2010 Nominees

William Brown

Morrisman, reel mower enthusiast, and illustrator of the Citizen Bill editorial cartoon in the Takoma Voice, William Brown has explored the spirit of Takoma Park for nearly two decades. His depiction of an archetypical nuclear-free family has provided humor and commentary on the pressures of living in a "proudly diverse, progressive, inner-suburban small city." William Brown also serves as entourage and staff to the mysterious Granola Park blogger, Gilbert.

Daryhl Lyons

Daryhl's drumming circle has been an entertaining come-hither welcome wagon in Old Takoma. Through his work at the TPSS Food Co-op and his open drumming circles, Daryhl embodies the community rhythm.

Eric Mendoza & Tim Cooper

Every July Fourth, between the parade and the fireworks, scores of children get to play games and eat a BBQ supper at an annual picnic, and Eric and Tim are two longtime organizers.

Takoma Park JazzFest

The Jazzfest is an all-volunteer community event. Begun 15 years ago, the festival shows that Takoma Park is not just for folkies. The Jazzfest incorporates community members with prominent headliners and traditional jazz with experimental forms to create a truly cool event.

Takoma Zone

On a rare hiatus, this collective of musicians shares the joy of jamming together, teaching each other a wide variety of songs and styles, and generously offering their music as part of our community gatherings.

Vote for Takoma Spirit!

First Choice

Choose one from this list: William Brown Daryhyl Lyons Eric Mendoza & Tim Cooper Takoma Park Jazzfest Takoma Zone skip this category

Second Choice

Choose one from this list: William Brown Daryhyl Lyons Eric Mendoza & Tim Cooper Takoma Park Jazzfest Takoma Zone skip this choice

Leave a comment (optional):

Previous winners

2009 (tie)
1. Takoma Street Festival

2. TP Rec Committee
TP Rec Department

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2008
Takoma Park Farmers Market

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2007
Takoma Pork

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2006
Belle Zeigler
President, Takoma Park Independence Day Celebration Committee

2010 Nominees

Dorothy Barnes

Now in her ninth decade, Dorothy is perhaps our longest-serving volunteer. Dorothy is custodian of our historical archives and is a vital link between the heritage of pre-WWII Takoma Park and the more recently-arrived generations. She still lives in the house she was born in.

Wolfgang Mergner

Wolfgang is doing a great job with the Emergency Preparedness Committee, just as he did in the past with the Public Safety Committee. He co-chairs that board of the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County and he single-handedly recreated the Philadelphia-Eastern Neighborhood (PEN) newsletter. He's a consummate volunteer.

Scott Mitchell

A superstar dad who has dedicated the last few years to voluntarily running Takoma Park Community Playtime, he organizes the activities, sets up the space and corrals both grown-ups and kids.

Michelle Morgan

The Miss Rumpius of Old Takoma. She makes the world more beautiful by planting and nurturing flowers in public spaces. Michelle Morgan is also active with the Friends of the Takoma Park, MD Library and a major force in the Spring for Poetry in Takoma Park.

Susanna Shapiro

Shortly after moving to Sligo Park Hills, Susanna started volunteering with IMPACT Silver Spring. She organized people to walk the neighborhood, seeking volunteers for MLK Day and beyond, and is taking the lead on organizing Neighborhood Circles to help address the local fallout from the economic crisis.

Karen Vernon

The Folk Festival brings out everyone for a full day of ear-pleasing music, first-rate crafts and a lot of easy eating, and Karen is now in her second year as the spiritual and logistical leader of the festival.

Steve Whitney

Steve knows how to connect people to other people and events that they've always wanted to be part of! He is a stalwart stage manager at Folk Festival. He was active in making the Alternative Gift Fair a big success and helped organize a basketball league for DC kids.

Vote for an Volunteer Superhero!

First Choice

Choose one from this list: Dorothy Barnes Wolfgang Mergner Scott Mitchell Michelle Morgan Susanna Shapiro Karen Vernon Steve Whitney skip this category

Second Choice

Choose one from this list: Dorothy Barnes Wolfgang Mergner Scott Mitchell Michelle Morgan Susanna Shapiro Karen Vernon Steve Whitney skip this choice

Leave a comment (optional):

Previous winners

2009
John Hume

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2008
Dave Lanar

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2007
Larissa Guran

* * * * *

2006
Kevin Adler

2010 Nominees

Nadine Bloch

A Takoma Park artist, greaser (of the bio-diesel variety), and mother, Nadine Bloch has combined her talents and passions to get the attention of the power center, be it local or national. Anyone who marched on Washington in the past decade is familiar with Bloch's giant puppets. Recently, she has been working with the Young Activist Club to outlaw Styrofoam trays from local schools.

Casa of Maryland

25 years ago, CASA was formed in Takoma Park to address the various needs of Central American refugees. CASA continues to work to improve quality of life and fight for equal treatment and full access to resources and opportunities for low-income immigrants.

Denise Jones

Former NAACP rep at multiple local public schools, Impact parent trainer and GED instructor, Denise is not afraid to speak out on behalf of her fellow Maple Avenue residents.

Jay Levy

Jay Levy was part of the Nuclear Freeze movement, but as one of Takoma Park's many citizen activists, he decided to focus on the local level. His idea was to draft a city ordinance declaring Takoma Park a nuclear free zone—which the nuclear free committee accomplished 25 years ago. His ordinance has been a model for municipalities across the country.

Rob Richie and Cynthia Terrell

Founders of FairVote, Richie and Terrell think and work nationally to enhance democracy—and they have already done so locally with the successful campaign to introduce instant run-off voting to Takoma Park.

Vote for a Taktivist!

First Choice

Choose one from this list: Nadine Bloch CASA Denise Jones Jay Levy Rob Richie and Cynthia Terrell skip this category

Second Choice

Choose one from this list: Nadine Bloch CASA Denise Jones Jay Levy Rob Richie and Cynthia Terrell Karen Vernon skip this choice

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Kay Daniels-Cohen

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2008
Tebabu Assefa

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2007
Seth Grimes

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2006
Bruce Moyers
Mary Akers

2010 Nominees

Sara Daines & Ilana Blanchard
leaders, New Avenue initiative

Sara Daines and Ilana Blanchard have been hard at work re-imagining Takoma Park's New Hampshire corridor through a website, signage, and promotions. This commerical area of the city is often overlooked, yet is a vital area of Takoma Park.

Chris and Nadol Hishmeh
owners, Olive Lounge

Brothers Chris and Nadol have expanded the oldest family business in Old Takoma to include a popular pub in the back. The new watering hole, serving exotic burgers and good beer, has quickly become the happening hangout in evenings for old friends and new ones.

Jeanne and Dennis Ha
owners, Park Florist

With artistry and grace Jeannie runs a great business and touches important days in people's lives with beauty. She knows that Takoma Park isn't interested in the ordinary, and she does the extraordinary.

Tori Paide
owner, Still Point

A holistic spa, the Still Point has been written up in the Washingtonian as one of the best in the area. Tori has introduced many new clients to Takoma Park who then frequent the other local businesses either before or after their treatments.

Lisa Ripken
owner, Fair Day's Play

How do you find toys and games for your children while ensuring that other children around the globe were not exploited in the production of your purchase? Fair Day's Play is built around the idea that shoppers should not have to make such a choice. Lisa runs her shop on the concept of Fair Trade, which allows farmers and textile workers to set their own prices, meaning more money in the pockets of the workers, without exploitation of children in sweat shops.

Ada Villatoro
owner, El Golfo

Though located just outside the Takoma Park city limits in Silver Spring, El Golfo has raised funds for countless community efforts, thanks to the leadership and community spirit of Ada Villatoro.

Vote for a Business Leader!

First Choice

Choose one from this list: Sarah Daines and Ilana Blanchard Chris and Nadol Hishmeh Jeanne and Dennis Ha Tori Paide Lisa Ripken Ada Villatoro skip this category

Second Choice

Choose one from this list: Sarah Daines and Ilana Blanchard Chris and Nadol Hishmeh Jeanne and Dennis Ha Tori Paide Ada Villatoro Lisa Ripken skip this category

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Zoe Stern
S & A Beads

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2008
Jude Garrett
Now and Then

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2007
Mark Choe
Mark's Kitchen

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2006
Greg Moorin
Summer Delights

2010 Nominees

Alan Abrams

Building and renovating homes since 1975, Alan has taken a leadership role in promoting the practice of green building at the local and national level. He has drafted and ramroded a resolution in support of green building adopted by the American Institute of Building Design.

Jim Baird

For years a guiding spirit of the Sweep the Creek clean-up along the banks of the Sligo, Jim shows up whenever the voice of reason and experience is needed.

Steve Davies

Steve is an environmental professional who most recently is spurring residents to give up the use of noisy, environmentally destructive power tools for routine yard care. Steve isn't shy about pushing Takoma Park to stay in the environmental vanguard.

Jim Epstein

As board chair of DC Greenworks, Jim is a non-stop promoter of green roofs. Three have been installed thus far in Takoma Park, and, if his vision comes true, many more will be.

Sandra Nitchie

Sandra is the founder and executive director of the Monarch Effect Foundation, which raises awareness and funds iniatives to preserve of the Monarch Butterfly and the North American Migratory phenomenon.

Catherine Tunis

In a town populated by environmental activists Catherine stands out as the Arbor Day advocate for trees (all sizes) and for her steadfast green-first attitude during many years as the leader of our Environmental Committee.

Mike Welsh

The beautification and greening of the town’s public spaces start with Mike who, as our City gardener, has created a trademark look of low-maintenance plants that catch the eye year-round.

Vote for an Environmental Leader!

First choice

Choose one from this list: Alan Abrams Jim Baird Steve Davies Jim Epstein Sandra Nitchie Catherine Tunis Mike Welsh skip this category

Second choice

Choose one from this list: Alan Abrams Jim Baird Steve Davies Jim Epstein Sandra Nitchie Catherine Tunis Mike Welsh skip this choice

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Sat Jiwan Khalsa

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2008
TPSS Food Co-op

* * * * *

2007
Mike Tidwell
Founder and Director of the Chesapeake Climate
Action Network

* * * * *

2006
Bruce Sidwell
President of Friends of Sligo Creek

2010 Nominees

A. Salon

A. Salon is a nonprofit cooperative of artists located at 6925 Willow Street in Takoma DC. With only one paid staff person, the co-op manages A. Salon collectively and maintains the space through volunteer sweat-equity.

Chopteeth

Chopteeth is a 14-piece Afrofunk orchestra that explores the common groove between West African and American popular music. In February 2009, the Washington Area Music Association voted the band Artist of the Year in their annual Wammie Award voting.

Charlie Pilzer

Charlie Pilzer is the founder of Azalea City Recordings, a CD label that lets artists maintain the rights to their own work, reserve creative control, and work together with other artists to get their music heard and distributed.

Alice Sims, Arturo Ho, and Laurie Stepp

Acclaimed artists in their own right, Alice, Arturo, and Laurie are combining their talents on a public art project to beautify the facing of the library and the community center with a major rendering of mosaic art.

Joe Uehlein

Local roots rocker, Joe Uehlein has lent his voice to a variety of social causes, from the labor movement to local fundraisers.

Vote for an Arts Leader!

First choice

Choose one from this list: A. Salon Chopteeth Charlie Pilzer Alice Sims and Arturo Ho Joe Uehlein skip this category

Second choice

Choose one from this list: A. Salon Chopteeth Charlie Pilzer Alice Sims and Arturo Ho Joe Uehlein skip this category

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Sam and Bobbi Kittner

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2008
Jillian Raye
Lumina Studio Theatre

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2007
David Eisner
Institute of
Musical Traditions

* * * * *

2006
Takoma Park
Folk Festival

2010 Nominees

Sara Bodde

Ms. Bodde is an uplifting and special third grade teacher at Piney Branch Elementary.

Leila Campbell

A science teacher. Ms. Campbell often gets compared to Ms. Frizzle of ‘The Magic Schoolbus books. Her classroom is filled with critters and gizmos. She is kind and funny and wise, and she leads every Piney Branch student through the Science Expo process, lending unique flavor to the school.

Kristin Dunlap

Ms. Dunlap is the teacher all parents want for their child—literally! Dynamic, engaging, compassionate she makes her 3rd-grade classroom come alive at Piney Branch Elementary.

Abby Golden

Mrs. Golden is known as the "mother" at Takoma Park Elementary School, as the school's sole guidance counselor,. Her job is immense, yet she somehow is able to make each child feel special.

Terri Reed

Ms. Reed is an outstanding and caring kindergarten teacher at Takoma Park Elementary.

Vote for an Educator!

First choice

Choose one from this list: Sara Bodde Leila Campbell Kristin Dunlap Abby Golden Terri Reed skip this category

Second choice

Choose one from this list: Sara Bodde Leila Campbell Kristin Dunlap Abby Golden Terri Reed skip this choice

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Mary Hochkeppel

2008
Dan Hutton
Takoma Park Elementary School

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2007
Altagracia Richardson
Rolling Terrace Elementary School

2010 Nominees

Lucy Neher

Organizer of 5K "fun run" to benefit PTAs, now in its second year. The first run was successful despite a cold, wet May day.

Nicole Pauls

Longtime PTA activist and sports activist for football, soccer and 5K run.

Rosa Sanchez

Go-to Spanish translator for every local school.

Sally Taber

In addition to formal PTA positions, up to cluster coordinator, she has always been a go-to person for all issues related to the schools.

Vote for a School Activist!

First choice:

Choose one from this list: Lucy Neher Nicole Pauls Rosa Sanchez Sally Taber skip this category

Second choice:

Choose one from this list: Lucy Neher Nicole Pauls Rosa Sanchez Sally Taber skip this category

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Ray Scannell

2008
Sue Katz Miller

2010 Nominees

Bob Antonisse

Bob is a veteran soccer coach and maestro of annual Takoma 4x4 Soccerfest. He is now on his third full tour of duty in the league, or maybe it's his fourth.

Roy Austin

A big guy with a big voice and the world’s gentlest heart, Roy is a major presence on the soccer pitch as the coach of two teams and a league official.

Ernesto Campos

Ernesto coaches a soccer team of mostly Latina girls who are now 14 and 15 and who began with him at age 6. The girls do not all go to the same schools or live in the same neighborhoods, but when they come together they all feel at home.

Cindy Dyballa

A renaissance mom, Cindy has coached soccer, helps run the basketball league and is a driving force of the Recreation Committee.

Josh Lott

Josh is a faithful soccer dad, but his true loves are the baseball team he coaches and the local baseball league that he has helped raise to new heights.

Andrew Partan

Andrew coaches soccer at both the oldest and youngest levels, high school and nursery school. He is also the soccer league's new techno wizard.

Joe Temenak

When the baseball fun is done for the day, Joe, as league commissioner, heads home to deal with countless e-mails and phone calls so that the fun can continue on the next day.

Sean Tipton

Where once soccer dads with bad knees were the typical refs in the soccer league, now there is a corps of teenage referees, thanks to a training program organized by Sean, another longtime coach and league official.

Vote for a Coach!

First choice:

Choose one from this list: Bob Antonisse Roy Austin Ernesto Campos Cindy Dyballa Josh Lott Andrew Partan Joe Temenak Sean Tipton skip this category

Second choice:

Choose one from this list: Bob Antonisse Roy Austin Ernesto Campos Cindy Dyballa Josh Lott Andrew Partan Joe Temenak Sean Tipton skip this category

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Monica Ettinger

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2008
Sue Immerman

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2007
Jay Salpekar

2010 Nominees

Dave Burbank

Dave has been leading Dungeons and Dragons for many years. He keeps huge groups of kids involved in an activity which engages their creativity (no screens) and sense of play.

Chris Colvin

Chris teaches music to young people and has been instrumental in trying to provide opportunities for their bands to play at various venues. Teens don't have many places to go for that and Chris has made it happen.

Pat Rumbaugh

The self-described "Play Lady," Pat is on a mission to bring back unstructured, unpressured fun to children’s play time. Not that she doesn’t like sports – she is a jock and a coach herself.

Phil Shapiro

Phil relishes his title as Takoma Park's Resident Geek. Through his work at the Takoma Park Library and Community Center, Phil teaches kids to harness the Internet to learn, create and express.

Joan Samworth

At the Community Center and in public art projects around the area, Joan has taught kids and adults to paint in vivid colors and to draw with abandon. When talking of her muse for her abstract landscapes, she's never more understanding to her students.

Vote for a Mentor!

First choice

Choose one from this list: Dave Burbank Chris Colvin Pat Rumbaugh Phil Shapiro Joan Samworth skip this category

Second choice

Choose one from this list: Dave Burbank Chris Colvin Pat Rumbaugh Phil Shapiro Joan Samworth skip this category

Leave a comment (optional)

Previous winners

2009
Becky Linafelt

2008
Karen McPherson