Brief: Back-to-School Means Bus Awareness
Now that Montgomery County Public Schools are back in session, the Police Department reminds residents that on Jan. 2 the county began using an automated school bus camera enforcement program. Every driver should know that when approaching a stopped school bus with activated stop sign and flashing red lights, Maryland law requires that all traffic from both directions must stop and remain stopped until the stop sign and lights are de-activated.
About the Connection
As your local, weekly newspaper, the Connection’s mission is to deliver the local news you need, to try to make sense of what is happening in your community, to gather information about the best things in and near your community, to advocate for community good, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record achievements, milestones and events in the community and people’s lives.
And Another Thing I’m “Righting” On
Not only did last week’s CT Scan indicate shrinkage, where necessary – and stability, where hoped for – it also accomplished these hoped-for goals after only two months of chemotherapy (still infused every three weeks) rather than the normal three months of chemotherapy. So depending on how the calendar/treatment schedule actually fell, I probably received two fewer infusions than usual, yet all the radiological indications – and interpretations – continue to be encouraging; after five and a half years, no less. I think I’m entitled to use the word amazing – and lucky, too.
Fairfax County’s Success Story
Economic success: 50 years in the making.
If you are a newcomer to Fairfax County, allow me to welcome you to one of the most dynamic communities anywhere in the world to live and work. It was the vision of many people to create this kind of community, so please allow me to offer a quick history lesson.
Election Day Nov. 4
Every state and local office that represents Potomac is on the ballot Nov. 4.
If you want some choice in who will represent you on County Council, as County Executive, in the Maryland General Assembly, now is the time to engage. If you think it doesn’t matter much, these are the people who make land use decisions, decide what to do with county property, who set tax rates, who decide how much money will go to schools, who control services that affect traffic and many other things that affect quality of life more than anything that happens at a national level.
Wootton Sports
Golf team repeated as state champion.
School: Thomas S. Wootton High School. Mascot: Patriots.
Whitman Sports
The Whitman girls’ soccer team won the 2013 state championship.
School: Walt Whitman High School. Mascot: Vikings.
Bullis Sports
Football team won final nine games of 2013 season.
School: The Bullis School. Mascot: Bulldogs.
Editorial: Back to School - Good Steps, Good Intentions
The first day of school in Fairfax County is Tuesday, Sept. 2, but Monday, Sept. 8 is the beginning of something important. For the first time in decades, elementary school students will have a full day of school on Mondays instead of being sent home hours early. This action makes so much sense in for families with children in elementary school. The ability of Superintendent Karen Garza to facilitate this change to go into effect right away is remarkable, and we hope a promise for more changes ahead.
Churchill Sports
Golf team finished state runner-up.
School: Winston Churchill High School Mascot: Bulldogs.
Serving Up Innovative Cuisine
Executive Chef Chris Mayo transforms Bethesda Country Club’s menus.
June 29, 2012: The derecho hits Potomac and Bethesda, causing devastation and cancellations. Trees are down, high temperatures with even higher humidity prevail, and there is no power for a week resulting in refrigeration issues and camp-outs in basements.
Get Involved
West Montgomery County Citizens Association: Potomac’s umbrella citizens association.
In 1964, the Montgomery County Council adopted the General Plan "On Wedges and Corridors." This plan established land use guidelines for the County and set the standard for local and area master plans.
Serving Animals
Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is the only open admission shelter in Montgomery County now, according to adoption center representative Katherine Zenzano. That means the shelter accepts any type of animal that gets dropped off at the shelter or that animal control officers get called out to pick up.
Helping the Community
Manna Food Center, the main food bank in Montgomery County, strives to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education and advocacy. Manna has distributed more than 43 million pounds of food to more than 2.7 million individuals.
Community
Above, Your Dog's Friend’s Puppy 2nd grade graduation. Your Dog's Friend, a nonprofit based in Potomac, seeks to keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting their humans.
Get To Know Elected Officials
County Council
Potomac residents live in County Council District 1, and are represented by Councilmember Roger Berliner (D-1) as well as the four at-large councilmembers, Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer. All nine members of the current Montgomery County Council are Democrats.
Potomac Demographics
Zip code: 20854 Population: 49,611
Citizens Advisory Board
The Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board, which serves all of Potomac, offers advice on local issues and needs to the County Executive and the County Council. Members are nominated by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council.
Chamber of Commerce
Community oriented Potomac businessmen formed the Potomac Chamber of Commerce.