By Trey Johanson

Editor’s Note: For people who need a ride, whether temporarily or on a regularly basis, Takoma Park’s Village Rides program can be a lifesaver. The program pairs volunteer drivers (who have been trained and screened) with residents who need a lift. Here is one example, compiled by Trey Johanson, who helps administer the program through the Jewish Council for the Aging.

“Let me tell you the background,” began Jackie Davison of Victory Towers in Takoma Park. “Now, I am a very good driver, but I totaled my own car in January. I have always been independent, so it was a trauma to have to be dependent on somebody else.”

Davison, like so many of our elders, is a confident, capable, active contributor to her community. She is the president of the Victory Tower Tenant Association. She is not a woman used to relying on others. But, when she had a doctor’s appointment, she needed a ride to Bethesda. She had recently attended a presentation by the Village of Takoma Park in which she learned about its volunteer driver services. So, she made the call.

At first, she was concerned. “Do they know how to drive? Will they be prompt?” She was concerned about the safety and dependability of the drivers. She was also concerned about the process. “Sometimes you call for volunteer services, and you can tell they’re not really together,” she said. “I was impressed by the professional approach. The intake was very thorough. And, lo and behold, the driver was prompt and friendly!”

“I find Sandy just very interesting. We have good conversations and she’s just good company. And she’s a very, very good driver!”

Davison chuckled, “I called again another time, and I slept through my alarm! Sandy [Egan, the driver] called me and said, ‘I’m here, where are you?’ I had to apologize for that one!

“I find Sandy just very interesting. We have good conversations and she’s just good company. And she’s a very, very good driver!”

When asked why more of her neighbors might not ask for help when they need rides, Davison could only guess. “It takes people a while to try something new,” she said. “I find in general the people here are just reluctant to take advantage of new opportunities, and I don’t understand that, to tell you the truth.”

“About a third of our residents are nonEnglish speaking,” continued Davison. “Our bulletin board is all in English. We are only reaching out to two thirds of the people who live here! And, non-English speaking residents are increasing, just like in the overall population.”

Davison’s message seems clear. If our communities are to serve our elders, we must reach out to them respectfully, steadfastly and responsibly. We must communicate in their language, and from their cultural viewpoint. We must be a consistent, reliable presence in their neighborhoods. And we must be worthy of the trust they place in us, when they do ask for our help.

To learn more about Village Rides, see a video about the program, to participate or to volunteer go to www.villageoftakomapark. com/village-rides-program-recruiting-ridersand-drivers or call 301-255-4212.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

Book sale returns!

The popular Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library book sale will return on Saturday Oct. 24th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Library Lawn. Used books in good condition of every description will be available at bargain prices.

Book sales are the Library Friends’ major fund-raising events, and all proceeds go to the Library in the form of donations for programs and other services and resources.

Volunteers are needed to help at the sale in approximately two-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to find some great books, meet your neighbors, and help the Library. High school students may earn service learning hours toward graduation by volunteering at the sale. To volunteer or for further information, contact Ellen Robbins at ellenr@takomaparkmd.gov.

Summer Quest success

We’ve tallied the final figures, and we had another successful Summer Quest summer reading program, thanks to readers ranging in age from one to 54. Overall, 115 readers read at least one book, but many readers read more. Summer Quest participants read more than 1,100 books as they made their way through the 10 reading challenges. Our top reader was Esme Chang-Gillespie, a pre-schooler who read 106 books with her parents and baby brother. Ten-year-old Kiera Norris was a very close second, reading 101 books; Kiera also completed all the extra reading Summer Quest challenges.

While Summer Quest 2015 is over, we’re gearing up for our third annual Winter Quest reading program. Watch for more details soon about Winter Quest, which is designed to keep kids reading over the December holidays.

Halloween events

Halloween fans are in for a real treat this year, as we have a trio of events designed to celebrate the season. First up is a program featuring award-winning kids’ novelist Mary Downing Hahn, who specializes in writing spine-tingling tales for young readers. Hahn, a Maryland resident who has sold more than two million copies of her books, will be here on Monday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. to talk about her newest book, “Took.” School Library Journal says of “Took” that “horror fans and readers looking for a good scare will enjoy this creepy tale,” while The Horn Book noted that “this creepy tale skillfully weaves in —and honors — the oral tradition of folklore, legends, and ghost stories.” Politics & Prose Bookstore will be selling copies of Hahn’s books at the event, but the program is free, and no purchase is required to attend

Next, on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2-3 p.m., kids are invited to come and make some Halloween crafts. All materials are provided, courtesy of the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. Kids just need to bring their creativity!

Finally, on Monday, Oct. 26, veteran storyteller Candace Wolf returns with her annual “Scary Stories” program. Wolf, a local resident who has done storytelling all over the world, will offer two sets of tales. From 7-7:45 p.m., she’ll tell stories that are just a bit scary and perfect for ages 5-7. From 7:50-8:50 p.m., she’ll ratchet up the scary quotient with tales for kids ages 8-13. No registration necessary; just come and enjoy some scary fun!

Authors, authors!

We’ve got something for everyone in our October line-up of author programs co-sponsored by Politics & Prose Bookstore. All events will take place in the Library’s Children’s Room, unless otherwise noted. Politics & Prose will sell books at each event, but the programs are free and no purchase is required to attend.

Picture book lovers will enjoy two fun events. First on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m., international best-selling author Eoin Colfer (best known for his “Artemis Fowl” novels for kids) will join with illustrator Oliver Jeffers to present their new book, “Imaginary Fred.” Then, on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Matt Davies, a Pulitzer Prizewinning editorial cartoonist turned children’s book author/illustrator, will highlight his newest book, “Nerdy Birdy.”

Young fans of the “Ranger’s Apprentice” series will want to mark their calendars for Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m., when author John Flanagan reveals his newest adventure series. This event will take place in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium.

For kids who love nonfiction, check out the program on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. featuring science writer Tam O’Shaughnessy. She’ll focus on her new book, “Sally Ride: The Photobiography of America’s Pioneering Woman in Space.” Non-fiction lovers also will enjoy an event on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30, when author Gabrielle Balkan discusses her new book, “The 50 States.”

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

For the past seven years, local resident Eric Butler has volunteered his time as a coach in the Recreation Department’s Winter Basketball League. Butler admits that early in his career, as a brand new coach, his biggest fear was “failing to teach the kids anything valuable.” During his first few years as a coach, he focused his attention on building life lessons that could be used on and off the court, such as teamwork and perseverance.

Coach Butler’s job on the court is very unique, as he is a parentcoach since his daughter Jade is also a member of his team. The two of them have built an inseparable bond, and he has passed his passion and love of basketball down to her. Butler says, “The league gives us the opportunity to spend time away from home together.”

Every season Coach Butler is amazed to see how fast the kids on his team grow and develop their skills. When asked about any advice he gives to brand new coaches, Butler suggests they “focus more on player development and less on winning,” which can be accomplished by “picking 2 – 3 skills to work on in practice” and building on that foundation weekly. For Butler and Jade, the Winter Basketball League gives them something to look forward to each year.

Registration for the 2016 Winter Basketball League has already begun and the Recreation Department encourages anyone interested in participating to visit www.takomaparkmd.gov/recreation to register. For more information or to volunteer as a coach, please contact Lew Recreation McAllister at lewm@takomaparkmd.gov.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

With the support of the City of Takoma Park, the Green Impact Campaign (GIC) and Nextility, two DC-based energy organizations, are coordinating a community initiative to help Takoma Park small businesses save money on energy while reducing their environmental impact.

The effort — Kilowatt Smackdown — will include a community-wide competition between student groups from local universities and colleges to complete free energy assessments for businesses from Oct. 3 to Nov. 18. The outcome will be custom, actionable plans to save money and energy for each business.

During the remainder of the year, Kilowatt Smackdown partners will help small businesses with resources to complete these low- to no-cost recommendations, aid businesses in choosing a lower-cost, green energy supplier, and determine if their buildings are suitable for free solar energy systems. Businesses will also be connected to state and local rebate programs and to the Montgomery County Green Business Certification program for further assistance and help for deeper energy savings.

Green Impact Campaign and Nextility will train students to conduct energy assessments using their various assessment tools.

Student prizes

The top three students that complete the most energy assessments during the competition period will be awarded the following scholarships from the City of Takoma Park:

• 1st place – $3,000
• 2nd place – $1,500
• 3rd place – $500

Top performing students will be given the opportunity for an informational interview or paid internship at the following organizations:

• City of Takoma Park – Sustainability Programs (2-paid winter internship positions)
• Nextility (informational interview)
• AtSite (informational interview)
• Community Power Network (informational interview)

Throughout the competition, students will be able to win small and large weekly “PowerUp Prizes” provided by sponsoring local businesses, which may include: gift cards to local restaurants, “green” resume writing workshop presented by 20 minute resume, tickets to sporting and music events and more!

To participate as a student competitor or to sign your small business up for the free energy assessment and help a local student, go to http://greenimpactcampaign. org/kilowattsmackdown/ or contact City Sustainability Manager Gina Mathias at ginam@takomaparkmd.gov

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

The Neighborhood Energy Challenge (NEC) is in full swing with only slightly more than a year left of the competition. As of September, 634 Takoma Park residents have signed up for the challenge. Of those signed up, 13 participants have completed their Green Home Certification, with 1 person achieving the toughest Dark Green Certification, with two more applicants in the verification stage. The Medium Green Certification is the next most difficult certification, yet 4 residents have still managed to achieve it. The Light Green Certification is the easiest, and 8 residents have met its qualifications.

Although many have signed up, the points in the competition come from achieving the different certifications. Therefore Team Forest Park leads the way in the Neighborhood Energy Challenge even though Team Sligo-Longbranch has the most residents signed up.

There is a $2,000 grand prize for the neighborhood and a separate $2,000 prize for the multifamily building (12 units or more) that has the most Green Certified Homes. The City’s residential and municipal reductions in energy use contribute to Takoma Park’s competition for the $5 Million Dollar Georgetown University Energy Prize.

Currently, Takoma Park is ranked #43 out of 50 for the $5 million Georgetown Prize. We have a lot of ground to make up, but we know we can do it! Keep working towards your Green Home Certifications!

Data on total kBTU (energy use metric) for combined municipal and residential energy use as calculated by Georgetown University Energy Prize committee. Note: the above data has been normalized for weather for the competition.

If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact Gina Mathias at ginam@takomaparkmd.gov or call 301-891-7623. More information is available at http://takomaparkmd.gov/sustainability/neighborhood-energy-challenge.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

As you go about your day, you might notice clutter in someone’s yard. It may be piled up on the porch, next to the shed, or in the driveway. Not only are these piles of rubbish a code violation, but they may also be a sign of hoarding. Hoarding is the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions. If these possessions are outside of a home, they can block exits or entrances and could possibly lead to a rodent or insect infestation. Untagged or inoperable vehicles in the yard or the driveway could also point to hoarding. If you see a neighbor who might be a hoarder, offer to give them a hand. If they need more serious help, Montgomery County Health and Human Services (240-777-0311) can work with them to address their hoarding.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

According to City Clerk Jessie Carpenter, it’s been a decade since an advisory question appeared on the Takoma Park election ballot. That could change. At its Sept. 28 meeting, the Council is expected to vote to approve placing Councilmember Tim Male’s advisory question on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

Male has proposed placing an advisory question on the ballot to change City elections to coincide with the presidential and Maryland gubernatorial elections. He has advocated for this change as a means to increase voter turnout and broaden the racial and ethnic diversity of voters. “There is good evidence of higher turnout and lower costs,” Male said. In addition, “cities that have synced up their local elections with state and federal elections have found that it had a big influence on the demographics of who votes,” he continued, “and it’s easier for everybody.”

“There’s been a movement during the past six years to encourage people to vote,” observed City Manager Suzanne L. Ludlow. “We have early voting, and you don’t have to have a reason to vote absentee.”

“We are trying to make it as easy as possible,” Carpenter said of the many options local residents have for voting in city elections.

While these measures were designed to increase voter turnout, some in Takoma Park remember a time when voting in the City was very much a community affair. “People liked the positive feeling of a small community coming together in one place on Election Day,” Ludlow said.

She acknowledges that this new proposal to combine city elections with federal and state elections moves even further away from the community feel of the electoral process: “People would be dispersed in multiple places, and candidates would have to cover multiple polling places.”

However, changing the timeline for City elections is far from a done deal. If the advisory question does appear on the ballot, it will serve as means for merely gauging how local residents feel about the proposed change. “It’s an advisory question only,” Carpenter emphasized. “The Council would make the final decision to change the charter.”

Consideration of the question should make for healthy debate in the community and will likely be a topic of discussion at the upcoming Election Forum on Oct. 21.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

The 38th annual Takoma Park Folk Festival was a feast for the senses. Upon arriving on convenient shuttles from Takoma metro station or the Montgomery College, festival goers were immediately surrounded by the aromas of the various cuisines available for tasting.

Some opted for refreshing all-natural smoothies or fresh-squeezed lemonade. Others enjoyed a full meal of teriyaki chicken kebabs with a side of lo mein, or perhaps, they chose the vegetarian African fare provided by Suya To Go. For dessert, the choices included funnel cake, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and Italian custard shakes.

After enjoying their meals and community conversation in one of the designated outdoor eating areas, festival goers may have ventured inside to hear the lively music performances of the Aloha Boys or the Devil’s Tailors. While en route they couldn’t miss the energetic movement of the DC Morris Dancers as they entertained the crowd gathering near the entrance to Piney Branch Middle School.

If you were wondering what to do next, helpful volunteers were nearby to offer suggestions or directions to your next destination. In the vendor area, the eye-catching clothing, jewelry, and other crafts required closer inspection. Unique scents like citrus winter and orange lavender oatmeal drew attendees to Aburi Botanicals where soaps, oils, and other products were on display.

Tie Die Maker Steven Homberg made the trip from North Carolina to attend his fourth Takoma Park Folk Festival. He boasted that his clothing was softer to the touch than most. Perhaps his shirts, skirts, and dresses were as soft as the array of quilted eyeglass cases, cosmetic bags, and satchels available from I Sew Totes. In the booth across the way was Designs by Salone Starr showcasing African fashions and accessories inspired by the designer’s homeland of Sierra Leone.

For those a little winded from shopping, there was more food available for snacking. Perhaps they stopped at Dances with Loaves for a cherry almond scone, or they visited Cheryl’s Kitchen where a 30-year Takoma Park Resident featured her maple frosted walnuts, pecans and cashews at the festival for the first time.

After shopping and dining, festival goers could learn more about their community by visiting the tables of the many civic organizations represented at the event. Among them were the Village of Takoma Park, which provides transportation to senior residents through Village Rides, We Are Takoma, EducationFirst, OurSpace Acupuncture and Montgomery Blair High School. And if you hadn’t registered to vote, City Clerk Jessie Carpenter and a member of the board of elections were on hand at the Vote Takoma booth to help you complete the necessary forms in time for the upcoming election on Nov. 3.

There was so much to enjoy, and everywhere you looked families, friends, volunteers, and performers were doing just that. If you attended this year’s Takoma Park Folk Festival, you got an eyeful, an earful and a mouthful of the very best that the City has to offer.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

By Jim Jarboe

As June 30, 2015, the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department and the personnel of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service assigned to the station have responded to 326 firerelated incidents in 2015. The department addressed or assisted with 1,608 rescue or ambulance related incidents for a total of 1,934.

Totals for 2014 were 306 and 1,381, representing an increase of 247 incidents.

During the month of June 2015, the Takoma Park volunteers put in a total 808.5 hours of standby time at the station, compared to 1,328.5 in June 2014. Grand totals as of June 2015 are 8,073.5 hours, compared to 7,697 hours in 2014, an increase of 378.5 hours.

Maryland fire deaths

The Maryland State Fire Marshal Office reported 35 people have died in fires in July, compared to 37 in July 2014.

Safety Message

In the event of a power failure, the use of candles are not recommended. Should you use them, they should never be left unattended.

Award-winning firefighters

Takoma Park VFD members received a number of awards at the 2015 June Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention. Among them were the Hall of Fame Award, to Chief Tom Musgrove; the Family Appreciation Award, to the Willey Family (including father and mother Richard and Tina, son Andrew and daughter Ashlee); and the EMS Top Responder Award to EMT Jorge Alfaro. Alfaro also received a nominee certificate for “EMT of the Year Award.”

A special recognition award went to FF/EMT Adam Bearne from the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service, which named him “EMS Provider of the Month” for performing the Heimlich Maneuver, saving the life of a choking victim. Lt. Ervin Wirth, MCFRS presented the award. Congratulations to all!

This article appeared in the August 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

If you’ve looked for a book in the Library catalog or checked the status of your Library account in the past week or so, then you know that we’ve made some big changes.

All of these changes stem from our switch to new library software: Koha, hosted and supported by ByWater Solutions. Koha is an open source system used extensively in Europe, South America and Africa, as well as the United States. And, of course, in New Zealand, where it originated. Koha is a Maori word for gift.

We hope you like it.

What does this transition mean? Not only is the catalog prettier, you can do a lot you couldn’t do with the old one. It includes book cover photos and reviews. It allows users to narrow their searches to available titles, a particular genre (like books, CDs or e-books), and juvenile or adult titles.

Library users can also create reading lists, comment on books they have read, establish privacy settings and more easily access and manage their own Library accounts with the new software. Eventually, you will be able pay your fines remotely, using PayPal. And there are videos that introduce you to each function.

You might want to start by looking at your own account in our new system. Just click on the “My Account” button at the top left of the Library’s main website. Or go to the “log in” link at the bottom of the page. Either will get you to the right place.

You’ll then be asked for your user ID – that’s your library card number – and then your password. Normally, this is the month and day of your birthday, mmdd, and it has to be four numbers, so add a leading zero if you need to (i.e. if your birthday is Jan. 1, you would put in 0101).

Once you’re into your account, you can find a list of what you’ve got checked out – and when they’re due back — by clicking “your summary.” To see what fines you owe, click on “your fines.”

If you want to update your address or phone number or email, click on “your personal details.” In addition, you can determine how long the Library keeps your reading history by going to “your privacy.”

By clicking on “your messaging,” you can decide how often you want to get emails showing when items you’ve checked out are due back. Be sure to choose “digest only” where it is available to ensure that information about the items you’ve checked out is pulled together into one email.

Library users can also personalize their reading experience in several new ways in the Koha catalog. For example, you can create lists of books that you’ve read – or want to read – by clicking on “your lists.” To request that the Library purchase a particular item, click on “your purchase suggestions,” complete the online form, and then submit it.

In addition, you can comment on a book by following a two-step process. First, find the book in our catalog and then click on it. Under the basic information about the book, click on the “comments.” You’ll be prompted to log into your account, then you’ll need to find and click on the book in the catalog once more before typing in your comment. Once your comment is approved by library staff, you’ll see it in the catalog.

We hope that you will spend some time discovering all the great new features of our Koha catalog. If you have any questions, we’re happy to answer them; you also can check out the brief but informative videos about Koha. Let us know what you think!

This article appeared in the August 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.