POTD: Happy Thanksgiving

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Wherever you may travel, with whom, or not at all . . . please have a safe and joyous season of thanks. We’ll see you on Monday!

"Buy Rockville" Campaign Begins Nov. 26: No Parking Fees Thanksgiving Weekend

>This just in from Rockville Economic Development, Inc.:

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) announces its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and City government to launch a “Buy Rockville” campaign. The goal is to build support for local retailers and restaurants during the holiday season and provide Rockville citizens an opportunity to connect with businesses in their neighborhoods. The campaign is in direct response to the current economic condition and challenges facing Rockville families and businesses.

“During difficult times it is an American tradition to band together to help each other for the greater good of all,” said Mayor Susan Hoffmann. “We know every dollar spent locally will turn hands 6 to 8 times – from retail to residents, storefronts to schools. This has a direct and profound effect on Rockville’s economy, our residents, and the community at large.”

With Rockville store owners facing increased competition from online sales and other shopping locales, the Buy Rockville campaign connects the community with local retailers and restaurants and provides it with a mechanism to support them. Key campaign priorities include: the formation of a coalition of community and business stakeholders; development of a “BuyRockville.org” web portal in conjunction with RockvilleLiving.com; ongoing public relations; targeted placement of posters and distribution of information flyers; and grassroots outreach.

“In keeping with our mission as the economic development arm of the City, we are proud to partner with the Mayor and Council and the Chamber of Commerce on this important initiative,” said Sally Sternbach, Executive Director of REDI. “In these challenging times, it’s important that we work together to support those who actively contribute to Rockville’s growth, diversity and quality of life.”

Following a formal “Buy Rockville Day” proclamation issued on November 24th, the Mayor and Council announced suspension of garage and street parking fees from Thursday, November 27th through Sunday, November 30th.

“This City is pleased to provide resources and relief to our citizens,” said Mayor Hoffmann. “We hope residents will take advantage of such programs to support Rockville’s retailers and restaurants.”

Throughout the holiday season, REDI, the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Hoffmann, and the City Council will be providing additional details on the campaign. Local businesses are encouraged to visit www.RockvilleLiving.com and add their company profiles, as this database will be used to support the overall outreach campaign.

POTD: Be Afraid!

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While I was on a Cub Scout hike and later raking leaves over the weekend, I got to thinking about the Blair Witch Project . . . which this cute scarecrow does not remind me of.

POTD: Yip! Yip!

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These cute guys would not stop barking at me the other morning, so I thought I would reward them with a little fame. . . .

David Gelin Talks BBQ Joints

>BB-Q, Bar-B-Que, Barbecue, or B-B-Que. No matter how you like to spell it, mosey on over to the Rockville Library this Saturday, November 28 29, 2008 at 3 PM to find out all about it.

Rockville native son, David Gelin, will be serving up a lively sample of his book, BBQ JOINTS: Stories and Secret Recipes from the Barbeque Belt. After graduating from Richard Montgomery High School, he headed down south to Emory University and never looked back. Many of you may know him as the son of Jacque and Margaret Gelin.

After an extensive journey in search of the best barbeque, David pulls together a book that goes beyond a travel guide or restaurant listing. You won’t forget the life stories and contemplative gazes of the folks from these hole-in-the-wall or out-of-the-way joints. Lately I’ve grown restless with fictional, made-up stories and seek appealing, true-life narratives so maybe that’s why I read the book cover to cover even though I have no plans to visit these states in the near future. The passionate people who serve up their renowned barbeque make your acquaintance on every page.

The photographs from the book were shown as an exhibit at the University of South Carolina in Columbia but David explains, “I can’t begin to tell you how many places I have been to that were everything I could ever hope for in a picture, and I could just tell that there was a gem of a story behind the place. But I couldn’t be true to you if I steered you to a place where the food is just mediocre.”

David dishes up a comprehensive list of what should not be at a barbeque joint. Keep driving if you see a costumed animal waving. Don’t eat it if it’s drenched in barbeque sauce. Avoid chains at all costs. To find out what makes a place a good bet, you’ll just have to buy the book. You’ll also find some fine recipes on how to grill corn-on-the-cob, make slaw, fry tilapia, boil peanuts, bake Elvis’s pound cake, or even cook coon burgers.

If you are planning a trip to the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, or Texas and walk into one of these joints with knowledge of David’s work, rumor has it that you get the royal treatment. I feel like I’ve already had a whirlwind trip down South.

Any of my family still wallowing around my house after the Thanksgiving excess will come with me to the Rockville Library. Perhaps by Saturday we’ll be able to think about food again because this book will make a great holiday present.

POTD: In The Bubble

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Very cool photo by Julia Defino Leiby. Her mother, Theresa Defino, says it is “a self-portrait inside a bubble, where you can see not only her but also our house.”

You Can Still Listen To Rockville Central Radio On Sustainability

In case you could not tune in today, you can still listen to today’s very special edition of >Rockville Central Radio. You can listen to the show here.

We focused on sustainability and the environment and had a bevy of guests: Council Member John Britton (who recently wrote a piece on reducing greenhouse emissions), Council Member Phyllis Marcuccio, Ruth Hanessian of the Animal Exchange, bicycle advocate (and alternative energy proponent) Carl Henn, solar conversion expert Herb Winkler, and more!

Plus, we had so many callers that we sort of blew out the switchboard, which has not happened before. All in all, it was very rock and roll.

We’re taking Thanksgiving off and will return to the airwaves on Friday, December 5. Just go here to listen at noon on the 5th!

POTD: All In A Row

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I don’t know why, but whenever I see orange cones all lined up, I am fascinated by them. I think it is their orangey-ness. Here are some good ones!

Gajewski Town Hall Meeting Features Calm Debate

This evening I attended Council Member >Piotr Gajewski’s quarterly town hall meeting at City Hall. Like the inaugural such meeting (back in February), which I attended and found to be “civil and frank,” this one had much to recommend it.

I am glad Council Member Gajewski holds these informal meetings, as it allows people a chance to be heard and to ask questions. While the attendance ebbs and flows and there are certainly a few of the “usual suspects,” there were people there who spoke up who were definitely not accustomed to stepping forward. This was a way “in” to civic life for them.

Topics covered in the meeting — these were primarily brought up by attendees themselves — included the Twinbroook Neighborhood Plan, the city’s rezoning effort, parking fees in Town Square, overall philosophical approach to budgeting and expenses, and the new task force to look at possible term limits for boards and commissions. (There were others; these were just a few.)

On that last point, Council Member Gajewski sounded skeptical: “We appoint something like 160 members of boards and commissions overall. Annually we probably appoint 30, 40 or 50. That is a big task. . . . It is in the Mayor’s court to recruit good people and put them forward and get the Council members to come forward.”

He also made a point that I had not heard before: the City Charter gives the mayor the power to appoint members of boards and commissions, with the approval of the Council. So, in order to institute actual, enforceable term limits, it would take an amendment of the City Charter. I am not an expert on such things, so I can’t speak to whether there are ways around that. I do know that the question of how best to recruit and appoint citizens to serve on commissions for the City is worthy of discussion.

Some attendees brought up various aspects of planning — especially as it relates to Twinbrook. Gajewski said that, in general, the City has not necessarily done a good job of managing the process of developing such plans (like the new zoning ordinance). His preference would be for City staff to gather input and write the first draft of most planning documents: “I would have liked staff to take input and take a first crack at it, then the planning commission, then when it arrives at the Mayor and Council’s doorstep there are maybe three policy issues to be decided.”

As many Rockville Central readers know, the Mayor and Council are right now considering the 2010 city budget. “We are heading into a conservative budget,” Gajewski said. “The good news is, we won’t raise taxes. The bad news is, we won’t lower the tax rate.” He went on: “We need to be very careful of expenses. . . My pet peeve is that we don’t charge enough money for some of our services. And in some cases we are in a business we do not need to be in.” Gajewski offered the example of youth soccer, which is also offered by other organizations, “who do fine.”

Near the end of the meeting, Gajewski turned the tables on the group and asked us a question. “I am not sure where I come down on this,” he began. There is a proposal to allow a zoning exception to Marlo furniture so as to allow them to have a self-storage business in their now-empty warehouse. There are good arguments for and against (recounted well in this Gazette article). On the one hand, times are hard and this move could help keep the business afloat. On the other hand, we are spending a great deal of energy developing a plan for Rockville Pike, and this is arguably the most important intersection in the City along that street. Self-storage is not now allowed in the zoning, nor is it contemplated to be in the new zoning law – would it really be the right thing to allow this use?

The give-and-take that followed was a joy to see for a civic geek like me. People weighed the options and thought the issue through. We didn’t take a vote or anything, so I won’t speak for the people present as to whether they changed their minds or not. It was just enough, for me, to see people engaging with one another so earnestly, and to see an office holder wrestling with a tough issue along with them.

The subjects moved on and later, as the meeting drew to a close, attendee Mark Pierzchala capped the evening with what I thought was a fine idea, if some of the finer points can be worked out. “We are looking for ways to bring more people to Town Square,” he said. “What about an ice skating rink?”

Bring back an ice rink. I think that could be a cool idea.

Rockville Central Radio To Focus On Sustainability And Environment

We have a special show lined up for tomorrow’s edition of >Rockville Central Radio! As always, we go live at noon on Friday. (And if you miss it, you can always listen to the podcast by following the above link.)

This week’s show is going to focus on sustainability and the environment. We’ll have guests on who will talk not only about policy but also about their in-the-trenches experiences in converting to solar, using alternative transportation, and more. Council Member John Britton (who recently wrote a piece on reducing greenhouse emissions), bicycle advocate (and alternative energy proponent) Carl Henn, and solar conversion expert Herb Winkler are just a few of the people who will be on. We hope to have a few surprise guests too.

How to listen? Oh, it’s so easy. Just go here on your computer. Or, feel free to just call into our listener line at 646-200-3332. While you’re on the phone, you can hear the whole show. AND . . . you can ask questions too.

In fact, we encourage it. So call in at 646-200-3332!

Just go here to listen on Friday at noon.

Events In Rockville 11/20/08-11/30/08

>Pick of the Week

Washington Balalaika Society 20th Anniversary Concert
Friday, November 21, 2008 at 8 PM

F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre Tickets only from the box office. $20 for adults, $18 for seniors & students, children 11 and under are free with an adult.

The finest in Russian and Ukranian folk music and light classics on balalaika, domra and bayan conducted by Svetlana Nikonova. Float away on the music for an escape to a far away land.

Picture from the WBS website.

Events in Rockville

This community event listing is a partnership between Rockville Central and Helen Triolo’s Rockville Living. The main source of the listings is Helen’s database of events.

If you would like your community event to be listed, you must submit your request through Rockville Living using this form. Your event will be considered for publication in Rockville Central’s events listing and Rockville Living’s Calendar. We need your help collecting and posting events — that is how this resource will get better and better. Please become a regular contributor by requesting a username so that you can enter the information directly to the database. We publish event listings occurring in & around our coverage area (map) on Thursdays. The inclusion of events is at our discretion.

Thursday, November 20

10:00 am-1:00 pm Workshop: To Stay or To Go at Women’s Counseling and Career Center Explore your options and goals in choosing to remain or leave a difficult personal relationship. Learn decision making strategies that will help you to reach a positive outcome. more info

10:00 am Conversation Club at Twinbrook Library Join us for a weekly session of informal English conversation practice. New members are welcome, no need to register. more info

10:15 am Preschool Storytime at Rockville Public Library Stories, music, and action activities for ages 3 1/2 to 6. Repeated at 1:30. more info

1:30 pm Preschool Storytime at Rockville Public Library Stories, music, and action activities for ages 3 1/2 to 6. Repeat of 10:15 program. more info

6:00 pm African American Book Discussion Group at Rockville Public Library The African American Book Discussion Group of Rockville Library will meet in Meeting Room One, on the first floor, to vote on the 2009 Reading List. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate. For additional information, contact Dianne Betsey at 240-777-0078. more info

6:00 pm Spanish Conversation Club at Rockville Public Library Practice and improve your Spanish through conversation. Every Thursday, 6:00-7:30. more info

7:30 pm James Weaver, baritone and Joanne Kong, piano at Strathmore For its scale, dramatic power, and musical unity, Franz Schubert’s mythic Winterreise holds pride of place in the canon of literary song cycles. Baritone James Weaver, much sought-after for his performances of lieder, and period pianist Joanne Kong recreate the atmosphere of a 19th century salon with this beautiful performance.A Gerald M. Woofter Memorial Concert more info

8:00 pm Council Member Gajewski Town Hall Meeting at Rockville City Hall more info

Friday, November 21

10:00 am Searching for Health Information on the Internet at Rockville Public Library For computer beginners, this free eight-session class will teach basic computer skills and how to search the internet, with a focus on health topics. Register for the eight-session class by calling 240-777-0001. Classes will be held in the PC Lab on the second floor. more info

10:00 am English Conversation Club at Rockville Public Library The English Conversation Club, for new speakers of English, meets every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m.(in meeting room #1 on Tuesday and meeting room #2 on Friday) of the Rockville Library. No registration is required. more info

10:15 am Cuddle ups for pre-walkers at Rockville Public Library Stories, songs, and rhymes for ages 0-12 months, with an adult. more info

7:30 pm The Man Who Came To Dinner at Richard Montgomery High School Exotic animals, a pretty assistant, a handsome reporter, an axe murderer, an egotistical man, and a family held hostage. Put them all together and what do you have?THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER. The madcap play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart is being produced by the Richard Montgomery Blackmaskers.

8:00 pm Washington Balalaika Society 20th Anniversary Concert at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater The finest in Russian and Ukranian folk music and light classics will be conducted by Svetlana Nikonova with virtuoso soloists on balalaika, domra and bayan more info

Saturday, November 22

7:00 am Birdwalk at Bombay Hook at Wild Bird Center Our next birdwalk is Saturday November 22nd - Bombay Hook. Free, no experience necessary. Meet at the Rockville Wild Bird Center store at 7:00 AM. If you go on your own the night before, meet at the Bombay Hook Visitors Center at 9:30 AM. more info

9:00 am-1:00 pm Farmers Market at Farmers Market/Jury Parking Lot This is the last weekend of the farmers market — make your Thanksgiving a fresh one with apples, baked goods, fresh meat and eggs, squash, onions, greens, and greenhouse-grown flowers from the market. more info

10:15 am Storytime for 2′s and 3′s at Rockville Public Library Stories and activities for ages 2-3 with an adult. Repeat of program from the previous Friday. more info

11:00 am Family Storytime at Twinbrook Library Join us for a storytime designed for families with young children. All ages welcome. more info

11:00 am Montgomery Scholars Honors Program Information Session at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus Prospective High School Juniors, Seniors, and Parents Invited to Attend. The session will be held in the Performing Arts Center at the Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville. At the session, current Scholars will share information about their experiences in the program at Montgomery College and at the University of Cambridge. In addition, the session will highlight the many paths Scholars have embarked upon over the past 10 years, including transfer success at competitive four-year colleges and universities, and graduate studies. The program’s emphasis on global studies and social responsibility is also reflected in many of the students’ service at home and abroad, including the Peace Corps, Doctors Without Borders and Teach for America. The Montgomery Scholars program strives to recruit an academically talented and highly diverse community of students, who reflect the rich diversity of backgrounds within the Montgomery County population. The program is currently accepting applications for its fall 2009 class. The application deadline is January 23, 2009. Montgomery Scholars is a rigorous honors program for a select group of 25 recent high school graduates. Created in 1999, the program’s students participate in a learning community that provides a supportive and engaging academic environment. The program features interdisciplinary, team-taught courses and research in the humanities, in addition to extracurricular learning opportunities and trips, including the summer study abroad at the University of Cambridge.Please contact Dr. Mary Furgol at or 240-567-7285 or Maria Davidson at 240-567-5039 for more information. Visit http://www.rockvilleliving.com/thingstodo/%22http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/admissions/MCScholars/%22 for more information on the Scholars program.Montgomery College is a public, open admissions community college with campuses in Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, plus workforce development/continuing education centers and off-site programs throughout Montgomery County, Md. The College serves nearly 60,000 students a year, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 100 areas of study. more info

12:00 pm-4:00 pm Futsal Fun Day at Carver Educational Services Center Try out this fast paced game of soccer skills with a clinic, demonstration and some 5 vs 5 team play. Register as a team or an individual. Futsal demonstration provided by FC Rockville. Refreshments, Moon Bounce and entertainment throughout the day. $5 registration fee due by November 14. Sponsored by FC Rockville and Rockville Sportsplex. Hosted by the City of Rockville Recreation and Parks. Call 240-314-8620 for more information. more info

2:00 pm Washington National Opera at Rockville Public Library Washington National Opera presents a workshop for children ages 4-10 on the opera “Madama Butterfly”. Hands-on activities. To register, call the library at 240-777-0140. more info

2:00 pm-3:30 pm Holiday Cards at Croyden Creek Nature Center ‘Tis the season for handmade cards! Learn some card making techniques and make three different cards to take home. Register by 11/19. Ages 13+. more info

[Addition!] 3 PM Hometown author, David Gelin, at the Rockville Library. This graduate of Richard Montgomery High School and son of Jacques & Margaret Gelin speaks about his book “BBQ JOINTS: Stories and Secret Recipes from the Barbeque Belt”. Find out what a real BBQ Joint should be and what makes all these special.

4:30 pm-6:00 pm Free Zumba Event at FemFit Women’s Health Club Dance, Get Fit, Feel Great!Please join us to have tons of fun!!! The Zumba Party is a special event, design to show every new dance move and perform them together as a group, includes different types of prizes too. You’ll be able to participate in a raffle to win our classes for free, Zumba CDs and DVDs. This event is open to members and non-members of FemFit. Feel free to bring your friends to this party. All levels and newbies are welcome!We will have beverage and snacks for all our Zumba lovers. For more information please emails us at [email protected] or call Veronica or Marilin at 703-220-2322 or
301-318-0343 more info

7:30 pm The Man Who Came To Dinner at Richard Montgomery High School Exotic animals, a pretty assistant, a handsome reporter, an axe murderer, an egotistical man, and a family held hostage. Put them all together and what do you have?THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER. The madcap play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart is being produced by the Richard Montgomery Blackmaskers.

8:00 pm National Philharmonic Choral Masterworks: Carmina Burana at Strathmore The seductive and irresistible driving rhythms of Orff’s Carmina Burana have made it one of the most celebrated choral works of the 20th century. The program will also include Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms. With soprano Audrey Luna, tenor Robert Baker and baritone Leon Williams. Kids ages 7-17 are free. Please call the Strathmore Ticket Office directly at (301) 581-5100 to purchase Kids free tickets. A free pre-concert lecture will be offered in the Education Center at 7pm. more info

Sunday, November 23

12:30 pm-2:30 pm PAW Adoption Show at Petsmart PAW (The Partnership for Animal Welfare) will be having an adoption show (dogs only) at the Rockville Petsmart 5154 Nicholson Lane. (301) 770-1343Come to the show and see our rescue dogs. If you are interested in any dog at the show, a PAW volunteer will be there to assist you.You may also call the PAW line at (301) 572-4PAW for show information or visit our web site to see what dogs are available for adoption. more info

3:00 pm Rockville Concert Band Fall Concert at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater more infoMonday, November 246:30 pmConversation Club at Twinbrook Library Join us as we meet to practice our English language in an informal setting. No need to register, new members are welcome. more info

7:00 pm Mayor & Council Meeting with Citizens Forum at Rockville City Hall more info

7:15 pm American Sign Language Practice Club at Rockville Public Library Volunteer coaches will be available to help participants practice sign language. Registration is not required. For more information, contact Library Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community at [email protected] or 240-777-0001. more info

Tuesday, November 25

10:00 am English Conversation Club at Rockville Public Library The English Conversation Club, for new speakers of English, meets every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m.(in meeting room #1 on Tuesday and meeting room #2 on Friday) of the Rockville Library. No registration is required. more info

10:30 am Preschool Storytime Special Musical Sessions at Twinbrook Library Nancy Nuttle from Music Together presents a musical session for preschoolers. We will have two 30 minute sessions at 10:30am and 11:00am. more info

Wednesday, November 26

6:00 pm Crochet Club at Twinbrook Library Join us every Wednesday as we meet to learn and/or practice our crocheting skills. more info

Thursday, November 27 Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Friday, November 28

10:00 am Searching for Health Information on the Internet at Rockville Public Library For computer beginners, this free eight-session class will teach basic computer skills and how to search the internet, with a focus on health topics. Register for the eight-session class by calling 240-777-0001. Classes will be held in the PC Lab on the second floor. more info

10:00 am English Conversation Club at Rockville Public Library The English Conversation Club, for new speakers of English, meets every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m.(in meeting room #1 on Tuesday and meeting room #2 on Friday) of the Rockville Library. No registration is required. more info

Sunday, November 30

8:00 pm Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana - Navidad Flamenca at Strathmore Move over, Drosselmeyer—make room for Tio Augustin! Shoo, sugar plum fairies—enter the flamenco dancers! The story may seem familiar, but the cast of characters is refreshingly new. A large family gathers to eat and drink, to dance and sing, to celebrate Christmas—all while recalling the folkloric fiesta of Flamenco. After its last sold-out Strathmore performance, The Washington Post named this joyous company one of the Top 5 Dance performances of 2007. This performance will also be held at 4:00 PM on the same day. more info

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: Come And Stay A While

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This is the set for the Richard Montgomery High School Black Maskers’ production of The Man Who Came To Dinner — which is excellent. One weekend left! Go see it!

A Glimpse of the Second Graders at the National Philharmonic

Yesterday I was let in on a secret. I found out what goes on when all t>he Montgomery County Public School second graders go on a field trip to hear the National Philharmonic at The Music Center at Strathmore. This week, November 18–20, 2008, the National Philharmonic is presenting an interactive concert twice each day to accommodate more than 10,000 students. Music Director and Conductor, Piotr Gajewski, invited me to this delightful experience which provided a glimpse at his professional life beyond the Rockville City Council.

When the house lights went down, the kids cheered. Maestro Gajewski explained that an “overture” is a piece played at the beginning of a performance. As the music started, I looked out over the crowd in the 1,976-seat concert hall and to my amazement, there was no wiggling. One boy in the back was even conducting along. Maestro explained that he chose the “Overture to Candide” because it was composed by his teacher, Leonard Bernstein. Teachers are important and he was glad that the kids brought their teachers along. The Maestro has a wonderful speaking tone with the children, filled with his enjoyment of the music.

Since it is almost exactly four years since Strathmore opened, the kids sung “Happy Birthday to Strathmore” with an orchestral accompaniment. A large screen above the stage highlights the musicians and instruments. Throughout the performance the children were an enthusiastic audience, clapping at every opportunity so that little bursts of applause peppered the morning.

Although Maestro Gajewski explained that you don’t usually get to stand up and sing with an orchestra, the kids probably left thinking it was an everyday occurrence. My son, a second grader at the performance, had brought home the music to “The Berry Pickers’ Song”, so we sung it together. I had no idea he had memorized the words and motions to perform with the National Philharmonic. The percussion section produced the sounds of smoke and steam from the “Little Train of Caipira”. The woodwinds sounded the train whistle while the horns and trombones brought a cow to life. All the children were on their feet and knew the words. The final note brought giggles from this engaged audience.

Composer Russell Peck, narrated his “The Thrill of the Orchestra”. He teaches all about the instruments, explaining how and why the musicians play. “It is like a listeners dream come true. There are so many magical things they could do.” At one point, the drums demonstrated their power and had the audience ducking. The brass musicians made a nasty sound with their mouthpieces but then played a beautiful piece through their instruments. The kids expressed their delight by clapping along to the classical concert without adult constraints. By the end of his piece, Mr. Peck had passed along the thrill of performing.

These second grade performances have recently been expanded to include fifth graders. The “All Kids, All Free, All the Time” program offers children ages 7-17 free admission to all National Philharmonic subscription concerts. The 2008-2009 season will feature 18 concerts at Strathmore, including Sunday matinee performances. With these initiatives, the National Philharmonic strives to make classical music and concert going a part of daily life for young people.

From me, the National Philharmonic gets a standing ovation!

POTD: Persistent

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I have been meaning to feature this lawn decoration for months now, it is just so striking each time I drive by it.

Rockville U Is For U

Since I believe that there is always more to learn, I enrolled in >Rockville University. After being involved with issues throughout the years, I always felt like I’d learned about Rockville the hard way. This class crams everything you could possibly need to know into six weeks.

Our class graduated last Wednesday at a wonderful dinner in Glenview Mansion with City Manager Scott Ullery, Mayor Susan Hoffmann, and Council Members Gajewski and Marcuccio. The class included a long-time resident of more than 40 years along with newcomers of less than a year.

You may not need to know how many street lights stand in Rockville or how many arrests were made for burglary, but the whole Rockville University experience will make you feel more connected. Places, names, and faces will be familiar. When you turn on the tap, you’ll picture exactly where that water has traveled since it left the Potomac River. You’ll know why the police reach out to our community and how inspection services protects you (even when they constantly tell you “no”). When you study the population trends and learn about zoning with the planning department, you’ll picture the Rockville of the future. If you have ever wondered about something in Rockville, you can find out more by enrolling in Rockville University.

Mary Hillstrom, one of my classmates, wrote her final assignment on visiting a Human Services Advisory Commission meeting.

I heard great compassion as the commissioners discussed how to support citizens in need. I was impressed that Rockville provides and supports so many services. Sitting in on this Commission meeting, as well as attending Rockville University, transformed my impression of the city government from a huge anonymous entity to a collection of caring individuals, similar to me. My image of the commission members went from “Commissioners,” with a capital C, to citizens and neighbors – regular everyday people. The city became human-size in my mind. Now I can see myself volunteering for a Rockville commission or joining my neighborhood association or getting involved in some other aspect of Rockville city life. I’m excited. Watch out Rockville, here I come!

For my project I ventured into East Rockville and discovered a treasure trove of history with Phyllis Marcuccio as my guide. Since I am interested in development and history, I compared the West End to East Rockville. Did you know that the modern day sanitation system was first implemented in Rockville? Do you know which building is the oldest standing structure in Rockville?

Rockville University can teach you the ins and outs of our City government. I’m fully loaded with maps, information guides, and the latest facts about Rockville. Personally, I would go to Rockville University every few years just to keep up with the new trends and initiatives.

My thanks to all of our expert city staff who took the time to meet with us in the evenings and weekends at Rockville University.