Friday, June 27
Potomac Real Estate: Top Sales in May 2014
In May 2014, 58 Potomac homes sold between $2,585,000-$515,000.
Potomac Real Estate: Top Sales in May 2014
Thursday, June 26
Classified Advertising June 25, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Albright Addresses McLean School Graduates
Go forth and make a difference.
Most graduation speakers are faced with the problem of emitting wisdom and life-lessons for the graduates who are leaving one phase in life and venturing on into their next act. Instead of speaking to the graduates about success and fortitude, McLean School Commencement Speaker Madeline Albright, Secretary of State under President Clinton, had students complete a survey, and she used the results and their views to formulate her speech.
Raising Funds and Awareness for Autism
Teams spark spirit at 14th Annual Autism Speaks 5K/Fun Walk on July 4.
Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” The Autism Speaks 5K/Fun Run is living proof that joint efforts and collaboration are powerful. More than 100 teams gather forces each year to run and walk for their brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, friends and school-mates — and also to support the drive to find a cure and better treatments for autism. The teams, made up of runners/walkers of all ages represent swim clubs, schools, families, friends and companies; many participants have been touched by autism and want to help raise funds and awareness for this important cause.
Whaley Inspires Female Golfers
Pro golfer speaks at the First Tee of Montgomery County luncheon.
As the keynote speaker of The First Tee of Montgomery County luncheon and golf outing held at TPC Avenel on June 2, Whaley personalized her message of the importance of golf for girls and women.
Wednesday, June 25
Editorial: Safe Fourth
Talking and planning are the best safety measures; SoberRide offers a safety net.
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
"One Less Thing"
Forrest Gump knew when he voiced over: "Mama got the cancer and died on a Tuesday. I bought her a new hat with little flowers on it. And that’s all I have to say about that." And if you watched the movie as often as I did (it was one of my mother’s favorites), you may also recall "Mama always said you got to put the past behind you before you can move on."
Monday, June 23
Call for Pet Photos & Stories
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 23, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by Wednesday, July 16.
Thursday, June 19
Potomac Home Sales: May, 2014
In May 2014, 58 Potomac homes sold between $2,585,000-$515,000.
Potomac Home Sales: May, 2014
Wednesday, June 18
Meals Tax: Tasty or Revolting?
Supervisors digest task force’s final report on hot-button issue.
After hours of simmering debate, the Meals Tax Referendum Task Force’s presentation to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday was a mere amuse-bouche, whetting the appetite of board the for the group’s 170-page multi-course written report.
Gifts for New Grads
Local tastemakers offer suggestions from the sentimental to the practical.
After the tassels have been turned and the diplomas received, it is usually time for a graduation celebration. Whether you’re shopping for someone who is heading to college or venturing out into the workforce, choosing a present for the graduate in your life can be perplexing, but local tastemakers are here to help, offering suggestions for graduation presents that range from the practical to the sentimental.
Avoiding Awkward Conversations with New Graduates
Suggestions for conversation starters for talking to new graduates.
Lisa and Erik Brown beamed with pride after their oldest son graduated from high school in Northern Virginia. They hosted a post-ceremony soiree and invited a host of family and friends. The celebration was dampened somewhat, however, when a family member made an innocent, but still critical remark about the college their son had chosen.
After Graduation: Dorm Room Set-Up
Local organizers show how to maximize storage in small spaces.
After graduation comes off-to-college season. Often this means parents making design choices for their children or parents and their soon-to-be-college freshmen searching for supplies that will serve dual purposes, particularly when it comes to storage. For those who find themselves in a dorm room design conundrum, local organizers offer tips and tools for creating stylish yet space-saving designs for new college students.
Editorial: More Affordable Housing Needed
Anticipated job growth to exacerbate problem.
In Northern Virginia, affordable housing means more than human services or helping those who are less fortunate. It means more than housing the chronically homeless, although that is not optional.
A Dream Come True, Sort Of
Growing up in the 60s, if you loved sports, as I did/still do, you spent hours listening to games on a transistor radio. There certainly wasn’t “Cable” television back then; heck, there wasn’t even color television, let alone “HD,” “interactive,” or whatever else television technology has evolved into. And of course, there were no “big screen” television sets either. We had a 19" Zenith black and white television and we received three channels: 4, 5 and 7 (in Boston), and as much as sports was/is important in Boston/New England, viewing options, given the limited VHF/UHF band frequencies, meant listening to games on radio – AM radio. Games were regularly televised on weekends, more so if the home team was playing on the road. As the decades have passed, so too have transistor radios, black and white televisions and limited viewing on only three channels. Between “Cable,” computers, and more recently, the introduction of hand-held devices, access to and familiarity with sports has grown exponentially. Add in the explosion of sports-talk radio and the abundance of sports-themed content on television (regardless of whether the games are at home or on the road) and one could be in his “man cave” for hours on end “channeling” his – or her – passion, for any team, in any city, at almost any time.
Huschmand Launches ‘Exclusively Entertainment’
Full-service entertainment company opens in Potomac.
A new company located in Potomac Village, Exclusively Entertainment, is available to meet residents’ event entertainment needs.
Behnke Nurseries To Close Up Shop in Potomac
Business moving back to its Beltsville garden center.
After 16 years in Potomac, the family-owned Behnke Nurseries, located at 9545 River Road, is pulling up stakes and moving back to its flagship garden center in Beltsville.
Be Involved and Vote
Early Voting has begun and ends Thursday, June 19, or at the polls on Tuesday, June 24.
Competition Benefits Dads and Their Churches
What started as a personal goal by one dad to get in shape became a friendly “biggest loser” battle between two local Catholic churches.
Kayaker Safe at Home
Apparently unaware of a three-day search effort, a kayaker made his way home safely after capsizing in his kayak near Great Falls.
Letter: Working To Ease Intersection Back-up
To the Editor
Letter: Best Choice for County Executive
To the Editor: Many may recognize me through my dedication to the Brickyard Coalition, which recently fought a battle for process; and we won. Connection noted, many may be surprised to learn that I have voted for Phil Andrews as our new County Executive, while the Brickyard Coalition has endorsed Doug Duncan.
Letter: Brickyard Coalition Endorsements
To the Editor: After a two-year battle with the County Executive, the Brickyard school site is back in the hands of the Board of Education. Now the Board of Education and the county are considering using this site as a location for a new school bus depot that could house approximately 400 school buses which would jam our local roads — especially Falls, River and MacArthur Boulevard. This is a very bad idea as the location of a bus depot at the Brickyard site would cause traffic gridlock in our community.
Primary for Sheriff
Candidates for sheriff.
Montgomery County Board of Education
Primary for Board of Education - At Large
Because members of the Montgomery County Board of Education are nonpartisan, not identified by political party, there is only a primary if there are more than two candidates for a particular seat. This year, there are four candidates for the one at-large seat that will be on the ballot in November. Voters of any party can vote for Board of Education, and choose one in the primary. The top two vote-getters will appear on the ballot in November.
Friday, June 13
Me & My Dad 2014 — Father's Day Photo Gallery
My father died in 1989. At the first wedding I photographed afterwards, my son Steven who was assisting me, nudged me aside during the Father-Daughter dance. He noticed that I was weeping and that I couldn't see to focus because of the tears in my eyes. I still miss my father. My father was a quiet man, a gentle man. I never heard him raise his voice. He worked two full time jobs when I was growing up and I didn't see him very much but somehow he managed to teach me lessons I still haven't forgotten.
Thursday, June 12
District 15, Delegate: Vote Tuesday, June 24; Early Voting Starts June 12
The Primary Election for Montgomery County is Tuesday, June 24. If you want some choice in who will represent you on County Council, as County Executive, in the Maryland General Assembly, now is the time to engage.
Wednesday, June 11
Summer Fairs and Festivals Calendar 2014
Your guide to this summer's hottest events in the area.
Your guide to this summer's fun festivals and events.
Cappies Awarded for High School Theater
The 15th Annual Cappies Awards Gala for high school theater was held Sunday, June 8 at The Kennedy Center. Nine Cappies went to West Potomac High School for “Spamalot,” including the coveted Best Musical award. The Best Play award went to Langley High School for “The Children’s Hour.” The Cappies’ show season extended from October 2013 to May 2014, and Cappies shows were attended, on average, by 45 student critics. This year’s event included 58 public and private high schools from Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Montgomery and Prince William counties, the cities of Falls Church, Alexandria and Manassas, and Washington, D.C. The event was hosted by Judy Bowns, Janie Strauss and Ed Monk.
Creating Private, Restful Retreat
Designers offer suggestions for decorating the perfect bedroom.
While most people crave a good night’s sleep, it remains a dream for many. A bedroom that is both chic and comfortable can help the overworked find that restful slumber.
Column: Something New – or Old, to Consider
And therein lies the anxiety. Although, all things considered – and as you regular readers know, I like, maybe even need, to consider all things – the medical assessment of the most recent CT scan of my upper torso and thorax/lungs showed a new object in my left lung, “approximately the size of a silver dollar,” according to my oncologist. What this object is, exactly, cannot be determined at this juncture; technology prevents such clarity, unfortunately. Nevertheless, its appearance and location are possibly cause for concern, possibly not.
Eat. Drink. Pay?
Fairfax County task force debates voters’ appetite for another meals tax referendum.
It has been 22 years since Fairfax County asked voters to approve a tax on restaurant meals, an issue that ignited protests, caused deep divisions among community leaders and threatened to melt down several political careers. The reverberations of that epic failure — what many consider the third rail of county politics — continue to echo in the ears of county politicians.
100,000 Homes Fairfax Wins Blue Ribbon Partnership Award
The 100,000 Homes Fairfax campaign was presented with a Blue Ribbon Partnership award from the Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships (OP3) as part of its "Celebrate Partnerships" awards ceremony held on May 29.
Opinion: Transitioning to Summer
Summer is a time of change — always welcomed by students. The break during the hottest months gives a chance for kids to de-stress and prepare for their next grade on their short path to adulthood. After five summers at FACETS, I’ve had the opportunity to watch many children make this transition. What’s fun for kids though, can be a huge struggle for their parents. Finding appropriate and affordable care, providing enough meals during the day, and incurring the extra costs of entertaining children can be an enormous challenge for families that FACETS serves.
Opinion: Clearing the Air on New Carbon Standards
The EPA‘s new proposal to safeguard the air we breathe and contain a primary driver of climate change by reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants is the lynchpin to reducing our carbon footprint. As co-chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environmental Coalition, we welcome action on carbon pollution and look forward to working with all stakeholders in a responsible manner to advance a 21st century energy economy for America.
Potomac Horseman Harold Straker Dies
Harold James Straker, 68, known for over a half century in the Potomac area for his expertise with horses, died June 2, at Veteran’s Hospital, Martinsburg, W.Va.
Save Time, Vote Early
Montgomery County will open nine Early Voting Centers from June 12 to 19, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Any registered voter may cast a ballot at any one of these sites on the same voting equipment used on Election Day.
Tuesday, June 10
District 16, Senate: Vote Tuesday, June 24; Early Voting Starts June 12
Technically it’s the primary, but most primary winners will win in November.
The Primary Election for Montgomery County is Tuesday, June 24. If you want some choice in who will represent you on County Council, as County Executive, in the Maryland General Assembly, now is the time to engage. If you think it doesn’t matter much, these are the people who make land use decisions, decide what to do with county property, who set tax rates, who decide how much money will go to schools, who control services that affect traffic and many other things that affect quality of life more than anything that happens at a national level.
District 16, Delegate: Vote Tuesday, June 24; Early Voting Starts June 12
Technically it’s the primary, but most primary winners will win in November.
The Primary Election for Montgomery County is Tuesday, June 24. If you want some choice in who will represent you on County Council, as County Executive, in the Maryland General Assembly, now is the time to engage. If you think it doesn’t matter much, these are the people who make land use decisions, decide what to do with county property, who set tax rates, who decide how much money will go to schools, who control services that affect traffic and many other things that affect quality of life more than anything that happens at a national level.
Thursday, June 5
Classified Advertising June 4, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Wednesday, June 4
The Difference a Week Makes
The heavy rain overnight Thursday, May 15 led to high river levels.
Women's Club of Potomac to Host Art Show
Sale to raise funds for charity.
One hundred Montgomery County artists, more than 400 original art works, 35 local businesses and the Women’s Club of Potomac are joining together to host a juried art exhibition on June 7 and June 8.
Business: Potomac Village Welcomes Focus Fine Photography
Making photos as expressive as possible.
"Photography is our passion. We don’t call it a job — it’s art.” This is the philosophy of both Parmiss Akbari and Naz Refaat — owners of Focus Fine Photography Studio which recently opened in Potomac Village.
Washington Revels Strikes Chord in Potomac
Guests join in the music.
Saturday night, May 10, saw the arrival of a band of spirited musical performers, all from Washington Revels, to Bill and Diana Conway’s Potomac farmhouse residence. More than 60 guests and supporters welcomed the group, lifting their voices in song.
Healthy Cooking with Children
Local foodies say cooking with children can establish a lifetime of healthy habits.
From creating dough for freshly baked bread to squeezing lemons for a neighborhood lemonade stand, Michael Roll enjoys spending time in the kitchen with his children transforming ordinary food into nutritious culinary creations, particularly during the summer. He says that when parents cook healthy meals with their children they model behavior that can last a lifetime.
Team On Going
In anticipation of my next face-to-face appointment with my oncologist, the first in three months (as per usual) and considering a breathing issue I’ve been experiencing the last month or so, my wife, Dina (original Team Lourie member) asked if I wanted my brother, Richard (the other original Team Lourie member), to attend. Not that he wouldn’t attend if asked (he’s local); it’s more that I’m wondering if he really needs to attend, as in whether there will be life-changing, cancer-related decisions where all hands need be on deck. Of course, a week before the appointment I have no legitimate clue – nor have I received any suggestions from my oncologist – that anything of substance/recent changes that have occurred (I have also recently completed my quarterly diagnostic scans and am awaiting those results as well) will be discussed; and that’s the point of this column: how frequently, how/when does the patient/survivor know when team members should be present at these appointments?
Editorial: On Voting in the 8th
Vote this week at your convenience in person absentee, or be sure to vote on Tuesday.
Chances are that if you are a registered voter in the 8th Congressional District, your mailbox has been letting you know that many candidates are running in next week’s Democratic primary.
Theater Performances Target Young Audiences
Bravo presents 'Annie Kids' and 'Into the Woods Jr.'
Give youngsters an opportunity to experience live theater by taking them to Bravo Productions at the Randolph Road Theater.
Father’s Day Photos
Father’s Day is June 15, and as in years past, The Almanac will publish a gallery of photos of fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers and sons and daughters. Send your photos, including names of everyone in the photo, ages of children, town of residence and a brief description of what is happening to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com.
Perspective: Tale of the Lost Ring (Or Three Days in May)
Last Monday I received a message from my alma mater, New York University, to inform me that someone was trying to contact me about a lost school class ring.
Letter: Fact versus Opinion
To the Editor: With all due respect please permit me to remind you that Journalism 101 teaches that there is a difference between fact and opinion.
Letter: Tuckerman Light: Enough is Enough
Letter to the Editor
Fisher Ortiz Leads Tennis Fundraiser for OI Research
He’s a “Kids Play for Good” ambassador.
Six-year-old Fisher Ortiz loves hitting baseballs, smacking tennis balls, and climbing high on a jungle gym. However, if he swings too hard, or misses a rung on a ladder, he could break an arm or leg because he was born with a rare disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as “brittle bone disease.”
Tuesday, June 3
Candidates for County Council At Large
Candidates for County Council At Large
The Primary Election for Montgomery County state and local offices, plus members of Congress, is Tuesday, June 24. If you want some choice in who will represent you on County Council, as County Executive, in the Maryland General Assembly, now is the time to engage.
County Council, District 1: Vote Tuesday, June 24
Technically it’s the primary, but almost certainly, the primary winners will win in November.
The Primary Election for Montgomery County state and local offices, plus members of Congress, is Tuesday, June 24, 2014.