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. Photos and story, page 22.
<sh>Hate Crimes On the Rise
<bt>The number of religious hate crimes in Montgomery County increased by 121 percent from 16 in 2000 to 42 in 2001, according to police chief Charles A. Moose.
The Uniform Crime Reporting statistics for 2001 when compared to the same period last year revealed that:
* Murders increased by 58 percent, from 12 to 19.
* The number of rape incidents reported decreased by 29 percent from 168 to 120.
* Robberies increased 16 percent from 708 to 818.
* Aggravated assaults increased three percent from 805 to 827.
* Burglaries decreased by two percent, from 3,623 to 3,539.
* Larcenies decreased by one percent from 18,318 to 18, 226.
* Auto thefts increased by 15 percent from 2,730 to 3,150.
A complete crime report is available at www.co.mo.md.us/services/police.
<sh>Boy Scout Leader Sentenced
<bt>Richard Kent James, 35, of Potomac, was sentenced on May 8 to 10 years in jail, with all but one year suspended by Circuit Court Judge Ann S. Harrington, according to reports from the office of the State's Attorney for Montgomery County.
James entered a guilty plea to one count of Child Abuse on Feb. 20, 2002. He faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail. As part of his sentence, James is required to place his name on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry.
<sh>West Montgomery Board
<bt>At its last meeting until September held Wednesday, May 8, the West Montgomery County Citizens Association elected its officers and directors for next year.
Assuming office will be Carol Falk, vice president; Barbara Padden, secretary, C.O. North, treasurer; Lois Williams, newsletter editor; and Diana Conway, Scott Bender, Sunny Beetham Hernandez, Elie Pisarra Cain as directors.
Moving up into the office of president will be Susanne Lee and to the office of president-elect, George Barnes. See www.wmcca.org.
<sh>Spaghetti with Special Love
<bt>The Churchill Citivians are sponsoring an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner to benefit Special Love, a nonprofit that provides activities for children and young adults with cancer. The dinner is scheduled for May 21 at the Potomac Community Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Naina Boveja at 301-983-2894.
<sh>Holton Arms Groundbreaking
<bt>The Holton Arms School will celebrate the groundbreaking of the Centennial Building Project on Tuesday, May 21, at 2:45 on the Front Circle of the school, 7303 River Road, in Bethesda. Construction will include a new science wing, Black Box Theater, Track and Field and renovated classrooms.
<sh>New Rules? Come Talk
<bt>Game time has been set for Tuesday, May 28, at 7:30 p.m.
That’s when supporters and opponents of allowing players in sixth to twelfth grades on the in-line skating rink at the Potomac Community Center have an opportunity to express their views at a public forum. The Western Area Recreation Advisory Board will host the meeting at the Community Center.
The in-line skating rink at Potomac Community is currently open to children in the sixth grade or younger, and hours are limited. With the recent closure of the only other facility in the county for in-line hockey leagues, some parents have petitioned the Department of Recreation to allow older players on the Potomac rink. While the citizens board of the Potomac Community Center supports such a move, some neighbors object citing the noise, trash and other problems that could arise from older players.
Letters and calls of support or opposition can be addressed to:
<sum> County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, Md. 20850; 240-777-2500; e-mail: douglas.duncan@co.mo.md.us; fax: 240-777-2517.
<sum> Gregory Bayor, Director, Director's Office, Montgomery County Department of Recreation, 12210 Bushey Drive, Silver Spring, Md. 20902; 240-777-6803; e-mail: recreation@co.mo.md.us.
* The Potomac Almanac, 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, Md. 20854; 301-983-2600; e-mail: PotomacAlmanac@hotmail.com; fax: 703-917-0991.
<sh>Residential Burglaries
<bt>According to police reports:
* Jewelry was taken from a house on the 9600 block of MacArthur Blvd. in Potomac between 11:30 a.m. and 7:40 p.m. on May 6. Burglars kicked in the rear door.
* Burglars broke through the rear door of the 9600 block of Accord Drive in Potomac between 11:17 a.m. and 3:04 p.m. on May 8, 2002, although nothing was taken.
<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>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 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>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>Thursday, May 16, 7:30 p.m.
<cal2>Rustic Roads Advisory Committee. Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., 9th floor conference room, Rockville. 240-777-6304.
<cal1>Monday, May 20, 7 p.m.
<cal2>Western Montgomery County Citizens Association, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. Call 301-986-4325.
<cal1>Monday, May 20, 7 p.m.
<cal2>Human Rights Commission. Office of Human Rights, Room 200, 110 North Washington St., Rockville. 240-777-8456.
<cal1>Thursday, May 23, TBA
<cal2>Council action on CIP, Capital and Operating Budgets. 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900.
<cal1>Tuesday, May 28, 7:30 p.m.
<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.