Newsletter

Holiday Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration

/ Anna White

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting* and Hanukkah Celebration will be on Sunday, December 14, 4:45 pm, at the Luzerne/Glen Ross island. Note: Rain date is Monday, December 15, 6:00 pm.

The celebration begins at sundown with the lighting of the menorah, a holiday singalong and tree lighting, visit from Santa Claus, and refreshments, including latkes (potato pancakes) and hot cider. Scroll down for the program and song sheet.

The first night of Hanukkah this year is December 14, so the first candle of the neighborhood menorah will be lit that evening and lighting the remaining candles will continue for eight nights. If you would like to help with setting up or cleaning up, preparing refreshments, posting street closure signs, or any other aspect of this event, please contact Melinda Frederick, program coordinator.

SSL service hours will be available to MCPS students who volunteer for this event.

The NWCA community will be notified via the listserv of any event updates. Donations to defray the costs will be gratefully received at the event or online.

Singers Wanted: Our Tree Singers group performs holiday music at the above event, and we’re always looking for new members. It is a cappella four-part harmony, so some choral experience and music reading skill is helpful. I can give you music in advance. We usually have two rehearsals in the weeks leading up to the event. If you are interested in joining us, please contact me. Thank you! – Julie Lees

2025 Hannukah and Christmas programDownload


* Recent historic newspaper research suggests that this year is the 99th anniversary of the first community holiday tree lighting in 1926. Wow, the tradition is much older than we realized!

Georgia Ave Improvement Plan Achieves Key Milestone

/ Anna White

By Geoff Gerhardt

On Thursday, September 4, state and local leaders gathered in Montgomery Hills to announce that the project to make long-awaited improvements to Georgia Avenue is now fully funded.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Draft Fiscal Year 2026–2031 Consolidated Transportation Program allocates funds needed to complete the $50.8 million Georgia Avenue project. Final design is complete, right-of-way acquisitions and utility relocations are underway, and construction will begin in spring 2028.

In announcing funding for the project, State Highway Administrator William Pines said, “[The State Highway Administration] is excited to see this important safety project advance, bringing improvements that will enhance safety, connectivity, and accessibility for all highway users. The partnership with the community has been critical to moving this project forward and we look forward to coming back to celebrate its completion.”

For more than 40 years, plans have circulated to transform Georgia Ave. in Montgomery Hills into a tree-lined boulevard that feels like a neighborhood street, not a highway cutting through the middle of the surrounding neighborhoods. For decades, those plans stalled. The heart of Montgomery Hills is too often treated as a place to drive through rather than a destination to walk, bike, gather, and shop.

When complete, the reimagined Georgia Avenue corridor will:

  • link to community assets—improved walking and biking access will make it easier for residents to connect with local businesses, Forest Glen Metro, downtown Silver Spring, nearby schools, and eventually the Purple Line.
  • be safer for everyone—replacement of the reversible lane with a median, improved sidewalks, and protected
  • cycle lane will make traveling along the corridor easier and safer whether you’re on foot, on a bike, in a wheel
  • chair, or in a car.
  • support local businesses—a more attractive, walkable environment invites people to stop, linger, and shop locally.
  • space for a community park—realigning southbound 16th St. will make room to develop a new neighborhood park.
  • create a sense of place—with trees, wider sidewalks, and space for people, Georgia Avenue will become the kind of main street that strengthens neighborhood identity.

This is a landmark moment for Montgomery Hills. After decades of waiting, the vision of a tree-lined boulevard that connects rather than divides is finally within reach. The progress we have seen on this project is due in large part to community input and activism, including strong support from residents of North Woodside and the North Woodside Citizens’ Association.

Neighborhood-Led Student Satellite Launches

/ Anna White
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took off from Cape Canaveral on Sunday, September 14, as seen on NASA’s livestream.


By Leticia Barr

It’s up! North Woodside’s own SilverSat CubeSat launched into space Sunday, September 14, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX rocket to begin its mission to tweet pictures to order from space.

Persistence paid off for SilverSat’s team of student engineers, who started out as a small group of local middle and high schoolers in 2017.

But the effort started three years earlier as a labor of love launched by North Woodside resident Dave Copeland, himself an aerospace engineer, along with his wife Cheryl Guerin Copeland, fellow North Woodside residents Leticia Barr and Jim Barr, and Woodside Forest neighbors Noelle Kurtin and Chris Rutledge. Their plan: Gather a group of middle and high school students to build and launch a miniature satellite known as a CubeSat.

It took a lot longer to pull off than they ever dreamed. “I thought it would launch by 2019,” Dave said. Their own children aged out of the project and graduated from high school, as have numerous students in the project. But others signed up to replace those who moved on, and successive teams plowed through the pandemic and other hardships to bring the project to reality.

The students packed the 10-cubic cm (about 4-cubic inch) satellite with a camera, radio transmitter and receiver, computer, solar panels, electronics, antenna, guidance systems, and other equipment needed for its mission to tweet from orbit.

Guided by Dave and a few other dedicated parents with the needed expertise, they tested and retested the satellite to make sure it worked and could withstand the rigors of space. They learned how to operate a radio transmitter, earned amateur radio licenses, and demonstrated their expertise to NASA’s strict standards.

North Woodside and Woodside Forest neighbors and founding Board members of SilverSat Leticia Barr, Jim Barr, Chris Rutledge, Cheryl Copeland, and Noelle Kurtin celebrate the launch at a home in Montgomery Hills. SilverSat President, Dave Copeland, attended the launch in Cape Canaveral.

“The goal of SilverSat has always been to provide area kids with an opportunity to learn something outside what they learn inside a classroom,” said Leticia, a former Montgomery County Public Schools teacher. Some of the students have chosen to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees and careers, and more than a few have come back to act as mentors to the team. Leticia’s daughter, Emily, was one of the founding participants. Now majoring in engineering as a senior at Harvey Mudd College in California, Emily watched the livestream of the launch from her dorm room and texted a photo of the rocket launch to the family group chat.

“The project was accepted into NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative in 2021,” said Dave.

Anyone can visit SilverSat’s websiteat Silversat.org/operations to request a photo. If it’s feasible, when the little satellite is orbiting over the right spot in the Northern Hemisphere, it can take a picture of that spot and then send it out over X (formerly Twitter) from its account @silversatorg for anyone to see.

SilverSat is on Bluesky bsky.app/profile/silversat.bsky.social, Facebook @SilverSat and Instagram @Silversat.

Fall 2025 Neighborhood Meet & Greet

/ Anna White

Join Us for a Neighborhood Meet & Greet!

The NWCA is hosting a casual Meet & Greet for neighbors on Sunday, November 16, from 10:00 am to noon, at the grassy area by the bench at 3rd Ave. and Lanier Dr. It’s a great opportunity to form new connections with neighbors or simply enjoy a relaxed morning outside with friendly faces.

We’ll have free seasonal refreshments, and we also welcome contributions of snacks or drinks if you’d like to bring something. No formal introductions or agendas, just a chance to get to know who’s around. Wear something warm so you can linger and chat comfortably. We look forward to seeing you there!

Contact welcome@northwoodsideca.groups.io.

Upcoming Ban: Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

/ Anna White

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

NWCA Annual Meeting 2025

/ Anna White

Mark your calendars!

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

Questions? Contact: programs@northwoodside.org

How the American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre Came to Be

/ Anna White

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.

Georgia Ave. Update: $8.1 Million in New Funding for Montgomery Hills

/ Anna White

By Geoff Gerhardt

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.

For more information see Friends of Montgomery Hills.

Neighbors’ Upcoming Musical Performances

/ Anna White
Kassia Music

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

Sunday, February 16, 4:00 pm
Grace Episcopal Church, 1607 Grace Church Rd., Silver Spring, MD
www.kassiamusic.org/performances

The Vico Cycle

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.