What's happening at IMPACT?

�etwork Spotlight: Small Business Owner Jose Melara

Jose Melara of Cyber Web Latino | 8703 Flower Avenue | 301-920-0605

Only a year ago Jose Melara opened Cyber Web Latino II, a computer repair shop and internet cafe, in the heart of Long Branch on Flower Avenue. Until then he had been running a similar store in Langley Park, which, after years of steady business, he felt they were beginning to outgrow. Melara believed that the long and spacious Flower store front would be perfect for making customers more comfortable to relax and feel at home.

While their main service is to fix computers, "since the beginning the idea has been to create a safe place for people in the community to get together and just hang out," says Melara. To this end Melara installed a cafe bar, several large flat screen TVs and created a lounge area near the entrance. In addition, since late June Melara has been graciously allowing the Long Branch Sewing Circle to use the shop's empty basement to hold their classes and store their materials.

And while his vision of creating a buzzing community hang out spot hasn't yet been fully realized--in part due to the slow economy--he says "we're getting there bit by bit." Living less than two blocks away from the shop, Melara cares deeply for the Long Branch community and would love to have the chance to meet you--whether just for a chat or to attend to any of your computer needs!

�etwork Building in Workforce Circle

After seven months together, the IMPACT workforce development circle is coming to a close at the end of this month. Members have learned new tools from each other, and tapped their shared networks for support and accountability. Last week, the members created a map of their personal board of directors, gathering support from others to strengthen pathways for jobs. We encourage you to read more about ways to build neighborhood networks like the workforce circle in our Call to Action.

Youth Practice Healthy Cooking and Eating in Gaithersburg

This summer the Gaithersburg Neighborhood Opportunity Network is again partnering with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) of the University of Maryland's Cooperative Extension Program to provide a series of five, free 1 ½ hour sessions to help children ages 8-11 from limited income and culturally diverse families learn more about healthy cooking and eating. In each class students will cook and taste what they make.

Whole Foods Market Kentlands will be offering an extra session featuring a healthy cooking demonstration for the kids using produce from the nearby Emory Center Community Garden where some of the children's families have a plot.

For more information, please contact Kerry McCarthy at 410.856.1850 or kerrym@umd.edu.

Upcoming Events

East County Latin Jazz Fandango!

Enjoy local Latin jazz artists at a free concert at The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew tonight, Wednesday, July 20th at 7pm. The Church is located at 15300 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905. The concert is sponsored by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Neighborhood Opportunity Network and the host church.

Montgomery County's Summer Swings Concert Series

Thursdays in July - 7-9pm Civic Building at Veterans Plaza

Friday Live! Series

June 24th - August 12th, 7-9pm This Friday: Flo Anito – Pop with a Twist of Jazz

Call to Action

Wheaton �etwork Organizer Position.

IMPACT Silver Spring seeks an enthusiastic self-starter, who is bilingual in Spanish and English, to be intimately involved in the administration and project coordination of the community building activities in Wheaton, through the Neighborhood Opportunity Network. The goals of this initiative areto (1) Ensure that diverse residents have access to the services they need; (2) Help neighbors emerge from isolation through new networks of support; and (3) Reveal a path toward long-term economic recovery and civic empowerment.This position offers an opportunity to learn about grassroots community organizing, especially for candidates interested in building stronger rental communities in apartment complexes in a multicultural setting. Please contact Noelle Haile at noelle@impactsilverspring.org to find out more about the position and for a detailed job description.

Soccer Lovers �eeded for Upcoming IMPACT Youth Soccer Tournamen IMPACT's Long Branch Athletic Association will be holding a Back-to-School soccer tournament in late August to kick off the fall season and to raise money for Long Branch youth to participate in the Takoma Soccer league. If you are interested in volunteering or contributing to this event, please contact Chris Wilhelm at chris@impactsilverspring.org.

Volunteer Instructors �eeded for the Weekly English Learning Circle in Wheaton The Wheaton Neighborhood Opportunity Network invites bilingual (Spanish & English) volunteer instructors and youth to support the English Learning Circle in the weekly English Learning Circle at the Tuesdays Together Gathering. If you are interested, please contact Noelle Haile at noelle@impactsilverspring.org

Join Silver Spring Green! Silver Spring Green is a new nonprofit organization bringing together businesses, civic organizations, residents and government to enhance Silver Spring's environment, economy and collective sense of community. Silver Spring Green wants to hear from YOU. Follow this link to take their online survey

and to learn more about this important local movement!

Resources

Silver Spring FRESHFARM Market

Lots of new fruits and vegetables at market this week. Atwater's will have zucchini-walnut and blueberry muffins, Copper Pot will have corn soup. Sligo Creek Farm will have black beans, Spiral Path Farm will have green beans and eggplant & Evensong Farm will have purple scallions, tarragon and lemon thyme, all $3 a bunch.

Also, check out live music from Snakehead Run, Kim Reynolds & the Highland Lassies!

Weekly 'Tuesdays Together' Gathering

Join us every Tuesday evening to meet and connect with your neighbors, share your ideas and concerns for the community, and learn about resources and the Wheaton Neighborhood Opportunity network. For more information or to get involved please contact Noelle at noelle@impactsilverspring.org

Catholic Charities Offices 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD

6:00PM - 8:00PM

Fenton Street Market: 9am - 3pm Every Saturday

Every week there's something different at the Fenton Street Market, an outdoor market in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, that celebrates Silver Spring's diverse and eclectic community. Stop by and purchase clothing, antiques, jewelry and much more!

Little Tots AM & PM Bring the wee ones and join us for an hour of free entertainment, DIY crafts and snacks! Join us again for Little Tots PM at 6:30pm for an hour of free entertainment and snacks! Hard to choose between the two? Come to both Little Tots sessions!!! The series will run May 25th - August 10th.

Gymboree for Little Tots AM and Sugarfoots for PM! Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 30 years. Today there are over 550 locations in 30 countries, making us the global leader in early childhood development programs. Designed by experts, our age-appropriate activities help develop the cognitive, physical and social skills of children as they play. Our programs

are also recognized for their unique approach to parent involvement-which encourages participation in and understanding of each child's development.

ArtSpring

Saturday & Wednesday Afternoons, 1-3pm $3.00 per child Kids!!! Come to ArtSpring and make jewelry, masks, headdresses, Chinese New Year dragons, kachina dolls, Christmas decorations, Kwanzaa greetings, Cinco de Mayo Maracas, Hannnukha gifts, Huichol Yarn painting, and much more!!! P.O. Box 8397 Silver Spring, MD 20907

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