by Howard Kohn
When Jeff Campbell told his board directors he planned to produce a CD of baseball songs as a way to fund his do-gooder organization, Hungry for Music, they were more than a tad skeptical. Songs they could understand, but baseball songs? “Yeah, they thought it was a little nuts,” Jeff said the other day at his Takoma Park office, reflecting on the release of his twelfth baseball CD.
All twelve have raised a surprising amount of money and scored hits with the critics, but for Jeff they have also been an affair of the heart.
Read more...
by Howard Kohn
Ward Six looks a lot better now than when Doug Barry was first elected to the City Council almost six years ago. There are evergreen shrubs and bright flowers in new traffic circles. There is a fine-looking black metal fence along newly bricked medians on University Boulevard. There is a new park with plans for stone walls.
Read more...
Shop Local!
We want your answer!
Leave a comment at the end of the Q!
by Diana Kohn
A few happy tears were shed when Kay Daniels-Cohen was announced as one of the Azalea Award winners in April. Since last summer she has battled breast cancer even as she kept to an unflagging schedule of volunteerism--doing the nitty-gritty to reopen the Piney Branch pool, leading the campaign to start a new winter basketball league, resurrecting the SS Carroll Neighborhood Association, decorating McGinty's for an inaugural ball and pitching in whenever anyone asked.
The Azalea ceremony got more emotional when her baby brother, Buddy, surprised her with a handmade award—a sparkplug mounted in a box frame—for being, as he said, "the spark that makes everyone want to go out and do something for others."
Kay and Buddy grew up in a special Takoma Park family, the children of Opal Daniels—the first woman to have a local park named in her honor—and her husband Henry C. Daniels.
They arrived with their four-year-old daughter Kay in 1946 and took up residence at 19 Sherman.
Read more...
A mural on the side of Kefa Café recognitizes the various refugees who have made Silver Spring their home. See a soundslide show by clicking on the image above.
On Saturday, May 30, Impact Silver Spring held a free outdoor community dance party and recognized some of the unsung heroes who are helping carry out their Neighbors Campaign. This was a departure from previous award ceremonies, which were held as formal fundraisers. Voice photographer Veronica Melendez captured the sights and sounds of the party. Click on the photo above to see a soundslideshow.
Roscoe's Neapolitan Pizzeria
by Elizabeth Brinkama
Judging by the number of people waiting to get in, word has spread that there is a new sit down restaurant in town worth a look see. The word on the street has been one of great anticipation, coupled with enthusiasm that Roscoe’s Neapolitan Pizzeria is finally here and open for business. Early reviews from those lucky to get a table have been nothing but positive, even as the understandable opening kinks are being worked out. It would seem to make this review completely unnecessary, but then there would go my excuse to eat copious amounts of food over several visits.
Read more...
Ruan Thai
by Katie Dozier
When you arrive at a strip mall in Wheaton, you may not even notice Ruan Thai sandwiched between a dry cleaner’s and a used car lot. But with one bite of the Yum Watercress appetizer, you will know that you have stumbled upon the best Thai restaurant in our area, despite its dreary locale. Ignore the stained drop ceiling and mostly bare walls; instead, focus on the art that appears on every plate.
Read more...
by Sat Jiwan-Khalsa
With the economic downturn still weighing heavy on many families, how can we continue to eat well, or even eat better, while saving money? Do you believe the Whole Foods slogan, "More of the good stuff for less", or do you feel like the unofficial nickname, "Whole Paycheck", more accurately reflects shopping there?
This month we take a quick survey of some of the natural and organic food prices at some local stores. Who has the best deals? Where CAN you get the good stuff for less? And what are some other tips for saving money with different shopping and eating habits?
Read more...
Just beside Holy Cross Hospital on Forest Glen Road, the Capitol beltway crosses over the Sligo Creek trail. This forms a funny place to enjoy nature. You go under the bridge into a huge echo chamber. If I’m riding bikes with my kids we bellow in low long notes and cause funny sound waves to cascade over us as we speed through. The clicks of our gears become huge and rhythmic, and we can’t help but laugh as we come out again into the sunshine.
Read more...
On May 18, Friends of the Voice gathered at Roscoe's to show support for their hometown paper. Julie Wiatt and Veronica Melendez brought their cameras to the party. Click on the image above for a slideshow.
Charlie Pilzer and an assortment of Morris dancers, musicians, and spectators gathered in predawn Takoma Park on May 1 with the aim of waking up the sun. Though she hid behind a grey blanket, the sun did indeed rise. A grateful city thanks the Morrisfolk. Click on the photo above for a sound slideshow by Voice photog Ann-Marie VanTassel and a slideshow by editor Eric Bond.
The annual Thai New Year celebration was held at Wat Thai in Silver Spring on April 12. Voice photographer Tooky Bunnag was on hand to capture the event. Click on the image above for a slideshow.
A cadre of Blair graduates are doing everything they can to make it big. The Echo Boom is releasing a new CD, "No Morning in Mind" in April. Voice photographer Ann-Marie VanTassell hung out with the guys and created this slideshow. To see her photos, click on the photo above.
|
by Tiffany March
photo by David Corn
June 23, 2009—A horrific metro collision left at least seven people dead and dozens injured between Ft. Totten and Takoma stations on the Red Line Monday evening, according to D.C. officials. Preliminary reports showed that the two trains were on the same track headed in the direction of Shady Grove. The first was waiting to enter Ft. Totten near the New Hampshire Ave NE overpass when the second train struck it from behind at 4:59 p.m., causing the second train to jump the first.
Read more...
Check back in coming days as we check in with the community. Please send us any relevant information about community members. 301-891-6744, editor@takoma.com.
To read the June Voice in PDF, click on the cover above.
Two years after arriving in Takoma Park from the family natural foods business in Texas to assume the general manager position of the TP/SS Co-op, Jason Bradford is heading back home to be closer to his family. It does make on think twice before complaining about one's own commute, doesn't it?
In that short period of time, Jason made an indelible footprint on the Co-op and the Takoma Park community as a whole.
Read more...
Behold me here imprisoned now in bronze
Where once I held command of this great street —
Cock of the Walk who strode with Rooster gods.
Read more...
by Gilbert
With engines set at Warp 10, the city council zoomed through their most recent three meetings. Good thing there are no speed cameras in the council chambers!
The vote for a resolution in support of the elementary school's Young Activist Club was held up for a few moments for a few charming and persuasive comments by the young activists themselves. They are petitioning the schools to replace disposable styrofoam cafeteria trays with reusable ones.
Read more...
by Vicki Warren
Last fall at a meeting of Prezco, the President's Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations, what was on the mind of the members was crime. Several representatives from various Silver Spring Civic Association groups felt their communities were in the midst of a crime wave.
Read more...
by Tiffany March
The uncertain future of Sligo Creek Golf Course is a hot topic for some Montgomery County residents right now, as the Department of Parks hosted a kick-off community meeting at the end of May to listen to proposals for future reuse. The 9-hole course is located just south of the beltway off of Sligo Creek Parkway, a popular location for many local families, bikers, walkers and nature enthusiasts.
Read more...
by Zachary Kohn
Nancy Navarro (D) received full support from her Democratic colleagues as she was sworn in on June 2, making her the first Latina Montgomery County Council member.
Navarro, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, assumed the District 4 seat after winning the special election held on Tuesday, May 19 in which she received 6,637 votes, defeating her Republican adversary Robin Ficker by nearly a two to one margin as he was only able to obtain 3,423 votes. George Gluck, the Green Party candidate, received 372 votes and there were also 43 write-in votes.
Read more...
by Gina Guglielmo
Now that the monsoon has abated and "somer Is icumin in," Takomans and Silver Springsters can seriously take up the work of enjoying the variety of June-September entertainments which DC offers. The drama carousel is a splendid and colorful one and, while some of its horses are already out of the gate, Drama Queen would like to invite you to hop onto the merry-go-round and, as the Wurlitzer band organ begins to play, take your pick of what look to be sure winners.
Read more...
by Gina Guglielmo
Valerie Harper is undoubtedly a fine actress as her appearances as Rhoda Morgestern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 70's and in her spin-off hit, "Rhoda," attest. In this era of actors channeling the famous viz. Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Etta James, even Richard M. Nixon, it is no biggie that Tallulah Bankhead should join the list: I mean, the woman was notorious for her brash candor and train wreck lifestyle.
Read more...
National Park Service Ranger Ron Howard is a Civil War buff. On May 24, Memorial Day 2009, his job was to tell the story of Battlefield Cemetery to those gathered to honor the soldiers buried there. The 41 graves hold the remains of Union soldiers who died defending Ft. Stevens (and by extension, the Federal Capital) from the invading confederates under the command of General Jubal Early on that hot July 1864.
Read more...
by Sue Katz Miller
As the year draws to a close, schools usually reward parents with mugs and luncheons and certificates to thank them for volunteering. This year, some parents felt they were also rewarded with a slap from the Board of Education for being too involved. At a school board meeting in May, board vice president Pat O’Neill insisted on the right of Principals to exclude “PIAs, the pain in the ass people” from the School Improvement Teams (SITs) composed of parents and staff in each school. Member Chris Barclay stated that “cooperative” and “respectful” parents may be more likely to get invited to the teams.
Read more...
by Abby Bardi
Recently, despite the ubiquity of deranged gunman all across America, I have taken to walking my dog along a wooded trail that is often deserted. When populated, it is mostly by families and fellow dog-walkers, but also occasionally by strange lone men who seem to have escaped from the local mental institution. My anxiety about being alone on the trail, or worse, not alone, became so acute that I began to contemplate something that had never before occurred to me: buying a gun.
Read more...
On the evening of Monday, May 18, I was overwhelmed by the support that this community showed for the Voice when you gathered at Roscoe's to raise funds and spirits. My commitment to community journalism and the Voice was renewed by the outpouring.
Earlier this year, a group of Voice supporters--aware of our recession blues--began meeting over beers and burgers at the Olive Lounge to hatch a plan to help bolster their newspaper. They had become aware of the particular stress that we have felt over the past two years--as all local businesses struggle to stay in the black.
Read more...
by Gordon Clark
Dr. Pat Salomon, a Montgomery County resident and pediatrician with 35 years experience delivering services to children in medical clinics, went to the Capitol on May 12 to speak in front of the Senate Finance Committee, advocating for a single-payer health care system. For her trouble, she was arrested and shackled to the wall of a D.C. jail, along with seven colleagues who also spoke out.
Read more...
by Sue Katz-Miller
State Senator Jamie Raskin wants to launch a national “chess movement.” In his first move, he plans to use chess to capture every school in Montgomery County and promote the game as an alternative to gang violence.
Read more...
Watching out for Takoma Park and Silver Spring during the recession
"Valerie Ervin did not grow up poor –her dad was an Air Force officer – but, for several years after leaving home, she had to watch her pennies. She lived with her two young sons in subsidized housing and clerked at a Safeway checkout counter."
Read more...
|
