Cheering For The First City Track Meet

Tonight cheers and clapping rose above the runners as the City of Rockville >Department of Recreation and Parks held its first track meet of the season at Wooten High School. Non-stop running filled three hours as the kids in first grade through middle school competed in good-spirited fun. The field was filled with shot puts and long jumps, while teammates continually rushed to the starting line to race on time.

With determined looks, the runners competed their best in front of the crowd and their peers, sometimes surprising even themselves. The crowd always cheered the loudest for the runners in the back of the pack, encouraging a finish with smiles. The Striders, who practice at Montgomery College, dominated most heats with excellent form.

Ayanna Upsher, running in the first heat of her life and placing first for the Striders, said “It was fun and exhilarating. Hearing my teammates cheer was great!”

Parents talked about the real need for exercise and encouraging their children to improve their personal bests.

The kids really gave it their all!

POTD: Reds

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This nice pic is by Rockville Central contributor Monique DeFrees. Of it, she says: “One can never have too much red.”

Hear, hear.

An Eventful Few Days

As I said on >Rockville Central Radio last Friday, the list of events scheduled for this past weekend was very long! Here’s a rundown of what’s been happening in Rockville.

The “Spring Fling” at Maryvale Elementary School was a real community occasion in the summery sunlight last Saturday. The kids went from playing games to riding horses with rock cover songs in the background. The middle school band, Medow, had t-shirts and a fan base. Kids lined up to be dunked in the dunk tank. With the heat they really should have been charging for the dunk rather than throwing the ball at the target! Squeals of happiness could be heard from little ones going on the giant slide after the moon bounce and trackless train. Personally, I was more than slightly dizzy after spinning in the tubs! Sometimes when you go to an event at a school that is not your own with unfamiliar faces you feel out of place, but the Maryvale “Fling” is just like a real old-fashioned carnival creating a great time for everyone.

At the Croydon Creek Nature Center “Spring Festival” also on Saturday, people were in and out all afternoon. The native plants were all sold in a half hour! If you sign up for the mailing list, you will be notified about preordering the plants next year. The Raptor Conservancy of Virginia presentation was standing room only. A cute little Eastern Screech Owl was brought out, but he was not the new resident of the Nature Center, who was in the back offices getting acclimated to the new surroundings in peace away from the crowds. The bees were a buzzing and the honey-making process was explained. Kids made a nature craft and learned about City environmental programs. Out on the back porch you could get a free sno-cone and tree seedling. Many took advantage of the naturalist led hikes on the trails. The Center was bursting with activity.

Although the weather turned colder and overcast on Sunday, everyone still enjoyed Science Day at Montgomery College. The rocket launches and pigeon release were outside, while inside there were many interactive displays. The student-designed robots moved and swept foam balls. Microscopes showed the details of creek critters. Snakes and monitors were on display with tortoises, which could be touched. Mars was seen through 3-D glasses. Kids continually lined up to land the space shuttle in a simulator, but when it was our turn, we unfortunately crashed it into the swamp! My son is still carrying around the feather he received from the Animal Exchange after answering three questions about birds. Parents were as interested and excited as the kids.

Last night The West End played Austin Grill to raise funds for the Beall Elementary School anthology. So many people turned out that every table was taken and supporters were still lined up at the door. An early start time made for a family event. The band skillfully played through all their favorites for an appreciative audience of both new and old fans. These Beall parents really know how to rock!

This Thursday’s Weekend to Weekend will be just as packed with activities, as the warm weather brings lots to do in Rockville.

POTD: Steal This Book

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Actually, there’s not much of this available anymore, but it was quite dramatic!

Blast From Past: Ben And Jerry's, California Tortilla To Open!

>Rockville Central friend Eric Jensen brought this nugget from the Gazette to our attention over the weekend. It’s an announcement from 1999 about the imminent opening of the Ben & Jerry’s and California Tortilla next to the Regal Cinemas.

THE WAIT IS OVER

For the past nine months, two banners advertising the coming of a Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream shop and a California Tortilla restaurant have first tantalized and eventually frustrated residents waiting for their arrival.

Now, after what seems like an interminable wait for many residents, the two eateries are gearing up to open next door to the Regal Cinemas in downtown Rockville. . . .

On Monday night, Eric Jensen, a 10-year resident of Rockville, stood at the podium in City Hall and told the City Council about his “personal disappointment with the lack of progress being made with the Rockville Town Center.”

“Yes, it’s true we have 13 movie theaters, but 13 movie theaters alone do not create the thriving downtown we have envisioned for Rockville,” said Jensen, who suggested that . . . city planners pay close attention to the progress being made at another shopping center — the Washingtonian Center off Sam Eig Highway and Fields Road in Gaithersburg.

“The Washingtonian Center is accomplishing what many people had envisioned for our Town Center — attractive, well-maintained, beautifully landscaped sidewalks in an area that looks and feels like the way Rockville’s downtown should look and feel,” Jensen said.

Eric’s got his wish! I know he would agree: Our town center is thriving, and Town Square is well on its way to being a local landmark for so many things.

Read the whole article here.

It’s a great reminder of so many things: how far our downtown has come; how persistence can pay off; and how much patience is often required.

I love this town.

POTD: Duck, Duck, . . . .

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. . . . Goose! I took this near Stonehenge on that recent really nice day. Which I wish would return.

Visiting the Beavers: An Arbor Day Update

Beavers are sort of an anti-Arbor Day subject since they take trees down and Arbo>r Day, started in 1872, is a day to celebrate trees. With all the beaver activity, we really do need to think about planting more!

Last December the beavers were busy felling trees for food at Stoneridge Pond. Small trees were also disappearing and it became apparent that they were building a lodge with them.

Lately everyone who visits the pond is talking about how you can actually see them living in the storm water management structure. These two are asleep each day in their little nest on the cement. They must have realized that a man-made structure was much sturdier than their lodge.

My family discovered the beavers home before I did, but soon people were stopping me on my run and excitedly passing along the word that you could see beavers. Aren’t they just so cute together? Every time I see them, they are laying on each other. I can’t run past with stopping to see them!

Rockville Central Radio Recap: Science, Celtic Music, Rules, City Attorney

Another fine edition of >Rockville Central Radio is complete! It was a marvelous show. Ruth from Animal Exchange called in to tell us about Science Day, Drew Powell phoned in and praised Rockville’s new search engine and also talked a bit about the recent move to bring Our Fair City’s city attorney in-house. Acclaimed dulcimer player Maggie Sansone and Scottish harpist Sue Richards were on too, and we played a bit of their music. (They’ll be at the Fitzgerald Theater tonight!)

Listen next week — noon on Friday. Simply go here and if you want to be heard call in to 646-200-3332!

POTD: Growl

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I am thinking of getting a new motorcycle, so I am thinking about growls. But what that has to do with these fine guards, I do not know. I think the leaf in the right foreground makes this picture.

On another subject: Don’t forget to tune into Rockville Central Radio today at noon! Simply go here and listen. Better still, call in and ask questions at 646-200-3332!

We’ve got great musical guests planned, sports talk, and more.

This Week In Sports 4/24/08

>From Tim Fauber, Events Contributor

Last Week saw the Wootton varsity Baseball team beat Blake 6-4 in a 7th inning rally. Impressive since Blake has been dominating this season.

Our new USL D2 soccer team, Real Maryland Monarchs, played their home opener in a downpour, losing to Western Mass Pioneers 1-0.Their next game is Saturday, April 26 7:30 pm against Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

BOYS BASEBALL
Friday 4/25/2008
Wootton at Damascus 3:30 pm

Saturday 4/26/2008
Blake at Richard Montgomery 1:30 pm
Northwood at Rockville 1:30 pm

Monday 4/28/2008
Kennedy at Rockville 3:30 pm
Richard Montgomery at Magruder 3:30 pm

Tuesday 4/29/2008
Quince Orchard at Wootton 3:30 pm

Wednesday 4/30/2008
Springbrook at Richard Montgomery 3:30 pm

Thursday 5/1/2008
Rockville at Einstein 3:30 pm
Wootton at Whitman 7 pm

BOYS LACROSSE

Friday 4/25/2008
Blake at Wootton V 7 pm/JV 5:15 pm

Saturday 4/26/2008
Northwest at Richard Montgomery V 12 pm/ JV 10 am
Seneca Valley at Rockville V 12 pm/JV 10 am

Monday 4/28/2008
Wootton at Gaithersburg V 7 pm/JV 5:15 pm

Tuesday 4/29/2008
Richard Montgomery at Einstein V 7 pm/ JV 5:15 pm

Wednesday 4/30/2008
Wootton at Sherwood V 5:15 pm

Thursday 5/1/2008
Richard Montgomery at Rockville V 5:15 pm

GIRLS LACROSSE
Friday 4/25/2008
Wootton at Blake V 7 pm/JV 5:15 pm

Saturday 4/26/2008
R. Montgomery at Northwest V 12 pm/JV 10 am
Rockville at Seneca Valley V 12 pm/JV 10 am

Monday 4/28/2008
Gaithersburg at Wootton V 7 pm/JV 5:15 pm

Tuesday 4/29/2008
Einstein at Richard Montgomery V 5:30 pm/ JV 3:30 pm

Wednesday 4/30/2008
Wootton at Sherwood V 7:15 pm

Thursday 5/1/2008
Richard Montgomery at Rockville V 7:15 pm

GIRLS SOFTBALL

Friday 4/25/2008
Blake at Richard Montgomery 3:30 pm
Wootton at Damascus 3:30 pm

Saturday 4/26/2008
Northwood at Rockville 12:30 pm

Monday 4/28/2008
Kennedy at Rockville 3:30 pm
Richard Montgomery at Magruder 3:30 pm
Wootton at Northwest 3:30 pm

Tuesday 4/29/2008
Quince Orchard at Wootton 3:30 pm

Wednesday 4/30/2008
Springbrook at Richard Montgomery 3:30 pm

Thursday 5/1/2008
Rockville at Einstein 3:30 pm
Wootton at Whitman 3:30 pm

BOYS TENNIS (Last Week)

Friday 4/25/2008
B-CC at Richard Montgomery 3:30 pm
Rockville at Einstein 3:30 pm
Wootton at Damascus 3:30 pm

Monday 4/28/2008
Churchill at Rockville 3:30 pm
Richard Montgomery at Seneca Valley 3:30 pm
Watkins Mill at Wootton 3:30 pm

Wednesday 4/30/2008
Northwest at Rockville 3:30 pm

TRACK AND FIELD (Last week)
Tuesday 4/29/2008
Richard Montgomery and Georgetown Prep at Northwood 3:30 pm

BOYS VOLLEY BALL

Friday 4/25/2008
Magruder at Wootton Coed 5:15 pm/Boys 7 pm Boys 5:15 pm
Richard Montgomery at Wheaton Coed 3:30 pm/ Boys 5:15 pm

Monday 4/28/2008
Rockville at Churchill Coed 5:15 pm/Boys 7 pm
Wootton at Blair Coed 5:15 pm/Boys 7 pm

Wednesday 4/30/2008
Springbrook at Richard Montgomery Coed 5:15 pm/ Boys 7 pm

Thursday 5/1/2008
Rockville at Wootton Coed 5:15 pm/Boys 7 pm

Weekend to Weekend 4/24/08

>Events In Rockville

Thursday, April 24

Martinis & Matisse, VisArts at Rockville, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Music from On Thin Ice. Have a Saki-tini while enjoying the exhibit Kimonos & Woodcut Collaboration. Make a Japanese-influenced charm and take home the martini glass. Tickets are $10 at the door. Cash bar.

Meet the Author: Susan Coll, Rockville Library, 7 PM. Susan Coll was a guest on our first radio show! She even read from her second novel, Rockville Pike. She’s a local author and will discuss all her novels including Acceptance and Karlmarx.com. A book sale and signing will follow. Her novels speak to our life here in the suburbs and enthusiastic discussion always ensues!

Nelly’s Echo Acoustic, Austin Grill Rockville, 8:30 PM. Nelson Emokpae is invited to come on down from Baltimore to play solo every month because everybody’s enjoying the music! It’s not “Just a Dream”!

Friday, April 25

Arbor Day Celebration, College Gardens Elementary School, 1:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to hear the Mayor and Council read a proclamation at this tree planting ceremony. For the 19th consecutive year, Rockville is named a Tree City USA.

A Celtic Celebration, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. Adults $15, Seniors/Students $13. What a wonderful chance to enjoy the Celtic spirit performed by DC’s award winning Celtic musicians. America’s premier hammered dulcimer player Maggie Sansone, is joined by Rob Greenway (Irish flute & guitar), Andrea Hoag (fiddle), Matt Bell (percussion), Paul Oorts (guitar, mandolin, musette accordion) and four-time Scottish harp champion and Rockville resident, Sue Richards. They’ll be joined by the Teelin School of Irish Dance.

20 for 7, Austin Grill Rockville, 9:30 PM. They dare anyone to pigeonhole their sound and they look a little scary so I’m not gonna try (only partially kidding). They hail from Baltimore, write their songs on the fly, and pound away at their sound.

Saturday, April 26

Maryvale’s Spring Fling, Maryvale Elementary School, 11 AM – 3:30 PM. Rain or shine. No admission but you’ll have to pay for the carnival games, Turbo Tubs of Fun Ride, Trackless Train, a moonbounce, and pony rides (12:30-3 PM). Pizza, salads, subs, & Carmen’s Italian ice for sale, plus a silent auction. They’ll also be free things like fire safety, kid’s fingerprinting, and McGruff the Crime Dog! You will not want to miss the student bands!! Middle school bands: Medow & 32 Below, along with elementary stars from Olney: Crash. This is not your ordinary school event and everyone is invited!!

Earth Day Celebration, Parking Lot at 850 Hungerford Drive, 11 AM – 3 PM. The MoCo Division of Solid Waste Services invites everyone to celebrate. My family went last year and had the best time. We took the bus to the award-winning recycling center. I ALWAYS wanted to go into the recycling center! It’s loud. There are belts every which way. But atlas, our recycling from the City does not go to this facility. Make earth-friendly crafts, bring confidential paper for off-site shredding, and get rid of household electronics for recycling (cell phones, digital cameras, VCRs, stereos, & telephones). Discover environmentally friendly home materials and landscaping options. I know it’s in a parking lot but it’s fun!

Spring Festival, Croydon Creek Nature, Center 1 PM – 4 PM. Celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Nature Center. Native plant sale, nature games, crafts, raptors, and woodland hikes for the whole family.

Konark Dance School and MKK-USA, Inc., F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 3 PM. $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students, & children under 7 free. Professional dancers from India and Konark’s Panine-Ganguly present classical Indian dance.

Ty Braddock, Austin Grill Rockville, 9:00 PM. He’s DC’s “Mr. Honky Tonk” and he’s back to play for us here in Rockville.

Sunday, April 27

Rockville Science Day, Montgomery College – Rockville Campus, 12 noon – 5 PM. Free parking and admission. Our family has been going since the pre-school years. Something for adults and kids because there are rockets, reptiles, robots, gems, scientists, engineers, shuttle simulator, and hands-on experiments of all kinds. Every year there is something new. The Discover Genomics bus is very popular so line up early. (Last year we tried 3 times and I gave my spot to a kid so she could see the DNA demonstration.) The Rockville Kiwanis are selling hot dogs so come hungry!

Monday, April 28

Beall Elementary School Fundraiser by The West End, Austin Grill Rockville, 5 PM – closing Say you’re there for Beall and part of your dinner tab will go toward the 2nd Annual Beall Anthology. Best of all, The West End will be playing at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Bring the whole family!

Thursday, May 1

Registration Deadline. If you live in East Rockville, this is the last day to register the address of your Yard Sale for the East Rockville Civic Association’s “Authentic Trea$ures & Tra$h Neighborhood Yard Sale to be held on Saturday, May 17th from 8 AM – 1 PM. Email [email protected]

Twinbrook: The Quintessential Postwar American Suburb, Twinbrook Library, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM. Graduate students from George Washington University will explain about the developer Joseph Geeraert, the design/remodeling/landscaping of the houses, and the people who bought them. Twinbrook was the largest suburb built in Rockville right after WWII.

n style="color:#660000;">Friday, May 2

Family Fun Night, Welsh Park, 3 PM – 10 PM. An extreme time is planned for the Rockville Sk8Park with a family movie, free skateboarding, extreme demos, and a moon bounce. (Located behind the Swim Center.) Free but donations are appreciated. Food & beverages for sale. All proceeds support the Rockville Recreation Fund.

Rockville Rooftop Terrace Grand Opening, VisArts Arts and Innovations Center, 5 PM – 8 PM with ribbon cutting at 5:30 PM. The Mayor and Council invite you to celebrate by taking yourself to the top of Town Center. This is the also the first of the “First Fridays Deck Parties” that the City sponsors each month during the warmer weather. Thanks to sponsor Gordon Biersch for sending me the band lineup for the summer. I am SO excited! We’re going to start with Sons of Pirates this month and I’m going to ALL of them!

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Saturday, May 3

Annual Spring Bazaar and Yard Sale, Rockville Senior Center, 9 AM – 2 PM. More than 30 vendors. Low-cost items, crafts, plants, computers and homemade treats to eat. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization which supports the Senior Center. Don’t forget to get the raffle tickets because the prize is good, old fashioned cash – 1st $500, 2nd $250, and also themed gift baskets.

Community Yard Sale, Welsh Park, 9 AM – Noon. You can stop by both Sales! Shop and support the Rockville Recreation Fund.

Cinco de Mayo Fest, Austin Grill Rockville, 11 AM ‘til late. Music on the indoor and OUTDOOR stages. Take the kids to a big Tex-Mex brunch with upbeat kid’s music from 11-noon. Then the outdoor stage starts up the rock, alt-country & pop with The Guzzlers, Justin Trawick Group, Everyone But Pete, and Justin Jones & the Driving Rain. At 9:30 PM J.B. Beverley & the Wayward Drifters play back inside. AN ALL DAY LINEUP! These people know how to throw a party!

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Sunday, May 4

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Recuperate. Can you believe how many things there are to do in Rockville?!! Everybody must be going to at least one, right?

Email the information for any fun, educational or community events to be included in Weekend to Weekend. Businesses are invited to send along specials and discounts. Include links! We will publish event listings occurring in & around our coverage area (map) on Thursdays. The inclusion of events and specials is at our discretion.

If you attend an event, we invite you to write a contributor review. Just send it in and we will consider it. Rules: Event is in Rockville; fairly recent; article is your work; you are not offering it for publication elsewhere. Try to keep it under 500 words; we will edit for length. Include a photo if you have one!

POTD: Slip Slidin' Away

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(With apologies to You Know Who.) This remarkable pic is by Rockville Central friend Eric Jensen. It is hard to imagine better weather for a shot like this! Here’s what Eric says: “It felt like summer on Saturday and some Rockville kids took advantage of the warm weather with a backyard sprinkler and Slip n’ Slide.”

Animal Exchange is Best for Pets

Our family has led a barren existence without a pet. One of my sons is allergic to cats and dogs and we never thought beyond either of these choices. Occasionally different pet >ideas were floated by family members with no real consensus. It was time to explore our pet options with an expert, so we visited the Animal Exchange.

Ruth Hanessian has been a knowledgeable shop owner in Rockville for 28 years. Located in the row of stores next to Giant, her shop is filled with everything you could need for a pet. For many years Ruth has been encouraging a cottage industry in local homes to supply her store with birds and small animals. Although Animal Exchange doesn’t sell cats or dogs, it does sell supplies, healthy food, and treats for them.

Even though we have allergies, I thought we might still be able to get a furry friend so we were directed to the back of the store. Although I was glad the mice and rats were in the tanks, the hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and chinchillas looked adorable. My family had been thinking about a rabbit and we found one with dark fur and blue eyes. We each took a turn holding this irresistible pet. However one of my sons was having trouble breathing. Ruth explained about pet allergies. Rabbits can cause asthmatic reactions even if you aren’t allergic to them.

At the Animal Exchange they are not just selling pets, but rather they are matching them to homes with people who want to learn proper pet care and have a good experience as a pet owner. This takes honesty and sound advice. Ruth has both in abundance.

The Animal Exchange specializes in exotic birds and people travel from all over Maryland and beyond to purchase them. The birds form a rainbow of blue, green, yellow, orange, and red as you gaze at cockatiels, parakeets, parrots, and cockatoos. The tiny finches are so quick and delightful. Ruth explained that the parrots, and even the parakeets, can learn to talk. It you get only one and spend time interacting with it, you can have an excellent companion. Someday I would like to have a bird fluttering around making cheerful sounds, but with such a selection it will be difficult to decide on just one.

Even though there were betta fish and hermit crabs, I knew that with two boys it was inevitable that we would wind up with a reptile. During our first visit, they held a bearded dragon while we learned about habitat, feeding, heat lamps, and basic care. Some leopard geckos were soon to arrive and we decided we would come back. This resulted in two more visits filled with enough information to know that we would do a good job of taking care of the new baby gecko, which came home with us on Sunday.

Whenever I put my hand in the tank, he comes over and places his hand onto mine like he’s holding it. He’s so cute and has a permanent smile on his face. I’m not really sure how it happened but I’m terribly fond of the little guy. He seems to have a predilection for me and climbs all the way up my arm into my long hair. Besides some fish, this is my first pet too.

He’s perfect for our family and we have Ruth to thank! Stop by with your questions about pets. She’ll help you find just the right one and teach you how to take the best care of it. Now when someone asks about a pet, I say “Go to the Animal Exchange!”

Constitutional Crisis Averted: Rockville Has Rules

Correcting what appears to be a quarter-century of profligacy, the Mayor and Council have formally approved a set of rules under which to operate, >according to our friend Warren Parish at the Gazette.

The City charter requires each Mayor and Council to “pass rules and by-laws for its own government while in session” — an act that, according to City attorney Paul Glasgow, has not happened until last Monday’s meeting.

The rules govern such mundane matters as how many votes are required for passage of motions — in this case, it is a majority of the Mayor and Council (three votes) and not simply more “ayes” than “noes.”

If a situation is not explicitly covered in Rockville’s Rules, then Robert’s Rules of Order will govern.

This issue came to a head after a motion by council member Piotr Gajewski failed passage on 2-0 vote with two abstentions and one absence. He looked into whether the vote had been interpreted correctly and discovered the quarter-century omission.

POTD: Bummer.

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You don’t see such things too often in Our Fair City, thank goodness. But I was sorry to see this graffiti on a vehicle in my neighborhood.