The City of Takoma Park is aware of the communications between the Neighborhood Development Company and the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op regarding the Takoma Junction Redevelopment Project. The City staff and City Attorney are working together to formulate options regarding a path forward. Council will address the matter as appropriate. Staff notes that the FAQ page that the communications referred to had been removed from the City’s website for review over a week ago, but the link remains in a cached mode at this time.
Category Archives: News
Category for general news items.
Takoma Junction Project Review Is On Hold
A review of the City’s Takoma Junction Redevelopment Project is on hold pending consideration of information in a letter provided today by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA). The letter, first dated April 6 and then changed to April 13, raises a number of concerns with the design of a layby on Carroll Avenue, proposed to allow for deliveries for area businesses.
MDOT SHA was to have submitted its comments for the Montgomery County Development Review process by June 2019. Without an indication of MDOT SHA’s position on the layby, City and County officials had proceeded with the review of the project plans, including holding a special City Council meeting yesterday, April 12.
Due to the need to review the comments received today, Takoma Park City Council’s review of the site plan will not go forward on the dates that had been announced to the public: April 14, April 28, and May 5.
Information about the proposed project is on the City’s website. The letter from MDOT SHA has been posted at that link.
Recreation Department Childcare Programs Are Open!
The before care and aftercare programs through the Recreation Department are now open for registration. There is limited space available due to COVID restrictions. New this year is Before the Bell (a morning care program) at the Recreation Center (7315 New Hampshire Ave)! Part time and full time recreation department staff have just been through two full days of COVID safety training to prepare. Scholarships are still available for Takoma Park residents and those that have recently lost their job due to COVID may have the program fees waived.
Participants will be divided into pods from TPES and PBES. If you are a virtual learning and need some socialization and fun, consider registering as well.
For more information go to the Childcare page.
Choose from:
- Community Center (Maple Ave)
- Morning Addition
- Afternoon Addition
- Recreation Center (New Hampshire Ave)
- Before the Bell
- After the Bell
A Message From Mayor Stewart on the Recent Shooting and Arrest in our Community
On Wednesday, our City witnessed the violent taking of life. Dominique Williams and James Lionel Johnson were shot and killed at the hands of an off-duty Pentagon police officer. We are horrified by these events, and acknowledge this is all the more painful for those who have and continue to experience profiling based upon their appearance and brutality at the hands of those sworn to protect us.
There has been too much pain, trauma, and loss of life. It needs to end. From my perspective, there is no justification for what this person did. We do not and cannot tolerate violence. Our City is committed to ensuring justice is served. And it will be.
In Takoma Park, we must continue our work towards creating a just community. We are committed to reimagining public safety and ending this cycle of violence and trauma.
I want to thank our Police Chief and the detectives who swiftly investigated this case to get the shooter charged. I know many of us have had questions and have been anxious for a result as they conducted a full investigation of this heinous crime.
I also want to thank the many residents who reached out to us over the last couple of days. Your voices and commitment to justice in our community will serve to ensure continued dedication to protecting people’s lives and dignity in our City.
I want to extend my sympathies to the families of Mr. Williams and Mr. Johnson and to Mr. Thomas. To the residents who live in the Takoma Overlook and Hampshire Towers neighborhood where this violence occurred, we are here for you. Our community is here for you.
Takoma ARTery Spring Art Fair this Saturday at Girl & the Vine
Takoma ARTery Spring Art Fair
Saturday, April 10 from 11 am-5 pm
Girl & the Vine at 7071 Carroll Avenue
You can celebrate spring and support local artists at the Takoma ARTery Spring Art Fair this Saturday. Fifteen local artists will be selling their work across a wide range of mediums in this covid-conscious free outdoor event. Some artists also will create artwork live and explain their artmaking process. Masks are required and 35 people will be allowed into the art fair at any time.
The City of Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division is providing city funding and promotion for the ARTery, which also arranges storefront displays with artwork by a diverse range of local artists. The displays, which feature changing bimonthly exhibitions, can be seen at at the Historic Takoma building at 7328 Carroll Avenue at the Takoma Junction and the Takoma Masonic Center at 115 Carroll Street in downtown.
The storefront displays support the livelihoods of local artists and improve the appearance of local business districts by filling vacant or underused storefronts with arts and handicrafts from Takoma Park’s creative community. Artists arrange sales directly with buyers and aren’t charged any commission. Artists who are interested in showing their work or anyone with possible locations for more storefront displays should email takoma.artery@gmail.com. There also is more info at takomaartery.com.
“The City of Takoma Park is happy to support the Takoma ARTery’s important work,” said Arts and Humanities Coordinator Brendan Smith. “Artists are small business owners who are responsible for Takoma Park’s reputation as an arts-friendly city, and they stimulate economic development both for the city and other businesses. We’re hoping for a good turnout at the Spring Art Fair this Saturday.”
Historic Takoma Window Display
Sidewalk Poetry Contest Winners Announced
After receiving more than 150 entries, the winners of the Takoma Park Sidewalk Poetry Contest have been selected, including 10 children and 10 adults ranging from 6 years old to seniors. The winners will receive a $100 award and a chance to have their original poems stamped into a local sidewalk in the contest organized by the City of Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division.
“We were impressed by the diverse breadth of poetry displaying the creativity, intellect, and whimsy of so many Takoma Park residents,” Arts and Humanities Coordinator Brendan Smith said. “This is a fun public art project which brings poetry to the streets and under people’s feet. We hope the poems will provide a laugh or a moment of reflection as people walk around town.”
Local residents could submit one or two poems in English or Spanish. The selection committee included Takoma Park Poet Laureate Kathleen O’Toole and local poets Bernardine Watson and Vladimir Monge.
Twelve of the 20 poems have been stamped so far and more poems will be stamped as sidewalk work continues.
A new online map provides a looping 4.5-mile walking or biking route which connects the sidewalk poems located across the city.
Child/Teen Winners
Ari Bernstein -10 years old
From the sky to the earth
and the nature in between
you can see the beauty
in which it is woven
and the space you may weave
Sofia Dalanda Crandall -14 years old
Poetry is not a chair
Until you eat it
From a freshly shined plate
In a rickety old bus
On a blanket of snow
Edwige Ghembesalu -16 years old
sunshine honeydew
drip drops from the sky
and we shimmy in the rain
by the creek and on the bridge
slippin cause we mean to
Graham Gould -8 years old
Joy is what I feel within
It burns right through my thin tan skin
Those I love I share my gift
You just need a hopeful lift
Hector Herrera -6 years old
People love
people hug
the love is strong from above
Ash Hewchuck -15 years old
Song of moon, I take your hand
In dusk of sweet July night
Dappled thoughts and silver emotions
We’ll dance until first light
Nala Miller -7 years old
Little green ball in the tree
Bouncing and rolling free
Off the branch in the grass
Down the hill that’s all we see.
Maeve Monahan -11 years old
Takoma
Instead of a park
It’s more like a sea
Flowing from every
Green leafy tree
Ida Shaeffer-Allen -9 years old
Carving out rock
Cutting through land
Soft tender touch
Transforms more than seen.
Aissatou Thiam -7 years old
Six Legs
Tiny Ants
Don’t crawl up my pants!
Adult Winners
Sally Brucker
So here is the thing
not getting any younger
flowers
still budding
Chris Carson
If I had my way,
love and money would grow
All over the ground,
Like wild strawberries.
Colleen Cordes
Late light shines
through dusk dark pines.
Everywhere silence,
everywhere song.
Sing, silence, sing.
David Alberto Fernandez
(Spanish poem with English translation)
Las palabras que importan
no se imprimen,
ni están talladas o estampadas
Arden en nuestros corazones
The words that matter
are not printed,
carved or stamped
They blaze in our hearts
Rosemary Ferreira
If there is one thing I hold constant,
it is that I belong to this city
as much as it belongs to me.
Veronica Jackson
What will you have today?
I would like tomorrow
Ok that will cost you a day
Just give me yesterday
Sorry no refunds
Emily Kombe
You call it nappy,
I call it being able to breathe
for the first time
through my curls
Samantha Magrath
my footsteps sound
on hard surfaces
crisp and regular as a dealer
laying down card after card
on the city’s table
Maja Tokic
long ago
they walked this road
cold wind chilling their bones
over the ground hard as stone
long ago
Richard Weil
Know, that a valley,
Is a mountain resting
Announcing Takoma Park’s New Public Safety Task Force Members
I am pleased to announce our Reimagining Public Safety Task Force:
Thank you to all of the residents that expressed interest in serving on the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force. We are grateful to have such a talented group of residents that are willing to serve on this important topic. I am pleased to announce the City Council’s selection of participants for the Task Force.
To learn more about the Task Force including the Task Force Members, bio’s, and how you might be able to watch Task Force meetings, please see the Reimagining Public Safety web page.
Why is Reimagining Public Safety Important?
The City of Takoma Park recognizes the history and impact of racism on Black and Brown people in our community. Systemic racism is at the root of racial disparities in education and job attainment,
housing, and healthcare, as well as police stops, and incarceration rates. Moreover, the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, along with many other Black and Brown people at the hands of the police highlight the need to reform and a reimagining of public safety in our country. In light of what is happening in our country on public safety and race equity, we are taking an evidence-based approach to assessing the City’s public safety policies and established a resident-led task force to inform the City Council’s decision-making on public safety reform.
The Purpose of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force:
The purpose of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force is to develop recommendations that make Takoma Park a safer, more livable community for all residents, with an emphasis on addressing racial inequalities that exist in government and services evolving around public safety. This Task Force is our opportunity to bring new voices into the process as we take stock of what is working, what is not, and as we explore best practices in public safety.
Nearly 40 people applied for the 15 member Task Force. The applicant pool was very diverse in terms of race, age, ward representation, renters/ homeowners, education, and professional affiliation. The majority of applicants (72%) self-identified as a person of color. Applicants were reviewed based on the following factors:
- Residency,
- Written Expression of Interest in the Task Force,
- Organization and Community Affiliations,
- Diversity and Inclusion, and
- The overall composition of the Task Force
I look forward to the recommendations that come from this effort. Congratulations to the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Members for your service. Your valuable work will inform the transformation of public safety in the City of Takoma Park as we know it.
Time to Renew! The Takoma Park Recreation Department Scholarship Program
The Takoma Park Recreation Department scholarship program is designed to assist individuals and families accessing our programs, by providing an opportunity to apply for a lesser fee than the published amounts. Scholarships give Takoma Park residents an opportunity to learn, grow and have fun. Scholarship applications are valid for the calendar year in which you apply and all applications will need to be resubmitted every year, three weeks before registration. Take a moment to review the FAQ section as it may answer some questions you have.
Available Programs
Most programs offered by the Takoma Park Recreation Department are eligible including child care, day camps, and many other programs covering all ages. However, there are important exceptions please click here to view the list.
Eligibility
The Recreation Department’s scholarship opportunity is available to families who reside within Takoma Park City limits who are in need. Please note that some may have a Takoma Park mailing address but not live within City limits. To verify which Ward you live in visit our interactive map.
How To Apply
- Applications are valid for the calendar year in which you apply (Dec applications rollover).
- Completed applications, income chart, and accompanying documentation should be emailed to recreation@takomaparkmd.gov
- All applications will need to be resubmitted every year, three weeks before registration.
- Applications are available in Amharic, English, French and Spanish.
- Click here to find the applications in Amharic, English, French and Spanish.
The Recreation Dept. is feverishly working behind the scenes on reopening procedures for Childcare and Summer Camp. While you wait, if you are a Takoma Park resident in need review the new scholarship page and submit the application if interested. We know COVID has effected many families and we want to remove all the barriers for participation in our recreation programs.
Please Note: This scholarship application is only valid for City of Takoma Park Recreation Department programs.
Grants and rebates available for weatherization, energy savings
The City offers residential sustainability grants to Income-qualified residents for FREE weatherization (insulation, draft reduction, and potentially heating and cooling equipment and appliances) by applying here.
Additional rebates are available for all residents who make energy efficiency improvements.
All residents looking to keep the cold air out, warm air in, and reduce utility bills at home can get a FREE ENERGY SAVING KIT from Montgomery County: https://
Kits contain:
- door sweeps,
- rope caulk for those leaky windows,
- window insulations kits, and more.
- requests must be received by March 31, 2021.
Sleet and ice! The City Manager’s message is to stay home if you can
Dear Residents,
Once again we have strange winter weather. I really wanted a good snowfall and then we could start thinking of spring and flowers, but instead we have accumulating sleet, freezing rain and ice.
Because the temperatures will stay cold, ice will be a problem for several days. Some warmth on Friday afternoon will help, but then there will be a refreeze. Expect dangerous walkways and roads. If you can stay home, please do so.
Our regular Public Works staff are the employees who also treat and plow the streets and clear sidewalks along City facilities when there is a storm. When we have round-the-clock road treatment work, we often need to make adjustments to the trash, recycling and food waste collection schedule. For this storm, there will be NO collections of trash, recycling and food waste today (Thursday). The normal Thursday collection will take place on Saturday. Friday’s collections are expected to take place on Friday, but may be a bit delayed.
Another change is that the Library’s Books-To-Go and Books-To-You delivery program is canceled for today. We hope to be able to provide the services on Friday, but please check before you go.
Please help make the sidewalks safe in front of your homes. Use ice melt or sand – not rock salt! – for areas that are slippery. Please also help your neighbors if you can. The Difference Makers’ Snow Angels program will not be able to help the residents on their service list for this winter event. Their program focuses on the removal of snow, not ice, and the students and coordinator are not available. So, we all need to make a special effort to ensure the safety of our seniors and other community members who may need to go outside for work, doctor’s appointments or food.
As always, please call 301-270-1100 to report slippery conditions so our Public Works crews can be dispatched to address them. Call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency.
And, join with me in thanking our crews! Take a photo of our crews at work and post it on social media or send it to me in an email (SuzanneL@takomaparkmd.gov). Also, let me know what we can do better. We want Takoma Park to continue to be the place that handles storms right.
Finally, consider contributing to a legitimate charity to help folks in Texas who are having a simply horrible experience with winter weather, and lack of heat, water and food. I’m not happy with today’s weather here in Takoma Park, but this is nothing in comparison.
Stay safe!
Suzanne
