1. Residential Traffic Management Plan Public Hearing: A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. to consider a proposed Residential Traffic Management Plan for the Sligo Park Hills and City of Takoma Park communities. The hearing will be in the Azalea Room of the Takoma Park Community Center. The proposed Residential Traffic Management Plan is intended to discourage the use of Park Valley Road, Hilltop Road, Mississippi Avenue, Sligo Creek Parkway, Maple Avenue, Ritchie Avenue, and Geneva Avenue for non-local cut-through traffic during the morning and afternoon peak periods. The complete public hearing notice may be viewed at: http://takomaparkmd.gov/clerk/notices/index.html . The Ritchie Avenue Community Proposed Traffic Access Restriction Plan may be viewed at: http://takomaparkmd.gov/clerk/notices/ritchie_access_study_110209.pdf. (City Clerk)

2. Official City Meetings Scheduled the Week of February 22:
- City Council Meeting, Monday, February 22, 7:30 p.m. in the Azalea Room
- Arts and Humanities Commission, Tuesday, February 23, 7:30 p.m. in the Hydrangea Room
- Public Hearing on Sligo Park Hills/Ritchie Avenue Community Proposed Traffic Access Restriction Plan, Wednesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. in the Azalea Room
- Task Force on Environmental Action Meeting, Wednesday, February 24, 7:30 p.m. in the Hydrangea Room
- Recreation Committee Meeting, Thursday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. in the Rose Room
All meetings are in the Community Center unless noted otherwise. Contact JessieC@takomagov.org to check for cancellations or for additional information. (City Clerk)

3. Enforcement of Snow Removal Ordinance to Resume on a Limited Basis Next Week: The City will resume its enforcement of the sidewalk ordinance on a limited basis beginning Monday, February 22. The primary focus of this initial effort will be along those routes where large numbers of children walk to and from school. Courtesy notices will be issued to property owners along the following streets who have failed to adequately clear the snow and ice from their sidewalks, providing a safe and passable walkway for pedestrians: Boston, Carroll, Ethan Allen, Flower, Grant, Holly, Maple, Philadelphia, and Ritchie Avenues. The City continues to encourage residents to work together to clear, as best as possible, the sidewalks of snow and ice, to shovel out the fire hydrants in your neighborhood, and to clear the areas used by school-aged kids and others waiting for the bus. There is still a lot snow out there, despite the warm temperatures we have had this last couple of days, and your help in our ongoing effort to clear the walks and roadways is greatly appreciated! (Housing and Community Development)

4. Tonight! Opening Reception for "This is Our Body": Please join the Arts and Humanities Commission tonight, Friday, February 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Atrium Gallery at the Community Center as we celebrate the latest collaboration of local poets and artists. Tonight's reception includes performances by poets Anne Dykers, Tiziana Lohnes, Anne Becker, James Landry, and Greta Ehrig; music by Jodi Beder, Tina Chancey, and James Landry; and dancers Nettie Legters, Elly Porter, Erin Joy Seibert and Orit Sherman. The exhibit can be viewed throughout the month of March. "This Is Our Body" is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the Arts thrive. (Housing and Community Development)

5. Children's Games: Tired of being house bound while the snow flies? Come to the Library tomorrow, Saturday February 20, when we will have special children's programs. Board-Game-O-Rama from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. will feature Sonja Kueppers leading kids ages 5 to 8 in a variety of exciting board games. Registration is required for this program, and there are still openings! Call the Library or register on-line at www.takomapark.info/library/registration.html. At 10:30 a.m., 'Mr. Gabe' will do an impromptu Circle Time for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their grown-ups. No registration is required. (Library)

6. Fair Return Rent Increase Petition Training for Landlords - February 24: If you are a Takoma Park landlord subject to the Rent Stabilization law and your costs for operating your rental facility have been growing at a faster rate than your rental income, you may be interested in learning more about the Fair Return Rent Increase Petition process. A training will be held on the Fair Return process on Wednesday, February 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue. Registration is required. To learn more, contact Ms. Linda Walker at 301-891-7222. (Housing and Community Development)

7. Long Branch Sector Plan Community Meeting - February 24 (Ward 5): Have your say on a long-term vision for Long Branch! Tell planners what you would like to see in your community. The Long Branch Sector Plan will explore ways to improve quality of life in the Long Branch community and create a safe, walkable community served by the proposed Purple Line stations. The meeting will be held at the Long Branch Library (8800 Garland Avenue) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24. Additional information can be found online at www.montgomeryplanning.org/LongBranch or by contacting the Montgomery County Planning Department at MCP-LongBranch@mncppc-mc.org or by phone at 301-495-4614. (Housing and Community Development)

8. HomeFreeUSA and Wells Fargo - Foreclosure Assistance: If you are experiencing difficulty in paying your mortgage and your loan is with Wells Fargo, HomeFreeUSA is sponsoring two Foreclosure Prevention days on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On these days, you will be able to meet in a private consultation with a foreclosure prevention specialist and a representative from Wells Fargo. HomeFreeUSA is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency located at 3401 East West Highway in Hyattsville. To schedule an appointment, contact James Young at 301-891-4605 or register on-line at http://www.homefreeusa.org/index.php?ht=d/Events. Don't delay, as appointment times are limited. (Housing and Community Development)

9. The Library in Winter: Last Saturday, during the Presidents Day holiday weekend, a special Circle Time with Ms. Karen drew about 45 little ones and their parents, despite the drifting snow. Another 30 kids came to our Valentine crafts program that afternoon. We had an epic day of book checkouts and returns, and we needed extra staff to man the Library computer workstations as the Computer Center was closed. (Library)

10. Jazz Band: City TV staff covered the Jazz Band Brawl last weekend. This event featured three bands competing for the headline spot for the annual Takoma Jazz Fest, to be held on June 13 this year. Performances will start airing in March. (Communications)

11. The Poetry Series: City TV also covered the Third Thursday Poetry series held February 18, and will send crews to the "This Is Our Body" art exhibit opening in the Community Center tonight, February 19. (Communications)

12. Track 'N' Train (Ages 11 - 15) Registration is Now Open!: The Takoma Park Recreation Department is introducing boys and girls to physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle through running activities. Focus will be placed on warm ups, starting, sprinting, middle distance and relay techniques. Program starts in March. Takoma Park Residents: Free; Non-Residents: $20. Space is limited - registration required. For more information please visit www.takomaparkmd/recreation or call (301) 891-7290. (Recreation)

13. 2010 Co-ed Adult Softball League: This co-ed league takes place on Sunday mornings and is a great way to meet new people and enjoy old friends. In fact this year, the Recreation Department will take individual registrations for the Softball league. Registration starts in March. For more information, please contact (301) 891-7284 or (301) 891-7290. (Recreation)

14. T-Ball: The City of Takoma Park's Recreation Department is offering a Youth T-Ball League. The goal of this program is to emphasize learning and to expand new skills, participation and fun! The T-Ball program, for grades K-1, is a safe introduction to the game of baseball. The ball is hit off a stand (tee) instead of being pitched. The main purpose of T-Ball is to teach girls and boys the basics of baseball in a positive and safe environment. Every child gets to play. The 2010 season will run from June 12 to August 7, 2010 at Jequie Park, Spring Park, or Lee Jordan Field on Saturday mornings. Registration begins March 1, 2010. (Recreation)

15. Officers in Meetings: On February 18, Capt. Coursey attended an Emergency Preparedness Committee meeting and received feedback regarding the City's performance during the recent snow crisis. (Police)

16. Traffic Enforcement: Officers conducted at least 37 traffic stops, which resulted in citations and two vehicle impounds.

Enforcement details were low again due to the blizzard.

February 17, 2010
- 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue (various violations) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one State citation and one Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO). (Police)