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In the News

A ‘post-hippie’ Takoma Park?

Its residents once referred to the city as the People’s Republic of Takoma Park — a nuclear-free zone that bans water bottles, has its own corn silo and hosts an annual folk festival. But with a recent, rare exception to its nuclear-free ordinance and an aging activist population, some wonder whether it is leaving the ’60s behind.

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June 29, 2012

Signs of encroaching normalcy may spell the end of the old hippie ways in Takoma Park. Takoma Bistro, a new branch of the Bread & Chocolate bakery chain, just opened on Laurel Avenue; real estate agents say it wouldn’t have had a chance 10 years ago.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

The center of Old Town in Takoma Park. The city’s corn silo still stands, and it still refuses to buy bottled water, but the community tool library is gone, and a rare exception to its nuclear-free zone ordinance was made last month.

June 29, 2012

The center of Old Town in Takoma Park. The city’s corn silo still stands, and it still refuses to buy bottled water, but the community tool library is gone, and a rare exception to its nuclear-free zone ordinance was made last month.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A statue of a rooster named Roscoe adorns the plaza in the center of Old Town. A plaque erected by 'friends of Roscoe' says the bird lived here from 1989 to 1999 and 'brought joy into our urban lives.'

June 29, 2012

A statue of a rooster named Roscoe adorns the plaza in the center of Old Town. A plaque erected by "friends of Roscoe" says the bird lived here from 1989 to 1999 and "brought joy into our urban lives."

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Pedestrians cross Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park. 'Takoma is getting older, or at least the activists are getting older, and not as engaged,' says Eric Hensal, who moved to the city in 2003 and is running for a seat on the City Council. 'It’s almost like Takoma really is at the post-hippie phase.'

June 29, 2012

Pedestrians cross Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park. "Takoma is getting older, or at least the activists are getting older, and not as engaged," says Eric Hensal, who moved to the city in 2003 and is running for a seat on the City Council. "It’s almost like Takoma really is at the post-hippie phase."

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Poem-bearing posters such as this one, designed in collaboration with students at nearby Montgomery College as part of the city’s Poetry Walk, have lined Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park since 2007.

June 29, 2012

Poem-bearing posters such as this one, designed in collaboration with students at nearby Montgomery College as part of the city’s Poetry Walk, have lined Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park since 2007.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Judith Webb, a retired educator and storyteller, has noticed a change in the younger generation that is moving in. They are more conservative, generally, she says. City historian Diana Kohn says that 'between 1963 and 1980, there was one protest after another.' But eventually, the young hippies started cleaning up houses, marrying, having kids, becoming the 'establishment,' Kohn says. 'Now they are homeowners, and they care about the schools, because their interests change.'

June 29, 2012

Judith Webb, a retired educator and storyteller, has noticed a change in the younger generation that is moving in. They are more conservative, generally, she says. City historian Diana Kohn says that "between 1963 and 1980, there was one protest after another." But eventually, the young hippies started cleaning up houses, marrying, having kids, becoming the "establishment," Kohn says. "Now they are homeowners, and they care about the schools, because their interests change."

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A customer exits the S&A Beads shop on Laurel Avenue. Housing prices have have doubled in the past decade, with million-dollar homes first popping up in the 1990s.

June 29, 2012

A customer exits the S&A Beads shop on Laurel Avenue. Housing prices have have doubled in the past decade, with million-dollar homes first popping up in the 1990s.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A view of Carroll Avenue from beneath the old gazebo in the Old Town section of Takoma Park. Despite some changes, the city still has pride in its progressive values: In recent years, it built a corn silo for alternative energy and started powering city facilities using wind energy. This year, it moved to defend its foreigner voting law, which allows non-U.S. citizens to vote in city elections.

June 29, 2012

A view of Carroll Avenue from beneath the old gazebo in the Old Town section of Takoma Park. Despite some changes, the city still has pride in its progressive values: In recent years, it built a corn silo for alternative energy and started powering city facilities using wind energy. This year, it moved to defend its foreigner voting law, which allows non-U.S. citizens to vote in city elections.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

People flock to Takoma Park to visit the very popular farmers market on Sunday morning.

April 29, 2012

People flock to Takoma Park to visit the very popular farmers market on Sunday morning.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Visitors look over produce and other items at a farmers market.

April 29, 2012

Visitors look over produce and other items at a farmers market.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Children dance to the music of Frank Cassel, right.

April 29, 2012

Children dance to the music of Frank Cassel, right.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Eve Jenkins of Takoma Park shops at the store called Now and Then.

July 5, 2012

Eve Jenkins of Takoma Park shops at the store called Now and Then.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Miyah Cook, 15, and Anadoria Delcid, 15, both of Silver Spring, sit on a park bench after a day of shopping.

July 5, 2012

Miyah Cook, 15, and Anadoria Delcid, 15, both of Silver Spring, sit on a park bench after a day of shopping.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

People visit the farmers market in Takoma Park.

April 29, 2012

People visit the farmers market in Takoma Park.

Sarah L. Voisin / THE WASHINGTON POST

Featured Photo Galleries

Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

Residents evacuate as wildfires rage through the West

This year’s wildfires are more numerous and have gotten bigger than last year’s, an official says.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British...

Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

India Independence Day, Syrian air strikes, Western wildfires, plastination and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have had the best record in baseball in August, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to...

Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

An iPhone captures the fun at the West Virginia State Fair, in its 88th year. All images were created using the Snapseed photo-editing app&rsquo...

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