Stories for January 2021

Regional Travel Survey Shows Benefits of Walkable, Transit-Oriented Places

Coalition for Smarter Grown shares Council of Government’s report highlights on walkable, transit-oriented places like Alexandria and Arlington.

Biking and Walking: “Among the key findings of the survey has been the growth in biking and walking in the core jurisdictions of DC, Arlington, and Alexandria. It has also indicated that activity centers with a focused mix of jobs and housing also have higher rates of walking and biking,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.

Shots into Arms Going Slowly, Montgomery County Is Slower

When Maryland opened eligibility for Covid-19 vaccine to those in Category 1B, Montgomery County did not.

Will Police Remain a Force in Montgomery County Schools?

Registration already full for public hearing on School Resource Officers program Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m.

Let’s repeat the known facts: Black and Hispanic students are suspended twice as often as their white peers in elementary, middle and high schools.

Elie McConihe Cain Dies at 83

’Mayor of Potomac’ dead of complications of Covid-19

Eleanor (Elie) McConihe Cain, known to many long-time residents as the mayor of Potomac, died on Tuesday, Jan. 19 of complications relating to Covid-19.

Opinion: Column: Reoriented

Or to quote my high school baseball coach: "Reorientated."

Sorority Sisters Celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris

Joy, tears and hope about this historic moment in history

Wearing their sorority’s signature strand of pearls and clothing in shades of pink and green, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority members Martha Coleman and Shirley Dickerson Taylor were filled with awe and jubilation as they watched their sorority sister and fellow Historically Black College and University (HBCU) alum Kamala Harris, sworn in as Vice President of the United States.

Opinion: Editorial: We Still Need Your Help

Thank you to hundreds who have supported us financially, and with warm words of encouragement

In 2009, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after a year-long journey of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, I have been fine.

Maryland Moves to COVID Vaccine Phase 1B

In Montgomery County, 1,190 deaths and 54,525 cases; 1,437 cases in Potomac 20854

Montgomery County residents 75 and over may now pre-register for an appointment to receive the Covid-19 vaccination when supplies allow.

Potomac Author To Discuss First Novel

Mark E. Klein, a Potomac doctor and author, will share the adventures of Franklin Rock from his book of the same name during a virtual talk Thursday, Jan. 21, sponsored by the Potomac Library.

Pet Food and People Food Needed for Pantries

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) and its nonprofit partner MCPAW are collecting pet food for county residents who need help.

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent to Retire

Smith will move to Maine to join his wife, helping care for young grandson who had heart surgery.

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack R. Smith announced last week that he will retire effective June 1.

Three Down to Two Stories in Potomac

Consensus reached when Spectrum Retirement Communities revised plans for a 100-unit building at Behnke’s property on River Road

Instead of arguing, debating or even objecting, land use attorney David Brown told hearing examiners with the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings, “I’ll be sitting back and listening.”

Montgomery County Board of Education Pushes Back Date for In-person Learning

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to delay the start of returning small groups of students for in-person instruction.

Opinion: Column: Cancer and Covid...

…don't exactly go together like milk and cookies.

Blood Donations Needed

Since 1970, blood donors have been recognized in the month of January during National Blood Donor Month.

Helping Children Navigate Anxiety

Sharing feelings, listening without judgement during current political turmoil

As communities cope with the shock of daunting images of the recent riot at the U.S. Capitol, the mental health toll on children and teens can be significant but go unnoticed, say local therapists.

Opinion: Commentary: Don’t Go to D.C. for Inauguration

The chief executives of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia held a joint call to discuss planning for the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

Potomac Home Sales: December, 2020

In December, 2020, 78 Potomac homes sold between $4,200,000-$425,000.

Potomac Home Sales: December, 2020

Getting Shots into Arms in Montgomery County

A glimpse at County’s COVID-19 vaccine plan

County residents looking for when and where they can get COVID-19 vaccines can only wait and wonder.

Activities, Entertainment Available with Zoom

Three local groups have joined together to offer Zoom lecture and videos to residents during this time of quarantine and social distancing.

HomeLifeStyle: Sunroom with an Abundance of Light

Large windows make the space bright and airy.

When the owners of a colonial, built in 1963 in Potomac, Md. decided to renovate their home, they wanted to make sure the traditional charm was maintained in an updated aesthetic that allows for streams of natural light.

Artistic Endeavors for January: Montgomery County and the C&O Canal Trust

Two contests open

Montgomery County and the C&O Canal Trust have each announced art contests, open to all, to promote ongoing programs.

Happy Birthday Falls Road Golf Course: Share Your Memories and More

The 60th anniversary of Falls Road Golf Course is coming up in 2021.

Maryland Moves Forward on Preliminaries for Toll Lanes

$11 billion project still faces many unanswered questions on environment, community impact and need.

Last Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, the State Highway Administration released names of three bidders to do preliminary work necessary before building $11-billion toll lanes.

Virtual Public Forum on Proposed Bus Service Changes, Jan. 28, Route 36 In Bethesda and Potomac

Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Transit Services, would like to receive comments on Route 36.

Opinion: Column: In Effect, a Trade

Incurable but treatable non small cell lung cancer, stage IV for incurable but treatable papillary thyroid cancer stage IV.

Burke, Springfield, Herndon, Cabin John Irish Dancers Win Championship

Eight-year-old Ciara Foley, Burke, and nine-year-old Gabby Brown, Springfield, were among five dancers from McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance to bring home a championship title from the annual Oireachtas.

Celebrity Bird in Potomac

A male Painted Bunting, sporting colors that must be seen to be believed, has been hanging around in Potomac, just south of the Great Falls Tavern, causing quite a stir.

This Year in Montgomery County, Keep Your Eye On….

Will the Agricultural Reserve be preserved in perpetuity, as intended, or will County Council press forward in 2021 to permit industrial solar power on agricultural land in its effort to combat climate change?

West Montgomery County Citizens Association January 2021 Newsletter

Join us for a discussion on septic systems, wells, and their stewardship.

When Will Those Montgomery County School Bells Ring?

Now that we have rung in the new year and the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available, will Montgomery County Public Schools return to in-class instruction soon?

Opinion: Column: New Year, Old Problem: Cancer

As I sit and write here, with too much time on my hands, I can't help but consider my lot in life.

Gentle and Subtle Resolutions for 2021

Try small, simple and achievable goals

For 2021, local mental health professionals advise being gentle with yourself when creating the daily schedules and resolutions that often come with the beginning of the New Year.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Heroes of Our Time

In 1940, when the British Royal Air Force (RAF) was fighting the air war in the skies over England, Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister at the time made the following statement referring to the RAF pilots: