Detectives from the 3rd District Investigative Section are still investigating two September incidents and are seeking the public’s help to identify a suspect, according to a press release. The department reports that about 1:27 a.m. on Sept. 17, the Children’s Hospital Foundation office located at 801 Roeder St. was burglarized.
There is no shortage of opportunities for civic or charitable involvement this week. The Victim’s Rights Foundation and Passion4Learning are both holding gala celebrations, while there are fundraisers planned for WOWD Radio and Shepherd’s Table and Takoma Park Library’s fall sale. On the civic side, there are meetings about saving trees in downtown Silver Spring, PEPCO’s ongoing work, and the Countywide Pedestrian Master Plan.
The first Long Branch Festival begins Friday night, Sept. 20, for a weeklong celebration of the neighborhoods, businesses and culture of the area, according to organizers. “The purpose of the Long Branch Festival is to celebrate the dynamic neighborhood, businesses and culture of Long Branch,” according to the festival website. “Our goal is to bring communities together and celebrate our diversity, expand understanding of the crucial role of shared public spaces and highlight the value of locally owned stores.
Some of the top events this week include opening night of the first Long Branch Festival on Friday night. The Nighthawks will perform at Sligo Creek Golf Course on Saturday in a benefit performance, while the second annual Montgomery Hills Street Fest is underway as well. That same day is the Takoma Foundation’s annual beer festival. The Friends of Sligo Creek will hold a Sweep the Creek clean up this weekend. On Sunday, enjoy the competition and grab a slice of the Takoma Farmers Market pie baking contest.
The Koiner Farm in downtown Silver Spring has been granted the county’s first conservation easement for urban agriculture. The easement, in partnership with the Maryland Environmental Trust, permanently protects the one-acre from ever being developed.
While the city is not thrilled to see Washington Adventist Hospital close, it does represent a “once in a lifetime” opportunity, according to Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart. The hospital will close Sunday, Aug. 25. Adventist HealthCare will open an urgent care center in the former emergency department at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26.
This week, residents can have lunch tomorrow with Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart. Live music continues on Friday nights at Sligo Creek Golf Course, along with the DC Blues Society Happy Hour on Aug. 23. “The Little Mermaid” is showing on Sonny’s Green tomorrow night, the grand opening of a public piano in Takoma Park on Sunday, and there’s a discussion of death and dying issues at the Silver Spring Library on Wednesday.
Washington Revels is now scheduling appointments with children and teenagers who are interested in auditioning for 2019’s The Christmas Revels. The group is looking for children entering grades 3-5 and teens entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2019 for the production of “Celestial Fools.” The production is scheduled for Dec. 7-15 in Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University.
Montgomery County once again is offering grants, this year ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, to community organizations working with food security issues, according to a press release. Applications are available online and due by the close of business on Sept. 3.