POTD: Sunburst

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Now that the rains are gone for a while, this seemed like an apt image. Plus, it has the same kind of cool sunflare as yesterday’s POTD did! Kind of.

In any event, this is one of my favorite Rockville parks, for reasons that will be obvious to all who know me.

Health Clinic Officially Opens In Rockville

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The Reverend Mansfield Kaseman grew weary of burying parishioners at Rockville United Church. Good, hardworking people who didn’t have medical insurance were dying and leaving children behind. His own father died of cancer when he was 39 years old leaving Reverend Kaseman’s mother to raise her children. He was the oldest and remembers living in the parsonage on welfare.

After retiring from Community Ministries of Rockville (CMR), Rev. Kaseman worked to provide healthcare to every uninsured Rockville resident. Yesterday CMR officially dedicated the Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic in his name. Located at 8 West Middle Lane off of North Washington Street, the Clinic helps the most vulnerable in our community, those who are uninsured or underinsured.

Agnes Saenz, CMR Executive Director speaks

The Clinic has been years in the making but coincidentally held its opening ceremony the week after sweeping federal legislation was passed to provide medical coverage for every person in the country. In his opening remarks, Chuck Lee, President of the CMR Board of Directors, said access to healthcare is the right of every individual. He referred to CMR’s clinic as “our two cents” to the federal government as it implements new healthcare reform. Infrastructure will be necessary and the Clinic has the ability to expand. He said, “It’s not just a dream come true. It’s a miracle come true.”

Maryland State Senator Jennie Forehand commented that it was good thing that the State contributed the funds a few years ago because we couldn’t have been able to do it now. She thought the Clinic needed some color so she presented a Maryland flag.

Clinic Director, Francisco Orantes, proudly announced that medical care is now offered to the greater Rockville area Monday through Friday from 9 AM until 5 PM. The Clinic anticipates serving 1,850 patients in 2010. The Clinic also offers referrals for testing/examinations by specialists and for food/clothing in economic emergencies. Dr. Anna Maria Izquierdo the Clinic Medical Director, reported that during the first eight months of operation over 90% of patients surveyed strongly agreed that they received the care wanted and needed. Quite an accomplishment when the national average is 30%. She explained that this endeavor is not about a building but rather it’s about an attempt to bring care to patients the right way.

Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio has been impressed with Mansfield Kaseman since meeting him years ago. She described him as a man who “had a mission and fulfilled it.” Then added “To anyone who can do it, bravo!”

With the timing of federal health care reform, John Colmers, Secretary of the Maryland Health and Mental Hygiene, sees the Clinic as bricks and mortar. With the opening of the Clinic, CMR will “have the infrastructure and workplace to provide critical care.” He quoted Governor O’Malley that there is “No such thing as a spare Marylander.” We need to keep everyone healthy and we need clinics like this to do it.

Pedro Gutierrez, a patient at the Clinic and resident of Twinbrook, told everyone about his family’s situation and how CMR has helped. Since he owns his own small business, he cannot afford insurance. Suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, the clinic has helped. He’s also benefited from the Obesity and Nutritional Class and joked that he has lost some weight. His wife suffers from asthma and has been helped at the Clinic. She also received assistance in getting a mammogram when she found an unidentified bump which turned out to be benign.

County Councilmember Nancy Floreen, County Executive Ike Leggett with Agnes Saenz and Rev. Mansfield Kaseman

The Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic is a low cost clinic, not a free clinic. Services are provided on a sliding scale based on the federal level of poverty. In addition to basic medical services by doctors and nurse practitioners, they offer classes as part of a health care education initiative for better living. Mental health services will be available starting in July.

As it may be years before every American has medical insurance, it’s good to know the Clinic is open for business and ready to provide health care in our City. As Rev. Kaseman said in his remarks about having a facility named after him “Perhaps best of all. Here I am alive!” The Clinic will work to insure many others with medical emergencies can say the same.

POTD: Rocket

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Here’s a cool shot by Rockville Central editor Cindy Cotte Griffiths of the Richard Montgomery rocket. See how the sunflare makes it look like it is taking off!

POTD: Snowdrop

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I realized with a sinking feeling that I forgot to post a POTD on Friday. I believe this is the first time since I started them in June 2007 that I have done that. I hope it did not rock your world too much.

To make it up to you, today’s photo is particularly gorgeous. It is by Julia Defino Leiby. Thanks to her mom Theresa Defino for sharing it!

Super Fresh Pulls Out Of Rockville Town Square

Confirming what some have suspected for some time, the grocery chain A&P announced that they will not be opening a “Super Fresh” grocery store in the space they had leased at Rockville Town Square. A&P had signed a 20-year lease for the space but it had lain dormant since being built. On many occasions (for instance, at the Town Center Action Team Summit last year), community members and others asked whether Super Fresh was a “go,” only to be told that things were progressing and all seemed well. Still, many expressed skepticism that they would see the high-end grocery store open at the corner of Beall Ave. and N. Washington St., and they have been proven correct.The City issued a press release on the subject late this afternoon which appears below in its entirety:>

The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Inc., (A&P) of Montvale, N.J., announced today that a Super Fresh grocery store will not open in Rockville Town Square, as previously planned.

“We’ve been waiting for quite some time for the Super Fresh to open,” said Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio. “While this is disappointing news, we at last know the situation and can now move forward.”

In 2007, the A&P signed a 20-year lease to open a Super Fresh store in Town Square. Since the lease was signed, City officials and Federal Realty have worked closely with A&P with a goal of a timely and successful opening.

“Federal Realty is disappointed with A&P’s decision to not open Super Fresh at Rockville Town Square,” said Robin McBride, vice president, Mid Atlantic region chief operating officer for Federal Realty. “We have worked with A&P for five years to help them plan, design and permit their store. We are actively looking for a replacement tenant for the space that will enhance the existing merchandising mix and consumer experience at the property.”

“Everyone recognizes the importance of this site,” said Scott Ullery, City Manager. “Town Square has done very well in a difficult economy, and a new tenant in this site can only add to its success. We are excited by the possibilities.”

Let’s see this as an opportunity to move forward. What kind of shop do you think ought to be there? Do we need a grocery store? Or maybe a destination anchor store? How about a Gap or a Barnes and Noble? Something else?

Let us know in the comments!

Lunching In The DMV: Giuseppi's

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Photo by Dskco

Dskco visited a Rockville stronghold, the meeting place for local candidates and a stalwart of the community, so I was curious to read her review of Guiseppi’s. This is where my family gets our pizza on Friday nights. It’s the place to meet for lunch. As a newcomer, what did she think?

Dinner and a movie is such a relaxing way to start off a weekend. The bf and I went to see Alice in Wonderland 3D at Regal in Rockville Town Square, and had dinner at this pizza place called Giuseppi’s a few doors down. We wanted something fast and affordable. There is free parking a few blocks away and garage parking. The closest metro stop is Rockville on the red line.

She agreed this family-run and affordable Italian place will leave you with “no complaints”, especially their ‘Dinner and a Movie’ package: “for each $5 purchase, get a movie ticket for $6.50″.

Last year friends wanted dinner and a movie at Regal and they were surprised by all the special deals on East Montgomery Avenue. People still don’t know about the restaurant/Regal combos which make for a great local nights out.

Lunching in the DMV is a local Rockville blog reviewing restaurants throughout the metro DC area. Whenever she writes about a restaurant in Rockville, we post a link to her article. She stops by all those places you wonder about to let you know whether you should. We’re happy to share her experiences with our readers.

County Council Approves White Flint Plan

It’s just a hair south of the border for us, but it’s a big enough proposal that we thought it would be worthwhile to report on this development: On Tuesday night, the Montgomery County Council approved a proposal to remake the White Flint area into a mixed-use district that will rival Tyson’s Corner in size. >The Washington Post has a great piece that goes into the details here:

Montgomery’s plans for the 430 acres, now a jumble of strip shopping centers and car dealerships, are part of a national movement to re-engineer older neighborhoods built around America’s love affair with the car. The White Flint project, which could span 20 years or more, would be among the largest redevelopments of post-World War II suburbia in the Washington region. It is aimed at bringing smarter growth to a county with little undeveloped land seeking ways to accommodate a growing population already nearing 1 million, larger than the District.

The White Flint plan is built on novel thinking. Planners and developers think they can persuade at least half of the estimated 50,000 people who eventually would work in White Flint to stop relying on cars. The area, in a section of suburban Montgomery that developers call North Bethesda, is already served by Metrorail and is slated for a new MARC rail station. Eventually, it is to have its own civic green, circulator bus system, bike paths and walkways connecting communities and commercial centers.

Will people give up their cars to the extent the plan requires? That remains to be seen (I typically doubt such rosy speculation, but maybe that’s just because as a Detroit boy I love my car and you will have to pry the keys from my cold, dead hands).

Regardless, this is certainly a milestone in the development and growth of Montgomery County. Effects of this plan will be felt all up and down the Pike, including in Our Fair City.

POTD: I'm Still Here To Creep You Out

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I was so excited to be driving along and find this reminder of last October! I thought it was very cool.

Which Neighborhood Is Leading The 2010 Census Participation Rate?

So far the Rockville neighborhood with the highest rate is … Woodley Gardens!Today the national rate is 20% and I’m so pleased to look at the >interactive 2010 Census Map and see that all of Rockville is above the national average. Woodley Gardens is leading with a big 39%.

Have you filled out and returned your 2010 Census Questionaire yet? I did. It took about 5 minutes to carefully read everything and provide the information for my family of four.

Thanks to this wonderful piece by Temperance Blalock, I thought about future generations researching the Cotte and Griffiths families when I filled out the information. Remember the Census is completely confidential! The Census Bureau is not permitted to share your information with anyone, but after 72 years the data is released.

As it states in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States, the Census is required by law:

The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct.

If you have any questions, visit the Census site.

We all have to return our Census forms by April 1st. I hope to look at the interactive map and see that every neighborhood in Rockville is at a 100% participation rate. Census workers will come to your door if you don’t return it. Save everyone the time and money and do it today!

POTD: Beep. Beep. Beep.

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With the cloudy sky yesterday, I thought this radio tower looked all weird and cool.

It's Budget Time

It’s budget time! This is everybody’s favorite season.Last night, City Manager >Scott Ullery presented a draft budget to the Mayor and Council. It’s available here. The Mayor and Council will hold two hearings and four worksessions (and perhaps one more worksession or hearing) before voting on a final budget Monday, May 24.

Here’s what the City has to say:

Rockville City Manager Scott Ullery presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2011 budget to the Mayor and Council on Monday, March 22.

The total operating budget of $102.3 million is an increase of 0.4 percent from fiscal 2010. The General Fund, which supports the largest portion of the operating budget and covers the cost of every day government activities such as public safety, parks and streets, is $62.5 million, which is an increase of 0.7 percent.

The total Capital Improvements Program (CIP) is $65.4 million and supports 58 projects.

Fiscal Year 2011 begins July 1, 2010. The budget is available online at www.rockvillemd.gov/budget, as well as at City Hall and Rockville and Twinbrook libraries. The expected adoption date for the FY11 budget is May 24.

The Mayor and Council will hold four work sessions and two public hearings, and have set aside a date for an additional work session and hearing if it is needed, to consider the proposed budget.

The FY11 budget is based on maintaining the current real property tax rate of 29.2 cents per every $100 of assessed value for commercial and residential properties, and a personal property tax rate of 80.5 cents per $100 of assessed value for commercial properties.

In order to present a balanced budget without laying off employees or reducing programs or services, the city manager recommended an approach that uses $1.3 million from the City’s excess reserves. The City maintains a 15 percent reserve and is currently holding $2.6 million above the 15 percent.

The FY11 proposed budget includes new revenue from increased administrative charges to the City’s user-supported enterprise and special revenue funds. The administrative charges will increase over a three-year period until each fund pays for its total share of administrative overhead, thereby eliminating the general taxpayer subsidy to these funds.

Public hearings on the proposed budget will be held April 12 and 26. Work session will be held April 19 and 27, and May 3 and 4. A work session and/or public hearing will be held May 10 if it is needed. All public hearings and work sessions will be held at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave.

POTD: Bow

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The other day, while it was sunny (remember?), I spotted this ribbon tied to a truck liner int he Metro parking line. I thought it looked pretty.

Claire Funkhouser Named Clerk Of The Year

One of my absolute favorite people in Rockville government, City Clerk >Claire Funkhouser, has been honored as Clerk Of The Year by the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association. (Here are the previous winners.) Here’s the release from Our Fair City:

Rockville City Clerk Claire Funkhouser was recently honored by the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association with the Clerk of the Year award.

The award, which will be given in June at the Maryland Municipal League annual conference, honors city clerks who have demonstrated extraordinary individual job performance, commitment to professional development and to community involvement and positive on-the-job attitude, and who have brought innovative ideas to the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association, which is a department of the Maryland Municipal League.

“Mrs. Funkhouser brings a quiet, steady calm to a daily routine of stressful events,” Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio wrote in her nomination form for the honor. “She is the poster woman for Municipal Clerks representing the best a city can have taking care of business.”

Marcuccio outlined Funkhouser’s work in developing and implementing an electronic agenda (eGenda) and dedication to her role as City Clerk and as a City of Rockville employee. Marcuccio also pointed to Funkhouser’s volunteer commitment to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and raise public awareness on disability issues.

Funkhouser has served as City Clerk for the City of Rockville for the past 11 years. The city clerk provides administrative and clerical staff support for the Mayor and Council, administers the City election and maintains up-to-date records for the City. Funkhouser will retire Aug. 5 from her post at City Clerk.

The Maryland Municipal Clerks Association is affiliated with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, which certifies municipal clerks in municipalities throughout the world. Funkhouser has been certified since 2002.

Hillcrest Labs Creates Browser For TV

One of my favorite local companies, >Hillcrest Labs (maker of the Loop in-air mouse) have released a very cool new product: a browser suitable for your TV. More and more people are connecting their computers to their TV (modern video streaming is better and better, and the experience is as good or better than regular TV). The new Hillcrest browser, called Kylo, is designed especially for the TV screen and works seamlessly with The Loop.

Kylo by Hillcrest Labs

Here’s a nice review at Engadget.

Here’s what Hillcrest has to say about their new product:

Today . . . Hillcrest Labs launched the Kylo(TM) browser — a new Web browser for TV. Developed for the millions of households that connect their PCs or Macs to the TV, Kylo lets users visit any site on the Web with a browser that was specifically designed to be viewed from a distance in the family room, living room, or dorm room.

The Kylo browser is not meant to replace traditional browsers such as Internet Explorer(R), Safari(R), or Firefox(R) for use with standard computer display screens, but instead is for use on a television connected to a computer. Unlike other applications or Web sites, Kylo is not a “walled garden” of aggregated video content, but rather a true Web browser that lets users go where they want across the Internet.

“No matter how hard they try, no single set-top-box manufacturer, specialized TV widget developer, or content aggregator can match the volume of online viewing choices available on a computer,” said Dan Simpkins, founder and CEO of Hillcrest Labs. “For this reason, many consumers are simply using their new HDTVs as an alternative display for their PCs or Macs. So, we’ve developed Kylo as a free and simple TV browser that enables them to visit any site on the Web, and makes the entire experience more enjoyable.”

Sadly, shortly after Kylo was launched, online video company Hulu blocked access (they do that . . . just ask Boxee) but Hillcrest says it is working on a fix.

POTD: Yellow

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Ahhh, Spring daffodils!