Come one, come all, to the first neighborhood porch party/concert of the year this Memorial Day weekend!
The Vico Cycle in concert
Concert will feature two bands in which North Woodside residents are members, The Vico Cycle and Zero to 60, and a few acoustic tunes by Phil LoPiccolo. Additional performers welcome*.
When: Sunday, May 25, from 2:00-6:00 pm Where: 2006 Hanover Street
What: Musical performances by two bands and at least one additional neighborhood musician. This is a family friendly event, with bubble machine, bagged snacks and juice boxes for the kiddos, as well as some refreshments for grown ups too. Kids can play in the yard and everyone can enjoy the music. The weather is supposed to be beautiful. Chairs will be put out in the front lawn for folks interested in stopping by, hanging out with neighbors, and enjoying the concert.
Contact: Josh HelfinSiegel (jasiegel AT wesleyan.edu)
* Note from Josh: We have two full bands but are still looking for additional performers, so if you want to show off your musical skills to your neighbors, get in touch with me and I can put you on the list to play, for as little as one song, or for longer, just let me know.
We’re pleased to announce that NWCA’s Annual Meeting will return to Woodlin Elementary School on Wednesday, May 21, after many years away due to the pandemic and rebuilding of the school.
Our Annual meeting will kick off at 7:00pm sharp, with featured guest, Jacob Newman,Director of the Silver Spring Regional Office for Montgomery County. Jacob serves as a key liaison between county government and its businesses, residents, and visitors to Silver Spring.
In addition, the meeting will feature the treasurer’s report, the introduction of Simpli Dues, the year in review, board elections, and discussion about next year’s priorities. For those in attendance, there will be a drawing for door prizes provided by local businesses. Child care will be provided and light refreshments served.
For many of you, this may be your first visit to the new school, which is quite impressive.
You will access the school from 2101 Luzerne Avenue. Walking is encouraged, but for those who are driving, you can access the parking lot on the LEFT hand side of the building on Luzerne. The entrance is also on the LEFT side of building, facing Luzerne, adjacent to the parking lot.
Look for signage to direct you to the Cafeteria/ All Purpose room at the end of the hall.
To expedite check in, plan to arrive at 6:45pm and renew your annual membership ahead of time at northwoodside.org/nwca-dues
By Wendy and Lisa, daughters of Gus Bauman (North Woodside)
On Friday afternoon, August 24, 1984, when most Montgomery County officials were away on vacation, a contract developer quietly commenced demolition of the 1938 Art Deco Silver Theatre prior to a scheduled public hearing about designating it as an historic site.
The Silver Theatre in 1938, shortly after opening. Black people were not welcome for its first couple of decades. Source: M-NCPPC Historic Preservation office file
Because the county executive, councilmembers, county attorney, and planning board chairman were all out of town, our dad—an involved civic leader and prominent land use attorney—received frantic phone calls from county planners about what was happening at the Silver Theatre building.
On the following Monday, the county permitting department, under pressure from Dad and others, issued a stop-work order before the exterior destruction had managed to reach the theater’s unique interior.
Then, on June 15, 1989, following appointment by the county council (and threatened veto by the county executive), Dad took the oath of office as full-time Chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission/Montgomery County Planning Board. Under his leadership, following a decade of bitter struggles, including lawsuits, over what to do about the declining downtown Silver Spring, a new “Plan for the Revival of Downtown Silver Spring” was finally adopted by the county in April 1993. Among scores of action items, the plan recommended the shuttered, deteriorating Silver Theatre for historic designation and reuse as a performance venue. It was so designated the following February.
The new AFI Silver Theatre, with a nearly identical façade, welcomes everyone and features a great diversity of film festivals and screenings. Source: AFI Silver Theatre’s website
Now, as a major film buff, Dad was well aware that the American Film Institute had a very small theater inside the huge Kennedy Center. Perhaps, he thought, the AFI might wish to have a nearby Golden Age movie palace to showcase American and foreign films.
And so, in early 1993, he placed a phone call from M-NCPPC to AFI about his idea. When the citizens advisory committee on possible reuse of the Silver Theatre learned what the chairman—our dad—had done, they were furious with him; they had been pushing for a live-performance venue, not “another movie house.”
The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, the saved original theater and two additional screens, opened in April 2003.
For more information about current and upcoming films showing, see afisilver.afi.com.
The Linden Civic Association and the North Woodside Citizens’ Association are teaming up to bring you an egg-citing Neighborhood Egg Hunt — and we need YOU to help make it unforgettable!
New This Year! We’re adding face painting and games for even more family fun! But we can’t do it without some amazing volunteers like you.
Want to Lend a Hand? Sign up here to grab a volunteer spot and be part of the excitement! Note: NWCA is now able to offer Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for middle and high school students. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to get involved, give back, and earn hours, so please encourage them to sign up to volunteer using this link.
Got Goodies to Share? We’re happily accepting donations of candy, eggs, funds, or any festive items to make the day even sweeter. We are also looking for anyone with lawn games we can borrow like jump ropes or hula hoops.
Former Lyttonsville/Linden resident and filmmaker Curtis Crutchfield introduces his 2024 documentary My Linden, My Lyttonsville: The Untold Story.
Celebrate Black History Month by learning more about local Black history!
Lyttonsville (aka Linden), a historically Black community established in 1853 by free laborer Samuel Lytton, is located just west of North Woodside. Train tracks run between the two communities, and the new Talbot Avenue Bridge connects them.
Now airing and streaming on public television is an hour-long documentary by former Lyttonsville/Linden resident Curtis Crutchfield about the history of the community he grew up in:
My Linden, My Lyttonsville: The Untold Story of Displacement 1960s era community renewal program displaced [one of] the oldest Black community in Montgomery County, MD. This documentary reveals the pain and pride of residents who were forced to leave their tight-knit neighborhood as the program swept across the nation and Black neighborhoods were deemed “problem areas.”
The film features interviews with over two dozen current and former community residents and others, and draws parallels between the experience of living in Lyttonsville/Linden and in other small Black communities in Montgomery County, such as Scotland and Emory Grove.
In a significant development for Montgomery Hills and its surrounding neighborhoods, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) successfully secured $8.1 million in additional funding for the Montgomery Hills Reconstruction project. This funding adjustment increases the programmed amount for the project to $30.1 million, up from $22 million; thanks to cost optimizations, the total project cost was reduced to $52.7 million, down from $57.1 million.
While this funding is not sufficient to complete construction of the Georgia Avenue Safety and Accessibility Project improvements, our sources tell us it should be sufficient to fund the work planned for the next couple of years—obtaining right-of-way acquisitions and utility relocation. We are hoping that MDOT’s push for this funding also demonstrates its commitment to the project once there is a need to allocate additional construction funds to finish the project.
The Montgomery Hills project is a reconstruction effort aimed at enhancing safety, reducing congestion caused by the Beltway interchanges, and improving the overall usability and aesthetic appeal of this heavily traveled corridor:
Upgraded pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
Enhanced traffic flow through intersection and Beltway interchange redesigns
Relocated utility obstructions and improved stormwater management systems
Special thanks go to the Maryland District 18 and District 20 Delegations for their unwavering support in securing this funding. In particular, Delegate Jared Solomon’s tireless advocacy and persistent efforts were instrumental in ensuring the availability of these critical resources. Their dedication to the community and commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure have made this progress possible. With the support of residents of North Woodside, neighborhood organizations will continue working with policymakers and MDOT officials to secure the remainder of the funding needed for this vital project.
Kassia Music is a chamber group of strings, piano, and clarinet, including two composers, one of whom is pianist Sam Post. The group blends classical traditions with folk and rhythmic influences from around the world. kassiamusic.org or @KassiaMusic on Instagram and Facebook
Femme Brillante: rare chamber works by women
Saturday, February 15, 7:00 pm Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 6201 Dunrobbin Drive, Bethesda, MD musicatredeemer.org
The Vico Cycle, featuring Josh HelfinSiegel on bass and guitar, blends rock, funk, blues, soul, and hip-hop into a lively fusion of raw sound. www.vicocycle.com or @TheVicoCycle on Instagram and Facebook
Saturday, February 8, and Saturday, April 26, between 7:00–10:00 pm Tommy Joe’s, 7904 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, MD tommy-joes.com
Saturday, March 8, between 8:00–11:00 pm Solace Outpost, 444 West Broad St., Falls Church, VA solacebrewing.com
Jeff Weintraub
Jeff Weintraub, vocals and guitar, plays an eclectic mix of jazz, folk, blues, country, and bluegrass along with some of the best musicians in the DC area. www.weintraubmusic.com
Jeff will perform at The Urban Winery on Thursdays, January 16, February 20, and March 20, between 7:00–9:00 pm.
Do you perform in a musical group not listed here? Don’t be shy! We invite you to share information about your performances on the neighborhood listserv.
Welcome to North Woodside 