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Susan Belford

Stories by Susan

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Muslim Foundation Demonstrates ‘Faith in Action’

Helping the poor.

More than 1,400 residents of Montgomery County received a gift of meat made possible through the efforts and donations of the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation. The group held its annual Zabiha-Qurbani meat donation on Nov. 4.

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Doggie Styles Opens in Potomac Village

From grooming to a slumber party.

The newest business on the Potomac scene is devoted to pets. Doggie Styles, owned by local residents Sam and Eddie Khalaf, offers grooming, day care, training and sleep-overs for a favorite feline or precious pooch.

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Bullis ‘Makes the Day’

Providing Thanksgiving baskets and home-made apple pies for county’s needy.

Bountiful Thanksgiving baskets will make Thanksgiving Day possible for 75 Montgomery County families — due to the generosity of The Bullis School students and their families.

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Upcoming Bazaars and Craft Shows Yield Gift Ideas

Showcasing one-of-a-kind items.

A number of near-by bazaars will be taking place within the next few weeks. Each bazaar has a distinctive feel and offers a variety of items that could never be found at the mall.

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Shop Owners Share Tie to Churchill High School

Gift ideas from Cabin John Shopping Center.

A vast assortment of gifts is available just around the corner at two gift shops — Leila Fine Gifts and Jewels and Occasions Unique Gifts and Gift Baskets.

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Shop for a Cause at WHC Sisterhood Holiday Boutique

Proceeds benefit variety of charities.

Generous Giving is the goal of the members of the WHC Sisterhood as they set the wheels in motion for their 26th Annual Holiday Boutique — and it is also the philosophy of a number of philanthropic vendors who will be selling their wares and donating their proceeds to causes dear to their hearts.

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‘Art for Paws’ Benefits Animal Services and Adoption Center

Art show helps MCPAW raise funds.

The Huckleberry Fine Art Gallery in Rockville provided a colorful backdrop for the Montgomery County Partners in Animal Well-Being (MCPAW) fund-raising art show, reception and raffle held Saturday evening, Oct. 27.

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Bullis School Holds Town Hall Debate and Mock Election

Students depict different political perspectives.

Students and staff at the Bullis School voted on Tuesday, Nov. 6 for the presidential candidate of their choice.

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Locally Grown Produce Enhances Menu

Old Angler’s Inn partners with Potomac Farm Market.

Mark Reges, proprietor of the Old Angler’s Inn and Steve Magassy, owner of the Potomac Farm Market have formed an innovative partnership — one that leads to two local businesses beneficially supporting one another.

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'Unsung Hero'

McLean School's Denise Duffy receives grant.

The McLean School’s Denise Duffy signed up for an ASL class her senior year in college.  The communications major took the class — and “just knew.” After graduating, she enrolled in a master’s program at Gallaudet University and worked as an educational interpreter.

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Ah, Potomac Day

Everyone loves Potomac Day — and this year’s celebration was no exception.

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Club’s Craft Fair Supports 12 Charities

Twenty-five vendors at Metropolitan Community Club’s annual event.

The Metropolitan Community Club Craft Show is the place to head for all those holiday shopping needs. The preview of the show will be Friday, Oct. 26 from 5 – 8 p.m., and the show will run on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Road in Potomac (next to Potomac Elementary School.)

Gallery To Host Finale Reception for Potomac Days

Potomac Theatre Company to perform songs from “My Fair Lady.”

Potomac Day is Saturday, Oct. 20 — when the first sounds of the parade commence. Clowns, marching bands, civic organizations, churches and the Potomac Citizen, Youth and Business persons of the year will all be cheered as they ride through the River and Fall Crossroads.

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‘Park After Dark’ Draws Crowds

Fundraiser benefits C&O Canal National Historical Park.

About 230 people came out to the C&O Historic Great Falls Tavern on Saturday, Oct. 13 for a boot-stompin’ fun-filled evening of music, dancing, chili with all the fixins’, experiential auction items and re-enactments of the Civil War — and all for a good cause. They partied to benefit the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

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Bermans Celebrate 10 Years as Owners of Hunter’s Inn

Oct. 24 fundraiser to help young leukemia victim.

Murray and Fred Berman purchased the iconic Potomac “Cheers” bar — Hunter’s Inn — 10 years ago in October 2002. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the Bermans have elected to donate 15 percent of their profits on Wednesday, Oct. 24 to the non-profit “Living with Childhood Leukemia.”

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‘Activity Rocket’ Launches

Speeding the way to better organization for parents.

Ilene Miller and Lisa Friedlander are busy Bethesda moms who had an innovative idea — and now their inspiration is benefiting scores of families throughout Montgomery County, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia. “Activity Rocket” has taken off and is soaring.

Art Gallery of Potomac Features Scenes by Local Artists

Opening reception planned for Oct. 6.

October at the Art Gallery of Potomac will feature the work of guest artist Susan Gibbs alongside the work of two resident artists, Terri Cunningham and Carol Dyer. The theme for the show is Potomac – Yesterday and Today.

Corrieanne Stein Wows Audiences

Wootton Junior performs at Olney.

Corrieanne Stein has already performed for a year in the original production of the Broadway play, ”Billy Elliott the Musical,” acted in the world premiere of “Saving Aimee” at the Signature Theatre and is currently rehearsing for the regional premiere of “Over the Tavern” at Olney Theater Center. She is 16 years old.

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‘Park After Dark’ Returns

Event to raise funds for the C&O Canal

The 2nd “Park After Dark” fundraiser for the C&O Canal has adopted the theme of the Civil War since 2012 is the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. The canal saw a lot of activity during the war.

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‘Taste of Potomac’ Benefits Adoptions Together

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor high winds, nor power outages could stop the “Taste of Potomac” from the mission at hand — throwing a grand event to raise funds for Adoptions Together.

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Roshan Named Teacher of the Future

Bullis math teacher receives national recognition.

Roshan was selected by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) as one of their “Teachers of the Future” for her innovative “flipped classroom” methodology.

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St. James Episcopal Rector Completes Pilgrimage to Santiago

A journey that heals the soul.

The day before Potomac’s St. James Episcopal Church Rector the Rev. Cynthia (Cindy) Baskin and her husband Bob were to leave on their once-in-a-lifetime 480 mile pilgrimage through northwestern Spain, she was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left foot.

Sign Up Now for Potomac’s Got Talent

The Potomac Community Center will host Potomac’s Got Talent in conjunction with Potomac Family Fun Fest on Friday, Sept. 28.

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‘Ellen’s Run’ To Benefit Mental Health in County

5K Run/Walk set for Oct. 7.

Ellen Vala Schneider had many friends throughout Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Potomac. She was outgoing, caring and loving — a dedicated mother, attorney and the ultimate volunteer. Her life ended tragically when she drowned in the Potomac River. Her body was found near Billy Goat Trail. She was 51 when she died, but she had made an impact on everyone she encountered.

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Defeating Dystonia

6th annual event to raise awareness and research funds for Dystonia.

Donna Driscoll is determined to win the fight of her life — against the life-altering disorder, Dystonia. For six years, the Potomac resident and her husband Tom have organized a golf and tennis tournament dedicated to raising Dystonia awareness as well as garnering funds for research to cure and prevent the neurological syndrome and movement disorder that she was inflicted with 10 years ago.

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Public Invited to Police Equestrian Championships

Mounted police to compete at county fairgrounds.

Potomac equestrians, and those interested in the work of mounted police forces should plan to attend the 2012 North American Police Equestrian Championships on Sept. 29 and 30 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg.

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40 Years Of Service

Women’s Club of Potomac to host anniversary celebration.

A dedicated group of friends came together in 1972 to form an organization that would thoroughly enhance their lives — as well as the lives of countless citizens of Montgomery County. That group, the Women’s Club of Potomac has grown from eight original founders to more than 50 members.

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Entrepreneur Brian Rubin Inspires

Despite Asperger’s syndrome, Rubin creates award-winning business.

Brian Rubin of Potomac lives by the philosophy of Winston Churchill: “Never, never, never quit.”

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‘Potomac Days at the Crossroads’ To Be Auctioned

Artist Carol Dyer creates historical vision of Offutt’s Crossroads.

Carol Dyer has created numerous paintings of life at the turn of the century in Annapolis, Washington D.C., Bethany Beach, Rehobeth and across the nation — and now she has produced “Potomac Days at the Crossroads” — painting her vision of what the River and Falls Roads intersection was like in a simpler time when it was named Offutt’s Crossroads and folks traveled by horse and buggy and bicycles built for two, three or even four.

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Support ‘Walkabout Abilities’

Annual event benefits the Abilities Network.

The Abilities Network offers solutions to all these problems and more. The 6th annual “Walkabout Abilities” will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30 to raise funds for the contributions that the Abilities Network makes to families in the area and across the United States.

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Camp Med

Middle school students learn about medical profession at Virginia Hospital Center over the summer.

What did you do on summer break? Some students chose to learn about medical profession at Virginia Hospital Center.

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‘Taste’ Benefits Adoptions Together

Annual event seeks to further “forever families” mission.

This event offers a one-of-a-kind chance to taste delectable dishes from every restaurant in Potomac and bid on items in both the silent auction and the live auction — all to help children find “forever families.”

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New Orange Leaf Draws Crowd

Ribbon-cutting ceremony welcomes Orange Leaf to Cabin John.

“Awesome,” said Jacob Fienberg. “The swirl is just so creamy and good,” said Jack Feldman as he licks his spoon. “It doesn’t really taste like yogurt. It tastes like ice cream,” said Max Miller.

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Jade Billows Closes

“I was crying as I ate my last salt and pepper shrimp right before Jade Billows closed,” lamented Potomac’s Debbie Goldberg.

Viewpoints: What’s Best about Living in Potomac?

We live in one of the most beautiful areas of the United States — and Potomac Village is no exception.

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30th Annual Potomac Day Celebrates Community Spirit

Call for former “Citizens of the Year” to return for this special celebration.

Potomac Day is the most anticipated event in Potomac Village in the fall. Residents look forward to the grand parade, pony rides, petting zoo, pizza, classic car show, business fair and children’s festival.

Bethesda Country Club To Host Wounded Warrior Tournament

Annual event returns Aug. 20.

In 2005, Jim Estes, director of golf at Olney Golf Park began teaching injured servicemen and women to play golf — many of them amputees, many with prostheses. He took the job so seriously that he practiced raising his right leg and hitting the ball off his left leg for hours as he tried to figure out the best way for one-legged people to hit the ball.

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New Restaurant To Open at Cabin John Shopping Center

Owner of Grilled Oyster Company cites “good location.”

Raw, freshly shucked oysters, Chesapeake Bay crab dishes, grilled clams, local farm chopped salad, prime rib, blackened chicken wings — these menu items and much more will be featured at the newest restaurant in the Cabin John Shopping Center.

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From Interpreter to Palm Reader to Painter

Liz Gerstein displays her artwork and analyzes handwriting.

Liz Gerstein is a master at reinventing herself. Throughout her life, she has followed her interests and passions to see where they lead her.

Former Churchill Grad Offers Naturopathic Remedies

Kevin Passero emphasizes natural means of healing.

When he graduated from the University of Colorado in Environmental Science, Kevin Passero was unsure about his career path.

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A Second Chance

A 14-year-long circle of life.

Sheila and Jan Rosenberg’s Briard named Chase was the light of their lives. They had purchased him from Deja-Vu Briard breeders in Cleveland, Ohio when their son Adam was six and their daughter Allie was eight.

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New Animal Services Center Construction Underway

Help mcpaw raise funds.

“After so many years of waiting, the construction of the new Montgomery County Animal Services Center is on schedule with completion set for delivery in the fall of 2013,” said Bruce Garnant, senior project manager for Coakley Williams Construction.

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‘The Healthy Gourmet’

Rosenberg teaches healthy can be tasty.

“Cooking is such a wonderful way to show people that you care and love them — and I want to be a part of it.” These were words written in a letter to “The Healthy Gourmet” Sheila Rosenberg of Potomac.

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Art Gallery of Potomac Relocates within Potomac Village

New site improves display.

The Art Gallery of Potomac has a new home. The gallery has relocated just minutes away from its space in the former “Surrey” building to next to Big Wheel Bikes at the end of the Potomac Village shopping center, behind the Verizon store.

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Businessman, Philanthropist, Inventor — and Knight

An interview with Potomac’s Sir Charles Dahan.

In the midst of Potomac lives a knight — and that knight is also known as the “Johnny Appleseed” of Morocco.

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Potomac’s Sir Charles Dahan – Businessman, Philanthropist, Inventor- And Even A Knight

In the midst of Potomac lives a knight — and that knight is also known as the “Johnny Appleseed” of Morocco.

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Father and Daughter ‘Ride To Cure Juvenile Diabetes’

Raising funds for research.

Lauren Rapaport has been battling juvenile diabetes for 33 years. Diagnosed at the age of 3, she has learned to regulate her insulin and check her blood sugar. She carefully balances her food intake with her exercise. It’s life-long and 24/7 — a disease that has no cure — and one that she will never outgrow.

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Tomorrow’s Pros To Play in Local Tournament

American Junior Golf Association tournament coming to Bethesda Country Club.

What do Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Charles Howell III, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel have in common? Each of these golf professionals competed in American Junior Golf Association golf tournaments as teenagers and all went on to become PGA and LPGA Tour players.

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Squeals On Wheels Delivers Fun for All

Teaching children about animals.

Instead of purchasing a tractor or lawn mower, Jill Phillips decided they should acquire a couple of alpaca to graze in their yard — and then they would not need to mow it.

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Venturing into Rent-a-Coop Business

Tyler Phillips and Diana Samata have found a way to bring the feel of the country to the urban environs of Potomac, Bethesda and other D.C. suburbs.