Potomac. Finding the Right Tree News, Page 4. Brothers Launch New Restaurant News, Page 3. Artful Assortment News, Page 3

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1 Potomac Finding the Right Tree News, Page 4 Calendar, Page 8 Real Estate, Page 11 Sports, Page 12 Classified, Page 14 Photo by Colleen Healy /The Almanac Scott and Allison Suttle come to the Cabin John Fire Department each year to choose their Christmas tree. December 8-14, 2010 Volume XXIV, Number 49 PERMIT #86 Martinsburg, WV PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Brothers Launch New Restaurant News, Page 3 Artful Assortment News, Page 3 Churchill Hoping Leadership Replaces Talent Loss Sports, Page 12 online at potomacalmanac.com Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

2 On-line ordering now available! 20% off your first on-line order! 2 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010

3 Photos by Colleen Healy/The Almanac Photo by Colleen Healy/The Almanac News Potomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren or See Paintings by Claire Howard often feature Poolsville countryside and Bethany Beach scenes. Plein air artist Teri Cunningham often paints scenes of the C&O canal. A piece by sculptor Susan Aschenbach. One of Yolanda Prinsloo s still life paintings. Cherry Dearie Smith specializes in children s portraits in natural settings. An Artful Assortment Finding one-of-a-kind gifts from local artists. For the past year the former storefront occupied by The Surrey has become an artist collaborative and art gallery. Each month The Art Gallery of Potomac features a different local artist s work. The inspiration for the gallery was an idea by eight local artists, who have known each other for many years, to share a workspace and gallery together. In addition, the space features other Potomac artists and gives them a place and opportunity to show their work. Each artist has a distinctive style and background coming from countries such as South Africa, Argentina and Lebanon. Resident artist Teri Cunningham feels the gift of artwork is a unique, personal gift that will last a lifetime and through the generations. A painting by a local Potomac artist will enhance the meaning of the gift. Each of our resident artists has a special Artist Anne Martinez specializes in pet and people portraits. style. We also offer private painting classes as holiday gifts. The Art Gallery of Potomac is open Thursday-Sunday 12-4 and is located at River Road. Colleen Healy Potomac Brothers To Launch New Restaurant Stella to open in Traville Shopping Center next month. By Colleen Healy The Almanac Stella Restaurant is the newest venture of George and Stratton Liapis. The brothers owned and operated The Lunch Box Carry-Out Shoppes in downtown Washington, D.C. for more than 30 years as well as Bullfeather s of Capital Hill for the last 17 years. Dee Mandis, owner of Blue Ribbon Interior Design, has been retained for the interior design of the restaurant. Ray Niederhausen, a graduate of Stratford University with a degree in culinary arts, has been named its executive chef. George Liapis feels to build a restaurant in this economy unless you are a major corporation is insane. What you need to do is look for deals. Cost-wise you need to buy a restaurant at the right number. I can t predict the future, but you need to be able to talk to friends about investing and even under the worst circumstances you need to be able to assure them they will get their money back. You need to buy a restaurant right in this market. You need to buy in the right area to have your business. With Stella s location you don t have to drive to Bethesda or valet your car. There is ample parking and you are 10 minutes from home. We want our guests to go Wow! when they walk through the door. We know how to treat our guests. It will be like they are in my home and they will be treated accordingly. There will be a neighborhood restaurant right here. No other restaurant for miles around offers this type of food. We have a well-balanced menu. We will have 4-8 different species of fresh whole fish. I am first generation Greek. We prepare our food like they do in the old country: very simple with the freshest ingredients and finest olive oil. We will prepare the healthiest food you can eat. My See Potomac Brothers, Page 7 Owner George Liapis, Executive Chef Ray Niederhausen and owner Stratton Liapis in front of their new restaurant, Stella. Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

4 News Photo by Colleen Healy/The Almanac Volunteers Ana Soule and Jessica Barrett and tie a Christmas tree onto a customer s car roof. Finding the Right Tree Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department Station is selling Christmas trees at Station 10 located at 8001 River Road. Open 7 days a week until they sell out, their hours of operation are weekdays from 10 a.m. 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. 9 p.m. This year, the station is using a local tree farm and is selling Douglas Firs which are fresh cut. Tree prices are: Over 8 feet - $80, 8 feet and under- $65, large wreaths- $30 and small wreaths - $25. All purchases are tax deductible and the money generated from the Christmas tree lot goes toward apparatus, protective gear and other critical equipment for the fire department. Firefighters and emergency medical technicians will help shoppers choose a tree and the department offers complimentary tree delivery. On chilly days there will also be complimentary hot cocoa. Colleen Healy Ana Soule, a volunteer from the Cabin John Fire Department, helps cut a tree. Volunteers from Boy Scout Troop #447, from left, T.J. Bell, Chuck Aubertin, and son Douglas Aubertin, help out. Photos by Deborah Post Stevens /The Almanac 20% Off in-plant cleaning through Dec. 18, 2010 Rug Repairs 10% Off all in-plant repairs through Dec. 18, 2010 Wall to Wall Steam Any 3 Areas sq ft 4 to 6 Areas sq ft 6 to 8 Areas ,000 sq ft Offer good through 12/18/10. Not valid with any other offers. Happy Holidays! 4 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010

5 Photo by Sharon Allen Gilder News Downturned Economy Not the Cat s Meow Humane non-profit feeling the impact. By Sharon Allen Gilder For The Almanac The Benjamin Franklin Room at Potomac s Bolger Center was purring with warm and fuzzy feelings last month as nearly 100 animal lovers gathered for Friends of Montgomery County Animals (FMCA) annual luncheon fundraiser replete with a CAbi fashion show and numerous vendor boutiques. Large projection screens sporting photos of cats ready to find a forever home embraced both sides of the ballroom. FMCA, established in 1974, is an all-volunteer non-profit that recruits foster families for cats and dogs, runs successful trapspay/neuter-release (TNR) programs, and supports humane efforts throughout the County in harmony with their motto: dignity for animals. Fundraising in the current economic conditions has been a challenge for the organization and it is not alone. According to a CNN report, the 100 largest charities in the United States have suffered an 11 percent decrease in donations and donations from Fro left: CAbi commentator Charlie Wilson with models, Melanie Williams, CAbi consultant Lori Veirs, Ellie Brown, Lisa Gatons, Susan Cameron, Laura Salisbury, Katie Fechko, Kris Veirs, Janet Fenton, Ann Richardson, Pam Dawson, Arianne Tavakolian and Deb McDonald. the wealthiest Americans have decreased by 34 percent. Claire Proffitt, FMCA president, noted that the organization experienced a new low in TNR responses and adoptions. We chipped away at the animal overpopulation problem by supporting 34 TNR s and we placed 142 kittens and cats, but that is not nearly enough. Because of the economic uncertainty, more attention has been focused on cruelty and abandonment cases and helping people in need keep their cats and dogs by assisting with veterinary bills. Artist Vera Michelle Elliott brought her talents to the event with 20 percent of the sales of her dog portraits going to FMCA s projects. She credits her mother for her love of canines. My mom breeds dogs and I ve always liked them and have been raised with them. They re like siblings. They understand you when nobody else does. They have a power. Dogs are like, Just love me. she said. Potomac resident Connie Fike, a member for 10 years, said she supports FMCA s whole mission. Rather than euthanize animals, get people to adopt them. It s not just what they re doing for the animals, but what the animals do for you. You feel something positive flowing back. A recent article in the group s newsletter by board member Sue Recher states, The number of animals FMCA can place is a function of the number of foster homes available. Proffitt concluded her statements with a plea for foster homes. Not only have the number of foster homes decreased, but two of our main foster counselors have been fighting breast cancer and another core volunteer has undergone multiple serious surgeries. We need foster homes. You provide the housing, food and love. FMCA takes care of the vet bills. For more information visit: ofmontgomerycountyanimals.org No Power? No Problem. Gas Logs on Sale for Immediate Installation Call for Free In-Home Professional Estimate! OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH Rev. Msgr. William J. English, Pastor Invites you to join us as we prepare for Christmas Advent Penance Service December 14, 7:30pm Beautiful efficient Heat Sacrament of Penance December 18, 9:30am-5:00pm (available all day) Christmas Eve Mass 4:00pm* 6:00pm 8:00pm 10:00pm *Church & McAuley Hall 10%* 12/18/10 PA Christmas Day Mass 8:30am 10:45am 12:30pm New Year s Day Saturday, January 1, :00am and 11:00am 5:00pm Vigil Mass 9200 Kentsdale Drive ~ Potomac, Maryland Phone: Website; Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

6 This Week in Potomac Liquor Stores Open Sundays Potomac s two county-run liquor stores, one in Potomac Village and one in Cabin John Mall, are now open on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. as part of a six-month pilot program. During this time, the county Department of Liquor Control will monitor costs, revenues, customer satisfaction and community response, and impacts on privately-owned and operated licensed businesses. Montgomery County currently allows Sunday alcohol sales in privately-owned beer and wine stores and on premise at licensed restaurants. County Council Sworn In Montgomery County s 17th Council, which was elected in November, was sworn in at inauguration ceremonies Monday, Dec. 6 at Rockville High School. The council met officially for the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Potomac residents are represented by Roger Berliner, the councilmember for District 1, and the four at-large councilmembers, Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer. All members of this Montgomery County Council are Democrats. The 17th Council includes returning Councilmembers Phil Andrews, Berliner, Elrich, Valerie Ervin, Floreen, Leventhal and Nancy Navarro. Craig Rice and Hans Riemer are beginning their first terms. The Council s morning session included a discussion of a report that will be released at the session by the Council s Office of Legislative Oversight on achieving a structurally balanced budget. Part I of the report, discussed on Nov. 23, identified the driving forces behind the county s continuing budget problems. Part II of the report presents options that could be considered to address the ongoing problems. Reducing future salary increases; raising the employee share of health benefits, restructuring retirement benefits; reducing the size of the workforce; reducing debt service; and increasing revenues are among the options Montgomery County might consider to address the structural budget challenge. In May 2010, the council approved a $4.3 billion total county operating budget for Fiscal Year 2011 that was 4.5 percent less than the approved budget for FY10, the first decrease in a total budget since the adoption of the current county charter in Changes for Rules on Tying up Dogs The Montgomery County Council s Public Safety Committee on Thursday, Dec. 2, recommended changes to the county rules on tethered dogs. The committee s recommendations aim to simultaneously provide adequate anti-cruelty protections for dogs and maintain a safe environment for residents. The Public Safety Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Phil Andrews and includes Councilmembers Roger Berliner and Marc Elrich, decided not to support aspects of County Executive Isiah Leggett s original proposal that tightened tethering regulations, which would have required that dog owners stay outside within sight of any dog that was tied up. Because the committee deemed that requirement was unreasonable, it made its own recommendations for how best to protect the public and the animals. Dogs could only be tethered between 8 a.m. 8 p.m. for a maximum of two hours per day, and owners must use swivels at the ends of the tether to avoid the dog s entanglement Our main concern is that if a dog is tethered in a cruel or harmful way, it is not only detrimental to the dog s well being, but it also jeopardizes public safety, Andrews said. A dog that has been treated cruelly will have a bad temperament, which will consequently endanger the public. In addition to the provisions about staying within visual contact of a tethered dog, the regulations also define the safe transportation of dogs, the sufficient shelter parameters and the conditions under which dogs may be tied to a stationary or immobile object. In 2009, residents reported to Animal Control 116 cases related to tethering violations. Animal Control also found unlawful tethering violations through calls related to other animal welfare violations. Outside dogs must have shelters that allow them to stand up and turn around while inside, but still allow them to retain their body heat. Outdoor enclosures for dogs must be at least 100 square feet, except that dogs over 80 pounds must have at least 150 square feet. An additional 50 feet is required for each additional dog kept within the same enclosed area. Owners must maintain the area in a sanitary condition and keep it free from debris or stored material. The regulation also specifies that no cat may be tethered, chained, fastened, tied or restrained to a house, tree, fence or other object. News Protecting Young Hands Kidskins help children Get a Grip and Play. By Susan Belford The Almanaca Monkey bars and jungle gyms can be a wonderful source of exercise and enjoyment for children but when parents see their children s hands aching and covered with blisters after visiting a playground, they are mortified and often torn because they want their children to play and keep fit, but not come back home in pain. Stephen and Alice Dwyer of Potomac experienced this same conundrum. They wanted their three children to actively play outside, but when the youngsters returned with smarting and throbbing hands, they realized they needed some type of glove to protect their hands. A search of the internet revealed that no such gloves existed. Because of this need and through their ingenuity Kidskins were invented. These are jungle gym and fitness gloves for children. They protect hands from chafing, blisters, friction burns, and splinters as well as from hot or freezing metal. These gloves are also helpful when catching Stephen Dwyer and gripping a football and for preventing asphalt burns from bicycle, roller blade or skateboard falls. Kidskins is the direct result of needing a product that couldn t be found, said Dwyer. After market research with neighbors, friends and parents of our kid s friends, we decided we would design and manufacture them ourselves. This turned out to be a much more difficult project than we ever imagined but we have been successful in producing a quality product which totally meets the requirements of children and their parents. We have the gloves for sale on-line and they will soon be offered at Kidville in Bethesda. There is definitely a need out there we have had incredible success as soon as the gloves hit the market. Dwyer, an attorney and his wife, vice president for a non-profit, are managing this upstart business with direct input from their daughter, Mira, age 9 and sons Nathaniel and Mick, ages 11 and 6. We test everything on them and their friends, said Dwyer. My daughter helped draft the palm designs and she is the one who came up with the idea of the Riptags to personalize each pair of gloves. He also consulted his fraternity brother, Joe Patil, an engineer living in York, Pa. Patil helped design the gloves and is a partner in the new company which is named Prexis, LLC, a name selected by their daughter. The gloves are fashioned from material made of nylon, polyurethane, neoprene and spandex. They are available in purple/pink as well as red/ black and are geared for children ages They come in small, medium and large. The Riptags are attached with Velcro and include messages such as: Peace, Smile, and I Love Dogs. The gloves sell for $19.95 a pair, and carry a moneyback guarantee. ONE OF THE MAJOR difficulties Dwyer encountered in seeing his idea to fruition was finding a manufacturer. In the beginning, he wanted to be certain the gloves could be produced in the U.S.; however, he soon realized he would have to outsource the manufacturing. He located Joe McGarry, owner of Gloves On Line. McGarry had fabricated every kind of glove for over 30 years but had never seen anything like the gloves Dwyer was proposing. Next, prototypes were created. Dwyer wanted to be certain the gloves were easy to pull on and off, comfortable, lightweight, durable, flexible and washable. They had to be able to grip the bars of a jungle gym or monkey bars effectively. And, they had to be attractive and look cool for youngsters. Not only are they for playground equipment use, these gloves can be used for many activities: Skateboarding, roller skating, football, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics. One Canadian mother recently called Dwyer to tell him that her child had just stuck his fingers to a frozen jungle gym rung, ripping the skin from his fingers. We need your fitness gloves just as soon as you can ship them, she wrote. Dwyer has plans for Kidskins: We propose to build the business by selling our gloves through local retailers, and parent blogs we are already profiled on the DC Mommy blog. We will be debuting at a major trade show called ABC Kids next October in Las Vegas. We are also looking forward to developing other products related to active kids. Kidskins helping kids to Get a Grip and Play can be ordered from 6 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010

7 Photo by Aimee Wadeson From Page 3 News Potomac Brothers To Launch New Restaurant kitchen will never see a microwave. In addition to fish, Stella will offer steakhouse steaks, chops, organic chicken, a full lunch menu and the children s menu will feature fresh, whole turkey breast. The bar will feature lobster guacamole and lobster mac and cheese. Stella will offer a full service bar, a variety of domestic and imported beers, both by the bottle and tap, and a diverse wine list featuring wines from California, Italy, France, Argentina, Greece. Wines by the glass will range from $6-$14 a glass. Wines by the bottle will range from $25-$125 a bottle. However, the core of their wine list will be between $25-$55 per bottle. Stella will offer a Happy Hour Monday- Friday from 4-7 p.m. The Liapis brothers say their dress code will be business casual to casual. They say their restaurant will be consistent, proactive, passionate, and their staff will always have the right attitude whenever their guests enter our home. George Liapis hopes Stella is embraced by the area. I think the menu is on target for the way people eat today. We are good at preparing different types of food to appeal to different types of people. We are not considered an expensive restaurant. The wines are not expensively priced. That is very important to me. Wine should be a part of the meal. We hope to give great service with outstanding food with outstanding service in an immaculate restaurant 24/ 7, 365 and of course great value. We hope people come multiple times. We don t want Stella to be just a special occasion place. We want them to come because the food is outstanding. His brother and partner Stratton Liapis agrees: We are excited about opening Stella. It is a passion with us; we enjoy the business and enjoy seeing our customers and friends. We have lived in Potomac for 30 years. Chef Niederhausen seconded: We love what we do and do what we love. That s why we are here. Stella Restaurant will be opening in the Traville Shopping Center in North Potomac in early January It will be located in the former site of The Vyne Restaurant at 9755 Traville Gateway Drive. LET S TALK Real Estate by Michael Matese Time is of the Essence Helping the Needy The Holy Child Middle School organized a food drive for needy families, filling more than 60 baskets/bags with food for the Thanksgiving holiday. Eighth graders Melissa Barrios and Celine Corbie work on the baskets; the food was delivered to the McKenna Center. Warm Meals Green Acres School sixth graders Evan John, 12; Amalia Rizberg, 11, and Tim Carter, 11, help peel and chop vegetables to be included in a soup taken to St. Martin s Catholic Church soup kitchen in Gaithersburg last month. As with all things, there is a deadline on real estate offers and contracts. Time is of the essence is a phrase you will see on every document you re asked to sign. This means that all offers and responses are to be done in a timely manner, with due diligence given to the time frame. If an offer is allowed to languish too long, it can fall by the way side and on most offers, there will be an actual date and time after which the offer becomes void. Sometimes delays are unavoidable. The Realtor is out of town, the seller is out of town, the repairs that are requested can t be done in time, but these can be handled with the right addendum. But if you re careless, you can lose your right to ask for the seller to pay for needed repairs, or to ask them to leave particular items. Financing can also be a sticking point, with the seller able to declare the sale void if approval isn t given within a certain time frame. That of itself is the reason to be pre-approved by your lender. It will be one less hurdle towards closing the house in a timely fashion. Use your Realtor s skills as a negotiator and her knowledge of contracts to ensure that your deadlines are noted and met. For professional advice on all aspects of buying and selling real estate, call: MICHAEL MATESE Long & Foster Realtors Mike@michaelmatese.com. Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

8 Photo by Scott Suchman Entertainment Vintage and New Writing Instruments, Books, Pen Art and Accessories Same building as; Samuel S. Case, Cabinetmaker PROFESSIONAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION Great Craftsmen Doing Exceptional Work HOW TO GET YOUR ORGANIZATION S SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE ALMANAC Calendar Listings The Potomac Almanac contains a Calendar of Upcoming Events every week. While we cannot guarantee that every event we receive information about will be listed, here is the information we need for your upcoming event to be considered for the Calendar. We welcome photographs of similar events held previously, which sometimes appear with Calendar items. Name of Event: Day of the Week, Date and Time: Name of the Place Event will Be Held: Address of the Place Event Will Be Held: Name and Phone Number for More Information: Three Sentences Describing the Event: Please submit your calendar information at least two weeks before your event. Clear photographs from similar previous events are always welcome. All events should be open to the public. We give first priority to free events. listings to: almanac@connectionnewspapers.com or mail to: Calendar, Potomac Almanac 1606 King Street Alexandria, VA For more information, call To have community events listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call NOW THROUGH DEC. 20. Holiday Food Collection. To benefit the Manna Food Center, a nonprofit food bank providing food to low-income households, food pantries, soup kitchens, group homes, and schools in Montgomery County. Bring non-perishable food to participating stores: Safeway, Chicken Out and PNC Bank, River and Falls Road in Potomac. Visit NOW THROUGH DEC. 30 International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature. Free. Gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call or visit Michael Bignell & Mikhail Kononov. Free. Explore Bignell s works in acrylic and Kononov s works in oil. Gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call or visit NOW THROUGH JAN. 1 Festival of Lights. Free. Nightly indoor concerts at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. They include Sandra Turley, the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus and the McDonough High School Chamber Choir: The Madrigal Lords and Ladies. Bell choirs, flute ensembles, vocal choirs, dance troupes and other forms of holiday entertainment will be presented in the Temple Visitors Center s theater. Open daily until 10 p.m. Lights illuminated at dusk with nightly performances at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. At the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Grounds, 9900 Stoneybrook Dr. Kensington. Visit Winter Lights Festival. A 3.5-mile drive through a holiday light show at Seneca Creek Park with more than 350 illuminated displays. (Closed Mondays and Dec. 24). Proceeds from the Festival benefit local charities. Call or visit NOW THROUGH JAN. 9 Holiday Art Show and Sale. Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition will feature works by resident artists, instructors and invited artists and will include glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, and more. In the Popcorn Gallery of Glen Echo Park. Call or visit glenechopark.org. THURSDAY/DEC. 9 Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Slow blues lesson from 8:15 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 to 11:30 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and guests. At the Back Room of Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Donna Barker at or go to info@capitalblues.org or Celebrate the Arts Night. 6 to 8 p.m. Students from Potomac Elementary will showcase their artwork that was entered in the National PTA Reflections Art Contest. The theme was Together We Can, and students were challenged to create visual art, photography, dance choreography, film production, and musical composition with that theme in mind. Gerald Clayton Trio. At 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28 (Stars Price $25.20). A rising star in the jazz world, at the young age of 26, pianist Gerald Clayton has already racked up numerous awards, performed with greats like Kenny Barron, Roy Hargrove and Clark Terry and garnered critical acclaim. DownBeat raves, In a generation of wunderkinds, Clayton stands out for his nuanced touch, precise articulation and the way he constructs a narrative for his solos. At the Mansion at Strathmore. Call or visit FRIDAY/DEC. 10 Contra Dance. 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $9. There is a Contra dance lesson from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. followed by the called dance to live music from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Sarah VanNorstrand calls to the Glen Echo Open Band. At the Spanish Ballroom of Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. fndcontra@yahoo.com La Divina Milonga Party. 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $15. The evening will include a lesson for Argentine Tango beginners and up from 8:30-9 p.m. The lesson is followed by a Dance Party to recorded music from 9 p.m. - Midnight with Teacher and DJ Fabio Bonini, playing Traditional Tango, Milongas, Waltz and Tango Nuevo. The $15 admission includes the lesson and Dance Party. At the Ballroom Annex at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Phone: SATURDAY/DEC. 11 Family Gingerbread House Workshop. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Make a gingerbread house at Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Fallsgrove Drive, Rockville. All materials included. Cost: $35 per house. Registration required. Call Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most hardback books and large paperbacks are $1; regular paperbacks are $.50. All Junie B. is a star in her dreams. NOW THROUGH JAN. 9 Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Some Saturday 11 a.m. performances. Single ticket prices range from $10-$22, with group rates available. It s holiday time in Room One and that means drama! Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B., and things get even worse when Junie B. draws May s name for Secret Santa. She hatches a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-A-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and show her true holiday spirit? Just like its heroine, the show has laughs, verve and energy to spare! At Imagination Stage 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. Visit or call books are donated by the local community for the benefit of the library. At Potomac Library, Glenolden Drive, Potomac. Call Pancakes with Santa. All-you-can-eat-pancakes with Santa. At Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department, Station 10, 8001 River Road. Swing Dance. 8 p.m. midnight. Admission is $15. With the Boilermaker Jazz Band. The beginner lesson with the Jam Cellar crew starts at 8 p.m. and is included with your admission. The dance runs from 9 p.m. until midnight. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. huh@thejamcellar.com Bullis School Festival of Light. 6 p.m. Free. This year s theme, A Holiday to Remember, will celebrate the season with vibrant performances by the school s Upper School jazz, string and concert bands along with choral performances from a variety of ensembles and choirs. At Blair Family Center for the Arts, Falls Road, Potomac. Call or DEC Handel s Messiah. Performed by the National Philharmonic Chorale. Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. The concert will feature the National Philharmonic s nearly 200 voice all-volunteer Chorale, as well as soloists Audrey Elizabeth Luna (soprano); Yvette Smith (mezzosoprano); Don Bernardini (tenor); and Christòpheren Nomura (baritone). At the Music Center at Strathmore. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call the box office at Tickets are $32-$79; kids 7-17 are free. NOW THROUGH DEC. 12 The Nutcracker. Presented annually since 1974 by the Rockville Civic Ballet, under the direction of Claudia Mangan, the show is a community favorite. Performances are Saturday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. At the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Tickets are $16/adults; $12/ children (12 years and younger), and $12/seniors. Group rates available. For tickets call the box office at between 2 and 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, or visit SUNDAY/DEC th Century Christmas. 1 to 4 p.m. Join Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park staff and volunteers and the C&O Canal Trust at Lockhouse 22 for an afternoon of 19th Century Christmas along the Canal. Enjoy 19th century See Entertainment, Page 9 8 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010

9 Fine Arts NOW THROUGH JAN. 9 Holiday Art Show and Sale. Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Browse and buy fine artworks at Glen Echo Park s annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. The exhibition will feature works by resident artists, instructors and invited artists and will include glass, ceramics, jewelry, photographs, paintings, and more. In the Popcorn Gallery. Additional holiday hours on weekdays and weekends will be posted at The Art Show will be open for the Winter s Eve event on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. Call or visit glenechopark.org. NOW THROUGH DEC. 28 The Nature of Things. Contemporary works by Nebiur Arellano, Anita Bretzfeld, Jo Fleming, Mina Oka Hanig, Entertainment DEC. 8 THROUGH FEB. 8 From Page 8 holiday music and carols performed by volunteers dressed in mid s apparel and tour historic Lockhouse 22, featuring 19 th - century era furnishings and holiday decorations. The Lockhouse 22/Pennyfield area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park is located at the end of Pennyfield Lock Road off River Road near Potomac. Call the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at Jaffa (Kalat Hayam) Film. 10 a.m. Tickets are $15. A movie set in an Israeli seaside town, about the lives of two families, working at Reuven s garage. In Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles. At Cinema Art Bethesda, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. Visit CinemaArtBethesda.org or call Jingle Bell Jog 8K. Starts at 9 a.m., at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive. See Open Door Reading. 2 p.m. Free. Novelist Israel Heller reads from Death In McMurdo, and Kathryn Johnson reads from The Gentleman Poet: A Novel of Love, Danger, and Shakespeare s The Tempest. At The Writer s Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda. Call , or visit Zydeco Dance. 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $15. Introductory Zydeco dance lesson from 3 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. With the band Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Michael Hart at or go to Contra and Square Dance. 7 to 10:30 p.m. Admission: $12 nonmembers/$9 FSGW members. There is a lesson is at 7 p.m., followed by dances with Floor Play from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The evening can include square dances, mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. fsgw.org. Tribute to Frankie Valli. 7 p.m. Featuring The Unexpected Boys. At Woodmont Country Club, 1201 Rockville Pike, Rockville. Funds raised will benefit JSSA s (Jewish Social Service Agency) Employment and Career Services. For tickets, call or Lesley Schrier at JSSA, or lschrier@jssa.org. Canal Stewards Cleanup Day. 10 a.m p.m. Help the Conservancy clean up and beautify the land and water surrounding Lock 8, and along miles 8 and 9 of the C&O Canal towpath. This monthly clean-up day is open to all ages, and is part of the Canal Steward Program, engaging volunteers in a long-term relationship in which they become the caretakers of a designated site within the C&O Canal Painting with Fire. The Unique Art of Peter Kephart. Artist s reception is Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. In Zenith s Gallery, Chevy Chase Pavilion, Gallery on level 2 next to Embassy Suites Hotel. Geri Smith, and Novie Trump. At the Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum, Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. Call NOW THROUGH DEC. 19 Annual Members Show. Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. The Yellow Barn Studio, Glen Echo Park s resident painting and drawing studio, presents its 16th annual juried Friends of the Yellow Barn Members Show. Call , or visit yellowbarnstudio.com. NOW THROUGH DEC. 31 Holiday Show. Featuring pottery, jewelry, wearable art, paintings, prints, and photos small and large, sculpture and mobiles. The Gallery will be filled with beautiful works of original design that make great holiday gifts. At Waverly Street Gallery, 4600 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Call Contact Jean Hirons jeanhirons@comcast.net or call Visit National Historical Park. At River Center at Lock 8, 7906 Riverside Dr., Cabin John. Visit or contact Deanna Tricarico at tricarico@potomac.org, or x204. MONDAY/DEC. 13 Scandinavian Christmas. 7:30 p.m. With Andrea Hoag, Loretta Kelley, and Charlie Pilzer. Tickets are $15/advance; $20/door. At IMT at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Old Georgetown Road, Rockville. Call and visit TUESDAY/DEC. 14 Joe Jencks and Gathering Time. 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 at the door, $15 in advance at FocusMusic.org. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville. Contact David Spitzer at focusrockville@earthlink.net or Day at the J. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Featuring seated exercise, a three-course hot lunch, a discussion group and a film, My Name is Khan, about a Muslim man with Asperger s syndrome on a quest to recapture the heart of the wife who became estranged from him after Sept. 11. At the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. Lunch $5. Bus transportation from selected sites $5. THURSDAY, DEC. 16 Open Rehearsals. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free. Encore Choral for singers 55-plus. Calling all former high school and college choristers, church, synagogue and community choral singers. Be a part of the Encore Chorale conducted by Jeanne Kelly, past conductor of the United States Naval Academy Women s Glee Club, Georgetown University Concert Choir and Senior Singers Chorales of the Levine School of Music. Encore Choral of Washington Conservatory of Music at Glen Echo Park. At the South Arcade, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Bethesda. Call Jeanne Kelly at or Jeanne.kelly@encorecreativity.org. Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Slow blues lesson from 8:15 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 to 11:30 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and guests. At the Back Room of Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Donna Barker at or go to info@capitalblues.org or ROBERT BERNARD JEWELERS Your Neighborhood Jeweler Remake your old jewelry into something new Fine & Custom Jewelry Simple To Stunning Beautiful Gifts in Every Price Range Stone Replacement Jewelry Reconstruction Goldsmith on site Expert Repairs 1079 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD Potomac Woods Plaza (next to Freshgo) Potomac Village Deli Catering Breakfast Lunch Dinner Catering Home of Your Corporate & Residential Catering Headquarters Serving the Community for over 35 Years Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

10 Potomac On the Market REAL ESTATE For information about appearing on this page, contact Deb Funk at or Potomac, MD/Riverside Terrace Brand-new and beautiful describes this sensational Arts and Crafts home in a premier location easily accessible to Bethesda, Potomac, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Over 8800 square feet of finished space on 4 levels using the highest quality materials enhance a wonderful easy-tolive-in floor plan. Even a 3-car garage MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD For more information, contact Marsha Schuman, , Washington Fine Properties Potomac Village Office, , Marsha.Schuman@wfp.com, Offered at $2,195,000. Beauty, Warmth and Value This unique home offers a dramatic entry foyer, both formal and informal living spaces, four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and one half bathroom, recently renovated gourmet kitchen and master bath, library with paneled walls, two fireplaces, heated porcelain tiled kitchen and entry, expansive family room with brick fireplace and French doorsleading to deck, and spacious walkout lower level with recreation room, full bath, office and storage space. Lovely moldings, recessed lighting, granite, travertine and hardwood floors and skylights. Gorgeous views of the outdoors throughout house. Property is just minutes to Potomac Village Swains Lock Terrace, Potomac, MD For more information contact Yasmin Abadian, Long and Foster Potomac Village Office , Cell , This house is priced at $1,200,000. Potomac This excellent value custom home sits on quiet cul-de-sac street in close-in Potomac in Churchill H.S. district. Upon entering this home, you will see a beautiful foyer with circular stairs and cozy living room, and dining room, lovely table space kitchen with granite and the family room with gas fireplace. The main floor has a laundry room with back door opening to gorgeous landscaped grounds (.29 ac) with heated free-form private pool. This three level home has four bedrooms upstairs and three full baths plus a powder room. There are closets galore and a fully finished lower level with wet bar and steps leading up to door to exit. Over 3,500 sq. Ft. Open Sunday, December 5th Tyler Terrace, Potomac, MD For more information contact Diann Gottron, Long and Foster Cabin John Office, , Office: , dgottron@verizon.net. Priced at $799,000. Profiles in Real Estate Diann Gottron Diann Gottron has lived with her family in Montgomery County for 50 years. She is a former teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools prior to her recognizable name for 33 years in the real estate industry. Having a family team, Diann concentrates on listing her homes whereas her daughter, Denise, specializes in buyer brokering and renting. Her husband, Richard, handles all the home inspections, including lead and mold. Patience and perseverance are Diann s middle name. With her warm and caring personality, she stays in close communication with her sellers and buyers. She also has on immediate hand painters, landscapers, floor and carpet specialists, and expert repairmen in order to maximize the curb appeal, first impression and visualization of her homes. As we all know, this year has been a difficult year but with proper pricing and marketing aggressively, her homes are sold. This includes open houses, luncheons for agents, advertising in local magazines and newspapers including the Washington Post, Bethesda Magazine, The Washingtonian, The Potomac Almanac, The Gazette, The Regency Record and Rad Magazine. Diann s record in real estate is exceptional due to her attention to her client s needs. For many years, she has been in the top 1% of real estate nationwide. She loves her profession and it shows down to every minute detail whether it be in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring or Chevy Chase. Diann B. Gottron Long & Foster Realtors Cell: (301) Office: (301) dgottron@verizon.net 10 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010

11 News OPEN HOUSES IN POTOMAC SAT./SUN. DEC. 11 & 12 Brownies from Troop 4827 at Seven Locks Elementary School (tree theme A red white and blue American Christmas ) Amy Weitzman, Brianna Brown, Caroline Tydings, Margaux Saidy, Miranda Hill, Parker Hill from Troop 4827 all second graders from Seven Locks Elementary School with the tree theme - A red white and blue American Christmas. Photos by Joanna Caputi Decorated Trees To Raise Funds Westfield Montgomery Shopping Mall is displaying trees decorated by area Girl Scouts through Dec. 10. Each tree has its own theme decided upon by the individual troop. The trees are on display in the mall and customers can purchase raffle tickets to win the trees, with all proceeds benefiting the Girl Scouts and the Prevention of Blindness Society. Girl Scouts representing troops from Potomac Elementary, Seven Lock Elementary, Carderock Elementary, Hoover Middle School, Pyle Middle School, Churchill Elementary, Our Lady of Mercy, Norwood School, McLean School and Connelly School of the Holy Child decorated trees donated by Benkhe Nursery in Potomac, with hand-made ornaments they have been crafting in their troop meetings over the last several months. Penthouse Unit at The Wisconsin 5809 Nickolson Lane #1610, Rockville $499,900 Open Sunday 1-4 pm Dale Gold, Weichert Realty, When you visit one of these Open Houses, tell the Realtor you saw it in this Connection Newspaper. For more real estate listings and open houses, visit & click the Real Estate links on the right side. Call Specific Agents to Confirm Dates & Times. Potomac (20854) Tyler Terrace... $799,000...Sun Diann Gottron...Long & Foster Korman Dr...$849,000...Sun Homi Irani...Coldwell Banker Tree theme A Cheery Red Christmas by second graders from Troop 272 at Potomac Elementary School. Back row: Samantha Scardelletti, Alison Epstein, Jillian Scardelletti, Alexa Gold, Janine Junaideen. Front Row: Kylie Bloise, Ava Fiallo, Maeve McGuire, and Gianna Scardelletti Glen Mill Rd...$899,000...Sun Leslie Friedson...Long & Foster Turnberry Ct...$949,000...Sun Val Puddington... Coldwell Banker Brookford Road...$979,900...Sun Meg Percesepe...Washington Fine Prop Mercy Ct...$1,249,500...Sun Yasmin Abadian...Long & Foster Crimson Leaf Terr...$1,299,000...Sun Jamie Coley...Long & Foster Falls Rd`... $1,399,900...Sat Rhonda Dolan...Long & Foster Bethesda (20817) 7400 Lakeview Dr #N $199,000...Sun Jim Thomas...Re/Max North Potomac (20878) Darnestown Rd #V-4-C...$310,000...Sun Bill Jamison...C. H. Jamison, Inc Barnesfield Ct #219...$320,000...Sun Carmen Jones Mitchell...Long & Foster Chestnut Oak Dr...$789,900...Sun Cathy McNair...Long & Foster Rockville (20850, 20852) Old Georgetown Rd # $338,720...Sat/Sun Bob Lucido...Toll MD Old Georgetown Rd # $393,395...Sat/Sun Bob Lucido...Toll MD Old Georgetown Rd # $395,890...Sat/Sun Bob Lucido...Toll MD Old Georgetown Rd # $439,780...Sat/Sun Bob Lucido...Toll MD Old Georgetown Rd # $459,920...Sat/Sun Bob Lucido...Toll MD Nickolson Ln # $499,900...Sun Dale Gold...Weichert Old Georgetown Rd # $519,790...Sat/Sun Bob Lucido...Toll MD Cloister Dr...$599,900...Sun Eric Venit...Prudential Carruthers Crooked Creek Dr...$899,999...Sun Michelle Meyer...Coldwell Banker Tree theme Our Hearts are Connected with Sonya Bernstein, 6th Grade, Hoover Middle School and Jenna Berinstein, 5th Grade, Potomac Elementary School. Jessica Bassett and Kennedy Davidison, 6th graders from Troop 3310 at McLean School with the tree theme Pearls and Beads. For an Open House Listing Form, call Deb Funk at or debfunk@connectionnewspapers.com All listings due by Monday at 3 P.M. Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

12 Photos by Harvey Levine/The Almanac Sports Potomac Almanac Sports Editor Jon Roetman or See Churchill Hoping Leadership Replaces Talent Loss Ashley Nelson, Bulldogs top offensive threat from last season, transfers to Bullis. By Brian Kimm The Almanac As the players jogged around the court and began their warm up, head coach Kate McMahon said, Tomorrow, when we come out, we re going to be an organized team. Entering its season opener on Dec. 7 at Kennedy, the philosophy of the Churchill girls basketball team is simple: Defense wins championships. Second-year head coach McMahon is focused on emphasizing the intangibles of the game, which she believes, along with the players, should take them beyond the regional quarterfinals this season. Preseason practices have been mostly defensive drills and extra running, laughed senior captain Leeda Jewayni. We are really going to count on leadership, McMahon said. She stresses effort and hustle in every drill and is counting on her team leaders, such as Jewayni, to help reiterate it to the rest of the team. Churchill will have to overcome the departure of one of their best players, Ashley Nelson, a talented guard and 3-point shooter, to The Bullis School. Churchill s response? Concentrating on making its defense better and relying much on low-post play. We ll be playing more inside-outside, Chris Fraser We are really going to count on leadership. Churchill head girls basketball coach Kate McMahon Leeda Jewayni will be one of Churchill s top scoring threats during the season. said McMahon of their offensive strategy without their star shooter. Ashley was always there, junior center Sarafina Arthur-Williams said, but we have to keep our confidence up. Alongside Jewayni and fellow senior captain, guard/forward Giulia Giannangeli, the Bulldogs will be looking to Arthur-Williams Sports Briefs Potomac Area Sophomore Selected To All-IAC Football Team A Potomac high school sophomore, Chris Fraser, was selected for the All-IAC team as its punter for the 2010 football season. The IAC football conference includes Landon and Bullis, among other high schools. At 6- foot-1, 185-pounds, Fraser was the only player on the St. Albans High School championship team to be selected from the junior or sophomore classes. Fraser s longest punt of the season was more than 60 yards and more than once he placed the ball inside the opponent s 10- yard line. When St. Albans senior place for her leadership, as well as her big play in the paint at both ends of the court. McMahon hopes that her center will provide the team with a critical rebounding presence throughout the season. Our rebounding has to be on, continued Arthur-Williams, for the bulldogs to be successful this year. kicker, Chris Smith, was injured, Fraser s kickoff landed at the 5-yard line and he made his one extra point attempt. Consultant to NFL kickers, Brad Hoffman said that Fraser s placekicking skills exceed his punting abilities. Whitman Swimming Scrimmages Seneca Valley The Whitman swim and dive team scrimmaged Seneca Valley on Saturday at the Gaithersburg Aqutic Center. The Vikings had produced the first-place finisher in 16 of 20 events. In girls action, the 200 medley relay team of Charlotte Meyer, Lisa Deng, Katie Mahaffie and Sophie Pellegrini finished first Sarafina Arthur-Williams is a force in the paint for the Bulldogs. Though following the one-game-at-a-time formula, both players and coaches admit they have the Wootton games (Jan. 4 and 28) in their sights. Churchill is also hoping to improve upon their quarterfinal exit last season and make it deeper into the postseason. Churchill will host Watkins Mill at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13. with a time of 1 minute, seconds. Charlotte Meyer (200 free, 1:59.97), Sarah Kannan (200 IM, 2:17.18 and 100 breast, 1:12.16), Katie Mahaffie (50 free, 26.19), Mica Hinga (diving, ), Audrey Gould (100 fly, 1:04.44), Pellegrini (100 back, 1:06.34) and the 400 free relay team (Gould, Rachel Bouvier, Pellegrini, Mahaffie, 4:09.53) were winners. In boys action, Drew Szparaga finished first in the boys 200 free with at ime of 2: Ben Geithner (50 free, 25.25), Nick Cohen (diving, ), Steven Goldberg (100 fly, 59.88), Stephan Rodan (100 free, 57.66), Sam Pastoriza (100 breast, 1:09.59) and the 400 free relay team (Alexander Anders, Adam Goode, Rodan, Max Dubrovsky, 3:54.78) were winners. Whitman will face Sherwood at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 11 at the Montgomery Aquatic Center. 12 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010

13 Schools The Holidays Are Here By Danielle Collins For the Almanac The holiday season: cookies baking in the oven, latkes sizzling in the frying pan, and the fire crackling as the logs burn low. Some make their annual pilgrimage to the mall for gifts, some pull out boxes from the attic filled with decorations, and others retire to the couch to watch a good old-fashioned movie. (Who doesn t love Collins Miracle on 34 th Street or The Grinch?) The holidays are a time to turn up the music, visit with loved ones and loosen our pants after the second helping of holiday food. My parents lovingly refer to me as a Cashew, (Catholic father and Jewish mother); I am lucky to celebrate both Hannukah and Christmas. It s hard not to get in the spirit when 97.1 F.M. begins playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. But whatever holiday you celebrate or whatever tradition your family holds, it is safe to say that the holidays are an unforgettable time of year. Some Churchill students also celebrate Christmas and Hannukah, citing both holidays as unique experiences. David Cohen, a sophomore, says, I am lucky enough to celebrate Hannukah and Christmas. I love spending both holidays with my family, and it is cool to get extra presents! My family is very spirited at Christmas, and we always go caroling and light our house up with tons of Christmas lights. We have a tradition of decorating the tree together and opening presents together Christmas morning. For Hannukah, we light the menorah, say the blessing, and play dreidel games for chocolate gelt. As for freshman Jennifer Holstein, My mom is Jewish and my dad is Christian so I get to celebrate both Hannukah and Christmas. Holidays are a really special time of year, and it is wonderful to experience both holidays. I love to eat all the awesome food during the holidays. For Hannukah I love latkes, and for Christmas, I love the desserts. Shira Rodman looks forward to her special Hannukah traditions, saying, Every year at holiday time I go to Buffalo with my family to see our relatives. We do a big holiday dinner with my mom s family for Hannukah, and I love the sweet potatoes my mom makes. When Christian Carty in front of a Christmas tree. we celebrate with my dad s side, we all hang out and bond and play big games of Taboo. It s a really fun holiday experience with my family. As for Marc Eastman, Christmas is a time to remember. He says that, Every year for Christmas, my mom makes special holiday cookies as a dessert and we eat them Christmas Eve. It is a great family tradition for us. On Christmas morning, I wake my parents really early to see what is in my stocking and open all of my presents. Christian Carty loves the holiday season and looks forward to his annual Christmas traditions because having family around is really special and spirited. One of our family traditions is going to midnight mass, and on Christmas Eve, my cousins and grandmothers come to my house to stay. We all wrap each other s gifts in the basement. The next morning, we all go downstairs and open our stockings. Then, the whole family prepares a big breakfast together. The kids play with their new toys and the adults go back into the kitchen and cook for most of the day. Senior Meghan O Lone celebrates Christmas with all of my family who live in Maryland. We go to St. Elizabeth s every year to buy our Christmas tree, and each one comes with a birth certificate of the tree that gives it a funny name! My dad puts on a Christmas carol CD and we decorate the tree together. The rest of our house is decorated with lights and candles and little Christmas things. My family also does a big Secret Santa, but we all usually find out who everyone s secret buddy is beforehand! And as for me, the holidays cannot come soon enough. I eagerly await my family s annual trip to my grandparents house in Deep Creek Lake. Nothing is better than sitting around the fire playing cards and stuffing myself with ham and my mother s holiday pound cake. So to everyone getting in the holiday spirit, I wish you happy shopping, hearty eating and good times with family and friends! St. Albans School Admissions Open House Our Upper School Admissions Open House (for applicants to grades 9 11) will be held on Sunday, December 12, from 1-3 P.M. Please visit or call the Admissions Office at for more information. No reservations necessary to attend the Open House. St. Albans School welcomes students of all cultural, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds to join us for our 101st year in We are an independent, college preparatory school for boys in grades 4-12, and for boarding students in grades Visit for more information about St. Albans School Today! St. Albans School Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues, NW Washington, DC (Located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral) Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

14 Employment Zone 5: Potomac Ad Deadline: Tuesday 11 a.m EDUCATION TRAINING GET HIRED! Dental, Medical & Pharmacy Staff Trainees Needed now!! No Experience Necessary. Medical, Dental Facilities & Pharmacies NOW HIRING. Local Job Placement & Training Available 1-(800) CTO SCHEV Educational Internships Unusual opportunity to learn many aspects of the newspaper business. Internships available in reporting, photography, research, graphics. Opportunities for students, and for adults considering change of career. Unpaid. tionnewspapers.com HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO Newspapers & Online CLASSIFIED DEADLINES Zones 1, 5, noon Zones 2, 3, noon ad with zone choices to: classified@connectionnewspapers.com or call EMPLOYMENT DEADLINES Zones 5, 11:00 Zones 1, 4:00 Zone 11:00 Zone 1:00 ad with zone choices to: classified@connectionnewspapers.com or call ZONES Zone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/Herndon Connection Zone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/ Lorton Connection Zone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet The Mount Vernon Gazette Zone 4: Centre View North Centre View South Zone 5: The Potomac Almanac Zone 6: The Arlington Connection The Vienna/Oakton Connection The McLean Connection The Great Falls Connection Classified Zone 5: Potomac Ad Deadline: Monday Noon Antiques We pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century Danish/modern teak furniture, STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry and costume jewelry, paintings/art glass/clocks. Schefer theschefers@cox.net 117 Adoption Stay at home teacher mom and devoted dad long to provide a newborn with a great home excellent education and lots of love and laughter. Expenses paid. Mary Jane and Marty Home & Garden potomacalmanac.com CONTRACTORS.com Zone 5: Potomac Ad Deadline: Monday Noon FIREWOOD FIREWOOD Mixed Seasoned Hardwood $130 half cord $220 full cord Call Joe at Cell CLEANING CLEANING A CLEANING SERVICE Since 1985/Ins & Bonded Quality Service at a Fair Price Satisfaction Guaranteed Comm/Res. MD VA DC acleaningserviceinc.com HANDYMAN IMPROVEMENTS HANDYMAN IMPROVEMENTS Friendly Painting Construction & Prof. Painting Residential/Commercial Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Remodeling No Job Too Small or Big CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE Class A Lic. VA & MD Fully Insured & Bonded friendlypnc.yc@gmail.com TREE SERVICE FIREWOOD Firewood Seasoned High quality Full & half cords Next day delivery Landsdownlandscaping@ yahoo.com TREE SERVICE LANDSDOWN TREE REMOVAL 24 HOUR 7 DAYS Emergency Tree Removal Tree Removal, Pruning, Tree Hazard Assessments Insurance Appraisals Licensed & Insured The biggest things are always the easiest to do because there is no competition. -William Van Horne TREE SERVICE ANGEL S TREE REMOVAL Brush & Yard Debris Leaf & Snow Removal Gutters & Hauling Angeltreeslandscaping-hauling.com Employers: Are your recruiting ads not working in other papers? Try a better way to fill your employment openings Target your best job candidates where they live. Reach readers in addition to those who are currently looking for a job. Proven readership. Proven results. Great Papers Great Readers Great Results! Now! Complete Print Editions Online! The full print editions of all 18 Connection Newspapers are now available on our Web Site in PDF format, page by page, identical to our weekly newsprint editions, including print advertising. Go to and click on Print Editions. Dulles Airport Chantilly Centreville North Clifton Herndon Reston Oakton Great Falls North Potomac Vienna MPRINT EDITIONS 1 4 Historic Clifton 6 Fairfax 5 Rockville Potomac Bethesda Chevy Chase McLean Burke Fairfax Springfield Station 2 Laurel Hill Arlington 3 Washington, D.C classified@connectionnewspapers.com Bank Error in My Favor By KENNETH B. LOURIE I received a $25 check in the mail today. It was sent to me by my bank, the bank with whom I ve had a long-standing (through their name-changing) relationship. A bank however, with whom I ve had minimal interaction, other than maintaining a checking account and being the recipient of any number of direct mail solicitations. I have no savings account, no money market account, no IRA account, no home equity and/or second trust and no personal loans; I may have a credit card (that I don t use) but it serves as a back-up/overdraft account which I most definitely have. Although, with the passage and implementation recently of the new banking legislation, I m not exactly sure what it is I still have, and/or what it is I ll be charged the next time a check presents itself without proper support. So you can imagine my surprise (or perhaps you can t), when I received a plain white business envelope from my bank which contained this mystery money and a brief explanation for its being sent to me: some refund of a fee I don t remember paying and/or even caring about. My reaction was to say aloud something like: The bank made an error in my favor? Wow! That never happens. As soon as I said that bank error line, I was transported figuratively speaking, since I wasn t in a hot tub at the time, back some 45 years to those youthful days of playing board games, Monopoly, specifically, on our back porch on Athelstane Road in Newton Centre, Ma., where my brother and I would play for hours on end (I always chose the dog, he chose the iron) until one player had all the money and/or all the property and the other player was unable to pay for landing on their Hotel/Utility/Railroad. There I was, Taking a Chance on Community s Chest (as I always intentionally mispronounced them) to see what fortune or misfortune would befall me: Advance Token to Boardwalk, Take a Ride on the Reading, Elected Chairman of the Board, Pay Each Player $50, Pay School Tax of $150, You Have Won Second Prize in a Beauty Contest, Collect $10, and of course, Bank Error in your Favor, Collect $200; that was as much found money as there was in Monopoly. Granted, the check I received in the mail was only for $25, but collecting money out of the blue like that, when you re not expecting any and having done nothing to deserve it, made that $25 feel like $200. It was as if Community s Chest had advised me to Advance To Go and Collect $200, or even better, I had landed on Free Parking and collected the kitty, as we called the money paid to the game/placed in the center of the board. As much as anything though, receiving that $25 check and remembering Monopoly and the simpler, much less complicated days of my board game-playing youth, brought a smile to my face and a slew of wonderful memories to my mind. I had a happy childhood and it all came rushing back to me when I read the explanation for the check: Bank error, a refund of a fee or overcharge, or something to that effect. It was a warm and fuzzy moment, that s for sure; one which always included milk and cookies because if my brother and I were in the house playing a game like that, there was always milk and cookies; my mother saw to that. She (I can still hear my father admonishing my brother and I: Don t call your mother she ) was determined to make sure my brother and I drank our eight glasses of milk every day; the medical prescription in the 50s and 60s to guarantee children consumed enough calcium in order to develop strong bones. And to make sure we drank our milk, we needed to eat something for it to wash down and cookies were the obvious choice: Oreos (before there was Double Stuf ), Chips Ahoy or some other kind of chocolate chip cookie and Keebler s Fudge Town or Fudge Stripes; these were the most popular, there were others. And though it was a board game we were playing, we weren t bored. We were Monopolized. It made us happy and it made our parents happy. No wonder it s a fond memory, everybody was happy and the living was good, so far as we knew. Ah, the innocence of youth. There s no recapturing it, but it was sure nice remembering it. Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for The Almanac & The Connection Newspapers. 14 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010

15 People POTOMAC ALMANAC Newspaper of Potomac A Connection Newspaper An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered to homes and businesses King Street Alexandria, Virginia Holiday Show Crafts including jewelry, beads, fiber arts, soaps, Christmas items, wood crafts, prints, metalwork, ceramics, glass, oils, watercolors, photographs filled the Clara Barton Community Center in Cabin John on Sunday. Michael Higgs, artist and educator. Photos by Deborah Post Stevens/ The Almanac Photos by Harvey Levine/The Almanac PUBLISHER Mary Kimm mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com EDITORIAL PHONE: almanac@connectionnewspapers.com EDITOR Steven Mauren, smauren@connectionnewspapers.com SPORTS EDITOR Jon Roetman, jroetman@connectionnewspapers.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Steve Hibbard, shibbard@connectionnewspapers.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Krafft CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cissy Finley Grant, Carole Dell, Kenny Lourie Art/Design: Geovani Flores, Laurence Foong, John Heinly, Wayne Shipp, John Smith Production Manager: Jean Card Chanukah Boutique Joanne Brody Spielman of Whichcraft Gallery is a co-chair of the B nai Tzedek Chanukah Boutique event, held last month. Deborah Grodie of Dor L Dor Spiritual Jewelry shows various pieces of jewelry to Meridith Beckhardt. Shayna Fleischer, 2, holds on to her Bert from Andrea s Beyond Balloons. Coat Drive Bells Mill Elementary third-grade Brownie Troop 1639 sponsored a coat drive at the school last month. The girls donated more than 100 coats/jackets to A Wider Circle, a charity whose mission is to help children and adults lift themselves out of poverty. The Brownies had a field trip to the center in Silver Spring on Wednesday, Dec. 1, to bring in many of the coats. They had a tour of the center by Director of Education Lauren Snow, and created cards for the coat recipients. Troop Leaders Laura Papageorge and Nina Price thank the Bells Mill community and parent coordinator Traci Levine for their time and donations. ADVERTISING PHONE: FAX: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Display Advertising: Kenny Lourie klourie@connectionnewspapers.com Employment: Barbara Parkinson bparkinson@connectionnewspapers.com Andrea Smith Classified Advertising asmith@connectionnewspapers.com Potomac Almanac is published by Connection Newspapers, L.L.C. Peter Labovitz President/CEO Mary Kimm Publisher/Chief Operating Officer mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com Jerry Vernon Executive Vice President jvernon@connectionnewspapers.com Wesley DeBrosse Controller Debbie Funk National Sales debfunk@connectionnewspapers.com Jeanne Theismann Special Assistant to the Publisher jtheismann@connectionnewspapers.com 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 First Place Award Public Service MDDC Press Association 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 Newspaper of the Year An Award-winning Newspaper in Writing, Photography, Editing, Graphics and Design Potomac Almanac December 8-14,

16 16 Potomac Almanac December 8-14, 2010