Blog suspended for a while . . .

Hello! This is Suzanne Ludlow, Takoma Park Deputy City Manager. We're in the process of some significant changes in our Communications office, so we're going to suspend the blog for a bit until we get on our feet.

We will begin advertising to fill our vacant Media Specialist position this week and we are continuing to work on a new City website. When our Media Specialist position is filled, it shouldn't be long before we see some exciting changes on the communications side of City government, including, of course, social networking.

What would you like to see us do? Please let me know! E-mail me at: SuzanneL@takomagov.org.

And, keep your eyes open for the exciting activities scheduled for our new Auditorium in May. We will have a beautiful space and wonderful events. Thanks to Congressman Chris Van Hollen, our Maryland District 20 representatives, and Washington Adventist Hospital for the funding for this special new cultural resource for Takoma Park.

Ups and Downs

Last week had some ups and downs. On the down side, it is budget time and the City Manager has been preparing her budget for presentation to the City Council tonight. The proposed budget includes layoffs and a wage freeze. Some of our co-workers were notified last week that their positions are proposed to be eliminated or changed to part-time. Times are tough all over, but it is really hard when it hits home.

On the up side, the Community Center Atrium is filled with a wonderful art display of clocks and lamps created by Randall Cleaver. It is worth coming in to see them! Many have switches to turn on the light or get some whimsical part moving.

Another up, of course, is the weather. Get out and play!

Finally, if you haven’t sent back your Census form, please do so. It is so important! If you have any questions, stop by our Census Questionnaire Assistance Center in the Community Center Atrium. It is staffed Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 pm and mid-day Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm.

Reminders and memories: chat, take ten, hop & eat chocolate

Reminder that there is an informal chat opportunity tonight with the council to discuss alcohol beverage sales in the City - 7:30 - 9 at the Community Center.

Also, big reminder to fill out and mail in your Census form! Cool tool: If you are a data and map geek like your humble blogger, check out http://www.2010census.gov/ and click on the Participation Rate. If you enter the City zip code of 20912, you will see that participation in the City is so far pretty much under 30%, and is even under 20% in some areas. As our Deputy City Manager quipped, "We're not Lake Wobegon." But we'd like to be! (above average, that is). (The national average to date is 34%). So, if you are like me, with your census form clipped to your refrigerator, or like our newsletter editor, all ready to mail but it's at the bottom of her bag, Take Ten and finish it!

Speaking of taking ten, I doubt this event actually took that long. The Annual Recreation Department Egg Hunt was a chilly quick success last Saturday. To your left, Rec. staffer Leicia does a bunny hop.

This is a photo from 2007, but it is iconic to me of the joy and glee experienced by the little ones at this event. Thanks to Rec Department Director Debra Haiduven for the awesome capture; she calls this one "Charge!"

Let's talk about beer & wine

That got your attention, didn't it? ;-)

Please join your neighbors and members of the City Council for a Listening/Discussion Session next Monday, March 29th between 7:30 - 9:00 p.m to discuss alcoholic beverage laws in the City of Takoma Park. This is an informal gathering which you can drop in; with Roundtable Discussions between 8-8:30 p.m.

Within the City limits, no business may sell alcoholic beverages to take out (except one business which was grandfathered in). Restaurants may serve alcohol with an appropriate license from Montgomery County.

The community has expressed some interest in exploring this in Takoma Park, so the Council has scheduled this important conversation instead of the regular Monday night Council meeting, so please plan to drop by. Background materials are here, and additional information is available from the City Clerk, Jessie Carpenter, 301-891-7267. Light refreshments will be available (non-alcoholic!)

Art Hop, Bunny Hop and Trees

Three quick items before the weekend:
Main Street Takoma's Art Hop this weekend happening Saturday and Sunday from 10 -7 looks like a lot of fun.

Save the date for the Annual Egg Hunt NEXT weekend (Saturday March 27) for the Annual Egg Hunt at Ed Wilhelm Field. This event starts at 11 AM SHARP, and they are NOT kidding. It's all over at 11:02, with lots of happy egg hunters in the under 2 group.

Third: Best deal in town is once again available from the City's Arborist division. The City arranges to bulk buy native shade trees - which normally retail for about $350. This cooperative purchase means you can buy trees and have them installed on your property for $195! Here is a PDF file with all the info and an order form.

Spring is Breaking Out All Over

Just returned from outside where the temperature is hovering around 70... it seems that Spring has really arrived this year!

And while the outdoors beckons, like most of you, I have to work, so here I am at my computer.

With the onset of Spring is the annual Spring Break. For folks who are parents who actually have to go to work during Spring Break rather than go to exotic beach destinations, the City of Takoma Park's recreation department offers.... Spring Break Camp!

From March 29 through April 2nd, you can deposit your little charges with our Rec. staff and they can enjoy a camp themed "Best of Summer..."

Highlights of this year's camp include the return of Jali-D to share his musical talents, camp fires, obstacles courses, swimming, rock climbing, DDR, outdoor play and arts and crafts! Sounds like fun! Unfortunately for me, the age range for this particular camp is 5 to 11.

The camp runs from 9 - 4 each day, with before- and after-care available so you can extend the day from 7 AM until 6 PM. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 301-891-7290, or go to their online registration page.

Walk This Way

The Second Annual Takoma Park 5K Challenge has now opened registration for the May 2nd event.
Visit http://www.tkpk5k.com/ for all the updated information and links to registration materials. Watch a video from City TV's Takoma Snapshots about last year's race !


The race is part of the Safe Routes To Schools program, a Federal Highway Administration program funneled through each state.

Safe Routes to Schools in Takoma Park uses this grant money to create a number of activities with the local elementary schools. The main goal is to make it safer for students to walk and bike to school.

SRTS also sponsors a local International Walk to School Day with the PTAs from area elementary schools. Watch a video about the 2007 Walk To School Day.

Proceeds from the 5K race are used to help fund additional PTA programs on health and safety at East Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rolling Terrace and Piney Branch Elementary Schools.

The National Center for Safe Routes to Schools makes the point that making it safer for kids to walk to school makes a community more livable for everyone. Kids who walk or bike to school get some exercise, traffic congestion is reduced, less pollution is created, in short, it's ALL GOOD!

So get off your computer (after you register online!) and start training to take the Takoma Park 5K Challenge to support Safe Routes!