|
by Lynn Hughes
Park City has Sundance. Austin has SXSW. And Cannes is, well, Cannes. But to documentary filmmakers across the globe, the red carpet to be on is in Silver Spring.
For eight days each June, Silver Spring is home to what Variety calls “non-fiction nirvana” – the SilverDocs documentary film festival. Now in its seventh year, SilverDocs has become one of the most revered festivals on the documentary circuit.
Running June 15 – 22, this year’s schedule features 122 films representing filmmakers from 58 nations. And while this ambitious slate epitomizes SilverDocs mission to support “the diverse voices and free expression of independent storytellers and celebrate the power of documentary to enhance our understanding of the world,” it is the intimate nature of the festival and concurrent conferences that truly makes SilverDocs special.
Read more...
A mural on the side of Kefa Café recognitizes the various refugees who have made Silver Spring their home. See a soundslide show by clicking on the image above.
On Saturday, May 30, Impact Silver Spring held a free outdoor community dance party and recognized some of the unsung heroes who are helping carry out their Neighbors Campaign. This was a departure from previous award ceremonies, which were held as formal fundraisers. Voice photographer Veronica Melendez captured the sights and sounds of the party. Click on the photo above to see a soundslideshow.
World on a plate
Ruan Thai
by Katie Dozier
When you arrive at a strip mall in Wheaton, you may not even notice Ruan Thai sandwiched between a dry cleaner’s and a used car lot. But with one bite of the Yum Watercress appetizer, you will know that you have stumbled upon the best Thai restaurant in our area, despite its dreary locale. Ignore the stained drop ceiling and mostly bare walls; instead, focus on the art that appears on every plate.
Read more...
Going Green
by Sat Jiwan-Khalsa
With the economic downturn still weighing heavy on many families, how can we continue to eat well, or even eat better, while saving money? Do you believe the Whole Foods slogan, "More of the good stuff for less", or do you feel like the unofficial nickname, "Whole Paycheck", more accurately reflects shopping there?
This month we take a quick survey of some of the natural and organic food prices at some local stores. Who has the best deals? Where CAN you get the good stuff for less? And what are some other tips for saving money with different shopping and eating habits?
Read more...
World on a plate
by Elizabeth Brinkama
The era of pizza reminiscent of a cardboard box in taste and texture from the frozen foods aisle of my local grocery store, or bland generic fare from delivery, has finally come to a glorious end. Pizza night has taken on a whole new life with the advent of Tuesday Night Pizza at Da Marco Ristorante Italiano in Silver Spring.
Read more...
On May 18, Friends of the Voice gathered at Roscoe's to show support for their hometown paper. Julie Wiatt and Veronica Melendez brought their cameras to the party. Click on the image above for a slideshow.
Charlie Pilzer and an assortment of Morris dancers, musicians, and spectators gathered in predawn Takoma Park on May 1 with the aim of waking up the sun. Though she hid behind a grey blanket, the sun did indeed rise. A grateful city thanks the Morrisfolk. Click on the photo above for a sound slideshow by Voice photog Ann-Marie VanTassel and a slideshow by editor Eric Bond.
The annual Thai New Year celebration was held at Wat Thai in Silver Spring on April 12. Voice photographer Tooky Bunnag was on hand to capture the event. Click on the image above for a slideshow.
A cadre of Blair graduates are doing everything they can to make it big. The Echo Boom is releasing a new CD, "No Morning in Mind" in April. Voice photographer Ann-Marie VanTassell hung out with the guys and created this slideshow. To see her photos, click on the photo above.
|
by Rachel Mumbert
On Saturday, May 30th, several thousand community members and local business, political and community leaders came out to Ellsworth Drive to celebrate neighbors helping neighbors at IMPACT Silver Spring’s free community dance party.
Celebrants covered the entire Downtown Silver Spring plaza, with crowds trailing up the main staircase for some shade and a better view of the stage. The Spirit of Silver Spring celebrated inspirational groups and individuals who are working to build a thriving multicultural Silver Spring community and engage each other in networks of support.
Read more...
To read the June Voice in PDF, click on the cover above.
by Tiffany March
photo by David Corn
June 23, 2009—A horrific metro collision left at least seven people dead and dozens injured between Ft. Totten and Takoma stations on the Red Line Monday evening, according to D.C. officials. Preliminary reports showed that the two trains were on the same track headed in the direction of Shady Grove. The first was waiting to enter Ft. Totten near the New Hampshire Ave NE overpass when the second train struck it from behind at 4:59 p.m., causing the second train to jump the first.
Read more...
Check back in coming days as we check in with the community. Please send us any relevant information about community members. 301-891-6744, editor@takoma.com.
Two years after arriving in Takoma Park from the family natural foods business in Texas to assume the general manager position of the TP/SS Co-op, Jason Bradford is heading back home to be closer to his family. It does make on think twice before complaining about one's own commute, doesn't it?
In that short period of time, Jason made an indelible footprint on the Co-op and the Takoma Park community as a whole.
Read more...
Behold me here imprisoned now in bronze
Where once I held command of this great street —
Cock of the Walk who strode with Rooster gods.
Read more...
by Gilbert
With engines set at Warp 10, the city council zoomed through their most recent three meetings. Good thing there are no speed cameras in the council chambers!
The vote for a resolution in support of the elementary school's Young Activist Club was held up for a few moments for a few charming and persuasive comments by the young activists themselves. They are petitioning the schools to replace disposable styrofoam cafeteria trays with reusable ones.
Read more...
by Vicki Warren
Last fall at a meeting of Prezco, the President's Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations, what was on the mind of the members was crime. Several representatives from various Silver Spring Civic Association groups felt their communities were in the midst of a crime wave.
Read more...
by Tiffany March
The uncertain future of Sligo Creek Golf Course is a hot topic for some Montgomery County residents right now, as the Department of Parks hosted a kick-off community meeting at the end of May to listen to proposals for future reuse. The 9-hole course is located just south of the beltway off of Sligo Creek Parkway, a popular location for many local families, bikers, walkers and nature enthusiasts.
Read more...
by Zachary Kohn
Nancy Navarro (D) received full support from her Democratic colleagues as she was sworn in on June 2, making her the first Latina Montgomery County Council member.
Navarro, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, assumed the District 4 seat after winning the special election held on Tuesday, May 19 in which she received 6,637 votes, defeating her Republican adversary Robin Ficker by nearly a two to one margin as he was only able to obtain 3,423 votes. George Gluck, the Green Party candidate, received 372 votes and there were also 43 write-in votes.
Read more...
by Gina Guglielmo
Now that the monsoon has abated and "somer Is icumin in," Takomans and Silver Springsters can seriously take up the work of enjoying the variety of June-September entertainments which DC offers. The drama carousel is a splendid and colorful one and, while some of its horses are already out of the gate, Drama Queen would like to invite you to hop onto the merry-go-round and, as the Wurlitzer band organ begins to play, take your pick of what look to be sure winners.
Read more...
by Gina Guglielmo
Valerie Harper is undoubtedly a fine actress as her appearances as Rhoda Morgestern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 70's and in her spin-off hit, "Rhoda," attest. In this era of actors channeling the famous viz. Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Etta James, even Richard M. Nixon, it is no biggie that Tallulah Bankhead should join the list: I mean, the woman was notorious for her brash candor and train wreck lifestyle.
Read more...
National Park Service Ranger Ron Howard is a Civil War buff. On May 24, Memorial Day 2009, his job was to tell the story of Battlefield Cemetery to those gathered to honor the soldiers buried there. The 41 graves hold the remains of Union soldiers who died defending Ft. Stevens (and by extension, the Federal Capital) from the invading confederates under the command of General Jubal Early on that hot July 1864.
Read more...
by Sue Katz Miller
As the year draws to a close, schools usually reward parents with mugs and luncheons and certificates to thank them for volunteering. This year, some parents felt they were also rewarded with a slap from the Board of Education for being too involved. At a school board meeting in May, board vice president Pat O’Neill insisted on the right of Principals to exclude “PIAs, the pain in the ass people” from the School Improvement Teams (SITs) composed of parents and staff in each school. Member Chris Barclay stated that “cooperative” and “respectful” parents may be more likely to get invited to the teams.
Read more...
by Abby Bardi
Recently, despite the ubiquity of deranged gunman all across America, I have taken to walking my dog along a wooded trail that is often deserted. When populated, it is mostly by families and fellow dog-walkers, but also occasionally by strange lone men who seem to have escaped from the local mental institution. My anxiety about being alone on the trail, or worse, not alone, became so acute that I began to contemplate something that had never before occurred to me: buying a gun.
Read more...
On the evening of Monday, May 18, I was overwhelmed by the support that this community showed for the Voice when you gathered at Roscoe's to raise funds and spirits. My commitment to community journalism and the Voice was renewed by the outpouring.
Earlier this year, a group of Voice supporters--aware of our recession blues--began meeting over beers and burgers at the Olive Lounge to hatch a plan to help bolster their newspaper. They had become aware of the particular stress that we have felt over the past two years--as all local businesses struggle to stay in the black.
Read more...
by Gordon Clark
Dr. Pat Salomon, a Montgomery County resident and pediatrician with 35 years experience delivering services to children in medical clinics, went to the Capitol on May 12 to speak in front of the Senate Finance Committee, advocating for a single-payer health care system. For her trouble, she was arrested and shackled to the wall of a D.C. jail, along with seven colleagues who also spoke out.
Read more...
by Sue Katz-Miller
State Senator Jamie Raskin wants to launch a national “chess movement.” In his first move, he plans to use chess to capture every school in Montgomery County and promote the game as an alternative to gang violence.
Read more...
Watching out for Takoma Park and Silver Spring during the recession
"Valerie Ervin did not grow up poor –her dad was an Air Force officer – but, for several years after leaving home, she had to watch her pennies. She lived with her two young sons in subsidized housing and clerked at a Safeway checkout counter."
Read more...
|
