The last time I needed to use a laundromat I went to the one near the corner of University Blvd & Piney Branch Road  and also the one in the 16th Street Strip Mall that was on the level under the McDonalds there.  They were both crowded places and kinda dingy and dark.  There were 2 different sizes of washers and dryers that took coins.  I couldn’t wait to get my laundry done and get out.

I recently went into the new Tropicana Laundromat on Fenton Street to wash some real bulky items (rugs, big comforters and pillows), that my regular washer and dryer can’t handle.  I was amazed at how far Laundromats have come since I’d been in one!

This place is CLEAN, Bright, Airy, Pleasant and Spacious.  You could eat off the floors.  They had 2 people outside hosing down and cleaning off the parking lot steps and even the asphalt (that people park their cars on) when I was there.  It was immaculate inside and out.

There must be 6 -7 different sizes of washers and dryers,  from tiny ones for delicates to the Heavy Duty Super Jumbo size that I used, and there are  lots of them!  There are huge, long, nice clean folding tables and plenty of  those big rolling steel laundry baskets. 

There are 3 Big Screen TVS mounted on the back wall and areas to sit and read or watch a big screen while you are waiting for your laundry to be done.

And . . . No more coins to fumble with – you can load money (via credit card)into a card to use in the machines.

I have to admit, when I first saw the sign go up last year I thought it was going to be some kind of an all night Restaurant/Bar.   I had visions of  Mai Tais, Margaritas, pina-coladas, other tropical drinks and food dancing in my head.   I was disappointed at first when I figured out it was a Laundromat.

Tropicana Laundromat
8010 Fenton St
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Robert Hayes Mc Neill was a 40 year old Washington DC attorney from North Carolina, living with his wife Cora and 2 Children on the “Mc Neill Farm” – Silver Spring in 1918.  At this time in the 1900’s Silver Spring was mostly open land and forests dotted with a few farms and 3 Large Country Estates. 

In 1923 Robert Mc Neill subdivided his farm into lots that today is Robert H. Mc Neills’ Addition to Silver Spring Park. 

The lots were sold to a few different builders with E Brooke Lee’s North Washington Real Estate company ending up with most of the lots.  Building started at the beginning of the Depression in 1932-33. 

The old circa 1900’s farmhouse on the Mcneill property is still there, having been updated several times in the last century. 

Most of the 137 Homes in the neighborhood were built in the early to mid 1930’s and are prized for their unique character and period architectural detail.  No two houses are exactly alike.  This is no cookie cutter neighborhood. 

The homes in Mc’Neills include unique brick and slate cape cods, colonials and Tudor style houses. Hardwood Floors, Fireplaces, arches, high ceilings and porches were standard ammenities in most of these charming houses.  The homes have wide alley’s behind them with garages, another feature that was common in the 1930’s era.

The Boundaries of McNeills Subdivision are: Dale Drive to the south, Cedar Street to the north, Deerfield Avenue on the east and Dartmouth Avenue on the west.

This Great location is just steps to Nolte Park (playground, several ballfields and picnic area), Bullis Park and four blocks to Sligo Creek Park. Walking distance to the local public elementary & middle schools, both with a French Immersion program. It’s only ¾ mile to Metro and the MARC train, and a few Blocks away is the Silver Spring town center with the new civic building & Veteran’s plaza, ice rink, shops, restaurants, entertainment, and farmers market. The site of the upcoming, state-of-the-art Silver Spring Library is only four blocks away. McNeill’s Neighborhood is the ultimate walkable neighborhood with the perfect balance of urban and suburban living.

Public School Info for McNeills Subdivision – Silver Spring  20910

Sligo Creek Elementary School
Silver Spring International Middle School
Downcounty Consortium (DCC)

*School information is as reported on the MCPS school finder site. As directed by MCPS, this information shall not be relied upon without a call to the MCPS Boundary Line at 301-279-3331.

  Homes in this neighborhood sell quickly - Check out the most recent Homes SOLD in Mcneills Addition

Most of E Brooke Lee’s addition eventually became the commercalized area of Downtown Silver Spring and South Silver Spring.  There are residential single family homes left that make up the Blair Subdivision with some sections called Blair/ Takoma.  The boundaries of the residential sections of Blair and Blair Takoma are roughly:  Sligo Avenue to the South, Philadelphia Avenue and the Montgomery College Campus to the North, Fenton Street to the West and Piney Branch Road on the East.   

Within Walking Distance: 
All the great ammenites of Downtown Silver Spring!  Silver Spring Metro Station (Red Line), Downtown Silver Spring, Restaurants, Shopping, Veterans Plaza, Ice Skating Rink, year-round farmers market, NOAA, Discovery Channel Headquarters, Montgomery College, The New Montgomery College Performing Arts Center, Whole Foods, Safeway, Giant Food, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Sligo Creek Park, many delightful “pocket parks” and much more.

Public Schools:
East Silver Spring Elementary School (K-4)
Piney Branch Elementary
Sligo Creek Elementary

Takoma Park Middle School

High School: Home School is Montgomery Blair High School
Downcounty High School Consortium – Choice Process: Blair, Einstein, Kennedy, Northwood, or Wheaton high schools 

*Note: always Check the Montgomery County School Assignment Locator for the specific school a child will attend that is assigned by street address.

Full of wonderful old timey bungalows, some colonials, american four squares, victorian farmhouses and cape cods, this neighborhood borders on Downtown Silver Spring on one side and Takoma Park on the other.   The Blair – Blair/Takoma Subdivision is considered part of East Silver Spring.

Blair and Blair Takoma Home Sales 2011

11 single family homes Sold

Average List Price – $507,855
Average Sold Price – $480,045

Lowest Sale Price – $350,000
(a small 2 Bedroom 1 Bath 1928 Bungalow)
Highest Sale Price – $701,000
(a large expanded and completely renovated 5 Bedroom 4 Bath 1923 Bungalow)

Average Days on Market – 41

Check out Homes for Sale Now in Blair Subdivision, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

The  Annual Pumpkin Patch has a good selection of Pumpkins and some pretty chrysanthmums at Woodside Methodist Church in the Woodside area at the edge of Downtown Silver Spring. 

Boy Scout Troop 209 is Silver Sprng’s Oldest Boy Scout Troop.  Boy Scout Troop 209 has been in existence since the 1930’s at this same Silver Spring Location.

Buy a pumpkin or some mums and Support  your Local Silver Spring Boy Scout Troop 209.   All proceeds go to the troop’s financial aid fund to make sure that all scouts can participate in the troops many activities and it’s more fun than just picking up a pumpkin at the local grocery store!

Woodside United Methodist Church
8900 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Located at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Ballard Street,

1 block north of Spring Street. Google Map

Look for the Boy Scout Troop 209 Truck.

Make your pumpkin last much longer this year:   Check out these tips for preserving your pumpkin and prevent it from rotting out in the yard or on the porch.

*Also some advice from plumbers and the roto-rooter people  -  Never, Ever put the guts (pulp), rinds or any other part from your pumpkin in the garbage disposal or down any of the drains in your house.  This could cause a real Halloween nightmare in you home!

On Monday July 4th 2011, enjoy what people living in Silver Spring and Takoma Park have have been enjoying for the past 121 years.   This will be the 122nd annual Takoma Park 4th of July Celebration. 

Parade
The parade starts at 10:00 am beginning at Carroll & Ethan Allen Avenues, follows Carroll Avenue towards DC, crosses over to Maple Avenue along Carroll Street, then returns along Maple Avenue.

Community BBQ – 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Hosted by Steve Francis – Lincoln and Maple Avenues

Wiffleball Tournament – 2:30 pm
Sponsered by Takoma Park Recreation Department
Lee Jordan Field – Takoma Park Middle School

Evening Program and Fireworks - Starts at 7:00 pm
Takoma Park Middle School – 7611 Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park, Md 20912     

Master of Ceremonies: Howard Kohn
Joe Uehlein and the U-Liners
Announcement of Parade Winners
Acro-Airs
Greetings from the Mayor – Bruce Williams
Takoma Park Community Concert Band
Drawing for Raffle Prizes
National Anthem – David Goettee

Fireworks at 9:30 pm by Bay fireworks!

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.

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.

Home Sales

South Four Corners Real Estate – 2010
34 Homes were Sold in 2010
Average Listing Price – $401,866
Average SOLD Price – $398,735
Lowest Sold Price – $250,000
Highest Sold Price – $574,900
Average Seller Contribution – $5,130
Average Days on Market – 54 

Search Homes Currently for Sale in South 4 Corners Silver Spring,
Maryland 20901

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

Community spirit, the roar of the crowd and the excitement of youthful competition all combine at a neighborhood swim meet. What better way to spend a summer evening than gathering around your local pool in a group effort to be part of an event that promotes fellowship and fun.  Swim Teams in Community Pools of Silver Spring , compete as division members of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL).  Being a member of a swim team in Silver Spring is a great way for kids to make friends at the pool, share a teambuilding experience, and compete in a healthy, active sport over the summer.  Some of the pools also have Dive Teams that compete in the Montgomery County Diving League.

Most of the Pools in Silver Spring  offer great Family Oriented Social Events such as Pool Camp Out night, Ice cream socials, pizza night, teen night, family movie night, float night, talent shows and more.

Check out this list of links to some of the best Silver Spring Neighborhood Pools and Swim Clubs:

Northwest Branch Pool – Home of the Northwest Branch Dolphins Swim Team
 
Glenwood Recreation Club – Home of the Glenwood Tigers Swim Team and Dive StTeam  
 
Calverton Swim Club – Home of the Calverton Chargers – Also has a Dive Team, Volleyball League, Horseshoes and Basketball Court
 
Forest Knolls Pool – Home of the Seahawks Swim Team
 
Daleview Pool – Home of the Daleview Swim Team
 
Franklin Knolls Pool – Home of the Gators Swim Team
 
Hillandale Swim and Tennis Association – Home of the Hillandale Hellcats Swim Team - Also offers 2 Lighted Tennis Courts, a practice wall and Tennis Camp

Oakview Pool - Home of the Oakview Octopi Swim Team – The Oakview Pool was the first community pool in Montgomery County and celebrated  its 50th year in 2007
 
West Hillandale Swim Club – Home of the Dolphins Swim Team
 
Twin Farms Swim & Tennis Club – Home of the Twin Farms Tigers Swim Team, Dive Team, Tennis Team and Tennis Camp
 
Robin Hood Swim Club - Home of the Robin Hood Swim Team – Also has a Dive Team and Tennis Team
  
Kemp Mill Swim Club – Home of the Kemp Mill Kangaroos

This backyard backs to an alley in  McNeill’s neighborhood of Silver Spring,   It was a cool thing to watch this small back yard space transfomed into such an abundant oasis, in a neighborhood that is just 2 blocks from the Downtown Silver Spring CBD. 

This was really a bare small backyard just a few years ago.  Every inch of space has been used cleverly, (even part of the alley) for the landscape and plantings.  Even though there is a lot of space used for gardening, there is still a driveway to the garage and a large gazebo used for outdoor dining and fun.

It is still early in the growing season and I love watching Edamarie’s garden grow, fill in and florish through the spring, summer and into fall for the past couple years.

Backyard Bounty is a local Silver Spring  Business that designs, builds and maintains kitchen gardens and sustainable landscapes.

Check out the Backyard Bounty Website with more photos including the Front Yard of Backyard Bounty