Edison / Wheaton High Modernization Meeting

Rockville Central reader Theresa Defino passed along this meeting notice that may be of interest to those in Rockville whose children attend Edison / Wheaton high programs.

Public Information meeting
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Wheaton High School Auditorium

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff will make a presentation and answer questions concerning the program and facility approaches  that were developed by the Thomas Edison High School of Technology and Wheaton High School Roundtable Advisory Committee (Roundtable).

These schools, which are located on the same site and share one facility, are scheduled for a modernization with a completion date of August 2015.  The Roundtable has guided staff in developing a wide range of program and facility approaches that will define the relationship between Thomas Edison High School of Technology and Wheaton High School.  Staff will present the approaches developed by the committee that include a one  school model, a model that creates two independent programs, and hybrid models.

The primary role of the Roundtable is to advise the superintendent of schools as he prepares to make his recommendation for Board of Education action.  The Roundtable will submit a summary report to the superintendent for his review and consideration.  The report will include individual Roundtable member analyses of the approaches that were developed during the process.  The superintendent’s recommendation will be released on February 8, 2011 with Board of Education action scheduled for March 28, 2011.

All information developed during the process is posted on the MCPS website.

Weekend to Weekend Pick: Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls for one weekend only presented by the Musical Theater Center.

At the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
Friday, January 14, 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 15, 2 and 7:30 PM
Sunday, January 16, at 2 PM
Tickets: $18 to $20 are available at the Box Office during these hours:

January 2010 Walk-in Box Office Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 2 pm to 7 pm except
Friday, January 14, 28 – 2 pm to 9 pm
Saturday, Jan. 15, 22, 29 – 2 pm to 9 pm
Sunday, Jan. 16, 30 – 12 noon to 3 pm

Book by Abe Burrows, Lyrics and music by Frank Loesser. Based on “The Idyll of Sarah Brown and characters” by Damon Runyon

“Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, “Guys And Dolls” introduces us to colorful characters who have become legends in the musical theatre canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight “mission doll,”; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, a nightclub performer whose chronic flu is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiance, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating dice game.”

Special Debut Event For A New Youth Arts Organization On Jan. 4

Local youth founded and organized a nonprofit organization, Eyes Closed Hearts Open, Inc. (E.C.H.O.), to provide students with the opportunity to perform and express themselves in the arts. Now they need your help to raise enough funds to have a theatrical production this coming summer.

Their debut fundraiser, New Voices, Fresh Expressions, will be held this Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 7:30 PM at the Auditorium at the Universities at Shady Grove. Tickets are only $5 and they are available at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased at echo.ticketleap.com or by calling 240.464.5626.

The impressive list of performances includes:
Wootton High School’s CHAOS, Supertonics and Acabellas
UMD’s Terrapin Theatre Troupe
UMD’s Ballroom Dancing
Original short films by Mark Schoonmaker and John Liu
Violinist Alex Yin
Dancer Emma Lou Hebert
Original theater scene by Rocky Nunzio
Josh Eflin, musician
Soprano, Josi Suslov
plus other Visual Artists, original music compositions, and more!

Readers may remember that I was extremely impressed with Mattia D’Affuso’s performance as Lumiere the candlestick, in Beauty and the Beast, while he was a student at Wootton High School. So impressed that I covered his production of the West Bank Story which he created with Salah Czapary. Then, in the summer of 2009, they founded this nonprofit organization together as co-Executive Directors along with Anna Pham, and Joanna Dong and I’m astounded by their drive and dedication!

Mattia explains:

After we put together the stage adaptation of West Bank Story we started a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Eyes Closed Hearts Open, Inc. Our organization’s mission is to provide youth the opportunity to perform and express themselves in the arts. ECHO advocates youth initiative and originality. We use the arts as a healthy form of communication to unite the community and beyond. Our organization is completely youth founded, run and organized as of now but we hope to expand to all age categories eventually.

Here’s how he describes the event:

On January 4th, 2011 we will be hosting our debut event at the Universities of Shady Grove in Rockville. The event will introduce the organization to the community and celebrate the talent of young, up-and-coming local guest artists from the Washington Metropolitan Area who represent different branches of the arts such as music, theatre, dance, film, the visual arts, and many more. This event will be a great way to support local artists and to learn more about E.C.H.O.’s goals and future plans.

Take the time to experience, New Voices, Fresh Expressions, their kick-off event, a great way to support them and learn more about E.C.H.O.’s goals and future plans.

Visit E.C.H.O.’s website, eyesclosedheartsopen.org to learn more about the creation of the organization, their projects, and how you can help support them in addition to attending their debut event.

Weekend to Weekend Pick: New Year’s Brunch

Cindy Cotte Griffiths, Mark Pierzchala, and Lesley Cross. Photo by Max van Balgooy.

“Start off the New Year with a Rockville tradition!”

Peerless Rockville‘s 36th Annual New Year’s Day Brunch

Saturday, January 1, 2011
12 PM till 2 PM
Historic Glenview Mansion in the Rockville Civic Center Park
Peerless Members $10, Non-Members $15, Children 5-12 half price

Enjoy a delicious Buffet Brunch and Open House. Take a self-guided tour of the Mansion which is on the National Register of Historic Places in addition to being decked out in the holiday spirit.

Here’s Max van Balgooy’s description from last year’s event. To see some photos, this is his album from the day. As you can see, I attended last year for the first time and enjoyed myself (we were asked to wear vintage clothing last year).

Please bring a casserole, salad, side dish, hors d’oeuvre, or dessert to share.

Peerless Rockville safeguards and promotes Rockville’s past by preserving buildings, spaces, objects, and information important to our city’s heritage. Attend, contribute, and help the cause.

Voice Your Opinion About PEPCO on Jan. 5

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett formed a PEPCO Work Group to seek residential and commercial customer comments on their experiences with PEPCO outages and their overall level of satisfaction with Pepco’s service. In January you will have a chance to do just that at a public hearing:

Wednesday, January 5, 2010
6:30 PM
Stella Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville.

As we know, the Maryland Public Service Commission has been investigating PEPCO’s performance. Meanwhile PEPCO says they need another 4-5 years to improve service since their last plan failed.

The PEPCO Work Group, comprised of community leaders, was formed in October to “investigate the underlying reasons for Pepco’s poor service reliability throughout the County.” The Work Group’s final recommendations will be given to PEPCO and the Maryland Public Service Commission (Pepco’s regulatory authority).

Since the hearing is right here in Rockville, if you would like to speak registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a cut off of 50 speakers so register now before the holidays by calling 240-777-3764. Each speaker will have three minutes. The Work Group wants comments from the general public NOT elected officials.

Written comments can be submitted by January 6 to the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection at ConsumerProtection@montgomerycountymd.gov with “Pepco Comment” in the subject line. Elected officials can provide written comments.

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, call 240-777-3636 or MD Relay 1-800-735-2258 or e-mail consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Everything You Need To Know About Home Energy Audits

Croydon Creek Nature Center Photo By Cindy Cotte Griffiths

As part of the Rockville Go Green Lecture Series, a free session on all the tools and cash incentives to make your home eco-friendly and energy efficient will be hosted by the City of Rockville and the Friends of Rock Creek Environment (FORCE).

Wednesday, January 26, 2011
7-8 PM
Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road

An energy auditor certified by the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program will review the ways to reduce energy use and improve the comfort, safety and overall performance of your home. The lecture will cover combustion appliance safety. Best of all, finding out about and implementing an energy audit can help you save money.

Although the program is free, you must register with RockEnroll: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/recreation/guide/winter11/croydon.pdf
or call 240-314-8770.

Weekend to Weekend Pick: The Nutcracker

Three years ago I featured the Nutcracker in my post The Nutcracker Ballet Spreads Joy On Stage And Off. The dancer, Paige Washington, still performs and she joins the troupe again this year for a terrific performance complete with their elaborate handmade costumes and unbridled enthusiasm. Don’t miss the last weekend of this annual Rockville tradition.

The Nutcracker performed by the Rockville Civic Ballet
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
Saturday, December 11, 2010 2 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 12, 2010 2 PM
Tickets: $16 Adult, $12 Senior (60+), $12 Child (12 & under), Group rates available.

Stop by the craft & gift table and bake sale to help support the Rockville Civic Ballet.

Councilmember Gajewski Town Hall December 16

Piotr Gajewski at his first town hall

As he does on about a quarterly basis (and has done for some years), Councilmember Piotr Gajewski will be holding a “townhall meeting” at City Hall where anyone who is interested can come and engage him on City issues. This is a good way to get to know a councilmember as an individual rather than just as a member of a legislative body.

The details, from the City:

Rockville City Councilmember Piotr Gajewski will host a Townhall meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. in the Black-Eyed Susan Room at Rockville City Hall.

The agenda for the meeting will include a discussion of recent Mayor and Council action items, as well as an open forum for residents to ask questions or share their views on Rockville-related issues and projects. The meeting will not be televised.

The meeting will be held at Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. For more information, call the City Clerk’s Office at 240-314-8280.

Treading Lemmings CD Release Party Dec. 10

Our friends the Treading Lemmings, a Rockville-based “guitar-driven, brit-pop influenced” band, has completed two years’ worth of studio work and they have released Cliff Notes, produced by award-winning producer Marco Delmar. The Lemmings have inked a CD Release Party this Friday, December 10, and you won’t want to miss it!

It’s at Axum’s Level X Lounge at 1934 9th Street NW in Washington, DC.

Click for full size

We normally don’t publicize out-of-Rockville events, but since it is a significant milestone for a Rockville band, we thought what they hey.

Big Crowd And Countdown At The Rockville Town Center Tree Lighting

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Last night Rockville Town Square filled with people and holiday cheer as the tree was illuminated during a festive ceremony. I overheard one person say he “didn’t know there were this many kids in Rockville.” With Santa and Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman visiting, families turned out in droves on the cold, clear evening.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

The crowd joined together for a robust countdown before the big switch was flipped by a resident of the Housing Opportunities Commission, Samantha Clark, along with her kids andNBC 4′s Lindsay Czarniak. A canon shot confetti and streamers into the air which floated down over the crowd for a couple of minutes. Take a quick look if you missed it:

Decked out in red hats, the Walter Johnson High School Choir sang before, during, and after the ceremony. After arriving in a horse drawn carriage, Santa had some advice about being good, “What’s important is that you try hard.” Families did try to do good by making toy and gift donations for the residents of HOC’s programs. They were rewarded with a horse and carriage rides on the streets around the square.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Sue Richards also performed in The Waygoose, where a warm, light-filled shop was the perfect stop for some holiday gift buying. The Town Center garages, shops, and restaurants were all bustling. Rockville’s off to a wonderful start to this holiday season.

Photo of Sue Richards by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Weekend to Weekend Pick: Holiday Jazz And A Comedy

Holiday Jazz

Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Thomas Farm Community Center
Price: $2/person

Seeing our newest community center creatively booked with a festive event open to everyone brings holiday cheer. Kevin Mittleman’s Quartet will set the mood with a holiday jazz performance in the art gallery. This professional band will play holiday tunes while guests enjoy some light refreshments.

Kevin Mittleman plays all styles but hails from the Berklee School of Jazz. He’s studied one-on-one with the Legendary John Abercrombie and Mick Goodrick.

The current art exhibit features the paintings of Lois Levenson. Each work is based on a photograph that “caught her attention for one reason or another” then she let her imagination take over. Having painted as a hobby for five years, the exhibit features her favorites.

Get Smart

Obviously this is a comedy production about detective Maxwell Smart, his chief Agent 99, and the forces of KAOS presented by a talented group of high school students.

Dates: Friday, December 3 and Saturday December 4, 2010
Time: 7 PM
Location: Rockville High School
Tickets at the door: $5/students, $7 adults

It’s all about the community events!

Glenview Mansion Halls Are Decked

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

As a National Historic Place, Rockville’s Glenview Mansion already receives much acclaim as a very picturesque property. When decorated for the holidays, its appeal flourishes even more.

The annual tradition of decorating the Mansion’s 15 rooms and numerous halls attracts nearly 3,000 people each year. As part of a wonderful community effort, fourteen community groups, from the Girl Scouts to local artists, have decorated trees and created holiday displays for your viewing pleasure.

During December the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery on the second floor features the Rockville Art League Winter Show in addition to the holiday decorations. The Art Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Check before visiting to ensure there are no private events scheduled.

If you’re like me, the holiday spirit is nowhere near. Visiting the Mansion, especially during the special Sunday programs in December, might bring about a more festive attitude.

The Sunday Open Houses include entertainment and activities from 1 to 4 PM on December 5, 12 and 19, 2010. Visitors can enjoy live holiday music, featuring choral groups, jazz performances, and classical hand bells.

Free Holiday Open House Schedule:

Sunday, December 5

“Art, Music and Holiday Cheer” along with the Art Gallery Opening Reception from the Rockville Art League Winter Show. Awards for juried show presented at an awards ceremony beginning at 2 PM.
1:15 PM The Supertonics
2:15 PM The Rockville Singers
3:15 PM The Heavenly Handbells of Trinity Lutheran Church

Sunday, December 12

“Children’s Sunday” includes visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty and Rudolph. There will also be a variety of craft activities for children throughout the afternoon.
1:15 PM Richard Montgomery High School Madrigals
2:15 PM Watkins Mill Chamber Singers
3:15 PM Home School Talents and a sing-along

Sunday, December 19

“Music and Merriment”
1:15 PM Heart of Maryland Chorus – Sweet Adelines
2:15 PM The Encore Singers
3:15 PM Victorian Lyric Opera Company

Yoga For A Cause [UPDATED]

Thrive Yoga, one of our advertisers, provides support to local charities through their Yoga For A Cause program. This month on Sunday, December 5, 2010, a Hatha Yoga class lead by Alicia Patterson will raise funds for The Dwelling Place to help them provide for the homeless during the holiday season. The timeframe for the donation class is 2–3:30 PM 2:30-4 PM which includes one-hour of yoga and time for socializing.

The class is open to all levels of practitioners and beginners are welcome. Alicia is a certified Hatha Yoga Instructor and began her yoga journey in the Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. Alicia “teaches a fluid class and cues students to be curious and look inward.”

The Dwelling Place was founded in 1988 by a group of activists and volunteers concerned about the growing number of homeless families in our community. The organization provides transitional housing and supports families to get them back on their feet and achieve self-sufficiency.

You might notice no fee amount is set for this yoga class. Those attending are asked to make a donation and the entire amount will go to The Dwelling Place.

Thrive Yoga has been my studio for the last few years and I highly recommend the classes. As you can tell, they regularly reach out to help the community and are a true community partner.

Thrive Yoga is located at 1321 Rockville Pike in the Woodmont Shopping Center just south of the country club.

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast Is A Community Affair

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

This Saturday, December 4, 2010, you know exactly where to have breakfast. The Kiwanis Club of Rockville will be dishing up their traditional pancakes from 7 until 11 AM at the Campus Center Cafeteria, Montgomery College Rockville.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

While you are enjoying the pancakes and sausage, a nonstop lineup of entertainment, singing, and music will fill the stage.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

You can also win gifts and prizes donated by many in the community. The kids always enjoy the opportunity to speak with Santa in a low-key setting.

The Annual Pancake Breakfast never fails to be the community’s gathering place at the start of the holiday season and it’s all for a good cause, the kids.

Town Square Tree Lighting And Open House

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

The tree went up in Rockville Town Square before Thanksgiving but this Thursday, December 2, 2010 the lights will officially be illuminated during the annual Holiday Open House from 6:30 – 9 PM. Although it’s not Rockefeller Center or the White House, we have our own little tradition emerging here in Rockville.

Sue Richards Photo from her website.

In addition to a photo op with Santa from 7-9 PM and light refreshments, live entertainment will liven up the ceremony including a holiday dance performance by Dawn Crofton Dance Center. But if you venture over to The Waygoose (on Maryland Avenue) from 6 – 8 PM, you’ll find an extra special treat. Sue Richards, a Rockville resident and internationally known performer, teacher, composer and author, who has recorded dozens of CDs and toured throughout the U.S. and Europe, will be playing Celtic music in the Irish and Scottish tradition of her heritage on her harp. She’s a regular customer and has performed in the shop during the holidays for the past six years.

If you donate an unwrapped toy or gift to benefit the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission residents, you can also enjoy a free Horse and Carriage Ride from 7-9 PM. From December 3rd -20th donations for the Toy And Gift Drive can also be brought to the Fenestra Apartments Leasing Office, located at the corner of Beall and Maryland Avenue next to Taste of Saigon during these hours: Monday-Friday 10 AM – 10 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM, Sunday Noon – 5 PM – OR – at The Waygoose during these hours: Monday-Thursday 10 AM -7 PM, Friday-Sat 10 AM – 8 PM, Sunday 12–5 PM.

If you spend $150 at a combination of two or more Town Center stores from December 1st -12th you will receive a free Artichoke Pesto Balsawood gift by Bella Cucina (a 6 oz. jar of artichoke lemon pesto nestled in an elegant balsawood baking dish with olivewood spreader and easy-to-make recipe for artichoke dip valued at $35.) Receipts dated December 1-12 and totaling $150 or more can be presented at The Cottage Monet (located on Maryland Ave) or Ten Thousand Villages (located on Gibbs Street) to receive the gift. The Merchants tell us: “Limit one per customer, per day, regardless of purchase amount. Quantities are limited, while supplies last. No rainchecks.”

We’re wondering if they’ll start construction on the temporary ice rink after the Open House.