Children’s (and Teens’) Almanac
<bt>Every year between Christmas and New Years, the Potomac Almanac turns its pages over to the contributions of local students.
Artwork, photography, poetry, opinions, short stories and reflections have been featured in previous issues.
We welcome contributions from public schools, private schools and students who are home schooled. Past contributions have come from children from nursery school through high school. Sometimes an art or English teacher will assign a project and submit the work of an entire class. Often, the thoughtful and emotional contribution of a teenager will reach readers on many levels.
Mail or deliver contributions by Dec. 7, The Potomac Almanac, 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, Md. 20854. E-mail to PotomacAlmanac@hotmail.com. Please be sure to include the student’s name, age, grade, school and town of residence along with each submission.
For information, call 301-983-2600.
<sh>Reflections
<bt>The Potomac Almanac’s first issue of 2003 will include a look at the year 2002, plus a look at the top issues for the coming year.
We invite short contributions from the community on any topic appropriate to reflections on a year past and a new year on its way — that is to say almost anything.
Please keep contributions under 300 words. We also welcome photographs.
Mail or delivery contributions by Dec. 7 The Potomac Almanac, 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, Md. 20854. E-mail to PotomacAlmanac@hotmail.com.
Please be sure to include name, a phone number for verification and town of residence with each submission.
For information, call 301-983-2600.
<sh>Annual Growth Policy
<bt>The Annual Growth Policy will be the topic of discussion at the next meeting of the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board. Potomac citizens are encouraged to attend, said Diana Conway, a Potomac resident who is on the advisory board.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. at the Bethesday-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, 2nd floor, Bethesda.
Call 301-986-4325.
<sh>Master Plan at Work
<bt>As citizens and planners considered the Potomac Master Plan over the past two years, preserving a unique environment on Serpentine rock along Piney Meetinghouse and Glen roads was one objective.
Providing water and sewer service to 144 acres for home building in that area was part of the solution.
By requiring the consolidation of three parcels of environmentally sensitive land, and providing water and sewer so that homes could be built on smaller lots, the Master Plan requires that the 60 most environmentally sensitive acres of the Lower Greenbriar properties be preserved as parkland while allowing the building of 60 homes on other parts of the property.
Last week, the Planning Board approved the submission of a pre-preliminary plan for the Lower Greenbriar Properties.
"Applicants often submit pre-preliminary plans because they can flag all the department's concerns early before committing to expensive architectural drawings," said Callum Murray, Potomac team leader with Planning staff.
"What was submitted was fairly close to what is stated in the Master Plan. All the main points were there," he said.
Greenbriar Preserve is 68.44 acres comprised of the Weihe and Piney Grove Land Company properties. The Estates at Greenbriar Preserve is comprised of the Tipton and Semmes properties, another 71.32 acres.
The entire property was rezoned from the RE-2 Zone (one home to two acres) to the RNC zone (Rural Neighborhood Cluster) on Oct. 15, following the recommendations of the Potomac Master Plan. On Oct. 22, the Council granted water and sewer category change on approval of a preliminary plan using the optional cluster method of development.
Planning Board approval paves the way for the property owners to submit a preliminary site plan to develop the property. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposal in the future.
<sh>Pedestrian Struck
<bt>According to police reports:
A pedestrian was struck by a Ride-On bus turning left from Rollins Avenue onto East Jefferson Street in Rockville at 8:10 p.m. on Nov. 6. The pedestrian, Susan McCeney Anderson, 51, of the 4100 block of Beverly Rd. in Rockville, was taken to Suburban Hospital for serious, life-threatening injuries. It is unclear if Anderson was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident.
The driver of the bus contacted the police to alert them that he had just collided with a pedestrian. Detectives with the Collision Reconstruction Section of the police are continuing the investigation.
<sh>Donate, Ride Free
<bt>Ride On bus passengers will receive free bus rides from Saturday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 24 by donating canned or non-perishable food on any bus trip during the Ride On's 16th Annual "Give and Ride" food drive.
Food collection bags will be placed near the fare box on all Ride On buses.
Residents who do not ride the bus but wish to donate food can participate by giving food donations to a bus operator at any Ride On bus stop, or by donating food to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. Checks to the Manna Food Center will also be accepted.
All food donations will be sent to Manna Food Center, a non-profit organization that distributes food to the county's neediest residents.
<sh>Hunger Drive
<bt>Manna Food Center also started its 16th annual Thanksgiving Hunger Drive, a campaign to raise funds to provide food to the county's hungry.
In 2002, Manna will serve almost 60,000 individuals, including 15,000 families in Montgomery County. Those using Manna's services include people in low-wage jobs, the elderly, the unemployed and residents of shelters and low-income housing. More than half (55 percent) of those receiving food are children.
Manna Food Center is located at 614 Loftstrand Lane, Rockville, Md. 20850. Call 301-424-1130.
<sh>Access General Plan
<bt>Versions of Montgomery County's General Plan as well as current master plans and sector plans are available to be downloaded at http://www.mc-mncppc.org, the Montgomery County Park and Planning web site.
Montgomery County's General Plan, "On Wedges and Corridors," was recognized as a national model in land use planning when it was adopted in 1964.
The General Plan lays broad goals and objectives for planning in Montgomery County, which are implemented through area-specific master plans and sector plans.
The 2001 Potomac Master Plan was approved by the County Council and Park and Planning Commission. This fall, Council is expected to approve the sector plan that accompanies the Master Plan.
Call 301-495-4600.
<sh>Civic Associations
<bt>The Planning Board's Community Relations Office is updating its civic and homeowners associations database. Call 301-495-4600 any time of the day or night with the current president's name, address and phone number.
<sh>Horse News
<bt>The Maryland Horse Industry Board is accepting grant applications for projects that promote the state's equine industry.
Projects will be considered in the area of education, research and marketing. Projects have ranged from educational materials, displays and seminars, horse care education for new horse owners, materials for new horse facilities and a museum exhibit on the history of thoroughbred racing in Maryland.
Proposals are due by Feb. 1, 2003. Grant recipients will be notified of their award within 90 days of submission.
See www.marylandhorseindustry.org or call 410-841-5861.