Rockville councilmember accuses Sentinel newspaper of stealing artwork

Rockville's Sentinel newspaper is coming under fire from the city councilman often the target of its political cartoons. Councilmember Tom Moore says the paper is "systematically stealing artwork" for those illustrations. Moore produced multiple examples of artwork sourced from other artists' works, then apparently repurposed for cartoons published by The Sentinel, on his blog yesterday.

According to Moore's research, the cartoons have taken material from cartoonists Jeff Parker, Walt Handelsman, and Mike Shapiro, among others.

Moore acknowledges readily in his post that he is "the target of many of the Sentinel's cartoons," but says he is "truly offended by the Sentinel’s laziness and its disregard for the intellectual property of its journalism colleagues."

At face value, the evidence Moore presents is certainly credible and compelling. If there was a licensing arrangement permitting use of the artwork, similar to stock photography, obviously only the paper or cartoonist can speak to that. At least one of the cartoonists Moore quoted, Shapiro, seemed to have no awareness that his work had been used.

If the cartoons' creator, William Charles, or The Sentinel would like to respond with their side of the story, I will be glad to print their response. Email me at robert1999 [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Choice Hotels' street name proposal on hold until June

Choice Hotels' decision to not send a representative to last night's Rockville Planning Commission meeting, to discuss the company's request to change the name of Renaissance Street, didn't exactly grease the wheels for a redesignation. Some on the commission suggested it would have been more helpful to have someone from company there to discuss the issue.

The new street, which runs between E. Middle Lane and the Regal Cinemas alongside the Cambria Hotel & Suites, shares a name with a competing hotel brand. As it turned out, the one point the commission agreed upon was that the names suggested by Choice weren't adequate to justify the change.

Among the names floated by Choice's application request are Exchange Drive, Catalyst Drive, Synergy Road and Innovation Drive. Commissioner Jack Leiderman found those "frankly, boring" compared to the existing Renaissance name. He said that one company's anxiety over branding shouldn't outweigh the interests of citizens, businesses and other stakeholders, and that there was a substantial public investment in the redevelopment there over the years.

Commissioner David Hill argued that Choice Hotels had made a significant investment in the city, by locating its international headquarters there. Leiderman noted that the city had already acquiesced to allow Choice to name its tiny street in front of its building a few years ago.

Chair Don Hadley and Commissioner John Tyner were willing to consider the request, even offering some potential names or concepts. Tyner felt the name should reflect activity, while Hadley suggested that the city contemplate a name that reflects public use. Hill threw out "Agora", the Greek term for "gathering space."

Commissioner Charles Littlefield said he would be more inclined to take the request seriously if the company showed it, too, was serious by sending a representative to engage the commission.

Staff Liaison Andrew Gunning said he would attempt to get some public input on the name change, if feasible. The issue will return for further discussion and update at the next two meetings, on June 10 and June 18.

Choice Hotels street name change on Rockville Planning Commission agenda tonight

The Choice Hotels request to change the name of Renaissance Street alongside its new Cambria Hotel and Suites in Rockville Town Center was withdrawn temporarily a few weeks ago. But it returns to the agenda of the Rockville Planning Commission tonight.

Importantly, the proposed options for the new name have changed. The new choices (no pun intended) are Exchange Drive, Catalyst Drive, Synergy Road and Innovation Drive.

This is the only main agenda item for the commission tonight. The meeting will be at 7:30 PM at City Hall, and will also be broadcast live on Rockville Channel 11.

Patient First to open in Rockville June 3 (Photo)

Patient First, an urgent care medical clinic, will open June 3 at 726 Rockville Pike. Ramin Mazhari, M.D. will be the Medical Director at the clinic, and Robyn Terrell, R.N. will serve as Director of Medical Support for the facility. This is the second such clinic to open on the Pike in recent months.

Rockville construction update: Kung Fu Tea (Photos)

Kung Fu Tea is one of several Asian-owned businesses moving into the 275 N. Washington Street development by JBG. The restaurants and shops hope to open this summer. This development is part of Town Center Phase II.

Cambria Suites hotel opens in Rockville (Photos)

Cambria Hotel & Suites, a Choice Hotels lodging property, has quietly opened with little public relations fanfare in Rockville's town center.

The hotel chain's headquarters is directly across E. Middle Lane.

I'm surprised there was no ribbon-cutting announced to the press. How will the public know the hotel is open without press coverage?

Finnegan's Wake Irish pub coming to Rockville Town Square

Finnegan's Wake, an Irish pub, has just leased the space at 100-F Gibbs Street in Rockville Town Square. This is welcome news, as Rockville currently lacks an Irish pub. Stay tuned for more details.