Demonstrators who opposed a day-laborer center in the District gathered yesterday outside a Northeast shopping plaza to ask authorities to disperse the mostly Hispanic day laborers who continue to gather there to look for work.

About two dozen protesters affiliated with the groups DefendDC and Help Save Maryland assembled outside the Home Depot on Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast. They were met by about 15 counterdemonstrators who showed up to support the workers.

Members of the protest group held signs and complained of crimes regularly committed by laborers, as many as 200 of whom congregate daily at the site to link up with contractors for jobs. Residents say some of the workers loiter, drink alcohol and urinate in public.http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/METRO/682892988/1004

The hugely popular shopping center Rhode Island Plaza is strategically wedged between two major D.C. corridors (New York Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue). Major attractions there include a Metro station and a Metrobus junction. There’s a major distraction there, too: The site has become a magnet for crime. "As many as 200 mostly Hispanic day laborers congregate each day at the shopping plaza, which includes a Home Depot and Giant grocery store, looking to link up with contractors for jobs," Gary Emerling of The Washington Times reported Friday. "Residents have complained that some of the workers loiter, drink alcohol and urinate in public."But misdemeanants aren’t the only offenders who gather there. Rhode Island Plaza is also popular with thieves, assailants, illegal aliens and jackleg contractors. It’s a disgraceful situation, because instead of enforcing the law, City Hall thumbs its nose at residents, consumers and the law.As the mayor of a sanctuary city, Adrian Fenty placates misdemeanants and felons alike by refusing to insist that D.C. officers enforce immigration and local laws. The day laborers, who are neither solely illegal aliens nor Hispanics, are wholly comfortable with that policy. They know they can use the shopping center as a public toilet and public watering hole and get away with it. They know that in practice (though not necessarily policy), the police are keenly focused on protection — not prevention.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071112/EDITORIAL/111120006/1013

The Bilco web site at www.Bilco.com lists authorized installers in CT, MA, NJ, NY, and PA. However, I am in Maryland and I need a new set of Bilco doors to replace old existing Bilco Doors.

My original Bilco doors are now 39 years old. It is time for new Bilco doors because the old ones are badly rusted and starting to allow inclement weather to enter.

However, I can not find anyone who knows anything about Bilco doors who will measure, place the order, pick them up, and install them. I am just looking for someone in the local area (Rockville, Maryland) who has prior experience and knowledge with Bilco doors. Believe it or not, I can’t find anybody and some of the contractors that I spoke to asked “what is a Bilco Door?” That is not too reassuring. Home Depot and Lowes are no help and the Bilco Company will not give referrals or recommendations. They just manufacture and sell the product. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I can do?

I’m looking to vinyl side my house myself and having problems finding siding.All the places I call only sell to contractors. I know Home Depot and Lowes have siding but I’m looking for a little more quality and choice of colors. I live in the Springfield Mass area.