TakomaDC, Neighbors Talking to Neighbors TakomaDC@TakomaDC.groups.io

TakomaDC is for friendly neighbors-talking-to-neighbors conversations. The focus is on the Historic Takoma Park neighborhoods in DC and MD. Everyone everywhere is welcome but messages should relate to Takoma or topics being discussed by residents. (Lobbying for a new highway in Texas probably won't be of interest.)

Please do not post commercial messages, press releases, class schedules, or solicitations. When we reached 1,000 members we became a seductive target for free publicity and would be overwhelmed by marketing and press releases if we allowed them.

Messages from neighbors about the occasional sale of personal items and moving sales are welcome.

Please post informative messages rather than "Me too" or "I agree." Reply to add or request information.

Only quote what is relevant to your message. Select and delete the other parts of the old message(s). Otherwise, the digest becomes very long. And those who use voice readers have to listen to the old messages, too.

Please introduce yourself if you are a new business owner or professional in Takoma DC to let us know you are here. But please don't use the list to solicit customers or clients. If someone requests services you can provide, please contact them off-list. Or alternatively, join the conversation and provide information that will help them clarify what they need and what might be available. Information and advice are always welcome in a conversation, just no sales pitches. 

Messages from new members are read before they are posted to prevent spam and ensure new members understand the purpose of the list. After that, moderators read messages after they appear to ensure civility and friendly conversations. Discussions of sometimes difficult topics like race and politics are encouraged as long as they are not inflammatory or accusatory. Name-calling and negative characterizations of others are not necessary to express your views.

To encourage conversation, replies go to the whole list. Replying to the sender is encouraged when asking about an item offered free or for sale, services, or personal responses to someone you know. To reply directly to the sender, use the link in the message footer.

Viruses are still out there so no attachments are accepted. Write a brief summary of the information and post a web address for more details. Only government agencies are allowed to post press releases. (DC has thousands every week just for non-profits and arts events.)

Please identify yourself in your postings, and preferably include the street or area in which you live; we like to know who is writing.

HISTORY: TakomaDC was started by a few neighbors in 1997 during a crime wave, so they could share information. They contributed to the cost of the software and the list was hosted by Glenn Kowalski on his personal server. In 2003, with 350+ subscribers, Glen was moving to Silver Spring and asked for help. Sharon Villines offered to assume ownership and transfer the list to YahooGroups and in 2016 to Groups.io.

In 2009, at 1300+ members, Richard Holzsager became co-moderator and was joined in 2014 by Pam Ellison. In 2014, we had over 2465 members; in 2015, 2710. Just before the transfer to Groups.IO in September of 2016, we had 2,973 members. In July of 2020, 3,296.

Please contact Sharon Villines or the current moderator if you have questions or problems with the list. Otherwise, enjoy!