Wootton Graduate Killed in Car Collision
Jamie Hogan, a 2006 graduate of Thomas Wootton High School, was killed early Saturday morning, June 2 in a car collision.
Hogan, 19, was the passenger in a 2004 Honda Civic driven by Alan Bauer, also a 2006 Wootton graduate, that was struck by a Peterbuilt towtruck at the intersection of Park Road and Hungerford Drive in Rockville at approximately 1:53 a.m., according to Montgomery County police. Hogan was found dead at the scene by police and Bauer was transported to Suburban Hospital in very critical condition. Both men are from North Potomac.
The accident occurred when the Civic turned onto Hungerford Drive in front of the towtruck at a flashing red light, according to police. The driver of the truck, Joseph Allan Thompson, 40, of Mitchelville, was not injured, police said. No charges have been filed and the exact cause of the collision is under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call detectives from the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.
A memorial service for Hogan was scheduled to be held on Wednesday afternoon, June 6, at St. James Episcopal Church on Tuckerman Lane. Another memorial service is scheduled at Wootton in the Commons and Courtyard from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8.
False Solicitation Suspect Arrested
A woman who is suspected of falsely soliciting money from Avenel residents in May was arrested in Virginia and remains jailed.
Tasha Mitchell, 19, was arrested by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Department on May 18 after soliciting money falsely on behalf of a local high school cheerleading squad.
Mitchell was charged with Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses and had six outstanding warrants from Fairfax County for similar incidents. Mitchell was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail with no bond, and remains there, according the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.
The arrest came four days after a woman matching Mitchell's description pulled a similar scam in the Avenel neighborhood in Potomac. The Avenel incident occured three days after Mitchell was arrested for a similar incident committed in the Great Falls, Va. In that case she was released the same day after she posted $3,000 in bond. An Internet search showed that a woman by the same name has been arrested in connection to similar incidents in Oregon, Texas, and California at least three times in the last six months.
What’s the Right Dog for You?
If you’re thinking about getting a dog or puppy, dog trainer Jennifer Lund can help you make an informed choice. "The Right Dog for You" is a free workshop on Sunday, June 10 at 4 p.m. at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road. Register at www.yourdogsfriend.info or by calling 301-983-5913. Sponsored by Your Dog’s Friend and the Montgomery County Humane Society. Your Dog’s Friend is a nonprofit whose goal is to keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting dog owners.
Second Chance Wildlife Center Closes
For the first time since its incorporation in 1995, Second Chance Wildlife Center, the only rehabilitation facility for wildlife in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, is closing effective immediately, for an undetermined length of time. At this time the facility does not have adequate space to take in additional wild animals for treatment and care.
Second Chance Wildlife Center is a nonprofit organization that educates area residents about wildlife and provides medical treatment, care, food, and shelter to wild animals, including song birds, raptors, small mammals, waterfowl and reptiles. Approximately 5,000 animals per year are brought to Second Chance by residents of the surrounding D.C. area, as well area animal control divisions and humane societies. The wildlife center is located on the site of the Carson Farm in Gaithersburg.
"The demand for our services has increased to the point that Second Chance has outgrown its current space," said Christine Montuori executive director of Second Chance Wildlife Center. "We have been in discussion with
Montgomery County Council about the need to expand our facility to meet the growing need for these services."
Montuori recommends that area residents who find injured or abandoned wildlife call Mary Goldie of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at 410-260-8540 for other options while Second Chance is closed. For more information about Second Chance Wildlife Center, visit www.scwc.org.
Norwood School Holds Auction
An online auction is being held courtesy of the Tiger Woods Foundation, which has donated four items to be auctioned off to benefit Norwood School’s Financial Aid Program. Auction ends Thursday, June 7 at 10 p.m. Items include first-ever AT&T National tournament pin flag signed by Tiger Woods, two pairs of National Club tickets to the inaugural AT&T National tournament at Congressional Country Club on July 5-8 (good for all four tournament days; includes clubhouse access and parking directly across from the course at Norwood) and an invitation to play in the July 4th AT&T National Pro-Am on Congressional’s Famed Blue Course. The auction takes place online at http://norwood.maestroweb.com.
CAN 5K Approaches
For the seventh straight year, the Cure Autism Now 5K will bring runners, walkers and volunteers to Potomac Village on the Fourth of July. Proceeds benefit Cure Autism Now and Autism Speaks, formerly separate nonprofits that have merged to fund autism research and find a cure. Potomac’s Susan Pereles, the founder of the Can 5K, hopes to raise more than $200,000 with this year’s race, which will raise the event’s seven-year total to more than $1 million. Register now for the CAN 5K by visiting www.canrun.org.
‘Killer Angels’ in the Amphitheater
The Heritage Theatre Company will present "Killer Angels" at the Cabin John Regional Park outdoor amphitheater on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, May 24 -June 30, at 8:30 p.m. "Killer Angels" is the stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning Civil War novel about the 3-day battle of Gettysburg in 1863. For tickets call Heritage at 301-770-9080, or visit www.theheritagetheatre.org.
Ready for Reading Road Trip?
Young readers in Montgomery County are invited to take a "Reading Road Trip" by participating in the 2007 Summer Reading Club that begins on June 14 in Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). The annual program, a cooperative project of the Maryland State Department of Education and public libraries in Maryland and the District of Columbia, is designed to encourage reading among young people of all ages.
Children who sign up for the program will receive a "gameboard" to keep track of their reading and a suggested reading list. To fit this year’s travel-related theme, the "gameboard" includes a map of the United States with interesting facts about the states featuring a variety of cultures and landmarks, "Wacky Facts," "Rules of the Road," and fun travel games. During the summer children will be able to receive various prizes and be able to purchase T-shirts with the "Reading Road Trip" imprint for $5, while supplies last.
On Saturday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. Potomac Library will hold its Summer Reading Club kickoff event with folk musician Bruce Hutton, who will play and introduce traditional instruments such as the autoharp, ukulele, banjo and mandolin. For grades K-six, pre-registration required.
For more information about the Summer Reading Club — and other library programs, visit
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.
Public Invited to Safety Forum
The Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee invites county residents to a "Dialogue on Pedestrian Safety Solutions." The public is welcome to come share their views about pedestrian safety and mobility issues with representatives of local and state government and members of the county advisory committee. The exchange will primarily focus on three solutions to improve pedestrian safety: education of motorists and pedestrians, enforcement of traffic safety laws, and engineering of roadways to make communities pedestrian-friendly.
It will take place at the Germantown Recreation Center on Monday, June 18, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/walk.
Summer Pedestrian Safety Tips
With the spring season in full bloom and the start of summer fast approaching, more people are enjoying outdoor activities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. To stay safe this summer, please follow these pedestrian and bicycling safety tips:
Pedestrian Tips
* Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections. Do not jaywalk.
* Before crossing, look left, right, and left again. Then look over your shoulder for turning vehicles.
* Make eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you.
* Use pedestrian pushbuttons.
* Begin crossing the street on the "Walk" signal.
* Wear light-colored or reflective clothing to be visible after dark and in bad weather.
* Do not wear headphones while walking.
* Watch out for trucks and buses backing out of parking spaces and driveways.
Driver Tips
* Stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Clara Barton Holds Art Contest
The staff of Clara Barton National Historic Site invites artists to submit work for an upcoming exhibition entitled "The Art of Clara Barton." This show will display the work of artists who have created work related to Clara Barton along with original never-before exhibited work by the famous founder and president of the American Red Cross. Submit a clear, color photograph or digital image file of the artwork for consideration by August 19. The staff of Clara Barton National Historic Site will select the works for the exhibition. This exhibition will be held during the months of September and October. For more information visit www.nps.gov/clba/artists.htm or contact 301-320-1410.
Run for Roses
The Montgomery County Road Runners Club (MCRRC) holds the Run for Roses 5k Women’s Distance Festival on Saturday, June 16, 8 a.m. at Wheaton Regional Park. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in this annual event.
The Run for Roses 5k course is a scenic course through Wheaton Regional Park and Brookside Gardens especially during the spring when the gardens are at full bloom. As befits the name of the race, each finisher will be presented a long-stem rose and finisher certificate as she crosses the finish line. The event also includes free Also on race day, there will be free quarter-mile and half- mile young runs at 7:45 a.m. for children 12 and under. Online registration and additional information is available on the MCRRC Web site www.mcrrc.org or by calling 301-353-0200.
Smoother Driving Ahead
The Montgomery County Police Department is once again participating in the "Smooth Operator" campaign, which began on Saturday, and will take place one week out of each of the summer months. The Smooth Operator Campaign targets aggressive drivers in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Aggressive driving behaviors include: speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changing, failing to yield the right-of-way, and running red lights and stop signs.
The campaign for 2007 will consist of four, one-week-long waves in June 2-9, July 1-7, Aug. 5-11 and Sept. 2 -15. During these waves, Montgomery County Police will be especially committed to enforcing aggressive driving laws and traffic violations, to include a focus on the aggressive driving behaviors of teen drivers.
The Montgomery County Police Department wants to remind all motorists to be aware of their responsibility to obey all traffic laws and to always use caution when operating a motor vehicle. Montgomery County police and City of Rockville police are using automated speed enforcement cameras in some residential areas with speed limits of 35 mph or less and in some school zones. For more information about the Safe Speed program, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/police and click on the Safe Speed icon.
Speed Cameras Now Issuing Tickets
Montgomery County Police announced that their Safe Speed Program kicked into full gear on Wednesday, May 2. The automated speed enforcement program uses stationary speed cameras and mobile speed enforcement vehicles to enforce speed limits in residential areas and school zones with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Previously, violators had been issued warnings, but those warnings will now be citations, said Lucille Bauer, a spokesperson for Montgomery County Police.
In the Rockville/Potomac area, cameras are located on Dufief Mill Road, Bells Mill Road, Quince Orchard Road, Stone Ridge View Drive, Glen Mill Road, and Travilah Road. For a complete list of locations and for more information about the Safe Speed program, visit the Montgomery County Police Department Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/police and click on the "Safe Speed" icon on the front page.
Wanted: Volunteers at Lockhouse 8
The Potomac Conservancy is looking for river history buffs to help maintain and staff the River Center at historic Lockhouse 8 on the C&O Canal. This year, the River Center will feature a new exhibit, Backyard to the Bay, which will educate visitors about the Potomac River, its connection to the Chesapeake Bay, and what they can do in their own backyards to protect these resources. The full docent description is available at www.potomac.org/join/volunteer.html. Volunteers who wish to help staff the River Center should contact Judy Welles at weles@potomac.org.
Volunteer at a Local Park
Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission seeks volunteers at local parks in the area. For a full listing of all the opportunities available, contact Jayne Hench at 301-495-2504 or e-mail jayne.hench@mncppc-mc.org.