Stories for March 2015

Potomac: ‘Girls’ Night Out’ Features Author Iris Krasnow

Women gather for a night of learning and laughter

“The Healing Power of Women’s Friendships” — a timely topic for a “Girls Night Out” evening — set the tone and spirit for an evening featuring the wisdom of journalist and New York Times best-selling author Iris Krasnow.

Potomac Doctor Fixes Broken Hearts

“Heart healer” Craig Sable saves lives of Ugandan children.

“I am staring at a list of the names of over 100 Ugandan children with holes, blockages and leaks in their heart, knowing that for some, in a few short weeks, the dream that they and their families have been praying for will finally come true...."

Out & About: Spring (Finally) Finds Potomac

Column: Emerging from the Polar Vortex

Spring is here; time to dig in and preserve the local environment.

It seems like such a short time ago that the words “polar” and “climate change” prompted only images of iconic polar bears searching for the last melting Arctic ice floes. Few of us had even heard of “polar vortexes” and their impacts on the Potomac Subregion, but we have all learned rapidly about this other, more local, effect of climate change. Now, finally, the daffodils are budding up and it appears the long winter is over.

Potomac: Churchill Senior Dubick Breaks Maryland Points Record

Attackman surpasses previous record of 380 points.

Churchill's Louis Dubick is approaching state records for career goals and assists.

Police Captain Graduates from FBI Academy

Captain Graham H. McGowan is the Fairfax County Police Department’s latest graduate of the FBI’s National Academy, which has just completed its 259th session.

Girl Scouts Troop 3651 Raise Money for Honor Flights

Film and presentations explain the importance of getting veterans to Washington D.C. to see their monuments.

Girl Scout Troop 3651 organized a screening of the moving Honor Flight, and invited two World War II veterans, Howard Jester and George Hanna, to speak to the audience after the film.

Fairfax County School Board Votes Down Veterans Day School Holiday

Fairfax Station resident Steven Hunt, retired U.S. Navy, put it bluntly: “Votes count, words don’t.” That was following a vote in which all but two members of the Fairfax County School Board voted against an amendment to the 2015-2016 calendar that would have made Veterans Day a school holiday.

Editorial: Good, Bad and Ugly

A look at recently ended session of the Virginia General Assembly.

The 2015 session of the Virginia General Assembly came to an end last week, and some of the biggest news was about what it did not do.

Spring Fun in Potomac

Column: Health Matters More

I realize money doesn’t buy happiness, although I wouldn’t mind renting it.

Out & About in Potomac

March: In Like a Lion, Up and Down Like a Gazelle

Potomac: Collecting Shoes To Fight Against Poverty

Junior Girl Scout Troop 642 spearheads Soles4Souls shoe drive.

Everyone has a pair of shoes or two that aren’t as comfortable as they would like, don’t go with anything they have — or that they are just plain tired of. Residents should dig deep in their closets and bring their “gently used” shoes to the Potomac United Methodist Church (PUMC) at 9908 South Glen Road in Potomac on Sunday, March 29 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. By donating shoes, residents will be helping Soles4Souls, a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting the “devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty.”

Potomac Sports Briefs for the Week of March. 25, 2015

The Churchill boys’ lacrosse team opened the 2015 season with a 23-2 win over Kennedy at home on Monday.

Potomac: Beer, Wine and Sake Added to En Bistro

Restaurant receives liquor license.

Since opening this past year, En Bistro and Sushi has impressed the Potomac community with its fresh sushi and sashimi, served in a manner that resembles a piece of fine art, instead of a dinner entrée. The small restaurant, located behind the Verizon store and next to Tally Ho in the Potomac Village Shopping Center is a Japanese bistro, complete with a kimono, once owned by a Japanese movie actor. The kimono was sent to owner Billy Ye by his mother many years ago — and he has been waiting to find the just right spot for hanging it.

News Brief: Fields Opening Delayed, Potomac

The opening of all Montgomery Parks’ park and elementary / middle school athletic fields (excluding synthetic turf fields) have been delayed from the original opening date of March 15 until April 1 at the earliest, due to this year’s harsh winter weather conditions.

Brief: Later School Start Times in Potomac

The Montgomery County Board of Education voted to change school starting and ending times for the public schools effective for the 2015-2016 school year — moving middle and high school start times 20 minutes later and elementary school start times 10 minutes later.

Potomac: Winners of the Lego Challenge

The winners of the Toy Castle Lego Build Challenge 2015 are Colin and Leah Smith, Minche Lee and Alex Mandy.

Potomac: ‘Guys Night Out and Seder Summit’

Beth Sholom hosts annual night of fine fare and camaraderie.

Kosher BBQ ribs, fried chicken, fries — and 13 Scotch companies pouring samples — nothing could make a gathering of 500-plus men any more content than devouring their favorite comfort foods while bonding and schmoozing with other men. In addition to fine fare and camaraderie, the men benefited from Rabbi Nissan Antine’s discussion concerning how to make their own family Passover Seder relevant and significant.

Emotional Beginning for Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission

While several other members of the recently created Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission stated their general intent to listen and learn and help, Salvatore Culosi had a more specific request.

First Meeting Scheduled for Ad Hoc Police Commission

With endorsement, albeit non-unanimous, from the Board of Supervisors, the ad hoc commission organized by Board Chairman Sharon Bulova to review Fairfax County Police Department practices will hold its first meeting March 23.

Special Enrollment Period for Affordable Care Act Open

NVFS and Healthworks are resources for area residents through April 30.

Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) will be providing free enrollment assistance and educational material to Virginia families and individuals that qualify for the Affordable Care Act Special Enrollment Period from March 15-April 30.

Commentary: Investing in Families Strengthens Communities

Letter to the Editor

The Fairfax County proposed $7.13 billion budget for fiscal year 2016 comes at devastating cost for the most vulnerable families in our community. Included in the budget is the complete elimination of Healthy Families, a nationally recognized, evidence-based child abuse and neglect prevention program that serves hundreds of at-risk families.

Potomac Weekend Entertainment: 03/20/15

Friday-Saturday/March 20-21

Potomac Home Sales: February, 2015

In February, 2015, 23 Potomac homes sold between $1,450,000-$480,000.

Potomac Home Sales: February, 2015

Students From Around Fairfax County Recognized for Promoting Peace

After a friend of South County High School senior Sakira Coleman was sexually assaulted while running on a local public path, Coleman decided to take action and started the “Fight for Your Right to Run at Night” program.

First Meeting Set for Fairfax County Police Commission

With endorsement, albeit non-unanimous, from the Board of Supervisors, the ad hoc commission organized by board chairman Sharon Bulova to review Fairfax County Police Department practices will hold its first meeting March 23.

Potomac: Performing Musical Numbers in ‘Opposition’

Winston Churchill hosts annual Blast from the Past.

“Opposition” — this year’s thematic thread that weaves through the 26th Annual Blast from the Past song and dance production — brings to light the concept of opposition within musical numbers.

Column: Money Matters

It always does, and there always are; especially if you have to work for a living and cancer is a part of that living.

STEM-Maker Day at Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac

Sunday's "build it" workshop brought cheers from the 16 curious students, in third through sixth grades, who brought their enthusiasm and their creativity to Connelly School of the Holy Child on a sunny afternoon.

Letter: Why Oppose Improving School Food?

Letter to the Editor

For a local take on a subject of national interest, the School Nutrition Association’s powerful influence is being felt in Annapolis. In response to proposed legislation to improve the quality of food in Maryland’s public schools, officers from the Maryland Chapter of the SNA came out to testify against these bills.

Potomac: Leggett Proposes $5.1 Billion County Budget

County Executive Ike Leggett this week released his Recommended FY16 Operating Budget of $5.1 billion for the year that begins on July 1, 2015.

News: School Board Discusses Unaccompanied Youth in Potomac

The Montgomery County Board of Education reviewed the increased enrollment of unaccompanied youth in the school system at its March 10 meeting.

Potomac: Whitman Girls Fall To Roosevelt in State Semifinals

The Whitman girls’ basketball team’s undefeated season came to an end March 12, when the Vikings lost to Eleanor Roosevelt 48-30 in the 4A state semifinals at Towson University.

News Brief: Comment on Deer Management Plan

The comment period for the National Park Service’s White-tailed Deer Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Harpers Ferry and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal national historical parks ends March 20.

Ride On Pilot Project in Potomac Tests Turn Warning System

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Ride On bus system is testing a turn warning alert that notifies pedestrians of a turning vehicle.

Potomac: Time To Apply To Leadership Programs

Leadership Montgomery is now accepting applications for all five of its leadership programs.

Council Limits E-cigarette Use in Potomac

The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved Bill 56-14 on March 3 to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in public places where traditional tobacco smoking is prohibited.

Potomac: Public Invited To Hear Martin Luther King, III

Martin Luther King, III, son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will speak about his late father’s legacy and his own personal efforts for human rights advocacy on Thursday March 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cabin John Middle School all purpose room.

The Right Fit: Choosing a Summer Camp

How parents can ensure positive summer experiences for their children.

Though the official start of spring is still days away and the frigidity of winter is still recent on the minds of many, Janelle Wright, a Potomac, Md., mother of two, has already mapped out the summer for her children.

Editorial: On Police Information and Secrecy

Time for change in public access to police information.

The first meeting of the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission will take place next Monday, March 23, and it comes with hope for real change.

Bringing a European Game to Potomac

Area coaches, players hope more young athletes will consider playing polo.

Gustavo Fraga and his son, Patricio Fraga-Errecart, share a love of horses that Fraga brought with him from his native Spain.

Mission Possible: Cheering the Troops

Entertaining U.S. military personnel in Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Potomac resident and Washington Redskins cheerleader Christa Aiken took her talents to far away fields when she traveled out of the country on Jan. 21 with four fellow “First Ladies of Football” to participate in the 49th Armed Forces Entertainment Southwest Asia Redskins Tour.

Whitman Girls’ Basketball Wins 4A West Region Championship

Junior guard Hatch scores 23 points, suffers season-ending injury.

After accepting the 4A West region championship plaque on the court at Paint Branch High School, members of the Whitman girls’ basketball team ran back to the bench to celebrate with their teammate who played a major role the Vikings’ victory.

Interfaith Works To Spotlight Volunteers

Interfaith Works CEO Shane C. Rock will present “The State of the Safety Net” in Montgomery County at the organization’s 18th annual Companies Caring Breakfast on March 24 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference.

The Leadership Montgomery Core Class Meets the Governor

The Leadership Montgomery Core class met with Gov. Larry Hogan at a recent program day in Annapolis last month.

Home Improvements Earn Remodeling Awards

Four Sun Design remodeling projects named Washington-area “Contractor of the Year” winners.

It’s been a good year for Sun Design Remodeling. In January, the full-service design/build remodeler won four “Contractor of the Year” awards from the Washington, D.C. chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Then, in February, an already locally-honored gourmet kitchen was named category best (“kitchen above $150k”) in the 10-state southeastern region.

Luxury Apartments Popping Up All Over Northern Virginia

Renters want resort-like amenities and access to transportation.

After a long, hard day at work, Jordan Coleman comes home to a large apartment with modern amenities, including a 24-hour concierge, ample living space, a state–of-the-art fitness center and a pool. The apartment features high-end appliances and finishes as well as an open, flowing layout and large walk-in closets. Coleman – a lawyer and Capitol Hill staffer – shares the pricey rent with a friend. The complex is owned by Avalon, which has properties in Arlington, Fairfax, Herndon, Falls Church, Tysons Corner and Vienna, Virginia, as well as Bethesda, Maryland, and Washington.

Whitman Girls’ Basketball Wins 4A West Region Championship

Junior guard Hatch scores 23 points, suffers season-ending injury.

The Whitman girls' basketball team beat Wootton in the region championship game.

Column: How Lucky Am I

You’ll note there’s no question mark after the “I.”

Fairfax County hosts first Inmate Resource Fair.

They’re hoping the third time will be a charm: 34-year-old Demeterius Spann of the Richmond Highway area of Alexandria and 29-year-old Nydale Sheppard of Reston have each been incarcerated three times.

Column: Sole-Searching

There’s no denying the emotional fact that the CT Scan results I received and wrote about last week were a bit of a disappointment.

Column: WMCCA on the C&O Canal and Artificial Turf

The Potomac community’s front yard.

The next meeting of the West Montgomery County Citizens Association will be held Wednesday, March 11, 7:15 p.m., at the Potomac Community Center.

Recalling Marilyn Shockey

Countless fairy tales begin with “Once Upon a Time” and tell the story of princesses, pirates, dragons, knights, and wolves. The fables often finish with the words “The End.” This month, the area theater community is mourning the loss of long-time Potomac resident and local playwright, singer, songwriter and actress Marilyn Shockey.

Tips on Growing Plants from Seed

Advice from Master Gardener Gary Cahn.

The Hoe ‘n Hope Garden Club welcomed Montgomery Country Master Gardener Gary Cahn into member Sarah Funt’s home on Tuesday, Feb. 3 to share his expertise on how to start vegetable and annual seeds indoors.

Volunteer Training on Wed., March 11

Potomac Community Village volunteers Tammy and Barry Meyer role-play at a Feb. 25 session as a service requester and the volunteer who has come to her home to assist her.

Churchill’s Faerber Captures Trio of Diving Championships

Junior wins metros, regions and states.

Churchill diver Elaina Faerber prefers to spend half of each meet by herself. Maybe the junior will listen to some mellow country music, maybe she’ll pick Gavin DeGraw. She spends the other half laughing and dancing with friends, trying not to get caught up in the moment.

These Moms Know How To Pack a Lunch

A solution to plastic sandwich bags launches a business.

It started with three Potomac moms sitting around a kitchen table in 2008, bemoaning the fact that children’s lunches these days consume a whole lot of plastic.