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Gaithersburg Ranks among the Best Walking Cities in America Gaithersburg, Maryland has been recognized by
Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) as
one of the 100 Best Walking Cities in America. Five hundred cities across
the country were evaluated on 14 walking criteria, including the percentage
of adults who walk to work, the number of parks per square mile, safety, use
of mass transit, and the percentage of adults who walk for fitness.
Gaithersburg placed 63rd on the list. "In recent years Gaithersburg has been named the
second most affordable city in America to raise a family by Frommers Guide
and the seventeenth best place in the country to live by Money magazine.
Today’s recognition by Prevention magazine confirms that Gaithersburg
continues to be a highly livable community, and that our emphasis on the
environment is enhancing the quality of life for our residents," said Mayor
Sidney Katz. The top 10 most populous cities in each state were
selected for review. In their analysis of Gaithersburg, Prevention magazine
noted that "Along with a high number of residents who lace up walking shoes
for exercise and a decent showing of parks per square mile, Gaithersburg has
the lowest crime rate on our (Maryland) list, putting it in the nation’s top
20 safest cities for walkers." Other cities in the metropolitan area that made the
top 100 Best Walking Cities list include Washington, DC at #5, Silver
Spring, MD at #17, Alexandria, VA at #21, Arlington, VA at #40, Bethesda, MD
at #62, Dundalk, MD at #91, and Baltimore, MD at #92. For more information on the survey visit
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Gaithersburg Skate Park Opens for Season Just in Time for Spring Break The City of Gaithersburg’s Skate Park will open for season on March 21, just in time for MCPS Spring Break. Through November 1 the park will be weekdays from 3 p.m. to dark and Saturdays, Sundays and MCPS Holidays from noon to dark. From November 1 through December 14 the park will be open weekends only from noon to dark, weather permitting. The Skate Park is located at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, and welcomes skateboarders and in-line skaters during all sessions, and allows BMX bikers everyday except Wednesdays and Saturdays. Safety equipment regulations require helmets, while elbow and knee pads are optional. However, all safety equipment is highly recommended and in-line skaters must wear wrist guards. Protective gear is available for rent. The 12,300 square foot park contains a dozen ramps, rails and boxes to trick off of, and all the means necessary to do it. The park also features amenities including a 200-watt stereo system to play all the latest tunes, several quarters, a spine, bank, several smaller obstacles, and a misting system to keep skaters cool on those summer days. Make sure to take advantage of money-saving memberships, lessons, preschool programs, park rentals, competitions, area skate park trips, and more. Admission is $3 for residents and $5 for non-residents. Money-saving Season Memberships are $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents. For more information call Devon Buchanan at 301-258-6350 or visit the website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/skate.Please note: the Skate Park will be closed in the event of excessive rain, snow or heat.
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Arts Barn Offers “Art Motion” Program for Preschoolers The City of Gaithersburg’s Arts Barn announces an exciting new program for preschoolers. “Art Motion” engages children ages 4 and 5 in the exploration of painting and sculpting, combined with music, songs, poetry, dance, and stories. Children, accompanied by their parent or guardian, will learn about colors, shapes, math, and interesting ways to use their imagination. Smocks or old clothing is highly recommended! Art Motion will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. every Friday from March 14 through May 23, 2008. There will be no class on March 21. Cost is $8 per resident child and $10 for nonresidents. Art supplies are included. The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg. For information and registration call 301-258-6394, or visit the Arts Barn online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.
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City Hall Gallery Hosts Photography Exhibit with Works by Ferrand, Ferrell & Tran The City of Gaithersburg hosts a photography exhibit featuring the works of Henry Ferrand, Jeffrey M. Ferrell and Michael Tran at the City Hall Gallery March 14 through May 11, 2008. The Gallery is located on the second floor of City Hall, 31 S. Summit Avenue in Olde Towne, Gaithersburg. Washington, DC resident Henry J. Ferrand was born in New Orleans of Creole parentage with a cultural heritage that includes African, Native American, French, and Spanish Catholicism. He holds a BS in Business Management from Louisiana State University and served with Marine Corps in Vietnam and Japan. Ferrand currently works with artists, galleries and collectors, facilitating the marketing, documentation and preservation of fine works of art. With an awareness of the historical perspective of current events, he often uses pictorial metaphors to stimulate the viewer to question their interpretation of reality.
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Gaithersburg native Jeffrey M. Ferrell began creating portraits with a square negative medium-format camera at age six, and by the age of eleven he was processing his own black and white prints. With a commercial photography degree from Montgomery College, Ferrell has been promoting environmental education and responsibility. Some images in this exhibit are from his twenty-year Artistic Documentary of the Chesapeake Bay and its Historic Oyster Industry. Ferrell will be donating twenty percent of all sales to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Please note that all images are copyrighted by the artists. For City Hall Gallery viewing hours please call Gallery Director Natalya Parris at 301-258-6394. |
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Michael D. Tran is a fine art photographer and active international competitor. He enjoys traveling the world for his photographic adventures. Tran’s work was recognized by the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and he was ranked among the “Top Ten” in North America in 2006. His image, “Fishing Time,” won the Best Nature Award at the local Photography Club and International Gold Medals and was exhibited in Hong Kong among other international exhibitions.
“Searching” also won a first place award at the local Photography Club and International Gold Medals and was included in both domestic and international exhibits.
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Gaithersburg Celebrates Green Week April 18 - 26 The City of Gaithersburg invites residents to participate in activities that celebrate and improve the environment during Gaithersburg’s Green Week, April 18 through 26, 2008. In addition to being fun and educational, it’s also a great way for school children to earn service learning credits while making Gaithersburg a better place to live. Environmental Family Fun Night Green Week kicks off with a special Environmental Family Fun Night at 7:30 p.m. the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue. Marine biologists will bring the ocean to Gaithersburg with “Under the Sea,” helping families explore the diversity of life beneath the ocean waves. Learn marine ecology and see real crabs, sea snails, clams, sea urchins, starfish and other aquatic life. Admission is $2 per person, with a maximum of $5 per family. Children under the age of two are admitted free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. To register, call 301-258-6350. Environmental Awards Gaithersburg encourages citizens to nominate an individual, business, school, homeowners association, or scouting group for the 7th Annual Environmental Awards. Each year, the Mayor and City Council and Environmental Affairs Committee recognize individuals and groups for their commitment to the environment. Awards will be presented at a special reception on Monday, April 21from 6:15 to 7 p.m. at the City Hall Gallery, 31 South Summit Avenue. Nomination forms are available on the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/environment. Deadline for submission is Tuesday, April 1. Arbor Day Children at Gaithersburg Elementary School will participate in an Arbor Day program on Tuesday, April 22, emphasizing the importance of trees in our community. During the assembly, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will present the City with its 19th Annual Tree City Award and the Mayor will donate a tree to the school.
“Cheers for Volunteers!” Green Youth Service Project Green volunteer activities go hand-in-hand with the environmentally friendly characteristics of the Youth Center at Robertson Park. The Gaithersburg Youth Club (GYC) is a program designed specifically for middle school students to provide safe, well-supervised and fun activities for participants during their off-school hours. On Wednesday, April 23, students will earn student service learning hours by volunteering in the youth butterfly garden and helping to clean up streams and parks. Lug-a-Mug Day On Thursday, April 24, choose to lug-a-mug while out and about instead of using a disposable cup. Each time a resident reuses his or her mug that is one less cup in the landfill. Each cup saved from the landfill is another cup that doesn’t need to be made, lessening the strain on forests and the environment. Many local vendors may provide a beverage discount for lugging a reusable mug. Change a Light Day Save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by changing at least one light in your home with an ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb on Friday, April 25. To save the most energy and money, choose high-use fixtures such as the kitchen ceiling light, the living room lights, bathroom vanity, and outdoor porch or post lamp. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars. Community Green Up Day Join hundreds of volunteers as they make a difference throughout the community by cleaning up and beautifying local streams, schools, parks, and homeowners association common areas during Community Green Up Day, Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. The City is looking for individuals or organizations to host a volunteer event. Students can also earn student service learning credits. Special thanks is extended to Whole Foods – Kentlands for donating reusable shopping bags to the first 300 Green Up Day volunteers. Whole Foods recently made a commitment to help the environment by eliminating plastic grocery bags from their stores. If you or your organization would like more information about participating in Green Week, please contact the Office of Environmental Affairs at 301-258-6310 or e-mail environment@gaithersburg.gov.
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