First Evening Rockville Roundtable A Success

Halfway Through The First Wave Of Tapas

Last night, for the first time ever, the venerable Rockville Roundtable sort-of-monthly gathering took place in the evening, and we all had a hoot!

We met at La Tasca in Town Square, one of the participating restaurants in Rockville Restaurant Week, which is going on . . . all week! Now through Sunday!

Some old friends and new ones joined us at the Roundtable for a lively conversation that ranged from issues facing Our Fair City like the APFO and sign ordinances to whether we prefer bacon-wrapped dates or spinach croquettes. (We almost reached fisticuffs on that last one.)

Why, look! There’s a photo of the gathering!

Rockville Restaurant Week, in its second year, is a celebration of tasty restaurants in Rockville. Participating restaurants all have fixed-price deals for both lunch (if they serve it) and dinner. All the details are here. And here’s a list of all participating restaurants.

You’ve got until Sunday to enjoy a Restaurant Week experience, so get a move on!

As soon as we schedule the next Rockville Roundtable, we’ll let you know.

Join Us For Dinner And Support Rockville Restaurant Week

A last minute reminder to join us for the first Rockville Roundtable dinner. We will be meeting on Thursday, October 7, at 7:00 pm at La Tasca in Town Square. “Spain is closer than you think!”

La Tasca is one of the participating restaurants in Rockville Restaurant Week, which is going on this week until Sunday, October 10th. Participating restaurants all have fixed-price deals for both lunch (if they serve it) and dinner. All the details are here. And here’s a list of all participating restaurants.

La Tasca’s special for Restaurant Week is unlimited tapas for $25 at lunch and dinner (There’s also a two tapas lunch special for $10). The unlimited tapas must be chosen from a special menu by the whole table, so that’s what we are going to do! The menu includes Starters, Salads, and Seafood/Vegetable/Meat Tapas.

As Brad explained:

In case you are wondering what this Rockville Roundtable thing is, we don’t blame you. It’s simple. It’s just a basic get-together. We all meet up at a different restaurant each month, usually on a different day too (to maximize the number of people who can attend.) No speeches. No agenda. Nothing fancy. We get separate checks. It’s been going on for a couple of years now, and we have a hoot.

No rsvp necessary, but if you drop us a note at [email protected] to let us know you will be there it makes our life slightly easier. However, do NOT let not rsvp’ing stop you from coming, if you happen to get the notion Thursday night. Just show up!

We hope you can make it!

Join Us For Rockville Roundtable Thursday 10/7 at 7pm; Support Rockville Restaurant Week

In case you missed Cindy’s post about this, we wanted to just remind you — now that the time is nigh.

For the first time, the venerable Rockville Roundtable sort-of-monthly gathering will be held in the evening, to accommodate those who don’t work within the confines of Our Fair City. We will be meeting on Thursday, October 7, at 7:00 pm at La Tasca in Town Square.

La Tasca is one of the participating restaurants in Rockville Restaurant Week, which is going on . . . all week!

Rockville Restaurant Week, in its second year, is a celebration of tasty restaurants in Rockville. Participating restaurants all have fixed-price deals for both lunch (if they serve it) and dinner. All the details are here. And here’s a list of all participating restaurants.

In case you are wondering what this Rockville Roundtable thing is, we don’t blame you. It’s simple. It’s just a basic get-together. We all meet up at a different restaurant each month, usually on a different day too (to maximize the number of people who can attend.) No speeches. No agenda. Nothing fancy. We get separate checks. It’s been going on for a couple of years now, and we have a hoot.

No rsvp necessary, but if you drop us a note at [email protected] to let us know you will be there it makes our life slightly easier. However, do NOT let not rsvp’ing stop you from coming, if you happen to get the notion Thursday night. Just show up!

Rockville Roundtable Is Tomorrow! (Aug. 24)

Rockville Roundtable guests at Ambrosia

Don’t forget! Rockville Roundtable is tomorrow, Tuesday, August 24 at 12:30 pm. We will meet at Bombay Bistro at 98 W. Montgomery.

In case you are a new reader, the Rockville Roundtable is a simple lunch where we all just meet somewhere and split the bill or, more often, get separate checks. Very informal, and always a lot of fun.

(The picture is from the most recent lunch. (more…)

Rockville Roundtable Rescheduled for Aug. 24

Rockville Roundtable guests at Ambrosia

NOTE: Rockville Roundtable has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 24 at 12:30 pm. We will meet at Bombay Bistro at 98 W. Montgomery.

In case you are a new reader, the Rockville Roundtable is a simple lunch where we all just meet somewhere and split the bill or, more often, get separate checks. Very informal, and always a lot of fun.

(The picture is from the most recent lunch.)

We’ve had as few as six people and as many as twenty five. There are no speeches and no agenda. Everyone is welcome. You don’t even need to rsvp! Although, it does help me to get a sense of the size of the crowd ahead of time. Just send a note to me at [email protected] and let me know.

Hope to see you there!

Rockville Roundtable Scheduled For Tues., Aug. 17

Rockville Roundtable guests at Ambrosia

Last week we had our just-about-monthly meeting of the Rockville Roundtable, this time at Ambrosia. It was a wonderful time, and included some old friends as well as new. (The picture is from the lunch.)

So, to strike while the iron is hot, I thought I would schedule and announce the next one right away!

The next Rockville Roundtable will be Tuesday, August 17 at 12:30 pm. We will meet at Bombay Bistro at 98 W. Montgomery.

Please try to imagine a time in the future when you have power, and make plans to come!

In case you are a new reader, the Rockville Roundatble is a simple lunch where we all just meet somewhere and split the bill (or, more often, get separate checks). Very informal, and always a lot of fun. We’ve had as few as six people and as many as twenty five. There are no speeches and no agenda. Everyone is welcome. You don’t even need to rsvp! (Although, it does help me to get a sense of the size of the crowd ahead of time. Just send a note to me at [email protected] and let me know.)

Hope to see you there!

Rockville Roundtable Lunch Scheduled For July 21 at Ambrosia Grill

>Now hear this: The next Rockville Roundtable has been scheduled! It’s Wednesday, July 21, at 12:30 pm at Ambrosia Grill, 802 Hungerford Dr. (in case you can’t keep all the street names straight, that’s Rockville Pike right across the street from the Army-Navy surplus store!).

Rockville Roundtable

What the heck is the Rockville Roundtable? Glad you asked. The Rockville Roundtable is a tongue-in-cheek name we have given to an informal, roving lunch that goes on about once per month. It started over a year ago when I announced that I was having lunch at a certain spot on a certain date, and invited anyone who wanted to join me. We gathered a nice little crowd and the rest is history.

We meet in different places, on different days of the week. Always at 12:30. Here are the rules: No agenda, no speeches, everyone is welcome, we each pay for our own lunch. No rsvp necessary, though they are appreciated so I know how many people will show.

Ruth Hanessian made a little sign and that is what gave us the name. (There is a heart on the sign because the first lunch was on a Valentine’s Day.)

Hope to see you there!!

Rockville Roundtable Set For April 27 at RedGate Golf Course

I got a call from my dear friend >Ruth Hanessian, who as most of you know I count as my “civic mom.” She asked me a question: “When is the next Rockville Roundtable? And why have there not been any lately?”

Good questions. For those who are new to the party, the Rockville Roundtable is a tongue-in-cheek name we have given to an informal, roving lunch that goes on about once per month. It started over a year ago when I announced that I was having lunch at a certain spot on a certain date, and invited anyone who wanted to join me. We gathered a nice little crowd and the rest is history.

Rockville Roundtable

We meet in different places, on different days of the week. Always at 12:30. Here are the rules: No agenda, no speeches, everyone is welcome, we each pay for our own lunch. No rsvp necessary, though they are appreciated so I know how many people will show.

Ruth made a little sign and that is what gave us the name. (There is a heart on the sign because the first lunch was on a Valentine’s Day.)

Lately, I have been in a bit of a funk so I have not scheduled any Roundtables. But that ends now.

So: The next Rockville Roundtable will be Tuesday, April 27, at 12:30 pm. We will meet at the restaurant at RedGate Gold Course.

I know there are some controversies lately over RedGate and finances and the City’s budget. Please do NOT read anything political into this choice of venue. We’ve been meaning to meet here for a long time, and it’s springtime so when better to be out amongst the fields?

Hope to see you there! Let me know if you are coming at [email protected] — but if you forget, don’t let that stop you from coming. Just show up!

Next Rockville Roundtable Is Tuesday, November 24 At Gelico's Pizza

More than a year ago, launched a little experiment. We announced that we were going to be at lunch at a certain time and place and invited anyone who wished to join us and we’d split the bill.We were pleasantly surprised to find a dozen people come. We had a wonderful, informal lunch — and so the “>Rockville Roundable” was born!

The name comes from a little sign that our friend Ruth Hanessian drew on yellow construction paper with a heart on it. (We were meeting on Valentine’s Day).

Rockville Roundtable

Since that time, Rockville Roundtable has met just about every month. It’s a different day and place each time so as many people can come as possible. Sometimes there are more people, other times just a few. It’s always the same rules: Everyone is welcome, and it is informal. There is no set agenda — we just let the conversation unfold. Sometimes it’s lots of people, sometimes it’s just a few.

We hope you can make the next Rockville Roundtable at Gelico’s Pizza on Tuesday, November 24 at 12:30 pm! (Gelico’s is just north of the Giant.)

If you think of it, shoot us an email to let us know you are coming. However, if you forget to rsvp, don’t let that stop you! Just show up! Everyone’s welcome!

Rockville Roundtable Is Next Tuesday

Don’t forget, the next >Rockville Roundtable is set for NEXT WEEK.

WHERE: Giuseppe’s Pizza
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 13, 12:30 – 2:00

More than a year ago, launched a little experiment. We announced that we were going to be at lunch at a certain time and place and invited anyone who wished to join us and we’d split the bill.

Since that time, Rockville Roundtable has met just about every month. It’s a different day and place each time so as many people can come as possible. Sometimes there are more people, other times just a few. It’s always the same rules: Everyone is welcome, and it is informal. There is no set agenda — we just let the conversation unfold. Sometimes it’s lots of people, sometimes it’s just a few.

Bring your ideas for our Rockville Central candidate forum (scheduled for Saturday the 24th at 9:30am at Thomas Farm Community Center), because that is definitely something Cindy Cotte Griffiths and I would like to talk about with you!

Rockville Roundtable Set For Oct. 13

The next Rockville Roundtable is set for Tuesday, Oct. 13!>WHERE: Giuseppe’s Pizza
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 13, 12:30 – 2:00

More than a year ago, launched a little experiment. We announced that we were going to be at lunch at a certain time and place and invited anyone who wished to join us and we’d split the bill.

We were pleasantly surprised to find a dozen people come. We had a wonderful, informal lunch — and so the “Rockville Roundable” was born!

Rockville Roundtable

The name comes from a little sign that our friend Ruth Hanessian drew on yellow construction paper with a heart on it. (We were meeting on Valentine’s Day).

Since that time, Rockville Roundtable has met just about every month. It’s a different day and place each time so as many people can come as possible. Sometimes there are more people, other times just a few. It’s always the same rules: Everyone is welcome, and it is informal. There is no set agenda — we just let the conversation unfold. Sometimes it’s lots of people, sometimes it’s just a few.

We hope you can make the next Rockville Roundtable at Giuseppe’s Pizza on Tuesday, October 13 at 12:30 pm!

If you think of it, shoot us an email to let us know you are coming. However, if you forget to rsvp, don’t let that stop you! Just show up! Everyone’s welcome!

Rockville Roundtable Is Thursday!

Gentle Readers-Just a reminder that the next >Rockville Roundtable is next week. It will be:

Thursday, September 10 at 12:30 at Lebanese Taverna in Rockville Town Square. All are welcome. No RSVP necessary — just come. (We split the bill.)

At the last Rockville Roundtable, there were some questions and controversies because some candidates showed up and spoke. See this recap if you want the full skinny.

So here is fair warning to all friends who may wish to come to lunch: It is possible that people running for office will come.

If they do, as we did last time we will invite them to say a few words — as a courtesy. The same courtesy we would extend anyone who has something they would like to share with the group. If this causes you to want to stay home and sit lunch out, that’s OK. Campaign season will be over soon!

Just attending one of these ongoing lunches, which we have been holding regularly for more than a year, is not the same thing as supporting a candidate.

I will ask any candidates who are considering attending, to please not attempt to turn it into some campaign event. Don’t “alert the media” that you’ll be coming to lunch. Respect the spirit in which we meet: friends and neighbors getting together for a bite and to talk over city issues.

Meantime, we will continue our policy of welcoming all comers and doing our best to make everyone feel that they can take part in the conversation.

See you next week!

Next Rockville Roundtable Scheduled For Sept. 10

Gentle Readers-I am glad to let you know that I’ve decided on the date for the next Rockville Roundtable. Due to vacation, work, and travel schedules I am going to have to skip August and we’re going to go right into September for the next Roundtable.>The next Rockville Roundtable will be Thursday, September 10 at 12:30 at Lebanese Taverna in Rockville Town Square. All are welcome. No RSVP necessary — just come. (We split the bill.)

At the last Rockville Roundtable, there were some questions and controversies because some candidates showed up and spoke. See this recap if you want the full skinny.

So I am giving fair warning to all friends who may wish to come to lunch: It is possible that people running for office will come. If they do, as I did last time I will invite them to say a few words — as a courtesy. The same courtesy I would extend anyone who has something they would like to share with the group. If this causes you to want to stay home and sit lunch out, that’s OK. Campaign season will be over soon and we can go back to our quiet lunches!

Just attending one of these ongoing lunches, which I have been holding regularly for more than a year, is not the same thing as supporting a candidate.

I will ask any candidates who are considering attending, to please not attempt to turn it into some campaign event. Respect the spirit in which we meet: friends and neighbors getting together for a bite and to talk over city issues.

Meantime, I will continue my policy of welcoming all comers and doing my best to make everyone feel that they can take part in the conversation.

See you in September!

Yesterday's Rockville Roundtable Breaks Ground

If you missed yesterday’s >Rockville Roundtable lunch at Benjarong Restaurant, you missed a great conversation! These monthly lunches started out as a lark back in February 2008, when I announced I would be having lunch at a certain place on a certain day, and invited whoever wanted to to join me (Dutch treat of course). I thought maybe three people would show up, but a dozen people came to join me and right then and there we decided to keep it going. Every month we meet at a different place, and we change the day of the week, too, so more people can make it over time.

At these lunches everyone is welcome and there are no set agendas. City and state elected officials have attended and it is always an interesting give-and-take. People just bring up topics that interest them and we all talk about them.

Yesterday we broke ground in two ways.

Candidates Calling

First of all, we had four candidates for office attend: Piotr Gajewski (who announced he is running for re-election to city council); Cheryl Kagan (running for state senate in 2010); Phyllis Marcuccio (running for mayor); and Waleed Ovase (running for city council).

Each one of these candidates had a chance to say a few words — and they did! Each gave a quick overview of why they are running and what they would bring to the office, if elected.

There was some controversy ahead of time, which is another first for this lunch. Piotr had let me know ahead of time that he wanted to declare his intentions at the Roundtable. While the lunches are always open to everybody, and to any topic, I was also a bit worried about how it would really work. By getting together every month with an ever-changing group of Rockville friends, we’ve created a very inviting and intimate space and I did not want to lose that. Low-key, small scale — that’s us. The Roundtable is not a “political” lunch, it’s a civic lunch. But the Gazette mentioned in yesterday’s edition that Piotr would be making an announcement and I got a few emails from regular attendees that were uncomfortable about that.

My feeling was that I would allow any candidate to do a similar thing — which is not to make a big speech but just to talk about what they are up to.

In the end that’s what happened: all the candidates got their say, but it was not a big deal. I have not spoken to some of the people who raised concerns since the lunch (I had to run and do some other work for a client right afterward), but my sense was that there was a good balance struck between fairness to all, openness of the space, and the fact that like it or not it’s election season and there are fellow community members who are standing for election and who would like to tell us about that. (I welcome differing views on how it went, either in the comments or directly by email.)

Then we moved on to what, for me, was the real ground breaking aspect of yesterday’s lunch.

Talk About Comments

As many readers know, Rockville Central has had some growing pains over the last few months. Our readership has shot up and with new friends we’ve gotten a lot more new activity in the comments. Sometimes the tone has gotten mean, and we’ve struggled to figure out a reasonable policy that balances all the values we are trying to uphold: helpfulness, openness, fairness, transparency.

The difficult thing is that there is no one correct answer to this conundrum. I have been getting many concerned emails, but they are on all sides of the issue, ranging from a strong conviction that it’s crucial to retain the ability to comment anonymously so people feel free to speak, to the equally strong conviction that we need to filter more objectionable comments than we now do and that all people should be required to give a full name and address.

So Cindy Cotte Griffiths and I have been struggling with what to do, now that we are getting, some days, ten and more comments where we used to get ten a month.

And so, we talked about it yesterday and I was simply over the moon by the time the conversation ended. Everyone had very, very good points. But even more uplifting was how the exchange of views allowed us all to see new possibilities for how we might handle the issue, and to see how other points of view besides our own — even if we don’t agree with them — are also valid.

By the end of the lunch, we had hit upon what I think is a good plan for moving forward, and I will be implementing a new comment policy over the next few days. The main points of the new comment policy will be:

• All comments will be held for review before posting
• We will apply a fairly strict rule for what gets approved. We’re not going to approve comments that criticize other people in personal or mean-spirited ways,
• Instead of just deleting such comments, though, we’ll send a note to the commenter telling them why we are not approving their comment and encouraging them to resubmit

Note that anonymous comments are OK but will have the same criteria applied. And so you will have to leave a real email address because otherwise we can’t contact you if there is an issue with your comment.

We’ll see how this goes for a while — it may be more work than Cindy and I can reasonably do, but I think it will be OK. Some folks may have to wait for up to several hours before their comment appears, if we are away from the computer for some reason.

But I think this balances a lot of the competing issues when it comes to comments. Remember, we want to be fair and open for all, but most of all we want to be helpful to the community. That means we are trying to create an online space that is polite — like a face to face town meeting, but you don’t have to get dressed up first.

I want to thank everyone who came yesterday, for helping think through this difficult issue. I also encourage people to keep up the conversation in the comments!

My plan is to begin implementing these comment policies over the next few days.

Rockville Roundtable Wednesday — Bring Your ideas About Comments!

As you know if you are the kind of person who cares about such things, our monthly informal lunch, the >Rockville Roundtable, is set for this Wednesday at 12:30 pm at Benjarong Restaurant in the Wintergreen Center.

You probably also know, since it’s been hard not to notice these days, that the comment activity on Rockville Central has shot through the roof. The activity is great, but it’s brought with it some anxieties. Over the weekend, for instance, a “flame war” broke out that I had to put an end to. People have been emailing me with helpful comments, strong views, and various odd notes apparently designed to make me feel bad for having policies they disagree with this.

The question of what to do (if anything) is not a simple one and instead of writing various versions of the same essay over and over in emails, I thought I would invite folks to talk about what they think a good comment policy might look like at the upcoming Rockville Roundtablle.

So, bring your good ideas and let’s chat! I want to get your best thinking so we can keep creating a space that’s helpful to all in the community.

This is a growing pain — a good growing pain. Let’s use it to stimulate a conversation.