POTD: Dash Of Red

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Here is a wonderfully apt shot for Christmas Eve with the red, green, and snow. It’s by Rockville Central friend Rotraut Bockstahler. Of it, she says: “Here are some snow covered branches that look awesome. Merry Christmas and a good New Year.”

And with that, we’re going to take a vacation until the New Year! Look to hear from Cindy and Brad again when Rockville Central starts posting again beginning January4, 2010! Happy Holidays!

Buy A Chestnut Lodge Ornament And Celebrate the New Year

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Photo from Peerless Rockville

To commemorate our sesquicentennial next year, Peerless Rockville has launched it’s first ever Peerless Places Commemorative Ornament featuring the internationally famous Chestnut Lodge Building along with Frieda’s Cottage and the Little Lodge. Since fire ravaged and destroyed Chestnut Lodge this past year, it is only fitting to honor our most famous lost historic treasure.

The regular price is $24.95 but if you order in advance before February 15, 2010, it’s $19.95. Ornaments are available for pickup at Peerless Rockville or by mail starting on March 10, 2010. Proceeds will benefit Peerless’ educational programs and preservation work.

Here is the Order Form with more details.

I can’t wait to get mine. Since our honeymoon, we’ve collected ornaments from every trip and family milestone yet we have none from Rockville.

New Year’s Day Party

If you are in a celebratory mood, Peerless Rockville is having their annual New Year’s Day Brunch:

Friday, January 1, 2010
11 AM -2 PM
Historic Glenview Mansion, 603 Edmonston Drive
Peerless members $10; non-members $15

From the Peerless Rockville invitation:

Begin the New Year with Peerless Rockville as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the City of Rockville. Guests will enjoy a buffet brunch, music, raffle prizes, and a special program at 1 PM. Peerless encourages guests to wear historic attire or an heirloom. Please bring a dish or dessert to share.

Sounds like a historic fashion show too!

POTD: Claim The Mountain

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This neat shot is by Rockville Central friend Helen Hillstrom. Of it she says: “The flag was placed at the top of this mountain and claimed for the United States of America.”

East Rockville's Winter Wonderland Holiday Decorating Contest Winners

>Rockville Central friend and all-around amazing person Chas Hausheer passed along his link to a slideshow of the winners of this year’s East Rockville Civic Association “Winter Wonderland Decorating Contest.” These are great homes, and I would love it if other civic associations would follow ERCA’s lead!

Thanks, Chas!

Settlement Reached On Town Square Pavers

>As most Rockville Central readers know, last year included a controversy over improperly installed pavers in Town Square. They had to be dug up and reinstalled. Everyone involved pointed their fingers at one another. (Here’s a recap from June 2008.)

The finger-pointing is behind us now, as a settlement has finally been reached in the competing lawsuits. The civil engineer will pay the City of Rockville $1.4 million.

This from the City’s press release:

The City of Rockville has reached a settlement in its litigation with Macris, Hendricks and Glascock, P.A., related to the failure of paver sections of Maryland Avenue, Gibbs Street and the plaza in Rockville Town Square.

Macris has agreed to pay the City $1.4 million and to dismiss its counterclaim against the City for $100,000 in exchange for dismissal of the City’s lawsuit against Macris and a release by the City of its claims against Macris. The settlement also provides that there is no admission of liability by either the City or Macris.

Macris, Hendricks and Glascock, P.A., contracted with the City to provide the full scope of civil engineering design services for the Town Center project.

In June 2008, after the failure of paver sections of Maryland Avenue, Gibbs Street and Town Square plaza, the City filed a lawsuit against Macris in Montgomery County Circuit Court, alleging that Macris had breached its contract with the City and its duty of care to the City in connection with the design of the roads and plaza that ultimately led to the failure of the pavers in Town Center.

Yes You Need To Shovel The Sidewalk

Now that the >Blizzard of 2009 has past, and the snowplows have done their thing, many are wondering whether they really, really, need to shovel their sidewalks — many of which are covered over with plowed goo.

This from the City of Rockville’s inclement weather page:

The City would like to remind you that its snow ordinance requires that snow be removed from sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas for public use (including access ramps and curbs) within 24 hours after a snow fall of three inches or less, and within 48 hours after a snowfall of more than three inches. Clearing paved areas provide a safe, unobstructed, passable path 36 inches wide. Ice must be removed or treated within 24 hours, and surfaces must be treated to prevent re-freezing. Violators may be fined $100 per occurrence.

So, the answer appears to be yes. Having almost slammed into a number of night-walking pedestrians in my neighborhood, cleared sidewalks are very important for overall safety. So, while it’s a pain to remove all that frozen slush, it’s best for all.

I’ve got an 18″ path cleared on part of a sidewalk in front of my house — I’d better get out there and widen it!

POTD: Night!

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Here’s a shot from Rockville Central friend Frank Anastasi. He took it Saturday night (Blizzard night) and says this about it: “[I]sn’t it neat how grainy it is? I like that odd green-ish coloring in some of the snow. In some ways, the place never looked better. And it was so nice and cozy and cheery inside with all the Christmas stuff and the fireplace going.

The 2010 Census And Jobs In Rockville

On March 17, 2010 approximately 350,000 Census forms will be mailed to Montgomery County households in an effort to count almost one million people. Everyone needs to mail them back for April 1st. You cannot respond online.The >ten simple questions should take less than 10 minutes to answer and we’ll all live with the results for 10 years. This is one of the shortest census forms in history and everyone is getting the exact same form. You will be asked number of people, type of residence, telephone number, names, sex, birth date, and race of residents, and whether anyone sometimes stays elsewhere. That’s it! Short and simple.

All U.S. Census Bureau employees are sworn to confidentiality and cannot share the information with any other agencies. This month the Montgomery County Census office opened in Rockville. Beyond the reception area, the office is restricted to guarantee privacy.

How to Get a Census Job:

The 2010 Census is hiring for temporary positions out of the Rockville office. The positions pay between $14 and $20 per hour. People are needed to work from Spring through Fall 2010. For the most part, Census workers need to count the households which did not return a Census form. The hours are flexible up to 40 per week and mileage is reimbursed for field jobs.

The first step is calling 1-866-861-2010. You’ll be asked for your zip code and directed to the Rockville office phone bank. You’ll then be scheduled for a nearby information session. Applicants then take a basic skills test with simple math and logic questions to prove they will be able to understand addresses. After passing the basic field test, applicants can also apply for supervisor and office positions.

The Rockville office is looking for bi-lingual census workers in many languages. The test is in English so applicants must be able to successfully complete the test in English. There is a Spanish version but applicants must also take an English proficiency exam.

If you know someone fluent in another language, please let them know about the jobs. We need to reach everyone in Montgomery County to have an accurate count. The 2010 Census has done an amazing job of reaching out to leaders and organizations serving every ethnic group in Montgomery County from the Islamic Society to the CASA but the follow up to those who don’t respond is imperative.

Montgomery County has seen a tremendous surge in growth and diversity. The 2010 Census will insure we are not underserved if we can reduce the undercount.

Editorial Opinion by Cindy Cotte Griffiths: Missed Opportunity With The Parking Garages

>Last Friday I did a little Christmas shopping in Rockville Town Square. When I pulled into the parking garage on Rt. 355 by CVS, only 170 spaces were left. (Here’s a picture of me fooling around with the mirrored ceilings in the elevator. Usually when I’m in the garages, I don’t need to go up a few levels to park during the weekdays and since I was all by myself, well, you know.)

The garages seemed well-used and I doubt the drivers of all those vehicles were shopping or eating in the Square. Were commuters taking advantage of the free parking in our City garages through January 3rd instead of parking in the Metro lot?. Even in the cold, I think at least some of these drivers were willing to park and walk over to the Metro to save money because when the garages were first opened and free, they were packed with commuter cars.

During the election season, when the Town Square merchants asked for changes in the parking fees, the mayor and council agreed to a $1 flat fee for evening parking and no charge on weekends. In order to increase revenue, a goal of attracting 200 additional monthly parkers was set and projections were based on a total of 400 monthly parkers.

Everyone agreed that the monthly rate of $65 would have to be advertised. People suggested handing out flyers at the Shady Grove Metro.

• At our monthly rate of $65, people would only have to park 14 days per month at Metro’s $4.75 rate in order to come out even.
• Metro’s monthly rate is $55 to reserve the spot but you must pay $4.75 per day on top of the rate. So, if you parked 20 work days in a month your total would be $150.

Our garages offer quite a savings for commuters.

So I wondered why there hasn’t been more advertising during this free parking season. We, as a City, are giving away the parking and possibly attracting people who are willing to use the City garages for commuting, yet we aren’t taking any actions to convince them to be the monthly customers we so desperately need. These are our best prospects.

Personally, I don’t like the flyers on my windshield but these drivers are parking on our dime so we have every right to bombard them with advertisements. The only sign I noticed was a small plastic tent with “Free Parking”. A few more signs and banners would help the effort.

This is a prime opportunity being lost. In the business world, if you get them in the door, you do everything possible to make the sale. We need to be much more business-like if we are going to pay off our parking garage debt with something other than our tax dollars.

If you know someone who parks in the Metro lots to commute, let them know about the Rockville garage savings, a nice present for the New Year. Parking passes for the City’s 355 Garage P3-P5 levels can be purchased from the garage pay stations.

POTD: Wax

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Here’s a shot from Saturday night, as the blizzard was beginning to wind down but before any melting or clearing had happened. This is a tree in my yard. The snow makes it looks like a candle’s wax melted down over it.

We’ll be having a few more blizzard shots this week, from Rockville Central readers and friends.

Share Your Blizzard Stories Here!

Dear >Rockville Central readers:

As this gets posted, we are in the middle of what appears to be the record-settingest snowfall for December ever in the region. Metro has closed all above-ground stations, RideOn buses are ceasing running in a few hours. It’s an official blizzard out there! We hope that most of you are nestled snug in your homes and taking it easy. Our sympathies to all those who have to go out today, for work or other important things. Stay safe, take it slow, leave room between you and the cars around you. And . . . most important . . . clear off your vehicle fully before hitting the road. Visibility is bad enough without having to peer through a tiny gap in the snow.

But with all the down time can come some reflection, fun times, and good, clear thinking.

We’d like to invite the Rockville Central readership to share any stories you want in the comments section of this post — from a touching moment to a harrowing escape, and everything in between.

I’ll start. I’ve already shoveled twice and I expect to shovel at least twice more before the day is out. I have had two important errands that took me out onto the roads, where I saw numerous people stuck. But right now, I’ve got a really nice fire going and I’m doing something I love: connecting online with my Rockville friends. And, to add to my joy, my son wants to help shovel my dad’s walk later.

How about you? What are you doing? What are you thinking about? Let us know!

SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED IN ROCKVILLE — Begins Friday, Dec. 18 at Midnight

>This from the City of Rockville’s alert service:

Rockville City Manager Scott Ullery declared a snow emergency that will go into effect Friday, Dec. 18, at midnight, giving residents notice that they must move their vehicles off of neighborhood roads where possible or to the designated side of the street to allow Department of Public Works crews to more easily plow snow. The current forecast calls for a significant snow accumulation.

Rockville’s snow emergency plan is geared specifically toward helping clear residential streets. Most jurisdictions that have snow emergency plans apply those plans to major streets. After the City Manager declares a snow emergency, residents are requested to park their cars in available garages or driveways on their properties. When that is not possible, residents are required to park only on sides of the street with even house numbers. Once that lane and the main part of the street are cleared, cars must be moved to the cleared curb (odd-numbered side). Violators may be ticketed or towed. When both sides of the street are cleared, cars can be parked in regular spaces.

Conditions leading to a “snow emergency” are significant, deep snow, or forecast for such conditions.

The “snow emergency” ordinance states:

• • Residents with driveways must park all vehicles there.
  • Residents without driveways, or who have more vehicles than will fit in the driveway, may park on the even-numbered side of the street only.
  • In courts or cul-de-sacs, where house numbers are not even on one side of the street and odd on the other, parking is allowed only on the left side of the streets as one enters the cul-de-sac or court.
  • No parking is allowed in the “bulb” of the cul-de-sac or court.
  • After the snowfall ends and the odd-numbered side of the street is cleared, vehicles must be moved to the odd-numbered side to allow plows to clear the even-numbered side.
  • The City may remove or impound cars improperly parked.
  • A fine of $100 for a “snow emergency” parking violation may be incurred.

For more information about the policy, contact the Public Works Department at 240-314-8566.

In addition to the parking restrictions, residents are reminded of the Snow Ordinance, which requires that snow must be removed from all sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and the paved right-of-way sidewalk immediately fronting or abutting a property. This includes access ramps and curb cuts designed for use by people with disabilities.

Snow and ice removal must occur within 48 hours if it is more than three inches. Call 240-314-8330 for more information.

For more information, go to www.rockvillemd.gov and click on Inclement Weather under Top Stories.

More Specials In Town Square

To add to the shopping special >we posted earlier this week, here’s another to add once all the snow gets shoveled:

Gordon Biersch Rockville
200 A East Middle Ln

Special: Gift Card Special. Buy $50 you get $5 — Buy 100 you get $15 — Buy $500 you get $100

Come in and buy a couple of gift card, and get a couple of free gift card in return as a gift from us!

That sounds great!

POTD: Curl

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Here’s another one from when we had a bit of snow in the ground. I have a thing for ice-covered branches; I loved this image.

Snowstorm Likely This Weekend; Five Inches Possible

>This from Rockville’s weather alert service December 17, 2:10 pm:

Significant Winter Storm likely this weekend with over 5″ of snowfall possible!

The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER STORM WATCH for Montgomery County from Friday Evening through Saturday Evening. A strong low pressure system is developing over the Gulf of Mexico and this system is expected to move through the region Saturday bringing widespread snowfall to the area.

For the snow lovers this is your storm with an all snow event anticipated. Residents should begin Winter Storm preparations which should consider the potential of significant (5+in) snow accumulations within the next 48 hours. Please remain alert for the issuance of additional warnings which will likely be issued within the next 12-18 hrs.

A winter storm watch is issued when there is the potential for significant snowfall and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours.