HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW Assistant takes over as head of Springbrook program. B-1
BEST OF MONTGOMERY
Readers voted for their favorite businesses in 50 categories. Find out who won inside today.
The Gazette
SILVER SPRING | TAKOMA PARK | WHEATON | BURTONSVILLE V ILLL E
PROMOTIONAL SUPPLEMENT
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
DA I LY U P DAT E S AT G A Z E T T E . N E T
25 cents
County wants to book new tenant in Silver Spring
She’s got you covered
‘Lot of people’ will want to occupy library space, councilman says n
BY
KEVIN JAMES SHAY STAFF WRITER
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center has decided against moving into the new Silver Spring Library, primarily due to delays and uncertainty, leaving the county searching for a new tenant. On Nov. 25, the Montgomery County Council unanimously voted not to declare that the county wouldn’t need the space, clearing the way to negotiate with another party. Councilman George L. LevTOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE
Milliner Michelle Norkus assists a customer at Andrea’s Fine Hats and Accessories on Saturday in Silver Spring. Numerous shops in the Silver Spring area participated in the Small Business Saturday campaign, a national day of focusing on local retailers — in contrast to Black Friday, when larger stores hold early-morning sales to kick off the Christmas shopping season.
Takoma Park OKs security cameras City to be among first in area with system used in Philadelphia and elsewhere n
BY
KEVIN JAMES SHAY STAFF WRITER
The Takoma Park City Council has approved using almost $13,000 in speed camera ticket money to start a crime-fighting network involving privately owned security cameras. The program, done by Philadelphia, New Orleans and other cities, will allow police to use in criminal investigations certain video footage taken by residents and businesses registering their systems. Participation is voluntary.
“This is going to be very helpful to us,” Takoma Park police Capt. Dan Frishkorn said. “This is not only a deterrent [to crime] we can use ... but it’s also a very good resource for investigators.” Councilman Seth Grimes made a motion to table the item during a Nov. 24 meeting, saying there wasn’t enough public notice of the issue. That motion failed, and Grimes later voted with the rest of the council, which unanimously approved the program. Other council members raised questions, such as who would have access to video footage and how long video would be kept. Frishkorn said the police will not maintain a database of video. A Philadelphiaarea vendor is running the web portal
where people can register their video systems. Police have used camera systems owned by local businesses and individuals to help them solve crimes before, including some carjackings and a July burglary at a Takoma Park retailer. But having a more organized network mapped out for quick access would help immensely, Frishkorn said. Takoma Park is one of the first, if not the first, in the Washington, D.C., region to implement the program, he said. While major crime in Takoma Park dropped 4 percent in 2013 from 2012, there was an increase in certain categories, including daytime residential burglaries, auto thefts and robberies at gas stations, accord-
See CAMERAS, Page A-8
enthal (D-At Large) of Takoma Park said he was “extremely optimistic” there would be a new tenant “in the very near term.” He said he continues to favor having a “strong and lively arts presence consistent with the Silver Spring Library’s mission.” “There will be a lot of people who will want to occupy this space,” he said, adding that he wished Pyramid Atlantic well. For about five years, the county and the nonprofit arts center have been working on a deal for Pyramid to use space in the $69.5 million library being constructed at Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street. Pyramid
See LIBRARY, Page A-8
Purple Line plan is school concern Some parents and PTA members oppose Dale Drive station n
BY
RAISA CAMARGO STAFF WRITER
The Purple Line’s projected construction route in front of Sligo Creek Elementary and Silver Spring International Middle schools has some parents worried about safety connected to the expansion. MTA officials spoke about the plans with the community on Nov. 19 at Sligo Creek Elementary School. The Purple Line, a light rail that connects Bethesda to New
Carrollton, will travel in front of Sligo Creek Elementary and Silver Spring International Middle schools along Wayne Avenue. The light rail would operate in the center of the road, sharing Wayne Avenue lanes with traffic, said Michael Madden, MTA manager of Purple Line planning. The plan would require two additional left-turn lanes on Cedar Street, Dale Drive and Manchester Road, making a total of six lanes and a median. The current entry point of the school parking lot will be relocated and a substation at the school will provide power to the light rail
See PURPLE, Page A-8
Silver Spring man using dance to build students’ confidence Ten Montgomery high schools compete in Latin dance competition at Strathmore n
BY
RAISA CAMARGO STAFF WRITER
Silver Spring resident Ricardo Loaiza has envisioned a time when Latin dance would be more in demand. On Nov. 24, he witnessed it during a rhythmic competition of Latin dance styles among 10 high schools at the Strathmore in North Bethesda. The applause reverberated onto the stage as student dancers approached
INDEX Automotive Calendar Classified Entertainment Opinion Sports
each step with a different take. The cheers grew louder with every turn, swing, and hip movement. At one point, Loaiza — executive director of the nonprofit After School Dance Fund program that supports the competition — said to the audience of 2,000 guests that he wasn’t hearing the excitement. Using a phrase to energize the crowd, Loaiza said, “Can I hear a WEPA?” Students and families from 10 high schools in Montgomery County responded with loud cheers in support of the teams. The 15th annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition is the signature After School Dance Fund event and the fifth year it’s
See DANCE, Page A-8
NEWS B-11 A-2 B-8 A-11 A-9 B-1
LIVING HISTORY
Silver Spring company reveals White House through the years.
A-5
1932808
been held at the Strathmore. The styles of dancing include cha-cha, merengue, bachata and salsa. Students in the competition focus on clean and well-executed cross-body leads, hand styling, multiple turns, posture and presentation to the audience. Communication improves through the coordination of body movements and synchronization of steps, Loaiza said. The focus of the competition and the club is to help students stay engaged in school by building confidence. Einstein High School senior Sonia Rodriguez, who won first place for salsa, said
Volume 27, No. 49, Two sections, 28 Pages Copyright © 2014 The Gazette Please
RECYCLE
Cielo Gonzalez (left) of Einstein High School in Kensington and Hugo Gonzalez (second from left) participate in the student/parent portion of the 15th annual Montgomery County Public Schools Latin Dance Competition at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda on Nov. 24. GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE