Stories for December 2016

Dear Children's Potomac Almanac Readers

Children's Almanac: Bells Mill Elementary School

Children's Almanac: Churchill High School

Children's Almanac: Hoover Middle School

Children's Almanac: Geneva Day School — Artwork

Children's Almanac: Blessed Sacrament School

Children's Almanac: Potomac Elementary School

Children's Almanac: Christ Episcopal School, Rockville — Artwork

Children's Almanac: Christ Episcopal School, Rockville — Writing

Children's Almanac: McLean School, Potomac — Upper School Artwork

Children's Almanac: McLean School, Potomac — Middle School Artwork

Children's Almanac: McLean School, Potomac — Lower School Artwork

Children's Connection: McLean School, Potomac — Artwork

Children's Almanac: Norwood School, Bethesda — Haiku

Children's Connection: Norwood School, Bethesda — Haiku

Children's Almanac: Norwood School, Bethesda — Artwork

Children's Connection: Norwood School, Bethesda — Artwork

Children's Almanac: Norwood School, Bethesda — Writing

Children's Connection: Norwood School, Bethesda — Writing

Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy Cleared in Fatal Shooting

Commonwealth’s Attorney: homicide was justified self-defense.

In a decision released Dec. 16, Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh cleared Fairfax County Master Deputy Sheriff Patrick McPartlin of any criminal wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez that took place Aug. 15 outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Police Out to Catch Drunken Drivers in Fairfax County

Grant funds new DWI Enforcement Squad.

A new squad of police officers has started patrolling the county and they have only one mission: to combat impaired driving.

Roger Berliner, Montgomery County Council President, Awarded

Blessings in a Special Season in Potomac

In the Sound of the Bells

I fumbled in my wallet for a bill, my fingers a little numb from the frosty air. The man ringing the bell flashed me a smile and waited patiently for me to drop it into the red kettle.

Commentary: Berliner Urges Regional Cooperation on Metrorail and economic competitiveness.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Board of Directors Chairman Roger Berliner urged area leaders to “replace competition with cooperation and collaboration” on issues like restoring the Metrorail system and strengthening the region's economic competitiveness.

New President of Montgomery County Council

Potomac resident Roger Berliner (right) was unanimously selected as the new president of the Montgomery County Council on Dec. 6.

Water, Silt and a Canal-Full of Issues

Brandt updates WMCCA on C&O National Historic Park.

Members of the West Montgomery County Citizens Association got a verbal tour along the C&O Canal from Kevin Brandt, superintendent of the C&O National Historical Park, Wednesday.

Bringing Joy in Cabin John

Escorted by the Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department, Santa made his annual rounds through area neighborhoods, collecting toys for the National Center for Children and Families, the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots and the Children’s National Medical Center.

Mom and Daughters Launch Sonoran Rose in Potomac

Boutique shop opened last month.

Potomac is welcoming Sonoran Rose — a new women’s boutique loaded with clothing, jewelry, accessories, home décor and gift items — to the retail space previously occupied by Flora’s Nest.

So Many Gifts, And So Close in Potomac

Exploring what’s available in the shops at Potomac Woods Plaza and Park Potomac.

Not to bring on a Potomac panic, but soon all holiday shopping must be finished.

Congratulations Hoover Middle School artists

Hoover Middle School artists who entered this year’s national PTA Reflections art contest were congratulated at a school award ceremony Dec. 16.

An International Life

Hrand (Randy) Kurkjian, a consultant to developing nations for more than 30 years, including two years as Peace Corps country director in Yemen, spoke on "My Contributions to My Adopted Country" at a Potomac Community Village event at the Potomac Library on Dec. 6.

Holiday Grief

Workshop helps others deal with loss.

The holiday season is bittersweet for Jeanne Rorke.

Letter to the Editor: Protect the Consumer Protection Bureau

Consumer protection groups have grown increasingly concerned about Republican promises to cut back on financial regulations next year.

Commentary: Fairfax Police Reform Is Well Underway

I endorse the Connection Newspaper’s recent editorial on the progress Fairfax County has made implementing the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, on which I had the honor of serving as chairman of the Use of Force Subcommittee.

Commentary: Congress Coming Together to Find and Fund Faster Cures

On Dec. 8, I joined with a bipartisan group of House and Senate members, and the Speaker of the House, as the Speaker signed the 21st Century Cures Act.

Editorial: History in Police Reform Part 2

Civilian Review Panel — and they said it couldn’t be done ….

Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to establish a Civilian Review Panel, part of a two-pronged concept of independent oversight of law enforcement recommended unanimously by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations: 88 Percent Implemented

Public Safety Committee hears from Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting subcommittee chair.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is well on its way to implementing all recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. At the Dec. 13 meeting of the board’s Public Safety Committee, they announced 88 percent of the commission recommendations have been implemented or are soon to be so.

Potomac Home Sales: November, 2016

In November, 2016, 40 Potomac homes sold between $1,400,000-$480,000.

Potomac Home Sales: November, 2016

Get Ready to Welcome Santa in Cabin John Area

Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department escorts Santa through area neighborhoods.

Potomac's St. Francis Episcopal Church Gains New Rector

Interior of the church recently renovated

St. Francis Episcopal Church, located on River Road in the heart of Potomac, welcomed a new rector for the first time in 27 years.

Reflections Contest Winners at Potomac Elementary

Potomac Elementary School students show their certificates for the Reflections arts contest.

Lining Up Christmas Trees in Cabin John

‘Tis the season for picking out Christmas trees.

Close to Home in Potomac

Variety of gifts available locally

Potomac residents have several shops right in or near The Village where they can find gifts for just about everyone.

Montgomery County Fire Advisory

Heating, cooking and holiday decorations top list of safety concerns.

When the weather turns cold and the heaters go on, heating becomes the number one cause of house fires in Montgomery County, Pete Piringer, public information officer with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service said.

Spirit of St. Nicolas in Potomac

On Saturday, Dec. 3, 19 children attended the Advent wreath making and St. Nicolas workshop at St. Francis Episcopal Church, making their own advent wreaths and took home daily devotionals.

Montgomery County Launches Dementia Friendly Initiative

Montgomery County has launched its Dementia Friendly initiative – a set of strengthened services and supports for affected community members.

Free Holiday Cab Rides Help Prevent Drunk Driving

Combating that holiday period which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says is a “dangerous time to be on the road due to a high number of drunk drivers behind the wheel,” a local nonprofit organization will offer free cab rides to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area during the winter holidays.

Open Floor Plan Provides Holiday Entertainment Solution

Open house helps homeowners looking for ideas.

It's one thing to talk a good game; quite another to put your ideas to the test by inviting a long list of perceptive critics to inspect your wares.

2017 Color of the Year: Greenery

Pantone says color will evoke reinvigoration.

When Reston-based interior designer Annie Elliott’s home office began to feel lackluster, she draped the windows with green Roman shades to infuse a burst of color into the muted space.

Remodeled to Sell in Potomac

Couple overhauls bathrooms to minimize home’s time on the market.

Shortly before Sheila and Brian Boyle decided to sell their Potomac, Md. home, they took a look around and decided it needed updating.

Quarterback Promotes ‘Phones Down. Touchdown.’ Initiative

Redskins’ quarterback urges region to put phones down while behind the wheel.

“If I get sacked in a game, I can get back up and move onto the next play — for the most part,” he said. “But when you text and drive, you might not get back up.”

Local Artists, Crafters Share Their Stories in Bethesda

Annual craft show benefits Clara Barton Community Center.

Some of the community’s most creative people participated in the 10th annual Clara Barton Craft Show on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Classified Advertising December 7, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Little Falls Garden Club Decorating the Great Falls Tavern

EPA Finds Source of Oil Slick on Potomac River

WSSC reports no danger to area drinking water.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday, Dec. 5, named the NRG Dickerson Power Plant as the source of the oily substance seen on the Potomac River.

Shelter Information

NVRC has updated the list of shelters for the homeless, drop in centers and winter shelters in the region: Visit http://www.novaregion.org/index.aspx?NID=174