Between Halves
At present, July 12th, I’m halfway, approximately, between my last CT Scan which showed a previously unseen silver-dollar sized growth in my lower left lung and my next CT Scan scheduled for August 6th, one month earlier than my usual three-month interval in order to make an evaluation sooner rather than later; to determine if this is new growth or nothing more than old growth that is now visible due to the combination of shrinking tumors and dissipating fluid opening up the viewing area, so to speak. Apparently, the chemotherapy drug, Alimta, with which I’ve been infused every three weeks since last September appears to be doing its hoped-for job: shrinkage.
Eight FCPS Students Win College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships
Eight Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) graduates from the class of 2014 have been named winners of college-sponsored scholarships by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Recipients of college-sponsored scholarships from the NMSC, with their probable career fields in parentheses, are:
Editorial: Save a Little, Help Others Prepare for School
Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies is a good reminder to donate supplies and dollars for children who need help arriving at school prepared.
Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies and clothing is Aug. 1-3, and it makes sense to take advantage of the savings, and to spread the wealth around.
Primary Finalizes November Competitors
A Green candidate joins County Board at Large race.
The Democratic primaries, held on June 24, have solidified the candidate field for November’s elections. Unofficial results from the Montgomery County Board of Elections, including early voting, election day, and absentee voting, is as follows:
School Note: Potomac Elementary Student Competes Nationally
Shirin Ghorbani, a second grader at Potomac Elementary School, won the state of Maryland's PTA Reflections art contest in the literature division with her story "Hoppy's Big Dream," and will now compete for the second time in two years at the national competition this summer. Fourteen of Potomac Elementary’ s students placed at the Montgomery County level of the PTA Reflections Art Contest, and three of those students made state rankings. This year’s national Reflections theme is “Believe, Dream, Inspire.”
Potomac House Fire
According to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Youth Rugby
The Maryland Exiles Youth Rugby program has begun enrolling players for the summer youth rugby league season. The team that practices and plays games at Timberlawn Park in Rockville fields teams at the U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 level all summer long. Anyone interested in participating or getting more information about the Maryland Exiles, can visit www.mdxyouthrugby.org.
Classified Advertising July 9, 2014
Read the lastest ads here!
Bathrooms of Bliss
Potomac architect creates luxurious lavatory retreats.
From skylights to illuminating floor tiles, the options for transforming a boring and outdated bathroom into a serene oasis are seemingly endless, but one local architect melds creativity and craftsmanship for dramatic results.
A New Work Order
Local designers help create organized and stylish home offices.
Whether it’s a nook, in the kitchen or a designated room, a home office is the place were ideas come to life. Local designers dish about the secrets to creating a workspace that is organized and functional yet stylish. “You’re going to spend a lot of time in it so aesthetics do matter,” said Patricia Tetro of BOWA in McLean.
Not That I’ll Ever Be Out, But…
“Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in.” Although this quote is from Michael Corleone from “The Godfather: Part III,” it very much characterizes my daily struggle being a terminal cancer patient; non small cell lung cancer, NSCLC, is like that, almost always. Even though I don’t want to think about the fact that I have cancer, or not let it affect my judgment on life – or perspective; or let it impede my path to a happier existence, more often than not, it does.
Editorial: Hurray for Full Day Mondays
Hoping that later start times for high schoolers follows quickly.
For decades, Fairfax County schools have sent elementary school students home after half a day on Mondays. This was never a good idea, and it has been more damaging to family schedules and student learning with the increase over the years of two-income households and greater economic diversity.
World Cup Fever
Area soccer coaches, players share 2014 World Cup viewing experiences.
Area soccer players and coaches have followed the 2014 World Cup closely.
Commentary: Area Nonprofit Guides Entrepreneurs to Start-Up Success
For many working poor, the challenges of conquering the barriers to education, childcare and transportation are too great to overcome. Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), the nonprofit known for providing food and shelter, health and dental access, and Head Start programs for more than 36,000 local residents a year, also is working to alleviate poverty with its innovative entrepreneurship program.
Filling a Special Need
Potomac resident launches www.mamiegrace.com.
Branson joined forces with her friend, entrepreneur Andrew Dunnavant, and over the past 9 months, they have built www.mamiegrace.com — a website that features not only a detailed inventory of resources from across the US, but provides reviews and information about many of the items on the list.
Toddler Takes Crown And Heads to Nationals
Sunburst Beauty Pageant crowned its 2014 Maryland state winner, May 25.
Troop Honors New Eagle Scouts
Three Scouts from Troop 944 recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Halting the Summer Slide
Local educators offer suggestions to keep children learning through the summer.
Wendi Taylor, North Potomac mother of three, isn’t vacationing, however: She’s helping her three elementary school-aged boys keep their academic skills sharp.
Increase Wellness, Decrease Stress
Members of Potomac Community Village learn easy-to-follow health tips.
More than 40 members and guests came out to listen to a presentation by certified personal trainer Stacy Holstein who spoke on the “Ten Best Ways to Increase your Wellness and Decrease your Stress.”
Potomac Native Launches ‘QuickSolar’ Start-up
Design tool eases calculations on solar energy.
Former Potomac resident Alex Landau has created a web-based solar design tool to simplify the process of “going solar.”