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The first Safe Silver Spring Summit will be held in two sessions, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday to give residents the latest information on crime and its prevention and to share ideas and solutions.

Registration should be completed by the end of today via e-mail at Safe

SilverSpring@gmail.com or by calling 301-431-4185, ext. 212. Volunteers are still needed to help with registration, room setups and organization. Contact the above e-mail to help in the days prior to the summit or during the day of the summit.

The first Safe Silver Spring Summit will bring together citizens and community leaders to develop an action plan that enables communities to reduce crime and keep our neighborhoods safer. 

The summit will be held at Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. Sessions begin and end at the Science North Building room SN100 on Fenton Street, south of the intersection of Fenton and New York Avenue. Free parking is available at the East Campus Garage on Fenton Street

A campus map can be found at www.montgomerycollege.edu/maps/tpcamp.html.

Both the morning and afternoon sessions are identical and attendees should sign up for one or the other and indicate their top two choices for workshops. Also note if a translator is needed. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for all participants.

The agenda includes registration, an overview of the event, six simultaneous workshops and then workshop reports. Youth will be given the opportunity to play a leadership role in the summit.

The workshops will include experts and residents and will focus on:

Making safe and civil public spaces.

Gangs and pack robberies.

Youth: schools, truants and kids hanging out.

Policing, security, resources and communication.

Why and how to start a Neighborhood Watch (to be conducted in Spanish).

Silver Spring Central Business District.

Residential neighborhoods adjacent to the CBD.

The lead sponsors include Prezco, Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, Silver Spring Regional Center and the Office of Councilmember Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring.

Free concert to benefit

Silver Spring nonprofit

A free concert titled "Sounding a Note for Change" will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Silver Plaza in downtown Silver Spring to benefit Shepherd's Table, a Silver Spring nonprofit dedicated to serving homeless and low-income families.

The concert will feature Silver Spring-based jazz recording artist Marcus Johnson, founder, president and CEO of the Three Keys record label. GEICO, which sponsors this event, encourages attendees to bring coins and dollars to make a donation to benefit Shepherd's Table. Other performers include Russ Arlotta, Uma and The Free Mindz Poetz.

This family festival includes face painting for children.

Laurel choral group comes

to Silver Spring for anniversary

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the members of the Central Maryland Chorale, directed by Monica Otal, present the "Requiem" of Johannes Brahms, a traditional for the organization's important anniversaries.

The concert is at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Lutheran Church of Saint Andrew, 15300 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring. Refreshments will be served after the concert. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. For tickets and information, call 301-317-9646 or visit www.centralmarylandchorale.com.

Downtown Silver Spring looking for top models and designers

Downtown Silver Spring is looking for established or aspiring models and designers from Silver Spring and the Washington, D.C., area to participate in a fashion show Aug. 15.

Casting calls for designers and models will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the fourth floor of City Place Mall, 8661 Colesville Road in Silver Spring and 5 to 8 p.m. May 27 at 908 Ellsworth Drive. Participants must be age 18 or older.

The organization also is looking for judges for casting calls. E-mail

lillian.downtownssp@gmail.com.

Takoma Park police announce 2008 award winners

The Takoma Park Police Department has named Detective Charles Hoetzel the department's officer of the year for 2008.

Hoetzel, who began his career at the department in March 2008, led the department with more than 50 drug arrests alone. Hoetzel was recently assigned to the department's Tactical Enforcement Unit in the Criminal Investigations Division, according to a police news release.

Danyelle Gallop was announced the 2008 civilian of the year for her contributions to the department's visions and goals through outstanding performance and dedication to duty. Gallop works in the department's administrative section.

Apply to be poet laureate

The Takoma Park Arts and Humanities Commission will accept applications and recommendations for the city's next poet laureate through 4:30 p.m. May 29. Applicants must be a published poet living in Takoma Park. Applicants are asked to submit three examples of their work along with a resume and a cover letter explaining a project the applicant would pursue that would expand the community's interest in poetry.

The term will run two years from July 1 through June 30, 2011. All submissions should be mailed to the Takoma Park Arts and Humanities Commission, care of Sara Anne Daines, 7600 Maple Ave. in Takoma Park.

For more information, call 301-891-7224, or e-mail ahc@takomagov.org.

Public hearing on the plan for Takoma/Langley Crossroads

Representatives from the Montgomery County Planning Board will accept resident input about proposed changes to the Takoma/Langley Crossroads beginning at 7:30 p.m. today at Takoma Academy, 8120 Carroll Ave. in Takoma Park.

Planners will be on hand to collect community input on aspects of the plan, which proposes, among other things, street and sidewalk expansion, the preservation of affordable housing, the impact of the mass-transit Purple Line project and the impact on existing businesses under the revitalization effort.

For more information, contact County Planner Melissa Williams at Melissa.williams@montgomeryplan

ning.org, or Kriie.rivas@montgomery

planning.org for Spanish-speakers or visit the plan's Web site, www.mont

gomeryplanning.org/community/takoma_langley_crossroads.

Authors Ricki Lake,

Abby Epstein discuss birthing

The Birth Options Alliance is hosting a book release party for "Your Best Birth" at 7 p.m. today in the Community Center auditorium at 7500 Maple Ave. in Takoma Park.

The event will feature a question and answer period with authors Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein via a live video feed, as well as a panel of local Takoma Park birth experts Mairi Rothman and Karen Brody.

Birth Options Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to educating the community about issues surrounding birth and supporting expectant parents.

Send Silver Spring news to Staff Writer Jason Tomassini and Takoma Park news to Staff Writer Jeremy Arias at The Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. The fax line is 240-473-7501. Tomassini can be reached at 240-473-7559 or jtomassini@gazette.net; Arias can be reached at 240-473-7564 or jarias@gazette.net.

Community yard sale

at apartment complex

Summit Hills Apartments will hold a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The sale will be held at the corner of 16th Street and East West Highway in Silver Spring.

Lace up for the animals

Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary will hold its 6th annual Run for the Animals in May at Wheaton Regional Park, 2002 Shorefield Road.

The day will kick-off at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the park and will include food and raffles with prizes for dogs and humans. The event is a fundraiser for the Poolesville-based nonprofit.

Registration for the 5K Run and Fun Walk is $20 before Friday, $25 beginning Friday or $28 on the day of the race. Walkers can choose to hoof it for 1 mile or 1.7 miles, and dogs are welcome to join but are not permitted in the 5K run.

For more information, contact poplarspringrun@yahoo.com or visit www.animalsanctuary.org.

National artists bring

exhibits to Silver Spring

An upcoming exhibit at Pyramid Atlantic Community Arts Center will explore artistic and cultural similarities and differences through the works of four vibrant artists running now through July 17.

In the Main Gallery "Kind Favors, Kind Letters" is a collaborative, site-specific installation by national artists Tatiana Ginsberg, Lee Emma Running and Kate Carr utilizing handmade paper and an array of printmaking techniques.

The film and artwork of Kevin Jerome Everson, which focus on daily materials, conditions, tasks and gestures of people of African descent, will be on display in the Kunst Vault Project Room. Over the past 10 years, he has completed two feature films and more than 25 short films about the working class culture of black Americans and other people of African descent.

The opening reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at 8230 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. There will be a "gallery talk" for the public at 7 p.m. Saturday. For more information, e-mail jdominguez@pyramid-atlantic.org.

Book sale on tap

The Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library will hold its semi-annual book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Takoma Park Library, at the intersection of Maple and Philadelphia (Route 410) avenues.

The sale features thousands of quality used books with more than 95 percent of those offered having been donated. Hardcovers cost $1, trade paperbacks cost 50 cents and mass market paperbacks cost 25 cents.

For information, call 301-891-7259 or visit the Friends of the Library Web site at www.ftpml.org.

Chinese acrobats stop

in Silver Spring for tour

The Fabulous Chinese Acrobats will perform acrobatic stunts and feats of balance, flexibility and strength at the Kaleidoscope Family Performance at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. 

This professional troupe of three acrobats is on tour from China. They are accompanied by an interpreter who enriches the Kaleidoscope performance with information about Chinese culture, customs, history and life. They skillfully balance or juggle items such as porcelain jars, silk umbrellas, tables or each other as they share this ancient and colorful art form. 

This performance comes in the midst of a four-week tour to local schools that is coordinated by Class Acts Arts, a nonprofit arts organization that coordinates cultural and educational programs for schools, special needs centers, detention centers and other organizations. 

All performances are located at the Woodside Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 8900 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring.

Kaleidoscope tickets are $7 per person for advance tickets and $10 at the door. All seats are general admission, no reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased over the phone with a credit card by calling 301-588-4475 or online at www.classactsarts.org. 

Purchase Taste of Wheaton tickets in advance

The 14th annual Taste of Wheaton has a new exhibit, the Ethnic Food and Wine Tasting Pavilion, and tickets are expected to fill up fast this year, organizers say. Purchase yours in advance by visiting www.wheaton

md.org and www.giramondowine.com.

The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Grandview Avenue and Reedie Drive in downtown Wheaton. From noon to 3 p.m., the pavilion will offer three tasting tables from three regions of the world: Latin America, Asia and Europe. Bravo's "Top Chef: New York" finalist and Wheaton caterer Carla Hall will create a dish to be featured at the Europe table.

Also new this year will be some taste prices. Restaurants participating in the entire festival have been given the option of pricing menu items up to $5 this year but will keep at least two items priced at $1.

Taste of Wheaton will also include music and entertainment with performances by Billy Coulter Band, Rumba Club, Urban Artistry, Wheaton Studio of Dance, LC Dreamers and SNAP! Kids attractions include rides and the popular video game Rock Band. For more information, visit www.wheatonmd.org.

Learn all about

Wheaton summer camps

Don't forget about the Wheaton Summer Camp Expo at the Wheaton Regional Park's outdoor skating rink, 11717 Orebaugh Ave. From 2 to 4 p.m. May 31, get the scoop on all the camps taking place at Wheaton Regional Park. There will be representatives from Wheaton Ice, Wheaton Tennis, Week in the Park, Brookside Gardens, Brookside Nature Center and Wheaton Park Stables; plus onsite ParkPASS registration; fun activities for children; refreshments; and give-aways. There will also be a free tennis mini-lesson for the kids and a free ice skating session for all who attend the expo. For more information, call 301-649-3640.

See historic Forest Glen

at walking tour

There will also be a guided walking tour of National Park Seminary Historic District in Silver Spring, titled "Enchanted Forest Glen" at 1 p.m. May 23

Tours begin across from 2755 Cassedy St., in front of the gymnasium at Cassedy and Linden lanes. Tour signs will be posted on Linden Lane. Parking is available on Linden Lane and Cassedy Street. Detailed directions are available at www.saveourseminary.org, or call Save Our Seminary at 301-654-3924 or 301-589-1715.

Reservations not required but there is a $5 per person donation. Tours involve extensive walking on outdoor paths with steps and rough areas.

Save Our Seminary at Forest Glen, founded in 1988, is dedicated to the preservation, history and future of the National Park Seminary Historic District in Silver Spring.

Flea market to be held

at Wheaton Regional Park

Start cleaning out those closets and basements in preparation for the "Flea Market in the Park," to be held from 8 a.m.to noon the second Saturday of each month — June 13, July 11 and Aug. 8 — at the Wheaton outdoor skating rink at the Wheaton Regional Park, 11717 Orebaugh Ave.

Vendors, crafters, artisans and artists are all welcome to set up a booth. The fee for a 10-by-10-foot space is $20. Bring tables, crates, blankets, chairs and whatever else to display the wares. The Wheaton outdoor rink is completely covered on top and partially covered on the sides and there are indoor restroom facilities and vending machines on site.

Load in begins 7 a.m. Vendors, visit www.parkpass.org to register. The "course" numbers are: 76800 for June 13, 76801 for July 13 and 76802 for Aug. 8. Registration opens Friday. For questions, call the Wheaton Ice Arena manager at 301-649-3640.

Get healthy with a 5K

and 2K fun run and walk

Rise to the Challenge 5k and 2k Fun Run/Walk will be held 9 a.m. Saturday, starting at St. John the Evangelist School, 10201 Woodland Drive in Silver Spring. The family-friendly event will wrap up the St. John the Evangelist's Healthy Lifestyle Challenge, an 11-week health, education and physical activity challenge.

After the race, there will be a festival where participants can enjoy the awards ceremony, food, children's games, the Secret Service Operation Safe Kids booth and vendor booths. Race entry is $25 Friday and Saturday. Race participants will receive a "Challenge" T-shirt. For more information and registration, go to www.sjte.org and click on the "Race Info" link on the left side of the page.

Pyramid Atlantic selects

artist for residency

Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center in Silver Spring has announced the selection of Megan Mueller as the Plaza/Pyramid Atlantic "Artist in Residence." Mueller was selected from more than 40 submissions and is funded via a joint program between Plaza Artist Materials and Pyramid Atlantic. She will be in residence at Pyramid Atlantic throughout the month of May. Mueller is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University's sculpture program. She has exhibited at galleries in Virginia, New York and Kentucky. Her work blends her interests in sculpture, technology and mapmaking. 

Mueller will lead a free public discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. May 28 titled "Creative Approaches." The event features a diverse group of artists and designers in a discussion focusing on the lives and professions of working artists from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. The discussion panelists will also include: Samuel Scharf of the Hirshhorn Museum in D.C., freelance architect Stefan Schwarzkopf, graphic designer Joseph Mueller.

To RSVP, contact Landria Shack at lshack@pyramid-atlantic.org or 301-608-9101.