Editorial: About Halfway
Always entertaining, the high-stakes session of the Virginia General Assembly reaches new heights this month.
The user-friendly website for the Virginia General Assembly plus live-streaming of the legislative sessions might make you believe that most of the important decisions in Richmond are being made out in the sunshine.
Whitman Attempting To Fill Ceccone’s Scoring Void
Vikings struggle offensively during loss to Walter Johnson.
With leading scorer Angelica Ceccone sidelined for nearly a month — and possibly for the remainder of the season — due to lingering effects of a knee injury suffered last season, Whitman has relied on a committee approach for picking up the offensive slack. On Friday, however, the Vikings didn’t have a player score more than six points as Whitman produced its lowest offensive output of the season.
Potomac Sports Briefs
The Churchill girls basketball team defeated Walter Johnson 80-63 on Jan. 13, improving its record to 10-2 while extending its winning streak to nine games.
Geenen’s Unselfish Play Leads Churchill to Victory
Senior grabs 15 rebounds against Walter Johnson.
Churchill senior Thomas Geenen, sporting long blue sleeves, squared up in the left corner and, with a smooth stroke, buried his first 3-pointer of the season during the second quarter against Walter Johnson on Jan. 13. After the game, Geenen, teammate Sam Edens and head coach Matt Miller each acknowledged the display of perimeter potency. However, Geenen’s biggest contributions to Friday’s victory over the rival Wildcats were prolonging possessions and finding ways to get quality shots for his teammates.
This Week in Potomac
Week in Potomac: West Montgomery Meeting, Kosher Bagel Shop to Open, Fire Volunteers Elect Board, Former C&O Ranger Killed, Sign Up for Organic Food
Nation’s River Is ‘Struggling’
Volunteers encouraged to join clean-up effort.
The Potomac River is struggling, according to the Potomac Conservancy’s State of Nation’s River. The Conservancy cites the challenge of protecting the river in a variety of settings in its annual report, which lowered the letter grade given to the health of the river late last year to a "D." Since 2007, the grade has been "D+."
Appeal Filed over Oaklyn Tennis Bubble
West Montgomery County Citizens Association has formally challenged the Montgomery County Circuit Court ruling that permitted the Potomac Swim and Recreation Association to install and operate its tennis bubble on Oaklyn Drive.
3,000 Burgers
Potomac welcomes Five Guys Burger restaurant.
The new "Five Guys Burger and Fries" restaurant in Potomac Promenade shopping center is attracting a lot of attention — and customers. The burger chain is booming from the time it opens at 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Holy Child Leads Horse Competition
Competing against 16 other teams, Connelly School of the Holy Child's "riding tigers" tied for top honors at the recent JV horse show in the Inter School Horse Show competition. Competitions are held monthly at schooling barns, with 37 teams from the metropolitan area in the league.
Tots in Transition
Shoe Train hosts transitional psychologist for walkers, parents.
The Shoe Train at Cabin John Mall will host Dr. Julie Bindeman on Jan. 30 as the first in a series of speakers on early childhood development. Bindeman, a clinical psychologist who practices in Rockville, notes that the transition from crawler to walker is the first major step toward autonomy.
Workshops Aid Families with Special Needs
Experts guide families through process.
Maedi Tanham Carney says her oldest daughter was born with medical and cognitive issues that would prevent her from living independently. Like many parents of children with special needs, Carney worried about what would happen when she was no longer able to care for her child.
Healthy Eating Option in Potomac
Local restaurant named one of healthiest in America.
Lunch hour at Founding Farmers in Potomac is bustling. Waiters hustle to serve ravenous midday diners. Orders for salads of Belgian endive and spinach sprinkled with blue cheese and balsamic onions roll into the kitchen. Pristine plates piled high with as much local and organic produce as possible roll out.
Letter: Out-of-Touch County Council
Finally, the Montgomery County Council issues a Request for Proposal to turn an organic farm on Brickyard Road into a soccer complex. Interesting timing. Only after a persistent uproar from the people whose communities would be impacted by such a complex, did the County Council issue this proposal.
Moderate Mutiny
Former governor wants to impose Virginia “talent economy” on Washington; increase bipartisanship.
With the sluggish economy at the forefront of voters’ minds this year, former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine hopes to put fiscal issues at the top of his campaign to fill the seat vacated by Democratic U.S. Sen. Jim Webb.
Politics of Notification
Father takes his plight for increased parental notification to Richmond.
Steve Stuban can’t help but wonder if things could have turned out differently.
Council Notebook
Smoking is still legal in Alexandria, but it’s increasingly discouraged.
In Session
Now that congressional redistricting has moved through the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, a picture of 2012 is beginning to take shape
West End Worries
Beauregard small-area plan raises concerns about displacing poor residents.
Like the street that bears his name, Confederate Gen. Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was difficult to manage.
It’s Done, Sort Of
Controversial plan passes on 5-to-2 vote; opponents vow to overturn.
After hearing more than eight hours of heated testimony for and against a controversial plan to allow hotels and increase density at three sites on the waterfront, Alexandria City Council members cast a party line vote on the planning documen
Protesting the Vote
Alexandria officials say City Hall is not open for business during a public hearing.
Is City Hall open for business during a public hearing? Alexandria officials say no, but that could be a matter litigated in the Alexandria Circuit Court.