Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 10.10.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the September Council meeting included:
- adoption of Resolution No. 2011-07; Regarding Usage of Woodward Park. The M & TC approved the removal of two (2) sentences from the intro. and changing the opening day from the 15th to the 1st of April in order to coincide with Mont. Co. fields.
- approval of the Mayor?s appointment of Meredith Horan to the Board of Supervisors of Elections.
Towne Crest Re-zoning Application
The owners of Towne Crest plan to have the property rezoned so a larger luxury complex can be built. They will be making presentations to abutting neighbors and to the Montgomery County Planning Board in October. The presentation to Washington Grove will be at 7 p.m on Monday October 10 in McCathran Hall. If approved the new Towne Crest development will increase from the current 109 units to around 400 units. The impact on the Grove could be considerable. We have been told that their architect and several planners will be available to answer questions. The regular Council meeting will follow.
Meadow Conservation Park Maintenance
The Council will be discussing a proposal by the LOS Field Committee for maintenance of the new Meadow Conservation Park. This Committee was appointed by former Mayor Anderson to act as liaison between the Town and the Montgomery County Parks Department (MCPD) to oversee the easement of "natural open meadow", to develop a plan to present to the Town and to finalize a plan that is signed off by both parties after approval by the Town. A copy of the current DRAFT plan is now on the Town web site. The Council will be discussing it at their regular meeting on October 10, 2011. Residents are encouraged to look at the Draft Plan and send feedback to the Town Office for the Mayor and Council to review and/or come to the Council meeting on Oct 10th. We do not yet have official feedback from MCPD, but hope to know more by the time of the Council meeting. Montgomery County policy is to remove non-native invasive species and this work is expected to begin this fall. This work will take place in the hedgerow, the open field and the border between the upper and lower fields.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 10.05.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
If you are going to erect a building or structure (including fences), make structural alterations to, or move any existing building or other structure, you must first obtain a building permit from the Washington Grove Planning Commission. Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected], or see permits for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Permits approved on Sept. 7th:
- 204 Ridge Rd. » Fence
- 302 Ridge Rd. » Shed Relocation
Permits up for discussion on Oct. 5th:
- 330 Ridge Rd. » Observatory Pod
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 10.18.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public.
SAVE THE DATE-FREE WORKSHOP
NOV. 12, 2011, 1:00 p.m, McCathran Hall
The HPC will sponsor a free workshop for Washington Grove homeowners with tips on energy-efficiency, water-proofing, and weather-proofing for your Grove home.
A preservation specialist and a contractor will first make a presentation at Town Hall, to be followed by a walk-around session to react to some real-life Grove case studies and discuss possible solutions. A Q&A session will follow where you can ask about your specific house issues.
Refreshments while they last!
Check the next bulletin and flyers around Town for more details.
Come Early!
The HPC encourages early consultation when you are considering an addition or other home project. What’s early? Early is BEFORE you spend your hard-earned money on professionally produced plans. Take advantage of their FREE advice and good ideas! It could save money in the long run.
Forestry News
Next Meeting: TBD
Call Audrey Maskery for more information; 301-977-0582.
Woods Group Update
At the September Council meeting, Chuck Schuster (MD Cooperative Extension) and Gary Barkman (Montgomery Weed) reported their findings on the wilt problem we have seen in the East Woods. The same phenomenon has been observed in several other locations where greenbrier was treated with Garlon. This result has never been seen before although similar Garlon treatment has been done for many years. The County experts are still trying to determine the exact cause. Currently they think it may have something to do with the dry weather pattern we’ve had in the past few summers. We need to wait until spring to see if the trees leaf out normally.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 12.21.11@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Bluestober Fest Cometh!!
The 3rd Annual Washington Grove Bluestober Fest will be on Saturday, October 1st at the Gazebo from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. The Billy Thompson Band will headline this event. Sausages, hot dogs, potato salad and condiments provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. BYOB! Please call Lauren or Eric Selby if you can help with grilling, set-up or clean-up; 301-963-7073 or [email protected]. Lederhosen optional!
Film Society News
The film series kicks off this year with two distinctive movies in October:
- October 9, 7 p.m. The Secret in Their Eyes. This 2010 Oscar winner masterfully blends mystery, legal drama, and romance. Moving between 1970s Argentina, when a brutal crime occurred, and 2000, when the case is reopened by an investigator long haunted by it, the film has vivid characters and timeless themes of justice, loss, and the rich attractions of mature love. (This film has momentary violence.) Spanish with English subtitles, 129 minutes.
- October 14, 7:30 p.m. FREE SPECIAL EVENT (this film airs on a Friday night at 7:30 p.m). Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War. Montgomery County was in the path of major troop movements during the Civil War. This 60-minute documentary, produced by Heritage Montgomery, recounts the war years locally and features a stirring soundtrack by the Washington Revels. Washington Grove’s own Peggy Erickson, executive director of Heritage Montgomery, will join us for a discussion after the screening. Tickets are not required. Children are very welcome, but be advised that the film includes battlefield pictures of dead and injured soldiers that may be disturbing.
Subscriptions to the 5-film series are still available. Please support the Film Series by sending a check for $20, payable to the Town, to Birgit Henninger, P.O. Box 355. All movies are in McCathran Hall; tickets at the door for each movie are $7.
BLACKTHORN CEILI
Music by the Martin Family Band
McCathran Hall
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Dance Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 p.m
Ceili 7:00 – 9:30 p.m
Admission – contribution to help pay the band
Soda bread & Tea during 1st break
Pot Luck; bring a hot dish, salad or dessert to share
Soft drinks available
50/50 Raffle
Sponsored by the Recreation Committee
Prizes for the best costumes!
ATTENTION GROVE MUSICIANS, SINGERS, DANCERS, THESPIANS!!
Happy Holidays to come! It is time once again to assemble the performers and performances for the Grove Holiday Show, scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 at 7:30 pm.
This year, the production will draw upon traditional holiday themes and world folklore, so creative ideas and musical suggestions will be most welcomed! Grove adults and especially Grove kids are urged to participate in the festivities. The deadline for expressing interest in becoming involved is October 31st.
Dance Exercise Class
Come join a FUN fusion of different dance styles – ballet, jazz, a little hip hop and other dance forms. The music is a mix of pop, classical and world. Classes run on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:00pm and the last fifteen minutes of class in October will be spent learning the Thriller Dance, just in time for Halloween. If folks want to drop in just for the tail end of class to learn the dance, come on by! Ages 5 to 10 $5 a class; drop ins welcome.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 10.20.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse.
Our speaker will be Jamee Thieme. She is a retired MCPS teacher who spent her summer vacations traveling the world. She has turned her traveling hobby into a second career. She and her travel buddy, Janice Russell, have written an e-book, 20 Time-Tested Travel Tips, and have also set up a website for more travel information. Jamee will be sharing some of her tips for packing and planning trips to different parts of the globe. She will also bring some scrapbooks she has made to commemorate her trips.
WGUMC News
- Sat. Oct. 15th– Fall Festival! 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on October 15th, get your Halloween pumpkin at our Fall Festival “pumpkin patch,” and get a start on the holidays by visiting craft tables…we’ll also have a bake sale, food, games, bubble corner, and face-painting for the kids! Artists, crafters and other interested folks; e-mail Judy at [email protected] or Kathi Ives at [email protected] to reserve a space, or for more details.
- Wed Nov. 23rd- Mark your Calendar-Washington Grove Interfaith Thanksgiving. At 7:30 pm on Nov. 23rd join in our traditional town Interfaith Thanksgiving service, with wonderful music from Grove musicians, the reading of FDR’s Thanksgiving proclamation, and sing along to the classic “This Grove is Your Grove”.
Clerk’s Corner
Trick or treating in Washington Grove is on October 31st from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Monster Ball in Washington Grove
Come one come all to the Monster Ball of Washington Grove — a costume, dance party for all ages. This is a new take on the annual kids’ Halloween Party. The Monster Ball will be a pizza potluck. Bring the pizza you would typically feed your family to share. The Recreation Committee will supply drinks, desserts and fun.
Date: Saturday, October 29
Time: 6 – 9 pm
Place: McCathran Hall
Those interested in volunteering (baking, music and decorating) call Emily Cavey at 240-838-1840.