City of Takoma Park - News and Information

Weekly Status & Information Report: January 30 - February 3, 2012

1. Official City Meetings Scheduled the Week of February 6, 2012:
- City Council meeting, Monday, February 6, 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
- Takoma Junction Task Force meeting, Tuesday, February 7, 7:30 p.m. in the Hydrangea Room
- Takoma Park Board of Elections meeting, Tuesday, February 7, 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room
- Redistricting Task Force meeting, Wednesday, February 8, 7:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room
- Emergency Preparedness Committee meeting, Thursday, February 9, 8:30 a.m. in the Hydrangea Room
All meetings are held in the Community Center and open to the public unless noted otherwise. Contact JessieC@takomagov.org to check for cancellations or for additional information. (City Clerk)

2. Opening Reception - Tonight: Two - yes, two - new exhibits are opening tonight in the Galleries at the Takoma Park Community Center: "Works on Paper" collages and drawings by Katie Dell Kaufman AND "Lucid Dreamer" with surrealistic painter Jawara Blake. Please join us from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the opening! It's a great way to meet the artists and to learn more about their work. For more details, "Works on Paper" can be found at http://www.facebook.com/events/225953287487319/ and "Lucid Dreamer" at
http://www.facebook.com/events/236684703074457/. (Housing and Community Development)

3. Quartet - Tonight: Washington Musica Viva presents "Four Play," quartets by Antonin Dvorak (Op. 23 in D) and WA Mozart (Eb K. 493) tonight, Friday, February 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium. Admission Fee. For more details, visit http://www.facebook.com/events/191079547653276/. (Housing and Community Development)

4. Make Your Own Valentine: It's not too late to register for the Library's "Make Your Own Valentine" workshop, which will be held Saturday, February 4, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This program is for kids of all ages. Craft materials are provided by the Friends of the Library. (Library)

5. Winter Basketball League (Update: 5/6 Grade [boys] and the 7/8 Coed Divisions): Coaches and players have been reminded that there will be no games for the 5/6 grade boys and the 7/8 coed divisions on February 4 at Takoma Park Middle School; the school has an event that day. Schedules are available online at http://www.allprosoftware.net/TPRD_2012_WBL/. (Recreation)

6. Bedtime Story: On Monday evening, February 6, at 7:00 p.m., our popular Bedtime Story program with Karen MacPherson returns. This is a half-hour program with rhymes, stories and songs. Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are invited to come in p.j.s and bring along their favorite stuffed toy. (Library)

7. Comics Jam: Comics Jam with Dave Burbank will be held on Tuesday, February 7, at 4:00 p.m. Read comic favorites on the big screen ! No registration required. (Library)

8. The Caldecott Club: Also on Tuesday, February 7, the Caldecott Club with Karen MacPherson will meet to read and discuss the winner of the 2012 Caldecott Club. Registration is encouraged. (Library)

9. Lew McAllister is New Recreation Supervisor: The Takoma Park Recreation Department is excited to share the promotion of Llewellyn D. McAllister, Jr. as the City's new Recreation Supervisor II (for School Age Programs). His promotion was effective Monday, January 30. The Department has been very pleased with how Lew has progressed as an employee with the City. Lew approached the Sports position with energy, enthusiasm and passion and has transformed those programs into signature programs within the Department. We are confident that Lew will bring this same energy and passion as he manages the Department's school age programs and activities. (Recreation)

10. Cardio Kickboxing: On Mondays at 7:00 p.m., Takoma Park Recreation Center offers Cardio Kickboxing. If you are looking for a total body workout and a way to increase your stamina, flexibility and strength, then Cardio Kickboxing is for you. This intense workout can improve strength, aerobic fitness, flexibility, coordination and balance. This class is a great alternative if you are bored with brisk walks or jogging on a treadmill. Register now and enjoy the workout. Get fit for summer. For more information, contact John Webster at 301-891-7289. (Recreation)

11. February 15 - New Ave Streetscape Standards Meeting: Share your thoughts on streetscape details for the New Ave, including landscape materials, street furniture, site lighting and planting options. Your input will be needed to help designers who are developing Streetscape Standards for the New Ave. The next public meeting is February 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park. (Housing and Community Development)

12. Mission Serve Housing Project - Applications: The City of Takoma Park is collaborating with Mission Serve, a non-profit organization that works with local city governments and volunteers to assist in the rehabilitation of 20 to 25 owner-occupied homes this summer. Projects will be developed in partnership with the homeowner and could range from roof repairs and accessibility improvements to painting and the removal of overgrowth and debris. The work is done by volunteers under the supervision of qualified construction staff and at no cost to the homeowner. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been allocated for this effort and as such, participation in the program is limited to income eligible households. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact the Housing and Community Development Department at 301.891.7119. (Housing and Community Development)

13. Spring Resume: Registration has begun for the Spring Resume building workshops with Gabe Heilig. Contact the Library for more information at 301-891-7259. (Library)

14. Swearing In Ceremony: The Police Department is pleased to announce that Takoma Park's new officer, Private Travis Ala, was sworn in by Mayor Bruce Williams on January 31. Welcome to Takoma Park, Private Ala! (Police)

15. Officers in Meetings:
- On January 31, Chief Ricucci and Pfc. Carla Magnaye hosted the graduation for the Citizen's Police Academy.
- On February 2, Chief Ricucci, Mayor Williams and City Manager Matthews attended a meeting with County Executive Ike Leggett to discuss tax duplication. (Police)

16. Officers in Training: On January 30 to February 3, Sgt. Tina Smith and Cpl. Doug Malarkey attended the first of three weeks of Leadership in Police Organizations training hosted by the Montgomery County Police. (Police)

17. Community Outreach Officer (Pfc. Carla Magnaye):
- On January 28, Community Outreach Officer Carla Magnaye attended a "moveable feast" detail in the PEN neighborhood.
- On January 31, she attended the MCCPI Steering Committee Meeting and discussed current crime trends in different jurisdictions in Maryland, as well as current crime prevention techniques and services of each jurisdiction.
- On February 2, Officer Magnaye conducted a presentation on domestic violence for "gender week" at the Washington Adventist University. (Police)

18. Crime Report: The most recent Takoma Park Police Weekly Crime Report (January 27 - February 3, 2012) may be viewed online at: http://cathyplevy.blogspot.com/2012/02/takoma-park-police-department-weekly.html. (Police)

19. Traffic Enforcement: Officers conducted at least 127 traffic stops, which resulted in citations, four vehicle impounds, one warrant service arrest from traffic and one Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrest from traffic.

During January 26 - February 1, 2012, the following details were completed:

January 26, 2012
- Flower Avenue & Jackson Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued four warnings.
- 1000 block of East West Highway (speeding) - conducted a two-hour detail and issued five State citations for speed, two other State citations and one warning.

January 28, 2012
- Flower Avenue & Garland Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one State citation and one warning.

January 30, 2012
- Takoma-Langley Crossroads Area (tag reader/suspensions) - conducted a detail at various times and issued five State citations.
- 7500 block of Carroll Avenue (speeding) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued three State citations for speed and one other State citation.

January 31, 2012
- Flower Avenue & Jackson Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued six State citations.

February 1, 2012
-   Flower Avenue & Jackson Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued five State citations.
-   Ethan Allen Avenue & Jackson Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued three State citations.
-   Park Avenue & Spruce Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.
-   East West Highway at New Hampshire Avenue (improper turn) - conducted a 90-minute detail and issued six State citations.
-   1000 block of East West Highway (speeding) - conducted a 90-minute detail and issued three State citations for speed and two other State citations.
-   Unit block of Philadelphia Avenue (speeding) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one State citation.
-   Flower Avenue at Garland Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued two warnings. (Police)

20. Traffic Officer Stats (Cpl. Michelle Holmes):
Week of January 27 - February 2, 2012
State Citations issued: 69
City: 14
Safety Equipment Repair Orders: 7
Calls for Service: 9
Reports: 2
Warnings: 2
Field Investigative Reports (FIRs): 1
Court: 5 hours
(Police)