Sultry sounds of jazz pulsate through the veins of the audience as a live band performs. Instruments ringing through the air, feet tapping and limber bodies dance to the rhythm of the city. Children chattering, car horns honking, droves of people fill the crowd. Flashing lights illuminate the town from the Majestic Theater and a sign reads: "‘Avatar' now playing in 3D."
"Welcome to Baja Fresh, may I take your order?" Silence in Borders as eager students crack open their favorite book for the first time, pages turning, eyes scrolling across the pages anxiously awaiting the next sentence.
The downtown area of the city has grown over the past few years. Silver Spring, Md. is approximately eight miles from the heart of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Located in Montgomery County, it is the second largest city in the state of Maryland and is full of entertainment, culture, community centers and restaurants.
Home to over 82,000 people, the 9.2 square mile city is a developing area that many new professionals, business people and youth are moving to.
Some Howard University students are not aware of the opportunities and activities available a short ride from campus.
"Silver Spring – I could tell you right now that I know nothing about the area," said Darryl Whitfield, a freshman business management major from Lexington, Ky.
"This area has really grown up before our eyes. There is plenty to do and lots to experience," said Sara Cherner, program assistant at Caroll House Men's Shelter.
Silver Spring is a thriving city for the middle class and the estimated median household income is $71,606 annually.
Downtown Silver Spring has an array of new restaurants such as Cake Love, which opened its doors in 2006 and was voted Best Bakery of 2009.
Barbara Tillman, a psychiatrist in the area, headed over to the bakery to get a Red Velvet cupcake.
"I was over at Borders and decided to give them a try and it was delicious. This area has brought in jobs and the community has really sprung up."
Every week, an array of events are offered at the community's disposal. On Mondays, an acoustic open mic at the Austin Grill gives new artists an opportunity to get their feet wet and share their talent. For chess lovers, Wednesdays may be the best time to visit the Long Branch Library. The chess club there invites people of all skill levels to play with each other or learn how to play for the first time.
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday last month, the American Film Institute Theater hosted a free screening of a film that was released in 1970, "King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis."
The movie includes documentary footage of King in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and footage of his "I Have a Dream" Speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
To commemorate Black History Month, the White Oak Library participated in an African American book discussion group. "Stand the Storm" by Breena Clarke was the book of choice for discussion. The book was released last year and tells the story of slaves living in Georgetown before the Civil War.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!