More than 57 million Americans live in communities governed by homeowners' associations.

But as Jessica Forres reports, Maryland lags behind other states when it comes to regulating these associations.



In the Worman's Mill neighborhood of Frederick, Maryland, flashing snowflakes and lights decorate the outside of three adjacent townhomes.

Debra Sachs has the most colorful display...

HOW CAN YOU SELL A PIG WITH GIFTS ON HIS BACK AND IT'S NOT TACKY, EVEN STANDING ALONE IT'S TACKY I DON'T DOUBT IT BUT IT'S ALSO INCREDIBLY TEMPORARY…

But she and her two neighbors received letters from their homeowner's association asking them to remove the decorations or face a fine of $25 dollars a day. Donald Suhaka, a neighbor, says it's the first he's ever lived in a community with an HOA.

I HAVE TO SELL MY HOUSE AT SOME POINT SO I SHOOT MYSELF IN THE FOOT WHEN I SAY THIS BUT I WOULD CHECK WITH AT LEAST TEN OR FIFTEEN PEOPLE CUZ EVERYONE OF THESE PEOPLE IS UPSET WITH THIS THIS PLACE.

The dispute was resolved last night when their association decided to give up the fight.

Jeanne Ketley is with Maryland's Homeowner's Association… a non-profit group advocating for more homeowner rights in the state.

MARYLAND VIRTUALLY HAS NO LAWS PROTECTING PEOPLE THAT ARE ENFORCEABLE. THERE'S LOTS OF LAWS ON THE BOOKS BUT BECAUSE THERE'S NO ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THERE'S NO REALLY ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY FOR HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION ISSUES.

In Maryland, she says, associations can foreclose on your property if you don't pay your dues.

WHEN YOU BUY INTO A CORPORATION, YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE BY THE RULES OF THE CORPORATION AND YOU SOMETIMES YOU'VE LEFT THE UNITED STATES AND YOU NOW LIVE IN CORPORATE LAND.

The Community Associations Institute says more than 70% of people are happy with their HOA.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

In Frederick, Maryland, a battle over some holiday light displays that pitted neighbors against one another has been resolved.

Jessica Forres attended a meeting last night where the controversy was settled...



Christmas lights and other holiday decorations adorn many of the houses in the Worman's Mill neighborhood of Frederick but the displays at three adjacent townhouses are what raised the ire of the homeowner's association which claimed they are inconsistent with the community's "design concept."

Debra Sachs describes the elaborate decorations outside her home...

A LOT OF SNOOPIES ON DOG HOUSES, AND SNOW MEN AND PENGUINS AND DEERS, AND FROGS WEARING A SANTA HAT.

She and two other homeowners received letters from the association ordering them to remove their displays.

Refusal to do so would subject each of them to fines of 25 dollars a day.

Homeowner Donald Suhaka calls the association's outdoor holiday decoration guidelines "vague"....

THE OTHER THING IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY WITH EQUALLY AS MANY AS MINE OR MORE THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN LETTERS, SO I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF SOMEONE.

[NAT:PEOPLE TALKING]

The three neighbors stood their ground and last noight, they presented their arguments to the neighborhood association's covenants committee.


In this exchange, board chairman Harvey Alter questions Elena Doe, the third homeowner...

-WHAT PUZZLES US IS THAT YOU WERE INFORMED MORE THAN ONCE AND AT LEAST BY THE THIRD LETTER WE DIDN'T HEAR A RESPONSE FROM YOU.

-I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A NEED TO RESPOND BECAUSE MY DECORATIONS WERE APPROPRIATE

After hearing Sach's lawyer and watching Suhaka's "Powerpoint" presentation, the covenants committee ruled in favor of the three homeowners.

Here's board member Joe Pinto...

THEY WERE RIGHT YOU CAN HOLD STEADFAST IN A POLARIZED POSITION WHEN SOMEONE'S RIGHT THEY'RE RIGHT.

Pinto says the fines will be dismissed and association's holiday decoration guidelines will be revised.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

More than a hundred parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington are helping local food banks that are struggling to keep up with increasing demand for their sevices.

Jessica Forres reports.......



[NAT: MUSIC]

It's Sunday mass at the Cathedral of St. Mathew the Apostle in Northwest DC...

[NAT]

Parishoners like Francisco Jojion are being asked to take brown paper bags as they leave so they can fill them with the food items that correspond to the first letter of their last name....

IT LOOKS LIKE PASTA AND SAUSAGE FOR J'S.

And for Agatha Gilles, it's 1-hundred percent Juices…

EVERYBODY TENDS TO GET EXCITED AND DO EVERYTHING FOR CHRISTMAS AND WHEN CHRISTMAS IS OVER, THE HUNGRY DOESN'T STOP. THE HUNGER IS STILL THERE.

Susan Gibbs with the Archdiocese of Washington says the "Epiphany Food Drive" will generate more than 60-thousand bags for the Capital Area and Southern Maryland Food banks and 60 parish-based food pantries....

SOME OF THEM ARE REPORTING AS MUCH AS A 40 PERCENT INCREASE IN DEMAND, THERE ARE PEOPLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO WHO WERE DONATING TO THE PANTRIES ARE NOW COMING TO GET FOOD AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE REALLY NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND WE ARE REALLY WORRIED.

1-hundred and twenty parishes will start collecting the bags during the first two weekends in January.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

_____________________________________________________

The Archdiocese of Washington is among the organizations that are helping food banks and pantries cope with an increasing demand for their services.

Jessica Forres reports….

More than a hundred parishes are giving the gift of food this holiday season. Susan Gibbs with the Archdiocese of Washington expects 60-thousand bags of food to be donated for the benefit of the Capital Area and Southern Maryland food banks and 60 parish-based food pantries...

THE FOOD PANTIRES ARE EMPTY, WE HAVE PARISHES WITH A 40 PERCENT INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR FOOD AND THEY NEED HELP. THE FOOD PARISHES ARE SEEING THEY'RE SHELVES ARE EMPTY.

Francisco Janjion, a parishoner at the Cathedral of St. Mathew the Apostle, plans to donate pasta and sauces...
I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING TO HELP THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T FEED THEMSELVES DURING THIS COLD TIME OF YEAR.

Participating parishes will collect the food during the first two weekends of January.


Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Christmas may be over but retailers are still trying to lure shoppers with sales and deep discounts.

But as Jessica Forres found out this morning, many shoppers are staying home...



A handful of shoppers are waiting for the stores to open inside Montgomery mall in Bethesda, Maryland.

Sheryl Prieto, sipping a hot, mocha coffee, sits at a table with her aunt Gloria Rose and mother Elizabeth Waaler… Shopping the day after Christmas is their family tradition…But this year they are disappointed, not by the deals, but by the crowds...

WE'RE TRYING TO FIND SOME DEALS BUT I WAS JUST SAYING, IT'S KIND OF DISAPPOINTING I LIKE THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE AND THERE'S NO HUSTLE AND BUSTLE AROUND.
- AND THE PARKING LOT WAS SO EMPTY.

Across the Potomac River at Tyson's Corner Center in McClean, Virginia... a similar scene.
Donald Donoho and his daughter Carla Watkins arrived at 6:45am.

THE MALL WASN'T OPEN AND ONLY MACY'S WAS OPEN, THERE WAS NO CROWD EVERYBODY'S SHOPPED OUT.

Joel Bines with Alex Partners, a global consulting firm, says this holiday season, grocery retailers and stores, such as Target and Walmart held up fairly well. .

BUT ONCE YOU START MOVING INTO SPECIALTY CATEGORIES, DEPARTMENT STORES, LUXURY STORES, JEWELRY STORES, TOY STORES. IT MEANS IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT 2009 FOR THEM FINANCIALLY AND UNLESS THE RETAILERS ARE IN A VERY STRONG POSITION IN 2009, THEYA RE GOING TO HAVE REAL LIQUIDITY CHALLENGES.

He says.. overall this has been the worst shopping season for retailers in 35 or 40 years.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

One local company is helping senior citizens in the D.C. area fight fraud by using the internet.

Jessica Forres reports…



Cindy Libby-Green ...sits in front of her computer,opens the Senior Checked website and searches for "home care providers" in zip code 20852.

[NAT: TYPING]

The search pulls up 388 companies…but only six of them…including the company she works for Premiere Homecare… have been Senior Checked. That means those companies are legitimate, licensed, insured and their employees crime free...

UP UNTIL SENIOR CHECKED WAS DEVELOPED THERE WAS NO ENTITY THAT SENIORS COULD GO TO THAT GAVE THE STAMP OF APPROVAL TO COMPANIES, EVEN COMPANIES OUTSIDE OF HOMECARE.

Though companies pay a monthly fee for the directory listing, searches are free. Libby-Green says she uses it for herself and clients.

WHETHER WE'RE SENIORS, WHETHER WE'RE TEENAGERS WE ALL NEED TO FEEL SECURE WHERE WE LIVE,

Silver Nation is the company behind Senior Checked and Mark Hansan is the CEO.

WE NAMED THE COMPANY SILVER NATION BECAUSE THE SILVER TSUNAMI IS COMING. WE ARE LESS THAN THREE YEARS AWAY FROM THE FIRST BABY BOOMER TURNING 65.

He says 9 out of 10 seniors live at home, which makes them vulnerable to fraud.

WE'RE SEEING IT RIGHT NOW UNFORTUNATELY IN THIS AREA WHICH IS SO TRAGIC, YOU KNOW THE WOMAN IN WHEATON WHO WAS JUST MURDERED BY THE LANDSCAPER THAT SHE HAD HIRED. THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WHERE WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP THESE CRIMES.

He says seniors in the U.S. are victims of crime every 15 seconds.

______________________________________________________


One local company is using the internet to help senior citizens fend off criminals.

Jessica Forres reports….

Mark Hanson, the CEO of a Bethesda company called Silver Nation, says seniors are victims of crime every 15 seconds in the U.S.... and those living at home, he explains, are the most vulnerable.

IF YOU LIVE IN A NURSING HOME THERE ARE STATE LAWS AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT PROTECT YOU TO A LIMITED EXTENT. BUT IF YOU'RE IN YOUR OWN HOME, YOU'RE WIDE OPEN, YOU'RE LIKE THE COMPUTER WITHOUT ANY SECURITY PROTECTION.

That's why his company started a website called Senior Checked, which vets and verifies that local businesses are what Hansan calls senior –safe.

WE HAVE OUR STANDARDS AND THEY HAVE TO BE LEGITIMATE, LICENSED, INSURED, CRIME FREE BACKGROUND CHECKED, CONSUMER ENDORSED AND COMMITTED TO SENIORS.

Premiere Homecare, which provides support services for senior citizens living at home, pays a monthly fee to participate in the program. Cindy Libby-Green is the Executive Director. She says the best part about the service is that it's free for consumers.

IT REALLY IS THE RESULT OF NOT HAVING ANY KIND OF SINGLE ENTRY PLACE TO GO TO MAKE SURE WHETHER IT'S A PLUMBER, A PAINTER, A LANDSCAPER, THAT WHOEVER IS COMING TO YOU IS A SAFE PERSON TO LET IN YOUR HOME.

The program launched in early December.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

For some people, the holiday shopping over the weekend included buying foreclosed homes at an auction at the Washington Convention Center.

Jessica Forres was there...



[NAT: PREVIOUS VALUE ON THIS HOME AT 750-THOUSAND DOLLARS

The auctioneer is introducing item 104, a 5 bedroom house with two and half baths in Glenn Dale, Md.

The bidding starts at 249-thousand...

[NAT: HERE WE GO. 249, 250]

Chris and Kelina Pham... who toured the house prior to the auction... raise their bidder's card at 3-hundred and 70 thousand...


[DO I HEAR 375… BUILT NEW IN 2004, SOLD.]

It's a deal…the Phams...first time buyers... are now homeowners.

-THIS IS ONE OF THE PROPERTIES WE HAD IN MIND.
-HOW DO YOU FEEL?
-HAPPY, EXCITED

Trent Ferris...with Real Estate Disposition Corp, the sponsoring company...calls it one-stop shopping for buyers...

THEY COME IN, THEY HAVE A CASHIERS CHECK, A FORM OF ID AND ADDITIONAL FORM OF PAYMENT, A PERSONAL CHECK WHATEVER TO COVER THE EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT.

Winners were escorted to another room where financing is arranged...

WE'RE GETTING HOMES BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND BACK INTO THE HANDS. WITH THE AUCTION PRICES PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET HOMES MUCH LOWER PRICES AND MORE HOME THAN THEY THOUGHT.

But real estate agent Steve Withrow says that's not always the case...

I WOULD ASSUME MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT THAT GREAT OF DEAL AS THE BUYERS THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO BE FROM THE START. THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY THAT WE WENT TO YOU KNOW IT WOUND UP SELLING FOR SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN IT WOULD'VE SOLD IN THE OPEN MARKET.

More than 2-hundred foreclosed homes were sold this past weekend.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

________________________________________


For some local residents, home foreclosure auctions are offering the opportunity to secure their own piece of the "American dream", but as Jessica Forres reports….those auctions may not provide buyers with the best deals...


[ NAT: AUCTIONEER]

Sandor Biderman is disappointed that the house he wanted just sold for more than 500-thousand dollars...

I WAS LOOKING TO BUY LOW AND SELL HIGH. IT'S PROBABLY THE FAIR-VALUE TODAY.

Trent Ferris is with Real Estate Disposition Corp... which sponspors auctions across the country...

PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET HOMES MUCH LOWER PRICES AND MORE HOME THAN THEY THOUGHT.

But local real estate agent Steve Winthrow says that's not always the case...

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT THAT GREAT OF DEAL AS THE BUYERS THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO BE FROM THE VERY GETGO.

The company sold more than 2-hundred foreclosed houses in the DC region this past weekend.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Christmas morning is just days away and last-minute shoppers are still out in full force.

Jessica Forres talked with some of them as they scrambled to buy gifts...



At Mid-Pike Plaza…one of the many shopping centers lining Rockville Pike…last-minute shoppers crowd stores such as Filene's Basement, AG Moore and Linens and Things.

Valerie Whiting explains why she waited so long...

THANKSGIVING JUST GOT OVER AND THEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU GET PAID.

Luis Guzman is another late-starter…

I JUST STARTED CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TODAY, WE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.

He pushes a shopping cart filled with toys... mostly for his young son...

NOT AS MUCH AS LAST YEAR, BUT IT'S COMING. WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE MONEY THIS YEAR.

The National Retail Federation says men and young adults are the worst procrastinators when it comes to holiday shopping.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

____________________________________


Christmas is just days away yet some people are just getting their shopping started.

Jessica Forres reports ...

Last-minute shoppers cram inside stores such as Filene's Basement at Mid-Pike Plaza in Maryland. It's one of many strip malls on Rockville Pike.

We caught up with Valarie Thorpe at Toys R Us where she shopped for her niece...

A TIN CAMERA, THIS IS THE BEST ONE, A GYMBOREE XYLAPHONE. [SOUND OF XYLAPHONE]

She was surprised that the store was not so crowded…

IT'S NOT AS BAD AS I REALLY EXPECTED. FOR THE LAST WEEKEND BEFORE CHRISTMAS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A LOT WORSE. BUT YOU KNOW THESE PARKING LOTS AREN'T MADE WELL THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST CHALLENGING PART.

The National Retail Federation says discount and department stores will be the most popular spots this holiday season.



Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

A new crime prevention initiative in DC's Trinidad neighborhood is underway.

As Jessica Forres reports....the community was troubled by violence this past summer....



The "Safe City" initiative is Police Chief Cathy Lanier's latest strategy to tackle crime in the Northeast neighborhood... where police set up check points after a string of shootings during the summer.

Lanier explained the program to a hundred police officers inside the gym at the Joseph Cole Recreation Center...

WHAT WE ARE HOPING IS THE FIRST PHASE OF MANY PHASES OF SUSTAINABLE SAFE COMMUNITIES IN WASHINGTON, DC RIGHT HERE IN WARD FIVE.

Thirty "real-time" cameras will be mounted on street corners and two hundred cell phones…programmed to call 9-1-1…will be distributed to residents.
What makes the initiative unique, Lanier says, is that the cameras are being paid for by the retailer Target, and the cell phones by Sprint/Nextel...

AS YOU KNOW WITH EVERYBODY'S BUDGETS BEING WHAT THEY ARE, CCTV IS A GOOD INVESTMENT BUT A BIG ONE AND THE SUPPORT WE GOT FROM TARGET AND THE POLICE FOUNDATION HERE IS REALLY MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO EXPAND WHAT WE HAVE.

"Safe City" will be part of several new policing strategies implemented by Chief Lanier...

RIGHT NOW ACROSS THE CITY WE HAVE 5 PERCENT REDUCTION IN VIOLENT CRIME, GUN CRIMES ACROSS THE BOARD ARE DOWN DOUBLE DIGITS.

But the police department's website says homicides are up 1 percent.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

_____________________________________________

D.C. is getting nearly 30 privately funded crime fighting cameras for street corners in the Trinidad neighborhood, an area that was troubled by violence this summer.

Jessica Forres reports...

The new cameras are part of a program called Safe City and some are planned to be installed this May. Mayor Adrain Fenty...

THE CAMERAS WILL BE LINKED TO A STATE OF THE ART RADIO NETWORK AT MPD THAT WILL ALLOW OFFICERS TO MONITOR MULTIPLE CAMERAS IN REAL TIME.

The strategy also includes two hundred cell phones…programmed to call 9-1-1…which will be distributed to neighborhood block captains and residents who need them ... Police Chief Cathy Lanier…

WHAT WE ARE HOPING IS THE FIRST PHASE OF MANY PHASES OF SUSTAINABLE SAFE COMMUNITIES IN WASHINGTON, DC RIGHT HERE IN WARD FIVE.

Other cities involved in Safe City include Baltimore, Denver, Boston and Compton, Calif.
The cameras are being paid for by the retailer Target, and the cell phones by Sprint/Nextel.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Some young men living in a DC group home are helping to spread the Christmas spirit to others.

Jessica Forres reports on how they're helping a needy family...


Near Dupont Circle at the Renaissance House, a young man who prefers not to give his name… shows off some toys under a Christmas tree...

[NAT:WE GOT A RADIO BOOM BOX, WE GOT CARS]

He and the three others at the home for delinquents will deliver the toys next week to a once-homeless family...

DURING THANKSGIVING WE WAS OUT DELIVERING BASKETS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE, WE WENT TO THIS FAMILY AND KNOCKED ON THIS DOOR. KIDS OPENED THE DOOR, . IT MADE ME FEEL SAD. AND I WAS LIKE FOR CHRISTMAS THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS ADOPT THAT FAMILY RIGHT THERE.

Maurice Shaw.. a program manager with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services...says as many as six teens and young adults at a time live at Renaissance House...

THE LAST YOUNGSTER WHO GRADUATED FROM HERE HAD GOTTEN HIS GED HAD A FULL TIME JOB AT FIVE GUYS AND WAS GOING TO SCHOOL TWO DAYS A WEEK FOR HIS EMS.

The young men reside at the house for several months before transferring to government subsidized housing.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 NEWS

_________________________

Some teens living in a DC group home are making this a happy holiday season for a needy family.

Jessica Forres reports...

About forty unwrapped gifts sit under a Christmas tree at the Renaissance House, which is operated by the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Program manager Maurice Shaw says as many as six "at-risk" teens live there at one time...

MY THING IS WHEN THEY COME HERE I WANT THEM TO NOT JUST CLEAN STREETS AND SHOVEL SNOW. I WANT THEM TO DO THINGS WHERE THEY ARE MEETING PEOPLE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WHERE THEY ARE GIVING BACK.


For these four young men..."giving back" this year means delivering the toys to a once-homeless family. One of the teens...who prefers to remain anonymous...says the program has changed him for the better.

BEING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY JUST NOT CARING UNTIL I GOT INTO THIS HOUSE. THE STAFF TALKED TO ME AND SAID I NEED TO BE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

The Renaissance House program began last year.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Each year, the USO sends "care" packages to members of the U.S. military and this weekend, Jessica Forres watched as volunteers celebrated completion of the one and a half millionth package at Fort Belvoir in Virginia...



Inside a large warehouse, Skip Mielwoacki and other volunteers stuff packages of chewing gum, phone cards and deodorant into what resembles large plastic freezer bags....

MY SON-IN-LAW JUST GOT BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN AND HE TOLD US THAT IT'S SURPRISING THAT A LOT OF GUYS DON'T GET LETTERS FROM HOME SO WHEN THEY GET ONE OF THESE CARE PACKAGES YOU OUGHT TO SEE THE WAY THEIR FACES LIGHT UP.

[NAT: SCREAM, BELLS]

That's the volunteers celebrating the completion of the one and a half millionth "care" package.

USO president Sloan Gibson says it took five years to reach that milestone...

WHICH TELLS YOU THE PACE IS ACCELARATING IF IT TOOK US FIVE YEARS TO GET TO A MILLION AND A HALF AND WE'VE DONE A HALF A MILLION IN THE LAST YEAR.

The 10-thousand care packages filled this weekend will be shipped to service members around the world....

SOME OF THESE WILL GET HANDED OUT AT AN AIRPORT YOU KNOW WHERE A SOLDIER IS ON HIS WAYOVER FROM R AND R TO IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN.

The USO started assembling the packages in 2001 after the Department of Defense suspended the practice of forwarding correspondence and packages from the general public.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

______________________________________________________

The USO has reached another milestone in its long history of assisting members of the military.

This past weekend, the group completed its millionth and a half "care" package and celebrated with many of its local volunteers.

Jessica Forres reports...

[ NAT: BELLS.YELLING]

Inside a warehouse at Fort Belvoir in Virgina, dozens of volunteers cheer along with USO president Sloan Gibson....

THE PACE IS ACCELARATING. IF IT TOOK US FIVE YEARS TO GET TO A MILLION AND A HALF AND WE'VE DONE A HALF A MILLION IN THE LAST YEAR.

Each care package includes approximately $75 worth of items, such as prepaid phone cars, sunscreen and travel size toiletries.

Sloan is thankful for the support the public continues to show despite the faltering economy...

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THE SUPPORT OF THE USO AND PROGRAMS LIKE THIS AT THE USO HAS HELD STRONG AND I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

More than 40-thousand volunteers assist the USO worldwide.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Some students in the District are "giving back" by helping refugees in the Congo ...and by raising awareness about local issues.

Jessica Forres observed their efforts at KIPP DC's Will Academy in Northwest...




[NAT: SO IF MY EXPERTS JUST WANT TO HEAD TOWARDS OUR GUESTS.

That's teacher Kate Finley. Her "experts" are the fifth graders who just gave a presentation on the civil war in the Congo...

THIS IS KIND OF THE ROOM WHERE THEY'RE GOING THROUGH A TIMELINE KIND OF GIVING THE GUESTS A SUMMARY OF THE REASON WE'RE RAISING THIS MONEY TODAY.

The guests include the parents of the 250 students who spend their Saturdays serving the community...

[NAT of presentation]

Inside another classroom, seventh grader Hana Ford explains how her class collected and donated canned goods to food banks in the area…

WE WEREN'T REALLY USED TO HELPING OUT OUR COMMUNITY AND WE REALLY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HOW PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN US AND THEY MAY NEED HELP.

Donny Tiengtum, who coordinates "Saturday School"...which is mandatory for the students... explains why the focus is on community service...

A LOT OF THESE KIDS ARE ON THE RECEIVING END AND WE ARE TRYING TO SHOW THEM WHICH END YOUR ON YOUR ABILITY TO GIVE AND HELP AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO GIVE IS TOTALLY DOABLE.

Will Academy is one of four KIPP charter schools operating in the District.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

_________________________________________________

One of the District's charter middle schools is teaching students to give back to their communities.

Jessica Forres reports…

"School on Saturday" is mandatory for the students at KIPP DC's Will Academy…a charter school in Northwest.

Donny Tiengtum is the coordinator...

THEY ARE REALLY TRYING TO TURN WHAT HAS TYPICALLY BEEN DAYS OF SORT OF EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LIKE BASKETBALL AND DRAMA TO COMMUNITY FOCUSED WORK.

Principal Jessica Cunningham explains why the curriculum changed...

REGARDLESS OF THEIR PARENTS FINANCIAL SITUATION. THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW BIG OF AN EFFECT THEY CAN HAVE ON THEIR OWN COMMUNITY AND EVENT HE LARGER COMMUNITY.

More than 80 percent of the school's 250 students qualify for free or reduced lunch and are typically at the receiving end of services but these same students have collected thousands of canned goods for area food banks and many dollars for refugees in the Congo.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

The Metropolitan Transit Authority says debris on the track may have been the cause of a fire underneath a train during the morning rush.

Jessica Forres reports...



Shortly before 7am, an outbound, redline train caught on fire before arriving at the Friendship Heights Metro Station.

John Alston...passing out the Express newspaper...describes what he saw...

SEVERAL PEOPLE CAME UP THE STEPS. THERE WERE EIGHT FIRE TRUCKS UP AND DOWN WISCONSIN AVENUE.

Steven Taubenkibble with Metro says two people were taken to the hospital, the train operator complaining of asthma symptoms and a passenger with chest pains.

Officials believe a piece of debris on the track, such as a newspaper, caused the fire, he says...

WE BELIEVE A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT FROM THE TRAIN MAY HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH SOMETHING ELSE ON THE TRACK

The incident closed the metro station, delaying trains during the morning rush. Nichele Rhonn is a passenger...

I'M JUST A LITTLE PISSED BUT THAT'S SOMETHING YOU COME TO GRIPS WITH WHEN YOU DECIDE TO RIDE THE METRO THAT IT'S PRETTY MUCH GOING TO ALWAYS BE LATE.

But will the million's of people expected to visit during the inauguration be as forgiving as Rhonn? Spokesperson Taubenkibble...

HOPEFULLY IT WON'T HAPPEN. INAUGURATION DAY ALL OUR PERSONNEL WILL BE WORKING AND HOPEFULlY IF AN INCIDENT LIKE THAT DOES HAPPEN THEN WE WILL TRY TO WORK AS QUICKLY WE CAN TO REMIDIATE THE SITUATION BUT THAT IS THE TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ARE IN.

Meanwhile, Metro officials are still investigating an incident earlier this week when an escalator at the Gallery Place station malfunctioned, suddenly going backward and sending two people to the hospital.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Mayor Adrian Fenty say the District is making progress toward meeting the needs of its special education students.

Jessica Forres reports...



Inside the library at Noyes Elementary School in Northeast, Mayor Fenty and others talk about their efforts to reform the Office of Special Education…

WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING FROM HIRING FULL-TIME CASE MANAGERS, TO HIRING MORE FULL_TIME STAFF< TO OVERSIGHT.

Two lawsuits resulted in court actions that require the District to address special education issues…

THESE CONSENT DECREES AND COURT INVOLVEMENT DON'T CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK OR FREELY MAKE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS AND THE QUICKER WE CAN GET OUT THEM THE MORE QUICKLY WE CAN IMPROVE PERFORMANCE.

Standing next to Fenty is Chancellor Michelle Rhee who is confident her leadership will produce high-quality special education programs located within DC's public schools…

EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING IS EXATRAORDINARILY AGGRESSIVE FROM TACKLING THE BACKLOG NUMBERS. ENSURING THAT WE ARE HOLDING PRINCIPALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR TIMLINESS OF IEPS ETC. TO ENSURING THAT WE HAVE GOOD PROGRAMS IN PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

The district now spends more than 82 million dollars every year to send public school special-ed students to private schools.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Drunk driving numbers are down throughout the Washington region.
But as Jessica Forres reports this holiday season...police aren't letting down their guard.



At Fairfax County's police training facility, Officer John Lamper hands me so-called "drunk driving goggles." He says they are meant to simulate driving with a blood alcohol content level of point 17. That's the equivalent of about six beers in under an hour.

YOU ARE GOING TO PUT THE GOGGLES ON AND DRIVE THAT CAR AND I'M GOING TO BE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T RUN OFF THE ROAD HIT ANYTHING.

[IGNITION]

SERPENTINE BETWEEN THE CONES DOWN THERE, CAN YOU SEE THEM
- UH UH, OOPS (THUMP< THUMP)
-JUST KEEP GOING, JUST KEEP GOING.
-I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE A VERY GOOD DRUNK DRIVER.

Law enforcement officials say drunk driving incidents are on the decline. alcohol related fatalities decreased two and a half percent from the year before.

Kurt Ericson is with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program credits an increase in checkpoints and DUI patrols, especially during the holiday season. Every 45 minutes someone is arrested for drunk driving in the Washington region.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News