Stories for January 2017

Submit Photos to Pet Almanac

The Pet Almanac, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish the last week of February, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by Feb. 15.

In Session: Virginia Assembly Briefs

To Move Or Not To Move: Local family moves mother into newly opened Kensington Falls Church.

One of the most heart-wrenching decisions that Denise Schossler, her two siblings and her 95-year-old mother had to make was whether or not to move her into an assisted living facility, leaving the home where she’s lived since 1954.

So Much Happening, Don’t Blink

Demonstrations at Dulles in reaction to travel ban; fast moving General Assembly lacks transparency; other key issues.

As this date approaches, the General Assembly has a serious transparency issue, as it continues to kill most proposed legislation with unrecorded voice votes in subcommittee, with no accountability or record of how members voted.

Arrest Made in Shooting at Police Car in Great Falls

Suspect first apprehended in Herndon for waiving a gun.

Just before midnight on Jan. 22, several shots were fired at a marked police cruiser from another vehicle in the Great Falls area, Fairfax County police said.

Fairfax: Board Approves 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Program

Five-year plan includes three new elementary schools and one new high school.

This year, Fairfax County Public Schools experienced one of the smallest annual enrollment increases in nearly a decade: 1,368 students, compared to the average of 2,400 since the 2008-09 school year, bringing the total to 187,202.

Anti-Immigration Ban Rallies Held at Dulles

Demonstrators, volunteer attorneys and elected officials welcome travelers, extend help detainees.

Demonstrations sprang up at airports around the United States over the weekend, following an Executive Order by President Donald Trump that blocks travelers from seven largely Muslim countries — Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia — in the interests of more significant vetting and preventing would-be terrorists from entering the country.

Nominations Sought for Scholar-Athlete Honors

The National Capital Region Chapter of the National Football Foundation is accepting nominations for their 2017 Scholar-Athlete banquet.

Police Car Takes Fire while in Pursuit in Great Falls

Suspect first apprehended in Herndon for waving a gun.

Just before midnight on Jan. 22, several shots were fired at a marked police cruiser from another vehicle in the Great Falls area, Fairfax County police said.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year in Potomac

A Chinese New Year celebration was held at the Potomac Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Planning to Meet on Proposed Country Inn in Potomac

Civic groups voice opposition to proposed expansion of Old Angler’s Inn.

Several Potomac area civic and homeowners associations have joined together to express objections to a proposed country inn on the site of Old Angler’s Inn on MacArthur Blvd.

New Administration Could Impact Potomac Businesses

Locals enter a wait-and-see period.

A period of uncertainty is the way that some are characterizing the current business climate in Potomac.

‘Joseph’ Returns to Har Shalom in Potomac

Musical set for this weekend.

The musical production “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the tale of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the "coat of many colors" is returning to Har Shalom for a repeat performance.

‘Standing Together’ Potomac women join thousands for the Women’s March on Washington, share strong feelings.

There were plenty of pink hats in Potomac Saturday morning as women, girls and men grabbed coffee and sandwiches before heading to Washington for the Women’s March.

Bomb Threats Extend Locally; Montgomery County Jewish Community Center among those targeted.

The Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville was among the Jewish centers across the nation to receive bomb threats in the last two weeks.

Visiting a Global Village in Potomac

The Bullis school hosted a global village where students celebrated countries from around the world with booths showing the food, music and crafts from their countries.

Lessons from the Wilderness from St. Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac

New Year’s Day was bright and sunny, and my sons and I decided to start things off right with a hike along the C & O Canal.

Forming Friendships and Professional Connections: The Rotary Club Of Potomac

It started with the vision of one man — Paul P. Harris.

Editorial: America in Black & White

Growing up in America in the 1950s and 1960s, many children watched television only in black and white. Some children believed that the world beyond where they could see was only black and white, devoid of color even though their homes, their neighborhoods, their schools, their crayon boxes were filled with colors.

Opinion: Counting on Our Reps in Congress

Sound the call to action; resist changes that are against the values and beliefs of most Virginia voters.

While most voters in the United States did not vote for Donald Trump for president, it was all the more so here in Northern Virginia.

Nominations Sought for Scholar-Athlete Honors

The National Capital Region Chapter of the National Football Foundation is accepting nominations for their 2017 Scholar-Athlete banquet.

Aircraft Noise Soars

Citizens seek answers for why and what can be done.

Increased noise from planes taking off from and landing at Reagan National Airport was the topic of discussion at the West Montgomery County Citizens Association Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Author to speak at Potomac Library: Financial Guide for Moms

"Of all life's financial shocks, few compare to bringing home an infant. Just one tiny person costs $250,000 to raise — not including college," said Kimberly Palmer, author of “Smart Mom, Rich Mom.”

Area Businessman Suggests Tech Trends to Look for in 2017

Future closes in

As 2016 drew to a close and 2017 loomed in the future, Heinan Landa, CEO of Optimal Networks in Rockville, considered the changes in technology he thought would most affect businesses, and home computer users, in the near future.

Top 5 Technology Trends and Predictions for 2017

Commentary

Technology touches all parts of our lives — from accessing your desktop anywhere to ordering laundry detergent through Amazon Dash buttons.

Obituary: John David (Jack) Trunnell

John David (Jack) Trunnell of McLean, Va. died on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 after a brief fight with pancreatic cancer. He died peacefully, surrounded by his wife and five sons. He was 65.

Fabric Place Basement Alexandria Grand Opening

Planning for Summer Camp

Local camp fairs help families navigate the maze of summer camp offerings.

In an effort to confront religious intolerance, a group of local middle school students will attend a camp aimed at bringing together children from different religions and giving them the chance to come together, make new friendships, visit houses of worship, learn about other traditions and practice dialogue to confront Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism.

Opioid Treatment Service Jan. 17

Addiction Help

As you are well aware, the heroin and opioid dependency problem is growing across the nation, the Commonwealth, and our community is not being spared. The CSB has adjusted resources to help meet this critical demand for people seeking treatment; a new program begins soon. We need your help spreading the word about it. The CSB is holding an open forum for anyone who is seeking help for a loved one or knows of someone who might need help.

Potomac Home Sales: December, 2016

In December, 2016, 46 Potomac homes sold between $2,356,550-$300,000.

Potomac Home Sales: December, 2016

Firefighters Connect with the Community

Helping community is bottom line for Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department deputy fire chief.

Corinne Piccardi, deputy fire chief at Cabin John Park Volunteer fire Department, follows her heart.

New Year, New Order: Organizing an unruly linen closet

If retrieving an item from the top shelf of one’s linen closet sets off an avalanche of mismatched sheets and tattered towels, it might be time for a linen closet reorganization.

Editorial: About the Potomac Almanac

Happy New Year. We need your help in 2017.

Cabin John Park Firefighters Connect with the Community

Corinne Piccardi, deputy fire chief at Cabin John Park Volunteer fire Department, follows her heart.

Letter to the Editor: Admiring Students' Works

Regarding the student talent edition: What a brilliant idea it was to showcase the art and writings of our community’s young students in the Dec. 28, 2016 edition of the Almanac.

Learning about Aging-in-Place in Potomac

The Potomac Community Village (PCV) will be hosting a Prospective Member Get-together on Sunday, Jan. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. inviting those interested in learning more about the non-profit group to attend and chat with Potomac neighbors over refreshments.