Mountain in Fall - Hilary Schwab

Help Give Voice to The Sugarloaf Region:

Update: 1/19/2012

MCA delivered testimony at last night’s BOCC hearing. Numerous Frederick County residents spoke to the imporance of the 2010 comprehensive plan and the inequitable nature of the peace-meal rezoning that the BOCC is undertaking.

GMC’s attorney spoke and asked that the Resource Conservation zoning from 2010′s comprehensive plan be removed from the parcel that includes Little Bennett Creek because:

“we believe the areas in question will still have to be protected in the development process just like they would under Resource Conservation.”

We heartily agree- so why are they insisting that Resource Conservation Zoning is “inequitable” and “unfair”?

Update:  1/18/2012

Re:  FC BOCC is now hearing the requests for rezoning 194 parcels that, if granted, will promote greater density of development in areas outside of growth centers- including the Global Mission Mega Church

The FC BOCC is undeterred by law and common sense so – we should write and remind them of both. In addition to information about the public hearings (including tonight’s hearing on the Urbana area requests) FC website says:

NEXT STEPS AND SCHEDULE
Written comments via e-mail or regular mail will continue to be accepted throughout the process. All comments received to date will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for their review.

That would mean that everything that we sent to the Planning Commission will be forwarded.  Yet, I think we should err on the side of caution and send our emails  directly to the BOCC.  Note also that staff says that public work sessions will be scheduled for February.  This dates will be made available soon.  MCA staffer Kristina Bostick will present testimony tonight (1/18/2012) on the rezoning process and GMC’s requests specifically.  Scroll down for our partners at Friends of Frederick County’s action alert.  They have been tirelessly working to counter the attacks against the newly minted comprehensive plan and the law.

Your Action – send quick, respectful emails (sample follows) to addresses below:

Email Contact Information:

Blaine R. Young
C. Paul Smith
Billy Shreve
David P. Gray
Kirby Delauter

or

E-Mail All Commissioners

BCC:  info@mocoalliance.org

Sample Email with suggested subject line (please personalize):

Regarding: Global Mission Church (GMC) Requests for Zoning Classification Change (UR 41 – UR 42)
Dear Mr. Gugel and Members of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners,
Thank you for the opportunity to write in support of the current Urbana Area Comprehensive Plan, in general, and in opposition to two zoning classification changes in particular.  I am deeply concerned that GMC now seeks to change the classification of two particularly sensitive parcels along Little Bennett Creek. I respectfully oppose the reclassification of those parcels and ask you to do the same.

After recent and thorough review and public participation, the GMC property has been appropriately zoned in the comprehensive plan for resource conservation:

-The designation properly protects the fragile, yet high quality, Little Bennett watershed and steeply sloped and ecologically diverse forest that lead to the stream.
-The parcels sits atop highly fractured geology that promotes greater probability of surface contamination of critical water resources.
-The area is rich in history, natural resources and is served by a federally designated sole source drinking water aquifer.
-The destruction of these resources would be a detriment to not only Frederick County but to the region.

Thoughtful stewardship of Frederick’s natural and historic resources is the responsibility of its planners and government. Please ensure that our region’s resources are afforded long term protection and deny both requests – UR 41 and UR 42.

Sincerely,

______________________________

Update:  11/18/2011

First, thanks to all who last week wrote in to protect the 2010 Frederick County Comprehensive Plan from assault invited by the FC Board of County Commissioners earlier this year. While a number of us were focused on the Global Mission Church property in our communications, the overall message that this rezoning process is not grounded in law/ fact and violates every principle of sound land planning- resonated. The volume and nature of our communications may have helped give rise to what happened last evening….

Last Thursday’s official hearing at Winchester Hall began and ended rather quickly. Planning Commissioner Catherine Forrence spoke passionately of the cost and inappropriate nature of this reasoning process, being conducted without study or data just one year after the full several year comprehensive zoning process was completed. Bob White’s motion to halt the PC involvement in the process and support the standing 2010 Plan without change passed and the hearing record on the matter was closed.

Nonetheless, the PC did hear comments from those in attendance. Dolores Milmoe spoke on behalf of Audubon, thanking the PC for standing up for proper process. She noted sobering statistics as to the taxpayer cost of new development. MCA spoke and stressed that planning is not a short sighted endeavor and that FC, in their 2010, rightly protected water resources, farmland, and sensitive areas- including Little Bennett. Former PC and BOCC member Kai Hagen calmly gave overview to the exhaustive process that resulted in the 2010 comprehensive plan. A number of FC residents spoke in strong support of their Planning Commission. Several attorneys, whose clients were seeking zoning changes, bluntly shared their unhappiness with the turn of events. No surprise there.

Friends of Frederick County and Envision Frederick are due big thanks for carrying big water on this issue. This has and will be labor and resource intensive. They could use donations to carry on this big war for the future of Frederick County.

We will let you know what happens next. BOCC (minus David Gray, who has repeatedly voiced his dissension) will continue to press forward…but this clearly marks a turning point in their attempt to ram the rezoning through.

A lawsuit has been filed- Gazette Coverage:

http://www.gazette.net/article/20111115/NEWS/711159945/1016/lawsuit-seeks-to-curb-frederick-county-zoning-changes&template=gazette

Frederick News Post Coverage:

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_Comments.htm?section=a1&storyID=128474#postComments

_____________________________________

Most Important:  Comments via email (see below)

Public Hearing, November 17th, 6pm – Winchester Hall, Church Street, Frederick

Global Mission Church is one of 194 properties in Frederick County seeking  zoning changes in order to facilitate development of their mega facility (138,00 sq. feet 1st phase)  in land planned for conservation of farming and natural resources.  Should these applications be granted – over 15,000 acres of Frederick’s farmland and open space may be lost forever.

Please see the Frederick County website for more on this comprehensive re-zoning and review.  See these good 11/10/11 notes from MCA member Meg Menke. (Thanks Meg!)  See also MCA’s previous post for more on this development proposal and preservationists efforts to prevent the loss of treasured farmland and open space in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain and in both Frederick and Montgomery Counties.

What can you do?

sample letter zoning change request (for those of us who are pressed for time!)

Sugarloaf Mountain Speaks!

If you would like to testify contact:  caroline@mocoalliance.org

Help build a strong hearing record: Send comments by November 16th to: jgugel@frederickcountymd.gov
Copy us at:  info@mocoalliance.org

Suggested Talking Points:

-The Global Mission property has been appropriately zoned for resource conservation.
-The designation properly protects the fragile Little Bennett watershed and steeply sloped and ecologically diverse forest that lead to the stream.
-The area is rich in history, natural resources and is served by a sole source drinking water aquifer.
-The destruction of the resources would be a detriment to the region.
-Thoughtful stewardship of Frederick’s natural and historic resources are the responsibility of its planners and government.

Planning Manager Jim Gugel, Department of Planning and Development Review writes us in response to our inquiry that:

The upcoming  hearings in November are before the County Planning Commission.  The Commission will then have public work sessions in December to make any recommendations on the requests.  The Board of County Commissioners will have their own hearings and work sessions in the January/February time frame.

Please be aware that the hearing on the 17^th is specifically for the Urbana region requests.  A speaker sign up sheet will be available at 5 pm and the hearing starts at 6 pm.  Speakers are allowed 3 minutes though at the Commission’s discretion organizations may be allowed 10 minutes.

Comments may be mailed or e-mailed to me.  All comments will be provided to the Planning Commission for their December work sessions.

Jim Gugel, AICP

Planning Manager, Department of Planning and Development Review

Frederick County Community Development Division

jgugel@frederickcountymd.gov

The reasonable question is sometimes asked:  so if the Ag Reserve has been master planned and zoned to protect farms and open space – where is the challenge? We wish it were that airtight.  Look at the satellite image above.  It tells a story of the burgeoning growth in the Washington Metropolitan region and how it can, absent proper planning and protection,  sprawl outward, resulting in great cost both in dollars and environmental degradation.  Unfortunately not every jurisdiction thought to create corridors for growth and wedges for preservation – The pressure on the Reserve in the face of  those planning failures, grows.  And, the fact is that Montgomery County has its own growing pains and troubling  memory loss with regard to the Reserve and its important purpose.  To keep this answer as brief as possible.  Here’s the top ten threats to the Reserve:

1.  Fragmentation due to loss of farmland and open space to suburban style development and industrial uses:  witness the suburbanized clusters on Peachtree Road and the now approved housing subdivision “Barnesville Oaks”  development on Montgomery’s last largest farm parcel.

2. Large scale private institutional facilities:  The continuing saga of Global Mission Church and the recent jaw dropping decision to allow a mega church on rural Emory Church Road in Olney provide a chilling reminder that local governments are shying away from their responsibility to uphold master plans and zoning regulations. There seems to be the false notion that religious freedom trumps public policy including health and safety laws. Local governments are reacting out of fear of lawsuit rather than sound policy and adherence to the law.

3. Zoning changes by zoning text amendments: There are those within the local government who seek to add land uses, landscape contractors for example, to the list of permitted uses that do not require review process (special exception) in the Reserve.  This would result in the addition of  industry that is neither supportive of farming nor open space preservation and that may drive the cost of Reserve acreage further upward and out of the hands of those who seek to farm here.  This effort, ostensibly geared toward job creation, conflicts with ongoing and successful efforts to expand local food production and ag sector employment opportunities  in the Reserve.

4.  The push for a  Potomac bridge and highway crossing: Virgina, with support from development proponents and lobbyists in Maryland, has met with Maryland’s Governor and continues to press for this boondoggle of a project that would split open the Reserve and promote sprawl development.  Our best defense is a Reserve that has been secured,  galvanized, against such a violation through perpetual easements such as Maryland Environmental Trust and solid public and governmental support. Moreover, the strength of our agricultural sector provides solid argument against this ill conceived proposal.

5. Loss of farmers: The average age of Montgomery County farmers is 59.  While there are family farms that have groomed a next generation of producers, a number do not.  We need to do more to help the next generation of producers to get growing.

6. Skyrocketing farmland cost: this is the number one challenge that new and expanding producers cite that prevents them from growing here in Montgomery County.  It is why we launched LandLink with help from farmer Shannon Varley from Bella Terra Farm.

7. Loss of Community Resources: The Reserve saves the County tax revenue.  Reserve communities take very little of  each dollar of tax revenue collected – less than $.75 compared to more that twice that to support the communities elsewhere in the County. Yet, when the economy tanked-  savings were quickly sought via closure of the Reserve’s rural schools (Monocacy Elementary in Barnesville to start) and cutbacks to Ag Services.  To survive and grow, we must ensure that the necessary resources including schools, groundwater, farming support programs, ag related businesses also thrive.

8. Spot Zoning by Special Benefit Permits: Despite the tax payer assisted creation of the large Germantown sports complex, various sporting associations conduct massive regional events on Reserve farmland.  We are told that farms fields are less expensive.  Maybe.  But it really is spot zoning-  providing for large scale recreational facilities that are not allowed in the Reserve and presenting conflict with the primary land use:  farming.  Yet, the political pressure to look the other way apparently is great.

9.  Sand Mound Septic Systems: These systems were intended only to be allowed for failing traditional septic or for lots for farmers’ children, with the purpose of ensuring the continuation of the family farm.  Loopholes have allowed for mansions with mounds that effectively remove land from farming opportunity and create conflict with neighboring farming operations.  2012 should be the year that this is properly addressed and corrected.

10. Lack of Public and Governmental understanding of the Reserve: Much effort is needed to educate the region about the critical importance of preserving the Reserve  and, more importantly, expanding its role in our local food system. We are working to put together a “library” of resources that will address this challenge.

Update:  11/11/11 (neat)

Planning Board has not published decision as yet.  Will keep folks informed. This decision remains very troubling for the County’s communities that properly rely on our local government’s  adherence to their own master plans and regulations.

Despite clear Master Plan guidance, conditions imposed by the County Council and standing law – the Planning Board, without addressing a number of important issues, unanimously approved plans for the outsized church complex on rural Emory Church Road in Olney.  Long time observers of  County politics and planning were stunned at the lockstep vote that came after citizen’s were told that issues relating to the developer’s water/sewer category change, both under PIF and as addressed in Master Plan, would not be considered by the Board.  Incredible and part of a Board trend of total disregard of the County’s master plans. (We saw this during the Barnesville Oaks proceeding.)

________________________________________________________________________

Emails to Park and Planning needed by COB September 7th!

Park and Planning decision on Olney area mega church threatens the integrity of critical policy that protects the Ag Reserve from large scale institutional development!

Need Email to P&P Chair by COB September 7th!

The Short Story:  This project (46,500 square feet, 788 seat house of worship), while just outside the Ag Reserve, is subject to the Public Institutional Facilities policy (PIF) which restricts sewage extension to large scale PIFs in rural zones (including the Ag Reserve). The First Baptist Church of Wheaton knowingly purchased land encumbered by PIF and master plan sewerage restrictions.  This isnot your harmonious scaled to community use facility.This is, like the Global Mission Church near Sugarloaf, MEGA. Yet, Planning Staff has recommended approval of this huge development on narrow, rural Emory Church Road.  At issue is the integrity of both County PIF policy and County master plans.  If these can be violated here… they can be violated anywhere, including in the Ag Reserve.

The Ask:  A quick email urging denial to the Planning Board who will take the matter up on September 8th. Your voice will help not only the Emory Church Road community but also defend against dangerous precedent that would undermine the protection that PIF policy provides elsewhere, including the 93,000 Ag Reserve. Make no mistake, institutions seeking cheaper rural acreage for their mega projects are watching this case closely.

Send emails to:  MCP-Chair@mncppc-mc.org

Neil.Braunstein@montgomeryplanning.org

copy:    info@mocoalliance.org

Email sample (personalize if you can):

Subject Line:  Urge Denial:  Preliminary and Site Plans, First Baptist Church of Wheaton, 120100250 & 820100080

Dear Madame Chair and Members of the Planning Board,

I am a County Resident and support the County’s policies that seek to ensure that our rural lands and communities do not become holding ground for large scale public facilities.  Both the PIF and our Master Plans serve important public purpose.  The large scale church that seeks to build on Emory Church Road should be denied their water/sewer category change and their preliminary and site plans.  Our highest courts agree that the right to worship does not trump public health, environmental, resource laws and policy. There is a vast difference between a community sized house of worship and a mega church. The Olney Master plan does not provide for a facility of this scale in this location for good reason.

I respectfully urge you deny this project at this site.  The church should be encouraged to obtain a site appropriate to their scale, one with infrastructure in place, including sewer and roadways.

The Long Story:

Fact Sheet

Park and Planning Staff Report (this link can be very slow to load)

The court decision that upheld the PIF (despite claims that it abridged right to worship)

The First Baptist Church of Wheaton bought a 14.4-acre piece of property on Emory Church Road in Olney in 2007 (“Site”) and applied for a sewer category change under the County’s PIF policy.  They now seek approval for a 788 seat sanctuary.

Write a quick email to:

Individuals and associations who oppose the preliminary and site plan have urged the Board to find that the Site does not qualify for a sewer extension under the plain language of the PIF policy (in addition to multiple master plan conformance, neighborhood compatibility

to see the full alert, click here

PIF Legislation

Bethel Church Decision

The photos below are from St Paul Community Church, a church that served the freed slaves that settled the Sugarland region of Pooolesville. Learn more about the church here. The band shell shot is in Whalen Commons in Poolesville.  The re-enactors are from the wonderful Washington Revels and the photos were taken by MCA Board member, Dolores Milmoe. Boy, that Abe sure has a healthy appetite!

Learn more about Heritage Days here.

Historic Medley District is the organization responsible for upkeep of many of the Reserve’s historic sites, including the Seneca School House. Learn more about the treasures of our local history and help protect these resources by joining HMD!

At Large Council Member Hans Riemer and his son Henry, age 3, came to the Reserve on April 9th for a grand tour of area farms, historic resources and a view to some of the threats to the continued viability of farming here in Montgomery County. Hey, plus Henry got to hold a chicken and pat a piggy!  Dolores Milmoe of Audubon Naturalist Society and MCA’s executive director Caroline Taylor began the tour at Pooles’ Store in Seneca and led the Reimer boys around the countryside culminating with a visit to the ford on West Old Baltimore Road. There in the chilly, clear waters of Ten Mile Creek,  volunteer stream monitors from Audubon gave evidence to the need for protection of that watershed:  an abundance of micro and macro invertebrates signaling a still high quality stream that faces threat from Clarksburg’s  planned Stage 4 development. MCA Board member, Gwen Reese and Sean and Greg (also on MCA Board) from Rockland’s Farm joined the tour to give both historic and producer prospective.  The day was gray…the tour golden!

August 2011: Still nothing scheduled before the FC Planning Board. Yet, we understand that the applicant has met, behind closed doors, with the FC Health Department staff.  Apparently, GMC is working to back into the restriction of 4999 gpd discharge for their septic system.  So, they go in and indicate that they will have less seats in the dining hall and less seats in the worship hall and several less classrooms.  Now, will that work?  Question has been raised as to whether the amount of alteration to the site plan then becomes a new application thus requiring public process/hearing.  And how does this downsizing on paper jive with the stated (in writing and testimony) desire to have a really big church for a really big congregation? Remember, GMC went to court to battle for a septic system much larger that the 4999 gpd.  They lost. Will keep you posted.

June Update: Nothing yet scheduled before the Planning Board in Frederick.  MCA has made inquiry with MC Planning Commission regarding permits on the MC side and whether they are current and/or in conflict with standing master plans.  Moreover, we have contacted the FC Health Department and expressed concern that the applicant may try to use “meeting” with health department staff to push through modified versions of their plan amounting to new application review without public process.  The applicants history is a checkered one…with small proposals growing…mega.  Donations to the legal fund are welcome as we will likely have to mount a legal case based on zoning, local, state and federal statutes. Make sure you note that your donations is for the Mega Church Legal Fund.

Previously:

Just in:  Decision upholds the Board of Appeals reversal of the denial of the Global Mission Church’s site plan! Read the full court decision here. The Frederick County Attorney’s office will seek guidance from the FC Board of County Commissioners as to whether to pursue further appeal.  Allowing this decision to stand would jeopardize the Planning Board’s authority in land use decisions. The FC Health Department’s denial of the septic system for this facility was based on fact:  current and projected numbers of congregants and building capacity far exceed the septic carrying capacity at this site!  In addition to holding Frederick Planners and Health Department officials to there obligations to ensuring compatibility of land uses to zoning and septic limitations, MCA is evaluating challenges on the Montgomery County side with regard to the road and bridge crossing over fragile Little Bennett.  Opportunities for challenge under both State and Federal statutes exist and will be vigorously pursued by groups and community members if necessary.

Gazette Coverage

MCA attended a hearing (Jan. 19, 2011) in Frederick Circuit Court to address the FC Attorney’s appeal of the FC Board of Appeal’s reversal of the Planning Board’s denial of Global Mission’s site plan application. Wow…that sounds complicated.  Basically, the Frederick County Attorney filed an appeal of the decision to overturn the Planning Board’s decision.  This was the hearing of that appeal.

The short report is that no action was taken by the Judge; we expect a decision on the proceedings in the next 30 days. We will, as always, be providing updates on the process as they become available.

Hearing Summary
The Hearing began with FC Attorney Wendy Kearney laying out the months and years of proceedings in this case, emphasizing at each turn that GMC was not willing to downsize their project to bring it into compliance with the 5,000 gallon/day wastewater discharge limit, to this day the proposed building remains  “a 10 pound building on 5 pound septic system”. She noted that the real crux of the argument is that until the building can be properly scaled to be within the 5,000 gpd cap, the health department can’t approve it, and as a result under state law the Planning Commission can’t approve the site plan.

To head off the violation of due process claims from GMC, Ms. Kearney noted that the BOA hearing (many MCA members will remember this 11 hour hearing) did not focus on the record but was instead a de novo (do-over, all new) hearing that would fix any slights GMC thought they got at the hands of the Planning Commission. Those who were there will remember the hours of cross examination, even cross examination of members of the public. The decision in that hearing came a few weeks after that marathon session, the record had been closed but one BOA member brought new EPA documents he found in an internet search into the decision making process. Despite the BOA Attorney’s cautionary advice, mention of these documents appeared in the final decision. This is not only sloppy practices, it is grounds for reversal- which is why when a motion to reconsider (and either add those docs to the record to disregard them) was denied by the BOA, the FC Attorneys had to take the matter to Circuit Court.

Ms. Kearney having caught the judge up on the back story, GMC’s counsel Danny O’Connor spoke on the County’s attempts to, “play gotcha with my client, put them in a catch 22.” Mr. O’Connor made a number of statements that misrepresented prior hearings, the main theme of his argument being that the Health Department changed the formula by which gallons/day were calculated, and did so days before a Planning Commission hearing. In her rebuttal to Mr. O’Connor’s comments, Ms. Kearney explained what anyone following this case knows to be true; that the Health Department was working with a reported number of sanctuary seats, assuming one or two services per Sunday. When they made the first calculations they did not know about a.) the 6 services planned each Sunday b.) the extra three story building holding 67 classrooms. Once FC Health Department Staff learned the true scope of the project, they revised their calculations up to reflect the increased use the building would get (6 gallons per day per sanctuary seat instead of 3 gpd). Obviously, the increased use meant increased wastewater discharge, taking the building far above the allowable 5,000 gallons/day. Again, “a 10 pound building on a 5 pound tank,” as Ms. Kearney said.

After each side laid out their arguments, the Judge asked about the implications of upholding (allowing the, in our eyes faulty, BOA decision to stand) or denying this case (letting the Planning Commission’s denial stand, our preferred option). The Judge was surprised to learn that GMC could have started over with a new site plan at any time. GMC’s lawyers explained that there were a number of new site development regulations in effect that the plan would be held to if they re-started the process, not to mention the cost of re-doing the plans. FC Attorney Kathy Mitchell clarified that GMC would be subject to new waste water rules even if they stuck with their current plan.  In favor of denial, Ms. Kearney pointed out that the voluminous record in the case (which took three Courthouse staffers to move), would only grow larger with more hearings as the result of upholding the BOA.Additionally, both the BOA and Planning Commission each have two new members that would have to either re-hear the case or spend many, many  hours reviewing the record.

Ms. Kearney made the most compelling argument of all based on what she identified as the most important fact in this case; unless GMC is willing to drastically downsize the size of their buildings, hearings could continue to drag on with no approval of their site plan.

Read on for more info and a link to the archives…

The saga continues as Global Mission Church (GMC) attempts to build a 135,000 sq ft mega church off rt 109 in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain with little regard for the rural community and its natural and historic resources. Take note: GMC is ultimately seeking a facility in excess of 200,000 sq. ft.!

On March 25th, the Frederick County Board of Appeals (BOA) voted 4-1 to send the decision on the GMC site plan back to the Planning Commission for further proceedings. Despite excellent testimony from residents and FC staff, and supported by a record demonstrating that GMC had ample opportunity to present and discuss their plan, the BOA wanted to give the church more time to meet with county staff to discuss the site plan.

MCA disagrees with the BOA’s decision because:

»The Church had already been granted customary and reasonable staff consultation time.
» Despite being told that the plan would exceed the septic capacity of 4,999 gallon per day, the church has failed to significantly change their plan in any way that would bring it into compliance.
»The Planning Commission voted to deny the GMC site plan because they were bound by law to do so. If the Health Department does not approve a septic system to be associated with a project, the Planning Commission is required to deny the site plan application.

The Frederick County Attorney’s office agrees with us on these points and is seeking to appeal the BOA decision in the Frederick Co. Circuit Court. In the BOA proceedings, County Attorney Wendy Kearney said that this was the most clear cut case for denial of an appeal that she has ever seen. And still, the BOA found in favor of the Church.

What’s Next?

The FC Attorney’s office Petition for Reconsideration is wending it’s way through the process, including a 30 day window for those who may file in opposition. We are monitoring the process closely and will update you when the court decides whether to take the appeal. We understand that parties may file friend of court statements, at appropriate time, in support of the County Attorney’s office. Please update us on any news you may have, including any activity at the proposed building site.

To read previous posts on GMC, click here and scroll down.

A Gazette article reports, “A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary Church in Barnesville followed by a gathering at the town’s pavilion”

Historic St. Paul Church glowed brightly Sunday, December 12th as the guests were treated to an eclectic and flowing series of performances. Church trustee and historian, Gwen Reese, shared some history of the Church and the historic Sugarland Forest Community.  Then,  Dominique Agnew and Becky Ross of Violinsanity brought both classical pieces and traditional holiday favorites to life with exquisite original arrangements.  The crowd joined in song and called for more.  MCA Board member and AmKolel Sanctuary founder, Reb. David Shneyer answered with his fine acoustic set of folk and spiritual songs, punctuated with tales of environmental activism and trips to the hoosgow.  Wrapping up the evening, Bob Israel and his Total Eclipse band members, Chris Battistone and George  Hyde  offered up some soulful, smooth and festive jazz.  The horn solo of Silent Night was extraordinary.

Event goers called for a repeat in 2011…and so we shall.

What a way to celebrate the season and join together for preservation!  The evening’s proceeds will go to both MCA and St. Paul Community Church.

Violinsanity kicked things off with a carol sing-a-long

"Rockin" Rabbi David

Members of Total Eclipse, George Hyde, Bob Israel and Chris Battistone

George Hyde on Bass

Chris Battisone with a moving "silent night"

Here is your chance to learn more about the musicians that will be offering said “Sounds.”

Violinsanity

Dominique and Becky listen to a clip

Violinsanity musicians, Poolesville based violinists Dominique Agnew and Becky Ross, began playing together as a way of sharing their love of Classical music. In a desire to share their enthusiasm, they began performing and have performed for weddings, parties, receptions, various fundraising events, and teas.

Rabbi David

Rabbi David Shneyer is the founder, director and spiritual leader of Am Kolel. Reb David studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary and in Israel, earning degrees in Judaic studies from Rutgers University and Baltimore Hebrew College. He received his “semicha” ordination from the Aleph Seminary founded by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shlomi. The past president of Ohalah, the Rabbinic Association of Jewish Renewal Rabbis, Reb David is also an accomplished musician, founding and leading The Fabrangen Fiddlers, and a composer of new liturgical music. He also helped found Jews United for Justice, and is active in the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Rabbis for Human Rights and other social justice organizations. Reb David is also the spiritual leader of Kehila Chadasha, a havurah based in Bethesda.

Bob Israel and Chris Battistone

A true fixture in the D.C. music scene, Bob Israel is known to many as the talent buyer for Blue’s Alley who negotiates, books(ed) and produces top notch acts. As a performer, Bob Israel has performed in concert with Nancy Wilson, Stanley Turrentine, Harry Connick, Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Wilson and Steve Allan. All together Bob has produced over 2000 shows in his tenure at Blues Alley as well as numerous shows at the Kennedy Center, Warner Theatre , Lisner Auditorium and other night clubs. His company, Bob Israel Entertainment services (BIES), has been in business for twenty years and buys talent for Blues Alley, Arturo’s in Detroit and produces the Children’s Hospital musical events, the National Cathedral Centennial event and other programs through out Washington.
His new project, Total Eclipse, features elements of Jazz, Blues Rock, and some Blue Grass and features some of the area finest players and teachers.

Originally from Frederick, Maryland, Chris Battistone attended the University of North Texas. While in school, he played professionally in the Dallas area before receiving a degree in Jazz Education in 1983. After graduating, he joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra and toured the United States and Europe. He returned to the Washington area in 1984, and has since then stayed active as a free-lance musician. He was a member of legendary guitarist Danny Gatton’s band, as well as that of local saxophonist Ron Holloway. He appears on several albums by both performers, as well as those of numerous local jazz artists. Chris plays trumpet in Total Eclipse.