Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 10.13.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the September Council meeting included:
- accepting Parkton Woodland Service’s bid to provide a formal assessment of our woods and to provide future short and long-term plans for care and maintenance.
From The Mayor
Ordinance 2014-03
As authorized by Ordinance No. 2014-03, effective July 9, 2014, the Mayor and Council may by resolution grant a permanent easement for use of certain Town-owned land to authorize the continued use and location, and, if requested, the replacement or reconstruction, of a portion of any main building otherwise legally existing in the Town on January 1, 2014. This authorization applies only for main buildings initially constructed in part on land owned by the Town of Washington Grove for eight properties specified in Ordinance No. 2014-03. The procedures for this Ordinance were finalized at the August meeting of the Town Council. Both are available upon request at the Town Office and will soon be posted on the Town website.
New Sound System Considered
The Town was approached to see if improvements could be made to the sound system in McCathran Hall. Gary Temple agreed to set up a committee to evaluate and consider improvements. He has asked several Town residents to help him in the effort.
Deer Park Bridge Update
It is my understanding Eric Selby and his daughter Anne were the first people to drive across the newly renovated bridge. Please continue to drive carefully as traffic will increase in the area. Thanks to the Bridge Advisory Group who worked for years to see this project through.
Safety at Maple Lake and other areas of Town
The Town sent a letter to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) stating all officers of the MCPD are authorized to act as agents of the owner(s) pursuant to Section 6-403 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Montgomery County Police officers are authorized to notify any person(s) not to remain upon, enter upon, or cross over the aforementioned property. I have been assured this should be made clear to the MCPD for enforcement if enforcement is requested.
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
The Committee will not meet in October.
Playground Committee
The Committee will not meet in October.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 10.01.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Did you know there are files on many properties in Town which may contain various types of information about the property?
Some of them have old correspondence regarding the property, house location surveys, applications for building permits and other pertinent items. The House Files are located in the Town Office and residents are urged to check the contents of your house file if you are contemplating a building project or you’d like to see what’s in the file. The Planning Commission has an ongoing project to update the information in the files and urges residents to add any relevant records you have regarding your property.
The procedure to apply for a building permit from the Town’s Planning Commission is available from the Town of Washington Grove website or from the Town Office. Completed applications, including design plans and documents, will first be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and then sent to the Planning Commission for processing. Residents are encouraged to ask the HPC to review preliminary plans to gain valuable advice before the design has been finalized. Details of this process are contained in the building permit procedures referenced above.
Geothermal Digging Needs Town Permit!
The Town Public Ways & Property Permit requirement became effective on Feb. 14, 2013. If you are contemplating the installation of a geothermal heat/AC system, please check with the Town Planning Commission BEFORE you get started. It is important to be sure of your property lines before allowing someone to start digging. If digging will occur on Town land, you must obtain a Public Ways & Property Permit from the Town. County permits are also required for this type of project. Thank you!
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 10.21.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public.
HPC Reminder! Residents are reminded of the change in the Town building permit process. You must first obtain a formal advisory review of your project from the HPC before turning in your permit application. The HPC review (when applicable) must accompany the building permit application.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 10.17.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
KUDOS FOR THE LABOR OF LOVE!
Many thanks to Craig English and Joli McCathran for another wonderful Labor Day weekend! Many hours of hard work and careful, detailed tallying go into making this event fun, challenging and a positive experience for Grovers of all ages. Special congratulations to Declan Scott for winning not only the triathlon, but Super Grove this year!
BLUESTOBERFEST IS UPON US!!
The 6th Annual Washington Grove “BLUESTOBER FEST!” is set for Sat., October 11th, 6-10 p.m. Come out and enjoy a fun music gathering with family and friends as we celebrate the autumn season with the acoustic sounds of NORMAN TAYLOR from 6-7pm and then boogie to some "soul infused blues gumbo" from THE BILLY THOMPSON BAND, from 7:30-10 p.m. This event will be held at the Gazebo (McCathran Hall if it rains). Sausages, hot dogs, potato salad, condiments and cookies provided. Please bring a side dish to share. BYOB! Help with set-up and clean-up is much appreciated. Please contact Lawren & Eric Selby if you are willing to help or have any questions: [email protected] or (301) 963-7073. This is, of course, a "Lederhosen Optional" event.
The Art Show Cometh
This fall, Washington Grove will celebrate the talents of its visual artists with an exhibition: "Recent Works of Washington Grove Artists." The show, to be held in McCathran Hall will feature two-dimensional and three-dimensional works: paintings, drawings, photography, printmaking, collage, sculpture, pottery, and jewelry. An opening reception will be held on the evening of Friday, October 17th from 7:30 – 9:30. Refreshments will be served, and the artists will be on hand to present and discuss their work.
The exhibition will be open all day, Saturday, October 18th, from 11-6. All are invited to take in the show and to see original works created by your neighbors!!
Let There Be Singing!
Any voices want to sing-a-long? Join us on MONDAY, October 20, 2014, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in McCathran Hall. This is just an informal gathering of singers, all voices (SATB) welcome. Bring a song you’d like the group to sing. Questions may be directed to Ann Briggs, 301-926-6347 or the Town Office 301-926-2256.
Let There Be Dancing!
Attention all Grove ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies and other scary monsters who like to move to the music! There will be a Halloween Dance, from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m on Saturday, November 1st in McCathran Hall. A costume ball for all. Spooky refreshments will be served. So, brush up your monster mash moves and join your frightening neighbors for an evening of horrifying revelry.
Let There Be Irish Dancing!
You are invited to the Ring of Kerry & Blackthorn October Ceili; Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 in McCathran Hall from 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. Music by the Martin Family Ceili Band. No admission but contributions to pay the band are welcome. Come at 6:00 p.m. for an hour workshop. The Ceili starts at 7:00 p.m. Soda bread and tea during the 1st break. It’s a pot luck so bring a hot dish, salad or dessert to share. Soft drinks available. Sponsored by the Town Recreation Committee.
Second Annual Punkin Carvin’ Fest & Costume Parade
Saturday, October 25, 2014
The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.
It is that time of year again! The air is crispy, leaves will soon need raking, and it’s time to dust off the Halloween decorations! This year, we are trying something new to celebrate the season: a Punkin Carvin’ Fest. Let’s all meet at McCathran Hall in the afternoon to carve our punkins. The Recreation Committee will supply the pumpkins and candles. Your family must bring the SAFE cutting tools and your imaginations. We have tried to order enough pumpkins for everyone in the family to be able to carve one.
Then everyone can go home, take a nap, eat some dinner, get into costumes and meet us back at the Hall for a parade and to see the spectacular pumpkin display that we have all created! Should be a great photo op! Hot cider, a warm fire and s’mores included. Cookie donations will be appreciated. Everyone gets to take their pumpkins home with them after the fest is over!
DATE: Saturday, October 25 (rain date Sunday, October 26)
TIME: 2:30-4:30 p.m. to carve pumpkins; 6:30- parade, pumpkin display, etc.
WHERE: Outside McCathran Hall
WHAT TO BRING: SAFE cutting tools, marshmallow roasting sticks, cookies
PARENTAL SUPERVISION REQUIRED. Sorry, but unsupervised children will not be allowed to carve a pumpkin.
Let There Be Contra-Dancing!
Ever wanted to know what goes on at Glen Echo on Friday and Sunday evenings? Come to the Contra Dance in McCathran Hall on Saturday, November 8, and find out! Lesson at 7:00, dancing starts at 7:30. No experience needed to have a great time! Join veterans of Terpsichore’s Holiday Folk Dance Camp for a fun night and great dancing! We will have fabulous musicians, including Steve Hickman on fiddle, DeLaura Padovan calling, and the Major Minors (an all-teen contra band, marimbas included!). Free to Town residents, but donations gladly accepted to help pay the band. Sponsored by the Washington Grove Recreation Committee.
Questions? Call Shelley Winkler at 301-330-6446.
Film Society News
Opening of WG Film Society 2014/2015 Season
Our new season will kick off with an award-winning movie from Brazil, Central Station. A cynical woman writes letters for illiterates in a Rio bus station and doesn’t bother to mail them. A young boy is in dire need of help. They set off together on a road trip to find the boy’s father. Their odyssey through the Brazilian countryside, where traditional and modern ways coincide, becomes a journey of self-discovery. Directed by Walter Salles, 1998, Brazil, Portuguese with English subtitles, 115 minutes. Movie will be shown on Oct. 12th in McCathran Hall at 7 PM, with discussion to follow.
Thanks to the many folks in Town who have bought season subscriptions to support the Film Society’s showings. There is still time to purchase a subscription–send your check for $20 per subscription, payable to the Town of Washington Grove, to Birgit Henninger, P.O. Box 355. Tickets at the door cost $7.
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Forestry News
Woods Group meeting: Saturday » 10.04.14 @ 9:30 a.m. in Council Room. THIS IS A CHANGE FROM THE USUAL DATE.
Greg Silber, as Council Liaison for contracts, will oversee the contract with Parkton Woodland Service. Ann Briggs is acting as chair for the contract. Thanks to both for stepping forward to work with this company.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Saturday » 10.11.14 @ 2:00 p.m. in Clubhouse. We’re going to have a Saturday Afternoon Crafts Social from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Clubhouse, so bring your knitting, crocheting or other crafts and come sit a spell with us. Newcomers and experienced craftsmen alike are welcomed!
DONATE WINTER OUTERWEAR!!
October will be a quiet month for the Club, while we concentrate our efforts on trying to avoid a repeat of last winter’s need for warm coats, hats, scarves and gloves for the needy children at Washington Grove Elementary School. We will continue to have a donation box available on the Clubhouse porch.
Cynthia Werts did her usual outstanding job of making the club house picture perfect for the Potluck Supper. Every detail was impeccable, from the home grown flower arrangements to the artistic lamp shades. Thanks to all who brought such generous varieties of gourmet foods to fill the lovely banquet tables. Good food and great people contributed to the success of another wonderful evening of collaboration with our caring Grove community.
WGUMC News
Halloween "Trunk or Treat"; Friday, Oct. 31st at 6:00 p.m. Come to WGUMC parking lot to get lots of candy loaded in the trunks of decorated cars. Hot drinks will also be provided to warm you up! If you’d like to host a car or donate candy, please let Rev. EunJoung(EJ) Joo know at [email protected] or 301-937-0532.
Halloween Canned Food Drive for Gaithersburg for Help; Sunday, Nov. 2nd 9:00 a.m. – Noon.
Please put a bag of nonperishable and canned food by the roadside of your house. Children and Youth will pick up your donations. Contact Emily Cavey for any question (240-838-1840).
General Information
- Town Office Closed Oct. 20 – 24, 2014.
- Trick or treating in the Grove is on October 31, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Have fun and be safe!
NOTICE:
Dirt tennis courts will close to the public during the 2nd week in October.
SATETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS
(from the Traffic Calming Committee)
Be Seen & Be Safe: Make yourself visible to Drivers
- Always wear bright or light colored clothing and reflective materials.
- Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
- Cross the street in a well-lit area at night.
- Stand clear of parked cars, hedges, or other obstacles before crossing so drivers may see.
Be Smart & Alert: Avoid Dangerous Behaviors
- Always walk on the sidewalk, when there is one.
- When there is no sidewalk, always walk facing traffic.
- Use Town walkways whenever possible.
- Don’t assume vehicles will stop or drivers see you.
- Be alert to drivers actions…distracted drivers.
- Be cautious if wearing headphones.
Be Careful at Crossings: Look Before you Step Out
- Cross streets or roads at marked crosswalks when possible.
- Look left, look right, and look left again before crossing.
- Don’t assume drivers see you or that they will stop for you.
- Don’t challenge vehicles.