Council Talk, Skate Rock and Entertaining Arts

Good Monday, Rockville!

This morning’s showers have given way to a pleasant afternoon with relatively comfortable temperatures and low humidity as we prepare to officially welcome the first day of summer tomorrow.

It looks like the pattern of summer sun and possible showers will continue throughout the week. Enjoy!

We’re not this guy, so no centenarian birthdays today, but here’s the “partly sunny with a chance of news” edition of “The Rundown”:

• The at .
  The agenda includes approval of an interim agreement that is the first step of turning management of Rockville Town Square Plaza and the surrounding areas—except for the streets—over to Federal Realty Investment Trust. The city will still operate and maintain the Town Square Plaza fountain. A longer-term agreement is being negotiated.
  The mayor and council also will hear an update on Rockville Town Center, a presentation on bus rapid transit by the county’s Department of Transportation and a briefing on the city Planning Commission’s annual report. The Maryland Department of Planning requires the commission to report each year on its activities and any changes in development patterns in the city.
  The council also will consider annexation plans for several properties, including 10 lots near Pier Drive and Twinbrook Parkway and the Reed Brothers site across Frederick Road from King Farm. Developers are seeking to build 417 multifamily units and ground floor retail at the auto delearship site near the Shady Grove Metro station. On June 6, the council voted to amend the city’s Adequate Public Facilities Standards Developers to allow developers to apply less-stringent county standards for how new development impacts school capacity. Students from the potential new development would attend the Gaithersburg High School cluster.
  The council also will consider increases to permit, license, recreation and other fees. The fee increases were assumed in the city’s fiscal 2012 budget approved by the council on May 23.
• The Rockville Skate Park hosts a concert series from 7 to 8 p.m. on the next four Tuesdays. The rockin’ (and rollin’) gets started tomorrow with post-punk/alternative band Somewhat Superhero. I’m envisioning an “X Games”-esque scene of skaters catching air to a soundtrack of live tunes. Too cool.
• Rockville Economic Development, Inc. is seeking entries to its StartRight! Women’s Business Plan Competition.
  REDI will award three $5,000 cash prizes, including one each in the high tech, general business and Maryland biotech categories. The eighth annual competition is open to businesses in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia that are at least 51 percent women-owned and have been in operation for two years or less. Executive summaries and a $25 application fee are due by June 29.
  Full plans are due July 8. For rules and more information check out REDI’s Web site or call 301-315-8096.
• What are you looking for when it comes to entertainment options in Rockville? The city wants to hear from you.
  The city has released a draft plan for improving access to availability of arts and entertainment options. Residents—and visitors—can comment on the draft Culture and Entertainment Plan through July 9.
  Our friends at Rockville Central break the plan down and have a conversation going about the city’s offerings in music and dance.
  For more information, contact Betsy Thompson, the city’s superintendent of recreation, at 240-314-8627 or bthompson@rockvillemd.gov.
• Speaking of the arts, VisArts is offering two summer residency opportunities for artists looking for “the opportunity for creative growth, experimentation and community collaboration,” the nonprofit arts organization announced on its Web site.
  Artists will receive 24-hour access to a studio at VisArts, in the heart of Rockville Town Center.
  Applications including a cover letter, an artist statement, a project proposal, a resume and 10 images are due by June 30. Click here for more information.
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