Mayor Elected To MML Board

>Ruth Hanessian has sent us some breaking news. At the Maryland Municipal League (MML) Annual Conference in Ocean City, Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio was elected as one of their ten board members, a very prestigious position.

Ruth added, “It reflects well on those of us in Rockville who elected her mayor.”

When pre-registration closed, 115 municipalities had registered. Almost 900 city, town, county and state officials, as well as corporate representatives, planned to attend. The Convention was held from June 27th to the 30th and included over 200 exhibit booths and a large display of public works vehicles. Governor Martin O’Malley spoke at the inaugural dinner for the new members on Tuesday. The workshop topics included special taxing districts, storm water management regulations, and improving economic health.

The Keynote speaker was Mark Levin who identified the benefits of pursuing an aggressive volunteer recruitment effort and what municipal officials can do to attract people as volunteers. He spoke about how to get the most from the volunteer community.

In Rockville, we are familiar with the MML because the organization sponsors the “If I Were Mayor, I Would” contest.

Congratulations to Mayor Marcuccio.

POTD: Protected

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For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what this cone was doing out in the middle of the lawn by a tree.

Many Met At The Mix And Mingle

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Yesterday the Rockville Chamber of Commerce held one of their Mix & Mingle events with the Asian Pacific American and Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. This well-attended event was free and open to the public at the brand-new Hilton Garden Inn, which also co-sponsored the Mix and Mingle with 270 Inc.

As Style Editor at Rockville Living’s online magazine, I tagged along with owner Helen Triolo and member Ruth Hanessian of the Animal Exchange to meet some of our local business community. Rockville Living is now the home of the Buy Rockville campaign and holds our local Rockville business directory. As we’ve announced, Brad Rourke is Tech Editor at Rockville Living.

When I entered, I immediately told the manager that his Hilton Garden Inn was “gorgeous”. The reception was held in a bar which opened to a patio. The décor was modern Washington DC with artsy light fixtures and a clean, classy look. The other side of the hotel for overnight guests brings Great Falls indoors with original wood sculpture tables, a large stone fireplace, and an oversized Great Falls painting. I wanted to stay overnight. They had a chilli and hot dog bar set up for guests.

270 Inc’s Business Magazine offered their latest issue to guests at the registration table. The edition features Exploring and Embracing Diversity along with other pieces on investing in our local economy, green roofs, family friendly workplaces, and immigration reform. The company offers a multi-media advertising platform for clients. The well-designed magazine received rave reviews. Regular readers explained the Magazine always keeps their attention and they wind up reading the entire issue. High praise in our busy community. The 270 Business Magazine will soon have an online version.

A range of local business people attended along with Andrea Jolly, Executive Director of the Rockville Chamber. One woman recently relocated here from New Mexico and helps disadvantaged women in India to create handmade bags and baskets for department stores. Other services offered by those I met included helping clients live sensibly within their incomes, developing and installing thumb-print entry systems, and setting up point of sale systems. So many people attended, you couldn’t meet everyone, but I enjoyed talking with Brian Barkley, who I recognized as the moderator of the Mayor and Council forum held by the Chamber of Commerce.

Rockville Living, the Rockville Chamber, and 270 Inc are all working hard to help local businesses succeed, so the opportunity to connect at our newest hotel was obviously appreciated by the large crowd.

Rockville Police Reports (6-28-2010)

Here is the latest Rockville police report, all mapped out on Google for you. I still don’t know why my geocode system is making those squishy pushpins, but something’s better than nothing, right!This is from the >most recent report, dated 6/28/2010.

View Rockville, MD Police Blotter 06-28-2010 in a larger map

POTD: Water Dog

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This cute little guy is by Rockville Central friend Janet Brown. Of it, she says: “I love this cheerful little ‘water dog’ in Rockville Town Center. Thank goodness a sense of humor is appreciated in this town!” We concur, Janet!

Mervis Diamond Wins $5 Million In Appeal

In 2007, Rockville-based >Mervis Diamond Importers opened their Rockville store at 1775 Rockville Pike, next to the former Ramada Inn (now the Legacy Hotel) even though they were in a bitter dispute with the owners of the property, the Cohen Companies. Just the year before, Mervis had filed suit claiming that Cohen had offered to lease them space and then tried to back out of the deal.

Today, a Maryland appeals court ruled in favor of Mervis, and ordered the Cohen Cos. to pay $5 million in legal fees and lost profit damages.

Read it all at the Washington Business Journal.

Lunching In The DMV: Spice Xing

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Photo by Dskco

Dskco dined at Spice Xing and everything was good. This is so true. I’ve found every bite to be absolutely delicious. Here’s the beginning of her review on Lunching In The DMV:

Friday was date night with the bf, and before watching The Karate Kid (good flick BTW) we had Indian food at Spice Xing. The restaurant was on Washingtonian’s Top 100 Cheap Eats list, so I wanted to try it. We haven’t had Indian food in a while anyway. I kept pronouncing it like “Spice Sing” but the bf corrected me, and it’s “Spice Crossing” haha.

I have to agree about the Karate Kid movie, which I enjoyed. Dskco thinks the nan was the best she’s ever had. Read her full review. She captures the earthy elegance of the restaurant with all her pictures.

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.

Rockville Celebrates Independence Day 2010

One of my favorite things is to go see the Rockville fireworks on Independence Day. It’s always quite a festival, with music, fun, and general summer joy.And, as a devoted patriot, I love remembering all that this nation stands for. In my “professional” life, I am in the midst of writing a discussion guide for use in schools that asks students to consider all the pros and cons of declaring independence. The delegates to the first Continental Congress were committing what they knew would surely be considered an act of treason. Think about what guts that took, and how hard a decision that must have been to make.Anyway, back to the fireworks. For the past few years they’ve been held at Montgomery College, as they will be again this year. Here is the City’s press release that describes the whole situation:>

Rockville will host its annual Independence Day celebration on Sunday, July 4, from 7-10 p.m. at Montgomery College-Rockville Campus.

The event features live concerts, food vendors and a fireworks display. The fireworks display is expected to include more than 3,400 shells ranging from Red, White and Blue Palms to Multi-Color Star Mines and Peony and Chrysanthemum Bombshells.

Beginning at 7 p.m., Fugitive Brass Quintet will perform on the Stadium Stage and Wes Tucker and the Skillets will perform on the Campus Stage. The Rockville Concert Band will follow Fugitive Brass Quintet.

There will be food vendors located in each stage area. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. There is no bleacher seating, so bring blankets and chairs.

Montgomery College is located at 51 Mannakee St. Parking is available at all campus parking lots, and at lots on the corner of Mannakee Street and Route 355. It could take up to one hour to exit parking lots at the conclusion of the celebration.

The rain date for the event is Monday, July 5. Call 240-314-5022 for recorded event information.

Barbecues, open flames and alcohol are not allowed on the site. Smoking is prohibited on the campus. Recycling and garbage bins will be located throughout the event site.

Parking Garage And Library Changes This Week

This Thursday, July 1, 2010 the >parking rates and hours in the three City-owned Rockville Town Square garages will change. You now must pay a $1 flat fee to park during the day on Saturdays. We all will have to get used to the change. Don’t walk away without paying. The fine is $40.

The new rates and hours for the garages at 215 N. Washington Street, 330 Hungerford Drive (Route 355) and 30 Maryland Avenue are:

Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM, $1 per hour;
Monday through Friday, 6 to 10 PM, $1 flat fee;
Saturday, 7 AM to 10 PM, $1 flat fee; and
Parking is free after 10 PM Monday through Saturday, all day Sunday and City holidays.

The parking meters in Rockville Town Center will continue to require payment of $1 per hour between 7 AM and 10 PM, Monday through Saturday. Parking at the meters is free after 10 PM Monday through Saturday, and all day on Sundays and City holidays.

All the Town Center parking options are here.

Libraries:

Also on July 1, 2010, you will no longer be able to park for free in the City garages to visit the Rockville Memorial Library. Montgomery County had to eliminate the parking reimbursement to the City of Rockville during the budget cuts. Parking is free on Sundays but the Library will be closed on Sundays after July 6th.

Library Hours Starting July 6th are confusing because they are different for our two libraries:

Rockville Memorial Library:
Monday – Thursday, 10:00 AM – 8 PM, Friday, Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM.

Twinbrook Library:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM, Tuesday, Thursday, 1 – 8 PM.

Parking has always been free at the Twinbrook Library.

Once we’re used to these changes, this should be it for a while. I’ll miss the library visits on Sunday afternoon.

POTD: Daisy

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Lovely early morning light on some of my favorite flowers.

Contributor Opinion by Dan D'Agostino: In Response to The LAST Two Images

>The following was submitted by Dan D’Agostino, the co-owner of Go Ape, in response to a Contributor Opinion by Jonathan Haber. Although I’ve added his reply in the comments, this is a explanation worth highlighting on its own.

I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to your Opinion piece on the Rockville Central website. My name is Dan D’Agostino and along with my wife, Jenny, are the owners of the Go Ape treetop adventure course at Lake Needwood Park. While working on temporary assignments in London, UK, my wife and I came across the Go Ape experience. Go Ape has been in business since 2002 in the UK and is known for providing a safe and enjoyable outdoors experience for park visitors across the country there. My wife and I thought that their mission in getting more people into the outdoors and away from their computer screens was a good one and we developed a partnership with the founders of the company to bring the concept back home to Montgomery County where I was raised.

I began working with Montgomery County Parks Officials in March of 2009 to bring the Go Ape experience to an appropriate location within the county. After a comprehensive search for an appropriate location that fit with the Park’s recreational goals and an area that was not environmentally sensitive, the location that we now occupy at Lake Needwood was selected. From there, multiple community meetings were held, surrounding neighbors were informed and the Mid County Recreational Advisory Board was briefed. None of these groups or officials had serious concerns regarding the proposal and Montgomery County Parks allowed me to brief the Montgomery County Planning Board in December of 2009. The Planning Board agreed with Montgomery County Parks that Go Ape would encourage kids and adults alike to get into the outdoors and visit Lake Needwood, provide well rewarding jobs for local residents (9 of our 12 employees live in Montgomery County) and provide a new revenue stream for the Parks in these difficult economic times. Thus, a Public Private Partnership was formed with the County receiving a revenue share from Go Ape and a new activity for its park users.

The course was built during March and April and was opened to the public on May 8th, 2010. In working with Montgomery County Parks, they wanted to ensure that the forest was not inappropriately damaged in any way. In keeping with Go Ape’s high environmental standards, the course was built without bringing any machinery into the forest. No full grown canopy trees were felled in the process and Go Ape spent several tens of thousands of dollars to deadwood the forest (remove dead limbs and dead trees) to make the woods safe for any Go Ape or non-Go Ape visit to the trails. Furthermore, the course was built in a manner that we do not harm the growth of the trees and independent arborists have inspected these trees to ensure their health and will do so annually. Our company goal is to increase the bio-diversity of the area of the forest that we occupy and we will be working with Montgomery County Parks to remove non-native invasive species within our area of the park. The maple tree that you have photographed is a gorgeous tree and we have taken care not to impact the roots around the tree or affect it’s drip line. It is our hope that you and others will be encouraged to visit the park and take photos of this tree and others at Lake Needwood for many many years to come.

Since our opening, almost 2,500 visitors have enjoyed Go Ape at Rock Creek, Lake Needwood. This is roughly 56 daily visitors to the park and is in line with our projections to the Montgomery County Planning Board. Our visitors are usually families or groups of friends occupying on average of 3 people to a car. Thus, our parking and traffic impact is approximately 19 additional cars traveling through the park per day. Furthermore, we only allow 14 people to enter the course (at most) every 30 minutes to an hour, keeping additional parking and traffic to a minimum.

My wife and I think it is extremely important to run a business that is in touch with the local community, (especially since we live 2 miles away from Lake Needwood) and I would encourage you and any other Rockville Central readers to contact me at [email protected] and/or visit us at www.goape.com. I would be happy to show you around the course and provide further insight as to how the activity came to fruition at Lake Needwood. I am confident that you will see an operation that provides minimal impact on the park and you will see that our visitors do make noise. However, the noise that our visitors make is usually the sounds of families laughing together or friends sharing in on the excitement of a new and adventurous outdoor activity, sounds very similar to those heard at the picnic areas, boat house or volleyball court.

Once again, please feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions or comments that you may have. I will respond as quickly as I can. Enjoy your summer and I hope to see all Rockville Central readers in the trees soon.

by Dan D’Agostino
Go Ape

This is a Contributor Opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such pieces for consideration — the more voices the better. Simply send them to [email protected]. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central editors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!

Admiring All They Have Done

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Mary Lou Jacobs, Burt Hall, and Scott Ullery

This month Rockville is saying goodbye to two City Staff members who have served the City for a combined total of 61 years.

Yesterday a spectrum of people involved with Community Services joined Mary Lou Jacobs in City Hall to honor her 17 years of service. The Mayor and Council Chamber was filled with City Staff, community volunteers, and government and Caregiver Agency representatives. The crowd spoke volumes for the admiration Mary Lou has gained during her service to our City. Sarah Gicale announced a total of $1,500 in donations to the Holiday Drive in Mary Lou’s honor.

If you don’t know, Mary Lou has successfully lead a long list of programs to help Rockville residents including the annual Holiday Drive, Rockville Emergency Assistance Program (REAP), and the grant process for community organizations.

When Chris Henry started to introduce people who wanted to speak, I don’t think anyone knew how many would come forward. But they did! Chris started by using the words “admiration”, “respect”, and “appreciation” for all she has done for Rockville.

City Manager Scott Ullery described Mary Lou as a combination of passion and hard-headedness then added that she leaves everything better than when she started. When Community Services was reorganized he said everyone had a lot of sleepless nights and the process could have been difficult but not with Mary Lou.

Recreation and Parks Director Burt Hall noted that Mary Lou is all about getting the job done right. If you’re not ready to do your job before you work for Mary Lou, then you better get ready. He acknowledged how she improved the quality and accountability of the grants program.

Agnes Saenz from Community Ministries of Rockville and MK Li of the Chinese Cultural Society presented plaques, along with David L’Heureux and myself for the Human Service Advisory Commission. Chuck Short presented a proclamation from County Executive Ike Leggett. Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio gave Mary Lou the reading material she wanted, a copy of Eileen McGuckian’s Rockville: Portrait of a City.

Elizabeth Scott, who came up with the “Take Part. Give From The Heart” logo, talked about how she did the Holiday Drive before Mary Lou started and when she showed up she thought she would “let her talk” but they worked well together for all these years sometimes till 1 AM to make the Drive happen! Even more spoke with overwhelming appreciation for all of her hard work these many years.

Community Services Staff

Mary Lou acknowledged the work of her Community Service team especially Alfred Thompson who works late with clients all the time and Sarah Gicale who always does whatever needs to be done.

Ed Duffy

Although it was Mary Lou Jacobs retirement party, I couldn’t help but ask Ed Duffy about his 44 years of working for the City too. He’s held many different titles in the community development program. I’ve known him for his work to create affordable housing. When asked how the City has changed, he said the main thing is the population. When he started Rockville had about 20,000 and now it’s over 60,000. Originally he was hired to do the business and family relocation for the development of Rockville Town Center with the mall in the late 1960’s.

Recently he gave a talk to Richard Montgomery High School students, since he is a graduate. They asked if there were farms around Rockville when he attended and after thinking about it, there definitely were. Now we have King Farm and Fallsgrove. He’s worked during all the many changes around Rockville including the growth of Rockville Pike and the building of the Rockshire community too. Throughout the years, there’s always been something new and he always continued to do an excellent job working with all the many people involved with the growth of our City.

As Mary Lou said yesterday, the City Staff are not supposed to be in the front but rather they must serve the public behind the political scenes. We need to remember to thank the Staff for doing whatever it takes to keep our City running with such efficiency and passion. Mary Lou and Ed will be much-missed examples of the long-time dedication we have been lucky to have.

Renters Advocacy Group Forms

When we talk about civic and local issues, we often hear a lot about homeowners. This is understandable, as property taxes are a key source of revenue for localities. However, lots of folks aren’t homeowners but instead rent. Renters can be in a sticky situation sometimes, with little leverage when there are disputes. Often they are unaware of the extent of their rights.So, I was delighted to see the formation of a new Montgomery County Renters Alliance. This from a >blog post about it at the Washington Post:

A group of renters and community activists have established a Montgomery County Renters Alliance, saying it will be the first countywide organization to advocate for renters’ rights.

Matt Losak, the alliance’s executive director, said it grew out of a “tenants work group” that Montgomery Executive Isiah Leggett (D) appointed in 2008. The work group issued its recommendations in March. They included establishing a rent-control law, requiring landlords to have “just cause” before terminating a lease and forming a permanent group to represent renters’ interests. Montgomery does not limit the amount of rent increases, and tenants can be evicted without explanation.

The Alliance doesn’t yet have a website, but they can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

Genovation's Creating Green Cars Right Under Our Noses

I’ve been looking for an eco-friendly car and had no idea Rockville startup >Genovation Cars, Inc. existed, never mind that their administrative offices and research facilities are on East Gude Drive.

Anyone looking for vehicles costing less than $30,000 that run on less than 4 cents a mile, will find their car at Genovation™.

Genovation is a low-budget alternative to those who want a conventional-looking electric vehicle, but without dishing out the dough for a Volt or a Tesla. The company is developing cars with green bodies, green frames, and green interiors by researching the use of bamboo, flax seed and other natural fibers for the composite body panels. They also hope to use the resin from soybeans to reduce the use of petrochemicals used for fiberglass by 80%. Their intent is to use recycled steel for the frame.

This week the company selected and contracted with American Dynamics Flight Systems (ADFS) of Jessup, Md. to perform the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of Genovation’s G2 electric car. These will be plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), a combination of battery technology that can be efficiently charged when plugged into a standard electric outlet coupled with a traction motor that propels the car with a smooth, powerful feel. Back in May they selected and contracted with Tata Technologies to design and prototype its G2 model. Tata Technologies’ parent company, Tata Motors, recently purchased the Jaguar and Land Rover automobile lines from Ford Motor Company.

Founded in 2007 by Andrew Saul, the scion of Washington, D.C. real estate mogul B.F. Saul II, Genovation also modifies pre-owned 2000-2004 Ford Focus sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks, removing their internal combustion powertrains and replacing them with complete electric drive components. The conversion, called the Genovation G1, costs $22,000 plus tax, with the vehicle delivered five months after ordering. The process starts with a $2,500 down payment, and a clean accident-free Focus has to be supplied by the customer. Otherwise the company will provide a Focus base car for $6,000 if a customer does not want to hunt for a used Focus.

Long term, it is Genovation’s goal to operate from a business plan that attains profitability building only 1,000 units a year through manufacturing “pods” that require only a few robots, a departure from the Detroit manufacturing model. To achieve this goal Genovation plans to rely heavily on small teams of well-trained employees. “With this model, we can be nimble and market driven in order to react to where there is a demand and volume is achieved through deployment of multiple pods,” said Mr. Saul.

I must agree that Genovation differentiates itself from its competition with a better understanding of its clientele, because I’m concerned about spikes in the future cost of gas and want to be as green-conscious as possible, but I also want a sports car and I can’t find one I can afford!

Genovation tells us “One hundred years ago, there were nearly 100 electric car manufacturers in America. By 1920, nearly all were extinct. Now they’re roaring back with a vengeance.” We certainly hope so!

Contributor Opinion by Jonathan Haber: The LAST Two Images

>I might have taken the last photographs of this tree:

and

Oh it’s still there. But it’s not in the middle of a beautiful field anymore.

You see, I went to Lake Needwood yesterday and was surprised and disappointed to see that an “adventure ropes course” is being built in the woods adjacent to this field. A giant wood platform 10 feet off the ground is being constructed right next to this tree. It looks like the platform is going to be the end of a “Zip Line” that people will ride down from the forest.

I wonder who decided that Lake Needwood should be an amusement park? There will now be tons of cars, tons of screaming kids and adults as they climb and zip all over this course. I bet you’ll even be able to hear the noise while down at the lake.

Doing a web search I see that the course is called “Go Ape”.

Now … to be honest … my family and I did something like this north of Quebec a few years ago. Yes it was fun. But it was at a ski resort. A place paved with hotels and restaurants. An already loud and crowded place. Not a scenic slice of suburbia by any stretch of the imagination.

I just think it’s too bad that they’ve decided to construct this amusement park kind of “ride” in our park.

JB Haber

This is a Contributor Opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such pieces for consideration — the more voices the better. Simply send them to [email protected]. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central editors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!