SILENT BEACON Entrepreneur raises alert for lifesaving device. A-6
NEWS: Gaithersburg filmmaker to screen short movie at NYC festival. A-3
The Gazette GAITHERSBURG | MONTGOMERY VILLAGE
SPORTS: Magruder boys lacrosse sees worst-to-first storyline developing. B-1
DA I LY U P DAT E S AT G A Z E T T E . N E T
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014
25 cents
Public weighs in on changes to city fee
‘Country in the Air’
n Gaithersburg stormwater fee would be based on amount of impervious coverage BY JENN DAVIS STAFF WRITER
Gaithersburg residents are asking the city officials to be wise and thoughtful as they work to create a new stormwater management program, which likely includes changing the way stormwater fees are assessed on property owners. Dennis Enslinger, the assistant city manager, presented several proposed changes and
See STORMWATER, Page A-11
TOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE
Volunteers from the 4-H beef club set up and spruce up the Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg on Saturday morning in preparation for the upcoming exposition.
Montgomery County fair kicks off 66th run Rides, 4-H exhibits and performances to entertain the masses in Gaithersburg n
BY JENN DAVIS STAFF WRITER
Have you ever wanted to watch a calf being born, see two monster trucks do a simultaneous back flip or witness the crowning of a king and queen? You’ll have the chance when the Montgomery County AgriGo online for complete fair cultural Fair returns to coverage Gaithersburg n www.gazette.net this week. Featuring a “Country in the Air” theme, the fair will begin its 66th annual run at 3 p.m. Friday, giving attendees the opportunity to enjoy hundreds of activities, exhibits and experiences. The fair, open from 10 a.m. to
midnight through Aug. 16, will be held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St. in Gaithersburg. Admission is $10 per person; children 11 and younger are admitted free. Those who have their hand stamped at the gate before leaving can re-enter the fair for free on the same day. On-site parking is $10, cash only. More than 200,000 people are expected to visit this year, said Martin Svrcek, the fair’s executive director. A mix of traditional fair staples — like carnival rides and 4-H exhibitors — and exciting new additions will greet families and groups each night. The Winery at Olney will make a splash at the fair scene this year as a first-time vendor, offering wine tastings and selling wine by the glass. At its Olney location, the winery has a tasting bar and teaches customers
See FAIR, Page A-12
Fair brings in new grizzly troupe Animal rights group denounces bear act
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BY JENN DAVIS STAFF WRITER
It’s not everyday that a person encounters a grizzly bear, unless you’re Dexter Osborn. Osborn and his family travel across the country with their three bears, who have an act, “A Grizzly Experience.” The act has bears displaying several humanlike behaviors, such as rolling on their back and drinking a soda. There’s also an educational segment about how to respond should a wild bear encounter happen, Osborn said. The troupe lives in Naples, Fla. This year, the act is coming to the Montgomery County Agricul-
tural Fair. Several performances are scheduled for different days throughout the run. The act has drawn a rebuke from The Humane Society of the United States, which is based in Gaithersburg. In a letter to the editor to The Gazette, Tami Santelli, the Maryland state director of the HSUS, wrote that performing for crowds is an unnatural lifestyle for bears. She also wrote that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had several findings in three inspection reports related to the structure that the bears live in outside Osborn’s home. One finding was that the outdoor bear enclosure had openings large enough for an adult bear to possibly climb out and escape. In another case, one of Osborn’s bears escaped
See BEARS, Page A-12
4-H: It’s not just about farms Science programs serve suburbanites in Gaithersburg, county n
BY
VIRGINIA TERHUNE STAFF WRITER
It’s not often that a member of the Royal Court brings a horse along on a visit to the Quince Orchard library, but for Jordan Al-
INDEX Automotive Calendar Classified Entertainment Obituaries Opinion Sports
Faleh of Gaithersburg, it was all part of the job. Al-Faleh, 17, is a member of this year’s Royal Court of youth who have spent the summer promoting the 66th annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair running Friday to Aug. 16 in Gaithersburg. “We try to get the kids excited to go to the fair,” said AlFaleh, a rising senior at Colonel
Zadok A. Magruder High School in Rockville. One of the courtiers’ tasks has been to visit county libraries to meet with children to read books, sing songs and do crafts with them. The visitors also bring a farm animal, typically a chicken, rabbit or a goat.
See 4-H, Page A-12
NINJAS EVERYWHERE! Former Silver Spring resident brings about the end of the world in his new movie, “Ninja Apocalypse.”
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Controversial method at heart of pilot program in schools BY
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
Jack Allnutt, 12, sat at a kitchen counter in his Gaithersburg home Sunday, determinedly typing out a sentence on an iPad screen, using his right pointer finger to hit each letter. “nice to meet you too,” he typed with his mother’s hand supporting his shoulder. Jack has autism, which has left him with
See PROGRAM, Page A-11
Twelve-year-old Pokemon master preps for worlds n
Montgomery Village resident ranked 3rd in U.S. BY LANGSTON TAYLOR SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE
TOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE
Jordan Al-Faleh, 17, of Montgomery Village works on her 4-H projects on Sunday afternoon.
ENTERTAINMENT B-13 A-2 B-9 B-5 A-11 A-14 B-1
Students get tool to loosen autism’s grip
Volume 55, No. 32 Two sections, 28 Pages Copyright © 2014 The Gazette
Please
RECYCLE
At 12 years old, Jon Eng has played tournaments in Vancouver and Hawaii. He’s earned a $1,500 college scholarship already this summer. Soon, he’ll face players from around the globe in his third world championship in as many years. The resident of both Montgomery Village and Bowie takes Pokemon seriously. Jon finished fourth at the trading card game’s
See POKEMON, Page A-11