Rockville Pike tree massacre

There's been a tree massacre on the east side of Rockville Pike near Talbott Street. An unidentified crew clearcut all of the trees along the access road in front of the Bassett Furniture and former funeral home. Once a shady stretch, it's now like a desert, as these before and after photos and video show.

Compare this Google Street View photo
to the photo of the same scene yesterday at
the top of this article

More scenes from before the environmental destruction that has taken place, above and all photos below:

Rockville Mayor & Council back Paris climate accord

Rockville's Mayor and Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday night supporting the Paris climate accord. President Trump recently announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the accord, citing its economic impact on American businesses and jobs.

The Montgomery County Council recently adopted a similar resolution, as did Washington, D.C.

It's unclear what impact such votes have beyond the political. They do not put us back into the Paris deal, and Gov. Larry Hogan's environmental policies are already far more stringent on Maryland than the Paris accord would have been.

At least Rockville has not made the absurd claim the Montgomery County Council recently did - that they could negate the environmental impact of the Paris withdrawal in the air over Montgomery County. You can't make this stuff up, folks.

Rockville Planning Commission to assess City's environmental status (Photos)

Locations of green buildings
in Rockville today

The Rockville Planning Commission will receive a presentation on current and future environmental conditions across the City at its meeting tonight, November 18, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. A report released in advance has metrics for existing green buildings, hazardous contaminated sites, soil erosion, flood plains, and where high-risk dams are located.

Every 10 years, municipalities are required under Maryland law to produce such assessments. In this case, the report will aid commissioners in considering how they will incorporate environmental concerns into the Master Plan update currently underway. The environmental report itself is not making specific recommendations in that regard.

The four high-risk
dams holding back water
in Rockville (noted
in red)

Chevrolet Spark EV arrives in Rockville (Photos)

The new Chevrolet Spark electric vehicle has arrived at Ourisman Chevrolet in Rockville. Available for only around $13,000 after tax breaks, it is revolutionary for that reason - making an electric car affordable to almost any consumer.

Maryland is one of only 3 states where the car is sold, and the first on the East Coast.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY GREEN FORUM WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN SILVER SPRING, 7:00 PM

Today is Earth Day. But Wednesday night (April 23) in Silver Spring, you can find out what Montgomery County candidates have to say about environmental issues, at a Green Forum sponsored by Conservation Montgomery. The forum will be moderated by ABC 7 weekend morning anchor Kathy Park, and include all candidates running for County Executive and County Council.

Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions via index cards. The event is free, but registration will guarantee you a seat, and a chance to submit your question(s) early for the candidates online. Registration is not required, however.

The forum will be held from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Parking is available in the public garage directly across Ellsworth Drive from the building.

Silver Spring Civic Building

1 Ellsworth Drive

Silver Spring