The following grants were approved by the PCA General Membership at the March 2003 general membership meeting. These were actually the grants that were due in October 2002 (Fall grant round).

1. To Palisades-Hillcrest Neighborhood Associations Partnership (Miles Steele and Alice Stewart, responsible) -- Neighbors Through Art 2003 Concert -- to fund musical director / coach for members of the two associations who will give a joint concert in Spring 2003. Total: $600.00

2. To Friends of Palisades Library -- For library furniture (3 adjustable tables, 2 revolving literature display racks). Total: $1,461.00

3. To PCA Historic Preservation and Zoning Committees (A. Stewart and A. Aiches, chairs) -- For acid-free storage materials for PCA archives, photos, documents pending their transfer to the new City Museum, plus photo scanner to make usable copies --scanner to be shared with editor of "Palisades News" for monthly community newsletter. Total: $768.00 ($618 - archival quality materials; $150 - print-quality scanner) 4. Total: $768.00 ($618 - archival quality materials; $150 - print-quality scanner)

Spring Grant Round 2003

1. $1605 - Friends of Palisades Library, Debra McLaughlin, President, PO Box 40611, WDC 20016 (audiobook spinners, tower display)

2. $1500 - Friends of Hardy, Ed Dixon, 4643 Q St NW, WDC 20007 (sand and wood chips)

3. $1000 - Palisades Citizens Association, PO Box 40603, WDC 20016 (Sally Strain/Paul Hagen for a memorial to Ida Marion)

Fall Grant Round 2003

1. Friends of Palisades Library will oversee a grant of $1,150 for further landscaping and more trees and flowering shrubs for the Library grounds. PCF has already given the Library equipment, as well as the bench and chair in the forecourt and minimal landscaping. Committee members believe that, as long as the District budget underfunds libraries, our community favors PCF support for equipment and other library needs.

2. To Hardy Middle School PTA, the Fund granted $352 to purchase fifteen dance skirts that will become part of the School's permanent costume collection for performances of dance and drama at this public school for sixth to eighth graders. Costumes will be used for two productions this year, as well.

3. Dorothy Holland Lessard of the Holland Lessard Group, a Palisades business consulting firm, will oversee a $2,800 grant for a commissioned sculptural sidewalk bench by the artist Bodil Meleny, who has done similar projects of Bethesda "street furniture" art. The Palisades Community Fund committee sees this first bench as an experiment which, if it proves popular and can be located to everyone's satisfaction, may lead to more such commissions. Tentatively, committee members suggest that, if Mrs. Bassin approves, this first bench should be placed in the kiosk triangle by Safeway, replacing the plain bench with memorial plaque to Bruce and Addy Bassin. If you have other suggestions for an appropriate location in a public space, please contact Anne Ourand, administrator of the PCA and PCF, at 363-7441.