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How To Make River Road Safer?News, Page 3
ManyHands
HelpingNews, Page 4
Camps & SchoolsPage 6
Marielena and Mariana Carrillo Velazquirez, Ashley Gomez, and David Rivera remove graffiti as part of the 11th annual C&O Canal Pride Clean-Up At Great Falls on April 21.
April 25-May 1, 2018
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2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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eRoadAddress .............................. BR FB HB . Postal City . Sold Price ... Type ......... Lot AC .. PostalCode ....... Subdivision ......... Date Sold
1 10702 GREAT ARBOR DR ...... 4 .. 3 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $865,000 ... Detached ....... 0.37 ......... 20854 ........ RED COAT WOODS ........ 02/20/18
2 11412 BEECHGROVE LN ....... 4 .. 3 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $860,000 ... Detached ....... 0.24 ......... 20854 ........... BEDFORDSHIRE .......... 02/24/18
3 9013 MARSEILLE DR ............. 5 .. 3 . 0 ... ROCKVILLE ..... $840,000 ... Detached ....... 0.46 ......... 20854 ..... LAKE NORMANDY ESTS .... 02/09/18
4 11219 WILLOWBROOK DR .... 4 .. 3 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $837,000 ... Detached ....... 0.48 ......... 20854 .......... WILLOWBROOK .......... 02/22/18
5 10215 GAINSBOROUGH RD .. 5 .. 2 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $818,000 ... Townhouse .... 0.10 ......... 20854 .... EAST GATE OF POTOMAC ... 02/26/18
6 10328 GAINSBOROUGH RD .. 5 .. 3 . 0 .... POTOMAC ..... $810,000 ... Detached ....... 0.27 ......... 20854 ....... BELLS MILL VILLAGE ....... 02/28/18
Copyright 2018 MarketStats for ShowingTime. Source: Bright MLS as of March 15, 2018.
Photos by Deb Stevens/The Almanac
In February 2018, 26 Potomac homes
sold between $3,125,000-$530,000.
PotomacREAL ESTATE
February, 2018 Sales,$810,000~$865,000
1 10702 Great Aabor Drive — $865,000
2 11412Beechgrove Lane— $860,000
3 9013Marseille Drive
— $840,000
4 11219 Willowbrook Drive — $837,000
5 10215 Gainsborough Road— $818,000
6 10328 Gainsborough Road —$810,000
Potomac Almanac ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
See www.potomacalmanac.com
By Susan Belford
The Almanac
In the long history of Walt WhitmanHigh School there have only been threeprincipals. Daryl Shaw served as the in-
augural principal from 1962 until 1975.Jerome Marco was principal from 1975until his retirement in 2004. Today, the prin-cipal is Alan Goodwin who is retiring thisJune after 19 years with the Whitman com-munity.
“I have very mixed feelings about leav-ing because I love and enjoy this commu-nity so much. I have 43 years with Mont-gomery County and feel it is time to moveon in a different direction. It would be dif-ficult no matter when I decided to leave.My first grandchild is arriving this summerand my second son is getting married — soI will be very busy this summer. Then I will
look at the possibili-ties.”
Goodwin’s recordincludes maintainingthe national highranking of the school,establishing an open-door policy with stu-dents, parents andstaff, and furtheringthe philosophy that allstudents have an
equal opportunity to succeed, both in andout of school.
“Over the years, I have enjoyed givingstudents the opportunity to design theirown activities in school,” he said. “They canlearn a lot by initiating an idea and seeingit come to fruition. I have also tried todownplay the many awards that Whitmanstudents receive. Many students already feeltoo much stress and even though they workas hard as others, they do not always re-ceive the recognition. I am most proud ofthe individual successes — the shining mo-ments in drama, writing, sports and extra-
curricular activities.”One of the memorable moments for
Goodwin was when seven congregants fromTopeka’s Westboro Baptist Church came toprotest Whitman High School because ofthe sexual orientation of the poet for whomthe school is named. Knowing that theywere coming, the faculty turned the eventan interdisciplinary lesson — English teach-ers taught Whitman’s poetry and socialstudies teachers taught a unit on toleranceand the right to a peaceful protest. As schoolwas dismissed, 700 students lined up alongpolice tape separated from the congregants.They chanted alternately, “Walt WhitmanHigh” and “Go home.” Their group was solarge, yet peaceful – and they completelydrowned out the message coming fromacross the street. Goodwin was proud of hisWhitman students because they acted in aquiet manner, yet they were powerful withtheir numbers and their message. “It wastheir school that was being attacked andthey learned that they have the right todefend it peacefully.”
As with other large high schools,
Whitman High School Principal Goodwin Retiring This JuneFarewell after19 years.
Whitman has had its share of teen suicides,car accidents and deaths due to underagedrinking and drug usage. Goodwin led stu-dents, parents and faculty through thesetragedies by creating a nurturing environ-ment that responded to student stress andneeds.
“I started a Stress Busters committee torespond to the high student stress levels inour school and to help students come upwith strategies for dealing with it in ahealthy manner – rather than to self-de-struct.”
Whitman Guidance Counselor WilliamToth said, “Alan is always a champion forevery student. He is totally accessible to allparents, staff, and students – and has a per-sonal touch that makes one feel as if theyhave known him forever. He attended al-most every activity and knew most of thestudents by name.
He encouraged kids to join in and par-ticipate — and had a unique affinity forspecial needs students. He was a wonder-ful administrator — and a great guy to workwith. He will be sorely missed.”
By Peggy McEwan
The Almanac
More than 200 members ofthe Walt Whitman HighSchool community met atthe school Monday night,
April 23, to discuss Maryland State High-way Administration’s (SHA) proposedsafety enhancements along River Road nearthe school.
“This is just a community meeting to getfeedback,” said Richard Boltuck, who con-ducted the meeting.
Pedestrian and vehicular safety alongRiver Road, Maryland State Route 190, be-tween Pyle Road and Braeburn Parkway, hasbeen an issue for years according to sev-eral community members who spoke at themeeting.
Citizen concern reached a new height inFebruary 2016 when three members of theBuarque De Macedo family were killedwhile making a left turn off River Road ontoBraeburn Parkway. They were on their wayto a play at Whitman High School.
Community members met in June of thatyear to urge the SHA to create a plan forsafety changes to the Braeburn Parkwayintersection and to the pedestrian crosswalknearby.
The proposed change for Braeburn Park-way is to replace the flexible posts installedafter the 2016 accident with a concrete curbto channel left turns from River Road ontoBraeburn Parkway. That also restrictsthrough and left turns from Braeburn Park-way onto eastbound River Road.
The second change, to the current pedes-
trian crosswalk on River Road, calls for theinstallation of pedestrian operated signalsstopping traffic to allow for safe crossing ofthe road.
“There have finally been some importantpositive steps toward improving safety atthe River Road crosswalk to Whitman andto the back entrance to the school atBraeburn Parkway,” Whitman principal AlanGoodwin wrote in an email urging theWhitman community to attend the meet-ing. “We must make sure that the proposedimprovements are made while continuingto explore further safety enhancements.”
After an hour of comments from attend-ees, some urging the adoption of the SHA
improvements, others saying to reject thembecause there were better ideas … morewas needed, and still others calling for acombination: adopt and also move forwardlobbing for other changes.
The community especially wants RiverRoad, from Braeburn Parkway to Pyle Road,to be designated a school zone. So far, theSHA has rejected that idea.
Kate Robinson, who has a daughter atWhitman and a son in seventh grade whowill attend the school, said she does not feelthe current proposal in sufficient.
“I would like to add that [River Road]should be a school zone, the speed limitshould be lowered and there should be
speed cameras,” she said.
AT THE END of the evening, an informalvote was taken on each of the SHA’s pro-posals.
“The SHA had legal authority to do whatthey want,” Boltuck said. “[But] SHA doescare about [public input].”
Voting to agree that SHA “designate thestretch of river Road including the stretchof River including the Braeburn Parkwayintersection a school zone and to installspeed cameras” was practically unanimous.Only one vote was cast against that idea.
The next vote, on the changes to theBraeburn Parkway intersection, was not infavor of SHA. A majority — 147 to 64 —did not agree that the proposal “improvessafety sufficiently and provided adequatecommunity benefits ….”
Most voters — 153 to 13 — voted to rec-ommend “closure to through traffic onBraeburn Parkway and prohibition on leftturns from both sides of [the Parkway] ontoRiver Road. Install a traffic signal to regu-late and protect traffic turning left fromRiver Road ….”
As for changes to the crosswalk, mostvoters agreed to support the SHA proposal,voting that “ … the proposal improves safetysufficiently and provides adequate commu-nity benefits.” That vote was 182-11.
At the end of the meeting, Boltuck saidhe thought it went well.
“The ultimate objective was to get align-ment between SHA and the community,” hesaid. “Additionally, we want a designatedschool zone, we want to slow down traf-fic.”
How To Make River Road Safer?Whitman community meets to discuss proposed safety enhancements.
Photo by Peggy McEwan
The Almanac
Richard Boltuck begins ameeting to discuss Mary-land State Highway Admin-istration changes to RiverRoad at Walt Whitman HighSchool Monday night. Thechanges focus on safetyimprovements at the inter-section of Braeburn Park-way and River Road and thepedestrian crosswalk eastof that intersection.
4 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
POTOMACALMANAC
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An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered
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Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to
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EDITOR & PUBLISHERMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
EDITORIALPHONE: 703-778-9415
E-MAIL:[email protected]
EDITORSteven Mauren, 703-778-9415
PRODUCTION EDITORJean Card
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSusan Belford, Carole Dell,
Cissy Finley Grant, Carole Funger,Colleen Healy, Kenny Lourie,Peggy McEwan, Ken Moore
ContributingPhotographers
Harvey Levine, Deborah Stevens
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
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ADVERTISINGFor advertising information
Display Advertising:Kenny Lourie 301-325-1398
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News
C&O CanalPrideClean-UpElise Schneider,Kylie Barrett, MaryKate Gentile,Natalie and NancySpringer, Jenna andVicky Schneider,and Linda Nardonefrom Girl ScoutTroop 2755 repaintthe bathroom.About 150 peopleparticipated in theannual C&O CanalPride Clean-up.
Roberta Williams, Kirsten Denney, and Emily Guskin clean the fence atthe Tavern.
Abby and Eric Zimmermanplant grass seed.
Pho
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Steven
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Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.
MEALS ON WHEELS.Delivers meals to house-bound seniors,
convalescents and persons withdisabilities. It receives minimumgovernment funding and reliesinstead on contributions. Donationsare needed to help with unmet mealscosts for clients who cannot afford topay. If you can help, send a check toRockville Meals on Wheels at P.O.Box 465, Rockville, MD 20848-0465or visit the website to contributethrough Pay Pal atwww.rockvillemealsonwheels.org.For more information, call 301-340-1559, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.- noon.
FRIDAY/APRIL 27Spring Rummage Sale. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
at St. James’ Episcopal Church,11815 Seven Locks Road, Potomac.Featuring antiques and collectibles,art, bicycles, books, clothing, jewelry
and more. There is a Ride-On Bus(Route #47) stop at the Churchdriveway. Call 301-762-8040 or visitwww.stjamespotomac.org.
SATURDAY/APRIL 28Chocolate. 2 p.m. at Davis Community
Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd.,Bethesda. Montgomery County PublicLibraries is offering free STEM Smartprograms in which children ages 10-14 will have the opportunity to learnabout Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) and do hands-onexperiments led by retired scientists.Children can participate in allsessions or select sessions of interest.Registration is required for eachsession. Call 240-777-0006 or visitmontgomerycountymd.gov/library/.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY/MAY 3-4Potomac Elementary School is
holding Kindergarten Orientation onMay 3 and May 4. Children who willbe 5 years old on or before Sept. 1,2018 are eligible for enrollment forthe upcoming school year. Parents/
guardians should notify the school at301-469-1042 to receive enrollmentinformation and to participate in theOrientation Program.
TUESDAY/MAY 8Talk on Opioids. 10 a.m.-12 noon at
Department of Health and HumanServices, 401 Hungerford Drive,Rockville. Residents concerned abouta friend or family member with anopioid addiction are invited to attenda free training to learn aboutreducing unintentional and life-threatening opioid overdoses withthe use of Naloxone, a prescriptionmedication that reverses the effectsof an opioid overdose. Participantswho complete the training willreceive a free Naloxone kit. Tips onoverdose prevention and resourcesdetailing local and national resourceswill be provided. The training is freebut registration is required. Call 240-777-1836 to register.
SATURDAY/MAY 12Electronics. 2 p.m. at Davis
Community Library, 6400 Democracy
Blvd., Bethesda. Montgomery CountyPublic Libraries is offering free STEMSmart programs in which childrenages 10-14 will have the opportunityto learn about Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) and do hands-onexperiments led by retired scientists.Children can participate in allsessions or select sessions of interest.Registration is required for eachsession. Call 240-777-0006 or visitmontgomerycountymd.gov/library/.
WEDNESDAY/MAY 16Author/Speaker. 7-9:30 at Our Lady
of Bethesda Retreat Center, 7007Bradley Blvd., Bethesda. Witness theunfolding of a mosaic-likerepresentation of the figure andimportance of Mary Magdalene,through the lenses of archaeologicaldiscoveries, historical texts, scripturalsources, and local traditions. JenniferRistine has been serving at therecently excavated site of ancientMagdala in the Holy Land since2014. Suggested donation to attend:$25 per person. Visitwww.ourladyofbethesda.org.
Bulletin Board
Potomac Almanac ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
People
By Susan Belford
The Almanac
With science on myside, I fight for mycity, the environ-
ment and for a brighter future,”says Superhero Heliora, the cre-ation of Joy Reeves, a senior at St.Andrews Episcopal High School.
Reeves’ Superhero comic abouta high-school science whiz whoengages her engineered suit’s so-lar batteries and graphemenanoparticles to defeat the evil Dr.Blackburn to save the environmentof Brightfield City won first placein the National ScienceFoundation’s Generation Nanocompletion.
She combined her love of draw-ing with her interest in solar technology and alter-native energy to write and draw her project. Whenit captured first place, Reeves said she literally“screamed out loud. I never thought I would win atall – let alone first place.”
Reeves commended her AP Studio Art teacherLaura Cook for helping her to find her style and voiceas an artist. “She has taught me so much about artas well as a variety of artistic techniques. She wasinstrumental in encouraging me to enter the compe-tition. I was thrilled that Ms. Cook was also honoredby Generation Nano for her mentoring of youngSTEM artists.”
Because she won the NSF competition, she wasinvited to take part in the 2018 USA Science andEngineering Festival in Washington D.C., where shedisplayed her new superhero at a booth. Dressed asHeliora, she captured the interest of the crowd asshe showed them her project, took photos with thechildren and discussed her interest in environmen-tal science.
“It was such a thrill discussing my exhibit with stu-dents, teachers and scientists. I really enjoyed con-necting with the kids who were fascinated by thecostume I designed — ski goggles, spray paintedshoulder pads, and a swim shirt from Walmart —and the story I created. After this festival, I’m nowinspired to include Visual Arts in my studies,” shesaid. She is the daughter of Jill and David Reeves.Her twin brother is Gordon Reeves.
Reeves is involved in a wealth of activities at St.Andrews. In September, she was selected to serve asa student research fellow at the Center for Transfor-mative Teaching and Learning. “In this program, Iresearch effective learning strategies, design andimplement high school programs for neuroplasticityand present findings via panel to Harvard Universityfaculty/graduate students and to MIT researchers.”
She also participated in creating an educationalneuroscience app. She is president of the Environ-mental Club, founded the Outdoor Club and partici-pated last summer in Field Ecology Studies throughDrexel University.
The senior also won the National Scholastic Art &Writing Competition Regional Award for her comicart and editorial cartoon. She sings with her school’sa capella singing group, was named to the All-State-Team for Girls’ Cross Country, is fluent in Spanishand was inducted into the Cum Laude Society in2017. She will attend Duke University in the fallwhere she is planning to study Environmental Sci-ence and Policy.
In the future, Reeves will most-likely be makingher mark in environmental science, creating inven-tions – or providing teachable moments – and car-toons. When her comic-character says, “Thank youphotovoltaic nanotechnology advancements,” andthe villain replies, “What does that even mean?” youget a peek into Reeves’ sense of humor and goal tomake science more understandable for all.
Meet Superhero HelioraSt. Andrews Episcopal senior wins NSF award.
Joy Reeves, who created Superhero Heliora, won firstplace in the National Science Foundation’s GenerationNano completion.
“
6 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Marilyn Campbell
One of the great pleasures of summer isgoing to camp. From kayaking and rockclimbing to horseback riding and sail-ing, camp is a place where lifelong
memories are created. A recent study by the non-profit, global policy think tank RAND Corporationshows that voluntary summer programs like camphave a significant, positive impact on low-incomestudents during a time when they fall behind theirwealthier peers both academically and socially.
Katie Crump, a case manager at Interfaith Works,a non-profit organization dedicated to helping thepoor and underserved, says that the luxury of sum-mer camp often eludes those who need it most.
“The opportunity of attending areal summer camp is a big thing forthem. Unfortunately, this experiencecan be unattainable due to the highcost and finding transportationamong other things,” said Crump.“Attending summer camp affordskids a special and important experi-ence that’s all their own. It allowskids to be kids, something that is particularly vitalfor low-income children who are often forced to dealwith the burdens of adulthood at a young age.”
Despite the cost of summer camp, keeping chil-dren engaged during the stretch of time betweenJune and August when school is not in session is acritical part of their development, says Jerome Short,Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at GeorgeMason University.
“Summer camps give opportunities for children todevelop social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioralskills,” he said. “Some research shows that higher[socioeconomic status] children increase academicand behavioral skills over the summer and lower [so-cioeconomic status] children lose skills over the sum-mer. Research shows that lower [socioeconomic sta-tus] children benefit from learning social and behav-ioral skills in different settings with new peers andchallenges to apply their skills.”
Even with limited resources, summer camps canstill be accessible, says Tom Rosenberg, president andCEO of the American Camp Association (ACA).“There is a camp for every budget,” he said “[Most]ACA-accredited camps provide some form of schol-arship assistance. Reach out to the camp directly toask about specific financial aid and scholarship op-tions.”
MoreCAMP INVENTIONhttp://campinvention.org/
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCEhttps://www.fsafeds.com/
Affording Summer CampFor families with a limitedbudget, paying for campcan be a challenge.
The RAND study also showed that even thoughlow-income students can lose up to two months ofmath and reading skills over the summer, high-qual-ity summer programs can bridge that gap. Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)camps are an example of programs that can be ef-fective, but possibly unaffordable for some families.
Wolftrap and Colvin Run elementary schools inFairfax County, Va., will be the site of a non-profitSTEM camp called Camp Invention. Organized bythe National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), thehands-on program is designed for children in kin-dergarten through sixth grade. Through activities likebuilding robots and designing gadgets, campers geta sense of what it’s like to be a physicist or engineer.
“The program has sponsors that provide fundingthat’s used to help underrepresented kids attend thecamps,” said Ken Torisky, spokesman for NationalInventors Hall of Fame. “The money is distributed tostudents by the school district.”
Options for financial assistance for summer camprun the gamut from discounts for dependents of thoseserving in the military to camp funding offered by
churches, synagogues, and civic or-ganizations. “I would suggest to par-ents that they look into their childbeing sponsored by a local businessto attend a camp or look into pay-ment plan options at a camp thatthey are interested in attending,”advised Stacie Gottlieb, director,Bullis Summer and Extended Day
Programs in Potomac.While Bullis does not offer financial assistance for
summer camp, Gottlieb says that there are discountsfor early registration and registering for multipleweeks of camp.
Parents should check to see if a camp participatesin U.S. government assistance programs, particularlythose with income eligibility requirements, like TitleXX, advises Rosenberg. While it might be too late forthis summer, he encourages parents to explore De-pendent Care Flexible Spending Accounts and a Childand Dependent Care tax credit through the FSA Fedswebsite: https://www.fsafeds.com/.
“I generally think lower income children benefitwhen they have access to the same opportunities asupper-income children and also gain cultural skillsand knowledge important to upward mobility whenthey have opportunity to interact with upper-incomekids,” said Amy L. Best, Ph.D., professor and chair,Department of Sociology and Anthropology at GeorgeMason University. “I also think upper-income kidsgain mightily when they have genuine interactionswith kids from other class backgrounds. Becauseempathy, cross cultural understanding, and an abil-ity to work in diverse groups are skills that this newcentury demands, having opportunities to hone thoseskills are of value for all involved.”
Photo courtesy of National
Inventors Hall of Fame
Children at Camp Inventioncreate tracks for a self-driving robot. This camphas funding to sponsorlow-income children thissummer.
Camps & Schools
Potomac Almanac ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encour-aged.
ONGOINGArt Exhibit: “Essence.” Through April 28,
gallery hours at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave.,Suite E, Bethesda. Featuring painter JohnBodkin’s colorful abstract paintings. Visitwww.bethesda.org.
Photography Exhibit: “The Space AroundUs.” Through May 20, gallery hours atPhotoworks Gallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd.,Glen Echo, Md. “The Space Around Us:Photographs by Ira Tattelman.” Tattelman, aregistered architect and full-time artist, andguest curator Iason Demos will feature photosthat call attention to the planned and unplannedoutcomes of human actions. Exhibit receptionscheduled for Sunday, April 22, 4-6 p.m. Visitwww.glenechophotoworks.org.
Art Exhibit: Color Combustion. Through June27, office hours at Serendipity Labs, 4500 EastWest Highway, Suite 125, Bethesda. TheAbstract Artists’ Collective presents a groupexhibition of work by women painters atSerendipity Labs. Eleven painters are included inthe show: Tory Cowles, Lauren Chelec Cafritz,Camilla David, Jennifer Duncan, Patsy Fleming,Eleanor Glatty, Marthe McGrath, MicheleMorgan, Hester Ohbi, Debra Perkins, and HelenPower. Visit serendipitylabs.com/our-locations/serendipity-labs-bethesda-md/.
APRIL 25-28”Othello” and “A Midsummer Night’s
Dream.” At Montgomery College’s Cultural ArtsCenter, Silver Spring. Traveling PlayersEnsemble alum Kai Tshikosi will be performingOthello and Oberon in Shakespeare &Company’s touring productions of “Othello” and“A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Tickets for theplays can be purchased at http://mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/cac/. Visitwww.travelingplayers.org or call 703-987-1712.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 27-29Spring Dance Concert. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.;
Sunday, 2 p.m. at the Robert E. ParillaPerforming Arts Center, Montgomery College,51 Mannakee St., Rockville. The MontgomeryCollege-Rockville Dance Company continues itsannual tradition with a program of originaldance works by Montgomery College studentsand faculty, as well as Washington, D.C.-areachoreographers. Visitwww.montgomerycollege.edu/pac.
FRIDAY/APRIL 27-SUNDAY/MAY 6“Radium Girls.” At Rockville Little Theater, F
Scott Fitzgerald Theatre 603 Edmonston Dr.,Rockville. Show times are Friday, April 27 at 8p.m.; Saturday, April 28 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April29 at 2 p.m.; Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m.; Saturday,May 5 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m.Visit www.rlt-online.org.
SATURDAY/APRIL 28National Philharmonic Northern Lights
Concert. 8 p.m. at the Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, NorthBethesda. Philharmonic Chorale Artistic DirectorStan Engebretson leads a concert juxtaposingthe/rich traditions of Rachmaninoff’s/Vespers/with new sounds by popular Norwegiancomposer Ola/Gjeilo and local/wunderkind/composer Alistair Coleman. A pre-concertlecture by Philharmonic Associate DirectorVictoria Gau begins at 6:45 p.m. in the ConcertHall. Tickets start at $23 and can be purchasedat nationalphilharmonic.org or 301-581-5100
West Montgomery County CitizensAssociation. Second Wednesday, 7:15-9 p.m.at Potomac Community Center, 11315 FallsRoad. Attend the general meeting. Seewww.wmcca.org.
FRIDAY/MAY 4Opening Reception. 6-9 p.m. at Artists & Makers
Studios 1, 11810 Parklawn Dr., Suite 210,Rockville and Artists & Makers Studios 2,12276/12280 Wilkins Ave., Rockville. Artists &Makers Studios are welcoming May at twolocations with three solo exhibits and onemother/son exhibit, featuring the artwork ofRosana Azar, Michael Kraniski, Jun Lee, andSusan and Michael Makara in the galleries of
both studio centers. These four exhibits willshowcase resident artists’ open studios forbrowsing as well. These exhibits continuethrough May 23. Visitwww.artistsandmakersstudios.com.
SATURDAY/MAY 5Montgomery County GreenFest. 11 a.m.-4
p.m. at Jesup Blair Local Park. 900 Jesup BlairDrive, Silver Spring. The 4th Annual Greenfest,Montgomery County’s largest environmentalfestival is designed to create opportunities forresidents, businesses, nonprofits and neighborsto come together, share ideas and learn aboutlocal environmental initiatives. This year’s eventwill offer a wide variety of activities to appeal tothe whole family, from hands-on learningopportunities and live music and danceperformances to tree climbing for kids. Visitmontgomerycountygreenfest.org.
Mountain Dulcimers of Northern Virginia.12:30-3:30 p.m. at Great Falls Tavern, 11710MacArthur Blvd., Potomac. Visitors may try theirhand at playing a mountain dulcimer,percussion instrument, or simply sing along.Programs at Great Falls Tavern are free, butthere is an entrance fee to the park per vehicle.Call 301-767-3714.
National Philharmonic. 8 p.m. at the MusicCenter at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. The National Philharmonic, ledby Maestro Piotr Gajewski, celebrates Beethovenwith a performance of Symphony No. 6(“Pastoral”). In addition, PhilharmonicConcertmaster Colin Sorgi takes the stage forProkofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Tickets are$28-$88 and are free for young people age 7-17.Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-581-5100.
Washington Conservatory of MusicChamber Concert. 8 p.m. at WestmorelandCongregational UCC Church, 1 WestmorelandCircle, Bethesda. Audrey Andrist, solo piano —From Baroque to Broadway. Andrist will presenta program of music spanning centuries andgenres beginning with music by CPE Bach, to theDavidsbündler Dances by Robert Schumann, anda group of engaging transcriptions includingmusic from musical theater and Jerome Kern’sleft-hand-alone transcription of “All the ThingsYou Are.” Free (donations welcome). Visitwww.westmorelanducc.org/.
35th Annual “An Evening with Strauss”Waltz Ball. 8 p.m.-midnight at the SpanishBallroom, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthurBlvd., Glen Echo. Includes a Viennese Waltzlesson from 8-9 p.m., followed by a program ofclassical waltzes from 9-midnight. $30. Ticketssold at the door only from 7:40 pm. No partnerrequired. Visit www.WaltzTimeDances.org.
Entertainment
Pianist Audrey Andrist.
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WashingtonConservatoryConcert Series
Pianist Audrey Andrist will be featured as partof the Washington Conservatory Concert Series.She will present a program of music spanning cen-turies and genres beginning with Sonata in AMajor, W. 55 No. 4 by CPE Bach, toDavidsbündlertänze, Op. 6 by Robert Schumann,three etudes by Earl Wilde – based on GeorgeGershwin songs The Man I Love, Embraceable You,and I Got Rhythm – and Jerome Kern’s All theThings You Are transcribed for left-hand only byStephen Prutsman. Saturday, May 5, 8 p.m. atWestmoreland Congregational UCC, 1Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda. Free. Visitwww.washingtonconservatory.org.
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Not that deadlines don’t happen in thenewspaper business; of course they do, everyTuesday for us weeklies. But when combinedwith my usual post-chemotherapy malaise, itis a bit more challenging. More so when thedeadline is tightened up due to the nature ofhitting and occasionally missing in-house com-munications, which is also not unreasonablegiven the multiple demands multi taskingimposes.
Compounding this task even more is thatuntil I’m back to semi post-chemo normal, inthe interim, I am not eating too much, notsleeping well, have low energy (related to theprevious two deficiencies), my hands areshaky, my balance is off and I’m having somedifficulty focusing. It’s a good thing I’m sittingat a desk while attempting to write this col-umn because operating any heavy machinerywould definitely be out of the question. WhatI need to do is mind my own business.
Business which at the moment involvesfending off my buff-colored male cat, Chino,as he angles to sit on my writing pad as I movehim from left to right – and then right to leftsince he won’t take “Chino, move!” for adirective. But if I know anything, other thanwhat to expect post chemo, I also know whatto expect from Chino – or any of the othercats we manage: independence, as any fellowcat owner knows. Unlike a “true and loyaldog,” a cat, generally speaking, is not inclinedto respond to your commands, well, too manyof them, anyway. Nor are they likely torespond to any physical discipline and/orpushing/pulling/redirecting. Invariably, if youpush, they pull. If you pull, they push.
How Chino knows I’m not feeling well andon an unanticipated and abbreviated dead-line, I’ll never know. But rather than leave meto it, he’ll interfere every way possible: nuz-zling, nudging, leaning, rubbing, meowing,moving about and plopping down when allelse fails. If you love cats as we do, this is theircharm. If you don’t love them and their antics,I can see how this kind of behavior can bevery frustrating.
I mean, with all this activity, it’s difficult tothink about what I’m supposed to be doingwhen I’m so busy preventing things from get-ting done. I imagine Chino thinks he’s doingme a favor, being so affectionate and so in theway. Maybe he thinks he’s contributing to thecreative process by sitting in the middle of mywriting pad? In a way, maybe he is. He’s forc-ing me to concentrate. Moreover, he’s forcingme to focus on this most immediate taskwhich, at the moment, has me fending him offwith my left wrist while I’m scribbling prosewith my right hand. Oddly enough, it mightbe working as I’m three-quarters finished withthis column which 30 minutes ago was aweekend task until it became a today/Tuesdaytask.
Now if I didn’t have a CT scan and lowerabdomen MRI scheduled for Wednesday, I’dhave a bit more time to sort out the details ofwriting this column. Unfortunately, post-chemo, mid-newspaper deadline and pre-scan is a triple threat which sometimes canimpose its will. A ‘will’ which I take personallyso I will persevere and complete this columnwith one final paragraph now that Chino hasleft my desk and likely ended up on someunoccupied couch to sleep; he’s had a bigday.
All kidding aside, if there’s one behavior Ineed more than any other during these dead-line triple threats, it’s companionship. Becauseof Chino and our other four cats: Andrew,Sloane, Biscuit and Twinkle, I am never aloneand always have someone to talk to who,occasionally talks back. Not that we under-stand one another, but it’s giving and getting,and it’s loving and affecting – me and my can-cer; and everything in between.
You MeanTomorrowTuesday?
8 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
