Takoma Park was founded by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert in 1883 and incorporated in 1890. It was the first planned commuter suburb in the area, and also bore aspects of a spa and trolley park. For many decades it was world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist church denomination, which has a college, hospital, and radio station there.

Since before the incorporation of Takoma Park in 1890, the Montgomery/Prince George's County boundary cut through the current city boundaries, but pursuant to a popular referendum, and subsequent approval by both counties' councils, and the Maryland General Assembly, on July 1, 1997 the county line was moved to include all of the city in Montgomery County, including some territory newly annexed to the city at the time. (Residents in the Prince Georges portion disliked having to pay higher insurance rates, and being part of a county noted for its much higher crime and lower public school scores). At one time an extension of Interstate 95, also known as the North Central Freeway, was proposed that would have cut the city in two. Sam Abbott and others successfully campaigned to prevent this.

Also dividing the community is the boundary line of the District of Columbia, which contains part of the original Gilbert tract. This area is now known as Takoma, Washington, D.C. While politically separate from Takoma Park, Maryland, it shares its history and much of its culture.

The city of Takoma Park is just northeast of Washington, D.C. at latitude 38°59' North, longitude 77°0' West. The Takoma Park community (as distinct from the actual incorporated area) spills over the D.C.-Maryland line into the Takoma neighborhood of the District, the Carole Highlands neighborhood of Prince George's County, and parts of Silver Spring. However, these neighborhoods are politically separate from the City of Takoma Park. (Benjamin Franklin Gilbert's original planned community included land on both sides of the D.C.-Maryland line.)

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²), all land, although Sligo Creek and Long Branch (both tributaries of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River) flow through the city.

Takoma Park is an ethnically diverse city, with a large proportion of the population being recent immigrants.

As of the of 2000, there were 17,299 people, 6,893 households, and 3,949 families residing in the city. The population density was 8,152.4 people per square mile (3,150.6/km²). There were 7,187 housing units at an average density of 3,387.0/sq mi (1,308.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 48.79% White, 33.97% African American, 0.44% Native American, 4.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.44% from other races, and 4.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.42% of the population.

There were 6,893 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,490, and the median income for a family was $63,434. Males had a median income of $40,668 versus $35,073 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,437. About 8.4% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.

Takoma Park is known as an extremely liberal community, sometimes called "the Berkeley of the East"  or "The People's Republic of Takoma Park." The City Council voted unanimously in 1983 to become a nuclear free zone. As a result, no city purchases or investments can be carried out with entities that make nuclear weapons, components or delivery systems. In accordance with the city's principles, Takoma Park allows non-U.S.-citizen residents to vote in their own municipal elections. The city was also forbidden, by statute, from doing business with any entity having commercial ties with the government of Burma (Myanmar) , though after a United States Supreme Court decision struck down a similar Massachusetts provision, enforcement of the provision was suspended in the year 2000. As of 2007, the Free Burma Committee is inactive. Takoma Park is also forbidden from purchasing any World Bank financial instruments.In addition, residents must obtain a permit to cut down any tree on their property measuring more than 8 inches in diameter.Takoma Park is governed by a city council comprised of a mayor and council members for each of six wards. The city administration is run by a City Manager, since 2004, Barbara Burns Matthews. The current Mayor of Takoma Park is Bruce Williams (2007-).Takoma Park has a non-partisan City Council elected by wards. Council members serve terms of two years, and are elected in the odd-numbered years. Non-U.S. citizens may register and vote in the municipal election. Left side in Picture.

In the 2005 election, an advisory referendum on the institution of Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV) for municipal elections passed with 84% approval. The City Council is widely expected to pass legislation encoding IRV into law; this will make Takoma Park the first political jurisdiction in the state of Maryland to use such a voting system, and it will join a small but growing number of municipalities across the nation who have chosen IRV, such as San Francisco, California, Burlington, Vermont and, more recently, Ferndale, Michigan. JAMES, GOD_BLESS YOU DEAR FRIEND, THANK U    

Hi Thomas,

Thank you for inviting me to the Sunday Showcase!

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Here's My Abbreviated Biography

I was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on November 10, 1956. Yes, I'm a Scorpio, so look out!!! LOL

I was raised in the Mission Field in Africa, and in 1975 I returned to the United States.

In 1976, I learned how to fly, and soloed on my 19th birthday. What a thrill that was!!

In 2003, I decided it was time to get into computers and the internet, because I felt I was getting left behind. I traded a 1967 VW bumper for a Millenium PC, (disaster, LOL), and shortly thereafter found the internet.

I was totally illiterate concerning computers, other than the fact I took BASIC/ DOS/FORTRAN back in the early 80's but didn't see the light at the time. Furthermore, the computer screens they had back then hurt my eyes.

After losing a bundle of money on the internet, somehow I discovered Adlandpro, and started advertising here. This was before the days of Persons of the Week program which our good friend John and Kathy started. I tried to keep a low profile, as I did not feel I had the experience to be in the spotlight yet. Well, eventually it happened anyway!

Presently I am marketing three different projects, which I consider to be the future of the internet.

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Number one is Wifi and it has two websites:

Wifi Internet - Be  a customer

Wifi ReSeller - be an affiliate

Number two is Ambit Energy  Energy deregulation is happening now! Don't get left behind. Paying too much for electricity?  One of the owners founded Excel Telecommunications...

Number three is Mobillcash two websites below:

Merchants - Purchase products with your Cellphone, no credit, no problem!

Affiliates - Sell the technology and make money off customer purchases.

and Number four is Traffic Era This site is owned by the same people who run these traffic exchanges TS25, Traffic Pods, and Traffic Pulse. This is the next wave in Traffic Exchanges. It is a Social Community TE. It even has a Blog on your profile! The surf bar opens tomorrow at 3pm PST. Be there!! And don't be square ...LOL

I have a host of other programs I'm in, as most of us do here at Adlandpro.

Please visit my forums and post there, and also add me to your list of friends, if you are not already there!

Thank you Thomas for inviting me here, and God Bless each one this coming year!

PS: I'm also a professional pilot, so if I don't respond right away, chances are I'm poking a hole in the sky with Amerijet!!