Category Archives: News

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News, Takoma Park Newsletter

Roll into Spring, Safely and Sustainably

by Kaysi-Ann Webley, Special Projects Coordinator

As the vibrant colors of spring blossom around us, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the joys of walking and cycling to school or work and for leisure. Spring is an ideal season for embracing sustainable and active commuting options. Let’s review the importance of seasonal safety checks and how we can collectively contribute to a greener future during Earth Month.

1. Embrace the Spring Advantage: Spring brings longer days, milder temperatures, and refreshing breezes that beckon us outdoors. It’s an opportune time to encourage our students and remind ourselves to walk or cycle to school or work, reaping the benefi ts of increased physical activity and getting a positive start to the day.

2. Seasonal Safety Checks for Safer Routes: Just as we prepare our homes for the changing seasons, it’s essential to conduct safety checks for bicycles and pedestrian pathways. Ensure that bikes are in good condition by inspecting the ABC’s: Air in tires is sufficient; Brakes are not worn; Chains and cranks are not loose, rusted, or gunked up. In addition, make sure that your bike has functioning lights and bells. Pedestrians should be sure to use sidewalks, pathways, and crosswalks. Please report issues to 311 or online using MY-TKPK so that issues can be addressed to create and maintain safer routes throughout our city.

3. Navigating Changing Weather Conditions: As temperatures fluctuate during spring, it’s crucial to be prepared for changing weather conditions. Dress in layers, wear refl ective gear, and carry rain gear on cloudy days. Remember to be mindful of wet surfaces, especially after rain, and to always follow traffi c rules. By instilling and adopting good habits, we will be ready to navigate safely through any weather.

4. Earth Day and Eco-Friendly Commuting: As Earth Day approaches on April 22, let’s refl ect on the environmental impact of our daily choices. Walking and cycling to school and work contrib-ute signifi cantly to reducing our carbon footprint. These sustainable modes of transportation not only improve air quality but also foster a sense of envi-ronmental responsibility among our youth. This Earth Day, let’s commit to making a positive impact by embracing eco-friendly commuting initiatives.

5. Call to Action: Implementing Eco-Friendly Commuting: We urge resi-dents, schools, and businesses to come together to support eco-friendly commuting initiatives. Consider organizing walking or cycling events, establishing bike-sharing programs, or promoting carpooling among families. By collectively adopting these initiatives, we can create a culture of sustainability that benefits our environment and enhances the well-being of our community.

6. Get Ready for Bike Month in May: May is Bike Month! Check the City web-page for more bike information. Below are some of the programs we have planned.

  • Bike to School Day is May 8. Please contact your school to get more in-formation.
  •  Adult Learn-to-Ride Bike Class is May 11th at the Takoma Junc-tion parking lot. Class registration is sold out but we encourage you to sign-up for the waitlist to help us determine the need for future classes.
  • Bike to Work Day is May 17. We have three stops this year: Takoma/Langley Crossroads, Downtown/Old Takoma, and Sligo Creek Trail on New Hampshire Avenue. For more information and to register, visit biketoworkmetrodc.com/
  • Free pop-up bike repairs. More in-formation on dates and locations will be available at waba.org/learn-toride/.
  • Check out the 2019 Takoma Park Bike Map to plan your route. It is available for free from public buildings and bike shops in the city or online here.

Takoma Park Bikeways Projects
We want YOUR feedback on new bike-way projects! The City of Takoma Park is actively working on the designs for multiple bikeway projects, including the New Ave Bikeway on New Hampshire Avenue, an upgrade to the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and a redesign of Maple Avenue. Follow along with each project on the City’s website where you can learn about public events and opportunities to participate in the planning process! Visit bit.ly/TKPK-Bikeways

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and by embracing sustainable commuting options, we sow the seeds for a healthier, happier, and greener future. Let’s roll into spring.

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

News, Uncategorized

POSTPONED: Spring Outdoor Movie – Saturday, April 6

 

Due to the cold temperatures this weekend the outdoor movie has been postponed until June 8. We hope to see you then!

 

 

Details

Date:    Saturday,  April 6

Time:    Movie starts at 7:30 PM

Location: Ed Wilhelm Field (behind Piney Branch Elementary School)

Ages:    Families welcome

Cost:    Free

Movie:  The Lorax (PG, 2012)

Due to the cold temperatures this weekend the outdoor movie has been postponed until June 8. We hope to see you then!

What to Bring

  • Blanket or lawn chairs
  • Blanket for stay warm
  • Flashlight for aid when the movie is over
  • Extra snacks for you and your family

Important Info

  •  If there is inclement weather we will move indoors to the Community Center and post on social media and here.
  • The Recreation Department will hand out popcorn and cups of water (feel free to bring your own snacks as well).
  • Voting will be open prior to the event date, check this page or our social media pages afterwards for the results.
  • Reminder – there is very limited parking at the Community Center due to construction, please allow additional time to get to the Outdoor Movie location.

News, Public Notices

Give Back to the Earth this April: Earth Month Volunteer Opportunities

 

This Earth Month, there are still opportunities for youth and adults alike to give back to our earth and local community.

The Earth Day Celebration- April 20

We are seeking volunteers to support a few of our upcoming events, including the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th! Student Service Learning (SSL) sign-offs for students are available, and volunteers get a free t-shirt!

  • When: Saturday, April 20, 2024 10am-2pm
  • Where: Sligo Creek Steam Valley Park (Houston and Kennebec Ave)

Learn more and register on the Sustainable Takoma Park signup form.

News, Public Notices

Message from Code Enforcement: Why Flaking & Peeling Paint on Your Home Could be a Problem

I recently received a Courtesy Notice from Code Enforcement alerting me to flaking and peeling paint on my house. Why is this a problem?
This information from the Environmental Protection Agency might be helpful:
Older Homes and Buildings

If your home was built before 1978, it is more likely to have lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer use of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier.

Lead-based paint is still present in millions of homes, normally under layers of newer paint. If the paint is in good shape, the lead-based paint is usually not a problem. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp) is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear, such as:

  • Windows and window sills;
  • Doors and door frames; and
  • Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches.

A few tips to reduce sources of lead exposure in older homes and buildings:

  • Inspect and keep all painted surfaces in excellent shape and clean up dust frequently with a wet cloth or paper towel.
  • Consult a certified lead professional before beginning renovation, repair or painting projects. Renovation, repair or painting activities can create toxic lead dust when painted surfaces are disturbed or demolished.
  • Avoid tracking lead dust into the home by wiping and removing shoes before entering the home and placing dust mats both inside and outside of entryways.
  • Learn if you have a lead service line. Contact your water utility or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead.
Soil, Yards and Playgrounds

Soil, yards and playgrounds can become contaminated when exterior lead-based paint from houses or buildings flakes or peels and gets into the soil. Soil may also be contaminated from past use of leaded gasoline in cars, from industrial sources, or even from contaminated sites, including former lead smelters. Lead is also naturally occurring and it can be found in high concentrations in some areas.

Lead in soil can be ingested as a result of hand-to-mouth activity that is common for young children and from eating vegetables that may have taken up lead from soil in the garden. Lead in soil may also be inhaled if resuspended in the air or tracked into your house thereby spreading the contamination.

Older playground equipment can still contain old lead-based paint, and artificial turf and playground surfaces made from shredded rubber can contain lead. Take precautions to ensure young children do not eat shredded rubber or put their hands in their mouth before washing them.

To reduce exposures to lead from soils, yards and playgrounds:

  • Check the exterior of your home, including porches and fences, for flaking or deteriorating lead-based paint that may contaminate soil in your yard or be tracked into your house.
  • Put doormats outside and inside all entryways and remove your shoes before entering to avoid tracking contaminated soil into your house.
  • Wash hands several times a day using soap and water, especially after playing or working outside.
  • Plant bushes close to the house to keep children from playing in soil near your home.

In addition to the lead-based paint concerns, please remember that paint is a protective coating. Without it, wood can rot and metal can rust. Rotted wood and rusted metal can cause structural safety issues.

Learn more about Code Enforcement Initiatives on the City webpage.

News, Public Notices, Takoma Park Newsletter

Celebrate 10 Years of Safe Grow: Yard Signs Available!

by Rick Baravechia, Code Enforcement Manager

Avoid the Chemical Romance

Harmful chemicals are not necessary to beautify our surroundings. This is the reasoning behind the creation of the Safe Grow Act that the City enacted in 2014. This law was created to protect ourselves and our environment from harmful pesticides and herbicides.

The Safe Grow Act places restrictions on the use of cosmetic pesticides for lawn care on public and private property. The list of restricted pesticides includes products that are known to cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and are identifi ed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as having other toxicity characteristics.

Of the 30 most commonly used lawn pesticides, 17 are possible and/or known carcinogens, 18 have the potential to disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system, 19 are linked to reproductive effects and sexual dysfunction, 11 have been linked to birth defects, 14 are neurotoxic, 24 can cause kidney or liver damage, and 25 are sensitizers and/or irritants.

Children are especially sensitive to pesticide exposure, as they take in more pesticides relative to their body weight than adults and have developing organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify toxic chemicals.

In 2019, Montgomery County enacted the Healthy Lawns Act, which mirrors our Safe Grow legislation, so that all Montgom-ery County residents can reduce their ex-posure to the unhealthy effects of harmful lawn care pesticides.

Organic lawn care isn’t diffi cult— in fact, it can save time and money, while protecting you, your family, your pets and the environment. Find a list of restricted chemicals at takomaparkmd.gov/safegrow. On that page, you will fi nd other resourc-es about maintaining a healthy lawn and yard, including a series of videos about natural landscape management.

Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy lawn, as we transition to spring: remove winter debris, test soils, dethatch your lawn, overseed thin areas, and apply corn gluten for inhibiting germinating weeds. Also, consider aerating your lawn and applying lime, if needed, for pH ad-justment. Overwhelmed? Don’t be. Reach out with any questions to Rick Baravechia, Takoma Park code enforcement manager, at Duaneb@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7113

Let the World Know that Your Yard Is Safe

Is your lawn, apartment, and/or patio garden free of synthetic pesticides (including herbicides and fungicides) and safe for wildlife, pets, and people? If so, let us and your neighbors know! Free yard signs are available. Celebrate 10 years of Safe Grow today!

Safe Grow

Arts & Humanities, News, News Alert

Percussion Discussion Performance Celebrates Tap Dance on April 26

Percussion Discussion Taps Into Happiness

Friday, April 26 at 7:30 pm

Takoma Park Community Center

7500 Maple Avenue

Free Performance

The Knock on Wood Tap Studio in downtown Takoma Park has redefined tap dancing for more than two decades, and the studio’s resident ensembles will share their talents in a free performance at the Takoma Park Community Center on April 26.

Percussion Discussion includes three groups at different age and experience levels. Capitol Tap features youth tap dancers, Monumental Tap includes intermediate-level adult dancers, and District Tap highlights advanced adult performers. Each ensemble has their own repertoire, and they will collaborate in an intergenerational performance.

This event in the Takoma Park Arts series is free, and no tickets or reservations are required. Limited parking is available at the Takoma Park police station and the adjoining Piney Branch Elementary School parking lot.

Lisa Swenton-Eppard founded Capitol Tap in 2010, followed by District Tap and Monumental Tap. She grew up in her mother’s dance studio in southern Maryland where she learned to tap dance at an early age and started teaching when she was 15 years old.

“Tap was the one genre that spoke to me the most, and it’s been a mainstay in my life,” she said. “I’m now in my 38th year as a tap dance educator, not just for my own companies but also for other dance studios in the area.”

Percussion Discussion incorporates both historical and contemporary tap dance and has performed at the Kennedy Center, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Wolf Trap, and other venues.

“My dancers talk about the sense of connection and community they feel when creating music and dance together,” Swenton-Eppard said. “Performing is a form of communication and finding common ground with others through a range of emotions.”

The origins of tap dance are rooted in the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina in 1739 where enslaved Africans used weapons and drums in an unsuccessful uprising that led to a law being passed a year later that prohibited enslaved people from playing musical instruments.  This is believed to be the precursor that moved rhythmic patterns of West African step dances from the drum solely to the body, with tap dance evolving over centuries from various cultural influences.

Tap dance took off in the mid-1800s at dance competitions and minstrel shows, and then later in nightclubs, musicals, and vaudeville shows. Metal taps on the bottom of shoes didn’t appear until the early 1900s, replacing wooden-soled shoes and other footwear.

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson gained worldwide fame for his tap dancing in the early 1900s despite discrimination against Black performers. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly helped develop the Broadway style of tap featured in musicals such as 42nd Street and Anything Goes. Tap dancing reemerged in the 1980s with new dance styles fueled by funk and hip hop and has continued to grow in popularity.

This performance is part of the City of Takoma Park’s Takoma Park Arts series, which includes free concerts, theater, dance, art exhibitions, and film screenings at the Takoma Park Community Center. You can sign up for our e-newsletter to get more info about all of our upcoming events.

News, Public Notices

Congressman Raskin Hosts Virtual 2024 Tax Season Information Session

 

It’s tax season! This year, the deadline to file taxes is Monday, April 15, 2024. While tax season can often be stressful and intimidating, there are plenty of resources to assist in simplifying the process. We encourage you to take advantage of the following resources as you prepare to file your taxes!

Update: March 13, 2024
Congressman Jamie Raskin IRS Virtual Information Session
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Join Congressman Jamie Raskin and special guests from the IRS and the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service as they answer some common tax questions, including questions about the filing process, tax credits and rebates, and more.

Congressman Raskin  2024 Tax Season FAQ guide

From Congressman Jamie Raskin

  • How can I get my tax return processed as soon as possible?
    The IRS encourages you to file electronically as early as you can and to opt for direct deposit if you anticipate receiving a refund. This is the best way to ensure you receive your tax refund in a timely fashion. Taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income less than $79,000 can file electronically for free using IRS Free File.
  • Do I qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit?
    Low- to moderate-income Americans may qualify for the EITC, which can reduce the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund. You can find out if you are eligible with this tool on the IRS website. If you have children, you may qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Visit Credits and Deductions for more details.
  • What improvements has the IRS made for the 2024 tax filing season?
    Congress and President Biden worked together to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August of 2022, which provided historic investments in the IRS, allowing the agency to make much-needed improvements to its customer service, modernize its technology and operations, and more. Prior to the IRA’s investments in the agency, the IRS saw an 18% cut to its budget over last 20 years and saw dramatic staffing reductions of over 20,000 employees—even as its responsibilities continued to increase. It processed millions more tax returns each year and implemented new legislative mandates from Congress, even as its resources were dwindling due to partisan attacks. With the investments from the IRA, the IRS has made the following improvements:
    1. Expanded in-person service by opening or reopening Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), including eight additional centers since the first anniversary of the law’s enactment. The IRS will offer extended hours at many TACs nationwide for the 2024 tax season.
    2. Increased help available on the toll-free line and expanded customer call back.
    3. Answered over 7.7 million calls during the 2023 tax filing season, an increase of over 65% compared to the previous year.
    4. Reduced the average call wait time from 28 to 3 minutes.
    5. Enhanced paperless processing that allows taxpayers to submit correspondence, non-tax forms and responses to notices digitally.
    6. Enhanced the IRS Individual Online Account which includes chat, the option to schedule or cancel payments, revise payments and validate bank accounts.
    7. Eliminated nearly all of its processing backlog of individual tax returns.With the IRA’s historic investments, the IRS will continue improving taxpayer services for the 2024 filing season. Sustaining this investment beyond 2031 will yield over $851 billion in revenue over the next decade. On the other hand, slashing IRS funding—as some of my conservative colleagues have proposed—would worsen the IRS’s customer service and widen our country’s $688 billion tax gap in which wealthy corporations and individuals choose to evade the taxes they owe.
  • Where can I find more detailed information about the 2024 filing season?
    The IRS website is a great resource for all things taxes. In particular, its Interactive Tax Assistant can answer more of your questions, help you find out how much your standard deduction is, determine whether or not you can claim dependents, discover what tax credits you may qualify for and more.My district office stands ready to help you communicate with the IRS, should any problems with your return arise. For example, if your return is not processed within five months from the date of filing, please feel free to contact my district office for assistance.To get our help with the IRS or any other federal agency you may be interacting with, please fill out my online request form.
News, Takoma Park Newsletter

Takoma Park Offers “Open for Business” Grants

by Sean Gossard

Takoma Park is open for business! And to help those businesses, the city is offering local entrepreneurs grants to relocate or expand their shops in the city.

Using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the city has allocated $119,157 to help local businesses.

“The city’s been really lucky that we had some ARPA money to help support small business in a way we haven’t before,” said acting Housing and Community Development Director Ira Kowler. “We’ve been able to leverage the ARPA dollars into grant programs.”

Applications for the grants opened at the end of January and will be available until the funds run out. Grants are capped at $10,000 per business. For ground-floor businesses outside of the Old Takoma commercial district, they may be funded at up to $6 per square foot. Any Old Town businesses, and upper-floor businesses elsewhere in Takoma Park, may be funded at up to $4 per square foot.

Businesses must be opening or expanding in Takoma Park, with an ownership deed or a signed lease of at least three years for the property with start date no earlier than Oct. 1, 2023; have not have received prior funding from the city; are in good standing with the State of Maryland; are in compliance with city, county and state
regulations; and have a valid Use & Occupancy Certificate.

“There’s a lot of expenses that go into growing or moving a business,” says Kowler. “The more flexible getting the money to people, the easier it is to use.”

The funds will come with no restrictions on their use and can be applied where most needed, “whether to support capital expenditures and hard costs related to new business fit-out, existing tenant improvements, or serve as a one-time subsidy to offset cost of lease,” according to the city’s website.

The grant program is the outgrowth of the city’s recent Business Investment Grant (BIG) program. The grant helped several businesses, including Cielo Rojo, a regionally recognized fine casual Mexican restaurant that has expanded to a new, larger location; Muoi Tieu, a former Vietnamese food truck that opened its first
permanent location in the former home of Mark’s Kitchen; and People’s Books, a locally owned bookstore in Old Takoma. It also helped A Plus Medical, a medical services provider in the Takoma-Langley Crossroads, and Healing Practice Center, a new wellness practice that has opened in the Professional Building on the Washington Adventist site.

For more information contact the City’s grants coordinator at grants@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7235.

Access the full March Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter here.

News, Public Notices

Join the Upcoming Go Solar TKPK Event on Tuesday, March 12, 2024!

Event Details

This info session will educate all residents—both renters and homeowners, about obtaining solar energy for your home.

It will feature details on the upcoming solar co-op campaign with Solar United Neighbors, offer information on community solar from Neighborhood Sun, and information on clean energy options overall.

This will be an interactive event for anyone interested in, thinking about, or planning for solar.

* If you require language interpretation, please email dorothye@takomaparkmd.gov in advance.

 

Learn more about going solar in Takoma Park on the Sustainability webpage.