The Maryland Health Care Commission took final action in December and ruled in favor of the Certificate of Need application to move Washington Adventist Hospital’s (WAH) acute care hospital to an area north of White Oak. Construction of the new facilities will take about three years to complete. While certain medical facilities will remain on the current site, the move provides an opportunity to rethink how some of the vacated property can be used to mutually benefit WAH and the community. The goal is to create a thriving and vibrant campus that we can all be proud of.

WAH is interested to hear your thoughts and will be hosting a “Community Discussion” about the future of the site. The discussion will take place on April 5 @ 6:30 PM and will be held in the Conference Center on the WAH campus located at 7600 Carroll Avenue. This will be the first in a series of community meetings about the site as the main hospital is prepared for the move. Stay tuned for further details on future meetings.

We hope you will participate in the discussion!

The Takoma Park City Council sent a letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission on March 1, 2016 voicing concerns regarding Montgomery College’s Facilities Master Plan process and asking it to postpone consideration of the 2013-2023 Montgomery College Facilities Master Plan until the required local stakeholder and municipal government consultation takes place.

Montgomery College is legally required to consult with the community and local jurisdictions. The City Council does not believe that consultation occurred in the latest Facilities Master Plan process. The Council shares its concerns about the development of the master plan in the letter addressed to the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Excerpt from the full letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission:

The Takoma Park-Silver Spring campus of Montgomery College is an important part of the Takoma Park community, both as an educational institution and as part of our physical landscape.

Because changes to the Montgomery College campus can have significant impacts on the greater Takoma Park community, it is important that the College, in its role as a neighbor, work with the residents and local jurisdictions in developing a long range vision of the campus,

View the full letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Thursday, February 18, 7:00 PM at Historic Takoma

Have a laundry list of energy-efficiency improvements? Not sure what improvements are worth the investment? Bring your energy audit reports, contractor proposals, and toughest energy efficiency questions for a second opinion without the sales pressure. Takoma Park Sustainability Manager, Gina Mathias, will be available from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm to review contractor recommendations and answer questions. Resource lists will be available for questions about contractors, rebates, appliances, and more. Gina can also help with your Green Home Certification applications and rebate applications. The Neighborhood Energy Challenge ends in March and rebate money is quickly being claimed, so now is the time to plan what energy efficiency improvements you will make! RSVP is not necessary, but very helpful: GinaM@takomaparkmd.gov; If you think your audit report/question/proposal may require research please email Gina ahead of the event.

Takoma Park Residents are invited to the 2016 annual Safe Grow event, Switching to Organic Lawn Care Methods!

2016 Safe Grow Lawn Care Event

Switching to Organic Lawn Care Methods

Tuesday, March 1, 2016
7:00-9:00 PM
Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbot Citizens’ Center
Auditorium

Come and join local lawn care expert Zack Kline from A.I.R. Lawn Care and get tips on transitioning from traditional lawn care to organic methods. Homeowners attending the event will receive a free soil test and an opportunity to receive a free lawn care consultation from A.I.R. Lawn Care!

Ten homeowners will be selected from the pool of applications for a free lawn care consultation. Applicants demonstrating serious lawn care issues will be selected.

Apply for the free lawn care consultation in advance on the Lawn Care Assistance Program page.

Check out the Safe Grow section of this website to learn more about the Safe Grow Act.

Visit the Community Conversations page for more event details & documents.

You are invited to join the City Council for a Community Conversation on Affordable Housing on Saturday, February 6th from 9:30 AM-1:15 PM.

Community Conversation on Affordable Housing

Saturday, February 6
9:30 AM-1:15 PM
Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbot Citizens’ Center

The meeting, the first in a series of Community Conversations on various topics, will provide an opportunity to learn and engage in a discussion about the City’s approach to housing, current trends at the local and state level, and some new ideas for addressing the issue of affordable housing in Takoma Park. In addition to City Council, subject matter experts from City staff and national and community organizations will be present to share information, respond to questions, and participate in the conversation.

The meeting will take place at the Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbott Citizens’  Center located at 7500 Maple Avenue.

This event has been rescheduled for February 23rd, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in the Azalea Room.

You are invited to a free social event with music and delicious refreshments!

Celebration of Takoma Park Elders

Tuesday, January 26
Tuesday, February 23
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbot Citizens’ Center
Azalea Room

It’s a fun opportunity to connect with other city residents, and learn about what is going on in the city and how we can support one another with living well.

Feel free to bring your music CD.  We will play it at the event!  For more information contact Karen Maricheau at 301-891-7232 or lifelong@takomaparkmd.gov.

Check out the Lifelong Takoma section of our website for more info (including volunteer opportunities) on the Lifelong Takoma program!

Event brought to you by Lifelong Takoma and the Village of Takoma Park.