Media Center

MEDIA ADVISORY: Department of Parks Dedicates Newly Re-named Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park this Thursday

BETHESDA, MD—Tomorrow, Thursday, May 1, the Montgomery County Department of Parks will dedicate the newly renamed Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park. The event will feature guest of honor Pauline Betz Addie and special guest Billie Jean King.

The program of events includes tennis games, such as “Beat the Pro” and “Clock Your Serve,” refreshments, remarks and immediately following the ceremony, time permitting, chances to meet Pauline Betz Addie and Billie Jean King.

Door prizes to be given away by random draw include a vintage “JOKARI” paddle from the 1940s endorsed and autographed by Pauline Betz, a Wilson Carbon “Nano” tennis racquet autographed by Billie Jean King and four reserved, chair-back seats at the Washington Kastles match of the winner’s choosing.

To further mark the renaming of the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility, the Department of Parks has changed the park signs in front of the facility and on Democracy Boulevard, installed a new logo on the exterior of the building, added a new front door canopy and installed a 22-foot timeline of Addie’s accomplishments for display inside the tennis center.

WHO:    
Pauline Betz Addie
Billie Jean King
Montgomery County Department of Parks
Montgomery County Planning Board
County Executive Isiah Leggett
County Council Vice President Phil Andrews
Montgomery County Tennis Association (MCTA)

WHAT:   
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center Dedication & Celebration

WHEN:
Thursday, May 1, 2008
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

WHERE:
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park
7801 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, Maryland

# # #

Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Pocket Park Packs Huge Community Punch! Department of Parks Celebrates 400th Park, Maiden Lane, with Neighbors, Special Guests

BETHESDA, MD—Saturday, April 26, the Montgomery County Department of Parks celebrated its 400th park in the county’s parks system—Maiden Lane Urban Park in Bethesda—with dozens of park neighbors and special guests, including Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson, Councilmembers Nancy Floreen and Roger Berliner and Ann Humphrey on behalf of Congressman Chris Van Hollen.

Councilmember Berliner provided the closing remarks during Saturday’s celebration of Maiden Lane Urban Park, which also included awards for several people who were influential in the preservation of this small pocket park about one third of an acre in size, remarks by Department of Parks Deputy Director Gene Giddens and fun for the community’s children, courtesy of Scales and Tales.

“This celebration is a major milepost for our communities,” said Bette Petrides, president of the Committee for the Preservation of Maiden Lane Urban Park, the group instrumental in spearheading the transfer of Maiden Lane from the county to the Department of Parks for use as a county park.  “It makes official the status of a gathering place our neighborhoods have treated as a park for forty years. We are ecstatic.”

This site, once planned for use as an extension of Maiden Lane, was turned over to the Department of Parks in June 2006 so the neighborhood could enjoy it as a green space and meeting place. The acquisition of Maiden Lane serendipitously marked the county parks system’s 400th park milestone. Department of Parks Deputy Director Gene Giddens spoke during the community celebration Saturday about the significance parks hold for communities.

“Parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, quiet contemplation, a place to reconnect with nature or explore history,” noted Giddens. “This park—Maiden Lane—is special for the three communities it primarily serves: Whittier Woods, Kenwood Park and English Village, because it keeps you all connected.”

A connected community working together was the key to the preservation of Maiden Lane Urban Park. In February 2000, the Maiden Lane site was sold by the county to a private buyer to build a home. Alerted to the news of the sale in June 2000 when trees on the site were marked for cutting, the community sparked into action and formed the Committee for the Preservation of Maiden Lane Park, hiring the law firm of Knopf and Brown and initiating a legal fight between the county, buyer and the community which lasted for four years.

The awards presented Saturday reinforced the years of effort to preserve Maiden Lane Urban Park.  Awards were given to Norman Knopf and David Brown from the law firm of Knopf & Brown, to former County Council President Blair Ewing and former Councilmember Howard Denis for their support in passing two County Council resolutions in 2001 urging that Maiden Lane be made a park and to Department of Parks Land Acquisition Specialist Bill Gries for his guidance to the community in brokering the land transfer.

“The Maiden Lane Urban Park has been the child of many parents. The legacy of our combined efforts is marked not only by the awards presented to those we honor for their support, nor only by our park; it is also traced in the interest of other communities in preserving and protecting similar green spaces and their coming together as communities to achieve that goal,” added Petrides.

Maiden Lane Urban Park is located at 7522 Oldchester Road in Bethesda. The park includes benches and a trail, which serves as an important connector for several communities. For more on other parks and facilities in the Montgomery County parks system, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.

# # #

Contact:    
Kelli Holsendolph, Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Bette Petrides, President
Committee for the Preservation of Maiden Lane Urban Park
301-320-9696

Department of Parks, County Cable Montgomery Narrows Down Field of ParkStars from 40 to Top 5, Online Voting Begins May 1

SILVER SPRING, MD—Today the Montgomery County Department of Parks announces the top five finalists in its first-ever ParkStar Search competition to find a teen host this summer for its award-winning 15-minute monthly television program, The Parks Show, on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).

“We had tons of great teens to choose from,” said The Parks Show Producer Cathy Grubman. “I mean, really, any of these young people would make great on-air hosts for us this summer.”

The Department of Parks with CCM auditioned a total of 40 area teens, March 29 and April 5, for their chance this summer to work on and host The Parks Show. The potential ParkStars were screen-tested in front of CCM television cameras reading a preselected script from the teleprompter and responding freely to one question: “Why do you like parks?”

During the auditions, the teens also participated in behind-the-scenes video footage of the competition, while they waited for their chance to try-out. Some of this footage can be seen now on the current episode of The Parks Show airing at least three times daily on CCM (Comcast and RCN Channel 6 and Verizon Channel 30). More behind-the-scenes looks at the talented teens will be on both the May and June episodes of The Parks Show.

“After the auditions, our panel of judges had the difficult task of whittling down the choices to five,” said The Parks Show Host Kelli Holsendolph.

The Parks Show editors, producers, crew members with parks officials narrowed down the competition to the following five finalists:

• Jordan Slattery, Age 14, Mother of God School, Gaithersburg
• Macy Passawe, Age 16, James Hubert Blake High School, Silver Spring
• Reuben Jacobson, Age 15, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
• Amir Nasser, Age 17, Watkins Mill High School, Gaithersburg
• Jenay McNeil, Age 16, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville

“All the teens who auditioned are ParkStars to us,” added Holsendolph. “Thank you!” 

Audition footage of the top 5 ParkStar Search finalists is online today at www.ParkStarSearch.com.  The online public voting period begins May 1 and runs through May 15, 2008 at this website and the winner will be announced in June.

“We were so blown away by all the talent and enthusiasm during the auditions, we even added a few extra auditions to the website for everyone to enjoy,” added Grubman.

The one teen winner, selected from the highest number of online votes received, will spend a total of 12 days this summer writing, interviewing and hosting The Parks Show and working with the Department of Parks and CCM in all elements of television production. The winner can earn up to 100 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours—more than enough to meet the Montgomery County Public Schools graduation requirement—for their work on the show this summer.

To check out the auditions and vote for your favorite, visit www.ParkStarSearch.com.

# # #

The Parks Show, now in its 18th year, features the parks, programs and activities in the Montgomery County, Maryland parks system. The show is a joint production of the Montgomery County Department of Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and the Montgomery County Council. The show airs three times daily on County Cable Montgomery (Comcast and RCN Channel 6 and Verizon Channel 30) and a link to watch streaming online video of The Parks Show is available from www.MontgomeryParks.org.

Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

MEDIA ADVISORY: Department of Parks Celebrates 400th Park—Maiden Lane—During Community Celebration this Saturday

BETHESDA, MD—This Saturday the Montgomery County Department of Parks will join neighbors, friends and invited guests to celebrate Maiden Lane Urban Park—the 400th park in the Montgomery County parks system.

The program includes an awards presentation and remarks by Councilmember Roger Berliner and Deputy Director of Parks Gene Giddens. For the children, there will be animal encounters, crafts and nature activities courtesy of Scales and Tales and a special appearance by the Department of Parks’ signature costumed character, Woody the Tree.

The 400 park milestone was met with the acquisition of Maiden Lane Urban Park in June 2006.  The site, once planned for use as an extension of Maiden Lane, was turned over to the Department of Parks so the neighborhood could enjoy it as a green space and meeting place. This small park, about one third of an acre, includes park benches and a trail, which serves as an important connector for several communities.   

WHO:     
Councilmember Roger Berliner
Friends of Maiden Lane Urban Park
Montgomery County Department of Parks

WHAT:   
Maiden Lane Urban Park Dedication and Community Celebration

WHEN:
Saturday, April 26, 2008
11:30 am – 1:00 pm

WHERE:
Maiden Lane Urban Park
7522 Oldchester Road
Bethesda, Maryland

# # #

Contact:    
Kelli Holsendolph, Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Bette Petrides, President
Committee for the Preservation of Maiden Lane Urban Park
301-320-9696

Washington Adventist Hospital Exception Request Among Items to be Heard by Montgomery Planning Board April 24

SILVER SPRING, MD – Among the items scheduled to be heard by the Montgomery County Planning Board on April 24 are a request for a special exception from Washington Adventist Hospital, which hopes to relocate from Takoma Park to northern Silver Spring, a proposed Green Space Plan for downtown Silver Spring, and a housing expert who will speak as part of the board’s Excellence in Planning Speaker Series.

Hospital officials have requested a special exception – an activity permitted as a conditional use within specific zones – to develop a 49-acre health care campus in the West Farm Technology Park on Plum Orchard Drive near Cherry Hill Road. The campus, which would be built in two phases, is proposed to house an eight-story hospital with 294 beds, a two-story ambulatory care building, two medical office buildings and two parking garages. 

After the board’s review, the special exception proposal goes to the county Hearing Examiner and the Board of Appeals. If the special exception is granted, hospital officials still will need to obtain approval from the Planning Board for a site plan, a detailed review of building locations, landscaping and other elements.

Before hearing the special exception request, however, the board will consider whether to extend the property’s Adequate Public Facilities validity period. The board will only grant an APF extension if it finds that the public services – such as transportation – will be adequate to serve the proposed site. Without the APF extension, the hospital project cannot proceed.

Planners analyzing Washington Adventist Hospital’s special exception request are recommending approval with a number of conditions, including a cap on total density to 803,500 square feet, intersection improvements, a hospital employee shuttle service and a detailed transportation management program that would be binding with approval of the hospital site plan.

The board will consider the hospital applications at approximately 9:05 a.m.

Also on Thursday, planners will present a draft plan for more green space in downtown Silver Spring. Recognizing that too few significant parks exist – with two few connections between them – in the Silver Spring central business district, planners recommend considering six sites for potential green spaces, from a parking lot off East-West Highway to land at the intersection of Fenton Street and East-West Highway. The board will consider the draft green space plan at approximately 1 p.m. and will decide whether to circulate it for public review.

On Thursday evening at approximately 7:30 p.m., the board will welcome Marina Khoury, director of town planning for a firm that has designed more than 200 new towns emphasizing community revitalization. The firm, Duany Plater-Zyberk, is credited with having a major influence on the direction of town and urban planning in the United States. Khoury, who will speak about approaches to ensuring design excellence in housing, is a licensed architect and is joining the board as part of its Excellence in Planning Speaker Series, which is focusing on housing issues this spring.

WHO:
The Montgomery County Planning Board

WHAT:
Public hearing agenda items

WHEN:
Thursday, April 24

WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring

Montgomery County Department of Parks Dedicates New Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park with Special Event May 1 to Honor the Tennis Legend

SILVER SPRING, MD—New signs are being installed at the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility, which is the first step in marking the renaming of the facility to the Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park.

“We are looking forward to further honoring Pauline Betz Addie this May with a very special event,” said Department of Parks Enterprise Division Chief Christine Brett.

The Department of Parks is changing the park signs in front of the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility and on Democracy Boulevard to reflect the new facility name. A new logo on the exterior of the building and a new front door canopy will also be installed to mark the new Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park. In addition, the Department of Parks will host a special dedication event Thursday, May 1 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Cabin John Tennis, 7801 Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda, to celebrate the life of tennis legend Pauline Betz Addie.

“The dedication should be a lot of fun,” said Cabin John Indoor Tennis Manager John Metzger. “Don’t forget to wear your tennis shoes, dress casually and bring the family to join us as we honor a legend.” 

The dedication will feature special guest, and legend in her own right, Billie Jean King, who will pay tribute to Addie during the ceremony and who has autographed a tennis racket for the department to raffle off to guests attending the dedication. A 22-foot timeline of Addie’s accomplishments will also be installed and on display inside the tennis center. The event will also include tennis games, demonstrations, refreshments and giveaways. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Director of Parks Mary Bradford and Montgomery County Tennis Association (MCTA) President Frank Hatten will also attend and make remarks.

“Pauline Betz Addie is richly deserving of this honor and recognition,” said MCTA President Frank Hatten.

The Montgomery County Planning Board approved the renaming of the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility to the Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center at Cabin John Regional Park on December 6, 2007. The move came as a result of a public/private partnership proposal submitted to the Department of Parks from MCTA. This partnership proposal included a $100,000 donation for improvements and expansion planning for the indoor tennis facility at Cabin John in addition to recognizing Pauline Betz Addie’s accomplishments as a world-class tennis player and Montgomery County resident.

“This proposal was a win-win for the county and the parks,” said Terry Brooks, Department of Parks special projects coordinator and chair of the department’s Public/Private Partnerships committee. “The dedication of this facility to Ms. Addie rightfully recognizes her local, national and international contributions and creates an opportunity to enable us to make some upgrades to this very popular facility.”

Pauline Betz Addie managed the Cabin John Indoor Tennis facility for 21 years. In 1971 she was instrumental in spearheading the construction of the facility. In 1965 she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island and in 1959 she beat legendary tennis player Althea Gibson in an exhibition match while Addie was five months pregnant with her last child Ricky. Pauline Betz Addie has won six Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon in 1946, Forest Hills (now the US Open) four times, and ranked #1 in the US from 1942-1944 and ranked #1 in the world in 1946. 

Pauline Betz Addie now 88 lives in Summerville Nursing Home in Potomac. She is a long time resident of Montgomery County.

For more on the Cabin John Indoor Tennis dedication event, see www.CabinJohnTennis.com. 

# # #

Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Department of Parks, Interested Parties Receive Briefing on The Riley Farm/“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”

SILVER SPRING, MD—Monday, consultants employed by the Montgomery County Department of Parks briefed key parks staff and other interested parties on The Riley Farm/“Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The briefing was to discuss the current findings of a Historic Structure Report on Uncle Tom’s Cabin prepared for the Department of Parks by consultant John Milner Associates, Inc.

“It is an exciting time for historical and cultural resources in Montgomery County parks, especially at Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” said Director of Parks Mary Bradford. “We are anxious to get people into the cabin, and tell the story of Josiah Henson—an important, influential and often misunderstood historic figure. Our goal is to open up this important historical treasure to county residents, regional visitors and beyond.”

One of the first steps in making this site available to the public is digging into the history and physical characteristics of the site itself through this Historic Structure Report. During the briefing, John Milner Associates Project Manager Terry Necciai highlighted Josiah Henson’s experience in Montgomery County, the building’s construction history, its archaeology, landscape evolution and current building conditions, among other topics.

As a next step, the Department of Parks will establish an advisory committee to provide essential input into the development of the interpretive plan for the site. The final Historic Structure Report will include two to three alternatives for rehabilitating the building to meet interpretive goals. Suggestions at Monday’s briefing will also be incorporated into the department’s ongoing work to develop the site.

“We’re partnering with the local community, setting up an advisory committee and looking to expand our collaboration with national scholars,” said Department of Parks Cultural Resources Manager Joey Lampl, during Monday’s briefing.

The Department of Parks purchased the $1 million Riley Farm/”Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” at 11420 Old Georgetown Road, in January 2006. Since that time, the department has been studying the building and grounds intensively and beginning to identify some of the interpretive possibilities for the site, such as exploring the remarkable life of Josiah Henson, explaining the difference between Josiah Henson the man and the fictional character “Uncle Tom,” revealing the extent of slavery in Montgomery County and portraying life on the site before and after the Civil War. Parks archaeologists, with consulting archaeologists, have also been digging around in areas of the yard on-site to find artifacts to help better understand this resource in public ownership. 

In honor of Black History Month this year, the Department of Parks received a $3,000 donation from Shoppers Food and Pharmacy to begin to acquire artifacts for Uncle Tom’s Cabin and to cover some of the costs of invited guest speakers for a public celebration of the site, which will be held Saturday, June 28. In addition, the site will be open Sunday, June 29, as part of the annual Montgomery County Heritage Days. 

“There is huge interest in the Uncle Tom’s Cabin not just from a public eager for access, but also among scholars interested in studying this resource and helping us determine how it might be interpreted,” said Bradford.

The Lincoln Park Historical Foundation, who in November honored the Montgomery County Department of Parks, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission at the 2007 Maryland African American Heritage Awards celebration for its purchase of The Riley Farm/“Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” is one group interested in a role to determine the future of the site. The group presented a proposal in January to the department’s Public Private Partnership Committee to operate the site and also attended Monday’s briefing to learn more. Other organizations attending Monday’s briefing, included Peerless Rockville, Heritage Montgomery, the Friends of Oakley Cabin and the Underground Railroad, Montgomery Preservation, Inc., the Luxmanor Citizens Association, the Maryland Commission on African American History and the Aish Center.

To stay informed about the department’s plans for Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the upcoming public celebration, visit www.ParksCulturalResources.org.   

# # #

Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

MEDIA ADVISORY: Planning Board Takes a Break from Business to Celebrate Trees

SILVER SPRING, MD—During its regular weekly meeting Thursday, April 10, the Montgomery County Planning Board will take a break from business to celebrate trees as an early commemoration of the upcoming Montgomery Parks Arbor Day celebration.

Planning Board members will plant three Weeping Higan Cherry trees (Prunus subhirtella) next to the playground area at Fairview Urban Park, a short walk from Park and Planning Headquarters. The board, which recently recommended changes to strengthen the county’s Forest Conservation Law, will be accompanied by the Department of Parks’ signature tree mascot, “Woody the Tree.” 

A few weeks ago, the Department of Parks launched a countywide “Where’s Woody?” search to find its most recognizable costumed character in time for the annual Montgomery Parks Arbor Day celebration, Sunday, April 27, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. Woody is expected to make several appearances at other park events this month.

Photos:

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WHO:   
Montgomery County Planning Board
Montgomery County Department of Parks
“Woody the Tree”

WHAT:   
Montgomery Parks Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony

WHEN: 
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at approximately 11:30 am

WHERE:
Fairview Road Urban Park
8900 Fairview Road, Silver Spring

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
Montgomery County Planning Board, Director of Parks and costumed character “Woody the Tree” plant trees with golden shovels for Arbor Day.

# # #

Contact:    
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

Have Your Say on the State of Housing in Montgomery County: Visit New Blog Set Up to Guide Planning Board Policies

SILVER SPRING, MD – As the Montgomery County Planning Board continues to discuss county housing policies – with an eye toward affordability, stable neighborhoods and related issues – board members and planning staff hope to involve the public both during its meetings and through online technology.

The board’s research staff established a blog that allows residents to stay abreast of the board’s progress on housing issues and insert themselves in the process. Visit the blog, dubbed The Home Stretch,  and learn about the latest board deliberations, submit comments, and fill out a user’s poll on housing costs. Staff will roll citizen input into future presentations.

The blog is part of a Planning Board focus on housing policy. The board launched a series of housing presentations in February that will identify policies to help provide housing choices that meet the needs of a wide range of incomes.

The housing initiative also will inform recommendations to change the housing goals of the county General Plan. First published in 1964 and amended several times since, the General Plan establishes policies to guide growth. The presentations by staff and guest speakers explore ideas about existing housing policies, treatment of housing in master plans and development review, housing design, housing markets (supply and demand), housing affordability and neighborhood stability.

 

Last year, Maryland legislators required counties to amend their general plans to address middle-income housing if they wanted to remain eligible for certain grants. The Planning Board decided to update the county’s housing element to reflect housing issues and policies that have changed since 1997. Board members will consider housing issues throughout the spring.

In March, the board hosted guest speaker David Rusk, a consultant who has worked with more than 120 communities to analyze urban problems such as housing inequities. The next staff housing presentation is scheduled for April 17 and another housing expert will speak with the board in May.

Dig Into the Past! Department of Parks Hosts Annaul Archaeology Day this Year at Needwood Mansion, May 10

DERWOOD, MD—April is Maryland Archaeology Month and the Montgomery County Department of Parks is celebrating with a post-April event—its annual Archeology Day, May 10, this year at Needwood Mansion, 6700 Needwood Road in Derwood, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.

“Traces of the past remain all over our landscape, especially in our parks,” said Department of Parks Archaeologist Heather Bouslog. “For instance, at Needwood Mansion, which dates back to 1856, there are plenty of artifacts from the 19th century slave quarters that once stood on its grounds.”

During Archaeology Day the public is invited to join parks archaeologists for a public dig. The day’s activities will also include tours of the Needwood Mansion, storytelling by Mr. Robertson who lived at the mansion during the Civil War, old-time games and crafts. The cost is $8 per person and $15 per family. Participants are reminded to bring a bag lunch and wear their digging clothes. 

“Archaeology Day is really an introduction to archaeology for all ages, with something for everyone,” added Bouslog. “Previous Archaeology Day participants have found antique toys, pottery pieces, animal bones and other artifacts.”

This month, Department of Parks archaeologists have been doing field work at Needwood Mansion and throughout the year parks archaeologists, with its team of dedicated volunteers, have been digging around Darnestown Square Urban Park, the Civil War camp at Blockhouse Point Conservation Park, a prehistoric campsite near Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park and helping parks historians and cultural resource managers date The Riley Farm/”Uncle Tom’s Cabin” through archaeological investigation.

“First-time participants at Archaeology Days gone-by have often found themselves with a new career or brand new hobby,” added Bouslog.

The department’s archeology program offers volunteer opportunities year-round and summer camps for both children and adults. Also, parks archaeologists host numerous county school groups throughout the year for special projects and excavations, including special events such as last year’s Dig-a-Thon enjoyed by the archaeology clubs at Magruder and Richard Montgomery high schools.

This is the fifth year of the parks Archaeology Day event. The Department of Parks has held Archaeology Day previously at Oakley Cabin in Olney, Dowden’s Ordinary in Clarksburg and last year’s event also at Needwood Mansion. The Mid-Potomac Chapter of the Archaeology Society of Maryland is an Archaeology Day sponsor.

For more on Maryland Archaeology Month, including a list of other area events in and post-April, see www.marylandarcheology.org and for more on the Department of Parks Archaeology program, including volunteer opportunities and information on summer camps, visit www.ParksArchaeology.org.

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Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

MEDIA ADVISORY: Last Chance for Teens to Audition for Department of Parks First-Ever ParkStar Search Competition

DERWOOD, MD—This Saturday is the last chance for area teens to audition for their chance this summer to host The Parks Show, the Montgomery County Department of Parks’ award-winning 15-minute monthly television program on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).

The Department of Parks held its first open audition last Saturday, March 29, as part of this first-ever ParkStar Search competition. 

During the audition, talented area teens, ages 14 - 17, will be screen-tested in front of CCM television cameras reading a preselected script from the teleprompter and responding freely to one question: “Why do you like parks?” As the teens wait for their chance to try-out, they’ll enjoy previous episodes of The Parks Show in the holding room and participate in behind-the-scenes video footage of the competition, which will appear in the May and June episodes of The Parks Show.

After this last audition, the competition will be narrowed down to at most 5 finalists and the public will have an opportunity to vote online, May 1 through May 15, 2008, for one winner, which will be announced in June. The winning ParkStar will join the show as host for both the August and September episodes, taped respectively in July and August, and can earn up to 100 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their work on the show this summer.

WHO:    
Montgomery County Department of Parks
County Cable Montgomery

WHAT:   
Last ParkStar Search Audition

WHEN: 
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Registration: 9:30 am
Auditions: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Interested teens can stop by any time, between 9:30 am - 4:00 pm, for their chance to try-out.

WHERE:
Agricultural History Farm Park
Park Activity Building
18400 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD 20855 

For more on ParkStar Search and The Parks Show, see www.ParkStarSearch.com.

# # #

Contact:    
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
Office: 301-650-2866
Cell: 240-638-6793