CORRECTION
The names of Mary Crane and Mary Travaglini were misspelled in the Aug. 17 article “War on the Roses.”
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY
Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger issued the following reminders in a statement addressing children’s safety as Montgomery County public schools reconvene Aug. 29:
* All drivers should be on the lookout for young pedestrians who will be walking to and from school. Parents should remind their children to cross streets only at crosswalks and look both ways before crossing the street; not cross between parked cars; when there is no sidewalk and it is necessary to walk in the street, walk on the left side facing traffic. Follow the directions of crossing guards who are there to assist and protect students.
* Some of our students will be riding bicycles to school. Please remind them that they must follow all traffic rules and signs. By law, all children under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet when riding or being carried on a bicycle, while riding on a public street, right-of-way, or on a bicycle path.
* Many students will be riding buses to school and all drivers are strongly reminded that they are required to stop at least 20 feet from school busses that are stopped with flashing red lights. It is recommended that adults accompany young children to bus stops, and remain with them until the bus arrives.
* The start of the school year is a good time to remind children of basic safety information. Children should not speak to strangers, and once they are home, they should not open or answer a knock at the door if an adult is not present without first determining who is there. Every child should have a list of parents’, neighbors’, and relatives’ phone numbers that they can call for assistance. Children should know when it is appropriate to call 9-1-1.
* County police remind motorists that the speeding in a school zone incurs a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 5 points on your license and passing a school bus with flashing red lights incurs a fine of $550 and 3 points.
CLUB FRIDAY REGISTRATION
The Potomac Community Center will begin its 14th year of Club Friday Oct. 7. The program offers activities for third- through sixth-graders at the center every Friday night from October-March.
From 7-9 p.m. each week, children enjoy basketball, billiards, bingo, ping pong, dancing, games, crafts, movies, and special themed events.
The club accepts 550 students each year and routinely receives 800 or more applications. Spots are given out by lottery.
Applications for membership will be accepted Sept. 1-10 and can be mailed or dropped off at the community center. Each application must include a $40 registration fee and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Applications have been distributed at several local elementary and middle schools, and can also be picked up at the Community Center at 11315 Falls Road.
For more information about the program or registration, call the Potomac Community Center at 240-777-6960.
CABIN JOHN CRAB FEAST
Cabin John will hold its 36th annual Cabin John Crab and Chicken Feast on Saturday Sept. 10, 2-6 p.m. at the Clara Barton Community Center, 75th Street and MacArthur Boulevard, Cabin John.
Tickets are $11 at the door or $10 in advance. Tickets offer a choice of six crabs, three crabs and three vegetables, or barbecue chicken and three vegetables. Sodas, beer, wine, lemonade, pizza and popcorn will be available for sale.
Proceeds benefit the Cabin John Citizens Association, to support advocacy efforts and publication of the Cabin John Village Newsletter.
A bicycle parade for children starts at 2 p.m. at the corner of 79th Street and MacArthur Boulevard, across from the market, and goes to the Clara Barton Community Center. Prizes will be awarded to all children who participate.
'PADDLE-A-THON' TO BENEFIT CAMP
Kayakers of all ability levels are invited to take part in a Sept. 18 “paddle-a-thon” to benefit First Descents, a free, week-long paddling camp in Vail, Colo., for young adults with cancer.
Started by professional Brad Ludden, First Descents uses kayaking and other outdoor activities to help campers face challenges and overcome obstacles associated with living with cancer in a fun and supportive environment.
From 10 a.m.-noon, kayakers and canoeists alike will log as many laps as possible from the Washington Canoe Club to Thompson’s Boathouse on the Potomac River. The event will be held rain or shine, beginning at 9 a.m. with a safety talk at 9:30 a.m. Participants raise money through pledges.
The event is partly organized by Potomac Paddlesports, a Potomac, Md., paddling school. The school will provide kayak rentals on-site, with all proceeds donated to First Descents.
To register, visit www.potomacpaddlesports.com/firstdescents.asp. For more information, contact Risa Shimoda at risa@theshimodagroup.com or 301-502-6548 or Sunny Pitcher at sunny@potomacpaddlesports.com or 301-831-8270. The Washington Canoe Club is located at 3700 Water Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
To learn more about First Descents, visit www.firstdescents.org.