By Rick Henry

A group in Takoma Park was looking for eternal life. The big question – where will one go to achieve it? After a several-month search, members of the Committee for a Takoma Park Scatter Garden identified three possible sites within the city that they feel are ideal candidates for locating the city’s first municipal “scatter garden,” a place where people scatter the ashes of their loved ones, whose names are displayed on small plaques.

However, the City Council did a hand vote at its meeting on Feb. 22, indicating no interest in pursuing a scatter garden on city land at this time.

The three sites that the group had proposed are:

1. Upper Portal Park, located at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Piney Branch Road, adjacent to the CadyLee Mansion;
2. Stuart Armstrong Park/Woods, a big section of woods located at Philadelphia and Holly Avenues between Takoma Elementary School and Piney Branch Road; and
3. Thomas-Siegler House and Garden, located at the intersection of Tulip and Maple Avenues

After hearing about and researching scatter gardens, a group of Takoma Park residents last year began pursuing a proposed Takoma Park scatter garden. Many cities have municipally-owned and operated cemeteries and many of those have scatter gardens in them. The Takoma Park scatter garden would follow a long tradition of cities providing a place for memorials to departed residents.

Encouraged by community feedback and working in concert with City parks and recreation staff and the Commemoration Commission, residents, including Jennifer Beman, have spent the last few months exploring the issue and location options in response to inquiries from the City Council.

“The City Council asked us to gather information about where it (the scatter garden) might be located, what it might look like and how it might function and then present it to them,” Beman said.

According to Beman, five criteria were used to evaluate the final three sites that were selected.

1. The property has to be owned and maintained by the City, not the county.
2. Immediate neighbors of the property must be supportive. “We went and talked with a lot of neighbors, and no one objected to the idea,” Beman said.
3. The sites must be able to be adopted without a lot of change.
4. The site must be “appropriate.” According to Beman, appropriate means “serene and tranquil, but also visible. It’s a hard balance to find.”
5. The site must be underutilized, meaning it is not really being used for any other purpose.

Beman White said each proposed site has its virtues. “There are a number of markers already at Upper Portal,” she said. “And there is already a garden at the Thomas Siegler property, and we propose to locate the scatter garden behind the Carriage House.”

The Stuart Armstrong property was suggested by City gardener Mike Welsh. “It is basically an unused park with a lot of woods and is close to the municipal heart of town,” Beman said.

As to the other two issues the City Council raised, Beman said that she does not expect that any of the three areas would change significantly. “We would need a sign and maybe a bench or two, and we are not asking the City to pay. We would do a fundraising campaign to pay for those costs,” she said, noting that the group has received lots of support and encouragement and minimal concern from residents about the project.

She added that in addition to extensive canvassing of the neighborhoods near the proposed sites, around 200 signatures on a petition supporting the garden have been gathered, and public comment has been available through a website and a public meeting held on Sunday, Feb. 5.

However, at the Takoma Park City Council’s Nov. 2 meeting, councilmembers expressed concerns about a range of issues, including how eligibility for use of the garden would be determined, the costs the City would incur in maintenance and staff time, and in general, whether the City should be involved in this endeavor based on its other priorities.

Further, following Beman’s presentation at the council’s Feb. 22 meeting, Mayor Kate Stewart called for a show of hands to determine whether council members were in favor of the committee continuing its work or they were against the proposal for the scatter garden. The vote was 4 to 3 against the proposal with Council Members Kovar, Qureshi, Schultz and Smith opposing the idea.

Still Beman and the other supporters plan to meet with them individually during the next few months in hopes of changing their minds. They feel that a scatter garden within the city is something that should and will happen. “The histories of many towns are written in cemeteries,” she said. “This will leave a legacy of the City and create a space for those who are left behind to visit and reflect.”

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

Mike Tidwell has lived in Takoma Park since January 1989. He, his wife Beth, their “come-and-go son” Sasha, who is a student at University of Maryland, and cat Macy Gray reside on upper Willow Avenue in the PEN neighborhood. “It’s basically downtown Takoma Park,” Tidwell notes. “Twenty years ago, Roscoe the rooster used to spend a lot of time in my backyard.”

What was his main motivation for becoming an advocate for climate change issues? “A relentless, unshakable concern for justice.” Tidwell lives in constant fear that his teenage son will have a fraction of the opportunities in his lifetime that he’s had in his – due to climate change. “I was also a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Congo in my 20s. I lived with barefoot, car-free people who contribute almost nothing to climate change but who are already being made hungry by drought, strange floods, and ecological upheaval,” he explains. “All this when the promise of a carbon-free world is totally within our grasp through affordable wind power and solar and electric cars.”

Through his work with Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Tidwell has learned “that people will take action – bold action – if you simply ask them and you have good plan.” He recalls several instances where his powers of persuasion were in full effect: “I’ve persuaded dozens of people to go peacefully to jail with me over the Keystone XL pipeline. I’ve gotten countless people to play hooky from work to lobby for solar and wind power legislation in Annapolis.”

“And I’ve gotten thousands of people over the years to jump into the Potomac River in January to raise money and awareness about the need to, “Keep winter cold!” More people than you think will take action if you have a concrete goal and you simply pick up the phone or shoot them an email and ask.”

Last year a series of “quick interviews” was introduced in this newsletter to help residents learn a little more about some of their neighbors. Here’s Tidwell’s take on our five questions.

Favorite Place/Activity in Takoma Park: Hanging out at the Thomas-Siegler Carriage House garden on Tulip Avenue. I love sitting on the little wooden bench there and taking in the Azaleas in spring and the autumn colors in October. I take my Sunday school class there some mornings because the garden itself is a beautiful little prayer.

Best Thing about Living in Takoma Park: It’s a neighborhood that values its “characters.” Everyone can pretty much just be themselves. I like never having to explain myself when I march in the July 4th parade with my old-fashioned push lawn mower to make a statement about global warming. We all pretty much get each other here.

What’s on Your Desk Right Now: Trying to get my fellow Marylanders to see that Governor Larry Hogan is a total environmental phony. Plus just finishing this interview by 6 p.m. on a Friday night, so I can meet my wife at Republic before happy hour ends.

What You Do in Your “Spare Time”: Watch Flamenco dance performances throughout the region with my Flamenco-crazed wife. When I’m not doing that I watch baseball. Read about baseball. Dream about baseball.

Best Advice You Ever Got (and from who): “Mike, after college, you should join the Peace Corps.” From a friend of a friend of a friend. The two years I spent in a Congo village changed my life forever.

BONUS: If I had a magic wand for a day, I would take a wrecking ball to the ugly 10-story high-rise office building on Carroll Avenue (I work on the 7th floor!). Then I would turn the lot into a Little League baseball park with a veggie hot dog stand.

For more information about the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, visit chesapeakeclimate.org

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

“People helping animals and Animals helping people” is the theme for this annual event, which will be held on TBD, March 25 in the Takoma Park Library parking lot. Takoma Park 4H Club is in its 7th year, and this is the organization’s 7th Annual Animal Drive.

Every year the 4Hers make toys for the cats and dogs at the Humane Rescue Alliance (formerly Washington Animal Rescue League) to coincide with the animal drive. In past years, the club has collected over $700 in donations, both in cash and in-kind donations. Help the alliance by dropping off gently used or new pet toys, unopened pet food, clean used towels and blankets, and cash or check donations. For more information, contact pptakoma@mindspring.com.

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

By Tim Rahn

Takoma Park resident and advocate for nuclear nonproliferation Joe Cirincione will speak at annual meeting of the Friends of Takoma Park Maryland Library on Thursday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the children’s room of the Library.

An author of several books and numerous articles, Cirincione is an expert on the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons in the post-Cold War era. Currently, Cirincione serves as president of the Ploughshares Fund, a Washington-based foundation that provides grants aimed at reducing weapons stockpiles.

Cirincione was vice-president of national security at the Center for American Progress prior to joining Ploughshares. He has also worked for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and served on the staffs of the U.S. House of Representatives committees on Armed Services and Government Operations.

As president of Ploughshares, Cirincione addresses audiences internationally about the risks of nuclear programs. Having appeared numerous times on network news shows, Cirincione writes frequent commentaries for print media as well. He also teaches at the graduate School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

Jesse Taylor is a longtime volunteer coach for the City of Takoma Park Recreation Department’s athletic programs. Coach Jesse, as he is affectionately known, has coached and volunteered with several sports programs, including basketball, T-ball and flag football. Taylor is one of those volunteers that you can always count on to come back season after season ready to pour back into the youth. His energy, passion and patience are immeasurable, and this is what makes him such a popular pick for players and parents alike.

Jesse, who is also a former participant in the recreation department sports leagues, prides himself on taking opportunities to be a positive role model for those in and around the Takoma Park Community. This past summer, Coach Jesse (pictured with his team, far right), earned his very first Y.E.S. League Championship after several years of falling short. He often speaks on how important that championship was to the kids on his team because “they all felt like underdogs that weren’t supposed to be there.”

Coach Jesse has the innate ability to quickly build relationships and gain trust amongst his players. This attribute has allowed him to be a better teacher of the game, no matter what the sport is. The recreation department is so very appreciative to have wonderful coaches like Jesse Taylor, who continually dedicate countless hours to help aid in the success of young people. If interested in becoming a coach or participating in one of our upcoming sports programs, please visit us online at www.takomaparkmd.gov/government/recreation/ sports.

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

A new mural is coming to the Takoma/Langley Crossroads this spring. It will be painted on the side of 1337 Holton Lane, across the street from the large mural created in 2015. The Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority (CDA) has contracted with the Krsko Group to create the new mural. Both properties are owned by JBGR, which has given its approval to the project.

The artists will seek community input on possible themes for the new mural at two community meetings at the Takoma Park Recreation Center, 7315 New Hampshire Avenue. The first meeting is Friday, March 17 from 6-8 p.m. The artists will introduce past projects, process and vision for the mural, and engage in an exchange of ideas with the community. The second meeting is on Thursday, March 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., where the artists will present an updated sketch that incorporates ideas from the March 17 meeting. The mural will be designed to incorporate imagery resulting from the community discussions, and participants will encouraged to create stencils representing the ideas and to paint them.

Community residents are invited to attend the March 17 and March 23 meetings and offer their ideas to the Krsko Group. For more information, call 301-445-7910.

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

While we are still nailing down some of the details for the meetings, we have settled on initial meeting dates for the upcoming Montgomery College and Takoma Park community consultation process. The series of meetings is designed to provide the community with information about the College’s facilities planning process in the context of County and City processes and give community members an opportunity to engage in discussion and share feedback in order to move toward an agreement between the City and the college on future construction.

The meetings will be held on the evenings of March 21, May 9, and June 6. Specific times and locations will be announced in the next couple of weeks. The meetings will be advertised through a variety of sources, including postcards sent to residences within a half mile of the College, and the City’s website, weekly ENews, and social media.

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

This month Neighborhood Development Company (NDC) in partnership with the City of Takoma will host the second set of four community meetings to seek input and share information about the proposed project located at the intersection of Ethan Allen and Carroll Avenue. Two meetings were held last month that addressed the topics of form and character with market and retail ideas.

The topics covered at the March meetings will be the public realm and access and mobility. Come give your input on design features of the new development. The two meetings are identical in content and opportunity for feedback. Choose the option that works best for your schedule.

• Thursday, March 9, 7-9 p.m. at the Takoma Park Community Center in the Azalea Room
• Sunday, March 12, 3-5 p.m. at the Fire Station Meeting Room, 7201 Carroll Avenue

If you plan to attend, please call 301- 891-7119. RSVPs would be appreciated but are not required. For more information, visit takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/ takoma-junction-redevelopment.

The Takoma Park Grants Review Committee is accepting letters of inquiry from organizations seeking funding through the City of Takoma Park’s FY18 Community Grants Program for projects occurring between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

The City of Takoma Park’s Community Grants Program is designed to provide financial support for specific programs, projects and events that improve residents’ quality of life by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences.

A letter of inquiry is required of all applicants. The letter of inquiry cover sheet and requirements may be found on the City’s website. If selected for further consideration, organizations will be contacted by the Grants Review Committee and invited to submit a full application for funding.

To be considered for funding, organizations must submit letters of inquiry electronically to grants@takomaparkmd.gov on or before 4:30 pm on Monday, March 13, 2017.

Prior to submitting a Letter of Inquiry, organizations are encouraged to review the Community Grants Program Guidelines, available on the City’s website, to verify eligibility for funding.

For more information, please contact the City of Takoma Park’s Housing and Community Development Department at 301- 891-7119 or grants@takomaparkmd.gov.

This article appeared in the March 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.

By Helen Lyons

While factories abroad mass produce low-priced picture frames by the thousands using the latest in high-tech machinery, in Takoma Park some things are still done the old-fashioned way.

“It’s more work, a lot of labor, ragged fingers and working late at night to make what ends up being minimum wage, but there’s something really gratifying about it,” said Mark Howard of his chosen profession. Howard of Takoma Picture Framers has been at the helm of a family business that dates back to the forties, perfecting a craft even older than that.

“This is kind of an old world type of shop,” he explained, standing before shelves that seem to stretch on for miles in the basement of 7312 Carroll Ave. Upon them are countless cuts of wood, meticulously organized and waiting to be assembled carefully by hand into frames for photos, prints and original works of art.

They come in seemingly every type and color, from oak to gold-leaf, and some were once the property of the National Gallery of Art where Howard’s father Alden’s first frames were sold.

“He worked for a framer downtown on Constitution Avenue,” Howard said, “and at the same time was going to the Corcoran School of Art, and visiting the National Gallery and doing sketches of the oil paintings that hung there.”

His employer had a contract with the National Gallery of Art, and in 1950 when Alden Howard Jr. wasn’t learning the skill of framing, he was flirting with a woman at the coat check who would later become his wife.

“For twenty years he built frames,” Howard recalled. “My earliest memories are of my father and my uncle downstairs in the basement sawing and sanding and painting and clipping and wrapping and creating frames for the National Gallery that were sold in the gift shop.”

But in 1970, the end of that contract brought the Howard family to Takoma Park, where Willard and Katherine Atherley owned and operated the first ever framing store in all of Maryland out of a downtown row home that had once been a bakery.

There were still commercial baking pans and cupcake trays in the home above the storefront when Alden Jr. bought the store from the Atherley’s, but soon they were replaced with paints, putties, sandpaper and pieces of whalebone used to perfect the edging of a matte.

Not much changed when the business switched hands, including some of the help (Katherine stayed on as a part time employee.) and the name.

In the 1970s, Takoma Picture Framers was still one of the only framing places in town, and Mark Howard remembered lines out the door. “We were open to nine o’clock at night and we had lines of people here and they wouldn’t leave. We’d be up until ten, eleven o’clock taking orders.”

But business isn’t exactly booming today, nearly 70 years after the shop first opened. Mark Howard took over the business from his father in the year 2000, and now it’s only him behind the counter, instead of the whole family and an apprentice or two.

But Howard still burns the midnight oil from time to time, working past nightfall above the shop mixing paints and putties and operating the same old pressing machine that his father used in the 70’s to fulfil his clients’ orders. He even has his father’s old whalebone tool, well over half a century old.

“It’s not really worth it monetarily,” Howard admits, gazing around the shop with its creaking stairs, sloping floors and family of squirrels embedded in the walls upstairs. “I had to find a way within myself to say, well, I took over Dad’s business. I’m doing it for him.”

And even on a freezing winter’s day, the buzzer just outside the door rings. A customer has arrived. She’s moved to Takoma Park just recently and is looking to have something framed for her new home.

While Howard gives her a short version of his shop’s rich history, she notices a book with her mother’s name as the title amongst the collection of old keepsakes Mark has for sale at the front of the store (his “yard sale,” he calls it). She’s delighted.

There’s a CVS Pharmacy on Carroll Avenue and a new Walmart just six minutes away on Rigg’s Road, but in Takoma Park, these “old world types of shop” and the dedicated people who run them still manage to charm.

This article appeared in the February 2017 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.