Family FunFest
The Potomac Community Center is hosting a Family FunFest on Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will be a moonbounce, obstacle course, and many other carnival games. The Center will also have face painting, a DJ, spin art, tae kwon do, clowns, and more.
The cost is $6 for an all day unlimited ride and game ticket.
Family bingo night will run from 5-8 p.m. the same day. Many prizes will be offered including Club Friday memberships. One bingo booklet costs $5 will allow attendees to play between 15-20 games.
All proceeds will benefit programs at the Potomac Community Center. Call 301-983-4471.
Smoking Ban Challenged
Restaurant owners filed a law suit to block Montgomery County’s recently enacted ban on smoking in restaurants on Sept. 15. The ban, set to go into effect on Oct. 9, would have prevented smoking indoors in all public restaurants in the county. Private clubs and outdoor seating would have been exempted from the ban.
Restaurateurs have stated that the smoking ban would cause them to lose business. The council enacted the ban to protect public health, especially for restaurant employees.
“The restaurant owners suing the county have chosen to put their convenience before the public’s health,” said Councilmember Phil Andrews (D-3) in a written statement. Andrews was the lead sponsor of the law.
The industry has asked for a stay which would prevent the implementation of the ban, said Andrews. The court had not assigned a judge to the case as of the Almanac’s press deadline, and it is not clear when a ruling will come on the proposed stay.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Ann Harrington, who ruled against a similar ban in 1999, is the county’s Administrative Judge. In that capacity, it is Harrington who will decide which judge will hear the case.
Residential Burglary
Between 12:15 and 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 6, a house on the 7900 block of Longridge Court in Cabin John was broken into. Suspects entered through unknown means and took currency.
Strong-Arm Robberies
* On Sept. 6 at 12:50 a.m., a 19-year-old Bethesda man was walking into Montgomery Mall when he was approached by two suspects asking for money. The suspects attempted to grab the victim’s wallet, but the victim was able to run away.
One suspect was described as a white male 6-feet to 6-feet-2 inches tall, 150-160 pounds, wearing dark clothing. The other was described as a black male 6-feet to 6-feet-2 inches tall, 150-160 pounds.
* On Sept. 10 at 5:13 p.m., Shaw Jewelers at 7101 Democracy Boulevard was the victim of a strong-arm robbery. Four suspects entered the store and asked to see a ring. As the ring was being shown, the second suspect asked to see another ring. The third and fourth suspects stood by.
As the first suspect began to leave the store with the ring, the clerk demanded the ring back. The second suspect ran out of the store and the third suspect grabbed the second ring the clerk had taken out. The fourth suspect left also. They were all last seen leaving the mall.
The first suspect was described as a black male, 24-25-years-old, 5-feet-8 inches, brown hair wearing a hat. The second suspect was a black male 25-26-years-old, 6 feet to 6-feet-1 inch, stocky, with brown hair wearing a white shirt and jeans. The third was a black male 20-29-years-old wearing a green shirt. The fourth was described as a black male.
Grading Call-In
The Montgomery County Public School’s new grading and reporting policy will be the topic of a live call-in show. Viewpoint: Grading and Reporting Policy, will air on Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Cable Channel 34 on Sept. 25, from 7-8 p.m. Community members are invited to call with their questions at 301-279-3234 during the program.
The presentation will include a panel discussion with Board of Education Vice President Sharon Cox, Deputy Superintendent Gregory Thornton, and Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instructional Programs Dale Fulton. There will be an opportunity for parents, students, and other community members to ask questions of the panelists.
The Nominees Are …
The Potomac Chamber of Commerce is starting its search for nominees for Businessperson of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Youth of the Year for 2003.
These awards are given annually by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce and are presented annually at the Potomac Day Parade, this year scheduled for Oct. 25.
Businessperson of the Year must work or do business in Potomac (20854 zip code), be a member of the Potomac Chamber and must have benefited the community. Citizen of the Year can be a private citizen or organization that has benefited the local, regional or national community. Youth of the Year must live or attend high school in Potomac. Youths must be nominated by their school principals or counselors.
Nomination forms and guidelines may be obtained from Fred Goldman 301-294-0007, fax 301-294-9055. The deadline for entries is Sept. 26.
Service Academies
U. S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-8) announced that his office is accepting applications from students in the Eighth Congressional District, which includes Potomac, for nominations to one of the uniformed service academies.
The academies for which nominations will be made are the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Applications may be obtained in person or by writing to Van Hollen’s office at 51 Monroe Street, Suite 507, Rockville, MD 20850. Those requesting an application are asked to include a brief biography and some information to allow the office to open a file on the applicant.
Completed applications and supporting materials must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Rockville Office by Friday, Oct. 17. Call (301) 424-3501.
Mentoring Conference
The Task Force On Mentoring of Montgomery County is sponsoring its 12th annual mentoring conference.
The breakfast event is scheduled for Oct. 2 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Johns Hopkins Academic and Research Building, 9601 Medical Center Drive, Rockville.
This year’s theme is “Mentoring in Challenging Times.” Keynote speakers are Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Katherine Savage and Fred Evans, former principal of Gaithersburg High School.
There is a $15 registration fee. Call 301-330-0330 by Sept. 30.
Volunteers Needed
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is seeking people interested in assisting sexual assault victims and their families.
Volunteers provide 24-hour crisis assistance at county hospitals and police stations.
All volunteers must attend a training program and agree to a 12-month commitment. Volunteers must have a driver’s license and access to transportation. Call 240-777-1355.