what's up the pike: spring break!

If you or someone you know is in Montgomery County Public Schools, you're on spring break this week! That potentially means a slow week for news here in East County, but here's what I was able to dig up:

- In case you missed it, check out our latest news on the Woodside skate spot, which could open as early as this summer.

- Ceviche's been closed for barely a week, but a new use is already on its way. Local band Tigertronic will take over the shuttered bar overlooking Ellsworth Drive during the Human Rights Art Festival late next month, according to the event's Facebook page. They'll be playing music and hosting dances at night during the three-day festival, which is a pretty big deal and merits some serious blog posts in the near future. When it's over, Downtown Silver Spring manager Jennifer Nettles says they'll be looking for a new restaurant to move in permanently.

- Why move to Burtonsville? Afghan food, or more specifically, the Afghan food at Maiwand Kabob on Route 198. "I've lived in Burtonsville for a few years now, and this place makes me happy to keep living here (not too many other reasons!)," writes this commenter on Yelp.

- Are you afraid of the crowds downtown for this year's Cherry Blossom Festival? I am. You might want to check out Silver Spring's very own Big Cherry Block Party, taking place on Ellsworth from 11am to 6pm this Saturday, April 3, also known as my birthday. Celebrate all things Japanese with origami demonstrations, traditional dance, and J-Pop music. We'll even get our very own cherry blossom tree in a planting ceremony.

- From the listservs: editor of Washington Gardener magazine and friend of JUTP Kathy Jentz is launching a Lawn Flamingo Adoption Program. "I'll take in any homeless, legless, faded, or unwanted birds and give them a good home," she writes. Jentz is collecting flamingos for an art project.

- Are you interested in learning about a history of Washington, D.C. that doesn't have anything to do with presidents? Georgetown resident Cecily sent us a link over the weekend to her blog Quondam Washington, with everything from ghost stories to old photos of the nation's capitol. Check it out!