Friday: end of the week, and in this case, end of the month. Lots of media for you today.
Each week, on Friday afternoon, City staff prepare the "Status & Information Report". Check it out here.
Each month the City publishes The Newsletter, which is delivered via snail mail to every household in the City. Sometimes folks don't receive it, but if you let us know you didn't get it (wait about a week), then we can bug the post office. In the meantime, you can read the Newsletter online here.
The latest edition of City TV's monthly magazine show, Takoma Snapshots, is now released. You can watch it online here or you can watch in on City TV cable channel 13 on Comcast and RCN; channel 28 on Verizon. The schedule is here. Segments this month include: Going Green: The Greenroof Project; Takoma Park Remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr; and Jazz Band Brawl 2010 Highlights.
While you're surfing City TV online, you might want to visit our City TV pages, which link you to the live stream of the same thing folks at home with cable tv receive, and give you some more information about the channel.
Lots of City media for you to consume this weekend! Enjoy!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday is Half Fun
The Recreation Department wanted me to remind you that this Friday, Feb. 26 is a half day of school, and so they are offering a half-day Fun Day from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Registration is STILL OPEN. Here's what they say about this half-fun day: Discover Planet Earth as Mad Science explains geodes, the chemistry of crystal formation and metamorphic geology. Explore the atmosphere's relationship with our planet and make your own ultraviolet detectors! For more information please call Carey Antoszewski 301-891-7233. Cost is $15 for Takoma Park City residents and $20 for non-residents. Note: you can only have Mad Science fun if you are ages 5 - 11.
For more information about the recreation department's activities, check out their web pages!
For more information about the recreation department's activities, check out their web pages!
March is for Artists
The Arts and Humanities Commission is at it again, facilitating Public Art in Takoma Park!
Their latest scheme involves a Call for Public Art with three different projects. The deadline for submitting an entry is Monday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. The three projects are described in PDF files: LONG BRANCH GATEWAY SCULPTURE, SITE SPECIFIC PUBLIC ART, and GATEWAY ART PANELS.
If you aren't familiar with the Arts and Humanities Commission, you just haven't been paying attention! Who do you think organizes the Third Thursday Poetry Series? And how about the on-going series of art exhibits in the Community Center?
Their guiding document, Creative Vision: A Cultural Plan for the City of Takoma Park, is the best example of a plan that gathers no dust -- i.e., it didn't get written just to sit on a shelf somewhere, these folks are serious! For example, the soon-to-be renovated Auditorium, well, guess whose idea that was? The AHC came to a Council meeting in March of 2007 and requested that the Council conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility of renovating the auditorium for use as both a venue for the performing arts and a meeting space for official Council proceedings. And three years later, the Auditorium is almost done! (more on that project another day).
They've established a Takoma Park Poet Laureate, celebrated Arts & Humanities Day in the Community Center, established public art in various places, and launched more exhibits in the Community Center than I can count - wow, these people are productive! Most recently the AHC convened Art Swoop 2010, a "mixer and incubator" for creative professionals in the Takoma Park area.
To get email notices of upcoming Arts & Humanities events, send an email request to SaraD@takomagov.org Stay tuned for a new web-based calendar of events coming to a computer near you soon!
Their latest scheme involves a Call for Public Art with three different projects. The deadline for submitting an entry is Monday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. The three projects are described in PDF files: LONG BRANCH GATEWAY SCULPTURE, SITE SPECIFIC PUBLIC ART, and GATEWAY ART PANELS.
If you aren't familiar with the Arts and Humanities Commission, you just haven't been paying attention! Who do you think organizes the Third Thursday Poetry Series? And how about the on-going series of art exhibits in the Community Center?
Their guiding document, Creative Vision: A Cultural Plan for the City of Takoma Park, is the best example of a plan that gathers no dust -- i.e., it didn't get written just to sit on a shelf somewhere, these folks are serious! For example, the soon-to-be renovated Auditorium, well, guess whose idea that was? The AHC came to a Council meeting in March of 2007 and requested that the Council conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility of renovating the auditorium for use as both a venue for the performing arts and a meeting space for official Council proceedings. And three years later, the Auditorium is almost done! (more on that project another day).
They've established a Takoma Park Poet Laureate, celebrated Arts & Humanities Day in the Community Center, established public art in various places, and launched more exhibits in the Community Center than I can count - wow, these people are productive! Most recently the AHC convened Art Swoop 2010, a "mixer and incubator" for creative professionals in the Takoma Park area.
To get email notices of upcoming Arts & Humanities events, send an email request to SaraD@takomagov.org Stay tuned for a new web-based calendar of events coming to a computer near you soon!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Blood Pressure and Bingo
The City Recreation Department offers many activities for seniors in the Community Center. This Thursday, Feb. 25th, seniors can come and have their blood pressure checked, then play bingo, all in the Senior Room. Blood pressure screenings start at 11:30 a.m. and go until 12:30 p.m.; Bingo starts at noon and goes until 2 p.m. (This happens again on Thursday March 25th and Thursday April 22nd).
If you haven't been there, the Senior Room is one of the rooms in between the Library and the Community Center. Open to those 55 and older, it offers computers, comfy chairs, and tables for reading and game playing. There is also a Resource Center filled with info about all kinds of social and senior services. Many of the classes and activities are held in here too, but it is open for drop-in visits between noon and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m Saturdays, and 2 - 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Senior programs are also held in the Dance Studio of the Community Center - Bone Builders Exercise, Line Dance Exercise, and coming in March, Gentle Yoga.
I've just touched on some of the programs available - there are also cool trips, computer training, arts & crafts classes, and birthday parties! One more plug - a call for Volunteers. Many programs are taught by volunteer instructors, and currently volunteers are needed to teach Spanish, ESOL, arts & crafts, health & fitness, tai chi, history, science and jewelery making.
Have I mentioned that most of the above programs are FREE? But participants are asked to call to register for all but the drop-in activities: 301-891-7280 is the hotline for senior programs!
If you haven't been there, the Senior Room is one of the rooms in between the Library and the Community Center. Open to those 55 and older, it offers computers, comfy chairs, and tables for reading and game playing. There is also a Resource Center filled with info about all kinds of social and senior services. Many of the classes and activities are held in here too, but it is open for drop-in visits between noon and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m Saturdays, and 2 - 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Senior programs are also held in the Dance Studio of the Community Center - Bone Builders Exercise, Line Dance Exercise, and coming in March, Gentle Yoga.
I've just touched on some of the programs available - there are also cool trips, computer training, arts & crafts classes, and birthday parties! One more plug - a call for Volunteers. Many programs are taught by volunteer instructors, and currently volunteers are needed to teach Spanish, ESOL, arts & crafts, health & fitness, tai chi, history, science and jewelery making.
Have I mentioned that most of the above programs are FREE? But participants are asked to call to register for all but the drop-in activities: 301-891-7280 is the hotline for senior programs!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday funday
Mondays are always Council meeting days - except when they aren't, which is pretty much only when there is a Monday holiday or when they are on a recess.
Residents are always welcome to attend Council meetings. Visit here to see How To Participate in a Council meeting. While the Auditorium is under construction, Council meetings are held in the Azalea Room of the Community Center.
The Council agenda, and background materials for each item, are posted each week to the City Clerk's pages on the City website.
You can also stay home and watch Council meetings live on Takoma Park City TV - channel 13 on Comcast and RCN; channel 28 on FIOS. You can also watch the meeting on the internet with a live webstream, or later you can watch archived meetings on-demand. Visit here to see our web based video options.
While you're there, check out some of City TV's other programming, such as our monthly magazine show, Takoma Snapshots. The one running right now features The NewAve website project; Takoma-Langley Crossroads Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; and International Art Arrives in Takoma Park.
Residents are always welcome to attend Council meetings. Visit here to see How To Participate in a Council meeting. While the Auditorium is under construction, Council meetings are held in the Azalea Room of the Community Center.
The Council agenda, and background materials for each item, are posted each week to the City Clerk's pages on the City website.
You can also stay home and watch Council meetings live on Takoma Park City TV - channel 13 on Comcast and RCN; channel 28 on FIOS. You can also watch the meeting on the internet with a live webstream, or later you can watch archived meetings on-demand. Visit here to see our web based video options.
While you're there, check out some of City TV's other programming, such as our monthly magazine show, Takoma Snapshots. The one running right now features The NewAve website project; Takoma-Langley Crossroads Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; and International Art Arrives in Takoma Park.
Friday, February 19, 2010
We are not on an island
There are two opportunities next week to interact with other governmental agencies whose work affects Takoma Park residents, and both are on Wednesday, Feb. 24th.
From Montgomery County Park & Planning:
Long Branch Sector Plan Community Meeting
Have your say on a long-term vision for Long Branch! Tell planners what you would like to see in your community.
The Long Branch Sector Plan will explore ways to improve quality of life in the Long Branch community and create a safe, walkable community served by the proposed Purple Line stations.
Long Branch Sector Plan Community Meeting
7-9 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Avenue
Learn more: www.montgomeryplanning.org/LongBranch
Contact: MCP-LongBranch@mncppc-mc.org
301-495-4614
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From Montgomery County:
Public Hearing on Proposed Traffic Management Plan and Access Restrictions for Sligo Park Hills and Certain Takoma Park Streets - Feb. 24
A joint Montgomery County/City of Takoma Park public hearing will be held in the Community Center Azalea Room at 7 p.m. on February 24 to consider a proposed Residential Traffic Management Plan for the Sligo Park Hills and City of Takoma Park communities. For additional information see the complete public hearing notice and Ritchie Avenue Proposed Traffic Access Restriction Plan.
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City staff write a weekly "Status and Information Report" each week which comes out on Fridays. Check it out here.
From Montgomery County Park & Planning:
Long Branch Sector Plan Community Meeting
Have your say on a long-term vision for Long Branch! Tell planners what you would like to see in your community.
The Long Branch Sector Plan will explore ways to improve quality of life in the Long Branch community and create a safe, walkable community served by the proposed Purple Line stations.
Long Branch Sector Plan Community Meeting
7-9 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Avenue
Learn more: www.montgomeryplanning.org/LongBranch
Contact: MCP-LongBranch@mncppc-mc.org
301-495-4614
----------------------------------------------------------
From Montgomery County:
Public Hearing on Proposed Traffic Management Plan and Access Restrictions for Sligo Park Hills and Certain Takoma Park Streets - Feb. 24
A joint Montgomery County/City of Takoma Park public hearing will be held in the Community Center Azalea Room at 7 p.m. on February 24 to consider a proposed Residential Traffic Management Plan for the Sligo Park Hills and City of Takoma Park communities. For additional information see the complete public hearing notice and Ritchie Avenue Proposed Traffic Access Restriction Plan.
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City staff write a weekly "Status and Information Report" each week which comes out on Fridays. Check it out here.
Enough snow, already!
We're all tired of the cold white stuff. This isn't Minnesota, after all!
As we can all no doubt agree, there are inherent conflicts between street-widening efforts and sidewalk clearing efforts. The City's snow removal teams have been working continually to recover from this record snowfall, but my guess is that we are at least a week away from "back to normal" - and that includes help from the sun, and no more snow!
Plows running up your street in these efforts may in fact push more snow back onto previously cleared sidewalks or driveways. While crew members are trying to avoid this, it is almost inevitable given the quantity of snow. It's been quite a challenge!
Nonetheless, the greater goal is to widen streets to get traffic moving at a semblance of a normal pace again, and to clear sidewalks for pedestrian safety. City code requires property owners to clear their sidewalks. Enforcement of this law has been suspended, but will be resumed on a limited basis starting Monday Feb. 22nd. Courtesy notices will be issued to property owners along streets which are primary routes to local schools, including Boston, Carroll, Ethan Allen, Flower, Grant, Holly, Maple, Philadelphia and Ritchie.
Please help clear your sidewalks, find the fire hydrants, help your neighbors, and understand we are all in this snowy mess together! Your patience and cooperation are much appreciated!
As we can all no doubt agree, there are inherent conflicts between street-widening efforts and sidewalk clearing efforts. The City's snow removal teams have been working continually to recover from this record snowfall, but my guess is that we are at least a week away from "back to normal" - and that includes help from the sun, and no more snow!
Plows running up your street in these efforts may in fact push more snow back onto previously cleared sidewalks or driveways. While crew members are trying to avoid this, it is almost inevitable given the quantity of snow. It's been quite a challenge!
Nonetheless, the greater goal is to widen streets to get traffic moving at a semblance of a normal pace again, and to clear sidewalks for pedestrian safety. City code requires property owners to clear their sidewalks. Enforcement of this law has been suspended, but will be resumed on a limited basis starting Monday Feb. 22nd. Courtesy notices will be issued to property owners along streets which are primary routes to local schools, including Boston, Carroll, Ethan Allen, Flower, Grant, Holly, Maple, Philadelphia and Ritchie.
Please help clear your sidewalks, find the fire hydrants, help your neighbors, and understand we are all in this snowy mess together! Your patience and cooperation are much appreciated!
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