What You Need To Know About Presidents Day

This Monday, February 21, 2011, our Country will observe Presidents Day. Traffic reports were light this morning so many people might have already left town especially since it’s going to be a beautiful weekend. But if you are here on Monday, here’s what you need to know.

All of the following will be closed:

Rockville City Hall
Rockville Civic Center Park offices, including Glenview Mansion and Glenview Mansion Art Gallery
The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and Box Office
Rockville Senior Center
Montgomery County Offices
Montgomery County Libraries
Montgomery County liquor stores
MCPS Administrative Offices
State offices
State courts

Believe it our not, you can still get rid of your trash on Monday. The City of Rockville’s recycling and refuse will be collected as scheduled. Also the Transfer Station will open.

If you want to get out and shop or socialize, parking fees at meters and the three City-owned garages in Town Square will be suspended. Parking at Montgomery County public garages, lots, curbside meters will also be free.

These fun Rockville facilities will be open as follows:
Thomas Farm Community Center will open 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m
Lincoln Park Community Center will open 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Twinbrook Community Recreation Center will open 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Croydon Creek Nature Center will open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (opening for the holiday).
RedGate Municipal Golf Course will open, weather permitting.
Rockville Swim and Fitness Center will open 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Public Transportation:
Ride On – special modified holiday schedule
Metrobus – Saturday schedule with supplemental service
Metrorail – Saturday schedule (5 a.m. to midnight)
TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) – closed

In honor of the holiday, maybe we can all learn one thing about a President. Seems like we should observe the holiday in some fashion!

Rockville Teen Will Be On Jeopardy. What’s The Best News We’ve Heard All Week?

Raynell Cooper With Alex Trebeck. Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

“I am beyond elated! It’s a dream come true,” said Raynell Cooper, a senior at Richard Montgomery High School who is one of the 15 players selected to compete in this year’s “Jeopardy!” Teen Tournament. The tournament will broadcast nationally beginning Thursday, Feb. 17 through Tuesday, March 2, 2011.

I first met Raynell when he was involved with the last Rockville City elections and the campaign of Waleed Ovase, a fellow high school student.

I’ve always been impressed with Raynell’s participation in our local civic life. He serves on Rockville’s Department of Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. Kate Savage, Chair of the Board describes his contributions:

Raynell is a great asset to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. He participates on every level from budget discussions to helping clean our “adopted” stream. It has been a tradition of our board for years to include a student member. Rec & Parks serves citizens of every age and having the younger perspective on our decisions is a benefit.

Readers may also recognize his name because of his frequent comments on Rockville Central. You won’t find many students as involved in our community as Raynell.

Before flying out to Culver City, California to compete on the show on December 6th & 7th, Raynell went through the application process. Here’s how he described his journey:

There is an online test which I took in March, and then high scorers are selected to go to an audition (my audition was in Philadelphia) and the contestant coordinators select 15 teenagers for the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament. I’ve watched Jeopardy! for years, and I love all forms of trivia competition, so I knew that I had to try out and I was very fortunate to make it on to the show.

When I asked him if he did anything special to prepare, he explained that in addition to talking to people about buzzer strategy, he studied up on certain subjects:

As for preparation, I felt pretty confident in my knowledge in academic areas, as I have been involved with Richard Montgomery’s It’s Academic team since freshman year, so I decided to study up on video games, popular music, young adult literature, and things I don’t usually pay as much attention to. I also pored over old questions from previous tournaments to get a better idea of the subject matter.

As we all know, he can’t reveal the results of the show until all the episodes of the tournament have aired. The grand prize is $75,000 with a minimum of $50,000 for second place and a minimum of $25,000 for third place. Semifinalists receive $10,000. Even if a contestant is eliminated in the first round, he or she still receives $5,000. Raynell would like to attend George Washington University and study geography, political science or urban planning. These are all fine prizes which will certainly help with his upcoming college expenses.

Since 1984 “Jeopardy!” has won 28 Emmy awards and been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with nearly 9 million daily viewers. This is exciting!

The show broadcasts at 7:30 weeknights on WJLA-TV. Be sure to watch and root for our hometown favorite!

All The Government Holiday Closings

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Here’s the complete rundown of government closings for the holiday week.

City of Rockville:

Parking is free in Town Square garages and at City parking meters Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 2.

Recycling and refuse schedules will not be affected by the holidays. Regular collection will take place Monday through Friday during the weeks of December 20 and December 27.

City Hall will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

Rockville Senior Center will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.

Rockville Swim and Fitness Center will be open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 24 and 31, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

RedGate Golf Course will be open regular hours (first tee time at 9 a.m.) on all days except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Twinbrook Community Recreation Center will be open Fridays, Dec. 24 and 31, and Sunday, Jan 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Croydon Creek Nature Center will be open Fridays, Dec. 24 and 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thomas Farm Community Center will be open Fridays, Dec. 24 and 31, and Sunday, Jan 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lincoln Park Community Center will be open Fridays, Dec. 24 and 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Glenview Mansion Art Gallery will be closed Fridays, Dec. 24 and 31.

F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre Box Office will be closed Friday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Jan. 3.

The Climbing Gym will be closed on Fridays, Dec. 24 and 31.

Montgomery County Government:

County Offices
Closed December 24 and 31

Libraries
Closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1

County liquor stores
Open on December 24 and 31 until 7 p.m.; closed on December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 2

Ride On
Sunday schedule with service ending at approximately 10 p.m. on December 24; regular Saturday schedule on December 25 and January 1; Sunday schedule on December 31

Metrobus
Sunday service on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1

Metrorail

Special Sunday service with 3 a.m. closing on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1
TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) – closed on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1

Transfer Station
Facility drop-offs open until 5 p.m. on December 24 and 31; closed on December 25 and January 1

Parking at Montgomery County public garages, lots, curbside meters
Free on December 24 and 25; and December 31 and January 1

Montgomery County Public Schools Administrative Offices
Closed

Maryland State offices & courts
Closed

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Courthouse Construction And The Farmer’s Market

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

During the tour of the new District Courthouse last summer, the schedule indicated construction of the building would be completed in December. Over the weekend I noticed the building appeared to be close. Well it turns out, the construction is still on target and the building will be completed in December and opened for use in March 2011.

As part of the process, Maryland Avenue will be closed on Saturday, November 20, between 8 AM and 6 PM in order to shut down an abandoned valve in the water line. Three lanes of Maryland Avenue will be closed between East Jefferson and Vinson Street. Flaggers will direct traffic through that block. There will be no impact to water service to the homes in the area.

Since I live right off Maryland Avenue by City Hall, this is of particular interest to me but if you are going to the last Farmer’s Market of the season, it might be of interest to you too. When driving up Maryland Avenue, you should expect a slight delay and you should turn right on Fleet Street.

Since I’m preparing the big meal for my extended family, I know I’m planning on my annual Thanksgiving trek to the Farmer’s Market for the herbs, pumpkins, potatoes, spinach, cider, and turkeys. This is a one-stop shop for the entire meal. Even if you don’t buy at the Farmer’s Market regularly, you should for this special holiday meal. The quality will make all the difference.

Turkey On Handlebars Is Heavy by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Although I sometimes take my bike, I don’t recommend it for the purchase of a large turkey!

Scouts To Collect Food This Saturday

If you received a bag on your doorknob last Saturday from the Boy Scouts, please fill it with food and place it by your front door by 9 AM this Saturday, November 13, 2010. The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will be coming around to collect the food donations.

Suggested items include:

• peanut butter
• tuna fish
• canned fruits and vegetables
• shelf-stable milk
• canned tomato sauce
• beans
• macaroni and cheese
• soup
• cereal
• oatmeal
• rice
• pasta
• baby food
• other canned meat and fish and
  canned pasta

Scouting for Food is a national effort. The food collected in Rockville will be taken to the Manna Food Center. Manna serves 3,300 people per month and half are children. Hunger is a hidden problem in Montgomery County where a family of four needs to earn $70,000 to be minimally self-sufficient. All to often when faced with bills for housing, doctors, transportation, and utilities, there isn’t enough money left over for food.

Liquor Stores To Be Open On Sunday

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

The Washington Examiner reported that County Executive Isiah Leggett will release an executive order on Wednesday to allow Sunday liquor sales at the two dozen county-owned stores.

County spokeswoman Donna Bigler said Sunday sales will begin sometime this month. It’s designed as a six-month trial through the busy holiday season.

Earlier this year, County Councilman Mike Knapp estimated the county would make an additional $1.5 million to $2 million a year by opening its liquor stores on Sunday. County Councilman George Leventhal is sceptical because he believes people don’t buy hard liquor every day so they therefore would not be purchasing it on another day of the week. The County Council does not have to approve the plan.

Since the Twinbrook Liquor store was closed, the two remaining Rockville Liquor Store locations are at 832 Rockville Pike and 12015-B Rockville Pike in Montrose Crossing.

Another Missing Rockville Teen [UPDATE: Found]

Lesley Marino

[UPDATE: The youth has been found.] Montgomery County Police Detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating a critically missing teenager from Rockville.

Lesly Merino, 13, is of the 400 block of Rutgers Street and was last seen at approximately 1 PM, on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, as she left her residence.

She is described as a Hispanic female, 5’2″ tall, weighs approximately 120 pounds, has brown eyes and wavy, shoulder-length brown hair. She also wears silver and white colored braces on her teeth and was last seen wearing a pink sweater and gray jeans.

Police and family are concerned for her welfare due to her age.

If anyone has information regarding the possible location of Lesly Merino, they are asked to immediately contact the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 or the Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5400.

Teen Missing From Rockville [UPDATE: Located]

Robert Gardner

[UPDATE: This person has been located.] Montgomery County Police are asking for help locating Robert Francis Gardner, a teen missing from Crabbs Branch Way since Thursday.

The release:

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Family Crimes Division are asking the public for help to locate a teenager missing from Rockville. Robert Francis Gardner, age 15, from the 16000 block of Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville, was last seen on Thursday, October 28.

He is described as a white male, 5’0” tall, weighing 100 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt, black jeans, and yellow and orange Nike shoes.

Police and family members are concerned for his welfare because of his age.

Anyone who has information about Robert Gardner’s whereabouts is asked to call the Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5400 or the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Expect The Sound of Gunfire On Sunday

Montgomery County Police want residents and businesses in communities near the Universities at Shady Grove that they will be conducting a Public Safety Emergency Exercise at Shady Grove this Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 6 AM until noon. Although there will not be lights and sirens, there will be the sporadic sounds of simulated gunfire between 9 – 11 AM.

If you are driving on the access roads to the parking lots, you would be able to see the training. You can expect to see numerous public safety personnel in uniforms and tactical gear, numerous public safety and tactical vehicles, law enforcement officers maintaining a safety perimeter around the campus, traffic officers on Gudelsky Drive and Traville Gateway Drive to facilitate the flow of traffic.

Please spread the word that this is a training exercise, even though it will be conducted as though it is a response to a real emergency.

Montgomery County Police along with the Montgomery County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Police, Gaithersburg Police, Rockville City Police, Takoma Park Police, Maryland State Police, and University of Maryland Baltimore County Police will all be participating in this simulation.

This training exercise is being partially funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant.

Do You Want A Skating Rink With Real Ice In Town Square?

Town Square Rental Skates

Since late 2008, we’ve had a seasonal fake-ice “skating rink” set up in the courtyard in Town Square each winter. (Here’s editor Cindy Cotte Griffiths review.) I’ve tried it out, and personally don’t find it compelling, though families with younger tots might well enjoy an hour or so of gliding.

There’s a move afoot to consider turning the rink into one with real ice, and a community meeting is coming up this week to learn more about it.

In a letter to local property owners, Town Square developers Federal Realty Investment Trust say they have applied to the City “to allow development of a seasonal ice rink (real ice).” The application number is STP2011-00059. Here’s a pdf of what they are proposing.

They’ve scheduled an “area meeting” at 10am, Saturday, September 25 at the Oro Pomodoro restaurant. (Oro Pomodoro is right on the courtyard in Town Square.)

“At this meeting [we] will make every effort to illustrate how the property will be developed and answer any questions,” says the letter.

Got an opinion on skating in Town Square? Be there on Saturday!

Algae In Lake Needwood But I Was In It!

My husband and I after the race!

Lake Needwood is suffering from an algal bloom of Microcystin which is a toxic substance produced by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Montgomery Parks tells us “The water can cause minor skin irritation and gastrointestinal discomfort in humans and has been reported to result in health problems to animals that drink infected water.”

Notices have been posted to avoid all contact with the lake water. Dogs or other pets should not be allowed to drink the water or swim in the lake. The boat rentals are still operating, but don’t get wet.

A Post Now piece quotes Doug Redmond, an aquatic biologist in the Park Planning and Stewardship Division, as saying “The first time we were aware of the problem was last summer.”

Last summer? The article explains that an expert on algae noticed it in the lake, took samples, and contacted the authorities. Apparently the Montgomery Parks Department doesn’t take regular samples.

Participants cleaning off in Lake Needwood.

Back on May 1st, I spent a fair amount of time in Lake Needwood participating in the RunAMuck 5K. We were wet and covered in mud from racing through the lake. The annual Washington DC RunAMuck includes hills, walls, obstacles and a few dashes through the lake and mud pits! What a blast! We didn’t see any algae nor did I hear reports of any sickness.

I certainly hope the bloom doesn’t prevent next year’s RunAMuck. Many energetic and slightly crazy people would be very disappointed.

Rockville Camps And Recreation Facilities To Open Tuesday

This just in from the City of Rockville:

The City of Rockville will reopen summer camps and summer playgrounds on Tuesday, July 27, as well as most of its facilities. City crews have been working to remove felled trees and debris left behind from a powerful storm that struck the area Sunday afternoon.

The Rockville Senior Center and RedGate Municipal Golf Course will reopen Tuesday.

Camp buses will pick up participants at their regular designated stop. Camp participants who are dropped off at their camps should go to their regular camp location. If a camp site is without power on Tuesday morning, buses will take participants to an alternate camp location and return them to their original site for dismissal.

Participants in nature center camps should go to the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, located at 12920 Twinbrook Parkway.

The Early Risers Program that starts at 7:30 a.m. will meet at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive.

The Teens on the Go and Rockville Skate Camps will operate as scheduled.

Several other City facilities remain closed due to power outages. They are:

• Rockville Swim and Fitness Center, 355 Martins Lane
• All facilities at Rockville Civic Center Park (F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Glenview Mansion, Croydon Creek Nature Center and Climbing Gym), 603 Edmonston Drive

A decision about individual Rockville recreation classes will be made on a case-by-case basis. Call 240-314-5023 for recorded updates about recreation camps, classes and programs. For specific questions, call 240-314-8620 during normal business hours.

Water restrictions have been lifted for residents. Residents who need to report a downed tree should call 240-314-8700.

What’s Open And Closed From The City And County [Updated]

Jenny Kimball from the City of Rockville was kind enough to send along some helpful information and official closings.

Clean up:

Downed trees should be reported to 240-314-8700.

Crews will pick up yard waste all week, including branches if they have been dragged to the curb. Crews will not come onto private property to pick up branches or other debris.

Recycling and refuse will be picked up on a normal schedule, although the trucks may be running late because of the expected large volume of yard waste.

Closings:

Update: You might not expect it because it’s outside but the RedGate Municipal Golf Course is closed.

Senior Center is closed.

Swim center is closed.

Civic center and all related facilities are closed (Croyden Creek Nature Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, Glenview Mansion and the Climbing Gym).

All camps and playground programs are closed.

Open!

Recreation Centers will be open on their normal schedule and open as cooling centers.
Twinbrook - 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thomas Farm – 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park - 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Just added:
Elwood Smith - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Montrose - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Parents are asked to register their children when they drop them off, so they have emergency contact info.

Richard Montgomery High School will be open as a special needs shelter. People should call 311 for more information.

Also, the Drive for Supplies at Richard Montgomery High School is on today.

Montgomery County has also announced their closings:

The Bauer Drive Recreation Center along with all the other Montgomery County Recreation facilities are closed today (except for the Upper County Neighborhood, Germantown, East County Neighborhood and Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Centers.)

If you want to go to the pool, the Germantown Indoor and Olney Swim Centers are open.

All other sites Montgomery County sites are closed, including the main administrative office.

All summer camps, summer fun centers and Recreation summer classes are cancelled for today

The Montgomery College Rockville campus will be closed today. (Takoma Park and Germantown campuses will be open.)

Due to storm related power outage at 255 Rockville Pike, the Occupational Medical Service (OMS) unit is closed today. All appointments are cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

Remember:

When signals are out, residents should treat them as 4-way stops.
Water restrictions are still in place.

Donate An Air Conditioner

This summer really is turning out to be a scorcher! If you have a window unit air conditioner you are not using please consider donating it to help local residents.Here’s the notice from the >Rockville Community Services Division:

To assist seniors and families with health risks associated with extreme heat, the Community Services Division of the Department of Recreation and Parks is asking for the community’s help in donating new or gently used window air conditioning units.

The air conditioning units will be distributed to city residents who have the greatest need first.

For more information or to donate an air conditioner, call Alfred Thompson, community services specialist, at 240-314-8319 or e-mail [email protected].

Commission for Women Moved To A New Rockville Location

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The Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center moved to the first floor of 401 Hungerford Drive on June 28th. This is the space formerly occupied by the Volunteer Center just a couple blocks from the Rockville Metro Station. My understanding is that the Volunteer Center is at a temporary location which is not open to the public until a move back to Rockville Pike in August.

The Commission for Women was established by law in 1972 to advocate for equal rights for women.

If you are not familiar with the services, the Counseling and Career Center offers a wide range of programs to meet the needs and interests of women in our community including:

• short-term goal oriented counseling for couples and inidividuals (both personal and career issues)
• workshops and seminars
• vocational and personality assessments
• Legal Call-Back Program

Legal questions are answered by phone on a call-back basis. Local attorneys provide free telephone consultations on specific questions within a two-week period. (240) 777-8300

Seminars on the calendar for this month are:

Mediation Seminar: Divorce With Dignity
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Divorce Legal Seminars with non-child and child-related issues
The Verbally Abusive Relationship
Divorce, Money and You
Healthy Relationships: Building Better and More Loving Partnerships
Effective Strategies to Reduce Stress

The Center has a highly qualified professional staff. Services are provided at low and affordable fees. Some services are offered in both English and Spanish. Counseling is provided by appointment only.

I’ve taken workshops and have always found the Center to be an invaluable resource.