Potomac - Ellington CMS

Potomac Almanac ❖ August 9-15, 2017 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.comAugust 9-15, 2017

C

alendar, Page 10

❖

C

lassifieds, Page 11 ❖

R

eal Estate 8

PotomacPotomac

online at potomacalmanac.com

Pho

to

by D

ebo

rah Stevens/T

he A

lm

anac

Cool Summer FunCool Summer FunNews, Page 3

Raising Awareness ofNeed for Tree ResearchNews, Page 6

From PotomacTo KentuckyExtremeMustangMakeoverNews, Page 3

WSSCConsidersRate StructureChangesNews, Page 4

HomeLifeStylePage 9

HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 9

Clara Neal, Bethany Cheng,and Charlotte Wenk pauseduring Freestyle skating atCabin John Ice SkatingRink last weekend.

2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ August 9-15, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Potomac Almanac ❖ August 9-15, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

See www.potomacalmanac.com

By Peggy McEwan

The Almanac

Former Potomac resident ArianaSakaris and her horse Wild Heartwon Reserve Champion at the Ken-

tucky Extreme Mustang Makeover July 6-8in Lexington, Ky.

It was a dream come true for Sakaris whosaid she had wanted to do a MustangMakeover for a number of years and finallydid it. And it was no easy task.

“There really is no other competition likeit,” she said. “It really tests how you cancommunicate [with the horse].”

Sakaris, 29, started riding when she wasfive, her mother was her first instructor.After her family moved to Potomac she rodeat Potomac Glen Riding School.

After a few falls, she said, she decided shewanted to learn how to work with horses,

how to get them to do what you want themto do.

“You can’t force a thousand pounds,” shesaid. “Horses are extremely sensitive ani-mals, their sensitivity is linked to survival.”

She graduated from Wootton High Schooland went to Penn State where she majoredin bio-behaviors. Though she now lives inLexington, “my base is always at home inPotomac,” she said.

The Kentucky Extreme MustangMakeover consisted of three phases, Sakarissaid.

“In phase one you are on the ground withthe horse, putting it in a trailer, brushing it,walking with it,” she said. “The judges arelooking for any hesitation, is the horse re-laxed, obedient? Phase two is an obstaclecourse. There the judges are looking to seeif the horse is willing and trusting you.Phase three is a riding pattern. It shows thatyou and the horse are comfortable in thesaddle.”

After the initial competition the top 10riders and their horses do another ride, thistime with a music and a theme. Sakarischose “Beauty and the Beast” because, shesaid, at the beginning of the story it says ‘atthe beginning we were barely even friends,then one bends,’ I [bent].”

Mustangs are wild horses, descendedoriginally from horses brought to this con-tinent by the Spanish. Today, about 30,000Mustangs roam free in 11 western U.S.states.

Photos by

Deborah Stevens

The Almanac

Cool Summer Fun

Freestyle skaters take to the rink.Jessica Chai and Nina Sebastien

From Potomac to Kentucky Extreme Mustang MakeoverAriana Sakaris talksabout goals anddreams.

ArianaSakaris andher MustangWild Heartwith aninspirationalplaque givento them by afriend.

Photo by

James Sakaris

See Working, Page 5

Summer activities include Ice Hockey Camp at the Cabin John Ice Skating Rink.


News

By Gil Jacobson

The Almanac

After 25 years, the WashingtonSuburban Sanitary Commission(WSSC) is considering changingits rate structures. This entails a

more-than-one-year review process onWSSC’s part that has been going on sinceJune of 2016, WSSC Chief Financial OfficerJoseph Beach said at a June 30 meeting onthe matter.

WSSC is in the middle of holding mul-tiple workshops to consider alternative ratestructures for Fiscal Year 2019, accordingto WSSC Deputy General Manager for Ad-ministration Thomas J. Street. WSSC plansto send their rate structure recommenda-tions to the Montgomery and PrinceGeorge’s County Councils by the end ofSeptember with a goal of determining thefinalized rate structures by June of nextyear, he added.

“WSSC is what we call a 16-tier … ratestructure,” Beach said. “We have a separatestructure for water rates and a separatestructure for sewer rates. And the tiers andthe rates increase based on increased con-sumption.”

The lowest tier is based upon 0-49 gal-lons of average daily water consumptionwhile the 16th tier is based upon at least9000 gallons, Beach said. The current ratestructure is designed to encourage waterconservation, he added.

WSSC takes intoaccount numerouspolicy consider-ations when deter-mining rate struc-tures including therate based on cost ofservice, according toBeach. This includescustomer servicecosts and the earn-ings received fromcustomers, headded.

“Then you wantto consider otherpolicy such as con-s e r v a t i o n ,affordability for cus-tomers, the impacton fixed-incomeand low-incomecustomers, the easeof understanding,the ability to imple-ment [and] possiblymore,” Beach said.

Beach described the June 30 meeting asa “Rate 101” for WSSC commissioners. Thismeeting provided the commissioners withinformation for future discussions on rate

structures, what policies theywould consider and the effectof rate structures on howmuch customers pay, he said.

“It was clear that the com-missioners are concernedabout affordability, conserva-tion, and other policies,”Beach said.

WSSC convened its nextmeeting on rate structures onThursday, Aug. 3. WSSC ChairThomasina V. Rogers said thatmeeting was held to look be-yond cost-of-service analogiesand methodologies in decid-ing on rate structures and forcommissioners to decidewhich policy considerationswere of most significance tothem in establishing thesestructures.

“What we expect to get outof this meeting today is a dis-cussion and yes, education, ifyou will, of the policy issuesthat are consistent with thevision and values of the WSSCand how to achieve them,”Rogers said at Thursday’smeeting. “Chief among themare affordability and conser-vation.”

Raftelis Financial Consult-ants’ Chris Woodcock, BillStannard and Harold Smithpresented information to thecommissioners on pricingpolicy considerations. Rogerscommented that WSSC wouldlike information about howother areas of the country are tackling this

issue.The team from

Raftelis FinancialConsultants thenpresented informa-tion aboutaffordability morespecifically. WSSCDirector of CustomerService CrystalKnight-Lee discussedthe importance ofe x a m i n i n gaffordability in thelong-term context.Black & Veatch’s AnnBui added that hercompany had deter-mined that cost ofservice had takenpriority overaffordability in pre-vious studies on ratestructures.

“We talk a lotabout affordability,

but truly what kind of percentage are wetalking about?” Bui asked. “Not to say thatit’s not important, but again, are we nowgoing to expend a tremendous amount oftime and resources to address six people’s

concerns because they’re very vocal orsomething?”

Afterwards, Lee presented information onWSSC’s affordability programs. WSSC Com-missioner Howard Denis raised his concernthat while helping those with less money isimportant, it is alsoimportant to have areadily availablewater supply, espe-cially given the ef-fects of climatechange. Woodcocka c k n o w l e d g e dDenis’ point, recall-ing the 1960sdrought and theBoston area’s re-sponse given it hashad a large waterauthority.

“They ended upstarting putting inconservation rates in the ‘70s,” Woodcocksaid. “Boston had put in this 10-step increas-ing block rate and consumption [started]to go down … The supplies from the WaterResources Authority in the ‘70s was up to300 million gallons a day; now it’s down toaround 200 million gallons a day becauseeverybody has put these in.”

No one in the audience had comments to

offer and, after a recess, JaySakai of 4 Tenets Consultingdiscussed Maryland conser-vation law and policy. Denisasked about whetherincentivizing is essential toachieving good water qual-ity and conservation.

“There’s a lot of evidencethat pricing and water usageare linked,” Sakai said. “Thereality is, in WSSC’s owncase, they implemented arate structure that was de-signed to promote conserva-tion and they got conserva-tion.”

Bui concluded by present-ing information on cost ba-sis. Black & Veatch aims toconnect the cost with thosewho create the cost burdenand allow for adequate re-covery among different cus-tomer groups, Bui said.

“People ask ‘Why do a costof service? Why do wecare?’” Bui said. “You can’tdetermine then unless youdo a study of that nature tomake sure that the level ofservice that you are provid-ing to your different cus-tomer classes, you’re actu-ally recovering the appropri-ate money back from theseclasses to pay for that levelof service, and that providesa benchmark.”

The six WSSC commis-sioners then ranked the dif-

ferent policies in terms of which were mostimportant to them. Smith announced thatthe top three policy considerations in theorder of which received the most votes wererevenue stability, conservation/demandmanagement and rate stability, the follow-

ing three wereaffordability, ease ofunderstanding andease of implementa-tion, and the bottomtwo were minimizecustomer impactsand cost-basedrates. This order willdetermine whichpolicy consider-ations are most im-portant when thestaff return with al-ternative rate struc-ture proposals, ac-cording to Street.

Smith added that all of the policy consid-erations were deemed important by thecommissioners in their rankings, but therankings just provide an order of which theydeem to be the most important. Stannardsaid consultants as well as WSSC financestaff and commissioners will also assesscurrent WSSC rate structures based on therankings.

WSSC Considers Rate Structure ChangesIts Aug. 3 meetinghelped prioritizepolicy considerations.

Image Courtesy of WSSC

WSSC, whose service area is pictured here, is consid-ering modifying its existing rate structures, whichhave been in place for 25 years.

“The reality is, in WSSC’sown case, theyimplemented a ratestructure that wasdesigned to promoteconservation and theygot conservation.”

— Jay Sakai, 4 Tenets Consulting

“We talk a lot aboutaffordability, but trulywhat kind of percentageare we talking about? Notto say that it’s notimportant, but again, arewe now going to expend atremendous amount oftime and resources toaddress six people’sconcerns because they’revery vocal or something?”

— Ann Bui, Black & Veatch


We didn’tinheritthe earthfrom ourparents.We’re bor-rowing itfrom ourchildren.

—Chief Seattle(1788-1866)Suquamish/

Duwamish chief

News

Email announcements to [email protected]. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Pho-tos are welcome.

Carly Frances Soistman, of Potomac, madethe spring 2017 dean’s list for the University ofAlabama.

Shannon L. Sweeney, of Potomac, has beennamed to the University of Alabama’s president’slist for the spring of 2017.

Riley Siever Boegel, of Rockville, has beennamed to the University of Alabama’s president’slist for the spring of 2017.

The following area students have made thedean’s list at Colby College (Waterville, Maine) forthe spring of 2017: Caroline M. Dove, Alicia M.Elliott, Elizabeth Mabel Holland, Bronya E.Lechtman, and Emily M. Martin.

The following area students have made BostonUniversity’s dean’s list for spring 2017: MadelineL. Ahern, Alexander J. Ascher, Anna D.Fasolyak, Justine H. Kim , Hannah R.Markowitz, Kembo K. Matungulu, Allison S.Nadler, and Skylar Ungerman.

Carolyne Bass, of Potomac, has been namedto the dean’s list at the University of New Hamp-shire for earning high honors for the spring 2017semester. Bass is majoring in Animal Science.

Lydia McInerny, of Bethesda, made dean’s listat Marist College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) for thespring 2017 semester. She is a member of the classof 2020 and is majoring in communication.

Benjamin McAbee, of Bethesda, recently re-ceived a Master of Business Administration degreein management from Frostburg State University(Frostburg, Md.).

School Notes

According to the Oklahoma State Univer-sity website, the name mustang comes fromthe Spanish word “mesteno” or“monstenco” meaning wild or stray.

For the Makeover, Sakaris had just 100days to work with the horse she was ran-domly assigned and had never seen before.

“You don’t have any say over the horseyou get,” she said. Sakaris said she hopedto get a gray mare and was delightfully sur-prised when she opened her assignmentfolder and read “five year old gray mare.”

From Page 3 “I named her Wild Heart, she was so ex-plosive,” Sakaris said. “The name reflectedwho she was, a wild horse.”

Sakaris said she has spent hours andhours with horses trying to understandthem and said the lessons she learned fromhorses can be applied to people.

She now uses her experience to teach clin-ics to riders and trainers who want to im-prove their relationship with horses andworks as a motivational speaker.

“I talk to people about goals and dreams,”she said. “Everybody hits a spot where theywant to give up.”

Working with Horses

Photo by

Matt Dixon

ArianaSakarisand herMustangWildHeart.


Opinion

Last year, when I wrote an editorialsimilar to this one, there was somecontroversy about it inside Connec-tion Newspapers which includes

the Potomac Almanac. But many communityorganizations, civic organizations, businessesand elected officials responded positively, andit made a difference.

I have a special favor to ask, once again:Buy an ad in our Newcomers and Commu-

nity Guide.To put on my publisher’s hat (not my editor’s

hat) for a minute, if you have amarketing budget, and youvalue coverage of local newspa-pers (not just ours), why

wouldn’t you spend a portion of that budget(any portion) supporting that platform?

Show your support for our organizationwhich continues to be here to support theforces of good in our communities.

Our annual Newcomers and CommunityGuide is a pullout section that will appear inthe Aug. 23, 2017 edition of all 15 ConnectionNewspapers, published by Local Media Con-nection. Deadline is Aug. 16.

We are creating a quality special issue, and

An Open Letter to Readers and MoreBuy an ad in our annual Newcomers and Community Guide.

we need your help. Whether you invest in asmall ad in a single paper (super affordable),or a full page in all 15 of our papers (supervalue), we appreciate your help this month.

For the same reasons that organizations,businesses and campaigns know they want lo-cal newspaper coverage, newspaper advertis-ing is an effective way to reach voters, resi-dents, clients. Connection Newspapers reachmore than 200,000 readers, in print and online,including remarkable demographics. Our read-ers include local and national decision makersin the public and private sector.

According to an independent study cited bythe National Newspaper Association: 86 per-cent of voters who cast ballots in the electionfour years ago read newspapers in print oronline; 79 percent of voters ages 18 to 34 readnewspapers in print or online; 91 percent ofvoters who contribute to campaigns read news-papers in print or online.

The deadline for the Newcomers and Com-munity Guide is Aug. 16. Digital enhancementsand support are available. For more informa-tion, email [email protected] call 703-778-9431. See www.connectionnewspapers.com/advertising

Share Community TipsWe need help from readers with ideas for

our annual Newcomers and Community Guide.We’re hoping to share special places, activi-

ties, events, organizations and volunteer op-portunities. What should someone new to yourneighborhood know about? Events that shouldnot be missed? Organizations that do a greatjob? Places to volunteer? A great place to seethe sunset? We’d love to have your photos togo along with your suggestions.

We will publish a selection of local tips alongwith a plethora of information useful to new-comers and long-time residents alike, includ-ing our award-winning Guide to the Parks, in-formation on how to vote and more.

See last year’s community guides by goingto www.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/and scrolling down to Newcomers.

Email tips and photos to [email protected] or send as a letterto the editor via the website atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/let-ter/ by Wednesday, Aug. 17.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editorial

POTOMACALMANAC

www.PotomacAlmanac.com

Newspaper of PotomacA Connection Newspaper

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

PUBLISHERMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

EDITORIALPHONE: 703-778-9415

E-MAIL:[email protected]

EDITORSteven Mauren, 703-778-9415

[email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITORMike Salmon

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSusan Belford, Carole Dell,

Cissy Finley Grant, Carole Funger,Colleen Healy, Kenny Lourie,Peggy McEwan, Ken Moore

ContributingPhotographers

Harvey Levine, Deborah Stevens

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager

Geovani Flores

ADVERTISINGFor advertising information

[email protected]

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESDisplay Advertising:

Kenny Lourie [email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales & real Estate

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Jerry VernonExecutive Vice President

[email protected]

[email protected]

Potomac Almanac is publishedby Local Media Connection LLC

Five Time First PlaceAward-WinnerPublic Service

MDDC Press Association

Four TimeNewspaper of the Year

An Award-winning Newspaperin Writing, Photography, Editing,

Graphics and Design

By Margaret McEwan

The Almanac

Potomac Library patrons were treated toa presentation on the importance oftrees to the environment by Professor

Elwood Pricklethorn on Wednesday, Aug. 2.The interactive program by the Professor, a

Canadian arborist also known as WarrenHoselton, was part of a weeklong series ofevents throughout the region in collaborationwith the International Society of Arboriculture(ISA) Annual International Conference at theGaylord National Resort and Convention Cen-ter in National Harbor.

Pricklethorn engaged his audience in a pro-gram about trees and how they help the world,said Tina Rawhouser, library manager.

“It seemed like a lot of fun,” she said. “[Thekids] were very actively participating, talkingback and forth.”

Pricklethorn, a veteran cyclist and fundraiserfor tree research, considers trees “one of ourmost overlooked resource,” according to apress release. He is especially interested in ur-ban tree care and helps his audience see “be-yond the bark,” in understanding how treesgrow and how they help our environment. At

the library program he taught children howand where to plant trees for a long life andhow to care for the trees around them.

At the end of his 45-minute presentation eachchild received a book about trees, courtesy ofThe Davy Tree Expert Company and the TREEFund.

Professor Pricklethorn also presented the li-brary with three copies of “I Can Name 50 TreesToday!” by Bonnie Worth, a Cat in the Hatbook.

Earlier, the Potomac Library hosted morethan 70 cyclists and their support team, theSTIHL Tour de Trees, for a pit stop. The groupwas cycling in the D.C. area to raise aware-ness of the need for tree research and to raisefunds for the Tree Research and Education

Endowment Fund. The Tour, now in its 25th

year, is TREE Fund’s primary outreach andfundraising event with a 2017 fundraising goalof $310,000. The Aug. 2 ride went fromBethesda to Leesburg, Va. before heading backto the Gaylord National Resort and Conven-tion Center, covering almost 100 miles witheach cyclist riding for pledges to support thecampaign.

Rawhouser said the Tour contacted her tosee if they could use the library as a stop andpresent the talk by Professor Pricklethorn.

“The riders arrived between 9:30 and 10 andwere gone by noon,” she said. “I was glad thelibrary could host the event.”

Montgomery County Public Libraries andFriends of the Library Potomac Chapter pro-vided snacks and drinks for the riders.

Raising Awareness of Need for Tree ResearchCanadian tree expertstops at PotomacLibrary disguised asProfessor ElwoodPricklethorn.

Canadian arborist Warren Hoseltonas Professor Elwood Pricklethornexplains the value of trees to theenvironment.

A book presentation by TREE FundPresident and CEO J. Eric Smith tolibrary branch manager TinaRawhouser.


News

Citi Dogs Connecting pets with tennis tournament crowds.

Lucy and Journey stop to take a look and give a nod to the group who stepped up to rescue them from a high-killshelter and changed their lives. Next step: that forever home they need.

Photos by Carole Dell

Journey getting ready for abig sloppy kiss, or maybejust begging for anothercookie.

draw of the Citi tournament. The day fea-tures tennis clinics and special events forchildren to learn about and enjoy the gameof tennis.

Some of PetConnect’s most adoptabledogs attracted a constant crowd of familieswho stopped by the table under the trees.There, children and grownups interactedwith the dogs and a few signed up to vol-unteer or foster a pet in need.

PetConnect Rescue has been saving catsand dogs from high-kill shelters for 10 years.

They place more than 750 pets a year insafe and loving homes.

The dogs at Citi Open, which ended lastSunday, are a highlight feature during thatopening round of tennis matches. Look forthem next year when the tournament willcelebrate its 50th anniversary.

Those interested in volunteering, foster-ing or donating to help save a pet may visitwww.petconnectrescue.org.

By Carole Dell

The Almanac

Volunteers for PetConnect Rescue, aPotomac-based volunteer dog andcat rescue organization, are a famil-

iar sight at Family Day, an outing for fami-lies and children on the opening day of theCiti Open Tennis Tournament. This annualevent takes place at the Rock Creek ParkTennis Center during the qualifying matchesfor players trying to win a spot in the main Carole Dell is a board member of PetConnect Rescue.

Volunteer Robin Turnerbrought her rescue dogwith the unforgettablename of Journey. Lively,friendly, this Americanfoxhound-mix enjoyedthe crowd and shookhands with two admir-ers, Abby Gloekler, 11 ofAnnapolis and AnissaJean-Claude, 8 who alsoplayed in the Family Daytennis clinic.

Photos by

Carole Dell

The Almanac

Watching over the Citi dogs as wellas everyone else during Family Dayand the week-long tournament,U.S. Park Police Officer RobertBerretta and his partner, Shiloh, a7-year-old German shepherd,pause for a picture during theirrounds.

LINK Strategic Partnerspresident, Michael Akin andhis wife, Wendi, stopped bythe PetConnect Rescue tableto see the dogs and talk tovolunteers. Akin, an ardentsupporter, and his company,designed PetConnect’s newbrochure, shown here.


n Lane

e

Road

oouse

Road

GlenRoad

lah

R ad

esane

Dar

d

Road

495

495

8

7

6

9

Photos by Deb Stevens/The AlmanacPotomac REAL ESTATE

Address .............................. BR FB HB ... Postal City .. Sold Price .... Type ...... Lot AC .. PostalCode ....... Subdivision ......... Date Sold

1 9005 DURHAM DR .............. 10 10 . 5 ....... POTOMAC ... $6,100,000 .... Detached .... 6.33 ......... 20854 .......... BRADLEY FARMS ......... 05/09/17

2 9001 DURHAM DR ............... 5 .. 6 . 2 ....... POTOMAC ... $3,650,000 .... Detached .... 2.88 ......... 20854 .......... BRADLEY FARMS ......... 02/01/17

3 12220 STONEY CREEK RD ..... 7 .. 9 . 0 ....... POTOMAC ... $2,800,000 .... Detached ... 21.38 ........ 20854 ............... POTOMAC .............. 02/24/17

4 8604 YORK MANOR WAY ...... 6 .. 6 . 3 ....... POTOMAC ... $2,670,000 .... Detached .... 2.00 ......... 20854 ................. AVENEL ................ 02/23/17

5 9315 RAPLEY PRESERVE DR .. 5 .. 5 . 2 ....... POTOMAC ... $2,400,000 .... Detached .... 0.54 ......... 20854 ................. AVENEL ................ 05/22/17

6 9300 RAPLEY PRESERVE DR .. 6 .. 5 . 3 ....... POTOMAC ... $2,350,000 .... Detached .... 0.85 ......... 20854 ................. AVENEL ................ 05/01/17

7 11400 SKIPWITH LN ............. 7 .. 7 . 1 ....... POTOMAC ... $2,303,000 .... Detached .... 2.20 ......... 20854 .......... POTOMAC FALLS ......... 06/29/17

8 11211 MARWOOD HILL DR ... 6 .. 7 . 1 ....... POTOMAC ... $2,200,000 .... Detached .... 0.81 ......... 20854 .............. MARWOOD ............. 04/18/17

9 10204 COUNSELMAN RD ...... 6 .. 5 . 1 ....... POTOMAC ... $1,950,000 .... Detached .... 0.53 ......... 20854 ........ POTOMAC VILLAGE ....... 06/15/17

10 9821 CARMELITA DR ............ 6 .. 5 . 2 ....... POTOMAC ... $1,925,000 .... Detached .... 0.53 ......... 20854 ........... MCAULEY PARK .......... 02/24/17

Copyright 2017 MarketStats for ShowingTime. Source: Bright MLS as of July 15, 2017.

292 Potomac homes sold between $6,100,000-$146,000

from January to June, 2017.

January~June, 2017 Top Sales

2 9001 Durham Drive — $6,100,000

3 12220 Stoney Creek Road — $2,800,000

8 11211 Marwood Hill Drive— $2,200,000

10 9821 Carmelita Drive — $1,925,000


Home LifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

From a backyard barbeque to a simplebrunch, there’s still plenty of time tocelebrate warm weather with table

designs that embody summer’s trends.“We’re still in summer and the weather is

going to be warm for quite some time,” saidAmanda Mertins, president of Patina Pol-ished Living in Alexandria. “An indoor oroutdoor tablescape style depends on theoccasion. Birthdays, holidays [and] retire-ments, all evoke a different feeling.”

Start with fresh foliage inspired by thenatural surroundings.

“Go out into your garden and use flowers[or] greens on your table,” said Mertins.“Simple summer dinner party tables lookgreat with lots of candles in votive holders,mason jars and glass lanterns. Rememberto hang some of them in the trees for ro-mance.”

Incorporate a personal touch into eachplace setting, advises Hope Hassell, CaseDesign/Remodeling. “It will make eachguest feel truly welcomed and you will looklike the perfect hostess. It’s as simple asprinting off some photos from your phoneor just adding place cards.”

“Keep it casual by presenting family-styledishes down the center of the table,” added

Kimberly Asner, designer at Country CasualTeak. “Mix in mood-setting candle lightingand colorful, fresh-cut flowers in multiplesfor the most impact … keep arrangementsbelow eye level for easy conversation.”

For alfresco dining, practicality is key, saysCourtney Thomas of The Picket Fence inBurke. Dinnerware needs to be both durableand aesthetically appealing. “Bamboodishes … are perfect for outdoor dining,”

she said. “They won’t break if dropped andare a great alternative to melamine.”

Summer offers an abundance of optionsfor using color, says Hassell. “Not only doyou have so many options of in-season flow-ers, but you also have the nature aroundyou to provide the backdrop.”

The color blue establishes the type of se-rene atmosphere that Molly Pritchard ofArlington-based interior design firm, Design

Lines likes to create at her summer parties.“Especially light blue because everythingabout it represents summer,” said Pritchard.“It’s cool and clean and neutral, especiallywhen paired with white or cream. It cre-ates a seaside feel which is very summery.”

IN ADDITION TO COLOR, motifs can setthe stage for summer dining. Designers atJT interiors in Potomac suggest using whitedinnerware, emblazoned with a lemon, toturn an everyday meal into a summer soirée.The tableware can be accented with an ar-ray of accessories including platters, coast-ers, bowls and tea towels. “It creates a verysummery look, and it’s white and clean.Lemons and water are summery, like lem-onade.”

Summer table décor need not be expen-sive, says Hassell. “Simplicity can be stun-ning,” she said. “The thoughtful placementof a sprig of rosemary can add just enoughwithout having to go overboard.”

Originality is a quality that Mertins en-courages. “Think outside the box,” she said.“Having a brunch? Use a vintage quilt asthe tablecloth. Hosting a baby shower? Usesilver rattles as decor and baby silver cupsfor the flowers. The effort you put into yourparty table will go a long way to the overallsuccess of the party.”

Setting a Summer Table Warm weather design ideas.

Sea-themedserveware inblue helpcreate anelegant tonefor summerentertaining.

Photo courtesy

of

Molly Pritchard


Entertainment

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Deadline is Thursday at noon,at least two weeks before event.

GUIDE DOG FOSTERS NEEDEDGuiding Eyes for the Blind -

Montgomery Region is looking forvolunteers to foster and train futureguide dogs. Volunteers will foster adog for 14 months, attend bi-monthlytraining classes, and teach the puphouse manners, people skills andsocialization within the community.Dog crates, training equipment andmonthly medications are provided.Call 301-869-2216, email [email protected] or visit guidingeyes-md.org.

DATES FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEARThe Montgomery County school year

will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017,and the last day of school will be nolater than Friday, June 15, 2018.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 16Legal Planning for Alzheimer’s.

6:30-8 p.m. at Brookdale Potomac,11215 Seven Locks Road, Potomac.This program is for anyone whowould like to know more about whatlegal and financial issues to considerand how to put plans in place. Visitwww.alz.org/nca/in_my_community_64062.asp.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 30Dementia-Related Behavior. 2-3:30

p.m. at Arden Courts of Potomac,10718 Potomac Tennis Lane,Potomac. To help caregivers decipherbehaviors and determine how best torespond, the Alzheimer’s Association

offers the Understanding andResponding to Dementia-RelatedBehavior program. Visitwww.alz.org/nca/in_my_community_64062.asp.

DEADLINE SEPT. 29Call for Artists. By 5 p.m. by

Hyattsville Community DevelopmentCorporation, on behalf of LandexDevelopment, LLC. Accepting artistproposals for the design andfabrication of two sculpturally-devised bus shelters for placement attwo revitalization sites on RhodeIsland Avenue in the Prince George’sCounty Gateway Arts &Entertainment District. Visithycdc.org for more.

SUPPORT GROUPSThe Alzheimer’s Association’s

Memory Cafes offer a fun andrelaxed way for people living withearly-stage memory loss to getconnected with one another throughsocial events that promote interactionand companionship. The memorycafe in Rockville (4860 Boiling BrookParkway) operates the thirdWednesday of each month from 2:30-4 p.m. Pre-registration is required.Contact Lindsey Vajpeyi at 240-428-1342 or [email protected].

Suicide Grief Support Group. AtJSSA, 6123 Montrose Road,Rockville. This ongoing bereavementsupport group is for those who havelost a loved one to suicide. Thisgroup meets every first and thirdMonday. No charge. Pre-registrationis required to attend. Call 301-816-2708.

Because I Love You is a nonprofitorganization dedicated to supportingparents of troubled children of any

age. The group helps parents dealwith drugs, runaways, truancy,verbal abuse, physical abuse, curfewviolations and other misbehavior, aswell as help parents deal withthemselves, to manage and live theirown lives without obsessing overtheir child’s behavior. The groupmeets 7:30-9:30 every Thursday atBethesda United Methodist ChurchRoom 209, 8300 Old GeorgetownRoad, Bethesda. Visitwww.becauseiloveyou.org, [email protected] or call 301-530-3597.

Adult Bereavement Groups. Datesand times vary depending on groupmembers. Hospice Care, 518 S.Fredrick Ave., Gaithersburg. Peerdriven support groups in those inneed of support. Free. Contact PennyGladhill at 301-990-8904, [email protected].

Bulletin Board

Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

CAMPS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPSArt Explorers Open Studio. Every

Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at TheCandy Corner Studio, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Artactivities for parents and children.Activities change weekly and there isno pre-registration; $10 per child.Visit www.glenechopark.org/saturday-art-explorers.

Ceramic Classes. Various dates andtimes. VisArts, 155 Gibbs St,Rockville. An opportunity to try thenew ceramic workshops. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org/ceramicsfor a list of class dates, times.

Registration is Open. forMontgomery County Recreation andMontgomery Parks SummerPrograms and Activities. [email protected] www.MontgomeryParks.org/access.

Toca Summer Soccer Camp. 6-8p.m. through August 9 at Avenel LP,10051 Oaklyn Drive. Improvingskills, making friends and staying fit.Email [email protected], or call301-221-8305.

My Gym Potomac Camp. 1-4 p.m.Aug. 7-Sept. 4 at My Gym Potomac,11325 Seven Locks Road. My Gymcamp includes themed games andcraft, gymnastics, sports, and snack.$40 for members, $45 for non-members. [email protected] or call 301-983-5300.

DEADLINE AUG. 27National Parks Pass. A senior

lifetime National Parks pass is $10through Aug. 28. On Aug. 28, feegoes up to $80. Age 62 or older toqualify as a senior. Visitstore.usgs.gov/senior-pass.

THURSDAY/AUG. 10Potomac Village Farmers Market.

2-6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of thePotomac United Methodist Church,9908 S. Glen Road. Email [email protected].

FRIDAY/AUG. 11Senior String Institute Concert.

7:30 p.m. at the Trinity LutheranChurch, 11200 Old GeorgetownRoad, North Bethesda, Visitwww.nationalphilharmonic.org.

Movie on the Lawn. 8-10 p.m. atClara Barton Community RecreationCenter, 7425 MacArthur Blvd., CabinJohn. “Sing,” is the movie on the bigscreen located at Cabin John local

park behind the Center. Bring ablanket or chair for a night at themovies under the stars. Free. Call240-777-4910.

AUG. 11-19Agricultural Fair. various times at the

Fairgrounds, 501 Perry Parkway,Gaithersburg. Farm animals, food,rides and vendors. Visitgetfairtix.com.

SATURDAY, AUG. 12Meet the Artist. 7 p.m. at Photoworks,

7300 MacArthur Boulevard. A jurorfrom London, Ashley Givens, will beon hand for Watch Me: A JuriedPhotography Exhibition, on displaySept. 15-Oct. 22. Visitwww.glenechophotoworks.org.

Viki Ryan in Concert. 7-11 p.m. atMargery’s Lounge at NormandieFarm Restaurant, 10710 Falls Road.It’s Viki’s last show at NormandieFarm. Call 301-983-8838, or visitpopovers.com

MONDAY/AUG. 14Montgomery County Agricultural

Fair VIP Day. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.at the Damascus Senior Center, 9701Main Street, Damascus. To beselected as a VIP, the child must be aresident of Montgomery Countybetween the ages of 5 and 14, andmust have a disability or a life-threatening illness. Free for VIPs.Ages 5-14. Call 240-777-6870.

TUESDAY/AUG. 15County Agricultural Fair Senior

Day. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the DamascusSenior Center, 9701 Main St.,Damascus. Seniors are invited to ridewith us and spend a whole day at thefair. Free. Call 240-777-6995.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 16Potomac Rotary Breakfast. 7:15-

8:30 a.m. at Founding Farmers,12505 Park Potomac Ave. SupportRotary Club community serviceprojects. Visitwww.PotomacRotary.org or call 301-785-7100.

THURSDAY/AUG. 17Potomac Community Village

Luncheon. Noon-1:30 p.m. at TallyHo Restaurant on Falls Road inPotomac Village. An opportunity tomeet neighbors. [email protected],or call 240-221-1370.

Widows Meet-Up Group. 5-7:30 p.m.at Fuddruckers, 1592 Rockville Pike,Rockville. Newly formed group’sname is Widows/Widowers ofMontgomery County. Call 301-917-4741 or visit www.widowcare.org.

FRIDAY/AUG. 18Wayne Wilentz in Concert. 7-11

p.m. at Margery’s Lounge atNormandie Farm Restaurant, 10710Falls Road. Call 301-983-8838, or

visit popovers.com

SUNDAY/AUG. 20Introductory Waltz Workshop.

3:30-6 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo. 2017featuring the ensemble Waltz du Jourplaying a mix of folk waltzes with afew other dances, including Hambo,Schottische, Swing, Tango, andPolka. $10. Visitwww.WaltzTimeDances.org or [email protected].

Tom Saputo on Piano. 6:30-10 p.m.at Margery’s Lounge at NormandieFarm Restaurant, 10710 Falls Road.Call 301-983-8838, or visitpopovers.com

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 23Tom Saputo on Piano. 7-10:30 p.m.

at Margery’s Lounge at NormandieFarm Restaurant, 10710 Falls Road.Call 301-983-8838, or visitpopovers.com

FRIDAY/AUG. 25Bob Smith and Rob Vetter in

Concert. 7-11 p.m. at Margery’sLounge at Normandie FarmRestaurant, 10710 Falls Road. Call301-983-8838, or visit popovers.com

THURSDAY/AUG. 31Potomac Community Village

Party. 3:30-5 p.m. in Potomac. Anopportunity to meet neighbors.

Location of the party will be at aprivate Potomac home, with locationand directions provided when RSVPby Saturday, Aug. 25. [email protected],or call 240-221-1370.

Bob Smith and Rob Vetter inConcert. 7-10:30 p.m. at Margery’sLounge at Normandie FarmRestaurant, 10710 Falls Road. Call301-983-8838, or visit popovers.com

WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 6Library of Congress Tour. 10:30

a.m. meet in Potomac. A docent-ledtour Library of Congress’ new exhibit,“Echoes of the Great War.” Possiblytake Metro to get there. [email protected],or call 240-221-1370.

FRIDAY/SEPT. 8Meet the Artist. 6-9 p.m. at the

Waverly Street Gallery, 4600 EastWest Highway, Bethesda. WildlifeConservation Show with photographyby Carol L Leadbetter, on exhibitSept. 5-Oct. 7. Call 301-951-9441.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 16Park After Dark. 6-10 p.m. at the

Historic Great Falls Tavern in theC&O Canal National Historical Park,11710 MacArthur Blvd. Evening ofphilanthropy supporting the park.$200-$250. Call 301-714-2233 orvisit www.canaltrust.org/

THURSDAY/SEPT. 28Decade of Design Celebration. 6-9

p.m. at The DC Design House, 9004Congressional Court, Potomac. Thisyear’s Design House is dedicated toAnn Lambeth, who was a supporterof the cause and the designcommunity, open Sept. 30-Oct. 29.$35, proceeds from boutiques anddesigner sales, with most items indesigners’ spaces available topurchase, are donated to Children’sNational Visit dcdesignhouse.com/.

SATURDAY/OCT. 8Ride for the Reserve Farm Bike

Tour. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. start atPoolesville Golf Course, 16601 WestWillard Road, Poolesville. $75. VisitRidefortheReserve.org.

SATURDAY/OCT. 22Royce Hanson Awards. 3-5 p.m. at

the BlackRock Center for thePerforming Arts, 12901 TownCommons Drive, Germantown. Forrecognition of outstandingcommitment toward the protection ofMontgomery County’s AgriculturalReserve. $75. Visitwww.blackrockcenter.org.

Park after DarkPark after Dark, Saturday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m. at at Historic Great Falls Tavern, C&O CanalNational Park, 11710 MacArthur Blvd. Live music by the 19th Street Band and a gour-met buffet provided by Corcoran Caterers. Visit www.nps.gov/choh for more.


Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

One of our older/oldest cats, Biscuit, born lateSeptember 2006 and his oldest human parent,yours truly, born late September 1954, are bothhaving teeth issues. In fact, the exact same teethissues: the 1st molar and the 2nd bicuspid in the“upper right quadrant” are causing us problemsand have to be extracted.

Biscuit’s teeth extraction will be done by ourregular veterinarian. Mine will be done not by myregular dentist but by a specialist, an oral surgeon.Unfortunately, the two practices are not relatedso there’s no chance of a “BOGO.” Nor is thereany chance that the two procedures will be aboutthe same cost. My teeth extraction will be doubleat a minimum, perhaps even quadruple, if I’mlucky. (I made inquiries.) Accordingly, Biscuit’sextraction will occur/has occurred first.

What’s of interest to me is the coincidencethat Biscuit and I need the same teeth extractedat the same time. Which when you consider thatBiscuit and I are approximately the same age, isnot really a surprise. It’s really more of a fact oflife/aging – for both of us. Perhaps there are otherbehaviors and/or physical/mental indicators inBiscuits day-to-day activities which might clue mein to my own aging process. After all, we are liv-ing similar lives.

So far, Biscuit’s post-teeth-extraction recoveryhas been uneventful. He’s been spry and ener-getic. He’s been on the kitchen counter, variouswindow sills, the dining room table, the ironingboard and all the other furniture; he’s knockedover the wicker trash basket in our bedroomthree times and he’s been eating like a dog. Inshort, he’s “back baby.”

He almost appears to be smiling – exceptwhen we attempt to give him his post-procedurepills. As per usual, during the day he’s sleeping onthe back of the couch and at night he’s curled upin the laundry basket; and he’s still the first cat –of five, an hour early, I might add, for breakfastand dinner, to place his order/meow his pres-ence. He’s as ready to eat as ever. He hasn’tmissed a beat or a step. If I had to summa-rize/characterize his actions now, I’d say he has areal joie de vivre, “an exuberant enjoyment oflife.” So what am I waiting for? Godot?

As for my procedure, I’ve been told it takes 30minutes or so. Local anesthesia is used (unlikeBiscuit who was totally sedated/anesthetized).Moreover, the post-surgical pain is not terribleand the chance of infection is minor. And thoughI’ll have a space in my gums where my teeth usedto be, no longer will I be anticipating the painand discomfort that cracking or splitting either ofthese two teeth would cause. The only pain I’lllikely have is the pain of payment. (See 7/26/17column entitled “Taking Care of Business” forassociated details.)

I guess my curiosity/concern is whether I trustanything I’ve observed from Biscuit’s dental expe-rience – considering we’re the same age. Iswhat’s good for the cat also good for the human -all things being equal, sort of? Is Biscuit’s return tonormalcy so quickly and so easily – and so vigor-ously, a lesson to be learned? If seeing is believingand I do see extremely well for someone nearinghis 63rd birthday, then Biscuit’s ‘experience’ andthe comparison between his pre- and post-extraction behavior should be an inspiration to usall, especially those of us of similar age with oneand the same, two actually, teeth which need tobe extracted.

I mean, the procedure I’ve been putting off isnot exactly brain surgery, it’s oral surgery. I’m notadmitted to a hospital. It’s outpatient. I’m in andthen out. Same day service, just like the restau-rant where my wife, Dina works. I don’t evenneed someone to drive me home (unlike Biscuit.I had to drive him home.) And now that Biscuit ishome, safe and sound, I suppose it’s time for meto buck up and schedule my appointment. Afterall, it has nothing to do with cancer and every-thing to do with quality of life. I’d say that’s awin-win.

CoincidentalOr Not

News

Grand OpeningAt the Aug. 4 grand opening ofPinstripes’ newest location at Pike& Rose in Bethesda, PinstripesFounder/CEO Dale Schwartz(middle) cuts the ribbon with ChrisWeilminster (left), executive vicepresident of Federal Realty, andRoger Berliner (right), Montgom-ery County Council President.Located at 11920 Grand Park Ave.the two-story, 37,000-sq.-ft. show-place features 14 bowling lanes, 10indoor/outdoor bocce courts, abistro serving Italian/Americanchef’s creations, and a curatedwine cellar and craft beer selec-tion.

Seventh GradersNeed Vaccinations

Montgomery County health officials urgeparents of students entering seventh gradeto be sure their students show proof of vac-cination against Tetanus-diphtheria-acellu-lar pertussis (Tdap) and Meningococcalmeningitis (MCV4) prior to the start of the2017-2018 school year. Students not incompliance with Maryland vaccination re-quirements will be excluded from attend-ing school until they provide documenta-tion of the required Tdap and MCV immu-nizations. The requirements are in placethroughout the state.

Free Tdap and MCV4 immunizations willbe offered to incoming students at the fol-lowing locations:

❖ School Health Services Center4910 Macon Road, RockvilleMondays, Wednesdays and Fridays8:30 – 11:20 a.m.❖ Dennis Avenue Health Center2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver SpringTuesdays8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.❖ Germantown Health Center12900 Middlebrook Road, 2nd floor,

GermantownWednesdays - 8:30 a.m. – 12 noonThursdays - 1 – 4 p.m.❖ Silver Spring Health Center8630 Fenton Street, 10th floor, Silver

SpringWednesdays8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.A copy of the child’s immunization record

must be presented to staff to receive vacci-nations. For more information on immuni-zations, call the Montgomery County De-partment of Health and Human Services’Immunization Program at 240-777-1050 orSchool Health Services at 240-777-1550.


Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We needlong- and short-term fosters for cats of all ages,mothers with litters and kittens on their own.

Email [email protected].

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer atwww.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit the website, cl ick on Participate

www.lostdogandcatrescue.org

lost (adj): 1. unable to find the way.2. not appreciated or understood.

3. no longer owned or known

Helping Animals FindTheir Way Since 2001

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer

Volunteers needed for adoption events, fostering pets,transportation, data entry, adoption center caretaking and more.

News

‘C&O CanalExplorer’ AppAvailable

The C&O Canal Trust has re-leased its new mobile app, “C&OCanal Explorer,” to aid users in ex-ploring the 184.5 miles and20,000 acres of the C&O CanalNational Historical Park. The appis available for download on bothAndroid and Apple devices fromtheir respective app stores.

The mobile app includes morethan 600 points of interest in thepark mapped in a searchable for-mat, allowing users to find at aglance hiking trails, historic sites,trailheads, parking, and more. Theapp also calculates the distancefrom a user’s location to nearbyamenities and points of interest,with the ability to view what liesboth upstream and downstream ofa current location.

The app was developed by theC&O Canal Trust, the nonprofitpartner of the Chesapeake andOhio Canal National HistoricalPark, which works in partnershipwith the National Park Service andlocal communities to raise fundsto preserve the park for future gen-erations and to broaden support

Christmas in JulyThe Children’s Inn resident Makayla Watkins, 6, and herbrother, Sean Watkins, 7, pose with Montgomery CountyPolice Officer David Reed and their parents, John andRoxanne Watkins of De Witt, Ark., after the officer helpedthe siblings shop for gifts during The Children’s Inn’srecent Christmas in July celebration. The event wassponsored by Potomac philanthropist Shahin Mafi.

Joint ServiceOn Sunday, June 25, Emmanuel Lutheran Church wel-comed the German Lutheran Congregation to theirchurch (7730 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda). This marked thestart of GLC worshiping at ELC. Sunday’s service was ajoint service with both congregations. Emmanuel’s Asso-ciate Pastor Derek Solberg and German Congregation’sPastor Olaf Wassmuth officiated. The Germans brought agift of flowers. ELC provided special music with theirchoir and hand bell choir. Afterwards the congregationsmet in the Fellowship Hall a light breakfast. Both congre-gations are very excited the opportunity for joint fellow-ship. During the summer the Germans will worship afterEmmanuel does and in the fall they will worship betweenEmmanuel’s early and late services. The Norwegians andCzechs already worship at Emmanuel which means wor-ship is celebrated in four languages.

through programs that highlightthe park’s historical, natural, andcultural heritage and recreationalopportunities.

C&O Canal Explorer is availablefor $0.99 a download, which willhelp the C&O Canal Trust main-tain its high quality, keep its infor-mation up-to-date, and add new

functionality. The app was devel-oped in partnership with CermakTechnologies, Inc., with fundingfrom the Maryland Heritage AreasAuthority.

The app can be downloadedfrom the Google and Apple AppStores and at www.canaltrust.org/plan/explorer-mobile-app/.

Documents

Potomac - Ellington CMS