History of Rockville Traces 150 Years
Tonight the City of Rockville continued its celebration of its 150th anniversary with an illustrated lecture by Eileen McGuckian at the Fitzgerald Theater. Following an introduction by Mayor Marcuccio, Eileen took the one hundred people in attendance not only back to the 1860, but nearly a century earlier to trace the remarkable history of Rockville through historic photos, maps, and documents. Today there are more than 60,000 residents in Rockville; in 1860, less than 600. What was even more amazing is that nearly a dozen people in the audience lived in Rockville when it celebrated its centennial in 1960. Her talked was followed by a dozen questions from the audience ranging from the Civil War to Congressional Airport to the location of the drive-in movie theater. Afterwards a reception in the foyer included a book signing of Eileen’s latest history, an exhibit of historic artifacts and documents, and refreshments (but no cake!). Her lecture will be broadcast on Rockville’s Channel 11 but in the meantime, here are some pix in case you didn’t make it:
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- Eileen McGuckian’s presentation on the history of Rockville.
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- Book signing in foyer.
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- Eileen McGuckian signing books in the lobby.
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- The line for the booksigning stretched long.
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- Enjoying the historical exhibit.
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- Enjoying refreshments (hooray, no cake!)
Rockville Celebrates 150th Anniversary
Last night, the City of Rockville celebrated its 150th anniversary of its incorporation in the Town Square. Even though the community existed in the 18th century, it wasn’t until March 10, 1860, that it took the big step to pull together and distinguish itself legally from the county. That move towards independence would continue, most significantly in the 1950s when the State granted “home rule.”
About 100 people gathered in the Town Square last night in the swirl of people passing to the library, heading into stores, or choosing a restaurant for dinner. The event opened with an invocation and the singing of the National Anthem (thankfully by someone with talent), then about a dozen speeches and presentations came one after the other by various political leaders from the county, state, and federal governments, with a finale performance by The Finest! and the serving of cake and hot chocolate. It’s hard to make an anniversary exciting except with a concert, parade, or fireworks, but in this tight economy, we’re left with speeches and cake as public spectacles. Thank goodness the weather cooperated and it wasn’t too cold and it didn’t rain as predicted. It’ll be broadcast on Rockville’s Channel 11 but in the meantime, here are some pics in case you missed it:
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- 150th celebration in Town Square
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- City officials on stage.
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- Mayor and Council cutting the cake.
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- Serving the cake.
This Sunday night is the next 150th event, with an illustrated lecture on the history of Rockville by Eileen McGuckian at the Fitzgerald Theater (Glenview Park) at 7 pm.
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!
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- Viers Mill Road looking north at Meadow Hall Road in Rockville (February 7, 2010)
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- Twinbrook Shopping Center (February 7, 2010)
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- Tomatillo Mexican Grill (February 7, 2010)
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- Meadow Hall Road (February 7, 2010)
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- Carl Sandburg School in Rockville (February 7, 2010)
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- 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!
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- Panorama of Viers Mill Road, looking north.
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- Panorama of Viers Mill Road, looking south.
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- Panorama of the intersection of Twinbrook Parkway and Meadow Hall Road.
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- 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.
Mayor and Council meets in Twinbrook
For the first time in a very long time (John Tyner can perhaps assign a precise date), the Mayor and Council held one of their regular meetings at the Twinbrook Recreation Center since, as Mayor Marcuccio stated, “you can’t come to see us, so we’re coming to see you.” It was a regular meeting, so no agenda items were Twinbrook-focused, but half of the people who spoke at Citizen’s Forum were from Twinbrook and raised the following concerns: Continue reading →
Great Places to Take a Date in Rockville?
With Valentine’s Day coming up, Washingtonian magazine has just listed the 158 great places for a date but Rockville barely gets a mention. The only places that made the grade are:
- Mayorga Coffee Roasters (801 Pleasant Drive in King Farm)
- Spice Crossing (100-B Gibbs Street in Town Square)
- Music Center at Strathmore (okay, that’s really not in Rockville, but I’m grasping)
Really? Really? Are there no other great places to get a drink, listen to music, see a show, go dancing, have fun, enjoy a meal, do something different, or even pop The Question in Rockville? Here are my suggestions:
- Lots of romantic restaurants in town, including La Tasca or Cava (fun to share small dishes of food)
- Take a stroll along Rock Creek (trailhead at Linthicum Street and Marcia Lane in Twinbrook)
- Go rock climbing on the indoor wall at the Civic Center Park.
Any other suggestions to help out the romance-impaired?
Council Retreat Uninspiring
Rockville City Council Retreat at Glenview Mansion, January 2010.
The Rockville Mayor and Council held a retreat this past weekend to establish a vision for the city and along with goals for the near future. Friday evening and all day Saturday, the entire City Council along with the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk worked with a professional facilitator to complete a SWOT analysis, review and adjust the existing vision, and determine priorities. Gajewski videorecorded the retreat and a handful of observers attended. I sat in for about an hour and despite the opportunity to consider Rockville’s future in the beautiful setting provided by Glenview Mansion, I left uninspired.
During the portion of the meeting I observed, the Mayor and Council went through four of the seven elements of the Vision: Quality Built Environment, Distinct Neighborhoods, Business Friendly, and Exceptional City Services and Amenities. For each topic, the group was expected to brainstorm and list their goals–everything the City is currently doing or should be doing to achieve that vision. Given the short time available, I expected a rush of ideas. Instead, they were Continue reading →
Three of the Very Best Restaurants are (mostly) in Rockville
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| Rockville’s Spice Xing |
The January 2010 issue of Washingtonian magazine lists a couple restaurants in Rockville among the “100 Very Best” in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. They are part of an exclusive club that includes Komi (#1), the Inn at Little Washington (#11), and 2 Amys (#28). We’re delighted that the restaurants in Rockville are being recognized and that a few of them are meeting an extraordinarily high standard for quality. Here are the gems in our fair city:
45. Cava, 9713 Traville Gateway Drive (west of Fallsgrove). “If all you know about Greek food comes by way of family-style diners trading on heaping portions of mousaka, this cozy mezzeteria—the creation of three Rockville natives and longtime friends—will be revelatory. It straddles the lines between authenticity and modernity, between lightness and heartiness.”
52. Spice Xing, 100-B Gibbs Street (Rockville Town Square). “The sibling restaurant to chef Sudhir Seth’s Passage to India [Bethesda] trades the elegance and formality of its big sister for a more casual and vibrant experience. It’s a looser operation but the profusion of flavors emanating from the kitchen—complex, vivid curries, lovingly rendered street snacks, well-blistered breads—is testament to the commitment to authenticity. A tantalizing roster of cocktails complements—and balances—the heat in the dishes.”
77. Addie’s, 11120 Rockville Pike (across from the White Flint Mall). “What has come out of the kitchen at Jeff and Barbara Black’s folksy first restaurant can best be described as uneven. But now it’s a different story with Nate Waugaman behind the stove. Gone are the scattered attempts at fusion fare and in its place are house-made charcuterie (plus a whole lot of excellent Benton’s ham from Kentucky) and rootedly American roasts and fish dishes. Finally, the food has one personality, not 15.”
Rockville has very porous boundaries and only Spice Xing is actually inside the official city limits, but these three restaurants call Rockville as their home, so we’ll welcome them. Do check them all out since they’re so close (Addie’s is one of my favorites for a special occasion, Spice Xing for an inexpensive lunch downtown, and although I’ve never been to Cava, I’ve heard lots of good things).
Max for Rockville 