Friday, August 29
A County of 186,785 Students
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year. The start of a new school year is always an exciting time for students, parents, and educators. Our dedicated staff has been working hard to prepare for another school year that builds on our tradition of excellence at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Thursday, August 28
Classified Advertising August 27, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Why I Live in Potomac
It was love of a man that brought me to Potomac many years ago to live overlooking the Watts Branch stream in a log cabin that was moved in the 1940s from behind Great Falls Tavern. My husband George grew up here in the ‘50's and ‘60's in a childhood many of us only dream about with open space to ramble and a small village where he had his first job in the pharmacy as a teenager.
Potomac Home Sales: July, 2014
In July 2014, 63 Potomac homes sold between $2,580,000-$284,900.
Potomac Home Sales: July, 2014
Tips for Helping Young Children Transition to School
For young children who have spent most of their lives at home with a parent or caretaker, the first few days of a new school, or even a new school year, can be an anxious and stressful time. To help your child make an easier transition, use the time over the summer and just before school starts to prepare for this big step.
Croner Inducted into URISA’s GIS Hall of Fame
Potomac geographer receives national honor.
Potomac's Charles M. Croner, Ph.D. is a geographer and survey statistician extraordinaire — a U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leader who will be inducted into the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association's (URISA) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Hall of Fame in New Orleans this September for significant and original contributions to his profession.
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.
Wednesday, August 27
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.
Much To Do at Potomac Community Center
This is Montgomery County’s busiest community center, providing a variety of recreation activities for all ages such as open gym, arts and crafts, exercise/leisure classes, group support meetings and socials, senior adult activities through the Potomac neighborhood, senior program, area and county-wide sports programs, summer camps, programs for individuals with special needs, children and adult holiday parties, volunteer opportunities and more.
Holy Child Appoints New Head of School
Shannon M. Gomez, Ed.D., was unanimously selected.
When students at Potomac’s Connelly School of the Holy Child returned to school this week, there was a new leader at the helm to oversee the new year. School officials announced that Shannon M. Gomez, Ed.D., is the 10th head of the all-girls Catholic school.
Newcomers Guide: Area Nonprofits
A list of nonprofits in the community.
A list of nonprofits in the community.
Letter to the Editor
Enforcement Supported
Congratulations on the great ticketing job! We were "right chuffed" (English expression) to see the windshields bearing the evidence of the campaign to stamp out illegal parking on shared use shoulders along MacArthur Boulevard.
Column: A Sense of History and Community
There are so many reasons why people from around the country move to Montgomery County – for our schools, our vibrant economy, our extraordinary quality of life … and the list goes on and on. However, there are other less tangible aspects of life here, including a rich history that lends our communities a strong character and sense of belonging.
Wednesday, August 20
Whitman Football to Expand Passing Game
RB Morton’s graduation means more balanced offense.
Whitman will open the 2014 season on Sept. 5 against Blake.
Editorial: Accountability for Police in Northern Virginia
There is more transparency in the police shooting in Ferguson last week than in police shootings in Northern Virginia.
This is not Ferguson, and tanks do not roll down the streets of Northern Virginia driven by police officers pointing sniper rifles at residents.
All Write For Now
And so it goes, every three months or so; a CT Scan, a week or so of waiting, and then a face-to-face appointment with my oncologist to learn/discuss the results. Thankfully, the results continue to be amazing. My doctor has told me that I’m his third miracle; stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer patients generally don’t live beyond two years. I’m in year six.
Classified Advertising August 20, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Wednesday, August 13
Take Precautions against Rabies
Animal Shelter offers advice to reduce the risk.
Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and may be a risk to humans, as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But even pets aren’t automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.
Golf Tournament To Benefit Casey Cares
Potomac family and friends host annual charitable fundraiser.
The friends and family of Potomac’s Vince and Linda Crivella had been holding a casual, friendly golf tournament for nine years. After a few years, they decided to raise money for charity. The money they raised was donated to a different organization each year.
Obit: Patricia N. Howard
Patricia N. Howard, 83, of Wakefield, R.I., died on Aug. 3, 2014. She was the wife of the late Jeb Howard.
Heads Up Football Flourishing in Fairfax County
Program reduces concussion risk by teaching players to take the “head” out of tackling.
It wasn’t that long ago when youth football coaches believed a player’s toughness was measured by his ability to play through the pain. Concussions and other serious injuries were just “part of the game.”
Organized for School Year
Local organizers offer suggestions on dealing with the summer mess.
When summer comes to a grinding halt in a few weeks, a new school year will begin. From alarm clocks and school bells to piles of homework assignments and sports schedules, maintaining a coordinated household can be difficult, however. Local organizers are offering simple suggestions to help make the transition from summer to the start of the school year seamless.
Write Now, I Just Don’t Know
The biggest writing problem that I have, other than the ones you regular readers generally know about, is writing a current column on the weekend immediately preceding the next Wednesday’s publication date, when I am still waiting on results from my most recent CT Scan. This isn’t like putting the cart before the horse, this is more like putting the horse in the cart and pulling it.
Homelessness: Source of Trauma for Children
Nearly 700 children live in emergency homeless shelters in Fairfax County at some point during the year.
Summer vacation is wrapping up; kids everywhere are gearing up for the return to school. Stores are filled with school supplies; back-to-school advertising fills our TVs, radio and mailboxes. Many families are hustling from store to store getting supplies, backpacks, clothes and haircuts. As children, while we hated to see summer end, we fondly remember the yearly ritual and the excitement and anticipation of getting all those new things.
Banishing the Beige
Local interior designer adds color and turns a Potomac house into a home.
They decided to send out an SOS and were rescued by interior designer Kerra Michele Huerta.
Big Train Finish Runner-Up
The Bethesda Big Train finished runner-up in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League playoffs, losing to the Baltimore Redbirds 7-0 in the championship game on Aug. 2.
Classified Advertising August 13, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Friday, August 8
Culling the Safety Zone
Council permits archery hunting within 100 yards of homes, down from 150 yards, in an effort to reduce the number of deer.
George Leventhal testified last year about his Beltway drive home from work on Nov. 5, 2007.
Thursday, August 7
A Dream That Came True
Free health care clinic founded by Potomac residents.
Fourteen years ago, Mercy Health Clinic was established in Gaithersburg with the mission to provide “quality health care from the heart for those in need.”
Wednesday, August 6
Crime Solvers Hold 5K, Raise Money
In the second year, the race has gained momentum, more runners, and two vendors.
Early Saturday morning, runners and walkers alike descended onto Fairfax Government Center for the second annual Crime Solvers 5K and helped raise money for Fairfax Crime Solvers. “[We’re] just a partnership to keep our community safe,” Fairfax County Crime Solvers President and Chairman, Jody Donaldson said.
Stride Right
Not that I’ve felt that my attitude toward being diagnosed with stage IV (“terminal”) non-small cell lung cancer at age 54-and-one-half was ever to be considered as model behavior, but I do believe, after the initial shock wore off, eventually I assimilated its effects into my routine reasonably well. Not without a million bumps and bruises along the way, however, both physically and emotionally; nevertheless, though time has not healed all that has preceded this column, I’ve managed to find and maintain an extremely delicate balance between “joie de vivre” and “c’est la vie.”
Preventing Sports Injuries
How to keep kids safe while they’re having fun.
As students prepare to return to school, one activity many look forward to is sports. While the benefits of athletic activities are numerous, however, so are injuries.
Editorial: Brightening Outlook for End of Summer
Local pleasures to offset discouraging news.
The news here has been a bit discouraging, and that’s without considering the human tragedy and disaster of several different international situations.