The D.C.-based nonprofit Forum for Youth Investment has sold the Cady-Lee Mansion in Takoma after owning and operating the property for over two decades The historic property at 7064 Eastern Ave. NW was sold off-market in April for $1.95 million. The Forum for Youth Investment an organization that supports youth-focused policy and practices decided to downsize its office presence after 23 years in the D.C built in 1887 by the architect of the Vice President’s residence is a notable landmark and features a grand oak staircase all steps from the Takoma Metro station on the Red Line The Queen Anne-style Takoma Park Historic District house entered the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 Hannah McCann of Bethesda-based commercial real estate firm Feldman Ruel represented the buyer a local investor operating under Takoma Park Properties who plans to open a child development center According to a press release, the deal closed just 55 days after contract execution. Ian Ruel, Managing Principal, and Alex Petrov Drawn to the property’s inspiring character and proximity to Metro the buyer intends to preserve its historic charm while reimagining it as a childhood learning and development space “This transaction is a great example of the kind of thoughtful matchmaking that can only happen through deep local market knowledge and relationships,” McCann said “It’s exciting to see a historic property like the Cady-Lee House preserved and activated in a way that continues to serve the community.” This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Read our Privacy Notice This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again All Set Restaurant & Bar will host a send-off party on Wednesday evening for the rowing team Oar the Rainbow who will cross the Pacific Ocean this summer in the “World’s Toughest Row” to support Athlete Ally and Doctors Without Borders The Forum for Youth Investment has sold the historic Cady-Lee Mansion in Takoma for $1.95 million to a local investor planning to transform it into a child development center Olympic triple jump champion and Silver Spring resident Thea LaFond will be among the six sports legends inducted into the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday Governor Moore emphasizes Maryland’s stability and aims to foster private sector growth to navigate the challenges the Trump administration poses while positioning the state as a leader independent of Washington’s chaos The ESSCA Fest hyperlocal music and arts festival is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in East Silver Spring introduced legislation on Thursday mandating the Trump administration to report on compliance with court orders for the wrongful deportation of U.S citizens to El Salvador and to assess the country’s human rights record Silver Spring Make-A-Wish teen Aurora Dennison had her wish granted when she met the man behind her favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe character during her 18th birthday celebration Downtown Silver Spring-based media conglomerate Urban One has reported a cyberattack that compromised personal data as the company faces layoffs amid an anticipated sharp decline in advertising revenue Achilles Bardos developed BIMAS-2 to improve student mental health screenings in schools despite the growing youth mental health crisis screenings remain rare due to resource issues and limited implementation Well-Paid Maids prioritizes the health and well-being of its cleaning professionals by offering comprehensive health benefits which enhances the quality of service provided to customers Four local restaurants are among the nine finalists in Montgomery County for RAMMY Awards presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington A federal grand jury has indicted the owner of the Dimmples Kettles restaurant in downtown Silver Spring on charges of making threatening communications to kidnap and injure Cameroon citizens and providing material support to separatist groups DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live Police are investigating a Sunday shooting in Takoma Park A look at stories making headlines in D.C. The deadline to get a Real ID is fast approaching -- and many are rushing to get their ID updated The historic First Baptist Church at the corner of Kirby Street and New York Avenue has been subject to illegal dumping over the past year A cold front will slowly progress through the DMV through Tuesday A brief break in the wet weather is forecast for Wednesday before more rain and possible storms return late in the work week The NFL Draft is coming to the District after the NFL commissioner and President Trump shared the news at a press conference at the White House Katerina Manoff is the CEO and founder of ENGin a non-profit that utilizes English-speaking volunteers from the DMV area to connect with English learners from other countries Some enterprising students in Frederick are making art a focal point for social change A nonprofit group said it is offering free Lyft rides on May 5 for Cinco de Mayo A University Park man was indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple child exploitation charges including producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) Mayor Muriel Bowser said she plans to repeal Initiative 82 (I-82) under her proposed 2026 budget reverting the District to its previous tipped minimum wage policy President Donald Trump announced Monday afternoon that the 2027 NFL draft will be held in Washington Takoma Park police collected and safely delivered 381 pounds of unused and expired medications to a DEA drop-off site on April 26 as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 288 pounds were gathered directly by Takoma Park officers while their partners at Montgomery College contributed an additional 93 pounds The nationwide campaign aims to help prevent prescription drug misuse and theft by encouraging residents to dispose of expired unwanted or unused medications safely and responsibly a permanent drop-off location is available at the City of Takoma Park Police Department and no questions are asked when medications are dropped off Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs are accepted Please email if you would like to be allow listed Just about everyone on Mike Tidwell’s block has mourned a tree a lush canopy blanketed Takoma Park’s old homes hundreds of trees across the city are gone Driven by an odd dip in the jet stream, heavy rains drenched the mid-Atlantic in 2018 drowning trees on Willow Avenue where Tidwell has lived for more than 30 years A chain reaction followed: A fungus whose Greek name means “plant destroyer” took hold damaging roots; then the beetles Tidwell calls six-legged “bloodhounds” finished the job Within a few years, Tidwell calculates, Takoma Park had cut down some 1,200 trees, many old oaks. One city report found that Takoma Park lost 141 acres of tree cover between 2009 and 2020 The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one. “You had to go to the Arctic or to the Great Barrier Reef to see the early impacts of climate change firsthand,” Tidwell said in an interview on his Takoma Park porch So Tidwell wrote a book about what’s happened out front “The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A Story of Climate Change and Hope on One American Street,” a sentimental memoir exploring the toll of warming on his block in the funky (and still-leafy) Washington The book reflects on the consequences Tidwell has warned about for a generation as well as the big and small steps his neighbors have taken to fight back Tidwell gave up his globe-trotting writing career in the early 2000s to found the Chesapeake Climate Action Network Maryland’s first organization lobbying singularly on climate change One groused about $45,000 the city recently spent to raise a sidewalk 14 inches forming a flood berm beside Tidwell’s church He counts other local climate warriors as neighbors: a pioneering University of Maryland climate scientist Congressman Jaimie Raskin and Maryland Del But he laments that the neighborhood now lacks the old orchestral rustle when September winds blow through the leaves the director of Takoma Park’s public works department has lost seven oaks in her own yard while Tidwell writes that the number of tree removals permitted by her agency leapt from 170 per year to 600 during the height of the beetle invasion The canopies of entire blocks have changed Larkin has spent a career helping Takoma Park residents care for the giants in their yards and the recent wave of tree loss is the most traumatic he’s seen “What was deeply shaded before is not anymore,” he said Even when the tree belonged to somebody else “It was their tree in that it provided beauty and majesty on their street.” Much of Tidwell’s book tracks the unfolding impacts of climate change in 2023 A windstorm that July toppled a massive willow oak across the street in the backyard of his friends Pat Neill and Wabi Aboudou “The trees are very important to take care of,” said Aboudou standing in a yard that’s lost much of its shade over the years “They indirectly — and directly — take care of us where each street is named for a kind of tree these passings are grieved like family elders After the death of one neighbor’s 80-year-old willow oak and Tidwell poured vodka on the ground to commemorate the oak‘s voyage “across the threshold Another community member is University of Maryland climate scientist Ning Zeng whose efforts to counteract the effects of dying trees is a main plot-line in "The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue." Zeng hopes to curb warming through a method called “wood vaulting.” He wants to bury billions of dead trees to prevent their carbon dioxide from escaping back into the atmosphere Zeng has worked to establish one such gravesite on a farm in Cecil County supplied by the Baltimore Department of Recreation and Park‘s Camp Small which sold Zeng 15,000 tons of dead trees for a penny a ton releasing carbon dioxide trapped in much of Zeng’s stock Takoma Park’s progressive government has tried to adapt, but Tidwell thinks it’s far from ready for the heavier rains predicted for the region If Takoma Park shells out for larger stormwater drains to evacuate rainfall into nearby Sligo Creek Is the community really prepared to knock down a home on each block to build drainage ponds Every place in the world has something it can’t adapt to “Climate change is coming for all of us,” he said Tidwell will speak about “The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue” at 6:00 PM Thursday at The Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore Adam Willis adam.willis@thebaltimorebanner.com Adam Willis reports on climate and the environment across Maryland for The Baltimore Banner He previously covered Baltimore City Hall for The Banner Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. 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If the problem persists, please contact customer service at 443-843-0043 or customercare@thebaltimorebanner.com The Takoma Torch MD – What began as a routine landscaping decision has erupted into full-scale turf warfare after Takoma Park’s self-styled “Sod Justice Warriors” (SJWs) launched a citywide campaign to eradicate sod in all forms branding it an “ecological hate crime with roots in colonial oppression and suburban tyranny.” The controversy ignited after the City installed traditional sod in front of its new public library – a move that local activist Susan Wildflower called “an unconscionable monoculture assault on our community’s eco-conscious values.” or space-age engineered – sod is canceled,” Wildflower posted to the Takoma Park Neighborhood Facebook group in between sharing 19 Change.org petitions to ban Kentucky bluegrass seed sales “Every square foot of sod is a square foot of oppression This is what settler landscaping looks like.” The Sod Justice Warriors have now called for sod removals across the region and beyond and “anywhere else this chlorophyll carpet of colonialism still lingers.” “It’s not just grass – it’s grass hegemony,” warned SJW spokesperson Meadow Sunbeam during an emergency Eco-Justice Alliance Zoom meeting “From your neighbor’s lawn to Lee Jordan Field Proposed alternatives for public ground cover include moss gardens and “just a tasteful layer of ethically sourced mulch as Mother Earth intended.” The movement even took aim at Netflix’s upcoming reboot of Little House on the Prairie condemning its depiction of sod houses as “romanticized turf trauma.” However if they cast someone half as hot as Michael Landon as Pa Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email All written material on this site is the intellectual property of the Takoma Torch and is only intended for people with a sense of humor If you would like to submit a funny headline The trio became friends while running their businesses in Takoma Park Keiner and Traynor operated storefronts in the neighborhood and Cheeky’s Vintage began with pop-ups in Takoma Park before opening a location in Hyattsville the owners realized their products fit together in a single space “It was striking to me how similar our vision was,” says Keiner ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a first floor boutique plants and books?’ And then I would talk to Heather and we would have the same conversation: ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could do the vintage and the books?’ ” As a collaboration between three businesses There’s a large selection of midcentury-modern furniture which Rowe procures from auctions and estate sales Bookshelves are lined with titles ranging from classics to new releases and the small collection is carefully curated by Keiner Lush shelves burst with tropical houseplants which Traynor sources from a local greenhouse The shop is located in a former bank dating back to the 1930s (An area that was once a cash-drop processing room is now a children’s reading corner.) Entering the store is like stepping into a Pinterest board: a woodland forest is painted on the wall display cases hold small trinkets such as matchboxes and vintage Metro tokens and a reclaimed 1930s sink is filled with verdant plants Traynor found the sink at Community Forklift It’s now a DIY plant bar as well as a space for repotting services and plant care consultations Other planters are sourced by vintage curator Rowe “It’s about having something in the store that could’ve been in a landfill,” says Rowe “I really believe in bringing this stuff back into people’s worlds.” the businesses are also hosting events at the shop some of which will be familiar to longtime customers Traynor is continuing her terrarium workshops and Keiner is planning to relaunch Escape the Bookshop COVID-19 Updates Vaccine and Booster Information View All Media Advisories View All Speeches & Testimony Sign up for a newsletter or update your subscription preferences Former Takoma Park police dispatcher Kakila Cooper has settled her sexual harassment case against the city’s police department and the city itself for $1 million She alleged a sergeant she worked with alone on the overnight shift harassed her over several months between 2022 and 2023 She said the sergeant would describe in explicit detail his own sex life repeatedly ask her to go with him to a sex club and frequently make lewd comments about her body while asking her to have sex with him “He also forced her to watch pornographic videos and look at sexually explicit photos of himself,” Subha Bollini Bollini said Cooper faced retaliation from other police officers in the form of shunning her in the workplace starting rumors and telling humiliating jokes about her the City of Takoma Park said it “takes allegations of employee misconduct seriously and works to ensure employee safety and minimize harm while providing due process to all involved.” the Takoma Park city manager’s office said they were aware of the settlement but would not comment on litigation or personnel matters Bollini said no one should have to face sexual harassment in the workplace and praised Cooper for coming forward “Filing a complaint in court meant she was able to speak her truth,” Bollini said Cooper no longer works for Takoma Park and is a dispatcher in another jurisdiction Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area Four local restaurants are among the nine finalists in Montgomery County for RAMMY Awards presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington the RAMMYS shine a light on the incredible talent and creativity that define our region’s vibrant hospitality industry,” said RAMW President and CEO Shawn Townsend “This year’s finalists represent the heart of our community — from innovative entrepreneurs to the teams that deliver outstanding experiences We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the vital role they play in making the Washington We look forward to honoring them on August 3 at The RAMMYS Awards & Gala.” According to Bethesda Magazine While a panel of RAMMY judges decides most award categories including Best Brunch of the Year and Hottest Sandwich Spot Two local restaurants were nominated in the public categories: Voting for these categories will be open to the public for the entire month of May, and the public will choose the winners through media partner NBC Washington/Telemundo Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse Victory Tower will convert to an all-electric facility thanks to a $1.8 million grant Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) official announced the complex on Carroll Avenue now will replace fossil fuel-fired appliances and HVAC systems and upgrade them to electric The grant for the low- and moderate-income (LMI) housing complex is for four years “This is a good example of how we can move toward our climate goals in a way that also supports people who are too often left out of the conversation,” said County Executive Marc Elrich and more energy efficient for older adults living on limited incomes This project shows that we don’t need to choose between climate action and affordability The LMI Housing Electrification Grant will cover the cost of providing energy-efficient electronic appliances and systems that will reduce energy burdens improve indoor air quality for residents and enhance energy performance for building owners Funding comes from a $1 million direct Federal investment and $800,000 in county funds “To achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions in buildings by 2035 residential electrification is essential,” said DEP Director Jon Monger “Montgomery County’s Low to Moderate Income Housing Electrification project will offer an innovative and affordable solution to cut carbon emissions all while providing support to the County’s low and moderate-income residents.” “We are truly thankful to Montgomery County for choosing Victory Tower for this opportunity,” said President and CEO of Victory Housing “We look forward to collaborating with Montgomery County and our partner Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers Takoma Park city officials recently provided an update on the progress of the Library and Community Center renovations. Work continues on the Library and Community Center Redevelopment Project despite the recent winter weather conditions. Much of the work has moved indoors and is minimally affected by the snow and ice, but some work continues outdoors. The Maple Avenue bridge and building entrance have reopened for public access, and City staff met with Treincarnation to make final arrangements for crafting Library furniture from the trees felled from the site. A post shared by The City of Takoma Park (@takomaparkmd) Stormwater utility work is progressing on the Philadelphia Avenue side; winter weather has impacted the schedule and crews are close to finishing the tie-in with the main sewer system Substantial completion is currently scheduled for mid-May at which point the Library and Recreation Department’s move back to 7500 Maple Avenue will be coordinated The official reopening date has yet to be determined More information on the Takoma Park Library and Community Center renovation project is available at takomaparkmd.gov Plans for Hyattsville-based Sangfroid Distilling to transform a historic bank property in Takoma Park into a distillery and cocktail bar are finally moving forward Sangfroid purchased the three-story Takoma Park Bank Building at 6950 Carroll Ave in 2023 for $1.75 million in an off-market sale Hannah McCann of Go Brent Realty represented the buyer the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission approved Sangfroid’s conversion of the existing bank into a production facility and cocktail bar designed by D.C.-based CORE architecture + design Applications for converting and expanding the 16,822-square-foot property were filed last August the county’s Department of Permitting Services issued a Commercial Building permit valued at over $642,000 “Holy shit, we finally got it,” Sangfroid Distilling said on Instagram on January 7 “[The] permit came through today from Montgomery County to build out our expanded location in TKPK With the property purchase and construction Sangfroid Distilling will establish its local distillery in Jeff Harner’s hometown Co-owner Nate Groenendyk lives in Hyattsville where the company has a 1,200-square-foot storefront since 2017 Sangfroid was attracted to the Takoma Park location due to a zoning overlay that permits artisan manufacturing Sangfroid’s 16-foot copper still and stainless steel tanks will be showcased in the historic landmark bank property’s tall windows and 27-foot-high atrium forming a beacon at Takoma Park’s commercial district entrance The property operated as a Bank of America until 2021 “We’ve been looking to expand our distilling operations since the day we opened and Hannah was able to find us a unicorn property that all had all the existing infrastructure in an incredible location,” Harner said to the Source in 2023 “We’re excited to be able to give this historically significant property new life.” All 650 students at Rolling Terrace Elementary School in Takoma Park did their part to celebrate Earth Day Tuesday They learned about where their water goes and then decorated storm water drainage systems according to Montgomery County and Nature Forward officials they learned how to have fun while outdoors and helping the environment The celebration marked the 20th year that Nature Forward in Chevy Chase incorporated their Green Kids program at a school in Montgomery County The students voted on three landscaping plans prepared by Clington+RIES Landscape Architects The children will then help create the winning design at their school for our students to learn how to take care of this amazing planet,” declared Principal Isabelle Mensah Rolling Terrace students celebrate Earth Day by planting, composting, painting and landscaping @mymcmedia @MCPS @mocoboe pic.twitter.com/QKcvnZu3Fd — suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) April 22, 2025 “Laurel Leaf a retail destination in Takoma Park Maryland The shop is a collaboration between three small businesses – HouseMouse Books & Vintage and Cheeky’s Vintage – who have come together to create a unique space in the heart of Takoma offering a thoughtfully curated collection of plants The shop specializes in mid-century modern furnishings including furniture The used book collection is thoughtfully curated and features special collections on Nature the shop is stocked with an array of house plants along with a selection of local and handmade pottery and a playful plant bar complete with vessels All of these elements are brought together in a wonderful new space that is integrated Laurel Leaf will also host a variety of engaging events HouseMouse’s immersive Escape the Bookshop experience (7News) — The Takoma Park Police Department experienced an increase in complaints against its officers in 2024 according to the Department's Annual Internal Affairs Report.There were 13 complaints filed in 2024 Five complaints resulted in sustained findings of improper conduct disciplinary action is pending as the involved staff member has requested an administrative hearing board under the new Statewide Police Disciplinary process Takoma Park officers had 14,664 interactions with the public The complaints accounted for less than one percent of all officer contacts There was a notable decrease in use of force incidents with nine recorded in 2024 compared to 22 in 2023 Four of the nine use-of-force incidents were show-of-force incidents Eight out of the nine use-of-force incidents were justified One use of force was determined not to be in accordance with Department Policy resulting in a recommendation for disciplinary action Takoma Park Police officers used force in 0.06% of their public contacts in 2024 This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has scheduled roadway patching work on sections of Piney Branch Road and Philadelphia Avenue in Takoma Park being performed by a contractor for the State Highway Administration may impact traffic flow and require flagging operations Drivers should anticipate possible delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible MDOT appreciates the public’s patience as these necessary repairs are completed Takoma Park Vision Center, located at 6919 Laurel Ave. will be closing next month after 32 years of service According to an announcement from Main Street Takoma, Dr. Steven Lee Schneid will partner with MyEyeDr., which relocated to a larger space last May at 8529 Georgia Ave Schneid’s last day seeing patients in Takoma Park will be Saturday Takoma Park Vision’s 975-square-foot storefront, located along the Laurel Ave. Streetery, is available for lease through Zoe Stern of Urciolo Properties. Photo Courtesy of Main Street Takoma (thanks to reader Bruce A. for the tip!) A post shared by Main Street Takoma (@mainstreettakoma) First Alert Weather Team will be on STORM ALERT with the risk for scattered storms across the region. Some of the storms may be severe. Check the radar Send us your photosMassive tree collapse in Takoma Park leaves family and pets displacedby Guido Peluffo A tree collapsed onto a house on New York Avenue in Takoma Park causing significant damage (7News) — A tree collapsed onto a house on New York Avenue in Takoma Park causing significant damage The tree struck the corner of the house near the chimney while a fire was lit The family has been displaced and is receiving assistance from the Red Cross Scattered thunderstorms are expected Monday afternoon and evening. Some may become severe with large hail and high winds. TRACK RADARBasement fire causes significant damage in Takoma Park home filled with clutterby 7News Staff About 50 firefighters were needed to put out a fire in Takoma Park on Sunday evening The heavily-cluttered home in the 100 block of Elm Avenue likely experienced an electrical fire in the wall or floors (Montgomery County Fire and EMS Department) (7News) — About 50 firefighters were needed to put out a fire in Takoma Park on Sunday evening but three adults and a dog were displaced as a result Takoma Park police shut down Elm Avenue between Pine Avenue and Hickory Avenue as fire rescue teams managed the aftermath of the blaze Firefighters had to work through lots of storage containers and boxes throughout the home Many boxes ended up outside of the home on the front lawn and porch after firefighters were done putting out the fire Laurel Leaf will open in the previous location of Takoma Park Vision Center at 6919 Laurel Ave. which closed its doors last October after 32 years in business Laurel Leaf is scheduled to open in March 2025. Follow @LaurelLeafTakoma on Instagram for updates. A post shared by Laurel Leaf (@laurelleaftakoma) Takoma Park Police are investigating a string of catalytic converter thefts that occurred this week officers responded to five thefts of catalytic converters between January 12 and 14: Takoma Park Police’s Etch & Catch program in partnership with RS Automotive and Lowe’s aims to deter potential thieves and track stolen catalytic converters Residents seeking to have their catalytic converters etched and painted can visit RS Automotive at 7224 Carroll Ave in Takoma Park to have their license plate number etched onto their catalytic converter at no cost Appointments are required and can be scheduled by contacting RS Automotive at (301) 270-4418 and mentioning the Etch & Catch program are targeted by thieves because they have two power sources – an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine – so their catalytic converters are used less frequently to process pollutants,” police spokesperson Cathy Plevy said at the program’s launch in 2021 “This means the metals inside them are less likely to corrode so they’re more valuable and therefore more desirable to thieves.” More information on the Etch & Catch catalytic converter etching program is available at takomaparkmd.gov Photo: © MitchCoxPhoto – stock.adobe.com Police are searching for a person who fled the scene on a moped after allegedly shooting someone in Takoma Park Meteorologist Jackie Layer has your Tuesday morning forecast update for the DMV Work continues on the Takoma Park Library and Community Center Redevelopment Project Much of the work has moved indoors and is minimally affected by the snow and ice The City of Takoma Park has shared some recent advances in the project: at which point the Library and Recreation Department move back to 7500 Maple Avenue will be coordinated The official reopening date is still yet to be determined More information will be provided once available I’m distressed to learn from a friend that there is antisemitic graffiti on the DC side of Maple Street in Takoma Park and that the community and government has been almost nonresponsive Their response was that they would take care of it in 10 days She also contacted the DC Hate Crime Line by phone (voicemail) She has not received any response from the DC Hate Crime division The Takoma Park mayor and police department refuse to do anything about it because it’s on the DC side of Maple Street The seeming indifference to hateful graffiti is disturbing and it’s particularly upsetting for Jewish citizens I understand that graffiti may not seem like an urgent matter in comparison to other types of crime but allowing the graffiti to be displayed for such a length of time without any response or action shows a tolerance for the hateful messages communicated by that graffiti A 10-day estimated timeframe for response by the DC government for this type of graffiti is unacceptable.” Exterior signage has been installed as The Peach Cobbler Factory prepares to open in D.C.’s Takoma neighborhood. Local franchisees Kevin and Eboni Wilson are gearing up to open their second location in the District at 6908 4th St. NW, next to Sassy Nail Salon & Spa. The Wilsons opened their first Peach Cobbler Factory location at 1010 Massachusetts Ave. NW in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood in 2023. The Wilsons have not yet revealed the opening timeline for the Takoma location, but a recent Instagram post indicates that the store is “Coming REAL SOON!” A post shared by Peach Cobbler Factory Takoma DC (@staypeachytakomadc) The Peach Cobbler Factory features an array of Southern-inspired desserts With over one hundred locations in twenty states the company signed a deal last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars to open five at EverBank Stadium NC-based chain as the fastest-growing quick-service company in America based on sales volume and the second fastest-growing company based on the number of units in 2023 Menus and store locations can be found online at peachcobblerfactory.com Photo Courtesy of The Peach Cobbler Factory FullFillery is closing its doors after five years of business in Takoma Park The area’s first zero-waste store, owned by climate activists Rini Saha, Susan Cho, and Emoke Gaidosh, opened in 2019 and was recognized by Bethesda Magazine editors last year as the “Best Place to Get Your Green On.” FullFillery temporarily closed its physical store due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shifted to an online model and pop-up events at the Takoma Park Farmers Market While a closing date has not been announced, FullFillery has shared on Instagram that it is holding a “three items for the price of two” closing sale. A post shared by FullFillery (@fullfillery) Red Hound Pizza in Takoma Park has expanded its offerings to include breakfast every weekend Opened last July by former Seylou Bakery head pastry chef Charbel Abrache and his partner Andrea Alvarez the restaurant now features a rotating breakfast menu on Saturdays and Sundays Last weekend’s offerings included Apple Pecan Scones All items are made with freshly milled whole grain flour Red Hound Pizza is located at 7050 Carroll Ave. in Takoma Park and offers breakfast from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekends. More information and menus are available online at redhoundpizza.com. Photo Courtesy of Red Hound Pizza / Main Street Takoma A post shared by Main Street Takoma (@mainstreettakoma) The City of Takoma Park, Maryland and Ms. Kakila Cooper, a former dispatcher for the Takoma Park Police Department, have reached an agreement to settle Ms. Cooper’s claims of sex harassment and retaliation for $1 million, according to a news release by the law firm of Correia & Puth Ms. Cooper was employed by the City of Takoma Park as a communications dispatcher from April 2022 to October 2023. In her civil complaint filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court in May 2024 under the Montgomery County Human Rights Law Cooper asserted that soon after she was hired a Sergeant in the police department began to sexually harass her during her overnight shifts Cooper in the tight confines of the Dispatch office the Sergeant “described his sex life in lurid terms made lecherous comments about her body [,] begged her to have sex with him” and showed her “sexually explicit photos of himself and his wife.” Cooper further claimed that police officers shunned and ridiculed her after learning that the Sergeant had been suspended because of her reports that he had harassed her She was ordered to participate in multiple investigative interviews conducted by high-level officers who insinuated that she had invited the Sergeant’s attention Cooper in the dark about its investigation into her complaints of harassment thus allowing rumors of the Sergeant’s imminent return spread Cooper great anxiety and fear that the Sergeant might return to work at any moment Although the City of Takoma Park found that the Sergeant had engaged in the reported harassment it permitted him to keep his job and return to work After she filed a complaint with the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights alleging discrimination and retaliation Cooper asserted that the Department “targeted [her] through yet another investigation in which officers accused her of making false statements,” demanded she disclose her communications with her attorneys and “threatened to interfere with an offer of employment she had received.” Reflecting on Ms. Cooper’s lawsuit and settlement, Subhashini Bollini stated Cooper is a courageous public servant who stood up for her rights even when her doing so meant that she became a target of hostility at work We are proud to have helped her hold the Takoma Park Police Department accountable by seeking justice in court.” The news release states that The City of Takoma Park, Maryland agreed to pay Ms. Cooper $1.0 million to settle her claims prior to a jury trial. “Unfortunately, sexual harassment is still a prevalent issue in modern workplaces, especially for women working in male-dominated environments,” said Linda Correia “This resolution sends a clear message to employers that sexual harassment and retaliation will not be tolerated in our community and especially by the very members of law enforcement tasked with protecting the citizens of Maryland.” Harvey’s by Soko will combine the 94-year-old history of quality meats with cult-favorite Takoma Park sandwiches Die-hard fans of Harvey’s Butcher Shop have already mourned its expected closure, as the shop advertised climbing discounts to clear out the expertly cut inventory local meat lovers have relied on since 1931 Owner and expert butcher George Lesznar is finally retiring after over four decades of working at the shop Instead of closing down the small meat counter in Union Market Lesznar is selling the stall and name rights to Brad Feickert the chef and owner of Soko Butcher and Koma Cafe in Takoma Park with high-quality meats that will be similar to the beautiful pork chops and whole chickens Harvey’s has become famous for and ready-to-eat items that Soko Butcher has been selling in Takoma Park for over three years Harvey’s is no stranger to reinvention, originally opening at O Street Market before the market burned down in 1968; reopening at the D.C. Farmer’s Market in 1971; and once again in 2012 in the more high-end Union Market rebuilt by Edens properties Originally a commodity meat market that focused on factory-farmed and affordably priced products Lesznar (the son-in-law of the original owner) relaunched Harvey’s as a locally-sourced and more sustainable butcher when he opened the stall under the same name in 2012 He detailed to Bon Appétit in 2015 how he started working with farms in Maryland and Pennsylvania to find pasture-raised animals and source meat that “tastes like it’s supposed to taste.” The cheaper commodity meats were still available for neighbors who had relied on the lower prices (and knew to ask for it) but about 80 percent of sales were of pasture-raised meats The official switch over to Harvey’s by Soko will take place on April 9 The Takoma Park Street Festival returns this Sunday for its 43rd year, with thousands filling the streets to enjoy music, art, food, and more. According to Main Street Takoma, eighteen bands will perform on three stages throughout the day, playing various music genres, including roots rock, reggae, Americana, folk, African dance music, honky tonk, Hawaiian swing, and more. The day starts with a drum circle at 10:00 a.m. at the Gazebo stage. Everyone is welcome to join in and set the energy for the day. A post shared by Main Street Takoma (@mainstreettakoma) More than 185 vendors, including local artists and makers, will sell various items at different prices, such as art, jewelry, stationery, home decor, clothing, personal care products, textiles, and plants. Local nonprofits, area politicians, schools, and others will also have booths to inform visitors. There will be many food options from restaurants, food trucks, and festival favorites along the Takoma Streetery on Laurel Avenue. The Takoma Park Farmers Market, with 25 additional vendors, runs nearby. The entrance to the Farmers Market is located along the festival route at 6931 Laurel Ave. Additionally, many businesses in Takoma Park will have open booths on the street for the day, and visitors are encouraged to visit the shops and restaurants along the route. A post shared by Main Street Takoma (@mainstreettakoma) Giant Foods and Small Things Matter will host a vaccination station at 7000 Carroll Ave. The Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department will also host an open house during festival hours The Takoma Park Street Festival will be held on Sunday Attendees can access the festival from different points along the route Free parking is available at the TPSS Co-op Takoma Park Police are seeking the public’s help to identify two suspects involved in an armed robbery and kidnapping on Tuesday according to police spokesperson Cathy Plevy Plevy said in a news release that officers were called to the 6900 block of New Hampshire Ave on Tuesday in response to an armed robbery and kidnapping The victim, fearing for his life, first went home before contacting the police. He said he had parked his vehicle in the 900 block of East-West Highway and walked to a food truck on New Hampshire Ave Upon returning to his car and sitting in the driver’s seat two unknown suspects entered the back seat of his car One suspect brandished a knife and demanded money was forced to drive to a Bank of America location in Hyattsville where he withdrew money and handed it over to the suspects one suspect in the back seat gestured as if he had a gun and both suspects fled on foot toward a nearby U-Haul rental facility instead of taking the car The first suspect is described as a tall and slim Black male with short dreadlocks who was last seen wearing a black tank top and black shorts The second suspect is described as a short Black male last seen wearing a light green shirt The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the armed robbery and kidnapping is asked to contact Takoma Park Police at (301) 270-1100 and refer to case #240043925 Takoma Park Middle School aims for a sixth victory as students prepare to compete in the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge this weekend The annual event on Saturday will showcase eight local middle and high school teams competing to create the best dishes for breakfast Each culinary team will showcase its dishes in a live-streamed event that is closed to the public where a panel of judges will taste the dishes and ask questions The event will open to the public at 9:30 a.m and feature a tasting of student dishes and exhibits from noon to 1:05 p.m Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorite breakfast and smart snack items for the Community Choice Award A celebrity chef cooking demonstration will occur from 11:15 to 11:55 a.m. showcasing award-winning chef and RASA co-founder Rahul Vinod alongside Chef K The demonstration will be moderated by Chef Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit The Culinary Challenge competition is fierce with each team dedicating weeks to prepare for this event Students must utilize approved ingredients and adhere to strict U.S Department of Agriculture nutritional and cost guidelines when crafting recipes and preparing dishes for judging The event supports the McLean-based Real Food for Kids nonprofit which was established over 15 years ago by concerned Fairfax County parents advocating for better health and nutrition in school meals “The Culinary Challenge is the only event in the D.C region that gives students a platform to influence and change what is served in their school cafeterias,” said Real Food for Kids executive director Bonnie Moore “We strive to improve food and nutrition security to school children by increasing access to healthy food in schools The Culinary Challenge helps us shine a light on this need with students showing us how it can be done.” This year’s panel of judges includes Masoka Morishita Executive Chef at Perry’s; Hollis Wells Silverman Founder of the Eastern Point Collective; Rock Harper Restaurateur of Queen Mother’s Kitchen; Forrest Gonia Chef de Partie at Moon Rabbit; Samantha Reilly Farm to School Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education Takoma Park Middle School has achieved remarkable success in the Real Food For Kids Culinary Challenge Their 2024 winning dishes — Lentil Vegetable Soup and Masala Fries — have been featured in school cafeterias throughout the region over the past year Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg will participate in this year’s Culinary Challenge students have been able to add healthier and more appealing options to some of the school menus in the area The students’ use of spices and other ingredients have been extremely impressive,” said Ype Von Hengst executive chef and co-founder of Silver Diner who serves as a student mentor for the teams competing Von Hengst is available throughout the competition and pre-competition when the teams are finalizing their recipes and he has helped make recommendations for recipe tweaks “The sophistication of the recipes has also been impressive,” he added The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 8, at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria. Admission is free, but tickets are required at realfoodforkids.org A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until midnight on Tuesday (7News) — Takoma Park Police are investigating a string of six car smash-and-grabs in one community that happened on four different blocks just walking distance from each other The police department's weekly crime report revealed these break-ins happened at an unknown time but were reported Thursday morning at the following locations: whoever broke into these cars smashed the windows who asked to hide his identity and whose father also had his car broken into in this string of incidents I should have checked out the window to see what was going on I woke up and my dad notified me both his car and my car were broken in through the window," the anonymous victim said but at the same time I remained calm because I know there was nothing in my car valuable." Even though nothing was stolen out of either car the damages cost his family $600 for the two break-ins combined Of the six smash-and-grabs in this community "I've been living here for eight years and there's barely any incidents like that," the anonymous victim said This string of break-ins has shaken the community even neighbors whose cars were not targeted "I'm happy it wasn't my car It's unfortunate it happened here in Takoma and accommodating to everyone," said Alex Cruz "There isn't really much crime that happens here." A spokesperson for Takoma Park Police said detectives are still investigating if these crimes are connected and the spokesperson said detectives will have a better idea if these incidents are connected once they identify a suspect "I feel bad for the owners of the cars but I'm happy Takoma Park Police is on top of it and I'm sure they're going to be able to get this solved," Cruz said neighbors told 7News they're thinking twice about what they leave in their cars Cruz said he knows exactly what these victims are going through "It does make me think twice about what I leave in there my car got broken into and I just had a jacket in there Detectives are also investigating another theft from a car on the 7400 block of New Hampshire Ave. which is less than two miles from these smash-and-grabs The victim who spoke with 7News said he already does not leave valuables in his car but he will be extra vigilant now after being targeted "It doesn't matter which neighborhood you live in it doesn't matter because it's going to happen one day," the victim said "Somebody somewhere is going to break into your car steal something that is valuable or even steal the whole car An impaired driver crashed her car into a Takoma Park police cruiser sending a police captain to the hospital with serious injuries was taken to the hospital with minor injuries She faces driving under the influence and other traffic related charges the two-vehicle crash occurred at 7:25 p.m on Monday in the area of Piney Branch Road and Park Valley Road (7News) — Two children and an adult had to be pulled from a building in Takoma Park according to Montgomery County Fire Rescue (MCFR) The two children were unconscious when crews took them out of the building said MCFR Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer Crews used a carbon monoxide detector at the building on Ruatan Street It is unclear if they were taken to the hospital Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can be very similar to flu symptoms, according to MCFR and vomiting to irritability and blurred vision MCFR said the longer these symptoms are overlooked