Stories for June 2015

Stories for June 2015

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Tuesday, June 30

Potomac Brief: Safety Advisory

U.S. Park Police were part of crew near Great Falls on Sunday, June 28, advising a few swimmers to get out and stay out of Potomac River.

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July 4th Safety

From swimming to fireworks, safety precautions for a festive Independence Day.

It was a near accident at camp last summer that sparked action by one parent. Elementary school-aged campers splashed in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then tragedy almost struck.

Editorial: Open Letter to Elected Officials and Candidates

Spend some of your campaign dollars in newspapers.

Here at the Connection, our email boxes are filling up with messages from people running for office. It’s not surprising, since in November, virtually every state and local office in the commonwealth is on the ballot.

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Potomac Mourns Two Wootton Graduates

Alexander Murk and Calvin Jia-Xing Li, who just graduated from Wootton, dead in Potomac crash.

Alexander Murk and Calvin Jia-Xing Li were both 18, rear-seat passengers who died in the single car accident on Thursday evening, June 25.

Potomac: Call for Pet Almanac Photos

The Pet Almanac, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 22, and photos and stories of residents’ pets should be submitted by July 15.

Potomac: Cat Rescued From 80 Feet Up

Who to call when a cat is 80 feet up a tree? Not even the fire department can reach that high.

While many people in Potomac woke up to Saturday morning's heavy rains worrying about their trees, Jody Irving was worried about her cat, Kahleesi, who had spent the night at least 80 feet up in a tree.

Potomac Brief: Two Begin New Terms on Planning Board

The Montgomery County Planning Board, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), reinstated Casey Anderson (D) as Planning Board Chair and Norman Dreyfuss (R) as a member of the Board.

Potomac Brief: Holiday Schedule for Independence Day

Montgomery County government will observe the following holiday schedule for Independence Day on Friday, July 3 (observed):

Potomac Brief: C&O Canal Handbook Re-released

The revised Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Official National Park Handbook has been re-released.

Perlis Elected President of Potomac Community Village

Barry Perlis, who was named Potomac Citizen of the Year in October by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce, was elected president of local nonprofit Potomac Community Village (PCV) in June.

Thursday, June 25

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Potomac Weekend Fun: June 26-28

Events in the Potomac area for the upcoming weekend.

Tuesday, June 23

Call for Pet Connection Photos

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 22, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 15. Our favorite pictures include both pets and humans. We welcome short stories about how you got your pet, a noteworthy talent or anecdote about your pet, tales of the bonds between your family and your pet, plus drawings, paintings or other artwork of your pet by children or adults Please tell us a little bit about your creature, identify everyone in the photo, give a brief description what is happening in the photo, and include address and phone number (we will not publish your address or phone number, just your town name).

Editorial: Safe Planning for Independence

Talking and planning about celebrating July 4, and throughout the summer months.

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.

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Potomac: Autism Speaks 5K Celebrates Its 15th Year

New stroller derby added.

There is more to July 4 than just fireworks and barbecues. Come to Potomac early in the morning and race in the Autism Speaks 5K run/1 mile walk and Stroller Derby.

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Potomac: Old Angler’s Inn Owners Seeks Approval To Add Pavilion

Neighbors invited to attend discussion meetings.

"My mother's dream was to build a romantic country inn in a natural setting on the land she owned behind Old Angler’s Inn (OAI)," said OAI owner Mark Reges. "However, she was never able to find the time to construct this charming French country inn to share with others as she envisioned it."

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Potomac: Students Promote Bone Marrow Registry

Holy Child junior Kaylie Atwood got involved in There Goes My Hero after her friend’s dad was diagnosed with lymphoma and in need of a bone marrow transplant.

Friday, June 19

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Potomac: Spring Horse Trials

Spring horse trials were Saturday, June 13, at Bittersweet Field in Poolesville.

Thursday, June 18

Potomac Home Sales: May, 2015

In May, 2015, 59 Potomac homes sold between $1,925,000-$508,000.

Potomac Home Sales: May, 2015

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2015 Father's Day Galleries

Links to all galleries for Father's Day

Ideas for Summer Learning

Experts offer suggestions for avoiding summer brain drain.

While summer is opportunity for fun, it can also be a breeding ground for stagnation.

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Potomac Weekend Fun: June 19-21

Events near Potomac for Father's Day weekend, June 19-21.

Tuesday, June 16

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Potomac: KEEN Celebrates 23 Years with Sports Festival

Benefitting athletes and volunteers.

Kids Enjoying Exercise Now (KEEN) holds a special place in the hearts of many young adults with disabilities, their volunteer coaches, family members and supporters. On Sunday, June 7, KEEN participants from Maryland, D.C. and Virginia made it around the bases, jumped for volleyballs, cheered as their teammates made it through the obstacle course and played on the playground at the KEEN Sports Festival at Avenel Park.

Potomac: Providing Friends for Those with Developmental Challenges

Friendship Circle hosts awards dinner.

Three children climbed onto the stage at the Friendship Circle Awards Dinner — and rocked the house, filling the room with joy and laughter as they told the crowd why they loved their "friends-at-home" buddies. Sarah said, "I love to play soccer with her."

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Potomac: Luncheon To Benefit First Tee

Program teaches golf and life skills.

Golf fans may one day see the name Brittany Campbell of Silver Spring on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour. The 13-year-old middle-school student shot the longest drive of all the female golfers in her competition last year. Golf has become her passion since she started in The First Tee program with free lessons at Sligo Creek Golf Course four years ago. “I’m trying to get into college on a scholarship,” she said. “But I still play to have fun … that’s my goal.”

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Potomac: Muslim Foundation Honors Volunteers at Annual Cookout

Year-round effort helps families throughout county.

Many residents aren’t aware of the scope of the problem of hunger in Montgomery County. However, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation (MCMF) understands and confronts the challenge of the hunger of the less fortunate by its food collections of non-perishable goods for Manna.

Monday, June 15

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Potomac: Farewell to Winston Churchill High School

Winston Churchill High School held Commencement Exercises at D.A.R. Constitution Hall on Tuesday, June 2.

Thursday, June 11

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Potomac: Walt Whitman High Graduates Look to the Future

Family and friends of the Walt Whitman Class of 2015 proceed into D.A.R. Constitution Hall as the doors open at 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon, June 3.

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Potomac Weekend Fun: June 12-14

Events near Potomac for the weekend of June 12-14.

Tuesday, June 9

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Trending in the Garden

Local landscape architects offer suggestions for updating.

As summer gets underway, so does time spent outside. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently released the results of its 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Survey, a list of trends in outdoor design that yields a bounty of backyard design ideas. From adding a pond to planting a garden, local landscape gurus explain how these trends can be used to transform an outdoor space into a favorite escape.

Potomac: Market Introduces ‘Community First Day’

Effort seeks to help alleviate hunger.

Once a month, Yasmin Abadian, husband Jimmy McWhorter and their daughter Anna Irani arise at dawn, drive to 24th and G Street in D.C., don aprons, prepare and serve breakfast to the homeless who rely on Miriam’s Kitchen to provide them with a substantial breakfast and to counsel them on how to end their homelessness.

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Potomac: Possible Loss of Tennis Club Upsets Members

New assisted living facility is proposed.

Potomac Tennis and Fitness Club (PTC) and Potomac Pilates members are fearful, angry and disheartened that their favorite recreational facility may be demolished within a year or two.

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Potomac: Luxury Condominium Clubhouse Opens

Quarry Springs model grand opening set for June 28.

The developers of a new, luxury condominium complex unveiled the project’s clubhouse recently.

Potomac: Bethesda Big Train off to Undefeated Start

Manager Colangelo looking for stronger road starts.

Bethesda Big Train manager Sal Colangelo was pleased with the final result of Monday’s game against the Vienna River Dogs — an early-season matchup of undefeated teams in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League. But it was the Big Train’s initial effort that had Colangelo voicing his displeasure.

Friday, June 5

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Potomac: Wootton’s Graduates March into the Future

“‘The time has come,’ the Walrus said.

Thursday, June 4

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Potomac: New Traffic Light to Alleviate Backups

A new traffic light was installed over the past several weeks at Brickyard Road and MacArthur Boulevard.

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Potomac Weekend Fun: June 5-7

Events in the Potomac area for the weekend of June 4-6.

Wednesday, June 3

Editorial: Overdose Deaths Are Preventable

New “safe reporting” law encourages people to seek help in time.

The death rate due to heroin overdose more than doubled between 2010 through 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with an average increase of 37 percent per year in the United States.

Tuesday, June 2

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Kudzu: ‘The Vine That Ate the South’ Spreads in Potomac

Most people living in the Potomac area are used to a sight common along the beltway and area roadsides. That is, thick masses of coiling, dark green vines climbing all over other native trees and shrubs. This plant is known as kudzu. And like it or not, its reputation is spreading.

Potomac: Midyear Financial Checkup

Local financial experts offer advice for assessing financial health.

For those who set financial goals in January, perhaps as part of a New Year’s resolution, the beginning of summer provides an ideal opportunity to re-access those targets, say financial experts.

Letter: Role of Potomac Community Village

Letter to the Editor

Thank you very much for your coverage in the May 27 issue of Potomac Community Village’s birthday party on May 21. However, your article said we had the pleasure of having Congressman John Delaney as our speaker that evening.

Sports Brief

Bethesda Big Train To Face T-Bolts In Home Opener

The Bethesda Big Train, a member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, will face the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts in its home opener at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 at Shirley Povich Field.

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Potomac: New Townhouses Coming on Seven Locks Road

Winchester Homes will soon be constructing 23 townhouses on 5.24 acres along Seven Locks Road across from the Heights School in Potomac.

Monday, June 1

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Summer Fun, Summer Safety

Tips for averting summer danger.

It’s a familiar call. The sun beams down from mid-summer sky. Temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but safety conditions start to plummet.