THE REGION
Grant-Giving Down From Past Years
Foundations in the Washington area gave out grants totaling $934 million last year, a slight decline from 2002, according to an annual report on foundation and corporate giving to be released today. Two-thirds of private foundations decreased giving in 2003, the survey found.
About 1,500 foundations are based in the Washington area, according to the survey, by the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers.
Examination of grants made by the 100 largest area foundations found that 43 percent went to area nonprofits, 55 percent to national charities and less than 2 percent to international charities. Top grantmakers distributed more than $133.4 million to nonprofits in the District, $25 million in Northern Virginia and $31.14 million in suburban Maryland.
Early Arrival Urged for Tree Lighting
Workers yesterday began final preparations for the unveiling of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, which President Bush is to light Thursday. Darren Holden, lead vocalist in "Movin' Out," the musical produced by Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel, and the United States Marine Band are among the performers for the hour-long ceremony, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
Because of security, organizers encourage ticket holders to line up as early as 1 p.m. and no later than 3:30 p.m., either at 15th and E streets NW or at 15th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, where they will be screened by the Secret Service. Those without tickets should line up on 17th Street NW, also as early as 1 p.m. "Those people will fill in as space warrants," said Bill Line, a spokesman for the National Park Service. No parking will be available near the event, he said. "We strongly encourage everyone to take Metro."
Bay's Health Still Failing, Report Says
The health of the Chesapeake Bay remains dismal, with such key indicators as dissolved oxygen, water clarity and oyster populations far below acceptable levels, according to a State of the Bay report released yesterday.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which compiled the report, rated the bay's health at 27 out of 100, with 100 representing its condition before European settlers arrived. That score is the same as in 2003 and slightly higher than the worst rating, 23, in 1983.
Bay foundation President William C. Baker said that phosphorus pollution and shad populations improved slightly this year but that the bay was still far more polluted than environmentalists want.
THE DISTRICT
Capitol Police Officer Found Dead
An off-duty U.S. Capitol Police officer was found dead yesterday inside his car in Northeast Washington, D.C. police said.
Officer Quintin Peterson, a D.C. police spokesman, said preliminary indications are the death of the man, whose name has not been released, was a result of a "medical emergency. It doesn't look like foul play at this point."
The man was discovered behind the wheel of the car in the 5500 block of Jay Street NE about 4 p.m. Police said he failed to return home after finishing his shift late Sunday night.
AIDS Among Women is Topic of Talk
Hundreds of residents and officials are expected at a town hall forum tomorrow on the burgeoning incidence of HIV/AIDS among District girls and women.
