Neighborhood News
WWW.EBCA.ORG
Representing the 1200 households North of East-West Highway, South of Jones
Bridge Road, East of Wisconsin Avenue and West of Columbia Country Club.
President’s Notebook
By Ilaya Hopkins, President
Summer used to seem endless.
Somehow, this one seems to be
flying by! Hopefully, you have had
a chance to enjoy many of the
wonderful things Bethesda has to
offer – farmers market, free
concerts, outdoor movies, sounds of
cicadas, fireworks and beautiful
gardens around the
neighborhood. A great way to cap
off the season is the annual EBCA
Labor Day Picnic being held this
year on Monday, September 1 from
2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sandy Spagnolo,
Social Chair, is looking for
volunteers to help with shifts.
Please contact her at
social@ebca.org to sign up.
Volunteers are critical to the
success of our association and the
vibrancy of our neighborhood.
Inside you’ll find a list of just a few
of the people who give their time
Coming Up Next
Monday, September 1st
Labor Day Picnic
Inside This Issue
Volunteers ....................... 2
NNMC & NIH ................. 3
Recycling News ............... 4
Membership Letter ......... 7
and energy to various causes for
EBCA. We’ve also recruited
residents to help with the
playground at Lynnbrook Park
(Karen Auerbach) and provide a
liaison to the Lynnbrook Daycare
Center (Miebeth Janssens) and I
am happy to announce that we
have a new Membership
Committee Chair, Rebecca Fayed,
who will help keep track of our
growing numbers.
Many thanks to the over 50
people who have already sent 2008-
2009 membership dues ($15 per
voting member). Inside you will
find our annual membership dues
solicitation and a pre-addressed
envelope to make dues paying as
easy as possible. We hope our
already great member
participation will be even stronger
in the coming year. Paying your
dues is an important part of
supporting our community.
As you can see through the
various articles and updates in this
issue of the newsletter, there is
plenty of activity going on in and
around East Bethesda. On behalf
of EBCA, we hope you will find the
information you need and be
inspired to get involved in the
issues that matter to you. We look
forward to seeing you on Labor Day
and at our first general
membership meeting of the new
fiscal year on Wednesday,
September 17th at the Lynnbrook
Recreation Center on Newdale
Road. Until then, stay cool and
enjoy the rest of the summer!
AUGUST 2008
Purple
Line
Plans
The draft environmental impact
statement (EIS) for the Purple
Line is scheduled to be released on
September 19th. The west
terminus for the Purple Line is
Bethesda and the route will impact
East Bethesda one way or another
whether it be on the trail or Jones
Bridge Road. As with the BRAC
EIS, there will be a public
comment period, and everyone
should send in their thoughts.
A number of citizen groups have
been formed around the various
issues. Here are a few of the
websites that have been brought to
the attention of EBCA:
Maryland Transit Administration
www.purplelinemd.com
Rethinking the Purple Line
www.rethinkingthepurpleline.org
Alliance for Smart Transportation
www.a4stmd.com
Purple Line Now!
www.purplelinenow.com
The September 17th EBCA
general membership meeting will
focus on the providing information
about the Purple Line to encourage
everyone to send in comments.
More information will be provided
in the September newsletter.
PAGE 2 Neighborhood News AUG 2008

Volunteer Spotlight
Thanks to all the many individuals who help keep EBCA running and serving you, especially our many
committee and special project chairs. This month we recognize, from left, Sandy Spagnolo, Social Chair, Jay Briar,
Newsletter Editor, and Kevin Kraus, Parks & Playgrounds Chair. If you are interested in helping out in any of
these areas or others, please contact president@ebca.org.

Reminder: Trash pick-up will be one day later the week of Labor Day; Thursday for most readers.

Going Up & Coming Down

A public hearing on “The Veneto,” a mixed-use
residential and commercial structure planned for the
west quadrant at the intersection of Norfolk and Cordell
Avenues, took place on July 10th.
A pre-submission meeting took place on July 9th for
“The Monty,” mixed-use project with up to 200
multifamily dwelling units and additional retail space at
4915 and 4917 Fairmont Avenue and 4914 and 4918 St.
Elmo Avenue. If you are interested in more information
on either of these projects, contact the Development
Review Division of M-NCPPC.
A pre-application meeting and request for approval of
site plan took place on July 14th for "Woodmont View," a
multifamily residential and restaurant at Woodmont
Avenue between Battery Lane and the National
Institutes of Health. A pre-submission public meeting
and request for approval of project plan for "Northwest
Park at Woodmont," a mixed-use, residential and
commercial property at 8240 Wisconsin Avenue, took
place on July 15th. For more info on either of these
projects, contact Debra Borden of Linowes and Blocher
at 301-961-5250 or dborden@linowes-law.com
The developer of the Woodmont East II project has
formed an advisory group to help shape the public space.
Penina Maya from East Bethesda has agreed to
represent EBCA.
PAGE 3 Neighborhood News
Medical Center & NIH Updates
More Helicopters Than Usual?
An inquiry to the NNMC
revealed that there have indeed
been more inbound helicopter
flights than usual this summer
than in the past. This is due, in
part, to a change over in personnel.
Newly assigned pilots are required
to complete a number of
practice approaches in
order to be qualified
to do Medevac
transports to the
campus. These
training flights
involve circling the
campus several
times before
completing a touch-and-
go landing. This is a
temporary situation, and the Navy,
through the base realignment
process, has stated that there
should not be a significant increase
in helicopter activity due to the
expansion.
Medical Center Construction
Construction is well underway at
the National Naval Medical Center
(NNMC), future home of the new
Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center. The official
groundbreaking took place on July
3rd when President Bush used the
same shovel as President Franklin
Roosevelt over 40 years ago.
Staging and building of a
construction entrance have been
the most visible signs. There has
also been some demolition to make
way for a new, privately-funded
National Intrepid Center for
Excellence (ICE), for psychological
health issues and traumatic brain
injury. For more updates, visit
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/
brac.
If you have questions or concerns
about the construction, contact the
hotline at 301-319-BRAC (2722).
This number, which will be posted
on the NNMC web site, will allow
the community to contact NNMC
and express concerns about day-to-
day issues related to construction,
including safety, noise and other
factors that might negatively
impact the quality of life for those
who live and work near the
NNMC campus. The phone
will be staffed weekdays
from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. with an answering
machine taking calls at
off-hours. The hours
may be adjusted once
construction begins.
NIH Charity Drive
Randy Schools of the NIH
Recreation and Welfare
Association, along with other
Bethesda community leaders, have
been working without local chapter
of the American Red Cross to
provide assistance to soldiers
wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan
who are receiving treatment at
Bethesda NNMC. With the help of
others in the community, Randy’s
group was able to upgrade the
computer system used by the
East Bethesda Citizens
Association, Inc.
PO Box 41020
Bethesda, MD 20824
www.ebca.org
Neighborhood News
Jay Briar, Editor
newsletter@ebca.org
David Kauffman, Sponsorship
sponsorship@ebca.org
AUG 2008
soldiers’ families, provide DVD
players, recruit local restaurants to
provide weekend meals for
families, and provide new movie
releases on DVDs on a weekly
basis that the soldiers can watch
on their DVD players, since many
are confined to their beds for
sometimes as long as several weeks
or months.
The initial money obtained for
DVDs has been depleted so a new
giving opportunity has been
launched: The Bethesda 52 Club!
52 generous individuals are needed
to each give $52
dollars to
help in
purchasing
the DVDs,
and in
some
instances,
supplement
the existing
dining program.
If you would like to be part of
this effort, please forward a check
in the amount of $52 made out to:
NIH Recreation and Welfare
Foundation, 9000 Wisconsin
Avenue, Building 31 A, B1W30,
Bethesda, MD 20892, Attn:
Bethesda Outreach.
Ilaya Hopkins, President
David Saltzman, 1st Vice President
Tori Hall, 2nd Vice President
A.B. Carneal, Recording Secretary
Jack Hayes, Treasurer
Dan Fox, Immediate Past President
Andy O’Hare, Crescent Trail
Monica Hayes, Education
Membership, Vacant
Eleanor Rice, NIH Liaison
Kevin Kraus, Parks & Playgrounds
Sandy Spagnolo, Social Events
Dorian Patchin, Website
Leslie Weber, Welcome Packets
PAGE 4 Neighborhood News AUG 2008

Montgomery County Expands Plastics Recycling

County residents of single-family homes can now recycle all empty plastic bottles, containers and lids, jars, pails,
buckets and food grade plastic tubs. The plastic materials should be rinsed and then placed in your blue recycling
bin with the commingled materials, such as aluminum cans and foil products, steel and tin cans, and glass bottles
and jars. Plastic containers that have held hazardous materials cannot be recycled.
Clip this page and post where your family can be reminded of the new list of recyclable materials.

Effective July 1, 2008

Recycle plastic containers and lids from:
Milk Deli Products
Juice Prescription
Water Medicines
Syrup Ice cream
Vegetable Oil Detergent
Salad Dressing Pet Food
Cleaning Products Kitty Litter
Detergent Flower Pots
Shampoo Beverage Cups
Conditioner
Margarine Still not recyclable:
Butter
Cottage Cheese Motor Oil
Yogurt Antifreeze
Sour Cream Pesticides
Mayonnaise Plastic Wrap & Bags
Whipped Cream Polystyrene
Peanut Butter Styrofoam
PAGE 5 Neighborhood News AUG 2008
PAGE 6 Neighborhood News
The Neighborhood Roundup
Slot Machine Forum
The November election will bring
to the ballot a referendum on
expanding slot machines in
Maryland, and a forum is being
held to explore the issue and
possible implications for our state.
Maryland Comptroller Peter
Franchot will take the anti-slots
position, and Maryland Secretary
of Labor Tom Perez will take the
pro-slots position. Bruce DePuyt of
NewsChannel 8 will moderate the
discussion. The forum will take
place Wednesday, September 10th
from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the
Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase,
7931 Connecticut Avenue, and is
free of charge.
Lynnbrook Park Blacktop Use
Use of the blacktop area outside
of Lynnbrook Childcare Center is
restricted to the children and
center personnel until 6 p.m.
Monday through Friday. This area
is managed by the Montgomery
County Public Schools, not the
park system. If your children play
in this area, please let them know
of the restricted use policy and to
avoid that area until after 6 p.m. If
you are walking your dogs, please
leash them and be aware that some
of the young children are afraid of
dogs.
Recess Equipment Removed
If you have been to Lynnbrook
Park lately, you will likely
have noticed that two pieces of play
equipment are missing. The
M o n t g o m e ry C o u n t y P a r k s
Department removed the wooden
structure from the middle of the
park and the tire swing after both
were deemed unsafe. The Parks
Department is planning to replace
both pieces of equipment this fall.
AUG 2008
The new structure in the middle of Lynbrook Child Care Center
the park will be designed for five to
twelve year olds. The tire swing The Maryland Child Care
will likely be replaced by a track Association offers services in our
ride, better known to playground community for preschool-aged
users as a zip cord. children, two to five years old, from
7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and before
Free Wireless Internet and after school programs for
school-aged children, five to twelve
Free wireless internet access is years old, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30
now available in downtown a.m. and from 3:15 p.m. to 6:30
Bethesda. Bethesda Wi-Fi was p.m. Additionally, Montgomery
made possible through a County Public Schools provides
collaboration between Montgomery transportation to and from
County and Atlantech Online, Inc. Bethesda, North Chevy Chase,
with the assistance of the Bethesda Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek
Urban Partnership. Service is Forest, and Sligo Creek
located in the area of Bethesda Elementary Schools. Program sites
Row, roughly bounded by include Bethesda/Lynbrook and
Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda Ashburton/Wyngate. For more
Avenue, Arlington Road and Elm information about the child care
Street. An additional hot spot is center, call 301-984-7680 or visit
located at Veterans Park at the www.mccaedu.org.
corner of Norfolk and Woodmont
Avenues. Anyone with a laptop East Bethesda Garden Club
computer equipped with a wireless
adapter can connect free of charge. The East Bethesda Garden Club
meets the second Tuesday of each
month. New attendees are welcome
and encouraged. For more
Help Support information, please contact Nancy
at 301-656-8754.
East Bethesda Ellen’s Run: October 19th
by Supporting The third annual Ellen's Run is
being held to remember Ellen Vala
Our Advertisers Schneide on Sunday, October 19th
starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds from
——————- the race will benefit the Bethesda-
Ch e vy Ch ase High Sch o o l
Advertise in Community Scholarship Fund and
the Mental Health Association of
Neighborhood Montgomery County. Over 700
individuals participated in Ellen's
News Run last fall. We hope that you will
be able to join us again this year
and bring family, friends and
Email neighbors. Registration is open
through October 11th. For more
sponsorship@ebca.org information call 301-657-2314 or
visit www.ellensrunonline.org.
 August 1, 2008
Dear East Bethesda Resident,

The East Bethesda Citizens Association (EBCA) could not exist without you
and your support. Each year we rely on your annual membership dues to stay
in touch, host social events and work to maintain the quality of life we all enjoy
by living in such an exciting and welcoming area.

EBCA represents the over 1,200 households north of East-West Highway, south
of Jones Bridge Road, east of Wisconsin Avenue and west of Columbia Country Club. It is one of the
oldest and largest community associations in Montgomery County.

Close to 700 residents paid dues last year. This year we hope to top that number by encouraging at least
one person per household to contribute annual dues. We’ve already received a number of renewals and
look forward to publishing the member list in an upcoming issue of the newsletter. Dues paying
members vote on measures at general membership meetings.

At our last membership meeting, members voted to set annual dues to $15 per voting member. This will
allow us to continue to send out informative monthly newsletters, update our website, host meetings and
social events, and make sure the EBCA voice is heard in important talks about the future of our area.

In the coming year, we look forward to our annual Labor Day Picnic, the Halloween Parade and the
Community Yard Sale. There will also be other social gatherings announced via the newsletter. We’ll
continue to stay on top of issues of importance to our neighborhood and keep you informed through
meetings, the newsletter, emails and the website.

We look forward to seeing you at meetings and events and encourage you to share your feedback and
ideas with us. Be an important part of our community by supporting the association that works hard on
your behalf. Please fill out the form below [on the back] and use the pre-addressed envelope to send in
your dues today. We couldn’t do it without you.

Sincerely,
Ilaya Rome Hopkins, EBCA President

Membership Coupon
Return this form and your payment in the enclosed envelope to PO Box 41020, Bethesda, MD 20824.

Members _____________________________________ Give us your feedback:

Address Same as Mailing Label on the Back What issues would you like us to address?

New Membership Address:

_____________________________________
Bethesda, MD 2081__ What events would you like to attend?

Phone _____________________________________

E-mail _____________________________________ May we contact you about volunteering?

Number of Members _____ x $15 each = $ ______

EBCA will not share your contact information with anyone outside of the organization.

EBCA
Labor Day
Picnic
Monday, September 1st
We hope all of you are having a great
summer. Remember, our annual picnic
is on Labor Day from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
EBCA is looking for a few good folks to
help out on what has become our
neighborhood’s biggest event. If you
helped last year or just want to get
involved in a neighborhood event,
please contact Sandy Spagnolo by
email at spagnolo06@comcast.net or by
phone at 301-654-5946. We look
forward to seeing all of you on Monday,
September 1st.
100 Best Places to Live and Launch
From CNN, Fortune & Money
#5: Bethesda, Maryland
Population: 59,475
Pro: Extremely well-educated labor pool
Con: D.C. traffic
“Bethesda boasts one of the country's best-educated
populations for a city of 50,000 or more: more than 80% of its
residents have at least a bachelor's degree. Low crime, rapid job
growth and easy access...to airports and downtown
Washington…
“Three of the area's business innovation centers are within
six miles of the town. Not only can tech startups rent the space
and share facilities..., the county will provide legal counsel
through lawyers at the University of Maryland and fiscal
advice from financial services companies. While some owners
say that navigating Montgomery County's various regulations
can make launching tricky, the county eases the process for
eligible firms with tax credits for creating jobs, expanding, and
- if you're an artist - simply living and working in Bethesda.
“The city also is a foodie hub, with over 250 restaurants.
Every year, thousands of guests attend the annual Taste of
Bethesda festival…”