Potomac Almanac - Saxenian Leads McLean School

20 Pages·2013·2.36 MB·English

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online at potomacalmanac.com
wOwwc.tCoonbnerec t2io-8n,N 2ew0s1p3apers.com Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 ❖ 1
2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Potomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
See www.potomacalmanac.com
Shutdown: Towpath, Glen Echo Closed
Federal shutdown
closes area
National Parks.
By Ken Moore
The Almanac
T
he federal government’s
shutdown has closed C&O
Canal National Historical
Park, Glen Echo Park, as
well as use of the towpath from Wash-
ington D.C. through Potomac and to
Cumberland.
“After working side-by-side with the
wonderful staff of the C&O Canal Na-
tional Historical Park for many years,
it’s heartbreak-
“It’s ing for the
Trust to see
heartbreaking.” them closing
the doors,
— MIke Nardolilli, given no Great Falls Park will be closed
C&O Canal Trust choice but to during the federal government
turn away Kayakers are left stranded on the road, with no access to public waters. shutdown.
thousands
upon thousands of visitors seeking to tional programming is cancelled. Handles even a carrier pigeon to appeal to Con- Almanac’s press day, Tuesday, Oct. 1. Its
recreate and rejuvenate along the have been removed from well pumps, vol- gress,” he said. He urged residents to send website, suggests a small glimmer of hope
canal’s towpath,” according to Mike unteers have been told to cease their efforts, notes of encouragement to park staff that a resolution comes in the near future.
Nardolilli, president of the C&O Ca- kayakers and other recreational boaters through Facebook, Twitter, and email. “To “Today is Tuesday, Oct. 1. Due to the fed-
nal Trust. won’t be able to use access roads or ramps say this is a rough time for them is an un- eral government shutdown, Glen Echo Park
Even the towpath is closed. along the towpath. derstatement. ” is currently closed. All activities at the park
“Visitor traffic, whether on foot, bike “While the park staff has no choice but to But “respect the closure,” he said. “While are cancelled today.” The National Park
or horse, is strictly prohibited,” ac- stand by, we as civilians can take action,” we don’t like it one bit, we have to respect Service’s webpage is more blunt. “Because
cording to the C&O Canal Trust’s alert said Nardolilli. it. Disregarding the closure can create po- of the federal government shutdown, all
to the public. “Educate yourself and others on how the tentially unsafe and hazardous situations, national parks are closed and the National
Visitor centers, campgrounds, per- shutdown affects National Parks, be vocal damage park resources and create undue Park Service’s webpages are not operating,”
manent or portable restroom facilities, on social media and use #KeepParksOpen, work and stress on the few staff left stand- according to the park website that switches
lockhouses and access roads are all use any means of communication you can, ing.” to the Department of Interior website after
closed, and interpretive and educa- letter, email, phone calls, social media, or Glen Echo Park is also shut down on the a few seconds.
Potomac Church on Seven Locks Road
St. James Episcopal Turns 50
travels the “Via Media” or Middle Way.
By Steve Hibbard The Rev. Cindy P St. James
h
I The Almanac Bata sSkt.i nJ,a rmeecsto’r otos Rummage Sale
tc’os pbaele Cnh au rbcuhs iyn tPimoteo mata Sc;t .t hJea mFaelsl REupmis-- ECphiusrccohp oaln by Ste FriSdta. yJ,a Omcets. E4p firsocmop 9a la w.mil.l thoo 8ld p a. mru.,m amnda gSea staulre-
mage Sale takes place Friday-Saturday, Seven Locks ve day, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will include
Road in H clothing, linens, jewelry, collectibles, books,
OOcctt.. 46- 5a,t t5h ep .Bmle.s, sainngd othf eth ceh Aunrcimh ajulss ti sc oeln- Potomac. ibba kgietacrh,e bniwcyacrlee,s h aonuds eshpoolrdts i teeqmusip, mtoeyns,t .t oWohlsa, tbeavbeyr
r
ebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 21 and d is left over from the Rummage Sale will go to
/
22 with a family dinner and concert by Ja- T Interfaith Works, which supports the unem-
h
son Gray. e A pcolollyecetde da sncdh ohool msueplpelsies.s aFnadm fiillileesd arebcoeunt t5l0y
St. James was founded in July 28, 1963, The fourth and current rector, Cindy Baskin, lm backpacks for its Backpack Project, which are
a
when nine families met at Green Acres joined in 1999. n also distributed to Interfaith Works.
a
School. They branched off from mother Fifty years ago there weren’t as many two- c
Ground was broken in 1966 for the Children’s School
congregation, St. John’s Episcopal Church income families where both parents
St. James’ Episcopal Church on
– Norwood Parish in Bethesda/Chevy worked, said Baskin. On Sundays, stores
Seven Locks Road in Potomac. Turns 20
Chase, in southern Montgomery County. In weren’t opened; there weren’t sports games
1966, ground was broken at 11815 Seven or band practices. “There was a time when it was 50 years ago,” said the Minneapolis St. James is also celebrating the 20th anniver-
Locks Road, with the Rev. David C. Lord as the culture supported church stuff,” said native. “Because 50 years ago everybody sary of its Children’s School on Friday, Oct. 25
its first rector; he stayed until 1979. The Baskin, the rector for 14 years, who guides went to church …. Now the people who are from 6 to 9 p.m. with a silent auction and raffle,
and catering by Ridgewells. It will include a DJ
second rector was the Rev. Robert S. a staff of mostly volunteers and oversees here come to church to get a deeper rela-
dance party for ages 7-17-plus; and The Great
Creamer Jr. until 1992. The third rector was an operating budget $700,000. tionship with God and to get a deeper sense Zucchini for children. RSVP to 301-762-3246 or
the Rev. James Rains who stayed until 1998. “It’s a lot harder to do church now, than See St. James, Page 12 [email protected].
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 ❖ 3
News
Saxenian Leads McLean School
New Head of
School is a “builder,
Open Every Sunday in October
and November, 10am to 5pm not a maintainer.”
10600 Tulip Lane Potomac
By Susan Belford
The Almanac P
h
“I ot
o
was profoundly drawn to the C
o
mission of the school and a n
t
dedicated faculty that has ex- r
ib
traordinary talent and a strong com- u
t
e
mitment to the institution,” said d
Michael Saxenian, who became the new Michael Saxenian, the new Head of School at the
Head of School at the McLean School McLean School.
in July. “I see a lot of opportunity to
build on a wonderful foundation.” look at the program to see how we can take it from
Formerly the Assistant Head and School and Chief really strong to great.”
Financial Officer at Sidwell Friends School, He has already formulated plans for additional
Saxenian’s life experiences have shaped his vision professional development for the faculty and is put-
and defined his leadership skills. He was born and ting together a task force to bring more technology
raised in Concord, Mass., the son of parents who were to the classroom. Saxenian would also like to see a
both teachers. After earning his BA in international gardening program in the school to make the food
Featuring: seasonal wreaths, garlands,
relations and an MBA and MA in development eco- services as environmental and sustainable as possible.
swags, centerpieces and much more! nomics, he moved to Asia where he ran the Indone- “I would also like to incorporate “mindfulness” (medi-
Our shop was highlighted in the 2011 Potomac Country sia program for Volunteers in Asia. The group was tation) into the classroom for the first few minutes
House Tour and the Washington Post Magazine involved in education, economic development and of class as a method for settling the brain before the
of September 30, 2012. environmental sustainability — and with this oppor- task of learning.”
tunity, he realized his aptitude for community lead- Small classes are one of our biggest assets,” he said.
301-424-7940
ership. “We provide a nurturing environment with caring,
After returning to the U.S., he and his wife moved individual attention. We allow for the many differ-
to D.C., where he worked in management for Con- ent learning styles by being flexible and accommo-
servation International and Discovery Communica- dating. Eighty-seven percent of our parents cited on
tions — and commuted to work via bicycle. our market study that their kids have developed
Twelve years ago, he moved into education and higher self-esteem since attending McLean. Similarly,
financial management at Sidwell Friends. Here he parents agreed that their children were more excited
established environmental sustainability at the about school, their family life had improved and they
school, supervising the state-of-the-art campus reno- felt a strong sense of community.
vations which have become a model for other insti- Saxenian has also built a strong leadership team
tutions. He also taught classes in economics, man- at McLean. Dr. Sara Hines from Hunter College will
aged a capital campaign, community relations and lead the Lower School and David Roth, former Head
more. of the Middle and High Schools at Commonwealth
Saxenian is excited about the challenges of his new Academy will head the Middle School.
position. “My first month at McLean has been so On Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6:30pm, the school will
much fun,” he said. “We have a terrific faculty who present the first program in its Parent Education Se-
are very talented and dedicated. Part of the appeal ries “Surviving Social Media.” This free program will
of this job is that I’m really a builder, not a main- help parents understand the world of social media.
tainer. I plan to spend these initial months immers- To learn more about the McLean School of Mary-
ing myself in the culture, and then comprehensively land, so go www.mcleanschool.org.
Help Cure Ocular Melanoma on Sunday
By Susan Belford show will begin at 1 p.m. and the concert will start
The Almanac at 1:45 p.m. Performing artists will be pianist Shaun
S Tirrell with his 12-year-old daughter Audrey on the
unday afternoon, Oct. 6, is the perfect time to violin, pianist Matthew Bachman and Side By Side
enjoy your favorite melodies while making a (Doris Justis and Sean McGhee, vocals and guitars).
difference in the fight against ocular melanoma The art of Carl Dryer, Jill Freedman, Alan Rubin and
— a little-known disease that affects 2,000 people others — as well as paintings by benefit coordinator,
annually. However, this disease is life-altering and Harvey Levine — will be featured. A reception and
researchers are desperately seeking a cure. But this continuation of the art show will take place follow-
can only happen if they receive funding. This is a ing the concert.
personal fight for Harvey Levine of Potomac, coordi- Tickets to this benefit concert and art show are
nator of the concert. $50 (or $35 for parties of six or more). People will
His sister Sheila is fighting ocular melanoma — also be admitted by making a contribution of any
and he is doing everything in his power to raise funds amount to the Melanoma Research Foundation.
for research. Checks are payable to CURE OM and should be sent
This benefit concert, “The Music of George to Harvey Levine, 7803 Cadbury Avenue, Potomac,
Gershwin and John Denver,” will take place on Sun- MD 20854 — or come to the concert and donate
day, Oct. 6, at the Sixth and I Street Historic Syna- what one can. For more information, contact Harvey
NATIONAL MALL • OCTOBER 26 • 10 AM gogue at 600 I Street, NW, Washington D.C. The art Levine at [email protected].
4 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Two Schools, a World Apart, Join for Theatre Event
D
rama students from Thomas S.
Wootton High School will share
the stage on Oct. 4 with 23 vis-
iting students from Beijing in a
first-ever companion performance of the
Shakespeare classic “Romeo and Juliet.”
The event, two years in the making, will
feature performances in English and Chi-
nese. The event is free and open to the pub-
lic.
Wootton has been partnering with Beijing
School #166 since 2007. The school was Ph
o
started in 1864 by American missionaries t
o
and has a thriving cultural arts program. s
C
As part of the exchange program, Beijing o
n
students visited Wootton two years ago for t
r
a joint band concert that attracted nearly ib
u
400 people. te
d
“It was an amazing experience just to be
part of that,” said Wootton’s Humanities and
Arts coordinator Michelle Hanson, who is Wootton students (left) and Beijing School #166 students (right) prepare for show.
overseeing the cultural exchange. “It was
unbelievably beautiful.” perform the scene from an American Civil sary. Wootton students will present a scene gram with Beijing School #166 to be dif-
This year, drama students from the two War perspective. from the upcoming production of “Little ferent than just home stays and visits to
schools will work together to perform the Students from each Women.” The tourist sites,” said Wootton Principal
same scene from “Romeo and Juliet,” the school will also present Details performance Michael Doran. “We wanted to play, per-
classic moment when the star-crossed lov- one additional perfor- weekend for this form and learn together, and this is the sec-
ers spot each other across a crowded ball- mance. The Beijing stu- A Cultural Exchange of Theatre play is Oct. 18, 19 ond such opportunity. Two years ago, our
room for the first time. dents will perform a The Wootton Center for the Arts and Beijing School and 20. bands put on a joint concert, and this year,
#166
Students from Beijing will perform the scene from a produc- “We have al- it is the turn of our drama department work-
Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
scene in English, but wearing traditional tion that celebrates the Wootton High School Auditorium ways wanted our ing together on different interpretations of
Chinese costumes. Wootton’s students will school’s 150th anniver- Free and open to the public exchange pro- Romeo and Juliet—– how cool is that?”
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 ❖ 5
Opinion
POTOMAC
Supporting Incorporated Brickyard Coalition ALMANAC
www.PotomacAlmanac.com
Newspaper of Potomac
A Connection Newspaper
By Ginny Barnes
WMCCA President WMCCA Meeting An independent, locally owned weekly
F newspaper delivered
to homes and businesses.
or the last two years, WMCCA has The West Montgomery County Citizens Asso- control growth. How will the zoning code rewrite
been deeply committed to saving the ciation change the way our community looks and func- 1606 King Street
will meet at the Potomac Community Center on tions? There are county citizen groups closely Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Brickyard School site from becoming
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 7:15 p.m. If schools are closed following the rewrite that fear major negative im-
a commercial sports enterprise on because of inclement weather, the meeting will be pacts on neighborhoods. Will our RE-1 and RE-2 Free digital edition delivered to
your email box. Go to
public land. We worked with Brickyard Road cancelled. The speaker will be Pamela Dunn, plan- zoning be altered? Will the concern about the ad-
connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
ning coordinator for the Maryland National dition to the code of a new building type, the
neighbors and other local citizens groups in
Capital Park and Planning Commission. general/residential building, that could be built
an all out effort, including multiple legal ac-
The current zoning code for Montgomery “by right” with no public input in the middle of PUBLISHER
tions, relentless fundraising and untold hours County is 30 years old and runs to more than residential neighborhoods affect us? What about Mary Kimm
of volunteer time. Finally, County Executive Ike 1,500 pages. Considered antiquated, redundant allowing incompatible nonresidential and institu- 703-778-9433
and lacking in tools to guide future growth, the tional uses without notice to nearby neighbors? [email protected]
Leggett withdrew the county from the Board
zoning code rewrite project initiated by Park and Will our carefully crafted Master Plan be weakened @MaryKimm
of Education lease, ending Montgomery Soc- Planning has been underway for several years. It by the new zoning code? Dunn will tailor her pre-
cer Inc. (MSI) plans to build a soccer complex has already passed through review by the Plan- sentation on the zoning code revision’s impacts to EDITORIAL
on the site. Although the organic ning Board and is currently undergoing review at the Potomac Subregion Master Plan to help citi- PHONE: [phone]
the County Council. Potomac citizens have a Mas- zens prepare for and comment to the County E-MAIL:
soil it took 30 years to create lies [email protected]
WMCCA ter Plan based on environmental resources, Council when their public hearing is held on Nov,
fallow and the Board of Educa- low-density zoning and limiting sewer capacity to 12. The public is welcome to attend.
EDITOR
tion has been silent on its fate,
Steven Mauren, 703-778-9415
the Brickyard Coalition, of which WMCCA was [email protected]
an integral part, has elected to carry on as a rewrite. We have been embroiled in another general public, the Montgomery County De-
SPORTS EDITOR
member-driven organization (Brickyard Coa- potential Master Plan precedent; the Glen Hills partment of Environmental Protection (DEP) Jon Roetman,
lition Inc.) that continues to monitor the school Sewer Study is about to be finalized by the indicates that it is about to finish the Phase 1 703-224-3015
[email protected]
site and other proposals of concern to the Brick- Department of Environmental Protection and Phase 2 Reports and make them final.
@jonroetman
yard community. WMCCA has transferred to (DEP) and sent to the County Council. What Recall that in the prior draft of the Phase 1
them the remainder of funds donated through the council does with results of this study could report, DEP declared, based totally on flawed, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cissy Finley Grant, Carole Dell,
a Brickyard fund we administered during our have a major impact on water quality in Watts hypothetical factors, that over 240 homes were
Kenny Lourie, Ken Moore,
long collective effort. We will continue to work Branch — our largest watershed and a drink- not sustainable on septic, even though there Susan Belford, Colleen Healy
together toward preserving our Master Plan ing water source for 40 percent of the Wash- are only nine septic failures among the 500
Contributing
and the rights of citizens to be informed and ington region. houses within the study area. Based on this
Photographers
involved. In early August, the Washington Suburban data, the Phase 2 draft report proposed 13 new Harvey Levine, Deborah Stevens
WMCCA is an all-volunteer 60-plus year old Sanitary Commission (WSSC) held a joint sewer lines be constructed, with their enor-
Art/Design:
civic association, and with Brickyard so all- scoping meeting with the National Park Ser- mous costs borne totally by the abutting prop- Laurence Foong, John Heinly
consuming, we’ve come late to the zoning code vice at Potomac Elementary School to an- erty owners. Now DEP is using these reports Production Manager
Jean Card
nounce and elicit public comments on their to prepare recommendations that will be sub-
Geovani Flores
proposal to seek a mid-river intake to reach mitted to County Executive Leggett for sub-
Letter cleaner water for the filtration plant on River mission to the County Council. DEP plans to Special Assistant to
the Publisher
Road. Sediment loading in Watts Branch, which meet with Leggett in mid-October and antici-
Jeanne Theismann
Protect River enters the Potomac River at the current intake, pates that his transmittal and recommenda- 703-778-9436
overwhelms filtration capacity, particularly in tions will be before the Council before their [email protected]
@TheismannMedia
To the Editor: peak flow storms. end-of-year break.
My name is Seth Brody, I am originally WMCCA has major concerns about the dam- The DEP spokesperson states that it’s unclear
from Potomac and I find the current state age to the C&O National Historical Park. We what the County Council will do with the study ADVERTISING
For advertising information
of the Potomac River disgusting. The fact must also question what happens next as the and the recommendations, including the pub- e-mail:
that the Potomac River obtained a “D” regional demand for drinking water increases lic process, if any, they will utilize in deter- [email protected]
or a “barely passing grade” is disturbing and the powers-that-be have put the last straw mining the fate of the Glen Hills neighborhood.
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
and off putting to say the least. in the river to reach cleaner water while doing At its last meeting on June 3, the Citizens Display Advertising:
Since the Potomac provides drinking nothing to help the Watts Branch recover from Advisory Committee (CAC), of which WMCCA Kenny Lourie 703-778-9425
[email protected]
water to around five million people we long-standing development impacts? is a member, demanded that it be allowed to
need to something about the pollution, Lastly, we bid a sad goodbye to our excel- review the revised Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports Andrea Smith 703-778-9411
and we need to do it sooner than later. lent secretary, Mike Denker, who passed away before their final publication and, most impor- Classified Advertising
[email protected]
However, I do not agree that educating in late May. Mike was a good man gone too tantly, that they be allowed to see and com-
farmers on the correct way to apply fer- soon. In the last year we lost a beloved former ment on the recommendations before they are Debbie Funk
tilizer will eliminate the problem. I of- treasurer and long time WMCCA member, submitted to Leggett and the County Council. National Sales & real Estate
703-778-9444
fer a solution. Imagine the Potomac River Meredith Williams. His daughter, Nancy Mad- Given the extensive comments that have been [email protected]
as a person, just like you or me. Now den, was recently elected our newsletter edi- made on the prior drafts, the CAC also asked
Jerry Vernon
imagine that the Clean Water Act, gov- tor — so nice to have a family tradition of ser- that all comments from the CAC and the pub-
Executive Vice President
ernment and non-government organiza- vice to the community continue. Please join lic be included in the package that is submit- [email protected]
tions are a bullet proof vest, and that us at the Oct. 9 meeting and consider what ted to Leggett and the Council. To date, DEP
the pollutants (such as fertilizers) are the skills you might bring to the association that has refused all these requests.
Potomac Almanac is published
bullets. Doesn’t it make more sense to guards our residential “green wedge” and has Barring a miracle, we presume that the same by Local Media Connection LLC
remove the bullets than to apply the vest done so since 1947. flawed, damaging, property value-lowering
in the first place? data and conclusions will be included in the
Five Time First Place
Farmers shouldn’t be allowed to use GLEN HILLS SEWER STUDY: The final report and recommendations. It is outra- Award-Winner
these fertilizers. No matter how careful Slumbering Beast is About to Rear Its geous that the CAC members, some of whom Public Service
MDDC Press Association
you are with them, someone is bound to Ugly Head even support limited extensions, are barred
mess up. It is not a question of if; it is a By Susanne Lee from seeing and commenting on whatever fi- Four Time
Newspaper of the Year
question of when. nal product comes from DEP. This is particu-
An Award-winning Newspaper
No news is never good news when it comes larly egregious in light of the critical role the in Writing, Photography, Editing,
Seth Brody to the Glen Hills Sewer Study. After months of Master Plan mandates for citizen representa- Graphics and Design
Potomac silence and no engagement with the Study’s tives and the hours of effort and expertise CAC
Citizens Advisory Committee, let alone the members have already dedicated to the study.
6 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Serving Breakfast in Our Porch Room or in Café Normandie!
Tuesday—Saturday: 8:00 am—11:00/Sunday: 8:00 am—10:30 am
Start Your Day with Hot Golden Popovers ....of Course!
Thomas Selished finished in 1st place. Matt Clark finished in 2nd place.
5K Oktoberfest
Run
The 5K Oktoberfest
Run was held at the
German School
Washington D.C. in
Potomac on Satur-
day, Sept. 28. Above,
5K runners at the
school.
Photos by Pretzels were among
Deborah Stevens the treats at
The Almanac Octoberfest.
Expires: November 14, 2013
Expires: November 14, 2013
1314 East Gude Drive
(in Gude Plaza)
Rockville, MD 20850
240-328-6811
www.ringoffiregrill.com
Shai Neal took 1st place in
Traditional Oktoberfest at the German School.
the 1K for children.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 ❖ 7
Getting Around
Turtzi the Turtle: A 13-Year Saga
By Cissy Finley Grant Turtzi, now 13, has had numerous com- erty and lived nearby said. “We haven’t seen
The Almanac panions. In one way or the other, they have the turtle.” Again they gave her up for lost.
I
all disappeared. Perhaps, because shortly Soon thereafter, they were moving once
t’s a Painted following the purchase of Turtzi, they took again, this time to a hotel and were prepar-
P
Turtle, notice her to a “Blessing of the Animals” celebra- ing to head back home to the states, with h
o
the caps. It’s tion at Rome’s San Antonio Abate Church. John still on crutches. “We left the farm- t
o
not a draw- Her blessing must have stuck. Turtzi is the house lady our hotel number, just in case,” B
y
ing, not something only one left to date, even though when she he said. Once again, Turtzi came through. J
o
covered in latex, arrived in the USA from Rome, Miriam was The Crooks received a call from the farm h
n
and certainly not a holding high above her head, two Painted owner saying new renters had called to say C
thing of beauty, ex- Turtles. Unlike Turtzi, the second one has they had found the turtle. ro
o
cept for maybe in long since disappeared, name forgotten. “I Turtzi the Painted Turtle made her way k
the eyes of the be- do remember fellow passengers screaming to the U.S. and officially is now a Maryland Turtzi the turtle enjoys a ride on a
holders. in terror when they saw two large turtles. turtle. Like everything else in which Turtzi kick board piloted by Miriam
This Painted They do have a habit of hissing when they has been involved, it wasn’t easy. The Crook.
Turtle is a lumber- Up close, and encounter strangers and strange places,” Crooks had to contact the Federal Fish and
ing aquatic crea- personal, Turtzi she said. Wild Life Service in Maryland to be assured Turtles will bite, in spite of what one
ture Miriam and extends her front Prior to leaving Rome, Turtzi had numer- she was legal. “I had to use all my best Ital- hears. When Turtzi was among the pets
John Crook have claws in hope of ous experiences to prepare her for most any ian to explain to the Carabinieri at the air- being blessed at the aforementioned Bless-
living in a bath tub escape. unexpected happenings. For the uninitiated, port that she was not an endangered spe- ing of the Animals in Rome, a German TV
guy went to pet her. He stuck his finger near
in their Potomac Painted Turtles grow to be about 10 inches cies,” John said. It is legal to import a
her mouth and Turtzi took a nip. “She made
home. That is, it’s in the bath tub when it’s Painted Turtle into the USA.
German television,” John proudly an-
not swimming in their pool where it loves However, Turtzi’s life in Potomac has con-
nounced. Turtles don’t have teeth but a
to play bump ‘em with them, unless there P tinued to be one adventure after another.
h sharp pointed beak. They will open their
is a guest included she doesn’t recognize. o There was the time when the Crooks were
t mouths to indicate when they have the in-
“Then, she dives to the bottom and won’t o on vacation and their son, Victor, came to
b clination to bite. The TV guy found this out
surface until our friend leaves,” Miriam said. y take care of her. While in Barbados, the
M when he stuck his finger in her mouth, the
This is an honest-to-goodness story about ir Crooks received a call that Turtzi’s heater Crooks surmised.
a turtle named Turtzi. It might help to ex- ia in her bath tub had shorted out when she
m Although turtles have a natural life span
plain some of the turtle’s anecdotes when C was in her tub. It was severe enough to melt
of between 75 and 100 years, Miriam Crook
her name was questioned. “Oh, we just gave ro her plastic water house. Turtzi had escaped
o will be the first to tell you that having a
her a little class. Instead of just Turtle we k electrocution.
decided on Turtzi. Sort of like, Mitzi. It was “I’m not so sure I need company,” Another time, had it not been for Miriam’s turtle as a pet is not the wisest of choices.
Turtle fancied up,” Miriam said. Salime, one of the Crook‘s three curiosity about an unfamiliar noise behind She elaborates by explaining they are messy,
“We had just moved to Rome. All of Italy dachshunds, seems to be thinking, their home, Turtzi would have become car- must have proper food, heat, lighting, tem-
goes to the beach in the summer. I was just as Turtzi makes her way into the rion for a couple of hawks. “I was watching perature, and particularly an appropriate
wandering around and decided I needed a dog bed. her after putting her outside and noticed habitat. This includes changing the water
at least twice a week. The omnivorous
little companionship. It was in the summer something was with her, but thought it was
long. Their top shell, known as a carapace, Painted Turtle, indigenous to North
of year 2000, when Miriam wandered into a squirrel. I went to get a camera and glasses
is dark green to blackish with yellow or red America, eats, fish, fruits, berries, even
a pet store and purchased a turtle, “the size and then saw the hawks. I went flying out
lines. The head and feet have more distinc- canned dog food. The Crooks rely on com-
of a quarter,” she indicated with a thumb there and grabbed her. The hawks actually
tive yellow lines. It’s not hard to find them mercial aquatic turtle food. “But I give treats
to finger gesture. chased us. I had taken their dinner,” Miriam
if you know where to look. like shrimp and fresh veggies. She loves
Miriam’s husband, John, was general con- said.
However, when Turtzi went among the carrots,” Miriam added.
sul for MFO (Multi National Force and Ob- Turtzi lives quite comfortably in the Crook
missing from the Crook’s upper floor apart- Turtzi’s bathtub habitat has all the proper
servers), a peace-keeping force in the Sinai household, along with three dachshunds
ment in a Rome building, it was pretty much equipment and space, but her summertime
and traveled extensively. Hence the reason she enjoys except when they try to show
ascertained she had fallen off the balcony pleasure riding on a kickboard in the out-
for Miriam’s need “for a little companion- her who is boss. One day Salime (Italian
and was gone for good. “We figured she was door family pool is a special treat. She also
ship.” Turtzi became more than just a com- for one sausage), the eldest of the three,
caught somewhere, maybe in a hedge,” particularly enjoys floating on John Crook’s
panion she became a mystery to both of noticed Turtzi digging down deeply into the
Miriam said. But, she wasn’t to be found stomach after she has crawled aboard. It’s
them throughout their four-and-a-half- pachysandra. Apparently Salime did not
until one day there had been a terrible a photo he adamantly refused to allow
years stay in Rome. approve of this and pulled her out by her
downpour of rain. “I came home from shop- taken. Just imagine a turtle in paradise,
head before Miriam could get to her. “It left
ping and there she was sitting on the front even a turtle with seemingly as many lives
a dent in her head,” Miriam said. Turtzi had
porch,” she said. That was six weeks after as a cat, and you get the picture.
gotten cold and was trying to hibernate.
P Turtzi had taken the plunge from the fourth In spite of all the entertainment Turtzi
h Salimie was lucky Turtzi didn’t bite back.
o floor. provides, the Crooks still maintain a turtle
t
o
s When the Crooks moved from city life in is not for you if you want a soft and cuddly
b
y Rome to a nearby farm on a lake, Turtzi pet. However, they do insist she has a per-
C
is went along to enjoy country living. It was sonality of her own, comes when she is
s
y during this time John befriended a called, likes music, (“it calms her down”)
F
in neighbor’s dog and agreed to care for him knows the dogs, (“gets in their beds”) has
l
e while the owners went away. En route to good vision and lays eggs about five times
y
G putting the dog to bed one night, and fol- a year. The eggs are usually buried outside
r
a lowing the pup in the dark to his dog house, and critters dig them up. Grimacing, Miriam
n
/t John fell into a dry well and broke his leg. said, “We are careful not to let our dogs get
T
h Unfortunately, he was due to leave shortly them. It would be like our pets eating each
e
A thereafter for a two-week session in The other.”
l
m Netherlands. It was the late Ogden Nash who waxed
a
na Turtzi was to remain at the farm in her Salime attempts to head off Turtzi poetically:
c
John Crook holds Turtzi, now 13 tank. Also, unfortunately, when the Crooks as the Painted Turtle makes her “The turtle lives twixt plated decks
years old. She has been a Maryland returned they discovered Turtzi had crawled way down a hallway. Painted Which practically conceals its sex.
turtle for 9 years following her out of her tank. Turtles, Turtzi’s species, can live to I think it clever of the turtle
adventurous stay in Rome, Italy. “No,” the farmers who owned the prop- be between 75 and 100 years old. In such a fix to be so fertile.”
8 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Bulletin Board
Email announcements to almanac@ private schools from around the
MONDAY/OCT. 7
connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is county and to students from local
Thursday at noon. Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse colleges. The meeting will allow the P
Prevention Forum. 7-9 p.m. at participants to let councilmembers h
Richard Montgomery HIgh School know how they feel about specific ot
THURSDAY/OCT. 3 Auditorium, 250 Richard issues and also will provide the o
Talk. 10:30 a.m.-noon at Aspen Hill Montgomery Drive, Rockville. The opportunity to ask questions of the by
Library, 407 Aspen Hill Road, free forum will address youth councilmembers in an organized, but C
Rockville. JSSA presents “Getting a substance abuse in Montgomery informal, setting. ol
Job in the Age of Social Media County for concerned residents and le
WCoomrkmshuonpitsy aCt eLnibterrasr”i efso ra njodb seekers. pdaruregns,t sa dwdhioct wioann, ta tnod l eparornm aobtionugt SATURDAY/OCT. 12 en H
Visit www.jssa.org/ecsprograms or wellness in the community. For Special Education, Two-Part ea
301-610-8380. information and to register, visit Series. 1:30-4 p.m. at Rockville ly
Secondary School Fair. 6-8 p.m. at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and Memorial Library meeting room, 21 /T
Norwood School, 8821 River Road, click on “Preventing Alcohol and Maryland Ave., Rockville. Designed h
e
Bethesda. Learn about independent Drug Abuse” or call 301-279-3100. for parents, get information on the A
high schools, boarding schools and Chronic Pain Support Group. 1- special education process. Free. The lm
more. Free. 301-841-2101 or 2:30 p.m. at Pain Connection Office, second session is Saturday, Oct. 26. a
n
www.norwoodschool.org for more. 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville. Free. RSVP at www.ldamc.org, a
Guest speaker Laurel Rubinstein will [email protected] or 301-933- c
speak on “Nutrition and Chronic 1076.
THURSDAYS/OCT. 3-NOV. 14 Pain.” Bring items to be comfortable.
Clalsesa.r nA dhuellptsf ualg hei n1t8s aton ds toreldnegrt hcaenn V30is1it- 3w0w9-w2.4p4a4in.connection.org or SUNDAY/OCT. 13 Bake Sale
support systems and deal with Senior Expos. 12-4 p.m. at Silver
structure, organization and WEDNESDAY/OCT. 9 Spring Civic Building at Veterans Joey Aldridge (left) and Sean Healy volunteer at the
medication. “Deaf Adults Coping with Plaza. The Expo will feature
ADHD” will be at JSSA, 200 Wood Speed Networking for Job speakers, health screenings, St. Raphael bake sale. The event raised money for the
Hill Road, Rockville. $75/session. Seekers. 7-9 p.m. at Temple Beth resources, information and 5th annual Father Bill Finch Memorial Golf Classic.
Registration required, [email protected]. Ami, 14330 Travilah Road. Get entertainment for older adults and The tournament will be held on Monday, Oct. 21, at
constructive feedback and more on their families. Dr. Luigi Ferrucci will
job related speeches. Free. Visit give the keynote address. Call 301- Manor Country Club. For more information go to
SATURDAY/OCT. 5 www.jssa.org/ecsprograms or 301- 949-9766. www.straphaels.org.
Volunteers Needed. The 24th annual 610-8380. Public Microchip Clinic. 1-3 p.m. at
Taste of Bethesda is coming up on Town Hall Meeting for Students. Aspin Hill Memorial Park. $35/cat or
Saturday, Oct. 5, and the Bethesda 6:30 p.m. at the Council Office dog. Selected pets from the
Urban Partnership needs 100 Building in Rockville, 100 Maryland Montgomery County Humane Society safe, healthy and strong community. p.m. at Glen Echo Volunteer Fire
volunteers to make it happen. Ave. Students who wish to attend the will be available for adoption. Visit Sign up to speak at 240-777-1211. Department, Station 11, 5920
Volunteers must be at least 16 years meeting are asked to RSVP by calling www.mchumane.org/ Program. 7:45-10 p.m. at County Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda. This
old. Each volunteer works a three- 240-777-7931. The meeting will be countyadoptionfees.shtml for more. Council Office Building, 100 year’s theme focuses on the
hour shift on one of five teams: set- broadcast live on County Cable Maryland Ave., Rockville. Learn importance of preventing kitchen
uanpd, tpicakrekti nbgo.o Etha,c hd rtienakm t eins tl,e rdo bviyn ag Mono Cntogmomcaesrty a (nCdC RMC-Nca, bClhe aCnhnaenl n3e0l o6n MONDAY/OCT. 14 aFbuonuctti othnea lC Mouanstteyrw Pidlaen B.Fikreeew. aVyissit ftioruerss. Oofp tehne hsotautsieo ne,v feinrets s ianfceltuyde:
“captain” who will explain what Verizon) and rebroadcast at various Community Forum. 6-8 p.m. at The www.montgomerycivic.org for more. activities, educational information/
needs to be done. Details and the times in the weeks following the Children’s Resource Center, 332 W. handouts, demonstrations of
volunteer application form are meeting. The October meeting is Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Help SUNDAY/OCT. 20 emergency equipment and more.
available at www.bethesda.org. open to high school and middle identify services that will help ensure Free. Call 301-229-3200.
school students from public and the department’s goal of building a Fire Station Open House. 10 a.m.-2
H
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Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Catering
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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 ❖ 9
Entertainment
Email community entertainment events the Brontosaurus” through Oct. 27 at Decisions is a program in which local
to [email protected]. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn groups gather to discuss topics
Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos and Ave., Bethesda. Best for children ages associated with foreign policy. This
artwork encouraged. 4-9. Performances are Tuesdays- meeting the topic will be China in
Fridays at 10:30 a.m., Saturdays and Africa. Brown bag lunches
Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and ‘The Body encouraged. Visit www.folmc.org.
ONGOING select Saturdays at 11 a.m. Tickets Preschool Storytime. 10:30 a.m. at
Art Exhibit. See works by Nebiur start at $12 and can be purchased at Beautiful’ Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden
Arellano in VisArts, 155 Gibbs St., www.imaginationstage.org or 301- Drive. For children 3-5 years. Free.
Rockville, through Sunday, Oct. 13. 280-1660. Visit www.montgomerycounty
Visit www.visartsatrockville.org/ Art Exhibit. Through Monday, Oct. 28, Capitol Arts Network, an- md.gov/content/libraries or 240-777-
gallery/kaplan-gallery for more. see “The Power of Color” at Gallery nounces its October show, a 0690.
Art Exhibit. See “The District: The Har Shalom, located at Congregation juried exhibition titled “The Blues Dance. 8:15 p.m. lessons start,
Streets of Washington, D.C., 1984- Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road. Free Body Beautiful,” opening Fri- dancing from 9-11:30 p.m. in the
1994” through Monday, Oct. 14 at and open to the public. Call for hours day, Oct. 4, at Capitol Arts Ballroom Annex, 7300 MacArthur
Photoworks Gallery at Glen Echo and directions 301-299-7087. Network gallery at 12276 Blvd., Glen Echo. $8. Capital Blues
Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Michael Wilkins Ave., Rockville. presents the dances. Visit
Horsley shows how much the city has ART CLASS REGISTRATION The show will highlight www.capitalblues.org for more.
changed, as well as how much it has the human figure in various
survived. Free. Hours are Saturdays, Acrylics for Kids. Starting Saturday, forms, and will include FRIDAY/OCT. 4
1-4 p.m. and Sundays and Mondays Oct. 5 from 1-3 p.m. at VisArts, 155 painting, photography and
from 1-8 p.m. Visit www.glenecho Gibbs St., Rockville. Children can mixed media. October’s fea- Contra Dance. 7:30 p.m. lessons start;
park.org for more. explore artist tools, paints and tured artist will be 8:30 -11:30 p.m. dancing at Spanish
Art Exhibit. See “Core With Rocks” by introductory color concepts. Eight- Baltimore’s Jessica Damen, Ballroom at Glen Echo, 7300
John Ruppert at Kaplan Gallery in week course. Register at www.visarts MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Divine
widely acclaimed for her
VisArts, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville, center.org or 301-315-8200. Comedy provides music. $10/adult;
through Oct. 20. Visit Progressive Painting. 7-9:30 p.m. at ability to capture youthful $5/17 and under. Visit
www.visartsatrockville.org/gallery/ VisArts, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. This emotion in her images. For www.fridaynightdance.org for more.
kaplan-gallery for more. acrylic painting class will more information on Damen
Arta Et xGhibibbsi tS.t rSeeeet wGoarllkesr yb yin J uVdisyA Srttso,ne aacdcvoamncmedo dpaatien tbeergsi nunsienrgs sthtirlol uligfeh of aant dh httepr :a/r/t,d vaimsite hnearr wt.ecbosmite/ SATURDAY/OCT. 5
155 Gibbs St., Rockville, through Oct. varying degrees of difficulties. Class Welcome.html. Taste of Bethesda. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at
20. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org/ runs on Tuesdays from Oct. 8-Nov. The opening reception for Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle.
gallery/kaplan-gallery for more. 26. Visit www.visartscenter.org or “The Body Beautiful” is set Enjoy five stages of entertainment,
Art Exhibit. Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin 301-315-8200 to register. for 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. more than 50 restaurants providing
Ave., Suite E, Bethesda, presents Chinese Brush Stroke Painting. 4. The exhibition runs food and drinks, crafts and more.
“Cityscapes,” featuring David 6:30-9:30 p.m. at VisArts, 155 Gibbs through Oct. 25. For more Free. Food costs tickets, $5/four
FeBland, Beata Drozd, Ben Ferry and St., Rockville. Runs Fridays from Oct. information on Capitol Arts tickets. Visit www.bethesda.org or
Gavin Glakas through Saturday, Oct. 4 through Nov. 22. Visit Network or its facilities, visit 301-215-6660.
26. Visit www.bethesda.org or 301- www.visartscenter.org or 301-315- www.capitolartsnetwork.com Cajun & Zydeco Music and Dance
215-6660. 8200 to register. or call 301-661-7590. Festival. Noon-midnight at Spanish
Theater Performance. Through Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300
Sunday, Oct. 27, see “Goodnight THURSDAY/OCT. 3 MacArthur Blvd. Dancing by the
Moon” at Adventure Theatre at Glen Bayou presents a day of music with
Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. All Friends of the Library “Hold on Tight, This is Gonna Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, Rusty
ages. Visit www.adventuretheatre- Presentation. 12:30 p.m. at Hurt Like Hell” by Jessica Damen Metoyer & Zydeco Krush and more
mtc.org or 301-634-2270. Potomac Library community room, bands. $50/door. Visit
Theater Performance. See “Lulu and 10101 Glenolden Drive. Great www.dancingbythebayou.com.
Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at the
Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper
Club, 7719 Wisconsin Ave. D.C.
native Cathy Ponton King and her
band will perform songs off her new
CD “The Crux” long with blues
guitarist Bobby Parker. Call 240-330-
4500 or email
[email protected].
Solo Piano Concert. 8 p.m. at
Wesmoreland Congregational
Church, 1 Westmoreland Circle,
Bethesda. Free. Haskell Small will
perform. Free. Visit
www.washingtonconservatory.org or
301-320-2770.
Kick-off Art & Wine Tasting Party.
4-7 p.m. at Semmes Hall, St. Francis
Episcopal Church, 10033 River Road.
Enjoy an exhibit by The Art Gallery of
Potomac and more. Presented by The
Women of Saint Francis, with
proceeds benefiting local and
national charities.
Art Exhibit. See “Mostly Drawings,”
drawings and paintings by Ken
Conley in the Yellow Barn Gallery at
Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur
Blvd., from noon-7 p.m. A reception
is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. See works
that depict food, landscape locations
around Great Falls, Maryland and
Washington. Free. Visit www.glen
echopark.org or 301-371-5593.
SUNDAY/OCT. 6
Benefit Concert and Art Show. 1
p.m. at the Sixth and I Street Historic
Synagogue, 600 I Street, NW,
Washington, D.C. “The Music of
George Gershwin and John Denver”
will take place for the benefit of the
Melanoma Research Foundation/
CURE OM (www.cureom.org). The
art show will begin at 1 p.m., concert
at 1:45 p.m. Tickets are $35-$50.
Checks are payable to CURE OM c/o
Harvey Levine, 7803 Cadbury Ave.,
Potomac, MD 20854. Email
[email protected] for more.
DC Dance Challenge. 9:30 a.m.-11
p.m. at Spanish Ballroom at Glen
Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Enjoy competitive dances and all
10 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ October 2-8, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com