Page, 7

Police Kill Potomac 21-year-oldNews, Page 3

Coronavirus ShutdownNews, Page 3

Churchill’s Famed BLAST Hopes for Future

Page 4Sasha Alekseyeba and ensemble rehearse for BLAST at Churchill High School Friday. They

hope the show will go on when school resumes.

March 18-24, 2020

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Address ................................ BR FB HB . Postal City .. Sold Price .... Type ....... Lot AC . PostalCode ....... Subdivision ......... Date Sold

1 10813 STANMORE DR .............. 6 .. 5 .. 3 .... POTOMAC ... $4,250,000 .... Detached ..... 3.45 ........ 20854 ...... GREAT FALLS ESTATES ..... 01/17/20

2 9207 BELMART RD .................. 8 .. 8 .. 3 .... POTOMAC ... $3,125,000 .... Detached ..... 2.00 ........ 20854 ...... GREAT FALLS ESTATES ..... 01/31/20

3 11725 CENTURION WAY .......... 7 .. 9 .. 3 .... POTOMAC ... $2,200,000 .... Detached ..... 2.00 ........ 20854 ............... PALATINE ............... 01/06/20

4 14 RIVER FALLS CT .................. 7 .. 5 .. 1 .... POTOMAC ... $1,836,000 .... Detached ..... 0.36 ........ 20854 ............. RIVER FALLS ............ 01/16/20

5 11504 DALYN TER ................... 6 .. 4 .. 2 .... POTOMAC ... $1,440,000 .... Detached ..... 0.68 ........ 20854 .... MERRY GO ROUND FARM ... 01/15/20

6 11008 PICASSO LN .................. 5 .. 4 .. 1 .... POTOMAC ... $1,425,000 .... Detached ..... 1.28 ........ 20854 ....... POTOMAC OUTSIDE ....... 01/15/20

7 7823 PEARSON KNOLL PL ........ 5 .. 4 .. 1 .... POTOMAC ... $1,400,000 .... Row/Townhouse .......... 20854 .......... PARK POTOMAC .......... 01/10/20

8 13208 BEALL CREEK CT ........... 6 .. 5 .. 1 .... POTOMAC ... $1,390,000 .... Detached ..... 3.77 ........ 20854 ............ BEALLMOUNT ........... 01/30/20

Copyright 2020 MarketStats for ShowingTime. Source: Bright MLS as of Jaunray 31, 2020.

January, 2020 Top SalesIn January, 2020, 58 Potomac homes

sold between $2,650,000-$410,000.

1 10813 Stanmore Drive — $4,250,000

2 9207 Belmart Road— $3,125,000

3 11725 Centurion Way— $2,200,000

7 7823 Pearson Knoll Place— $1,390,000

4 14 River Falls Court — $1,836,0006 11008 Picasso Lane — $1,425,000

Potomac Almanac ❖ March 18-24, 2020 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Covid-19, Page 5

With the number of COVID-19cases growing to 15 on Monday,March 16, in Montgomery

County, local hospitals are gearing up whilerestaurants, bars, and theaters are closing.

Restaurants are open to provide carry-outand delivery only. The latest guidance callsfor no group meetings of 10 people or more,keeping your distance six feet from others,frequent and thorough hand-washing withsoap, and cleaning of surfaces like counters,elevator buttons, door handles, etc.

County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gaylessaid even though the County and the Stateare now taking extraordinary steps to stopthe spread of COVID-19, more cases arecertain to be reported. Holy Cross Hospitalin Silver Spring installed a tent today on its

parking lot, while other local hospitals aremaking similar plans.

“We wanted to let our community knowthat they should not be alarmed when theystart to see tents popping up at our areahospitals,” said Dr. Gayles. “This is actuallya sign of preparedness. We want to ensurethat due to this highly contagious virus, weseparate those who are seeking traditionalER care from the people who may be in-fected. The tents also help us boost capac-ity to treat patients.”

Montgomery County Executive MarcElrich said he supports the actions of Mary-land Gov. Larry Hogan who ordered all res-taurants, bars, theaters and gyms in thestate to close as of 5 p.m. Monday, March16.

“Governor Hogan’s actions today to closebars and restaurants is significant and dras-tic, but it is what we have to do,” saidCounty Executive Elrich. “We all must un-derstand that we are in a State of Emer-gency and that means taking every precau-tion possible to eradicate this deadly virusand so we can all return to our daily rou-tines. The challenge is that we just don’tknow when that will be.”

Elrich said many residents have contactedhis office with offers to help seniors andother vulnerable populations who are self-quarantining. The County is coordinatingvolunteer opportunities through the Mont-gomery Volunteer Center.w w w. m o n t g o m e r y c o u n t y m d . g o v /volunteercenter

Manna Food Center is in need of dona-tions, and is open to provide food.www.mannafood.org/covidresponse/

Gayles said yesterday, with the expectedrise in cases, moving forward, individualcases will not be reported. “We know thenumber of cases will continue to increaseso we will not have the capacity to continuereporting individual cases,” he said.

Among six new cases announced Sundaywere four men and two women. The menare in their 20s to 70s and the women arein their 20s and 30s.

In a message to County residents today,Gayles said while more tests are availablein community-based laboratories, hospitalsand urgent care centers, the decision to test

Covid-19 Cases Increasing in MoCo

News

Montgomery County Policesay they were serving a“high-risk search warrantrelated to firearms of-

fenses” in the 12200 block of St. James Roadin Potomac on Thursday, March 12 at 4:30a.m.

“During the warrant service,” accordingto a police press release, suspect DuncanSocrates Lemp, 21, was killed by a memberof the police’s Special Operations Division— Tactical Unit.

Lemp’s family say police had obtained asearch warrant for the home, but thatDuncan was murdered.

“If proper police procedure were used toexecute a search warrant, Duncan wouldabsolutely be alive today,” said ReneSandler, attorney for the family, in an inter-view.

“Any attempt by the police to shift respon-sibility onto Duncan or his family who weresleeping when the police fired shots intotheir home is not supported by the facts,”the family said in a statement, released bytheir attorneys Sandler and JonathanFellner.

Sandler described the 21-year-oldPotomac resident: “By all accounts, he wasvery bright, he was very passionate aboutcoding and his work. He was loved by hisfamily and his girlfriend.”

POLICE SAY the facts and circumstancesof the encounter are still be-ing investigated by detectivesfrom the Major Crimes Divi-sion. Montgomery County andHoward County have an estab-lished agreement that “whenan officer-involved shootinginvolving injury or death oc-curs in one county, the othercounty’s State’s Attorney’s Of-fice will review the event,” according to thepolice press statement.

Sandler, Fellner and Lemp’s family will

also be investigating.“We will be investigating Duncan’s death

and will hold each and every person respon-sible for his death. We believe that the bodycamera footage and other forensic evidence

from this event will support what Duncan’sfamily already knows that he was mur-dered,” the family said, via Sandler and

Fellner.

THE INVOLVED OFFICER has beenplaced on administrative leave per standardprotocol and will be identified at a later

date, according to police.On Friday night, March 13,

one day after the shooting,police added to their press re-lease. “Lemp was prohibitedfrom possessing firearms anddetectives were following upon a complaint from the pub-lic that Lemp, though prohib-ited, was in possession of fire-

arms.”In the updated press release, detectives

say they recovered three rifles and two

handguns from the residence and that Lemp“confronted the officers” when he was fa-tally shot by an officer assigned to the Tac-tical Unit.

“No search warrant gives the police theright to shoot into a house full of peoplewhen they are sleeping without specificthreat of imminent harm,” said Sandler. “Inthis case, there was no threat of imminentharm which can at all support the conductof the police.”

“The conduct of the police during theshooting and treatment of the victim’s fam-ily by those officers responsible for Duncan’sdeath has been traumatic for the family,”said Sandler.

“The family is grieving the unimaginableloss of their loved one,” she said.

Police Kill Potomac 21-Year-OldShooting during “high-risk” search warrant or murder? Investigation pending.

Duncan Socrates Lemp on a family vacation in Venice, Italy, last fall. “Byall accounts, he was very bright, he was very passionate about codingand his work. He was loved by his family and his girlfriend,” said ReneSandler, attorney for the family.

On Friday, March 13, MontgomeryCounty Police released these pho-tos of firearms they say wererecovered at the St. James Roadresidence after Duncan SocratesLemp, 21, was fatally shot.

“If proper police procedure were used toexecute a search warrant, Duncan wouldabsolutely be alive today.”

— Rene Sandler, attorney

4 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ March 18-24, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

See Churchill, Page 5

By Peggy McEwan

Potomac Almanac

Students at WinstonChurchill High School inPotomac were ready to en-

tertain the community with their31st annual BLAST – Spectrum - forthe next two weekends, whenschools were suddenly closed andgatherings of large groups ofpeople banned because of thecoronavirus pandemic.

On Friday, the last day of school,the cast and crew planned to runthough their numbers, polishingtheir acts before next week’s dressrehearsals with lights, live musicand costumes.

That was not to be.Instead they collected BLAST

notices from the neighborhood,took down spotlights from the the-ater, and discussed the future ofthe show they have been rehears-ing since December.

“The plan was to run next week-end and the next,” music teacherMatthew Albright said. “Now wedon’t know. Its postponed, untilwhen, we have no idea.”

Sophomore Roya Zafar said thedelay was sad for her.

“I had a feeling it would be post-poned, but it was still hard tohear,” she said.

BLAST is student-run, thoughAlbright and two other adults,former parent Veronica Espinozaand media services technician BenSchnapp, offer guidance.

Albright has been involved withBLAST for seven years and lovesdoing it.

“I started with BLAST 25,” hesaid. “When you put a great dealof work into it, you feel a greatdeal of pride. The students feel thesame way.”

Tryouts for the show began inNovember. Adults and studentsdecide together on a theme for the

Churchill BLAST Delayed

Technical director Brandon Schoenfeld, left, and crewmember Hannah Williams take down rented spotlightsat Churchill High School Friday. The lights will bereturned to the rental company until the school re-opens and can reschedule it’s annual musical BLAST.

Ruby Howard performs “Orange Colored Sky,” at re-hearsal for Churchill High School’s BLAST Friday morn-ing. The show will go on when school resumes.

Pho

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Potomac Almanac ❖ March 18-24, 2020 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Covid-19 Cases Increasing in MoCoFrom Page 3

someone for COVID-19 is stillbased on Centers for Disease Con-trol (CDC) criteria and is limitedto individuals with symptoms.

While those guidelines continueto be expanded, there is NO walk-in, on demand testing for the gen-eral public unless they have symp-toms and fit those guidelines.

“I understand the public’s con-cern about the lack of widespreadtesting availability, but the guid-ance about what to do if you havesymptoms will not change withtest results,” Gayles said. He urgedresidents to self-isolate if they areill and to seek symptom relief withstandard fever-reducing medica-tion, adding, “individuals with se-vere symptoms may require hos-pitalization but by and large, mostof us will have mild symptoms and

recover.”Montgomery County has about

10,000 employees serving acounty with more than one millionresidents. Elrich emphasized thatthe health and safety of employ-ees is paramount, while also main-taining some continuity of ser-vices. For example, County em-ployees are assisting in multipleresponse activities including staff-ing a call center.

Beginning Monday, March 16through March 27, recreation fa-cilities, libraries and senior centersare closed. During this time, theDepartment of General Services isperforming enhanced cleaning ofCounty buildings, including dailycleaning of Ride On buses.

“County government is openwith employees teleworkingwhere possible,” said Elrich.

Speaking directly to Montgom-ery County’s students, the CountyExecutive said, “To the kids, theseare not snow days, this is not timeoff, people are not getting to havea vacation, this isn’t spring break,this is really serious.”

Visit our COVID-19 webpageand follow us on Facebook@montgomerycountyinfo andTwitter @MontgomeryCoMD.

Churchill BLAST DelayedFrom Page 4

show — this year it is Spectrum,drawing ideas from the colors ofthe rainbow — and select the mu-sic.

“It’s like a cabaret. It’s a fantas-tic show with music, vocals anddance,” Albright said.

All together there are about 250students involved in the produc-tion, more than the upper limit of10 people for gatherings suggestedby federal officials earlier thisweek.

The students working on theshow Friday morning were mostly

optimistic that the show would goon. Luca Greenspan, student banddirector for BLAST this year, saidhe is confident the show wouldrun at some point, though, headded, “It’s out of our control.”

Sasha Alekseyeva, who sings alead in one of the 36 acts in theshow, said the delay seems like alot of time will be lost when theycould have practiced.

“But I hope it will rally us to-gether to make it even better,” shesaid.

Check wchsarts.com for updateson BLAST.

See Bulletin, Page 6

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

COVID-19 CLOSURES/CANCELLATIONSMontgomery County is working to help

protect the health and safety of ourresidents, employees, programparticipants, and patrons. Whileschools and public facilities will beclosed, Montgomery County officesremain open for business andoperations are continuing. However,everyone should expect changes topublic services.

The following closures and cancellationsare in effect:

❖ Montgomery County Public Schools(MCPS) – Closed March 16 – March27

❖ Community Use of MCPS Facilities:❖ Indoor community use of MCPS

facilities - closed March 14 - March31. All SAT testing scheduled formiddle and high schools willcontinue as scheduled.

❖ All outdoor community use of MCPSfacilities - closed March 16 - March31.

❖ Childcare use of MCPS facilities -Decision to open or close will bemade by the individual childcareproviders.

❖ Libraries – Closed March 16 – March27.

❖ Senior Centers - closed until further

notice.❖ Recreation Centers and Aquatic

Centers – Closed March 16 - March27.

❖ Montgomery Parks - March 16 - March31.

❖ County Buildings – Public activitiescancelled March 14 – 31.

Effective immediately, MontgomeryCounty will be following the state’sguidelines of a limit of no more than250 people for public gatherings. Tohelp further slow the spread of thevirus, they encourage the public to:

❖ Avoid non-essential travel.❖ Stay away from others when you are

sick.❖ Avoid close contact with people who

are sick.❖ Avoid crowded areas or places where

you might interact with people whoare sick.

❖ Keep distance between yourself andother people.

Residents should visit MontgomeryCounty Health and Human Services(See FAQ tab) for the most up-to-date information about coronavirus,including what to do if you areexperiencing symptoms. Updates willbe made on the County’s website at:www.montgomerycountymd.gov andon Facebook and Twitter@MontgomeryCoMD.

CHECK THE MAIL FOR YOUR CENSUSInvitations to respond to the 2020

Bulletin Board

6 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ March 18-24, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Editor’s Note: Be aware that manyevents could be cancelled as precautionto the spread of COVID-19. Please checkbefore heading to events.

Submit entertainment announce-ments atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGKindergarten Orientation.

Wednesday/April 29. PotomacElementary School is holdingKindergarten Orientation onWednesday, April 29, 2020. Childrenwho will be 5 years old on or beforeSeptember 1, 2020 are eligible forenrollment for the upcoming schoolyear. Parents/guardians should notifythe school at 240-740-4360 toreceive enrollment information andto set up an appointment toparticipate in the OrientationProgram.

Urban Blues. Now thru April 4. AtWaverly Street Gallery, 4600 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Featuringpastels by Geoff Desobry. Regularhours are Wednesday thru Sunday,noon to 6 p.m.

MONDAYS THRU APRIL 27Sentimental Journey Singers.

Mondays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. AtBender Jewish Community Center,6125 Montrose Road, Rockville.Encore Creativity for Older Adults,the nation’s largest choralorganization for adults over 55, willstart its second choir for adultsdiagnosed with early to moderateAlzheimer’s disease and othermemory struggles. Participants willlearn vocal techniques and three-partharmony while singing familiar songsand new pieces in a social groupsetting under the leadership ofconductor Dr. Mary Ann East, also aperformer and teacher and founderof Capital Harmonia, and pianistRachel Thompson, a board-certifiedmusic therapist who works withadults with cognitive impairmentsand dementia. The program willculminate in a performance,Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m., at the JCCSocial Hall. Tuition is $104 and $25for care partners. Registration is opennow at www.encorecreativity.org

THURSDAY/MARCH 19WeTHRIVE Women Entrepreneurs’

Conference. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.At Silver Spring Civic Center, 1Veterans Place, Silver Spring. A fullday of learning for womenentrepreneurs whether in the earlystages of business, ready to scale ormanaging later stage growth. Cost is$125. This event, while held in SilverSpring, MD, is sponsored by SCOREDC, Arlington EconomicDevelopment BizLaunch andMontgomery County. Visit the

website: https://wethrive2020.eventbrite.com/?aff=20200225cal

FRIDAY/MARCH 20Garden After Dark: Wild at Home

with Hilton Carter. 6:30-8:30p.m. At Brookside Gardens, 1800Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Looking forways to bring the benefits of natureinto your home and liven up yourdécor? Enjoy an evening with plant-stylist, designer, author and socialinfluencer Hilton Carter. He’ll discussthe basic 101 of house plant care,share his wild journey in greenery -discussing how he got started,finding his way via social media andeventually writing his book Wild atHome: How to Style and Care forBeautiful Plants. Learn how to styleyour at-home jungle while sippingbotanical cocktails and enjoying ahearty selection of appetizers anddesserts. Wild at Home will beavailable for purchase, and a booksigning will follow the talk. You’llalso enjoy an exotic selection oftropical houseplants for sale at thegift shop. Cost: $40 / FOBG: $36;registration required.

Alfio’s Live Music. 7-10 p.m. AtAlfio’s Restaurant, 4515 Willard Ave.,Chevy Chase. Featuring RobertBoguslaw performing, free valetparking. Call 301-657-9133.

SATURDAY/MARCH 21Alfio’s Live Music. 7-10 p.m. At

Alfio’s Restaurant, 4515 Willard Ave.,Chevy Chase. Featuring WayneWilentz performing, free ValetParking.

MARCH 27-28Photographer Amy Toensing. At

Photoworks Gallery at Glen EchoPark. Photoworks will host acclaimedNational Geographic photographerAmy Toensing for a weekend ofpublic events. Toensing is aphotojournalist and filmmakercommitted to telling stories withsensitivity and depth and known forher intimate stories about the lives ofordinary people. Toensing’s work willbe the subject of a solo exhibition inthe Photoworks Gallery openingMarch 27 from 5-7 p.m. and hangingthrough April 26. Toensing will speakon March 27 beginning at 6 p.m.

TUESDAY/MARCH 31Coco Montoya Performs Live. 8

p.m. At AMP by Strathmore, 11810Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda.Legendary blues-rock guitarist andvocalist Coco Montoya, touring insupport of his latest Alligator Recordsrelease, Coming In Hot, will perform.Ticket price: $24–$38. Visit thewebsite: www.ampbystrathmore.com

SATURDAY/MARCH 28VisArts in Bloom. 6-10:30 p.m. At

155 Gibbs Street, Buchanan Room,

Rockville. Help VisArts transformartists with disabilities through thevisual arts. Join VisArts and morethan 100 members of the communityfor a casual, fun-filled night ofcocktails, cuisine and painting. Costis $150.

Celebrating Food. 8:30 a.m. to 5:45p.m. At The Universities at ShadyGrove 9630 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville.The 12th Salute to Women inGastronomy. Register for thiseducational all day food-centricsymposium. Featuring Dame AmyBrandwein, Executive Chef/OwnerCentrolina and Piccolina; Dame RuthGresser, Executive Chef/OwnerPizzeria Paradiso; Dame ChristianneRicchi, Executive Chef/OwnerRistorante I Ricchi. Cost is $155 afterFeb. 28 (Cost includes parking fee.)Visit the website https://celebratingfood.org/

”Beauty & The Beast.” 3 p.m. At theMusic Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Young Artists of America presents“Beauty & The Beast” with specialguest, composer Alan Menken. At1:30 p.m., meet the enchantedcharacters in the Bernard FamilyFoundation Pavillion; kids areencouraged to come dressed as theirfavorite character. At 2:15 p.m., pre-concert performance in LockheedMartin Lobby. Post VIP champagnereception. At 5:45 p.m., meet andgreet with Alan Menken. Cost is $48for adults, $24 for kids - (both aticket to the event and a ticket to the

VIP reception are required, a ticket tothe VIP reception will NOT gainaccess to the Beauty and the Beastconcert).

Stand-Up Silver Spring. 7 p.m. and 9p.m. At Cissel-Saxon AmericanLegion Post 41, 8110 Fenton Street(blue awning off Fenton Streetparking lot). Come on out for BrianParise, Gigi Modrich, Jelani Wills andJenny Cavallero. Guaranteed laughsat the very chill and supremelyhospitable Post 41. Seating at Post 41is theatre style and generaladmission. Arrive early for yourfavorite seats. Post 41 has a full barand light concessions (movie snacks).You can also bring in your own foodto the venue. Doors open 30 minutesbefore the show. Tickets: $10 - 25.Visit the website: https://www.improbablecomedy.com

SUNDAY/MARCH 29A.J. Croce. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. At AMP

by Strathmore, 11810 Grand ParkAve., Bethesda. This special CrocePlays Croce show features A.J.performing his father Jim Croce’ssongs, his own material and songsthat influenced both of them. Tickets$32-$48. Visit

https://www.ampbystrathmore.com/live-shows/croce-plays-croce

MONDAY/MARCH 30The Bumper Jacksons Duo. 7:30

p.m. At Sain Mark PresbyterianChurch, 10701 Old GeorgetownRoad, Rockville. Roots jazz rhythms

and country swing harmoniesvignetted by stories and sounds ofAppalachia. Tickets are $25 door/$20adv | Students with ID / Children$20 door/$15 adv. Visit the website:www.imtfolk.org

SATURDAY/APRIL 4Glen Echo Park Rentals Open

House. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At GlenEcho Park, Spanish Ballroom andBumper Car Pavilion, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Samplecaterers’ specialties, view tabledesigns and meet vendors.

MONDAY/APRIL 6Vance Gilbert. 7:30 p.m. At Saint

Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701Old Georgetown Road, Rockville.With 10 critically acclaimed albums,Vance Gilbert continues to refine hisunlikely union of humor, virtuosity,and the unexpected. Whether withclassic, original songwriting orageless interpretations of covers, hisis a presentation steeped in deephumanism and bravery, stunningartistry and soul, and contagious,unbridled joy. Tickets are $25 door/$20 adv | Students with ID /Children $20 door/$15. Visitwww.imtfolk.org

SATURDAYS, MAY 16 AND MAY 23Free Boating Classes. 1-5 p.m. At

Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd.,Bethesda. Montgomery County PublicLibraries is partnering with the U.S.Coast Guard Auxiliary to offer anintroductory course on boating andboating safety. The beginner boatingcourse will provide residents withinformation on how to obtain a boatlicense or safety certification in manystates. Other topics includeintroduction to boating, boating law,boating safety equipment, safeboating, navigation, boatingproblems, trailering, storing andprotecting your boat, fishing, riverboating and other issues. Registrationis required and limited. Register athttps://montgomerycountymd.gov/library/programs/contemporary-conversations.html. Contact MaggieNightingale at 240-773-9550,Marilyn J. Praisner at 240-773-9460,Twinbrook at 240-777-0240 andDavis at 240-777-0922.

CAMPS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPSArt Explorers Open Studio. Every

Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at TheCandy Corner Studio, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Artactivities for parents and children.Activities change weekly and there isno pre-registration; $10 per child.Visit www.glenechopark.org/saturday-art-explorers for more.

Ceramic Classes. Various dates andtimes. VisArts, 155 Gibbs St.,Rockville. An opportunity to try thenew ceramic workshops. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org/ceramicsfor a list of class dates, times.

Entertainment

6821 Quintet will perform at Westmoreland Church inBethesda on Saturday, April 4.

6821 QuintetSaturday/April 4. 8 p.m. At Westmoreland Church, One Westmoreland Circle,

Bethesda. Named for the distance from Tokyo to Washington, DC, the 6821 Quin-tet will perform works commissioned for the National Cherry Blossom Festival aspart of the Conservatory Concerts series. The program, sponsored by the Ryuji UenoFoundation, includes Michael Djupstrom: Songs of Spring, Mamiko Hirai: Portraitsof Sakura, Kunihiko Murai: Sakura on the Potomac, and Clancy Newman: CherryBlossom Fantasy. Free with $20 suggested donation. Guests are invited to attendWine & Words after the concert for complimentary beverages and an informal Q &A with the performers.

Bulletin Board

From Page 5

Census will arrive by mail throughFriday, March 20. Census Day isWednesday, April 1. By then, everyhome will receive an invitation toparticipate in the 2020 Census. Oncethe invitation arrives, you shouldrespond for your home in one ofthree ways: online, by phone, or bymail.

City community centers are openingtheir computer labs for communitymembers who choose to completetheir census questionnaire online.Trained staff are on hand to helpfrom Monday, March 9-Sunday, April5 and from Tuesday, April 14-Sunday, April 26 as follows:

❖ Lincoln Park, Thomas Farm andTwinbrook community centers: 7-8p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-noonSaturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

❖ Rockville Senior Center: noon-1 p.m.

and 4-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.A limited number of coupons for

discounted taxi rides to and from thesenior center, will be available forcity residents age 60 and olderthrough the Rockville Call N Rideprogram. For more information aboutCall N Ride, call 240-314-8810 orvisit the Rockville Senior Center,1150 Carnation Drive.

How to Help: Meanwhile, preparationsare ongoing to ensure a completecount for our community. The U.S.Census Bureau is recruiting to filltemporary positions to assist with thecount. Learn more and apply at2020census.gov/jobs. MontgomeryCounty will hold training sessions forvolunteer ambassadors from 7-8:30p.m. Monday, March 30 andWednesday, April 15, in the second-floor meeting room of Rockville

Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave.(Volunteers need attend only onetraining.) Once trained, ambassadorswill host information tables,distribute promotional materials andengage with county residents. Learnmore and sign up at https://montgomerycountymd.gov/census/ambassadors.html.

Learn more about efforts to ensure acomplete count atwww.rockvillemd.gov/RockvilleCounts.

VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONSPrimary Election Day had been moved to

June 2. The Maryland State Board ofElections (SBE) is communicatingregularly with federal and statehealth agencies to monitordevelopments related to COVID-19.

We are committed to providing thesafest environment possible forMaryland voters and electionworkers.

Election Day is moved to Tuesday, June2, 2020. As the election approaches,SBE will continue coordinating withfederal and state health officials andwill institute any appropriatesafeguards to minimize the risk forvoters and election workers. Voterswho prefer to vote from home canrequest an absentee ballot. Voterswho wish to vote this way can submita request online by visiting https://www.elections.maryland.gov andclicking the “Request a Ballot” box orobtaining a request formfromelections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html. Marylanders areencouraged tovisithealth.maryland.gov/coronavirusfor the most up-to-date information,

and to dial 2-1-1 to talk to expertsabout any questions or concerns.

Any registered voter who wants tovote by mail may now request anapplication for the PresidentialPrimary Election. If you request avote by mail ballot, it will be yourofficial ballot and you will not beable to vote on the paper based,digital image scan voting systemat the polls on Election Day,Tuesday, June 2.

For more information on voting bymail call 240-777-VOTE, visitwww.777vote.org, our mobile appat m.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections, the Maryland StateBoard of Elections’ website athttps://elections.maryland.gov, orfollow the Montgomery CountyBoard of Elections on Facebook orTwitter.

Potomac Almanac ❖ March 18-24, 2020 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

POTOMACALMANAC

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By KENNETH B. LOURIE

In a peculiar way, my cancer treatment and all has sort of gotten lost in the coronavirus talk. With so many changes to our regular lifestyle occurring on a daily basis, it feels as if nothing else matters. Granted, one’s health is the most important consideration, but now the talk is about everybody’s health. Nevertheless, how do I throw caution to the wind and interact with my environment when doing so might endanger the very stability I’ve worked over 11 years to main-tain? I mean, I have to live my life, but will there be a cost to do so? I realize that the good of the many outweigh the good of the few but Spock was speaking from outer space. How do I, while in and out of treatment down here on Earth not worry about myself?

I realize life will go on for almost all of us, but will there be consequences for those unable to secure proper care? Will decisions be made about allocating resources because demand has far outstripped supply? How does life for cancer

paradigm where so many people might need some kind of medical care? Will there even be enough health care professionals to administer the kind of life-sustaining treatment many of us seriously-diagnosed patients have come to expect and need?

Unfortunately, only time will tell, and there may very well be little of it in the interim, during which we can anticipate and plan accordingly. So many decisions will likely be made by the powers that be that might not exactly consider my set of cancer circumstances. In a way, I might be collateral damage. There simply might not be enough room and medicine and staff and all to accommodate my needs. It’s nothing personal. It’s just business, or rather the lack thereof. With so much of the world’s population affected while going about their usual and customary routine, who, what, where and how will there be any prioritization? Moreover, what about people who are already sick and challenged by a weak-ened immune system (like yours truly), will the competition from newly diagnosed coronavirus patients overwhelm our health care system?

I can’t assume that life will go on as it always has. That would seem to be incredibly naive. I need to proactively make the necessary arrange-ments and/or contingency plans. I can’t presume that being a cancer patient will always get me through the door. I’d like to think I take priority. But it might not be about priority, it might be about availability and a dwindling supply not able to keep up with demand.

Still, going down this rabbit hole of fear, anxi-ety and worry doesn’t help either. As I have since the date of original diagnosis, back in late Febru-ary, 2009, I need to make the best of a bad/chal-lenging situation. I need to roll with the punches and be prepared for any eventuality and take the good with the bad and vice versa. Normal left the building a long time ago for me. The problem is that building to which I metaphorically refer is the very building where I get my ongoing medical treatment. And though I don’t anticipate being kept away from that building, the reality is that it’s out of my control.

As with anticipating the results of CT scans and lab results, all in good time, or bad. I need to keep the same positive attitude as I always have because though I might be at greater risk than many of you regular readers, we are all at risk, apparently. As such, if there is indeed anything to be gained by so many people being so similarly affected, the reality is that there are strength in those numbers and even though it may feel that right now the whole world is upside down, things eventually will right themselves. They always do. I just hope I’m still smiling when the dust settles.

Feeling Pale By Comparison

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

From school closures to travel bans, therapid spread of coronavirus has led to atime of un-precedented uncertainty. Feel-

ings of anxiety and fear are rampant, particu-larly in children, say educators. Helping themfeel grounded and having open and honest con-versations can soothe feelings of angst.

“Stick to routines and schedules when pos-sible,” said Karen Kunz, Middle School Coun-selor at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School. “Chil-dren thrive with clear structure and schedules.Even with school closures, start to imagine whata schedule might look like at home.”

A child’s age will affect the approach that aparent might take. “Keep in mind, dependingon their developmental level, children will com-prehend and be concerned about differentthings regarding the coronavirus,” said LindaMcKenna Gulyn, Ph.D., professor of psychologyat Marymount University.

Those who are of kindergarten age or youngermight feel an unrealistic fear of the virus be-cause of the ego-centrism and magical thinkingwhich are common for that age group, saysGulyn.

“School-aged children probably have a con-crete understanding of how this virus is trans-mitted and understand well the importance ofwashing their hands,” said Gulyn. “Their frus-tration will come from refraining from favoriteactivities such as sports or music events, school,or socializing in groups of kids.”

Assuring children that there will be a returnto normalcy soon and answering their questionshonestly, logically and respectfully is the ap-proach Gulyn suggests.

“Teenagers understand the basics of the vi-rus, but they could get caught up with mythsassociated with coronavirus, especially becausethere is a lot of true and false informationonline,” she said. “I’ve observed that in my ownteenage sons. Monitor and discuss what theyare hearing and help them learn to distinguishfact from fiction about corona.”

For this age group, living with a heightenedlevel of uncertainty can evoke strong emotions.“Teens will be very frustrated and annoyed byrestrictions placed on group activities that theylove, especially those that involve time withpeers,” said Gulyn. “Be sympathetic to your teenabout those frustrations.”

“For older children, monitor the amount ofsocial media and internet access they are con-suming,” added Kunz. “Social media sites caneasily aggravate and heighten anxiety and worryby sharing misinformation.”

While information about the virus is movingrapidly and details are evolving, maintaining asense of normalcy can be challenging. “Staycalm and carry on, said Susan DeLaurentis, Di-rector of Counseling and the Lower SchoolCounselor at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School.“Modeling calm and reasoned reactions tostressful events help children manage their ownanxiety.

They look to parents and other adults to seetheir verbal and non-verbal reactions, and willoften follow suit.”

“School nurses, school counselors, school psy-chologists, and school social workers can sup-port these discussions and follow up with stu-dents who may need additional support,” addedLucy H. Caldwell, director of news and Infor-mation, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).“In addition to talking with children about theimportance of washing hands, covering coughsand sneezes.”

When discussing COVID-19, stick to basicfacts in a developmentally appropriate fashion,advises DeLaurentis. “Reassure your childrenthat we are doing exactly what we should doright now,” she said. “Also, using the fact thatchildren don’t seem to be as affected by the vi-rus is a fact that can be reassuring to children.”

“As a parent or caregiver, your first concern isabout how to protect and take care of your chil-dren and family, added Kurt Larrick, AssistantDirector of the Arlington County Departmentof Human Services “Some basic knowledge is agreat place to start.”

It can be comforting to highlight the actionsthat children can take to protect themselves,suggests DeLaurentis. “Emphasize what childrencan control in the situations they are in,” shesaid. “They can wash their hands, and even turn-ing that into a game or a competition foryounger students can help them find some joyin a stressful situation.”

Find a balance between staying informed andinformation overload and monitor the amountof time children are exposed to news aboutCOVID-19, says DeLaurentis.

“Younger children often cannot comprehendthe information they hear on the news,” shesaid.

“They may misunderstand or misinterpret thenews they hear, and often this misinformationcan lead to more fear and anxiety.”

Talking to Children about CoronavirusSharing developmentallyappropriate informationcan ease fears.

Turning hand washing and the use ofhand sanitizer into a game or a com-petition for younger students can helpthem find joy in a stressful situation,says Susan DeLaurentis of St.Stephen’s & St. Agnes School.

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8 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ March 18-24, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com