The Randolph Civic Foundation is pleased to an- nounce the new RCF Block Party Sponsorship Program. In case you havenÕt heard the term before, a Block Party is an event where a resident of the community, with the help and agreement of their neighbors, closes off one or more blocks of a neighborhood street to throw a big outdoor party. These events can range from simple affairs, with light refreshments and kids enjoying the freedom of riding their bikes and scooters up and down the quiet street, all the way to extravagant carnivals, with food, drink, live music -- you name it. Due to their current popularity nation- wide, ideas for planning Block Parties are easily available online, with a few sample links available on the Foundation website.

Here is the process for putting together a Block Party:

• Approach your neighbors and agree on a date and time
• Plan the food and entertainment and delegate responsibilities
• Submit a completed Sponsorship Request Form (PDF) to the Randolph Civic Foundation
• Allow up to one week for Board approval
• Upon approval, apply for a permit through the county, which can be downloaded from the county website.
• Request an event announcement in the Echo (optional)
• Put up flyers or deliver door to door
• After the event, submit receipts for food/non-alcohol drinks/entertainment, along with a copy of the county permit
• The Randolph Civic Foundation will reimburse up to $150

Visit www.ourblocks.net for more information on block parties.

By Matthew Tifford

Two years ago, The Randolph Civic Foundation raised money for a family on Randolph Road whose house burned down. Likewise, we will be collecting donations for a fund to help the family whose house exploded last night and neighboring families who have been forced from their homes. As yet we don't have all the details about them.

If you would like to help, please consider donating. Your tax-deductible donation should be payable to the Randolph Civic Foundation, with "Disaster Relief Fund" in the memo field of the check. 100% of all funds collected will go to these families.

Please send donations to:

The Randolph Civic Foundation
4707 Coachway Drive
North Bethesda, MD 20852

By Matthew Tifford

I don't know about you, but for us at the Randolph Civic Foundation, the summer went by all too fast. Nevertheless, rested and rejuvenated, your Foundation is ready to get the ball rolling on neighborhood beautification projects. Keep a look out; this year the RCF will be adopting a road in the community. While easy access to public transportation is one of the many assets we enjoy, one unwanted side effect is periodic littering near bus stops. Working together, we can keep our roads litter free. Please let us know if you would like to help out.

Do you have a green thumb? We need you! Please consider helping us maintain our neighborhood flower beds. As you may have seen or read about in the summer Echo, scout Eric Uglem led a group of volunteers who painted the wood and upgraded the flower beds at four of our neighborhood signs. These flower beds will need some periodic maintenance throughout the year to stay in top shape. We will also be taking over maintenance of new landscaping and a rain garden as part of the coming picnic shelter at Randolph Hills Local Park.

As we have since the Foundation first began, the RCF is proud to sponsor our local scouting and youth organizations. Our community has always been generous in its support. Please help us to continue that tradition.

Last year, many of you gave generously to our Sign fund. We are hoping that you will all give again, and encourage your neighbors to give as well! We have been researching designs and meeting with sign companies, and believe me, signs are not cheap! However, while pricey, signs are a worthwhile investment. Prominent and well-placed neighborhood entrance signs bring enormous benefit to a community. They help create what urban planners call a "sense of place", a quality that can increase our enjoyment of our homes, encourage community participation, improve property values, and calm cut-through traffic. We also would like to put a call out to anyone who might have any skills and experience that would help, including architects, designers, trade professionals, and landscapers.

One more thing! When you donate to the RCF this year, please check to see if your employer matches charitable donations. The RCF is a registered 501 (C)3 non-profit corporation. So, any donations made to the RCF are eligible for employer matching programs and tax-deductible as well. We appreciate your help. Working together we can achieve great things!

The RCF will accept donations from individuals, corporations, and from the RCA. Contributions to the RCF are deductible as we are a 501(c)(3) organization.

The ECHO (which is educational in its own right) will carry articles and information about the RCF such as: ongoing activities, meeting minutes, and financial reports.