Baltimore Road improvements planned
Baltimore Road project map on exhibit.
With about thirty other residents, I attended the public meeting on the “Baltimore Road Intermodal Access Project” at Glenview Mansion on Wednesday night, February 3. The City of Rockville is studying the entire length of Baltimore Road from the Town Center through East Rockville and Twinbrook to the city limits at Rock Creek.
A bit of background
Emad Elshafei, chief of traffic and transportation, opened the meeting by stating that Baltimore Road was studied nearly ten years ago but wasn’t implemented due to lack of funds. In 2006, the City received a federal appropriation of $4 million spread over a series of years for planning and implementation (and the City needs to provide a 20% match). The City also expanded the scope of the project to consider the needs to pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as connect to the new Town Square. Earlier this year, the City hired Rummel, Klepper and Kahl (RKK) to lead the study, documentation, and planning with the assistance of several city staff members. RKK is based in Baltimore and their previous projects include the Wilson Bridge and the Downtown Charlottesville Pedestrian Mall.
First of three public meetings
This public meeting is one of three planned prior to construction in summer 2011–if funding supports the project costs. RKK is conducting a survey of the entire route and this meeting was merely to Continue reading →
Sunny Sunday a great day for pix
Welcome to (snowy) Twinbrook
It was a beautiful sunny day on Sunday so I climbed over the wall of snow surrounding my house and walked out along Meadow Hall Road from Twinbrook Parkway to Viers Mill Road to snap some photos to remember the “snowmaggedon.” I love taking panoramas so I’ve included several that are composed of up to a dozen individual photos, so they’re very wide. These are taken using the “panorama” feature on my Canon S5 and then stitched together in MGI Photovista but I’ve done no other editing, hence the ragged edge on the top and bottom which reveals the original images. You may need to click twice to get to the largest image (first click on the thumbnail to open a size that fits on screen, then second click on that image to open a 1600 pixel wide image). At least I think that’s how it works. You’re welcome to download and share with friends and family. If you want an original image (just warning you, they can be as wide as 6000 pixels), send me an email at max.vanbalgooy@gmail.com. Enjoy!
-
- Viers Mill Road looking north at Meadow Hall Road in Rockville (February 7, 2010)
-
- Twinbrook Shopping Center (February 7, 2010)
-
- Tomatillo Mexican Grill (February 7, 2010)
-
- Meadow Hall Road (February 7, 2010)
-
- Carl Sandburg School in Rockville (February 7, 2010)
-
![Welcome to [snowy] Twinbrook](http://maxforrockville.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/img_3509.jpg?w=150&h=112)
- Welcome to [snowy] Twinbrook
There’s no business like snow business
Twinbrook and Meadow Hall roads covered in snow.
It looks like this weekend’s snowfalls sets a record with about 24″ falling in Rockville. Wonderfully quiet today but that’s because most people could only step a few feet outside before encountering snow up to their knees. I cut a path to the street so I could check out the neighborhood, but boy, am I sore. In the evening, some local guys offered to shovel my driveway and sidewalk, which I gladly accepted (for a fee, naturally). It was actually nice to encounter people who found an opportunity to earn some extra cash–true entrepreneurs.
I am still surprised, however, how many people park their cars on Twinbrook Parkway even though its clearly marked as a snow emergency route. They can easily park their cars around the corner on a side street to allow the plows to fully clear the main streets so they’re safe for everyone–neighbors, police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. I really wish the city would issue citations, even warnings, to remind people. I did spot one house who very thoughtfully cleared a space around the fire hydrant so it could be easily spotted in case of fire. Two gold stars for you!
When the sky cleared briefly as the sun was setting, I did get out to take panaromic photos of Twinbrook Parkway and Viers Mill Road. You won’t see it look like this for a long time!
-
- Panorama of Viers Mill Road, looking north.
-
- Panorama of Viers Mill Road, looking south.
-
- Panorama of the intersection of Twinbrook Parkway and Meadow Hall Road.
-
- Twinbrook and Meadow Hall roads covered in snow.
New Bakery opens in Rockville
I love to cook but I’m not a great baker, so I have to rely on the skills of others for a crusty loaf of sourdough bread, a buttery almond croissant, a flaky Napolean, a beautiful fruit tart, and a luscious cake. I’m sufficiently picky that I rarely buy bread from the grocery store and instead only buy my baked goods at specific places, such as Whole Foods, St. Michel Bakery, Shilla Bakery, and the farmers’ markets in Rockville and Olney. But I may be able to add to that list: CakeDreams Cakery has just opened at 90 West Montgomery Ave (near South Adams?) in Rockville and offers 22 different American and European style cakes and 24 different fillings and frostings. Cupcakes are $2.85 each, a dozen baby cakes are $10, and basic party cakes start at $24. It’s a family-owned business, so check them out Tuesday-Saturday and let us know what you think.
