December 2012 TAKOMAPARK A newsletter published by the City of Takoma Park, Maryland Volume 51, No. 12 n takomaparkmd.gov Holiday celebrations include art, greenery, music Keeping it local means more than shopping he holiday season is already well underway in Takoma Park, and T it’s not all about Black Friday, that notorious shopping day that fol- lows Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday was the next day, Saturday, Nov. 24, when shoppers committed Celebrating tradition to shop in Mom and Pop local shops rather than big box stores. Then the Eaglebear, aka Tomas Shash, right, and his family visited WHAT’S NEW? Alternative Gift Fair, Dec. 1, gave local the Takoma Park, Md. library for his annual presentation folks a chance to contribute to chari- of Native American music, dance, stories and tradition ties in the names of loved ones who from their Xicano and Apache culture. Above, the family received notification of the “gift.” Employee Appreciation Day shares music from handmade instruments. City offices closed Photo by Selena Malott On Sunday, Dec. 2, residents and other shoppers will show up in the pa- Dec. 13, 12 – 2 p.m. jamas as early as 7 a.m. for Pajarama, the annual opportunity to wear sleep- Winter Solstice Celebration wear to the participating shops in Old The Foggy Bottom Morris Men Town and get rewarded with a dis- New public art slated for count for your good sense of humor. Dec. 20, 6 – 7 p.m., Gazebo This year, there will even be a contest 7:30 p.m., in the Library for best PJs, complete with a runway Flower-Piney intersection and prizes for modeling favorite jam- City builds on commitment The new piece, slated for unveiling mies. The event runs from 7 to 10 Trash collection this summer, is six giant azalea blossoms, a.m. in Old Town Takoma shops, the No collection Tuesday, Dec. 25 to art in shared spaces visually declaring Takoma Park as the “fashion show” will be at the corner of Trash and recycling collected Azalea City. But artist Howard Connelly Laurel and Carroll avenues. Wednesday By Virginia Myers explains that the azalea motif symbolizes A raffle and shopping spree begins more than just the many blooming azalea the same day: participants shop dur- akoma Park continues its commit- bushes in the City. “The Azalea City is like ing the month of December to enter, ment to public art, with a new con- a bouquet of flowers,” he wrote in his pro- and a drawing will determine the two tract for “Azalea,” a steel and enamel T posal. “All kinds of people live together winners who will receive a shopping sculpture to be erected at the intersection symbolized here by six varieties of azaleas spree of gift cards from local busi- of Flower Avenue and Piney Branch Road fitting together like puzzle pieces, and also nesses. as part of the Flower Avenue Green Street At Park Florist, a Wreath Buffet sets project. PUBLIC ART n Page 11 off the decoration season on Dec. 2, Takoma Park, MD 20912 Takoma 7500 Maple Ave. Mayor & Council with customers creating their own wreaths from a selection of greens, natural ornaments and bows. A holi- Video Americain closes, La Mano day centerpiece workshop expands the idea on Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m. ($75). For Christmas trees for your home, ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL ECRWSS Coffeehouse to open, Aldi renovates check out the Takoma Park Volunteer Takoma commercial districts Final credits at Video Americain Fire Department sale on the parking lot next to the station. All proceeds go Established in 1995, Video Americain experience change to support the station. became the neighborhood video rental Some 35 artists turn out for the big store for film buffs as well as local resi- everal changes are afoot in Takoma Holiday Art Sale at the Takoma Park dents who enjoyed the friendly vibe at a Park’s commercial areas: the local Community Center, from 10 a.m. to 4 place where staff could recommend their S film center, Video Americain, closed p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. There shoppers favorite movies, and the shopper next to Nov. 11, Modern Times Coffeehouse has will find jewelry, pottery, photogra- you –likely your neighbor—would offer plans to move in to the old Mayorga shop phy, wearable art, glasswork, painting an opinion as well. Along with newly re- across from the Takoma Metro station, and print – funky and fine, functional leased movies, there were documentaries, and the Aldi grocery store at Takoma and fun. television series, sections sorted by direc- PRE-SORT STANDARD PRE-SORT Langley Crossroads has re-opened after TAKOMA PARK, MD PARK, TAKOMA PERMIT NO. 4422 renovation. HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES n Page 11 U.S. POSTAGE OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS n Page 11 PAID Inside: HOLIDAY FITNESS SPEED ART EXPO CAMERAS Page 10 Page 5 Page 6 TAKOMA TOPICS: “We encourage you to shop local this year! We’ll be having our Annual Holiday Art DOCKET Sale coming up... Main Street Takoma also has all sorts of great events…” – www.facebook.com/TakomaParkMD City Council & Committee CityCouncilAction Calendar OFFICIAL CITY GOVERNMENT All actions take place in scheduled legislative meetings of the City Council. Only negative votes and abstentions/recusals are noted. Adopted legislation is available MEETINGS* for review online at www.takomaparkmd.gov. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at [email protected]. TPCC: Takoma Park Community Center CITY COUNCIL ACTION the establishment of a permanent city-wide ORDINANCE 2012-52 CITY COUNCIL food truck program. All actions take place in scheduled legislative Adopted (First Reading Nov. 5; Second Reading Monday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. meetings of the City Council. Only negative Nov. 13) (closed session vote at 6 p.m.) RESOLUTION 2012-60 votes and abstentions/recusals are noted. Establishing a permit parking area in New TPCC Auditorium Adopted legislation is available for review Adopted (Nov. 5) Hampshire Gardens online at www.takomaparkmd.gov. For Dissolving the Montgomery College Neighbors BOARD OF ELECTIONS The ordinance establishes Permit Parking Area 6 additional information, contact the City Clerk at Advisory Committee to include the 7300-7500 blocks of New Hampshire Thursday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. [email protected]. The resolution dissolves the Montgomery Avenue (west side), the 7300-7500 blocks of TPCC Council Conference Room CHARTER AMENDMENT RESOLUTION College Neighbors Advisory Committee that Wildwood Drive, the 1100-1200 blocks of Merwood 2012-1 was established by Resolution 2005-33. Drive, and the 1200 block of Kingwood Drive. CITY MANAGER SELECTION TASK Parking restrictions will be in effect from 7 p.m. to FORCE (Passed at First Reading on October 22 RESOLUTION 2012-61 7 a.m., seven days a week beginning Jan. 14, 2013. Voting No: Williams, Grimes, Schultz Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. Adopted (Nov. 5) ORDINANCE 2012-53 TPCC Azalea Room Failed at Second Reading on Nov. 5 Appointing members to the Small Community Voting No: Williams, Grimes, Schultz; Abstain: Grant Review Committee Adopted (First Reading Nov. 5; second reading Nov. 13) RECREATION COMMITTEE Smith) The resolution appoints Olutayo Akingbe, Voting No: Male Thursday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Amending Article VII, The City Manager, of Elizabeth Boyd, Franca Brilliant, Gary Cardillo, Adjusting the salary and compensation of the TPCC Hydrangea Room the City of Takoma Park Municipal Charter to Julie Evans Caroline Fernandez, Lesley Perry Enable the Council, by Ordinance, to establish a and Jacqueline Schick to the Committee. Mayor and Councilmembers TREE COMMISSION residency requirement or residency preference The ordinance adjusts the Mayor’s salary (currently for the City Manager and/or for executive RESOLUTION 2012-62 $13,000) and the salaries of each Councilmember Tuesday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. employees and to require the City Manager Adopted (Nov. 5) (currently $10,000) annually according to the TPCC Lilac Room to consult with the Council on the selection of 12-month percent of change in the annual Wage executive City employees Appointing members to the Ethics Commission and Salaries Employment Cost Index for State THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE ON The resolution would have enabled the Council The resolution appoints Arthur E. Gary, Ellen and Local Govenment or 0.0 percent, whichever is RECESS FROM DEC. 4 UNTIL JAN. 7. to adopt an ordinance to establish residency Maidman-Tanner, Patricia Anne Murphy and greater. The ordinance also allows the Mayor and THE MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS WILL requirements or preferences for the City Michael Richards to the Ethics Commission. members of the Council to participate in the City’s RESUME ON JAN. 8. Manager and executive employees. It would health insurance program on a cost sharing basis, also have required the City Manager to consult RESOLUTION 2012-63 with the City paying 50 percent of the lowest cost *All meetings are open to the public unless with the Council on executive employee hires. Adopted (Nov. 5) base premium rate for individual coverage. The noted otherwise. Additional meetings may be ordinance becomes effective for the City Council scheduled after the Takoma Park Newsletter RESOLUTION 2012-59 Appointing a member to the Washington elected in November 2013. deadline. For the most up to date information, Adventist Hospital Land Use Committee Adopted (Nov. 5) check www.takomaparkmd.gov/committees/ The resolution appoints James DiLuigi to the ORDINANCE 2012-54 calendar. Most meetings are held in the Takoma Extending the Food Truck Pilot Program until Washington Adventist Hospital Land Use Park Community Center – Sam Abbott Citizens’ Adopted (Nov. 13) Feb. 28, 2013 and expanding the hours and days Committee. Center, 7500 Maple Ave. (TPCC). Individuals of the program Voting No: Seamens interested in receiving a weekly Council Awarding a contract for a survey of City agenda and calendar update by e-mail should The resolution authorizes the extension of the ORDINANCE 2012-51 residents contact the City Clerk at 301-891-7267 or clerk@ program until Feb.