Open House
Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department will be holding their annual Open House on Oct. 5 from noon-4 p.m. at Station 10, 8001 River Road, just off the Beltway.
The department will have all of their equipment of display including the department’s boats, trucks and new tanker truck. Visitors will be able to climb on and explore some of the equipment. There will be demonstrations of auto extrication using such equipment as the Jaws of Life. Also there will be a fire fighting demonstration and refreshments will be served, said department spokesman Eugene Roesser.
“It should be a good day for the kids in particular to come down there,” Roesser said.
West Montgomery Meeting
The next regular meeting of the West Montgomery County Citizen’s Association is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Meetings this year will be held in a new location, the Potomac Library.
The guest speaker is scheduled to be Callum Murray, Potomac team leader for Park and Planning. Murray will be discussing developments which have affected the Potomac Master Plan in the two years since its adoption.
HOV on Hold
The County Council deferred action on a proposed amendment to several Master Plans, including Potomac’s, which would have allowed the creation of HOV, or carpool, lanes on the Beltway from the American Legion Bridge to the western spur of I-270.
Included with this was a plan to create a separated grade interchange at the intersection of Randolph and Viers Mill roads. It was this proposal which caused the controversy.
There was virtually no public comment on the proposed intersection change during the process. Councilmember Marilyn Praisner (D-4) whose district covers the area was concerned that there was not sufficient notification.
Council Vice President Steven Silverman (D-At Large) questioned members of the Park and Planning staff who had developed the plan and found that the abutting commercial and residential property owners, had not been specifically notified.
Park and Planning had notified area homeowner and civic associations.
Silverman was incredulous. “That is completely unacceptable,” he said.
Council President Michael Subin (D-At Large) directed staff to draft a letter to Park and Planning Chair Derick Berlage informing him that affected property owners must always be notified. “There will be no exceptions. None. Zero. Except in an emergency,” Subin said.
Potomac Days
The annual Potomac Days celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25.
This will be the 20th Potomac day in 21 years. Last year’s events were cancelled as a result of the sniper shootings. Less than 12 hours after the decision to cancel Potomac Day, the sniper suspects were caught.
This year’s activities, all taking place at the village, include:
* Art Show Oct., 17-31 call Anne Martinez 301-299-6321.
Art from more than 30 Potomac artists will be on display at the banks in Potomac Village and at the offices of WC & AN Miller.
* 9 a.m., 5K Run
* 10:30 a.m., Parade
* 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Car Show
* 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Business Fair
The events will go on rain or shine. Call the chamber’s message center at 301-299-2170 or visit www.potomacchamber.org
House Tour
The 48th annual Potomac Country House Tour, sponsored by St. Francis Episcopal Church, is scheduled for Oct. 4 and 5 from noon-5 p.m.
Participants can visit four Potomac homes each of which has its own character and style. Also, Potomac Artists In Touch (PAINT) will hold an art show at the library in the church.
Advance tickets are $20 or three for $50. Tickets are available at Country Squire Cleaners 9919 Falls Road, 301-299-9675; Ferrell’s Specialty Gift Shop, 9812 Falls Road 301-299-3183; The Good Earth, 11650 Falls Road, 301-765-0224; Great Chesapeake Bay Co., 11325 Seven Locks Road, Cabin John Mall, 301-299-6737; Potomac Village Pharmacy, 9945 Falls Road, 301-299-6300; The Surrey Gift Shop, 10107 River Road, 301-365-1250.
For more information, visit www.stfrancispotomac.org/pcht.htm.
Taste of Bethesda
The 14th annual Taste of Bethesda is scheduled for Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Over 45 restaurants will present food and drink from around the world, prepared by Bethesda restaurants. Taste will feature four music stages and a cultural stage featuring music and dance from around the world.
The event takes place in Bethesda’s Woodmont triangle on Norfolk, Fairmont, St. Elmo, Cordell and Del Ray avenues.
Admission is free, tickets are four for $5. Tastes cost between 1 and 3 tickets.
The event is close to the Bethesda Metro stop, and visitors are encouraged to take public transportation. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Residential Burglary
Between 9 p.m. on Sept. 18 and 6 a.m. on Sept. 19, a house on the 11500 block of Royal Manor Way was broken into. Suspects entered the garage and stole two vehicles.
Tent Sale
The Potomac Theatre Company will participate in an Under The Tent Country Sale. The theater will be offering costumes used in previous performances, props and other items no longer needed, but in good condition. The sale is scheduled for Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. -4 p.m., 14741 Sugarland Lane, Poolesville.
Disaster Relief
Residents and business owners who need low-cost loans or other recovery assistance may apply for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Residents should first call FEMA at 1-800 621-FEMA and participate in a 20-minute phone interview. The phones are staffed daily from 7 a.m. to midnight.
After completing the call, eligible residents will be given a case number and will then go to the newly opened Disaster Recovery Center. The center is located at 8757 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring weekday hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
Residents who go to the center without calling will have to make the call from the center before they are helped.
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.