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Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Calendar, Page 6
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U.S. Postage
PAID
Martinsburg, WV
PERMIT #86
Potomac
January 18-24, 2012
WhatTo Do?
News, Page 3
From HobbyTo Business
News, Page 2
The Yoga GenerationA+, Page 4
Geenen’s PlayLeads Churchill
To VictorySports, Page 11
County Council President Roger Berlinerresponds to questions about theBrickyard Road farm site at last week’smeeting of West Montgomery CountyCitizens Association.
Page 4
2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Honey Ogens Bakes with FeelingA hobby turns into a career.
Honey Ogens with her cranberry orangescones
See Honey, Page 8
By Susan Belford
The Almanac
Honey Ogens launched the Honey BeeBaking Company last year from herGlenolden Drive home. She began bak-ing many years ago because it made
her feel relaxed and happy. When her children, Mattand Elissa came home from school, she always hadhome-baked goods ready for them.
Even though she was working with her husband,attorney Ronald Ogens, she made the time to sur-prise a sick neighbor, friend or someone celebratinga special occasion with a homemade coffee cake,cookies or other baked treat.
“I express my feelings through baking. I alwaysfeel a sense of pride and pleasure when someoneenjoys my finished product. Baking is immenselysatisfying and comforting,” she said.
Last year, at the urging of friends and family, shefounded the Honey Bee Baking Company and beganselling her creations to the public. News of her busi-ness spread through word of mouth and she nowdelivers at least 10 orders a week — and the ordersare coming in more and more frequently.
Coffee cake is her signature item. The 16”x 5” rect-angular loaf is served on a plate wrapped with cello-phane and ribbons — ready to be gifted or served.The shape, size and presentation make it differentfrom any other coffee cake. Other specialties arebanana cake, lemon cake with fresh lemons, almond
macaroons, cranberry-orange scones and many va-rieties of cookies and cupcakes. Ogens is more thanhappy to bake special requests.
Ogens explains her philosophy of baking: “I wanteverything to taste fabulous. I use the freshest of eggs,real butter, sugar — my desserts are definitely notlow-fat. But these are the ingredients that make ev-erything really yummy. It’s definitely all about theingredients and creating a homey-tasting cake orcookies.” Her husband Ronald, daughter ElissaSchwartz, her mah jong friends — and even the work-men remodeling her home are taste testers. “I getnew recipes from everywhere — the Food Network,the internet — I read cookbooks like other peopleread novels. If I eat a fabulous dessert in a restau
Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
See www.potomacalmanac.com
County’s RFP: Verbatim“The County reserves the unilateral right, in its
sole and absolute discretion, to reject any or allProposals, which may or may not include a dual useof the property, submitted in response to this RFQ-DP, advertise for new Proposals, or to accept anyProposal deemed to be in the best interest of theCounty. …
“By submitting a Proposal to this RFQ-DP, appli-cants acknowledge that the County reserves theright, in its sole and absolute discretion, to imposeon the selected applicant any terms, conditions,requirements and specifications that the countydeems necessary to fulfill its objectives for theproject.”
OBJECTIVES: COUNTY’S EXACT WORDSThe Applicant selected by the County must meet
the conditions listed in Section IV (see Project De-scription and Conditions below) and address, to theextent reasonably possible, the following objec-tives:
1. Solve the unmet recreation need for high-quality fields in Bethesda and Potomac developedin accordance with the vision of the Master Plan forYouth Soccer.
2. Provide design of high-quality fields that canbe used by youth soccer organizations throughoutthe year at affordable rates.
3. The County prefers the development of theProperty to include at least two FIFA full size soc-cer fields and an additional community use.
4. In recognition that the Property has to thispoint been the site of an organic farm and that thecommunity has expressed support for a farm orsome other community benefit to continue on theProperty together with the soccer fields, the Countyencourages proposals that consider an additionaluse that may include; some reduced scale of thefarm or related education center, community gar-dens, playground/tot lot, exercise area and fitnesstrail, or other beneficial use.
4. Alleviate community concerns regarding traf-fic and parking.
5. Alleviate community concerns regardingStorm Water Management and overall environ-mental impact.
6. Alleviate community concerns regarding fieldsoperation and management including: servicehours, noise, security, and maintenance.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONSThe Project will consist of private development,
construction, maintenance and operation of soccerfields at no cost and expense to the County.
The selected Applicant will be required to ex-ecute a License Agreement with the County andpay the County a nominal annual fee in an amountnot less than $1,500 per year.
The selected Applicant will be required to de-sign, construct, operate and maintain the Property,soccer fields, other dual use facilities, parking fa-cilities, storm water management facilities, and anyother required improvements, in compliance withapplicable County, State and Federal laws.
No permanent toilet facilities will be permittedon the Property. The selected Applicant must fur-nish and maintain accessible portable highstandard trailer-type restrooms (no Porta-Johns).
The selected Applicant will be responsible for alltrash pickup for the Property.
The selected Applicant will be required to build,at a minimum, two FIFA full (or equivalent) sizesoccer fields.
NOISE AND TRAFFICA Proposal must include a plan to buffer noise
and keep balls within the confines of the fields. Thefollowing conditions are imposed on the Project:
1. A traffic study must be conducted by a trafficconsultant selected by the Applicant and approvedby the county during the design phase.
2. Artificial turf fields are not permitted to beinstalled on the Property. Only grass fields.
3. No lighting system will be allowed to illumi-nate the fields.
4. No public address system will be allowed.5. No activity will be permitted from 9 p.m. to 9
a.m.6. No more than five tournaments, playoffs, and
championship games are permitted to be played onthe property per year.
County Dribbles to GoalCounty issues requestfor proposals forsoccer fields onBrickyard Road site.
By Ken Moore
The Almanac
One in an ongoing series of articles.
Council President Roger Berliner(D-1) looked to the colorfulbanners in Potomac Presbyterian Church — “peace, love,
joy” — before he alerted more than a hun-dred angry citizens that Isiah “Ike” Leggettand the county would issue its request forproposals to build soccer fields on Brick-yard Road the next day.
The next morning, Thursday, Jan. 12, thecounty publicly issued its specific plans tobuild soccer fields on the 20-acre BrickyardRoad site that Nick Maravell has organicallyfarmed the last 31 years.
The request for proposal calls for a pri-vate organization to build at least two FIFA
full size soccer fields, parking and relatedamenities on the Brickyard Road farm.
The deadline for project submissions isMarch 1 and the county plans to select itsapplicant for the site this summer.Maravell’s license to farm the land expiresAug. 15.
The County document soliciting propos-als encourages plans that include some re-duced scale of the farm or related educa-tion center, community gardens, play-ground/tot lot, exercise area and fitnesstrail, or other “beneficial use.”
But by submitting a proposal, “applicantsacknowledge that the County reserves theright, in its sole and absolute discretion, toimpose on the selected applicant any terms,conditions, requirements and specificationsthat the county deems necessary to fulfillits objectives for the project,” according tothe request for proposal.
At the West Montgomery meeting on Jan.11, residents confronted Berliner with anemail that indicated he knew about the pro-posal in September 2010, six months be-fore the community knews.
Local residents found out in March 2011
Soccer TimetableJan. 10, 2012: County issues its request for
qualifications and development proposals for thedevelopment, construction and maintenance andoperation of soccer fields at Brickyard Road.(See sidebar.) The County issues the request forproposals with the following timeline:
Dec. 15, 2011: Nick’s Organic Farm lawsuitagainst Montgomery County Board of Educationscheduled in Montgomery County Circuit Court;cancelled because of settlement the previousday.
Dec. 14, 2011: Settlement reached betweenMontgomery County and Nick Maravell.Maravell drops his lawsuit and his license tooperate the farm on Brickyard Road is extendeduntil at least Aug. 15, 2012.
Dec. 8, 2011: Montgomery County Circuit CourtJudge Richard E. Jordan denies Board ofEducation’s motion for summary judgment,which would have allowed the Board to avoidtrial. Also, the judge disallows the Board’smotion to quash subpoenas for seven schoolboard members to be witnesses at trial.
Nov. 3, 2011: Montgomery County Board ofEducation files its motion to have casedismissed.
July 22, 2011: Nick’s Organic Farm files lawsuitagainst Montgomery County Board of Education,alleging that school board violated the OpenMeetings Act. The suit sought to void the leasefrom the Board of Education to the County forthe land.
June 9, 2011: Meeting on Brickyard Road SoccerFields Request for Proposal at PotomacCommunity Center Social Hall. More than 300attend the meeting.
April 19, 2011: The lease between the Countyand the Board of Education signed. See March 8,2011.
April 4, 2011: More than 200 people attend firstpublic meeting on what the county calls“Brickyard soccer project.”
April 1, 2011: Montgomery Countryside Allianceand other groups propose that the organic farmserve as an anchor for agricultural education asa part of a Food and Agricultural Policy Councilin Montgomery County.
March 8, 2011: The Montgomery County Boardof Education voted 5-2 to lease the 20-acre fieldfor 10 years to the County to convert it intosoccer fields. David Dice, head of generalservices for the county, says the site could holdfour soccer fields and that parking would likelybe the constraining factor. Planners say theyoften require 70 spaces for one soccer field.
March 3, 2011: First public announcement ofproposal for soccer fields on future BrickyardRoad Middle School site. Montgomery CountyBoard of Education released documents showingit would vote to lease the Brickyard Road MiddleSchool site to the county to contract with aprivate athletic organization to construct andoperate private soccer fields.
Oct. 19, 2010: MSI Executive Committee Minutes,“Field Development Report — Future public-private partnerships to develop new soccer fieldsin the county were discussed. The county stillhas not released the RFP for field developmentat GXS, Brickyard, Potomac, Cabin John andWheaton Regional Park. As soon as the RFPs arereleased, MSI will prepare and submit a bidwhere appropriate.”
October 2010: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture TomVilsack appoints Nick Maravell to a five-yearterm as one of four farmers on the 15-memberNational Organic Standard Board, whichrecommends standards for the definition of“certified organic.”
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, 5:02 p.m.: David E.Dise, director of County’s General Services, e-mails Kassahun Seyoum, capital projectsmanager of county’s division of building designand construction. “I met with Roger Berliner thisafternoon who asked that we postpone theBrickyard Road component until he has time toprep residents. I’ll have to run that past theCounty Executive to see if he wants to delay.Berliner did recommend we have some realistichandle on traffic flow in and out of Brickyardbefore meeting with the community.”
June 15, 2010: MSI Executive CommitteeMinutes — “Field Development Report — Weanticipate the county will release an RFP forfield development at GXS and possibly Brickyardlater this summer/fall. In addition, we are
West Montgomery President Susanne Lee and GeorgeBarnes listen to Roger Berliner last week. Lee said thedecision to turn the school site on Brickyard Road into
Curt Uhre asks CountyCouncil President RogerBerliner about what he isdoing to help citizens.
County Council President Roger Berlinerfaced an angry crowd in Potomac last week,in contrast to the banners behind him.
See County Dibbles, Page 8
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See Soccer Timetable, Page 8 See County's RFP, Page 8
soccer fields did not followthe Potomac Master Plan.
4 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
See Participating, Page 5
The Yoga Generation Yoga credited with relieving stress, boostingself-esteem and improving grades in children.
Yoga students, including Maya Ettleson (center) practice a downwarddog tunnel at Budding Yogis studio. Experts say yoga is good exercise forchildren.
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Akari Davidson, Eva Schulman and Joey Schulman practice goddess poseat Budding Yogis studio. Yoga has been credited with improving focusand concentration in children.
By Marilyn Campbell
The Almanac
Hannah Ticardi deals with thepressure of competitive soc-cer games or rigorous scienceclasses by striking a pose. The
16-year-old Vienna student usually prefersdownward facing dog or cobra.
“It is really important to have a stress re-liever, and yoga is really good for that,” saidTicardi who is an 11th-grade student atJames Madison High School in Vienna.
Katherine Harris, who has practiced yogasince middle school, agrees. “What I likebest about yoga is the feeling I have afterclass where I feel like I’m floating,” saidHarris, a high school junior who takesclasses at Sun and Moon Yoga Studio inArlington.
Ticardi and Harris are part of a genera-tion of children who are growing up withyoga, the practice impacting their lives fromin utero through high school. Most studiosnow offer prenatal classes as well as instruc-tion for toddlers, elementary, middle andhigh school students.
“When I visit my prenatal students in thehospital after they have their baby, I canpick up the newborn child and they almostalways take a deep breath and say ‘om,’”joked Luann Fulbright of Dream Yoga Stu-dio and Wellness Center in McLean.
Aficionados, educators and researcherscredit the discipline for addressing issuesranging from self-control to self-awareness.A study conducted by researchers at theCalifornia State University, Los Angeles’College of Education showed that regularyoga practice boosted students’ self-esteemand improved their physical health, behav-ior and academic performance.
“It is amazing to watch what happenswith these children. Their focus and con-centration is improved,” said Dawn Curtis,owner of East Meets West Yoga Center inVienna.
Yoga classes for middle and high schoolstudents incorporate exercises that dealwith issues like peer pressure and bodyimage. “We use warrior pose, for example,where kids come into the pose with theirarms stretched up to the ceiling or out totheir sides, and we say ‘Feel how strong youare,’” said Annie Moyer of Sun and MoonYoga Studio in Arlington. “It is a gesture ofopening oneself up to the world and cre-ates the feeling of real confidence.”
Instructors say it’s good exercise. “It helpsthem to get physically fit,” said FreddyMargolis of Village Yoga in Potomac.
SISTERS Joey and Eva Schulman, whopractice at Budding Yogis studio in Wash-ington, D.C., agree. “My favorite yoga poseis eagle pose, said 11-year old Joey. “It chal-lenges your body to balance, to twist andto be strong all at the same time.”
Eva gets a charge from the down dogtunnel. “You have to run, stretch intodownward dog and then hold that pose fora long time. It’s like a cardio, stretch and
strength workout. I like it because it chal-lenges all of your body,” said the 14-yearold.
Classes are structured to appeal to chil-dren at each age group. “For smaller chil-dren, everything is done on a theme. Some-times classes are themed around the holi-days or seasons or animals or stories,” saidCurtis.
Moyer’s young yogis often pass a swathof brightly colored fabric across the roomby balancing it on their heads or graspingit with their elbows. The object is for thestudents to work in tandem to get the clothfrom one side to the other without usingtheir hands.
“We’re all pursuing this goal together,”said Moyer. “It is a group effort. It’s teambuilding. None of the games we play areabout winning. We all win. Some of the
things kids do at school are goal orientedand have a component of pressure andstress. In yoga, there is never anything thatyou have to achieve or attain except for agood feeling inside.”
Teachers keep students engaged by usingage-appropriate language and adapting tra-ditional yoga poses for children. “We learnposes that relate to nature or animals,” saidCynthia Maltenfort, an instructor at Sun andMoon Yoga in Fairfax. “There is a lot of in-teraction and developing a connection withthemselves and with each other. We startto address feelings and emotions.”
Each class ends with a relaxation tech-nique often referred to as shavasana. “Weteach them how to calm themselves,” saidMoyer. “They lie down or curl up and listento a story, a poem or music. Often, the mostfidgety kids you’ve ever seen in your life
will just chill and let go of everything whenyou set the right tone.”
Many yoga studios also host yoga sum-mer camps and yoga birthday parties. Thereis also yoga for families. “Family yogaclasses give parents and children a chanceto be together in a supportive, non-threat-ening, non-hierarchal way,” said Fulbright.“They can just interact and enjoy each otherwithout the parents having to discipline.There’s lots of laughter and lots of fun. Youbuild a stronger, healthier connection withyour child.”
SOME LOCAL SCHOOL officials haveembraced yoga for children. Potomac El-ementary School students are offered yogaclasses from instructors at Village Yoga inPotomac.
“I believe that exercise and relaxationtechniques should start at a very early age,”said Linda Goldberg, principal of PotomacElementary School. “Children will enjoyexercise throughout their lifetime whenthey experience pleasurable learning whenthey are young.”
YoKid, a non-profit organization thatmakes yoga available to at-risk andunderserved youth, also deploys instructorsto a growing number of public schools inArlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Montgomeryand Prince George’s Counties and the Dis-trict.
“I have some teachers who, when the classis getting too busy, say to the students,‘Stand up and everybody take some deepbreaths,’ and they do a yoga position, some-times just to calm children down,” saidMarjorie Myers, Ed.D., principal, FrancisScott Key Elementary School in Arlington.“We have an after-school yoga class that theparents put together, and there is a familyyoga night where parents come in with theirchildren and everybody does yoga together.One of the pluses is that these activities havedemystified yoga for the children.”
YoKid runs Key’s after-school yoga pro-gram. Alexandria resident Michelle KelseyMitchell, the program’s co-founder and ex-ecutive director, says yoga’s principle of self-acceptance can help boost self-esteem andconfidence. “In yoga, kids don’t have toprove anything to anybody. They can justcome and be who they are.”
YOGA HAS BEEN criticized for havingreligious overtones. “We often ‘om’” at theend of class .… We also say namaste. Whilethe words aren’t religious, they can be con-strued that way,” said Linda Feldman, di-rector of Budding Yogis, a studio that ca-ters solely to children. “I tell our teachertrainees that if they’re in a public schoolscenario or where there are concerns overreligion, they can use a word other than omor namaste.”
As with any physical activity, injury ispossible, but preventable. “Sometimes[children’s] muscles haven’t yet developedto hold things where they need to be, so
Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Some home owners will wait,and make a repair a contin-gency to the sale. Remember,though, if problems are foundas you’re putting your houseon the market, they must bedisclosed. To not do so is tojeopardize your listing.
After that, you can make thedecision to make the repairsbefore or during the listing,or make the repairs a part ofcontract. It’s up to you andeach situation will vary.
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From Page 4
Participating in Yoga Focuses Students for Learningwe have to be strict with them in mak-
ing sure their alignment is proper,” saidMargolis.
Instructors say incidents are rare, evenamong the most vulnerable students. “I’vehad kids with all sorts of limitations likepartial paralysis due to stroke, cerebralpalsy, ADHD, Aspberger’s syndrome and
others,” said Feldman. “All have been ableto practice yoga with no concerns or inju-ries.”
While many doctors agree that yoga is ahealthy practice, they say the benefits chil-dren get from yoga can also be found justas effectively elsewhere. “The good thing isthat there [are] a variety of cost-efficientand simple ways for children and teens torelax and unwind,” said Kristin Anderson,
M.D., M.P.H., family and preventive medi-cine physician for Molina Healthcare, Com-munity Health Care Network clinic inReston. “Going on walks as a family can alsohelp everyone get the exercise they need aswell as spend quality time together whilethey de-stress. This can help kids and theirparents improve posture, relieve anxiety,practice deeper breathing, build lungs andstretch muscles.”
But Ticardi, who is planning for collegeand preparing to take the SAT this spring,believes that yoga is the best stress relieverfor her. In fact, she approached Curtis aboutstarting a Yoga club for teens at East MeetsWest Yoga Center. Curtis agreed and willbegin classes later this month.
“It’s nice to have an hour every weekwhere I don’t need to think about anythingbut my breath,” said Harris.
6 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Entertainment
WEDNESDAY/JAN. 18Book Discussion. 1 p.m. The Potomac
Library Adult Book Club will meet todiscuss “The Middle Place.” No registrationrequired. At the Potomac Library inPotomac.
THURSDAY/JAN. 19Seniors Organized for Change. 10:45 to
11:45 a.m. With Ori Figura, Israeli Emissary(Slicha): Life of an Israeli Soldier. At RingHouse 1801 E. Jefferson St. Rockville.Lectures free, then lunch, $5 reservationsrequired. Debbie Sokobin 301-348-3760.
Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30p.m. Admission is $8. With DJ MikeMarcotte and Guests. Slow Blues lessonfrom 8:15 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 to11:30 p.m. At the Back Room at Glen EchoPark, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.Call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231 or goto [email protected] orwww.CapitalBlues.org.
Storytime with Potomac Toddlers. 10:30a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes for toddlers12-to-36 months and their caregivers. Noregistration required. At Potomac Library inPotomac.
Encore Chorale. 1:30 to 3 p.m. The nation’slargest and fastest growing choral programfor Singers Age 55+, announces start ofwinter/spring season for MontgomeryCounty Encore Chorales at WashingtonConservatory of Music at Glen Echo Park.Conducted by Jeanne Kelly, past conductorof the United States Naval AcademyWomen’s Glee Club and GeorgetownUniversity Concert Choir. At 7300MacArthur Blvd., Bethesda. Call JeanneKelly at 301-261-5747 or [email protected]
FRIDAY/JAN. 20Off the Cuff Concert. 8:15 p.m. Marin Alsop Leads
the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a concertthat explores explores R. Strauss’ Also sprachZarathustra. Tickets range from $28 to $88 andare available through the BSO Ticket Office, 410-783-8000 or BSOmusic.org. At the Music Center atStrathmore in North Bethesda.
Oli Brown Band with Margot MacDonald. 8:30p.m. Part of Strathmore’s Friday Night Eclectic inNorth Bethesda. Tickets are $10/advance; $12/door. At the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. For tickets, call301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Friday Night Dinner. 6:30 p.m. Join the MagenDavid Sephardic Congregation for a warm andwonderful Friday night dinner as it welcomesguests from Israel. Cost is $12 per person, $10 perchild under Bar/Bat Mitzvah. At Magen DavidSephardic Congregation, 11215 Woodglen Drive,Rockville. Call 301-770-6818 or visitwww.magendavidsephardic.org.
SATURDAY/JAN. 21, 28Zumba at Village Yoga. 11:45 to 12:45 p.m.
Zumba Fitness is the Latin-inspired dance-fitnessprogram that blends international music and stepsto form a “fitness-party” that is addictive.
SATURDAY/JAN. 21Saturday Night Hafla. Celebrate the Sephardi
cultural traditions of Israel in a night of music andculinary tastings presented by a delegation ofIsraeli musicians and cooks from Mateh Yehuda-Beit Shemesh. Open Wine Bar included. Cost is
$15/advance; $20/door. At Magen DavidSephardic Congregation, 11215 Woodglen Drive,Rockville. Call 301-770-6818 or visitwww.magendavidsephardic.org.
Lunar New Year Celebration and Parade.10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parade begins at 11 a.m.Free. Activities include Tai Chi performers, liondancers, 18-person golden dragon, VisArt Centerexhibitions, vendors, arts and crafts. At RockvilleTown Square, 200 E. Middle Lane, Rockville.
“Introduction to Holistic Medicine for Pets.”1:30-3:30 p.m. Free workshop. St. Luke’sEpiscopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda.Holistic vet Dr. Jordan Kocen of Southpaws willunveil the mysteries of acupuncture, Chineseherbal medicine and homeopathy, and shed lighton when it is appropriate to explore these non-conventional therapies for your pet. To registercall 301-983-5913 or [email protected].
“Learning About Your New Dog.” Freeworkshop. Your Dog’s Friend Training Center,12221 Parklawn Dr, Rockville. Jeni Grant, CPDA-KA will advise anyone who has recently adopted adog or is considering adoption. Puppy parentswelcome. Leave your dog at home. To register call301-983-5913 or [email protected] Dancing. 9 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $16.With the California Honeydrops. Drop-in beginnerswing lesson from 8 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9p.m. to midnight. At the Spanish Ballroom at GlenEcho Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy stories, songs andrhymes for the whole family to share. Free. Noregistration required. Meets at the Potomac
Library.
SUNDAY/JAN. 22“Mark Rothko.” 10:25 a.m. Edward Gerowill discuss his insights about art and lifefrom preparing for and peforming the role ofMark Rothko in the play “RED.” Gero willappear at River Road Unitarian UniversalistCongregation, Bethesda. The play runs atArena Stage from Jan. 20 through March 4.In the play, Rothko and his assistant grapplewith form, history, loss, and the meaning ofthe color red.Washington Saxophone Quartet. 4 p.m.Free. At the Chevy Chase PresbyterianChurch, One Chevy Chase Circle, NW,Washington, D.C.
MONDAY/JAN. 23“Books! The Magic is Real.” 10 a.m. TheMOMS Club of Potomac is hosting JoeRomano, magician. The presentation istailored to preschool and elementary-agedchildren. Visit http://www.booksthemagicisreal.com/. No RSVP is
necessary, but admittance will be awarded on afirst come first served basis. At the PotomacCommunity Center.
Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo Duo.8 p.m. Songs of Mirth and Melancholy. At theRobert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center,Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville.
WEDNESDAY/JAN. 25Design Seminar. 6 to 8 p.m. How to Fall In Love
With Your House Again. All seminars includeeither lunch or supper. You will learn the basics onhow to successfully remodel, an enterprise whichcan appear to be both nerve-rattling and mind-boggling. Bring your questions and plans for yourown house, and share a meal on us where theexperts will personally address your particulardesign concerns. At the Offices of Hopkins &Porter Inc., 12944-C Travilah Rd., Suite 204,Potomac. Call Debbie Ciardo at 301-840-9121.
THURSDAY/JAN. 26Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m.
Admission is $8. With DJ Mike Marcotte andGuests. Slow Blues lesson from 8:15 to 9 p.m.;dancing from 9 to 11:30 p.m. At the Back Room atGlen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.Call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231 or go [email protected] or www.CapitalBlues.org.
Potomac Cuddleups Storytime. 10:30 a.m.Stories, rhymes and songs for babies from birth to11 months and their caregivers. No registrationrequired. At the Potomac Library in Potomac.
Seniors Organized for Change. 10:45 to 11:45a.m. Movie (to be announced). At Ring House1801 E. Jefferson St. Rockville. Lectures free, thenlunch, $5 reservations required. Debbie Sokobin301-348-3760.
Imani Winds. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 (Stars Price$27). Part of Celebrating American Composers. Atthe Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.For more information or to purchase tickets, call301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Open House. 10 a.m. Christ Episcopal School, apreschool – 8th grade school, will be hosting anAdmissions Open House. Guests take part in aninteractive, dynamic presentation, meet withcurrent parents, teachers and students, and tourour beautiful campus to see the school in action.Visit www.ces-rockville.org or call 301-424-8702.
FRIDAY/JAN. 27Justin Trawick’s “The 9” Songwriter Series.
8:30 p.m. Performers include Trawick himself withBecky Warren, Gideon Grove, Jonny Grave,Amanda Lee, Max Kuzmyak, Nita Chawla andStrathmore Artist in Residence chanteuses VictoriaVox and Mary Alouette. Part of Strathmore’s
Friday Night Eclectic in North Bethesda. Ticketsare $10/advance; $12/door. At the Mansion atStrathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, NorthBethesda. For tickets, call 301-581-5100 orvisit www.strathmore.org.
JAN. 27 TO FEB. 5“The Royal Family.” Tickets are $14 and$16. Performances are Fridays, Jan. 27 andFeb. 3 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 at 2p.m. To purchase tickets from the box officevisit www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre or call 240-314-8690 between the hours of 2 and 7 p.m.,Tuesday through Saturday. At Rockville CivicCenter Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville.
SATURDAY/JAN. 28English Language Conversation Club. 3p.m. Join in practicing and improving yourspoken English with the help of volunteersleading discussions. Two hours. Drop-in. Noregistration. Meets at the Potomac Library.Swing Dancing. 9 p.m. til midnight.Admission is $15. One-hour lesson from 8 to 9p.m. With the Tom Cunningham Orchestra. AtGlen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., GlenEcho. Visit www.tomcunningham.com/calendar.Open House. 2 to 6 p.m. Free. Kids can playand check out the facility for free. There will bediscounts on classes, birthday parties, campsplus raffles. At My Gym Potomac. Visitwww.mygym.com/potomac.
SUNDAY/JAN. 29Bridal Expo. Noon to 4 p.m. Featuring 30vendors, including caterers, florists, cakemakers and designers, musicians, and DJs,photographers and videographers, and more.At Glenview Mansion at Rockville Civic CenterPark, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Ticketsfor the event are $5 and can be purchased atthe door. Call 240-314-8660.Pianist Simone Dinnerstein. 7 p.m.
Tickets are $23 to $85. At The Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, NorthBethesda. Call 202-785-9727 or visitwww.wpas.org
Open House. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free. Kids canplay and check out the facility for free. There willbe discounts on classes, birthday parties, campsplus raffles. At My Gym Potomac. Visitwww.mygym.com/potomac.
“Riddle of the Arab Spring.” 10:25 a.m.Lawrence de Bivort, Ph.D., a specialist in Arab andMuslim affairs, will explain the daunting policyissues that the countries of the Arab Spring nowface. At RRUUC, 6301 River Road, Bethesda. Visitwww.rruuc.org or call 301-229-0400.
Waltz Workshop. 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $15. Theintermediate/advanced waltz workshop taught byDonna Barker and Mike Marcotte is open towaltzers who are competent with waltz rhythmand footwork and comfortable with the basic half-turn. No partner required. Then stay for theSunday Afternoon Waltz that begins at 3:30 p.m.At the Back Room Annex, Glen Echo Park, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Go towww.WaltzTimeDances.org. Contact DianaHrabosky, at [email protected] or 703-309-7584.
Waltz Dance. 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Withthe Waltzing Stars Band. Waltz workshop from2:45 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Atthe Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Joan Koury at202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222,go to www.WaltzTimeDances.org or [email protected].
Clancy Newman, cello. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30(Stars Price $27). Part of Celebrating AmericanComposers. At the Music Center at Strathmore,North Bethesda. For more information or topurchase tickets, call 301-581-5100 or visitwww.strathmore.org.
MONDAY/JAN. 30“Knife in the Water” Film. 7 p.m. Roman
Polanski’s first feature in Polish, B&W. At theRobert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center,Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville.
Transitions. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dr. Julie Bindeman,a clinical psychologist who specializes intransitions, will speak on the topic, Transitions:cruising, walking, running. This event is free andopen to the public. Sponsored by Shoe Train, thisinaugural speaking engagement will kick off aquarterly series (April: sports & young athletes;July: movement, motion & motivation; November:Pediatrician: FAQ-thumb sucking to the terrible2’s/dentistry to diapers). At Cabin John Mall,11325 Seven Locks Rd., Potomac.
FRIDAY/JAN. 20Off the Cuff Concert. 8:15 p.m. Marin Alsop Leads the
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a concert thatexplores explores R. Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra.Tickets range from $28 to $88 and are availablethrough the BSO Ticket Office, 410-783-8000 orBSOmusic.org. At the Music Center at Strathmore inNorth Bethesda.
MONDAY/JAN. 23Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo Duo. 8
p.m. Songs of Mirth and Melancholy. At the Robert E.Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College,51 Mannakee St., Rockville.
Simone Dinnerstein
SUNDAY/JAN. 29Pianist Simone Dinnerstein. 7 p.m. Tickets are $23 to
$85. At The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Call 202-785-9727 orvisit www.wpas.org
Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
•Beautiful efficient Heat
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Call for Free In-Home Professional Estimate!
By Susan Belfordº
The Almanac
Twenty-three years ago, ThePotomac Almanac publishedthe story of 14 year-old localskier Matt Belford. Belford had
placed third among Maryland’s ski racersin the Coca-Cola Jr. NASTAR standingswhile racing at Jackson Hole, Wyo. He wonthe Maryland Governor’s Cup Champion-ship with the best combined time for theGiant Slalom and Slalom races at Wisp SkiResort. He raced every weekend in the win-ter with the Liberty Ski team, competed inthe Canaan Valley Giant Slalom, the JeepSki Challenge at Silver Creek, W.Va., andother races in the Mid-Atlantic and theNortheast. He attended summer ski campat Mt. Hood, Oregon and worked atRockville’s Ski Haus. By the time he was16, he had determined his life’s goal — tofind a way to make a living in skiing — andto live permanently in Jackson, Wyo., a skiresort he had visited frequently with hisfamily.º
Fast-forward to 2012. Four months a year,
Belford is an instructor for the Jackson HoleMountain Resort. In April, he travels toValdez, Alaska to the Rendezvous MountainLodge where he serves as a heli-ski guide,coaching adventure-seekers through thesteep and deep powder of the Valdez moun-tain range.
“I accomplished my original goals — butnow I’m living the dream that I never-everthought to dream up,” said Belford. In ad-dition to his skiing activities, he and busi-ness partner, Rick Wieloh also own ApexReal Estate and Property Management.º
Belford started skiing at age 2 and a half,when his parents took him to Snowshoe,W.Va.
At Churchill, Belford played football,baseball and continued his racing ca-reer. He headed to Arizona State Uni-versity and earned a degree in elec-tronics engineering technology. Theday after ASU’s graduation, he and hismom drove to Jackson for his first skiinstructor experience. He had at-tended the hiring clinic in October, butcould not make the training clinicsbecause of college finals and gradua-tion. He said, “I showed up to teachand was issued only ski pants and avest — they had run out of jackets.My mom bought me a lot of expedi-tion weight long underwear. I imme-diately fell in love with teaching and earnedmy PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors ofAmerica) level 1 and 2 within the first year,and my level 3 the 2nd year. Within fouryears, I became a DECL (Divisional Exam-iner and Clinic Leader) which qualified meto train instructors. Originally, I had thoughtI wanted to become a Ski Patrol, but once Istarted teaching, I realized I had found myniche.”º
Belford is also trained as a WildernessFirst Responder and has earned the Ava-lanche level 3 certification. Seven years agohe made his first trip to the RendezvousLodge in Alaska to learn to be a heli-guidein the Chugach Range — “the most chal-
lenging and best mountains for heli-skiingin the world,” according to Belford. “Heli-skiing is the most exciting skiing experienceever. We make certain our guests are safe,yet experience the adrenalin rush of theirlife.”
Belford is married with a 12-year-old sonnamed Jackson — also a skier. Future plansinclude staying in his dream location inJackson, continuing his heli-ski experiencesand building his real estate business. “I can’tbelieve I am so fortunate to live where Ichoose to live, do what I want to do — andactually make a living from it!”º
The writer is the mother of Matt Belford.
Then & Now
Potomac’s Matt Belford, Champion Skier — Now Teaches
Matt Belford getting big air at Jackson,Wyo.
An article from the December 1988Almanac.
He also heli-guidesin Alaska.
8 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
For an Open House Listing Form,call Deb Funk at 703-778-9444 or e-mail
[email protected] listings due by Monday at 3 P.M.
Call Specific Agents to Confirm Dates & Times.
When you visit one of these Open Houses, tell the Realtor you saw it in thisConnection Newspaper. For more real estate listings and open houses, visit
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com & click the Real Estate links on the right side.
OPEN HOUSESIN POTOMAC
JANUARY 21 & 22
7603 Holiday Terrace, Bethesda, 20817$1,825,000 • Open Sunday 1-4 p.m.
Cheryl Leahy, Long & Foster, 301-215-6444
Bethesda (20817)7603 Holiday Terr .........................$1,825,000...Sun 1-4..........Cheryl Leahy...Long & Foster...301-215-6444
North Potomac (20878)12609 Blue Mountain Ct..................$599,900...Sun 1-4..Stephanie Horwat...........Weichert...301-385-6115
654 Chestertown St.........................$529,900...Sun 1-4..........Amy DePreta.............Re/Max...301-947-6500
Potomac (20854)11409 Falls...................................$1,699,000 ....Sat 1-4..Norman Domingo.......Xrealty.NET...888-838-9044
11432 Potomac Crest Dr.................$849,900...Sun 1-4.......Leslie Friedson..Long & Foster ...301-455-4506
Rockville (20852)10715 Hampton Mill Ter #200.........$369,000...Sun 1-4..........Melissa Caro...........Weichert...301-656-2500
10827 Hampton Mill Terr, Unit 170..$344,000...Sun 1-4.......Leslie Friedson...Long & Foster...301-455-4506
11750 Old Georgetown Rd #2318...$391,335 ..Sat 11-6............Bob Lucido....................Toll...410-979-6024
11750 Old Georgetown Rd #2332...$449,335 ..Sat 11-6............Bob Lucido....................Toll...410-979-6024
11800 Old Georgetown Rd #1326..$474,040 ..Sat 11-6............Bob Lucido....................Toll...410-979-6024
11800 Old Georgetown Rd #1106...$534,835 ..Sat 11-6............Bob Lucido....................Toll...410-979-6024
11800 Old Georgetown Rd #1325...$423,995 ..Sat 11-6............Bob Lucido....................Toll...410-979-6024
5802 Nicholson Ln, Unit 402...........$549,900..Sun 1-4 .......Leslie Friedson...Long & Foster...301-455-4506
From Page 3
News
County Dribbles to Goaljust a few days before the Board of Education voted
to turn the land over to the county for soccer fields.Negotiations had been underway for two years,documents show.
Advocate Ginny Barnes asked for the process tobe rewound, restarted and redone, with transpar-ency this time around.
“The fact is there was no transparent process andall we have been asking all along is that we back upand rewind the tape and start over with a processthat includes the community,” Barnes said. “The realissue is a transparent process that we were prom-ised when Mr. Leggett ran for office.”
Berliner told Barnes, “I couldn’t agree with youmore.
“I did not know that they already committed andweren’t going to do what I asked them to do be-cause they were already in,” he said. “I did not knowthat two years earlier [the County Executive] hadwritten the board of education. And I’m the councilrepresentative. So you don’t think I was angry?”
Dennis Kelleher asked Berliner what he would donow.
“Here we are trying to fight the county executiveon our own, and what you’re telling us is you don’thave the ability to help us with anything,” Kellehersaid. “We’d like to know anything, anything that ourrepresentative is going to do to help us stop this.”
Kelleher read from a September 2010 email fromDavid Dise, director of the county’s Department of
General Services. The e-mail said Dise had met withBerliner and discussed the Brickyard plans.
Berliner told the crowd why he didn’t take actionbetween September and March. “I said, ‘Whoa! Thisis going to cause a problem if you go forward withthis. Please explore options and do a traffic analysisbefore you take this any further.’ That was my ex-pectation. That was why I did not go public.”
“I understand you wish I was in a position to domore,” Berliner said.
“Or anything,” said Kelleher.“Well, I beg your pardon.”
MARAVELL HAS LEASED the property from theSchool Board for the last 31 years, growing organic,heirloom corn and soybean seed that is free fromgenetically modified organisms and chemical fertil-izers and pesticides.
Maravell learned on March 3, 2011 from theschools facilities office that his year-to-year leasewould not be renewed.
In December, Montgomery County and Maravellreached a settlement extending Maravell’s licenseto farm the land until Aug. 15.
Meanwhile, the Brickyard Coalition and others aretaking legal action. They claim the decision by theMontgomery County Board of Education to lease theproperty to the county for soccer fields was done inviolation of open meetings law. The State Board ofEducation is scheduled to address this claim at itsnext meeting on Jan. 24-25.
Soccer Timetable
7. Noise impact analy-ses will be conducted …during the design phase.
8. No permanent struc-tures will be allowed.
TIMELINE FOR RFPThe County has estab-
lished the followingpreliminary schedule forreview of the Proposals,but reserves the right toamend this schedule or,at its sole discretion, tocancel the RFQ-DP at anytime.
Jan. 10, 2012: RFQ-DPRelease
Feb. 6, 2012: Site Tour(Optional)
Feb. 16, 2012: Dead-line for Questions
March 1, 2012, 2 p.m.:Proposal Submission Date
April/May 2012: Appli-cant Interviews
May/June 2012: Nego-tiations with Applicants
June/July 2012: Selec-tion of Applicant
From Page 3
County RFP
looking at field developmentopportunities at CabinJohn and WheatonRegional Park.”
April 13, 2010: MSIExecutive CommitteeMinutes — “The Fielddevelopment Task Force isprepared to develop andsubmit a bid for soccerfield development at GXSand Brick Yard [sic] whenthe RFPs are requested bythe county.”
Jan. 31, 2010: MSI Boardof Directors MeetingMinutes — FieldDevelopment Update —Lobbyist and consultant“Jerry Pasternak reportsthat of the nine possiblesites under considerationonly two have any realisticchance for developmentover the next 1-3 years.Cabin John may beachievable with a tentativeavailability for the fall2011/spring 2012 seasons.No contracts or formalagreements have beensigned, but MSI continuesto work with various
governmental agencies tocreate possible fielddevelopmentopportunities in thefuture.”
Dec. 23, 2009: Letter toCounty Executive IsiahLeggett from Patricial B.O’Neill, president of theBoard of Education —“This is in response toyour letter regarding aproposal for the Countyto lease the futureBrickyard Road MiddleSchool site in Potomacfrom the Board ofEducation forRecreational purposes.”Letter states that ameeting is scheduledbetween CountyExecutive’s staff andMCPS staff.
Nov. 10, 2009: Leggettletter to ShirleyBrandman, Board ofEducation — “I havebeen encouraged by thepartnership formedbetween the County andMCPS staff in expandingand coordinating afterschool programs —especially for those most
at risk. … “I believe one ofour vacant school sitesprovides a uniqueopportunity for us toprovide additionalrecreational opportunitiesfor many of our youthwithout sacrificing theintent of preserving futureschool sites … I understandthat the 20-acre BrickyardRoad site is largely vacantand underutilized. “I wouldask that MCPS lease thisproperty to the County sowe may provide additionalball fields to the County’syouth teams.”
August 25, 2009: MSI Boardof Directors MeetingMinutes — “FieldDevelopment. The TaskForce is working closelywith our professionalconsultant to developsolutions to the shortage ofsoccer fields in MontgomeryCounty. We are currentlyworking on a public-privatepartnership proposal withthe county government andMCPS to develop viablesoccer field developmentopportunities.”
Honey Ogens Bakes with Feeling
From Page 3
From Page 2
rant, I ask for the recipe — and they usually shareit with me!”
One of Ogens’ favorite baking partners is her 5-year-old granddaughter, Chloe. “Since Chloe is al-lergic to dairy products and eggs, I have had to re-search to find special recipes. I actually have onefor cupcakes that is excellent — and uses vinegarand margarine instead of butter and eggs. Chloe calls
me Bubboo — and always loves making a treat thatshe can eat.”
Some baking tips from Ogens are: “Use an ice creamscoop for making uniform cookies. Always cut brown-ies with a plastic knife — and put a lot of love ineverything you bake.”
Ogens plans to continue growing her business. Thecakes and other specialty baked goods can be orderedfrom Ogens by calling 301-299-5501 (home) or 301-706-9855 (cell).
Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
POTOMACALMANAC
www.PotomacAlmanac.com
Newspaper of PotomacA Connection Newspaper
An independent, locally ownedweekly newspaper
delivered to homes and businesses.
1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314
Free digital edition delivered toyour email box
Email name, mailing &email address to
PUBLISHERMary Kimm
@MaryKimm
EDITORIALPHONE: 703-821-5050
E-MAIL:[email protected]
EDITORSteven Mauren, 703-778-9415
SPORTS EDITORJon Roetman,703-224-3015
[email protected]@jonroetman
ASSOCIATE EDITORSteve Hibbard, 703-778-9412
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSCissy Finley Grant, Carole Dell,
Kenny Lourie, Ken Moore,Susan Belford, Colleen Healy
ContributingPhotographers
Harvey Levine, Deborah Stevens
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
John SmithProduction Manager
Jean CardGeovani Flores
Special Assistant tothe Publisher
Jeanne Theismann703-778-9436
[email protected]@TheismannMedia
ADVERTISINGFor advertising information
e-mail:[email protected]
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESDisplay Advertising:
Kenny Lourie [email protected]
Employment:Barbara Parkinson
Andrea Smith 703-778-9411Classified Advertising
Debbie FunkNational Sales & real Estate
Jerry VernonExecutive Vice President
Potomac Almanac is publishedby Connection Newspapers,
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Five Time First PlaceAward-WinnerPublic Service
MDDC Press Association
Four TimeNewspaper of the Year
An Award-winning Newspaperin Writing, Photography, Editing,
Graphics and Design
By Colleen Healy
The Almanac
This month The ArtGallery of Potomacwill present an artexhibition titled
“Surface Appeal.” The show willfeature paintings by artistsMillie Shott and Martha Spak.
Martha Spak began paintingafter she had her second childand turned her “quiet hobby”into a career.
She hopes her work “conveysa sense of peace and gives theviewer a chance to pause. Mypaintings are peaceful, elegantand livable. Color inspires meespecially the beach and shore.I appreciate water scenes. Mypieces are very color driven.The idea at the end is to have atranquil setting with a pop ofcolor in the pieces. There is
something about the light thatchanges with the season thatmakes for a great painting. Everyone of my paintings is about thelight and its play on the subjects.A still life holds the same inspira-tion as a landscape for me, the waylight falls across an object reveal-ing it’s form and essence.”
For this show artist Millie Shotthas selected paintings with moretexture that have a 3-D effect. Shehas always liked art and is inspiredby observing what is around her.She feels that with painting, “youare interpreting on your paper.Painting pushes your imaginationbutton to work better. I like to re-call what I have seen.”
Shott mainly uses liquid acryl-ics to get a more fluid, water coloreffect. She describes her works as“more impressionistic than repre-sentational. It is more interpretingwhat you see rather than a photo
image. I enjoy adding other thingsto the surface to achieve balanceand color harmony rather thanobjects.” A favorite technique ofhers is to add an encaustic waxcoat over the painting and use ahot glue gun to push the waxaround. Her advice to artists is tojust “let it happen.”
Shott and Spak will be the fea-tured artists at The Art Gallery ofPotomac now through Feb. 25.
Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 12-4 p.m. The galleryis located at 10107 River Roadin Potomac. Phone 240-447-9417. There will be an openingreception on Jan. 21 from 3-5p.m. An artist demonstrationwill be on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.
For more information go towww.potomacartists.org. Forinformation on school field tripscall 301-765-7617.
‘Surface Appeal’At The Art Gallery
Artist Martha Spak with her paintings “High Tide”(left) and “Late Daylight.”
Artist Millie Shott with her paintings, “The Glow” (top)and “Oscar Diva.”
Pho
to
s by C
olleen H
ealy/T
he A
lm
an
ac
UnethicalBehaviorTo the Editor:
What else is the County cover-ing up regarding its Brickyardgiveaway? The scope of its cover-up widened considerably at theWMCCA meeting Wednesdaynight [Jan. 11]. In public, and be-fore TV cameras, Council Presi-dent Roger Berliner revealed that“Ike said he made a commitment”— referring to a deal betweenLeggett and some unnamed entityto deliver public school land atBrickyard for a soccerplex pri-vately-owned and operated forpaying members only. The nextday, a Channel 7 TV reporter asked
Mr. Lacefield, spokesman for theCounty, about the Leggett “com-mitment.” Lacefield claimed toknow nothing, but he did not denyit.
Mr. Leggett has again broken thelaw, missing another deadline toturn over information on thesebackroom dealings. Lies, manipu-lation, and misrepresentation mul-tiply. Facts revealed so far indicateunethical behavior, illegality, andconspiracy to defraud the citizensof the County. How far will the le-gal investigation go, and when willthe huge proposed campaign con-tributions and political commit-ments reveal the true interest theCounty Executive has in this give-away?
Charles Doran
OversightResponsibility?To the Editor:
Council member Roger Berlinerstated at the Jan. 11 meeting ofthe West Montgomery County Citi-zens Association that the CountyExecutive “committed” to a soccerfield development deal involvinga private soccer organization be-fore the public was notified.
I am appalled at the unethicalconduct of Montgomery CountyExecutive Ike Leggett, for clandes-tinely repurposing taxpayer-sup-ported public school property lo-cated on Brickyard Road inPotomac without due public pro-cess. I am equally appalled that theCounty Council members have
Letters to the Editor
been publicly mute on this issuefor more than two years. Who isresponsible for oversight of aCounty Executive who, in his lastterm of office has become dedi-cated to political favoritism, liningthe pockets of private corporationsby giving away public land for pri-vate development under the guiseof “Public-Private Partnerships?”This means the private partnergets land and the income from itand the public gets nothing. Mr.Berliner and County Council mem-bers should be impeaching theCounty Executive for intentionallycircumventing the law and thedemocratic process. I would gofurther and recommend a recall.
Mary Kathleen Ernst
Community
10 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
ClassifiedClassifiedZone 5: Potomac
Ad Deadline: Monday Noon • 301-983-1900
EmploymentEmploymentZone 5: Potomac
Ad Deadline: Tuesday 11 a.m. • 301-983-1900
Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.compotomacalmanac.com
Zone 5: Potomac
Ad Deadline: Monday Noon • 301-983-1900
21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements
26 Antiques
We pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century
Danish/modernteak furniture, STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry
and costume jewelry,paintings/art glass/clocks.
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Email:[email protected]
GGAARRDDEENNEERREnergetic gardener,
Speaks French & English.Fall Cleanup, weeding, planting, edging,
mulching, maintenance. Excellent Potomac references.
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And a lot of good it’s doing me. I may be ableto do what I want, but I don’t really have a clueas to what it is I want to do – or can do. What Iam referring to, specifically, are the various elec-trical “chargers” we now have in our house: forcell phones (smart and stupid), Bluetooth, Kindle,miscellaneous computers (laptop, tablet), etc.;they’re almost as much of a nuisance as the stinkbugs which every day it seems, still manage tofind ways to get into the house. To me, all thecords look alike and, to compound the problem,most of the devices are plugged into the sameoutlet – for semi-convenience sake. As a result ofthis convergence, determining – without bendingover, which male goes into which female (euph-emistically speaking) is becoming increasinglymore challenging – and frustrating.
Not that we’re splitting the atom here, butmore and more, part of our daily routineinvolves recharging devices and matching upthose same devices with their respectivemale/female counterparts. It’s a process that,though not particularly complicated, is nonethe-less becoming anything but routine. To furthercomplicate this technological two-step (or three-or four-step – for me), is the fact that the cordsare all the same color. In addition to appearingrelatively similar, some even fit multiple devices;although not always recharging as we anticipate,leading to a false sense of power security. “Un-iversal” it’s not. Moreover, since the cords aregenerally confined to one electrical outlet (toavoid multiple-outlet clutter), they’re often tan-gled up in black (their color) and not so easilyretrieved. To find the matching cord and then toextricate it from its electrical connection on thefirst attempt without further ado, is much easiersaid than actually done.
It’s almost as if we need a confined, pantry-like area in-home in which to store and stow allthe chargers; labeled and slotted on specificshelves. Presently, in my home anyway, whenconnecting or disconnecting any of thesedevices/cords, a “tip-toe through the tulips” it’snot; it’s more like a minefield. If an accidentalstep or grab is made, there won’t be any explo-sions or loss of life (for perspective), but there stillmight be some screaming and/or loss of impor-tant assets with significant replacement cost tofollow. Not to mention data lost – potentially,and lifestyle and/or work complications thattogether might cause an emotional upheaval thelikes of which you’ve been anticipating anddreading since this 24/7 accessibility/timelinetook over and made us all victims of our ownelectronic devices. Hal from “2001 SpaceOdyssey” it’s not, but we’re getting there.
I wish I could suggest an alternative or devisesome sort of preemptive pursuit to prevent thisinevitable meltdown of man and/or machinery.However, I know so little – as usual, of what I’mtheorizing that I’m hardly qualified to offer anopinion. In fact, I probably should be disquali-fied. However, given the underlying fact that Iam an actual victim of these circumstances, per-haps I’m able to think outside the box (from themouths of babes, so to speak) and arrive at aSeinfeldian-type of solution similar to Jerry’s riffon parking garages: colors and numbers are tooeasily forgettable, he observed on one episode;maybe identifying the areas with more unforget-table phrases/descriptions like “Your mother’s awhore or your father was an abusive alcoholic”might help weary shoppers locate their vehicles.My suggestion is less perverse and more sensible,actually. Why not color-code the cords to matcha specific device the same way Miss Utility marksrespectively, the “underground facilities: buriedpower, sewer, gas and water” to avoid the inevi-table confusion. And of course, “It’s The Law.Dig with CARE.” Red, blue, yellow, green, etc.would equate with a specific device and its cord.All color coordinated – for dummies, like me.
As I sift through the cords and devices now,trying to patiently find a match; while consider-ing adding new devices – with their charg-ers/cords, as technology imposes its inexorablewill on me – and society, a solution better beforthcoming. Otherwise, I’ll be left powerless –and helpless. Remember, a chain is only as strongas its weakest link.
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
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Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
SportsPotomac Almanac Sports Editor Jon Roetman
703-224-3015 or [email protected]
See www.potomacalmanac.com
Wootton Boys Fall to B-CCThe Wootton boys basketball team lost to Bethesda-
Chevy Chase 65-56 on Jan. 17 to fall to 9-4. On Jan. 10,the Patriots beat Whitman 46-44 on a buzzer-beatingtip-in by Alon Aliverdi, according to the school’s athlet-ics Web site.
Wootton will travel to face Richard Montgomery at5:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20.
Churchill Girls ExtendWin Streak to 9
The Churchill girls basketball team defeated WalterJohnson 80-63 on Jan. 13, improving its record to 10-2while extending its winning streak to nine games.
The Bulldogs opened the season 1-2, with losses
against Damascus and defending state championGaithersburg. Since then, the Bulldogs have gone a monthwithout losing.
Churchill will host Bethesda-Chevy Chase at 7 p.m. onFriday, Jan. 20.
Whitman Girls BeatRichard Montgomery
The Whitman girls basketball team defeated RichardMontgomery 63-31 to improve to 7-3. The Vikings haveresponded to a three-game losing streak with a three-gamewinning streak.
Whitman will travel to face Walter Johnson at 7 p.m. onFriday, Jan. 20.
Softball Camp The George Washington softball program will host a
winter skills camp from Saturday, Jan. 28 to Sunday,Jan. 29 at the university’s Mount Vernon Campus. Camp-ers will receive instruction from the GW coaching staffas well as members of the Colonials softball team.
The two-day winter skills camp is designed for femaleplayers, ages 10-18, who wish to enhance their offen-sive and defensive game by developing softball knowl-edge, hitting approach and defensive skill set. The campis broken up into two days — the first dealing with of-fensive instruction and the second with defensive andpitching instruction.
Registration forms can be found online atwww.gwsports.com.
Sports Briefs
By Jon Roetman
The Almanac
Churchill senior ThomasGeenen, sporting longblue sleeves, squared upin the left corner and,
with a smooth stroke, buried his first3-pointer of the season during the sec-ond quarter against Walter Johnsonon Jan. 13.
After the game, Geenen, teammateSam Edens and head coach MattMiller each acknowledged the displayof perimeter potency. However,Geenen’s biggest contributions toFriday’s victory over the rival Wildcatswere prolonging possessions and find-ing ways to get quality shots for histeammates.
The 6-foot-6 Geenen grabbed ateam-high 15 rebounds during a 62-56 victory at Walter Johnson. Geenenfinished with nine points, but on sev-eral occasions he focused on settlingthe offense and working the ball tothe open player rather than forcing ashot.
“I know my role on the team,” Geenensaid. “We have scorers around me with [Do-minique Williams] and Sam [Edens] andto a certain extent Christian [Bonaparte],he was doing well tonight. I was just tryingto get in good position to clean up theirmisses, keep that momentum going on theoffensive end so if they did miss a bucketwe’d still get something out of that posses-sion.”
Geenen grabbed four offensive rebounds,including a putback he converted in midairand turned into a three-point play after
drawing a foul. Geenen had 10 first-halfrebounds as Churchill built a 28-20 half-time advantage. What makes him such astrong rebounder? For Geenen, it’s a finesseapproach.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m kind of afraid ofcontact — I shy away,” he said. “But I justsee the ball pretty well off shooters’ fingers.I see where the ball is going to miss, longor short, and I just try to get position andoutjump everyone.”
Geenen has twice scored 17 points in agame this season, but on this night he fo-cused on getting the Bulldogs high-percent-age shots.
“I thought he was doing a good job get-ting us extra possessions,” Miller said. “Hewas trying to find the hot hand. I thoughthe made some key plays down the stretchand he was trying to make sure we weretaking quality shots down the stretch in-stead of forcing the issue.”
Two players who benefitted fromGeenen’s approach were Edens, who scoreda team-high 16 points, and Kyle Edwards,who finished with 13.
“He gets like every rebound,” Edens said.
“When you need an assist or something likethat, he’ll come through. He’s a leader. He’lldo all the little things you ask and he’ll scorewhen he has to.”
Walter Johnson scored the first eightpoints of the third quarter to tie the scoreat 28-28. Churchill responded with a 19-4run, including a trio of 3-pointers, to take a47-32 lead. The Wildcats battled back, us-ing a 12-0 fourth-quarter run to cut theBulldogs’ lead to 55-53, but Churchillknocked down 7 of 14 free-throw attemptsin the final 2 minutes, 15 seconds — com-pared to 3 of 4 for Walter Johnson — tosecure the victory.
The win improved to Churchill’s recordto 9-3, including a first-place 4-1 mark inthe 4A South Division. The Bulldogs im-proved to 5-0 on the road.
“I feel like we approach every [road]game real business-like when we walk in,”Edens said. “Like we’ve got to get the jobdone.”
Christian Bonaparte finished with eightpoints for Churchill and Louis Rothsteinadded six.
Churchill will host Bethesda-Chevy Chaseat 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20.
Geenen’s Unselfish Play Leads Churchill to VictorySenior grabs15 rebounds againstWalter Johnson.
Churchill senior Thomas Geenenscored nine points and grabbed 15rebounds against Walter Johnsonon Jan. 13.
Churchill senior Sam Edens scoreda game-high 16 points againstWalter Johnson on Jan. 13.
Churchill senior ChristianBonaparte, left, finished with eightpoints against Walter Johnson onJan. 13.
“I was just trying to getin good position to cleanup their misses, keepthat momentum going onthe offensive end so ifthey did miss a bucketwe’d still get somethingout of that possession.”
— Churchill senior Thomas Geenen
Photos by Jon Roetman/The Almanac
12 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ January 18-24, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
