Celebrate Black History Month by Learning More About Local Black History

/ Anna White
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.”

Watch now at www.pbs.org/show/my-linden-my-lyttonsville-the-untold-story-of-displacement/

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.

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.

Urban Winery Meet & Greet

/ Anna White
Jeff Weintraub

Escape the cold, come meet your neighbors, and support our local winery. First come, first seated. No host bar, non-alcoholic beverages, and food available (see theurbanwinery.com/menu).

Thursday, February 20, between 7:00–9:00 pm
Urban Winery, 2315 Stewart Ave., Silver Spring, MD

Features music by NWCA resident Jeff Weintraub. Co-hosted by North Woodside Citizens’ Association, Linden Civic Association, Lyttonsville Civic Association, and Rosemary Hills Neighbors’ Association. For further information, email programs@northwoodside.org.

North Woodside Snow Scenes

/ Anna White

Yesterday was Groundhog Day and word has it Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means 6 more weeks of winter. We’ll see if this prediction proves correct. In the meantime, here’s a look back at the wintry weather in the neighborhood this past month: snow scenes, snow shoveling, snow people, snow fun, and ice art. Thanks to all the neighbors who submitted photos!

Photos: 2024 Menorah & Tree Lighting

/ Anna White
North Woodside’s 2024 Menorah and Tree Lighting. Scroll down to view more photos.

In spite of the ominous weather forecast,  the 76th (or perhaps longer) annual NWCA Menorah and Tree Lighting event went on as planned on Sunday, December 15, 2024. 

The rain abated and a good number of neighbors gathered to eat latkes and drink hot cider, hear beautiful choral holiday songs by the Tree Singers, and have a visit with and treats from Santa!

Also attending the event was Maryland State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher and neighbors from the Lyttonsville and Rosemary Hills.

They say that many hands make for light work. That is true!

Many thanks to the many neighbors who contributed to the event in one or more of the following ways: led and participated in the Tree Singers, shared the story of Hanukkah, said the blessing and lit the menorah, made delicious latkes and cider, strung the lights on the tree, got PEPCO to turn on the electricity, helped with set up and clean up and serving food, took photos and more! Thanks also to Snider’s for donating the oranges. And to Santa ;).

If anyone who attended but didn’t have money to donate, you can make a donation via the NWCA website here. (Choose “Holiday Fund” from the drop down menu.)

Happy holidays!

2024 Holiday Tree Lighting & Hanukkah Celebration

/ Anna White

The 76th* annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration will be on Sunday, December 15, 4:30 pm, at the Luzerne/Glen Ross island. Note: Rain date is Monday, December 16, 7:00 pm.

The celebration begins with a symbolic menorah lighting, a singalong, a Santa Claus appearance and refreshments, including latkes (potato pancakes) and hot cider. View the program.

The first night of Hanukkah this year is December 25, so the first candle of the neighborhood menorah will be lit that evening and the lighting of the menorah will continue for the rest of the traditional 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, NWCA programs coordinator..

If you would like to join the Tree Singers, contact Julie Lees. The singers sing in four-part harmony, so some choral experience and/or music reading skills are helpful.

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.

* Recent historic newspaper research suggests that this year may in fact by the 98th year of the tradition.

Photos: 2024 Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk

/ Anna White
Civic association representatives and children of Lyttonsville, North Woodside, and Rosemary Hills participate in the lighting of the community Unity Lantern at the commencement of the 7th Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk on November 16, 2024. Photo by Lilian Pintea

Thanks to all who came out to the 7th Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk in mid-November!

Organized by the Talbot Avenue Bridge Committee and co-sponsored by the North Woodside Citizens’ Association, Lyttonsville Civic Association, and Rosemary Hills Neighbors’ Association, this year’s Lantern Walk was the first to cross the completed new Talbot Avenue Bridge. It also honored the memory of lifelong Lyttonsville resident and civic leader Charlotte Coffield.  Check out photos and videos at these links:

Banner created by North Woodside Roots & Shoots group. Photo by Jay Mallin

Special thanks to all the North Woodside neighbors who contributed their time, energy, resources, and talents to the event.

For more event details and a full list of acknowledgements see bit.ly/TABLanternWalk.

Now Open: Lali Market & Fancy Cakes by Selam

/ Anna White

This month, new businesses Lali Market and Fancy Cakes & Patisserie by Selam opened next to Goldberg’s Bagels.

Lali Market carries all the staples for Ethiopian cuisine, including spices, dried beans, and injera.

Fancy Cakes & Patisserie by Selam offers a wide selection of sweet treats, from slices of Napoleon and a variety of layered cakes to eclaires, baclava, and fruit tarts, and specializes in custom cakes. For cake photos, see the business’s Instagram and Facebook pages. The bakery also sells coffee.

Lali Market & Fancy Cakes by Selam held their grand opening on November 23, 2024.

Let’s support these new businesses and welcome them to the neighborhood!