From the best of Strong Towns 2015: THE DENSITY QUESTION
When this piece originally ran last spring it created a very interesting reaction from our audience. There were some of you that found it illuminating, as if I had revealed […] The post From the best...
View ArticleAuthors & Farmers, Meditation, Wolves, Shitakes, Wildlife Photography and...
We hope to see you at Fox Haven Organic Farm and Learning Center this winter for a wide variety of programs and events! Please feel free to share this list […] The post Authors & Farmers,...
View ArticleThe Sixes Bridge Impoundment and Saving the Monocacy River (part 1)
Lacking local historical awareness, we may sometimes think in Frederick County that those folks who’ve lived here fewer years and who present an environmentalist viewpoint are outsiders, but in truth,...
View ArticleOur Place in the World: In praise of streets, parks, squares, coffeeshops…
It’s a dark and wintry night in Copenhagen, and the streets are bustling. The temperature stands above freezing, but winds blow hard enough to knock down a good share of […] The post Our Place in the...
View ArticleCounty Council member Jerry Donald reflects on year one
My first day in office was one of the most interesting of my first year in office. We were sworn into office at the Weinberg Center. Some of the speeches […] The post County Council member Jerry Donald...
View ArticleLoudoun County and the Nefarious Ways Sprawl Begets Sprawl
Loudoun County was once one of the most beautiful in Virginia. Now it’s just a massively sprawling suburb. Loudoun County was once one of the most beautiful in Virginia. It […] The post Loudoun County...
View ArticleThe Sixes Bridge Impoundment and Saving the Monocacy River (part 2)
The idea of a monster Monocacy River dam at Sixes Bridge came from official Washington DC and landed in official Frederick County with complete official support. But as public awareness […] The post...
View ArticlePreparing for Climate Change in Frederick County and Beyond
As a Master Naturalist and volunteer environmental educator in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources program Teaching Environmental Awareness in Maryland, I have learned about global climate...
View ArticleWalkable in Winter
Coming in from my slow run on this morning’s packed snow, I am grateful again for my old, walkable neighborhood that tempts me out of doors, even in the cold […] The post Walkable in Winter appeared...
View ArticleCircuit Court judge sends Trout Run matter back to County Council
After the County Council voted last June to deny the request of Social Betterment Properties International (SBPI) to have the Trout Run/Richey Lodge property placed on the Frederick County Register […]...
View ArticleLivable Frederick Steering Committee Announces ‘Convening Retreat’ (public...
It would be an understatement to say that the thorough and lengthy Frederick County planning process entitled “Livable Frederick” could have a significant and long term impact on our county. […] The...
View ArticleOur old planning rules of thumb are “all thumbs”
We all know and use rules of thumb. They’re handy for simplifying otherwise difficult problems and quickly making reasonably prudent decisions. We know that we should measure twice and cut […] The post...
View ArticleLand conservation, smart growth and the environment
Years ago, I was motivated to participate in what became the cause of smart growth, and now for many of us has evolved into the cause of sustainable communities, because […] The post Land conservation,...
View ArticleLast Solid Waste “What’s Next” public forum this Saturday!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Weather forecasts suggest that this final Whats Next? Solid Waste Public Forum may be affected by a winter storm that could hit Frederick County on Friday and Saturday. […] The post Last...
View ArticleTwo actions YOU can take now to help stop the Monrovia Town Center!
I’ve written several times now, explaining what has been happening regarding the Monrovia Town Center. In short… Even though we have won two great victories – first the remand by […] The post Two...
View ArticleHow garage & basement apartments help people, neighborhoods and the environment
One of the best ways to accommodate growth (as we must) without either exacerbating sprawl or disturbing the character of existing communities is by using so-called “accessory units” – secondary […]...
View ArticleIf walking were a new drug, we’d all have a prescription!
Everyone knows walking is good for you. It’s plain common sense, backed by a wealth of recent medical research. In fact, a major new study found that lack of physical […] The post If walking were a new...
View ArticleA Response to Anti Recycling Ideology
I think the writers who periodically “trash” recycling as ‘broken’, ‘wasteful’, ‘outweigh the benefits’ are secretly in love with recycling. They write their pieces in order to give recyclers a […] The...
View ArticleRALE asks you to help maintain the pressure to restore our appellate rights
Following up… The community has really responded well to our efforts to convince the Delegation to reverse the 2013 DRRA law that took away our appellate rights. More than 80 […] The post RALE asks you...
View ArticleInduced Traffic, Congestion, and Peak Spreading Redux
I’ve written often about induced traffic and its near cousin congestion. But they’re topics for which the lessons are non-intuitive and therefore bear frequent repetition. There were times in my […]...
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