Category Archives: News

Category for general news items.

Briefing on City Tax Revenue Sources

Takoma Park Taxes 101

During the March 9, 2016 City Council meeting City Manager Suzanne Ludlow gave a presentation on City tax revenue sources and provided some background information in advance of the Council’s budget work sessions. Video of the “Tax 101” style presentation is available below courtesy of City TV and is also available on their YouTube channel.

Fiscal Year 2017

This info helps frame discussions going into work sessions which start in April and offers insight into how the proposed budget for fiscal year 2017 will be developed. Once the proposed budget is approved and voted on by the City Council it becomes the City of Takoma Park Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 and the official policy for how funds – including tax revenues – are spent in FY17. (Fiscal year 2017 starts on July 1, 2016 and extends to June 30, 2017.)

Briefing on City Tax Revenue Sources Links:

 

Meet Author/Illustrator Ursula Vernon

Cover of the Hamster Princess of Mice & Magic book.
Cover art for book two in the “Hamster Princess” series by author/illustrator Ursula Vernon

Author/illustrator Ursula Vernon unveils the second book in her Hamster Princess chapter book series on Monday, March 14, at 7:30 PM in the Library’s Children’s Room. Titled Of Mice and Magic, the heavily-illustrated book for ages 7-10 tells what happens when spunky Princess Harriet the Invincible sets off to figure out how to lift the curse from 12 dancing princesses in a neighboring  kingdom. In its review, Booklist noted: “Fans of twisted feminist fairy tales will be delighted, and Harriet’s existing followers won’t be disappointed with this second installment.” At our event, Vernon will talk about the Harriet books, as well as her popular Dragonbreath series. Copies of Vernon’s books will be available from Politics & Prose, but the program is free and no purchase is required to attend.

Takoma Park Maryland Library Links

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News: Children’s Room; Library Blog; Books; Teen Buzz

Meet “Radioactive!” Author Winifred Conkling

Photo of cover of the book Radioactive! by author Winifred Conkling
Meet Radioactive! author Winifred Conkling at the Takoma Park Maryland Library on March 7 at 7:30 PM!

Author Winifred Conkling kicks off our celebration of Women’s History Month on Monday, March 7, at 7:30 PM with a discussion of her new book, Radioactive!: How Irene Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World. Conkling’s book, written for middle school and high school students, has won critical acclaim, with Booklist calling it “a thorough and engaging study of two female scientists worth their weight in radium.” Politics & Prose will be selling copies of Conkling’s book, but the event – held in the Library’s Children’s Room – is free and no purchase is required. Please join us for what promises to be a fascinating discussion!

Register for Library Events
Visit Our Catalog and Digital Resources
Check Your Library Account (Sign in with your card number)
News: Children’s Room; Library Blog; Books; Teen Buzz

City Council Letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission

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.

 

Stump the Chump: Neighborhood Energy Challenge Edition

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.

2016 Safe Grow Lawn Care Event Scheduled for March 1st!

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.

Safe Grow Zone Logo
Safe Grow Zone Logo

Community Conversation on Affordable Housing

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.

Join Our Celebration of Takoma Park Elders!

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.

The Village of Takoma Park logo
The Village of Takoma Park logo
Lifelong Takoma Logo
Lifelong Takoma Logo

Public Meeting on Library Renovation and Possible Expansion

There will be a public meeting on renovation and possible expansion of the Takoma Park Maryland Library.

Public Meeting on Library Renovation & Possible Expansion

Thursday, January 7
7:30 PM
Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbot Citizens’ Center
Azalea Room

All are invited to join us for this presentation of the latest concept design by architect Greg Lukmire, and the following discussion. Check out the Library Renovation page in the Project Directory for background info.

Obituary for former Takoma Park Mayor Stephen Joseph Del Giudice

The City of Takoma Park is saddened to learn of the death of former Mayor Stephen Joseph Del Giudice.

Mr. Del Giudice was Mayor of the City of Takoma Park from November 1985  to November 1990 when he resigned to be sworn in as a Prince George’s County Councilmember, where he served for 8 years.

From  Mr. Del Giudice’s obituary:

Stephen Joseph Del Giudice, former local official, lost his year-long battle to leukemia.  Mr. Del Giudice originally from Providence RI, current resident of Washington DC, passed in his home surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of December 17, 2015.  Mr. Del Giudice is survived by his wife Sheila Driscoll, his children Cara Lingle and Nicholas Del Giudice, his son-in-law Bryan Lingle, his grandchildren Colton and Grayson Lingle and his brothers, Peter, Dante, Michael and Joseph Del Giudice.  Family and friends will be received on Friday, December 18th , 2015 at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home at 811 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 from 6pm to 8pm.  A celebration of life ceremony is to take place on Sunday, January 10th, 2016 at Maggiano’s in Chevy Chase from 12 noon to 3pm at 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20015.