Potomac Column: Legislative Session Concludes
Commentary
The 2016 Session of the Maryland General Assembly concluded at midnight on April 11 and the following is a summary of several important topics and initiatives that may interest you. If you have any questions or comments about these or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact me at brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us.
Potomac Brief: Walt Whitman Raises $51,566
For the fourth straight year, Walt Whitman High School received top honors in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Series High School Challenge program (Pennies For Patients) — bringing in a total of $51,566.29. In recognition of its achievements, Walt Whitman High School will be linked to an LLS research portfolio.
Potomac Brief: School Year Extended to June 20
Montgomery County Public Schools will extend the 2015–2016 school year by one day and end the year on Monday, June 20. The MCPS request for a one-day waiver of the 180-day school year requirement was approved Monday, April 18 by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Potomac Brief: Schools Seek Ethics Panel Member
The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking to fill one vacancy on its five-member Ethics Panel. The vacancy is for a three-year term beginning on July 1.
Transitway Comes to Arlington
Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the launch of joint Arlington-Alexandria bus service.
“This is Arlington,” said Sandra Borden from the Crystal City Civic Association as she points across Glebe Road, “and over there, that’s Alexandria.”
Arlington: Streetscape Improvements for Rosslyn
With a series of new furnishings, the streetscapes of Rosslyn might start to look a little more vibrant. Within this year, Lucia deCorde, president and urban design director of the Rosslyn BID, said that Rosslyn residents and visitors will begin to see wayfinding posts, informational stalls, new benches and vegetation along the sidewalks.
Arlington Snapshot: Gulf Branch Blacksmith
Meyer Kachel is stretching out the hot metal to the size of his pinkie and will pound it “really thin and curl it into a key fob.”
Arlington Letter: Hardly Non-Partisan
Letter to the Editor
I am writing in response to the article [April 13-19 edition] entitled, “More than Tolerance,” about the Muslim Town Hall Meeting held April 9 at the Arlington Library.
Arlington Snapshot: Resolve to Run Final Week
Participants have raised $3,200 out of $16,000 goal.
On Saturday, April 9, runners gathered for a brunch buffet at the Army Navy Country Club to celebrate the end of their 3-month training period. Reece Preisser and Chevy Gallegos came out to run the final training run/walk and join their mothers for the carb-loading breakfast. The youngest registered runner in the Arlington Thrive fundraising run is 12: the oldest is 71. The race will take place Sunday, April 24. So far, the runners have raised $3,200 in funds for Thrive. Residents who want to support the effort can do so on the www.youcaring.com website or send a check to Arlington Thrive, PO Box 7429 Arlington, VA 22207 with the name of the runner they support on the memo line.
Arlington County Acknowledges Fire Station Could Remain on Hall’s Hill Site
Other changes will have to occur for county response time to improve.
“After two years of saying the current site was not adequate for a bigger fire station on the Station 8 site, the county reversed its position and provided site drawings last week indicating the current site was feasible,” said Nancy Williams of the Old Dominion Civic Association. “It would be interesting to know why that took so long,” she said, “but the most important thing is that local citizens were able to get the county to go back review the facts, with a different result.”
April 18, 2016 Statement by the Daughters of John Geer
This statement was provided by attorneys for the Geer family.
Justice is rarely a simple matter, and it would be easy to vent our anger, our outrage, our sorrow, and voice opposition to the plea bargain struck between Adam Torres and the Commonwealth.
Fairfax County: Torres Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter of John Geer
Former Police officer faced murder charges for 2013 shooting
It was over before it began. Neither prosecution nor defense gave opening statements in former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres’ trial for the August 2013 murder of Springfield resident John Geer. Instead on Monday, April 18, Torres pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter for the August 2013 incident.
Don Taco: New Take on Longtime Favorite
Newcomer to King Street offers diners a wealth of innovative options.
Walk the length of King Street from Route 1 to the river, and you’ll see a brand-new restaurant on your stroll. Nestled between Alfred and Columbus streets on the southern side of King, Don Taco Tequila Bar beckons to passersby, inviting the neighbors in for a taco or three and a frosty margarita.
Arlington: Signature Theatre Presents ‘The Mystery of Love & Sex’
Signature Theatre stages unexpected love story of evolving friendship, finding one’s own path, and the value of family.
Signature Theatre in Shirlington is staging "The Mystery of Love & Sex" now through May 8. The story revolves around Charlotte and Jonny, complete opposites who have been best friends since they were children.
Great Falls: Stormwater Task Force Holds Town Hall Meeting
On April 12, the Great Falls Citizens Association’s (GFCA) newly formed Stormwater Task Force (SWTF) sponsored a Town Hall meeting at the Great Falls Library, which attracted 60 residents and ran from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Great Falls Native Earns His Wings
U.S. Navy Ensign Trevor James Shafran, a 2014 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, recently earned his “Naval Aviator Wings” after successfully completing two years of primary flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola and specialized helicopter flight training at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Fla.
Great Falls: Students Honored at Poetry Luncheon
GFFN recognizes Great Falls Elementary students in 34th annual contest.
The 2016 Poetry Luncheon honoring the winners of the 34th annual Great Falls Elementary School Poetry Contest was held Thursday, April 14 at River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls.
Letter: Stormwater Management Engages Community
To the Editor
The Great Falls Citizens Association would like to thank all those that came to the to the Stormwater Management meeting held on April 12 at the library.
Great Falls: Women Juggle Work, Families, Education
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors committed to assisting working women pursuing higher education.
George Mason’s Libby Dissauer understands students who juggle raising a family while pursuing an education, who have to decide whether to pay rent, buy food, get gas or pay tuition.
Great Falls: Eyesore Improves, Bank Coming
Construction on TD Bank scheduled for Fall; opening of two-lane drive-thru bank anticipated for February.
The community called the site of the old Exxon Station, with environmental cleanup underway, an “eyesore.”