespect for Ambrose, her colleagues on the committee—Orange, At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, and Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray—signed on to a rare demand that Ambrose move the New Town bill over her objections. They lodged this demand on Nov. 1. Officially, the members were requesting a special meeting to mark up the bill, which would create a preliminary development scheme for the plot of land. The request was a threat—the committee members could have moved without her—so she let the bill move. Orange and his cadre were pushing legislation to declare the market a blighted area—even though there are few vacant properties on the lot and it hosts a vibrant business. “I believe that to make such a declaration would invite the use of eminent domain,” Ambrose said at a Nov. 6 markup. That would be pretty handy for the New Town boosters, since a majority of the property owners oppose the project. Ambrose resisted the power move of her colleagues because she wanted to make sure that whatever replaced the current market was a step up. “We don’t have a void there,” she says. The outgoing chair blinked at the threat, but she also got Orange to drop the “blight” language for a more general description of the market. Orange was decent enough to consult with Ambrose before forcing her hand. “I truly don’t understand the hustle here, unless it truly is a hustle,” Ambrose told LL before the markup. Could it be Orange is staring unemployment in the face and looking to keep some friends? “I suppose so, if you don’t have a job lined up,” says Ambrose. Orange denies his desire for swift passage of the New Town bill has anything to do with future job prospects. “I don’t know what I’m going to be doing,” he says. Orange wasn’t alone in running roughshod over Ambrose. At the Nov. 6 meeting, Brown announced that he had crafted a deal between the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation and the National Capitol Revitalization Corporation. The two quasi-public development groups had been feuding for months over a complex land swap. Brown never bothered to mention his deal-making to Ambrose or invite her staff to the negotiations. Orange says one of Ambrose’s many absences forced Brown to take charge during a recent hearing on the dispute. “Thank goodness that Kwame chaired that part of the meeting because Ms. Ambrose was ill,” says Orange. “It’s a changing of the guard. What you saw is the new council.” http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/lips/20...ml?navCenterTop

Hey Steve, Nice to meet you. I love the Redskins and Capitals as well. Have you lived in Bethesda all your life?