WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
December 8, 2023

Special Events

Holiday Gift Drive for Domestic Violence Victims
Winter Clothing Drive
Holiday Bazaar, December 10
Holiday Sing Along through Town, December 17
TOCC Book Club, December 18

Jump to special events

Town Council Meeting, December 13

The next regular meeting of the Town Council will be held on Wednesday, December 13 in the Town Hall and by Zoom video conference. View the agenda here.

December 2023 Forecast Newsletter

The December 2023 issue of the the Forecast newsletter is now available online.

Leaf Collection Continues Through December 22

Leaf vacuuming will continue through December 22. Please rake leaves to the edge of the curb for collection and ensure that your leaves are not contaminated by cans, sticks, bottles, or rocks.

If you or your landscape company plan to use gas-powered leaf blowers this fall (allowed from October 15 to December 31), please follow the Town’s quiet hours schedule and refrain from using them before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays and before 12 p.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekends. Better yet, please encourage/ask your landscapers to continue using the electric-powered leaf blowers they have been using over the last two years that the Town has had a partial ban on GPLBs in place.

Holiday Tips for Waste Collection Crews

Any holiday tips that residents wish to provide to the Town’s waste collection crews may be given directly to the crew members (either by hand or taped to a waste container in a conspicuous location) or mailed to the company at GCI Residential, Inc., 1701 Olive Street, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Checks should be made out to Goode Companies. When mailing tips, please indicate if the tip is for a specific crew member or the entire crew. Below are the names of the waste collection crew members. Thank you.

Main Crew (Monday-Friday)
-- Jose Melendez
-- Sifelani Moyo

Supplemental Crew (Monday & Wednesday)
-- Jorge Vasquez
-- Isaac Garcia
-- Nicholas Johnson
-- Budd Antonio Darrnell
-- Portillo Rodriguez Kerin

Residents Encouraged to Complete Capital Crescent Trail 2.0 Facility Plan Survey

The Capital Crescent Trail 2.0 Facility Plan, which focuses on the stretch from downtown Bethesda to the D.C. border, aims to reimagine Montgomery County's most beloved paved trail. Serving as a cherished recreational path and a vital transportation link for 650,000 annual users, County residents are strongly encouraged to share their insights on the amenities they'd like to see incorporated.

Proposed amenities range from widening the trail to accommodate separate lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians to the addition of pollinator plants, benches, picnic areas, and restrooms. You can provide your input through two avenues, both open until January 2, 2024: by completing an online survey or by using an interactive map.

Holiday Gift Drive for Domestic Violence Victims

For over a decade, the Town’s Community Relations Committee has conducted an annual holiday gift drive for survivors of domestic violence and their families. The generosity of Town residents has brightened the holidays for Montgomery County families who are struggling with the pernicious effects of domestic violence and trying to make ends meet. In previous years, Town donations have guaranteed that every child receiving counseling for exposure to domestic violence could receive holiday gifts. One hundred percent of the donations are applied to direct service. There are no administrative costs.

Here’s what you can do: 1) Donate gift cards in denominations of $10 to $50 from stores such as Target, Marshalls, Kohl’s, Safeway, Giant, or CVS; or 2) Write checks of any amount to “FJC Foundation” (Montgomery County Family Justice Center). Designate “Safe Start” in the memo line if you want the money to go to the children’s counseling program. Donations can be dropped off at Cathy Wolf’s house at 7624 Lynn Drive (please put in basket in carport) or Quynh Tran’s house at 7203 Ridgewood Avenue. You can also take your donation to the Town Office at 4301 Willow Lane, Monday-Friday, 9-5. If you want to receive a tax-deductible receipt, please include your name and email.

The deadline for the holiday gift card drive is Friday, December 22 but donations will be accepted gratefully any time of year. Beneficiaries are clients of the Montgomery County Family Justice Center and Chesapeake Counseling (Safe Start). Questions? Email Cathy at cathrynwolf2@gmail.com or Quynh at vanstinger2205@gmail.com.

Winter Clothing Drive Continues Thru February 29

It’s time to sort out your winter clothes. Please help the men, women and children who depend on Interfaith Works Clothing Center to keep them warm. They provide free clothing to 13,000 income-qualified residents each year, including nearly 6,000 children. Please donate clean, gently used or never used warm coats, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, sweaters, pants and socks to those in need. Also needed are waterproof warm winter wear, for those who are outside in the cold rain or snow. The clothing box is located on the front porch of Marjorie Shaw and Barney Rush, at 6917 Maple Avenue (between Stanford and Pine Place); drop off any time.

Holiday Bazaar, December 10

Stop by and shop at this fun and festive holiday bazaar featuring artwork, jewelry, accessories, sweet treats, and much more on Sunday, December 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Lawton Center Social Hall! Complimentary gift wrapping will be available. The best part is that all of the vendors are young entrepreneurs (ages 6-14) who will dazzle you with their beautiful table displays and high-quality products. This event is supported by the Community Relations Committee and Acton Children's Business Fairs and organized by Town teen, Piya Scielzo. Admission to the Bazaar is free!

Holiday Sing Along Through Town, December 17

On Sunday, December 17, from 5 to 7 pm, neighbors of all ages are invited to walk through Town singing the songs of the season. We will meet at the Lawton Center at 4:45 p.m., and our final stop will be at the Dennison Garden followed by warm beverages and holiday treats at the home of a nearby neighbor. Details about the route and song list to come -- check the Weekly Town Updates and the listserv. No need to RSVP but remember to wear headlamps and reflective clothing (if possible).

TOCC Book Club, December 18

The Town of Chevy Chase Book Club will discuss In the Distance by Hernan Diaz on Monday, December 18 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall. This book was a Pulitzer finalist in 2018, it’s in paperback, AND it’s only 240 pages! A Swedish immigrant walks across 19th century America; his experiences explode many of the myths surrounding our settlement of the West. Hope to see you there!

Climate & Environment Tip of the Month
Why Should We Care About Road Salt?

Road salt is everywhere during snowy and icy winter months. It keeps us safe on roads and sidewalks, but excess salt drains into our streams and rivers. Fish and bugs that live in freshwater can't survive in extra salty water. And many of us (more than 118 million Americans) depend on local waterways for drinking water. Water treatment plants are not equipped to filter out the extra salt, so it can end up in your tap water and even corrode your pipes. Salt can also seep into your yard's soil and harm plants. It's also a pet paw irritant!

What Can We Do?

Use sand or kitty litter instead of salt on your walkways and driveways.
Shovel snow quickly to avoid or at least minimize use of salt.
Report large piles of salt on town, county, and state roads. They will pick it up. For salt on town roads, call 301-654-7144; on County roads, call 311; and on state roads, call 1-800-543-2515.
Visit The Izaak Walton League website to learn more:

For other Climate and Environment Tips, visit https://bit.ly/CECTips.

Town Neighbors Listserv

Residents are encouraged to connect with fellow residents through the private Town Neighbors listserv.

Chevy Chase at Home (CC@H)

CC@H is a member organization providing social and educational programs to neighbors of all ages and support services to older adults. You can learn more at www.chevychaseathome.org.