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A JOYFUL Noise
Area choirs gather to spread the word on a region rich in talent. A-11
The Gazette OLNEY
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014
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North Branch Trail project may be halted
An aerial view of the Washington Christian Academy campus in Olney.
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PHOTO FROM NAI KLNB
SARAH SCULLY STAFF WRITER
Washington Christian to stay open Property purchased by Silver Spring-based church, will be used for weekend services n
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TERRI HOGAN STAFF WRITER
Bethel World Outreach Ministries has purchased the Washington Christian Academy property, and through a lease-back arrangement, will allow the school to remain operational.
Washington Christian Academy is a coeducational private school for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school, which opened in 1960, built a 68,000-square-foot building on 60 wooded acres at 16227 Batchellors Forest Road in Olney in 2008. Under terms of the sale, Bethel World Outreach Ministries will allow Washington Christian Academy to remain functional during the week. On weekends, the building will serve the congregational needs of the church. Head of School David Hawes admitted
that the transaction was atypical, but said he was very pleased with the outcome. “We were dealing with a level of instability, so this puts us in a much better financial picture,” he said. “It’s been about six months since the church first approached us, and we have developed a real good relationship with them. We have talked about potential ministries that we can do together.” In recent years, the school’s enrollment had declined. Currently, there are 224 stu-
See OPEN, Page A-10
Public campaign funding bill in works Measure would place limits on size of contributions n
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Now in the design stage, the trail likely will not receive funding
RYAN MARSHALL STAFF WRITER
A bill to provide public funding for county executive and county council campaigns has drawn praise from a number of organizations dedicated to good government as an example for other jurisdictions to follow.
The bill, sponsored by Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg and co-sponsored by all eight of his council colleagues, would allow candidates to receive public money to help fund their campaigns, but places limits on the size of contributions for candidates who accept it. The bill was introduced Tuesday . Andrews, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for county executive in the June 24 primary, said Monday he believes the bill will encourage
“We absolutely believe that Montgomery County is setting the model for other counties to follow and for the state to follow.” Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, executive director, Cause Maryland more candidates to run for office and more residents to participate in campaigns, as well as reduce the influence of special
interests in government. Andrews said he’s been
See FUNDING, Page A-10
Funding for the North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail has not been included in the county executive’s latest Capital Improvements Program Budget, although design is already underway. The paved trail would be about 2.2 miles long, with two segments, in the Rock Creek Regional Park and North Branch Stream Valley Park. It would connect larger trail systems in the county and Washington, D.C. In June the Montgomery County Planning Board approved a plan for the design stage of the trail, and the trail has been recommended in several master plans, several Rock Creek area plans, and the Countywide Park Trails Plan. These designs are expected to cost $520,000 once complete. The department has spent about $370,000 of that so far, out of the last CIP budget. The Parks Department recommended $4.29 million to be allocated for the project in the next county CIP budget, through 2020. “Due to affordability, the executive could not recommend that funding be put in,” said Amy Wilson, a management budget specialist. “We’re still coming out of the recession and we do have limited availability of funding, so it was just weighed against other priorities,” she said. Wilson emphasized that this is a new project; it was not previously
included in the budget. But with the design near completion, park staff was disappointed by the omission. “Park staff is particularly concerned about this project, since final construction documents are underway and this project was promised to the community in 2010,” wrote Marian Elsasser, landscape architect for the parks department, in an email. She wrote that it was promised “as a follow-up project to the ICC environmental stewardship project for the Lake Frank Trail connector.” One segment of the trail would connect Lake Frank Lakeside Trail to the Emory Land Bikeway at the intersection of Muncaster Mill Road, northeast of Rockville. The northern segment would connect the Route 200 Bikeway to a future trail planned by a private developer at the Preserve at Rock Creek, west of Olney. The section planned by the developer will connect to a part of the North Branch Trail previously constructed north of Bowie Mill Road. “This trail is a critical segment of a continuous regional park trail system,” Elsasser wrote. Barbara Falcigno, president of the Greater Olney Civic Association, said the association had assumed the trail would be built. She was disappointed to see it left out of the budget. “It’s a very short section that needs to be completed for huge parts of the county to be opened up,” and accessible through the trail system, she said. Designs for the trail have already been funded, but construction, planned to begin in 2016, is reliant on the council’s
See TRAIL, Page A-10
Wintry assault assails Montgomery County road salt supplies n
Cold temperatures, regular storms have kept crews busy BY
RYAN MARSHALL STAFF WRITER
Having survived last month’s polar vortex and with Punxsutawney Phil recently predicting six more weeks of winter weather, state, county and local officials are keeping an eye on the toll this winter’s weather has taken on their supplies and budgets. Montgomery County has used slightly less than 50,000 tons of road salt since the winter season started in November, said Keith Compton, the chief of the Division of
NEWS
Highway Services in the county’s Department of Transportation. At $52 a ton from the county’s supplier at the Port of Baltimore, that’s about $2.6 million worth of salt so far this winter. The county tries to keep about 30,000 tons on hand so it will always be prepared for a major storm. “That’s the comfort zone,” Compton said. County road crews responded to eight weather events in January, and also had to deal with a lot of ice created by the unseasonably cold temperatures that sometimes dipped into the single digits, Compton said. The State Highway Administration has had to use liquid magnesium, designed
to make salt effective at much lower temperatures, in the state’s metropolitan areas where it’s usually not needed because the temperature of the pavement doesn’t generally get as cold as it has this year, said spokesman David Buck. About the only bright side has been that the cold temperatures have usually made the snow fluffy and easier to plow, he said. Buck said the winter has been a tough one around the state, with Garrett County accumulating more than 100 inches of snow and Ocean City getting about 13 inches. The highway agency has activated its emergency operations center 24 times since
See SALT, Page A-10
SPORTS
FROG CALLING FrogWatch volunteers are part of a nationwide program to collect data on the amphibians.
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TOUGH DECISIONS FOR ATHLETES Players make signing day commitments too early because of recruitment pressure.
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Salt trucks wait at a parking lot in Gaithersburg to start salting roads Monday.
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Page A-2
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
PEOPLE& PLACES More online at www.gazette.net
Library’s opening date on the books
The long-awaited reopening of the Olney Library finally has been scheduled. The newly renovated and expanded library is set to reopen with a public ceremony and ribbon cutting on March 15. “The Olney community deserves a first-class library and this is what they will get when the doors open for business on the 15th,” Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said in a news release. The library’s new hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. When it closed in December 2010, it was a “tier two” library. The Olney Library, on a 2.5acre parcel near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Olney-Laytonsville Road, was built in 1981. The nearly $13 million project — which was beset by contractor and permitting delays — expands the building from 16,825 to 22,574 square feet and includes a complete renovation of the interior. The energy-efficient facility will offer more seating, an enlarged children’s area, a separate teen area, program rooms, meeting areas, quiet and group study rooms, and new furnishings.
Farm at Our House partners with Our House to provide the residents with a work experience and an opportunity to develop agricultural and food handling skills. Our House trainees receive the money earned farming upon graduation. Community supported agriculture members purchase a weekly distribution of fruits and vegetables before the season with the understanding that the investment is tied to a chance that drought, flood or pestilence might affect the offerings. The farmer uses the proceeds to purchase seed, equipment and hire workers, and the farm avoids relying on interest-bearing loans. This year, the Farm at Our House offers spring, summer and fall shares that range from eight weeks to a full season of 27 weeks for pickup at the farm on Wednesdays. Members can choose what items they desire on a weekly basis from the farm’s offerings, which include vegetables, berries and eggs. The farm also will be teaming up with other local growers to offer tree fruit from Pennsylvania and pastured broiler chickens also raised at Our House. The farm also offers pickups for members through its farmers markets in Silver Spring on Saturdays and Crystal City, Va., on Tuesdays. More information is at thefarmatourhouse.com or from Marc Grossman at marcgrossman2001@ yahoo.com or 202-412-5698.
Olney Scouts are now Eagles
From the Farm at Our House to yours The Farm at Our House is now accepting new members for its community supported agriculture program for the 2014 season. The Brookeville farm, certified as organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is owned by Our House, a nonprofit residential job-training program for at-risk teenage boys and young men. The
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5 Salon Luncheon: Immigrant Voices, noon-1 p.m., Sandy Spring Museum, 17901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring. Free. 301-774-0022. Second Annual Budgetpalooza, 7-9 p.m., Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Free. montgomerycivic@yahoo.com.
THURSDAY, FEB. 6 Construction Crew, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Damascus Library, 9701 Main St., Damascus. Free. 240-773-9444.
FRIDAY, FEB. 7 Stand-up Comedy, 8-9:30 p.m.,
VisArts, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. $20. 540-657-8811.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8 University of Maryland Mid-
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Send items at least two weeks in advance of the paper in which you would like them to appear. Go to calendar.gazette.net and click on the submit button. Questions? Call 301-670-2070.
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Quarter Mania Fundraiser, 5 p.m.,
Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department, 21400 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville. $8. 301-540-1772.
Atlantic Small Flock Poultry Mini Expo, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Agricultural
History Farm Park, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood. $35 for adults, $15 for students younger than 18. 301590-2807. Men’s Conference, 8:30 a.m., Church of the Redeemer, 19425 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg. 301926-0967. Winterfest Children’s Carnival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Learning Center for Young Children, 10123 Connecticut Ave., Kensington. Free. 202-2137919. English Conversation Club, 10:3011:45 a.m., White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Free. 240-773-9555.
MORE INTERACTIVE CALENDAR ITEMS AT WWW.GAZETTE.NET by Knights of Columbus, 1-2:30 p.m.,
Mother of God School Gym, 20501 Goshen Road, Gaithersburg. Free. 301216-1941. Company E presents VOICES, 7:30-9 p.m., Cultural Arts Center, Theatre One, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. $10. 240-567-5775.
SUNDAY, FEB. 9 Rockville United Church, 355 Linthicum St., Rockville. Free. 301-637-0730. Swing! Swing! Swing!, 3 p.m., F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. $5 suggested donation. 240-314-8681.
Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg. Free. 240-777-0200. Basketball Free Throw Contest
Why do they use Roman numerals to number Super Bowls?
“Scout Spirit,” service and leadership. The Scout also must plan, organize, lead and manage an extensive service project. Kirk and Russell are members of Troop 264, sponsored by American Legion Norman Price Post 68 of Sandy Spring and led by Scoutmaster Dennis Bogan. They were awarded their Eagle Scout badges at the troop’s Court of Honor on Dec. 28 at the First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg.
Liz takes the field for this big-game trivia.
LIZ CRENSHAW
WeekendWeather FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Spaghetti Dinner, 3-7 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 17001 Overhill Road, Derwood. $10 for adults, $7 for children 7-13, free for kids 6 and under. 301-330-5970.
Avanti Orchestra of the Friday Morning Music Club, 4-6 p.m., Cultural
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Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Free. 703-243-7047.
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African American Quilt Show, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Riderwood Retirement Community, 3140 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring. Free. jeffrey.getek@erickson.com. Where and How to Get Financing, 3-5:30 p.m., Wheaton Business Innovation Center, Wheaton Building South, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 700, Wheaton. $50. Call 301-4030501.
Download the Gazette.Net mobile app using the QR Code reader, or go to www.gazette.net/mobile for custom options.
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LinkedIn II Workshop for Intermediate Users, 1-2:30 p.m., Jewish Social
Service Agency, 200 Wood Hill Road, Rockville. Free. 301-610-8380.
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Concert to Support Rockville Emergency Assistance Program, 3 p.m.,
Chinese New Year Celebration: Year of the Horse, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.,
A&E Round House hosts a thoughtprovoking “Seminar.”
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a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, is a freshman majoring in electrical engineering and a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University. Russell designed, developed and built a firewood shelter at the Smith Center at the Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville. Eagle Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate
EVENTS
Churchill’s Harrison Gu competes in the 100 meter breast stroke at the county public schools championships. Go to clicked.Gazette.net. SPORTS Check online for coverage of this week’s indoor track and field regionals.
Gaithersburg. Michael Russell, also 18 and
Two Olney teens recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boys Scouts’ highest rank. Peter Kirk, 18, a graduate of Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring and a freshman studying computer science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, designed and developed a landscaped area with crape myrtles, benches and a memorial-ready concrete pad at the First Baptist Church of
GALLERY
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
After several delays, the expanded and renovated Olney Library is set to reopen March 15. The building expands from 16,825 to 22,574 square feet.
THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Page A-3
LOCAL
Community backs Good Counsel auditorium proposal School requests other changes including increased enrollment, more lighted events
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TERRI HOGAN STAFF WRITER
After seven years in Olney, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School is ready to build a performing arts center and make other changes to its campus. To move forward, the school at 17301 Old Vic Blvd. is required to secure an amendment to its Preliminary Plan, originally filed in 2005. The amendment is necessary to reflect the reality of today’s campus, including traffic circulation, enrollment and on-campus events, and to allow an increase to the square footage contained within the building footprint. The school hosted a required presubmittal public meeting on Jan. 29 to unveil its plans to the community. Despite a large turnout, there were no objections to the proposed additions and changes. School President Paul Barker explained that the amendment would
include six items, which he believes are necessary for the school to continue to thrive. The auditorium/performing arts center was eliminated from the original plans due to cost, but is now needed to serve the school’s curriculum and growing performing arts program, as well as the community. The three-floor addition will feature theatre seating for 656 people, a sound mixing station, main foyer and lobby entrance, dressing rooms and bathrooms, orchestra pit, costume design and prop shops, elevator, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, control booth and catwalk access. When the school was built, a space off the school’s main gallery was designated for the future auditorium. “It’s almost like a Lego piece—it just fits,” said Barker. The square footage of the performing arts center increases from the original plan by 17,000 square feet, due to the addition of dance studio and classrooms, which will be built above the stage. Unlike the original plan, the current plan calls for excavating to build the auditorium. John Hulsizer is the president of the Olney Chamber of Commerce, which
has endorsed the school’s plan. He inquired about additional parking. Barker responded that the school currently has nearly 500 spaces, and the addition of the performing arts center would not require additional parking. Barker said they are requesting to increase the school’s enrollment from 1,200 to 1,300, although they don’t expect to get to 1,300. Hitting enrollment numbers drives the school’s viability, but predicting the precise number of freshman registrations and students lost to attrition is difficult. “We think we are good right where we are, but want to increase the number because the admissions calculation is an inexact science,” he said. The school has requested that the number of approved lighted events be increased from 35 to 50 each year. Barker said the school has received requests from community organizations including Maryland Youth Football, Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association and Relay for Life, to use the field for evening events, but must turn them down due to current restrictions. After seven years, Barker said they are requesting changes to the transpor-
tation pattern to reflect the reality. The plan was developed before the school opened, and Barker believes changes to the drop-off and pick-up process are necessary for safety and efficiency. The school wants to create a small practice field on the southeast edge of the property, behind a berm located near the far end zone of the football field. Barker said this is necessary, especially during the fall when a number of teams are competing for field space. Because the space is currently designated as a conservation easement area, the school would create a higher level of conservation protection in a nearby location. Finally, the school would like to build a grotto near the rear parking lot. Barker described it as a stone structure with a statue of the Blessed Mother, surrounded by landscaping. “It will be a place for prayerful reflection,” he said. “It will be an aesthetically and spiritually pleasing addition to our campus.” Meg Pease-Fye, a resident of Batchellors Forest Road, inquired about construction vehicles. She was told that no construction traffic would use Batchellors Forest Road or Old Vic Boulevard,
but would instead use the service entrance off of Md. 108. Connie Mattingly, a resident of Woodbine, is the parent of two graduates of the school and two current students. “I feel very blessed to be a part of this school, am looking forward to what the performing arts center will do for the school and the community,” she said. Barker said the improvements and changes requested are important to shore up the school’s long-term viability. The school will file the amendment with the county’s Planning Commission. Before a decision is reached, there will be another opportunity for testimony at a public hearing, at a date to be determined. The school recently financed its existing bond debt and has already raised $7.1 million toward their $10 million goal for the performing arts center. Barker said they are hopeful that construction could begin this summer. It is expected to take 12 to 15 months to complete. thogan@gazette.net
North High Street link plan riles neighbors BY
TERRI HOGAN STAFF WRITER
Despite opposition from some residents, the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee plans to follow through with its request that North High Street be connected to Morningwood Drive through the county’s Capital Improvements Program. All property owners on North High Street were handdelivered invitations to attend the committee’s meeting Jan. 28 to discuss the proposal. Only homeowners George and Irene Yfantis attended; homeowner Margaret Joyce offered her feedback via email. At its east end, where it intersects with Georgia Avenue, North High Street has several businesses, including a McDonald’s restaurant, Graeves Auto and Appliance, an Exxon station,
Richard Mattson’s orthodontic practice and a Prudential Real Estate office. The west end of the short road narrows significantly and includes a handful of small homes, most situated very close to the one-lane roadway. A guardrail is at the end, along with stairs and worn footpaths leading down to Morningwood Drive. George Yfantis said he opposes the connection because it would create more traffic, and traffic volume already is “tremendous.” Many drivers go down the street; not realizing it is a dead end. In her written testimony, Joyce, who has lived there since the 1970s, said the connection would result in the loss of the safe, peaceful quality of her street and neighborhood, leaving an unpleasant place to live. “The quiet, residential feel of my home and street would be gone forever,” she wrote. The Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission char-
tered the Olney Town Center Advisory Committee — which includes members from local civic organizations, homeowners associations, businesses and county agencies — to create a community-based vision of how a new town center would look and how it would function in relation to the surrounding neighborhoods. The committee was formed as part of the Olney Master Plan, which was approved in April 2005. It was charged with creating an illustrative concept plan, creating a concept for a civic center/town commons and reviewing development proposals for parcels within the town center before they are presented to the county planning board. Because the master plan envisions a redeveloped town center, the North High Street connection is recommended, if it is possible, to create a more compact development pattern in the area. “We want to create vehicular and pedestrian connections
ALTERATIONS
Designs by
NICOLE
and circulation without having to go to Georgia Avenue,” said Fred Boyd, a community planner with the commission. However, it is proving to be an obstacle to developers wishing to develop the properties, because they would be required to pay for the connection. The cost of the connection is not known. Although only about 10 feet stand between the two roads, the topography is steep. “The money is a significant impediment to achieve the goals of the master plan,” said Jim Smith, chairman of the advisory panel’s transportation committee. “That is why we are going to ask the county to complete the street.” The panel’s chairwoman, Helene Rosenheim, said its members realize it will be a very long process, as the Capital Improvements Program already has a long list of projects. “We recognize the residents’ concerns, but it will realistically be six to 10 years before anything would happen, so we still
DAN GROSS/THE GAZETTE
An Olney advisory committee recommends connecting North High Street, a dead-end street pictured with a pedestrian, with Morningwood Drive, in foreground. need to move forward with it,” she said. “Development won’t happen unless we can tell them that the county is going to put the road in,” Rosenheim said. “If there is no developer out there, we are not going to press the county to build it, but we need to get the process started now.” Rosenheim said county
Councilwoman Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 4) of Silver Spring is expected to attend the committee’s next meeting to discuss the capital improvements process. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 25 in the Olney Community Room, Buffington Re/Max Building, 3300 OlneySandy Spring Road. thogan@gazette.net
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THE GAZETTE
Page A-4
AROUND THE COUNTY
Reward for bald eagle shootings at $8,000 Police investigating leads in Brookeville, Darnestown incidents
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
TERRI HOGAN STAFF WRITER
Wildlife officials are hoping that an $8,000 reward will help solve the cases of two bald eagles shot and killed in Montgomery County in December. Maryland Natural Resources Police spokeswoman Candus Thomson said an eagle was shot with a rifle at about 3 p.m. Christmas day in a field at Georgia Avenue and Bordly Drive in Brookeville. She said residents were out walking and taking photographs when they heard the shot, and saw the eagle dead next to a deer carcass that it had been feeding on. The bird was still immature, and did not have the complete white feathers on its head yet. On Dec. 28, a mature eagle was found near a residence on Deakins Lane in Darnestown. The bird was found alive, but later died of its injuries. An X-ray revealed it had been hit by birdshot, a type of shotgun shell. The incidents are thought to be unrelated. Thomson said Natural Resources Police have received many leads, and officers are in the process of following up on each one. “We do know the public remains engaged, given the number of phone calls and emails we have received wanting to know if we are any closer to resolution in these cases,” she said. “The officers are working hard. This is the kind of thing they hate to see, especially since it is our national bird.” The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust pledged $5,000 to the police investigation, adding to the financial commitment by three private citizens one in Virginia and two in Montgomery County—who each pledged $1,000 but asked to remain anonymous. The Humane Society of the United States, headquartered in Gaithersburg, offers rewards for information on wildlife poaching cases. “This case happened right in our own backyard,” said Elise Traub, the organization’s director of wildlife protection. “As an organization that protects all animals, we are truly appalled that someone would kill our national symbol. We are hopeful that this $5,000 along with the $3,000 will help to bring the person(s) responsible for these crimes to justice.” The money would be awarded after the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the killings. In 2007, the bald eagle was removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act, and Maryland followed suit in 2010. It remains illegal to shoot eagles without a permit from the U.S. Department of the Interior. A conviction carries a maximum fine of $5,000 and up to a one year in prison. Anyone with information on the shootings is asked to call the Department of Natural Resources communications center at 410-260-8888, or can remain anonymous by calling the Catcha-Poacher at 800-635-6124. thogan@gazette.net
Petition shoots for varsity hockey n
School system officials cite obstacles
BY
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
Hockey players in Montgomery County are used to competing against other high schoolers on the ice. The Maryland Student Hockey League they play in even includes several team names familiar to those in Montgomery County Public Schools: Montgomery Blair, Blake, Wootton and Winston Churchill, among others. The roughly 12 teams in the league’s two Montgomery divisions, however, won’t be found under the schools’ list of varsity sports. Jeremy Skaife, a player on the Richard Montgomery hockey team, recently started an online petition to change ice hockey’s status and add it to the county school system’s group of about 30 varsity sports. As of Tuesday, the Change.org petition had grown to more than 1,000 signatures, including those from residents of Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Kensington and Poolesville. The petition is addressed to Superintendent Joshua P. Starr, the county’s board of education, high school principals and school system athletics officials. In the petition, Skaife requests the school system provide support including morning announcements and website posts about the teams’ games and a “spirit bus” for the first game of the season. Skaife also asks that players earn varsity letters. “Above all else, we believe that these students deserve to earn and receive recognition for their achievements, hard work, and dedication, as all other varsity athletes, with a Varsity Letter,” the online petition said. William Beattie, the school system’s director of systemwide athletics, said ice hockey presents several challenges that hinder it from becoming a varsity sport. The school system carefully weighs many factors when considering whether to add a varsity sport, Beattie said. The system also only takes on a new varsity sport if it has full oversight of the sport, including funding, facilities and coaches, he said. “A sport is either a sport that is under the auspices of the school system or is totally not under the auspices of the school system,” he said. “You can’t halfway supervise something. You do it all the way or you don’t do it.” Beattie listed a number of sports that have made an unsuccessful bid for varsity: inline skating, rugby, badminton, skateboarding, horseback
2011 FILE PHOTO
Marissa Dreher of Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring was one of the few female goalies in the county. A recent online petition aims to change ice hockey’s status and add it to the county school system’s group of about 30 varsity sports. riding, flag football, cycling, dodgeball, kickboxing and crew. Beattie said the hockey teams, like other community groups, are allowed to use the name of a school community but that they are “completely separate and distinct.” One consideration, Beattie said, is whether the school system has the proper facilities to house the sport. In the case of ice hockey, he said, the school system doesn’t have any ice rinks, and there are only a few in the area. If hockey were a varsity sport, it would have to be possible for each of the school system’s 25 high schools to have both girls and boys teams and all those teams would need to use those few available rinks, he said. Beattie said it would also be “almost impossible” for some county schools to have hockey teams because of the expenses involved and the location of the area’s few ice rinks. Other factors include the supervision of games and the availability of teachers to coach. Paul Lofgren — who has coached the Richard Montgomery team since its inception about 11 years ago — said that hockey becoming a varsity sport is “not going to happen.” The main obstacle is the lack of ice time available to teams, he said. The area’s ice rinks include ones in Cabin John, Rockville, Wheaton, Columbia and College Park, but some are too far away and others are too busy, Lofgren said. Lofgren said he has a good relationship with Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. “That’s not the norm,” he said, citing one team in his Montgomery division that is not allowed to use the
school colors. If hockey were to become a varsity sport, Lofgren said he thinks it would help his team raise more money — no small thing when it comes to a sport that includes expensive equipment and ice renting fees. Lofgren said he understand’s the school system’s position and that “their hands are tied financially.” “It would open up the floodgates” of other teams who would also want the varsity label, he said. Johnathan “JT” Burton, head coach of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase team, said the petition’s concept is not a new one and that he supports it. He said he also thinks that hockey won’t become a varsity sport. Taking on hockey would involve high costs Burton said he doesn’t think the school system will offer to cover. “In a perfect world, the county would cough up the money to fund us,” he said. “You would probably get more kids playing.” Burton said it costs his team about $30,000 to play each season — most of which goes to renting ice time — and that each player chipped in $1,300 this season. Burton said that, though he has a good relationship with the high school’s principal, the hockey team is “disconnected” from the school. “I feel that the county (school system) would have a hard time basically taking responsibility or having that liability of having an off-campus event that could impact them negatively,” he said.
10 tickets issued in county this year BY
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
Ten drivers who illegally passed a Montgomery County school bus in January were caught in the act by a new camera system. Since Jan. 2, five cameras on Montgomery County Public Schools buses have issued 10 citations, at $125 each, to drivers who passed a stopped bus while its stop arm was extended with flashing red lights, said Cpl. Rebecca Innocenti, a spokeswoman for county police. The cameras automatically record vehicles that pass a bus illegally. If an officer catches a motorist passing a stopped school bus, she said, the citation would be steeper: $570 and 3 points on their license. Innocenti said the tickets were issued on the following streets: Ridge Road in Damascus; Fairland Road in Silver Spring; West Lake Drive and Tuckerman Lane in Rockville; West Lake Drive and Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda; and Muddy Branch Road and East Deer Park Drive in Gaithersburg. The data from the bus cameras will help police further understand which areas in the county are the most problematic when it comes to this type of violations, Innocenti
Mapping it out
There will soon be an easier way to find where you need to go in Olney. The Olney Chamber of Commerce has contracted with Atlantic Communications to produce a 2014 Greater Olney Area map. More than 2,500 copies of the 2009 version have been distributed, according to a chamber newsletter. This time, about 3,000 maps will be printed, with the option to print up to 5,000 maps, according to Ellen Manning, sales manager for Atlantic Communications. The maps include a detail of the Olney area on the front highlighting advertisers that have subsidized the cost of the map. The back of the map includes a larger Montgomery County map. The maps will be available at advertisers’ locations, Manning said. This year, there will be an online version of the map with links to advertisers’ websites, Manning said. Hard copies of the map are expected to be available by June 1. A website has not yet been set up for the map. For more information about advertising in the map, contact Manning at e.manning@olneymd.org or 215-233-2134
$20K grant going to the dogs More veterans will get help from Hero Dogs of Brookeville thanks to $20,000 grant from the Medtronic Foundation. The grant is the result of an award to longtime Hero Dogs volunteer Ed Levien of Bethesda, who was named one of the foundation’s 2013 Bakken Invitation Honorees. The 10 honorees were selected because they have overcome health challenges and are making significant contributions in their communities, according to a news release from Hero Dogs. Levien suffers from chronic pain and found relief through neurostimulation after more than a decade of suffering. Levien was given $20,000 to give to a favorite charity and he chose Hero Dogs. Hero Dogs is a nonprofit that raises, trains and places service dogs with veterans who have been wounded or have a medical condition.
County seeks member for Ethics Commission Montgomery County is seeking to fill a vacancy on its Ethics Commission. Among their duties, members provide advice on the county’s code of ethics, review and approve employment requests for employees, and investigate ethics complaints. Applicants must meet several conditions, including being a resident and registered voter in the county, and not being a lobbyist or politically active. Members serve four-year terms without compensation, though they are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care costs. The commission meets monthly in Rockville. Those interested should send a resume and brief cover letter, along with home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses, to the office of County Executive Isaiah Leggett, 101 Monroe St., Rockville, MD 20850 or to countyexecutive. boards@montgomerycountymd.gov.
lpowers@gazette.net
Cameras nab drivers passing buses n
InBrief
said. The cameras help police catch drivers whom they might not see or who would be difficult to stop based on the topography of the road, Innocenti said. “It certainly assists patrol officers’ efforts to enforce the law,” she said. The program currently has 10 cameras — five cameras were recently added but were not issuing citations. Innocenti said 15 more cameras will be installed by the end of February on school buses that run routes with the most passing incidents. That will bring the total number of school buses equipped with the cameras to 25. Wiring for the cameras will be installed on 75 more buses so the cameras can be swapped among the buses. The county also has the ability to purchase up to 75 more cameras during its contract, according to an Oct. 22 memo from Montgomery County Council staff. The County Council enacted a law in March 2012 that enables police to install and operate cameras on school buses to catch drivers who pass the vehicles when they are stopped and operating their flashing red lights. Ultimately, Innocenti said, the goal goes beyond catching scofflaws. “Our goal is for people to be informed about the law and know the law and stop for stopped school buses,” she said. lpowers@gazette.net
POLICE BLOTTER
Complete report at www.gazette.net The following is a summary of incidents in the Olney area to which Montgomery County police responded recently. The words “arrested” and “charged” do not imply guilt. This information was provided by the county.
Armed robbery • On Jan. 9 at 5:59 p.m. at Elby’s, 2522 University Blvd., Silver Spring. The subject threatened the victim with a weapon and took property. • On Jan. 13 at 8:47 p.m. at the BP station, 2201 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring. The subject threatened the victim with a weapon and took property. • On Jan. 15 at 9:46 a.m. at the post office, 11432 Amherst Ave., Silver Spring. The subject threatened the victim with a weapon and took property. • On Jan. 17 at 10:50 p.m. at Weller and Bluhill roads, Silver Spring. The subjects threatened the victim with a weapon and took property. • On Jan. 18 at 7:26 p.m. at Chicago Bakery, 11266 Georgia Ave., Aspen Hill. The subject threatened the victim with a weapon and took property. Residential burglary • 14200 block of Briarwood Terrace, Rockville, between 6:30 a.m. and 4:46 p.m. Jan. 10. Forced entry, took property. • 15000 block of Wellwood Drive, Silver Spring, between 4 p.m. Jan. 13 and 11 a.m. Jan. 14. Forced entry, took property. • 3200 block of Weeping Willow Court, Aspen Hill, between 1 and 5:45 a.m. Jan. 18. No forced entry, took property.
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Now Open Seneca Meadows
THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Page A-5
Curriculum 2.0 Old-school tech reaches severely disabled students Those who take the oath of office from 1777 to present day sign the Oath Book n
Elementary grades seeing more academic emphasis n
BY
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
Special education students around the county have been learning in a new way this school year. In elementary-level classrooms where teachers used to teach the Fundamental Life Skills curriculum, students are now participating in a new curriculum that incorporates more academic components alongside lessons about life skills such as shopping, traveling and interacting with the community. The change marks another shift in Montgomery County Public Schools to Curriculum 2.0, which aligns with the Common Core State Standards. Common Core is a set of education standards for English and math that Maryland, along with other states, chose to adopt. The school system’s general education curriculum has already transitioned to Curriculum 2.0 in kindergarten through the fifth grade. This school year, however, marks the first year of implementing curricular changes for elementary special education students with severe cognitive disabilities who were previously taught under Fundamental Life Skills. Most special education students have already been taught under the school system’s general education curriculum. Throughout the school system, about 650 elementary special education students are experiencing the transition from Fundamental Life Skills to the new curriculum, according to Gwendolyn Mason, director of special education services for the school system. Secondary schools with students learning the life skills curriculum will make their transition next school year, she said. The system’s curriculum for special education students has always been connected to state standards, which are more rigorous under Common Core, Mason said. To help the school system prepare for the transition, she said she has consulted with Diane Browder, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who has helped develop resources aligned with Common Core for students with severe cognitive disabilities. “It’s a very exciting time and we plan on really training our teachers and working with them intensely to help them make this shift,” Mason said. Curriculum 2.0 for these special education students will include the old curriculum’s community-based instruction, which teaches skills such as how to shop and travel, she said. “Our children have to have
those experiences to enable them to develop those skills,” she said. “It’s not in any respect any shift from that.” Unlike most schools, Longview School in Germantown implemented the new curriculum in its elementary grades last school year. This year, they are implementing the curriculum in their secondary grades. In their lessons, Longview teachers previously started with the life skills and then connected them to academic lessons, said Michelle Mach, Longview’s coordinator. Now, she said, teachers start with the academics and work in the life skills. “With this transition, the focus is definitely more academic to start with, but it’s a responsibility for us to integrate it into that community instruction,” Mach said. “In many ways, it opens some doors but as educators, it’s still our responsibility to make it functional and concrete.” Earlier this school year, Mach said, some Longview students went on a trip to Home Depot where they took part in both academic and life-skill exercises: they identified the geometric shapes they saw and also purchased materials for a class project. Elaina Yiallouros, who teaches first- through thirdgraders at Longview, said it has been challenging for school staff to plan and teach the general education curriculum in a way that their students are able to understand and use, while also incorporating life skills that the kids need. “We just have to be extremely creative,” she said. Yiallouros said she’s not sure if the new curriculum is working yet. “It’s too early to say, but we’re giving it our all,” she said. Since last year, Longview staff have used a program called “books in a box” — boxes that contain objects that help the students make multi-sensory connections to a story such as “Romeo and Juliet.” The school is collecting materials and developing a different set of boxes including objects that would help students understand more informational subjects such as science. “It makes learning much more concrete,” Yiallouros said. Kim Redgrave, coordinator at Stephen Knolls Schools in Kensington, said her school has transitioned to the new curriculum in its kindergarten through fifth-grade classes. “It’s a huge transition, not gonna lie,” she said. Stephen Knolls’ students include those with mild and severe cognitive defects and multiple disabilities. Redgrave said the school started conducting workshops and training in August and will continue staff development opportunities throughout the school year. Stephen Knolls teachers
1905839
BY
ALINE BARROS
STAFF WRITER
Inside the Oath Book are the signatures of state officials, law enforcement officers and judges, all vowing to uphold the rules of their office. It’s an old-fashioned concept in today’s tech-savvy age, but Loretta E. Knight, clerk of the Montgomery County Circuit Court, says helping people become “official” is an important tradition that must be kept alive. “I went over to swear in the firefighters just last week ... and afterwards I tell them: When your grandchildren or your great-grandchildren [are] looking for their greatgranddad or great grandmother ... they will go to the archives, and they will see your name,” Knight said. The clerk’s office has bound oath books from 1777 to 2014. Each hardcover book has 400 pages. The current book is wrapped in a white cloth that has Knight’s initials and volume number on its side. Each page has three individual oaths of office and signatures. When a new clerk is elected, that clerk uses the current book until all 400 pages are filled. Then a new book is started, with the new clerk’s initials along its spine. In 2013, Knight administered 119 oaths. The clerk’s office, established by the Maryland Constitution, dates to 1658 at the first Maryland settlement in St. Mary’s County. Knight said the Maryland government at the time needed someone to keep records independently, safe and in an impartial manner. Knight said the Oath Book was
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first named the Test Book. “It is a lot of work, but this is the fun part of my job,” she said. Knight explained that she is responsible for keeping custody of the oath book; maintaining records and papers of the office; making legible entries of all proceedings; and making available, when requested in writing, copies of records, unless prohibited by law or court order. Knight keeps at least three books that date from 2008 to today. Previous Oath Books are kept in the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. According to Henry Miller, director of research at Historical St. Mary’s City, in the 17th and 18th centuries taking an oath was a “big deal.” “It was a very important thing,” Miller said, adding that when Lord Baltimore appointed the first governor he requested in writing that the appointee had to “treat everybody equally.” The oath in Maryland is the same for each office and reads: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will support the Constitution of the United States; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and Laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently and faithfully, without partiality of prejudice execute the office of [office in which the appointee or candidate will take over] according to the Constitution and Laws of this State.” When a new judge is sworn in, the words change to “according to the Constitution and Laws of this State, and that I will not directly or indirectly receive the profits or any part of the profits of any other office during the term of my acting as Judge.” “All of [Lord Baltimore’s] officials had to take an oath,” Miller said. Knight, who was first
PHOTOS BY TOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE
Above, Loretta E. Knight, Montgomery County Circuit Court clerk, is pictured with Test Book records on Thursday afternoon at her Rockville office. Test Books contain a record of names of individuals to whom an oath of office has been administered. At left, Montgomery County Circuit Court Test Books. elected court clerk in 2006, graduated from the Washington School for Secretaries in 1962. Knight swears in all the judges, police officers, firefighters, gubernatorial appointments, state’s attorneys, assistant state’s attorneys and elected officials in the county. Knight just swore in Cherri Branson, the new District 5
councilwoman, on Jan. 28 to serve on the County Council until Dec. 1. Knight is retiring at the end of 2014. Voters will elect her successor in November. When asked what she thinks of the Oath Book, Knight replied, “Isn’t it just wonderful?” abarros@gazette.net
THE GAZETTE
Page A-6
Damascus girl, 10, doesn’t miss a beat
Obituary
Despite heart ailment, she thrives through running, love of music
n
BY
SARAH SCULLY STAFF WRITER
Delores Broches Portale Charles Anthony Portale Delores and Charles Portale, of St. Augustine, FL, formerly of Olney, MD, both recently passed away at the Bailey Family Center for Caring, surrounded by their family. Delores B. Portale, 82, died November 5, 2013 in St. Augustine, FL. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Jules Broches and Lillian Viola Ritter. Born in Beltsville, MD. Charles A. Portale, 84, died January 23, 2014 in St. Augustine, FL. He was the son of the late Vincent Portale and Carmela Pistorio. Born in Washington, D.C. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Happily married for over 64 years, they were the dedicated and loving parents of Cynthia Foster and her husband the late Charles Foster of Lewes, DE; Michael Portale and wife Alice Portale of Annandale, VA and Sandra Fletcher and husband Robert Fletcher of Laytonsville, MD; the proud and caring grandparents of Cody, Casey, and Courtney Fletcher of Laytonsville, MD and Alexandra Portale of Annandale, VA and many nieces and nephews. Delores is also survived by her sister Margy F. Snider of Culpeper, VA and brother Ralph Broches and his wife Wilma Broches of Olney, MD. She was preceded in death by sisters Frances Broches and Ruth Gormley and brothers Howell Broches and Jack Broches. Charles is also survivied by his loving sister-in-law Patricia Portale. He was preceded in death by sisters Jessie Wilson, Sara Mazza, Carmela Portale and Rose Wheeler and brothers Sam Portale and Vincent Portale. Delores and Charles were truly blessed with a full life of love, laughter, faith, family and friends. They treated each other, and all that they met, with respect and kindness. Their lives will be celebrated at a Memorial Mass on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2900 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Delores and Charles Portale, may be made to the Joseph Patrick Sanford Memorial Foundation, c/o Arkin and Co., 2200 Research Blvd. #540, Rockville, MD 20850 or to MGH Health Foundation, 18101 Prince Philip Drive, Olney, MD 20832. 1905655
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Ten-year-old Samantha Haley sits shyly on the couch at home in Damascus, legs curled beneath her, her freckled face tilted downward. She’s uninspired by conversation about pacemakers, heart defects and surgery. She looks up and laughs as her brothers, Jack, 6, and Connor, 2, race around the living room, crashing into things and causing the habitual mayhem of little boys. Usually Samantha’s right there with them, minus the crashing, which could jeopardize her pacemaker. Samantha has relied on a pacemaker to make her heart beat since her second month of life. A pacemaker is a small device implanted under the skin that uses electronic stimuli connected by tiny wires to the heart to keep it on rhythm. Samantha timed her most recent surgery — to replace her pacemaker about a year ago — so she would recover in time for her next 5-kilometer run with Girls on the Run. It was her fourth surgery. Because of her pacemaker, Samantha can’t play contact sports. But that certainly doesn’t hold her back. “I do triathlons and 5ks,” she said. This week, Feb. 7 to Feb. 14, is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects. They affect about 1 in 100 infants — 40,000 every year — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “When she was two weeks old, I went to a routine checkup and they said she had a heart murmur. And I wasn’t really concerned at first,” said Samantha’s mother, Lindsay Haley. She knew that many people
have harmless heart murmurs. Holes usually are detected at around two to six weeks, said Dr. Gerard Martin, a cardiologist who specializes in congenital heart disease for Children’s National Health System. Screenings, during sonograms and by testing babies’ oxygen levels and pulse after birth, reveal the majority of heart defects, but holes in the heart can go unnoticed, Martin said. Maryland, along with about 33 other states, now require screening by law, he said. Everything was normal in the first two weeks for Samantha, except she was having trouble eating, which turned out to be related to her heart. The pediatrician referred her to a cardiologist right after the appointment, who told Haley that Samantha had holes in her heart and sent her to a hospital for immediate treatment. “It was wretchedly scary,” Haley said. “You’re thrown into this whole world of medical jargon and doctors.” Two months later, “they did open-heart surgery to repair the holes,” she said. But after the repairs, half of Samantha’s heart couldn’t beat on its own. One week later, Samantha underwent another surgery to have a pacemaker implanted. When she was 16 months old, a new one was installed. “They said that one would last 10 years, but she’s very active,” Haley said. Samantha wore it out in 8. At 9, she got another. How many years will this one last? “We’re thinking 7,” Haley said. When the conversation turns to books, Samantha perks up. “I like to read and draw,” she said. “I like pretty much any book.” She’s working her way through the Harry Potter series. She loves Greek mythology, too — Poseidon is her favorite of the gods. “I want to be a music teacher when I grow up,” she said. On Jan. 30, Samantha showed off her love of music
RAPHAEL TALISMAN/FOR THE GAZETTE
Samantha Haley, 10, of Damascus plays “Can-Can” during a talent night on Jan. 30 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mount Airy. at a talent show at the family’s church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mount Airy. She had prepared songs on the piano and guitar, and a violin duet with her best friend, Kaylee Walsman. In the car on the way there, Samantha turns from reserved to downright chatty, talking about her friends, an upcoming school performance, and her teacher, Steven Zimmerman — the funniest in the fourth grade at Clearspring Elementary in Damascus, she said. In front of a small crowd of friends and parents, Samantha opens the talent show, playing “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” on the piano. Following several other performances, she and Kaylee go on stage to play “Lightly Row” on the violin. They’ve been taking lessons together the past several months. After the song, Samantha lowers herself near the floor, crouching intently over her guitar strings to play “Ode to Joy” — the same song Samantha’s
mother walked down the aisle to as she married Samantha’s father. She has taught herself to play since receiving the guitar last Christmas. Haley said she and her husband, Larry, turned to religion when Samantha was undergoing intensive treatment and surgeries in her first months of life. This community came to their side, with meals and support. In terms of medicine, Martin said, “It has changed dramatically. How we do things has gotten much better over the last two decades. The results of treatment in this era are very successful.” An audience member wore a T-shirt the family made for Samantha’s last surgery, with illustrated faces of all of the kids in Samantha’s class, grouped in the shape of a heart. All of the kids wore it on surgery day. Beneath the smiling faces, it reads, “and the beat goes on.” sscully@gazette.net
THE GAZETTE
Page A-7
Group to help with frog, toad conservation Part of a nationwide program to collect data on the amphibians n
BY
SARAH SCULLY STAFF WRITER
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
A southern leopard frog makes a sound “like you’re rubbing rubber together,” says Ken Mack.
habitat in their backyards,” and drain or fill wet areas, Jones said. Staff members explained how to monitor the amphibians — once a week for three weeks, at least 30 minutes after sunset in proper weather — and enter the data online. If it’s too windy or rainy, they might not hear the calls. It must be above 35 degrees for frogs and toads to be active. Volunteers note how many frog and toad calls they hear and record the weather that night. The hard part comes in memorizing the calls of a dozen or so different species, which differ vastly. Wood frogs sound like ducks. They are one of the few species that can live as far north as Alaska, due to a com-
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Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection to bring data collection to the county. Volunteers can track a site identified by the department, or register their own. By partnering with FrogWatch, the department hopes to raise awareness of habitat and species vulnerability. “Wetlands are a concern, as well as the loss of frog species” from fungal infections, said Jessica Jones, a program manager with the Department of Environmental Protection. “There’s been a loss of wetlands throughout the country,” she said. Much of the loss comes when “sometimes people don’t know that they have valuable
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Can you tell the difference between the sound of your neighbor struggling to play the banjo and the call of the green frog? More than two dozen county residents leaped at the chance to learn and help scientist gauge the health of the area’s wetlands. Scientists are enlisting local nature lovers to help them collect data on frogs and toads in Montgomery County. The information, which will build upon a nationwide database, helps scientists keep track of population levels of different species and ecosystem health. Frogs and toads are wetland indicator species — the strength of the population reflects how the ecosystem is faring. This is the first time Montgomery County is implementing the FrogWatch program. On Thursday, 26 volunteers gathered at the Rockville library for their first training session. Starting in March, they’ll note levels of frog and toad calls they hear at designated locations near ponds and wetlands, where amphibians live. The second training event will be a field session in mid-March. If more residents express interest, coordinators said they might schedule additional training sessions. FrogWatch is run by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit organization based in Silver Spring. The association has partnered with the
pound in their blood that keeps them from freezing. Spring peepers make a high-pitched peep. “It’s like the harbinger of spring — let’s you know when it’s going to warm up outside,” said Ken Mack, water quality specialist for the department of environmental protection. The pickerel frog makes a snoring croak sound and the southern leopard frog “sounds like you’re rubbing rubber together,” Mack said. For the northern cricket frog: “I like to think of their call as bouncing glass marbles off of each other,” he said. The green frog — the most common in the area — sounds “like someone who is trying to learn the banjo and not doing a very good job,” he said. Mack encouraged volunteers to come up with their own mnemonics and comparisons to remember the calls. Karen Sommer Shalett learned about the program from a Bethesda-Chevy Chase neighborhood listserv and took her two sons, Simon, 6, and Nathaniel, 8. She said that they recently lost an 8-year-old family member, and nature lover, to cancer. FrogWatch is a way for them to honor him while giving back, she said. Plus, Simon and Nathaniel love animals, too. “We wanted to teach the kids that you can do something with your passion and still give back,” she said.
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Susan Ellis
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Re/Max Realty Centre, Olney
STAFF WRITER
The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the appointment of the county’s acting fire chief to a permanent position. The council voted 9-0 to approve the appointment of Steve Lohr to head the county’s Fire and Rescue Service at its meeting Tuesday morning. Lohr took over as acting chief in May, after Richard Bowers left to become chief in Fairfax County, Va. Lohr’s appointment was opposed by a group of residents who alleged a crew of county EMTs acted insensitively while treating a black homeless man. Investigation found no wrongdoing by the crew members and determined the incident was not racially motivated. Lohr spoke briefly at Tuesday’s council meeting, introducing his family and noting that the appointment comes more than 43 years after he responded to his first structure fire with the department. Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg, the chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, said Lohr has served in many positions and ranks throughout the department. “I don’t think there could have been a better appointment,” Andrews said.
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The Gazette OUROPINIONS
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014
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Introspection
It’s tough work for a municipality to make sure residents, groups and businesses are following its laws. But we were surprised — and somewhat flattered — that the city of Gaithersburg relied on a Gazette story and photo to condemn a Woodland Road building. The 192-square-foot structure in Darline Bell-Zuccarelli’s backyard has come to be known as the “tiny house.” Relying on Internet research and a local Home Depot, she and her husband, Gilmar Hernandez, constructed it for about $15,000. Bell-Zuccarelli said she hopes her daughter, who couldn’t afford a place of her own, could stay in the backyard building, which has a living room, a sleeping loft, a bathroom and a kitchenette. However, the building permit Bell-Zuccarelli received from the city is for a shed. We can understand why city officials thinking “lawnmower and bicycles” would be taken aback when they saw a miniIN TWO Based on what RECENT CASES, apartment. they saw in the newspaper GAITHERSBURG’S — and the zoning law, which INSPECTION allows one dwelling unit per PROCESS FALLS lot in that neighborhood — city officials put up a “conSHORT demned” sign. Surely, there was a lack of communication, both ways. Why wasn’t the layout of the “shed” apparent by the time an electrical inspection was done? Or did Bell-Zuccarelli go off on an unpredictable tangent after the city had signed off? Either way, a simple chat along the way — before the condemnation — would have cleared up the discrepancy. A more curious set of inspection circumstances arose after a boy drowned in a pond in the Crown neighborhood last month. Ten-year-old D’Angelo Jayvon McMullen of Rockville was walking on it with two other boys when the ice gave way and they fell in. The other boys survived. The pond was supposed to be surrounded by security fencing, but clearly wasn’t at the time of the accident. City officials said at the time of the drowning that the site previously had passed safety fence requirements. When did that fence go away? It’s hard to say. Inspection records shared at The Gazette’s request show a hodgepodge of information about inspections in the development, but nothing specific about this pond meeting this fence requirement. Yet, the inspection reports clearly have a line marked “safety fence” and a place to check under “approved,” “denied” or “maintain.” That line is blank on each report The Gazette reviewed. A city official told us that we should assume that the lack of a violation indicated on the form must mean it passed inspection. That’s a strange system. There are 20 lines for categories on the inspection form. The city apparently regularly looked at the project’s compliance for certain categories — sometimes five categories, sometimes six, sometimes seven in each inspection, according to the comments and marks on the forms. Safety records like this should be kept and maintained with the public in mind. Conduct inspections and note the results as if the average person is reading them and wants to know what’s right and what’s wrong.
Welcome to the council
Cherri Branson won Valerie Ervin’s seat on the Montgomery County Council last week in a council vote over 17 other candidates. Branson, who has spent more than 24 years as a congressional aide, will represent District 5 at a time when the council has plenty on its plate. For one, the nine members have an upcoming decision on the future of development in Clarksburg. It’s a thorny issue with vocal environmentalists demanding a “no” vote. Although some Clarksburg residents support the environmentalists, many are anxious that no development will be a further delay of the services and amenities they’ve been promised for years. It won’t be an easy vote. Branson also takes over Ervin’s seat on the council’s Education Committee. For the foreseeable future, the committee will be considering the capital budgets of Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College. Here, she’ll be forced to weigh the conflicting interests of parents who want progress on school expansion and modernization against a panoply of needs. County Executive Isiah Leggett is lobbying Annapolis to send more school construction dollars to Montgomery. If the effort falls short, Branson will be at the cutting edge of parent disappointment. While working on the capital budget, the council will take up the operating budget. Again, she’ll have to weigh more conflicting interests: needs and wants versus resources. Also in the mix are Councilman Roger Berliner’s slate of environmental bills and Councilman Philip M. Andrews’ proposal for publicly financed council elections, which on reflection, will probably be the easiest votes of her temporary time on the council.
The Gazette Karen Acton, President/Publisher
LETTERS TOT HE EDITOR
Ultrasounds are not for ‘baby showers’
As a local radiologist with over 30 years of experience in doing obstetric ultrasounds, I am dismayed at your providing free advertising for this service. [“‘It’s a ... ’: Ultrasound company delivers the news,” Jan. 29] Ultrasound is not a recreational tool for “baby showers” and for sex determination. It is a highly sophisticated medical imaging device for detecting not only fetal health and growth but also a study of the maternal pelvis, ovaries and cervix during pregnancy to name a few things. It takes years of training to be able to recognize subtle abnormalities and signs that
could indicate a pregnancy in trouble. I find it unconscionable for entrepreneurs like Ms. Seleshi to take ultrasound equipment on the road for amusement and profit. Although I have no doubts about the qualifications of Ms. Seleshi in her day job, I am concerned that in the setting of a party or shower much could be overlooked. And what about the scenario where she recognizes an abnormality during the event that is, according to one of her clients, “better than the Super Bowl?” Is such an atmosphere appropriate for a discussion that would necessarily have to follow, which is
Birth control no solution to swelling deer populations In “We don’t need hunts to manage deer” [letters, Jan. 15], the author says studies show hunting deer actually causes increases in the population by allowing the vegetation to thrive producing an increased food supply for the deer. Using this logic, I would suggest we need to allow unregulated blue crab fishing and encourage everyone to shoot at giant pandas and bald eagles so we can increase the populations of them, too. At some point some common sense needs to be applied. The deer have adapted to suburban living and are at historic high population numbers. We have not taken the deer habitat, we have created the perfect utopian deer habitat with lush gardens and lawns and few predators. The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Society and the Sierra Club are all publishing reports showing dire consequences if we don’t do something about the overpopulation of deer and warning of complete destruction of our remaining forests if nothing is done soon. These are all pro-wildlife groups that are seeing the damage as the deer population continues to explode on the East Coast, not a bunch of right-wing gun nuts. ... I am an animal lover and enjoy the forests, and I have devoted a great deal of my time to searching for cost-effective alternatives to deer hunting. The author mentions birth control as a solution. Currently there is no contraceptive that works in an open environment. Many problems exist with contraceptives for deer. There is currently no effective contraceptive that can be given by dart or any other method that does not involve tranquilizing the deer first at significant costs in manpower and dollars. All contraceptives must be administered at least once a year (or more) and the
deer must be tagged so that those administering the contraceptives know which deer have been dosed and also to warn that the meat is no longer fit for human consumption. There are also other unknown consequences to contraceptives for deer. Say the deer is hit by a car or dies from old age. How would you prevent other wildlife from feeding on the drugged meat? Would you allow bald eagles or other endangered species to feed on the carcass? Contraceptives may be a viable solution for a fenced area like NIST in Gaithersburg using massive amounts of federal tax dollars for a handful of deer but it is not feasible in a non-fenced environment. Some animal rights groups have made propaganda announcements saying they would pay for contraceptives or sterilization of the deer. What they are not telling you is they are not covering the cost of tranquilizing, then tracking the animals. The $20 cost of the contraceptive is nothing compared the cost of paying a licensed and certified expert to sit in the woods for six to eight hours per deer to dart and track the deer each year. ... As for the deer somehow being a benefit for the forests, just listen to those who have devoted their lives to protecting it or just do a simple test and plant a tree yourself and see how long it takes for the deer to come and destroy it before it has a chance to mature. Trees do not live forever and unfortunately there are no saplings surviving to replace the aging trees. Nature has a way of adjusting. I’m sure the coyote population will soon be positively impacted by the abundance of deer. I wonder if your readers will consider that more humane than hunting?
Kevin Kommit, Rockville
usually conducted within the privacy and confines of a medical office? The clients of Ms. Seleshi would be better advised to invest the money into their copays and have a physician-prescribed ultrasound in a medical facility with the physician performing the study and overseeing the technologist. I certainly hope she was smart enough to take out malpractice insurance.
Dr. Peter S. Dunner The writer is part of Washington Radiology Associates of Potomac.
Elk River and Ten Mile Creek
The Elk River chemical leak that suddenly left 300,000 West Viriginians without tap water is a reminder that clean, fresh water is scarce and that any degradation of Ten Mile Creek threatens the security of families throughout our region, especially those with pregnant women, children or seniors. Few of us, I suspect, want to have to compete for bottled water at markets or be dependent upon the government to truck in water supplies.
Cheryl Camillo, Rockville
Alternatives to school construction costs Having read The Gazette’s article about pressuring the state for more school construction funding for Montgomery, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties [“Montgomery, allies vie for school construction funds,” Jan. 14], I was struck by the absence of any discussion about including efforts to involve the local, large commercial construction builders in negotiations. By that I mean: a) Obtaining proposals to build schools from the plans provided by the local school board(s); b) Negotiate lease-back agreements of 20-30 years between the builders and the schools; c) Teachers, administrators, maintenance and busing programs, staffs, etc., continue to be provided and paid for by the schools. This would eliminate the huge up-front cost of construction. Does no one think that this could be a way to go? If not, why not?
E.D. Boyd, Gaithersburg
WRITE TO US The Gazette welcomes letters on subjects of local interest. Please limit them to 200 words. Send submissions to: The Gazette, attention Commentary Editor, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; fax to 301-670-7183; or email to opinions@gazette.net.
9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 | Phone: 301-948-3120 | Fax: 301-670-7183 | Email: opinions@gazette.net More letters appear online at www.gazette.net/opinion
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Jean Casey, Director of Marketing and Circulation Anna Joyce, Creative Director, Special Pubs/Internet Ellen Pankake, Director of Creative Services
POST COMMUNITY MEDIA Karen Acton, Chief Executive Officer Michael T. McIntyre, Controller Donna Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources Maxine Minar, President, Comprint Military
THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Biggest disappearing acts of 2013 • The Grahams. After 80 years the Graham family sells the struggling Washington Post to billionaire Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, which, ironically, helped kill classified advertising. Also disappearing in 2013 was the Post’s ombudsman position, the readers’ advocate. • The Allbrittons. Bob Allbritton sells eight TV stations, including the D.C. area’s WJLA (Channel 7), to Baltimore-based Sinclair Broadcasting. • The Washington Examiner. Drops its print edition, abandons local news and MY MARYLAND becomes an BLAIR LEE online national news service. • Maryland Life Magazine. Closes its doors due to circulation and ad shortfalls. • Baltimore’s Grand Prix. The city’s Labor Day IndyCar race never made financial sense and finally dies a quiet death. • Ed Papenfuse. This living piece of Maryland history, the state archivist, retired after collecting and preserving precious state artifacts and records for 38 years. • Sen. Norman Stone. The senator from Dundalk is calling it quits after 13 terms (52 years) in Annapolis. When they tried gerrymandering his district in 2002, the senator — quiet, dignified and humble — sued and won. Who says nice guys finish last? • Alex Mooney. This Frederick Republican lost his Senate seat in 2010, so he became state GOP chairman and, in 2013, moved to West Virginia, where he’s running for Congress. • Delegate Sam Arora. No Montgomery lawmaker ever lost re-election by raising taxes, failing to bring home the bacon or selling the county down the river. But Montgomery delegate Sam Arora was shunned by the Democratic party and saw his career ended for voting against gay marriage. • Morris A. Mechanic Theatre. Baltimore’s playhouse for touring Broadway plays is razed after a 40-year run. • Little Italy. Five restaurants in Bal-
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timore’s iconic eating district close in 2013. End of an era? • White Flint. Montgomery’s upscale mall is being replaced by a trendy mixed-use town center. • Blockbuster. Another Internet victim, the once-pervasive home video chain announced that its last 300 stores are closing. • The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk. Canceled, again, the traditional spring bridge-closing and pedestrian walk fell victim to state budget cuts. • Incandescents. General-service incandescent light bulbs phased out in 2013 by government edict after 100 years of use. • Redskins “Hogettes.” Football fans cross-dressed as sows? Weird, yes, but it got them on TV every week. The Hogettes call it quits after 30 seasons.
Worst moves of the year • As Maryland’s Obamacare website exchange crashes spectacularly, its director, Rebecca Pearce, goes on a Caribbean vacation and, when she returns, is dismissed from her $175,000 job. • Responding to gay activists, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett asks the Fillmore Music Hall to cancel a band whose lyrics offend homosexuals. • The Anne Arundel school system suspends a 7-year-old who nibbles his breakfast pastry into the shape of a gun. • Several thousand Baltimore city residents are awakened before 6 a.m. when the mayor’s back-to-school celebration robocall is sent too early. • Andre Henry, suspected of committing eight Montgomery County burglaries, is finally nabbed when he leaves two pages of his criminal court records at the scene of his latest break-in. • Ignoring the city legal department’s opinion that the bill is unconstitutional, the Baltimore City Council requires that a majority of workers for city contractors and citysubsidized projects be Baltimore city residents. • Brunswick elementary school students are stranded at bus stops when the school system fails to notify parents of new bus stop locations. • Ocean City Councilman Brent Ashley, linking tourism decline with unsightly saggy pants, proposes a ban on clothing hanging more than
3 inches below the waistline. Ashley says he wants to turn Ocean City into “Maryland’s first crack-free city.”
Best moves of the year • The state increases ICC speed limits to 60 mph. • Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Newman vetoes the council’s “rain tax.” • Maryland’s highest court rules that it’s up to the legislature, not the courts, to decide the state’s negligence standards. • State health authorities shut down four abortion clinics after a patient dies and widespread violations are discovered. • When a female cop sues Baltimore city for firing her because she married a convicted murderer who’s a gang member of Dead Man Inc., the court dismisses her case. • Salvation Army volunteers find a $1,300 gold coin dropped into their kettle by an anonymous donor outside a Frederick Giant. • Heroic WSSC workers refuse to give up on a broken valve that threatens a countywide water shutdown in the midst of July’s heat wave. Working non-stop in waist-deep underground water, they fashion new parts and save the day. • Angela McCaskill, Gallaudet U.’s chief diversity officer, who was fired when she signed a petition bringing Maryland’s same-sex marriage law to referendum, sues the school for unlawful discrimination. • State Sen. Bobby Zirkin, a Democrat, crosses party lines, endorsing Republican Sen. Allan Kittleman for Howard County executive. • Managers of Baltimore’s Burns Arena cancel “Touch of Flavor,” a twoday event featuring classes on hot wax, sex-dungeon safety and rope bondage, because children also use the arena. • NFL Ravens star receiver Torrey Smith gets married, cuts off his dreadlocks. Blair Lee is chairman of the board of Lee Development Group in Silver Spring and a regular commentator for WBAL radio. His column appears Fridays in the Business Gazette. His past columns are available at www.gazette. net/blairlee. His email address is blairleeiv@gmail.com.
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LETTERS TOT HE EDITOR
Speed cameras an obvious effort to feed county coffers
Long ago living in New England, I was constantly reminded by traditionally aloof New Englanders that if I drove South always remember to watch for southern speed traps. These speed traps, said the New Englanders, had only one real purpose, to line the pockets of southern politicians. I never did have enough money or a car to test that theory but now many years later I find the concept seems to be alive and well in Montgomery County. Oh to be sure, I just received a ticket for allegedly exceeding the speed limit. The camera clicked and unless I want to spend time and money I do not have to fight the charge, I will have to pay up. What is so sad about this scheme is its transparency. The camera program is an obvious effort to pull more money into the county coffers. Despite all the false rhetoric about improving public safety, I doubt anyone who has taken a close look believes otherwise. So perhaps the “Yankees” were correct and the old South is alive and well in Maryland armed with fancy new technology and glib public relations people. For my part, I absolutely agree that driving a car in Montgomery County has become a very dangerous sport. Drivers are reckless. Very excessive speed combined with aggressive behavior is everywhere. Rude, boorish behavior is the norm. Drivers are inattentive. In recent years, I have been struck three times by cars whose drivers were not paying attention. ... People cover their plates with plastic so they can
speed but not have their plates detected. The important point is that the speed camera scam does very little to address these problems and, in fact, makes the problem worse because it results in fewer traffic patrols as more is left to the cameras. There is a lot more that could be said in criticism of the program but instead I will offer two suggestions which if adopted should reduce the number of complaints and benefit all of us. First, funds raised in this manner should not contribute to the general fund. Instead the revenues (net) should be directed to the most needy. Shelter programs might head the list. In an ideal world offending drivers might be given an opportunity to contribute to an officially approved charity of their choice but here I may be unrealistic in thinking the county could be that creative. Second, all incentives to push the envelope should be removed. This means capping the payments and return on investment to companies at some predetermined level even if the number of tickets issued at a given location continues to increase. Start with these two changes and then address the more complex issue of how many cameras are enough and where exactly should they be placed and most importantly why. If we can clean up our rivers by paying for plastic bags, surely we can help improve the lives of the most unfortunate by paying for our unintentional lawlessness.
A.J. Corazzini, Bethesda
More opposition to Cabin Branch I am offended by the letter written to the editor from Sandy Barrier [“More support for Cabin Branch,” Sept. 4]. I am part of the Clarksburg community that she refers to as supporting the outlet mall and I am adamantly opposed to an outlet mall. It is no surprise that the owner of the Clarksburg Town Center, a commercial enterprise, would welcome more people to spend more money in
his shops (as reported by Sandy Barrier). However, the people who live in Clarksburg and who appreciate Clarksburg for more than an area of unnecessary shopping opportunities are opposed to an outlet mall. Sandy Barrier may be an outlet mall fan but she does not represent the Clarksburg community.
Karon deSilva, Clarksburg
THE GAZETTE
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OPEN
Continued from Page A-1 dents, down from 310 when the Olney campus opened in 2008. “We were in a position where we weren’t able to service our debt, and this remedies that,” said Hawes. “Our lease payments are substantially lower than what we were paying.” The school is undergoing admissions for next year, and Hawes said the process is going well. “We are looking at a good preliminary increase in enrollment for next year,” he said. “We are holding an open house on February 17, and are looking forward to our years ahead in Olney.” Bethel World Outreach Ministries was founded in 1990 by Dr. and Mrs. Darlingston G. Johnson. The church since has operated in Silver Spring. Due to expanded growth, the church opened the City of Hope Cultural Center in Montgomery Village in 2009 to meet the needs of the upcounty community. This is not Bethel’s first attempt at finding a new home in Montgomery County. Last year, the county paid $1.25 million in a settlement to the congregation, which had wanted to build an 800-seat church in the agricultural preserve but was barred from doing so. The church sued the county for violating its rights to freely exercise its religion, and in January 2013 a federal appeals court reversed part of a lower court’s decision and sent that matter back to federal district court for a trial on whether the county’s decision violates the church’s rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Following their attempt to build in Germantown, the church also was considering a property on Norbeck Road, be-
TRAIL
Continued from Page A-1 decision whether or not to include the trail in the next budget. The County Council will hold hearings on Wednesday and Thursday on the budget in the council hearing room at
fore settling on the Olney property. Church board member Hannibal Brumskine said that more than 1,000 people representing 45 countries attend its services each Sunday. Brumskine said board members and consultants are currently looking at their Master Plan to determine how best to utilize the Olney property, but their goal is to eventually hold weekend services there. “We have a couple of options, but haven’t made any final decisions yet,” he said. Bethel does not currently operate a school, and Brumskine said that is not something the church plans to pursue. “WCA already has a school, and we share the same missions with them — a family-oriented church, serving the community and providing Christian education,” he said. Brumskine confirmed that the two organizations would coexist on the property. “There will be no interruption in terms of school activities,” Brumskine said. “We will work to accommodate them.” The sale was brokered by Towson-based NAI KLNB, and was finalized on Jan. 10. “This was an extremely unique transaction that enabled both the buyer and seller to satisfy specific real estate requirements,” stated David Fritz, a principal with NAI KLNB, in a news release. “Washington Christian Academy successfully shed an asset while remaining operational in the building, and Bethel World Outreach Ministries found a workable location that accommodates an expanding congregation. With the salelease-back situation, the church also realizes extra income.” thogan@gazette.net 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. On Monday, the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee will have a meeting discussing the budget before the entire council considers it. sscully@gazette.net
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Gansler backs school construction dollars Gubernatorial candidate calls it ‘fiscally responsible’ n
BY
KATE S. ALEXANDER STAFF WRITER
Montgomery County has another ally in its fight for more school construction money. Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the governor’s race, is backing the executives of Montgomery,
SALT
Continued from Page A-1 November to coordinate the response to a weather event, Buck said. The agency already has spent about $70 million on winter operations, and has used about 288,000 tons of salt to treat the 17,000 “lane miles” of roads around the state that it’s responsible for, Buck said. Different types of weather call for different responses from road crews, Compton said. When they’re dealing with snow, crews can plow the roads
FUNDING
Continued from Page A-1 working on the issue since before his election to the council in 1998, including while serving as executive director of Common Cause Maryland from 1988 until 1994. That group’s current executive director, Jennifer BevanDangel, praised the legislation Monday as something that could be used in other counties. “We absolutely believe that Montgomery County is setting the model for other counties to follow and for the state to follow,” Bevan-Dangel said. She said Howard and Anne Arundel counties are two that might take up similar legislation. Andrews’ bill also drew support from Kate Planco Way-
Prince George’s and Baltimore counties in their push to create a program for funding school construction. Gansler joins Del. Heather R. Mizeur, one of his opponents for the party nomination, in support of the push. Mizeur (D-Dist. 20) of Takoma Park is a co-sponsor of legislation to create the program. In a statement Friday, Gansler said the portable classrooms, leaky roofs and inadequate bathrooms cited as issues
at many aging schools are not hallmarks of the best education system in the nation, but rather symbols of a system that serves some and not others. Maryland was previously ranked no. 1 in education by Education Week, but this year that publication changed its system from a ranking to a grade and Maryland fell below seven other states. “With the endless stream of gambling revenue that the administration promised will
fund our schools, we should fully expect Lt. Gov. [Anthony] Brown to submit this as one of the signature pieces of legislation for the administration this session,” Gansler said. Brown (D), also running for governor this year, was unavailable to comment due to the death of his father. Gansler, Brown and Mizeur will face each other in the June 24 Democratic primary.
and then put down a light covering of salt, Compton said. But the only treatment for ice is salt. “It’s really all about the management of the pavement,” Compton said. Keeping roads plowed and salted is important to helping keep the county’s transit system open. That means that a severe storm won’t damage the county economically by shutting down businesses or keeping workers and customers from getting to work, Compton said. But most important is making sure people can get wherever they need to go safely.
“It’s all about public safety,” he said. Takoma Park has gone through about 450 tons of the mix of salt and sand that it puts on roads, said Daryl Braithwaite, the city’s director of public works. This year’s cold temperatures have meant that crews have had to work more days of extra shifts to keep treating roads where ice would often re-freeze at night after it partially melted during the day, she said. That has forced the city to already spend close to the nearly $33,000 it had budgeted for salt
and the $20,000 for overtime, Braithwaite said Monday. The city usually plans for about three storms per year with overtime and heavy treatment of streets, a point that’s already been reached. “At this point in the year, we’ve pretty much spent all that we’ve budgeted,” she said. With forecasts calling for the possibility of more snow this weekend, Buck said the highway agency’s crews will be out to deal with whatever weather comes. “All we can do is look at the next forecast,” he said.
bright, executive director of Progressive Maryland, who said in a release from Common Cause Monday that public funding shifts campaigns away from big donors and toward regular voters. Waybright could not be reached for comment Monday. The bill would limit candidates who accept public financing for their campaign to donations of $150 or less from voters registered in Montgomery County. In order to qualify for the matching funds, candidates for county executive would have to get 500 in-county individual contributions and raise $40,000; atlarge council candidates would be required to attract 250 individual contributions and raise $20,000; district council candidates would need 125 contributions and raise $10,000.
County executive candidates who qualify would receive $6 for every one dollar of the first $50 of an in-county contribution; $4 for every dollar of the second $50 and $2 for every dollar of the third $50. Council candidates would get $4 for each dollar of the first $50; $3 for each dollar of the second $50 and $2 for each dollar of the third $50. Andrews said he thinks that will give candidates a strong incentive to seek out as many new contributors in the county as possible and getting those people involved in the political process. The bill doesn’t put a limit on the overall level of spending, as long as donors stay within the $150 limit, Andrews said. But public financing is capped at $750,000 for county
executive candidates, $250,000 for at-large council candidates — who run countywide — and $125,000 for council candidates running in a district. Andrews said the bill isn’t meant to finance an entire campaign, but just to be “a bridge to raising enough funds to be competitive.” Polls show a bipartisan concern about the influence of money in politics, she said. The General Assembly gave counties the ability last year to pass bills such as Andrews’, and Bevan-Dangel said the Montgomery bill would hopefully inspire other counties to take action that could hopefully lead to a bill passed on the state level. “We know others are watching,” she said.
kalexander@gazette.net
rmarshall@gazette.net
rmarshall@gazette.net
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MOVIE REVIEW
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LET’S GET AWKWARD? Zac Efron stars in a romantic comedy that sets a low bar.
The Gazette’s Guide to
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Arts & Entertainment
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STRATHMORE HOSTS FIRST-EVER CONCERT BY LOCAL GOSPEL GROUPS
Gospel truth The
BY
VIRGINIA TERHUNE
STAFF WRITER
G
ospel lovers needn’t look too o far f afield to appreciate some first-class local choirs. fi “There’s a lot of great, rich r choral talent in the area, and it hasn’t really been explored,” said Georgina Javor, program director at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. On Saturday, Strathmore will host a show called “Make A Joyful Noise: Best of Maryland Gospel,” featuring three choirs from Prince George’s County. Two are church choirs — the James E. Jordan, Jr. Adult Choir associated with the Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ in Riverdale, and the Tribe of Judah choir associated with the Victory Temple Redeemed Christian Church of God in Bowie. Javor has also invited the well-known Oxon Hill High School choir. Each choir will perform its own mix of traditional and contemporary gospel music. “They’ll run the gamut of the repertoire,” Javor said. There will be some a cappella
See GOSPEL, Page A-15
The James E. Jordan, Jr. Adult Choir from Riverdale, directed by Courtney King (foreground), will perform with two other choirs from Prince George’s County on Saturday at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The show, “Make a Joyful Noise: Best of Maryland Gospel,” is the first time Strathmore has brought together local church choirs to perform on stage.
PHOTOS FROM MARGOT SCHULMAN
LOVE TRIANGLES: Damascus Theatre Co. to present ‘A Little Night Music’ n The Damascus Theatre Company presents “A Little Night Music” at the Arts Barn Theatre in Gaithersburg. (From left) Liz Weber as actress Desiree and David Fialkoff as successful lawyer Fredrik. Formerly lovers, they meet again decades later when Desiree comes to town for a performance. ELLI SWINK
Sondheim’s musical mixes and matches mates BY
VIRGINIA TERHUNE STAFF WRITER
The key to director Scott Richards’ vision for the Damascus Theater Company’s production of “A Little Night Music” is that the audience relate to the characters. To that end, Richards moved the 1973 Stephen Sondheim musical, originally set in Sweden in 1900, to the present day. “It’s a period piece — I think the bustles and petticoats make it harder to relate,” he said. Produced by Elli Swink and boasting a cast of 17, the show will feature a live orchestra under the direction of Keith Tittermary and run from Feb. 7-23 at the Arts Barn Theatre in Gaithersburg. Richards said that although it is set in the present day, the
See MUSIC, Page A-15
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC n When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, to Feb. 23; 8 p.m. Feb. 20; 2 p.m. Feb. 22 n Where: Arts Barn Theatre, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg n Tickets: $16 residents; $18 non-residents n For information: 301-258-639, damascustheatre.org, gaithersburgmd.gov
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Many
‘VOICES’ The Washington, D.C.-based Company E will present “VOICES,” featuring choreography by artists from six countries and the world premiere of celebrated Italian choreographer Walter Matteini’s “POLVERE,” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring. “VOICES” is Company E’s first concert in the U.S. in more than a year, during which time the company toured the globe, from Kazakhstan to Argentina, Spain, Italy and Tajikistan. For more information, visit montgomerycollege.edu/cac. Visit companye.org.
PHOTO BY PAUL GORDON EMERSON
Company E returns to the U.S. for two nights with the world premiere of “POLVERE” by renowned Italian choreographer Walter Matteini and other dances in an evening of international voices and visions. Pictured are Jason Garcia Ignacio, Robert J. Priore and Julia Stiefel.
STRATHMORE
Inscape, featuring the world premiere of Justin Boyer’s “Lament,” will kick off Strathmore’s new Music in the Mansion capsule concert series on Sunday.
Inscape and beyond Strathmore’s Music in the Mansion capsule concert series kicks off with Washington, D.C.-based quartet Inscape, featuring the world premiere of Justin Boyer’s “Lament,” at 3 p.m. Sunday in North Bethesda. Composers will be in-house throughout
the Strathmore series to experience performances of their world and Washington premiere works and to meet with audience members. The six-concert series continues to May 15, with scheduled works from composers Jeremy Gill, Gabriel Kahane and Louis Andriessen. For Sunday’s concert, Inscape will perform Brahms and Barber, juxtaposed with Boyer’s string quartet featuring clarinetist Evan Solomon and baritone James Rogers, as well as a piece by Richmond, Va.-born electronic and symphonic composer Mason Bates. For a complete schedule, visit strathmore.org.
February folklore
All that glimmers
The Folklore Society of Greater Washington, celebrating its 50th anniversary, will once again host its annual Midwinter Festival from noon to
“This is a story that’s old as old, of how a girl turned straw into gold.” Mike Kenny’s unique interpretation of
10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Takoma Park Middle School, 7611
“Rumpelstiltskin”
Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park. This PHOTO BY STEVEN C. TUTTLE year’s schedule feaThe Folklore Society of Greater Washington will tures “Astrocappella” songs with math-and- host its annual Midwinter Festival on Saturday at the Takoma Park Middle School. Pictured: The aerospace oriented Morris Dancers. group The Chromatics, high-energy roots music with Glyn Collinson and Andrew Marcus, two dance tracks, seven workshop and performance sites, sing-alongs, storytelling and much more. An evening program, from 7:30-10:30 p.m., will feature a simultaneous concert and a contra dance. Food and craft vendors will also be on site. For complete ticketing information, visit fsgw.org.
will spin a wondrous fairy tale
from Wednesday to March 16 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Di-
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PHOTO BY JEREMY RUSNOCK
rected by Janet The Miller’s Daughter (Katherine Renee Turner) Stanford, the prowatches in amazement as Rumpelstiltskin duction blends (Matthew Pauli) spins straw into gold. “Rumpelwitty poetry, live stiltskin” runs from Wednesday to March 16 at fiddle music and Imagination Stage. magical characters for an adventure designed with ages 5-10 in mind. Tickets start at $10. For more information, visit imaginationstage.org.
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AT THE MOVIES
‘That Awkward Moment’: Sex and the city and three bros BY
MICHAEL PHILLIPS
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
More grating than peppy, the Manhattan-set romantic comedy “That Awkward Moment” proceeds as a series of awkward moments in search of a premise and a protagonist a little less stupid. Zac Efron bed-hops around as writer-director Tom Gormican’s narrator/hero. He’s a graphic designer whose life is one long hookup interrupted by beers and shots and trash-talk and Xbox with guy friends. This lady-killer, meant to be fetchingly blase on the surface and a fine fellow underneath, comes off like such a pluperfect egotist, you find yourself rooting for everyone but him. The casting exacerbates matters. The film stars Efron and co-stars several other youngish performers more interesting and wittier than Efron. We could start that list with Mackenzie Davis, a genuine talent with unpredictable
THAT AWKWARD MOMENT n 2 stars n R; 94 minutes n Cast: Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Mackenzie Davis, Imogen Poots n Directed by Tom Gormican
comic timing and a self-effacing quality. We could move on to Miles Teller (demeanor of a Cusack, voice like Jonah Hill, but with his own thing), lately of “The Spectacular Now.” Or to Michael B. Jordan of “The Wire” and “Fruitvale Station,” stuck playing a neutered tagalong to his horn-dog pals. Or to Imogen Poots, the woman who shakes Efron’s character out of his arrested adolescence. Gormican’s gimmick goes like this. When Mikey, the Jordan character, gets dumped by his wife, Jason (Efron) and
FOCUS FEATURES
Zac Efron and Imogen Poots star in Focus Features’ “That Awkward Moment.” Daniel (Teller) make a vow with Mikey to stay single and horn-doggy forever. No serious relationships! But they all start falling for their respective special someones and then go to aggravating lengths to hide the
fact they’re falling. The women are doormats, waiting for the men to grow up, or not. It’s nice to see a movie in love with New York City, but “That Awkward Moment” sets such a low bar for Jason’s re-
demption it becomes a drag. When Jason hits rock bottom, emotionally speaking, he fails to show up at his sort-of-girlfriend’s father’s funeral. Efron does his limited, earnest best to activate the drama inside
the comedy, while everybody else practices their throwaway technique. The best scenes belong to Davis and Teller; they’re loose and truthfully awkward, as opposed to artificially so.
Maynard novel loses credibility on screen BY
MICHAEL PHILLIPS CHICAGO TRIBUNE
LABOR DAY n 2 stars n PG-13; 111 minutes n Cast: Josh Brolin, Kate Winslet, Gattlin Griffith, Clark Gregg n Directed by Jason Reitman
(From left) Kate Winslet is Adele and Josh Brolin is Frank in “Labor Day.”
PHOTOS BY DALE ROBINETTE
Gattlin Griffith is Henry in “Labor Day,” written for the screen and directed by Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Up in the Air.”)
the voice-overs as older Henry, looking back at the Labor Day weekend of his youth, when an escape to Canada was on the horizon and his feelings regarding Frank, and Henry’s amiable but distant birth father (Clark Gregg), made for some serious soul-searching. Reitman has made his considerable name on a peppy, slick brand of comedy, beginning with the gently satiric “Thank You for Smoking,” moving on to “Juno” and “Up in the Air,” though others prefer the meaner edge of his recent “Young Adult.” “Labor Day” is Reitman’s fifth feature and his first tonal misfire. For all his skills, Reitman hasn’t fully mastered the director’s most important tool: the B.S. detector. If he had, he wouldn’t have allowed composer Rolfe Kent to lard the film’s pie-baking sequence with the most egregiously sensitive solo guitar lines ever heard outside a freshman dorm room.
w No ing! w Sho F.
Scott Fitzgerald Theater
603 Edmonston Dr. Rockville, MD 20851
240-314-8690
www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre
Tamburitzans
Multi Cultural Song and Dance Company Saturday Feb 8 at 7 p.m. $36 to $28 1905623
Rockville Concert Band
Swing! Swing! Swing! Sunday, Feb 9 at 3 p.m. Free, $5 suggested donation
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The thesis of “Labor Day,” taken from Joyce Maynard’s novel, was summed up well by The Washington Post headline affixed to the Post’s book review: “Sometimes it’s okay to pick up a scary drifter.” In the fictitious town of Holton Mills, N.H., 13-yearold Henry has become the emotional caretaker for his depressed, agoraphobic single mother, Adele. Numerous miscarriages have eroded her sense of stability; monthly trips to the local supermarket are all she can handle. On one of those shopping trips, Henry’s confronted by a prison escapee, Frank, who is bleeding from the gut (he escaped during surgery), and is looking for a place to lie low for a while. Half-threateningly, half-reasonably, he persuades Adele to aid in his plan. Over an eventful and sundappled Labor Day weekend, Frank reveals himself to be the honor-bound, charismatic handyman of Adele’s dreams. He teaches Henry to throw a baseball. He teaches a wheelchair-bound neighbor kid to play baseball. He changes the oil in Adele’s station wagon. And in the most solemnly cringe-worthy scene of the new movie year, Frank pries open Adele’s and Henry’s love-starved hearts with his stunning kitchen skills, as he bakes his newfound makeshift family a peach pie with a crust so flaky and filling so photogenically luscious, it’s as if he has become the star of his own show: “Top Chef, Convicted Murderer Division.” We can buy a lot in fiction, on the page. The movies make romantic balderdash easier to swallow in some ways but tougher in others. Writer-director Jason Reitman’s studious adaptation of “Labor Day” has too much taste and highminded respect for Maynard’s book to play up the pulpy exploitation angle. So we’re left with some first-rate actors doing what they can to fill every sensually fraught glance with trace elements of human character. Kate Winslet has such sound and reliable dramatic instincts (That Face doesn’t hurt, either) she very nearly makes something of Adele. Josh Brolin lets his mellow, insinuating voice do the heavy lifting as tightlipped Frank, a hunky amalgam of Shane and a drifter out of an William Inge play. Gattlin Griffith is young Henry, in the throes of confused adolescence; Toby Maguire provides
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IN THE ARTS DANCES
Band, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9; Doors Wide Open, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12; Zoe, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13; Valentine’s Day with the Softones, 8 p.m. Feb. 14; Gia Mora is Einstein’s Girl featuring Charlie Barnett, 8 p.m. Feb. 15, call for prices, 7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. 240-330-4500, www.bethesdabluesjazz.com. BlackRock Center for the Arts, District Comedy, 8 p.m. Feb. 15; The Exquisite Corpse Project, 4 p.m. Feb. 16, call for tickets, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. 301-528-2260, www.blackrockcenter.org.
Carpe Diem Contra Dance, Feb. 13, Caller: Ann Fallon, Music by Gary Wright and Leah Weiss with Ahren Buchheister, 7-7:30 p.m. contradance workshops, 7:30-10 p.m. Contras & Squares, second Thursdays, Great Hall, Silver Spring Civics Center, One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, $10 for general admission, $8 for members, $5 for students and those without income, www.carpediemarts.com. Hollywood Ballroom, Feb. 5, International Ballroom and Latin Night, classes from 7:30-8:30 p.m., open social practice dance from 8:30-10:30 p.m. ($15 for classes and dance, $10 for classes only, $10 for dance only); Feb. 6, 13, Tea Dance from 12:30-3:30 p.m. ($6); Feb. 7, dropin lessons from 7:30-9 p.m., West Coast Swing Dancing with Dance Jam Productions at 9 p.m. ($15); Feb. 8, Latin Night with Mr. Mambo, workshops from 8-10 p.m., dance from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. ($18 for workshop and dance; $15 for dance only); Feb. 9, free Rumba lessons at 7 p.m., Social Ballroom Dance at 8 p.m. ($16); Feb. 12, free Foxtrot lesson at 7:30 p.m., Social Ballroom Dance at 8:15 p.m. ($16); 2126 Industrial Highway, Silver Spring, 301326-1181, www.hollywoodballroomdc. com Now and Then Dance Studio, Saturday ballroom dances, second and fourth Saturdays, beginner group lesson at 8 p.m., open dancing at 9 p.m., $10 cash at door (all men admitted at half-price throughout October), 10111 Darnestown Road, Rockville. 301-424-0007, www.nowandthendancestudios.com. Scottish Country Dancing, 8-10 p.m. Mondays, steps and formations taught. No experience, partner necessary, T-39 Building on NIH campus, Wisconsin Avenue and South Drive, Bethesda, 240-505-0339.
Institute of Musical Traditions — Takoma Park, TBA, Takoma Park Commu-
nity Center, call for prices, times, Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, 301-960-3655, www.imtfolk. org.
Institute of Musical Traditions — Rockville, Nuala Kennedy, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17;
Carrie Newcomer, 7:30 p.m. March 8, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, call for prices, www.imtfolk.org. Strathmore, Best of Maryland Gospel Community Sing, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7; Tosin CD Release Party, 8:30 p.m. Feb. 7; Jessica Krash: On the Cusp of Romanticism, 1 p.m. Feb. 8; Make A Joyful Noise: Best of Maryland Gospel, 8 p.m. Feb. 8; Inscape featuring Evan Solomon & James Rogers, 3 p.m. Feb. 9; Historic Home Tour, 11 a.m. Feb. 10; Specialty Tea: Valentine’s Tea, 1 p.m. Feb. 11-12; AIR: Nistha Raj, Hindustani violin, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12; WPAS: St. Petersburg Philharmonic, 8 p.m. Feb. 12; Guitar Passions: Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan & Romero Lubambo, 8 p.m. Feb. 13; Valentine’s Day Dinner, 6 p.m. Feb. 14; Marcus Johnson and the Urban Jam Band, 8 p.m. Feb. 14; Specialty Tea: Teddy Bear Tea, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Feb. 15; BSO: Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique, 8 p.m. Feb. 15, call for venue, Locations: Mansion, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda; Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.
Glen Echo Park is at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Blues, Capital Blues: Thursdays, 8:15
p.m. beginner lesson, 9-11:30 p.m. dancing to DJs, Glen Echo Park’s Spanish Ballroom Annex, $8, www.capitalblues.org. Contra, Feb. 7, Eva Murray and Gigmeisters, 7:30 p.m. lesson, 8:30 p.m. dance, Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom, $10, www.fridaynightdance.org. Contra & Square, Feb. 9, Greg Frock with Terpsichore, 7:30 p.m., Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom, $12 for general, $9 for members, $5 for students, www.fsgw. org. English Country, Feb. 5, Caller: Rich Galloway; Feb. 12, Caller: Anna Rain; Feb. 19, Caller: Carol Marsh; Feb. 26, Caller: Dan Gillespie, 8 p.m., Glen Echo Town Hall (upstairs), www.fsgw.org. Swing, Feb. 8, Red Dress Ball with the Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra, lesson at 8 p.m., dancing at 9 p.m., Glen Echo Park, $15, www.flyingfeet.org. Waltz, Feb. 16, MacArthur Boulevard,
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ON STAGE
PHOTO BY SONIE MATHEW
Sam Ludwig stars at J. Pierrepont Finch in Olney Theatre Center’s production of “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” 2:45-3:30 p.m. lesson, 3:30-6 p.m., dance, $10, www.waltztimedances.org.
MUSIC & DANCE Arts Barn, Singer Songwriter Concert Series, Slaid Cleaves with Tony Denikos, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. workshops at the Arts Barn or Kentlands Mansion, 7:30 p.m. concerts
at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn. Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, M-Law and the Prophets of Jazz,
7:30 p.m. Feb. 5; Next Best Thing Presents “Bruce in the USA,” 8 p.m. Feb. 6; Deanna Bogart Band, 8:30 p.m. Feb. 7; Sleepy Labeef with The Daryl Davis
Adventure Theatre, “Miss Nelson is Missing,” to March 9, call for prices, times, Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, 301-634-2270, www. adventuretheatre-mtc.org. Arts Barn, “A Little Night Music,” Feb. 7-23, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, 301-258-6394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov/ artsbarn. Imagination Stage, “Rumpelstiltskin,” Feb. 5 to March 16, call for prices, times, Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, www.imaginationstage.org Olney Theatre Center, “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying,” To Feb. 23; call for prices, times, 2001 OlneySandy Spring Road, Olney, 301-924-3400,
www.olneytheatre.org. The Puppet Co., “Tales of Beatrix Potter,” To Feb. 9; Tiny Tots @ 10, select Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, call for shows and show times, Puppet Co. Playhouse, Glen Echo Park’s North Arcade Building, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., $5, 301634-5380, www.thepuppetco.org. Round House Theatre, Bethesda, “Seminar,” Feb. 5 to March 4, 4545 EastWest Highway, Bethesda. 240-644-1100, www.roundhousetheatre.org. Round House Theatre, Silver Spring, “Impossible! A Happenstance Circus,” to Feb. 9, call for show times, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, $15 for general admission, $10 for subscribers, patrons 30 and younger and seniors, 244-644-1100, www. roundhousetheatre.org. Silver Spring Stage, “Superior Donuts,” Feb. 21 to March 15, Woodmoor Shopping Center, 10145 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, see website for show times, www.ssstage.org. The Writer’s Center, Poets Elizabeth Arnold and Sarah Arvio, 2 p.m. Feb. 9, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, 301-6548664, www.writer.org.
VISUAL ART Adah Rose Gallery, “Residue,” Sharon Butler, Michael Callaghan, Steven Charles, J.D. Hastings and Toni Tiller, to Feb. 9, 3766 Howard Ave., Kensington, 301-9220162, www.adahrosegallery.com The Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum, TBA, hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10001 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. 301-897-1518. Gallery B, TBA, gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E. www. bethesda.org. Glenview Mansion, Gordana Gerskovic, experimental photography, to Feb. 21, Rockville Civic Center Park, 503 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. www.rockvillemd. gov. Marin-Price Galleries, “The Way of the Horse,” Feb. 18 to April 18, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 7022 Wisconsin Ave., 301718-0622. VisArts, Ryan Rakhshan: “SLOW,” ongoing, second-floor lobby and VisArts rooftop; Inna Alesina: “Test Kitchen for Change,” to Feb. 9, Common Ground Gallery, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville, 301-3158200, www.visartsatrockville.org. Washington Printmakers Gallery, “Fourth Annual Excellence in Printmaking Exhibition,” to Feb. 23, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, second floor, 8230 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, www.washingtonprintmakers.com.
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Writer’s block: Round House brings Broadway play ‘Seminar’ to Bethesda n
Actor, director celebrate 16th show together BY
WILL C. FRANKLIN STAFF WRITER
Collaboration is nothing new for director Jerry Whiddon and actor Marty Lodge.
THEATER The two have worked together on 15 different shows at the Round House Theatre over the years. “Seminar,” opening Wednesday at Round House Theatre Bethesda, will be the 16th play for the duo. “We’ve done comedy, we’ve done tragedy, we’ve done just about everything,” Lodge said. “We’ve turned comedies into tragedies and tragedies into comedies,” Whiddon added, laughing. Lodge, who spent time in Los Angeles and is now working in Chicago, said Whiddon was instrumental in helping him grow as an actor. “When he was running this theater, he put me in the company here and he gave me roles that I would not have normally gotten at other theaters,” Lodge said. “It really gave me a chance to stretch and grow. I owe him a lot.” From Whiddon’s standpoint, the partnership has been mutually beneficial. “It’s been a very fruitful relationship,” Whiddon said. “We can feel comfortable with
SEMINAR n When: Wednesday, Feb. 5 to Sunday, March 2 (contact theater for specific show times) n Where: Round House Theatre Bethesda, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda n Tickets: $35-$50, plus $5 service charge n For information: 240-6441100; roundhousetheatre.org
each other and feel comfortable sort of pushing each other. He pushes me, I push him.” Lodge moved to Los Angeles eight years ago, but this is the first time the two have worked together in at least a decade. “It doesn’t feel like [it’s been that long], though,” Lodge said. “We picked up right where we left off.” “Seminar,” written by playwright Theresa Rebeck, premiered on Broadway in 2011. The story revolves around four young writers who pay $5,000 for a 10-week writing seminar with a seasoned writer, Leonard. Lodge plays Leonard, who is in charge of teaching these four would-be writers. “These young writers sort of bang up against this immovable object, which is this bitter, brilliant editor, teacher who is just so concentrated on the work and he is so torn up by his own past, in a sense, that he really just knocks these writers off their feet,” Whiddon said. “They
Director Jerry Whiddon and actor Marty Lodge have a discussion about “Seminar,” their 16th show together at Round House Theatre. are struggling for their balance the entire play. “It’s one of those contemporary comedies.” Lodge said he likes to try to get back to the Washington, D.C., area every year or two to do a show since he has family here. When Lodge saw Round House had “Seminar” scheduled on its website, it piqued his interest. “I knew Alan Rickman had done it on Broadway, then I saw Jerry was directing it,” Lodge said. “I approached the theater myself and said, “Hey, is there any way you guys would consider me for that part?’ Then I read the play and it’s just a juicy, juicy role. It’s going to be a lot of fun to do in front of an audience.” Whiddon said neither he nor the cast had seen the show on Broadway, so everyone is bringing fresh eyes and new concepts to the mix.
“It’s brand new to us,” Whiddon said. “We’re going by the script. The dialogue is terrific. It’s just terrific. The trick is find that solid grounding you need to have [so the] comedy and the pathos work. It offers some challenges that way and I think we’re meeting them head-on.” For Lodge and Whiddon, one thing should be very clear to the audience after watching the play. “It’s not so easy being a writer,” Lodge said. “Everybody thinks they can write, but it’s really a lot harder than that.” “Writing is what these people are about,” Whiddon added. “I think it’s not so easy to be anything. ... In whatever we choose to do — if we are lucky enough to be able to choose to do something — even that does not guarantee that somebody is going to come along and affirm
MUSIC
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ELLI SWINK
Mismatched couples are the norm in Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music,” presented by the Damascus Theatre Company from Feb. 7-23 at the Arts Barn Theatre in Gaithersburg. (From left, front) Rich Shegogue as Count Malcolm and Jenni McGinnis as Countess Malcolm; David Fialkoff as Fredrik and Alexa Soriano as his wife Anne; Rob Milanic as Fredrik’s son Henrik and Kristina Friedgen as maid Petra.
GOSPEL
Continued from Page A-11 singing, with other songs accompanied by piano, organ, horn, drums and guitar, she said. The night before, Strathmore is also hosting a ticketed community sing for the public. Members of the Tribe of Judah choir will talk about the history of gospel music and invite the audience to join them in singing some songs. No experience is needed, she said. “We’ll be singing some traditional gospel songs, some hymns and one or two African songs,” said Mobolaji Ogunsuyi, choir representative for Tribe of Judah. Leaders of both church choirs said their members enjoy singing on stage and also see their performances as part of the churches’ missions to spread the good news. “We’re very much about the ministry, we’re very cognizant that we want to [spread] the word of God through song,” said Courtney King, director of the Jordan choir. “We want people to know that no matter what your situation, there is hope.” Javor said she first heard the two Prince George’s County church choirs at the How Sweet the Sound regional competition at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C,, in September 2011. The Tribe of Judah choir, which incorporates music from Africa and is directed by Pastor Bayo Babajide, won Best Small Choir at the event. The Jordan choir won the People’s Choice Award, the Best Large Choir Award and the East Coast Regional Choir Award at the event, in part because of its choreographed moves. “They really dominated, they blew everyone away,” Javor said. “It was completely infectious and jaw-dropping.” “The pure joy with which they sung – it moved you in different ways, even if
you’re not religious,” she said. “It travels with you and touches you.” The chance encounter definitely stuck with Javor, who began contacting the choirs a year later about performing at Strathmore. Strathmore had previously presented nationally known gospel performers such as Yolanda Adams but had never hosted a gospel concert featuring local singers. “It’s the first time we’ve worked with gospel choirs from the community,” Javor said. “We wanted to do a production that’s home built, not prepackaged.” Javor also wanted to include young people from the Oxon Hill choir, directed over the past 17 years by Emory Andrews. “We also wanted to include future generations of gospel,” Javor said.
Oxon Hill High School “Make a Joyful Noise” will open with 45 students from the Oxon Hill choir, which has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the White House and venues overseas. In 2010 the students won the Stellar Gospel Music Award for Best Children’s Performance, and in 2012, it released a CD called “The Storm is Passing Over.” “The kids are excited,” said Andrews, director of choir and choral studies at the high school. “It’ll be our first time at Strathmore. We feel it’s like the Kennedy Center.” Andrews said the choir typically begins a performance with an a cappella spiritual, “so they know we can sing,” he said laughing. A teacher for 37 years, Andrews said he doesn’t require his students to audition. “I feel I am the scientist of the voice, and if they desire to sing, I have the desire to teach them,” said Andrews, who teaches everything from Vivaldi choral pieces to American musicals to the national anthems for Japan and South
show retains all of the familiar music and lyrics, including the memorable show tunes “A Little Night Music” and “Miller’s Son.” “It’s always been one of most favorite shows,” Richard said. “It has a beautiful score.” It also has the same characters as the original, including a quintet that functions like a Greek chorus. “They start the show – they make all the action happen,” said Richards about the ensemble’s role in seeing that a collection of mismatched couples end up with the right mates. Inspired by the 1955 comedy, “Smiles of a Summer Night,” directed by Ingmar Bergman, “A Little Night Music,” is a story about several couples who are with someone but love someone else. “The people are all in love triangles,” said Richard.
PHOTOS FROM DANISHA CROSBY
Actors Marty Lodge and Laura C. Harris rehearse a scene for the upcoming production of “Seminar” at Round House Theatre. what you’re doing, saying ‘I understand you are this, an artist, a writer …’ It doesn’t matter. That’s what we all look for. We
“There’s a recurring theme of three.” One of the main characters is middle-aged Fredrik Egerman, a successful lawyer who is married to Anne, 18, a woman half his age. Another is Desiree Armfeldt, a glamorous actress who visits the town where Fredrik lives who is having an affair with a married military commander named Count Malcolm. “[Fredrik and Desiree] had a relationship in their 20s and 30s, and they meet again much later in life,” Richards said. “They get a second chance to see if they can make it work.” Count Malcolm is married to Charlotte, who provides much of the humor in the show. Charlotte has “a great biting sarcasm,” Richards said. Fredrik also has a son, a seminary student named Henkrik, 19, who has eyes for his stepmother Anne. The maidservant Petra, meanwhile, has eyes for Fredrik, and Fredrik’s manservant has eyes for her.
look for validation in what we do.” wfranklin@gazette.net
“Everyone is interconnected,” Richards said. The three pattern is also part of the music, which Sondheim composed in waltz time. “It’s complex. … There’s a lot of counterpoint and unusual harmonies,” he said. As many as five characters can also be singing on stage at once on stage. “It’s not easy for any singer to sing while four other people are singing around you,” he said. “The lyrics are smart, funny and they go by fast; you have to pay attention and listen to it.” And with a little nudging from the chorus, the people in the musical find their true course. “You laugh with those characters, you root for those characters,” Richards said. “There are no big, showy numbers,” he said. “Everything depends on you caring about these people.” vterhune@gazette.net
GOSPEL COMMUNITY SING n When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 n Where: CityDance Studio, Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda n Tickets: $8
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE:
BEST OF MARYLAND GOSPEL
n When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 n Where: Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda n Tickets: $21-$26 n For information: 301-581-5100, strathmore.org
Africa. Andrews said he also asks students to write a paper about whatever music they are learning. “It’s part of interpreting the music and knowing about what they’re singing,” he said. “What was the writer’s culture, and why did they write this way?” “When you see how the writer felt, you can better interpret the phrasing and why they put [an emphasis] in a certain place,” he said.
Tribe of Judah The Tribe of Judah choir has been in existence since the founding of the Victory Temple church in 1997. Babajide, who is also a singer and pianist, earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka before emigrating to the United States in 1999. “We’re honored and humbled to be a part of this,” he said. “We hope to come together with other communities and other choirs.” The Tribe of Judah choir typically
TRIBE OF JUDAH
The Tribe of Judah church choir from Bowie will perform with two other choirs from Prince George’s County on Saturday at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. numbers 25 to 35 members of the church, depending on whether musicians and students are performing, he said. In December 2011 the choir was invited to sing at the annual Christmas tree lighting at the White House. At Strathmore, the choir plans to sing a mix of contemporary and African songs, as well as original church songs. The songs will be in English, but there may also be some phrases in Yoruba, the language of Nigeria. In 2010, Tribe of Judah released an EP called “Exalt,” said choir deputy and choir member Ariike Okanlawon. “We’re doing more work on the project,” she said.
James E. Jordan, Jr. Adult Choir King said she’s been a member of the Refreshing Spring church in Riverdale since she was 9 years old. She grew up singing in the choir, took on directing duties for the young adult choir and five years ago became director of the adult choir, which is named after the pastor, James E. Jordan, Jr. The choir has performed at the Kennedy Center and last year sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the 50th anniversary of the March on
Washington, For the Strathmore concert, the 65-member group plans to sing some spirituals along with traditional and contemporary gospel songs. Principal of the James Madison Middle School in Upper Marlboro, King said appreciation of gospel music is alive and well among the younger generation. “There are contemporary artists who appeal to youth,” she said, mentioning names such as Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Nelson, Anthony Brown and Kierra Sheard. “There are different genres of gospel music, and they’re really growing — there’s even gospel rap and gospel go-go,” she said. Many appreciate gospel music as a form of entertainment, but it also continues to serve a religious purpose at churches, where music is very much a part of the mission. “Whatever comes, whatever the obstacles are in 2014, God is there, and you can have hope and faith in him,” King said. “We want to uplift the audience and show there is hope and faith in God.” vterhune@gazette.net
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
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PAINT BRANCH GIRLS’ BASKETBALL DEFEATS KENNEDY, WINS ITS DIVISION, B-3
SPORTS OLNEY | SANDY SPRING
www.gazette.net | Wednesday, February 5, 2014 | Page B-1
PB not just a ‘sprint school’
HOW THEY RANK BOYS The 10 best boys’ basketball teams in Montgomery County as ranked by The Gazette’s sports staff:
Rank
School
Record Pts
1.
Bullis
17-3 60
2.
Montrose Christian 12-5 54
3.
Springbrook
14-2 44
4.
St. Andrew’s
14-4 41
5.
Montgomery Blair 13-2 40
6.
Gaithersburg
13-2 28
7.
Walt Whitman
12-3 26
8.
Clarksburg
12-4 19
9.
Rockville
12-3 9
10.
Poolesville
11-4 6
Others receiving votes: Jewish Day, 2; Col. Zadok Magruder 1.
BEST BET
Rockville at Springbrook, 7 p.m. Tuesday: One of the county’s
top 3A/2A teams takes on one of the top 4A teams.
TOP SCORERS
Name, school A. Trier, Montrose Christian J. Friedman, Sandy Spring W. English, McLean I. Kallon, Wheaton J. McKay, McLean N. Segura, The Heights J. Bradshaw, Einstein M. Adkison, St. Andrew’s K. Williams, Kennedy R. Edwards, Paint Branch
PPG 25.5 22.8 22.1 20.4 20.3 19.7 19.1 18.9 18.9 18.8
GIRLS The 10 best girls’ basketball teams in Montgomery County as ranked by The Gazette’s sports staff:
Rank
School
Record Pts
1.
Damascus
14-2 60
2.
Walt Whitman
13-2 54
3.
Paint Branch
14-2 48
4.
John F. Kennedy 11-2 42
5.
Holy Child
17-3 34
6.
Gaithersburg
10-4 29
7.
Seneca Valley
13-3 20
8.
Poolesville
12-3 19
9.
Thomas S. Wootton10-6 14
10.
Magruder
10-5 4
Others receiving votes: Good Counsel 3; Churchill 2; W.Johnson 1.
BEST BET
Damascus at Seneca Valley 7 p.m. Tuesday: The Swarmin’ Hor-
nets won the first matchup by only five points, so an upset is possible.
TOP SCORERS
Name, school L. Belton, Bullis K. Prange, Damascus S. Addison, Wootton J. Karim-Duvall, Churchill D. Lerner, Jewish Day B. Beckwith, Quince Orchard D. Harris, Paint Branch K. Meredith, Northwest K. Porter, Bullis K. Colston, Paint Branch J. Craig, Seneca Valley
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PPG 20.6 19.7 18.4 18.1 18.1 17.9 17.8 17.2 16.8 16.6 16.5
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Boys’ track: Panthers set meet’s 1,600-meter relay record en route first-ever county title BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN STAFF WRITER
STAR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES, RECRUITED BY MANY COLLEGES, OFTEN FEEL PRESSURE TO DECIDE TOO EARLY
BY
TRAVIS MEWHIRTER STAFF WRITER
For Potomac High School’s Quadree Smith, it was a coach’s contract extension. For Damascus’ Zach Bradshaw, it was NCAA sanctions. For Suitland’s Taivon Jacobs, it was a daughter. For Montrose Christian’s Justin Anderson, it was a coaching change. For other college recruits, from Division III to Division I, it could be one of an endless list of reasons for reneging on a verbal commitments to sign with another college. For now, Smith remains loyal to the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, but he has since reopened his recruitment as he waits a possible contract extension for coach Wes Miller. Bradshaw first said he would play football for Penn State, but switched to Virginia after the school was hit with severe sanctions that would keep them out of bowl games for most of his time there. Previously, Jacobs reneged on his verbal to play football at Ohio State and is now playing for Maryland. After Gary Williams retired in 2011, Anderson signed with rival Virginia rather than the Terps, where a new coach — Mark Turgeon — who hadn’t recruited him would be taking over. Some coaches, take former Montrose Christian coach Stu Vetter, Our Lady of Good Counsel offensive coordinator Tom Crowell and Suitland football coach Ed Shields, see this as a growing trend as the recruiting process begins at earlier and earlier ages. Others, such as Riverdale Baptist basketball coach Lou Wilson, say it has been happening for as long as he’s been involved in the business, but is only now beginning to become so exposed as the media continues to dedicate staggering amounts of attention to the college recruitment process. “I’d say this has been something that’s been going on for awhile,” Wilson said. “And I tell you, there are so many reasons to verbal with one school and then at the last minute sign with another school.”
Former Montrose Christian basketball player Justin Anderson goes up for a dunk during the Capital Classic. FILE PHOTO
See PRESSURE, Page B-2
There has never been a shortage of athleticism on the Paint Branch High School boys’ track and field team in fifth-year coach Dessalyn Dillard’s eight years with the program, but the Panthers have not historically had the versatility to truly compete for a Montgomery County team championship. Known for its proficiency in the shorter distances, Paint Branch’s increased range this winter led to last week’s first boys’ indoor track and field county title in school history. “Paint Branch was always known as ‘that sprint school,’” Dillard said. “The last few years, slowly but surely we’ve been increasing our presence on the state level with the distance events. We knew we had something special with this group of athletes, it was a matter of it coming together for them at the right moment. This was very important for our team, it’s something we’ve been preparing for, for a while.” The title run started last spring, said junior Lorenzo Neil, who finished third in the 800-meter run and eighth in the 500-meter dash at counties. A subpar performance during the county’s outdoor track and field competition last spring hit the Panthers hard and provided them with the drive they needed to come together and work as a unit in the months since. The core of this year’s team came in as promising freshmen three and four years ago, but have truly matured withinthesportoverthepastyear, Dillard said. The development of the Silver Spring-based USAJA Track and Field Club, which includes athletes from James H. Blake, Sherwood, John F. Ken-
See SPRINT, Page B-2
Sherwood sophomore thrust into limelight n
Defending 100-yard butterfly state champion helps keep Warriors afloat BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN STAFF WRITER
There is a fairly long list of events Sherwood High School sophomore Morgan Hill could swim, and do well in on Saturday at the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships, scheduled to be held at the Germantown Indoor Swim Center — 200-yard freestyle, 500 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle. Awaiting her in any one of them will be a national-caliber athlete. “All of her events will have some stiff competition,” Sherwood coach Brendan Lees said. “Either she’ll be swimming [Olympic gold medalist] Katie
Sherwood High School’s Morgan Hill practices her backstroke on Monday. Hill is a contender at this weekend’s Metros. Ledecky, [Metros record holder] Kristina Li or Caroline McTaggart.” The good thing for Sherwood is that Hill is not easily addled, as she proved in her 100-yard butterfly win as a fresh-
man in last year’s season-ending Class 4A/3A state meet. Just 14-years-old she was the youngest top 15 performer in both events she raced at last year’s Metros — Hill finished fifth in the 100-yard
TOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE
butterfly, sixth in the 500-yard freestyle. Last year’s results were just the start, though. Hill has rapidly dropped
See SHERWOOD, Page B-2
THE GAZETTE
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
A King in the Trojans’ court Boys’ basketball: Trojans scoring, winning behind play from its point guard n
BY TRAVIS MEWHIRTER STAFF WRITER
As first impressions go, Aaron King was at a severe disadvantage to the typical transfer student. Barely three months prior to switching over to Gaithersburg High School by way of Quince Orchard, the 5-foot-4 King had orchestrated a summer basketball playoff win at the buzzer against the Trojans. About a dozen weeks later, King had shed the Cougars’ red and black for Trojans’ blue and gold, and he was teamed up with the very opponents he had eliminated from the playoffs. There was, however, at least one person who was eager to welcome the former rival. “I knew what he could do watching him play in the summer
SHERWOOD
Continued from Page B-1 time across the board in the 12 months since, Lees said, and the experience she gained last high championship season will be vital to the Class 4A/3A state runner-up Sherwood’s success this postseason since she is not the team’s highest scorer. “[Hill] just has a great racing mentality, she knows how to get herself prepared for races,” Lees said. “She thinks ahead of time. Even when she knows she might not have [great competition] she still wants to have a good race,
PRESSURE
Continued from Page B-1 Of all the various explanations local coaches offered in explaining why an athlete would rescind a verbal commitment — personnel changes (Quadree Smith’s and Justin Anderson’s reasoning), proximity to home, having a child (Taivon Jacobs’), a sick family member, what have you — each eventually circled back to one distinct reason: pressure. Athletes are under it from their very first conversation with their very first college coach. It is then upped a notch when a ver-
league,” Gaithersburg coach Tom Sheahin said. “He was the main reason we lost. If he was 5-11, 6-0, he’d be a major Division I recruit.” King’s transition has been a seamless one, and it has led to a 13-2 start for the running and gunning Trojans. Sheahin, prior to learning of King’s decision to transfer, had fully planned for this year’s team to be half-court based. Lacking a true point guard, the first-year coach was prepared to assign ballhandlingdutiestoDionEtheridge, a natural shooting guard more comfortable on the wing, which would have required a much methodical, slower-paced game. But King arrived, and all off-season half-court plans went out the window. “He was the piece that we were missing,” the coach said. “I was going to have Dion, my shooting guard, play point. I don’t want to say we were going to be walking the ball up the court, but we were going to be more of a half court
team. Aaron gave us options.” After an 83-59 victory over Clarksburg on Dec. 20 — the Trojans’ fifth game of the season — King was averaging 10.6 assists pergameasGaithersburgeclipsed 80 in every single contest to that point. “It really helps us spread the floor,” said Anthony Tarke, Gaithersburg’s leading scorer at 18.2 points per game. “We have shooters on the team who we know can knock down the shot and that’s how he’s averaging 10 assists a game, because he’s a pass-first point guard. That’s what benefits us.” Sheahin has been coaching basketball for more than two decades. He’s usually a systematic kind of guy, having specific plays and specific sets for certain kinds of defenses and situations. In fact, he gave a detailed explanation of his press break: get the ball to Aaron King. “We don’t have a press break set up,” the coach said. “It’s get the
ball to Aaron and I’ve never done that in 25 years. He’s that quick.” And there are, of course, the point guard intangibles. King has those too. “I usually call plays from the sidelines and call the defenses out and Aaron does that,” Sheahin said. “They don’t come around too often. I’ll ask him what defense they’re in and what offense we should run and what defense we should be in and he’ll let me know.” This type of autonomy out on the court has been one of King’s favorite aspects of transferring from Quince Orchard. “At QO we ran set offenses all the time,” he said. “You don’t get to run. At Gaithersburg we run all the time and shoot whenever we’re open.” Being a diminutive 5-4, King is nearly always the smallest player on the floor. This hasn’t stopped him from carving through the lane and either dishing it to an open man underneath or taking it
all the way to finish for two of his 9.7 points per game. After playing summers with the Germantown Hardknocks Amateur Athletic Union team — where he created a chemistry with the Etheridge brothers — he’s a bit used to staring up at his defenders. “It’s just heart,” he said. “You got to have the heart to play the game. I don’t think about my height. I just go out and try to be biggest player on the floor.” While physically, that’s entirely unrealistic. But Sheahin will argue that King is invariably the quickest, the most selfless, the fastest and often the smartest. And, with the recent trend the coach has noticed paralleling a team’s post-season success with a bona fide point guard, those attributes portend a late run this March. “In high school basketball play, you’ve got to have a good point guard,” he said. “If you look at the teams who win state championships, they have smart
she’ll work on little things.” Lees and Hill admitted they were unsure of what this winter would hold for Sherwood. Graduation stripped the Warriors of their top two scorers and 30 percent of their overall points won in last year’s third-place finish at Metros, their highest in recent history. But Saturday’s second straight Montgomery Division II title was a promising start to the postseason. Hill won every event she contested — 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard medley relay, 400yard freestyle. The latter is the one that clinched the win.
Hill said she does feel more pressure to perform but has embraced her role as a go-to and is motivated by the opportunity to help the Warriors. Lees said she has become a great leader by example despite her youth. Continued success — Sherwood has finished in the top 5 at Metros three of the past four years — has been helpful in keeping the program an option for swimmers that may have chosen to go elsewhere in the past, Lees said. The addition of sophomore Our Lady of Good Counsel transfer Margarita Ryan, who reached the final of the 100-yard backstroke at last
winter’s Metros and a talented freshman class, also seem to have helped Sherwood recover some of the points it lost. “You worry about if there’s going to be a lull, kids in our area have some choices as to where they want to go to school,” Lees said. “I do think one of the things that’s helped us with the girls team is [recent success]. Last year finishing third, we beat Good Counsel for the first time and the girls were extremely excited. I think girls in the cluster see that and get excited that they can be part of a program that has that sort of success.” Primarily Sherwood’s dis-
tance freestyler and butterflier a year ago, Hill has come in to her own as a top sprint freestyler and said she prefers the shorter races these days. She credited increased training — Hill works with former Good Counsel star Jack Conger’s coach Sue Chen — with improving her strength, which translates in her sprinting. Hill was a three-sport athlete until eighth grade but dropped lacrosse and basketball that year to focus more seriously on swimming. She chose the aquatic sport because of the tangible evidence of improvement swim times provide. She’s
certainly progressed quickly and has positioned herself as a major contender this championship season and her results will play a major role in Sherwood’s continued success. “I think mental toughness is a huge quality, you don’t find a whole lot of real young swimmers having quite as much as she does,” Lees said “Last year at states was the biggest testament to that, she kind of came out of nowhere to win the 100 fly. … I was kind of surprised this year, I expected more of a drop off but we’re right back up there.”
bal offer — sometimes as early as middle school — is extended their way. And then things can begin to spiral out of control when dozens more throw their name into the mix, each with their own attractions and incentives — playing time, championships, professional development — to consider. “One of our receivers just got offered by Michigan State,” said Crowell, who also coaches the boys’ basketball team at Springbrook. “So let’s just sign the papers right now. But it doesn’t work like that anymore. He’s got to wait until next February to sign and now he thinks he’s got
to live up to these expectations. If they offer you right now, the kid should be able to sign right now if he wants to. It’s out of control.” “Personally,” Vetter added, “I would eliminate the verbals and have a signing period in April. If a player didn’t have to make a decision until April there wouldn’t be much pressure.” Shields, though he feels for the athletes under the everwatchful eye of the college coaches, says it’s also a wise move on their part to begin talking to kids before they can even drive a car or take their SATs. “You want to be the first to
offer, which makes sense,” he said. “You want to be the one who discovered them. That’s the smart thing for the coaches because you want them to commit.” But when coaches offer too early, it could just as easily backfire. Athletes oftentimes get overexcited or want to shed the pressure of recruiting so they hastily pledge before realizing that bigger universities or better fits could also come calling. Such was the case for Nigel Johnson, a former Riverdale Baptist guard. Now at Kansas State, Johnson had been verbally committed to play for George Washington
for nearly a year. About a month prior to signing day, he took stock of his talent and figured he could go someplace higher, so he reopened his recruitment with GW as a firm backup plan. Within a week he had switched to Kansas State. “He thought his opportunity to play at the next level would be greater playing at Kansas State, playing in the Big XII,” Wilson said. “And the point guard situation was up in the air so he thought he’d be able to play right away.” So, is there a solution? Recruiting — and therefore commitments of all kind — is an
inevitable part of college sports. Shields believes Crowell is onto something when he suggested if a college extends an offer — verbal or physical — that the athlete should be able to sign that day rather than wait until designated signing periods. Vetter believes verbal offers and commitments should be removed entirely. Either way, reneging would become all but a moot practice. “Once you’re signed, you’re locked,” Shields said. “I think you should be able to move [signing] up. It would settle things down very quickly.”
against teams from all over the country and fared well and that kind of kept the momentum going throughout the preseason and now indoor.” Creating a winning lineup for track championships is like piecing together a puzzle, Dillard said. It’s not necessarily about winning every event — the likelihood of that happening is slim to none — but picking up as many points in each event as possible. Matchups and meet schedule are among the factors coaches must be in tune with. It’s not just the team’s overall range that has propelled Paint Branch this winter, but each individual athlete’s versatility within that. This enabled some athletes, such as Neil, to take on new events in order to replace points lost by those who graduated a year ago.
“We have distance athletes who can drop down to run middistance, sprinters who can move up and who can switch over to jumps,” Dillard said. “Our versatility worked in our favor; we don’t have a lot of single event kids.” Clifton Green’s performance last week perfectly exemplifies that as he followed up a win in the long jump by joining forces with Oliver Lloyd, Dewayne Haamid and Noel Njem to set a meet record (3 minutes, 29.89 seconds) en route to winning the 1,600-meter relay. While the Panthers only won four of 14 events at counties — two of them were relays, which are worth more — they finished in the top 8 of all but one event, including top 3 performances in seven events. Paint Branch also finished two athletes in the top eight of two events. Devonte Johnson
won the shot put and Ire Hussein, Neil, Haamid and Lloyd took the 3,200-meter relay. Last week’s county championship was a milestone for the Panthers, but it was only the first step toward the region and state titles they have their sights on this winter as well as during the spring outdoor season. It’s important that the Panthers refocus quickly and move forward, Lloyd said, as Paint Branch will go from chasing to being chased. “Counties is something to be happy about but I don’t believe we need to be too happy,” Lloyd said. “I always believed trying to be successful was the hard part but being successful is the hardest part. We have to keep that strong mentality.”
SPRINT
Continued from Page B-1 nedy, Springbrook and Wheaton, has also played a major role in Paint Branch’s recent ascent to the top of the county, said Dillard, who served as the club’s coach. Not only did it help unite the Panthers during a summer of travel, but it exposed them to nationallevel competition. That set the tone for an extremely productive offseason, Dillard said. The Panthers’ mid-distance and distance runners — and even some of the sprinters — focused on improving their endurance during the fall cross country season so everyone showed up for the winter season in shape and ready to go. “They realized that the people
BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
Oliver Lloyd of Paint Branch High School runs the 500-meter dash at the Montgomery County championship meet on Jan. 28. they were competing against during the school year, compete in the summer and [if] we were going to be competitive [during the
school year] we had to make sure we covered all our bases,” Dillard said. “They all traveled together over the summer, competed
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TOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE
Clarksburg’s Josh Hardy (back) reaches for the ball against Gaithersburg Aaron King on Dec. 20.
guards, fast guards who are good under pressure.” tmewhirter@gazette.net
jbeekman@gazette.net
tmewhirter@gazette.net
jbeekman@gazette.net
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Page B-3
Paint Branch wins division Gaithersburg rising, Whitman wins 12th straight game
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BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
Montose Christian’s Anthony Cabbagestalk goes over St. Vincent Pallotti’s Michael Ashley to score on Saturday.
Basketball teams find the wins in the losses Coaches say losses can be good during a long season
n
Springbrook High School boys’ basketball coach Tom Crowell found something to like in one of his Blue Devils’ low moments of the season. “I tell you what,” Crowell said, “That [loss] might have been the best thing that could have happened to us.” The ‘that’ Crowell was referencing was a 55-52 loss to Clarksburg on Jan. 17, the Blue Devils’ first in 21 days. The defeat, while having its obvious drawbacks on the team’s record and playoff bye aspirations, can sometimes carry far more benefits down the road. It was a humbling learning experience, and exactly “what we needed,” Crowell said. He’s not alone in his assessment of the value of a loss. Numerous other teams around the county have benefitted
from a setback somewhere along the lines. Though it’s never an enjoyable experience, a loss can produce anything from a boost in motivation, pinpointing a vulnerability, or opening a coach’s eyes how to best scheme against a particular opponent or style of play.
BOYS BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK BY TRAVIS MEWHIRTER So, what good has come out of Springbrook’s loss to Clarksburg? Four straight wins by margins of 14 (against John F. Kennedy), 36 (Winston Churchill), 37 (James H. Blake) and four (Richard Montgomery) in which starter Isaiah Eisendorf didn’t play and his replacement, Jermaine Ukaegbu, sprained his ankle. It’s not only Springbrook who has bounced back higher than it had previously been
prior to a defeat. After the Coyotes lost to Col. Zadok Magruder on Jan. 6, they tore through Thomas S. Wootton, Northwest, Springbrook, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase and ascended to the No. 6 spot in The Gazette rankings. Current No. 5 Montgomery Blair dropped a game to Monsignor Farrell out of New York over the holidays and hasn’t lost since, stringing together wins against Churchill (70-54), Richard Montgomery (55-41), Walter Johnson (88-37), then No. 10 Walt Whitman (61-56), Blake (61-52), Paint Branch (64-47), then No. 9 Poolesville (60-41) and B-CC (58-48). Montrose Christian has fared much the same since being stunned by Takoma Academy on Jan. 6. The Mustangs have put together six consecutive wins following that loss and not a single opponent has come within 16 points of them. tmewhirter@gazette.net
Wootton’s football coach dismissed Spinner said he and his staff were let go in last week’s meeting
n
BY
ERIC GOLDWEIN STAFF WRITER
Thomas S. Wootton High School football coach Tyree Spinner and his assistants were dismissed last week, Spinner said. Spinner said he learned of his dismissal in a meeting Jan. 29 with Athletic Director Christopher Thompson and Principal Michael Doran. Spinner, hired in January 2012, compiled a 9-11 record in his two seasons leading the Patriots. “My tenure as [coach] was a very successful one,” Spinner wrote in a text to The Gazette. “Not only did we continually progress on the field via overall record, breaking records, breaking losing traditions and mindsets … we built a family, a
brotherhood that they will use throughout the rest of their life.” Thompson confirmed the coaches were no longer on staff and declined further comment, writing in an email to The Gazette that this was a “personnel matter and beyond anything I would be at liberty to discuss.” Spinner led Wootton’s junior varsity team before taking over as varsity coach prior to the 2012 season. He replaced Eddie Tolliver, who went 6-14 in his two years coaching Wootton. The Patriots were 5-5 last fall, including a forfeit (ineligible player) that negated a 41-0 victory against Walter Johnson. Spinner said he intends to continue coaching. “I love this game and I love building boys into young men through this great sport,” Spinner wrote. Wootton’s last winning sea-
GEORGE P. SMITH/FOR THE GAZETTE
Thomas S. Wootton High School football coach Tyree Spinner led his Patriots to a 9-11 mark in two seasons (that record includes a forfeit loss).
son was 2008, when the team went 7-4 under Greg Malling. egoldwein@gazette.net
Track athletes perform well at Virginia Tech Holton Arms wins WMPSSDL championship n
Many of Montgomery County’s top track and field athletes followed up the Jan. 29 public schools’ county championship meet with a trip to Blacksburg, Va., for the Virginia Tech Invitational Friday and Saturday. Times at the meet can be used for regional cuts. The highly competitive meet, which features both public and private school athletes, drew out some top performances; many county athletes earned their New Balance Indoor Nationals qualifying times. Among the county’s top performers were John F. Kennedy’s Devon Hairston, who won the 55-meter dash in a national qualifying time of 7.51 seconds, and Bullis senior Simone Glenn, whose second-place finish in the 300-meter dash (38.82 seconds) set a new county (public and private school) record, according to Mocorunning.com. Glenn
replaced former Northwest High star Olivia Ekpone’s 2009 mark (38.96). — JENNIFER BEEKMAN
Swimming and diving The Holton-Arms School swimming and diving team won its second consecutive Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swimming and Diving League
PREP NOTEBOOK BY GAZETTE STAFF championship Saturday with a 310-244 advantage over runnerup and Independent School League foe Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. The Panthers, who won their ninth ISL title in 11 years a week ago, were propelled by individual wins from Caroline McTaggart (100-yard freestyle) and Isabelle Jubin (50-yard freestyle) and wins in the 200-yard
freestyle relay (Alexis LeMone, Sydney Mathis, Halsey McKinney, McTaggart) and 400-yard freestyle relay (LeMone, Jubin, Emma Raynor, McTaggart). Stone Ridge junior and Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky won the 200-yard freestyle and the 200-yard individual medley. Her time of 2:01.78 in the latter set a new mark, breaking a 14-year-old record by five seconds. Georgetown Prep won six events in a second-place finish at WMPSSDLs. Grant Goddard (200-yard freestyle), Carsten Vissering (100-yard freestyle) , Samuel Tarter (200-yard individual medley) and Brandon Goldstein (100-yard butterfly) picked up individual race wins. Goddard, Vissering, Matthew Hirschberger and Adrian Lin won the 200-yard freestylerelayandGoldstein,Goddard, Lin and Hirschberger closed the meet with a win in the 400yard freestyle relay. — JENNIFER BEEKMAN
Paint Branch High School clinched its second consecutive division title on Friday after defeating John F. Kennedy for the second time this season. Sofilia Ngwafang led the Panthers with 14 points while junior Daisa Harris (10 points) was honored at halftime for joining the 1,000-point club. Tyra Sinclair had nine points while Kiara Colston had eight in the Panthers’ 49-41 victory.
GIRLS BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK BY ERIC GOLDWEIN The Panthers (14-2, 5-0 as of Monday) have won their past four games. “It was a really hard fight, we knew we had to put all the attitudes aside,” said Ngwafang, a sophomore. “... This was important [heading toward playoffs] because we need to know we can play against these types of teams and pull out hard wins.” Daysha Adams scored 13 points, Makeda Wright had 10 and Kiara Arnold had nine to lead Kennedy (11-2, 5-2), which has not lost outside of its two matchups against Paint Branch. The Panthers won 53-49 in the first meeting. “It was a great feeling [to close out the win], we worked together as a team, [Kennedy] put up a big fight,” Ngwafang said. “We have been working a lot on post moves. We had a statement to make.”
straight win and tenth in their last 12 games. “People called me after [our first game against Magruder] and I told them to watch out, that Magruder is a good team,” Gaithersburg coach Adrian McDaniel said after the game. “They beat the bricks off us the first time but [Tuesday] we played like we know how. I knew if we could set the tempo, we’d be OK.” Magruder (10-5, 5-3) and Thomas S. Wootton (10-6, 7-2) trail Gaithersburg in the Montgomery 4A West Division.
Gaithersburg not slowing down
Whitman wins its 12th straight
Gaithersburg is playing its best basketball heading into the final stretch of the regular season after a win over Northwest and a payback victory against Col. Zadok Magruder. The Trojans (104, 8-1) defeated the Colonels 53-43 on Jan. 28 after losing to them 60-38 earlier in the season. Senior Janessa Fauntroy scored 20 points to lead the Trojans to their fourth
Whitman extended its nearly two-month win streak to 12 games after a 51-40 victory over Poolesville (12-3, 5-1) on Jan. 28. Junior Nicole Fleck scored 10 of her season-high 16 points in the first quarter as the Vikings (13-2, 5-0) jumped out to an 18-10 lead and held on for the victory. “I made my first shot and then we started running plays for me,” Fleck said. “My
FILE PHOTO
Nicole Fleck (right) of Walt Whitman High School drives to the basket against Tara Thompson of Reservoir during a summer league game.
teammates got me open, and a lot of people on the team weren’t making shots they normally make and I put it in. So it worked out.”
Bullis senior named All-American Bullis School’s Lynee’ Belton was named a McDonald’s All-American on Wednesday and is set to play in the 37th annual high school basketball showcase. Belton, who signed on to play basketball with Duke University, is averaging a team-high 20.6 points per game after sitting out the first 12 games with a concussion. The 6-2 center senior helped lead the Bulldogs to the Independent School League “AA” Division championship last season. The McDonald’s AllAmerican games are scheduled for April 2 at Chicago’s United Center. egoldwein@gazette.net Jennifer Beekman and Harvey Valentine contributed.
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Clarksburg’s versatile senior commits to Elon Anyangwe recorded 12 sacks, five touchdowns in final season n
BY
ERIC GOLDWEIN STAFF WRITER
FILE PHOTO
Clarksburg High School senior Bruno Anyangwe competes against Poolesville during a passing league game.
FILE PHOTO
Georgetown Prep’s Grant Goddard swims the 100 butterfly at the 2013 Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships.
The three-year varsity player has even spent some time as a place kicker. “He’s not going to be a scholarship kicker, we’ll put it that way,” Hurd said. “But he did an admirable job when we asked him to do so.” Anyangwe started playing football in fourth grade and has always had good size in comparison to his peers. He said he improved significantly in eighth grade, when he was a running back for the Clarksburg Sports Association’s team. In his first game, he remembers scoring four touchdowns on six rushing attempts, sitting out the end of the game because of the mercy rule. That would happen again in about eight of the 10 games that season, he said. Playing so many positions and learning their plays came naturally, Anyangwe said. “Receiver is the only thing I really have to remember,” Anyangwe said. “On defense, it’s mostly instincts for me. I know what the plays are, then I just have to play ball.” Brooks, an offensive and defensive lineman, has been competing against Anyangwe in practice since the two were freshmen. He remembers Anyangwe recording two interceptions in his very first varsity scrimmage against Paint Branch and he is confident that his teammate will continue his success at the college level. “Whatever he puts in, is what he’ll get out,” Brooks said. “That’s how I feel about it.” egoldwein@gazette.net
Little Hoyas seek first Metros title since 2010 at this weekend’s meet n
BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN STAFF WRITER
The Georgetown Prep School swimming and diving team’s lineup for Saturday’s Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swimming and Diving League championships might have seemed a bit strange. Two-time defending Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving 100-yard breaststroke champion and last year’s 200-yard individual medley winner Carsten Vissering was in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle. The team’s top butterflier, Grant Goddard, was in the backstroke. Little Hoyas coach Matt Mongelli had his reasons. Good ones. “I want to make sure they remember how to race,” Mongelli said. “They have to know how to race even though it’s not their No. 1 event. I want them to stay mentally fresh. I [switch the events for] all the kids on the team because I don’t want them to get stuck in that rut that you’ve swum the same event every week.” Despite most of Prep’s swimmers competing in off events, the Little Hoyas finished just 16 points behind three-time defending Metros champion Gonzaga in first place Saturday, which bodes quite well for their chances in Saturday’s Metros at the Germantown Indoor Swim Center. It would be Prep’s first championship in four years after winning the title seven straight times from 2004-10. “We’re confident, but anything can
happen,” Mongelli said. “It’s our goal to go in there and try to win the meet and there is a good chance the way we placed [at WMPSSDLs and East Coast Catholics] without our 100 percent strongest lineups. That’s where we are and I think we have a good shot at it Saturday.” The strength of this year’s Prep team, which is rooted in versatility as much as sheer star power, has been three years in the making. It’s not unusual for the program to draw in one or two national-caliber athletes each year but when a freshman class featuring five of the Washington, D.C. area’s most promising young swimmers arrived two years ago, a lot of external high hopes were inevitably placed on what they could do for a seemingly free-falling Little Hoyas program — Prep followed up a Metros win in 2010 with a fourth-place finish in 2011. No pressure, right? “You can find that many [high level swimmers] on one team but to have that many kids of that level in one class, that is something special of that group,” Mongelli said. “I think everyone expected when they came in that we should just win but five guys don’t make a team. You need more than that, you need eight swimmers to make up all three relays at Metros. I think there was a lot of pressure for them to go out and win and I think that was a little bit unfair [to put on these kids].” Though Prep has not reclaimed the coveted Metros title it has gotten closer to Gonzaga each of the past two seasons and have had their eyes on this winter’s season for two years, Vissering and Goddard agreed. The two have each won three individual Metros titles, two a year ago and one apiece as freshmen. Their classmates, Brandon Goldstein and Adrian Lin, who
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both tallied two top 5 finishes in 2013, and Joseph Snodderly, who finished sixth in the 500-yard freestyle a year ago, have made great strides last year and have taken another giant step forward in 2013-14. “A lot of sports teams at Prep have fallen off [recently] and we really want to get swimming back and have it be the best,” Goddard said. Prep has also found the right pieces to complement its five junior stars in the past couple years, Mongelli said. One of them, freshman distance freestyler Matthew Hirschberger, arrived as a transfer from Florida this year. The 13-year-old finished third in his Prep debut at the Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swimming and Diving League championship Saturday. The National Age Group (boys 13-14) record holder in the 1,000-yard freestyle (9 minutes, 2.37 seconds). Prep has the top talent to take Saturday’s title but its versatility is what truly sets it apart from the field. The Little Hoyas have a title contender, often two, in every single event. Intimidatingly enough, they have posted some of the area’s top times even when they’re in off events. The Little Hoyas look to reap the benefits of that versatility with their first relay wins in three years — those events are worth double. “This year has definitely been a huge focus for us,” Vissering said. “We’re super excited to try and reclaim our Metros title. I think a lot of our swimmers have really matured physically and we’ve all been doing really well this season with our club team[s], so that really sets us up well. We’re all really devoted to winning this title for Prep and getting the program back on top.” jbeekman@gazette.net
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Juniors give Prep an edge at Metros
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Clarksburg High School’s Bruno Anyangwe floated from position to position during his three varsity seasons, scoring touchdowns, sacking quarterbacks and even lining up for the occasional kickoff. But this summer, the senior plans on settling into just one position when he heads to Elon University on a football scholarship. Anyangwe, a second team All-Gazette defensive lineman, committed to play football for the North Carolina school, where he will play outside linebacker, Clarksburg coach Larry Hurd said. “I’ll probably miss [playing other positions],” Anyangwe said. “But I’ll probably be happier because I’ll get to focus and perfect an art at linebacker.” Anyangwe (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) has a rare combination of size and athleticism that has helped him succeed in a variety of roles with Clarksburg. Since joining the school’s junior varsity team as a freshman, he has played fullback, tailback, Wildcat quarterback, receiver, defensive lineman, linebacker and safety. “I mean, we know we can give him the ball in different ways,” senior teammate Daequan Brooks said. “It was a good advantage. It worked out for us in the long run.” Anyangwe constantly pressured opposing quarterbacks, registering 12 sacks in a senior season that included a five-sack game against James H. Blake. “He’s a very strong young man, put together well,” Hurd said. “He’s got great quickness off the ball. He has a knack for making big plays.” Anyangwe said receiver was among his favorite positions. As a senior he caught 22 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns. He saved his best for last, with five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown in his final high school game, a 42-21 loss to Quince Orchard in the 4A West Region semifinals.
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
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BUSINESS Miller, Busch unveil bills to boost business climate n
BizBriefs
Business leaders applaud coordinated agenda
Have a new business in Montgomery County? Let us know about it at www.gazette.net/newbusinessform
KEVIN JAMES SHAY
Rockville moving business opens
BY
STAFF WRITER
Maryland’s top two legislative leaders have unveiled a series of proposals that include a commission to review the business climate and bills to reduce the estate tax and provide more tax credits and business funding. The agenda marks the first time that state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach and House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Dist. 30) have jointly proposed a legislative business package. “I don’t think I have ever seen this level of coordinated effort between two presiding officers in the General Assembly before,” said Mathew Palmer, senior vice president of government affairs for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. “We are very happy and encouraged by this development.” Norman Augustine, a former CEO of Bethesda defense giant Lockheed Martin, will chair the commission. Other members are expected to be announced in the next few weeks, picked from the business community. The commission will begin work this session and issue a report in December. Business leaders have long discussed that jobs and residents are moving to Virginia and other states because of tax purposes. “The commission is part of a long-term strategy for economic development in the state,” Palmer said. “This means we will be talking about issues on how to make Maryland the leader in job creation not just this year, but next year and in future years.” The estate tax bill, which was introduced in the Senate on Thursday, would phase in Maryland’s estate tax to match the federal tax over four years. Maryland’s estate tax only allows a $1 million exemption, while
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Brooke Wilson and Les Wilson of Rockville are now Two Men and a Truck. The new franchise operation offers local and long-distance residential and commercial moving services with licensed, bonded movers and drivers. It covers East Coast moves from Maryland to Atlanta. Its phone number is 301-468-2636; its website is twomenbethesdawashingtondc.com; and it also can be found at facebook.com/moversinmaryland.
Resmark Cos. opens Chevy Chase office
BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
House Speaker Michael Busch checks a vote on the first day of the Maryland General Assembly on Jan. 8 in Annapolis. the federal estate tax allows an exemption of $5.25 million, meaning someone could have an estate of $5 million and not be taxed by the federal government. Maryland and New Jersey are the only two states to have both estate taxes and inheritance taxes. Similar legislation proposed last year, which did not pass, would have reduced state revenues by $13.6 million in fiscal 2014, $43.8 million in fiscal 2015, $59.5 million in fiscal 2016, $79.3 million in fiscal 2017 and $87.3 million in fiscal 2018, according to a legislative analysis. But that reduction would be made up by many more retirees remaining in Maryland rather than moving to Virginia, Delaware, Florida or other states where “death taxes” are not so high, advocates said. Senate Minority Leader Sen. David R. Brinkley (R-Dist. 4) of New Market noted that the Democratic leaders are coming around to sup-
port measures he and other state Republicans have for years. “There is a greater realization that this situation is harming communities,” Brinkley said. He added that he was glad to see that the Democratic leaders are supporting more proposals to help the private sector, though he said they “could have been done all along.” “Welcome to the pool,” Brinkley said. Clark Kendall, president and founder of Rockville financial advisory firm Kendall Capital Management, said he sees clients making decisions to leave the state on a recurring basis. “These are middle-class people, who have prudently saved and own a modest-sized house in Montgomery County,” he said. “It’s not unusual for them to have more than $1 million saved up. You cannot really retire comfortably in Montgomery County without $1 million or more saved.”
Most clients of Kendall who live in Maryland have family members in the state and want to remain there when they retire, he said. But when they learn that it will cost them $200,000 or so in death taxes to stay in Montgomery rather than move across the river to Virginia, a good number decide to move, he said. “This tax is very short-sighted,” Kendall said. Kendall, the Small Business Committee co-chairman of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, said he talked about the issue with local legislators who were receptive at the chamber’s legislative reception on Jan. 27 Miller and Busch’s agenda also includes legislation for a seed fund for cybersecurity start-ups and to assist universities with tax credits and endowments. kshay@gazette.net
The Resmark Cos. of Los Angeles, a real estate investment adviser, has opened a new office at 5425 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 600, Chevy Chase. In addition to other projects in the region, Resmark, in a joint venture with Duball Woodmont, is developing luxury condominiums in downtown Bethesda called Woodmont View. Alexandra Johns will be senior vice president for investments in Resmark’s land and housing division, responsible for managing its portfolio of investments and originating new projects for Resmark in the mid-Atlantic region.
Adventist Home Health earns award Adventist Home Health has been named a 2013 HomeCare Elite agency, a compilation of the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified home health agencies in the U.S. This is the fourth time and the second consecutive year Adventist Home Health was recognized. The award is sponsored by the OCS HomeCare by National Research Corporation and DecisionHealth. Adventist Home Health is the only agency in Montgomery County and one of only five agencies in the state to achieve the recognition. HomeCare Elite winners are ranked by an analysis of publicly available performance measure in quality care outcomes, best practice implementation, quality improvement and consistency, patient experience and financial performance, according to a press release from Adventist Health Care. The list of 2013 HomeCare Elite agencies can be found at www.nationalresearch.com/ homecareelite.
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
SCHOOL LIFE
Scientists share experiences to encourage interest in STEM careers Forensic anthropologist speaks at Rockville High
n
BY
PEGGY MCEWAN STAFF WRITER
Rockville High School ninthgrader Annabelle Heister is interested in forensic science and watches crime investigation shows on TV. Last week, she got to hear the real life experiences of forensic anthropologist Franklin Damann from the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring. Damann spoke Jan. 29 to biology students at the Rockville school as part of the “Nifty Fifty (times 3)” program that sends scientists to local middle and high schools to encourage interest in science careers. Nifty Fifty, which originally sent 50 scientists to schools, but which has grown to include more, precedes the USA Science and Engineering Festival, which is scheduled to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention
Center in Washington, D.C., April 26-27. The festival is free and open to people of all ages, Lawrence Bock, the festival founder said. This is the third Nifty Fifty speaker series held in Montgomery County. “This is a nice way to get into forensics, a good sneak peek,” 14-year-old Annabelle said. “I like hearing about all his own experiences.” Accompanying his talk with slides, Damann showed the students how scientists take a box of bones and bone-like fragments and make sense of them. Some of the objects collected at a crime scene or site of a disaster might be food fragments like chicken wings or even very old wood. A scientist needs to use education and experience to put together a correct picture, Damann said. He said the most interesting part of his career has been helping family members get answers about what happened to their missing loved ones. “On the forensics side I like being able to use skills I’ve
PEGGY MCEWAN/THE GAZETTE
Franklin Damann, forensic anthropologist at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, speaks to students Jan. 29 at Rockville High School. Damann was one of the Nifty Fifty (times 3) program that brings scientist to middle and high schools ahead of the USA National Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., April 26-27. learned through school and professional work experience to help [families],” he said. Damann spent a number of
years working for the Department of Defense Joint POW/ MIA Accounting Command Central Identification Labora-
tory in Hawaii where he did field work throughout Southeast Asia searching for missing service members. He showed students photo of places where he did the work and specific techniques used. One grid, sectioned so scientists would know exactly where items came from, overlaid a photo of the area to give an even clearer picture of the terrain. Another showed Damann sitting on location writing in his notebook. “It is important to document everything,” he said. Ninth-grader Jonathan Leroy, 15, said he thought the talk pretty interesting and though he does not yet know what his career path will be thinks it is important to keep and open mind about possibilities. “We saw a lot of new things about bones and how they decay,” he said. Sarah Day, who teaches biology for grades 9-12, said Damann’s talk was a good opportunity to expose the students to a different career in science. “I love how he showed the
data,” she said. “That is the kind of critical thinking we are trying to get the students to use.” The USA Science and Engineering Festival was first held in Oct. 2010, another was in 2012 and this, the third, will be April 2014. It was started by Bock, an entrepreneur who said he had trouble finding scientists to hire. People were not going into science careers he said, so he decided to do something to show students the possibilities of science and encourage them to go into science careers. Bock said he does not have enough long term data to know if the Nifty Fifty speakers and the festival are making a difference, but he said he does have data proving more people and interested in attending the festival each year. more than 34,000 people have registered for the festival’s “Sneak Peek Friday,” which is open to school groups and military, up from 14,000 in 2012. “You get what you celebrate,” Bock said, explaining the festival. “It’s a cool event and it has grown tremendously.”
Spring, who was named Patricia Behring High School History Day Teacher of the Year, and Brian Mitchell of the Bullis School in Potomac, who received the StarSpangled 200 Special Prize from the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. Mitchell also was a state finalist for his senior individual documentary, “Baltimore Polytechnic Institute: A Model of Desegregation Before Brown.” The award is given to an outstanding entry that incorporates one or more of four themes: courage, unity in diversity, inspiration or preparedness. Elsa Sellmeyer, a homeschooler from Montgomery County, received an Outstanding State Entry Award for her junior paper, “Railroad Tracks, Land Tracts, and Digestive Tracts: Turning Points in the Development of Montgomery County, Maryland.” Oriana Theo of the Bullis School was a finalist for her senior individual performance, “When Hope Fell From the Sky: The Berlin Airlift.” Emily Zhou of Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring was a finalist in the junior individual website category for her site, “Chemical Safety Since the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.” Rachel Gold, Anne Kim and Ankita Reddy, all of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, were finalists in the senior group documentary category for “Morality and Immortality: The Cultivation of Human Cells.”
emplary contributions to public education in the county. Nominations will be accepted in the following categories: community individual, community group, business, public schools staff, school service volunteer and individual. The individual pioneer award nominees are individuals who currently may not be active, but have made extraordinary contributions in the past. The nominee’s contributions must have had a profound effect on the school system over a sustained period of time. Nomination forms are available in six languages on the board’s website, montgomeryschools.org or may be obtained from the board office, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. To receive a nomination form by mail, call 301-279-3617. Completed nomination forms must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday. They may be mailed to the above address, faxed to 301-279-3860 or emailed to Becky_Gibson@ mcpsmd.org.
EDUCATION NOTEBOOK Students get lessons in engineering and design Not many elementary school students get to design their own cars, but several firstthrough fourth-graders at Redwood Montessori Academy in Rockville did just that Jan. 28 as part of the Baltimore Museum of Industry’s “Design It!” series. After deciding the front, back, top and bottom of their designs, students attached axles and wheels and took their vehicles for a test drive down a wooden ramp, just to make sure their creations rolled straight and stayed in one piece. “The lesson is for them to learn what an engineer is, how an engineer makes cars and what a car can do without an engine,” said Candi Claggett, an educator from the museum. Claggett said the museum offers a number of outreach programs because it is not always possible for schools to arrange field trips to Baltimore. She helped the students with their test runs, calling out distances the cars traveled and making suggestions for better results. “Look at this,” she told one student who could not make her car go straight. “Can you see anything wrong?” Quickly the child realized one axle was taped on at an angle. She made the adjustment and soon sent her car down the ramp with a much better result. That’s what an engineer does, Claggett said: tests and makes adjustments. After a few runs, students were each given a balloon to blow up and attach to their cars as “engines.” Fourth-grader Joey Moeller was enthusiastic about the project, testing and adjusting his car, trying to get longer and longer runs. “I learned that a car with even, straight axles goes
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straighter, therefore farther, “ he said. He also learned that a car with an engine goes farther and the amount of air in the balloon made a difference. In his case, the distance increased by an average of 6 feet per run. Fiorela Consanza, also a fourth-grader, said her car went faster with the balloon attached. “I think it’s the air that’s blowing behind it,’ she said. “It gives it a boost.” With only a few balloons popping, and wheels firmly attached, all the young engineers were able to get successful runs from their cars and learn the importance of a well-engineered design. “Nothing teaches a child more than doing,” said Dianna Souder-Bond, Redwood’s owner and director.
Workshop focuses on helping students succeed The McLean School of Maryland will hold its fifth annual
Cecily’s Advocacy Workshop, “Unlocking Potential: Helping Students Soar!” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the school, 8224 Lochinver Lane, Potomac. The workshop offers resources and information for parents, educators and child development professionals and will include two keynote speakers, morning and afternoon breakout sessions and a student panel: “Sharing What We Learned: The Students’ Journey Through School.” The opening keynote speaker, William R. Stixrud, a clinical neuropsychologist, will discuss “Stress, Meditation and the Developing Brain.” He will examine ways in which stress shapes brain development in children and teens and look at the accumulating research evidence that indicates that by reducing stress, meditation can
PEGGY MCEWAN/THE GAZETTE
Fourth-grader Fiorela Conanza prepares to test her vehicle during a science lesson Jan. 28 at Redwood Montessori Academy in Rockville, presented as part of an outreach program of the Baltimore Museum of Industry. facilitate healthy brain development. The closing speaker, Susan Piver, a New York Times bestselling author and meditation teacher, will discuss “The Path and Practice of Mindfulness,” covering the roots of mindfulness meditation. Other topics include the following: • What it means to “know” a word: semantic knowledge and the emerging reader. • The use of art therapy to help facilitate communication and focusing. • How to motivate children to motivate themselves. • College success for students with learning disabilities. • How dialectical behavior therapy is used to help regulate intense and painful emotions in teens. • Helping parents understand and support their child’s path to independence, especially for those who face challenges. • The role diet plays in helping to restore and maintain well-being. The workshop costs $25. For more information and to
register, visit mcleanschool.org/ cecily.
History day students and teachers honored The Maryland Humanities Council announced that 15 Maryland middle and high school students who received national honors at the National History Day competition and three outstanding History Day Teachers were recognized Jan. 27 at sessions of the state Senate and House. Each of the students won awards at the 2013 Maryland History Day competition held April 27 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, plus honors at the National History Day contest. The national competition is held annually at the University of Maryland, College Park, and involves more than 3,500 students from 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Guam, American Samoa and international schools in China, Korea and South Asia. Honored from Montgomery County were Alix Medor of Northwood High School in Silver
Board seeks nominations for service awards The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations for its 17th annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards recognize and show appreciation to individuals — including students — plus groups and organizations that have made ex-
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The Gazette’s Auto Site
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Public input wanted for Black Hill nature programs Residents are invited to learn about nature programs at Black Hill Regional Park and discuss what they would like the park’s nature center to offer at a program from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Black Hill Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Adults and families are invited to the center for dinner and nature activities and the opportunity to shape educational programs, trainings and resources offered through programs. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Reservations are requested. Email Katrina.Fauss@ montgomeryparks.org or call 301-528-3482.
THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Page B-7
CELEBRATIONS HEALTH CALENDAR THURSDAY, FEB. 6 Girls on the Run: Heartsaver AED and CPR, from 6-10 p.m.
at Suburban Hospital, Lambert Building (Second Floor), 8710 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. Learn the latest AED training and lifesaving techniques. This course is for GOTR coaches only. $20. www.suburbanhospital.org.
TUESDAY, FEB. 11
Fields Bonnie and Lawrence “Larry” Fields, longtime residents of Gaithersburg, celebrated their 50th anniversary on Feb. 3, 2014. The couple eloped secretly and were married at the courthouse in Towson on Feb. 3, 1964. They celebrated with family and friends at a previously planned ceremony followed by dinner and dancing at Adas Israel Synagogue in Washington, D.C., on March 22, 1964. Bonnie and Larry have two sons and six granddaughters. Dr. Fields maintained a dental practice in Gaithersburg for more than 40 years, retiring in 2007. Bonnie had been the office manager and bookkeeper with the dental practice. They are pictured in Florence, Italy, on a trip in October 2013.
Pre-Operative Joint Class, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Suburban Hospital, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. For patients scheduled for joint replacement surgery or directed by their surgeon to attend prior to scheduling. You and your family member (or designated “Coach”) will learn about pre-operative preparation and post-operative care. Free. www.suburbanhospital.org. Fine Tune Your Diabetes, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Suburban Hospital CR 3 (second floor), 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. Go beyond the basics! Through an open discussion format led by a Certified Diabetes Educator, get the support you need to manage your diabetes. Explore your concerns and challenges in diabetes management, and engage in conversations with others living with diabetes. Class size limited to eight participants. Registration required. $20. www.suburbanhospital.org.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12 Diagnosing Heart Disease,
from 1-2 p.m. at Friendship
Heights Community Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase. Dr. Eva Hausner, cardiologist, will lead a discussion on echocardiography and other noninvasive tests that can be used to determine if you’ve had a heart attack. She will also review the signs and symptoms of heart problems and preventive strategies such as diet and exercise. Free. www.suburbanhospital.org.
THURSDAY, FEB. 13 Choosing Smart for Your Heart, 1-2 p.m. at Rockville
Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive, Rockville. Learn strategies to keep your heart healthy and happy with the choices you make each and every day. Free. www. suburbanhospital.org. Better Breathers Club, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Suburban Hospital, CR 1/2 (second floor), 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. Be part of a patient-centered and community-based club that supports persons with chronic lung disease including COPD, asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Families, friends and support persons are welcomed. Registration required. Free. www.suburbanhospital.org.
SUNDAY, FEB. 16 Childbirth Express at MedStar Montgomery, from 1-5
p.m. at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, 18101 Prince Philip Drive, Olney. Condensed version will prepare couples for their labor and birth experience. Class is presented in lecture/ video format. To enhance what you learn, hands-on instruction
available by taking the Lamaze Techniques class. Hospital tour included. $75. www.medstarhealth.org.
TUESDAY, FEB. 18 Guided Cancer Nutrition Tour at Whole Foods, 2-3 p.m., Lynda
McIntyre, RD, LD, oncology dietician specialist, will lead a guided supermarket tour focusing on foods that are beneficial during and after cancer treatment. She will share shopping tips and healthy cooking advice while you sample food provided by Whole Foods. Have fun while you gain valuable information! Open to cancer survivors and their family members. Registration required; Call 301-896-3939 for store location. www.suburbanhospital.org.
TUESDAY, FEB. 25 AARP Driver Safety Class at MedStar Montgomery, 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, 18101 Prince Philip Drive, Olney. The nation’s first and largest refresher course for drivers age 50 and older has helped millions of drivers remain safe on today’s roads. Course is designed to help tune up driving skills, explain safe driving strategies, and update knowledge of the rules of the road. Learn about normal age-related physical changes, and how to adjust driving to allow for these changes. Reduce traffic violations, the likelihood of crashes, and chances for injuries. Some insurance companies operating in Maryland consider drivers who take the course qualified for an auto insurance premium reduction or discount. $15 for AARP
members; $20 for nonmembers. Checks should be made payable to AARP to secure your registration. Mail to: MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, Planning & Marketing, 18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832. www.medstarhealth.org.
UPCOMING Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors, from 7-8:15 p.m.
Mondays to March 31, at Sibley Medical Building Conference Room 2, 5215 Loughboro Road, NW, Washington, D.C. Weekly meditative gentle and restorative yoga using mindful movement, balance and breathing techniques to help women with a history of cancer to reduce anxiety, improve quality of life and regain sense of self. $10 per class, $30 per month, scholarships available. Walk-ins welcome with cash/check if space permits. 202-243-2320. www.suburbanhospital.org.
Meditation and Mindfulness: Tools for Alleviating Stress Post Cancer Diagnosis, from 7-8 p.m.
Thursdays to March 27 at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Private Dining Room 3 (next to cafeteria), 5255 Loughboro Road, NW, Washington, D.C. Join facilitator Ashley Nunn and others with a history of cancer to learn about and practice a relaxation technique that uses focus on breathing. This practice has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety and loneliness; improving sleep; and boosting immune system. No prior experience required. Walk-ins welcome. Register at Sibley.org or call 202-243-2320. Free. www. suburbanhospital.org.
RELIGION CALENDAR UPCOMING Tikvat Israel Congregation, 2200 Baltimore Road, Rockville, will host an evening of communal Hebrew singing, Seeds of Song Community Erev Shira, from 7:30-9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Featuring Israeli folk songs, the event will be led by four area musicians and a powerpoint presentation of song selections in Hebrew and transliteration. $10 at the door; no charge for school-aged children. 301-570-8422.
McAllister, Tardif Katie McAllister and Brian Tardif were married on May 4, 2013. Their parents are Julie and Michael Bobrow of Damascus, Stephen McAllister of Frederick, Shelley Tardif of Forest Hills and Jeffrey Tardif of Friendswood, Texas. The ceremony, officiated by Mr. Andrew Reich, took place waterside at the Bond Street Pier in Fells Point, followed by a reception at The Admiral Fell Inn. The bridesmaids were Heather McAllister, Jessica Bobrow, Megan Bobrow Sparks, Kelly Secoura, Kristie Sweeney and Ashley Oliver. The groomsmen were Matthew Noble, Matthew Tardif, Brian Stromberg, Brian Haas, Peter Lutz and Bryan Watts. Katie and Brian both graduated from Towson University. Katie currently teaches at The Chesterbrook Academy in Naperville, Ill., and Brian is a senior account manager for The Boston Beer Co. in Chicago, Ill. The couple honeymooned in Las Vegas.
PLACING AN ANNOUNCEMENT
ONGOING Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church St., Damascus, offers traditional Sunday morning worship services at 8:15 a.m., a youth contemporary worship service at 9:30 a.m. and a service of liturgy and the word at 11 a.m. with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. for all ages during the school year. www. damascusumc.org. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 7730 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, offers services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. each Sunday, with Sunday School for all ages scheduled at 10 a.m. Child care is offered from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. A fellowship and coffee hour follows
the 8:30 a.m. service. 301-365-5733, www. elcbethesda.org.
Liberty Grove United Methodist Church, 15225 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, conducts Sunday morning worship services at 8:30, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday school, nursery through adult, is at 9:30 a.m. 301-421-9166. For a schedule of events, visit www.libertygrovechurch.org. “MOPS,” a faith-based support group for mothers of children, birth through kindergarten, meets from 9-11:30 a.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Frederick Church of the Brethren, 201 Fairview Drive, Frederick. Child care is provided. For more information call 301-662-1819. Email mops@fcob.net. Neelsville Presbyterian Church, 20701 Frederick Road, Germantown, has returned to its fall worship schedule, with services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays. Sunday School for all ages at 9:40 a.m. www.Neelsville.org. Providence United Methodist Church, 3716 Kemptown Church Road, Monrovia, conducts a contemporary service at 8 a.m. followed by a traditional service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings, with children’s Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and adult Sunday school at 11 a.m. For more information, call 301-
The Gazette prints engagement and wedding announcements, with color photographs, at no charge, as a community service. Copy should be limited to 150 words and submitted in paragraph form. Announcements are subject to editing for space. Please include contact information, including a daytime telephone number. Photos should be professional quality. If emailing photos, file size should be a minimum of 500 KB. Wedding announcements should be submitted no later than 12 months after the wedding. Send to: The Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, or email kgroff@gazette.net. Montgomery County celebrations are inserted into all Montgomery County editions.
1905892 1905621
1905890
253-1768. Visit www.kemptownumc.org. Trinity Lutheran Church, 11200 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, conducts services every Sunday, with child care from 8 a.m. to noon and fellowship and a coffee hour following each service. 301-881-7275. For a schedule of events, visit www.TrinityELCA.org. Chancel choir auditions and rehearsals, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Liberty Grove Methodist Church, 15225 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Call 301-421-9166 or visit www. libertygrovechurch.org. “Healing for the Nations,” 7 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at South Lake Elementary School, 18201 Contour Road, Gaithersburg. Sponsored by King of the Nations Christian Fellowship, the outreach church service is open to all who are looking for hope in this uncertain world. Prayer for healing available. Translation into Spanish and French. Call 301-251-3719. Visit www.kncf.org. Geneva Presbyterian Church, potluck lunches at 11:30 a.m. the second Sunday of each month at 11931 Seven Locks Road, Potomac. There is no fee to attend. All are welcome to bring a dish to share; those not bringing dishes are also welcome. Call 301424-4346.
1905622
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THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Classifieds
Page B-9
Call 301-670-7100 or email class@gazette.net
SILVER SPRING
Randolph Village Senior Apartments
1 BR SPECIAL
"Affordable Independent Living For Seniors 62+." Income Restriction Applies
WEDNESDAY OPEN HOUSE COFFEE SOCIAL 11AM-1PM AMENITIES: *Health Care Facility *Physical Fitness Center *Sun Filled Solarium *Community Media Room *Plenty of Parking Randolph Village Apartments
531 Randolph Road Silver Spring, MD 20904
X
*Library *Resident Socials *Beautifully Landscaped Grounds
877.907.5577 (Office)
301.622.7006 (Fax) Email: randolph@hrehllc.com
GAITHERHOUSE APARTMENTS
501B S. Frederick Ave #3 Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-948-1908
• Garden-Style Apartment Homes • On-Site Laundry Facilites • Kitchen w/ Breakfast Bar • Private Balcony/ Patio • Free Parking • Small Pets Welcome • Swimming Pool
It’s BRAND NEW at Amber Commons 7 McCausland Place, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
DAMASCUS GARDENS
STRATHMORE HOUSE APARTMENTS
OPEN WAITING LIST EHO
In-House Section 8 program for 2BR Apts. Applications willbe taken between 11am-2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
GERMANTOWN: 4
BD, 3.5 BA TH. Near 270, bus & shopping. New carpet, new kitchen. $1900. HOC okay. 240-888-0592
GERMANTOWN:
MONT VILLAGE- 2
LVL TH 3BD 1.5 BA Fenced Yard $1675 301-787-7382 or 301787-7583 HOC OK
TH, 3Br, 2.5Ba, h/w flrs, updated kit, Ba & paint $1600 + util Pls Call: 301-956-4775
GE RMA NT OWN :
MUST APPLY IN PERSON WITH PHOTO ID TO:
VILLAGE:
TH, 3Br, 2.5Ba, 2 lvl, $1650/per mo + util nr 270, NS/NP Please Call: 301-613-4721
Lux 3lvl EU/TH, Gar MV/GAITH: Huge 4lvl 2MBR, 2.5BA, LR DR, 3Br 2.5Ba TH w/FP. FR, FP,EIK, Deck Newly renov. 2100 sf, $1800. 301-792-9538 NS, NP. $1750 + utils. 301-990-9294 GAITH: spac 3lvl EU N POTOMAC: TH w/ grg, 3br, 4ba, Renovated TH, 3Br, fin bsmt, deck, close 1.5Ba, W/D, 2 car to 270 & mall grg, fin bmst. AC, lrg $1675/mo + utils private yard, great Call: 301-241-3263 neighborhood and
GBURG: Spacious 3
bd 2.5 ba TH w/ garage & deck. Near shops, metro & 270 $2500 301-330-1177
GERM: 3Br, 2.5Ba TH
finished bsmt, patio, back yard, avail 03/01, $2000 + utils Ns/Np call 540-588-3481
3BA, LR, DR, Kitch, W/D. $2,100. Near Bus, Shops & 495. Call 240-501-4442
SS: 3br/2ba SFH, fin
rec rm, hrwd flrs, DW W&D, CAC $1975+ utils, Metro/shops. 202-210-5530
schools, park nearby, (soccer/tennis & more) surrounded by upscale houses $1900 + util /mo 240-481-9294 or yochanantennis@yah oo.com
POOLESVILLE:
S.SPRG/RVILLE:
3BD, 2FB, SFH. Recently remodeled. $1750 + dep. No vouchers. 240-606-0325
3br 2.5ba Remodeld TH $1350 + 1/mo Sec Dep. N/s, N/p. Avail. Mar 1st. 240-876-9627
ADELPHI: Lrg BR, walk to UMD. $595 utils incl. Sec Dep. Req. Avail Feb 1st Call: 301-213-3348
ADELPHI:
ASPEN HILL: Comp Renovated 2Br/ 1Ba 1st flr,CAC w/d in unit. $1350 incl util, except elec. 240-398-1337
SILVER SPRING : Dwntwn Flower Ave. Unfurn 2br 1ba Apt. HOC Welcome $1250 202-246-1977
FOR RENT: 2 person, 425sq feet furnished office in shared unit on Russell Avenue at Christopher Avenue in Gaithersburg. 240-446-3486 FOR RENT: Office/light commercial. 960sq feet on Professional Drive at Frederick Road, Gaithersburg. Call 240-446-3486
condo close to DC & VA near C&O canal and bike path call 301299-8024
3 Bedroom + den, 2 Bathroom, renovated, Sec 8 welcome, Util incl 410-800-5005
Master bedroom with full bath in condo. $625 includes utiltities. Call 240-893-0745
GERMANTOWN
Mature Male, Furn BRs. Util not incl. Near 61 Bus Line. Maria 240-671-3783
Studeo in SFH. Near NIH, Bethesda Metro, Ride-On. $975 incl util. Free pkg. 301801-8087
w/d, refridge. $850/mo incl utils. NS, NP. Avail Now. 301-366-1673
GERM: Bsmt, 1 BR, BETHESDA: Nice 1 BA, sep entr, nr MC.
BOWIE: Furn rm in
SFH, $550/mo utils incl Free Cable. Available March 1st! Call: 301-509-3050
BURTONSVILLE:
DAMASCUS: Bsmt
1br, 1LR, 1ba, pvt entr, cable, int, util inc. $800+ sec dep. Np/Ns Call: 301-253-1370
GAITH/LAYTONSV ILLE: Lrg Rm in SFH,
full privlgs, pool ,beautiful setting, NS. $600 301-482-1425
GERM: Bsmt w/pvt
kBalcony Patio
bath in condo; prkg, busline, shops $650 incl utils + dep w/Wifi 301-5154554. HYATTSVILLE: Rm
GAITH/MUDDY BRANCH: M/F only for LG lwr Lvl suite
LAYTNSVL: M, N/S
440+475+555+ Maid Ns/Np, nr 270/370/Bus shops, quiet, conv.Sec Dep 301-983-3210
GERMAN: Bsmt in
TH, BA, prvt ent, shrd kit, Conv. loc, safe neigh, $800+ refs incls utils. 240-316-5944
(301) 460-1647 3004 Bel Pre Rd., Apt. 204, Silver Spring, MD 20906
kFamily Room kFull Size W/D in every unit kSwimming Pool
WHEATON: Male
OLNEY: 1 Rm in SS: Furnish BR w/pvt bsmt in SFH share Ba in SFH, Fem Only kitchen $500 utils in- uti incl $675 +Sec Dep cluded, NS/NP Avail nr RIDE ON, Wheaton Now. 301-257-5712 Metro 301-681-7848
WHEATON 1 Large
BR, Female, 5min to Metro On Veirs Mill Rd $650 uti incl. NS/NP Call: 240-447-6476 NO Solicitors!
pref non-smoker, 1BR, shr BA, near metro, $525/mnth util incl +dep 301-933-6804
OLNEY: Furn Bdrm + Den avail in TH for mature female only! $500 util inclu + security dep 301-774-6075
WHEATON: 2 BD in
WHEATON:
ROCKVILLE: BR in
apt w closet, prvt BA, shrd kit, NS/NP. Acr metro. $650 all utils incld 301-340-1257
Entr, Ba, Br, nr schls, bus, util incl N/S N/P SILVER SPRING Avl now! Please Call MBR with private bath 301-461-2636 available 02/01. $650 includes all utils. Call GERM: Male 1Br in 240-505-8012 TH Share bath & kitchen $450 ut inc Nr MARC/Buses, Ref’s SILVER SPRING: Room avail Mar.1st Req. 240-370-2301 $550 w/private bath GERM: Male only 2 shared kitch & utils, BRs $400 each + utils W/D 301-404-2681 in TH NS/ND. Near bus & shops. Sec Dep SS: 1rm bsmt apt pvt Req. 240-476-6224 ent share kit/ba, $510 uti/cbl inc, Male. wlk to GERM/MILESTONE bus, nr White Flint Lg room w/ view & Twinbrk 301-933-5668
GAITH:M BRs $435+
w/ba,Fam RM w/FP NSTH $745 + utils avail Mar.3016747928
GAITHER:
GE RMA NT OWN :
Renovated bsmt Br suite, priv entr, W/D, Nr UMD, $1450 utils incl. SD Avail 02/01 301-213-3348
MBR w/BA in apt; 2 closets, W&D, cls to 495/95, $670 inclds utils 301-803-0981
CABIN JOHN- 1 bd
kSmall Pets Welcome
Damascus-Garden@GradyMgt.com
TH w/ 3Br, 1.5Ba $1400 + util, parking, fenced yrd, W/D, Avail Now! 301-424-6759
MONT
GAITH/AMBERFLD
SIL SPG: TH, 3BR
kNewly Updated Units kSpacious Floor Plans
SS: Furnished 2 BRs
in Bsmt, Liv Rm, Shrd BA/Kit, Prvt Ent. $750 ech/mo incl utils. NS/NP Cls to Veirs Mill & Randolph. Please 301-213-9797
SS: NEW 1BR Apt 1st
floor private ENT, KIT, BA, PARKING. $1100 quiet and Sunny! call 301-879-2868
TAKOMA
SFH Share Bath, NP, NS. $500 and $600, Util incl . Call 240271-3901
On Georgia Ave. 1 MBR w/prvt ba. $650 util incl Nr Metro & Shops. Npets 240-441-1638
Treasure Hunt
PARK:
Rooms for rent $750 each, shrd bath util incl. All furn! Near metro. 240-421-6689
WASHINGTON DC: Brentwood NE,
Lrg furn Br, priv Ba, shrd kit & W/D, 1 blk frm bus & 5 blks from Red/Metro $850/util inc 202-361-8087
It’s
FREE! Buy It, Sell It, Find It
in Apt, shrd Ba/Kit, Free Wifi, Cls to shops /metro, $600 inclds utils. 301-728-7816 off street park, Furn Br, shr kit, lndry & comm. areas, homey, quiet $625 utils incl. TV/int 301- 253-9662
MONT
VILLAGE
1 small Br in TH, shrd Ba w/female NS/NP, $429/mo + util Call: 240-401-3522
G560367
FREDERICK -TH 3 BR,2 1/2 Ba, W/D, hardwood fl, $1275/ mo Avail 1/15,Ben 240-994-0865
Welcome 3 lvl TH, 3br, 2.5ba nr 270/shops $1699/mo avail now Call: 301-906-0870
301-948-8898
340 N. Summit Ave. • Gaithersburg, MD
SILVER SPRING
SFH,
4BR 2.5BA 3lvl Split 1/3 acre, tbl spac Kitch FR w/FP. Near metro / 270. Owner/Agent $2,350 301-924-5536
• Minutes away from I-270, Metro, and MARC Train
DAMASUS
or pricing and ad deadlines.
ROCKVL:
• Huge Floor Plans • Large Walkin Closets • Private Balcony/Patio • Fully Equipped Kitchen w/Breakfast Bar
21000 Father Hurley Boulevard Germantown, MD 20874
9829 Bethesda Church Road DAMASCUS MD 20872
(301) 670-2667
3BR 1.5BA, W/D fncd bkyd, Pets Ok. $1395 + utils, avail immed Call: 301-407-0763
WINTER SPECIALS
The Trusted Name in Senior Living
Contact Ashby Rice
POOLESVILLE: TH
STREAMSIDE S T R E A M S I D E APARTMENTS A PA R T M E N T S
www.churchillseniorliving.com
and reach over 206,000 homes!
301-762-5224
Office Hours: M-F 9:00am - 6:00pm, Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm
GAITHERSBURG
301-528-4400
Advertise Your apartment community here!
14431 Traville Garden Circle Rockville, Maryland 20850
We look forward to serving you!
www.ambercommons.com
GERMAN: HOC
X
SSaturday aturday ffrom rom 10:00 10:00 am am - 4:00 4:00 pm pm
Call today: 301-355-7111
G E R M A N : 3BR, 2.5BA, totally remodeled TH, plenty parking, HOC welcome $1750/month Call Francis 301-570-0510
Senior Living 62+
• Emergency Response System • 24 Hour Maintenance • Transportation Via Community Van • Pet Friendly • Full Size Washer & Dryer
www.PinnacleAMS.com/GardensOfTraville
Se Habla Espanol
The New Taste OPEN OPEN Saturday from of Churchill 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
“If you are looking for the distinctive, the uncommon, the out of the ordinary then welcome home to Amber Commons where we have the perfect blend of tradition: brick, mature landscaping, and gracious space combined with the best of brand new: GE clean steel appliances, energy efficiency and more!”
Charming 4BD, 2FB, Ranch. Completely renovated with hardwood floors & carpet. Granite counter tops & SS appliances. $345K. 313-220-1823
DON’T WAIT APPLY TODAY!
GERMANTOWN
GAITHERSBURG
DAMASCUS:
ROCKVILLE
GAITHERSBURG
GazetteBuyandSell.com
Page B-10
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Whole house furniture for sale! Please Call: 301-674-0569 or 410874-3051
GE RMA NT OWN :
Indoor Sun Feb 9th 10-4 Many treasures! Snow Blower, Wood Furn, Refrigerator,DJ Equipment, etc. 13807 Rockingham Rd.
FIREWOOD FOR SALE
$235/cord $150 per 1/2 cord µ Includes Delivery µ Stacking Extra Charge Ask for Jose 301-417-0753 301-370-7008
ST EV E’S STEVE’S FFIREWOOD I R EWO O D A ALL LL OAK OA K
$ 220 a Cord 140 1/2 Cord 1 Cord Mix Hardwoods $190 $
301-980-8181
PRAYER TO BLESSED VIRGIN
VALENTINES SHOPPING FOR YOU!
Let me do your Valentines day shopping for you. Card"s, flowers. wines, you name it I am a personal shopper with years of personal shopping experince, so make a list. Send to (ptheevangelist@gmai l.com) Be ready to make him or her happy. Phone (301-283-1029)
PARKLAWN: 4 burial rights, Garden of Life Eternal, value $29,660 total and asking $25k/neg Please Call: 757-229-1119
PARKLAWN MEMORIAL PARK: 2
plots, located in garden of meditation. Valued at $9,845; asking for $7,500 obo. Email: Kathyroyjohnson@veri zon.net or 301-3848116
(never known to fail) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh show me herein you are my mother. Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee (3x). Holy mother I place this cause in your hand (3x). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems light all roads so that I can attain my goals. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer 3 Consecutive days. After 3 days the request will be granted. This prayer must be published after the favor is granted. Amen.
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Seeks Customers to Serve Dispute Resolving Board
FOR SALE: Adora-
ble, Playful Healthy Male Yorkie Pup. Silky, toy pure bred. 3 months on Feb 5th 2014 Has shots. Please Call: 301-613-3322. $450
SHITZU:Puppies, M/F, 10wks old, B/W Brown/White. $375 each. Call 240-793-0464
B E T H E S D A WSSC is seeking enthusiastic, detail-oriented customers to serve SOCCER CLUB: on WSSC’s Dispute Resolving Board (DRB) for a two-year term. Bethesda Soccer Club The DRB reviews customer disputes of unpaid water/sewer bills (BSC FURY U-13) has and issues rulings on the disputes. Training and staff support will openings for talented be provided by WSSC.
and committed players for our girls team!! Please contact Coach Pat Farrell at patcfarr@gmail.com for available dates!
A minimum of four customers is needed to serve on the DRB panels, which will meet approximately once a month (TBD) at WSSC’s Headquarters Building, located on Sweitzer Lane in Laurel, Maryland. WSSC reimburses for mileage and dependent care. Contact: Mpande Musonda-Langley at 301-206-8840. (2-5, 2-6-14)
It’s
FREE! Buy It,
Daycare Directory
Sell It, Find It GazetteBuyandSell.com
GP2388 G P2388
GAITHERSBURG
GP2381
FUNDRAISER: The Capitol Steps @ Montgomery Blair High School !! Support Blair After Prom Party via this fun community event! DATE: Sun, F e b r u a r y . 2 3 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Tickets: only $30 (less than same show downtown and Free Parking!); See Ms. Fus/Blair at Main Office or on-line @ brownpapertickets.co m
Bethesda Village Daycare Children’s Center of Damascus Damascus Licensed Family Daycare Elena’s Family Daycare Debbie’s Daycare Kids Garden Day Care Reflections Daycare My Little Place Home Daycare Susanna’s Day Care Kids Love Jewelry
Lic#: 160373 Lic#: 31453 Lic#: 139094 Lic#: 15-133761 Lic#: 15-127060 Lic#: 139378 Lic#: 160613 Lic#: 131042 Lic#: 105189 Lic#: 161641
301-564-1966 301-253-6864 301-253-4753 301-972-1955 301-540-6818 240-601-9134 240-506-5343 301-947-8477 301-933-7342 301-625-1762
DEADLINE: MARCH 3rd, 2014
20817 20872 20872 20876 20876 20886 20886 20886 20902 20904
Careers 301-670-2500
class@gazette.net
Dispatcher
VETERANS NEEDED
Large Gaithersburg HVAC Service Co. is looking for a fulltime dispatcher. Dispatch experience, great customer service along w/great phone skills. Hourly wage with great benefits. Email resume to dispatcher.jobs@aol.com.
Use your GI Benefits NOW for training in Healthcare. JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE Offered.
Call Now 1-888-3958261
Medical Assistant
Detail oriented, bilingual medical assistant wanted for full or part-time position in Rockville office. Please fax resume to 301-770-7272.
Construction
SPRAY TECH
Commercial Contractor is looking for an exper. polyurethane foam insulator or previous spray exper. & willing to learn new trade. Must have trans. E-verify, EOE, Drug-Free workplace. Please call Marcela for info (301) 662-7584.
DELIVERY DRIVER
Suburban Propane, a nationwide provider of propane & related services has the following opening in the Rockville, MD area: Delivery Driver. Qual incl a HS Diploma or equiv. Class B CDL w/Hazmat and tanker endorsements, clean driving record. Strong team player w/excellent cust service skills, propane gas delivery experience preferred, flexible schedule w/after hours call-outs, heavy lifting required. Suburban offers a competitive salary w/incentive potential and comprehensive benefits including 401K and tuition reimbursement. For add’l info or to apply, please visit our website at: www.suburbanpropane.jobs. Click Career Opportunities and search for job opening ID 7421. As part of our hiring process, DOT physicals, background checks and preemployment drug tests are performed. EOE, M/F/D/V
DENTAL ASSISTANT
Needed FT/PT for our endodontic office. We are seeking an experienced, energetic person that will compliment our team approach to quality centered care. Xray License required Rockville locations. Email: phelps@endogroup.com
DOMINO’S PIZZA IS NOW HIRING
ALL POSITIONS
DRIVERS ASST MANAGERS SHIFT RUNNER Competitive compensation & cash paid daily for drivers. Hours Flexible. LOCATIONS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY JERRY QUINTANILLA 240-752-4523 EOE
Dental/Medical Offices now hiring. No experience? Job Training & Placement Assistance Available 1-877-234-7706 CTO SCHEV
HEALTHCARE
WE’RE HIRING WEEKEND CNAS, GNAS, AND HHAS!
WAREHOUSE HELP Seeking highly motivated and hardworking team player for lumber yard. Mon-Sat, 40 hr wk, will train. Apply in person at Fisher Lumber, 525 E Gude Dr, Rockville, MD.
Provide non-medical care and companionship for seniors in their homes. Personal care, light housework, transportation, meal preparation. Must be 21+. Must have car and one year professional, volunteer, or personal experience www.homeinsteads.com/197 Home Instead Senior Care To us it’s personal 301/588-9023 Call between 10am-4pm Mon-Fri
MAINTENANCE TECH
Pharmacy/ Phlebotomy Tech Trainees Needed Now
Aspen Hill
Building repairs, plumbing, electrical, HVAC. 2 yrs exp. for non-profit retirement community. Send resume w/salary req. to 301-598-6485 office@homecresthouse.org
Pharmacies/ hospitals now hiring. No experience? Job Training & Placement Assistance Available 1-877-240-4524
Seminar
CTO SCHEV
to advertise call 301.670.7100 or email class@gazette.net
Interested in a career in decorating? Career opportunity seminar Thursday Feb. 20th @ 6:30pm - 8pm 10426 fawcett St, Kensington, MD RSVP to
GC3045
jimkirlin@decoratingden.com
Family Services Inc.’s Watch Me Grow Child Development Center is dedicating to providing the most high quality form of child care for children aging from 6 weeks through age 5. Our mission is to enrich the lives of children by creating a warm and nurturing environment that encourages children to grow and experience appropriate developmental practices, personal interests, cultural diversity, and a lifelong love of learning. Our Watch Me Grow Child Development Center currently has the following positions open: two full time vacancies for Senior Staff Teachers for 2 year olds, one full-time position for a Before and After Care Coordinator, one full-time Senior Staff Teacher for the infant and toddler age groups, and two part-time Assistant Teachers. Please refer to our website http://www.familyservicesagency.org about the specific qualifications that are applicable to each of the positions. To apply to any of the positions listed above, please email resume and cover letter to careers@fs-inc.org or fax to 240-631-9356. GC3196
Local companies, Local candidates Get Connected
Gazette.Net
Recruiting is now Simple! Get Connected!
Family Services, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer [EOE]
Education
Real Estate
CMMS Germantown location is looking for qualified:
90 hour certification and Bachelors Degree preferred. Please forward resumes to admissions@cmmschool.com
Silver Spring
Work with the BEST!
Be trained individually by one of the area’s top offices & one of the area’s best salesman with over 34 years. New & experienced salespeople welcomed.
* Directors * Teachers * Assistant Teachers
Must R.S.V.P.
Call Bill Hennessy
GC3191
GC3193
Dental/ Medical Assistant Trainees Needed Now
301-388-2626 301-388-2626
bill.hennessy@longfoster.com • Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. EOE
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Page B-11
Careers 301-670-2500
class@gazette.net
HILTON, GAITHERSBURG, MD
Thursday, April 3, 2014, 9:00-2:00pm
Career Expo 2014 will provide employers with an opportunity to take a first look at local qualified applicants. Our mini seminars will command an audience of highly skilled professionals. Reserve your space today, log on to www.gazettecareerexpo.com or call 301-670-7100. PREMIUM PACKAGE $495 EARLY BIRD PRICING*
• Booth at Event • 30 Day Banner on Gazette. net/Careers & DCMilitary.com/Career • Featured Advertiser, Hiring and Company profile • 2-Job postings (one print, one online)
EARLY BIRD
Registration Deadline January 31, 2014
*$695 after January 31, 2014
GC3194
TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE CALL 301-670-7100 Maintenance Mechanic Senior
The MD Dept of General Services is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic Senior in Silver Spring MD. Candidates must have completed 8th grade and 4 yrs exp in building maintenance trades including 3 yrs in electricity, plumbing, steam fitting, refrigeration or air conditioning. For complete details or to apply online, go to www.dgs.maryland.gov and click on DGS Job Openings or call 410-767-4986. Applications must be received by 02/14/14. EOE
Newspaper & Web Ad Sales Comprint Military Publications publishes 8 newspapers, 2 websites and 14 special sections and is looking for an energetic, organized sales representative to sell advertising into our media. Must be able to work well under weekly deadlines and pressures of meeting sales goals. Prefer someone with print and/or web advertising sales experience. Position is in Gaithersburg office and hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F. Territory is Northern VA. We offer a competitive compensation & comprehensive benefits package including pension, 401(k) & tuition reimbursement. If interested, please send resume and cover letter with salary requirements to: John Rives at jrives@dcmilitary.com. EOE
SKILLED TRADE
HVAC SERVICE TECH
IMMEDIATE Position Avialable for NATE and/or Journeyman HVAC service technicians. MUST have 2 yrs exp. Great hourly pay, commission, weekly bonus & insurance. Drug free, customer oriented, and motivated. Only qualified applicants apply. 301-670-1944 - Gaithersburg
SKILLED TRADE
PLUMBER IMMEDIATE Position Avialable for Plumber. MUST have 2 yrs exp. Great hourly pay, commission, weekly bonus & insurance. Drug free, customer oriented, and motivated. Only qualified applicants apply. 301-670-1944 - Gaithersburg
Travel Coordinator
Award winning transportation company in R’ville is seeking an enegergetic individual to fullfill a F/T position in our Reservations Department. If you enjoy multitasking in a fast pace environment and have a passion for providing excellent customer service then please join us at our open house on Tuesday February 11th anytime between 11-3pm at 11565 Old Georgetown Rd. North Bethesda, MD 20852.
Part-Time
Work From Home
National Children’s Center Making calls. For more info please call Weekdays between 9a-4p No selling! Sal + bonus + benes. Call 301-333-1900
Recruiting is now Simple! Get Connected
Page B-12
THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Automotive
Page B-13
Call 301-670-7100 or email class@gazette.net
4 NEED AUTO FINANCING ASSISTANCE? 4 TIRED OF HASSLES? 4 WANT A FRESH START? ALL APPLICATIONS REVIEWED WE HELP EVERYONE!
1-866-464-1618
FOR CAR ! ANY CAR ANY CONDITION
WE PAY TOP DOLLAR-FAST FREE PICKUP! SELL YOUR CAR TODAY! CALL NOW FOR AN
INSTANT CASH OFFER
(301) 288-6009
G558500
YOU ALWAYS GET YOUR WAY AT OURISMAN EVERYDAY
$5,000 OFF
Looking for a new convertible?
2013 Beetles & Beet Convertibles le 13 Available In Stock Units On ly
OURISMAN VW
Search Gazette.Net/Autos
2013 MODELS SALE
2014 JETTA S
#7380482, Power Windows, Power Locks, Keyless Entry
#3096366, Automatic, Power Windows/Power Locks, Keyless Entry, Heated Seats, Bluetooth, Cruise Control
2014 PASSAT S 2.5L
MSRP 20,860
MSRP 17,810
14,999
$
2014 PASSAT S
BUY FOR
16,999
$
OR 0% for 60 MONTHS
2013 BEETLE
04 Toyota Highlander LTD #462007B, $ 4 Speed Auto, Vontage $
#9009449, Automatic, Power Windows/Power Locks, Keyless Entry, Cruise Control
Blue, Sport Utility
MSRP 22,765
$
$
BUY FOR
2013 GOLF 2 DOOR
W INTER CLEARANCE CLEARANCE SALE SALE WINTER
$
BUY FOR
18,999
9,800
12 Toyota Corolla LE $$
MSRP $22,765 BUY FOR
18,999
$
OR 0.9% for 60 MONTHS
2013 GTI 4 DOOR
#4116048, Automatic, Power Windows/ Power Locks, Keyless Entry
MSRP $26,960 BUY FOR
22,955
$
OR 0% for 60 MONTHS
#1679497, Power Windows/Locks, Sunroof, Auto, Loaded
MSRP 24,490 - $5,000 OFF $
BUY FOR
19,490
$
OR 0% for 60 MONTHS
2014 PASSAT TDI SE
#9060756, Automatic, Power Windows, Power Locks, Sunroof
MSRP $27,385 BUY FOR
23,399
$
OR 0.9% for 60 MONTHS
12,800
4 Door
#377689B, Automatic, Coupe
13,500
$$
13,800
12 Nissan Altima S #470192A, CVT $ $ Trans, 2.5. Low Miles
13,800
11 Toyota Camry LE $$
#P8895, 1-Owner, 6 Speed Auto, 25k Miles
15,500
#7415025, Automatic Power Windows, Power Locks, Bluetooth
MSRP $25,510 - $5,000 OFF
20,155 2014 TIGUAN S 4WD BUY FOR
$
13 Scion TC $$
#351071A, 11.7k miles, 1-Owner, Manual
16,800
13 Toyota Corolla S $$
17,700
#364525A, 4 Speed Auto, 22k miles, 1-Owner
11ToyotaRAV4 $$
#364568A, 4 Speed Auto, 1-Owner, 18K miles
18,700
#13543457, Automatic, Power Windows, Power Locks, Keyless Entry
MSRP $28,936
BUY FOR
12 Toyota Tacoma #R1717A, $ 4 Speed Autol, $
24,999
$
38k Miles, Reg Cab
OURISMAN VW WORLD AUTO CERTIFIED PRE OWNED
18,700
08 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 3.0L #457003B, 7 Speed Auto, Mars Red
19,700
$$
2008 Mercury Grand Marquis LS .. $8,500 $8,500 #472145A, 4 SpeedAuto, Silver Birch Metallic
$12,800 2010 Scion XD.................. $12,800 #P8873, 4 SpeedAuto, 24K miles, 1-Owner, Super White
22 Available...Rates Starting at 2.64% up to 72 months
$13,500 2012 Nissan Sentra 2.......... $13,500 #472173A, CVT Transmission, 1-Owner, 11.6k miles, Brilliant Silver
2011 Jetta Sedan......#V0019A, Gold, 47,603 miles................$12,491 2009 GTI..................#V551811A, White, 99,448 miles.............$12,991 2006 Dodge Charger. .#V007711A, Yellow, 65,873 miles........$14,491 2011 Toyota Corolla #VP0020, Black, 30,992 miles................$14,991 2012 Mazda 6..........#VPR0023, Black, 44,340 miles...............$15,491 2012 Nissan Altima.#VPR0024, Gray, 42,366 miles...............$15,991 2013 Passat S….....#VPR0031, Silver, 34,132 miles...............$15,999 2012 Jetta SE...........#VPR6113, Silver, 34,537 miles...............$16,495 2013 Jetta SE............#V693295A, Red, 3,179 miles................$18,492 2011 CC.....................#VP0032, White, 36,116 miles................$18,991 2011 Honda CRV.....#V003776A, Gray, 37,086 miles..............$18,992
09 Mini Cooper Clubman S
2013 JETTA TDI #N0289, 1-Owner, 4 Speed Auto, Low Miles
#9009449, Power Windows, Power Locks, Keyless Entry
11 Toyota Camry LE #472182A, $$ 6 Speed Auto,
$
2013 Toyota Corolla LE......... $15,500 $15,500 #472176A, 1-Owner, 4 SpeedAuto, Magnetic Gray
2011 Tiguan S..........#VPR0017, White, 32,529 miles..............$18,995 2011 CC.....................#VP0022, Black, 30,272 miles................$19,991 2013 Jetta SE...........#VPR0027, White, 6,101 miles...............$19,995 2013 Jetta SE............#VPR0030, Silver, 4,340 miles................$19,995 2011 Chrysler 200..#V006539A, Silver, 21,797 miles..............$20,995 2013 Passat S...........#VPR0026, Black, 6,891 miles................$20,995 2013 Beetle Conv...#V827637A, Black, 20,496 miles..............$21,991 2011 Ford Ranger...#V373771A, Black, 17,869 miles..............$21,995 2013 Passat SE........#VPR0029, White, 5,964 miles...............$23,999 2013 Passat SE........#VPR0028, White, 5,010 miles...............$23,999 2012 Routan SE......#VP0033, Maroon, 12,853 miles..............$24,991
2011 Honda CR-V SE........... $16,800 $16,800 #364555A, 21k Miles, 1-Owner, 5 SpeedAuto, Polished Metal Metallic
2014 Toyota Corolla LE......... $16,800 $16,800 #472197A, 1-Owner, low Miles, CVT Transmission, Slate Metallic
Ourisman VW of Laurel
DARCARS
Online Chat Available...24 Hour Website • Hours Mon-Fri 9 am-9 pm • Sat 9 am-8 pm
G558495
3371 Fort Meade Road, Laurel
1.855.881.9197 • www.ourismanvw.com
14 Toyota Camry LE #378075A, $ 1-Owner, 307 miles, $ 6 Speed Auto
20,800
2010 Toyota Prius II............ $16,800 $16,800 #P8874, CVT Trans, 1 Owner, 25k Miles, Barcelona Red
$18,500 2009 Nissan Murano SL....... $18,500 #P8851A, CVT Trans, 4WD, Sport Utility 2012 Toyota Sienna Minivan. . $18,700 $18,700 #460044A, 6 SpeedAuto, 25k Miles, Silver Metallic
$18,800 2011 Toyota Avalon............ $18,800 #478001A, 6 SpeedAuto, 1 Owner, 4 Door 2011 Toyota RAV4............... $19,700 $19,700 #N0301, 1-Owner, 36k miles, 4 SpeedAuto, Black 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander..... $22,700 $22,700 #363225A, 6 SpeedAuto, 1-Owner, 5k miles, Rally Red Metallic
PRE-OWNED 3355 5 5 TTOYOTA OYOTA P R E - OW N E D
All prices exclude tax, tags, title, freight and $200 processing fee. Cannot be combined with any previous advertised or internet special. Pictures are for illustrative purposes only. See dealer for details. 0% APR Up To 60 Months on all models. See dealer for details. Ourisman VW World Auto Certified Pre Owned financing for 60 months based on credit approval thru VW. Excludes Title, Tax, Options & Dealer Fees. Special APR financing cannot be combined with sale prices. Ends 02/28/14.
G558496
G558498
EMAIL US AT BUILDMYCREDIT@JIMCOLEMANAUTO.COM OR CALL
CA H
See what it’s like to love car buying
1-888-831-9671 1-888-831-9671 15625 Frederick Rd (Rte 355) • Rockville, MD | OPEN SUNDAY
V VISIT ISIT U US S O ON N T THE HE W WEB EB A AT T w www.355.com ww.355.com
Check out the Gazette’s auto site at Gazette.Net/Autos With 2 great ways to shop for your next car, you won’t believe how easy it is to buy a car locally through The Gazette. Check the weekly newspaper for unique specials from various dealers and then visit our new auto website 24/7 at Gazette.Net/Autos to search entire inventories of trusted local dealers updated daily. Dealers, for more information call 301-670-7100 or email - class@gazette.net
Page B-14
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
Page B-15
2014 NEW COROLLA LE ECO
WINTER
MO For 4 DR., 24 MOs** 4 CYL., AUTO NEW 2014 VENZA 4X2
79/
CLEARANCE SALE!
2 AVAILABLE: #474500, 474510
24,690
$
AFTER $1,000 REBATE
99/
$
15,890
4 DR., AUTO, 4 CYL., INCL.
NEW 2014 SCION XD 2 AVAILABLE: #453014, 453017
$
4 CYL., AUTO
169/mo.**
4 CYL., 4 DR., AUTO
NEW 2014 RAV4 4X2 BASE 2 AVAILABLE: #464049, 464050
NEW 2014 CAMRY LE
36 Month Lease
$
2 AVAILABLE: #472091, 472121
$
MO For 4 DR., 24 MOs**4 CYL., AUTO
NEW 2014 CAMRY SE
2 AVAILABLE: #477414, 477421
21,690
AFTER $750 REBATE
2 AVAILABLE: #472008, 472036
0% FOR
HATCHBACK 4 DR., AUTO, 4 CYL.,
4 CYL., AUTOMATIC
AFTER $500 REBATE
NEW 2014 PRIUS II
$
21,590
60
DARCARS
MONTHS+
On 10 Toyota Models
See what it’s like to love car buying
$
17,990
DEMO AUTO, 4 CYL., 4 DR
AFTER TOYOTA $1,750 REBATE
1-888-831-9671
15625 Frederick Rd (Rte 355) • Rockville, MD ■ OPEN SUNDAY ■ VISIT US ON THE WEB AT www.355Toyota.com
G558494
36 $
NEW2 2014 COROLLA LE AVAILABLE: #470335, 470392
2 AVAILABLE: #470041, 470040
PRICES AND PAYMENTS INCLUDE ANY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURE’S REBATES AND EXCLUDE MILITARY ($500) AND COLLEGE GRAD ($500) REBATES, TAX, TAGS, DEALER PROCESSING CHARGE ($200) AND FREIGHT: CARS $795 OR $810, TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND SIENNAS $810, $845 AND $995. *0.9% APR & 0% APR FINANCING UP TO 60 MONTHS TO QUALIFIED BUYERS THRU TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. TOTAL FINANCED CANNOT EXCEED MSRP PLUS OPTIONS, TAX, AND LICENSE FEES. 0% APR 60 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $16.67 FOR EACH $1000 BORROWED. 0.9% APR 60 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $17.05 FOR EACH $1000 BORROWED. APR OFFERS ARE NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER CASH BACK OR LEASE OFFER. NOT ALL BUYERS WILL QUALIFY.**LEASE PAYMENTS BASED ON 36 MONTHS, 12,000 MILES PER YEAR WITH $995 DOWN PLUS $650 ACQUISITION FEE, NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. SEE DEALER FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. 2014 COROLLA LE ECO & CAMRY LE LEASES ARE FOR 24 MONTHS. EXPIRES 02/28/2014.
Page B-16
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 o
98 Chevy Malibu LS
$1,990
05 Honda Pilot EX-L
#KP37091, LTHR, P/OPS, “BEST BUY!” “HANDYMAN”
04 Nissan Armada
$12,845
#KP25417, MNRF/LTHR, $887 OFF KBB
09 Honda Fit Sport
#KP51329, H/BK, IMMACULATE, 37K!! AT, PW
UNDER $10,995
01 Chevy Suburban.............................$4,498
G558493
$27,745
#KP11308, AWD, NAV/MEMORY, $2,372 OFF KBB
MORE VEHICLES
07 Hyundai Veracruz LTD.................$15,988
05 Ford F-150 Supercab 4x4..........$8,800
06 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4WD......$13,488
11 Ford Econoline ........................$17,970
#KP51988, SHARP!, MNRF, LTHR, P/OPTS, MD INSP’D
#KP24038A, “WELL KEPT”, PW, RNG BDS, “HANDYMAN”
#KP65239, PRISTINE 21K!! AT, PW/PLC, CD, EASY TERMS! #KP83795, LOTS-OF-FUN, DVD/NAV/MNRF
11 Nissan Versa 1.8S....................$10,935
13 Fiat 500 Sport...........................$14,990
06 Hyundai Sante Fe LTD AWD.....$10,970
10 Hyundai Sonata LTD.................$15,488
#KP71370, NICE!, MNRF, LTHR/PWR SEAT, CASS/CD
#KA33911, PW/PLC, AT, CD, “GREAT TERMS AVAIL!”
#KP68989, ACCESS CAB, CLEAN!, AT, PW, TOW PKG, “HANDYMAN”
#KP80941, MNRF, LTHR, MONSOON CD-6, P/OPTS
05 Toyota Tundra.............................$5,490
11 Dodge Charger R/T
10 Nissan Cube..................................$12,470
#KP1537, GORGEOUS!, MNRF, LTHR, PWR SEAT, P/OPTS, MD INSP’D
06 Suzuki Verona EX.......................$5,450
#KP31071, DVD/MNRF, $1,123 OFF KBB
01 Infiniti Q45..................................$6,935
#KP06988, “RARE FIND!”, LTH/MNRF/DVD, “HANDYMAN”
02 Acura TL 3.2 Type S...................$4,965
$12,747
$10,998
#KR90759, PAMPERED 11K!!, AT, MNRF, PW, STABILITY FAC WARR!
#KP24824, SHARP 39K!! MNRF, LTHR, CD-6, FAC WARR!
#KA07165, PRISTINE! DVD, LTHR, MNRF, P/OPTIONS
#KN03615, 12 PASS WGN, WELL KEPT! PW/PLC, CC, CD
12 Dodge Charger..........................$18,388 #KN58308, PSEAT, PW/PLC, CC, CD, DON’T MISS!
10 Chrysler Town & Country LTD....$22,988
#KP51814, DUAL DVD’S, NAV, PWR 3RD SEAT, LTHR