July 4 Run to Cure Autism
The Cure Autism Now 5K will take place on Thursday, July 4 at the Potomac Library at the intersection of River and Falls roads. Pre-race warmup will begin at 7:30 a.m., the 5-kilometer road race at 8 a.m. and the one-mile fun walk at 8:05 a.m. Register online for $18 at www.cureautismnow.org through July 1, or register by mail for $20 through June 27. Make checks payable to Cure Autism Now and mail to Cure Autism Now of the Mid-Atlantic, 7731 Tuckerman Lane, Box 147, Potomac, MD 20854. Volunteers are also sought; no experience necessary. Call 301-419-8198 or visit www.cureautismnow.org.
Persona Non Grata
Potomac resident Wen Hua Wu, who has been accused by police in York, Maine, of burglary and arson has been released on bail.
York, Maine police allege that Wu started a fire in the basement of a home on Sparrow Lane on June 1. They state that during their investigation they determined that Wu had a relationship with a resident of the home who had broken off the relationship.
According to Det. Thomas Cryan, Wu posted the $250,000 cash bond set by Judge David Kennedy. “One of the bond conditions is that he can’t come back to the state of Maine except for trial purposes,” Cryan said.
Cryan expected a grand jury hearing to be held this week. A probable cause hearing has been set for Sept. 23.
Cryor Appointed to Transportation Panels
Del. Jean Cryor (R-15) has been appointed to two advisory commissions to examine and determine transportation policy for the State of Maryland.
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich (R) appointed Cryor to serve on a new state Transportation Task Force. The task force will make recommendations to the governor before the beginning of next year's legislative session. Cryor expects the task force to examine such controversial issues as a five-cent increase in the gas tax, and public-private partnerships which could allow the development of toll roads.
“Everything you’ve ever thought of for transportation will be discussed,” Cryor said.
Additionally, Michael Busch, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, appointed Cryor on June 17 to serve on the Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate Transportation. The panel, composed of legislators from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, will discuss critical regional transportation issues, particularly those affecting the DC area. “We’re looking for a broader view of what we’re going to do about traffic,” Cryor said.
Residential Burglaries
* Between 6 a.m. on June 10 and 7:54 a.m. on June 12, a house on the 1100 block of Bettstrail Way was broken into. Suspects broke out the rear window and stole cameras and jewelry.
* Between 4:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 10, a house on the 9000 block of Honeybee Lane was broken into. The rear window was pried open, and jewelry was taken.
* Between 8 p.m. on June 11 and 1:45 p.m. on June 12, suspects entered through the sliding glass door of a house on the 11100 block of Lamplighter Lane. A sterling silver tea set was taken.
* Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on June 12, a house on the 11600 block of Toulone Drive was broken into. Suspects pried the frame on the rear door. Nothing was taken.
* Between 10 p.m. on June 12 and 5:20 a.m. on June 13, a house on the 9200 block of Cranford Drive was broken into. A car door in the garage was opened and CDs, a briefcase, backpack and cash was taken.
The Nominees Are …
The Potomac Chamber of Commerce is starting its search for nominees for Businessperson of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Youth of the Year for 2003.
These awards are given annually by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce and are presented annually at the Potomac Day Parade, this year scheduled for Oct. 25.
Businessperson of the year must work or do business in Potomac (20854 zip code), be a member of the Potomac Chamber and must have benefited the community. Citizen of the year can be a private citizen or organization that has benefited the local, regional or national community. Youth of the year must live or attend high school in Potomac. Youths must be nominated by their school principals or counselors.
Nomination forms and guidelines may be obtained from Fred Goldman 301-294-0007, fax 301-294-9055. The deadline for entries is Sept. 26.
County Prepares for Bioterrorism
Sites from across the country have been selected to participate in a national pilot project called “Public Health Ready.” Montgomery County and 11 other jurisdictions will team with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Johns Hopkins University, and other major organizations and governments to ensure public health protection in the event of bioterrorism. These sites will be formally tested for expected levels of emergency preparedness.
The public health staff in Montgomery County has long been preparing to respond to bioterrorism. County officials have reorganized staff responsibilities, readied a centralized emergency response center, conducted multiple training exercises, designated a bilingual hot line, established contacts with the media, and distributed health protection information to the community.
The other sites selected to participate in the national Public Health Ready project are Allentown, Pa.; Berkeley, Calif.; Mason City, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Sanford, Fla., Tahlequah, Okla.; Fort Worth, Texas; Olympia, Wash.; Tulsa, Okla.; Wellesley, Mass.; Rockford, Ill.; and the Cherokee Nation.
Special Needs Library Schedule Change
Beginning Monday, June 30, the Special Needs Library on 6400 Democracy Boulevard will be open five days a week, and closed every other Monday and every other Saturday. The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Tuesdays, when it opens from 1 to 8:30 p.m.
The alternating closures will start with Saturday. On week one, for example, the library will be closed on Saturday, but open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The library will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. On week two, the library will be closed Monday, but open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
For more information about the schedule change, call 240-777-0960; TTY users call 301-897-2217.
Archives to Move
The Montgomery County Historical Society will assume operation of the county archives effective July 1. The archives are the repository for all permanent records of historical or evidential value created or received by the county government.
The archives were established in 1985 and had been operated by the County’s library system. They are located at 111 West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville and are open by appointment only. Call 301-340-2974.
Civic Associations
The Park and Planning Commission is updating its registry of civic associations. All civic associations should keep the planning commission updated so that they may better notify neighborhood of important events. Call 301-495-4600 any time of the day or night and leave a message containing the current president’s name, address and phone number.
Almanac Community Guide
In July, the Potomac Almanac will publish its annual Newcomers and Community guide.
Every year Almanac staff members and interns fan out to ensure that we have up-to-date information, making phone calls and visits to verify material.
We are asking our readers to help with this process. Information from last summer’s community guides is available on our website. We ask that PTAs, clubs, community organizations and others check those listings and let us know if our information is correct. We know there are many more organizations and places of interest in each town than we have included in our community guide, and we welcome input from readers about any club, organization, landmark or service we might have missed.
We welcome, and will print, short letters from readers on what advice they would offer a newcomer to Potomac. What is one thing a newcomer needs to know? Where is the best place to make connections and friends?
Check our website at www.potomacalmanac.com; then click on “Newcomers,” to see current listings and information.
To make additions, suggestions and corrections, send e-mail to potomacalmanac@hotmail.com or call Almanac editor and publisher Mary Kimm at 301-983-2600.
Information can be faxed to 703-917-0991 or mailed to The Almanac Community Guide, 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, Md. 20854.