Volunteering with the Silver Spring Village

On October 20th the Silver Spring Village held a 'coming out party' event at the Civic Biulding. Mae Novak, Vice President and Volunteer Committee Chair gave some wonderful remarks that merit 'logging in' this blog.

[for more info on the Silver Spring Village, visit http://www.silverspringvillage.org/ ]

Thank you, and welcome

Show of hands: How many of you have volunteered before—any place, any time, in any capacity? How many can remember their FIRST volunteer experience? How did that make you feel? Good? Great? Warm and fuzzy?

[Western Union telegram beeps]: Dateline, Helena Montana Spring 1961. Place: Easter Seals office. A very young (well, young) Mae Jacobson stuffed envelopes with Easter Seal stickers. Fun! Sense of fulfillment! I don’t think I knew the actual word “volunteer” for another 4 or 5 years…but clearly remember the experience.

[Western Union telegram beeps] Dateline, Silver Spring Maryland Fall 2011. Roberta Gosier called me and asked if I wanted to volunteer for an emerging senior Village. Yes! I told her – I’d love to help people age in place by helping put up holiday decorations in people’s homes. 2 years later, the Village has opened, and I’m waiting for the first Village Member to call asking for this assistance. If you become a member – remember that this service is out there for free!  Inside decor only!

  

So how do Village volunteers help Village members?  They start by applying to BE volunteers. They complete a volunteer interest form and tell us what they – the volunteer – would like to do for Village members. There are many choices: small household repairs, plant care, running errands, doing friendly check-ins or visits, light yard work or cleaning, assisting with bill paying, help with computers/electronics, and – one of the most requested services across the region and country – providing transportation for medical appointments, social events, etc. Note that our volunteer interest form has a space for “other” – we don’t know every possible interest a volunteer might have, so again, the volunteer tells the Village what service(s) they would like to do. We also have need for volunteers to assist with running the Village by answering the office phone, mailing or emailing forms and information, helping with event planning and logistics, doing publicity and helping with fundraising.  Once we determine what the volunteer would LIKE to do, we check their references, do a background (NOT a credit) check, and train the volunteer for the Village-specific tasks they want to do.   VOILA! The volunteer is ready to start. With 30 members and nearly 40 volunteers enrolled just three weeks since the Silver Spring Village opened on September 29^th, we’re not just “ready”, we’re volunteering!

RECENT EXAMPLES of services that volunteers have provided to members include: parcel pick-up service for Members travelling out of town, assisting a Member with putting boxes in the attic, and helping a Member de-clutter after a move.

So volunteers tell US what they would like to do, and we match them with services that members request.  It’s like Reese’s Peanut Butter cups : nothing goes together like peanut butter and chocolate, and nothing goes together like volunteers and members.

  

In closing – I found a few quotes (via Google) about volunteers:

Time is valuable, volunteers are invaluable

Volunteers don’t just do the work – they MAKE it work

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth – Muhammed Ali

Volunteers aren’t paid because they are worthless, but rather because they are PRICELESS.

A pessimist sees a glass of water as being half empty. An optimist sees the glass as half full. A giving person (a volunteer) sees the same glass of water and starts looking around for a person who might be thirsty.

A great story about Margaret Mead, the anthropologist:  A reporter asked Margaret about what the first thing was that she looked at in an ancient civilization – thinking that she would answer “a tool” or “a piece of pottery or clothing”. To the reporter’s surprise she said  “a healed femur” (the large bone in your leg), and here is how she explained her answer: “ When someone breaks a femur they can’t survive to hunt, fish or escape enemies unless someone helps them. Thus a healed femur indicates that someone provided that help rather than abandoning them.”  Volunteering right here in Silver Spring for our neighbors, helps heal “broken femurs” of one sort or another.

So come see our volunteers at the volunteer and membership information table in the other room after the close of our program. Have something to eat, enjoy the music, and learn about how you can be a part of the Silver Spring Village. Discover why some of the richest people on earth are not millionaires, they are VOLUNTEERS.  Thank you.

SUSTAINABILITY, WALKABILITY, AND PLACEMAKING IN SILVER SPRING

NOTE: This DRAFT is co-authored by Doug Weisburger and Reemberto Rodriguez... We look forward to improving it, adding pictures, and more soon... Your comments are welcome!

Many of us think about the global environmental crisis and wonder what we can do to right all the wrongs that have been imposed on our environment.

We look at the deadlock at the Federal level regarding climate change legislation; we wonder how our efforts to reduce our ecological footprint can make a difference in the big scheme of things…

There is a temptation to throw up one’s hands and say, “I give up; it’s all so overwhelming.” 

Of course, we cannot give up, despite the seemingly intractable problems and despite inaction at the national and international levels.   Indeed, we all need to do our part – government, business, and residents – and we need to act with intention every day.  We are, in fact, global citizens with a global responsibility.

Silver Spring is endeavoring to do its part. 

So many good things have been happening in downtown Silver Spring over the past months that have enhanced the overall livability of this community! Much of this was celebrated at the recent Silver Spring GreenFest (October 5, 2013.)

Like puzzle pieces, individually, these projects and enhancements seem nice enough, but put them all together and we get the full picture of their importance.  They represent the County’s commitment to sustainability, reducing our collective environmental impact and creating a walkable, viable, and vital community with a real “sense of place” where all are welcome.

To kick off the GreenFest we had the opportunity to bring together representatives from the County departments, agencies and private-sector and non-profit partners that have supported that commitment and are responsible for the vibrancy that you feel in downtown Silver Spring. 

Present in the audience were people waiting for the Fenton Street Market to open, as well as representatives from the primary Silver Spring Area Advisory Groups:

à        Citizens Advisory Board

à        Urban District Committee

à        Arts & Entertainment Committee

à        Transportation Management Committee

The Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce also joined us.

First to be recognized were the green and blue trash and recycling containers – in four languages no less – that were recently installed on Veterans Plaza.  They were purchased by the Department of General Services, represented by DGS Director David Dise, and they are emptied throughout each day by the Silver Spring Urban District, represented by their Chief of Operations Yvette Freeman. A few blocks away additional recycling receptacles were purchased by United Therapeutics  represented by Yuri Van Mierlo.  All the containers feature awareness-raising environmental factoids.

Also on the Plaza you’ll see the larger, gray “Big Belly” compactors. Some were placed here by General Services and some by the Urban District. It is worth noting that both agencies used a County-based small business – Environmental Cost Efficiencies -- that markets the solar-powered receptacles/compactors. 

Throughout the Central Business District, you will be seeing new recycling receptacles.  Though purchased and serviced by the Silver Spring Urban District, credit for this new recycling initiative goes to Silver Spring Green, represented on that day by Ronnie Galvin.

Another popular addition to downtown Silver Spring is the Bikeshare stations – 49 docks spread among three stations conveniently placed to serve the busy heart of Silver Spring.  Thanks to the Department of Transportation, for coordinating the program coming to Montgomery County and Director Art Holmes for joining us!

Throughout the County we have been relentless in our efforts to educate all residents about the importance of pedestrian safety and ensuring that all possible efforts are put forth to help ensure that residents and visitors alike can walk safely in all areas of the County.

In Silver Spring, when DOT resurfaced Fenton Street, they made sure that pedestrian safety features were incorporated throughout the project which will eventually be completed from Wayne Avenue to Cameron Street.  Hats off to DOT and its Pedestrian Safety staff, Jeff Dunckel.

New streetscaping is also changing the look and feel of various parts of Silver Spring.  For instance, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs project at Fenton Village, on the east side of Georgia Avenue is enhancing that.  Rogers Stanley the staff person directly responsible for the Georgia Avenue Streetscape project, has gotten to know all the business in the area very well indeed!

And, the Park and Planning Commission has also been involved in the design of all the pedestrian-friendly streetscape designs, most recently negotiating the Cameron Street project that will connect United Therapeutics with the Transit Station.  Commissioner Casey Anderson, an avid supporter of Bikesharing and former Executive VP of Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board can attest to the many years the community has been working on these type projects.

Another thing we take for granted is being able to use this great Civic Building for public events, community gatherings, private meeting and other occasions.  Thanks for overseeing that operation go to Community Use of Public Facilities, and Eric Rasch who is the new Operations Manager at the Civic Building.

When you come to Silver Spring often, you quickly learn that there is always something going on:

à        the entertainment provided by The Peterson Companies up on Ellsworth Drive by the fountain, thanks to the work of Brittany Frankel, Downtown Silver Spring’s Assistant Property Manger;

à        the ambience performances begun down here around Veterans Plaza a couple time a week by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. which provide an additional sense of safety and security in the area.  Lisa Martin is their executive director;

à        the FreshFarm Farmers Market there on Ellsworth, happening side by side with the Fenton Street Market here on the Plaza, thanks to Reg Godin and Megan Moriarty respectively.

Also, thanks to the Montgomery County Conference and Visitors Bureau, under the leadership of Director Kelly Groff, a Visitor’s Map of Silver Spring was created in partnership with the Silver Spring Urban District Office, Peterson Companies, and the Silver Spring Synergies Marketing Group consisting of local hotels, restaurants, and businesses interested in promoting Silver Spring’s amenities to both residents and out-of-town visitors. The map also is geared toward business travelers who may be visiting major employers in the area.

Finally, our community is fortunate to have a special group that is everywhere helping to ensure that downtown Silver Spring is maintained in a clean, safe and attractive manner and that a vibrant social and business climate exists: the Urban District’s Red Shirts, Silver Spring’s Clean and Safe Team whose mission is to make sure that all the amenities, upgrades, programs and services occur in a viable, vital area. 

All these agencies, private sector partners, and non-profits are an integral part of the puzzle picture that goes into creating, sustaining and improving a livable community like Silver Spring. It’s the County and your community coming together for an even better Silver Spring.

All of this was highlighted at the 2nd Annual Silver Spring GreenFest, presented through the collaboration of Silver Spring Green, Fenton Street Market and the Department of Environmental Protection, with Director Bob Hoyt, and key staff Doug Weisburger and Jessica Jones.

 “From Awareness to Action for a Sustainable Future” – that was the subtitle and theme for the Silver Spring GreenFest.  And, as the title suggests, the event was about learning and doing.

Silver Spring Green laid out a program schedule that addressed some really significant issues, some of which are uncomfortable to discuss. (That’s okay… In fact, that’s good.  We need to have these difficult conversations.)

The leadership exhibited by Silver Spring Green --  and all the locally based environmental organizations -- indicates a recognition that we cannot rest on our laurels, despite having a pretty impressive track record.

That is why we should take a moment, though -- all of us collectively -- to pat ourselves on the back, at least a little bit.  After all, we have one of the most rigorous stormwater permits in the nation; the County Executive recently signed into law two bills that together protect trees in our County rights-of-way and preserve our tree canopy; the bag tax is helping us to reduce bag litter from our streams; we have a robust Green Business Certification Program ; and we have a nationally recognized recycling program that allows residents and businesses to recycle 58 percent of their waste which has prompted the County to set a goal to recycle 70 percent of the waste stream by 2020..

These are just a few of our accomplishments but they are proof that the pressing issues of sustainability are bringing us together to strengthen our sense of community and build a cleaner future. 

No doubt, however, some of those pats on our backs should be pushes…

And, local jurisdictions must lead the way.  Our challenge, through continuous improvement, innovation and courage, is to create that “county of the future” in which we all live within our means.

Of course, we have a way to go.

But, the GreenFest and  all the other “puzzle pieces” inspire and propel us  -- government, business, residents and civic organizations -- to do even more, and that we continue to cut the path together to create a better world.

Silver Spring on YouTube (Videos Well Worth Watching)

Bikesharing comes to Takoma Park! ... Watch video HERE. 

Julius explores Fenton Market... From Docs-in-Progress HERE. 

GreenFest is coming to Veterans Plaza October 5th!... Watch promo clip HERE.

Silver Spring offering of live music is much broader than most people realize. See brief video of some examples of where to find itHERE. 

To watch a beautiful video of what Impact Silver Spring's "opportunity circles" are all about, visit HERE. (The video is narrated by Impact's staff member and Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board Member Sara Mussie.)

Cool video - and a 'shout out' for the excellent work that Blair H.S. did for the "Walk Project"!... See HERE. 

Docs-in-Progress just released a very nice video on what art means to Silver Spring's downtown. See it HERE. 

Lorna Virgili interviewed Reemberto Rodriguez, Director of the Silver Spring Regional Center, for her program PERFILES. The intereview is in Spanish. It discusses the role of the Regional Director. See video HERE. 

Want to know a bit of history about our precious Train Station? See video HERE.  (The episode of "Hidden Treasures" starts with a nice piece on recycling. Worth watching as well.)

Do you have other favorites (short!) videos you'd like us to include in our growing list? e-mail HERE. (Please put "Videos" in subject line.)

Amazing Juxtaposing of the Old & the New in Silver Spring

Today (September 15, 2013) is a fascinating day in Silver Spring.

Purely by happenstance two events are going that on the surface have nothing in common. Yet, these two simultaneous events offer an amazing juxtaposing of the old and the new in Silver Spring.

The Silver Theatre turned 75 years young yesterday, September 14^th.  Through the years this theatre has provided the Silver Spring community a gathering place like no other. To understand what movie houses meant to America in 1938 when the Silver Theatre opened its doors is to capture an essential sentiment that – in part – shaped the ‘Greatest Generation’ a few years later. Movie houses were where you went to refresh your body and mind. The news-reels provided that visual mind-imprint that we now take for granted; but back then it was more than novelty. It was innovative, chick, hip, and all those cliché words that say: “interesting and fun.”

Oh, if the Silver Theatre could talk!... How many of today’s Silver Spring residents dreamed up their ideas for this community as they sat there watching movies during their youth!?... How many activists concocted their actions at watering holes after attending a great premier there!?... And, how many film enthusiasts lamented the decline that accompanied its decay before the American Film Institute came to the rescue barely a decade ago?

Today the AFI is celebrating the Silver Theatre’s 75 Anniversary as this great Institution enters its second decade in the heart of Silver Spring. There will be free showing of the same movie that was shown when the Theatre first opened, Warner Bros.’s Four Daughters. The showing will be accompanied by the same news-reel and cartoons that were shown before the movie. More info:

http://www.afi.com/silver/films/2013/p62/silver75thanniversary.aspx

Today in downtown Silver Spring we also come together to celebrate with our Ethiopian community in the third Ethiopian Festival.

No successful urban place in the USA remains static over the years. For an urban place to be relevant, economically viable, and socially vibrant, it must change with the realities of the times. Successful urban places embrace change and weave it into the fabric that defines the community. In Silver Spring today, the presence of the Ethiopian community is a tremendous asset to our economic and social fabric.

We are fortunate to have one of the most successful public spaces where our community gathers to celebrate, Veterans Plaza. Today, this wonderful public realm will be transformed into a joyous festival where we can come together to partake of ‘all things Ethiopian’ in a uniquely Silver Spring way. More info:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ethiopian-Festival/213072742061900

For beautiful pictures of last year’s event, visit;

http://www.tadias.com/08/13/2013/celebrating-cultural-magnificence-the-3rd-annual-ethiopian-festival-in-silver-spring-maryland/

This juxtaposing of the old and the new in Silver Spring truly bodes well for our community. As we celebrate our heritage and our past today while looking forward to a vibrant future, I wonder with awe how in 2088 we will look back 75 years (to today) in Silver Spring; what will be our memories; what will be our stories?... Somehow, I have a good feeling about this!

enJoy today in Silver Spring!

Reemberto Rodriguez, Director

Silver Spring Regional Area

A Cuban American in ML King’s Court

Reflecting on the up-coming 50 year anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  famous “I have a dream” speech, I could not help but feel extremely blessed for having crossed path with greatness through my years. While growing up in Atlanta, both personally and professionally, the happenstance incidents of intersecting with African-American heroes – and common folks – has shaped my life and core values in countless ways… (I thought I’d begin writing these down before I start forgetting them. I am sure that some of the stories are embellished with the inevitable influence of the passage of time. I hope I am dong them justice still.)

Most momentous among these was when, as a young architect (circa 1982), I was asked to do the architectural model for the concept of the African American Experience Museum. Dan Moore, the dreamer of the idea, worked with me to produce the concept: An interactive place where you would ‘feel’ the experience of ‘being there’ at some of history’s most precious moments during the Civil Rights era. The unveiling of the model brought together “Daddy” King, Coretta Scott King, MLK III, Andrew Young, Hank Aaron – and me. I was simply overwhelmed when asked to sign the same scroll that these giants signed… I’d like to think that scroll is probably somewhere in the APEX museum today.  http://www.apexmuseum.org/

I had the honor of serving under Mayor Andrew Young as a housing and community development planner.  His Chief of Staff at that time was Shirley Franklin, who went on to become Mayor herself. Mayor Young’s term followed the tenure of Atlanta’s first African-American Mayor, Maynard Jackson. (The Atlanta airport was eventually renamed ‘Hartsfield- Jackson’ in his honor.)  One of my most memorable moments was being in the Mayor’s office discussing the housing issues in Atlanta. Shirley Franklin, ever the consummate strategists; Mayor Young, ever the consummate visionary; and, Maynard Jackson (who came back for a third term after Young), ever the detailed expert. Indeed, it was so amazing to see Maynard Jackson bring his housing finance expertise (from his Chicago days) to specific issues.  He knew more about the ‘fine art’ of housing finance than anyone else I’ve ever encountered in my 30 years working in the field.

Before joining the City, I had the pleasure of interacting with then Atlanta Councilmember (now Congressman) John Lewis as we worked with inner-city communities through the Community Design Center of Atlanta… Let’s just say that his wisdom in ‘little things’ was simply prophetic even back then… His projection of love – yes love – in contentious community settings was such a refreshing approach to community building!

And then there was Hosea Williams.  (For folks not from the ATL, let’s just say that Rev. Williams is a pillar of greatness when it comes to helping the poor – and a ruckus example of what an imperfect elected official can be.)  Rev. Williams’ commitment to serving the poor is now famous, especially during the holiday season. http://4hosea.org/  But, back then, it was not pretty. Finding the right location to serve the ever increasing number of people; securing the permit in time when – let’s just say that – his ‘organizational’ skills were not the greatest… And then there were his personality traits that unfortunately got him into trouble… Oh, that special like for libations!... Yet: even in with these personal challenges, his commitment to feed the poor was contagious… We miss him dearly!

As I ‘grew’ professionally, I had the opportunity to go through the Leadership Atlanta program.  One of the most wrenching sessions that will forever stay with me was the session given by Civil Rights Great C.T. Vivian.  He was simply mesmerizing.  His ‘in-your-face’ approach to ‘speaking truth to power’ and ‘telling it like it is’ was so very powerful that it is a fundamental influence to my value system with regards to race to this day… I wonder if he could be that blunt in our hyper-sensitive politically correct world today… (I may have to ask his son, who is my Facebook friend…)

… But, it is not only the ‘famous’ African-Americans that have shaped my life’s value system. It is also the countless ‘average folks’ I’ve had the pleasure of crossing path with over my lifetime… Some of these also merit a ‘shout out’:

There’s Glen (I believe that’s his name):  The only classmate that invited me to a ‘conversation’ when I arrived in Griffin, Georgia (30 miles south of Atlanta) in 1968. (Yep, THAT ’68!) I spoke no English. White students would have none of me. When I walked into the lunchroom, Glen – an African-American student - signaled for me to come over and sit with him. We had a great lunch and became good friends… But, it was not easy. After that lunch the Spanish teacher took me to the Principal to tell me that I could not sit with ‘those kind’ during lunch… I did not understand why; he was my friend!  The Principal explained to me why. If I wanted to survive in the school, I had to be a racist… Those were tough times.

We then moved on up to Hampton, Georgia, home of the famous Atlanta Raceway (and home of Gladys Knights and the Pips!)  I would commute to Henry County High School, starting there soon after it integrated. There were racial walk-outs; fights; rumblings; and all of that stuff… No matter: In my senior year I decided to run for Vice-President with my African-American friend on the ticket as President… We ran under the slogan of “Vote for A Cuban and an African”… Then, when graduation time came, we had a party at my house – in ‘lilly-white Lake Talmadge’…  Suffice it to say that having a house full of African-American friends back then was not exactly received well by the neighbors.

Stone Mountain, Georgia.  Birth home of the KKK. The mountain that has enshrined Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Stonewall Jackson.  We ended up moving nearby (Tucker) and having many family gatherings there, watching the laser show highlight how the War of Northern Aggression was not about slavery, but about State rights. Yea, right… If there’s any doubt that God has a sense of humor, Stone Mountain today is one of the most popular sites for African-American family reunions!

So many experiences through the years!... Working with Joe Lewis and The Community in Atlanta’s West End in the 70’s, meeting at the Shrine of the Black Madonna http://www.shrinebookstore.com/locations.aspx  where I bought “Deep is the Hunger” by Howard Thurman; Working with Rudy Bryant from the Pratt Institute back in the 80’s  to develop a national “Leadership Development Network”; providing technical assistance to the executive directors of the Miami and New Orleans Neighborhood Housing Service - both strong African-American women - in the 90’s; helping to get elected African-American councilmembers in  areas as diverse as Green County, Mississippi and Oakland, California (Robert Jackson and Lynette Gibson McElhaney); and working in the Delta (“David Duke” country) with Winnie Stoney of (back then) Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation at a time when a Latino and an African-American women being seen together was not exactly ok…

And the story continues today. Learning from co-workers like Tony Austin (R.I.P.) and Mark Robinson in NeighborWorks America; building community with Ronnie Galvin in Montgomery County; and, sharing stories with story-teller David Hunt…

All of this exposure to greatness has shaped my deep appreciation of the African-American experience, and my personal commitment to continue learning from that experience.  I feel truly blessed with – in one of life’s fascinating twist of fate – to have landed in Silver Spring, Maryland where I continue that ‘exposure’ and learning. Both my local County Councilmember and my County Executive happen to be African-American. I am truly humbled by being able to serve them – and the community they represent - in my capacity as Area Director for Silver Spring.

So, as I contemplate the “I have a dream” speech, my heart is filled with gratitude for all those famously great and not-so-famously great people that have taught me – that are teaching me – the values of perseverance, honor, respect, and yes: Love!... I look forward with great joy and expectations to the experiences ahead as we continue the journey.

[I don't know how long this will be up, but for now you can view the whole speech HERE.  It is less than 18 minutes long. The official text from the Archives can be found HERE.]

Creative, Chaotic Placemaking

The Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza Learns to Walk and Play in the Same Sandbox

Excerpt from this blog posting served as a short 3-minute presentation to the Night-Time Economy Task Force July 15, 2013. In that presentation, I was humbled to be part of a panel with three distinguished folks* that are making the Silver Spring and Veterans Plaza the vibrant, thriving place that it is. (*Mike Diegel, Chair of the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment Advisory Committee provided historical context; Jewru Bandeh, who operated the facility for two years shared operational issues; and, Evan Glass, Chair of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board brought the broader community perspective.)

We could name this presentation many things. Some examples:

• How the idea of this urban space has defined our public realm
• Creating the urban fabric with an intentional multicultural tapestry
• Making a spicy gumbo, not a melting pot (as our County Executive likes to say)
• The Soul, Salsa, and Spirit(s) of Silver Spring

All of these statements try to capture the essence of how this amazing community, dysfunctional as it is, has created - is creating! - one of the most vibrant, thriving, successful public gathering space in the United States.

When I first met the facility’s architect - a proud Argentinean from Boston - before opening day back in 2010, I respectfully told him: “You have given us an architectural masterpiece, and an operational nightmare!... But ultimately, as beautiful a space as you have created, it is the people that will make the place.”... And, "make the place" they have, indeed!

I was rather amused when doing research for this presentation that Project for Public Spaces promoted their recent national conference by stating: “In a compelling entry into the public dialog around placemaking, Project for Public Spaces argues that people, rather than merely places, create vibrancy in a community.” www.planetizen.com/node/61068 ... I think I’ll send them my blog posting from 2010 where we made this exact same argument for this facility:

http://silverspringspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/03/people-make-play-activating-veterans.html

Indeed, my sole contribution to the architecture of the facility was to insist - much to the chagrin of some (at the time) - that we put rocking chairs on the Plaza. As you well know, these have been quite a hit.

This place - Veterans Plaza and the Civic Building - is what it is because of the commitment of the social entrepreneurs and community investors that have spent countless hours to make it work. These have been people, institutions, and corporations that have demonstrated a passion for the simple vision that this facility be our living room; our patio; our gathering place; our public square. This vision for the facility was generated years back; and reaffirmed when the facility opened. See the blog posting:

http://silverspringspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-is-silver-spring-civic-building-at.html

Without these passionate and committed folks, this vision would have never been realized. Some of these folks have included:

• The Dreamers and the Doers: Those folks that sat around kitchen tables literally decades ago and refused to accept a dying downtown.
• Committed Neighborcrats: The countless civic activists that have toiled long and hard, arguing, fighting, writing letters, expressing their opinions, and doing what it takes to keep the vision alive.
• Bureaucratic Champions: Most recently, Jewru Bandeh who spent no less than 16 hour days - including weekends and holidays - over the last two years to ensure the place operates professionally.
• Engaged Social Entrepreneurs: Hannah McCann and now Megan Moriarty who made the Fenton Street Market work typify the personal risks taken to make this place work. 
• Private Sector Interests: This place would not have worked without Peterson Company, a private sector development entity who was there day one and is still there today. Nor without Discovery, the AFI, Round House Theater, United Therapeutic, and the Fillmore. We also must recognize the development community that during the housing crisis of the last few years continue to be bullish in downtown Silver Spring as a great place to invest.

This place would not have succeeded in a vacuum. Its timing was intentional - if a tad late because of economic reasons... This place was conceptualized and designed in a time of prosperity. It was built and began operations in a time of relative austerity. We are now in deep dialogue about how to move forward as the economy slowly begins to bounce back. In summary, here’s how the history of this facility’s short life can be summarized:

• Year Minus One (2009): Adjustments to budget reality
• Year One (2010): Learning by doing
• Year Two (2011): Introduction of policies and protocols
• Year Three (2012): Improved access (through the Community Access Pilot Program)
• Year Four (2013): Reinventing hospitality and welcome
• Year Five (2014): Expanding the Impact (street performers)

So as to prove that necessity is the mother of invention, in the absence of unlimited resources, this place began to live and breathe without a master plan, without a marketing plan, without a voluminous strategic plan. The staffing resources were simply not there to do this in a traditional sense. So we made-do. Invented. Charged forward.

Rather than programming the space from the top down we took the risk of allowing the uses and users to be defined in a sort of ‘demand driven’ social and cultural marketplace. We purposely - thanks in part to limited resources - provided very little framework that would limit ingenuity, invention and experimentation of uses and users of the facility. 

We were proactive in providing the ice-skating rink, the Market, and the Gallery. But beyond that, we provided very little guidance as to what was supposed to go on in the place. Generally, the social and cultural marketplace gave us what we have today.

This led to an amazing array of truly grassroots, community serving, corporate, public, and institutional driven uses and users that we could have never dreamed of - that no bureaucrat could have ever envisioned or designed for. In many ways, the users and uses of this facility would make the people that dreamed up this place very proud... It is truly quite exhilarating to walk into this place under the aroma of the freshly roasted peanuts thanks to the peanut-vendor; hear the drum circle on the Plaza; see the quinceñera celebration in the Great Hall; while a civic group is meeting in one of the rooms, the Ethiopian community is doing a poetry reading in another, and a youth group is practicing a play in yet another room... All of this while people mingle in the hallways 'doing community'...

There is one aspect of this place that I am not sure was ever dreamed of or considered. That is the extent to which this space has become the 'go-to' place for festivals of all types. This space has truly shown that community happens where culture and commerce intersect. Our County-produced Jazz Festival, Thanksgiving Parade, and Summer Concert Series proved a long time ago that downtown Silver Spring can be a destination place for celebrations. The success of the Fenton Street Market on Saturdays (when the ice-skating rink is not operating) demonstrated the area's appeal as a gathering place for commerce. Little did we know, however, that others would seize this opportunity and expand the offerings of festivals ten-fold. It is now rare the weekend that there is not some sort of festival on the Plaza and/or adjoining street. This year, during the Spring, Summer, and Fall over 20 different festivals took place in the space. This ranged from small, issue oriented gathering (i.e.: promoting organ donors in the Latino community); to large, two day ethnic festivals (i.e.: the PanaFest African Festival); to festivals promoting sustainability (i.e.: The GreenFest.) These festivals, together with the success of new venues in the downtown area (i.e.: The Fillmore), and the new apartment developments, have increased the "number of feet" on our downtown streets by at least a factor of five... That is, at any given weekend, there are five times more people in downtown Silver Spring than there were five years ago.

Our success has brought new challenges. For example:

• We constantly try to balance the corporate, institutional and government demands of the facility with demands for community serving, celebratory, festival, and similar gatherings. 
• We are also cognizant that the maintenance and up-keep demands of the space require laser-sharp attention and focus to our fiduciary responsibilities. 
• And, we are always fine-tuning the customer service approach to make the space a welcoming place that will leave users with a positive, memorable experience of our Silver Spring community.

We have intentionally fit this facility in the broader urban fabric of downtown Silver Spring by focusing on an indispensable ingredient: Ensuring safety and security.  Have you noticed that there are teams of at least five different colored shirts throughout downtown?

• Our Red Shirts are our ‘clean and safe’ team for the Urban District
• The Yellow Shirts are dedicated to the parking garages
• The Green Shirts are part of the Peterson Co., crew, focusing on the Fountain area
• The Brown Shirts (on bicycle) are our recent addition for increased safety
• The Blue Shirts, our police, of course

These teams provide the back-bone to the essential feel of the area as a safe, family friendly, welcoming urban place.

Plus, now our 'ambiance performances', provided by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., (SSTCi) make the Plaza come alive with simple, engaging activity most every Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. These 'performances' are not concerts. They are not intended to bring more people to the area. Rather, they intend to provide the folks that happen to be in and around the space a more comfortable sense of place. These ambiance performances make the space feel safer and more welcoming.

It is quite something that in the last few years we've gone from the need to 'generate crowds' in downtown Silver Spring to now having the 'happy problem' of needing to 'control and manage' the crowds!... Quite a change, indeed.

I have challenged my friends in the planning profession throughout the Country and beyond to tell me of another urban place that has been created in the last decade that is so intentionally diverse, so thriving, vibrant, energized, exciting, with a dose of edginess, ingenuity, invention, experimentation, and where the unexpected can still happen... I know of no other such place... And, we've just learned to walk!... Please join us as we embark on the next phase of successful placemaking in our Silver Spring.

SSCAB Annual Report

Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board Annual Report for FY2013

The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board (SSCAB) spent fiscal year 2013 addressing long-standing community concerns, discussing new property developments, and inviting heads and employees of government agencies to discuss how their work impacts Silver Spring and Takoma Park.  

SSCAB and the community engaged in a dialogue with Police Chief Tom Manger about community safety and security issues in the Silver Spring Regional Area, with particular focus on youth-related issues.  Recreation Department Director Gabe Albornoz  and Assistant State Attorneys for Montgomery County Steve Chalkin and George Simms were also present. This discussion was a follow-up to the one-year anniversary of the youth-related shootings in Silver Spring that led to controversial and ultimately tabled curfew legislation.  

Concerns with transportation and property developments increased throughout the year.  The Transportation, Energy and Environment Committee (TREE), which used to be named the Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committee, met with Councilmember Marc Elrich on Bus Rapid Transit and focused on its funding.  The Neighborhoods Committee and the Commercial Economic Development (CED) Committee collaborated to provide a presentation by the 8001 Newell Street development team and a community discussion with Planning Board Member Casey Anderson with Staff Member Elza Hisel McCoy. Studio Plaza was another residential development in Silver Spring that was a great concern to the East Silver Spring residents. The Board submitted a letter regarding the project, which led to Studio Plaza implementing changes to its plan for development.  The development of a soccer field on Northwood Four Corners Park, the Blair Redevelopment project, and the Purple Line development were also discussed during the Neighborhoods, TREE and CED committees.  The latest development project in Silver Spring  discussed was the re-development of City Place mall, which will be re-branded as Ellsworth Place.  The Board and the community voiced our excitement and considerations of the Ellsworth Place project to the County Council and County Executive as well.

Zoning law changes remained a long-standing concern in the Silver Spring community.  The Neighborhoods Committee and the Commercial Economic Development (CED) Committee partnered up again to let Jennifer Wise from  Montgomery County Parks and Planning present an overview of the zoning rewrite currently in process and the specifics of the proposed zoning text amendment regarding accessory apartments.  Glen Orlin from the County Council's staff shared his analysis of the zoning text amendment and an update on the discussion and proposals that emerged from the County Council's Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) committee.

Given the recent property developments, SSCAB responded to a growing call for more open space, green space and urban parks in the community.  TREE held a joint meeting with Neighborhoods Committee to learn from a presentation on green space and urban parks.  Montgomery County's Silver Spring Central Business District planner Robert Kronenburg summarized the history and current state of the County's vision through its master plan for the Central Business District to educate the community on the state of open space and property developments in Silver Spring. The Board wrote to the County Council and County Executive a summary of residential concerns regarding open space while offering possible remedies.

Despite the growing attention to the recent property developments in Silver Spring, the Board and its committees focused on other areas of need.  The needs of small businesses remained a priority for the CED committee, evidenced by inviting  Jerry Godwin  of the Wheaton Business Innovation Center and Ernest Bland of the Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee to speak about small businesses.  CED also continued the work of organizing the 3rd annual Taste the World in Fenton Village to support the local restaurants and neighboring businesses distant from the more developed downtown Silver Spring.  Meanwhile, TREE dealt with environmental matters such as the Tree Canopy Conservation bill.   The Board relayed community feedback and recommendations on the bill to the County Council and County Executive in the form of a letter.  As the FY14 budget process was underway, the Board wrote to the County Council and County Executive  to advise them on the budget priorities of Silver Spring and Takoma Park residents, including funding for the Taste the World at Fenton Village, increased funding for affordable housing initiatives and positive youth development, and continuation of police presence in downtown Silver Spring, the Civic Building Pilot Program, and transportation funding.

SSCAB also invited directors and employees of the County whose work impact the daily lives and activities in Silver Spring:

• David Dise, Director of the County's Department of General Services,  provided updates on the development of the new Silver Spring Library, Progress Place, Third District Police Station, Transit Center.  Dise also engaged in a discussion on re-use of the existing library site in Silver Spring and existing 3rd district police station building.   

• Ramona Bell Pearson, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for the County and Jewru Bandeh, then-Manager for the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza. Both Pearson and Bandeh spoke on the $200,000 Pilot Program to Increase Access to the Civic Building Facility and its implementation during the year. 

• Uma Ahluwalia, Director of Heath and Human Services Director for Montgomery County, also spoke on the presence of health and human services in the Silver Spring Regional Area.  

• Rick Nelson, Director for Montgomery County's Department of Housing and Community Affairs was invited to speak on affordable housing and other residential development in the County.   

• Steve Silverman, Director of Economic Development, came to give SSCAB and the community an update on the department's initiatives in the County.   

• Rohan Ross, Solid Waste & Recycling Supervisor for the City of Takoma Park and Eileen Kao, the Chief of the Recycling Section for the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, discussed with the TREE committee the profitable recycling programs and how it impacts our community.  In addition, Yvette Freeman from the Silver Spring Urban District provided information about the recycling efforts in downtown Silver Spring.

The Board also joined with Councilmember Valerie Ervin twice to engage in community dialogues.  SSCAB attended a joint community dialogue session hosted by Montgomery County Councilmember Ervin and Washington, DC Councilmember Muriel Bowser.  The event was held at Shepherd Park Elementary School in the District, and was well attended by members of both the Silver Spring and D.C. communities.  Agenda items included cross-jurisdictional issues such as crime, the 16th street traffic circle, parking and development.  SSCAB and Councilmember Ervin also invited the community to discuss food, nutrition & hunger in Montgomery County.  We discussed food insecurity, access to nutritious foods, the SNAP the Silence Challenge, school breakfast funding, Kennedy Cluster project, the County's Food Recovery Work Group, and many other important initiatives.

Overall, SSCAB addressed a myriad of issues that reflects our diversity in Silver Spring and Takoma Park.  SSCAB will continue to address the concerns of those that live or work in the communities we serve.