Silverspringism

The Grandpappy of all Celebrations in Montgomery County is the one taking place in Takoma Park, MD this weekend!

This year's Annual Takoma Park Independence Parade and Celebration, now in its 120th year, is entitled "The Belle of Takoma Park," in remembrance of longtime resident and organizer of the parade for the last 40 years, Belle Zeigler. Zeigler died Dec. 14, 2008, at age 88.


The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Carroll and Ethan Allen avenues. The parade ends at Maple and Ritchie avenues.
Concerts by Violet Says 5, Positive Vibrations and the Takoma Park Community Band will begin at 7 p.m. Parade and raffle prize winners will be announced.

Fireworks are expected to start at 9:30 p.m.
Vendors will have food for purchase during the parade and fireworks, including hotdogs, funnel cakes and ice cream.
Parking is at the community center at 7500 Maple Ave. Rain date will be the next fair-weathered day.

The photos of the July 4th Decorations on the house in East Silver Spring are of "Joe the Neighbor's" handiwork from a few years back.

One of my favorite authors, Sarah Ban Breathnach lived in this colonial house in Takoma Park, Md.  She lived here from 1980 to 1998.  This is the house where she wrote my all time favorite book - Simple Abundance - a daybook of comfort and joy.  The book was published in 1995 and became a runaway bestseller after Sarah made an appearance on Oprah.

I got my, now dog eared, well worn copy of this book in 1998.  This book never ceases to amaze me.  The book is set up as daily meditations, there is a meditation for every day of the year.  If you know me, you know I'm not the "meditating" type, but I have always loved this book and use it like a daily bible of sorts.  The book is recommended reading by many real estate coaches and is written more for women than men.  Sarah Ban Breathnach did write a book for men called A Man's Journey to Simple Abundance.  I highly recommend her books to anyone!

        "Granola Park" Real Estate Info for July 2007 - Single Family Detached Homes - Zip Code 20912

 
Currently there are 68 Active Listings
Active Lisitngs Price Range - $324,900 to $1,250,000
Average time on the market for these active listings - 119 Days
Average List (Asking) Price - $571,673

10 Listings are Under Contract or Pending
Average Pending List Price - $521,829
Average time on market for pendings - 75 Days

13 Listings were Withdrawn from the Market or Expired in July
Average List Price for Expired or wWthdrawn Listings - $459,000
Average time on the Market for Expired and Withdrawns - 108 Days

21 Houses Closed in July
Average List Price for Sold properties - $554,262
Average Sold Price in July - $542,610
Average time on the Market for Sold Properties - 60 Days

Takoma Park, or "Granola Park" as some locals call it now, was the first planned suburban community of Washington, DC.  Founded in 1883, by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert, Takoma Park was developed along a branch of the B & O railroad. It was originally conceived as a "summer resort" area, as a healthful clean-water alternative to Washington, DC's malarial swamps. With a population of 18,000 it rests along the upper northeast boundary of D.C. and strattles Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland. 

B.F. Gilbert named his community TAKOMA an Indian word meaning "High Up - Near Heaven".  Takoma Park has it's own city government, police department, library and is served by Montgomery County Schools

Religion and politics has shaped the Takoma Park community. From the early 1900's to 1990, Takoma Park was the world headquarters of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Two of the church's institutions remain today, The Washington Adventist Hospital, and Columbia Union College. The coming of metro service to Takoma Park has made it a perfect "bedroom community" for young professionals. It is a 15 minute commute to the middle of Downtown D.C. by Metro from the Takoma Station on the Red Line. 

Takoma Park is a friendly "laid back", independent, small town with liberal politics.  The residents are politically active and have put in place a number of progressive measures such as the declaration of a nuclear-free zone and legal recognition of non-marital partnerships.  

In the historic district you will find grand old Victorians, Bungalows, American Four Squares and other old timey styles, along tree-lined streets. 

The Old Town offers an eclectic, funky mix of small, locally owned specialty shops and small restaurants, cafes and a very popular FOOD COOP.  From the end of April to mid December there is a farmers market every Sunday in the center of town. To celebrate July 4th, the town puts on its own parade and its own fireworks display.


In 2008 there were 100 sales of single family detached homes in Takoma Park, sales prices range from a low of $200,000 for a three bedroom one bath brick colonial in need of total renovation to a high of $1,005,000 for a completely restored 7 Bedroom, 5 1/2 Bath Victorian.  The median price for a single family home in Takoma Park in 2008 is $429,700.

                         Single Family Homes Currently for Sale in Takoma Park, Maryland 20912