In January, it was reported that Mark’s Kitchen, a Takoma Park staple for 32 years, would be closing permanently. After a couple months, owner Mark Choe has closed the restaurant’s doors permanently. Below is his farewell letter, courtesy of PoPville:
“To My Friends in Takoma Park and Beyond,
Per Takoma Park Police: On June 5, at approximately 11:09 pm, Takoma Park Police were flagged down by a resident who advised that they saw a male subject walking around with blood on him near the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue. Subsequently, the male subject approached an officer and indicated he had been robbed and assaulted. The victim stated he was approached by an unknown Hispanic female who was soliciting him to purchase drugs and/or sex. When the victim indicated he was not interested, the female suspect struck him in the head with a rock. At the same time, another suspect hit the victim in the back of his head with a rock. The victim fell to the ground where he was further assaulted by the female suspect and a Hispanic male suspect. The suspects stole property from the victim and fled on foot. The victim was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Officers canvassed the area for the suspects and made contact with two individuals whose involvement in the robbery continues to be investigated. Consequently, they both had outstanding warrants for failure to appear and were arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. Investigation continues under case #230027080. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Per Takoma Park Police: On June 4 at approximately 4:28 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6800 block of New Hampshire Avenue for the report of a strong arm robbery that had just occurred. The victim purchased food from an establishment and while leaving the establishment, he was confronted by five to six male suspects demanding his food. The victim declined and ran; he was followed by the suspects. The suspects began assaulting the victim while he was on the ground and stole property from him. All of the suspects fled the area on foot towards the 900 block of East West Highway.
The suspects are described as 5-6 males, Hispanic, all wearing dark colored hoodies and dark colored jeans; two of the suspects were wearing black ski masks. The victim was not seriously physically injured. Investigation continues under case #230026838. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Per Takoma Park Police: Juveniles Involved in Stolen Auto– On June 1 at approximately 8:27 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the area of Maple Avenue and Philadelphia Avenue for reports of a suspicious situation and an abandoned vehicle by three male subjects on foot. Officers located the vehicle with its rear passenger window busted out, ignition punched and the engine still running. A witness provided descriptions of the three subjects who were on foot. Two of the three subjects were apprehended in the District of Columbia. Metropolitan Police Department was notified and responded to the scene. The subjects were identified as 15 and 17 year old juvenile males of Washington, DC, who were later released into the custody of their parents.
The investigation revealed the stolen vehicle belonged to a resident in Takoma Park. The vehicle was released to the owner. Investigation continues under case #230026405. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call the Takoma Park Police Department at 301-270-1100. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps
Sligo Creek is a lifeblood for wildlife in Takoma Park, an important tributary in our watershed, and a source of creativity and inspiration for local artists. Two photographers and a mixed-media artist will share their work inspired by the creek and its environs in the Celebrating Sligo Creek exhibition at the Takoma Park Community Center, with a free opening reception on June 15. The exhibition, which will be on view until Sept. 7, features work by Julius Kassovic, Lynn Alleva Lilley, and Steven Robinson.
Julius Kassovic is a fine-art photographer based in Silver Spring. Since 2005, Sligo Creek has been his major muse and the subject of his Intimate Waterscapes series.While working around the world in staff positions with the Peace Corps, he used color negative film to document Peace Corps projects. His work has been exhibited in galleries in the D.C. area and in other states and countries. “I have been intensively shooting photos in Sligo Creek, and I keep finding new expressions of its beauty,” he said. ”I wade into the creek to capture dreamlike images reflecting through the shallow water that appear to be double exposures but are true representations of the creek’s beauty.”
Takoma Park Police is searching for a 15 year old male named Jaydon Naim Ponce Sosa who has been missing since Tuesday, May 30th at approximately 7:50pm. He was last see on the 8500 block of Flower Ave in Takoma Park and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black ripped jeans, and white nike shoes. If you can help find this person, please reach out to Takoma Park Police by calling 301-270-1100 or texting tip411.
Per Takoma Park Police: Private First Class Manny Gaitan was selected Officer of the Year 2021 and Private First Class Pandelis Hinaris was selected Officer of the Year 2022 because of their dedication to duty and significant accomplishments and contributions throughout those years.
Their work and actions contributed significantly to the department’s visions and goals through their extraordinary efforts in the accomplishment of extremely difficult police work requiring skills and intelligence. They demonstrated outstanding performance by showing initiative, perseverance and dedication to duty in highly credible police work.
Per Takoma Park Police: Residential parking permit renewal begins on Monday, June 5. To determine whether you need to renew your permit, please check your vehicle’s windshield or back window for the small rectangular expiration sticker. If you have a sticker with an expiration of June 2023 or older, you must renew your permit prior to June 30, 2023. To purchase a residential parking permit, you must be a City resident and live in a residential zone. If you renew in person, in order to expedite the process, please be prepared to provide a copy of your current vehicle registration and license which shows your Takoma Park address.
You may also send in a renewal request by mail. A decal and year sticker for each registered vehicle will be mailed back within three business days of receipt. Two visitor parking permits will be included for each address. Please add $1.00 for shipping and handling. Permit applications can be found on the City’s website under services and then permits and licenses: www.takomaparkmd.
Planning Board expected to set public hearing date for draft plan re-envisioning areas along Maple Avenue and Flower Avenue, including the Washington Adventist campus area. Per Montgomery Planning:
The Montgomery County Planning Department will present the Working Draft of the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment to the Montgomery County Planning Board at the June 8 weekly Planning Board meeting. Montgomery Planning staff will request the Board accept the Working Draft Plan as the Public Hearing Draft and set the date for a public hearing to receive community feedback. These are the first steps prior to the Planning Board conducting work sessions to review and revise the draft plan before submission to the County Council and County Executive for public review and final County Council approval.
Motorkat, the new restaurant from restaurateur Chris Brown (Zinnia, Soko & Takoma Bev Co) and Executive Chef Danny Wells (Republic, Zinnia and Takoma Bev Co.) opens today at 4pm at 6939 Laurel Ave in Takoma Park.
Per Takoma Park Police: On May 20 at approximately 11:28 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 1300 block of University Blvd. (7-Eleven) for a theft in progress. Upon arrival, the suspect was still in the establishment and was arrested without incident. The suspect was handcuffed and placed in the officer’s cruiser. While the officer continued to investigate the incident, the suspect was able to escape from the marked patrol vehicle and flee on foot.
An arrest warrant was obtained. An attempt to serve the warrant at the suspect’s residence was unsuccessful. The investigation is ongoing. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.