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Potomac Almanac ❖ February 18-24, 2009 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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February 18-24, 2009 ❖ Volume LIII, Number 7 More online at potomacalmanac.com

PotomacPotomac

Rescued, ButNeeding Home

News, page 2

Newly rescuedpuppy Nanagets towel-driedafter a bath.

Stores ComingAnd Going

Around PotomacNews, Page 3

Residents SeeJump in

Heating BillsNews, page 3

Stores ComingAnd Going

Around PotomacNews, Page 3

Residents SeeJump in

Heating BillsNews, page 3

Brother-Sister Hockey DuoSports, Page 13

Brother-Sister Hockey DuoSports, Page 13

2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ February 18-24, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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News

Rescued Puppies Need Homes

A year-long investigationby The Humane Societyof the United States ledto the seizure of about

300 dogs from a puppy mill inWayne County, N.C. The Mont-gomery County Humane Societyassisted in the seizure and onThursday, Feb. 12, theorganization’s private rescue shel-ter in Rockville took in 15 of thepuppies, according to BJ Altschul,the director of community andeducation relations for MCHS.Some of the animals have alreadybeen placed in foster care, with theultimate goal of finding perma-nent adoption homes for all theanimals when qualified adoptersare found and the animals aredeemed ready in terms of physi-cal health, socialization withpeople, and grooming.

MCHS staff picked up the dogsusing vehicles donated for that purpose by FitzgeraldAuto Mall, in memory of Dr. Rick Clement, as wellas Next Car.

Safety straps for the transport were donated byTalk of the Town Variety Entertainment.

The Humane Society’s private rescue shelter isan overflow facility for animals with special needs.In 2007, MCHS assisted The HSUS with a puppymill rescue from Hillsville, Va., saving 25 dogs and

Dayna Hamilton hands two of the pups to Robert Henne,manager of the MCHS Private Rescue

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puppies.To track the 15 dogs on their road to adoption,

visit http://www.mchumane.org/fosterdogs.shtml.Interested adopters who want to learn about theadoption process should visit http://www.mchumane.org/fosteradoptionpoliciesandfees.shtml.

— Aaron Stern


See Bills, Page 10

See Stores, Page 4

NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren

703-917-6431 or [email protected]

See www.potomacalmanac.com

By Aaron Stern

The Almanac

In the last four years Natalie Mahdesianreplaced the stove, dishwasher, micro-wave, and refrigerator in her River Falls

home with new energy-efficient models.She installed two new heat pumps in thelast two years, has switched to energy-effi-cient fluorescent light bulbs, and hasweather-stripped around her home’s doorsand windows.

“We’re trying to become a green family,”Mahdesian said.

To try to ensure that she is using as littleelectricity as possible, she makes sure tokeep the lights off in rooms she isn’t using.She keeps the thermostat on the first floorof her home set at 68 degrees and the ther-mostat for the upstairs at 64, and she buildsfires in her family room fireplace at night.

She walks through her home in layeredclothing, and when her daughter has friendsover she complains that the house is toocold for them. So when Mahdesian’s heat-ing bills from Pepco spiked this winter above$800 and $900 — roughly double themonthly rates she paid last winter —Mahdesian was at a loss, and she isn’t alone.

State Sen. Brian Frosh (D-16) said he hasheard from several of his constituents re-cently who have expressed concern overelectric bills that have skyrocketed this win-ter. He doesn’t have good news for them.

“There isn’t much that we can do. It’s aresult I think of the electric utility deregu-lation in 1999,” Frosh said. As a part of thederegulation that was passed by the Mary-land General Assembly in 1999, price capswere put on the rates electric companiescould charge, but when those caps came offin 2004, bills increased in suburban Mary-

land by an immediate 39 percent, and rateshave increased periodically since then.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE Commission ap-proved an 11.3 percent increase in electricbill rates for Pepco’s Maryland customersthat began in October, something they werenotified of through an insert in their Au-gust bill, said Andre Francis, a Pepco spokes-man.

“Was it one of those papers that they sentthat you can barely read and it was six pageslong? Because if it was that, yeah, I prob-ably didn’t read that,” said Mahdesian, whosaid if she read all of those notices that comein a variety of bills she would get little elsedone. “I love how they do that.”

Francis said he has heard from a lot ofunhappy Pepco customers lately, particu-larly those who rely solely on electric fortheir home energy, and especially since the

bills for January went out.“It’s definitely been brought to our atten-

tion that people are concerned about theirelectric bills,” he said. The reason for thejump in their bills — apart from the rateincrease, which Francis said passes on theincreased price that Pepco pays to purchasethe electricity that they distribute — wasdue to one of the coldest January’s the re-gion has seen in the last 10 years, combinedwith a billing cycle that was 33 days longinstead of the usual 29 because of Christ-mas and the Presidential Inauguration.Many customers probably don’t realize thatwhen the weather is colder than usual out-side, running their heat pumps at normallevels requires more electricity, he said.

“They think that if they leave their tempat a certain temp their heat pump is not

Feeling the Heat Homeowners notice jump in winter heating bills.

By Aaron Stern

The Almanac

After 40 years in Cabin JohnMall, Upstuff ’s Hallmarkstore will close its doorsnext month. The company

is going out of business due to declin-ing sales and the worsening economy.

“This is a disposable income busi-ness based upon disposable income so,

yeah, it’s going to hitus harder … it’ssomething you cancut out of your bud-get,” said JohnCuller, who co-ownsUpstuff ’s with DeVernon. Vernonopened the storeoriginally and Cullerbecame a co-owner34 years ago. EachHallmark store is in-dependently owned,and what madeUpstuff ’s stand outfrom otherHallmark’s and othergift stores wasn’t justan array of productsand non-Hallmarkcard lines, but thepersonal touch, saidCuller. He andVernon ran the store

themselves instead of hiring a man-ager, meaning that one or the otherwas usually in the store when patrons

came in.After so much time spent in the commu-

nity, moving on is bittersweet. Culler in-tends to relocate to Colorado to spend moretime with his grandchildren, but he said he

will miss the families that he’s gotten toknow so well in Potomac.

“We watched people raise their families,their kids grow up, graduate from collegethen come here with their families,” Culler

said.

THE DEPARTURE OF UPSTUFF’S from

Stores coming andgoing around Potomac.

Business Landscape Undergoing Change

After 40 years in business, Upstuff’s Hallmark storewill close its doors next month.

Pam Bernard, foreground, and Alyssa Carels of Plants,Etc. prepare floral arrangements on Saturday morn-ing, Feb. 14. “At the last second they buy everything —anything,” said Bernard of procrastinating Valentine’sDay customers. “It’s actually pretty funny.”

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“This is adisposableincomebusinessbased upondisposableincome so,yeah, it’sgoing to hitus harder.”

— John Culler,Upstuff’s Hall-mark co-owner


From Page 3

News

the Cabin John Mall is one of several changes thathave occurred or are brewing among local busi-nesses. Stretchalicious, a store that sells women’sathletic apparel recently moved into Cabin JohnShopping Center just down the way from the Cali-fornia Tortilla, replacing the tanning salon that usedto occupy that space. The store moved to Cabin Johnafter spending its first year at the Traville shoppingcenter in Rockville, said store owner Jodi Gurowitz.Unlike many businesses that are suffering during thebad economic times, Gurowitz said that her busi-ness is relatively recession-proof because people willalways want to stay fit, and presumably to look goodwhile doing so.

“That won’t change from the economy,” Gurowitzsaid.

In Potomac Village, two Potomac women are bet-ting that they can weather the current economicstorm with their new business, Potomac Nannies andMore. Jennifer Signora and Shannon Gegor openedthe doors to their new office on the first floor of theSemmes Building in Potomac Promenade on Mon-day, Feb. 9, and while they could have run their op-eration from the comfort of their own homes, thetwo decided to set up a real shop.

“We wanted [customers] to have a face,” said Si-gnora. Instead of relying on the phone or email todeal with customers, the two want customers tocome in and sit down with them to establish a per-sonal contact that will helpthem create a complete assess-ment of what a particularfamily’s needs are in order tofind the right nanny to fitthose needs.

“They’ll get the personaltouch,” Signora said. For nowthey figure that they need onlytwo to three placements permonth — they offer both live-in and live-out nannies — tobe successful, and are betting that when the economybounces back they will have established their nameand presence in the area. And the tough economictimes may actually work to the benefit of their busi-ness as well as their customers.

“The good news is that with the economy, youshould see our nannies. They’re highly qualified,”Signora said.

STEVE ORNSTEIN BRACED for this year’sValentine’s Day with the current financial climate inmind. The owner of Plants, Etc. in Potomac Village,he ordered 25 percent less inventory in the weekleading to the annual holiday frenzy. But sales were“surprisingly strong,” he said, and he had to ordermore stock midweek, making last week a microcosmof the last year.

Unlike other florists in the region and around thecountry, business at Plants, Etc. has not dropped offmuch in the last year, said Ornstein, who openedthe store with his mother Lois 25 years ago when hegraduated college. Sales in 2008 were down less thantwo percent from 2007, and sales in January of thisyear were up from the same time last year, Ornsteinsaid. But while sales haven’t changed, Ornstein saidthat their location in Potomac Village might. The 10-year lease that he signed in 1999 is just about upand he is currently in the process of what he charac-terized as the typical offer-counteroffer lease nego-tiating process.

Much like Culler and Vernon’s Hallmark store in

Cabin John, Ornstein said thathe has developed a personalrelationship with his clientsover the years.

“The economy’s taken sucha funny roll, or unfunny, de-pending how you look at it, Ijust want a little bit of a cush-ion,” he said. “We’re one of theplaces people turn to for flow-ers … I know people would be

devastated if we left.”

ELSEWHERE IN POTOMAC VILLAGE, the futureof Sprinkles ice cream store remains up in the air asowner Tom Orban negotiates a new lease withZuckerman Gravely Management. Last summer themanagement company informed Orban that his leasewould not be renewed after two decades in the Vil-lage, but, after a subsequent public outcry, negotia-tions between the two sides began anew.

Around the corner from Sprinkles, the local Mont-gomery County-operated liquor and wine store ispreparing to expand next door into the space for-merly occupied by Fast Frames, which moved acrossthe courtyard next to Starbucks last September.

Other looming changes around town include PNCBank’s ongoing plans to build a drive-through ATMin the Potomac Village shopping center parking lot,new ownership of the Potomac Day Spa on RiverRoad, the pending transition of Wachovia Bank inPotomac Promenade to Wells Fargo, and the construc-tion of a new Walgreen’s in the Potomac Woods Plazaon Seven Locks Road, slated to open later this spring.

Other pending changes at the Cabin John Shop-ping Center include the closure of Floral Designs ofPotomac at the end of this month, which will be re-placed by My Eye Doctor, and David Opticians willclose after more than 10 years in the center and willbe replaced by a Subway sandwich shop franchise,said Mike Reilly, senior vice president at the Carl M.Freeman Companies which manages the center.

Stores Coming and Going

Shannon Gegor, left, and Jennifer Si-gnora opened Potomac Nannies andMore in Potomac Village last week.

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Former Resident Killed in CrashGuitarist and former Potomac resident Coleman Mellett was

one of 49 passengers aboard Continental Connections Flight 3407which crashed on its way to Buffalo, N.Y., killing all aboard andone person inside the home into which it crashed on Thursday,Feb. 12.

Mellett, a guitarist for the Chuck Mangione Group, grew up inPotomac and graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School inHyattsville, Md. in 1992. According to information on the DeMathaWeb site, Mellett was on his way to play with his group and theBuffalo Philharmonic when the plane went down. In a messageon the Web site, John Mitchell, the school’s band director, re-membered Mellett as “an amazing talent.”

Home Invasions Target ElderlyDetectives from three District Investigative Sections are inves-

tigating three incidents of theft diversion scams targeting elderlycouples in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Bethesda. Detectives be-lieve they may be related and committed by the same group ofsuspects.

In all three incidents, a suspect is dressed in a dark blue uni-form and claims to be a government employee. In two of theincidents, he told the victims that their neighbor’s home had aflood and he would need the victims to accompany him to thebasement of the home to inspect their water pipes. While thesuspect and the victims are in the basement, two additional sus-pects enter the home and search for cash to steal. In the thirdincident, the suspect again claimed that a neighbor had a flood,but he wanted to check the water pressure in the victim’s home.

The first two incidents described above occurred on Feb. 3 withinan hour of each other. The first incident occurred at approximately4:30 p.m. in the 1900 block of Stanley Avenue in Rockville. Thisincident involved an 85-year-old female victim and a 99-year-oldmale victim. The second incident occurred at approximately 5p.m. in the 4400 block of West Virginia Avenue in Bethesda. Thisincident involved an 83-year-old female victim and a 90-year-oldmale victim. The third incident occurred on Feb. 9 at approxi-mately 12 p.m. in the 16600 block of South Westland Avenue inGaithersburg. This incident involved a 72-year-old female victimand an 80-year-old male victim.

The first suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his 30’s,5’6" to 5’8" tall, with a thin build, and short black hair. He iswearing a dark blue shirt and dark blue pants. He is wearingwhat appears to be a yellow name badge with a picture. The sec-ond suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his 30’s, with amedium build, and short black hair. He is wearing dark blue cloth-ing. The third suspect is described as white male, in his 50’s, witha heavy build, and gray hair.

Anyone who has information about the thefts and/or the sus-pects is asked to call the 5th/6th District Investigative Section at240-773-6237. Callers may remain anonymous.

Garagiola Backs Septic BillState Sen. Rob Garagiola (D-15) is co-sponsoring the Chesa-

peake Bay Nitrogen Reduction Act of 2009, SB 554, which wouldstrengthen restoration plans for the Chesapeake Bay.ºThe billwould require that all new or replacement septic systems beequipped with nitrogen removal technology. Fees paid to the BayRestoration Fund, which was created several years ago, would beused to assist homeowners in paying the difference in the costbetween a conventional septic tank and a septic tank that in-cludes a nitrogen removal system.

March Senior Forum ScheduledCounty Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Potomac, Bethesda,

Chevy Chase) will host a forum for local seniors on Friday, March6 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Bethesda to provide advice on financial,personal, and home safety matters. Speakers will include U.S.Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), author Stan Hinden, MontgomeryCounty Police Commander Russ Hamill. The meeting will be heldin the Anastasia Room of the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squadlocated at 5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda. Call 240-777-7828 formore information.

This Week in Potomac

“The good news is thatwith the economy, youshould see our nannies.They’re highly qualified.”

— Jennifer Signora, co-owner of thenew Potomac Nannies and More


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News

Staying the CourseChurchill cluster parents packed the Montgomery County Council hearing room inRockville on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to urge funding that would keep the modernization ofSeven Locks Elementary and Cabin John Middle Schools on track.

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Parents urge CountyCouncil to keep schoolmodernization on track.

By Aaron Stern

The Almanac

As the Montgomery County Council beginsto weigh amendments to the FY 2009-2014 Capital Improvements Program(CIP) and the operating budget for the

2010 fiscal year, parents from the Winston ChurchillHigh School cluster of schools filled the council’shearing room on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to urge the coun-cil to keep scheduled school modernization on track.

Holding signs that read “Renovations & Updatesfor Churchill Cluster Schools Must Stay On Track andOn Time,” the parents said maintaining the currentschedule of modernization is critical to the successof the recently approved boundary changes that willrealign the school zones for Potomac, Bells Mill andSeven Locks Elementary Schools, and Cabin John andHerbert Hoover Middle Schools.

A rebuilt Bells Mill is slated to open in time for the2009-2010 school year, while Cabin John is set toundergo renovation beginning this summer. SevenLocks is slated to be renovated to open in the 2012school year, and during the study that led to the re-drawing of the school boundaries Seven Locks par-

ents expressed concern that delaying the modern-ization could leave Seven Locks under capacity longenough to make Montgomery County Public Schoolsconsider closing it altogether.

“Families and school communities are coming togrips with the impending changes; we hope they willnot be asked to move children from one old over-crowded facility to another while construction is puton indefinite hold,” wrote Churchill Cluster co-coor-dinators Janette Gilman, Laurie Halverson, and LauraSiegel in testimony submitted to the council thatGilman read aloud on Tuesday night last week.

Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Potomac, Bethesda,Chevy Chase) said that amount of money the coun-cil is ultimately able to allot to the CIP programsincluding the school system’s requests will dependlargely on the amount of aid the state legislature isable to give the county. If not enough funding comesthrough, “we’re still in the hole,” said Berliner.

Afterwards, Jana Abel and Jeanine Resnick — bothof whom have second graders at Bells Mill — saidthey don’t want to see Cabin John’s renovation de-layed for any reason.

“I’ve been in there a few times … and it’s clearly inneed of [updating],” said Abel.

“Our kids are already in holding schools and wewant to make sure they’re not in holding schoolsthree years from now,” said Resnick.

The council will hold hearings on the CIP through-out the spring and is scheduled to finalize the planin May.

Obituary

David M. Thomas

Long-time Potomac residentDavid M. Thomas of BeallSpring Road died Jan. 21

at the Charlotte Hall VeteransHome, where he had been a resi-dent the past three and a halfyears. He had Alzheimer’s disease.

A native of Fountain Hill, Pa., Mr.Thomas moved to Potomac in 1972.He was a graduate of the U. S. NavalAcademy, the U. S. Navy Postgradu-ate School, and the George Washing-ton University School of Law. He re-

tired from the Navy in 1977 and sub-sequently worked for defense con-tractors and practiced law in theRockville area. He was a member ofSt. Raphael’s Church and the Army-Navy Club of Washington, D.C. Whilehis sons attended Wootton HighSchool, he was active in the Boost-ers Club and the Music Boosters Clubthere. He also served as a volunteerBlue and Gold officer for 20 years,counseling many young people in thearea who were interested in attend-

ing the Naval Academy.Mr. Thomas is survived by his

wife, Ann; five sons: Rear Admi-ral David Thomas, Jr., Navy Capt.Gregory Thomas, Marine Col.Douglas Thomas, Navy Cdr. Chris-topher Thomas, and Charles Tho-mas; 10 grandsons; five grand-daughters; and two brothers.

A funeral mass was celebratedin the Naval Academy Chapel Jan.31, followed by inurnment in theAcademy columbarium.


Opinion POTOMACALMANAC

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Dumping Pets To the Editor:

If you are going to relinquish your ani-mal to a shelter or rescue, here is whatyou need to do (I say need because it isclear the public still struggles on this par-ticular subject):

Do your homework. Google all of the nokill shelters and rescues in your area be-fore handing them over to a county shel-ter. If all of the no kill organizations areunable to assist you, then consider a countyshelter. If your pet is older, it would be wiseto look for programs that specialize in se-nior aged animals, as they are less likelyto be adopted. After all, there is no publicdemand for an eight-year-old cat, or a six-year-old dog.

Short story: A man was turning in hisnine-year-old cat to the local MCHS, and Iasked, with forced politeness, why “relin-quish” (dump) such an older cat? He re-plied his 30-year-old daughter’s new hus-band is highly allergic (they moved in withthe parents). I then suggested that thenewlyweds get their own apartment, andson-in-law should invest in Claritin and abox of tissues. (The man laughed.) I canjust picture a cute little girl begging hermom for a blind-in-one-eye nine-year-oldcat instead of a shiny new kitten.

Moving on, ask a trusted family mem-ber or close friend to take the animal. Thisway you know the quality of the new en-vironment the animal will be in. Go to yourvet, and leave a flyer with the animal’s pic-ture. Animal lovers tend to spend quite abit of time at the vets, and already haveexperience in pet care. Ask the vet’s officeemployees to keep their eyes and ears openfor potential homes. Vet techs are alwaysadopting animals that pass through theiroffices, especially if they are familiar withthe animals for previous office visits.

Make sure to spay, neuter and vaccinatethe animal before handing them over toany organization. A healthy animal will bemuch easier to place. Don’t want to payfor the vaccinations? Tough. The least youcan do is send the animals on their waywith a clean bill of health.

Here is the most important rule of all:Do not visit the animal once you havesigned over custody. Most private rescueswill veto visitations from previous owners,and with good cause. It is very cruel to“tease” the animal with your presence.Shelter employees work very hard to makeeach animals transition less traumatic.Ninety percent have diarrhea and vomitfor the first four days, signs of severe stress.Let the animals bond with new humans.For those who fell especially sentimental,I will suggest a good cry and a pint of Benand Jerry’s. Most importantly, be patient.Be responsible when relinquishing a pet.Visit each shelter or rescue before signingover custody. I promise this, if most peopleactually looked behind some kennel doors,they might think twice before handing overtheir pet.

Aly Cohen

Letter to the Editor

Canada Geese mate for life.

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Valentine’s DayOn the Canal

Canada Geese are vegetarians, in this case reaching upside down for grassesgrowing from the bottom of the canal. A romantic lunch? It seems to workfor them.


LET’S TALKReal Estate

byMichael Matese

For professional advice on allaspects of buying and sellingreal estate, call:

MICHAEL MATESEWashington Fine

Properties301-806-6829

[email protected]

THINK TWICEABOUT SELLER’S

REMORSE

Home sellers sometimesfeel that they have made amistake. Seller’s remorsecan strike as soon as theagreement with a buyer isreached.

Here are some issues thatyou should know aboutbefore you call your agent tosay that you have changedyour mind. Your agreementto sell is legally binding.

Therefore, it is importantthat you know the extent ofthe buyer’s legal recourseagainst you and the financialconsequences. For example,if the buyer asks a court oflaw to require you to sell theproperty as you agreed, youwill incur the costs of a casein court whether or not youmanage to keep the property.The buyer could sue you fordamages, including but notlimited to the costs to thebuyer of closing the sale. Youmay be required to pay thebroker’s commission.

Consult your agent forprofessional advice aboutthese and other consequencesof seller’s remorse before youchange your mind.

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Pets of the Week

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Reba is a 3-year-old, 40pound, spayed, femaleShepherd mix. Reba is alittle shy at first, but bondsquickly with humans.She’s smart, knows manycommands and loves chas-ing balls or going for carrides. Reba would do bestwith a patient adopter whowill cherish her.

Gremlin is a 9 and half-month-old, spayed,female DSH kitten.Gremlin is a little busyimp that loves to exploreand tussle. She cuddleswith humans and givesaway “love nips” if shelikes you. Active Gremlinwill do best with anequally active playmateat an adopter’s home.

Partnership for Animal Welfare(PAW) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit group. To adopt an animal,volunteer or make a tax-deduct-ible donation, visit www.paw-rescue.org, call 301-572-4729 orwrite to PAW, P.O. Box 1074,Greenbelt, MD 20768.

To submit an item for the Civic Calendar,e-mail [email protected] or fax the submission to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday at noon twoweeks prior to the event. For questions, call703-917-6407.

SATURDAY/FEB. 21 Free Practice Test. All students can

take a practice SAT or ACT test atWinston Churchill High School. Toregister, visit www.mytutor.com or 1-800-698-8867.

SUNDAY/FEB. 22 Mind, Body and Soul. 2:30-7 p.m. at

Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road.Women can enjoy music, exercisesand more. $36-$45/person.Registration required, 301-299-7087ext. 410 or www.harshalom.org formore.

Transfiguration. Geneva PresbyterianChurch, 11931 Seven Locks Road,Potomac, will celebrateTransfiguration at 10:30 a.m. with aspecial service featuring the“Masterpieces of Lent” — a slidepresentation of classical art, withaccompanying narrative, highlightingthe events leading up to Holy Week.301-424-4346.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 25 Ash Wednesday. Geneva Presbyterian

Church, 11931 Seven Locks Road,Potomac, will hold an AshWednesday service at 7 p.m. tointroduce the season of Lent. Theservice will feature the imposition ofashes, the poetry of Ann Weems andmore. 301-424-4346.

SATURDAY/FEB. 28 Blood Drive. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the

Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington.Fans of Washington Capitals candonate blood, receive a limited-edition Peter Bondra bobblehead andmeet him. First 500 registrantsreceive tickets to a home game.Appointments required, www.my-redcross.org or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 4 Workshop. 7 p.m. at Potomac Library,

10101 Glenolden Drive. Parents canlearn how to interact with children.Free. 301-229-1347 to register.

Support Group. 7:30 p.m. at St.Raphael’s Church, 1513 DunsterRoad, Rockville. Families and friendsof people who have been diagnosedwith depression or bipolar illness.Free. Visit www.dbsanca-family.orgor 301-299-4255.

THURSDAY/MARCH 5 Health Meeting. Pain Connection

Chronic Pain Support Group willmeet at 1:30-3 p.m., Davis Library,6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda,sponsored by Pain Connection foranyone with chronic pain, theirfamily and friends. Participants are

welcome to bring pillows, mats, iceor hot packs to be comfortable. Call301-309-2444 or visitwww.painconnection.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 7 Contemporary Praise Service. 5

p.m. at Geneva Presbyterian Church,11931 Seven Locks Road. Enjoysinging, skits, stories and more. Free.Pizza supper follows. 301-424-4346.

Diabetes University. 9 a.m.-noon atTheatre Arts Arena at MontgomeryCollege, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville.Enjoy speakers and samples andmore. Free, but registration required.Visit www.diabetesaction.org or 202-333-4520.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 18 Health Symposium. 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

at National 4-H Center, 7100Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase. Learnabout eating disorders, how toidentify symptoms and more. $155-$165. Visit www.jssa.org or 301-816-2682 to register.

ONGOING The Greater Chesapeake and

Potomac Blood Services Region of theAmerican Red Cross is seeking vol-unteers to assist its blood collectionsstaff at blood drives and blood donorcenters. To register for training, or formore information, please call the Ameri-can Red Cross Volunteer Office at1-800-272-0094, ext. 1, or [email protected].

Montgomery County has launched anew Web site feature called “MyMontgomery,” which helps residents lo-cate a variety of County facilities andservices. “My Montgomery” can be foundat www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mymontgomery and visitors to the siteneed only type in their address and zipcode.

Volunteers are needed to assistsexual assault victims and their familiesthrough the Victim Assistance and SexualAssault Program of the MontgomeryCounty Department of Health and Hu-man Services.

To schedule an interview visitwww.montgomerycountymd.gov/vasapor 240-777-1355.

JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency),a non-sectarian community agency, isseeking volunteers over the age of 18 tohelp enhance the quality of life of indi-viduals and families facinglife-threatening or terminal illness. Thenext training course is scheduled forMondays, Feb. 23, March 2, March 9,March 23, and March 30, from 5:30-9p.m. at JSSA’s Montrose Road office,6123 Montrose Road, Rockville. Formore information, contact AmyKaufman Goott, Volunteer Coordinatorfor JSSA Hospice and Transitions at301-816-2650, [email protected] or visitJSSA on the web at www.jssa.org.

Bulletin Board


To have community events listed free inThe Potomac Almanac, send e-mail [email protected] is Thursday at noon for the fol-lowing week’s paper. Photos and artworkencouraged. Unless otherwise noted, allevents are in Potomac. For more informa-tion, call 703-917-6407.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 18 Afternoon Tea. Pianist Fran Hrastar is

performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansionat Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike,North Bethesda. Prepaid reservationsrequired; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.

THURSDAY/FEB. 19 Master Class. The Baltimore

Symphony Orchestra has a masterclass with the Maryland Classic YouthOrchestra at 5 p.m. in the MusicCenter at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Free. Reservations required; call 301-581-5100.

Symphony. The Baltimore SymphonyOrchestra performs at 8 p.m. in theMusic Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Visit www.BSOmusic.org for tickets.

FRIDAY/FEB. 20Chamber Concert. The Ahn Trio

performs at 8 p.m. in the MusicCenter at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Tickets: $18-45; call 301-581-5100.

Contra Dance. 7:30-11:30 p.m. atSpanish Ballroom in Glen Echo, 7300MacArthur Blvd $9/person. [email protected] for more.

SATURDAY/FEB. 21Clay Workshop. Carol Zilliacus will

lead a polymer clay workshop from10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Mansionat Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike,North Bethesda. Tickets: $75; call301-581-5100.

Park Movie. 4 p.m. at Arcade Buildingat Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthurBlvd. Watch a movie documenting thepark’s 115-year history. Free. Visitwww.nps.gov/glec or 301-320-1400.

Carousel Tours. Noon at Glen EchoPark, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. See howit was made, how it works and more.Free. Visit www.nps.gov/glec or 301-320-1400.

Nature Programs. Enjoy activities,stories, animals, hikes and more from10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Glen Echo Park,7300 MacArthur Blvd. Free formembers and children under 2, $5/non member. Visitwww.discoverycreek.org or 202-488-0627.

Art Show. Noon-5 p.m. at Yellow BarnGallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., GlenEcho. See the “Paintings by Zoe

Polach.” Free. 301-371-5593 orwww.yellowbarnstudio.com for more.

Tot Shabbat. 11 a.m. at CongregationB’nai Tzedek, 10621 S. Glen Road.Preschoolers and early elementaryschool age children can enjoy. Free.301-299-0225.

Theater Performance. 8 p.m. at theWriter’s Center, 4508 Walsh St.,Bethesda. $15/person. Comic plays byPrecipice Improv theater. Visitprecipiceimprov.com for more.

SUNDAY/FEB. 22 Park Movie. 4 p.m. at Arcade Building

at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthurBlvd. Watch a movie documenting thepark’s 115-year history. Free. Visitwww.nps.gov/glec or 301-320-1400.



Dog Talk. 2 p.m. at PotomacCommunity Center, 11315 Falls Road.Hear a dog trainer talk about how totrain difficult dogs. Free, butregistration required,www.yourdogsfriend.info or 301-983-5913.

Art Show. Noon-5 p.m. at Yellow BarnGallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., GlenEcho. See the “Paintings by ZoePolach.” Free. 301-371-5593 orwww.yellowbarnstudio.com for more.

Contra and Square Dance. 7-10:30p.m. at Spanish Ballroom in GlenEcho, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. $12/nonmember; $9/member.

MONDAY/FEB. 23Singing Workshop. John Horman

leads a multi-session workshop foraspiring singers from 7:30-9 p.m. inthe Mansion at Strathmore, 10701Rockville Pike, North Bethesda.Tickets: $120; call 301-581-5100.

Book Discussion. 8 p.m. at BethSholom Congregation, 11825 SevenLocks Road. Free. Discuss “Not Me” byMichael Lavigne. [email protected] for more.

Discussion. 7:30 p.m. at the Writer’sCenter, 4508 Walsh St. Enjoy adiscussion with Ellen McLaughlin andTony-nominated Kathleen Chalfant,actors in the upcoming Arena Stageproduction of Edward Albee’s “ADelicate Balance.” General admissionis $5. For details, call 301-654-8664or e-mail [email protected].

Book Club. 8 p.m. at Beth SholomCongregation, 11825 Seven LocksRoad. Discuss “Not Me” by MichaelLavigne. Free. E-mail Tanya Lampert

at [email protected] for more.

TUESDAY/FEB. 24 Afternoon Tea. Pianist Becky Dukes is

performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansionat Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike,North Bethesda. Prepaid reservationsrequired; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.

Concert. Violinist Julia Fischer performsat 8 p.m. in the Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. Tickets: $38-78; call301-581-5100.

Tiny Tot Tuesdays. 10 a.m. or 11:30a.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300MacArthur Blvd. The PuppetCompany has performances forchildren up to age 4 to enjoy. $5/person. Registration recommended,www.thepuppetco.org or 301-320-6668.

CoffeeHouse. 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’sEpiscopal School, 8804 Postoak Road.Donald Ritchie speaks on “Honoringthe Life of Studs Terkel.” Free. 301-983-5200.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 25 Afternoon Tea. Guitarist Paul Bangser

is performing at 1 p.m. at theMansion at Strathmore, 10701Rockville Pike, North Bethesda.Prepaid reservations required; $21plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.

Artist in Residence. Herb and Hansonperform at 7:30 p.m. in the Mansionat Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike,North Bethesda. Tickets: $10; call301-581-5100.

London Philharmonic. The LondonPhilharmonic Orchestra performs at 8p.m. in the Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. Tickets: $47-117; call301-581-5100.

FRIDAY/FEB. 27Peking Acrobats. Chinese acrobats

perform at 8 p.m. in the Music Centerat Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. Tickets: $18-45; call301-581-5100.

Theater Performance. ImaginationStage presents “The Magic of Beautyand the Beast” at 7:30 p.m. at ReeveStudio Theatre, 4908 Auburn Ave.$10/person. Visitwww.imaginationstage.org or 301-280-1660.

Contra Dance. 7:30-11:30 p.m. atSpanish Ballroom in Glen Echo, 7300MacArthur Blvd $9/person. [email protected] for more.

SATURDAY/FEB. 28 Painting Workshop. Lillian Fitzgerald

leads a painting workshop from 10:30a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Mansion atStrathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike,North Bethesda. Tickets: $50 plus $25material fee; call 301-581-5100.

National Philharmonic. The NationalPhilharmonic Orchestra performs at 8p.m. in the Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. Tickets from $29,children 7-17 free. Call 301-581-5100.

Dance Performance. 8 p.m. atAmerican Dance Institute, 1570 E.Jefferson St. See Robert Moses’ Kinand Edgeworks Dance Theatre. $25/adult; $15/student, senior, member.Visit www.americandance.org or 301-984-3003.

Park Movie. 4 p.m. at Arcade Buildingat Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthurBlvd. Watch a movie documenting thepark’s 115-year history. Free. Visitwww.nps.gov/glec or 301-320-1400.



Theater Performance. ImaginationStage presents “The Magic of Beautyand the Beast” at 7:30 p.m. at ReeveStudio Theatre, 4908 Auburn Ave.$10/person. Visitwww.imaginationstage.org or 301-280-1660.

Art Show. Noon-5 p.m. at Yellow BarnGallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., GlenEcho. See the “Paintings by AmandaHorowitz.” Free. 301-371-5593 orwww.yellowbarnstudio.com for more.

Dance Party. 7:30-11 p.m. at UnitarianUniversalist Church of Rockville.Dance to music by Pine Leaf Boys.$18/person. Visit

Calendar

These particular pieces ofartwork by Halcy Bohenwill be on display throughMarch 20 at the BethesdaLibrary. She is a memberof Yellow Barn Gallery. Allpieces of art are from anexpedition. Visitwww.yellowbarngallery.comfor more.

“Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth” iscurrently at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave.,Bethesda, through March 8 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. onSaturdays and Sundays. Recommended for ages 4 andup. Call the box office at 301-280-1660 or visitwww.ImaginationStage.org.


YMCA Youth & Family ServicesParenting Programs: Spring 2009

To foster the spiritual, mental and physical development of individuals, families,and communities according to the ideals of inclusiveness, equality and mutual respect for all.

www.ymcawashdc.org

Library Workshops: Free, donations appreciated

Ending Power Struggles Without Casualties Two sites!!Fighting or giving in tends to increase the child’s or teen’s desire for power. Come and learn newapproaches that will change the patterns of interaction and develop cooperation within the family.Interpretación en Español disponible si se registran con anticipación.Wednesday, March 4, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Free Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Dr., PotomacMonday, March 9, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Free Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring

RESPETO: cómo manejar la actitud negativa.¿Está observando mucha ‘actitud’ negativa en sus niños? Este taller le ayudará a menjar respuestascontradictorias, la conducta insolente, el lenguaje inadecuado y los comportamientos no cooperati-vos. Se discutirán las estrategias para construir un ambiente familiar más respetuoso. Se agradecendonaciones. Este taller será en español.Registración/información en español: (301) 252-4154Miércoles 11 de Marzo, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Gratis.Biblioteca de Silver Spring 8901 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring Take out the papers and the trash!!! Giving Kids a Purpose through Chores An essential aspect of raising confident and caring children is to involve children at an early age inactivities that contribute to something greater than themselves. Discover how to design a family planincluding logical consequences that reduce the need for punishments whenever chores areneglected. Interpretación en Español disponible si se registran con anticipación.Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Free White Oak Library,11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring

Step-Parenting: Realistic ExpectationsWhat are the factors that make it more difficult to earn the respect and cooperation of step children?We will explore the importance of creating new rituals in the family while maintaining respect for dif-ferences among family members.Interpretación en Español disponible si se registran con anticipación.Thursday, March 26, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Free Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda

Life Lessons Learned Through Sports Dr. Caroline SilbySports have the potential to empower or defeat young people. Dr. Caroline Silby, SportPsychologist, will detail ways that parents can use athletics to encourage the development of ahealthy child and maximize the positive benefits for a lifetime.Interpretación en Español disponible si se registran con anticipación.Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Free Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda

Registration and Information:Call (301) 229-1347 or email: [email protected]

See “ Turning the Page” and “The Art ofthe Book” through Feb. 21, exhibiting the fineart behind book illustration for children, and artistbooks presenting images as the main form of com-munication. Located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville.301-315-8200 or www.visartscenter.org. Free.

The 35th anniversary celebration of thePotomac Vally Watercolorists runs at theMansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, NorthBethesda, from Jan. 10-Feb. 21.

See “Varied Visions” is on display throughFeb. 23 at the Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum,10001 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. Free. 301-897-1518.

“Art You My Valentine,” an exhibit of theartist members’ creations runs at the Mansion atStrathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda,from Feb. 2-28.

Potomac artist Marshetta Davis is showcasingher art at DeJaBel Café, 2519 University Blvd. West,Wheaton, through February. All artwork is onsale. Visit www.artsymars.blogspot.com for more.

See “Moving Stone: Works by J. JordanBruns” at Glen Echo Park’s Popcorn Gallery, 7300MacArthur Blvd. through March 1. It is a jour-ney from realistic depictions of the natural worldinto the more imaginative realms of abstraction.Visit www.glenechopark.org or 301-634-2222.

The Third Annual High School Student ArtExhibit is on display at John Hopkins UniversityMontgomery County Campus 9605 Medical CenterDrive, Building 3, Rockville. The exhibit will be ondisplay through March 27.

“Come See What I Saw” by Halcy Bohen ison display through March 20 at Bethesda Pub-lic Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda.Contains 82 little travel drawings from a Peru ex-pedition. Visit www.yellowbarngallery.com.

The 18th annual Strathmore MembershipJuried Exhibition runs at the Mansion atStrathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda,from Feb. 28-April 4.

A basic introduction to the potter’s wheelfor teens. These classes allow students to throw attheir own skill level. Classes meet for six weeks from4 - 6 p.m. on Tuesdays (Feb. 17 - March 24) orThursdays (Feb. 19 - March 26). Tuition ($108)includes tools and supplies. For students attendingmiddle and high school (age range: 11 - 16). AtGlen Echo Pottery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., GlenEcho. Call 301-229-5585 or visitwww.glenechopottery.com.

Yellow Barn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Free exhibits of emerg-ing artist work and art sales. Each weekend featuresthe work of a different artist. Every Saturday andSunday from 12 - 5 p.m. Call 301-371-5593 or visitwww.yellowbarnstudio.com.

The Bethesda Art Walk allows art lovers tovisit downtown Bethesda’s gallery community from6-9 p.m. on the second Friday of everymonth. Many galleries change exhibits monthlyand hold receptions showcasing the featured artistin conjunction with the Bethesda Art Walk.

Glen Echo Pottery. Glen Echo Pottery main-tains ongoing exhibits in the Glen Echo PotteryGallery in Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd.,Glen Echo. These feature a special selection of workby resident artists, instructors and students. EverySaturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Call 301-229-5585 or visit www.glenechopottery.com.

Glassworks is the D.C. area’s first glass schoollocated in Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd.,Glen Echo. When classes are not in session, the stu-dio is open for visitors to observe glassblowing andview the work of resident artist Rick Sherbert. Call301-229-4184 or visit www.ricksherbertglass.comfor more.

Fine Arts


From Page 3

News

working but it’s working overtime because of thetemp outside,” Francis said.

Though deregulation is the source of the woes thatmany are experiencing with their energy bills rightnow, re-regulation isn’t a viable solution, said Frosh.

“Re-regulation would cost billions of dollars be-cause we’d have to buy back the power plants orhave the utilities buy back the power plants andwould cost a lot of money that would get charged torate payers so no, I don’t think there is a short-termsolution,” Frosh said.

The long-term solution is for the state and the en-ergy industry to invest in more efficient energy

sources including renewable energies, but in themeantime the only solution may be the stuff of sci-fiflicks.

“Unfortunately the answer is to go back in timeand not to deregulate,” said Frosh.

Mahdesian said that she is glad to be fortunateenough that she can afford the unexpected spike inher monthly bill.

“We’ll complain, but I feel bad about elderly peopleliving on a fixed income,” Mahdesian said. “For therates to have gone up that much for someone likeme who actually invested a lot of money to save elec-tricity — I can’t imagine what it’s done for [other]people,” she said. “It’s got to be tough for them.”

Residents See Jump in Winter Bills

HELP on the Way?While Pepco customers around the

area struggle with spiking electric bills,help may be on the way in the form ofa Montgomery County-run program thatwould offer near-zero percent interestrates on loans designated towards mak-ing homes more energy efficient.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24 MontgomeryCounty Councilman Roger Berlinerplans to introduce the Home EnergyLoan Program (HELP) to his colleagues,a program that Berliner said couldchange the way many people view en-ergy efficiency and renewable energy.

Under the terms of the program, resi-dents would apply for the loans, and thecounty would arrange for a home en-ergy audit on the applicant’s home. Theaudit would produce a set of recommen-dations such as installing new HVACsystems or new windows, to simplerprojects like caulking around doors and

windows. Appliance replacementswould likely not be covered by the pro-gram, Berliner said. The county wouldthen issue a loan to the applicant for theprice tag of the recommended improve-ments. The key to the program is thatthe loans would carry near zero percentinterest rates — a small administrativefee would likely be recouped through afractional rate, Berliner said — and theloans would be repayable over 15 yearsand secured by liens placed on thehomes.

“This is the critical piece,” wrote Ber-liner in a letter to his fellow boardmembers that he intended to distributeon Feb. 17, after The Almanac went topress. “[T]he loan, which would be re-paid over 15 years as a voluntaryadditional line item on the property tax,would run with the property not thehomeowner that took out the loan.”

Berliner said that, according to analy-sis from the Montgomery County

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Two-year-old Malanie Teplinsky andher mother Melanie Teplinsky took

advantage of the unseasonably warm weather lastweek and enjoyed an afternoon on the swings atthe Potomac Community Center on Wednesday, Feb.11. After weeks of cold and blustery weather, tem-peratures shot into the 60s last week before return-ing to more normal, wintery levels last weekend.

Department of Environmental Protec-tion, work done through a $5,000zero-interest loan would result in $230savings on energy bills each year whilereducing the home’s greenhouse gasemissions by more than 20 percent.

“The beauty of this is it’s a loan pro-gram — it’s a revolving fund,” Berlinertold The Almanac. The funding for theprogram will come from the economicstimulus bill recently passed by theUnited States Congress, which included$4.5 billion in federal grant money and$2.4 billion in bond money that U.S.Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) workedto negotiate into the bill, said Berliner.

The plan is a win-win forhomeowner’s, the environment, and thelocal building industry, Berliner said.

“We’re attacking the greatest singlesource of greenhouse gas emissions [inthe region] and putting money inpeople’s pockets and creating greenjobs,” Berliner said.


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Gov. Martin O’Malley appointed RabbiStuart Weinblatt to the Maryland Councilfor New Americans. The council, which re-flects the partnership of private, civic andfaith-based organizations, was created to re-view and recommend policies and practicesthat pertain to the growing number of im-migrants in Maryland.

Weinblatt has served as rabbi of Congre-gation B’nai Tzedek, a 600-member Con-servative synagogue in Potomac since its in-ception in 1988.

Rabbi AppointedTo State Council

Russo AcceptsPresident’s Award

Charlie Russo, ofPotomac, owner of thelocal Money Mailer ofTri-Counties, was namedthe recipient of the 2008President’s Club Awardduring the company’s an-nual franchise conven-tion in Miami.

The award recognizes Money Mailer fran-chisees for their outstanding advertising salesduring the past year. Winners rank in the top15 out of all of Money Mailer’s 250-plus of-fices throughout the United States.

“I am proud of our charitable and busi-ness accomplishments during the past 12months,” said Russo.

Charlie Russo

People

Gov. Martin O’Malley is holding acopy of Rabbi Weinblatt’s book,“God, Prayer and Spirituality.”They are in the Governor's Man-sion.

Air National Guard Capt. Thomas A. Conleyparticipated in the 56th Presidential InaugurationJan. 20 as part of the largest ever contingent ofNational Guard members to serve in Washington,D.C. He is the son of Tony and Jane Conley ofLautrec Court, North Potomac. The guardsmangraduated in 1996 from Downington Senior HighSchool, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2001from Pennsylvania State University, State College.He earned a master’s degree in 2009 from GeorgeWashington University, Washington, D.C.

Patricia Davis, sales associate with ColdwellBanker Residential Brokerage in Potomac, was re-cently certified as a professional housing counselorspecializing in homeownership by the NationalAssociation of Housing counselors & Agencies(NAHCA)

People Notes


The lessons your child learns atThe Little Gym will fill you both with pride:How to reach higher. How to listen better.How to tackle challenges with confidenceand a smile.Now enrolling for Winter Classes!

Call to schedule a freeintroductory class.

POTOMAC: Potomac Woods Plaza •tlgpotomacmd.com • 301-294-4840

preschool/kindergartengymnastic

parent/child

classesgradeschool

gymnastics

karate

sportsskills

development

parents’survival

nightbithdayparties

WinterCampscheerleading

dance

Call Specific Agents to Confirm Dates & Times.

To add your Realtor-represented Open Houseto these weekly listings, please call Kenneth Lourie

703-917-6475 or e-mail the info to:[email protected]

All listings due by Monday at 3 pm.

SPECTACULAR OPEN HOUSESFebruary 21 & 22

When you visit one of these Open Houses, tell the Realtor you saw it in the Almanac. For more real estate listings and open houses visit www.ConnectionNewspapers.com,

click the Real Estate links on the right side.

Potomac10716 Barn Wood Ln............$1,795,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Leslie Friedson.......Long & Foster............301-455-4506

9702 Beman Woods Way.....$1,595,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Ashton Vessali........Weichert.....................703-760-8880

1218 Fallsmead Way............$689,000 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Judith Casey..........Long & Foster............240-497-1700

1219 Fallsmead Way............$725,000 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Judith Casey..........Long & Foster............240-497-1700

12507 Grey Fox Ln. ..............$1,749,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Ethel Skenderis......Long & Foster............301-467-1010

13 Lawngate Ct. ................... $539,900 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Caryn Gardiner.......Long & Foster............240-497-1700

9332 Reach Rd.....................$799,900 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Joyce Rausnitz ...... Long & Foster............301-785-2009

11008 South Glen Rd. ..........$1,795,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Caryn Gardiner.......Long & Foster............240-497-1700

9800 Tibron Ct......................$1,649,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Leslie Friedson.......Long & Foster............301-455-4506

415 Watts Branch Pkwy. ......$686,900 ...........Sun. 12-4...........Judith Casey..........Long & Foster............240-497-1700

North Potomac

103 Beckwith St....................$799,900 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Elaine Koch............Long & Foster............301-840-7320

345 Chestertown St..............$599,900 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Michael Aubrey......RE/MAX.....................301-873-9807

14515 Falling Leaf Ct............$895,000 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Cathy Kelleher........W.C. A.N. Miller..........301-765-6126

223 Lake St...........................$1,100,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Gary Speicher........Long & Foster............301-975-9500

Bethesda

5401 Bradley Blvd. ...............$2,350,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Mark Vige...............W.C. & A.N.Miller.......301-229-4000

5015 Cedar Croft Ln.............$1,699,000 ........Sun. 1-4.............Andrea Alderdice...W.C. & A. N. Miller.....301-229-4000

5301 Westbard Cir. #404......$625,000 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Lisa Marcais...........Keller Williams...........301-515-1115

5408 Whitley Park Terr..........$627,300 ...........Sun. 1-4.............Leslie Friedson.......Long & Foster............301-455-4506

Chevy Chase

7117 Edgevale St..................$773,000 ...........Sat. 1-4..............Sherman McDaniel Coldwell Banker........202-236-9188

5502 Park St. ........................$1,35,000 ..........Sun. 1-4.............Pamela Mertz.........W.C. & A.N. Miller......301-229-4000

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News

A recent study by the Mont-gomery County’s Office ofLegislative Oversight

could pave the way to transfer rec-reation programs administered bythe Maryland-National CapitalPark and Planning Commission(MNCPPC) in the county to thecounty’s own Department of Rec-reation. Currently both agenciescoordinate and operate their ownrecreation programs, but mergingthe recreation functions of bothentities could save MontgomeryCounty much-needed money as itfaces a budget deficit of nearly$500 million in the 2009-2010 fis-cal year, said County CouncilmanMarc Elrich (D-At large) at a meet-ing of the West MontgomeryCounty Citizens Association onWednesday, Feb. 11.

The county funds the bi-countyMNCPPC in conjunction withPrince George’s County, whichoperates the park and planningcommissions for both counties.Elrich said he did not know howmuch money could be saved by theproposed merge, but estimatedthat three to five staff positionscould be eliminated by the move.

Such a merger would alsostreamline the process by whichcounty residents and organiza-tions schedule and reserve parksfor recreational activities, Elrichsaid, while leaving MNCPPC incharge of operating, maintaining,and protecting the County’s parks.

Ginny Barnes, WestMontgomery’s environmentalchair, expressed concern that themove could open the door for thecounty to take all control of theparks — including the responsibil-ity for maintaining and protectingthe parks and their facilities.

“We do not need our parks tobecome repositories for future ballfields,” Barnes said.

Elrich said that would not be thecase and that the move is an im-portant one as any and all possibleways to save the county’s moneyare on the table.

“There’s a real disconnect be-tween these two departments andwe’re spending money weshouldn’t be spending,” he said.“I’m looking at this to figure outevery possible way to rejiggercounty government to see how wecan save money.”

Elrich said he hopes the movecan be completed as the countyfinalizes the upcoming year’s bud-get this spring.

- Aaron Stern

RecreationProgramsCould Merge


Sports

See Brother-Sister, Page 15

By Mike Weiner

The Almanac

After Wootton won the state cham-pionship last year, no one knewhow they would replace sevengraduating seniors. The team

brought back two elite scorers, seniorsDylan Skarupa and Jon Cohen, and theirentire fourth line, which consisted of jun-iors Steven Rubin, Neofytos Panagos, andPJ Hall. Offensively, it seemed as if the Pa-triots would be more challenged than theteam that scored 73 goals in 10 leaguegames in 2007-08. Help came, though, inan unexpected fashion.

Skarupa’s younger sister, Haley, arrivedat Wootton High School as a freshman inAugust 2008. Already an established playerfor the respected under-19 WashingtonPride National Bound girls’ hockey team atjust 14 years old, she joined Wootton’s icehockey club for the 2008-2009 season. Sheplayed her way onto what has become the

most productive first line in the state, play-ing alongside her brother and Cohen.

Haley quickly has proven valuable to herlinemates.

“She understands what they’re doing andwhat they’re effective at,” said Woottoncoach Dave Evans. “She has great game in-telligence, and she’s a little more defensivelyresponsible.”

Her speed, though, is her greatest asset.It has become a recurring image to seeHaley cruising through the neutral zone,leaving surprised defenders in her wake.The highly skilled and lightning-fast for-ward has overcome her diminutive size tobecome a legitimate contributor as a fresh-man, and is eighth on the team with ninepoints while only playing in eight of theteam’s 12 games.

“She definitely surprises people,” saidEvans. “Opponents see her and think she’snot very big or physical, then she takes offpast them. You can see them say ‘wow’. Wereally get a kick out of it.”

In the first practice of the season, it be-came clear that brother and sister were go-ing to play on the same line. The secondline — last season’s fourth line — was set,and the first line needed a player to skatealongside Dylan and Cohen. Haley fit therole. The adjustment to playing together,though, hasn’t been seamless. While theyhave an innate chemistry on the ice, it’smoments off the ice that have taken timeto get adjusted to.

“I have to admit, it can be a little bit awk-ward,” elder brother Dylan said. “Somethings that I would usually say in a lockerroom can’t be said. But on the ice, it’s com-pletely normal and she’s just like anotherteammate.”

FOR HALEY, the adjustment came only inthe locker room as well. On the ice, the onlything that crosses her mind is the game athand, not the unique nature of the situa-tion.

“It’s a little rare, but a linemate is a

linemate and it’s no different than playingwith [Cohen],” she added.

But Dylan does assume the position ofenforcer or protector. As one of the smallerplayers on the ice, Haley can be an easierplayer to hit for opponents, which was oneof the initial worries of the Skarupa par-ents. So far, however, there have been noissues or injuries to speak of, excluding theoccasional penalty taken by Dylan in re-sponse to harsh shoves to the youngestSkarupa, who has proven tough.

“He senses a responsibility to make sureshe’s taken care of out there,” Evans said.“I think their mom worries more than thethree other family members, though. Haleyhas played in big situations and taken acouple good hits and it hasn’t fazed her atall. She’s plenty tough.”

Despite their familial connection, Haleyis not immune to any of the banter thatgoes along with a hockey locker room.

Defending state championWootton is one of only twohigh school hockey teams in

Maryland with two players among the top-20 in points. They needed both last Thurs-day night to get past Whitman, as seniorsnipers Dylan Skarupa and Jon Cohen con-tributed three of Wootton’s four goals andthe Patriots scraped past the Vikings, 4-2,to win the regional championship and ad-vance to the state final four.

With the score deadlocked at twoapiece and just under five minutes re-maining, Skarupa stole the puck inWhitman’s defensive zone and passedcross ice to top defender Josh Bretner,

who fired at the net. Streaking towards thegoal, Cohen found the puck in the air andredirected it past Whitman goalkeeperBrendan Hart for the game-winning goal.

It was the second-straight game theCohen-Skarupa tandem had saved the Pa-triots with a clutch play. The pair has a seam-less chemistry that can be attributed to fiveyears and counting of playing together.

“We just sort of know where one anotheris at all times,” Cohen said. “We have knacksfor finding the open seams and finding thenet.”

The deciding goal hid the fact thatWootton (11-2-1) struggled some through-out. They were outshot, outhustled, and

committed seven penalties compared to justtwo for Whitman. Wootton netminder ChrisHogan had a gem of a game, though, al-lowing only two goals and making an arrayof acrobatic saves.

But it was Skarupa’s play that carried thePatriots through the first two periods. Mid-way through the first period, a phenomenalunassisted Skarupa goal gave Wootton itsfirst lead.

In the second period, with Whitman gain-ing momentum and dominating puck con-trol, Skarupa corralled an errant Woottonpass behind the net and whipped the puckacross the slot to Cohen, who tapped it pastHart for his first of two goals.

Andrew Stein added an empty-net goallate.

“We knew that we had been playingsloppy,” said Skarupa, who had a goaland two assists in the game. “When wegot chances we had to bury them.”

With its win over the Vikings, Woottonwon its second-straight regional cham-pionship and kept its hopes for repeat-ing as state champions alive. The Patri-ots will take on Easton High School inthe state semifinal game Thursday —after the Almanac’s press time — at theLaurel Ice Gardens.

The championship game would followon Saturday.

Wootton Defeats Whitman for Regional Hockley Title

Wootton freshman Haley Skarupa is the lone girl on the defending statechampion Patriot ice hockey team and plays on the same line as olderbrother and star player, Dylan Skarupa.

“I have to admit, it can be a little bit awkward,” said Dylan Skarupa ofplaying alongside younger sister, Haley, as part of the Wootton icehockey team, which takes on Easton Thursday in the state semifinals.

Brother-sister hockey duo powers defending state champs.Sibling Act

potomac Almanac Sports Editor Mark Giannotto

703-917-6409 or [email protected]


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How to get by on one income whilereally trying? That will not only be thequestion but the strategy as my wife, Dina,and I, attempt to adjust to the new unem-ployment paradigm: she’s out of work forthe first time in our 30-plus years of mar-riage. Her long-time employer, Tivoli’sRestaurant in Rosslyn (the deli and pastryshop remain open, however) closed afternearly 27 years serving the public (25years during which Dina worked in thesecond floor lounge as a waitress andbartender).

To say she made friends over all thoseyears would be an understatement of pro-digious proportions. To say she networkedan entire new family including the ownersand their families, employees and theirfamilies, and, of course, the thousands ofTivoli customers and their families,together creating a fabric of associationsand activities spanning the globe and last-ing an entire generation, and then some,would be more accurate.

To characterize Dina’s status as out ofwork is way to simple; disconnected fromthe only lifestyle she’s really ever knownand cared about her entire adult lifewould be more appropriate. And thoughthe loss of Dina’s income is significant (andmatters more to me since I’m the businessend of the relationship; she’s the socialdirector), I can certainly appreciate andunderstand how the loss of a lifestyle canbe equally distressing. The joke among ourfriends has been that Dina doesn’t need anew job, she needs a new lifestyle thatpays.

Moving forward, the choices we haveto make need to be a balance betweensubstance and style, between money andquality of life, between fact and fiction,quite frankly. Having 25 percent fewerdollars to do it with is likely to be a chal-lenge unlike any we, as a couple, haveever endured.

Moreover, given the middle age that weare, with the skill sets we possess, and fur-ther considering the inheritances that atpresent are unknown and unexpected,what we do, how we survive, what moneywe spend, seem unlikely to be replenishedanytime soon by some financial savior rid-ing in on a cash cow. It seems that we willhave to make do riding the horse onwhich we rode in on.

All of which we can manage, I think. It’smore that neither one of us expected to behorse-less at our present age, the age atwhich, accumulating for retirementbecomes not only an extremely seriousfamily business but maybe the mostimportant, to the exclusion of all other,family business. And being left to fendmore for ourselves than we had expectedor anticipated was hardly the plan I hadintended. Still, it’s not over yet. My fathermade more money between age 55 and70 than he had ever made previously,enough to fund my parent’s retirement forthe 15 years or so they had togetherbefore retiring for good.

If I am indeed my father’s son, then Iwill succeed just as he did. It may not beeasy but if I’ve inherited anything from myfather (aside from his sense of humor), I’veinherited his positive attitude. Dina’s beingout of work presents us with an opportu-nity. It’s up to us to make the most of it.

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

MoneyMattersBy KENNETH B. LOURIE

From Page 13

Sports

Brother-Sister Hockey Duo Powers Patriots

Churchill Swims,Dives PastCounty

The Churchill swim and diveteam lived up to the considerablehype that had developed through-out its undefeated regular season,winning both the girl’s and boy’steam competitions at lastweekend’s county championships.

In what has becometheir calling card dur-ing this march to thetop, the Bullfrogs usedsuperior depth up-and-down the lineup

with 29 top-8 finishes, includingwins in three of the meet’s six to-tal relay events.

With 316 team points, the boy’sand girl’s teams outscored theirnext closest competitor — peren-nial juggernaut Walter Johnson —by more than 60 and 70 points,respectively.

On the boy’s side, junior ChrisVerbancouer made waves with acounty title swim as part of the200-yard medley relay to start themeet, as well as an individual titlein the 200-yard IM. He also fin-ished in second place in the 100-yard butterfly race.

Freshman Timothy Faerber andsenior Michael Stanton teamed upto get second and third, respec-tively, in the diving competition,while senior Andrew Fisher (100-yard backstroke) and freshman ColinAsbury (50-yard freestyle) came in thirdplace in their respective races.

Double winner and junior Maria Watkinsled the Churchill girl’s, capturing the countycrown in both the 500- and 200-yardfreestyle races. Senior Dorothy Yu was alsosolid with a third-place finish in the 200IM. Junior Kathy Chen came in 4th in the200 IM and third in the 100-yardbreastroke. The Bullfrog girls won two ofthe three relays (200-yard medley andfreestyle relays).

The Wootton boy’s team came in 4th

place overall, led by sophomore ThomasFinn’s third-place showing in the 500-yardfreestyle. The girl’s came in 10th place over-all.

Whitman was led by junior Serge Gould

(third place 200-yard IM) on the boy’s sideand junior Danielle Schulkin’s county titlein the 100-yard butterfly on the girl’s side.Emily Schmidt was impressive in the div-ing competition, finishing in second place.

This weekend, Churchill will look to capoff its successful season at the WashingtonMetro Championships. All three schools willhave swimmers and divers participating.

Whitman WrestlingWins Regions,Falls at States

For the second-consecutive season, theWhitman wrestling team advanced to thestate semifinals after winning the 4A/3Aregional duals last Wednesday, defeatingSpringbrook and Magruder. The Vikings

fell to Old Mill, 36-31, in thestate semifinals on Saturday toend their magical run.

In Wednesday’s regional meet,Whitman (15-2) wasn’t able toavenge its lone regular-season lossto Sherwood as the Warriors wereupset by Magruder, but that didn’tstop the Vikings from dominatingthe competition.

Whitman stormed out to leadsof 32-7 and 37-12 againstSpringbrook and Magruder, re-spectively, before forfeiting the fi-nal four bouts. Whitman wrestlerswent 16-4 in the 20 matcheswrestled on the mat.ºComingaway with two wins were EricBeverly (152 pounds), StevenFisher (160 pounds), Aaron Norris(171 pounds), Ned Daryoush,Danny Lee (215 pounds), SawyerSymington (112 pounds), andEric Harder (119 pounds).

Against Old Mill Saturday,Whitman fell behind 18-4 afterfour weight classes, but re-bounded to make it 24-19 thanksin large part to pins fromSymington and Harder. But afterBeverly won by just minor deci-sion in the 152-pound weightclass, the Vikings were math-ematically eliminated from a teamvictory.

With team competition over,Whitman, Churchill, and Woottonall move onto next weekend’s in-dividual county tournament, to beheld at Blair High School Friday

and Saturday.

Churchill IndoorTrack Wins Region

Led by its relay teams, the Churchill girl’sindoor track team captured the 4A Westregional title this past weekend. The Bull-dogs were winners in both the 4x400-meterrelay and 4x800-meter relay. Maryam Fikiritook first place in the 800-meter dash andplaced second in the 1600-meter run.

Sophomore Oliovia Ekpone of Woottontook home three regional titles in the 300-meter dash, the 55-meter dash, and as partof the Patriots’ 4x200-meter relay team.

The state championships for indoor tracktook place Tuesday afternoon, after theAlmanac’s press time.

Surrounded by her older brother andother high school boys, the talk that en-velops the locker room is a new experi-ence for Haley.

“It can be awkward, but on the bright sideI get to hear a lot of, well, interesting sto-ries and conversations,” she said.

WITH WOOTTON on the brink of anotherstate championship, brother and sister are

playing for different goals at the same time.Dylan, who earned MSHL All-State FirstTeam distinctions last week, is playing fora second-straight championship. Haley, thefreshman, is trying to start her high schoolhockey career on the highest note. After notplaying against Whitman in the regionalchampionship, Haley will team up withDylan once again against Easton HighSchool in the state semifinal this Thursday.

Since Wootton’s jerseys do not sport thelast names on the back, many opponents

are not aware of the familial link betweenDylan and Haley. Easton, the eastern regionchampion, may not know what they face inthe sibling duo and they may join the list ofWootton victims stunned more so by herskill than her connection to older brotherDylan.

“Some of them have been pretty surprisedabout [the connection],” Dylan said. “But Ithink they have been more shocked abouther being a girl and playing at such a highlevel.”

Churchill freshman Timothy Faerber finished insecond place in the diving portion of lastweekend’s County Swim and Dive championships.He is pictured at a December meet againstWootton. Churchill swam away with both theboy’s and girl’s team competition, winning eachby more than 60 points.

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Briefs


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