NEWS & MORE IN OUR COMMUNITY
SILVER SPRING REGIONAL AREA
NOTE: The SSRC takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
We are simply 'passing it through.' Please confirm with sponsor before making final and definitive plans!
FOR LIST-OF-LISTS OF "SILVER SRING-CENTRIC"
WEB SITES, CALENDARS, BLOGS, FACEBOOK PAGES & MORE CLICK HERE
FOR MEETINGS, CONVENING, EVENTS, & SUCH CLICK HERE
NEWS, BCC VACANCIES,
NEWSLETTERS, MAIN VENUES,
GALLERIES, PERFORMING SPACE,
and LIBRARIES & RECREATION CENTERS
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DISCLAIMER: The SSRC takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
We are simply 'passing it through.' Please confirm with sponsor before making final and definitive plans!
FOR LIST-OF-LISTS OF "SILVER SRING-CENTRIC"
WEB SITES, CALENDARS, BLOGS, FACEBOOK PAGES & MORE CLICK HERE
FOR CURRENT NEWS & MORE CLICK HERE
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR YOUR 'ALERT' YET?
{Weather info, closings, and much more!}
This alert system is administered by the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Please click on "New User" from the HERE to begin your registration!
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SILVER SPRING LIST OF LISTS
newsletters
web-sites
blogs
follow on twitter
active facebook page
traditional news outlets
public sector information
major venues
restaurants with entertainment
key phone numbers
plannning world
advisory groups
neighborhood associations
apartment complex
faith communities
new to silver spring?
SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT
NEWSLETTERS WORTH CHECKING OUT
- Medical Musuem (yes, in Silver Spring!) HERE
- Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. HERE
- Village Vibe (Silver Spring Senior Village) HERE
- Impact Silver Spring HERE
- Long Branch Business League HERE
- This Week in Old Takoma HERE.
- Halloween Events in Takoma HERE
- Takoma Langley CDA HERE
- Creative Colony HERE
- InfoShare (Park & Planning) HERE
- InfoShare (Park & Planning) HERE
- Downtown Silver Spring HERE
- IMPACT Silver Spring HERE
- Safe Silver Sping HERE
- Gandhi Brigade HERE
- PaperLess Airplane HERE (Countywide news of note)
- This Week in Old Takoma HERE
News-and-Views from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County:
- Wonderful newletter with much information related to arts and more... HERE.
All about Planning, Development, and More!
- InfoShare is the newsletter from Park & Planning. It is full of informative and useful stories - and links. Check it out here - and subscribe! - HERE.
Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. - Lots of 'happenings'!
- SSTCi has lots going on... See their latest newsletter - and sign up to get it directly HERE.
Lots happenings in New Hampshire Ave!
Check out the New Ave newsletter to find out. See it - and subscribe - HERE.
All things 'commute'
- GREAT newsletter to stay in touch with commuting options and 'all things commute'. See HERE and register to get it directly.
Senior Connection Newsletter
- Look. Read. Share! The lastes issue of Senior Connections newsletter is HERE.
Silver Spring Shares
- Wonderful new initiative to promote sharing as a way of life... "Like" them on Facebook HERE.
Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., Programming
- SPARKLE, Twilight Tuesdays on the Plaza, Wednesday ambiance performances, and MUCH more. Visit their Newsletter to see what's going on. Subscribe to stay in touch. HERE.
Planning News - and More in infoShare
- *For similar planning news and much more information regarding what is going on at the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Comission see HERE - and subscribe!
The PaperLess Airplane flies again!
See latest issue HERE.
- County Earns Second Place in Nation in the 2014 Digital Counties Survey
- Summertime Safety Tip: Properly Dispose of Ashes from the Grill
- Make Sure Your Kids are Safe at the Pool
infoShare Newsletter
See full issue HERE
- Montgomery County Council Appoints Casey Anderson Planning Board Chair
- Montgomery County Planning Board Appoints Michael Riley Director of Montgomery Parks
- The Census Bureau is Conducting a Census Test and Hiring
- Françoise Carrier Parting Interview
- Planners Review Updated White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan with County Council Committee
IMPACT continues impacting
For Impact Silver Spring's latest newsletter, see HERE.
- Hire a Youth Jobs Circle Member Today!
- Flag Football in Long Branch
- Narrative Workshop
Silver Spring Village Now on Facebook
- Silver Spring Village, a 'village community' in zip code 20910 is now on Facebook HERE.
Safe Silver Spring's Latest Newsletter - and meeting announcement
- Join Safe Silver Spring at their next meeting at the new 3rd Precinct Police Station. See Newsletter HERE.
Have you flown the PaperLess Airplane lately?
- Our County's Public Information Office does this informative newsletter. See latest issue, including 4th of July celebration options HERE.
Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington has a new on-line newsletter
...well worth checking out. GED clases and much more!... See it HERE.
GapBuster's new newsletter
...on-line HERE.
IMPACT Silver Spring is active in Long Branch - and many other places throughout the County
...see latest newsletter HERE.
Purple Line Spring 2014 Newsletter Now Available!
Silver Spring's "Creative Colony" Fund-raising and more!
- See their latest newsletter HERE.
Long Branch Flowers Up!
- ...and much more news re what is going on in Long Branch... See HERE for latest newsletter.
Twilight Tuesdays Line-Up
- Line-up for these special ambiance performances coordinated by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., on Veterans Plaza now available HERE.
Langley Park 'Crossroads' Newsletter
...New planters and more: HERE
InfoShare latest
...Comprehensive newsletter for Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission HERE.
Old Takoma Happening
...amazing array of very cool events: HERE.
"New Ave" (New Hampshire Ave) Update
...lots going on in this part of the Regional Area. More HERE.
IMPACT Silver Spring's latest
... HERE. Including bios on the recent winners of the Momentum Awards!
Long Branch Business League Newsletter
...Celebrating the new toucan mural by artist Peter Krsko and more - on line HERE.
Takoma Langley Commercial Development Authority (CDA) Newsletter
"Go beyond the familiar; Find a new favorite!"
... Pitstops for Bike to Work Day; New banner program; and more HERE.
Park & Planning InfoShare is truly 'full of useful news'!
... See latest issue HERE. (Some key articles are repeated above in News-U-Can-Use.)
Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., (SSTCi) is gearing up for its Spring and Summer Season
See their wonderful Newsletter highlighting events and more HERE.
Sivler Spring Town Center Inc.:
Five ways to celebrate Spring with SSTCi HERE.
GapBusters Latest Newsletter
With info on Health Fair coming up and more... HERE.
Docs-in-Progress Newsletter
Always full of useful info for anyone interested in community film-making... More HERE.
Silver Spring Green's New Newsletter
Green news & upcoming community engagement opportunities - and more!... HERE.
Pyramid Atlantic and Montgomery Housing Partnership Teaming up on Project [late Feb 2013]
For this and more on current news for Pyramid Atlantic, visit their latest newsletter HERE.
QUICK TAKES
Crossroad Farmers Market featured on NPR "All Things Considered"
See full story HERE.
Blessed Coffee featured on the Kojo Namdi Show
Hear full story HERE.
The Ethiopian Community Center in MD is now open!
See full story HERE.
A NEW great source for some samples of what's happening in Silver Spring: Silver Sping Inc.
- Have you visited SilverSpringInc.? Wonderful new source for some of the best 'happenings' in and around downtown Silver Spring. See HERE.
Somos Montgomery Highlights Hispanic Heritage Month
- Featuring various Latinos, including Councilmember Nancy Navarro... See full vidoe HERE.
Long Branch businesses on YouTube
- Cool video clip on Long Branch businesses HERE.
The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission InfoShare
- The most focused source for planning news, including info for the Greater Lyttonsville Master Plan and the White Oaks Master Plan... Plus links to Planning Board agendas. See latest newsletter - and subscribe - HERE.
Takoma's reCYCLE Please Sit on the Art Seats are available for sale!
- Place your bid between now and October 31st, 2014 and you may be the owner of a one-of-a-kind piece of art! More HERE
Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan now on-line
- From Lawrence Cole, P.E. Master Planner/Highway Coordinator, Functional Planning & Policy Division, Multi-Modal Networks Unit. Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission: "Please note that the final version of the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan has been posted on our website HERE."
Wonderful events all throughout the Fall at the Long Branch Recreations Center!
- See flyer HERE.
Takoma Langley has lots going on!
Want to know more about the folks that have volunteered their time to serve on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board?
If you live in zip-code 20910 and are not a member of the Silver Spring Village, see what you are missing!
- For more info and to see what the Silver Spring Village is up to, see their latest Newsletter HERE. Join today!
What's going on at the Medical Museum?
- GREAT place to take visiting friends and family - right here in Silver Spring!... More HERE
New boutique on New Hampshire and more
Did you know that there are over 10 grocery stores in Long Branch?
News & Views from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County
- Full of info for the arts world... See HERE.
Heard about the DC Streetcar proposed for Georgia Avenue?
- See latest update, including videos HERE.
Please sit on the art!
- eCYCLE Please Sit on the Art public art project returns to Old Takoma –Takoma Park, MD to the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, DC – from June through October 2014. More HERE.
Are you a "Citizen Planner"? (Or do you simply want to stay in tune with planning issues in the County?)
- Then you need to be subscribed to InfoShare, the highly informative Park & Planning newsletter. See latest issue HERE.
Have you taken Do&Go for a spin lately?
- If you are looking for art related summer fun in Montgomery County, check out the Do&Go calendar HERE.
Have out of town guest and want to see what's going on in Montgomery County?
- Or simply want to do a 'staycation' weekend? Check out Visit Montgomery HERE.
Need a quick list of downtown Silver Spring restaurants and shopping opportunities?
- Input this mobile site on your hand held device: http://M.SilverSpringDowntown.com
Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Forum Theatre) gets great review at Washington Post
Did you know that Silver Spring will once again be home to the Capital AudioFest? (July 25 - 27)
- "See and hear analogue/digital audio and tube/transistor equipment including turntables, computer based servers, headphones, amplifiers, preamplifiers and speakers! Over 50 rooms of high-end audio you won't want to miss."... See (hear?) more HERE.
Article highlights our "Red Shirt" Ambassadors
A recent Gazette article highlights the work of our Urban District's 'Red Shirts' Team... See HERE.
List of Storefront Businesses in Fenton Village
We are updated our www.SilverSpringDowntown.com web-site to make sure all businesses are all listed... But in the meantime, here's the "raw" list:
Yield to pedestrians on crosswalk - If not, you may get a citation!
See short news video clip on how, why, and the what the County is doing about it HERE.
Silver Spring In the (National and International) News:
- The County's pedestrian safety efforts for the Latino community were recently highlighted on the Voice of America. Watch video HERE.
- Mark Bergel, Executive Director of A Wider Circle (a Silver Spring non-profit) was selected as a CNN Hero! See HERE.
ULI will study Crossroads
A technical assistance panel from the Urban Land Institute will explore options for thoughtful commercial investment in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads. In light of upcoming transit investments, the panel will consider sustaining the independent business mix that the area is known for... For more of what is happening at the Crossroads, visit HERE.
Sometimes you gotta drive - and park
For those times, here is a GREAT new app to find parking in most any urban area, including Silver Spring: http://www.parkme.com/
WAMU featured Silver Spring in "Metro Connection" Show
In case you missed it, HERE is the link to the full 1 hour Metro Connection show on WAMU.
Map of Auto Repair Shops in Downtown Silver Spring
Seen this map of auto repair shops in downtown Silver Spring? See HERE. ...Here's a 'crowdsourcing request'... This map was done a couple of years ago... If you have an update, please e-mail HERE with 'Car Repair Shops' in the subject line.
Silver Spring's Metro Immediate & Primary Care Community Newsletter
Facts about pneumonia; Going green on St. Patrick's Day... and more HERE.
Silver Spring featured in SafeWise Report
"Silver Spring, Maryland Keeps Citizens Safe While Encouraging Them to Go Green"... See HERE.
Delays, Closings, & Other Information Due to Winter Storms & Emergencies
See more HERE.
Old Takoma Parking Map
Plus excellent list of all shopping, entertainment, and dining opportunities... See excellent map HERE. (Well worth printing and keeping in the car!)
Weekly Crime Summaries Available - and District Map
Excellent source of information regarding crime reports, sorted by Police Districts HERE. ... Also, see map to know what District you are in HERE.
Montgomery County Caregiver Supports and Aging Services Caregivers
Are You Caring for Another Adult? The best way to help is to recognize it is not all up to you... See useful flyer HERE.
For inquiring minds: News on the Frontiers of Democracy conference, the closing of AmericaSpeaks, Making Democracy Fun, and more...
See the exhaustive list of links from the Deliberative Democracy Consortium HERE. ... DEFINITIVELY great read for a snowy Monday!
Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. Programming
See their newsletter and subscribe HERE.
Interested in performing on Veterans Plaza? SSTCi is now booking performers for their upcoming season of Twilight Tuesdays (every Tuesday mid-April through mid-October) and Wednesday Night STARZ featuring youth performance (every Wednesday June through September). Send samples of your work (video and audio links) to perform@silverspringtowncenter.com.
Busy's Listing
We've placed Busy Graham's listing for Silver Spring Arts happenings in a blog HERE. If you'd like her more extensive listing for the DMV area, send her an e-mail HERE.
Virtual Tour of the Silver Spring Civic Building
Please share broadly! Eric Rasch, Facility Manger for the Silver Spring Civic Building, has prepared an amazing 360 degree 'virtual tour' of the Silver Spring Civic Building. If you or anyone you know it thinking of scheduling an event in the facility and wants to get a 'feel' for it, see HERE.
Silver Spring Rated the Region's "Most Exciting Suburb"
Recently Silver Spring was rated #13 Most Exciting Suburb in the Country... And now the news just came in: In a DC Region Poll, Silver Spring comes in as #1!.... More HERE.
Best of Fenton Village 2013 Winners Celebration
First Place Award Certificates were presented by County Executive Ike Leggett on Saturday, February 22, at 5:30 PM at Kefa Café
Stop by and congratulate your favorite Fenton Village business... See full list HERE. ... Coming SUNDAY MAY 4th:: Taste the World in Fenton Village
Creative Colony Comes to Silver Spring!
Creative Colony, a coworking space for creative professionals, will open in downtown Silver Spring with a launch party on March 20th! RSVP for your free tickets - More info HERE
Latino Leadership Conference of Montgomery County Videos Now On-Line
This conference focused on the significant impact of the shifting demographics resulting from the rapid growth of the Latino and Hispanic community. Presentation videos can be viewed HERE
Getting Around Silver Spring - Options Abound!
Sandra L. Brecher, Chief, Commuter Services Section has authored a great piece that provides the many options for getting around in Silver Spring... Well worth checking out on our blog HERE.
Silver Spring Library Schedule of Events
Check this out! A full list of great FREE events at the Silver Spring Library... Toddler Storytime, Free Tax Preparation, and much more HERE.
Cool Site of the Week: www.Shareable.net
Thanks to the folks at Silver Spring's new Creative Colony for sharing this neat web-site focused on 'sharing'. See HERE. (And, if you like that, you may want to also check out this other site focused on "community wealth" HERE.)
BurgerFi is now open
BurgerFi is NOW OPEN at Downtown Silver Spring! Located at 8504 Fenton Street, BurgerFi is next door to Courtyard by Marriott and across the street from Sprint.... BurgerFi focuses on all-natural, free-range beef... More HERE.
Cuneiform Records new releases
Did you know that Silver Spring has its own world renowned recording studio?... Check it out - and their new releases like "El Pueblo Unido" and "Why is the doctor barking?" HERE.
Busy Graham's Art "Happenings" e-mail
Are you on Busy's e-mail list?!? If you are not, please contact here directly HERE. There's simply no better list of 'art happenings' in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and vicinity. (Note: We list a few of her listings in our e-blast' "Happenings", but we can not do justice to her comprehenisve list.)
Have you registered your non-profit with the Volunteer Center?
...If not, see HERE for what you are missing
Farmers Markets Open Year Round!
Did you know that Saturday's FreshFarm Market in downtown Silver Spring and Sunday's Takoma Park Farmers Market are open even during these cold days? More info HERE and HERE.
Council approves Master Plan for Bus Rapid Transit System
Complete news release HERE.
RealtyTrac has identified Silver Spring’s 20910 zip code as one of the Nation’s Top 25 Hipster Zips for Rental Return
See HERE for the full article
Audacity of Hoops Video
...truly worth warching!... Simply awesome:
Volunteering for Casa de Maryland
Lots of volunteer opportunties with Casa de Maryland... See HERE.
Silver Spring on YouTube (Videos Well Worth Watching)
We've started a short list of "Silver Spring on YouTube (Videos Well Worth Watching)"... Check out the (growing) list and let us know others we should include HERE.
Health Care Act Explained - in a fun way
Informative - and fun to watch - 'toon video explains it all... In Spanish & English! HERE.
Rapid Transit System explained
The Coalition for Smarter Growth has released a video explaining the concept of a Rapid Transit System for Montgomery County... See video HERE.
County News Link
Have you tried this link to get County news, including news releases, schedule of Cable programming and more? See HERE.
Montgomery County: Then & Now
If you enjoyed the video referenced above, you may also like other links to Montgomery County's history, found HERE.
The Nighttime Economy Task Force Recommendations are Out
...lots of great ides to consider - and extensive background information found HERE.
Takoma Radio
...find out more about this great effort to bring local, low power FM to Takoma Park HERE.
Parking and Transit Options for The Fillmore
...you may want to share this press release with your friends and networks... Simple, good info re parking and transit options for attending The Fillmore events... More HERE.
SW Creatives, a graphic and web design firm, launches Creative Colony, a coworking space for creative professionals, in downtown Silver Spring
SW Creatives has signed a 5-year lease at the World Building in downtown Silver Spring, and is officially launching Creative Colony with a party on March 20th... More HERE.
USEFUL LINKS FOR NEW AMERICANS
Info links from the International Rescue Committee (IRC)... (To see their programs in Silver Spring, go HERE.)
How to get a green card:
Imigration services:
How to become a US Citizen:
(Please help us spread these links to your networks.)
EVER WONDERED WHAT IS THE AREA WE REFER TO AS "THE SILVER SPRING REGIONAL AREA"? See map HERE.
TIME SENSITIVE POSTINGS
New Montgomery County Grants Portal
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett today launched a new Montgomery County Grants Portal containing the application process for his FY16 Community Collaboration Grants. The new portal, located at https://montgomerycounty.fluidreview.com, replaces the application process from previous years and also houses the application process for County Council grants. The County's other grant programs, such as Community Development Block Grants, remain unchanged.
The new Montgomery County Grants Portal, powered by FluidReview, is a collaborative effort between the County Executive and County Council and is designed to streamline the community grants process from application to awards. Applicants will access a single site to apply for both Executive and Council grants - with separate applications -- and will receive communication regarding their applications directly from the portal.
"What used to be a cumbersome process for non-profit organizations is now dramatically improved," said Jennifer Hughes, director of the Office of Management and Budget. "The launch of the new grants portal is a great leap forward in enhancing the experience hundreds of organizations have with the County."
The County Executive's Community Collaboration Grants are discretionary funding in the County Executive's annual recommended operating budget to support non-profit organizations delivering services consistent with the County Executive's stated mission.
Applications are due no later than January 13, 2015.
For more information, email execgrants@montgomerycountymd.gov or visit the grants portal at https://montgomerycounty.fluidreview.com
MLK Day of Service: Register your project now! (Nominations for Recognition Award due TOMORROW!)
- Montgomery County will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 19, 2015. On that day, thousands of county volunteers will come together to work on community service projects that will support individuals, children, and families in need. We need our local nonprofits to help us plan projects now for MLK Day at the Marriott Conference Center and other sites throughout the County. See HERE for much more and to sign up your project.
- Nominations Sought for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards - humanitarian and Children of the Dream Awards: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee is seeking nominations for the Humanitarian Award and the Children of the Dream Awards to be presented at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 19, 2015. All winners and honorable mentions will be acknowledged during the ceremony to be held at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman La., North Bethesda. This year's theme is "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: His Words and Ideas in Our Time." Humanitarian Award applications must provide a short narrative explaining the nominee's contributions to Montgomery County residents, including: * The community-based or civic activities for which the nominee is being recognized; * Whether or not the nominee is paid for the activities listed above; * The specific period of time the nominee has been involved in these activities; and * Other contributions of a humanitarian nature made by the person to the community.... Children of the Dream Awards will be presented to one male and one female student in grades 9 to 12, or a group or club, which demonstrates outstanding character and community/school involvement. Volunteer activities may include a single significant project or an on-going effort and must be above and beyond routine class work or school or community projects. Montgomery County, the City of Gaithersburg, the City of Takoma Park and the Town of Garrett Park are co-sponsors of the celebration. Nomination applications are available for the Humanitarian Award and Children of the Dream Awards. Nominations must be received by Friday, December 5. For more information, visit the Office of Human Rights website or contact OHR Director James Stowe at 240-777-8450. See HERE for forms and more.
The Silver Spring Civic Building: Our Community’s Living Room
- SPECIAL NOTE: This week our Civic Building will live up to its ‘nickname’ – our community’s living room - in the truest of form. On Monday night the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board is starting a new tradition by hosting a ‘community potluck’ for its members and area residents that want to share in their mission of advising the County Executive and County Council. Wednesday afternoon our area seniors (the Silver Spring Village) and the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. invite the community to participate in an afternoon conversation with Dr. Sheryl Brissett Chapman. That same evening is the annual fund-raiser for one of our area’s premier non-profits, Community Bridges. Thursday evening SSTCi returns with its potluck supper preceded by an engaging presentation on DC’s Go-Go movement through the lenses of Chip Py, a local photographer. Then get your dancing shoes on to enjoy contra-dancing – and more! – at the monthly second Thursday dance in the sprung floor of the Great Hall in our community living room, the Silver Spring Civic Building.
Best of Fenton Village is Back!
- Vote for your favorite small and independent business in the historic Silver Spring commercial district. Online voting opens on Saturday, November 29, 2014, Shop Local Day, and closes on December 31, 2014. Winners will be announce in January 2015. As of November 29, please go to www.bestof.fentonvillage.org to vote.
AFI European Union Film Showcase starts December 3rd!
- Now in its 27th year, the AFI European Union Film Showcase continues its tradition of bringing the best in European cinema to the Washington, DC, region. This year's selection of more than 50 films includes international film festival award winners, local box-office hits and debut works by promising new talents, plus many countries' official Oscar® submissions for Best Foreign Language Film. The AFI European Union Film Showcase is organized by the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union and the Cultural Counselors of the member states of the European Union in Washington, DC... More HERE.
Volunteering Opportunity to Help Seniors
The Senior Connection has immediate openings for volunteers to provide essential services to Montgomery County seniors. Available service opportunities include driving senior adults to medical appointments, assisting with grocery shopping and money management. We are hosting Volunteer Open Houses on December 3 and December 17, 2014. Contact: Mary Murphy
Telephone: 301-942-1049 Email: mary.murphy@seniorconnectionmc.org
Introducing IMPACT's New Executive Director
- The Board of Directors of IMPACT Silver Spring is pleased to announce the selection of Jayne Park as theirnext Executive Director, effective December 1, 2014... See more HERE.
Help Control Deer In Your Neigborhood
Many of our suburban neighborhoods are overrun with deer. Deer/vehicles collisions are increasing. Many residents are being treated for Lyme disease. The managed hunts in our parks cannot begin to make a dent in the large and growing herds. Residents can help by learning about bow & arrow hunting, contacting skilled and safe hunters who will take out deer at no cost, and organizing this needed activity on your private property. The Montgomery County Civic Federation has worked with state and county officials to get the regulations on this activity liberalized and getting out information about archery hunting. Please visit the website HERE for a comprehensive list of documents including regulations for the current hunting season, "A Citizens Guide to Safe Bow and Arrow Hunting in Residential Communities in Montgomery County", Q&As from an experienced archery hunter, and much more.
SILVER SPRING THANKSGIVING PARADE
- Saturday, November 22 on the streets of downtown Silver Spring!
Giving Thanks - The Fillmore Silver Spring & Shepherd's Table
Thanksgiving Day 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Fillmore Silver Spring
- "We welcome those in need in our community to come enjoy seasonal treats, live music and a cornucopia of generosity for assembling take-away care packages complete with food, toiletries and more. Want to get involved? Donate! We are collecting donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries and clothing. Drop off your donations from Oct. 20 - Nov. 26, Monday-Friday 12 PM - 6 PM. We will also accept donations during shows! Questions? Call 301.960.9999." See flyer HERE. {NOTE: Interested on being considered to serve on the Board for Shepherd's Table? Contact Board Chair at georgeneighbors@gmail.com }
Pennyworth Shop
- Pennyworth is an attractive thrift shop at 949 Bonifant Street in Fenton Village of Silver Spring. The 1,000 square-foot shop has been a very socially active ministry of Grace Episcopal Church for over 61 years, selling clean, gently used clothing and small household items at low cost to the shoppers of Silver Spring. They donate extra items to Wider Circle, Rescue Workers, Shoes for Africa, Friends of the Library, and othrs. Rotated clothes from the shop are given each month to Progress Place for the Homeless. Also, Pennyworth gives over 10 % of its net earnings to various local, national, and world missions (nonprofits). The all volunteer staff create a fun place to shop for great bargains. Customers can find new and vintage clothing, collectible home decor, as well as books for adults and children. There are also money saving deals on toys and baby supplies. The shop is open 10 AM to 4 PM on Tuesday though Saturday. (You can also find them on Facebook.) Contact shop manager, Marilyn Seitz, 301- 661-8028 for more information.
Department of Permitting Services Launches Program to Help Restaurants Navigate Permitting System
{Please help us get this great news to your local entreprenuers looking to open restaurants.}
- Montgomery County is kicking off its new “Recipes for Success” program to help individuals planning to open a new restaurant or expand an existing restaurant navigate the County’s permitting and licensing process quickly and efficiently. “Recipes for Success” includes a free, pre-design consultation at which representatives from all County agencies involved in restaurant approvals will be available to explain the requirements to open or expand a restaurant... More HERE.
Park & Planning New Video Explains How to Get Zoning Info and much more
- Truly a 'must watch' video for any civic group and/or individual interested in planning: A powerful research tool for finding property information, zoning, allowed uses, related master plans, and more. Easy to print research results makes this a one-stop site for Montgomery County, Maryland property information. See YouTube video HERE.
The Ethiopian Community Center in Maryland has opened its door!
- The Ethiopian Community Center in Marlyand has opened its door on the 2nd floor of 8120 Fenton Street. To help celebrate they will be holding a 'walk' Saturday November 8th. See flyer and more info on the Center HERE.
Care about the Rapid Transit System?
Deadline for RTS CAC self-nomination submissions is SAT NOV 21!
- Nominate yourself or someone you know to be a representative on one of seven Rapid Transit System Corridor Advisory Committee. There are four corridors: Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue (MD355); Veirs Mill Road (MD586); Georgia Avenue (MD97); and Colesville Road (US29). Some corridors have more than one advisory committee. Visit the MCDOT website HERE for the nomination form and details on where to submit.
Comment Sought on Two Board of Education Policies
- The Montgomery County Board of Education has requested community comment regarding revisions to two policies—Policy GHC, Salaries and Other Benefits of Professional Personnel, and Policy GIH, Funding Other Post-Employment Benefits. Policy GHC, Salaries and Other Benefits of Professional Personnel, provides guidelines for salary schedules, anniversary dates, and rehiring employees that have resigned.... More info, how to comment, and more HERE.
Because Everyone Has a Story to Tell...
- It could be the good work your non profit is doing, the local high school play, your child's Little League Championship or the story of your neighbor, a WWII veteran. The possibilities are endless! Montgomery Community Media can help you get your story told. Online or on TV, we will air your submissions. We are Montgomery County's public access stations 19 and 21, and our website, mymcmedia.org is our county's premier choice for all things MOCO. More HERE.
Wonderful opportunity for businesses to advertise in the Silver Spring International Middle School directory
- Advertising with SSIMS Student Directory: "We are looking for local businesses that would be interested in advertising their company in the 2014-2015 student directory. The school has approximately 1000 students and offers both a French and Spanish Immersion program. Deadline has been extended to October 31, 2014. More info? Call Brenlee at 301-412-0489"
For Inquiring Minds
The Deliberative Democracy Consortium pulls together quite an impressive list of links to information on relevant issues from placemaking to inclusive engagement. See their latest HERE.
Buy Your Seat Today!
Takoma Park's reCYCLE Please Sit on the Art seats are available for sale! Place your bid between now and October 31st, 2014 and you may take home a one-of-a-kind piece of art for your favorite outdoor spot... More HERE.
All the info you need to get ready to vote is HERE
- Deadline to Register to Vote: October 14, 2014
- Early Voting For the General Election: October 23 to October 30, 2014 (10am to 8pm) (The Civic Building is one of various sites where you can vote early!)
- General Election: November 4, 2014 (7am to 8pm)
Nominate Yourself to Serve on a Rapid Transit System (RTS) Corridor Advisory Committee!
Get Involved in RTS Planning Efforts in Your Community
- Montgomery County Department of Transportation is looking for residents and businesses to serve on the county’s Rapid Transit System Corridor Advisory Committees (CACs). These committees are part of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) and the State of Maryland's commitment to developing a Bus Rapid Transit System in Montgomery County... Much more HERE.
What do you want Silver Spring to be like? Make your voice heard at our mini-charettes!
- Workshop A – Civic Space at the Transit Center (October 15, 2014. 7-9pm. Planning Department Headquarters.) Workshop A will explore the creation and enhancement of civic space in the vicinity of the Transit Center and its connections to the community.
- Workshop B – The Ripley District (October 29, 2014. 5-7pm. Denizens Brewing Co.) Workshop B will focus on the community character of the Ripley District and the pedestrian experience.
- Workshop C – Metro Plaza (November 5, 2014. 11am-1pm. Location TBD.)
With the upcoming construction of the Purple Line station, Silver Spring continues to become a major regional transit hub. The areas immediately surrounding the station are priorities places for high density redevelopment. Workshop C will explore design options for the redevelopment of the Metro Plaza Site (northeast corner of East-West Highway and Colesville Road.
More info HERE
Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival October 9–18
- For ten nights this October, the ninth annual Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival showcases the best in new horror cinema from around the world, and once again the entire festival (more than 40 shorts and features) screens at AFI Silver Theatre!... Much more HERE.
Ain't Misbehavin' coming to the Silver Spring Balck Box Theatre (next to AFI)
- LIVE GARRA THEATRE brings a Broadway flavor to the downtown Silver Spring Black Box Theater with its production of Ain't Misbehavin' October 9-19. Take the journey of legendary jazzman, Thomas "Fats" Waller, in this tribute to popular 1920's and '30's musicians of the Harlem Renaissance. Five performers, all local, gifted artists present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs that encapsulate the various moods of the era and reflect Waller's view of life as a journey meant for pleasure and play. The musical captures this iconic era of pride, creativity, and cultural awareness, all while inviting us into this sometimes sassy, sometimes sexy, always jazzy world.... More HERE.
Community Service Week - October 18 - 26, 2014
Please get this ASAP to your neighborhood association, non-profit organizaion, and faith community!
- Sign up now for a wide range of projects throughout the County -- cleaning a stream, helping at an autumn celebration, help with home repairs, and so much more. This year we are highlighting ways we, as a community, can eliminate hunger. Much more HERE.
Sister Jenna (Meditation Museum) featured in Volunteer Newsletter
More from the Meditation Musueum: Fall into Peace at the Meditation Museum!
- "The Meditation Museum in downtown Silver Spring offers free meditation classes and workshops, six days a week. They have an exciting new schedule this Fall, including Lunch-Time Meditation, for those of us who need a Pause for Peace during our busy days. If you can't get away from your desk, ask them about Meditation at Work! Don't miss the upcoming session on Listening with renowned self-management expert, Joy Baldridge, author of “The Fast-Forward MBA in Selling” and “Pure Joy.” Tuesday, October 14th at 5:00 PM, seats are filling up! Enjoy the refreshing coolness of this time of year, and may the harvest of peace fill our neighborhoods." For more on the Museum, see their web-site HERE.
Telemundo features Long Branch Business on New Program
- See video HERE.
Layered Vision: Exhibit at Pyramid Atlantic
Dates: October 6 - November 2
Times: Wed-Sat: Noon to 5 pm, Sun: from 1 pm - 4 pm
Artist Reception: October 12, Sunday, 3 pm-6 pm
"We invite you to attend “Layered Vision,” Printmaking Exhibition curated by artist Natasha Karpinskaia. 19 international printmaking artists will present more than 60 recent works. The prints range from traditional to innovative in technique, abstract to figurative in subject matter, and include etchings, woodcuts, and monotypes." More HERE.
Book Swap at Kefa Cafe
Silver Spring Shares is planning a book swap at Kefa Cafe for Saturday, October 11... You can drop books off at Kefa October 6-10, and you'll get a voucher to receive an equal number of books on the day of the swap.
More HERE.
10-1pm Kefa Cafe
Class Acts Arts: CELEBRATE 20 YEARS! Thursday, Oct. 16th (7pm Civic Building)
Join Class Acts Arts in celebrating 20 years of Cultural Arts programming. Arts in the Schools and Artists in the Community - What is of benefit to some should be an option for all! If you share this commitment you should join the celebration! More HERE. (Buy tix now!)
Because Everyone Has a Story to Tell...
It could be the good work your non profit is doing, the local high school play, your child's Little League Championship or the story of your neighbor, a WWII veteran. The possibilities are endless! Montgomery Community Media can help you get your story told. Online or on TV, we will air your submissions... More HERE.
Meditation Musuem revs up programming
Daytime meditation on Tuesdays and Thursdays, yoga, podcasts, and much more.... See HERE.
Government and Community Stakeholders to Forge a Strategy for Development along the Purple Line
- Purple Line Community Compact will create a plan for vibrant economic development and community preservation. Officials from the State of Maryland and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties have joined forces with the Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC) and stakeholders to develop a Purple Line Community Compact. The compact will articulate a livability strategy designed to foster vibrant economic and community development for those who live and work along the 16-mile corridor. Leaders from community organizations, civic associations, business and labor associations, and others with a stake in the Purple Line corridor will have an opportunity to help develop the compact through two community workshops this fall... See full press release HERE.
See our recent e-blast HERE for opportunity to participate for Silver Spring Regional Area community, neighborhood, business, civic, non-profit, faith, and other groups.
The League of Women Voters of Maryland is pleased to announce that the online version of the Voters' Guide, VOTE411.org is now live. Please help spread the word.
- To see the questions that the League asked of the candidates (from Governor down through Board of Education) and their responses, simply go to www.vote411.org Type in your address and click "Enter." You will see the location of your polling place and a bar that says "Get personalized information on candidates and issues." That will allow you to scroll through the responses from the candidates who will appear on the ballot in your precinct. Candidates were allowed to include links to their websites, so after reading the responses to the League's questions, you can visit their websites for additional information. As you scroll through the list of candidates, you may mark those you prefer - and at the end of the process you can print out a list of your selections that you can take to your polling place when you go to vote. This service is being provided for every county in Maryland, so we encourage you to forward this to all your friends in Maryland.
Silver Spring Stage (Four Corners) premier of God of Carnage
- Silver Spring Stage presents the community theater premiere of God of Carnage by Yasmina Rez, translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by Adam R. Adkins and produced by Bob Scott, the witty and entertaining depiction of two sets of parents that turn a simple playground fight between their kids into a full-blown brawl. God of Carnage will perform weekends September 19 to October 11, 2014. More HERE.
The County's Office of Human Rights has some great events coming up in the next few weeks right here in Silver Spring - and neaby in Wheton:
- Town Hall Meeting re Bullying in Schools on Sunday, September 28 {Please help us spread the word by sharing with your school community!} See flyer HERE.
- Emerging Employment Laws and Regulations Breakfast on Tuesday, September 30 {Please help us spread the word by sharing with your entreprenuer and business community!} See flyer HERE.
Call for Artist for the Purple Line / Llamando a Artistas
- Espanol AQUI
- English HERE
- #artspurpleline
Purple Line Newsletter from MTA / Boletin de noticias de Verano
- English HERE.
- Espanol AQUI.
Dancing Comes to Silver Spring!
- A short documentary produced as part of Docs In Progress' Intro to Documentary Production class by Marissa Evans and Daniel Fuqua. Featuring arts maven Busy Graham and the many different types of dance found at the Silver Spring Civic Building... See HERE.
On Stage @ the Black Box.... There's always something exciting on stage at the Silver Spring Black Box!
- Spook-tember Movie Night - September 27 - 7:30PM - Get in the mood for Halloween!
- Carpe Diem Presents! - LISA JAEGGI, AUDREY ENGDAHL & LEA - September 28
- Ain't Misbehavin' - October 9-19
- More info HERE.
Book Arts Fair and Conference
- Pyramid Atlantic Art Center is pleased to present the 13th biennial Book Arts Fair and Conference, set for November 14-16, 2014. This year’s theme, Outside the Margin focuses on book art and contemporary prints that explore outer edges of the mediums. Our new venue in a former WWII factory enriches this motif. Outfitted for large-scale photoshoots, the eclectic Photogroup studio is next door to a new microbrewery, local gourmet ice cream and a short walk to Pyramid Atlantic... More info and early registration HERE.
DEADLINES LOOMING!
- Community Development Block Grant is Now Open: Applications for Montgomery County's fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service Grants are due Friday, September 19, 2014 by 4:00 p.m. You can learn more about this opportunity, and view or download the application, at the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs website HERE.
- Thanksgiving Parade Participation: If your group wants to participate in this year''s Thankgiving Parade (Saturday, November 22 in downtown Silver Spring, you must complete the application HERE by Friday, September 22.
- Sligo Creek Golf Association Fall Team Challenge Fundraiser (Monday, October 13) It is time to register your team for the fall Sligo Creek Golf Course tournament fundraiser. "This year we’re going out on a holiday – Columbus Day, Monday, October 13! We know some of you will be out of town for the long weekend, but some of you won’t. Cap off your weekend and let’s have some fun!" See flyer HERE.
Thursday, September 18 Silver Spring will come alive with two major events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:
- Latin American Film Festival at the American Film Institute (AFI) September 18 - October 8 Celebrating its 25th edition, Silver Spring's American Film Institute (AFI) Latin American Film Festival showcases the best in cinema from Latin America with the inclusion of films from Spain and Portugal... MUCH more HERE, including a quick video highlight... Opening night is September 18, with the critically acclaimed film "Libertador": "A larger-than-life hero gets the big-screen treatment he deserves in this epic biopic, the story of freedom fighter Simón Bolívar."
- County Executive Hispanic Gala Celebrates Over 50 Scholarships to College-bound Latino Students The Gala’s goal this year is to grant Scholarships to over 50 Hispanic students from Montgomery County and Maryland. The Gala is instrumental in bringing together organizations and individuals that understand the importance of strong diverse communities. The Hispanic Gala is the most significant and marquee Hispanic social, political, and philanthropic event in Montgomery County and the State. We bring together elected officials, the business community, philanthropists, and the Hispanic community to support and promote post-secondary education in our community... A few tickets sill remain. To buy click HERE.
Home Tree Care 101 Classes
- This fall, with the help of a grant from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Conservation Montgomery will hold Home Tree Care 101 classes. Each class covers how maintaining mature trees on your home lot can extend the life of a tree and make it less hazardous in a storm, proper pruning, mulching and removal of invasive plants that can slowly kill a tree. A certified arborist will visit your community and lead an outdoor, hands-on class for your civic or community group. Conservation Montgomery will also teach you and your neighbors the right way to plant a new tree so that the tree will thrive. To sign up for a class, visit HERE.
A Time and a Place
- "Red chairs placed on a median. Yellow ladders leaning on light posts. Four dancers climbed over the objects and imitated store genres; in front of an optics store, they held their hands to their faces and peered as if wearing glasses. Somehow, all of this had to do with place. ... “Placeholders,” created by university professors and artists Ronit Eisenbach and Sharon Mansur, is an art installation that explores the meaning of place in the midst of transition, such as that of Silver Spring’s Long Branch community, which is preparing for the entrance of the Purple Line and the changes that will come with it. The performance combined sound, architecture and community as dancers moved throughout various locations, framing changes now defining the place." ... Read full article HERE.
Call to Artists
- Pyramid Atlantic Art Center (PAAC) is proud to announce a juried exhibition in conjunction with the 13th Biennial Book Arts Fair, "Outside the Margin", November 7-25, 2014 ... Eligibility: Artists are invited to enter up to 5 original or limited edition artist books, sculptural books, book objects, altered books, or book installations. Acceptable printmaking media: relief, intaglio, inkjet, and/or screenprint techniques. More HERE.
September is National Library Card Sign Up Month
- Help us talk about our services and materials. Take a picture or video telling us how you use your library card. Throughout this month, we will be sharing the pictures and videos via Facebook and Twitter. You can message us with your picture/video on Facebook, @MontgomeryCountyPublicLibraries. Or on Twitter, tweet your picture/video with #librarycard and @MCPL_Libraries.
SPARKLE, Twilight Tuesdays, Wednesday STARZ and so much more (from SSTCi)
Creative Colony Continues Creating in Silver Spring!
- From the folks over at Creative Colony: You’re invited to join us for a free week-long open house at Creative Colony! Get focused time to work on that project that has been on the back-burner or schedule a client meeting in a professional conference room. ... You'll be among our great community of independent, diverse, creative professionals to keep you energized and focused. You have nothing to lose...only a lot of productivity to gain!... More HERE.
The County's Office of Human Rights has some great events coming up in the next few weeks right here in Silver Spring - and neaby in Wheton:
- Community Picnic on Sunday, September 14 {Please help us spread the word by sharing with your faith community!} Montgomery County’s Committee on Hate/Violence and the Office of Human Rights will host the Second Annual “Friendship Picnic” on Sunday, September 14 from 1 to 5 p.m., at Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road. The event brings together diverse communities to share their cultures, traditions and faiths. Food, beverages and entertainment for the entire family will be provided. The picnic will be co-hosted by the Human Rights Commission, the Office of Community Partnerships, the Montgomery County Executive’s Faith Community Working Group and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Anyone who wishes to attend can RSVP by email HERE. or by calling 240-777-8456. See Flyer HERE.
- Town Hall Meeting re Bullying in Schools on Sunday, September 28 {Please help us spread the word by sharing with your school community!} Bullying in Schools: Town Hall Meeting, Sunday September 28, 2014, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center. Lets Hear Your Voices on Prevention and Intervention Strategies! The keynote speaker for this event will be Mr. Johnnie Williams III, National Youth Advocate. This meeting is being presented by the Montgomery County Committee on Hate Violence. See flyer HERE.
- Emerging Employhment Laws and Regulations Breakfast on Tuesday, September 30 {Please help us spread the word by sharing with your entreprenuer and business community!} Join us for the County, State & Federal Employment Law Update & Information Breakfast Tuesday, September 30th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center. Come and learn what you need to know about new and emerging Employment Laws and Reulations. This event is presented by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights and the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission. Please RSVP by Friday September 19, 2014. Sign language and other accomodations are available if requested by September 26, 2014. See flyer HERE.
Be part a spectacular holiday tradition!
- The 2014 Irish Christmas Revels
- Children & Teen Auditions
- September 5-7, 2014
- Grades 3-5 and 9-12
- MUST call for appointment. See web-site.
Auditions Seen by over 10,000 people each December, Washington Revels’ flagship production, The Christmas Revels, is a colorful pageant that celebrates the Winter Solstice and the return of sun and light after the “shortest day.” It draws on traditions and rituals from many lands and peoples—medieval, Renaissance and Victorian English, French, Russian, Roma (Gypsy), African-American, Scandinavian, American Appalachian, Native American, Renaissance Italian, Québécois, medieval Andalusian (Sephardic, Arabic and Spanish), southern Balkan (Bulgarian, Greek and Thracian Turkish), and more—and from different eras... Much more HERE.
Golf for the Silver Spring Y!
- The Silver Spring YMCA is having its fund-raiser TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9th... Sign up early! HERE.
Please plan a project for large or small groups during Community Service Week (October 18-26, 2014)
- During Community Service Week, people and organizations will be solving a range of challenges - with a special focus on the problem of hunger in Montgomery County... More info? Interested in listing your project? e-mail HERE.
SAVE THE DATE! Get a Team readay! Audacity of Hoops 2014
When: Saturday, September 20
Where: Downtown Silver Spring (by Veterans Plaza)
- Make sure to mark your calendars, Audacity of Hoops is back for its 4th consecutive year! The 3x3 basketball tournament is comprised of three divisions: high school boys, high school girls, and adults. Let us know if your business/company would like to register as a team by emailing Elizabeth McMeekin (Impact Silver Spring) at elizabeth@impactsilverspring.org.
Tickets NOW ON SALE for the Executive Hispanic Gala - Thursday, September 18 at The Fillmore
- Buy tickets NOW. (They'll go very fast!) This is Maryland's Premier Hispanic Gala. Leading organizations and individuals come together to support the Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship Program that financially assists Hispanic students enrolled in higher learning institutions throughout the State of Maryland. Tixs and more HERE.
EXTRA EXTRA! Restaurant Round-Up
- Denizens on East/West Hwy is now officially open. GREAT to have a local brewery. @DenizensBrewing
- Mrs K is turning out to be quite the 'modern classic'. @MrsKsBarrelBar See newsletter HERE. and www.mrsks.com
- La Madeleine’s Free Signature Wine Tasting: Come enjoy free samples of la Madeleine’s very own French Wines every Monday from 5-8pm starting July 14th - 8435 Georgia Ave - caddy corner from the Discovery Building. PLUS music THIS Thursday at Petal Plaza!
- Cubanos is offering Cuban music on Friday nights 7-9 p.m.
- El Golfo (Flower Ave) continues its Wednesday Jazz series 7-10 p.m.
- Monday Nights Jazz at Vicino's (959 Sligo Ave) More HERE.
(Know of others? Send it in (e-mail HERE) with "Restaurant Round Up" on the subject line.)
Request for Design Qualifications: Fenton Street Urban Park, Silver Spring, MD.
(Please share with your networks, particularly those interested in the arts.)
From Suzan Jenkins, CEO, Arts & Humanities Council: "The Public Arts Trust (PAT) of Montgomery County, MD, administered by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), invites artists to submit Statements of Qualifications to design, fabricate and install artwork on publicly-owned land between a residential neighborhood and an industrial district with auto repair shops in Silver Spring, Maryland. This public art project is intended to replace Criss Cross, a sculpture that was removed from the public road right-of-way on Fenton Street. The project area for consideration includes road rights-of-ways along Fenton Street, Philadelphia Avenue and Burlington Avenue, as well as the existing Fenton Street Urban Park. Please feel free to share the Request for Design Qualifications with any/all interested parties. It is also posted on our website HERE A public notice will be sent via our e-newsletters this week."
Grants available for community serving non-profits
(Please share with your networks, particularly those non-profits serving your community.)
Applications for Montgomery County’s fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service Grants are due Friday, September 19, 2014 by 4:00 p.m. You can learn more about this opportunity, and view or download the application, at the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs website HERE.
- Related Note: The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) is recruiting new members. Members of the CDAC are appointed by the County Executive to make recommendations regarding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Every fall, the CDAC reviews applications for CDBG-funded Public Service Grants and makes funding recommendations. If you are interested in becoming a member, you can find out more HERE. or you can contact Steve Brown at the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs at (240) 777-3685 or by email HERE.
Department of Permitting Services Briefing on Proposed Amendments to 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
Montgomery County, Department of Permitting Services: International Green Construction Code (IgCC) Public Work Session Follow-up Briefing 9/3/14
[Please share with your networks, particularly those interested in the construction/building industry.)
The purpose of the follow-up briefing is to summarize stakeholder comments, present DPS' proposed amendments and to explain the next steps to adopt the 2012 IgCC including future opportunities for public comment and discussion. DPS has held six public work sessions devoted to one or more specific chapters of the IgCC and proposed amendments. We have a website with a link <http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/building/BuildingCodes.aspx> to the 2012 IgCC, DPS proposed amendments, minutes of the public work sessions and stakeholder comments. After reviewing comments from stakeholders, we have revised our proposed amendments which will be posted on the DPS website and shared with the public at the September 3, 2014 briefing.
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Wheaton Regional Library, Large Conference Room (11701 Georgia Avenue)
Register for this briefing by clicking HERE
Reginald T. Jetter
Department of Permitting Services
Division Chief, Customer Service Division
Phone (240) 777-6275
Have you tried the Department of Permitting Services's eServices? See HERE.
Middle Schoolers Do Silver Spring Documentaries
- Docs In Progress just completed their middle school summer camps and you might enjoy seeing the three films which came out of the doc camp on El Golfo (HERE), Mandalay (HERE), and Addis Ababa (HERE). They'll be including these in this fall's Community Stories Festival - stay tuned... (When you watch the videos remember: These were done by MIDDLE schoolers!)
Aslo from Docs-in-Progress:
- Lights! Camera! IMPACT! Video Storytelling for Nonprofits Seminar - Thursday, September 11 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Takoma Park Community Center - This all-day seminar in Takoma Park, MD is aimed at helping nonprofits and community organizations assess how video fits into the larger context of communications strategies; identify a call to action and the desired audience; understand the benefits of incorporating documentary-style storytelling into video communications; and help identify ways to finance and budget realistically for video. ... More HERE.
Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!
- The Census Bureau is still hiring for temporary positions to do conduct their 'test' in Montgomery County. The office is in Silver Spring. See details HERE.
Applications Being Accepted Now for Upcoming Police Citizen Academy
- The Montgomery County Police Department is currently accepting applications for future sessions of the Citizen Academy. The program is free, but participants must be 18 years of age or older and either live or work in Montgomery County.See more HERE. (Remember: Crime statistics and summaries are kept HERE.)
English Classes for Adults FREE
{Please help us spread the word by reposting to your networks!}
- The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will again offer free English classes to adults of Montgomery County. These classes will be offered at several locations throughout the county, including an evening program at the Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS). Beginning, intermediate and advanced classes will be offered. Prospective students must attend an orientation. The orientation dates at SSIMS will be held Tuesday September 9th and again on Thursday September 11th starting at 6:00 pm. See flyer HERE. For more info: Stephanie Williams, Intake and Assessment Specialist, Literacy Council of Montgomery County 301-610-0030 phone www.literacycouncilmcmd.org
Silver Spring's Creative Colony
- Check out this innovative business model by visiting their latest newsletter - and subscribing - HERE... "When individuals embrace sharing as a worldview and practice, they experience a new, enlivening way to be in the world. Sharing heals the painful disconnect we feel within ourselves, with each other, and the places we love. Sharing opens a channel to our creative potential. Sharing is fun, practical, and perhaps most of all, it’s empowering. It enables us to experience and do things we never thought possible." More on Shareable, a great newsletter for those interested in this 'way of life'. See more HERE.
New Study Circles Facilitator Training
From John Landesman, Coordinator, MCPS Study Circles Program
- We are recruiting candidates for a new facilitator training for the MCPS Study Circles Program. It's our first training in a few years and we are doing it differently this time. We are putting together a cohort that will go through a year-long training class. Study Circles brings parents, staff, and students together in facilitated dialogue to address racial and ethnic barriers to student achievement and parent involvement. Below are some links for the training and overall program. ... Please click Study Circles Overview for a one-page program flyer.... Please click TRAINING for all facilitator information. ... We have lots of information on our website. Just click WEBSITE
Fall Baseball!
- From Phil Olivetti: "TPSS is pleased to announce the addition of a fall coed baseball program. We hope as many of you can join us as we expand the playing opportunities for area youths. As this is the first year we will offer fall baseball, several modification to our traditional spring programs have been made. For more details, follow this link for TPSS Fall Ball." More info HERE.
Why Do You Stay? (In Silver Spring)
- This summer, WAMU85 is exploring the reasons why people choose to stay in their cities and communities with their #WhyIStay project. To participate, snap a photo that shows why you stay in the D.C. region and share it WAMU85 Instagram with a caption that explains it. Be sure to tag it #WhyIStay and include @wamu885 in your post. Visit WAMU85 on Instagram HERE to check some of the submissions.
Looking for pictures of Silver Spring from the 50s and 60s
- Arcadia Publishing has recently asked the Silver Spring Historical Society if it would be interested in publishiing a third Silver Spring book in their new "Images of Modern America" series. Recognizing that additional vintage images for many communities (like Silver Spring) can be difficult to procure, Arcadia has created this new series. It will include images from the second half of the 20th century to date with the most exciting feature being that it will be published in FULL COLOR! ... The Historical Society would like to undertake this project but will very much need your help. The SSHS archives has perhaps a couple dozen color 35mm slides of Silver Spring taken in the 1950s and '60s and hundreds of photographs that have been taken starting in the early 1990s. The decades in between? Nothing. ... Arcadia requires 180-200 images before they will agree to publish. We can only do this with your help, which would involve doing one of two things. Folks who have good color photos of places taken in downtown Silver Spring would have to scan them at 600 dpi as tiff files and either burn them onto a CD and email them to SSHS (Files might be too big to email but you could try to sshistory@yahoo.com) or snail mail them to us and we would scan them and send them back if you want them returned (SSHS, PO Box 1160, SS, MD 20910-1160). Either way we would want as much information as you could give about each photo (particularly exact year photos were taken, identification of people in photos, etc.). Each person whose photo(s) are used would be credited in the book. ... Again, this project will only happen if you and all of your Silver Spring families and friends contribute -- Jerry A. McCoy, President Silver Spring Historical Society (301) 537-1253
What's going on 'next door': EF International Language Centers Opens in Takoma
From Laura Barclay, Executive Director, Old Takoma Business Association:
- "We are happy to announce the opening of EF International Language Centers at 6896 Laurel St, NW Washington, DC - right next to the shops on Laurel Avenue, Takoma Park, MD. EF will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2015 and the organization counts 500 offices and schools worldwide. The school will house 200 students and host up to 350 students by the end of the year. Students of all ages will come to the center to learn English in beginner to advanced programs that will last 2 weeks up to 11 months. This state-of-the-art campus will host students from all over the world. The first 50 students will arrive the weekend of 7/21. We welcome EF International Language Centers and its students to the Takoma community!" EF Contact info: Anka Stenten, School Director Anka.Stenten@ef.com EF International Language Centers 6896 Laurel Street NW Washington, DC 20012 Tel: 202-765-0950 www.ef.com
WEBKIDS - an Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington Summer Program
- "Get ahead in school this Fall! It's not too late to register for WEBKIDS, an ACSGW summer program for students ages 10 and up, 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm, Mon.-Fri through August 22. Learn computer skills and learn how to build a website! Location: ACSGW, 501 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910." Contact: John Reed 301-585-6556, or email jreed@acsgw.org
Registration is now underway for the 2014 Silver Spring “Walk & Ride Challenge”
September 8 – September 26
- Be Lean and Green this fall. Walk & Ride is a great way to get in shape and compete for weekly prizes. Walk to work this fall, or combine walking with your bus or train ride to jump start a new, healthier – and greener - commute. Start putting your company teams together now and get out your walking shoes. More info and register HERE.
Forum Theatre Announces Season 11
- Forum Theatre produces adventurous, relevant, and challenging plays from a diversity of voices that inspire discussion and build community -- and that are accessible, affordable, and entertaining. Amazing lineup! See HERE.
Mrs. K's Community Connections
- From the folks over at one of Silver Spring's most 'historic' restaurant: "We have a number of events planned at Mrs. K's in the coming months. ... check for updates on our FB page: www.facebook.com/mrsksbarrelbar. ... On August 9th, we're hosting a Caribbean Night from 4-8 PM. It's a family friendly ticketed event with all you can eat food with a authentic Caribbean cuisine, music by a local steel drum band, drink specials, games, raffles and giveaways all day. More HERE. ... Every Wednesday night, we also host trivia nights, starting at 7 PM. Players enjoy rapid fire questions based on a variety of topics, some of them ripped from the headlines, along with food and drink specials all night. ... In addition, Mrs. K's is dog friendly and we're planning future events including monthly doggie happy hours, wine and beer tastings, a September festival, oktoberfest, and more." More info? Eloise Lepesqueur, Marketing Representative, Mrs. K's Restaurant and Barrel Bar 301-404-3553
NATURAL ORIGINS at The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and Music Room in the Silver Spring Civic Building
- Len Harris Ellen Kalin Opening Reception Thursday, July 10, 6:30 pm - 8pm On View July 10 - October 3 The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and Music Room is pleased to announce the opening of Natural Origins, an exhibition of recent works by Len Harris and Ellen Kalin. Both Harris and Kalin respond to organic and atmospheric elements in their artistic practices, presenting works that are divergent yet complementary. Len Harris, a former aerospace engineer for NASA, boils and bends wooden strips into dynamic shapes that seem to defy the potential of the medium. Painter Ellen Kalin combines acrylic paint with organic collage elements to form patterns evocative of strata in the earth’s layers, coastlines, and horizons. This comprehensive collection of works by both artists presents a contemporary and abstracted view of the natural world.
George Pelecanos Reads to Benefit Early Literacy Center for Silver Spring Library
- Author George Pelecanos will discuss and read from his book, Hard Revolution, at a benefit for the new Silver Spring Library July 31, 7-9 pm, at Eastern Village in Silver Spring. Proceeds will support an early literacy center planned for the new library, scheduled to open at the end of this year. A Silver Spring native and author of 20 novels set in and around Washington, DC, Pelecanos will discuss how he came to write the book and will read several passages set in downtown Silver Spring circa 1959. A book signing will follow the reading. The reading will be held in the meeting room at Eastern Village, 7981 Eastern Avenue, in Silver Spring. More HERE.
Census Bureau Looking for Community Organizations to Help Reach Hundreds for Temporary Jobs in Montgomery County This Summer
- The Census Bureau needs help reaching prospective applicants for the hundreds for temporary 2014 Census Test jobs they are hiring for in Montgomery County. Nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community groups are all great resources for recruiting applicants. If your organization is willing to provide testing space for job seekers and conduct the outreach to make sure applicants know about this opportunity, you could help employ members of our community in good paying, temporary positions. Part-time positions are available from June through September, Paying from $18.50-$20.00 an hour. Please contact Nesreen Khashan at 202-510-6403 or nesreen.khashan@census.gov with any questions or to find out how your organization can become a testing site.
Natural Origins, an exhibition of recent works by Len Harris and Ellen Kalin
- The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery, managed by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), is pleased to announce the opening of Natural Origins, an exhibition of recent works by Len Harris and Ellen Kalin. Both Harris and Kalin respond to organic and atmospheric elements in their artistic practices, presenting works that are divergent yet complementary. Len Harris, a former aerospace engineer for NASA, boils and bends wooden strips into dynamic shapes that seem to defy the potential of the medium. Ellen Kalins’ canvases combine acrylic paint with organic collage elements to form patterns evocative of strata in the earth’s layers, coastlines, and horizons. This comprehensive collection of works by both artists presents a contemporary and abstracted view of the natural world. More HERE.
Purple Line Mandatory Referral Update - Responses to Planning Board's comments now posted
- On March 20, 2014, the Montgomery County Planning Board reviewed the Purple Line, Bethesda Metro Station South Entrance, Capital Crescent Trail and Silver Spring Green Trail. The board sent comments focused on community compatibility and station access to the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Responses to all of the comments are now posted on the Planning Department's Purple Line webpage HERE. In addition, the Planning Board recently sent a letter to Councilmember Roger Berliner, Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee, identifying the Board's priorities for enhancing the Purple Line project. ... Questions, comments? Contact David Anspacher, Transportation Planner at david.anspacher@montgomeryplanning.org
- NOTE: This and much more planning information is included in the excellent newsletter, InfoShare. See latest issue - and subscribe - HERE.
Good People at Silver Spring Stage
Silver Spring Stage Presents Good People - Humorous and Powerful Community Theater Premiere - Runs June 27-July 20
Silver Spring Stage presents the community theater premiere of Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Michael Kharfen and produced by Seth Ghitelman, the humorous and powerful portrait of a South Boston woman struggling to make ends meet who unexpectedly encounters an old fling that has achieved success. Good People will perform weekends June 27 to July 20, 2014. Note there will not be a performance on Friday July 4, 2014.Humorous and powerful, Tony Award-winning portrait of a South Boston woman struggling to make ends meet who unexpectedly encounters an old fling that has achieved success. What will she do to survive? “Wonderful…this isn't a manipulative tear-jerker or a simplistic diatribe… poignant, brave in its focus on what it really means to be down on your luck.” – NY Post... More HERE.
The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery Presents The 2014 Recipient of The Ida F. Haimovicz Visual Arts Award Malaika V. Temba
On View June 10, 2014 - July 3, 2014
Malaika Temba, Trash, 2014. Found objects, white board marker, spray paint, and ink. 24'' x 30''
The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County proudly present an exhibition of works by Malaika V. Temba, on view through Thursday, July 3, 2014. Malaika's work references the historical use of imagery in political propaganda to foster a contemporary dialogue about "Zero Tolerance" and other disciplinary policies in America's public schools. Recalling the colors and textures of her childhood experiences traveling across Africa, this body of work is the artist's first attempt at "creating propaganda for the common good"... More HERE.
Silver Spring Summer Concert Series AND Jazz Festival Headliner Announced!
- Starting Thursday June 26 - for 8 weeks this year! - come enjoy high quality concerts with a variety of sounds at Veterans Plaza. Bring your lawn chairs and make it a night!... Also: 'Save the date' now for the Silver Spring Jazz Festival SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6th, with headliner Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans... (For full Summer Concert lineup visit HERE.)
Available Scholarships for Latino Students - DEADLINE APPROACHING (June 30th)
{Please help us 'spread the word' to our Latino community by sharing with your networks - and friends and family!}
The Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship competition is open to Maryland high school seniors and college undergraduate students of Hispanic descent, who maintain full time or part time status at an accredited post-secondary institution beginning in the fall of the current year. To qualify for this scholarship:
- Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater, or GED certification with a recommendation from the academic advisor,
- Plan to attend school for an entire academic year and have financial need.
- Applicants must also have leadership and community involvement.
The purpose of the scholarship is to assist Hispanic students who live in Maryland to achieve potential life goals and make a positive impact on their lives. Scholarships provide recipients with a one-time assistance of $2,000.00.
For more information, click HERE
New Police Station for 3rd District is Now Open!
The new 3rd District Police Station is now open at 1002 Milestone Drive (near the intersection of Colesville and New Hampshire.) This new station replaces the station that was located on Sligo Ave. Staffing for downtown Silver Spring remains unchanged.
Summer Camps in Silver Spring
Lots of organizations are offering Summer Camps in our community. For example,
- Create Arts is offering art-centric camps all summer long - see HERE.
- The new Highwood Theater (on Silver Spring Ave) is offering "Summer in the Arts" - see HERE.
- Pyramid Atlantic offers many summer classes and workshops... See HERE.
- Montgomery Parks Summer Camps: Montgomery Parks has over 75 summer camps this year for a wide variety of interests and at locations around the county. You can find nature camps, sports camps, adventure camps, gardening and cooking camps and some that incorporate a little bit of everything. More HERE.
- Learn to Sew this Summer at Think Outside the Store! -This 5 day intensive wearable art workshop for teens ages 12-18 encourages participants to express themselves using their clothing as a form of art. Dates & more HERE. Think Outside the Store is located at 816 Thayer Ave, Floor 1.
- Woodside Child Care Center, Inc. runs a fun-filled 9-week day camp for K-6th grades. More HERE.
- Docs In Progress and Montgomery Community Media are collaborating on two youth filmmaking summer camps. These are both two-week daycamps taking place at Docs In Progress in downtown Silver Spring. Documentary Camp for ages 12-15 from June 30-July 11. Music Video Camp for ages 15-18 from July 14-25. Some scholarships available. The deadline to apply is May 17. More HERE.
- Thunderbolts Camps -- There are five week-long camps beginning the week of June 16 for boys and girls ages 7-15. There are also three three-day specialty camps beginning the week of June 16 for boys and girls ages 11-16. Check out the details including early registration and multi-camper discounts and get registration forms at www.tbolts.org/Camps.
- Round House Theatre Summer Programs inspire creativity, exercise imaginations, promote artistic risk-taking, and explore ways to tell stories through theater. One- and two-week sessions, June 16-Aug. 22. Grades K - 6 at locations in downtown Silver Spring. Grades 7 - 12 in Bethesda. More HERE and HERE.
- The new *Highwood Theater* (on Silver Spring Ave) is offering "Summer in the Arts". Also, summer musical: Legally Blonde!... More HERE.
- ArtStream Theatre "Summer Sampler in Silver Spring" HERE.
NOTE:If your organization is offering summer camps, please let us know. e-mail HERE, with Summer Camps in the subject line. (Make sure you include a web-link for more info!)
eBiz Calendar
Welcome to Montgomery County's eBiz Calendar. Here you will find local events from county organizations and government entities. Browse upcoming events or use the search box to view events by interest area, event type or specific keywords. You may also search by date using the calendar widget... More HERE
Exciting things coming to the site of the old police station on Sligo Avenue
Our new 3rd Police Precinct Station is now open in White Oaks (near the intersection of Colesville and New Hampshire Ave.) And, exciting things are coming to the site of the old police station on Sligo Avenue! The County Executive has assigned the property to the Department of Housing and Community Affairs for consideration as an affordable artist housing redevelopment project. Within the next few months, the County will be meeting with the community to discuss a redevelopment plan that includes artist housing and arts related community uses. Also, please know that the existing MCPD substation will remain in its current location at Fire Station #1 (8131 Georgia Ave.)
Senior Village Activities
Did you know that the Silve Spring Village members gather regularly for coffee at the likes of Kefa Cafe, Zed's, and Kaldi's; tour neighborhoods with noted historians; and much more? If you are an active senior living in zip-code 20910 (or nearby) and want more info, visit HERE.
Census Bureau Looking for Community Organizations to Help Reach Hundreds for Temporary Jobs in Montgomery County This Summer
The Census Bureau needs help reaching prospective applicants for the hundreds for temporary 2014 Census Test jobs they are hiring for in Montgomery County. Nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community groups are all great resources for recruiting applicants. If your organization is willing to provide testing space for job seekers and conduct the outreach to make sure applicants know about this opportunity, you could help employ members of our community in good paying, temporary positions. Part-time positions are available from June through September, Paying from $18.50-$20.00 an hour. Please contact Nesreen Khashan at 202-510-6403 or nesreen.khashan@census.gov with any questions or to find out how your organization can become a testing site
Greater Lyttonsville Monday Matters Meeting Series
The Montgomery County Planning Department will be hosting a series of Monday evening meetings in June for the Greater Lyttonsville community to attend and learn more about the planning process for the Greater Lyttonsville Sector Plan. As a follow-up to the successful relaunch meeting held in early May, the planning team would like to invite residents to learn about specific subject areas such as: urban design, historic preservation, land use, parks, environment and transportation, including the Purple Line. The planning team will discuss these subject areas and how they will contribute to the overall plan, which will form the foundation for transforming the heart of Greater Lyttonsville. ... All residents, property owners, and business owners are invited to attend the Monday Matters meetings on June 2, 9 and 16 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Gwendolyn E. Coffield Center (2450 Lyttonsville Road, Silver Spring, MD), 2nd Floor Classroom.
- Monday, June 2 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Topics: Urban Design, Historic Preservation, Land Use
- Monday, June 9 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Topics: Parks, Environment
- Monday, June 16 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Topics: Transportation, Purple Line
Where: Gwendolyn E. Coffield Center - 2450 Lyttonsville Road, Silver Spring, MD
Info: Learn more about the Sector Plan: HERE Social Media: #GreaterLP
Melissa Williams, Senior Planner, M-NCPPC
Area One Division
T 301 495 4642
F 301 495 1304
E HERE
Submit Your Business Plan to StartRight! for Prizes
This business plan competition for women is designed to give new businesses a boost with cash prizes, publicity, and networking opportunities. Entrants will also benefit from review and recommendations of an experienced panel of judges from area businesses, financial institutions, organizations, government agencies and colleges... More HERE.
English as a Second Language Classes and Much More at ACSGW*
ANNOUNCING ESOL, GED PREPARATION, BEGINNING AND ADVANCED COMPUTER CLASSES and more at ACSGW*! The next semester starts the week of July 7! Classes in MULTIPLE LANGUAGES will be offered in some subjects as well as help with AMERICANIZATION and GUIDANCE IN APPLYING FOR CITIZENSHIP. Visit www.acsgw.org for more information and read testimonials from ACSGW students on FACEBOOK HERE. You may also call John Reed at 301-585-6556 or email jreed@acsgw.org for more information. (*Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington (ACSGW) was established in 1983 as the collective health and social welfare arm of several local church congregations. Today, ACSGW is a faith-based, nonprofit organization whose mission is to help those less fortunate in our community.)
PaperLess Airplane Flies Again!
See latest issue HERE. Headlines include:
- Transit Center Update: Leggett Directs Contractors to Begin Final Fixes to Silver Spring Transit Center to Ensure Safety and Durability
- Council Introduces Executive’s Pay Equity Bill
- State Highway Emergency Repairs to Begin on Route 29 on May 12 -- Lanes Closed in Both Directions
- Summer Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs Now Out
- Free Deck Inspections Offered in May for Building Safety Month
- Dates and Deadlines for Voters for Upcoming 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election
- New ePlans and ePermits Online System – Good for People, Business, and the Environment
(You can subscribe directly to this informative newsletter from the link provided above.)
League of Women Voters
From the League: "Enter your address to find your polling place, build your ballot with our online voters' guide and much more! With our voters' guide you can see the races on your ballot, compare candidates' positions side-by-side, and print out a "ballot" indicating your preferences as a reminder and take it with you to the polls on Election Day. Check out our resources for military and overseas voters!" More HERE.
Community Program Night at the Thunderbolts Baseball
Did you know that Silver Spring / Takoma Park has its very own REAL (and real fun!) baseball team?
The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (more HERE) are offering community groups, businesses, government employees, civic associations and youth groups the opportunity to participate in our free community ticket night. Each group can receive up to 50 free tickets to a selected Thunderbolts game. All children associated with the group will be admitted free to that specific game. The group does not need to use all 50 tickets to be eligible. The group will be recognized during the game and one member of the group will be able to throw out the first pitch before the game. Two groups per game will be eligible for the free ticket offer. Community ticket nights are available for the following games: June 12, June 18, June 26, July 17, and July 25. All games are at Blair Stadium and begin at 7 p.m. Send an email to Thunderboltsbaseball@Gmail.com with the name of the group, the date (and alternate) selected and a contact person for the group. Selections open May 1.
Neighborhood Beautification Grants Available
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) Task Force is reviewing grant applications through June to fund beautification projects that help improve the appearance of communities. The grants pay 50 percent of the total cost, up to $500, on a competitive basis to any non-profit community association. Volunteer hours spent on the project are valued at $7.25 an hour. ... To apply for a beautification grant, or for information on how you can become a member of the Task Force, contact MCDOT's Community Outreach Program at 240-777-7155 or by email at mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov or visit HERE.
MCDOT Accepting 2014 Nominations for the 23rd Annual Amateur Photography
Nominations are now being accepted for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)’s annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) Amateur Photography competition! The 23rd annual Amateur Photography Competition, photos of Montgomery County locations and/or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest and relevance of the subject matter, and technique. We are looking forward to an exciting collection of photographs that depict Montgomery County at its finest. New and experienced photographers are welcomed! As residents have an opportunity to capture the beauty of our County, we look forward to another exciting collection of photographs depicting Montgomery County at its finest. Winners will be announced and presented a gift at the Beautification Awards Ceremony scheduled in mid-October. Photo submissions are due by June 20, 2014. Instructions and more HERE.
The Census Bureau is looking for qualified applicants in Montgomery County, MD and the District of Columbia
The U.S. Census Bureau is researching modern and new methods for the population to exercise their civic obligation to be counted in the next census. At least 1,000 people in Montgomery County and DC are needed for temporary positions to get this important job done. Whether through the Internet, telephone or traditional paper questionnaires, the Census Bureau is committed to making the once-a-decade headcount quick, easy and safe for all to participate. Through the smart use of technology and existing government data sources, the 2020 Census hopes to provide substantial taxpayer savings while maintaining the highest quality and accuracy standards mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The 2014 Census Test will allow the Census Bureau, on a small scale, to test a variety of new methods and advance technologies that are under consideration for the 2020 Census. The 2014 Test will take place from June 23, through September 25, with Census Day on July 1, 2014. The test will be conducted in portions of Washington D.C., and Montgomery County, MD. The Census Bureau will open a temporary Local Census Office (LCO) in Silver Spring, MD to conduct the 2014 Census Test and is hiring field staff for temporary positions. Pay ranges from $14-$21.50 an hour. Be a part of helping to shape the 2020 Census! Call 1-888-480-1639 for information on how to apply! More info HERE and HERE.
SHA BEGINS ROADWAY REPAIRS ON US 29 NEAR LOCKWOOD DRIVE IN SILVER SPRING
Weather Permitting, 24-Hour Lane Closures for Emergency Road and Sidewalk Reconstruction Should Be Complete by Late May
Beginning Monday, May 12, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will repair travel lanes and sidewalk along both directions of US 29 (Columbia Pike) in Silver Spring from Southwood Avenue to Lockwood Drive for emergency roadwork. Weather permitting; the work should be complete by late May.
This work will require extended lane closures on northbound and southbound US 29. SHA’s contractor is permitted to close up to two right lanes in each direction of US 29, Sunday through Saturday, 24 hours a day until the work is complete. The lane closures are necessary to repair damaged roadway and sidewalks along this section of US 29 resulting from last week’s heavy rainstorms. Last week, SHA closed the area most impacted by the rains—the far right lane on northbound US 29—from Southwood Avenue to Lockwood Drive.
The lane closures will also allow construction equipment to enter and exit the work zone. Work along southbound US 29 is expected to be completed first. Crews will open lanes along southbound US 29 once work along that side of the road is complete. Construction and lane closures along northbound US 29 are expected to take longer due to more severe roadway impacts.
Although crews may not always be present, lanes must remain closed until the work is complete and all affected lanes and sidewalks are declared safe. Drivers should plan ahead and add extra commuting time during construction. Residents and travelers are advised that equipment used for construction can be loud and disruptive. SHA asks for your patience as crews work to complete the emergency roadwork. Customers with questions about the US 29 roadway repairs may contact the SHA District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or shadistrict3@sha.state.md.us.
SHA will use construction barrels, construction cones, arrow boards and flaggers to guide motorists through the work zone. As crews work to keep work zones safe, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert – look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For Everyone!
Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the Web site. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.
More HERE.
Village Vibe, Volume 1, Number 3 (Silver Spring Village)
"In the May/June issue of our bimonthly newsletter, Village Vibe, you will find a progress report on enrollment and volunteer services, a sampler of events for members, information about our sponsorship program, how to join, volunteer, and donate, plus lots of photos and comments that show what we do for the community. ... This and all previous issues are also available on our website, www.silverspringvillage.org , where you will find more information. ... Mother's Day just passed and Father's Day are fast approaching. If you are looking for a very special gift, consider membership in our Village!"
Roberta Gosier, President
Claire Maklan, Chair, Communications Committee
Spring Mill Bread Co. Opening in Takoma Park
5th Location in the DC Area
TAKOMA PARK, MD April 29, 2014 Spring Mill Bread Co. will be opening a new location at 7300 Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD. Spring Mill Bread Co, a small batch baker, will offer its successful combination of soft crust breads, sweet treats, soups and sandwiches in a café setting. With plans for both indoor and outdoor seating, Spring Mill Bread Co. will renovate the 1,800 sq ft space and model it after its other locations. A Fall 2014 opening date is anticipated... “The management and bakers at the Spring Mill Bread Co. are very excited to have finally secured a location in Takoma Park’” says owner Katherine Rurka. “Twenty years ago, the TPSS Food Coop and its members were the first business that offered Spring Mill Bread Co. the opportunity to tap into an ever-growing market in natural foods. We will continue to offer our products at the TPSS Coop to ensure that their loyal members have access to the products to which they have grown accustomed.” More HERE.
2014 Thunderbolts Baseball - Play ball!
- OPENING DAY -- The 15th season of Thunderbolts baseball starts at home on June 6. Come out and enjoy some great college baseball.
- THUNDERBOLTS BASEBALL CAMPS -- There are five week-long camps beginning the week of June 16 for boys and girls ages 7-15. There are also three three-day specialty camps beginning the week of June 16 for boys and girls ages 11-16. Check out the details including early registration and multi-camper discounts and get registration forms at www.tbolts.org/Camps.
- PARTIES AT TBOLTS GAMES -- Schedule an event at Blair Stadium. For kids' birthdays, the birthday boy or girl can celebrate by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch (and get to keep the ball!). The price includes food and drinks, admission to the game, and reserved grandstand seating. If you wish, we can help you order a birthday cake from a local bakery. Go to www.Tbolts.org/Parties for reservation forms.
- SEASON TICKETS -- Season tickets are on sale now: $50 individual, $75 for family season pass. A family pass gets you and your immediate family into all 20 regular season home games.
- FIFTH ANNUAL THUNDERBOLTS FUN DAY -- This year Fun Day will be held on Sunday June 1 from 12:00-3 pm at Blair Stadium. This is a free baseball clinic for kids 7-15. We'll have special activities and prizes.
- COMMUNITY PROGRAM NIGHT - The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts are offering community groups, businesses, government employees, civic associations and youth groups the opportunity to participate in our free community ticket night. Each group can receive up to 50 free tickets to a selected Thunderbolts game. All children associated with the group will be admitted free to that specific game. The group does not need to use all 50 tickets to be eligible. The group will be recognized during the game and one member of the group will be able to throw out the first pitch before the game. Two groups per game will be eligible for the free ticket offer. Community ticket nights are available for the following games: June 12, June 18, June 26, July 17, and July 25. All games are at Blair Stadium and begin at 7 p.m. Send an email to Thunderboltsbaseball@Gmail.com with the name of the group, the date (and alternate) selected and a contact person for the group. Selections open May 1.
Grant Avenue Market Opens Mother's Day
"In a little over a week, we will be back in Takoma Park to open the Grant Avenue Market for the 2014 season!
On Mother's Day, May 11th, Old Town Takoma will be the place to be: stop by the Farmers Market, have brunch at Republic & then hop in a FREE pedicab to ride the few blocks down to Grant Avenue and do some vintage shopping. ... We will be hosting 20+ of the most unique vintage vendors in the region including:
- The Vintage Marketplace & The Robin's Nest - bringing their furniture & housewares from Glenwood & Frederick, MD
- Clothing & accessories from I Found That Vintage & 15th Street Vintage
- Antique maps from Heirloom Maps
- Refurbished sewing machines, typewriters & more from Flying Monkey Studio
Plus, we'll have live music from our house band School of Rock and goodies from Holy Crepes & Tea Pops (Moms get free pops!). And step into our photo booth for a cute picture mom will treasure for years. Check out our website for vendor updates & map next week: www.grantavenuemarket.com and attached is the press release for more information."
The StartRight! Business Plan Competition for Women Entrepreneurs
The StartRight! Business Plan Competition for Women Entrepreneurs was founded in 2003 by Rockville Economic Development Inc. (REDI) to encourage and support women’s entrepreneurship. StartRight! awards more than $15,000 in prizes for winning business plans, with a top prize of $5,000! To qualify, the business must be at least 51% women owned, less than 3 years old, and located in Maryland, D.C. or Virginia. The women who join our competition receive more than the opportunity to win a cash prize – they also receive valuable coaching and feedback on their business plan! See our list of past winners. The 2014 deadline is June 25th. More info HERE.
The Census is hiring in Silver Spring
The Census Bureau is looking for qualified applicants in Montgomery County, MD and the District of Columbia!
The U.S. Census Bureau is researching modern and new methods for the population to exercise their civic obligation to be counted in the next census. Whether through the Internet, telephone or traditional paper questionnaires, the Census Bureau is committed to making the once-a-decade headcount quick, easy and safe for all to participate. Through the smart use of technology and existing government data sources, the 2020 Census hopes to provide substantial taxpayer savings while maintaining the highest quality and accuracy standards mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The 2014 Census Test will allow the Census Bureau, on a small scale, to test a variety of new methods and advance technologies that are under consideration for the 2020 Census. The 2014 Test will take place from June 23, through September 25, with Census Day on July 1, 2014. The test will be conducted in portions of Washington D.C., and Montgomery County, MD. The Census Bureau will open a temporary Local Census Office (LCO) in Silver Spring, MD to conduct the 2014 Census Test and is hiring field staff for temporary positions. Pay ranges from $14-$21.50 an hour. Be a part of helping to shape the 2020 Census! We need to hire 1,000 people! Call 1-888-480-1639 for information on how to apply!
GapBuster 8th Annual Teen Health Expo - May 17th
Noon - 4pm Ellsworth Drive (adjacent to Veterans Plaza)
From Dr. Butler: "We are still welcoming exhibitors to our Teen Health Expo on May 17th. The Expo covers all areas of healthy living, so do not hesitate to call us to reserve a space in downtown Silver Spring for the event. Additionally, we are looking for donations for raffles and giveaways. Please call or email us if interested in contributing to this community event. Contact us at gapbusteroffice@gmail.com or Malcolm Clyburn at Malcolm.c09@gmail.com."
Beautification Grant Program
EVERY Silver Spring Civic Association is encourged to apply!
"We are pleased to announce the 18th year of our neighborhood Beautification Grant Program as part of our Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) efforts for fiscal year 2014. The Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Program is seeking community organizations to beautify and improve the overall aesthetics of neighborhood communities in Montgomery County through landscaping projects. Any community organization within Montgomery County may qualify as a project sponsor. This is a self-help opportunity to beautify your neighborhood. Neighborhoods are eligible for a grant of up to $500 to match the community's share of a beautification project. Volunteer hours qualify as part of your share." More HERE.
4th Annual Taste the World in Fenton Village to Present “Restaurant Crawl” with International Flavor
Sunday, May 4, 2014
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Raffle drawings at 5:30 p.m.
Fenton Village, just south of downtown Silver Spring, Maryland
Event assembles at the Music Stage at public Parking Lot 3 off Fenton Street Between Thayer and Silver Spring avenues
Thirty-one of Montgomery Count’s most diverse restaurants are teaming up with the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, Silver Spring Town Center Inc., Montgomery County, and a host of local sponsors to offer the 2014 Taste the World in Fenton Village. This year’s media sponsors are online urban guide Yelp and radio station All the Hits 107.3, and the corporate title sponsors are The Blairs, Fenwick Apartments, PEPCO, local realtor Suzy Zusy, and United Therapeutics.
Taste the World features international and American cuisine at the actual restaurant venues, making this event the “restaurant crawl” sibling of popular pub-crawl events. Introducing the patrons to the restaurants and other businesses in the neighborhood, as well as to the rich variety of cuisines, is the core goal of the event.
Attendees visit the restaurants and for $2, $3, $4 or $5 can sample appetizers and tasting plates filled with international fare. Fenton Village restaurants offer metro area families and visitors a unique dining experience—all within a five-block area often called the “hidden gem of Silver Spring.”
At each stop, patrons can get their Taste the World “passports” stamped, and with three stamps they are eligible for prizes, including a weekend for two in Silver Spring with car service, hotel, dining and entertainment.
During the restaurant tour, Taste the World will host live music and entertainment on two music stages and many other performers around the neighborhood, creating a truly festive atmosphere.
Maps, lists of restaurants and sponsors, and other details will be available HERE and facebook HERE.
# # #
Event Contacts: Debbie Linn, dalesq@comcast.net; Sue Decker, suedecker1@aol.com
General Media Inquiries: John Leonard, leonard.john2012@gmail.com, 240-994-8407
Pothole Blitz
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has announced that starting Thursday, April 3rd the Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will conduct another intensive effort to fill the County's potholes. MCDOT repairs potholes every day of the year except during rain and snow. But, over the next two weeks, the department will devote about 60 percent of its resources to filling potholes and replacing damaged road sections.
"This year's cold and snowy winter has been rough on all of us and particularly rough on our County roads," said Leggett. "MCDOT's enhanced efforts to fill potholes during the brief February warm spell was very successful, with 2,600 filled in a few days. Division of Highway Services crews are out in full force once again to get our roads into the kind of shape our residents and visitors expect of Montgomery County. I want to thank our staff for their tireless efforts to keep the roads clear of ice and snow during this long winter season and for all they do to repair and maintain our transportation infrastructure."
MCDOT relies on resident reports of potholes, and repair crews also stop to fill any other potholes encountered as they make their rounds. Residents can report potholes online HERE or by calling the MC311 Call Center at 311 or 240-777-0311, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers are asked to be cautious and patient when encountering crews filling potholes.
MCDOT fills potholes on 5,000 lane miles of County-maintained roads. The Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) fills potholes, plows snow and maintains numbered routes in the County, such as Maryland routes 355 or 97. MSHA can be reached at 301-513-7300. In addition, municipalities, such as the cities of Rockville or Gaithersburg, handle their own repairs.
Silver Spring Stage Presents Other Desert Cities - Powerful Family Drama Runs April 4-April 27
Silver Spring Stage presents Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz, directed by Bridget Muhlberger and produced by Seth Ghitelman, juicy and surprising drama with humor of a writer returning home to Palm Springs announcing she's publishing a memoir that dredges up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history. Other Desert Cities will perform weekends April 4 to April 27, 2014. Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays April 13 and 27 at 2:00 PM. Tickets & More Info: www.ssstage.org
Days Off at Round House in Silver Spring
A full day of theatrical fun for grades K – 5 at the Round House Theatre Education Center when Montgomery County Public Schools are closed. Round House Education invites students to participate in theater visual art, and dance workshops and collaborate with an ensemble of their peers to create an original play in just one day! Each “Day Off!” features a new and exciting story genre to explore and culminates in a performance for family and friends at 4:30pm... More HERE.
Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. looking for performers
And much more info SSTCi's latest newsletter HERE. ... "We are also looking for a few seasoned adult musicians to mentor a band of 4-6 youth. Mentors attend the "meet and greet" Saturday, April 19th in Downtown Silver Spring, as well as participate in a minimum of two rehearsals and perform with their band in the showcase on May 16th..." More HERE.
Transportation highlights from County Executive Leggett's FY15 Operating Budget submission
See HERE.
Bilingual Voters Needed to Serve at the Polls for the 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election
The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking bilingual voters to work at early voting sites and at polling places on Election Day. Because of the diversity of the county, the Montgomery County Board of Elections recruits workers who speak dozens of languages for every election. Voters with Spanish speaking fluency are especially needed because the county places election judges who are fluent in Spanish at every polling place in accordance with the requirements of Section 203 of the 1975 Voting Rights Act. Bilingual voters are needed for Election Day, which is on Tuesday, June 24, and during Early Voting every day from June 12 to June 19. The Election Law of Maryland requires that election judges must be registered to vote in the State of Maryland, 17 years of age or older, and a U.S. citizen. Bilingual judges must also be able to speak, read, and write in English. All election judges will be compensated for training and for Election Day service. If you are interested in taking this leadership position in your community, please contact the Montgomery County Board of Elections at 240-777-8532, download an election judge questionnaire from our website HERE. Or e-mail Dr. Gilberto Zelaya at gilberto.zelaya@montgomerycountymd.gov
County Council Schedule
The Committee schedule on the Council’s website now shows the operating budget worksession schedule through early May. The Committee schedule is updated daily and will reflect changes as they occur. See HERE.
New Councilmember Sherri Branson is on Twitter!
@MoCoDistrict5 - Recent Tweet: "Excited to recognize Silver Spring as one one of America's Most Exciting Suburbs tomorrow morning at Council #SilverSpringRocks."
County's Fire & Rescue has lots of useful info
- Five Things You Need to Know (English & Spanish)
- Residential Smoke Alarm Requirements Matrix
- New Smoke Alarm Law News Release
Check their web site for more HERE.
Back by popular demand! The Old Takoma Business Association is pleased to announce this year's reCYCLE
Public Art Project: reCYCLE Please Sit on the Art
Calling All Artists! We are looking for artists to create imaginative Seats (chairs, benches, thrones, pews, stools etc.), made in-part or entirely from re-purposed or recycled materials. Seats will be installed along the sidewalks of Old Takoma from June-October 2014 and available for public use. Existing seats may be re-interpreted with paint or other embellishments or new forms of seating may be created from fabricating other materials into seating. We welcome both established and emerging artists working in all artistic media. Application: www.recyclearttakoma.com
Sligo Creek Golf Course is re-opening!
From Woody Brosna, President SCGA
So put on your woolies and come play. Or if it's just too cold for you stop by the grille and enjoy a snack, meal or beverage. (I hear the Revenue Authority even bought new carpeting). Dave Degirolamo is back as manager and groundskeeper Mike Hawley will have the course ready to play. We will have more news in the coming weeks about the Spring tournament date and bunker renovations so stay tuned.
The Highwood Theatre comes to Fenton Village!
This new Theatre is on Silver Spring Avenue in Fenton Village (the southern part of downtown Silver Spring.) See more on what they are up to HERE... and join them for "Twelfth Night: A madcap comedy of mischief, mix-ups, and merriment presented by The Students' Theatre"
- Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 15 at 4:00 and 7:30 PM
- Sunday, March 16 at 1:00 and 4:00 PM
From Abe Woycke, Managing Director: The Highwood Theatre <http://www.thehighwoodtheatre.org/> is a non profit organization dedicated to promoting the performing arts through community-produced theatre. The Highwood Theatre's core value is "anyone can do theatre." We are devoted to hearing everyone's ideas, developing those ideas, and sharing them with the community. Whether it's a new class for students or adults, a play or musical performance, or the wackiest theatre-related idea you can think of, we want to hear it and think about how to make it happen. Visit www.thehighwoodtheatre.org <http://www.thehighwoodtheatre.org/> for tickets to shows <http://www.thehighwoodtheatre.org/tickets.html> , Students' Theatre classes <http://www.thehighwoodtheatre.org/registration.html> , or info on how to get involved <http://www.thehighwoodtheatre.org/volunteer.html>
Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship - Application Deadline: May 30 2014
The Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship competition is open to Maryland high school seniors and college undergraduate students of Hispanic descent, who maintain full time or part time status at an accredited post-secondary institution beginning in the fall of the current year. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater or GED certification with a recommendation from the academic advisor, plan to attend school for an entire academic year and have financial need. Applicants must also have leadership and community involvement. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist Hispanic students who live in Maryland to achieve potential life goals and make a positive impact on their lives. Scholarships provide recipients with a one time assistance of $2,000.00. To download application go HERE.
- Recipients will be recognized at the Executive Hispanic Gala THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 at The Fillmore in Silver Spring. For more info, sponsoring opportunities and to purchase early birds tickets, go HERE.
A Special Invitation to Join us in a Faith Community Dialogue
Save the date: May 8th, 7pm Civic Building
Our County is blessed with amazing faith communities. Many of these faith communitites gather routinely at the Countywide level to discuss matters of mutual interest and do action planning. The County's Interfaith Community Liaison, Mansfield ("Kasey") Kaseman (Office of Community Partnership) will be joining us to share the various initiatives underway, including:
- Clergy Response Team responding to acts of hate and violence
- Solidarity Programming Committee working with the Montgomery County Schools related to religious holidays and teaching cultural diversity
- Intervention and Prevention Committee promoting awareness and education related to extremest groups
- internet safety for children and youth
- working with the Police, Red Cross, HHS, Office of Emergency Preparedness and Home Land Security in developing training for clergy related to all forms of violence and disasters
- Neighbors in Need Working Group focusing on issues of hunger, integration of immigrants and healthcare
- Religious Land Use Working Group shepherding faith communities through the Departments of Planning and Permitting Services and advocating on behalf of faith communities.
Join participants from faith communities right here in Silver Spring in this dialogue and share your ideas on how these - and other pertinent issues - are most relevant in our Silver Spring Regional Area.
Interested? e-mail Reemberto HERE. (please put 'Faith Convening' in Subject Line.)
The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery Launches New Exhibition: DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS
Gordana Gerskovic I Margaret Paris I Jeff Sutton
February 13, 2014 – May 23, 2014
WHAT: “Digital Impressions,” a new exhibition featuring digital photography
WHO: Montgomery County artists Gordana Gerskovic, Margaret Paris and Jeff Sutton
WHEN: Opening Reception: Thursday, February 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM
On view: February 13, 2014 until Friday, May 23, 2014
WHERE: The Betty Mae Kramer Gallery, Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring
The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) is pleased to announce the opening of Digital Impressions, a new exhibition at the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and Music Room. Digital Impressions will run from February 13, 2014 until May 23, 2014. The opening reception, free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, February 13, at 5:30 p.m. ... Digital Impressions explores the impact of technology on photography. Each of the three artists featured in this exhibition employs a varying degree of manipulation to enhance color, remove compositional elements, or emphasize formal relationships. Many of the photographs resemble abstract paintings, privileging form, color, and line over subject. Jeff Sutton’s works are influenced by his recent travels in Istanbul. Their hyper-realism and saturated color result in enigmatic impressions that juxtapose sea, sky, and man-made structures, often with a mystical emptiness. Shooting exclusively with an iPhone camera and photo editing apps, Margaret Paris creates a series of vivid close-ups of plants and flowers. Bold contrasts and luminescent colors transform nature studies into sci-fi visions. Gordana Gerskovic magnifies her subject even more, finding mesmerizing patterns and textures in the mundane. ... Gallery Director and Curator Dr. Michele Cohen, explains: “Digital technology has liberated photographers, enabling them to alter and enhance images with ease. I assembled the work in this exhibition to compare and contrast how three Montgomery County photographers have responded to the digital age.” Read the Full Press Release HERE.
NOTE: If you have not seen Cultural Exchanges at the Kramer Gallery, you have only till Feb. 7th to do so. Very well worth it chekcing it out! See more HERE.
Save the Date! Executive Hispanic Gala - Thursday, September 18, 2014
Last year's Gala was a great success!... Now a date has already been chosen for this year: Thursday, September 18th... The Gala brings together stakeholders and organizations that are committed to assist Hispanic youth to achieve a high level of education while building strong, diverse and united communities in Montgomery County and throughout the State of Maryland. Funds raised will be directed to scholarships for Latino students enrolled in Montgomery County and Maryland higher education institutions. The 2014 Hispanic Gala Steering Committee is committed in developing highly educated Latino professionals while providing critical financial assistance that will increase graduation rates from post-secondary education. The Executive’s Hispanic Gala is a completely volunteer-run event. ... More info HERE.
Makeover Montgomery II - Opportunity to Participate
The Planning Department is now accepting applications for presentation ideas for the Makeover Montgomery II conference happening May 8-10, 2014. Building on the success of the first Makeover Montgomery conference in 2011, the theme of this conference is "The Continuing Transformation of America's Suburbs." Learn more about how you can get involved HERE. Makeover Montgomery II will be made possible by the partnership between the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Urban Studies and Planning Program at the University of Maryland.
Call to Artists! Applications for the 2014 Art Hop Takoma
"Call to Artists! Applications for the 2014 Art Hop Takoma are being accepted. Don't miss out! Spaces are limited and sell out every year! On Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, 2014, the Old Takoma business district will once again transform into a lively arts district showcasing the talents of both emerging and established visual artists including painters, glass workers, photographers, mixed media artists, jewelry makers, fiber artists and many more. Art is installed in the shops, restaurants and galleries of Old Takoma and a trolley is available to help visitors explore. We are looking for a broad variety of artistic media at all price points. If you are an artist interested in applying, please go to the Artist Application page. If you are a performance or street artists, we would love to hear from you too!" More info and application HERE.
OTHER POSTINGS
Inaugural Remarks by County Executive Isiah Leggett Available On-Line
The Revels Have a New Web-site!
- The Washington Revels have a new 'user-friendly' web-site. It lists all their upcoming events and more. See HERE. ("Revels is for anyone who wants to share common ground through old and new traditions - connecting people across time and cultures.")
Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station - A past with a future
- Have you seen this video? BEAUTIFUL short music video highlighting our B&O RR Station. Wondeful song!... If you have folks from out of town (or know of newcommers to the area) please share. See it HERE. {And, visit the station this Saturday for a special Holiday treat.} For more history on the station, visit HERE.
Did you know?
- Crittenton Services of Greater Washington is a non-profit organization - active in Silver Spring! - that focuses on empowering teen girls to overcome obstacles, make positive choices, and achieve their goals through programs in schools in Montgomery County. The PEARL program consist of giving pregnant and parenting teen support, knowledge, and skills they need to succeed as students and moms... For more info: HERE.
Long Branch Placemaking
- Not one, not two, but many examples of how a sense of place is being created right in our mist in Long Branch. Visit this amazing site http://artinplace.wix.com/long-branch and make sure you browse the 'projects'.
Celebrating Our Own
- It is good to see local aspiring journalists select local topics to enhance their educational experience... See this heartwarming story for an example: "Being pregnant while running or exercising is no easy feat, but Ana Lincoln seemed to just make it work..." See “Taking ‘Baby’ Steps to run the MCM 10K” by Jean Lee HERE.
Politics and Prose will open satellite stores in Busboys and Poets restaurants - including Takoma DC location
- GREAT news for our neighboring community of Takoma DC. See Washington Post article HERE.
County Seniors Have a Free Ride to Fun, Fellowship, Activity
Transporte fácil y gratis: Adultos Mayores disfrutan de un viaje gratuito de Diversión, Amistad y Actividades
- Es fácil, es gratis, Es nuestro servicio de buses de esquina a esquina a cinco centros para aquellos que son 55 años o más. Gracias a nuestra alianza con el Concejo Judío para Mayores (JCA) los adultos mayores pueden estar más activos y comprometidos con su salud. Mire nuestro video AQUI, le encantará Luicie, quien dice "y ahora hago Yoga" Pásele la voz a sus amigos y vecinos sobre este programa, que no se lo pierdan.
Ride Along with Fire and Rescue Service
- Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is inviting veterans and service members to "ride-along" with its Firefighter/EMTs this Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Participants can sign up to ride as an observer in a fire truck or ambulance as well as experience a day in the life of a Firefighter/EMT. Veterans or service members who would like to sign up for this experience can contact the MCFRS Recruiting Section HERE. Participants will be assigned to a Montgomery County fire station and can spend 3-6 hours with MCFRS personnel.
LOCALS RECOGNIZED REGIONALY AND NATIONALY
- Kevin Beverly, Silver Spring's own Social Scientific Systems executive vice president, was named Philanthropist of the Year by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. He received this award at a ceremony in honor of his commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. The Gazette covered the story HERE.
- Musie Betre, owner of Bankers Business Management, Inc., a local company based in downtown Silver Spring (the World Building), was recognized as on of the Top 100 MBE from the Mid-Atlantic Region recently. More HERE
- Jason Amboo, 14 year old resident of one of Montgomery Housing Partnership properites in Long Branch was recognized by NeighborWorks America as a recipient of the prestigious Dorothy Richardson Award for Community Leadership. Read his story and watch inspiring video HERE.
Leggett Hails News of County’s Triple-A Bond Rating; County Among Best in Nation for Fiscal Responsibility...
- County Executive Ike Leggett announced that Montgomery County has maintained its Triple-A bond rating from three Wall Street bond rating agencies, just a week after Leggett led a group of County officials, including Council President Craig Rice, to meet with the agencies to brief Wall Street on the County’s fiscal situation and future plans. More HERE.
Leggett, StonebridgeCarras and Bozzuto Announce Agreement for Redevelopment of Downtown Wheaton; More than One Million Square Feet of Mixed Use Projects Will Reshape Wheaton Triangle and M-NCPPC Site in Silver Spring...
- Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced the signing of a public-private partnership agreement that will remake the downtown Wheaton Triangle. The agreement will also create a new Georgia Avenue gateway to Silver Spring with mixed-use development on the site of the current headquarters of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), which also houses the County’s Planning Board and Planning Department staff. More HERE.
Visit Montgomery - Name Change!
- The organization formerly known as the Conference and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Montgomery County, MD Inc. is now Visit Montgomery. The name change follows a nationwide trend of destination marketing organizations using verbs to promote their destination. Similar name changes include the conversion of the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau to Destination Gettysburg, and nearby Visit Baltimore, Stay Arlington and Extraordinary Alexandria.... More HERE.
Interactive Map Reveals Current Development Projects Throughout Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, now offers an easy way for the public to find detailed information about development projects throughout the county. The Development Finder website, launched on October 7, offers an interactive map of the county and surrounding areas. Users can search by the address or location of the development or enter a simple term like “Silver Spring”... Try it HERE.... Othere articles on this issue include:
- - Natali Fani-Gonzalez Appointed As New Planning Board Member
- - Montgomery Parks and Planning Present Newest Achievements to County Council
- - Greater Lyttonsville Sector Plan Visioning Workshop Recap and Questionnaire
- - White Oak Science Gateway Plan Approved
- - Approved and Adopted Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan Available
- - Learn About Existing and Proposed Bikeways in Montgomery County
- - New Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance Takes Effect October 30, 2014
- - Community Organization Lists
Link to Newsletter HERE
Leggett Announces Increased Hours, Staffing, Materials For Montgomery County Public Libraries; Service Hours to Increase by Nearly 10 Percent
- Beginning Sunday, October 5, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will be open longer, with added service hours totaling 106 hours, 9.4 percent more than in fiscal year 2014. Sixteen branches will have expanded hours, joining the five branches whose hours were increased in FY13. The expanded hours at the Silver Spring branch will go into effect when the new library opens later in this fiscal year. In addition, four more branches will be open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. bringing the total number with Sunday hours to 13... More HERE.
Follow trending news in the Silver Spring area!
- From Noah, our summer intern who is entering 10th grade at Blair: "For my summer project, I created an app that grabs many news headlines from the Silver Spring area and compiles them into a list of trending news headlines. If you don't have time to read the news, don't worry! Each news article comes with a custom generated summary so you don't have to read the whole article. The app can also take you to the news article if you wish to read it. Download the Android app HERE. (Sorry i-Phone folks. You'll have to wait!)"
Somos Montgomery Highlights Public Participation - and the Red Shirts!
- "Somos Montgomery" is an informative program highlighting many topics of interest to our community (in Spanish.) See their web site HERE. The show now running highlights Councilmember Nancy Navarro, Karla Siilvestre (Montgomery College Community Relations), and Reemberto Rodriguez (Silver Spring Regional Center Director.)
- Plus, there is also a special feature on our Red Shirts, found HERE.
From Vicki Warren, Board Chair: "...And as Gandhi Brigade gears up for the new programs this autumn, we are delighted to bring on a new interim Executive Director...."
- "Community activist and media consultant Evan Glass will take over leadership of the organization as the interim Executive Director. He will serve while a Search Committee, comprised of community leaders and Gandhi Brigade board members, looks for a successor to Richard. Evan brings with him a strong history of issue advocacy that includes youth engagement as well as an exemplary track record of nonprofit leadership. His background as a former CNN producer will ensure that the quality of Gandhi Brigade's media work remains to the highest standards. Evan first volunteered with Gandhi Brigade back in 2008 and is dedicated to continue Richard's legacy while working within the community to empower our next generation of leaders."
Locavesting Video on YouTube - MUST WATCH for entreprenuers and businesses
(Please share with your networks, particularly entreprenuers and small businesses looking for capital.)
Organized by The Old Takoma Business Association, this panel presents innovative ways that residents can support local businesses while earning interest on their investments. OTBA has worked with partners to develop three loan platforms that will be available to local residents over the next few months. The platforms include: WACIF (a DC based community investment organization) Neighborhood Notes which will target the business community in this area: OTBA Takoma Notes which provide loans to specific businesses; and a crowdfunding option under a new Maryland law, which will allow residents to lend up to $100 directly to Maryland businesses and earn interest on the loan. See full video HERE.
Summer Interns Highlight "Fenton Village Stories"
Unaccompanied Children: How to Help
- The county continues its commitment to the most vulnerable, but there is much work to be done to meet this challenge. Working together may help us improve our systems for empowering all vulnerable youth and families in the county. One of the most meaningful ways you can help would be to contact your favorite local safety net organization and ask what they need. All of these organizations will be feeling the burden of this challenge. Your time, talent, and treasure can make a difference right now and right here. Governor O’Malley has posted a very useful “How to Help” page on the state’s webpage. If you want to learn about becoming a foster parent or helping in other ways, please log onto HERE
2014 National Night Out Events
The 2014 National Night Out annual observance will take place on Tuesday, August 5. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), is designed to generate neighborhood support and participation in crime prevention efforts and to enhance police and community relations. See more details and a full list of events throughout the County HERE. Stopy by one or more of these community gatherings!... Some of the events in our Regional Area include:
- Lyttonsville/Rosemary Hills/Rock Creek communities at Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Center at 2450 Lyttonsville Rd.; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Indian Springs Terrace Community Center, at 9717 Lawndale Dr.; 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Northwood/North Four Corners at Forest Knolls Pool, 11105 Foxglove Ln.; 7 – 9 p.m.
- South Four Corners at Dallas Ave. Neighborhood Park, 900 Forest Glen Rd.; 7 – 8 p.m.
- Manchester Manor Apts. in rear parking lot at 8401 Manchester Rd.; 6 – 8 p.m.
- Hampshire West Apts. at pool, 1432 Hampshire West Ct.; 5 – 8 p.m.
- Violet Place community at 812 Violet Pl.; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- CASA event at University Manor Apts. at the playground, 828 University Blvd. E; 5 – 8 p.m.
- Sligo Branview community at 9125 Eton Rd.; 6 – 8 p.m.
- Clifton Park community at Montgomery Knolls Elementary, 807 Daleview Dr.; 7 – 8 p.m.
- Takoma Park at Piney Branch Elementary School (7510 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD) 6 - 9 p.m.
Montgomery County Unveils First Stages of Financial Transparency Suite
- Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett unveiled the first stage of a “financial transparency suite” -- a new County website that is already being adopted as a model by other jurisdictions. The website focuses on the County budget and includes an electronic budget book and an interactive feature that will allow County residents and businesses to better understand and navigate the budget. The website will be searchable, more user-friendly and accessible from mobile devices. Residents will be able to create their own analysis of County finances and develop charts or graphs that meet their needs. The electronic budget publication can be translated almost instantly into 90 different languages. See full press release HERE... (See website HERE.) For details on the unveiling event, including RSVP, at the MicroSoff offices Wednesday August 6th 5:30 p.m. see HERE.
White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan Gets Council Approval
- See this and other pertinent County news in the latest version of the newsletter PaperLess Airplaine HERE.
Montgomery Hills Businesses get their own Google Map!
- There are nearly 100 businesses in the Montgomery Hills area. (Just south of the Beltway on Georgia Ave.) Everything from culinary experiences to office supply stores to personal service entreprenuers... See map HERE. See listing - with websites - HERE... (This work was done by a summer intern for the Regional Center.)
Silver Spring has a Meditation Museum
- Yes. The only one in the world. (As far as we know.) Check out its many free offerings. Classess, dialogues, radio programs, and more. See HERE.
Learn About Existing and Proposed Bikeways in Montgomery County*
Planning Department's webpage provides map and resource of information
- The Montgomery County Planning Department has created a new webpage dedicated to bikeways in Montgomery County. See HERE. The page allows visitors to view all of the existing and proposed bikeways in the County complete with an interactive map. The bikeways page also features the Silver Spring Bicycle Parking Station Study, which evaluates future demand and potential locations for a bicycle parking station near the Silver Spring Transit Center and the planned connection of the Capital Crescent Trail and Metropolitan Branch Trail. Online visitors can also review "An Assessment of Purple Line Corridor Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues" for the proposed Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring and pedestrian issues around the Purple Line.
Montgomery Council Names Casey Anderson New Chair of County Planning Board
- The Montgomery County Council today named Casey Anderson as the new chair of the County Planning Board.... Mr. Anderson is a Silver Spring resident. An attorney and community activist, he was appointed to the Planning Board in June 2011. Previously, Mr. Anderson served on the boards of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, the Citizens League of Montgomery County and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and the Committee for Montgomery. Mr. Anderson is a former vice president of the Woodside Civic Association and executive vice chairman of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board. See full press release HERE.
Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority Expands to Carroll Ave
- Takoma Park's 2014 reauthorization of the CDA expanded the Takoma/Langley Commercial Management District west to Carroll Avenue, adding the 900 and 1000 blocks of University Blvd, and 900 block of Merrimac Drive (Merrimac Center, left), nearly all commercial properties. The CDA now represents all commercial properties in the Takoma-Langley Sector Plan approved by M-NCPPC... See their weekly newsletter and subcribe HERE.
Montgomery County, Washington Property Company Finalize Agreement for New Progress Place Homeless Shelter
& More Affordable Housing in Ripley District of Silver Spring
Montgomery County and the Washington Property Company have signed an agreement that will result in a new County Progress Place homeless service center, more affordable housing for working families, and transit-oriented development in the emerging Ripley District in Silver Spring.
- The County is leveraging one County Parking Lot District parcel and two County-owned parcels in exchange for a new Progress Place building and a $3.25 million payment by Washington Property Company to the Silver Spring Parking Lot District. “The County is pleased to partner with Washington Property Company to provide a needed new County facility for the homeless,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “This project promotes the County’s smart growth initiatives by maximizing the use of public land and promoting transit-oriented development in the emerging Ripley District.”
- Washington Property Company will build a new four-story Progress Place on County-owned property behind Fire Station #1 in Silver Spring. Under the terms of the agreement, WPC will build the new $13 million facility at no cost to the County. The County government and its contractors, Shepherd’s Table and Community Vision, will operate the center.
- The building will contain three floors of Progress Place program and one floor of Personal Living Quarters (PLQs). The County will be paying for the design and construction of the 21 PLQs, which will be affordable housing for chronically homeless individuals.
- The addition of housing to the developer-built Progress Place is an opportunity for the County to help address the critical need for supportive housing for medically vulnerable and chronically homeless population.
- The co-location of County facilities on the fire station site lessens the impacts to the surrounding community by placing the new building on the site of an existing County facility, maximizes the use of public land and reduces environmental impacts by redeveloping a surface parking lot.
- In exchange, WPC will obtain the deed to three contiguous land parcels totaling about 1.5 acres, where the current Progress Place facility is located. They will redevelop the site with a high-rise residential building with several hundred apartments containing 15% Moderately Priced Dwelling Units. This parcel adjoins WPC’s new Solaire-Silver Spring apartment community, located at 1150 Ripley Street, just 700 feet from the Silver Spring Metro station.
- “This is a major milestone in the revitalization of the Ripley District, from light industrial use to a vibrant transit-oriented neighborhood, as envisioned by the County since 2000,” said WPC’s Evan Feldman, Associate Vice President of Development and Acquisitions. “This neighborhood, just steps from the Silver Spring Metro and multi-modal transit station, will eventually be home to up to 3,000 people with over two million square feet of mixed-use development.”
Census hopes to save $5 billion by moving 2020 surveys online
- PLUS: Census Bureau Looking for Community Organizations to Help Reach Hundreds for Temporary Jobs in Montgomery County This Summer: The Census Bureau needs help reaching prospective applicants for the hundreds for temporary 2014 Census Test jobs they are hiring for in Montgomery County. Nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community groups are all great resources for recruiting applicants. If your organization is willing to provide testing space for job seekers and conduct the outreach to make sure applicants know about this opportunity, you could help employ members of our community in good paying, temporary positions. Part-time positions are available from June through September, Paying from $18.50-$20.00 an hour. Please contact Nesreen Khashan at 202-510-6403 or nesreen.khashan@census.gov with any questions or to find out how your organization can become a testing site.
What Is Capital Bikeshare?
- Capital Bikeshare puts over 2500 bicycles at your fingertips. You can choose any of the over 300 stations across Washington, D.C., Arlington and Alexandria, VA and Montgomery County, MD and return it to any station near your destination. Check out a bike for your trip to work, Metro, run errands, go shopping, or visit friends and family. Join Capital Bikeshare for a day, 3 days, a month, a year or try our new daily key option, and have access to our fleet of bikes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The first 30 minutes of each trip are free. Each additional 30 minutes incurs an additional fee. Much more HERE.
Check out "Somos Montgomery"
Somos Montgomery is a dynamic Spanish language magazine style show focusing on relevant issues and stories to Hispanics in Montgomery. With a vibrant format Somos Montgomery presents stories that revolve around education, business and civic participation. Produced by Julie Rios Little, Communications Specialist, Montgomery County Council, the programming is full of informative material. See it HERE Recently two features relevant to Silver Spring included:
- A tribute to Richard Jaeggi HERE
- "Diversion", a piece highlighting Silver Spring as 'the place to be' HERE
To see many more clips from Somos Montgomery, visit HERE
Community Organization Lists
Also from M-NCPPC: "Our online tool will make HOA organization email addresses available to web users seeking to notify residents about pending development or other issues. We rely on homeowners and civic organizations to help spread the word about development applications and planning initiatives. Homeowner's association leaders may want to update your organizational contact information to a generic 'mygroup@gmail.com' and update your contact information" HERE.
A Truly "Must Bookmark (and revisit!)" Informative Site for All Citizen Planners
The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has done an amazing job in compiling all presentations given at their recent MM2 Conference. These presentations contain a wealth of information, background, educational and practical material for anyone interested in many of the issues our community is facing. Please share with others that might be interested... From the organizers: "MM2 Conference Recap: The MM2 Moving Forward Montgomery conference was quite successful with more than 300 planners, residents and students in attendance over the three-day event May 8-10, 2014. In case you missed any of the presentations, check out the recap page which includes the agenda, speaker bios and more." See HERE.
Greater Lyttonsville Plan Relaunch Recap
The relaunch of the Greater Lyttonsville Plan was a successful community meeting on May 6. Check out the presentation from the meeting and learn more about the planning process. Also, check out the Greater Lyttonsville Briefing Book summarizing the existing conditions of the Plan Area... Links and more at the InfoShare Newsletter HERE.
Leggett Announces ePlans and ePermits; Online System Will Save Residents and Businesses Money, Time, Energy and Paper
Thanks to innovative initiatives in Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS), County residents and businesses can now use “ePlans” and “ePermits” to apply online and electronically file plans to obtain electrical, deck, new home and right-of-way permits. Customers can do this from the comfort of their own home or business – saving significant time, money, fuel and paper. Later this year, home additions and commercial plans and permits will be added... Much more HERE.
East Silver Spring Elementary School Student a National Finalist! - Vote NOW!
One of East Silver Spring Elementary School's students has been named a national finalist representing the state of Maryland in the Doodle 4 Google contest. You can now vote HERE. If she wins, East Silver Spring ES will receive a technology grant. From Google's site: "The winner's doodle will appear on the Google.com homepage and he or she will receive a $30,000 scholarship and a $50,000 Google for Education technology grant for his or her school." Help us choose the winner - cast your votes for each grade group now. This has been posted on the WashPost site HERE
Montgomery Plans - 30 minutes of video worth watching!
Montgomery Plans features news and profile segments about the work of the Planning Department. In this spring edition, get the updates on the Zoning Rewrite project, Aspen Hill, and BRT. You can also take a tour of Ten Mile Creek and learn about the history of downtown Silver Spring. See video HERE.
Purple Line Mandatory Referral Recap
Check out the full video (10+hours!) of the Planning Board's consideration of the Purple Line Mandatory Referral which happened on March 20 HERE. This is truly a gem of current - and historical value for anyone interested on issues related to the Purple Line. Learn more about this process HERE.
"One Step at a Time", making us proud of our youth in Silver Spring and vicinity!"
One Step at a Time" created and produced by Edgar Romero and Max Fuentes (19 and 21 years old respectively and self-taught!), is a narrative film about 5 youths' experiences and how community organizations such as the Latin American Youth Center/Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers support and empower the lives of young people to become successful adults. See it HERE.
Montgomery County's proposed FY15 Annual Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development is now available for review and comment
This Action Plan covers the fifth year of the County's Five-Year Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2011-2015. The full document can be viewed online or downloaded HERE Hard copies may also be reviewed at the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (100 Maryland Avenue, Fourth Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20850) and at all Regional Service Centers, including the Silver Spring RSC (2nd Floor, Civic Building.)
Did you know we have the Silver Spring / Takoma Baseball Team?
THUNDERBOLTS BASEBALL IS 15 YEARS OLD THIS SEASON! Opening Day Friday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Camps for boys and girls, 7-15 years old. Five weeks of camps June 16-July 18, 2014. Registration and more in the 'camps' link from web-site. FIFTH ANNUAL THUNDERBOLTS FUN DAY: This year Fun Day will be held on Sunday June 1 from 12:00-3 pm at Blair Stadium. This is a free baseball clinic for kids 7-15. Much more HERE.
Volunteer Center Hotlink - Latest Issue:
Go HERE for all links
- Information & Resources for Nonprofits Registered with the Volunteer Center Donations
- Attend the Montgomery Serves Awards Event!
- MCAEL Accepting Grant Applications
- Leadership Montgomery Recruitment Programs - Register TODAY!
- Nominations Sought for Community Action Awards
- Neighborhood Beautification Grants Available
- Renters and Homeowners Invited to Montgomery County's Annual Housing Fair
- Stay Connected
Takoma / Langley Transit Center Update
From the T/LCDA Newsletter*: "Phase 1 of the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Transit Center is nearly finished according to the MD Transit Administration. Entrances to Hampshire-Langley and Langley Park Shopping Centers have been widened, traffic signals installed, the median has been removed, upgrades and repairs were made to parking lots and nearby sidewalks, for a new, fully signalized intersection. Phase 2 begins now with improvements to the New Hampshire Avenue entrance to Langley Park Shopping Center by Bank of America. A modified traffic signal and crosswalk will improve safety conditions, as will a pedestrian crossway to guide pedestrians around the future Transit Center site..." More info from MTA HERE. (*See full newsletter HERE.)
Purple Line Mandatory Referral Recap
Check out the full video - all 10+ hours! - of the Planning Board's consideration of the Purple Line Mandatory Referral which happened on March 20 (HERE). Learn more about this process, including excellent background information HERE.
A Record of Decision Has Been Issued for the Purple Line Project
A Record of Decision (ROD) was issued on March 19, 2014 for the Purple Line Project by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). By issuance of the ROD, the FTA has determined that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act have been satisfied. The FTA is the lead federal agency for the project, while the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is serving as the project sponsor. The ROD applies to the Preferred Alternative described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation issued on September 6, 2013. The ROD, including responses to FEIS comments along with general project information, can be found at www.purplelinemd.com.
Un Record de Decisión ha sido emitido para el proyecto Purple Line
Un Record de Decisión (ROD, por sus siglas en inglés) fue emitido por la Administración Federal de Tránsito (FTA, por sus siglas en inglés) el 19 de marzo de 2014 para el proyecto Purple Line. Al emitir este ROD, FTA ha determinado que los requisitos de la Ley Nacional Ambiental han sido cumplidos. FTA es la principal agencia federal para el proyecto, mientras que la Administración de Tránsito de Maryland (MTA, por sus siglas en inglés) sirve como el promotor del proyecto. Este ROD aplica para la Alternativa Preferida descrita en la Declaración Final de Impacto Ambiental (FEIS, por sus siglas en inglés) y Borrador de la Evaluación de la Sección 4(f) emitido el 06 de septiembre de 2013. El ROD, incluidas las respuestas a los comentarios relacionados con el documento FEIS junto con información general del proyecto, puede encontrarse en www.purplelinemd.com/es-ES/
Help Provide Energy Assistance
FROM WASHINGTON GAS: "Since 1983, Washington Gas and The Salvation Army have worked collaboratively on the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) to provide energy assistance to low-income residents in our region. We are pleased to offer our residents an opportunity to help make a difference for people in need of assistance for heating fuel. In 2013, WAFF celebrated its 30th anniversary. It does not matter whether a recipient uses gas, electric, oil or another type of heating fuel. Since 1983, WAFF has disbursed nearly $23 million to help 261,000 area residents. Last year alone, $823,000 was disbursed helping nearly 7,000 people at 12 area Salvation Army offices. Washington Gas pays for ALL administrative, promotional and publicity fees. The Salvation Army assists clients and manages the disbursement of funds. This ensures that 100% of all donations go to heating assistance. There are several convenient ways to give:
• Online at www.washingtonareafuelfund.org
• Mail a one-time contribution by mailing a check to Washington Area Fuel Fund, P.O. Box 1999, Washington, D.C. 20013
• Add a donation to your gas bill payment
• Make a pledge for a fixed monthly contribution
• Make a contribution when paying your gas bill online or by phone."
More info? Kelly Gibson Caplan, Community Outreach Manager - WAFF Administrator (Washington Gas) kelly.caplan@washgas.com 202-624-6335 (o)
County Executive Leggett’s FY15 Recommended Operating Budget and FY15-20 Public Services Program is now available on the Office of Management and Budget’s website.
Leggett’s FY15 Budget Boosts School Funding to Record Levels, Puts More Police Officers on the Beat and Expands Job Creation Efforts; Focuses on Seniors and Youth and Reduces Property Tax Rate... For links to much more info, including YouTube video of event, see HERE
Washington Adventist University: New Ball Field Construction Moves Forward
With Permit Approval Complete, Field Expected to Open This Summer
Washington Adventist University (WAU) is moving forward with its new $1.8 million ball field, following permit approval from Montgomery County government. Construction will start in early April, and the field is expected to be completed this summer. More info HERE.
Resources for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
From Judy Stephenson, Small Business Navigator, Department of Economic Development
The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development hosts an eBiz Calendar of local events offered by organizations and government entities. This innovative calendar allows organizations to manage their own event postings with a username and password. Users are able to scroll through the upcoming events or use the search box to view items by interest area, event type or keywords. You also may search by date using the calendar widget. If you hold events of interest to the Montgomery County business community and would like to post them, visit the DED web site HERE, complete the application form and follow the link to submit it for approval.
More info? e-mail Judy HERE.
Mary Bradford, Director of the Department of Parks, to Retire
Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) announces that Mary Bradford, Director of the Department, will retire this June. Bradford has served as director since February 2006, overseeing more than 35,000 acres of parkland featuring 420 parks; and more than 700 employees. She was responsible for an annual operating budget of $100 million in tax-supported, revenue-supported or fee-based funds... More HERE.
Significant Federal Funding Recommendation Announced for Purple Line and Red Line Light Rail Projects
President’s Budget Reflects $900 Million Separate Requests For Baltimore And Washington Regional Transit Lines... Transportation Secretary James T. Smith, Jr., today announced that President Barack Obama’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget includes a request to provide $900 million each for Maryland’s Red Line and Purple Line light rail projects through Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts Program, with $100 million for each project in Fiscal Year 2015. The recommendation is an important initial step to keep the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) on track to finalize a public-private partnership (P3) agreement for the Purple Line and to allow MTA to advertise construction contracts for the Red Line. Please click HERE to view the full news release
A Call to Seniors in 20910
If you live in Zip Code 20910 (or nearby), you can become a member of the Silver Spring Village. For more info, including a calendar of their amazing event, go HERE. "Silver Spring Village, Inc. is a new, nonprofit, tax-exempt [501(c)(3)] organization that offers needed services and programs for older adults who wish to "age in place" -- to remain as long as possible in their own homes, amid familiar people and surroundings. Like other senior villages throughout the U.S. and abroad, ou r network of "neighbors helping neighbors" aims to support individuals and to strengthen the community in which they live."
Montgomery County 2013 Year-End Crime Statistics Show 9% Reduction in Crime: Serious Crimes Down One-Third, All Crime Down 26% over Past Seven Years
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, along with State’s Attorney John McCarthy and County Council President Craig Rice, announced last week that total crime for 2013 in Montgomery County decreased 9 percent from
2012 – part of a seven-year trend that totaled a 33 percent reduction in serious crime and a 26 percent decrease in all crimes. ... The 33 percent drop in serious crime in the County was more than twice the decrease in crime nationally over the same time period -- and eight times lower than the rate of decrease for the previous seven years in the County (2000-06). More HERE.
Mark Bergel (A Wider Circle) a CNN Hero!
From our friends at A Wider Circle: On behalf of the entire team here at A Wider Circle, we are excited to announce that our founder Mark Bergel has been named a 2014 CNN Hero! See video clip HERE. The piece will air several times over the next few days on various CNN networks. More than 10,000 individuals from around the world were nominated in the past year, so for A Wider Circle's work to be honored in this way is absolutely incredible. Those of us who get to work with Mark every day are excited about this well-deserved honor - and about this unique opportunity to spread the word about the movement to end poverty.
The Criss Cross will soon have a permanent home!
Some may remember the outdoor art piece, “Criss Cross,” which was originally installed at Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive before the renovation of downtown Silver Spring, was moved to the intersection of Fenton Street and Philadelphia Avenue. See HERE. ... The piece deteriorated over the years and is in need of repair. Fortunately, a collector is gathering many of the pieces by the artist (Albert Paley) and will be displaying them in a private collection. It will be removed next month. We will continue working with the community and the Public Arts Trust to ensure downtown Silver Spring is THE place for art - and more. If you'd like to see a map of some of our Area's Art & Entertainment options, visit HERE.
Leadership Montgomery's Emerging Leaders Program Gets Major Award
Leadership Montgomery is pleased to announce that The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation is establishing a $100,000
scholarship endowment for the new Emerging Leaders program in honor of the late Stephen Garff Marriott. The scholarship fund is also being created to commemorate Leadership Montgomery’s 25th Anniversary. Emerging Leaders is a new professional development program which will provide up-and-coming leaders with the critical skills and connections necessary for successful leadership opportunities. The Marriott scholarship fund will enable candidates to participate in the program who would otherwise not be able to afford it. For more information about Emerging Leaders visit, HERE. For further information, contact Ali Levingston, Director of Member Engagement, Leadership Montgomery, at ali.levingston@leadermont.org, or visit the organization’s web site HERE.
Everlasting Life Vegan Restaurant Opens Two Locations in Old Takoma
Everlasting Life Vegan Restaurant will be bringing its plant-based menu, with soulful influences, to 341 Cedar St NW, Washington, DC, (formerly Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar), steps from the Takoma Metro station stop on the Red Line. A second Old Takoma location, called Sweet Life Bakery, will also open soon .5 block away from the full service location at 6904 4thSt, NW to include 100% vegan baked goods made by Everlasting Life and other local bakers. Facebook HERE
New Multi-Media Resource for Silver Spring Launched
Silver Spring, Inc.: "It is a multi-media resource website that features an events calendar, a (in progress) business directory, as well as regular content in the form of blog posts, podcasts and audio, photos and images, video and ideally a cartoon/comic strip that we're looking at down the line. While we have batched content for now, we're looking for additional content creators who would like to contribute and get their ideas, creativity and perspectives in front of Silver Spring. The site, functionality, is not where we would like it be ideally, but we're following a lean process and plan to invest further based on proof of concept... Our blog posts feature interviews with local personalities, as well as artists and business owners. We want to make sure that local businesses get the attention that they need to ensure we nurture and sustain Silver Spring's socioeconomic diversity...." See Beta HERE.
A Friendly Reminder to Please Stay OFF Neighborhood Roads When Possible
From the neighbors: Sligo Creek Parkway is still CLOSED at New Hampshire Avenue. This closure will remain in effect until the end of 2014. Please use the proper detours—Carroll Ave and East-West Highway (Ethan Allen Avenue). Please do not cut through side streets—they are not designed for the traffic. More info HERE. Detours HERE.
Free Tax Assistance
{Please help us spread this to all those you feel might benefit.) Community Tax Aid, an organization that runs a program that performs free tax preparation, is holding their FREE workshops Sundays (till April 13) from 1-4pm at Park Montgomery Apartments (8860 Piney Branch Road, Community Center Level 1, Silver Spring, MD 20903)...Available in Spanish & English. More info (and more sites!) HERE
Volunteers Needed to Help Seniors with Grocery Shopping
Escort a Montgomery County senior citizen to the grocery store and while there, assist with reading product labels, reaching grocery items, handling carts and carrying bags. Or shop for a homebound senior and put groceries away upon returning. The program fosters a one on one relationship that benefits both volunteers and their neighbors. Commit to serving 2-3 hours a week or every other week. To volunteer or for additional information, please call Marcia Custer at 301 962 0820 x 14; or visit us HERE.
Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala Announces Date and Venue of the 2014 MCEHG
Funds raised to support the Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship Program for Latino Students
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett will continue support of the Annual Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala to take place at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Thursday, September 18, 2014, 7pm-11pm. “I am committed to be part of this endeavor. I believe that with our united aspiration to build strong diverse communities, where we give priority to higher education, we can help forge a better skilled workforce that can lead this County into a brighter tomorrow,” said Executive Leggett. The Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala Founder and Organizing Sponsor is Lorna Virgili, President/CEO of the National Hispanic Communications Group. “Last year on our launching event we had over 800 attendees and granted 25 scholarships. It was a successful gathering of Montgomery County’s diverse communities helping Latino youth. This year we are doubling the scholarship goal,” said Virgili. Qualifying students that are either graduating from High School this year or that are already enrolled in Maryland colleges or universities may apply for the scholarship before the May 30th deadline. The Executive’s Hispanic Gala will serve to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. The Gala brings together volunteer stakeholders and organizations that are committed to assist Hispanic youth to achieve a high level of education. The 2014 Organizing Sponsors include the Executive’s Latin American Advisory Group, National Hispanic Communications Group, Univision Washington, Radio America and Washington Hispanic Newspaper. For more information, to purchase tickets or to obtain the Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship Application visit: www.montgomeryhispanicgala.org Application deadline is: May 30, 2014. (The Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala came into being when a group of Hispanic County employees and community leaders instituted the event as a way to raise funds and visibility about developing highly educated Latino professionals while providing critical financial assistance that will increase graduation rates from post-secondary education in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland.)
How to contact the State Highway Administration for issues ranging from graffiti to pot-holes (on State Roads)
The State Highway Administration (SHA) has an on-line Customer Care Management System (CCMS) service request portal located HERE.
The service request is for state roads only! (Colesville, Georgia Ave, New Hampshire, East/West Hwy, to name a few.) The portal allows customers to enter service requests 24 hours a day. A customer can be contacted via e-,mail or phone once next or final steps are taken on their request by indicating their preferred contact method and supplying that information. The online tools automatically routes the service request to the correct SHA office and is assigned a case number. Customers are also automatically sent a copy of their service request number via e-mail if they provide their e-mail request.
Graffiti, pot-holes, whatever!
Please help us by using this portal for all things in State roads.
Thanks!
(NOTE: For the same on County Roads, please begin by calling 311.)
Silver Spring Highlighted as America's #13 "Most Exciting Suburb"
More HERE.
Montgomery County Council Appoints Cherri Branson as New Councilmember for District 5
The Montgomery County Council last week appointed Cherri Branson by acclamation as the new Councilmember for District 5. Ms. Branson will succeed former Councilmember Valerie Ervin, who resigned from the Council on Jan. 3 to become executive director of the Center for Working Families. Ms. Branson will complete the unexpired term, which ends on December 1, 2014. Fro full press release see HERE. Welcome - Bienvenida! - Councilmember Branson
Free Art Wednesdays for K-5th Graders
Join Create ART in this wonderful new FREE after school art workshops - improv, sewing, comics, & more for K-5th graders! {First come first served. Spave limited.} More HERE. Starting this Wednesdays 4-5:30 at the Civic Building (through mid-April)
CASA is hiring
From our friends at CASA: "CASA de Maryland is Maryland's largest non-profit serving the immigrant community. We are on a hiring spree and we are looking for some extraordinary people. We have entry, mid, and senior level positions available. Please share with your contacts:) See HERE. Positions Available include at (a) Entry Level: Volunteer/Human Resources Coordinator, Development Administrative Assistant, Member Services Social Worker, Employment Specialist, Health Navigator, Pine Ridge Coordinator... (b) Entry to Mid-Level: Advocacy and Elections Specialist, Communications Specialist, Grant Writer/Coordinator, ESOL Teacher... (c) Mid-Level: Development Manager of Special Initiatives, Community Schools Relation Manager, Manager of Membership Program... (d) Mid-Senior Level: Senior Manager Learning Together, Senior Manager of Data and Evaluation, Leadership Academy Director
Disover Long Branch - a new web site for the Long Branch Business League
Whether it's a Salsa Night or a Super Block Party, the Long Branch Business League is all about creating some fun and excitement in the commercial district of Long Branch... See their new web site HERE. NOTE: If you know of a business in Long Branch that want to participate in the League, they are meeting TOMORROW (Tuesday, Feb. 4) 2pm at El Golfo.
New and Improved InfoShare
Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission has a (new and much improved) newsletter called InfoShare that is available to all. Check out their latest issue - and subscribe to get it directly HERE. Topics include volunteer opportunities in the Parks, Winter Speakers Series, zoning rewrite, agenda for Planning Board meetings, and much more. NOTE: Make sure your neighborhood / civic association is listed in their 'official' list so you get notices of future developments in your area.
Leadership Montgomery's Emerging Leaders Program Seeking Applicants
The Emerging Leaders program provides next-generation leaders (25 - 35 year olds) with the skills and connections essential to professional success and effective community leadership. Through eight monthly interactive sessions, participants gain unique exposure to the issues, resources and key players impacting Montgomery County... More HERE.
Purple Line Newsletter Now Available
The Purple Line Project Team recently published their latest project newsletter to provide an update on the project. In the issue you will finde articles such as:
- Purple Line – Maryland's First P3 Transit Project
- MTA's Economic Empowerment Program: Preparing for Success
- P3s at a Glance
- Other Successful Transit P3s
More info HERE
El boletín de noticias del "Purple Line" está ahora disponible
El equipo de trabajo de Purple Line recientemente ha publicado su último boletín informativo del proyecto para proporcionar una actualización sobre el mismo. El boletín tiene varios articulos:
- Purple Line – Primer proyecto P3 de transporte en Maryland
- Programa de empoderamiento económico de MTA: preparación para el éxito
- Un vistazo a las alianzas P3
- Otras Alianzas Público-Privadas exitosas
Mas informacion AQUI
The Montgomery County Board of Education has requested community comment regarding its Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning
This policy guides the school facilities planning process. The process is designed to promote public understanding of planning for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and to ensure that there are sufficient opportunities for parents, students, staff, community members and organizations, local government agencies, and municipalities to identify and communicate their priorities and concerns to the superintendent and the Board. The policy revision aligns the processes for obtaining public input on matters relating to long-range facilities planning with Board Policy ABA, Community Involvement. ... A copy of the draft policy, Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning is available HERE and through the Department of Public Information and Web Services HERE or by calling 301-279-3853. You can also access the policy on the MCPS website. ... Individuals who wish to provide comments should respond in writing by Tuesday, March 18, 2014. All responses should be sent to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 122, Rockville, Maryland 20850 or to the Board of Education at boe@mcpsmd.org. All responses will be shared with the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools.
Resources for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development hosts an eBiz Calendar of local events offered by organizations and government entities. Scroll through the upcoming events or use the search box to view items by interest area, event type or keywords. You also may search by date using the calendar widget. If you sponsor events that benefit the Montgomery County business community and would like to post them, visit the DED web site HERE , complete the application form and follow the link to submit it for approval.
Judy Stephenson
Small Business Navigator
Department of Economic Development
111 Rockville Pike, Suite 800 | Rockville, MD 20850
( 240.777.2012 | 7 240.777.2001 fax
judith.stephenson@montgomerycountymd.gov
www.choosemontgomerymd.com
The Silver Spring Village coming on strong!
Silver Spring Village, Inc. is a new, nonprofit, tax-exempt [501(c)(3)] organization that offers needed services and programs for older adults who wish to "age in place" -- to remain as long as possible in their own homes, amid familiar people and surroundings. Like other senior villages throughout the U.S. and abroad, our network of "neighbors helping neighbors" aims to support individuals and to strengthen the community in which they live. Our Village opened on September 29, 2013. ... The many benefits of participation in our Village are available to residents throughout our service area, which includes the commercial core of downtown Silver Spring, MD (ZIP code 20910) and the neighborhoods that surround it. We are enrolling members and volunteers NOW, and we will do so on an ongoing basis." See more HERE
DID YOU KNOW? Jaha Hair Studio
(An occassional quick clip about a Silver Spring entreprenuer) Jaha Hair Studio, a natural hair care salon, is located at the center of Bonifant Street in Silver Spring. Jaha celebrated 17 years in business this past October 17th, and has been at its location on Bonifant for 15 years. Silver Spring has always been home to Jaha Hair Studio. Jaha serves all ages. 301-588-4966, Facebook @ Jaha Hair Studio www.jahahair.com They offer classes as well. This Sunday (January 26) 2-4 pm, for example, their Jaha Academy is doing a ''MyHair My Way' event. See HERE for more info.
DID YOU KNOW? The Paul Peck Institute
The mission of the Paul Peck Institute for American Culture and Civic Engagement, established at Montgomery College in January 2004, is (a) To celebrate and increase knowledge of American culture, history, principles, and political traditions; and (b) To inspire informed civic participation about critical issues affecting the local, national, and global communities. Located at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus - visit HERE.
Record Funding for School Construction Highlights Leggett’s Six-Year Capital Budget; Investment Boosted in Transportation, Infrastructure, Job Creation Initiatives
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today unveiled his six-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Capital Budget and FY 2015-2020 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) that continues to make funding the County’s unprecedented growth in school enrollment the highest priority... See full press release HERE.
Montgomey Community Media: Check them out!
MCM is doing qutie a bit of local reporting. Most recently they covered the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board meeting. See YouTube video and more HERE... Make sure you check with MCM's website HERE to see all they are covering - and some great past reporting, including a piece on Bruce Adams, Director of the Office of Community Partnership (found HERE.)
Pepco Warns Customers of Fake Invoices
Washington, D.C. - Pepco is warning its customers that scammers posing as third-party energy suppliers are sending fake utility bills via email to some utility customers around the country. The email asks that customers click on a link contained within the email. It is suspected that, by clicking the link, the customer's computer could become infected with a virus or malware.
Pepco asks customers to only pay their utility bill by visiting pepco.com or by sending the hard copy of the remittance portion of the invoice through the mail. Customers should not open any email asking that payment be made on their utility bill unless sent by Pepco or by the customers' respective third party energy supplier.
Many companies, including Pepco, contact customers in person or via phone for various reasons. If someone claims to represent a company, whether the company is Pepco or another entity, it is important that customers take precautions to verify that the person is affiliated with the company, especially if that person is requesting an immediate monetary payment. When addressing past due accounts, Pepco never endorses a specific form of payment. Instead, multiple payment options are always given to the customer.
Pepco advises customers to ask for official photo identification from any person who shows up at their door. Employees from reputable companies, such as Pepco, will carry official company identification cards. If proper identification cannot be produced, customers should notify police and the company with whom the individual claims to be associated.
Similarly, if someone calls saying they represent a certain company, customers should ask them to verify their identity and affiliation. If customers have any doubt about the validity of a person's claim to represent Pepco, they should call the company immediately at 202-833-7500.
REALTORS GET INTO PLACEMAKING
If you'd like to see how the Realtor community is getting into placemaking, including possibilities for some limited, small grants, see HERE. (Do let us know if your organization is interested... We'd like to help. e-mail us HERE with "Realtor Placemaking" in the subject line.)
CENSUS EXPLORE NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
Make new discoveries about your neighborhood through the power of American Community Survey statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau’s new mapping tool, Census Explorer. ... Choose from eight different topics, including median household income, labor force participation and percent of the population 65 and older and explore these statistics for states, counties and census tracts. ... Census Explorer includes not only the latest American Community Survey five-year statistics (2008-2012) but also information from the 1990 and 2000 censuses, so you can see how your community has changed over the past two decades. ... More info HERE
TAKOMA LANGLEY CROSSROAD TRANSIT CENTER UPDATE
Construction is moving forward on Takoma Park/Langley Transit Center, a safety improvement project to provide transit services in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads region. PEPCO and other utility companies are about to complete their relocations along University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue. Construction for this project has been planned to ensure that the regional transit services, traffic and local businesses are minimally impacted. ... Much more on this project HERE. (And, yes, the Taco Bell is expected to remain open until Spring, 2014!)
DIXON AVE ENTRANCE TO BONIFANT-DIXON PARKING GARAGE NOW REOPENED
The Dixon Avenue entrance to Montgomery County’s Bonifant-Dixon parking garage in Silver Spring is now open. It was closed for several months while an extension of Dixon Avenue was constructed through the garage. The garage is located at 1101 Bonifant Drive. Payment to park in the garage is required Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The garage has 1,185 metered parking spaces. The construction project was completed at no cost to the County by Home Properties in accordance with the Silver Spring Sector Plan to accommodate additional demand for parking.
ROUTE K9 NOW SERVICES FDA
Metro extends Route K9 bus service along New Hampshire Avenue to FDA: One year after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) created the K9 limited-stop bus service from the Fort Totten Metro Station to Northwest Park, it is extending the service to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/Federal Research Center. The extended service went into effect on December 29, 2013. The service will further help relieve crowding along the busy New Hampshire Avenue corridor, providing buses every 16 to 18 minutes during morning and evening weekday rush hours.
2014 WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN and our many co-sponsoring organizations invite you to the 2014 Women’s Legislative Briefing Sunday, January 26, 2014... Much more and to purchase tickets HERE. Doors Open at 11:30 am, Program 12:30 – 6 pm The Universities at Shady Grove, Bldg II, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland
EXPERIENCE COUNTS!
Older adults are a great asset for businesses and communities because of their knowledge, experience, and work ethic. The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, the Workforce Investment Board and the Jewish Council for the Aging will be recognizing best practices of employers in Montgomery County who bring skills and diversity to their workforce by hiring and using the talents of workers 55 and older. ... More info and nomination forms HERE ... The Older Worker Employer Recognition Awards Review Committee will review and select winners based on their narrative submissions. Deadline for submissions: February 17, 2014. Winners will be announced at the Jewish Council for the Aging’s Annual 50+ Employment Expo on May 12, 2014.
Impact of Arts and Culture on U.S. Economy Report
Silver Spring's downtown is an "Arts and Entertainment District", proudly contributing in many ways to our well being. For example, this month, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released their Preliminary Report on Impact of Arts and Culture on U.S. Economy and the facts are impressive. According to these new estimates, 3.2 percent -- or $504 billion -- of current-dollar GDP in 2011 was attributable to arts and culture. In comparison, BEA's estimated value of the U.S. travel and tourism industry was 2.8 percent of GDP. "Art and culture is a significant part of the U.S. economy. Not just its contributions of ideas and creativity to the innovation economy, but also as an important part of the labor force and our country's GDP," said NEA Senior Deputy Chairman Joan Shigekawa. "The Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account is an unprecedented resource for detailed, reliable data on the economic value associated with arts and cultural activity." More HERE.
Four Corners Now Has its Own Blog!
Around The Corners: "This is a blog about the Four Corners area of Silver Spring, Maryland. I write about all things affecting Four Corners; such as local news, events, people, places, and history. For the purposes of this blog, Four Corners is bounded by Northwest Branch & Sligo Creek to the East and West, and Northwood & Wayne Avenue to the North and South. Hope you enjoy the blog!"... Find it HERE.
Docs-in-Progress Community Story Festival Pictures and Videos
Want to see some photos from all the events? See our Flickr page HERE (While the photos are copyrighted to Docs In Progress, please feel free to share them with friends and family if you are in any of them.)
Want to see the films featured on Opening and Closing Night? You can see these and many more on our YouTube page HERE.
Para Nuestra Comunidad Latina / For our Latino Community
El programa Montgomery al Dia entrevisto a Reemberto Rodriguez, Director del Centro Regional de Silver Spring recientemente. El programa habla del Area de Silver Spring, incluyendo Long Branch. Mas AQUI
The program "Montgomery al Dia" interviewed Reemberto Rodriguez, Director of the Regional Center recently. The program discusses de Regional Area, including Long Branch. More HERE.
Resurfacing to Begin on Georgia Avenue
Weather permitting this evening, the Maryland State Highway Administration will begin resurfacing MD97 (Georgia Avenue) from 16th Street to Eastern Avenue. If the weather cooperates, the work should be complete by late December. Initially, crews will be patching nearly 60 locations along the 1.75 mile section of roadway. Contractors may be closing northbound or southbound lanes overnight (between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.) Sunday through Thursday through the project work. Questions may be directed to Christopher Bishop, SHA District 3 Community Liaison, at cbishop@sha.state.md.us
For you LOCAL viewing pleasure
Have you checked out Montgomery Community Media? "Since our 1984 founding as the county's community media center and region's largest public access station, our aim remains to "inform, connect and educate" the one million residents of Montgomery County." More HERE.
London Calling: Cuneiform Record (yes, from Silver Spring!) makes it big in the UK
"As we near 2014, which will mark our 30th anniversary of releasing exceptional and groundbreaking music from around the world, Cuneiform takes this opportunity to remind music lovers of the numerous releases we have done over the decades by some of the UK's most talented jazz, rock, and electronic artists." ... See much more, including links to music videos HERE.
Immediate & Primary Care in downtown Silver Spring
From Metro Immediate & Primary Care Downtown Silver Spring: "Let's build a healthier community, together: Metro Immediate and Primary Care (MIPC) is committed to outstanding patient care and building a healthier community. Located at 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 100, right in the heart of downtown Silver Spring and less than two blocks from the Silver Spring Metro stop, MIPC is a community hub for urgent care and primary medical care solutions. With extended evening, weekend AND holiday hours, MIPC provides quality urgent care. Board-certified physicians and physician assistants are on staff to treat health issues from minor illnesses to yearly physicals and routine check-ups. MIPC accepts most insurance plans including Medicare and provides a self-pay option. Walk-ins or scheduled appointments welcome. For more information please go to our website at HERE or call us at (301) 755-6655. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and stay up-to-date on your health HERE.
County’s “My Montgomery” Online Map Now Includes Locations for Bikeshare Stations, Along with Other Services
If you have not checked out this new County mapping site, you are truly missing something!... Try it. Play with it. See the many ways it can help find those County places and services you are looking for.
See full press release HERE.
Direct link to searchable map HERE.
Welcome to dataMontgomery:
Direct access to County datasets in consumable formats is available here, offering the public an opportunity to review and analyze raw data, and the opportunity to use it for a variety of purposes. Included is the opportunity to use datasets in the development of Smartphone apps that create value for residents and better connect them to County government services. See HERE for more.
Purple Line Web Site
9 of 21 Purple Line Stations are in the Silver Spring Regional Area. 5 are commercial hubs. The Maryland Transportation Authority has lots of information on their website regarding this major project in our Area: In English HERE. En Español AQUI
GreenFest Lives On (on videos)
The GreenFest was a great success a few weeks ago. See - and share these videos promoting and recapping it:
Promo video HERE
Recap vidoe HERE
Video of many of the sessions HERE
Montgomery County 100,000 Home Campaign
Wonderful video recapping this amazing effort HERE... Councilmember Leventhal's newsletter has a great synopsis of what the campaign is all about. See HERE. ... "The Campaign surveyed homeless individuals located in emergency shelters, on the streets, in jails, and in hospitals. A survey instrument called the Vulnerability Index was used to identify individuals who have been homeless the longest and are the most medically vulnerable for prioritization into permanent supportive housing. These individuals demonstrate the highest risk of dying on the street if not housed."
New to Silver Spring (or want to reconnect)?
Here's a blog posting that attempts to lay out what new comers (and those wanting to reconnect) need to know. Check it our HERE and leave your comment on how we can improve the message.
Silver Spring Stories Live On!
Over the last few days Docs-in-Progress did their wonderful Community Stories Festival. To see many of the short documentaries unveiled (many about Silver Spring) visit their YouTube channel HERE... If you'd like to submit your Silver Spring Story, we are collecting them!... Simply e-mail SilverSpringSpeaks@gmail.com
If you ride your own bike: Bicyclists parking at Metro urged to register their bikes
Metro Transit Police offer a free online registration service for bike riders who park their bikes at Metro facilities. Providing the make, model, serial number, color and frame size of the bike will assist Transit Police in identifying and recovering a bicycle if it is stolen or lost. Police urge riders to practice basic security measures, such as locking their bike to an authorized rack (not a sign post or fence), keeping a copy of the bike’s serial number on hand, and hiding a business or index card with the owner’s name and phone number inside the bike frame. To register your bicycle with Metro, visit their website HERE.
Bikesharing Program for Low-Income Residents
The JARC bikeshare program is designed to make it easier for low income residents and employees to travel to and from work, school, or job training. For those who meet the income eligibility requirements, JARC bikeshare program benefits include free Capital Bikeshare membership for up to one year, free bicycle education and safety training (see class info above), and a free helmet and bikeshare key. To register for this program see the brochure which includes a registration form HERE.
Questions about classes - or about the JARC program? Call 240-777-8380 or email us at mcdot.Commuter.Services@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Mi Escuela es su Escuela ~ Escuche en Radio América, 1540 AM
Primero y segundo lunes del mes -- 3:30 - 4 pm
Televisión: MCTV10 domingos 8:30 am
Gloria.Bonilla@montgomerycollege.edu 240-567-3961.
If you are into the arts, you'll want to visit the e-Newsletter from the Arts & Humanities - and subscribe to receive future issues directly HERE.
The newsletter has many articles of interest to Silver Spring, including info on the new Kramer Gallery exhibit, "Re-imagining the Holidays" in Downtown Silver Spring, and much more... One example: "The Public Arts Trust and AHCMC are pleased to announce the launch of our new public art directory. Explore the County’s public art collection and listen to Dr. Michele Cohen, PAT Director, interviewing Stevens Jay Carter, Ted Clausen, Judy Sutton Moore, Heidi Lippman, Deirdre Saunder, Vicki Scuri and Athena Tacha. Read and hear descriptions of selected pieces and learn about the public art in your community. Email us at Kramer-Gallery@creativemoco.com if you would like to record a podcast about your favorite piece." To view the directory, visit HERE.
Colesville Life - a new neighboring magazine
"Ken Weiss, editor of Colesville Life magazine, would like to invite any organization or business with an event to publicize it in our publication, which is mailed monthly to 5,000 households in the 20904 ZIP code*. We work about three months ahead of the magazine's date. Much of the magazine's content is written by community contributors; in that vein, we would like to invite any group or individual to submit an article about an event that was held or is upcoming, about an individual who has done something extraordinary or about a service that would be of interest to readers. Our email address is colesville@hibu.com or ken.weiss@hibu.com or feel free to call Ken at 443-632-7706." See latest issue HERE. (*While the magazine gets distributed to a zip code outside our Regional Area, many of their residents frequent Silver Spring, Long Branch, Montgomery Hills, Takoma Park and vicinity.)
Open Mic at McGinty's - 1st & 3rd Thursdays
Just another example of cool Silver Spring happenings worth spreading around! (Sign up in advance HERE.)
7:30pm Open Mic / 10:30pm Open Jam
McGinty's Public House
911 Ellsworth Dr.
Guess who is listed Number 1 for ice-skating outtings in the Washington Post?
See full article HERE. (Have you seen the little ones on the Silver Spring ice rink being helped along by the mini-penguins? Precious!)
Volunteer opportunity to be an Ambassador at Silver Spring Civic Building
Want to join our growing 'volunteer team' in the Civic Building? Our 'Welcome Desk' needs you!
Days available: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Contact: Eric Rasch, Operations Manager for the Silver Spring Civic Building
Montgomery County Homeowners and Civic Associations - Get listed!
Don't miss the latest development news! The Planning Department maintains a list of organizations to keep residents informed. Developers use our list to publicize their application plans, and we send announcements about planning issues of interest to the community. Providing current email addresses cuts costs and ensures a rapid flow of information. Verify and update contact info for your HOA/CA HERE.
User-Friendly Tool Highlights Current Development
Development finder promotional imageWant to know more about development projects proposed near where you live or work? To stay abreast of Montgomery County development activity, visit our online Development Finder HERE.
Heard about YAC? (What do YAC members do?)
Give students something to be a part of and they will thrive." Have you ever wondered what being a part of something bigger than yourself feels like? The County Executive's Youth Advisory Committee, YAC, is the place you want to be. Come join a group of students who are speaking up and speaking out to create a safe environment that fosters positive, engaging youth events and activities in Downtown Silver Spring. If you'd like to be a part of this dynamic group that is making a difference, YAC, contact Stephanie Clark via phone on 301.656.9679 or email info@leadersinstitutemd.org. You will gain leadership skills that will last a lifetime while having fun!...
Montgomery County's Youth Advisory Council meets to discuss teen issues and solutions. Most meetings will occur in members’ respective Regional Centers. They will plan and perform service projects in the community and assist in planning regional and countywide teen events such as the TeenLEAD Forum. Members provide valuable insight and feedback to decision makers (e.g. the County Executive, County Council and Department of Recreation) and design marketing materials for teen events. YAC meetings occur at the Regional Service Center on a monthly basis. Service projects, special events and countywide meetings will take place during the term at various locations throughout the county. For more info on our Silver Spring YAC contact Building Leaders Together, Stephanie K. Clark - Director Email: sclark@leadersinstitutemd.org | Phone: 301.655.9679
As Seasonal Time Change Approaches, Drivers and Pedestrians Urged to Look Out for Each Other
Dark conditions are dangerous for pedestrians. The months of October, November and December are the scariest time of the year for pedestrians in Montgomery County because pedestrian collisions have typically spiked during these months by nearly 40 percent. With the end of daylight savings time on November 3, less daylight hours contribute to the problem. According to federal safety officials, 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities happen during the night time hours. Read more HERE...
National Museum of Health & Medicine in Silver Spring (yes!, in Silver Spring!) Looking for Volunteers
Interested in medicine and history? Love museums? Become a volunteer docent at NMHM! The Museum is seeking volunteer docents to conduct outreach activities or lead tours of its permanent exhibits on Civil War medicine, forensic identification, normal anatomy and pathology, traumatic brain injuries and more. Visiting groups typically consist of students in grades K-12. There are also groups of adults and older students going into specialized medical fields. Volunteers should be at least 21 years old and have an open, flexible schedule (weekday and weekend opportunities). Training will be provided. To become a volunteer or for more information, email HEREor call the tour coordinator at 301-319-3312.
Have Questions About the Zoning Rewrite Project? Drop in During Daily Office Hours
Office hours are held at the 2nd floor Information Counter at Park and Planning Headquarters.
The Montgomery County Planning Board continues to work on the Zoning Revision Project (more info HERE), which is modernizing and updating the county's zoning code. On Thursday, the Board will begin an implementation review, where they will evaluate and make recommendations on potential zone changes, primarily in non-residential areas. Zone implementation review will occur weekly at the Board, with a goal of transmitting both the draft revision and the implementation recommendations to the County Council in May.
Office hours:
- Mon/Wed/Fri: 2-3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10:30 a.m-noon
- Thursday: by appointment (Call 301.495.1325)
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Avenue
Park Improvements Being Made to Bridge on Long Branch Stream Valley Trail
Montgomery Parks will begin installing new boards and rails on a bridge on the Long Branch Stream Trail beginning on Wednesday, October 9. Repairs are expected to last through Wednesday, October 23. The trail will remain open and there will be a detour around the bridge during the time of the repairs, which will be done between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. The bridge will be available for use on evenings and weekends. Please call 301-495-2595 for more information.
A NEW Ensemble in the Area!
From Susanna Kemp: "Dear Friends, We are writing to invite you to a concert. Not just any old concert. This is the inaugural concert of the new Takoma Ensemble, a classical chamber orchestra founded by Victoria Gau and Susanna Kemp, both Takoma Park residents. The concert is on Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 in the Takoma Park Community Center. The orchestra came about in response to a need we saw for live classical music in our area. We are a community of music-lovers with poor access to high-quality, classical orchestra performances. Our great dream and aim is to establish ourselves as an integral and fundamental aspect of the musical landscape of Takoma Park and its surrounding neighborhoods. ... Please visit our website at www.takomaensemble.org and our Facebook Group for more information about the orchestra and players. Or just let us know if you have any questions at takomaensemble@gmail.com. Admittance is free, suggested donation is $20 with usual concessions."
Toastmasters Locations Throughout Silver Spring Regional Area:
Tip/Top NOAA club
NOAA/ SSMC-2
1325 East-West Hwy Bldg 2, #12246
301-713-0276
1200PM, 1ST & 3RD TUESDAY
Speak Easy Silver Spring Club
Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.
8757 Georgia Ave 12th Floor
301.628.3345
12:00 pm, 2nd & 4th Thursday
Daniel Leadership Toastmasters Club
E. A. Hall
919/921 Philadelphia Ave
240-839-1003
7:00-8:30 PM, 2nd & 3rd Monday
Holy Cross Club
Holy Cross Hospital
1500 Forest Glen Rd
301-754-7368
4:30-5:30 PM, 2nd & 4th Tuesday
Speakers Corner
American Nurses Assn Office
8515 Georgia Ave, 4th Floor
(301) 495-4619
12:00 Noon, Wednesday, 1st & 3rd
Georgia Avenue Getting a Facelift in Silver Spring!
TRAFFIC IMPACTS EXPECTED THROUGH LATE 2014; WORK ZONE TO IMPACT DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS IN SILVER SPRING
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun a $4.6 million safety and resurfacing project along nearly two miles of MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) from the Washington, D.C. line to MD 390 (16th Street) in Silver Spring. Preliminary work on the project began last month. Weather permitting; the work will be complete by late fall 2014. Motorists and pedestrians traveling in this area should plan ahead, add extra commute time, and be aware of shifting traffic and walking patterns.
The work includes:
* Reconstructing existing sidewalks to five feet wide to become ADA-compliant;
* Repairing, replacing existing inlets and pipes;
* Concrete patching of sections of damaged pavement prior to resurfacing;
* Installing new curb and gutter;
* Resurfacing Georgia Avenue;
* Replacing traffic signal pavement detectors at the intersection of MD 97 and MD 390;
* Installing new line striping and pavement markings.
"This project is critical to keeping road surface and the sidewalks in good condition for drivers and pedestrians," said Melinda B. Peters, SHA Administrator. "We thank motorists, nearby residents and business owners in advance for their patience as our crews work diligently this summer and fall to complete the project before the end of the year."
SHA's contractor is permitted to close one lane in both directions of Georgia Ave., weekdays, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and up to two lanes overnight, Sunday through Thursday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
See more HERE.
Park & Planning Site Redevelopment Concept Presentation is On-Line
The presentation illustrating the emerging concept for the redevelopment of the Park & Planning building (at the corner of Georgia and Silver Spring Avenues) can be found HERE. (The presentation was shared with the community in the Civic Building a couple of weeks ago.) This development is part of a broader project which includes the redevelopment of downtown Wheaton. For more information and background, visit HERE.
Maryland, Xi'an seek new link
A delegation of 86 government and business representatives from Montgomery County, Maryland, concludes a 10-day trip to China on Wednesday after visiting some of the nation's top hospitals and technology parks in hopes of attracting Chinese investors and establishing links with companies in biotechnology and life sciences. "There are huge opportunities," Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, who led the delegation, told China Daily. See more HERE.
Senior Info
Have you visited the County's 'senior' link? An amazing, comprehensive link for information and much more for seniors. Found at: www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/Senior ... Well worth 'bookmarking' - and sharing with seniors in the family and community!
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY. (Consider including this in your Bulleting)
Important Initiative on Panhandling: County Executive joined with Councilmember George Leventhal, Father John Enzler of Catholic Charities, our Police, and many homeless advocacy and grassroots social service organizations working with those in need in the County to announce an important initiative on panhandling. Our message was simple: Panhandling is not safe. Panhandling doesn’t really help people in need. When we want to help, we should give a hand UP, not a hand OUT. We have all experienced individuals soliciting money alongside busy streets, standing in medians, and wading into traffic. Every one has a story, usually scribbled on a battered sign. Sometimes the stories are true. Sometime they are not. And none of the stories tell you how the money collected will be spent. We know that most panhandlers are not homeless. Many come from outside Montgomery County, or even outside the state. For some, panhandling is a profession. Montgomery County residents care about our community and ALL of the people in it. We all want to help. The question isn’t whether to help – it’s how. That’s why Montgomery County government is joining together with homeless advocates and social service providers throughout the County to urge you to give a hand-up, not a hand-out. And you can REALLY lend a helping hand by texting “SHARE” on your cell phone to 8077 to contribute to grassroots efforts to help on a daily basis people in need of housing, shelter, or some route to turn their lives around... Much more HERE.
County Council Links & Information
Information for County Council activity is available on the web. Key links include:
- Schedule of Council Meeting dates, usually on Tuesdays, can be found HERE.
- Schedule of Council Public Hearings dates, with instructions on how to sign up to speak, can be found HERE.
- Schedule of Council Committee Meetings (with key agenda items) HERE. This link also lists which Council member is on which committee.
- The County Council 'home' page is HERE.
Planning Board Links & Information
For various 'user friendly' links to our planning process, and more visit HERE. Additional material related to planning include:
- Agendas of upcoming meeting (usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays) can be found HERE. This link also includes all packets for past meetings, with highly detailed information for all issues previously discussed.
- The Board's 'home' page includes information on how to sign up to speak at the sessions. See HERE.
- The Planning Department's main link (HERE) has a wealth of information on the zoning ordinance, demongraphics, and much more, making it worthwhile to visit often as a research tool for many community issues. (i.e.: There is an easy link to all of Plans for our Area, found HERE.)
Second Thursday Art Walk - An Idea Looking Ready to Soar
The folks over at Washington Printmakers are 'reviving' the idea of a "Second Thursday Art Walk" in Silver Spring by staying open late (till 8pm) and inviting other galleries and artists to do the same. If you are interested in joining in this adventure in the future, see HERE and/or e-mail HERE.
Park Improvements to Begin at North Four Corners Local Park
Construction activity intended to improve and add new amenities to North Four Corners Local Park will begin on, or around, September 9, 2013 and continue through the fall of 2014. ... Initially, construction will occur in the undeveloped portion of the park (along University Boulevard). Existing facilities, currently accessed via Southwood Drive, will remain open through the fall of 2013. Although residents and park users may see some construction activity in the open portion of the park, the area will be kept safe for public access. Residents and park users will be notified prior to closure of existing park facilities for construction activity. ... When North Four Corners Local Park re-opens for community use, the park will feature:
- A new rectangular sports field and adjacent parking area with direct vehicular access from University Boulevard;
- A bikeway from University Boulevard to Southwood Avenue;
- Paved loop walkways;
- A plaza with seating areas and amenities,
- Portable toilets, fencing, landscaping, improvement pavement and storm water management facilities; and,
- An open landscaped space including accessible paths, paved seating areas and a relocated playground.
For more information about this project, please visit ParkProjects.org HERE or call 301-495-2595.
Montgomery County Rocks the Inc. 500 List!
Ten of Maryland’s nineteen fastest-growing companies are located in Montgomery County – including the state’s highest-ranking company and two of our incubator companies! Ten is also two more than made the list from well-publicized, regional rival Fairfax County, Virginia – supporting what local businesses and economic development professionals have known for years: Montgomery County is a GREAT place to grow a business. Read more HERE!
Leggett Takes the Helm of County Executives of America (CEA)
Isiah (Ike) Leggett, County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland, was elected to a year term as President of the County Executives of America (CEA), a national organization representing County Executives across the U.S. CEA consists of over 700 county or city-county governments in 45 states. The organization is tasked with the duty of representing the Executive form of government before the U.S. Congress, the White House and the Departments of the Federal Government.... See full article HERE.
Welcome to Circle U!
From Impact Silver Spring: "...this year there is a new group of both teachers and learners who will be “making their way to the school-house.” They are the folks who make up one of the newest schools in Montgomery County—Circle U! Circle U represents regular folks from all walks of life and every corner of the planet who are coming together in IMPACT's newest community building venue- the Opportunity Circle..." More HERE.
Also: Impact's Executive Director Ronnie Galvin is blogging HERE... Plus, to watch a beautiful video of what "opportunity circles" are all about, visit YouTube HERE. (The video is narrated by Impact's staff member and Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board Member Sara Mussie.)
Get listed in MCAEL Adult English Literacy Program Directory
If your agency teaches adult English literacy please help MCAEL (Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy) and adult learners in the community by sharing some basic information about your program - or forward this to a program coordinator that you know! See more on MCAEL HERE. Click HERE to access the MCAEL Directory survey. By completing this 8 minute survey (shorter than last year), your organization, program and classes will be listed in MCAEL's print directory and the new, soon to be updated, online directory.* Please complete the survey ASAP and please answer all questions. Also, to better assist learners and staff navigate the ESOL system that exists in Montgomery County, this year, MCAEL is asking programs to define the learners they work with based on the National Reporting System Levels HERE rather than the level classes offered (i.e. level 1a, beginner 2 etc.) If you have any questions about the descriptions in the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Ritchie with MCAEL, program@mcael.org or at 301-881-3177 with any questions, thoughts or comments.
Time to (re?)visit the County's main web-site
Have you visited the County's main web-site recently? www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov is the official County web-site. It has lots of useful information for experienced civic leaders and newcommers alike. Make sure you have it book-marked in your browser - and input it to your smart phone. (The mobile version is pretty cool too. You can find it at m.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov )
Monthly Commuter Parking Permits Can Now be Purchased Online
This and many other 'news-release' from our Department of Transportation can be found HERE.
Respecting our Neighbors: Please do NOT cut-through!
As many folks driving on the east side of Silver Spring might have seen, Sligo Creek Parkway is closed at New Hampshire Avenue. It will remain CLOSED at least until 2014. Please do NOT drive down Sligo Creek Parkway and cut through the neighborhood streets! The designated detour is Carroll Ave and East-West Highway. PLEASE use the designated detour - or avoid the area until 2014... Your neighbors will appreciate it!
What is "New Ave"?
Have you been by New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park recently? Lots of eateries, shopping experiences, and much more... See their most recent newsletter HERE... There you will find information about the Transportaion Center being built at the intersection of New Hampshire Ave. and Universirty Blvd. - and more.
County County's Spanish Facebook Page - 'Like' it!
From Julie Rios Little, Communications Specialist, Montgomery County Council: "If you live in Montgomery County, you are a Latino/a or you are interested in the topics that affect our community and/or want to share your voice with the Council, you need to click 'I like' the Montgomery Council's web page in Spanish. This is not a translation of the Council's web in English. It focuses on issues of interest to the Hispanic/ immigrant community. So we invite you to join:
Remember to clic 'I like' to stay connected!"
Council Facebook page en Español: Información General: Esta página de Facebook busca centrarse en discusiones relacionadas con asuntos de gobierno, programas y servicios del Condado de Montgomery y asuntos de las comunidades locales. Por este medio usted podrá compartir sus preguntas, comentarios, e inquietudes... See Council's Facebook page in Spanish AQUI.
Got Library Card?
September is Library Card Sign Up Month and in celebration, Montgomery County Public Libraries reminds residents of all ages that a library card is the smartest card in your wallet, purse, tote bag, or backpack or on your keychain…and, it’s free! A library card is the key to many experiences – reading your favorite books, researching countless subjects, listening to music, learning a new language, acquiring a new skill. Get details at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library then go to your local branch and sign up.
Chronicling Montgomery County Trends
(From Park & Planning) The Center for Research & Information Systems identifies and tracks demographic, household and economic trends to help inform planning throughout Montgomery County. These detailed statistics help us identify and analyze changes in population, housing and economy. View our latest trendsheets on employment, housing, demographics and retail/office space from the first quarter of 2013. HERE.
Have you seen Downtown Silver Spring new web-site?
See HERE. Great link to see all that is happening by the Fountain, list of merchants along Ellsworth, promotions, and more.
The DCBS* Open Mike Blues Jam is the First Sunday of EVERY month from 4pm-8pm!
(*D.C. Blues Society)
Like the blues? Check this out! In Fenton Village (south side of downtown Silver Spring) FREE DCBS Blues Jam
4-8pm American Legion Post Fenton and 905 Sligo Avenue (entrance at parking lot on Fenton Street) Jam Questions? jams@dcblues.org More info HERE
See "Happenings" for special event on Saturday, July 13th "9th Annual Hotter Than July Fish Fry 'n' Blues"
Why were the trees on Georgia Avenue (from Silver Spring Avenue to Bonifant) cut down
(We have received many calls about why these trees were cut down. The day the trees were cut we released a major e-blast with a thorough explanation and followed it up by posting the information on Facebook and Twitter. Here is additional information and how to stay in touch with the issue.)
These trees were determined to be not healthy as far back as 2009. Two arborists independently made this determination. They are to be replaced with new trees (Princeton Elms and Lacebark Elms.) The trees were cut down recently as part of the sidewalk construction for the approved Fenton Street Village Streetscape Plan. Sidewalks are usually rebuilt by adjoining developers when a new building is built. In the case of these blocks on Georgia Avenue, however, the existing restaurants and shops are expected to remain ‘as is’ for a long time. Therefore, the County decided years ago that it would pay for the streetscape improvements to complete the Fenton Street Village Streetscape Plan. The new streetscape will be compliant with the American With Disabilities Act (ADA) - and incorporate the new trees. For further information on this project, please visit the web-site HERE or call Rogers D. Stanley, Senior Planning Specialist at the Divison of Community Development (240) 777-3633 ... or e-mail HERE.
Get Free and Confidential Business Advice from SCORE
- Are you looking to start a new business?
- Do you need advice on growing your business?
- Are you interested in getting advice from a business expert?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you should meet with a SCORE counselor at the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce. SCORE stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives, and is a nonprofit association focused on providing mentorship and information geared towards small businesses. SCORE is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and thousands of volunteers, enabling them to provide FREE mentorship to any inquiring businessmen and women. The SCORE counselor at the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce is available Thursday afternoons by appointment only. More info HERE
Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District Receives Outstanding Achievement Award
In recognition of significant contributions made to Maryland’s economy through art and culture, the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment (A&E) District received the State of Maryland’s Arts & Entertainment District Outstanding Achievement Award on June 4. Silver Spring tied for the award with Prince George’s County’s Gateway Arts District. ... The award was presented by Hannah Byron, assistant secretary of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) and Pamela Dunne, program director of the Maryland State Arts Council. Accepting the award were representatives of the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District, including Reemberto Rodriguez, director of the Silver Spring Regional Center; Mike Diegel, chair of the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment Advisory Committee; and Elizabeth Gallauresi, arts coordinator for the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District. ... Read more HERE. ...
Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board Annual Report for FY2013
"The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board (SSCAB) spent fiscal year 2013 addressing long-standing community concerns, discussing new property developments, and inviting heads and employees of government agencies to discuss how their work impacts Silver Spring and Takoma Park." ... See full report HERE.
Pilot project to test ad-based marketing, information and business community outreach opportunities in County parking garages
Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Division of Parking Management (DPM) has begun a six-month pilot project to test ad-based marketing, information and business community outreach opportunities in County parking garages. DPM is working with a local County business, RMR Outdoor Advertising, to pilot the program. RMR Outdoor Advertising is assisting DPM in its mission to provide local businesses and the Silver Spring downtown community with a new, cost-effective marketing tool to attract potential customers, residents and visitors. These centrally located facilities have estimated impressions in the millions every year and provide substantial awareness opportunities. This program will also support the County’s economic growth and development in key communities such as Silver Spring by providing greater awareness of business offerings and benefits for Montgomery County’s diverse business, residential and visitor communities. The two locations to be piloted in Silver Spring include:
- Garage 61, 801 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring;
- Garage 7, 8530 Cameron Street, Silver Spring;.
For more information about opportunities for local Silver Spring businesses to participate in this pilot program, please contact RMR Outdoor Advertising by phone at 855-201-7887 or by e-mail at sales@rmr.com. General information can be obtained by accessing the Web site at www.rmroutdoor.com.
Also: Please join us at the Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee this Thursday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m. at the Fire Station (3rd Floor) for a presentation on this pilot program.
Maryland's Women Business Center
Amazing resource for businesses of all sizes!... Help us spread the word to your favorite small business: "The Maryland Women's Business Center helps people in our community start and grow women-owned businesses positioned for long-term growth." Free and low cost seminars, networking, and much more... See HERE.
Planning Board Draft of the Long Branch Sector Plan Available On-Line
From Melissa Williams, Park & Planning's Area 1 Senior Planner: "This Sector Plan is an amendment to the East Silver Spring Master Plan, the Takoma Park Master Plan, the Master Plan of Highways, as amended, the Master Plan of Bikeways, as amended, the Master Plan for Historic Preservation, as amended, the Purple Line Functional Plan, as amended, and the General Plan (On Wedges and Corridors) for the Physical Development of the Maryland-Washington Regional District for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, as amended. Copies of the Plan will be available at local libraries and can also be viewed online HERE and HEREThe Planning Board and its staff look forward to your comments at the Montgomery County Council Public Hearing on July 9, 2013."
LEGGETT LAUDED BY GOVERNOR FOR SUPPORT OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Talks of Long Years of Support for Increased Funding
During the recent signing of the transportation funding bill in Annapolis, Governor Martin O’Malley publicly recognized County Executive Ike Leggett for his support for the legislation. Following the bill signing, Leggett acknowledged a long, seven-year fight to obtain funding necessary to move critical projects forward... View remarks by the Governor and Leggett HERE.
INTERACTIVE ZONING MAP [to better understand the proposed zoning changes]
Want to see what the proposed zoning is for a specifc address? Check out this simple-to-use 'side by side' comparative map HERE Then come to the ZONING REWRITE FORUM Wednesday, June 5th 7pm at the Civic Building (to in turn help you prepare for the June 11 Council Hearing.)... The June 5th Forum is being coordinated by the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and the President's Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations (PREZCO). Featured guests will include: Francoise Carrier, Planning Board Chair; Pamela Dunn, Planning Department Project Manager; Meredith Wellington, civic activist; and, Julie Davis, civic activist
MEDITATION MUSEUM BlogTalkRadio
Silver Spring's "Meditation Museum BlogTalkRadio" recently interviewed two Silver Spring entreprenuers, Megan Moriarty (Fenton Street Market); Tebabu Assafa (Blessed Coffee); and Reemberto Rodriguez (Director of the Silver Spring Regional Center.) ... You can find the audio of the interviews HERE (for Megan); HERE (for Tebabu); and HERE (for Reemberto.) ... The 'station' is an internet-only station and can be found HERE.
DID YOU KNOW THAT SILVER SPRING HAS THEIR OWN RECORDING STUDIOS?
Here's the latest release from Cuneiform Records... See HERE
HOW TO SHARE WITH OTHERS WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS DOING IN SILVER SPRING
The “Holy Grail” of a single portal, Facebook page, web-site, mobile-app, or FM radio station where you can tell the world the wonderful things your organization is doing simply does not exist.
For the past year and a half, the Silver Spring Regional Center has begun releasing regular e-blasts that consists of a combination of civic meetings, community gathering and celebrations, and sample of fund-raisers and ticketed events. We do this as part of our mission to be “the eyes and ears of the community to County government – and vice versa.” We also do this because we help “staff” the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District; and, we manage the Silver Spring Urban District.
Of course, we are not – and never intend to be - THE single source for information for all the amazing things going on in the Silver Spring Regional Area, which includes over 25 identifiable neighborhoods, eight commercial hubs, a major downtown area, and an incorporated City (Takoma Park) with its own downtown; and many great venues, countless restaurants, commercial entertainment opportunities, community serving non-profits, and over 60 faith communities.
We certainly appreciate and welcome you letting us know what is going on. We hope you will continue having us on your mailing list – or add us to it if we are not already. Please send it directly to: Reemberto.Rodriguez@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov
In return, please do subscribe to our e-blast. Go HERE to sign up. (We promise it is easy to unsubscribe if these e-blasts get to be spam for you.)
If you are looking for other sources to expand your message and reach the broadest audience possible for that next function, here’s some pointers we hope are helpful to you... (For list of tips, links to others, and much more see HERE.)
EXCELLENT ARTICLE ON DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING BY JOHN MARCOLIN
John Marcolin, Urban Planner at Park & Planning has written an excellent article capturing the history and context of downtown Silver Spring. This is a 'must read' article if you are interested in development issues. The article apperared in Terrain.org; it can be found HERE.
TOP FIVE CHALLENGES TO PEDESTRIANS IN SILVER SPRING
A 'guest blog' by William Smith highlighting some of the challenges pedestrians experience in Silver Spring (with some excellent pictures.) ... Check out the posting and add your comments HERE.
PAY BY CELL FOR PARKING - A SUCCESS!
The Division of Parking Management's innovative Pay By Cell procedure for paying for parking meter fees continues to grow in popularity. By February of this year, the Division had processed more than 96,600 transactions submitted by mobile phone. About 15 percent of all the parking meter revenues taken in arise from this method. For more information or to register your cell phone, visit Parking's website. When parking, use your cell phone to call 301-830-7074.
THE INSIDER's GUIDE TO SILVER SPRING
Bethesda Magazine has done a wonderful spread on some of Silver Spring's gems. The article can be found HERE. It includes direct links to the highlighted spots and beautiful pictures. (Plus, there is a comment section to provide your input.)... Well worth 'bookmarking' for future reference and to share with others!
USEFUL LINK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Have you visited the e-Biz Calendar from our Department of Economic Development? If not, check it out HERE... Make sure you share this link with your favorite small business so they also have access to this wealth of information and opportunities.
USEFUL INFO FOR BUSINESSES - LARGE AND SMALL - LOOKING TO LINK WITH LOCAL YOUTH w/DISABILITIES
Here's a fantastic free local resource to assist your business and help local county youth... From MontgomeyWorks and the TransCen, Inc.: "Does your business struggle with finding qualified employees or suffer from high turnover and tasks being over looked? Montgomery County Youth With Disabilities (YWD) Project, partnered with MontgomeryWorks and TransCen, Inc., is a free resource to assist your business with its workforce needs. A youth employment specialist can identify your hiring and operational needs, create solutions to recurring human resource problems, and provide onsite job support. YWD project is operated by a local Montgomery County non-profit focused on providing area businesses with support from local Montgomery County youth. ... We recruit and pre-screen qualified career focused youth candidates. We work with your business to address your specific needs and offer solutions at no cost to you. A Youth Employment Specialist (YES) will work with your business to discover your employment needs. The YES will create a task list specific to each business and each position. The task list allows the YES to recruit local youth passionate about each business and youth ready to work. The YES will pre-screen candidates by conducting situational assessments ensuring only qualified candidates are referred. Your business will be referred only the best candidates and you are under no obligation to hire referred candidates. If a referred candidate is hired, the YES will be available onsite for job coaching and follow up support. ... If your business is looking to hire employees, looking to help support local county youth, or looking to improve your workforce needs consider YWD as a mutually beneficial alternative to traditional business services. ... Please contact Dana Gilgenbach for more information or to schedule a visit."
Dana Gilgenbach
Youth Employment Specialist
Youth/Disability Initiatives
(614)266-6499 (mobile)
USEFUL VIDEO - THE BOTTOM LINE: THE UNSEEN MONTGOMERY
‘The Unseen Montgomery’ TV Special Focuses on Poverty Hidden in the County
Montgomery County is almost always among the top 10 in lists of U.S. counties with the highest family median incomes. It takes pride in being the economic engine of Maryland. Its schools make every list of the best in the nation. Yet, not easily seen, are pockets of poverty, especially families of working poor and people whose circumstances have taken dramatic turns for the worse due to the economic conditions of the past few years. Starting Sunday, March 3, cable viewers in the County can get a glimpse of this hidden part of the County through a special version of the County Cable Montgomery (CCM) show The Bottom Line...See full press release HERE.
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE TP/SS CAMPUS PLANETARIUM
Did you know about this amazing asset in our community!?! Looking for a fun, free, (and yes, educational!) thing to do?... Here's the invite from Dr. Harold Alden Williams, Planetarium Coordinator
"On Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 7PM on the first day of spring we will have a show on the "Vernal Equinox" in the planetarium, not only the geometric, astronomical, roots of Spring, but the religious, NowRuz, NoRuz, NoRooz, Persian new year, Passover and Easter connections. Then on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at planetarium we will have Time-Space Invariance and Quantum Gravity: or how c, G, and h create the fabric of Reality! (See HERE.) Discover the smallest distances and times measurable and how the universe is pixilated, the only public planetarium show that is not small child friendly, but is Ph.D. friendly, including urban designer friendly. We have lot of special shows by appointment for groups: grade specific shows for school groups, scout and other youth group programs, senior citizen and other adult group programs, monthly music/laser light shows, cultural astronomy shows and other programs. If you suggest one to me and give me enough time to make one that can use a planetarium." More info - and a web-link you may want to bookmark! - HERE."
OUR AREA'S "APPEAL" TO YOUNG ADULTS (version 1.2)
A recent article in the Washington Post has sparked quite a bit of conversation about our Area's appeal to young adults... Here's a link to a blog which list (some of the) venues and happenings that some have suggested do have that appeal... See HERE.
BLAIR H.S. HIGHLIGHTED AS A 'COOL SCHOOL' BY WUSA
Cool video - and a 'shout out' for the excellent work that Blair H.S. did for the "Walk Project"!... See HERE.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR SENIORS
With the County’s senior population steadily growing, they are fortunate to enjoy an array of travel options to choose from. First and foremost is the County’s own Ride On bus system HERE. With 82 routes, many seniors will find this a very convenient way to get around. Every Ride On bus is lift-equipped to handle wheelchairs, and most buses kneel to make entry easy. Seniors ride free from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM weekdays and at half fare other hours.
MetroBus service is also available for longer trips, including into the District HERE.
Special training is available to make your first bus ride easy through the Connect A Ride program at senior centers and other locations HERE.
Other options include MetroAccess and Medicaid Transportation for medical appointments HERE, Call ‘N Ride--discounted coupons you can use on taxis HERE, and a special Senior Bus Service sponsored by HHS that provides free Ride On transportation to recreation centers or to shopping destinations.
The “At-A-Glance” reference guide for seniors lists participating organizations and phone numbers (with great additional links!) HERE. Or call 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850) Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
KEFA CAFE on VOICE OF AMERICA
See this amazing interview about Kefa Cafe by the Voice of America, including fascinating discussion after the interview!
COUNTY REPORT THIS WEEK en Español
This news shows does a great job of recapping the week's stories from County Government... See HERE for YoutTube video in Spanish... Por favor ayudenos a compartir esta informacion con otros. Gracias.
FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT
CRIME DATA ON-LINE
Have you checked out the new on-line source to see the crimes reported in your neighborhood? Try it out. Input your address and see a map of your specific area with icons depicting the crimes reported. See HERE for more information.
GET TO KNOW YOUR POLICE DISTRICT!
Crime statistics, District News, and much more information HERE.
REDISTRICTING TAKES EFFECT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4th
See maps for the new boundaries of our police districts HERE.
NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER
Remember: The non-emergency number is 301-279-8000.
LOCAL AUTHOR GETS NOVEL PUBLISHED
Mary Amato's new novel, Guitar Notes, is about two teens who discover a profound connection through songwriting. (Mary is on the Board of Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., and is the moderator of the increasingly popular Artists Salon.) The novel includes eight original songs and graphics of the drafts and revisions to show the songwriting process. References the House of Musical Traditions! For more, see http://thrumsociety.com/
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNUAL REPORT NOW ON-LINE!
The 2012 edition of the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Annual Report on Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence is available on the MCPS website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/strategicplan/annualreport/.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that the County Council has six Committees that meet regularly?
- Education (ED)
- Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED)
- Health & Human Services (HHS)
- Government Operations & Fiscal Policy (GO)
- Public Safety (PS)
- Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy & Environment (T&F)
For dates, times, and agendas, go HERE.
Did you know that there's an active community theatre just north of the Beltway in Four Corners? Check out Silver Spring Stage! There's still time to catch "EXPECTING ISABEL", a funny and moving story about a couple trying to make a family. Check the link above for more info.
FOR YOUR ANNUAL PLANNING: DAYS OF COMMEMORATION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Here's a very cool list of days that our County government has identified as "days of commemoration."... See HERE for list.
DEVELOPMENTS IN DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING (and two bonus links!) [as of late 2013]
We recently had a wonderful session by the Planning Department outlining all developments in downtown Silver Spring that are under construction and/or in the planning process... See the PowerPoint presentation HERE... You may also want to view another presentation we did which places these developments "in context"... You can find that presentation HERE. ... If you are interested in this topic, you may also be interested in seeing a recent report by Reconnecting America on "Mid-Size Cities on The Move". Even though Silver Spring is not a 'city', in size and population, it is similar to the cities highlighted in the report. You can find the report HERE.
Are you familar with this amazing County resource? The Center's programming includes:
- New Americans Welcome Area (NAWA) that focuses on the needs of new immigrants and newcomers to the County. Programs include English as Second Language Classes, Citizenship and Civic Classes, Basic Legal Assistance and informational seminars on a variety of themes. It also includes an extensive Information and Referral System.
- Cultural Programs which includes, but is not be limited to education programs concentrating on culture, cultural competency, diversity and inter-culture relations, as well as social events and special events.
- Volunteering: Cultural Ambassador Program a volunteer program that assists the Center in reaching its goal of serving the immigrant and minority populations in the County. Professionals, retirees, students and all community members are welcome.
Please call 240-777-4940 for more information on programs and activities.
More info can be found HERE.
WHAT's HAPPENING IN "THE NEW AVE"?
Our Silver Spring Regional Area has many commerical hubs worth visiting... One of these is the New Hampshire Avenue area... Lots going on there!... For more up-to-date info, visit www.TheNewAve.com
New Ave Walking Guides Updated
Fulfill your New Year’s resolution and explore the New Ave on foot with the updated New Ave Walking Guides! The guides come in five refreshed categories:
● Latin America and the Caribbean (new)
● Bakeries and Sweets
● Fabrics
● Groceries
● South Asia
Find them in local businesses, at the Takoma Langley CDA, or download and print your own at www.theNewAve.com/explore/walking-tours.
Post Your Events on theNewAve.com!
Remember, if you have an event on the New Ave, it is easy to post the time and location using the website www.theNewAve.com/events. Access the form from the contact link at the bottom of any page. Once submitted, staff receives a notification to review and approve the event for publication on the website. You may include pictures and generate a map
for the event location.
Become a fan of the New Ave on Facebook to keep informed and stay up to
date! (www.facebook.com/TheNewAve)
If you would not like to receive these updates, please e-mail ErkinO@takomagov.org
HEARD ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH WALTER REED? [late 2013]
What is the proposed redeveloment plan for the old Walter Reed site on Georgia Ave, in DC - just south of Silver Spring? See presentationg given at the last Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee HERE.
REGIONAL AREA DISCUSSED ON PERFILES
Lorna Virgili interviewed Reemberto Rodriguez, Director of the Silver Spring Regional Center, for her program PERFILES. The intereview is in Spanish. It discusses the role of the Regional Director. It also highlights the new Civic Building Pilot Program to increase access to the facility, and encourages Long Branch residents to get involved in their neighborhood planning process. See video HERE.
DID YOU KNOW ABOUT PUBLIC ART IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY?
Public art can be a catalyst for community building, economic development, and creating a sense of place. Where it is located, how it connects to its surroundings, and whether it engages viewers can be as important as the design of the artwork itself.
Creation of public art is an option under the Montgomery County development review process when applications are in downtown areas and transit-area zones. Significant works of public art have been installed in Silver Spring, Bethesda, White Flint, and Wheaton. Planners coordinate with an Art Review Panel in order to evaluate the developer's design proposal, and provide professional guidance to the design team as part of their building applications. The Art Review Panel typically meets bimonthly... For more info and recent draft report, see HERE.
MORE EASY INFO from the Census Bureau!
The Census Bureau has released their new web tool "Easy Stats"... Just in time for the release of the American Community Survey five-year estimates, the U.S. Census Bureau has released "Easy Stats," [see link HERE] an online tool developed to make statistics quicker and easier to access. The interactive tool provides selected demographic and economic statistics from the American Community Survey. "Easy Stats" allows searching by geography down to the local level, including incorporated places like cities and towns and census designated places. View detailed race, age and gender breakdowns, and compare communities... In addition, they've revamped their popular QuickFacts [see link HERE.]
USEFUL COUNCIL LINKS
Councilmembers:
Public Participation:
Public Hearing List:
Current Agenda:
Committee Agendas:
Packets:
Bills:
Resolutions:
Zoning:
View Current Live Session:
View Archives:
Other:
PARKS & OPEN SPACE PRESENTATION NOW ON-LINE!
The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board Committees hosted a dialogue with the Planning Department and the Parks Department on Parks & Open Space - focusing on downtwon Silver Spring. The presentations are now available on our virtual library.
For more info:
Brooke Farquhar, Supervisor, Park and Trail Planning
Park Planning and Stewardship Division
Department of Parks-MontgomeryCounty
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
9500 Brunett Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20901
301-650-4388
For more info:
John Marcolin, RLA, CNU, LEED AP
Area 1 Planner/Coordinator, Urban Designer
M-NCPPC
8787 Georgia Ave,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301 495-4547
HEALTH CARE PRESENTATION ALSO ON-LINE!
On Monday, November 12th Uma Ahluwalia, Director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services gave a great presentation on HEALTH CARE REFORM: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE to the community. This dialogue, done in cooperation with the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board addressed the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will transform the delivery of health care throughout the United States. See that presentation HERE.
SUBURBAN WASHINGTON RESETTLEMENT CENTER
"Dear Friend of the Suburban Washington Resettlement Center: We are excited to invited you to our annual Thanksgiving Potluck on Friday, November 16th, 1:00-4:30pm. Please join us as we come together to celebrate all we have to be thankful for. Bring any Thanksgiving dish or traditional dish from your culture, or just bring yourself!... In addition to food and friends, there will be warm clothing for the newly arrived refugees and asylees, the newest members of our community, in preparation for the dropping temperatures. If you plan on stopping by on the 16th, please send a quick email to Erica.Marcus@rescue.org, so that we know to expect you! We look forward to seeing you!... In the spirit of Thanksgiving, thank you for all your support throughout the year! Best wishes, All of us at the Suburban Washington Resettlement Center" See flyer HERE
LONG BRANCH BUSINESS HAVE THEIR OWN WEB-SITE!
From Paul Grenier, Community Economic Development Specialist & Carlos Perozo, Long Branch Business League: "Dear Long Branch Business Owners (and friends): Good news! Long Branch’s businesses now have a website. It’s not too fancy, but it’s attractive and we will build on it to promote your success and the success of this whole lovely area. Here’s the link: http://www.longbranchbusinessleague.com/ You should be able to find your own business on the page called: Businesses. If it is not there, or if you would like to change the wording or links, please contact me, Paul, at your earliest convenience."
LIKE WALKING? CARE ABOUT PEDESTRIANS?... A "MUST SEE" LINK
From our Pedestrian Safety Coordinator: "I am pleased to inform you that MCDOT has a new pedestrian safety web site. If you are accessing the site from within the County system, you must first erase your cache (delete browser memory). Otherwise you will link to the old site. Give us some feedback on what you think of the new site!! You can access our web page by using either the address: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/walk
Jeff Dunckel
Pedestrian Safety Coordinator
Office of the Director
Department of Transportation
Montgomery County, Maryland
office: (240) 777-7197
fax: (240) 777-7178
SILVER SPRING DOWNTOWN - TODAY & TOMORROW
"Today’s downtown Silver Spring is a vibrant, full-of-life urban place where community and commerce intersect to create culture at its best. Even in light of the recent recession and lack-luster national economic recovery, Silver Spring’s downtown is weathering the storm with strong resiliency. The redevelopment plans conceptualized two decades ago and built over the last decade are coming to fruition not only in the core of downtown, but throughout all of downtown; from Spring Ave on the north to Montgomery College on the south; on East-West Highway; the Ripley District; and Fenton Village." Agree? Disagree? Have an opinion?... Join the on-line discussion by posting your comment at our recent blog postings HERE.
MONTGOMERY HILLS COMMERCIAL AREA GOOGLE MAP NOW AVAILABLE!
There are nearly 80 businesses in the commerical hub of Montgomery Hills (just south of the Beltway.) See HERE for a very useful 'Google Map' of the area... Explore it! You might just be surprised as to what you'll find!
Zipcar:
• Ellsworh Drive between Fenton Street and Veterans Place, Silver Spring
• Fenton Street between Colesville Road and Cameron Street, Silver Spring
• Cameron Street between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street, Silver Spring
• Parking Lot, Seminary Road and Sutton Place, 1920 Seminary Road, Montgomery Hills
Hertz On Demand:
• Bonifant/Dixon Garage, Silver Spring
• Fenton Street between Wayne Avenue and Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring
ON DEVELOPMENT
Silver Spring is hailed as 'model for economic stimulus w/o gentrifying' in a major study by George Washington University. See full article (HERE)
Make sure you take a look at the full report. (HERE) (We've had a good relationship with the author for quite sometimes... He oftentimes brings his students - and students from throughout the country - to Silver Spring.)
For list of residential developments in store throughout downtown, see the article in the blog Urban Turf, “A Rundown of Residential Project on Tap for Silver Spring”. (HERE)
The East Silver Spring Citizens Association, under the guide of Steve and Karen Knight and Karen Ropper have created a simple list of projects in the Fenton Village area. (HERE)
For info on how to stay on top of all these developments and changes, some historical perspective, and more see blog posting HERE.
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT PLANNING:
Wondering about that sign advertising pending development in your community? Curious about how forest conservation works? Residents and others with questions about development, community plans, zoning, transportation, or environmental issues may find the answers they seek on a new Department HELP page. The page features links, an online employee directory and an online question/comment form.
SUBSCRIBE TO infoSHARE AND STAY 'IN THE KNOW' ABOUT PLANNING & MORE!
Sign up for infoShare, the official weekly e-newsletter of The Montgomery County Planning Board. In today’s fast-moving news cycle, it can be challenging to home in on what matters at the community level. To help residents, landowners, business people and county officials stay abreast of Montgomery County park activities and planning initiatives, our weekly newsletter provides weekly news in brief. infoShare informs about Board meetings and agendas; community events; recreational, nature and other activities in the parks; and an array of planning initiatives – all of which affect quality of life in Montgomery County. The concisely written newsletter provides links to more detailed information. Subcribe HERE.
EXCELLENT SITE TO LET THE WORLD KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE GOING ON
The Conference and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has revamped their excellent calendaring site for events in Montgomery County. This is a great - FREE! - way to let others know on your event and search for what is hapening county-wide, or in a particular area of the county. Check it out HERE. For our recent blog post on 'getting the world out', visit HERE. It includes the CVB and various other places you may want to consider using, depending on the nature of your event.
GRAFFITI ALERT! There's been an increase of graffiti throughout Silver Spring. We need your help to eradicate this problem. Please report all graffiti you see to our Police at 301-279-8000. You can also do it on-line HERE. In downtown, you can also report it directly to our Red Shirts at 240-876-2911 and they will get right on it. Make doubly sure it is reported by reporting it to 311 as well... We can take care of this graffiti problem, but we need your help. Please be our 'eyes on the ground'; don't assume it's been reported; let us know!
COOL VIDEO ON SILVER SPRING ART IN DOWNTOWN Docs-in-Progress just released a very nice video on what art means to Silver Spring's downtown. See it HERE. For more info re Docs-in-Progress, visit HERE.
PLANNING 101!
Here are some videos from Park & Planning's web-site you may want to watch:
What is Zoning
How Can Residents Get Involved in the Development Review Process
Development Plans & Trends
Rapid Transit / BRT
Lyttonsville Around Town
Falkland Chase Conversation
NEW VISITORS GUIDE TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY AVAILABLE ON-LINE
If you have folks visiting you, you are new to the area, or simply want to reconnect with what our County has to offer, check out this guide. The Conference and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Montgomery County has published a NEW Visitor Guide. View it HERE. Make sure you see the Silver Spring section and the downtown section... Lots of neat info that you may or may not know about...
MCAEL's ONLINE DIRECTLY LISTS ENGLISH LITERACY PROGRAMS "Did you know that there is a group of over 70 literacy service programs in Montgomery County? They are all part of MCAEL – The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy – a community coalition made up of public, nonprofit, and business partners helping over 20,000 adult learners of English in our community. MCAEL is dedicated to strengthening the county-wide adult English literacy network with resources, training and advocacy to support our thriving community and optimal workforce... "...your best place to find adult English literacy programs in Montgomery County. The Directory lists all known community providers offering services to the public." See HERE. Great list of providers! Help spread the word with your networks and friends.
COUNTY CABLE MONTGOMERY Have you checked out the County Cable Montgomery lately? It's on cable - Channel 6 on Comcast. But, it is more available on-line HERE. The cool thing about the on-line version is that you can view past programs "on-demand". The options are plentiful. Click on the "Program Guide" and you will see the array of available programming full of useful information to help form our civic discourse. Give it a try!
HISTORIC TRAIN STATION VIDEO Want to know a bit of history about our precious Train Station? See video HERE.
NEW TO SILVER SPRING? Our recent blog posting takes is useful for new residents - as well as old timers. If you have not seen it, check it out HERE
POPULATION CHANGE & DENSITY, INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC MIGRATION, BIRTHS, DEATHS, CRIME STATS AND MORE Maryland Statistical Handook 2011 Published!... The Maryland Statistical Handbook, 2011 for jurisdictions is a compilation of current county level statistics on population change, density, international and domestic migration, births, deaths, crime, median household income, full and part-time jobs, average wage, school enrollment trends, housing units authorized for construction, median residential sales price, federal government expenditures , retail sales and number and acres in farms...
The Handbook provides a quick statistical overview of the counties and Baltimore City with accompanying charts and maps by providing the data from several federal and state agencies in one publication....The handbook is prepared and published by: Maryland State Data Center, Maryland Department of Planning
7th Floor. 301 W. Preston Street. Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 767-4450
...If you are into numbers and data, check it out HERE
NEW POLICE WEB-SITE (and FaceBook Page - and Tweeter feed!) "Montgomery County Police Launches New Website : www.myMCPnews.com The Montgomery County Police Department is proud to announce its new police website, www.myMCPnews.com. The website was created with the goal of providing timely and accurate information to everyone who lives, works, and visits Montgomery County. The new website is a way for everyone to receive critical information about their police department working in their community... The police department also reminds everyone to “Like” the Montgomery County Police Department (Official) on Facebook and follow @mcpnews on Twitter. Facebook and Twitter allow the department to post valuable information, but also allows a dialogue among the department and other members of the community, which has proven valuable in our public safety mission... We hope that residents and business people will become active participants in the department’s crime-fighting effort. The department encourages everyone to visit www.myMCPnews.com and “Be A Part Of It!” "
ALERT MONTGOMERY - Police Community Alert System: In a continuing effort to connect to the community via technology, the Montgomery County Department of Police has launched the Community Alert System. The Community Alert System is part of the County’s Alert Montgomery program. The Montgomery County Police will send messages via email and/or text messages to cell phones, pagers, smart phones in regards to a variety of police issues to include crime trends, critical incidents, missing persons and more. The Alert Montgomery System has many selectable alert groups to include the Montgomery County Public Schools, Parks, Montgomery College, Municipalities, as well as traffic and weather alerts. Anyone that works, lives or has an interest in Montgomery County is encouraged to sign up at www.alert.montgomerycountymd.gov . Users will be prompted to select particular geographical police areas known as beats, under MCPD Police District Alerts tab. If users are not sure what beat they live or work in, please email the address or addresses you want to be alerted for, to mcpdalert@montgomerycountymd.gov and we will provide you the beat information you need. Please allow 72 hours for a response. The Montgomery County Police offer several technologies to connect with the community such as:
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"PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE":
MONTGOMERY PLANS are full episodes of what is happening in the "planning world". A recent episode focuses on various Silver Spring Regional Center area issues.
REGISTER YOUR ASSOCIATION! Do you want to stay informed about planning and development in Montgomery County? If so, ensure your local organizations are registered accurately with the Planning Department, which maintains a list of homeowners organizations and civic groups countywide. Visit our new webpage to review and update your organization's information.
HOW WE PLAN: The latest episode of Montgomery Plans spotlights the county's new Commercial Residential Zone, which is expected to transform strategic areas. Also featured: a tour of Lyttonsville, a new tool that maps the county's tree canopy and the latest big decisions of the Planning Board.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT DEVELOPMENT? Wondering about that sign advertising pending development in your community? Curious about how forest conservation works? Residents and others with questions about development, community plans, zoning, transportation, or environmental issues may find the answers they seek on a new Department HELP page. The page features links, an online employee directory and an online question/comment form.
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"QUICK NOTES NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN":
PARK & PLANNING NEWSLETTER: This newsletter is full of very useful planning information, including links to Planning Board meetings, and great links to developments in the area... Visit HERE and ask to subscribe!
PLANNING BOARD MEETING ON-LINE: Can't make it to a Planning Board meeting? No worry. Watch the Planning Board meetings live when the Board is in session or watch recordings of each meeting. Live video streaming and archives of HERE
MAPPING AMERICA ON EVERY BLOCK: If you are into mapping, check out this amzaing site to graphically display information about your neighborhood HERE (For more info, visit Policy Link Mapping Info HERE )
TWO WEB SITES FOR YOUR INQUIRING MIND: If you'd like to know more about the hard facts describing your neighborhood, you may want to try www.city-data.com Spend time there; dive deep into some of its stats. Amazing stuff!... Also, have you ever tried www.WalkScore.com ? Cool thing about this site is that you can help build it by adding your favorite places and commenting on your experience.
HAVE YOU VISITED MC311 LATELY? You know you can call 311 with your county questions anytime... But, have you visited their web-site lately? www.MC311.com has a user-friendly interface to do all you can do when you call 311 - and much more... It also provides basic information on County services in an easy-to-navigate format... Check it out HERE.
LATEST CRIME STATS: Available for the whole County. (Our Regional Area is in the "3rd District".) See HERE
USE "RIDE ON REAL TIME" TO QUICKLY DETERMINE WHEN YOUR NEXT RIDE ON BUS WILL BE ARRIVING: County Executive Leggett has announced the launch of Ride On Real Time. This new system allows passengers to obtain real-time information on bus arrivals using the internet, texting, or applications for Android or iPhones. The new tool will help passengers determine when the next arriving bus will be at their stop... More info HERE
CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD EXPLAINED: Ever wonder what the SSCAB is? What it does? How they do it? A recent article in the Silver Spring Voice captures the essence of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board... See the article HERE.
PARKING DOWNTOWN: Driving to downtown Silver Spring for an event? "Bookmark" these two excellent sites for where to find parking.
- Map keyed to specific parking garages and lots (with additional info);
- Map of exact locations of parking garages and lots.
TRIED OUR DOWNTOWN MOBILE APP YET? Downtown Mobile Up is Ready to be Used!... Get your mobile smart phone out and input this new link to "all things downtown": http://m.silverspringdowntown.com Please help us keep this info current. If you see something in need of update or correction, send me an e-mail or go to the link available directly from the site… Next time you are downtown, try it out to find that new restaurant or favorite old watering hole…
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MAIN VENUE WEB SITES
SILVER SPRING RAILROAD STATION
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GALLERIES
(Kefa Cafe)
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PERFORMING SPACES & COMPANIES
On-going offerings, including:
(Next to the AFI)
620 Pershing Drive
SILVER SPRING STAGE
Woodmoor Shopping Center
(Colesville & University)
8700 First Avenue
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LIBRARIES & RECREATION CENTERS
[children, youth, seniors & fun]
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LAST UPDATED:
August 18 2014
COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS?
e-mail
Reemberto Rodriguez, Director
Silver Spring Regional Area
NEW TO SILVER SPRING? info
