Old Blair Auditorium Funded by Montgomery County Council

We wanted to make sure you heard the exciting news: On May 27, 2010, the Montgomery County Council voted to formally establish the Old Blair Auditorium Re-use project and fund it in the Fiscal Years 2011-16 Capital Improvements Program (CIP)! (Note that construction projects are funded from the capital budget, which has increased this year, and is not subject to the constraints of this year's reduced operating budget.)

Architectural planning and design will take place in FY12 and the construction work is planned for FY16. "Option 3" of the feasibility study was selected. This option, which calls for a 750-seat auditorium, four adjacent multi-purpose rooms, and an elevator to provide accessible access to the 2nd floor multi-purpose rooms, was the option recommended by the community.

The county's FY12 funding ($600,000) will serve as matching funds for the 2005 state bond bill funds of $600,000.

We are extremely grateful to Councilmember Valerie Ervin, who proposed the community oriented multi-use solution and pressed for full funding. We also thank Councilmembers George Leventhal, Nancy Navarro, and Duchy Trachtenberg, who voted for the project in committee, and Councilmember Marc Elrich for his strong support, as well as the full council for passing the final budget that includes this project.

Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin and Maryland Delegates Sheila Hixson, Heather Mizeur, and Tom Hucker also deserve our thanks for ensuring that the state bond bill funding was extended to meet the project schedule.

Special thanks also to former Senator Ida Ruben who, along with Delegate Hixson in the House of Delegates, who got the bond bill process rolling in the state Senate in 2005.

Visit our web site (http://oldblairauditorium.org/) to learn more about the selection renovation option.

Thanks for all your wonderful support over the years!

Stuart Moore
President
Old Blair Auditorium Project, Inc. Board of Directors

Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. to Produce "Opening Day" Celebration at new Silver Spring Civic Building - July 8, 2010

The Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. is pleased to announce the line-up for its “Opening Day” production at the new Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Plaza. Our performances begin at 1:30 pm at the Civic Building’s “Portico.”

On July 8th at 6:30 pm, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett will preside over a inaugural ceremony ribbon cutting for the new building located at the intersection of Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the public is invited to come inside the building and experience the wonderful new community space. The festivities continue with the first "Silver Spring Swings Summer Concert" featuring a performance by the Fabulous Bel Airs 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.’s (SSTCi) “Opening Day” celebration will feature local dancers, dramatic performers, choral groups, and jazz, blues, and latin musicians from early afternoon until the beginning of the official inaugural program for the new building. We welcome the participation and support of Round House Theatre as co-producers of this event.

6:00 to 6:30 Washington Revels
5:30 to 6:00 Memphis Gold Band
5:00 to 5:30 Contradiction Dance
4:30 to 5:00 Los Charlys Nativos
4:00 to 4:30 Hey Dey Players - Mighty Shock
3:30 to 4:00 Jonny Grave
3:00 to 3:30 Truu Soul
2:30 to 3:00 Truth
2:00 to 2:30 Groove Jet

Alan Bowser of Silver Spring is Executive Producer of the SSTCi’s “Opening Day” celebration. “We are enormously gratified at the strong community support that we have for our opening day program. Thanks to all of our Silver Spring neighbors and the non-profit groups that have generously offered their time and support for this historic program. The Silver Spring Civic Building will be our community’s “living room, so this is a great way to celebrate its opening,” said Bowser.

The Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. is a community non-profit organization to provide arts & entertainment program for the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Plaza.

Parking is available at the Town Square Garage on Ellsworth Drive. The Silver Spring Metro is three blocks away.

For more information please visit www.silverspringdowntown.com

Opening Night for the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts at Montgomery Blair HS

The Thunderbolts open the 2010 season tonight at 7:00 pm against Youse's Orioles. As always, there will be concessions, raffles, a trivia contest, races around the bases and great college baseball. Fans will also be given a chance to vote on whether the MLB Commissioner should award a perfect game to Armando Galarraga!

On Sunday, June 6, the T-Bolts opponent will be the Rockville Express. It is Silver Spring International Middle School Teacher Appreciation Night. The School's Advanced Band will be in attendance to provide live music! Game time is 6 pm.!