potomac - the connection newspapersconnectionarchives.com/pdf/2015/122315/potomac.pdf2 potomac...

Potomac Almanac ❖ December 23-29, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at potomacalmanac.com

December 23-29, 2015

C

alendar, Page 8

❖

C

lassifieds, 0

❖

Spo

rts, Page 11

Pho

to

by D

ebo

rah Stevens/T

he A

lm

anac

PotomacPotomac

Student ProjectHelps the HomelessNews, Page 2

Sports Highlights from 2015Sports, Page 11

Officer Bob Ladany dresses up each year as Santaand rides his Harley throughout Montgomery County,escorted by Mrs. Claus, his elves and 40 uniformedofficers. They were collecting donations for TheChildren’s Inn at the National Institutes for Health.

On aMission

News, Page 3

On aMission

News, Page 3

2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ December 23-29, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

See Project Helps, Page 4

By Susan Belford

The Almanac

It’s nice helping homelesspeople and it really givesme something to smile

about,” said Bullis 5th grade stu-dent Dillon Malkani. He and his

fellow classmates have served as“Bullis Buddies” since the begin-ning of the school year to studentsat The Diener School — a schoolwhich serves children with learn-ing challenges.

Bullis students share time andlearning projects with their Diener

buddies twice a month. “I lovecoming over to Diener because Ilike to hang with my buddy friendand do the activities. It’s so muchfun,” said Anna Segal. Diener’sHead of School Lois McCabe said,“The program is a wonderful part-nership with Bullis. The Bullis stu-dents are extremely invested inour kids and there is a very big

connect. Each 5th grade student ispaired with one of our students forthe entire year and the relation-ship nearly always becomes a won-derful, supportive friendship thatcontinues for many years.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 16, “BullisBuddies” spent the morning help-ing their Diener buddies under-stand the value of giving back anddoing something for someone whois needy. Each Diener studentwrote a letter to a homeless per-son and helped with filling 40backpacks with essentials includ-ing toiletries, men’s gloves, hats,breakfast bars, water and more.The backpacks were given toBethesda Cares, a program that iseradiating the homeless in Mont-gomery County. Besidespartnering with Bethesda Cares,Bullis is also partnering with“Good-Hearted,” a non-profitfounded by Bullis student EthanCopeland three years ago.

Copeland said, “I was living inCalifornia and I couldn’t walkdown the street without seeing atleast 10 homeless people. I felt ahuge sympathy for their hungerand living situations — I andwanted to do something to helpthem. I started ‘Good-Hearted’ toprovide bags of food to those inneed. In the last three years, wehave helped 400 people.”Copeland addressed the older Di-ener students and explained how“Good-Hearted” has changed livesand the importance of student ser-vice.

“The Bullis Buddies programgives our children the chance tocommunicate with other childrenand teaches them how good it feelswhen someone is nice to you andyou are nice back,” said McCabe.“It is a wonderful program thatbuilds self-esteem and teacheshow important and accepting even

Project helps the homeless.

Deiner Students and Bullis Buddies Give Back

Bullis student EthanCopeland founded “Good-Hearted” three years ago tohelp the homeless. Bullis’ Luke Schumacher and his buddy Jackson write a

letter to a homeless person.Anna Segal and her buddy George give the project to helpthe homeless a “Thumbs-up.”

Peyton Bernard and herbuddy Ryan like getting toknow one another better.

Pho

to

s by Susan

Belfo

rd/T

he A

lm

an

ac

Dillon Malkani helps hisbuddy Oliver fill a back-pack for the homeless.

a smile can be.”Bullis student Logan Steren and

his buddy William agreed thathelping out homeless people isgreat because it’s really nice toknow that they will be getting foodand a backpack.

Peyton Bernard and his buddy

“

Potomac Almanac ❖ December 23-29, 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

See www.potomacalmanac.com

See Santas, Page 4

Santa and His Elves Ride into TownCollecting toys for The Childen’s Inn at NIH.

By Susan Belford

The Almanac

Santa came roaring into Potomac Vil-lage on Wednesday, Dec. 16 — noton a sleigh pulled by tiny reindeer— but on a Harley surrounded by

elves and a bevy of police officers on mo-torcycles. He was accompanied by 40 uni-formed officers from the MontgomeryCounty Police Motor Division. They begantheir journey through Montgomery Countyin Germantown and on the way, theystopped at the Potomac Place ShoppingCenter to wish everyone a Merry Christmasand to collect donations for The Children’sInn at the National Institutes for Health.

The weather was sunny and warm for thisjourney for the police. They received a rous-ing welcome in each community as theymade their way south through Montgom-ery County. Officer David McBain said, “Allday long, people have come out to greetus. We had an awesome lunch provided by

‘Not Your Average Joes’ and then the eventwill finish with a party for the children andfamilies at The Children’s Inn. I’ve been inthis event for five years but the police havebeen escorting Santa for charity for morethan 20 years. This is a day that we lookforward to every year and we are pleasedthat we can help this extraordinary charitythat provides a home to children and fami-lies while they are in treatment.”

Officer Bob Ladany was dressed as SantaClaus and his wife Jackie was Mrs. Claus.He has been playing the role since 2003 and“loves doing it each year.”

Laura King, senior director of Volunteersand Community Outreach and MeredithDaley, assistant director of Volunteers andCommunity Outreach at The Children’s Innwere dressed as Santa’s helpers.

“This has been a fun day,” King said.“We’ve been traveling throughout Mont-gomery County since 9 a.m. with Santa and

Photos by Deborah Stevens/The Almanac

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elves: Officers John McGaha, BrianKuykendall, Santa (Bob Ladaney) Mrs. Claus, Jackie Ladaney, DavidMcBain and Tony Hogeback.

Officer OrpheusPierce enjoyedthe ride in theunseasonable

weather and fora great cause.

Meredith Daley, OfficerDavid McBain andLaura King were on theroad traveling throughMontgomery Countysince 9 a.m.

Joshua and Samuel Ziglar of Potomac were thrilled to hop onto thepolice officers’ Harleys.


News

Bowers Recommends$2.4 Billion Budget

Montgomery County Public Schools(MCPS) Interim Superintendent Larry A.Bowers presented his recommended $2.4billion Fiscal Year 2017 Operating Budgetto the Board of Education on Dec. 8. Thebudget calls for a 4.5 percent increase innew spending. The $103 million increaseBowers’ is recommending will pay for thesame level of services for more than 2,500additional students and includes invest-ments to improve students’ literacy andmath skills; build the cultural proficiencyof staff; foster stronger partnerships withthe community and families to support stu-dents; and better organize the district toensure every student is prepared for collegeand careers.

The budget recommendation also re-quests the County Council to restore $24million in one-time funding used for the FY2016 budget and an additional $7.9 mil-lion to pay for teacher pension costs thathave been shifted from the state to thecounty. With these two items, the budgetincrease totals $134.9 million. The SchoolBoard will adopt the budget on Feb. 9, 2016,and transmit it to the County Executive andCounty Council for their consideration. Thecouncil adopts its final operating budget,which includes the MCPS budget, in lateMay.

News Briefs

Park Service OKsRemoving Trees

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NationalHistorical Park (C&O Canal) will move for-ward with hazardous tree maintenance atthree locations in Montgomery County thatinclude Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Camp-ground, Rileys Lockhouse Day Use Area andMarsden Tract Group Campground. Thework will begin as soon as park contractorscan be scheduled. The affected areas willremain open with some partial closures. Thedecision was reached following an evalua-tion that included onsite public meetingsand consultation with a National Park Ser-vice hydrologist, landscape architect andcertified arborist. Because of the additionalevaluation one tree will be pruned ratherthan removed at the Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campground.

Some tall stumps of removed trees willremain to serve as wildlife habitat, and thepark is planning to restore these areasthrough a replanting effort in the spring of2016.

To help inform the public about the park’sdecision making, the C&O Canal has re-leased a resource brief titled, “DevelopedArea Vegetation Management,” which out-lines treatment of trees and other vegeta-tion within developed areas of the park. Theresource brief can be found at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/canalhazardtree.

From Page 3

From Page 2

Ryan like spending time getting to knowone another better.

Diener student Tomas said that he wasreally happy to do this project togetherwith Bullis. “It’s good to help out thehomeless. Working with my buddy andhelping others has helped to build myconfidence,” he said.

Amy Freeman, development directorfor Bethesda Cares was thrilled with thebackpacks that will go to the homelessthis week. She said, “It is the job of adultsin Montgomery County to endhomelessness but it is terrific for childrento see that they can also become involvedin a meaningful activity that will helpthose who are in need of assistance. Theyare also learning that small thoughtfuldeeds can make a difference.”

Bethesda Cares is a community out-reach program for the homeless, as wellas a safety net for those at risk of evic-tion or utility shut-off. Regardless ofwhether the homelessness they are ex-periencing is temporary or chronic, cli-ents need food, psychiatric help, a bath-room, a telephone and a place wherethey know they will not be told to “movealong.”

Bethesda Cares offers a daily meal pro-gram; a Drop-In Center where clientscan come out of the weather and find awarm cup of coffee; a clothing closet; amail service for those with no fixed ad-dress; and a weekly shower program. Apsychiatrist offers weekly group and in-dividual counseling, as well as limitedprescription assistance. To learn moreabout Bethesda Cares or to donate, goto www.bethesdacares.org.

Project Helps the Homeless

“It is the job of adults in Montgomery County toend homelessness but it is terrific for children tosee that they can also become involved in ameaningful activity that will help those who arein need of assistance. They are also learning thatsmall thoughtful deeds can make a difference.”

— Amy Freeman, development director for Bethesda Cares

Santa on a Missionhis police escorts. The party at TheChildren’s Inn will feature face painting,holiday crafts — and a gift shop set up forthe kids to shop for their families — eachchild will be accompanied by a police of-ficer to help them choose that perfect gift.Santa and Mrs. Claus will also entertain thechildren. It is a really wonderful day for ourofficers, our families and children — andfor us.”

The day was exceptionally special for twoyoung brothers from Potomac. Four-year-old Joshua and 6-year-old Samuel Ziglarwere invited to sit on the police officers’Harleys and to ask questions from the of-ficers.

Joshua said, “The motorcycles are reallybig and shiny,” and Samuel said, “I lovedsitting on the motorcycle. It was fun andthe officer told me that if Santa rode withthe policemen, he didn’t have to stop at allthe lights.”

The Children’s Inn is a private, nonprofit,

family-centered residence for pediatric out-patients at the National Institutes of Health.Its purpose is to keep children together withtheir families during serious illness, reducefamilies’ stress, and facilitate the healingprocess through mutual support.

Families never pay to stay at the Inn. TheInn is supported by donations from busi-nesses and organizations. In fiscal year2015, more than 1,500 families came from50 states and 86 countries to stay at TheInn. These families came to the NationalInstitutes of Health to find treatment, acure, or a diagnosis for a seriously ill child.

“We hope everyone will donate to thisspecial event,” King said. “Charitable, tax-deductible donations will help TheChildren’s Inn continue to provide muchneeded services to seriously ill children andtheir families. To provide a financial dona-tion on-line, please visit our website atwww.childrensinn.org, click on ‘Donate,’enter your information and indicate thatyou are giving in response to the ‘SantaPolice Ride.’”

Officer Bob Ladany, ofthe Montgomery CountyPolice Motorcycle Squad,has been trading hisuniform for the red suitfor eight years now. Hishelpers, Jackie Morcone,of Damascas and LauraKing, senior director ofVolunteers and Commu-nity Outreach, helporganize the ride for thebenefit of The Children’sInn at the National Insti-tutes of Health.

Photo by Deborah Stevens/The Almanac

Santa roars into Potomac on his Harley on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Photo by

Carole Dell

The Almanac


Bulletin Board

See Bulletin Board, Page 6

Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

THROUGH JAN. 1Holiday SoberRide. 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

Offered by the nonprofit WashingtonRegional Alcohol Program (WRAP),the annual Holiday SoberRideprogram will provide free cab ridesup to $30. Call 1-800-200-TAXI.

THROUGH JAN. 8Deadline for Entries. The Bethesda

Arts & Entertainment District isaccepting entries from Maryland,Virginia and the District of Columbiafilmmakers for the annual BethesdaFilm Fest. Visit www.bethesda.org formore.

THROUGH JAN. 15Montgomery County Recreation

invites local sports and fitnessprofessionals/organizations toregister as an exhibitor in theCounty’s first HERtime2shine Expo.The event will be held on Feb. 13,2016, at Westfield MontgomeryShopping Center, 7101 DemocracyBlvd., Bethesda. Registration is freefor exhibitors. Call 240-777-6870.

THROUGH FEB. 16Afternoon Grief Support Group.

Tuesdays starting Jan. 12, 1:30-3p.m. at Faith United MethodistChurch 6810 Montrose Road,Rockville. Free. Call 301-921-4400 toregister.

THROUGH FEB. 24Loss of a Child Support Group.

Wednesdays starting Jan. 20, 6:30-8p.m. at Montgomery Hospice, 1355Piccard Drive, Rockville. Free. Call301-921-4400 to register.

THROUGH FEB. 25Evening Grief Support Group.

Thursdays, starting Jan. 21, 6:30-8p.m. at Hughes United MethodistChurch, 10700 Georgia Ave., SilverSpring. Free. Call 301-921-4400 toregister.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 6Public Input on FY17 County

Operating Budget Forum. 7 p.m.at Eastern Montgomery RegionalServices Center, 3300 Briggs ChaneyRoad, Silver Spring. The forums areheld every year by County ExecutiveIke Leggett to get public feedback onthe upcoming County operating

budget. The Leggett will release hisrecommended operating budget onMarch 15 for the fiscal year thatbegins July 1, 2016. Free. Call 240-777-6507.

TUESDAY/JAN. 5Drop-In Discussion About Grief

and Healing. 1-2:30 p.m. at

Montgomery Hospice, 1355 PiccardDrive, Rockville. Free. Call 301-921-4400 to register.

MONDAY/JAN. 11St. Raphael School and Nursery

School Open House. 9:15-10:15a.m. Nursery School tour, 10:45-11:45 a.m. School tour at 1513

Dunster Road, Rockville. Each openhouse starts with a presentation,followed by a tour of the facilities.Both schools are enrolling for nextyear. Visitwww.straphaselschoolmd.org.

Public Input on FY17 County

Photos by

Deborah Stevens

The Almanac

Nina Dufour,KarenO’Connor,ChristineCadigan-Benonis andBrittany Kleinat the NCAELHorse Show.

SnapshotParticipants in the National Capital Adult Equestrian League Horse Show at thePotomac Horse Center.


Opinion POTOMACALMANAC

www.PotomacAlmanac.com

Newspaper of PotomacA Connection Newspaper

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

PUBLISHERMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

EDITORIALPHONE: 703-778-9415

E-MAIL:[email protected]

EDITORSteven Mauren, 703-778-9415

[email protected]

SPORTS EDITORJon Roetman,703-752-4013

[email protected]@jonroetman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSusan Belford, Carole Dell,

Cissy Finley Grant, Carole Funger,Colleen Healy, Kenny Lourie,

Ken Moore

ContributingPhotographers

Harvey Levine, Deborah Stevens

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly

Production ManagerGeovani Flores

ADVERTISINGFor advertising information

[email protected]

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESDisplay Advertising:

Kenny Lourie [email protected]

Andrea Smith 703-778-9411Classified Advertising

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales & real Estate

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Jerry VernonExecutive Vice President

[email protected]

CIRCULATION: [email protected]

Potomac Almanac is publishedby Local Media Connection LLC

Five Time First PlaceAward-WinnerPublic Service

MDDC Press Association

Four TimeNewspaper of the Year

An Award-winning Newspaperin Writing, Photography, Editing,

Graphics and Design

The Montgomery County Council and County Execu-tive Ike Leggett sent a letter to Robert Carey, the directorof the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the U.S. Depart-ment of Health and Human Services’ Administration forChildren and Families, “to affirm Montgomery County,Maryland’s policy to be a welcoming community to refu-gees from around the world, including those from Syria.”The County Council and County Executive also signed onto the “Declaration from Metropolitan Regions on Syr-ian Refugees.”

Dear Mr. Carey,We are writing to you today to affirm Mont-

gomery County, Maryland’s policy to be a wel-coming community to refugees from aroundthe world, including those from Syria. We aredisheartened that many governors have ex-pressed opposition to having Syrian refugeesmake new homes in their states.

It is our understanding that the vetting pro-cess for determining whether a refugee mayenter the United States is rigorous and takesfrom 18 to 24 months. It is initiated through ascreening by the United Nations High Commis-sion on Refugees or a United States Embassy(with a few limited exceptions). People whoare selected for possible entry are subject toreview by the National Counterterrorism Cen-ter, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Ter-rorist Screening Center, the Department ofDefense, the Department of Homeland Secu-rity, and the State Department. Once a refu-gee is approved to come to the United States,

The pages of our newspapers have beenfull of holiday spirit for more than amonth. Menorah lightings, group and

individual efforts to help the needy, stories ofgiving, secular celebrations, religious celebra-tions. Shopping locally. Giving locally.

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ.Whether you believe the Christmas story liter-ally or in spirit, you know it is the story of joy,

hope and love, the promise ofredemption.

It is also about embracing theteachings of Jesus: to love thy

neighbor as thyself; to help the needy; to feedand clothe the poor; to care for those who aresick; to treat others as you would have themtreat you.

Matthew 7:12 “So in everything, do to oth-ers what you would have them do to you, forthis sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 25:35-40 “For I was hungry and yougave me something to eat, I was thirsty andyou gave me something to drink, I was astranger and you invited me in, I neededclothes and you clothed me, I was sick and youlooked after me, I was in prison and you cameto visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord,when did we see you hungry and feed you, or

thirsty and give you something to drink? Whendid we see you a stranger and invite you in, orneeding clothes and clothe you? When did wesee you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for oneof the least of these brothers and sisters ofmine, you did for me.’”

So let us share the verse relating the birth ofJesus from the Bible, Luke 2: 4-19:

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, outof the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto thecity of David, which is called Bethlehem; (be-cause he was of the house and lineage ofDavid:) To be taxed with Mary his espousedwife, being great with child. And so it was, that,while they were there, the days were accom-plished that she should be delivered. And shebrought forth her firstborn son, and wrappedhim in swaddling clothes, and laid him in amanger; because there was no room for themin the inn.

And there were in the same country, shep-herds abiding in the field, keeping watch overtheir flock by night. And, lo, the angel of theLord came upon them, and the glory of theLord shone round about them: and they weresore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fearnot: for, behold, I bring you good tidings ofgreat joy, which shall be to all people.

Merry ChristmasWe wish you hope, peace, love and joyduring this holiday season.

Editorial

For unto you is born this day in the city ofDavid a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Andthis shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find thebabe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in amanger.

And suddenly there was with the angel amultitude of the heavenly host praising God,and saying, Glory to God in the highest, andon earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were goneaway from them into heaven, the shepherdssaid one to another, Let us now go even untoBethlehem, and see this thing which is come topass, which the Lord hath made known untous. And they came with haste, and found Mary,and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.And when they had seen it, they made knownabroad the saying which was told them con-cerning this child. And all they that heard itwondered at those things which were told themby the shepherds.”

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editor’s Note about the rest of 2015: This is ourlast regular edition of 2015. Next week, after Christ-mas, we will publish our annual Children’s Almanac,devoted entirely to the artwork and writing of localstudents. Our next regular editions will publish Jan. 6-7, 2016, with deadline for content and advertising ofDec. 30 (late ads accepted).

You can reach the editors at [email protected] and sales/marketing/ad-vertising at [email protected].

Digital replica editions of the most recent week’spapers are available atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/PDFs

Past issues of the Connection back to 2008 are avail-able at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/

Advertising information, Special Section details herewww.connectionnewspapers.com/advertising

Sign up for a free digital subscription atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/subscribe

Letter

Welcoming Refugees from Syriathe State Department works with resettlementagencies to help the refugee find an appropri-ate state and city/community for relocation.

While refugee assistance is federally funded,we understand that programs are administeredin partnership with states, as Maryland’s isadministered through the Maryland Office forRefugees and Asylees (MORA). Refugees areprovided with interim cash and medical assis-tance, and assistance with securing employ-ment and housing, with a goal of helping themto be self-sufficient. Refugees who want tocome to the Washington Metropolitan Areamay receive assistance and services throughone of the non-profit organizations located inSilver Spring that are part of the public-pri-vate partnership with the federal Departmentof Health and Human Services and MORA: theECDC African Community Center, InternationalRescue Committee, and Lutheran Social Ser-vices of the National Capital Area. While the

Suburban Maryland Resettlement Center is inSilver Spring, refugees are free to live in anycommunity they choose.

We are writing to voice our welcome andsupport for those who are fleeing violence,cannot safely return home, and seek nothingbut safety and freedom in America. We alsounderstand how a spirit of welcome at the lo-cal level is critical, as the long-term stabilityand success for refugees and their childrencomes from the programs and services pro-vided at the local level, through the assistanceof local non-profits, and the support of neigh-bors and volunteers. We are confident that refu-gees will continue to be appropriately screenedand, if they choose to make their new home inMontgomery County, will be valued membersof our community.

Montgomery County CouncilAnd County Executive Ike Leggett

See Bulletin Board, Page 9

Bulletin Board

Operating Budget Forum. 7 p.m. atBethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center,4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. The forums areheld every year by County Executive Ike Leggettto get public feedback on the upcoming Countyoperating budget. The Leggett will release his

recommended operating budget on March 15 forthe fiscal year that begins July 1, 2016. Free.Call 240-777-6507.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 13Senior Connection Volunteer Training. 10

From


LET’S TALKReal Estate

For professional advice on all aspectsof buying and selling real estate, call:

MICHAEL MATESELong & Foster Realtors

[email protected]

by Michael Matese

Your FirstLuxury Home

If you’ve decided to relocateinto a luxury home and you’vemade an excellent choice. Butquite possibly, you’re wonder-ing where to begin. You maybe astounded by the amenitiesand in need of a guide. Agentswho are experienced in theaverage home market mightnot be quite suitable for yourneeds. The luxury home mar-ket is different in that thereare different things toconsider.

Take your time. As a firsttime buyer of a luxury home,you should ask your agent fortheir advice. After yourREALTOR® has narroweddown the possibilities for you,previewed the homes and isready to show you what theyconsider suitable, take yourtime on the walk through.Focus on the detail. Theseproperties are immense, so beprepared for a walk throughthat will take at minimum oftwo hours to properly see allthe amenities; it can oftentake even longer.This is animprtant decision to make—letyour first luxury in your newhome be that of time and con-sideration.

For a free digital subscription toone or all of the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Be the first to know – get yourpaper before it hits the press.

Complete digital replica of the printedition, including photos and ads,delivered weekly to youre-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]

For the Holiday

By Marilyn Campbell

The Almanac

Whether shopping for anew homeowner withclassic tastes or apart-

ment dwellers who prefer moreinformal styles, holiday gift givingcan be daunting. A few localtastemakers have rounded up acollection of home décor finds togive and receive this year.

Amanda Mertins of Patina Pol-ished Living in Alexandria sug-gested “customized cuttingboards, unique tissue holders, andone-of-a-kind vintage items for themost particular on your list.”

Patina’s buyers spent the lastyear curating a collection holidaydécor in wide-ranging styles. Thedesigns run the gamut from deli-cate glass blown ornaments to vin-tage antlers from Germany.

Scented candles from Nest areamong the hostess gifts that FayJohnson of J.T. Interiors inPotomac, recommends. “Nest isour most popular line and candlesmake nice hostess gifts,” she said.

Johnson says that napkin ringsand serving dishes and utensils arethoughtful gifts for those who en-joy entertaining others. “These areall things that people will use a lot,particularly during the holidayseason.”

No powder room is completewithout elegant guest towels, ad-vises Johnson. “We have some thatspecifically speak to our area,” shesaid referring to a set of towelsthat are embroidered with thename of local towns.

For those looking to give the giftof luxury this season, embroidered

cocktail napkins or a wool andcashmere blend throw by Alashancan be found at Ivy Lane Living inAlexandria, Va.

Gifts for the HomeLocal tastemakers offer ideas forholiday presents that dazzle.

Photo by Marilyn Campbell

Napkin holders and serveware from J.T. Interiors inPotomac are ideal gifts for those who entertain fre-quently.


Candles such as these by Nest make hostess gifts that areboth elegant and practical.


Guest towels add polish to a bathroom, advises FayJohnson of J.T. Interiors.

Photo courtesy of Ivy Lane Living

Cocktail napkins with goldmetallic embroidery add atouch of glamour to holidaygift-giving.

Photo courtesy of Ivy Lane Living

Alashan Cashmere Double-FacedMerino Wool and Cashmere BlendThrow makes a luxurious holiday gift.

Photo courtesy of Patina Polished Living

Buyers for Patina Polished Living spent thelast year choosing an assortment of holidayornaments in an array of styles that willsatisfy a range of tastes.


Email community entertainment eventsto [email protected] date, time, location, descriptionand contact for event: phone, email and/or website. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

ONGOINGChristmas Tree Sale. Cabin John

Volunteer Fire Department, Station10, 8001 River Road. Call 301-365-2255 for more.

Children’s Storytime. Wednesdaysand Saturdays, 10 a.m. at Barnes &Noble Booksellers, 4801 BethesdaAve., Bethesda Listen to employeesread children’s stories. Free. Visitwww.store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/4824850-21.

Adult Single Night. Saturdays, 9 p.m.at at Benny’s Bar & Grill, 7747Tuckerman Lane, Potomac. Find aDJ, open dance floor, and othersingles. No cover charge. Visitwww.bennysbargrill.com.

“VAC Revealed.” Through Dec. 26,during gallery hours at Gallery B,7700 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda.Montgomery County Public SchoolsVisual Art Center (VAC) will presentan exhibition of artwork created bythe program’s 22 seniors as well asteachers Mygenet Harris and JaneWalsh of the MCPS Visual Art CenterProgram at Albert Einstein HighSchool. Free. Visit www.bethesda.orgfor more.

Glenview Mansion Holiday OpenHouse. Sundays, through Dec. 27,1-4 p.m. at Glenview Mansion atRockville Civic Center Park, 603Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Watchlive music performances, view art,and more. Free. Visitwww.rockvillemd.gov/glenview formore.

“The Nutcracker.” Through Dec. 27,various times at Robert E. ParillaPerforming Arts Center MontgomeryCollege Rockville Campus, 51Mannakee St., Rockville. Join theMaryland Youth Ballet for the 26thseason of the full-length classicchoreographed by Artistic DirectorMichelle Lees. Tickets are $26-36.Visit www.marylandyouthballet.orgfor more.

The Puppet Co. “The Nutcracker.”Through Dec. 30, 10:30 a.m. onThursdays-Fridays, 11:30 a.m. and 1p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays atGlen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthurBlvd., Glen Echo. Attend a puppetinterpretation of “The Nutcracker.”Tickets are $12. Visitwww.thepuppetco.org for more.

“A Lump of Coal for Christmas.”Through Dec. 31, various times atGlen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthurBlvd., Glen Echo. Traditionally thedreaded stocking stuffer for childrenon the Naughty List, this Lump turnsone child’s worst nightmare into adream come true. Tickets are 21.50.Visit www.adventuretheatre-mtc.orgfor more.

Winter Lights Festival. Through Dec.31, Sunday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m.;Friday-Saturday, 6-10 p.m. at SenecaCreek Park, 11950 Clopper Road,Gaithersburg. Winter Lights is a 3.5-mile drive through a holiday lightshow at Seneca Creek Park with morethan 360 illuminated displays.Additional events include WineUnder the Lights, Run Under theLights, Leashes ’n’ Lights, and S’MoreLights & Trolley Rides. Visitwww.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/special-events/winter-lights-festival.

“Creating Inclusion.” Through Jan.2, 12-4 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday,Saturday-Sunday, 12-8 p.m. onFriday at VisArts at Rockville, 155Gibbs St., Rockville. Artists MattSesow, Christine Pearl, MadisonPrince, Charles Meissner, Sarah

Sater-Murray, Sammy Collings, JoeMcFadden, Tony Labate, and EmilyKim identify as people withdisabilities. Free. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

Waverly Street Gallery HolidayShow. Through Jan. 2, 12-6 p.m.Tuesday-Saturday at Waverly StreetGallery, 4600 East-West Highway,Bethesda. Attend this group show tocelebrate the holidays through theinfluence of the color red. Free. Visitwww.waverlystreetgallery.com formore.

“Garden of Lights.” Through Jan. 3,various times at Brookside Gardens,1800 Glenallan Ave., Silver Spring.More than a million colorful lightsare shaped into hand-crafted,original art forms of flowers,animals and other natural elements.Stroll from garden to gardenenjoying twinkling tree forms,fountains, sparkling snowflakesoverhead and more. Tickets are $25-30 per vehicle. Visitwww.montgomeryparks.org formore.

Gloria Montiero Rall: “ARetrospective.” Through Jan. 5,during gallery hours at OpenGallery, 930 King St., Silver Spring.Gloria Monteiro Rall: “ARetrospective” is a survey ofMonteiro Rall’s work from 1955-2000. Influenced by the WashingtonColor School, Rall’s paintingsexamine the interaction of light andcolor. Rall is a Dean Emeritus atMontgomery College, and exhibitedworldwide during her 40-yearexhibition career. Free. Visitwww.montgomerycollege.edu formore.

Brian Davis: “Uncoupled.” ThroughJan 10, during gallery hours VisArtsat Rockville, 155 Gibbs St. BrianDavis’ exhibition investigates thecomplexities of togetherness andseparation with video, photography,sculpture and interactive installation.Free. Visit www.visartsatrockville.orgfor more.

Holiday Art Show & Sale. Saturday-Sunday, through Jan. 10, 11 a.m.-6p.m. at Glen Echo Park–PopcornGallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., GlenEcho. Browse and buy fine art. Free.Call 301-634-2222.

“A Year with Frog and Toad.”Through Jan. 10, various times atImagination Stage, 4908 AuburnAve., Bethesda. This play is based onthe children’s book by Arnold Lobelfeaturing a frog and toad with verydifferent personalities. Tickets startat $10. Visitwww.imaginationstage.org for more.

“Reflections on Jerusalem.”Through Jan 11, during gallery hoursat Photoworks at Glen Echo Park,7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.Photographer Chip Kahn displays hiswork. Free. Visitwww.glenechphotoworks.org formore.

“Organic Elements.” Through Jan.17, during gallery hours at TheWriter’s Center, 4508 Walsh St.,Bethesda. A group exhibitionfeaturing the abstract work of localartists Lisa Bohrer, Susan Carey,Maruka Carvajal, Lesley Clarke, KatieJoselow, and Kay Walsh. Free. Visitwww.writer.org/programsart-on-view.

“Wake Up, Brother Bear.” ThroughJan. 31, various times at ImaginationStage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda.Brother and Sister Bear explore allfour seasons in this interactivechildren’s play. Tickets start at $10.Visit www.imaginationstage.org formore.

SUNDAY/DEC. 27Argentine Tango. 6:30 p.m. at Back

Room Annex–Glen Echo Park, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. TangoBrilliante DC offers dance classes

followed by a “Milonga.” Admissionis $15 for the lesson and milonga,$10 without the lesson. [email protected].

MONDAY-THURSDAY/DEC. 28-31Winter Craft Days. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

at VisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St.,Rockville. Children aged 5-12 areinvited to enjoy ice-skating, hotchocolate, and winter-themed craftprojects. This session is $350. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

TUESDAY/DEC. 29The Roots. 8 p.m. at the Fillmore

Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road,Silver Spring. Hip-Hop, neo-soulensemble featuring well knownmusician Questlove will perform.Tickets are $65. Visitwww.fillmoresilverspring.com formore.

FRIDAY/JAN. 1Wale & Friend 5th Annual New

Year’s Day Show. 9 p.m. at theFillmore Silver Spring, 8656Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Livemusic. Tickets are $39.50. Visitwww.fillmoresilverspring.com formore.

SATURDAY/JAN. 2Fillmore Flashback. 8 p.m. at the

Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656Colesville Road, Silver Spring.Rapper Biz Markie headlines an ’80sand ’90s dance party featuring Here’sto the Night and The New Romance.Tickets are $15.50. Visitwww.fillmoresilverspring.com formore.

SUNDAY/JAN. 3Waltz Dance. 2:45-3:30 p.m.

workshop, 3:30-6 p.m. dance at theSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park,7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.Karen Collins & The Backroads Bandwill provide a mix of waltzes with acountry and western influence.Tickets are $10. Visitwww.waltztimedances.org for more.

Salute to Vienna. 3 p.m. at the MusicCenter at Strathmore, 10710Rockville Pike, North Bethesda.Singers and dancers team up with a50-piece orchestra for a New Year’sconcert paring tribute to Vienna.Tickets are $49. Visitwww.strathmore.org for more.

JAN. 5-FEB. 6“Wind From the East.” 12-6 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday at Waverly StreetGallery, 4600 East-West Highway,Bethesda. Painter Michiyo Mizuuchiwill display her Japanese Zen-inspired acrylic work alongside thewood-fired and soda/gas-firedceramics of Yang-ja Lee. Free. Visitwww.waverlystreetgallery.co.

FRIDAY/JAN. 8“Wind From the East.” Opening

Reception. 6-9 p.m. at WaverlyStreet Gallery, 4600 East-WestHighway, Bethesda. Celebrated theopening of this exhibit featuringpainter Michiyo Mizuuchi’s JapaneseZen-inspired acrylic work alongsidethe wood-fired and soda/gas-firedceramics of Yang-ja Lee. Free. Visitwww.waverlystreetgallery.com formore.

SATURDAY/JAN. 9Winter Hike. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

starting at Rockville REI, 1701Rockville Pike, Rockville. HikeCatoctin Mountain Park. Tickets are$60 for members, $80 fornonmembers. Visit www.potomac.orgfor more.

Pianist Brian Ganz. 8 p.m. at TheMusic Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.The National Philharmonic willpresent pianist Brian Ganz for hissixth all-Chopin recital. Tickets are$29, free from children ages 7-17.Visit www.nationalphilharmonic.orgfor more.

Tribute to The Doors. 9 p.m. at theFillmore Silver Spring, 8656Colesville Road, Silver Spring. WildChild performs The Doors coversongs. Tickets are $17. Visitwww.fillmoresilverspring.com formore.

MONDAY/JAN. 11Summer Camp Fair. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

at Cabin John Mall Atrium, 11325Seven Locks Road, Potomac. Free.Visit www.shopcabinjohn.com formore.

FRIDAY/JAN. 15Potomac After Hours. 9:15-11 p.m.

at Potomac Community RecreationCenter, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac.Middle schoolers (6-8th graders) areinvited to attend “inflatable night.”Find balloon games, jousting, and

more.Admission is $5. Visitwww.activemontgomery.org and usecode #11951 to register.

SATURDAY/JAN. 16Winter Wonderland Canal Walk.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Third Parking Area,Carderock Recreation Area–C&OCanal Towpath, Cabin John. 10kmtrail, with a 5km option, rated 1B.Free. Visit www.sugarloafers.org formore.

Ukulele Phil & The Hula Kids.10:30-11:15 a.m. at Cabin John MallAtrium, 11325 Seven Locks Road,Potomac. Children-friendly livemusic. Free. Visitwww.shopcabinjohn.com for more.

Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2. 8p.m. at the Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. The NationalPhilharmonic, led by Music Directorand Conductor Piotr Gajewski, willfeature concertmaster Colin Sorgi ina performance of Bach’s ViolinConcerto No. 2 in E Major. Ticketsare $29-89 and free from children 7-17. Visitwww.nationalphilharmonic.org.

SUNDAY/JAN. 17Waltz Dance. 2:45-3:30 p.m.

workshop, 3:30-6 p.m. dance at theSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park,7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.The Taylor Among Devils ensemblewill provide music for folk waltzesincluding the Hambo, Schottischeand more. Tickets are $10. Visitwww.waltztimedances.org for more.

Lamb of God. 7 p.m. at the FillmoreSilver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road,Silver Spring. Rock group Lamb ofGod shares stage with Anthrax,Deafhaven, and Power Trip. Ticketsare $38. Visitwww.fillmoresilverspring.com formore.

Christian Scott Concert. 8 p.m. atAMP by Strathmore, 11810 GrandPark Ave., North Bethesda. Scott’sjazz has received a Grammynomination and multiple EdisonAwards. Tickets are $30-40. Visitwww.ampbystrathmore.com.

MONDAY/JAN. 18Winter Craft Day. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at

VisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St.,Rockville. Children ages 5-12 areinvited to enjoy ice-skating, hotchocolate, and winter-themed craftprojects. This session is $100. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

Entertainment

‘Wind From The East’To Open in January 2016

Painter Michiyo Mizuuchi will display her Japanese Zen-inspired acrylic work alongside the wood-fired and soda/gas-fired ceramics of Yang-ja Lee at the Waverly Street Gallery beginning Jan. 5 through Feb. 6. The opening receptionwill be held on Friday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. Waverly Street Gallery is located at 4600 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Visitwww.waverlystreetgallery.com for more.

Im

ages C

ourtesy o

f th

e A

rtists


Potomac Village Deli Catering

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Catering

301•299•5770www.potomacvillagedeli.com

Home of YourCorporate & ResidentialCatering Headquarters

Serving theCommunity

for over35 Years

Advertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday unless noted.

JANUARY1/6/2016..............Wellbeing, Renewal, Resolutions1/13/2016..........................................HomeLifeStyleMartin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 181/20/2016...............................A+ Camps & Schools1/27/2016...................................Community Guide1/27/2016........................... Winter Fun, Food, Arts & Entertainment; Valentine’s PreviewFEBRUARY2/3/2016......................Valentine’s Dining & Gifts I2/3/2016...............Wellbeing – National Children’s Dental Health Month2/10/2016...........................................HomeLifeStyle2/10/2016....................Valentine’s Dining & Gifts II2/17/2016................................A+ Camps & Schools2/24/2016..........................................Pet ConnectionE-mail [email protected] for more information.

Reaching Suburban Washington’s Leading Households• Alexandria Gazette Packet• Arlington Connection• Burke Connection• Centre View• Chantilly Connection

• Fairfax Connection• Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection• Great Falls Connection• McLean Connection• Mount Vernon Gazette

• Oak Hill/Herndon Connection• Potomac Almanac• Reston Connection• Springfield Connection• Vienna/Oakton Connection

Newspapers & Online703-778-9431

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com/Advertising

SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDAR

Award-WinningAward-

Winning

From Page 6

Bulletin Board

a.m. at Holiday Park Senior Center,3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring.Senior Connection volunteers providea variety of services so thatMontgomery County seniors canremain independent and stay in theirown homes. Volunteers drive seniorclients to medical and otherappointments, help with groceryshopping and assist with monthly billpaying. [email protected] call 301-942-1049.

TUESDAY/JAN. 19Public Hearing. 1:30 p.m. at Third

Floor Hearing Room of the CouncilOffice Building, 100 Maryland Ave.,Rockville. The Montgomery CountyCouncil will hold a public hearing onExpedited Bill 53-15 regardingtaxicab credit card transactions. Bill53-15 would limit the amount alicensee may charge a driver oraffiliate for processing a credit cardtransaction; amend the requirementsfor credit card processing systems intaxicabs; and generally amendCounty law concerning taxicabs. Visitwww.montgomerycountymd.gov.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 20Public Input on FY17 County

Operating Budget Forum. 7 p.m.at Silver Spring Civic Center, OneVeterans Plaza, Silver Spring. Theforums are held every year by CountyExecutive Ike Leggett to get publicfeedback on the upcoming Countyoperating budget. The Leggett willrelease his recommended operatingbudget on March 15 for the fiscalyear that begins July 1, 2016. Free.Call 240-777-6507.

Senior Connection VolunteerTraining. 7 p.m. at Holiday ParkSenior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive,Silver Spring. Senior Connectionvolunteers provide a variety ofservices so that Montgomery Countyseniors can remain independent andstay in their own homes. Volunteersdrive senior clients to medical andother appointments, help withgrocery shopping and assist withmonthly bill paying. [email protected] call 301-942-1049.

THURSDAY/JAN. 21Public Input on FY17 County

Operating Budget Forum. 7 p.m.at Mid-County CommunityRecreation Center, 2004Queensguard Road, Silver Spring.The forums are held every year byCounty Executive Ike Leggett to getpublic feedback on the upcomingCounty operating budget. TheLeggett will release his recommended

Email announcements to [email protected]. Deadline isThursday at noon.

Teaching Strategies, a developerof early childhood education curriculumand assessment resources, is relocatingfrom Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda andexpanding its headquarters to a newlocation on East-West Highway, also inBethesda.

Glickman Design Build hasearned two awards from theRemodelers Council of the MarylandBuilding Industry Association.

The Potomac location ofLearningRx is collecting” brain-build-ing” toys for the Salvation Army. Visitlearningrx.com or magictoybox.org.

Sales associateHelen King of thePotomac office ofWeichert, Realtors,was individually rec-ognized for her indus-try success during themonth of November.

A top producer,King led the region, which iscomprised of locationsthroughout Montgomery and

Business Notes

Weichert Honors KingPrince George’s coun-ties as well as sur-rounding areas in theDistrict of Columbia,for resales and resaledollar volume.

King can bereached in Weichert’sPotomac office at

7821 Tuckerman Lane, or call301-718-4100 for more infor-mation.

operating budget on March 15 for thefiscal year that begins July 1, 2016.Free. Call 240-777-6507.

FRIDAY/FEB. 12Bereavement Workshop: “Forever

Yours.” 1-2:30 p.m. at MontgomeryHospice, 1355 Piccard Drive,Rockville. This workshop is forwidows, widowers and life partnerswho want to honor and remembertheir loved ones on Valentine’s Day.Free. Call 301-921-4400 to register.

PUBLIC INPUT WANTEDPlanners to Present Concepts on

Downtown Bethesda. OnThursday, Dec, 11, county plannerswill present their concepts to theMontgomery County planning boardon the future of downtown Bethesda.Will be available online. Thefeedback loop will be up Dec. 8-19and accessible 24/7 via computer,mobile device or laptop. Visitwww.montgomeryplanning.org.

GUIDE DOG FOSTERS NEEDEDGuiding Eyes for the Blind –

Montgomery Region is looking forvolunteers to foster and train futureguide dogs. Volunteers will foster aspecially bred guide dog for 14months, attend bi-monthly trainingclasses, and teach the pup housemanners, people skills andsocialization within the community.Dog crates, training equipment andmonthly medications are provided.Contact Margie Coccodrilli at 301-869-2216 or [email protected] visit www.guidingeyes-md.org.

SUPPORT GROUPSSuicide Grief Support Group. At

JSSA, 6123 Montrose Road,Rockville. This ongoing bereavementsupport group is for those who havelost a loved one to suicide. Thisgroup meets every first and thirdMonday. No charge. Pre-registrationis required. Call 301-816-2708.

Because I Love You is a nonprofitorganization dedicated to supportingparents of troubled children of anyage. The group helps parents dealwith drugs, runaways, truancy,verbal abuse, physical abuse, curfewviolations and other misbehavior, aswell as help parents deal withthemselves, to manage and live theirown lives without obsessing overtheir child’s behavior. The groupmeets 7:30-9:30 every Thursday atBethesda United Methodist ChurchRoom 209, 8300 Old GeorgetownRoad, Bethesda. Visitwww.becauseiloveyou.org, [email protected] or call 301-530-3597.

Adult Bereavement Groups. Datesand times vary depending on group

members. Hospice Care, 518 S.Fredrick Ave., Gaithersburg. Peerdriven support groups in those inneed of support. Free. Contact PennyGladhill at 301-990-8904, [email protected].

ONGOINGMontgomery Parks is launching a

new registration system,ActiveMONTGOMERY. The newsystem replaces ParkPASS andRecWeb, the two separateregistration systems currently usedby Montgomery Parks andMontgomery County Recreation,respectively. ActiveMontgomeryprovides one location, with just oneusername and password, for peopleto register for classes from eitherorganization. Visitwww.ActiveMontgomery.org.

ChildLink is a free County serviceprovided by the Department ofHealth and Human Services, EarlyChildhood Services, which providesinformation, resources and referralsto residents with young children.Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/childlink.

Reservations for Carderock PicnicPavilion and Marsden TractGroup Campsites are nowavailable online. Visitwww.recreation.gov.

Master Gardener Plant Clinics.Montgomery County MasterGardeners are available to answergardening questions at walk-in plantclinics. Bring plant and insectsamples, garden problems andquestions. Drop off plant and insectsamples, Monday-Friday, year-round,8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 18410Muncaster Road, lower level, BallardPhone Room.

English Classes. The Literacy Councilof Montgomery County is offeringfree day and evening English classes(beginning, intermediate andadvanced levels) to adult countyresidents at several locations.Prospective students must attend a 31/2 hour orientation in Rockville.The Literacy Council is alwayslooking for volunteers. [email protected] or call301-610-0030.

Montgomery County’s WinterGuide for Recreation andParks. Montgomery CountyRecreation Administrative Offices,4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.Registration for programs and classesis now open. The guide featureshundreds of activities and programsthat make it easy to enjoy a healthierand more active lifestyle, includingsports, therapeutic recreation servicesand active adult senior programming.Print copies are available atrecreation center, park facilities,aquatic and senior centers and publiclibraries. Visitwww.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.


GGAARRDDEENNEERR

Energetic gardener, Speaks French & English. Spring Cleanup,

weeding, planting, edging, mulching, maintenance.

Excellent Potomac references.301-980-8258

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

Quality Tree Service & LandscapingReasonable prices. Licensed & insured

24 Hour Emergency Tree Service

25 years of experienceFree estimates

703-868-5358

Leaf RemovalGutter Cleaning

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE

CHESAPEAKE/POTOMAC

WINDOW CLEANINGResidential Specialist

Working Owners Assures QualityNo Hidden Fees/No Broken Window Springs30 yrs Exp in local area Lic./Bonded/Ins.

301-656-9274

WINDOWS & GLASS WINDOWS & GLASS

Zone 5 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 5:

• PotomacClassifiedClassified

Latinos como tú sirviendo a nuestra comunidad

703-444-7804www.VAGoldBuyers.com

21580Atlantic Blvd.

#120Sterling,VA 20166

• We are Local• We Buy Gold, Silver and Diamonds• Over 40,000 Satisfied Customers• We are Licensed and Specialize in State Sales

Not Ready to Sell? Please call us for our Lending Options!

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

We pay top $ for STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES,

JEWELRY, COSTUME JEWELRY, FURNITURE, PAINTINGS AND CLOCKS.

Schefer Antiques703-241-0790

[email protected]

26 Antiques 26 Antiques9 Land

5 ACRES,R-1, Lorton,

Sub-dividable,Price $599,000.

Public Water Access and 6 Bedroom Perk Approved

Beautiful Horses next door, Call Bob at

703-690-6969

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements




Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.compotomacalmanac.com

Zone 5: Potomac

Ad Deadline: Monday Noon • 703-778-9411

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

PresentAccounted For

Last week I was "naive and delusional."This week, not so much. Meaning: I'm wellaware of my circumstances and not mindingwhat usually matters. To that point, there's nodoubt there are days/weeks that are morechallenging than others. And even though I'ma veteran of the cancer wars, seven years andcounting come this Feb. 27, I have been tohave been blessed with the proper tempera-ment and attitude for the task at hand: endur-ing the stress and strain of dealing with a can-cer diagnosis and all its effects and affects andnot goingnegative/dark in the process. It's notas if cancer has become my new best friend,more like a roommate I've learned to accept— who's not moving out any time soon, but Ihave learned to manage, mostly. (I am a Libraafter all, and balance is my symbol.)

Still, over time, you do get used to thedemands. You find a way to ignore the symp-toms, not so much that it risks your health,but enough so it doesn't "anguish" your dailylife. Because there's definitely no future — orrather not much of one, when every daybecomes an emotional battle to the hopefully-not, death, so to speak. I don't want to givecancer too much credit but, it's a fairly power-ful adversary and contributing to its strengthserves no purpose and creates no advantage.It doesn't need any help doing all the harmfulphysical, emotional and spiritual, things itdoes. Granted, nipping it all in the bud ismuch easier in the garden than it is in thedoctor's office/infusion center, but unless youbecome the master of your domain, the kingof the castle, the lord of the manor, the moredifficult your cancer experience will be.

This is not to imply that a positive attitudecures cancer. (But I doubt it hurts.) This ismore to say that being miserable, feeling sorryfor yourself or "woeing" is me, though under-standable under the circumstances is boringand as Prince Kuragin (a character fromDownton Abbey) said: "Nothing is more tedi-ous than other person's misfortunes." And Icertainly don't want to be tedious and boring.As a matter of fact, I'll make the extra effort -even when I don't feel like it, to avoid beingthought of as anything but healthy and dare Isay, normal. The more positivity I can exude,the more positivity I likely will receive in turn.It's not exactly chemotherapy, targeted treat-ment or immunotherapy, but "GoodVibrations" is more than just a Beach Boysclassic. It's a way to my heart and soul, andhopefully to my lungs as well.

When it comes to being a cancer patient, Iknow what I know/what I feel, and moreimportantly — in my mind, anyway, I knowwhat I don't know. Facts, figures, protocols,drugs, clinical trials, I don't know, As my wife'sdeceased, maternal grandmother, Frannywould say: I'm as "dumb as a post." For me,ignorance is sort of bliss. I don't worry aboutwhat I don't know; I already have enoughtrouble worrying about what I do know.

Ergo my strategy: take the good with thebad — which is easy, and when there is bad,compartmentalize it somehow; put it in "thevault." To summarize; and with all credit andrespect to Bing Crosby (singing in "WhiteChristmas): I must "Accentuate the positive.Eliminate the negative. Latch on to theaffirmative." Moreover, I have to believe if Iwant to feel good, I have to think good —thoughts that is. And the more humor andnormalcy I have in my life, the better I'll feeland think. I don't know if my future will beany better because of it but my present surewill be.

CLASSIFIED

NEWSPAPERS

For AllYour

AdvertisingNeeds…

It Works.Week

After Week.

703917-6400

PlaceYourAd

Today!

to your community

For Local…

•Employment•Employees•Services•Entertainment•Announcements•Real Estate•Cars•Trucks•Vans•RV’s•Boats•Pets•Yard Sales•Crafts•Hobbies•And More!


Sports

By Jon Roetman

The Almanac

Potomac-area high schools captured multiple re-gion and state championships during the year2015. The following is a look at some of the topmoments from the last year.

Whitman Girls Win 2nd Re-gion Title in 3 Years

The Whitman girls’ basketball team defeated Wootton73-60 in the 4A West region championshipgame on March 9 at Paint Branch HighSchool, giving the Vikings two region titlesin the last three years.

Whitman’s Marie Hatch scored 23 pointsin the region final before suffering a frac-tured ankle. Abby Meyers finished with 17points for the Vikings.

The victory improved Whitman’s recordto 23-0, but the Vikings’ season ended threedays later with a 48-30 loss to EleanorRoosevelt in the state semifinals.

Whitman’s record during the three-sea-son stretch was 65-9, including a 46-31 vic-tory over Gaithersburg in the 2013 regionchampionship game.

Wootton FieldHockey MakesAnother StateFinal Appearance

The Wootton field hockey team defeated

Bethesda-Chevy Chase 3-0 to win its second region title inthree years. The Patriots followed with a 1-0 win overDelaney in the state semifinals, earning the Patriots theirsecond state final appearance in three seasons.

Each time, however, Wootton lost to Severna Park.In 2013, Wootton finished 15-1, with its only loss com-

ing against Severna Park, 4-1, in the state final. In 2015,the Patriots produced a 15-3 record and lost to SevernaPark 2-0 in the championship game.

Wootton has a 58-7-1 record over the last four seasons.

Churchill’s Dubick Re-WritesMaryland Lax Record Book

Louis Dubick’s stellar four-year lacrosse career atChurchill High School ended with the 2015 graduate own-ing three major state records.

A Dubick goal against Einstein on March 26 gave thethen-senior 381 career points, breaking the previous record

of 380 set by 2014 St. Paul’s graduate Mikey Wynne, ac-cording to laxrecords.com. Dubick finished his career with498 points. He also set records for career goals (244) andassists (254).

Dubick, now a freshman on the University of Marylandmen’s team, helped Churchill win three region champion-ships during his four varsity seasons. In 2015, the Bull-dogs defeated Quince Orchard 10-9 in double overtime inthe region final on May 13. Three days later, the Bulldogsbeat Delaney 11-8 in the state semifinals, securingChurchill’s first-ever state final appearance.

Churchill lost to Howard 14-6 in the state championshipgame on May 20. The Bulldogs ended the season with a17-2 record.

Churchill Golf Wins Title,Sets Record

The Churchill golf team won the 2015 state champion-ship and broke its own scoringrecord by 24 strokes, carding atwo-day 572, according tompssaa.org.

Churchill’s Adam Gray capturedthe individual state title with a139, winning in a two-hole play-off with Whitman’s GrahamHutchinson.

Oliver Whatley (142), LenaCapoccia (144) and Dylan Rotter(147) also competed for the Bull-dogs.

Churchill Girls’Swim TeamWins StateChampionship

The Churchill girls’ swim teamwon the 2015 state championshipwith a score of 288.5, 38.5 pointsahead of runner-up Sherwood.

Photo by Jon Roetman/The Almanac

The Whitman girls’ basketball team won its second region title in threeyears.

Louis Dubick, a2015 ChurchillHigh Schoolgraduate,ended his highschool careeras Maryland’sall-time leaderin points, goalsand assists.

Photo by Jon Roetman/The Almanac

The Wootton field hockey team, seen during the regular season, made its secondstate final appearance in three seasons.

Top Potomac Sports Moments from 2015

Photo by

Harvey Levine

The Almanac

Records and repeats make up2015 highlights for Potomachigh school sports.

potomac - the connection newspapersconnectionarchives.com/pdf/2015/122315/potomac.pdf2 potomac...

Documents