Stories for February 2015

Stories for February 2015

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Thursday, February 26

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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova Bulova to Create Transparency Review Commission

Group would include citizens, legal community and other organizations.

When Alexandria resident Natasha McKenna was removed from life support and died on Feb. 8, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office posted a release on the county website.

Wednesday, February 25

Column: Not So Late This Time

But real-time once again: February 20, 11 hours, approximately, after our regularly-scheduled, post-scan meeting with the oncologist at 10:00 this morning.

Potomac: Sports Briefs for February 25, 2015

The Whitman girls’ basketball team won three games in five days to complete an undefeated regular season.

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Full Circle

Back home to savor a few more green summers.

It happened slowly at first. Simple thoughts of a horse I had once owned began appearing in my mind.

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Misty Blue Says Good-bye to Former Owner

Unconditional love.

In the Aug. 28, 2010 edition of The Almanac, an article featured the "shared custody" of a husky named Misty Blue.

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40 Years of Photography

Photoworks’ anniversary celebrates commitment to artistry and education.

Photoworks, the not-for-profit resource for all-things photography, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year as one of Glen Echo Park's art studios.

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Nadia Saad-Miller: A Life of Valor, Dedication

From the Middle East to Potomac.

Potomac resident Nadia Saad-Miller’s adventurous life-story could be made into an action film including danger, intrigue and romance. In her 40 years with the United Nations and World Bank, she was dedicated to improving social and economic conditions of the poor and underdeveloped people around the world.

Tuesday, February 24

Editorial: Managing Mental Illness in Jails

Natasha McKenna’s death provides window on national concern.

A national report released on Feb. 11 highlighted the prevalence of people with mental illness incarcerated in local jails.

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Fairfax County School Board Discusses New AAP Center at Poplar Tree

Board seeks more community feedback before taking action.

Greenbriar West Elementary School is far from the only Fairfax County Public School with an overcrowding problem.

Thursday, February 19

Potomac: Whitman Girls' Basketball Eyes Undefeated Season

Vikings motivated by 2014 playoff loss to Kennedy.

The Whitman girls' basketball team is 17-0.

Potomac Home Sales: January, 2015

In January, 2015, 27 Potomac homes sold between $5,500,000-$330,000.

Potomac Home Sales: January, 2015

Wednesday, February 18

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Black History Month Celebrations

Local students learn about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans.

Fourth grade student Eli West crafted a poem this month that was modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.

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Super-Insulation Talk Attracts Homeowners in Reston

How to lower electric, gas and water bills?

The Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in Reston was the venue for a well-attended presentation by Rich and Marian Taschler on proper home insulation and its mostly unknown benefits. The program was offered under the auspices of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University.

Whitman Girls' Basketball Eyes Undefeated Season

Vikings motivated by 2014 playoff loss to Kennedy.

The 2013-14 Whitman girls’ basketball team, which had won 20 games in row, picked a terrible time to lay an egg.

Column: Real-Time, Really Late

I’m not a night owl. More of an early bird, worms notwithstanding. But given the contents of last week’s column, “Scantsy,” I find it difficult to write about anything else while waiting for the results of my CT Scan.

Celebrating Potomac’s Part in Underground Railroad

Montgomery County’s underground railroad trail and Josiah Henson Park honor courageous African Americans.

In the 1850s, the citizens of Maryland were divided over the future of slavery in the Union.

Library Lovers Month’ Highlights Programs, Services

Kaydee Puppeteers to present two shows Feb. 28.

To Celebrate February as “Library Lover’s Month,” the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Potomac Chapter, will sponsor Kaydee Puppeteers on Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

Letter to the Editor

Motorists and Rail Crossings

As an expert witness in railroad accident cases, I have spent countless hours observing motorist behavior at the Randolph Road railroad crossing in Rockville.

‘An Outstanding Human Being’

Friends and family recall Ted Cain.

Theophilus Edmund Cain, known by a host of friends and family as “Ted,” died Monday, Feb. 9 at home in Potomac.

Column: A Recipe for Economic Revival

Commentary

Just six years ago, Maryland was ranked a healthy third in the nation as a “New Economy” state burgeoning with technology companies and awash with capital.

Thursday, February 12

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Matthew Charged In West Potomac Alumna Hannah Graham Murder

Suspect faces life in prison.

Nearly five months after the disappearance of University of Virginia sophomore and West Potomac High School alumna Hannah Graham, the primary suspect in her death investigation has been indicted by a grand jury in Albemarle County.

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Combining Health and Mental Health

Community Services Board provides emergency services, prevention and treatment.

One teenager who attempted suicide revealed that if anyone had asked him beforehand whether he was thinking of hurting himself, he would have said yes.

Fairfax County Judge Orders More John Geer Materials Released

Family’s lawyer’s motions supported.

Though extensive, the thousands of pages of documents, dozens of audio files and handful of videos released last month by Fairfax County, documenting the shooting death of Springfield resident John Geer, aren’t exhaustive.

Wednesday, February 11

Letter: Failing in Their Duties

Letter to the Editor

I applaud your editorial on the Geer murder (“No Justification for Secrecy, Delay on Geer Shooting,” Connection, February 4-10, 2015). The Connection has done yeoman’s work in keeping this tragedy in front of the public, unlike other newspapers which are johnnie-come-latelies.

Editorial: Not the First or Only Time

Secrecy around police shootings has been a problem for at least a decade.

The official position of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the need for changes in policy after the shooting of John Geer by police in Springfield in August of 2013 appears to be that this is the first time police policies have been a problem: “Policies for handling police-involved incidents, which served us well for decades, were inadequate in this complicated situation.”

What To Do To Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Some suggestions for a one-of-a-kind day.

Valentine’s Day is this Saturday.

Remodeling Expands Amount of Useful Space

Trend emphasizes open designs.

Open, airy and clean — that’s the look that a Potomac family wanted when they decided to remodel their dark and dingy, 1970s era kitchen.

Focusing on Residents’ Priorities

It's an honor to serve you as your Maryland state delegate, representing District 15.

Lewin’s Art on Exhibit at Photoworks

Local artist conveys emotional perspective in her photography.

Most every mother can relate to the constant, plaguing worry that Potomac artist Na’ama Lewin expresses in her latest photo exhibit, “A Day at the Pool.”

Caring for the Potomac

Developers have major role in maintaining and improving river’s health

It might sound counterintuitive, but the health of the Potomac River might be improving thanks to large-scale development in places like Tysons Corner and Rockville.

Column: ‘Scantsy’

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to characterize the feelings I regularly experience during the final few weeks leading up to my every-three-month CT Scan, and even more so the feelings I experience waiting the following week or so to see my oncologist to discuss the results.

Friday, February 6

Potomac Sports Briefs for the Week of Feb. 4, 2015

Potomac sports briefs, week of Feb. 4, 2015.

Letter: Montgomery County Council To Decide On Pesticide Use

Spring is just around the corner and if the Montgomery County Council has its way, residents will learn to live with weeds, ticks, grubs and Mother Nature’s other irritants.

WMCCA Column: Defining and Ensuring Effectiveness

The proposed pesticide law pending before the Montgomery County Council and the National Park Service proposal to collect entrance fees from those using the C&O Canal National Historical Park present interesting challenges. We will learn more about the pesticide bill at WMCCA’s Feb. 11 meeting. C&O Canal Superintendent Kevin Brandt will discuss the fee proposal and other Canal issues at our March 11 meeting.

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Workshop for Potomac Parents on Managing Family Stress

Feb. 11 event is part of Parent University.

Mental health specialist Elizabeth DuPont Spencer believes stress is a topic familiar to most busy families.

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A Leafier Kind of Classroom in Potomac’s Backyard

Retired teachers taking their classroom skills to the great outdoors to introduce children to the C&O Canal.

An estimated one million children attend school along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which stretches from Washington, D.C. through Virginia and Maryland and out to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Through the C&O Canal National Historic Park, children have the opportunity to spend hours out in nature learning the importance of the canal to the nation's capital and surrounding region.

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Potomac’s Oasis for Learning

Program targets 50 years and older.

Just moments away from Potomac is OASIS — a hidden gem offering lifelong learning, healthy living activities and social engagement. Many classes are held inside the Macy’s Home Store at Westfield’s Montgomery Mall, but others are located throughout the county. Its 51-page brochure lists a variety of opportunities that provide everything from exercise programs to volunteer opportunities, interesting and informative classes taught by local experts to technology training that will build confidence with the latest computer, iPad or Facebook challenge.

Wednesday, February 4

Column: The Past Future is Now Present

Presumably, maybe even obviously, nearly six years into a “terminal” diagnosis, arrangements for a smooth transition of power should have been made already.

Tuesday, February 3

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Local Prep Football Coaches React to End of Super Bowl XLIX

Majority say they would have called a run play from 1-yard line.

Lake Braddock football coach Jim Poythress sticks up for Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Sunday, February 1

Be Part of the Pet Connection

The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish Feb. 25, 2015.