MEETING ON CHANGES TO GREAT FALLS
Major changes are in the works for the entrance road to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park at Great Falls at the intersection of Falls Road and MacArthur Boulevard in Potomac. The Park Service also plans changes to the lower parking area and the tavern yard. Documents explaining alternatives and environmental impacts are now available, and a public meeting is planned for Thursday, Nov. 18.
The proposed project includes adding paved shoulders to the entrance road to accommodate walkers and bicyclists and widening the lanes to 11 feet each. Other plans include construction of a new comfort station and upgrading the tavern’s electrical, heating 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.
CHILDREN'S ALMANAC
It’s time to send in artwork and other material for the Children’s Almanac. The deadline for artwork and writing is Dec. 3.
The last week of the year, The Potomac Almanac turns its pages over to the children and students of the community. The entire publication will be filled with artwork, poetry, short stories, commentary and photographs produced by local students.
We’ll receive many submissions from teachers who will include artwork from many students. We are also delighted to get submissions from individual students, from students who are home schooled, from nursery schools, from high school students.
We prefer to receive submissions via e-mail or on CD. Send digital photos, scanned artwork or text to PhotoP@connectionnewspapers.com or mail or hand deliver hard-copy material to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102. Questions? Call 301-983-2600.
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.
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.
CASINO NIGHT AND POKER TOURNAMENT FUND-RAISER
Congregation Har-Shalom will hold a Casino Night, Poker Tournament and Silent Auction as a fundraiser. The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 20, 8-11 p.m., at the synagogue, 11510 Falls Road. Potomac. 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. Call 301-299-7087, Ext. 2333.
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. The western area includes Potomac and Bethesda.
This board advises the County Executive, County Council, and the Department of Recreation and the Planning Board on area recreation and park needs.
The board is composed of nine regular members and two alternates. Members must live in the western area of the county which includes 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 Nov. 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. 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.
CORRECTION
On page 3 of the Almanac's Nov. 3-9 issue the Democratic Precinct Chair for precinct 10-03 was misidentified. She is Mary Kiraly.