Connected Communities Newswire - Parks, Planning, and Recreation Newswire

The Montgomery Playhouse Auditions Next Week MP One Acts May 21 & 237

Howard Hartman — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:08:13 GMT

AUDITIONS

6 PLAYS - 14 PARTS

Montgomery Playhouse

12th Annual One Act Festival

Dates: Tuesday and Thursday, May 21 & 23, 2013

Time: 7:30

Place: The Arts Barn

311 Kent Square Rd

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Performance dates: July 12-21

Come be part of a first-class theater tradition!

Our One Acts consistently win awards at the Maryland Community Theater Festival, and in the last three years have gone on to represent Maryland and win honors at the Eastern States Theater Association Festival.

Directors and Plays

David Dossey – The Zoo Story by Edward Albee [2 men]

Peter, a middle class publishing executive, is approached by Jerry, an isolated and disheartened man, on a park bench in New York’s Central Park. The play begins as a conversation and ends as a confrontation with dire and unpredictable results.

Colin Grube – The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter [2 men - English accents prefered]

Two hit men, Ben and Gus, are waiting in a basement room for their next assignment. Gus asks many questions including questions about the job itself. In the back of the room is a dumb waiter through which they start receiving food orders. This is mysterious and both characters are puzzled as to why the orders keep coming.

Bruce Hirsch – Commencing by Jane Shephard [2 women - 30 - 40]

The beautiful Kelli can’t wait for the blind date her friends have set for her until it turns out to be one very disappointed lesbian named Arlin.

Ken Kemp – This Almost Joy by Barbara Lindsay [2 men & 2 women - 50’s – 60’s]

Friendly rumpled Professor Hart-Meadows, an actor in what he believes is a rather dull play, decides to break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience. This causes great consternations and upset for the other characters in the play for whom the play is the real world.

John Reece – Home by Laura Cahill [2 women - ages about 45 and 65]

A divorced daughter arrives home to live with her mother, after taking off in a van twenty-five years earlier. She not only discovers her aging mother has troubles of her own, but that compromise, and an old house, will make it all work.

Stan Rosen – At Home by Michael Weller [1 man & 1 woman]

The play finds Paul and Carol, a perfect couple, squabbling as they prepare dinner for themselves and another couple who are on the way over. We are constantly thrown off balance never knowing for sure if the marriage is in trouble or if their squabbling is just the normal banter of marriage.

There will cold readings from the scripts.

For more information, please contact

Bruce Hirsch

bruceshirsch@gmail.com

Public Invited to Comment on Plan to Improve Accessibility at Recreational Facilities

Howard Hartman — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:25:40 GMT

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2013

Public Invited to Comment on Plan to Improve
Accessibility at Recreational Facilities and Parks

Montgomery County�s Commission on People with Disabilities and the County-Wide Recreation Advisory Board invite residents and community groups to attend a public meeting to help develop a multi-year plan to improve accessibility for people with disabilities at recreational and park facilities throughout the County. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Executive Office Building, Lobby Level Auditorium, 101 Monroe St., Rockville.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued revised Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for state and local governments that went into effect in March 2012. Recreational facilities in Montgomery County affected by these regulations include swimming pools, recreation centers, whirlpools, saunas and exercise rooms operated by the Recreation Department, and parks, playgrounds, ball fields, campsites, picnic areas and other facilities operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC).

The public meeting will be facilitated by John McGovern, a nationally-recognized ADA expert specializing in recreational programs and facilities. Topics to be presented include an overview of the new accessibility standards and other requirements, an update on the accessibility improvements that have been completed to date by both agencies and information on opportunities for public involvement. The public will also be invited to provide input and ask questions. More details about the public meeting are available on the website which will be updated regularly with information on the multi-year plan.

American Sign Language interpreter services will be provided. The meeting room is equipped with an assistive listening system. Anyone needing other auxiliary aids and services to participate in this event should contact the County�s ADA Compliance Office at least three business days in advance of the meeting. Call 240-777-6197, or TTY 240-777-6196 or email adacompliance@montgomerycountymd.gov.

For more information about the public meeting or about ADA compliance issues, contact Nancy Greene in the County�s Department of General Services at nancy.greene@montgomerycountymd.gov, or 240-777-6197; or Bob Green, ADA Compliance Project Manager for M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks at bob.green@montgomeryparks.org, or 301-495-2751.

Brookside Gardens Special Events for June

Howard Hartman — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:44:44 GMT

Brookside Gardens Special Events for June

Spring is such a busy time, and we have so much going on at the Gardens right now. If you have space in your community calendar section would you please list these three exciting events. Thank you so much for helping to spread the word. We appreciate your support!

Private Gardens of Montgomery County Tour � Saturday, June 1
Visit some of the most fabulous private gardens in Montgomery County at the height of gardening season. Join Brookside Gardens for our annual private garden tour for your ONLY opportunity to visit several extraordinary properties � guaranteed to provide inspiration to the most avid gardeners and designers as well as garden hobbyists! Discover your inner designer as you gather creative ideas and practical information for your own garden. Course # 231499; register at www.ParkPASS.org; Saturday, June 1; 10:00am-4:00pm; Registration fee: $20 All-garden Pass ($5 per garden if pay at the door). For more information call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Meet at McCrillis Gardens located at 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD 20817

Summer Twilight Concert Series
Sponsored by the Friends of Brookside Gardens
Join us each Tuesday evening in June for a series of performances set in the beauty of the gardens! Brookside Gardens offers all concerts free of charge; no registration is required. Don�t forget your chairs and blankets. For more information, please call 301-962-1400 or visit us at www.brooksidegardens.org NEW LOCATION! � Visitors Center Lawn at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

Oasis Island Sounds
Popular Caribbean dance music, including Reggae, Calypso, Steel drums and African music
Tuesday, June 4, 6:30-8:00pm

Rita Clark and the Naturals
A spirited blend of New Orleans roots music with an infusion of New York�s East Village
Tuesday, June 11, 6:30-8:00pm

DreamStreet
Classic Rock
Tuesday, June 18, 6:30-8:00pm

Trio Caliente
Inimitable blend of Flamenco, Pop, and Brazilian Jazz
Tuesday, June 25, 6:30-8:00pm

Wings of Fancy � Live Butterfly and Caterpillar Exhibit
May 4 � September 22; 10:00am-4:00pm Daily
Experience the magic of the Morpho Butterfly and More! Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet? You wouldn�t want to try that, but you�ll enjoy learning about why they do it and other facts about the life cycle of these amazing creatures. Find out what you can do to attract native caterpillars and butterflies to your backyard as we �think globally, and garden locally.� Fees: $6 adults, $4 ages 3-12. Reservations for groups of 15 or more are required by appointment only, call 301-962-1467. Unfortunately strollers aren�t allowed in the Exhibit, but we do have an easy access stroller parking area close by. For more information, please call 301-962-1453 or visit us online at brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens South Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

Montgomery County�s Summer Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs Now Available

Howard Hartman — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:02:56 GMT

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2013

Montgomery County�s Summer Guide for Recreation
and Parks Programs Now Available

The summer issue of the Montgomery County Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs is now available. Registration for summer classes opens on Monday, May 13 and for swim lessons on May 15.

The Summer Guide offers a wide variety of classes and programs designed to help participants stay active and have fun. Among the many programs are aquatics, art classes, sports, therapeutic recreation services and active adult senior programs.

Registration is offered in one of four ways: online, by mail, fax or in person at the Montgomery County Recreation Administrative Offices at 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.

Print copies of the Guide are available at recreation centers, park facilities, government buildings and libraries. Residents who prefer receiving the Guide by mail can pay an annual subscription fee of $5 and receive five issues (Summer, Fall, Winter, Summer Camps and Spring).

To view the Guide online, or to sign up for a subscription, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

For more information, call 240-777-6840.

Have Your Say about Countywide Transit Corridors Plan at Planning Board Hearing

Howard Hartman — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:30:14 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2013

Have Your Say about Countywide Transit
Corridors Plan at Planning Board Hearing

SILVER SPRING � Have an opinion about a plan that would bring rapid transit to Montgomery County? If so, mark your calendar for a May 16 public hearing scheduled by the Montgomery County Planning Board.

The public hearing is to invite input on the draft Countywide Transit Corridors Plan, which recommends a system to place high-quality buses in the county�s most congested areas � inside-the-Beltway communities, suburban activity centers and highly traveled commuter corridors. The draft plan recommends 10 transit corridors spanning 79 miles.

Along with forecast population increases, Montgomery County is expected to add more than 200,000 jobs over the next 30 years without the ability to expand roadway capacity. For the last two decades, policy-makers and planners have encouraged alternative modes of travel to reduce congestion.

BRT provides a flexible, cost-effective alternative to congested roadways, planners say, by offering reliable, fast connections in areas where development and density is not high enough to warrant rail. Planners focused on creating transit connections to Metro�s Red Line, the planned Purple Line and MARC.

The plan also makes recommendations to improve accessibility for bicycles, pedestrians, and train riders, such as designating bicycle-pedestrian priority areas around major stations and adding a third track on part of the MARC train�s Brunswick Line.

The Planning Board will begin a detailed review of the plan in the weeks following the public hearing, before revising and finalizing a new version for transmittal to the County Council in the summer.

Sign up to speak at the public hearing below; at date prompt, scroll to May 16.

The Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan will amend the Master Plan of Highways, which will be renamed the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways.

Go to this site

Planning Board Tackles How to Implement Proposed New Zoning

Howard Hartman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:30:29 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2013

Planning Board Tackles How to Implement Proposed New Zoning

SILVER SPRING � Following months of deliberation on revisions to the Montgomery County Zoning Code, the Planning Board has begun considering the implementation of the proposed changes. Their primary focus: to present the rationale for zone conversions, review how the new zones will actually be applied on the ground, and highlight the most significant changes to uses and development standards.

The Board scheduled numerous sessions in the last month and in the next few weeks to evaluate implementation strategies for the proposed Zoning Code. A public hearing on the preliminary Planning Board draft will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday. In May, the Board will send the revised Zoning Code and implementation approach to the County Council for consideration.

Starting last fall, the Board held dozens of worksessions and public hearings on revisions to the text of the Zoning Code, a multi-year effort to modernize an ordinance that has not been redrafted in a comprehensive way since the 1970s.

The process to revise the code began in 2009, starting with a thorough analysis of the existing code followed by drafting a revised code, section by section. Each draft was reviewed and revised with input from a Planning Board-appointed Zoning Advisory Panel as well as residents and stakeholders who interacted with staff at more than 80 public meetings. The resulting draft contains new and existing zones, a consolidated table of uses � some of which have been modernized and/or consolidated with similar uses � updated development standards, and clearer rules for development review.

The implementation work covers the county zoning map and how it would change under the new Zoning Code. Anyone interested in the proposed changes to the code and how they will be implemented is welcome to attend upcoming Planning Board meetings and to offer comments before the draft is finalized and transmitted to the Council for consideration.

Learn more about the Zoning Code and the Planning Board schedule

Go to this site

Brookside Gardens Earth Day Festival and Native Plant Sale Preview

Howard Hartman — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:19:40 GMT

Earth Day Festival

Sunday, April 21st, from 12:00 - 4:00 pm at the Visitors Center

Free, no registration required!

What better place than Brookside Gardens, M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks, to celebrate Earth Day? Through volunteering, walks and tours, earth friendly activities and browsing our green craft fair, you can learn while having fun. Interactive family-friendly activities and a �green� vendor and craft fair will be offered from 12 noon - 4 pm. Enjoy wildflower and plant walks starting at 12:30pm. Discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment.

Native Plant Sale Preview

Thursday, May 2nd, from 6:30 - 9:00 pm

at the Visitors Center

Fee: $40, FOBG: $30

Event number 231453 (registration required)

Register at ParkPass.org

Beat the crowds searching for native plants this spring and join us for an exclusive, private

preview of our Native Plant Sale(public sale on May 4). Enjoy first choice of a fabulous selection of hard-to-find native perennials, shrubs, trees and vines.

Enhance you native plant savvy as Gregg Tepper, Horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware, provides a fascinating, informative, and entertaining lecture on the Sensory Appeal of Native Plants. Gregg will discuss the unique ways in which native plants appeal to each of our senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and even sound. Learn little-known facts, hear entertaining true stories, and see outstanding photographs of the wildflowers we love of the forest and field.

Enjoy delectable refreshments, friendly conversation and the opportunity to purchase from our wide selection of native plants immediately following Gregg�s lecture.

Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Ave. | Wheaton MD 20902
laura.vogel@montgomeryparks.org | 301.962.1400

Planning Board to Hold Public Session on 10 Mile Creek Limited Amendment

Howard Hartman — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:38:20 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2013

Planning Board to Hold Public Session
on 10 Mile Creek Limited Amendment

SILVER SPRING � As planners continue to work on an amendment to the 1994 Clarksburg Master Plan to address the Ten Mile Creek area, the Planning Board has scheduled a public session on Wednesday, April 17 to hear from the public on the plan in progress.

Planners, charged with drafting an amendment to balance development goals approved in 1994 with modern-day concerns about water quality in the Ten Mile Creek watershed, on Thursday presented an analysis of environmental impacts to the Board. The analysis focuses on development scenarios and how they might affect water quality.

The 1994 plan guides Clarksburg�s evolution from a rural crossroads to a vibrant town surrounded by open space. Land use recommendations in the plan weigh the need to protect sensitive environmental resources against higher densities that would warrant transit service.

Development in Clarksburg is managed by a staging plan that balances development with infrastructure like roads and schools. The staging plan highlights the need to undertake significant environmental monitoring before allowing development in the Ten Mile Creek watershed.

On Thursday, staff, working with a consulting team, presented the results of computer models measuring the impact of development on water quality. The development scenarios run in the model used Environmental Site Design, or state-of-the-art stormwater collection techniques. The models simulate storm events and measure impact on stream flow and other water quality indicators.

Board members directed staff to study more development scenarios for environmental analysis as well as its effect in different locations in the watershed. The Board also scheduled a public session in response to property owners interested in building in the area and environmental groups who would like to discuss the scenarios and analysis approach.

County Historic Planners to Administer Energy Savings Program

Howard Hartman — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:47:48 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2013

County Historic Planners to Administer Energy Savings Program

SILVER SPRING � Owners of historic homes in Montgomery County who want to do their part to lessen energy usage have an opportunity to participate in a free home audit available through the Planning Department�s Historic Preservation Section.

Thanks to a $9,000 grant from the Maryland Historical Trust, historic preservation planners will run the local Energy Efficiency Initiative for selected owners of eight-10 historic homes in the county. There are more than 3,000 homes designated historic on the county Master Plan for Historic Preservation or located in a designated historic district.

The audits will reveal a household�s energy usage and recommend measures to conserve energy. Armed with conservation strategies, homeowners can see real savings on utility costs.

Planners hope to include properties from across the county representing a variety of historic home types. Properties will be selected for the audits based on location, age, size and materials used in construction of the residence as well as when applications are submitted.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. May 10.

The audits, valued at $500 per home, consider heating and cooling systems, water, electricity, air quality and other factors to identify ways to save energy in homes that may have unique challenges. Improving home energy efficiency is particularly important, since buildings account for about 40 percent of all U.S. energy used.

Constructed differently from modern buildings, historic homes, may require special attention when considering how to improve energy performance. Along with audit results, homeowners will receive information about incentives � tax credits, grants and rebates � available to owners improving local historic resources.

Audit findings and trends will be featured in a report and case studies at the conclusion of the Energy Efficiency Initiative.

Learn more and download an application

Go to this site

The April 2013 RECord Newsletter is Here

Howard Hartman — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:27:49 GMT

Spring was a little late in coming…snow on March 25! But, just the same, it’s time to prepare for warmer weather. Your children will need summer camps. You’ll be looking for things to do to get in shape, workout with friends or even your youngsters. And it’s time to plan for those fun day trips.

We have all the information in the April edition of The RECord…hot off the presses! Camp registration is in full swing for ages 3-21 and you don’t want to be caught without a place for your children this Summer. This issue of The RECord is jam-packed with something to do for literally everyone! From our youngest to our youngest at heart.

It’s easy to register 24/7 at recweb.montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240 777 6840.

WE’RE LOCAL, WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERY INTEREST, WE’RE AFFORDABLE!

Bike Expert to Link Planning, Increased Cycling at Speaker Series

Howard Hartman — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:46:40 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2013

Bike Expert to Link Planning, Increased Cycling at Speaker Series

SILVER SPRING � Take a look around and it�s easy to see that cycling is booming. The roads of Washington, D.C. are crisscrossed with bike lanes, and the District-based Capital Bikeshare program bills itself as the largest in the nation.

To delve into how good planning equates to safe, accessible, enjoyable cycling, Virginia Tech professor Ralph Buehler will present at the Montgomery County Planning Department�s speaker series on Tuesday, April 9. His talk, Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from Europe and North America, will link transportation and land-use policies with bike use.

Co-editor of the recently published book City Cycling (MIT Press), Buehler will report on cycling trends and policies in North American, European, and Australian cities and tie those to how planners and local government officials can promote cycling in their communities.

In his book and classes, Buehler contends that cycling should not be limited to those who are highly trained, extremely fit, and daring enough to battle traffic on busy roads. His presentation will describe ways to make cycling feasible, convenient, and safe for commutes to work and school, shopping, and other daily transportation needs.

Specifically, Buehler's presentation will offer information on:

cycling safety
bikeways and bike parking
integrating cycling with public transportation
promoting cycling for everyone

Buehler is assistant professor of Urban Affairs & Planning and a Faculty Fellow with the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech in Alexandria, VA. Originally from Germany, Buehler�s research focuses on comparing transportation and land-use policies in Western Europe and North America and how policies affect travel behavior. In 2008, Buehler�s dissertation comparing German travel behavior and transportation policy was selected as the best planning dissertation by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

Continuing education credits (1.5 hours) have been approved for planning professionals.

Native Plant Sale at Croydon Creek Nature Center

Howard Hartman — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:07:03 GMT

Croydon Creek Nature Center

Spring Festival & Native Plant Sale
Plant pre-orders due by April 11

Dear Howard,

It's time once again for Croydon Creek Nature Center's Native Plant Sale. This year, like every year, we are offering a wide variety of plants that are native to Maryland.

Why use native plants?

Native plants are adapted to local weather and soil environments. These plants allow homeowners to add beauty to their landscape while preserving natural heritage and providing habitat and food for area wildlife, including a variety of bird and insect species. Additionally, native plants require less long-term maintenance compared to exotic ornamental species.

QUICK LINKS

Plant Sale Order Form

Please note that pre-orders are due on April 11 and all plants can be picked up at our Spring Festival on April 27, 1-4 pm.

Happy Spring!
Croydon Creek Nature Center
City of Rockville, Maryland

New E-Filing System Will Streamline Planning Department Application Process

Howard Hartman — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:35:40 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2013

New E-Filing System Will Streamline
Planning Department Application Process

SILVER SPRING � How challenging is it to file a development application with the Montgomery County Planning Department?

Applicants would attest that it is a big task indeed, requiring filing paperwork for up to 20 submittal items, from a forest conservation plan to a traffic study. To accommodate reviews by representatives from several county and state agencies, applicants must deliver multiple copies of each of those 20 documents.

Starting today, that process got easier for two types of applications with the launch of ePlans, the Planning Department�s new online submittal and review system. Developers will file all application materials for preliminary and site plan applications electronically through ePlans. The applications will remain in electronic form for agency reviewers, negating the need for multiple copies and streamlining the time and cost required to transfer paper around the county and state.

Planners have long recognized the cumbersome nature of the application process. They initiated the development of an electronic system a few years ago, enough time for ePlans to be retrofitted for the Department�s needs and synchronized with an extensive existing database. The department-specific programming resulted in a system that meets the Department�s needs, from initial processing and record-keeping to archiving.

ePlans ensures transparency in the application review process � any user can see a reviewer�s comments in real time � as well as automated scheduling of tasks.

The Department accepts more than 300 applications a year, and reviewing proposed development is one of the Planning Board�s main functions.

On the ePlans webpage, applicants will find a user�s guide and instructions about how to prepare files for upload, as well as links to the application portal and ePlans log-in page. Fees will continue to be paid in person at Park and Planning Headquarters. Applicants will receive an email when fees are due after the application materials have been pre-screened.

ePlans

Go to this site

Groundbreaking Ceremony to be Held for Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center

Howard Hartman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:02:52 GMT

For Immediate Release
March 18, 2013

Groundbreaking Ceremony to be Held for
Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will participate in a public groundbreaking ceremony for the Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center on Wednesday, March 27 at 11 a.m. The new center is located at 7700 Scotland Drive, Potomac.

�We are excited about breaking ground for this replacement of the Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center,� said Recreation Department Director Gabriel Albornoz. �Staff members in the departments of Recreation and General Services are working hard to build a first-rate facility that will provide the community with quality recreation programming.�

The existing structure will be completely removed and the new neighborhood center, scheduled to open in the fall of 2014, will feature a new two-level structure that features a new gymnasium, two multi-purpose activity rooms, game room, weight and exercise room, spacious social hall and much more. The facility will be designed to comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines for LEED Silver certification

For more information, call Montgomery County Recreation at 240-777-4980.

7700 Scotland Drive in Potomac

Montgomery County Recreation Announces Open House at White Oak Senior Center

Howard Hartman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:28:07 GMT

For Immediate Release
March 18, 2013

Montgomery County Recreation Announces
Open House at White Oak Senior Center

Residents are invited to a free, open house at Montgomery County Recreation�s White Oak Senior Center on Thursday, March 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. The center is located in the White Oak Community Recreation Center at 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring. Art activities, dancing, cooking demonstrations, Zumba, and much more will be offered. Other activities include facility tours, weight room instruction and information sessions.

The center, which opened in October 2012, is the fifth senior center operated by Montgomery County Recreation. Offering a wide array of activities and services for residents 55 and older, the senior center shares state-of-the-art amenities with the recreation center that includes two full-size gymnasiums, a spacious social hall and expansive arts studio. Some of the programs and services offered include a nutrition program, gardening clubs, visual and creative arts, and multiple health and fitness activities.

�In an effort to serve our growing population of residents over the age of 55, we are progressively adjusting our services and programs,� said Recreation Department Director Gabriel Albornoz. �The White Oak Senior Center open house is a perfect opportunity for residents who are looking for active lifestyle choices to try out some of the programming being offered at the new center.�

For more information about the event, call 240-777-6944.

Montgomery County Population Surpasses 1 Million, Says Latest Census

Howard Hartman — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:30:23 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2013

Montgomery County Population
Surpasses 1 Million, Says Latest Census

SILVER SPRING, MD � What does it mean to have 1 million people live in your community?

Montgomery County now can answer that question, given that its population, calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau, reached 1,004,709 last July. Data released Thursday shows that Montgomery County, the largest jurisdiction in the state since 1989, is now the first county in Maryland to reach the population milestone.

The Census data shows Montgomery County�s population gained over 13,000 people between July 2011 and July 2012, up from a revised 991,645 the previous year, a 1.3 percent increase.

Most of the population increase is due to births, what demographers call a �net natural increase� of 7,630 people. In the period, 13,097 births exceeded 5,467 deaths.

The rest of the increase is attributed to 8,700 people migrating into the county from abroad, offsetting the net loss of 3,100 people moving out of the county during the period. A trend of international migration that began in 1990 has not slowed.

Demographers say those changes are a result of a rebounding economy and housing market, which provides the confidence and means to set up house elsewhere. During an economic downturn, people tend to stay put.

Planners say we are ready for more residents thanks to a plentiful, diverse housing stock and good public transportation.

�We�ve planned for our population to increase,� said acting planning director Rose Krasnow. �Years ago, we set up tools to preserve our agricultural land and maintain our single-family neighborhoods. More recently we have created many mixed-use, multi-family housing opportunities in our downtowns or near Metro.�

While Montgomery is growing, it is not growing as fast as recent years. The rate of growth in 2012, 1.3 percent, is slower compared to the rates for the past three years, which ranged from 1.6 to 1.8 percent. Before the recession, the county grew less than 1 percent per year from 2002 to 2007.

Montgomery County contributed to the Washington, D.C. region�s growth of close to 90,000 more people, reaching 5.8 million in the period.

Planners to Present Rapid Transit Recommendations to Planning Board

Howard Hartman — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:26:25 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2013

Planners to Present Rapid Transit
Recommendations to Planning Board

SILVER SPRING � With Montgomery County�s population expected to grow by 30 percent by 2040, planners have drafted a series of recommendations to keep all of those people moving.

On Monday, the Planning Board will review a draft plan for a transit system targeted at some of the county�s most congested areas � inside-the-Beltway communities, suburban activity centers and highly traveled commuter corridors. The plan addresses bus rapid transit (BRT) - high-quality buses that run in dedicated lanes or get traffic signal priority, as well as bicycle and pedestrian needs.

Along with forecast population increases, Montgomery County is expected to add more than 200,000 jobs. For the last two decades, policy-makers and planners have encouraged alternative modes of travel to reduce congestion.

BRT provides a flexible, cost-effective alternative to congested roadways, planners say, by offering reliable, fast connections in areas where development and density is not high enough to warrant rail. The draft plan recommends 10 transit corridors spanning 79 miles. Options include dedicated bus lanes in the median or repurposing curbside lanes for bus use.

To determine which corridors warranted treatments to promote rapid transit, planners analyzed forecast ridership, traffic volumes, existing roadside development and planned land use changes. The plan recommends where busways would require replacing an existing traffic lane based on location � for example, downtown areas typically have limited land area in which to build new bus lanes � and on 2040 forecasts of ridership versus traffic demand. Transportation modeling showed an improvement in traffic speeds on a countywide basis with the introduction of BRT, even after converting some traffic lanes.

In some areas, such as Rockville Pike, where forecast ridership is as high as 2,500 people per hour in rush hour in the peak direction, planners recommend creating median busways by reducing the existing six traffic lanes to four. In other locations, such as northern New Hampshire Avenue, where fewer than 700 passengers are forecast to ride during rush hour, planners recommend mixing buses in traffic. Planners call for more detailed analysis during the planning and design process for each corridor to determine specific lane repurposing strategies and treatments.

As part of the plan, planners focused on creating transit connections to Metro�s Red Line, the planned Purple Line and MARC. They also addressed BRT station locations. Planners also recommend designating bicycle-pedestrian priority areas around major stations and adding a third track on part of the MARC train�s Brunswick Line.

The Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan will amend the Master Plan of Highways, which will be renamed the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways.

Learn More

Go to this site

The RECord Mongtomery County Recreation eNewsletter - March 2013

Howard Hartman — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:10:48 GMT

Snowcaps are starting to show their mini white peaks, which means two things: daffodils won�t be far behind and Spring Break will be upon us before we know it. Be sure your kids are going to be safe and engaged in healthy activities while you are at work�or if you want some time to yourself. Check out the March RECord for some good options. There are also some excellent day trips available during the week school is closed. And Montgomery County Recreation has lots of other cool things to do while the thaw commences�from our Tots to our Active Adults 55+. And don�t forget to have the kids enrolled in camp. Remember�the good ones fill fast! Take time to enjoy the flowers and the robins.

Montgomery County Recreation

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Montgomery County Recreation Presents Japan Fair at Bauer Drive Community Center

Howard Hartman — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:42:46 GMT

For Immediate Release
March 5, 2013

Montgomery County Recreation Presents
Japan Fair at Bauer Drive Community Center

Montgomery County Recreation and Sakura Educational Exchange USA will co-host a student-presented �Japan Fair� on Saturday, March 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bauer Drive Community Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville.

The free annual event is presented by students from Yokohama Hayato High School in Yokohama, Japan who will demonstrate and teach various Japanese arts, games and customs. Adults and children will be able to observe an informal Japanese Tea Ceremony and listen to Japanese songs. There will be a martial arts demonstration, dancing and a performance of a Japanese play. Visitors will also learn how to create origami and calligraphy, play Japanese games and see Anime/Manga (Japanese cartoons).

For more information, call Alex Taylor at 240-777-6922.

Planning Board Recommends Denial of Costco Gas Station in Wheaton

Howard Hartman — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:19:50 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2013

Planning Board Recommends Denial
of Costco Gas Station in Wheaton

SILVER SPRING � After reviewing an analysis from their planning staff and hearing testimony from the applicant and scores of residents, the Montgomery County Planning Board last night recommended denial of a proposed special exception to allow a 16-pump Costco gas station at the Westfield Wheaton Mall. The Board will forward its recommendations to the Hearing Examiner for a hearing and a final decision by the county Board of Appeals.

A special exception permits a use that is not allowed by right in a given zone, but may be approved if certain conditions are met. The public hearing by the Hearing Examiner is scheduled for March 11, 15, 18 and 22.

Planning Board members, voting 3-2 to recommend denial of the special exception request, stated that a large gas station would run counter to the one of the main goals of the Wheaton Sector Plan, which is to encourage transit-oriented development. Led by Commissioner Casey Anderson, who made the motion to recommend denial, a majority of the Board agreed that the Costco gas station encouraged automobile use and development tied to vehicular travel rather than moving toward making development compatible with the Wheaton Metro station and planned rapid transit lines.

Anderson said transit is �the cornerstone� of the sector plan, which sets zoning, land use and outlines a 15-year vision for how Wheaton should grow and change. �We�re trying to go toward transit-oriented development, not away from it,� he said. Although the sector plan did not change most of the mall�s commercial zoning, Anderson said a mega-gas station near the new Costco store would nevertheless run contrary to the plan�s overall vision and goals by emphasizing car use.

Staff had recommended denial of the special exception request because, they said, the proposed gas station had the potential to create adverse health impacts for nearby residents due to the gas station�s location, size and the expected queuing of vehicles at the pumps. After researching air quality and other data, planners concluded that the applicant underestimated the health risks to nearby residents, citing the potential for idling vehicles to create a hot spot of emissions.

Of the approximately 50 people who testified before the Board last night, the majority requested that the application be denied. Many of those testifying were parents of students at the nearby Stephen Knolls School concerned about the respiratory health of their children. Those in support of the special exception said it would save car trips because they would not have to drive as far to fill up their tanks with discounted gas.

Proposed Gas Station at Westfield in WheatonProposed Gas Station at Westfield in Wheaton

April 2013 Events and Programs at Brookside Gardens

Howard Hartman — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 18:16:04 GMT

April 2013 Programs and Events at Brookside Gardens

Part I: Special Events for the month of April 2013
Part II: Programs for Adults for the month of April 2013
Part III: Programs for Children for the month of April 2013
Part IV: Art Exhibits in the month of April 2013

PART I: SPECIAL EVENTS
Conservatory Spring Display – Spring Forward
Through Sunday, April 14, 2013; 10:00am-5:00pm daily; FREE: for more information, call 301-962-1400 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org, Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

Earth Day Festival
Sponsored by the Friends of Brookside Gardens
Celebrate Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, from 12:00-4:00pm at the Gardens. Through volunteering, walks and tours, earth friendly activities and browsing our green craft fair, you can learn while having fun. Interactive family-friendly activities include making an earth wind kite, going on a tree scavenger hunt, listening to storytime, and bringing home your own tree sapling to plant. Back by popular demand, the “green” vendor and craft fair will have many beautiful and unique items for sale. Discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment. The event is free. The Mosaic Garden Stepping Stone workshop being held during the event is a fee-based program and requires prior registration.

Mosaic Garden Stepping Stone Workshop: Brookside Gardens Earth Day Event
Help pave the way in our new Children's Garden, opening in late spring. Have fun arranging colorful rocks and stained glass in mosaic patterns and mixing cement to make two colorful garden stepping stones. Take one home to enhance your garden and contribute one to the colorful path in the new Children's Garden. Come back after the Garden opens to see if you can find the stepping stone you made! Course # 231302; Sunday, April 21, 11:00-12:30pm; Ages: 6-14; Fee: $15.00; register at www.ParkPASS.org for workshop.

Conservatory Summer Display- Plants for a Tropical Summer
Saturday, April 27 - Sunday, September 29
Note: South House closes on Monday, September 24
10:00am-5:00pm daily; FREE; for more information, call 301-962-1400 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org, Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

EXCURSIONS:
Historic Garden Week – Fredericksburg, Virginia
Visit five impressive sites with ties to many historic figures dating back to Colonial times. The homes exhibit fabulous architecture and are surrounded by beautiful gardens. This special house and garden tour , hosted by the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club (in its 80th year!), includes the following historic properties: Belmont, Brompton Chatam Fall Hill and Snowden House. Please wear low-heeled shoes to protect antique floors. Fee includes coach fare, entrance fees, lunch at La Petite Auberge and also a special Tea. Course # 231249; Tuesday, April 23, 8:00am-6:00pm; Fee: $109; registration required at www.ParkPASS.org; for more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. Meet at the Visitors Center entrance

Private Group Horticultural Tours
Clubs and other organizations desiring private horticultural tours can be accommodated throughout the year. For information and to schedule a date, call 301.962.1407. The fee is $5 for each participant, minimum $25. Fees contribute to the gardens.

PLANT SHOWS & SALES:
Brookside Gardens hosts local, regional, and national plant society events throughout the year. Many of the societies’ shows feature judged competitions; all of the shows feature passionate collectors, eager to share their enthusiasm with others.

The Camellia Society Show & Sale
Sponsored by the Camellia Society of Potomac Valley
An array of camellias including the cold hardy variety will be on sale. Information about joining the society will be available as well as growing tips. Saturday April 6, 1:00-4:30pm and Sunday, April 7, 12:30-4:00pm. Visitors Center

For more information, call 301-962-1400 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

PART II: ADULT PROGRAMS
Spring Lecture Series
Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Brookside Gardens (FOBG), we offer an excellent FREE lecture series in spring and fall. Space is limited; please register in advance.

Capital Splendor Gardens
Barbara Glickman, Author; Valerie Brown, Photographer; and Phil Normandy, Brookside Gardens Staff
Providing a framework of garden design concepts, this talk focuses on area public gardens and their past owners and landscape architects. Learn about George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, River Farm, Meridian Hill Park, Tudor Place, Hillwood Estate, Dumbarton Oaks, Tregaron Estate, Ladew Topiary Gardens, and the U.S. Botanic Garden. Brookside’s rapidly approaching new entrance design and other future plans will be discussed. A book signing will follow the program. Course # 231502; Friday, April 12, 10:00-11:30am; Free: registration required.

Network for Life: Your Role in Stitching Together the Natural World
Doug Tallamy, Author, Bringing Nature Home; Professor & Chair of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware
Biodiversity is essential to sustaining human societies because it is other living things that run our ecosystems. Yet landscaping methods used throughout the U.S. have fragmented the habitats that support biodiversity. Learn how we can reconnect viable habitats by expanding existing greenways, building riparian corridors, and by changing the landscaping paradigm that dominates our landscapes. Replacing barren lawns with plants that best support food webs will help sustain biodiversity in the future. Course #229309; Friday, April 26, 10:00-11:30am; Free.

Registration required at www.ParkPASS.org. For more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

WORKSHOPS:
Papercrete Troughs
Ellen Hartranft, Brookside Gardens Staff
Two sessions: You may register for one session or both!

Session 1: Make a Papercrete Trough - Create a rustic but durable, lightweight 12-inch trough for your garden out of cement, paper and perlite. Take it home the same day you make it to allow for the necessary curing time (about a month) before you plant. Fee covers all materials. Course # 231201;
Thursday, April 4, 1:30-4:00pm; Fee: $55, FOBG: $50; Registration required.

Session 2: Plant a Garden Trough - Bring your newly made trough (or older one you’d like to replant) and your garden gloves to this trough-planting workshop. Fee covers a dwarf shrub and 3 small plants plus soil…you must bring your own trough! Course # 231202; Thursday, May 9, 1:30-3:00pm; Fee: $55, FOBG: $50; Registration required.

Registration is required at www.ParkPASS.org; for more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Make & Take Rain Barrels
Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
Gather water from your rooftop to help control the stormwater impact from your yard, and store it for use in your landscape. Learn about watershed health in the County and how you can help, starting at your own home. Rain barrel with fittings and easy instructions provided. Limited to one rain barrel per household. Remember you need a vehicle large enough to carry a 55-gallon barrel home! Bring a bag lunch or snack, if you like. Visitors Center Adult Classroom.
Course # 219299 - Friday, April 12, 10:00am-1:00pm
Course # 219300 - Saturday, April 13, 10:00am-1:00pm
Fee: $12, FOBG: $10; registration required at www.ParkPASS.org; for more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Expand Your Food Growing Year
Gordon Clark, Project Director, Montgomery Victory Gardens
Register for any or all sessions. All classes held in the Visitors Center Adult Classroom.

Session 3: Food Gardening in Containers – Want to grow your own food but live in an apartment or condo? If you have a porch, deck, roof, balcony, or even a window that gets four to six hours of direct sunlight a day, you can grow food in containers! This workshop will cover everything needed to grow food in small spaces: types and sizes of planters, location, soil mixes, planting tips, watering, fertilizing and plant care. Course # 231151; Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-8:00pm; Fee: $18, FOBG: $15

Registration required at www.ParkPASS.org ; for more information call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Green Roofs for Feathered Friends
Jane Pettit, Mother Nature Throws a Party
These fairytale birdhouses will keep the residents cool all summer and make them the envy of their eco-conscious friends. Using chicken wire and moss, you’ll create a green roof with multiple types of succulents that will drip over the eaves as they grow. In the right location, these charmers will be a year-round focal point in your garden. Course # 231203; Thursday, April 18, 1:00-3:00pm; Fee: $59; FOBG: $54; registration required at www.ParkPASS.org ; for more information call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Floral Design Series: Flower Power Happy Hours!
Karen Nelson Kent (AIFD)
Unwind after your day’s labor by crafting a simple but elegant floral design to share with a friend. Better yet, invite them to join you to share in the fun! These classes have been specially created for those who want to gain the confidence to create simple but beautiful designs. No prior skill is required, but those with some experience will learn new techniques to improve their design proficiency. Extra floral tools and specialty materials may be purchased from instructor if desired. Classes meet in the Visitors Center Adult Classroom.

Session 3: Splendid Spring Blossom Tonic
Nothing is more of a boost after a long winter than a bouquet of spring flowers. Your senses will get a much needed pick-me-up while creating a refreshing spring flower mixture. Each student will complete one design to take home. All materials supplied; please bring a box or bag to transport your design home. Course # 232049; Wednesday, April 10, 6:30-8:30pm; Fee: $49, FOBG $44; registration deadline April 1.

Session 4: Mother’s Day Modern Floral Fusion
Take the Mother’s Day tradition of giving flowers and blend it with modern design techniques to fashion a design as beautiful and unique as Mom (or other special woman in your life-even YOU)! Each student will complete one design. All materials supplied, but please bring a box to transport your design home. Course # 232050; Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-8:30pm; Fee: $49, FOBG $44; registration deadline April 29.

Registration required at www.ParkPASS.org ; for more information call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

GARDEN DEMONSTRATIONS:
HOW WE DO IT: Visitors to Brookside are often interested in techniques employed by the gardening staff. The following on-site discussion demonstrates how.

Working the Rain Garden
Lisa Tayerle, Brookside Gardens Staff
Discover how to build and care for a rain garden. We’ll demonstrate how the rain garden at Brookside Gardens directs rainwater and prevents overflow into the Chesapeake Bay. Plants are carefully selected to tolerate wet conditions yet thrive during dry periods. Learn how we maintain our rain garden. Course # 231851; Wednesday, April 24, 1:00-2:30pm; Fee: $6; FOBG: $5; Meet at the Conservatory entrance.

Registration required at www.ParkPASS.org; for more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

BOTANICAL ART CLASSES:
Painting Studio: Beginner-Intermediate
With Kathy Lutter
Course # 219349; Thursday, April 11, 10:00am-1:00pm; Fee: $49; Visitors Center Adult Workshop.
Registration required at www.ParkPASS.org ; For more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Introduction to Colored Pencil: Small Fruit - No prerequisites; Novice+
With Karen Coleman
Course # 224949; Sunday, April 14, 11:00am-2:30pm; Fee: $55; Visitors Center Adult Workshop
Registration required at www.ParkPASS.org ; For more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION:
Adrienne Cook, Garden and Cooking Writer, and Danielle Navidi, Caterer
Celebrate the seasons and entertain in the garden, using the bounty from your home vegetable garden. This delectable series of monthly cooking classes focuses on healthful recipes with seasonal and local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Enjoy samples of the dishes prepared before you, using the Cook sisters’ own easy-to-follow recipes that you can try at home.

Garden Party Cooking
What better way to enjoy outdoors than to dine al fresco? The Cook Sisters will demonstrate recipes drawn from the garden to the garden party table. Course # 231950; Wednesday, April 17, 12:00-1:30pm; Fee: $32; FOBG: $28; Visitors Center Adult Classroom;

Registration required at www.ParkPASS.org ; For more information, call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org. Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

PART III: CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Children’s Garden – School’s Outside! (NEW)
In the new Children’s Garden, School’s Outside!, experience learning in fun outdoor classrooms planted with colorful flowers, “alphabet plants,” topiaries, and other curiosities like a “Little Library.” Opening in late spring, each classroom offers a lesson that will connect the garden to several classroom concepts.

Flower Buds
This once-a-month series will meet the second Monday of every month. We will feature gardening activities, stories, crafts, and garden walks for children ages 3-5 with a parent. Fee: $5/child (adult free); Course number # 230850; Monday, April 15, 10:30am-12:00pm; registration required at www.parkpass.org; Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. For more information, please call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org

Saturday Morning Storytime
Brookside Gardens Volunteers
Participate and listen to nature and seasonal stories that will encourage a child’s imagination and creativity. Each week a different story will be read followed by a hands-on craft. New session start time!
Saturday, April 6, 10:00am; Ages: 3-6; Fee: Free; no registration required; Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. For more information, please call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org

Children’s Discovery Benches*
Hands-on activities, games, books, and puzzles fill the Children’s Discovery Benches located in the Children’s Classroom. Open Tuesday through Friday based on staff availability. September through June, 2:00-5:00pm. *Children’s Discovery Benches are available based on staff availability.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES:
Mosaic Garden Stepping Stones
Help pave the way in our new Children's Garden, opening in late spring. Have fun arranging colorful rocks and stained glass in mosaic patterns and mixing cement to make two colorful garden stepping stones. Take one home to enhance your garden and contribute one to the colorful path in the new Children's Garden. Come back after the Garden opens to see if you can find the stepping stone you made! Mosaic Garden Stepping Stone Workshop: Brookside Gardens Earth Day Event
Course # 231302; Sunday, April 21, 11:00-12:30pm; Ages: 6-14; Fee: $15.00; Ages: 6-14; Fee: $15.00; registration required at www.parkpass.org; Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. For more information, please call 301-962-1451 or visit us online at www.brooksidegardens.org

PART IV: ART EXHIBITS
Art Xhibits
The Brookside Gardens Visitors Center exhibitions showcase affordable original works or gicl�e prints of original works on horticultural themes by area artists. All art exhibitions are free of charge and most of the works are available for purchase.

February 4 – April 7, 2013
Nature Photography – by Yuan Li
Drawings and Paintings – by The Botanical Art Society of the National Capital Region

April 8 - May 19, 2013
Watercolor and Ink Paintings- by Sumi-e Society National Capital Area Chapter