Pondering the Past at Heritage Days

>At Rockville Central we make a big point of emphasizing our comment policy, so I searched the Montgomery County Historical Society’s exhibit Good Advice during Heritage Days last Sunday for some applicable words of wisdom.

Since we ask readers to be “decent and civil”, an 1894 quote from Manner, Culture and Dress of the Best American Society by Richard Wells entitled Bow of Civility caught my attention.

If there is any one of your acquaintances with whom you have a difference, do not avoid looking at him, unless from the nature of things the quarrel is necessarily for life. It is almost always better to bow with cold civility, though without speaking.

Since we certainly don’t bow anymore in society and we can’t bow through the internet, it’s a bit of a stretch to apply this advice today. However, the exhibit explains that ignoring an enemy is almost as vulgar as the initial insult, so perhaps simply acknowledging the disagreement online without further discussion would be considered appropriate.

In addition to all the etiquette and advice, the Breakfast exhibit passed along interesting tidbits about our morning meal, such as brunch being called a “party” breakfast. Dr. Stonestreet’s Medical Museum was filled with people all afternoon as he explained about his practice from 1853 to 1903 while his mother, Mrs. Stonestreet, kept folks chuckling about keeping cool. Imagine wearing a cabbage leaf under your hat. Even my seven-year-old enjoyed all her recipes and stories.

In general seven-year-olds are not enamored with historical walking tours, so we didn’t complete the “Victorian Homes and Summer Hotels” tour led by Mary van Balgooy, the new Executive Director of Peerless Rockville. The walk down West Montgomery Avenue to Chestnut Lodge described the history of all those exceptional homes and the people who first built them. We could easily picture long-ago Rockville. Next time it’s offered, I’ll complete the tour and I recommend that you do too.

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission was on hand with brochures for self-guided walking tours. You can explore the graves in the Rockville Cemetery. Soon there will be markers installed for the African American Heritage sites tour.

The Good Advice and Breakfast Exhibits are on display at the Beall-Dawson House through September 21, 2008. Tuesday through Sunday, 12 - 4 PM with admission.

POTD: Rock And Roll Over

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(With apologies to Kiss.) The recent storms and wind had a very unfortunate result, as you can see. Luckily, it had not been on the job site very long. I hope no one was inside!

Should You Go To Monday's Mayor And Council Meeting? Yes!

As >Rockville Central readers know, I have long pined for a way to watch meetings of the Mayor and Council on my computer — on my own timetable, rather than tuning in only when they are televised. For folks who are involved in civic activities, Monday night can be a big night and I, for one, often have other things on my mind than moseying on down to City Hall.

So I am delighted to learn that this Monday’s meeting of the Mayor and Council will be the first one that will test out the new “video on demand” service from the Our Fair City! I can watch our city leaders on my own schedule now, and for that I am grateful. I will post the link when I know it (it may be this one, in fact).

But, there’s still a good reason to go to Monday’s meeting! It is the second in a series of two public hearings on the new zoning ordinance. The Mayor and Council are gathering input as they consider revisions to the proposed new rules — and there are definitely issues to be discussed. Rockville Central friend Rich Gottfried is hoping that citizens who have small home-based businesses will come and weigh in, for example. (Rich has had a lot of success advocating — with other residents — for the creation of a new “no impact” home business category).

At the last such hearing, if memory serves, there were five speakers. So there is definitely room for you!

POTD: Extreme!

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This was the scene at Lincoln Park Community Center yesterday, as the crew of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition showed up en masse to renovate the library. (That’s Ty Pennington jumping off the truck; the folks in blue shirts are all local folks).

Some may have seen the article in the Gazette telling of how, on Sunday, Felicia Jackson and the fourteen children in her care (four of hers and ten of her late sister) will move into a brand-new home being built as we speak in Poolesville. But what doesn’t feature as prominently in the story
that as part of the arrangement, the Home Edition folks are improving the LPCC. The kids are fixtures at the community center, and the family is an integral part of the community. This is a wonderful additional aspect to this story.

Classic Homes, the contracting company handling the build, is coordinating a fundraiser to help the Jackson family defray the costs of the mortgage on the the home will sit on. Donations can be made through this page.

Classic has also announced that the Lincoln Park Community Center could use community donations so they can continue to be there for families like the Jacksons. In particular, they say they could use:

• Educational Materials
• Books
• School Supplies
• Back Packs
• Non Perishable Foods for snacks
• Toys
• Sports Equipment
• Games
• Desks
• Chairs
• Furniture

Rockville Central Radio Tomorrow At Noon

Don’t forget to tune into >Rockville Central Radio tomorrow! This will be our last show for a couple of weeks, as vacations and holidays will be pushing us off The Internets.

It’s totally easy to listen. Simply go to this page and turn your computer’s sound on. We hope you will consider calling in and joining the conversation. The number is 646-200-3332. (In fact, you can listen that way, too, if you can’t make it to a computer.)

A note to people who call in but just want to listen: If I unmute your microphone and ask if you have a question, it’s OK just to say “I called in to listen.” No need to feel put on the spot! Sometimes people hang up after I do that — but stick around. We are glad you are listening and value you.

Weekend to Weekend 6/26/08

>Events in Rockville

Thursday, June 26

Guitar Hero Tournament, Rockville Library, 1:30 PM. Not your typical library program for high school and middle school students. Snacks and door prizes too.

Bob Sima, Concert in the Square, Rockville Town Square, 6 PM – 8 PM. **Cindy’s Pick** I’ll be at the concert, so join me if you know me, or come on over and introduce yourself! Bob won the Wildflower Singer-Songwriter contest earlier this year and is a finalist in the 2008 Kerrville Newfolk Competition. He’s a talented man whose lyrics will touch your heart. He was a guest on last week’s Rockville Central Radio show. Join me for an evening of quality music from a local Maryland artist who will be playing songs from his soon-to-be-released CD “Periphery”.

Friday, June 27

Rockville Express vs College Park Bombers, Montgomery College Rockville, Knight’s Field, 5 PM. Free Admission to all Home Games, which are family-friendly with souvenirs and food from O’Brien’s Pit Barbeque.

All Shook Up, Musical Theater Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 7:30 PM. $17.50/adults, $15.50/seniors (60 and older) & students with ID. In case you can’t figure it out … “An exciting musical featuring the music of Elvis Presley”! Dan McDonald, the Director, was a guest on Rockville Central Radio. Have a listen!

Saturday, June 28

Rockville Growers Only Farmers Market, Corner of Monroe Street & Rt. 28, 9 AM – 1 PM. Free parking. Flowers, fruits, vegetables, plants and home-baked goods. Always a good review.

All Shook Up, Musical Theater Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM Show and a 7:30 PM Show. $17.50/adults, $15.50/seniors (60 and older) & students with ID. In case you can’t figure it out … “An exciting musical featuring the music of Elvis Presley”! Dan McDonald, the Director, was a guest on Rockville Central Radio. Have a listen!

Heritage Days, Montgomery County Historical Society, 12 PM – 4 PM. County-wide activities by all the historic organizations. In Rockville visit the Beall-Dawson House, Stonestreet Medical Museum, and the Latvian Museum.

Rockville Express vs. Herndon Braves, Montgomery College Rockville, Knights Field, 5 PM. Free Admission.

Bee Movie, Movies on the Square, Rockville Town Square, 8:30 PM (dusk). Free.

Sunday, June 29

Heritage Days, Montgomery County Historical Society, 12 PM – 4 PM. Free. Sunday is the day for the special Rockville events. Peerless Rockville, the Rockville Historic District Commission, and the Montgomery County Historical Society will offer tours and programs at the Beall-Dawson Historical Park.

All Shook Up, Musical Theater Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM. $17.50/adults, $15.50/seniors (60 and older) & students with ID. In case you can’t figure it out … “An exciting musical featuring the music of Elvis Presley”! Dan McDonald, the Director, was a guest on Rockville Central Radio. Have a listen!

Rockville Express vs. Silver Spring Takoma Park Thunderbolts, Montgomery College Rockville, Knights Field. 3 PM. Doubleheader.

Monday, June 30

Rockville Express vs. Bethesday Big Train, Montgomery College Rockville, Knights Field. 5 PM. Admission to all Home Games, which are family-friendly with souvenirs and food from O’Brien’s Pit Barbeque.

Tuesday, July 1

Book Time with Ronald McDonald, Twinbrook Library, 2 PM. Juggling, songs and music, but I’m going to assume you can’t get fries with that.

Kid’s Day, Rockville Town Square, 6 PM – 8 PM. Free activities for the kids! Mad Science at 6 PM & 7 PM. Rock climbing wall, spin art, face painter & balloon artist. Every Tuesday until July 22nd. Kids eat free at participating restaurants.

Training from the Literacy Council, Rockville Library, 7:30 PM – 9 PM. Learn to be a literacy tutor and teach an adult to read, write, or speak English. Volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups in libraries or community centers. Registration is required. 301-610-0030 or email [email protected].

Wednesday, July 2

Backroads Band, Out to Lunch Wednesdays, East Montgomery Avenue in Rockville Town Center, 12 PM – 1:30 PM. Farmers’ Market and Food. Retro country.

The Reflex, Concerts on the Square, Rockville Town Center, 6 PM – 8 PM. A mid-Atlantic 80’s cover band – Duran Duran, George Michael, Poison and much more.

Thursday, July 3

Storyteller Arianna Ross presents “Nature’s Rhythms”, Rockville Library, 2 PM. Ages 5 & up. You’ll get to hear insect noises made with instruments from around the world.

Ocean Quartett, Concerts in the Square, Rockville Town Square, 6 PM – 8 PM. These women are WAMMIE winners who play traditional Celtic music and award-winning originals, as well as some of the songs from Jennifer Cutting’s British folk-rock band, The New St. George.

Friday, July 4

Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration, Montgomery College Rockville Campus, 7 PM – 10 PM. The fireworks start at 9:30 PM. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs as stadium seating is limited. Parking in the campus parking lots and in the lot at Mannakee St. & Rt. 355. It can take up to one hour to leave these parking lots. Live music including Redline at 7 PM on the campus stage., In the football stadium, the Fugitive Brass Quintet will play at 7 PM and the Rockville Concert Band at 8 PM. No grilling. Food vendors. Recycling is encouraged.

Saturday, July 5

Rockville Growers Only Farmers Market, Corner of Monroe Street & Rt. 28, 9 AM – 1 PM. Free parking. Flowers, fruits, vegetables, plants and home-baked goods. Always a good review.

I Am Legend, Movies on the Square, Rockville Town Square, 8:30 PM (dusk). Free.

Sunday, July 6

Opening Reception: Art Exhibit Korean American Artist Alliance, Glenview Mansion Art Gallery, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM. With the Pendleton Trio playing from 2 PM – 3 PM.

Email Cindy Cotte Griffiths with information for any fun, educational or community events to be included in Weekend to Weekend. Businesses are invited to send along specials and discounts. Please include links to your event and organization. We 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: Idyll

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Isn’t this a pretty scene?

POTD: Stand And Deliver

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(With apologies to Adam And The Ants. As well as to all those who follow the link.) Another in my East Rockville / Lincoln Park series!

Heritage Days are Here

This weekend June 28-29, 2008, Montgomery County celebrates Heritage Days. From Glen Echo to Poolesville experience the >42 sites open to the public, including music, dance, crafts, and food from 12 Noon to 4 PM. Heritage Montgomery says “You don’t have to go away to get away”. Pick a place and find out why. Plan a special brunch or tea and create a day to remember. Montgomery County has so much to offer.

In Rockville on both Saturday and Sunday, the Beall-Dawson House and Stonestreet Medical Museum will be open with their regular tours and exhibits. Learn how to make pills, remove bullets, and use leeches at the Medical Museum. Enjoy the current exhibit, “Good Advice” at the Beall Dawson House, where you can compare your etiquette to 200 years worth of American advice books. I’m thankful we don’t have to wear white gloves anymore! Right now they have added a special exhibit on breakfast (my favorite meal of the day) with this cute “food” from Lilly Bean. Admission is free on both days, 12 Noon – 4 PM.

Also on Saturday and Sunday, the Latvian Museum at 400 Hurley Avenue will have folk arts, crafts and costumes with hands-on activities for all ages. A special traveling photography exhibit “One Day in the Life of Latvia” will be on display along with ceramic and wood carvings.

Sunday is the day for all the special activities in Rockville.

At the Beall-Dawson Historical Park, you can meet “Dr. and Mrs. Stonestreet” who will dispense medical advice and let you know how to keep cool.

At 12:30 PM join Peerless Rockville at the Beall-Dawson House to learn about the Red Brick Courthouse, the Art Deco Bank, and 1970s Brutalism.

At 2:15 PM take a West End Stroll starting at the Beall-Dawson Historical Park to see Victorian homes and summer hotels including the Chestnut Lodge. Round-trip time will be about 50 minutes.

Rockville’s Historic District Commission will also be providing self-guided walking tours and a display on Victorian Summer Resorts and Hotels. This is an opportunity to find out about Rockville’s African American history and the Civil War in our city.

Sunday’s events are “one-stop shopping” to learn all about Rockville’s history. You can even learn why the “Pink Bank” is worth saving.

POTD: Rawr!

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More from my recent trip through East Rockville and Lincoln Park. I love this little statue!

Youth Baseball Tournament Starts Wednesday

And while we’re at it, >Rockville Central friend Nancy Corr dropped me a line to let me know that our own RBBA (Rockville Base Ball Association) July 4th Greater Washington Tournament is set to start on Wednesday at Dogwood Park.

“It’s a cool thing in the old hometown,” says Nancy and I couldn’t agree more.

What with our hometown Rockville Express burning up the collegiate league and RBBA covering baseball for kidsfrom 7 up to 18 — Our Fair City would make Abner Doubleday proud!

RMSC Sending 10 To Olympic Trials On Thursday

[UPDATE: >Alain Menguy sent me the full list. Thanks Alain!]

Word comes to us from Rockville Central friend Lisa Hill that we have some great swimmers headed to Omaha, NE on Thursday for Olympic trials. Our own Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club (RMSC to you locals) has, at last count, ten swimmers who made the cut. Wow!

Here’s my best take on a list — but I could only find seven names. Somebody help me out! (I will update if I get more names):

Here is the full list, courtesy Rockville Central friend Alain Menguy:

• Cara Chuang (Poolesville HS) - 100 Back
• Brady Fox (Georgetown Prep) - 100 Back, 200 Back
• Eric Friedland (Walter Johnson HS) - 100 Breast, 200 Breast
• Colleen Haase (Good Counsel / University of Georgia) - 200 Breast
• Katura Harvey (Richard Montgomery HS / University of NC) - 400 Free
• Adam Meyer (Whitman HS / Naval Academy) - 200 IM
• Mark Meyer (Whitman HS) - 200 Fly
• Sean Stewart (Wooton HS) - 200 Fly
• Matt Harris (?) - 100 Fly
• Josh Hafkin (Georgetown Prep / University of NC) is qualified but he will not be competing in the 2008 Trials meet.

Join us in sending along good wishes for the team!

POTD: Faux

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These nifty little “tulips” could be found on my recent tour of East Rockville and Lincoln Park by city council member Phyllis Marcuccio.

Also, for you geeks out there: This is my first post using my new Linux machine!

Stop Boiling Your Water

As we just mentioned on >Rockville Central Radio (were you listening?):

We’re happy to inform you that WSSC has lifted the “boil water” restrictions on Montgomery County customers outside the Beltway. The situation is over. So, all is back to normal as regards your tap water.

Drink up!

POTD: Mouse

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This neat shot is by Rockville Central reader John Hartranft. Of it, he says: “Someone much more clever than I might make something of this photo of a shadow cast by a parking meter on Maryland Avenue. It was an unexpected visual that I stumbled upon [last] week…reminded me of Mickey Mouse.”

Thanks John!