Ribbon Cutting on the New Rooftop

Although it was too early for the stars, the sun warmed the faces of the crowd at the Rooftop Terrace ribbon cutting as City staff and residents filled the terrace for the first First Friday Deck Party.

With palm trees swaying in the breeze, Mayor Susan Hoffmann gave a short and spirited speech to mark the grand opening. Describing the Town Center, she stated that they wanted to create “a place people are proud to show off as the heart of their community.”

Explaining that he had as much to do with creating the Terrace as anyone, she then invited former Mayor Larry Giammo to join her and City Council members Piotr Gajewski, Phyllis Marcuccio, and Anne Robbins to cut the big red ribbon.

The Terrace is the “icing” on this Town Center “cake”. The open, modern design faces west for sunset viewing. Guests crowded along the railing looking down on the Town Square which looked just like the development plan sketches. Now it’s real.

Gordon Biersch provided the hot and cold food including delicious brownies for dessert, plus, of course, their Rockville-brewed beer. Attendees are proofed upon exiting the elevator on the sixth floor and given wrist bands to be able to purchase alcohol. My sons couldn’t believe that I was getting a wrist-band and they weren’t since usually it’s the other way around!

The band, Sons of Pirates, played a familiar beach, pop sound, and even one canine guest was dancing with a friend. Although enjoyable, the sound level of the band was loud and required people to yell. Honestly, you could hear the music just fine down on the street, so I question this venue and event for a full band. Even though I like the scheduled performers and my philosophy has always been “the louder the better”, at this event people wanted to talk, catch up, and network but socializing was difficult. The event was a cocktail party at a concert and unfortunately this just didn’t work. Next month one of my favorites, Leaving, TX is playing, so come prepared to rock.

With free admission, live music, and a contemporary setting, the First Friday Deck Parties are a very welcome addition to our recreation options. For the price of a drink, you can have a fun time above the Town Square. While attending, you can stop down at VisArts on the second floor and meet the artists working in their studios and view the gallery exhibits. The new VisArts TOO gift shop is open at the ground floor entrance. HearArts performances start at 7:30 PM. All of these options add up to a full evening with something to appeal to everyone.

The Rooftop Terrace is a rental space for family and group events. Plans can include the VisArts spaces on the second floor. Arrangements can be made through the Rockville Civic Center Office.

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Rockville Central Radio Today At Noon

Tune into Rockville Central Radio today at noon!

It's a talk show: Call-in number is 646-200-3332. (You may have to wait to get on the air -- depending on what is going on and how many others are on.)

As you know, we have launched a weekly radio talk show called "Rockville Central Radio!" It airs every Friday at noon. It's completely easy to listen to: Just go to this page at noon on Friday, to start listening in. You'll need a computer, an Internet connection, and speakers.

Today's show should be super. We will have Mary Van Balgooy from Peerless Rockville, Calvin Dixon from the City's Recreation and Parks Department (the skatepark opens this weekend! Yay!) . . . and more!

You won't want to miss it.

Thanks for all your support.

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POTD: Globes

These are from our recent Science Day.

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This Week In Sports 5/1/08

From Tim Fauber, Events Contributor

Real Maryland beat the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-0 Saturday, Ron Cerritos recievied a red card in the second half and will sit out when Real plays their first away game against West Mass Pioneers.

These are the last games of the regular season. Next week I let Rockville know which of the high school teams will make it into the county finals.

BASEBALL

Saturday 5/3/2008
B-CC at Richard Montgomery 2 pm
Damascus at Rockville 2 pm
Wootton at Northwest 2 pm

Monday 5/5/2008
Richard Montgomery at Watkins Mill 5:15 pm
Rockville at B-CC 5:15 pm
Wheaton at Wootton 5:15 pm

Wednesday 5/7/2008
Rockville at Northwest 5:15 pm

LACROSSE

Saturday 5/3/2008
Quince Orchard at Wootton V 2 pm
Watkins Mill at Richard Montgomery V 4 pm

Monday 5/5/2008
Rockville at B-CC V 5:15 pm

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Weekend to Weekend 5/1/08

Events In Rockville

Thursday, May 1

Registration Deadline. If you live in East Rockville, this is the last day to register the address of your Yard Sale for the East Rockville Civic Association's "Authentic Trea$ures & Tra$h Neighborhood Yard Sale to be held on Saturday, May 17th from 8 AM - 1 PM. Email chas_hausheer@hotmail.com

Twinbrook: The Quintessential Postwar American Suburb, Twinbrook Library, 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM. Graduate students from George Washington University will explain about the developer Joseph Geeraert, the design/remodeling/landscaping of the houses, and the people who bought them. Twinbrook was the largest suburb built in Rockville right after WWII.

Friday, May 2

Family Fun Night, Welsh Park, 3 PM - 10 PM. An extreme time is planned for the Rockville Sk8Park! Located behind the Swim Center. Free but donations accepted for the Rockville Recreation Fund. Food & Beverage sale proceeds also for the Fund.
3 PM – 8 PM Free skating with an extreme skating demonstration at 5 PM.
3 PM – 7 PM Moon bounce, face painting, open challenge tennis, basketball challenge and family games and contests.
8:30 PM Outdoor family movie, Disney’s “Enchanted”. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets.

Rockville Rooftop Terrace Grand Opening, VisArts Arts and Innovations Center, 5 PM - 8 PM with ribbon cutting at 5:30 PM. Admission is Free. The Mayor and Council invite you to celebrate by taking yourself to the top of Town Center. This is the also the first of the "First Fridays Deck Parties" that the City sponsors each month during the warmer weather. Sons of Pirates is playing their beach and popular music. Thanks to sponsor Gordon Biersch for sending me the band lineup for the summer. They are going to be selling wine and beer. You must be 21 years old with identification.

HearArts, VisArts Arts and Innovations Center, 7:30 PM. After enjoying Sibbie O’Sullivan who writes award-winning poetry, fiction and drama, and the Columbia Recorder Quartet who will play music from medieval times to jazz, you can read your own work at open mic.

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Saturday, May 3

Annual Spring Bazaar and Yard Sale, Rockville Senior Center, 9 AM - 2 PM. More than 30 vendors. Low-cost items, crafts, plants, computers and homemade treats to eat. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization which supports the Senior Center. Don't forget to get the raffle tickets because the prize is good, old fashioned cash - 1st $500, 2nd $250, and also themed gift baskets.

Community Yard Sale, Welsh Park, 9 AM - Noon. You can stop by both Sales! Shop and support the Rockville Recreation Fund.

Cinco de Mayo Fest, Austin Grill Rockville, 11 AM 'til late. Music on the indoor and OUTDOOR stages. AN ALL DAY LINEUP! These people know how to throw a party!
11 AM – Noon Take the kids to a big Tex-Mex brunch with upbeat kid's music by John Henry England - "peaceful, punk rock, preschool".
On the outdoor stage in the Rockville Town Square, rock, alt-country & pop:
12 PM - The Guzzlers
1 PM - The Joint Chiefs
2 PM - Justin Trawick Group
4 PM - Everyone But Pete
6 PM - Justin Jones & the Driving Rain.
9:30 PM J.B. Beverley & the Wayward Drifters play back inside Austin Grill.

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Sunday, May 4

Yoga For A Cause - Donation Class, Thrive Yoga, 1 PM – 2:30 PM. All level yoga class with refreshments and giveaways. Help support Project Zawadi’s efforts to help orphaned and vulnerable children in Tanzania by attending this yoga class and making a donation. Great opportunity to visit my yoga studio with its waterfalls and artifacts, a welcome escape with wonderful people to help improve your life and health through yoga. Register in advance.

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Tuesday, May 6

Rockville’s Pike: Second Report to the Community, Richard Montgomery High School, 7 PM – 9 PM. The consultants will present their analysis of the economy and real estate market of Rockville Pike. If you live, work, shop or travel in Rockville then you should come along. You’ll be given a chance to provide input on the presentation.

Friday, May 9

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Saturday, May 10

Royal Tea Party, Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 2 PM – 4 PM. $8/Rockville residents, $10 Nonresidents. Rock Enroll # 24910. In celebration of Mother’s Day, put on that Princess dress and get the royal treatment. Play princess games, make princess crafts, and enjoy refreshments. I’m gonna guess boys aren’t going to this tea party!

NIH Chamber Singers, Twinbrook Library, 3 PM. Free. Choral selections from around the world. Great for kids. All are welcome.

Homes & Hospitality Tour, Peerless Rockville, Baltimore Road in East Rockville, 4 PM – 8 PM. $40/person. Visit these wonderful historic homes never before shown to the public while enjoying gourmet hors d’oeuvres, wine, music, and beautiful gardens. For info or tickets call 301-762-0096. Tickets are on sale at the Waygoose Fine Crafts or the Red Brick Courthouse.

All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

Sunday, May 11
All My Sons by Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM. $16/adults, $14/seniors & students. Arthur Miller play which opened on Broadway in 1947 and was eventually made into a film and TV movie. Based on a true story of a woman who informed on her father for selling faulty parts to the US during WWII.

OUT ON THE TOWN

Keep this in mind when shopping for Mother’s Day: At the Rockville Town Square you can receive a free Vera Bradley Zip ID Case from The Cottage Monet when you spend $150 or more at any two or more Rockville Town Square stores. Simply present your combined sales receipts to The Cottage Monet or Town Square Jewelers. Receipts must be dated May 1 to May 10, 2008. While supplies last. No rain checks. One Zip ID Case per person, per day, regardless of purchase amount.

Email the information for any fun, educational or community events to be included in Weekend to Weekend. Businesses are invited to send along specials and discounts. Include links! We will publish event listings occurring in & around our coverage area (map) on Thursdays. The inclusion of events and specials is at our discretion.

If you attend an event, we invite you to write a contributor review. Just send it in and we will consider it. Rules: Event is in Rockville; fairly recent; article is your work; you are not offering it for publication elsewhere. Try to keep it under 500 words; we will edit for length. Include a photo if you have one!

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POTD: Pretty In Pink

This is by Rockville Central friend Kate Savage. She wanted a title relating to Aerosmith, but I hope she won't mind I went with the Psychedelic Furs instead!

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Cheering For The First City Track Meet

Tonight cheers and clapping rose above the runners as the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks held its first track meet of the season at Wooten High School. Non-stop running filled three hours as the kids in first grade through middle school competed in good-spirited fun. The field was filled with shot puts and long jumps, while teammates continually rushed to the starting line to race on time.

With determined looks, the runners competed their best in front of the crowd and their peers, sometimes surprising even themselves. The crowd always cheered the loudest for the runners in the back of the pack, encouraging a finish with smiles. The Striders, who practice at Montgomery College, dominated most heats with excellent form.

Ayanna Upsher, running in the first heat of her life and placing first for the Striders, said "It was fun and exhilarating. Hearing my teammates cheer was great!"

Parents talked about the real need for exercise and encouraging their children to improve their personal bests.

The kids really gave it their all!

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POTD: Reds

This nice pic is by Rockville Central contributor Monique DeFrees. Of it, she says: "One can never have too much red."

Hear, hear.

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An Eventful Few Days

As I said on Rockville Central Radio last Friday, the list of events scheduled for this past weekend was very long! Here’s a rundown of what's been happening in Rockville.

The “Spring Fling” at Maryvale Elementary School was a real community occasion in the summery sunlight last Saturday. The kids went from playing games to riding horses with rock cover songs in the background. The middle school band, Medow, had t-shirts and a fan base. Kids lined up to be dunked in the dunk tank. With the heat they really should have been charging for the dunk rather than throwing the ball at the target! Squeals of happiness could be heard from little ones going on the giant slide after the moon bounce and trackless train. Personally, I was more than slightly dizzy after spinning in the tubs! Sometimes when you go to an event at a school that is not your own with unfamiliar faces you feel out of place, but the Maryvale “Fling” is just like a real old-fashioned carnival creating a great time for everyone.

At the Croydon Creek Nature Center “Spring Festival” also on Saturday, people were in and out all afternoon. The native plants were all sold in a half hour! If you sign up for the mailing list, you will be notified about preordering the plants next year. The Raptor Conservancy of Virginia presentation was standing room only. A cute little Eastern Screech Owl was brought out, but he was not the new resident of the Nature Center, who was in the back offices getting acclimated to the new surroundings in peace away from the crowds. The bees were a buzzing and the honey-making process was explained. Kids made a nature craft and learned about City environmental programs. Out on the back porch you could get a free sno-cone and tree seedling. Many took advantage of the naturalist led hikes on the trails. The Center was bursting with activity.

Although the weather turned colder and overcast on Sunday, everyone still enjoyed Science Day at Montgomery College. The rocket launches and pigeon release were outside, while inside there were many interactive displays. The student-designed robots moved and swept foam balls. Microscopes showed the details of creek critters. Snakes and monitors were on display with tortoises, which could be touched. Mars was seen through 3-D glasses. Kids continually lined up to land the space shuttle in a simulator, but when it was our turn, we unfortunately crashed it into the swamp! My son is still carrying around the feather he received from the Animal Exchange after answering three questions about birds. Parents were as interested and excited as the kids.

Last night The West End played Austin Grill to raise funds for the Beall Elementary School anthology. So many people turned out that every table was taken and supporters were still lined up at the door. An early start time made for a family event. The band skillfully played through all their favorites for an appreciative audience of both new and old fans. These Beall parents really know how to rock!

This Thursday’s Weekend to Weekend will be just as packed with activities, as the warm weather brings lots to do in Rockville.

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POTD: Steal This Book

Actually, there's not much of this available anymore, but it was quite dramatic!

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Blast From Past: Ben And Jerry's, California Tortilla To Open!

Rockville Central friend Eric Jensen brought this nugget from the Gazette to our attention over the weekend. It's an announcement from 1999 about the imminent opening of the Ben & Jerry's and California Tortilla next to the Regal Cinemas.

THE WAIT IS OVER

For the past nine months, two banners advertising the coming of a Ben & Jerry's ice-cream shop and a California Tortilla restaurant have first tantalized and eventually frustrated residents waiting for their arrival.

Now, after what seems like an interminable wait for many residents, the two eateries are gearing up to open next door to the Regal Cinemas in downtown Rockville. . . .

On Monday night, Eric Jensen, a 10-year resident of Rockville, stood at the podium in City Hall and told the City Council about his "personal disappointment with the lack of progress being made with the Rockville Town Center."

"Yes, it's true we have 13 movie theaters, but 13 movie theaters alone do not create the thriving downtown we have envisioned for Rockville," said Jensen, who suggested that . . . city planners pay close attention to the progress being made at another shopping center -- the Washingtonian Center off Sam Eig Highway and Fields Road in Gaithersburg.

"The Washingtonian Center is accomplishing what many people had envisioned for our Town Center -- attractive, well-maintained, beautifully landscaped sidewalks in an area that looks and feels like the way Rockville's downtown should look and feel," Jensen said.

Eric's got his wish! I know he would agree: Our town center is thriving, and Town Square is well on its way to being a local landmark for so many things.

Read the whole article here.

It's a great reminder of so many things: how far our downtown has come; how persistence can pay off; and how much patience is often required.

I love this town.

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POTD: Duck, Duck, . . . .

. . . . Goose! I took this near Stonehenge on that recent really nice day. Which I wish would return.

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