NEW PLANS FOR GREAT FALLS
The National Park Service plans major rehabilitation of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Great Falls entrance road, lower parking area and the tavern yard in Potomac. Documents explaining alternatives and environmental impacts are now available, and a public meeting is planned for next week.
The proposed project includes plans to add paved shoulders to the entrance road to accommodate walkers and bicylcists, construction of a new comfort station and installation of necessary equipment to upgrade the tavern’s electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The new comfort station is proposed to meet current accessibility, maintenance and health regulations. No realignment of roadways or parking area is proposed.
The Environmental Assessment is available for review at C&O Canal National Historical Park Great Falls Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac; Montgomery County Public Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, and the C&O Canal website at http://www.nps.gov/choh under “Management Docs.”
A public information meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rockwood Manor Park, 11001 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac. A short presentation will be made beginning at 7 p.m.
Written comments may be mailed to Superintendent Kevin Brandt, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Md., 21740. Comments are due by Dec. 6.
Call Chief of Maintenance Robert Hartman at 301-714-2239 or Kevin Rose of the Federal Highway Administration at 517-434-1552.
RESCUE TEAM DEALS WITH MINOR ACCIDENTS
Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue units responded to several minor incidents Saturday and Sunday.
An adult female hiker fell and injured her ankle on the Billy Goat Trail at around 1 p.m. Sunday. The Montgomery County Swift Water Rescue Team responded to that call.. The team deals with many kinds of accidents along the river, not just ones that involve people in the water.
“Any rescue that has to do with anything on the river, the swift water rescue team responds to all of those calls,” said Eugene Roesser, Jr., spokesman for the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department "In many cases, its easier to reach them by boat. A lot of times they can get there in half the time. "
"Right when that call was ending we got a call from Fairfax County that they had a report of boater in distress ... north of Swains Lock.," said Pete Piringer, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. Within about 15 minutes of re-launching, the boats located an adult male boater who was clinging to a rock. He was not injured.
Fire engines responded to a home at 10725 Stanmore Drive on Sunday and the Manor Care facility 10714 Potomac Tennis Lane on Monday in response to reports of possible fires. Both incidents turned out to be false alarms.
MISSING TEENS FOUND UNHARMED
Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Family Crimes Division located two runaway teens Nov. 3. They were both safe and unharmed.
Elizabith Owsley and Michelle Millsap, who were visiting the area from Indiana on a class trip, were reported missing from the Westfield Shoppingtown Montgomery, 7701 Democracy Boulevard, on October 30.
They were located by officers in Prince Georges County near Iverson Mall.
VENDORS WANTED
The Potomac Community Center Indoor Flea Market and Community Yard Sale is looking for vendors for the event. The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with setup at 7:30 a.m. Spaces are 8 feet by 8 feet in the gymnasium. Cost is $25 for each space. For further information and to register, call Linda Barlock at 301-983-4471.
SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR "BIG" AT CHURCHILL
The schedule for Winston Churchill High School's fall musical has been changed due to the Churchill football team reaching the playoffs.
"Big," a musical adapted from the 1988 film, will be performed Nov. 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. The performance originally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 12th at 7:30 p.m. has been canceled and replaced with the 2:00 p.m. matinee performance Sunday.
Ticketholders for Friday that can attend the rescheduled performance may simply present their tickets at the door Sunday. Otherwise, they can come to the box office and exchange their tickets for the best available seats for another performance.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 10 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 301-469-1246 or e-mail wchsdrama@yahoo.com.
The Bulldogs take on Quince Orchard at home Friday at 7p.m.
TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE BEGINS
Ladies Workout Express of Rockville's fitness club in the Traville Village Center is a drop-off point for the Marine Corps' 2004 Toys for Tots Campaign. Area residents may bring new, unwrapped toys to this location at 9743 Traville Gateway Drive, starting Nov. 14. A representative from the Marine Corps will pick up the toys on Dec. 17. For directions and club operating outs, call 301-762-0600.
CASION NIGHT AND POKER TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER
Make plans now to attend Congregation Har-Shalom's Casino Night, Poker Tournement and Silent Auction Fund-raiser. This gala event takes place Saturday, Nov. 20, 8-11 p.m., at the synagogue, 11510 Falls Road. Potomac. Try a variety of games of chance including blackjack, roulette and more. Use winnings as credits or bring a checkbook to bid on the items available through the silent auction.
A cash bar, ragtime music and dairy hors d'oeuvres as desserts add to the evening. All proceeds support the synagogue's general activities fund. Nonmembers are welcome to attend. "Texas black tie," or jeans and a jacket, are requested.
Admission is $54 per person. For more information, call 301-299-7087, Ext. 2333.
WESTERB AREA RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan is seeking applicants to fill four vacancies on the Western Area Recreation Advisory Board. One of the vacancies is for an alternate position.
This board advises the County Executive, County Council, and the Department of Recreation and the Planning Board on area recreation and park needs. It encourages the development of desirable parks and recreational opportunities, and advises and makes recommendations to appropriate officials on matters concerning budgets, recreation programs, services, and facilities.
The board is composed of 9 regular members and 2 alternates. Alternates serve in place of an absent member and assume a regular member’s position if there is a resignation. Members must reside in the western area of Montgomery County which includes the areas of Potomac, Bethesda, Chevy Chase and North Bethesda/Garrett Park areas. Members serve three-year terms without compensation. Meetings are usually held the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Potomac Community Center.
Interested residents should apply by November 18 to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850. A letter and brief resume, including work and home phone numbers, should be enclosed. Members of County boards, committees, and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.
Duncan’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.
SPECIAL NEEDS LIBRARY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
The Special Needs Library in Bethesda is looking for volunteers to work with people with learning disabilities to help strengthen their literary and learning skills. Volunteers must be 18 and older and have general and current computer skills. They will use the Kurzweil 3000 software package which, using a computer and scanner, allows printed text to be read aloud to persons with learning disabilities.
A training session for prospective volunteers will be held on Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Special Needs Library, 6400 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. Included will be a demonstration of the Kurzweil 3000 software by Envision Technology that will give the volunteers hands on experience.
Due to limited space in the library, registration is required for the training. Call the library at 240-777-0960 or TTY 301-897-2217.