March 2009

Valerie Ervin

Watching out for Silver Spring and Takoma Park during the recession

Interview by Howard and Diana Kohn

Valerie Ervin did not grow up poor – her dad was an Air Force officer – but, for several years after leaving home, she had to watch her pennies. She lived with her two young sons in subsidized housing and clerked at a Safeway checkout counter.

A quarter-century later those years remain far more than a biographical footnote. Despite the success story she is today—a union organizer who climbed the ranks and moved to politics and won election to the Montgomery County Council in 2006—she says, “I’ll always remember what it’s like to work very hard and have very little.”

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photo by Julie Wiatt

March 2009

Fixing “No Child Left Behind”

Q & A with Paul Weckstein

by Sue Katz Miller

Under the Obama administration, will there be substantive changes to the powerful federal legislation known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB)?

As Co-Director of the Center for Law and Education, Takoma Park resident Paul Weckstein helped to mold that law. His work has involved mild-mannered policy wonking, but also acting up and suing the government. Weckstein sat down with Voice columnist Sue Katz Miller to discuss the benefits and flaws of NCLB.

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Photo by Julie Wiatt

October 2008

David Eisner:
World music man

Interview with Howard and Diana Kohn

In 1974, David Eisner found a deal in Berkeley Springs too good to turn down. He had done his College Park thing (University of Maryland competitive swimmer and psychology major) and his Takoma Park thing (proprietor of the Maggie’s Farm head shop and proprietor of a music store).

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photo by Julie Wiatt

July 2008

Roz Grigsby: Minding local business

Interview with Howard and Diana Kohn

Everyone loves small towns, but without seat-of-the-pants entrepreneurs there would be no small towns. This is where Roz Grigsby comes in.

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John Eshrun

"Only in America"
Ghanaian immigrant brings his own Italian flavor to Silver Spring

by John Landis

Doug Gansler
Maryland's new Attorney General takes a hard stance toward polluters

by Nicolas Ruggia

Jamie Raskin
"This is our government, and we have to make it work for the people."

by Howard Kohn

Steve Francis' childhood fantasy comes to life, close to home
NBA star has background in Silver Spring & Takoma Park

by Gary A. Weinstein

Perez takes place in O'Malley cabinet
Attorney General candidate puts tainted election behind him

by Allison Baker

Norma Galvez
Perseverance pays off for owner of N.Lo Hair Salon

by John Landis

Marc Elrich — A second look

by Howard Kohn

Oh Jackie!—Bringing heart & soul into the "new" Silver Spring

by John Landis

Tim Firestine: Chief Administrative Officer of Montgomery County

by Tamra Tomlinson

Police Chief Ronald Ricucci: "I never get complacent"

by Howard Kohn

Checking in with Lucinda Lessley:
Former grassroots candidate returns to private life with no regrets

by Sara Wald

Citizen Councilmember

by Gregory Kohn

District 20's presumptive state senator is eager to take office

by Rajeev Poduval

Takoma Park's teacher-politician heads for the County Council...probably

By Ethan Goffman

Creating ripples & connections in a troubled world
Alice Sims & Art for the People

By Bruce Johansen, Photos by Julie Wiatt

Awakening creative potential:
Karen Gallant & Art for the Heart

By Bruce Johansen, Photos by Julie Wiatt

Patrick J. Kiger, local author

Learning from really big mistakes
"Oops: 20 Life Lessons from the Fiascoes That Shaped America"

by Mary Jane Muchui

Penny Diamante

Local beader shares her passion with new book

by Bethany Homrighaus

Ray Moreno

Making an impact in our schools

by Leticia Linn

David Eisner

A Life of Musical Traditions

By Sarah Dean (March 2006)

Carmen Camacho

Energizing Silver Spring

By Melissa Pachikara (November 2005)

Jennifer Cutting

After years at sea, local songwriter sails home, bearing riches

by Kara Wedekind (July 2005)

Chief Cindy Creamer

A Career in community policing

by Elahe Izadi (November 2004)

Simmie Knox

A Presidential portraitist at the pinnacle of his profession

by Theodore Carter (July 2004)

Andy Fraser

"I like to move quickly and get things done."

By Kaukab Jhumra Smith (July 2004)

"Local couple observes historic Salvadoran election"

Sharyn Neuwirth and Peter Kent

BY MITCHELL TROPIN (May 2004)

"We are One"

Pat Humphries & Sandy Opatow promote unity through song

BY MITCHELL TROPIN (February 2004)

Gabrielle Tayac

Preserving indigenous cultures

BY LISA MACKIE (January 2004)

Stream Ohrstrom

Finding the beat with Stream Ohrstrom

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (December 2003)

Judybeth Greene

Painting messages of peace

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (November 2003)

Nancy Karabaic

Helping moms fit in fitness

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (October 2003)

Magpie

Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino: singing of the unsung

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (September 2003)

Lumina Studio

Jillian Raye and David Minton

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (July 2003)

Joseph Cirincione

A ray of light amid the weapons hype

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (July 2003)

Chuck Redd

The circle remains unbroken

Cedric Davis

Local teen honored for courage and leadership

BY JAMILA JACKSON (MAY 2003)

Murray Horwitz

From the Big Top to the Silver Theatre

Jamin Raskin

Recapturing Democracy

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (April 2003)

Busy Graham

Class Acts Arts Director

BY AUDREY ENGDAHL (March 2003)

David Corn

One Man Media Machine

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (December 2002)

The King of Silver Spring

Colonel E. Brook Lee was the political boss of Montgomery County between the world wars. He made his fortune as he made Silver Spring.

BY RICHARD JAEGGI (August 2002)

Lilo Gonzalez

Building bridges through music:
Takoma Park resident Lilo Gonzalez gives voice to the sorrows and hopes of immigrants making new homes in the U.S.

BY MITCHELL J. TROPIN (June 2002)