2025 Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk

Photo by Jay Mallin

Begun in 2018, the Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk is an annual family-friendly local community event that weaves together neighborhoods once divided by racial segregation and fittingly takes place during Montgomery County’s Remembrance and Reconciliation Month.  All are welcome!  Come join us in shining our lights in the darkness, promoting unity over division, remembering the past and taking steps toward a brighter future.

WHEN: Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 5:00pm.

  • Gather: 5:00-5:15 pm
  • Short Program & Lantern Walk: 5:15-6:00 pm
  • Community Reception: 6:00-7:30 pm

WHERE: Rosemary Hills Elementary School parking lot, just below intersection of Talbot Ave. and Lanier Dr. Address: 2111 Porter Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

The route will start and end at the same place, crossing over the new Talbot Avenue Bridge twice and going around the two blocks closest to it, one in North Woodside and one in Lyttonsville. To view the route, click here and scroll down.

BRING: Warm clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and a lantern

RSVP: CLICK HERE

For more detailed event information and updates: see event webpage.

The Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk is organized by the Talbot Avenue Bridge Committee and co-sponsored by the Lyttonsville Civic Association, North Woodside Citizens’ Association, and Rosemary Hills Neighbors’ Association.

2025 Lantern-Making Workshop

Screenshot

Come one, come all to a lantern-making workshop this weekend! Make a lantern to carry in the 8th Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk* the following weekend.

When: 1:00-4:00pm, Sunday, November 2 (drop by any time)

Where: Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Center
2450 Lyttonsville Road, Silver Spring, 20910
Come to the Art Room (2nd floor, located to right at top of stairs, across from elevator)

Cost: FREE

For more information, click here.

* The Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk is organized by the Talbot Avenue Bridge Committee and cosponsored by the Lyttonsville Civic Association, North Woodside Citizens’ Association, and Rosemary Hills Neighbors’ Association.

Halloween Fall Funfest 2025

October is here, and with it comes the coziness of fall and the spookiness of Halloween! We’re excited to announce our neighborhood Halloween Fall Funfest 2025 is coming up!

Similar to last year, North Woodside is teaming up with Linden Civic Association to co-host this event. Everyone is encouraged to dress up, bring a neighbor or a friend, and enjoy the spirit of the season together. Event is rain or shine, so please dress according to the weather.  Read on for more info and scroll down for a downloadable flyer.

EVENT DETAILS:

📅 Date: November 1, 2025
🕒 Time: 1:00-4:00pm
📍 Location: Montgomery Hills Park, 2103 Seminary Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Join us for an afternoon of seasonal fun with activities:

  • Costume parade & contest for Kids and Pets 👻
  • Raffle & Prizes 🎟️🎁
  • Treats 🍎
  • Food truck 🚚🍔🌮
  • Music and more!  🎶

For further information or questions, reach out to Mona or the NWCA Programs Coordinator.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you all. Happy Fall!

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Lower Luzerne Fall Fest 2025

The Lower Luzerne (LoLu) Fall Fest is just around the corner! 

Join your neighbors on Lower Luzerne (2200 Block) on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, 5-9pm. NOTE ROAD CLOSURE 4-9pm!

All North Woodside neighbors and honorary neighbors are welcome to join us for FOOD, DRINKS, MUSIC, GAMES, KARAOKE & MORE! 

Neighborhood Featured in Washington Post Article

North Woodside and two of its residents, Geoff Gerhardt and Gus Bauman, were featured in a Washington Post article this week on the neighborhoods surrounding the busy Georgia Ave. corrider:

Montgomery Hills’ leafy neighborhoods contrast with busy Georgia Ave.
Where We Live | Five communities share the benefits and challenges of suburban life near an urban thoroughfare.

By Barbara Ruben, September 17, 2025

Access the article for a limited time here.

Luzerne/Glenridge Labor Day Block Party


All are welcome to the Luzerne/Glenridge Labor Day Block Party! 

We will have a superstar lineup of live music from talented neighborhood musicians; a moon bounce; snow cones; and potluck food & drink. And it looks like Mother Nature is on our side: high 70s and sunny! 🤞🏻

When: Monday, September 1, 2025 3-7 pm (kids’ bike race at 3:30ish pm)

Where: 2000 block of Luzerne Ave & 9100 block Glenridge Road

*Many thanks* to the neighbors who’ve signed up to help set up/clean up, monitor the moon bounce, and bring food/drink. If you plan to come, please bring a dish or snack or beverages to share.

Important: If your child is bouncing in the bounce house, please note that the moon bounce vendor prohibits shoes, belt buckles, dangling jewelry, and eyeglasses. We ask that you keep an eye on your child and make sure they’re being a good citizen when jumping. 

Looking forward to a fun afternoon with great neighbors! See you there!

Upcoming Ban: Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Sam Post performs his song about the upcoming county ban on gas-powered leaf blowers at the neighborhood porch open-mic concert on June 15, 2025.

Dear neighbors, here’s a reminder that Montgomery County’s ban on gas-powered leaf blowers goes into effect July 1. These loud and inefficient machines release dangerous toxic and carcinogenic emissions. As a favor to your ears, your lungs, and especially your musician neighbors, please inform your landscapers about the ban, or hire landscapers who have transitioned to electric. Starting in July, new rebates for landscapers to go electric will be available. Be a good neighbor; respect the ban!
—Sam Post, The Beacon, Spring 2025

Sam subsequently debuted a song he composed about the upcoming gas-powered leaf blower ban at a recent neighborhood open-mic porch concert. It was an audience hit! For those who missed the event or who want to listen to song again, check out a video recording of it below, followed by full lyrics. Enjoy! (And respect the ban!)

For more information about the county’s gas-powered leaf blower ban, see www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/property-care/leaf-blowers/

Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Song
by Sam Post

Lyrics:

In case you don’t know about County Bill 18-22
I wrote this handy song in order to make sure that you do
Montgomery County followed DC and decided to ban
The sale and the use of gas-powered leaf blowers across this land
So now I’m asking you to get out there and help spread the word
‘Cause the number of leaf blowers in this neighborhood is absurd
They’re louder than an airplane
Which is why I started this campaign to complain
Before I go completely insane

Please respect the county’s ban on gas-powered leaf blowers
To me this is religious stuff although I’m not a churchgoer
I know this might not be the thing that you lose sleep over
But every time I hear one I want to use a flamethrower

Leaf blowers are awful for your health and my sanity
So I speak for myself but also for all humanity
I am really trying not to use any profanity
But if you wrote music for your job you would understand me

Now I was hoping to explain this county law with this new beat
But right now there’s a leaf blower going right across the street
It’s making it really hard to concentrate; I’m trying to rhyme
I’ve got two kids over here; so I don’t really have much chance or opportunity 
So I’m hoping that this community will show unity against this leaf blower lunacy


I plead with you to  respect the county’s ban on leaf blowers
To me this is religious although I’m not a churchgoer
I know this might not be the thing that you lose sleep over
But every time I hear one I want to use a flamethrower

Leaf blowers are awful for your health and my sanity
So I speak for myself but also for all humanity
I am really trying not to use any profanity
But if you wrote music for your job you would understand me

Please mark your calendars
This ban starts July 1st
Please tell your landscaper
This law is on paper
This isn’t quackery so
If you want to be informative
Tell them use a battery-powered alternative

Our country may be turning into an autocracy
But luckily Montgomery county is still a democracy
So if you truly believe in progressive policy
Please help me out
Don’t hire a landscaper unless they plan to make switch
To electric battery power it works without a hitch
If you want to talk more later, I’ll be around the neighborhood
To make my pitch

Talbot Avenue Bridge Meet & Greet

All are welcome to the Talbot Avenue Bridge Community Meet & Greet, the day after Juneteenth!

As we approach the longest day of the year, join us on the new Talbot Avenue Bridge to enjoy light refreshments, informal socializing with neighbors, watching passing trains, and more.

What: Talbot Avenue Bridge Meet & Greet
When: NEW DATE! Friday June 20, 7:00 pm – sunset
Note: Original date was Juneteenth; due to likely stormy weather that evening, we’ve decided to go with the rain date.
Where: Pedestrian sidewalk on new Talbot Avenue Bridge
Event will be very casual. No program and no speakers. We’ll provide some chairs, napkins, and cups. And we’ll have chalk, bubbles, and coloring pages for kids. 

Feel free to bring (optional): Savory snack, sweet treat or drink to share; musical instrument to play; or an extra chair.

For more information: Visit the Talbot Avenue Bridge website, or email talbotavenuebridgecommittee@gmail.com

Organized by: The Talbot Avenue Bridge Committee. Cosponsored by: Lyttonsville Civic Association, North Woodside Citizens’ Association, Rosemary Hills Neighbors’ Association

We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Father’s Day Porch Open Mic

Hey neighbors! Dan on Rookwood is hosting a porch open mic on Father’s Day (June 15th) starting at 2pm and going until they run out of performers.

His band, River Road, will kick things off, and they’ve already got a few great acts lined up — but they would love to feature more!

Whether you sing, play an instrument, tell jokes, paint, dance, or have something else creative to share, this is your chance to shine. Just reach out if you’d like to perform!

And all are welcome to come hang out:

  • BYOB
  • Will have light snacks and kid-friendly drinks
  • Families, kids, dogs — everyone is welcome!

(Let’s make it a fun, festive afternoon. Hope to see you there! – Dan)

Chalk Art Fest in Celebration of World Pride

The NWCA Inclusion Committee invites neighbors of all ages (and levels of art skill!) to participate in a Neighborhood Chalk Art Fest in celebration of World Pride in DC.

We have lots of new sidewalks around the neighborhood, a perfect blank canvas for some rainbow chalk art!

Contact the NWCA Communications Coordinator if you would like to receive a box of chalk with 24 shades of rainbow colors.

And please send photos of your colorful sidewalk artwork, so a virtual gallery can be seen and enjoyed even if a passing rainstorm washes original away.

Let’s send out some love!

Online Chalk Art Gallery: