Archive for June, 2011
Huge Silver Spring Shark will be a NO SHOW this Year
June 23rd, 2011 Categories: Silver Spring Events, silver spring real estate
In Silver Spring, we have a summer attraction that causes a lot of excitment. During Shark Week the Discovery Building has an enormous inflatable shark swimming through it. It is quite a sight to see in the skyline at the corner of Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue at the heart of Downtown Silver Spring. The Shark has been nicknamed “Chompie”.
I heard a rumor on Twitter today, which was confirmed by Silver Spring Patch, that Silver Spring’s Jaws will not be in the sky this summer.
Apparently Chompie is going to be given a rest this year, but the big shark will be back in all it’s glory, for next year’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of Shark Week.
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Friendly and Affordable – South 4 Corners Silver Spring
June 17th, 2011 Categories: Old Vintage Silver Spring Takoma Park Houses, Silver Spring Neighborhoods, silver spring real estate
Boundaries: University Boulevard West and Dennis Avenue to the north. Colesville Road to the east. Forest Glen Road to the south and Tenbrook Drive to the west
South Four Corners is a desirable location close to Forest Glen Metro Station and Downtown Silver Spring. Walking distance to recently renovated “Woodmoor Shopping Center”, a very friendly “Neighborhood” Safeway Store and the ever popular Corner Pub.
Bordered by Sligo Creek park with an abundance of nature, hiking-biking trails
and recreation. This neighborhood has a very active Civic association, many events such as an annual COMMUNITY DAY, Halloween Parade and neigborhood yard sale. There are a lot of young families with children, a babysitting coop, a Large playground and community center on Forest Glen Road. There is a unique “small town” feel within the neighborhood of South Four Corners.
The Houses of South Four Corners
Developed Around the Original Argyle Country Club (Now Sligo Public Golf Course) before the Beltway bisected the country club grounds. This is the 
reason for the Sudivision names in South 4 Corners such as, “Country Club View”, “Fairway” and “Argyle Forest”. The Oldest Houses in South Four Corners date back to the early 1930’s.
There are 5 houses in South Four Corners that make up a Montgomery County ”Historic District”. They are the “Polychrome Houses” built by John Joseph Early in 1934 and 1935. The houses are outstanding examples of the Art Deco Style with richly ornamented appearance and relatively rare examples of pre-cast concrete panel constuction in single family homes for the time period. 3 polychrome houses are on Sutherland Road and 2 of the polychrome houses
face Colesville Road near the exit ramp to the Beltway. A Silver Spring Blogger wrote this article about the Polychrome Houses. A Recent Article in the Washington Post is about these houses – from Montgomery County The Historic Polychrome House District Article and from 2005 another Washington Post article .
Popular House Styles in South Four Corners are the Cozy Cape Cods, Storybook Tudors and Traditional classic Colonials built before, during and just after WWII. During the post war building boom years, the 1950’s and 60’s brought 
newer mid century modern ramblers and split levels to complete the neighborhood. There are approximately 1,100 Single Family Homes within the Neighborhood boundaries of South Four Corners.
Public Schools in South 4 Corners
The South 4 Corners Neighborhood is served by 2 School Districts:
Elementary Schools
Oakland Terrace Elementay School
Sligo Creek Elementary School
Middle Schools
Silver Spring International
Sligo Middle School
High Schools
Northwood High School
Albert Einstein High School
*At the high school level the Downcounty consortium is available giving students a choice regarding their academic area of study. The five high schools 
in the Downcounty cluster include Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Northwood and Wheaton.
South Four Corners Real Estate and Home Sales:
37 Homes were Sold in 2011
Average Listing Price – $367,902
Average SOLD Price – $357,027
Lowest Sold Price – $222,000 (A 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Rambler built in 1938 needing renovation)
Highest Sold Price – $490,000 (a 4 Bedroom 3 Bath built in 1956 with extensive renovations)
Average Days on Market in 2011 – 64
44 Homes Sold in 2012
Average List Price – $375,366
Average Sold Price – $370,555
Lowest Sold – $255,000 (a 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2 Level Rambler Style House built in 1949 in need of updating)
Highest Sale Price in 2012 – $483,500 (a 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 3 Leval Brick Tudor with many updates built in 1940)
Average Days on Market in 2012 – 74
| Discussion: No Comments »
Local Crossroads Farmers Market – Shop Wednesdays No Need to Wait for the Weekend
June 2nd, 2011 Categories: Takoma Park Business, Takoma Park Real Estate
This small Farmers Market is located in the Langley/Takoma Crossroads area, where Silver Spring kind of overlaps into Takoma Park. Located at 7676 New Hampshire Ave near the corner of New Hampshire and University Blvd.
Nice place to pick up fresh, local (with a capitol L) produce at mid-week. Smaller and not as crowded as the weekend markets, it is open on Wednesdays from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. It’s open rain or shine till October.
There was a laid-back guitar duo playing there yesterday, that was very good!
It is stawberry season now. The strawberries you get here are unlike anything 
you can buy in the grocery stores. There is just something about local that is fresher, juicier and tastier.
I can’t wait till it is tomato season!
The Crossroads Farmers Market is a producers-only market. All vendors grow and/or process their own goods within a 125-mile radius of Takoma Park, Maryland.
Vendors for the 2011 Market Season
Check out the Crossroads Farmers Market website for updates on events, what is in season and some great recipes
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
