Tesla Takedown Rockville

 

Recently there have been protests at Tesla Service Centers across the country.  Montgomery County is no exception and there have been ones at both the Rockville and Silver Spring locations.  On Saturday there was another one at the Tesla Service Center on Rockville Pike.  Lots of people were there and they were lining both sides of the street. Many people driving by were honking in encouragement.

Protesters stand along the Maryland Route 355 (Rockville Pike) across the street from a Tesla service center.

I'm not sure how long these protests will continue, but there is another one scheduled for this coming Saturday 11-12, see the link for more details.

Protesters stand along the road in front of a Tesla service center.

 

 

 

Woodward High School is ready for students

 

Montgomery County Public Schools has been re-building Woodward High School for the past several years.  They demolished the old building in the Spring of 2021 and since then I have posted quite a lot about the construction progress. (See them all here.)

After all this time, the school is finally ready for students.  A couple of caveats apply though. First, the school isn't completely done, there are not yet athletic fields or a theater, or a couple of other things, and second, it isn't reopening as Woodward yet.  For the next few years Northwood High School will be based here while the rebuild that building.

Northwood will be here when the school year starts on Monday. Yes, it is just days away from a new school year.

 

Here's the school from the Southwest, there is a large parking lot, I think for bus drop-off, and, in the bottom right, the shadow of me taking the picture.

The school is set a ways back from the road and the sidewalk will also be moved back from the edge of the road a bit.

 

 

 

Woodward High School construction update for August, 2023

 

My last update on the construction of the new Woodward High School on Old Georgetown Road was back in February, so it is time for another one. To Recap, in Spring of 2021, the old Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School was torn down. A new Woodward High School is being built in the same location. When the first phase is complete, it will be used as a holding school for two years while Northwood High School is rebuilt. Originally, Northwood was supposed to move here for the 2023-2024 school year (as in now), but that was delayed by one year due to fiscal constraints. Now Northwood will use this school for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years and it will re-open as Woodward H.S. for the 2026-2027 school year.  The budget for this project is 196 million dollars. Full details are in the budget.

 I actually like the yellow-and-orange-with-green-lines motif, it's different and fresh.  They are covering it up with bricks though.

There is also some information about the planning for the school on the MCPS Charles W. Woodward High School Reopening Project page.  I find these project pages get some updates early in the process then nothing until the project is complete, so information there is out-of-date.  You can find all my posts on Woodward H.S. here.

Another Woodward High School construction update

 I last posted an update about the construction of the new Woodward High School back in October of last year, so it is time for another one.  The old Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School was demolished in the spring of 2021 and since then they have been working on a new school to take its place.

The three stories of the school have the steel frame up and floors (as well as the roof) are installed. This is quite a bit further along than it was in October, then only about half the building was framed and there were no floors. (See the above link for photos.)

One side of the building has the walls in progress, green insulation has been put up on part of it.

ere is a view of the construction of the new Woodward High School as seen from across Old Georgetown Road (Maryland Route 187).  You can see the new bike lanes in this area.

Woodward High School construction update

 

Woodward High School construction continues.  The steel frame of the building is up and a cinderblock core exists on the left side of it.  The plan is to have it ready for the 2022-2023 school year and move Northwood High School there for two years while that building gets rehabilitated.  After that it will re-open although the school boundaries haven't been determined yet.

Charles W. Woodward High School was established in 1966 and closed in 1987, it's students were re-districted to Walter Johnson High School. The building was used by Springbrook High School while it was being renovated then by Tilden Middle School while their facilities were re-built. Demolition of the old building started in February of 2021 (see below for posts I did about the demolition).

I actually took these pictures a week ago but was too busy to put them up. I don't think that much has changed in a week.

Previous update:

• Woodward High School construction (July 22, 2022)
  

  
   

Updates about the demolition of the old building:

• The demolition of Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School (March 29, 2021)
  

• Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School demolition update (April 19, 2021)
  

• Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School demolition: another update (May 7, 2021)
  

Woodward High School construction

 

The old Woodward High School (and Tilden Middle School) was demolished in the Spring of 2021 (see my posts here and here and here). Since then there hasn't been much to see. It has just been flat, bare ground with a construction fence around it.  They hadn't forgotten about it, but the work that was done wasn't very visible.  Now that has changed.  The are three stories of steel girders up outlining part of the new school.

Most of the site is still vacant, but there are piles of construction material in some places.

This project is officially called the "Charles W. Woodward High School Reopening Project" and you can get the full details of MCPS's plans at that link.  Construction will be in two phases.  Phase 1 will end at the start of the 2023 school year when it will be a holding school for Northwood HS while that school gets extensive remodeling.  For the 2025 school year it will be reopened as Woodward High School (unless the name gets changed). The boundaries for the new school haven't been determined but it is expected to relieve the crowding at local high schools such as Walter Johnson HS.

There will be a Phase 2 which will have at least a second gymnasium, auditorium, and athletic site amenities the timing for this phase is to start in the summer of 2023 and be finished in time for the 2025 school year.

Go Visit: Lake Frank

 I haven't paid a lot of attention to Lake Bernard Frank, it is kind of like the forgotten sibling of Lake Needwood.  Lake Needwood is the big star with many activities, the nearby Lake Frank is smaller and there is less to do there.  However, that doesn't mean it is a bad place, it is actually pretty nice and worth a trip or two.

There is a parking lot at 15211 Avery Rd, Rockville, MD and trails leading off from that. This park is run by the Montgomery County Department of Parks.

The main trail is the Lakeside Trail, it goes around the lake (but often not right at the lakeside).  A portion of this trail is dirt as seen here, but a portion is paved.  You can also access the Rock Creek trail from this park.

What would a lakeside trail be without a lake?  Here is Lake Frank, looking towards the dam at one end. The overflow drain is visible in the distance.

A large portion of the trail is actually an old abandoned road for vehicles with access to a parking lot at the lake shore.  Vehicles are no longer allowed on it.

Since the trail was once a road, it is no surprise that there were once parking lots.  The remnants of them are still visible, with lots of grass and weeds growing through the cracks in the pavement.

Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School demolition: another update

 

The demolition of Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School in North Bethesda (or Rockville if you want to call it that) is complete.  The building is entirely gone and all the debris cleared away.  The only evidence of its existence is the concrete slab the school was set on.

A few trees that were in front of the school remain, looking a bit lonely behind the construction fence.  If I were them, I would be nervous.

The slab itself is in the process of being removed. In a few places it was above the ground on short concrete pillars.

Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School demolition update

 

The demolition of Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School in North Bethesda is almost complete, only the front right part of the school with the school name and one rear wall remain. I am happy they left the wall with the name until the end.

Here's a wider shot, the school used to cover the whole left side and more. The three trees you see still standing are directly across from the exit to Old Georgetown Road.

From the rear, you can see very little of the school remains, just part of the back wall and the front right corner are left.  Much of the rubble has also been cleared. Next to the back wall there is a pile of wood and to the right of the front wall is a pile of crushed cinder block.

You often don't realize how big a building is until its gone.  This was taken from the side of the school, looking towards the remaining walls.  Towards the front is a pile of scrap metal.  Most of the metal and other rubble has already been removed.

The school opened in the late 1960's as Charles W. Woodward High School. Due to declining enrollment, the school was closed in the late 1980's. It later housed Tilden Middle school while that school was it was undergoing a major renovation.  Tilden moved out in the summer of 2020.

After the site is cleared, a new high school will be built here and will be used as a holding school for two years while Northwood High School is rebuilt.  In 2025 the school will reopen for students, probably as Woodward High School, however it may also be renamed as Josiah Hensen High School.

The demolition of Woodward High School / Tilden Middle School

Montgomery County Public Schools is replacing the former Tilden Middle School (At Charles W. Woodward) with a new high school.  Before it was Tilden, it was Woodward High School.  The building is being razed and a new building will be raised. It will re-open as Woodward High School in a few years.

 

Demolition is well under way at the site. There are piles of rebar, metal beam, and other bits of the building. Here you can see some what good venilation they have for these classrooms.

The far wall of this exposed hallway has red and yellow lockers lining it. There are piles of rubble in the foreground on both sides.

 

A section of the wall has been torn out to allow work crews to access the building more easily.

Go Visit: Lake Needwood

If you are looking for a place nearby to get out and enjoy some fresh air, Lake Needwood is a great place to visit.  It is a man-made lake just outside of Rockville, MD where you can picnic, walk on trails, bike, and boat.  There is no entrance fee for this park which is run by the Montgomery County parks department.

In the main area there is a boat rental place that rents canoes and paddle boats.  You can also bring your own boat, but you have to either pay a day-use fee or get a season pass.

 There is a trail that runs all the way around the lake (about 2.7 miles) as well as a number of other loop trails that branch off from it.  Parts of the trail are gravel and other parts are packed dirt.

I went on a Sunday afternoon, and the picnic areas and parts near the parking lot were busy, but once you got a little ways away it was quiet.  Lots of people walk around the lake, but it is a big loop so it is easy to keep appropriate distance.

At the south end of the lake is a large dam.  You can't roll down the grassy side of the it because of fences, but you can get a good view of the lake.

Planning board approves Tai Chi court at Cabin John Park

Montgomery County Planning Board approved a recommendation for a Tai Chi court at Cabin John park in Maryland. The proposal is to build a 40 foot in diameter court out of black and white flagstone with Benches and trees along the edge of the court near picnic shelter "H" which is near the miniature train station.

It will be built as a public/private partnership with the Wu Wei Tai Chi Club and will cost from $60,000 to $70,000. The club has already raised $10,000, now that the project is approved they will raise the rest of the money.

Update 5/31
I believe the spot of the court will be to the right and behind the picnic shelter in this picture, where the people are playing.

Rockville this weekend

Rockville, MD is pulling out all the stops this weekend, it is their annual "Hometown Holidays" celebration. Three days of events culminating in the Memorial Day parade on Monday at 10:30. The bad news is you have missed the first day already. All is not lost though, the festivities continue on Sunday.

"Taste of Rockville" try food from the menus of restaurants such as Lebanese Taverna, Armands, Potomac Pizza, Rocklands BBQ, Whole Foods, Phillips Seafood, Spice Xing, Bombay Bistro, Oro Pomodoro, Vocellis, Yogiberry, Noodles & Company, Gifford's, Baci, Carmen's Italian Ice, La Tasca, and others! There is also more of the Visarts Fine Arts Festival with jewelry, paintings, photograph and more.

Rides and lots of blow-up things to climb and jump on for the little kids (individual rides between $1 and $3, unlimited rides for $20). These are mostly geared at the younger kids, lots of 3 to 5 year olds on them and pretty much all the kids were under 10.

There are also six stages with music, puppets and more, the going green expo, and a smattering of other events. Check out the schedule and see if anything interests you.

As you might have guessed by now, I went on Saturday, it was fun.

City of Rockville’s Memorial Day Events

Rockville, MD has a bunch of neat stuff scheduled for Memorial day weekend (May 23-25), it is their annual Hometown Holidays celebration. Check out the link for full details, but some of the highlights are Taste of Rockville on Saturday and Sunday. Pat McGee and Sharon Little singing on the main stage starting at 7:30pm Saturday. The Wailers and Can't Hang on the main stage starting at 7:30pm Sunday. On Monday there is the Memorial Day Ceremony at 9:30 am followed at 10:30am with the 65th Annual Memorial Day Parade.

Local Restaurant Coupons: GoOut2Eat.com

I found an interesting site the other day, GoOut2Eat which has discounts for DC area restaurants. They just started posting ones for Bethesda, MD. They have some quick, lunch type places (such as Crossfire, Philadelphia Mike's, and St. Elmo Deli) as well as sit down nice restaurants (such as Jaleo, Gaffneys, and Thimian Thai). I tried out a coupon for Philadelphia Mike's yesterday, a dollar off a combo.

They also have discounts for a lot of resturants in Rockville.

[where: Bethesda, MD]
[where: Rockville, MD]

The Metrobus Q2 (Veirs Mill Road line) is being studied

The Q2 is one of the most used lines in the Metrobus system with 10,200 passengers a day. They are looking for ways to improve service and will be having a public meeting on Thursday, February 5 at the Holiday Park Senior Center, 3905 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring, MD. The open house will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by a presentation at 7:00 pm.

They also are conducting a ridership survey. They did it on the bus on Dec 17, but you can fill it out online too. If you ride the Q2 go fill it out.

When I was younger I rode the Q2 every day. It took a long time and traffic was slow, but it was faster (and much cheaper) than taking the red line from Shady Grove to Silver Spring. I looked at the comments people wrote on the survey and it looks like things are worse than when I rode it. Overcrowded to the point that the bus drivers can't always pick up passengers, no buses for a while then two or three right in a row, still only rarely have the extra long buses.

[where: Shady Grove, MD]
[where: Rockville, MD]
[where: Wheaton, MD]
[where: Silver Spring, MD]

(from the gazette)

Looking back at the parks half marathon

It has been a few weeks since the Parks Half marathon in Montgomery County, and, as I posted earlier, I took a bunch of pictures. I figure now is a good time to reflect on the experience.

It was actually more fun than I expected. My expectations were fairly low, I mean, standing in one spot for a couple of hours hitting the shutter button over and over and over isn't high on my list of things to do before I die. Maybe I picked an unusually good spot (right after the tunnel under MD-355) because I saw several runners who were being encouraged by friends and/or family, even a family running together. I also enjoyed the person who started juggling when he saw the camera. I got a good percentage of the people who ran by, but there were many groups of people (more than I expected) and there were sometimes people who's number was obscured the whole time. On the flip side, there were also a couple of people who straightened out their number when they saw me. I was surprised at how good people looked. After 13 miles of running on a very humid day I expected to see more people barely hanging in there, but most people looked like they could keep going a few more miles.

After posting the pictures I went hunting for blog posts about the race. I found a few posts. It was interesting to read about the race from people I saw (and in most cases had photographed). One particularly interesting one was by a woman who found out she was pregnant after finishing the half marathon.

On the photography side, it wasn't hugely challenging, the hardest parts were trying to make sure that I got a photo of each person in a group, where that person was in focus. Framing wise, I wasn't sure if it would be better to zoom in on a runner, or show a bit more of the surroundings, and if I should take it as a portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal). Overall, I think the portrait close-ups came out best, however, if I had a more interesting background they might have come out better (your suggestions are welcome). Swapping memory cards was also a challenge, both getting a new one out while still taking pictures and making sure I didn't run out of space right as a big group went by. Once I got home going through the pictures and adding the bib numbers was a time consuming chore, it took much longer than I thought it would.

I'm not sure if I will do it again, in many ways I would like to, but the bib-numbering was a huge time sink. I could easily get to the start of the race, take pictures, then drive to the end of the race and take more. If I do it next year I will probably set up before the tunnel so there will be more trees and trail in the background instead of bare concrete.