This Week in Potomac 3-29-06
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This Week in Potomac 3-29-06

CRYOR AND GOLDWATER ARE TOP WOMEN

Potomac legislators Del. Jean Cryor (R-15) and Del. Marilyn Goldwater (D-16) were named as two of Maryland's top 100 women by the Daily Record.

Goldwater has served in the House of Delegates for more than 25 years. Last year she was named vice chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee. She is a registered nurse who is considered a leader in health policy issues. She is a three-time honoree.

Cryor, now serving her third term in the House, is the ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee and a recognized education advocate. She was the first Republican to be president of the Women Legislators of Maryland.

The women will be honored at an awards ceremony May 8 in Baltimore.

SENATE PASSES UNDERAGE DRINKING BILL

A bill aimed at curbing underage drinking passed the Maryland Senate last week and will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee March 29.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rob Garagiola (D-15), whose district includes much of Potomac, allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend the drivers license of an adult who is convicted three or more times of knowingly providing alcohol to minors.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 8,000 teen drivers are killed in auto each year in the United States. Approximately 1 in 4 of those crashes involve alcohol.

“Serving alcohol to teens is dangerous and life threatening,” Garagiola said. “This will send a strong message to those who provide alcohol to underage drinkers.”

POTOMAC CLEAN AND GREEN

Volunteers are needed to help with the Potomac Clean & Green roadside and park clean up on Sat., April 8, 10 a.m.-noon. Meet in the parking lot near the Safeway gazebo for assignments. Wear boots or sturdy shoes, long sleeves and gloves. Litter bags will be provided. For more information or to sign up in advance, call Peggy Dennis at 301-983-9738.

POTOMAC THEATRE COMPANY 'CINDERELLA'

The Potomac Theatre Company presents “Cinderella, or A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Ball” by Marilyn Shockey April 1 and 2 with performances at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. each day at the Blair Family Center for the Arts at the Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road.

The play is a funny and irreverent musical take on the ‘Cinderella’ story and is appropriate for all ages. All tickets $10 with a 20 percent discount available for groups of 10 or more. Call 301-299-8571 or visit www.potomactheatreco.org.

JOIN THE RACE FOR HOPE

The ninth annual Cassidy and Pinkard Race for Hope 5K run and walk takes place Sunday, May 7 at Freedom Plaza in Washington, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The race raises money for the non-profit Brain Tumor Society, a research and education organization.

Several Potomac families are major organizers and fund-raisers for the Society and the annual race. Seven Locks Elementary School parents Chris and Lisa Peabody raised more than $20,000 last year. They have participated annually since their nine-month-old daughter Caroline died from a brain tumor.

To learn more, register, or contribute visit www.curebraintumors.org. An Almanac story about the Peabodys and the Race for Hope—published a year ago—can be found at http://www.potomacalmanac.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=46047&paper=70&cat=104.

'BEACH WEEK' MEETING

Walt Whitman High School parents have organized an informational meeting for parents on planning for a safe "Beach Week," also known as "Senior Week," when many graduating seniors head to the Delaware and Maryland beaches.

The meeting will be Wednesday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Walt Whitman High School cafeteria.

Beach Week is not a school endorsed activity and many students select alternative activities for that week, but the meeting organizers wish to make information available to those parents and students who do plan to attend.

Corporal Cliff Dempsey of the Dewey Beach Police Department and Donald Robinson of the Delaware Alcohol Beverage Commission will speak at the meeting.

For more information, contact Whitman parent Rebecca Byers at rbcadc@aol.com.

FORUM ON UNDERAGE DRINKING

There will be a Montgomery County Community Forum on Underage Drinking, entitled "Start Talking Before they Start Drinking" on Thursday, March 30, 7- 9 p.m. at the Carver Auditorium, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville. The forum will be appropriate for parents and children ages 8 and up. Light refreshments will be served, and attendance is free.

For more information or to reserve a space contact Kathie Durbin at 240-777-1917 or Emily DeTitta at 240-777-1904.

FORUMS ON M.S. IMPROVEMENTS

Parents and students are invited to attend a series of public forums to discuss ways to strengthen Montgomery County Public Schools’ middle school programs. Feedback and from the public will help guide the school system's middle school reform initiative.

The forums will be Thursday, March 23, at Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac,

Wednesday, March 29 at Montgomery Village Middle School and Monday, April 3 at Francis Scott Key Middle School. All there forums are from 7-9 p.m. Interpreters for Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and French will be available.

For directions to the schools or more information, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.