Summer 2014 at Wolf Trap
As America's National Park for the Performing Arts, Wolf Trap plays a valuable leadership role in both the local and national performing arts communities. A typical season at Wolf Trap includes theatre, and musical performances ranging from country to pop to orchestra. Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road in Vienna, is accessible from the Metro and parking is free. Visit www.wolftrap.org for more.
The Playground in Potomac's Backyard
What the C&O National Park offers for summer fun.
The C&O Canal is a part of U.S. history and also of the history of Potomac. Many residents explore it time after time, learning something new each time they visit. They might spot an unusual bird, or enjoy listening to the thunder of the waters after a deluge of rain.
Fun and Frolicking Through the Summer
Here are some suggestions for family activities in and around Potomac.
After school’s out, summer seems to fly by, with vacations, summer camp, sports clinics, team games and everything else. But every year, when fall starts, many wish they had done just a few more family outings or taken advantage of the many activities in and around Potomac. Here are some fun family leisure opportunities that shouldn’t be missed this summer. Start planning now for a memorable summer.
Three Battle for County Executive
Technically June 24 is the primary, but almost certainly, the primary winners will win in November.
The Primary Election for Montgomery County state and local offices, plus members of Congress, is Tuesday, June 24, 2014. 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. Currently, all of Montgomery County is represented by Democrats at all levels.
Judge Titus Hung with Three Others
It is not often one gets to witness the hanging of a judge. However, this was recently the case (pardon the pun) at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The Hon. Roger W. Titus, who over 10 years ago was appointed a federal judge to the Maryland court, was about to be hung. However, he wouldn’t be alone in the process. He would join three previous hangings in this relatively new federal courthouse building in Greenbelt that was a Baltimore-located institution for more than 200 years.
Classified Advertising May 28, 2014
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Some Good News and a Lot of Uncertainty
Realtors discuss the mortgage market at finance summit.
The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) hosted Finance Summit 2014 at their Fairfax Headquarters on Wednesday, May 21. The event brought together a panel of speakers with an impressive collection of credentials and expertise. Moderator Ken Harney’s “Nation’s Housing” column is nationally syndicated. Harney is also a member of the Federal Reserve Board Consumer Advisory Council, an author and commentator on real estate and mortgage issues, and the host of CNBC’s “Real Estate Magazine” weekly television program.
Column: Team Up
Just as “everyone knows Geico can save you 15 percent in 15 minutes,” that is, if you watch television, listen to radio, access the Internet or even sit on the beach at Ocean City and watch the single-engine planes flying by pulling banners; so too do people know that when your primary care physician tells you that you need to meet with an oncologist to discuss your recent medical results, you should bring along family, friends, advocates, doctors, lawyers, etc. (your presumptive “team”), because, well, you know why: your life may depend on it.
Editorial: New Measure - More Living in Poverty
Inside the Beltway, that is Alexandria, Arlington and parts of Fairfax, 32 percent of children are living in poverty or near poverty. In Fairfax County, 26 percent of children live in or near poverty. This is according to the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.
Baha’i Local Spiritual Assembly Elected
The election of the nine-member Baha’i Local Spiritual Assembly took place in Potomac last month. Baha’i elections occur at the local level annually on April 21, at the start of a 12-day festival celebrating the announcement by Baha’u’llah (“Glory of God” - 1817-1892) that he was the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Plastic Horses Sold for Charitable Purposes
Inspired by Potomac artists nearly 10 years ago, plastic horses were painted and sold for charitable purposes. Above is the only one that was sent to greener pastures.
Summer Fun: Music in the Air
The Motor Driven Band (Dan Dimmick, Art Fox, Paul Stagnitto, and Tom Ross) plays at the Concerts in the Courtyard series at Potomac Place Shopping Center on Saturday, May 24.
Destination for Fun
Glen Echo Park began in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly, which taught the sciences, arts, languages, and literature. By the early 1900s Glen Echo Park had become an amusement park, serving the Washington area until 1968.
Classified Advertising May 21, 2014
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Wootton Boys’ Lax Beats Churchill in Region Final
Patriots end season with loss to South River in state semifinals.
The Wootton boys' lacrosse team took back the 4A/3A West region championship.
Potomac Almanac Wins Awards
Kenny Lourie won first place for sports column writing in the 2013 Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association contest. The awards were announced on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the MDDC Press awards luncheon. Lourie’s column was entitled “This Spud’s for You,” and addressed the controversy over the Washington’s NFL team’s name. Lourie suggests: “I would like propose a name-compromise of sorts. Why not change the name to The Washington Redskin Potatoes?” Read his column here: http://www.potomacalmanac.com/news/2013/nov/06/column-spuds-you/
Too Patient a Patient
Since I’m in the honesty business (as you regular readers know; and based on many of the e-mails I receive, commended on being so), if I were to admit anything concerning my behavior during these last five-plus years as a lung cancer survivor, it would have to be my continual tendency to minimize new symptoms, and in turn, not contact my oncologist (which from the very beginning is the exact opposite of what we are told to do). Stupid, stubborn, scared, naive, in denial; you pick.
You’re Never Too Young for Poetry
Local educators say exposing children and even babies to rhyme and rhythm can help develop reading and language skills.
Though Keith Ward's son is still a baby, the young child is already being exposed to exposed to not just silly stories, but poetry, and a variety of poetic forms at that.
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
Fewer deaths as military operations wind down, but 22 veterans a day die of suicide.
In Arlington over the coming Memorial Day weekend, the organization TAPS, or Tragedy Assistance for Survivors, will hold its 20th annual Military Survivor seminar and Good Grief camp for young survivors, children of all ages. TAPS offers support to anyone who is grieving the death of someone who died in the military, whether from combat, suicide, terrorism, homicide, negligence, accidents or illness. http://www.taps.org/
Horses, Hounds and Hats Compete at Potomac Hunt Races
Yes, there were horses, plenty of them, at the 62nd annual Potomac Hunt Races last Sunday, but it was the crowd that had officials and old-timers talking.