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
We had hoped to have a nice
recap of the Annual EBCA Yard
Sale in this month’s newsletter
but, alas, we must go to press
before the rescheduled event takes
place. Thanks to all for your
patience and understanding. It is
the first time in my few years of
being involved that we have had to
reschedule a big event but the
email list and website proved an
effective means of communicating
the change. Watch for more
upgrades to these communication
channels in the coming weeks. We
are improving them to make it
easier to sign on, get information
and share it with one another.
We did have a good turn out at
the May general membership
meeting where we got a healthy
dose of climate change information
courtesy of Dr. Lise Van Susteren.
We also learned about Bethesda’s
first LEED certified Silver building
going up at the intersection of
Wilson Lane, Arlington Road and
Old Georgetown Road, proving that
one person, one change and one
Inside This Issue
Entrance Signs................ 2
Officers Elected............... 5
Council News .................. 6
Downtown Recycling ...... 7
JUNE/JULY 2008
community can make a difference.
See the enclosed article for more
details.
After the presentations, we held
elections for the 2008-2009 slate of
officers. The officers are the same
as the year we are currently
concluding with the exception of
A.B. Carneal who is stepping in as
Recording Secretary. As I have
mentioned before, it takes many
hands to keep EBCA at the
forefront of the important issues
and activities impacting our
community. If you are ready to get
involved, please see the list of
openings in this issue or let us
know your interests. Thanks to
Heather Giuli for serving as
Nominating Chair for this year’s
elections.
The second order of business was
a proposal to increase the
membership dues. As EBCA’s only
source of revenue, we rely on these
donations to provide a full range of
activities from social gatherings, to
producing and mailing the
newsletter, to upgrading our
electronic communications. The
options on the table were: keep the
dues at $10 per year per voting
member, raise dues to $15 per year
per voting member or to raise dues
to $20 per year per voting member.
By a majority vote, an increase to
$15 per year per voting member
was approved for the coming year,
July 1st, 2008 to June 30th, 2009.
Thanks for the participation to
date. We’ll look forward to seeing
you this summer!
Climate Change
Presentation
Lise Van Susteren, psychiatrist
and Eastern Regional Director of
the Climate Project, delivered a
thought-provoking presentation at
the May general membership
meeting. Van Susteren was trained
by Al Gore in Nashville, Tennessee
to present the slide show which
became the basis of his Oscar-
winning documentary film An
Inconvenient Truth. Gore has since
trained over 1,000 activists
throughout the United States to
take this slide show on the road to
promote grass-roots support for the
Continued on page 6...
Summer in
East Bethesda
Fireworks!
Join neighbors and friends at
the grassy hillside of
Lynnbrook Park to watch the
annual display of fireworks
from the Columbia Country
Club Tuesday, July 1st as it
gets dark. The rain date is
Wednesday, July 2nd.
Activities Around Town!
Let us know what you think–
What is your favorite thing to
do or about summer in
Bethesda? Send in your reply
by July 20th to
newsletter@ebca.org to have
your ideas included in the next
newsletter in August.
PAGE 2 Neighborhood News
Have You Seen the Signs?
Perhaps you have noticed the
new entrance signs gracing many
of the entry points to East
Bethesda. Here is the story of how
they came about. Before the Chevy
Chase Bank Company building
stood at the corner of Wisconsin
Avenue and East West Highway,
this crossroads was home to a
restaurant. When plans came out
for the high rise building, many
neighbors were concerned about
the traffic associated with an office
building. Chevy Chase Bank,
therefore, worked with EBCA to
support traffic calming measures
through a number of entrance
signs with the hope that if drivers
realize they are in a residential
area, perhaps they will be more
courteous and cautious or, better
yet, choose not to cut through at
all.
Around the same time, EBCA
held a contest to design a new logo
for the organization. Chorman
Romano of Rosedale Avenue
submitted the winning entry that
was chosen at a general
membership meeting. With the
logo that is now familiar to us from
our newsletter and website, the
design of the entrance sign was
born. This too was debated and
voted on at a separate EBCA
general membership meeting
where residents discussed what the
sign should say.
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
The vote supported what you
now see: the logo with the large
letters of “Welcome” and “East
Bethesda Citizens Association. Est.
1931.”
Our thanks go to former EBCA
President Dan Fox and current
EBCA Treasurer Jack Hayes who
spent many hours working with
the county to get permits and
approval for placement of the
signs. Thanks also go to our
neighbors who live adjacent to
these sites for supporting this
effort. While these signs will not
deter all cut through traffic they
will help to identify our
community. If you have any
questions or concerns about the
signs, please contact Jack Hayes at
JDHser@aol.com.
Ilaya Hopkins, President
David Saltzman, 1st Vice President
Tori Hall, 2nd Vice President
Jack Hayes, Treasurer
Heather Giuli, Secretary
Dan Fox, Immediate Past President
Andy O’Hare, Crescent Trail
Monica Hayes, Education
Marcie Sandalow, Membership
Eleanor Rice, NIH Liaison
Kevin Kraus, Parks & Playgrounds
Sandy Spagnolo, Social Events
Dorian Patchin, Website
JUN/JUL 2008
Donate to
A Wider Circle
What to do with all those baby
goods? And dishes, and towels?. If
you can’t make it to the EBCA
community yard sale but you have
items that are in decent condition
and need a new home, consider
contacting A Wider Circle, a 501(c)
(3), grassroots, nonprofit
organization that serves
individuals and families living in
poverty in the Washington, DC
metropolitan region. The mission of
A Wider Circle is simple: to help
individuals and families lift
themselves out of poverty. At the
heart of A Wider Circle's work is
the realization that breaking the
cycles of poverty requires more
than just the provision of basic
need items; it also requires a
restoration of dignity and self-
worth.
You can drop off items at the
designated location on River Road
or call to arrange for a pick up.
Please donate items that are in
good condition. This helps families
to maintain a sense of dignity as
they start anew, and it allows the
program to run cost-efficiently and
effectively.
Here is a wish list is a list of
items that the families served
request. The full list is available at
www.awidercircle.com.
• Beds without damage
• Bed frames with all the pieces
• Dressers
• Kitchen tables and chairs
• Strollers, chairs, cribs, car seats
• Infant and toddler clothing
• End tables and coffee tables
• Televisions
• Sofas and living room chairs
• Lamps
• Dishes, silverware, pots & pans
• Toasters and microwaves
• Fans & air conditioning units
• New cleaning products
PAGE 3 Neighborhood News JUN/JUL 2008
PAGE 4 Neighborhood News JUN/JUL 2008
PAGE 5 Neighborhood News JUN/JUL 2008

EBCA Elects New Officers, Seeks More Volunteers

EBCA is pleased to announce the officers elected for
the 2008-2009 year. EBCA is also involved in a number
of activities to promote our sense of community both
within and around our boarders, and we are looking for
neighbors fill these important roles:

Membership Committee

We need a few people to help out with tracking

members. Jobs include maintaining an excel spreadsheet
of members as dues are paid, helping to bring new
members in at events and with articles in the
newsletter, thinking of creative ways to boost
membership – our primary source of revenue.

Assistant Recording Secretary
This is an elected position and provides back up if the
recording secretary is unable to attend a meeting. We
hope to post minutes to the website so those that who
cannot attend general meetings can follow what is
happening in EBCA.
Above, from left: Tori Hall, 2nd Vice President,
Ilaya Hopkins, President, and A.B. Carneal,
Recording Secretary. Below, left: Jack Hayes,
Treasurer. Below, right: David Saltzman, 1st Vice
President.

Newsletter Distribution

Jay Briar gets the newsletter to the printer but we

need some help managing the mailing list and making
sure everything stays on track from there.

Lynnbrook Recreation Center

This building is on the county’s list to possibly close.

We need someone to be the point person and follow
developments as well as keep EBCA informed of what
we can do to keep it here.

Development Tracker STROSNIDERS WAS FLOODED

With so much development around our boarders and WITH COUPONS FROM OUR
Council member Berliner’s In Fill Task Force in full
swing, we need someone interested in these issues to NEWSLETTER. OTHER LOCAL
follow them and provide updates to EBCA.
BUSINESSES SAY IT IS THE
Something Else? BEST ADVERTISING MONEY
If you have an area of interest that is not listed but THEY HAVE SPENT. WHAT
you think EBCA needs to be aware, please let us know
and we can see about getting it up and running. ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
If you are interested in helping in any of these BECOME A NEWSLETTER
capacities or if you have any questions about EBCA’s
volunteer operations, please contact EBCA President SPONSOR TODAY!
Ilaya Hopkins at president@ebca.org.
PAGE 6 Neighborhood News JUN/JUL 2008

County Council Update Environmentalism

By Chuck Sullivan Front & Center at
The Montgomery County Council has been busy lately
with new regulations covering home improvements.
Here is a summary of the most recent issues:
May Meeting
County Council Approves Energy Star Mandate Continued from page 1...
All new homes will require Environmental Protection issue. Armed with stunning slides and graphic images
Agency (EPA) Energy Star standards for building of the changing environment, she educated the
permits applied for on or after January 1, 2010. The audience on the need to make changes now. Easy steps
Energy Star mandate and certification was opposed by you can take include calculating your carbon footprint
the three Transportation & Environment Committee at www.carbonfootprint.com, signing up for Clean
members but was approved by the full Council. Energy Rewards through your energy provider and
The legislation allows the Department of giving back through organizations like Native Energy.
Environmental Protection (DEP) to evaluate alternative We were also lucky to have with us Michael Belisle,
programs that achieve 15-30% increased energy architect of the PeriPoint building located at the
efficiency at a lower cost. Local builders testified that intersection of Old Georgetown Road, Wilson Lane and
many new homes already achieve the energy goals Arlington Road. He is building one of Bethesda’s first
using a variety of efficiency methods but if compliance Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
with Energy Star is the only option then costs will (LEED) certified “Silver” buildings with a number of
increase $10,000 to $20,000. features that make it a more environmentally friendly
Forest Conservation Law structure. There will be a restaurant on the first floor,
The Council is also currently considering changes in a gallery on the mezzanine and office space on the
the Forest Conservation law. The proposed changes third floor. To learn more, visit www.peripoint.com.
clarify the intent of the law which seeks to protect
forests and mitigate the effects when a portion of a
forest is cut down. The Council is still debating whether
all trees on residential property should be covered
under an Urban Tree Bill which would require a permit
to remove any tree. Tree removal on private property
has historically been the right of the property owner.
Councilmember Nancy Floreen has created a blog to
post comments or questions on issues dealing with tree
at nancyfloreen.blogspot.com.
Open Houses for Building Construction
In an effort to enhance communication between the
construction industry and the Department of • Hair Cut (all styles)
Permitting Services, the Division of Building • Hot Lather Shave
Construction is holding a series of open houses. The • Beard Trim/Shape-up
sessions will focus on Green Building regulations, new • Facials (men & women)
Executive Regulations adopting the 2006 ICC Codes, • Eye Brow Trim (men & women)
significant code changes from previous editions, • Professional Shoe Shine
affected policies and procedures, and code
interpretations. For more information contact Amy
Edwards, Office Services Coordinator, Division of
Building Construction, at 240-777-6316 or
amy.edwards@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Gypsy Moth Program

The gypsy moth is by far the most destructive pest of
forest and shade trees in Maryland. To learn more,
visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture at:
www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/forest_pest_mgmt/
gypsy_moth/gypsy_moth_program_policy.php
PAGE 7 Neighborhood News
The Neighborhood Roundup
Blood Drive Success
Thanks to all residents who
heard the call to give blood for a
local fire fighter from the Chevy
Chase Fire House. Planners were
hoping for 80 donors but were
overwhelmed with well over 100
individuals from around the area
ready to help; a wonderful
reminder of our generous
community.
Labor Day Picnic
Labor Day Picnic will take place
on Monday, September 1st. We
need volunteers to help with the
planning and with activities the
day of the event. If you are
available – even for just an hour –
please contact Sandy Spagnolo at
social@ebca.org.
Downtown Plans Online
The Montgomery County
Department of Parks and Planning
has recently posted new
information on its website
concerning proposed development
in the Bethesda Central Business
District listing planned
development projects and a map:
www.mcparkandplanning.org/
community/plan_areas/
bethesda_chevy_chase/intro.shtm
Bethesda Farmers Market
The Bethesda Farmers Market,
featuring fresh fruits, veggies, and
baked goods, has returned for the
summer.
The market is open from 10 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and
Saturdays through October in
Veterans Park, near the corner of
Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues.
For more information on the
market, visit www.bethesda.org.
Thanks...
To the Photography Center of
Bethesda for providing the
projection screen for the May
general membership meeting.
Trillium Construction
The Trillium development project
at the intersections of Woodmont
Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue and
Battery Lane has nearly completed
demolition of the old hotel. The
new construction will take about
two years. Noise levels must be
kept under specified levels during
the day and at even lower levels
between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. If you
have concerns about noise, please
call 240-777-7770
Downtown Recycle Bin Kickoff
By Dave Heffernan
Numerous government officials,
business and neighborhood leaders,
citizens and children joined in
celebrating the kickoff of Bethesda
Green's Recycle Bin program. The
folks at Honest Tea did a great job
organizing logistics for this media
event that got radio and TV
coverage from WAMU, WTOP and
Newschannel 8.
Bethesda Green is helping to
support this recycling project for
pedestrians in the Bethesda
business district. Initially, 25-35
beverage recycling bins will be
placed in high-traffic areas of
Bethesda Row, Woodmont Triangle
and Metro Center.
Honest Tea and The Coca Cola
Company, together with local
sponsors, support the bins.
Bethesda Urban Partnership is
helping to maintain them.
Bethesda Green aims to serve as
a living model to sustain
JUN/JUL 2008
For traffic related questions,
please call 240-777-6000 or email
trafficops@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Infill Development
Montgomery County District 1
Councilmember Roger Berliner has
introduced legislation addressing
infill development—including
provisions that would require a
modest reduction in the size of
infill homes built on smaller lots. A
public hearing for the bill is
scheduled for June 17 at 7 p.m. in
the County Council Office Building
at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.
The bill will be considered in work
sessions . For more information on
the legislation, please call 240-777-
7828.
Bethesda’s development by
reducing the community’s
environmental footprint, attracting
environmentally-conscious
consumers, and promoting an
environmental ethic. Through the
engagement and collective efforts
of the entire community, the
project will work to make Bethesda
an even better place to live and
work. For more information visit
www.bethesdagreen.org.
Summer is the time to renew your Recent Home
EBCA membership for 2008-2009.
Clip and mail this form today! Closings
(January to May)
Please support our neighborhood activities, this
newsletter, and the community activism that 4608 Maple Avenue $640,000
makes East Bethesda one of the most desirable
places in which to invest and raise a family. $15
4608 S. Chelsea Lane $655,000
per member, but additional contributions are 7913 Kentbury Drive $670,000
always welcome. 4537 S. Chelsea Lane $670,000
EBCA - Membership 4600 Harling Lane $720,000
P.O. Box 41020 4310 Lynbrook Drive $750,000
Bethesda, MD 20824
18 Kentbury Way $760,000
Members _____________________________________ 8609 Lancaster Drive $765,000
Address _____________________________________ 4700 Rosedale Avenue $860,000
Phone _____________________________________
E-mail _____________________________________
8407 Baccarat Court $965,000
8515 Halston Way $1,045,000
Number of Members _____ x $15 each = $_____ 4303 Lynbrook Drive $1,110,000
EBCA will not share your contact information with 4619 Highland Avenue $1,190,000
anyone outside of the organization. 4508 Fairfield Drive $1,276,000