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WellbeingPage 6
Potomac To Get First Medical Marijuana DispensaryNews, Page 3
On a MissionNews, Page 3
A sea of riders pushed slowly through the Avenel subdivision with a stop at the Avenel Park for food and water as part of the World T.E.A.M. Face of America 110 mile, two-day journey.
May 2-8, 2018
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2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ May 2-8, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Address .............................. BR FB HB . Postal City . Sold Price ... Type ......... Lot AC .. PostalCode ....... Subdivision ......... Date Sold
1 11421 BEECHGROVE LN ....... 5 .. 2 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $803,546 ... Detached ....... 0.25 ......... 20854 ........... BEDFORDSHIRE .......... 02/08/18
2 8910 BARROWGATE CT ........ 4 .. 2 . 2 .... POTOMAC ..... $799,900 ... Townhouse .... 0.05 ......... 20854 ............... FOX HILLS .............. 02/26/18
3 1979 LANCASHIRE DR .......... 5 .. 3 . 0 .... POTOMAC ..... $725,000 ... Detached ....... 0.23 ......... 20854 ........ POTOMAC WOODS ....... 02/13/18
4 11619 REGENCY DR ............. 3 .. 2 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $679,900 ... Detached ....... 0.29 ......... 20854 ......... REGENCY ESTATES ........ 02/28/18
5 7823 HEATHERTON LN ......... 4 .. 3 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $648,000 ... Semi-Detached0.10 ......... 20854 ........ INVERNESS KNOLLS ....... 02/01/18
6 14801 RIVER RD ................... 5 .. 5 . 1 ... ROCKVILLE ..... $630,000 ... Detached ....... 4.71 ......... 20854 .... DARNESTOWN OUTSIDE ... 02/02/18
7 11290 GLEN RD.................... 4 .. 2 . 2 .... POTOMAC ..... $630,000 ... Detached ....... 2.31 ......... 20854 ....... POTOMAC OUTSIDE ....... 02/28/18
8 10717 MUIRFIELD DR ........... 3 .. 3 . 1 .... POTOMAC ..... $530,000 ... Townhouse .... 0.03 ......... 20854 ........ INVERNESS NORTH ....... 02/26/18
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 ESTATEFebruary, 2018 Sales,$530,000~$803,546
6 14801 River Road — $630,000
1 11421 Beechgrove Lane — $803,546 2 8910 Barrowgate Court — $799,900
4 11619Regency Drive— $679,900
3 1979Lancashire Drive— $725,000
7 11290Glen Road —
$630,000
Potomac Almanac ❖ May 2-8, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
See World T.E.A.M., Page 8
NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
See www.potomacalmanac.com
See Medical Marijuana, Page 7
By Susan Belford
The Almanac
A sea of riders pushed slowlythrough the Avenel subdivisionwith a stop at the Avenel Parkfor food and water. The 600-
strong group was thrilled to be a part ofmaking a difference for the military — bik-ers waved American flags and teams of rid-ers were sporting the red, white and blue.At least 100 or more riders were cyclingusing hand-bikes or recumbent bicycles.
The World T.E.A.M Face of America rideleft the Pentagon in Arlington early on Sat-urday, April 28 for a 110 mile, two-day jour-ney through the hills of Maryland and Penn-sylvania to Gettysburg, Pa. They were joinedin Gettysburg by another group of ridersmaking their way south from Valley Forge,Pa. The annual Face of America ride cel-ebrates the American Spirit and honors dis-abled and able-bodied military — both vet-erans and active duty.
Michael Cotts, a retired military veteran,summed up the ride, “This ride saved mylife. I have PTSD — and I was so thrilled tosee people cheering us and making us feelso valued.”
World T.E.A.M. has been organizing anddirecting Face of America for nearly twodecades. The first Face of America in 2000saw two teams of adaptive and able-bod-ied cyclists ride from each coast and meetunder the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mo.In 2002 and 2003, the ride honored the ci-
vilian and military victims of the Septem-ber 2001 attacks on America. More than1,000 athletes rode from Ground Zero inNew York City to the Pentagon in Arling-ton, Va. in September, 2002. The followingSeptember, more than 600 riders completed
this three-day journey. Since 2006, the Faceof America has honored injured and dis-abled military veterans from wars and con-flicts worldwide with inclusive rides be-tween the capitol in Washington and theCivil War battlefields of Gettysburg. In
2016, a new route from Valley Forge, Pa.was added to include a greater number ofathletes in the ride.
The mission statement of World T.E.A.M.states that the organization “brings adap-tive and able-bodied athletes together byempowering, enabling and engaging indi-viduals through inclusive athletic events.For 25 years, our organization has used ath-letics to challenge men, women and chil-dren with disabilities to accomplish goalsthey never thought possible. In all ourevents — whether mountain climbing, bik-ing, white water rafting or many othersports — we include both adaptive and able-bodied participants.”
Six hundred thousand dollars was raisedby the riders and their teams inthis Gettysburg ride alone. Col.Greg Gadson was the top indi-vidual fundraiser. Gadson lostboth legs on May 7, 2007 inIraq; he returned to Walter Reedand took up hand cycling tomaintain his physical fitness. Hisfirst Face of America was twoyears later.The West Point foot-ball star is an honorary NY Gi-ant and has two SuperBowlRings. He has acted in the movie
“Battleship” and has ridden 110 miles ev-ery year since 2009.
“This ride is so important for all who par-ticipate,” Executive Director Jon Brideau
By Peggy McEwan
The Almanac
A medical marijuana dispensary,Potomac’s first, is planned to openlate this summer at the Potomac
Oak Shopping Center at the corner ofTravilah and Glen roads.
Zen Leaf, a division of Verano Brands, ahomeopathic pharmacy in Howard County,will operate the dispensary.
Some neighbors of the area surroundingthe small shopping center do not feel thatthe dispensary will be a suitable neighbor.
Darren Weiss, vice president and generalcounsel for Zen Leaf Dispensaries, said thatmostly a medical cannabis dispensary hasno major impact on a community. “It’s nodifferent than having a retail pharmacy, res-taurant or any business that serves custom-ers,” he said.
Nevertheless, the neighbors have starteda petition on Change.org in opposition tothe plan which will be sent to MontgomeryCounty Executive Isiah Leggett and mem-bers of the County Council.
Though writers of the petition acknowl-edge that, “Unlike other Maryland counties,Montgomery County has no zoning restric-tions that would prevent the dispensaryfrom being located here …” they urgecounty officials “toºamend the zoningcodeºto block medical marijuana dispensa-ries from such inappropriate locations.”
As of Monday, April 30, Change.org showsthat 46 people have signed the petition
“I think the concern of a great many
people is this is in the middle of nowhere,”said Katherine Marshall, who lives just offGlen Road. “I’m concerned there will bemore traffic on these country roads, peopledriving the roads after using the product.”
After choosing the site, representatives ofthe dispensary met with neighboring ten-ants, Weiss said. He said it was a good meet-ing with no opposition but when the com-pany heard neighbors had an online discus-sion going, they arranged a community
meeting for Friday, April 27 at the shoppingcenter.
Marshall said she estimates there were atleast 30 concerned citizens at the meeting.
“At least 90 percent of the neighbors whowere there were not questioning the effi-cacy of the product,” she said. “They won-der why here. Potomac Holistics is not far.[Potomac Holistics is a medical marijuanadispensary in Rockville about five milesfrom the Potomac Oak site.] I wish it weresomeplace else, we already have 10 [can-nabis dispensaries] in Montgomery County,we don’t need it in little Potomac Oak Shop-ping Center.”
Montgomery County Department of Per-mitting Services “permits the dispensariesas they would any other commercial retailpermit.ºNo special zoning requirementswere adopted by Montgomery County formedical marijuana dispensaries — againthey follow the permitting regulations fora commercial retail establishment. Themanufacturing of cannabis is consideredlight manufacturing and the growers comeunder agriculture,” said Jessica J. Fusillo,community outreach and public relationsmanager for the department.
According to Maryland Medical Cannabis
Biking through Potomacon journey to Gettysburg.Face of America
Participants in the World T.E.A.M. Face ofAmerica 110 mile journey stopped at the AvenelPark on Saturday, April 28.
Potomac To Get First Medical Marijuana DispensarySome neighborsoppose location.
Interior viewof a typicalmedicalmarijuanadispensaryoperated byZen Leaf.
Photos by Susan Belford/The Almanac
4 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ May 2-8, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion POTOMACALMANAC
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Whitman Talent ShowWhitman High School’s Talent Show 2K18: Cirque, heldApril 12-14, was part rock concert, part dance perfor-mance, plus sketch comedy, with multimediam sound,light and film. From left are Luke Walker, Ethan Dodd,Siya Dalton, Casey Bettencourt (singing), Ben Wolstein,Ellie Trainor, Lily James, Lucas Polack, Ava Chenok,and John Blackwelder.
From left are Adam Isaacs, Ethan Askarinam, EthanDodd, Siya Dalton, Ethan Hughes (singing), PatrickWright, Luke Walker (behind Patrick), and Chris Brown.
By Ginny Barnes
WMCCA President
As a civic organization, most of theWest Montgomery County CitizensAssociation’s work takes place at thelocal level. We are well acquainted
with the County Council, Planning Board,County Executive agencies, the Board of Ap-peals, and Hearing Examiner. Though we in-teract less frequently with our state legislators,we know our delegation is busy in Annapolis
working to improve our lives.Lawmakers concluded the
2018 session by passing legisla-tion to ban bump stocks and one
called a “red flag” law that allows judges totemporarily remove firearms from people con-sidered a danger to themselves or others.
Another bill would put Maryland at the fore-front of requiring social media platforms totrack all political ads, keep copies of them, andrecord which users are being targeted. Stateelections officials could use the data to detectbad actors or foreign interference.
The Federal tax cut had the effect of increas-ing taxes for most Marylanders. A bipartisancoalition in the Assembly agreed to changes tomodestly alleviate the hike for 58 percent ofresidents while targeting relief for the work-ing poor and some retirees. Attorney GeneralBrian Frosh has said the 2018 session made“great strides” increasing consumer protec-tions. We look forward to learning how it didso. District 15 legislators always impart en-thusiasm for their work, giving us both anoverview as well as glimpses into the daily dra-mas attendant to lawmaking. Please plan toattend.
UPDATE ON WATER & SEWER PLAN
By Ken Bawer
A vote on the draft Ten Year Water and SewerPlan was supposed to happen at the CountyCouncil meeting on April 17. Strong objectionswere raised by some councilmembers to the
Elrich Amendment, which was supposed tolimit sewer sprawl (and the inevitable increasesin house sizes, higher building density, moreimpervious surfaces, and the resulting in-creased stormwater runoff that degradesstreams with sediment and contaminants).
The objections were made bycouncilmembers who, we believe, were look-ing out for the legitimate interests ofhomeowners on septic systems. In fact, ouroriginal proposal was for a much less restric-tive requirement to trigger a septic survey, butour suggested wording was changed some-where along the way.
We are currently working on revisions to thePlan (to reinsert our original language) in re-sponse to those legitimate concerns about theneed for pro-active measures before septic sys-tems actually fail. We are suggesting the useof our original proposed language which added“imminent failures” (as appropriately defined)along with “actual failures” as reasons for trig-gering a septic survey. Thus, owners would nothave to wait for an actual septic system failureto request a survey.
This is in contrast to the language used totrigger the Glen Hills area surveys in whichproperties with “anticipated” problems thatmight theoretically happen decades in the fu-ture could be granted septic to sewer conver-sions. We are perplexed as to why none of thecouncilmembers suggested making this simplechange and then holding the vote during theApril 17 meeting. The Plan may now be sentback to the Transportation, Infrastructure,
Energy, and Environment (T&E) Committee towork on revised language.
WHAT IS THE MONTGOMERY COUNTYQUIET SKIES COALITION?
By Barbara Hoover
The Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coali-tion (MCQSC) is a group of concerned citizensand community associations in MontgomeryCounty whose daily lives are severely impactedby new flight paths and procedures into andout of Reagan National Airport (DCA). Thesenewly formed flight paths send hundreds ofdisruptively loud, low-altitude flights over ourhomes, schools, parks, and businesses each day.MCQSC represents neighborhoods with ap-proximately 7,500 homes, 20,000 residents,and numerous K-12 schools.
The Coalition is committed to working withresidents, elected officials, the FAA and othersto resolve the excessive levels of noise, air pol-lution, and health and safety risks imposed onour communities by the FAA’s flight paths andprocedures at Reagan National Airport (DCA).More information can be found on theirwebsite: https://sites.google.com/site/208xxquietskies/home.
The local neighborhoods currently impactedare: Avenel, Bannockburn, Brookmont, Burn-ing Tree Village, Cabin John, CarderockSprings, Fort Sumner, Glen Echo Heights, GlenEcho Town, Glen Hills, Green Acres, Goldsboro,Kenwood Park, Mohican Hills, Persimmon Tree,Potomac, Potomac Highlands, River Falls, RockCreek Forest, Springfield, Sumner, Tulip Hill,Westmoreland Hills and Overlook, Wood Acres,Woodrock, and Wyngate.
The next MCQSC meeting is scheduled forThursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at BrookmontChurch, 4000 Virginia Place, Bethesda. For newmembers, there is an optional New MemberOrientation at 7 p.m. The Regular Meetingstarts at 7:30 p.m. MCQSC meets every-other-month on the second Thursday of the monthat 7:30 p.m.
State Decisions Affect Local IssuesNext Meeting
Each year following the legislative session, the WestMontgomery County Citizens Association invite thelocal delegation to give updates on their work in theMaryland General Assembly and the work of the StateLegislature. Speakers will include state Sen. BrianFeldman and District 15 Delegates K a t h l e e nDumais, David Fraser-Hildago, and Aruna Miller. Theirefforts to improve the lives of citizens in their districtand throughout Maryland are always important.
The meeting will be held Wednesday, May 9, 7:15p.m.at the Potomac Community Center. The public iswelcome to attend.
WMCCA
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See Chicks Return, Page 7
News
By Peggy McEwan
The Almanac
Spring made a visit to thearea on April 21, bringinga clear sunny day, perfect
for a ride out River Road with acouple of chicks.
Baby chickens, that is.It was chick return day at
Rocklands Farm in Poolesville. Theend of a week-long Chick Rentalprogram the farm offers each yearto give people the opportunity tocare for chicks in their own homes.
This year, the farm rented outabout 240 pairs of chicks, saidGreg Glenn, co-founder and farmmanager at Rocklands Farm.
Glenn said he thinks the chick
program is a great way for fami-lies to unite in caring for new lifeand talking about where foodcomes from. The chicks will soonbecome fryers, Glenn said.
As the chicks were returned,there were last goodbyes, leavingfond memories for adopters totake home for the year ahead.
“It was great,” said OphelieChevalier, of Washington, D.C. Sheand her family have rented chicksbefore.
“This time it was really funny,”she said. “The chicks followed [thechildren] around the house andwe took them to school one morn-ing.”
Chevalier said she feels her chil
A chick looks out at the world from its trailer homeat Rocklands Farm in Poolesville Saturday.
Back HomeChicks return to thefarm after a week away.
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6 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ May 2-8, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Have questions about your hearing?We are here to help!
Come see us for:• Free baseline hearing screening• Free consultation• Risk-free 30-day hearing aid trial
9800 Falls Road,Suite 5
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Call for appointment:301-339-8583
www.auditoryservices.com
Kathy Grace, Au.D.
Wellbeing
By Marilyn Campbell
It was during college when Laura Greensteinbegan to notice that something was not quiteright. “I noticed that things that were creatinganxiety on a daily basis, they weren’t just situ-
ational,” she said. “My anxiety was grabbing ontoanything that it could. If I was running late, I wouldstart to panic. Any small thing became a big issue.”
“My mother has always been supportive, but when[my anxiety] got to a certain point some close friendsand family began to stigmatize it,” said Greenstein,who now works for the National Association for theMentally Ill (NAMI) in Arlington. “They would say,‘You’re not doing enough.’ It was difficult to feel thatI wasn’t being fully accepted.”
After months of therapy and recent session with apsychiatrist who prescribed medication, Greensteinsaid that she is beginning to feel some relief. Sheeven began blogging about her experience. “This wasmy first time sharing my story,” she said. “It’s been areally validating process. Being open can really im-prove your outlook.”
During May, Mental Health Awareness Month,Greenstein and other mental health advocates aresharing the ways in which negative perceptions aboutmental illnesses can impact those who suffer fromit. NAMI reports that approximately 1 in 5 adultsand children in the United States are experiencingmental illness in a given year. Only 41percent of those adults received mentalhealth treatment, while slightly more thanhalf of children aged 8-15 received thoseservices. One of the roadblocks to treat-ment, say mental health professionals, is the stigmasurrounding mental health.
“Micro-aggressions towards individuals with men-tal illness are very common, such as assuming thatsomeone with a mental illness is inferior, stupid, ornot in control of their own behaviors,” said JessicaMcLaughlin, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychologyat Montgomery College. “Because of our society’smisperceptions of mental illness, many individualsstruggling with mental health problems feel ashamedand isolated. They may even feel like it is not appro-priate to seek help. “[And] being on the receivingend of these hurtful comments and beliefs actuallyworsens symptoms.”
With a theme of “Cure Stigma,” NAMI activists areencouraging people to educate themselves and eradi-cate the stigma which can be a roadblock to thosewho suffer from mental illness to get the treatmentthey need. They were afraid of being labeled, so theysuffered in silence.
This is particularly true with teenagers and pre-teens, advises Stacie Isenberg, Psy.D., a child psy-chologist who specializes in anxiety disorders. “Amental illness stigma may cause a teen or pre-teento be hesitant to admit to her or himself that theyare having a mental health problem, to share with aparent, teacher, or pediatrician about their problem,and to seek mental health treatment,” she said.
The stigma surrounding mental illness is an im-portant issue that often goes unrecognized, saysMcLaughlin. “Individuals with mental illness faceboth overt and covert discrimination,” she said. “For
example, there is an assumption that people withmental illness are violent or crazy, which is not true.However, our belief in these myths can affectsomeone’s ability to find employment or obtain hous-ing.”
“Education is a powerful tool in combating mentalhealth stigma, and community-wide, mental healthawareness campaigns are helpful,” added Isenberg.“Individually, kids often search online to check outwhat their symptoms mean. Education from cred-ible websites, and those of mental health organiza-tions often provide clarity and guidance for thoseseeking help.”
Allowing those who might be experiencing symp-toms of a mental illness to speak freely about theircondition without fear of judgment can remove bar-riers to treatment advises McLaughlin. “That meansasking how we can help, listening with an open mind,and being nonjudgmental,” she said. Sometimes it
can be a tremendous help just to let some-one know that they have someone to leanon and that they are not alone.”
People can also fight the stigma of men-tal illness by being accepting and support-
ive of people who are experiencing mental healthissues, and by modeling this acceptance for theirchildren, suggests Isenberg. “Employers can encour-age employees to use mental health days as needed,and to permit longer lunch hours or flexible dismissalor arrival at times to accommodate therapy appoint-ments,” she said. “Similarly, schools can work withfamilies to allow kids to use free periods, lunch peri-ods, etc. to attend therapy when an after-school timeis not available and the need for treatment is signifi-cant.”
A family’s attitude about the mentally ill can af-fect a child’s willingness to ask for help, advisesIsenberg. “A child who comes from a family that doesnot consider mental health issues to be real or prob-lematic may be reluctant to share with her or hisparents,” she said. “Similarly, kids whose friends stig-matize mental health issues, or kids who don’t talkmuch about personal issues with friends, are oftenunsure about sharing with their friends. On the con-trary, kids who believe their families and friends willbe sensitive and supportive to them are more likelyto be open with them about any concerns they arehaving.”
McLaughlin says the conversation needs to hap-pen on a national level. “One of the most importantthings our nation could do is make therapy servicesmore easily accessible,” she said. “We should encour-age individuals to seek treatment, not make themfeel embarrassed. There is nothing more courageousthan someone who is willing to advocate for theirown mental health.”
Mental Health advocateswork to tear downbarriers to treatment.
Erasing the Stigma
Photo courtesy of Laura Greenstein
Laura Greenstein is using her personalexperience with anxiety to help otherswho suffer from mental illness.
MoreSee www.nami.org
Potomac Almanac ❖ May 2-8, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Today, Sunday, April 22, I am not on any real – or imag-ined, deadline pressure, quite different than my previ-ous column (“You Mean Tomorrow Tuesday?”), pub-lished April 25. This column isn’t due until nine daysfrom now, since my copy editor returns from vacationthat Tuesday. And of course, since there’s no abbrevi-ated/immediate-type deadline, and it’s a relatively quietweekend at home (as opposed to the “triple threat”Tuesday I wrote about last week), Chino, in addition toany of our other four cats, are nowhere to be found.Certainly, they’re all sleeping. I mean, it is 12:30 pm. Infact, as I get up to investigate, Chino is sleeping on thevery same chair he ended up on last week. This weekhowever, when I have minimal deadline pressure, Chinohas minimal Kenny interest. At present, he is not theleast bit involved in the creative process, other than as apoint of reference, that is.And just as Chino is minding his own business – for now,I am able to mind mine and stay on task. It is so mucheasier to do so when my writing pad is not the exactmidpoint and/or crossroads for where Chino is and forwhere he wants to be. Therefore, I have no excuses fornot maintaining a creative flow as pen is put to paper.No cat interruptions or interference whatsoever. Toquote my late father, I have no “encumbrances” – at themoment.More so even than Chino walking right to left across mydesk (and back of course). I just received an email frommy oncologist, yes on the weekend, telling me that mytwo scans taken on Wednesday, April 18, continue toshow “stable.” News, with which I’m extremely fond ofwriting – properly, I can live. As much as I could likewiselive with tumor “shrinkage” as well, I am ALWAYSpleased when I see my new favorite word: “stable,” inany communication from my doctor. For a cancerpatient still undergoing treatment – as I am, or for anycancer patient in remission, a “stable” result is hardly theproblem. The problem is growth and/or movement orappearance elsewhere in the body. (For lung cancerpatients, movement to the brain, which occurs inapproximately 30 percent of patients, is the predomi-nant worry. As such, I get a brain MRI regularly.)So, no scan-result pressure. No post-chemo side-effectpressure. No newspaper and/or deadline pressure. Andno cat-related pressure compounding any of the afore-mentioned pressures. Ergo, the ‘pressure’ is officially off.And when the ‘pressure’ is off, my creativeness is on.Though this may not be the best column I’ve ever writ-ten, it’s certainly been one with the least amount of‘encumbrances.’And speaking of my father, Barry, who died in in 2006,and now my mother, Celia, who died two years later,almost to the day, what I am particularly grateful for isthe timing of my diagnosis/prognosis: it all happenedafter they had died. They never knew. My first symptommanifested four weeks after my widowed mother waslaid to rest. They both know now though as I regularlyupdate them when I visit their gravesites at the ceme-tery. And though the conversations are mostly one-sided, still, it brings me comfort and a peculiar sort of joyto share the details of my treatment and the miscellane-ous pressures I experience, some of which I’ve men-tioned and some of which I haven’t. Many of those myparents knew about, and were often topics of discussion– while they were alive.I was lucky then and I continue to be lucky now. Greatparents before and an amazingly fortunate post-cancer-diagnosis after. Whoever I have to thank: thank you.
You MeanNext WeekTuesday?
News
From Page 5
Chicks Return to the Farm
Justin Rommel, 10, of Bethesda,puts his chick Chet in the trailerat the end of chicken rentalweek on Saturday.
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dren Solenne, 9; Clovis, 6; and Ulysse, 4,learned a lot from having the chicks andwatching them grow.
And, she said, they had many discussionsabout the fact that the chicks had to go backto the farm.
Solenne said she thought the chicks werereally cute. “I liked playing with them,” shesaid. “I especially liked when they snuggledwith me.” Danielle and her three young chil-dren drove from Arlington to return the fourchicks they rented. She agreed it was funhaving the chicks for a week and said shewould definitely recommend the experienceto others.
“They started out as little yellow fluff ballsand then their wings came out,” she said.
Kevin Breen, who grew up in Potomac andis now a National Park Ranger in Washing-ton, D.C. helped Glenn with the returns,taking chicks out of boxes, putting them intoa livestock trailer and answering questions.
“He is the chicken whisperer,” Glenn said.Justin Rommel, 10, of Bethesda, returned
Chet and Larry, his chicks for a week.“We did this because our cousins did this
before and we thought it was really cool,”he said.
And it did turn out to be really cool, hesaid. “It was just really sweet.”
He didn’t even mind taking care of them.“You have to check on them three times a
day,” he said. “When they poop, you justput bedding on it.”
Renters get two chicks, a sturdy cardboardbox, bedding, feed, bowls and care instruc-tions. The rental period is for one week, thisyear from April 14-21.
Several boxes came back decorated withdrawings of chickens, some had stickers,hearts and spring flowers on them, offer-ing home décor for the chicks. Almost ev-eryone had names for their chicks. The mostcommon name seemed to be Peeps, butthere were others like Chick-a-Dee andCackle. One family named their chicks Dingand Dong because the chicks got so excitedwhen the doorbell rang.
Another large groups of chicks werenamed for relatives or Disney characters:Rosie, Lilly, Dori and Lori, Daisy and Daffo-
dil.And, it turned out, the chick rental was
not just for families with young children.Lu Anne, from Damascus, said she has
rented chicks for the last three or four years.“They are just darling, it’s like my nur-
turing thing,” she said. “It was just a lot offun.”
As the chicks came back and took up resi-dence in the converted livestock trailer,families took advantage of the day to enjoythe farm. Cattle were grazing in a fieldnearby and there was a flock of laying chick-ens off in the distance. A sow had four orfive newborn piglets snuggled against her.
Nearby, Scout, the farm dog, dropped astick at the feet of whoever he thoughtwould be willing to play fetch with him.Most people got the message and obliged.
Glenn said that at the end of June theywould have another rental program, withducklings instead of chicks.
That program has a pickup date of June30 and drop off on July 7. For more infor-mation visit www.rocklandsfarmmd.com,select Education at the top, then ducklingrental.
Medical Marijuana DispensaryFrom Page 3
Commission, there are 46 licensed dispen-saries in Maryland, 11 of which are in Mont-gomery County.
Zen Leaf has four dispensaries in the U.S., in Nevada, Illinois and two others inMaryland: one in Jessup, the other inWaldorf.
Maryland legalized the use of medicalcannabis in 2014 but, because of the ex-tensive application process, the product firstreached the shelves Dec. 1, 2017, said Jen-nifer White, from the Maryland MedicalCannabis Commission.
The commission issues licenses for grow-ers, processors and dispensaries, she said.
“Its quite a long application process,” she
said. “At MMCC we make sure the peopleinvolved are OK to be involved, and theyhave finances in place. It is expensive to doa build-out of a dispensary site.” Those ex-penses include a safe a secure location with24-hour security and a permanent, securedsafe for storing the product, she said.
Regulations determining where a dispen-sary can be located vary according to county,she said.
“I completely understand everyone’s con-cern [about having a medical cannabis dis-pensary nearby], White said. “One thingthat might help ease their minds is that thedispensaries are not like a liquor store oreven a vape shop. There is no consumingat all allowed on site and there are noedibles legal in Maryland at this point.”
8 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ May 2-8, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
World T.E.A.M. Face of AmericaFrom Page 3
said. “It is a fundraiser that will support all adap-tive sports — and it is also an event that promotescamaraderie and friendships. The ride is all abouthelping others. It’s an athletic event that comes fromthe heart.” One team of retired military was fromPuerto Rico. They were here supporting their fellowvets and enjoying the cooler weather. “It is just won-derful to be part of a team and know we are makinga difference,” one member said. “We have problemsin Puerto Rico but this ride brings a different focusto our lives. It feels so good to support our fellowmilitary men and women.”
Team Adaptive from Arlington, Va. raised$45,709.43. One of the members of the team, DannyHolloway was participating with his dad, retiredNavy Admiral Dan Holloway. Danny Holloway hadjust purchased a bike, clothing, pump, helmet, cloth-ing, arm and leg sleeves — all the paraphernalia
that is needed by a biker. “My wife asked why I didn’tjust donate the money that I spent on getting readyfor the ride — but the fun is in the participation anddoing it with my dad and my team. It is really inspi-rational. I have taken maybe six rides — but here Iam — hoping to finish 120 miles. I know it will bepainful, but I’m just excited to be here, raising moneyfor such a wonderful cause.”
Joann Dickson-Smith was diagnosed with multiplesclerosis (MS) 25 years ago. She rode her first 110mile ride in 2017 and returned again this year.
Charles Miller (US Army Captain, Ret) lost his sightto Retinitis Pigmentosa, an inherited disorder. He said,“We are only limited in our own minds about whatwe can and can’t do.” Riding a tandem bicycle withpilot Scott Nickel, the Gainesville, Fla. athlete suc-cessfully completed his first Face of America ride toGettysburg last year as a member of Team Strength& Honor.
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGPhotography Exhibit: “The Space
Around Us.” Through May 20,gallery hours at Photoworks Gallery,7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo,Md. “The Space Around Us:Photographs by Ira Tattelman.”Tattelman, a registered architect andfull-time artist, and guest curatorIason Demos will feature photos thatcall attention to the planned andunplanned outcomes of humanactions. Visitwww.glenechophotoworks.org.
Art Exhibit: Color Combustion.Through June 27, office hours atSerendipity Labs, 4500 East WestHighway, Suite 125, Bethesda. TheAbstract Artists’ Collective presents agroup exhibition of work by womenpainters at Serendipity Labs. Elevenpainters are included in the show:Tory Cowles, Lauren Chelec Cafritz,Camilla David, Jennifer Duncan,Patsy Fleming, Eleanor Glatty,Marthe McGrath, Michele Morgan,Hester Ohbi, Debra Perkins, andHelen Power. Visitserendipitylabs.com/our-locations/serendipity-labs-bethesda-md/.
FRIDAY/MAY 4Opening Reception. 6-9 p.m. at
Artists & Makers Studios 1, 11810Parklawn Dr., Suite 210, Rockvilleand Artists & Makers Studios 2,12276/12280 Wilkins Ave.,Rockville. Artists & Makers Studiosare welcoming May at two locationswith three solo exhibits and onemother/son exhibit, featuring theartwork of Rosana Azar, MichaelKraniski, Jun Lee, and Susan andMichael Makara in the galleries ofboth studio centers. These fourexhibits will showcase residentartists’ open studios for browsing aswell. These exhibits continue throughMay 23. Visitwww.artistsandmakersstudios.com.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 4-6The Landon Azalea Garden
Festival. Perkins Garden and theLandon campus, 6101 Wilson Lane,Bethesda. The annual festival datesback to the mid-1950s whenLandon’s founders, Paul and MaryLee Banfield opened the newlyacquired azalea garden to the public.Call 301-320-3200 or visitwww.landon.net.
“Radium Girls.” At Rockville LittleTheater, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre,603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville.Showtimes: Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m.;Saturday, May 5 at 8 p.m.; andSunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. Visit
www.rlt-online.org.
SATURDAY/MAY 5Montgomery County GreenFest. 11
a.m.-4 p.m. at Jesup Blair Local Park.900 Jesup Blair Drive, Silver Spring.The 4th Annual Greenfest,Montgomery County’s largestenvironmental festival is designed tocreate opportunities for residents,businesses, nonprofits and neighborsto come together, share ideas andlearn about local environmentalinitiatives. Visitmontgomerycountygreenfest.org.
Mountain Dulcimers of NorthernVirginia. 12:30-3:30 p.m. at GreatFalls Tavern, 11710 MacArthur Blvd.,Potomac. Visitors may try their handat playing a mountain dulcimer,percussion instrument, or simply singalong. Programs at Great FallsTavern are free, but there is anentrance fee to the park per vehicle.Call 301-767-3714.
National Philharmonic. 8 p.m. at theMusic Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.The National Philharmonic, led byMaestro Piotr Gajewsk. Tickets are$28-$88 and are free for youngpeople age 7-17. Visitnationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-581-5100.
Washington Conservatory ofMusic Chamber Concert. 8 p.m.at Westmoreland CongregationalUCC Church, 1 Westmoreland Circle,Bethesda. Audrey Andrist, solo piano— From Baroque to Broadway.Andrist will present a program ofmusic spanning centuries and genresbeginning with music by CPE Bach,to the Davidsbündler Dances byRobert Schumann, and a group of
engaging transcriptions includingmusic from musical theater andJerome Kern’s left-hand-alonetranscription of “All the Things YouAre.” Free (donations welcome). Visitwww.westmorelanducc.org/.
35th Annual “An Evening withStrauss” Waltz Ball. 8 p.m.-midnight at the Spanish Ballroom,Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthurBlvd., Glen Echo. Olde Vienna withAlexander Mitchell, Ralph Gordon,Elke Baker, Barbara Heitz, andJonathan Jensen will perform. Thisspecial benefit dance for Glen EchoPark includes a Viennese Waltzlesson from 8-9 p.m., followed by aprogram of classical waltzes from 9-midnight. $30. Tickets sold at thedoor only from 7:40 pm. No partnerrequired. Call 202-238-0230 or 301-634-2222, or visitwww.WaltzTimeDances.org.
Tribute to Luther Vandross. 8 p.m.At the Robert E. Parilla PerformingArts Center, Montgomery College, 51Mannakee St., Rockville. FeaturingAmerica’s Idol Ruben Studdard as hepays tribute to the legendary singerLuther Vandross. Visitwww.montgomerycollege.edu/pac.
SUNDAY/MAY 6Holi DC. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the ISKCON
of DC Temple, 10310 Oaklyn Drive,Potomac. Holi DC, the annual festivalof colors in the nation’s capital, willgive families and friends a chance toplayfully throw colors at one anotherand create fun and happy memories.The yearly festival draws about 5,000people of all backgrounds, ages, andreligious identities. $5 entry fee. Visitwww.iskconofdc.org.
Holi DCThe annual festival of colors in the nation’s capital, Holi DC, will give families
and friends a chance to playfully throw colors at one another and create fun andhappy memories. The yearly festival draws about 5,000 people of all backgrounds,ages, and religious identities. Sunday, May 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the ISKCON of DCTemple, 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac. $5 entry fee. Visit www.iskconofdc.org.
Entertainment
