By the end of the year MTA officials hope to complete the analysis, gather public comment and submit a locally preferred alternative to the Transportation Secretary and Governor Martin O’Malley for approval to move into the preliminary engineering phase.

Read the full story in the July 20 edition of The Town Courier.

Schwarz said the city does not keep a log of the planning tours done over the years, but she recalls groups coming from places as far away as Korea, China and Canada and others from Nevada, Pennsylvania, Prince George’s County and Virginia.

“Our department has done tours for the American Planning Association and the Urban Land Institute as part of their national conferences held in Washington, D.C.,” said Schwarz. “Tours have also been done for groups such as local college classes, municipal/county officials and their department representatives, planning commissioners and developers.”

Schwarz was involved in three tours within the past year and two tours the year before.

“In my estimation, the number of tour requests has really gone down from five to 10 years ago,” said Schwarz.

City Council member Michael Sesma recently helped lead a city-wide tour of visiting officials who were in the Washington, D.C., area for a National League of Cities (NLC) committee meeting, and he said one visiting official was so taken away with the Kentlands neighborhood she wanted to know the residency requirements to run for city office here.

Schwarz said the Kentlands Community Foundation (KCF) and Duany, Plater- Zyberk & Company also provide tours of the Kentlands and Lakelands communities. “Some of the tours that the city has participated in are coordinated through either of their offices,” she said.

Both DPZ and KCF officials say tours remain popular with visitors.

In fact, the foundation recently redesigned the Docent Walking Tours of Kentlands brochure to include more photos and historical information providing visitors with the option of a self guided tour if they choose. According to the KCF’s annual report, docent-led walking tours are offered generally from spring to fall and include a 90-minute tour and talk of the new urbanism concept of Kentlands and the history and design principles behind the creation of the community.

For more information, www.kentlands.org.

Cuthbert, who has been working as a production assistant, begins work as a trainee in July. As a trainee he also becomes a second assistant director (AD). Typically AD’s become producers as well as unit production managers. They can also become directors, though many do not. DGA trainees also receive courses in cinematography, film law, contracts and computer applications for film and more.

The main benefit to his career, says Cuthbert, is that the Guild finds work for him in all areas of production: commercials, TV scripted shows, features, videos — even game shows. The downside is that his work schedule will increase for the next 400, and he can expect no vacations.

Cuthbert worked for the past season and a half on “Desperate Housewives” and is currently working on a film, “Hop,” in which Russell Brand is the voice of the Easter Bunny. The film also stars Kaley Cuoco of “The Big Bang Theory,” James Marsden and Elizabeth Perkins.

His previous worked included “Whip It!”, “Get Him to the Greek,” “Fame,” “Hereafter” with Clint Eastwood, “The Storm,” and “Death at a Funeral,” among other projects.

Lakelands resident Josh Bernstein practices with his band, Pulse, at Bach to Rock. Pulse will play at the Star Diner outdoor concert series June 19.

He said his plan will help small businesses by lowering their tax burden, improving unemployment insurance and changing the mindset of leaders in state government.

“Job creation is not an election year talking point. It is a governing philosophy, one that has been nonexistent in Annapolis for four years,” Ehrlich said. “As governor, I will start treating small business owners as a source of new jobs, not a source of new tax revenue.”

At Ehrlich’s side during the campaign event was Adam Greenberg, the president of Potomac Pizza. Greenberg launched his small business as an ice cream shop in 1992 with 20 employees. Today, he has four pizza restaurants and 130 employees, but Greenberg said his steady growth has been slowed by the dire economy. So he is taking a step back on growth, stating that he is waiting “for Bob, the man who should be governor.”

Ehrlich used Greenberg’s small business story as an example of the American dream as he detailed his vision for economic recovery in Maryland.

Also at the campaign event was Paula Ross, president of the Kentlands Downtown Partnership (KDP). Ross said the KDP does not endorse any political candidates, but she said she was pleased to see a candidate in a statewide race talking about the economy with Kentlands as the backdrop.

Currently under construction is the installation of a new riser structure in the wooded area between Massbury Street and Kent Oaks Mews that will allow for better drainage, according to Public Works Director Jim Arnoult.

The Kentlands Citizens’ Assembly approached the city with concerns of pooling water on the path near the area and the possibility of water damaging the homes nearby.

The $25,000 structure has a better opening in a modified location that will prevent debris from clogging the pipe. Arnoult said the project will cost $10,000 less than the $35,000 budgeted for it.

In an effort to avoid damage to the path around a section of Inspiration Lake, crews spread mulch on both sides of the path. Arnoult said the mulch helps the edges of the path from breaking off when trucks carrying heavy equipment travel to the work site.

“The pre-cast iron riser was very heavy, and we didn’t want to ruin the path,” he said.

Upon completion of the project, which is expected by mid-June, the mulch will be removed.

Clogged pipes are the cause of another pending project in Lake Varuna, only this time beavers are the culprit. Arnoult said beavers have been a persistent problem in the lake this year, and the lake water level will be lowered by 5 feet so crews can install a fence around the low flow outfall pipe.

“We cleared the pipe last week and had to do it again yesterday,” said Arnoult on June 2. By state law, the beavers cannot be relocated so the fence is the best solution.

Another project the city will tackle is a new path to connect Still Creek Lane in Lakelands to Md. Route 28. This will include the addition of a culvert under the path.

“The new path needs to pass water under the embankment,” explained Arnoult. Construction on the path and culvert is expected to begin later this summer, and the city was expected to bid out the project in the coming weeks.

Lastly, the pavement on Kentlands Boulevard at the intersection of Great Seneca Highway will get a facelift. Wear and tear on the highly traveled section of road has caused the pavement to form deep grooves, making it a hazard for vehicles and pedestrians.

“It’s tough for the snow plows to do an effective job and could be dangerous for vehicles,” said Arnoult.

By grinding down the grooves caused by heavy vehicles, Arnoult said the work will create a smoother, more level surface that will be safer and easier for the snow plows next winter.