Category Archives: News Alert

Category for Takoma alert items.

Relic Ensemble Shares “The Dawn of Time” Chamber Music Concert on Jan. 24

The Dawn of Time  Chamber Music Concert

Relic Ensemble

Friday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 pm 

Takoma Park Community Center

7500 Maple Avenue 

Baroque chamber orchestra Relic explores the beginning of time in five evocative chapters in a free concert at the Takoma Park Community Center.

The chapters include the emergence of the elements, separation of earth and the heavens, formation of storms and seas, creation of birds and beasts, and finally the birth of humankind. Inspired by ancient creation stories from across the world, this dramatic program features music by Rebel, Rameau, Biber, Vivaldi, and other composers.

No tickets or reservations are required for this free Takoma Park Arts event, and seating is first come first served. Formed in 2022 by alumni of the famed Juilliard School, Relic is a touring chamber ensemble featuring talented musicians who have performed with esteemed orchestras across the world.

Lauded as “stylish and innovative” by the New York Classical Review, Relic connects with audiences through intimate and imaginative programming, which uses narrative “chapters” to unite a variety of repertoire. You can learn more about them at relicensemble.org.

Relic has performed in 12 states at various venues, including the Indianapolis Early Music Festival, Electric Earth Concerts, and the Gotham Early Music Scene. Committed to sharing their passion for chamber music with students of all ages, Relic members also have led workshops, master classes and residencies at schools and universities

This concert is part of the Takoma Park Arts series organized by the City of Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division, including free concerts, theater, dance, film screenings, art exhibitions, and other events at the Takoma Park Community Center. Some limited parking is available at the Takoma Park police station, Piney Branch Elementary School, and neighboring streets.

You can find more info and sign up for our e-newsletter at takomaparkmd.gov/arts. Join us and celebrate the arts!

Notice- Proposed Administrative Regulation Regarding Regulation of Fees Charged to City of Takoma Park Tenants

Notice of Proposed Administrative Regulation for the Implementation and Enforcement of Takoma Park Code, Sections 6.16.090 (Fees) – To regulate the fees charged to tenants in the City of Takoma Park and setting a process for the addition of a fee or waiver from the allowed fee schedule.

An Administrative Regulation is being proposed for the implementation and enforcement of Sections 6.16.090 (Fees) to regulate the fees charged to tenants and setting a process for the addition of a fee or waiver from the allowed fee schedule. You can review the proposed regulation here. To obtain further information about the proposed regulation, contact Devin McNally, Housing Manager, Housing and Community Development Department, 301-891-7222, devinm@takomaparkmd.gov. Written comments on the proposed regulation should be submitted to the City Clerk at: clerk@takomaparkmd.gov. The deadline for receipt of public comments is Monday, December 30, 2024.

City Council on Holiday Recess from Thursday, December 12, 2024, Through Tuesday, January 7, 2025

 

City Council has set its winter holiday recess for from Thursday, December 12, 2024 through Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

City Council’s last regular meeting in 2023 will took place on Wednesday, December 11. City Council regular meetings will resume on Wednesday, January 8, 2024.

If circumstances require the City Council to meet at other times during the recess, the Council will provide as much notice as practicable. The information will also be posted on the website.

Stay up-to-date on City Council Meetings and Agendas on the City of Takoma Park website. 

Passport Services: December Closures

 

Passport services will be closed on the following days throughout December:

  • Thursday, December 12, 2024
  • Monday, December 23, 2024
  • Tuesday, December 24, 2024 (City Offices and Facilities Closed)
  • Wednesday, December 25, 2024 (City Offices and Facilities Closed)
  • Monday, December 30, 2024
  • Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Appointments are still required and can be scheduled by calling 301-891-7100. Passport service hours are subject to change without notice.

For additional information, visit takomaparkmd.gov/services/passports. Questions? Email sofiav@takomaparkmd.gov.

Housing and Community Development (HCD) Holiday Staffing Schedule

The Housing and Community Development Department will have limited staff in the office to meet with residents in-person from December 23 – January 3 and may not be able to immediately address unscheduled walk-ins.

To make sure we are able to assist everyone, we encourage residents seeking assistance to:

If you have questions regarding HCD functions, you may be able to find answers on our website, which includes information regarding:

Happy Holidays,
HCD Staff

TKPK FY2026 Budget Community Survey Results Are In!

Update 12/6: The Community Budget Survey has closed!

We thank everyone who completed the FY 2026 Community Budget Survey. The results were tabulated prior to this past Wednesday’s City Council Meeting and were shared with Council to help inform their Budget Priorities.

See the Community Budget Survey Results and City Council Budget Priorities here:

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Takoma Park City Manager Rob DiSpirito, Mayor Searcy, and City Council, invite you, our residents, to offer us your ideas and suggestions regarding next year’s city budget, which is now under development. The Takoma Park Community Budget Survey is one way to share any ideas and innovations you think the city should consider as part of its upcoming fiscal year budget development.

Survey Details:

  • This survey should take about ten minutes to complete. Thank you for your input.
  • Complete the budget survey here (link is now closed)
  • The survey will be open until 12pm on December 2, 2024.

Please note that all survey information provided in connection with the survey will be included as part of the public record for the FY 2026 budget, ensuring complete transparency and your active involvement in the process.

Stay Informed: Sign Up for Police Emails and Takoma Park Alerts!

 

Staying connected and informed is essential for the safety and well-being of our community. The Takoma Park Police Department offers two valuable resources to help you stay updated on important information and emergencies:

1. Police Department Emails

Receive updates directly from the Takoma Park Police Department, including: 

  • Community safety tips
  • Upcoming events
  • Public announcements
  • Daily crime events
  • Weekly crime reports

Signing up is easy! Stay informed about the latest news and initiatives impacting our community.

2. Takoma Park Alert System

For urgent and time-sensitive alerts, the Takoma Park Alert system is your go-to resource. This system provides immediate text or email notifications for:

  • Severe weather events
  • Missing children alerts
  • Road closures or traffic issues
  • Other critical situations

Sign up for alerts here! By signing up for both resources, you’ll ensure that you’re always in the loop—whether it’s a routine update or an emergency situation.

Helpful Links

Thank you for partnering with us to keep Takoma Park safe and informed!

Takoma Park Receives Sustainable Maryland Certified Award and is 2024 “Sustainability Champion”

The City of Takoma Park is proud to announce that it has achieved recertification for its sustainability efforts and has been named Sustainability Champion 2024!

Takoma Park accumulated the highest point total of all the Maryland communities receiving certification this year at 730 points.

“We are honored to receive this year’s Sustainable Maryland certification. Our commitment to the Sustainable Maryland program has been steadfast since our first certification in 2011, and this recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our city’s staff, residents, businesses, and organizations who have made sustainability a priority and have been champions towards our climate action goals. We are proud of our efforts in implementing innovative sustainability programs and initiatives across numerous focus areas, and we are committed to continuing to build a more sustainable and resilient future for the City of Takoma Park” said Mayor Talisha Searcy.

Takoma Park has been a pioneer of sustainable initiatives in Maryland. The City is fully committed to the idea of acting locally while thinking globally. If we all do our part on the local level, we will ensure that generations have a healthy planet to call home.

View the full Sustainable Maryland Press Release here.

 

Behind the Badge: Cpl. Cindia Torres

For Takoma Park’s Cpl. Cindia Torres, one of the most important tools for a police officer when responding to a call is empathy.

“My approach to the job is encountering people with a perspective on what’s going on in their lives and being open-minded,” says Torres, who has been with Takoma Park’s police department for more than three years. “The community shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to our officers.”

Torres joined the Takoma Park police department after working as a police officer in neighboring Prince George’s County. She says she saw more potential in Takoma Park when she decided to apply for a job with the department.

“I was looking forward to an agency that had more growth and Takoma Park definitely had more growth,” she says. “I was also looking forward to working with other officers. In Prince George’s County, I was working alone. Maybe I’d work with another officer but most of the time I was out alone.”

In addition to working as a police officer, Torres also serves as the department’s LGBTQ+ community liaison officer, fostering understanding, trust, and cooperation between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community.

“My responsibility is to facilitate support with the LGBTQ community and increase engagement with officers,” she says. “I’m a
point of contact between the community and department. I’ve attended some organization meetings and had the opportunity to attend the Pride parade this year. I had a great time!”

In her role, which was created by the city earlier this year, Torres also works with victims of reported hate crimes and offers assistance and resources as they navigate the criminal justice system.

A bilingual Spanish speaker, Torres also serves as an interpreter when helping Takoma Park’s growing Latino community.

“It’s extremely helpful that I am bilingual and speak Spanish,” she says. “There’s a level of comfort to report a crime, especially in the Latino community due to language barrier or trust. Everyone in the department wants to assist those in need; whether it’s the Latino community or LGBTQ+ community, we’re always there to help.”

Torres says that when she isn’t working she’s studying for a degree in business administration with a focus on human resources.

“Usually, when I’m off I’m either working on my own student assignments or doing errands since I’m a parent.”

The Takoma Park newsletter is doing profiles on some of the city’s front line police officers over the next months. If you have a story you’d like to share about how a city police officer helped you, email seang@takomaparkmd.gov.

This article appeared in the November Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. Check out this article and more on the City webpage.

TKPK Community Budget Forum: Catch up on the Details from the Nov. 12 Meeting

Community participation in the budget process is a high priority for the City administration, staff, and the Mayor and City Council. Engage with us and participate in the crucial dialogue for our budget process at the Community Budget Forum!

Event Details:

Looking for more ways to engage in the FY2026 Budget Process, complete the Takoma Park Budget Community Survey to share any ideas and innovations you think the City should consider as part of its upcoming fiscal year budget development.

Learn more about the Community Survey on the City blog.