Friday, May 17, 2013
The Gaithersburg Book Festival founder and City Councilman Jud Ashman talks to Patch about the fourth annual event.
The fourth annual Gaithersburg Book Festival is Saturday, May 18 and City Councilman Jud Ashman—the festival's founder and chairperson—took some time to talk with Patch about the event and its evolution. On Thursday, Ashman answered questions about the event's new format, local authors, and featured authors. Part II of the interview continues below: Gaithersburg Patch: The event has been packed in year's past. What kind of attendance numbers do you anticipate? Jud Ashman: My goal has always been to top 20,000 attendees, and I'm hoping we do that on Saturday. Patch: What books are you reading now? What recent reads have you really enjoyed? Ashman: I just read "Judging a Book by Its Lover," by GBF author Lauren Leto. It was a clever and …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The Gaithersburg Book Festival founder and City Councilman Jud Ashman talks to Patch about the fourth annual event.
The fourth annual Gaithersburg Book Festival is Saturday, May 18 and City Councilman Jud Ashman—the festival's founder and chairperson—took some time to talk with Patch about the event and its evolution. Gaithersburg Patch: We're into the fourth year of the GBF and it's made some big changes—especially in terms of the format. Can you tell us about them and how you think they make a great event even better? Jud Ashman: We're moving to a more panel-oriented format, where people not only have a chance to see their favorite authors, but meet new ones who write in a similar genre or about related topics. I'm really excited to see how it goes! So we have the same high-quality writers, but an enhanced way of introducing them to you. Patch: There…
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Language Stars is the nation's leader in foreign language education for children ages 1-10, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce said.
A grand opening ceremony was held recently for Language Stars—the nation's leader in foreign language education for children ages 1-10, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce announced. The school is located at 656 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg. The ceremony was conducted on Thursday, May 2, 2013. Attendees included Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz, Gaithersburg City Council members Cathy Drzyzgula and Jud Ashman, Language Stars Center Director Taylor Griffith and Language Stars Marketing Director Ilene Lubell.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Council members opposed amendments to the definition of a political action committee and the addition of slates to city election code.
Gaithersburg officials voted in favor of adding a fifth campaign finance report for the 2013 city elections, but unanimously opposed making changes to the city's election code defining political action committees and the addition of slates. The fifth finance report will be due 14 days after city elections. Other options for the proposed ordinance included: The Board of Supervisors of Elections recommended the city revise the definition of a political committee from a group of two or more to a group of three or more that collects or spends $1,000 or more "to assist in the promotion of the success or defeat of any candidate or slate of candidates for city elective office." The current committee collection and spending threshhold is $250. A …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Northwest High School senior and Gaithersburg resident Rebecca Danaceau is one of 12 finalists for the Gaithersburg Book Festival's short story contest.
Gaithersburg teen Rebecca Danaceau has been named one of 12 finalists in the Gaithersburg Book Festival's third annual short story contest. Danaceau, a senior at Northwest High School, was selected from a pool of entrants that included public, private, and homeschooled students from 16 jurisdictions throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. Including Danaceau, students from five Montgomery County schools were selected as finalists. The first-, second- and third-place winners, along with a fan favorite, will be announced at the festival on May 18 at 12:30 p.m. in the Ogden Nash tent. Winners will receive $100, $50 and $25 gift certificates, respectively, according to a news release. The winning stories will be selected by New York Times best-…
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Gaithersburg's Board of Supervisors of Elections recommends changes to the definition of a political committee and financial reporting.
The Gaithersburg Board of Supervisors of Elections is recommending multiple changes to the city's election code. An ordinance introduced at Monday's Mayor and City Council meeting would revise the definition of a political committee within the city by defining a "slate" and requiring a fifth additional finance report due 14 days after city elections. "A slate would be defined as two or more candidates who join together to conduct and pay for joint campaign activities," according to a city staff report. The amendment would revise the definition of a political committee from a group of two or more to a group of three or more that collects or spends $1,000 or more "to assist in the promotion of the success or defeat of any candidate or slate …
Reports say Gaithersburg could see anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of snow.
With the storm dubbed "snowquester" bearing down on the Capital Region, Gaithersburg officials are urging residents to take caution. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the region beginning Tuesday evening and lasting through Wednesday night. The NWS predicts accumulations of up to 5 inches or more in the region. But could Gaithersburg see more? The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang is predicting the chances of five or more inches are 80 percent and the odds of 10 or more inches of snow are as high as 50 percent in Gaithersburg. "Please make sure to make all the appropriate preperations. We hope we don't get hit too hard.... Do be careful out there," Gaithersburg City Councilmember Ryan Spiegel said during …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Gaithersburg City Council member Henry Marraffa said he felt he was passed over in favor of 2013 City Council vice president, Mike Sesma.
The Gaithersburg City Council has elected Mike Sesma its vice president for 2013, but one council member says he was passed over and the position should have been his. Sesma, a City Council Member since 2005 and 2008's Council Vice President, was nominated and elected at Monday evening's mayor and City Council meeting by a 4-1 vote. But council member Henry Marraffa said he believes 2013 was his year in the rotation to serve as council vice president — a role he said is honorary, with no additional money or responsibility except when the mayor is unavailable. Marraffa said a new system was put in place by other council members this year without himself being involved in the discussion. "For the over 20 years that I have been associated …
The mayor and City Council reflected on the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT, a community they said was quiet and safe, like Gaithersburg .
Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz and members of the City Council say they were stunned by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings and want to minimize risk of such violence locally. Officials used part of Monday night's meeting to reflect on the tragedy in what they said was a small, quiet town, much like Gaithersburg. "As a municpal official, there are just some events that cut deeper, and snap you to numbness...this was one of those," Council Member Jud Ashman said. "Our thoughts and prayers go to them." "Obviously all of our hearts are broken for the community of Newtown, CT," City Council Vice President Ryan Spiegel said. Follow ongoing coverage from Newtown Patch here Spiegel said he came to City Hall on Friday to speak with staff…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The 5th Annual Active Aging Expo will be held May 6 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Greg Cohen
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Active Aging Expo, dubbed the "Crown Jewel of the [Gaithersburg] Senior Center," will return in May for a fifth year, Senior Advisory Committee member Daniel Fried said Monday during mayor and City Council committee briefings. In previous years, the committee was able to provide a simple, enjoyable lunch — free of charge thanks to numerous donations — for attendees, Fried said. More than 600 people attended the luncheon in 2012, including 90-plus businesses and agencies who had tables to provide services, education and information to seniors. Fried said the committee is hoping to add a safety component to the 2013 event but did not provide specifics. A focus to help seniors continue to make contributions to the community, he said. …
Tom Rowse
9:51 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The city election code is a farce. As they have repeatedly shown since attaining office, the election code in Gaithersburg is being manipulated and used as a tool by the incumbents to maintain office. They have and will freely circumvent the code while holding all challengers accountable. more ›