County Seeks Volunteers to Participate in Thanksgiving Parade

| at 10:08 am | Categories Montgomery County

The county is looking for volunteers to assist with various aspects of the annual Thanksgiving parade this Saturday, Nov. 23. Volunteers must be at least 13 or older and plan to meet at the civic building, then expect to remain at the parade site from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Opportunities include dressing up in costumes as elves or pilgrims to ride on floats, as penguins or reindeer to walk in the parade, to walk along and handle balloons and other inflatables, or act as unit leaders.

Don Pollo Isn’t—and Is—Coming to Ellsworth Place

| at 11:24 am | Categories Silver Spring

Don Pollo Peruvian Chicken is not coming to Ellsworth Place, contrary to what was previously reported elsewhere. However, Don Pollo—Pollo al la Brasa, will open in the space formerly occupied by Noodles & Co., according to Bryan Ramos of Retail22, who brokered the lease agreement with the mall’s owner, GBT Realty.

“Accidental Candidate” Reveals His Planning Priorities

| at 10:41 am | Categories Montgomery County

The newest commissioner on the Montgomery County Planning Board refers to himself as “the accidental candidate” when talking about his appointment. Partap Verma, who joined the board in July, looks at this as a natural transformation from work he began after moving to the Forest Glen area in 2013. His priorities include pedestrian safety, affordable housing, and the upcoming Silver Spring master plan process.

Upcoming Events, Nov. 15–22

| at 10:11 am | Categories Silver Spring
Upcoming Events

Live Garra Theatre presents opening night of Sartre’s “No Exit” on Friday, while comedian Irene Tu performs the same night at Montgomery College in the Cultural Arts Center. Friends of the Library will be collecting used books on Saturday at the Silver Spring Library. On Sunday, Azalea City Recordings plans a record release party featuring songs from local musicians. Area singers will have two chances to participate in community sings this week, one on Wednesday and one Thursday evening.

Developer Hires Consultant for Food Hall/City Market in Apartment Project

| at 11:04 am | Categories Silver Spring

Washington Property Company has entered into a contract with Colichio Consulting to assist with the establishment of a food hall/city market in its next Silver Spring apartment project, Solaire 8200 Dixon, the company announced. The market concept was first revealed in May by Charles K. Nulsen III, WPC president, in an interview with the Source.

Council to Hold Hearing Tonight on Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Plan

| at 11:59 am | Categories Montgomery County

The County Council will hold a public hearing on the draft Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan tonight, according to the schedule released this week. The plan covers the Georgia Avenue corridor from the edge of downtown Silver Spring at Spring Street to Dennis Avenue. It is intended to consider land use and transportation strategies, including traffic conditions and redevelopment opportunities, and make recommendations that will improve the area.

Council Votes to Prohibit Discrimination of Natural Hairstyles

| at 10:13 am | Categories Montgomery County

Montgomery County became the first local jurisdiction to prohibit discrimination on the basis of natural hairstyles with the passage this week of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. The bill, which the County Council passed unanimously, would add a definition of race to the underlying anti-discrimination law to specify that race includes “traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.”

County Releases Schedule of Closings for Veterans Day

| at 1:00 pm | Categories Montgomery County

The county has released its schedule of closings for the Veterans Day holiday on Monday, Nov. 11. All county offices, libraries and state offices and courts will be closed. The aquatic centers will be open, while the recreation and senior centers, as well as administrative offices will close.

Upcoming Events, Nov. 8-15

| at 10:06 am | Categories Silver Spring
Upcoming Events

The 10th annual Community Stories film festival from Docs in Progress is this week, as is the annual Community Bridges Girl Legacy gala. Other highlights include a fundraiser for veterans at UP studios, several recitals at Levine Music, a census workshop, and an online chat with the county executive.