Letter: Hail To The (Red? Black? White? Other?)Skins
To the Editor
Letter: Government Should Be Partner, Not Adversary
To the Editor
Letter: Council Votes To Protect Ten Mile Creek
To the Editor
Farewell to Anne and Ramon Martinez
PAINT (Potomac Artists in Touch) hosted a farewell luncheon March 5 for long-time residents Anne and Ramon Martinez.
Winter’s Avian Bounty at Seneca Creek
Cold winter brings more unusual birds to the Potomac River.
The 2014 “Winter of our Discontent,” has been difficult for North American waterfowl as well. Ducks, geese, swans, and grebes gather in large groups/flocks on lakes, rivers, ponds, and such to pass the winter before the spring breeding season.
Are LEDs the Bulbs of the Future?
Local experts shed light on the issue.
Light bulbs. It used to be easy. Walk into the hardware store and pick out the wattage you need. But, for those of us who have recently found themselves part of the bewildered throng gathered in front of the new LED (light-emitting diode), CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) and halogen light bulb displays, there is hope as local experts weigh in on the issue.Idrissa Bagouda knows a lot about the subject.
Country Club Manager Honored for Leadership
Bradley Cance, general manager and chief operating officer of the Bethesda Country Club was recently honored by his alma mater, Michigan State University with his selection into the 2013 Hall of Fame "Class of Mentors." Cance was chosen for the coaching and mentoring support he has given to students from the university. He has counseled and guided interns, and assisted future club managers in their searches for employment within the industry. He has also been one of the top two or three alumni in Destination Auction donations each year for 10 years. Cance received the award at the university’s annual Celebration of Leadership, held on Nov. 9, 2013 in New York City.
Slates Set for Primary Elections
The filing deadline for candidates who plan to run for their party’s nominations was Feb. 25, and many races for local and state offices are now set. The Primary Election is scheduled for June 24. Currently there are no elected Republicans from Montgomery County, so in many cases the winners of the Democratic primary on June 24 will be the likely winner in November. Here is a list of candidates in some offices representing the Potomac area.
Welcoming New Animal Services and Adoption Center
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Council President Craig Rice, Council members Phil Andrews, Nancy Navarro, and Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger celebrated the completion of the new Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center at a preview opening reception on Friday evening, Feb. 28, it was standing room only as visitors toured the new space.
Why Care about Ten Mile Creek?
For several months the County Council has been grappling with a Limited Master Plan Amendment for Ten Mile Creek. The Clarksburg Master Plan, adopted in 1994, staged development in Clarksburg so when triggers were met on stages I - III, the last stage could not go forward without assessing impacts of the first three stages on Ten Mile Creek. Even 20 years ago, planners realized the high water quality of this stream; one of three that empty into the Little Seneca Reservoir which was built in the 1980s to act as an emergency water supply in times of drought should the Potomac River flow drop too low to withdraw the massive quantities needed to supply our regional drinking water.
News Brief: Applicants Sought For Planning Board
The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to fill a position on the Montgomery County Planning Board for the expiring term of Democrat Françoise Carrier. Her term will expire on June 14. Carrier, who serves as the Planning Board Chair, has indicated that she will not apply for reappointment. No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. The position can be filled by a Democrat, Republican, a voter who declines to affiliate with a party, or a member of another party officially recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Gals On and Off the Green Swings into Action
Women's golf is growing by leaps and bounds, particularly in the Potomac area with all its public and private golf courses. However, finding that perfect outfit, bag, shoes, socks — or gift items for a golfing buddy can be a challenge. A new store has opened in Chevy Chase to address just this need. Gals on and off the Green provides what every woman golfer needs to look smart while teeing off, putting and chipping. The store also carries tennis apparel as well as stylish comfortable fashions that transition from day to evening, resort wear, bags and accessories. Jackie Sorrenti, founder and owner said, "We want to help women look and feel better about themselves. We do not believe women should buy something simply because ‘it fits’ but rather because it fits well and is stylish and make you feel great when you wear it. We carry something for everyone. We offer conservative to fashion-forward clothing in sizes 0 - 22 from a variety of world-wide designers.” Sorrenti launched her first Gals on and off the Green store in Pittsburgh where she and her husband were residing. Formerly an information technology professional, she decided to listen to her entrepreneurial instincts and drew up business plans for a number of different types of retail stores. Once she settled on a women's golf store, she approached friends in business to read her business plan. With their advice, she re-wrote her plan, found funding and opened the doors of her shop in 2004.
Fifth Graders Create Animated Movie
While many movie lovers will be watching to see who wins the Oscars in Hollywood this weekend; a world premiere movie debuted here in Potomac. Ninety-eight Beverly Farms Elementary School fifth graders and their parents sat down to watch an animated film on Monday, Feb. 24. Their eyes were glued to the screen with good reason: they created the film themselves. The film is titled “The Extraordinary Fifth-Grade Field Trip," a 14-minute film composed of 6,438 drawings. Each second of the movie equals 10 drawings. Inspired by their reading of adventure stories and tall tales, the students gave free rein to their imagination as each came up with his or her own animated field trip adventure. Working with artist-in-residence Leila Cabib, each student designed a storyboard illustrating the key scenes of their animated segment and then created and filmed numerous sequential drawings to bring the story to life.
A Purr-fect Marriage
Friends of Montgomery County Animals (FMCA) found the purr-fect marriage of volunteerism and the ardor to support the humane treatment of animals when the organization was founded in 1974. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, FMCA continues to live its motto, “Dignity for Animals.” In matrimony, the 40th is known as the Ruby Anniversary from the belief that the precious stone possesses an eternal inner flame and symbolizes passion. With the same zeal, FMCA’s volunteers devote hours of focus and care fostering animals until they can find their “forever homes.” The group also conducts cat adoption clinics on Saturdays at the Germantown PetSmart and operates a trap/neuter/return/place (TNR/TNP) initiative to help reduce animal overpopulation in feral colonies in Montgomery County.
Film ‘Sukkah City’ Comes to Area
Curiosity is an innate quality that drives Jason Hutt. Ever since he was a young child, he has been fascinated with figuring out how things work and understanding the world around him. This inquisitive streak has led him to select film subjects that grab him because they are intriguing and exciting. "With all my films, I am just trying to create a portrait and tell a story that other's haven't seen before," he said. The Potomac native has directed, filmed and produced three documentaries that portray "unique cultures and innovative individuals found within the contemporary Jewish landscape and beyond." His latest film, "Sukkah City" will screen on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville, at noon at the Library of Congress on March 7 and also at noon at the DCJCC on March 9. Hutt's films have screened around the world and been broadcast on networks including PBS, BBC and YES, Israel.