<sh>House Tour to Benefit Great Falls Tavern
<bt>On May 19, part of The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage will feature homes in Potomac and Poolesville. Historic places including Great Falls Tavern, the Seneca School House, Riley’s Lockhouse and Poole’s Country Store join the homes of Austin Kiplinger, Ginny and George Barnes, Elie Pisarra, Gay and Tony Barclay and John and Andrea Willey as part of the tour. Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets: $25. Proceeds will go to renovate the Great Falls Tavern. Call for tickets, 983-1537.
<sh>Pedestrian Safety Campaign
<bt>In 2002, there have been six pedestrian fatalities in Montgomery County; there were 14 altogether last year.
Montgomery County police will begin a new Pedestrian Right-of-Way Safety Campaign in May in the Second District, which serves Potomac and Bethesda.
Traffic-squad officers will work at various intersections to enforce pedestrian right-of-way laws. Violations of the law include:
* failing to stop for a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk
* passing a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk
* blocking a crosswalk.
Police officers will hand out information to drivers and pedestrians to education them about pedestrian laws during May.
The penalty for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk is up to two months in jail and a $500 fine.
<sh>Responding to Domestic Violence
<bt>Councilmember Phil Andrews (D-3), chair of the County Council's Public Safety Committee, introduced legislation that would tighten up oversight at the Montgomery County domestic violence shelter. The measure establishes a permanent commission on domestic violence reporting to the Council and empowers the county's Health and Human Services director to ensure quality clinical services and assure clients' rights.
Known as the "Domestic Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance Act," the bill would give the director authority to hire and fire a shelter's clinical director and establish minimum professional requirements for program staff.
A public hearing on the legislation will be held on Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.
<sh>Flea Market Itches for Vendors
<bt>Vendors are wanted for the Potomac Community Center's Indoor Flea Market and Community Yard Sale, scheduled for Saturday, June 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Potomac Community Center 11315 Falls Road.
The cost for a 8-foot by 8-foot booth in the PCC gymnasium is $25.
The Flea Market is sponsored by the Potomac Community Center Advisory Board. All of the proceeds benefit the PCC.
To register, call Linda Barlock at 301-983-4471.
<sh>Tornado Victims
<bt>To help victims of Sunday's tornado that swept through Charles, Dorchester and Wicimico counties, people can send contributions to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by calling 1-800-HELP NOW. Online credit card contributions can be made by visiting www.redcross.org. Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.
<sh>Doctors to Help in Emergency
<bt>U.S. Rep. Connie Morella (R-Md.) will introduce legislation on Wednesday, May 1 that would allow any physician who holds a valid medical license in Maryland, Virginia or Washington, DC to provide medical services that he or she is authorized to provide in the jurisdiction where he or she is licensed in any of those jurisdictions during a public health emergency. Such an emergency must either be declared by the President of the United States, the governor of Maryland or Virginia, or by the major of the District and must be certified by the secretary of Health and Human Services.
<sh>Fatal Collision
<bt>Germantown resident Martha Washington, 45, was killed the morning of April 24 during a traffic collision in the White Flint area, according to police reports.
Washington, who was driving a 1998 Ford Contour, was traveling east on Executive Boulevard at approximately 5:30 a.m. when her car collided with a tractor-trailer traveling south on Old Georgetown Road. She was killed on impact.
The intersection is controlled by a traffic signal.
The Collision Reconstruction Section of the police is continuing the investigation.
<sh>Residential Burglaries
<bt>According to police reports:
* Cash, sterling silver and jewelry were taken from a residence on the 7200 block of Loch Lomond Dr. in Bethesda, between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on April 18 after burglars entered through a sliding glass door.
* Jewelry was taken from a house on the 12300 block of Beall Spring Rd. in Potomac between 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on April 25 after burglars entered through the garage door.
* Burglars climbed through the rear window of a residence on the 8600 block of Falls Road in Potomac between 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. on April 25 although nothing was taken.
<sh>Online Council Agendas
<bt>Agendas for County Council sessions and Council committee meetings, which include analysts' packets that council members use to make decisions, are now available on the Council's Web site. Packets for individual Council agenda items typically include the text of bills or appropriation requests, analysis by Council staff, and opinions pro and con on the particular items, as well as charts and maps. Materials are generally available two days before the Council session or committee meeting..
Visit www.co.mo.md.us/council, click on "Agendas and Minutes," click on "Current Council or Committee Agenda with background materials."
<sh>Environmental Expedition on Water
<bt>The Potomac Sojourn is a week-long canoeing and kayaking expedition featuring educational programs, riverside camping, restoration projects, meetings with elected officials, and more. Novice and experienced paddlers can enjoy a on-the-water experience aimed to elevate awareness of the Potomac River's importance to the region and to encourage local residents to play an active role in its restoration.
The 2002 Potomac Sojourn begins on Sunday, June 23 in Shepherdstown, W. Va., and continues to Washington, DC with overnight camping stops. Participants can paddle a portion or the entire trip. Non-paddling portions are also offered.
Call Karen Fligger at 301-984-1908, x103 or by e-mail at kfligger@icprb.org.
<sh>Tour the Charity Canal
<bt>The Tour de Canal, a 184.5 charity ride that benefits the programs and services of the Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area, is scheduled for Sept. 21-22, 2002 along the C&O Canal, from Cumberland to Georgetown.
Participants can join other bikers for training trips of increasing lengths, starting at 12-15 miles and ending in late August with rides of 60-80 miles. Training rides will continue every Saturday through June 8 at C&O Canal at Carderock Park, off the Clara Barton Parkway, starting at 7:45 a.m.
Completing a free, 50-mile qualifying ride is mandatory to participate in the 184- and 100-mile rides on Sept. 21-22. Qualifying rides will take place at Carderock Park on Saturdays, June 8, Sunday, July 14 and Saturday, Aug. 10, at 7:45 a.m. Riders can also take part in the 100-mile and 10-mile portions of the race.
For information, e-mail tourdecanal@together.net, visit www.alz-nca.org or call toll-free at 1-866-259-0042.
<sh>Civic Calendar
<cal1>Through May 2
<cal2>Council committee worksessions on aspects of the FY03 Operating Budget. County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900. Visit www.co.mo.md.us/council for a complete listing of committee times and agendas.
<cal1>Thursday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
<cal2>A town meeting sponsored by the District 16 legislative team, consisting of Sen. Brian E. Frosh and Delegates William A. Bronrott, Marilyn R. Goldwater and Susan C. Lee, (D-15), will be held at Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd. in Bethesda.
<cal1>Thursday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
<cal2>Public hearing on legislation introduced by councilmember Phil Andrews (D-3) that would establish a permanent commission on domestic violence that reports to the Council. Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900.
<cal1>Wednesday, May 8, 8 p.m.
<cal2>West Montgomery County Citizens Association monthly meeting, Potomac Elementary School. Sen. Jean Roesser (R-15) and Del. Jean Cryor (R-15) are the guest speakers.
<cal1>May 6-17, 2002
<cal2>Full County Council Budget Worksessions. 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900. More specific information will be provided by the Council the week of worksessions. Visit www.co.mo.md.us/council.
<cal1>May 23, TBA
<cal2>Council action on CIP, Capital and Operating Budgets. 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900.
<cal1>May 28, TBA
<cal2>Public forum to be held by the Western Area Recreational Advisory Board on the issue of age restrictions imposed on use of the inline skating rink at the Potomac Community Center. 301-983-4471.