Weekly Status & Information Report:
September 26 - October 2, 2009

1. Voter Registration Deadline: The registration cut-off date is October 5 for residents wishing to vote in the November 3 election. Changes of address should also be filed by this date. Residents of Takoma Park who are not United States citizens are eligible to register with the City Clerk and vote in municipal elections. Voter registration or change of address forms are available in the Takoma Park Community Center - Sam Abbott Citizens' Center. Residents wishing to check their registration status may call Jessie Carpenter at 301-891-7267 or e-mail clerk@takomagov.org. (City Clerk)

2. Montgomery County Housing Fair - Saturday October 3: Each year, the City of Takoma Park participates as a partner in the Montgomery County Housing Fair. Come join us this Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, Maryland. There will be over 75 exhibitors, free foreclosure prevention counseling/legal help and free credit report counseling. Many government and non-profit agencies will be represented at this fair and it's all free. Ten $500 cash prizes will be raffled (you do not need to be present to win). The money must be used toward your mortgage or rent payment. There will be free entertainment for your kids throughout the day. For information or directions to the fair, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dhca. (Housing and Community Development)

3. Traffic Calming Installation (Ward 3): Installation of a raised crosswalk and speed hump on Westmoreland Avenue is scheduled for the week of October 5th. (Public Works)

4. Stormwater Management (Ward 3): On October 5, there will be a neighborhood meeting for residents of Hancock Avenue and Sheridan Avenue to discuss potential solutions to the erosion and stormwater run-off problems at that intersection. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at 7509 Hancock Avenue. Please contact the City Engineer with any questions at 301-891-7620. (Public Works)

5. Street Festival New Ave Booth this Sunday! (City-Wide): Stop by the New Ave booth this Sunday for New Ave tattoos, New Ave fortunes, and stickers to decorate your notebooks and technology cases. Show your pride for New Hampshire Avenue! 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. near Salon Jam on Carroll Avenue. (Housing and Community Development)

6. New Hampshire Avenue Officials Tour/Website Ceremonial Launch(Wards 2, 3 and 6): Mayor Bruce Williams hosted a bus full of local, county (Montgomery and Prince George's), state and federal officials on a tour of New Hampshire Avenue. Councilmembers Dan Robinson, Donna Victoria, and Josh Wright helped to send a clear message to officials that the project is well on its way. The City Staff-led tour reinforced the project goals and needs, the importance of partnership and investment, and thanked the many agencies that have worked with the City and each other in the revitalization and redevelopment process. At Holton Lane, the Mayor ceremonially swept the street and laid down a sidewalk decal to announce the new website with the help of local business owner Seema Singh. Officials visited several stores. Established business owners Jorge Sactic and Art Sharkarji indicated that with government investment in infrastructure and small business assistance, they will remain and grow in the area for decades to come. (Housing and Community Development)

7. The New Ave Booth at the Crossroads Market (Ward 6): This Wednesday, Planning staff hosted a booth at the Market to celebrate Dia del Nino (Children's Day), and to promote theNewAve.com. Staff members chatted with the market shoppers about the potential of New Hampshire Avenue, and gave away fortune cookies, stickers, and magnets. Children were invited to share their thoughts on the wonderful things about the Corridor, and received colorful New Ave T-shirts. (Housing and Community Development)

8. New Website Stats (Ward 2,3, 6): The New Ave website completed its first month with over 1800 sessions, and an average of 60 sessions over the month of September. On average, 10 pages were viewed per session. Over the month, traffic grew steadily with spikes after mentions on Greater Washington and the Washington Business Journal blogs, as well as a local tweeter (thanks!). (Housing and Community Development)

9. Tenant Right-Class to be Held on October 14: Landlord-Tenant staff is offering a free class on "Knowing Your Tenant Rights" in Takoma Park. The class will be held in the Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue on Wednesday, October 14 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Topics to be discussed include how to protect your security deposit, how to give a proper notice to vacate, the rent stabilization law and what type of notice is required for a landlord to enter your rental unit. To register for the class, please call Moses Wilds, Jr. at 301-891-7215. (Housing and Community Development)

10. Landlord-Tenant Staff Attends "Managing Energy Costs Training": Landlord-Tenant Staff attended a training sponsored by the Maryland Housing Counselors Network on Thursday, October 1. Speakers from BGE, Bank of America and the state sponsored Weatherization Program were there to discuss their programs on how homeowners can be more energy efficient and how to access funds to improve energy efficiency in their homes. (Housing and Community Development)

11. Nominating Caucus Results: Approximately 70 Takoma Park residents gathered in the Azalea Room on September 29 to nominate candidates for the November 3 municipal election. A complete list of candidates nominated at the caucus may be found at: http://takomaparkmd.gov/clerk/election/2009/index.html . The meeting is available for viewing at Takoma Park City TV Online (http://takomapark.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2). It is listed under "Special Local Events." (City Clerk)

12. Small Community Grant Program - Submission Deadline Approaches: The fall deadline for submission of applications for funding under the City's Small Community Grant Program is October 5. This program supports small (up to $2,500) requests for funding of projects that benefit the Takoma Park Community and that help to achieve the goals established in the Strategic Plan. Complete information about the program is available online at: http://takomaparkmd.gov/clerk/sc-grants/. (City Clerk)

13. Touch a Truck: The Touch a Truck event was a huge success! On Saturday, September 26, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., the Public Works Department and the Recreation Department held its fifth annual Touch a Truck event. Over 200 participants climbed on trucks like the dump truck, bobcat, trash truck and many others, watched demonstrations, and got to see the big machines we see everyday up close. (Recreation)

14. Fun Day Trip: On Monday, September 28, the Takoma Park Recreation Department had a Fun Day trip to Rollingcrest Pool. Splashing, swimming and fun were had by all. Upcoming Fun Days include the Incredible Insects program on Friday, October 2, and a trip to Clark Elioak Farm on October 16. For more information on these or other upcoming Fun Days, please contact Carey Antoszewski at 301-891-7233 or careya@takomagov.org. (Recreation)

15. Ladies Boot Camp: Ladies Boot Camp began on September 29, 2009 and runs for 8 weeks. Spaces are limited, so register today to secure your spot! (Recreation)

16. Job Training for Teens: John Webster met with Arbor Training Center to discuss a series of workshops that will develop job skills in teens, ages 17 - 21. More information regarding this partnership will be coming soon. (Recreation)

17. Tree Dedication Ceremony: A Tree Dedication Ceremony to honor the life of Corinne Bell, who worked at the Takoma Park Community Center, will be held on Wednesday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m. at the Takoma Park Community Center. Recreation Department, Public Works Department, and the Human Resources Department are working together on the ceremony/dedication. (Recreation)

18. Meeting - Recreation Department and Recreation Committee: The Takoma Park Recreation Department and the Recreation Committee met last night to discuss the upcoming Winter Basketball League. The league is expected to draw 500+ participants. Promotion for the league will begin immediately. For more information on the 2010 Winter Basketball League contact William Hanner at 301-891-7284 or via email at williamh@takomagov.org. (Recreation)

19. College Bound: The College Bound Speakers' Series begins Tuesday, October 6. Join us at 7:00 pm for programs on college choices (October 6), financing for college (October 13), and the SAT (October 20). Call the Library at 301-891-7259 for information on how to pre-register. (Library)

20. Rabbit Run: The Friends Reading Group meets October 8 for a discussion of John Updike's "Rabbit Run." Join us in the Community Center at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. (Library)

21. Officers in Meetings: On September 30, Chief Ricucci and various members of the police department attended the City's first publicly held CompStat Program meeting. (Police)

22. Officers in Training: On October 1, all members of the Criminal Investigation Division and Tactical Enforcement Unit attended training conducted by the Montgomery County Police Forensic Unit covering proper procedures for submitting evidence and related paperwork. The training was held at the City building. (Police)

23. Traffic Enforcement: Officers conducted at least 79 traffic stops, which resulted in citations and six vehicle impounds.

During September 24 - October 2, 2009, the following details were completed:

September 24, 2009
- Wildwood Drive & Holton Lane (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued two state citations and one warning.
- 7900 block of Wildwood Drive (speeding) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.

September 25, 2009
- 1000 block of University Blvd. (speeding) - conducted a one and a 90-minute detail and issued four State citations.
- Flower Avenue & Garland Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued four State citations and one warning.
- Wildwood Drive & Holton Lane (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one State citation and one warning.

September 26, 2009
- Jackson Avenue & Ethan Allen Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO).

September 27, 2009
- 1000 block of University Blvd. (speeding) - conducted a 90-minute detail and issued five State citations.

September 28, 2009
- Wildwood Drive & Holton Lane (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued two state citations.
- Piney Branch Road & Philadelphia Avenue (speeding) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.

September 29, 2009
- Piney Branch Road & Philadelphia Avenue (speeding) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.
- Piney Branch Road & Philadelphia Avenue (speeding) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one State citation and one warning.

September 30, 2009
- Maple Avenue & Lincoln Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one State citation and two warnings.
- 1000 block of University Blvd. (speeding) - conducted a 2-hour detail and issued eight citations for speed and three other State citations.

October 2, 2009
- Ethan Allen Avenue & Jackson Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued two citations.
(Police)