01142016_MCEdition - The Sentinel Newspapers
Transcription
01142016_MCEdition - The Sentinel Newspapers
Celebrating 160 years of service! SINCE 1855 Vol. 161, No. 26 • 50¢ TODAY’S GAS PRICE $1.94 per gallon Governor sets Legislative agenda By Danica Roem @pwcdanica Last Week $2.00 per gallon A month ago $2.02 per gallon A year ago $2.28 per gallon AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON OF UNLEADED REGULAR GAS IN MARYLAND/D.C. METRO AREA ACCORDING TO AAA INSIDE Editorʼs Notebook by Brian J. Karem Lost your Mojo? We take a look at the problems of losing your “Mojo” on a nationwide scale. Page 4 Girls romp! Clarksburg girls basketball team defeats Damascus for the school’s first victory over its rival in school history. Page 20 January 14 - January 20, 2016 ANNAPOLIS – Gov. Larry Hogan (R) proposed tax breaks targeting retirees, working families and “struggling small businesses” Tuesday. “I can’t imagine anybody could oppose these commonsense” initiatives, said Hogan. The first-term governor put tax relief and education funding at the center of his legislative agenda, though the governor did not announcement how he plans to pay for the tax cuts. “On the 20th, we’ll give you our budget, and you’ll see the details,” said Hogan. During a news conference at the State House, Hogan also unveiled an initiative to encourage manufacturers to set up shop in Western Maryland, the lower Eastern Shore and the City of Baltimore. Under his proposal, those manufacturing companies would not have pay a corporate tax at all and all state taxes would be waived “for a decade,” according to Hogan. He specifically targeted “cer- tain new companies who commit to bringing in a certain number of jobs into our most troubled areas of the state where unemployment is the highest.” For retirees, “We’re proposing a measure that will save 640,000 Maryland retirees $183 million in taxes,” said Hogan. The 2016 legislative session officially kicked off Jan. 13 when the legislature reconvened. Hogan said his “top priority” this year, like last year, is education funding. Likewise, he was skeptical about a Democratic proposal to low- er in-state tuition rates. “I don’t want to see cuts to higher education, so that’s probably what a tuition decrease would do,” said Hogan. The governor trumpeted school spending during his first term in office and pledged to be the first governor to “fully fund” the Geographic Cost of Education Index in both his first and second years in office. He also said the state will contribute more than $600 million to school construction. See “Governor” page 8 Guardian Angels patrol on Metro By Nadia Palacios Special to The Sentinel Recent violent attacks on the Metro prompted the anti-crime organization Guardian Angels to expand their volunteering services throughout the Red Line this past weekend. Guardian Angels is a nonprofit crime prevention organization that consists of volunteer patrollers. The organization was founded in New York City in 1979 and has spread into several chapters across the country. Guardian Angels D.C. chapter leader John Ayala said that they had decided to step up their patrolling on the Metro due to several calls from citizens and after recent attacks. “We have been getting a lot of calls about teenagers just running loose on the Metro and harassing people,” Ayala said. According to Richard Jordan, the public information officer for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, crime is actually down. “The fact is that Part 1 crime last year was the lowest it's been See “Metro” page 8 PHOTO BY TERRY BRENNAN WSSC continues to work on water main break problems throughout the County. WSSC scrambles to fix broken mains By Brianna Shea @Bshea2991 ROCKVILLE - The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission continues to scramble and repair a reported 1,918 water main breaks in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County for 2015. WSSC reported 776 of those breaks occurred in the County, said Lynn Riggins, a spokesperson for WSSC. In 2014, 715 of the 1,943 breaks were reported in the County and in 2013, 711 of 1,693 were in the County, she said. In order to combat and prevent breaks, the WSSC created a planned water pipe replacement plan to fix aging infrastructure, Riggins said. WSSC is replacing cast iron pipes with ductile pipes because they are more durable, said Luis Maya, a spokesperson for the WSSC. “Ductile iron is much more durable and resists corrosion,” Maya said. “Cast iron is much more prone to corrosion which weakens the pipe.” Riggins said the switch began in the 1970s. The goal is to replace 55 miles of water pipe each year in both counties, said Maya. See “Legislators” page 8 2 JANUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL R EFLECTIONS November 1, 1990 Traffic court and beating the system Each week The Sentinel visits a memorable story from its archives. In an effort to alleviate Maryland’s severe prison overcrowding, state officials are starting a program that would allow some inmates to complete their sentences at home. Under Maryland’s first statewide attempt at home detention, inmates who meet certain criteria will be released to their homes, where they will be required to stay when they are not working or attending rehabilitation programs. An electronic anklet would be used to monitor the prisoners. The state Board of Public Works last Wednesday gave final approval for a contract for the electronic monitoring equipment after the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services experienced delays in selecting a company. The department rejected five of the six bids it received, leaving only Vorec Co. of Tarrytown, N.Y., which submitted a bid of $547,900. Under the new program, inmates will be monitored with battery-operated devices fitted around their ankles that periodically send coded messages to electronic receivers installed in their homes. The receivers are programmed to alert prison officials by phone if they do not get the signals when the prisoner is supposed to be home. In case the inmate is in a “null spot,” where the transmission is impeded, such as a bathtub, the receiver employs a backup voice-recognition system to make sure that the in- mate has actually left the home. The system is considered tamper-proof since the receiver notifies officials if the inmate attempts to take the unit off. The systems that were rejected suffered problems either with tamper-proofing or were thought to be too new and unproven by state prison officials. About 40 inmates, all from the Baltimore metropolitan area, will initially be placed on the system, according to program director Art Ford. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services plans to be able to maintain a 300inmate system by 1992, Ford said. “It’s either this or build a 300 bed pre-release facility,” Ford said. Inmate selection criteria for the program considerably limit the County to increase DUI enforcement in coming year @Bshea2991 ROCKVILLE – Montgomery County police will step up efforts to identify drunken drivers after an uptick in alcohol-related arrests in 2015. “Every day or night, officers are arresting drunk drivers during their normal course of duties,” according to County police Capt. Tom Didone of the County traffic division. Montgomery County police arrested 3,221 people on DUI charges in 2015, Didone said. In 2014, 3,189 people were arrested, and 3,302 people were arrested in 2013, Didone said. These arrests apply to the County police, Gaithersburg, the County’s division of the National Capital Park Police and Chevy Chase Village jurisdictions, said Officer Rick Goodale, spokesperson for the County police. He said there will be more emphasis on “spending more time looking” for these drivers. Didone said the department looks at previous data including where the most arrests occurred. He said areas such as Route-355 and the Silver Spring and Bethesda corridor are hot spots. The County’s Alcohol Holiday Task Force actively looks for drunken drivers during the holidays, spokesperson Capt. Paul Starks said. The task force is made up of officers from six police departments, Bernard Kapiloff EMERITUS PUBLISHER Lynn G. Kapiloff CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER / PUBLISHER lynn@thesentinel.com Mark Kapiloff A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R mark@thesentinel.com E D I T O R I A L Brian J. Karem EXECUTIVE EDITOR editor-mc@thesentinel.com Brandy L. Simms SPORTS EDITOR BlSSports@hotmail.com VINCENT SHERRY VincentSherry@aol.com COPY EDITOR DANICA ROEM Danica.roem@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR NEWS Brianna Shea number of prisoners eligible for the program, according to Ford. No person ever convicted of a violent crime, drug dealing or child abuse, for example, may join the program, he said. In addition, the program director said only inmates who have 18 months or less remaining on their sentences will be allowed into the system, and all home detained inmates will be required to have fulltime jobs. The program is the latest tool conceived by correction officials designed to hip away at the state’s growing inmate overcrowding problem. According to state corrections figures, there are more than 17,500 inmates in Maryland, which only has the cell capacity to house about 10,000 prisoners. The Montgomery County Sentinel, published weekly by Berlyn Inc. Publishing, is a community newspaper covering Montgomery County, Maryland. Our offices are located at 22 W. Jefferson Street, Suite 309, Rockville, MD 20850. Founded in 1855 by Matthew Fields. All mail to: P.O. Box 1272, Rockville, MD 20849-1272. Subscription Rates for The Montgomery County Sentinel – Weekly by mail: $40.00 per year & $26.50 for Senior Citizens. (USPS) 361-100. the sheriff’s department, Gaithersburg police, the County’s division of the National Capital Park Police Department and state police. The task force began Nov. 15 and worked until Jan. 9. He said officers not on the task force also look for those who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Starks said when people are pulled over, they perform three standardized tests for the officer to determine if the person is sober. The first test is the walk-andturn test, the second is the stand-onone-leg test and the third is the horizontal gaze test. Fourth District Officer Noah Leotta died on Dec. 10 after Olney resident Luis Reluzco, 47, struck Leotta during a traffic stop at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Edmonston Drive on Dec. 3. Reluzco has not been charged because police were waiting for his blood toxicology results as of Jan.13, said Cpl. Rebecca Innocenti, a spokesperson for the department. Sgt. S.A. Flynn, with the department’s Alcohol Enforcement Unit, said she has been hit by a drunken driver and had other close calls. “It’s something we go to work and think about every day,” said Flynn. In 2002, Flynn, pregnant at the time, was rear-ended by a drunken driver while she was in her patrol car on Rockville Pike. Flynn and another officer were nearly hit by a driver under the influ- ence of drugs and alcohol during a routine traffic stop on Wayne Avenue at Dale Avenue two years ago. Flynn said she was bracing herself for the car to hit her patrol car, but the driver swerved to the left lane at the “very last minute,” Flynn said. “His car kept coming and coming,” Flynn said. She said these incidents do not scare her or make her hesitant to perform her job. “It makes me more committed to doing my job,” Flynn said. A drunken-driving accident in Frederick resulted in the death of the driver, and the officer was out of work for almost a year in 2015, Flynn said. She said that in 2011 an officer was hit head-on while driving to work in Germantown and survived the accident. As County police officers work to take drunken drivers off the road, a bill that holds businesses liable for those who are visibly intoxicated, leave the establishment and injury someone will be reintroduced this legislative session. State Del. Kathleen Dumais is reintroducing a Dram Shop bill that can hold establishments civilly liable if a visibly intoxicated patron leaves the establishment and injures someone. “I would be in support of it for sure,” said Zachary Campbell, a manager for Limerick’s Pub. He said bartenders take classes taught by the County’s Department of Liquor Control to be certified and learn the signs of intoxication. Write us Jacqui South, Terry Brennan & David Wolfe STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS The Montgomery County Sentinel welcomes letters. TAZEEN AHMAD CALENDAR EDITOR mc-calendar@thesentinel.com All letters must be original, signed by the author YOUTH SERVICES sentinelkids@yahoo.com 301- 838 - 0788 CALL FAX 301- 838 - 3458 and must include the author’s daytime NEWSROOM AND LEGAL ADVERTISING telephone number A D V E R T I S I N G Lonnie Johnson for verification. ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Send letters to: The Montgomery County Sentinel 22 W. Jefferson St. Suite 309 Rockville, MD 20850 CALL 301-306-9500 / FAX 301- 306-0134 Sherry Sanderson LEGAL ADVERTISING MANAGER 301- 838 - 0788 301- 838 - 3458 sherry@thesentinel.com CALL FAX P R O D U C T I O N Fax: 301-838-3458 Lonnie Johnson PRODUCTION MANAGER Email: editormc@thesentinel.com ads@thesentinel.com Peter Lui GRAPHIC PRODUCTION STAFF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL (USPS 361-100) is published every Thursday by Montgomery Sentinel Publishing, Inc., 22 W. Jefferson St., Suite 309, Rockville, MD 20850. Subscriptions by mail are $40.00 per year; by mail (out of MD, VA, & D.C.) additional $ 5.25; on newsstands 50 cents. Periodicals postage paid at Rockville, MD 20849-1272. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL, P.O. BOX 1272 Rockville, MD 20849-1272 C I R C U L A T I O N circulation@thesentinel.com CALL 301-306-9500 FAX 301-306-0134 A C C O U N T I N G Jill Wingo CREDIT / COLLECTIONS / RECEPTIONIST THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL IS A WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. Montgomery County Publishing, Inc. was absobed into Berlyn Inc. on January 1, 2015 JANJUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL 3 4 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL OPINIONS &VIEWS Finding that lost Mojo Somewhere on FedEx Field Sunday toward the end of the first quarter, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers found their offensive mojo - much to the chagrin of the Washington Redskins. Editorʼs Notebook by Brian J. Karem Apparently, according to Rodgers in his meeting with sports reporters after the Packers victory, mojos are tricky things and it only takes a play or two to get them back. Bart Starr, a former quarterback for the Packers of some fame, once said football was a great metaphor for life. If both of these quarterbacks are to be believed, and who am I to argue, then I’m waiting for America to find its mojo again. Maybe someone can ask Aaron Rodgers. Certainly that question wouldn’t be any worse than the young reporter who asked Rodgers what he thought about some who had said they’d rather have Kirk Cousins playing for the Packers than the reigning NFL MVP. Perhaps America could at least exhibit Rodger’s dry sense of humor. Recently The Sentinel found firsthand how far off we are when it comes to our national mojo. This newspaper has been on the side of civil rights and civil liberties for the last 50 years. Your humble editor was jailed four times in the 1990s trying to defend the First Amendment. Our editorials are usually – when denigrated – referred to as having a liberal bias. Our owners have been routinely chastised as “The Liberal Kapiloffs.” So imagine our surprise when a local office holder recently accused us of taking an “editorial stance” against immigrants. Someone had told this office holder that we printed a letter from someone else and we were therefore “anti-immigration.” The office-holder is a friendly and respectful human being. We got along well on the telephone, but this person made a decision about an editorial stance we never took without ever reading an editorial. They merely heard from someone else something they interpreted as being “anti-immigration.” For the record we print a lot of letters from people with whom we disagree. That’s life. You don’t have to agree with us and you’re entitled to your opinion. On our opinion page, as long as you are polite, then we’ll print your letter – though we reserve the right to comment and often do so. In the recent State of the Union Address, for example, you could find Kim Davis, the Christian antiConstitutional county official from Kentucky in attendance as President Obama spoke. He made it clear that having a difference of opinion is a part of what makes our country great, but we need to be civil and rely on facts before forming opinions. Maybe President Obama and the Green Bay Packers got their mojo working and the rest of us have to catch up. Obama factually and accurately referred to the Constitution, what happens to terrorists like Osama Bin Laden when they cross us, and dismantled the current G.O.P rhetoric with sound reasons and those curious little things – facts – which seem to be so elusive to many of us – including many elected officials and reporters. If, for example, you’re going to ask the reigning NFL MVP a question about his “sagging” production and compare him to a young quarterback starting in his first playoff game, you might want to actually know what you’re talking about. If you’re going to say you want to make our country great again and say that ISIL is the biggest threat to our safety in history, then you might want to put the threat in context and look at the numbers. If you want to vilify Muslims, then you might want to consider reality. And if you want to vilify this newspaper for being anti-immigrant, then please with respect know this: We are not. We firmly believe everyone should have an opportunity to experience the American dream if they’re willing to participate in the great American experiment. As a grandson of a Syrian refugee (Lebanon was a part of Syria when my grandfather fled political strife there) it would be the worst kind of hypocrisy to close the door on others who yearn for freedom. I attribute this all to our lost national mojo. The Packers found their mojo at FedEx. Maybe everyone should call up Aaron Rodgers. He seems to know what’s going on. You could also give President Obama a call. In fact it might be easier getting through to him than Rodgers – after all the Packers are still in the playoffs and have to worry about the Cardinals. The President only has to worry about the economy and ISIL and Congress. Hmmm….Bart Starr was right. JANUARY 14, 2016 JANUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL LETTERS We don’t agree To the editor; The recent documented brutal attack by thousands of young men, apparently refugees from the Middle East or Africa, of over one hundred young women in Cologne, Germany on New Year's eve should serve as a caution on whom we consider to be refugees. The question should be asked, if this is the shape of events to come if we open our gates unlimited to a flow of refugees. Certainly the refugees involved, whether admitted to Germany recently or in the past, have shown little respect for women . Whether this is part of their culture or simply young men having fun still does not remove the stigma from their actions, nor serve as an excuse. Over one hundred young women in Cologne and more elsewhere have been permanently traumatized by these unwarranted attacks. Is this a scenario that we want to see repeated in the U. S.. N. Marans Silver Spring WSSC and me To the editor; In Response to your cover story on the WSSC sewer restoration project. Insufficient notification, meetings called and cancelled on short notice, WSSC is making up the rules as it goes along, and keeping the public off-balance in an effort to force its 5 LEGAL MATTERS agenda. It seems WSSC can operate with reckless abandon, and our elected representatives are powerless to stop them. I find it reprehensible that these two homeowners are being deprived of the use and enjoyment of their homes, simply because they are unlucky enough to live adjacent to the entrance determined by WSSC. Did anyone consult them on this decision? Must these two women bear the burden for the “greater good”? What about their rights? I challenge Mr. Leggett, Senator King and council member Katz to rein in WSSC, and negotiate compensation for these landowners, and not let WSSC hang them out to dry. C.A. Rounds Germantown, MD And never forget To the editor; The people who are telling me to be accepting of immigrants like the liberal Sentinel forgot that terrorists are threatening our way of life. They must be stopped and never allowed in this country. R.G. Shelton Rockville editor’s note: as the grandson of a Syrian refugee may I merely quote Bill the Cat: “Thfffpt.” Or to paraphrase our President, a bunch of thugs running around in pickup trucks with guns do not threaten the stability of our country, though I guess they’d like to do so. Sigh. Overcrowded prisons and sentences THE COURT REPORT by Tom Ryan In the last year there has been a lot of discussion about overcrowded prisons and soaring prisoner populations, including moves taken by the Obama administration to release early a large number of federal prisoners. One of the reasons for the high number of federal prisoners is the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) , a federal law that mandates enhanced prison terms for certain convicted felons with criminal records that meet the law’s requirements. State laws have similar enhancement provisions. The federal law is illustrated by a recent opinion from the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals called United States v. Camden Barlow. The Court’s opinion indicates Barlow pled guilty in U.S. District The Montgomery County Sentinel welcomes letters. All letters must be original, signed by the author and must include the author’s daytime telephone number for verification. The Montgomery County Sentinel 22 W. Jefferson Street Suite 309 Rockville, MD 20850 to another,” which the trial judge relied on in applying felony speeding to support the enhanced prison term. The Government admitted that since Barlow was sentenced, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the “otherwise” category was so vague that it was unconstitutional. That left Barlow with only two previous convictions that met the test for “violent felonies,” so the Court held he was not eligible for an enhanced sentence and the trial judge had to resentence him. The Court went on to find that given the sentences available for his breaking and entering convictions, these crimes were felonies so that he was a felon who could not possess a firearm. This illustrates how the Courts go about applying enhanced punishment laws that can produce very lengthy prison sentences. Thomas Patrick Ryan is a partner in the Rockville law firm of McCarthy Wilson, which specializes in civil litigation. REAL ESTATE Finding the ever elusive real estate “Bargain” REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS By Dan Krell Write us Court in North Carolina to possession of a firearm as a felon. A year earlier, he had pled guilty in State court to two counts of “felony speeding to avoid arrest,” and also pled no contest to felony breaking and entering, as a result of which under North Carolina law he could only be sentenced to up to nineteen months on each conviction. The ACCA provided that a convicted felon with three previous convictions for “violent felonies” could be given an enhanced sentence, and he was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison. He appealed, challenging both his sentence and whether under the law he was a “felon.” The appellate Court noted that the under the ACCA as enacted by Congress, “violent felonies” could include certain listed crimes, including burglary, arson, extortion, or crimes involving explosives. A second category was crimes that have an element of us or attempted use of physical force against another person. The last category in the law was a crime that “otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury The typical real estate investor and the average home buyer have something in common – they both are looking for a home that makes financial sense, a bargain if you will. After all, who wants to overpay for their home? Although the investor’s priority is purely financial, a home buyer’s priority is a mix of lifestyle requirements that fits a budget. Even with priorities in line, both investors and home buyers don’t always recognize a bargain when it presents itself. Finding a bargain home is not as easy as some will have you believe. Bargain hunters typically look for distressed properties such as foreclosures (also known as “bank owned” or REO homes) and short sales. Although there was abundant opportunity to buying such homes immediately after the housing crash, many were hesitant due to lack of market confidence. However, as confidence was revived in the housing market, the courthouse real estate auctions were once again attended home buyers and investors looking for good buys. And as home prices increased, so did the price for distressed properties; making it more difficult to find the bargain home. Even “motivated” home owners may not be as motivated as you think in today’s market. This phenomenon is corroborated by a recent study of “bargain homes” by Trulia’s research blog. Ralph McLaughlin reported on January 7th (Where Is A “Bargain” Really A Bargain?; trulia.com) that advertised bargains were actually good buys in 55 of 100 housing markets. Furthermore, hot markets tend to offer less price discounting than cooler markets; home sellers are less inclined to make price reductions in markets where there is increased buyer competition. Locally, the Baltimore metro region was found to be in the top discounted markets for bargain homes (with an average discount of 11.3%); while the Washington DC metro region was found to be in bottom of discounted markets with an average of 4% discount on a bargain home. It’s clear now that home prices were at the bottom during 20082009. At that time, home inventories swelled and there was an abundance of (what would seem today) “cheap” homes for sale. I wrote at that time (If Cheap isn’t Selling, What is?; May 28, 2008) about how cheap homes were not selling, and how home buyers changed their focus from “buy anything” to buying quality homes that impart value. Of course, one of the main reasons cheap homes were not selling quickly was that there was an additional cost associated with the purchase; most of the cheap homes were distressed and required rehab, or at the very least needed updates and minor renovations. For most investors, the concept of a bargain home is strictly the result of numbers in a formula; and for some home buyers, the bargain may be about getting a good price. However, a bargain home could be more than just the price tag. Maybe the bargain home is also the “value added” home. Rather than just focusing on price, buyers should also be aware of a home’s potential. Of course there is always risk when buying a home, which we experienced during the financial meltdown eight years ago. Regardless, many lament having not bought homes at or near the price bottom. But hind sight is 20/20. And what didn’t seem like a bargain just a few years ago, is in comparison to today’s increasing home prices and an active housing market, a missed opportunity. Dan Krell is a Realtor® with RE/MAX All Pro in Rockville, MD. You can access more information at www.DanKrell.com. 6 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL JANUARY 14, 2016 NEWS Berliner takes on chair of Metro governments By Brianna Shea @Bshea2991 ROCKVILLE – The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ board of directors has appointed Montgomery County Council Vice President Roger Berliner (D-1) its new chairman. “With your support, it is my hope that our primary focus for this next year will be on two specific sets of issues fundamental to the future of our region – WMATA and our regional economy,” said Berliner. “It is not an accident that both of these issues are prominent on our agenda today.” Berliner will focus on areas within Metro such as creating a Safety Oversight Committee and how it is funded, said Drew Morrison, legislative senior aide for Berliner. “And if the experience of the other 28 communities that have done this work is any guide, the collaboration that is fostered in this effort begins to permeate and spread throughout the culture of the region,” Berliner said. “That would be good thing for us.” Berliner is succeeding former mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, William Eullie for a one-year term, said, said Morrison. The group includes 300 elected officials from 22 local governments, legislators from the state and Virginia and the United States Congress. Members come from 12 jurisdictions in Maryland, the District of Columbia and nine jurisdictions in Virginia. Local members include County Executive Ike Leggett; Nancy Navarro, County Council member (D-4); Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman; and City of Rockville Mayor Bridget Newton among others. The Council of Governments is an independent nonprofit association that brings state leaders together to discuss regional issues in D.C., Maryland’s suburban areas and Northern Virginia. Gaithersburg opposes state highway plans By Peter Rouleau @Petersrouleau GAITHERSBURG – A proposal by the State Highway Administration to scale back a long planned new intersection near I-270 and Watkins Mill Road has sparked protest from Gaithersburg city officials, who say that the proposed changes would hurt the city’s economic development. According to Mayor Jud Ashman, the city learned last week that in November, SHA officials had proposed building the new interchange with only off ramps as a cost-cutting measure, arguing that the effect on traffic would be minimal. “This has been planned for a decade,” Ashman said. “Recently it was fully funded and shovel-ready. They did not discuss this with us; we just learned about it second-hand this past week. We’re trying to marshal all of our troops to pressure SHA to put it all back on the table. This is an important issue for the whole county, not just Gaithersburg. The governor is touting his record on economic development, and this has huge economic ramifications for the entire area.” Ashman and all five members of the City Council signed a letter to Gregory I. Slater, director of the Office of Planning and Preliminary Engineering for SHA protesting the “unacceptable” proposed changes. “We are writing to not only express our dismay that we were not informed substantive changes were being considered but to strongly disagree with the finding that these changes address traffic concerns in the short term,” the letter read. “The City is not supportive of anything less than a full interchange. Several approved projects and potential redevelopment projects are contingent upon the construction of the full diamond interchange. While we understand that a change in scope could reduce the overall costs, those savings would be outweighed by the negative economic development and vitality impacts to the City of Gaithersburg and the Upcounty area.” Ashman said that he and the council had already discussed the proposed changes with Gaithersburg’s delegation to the state legislature and that they would advocate for construction the full interchange when they attend the opening day of the legislative session next week. “The lack of transparency is the most disappointing thing,” said Council Vice President Michael Sesma. “The governor said he would be transparent in all his actions.” “We predicated all of our traffic studies on the plan as it was proposed at the time,” said Council member Henry Marraffa. “We did numerous studies proving that the interchange was a good idea.” Marraffa said that a new town center and a new site for the city’s police department were among the proposed projects which would be affected by the changes. Public Schools vote unanimously to require special election By Kathleen Stubbs @kathleenstubbs3 ROCKVILLE—The Montgomery County Public Schools board of education unanimously voted during its meeting Tuesday to oppose the bill that would require a special election if a board of education member vacancy appeared within a term, citing expenses. Delegates David Moon (D-20), Kumar Barve (D-17) and Alfred Carr (D-18) are among those sponsoring the bill, according to a memo by MCPS legislative aide Patricia Swanson. Under the bill, board of education candidates seeking a position that became vacant at least one year before the end of a term would not be appointed but rather elected by voters, said Rebecca Smondrowski (D-2), board of education member. “Right now, if someone were to resign in the middle of a term the Board (of Education) appoints someone to fill the seat for the rest of the term and then they run like usual,” said Smondrowski. “The bill that’s being submitted would change that from an appointment to a special election.” The elections are countywide and nonpartisan, Smondrowski said. The Montgomery County board of elections would have to hold a special election to fill the vacancy. “In the event of a vacancy for an elected member on the County Board (of Education), if the vacancy date is at least 365 days before the end of the elected members’ term, a special election shall be conducted if the vacancy on the County board for the remainder of that term and until a successor is elected and qual- ifies,” according to a draft of the bill dated Aug. 5, 2015. According to the bill, if the vacancy is within a specific district, the replacement would need to live in that district. Board of education member Philip Kauffman (D-at large) said he did not see a need for a change to be made to the bill. “I would just say if there was a problem with our current process this is something to fix I could see, but I don’t think that we have examples of where we’ve had problems,” said Kauffman. Smondrowski agreed with Kauffman. “We have a system in place that works,” said Smondrowski. “There is no reason to change it.” Board member Pat O’Neill (D-3) said she thought the current process of appointing members in that situation rather than holding an election worked best. Place your ads in The Call Lonnie Johnson at 301-306-9500 JANUARY 14, 2016 7 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL NEWS ANALYSIS Of caterpillars, loopholes and stump speeches By Paul Schwartz Sentinel Columnist During this current campaign season we once again are hearing a great deal about closing the corporate tax loophole. What, however, is, exactly, this loophole? How does it work and how do we close it? A perfect place to start is with the all-American company, Caterpillar, who masterfully took advantage of the loophole to avoid paying, as Bernie Sanders would put it, their fair share of taxes. Keeping in mind that this is currently legal, all the loophole basically refers to is for a corporation to set up a presence in a tax-friendly nation and apply profits to that foreign entity while assigning losses to the domestic operation in the United States. This enables the corporation to seek the least in tax obligation to the United States IRS coffers. According to a recent Senate investigative report, Caterpillar, a major American corporation, the manufacturer of heavy construction and mining equipment, established a subsidy in Switzerland (remember Swiss bank accounts?) to avoid paying $2.4 billion of income taxes over a 13 year period. According to that same report, Caterpillar transferred $8 billion of profits to the Swiss subsidiary from 1999 to 2012 for the sole reason of manipulating its tax obligation to the U.S. and take advantage of the lower tax rate Caterpillar negotiated with Switzerland. It is important to understand that, as a manufacturer, no manufacturing by Caterpillar occurs in Switzerland; neither does any significant sales. Almost all manufacturing by Caterpillar and most sales occur right here in the United States. Also keep in mind that Caterpillar is not the only corporation to set up overseas subsidies for the sole purpose of reducing its tax obligation to the U.S. The number of corporations that do so are too long to list here. It is also important to under- stand that, from a business standpoint, it makes a great deal of sense for companies to seek the maximum in profits regardless of the impact on the U.S. economy. It is government's responsibility to address these inequities. When President Obama or any of the current crop of presidential candidates raise the issue about corporations paying their fair share of taxes, they are only talking about changing the current tax code in a manner that penalizes companies for availing themselves of this corporate tax loophole. One such remedy would be to simply require a certain amount of actual corporate activity to occur in the foreign subsidy, whether it be based on manufacturing output or sales, to qualify for applying that foreign entity's tax rate to any significant portion of taxable corporate income. The current Congress, which is so blatantly beholden to corporate interests, will hear none of that. Even Donald Trump has mentioned during his campaign that the wealthy should pay their fair share of taxes. He also goes on to claim that taxes on corporations, as well as wages, are too high, thereby, creating a bit of a conflict within his own position. The reality is that a company like Caterpillar, whose manufacturing and sales primarily take place in the U.S., will not lose out to competitors by closing this loophole because of the nature of the market. The only thing that would be lost are reduced profits based on tax avoidance. If competition with competitors was to be impacted negatively, the solution would be to raise tariffs on foreign manufactures to protect domestic industry, not release Caterpillar from their rightful tax obligation which is then picked up by us, the individual tax payers. The fear of large corporations leaving the U.S. to set up operations in overseas tax friendly nations is always a possibility and has been a reality over the last 40 years with the increase in "globalization". Read The Sentinel. Recycle. However, that is not what was happening in the case of Caterpillar since there is no operation in Switzerland other than a Swiss address. It should also be remembered that the current federal tax rates on corporate taxable income varies from 15 percent to 39 percent. Back in the 1950s under President Eisenhower the rate could go as high as over 90 percent. More significantly, however, back in 1952 corporate income tax accounted for 33 percent of all federal tax revenue. Today, despite record corporate profits, corporate taxes account for less than nine percent. In other words, closing the corporate tax loophole that allows corporations to set up corporate subsidies in foreign tax friendly havens for the sole purpose of lowering their tax obligation in the U.S. is not just about fairness. It is about money coming out of our wallets, yours and mine, to make up the difference in tax revenue. 8 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL JANUARY 14, 2016 COVER STORY Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Environmental Protection PUBLIC NOTICE Application for a Temporary Noise Waiver The Department of Environmental Protection is currently reviewing an application for a Temporary Noise Waiver as allowed under the Montgomery County Noise Control Ordinance, Chapter 31B, Section 11(a). The Temporary Noise Waiver is being requested by Morgan-Keller Specialty Contracts Group of 70 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick, Maryland, for the purpose of utility work along Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, between Highland Avenue and Maple Avenue. Due to the impact on vehicle traffic, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is recommending the Governor sets legislative agenda for session “Governor” from page 1 Local state Sen. Nancy King (D-39) questioned the governor touting record investments in education funding. “He’s not adding anything to it. He’s funding what’s mandated,” she said. King also sounded skeptical about Hogan’s tax cut proposal. The governor said “an overwhelming majority of Marylanders want this” at the Jan. 12 news conference. “I just need to hear what’s going to be cut, what needs to be cut to do a tax cut,” said King. “The word ‘tax cut’ is just music to people’s ears, but they need to realize that a tax cut for one person is probably a cut in funding for another person somewhere.” As the governor prepares to unveil his budget next week, Hogan said he is not interested in offering financial relief to localities that will lose millions of dollars from the fallout of a United States Supreme Court decision issued last May. In the case titled Comptroller of the Treasury of Maryland v. Wynne, the Supreme Court considered arguments about why residents who pay income tax to another jurisdiction for income earned in that other jurisdiction are allowed a credit against the state tax but not the county tax. A 5-4 majority of the court ruled Maryland’s personal income tax scheme violated the dormant Commerce Clause. “Well, I think they’ve all been preparing for this for several years and most of the localities are going to have to deal with those problems themselves as we’re dealing with our problems here. But if we can be of some assistance in helping them figure it out, we’ll be happy to talk to them,” said Hogan. “I’m more concerned about the $200 million taken out of the pockets of taxpayers than I am the $200 million taken out of government,” he added. work hours be 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Monday-Friday. Morgan-Keller has applied for a lane closure permit from the SHA, and the work is scheduled to begin January 29, 2016 and projected to last approximately 3 weeks. Metro rails patrolled by Guardian Angels The application and related documents are available for public inspection. “Pedestrian” from page 1 The Department will receive comments on the application for ten (10) days after publication of this notice. Comments, questions or requests to examine documents may be directed to Gretchen Ekstrom, DEP/DEPC, 255 Rockville Pike, Suite 120, Rockville, MD, 20850. Telephone 240-777-7750, Fax 240-777-7715 or email gretchen.ekstrom@montgomerycountymd.gov. 00022924 1t 01/14/16 Advertise in The Sentinel... ...and let your business soar! Call Lonnie Johnson at 301-306-9500 since 2007 except for 2014, which was an exceptionally good year,” Jordan said. Part 1 crime includes aggravated assaults, arsons, vehicle thefts, larcenies, rapes and robberies. Jordan said crime has decreased 23 percent since 2015. Jordan also said that the handling of these attacks depends on the severity of the situation. “If we are alerted while the crime is in progress, we will dispatch police officers, and many times they arrive on scene and are able to apprehend suspects or question people who may have been involved. If it is reported after the fact, then we would investigate it based on the information that is provided,” Jordan said. The Guardian Angels have worked with the transit police by enforcing the “See Something, Say Something” rule and plan to continue working with them by informing the police of what they witness on the Metro, according to Ayala. Jordan, however, said that the Guardian Angels are not the police and that if anyone is an emergency, they should notify the Metro transit police. “The Guardian Angels are our customers. They are welcome to ride the system like anyone else. They are not law enforcement, so anyone who does need police assistance should call or text the Metro Transit police department or notify a Metro employee,” Jordan said. Ayala said that much of the focus will be in the Red Line. He hopes there will be at least dozen uniformed Guardian Angels on board the trains and walking around the platforms. There will also be a few Guardian Angels not in uniform. “They [Angels in civilian clothes] will not physically engage. We don’t want people to know who they are. They will contact the police,” Ayala said. Ayala also said those in uniform will call the Metro Transit Police and will detain a suspect should a crime happen in their presence. They will also engage in conversation with the youth on the trains to create awareness and possibly recruit. WSSC continues to clean up broken pipes “WSSC” from page 1 “We’ve surpassed it in the past,” he said. In fiscal year 2015, a little less than 24 miles of small diameter pipe, 16 inches or smaller, was replaced out of a little more than 64 miles of pipes in both counties, Riggins said. The goal for the year was surpassed by nine miles that year. Riggins said a little less than 62 miles, surpassing the 51 mile goal, were replaced in both counties and cost just under $96 million in fiscal year 2014. She said a little more than 18 miles were replaced in the County that year. Twenty-one miles of pipe in the County were replaced in fiscal year 2013, she said. Riggins said the total amount of a little more than 52 miles of pipe were replaced at a cost of a little un- der $94 million in fiscal year 2013 combined in both counties, Riggins said. “It’s like comparing apples to oranges,” Riggins said Riggins said the cost to replace large diameter pipe cannot be correlated to miles because the replacements include more components. In fiscal year 2015, the cost of the entire replacement project in both counties was just under $142, 000,000. The cost of the project in fiscal year 2014 was a little over $111,000,000 and in fiscal year 2013 the project’s price tag was close to $123,000,000. She said large diameter planned replacements include planned replacement and emergency repairs, while the smaller pipe replacements do not include emergency repairs. Maya said the plan does not include water main breaks such as the one that occurred on Saturday, because these are considered emer- gency fixes, where they must be repaired immediately. On Jan. 9 on Capehart Drive in Gaithersburg left 37 homes without water for three and a half hours, Riggins said. She said the 47 year-old threeinch pipe broke. Riggins said no bottled water was handed out to residents because the break did not take long to repair. “If customers are without water for six hours, we bring them water,” she said. Riggins said it is standard procedure because it becomes an inconvenience after that amount of time. There was some damage to the road because the construction workers had to dig up the road a bit, to look at and repair the pipe and patch it up. “We don’t have a reason for every pipe break,” she said. The company would have to perform forensic analyses to determine the cause of the breaks. JANJUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL 9 10 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL JANUARY 14, 2016 NEWS Legislators weigh in on the current session This week the Montgomery County Sentinel completes its survey of legislators who are setting their priorities as the legislature opens in Annapolis. We asked each candidate three questions: What are the priorities in the legislature this year. Should taxes be raised and what is tops on their private wish list of legislation? State Sen. Jamie Raskin D (D-20) For Raskin, bridging the divide between the Democratic legislature and Republican governor is the “key issue” so legislators can “make the proper investments in education, school construction, transportation, criminal justice reform and the public infrastructure,” he said. Raskin said he plans on introducing legislation focused on gun control and curbing drunken driving. His bills would “see that firearms are surrendered by convicted domestic abusers” and that “suspected terrorists cannot access firearms,” according to Raskin. He also said he supports expanding the use “of the ignition interlock device to cover all convicted drunk drivers as well as other strong anti-drunk driving” initiatives. As for taxes, Raskin said, “Let's hope none of them have to be raised!” Del. Sheila Hixson (District-20) “We think the Voting Rights Act this year for ex-felons to vote,” said Hixson about the most important legislative issue this year. “We felt they have paid their dues to society and they have to right to vote.” Hixson said she would like the Death With Dignity bill pass this session because it gives a person the right to determine whether they will want to be on artificial life support systems. “I have a youth prevention suicide program,” Hixson said. Students are talking to counselors right now, but the bill gives students someone to talk to. “I’m pretty involved with the libraries in the state,” Hixson said. She said this is a “money bill” that will give resources to libraries. Delegate Andrew Platt D (D-17) “I think (the most important issue) is going to be education funding, making sure Governor Hogan doesn’t shortchange our schools and our students,” said Platt. Platt said he wanted to pass a bill to increase pre-kindergarten access for students. “(It’s) the bill to expand access to pre-kindergarten so we can get more 4-year-olds into the classroom and prepare them for school.” He said he’s writing a bill to assist low-income families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply for college financial aid. A third bill Platt advocated passing would ban the sale and distribution of gun silencers. Platt said he opposes tax increases and he opposes tax breaks for the wealthy and for large companies. “I don’t think we should raise any taxes this year, but I also don’t think we should be cutting taxes for big corporations and top earners,” said Platt. Del. Benjamin Kramer D (D-19) Kramer said the most important issue in the upcoming session is eco- nomic development. He said there’s a rumor federal government will decrease in size. Several county residents work for the federal government and if those jobs disappear, residents may have to find jobs in the private sector, said Kramer. “We’re still heavily dependent on the federal government, public sector for jobs,” said Kramer. “Now we’ll be more dependent on the private sector.” Kramer said he wanted legislation involving the ignition interlock program to be passed. Delegate Marice Morales (D) D-19 “I would love to see pay equity passed in this session,” said Morales. “For too long women have been undercompensated for (working) the same jobs men are.” “Maryland women make 78 cents to a man’s dollar,” said Morales. Pay is less than that for African American or Latina women, Morales said. Legislation for pay equity would have more than one function. “It bolsters the power that courts have to say that there was a genderbased reasoning for why an individual woman was underpaid for that job,” said Morales. Morales said she wanted to see her bill requiring sexual assault affirmative consent on all college campuses. The University of Maryland adopted affirmative consent last year. “It would be my dream to see all college campuses adopt what University (of Maryland) at College Park is doing.” People held liable or responsible for sexual assault would not be criminalized under the bill, said Morales. Some college representatives who opposed Morales’ bill last year were under investigation by the Department of Education for Title 9 violations, according to Morales. Morales also said she wanted to see the universal voting legislation introduced by Del. Leudtke and by Sen. Roger Manno. She said she would like to see the Ignition Interlock bill passed so someone convicted for “It forces you to breathe into your system into the car very day for a year. It’s going to change your behavior.” Morales said she was not in a rush to increase taxes. Del. Will Smith (D-20) The top three bills Smith said he would like to see introduced and passed this session regard gun control, prison reform and green energy. Smith explained one bill would require people “convicted of domestic violence to surrender their firearms to a licensed gun distributor or the authorities within 48 hours of their conviction.” A “justice reinvestment” bill, if enacted, “could reduce Maryland’s prison population by 3,930 inmates over the next 10 years, averting $247 million in corrections spending,” according to Smith. “Those savings would then be reinvested into programs and practices proven to protect public safety and reduce recidivism.” “I’d have to say that Justice Reinvestment could prove to be the most important issue of the session,” said Smith. “Very few pieces of legislation have the potential to create substantive institutional change. If passed it could be the most important thing the Assembly does in a generation.” Smith also said he supports a bill to require “a responsible approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by growing clean energy sources like wind and solar energy and relying less on landfill gas and black liquor.” Smith said he would consider supporting tax cuts as part of an “effort to stimulate the success of our small businesses.” However, before backing tax cuts, Smith said he would want to ensure legislators are fully funding public schools and are “moving to make college tuition more affordable.” Del. Eric Luedtke (D) D-14 The most important issue, “I think it’s going to be a debate over voting rights,” said Luedtke. The Freedom to Vote Act will modernize Maryland voter registration law, Luedtke said. The presumption at the motor vehicle registration office would switch from opt-in voter registration to opt-out. In addition, felons who complete jail sentences would be eligible to vote as well. He said he wanted to see a Health in Maryland initiative passed that would add a tax to the sale of tobacco. He said it would contribute to health in at least two ways: it would likely reduce the amount of tobacco people buy and a portion of the money gathered from the tax would be allocated to tobacco prevention to discourage juveniles from smoking. A portion would also go toward Medicaid expansion. He and Sen. Madaleno are drafting a bill to add two early voting stations to Montgomery County. Only delegation representing the county would have to pay for it. The delegation representing the county would be the only ones to vote on it, said Luedtke. A local board of elections representative said the board wanted one additional early voting station. Luedtke said he thought “there was universal support in the delegation” for it. Luedtke said he would support tax cuts for smaller businesses. He said it’s too early to say how the tax cuts would be determined. State Sen. Susan Lee (D-16) According to Lee’s chief of staff Michael Lore, the senator’s top priority this upcoming legislative session is her pay equity bill. Lore explained the bill is similar to a law in California which shifts the burden on to the employer “to explain why they’re not paying equal rates to women that they pay to men.” The bill also clarifies that there can be “no retribution” taken against employees for asking other employees about their salary information, said Lore. Lore also highlighted Lee’s bills dealing with domestic violence and human trafficking as among her chief priorities this session. He said a bill to take away the “malicious intent” requirement in stalking and harassment cases could also make it easier for prosecutors to See, “Legislators” Next page JANUARY 14, 2016 11 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL NEWS Priorities as legislature opens in Annapolis “Legislators” From previous page driving and save lives is “worth having.” “The criminal justice reforms recommended by the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council,” Dumais said. The recommendations will reduce the prison population and could save the state money. argue related cases because it’s difficult for them to prove what the sus- cause she needs to look at the budget. State Sen. Nancy King (D-39) pect thought at the time of any incidents. State Del. Ariana Kelly (D-16) Increasing economic security for families is at the top of Kelly’s priority list for 2016. She described it as a “critically important” issue for legislators to address. Kelly also included a paid family leave bill and “a number of pay equity bills” as issues she plans to support this session. “All of these bills work together King said she is focusing on education funding, ranging from capital improvement projects to offering relief for college tuition costs and even eliminating tolls for school buses traversing the Intercounty Connector. She said she would like to change the funding formula in order to increase funding to school system .“This bill is formula driven, so the growing systems would get more money,” said King. The senator also said she’s putting forth a bill in on behalf of the Montgomery County Council to eliminate the requirement for the County to advertise public hearings in newspapers, offering the alternative of posting them on the County website instead. King said she does not think any taxes should be raised this year. “None,” she said. “I don’t see any appetite (for raising taxes) to increase economic security for families,” said Kelly. Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-17) “The answer is always the budget,” Kagan said. “It’s the blueprint for our state’s priorities.” She said she is working on a bill that will improve the capacity and effectiveness of the 9-1-1 system for the state. Kagan said she is working on an impaired driving legislation that will allow police officers to test people for levels of cocaine, methamphetamines, prescription drugs and marijuana. She said she is working on legislation that mandates any state government website must have languages are spoken by three percent by the population. “The only language closet is Spanish” Kagan said. She said she is unsure if taxes will need to be raised this year be- “I don’t really have a tax I’m looking to increase,” Dumais said. Del. Ana Sol Gutiérrez (D-18) Education funding is issue No. 1 for Gutiérrez, who said the General Assembly is tasked with restoring “the damage done by the governor last year.” She referred to the Geographic Cost of Education Index, which Democrats and Gov. Larry Hogan (R) grappled with fully funding last year. Gutiérrez also cited “teacher needs” and student growth in Montgomery County as issues the legislature should address this session. The delegate said implementing the recommendations from a law enforcement commission that came out this week in response to the Freddie Gray death case in Baltimore. Her other two priorities include funding and expanding dual-language instruction in schools, saying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) “is not doing the job we need to have” done, and funding infrastructure that protects the environment, including a focus on solar and wind power. among the members or the communities we represent.” Del. Kathleen Dumais (District-15) Dumais said criminal justice reform is the most important issue this legislative session. She said Maryland incarcerates too many people for non-violent and low-level drug-related crimes. “Maryland does not have a custody statue that would help courts make decision in family law cases,” Dumais said. She said she would like to see the Dram Shop Law passed because legislation that will decrease drunken “I don’t think there should be any taxes raised,” said Gutiérrez. Del. Anne Kaiser (District-14) “The most important issue every session is our budget,” Kaiser said. “It's not simply numbers, but a reflection of our values.” She said investments need to be made in education, public safety, transportation and health care. “In regards to education, I will focus on fully funding our nationleading schools as we deal with issues such as increasing enrollment,” Kaiser said. “At the same time, we have to protect our crucial public services -- from women’s healthcare to after school meals -- to sheltering the least among us; these are the challenges we face, and the issues that will define us.” She said she does not think there will be support for increased taxes this year. “If anything, we need to look at tax reform that lessens the burden on middle class families -- with a revenue neutral approach -- that protects funding for our priorities, like education, colleges and universities, healthcare and public safety,” Kaiser said. Del. Jim Gilchrist (District-17) “Certainly supporting education, transportation, the environment and healthcare,” Gilchrist said about the most important issue in the legislative session. Gilchrist said he would like to see a “retention election,” for circuit court judges, that includes the judges’ names on the ballots and voters can choose either ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ “In Maryland with Circuit Court judges, the judges are appointed, but still have to go through an election,” he said. Gilchrist said he would like to see a “Death with Dignity” bill passed this legislative session. The legislation will allow doctors to prescription to aid in the patient’spassing. Gilchrist said he would legislation that will not allow attorneys to act as their own real estate agents, but will allow them to if they are working on a legal case. “At this point, I don’t know of any taxes that should be raised,” Gilchrist said. He said the Fiscal Year 2015 budget closed with $295 million and the fy 2016 budget is estimated to close at $520 million. Kirill Reznik (D) District 39 “Maximizing all the money we need to get from the state to fund our schools (is important)” in the upcoming legislation, said Reznik. Last year the County delegation approved a budget that funded more of MCPS’ needs, but Gov. Larry Hogan did not approve all of it, said Reznik. Reznik said he is helping but not sponsoring a bill for universal voter registration. Reznik said he didn’t think Hogan’s priority to cut taxes is realistic. “(We have to) protect what have so our social safety net is not gutted by tax cuts,” said Reznik. Though The Montgomery County tried repeatedly to reach out to all members of the Montgomery County delegation, the following representatives did not respond to our requests prior to deadline: Sen. Brian Feldman (D-15) Sen. Richard Madaleno (D-18) Del. Craig Zucker (D-14) Del. William Frick (D-16) Del. Jeff Waldstreicher (D-18) Del. Charles Barkley (D-39) 12 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL JANUARY 14, 2016 NEWS Rockville prepares for revenue reduction By Danica Roem @pwcdanica ROCKVILLE – City staffers are preparing for a $200,000 reduction in income tax revenues this year as a result of a United States Supreme Court decision last year and how the state has misallocated County income tax revenue. Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and the four City Council members discussed the budget during a work session at their first regularly scheduled meeting of 2016 Monday. According to worksheet signed by City Manager Barbara Matthews and chief financial officer Gavin Cohen, “The General Fund forecast currently assumes that income tax will be reduced to $12.2 million in FY 2017 (down from $12.4 in FY 2015 and FY 2016) and will in- crease by a modest two percent in each subsequent year.” The city document provided a warning to the council members about potential hits to the city’s income tax revenue. “In FY 2017 and in future years, this revenue category will be impacted by the Supreme Court decision on the Wynne case and the misallocation by the State of County income tax revenue,” states the document. At the work session, Council member Mark Pierzchala asked Stacey Webster, who serves as the deputy director of finance for the city, about a change in revenue data. “I would say the number-one fundamental change was our income tax estimates,” said Webster. Webster explained she removed between $400,000 to $600,000 a year from the expected income tax revenue based on actual numbers from the most recent budget. “Knowing that between the Wynne case and the misallocation of revenue, we are probably going to take at least a couple-hundredthousand-dollar hit a year. So I wanted to make sure we were showing a conservative estimate on income tax even though we do not have any final information,” said Webster. “That’s just a very, very initial estimate.” Council member Beryl Feinberg noted a $2.3 million adjustment for employee salaries, which is commonly referred to as “comp and class” or compensation and classification, meant a rise in personnel costs for the city. “I think that put some added stress on the budget,” said Feinberg, calling the figures from Web- ster “somewhat sobering.” The city document from Cohen and Matthews also stated the Wynne decision and what city officials are described as the state’s misallocation of the income tax revenue “could potentially have serious impacts to the City's overall General Fund resources.” Cohen and Matthews cautioned the Mayor and council “that these impacts could lead to major revenue or expenditure changes, such as increases in the property tax rate or decreases to City programs or services.” The city worksheet noted a 1 cent property tax increase could be in the cards for fiscal year 2018. Rockville’s property tax rate currently stands at $0.292 per $100 of assessed value and $0.805 per $100 of assessed value for personal property. Pierzchala said he wanted to ward off that potential tax hike if possible. “There’s just a fundamental shift between Fiscal Year ‘16 and Fiscal Year ‘17 and perhaps (FY) ‘18 that really gives me pause and I’d rather start addressing some of this this year if not the whole thing,” said Pierzchala. According to Webster, the city should be able to avoid tax increases in FY ’17, but she was less certain about the future. “I think when we can look at what our FY ’17 budget will look like, and I’m pretty confident we can do FY ’17 without any sort of tax rate increase, but we’ll have a better idea moving forward of what our programs are costing this year because they’ve definitely changed since the FY ’16 budget was adopted,” said Webster. B.O.E stresses student safety Montgomery College moves forward with renovation By Kathleen Stubbs @kathleenstubbs3 ROCKVILLE — As rumors swirl, Montgomery County Public Schools officials are trying to allay fears of raids at schools after the Department of Homeland Security recently began a nationwide deportation effort. Jeh Johnson, secretary of Homeland Security, said in a letter dated Jan. 4 that the department Immigration and Customs Enforcement began the weekend of Jan. 2-3 a nationwide effort to remove immigrant families that entered the country illegally and with children. "Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) engaged in concerted, nationwide enforcement operations to take into custody and return at a greater rate adults who entered this country illegally with children,” said Johnson. “This should come as no surprise. I have said publicly for months that individuals who constitute enforcement priorities, including families and unaccompanied children, will be removed.” According to County Council member Marc Elrich, immigrant families became worried after they heard stories of Immigrant Customs Enforcement raids occurring in Prince George’s County. News outlets reported ICE raids occurred in various locations in the U.S. the weekend of January 2-3. Johnson said ICE took 121 individuals into custody “primarily from Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina, and they are now in the process of being repatriated.” ICE targeted adults and children apprehended for crossing the southern border illegally after May 1, 2014, who received a final order of removal from an immigration court and they have not claimed asylum or other humanitarian relief, Johnson said. Larry Bowers, interim superintendent for MCPS, said parents should continue to send their children to school because the schools are safe and they need to ensure students don’t fall behind in their school work. Students are safe in their schools from the Immigration Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security, according to Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez (D-18). “While as a general matter, ICE treats schools as sensitive areas where arrests, interviews, searches and surveillance will not occur, Montgomery County Public Schools administrators are closely monitoring the situation,” said Bowers in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. Bowers said MCPS is aware of news reports of a letter released by ICE last week and MCPS will use existing procedures to ensure safety in schools. “MCPS will continue to follow established procedures to ensure that our schools are safe places for all of our students to learn, regardless of immigration status,” said Bowers his statement Tuesday. Kimberly Statham, deputy superintendent of school support and improvement, said Jan. 5 she was concerned about students, especially immigrant students, feeling safe in schools because some students might have thought recent events in the last week relating to immigrants applied to them. Joann Lelek at Broad Acres Elementary School in Takoma Park is more than 80 percent Hispanic or Latino as June, according to MCPS Schools at a Glance. By Nadia Palacios Special to The Sentinel Montgomery College’s Germantown campus anticipates starting renovation of $40 million this summer. The renovation will be in its Science and Applied Studies building so that it can house the projected enrollment growth, according to college officials. Acting Director of Planning and Design for the college Sandra Filippi said the renovations will also make room for the science programs that did not fit in the new Bioscience Education Center, which was dedicated back in September 2014. “The renovated space and new addition will house the sciences which were not included in the Bioscience Education Center,” Filippi said. These sciences include astronomy, engineering, geography, land- scape technology, physics and physical science. Filippi also said that the building will continue to house student services for the Germantown campus, such as assessment, counseling, disability support and admissions. Assistant Director of the Office of Capital Budget Neil Bergsman said the state will provide half of the $40 million over the period of time needed for the completion of the renovation. According to the Enacted Capital Budget, the state is supplying Montgomery College with $6,050,000 for the fiscal year of 2016. The Capital Budget Book said the proposed amount that the state will provide for fiscal year 2017 is $9,370,000, though this amount has yet to be reviewed. The senior associate of the architectural design team from Ziger/Snead, Jonathan Lessem, said that construction will be divided into two phases. “What we’re doing effectively is dividing the building in half. The north half will remain occupied because student services must remain in the building, and the south half of the building is being renovated, and we’re adding a third floor above the south half. That’s phase one,” Lessem said. Lessem also said the second phase will consist of renovating the north half of the building. Ziger/Snead, the architect company that requests the building permit, applied for the permit in late August 2015. Filippi said that the college is now in the process of searching for and hiring a general contractor to begin the construction. Filippi said that construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2016 and should be completed by the summer of 2018. Students will be able to use the building during the time of the renovations. Leggett explains economic impact of losing liquor monopoly By Brianna Shea @Bshea2991 BETHESDA – County Executive Ike Leggett warned County residents about the economic impacts of losing the County’s monopoly on liquor and losing the Wynn Case at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center Monday night. The forum allowed Leggett to hear from the public about their thoughts and concerns about next year’s budget. He said the County’s operating budget is $5 billion, with majority of funds going toward the County public schools and public safety operations. He said 80 percent of the budget is school funding, public safety and the County’s debt service and cannot be changed due to the law or operational necessity. “That is why $30 million has such a devastating impact,” Leggett said. He said he has an issue with privatizing the County’s liquor operations because the County could lose $30 million. Leggett said there are two options for replacing this money, either increasing taxes or cutting the budget further. Property taxes could increase by $100 a year for an average household, Leggett said. If the referendum to allow residents to vote on the fate of the Coun- ty’s Department of Liquor Control comes to fruition, they have to understand what they are voting for, Leggett said. Leggett said if the referendum is passed he does not want residents to assume there are no consequences for their actions. He said he does not have any issue with privatizing, but the money the County could lose is detrimental. “I really have no qualms against privatization,” said Leggett. He said he supported the privatization of the County’s economic development to a private economic development corporation. “I don’t want people to say they don’t fully understand this,” Leggett said. JANUARY 14, 2016 13 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL NEWS The debate of the future look at the past rages on By Peter Rouleau @Petersrouleau TAKOMA PARK – The novelist and philosopher George Santayana is credited with the saying “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” According to historical preservation advocates, the state government’s failure to commemorate important heritage sites could condemn Marylanders to a wide swath of negative consequences. At a town hall meeting at Historic Takoma Park on Saturday, Nicholas Redding, director of Preservation Maryland, outlined the key issues at stake in the effort to preserve and increase historical preservation funding. “We need to be sure that we don’t describe our issues as a niche issue or as something that’s just nice to have,” Redding said. “Our issues are integral to community development; they are integral to creating the kinds of sustainable communities that people want to move into.” Redding said there was a “disconnect” between Maryland voters, who have repeatedly indicated in polls that they support funding for heritage sites and elected officials who fail to vote for such funding. He noted that in 1969, the General Assembly had created Program Open Space, under which a small percentage of the tax paid on every property purchase in the state is put into a fund set aside for the preservation of open spaces and historical sites. “Since 1969, the General Assembly and many governors have treated this like a little piggy bank,” Redding said. They have dipped into it and taken out $1 billion that was promised to the people to be spent on preservation and instead spent it on various pet projects throughout Maryland.” Redding referred to Del. Sheila Hixson (D-Montgomery), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, as “a particularly difficult legislator to talk to about these issues.” Jim Baird, Mid-Atlantic Director of the American Farmland Trust, echoed Redding’s statements. “Woods and trails are not only beautiful and historic; they provide food and watershed protection,” Baird said. “These are not frills. They provide a lot of economic benefits.” Baird described Program Open Space as “a masterpiece of visionary, cooperate legislation,” but said that “Governor Ehrlich wiped it clean. Governor O’Malley was great about it for many years, but towards the end of his time in office, he dipped into it, too.” Noting that the current proposed budget makes significant cuts to preservation funds, Baird urged attendees to sign a petition to restore funding for historic preservation at www.partnersforopenspace.org. Redding said that his organization and other historical preservation societies would work to make the public desire for heritage funding known in the coming session. He urged attendees to write to their legislators and speak to them in person whenever possible. Sarah Rogers, executive director of Heritage Montgomery, said that when the assembly considers cuts to preservation funding, the stakes are very high for Montgomery County. “Montgomery County has set the bar pretty high,” Rogers said. “We have the Ag Reserve, 93,000 protected acres that are always under threat from development or building projects. They see one thing, preservationists see another. Montgomery County is very much in danger of losing the character and fabric of in its heritage sites.” Rogers praised Reddin’s efforts and expressed optimism that a concerted effort to preserve heritage funding in Montgomery County would inspire others throughout the state. “We’re a county that has resources; we can be the example,” Rogers said. G.O.P candidates debate for District Six seat By Kathleen Stubbs @kathleenstubbs3 GAITHERSBURG — Eight individuals running for Congress answered questions on topics such as national security, immigration and the Second Amendment at the Holiday Inn Jan. 7 for the Congressional District 6 debate. Terry Baker, Scott Cheng, Robin Ficker, Amie Hoeber, Frank Howard, Christopher Mason, Harold Painter and David Vogt each have their eyes Democrat John Delaney’s District 6 seat in Congress. When asked, each candidate that evening said he or she supported the Second Amendment and would protect the right to bear arms. When asked whether they supported abortion rights, all but one said yes. Hoeber would not say she supported it; however, she said she stands by the current law, under which abortion is legal. Members of the panel asked some candidates about whether they would make changes to institutions such as health care. A panelist asked Cheng whether he would propose legisla- tion regarding Affordable Care Act, following a Congressional bill to repeal it. Cheng, a physician, called the act a “mess-up” and said health care should be an agreement between the doctor and the patient. With regard to immigration, Baker and Howard said they supported building a wall along the Mexican border, as presidential candidate Donald Trump has advocated. Ficker and Painter answered a question about immigration. Ficker did not seem bothered by illegal immigration to the U.S. “There are millions of very bright people around the world who would make very fine Americans that could contribute to our society and bring jobs to Western Maryland , and I am all for… bringing those people to the United States,” said Ficker. Ficker compared the process of obtaining citizenship with getting married and paying taxes. “If people are here illegally, it’s a legal process. You have to go through the legal process just like you do when you get married, just like paying taxes as a legal process for people to go through to become citizens, and I’m for that. “ Painter, however, disagreed and said the topic is an issue that corresponds with his agenda. “I think immigration is both a problem for national security and for what’s, to be honest, my main agenda and that is restoring American economy and the working man to the middle class,” said Painter. Baker said he thought some members of the Islamic State are in the U.S. and would support a war against ISIS. Trump said he thought all mosques should be closed. Baker did not agree. “Closing, no,” said Baker. “Not at this time,” because “I’m not so sure everyone that goes there is a terrorist.” Some candidates said that other issues were more important to them than the environment and sustainable energy. A panelist asked Baker whether he thought climate change was the biggest threat to the nation. He said “getting rid” of terrorists is the nation’s priority. “These terrorists out there, they want us dead,” said Baker. “They hate us.” A panelist asked Vogt if he supported the coal industry, and he said yes. “Our Western Maryland population was built by coal,” said Vogt. “Killing industries like Senator Delaney has done with coal is absolutely deplorable.” Mason said he supported energy that was “economically suitable” and that would result in energy independence. He said he supported all types of energy, including coal and nuclear energy. Candidates’ responses to questions on Delaney’s stance on the Syrian refugee crisis came in varying levels of sentiment but for the most part did not encourage additional refugees due to distrust of the effectiveness of the vetting process for refugees. Howard echoed the governor’s statement that allowing refugees in under a weak vetting process was a security risk. “It’s extraordinarily dangerous to let in Syrian refugees without proper vetting,” said Howard. Following the debate, Hoeber said although she thought the vetting process was detailed, having background checks and multiple interviews, Syrian documents and records were not organized enough to be reliable sources of background information. “I think it’s absolutely impossible to do with the Syrian refugees that deployed here,” said Hoeber. “We cannot vet their unconnection with terrorism. There isn’t enough data of the society in Syria didn’t keep their source of records. We wouldn’t have access to those records even if (Syria) had kept (the records).” Howard and Vogt and said they supported the governor’s decisions about whether to allow Syrian refugees to live in the U.S. and about seeking a balanced budget. Howard said Hogan and other governors in the U.S. who do not support welcoming Syrian refugees were doing “the right thing.” Vogt said he agreed with Hogan’s approach to seek a balanced budget. He added that Hogan had a strong command of the state’s budget. He said the most recent budget was the strongest one yet. Your spot for local sports 14 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL Whatʼs happening this week in Montgomery County C JANUARY 14, 2016 ALENDAR INTERFAITH CELEBRATION OF REV. DR. KING'S LIFE AND LEGACY Jan. 17. 3:00 P.M. Come celebrate MLK's vision of reconciliation at a unique multi-faith service commemorating the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Coordinated by the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington at the St. Paul AME Church, 4901 14th Street NW (Corner of Emerson) Washington, DC. Parking available across 14th Street at the Kingsbury School and on local streets. Reception with light refreshments will follow program. JAN 14 CONCERT: BILL AND THE BELLES Jan. 14. 7:00 P.M. (doors open at 6 pm) A rare appearance in our area--this Bristol, TN trio presents early country music for the modern listener with striking 3-part harmony. Website: http://billandthebelles.com/ Contact: Ruth Goldberg, rutherama@gmail.com or Patuxent Music, (301) 424-0637, info@pxrec.com. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available for purchase. Where: Patuxent Music, 409 N Stonestreet Ave, Rockville. BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: EROICA Jan. 14. 8:00 P.M. Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony weaves struggle, tragedy and eventual triumph into a story that celebrates human possibility. BSO Principal Oboe Katherine Needleman expresses the lyrical themes and technical fireworks of Baltimore native Christopher Rouse’s genial and spirited oboe concerto. Marin Alsop, conductor. Katherine Needleman, oboe. Strathmore - The Music Center, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Visit BSOmusic.org or call 1-877-BSO-1444 for ticket information. SENIOR CONNECTION: “DON’T LET WINTER WORRY YOU” Jan. 14. 1:00 P.M. Winter can be a tough time for many reasons. The days are shorter and darker, sidewalks and streets can get icy, heating bills increase as we turn up the thermometer, and we can’t forget the potential for another snowmageddon. Join staff from the Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) for a presentation on “Don’t Let Winter Worry You!” The program will be held at the Holiday Park Senior Center located at 3950 Ferrara Drive in Silver Spring. You’ll get information about seasonal depression, fall prevention and home safety, hypothermia and emergency preparedness. For more information, contact 301-962-0820. Please RSVP to info@seniorconnectionmc.org or call 301962-0820. This program is sponsored by the Senior Connection. ALOG KENTLANDS MANSION EXHIBIT 2016 Jan 14 – Mar. 20. The Art League of Germantown (ALOG) exhibit will feature the two-dimensional artwork (Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor, Pastel, Pencil/Charcoal, Mixed Media and Photography) of ALOG members in a juried show at the Kentlands Mansion in Gaithersburg, MD. An exhibit reception is scheduled on Tuesday, January 12 from 7:008:30pm. The artists will be in attendance to meet patrons. The Kentlands Mansion, located at 320 Kent Square Rd., Gaithersburg, MD, was built by Frederick Tschiffley Jr. in the 1890s. The period decorated mansion and other buildings are still standing and in use today for social functions and business meetings. For more information and operating hours, please call 301-258-6425. Location: Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Rd, Gaithersburg. JAN 15 "LEND ME A TENOR" PRESENTED BY ROCKVILLE LITTLE THEATRE Jan. 15. 8:00 P.M. Six performances | Jan. 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 8 p.m. | Jan. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. This madcap, screwball comedy brings us backstage at the opera where, due to a series of hilarious mishaps, the world’s most famous tenor is unable to go on. A laugh-out-loud chain reaction of mistaken identity, farcical plot twists, double entendre, and musical mayhem! F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. For more information call 240-314-8690. Tickets are $22 ($20 for students and seniors 62+). January 14, 2016 – January 20, 2016 COURTESY PHOTO Honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy - Volunteer at Montgomery Countyʼs MLK Day of Service at locations throughout the county and make January 18 a day to give back to your community. WINTER WALTZ BALL Jan. 15. 7:00 – 11:00 P.M. The weather outside may be frightful, but our party will be delightful! Arts on the Green presents an elegant evening of ballroom and Latin dance fun at Kentlands Mansion. Dancers of all levels are welcome, from novice to master. Waltz is a smooth, graceful dance characterized by long, flowing movements, turns, and rise & falls. Instructors from Two Left Feet will teach Waltz, demonstrate other dances and answer questions on proper technique. Non-alcoholic refreshments included; cash bar available. Where: Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. For more information call 301-2586425. JAN 16 WINTER WONDERLAND CANAL WALK Jan. 16. 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. This 10km trail, with a 5km option, rated 1B, is an easy out and back walk on the C&O Canal Towpath upstream from Carderock to the Widewater area and to Locks #15 and #16 on relatively flat natural surfaces. An optional 1km trail will take you out to Olmsted Island to view the Great Falls of the Potomac River. The terrain is suitable for strollers but not for wheelchairs. Restrooms are available at the Start/Finish point. WATER WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE EXCEPT IN THE RESTROOMS AT THE START POINT. The GPS coordinates for the Start/Finish point are 38.976280, -77.205389. Where: Third Parking Area, Carderock Recreation Area, C&O Canal Towpath, Cabin John. Sponsored by the Seneca Valley Sugarloafers Volksmarch Club. For more information call 301-385-0054. WAKE UP, BROTHER BEAR! Jan. 16. 10:00 – 10:45 A.M. This audience-favorite show is back from hibernation! Watch as Brother and Sister Bear experience a full year of glorious seasons. Together we see a waterfall melt, meet a butterfly, chase an elusive fish, and skate on an icy pond. Children are invited to join the action with a small bag of props that help create magical moments. Presented by Imagination Stage. Address: 4908 Auburn Ave. Bethesda. Additional dates: Jan 17, 23. For more information call 301-280-1660. WALTZ AT GLEN ECHO PARK Jan. 17. 2:45 - 3:30 P.M. Introductory Waltz Workshop and 3:30 to 6:00 P.M. Dance. Join us for a Waltz Dance in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park on Sunday, January 17, 2016 featuring the ensemble Taylor Among the Devils playing a lively mix of folk waltzes with a few other couple dances, including Hambo, Schottische, Swing, Tango, and Polka. The 45-minute dance lesson begins at 2:45 p.m. with a half-hour introductory Waltz workshop and a more advanced move presented the last 15 minutes. Social dancing follows until 6 pm. Admission is $10. No partner required. For more information, call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, go to www.WaltzTimeDances.org or e-mail info@WaltzTimeDances.org. The Glen Echo National Park is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812. JAN 18 MLK JR. DAY OF SERVICE Jan. 18. Make Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, 2016 a Day ON and not a day off. Save the date to volunteer at Montgomery County’s MLK Day of Service at locations throughout the county. There will be service projects for all ages that will make an impact to lives in your community. Be Ready to Serve!! JAN 19 SCIENCE CAFE EVENT: THE VISIBLE HUMAN PROJECT Jan. 19. 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Join us at 6:00pm for hors d'oeuvres and the celebration of our new partnership with USP, followed by a presentation at 7:00pm by Dr. Michael Ackerman on The Visible Human Project. The image dataset for The Visible Human project, developed in the mid 90's, gives a unique and detailed look inside the body. People around the world use the images in a variety of ways, to help students learn anatomy; or to develop products like artificial limbs; or to create tools to help surgeons rehearse operations. Learn why and how this project was accomplished and demonstrate some of the products which the Visible Human dataset has made possible, including the machine recognition of individual prescription pills. U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Pkwy Rockville. JAN 20 LOSS OF A CHILD SUPPORT GROUP Jan. 20. 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. For parents grieving the death of a child of any age. A six-week group that meets each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Hospice offices at 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville. Registration required: 301-921-4400. UPCOMING JAN 17 PARENT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP Jan. 21. 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. For adults who have experienced the death of one or both parents. A sixweek group that meets each Thursday from 6:308:00 p.m. at Montgomery Hospice offices at 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville. Registration required: 301-921-4400. AWARD-WINNING ARTURO O'FARRILL AND THE AFRO LATIN JAZZ OCTET AT BLACKROCK Jan. 22. 8:00 P.M. GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill, son of bigband leader and Afro Cuban Jazz musician Chico O’Farrill, will perform with the Afro Latin Jazz Octet at BlackRock Center for the Arts on Friday, January 22 at 8:00pm. Arturo O’Farrill—pianist, composer, educator, and founder and Artistic Director of the nonprofit Afro Latin Jazz Alliance—was born in Mexico and raised in New York City. Growing up Arturo was inspired by his father’s music but cast a wider net when finding his niche – Afro Latin Jazz, a genre to which he’s made extraordinary contributions. Tickets are $18 - $32 and are currently on sale through the BlackRock box office in person, online at blackrockcenter.org or by calling 240.912.1058. ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP "HEALTHY HABITS FOR A HEALTHIER YOU" Jan 23. 1:00 P.M. At any age, there are lifestyle habits we can adopt to help maintain or even potentially improve our health. These habits may also help to keep our brains healthy as we age and possibly delay the onset of cognitive decline. This free workshop covers four areas of lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging: cognitive activity, physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, and social engagement. In each area, we will discuss what we know, drawing on current research, as well as what we can do - steps to take now to improve or maintain overall health in each area. Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd, Rockville. Free. For more information and to register, call 800.272.3900. MUSIC: DC FUSION Jan. 24. 7:30 P.M. DC Fusion has quickly become one of the region's most in-demand dance bands, and it's easy to see why. With keyboard wizard Benjie Porecki at the helm, dynamic and versatile vocalists, and the area’s top instrumentalists, this band can do it all. Members of DC Fusion have performed with artists such as Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Angie Stone, Isaac Hayes, Chuck Brown and many more. For more information, visit www.chrisgrassomusic.com/Fusion. Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. Tickets: $10 TALK: DEALING WITH DEER AND OTHER MAMMAL PESTS IN YOUR GARDEN Jan. 25. 8:00 P.M. Bambi may be cute, but he and his mother, cousins, and rest of the herd are very hungry and they would love to make a feast of your garden. This talk will cover proven and humane tactics for gardening with deer, rabbits, rats, groundhogs, and other furry creatures that are attracted to both edible and ornamental gardens. Refreshments will be provided after the talk by the following Silver Spring Garden Club members: Janet Ishimoto, Sarah Leung, Sue Smith, Anne Asher, and Patricia Miller. This event is FREE and open to the general public. Where: Brookside Garden, Visitors Center/Education Building , 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Our featured speaker, Kathy Jentz, is editor and publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine. TRENDING TOPICS: RESPONDING TO THE HEROIN EPIDEMIC Jan. 25. 12:15 – 2:00 P.M. Guest speaker John McCarthy, Montgomery County State's Attorney, will discuss the County's response to the heroin epidemic on Monday at the Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County. Free. Public welcome. Refreshments provided. For more information call the League at 301984-9585, email LWVMC@erols.com. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mont.lwvmd.org. Follow us on Twitter@mocomdlwv FOX HILL'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS DISCUSSION GROUP TO FEATURE AMBASSADOR JOHN HERBST Jan. 26. 7:45 – 9:00 P.M. The upcoming Foreign Affairs Discussion Group will feature Ambassador John E. Herbst, an expert in conflict prevention, resolution and the building of stability and civil society in troubled or disrupted nations. Herbst served for 31 years as a Foreign Service Officer and holds the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and the State Department Distinguished Honor Award. His discussion topic, “Stabilization Operations,” will address ongoing worldwide crises, challenges and possible solutions for troubled governments and regimes. The program provides a question and answer session and is open to the media and public. Reservations are requested to attend the event. Contact Julie Sabag at Fox Hill at 301-968-1850 or at: jsabag@foxhillresidences.com. INTER-RELIGIOUS STUDY AS A CIVIC GOOD Jan. 28. 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. The Case for Building Learning Communities through Religious Difference, an intensive opportunity for interfaith conversation with religion scholars from the Institute of Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS). WHERE: Episcopal Church of the Ascension 205 Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg. To register please email Rev. Randy Lord-Wilkinson, ral@ascensionmd.org. BUILDING RESILIENT HOUSES OF WORSHIP IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY Jan. 28. 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. How Faith Communities can respond to an Active Assailant. Co-Sponsored by Faith Community Working Group, Police Department, Office of Emergency Partnerships and Homeland Security. WHERE: Rockville Public Library, 21 Maryland Avenue. KRISTIN CHENOWETH AT STRATHMORE Jan. 29. 8:00 P.M. Broadway legend, TV star, and movie queen Kristin Chenoweth graces the Music Center at Strathmore with her inimitable beauty, humor, and talent with her Coming Home Tour. The concert features stories from Chenoweth’s life on stage and screen, and music that spans the breadth of her career, with venerable standards by Lerner and Loewe, Harold Arlen, and Kander and Ebb, as well as pop favorites. Chenoweth will also world premiere a song composed by Grammy and Tony nominated composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa, from his new concept opera I Am Anne Hutchinson, which will have its world premiere at Strathmore later in the 15-16 Season. Lippa will be present to conduct during the January concert with Chenoweth. This performance is sponsored by Joel & Elizabeth Helke. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org. ANNUAL CASINO NIGHT AT THE J Jan 30. 7:30 P.M. The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC of Greater Baltimore plays host to a spectacular night on the town: Casino Night at the J. Blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, delicious appetiz- Continued on page 15 JANUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL Whatʼs happening this week in Montgomery County C 15 ALENDAR Continued from page 14 Info: (301) 942-4183 ers, complimentary beer and wine, and live auction. In advance of Casino Night, the JCC is also launching its dynamic “Bids for Kids Online Auction” at www.biddingforgood.com/jcc. Items include skybox Ravens tickets, vacation get-aways, restaurant gift cards, spa services, and even a two-week luxury RV! A preview for the Online Auction begins Monday, January 11, 2016; the Auction goes live January 17 through January 28, 2016. Location: The Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC is located at 3506 Gwynbrook Ave., Owings Mills. Time: 7:30 pm to 10:30pm. Contact: Esther Greenberg at egreenberg@jcc.org or 410-559-3545 for press inquiries. Tickets: To purchase tickets visit www.biddingforgood.com/jcc. $75 per person (in advance); $100 at the door. WALTZ DANCE AT GLEN ECHO Jan. 31. 2:45 - 3:30 P.M. Waltz Workshop and 3:30 to 6:00 P.M. Dance. Join us for a Waltz Dance in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park on Sunday, January 31, 2016 featuring the ensemble Tangerine Tempo. This versatile band will provide a lively mix of folk waltzes with a few other couple dances, including Hambo, Schottische, Swing, Tango, and Polka. The 45-minute dance lesson begins at 2:45 p.m. with a half-hour introductory Waltz workshop and a more advanced move presented the last 15 minutes. Social dancing follows until 6 pm. Admission is $10. No partner required. For more information, call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, go to www.WaltzTimeDances.org or e-mail info@WaltzTimeDances.org. The Glen Echo National Park is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812. ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP "THE BASICS: MEMORY LOSS, DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE" Jan. 30. 1:00 P.M. This free workshop is for anyone who would like to know more about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s time to learn the facts. Topics covered include: Symptoms and effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia; How Alzheimer’s affects the brain; Causes and risk factors and much more. Where: Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd, Rockville. Free. To register, call 800.272.3900. MEDITATION PROGRAM: HOW TO MEDITATE DAILY Feb 1. 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. In this four-week compact course (Feb.1, Feb. 8, Feb. 18 & Feb. 22) you will learn the basics of meditation: what it is, what the benefits are, and how to do it by blending current scientific research with ancient yogic wisdom. The instructor, James McCullum, has traveled extensively to train and study with yogic monks to learn more about yogic lifestyle, meditation, and deep meditative experiences. Please register online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library. Click “Branches” and select “Quince Orchard Library.” Call 240-777-0200 for more information. Registra- COURTESY PHOTO GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and composer Arturo OʼFarrill, son of bigband leader and Afro Cuban Jazz musician Chico OʼFarrill, takes the stage with the Afro Latin Jazz Octet at BlackRock Center for the Arts on Friday, January 22 at 8:00 pm. MONTGOMERY COUNCIL 2323 DINNER Jan. 31. 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. The Knights of Columbus’ chefs will be serving a fresh garden salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs, garlic bread. Dinner will be served from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the Father Cuddy Hall, 17001 Overhill Road in Derwood. Tickets are $10.00 for adults (ages 14 & above); $7.00 for children (ages 7 to 13); free for children 6 & under; or, $35.00 for a family; by contacting Mike Thomas in advance at (301) 330-5970. CHRISTIAN UNITY SERVICE Jan. 31. 3:00 P.M. All welcome to join with Montgomery County churches at annual prayer service for Christian Unity. Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, 917 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD. The Rev. Kathryn Woodrow, Pastor of Faith United Methodist Church, Rockville, will preach. Special music will be provided by the combined choirs of the participating churches and the Trinity Lutheran Church Handbell Choir. A freewill offering will benefit Mid-County United Ministries of Wheaton. tion is limited to 20 people. Bring your own mat or use a chair for the practice. MASTERMIND EVENT FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS Feb. 5 & 6. Join 14 other business owners for a one-day workgroup at a lovely home in Arlington. Retool and reset your business in the New Year with the collective wisdom of others, led by Nancy Becher of Business Success Unlimited. Choose either Feb 5 or Feb 6. For details and to register, contact Vicki@success4biz.biz or call Nancy 269-3196041. THE GORDON CENTER PRESENTS ISRAELI SINGER/SONGWRITER SENSATION NOA Feb. 6. 8:00 P.M. Noa (Achinoam Nini), Israel's leading international singer/songwriter, graces the Gordon stage to celebrate the Gordon’s 20th anniversary. A huge event for everyone, Noa also performed at The Gordon’s opening 20 years ago, and she was our very first act! Noa is known the world January 14, 2016 – January 20, 2016 over. She has shared her angelic voice and magnetic stage presence with superstars such as Sting, Pat Metheny, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli and many more. On the Campus of the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mill. For more information call 410356-7469. WALTZ DANCE AT GLEN ECHO Feb. 7. 2:45 – 3:30 P.M. Waltz and 3:30 – 6:00 P.M. Dance. Join us for a Waltz Dance in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park on Sunday, February 7, 2016 featuring the ensemble Terpsichore. This versatile band will provide a lively mix of folk waltzes with a few other couple dances, including Hambo, Schottische, Swing, Tango, and Polka. The 45-minute dance lesson begins at 2:45 p.m. with a half-hour introductory Waltz workshop and a more advanced move presented the last 15 minutes. Social dancing follows until 6 pm. Admission is $10. No partner required.For more information, call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301634-2222, go to www.WaltzTimeDances.org or email info@WaltzTimeDances.org. The Glen Echo National Park is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. MONTGOMERY HOSPICE BEREAVEMENT WORKSHOP: FOREVER YOURS Feb. 12. 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. A special workshop for widows, widowers and life partners who want to honor and remember their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. 1:00-2:30 p.m. Free and open to any Montgomery County resident. Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Rockville. Registration required: 301-921-4400. VALENTINE’S DAY CABARET AT STRATHMORE Feb. 14. 8:00 P.M. Alan Cumming takes doeeyed lovers on a fantastical arc from the throes of love to unrequited desire in a Valentine’s Day cabaret dripping with feelings in Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at 8 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore. The eclectic Tony winner, best known for his star turns as the Emcee in the Broadway revival of Cabaret and Eli Gold on the hit series The Good Wife, traverses songs from the likes of Annie Lennox, Elaine Stritch, Adele, Keane, and Rufus Wainwright “with tremendous theatrical authority” (The New York Times). The evening of song and comical banter is backed by his Emmy-winning Musical Director Lance Horne and cellist Eleanor Norton. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 5815100 or visit www.strathmore.org. CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE Feb. 14. 2:00 P.M. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) announces this year’s Chinese New Year’s celebration to be held on H Street in Chinatown, Washington DC. This year, 4714 in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, is the Year of the Monkey, symbolizing wisdom, intelligence, confidence, creativity and leadership. To ring in the Year of the Monkey, the CCBA has planned numerous events including: Pre-parade VIP Luncheon. Dynamic community-based parade with traditional Chinese Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, marching bands, Kung Fu schools, Shaolin Monks, ChineseAmerican beauty pageant winners, Dragon Boat racers and much more. Well wishes from the Mayor, Taipei Economic & Cultural Representative Office and other VIPs. Stage performance from Chinese Lion Dance Troupes…all followed by the sizzlecrackle and pop of the firecracker finale. To cap off festivities, there will be a VIP Dinner in the evening. Route Start: 6th & Eye St NW | Route End: 6th & H St NW. CONCERT: NIH PHILHARMONIA Feb. 20. 7:30 P.M. The NIH Philharmonia, under COURTESY PHOTO DC Fusion at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club, Sunday January 24. Showtime is at 7:30 pm, tickets are $10. the direction of Dr. Nancia D'Alimonte, presents "In Remembrance" at St. Elizabeth Church in Rockville, MD. The concert is free to the public and will include "A German Requiem" by Brahms with The Metropolitan Chorus of Arlington. For more information, please visit www.nihphil.org or call 240 888 6781 WALTZ DANCE AT GLEN ECHO Feb. 21. 2:45 – 3:30 P.M. Waltz and 3:30 – 6:00 P.M. Dance. Join us for a Waltz Dance in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park on Sunday, February 21, 2016 featuring the ensemble New Caledonia. This versatile band will provide a lively mix of folk waltzes with a few other couple dances, including Hambo, Schottische, Swing, Tango, and Polka. The 45-minute dance lesson begins at 2:45 p.m. with a half-hour introductory Waltz workshop and a more advanced move presented the last 15 minutes. Social dancing follows until 6 pm. Admission is $10. No partner required. For more information, call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, go to www.WaltzTimeDances.org or e-mail info@WaltzTimeDances.org. The Glen Echo National Park is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. ONGOING ART EXHIBIT: "TRUE COLORS: LIKE A RAINBOW" AT DEL RAY ARTISANS Through Jan. 31. Del Ray Artisans’ artists interpret colors of the rainbow in the "True Colors: Like a Rainbow" art exhibit. For centuries artists have been inspired by these true colors. Come enjoy the artwork and mingle with the artists at the Opening Reception on January 8, 2016 from 7-9pm at Del Ray Artisans gallery (2704 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria VA). Don’t miss the workshops on wire jewelry, polymer clay, resin, and paper flowers! www.TheDelRayArtisans.org/True ALOG KENTLANDS MANSION EXHIBIT 2016 Through Mar. 20. The Art League of Germantown (ALOG) exhibit will feature the two-dimensional artwork (Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor, Pastel, Pencil/Charcoal, Mixed Media and Photography) of ALOG members in a juried show at the Kentlands Mansion in Gaithersburg, MD. An exhibit reception is scheduled on Tuesday, January 12 from 7:008:30pm. The artists will be in attendance to meet patrons. The Kentlands Mansion, located at 320 Kent Square Rd., Gaithersburg, MD, was built by Frederick Tschiffley Jr. in the 1890s. The period decorated mansion and other buildings are still standing and in use today for social functions and business meetings. For more information and operating hours, please call 301-258-6425. Location: Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Rd, Gaithersburg. FOOD ADDICTS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS Every Saturday. 9:30 – 10:30 A.M. Food Addicts Anonymous meets every Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Building #4, Rockville, MD 20850. We welcome new members. For questions, please visitwww.foodaddictsanonymous.org or call Jewell Elizabeth @ 301762-6360. OPEN LIFE DRAWING AT DEL RAY ARTISANS Jan –Dec. LIFE DRAWING: Looking for a chance to hone your figure drawing skills? Del Ray Artisans offers a range of open life drawing sessions for just this purpose. Just drop-in for the session and bring your supplies to draw or paint our live models. Fee ranges from $8-$12. All skill levels are welcome. Del Ray Artisans is located at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA. See our calendar for dates and times: calendar.TheDelRayArtisans.org SENIOR FIT Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:15 A.M. & 2:15 P.M. This 45-minute, multi-component exercise program is for people age 55+. Ongoing classes are offered at 23 locations in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. Call 301-754-8800 to request a physician's consent form to register and for a class schedule. Where: Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source, 8580 Second Avenue, Silver Spring. For more information call 301-754-8800. Cost: Free. TEEN WRITER'S CLUB Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. Join us at the Marilyn J. Praisner Library, at 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866, to meet other teens who share your interest in writing. Learn to improve your writing and try new approaches. Ages 12 and up are welcome. For additional library events and information call 240-773-9460. ART EXPLORERS OPEN STUDIO Saturdays, 10:00 – 12:00 P.M. Join us on Saturday mornings, 10am to 12:30pm in the Candy Corner Studio for drop in art activities for parents and children. Activities change weekly and there is no pre-registration; $10 per child. This weekly event is presented by Playgroup in the Park (PGiP) and Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. Location: The Candy Corner Visit www.glenechopark.org or call 301-634-2222 AFTERNOON GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:00 P.M. For anyone grieving Continued on page 16 16 Continued from page 15 the death of a love one. Registration required at (301) 921-4400. North Bethesda United Methodist Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814. LOSS OF A CHILD SUPPORT GROUP Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. For parents grieving the death of a child of any age. Registration required at (301) 921-4400. Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Dr., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. EVENING GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. For anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Registration required at (301) 921-4400. Hughes United Methodist Church, 10700 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20918. PARENT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. For adults who have experienced the death of one or both parents. Registration required at (301) 921-4400. Mt. Calvary Baptist church, 608 North Horner’s Lane, Rockville, MD 20850. BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT Tuesdays. 6:30 – 10:30 P.M. Local backgammon tournament on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month starting March 11. More information at MeetUp.com-DC Metro Backgammon Club. Ruby Tuesday Westfield Wheaton Mall 11160 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton-Glenmont, MD 20902 11gmail66@gmail.com CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH Sundays 11:00 – 3:00 P.M. $33 $12 for unlimited champagne cocktails Executive Chef Todd Wiss has cooked up a seasonal brunch menu complete with a brunch time standard – Champagne! Guests are welcome every Sunday to indulge on Black’s favorites like Smoked Salmon, Chesapeake Bay Blue Fish Rillette, Herb Crusted Pineland Farms Prime Rib or breakfast treats like House Made Brioche French Toast, Quiche and a selection of Chef Wiss’ homemade jams. Visit http://www.blacksbarandkitchen.com or call (301) 652-5525. Black’s Bar and Kitchen, 7750 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. LAUGH RIOT AT THE HYATT Saturdays 8:00 – 10:00 P.M. Check out a live standup comedy show by local standup comics every weekend at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda. There's a $25 cash prize joke contest for non-comedian audience members after the show. Check it out every Saturday night! Comedians can sign up to perform by emailing curtshackelford@verizon.net. $10 at the door. Visit http://www.StandupComedyToGo.com or call (301) 657-1234. Hyatt Regency Bethesda, 1 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD. CORPORATE BARTENDING FOR CHARITY Wednesdays 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Send your CEO or VP to Tommy Joe's to bartend for charity! Can't bartend? No problem, the on-staff bartenders are there to help for a good cause (no experience necessary). Represent your company during happy hour, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the charity of your choice. Maybe you can even pull off some flair behind the bar and make Tom Cruise proud. Visit tommyjoes.com or call (301) 654-3801 for more information. 4714 Montgomery Ln., Bethesda, MD 20814. LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYS Fridays 9:30- 12:30 P.M. Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery features different music styles by various live bands that perform both original and cover songs. So come relax and enjoy live music and Rock Bottom's award-winning handcrafted beer. Visit http://www.rockbottom.com or call (301) 652-1311 for more information. 7900 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. SALSA NIGHT Tuesdays 7:30 – 12:30 P.M. Come to the Barking Dog every Tuesday night for their sizzling Salsa Night. Take lessons with salsa instructor Michelle THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL Reyes from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for only $10. Learn to shake those hips, and then show off your new skills to the music of a live salsa band during the open dance after class. Visit salsawild.com or call (301) 654-0022 for more information. 4723 Elm St., Bethesda, MD 20814. HEY MR. DJ Fridays 9:00 – 2:00 A.M. It’s time to dance! Grab your friends and come to The Barking Dog for a good time on the dance floor. Every Friday and Saturday night the Dog brings in a DJ to play the Top 40 and your favorite songs. Make sure you check out their great drink specials before you show us what you got! The Barking Dog, Elm Street Bethesda, MD 20814. Free admission. SPAGNVOLA CHOCOLOATE FACTORY TOUR Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 – 6:00 P.M. Meet the owners, learn about the origin of chocolate, and see how it is grown and processed. Experience how chocolate is made from the actual cacao seed to the final chocolate during this "sweet" educational tour, from chocolate bars to truffles to bonbons. Each tour also includes a FREE chocolate tasting! 360 Main Street Suite 101 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878. Visit http://www.spagnvola.com or call (240) 6546972. COUNTRY THURSDAYS Thursdays, 9 P.M. Union Jack's traditionally British pub in Bethesda heads to the South for their all new Country Night every Thursday. Live country/rock bands, free cowboy hats for the cowgirls, bandanas for the cowboys, drink specials, including $2 PBR cans, $2 Budweiser bottles, $4 Jack Daniels drinks, food specials including 50 cent hot wings. Best of all, there's no cover to get in! And be sure to get there early for Union Jack's famous Beat. 4915 Saint Elmo Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. WORLD SERIES OF POKER Every Tuesday and Sunday night Flanagan's hosts Poker in the rear from 8-10 p.m. it's Bethesda's own version of The World Series of poker. Call (301) 951-0115 for more. Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle, 4844 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. – Compiled by Tazeen Ahmad The Montgomery County Sentinel regrets to inform organizations that only Montgomery County groups or events located within the county will be published on a space-available basis. Send news of your group’s event AT LEAST two weeks in advance to: The Montgomery County Sentinel 22 W Jefferson St. Suite 309 Rockville, MD. 20850 or email mc-calendar@thesentinel.com or call 301.838.0788 Some Fun JANUARY 14, 2016 JANUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL 17 18 JANUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL C LASSIFIEDS Automotive 77035 - Antiques & Classics 77039 - Domestics 77040 - Imports 77041 - Sports Utility Vehicle 77043 - Pickups, Trucks & Vans 77045 - Motorcycles/Mopeds 77046 - Auto Services 77047 - Parts/Accessories 77051 - Vehicles Wanted RVʼs 77059 - Airplanes 77065 - Boats 77067 - RVs Announcements 12001 - Adoptions 12003 - Carpools 12004 - Happy Ads 12005 - Camp Directory 12006 - Classes/Seminars 12008 - Found 12031 - Lost 12033 - General Announcements 12037 - Personal Ads 12039 - In Memoriam Services 22000 - Accounting Services 22017 - Business services 22021 - Carpet services 22030 - Ceramic Tile 22031 - Child care services 22033 - Chimney cleaning 22035 - Cleaning services 22039 - Computer Services 22041 - Concrete 22045 - Decorating/Home Interior 22052 - Editing/Writing 22053 - Elder Care 22055 - Electrical Services 22057 - Entertainment/Parties 22062 - Financial 22066 - General Services 22071 - Gutters 22072 - Hauling 22073 - Health & Fitness 22075 - Home Improvement 22085 - Instruction/Tutoring 22086 - Insurance Services 22089 22093 22095 22101 22102 22103 22104 22105 22107 22109 22115 22118 22123 22125 22129 22130 22133 22135 22137 22141 22143 22145 - Landscaping Lawn & Garden Legal Services Masonry Medical/Health Moving & Storage Painting Paving/Seal Coating Pet Services Photography Plumbing Pressure Cleaning Roofing Sewing/Alterations Snow Removal Tax Preparation Tree Services Upholstering Wallpapering Wedding/Parties Window Cleaning Windows Employment 47107 - Resumes/Word Processing Professional Services 47109 47121 47122 47123 47134 47135 47139 47140 47141 47142 47155 67163 - Positions Wanted Child Care Wanted Domestic Help Wanted Volunteers Wanted Career Training Help Wanted, General Medical Dental Allied Health Part-time Positions Seasonal Help Business Opportunities Merchandise 37000 - Give Aways 37002 - Antiques 37003 - Appliances 37004 - Arts, Crafts & Hobbies 37005 - Auction & Estate Sales 37008 - Building Materials 37012 - Cemetery Lots & Crypts 37014 - Computers & Software 37015 - Consignment 37016 - Events/Tickets 37018 - Flea Market 37020 - Furniture Real Estate 52101 - Commercial property 52117 - Lots & Acreage 52119 - Mobile Homes 52121 - Owners Sale 52123 - Real Estate 52127 - Real Estate Services 52131 - Real Estate Wanted 52133 - Vacation Property 37022 - Garage/Yard Sales 37024 - Health & Fitness 37026 - Horses, Livestock & Supplies 37030 - Lawn & Garden Equipment 37032 - Merchandise For Sale 37034 - Miscellaneous 37036 - Musical Instruments 37040 - Pets & Supplies 37045 - Trips, Tours & Travel 37048 - Wanted to Buy To Advertise in The Sentinel: Phone: 1-800-884-8797 (301) 317-1946 Rentals 57035 - Apartments/Condos 57037 - Apartment Complexes 57039 - Commercial Space 57043 - Homes/Townhomes 57047 - Industrial/Warehouse 57049 - Office Space 57051 - Roommates 57053 - Room for Rent 57057 - Storage Space 57059 - Vacation Rental 57061 - Want to Rent DEADLINES: Prince Georgeʼs Sentinel Monday 12:30 pm Montgomery County Sentinel Monday 12:30 pm To Place Your Ad Call 410-884-4600 Today! Vacuum Cleaners serviced • All makes & models PA I N T I N G S E R V I C E THE BEST QUALITY PAINTING Interior/Exterior Starting at: Rooms - $175 • Windows - $35 Work Done by Owners Licensed in MD for 30 years Free estimates, free pickup & delivery 91 years of service 1924-2015 Chris & Mike Levero Bonded & Insured Free Estimates Aerus, Your Original Manufacturer & Authorized Provider of Parts & Services for all 1924-2003 Electrolux Vacuums. FIVE STAR HOME SERVICE 410-661-4050 410-744-7799 Our showroom & service dept. 1702 Joan Ave, Balto 21234 410-882-1027 • Anyvac.com MHIC# 10138 www.fivestarmaryland.com Specializing in Concrete & Masonry Construction Since 1977 WWW.LSCMD.COM AUTO SERVICES AUTO INSURANCE STARTING AT $25/ MONTH! Call 877-929-9397 DONATE YOUR CAR - 866-6166266 FAST FREE TOWING -24hr Response – 2015 Tax Deduction - UNITED BREAST CANCER FDN: Providing Breast Cancer Information & Support Programs YOU COULD SAVE OVER $500 OFF YOUR AUTO INSURANCE. It only takes a few minutes. Save 10% by adding property to quote. Call Now! 1-888-4985313 VEHICLES WANTED AARON BUYS CARS & TRUCKS Any year or condition. Fair prices. Immediate service. Local. Call 410-258-0602 DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, RV’S. LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY Your donation helps local families with food, clothing, shelter, counseling. Tax deductible. MVA License #W1044. 410-636-0123 or www.LutheranMissionSociety.org SPECIAL BUSINESS SERVICES • 2-story Foyers/Vaulted Ceilings • Military Discounts • Drywall/Water Damage Repair • Senior Citizen Discounts • Power Washing/Decks/Homes • Licensed & Insured • Handyman/Carpentry • MHIC#70338 • Wallpaper Removal REACH 3.1 MILLION READERS five (5) days per week through the MDDC Daily Classified Connection Network. Place your ad in twelve (12) daily newspapers. Call 410-212-0616 TODAY – target readers throughout the MidAtlantic Region; email Wanda Smith @ wsmith@mddcpress.com. Driveways Brick Sidewalks Stone Patios Stucco Steps Chimneys Custom Design Basements (o) 410.663.1224 (c) 443.562.7589 MHIC #3802 Get one room of carpet deep cleaned & shampooed circular dry foam Your Carpet Will look Great Again! Regular $39.99 $ 99 XARELTO USERS have you had complications due to internal bleeding (after January 2012)? If so, you MAY be due financial compensation. If you don’t have an attorney, CALL Injuryfone today! 800-405-8327 ELDER CARE www.handsonpainters.com 410-242-1737 ACCOUNTING SERVICES CALL NOW TO SECURE A SUPER LOW RATE ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Don’t wait for Rates to increase. Act Now! Call 1-888-859-9539 SELL YOUR STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT OR ANNUITY payments for CASH NOW. You don’t have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1-800-283-3601 ACCOUNTING SERVICES SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800706-8742 to start your application today! BUSINESS SERVICES NEED EXTRA CASH? Personal loans of $1000 or more. Must be 21+ and have a job to apply! Call 844-289-2506 BUSINESS SERVICES ARE YOU IN BIG TROUBLE WITH THE IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 844-245-2287 NEED FUNDING FOR YOUR BUSINESS? Business Loans - $5K-$250K. We work with all types of credit! To apply, call: 855-577-0314 BUSINESS SERVICES A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-717-2905 SUBSCRIBE TO The Sentinel! GENERAL SERVICES PLACE YOUR AD ON FACEBOOK;TWITTER; LinkedIN and Google Ads Words through MDDC’s Social Media Ad Network; Call today to find out. Maximize your presence on Social Media; 410-212-0616; or email Wanda Smith @ wsmith@ mddcpress.com PLACE A BUSINESS CARD AD IN THE REGIONAL SMALL DISPLAY 2X2/2X4 ADVERTISING NETWORK Reach 3.6 Million readers with just one call, one bill and one ad placement in 71 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and DC TODAY! For just $1450.00, Get the reach, Get the results and for Just Pennies on the Dollars Now...call 1-855721-6332 x 6 or email wsmith@ mddcpress.com 19 GENERAL SERVICES REACH 3.1 MILLION READERS FIVE (5) DAYS PER WEEK THROUGH THE MDDC DAILY CLASSIFIED CONNECTION NETWORK Place your ad in twelve (12) daily newspapers. Call 410-212-0616 TODAY – target readers throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region; email Wanda Smith @ wsmith@mddcpress.com HAULING 0123 4 ALL YOUR HAULING/ TRASH NEEDS Attics, bsmts, yards & demos. Small to large. Free est. Call MIKE’S 410-294-8404. 1+1 AAA ABC Attics, Bsmt, Garage, Yards. 25 yrs of honest hauling. Same Day. Call Mike: 410-446-1163. ABM’S HAULING Clean Houses Basements, Yards & Attics Haul free unwanted cars Match Any Price!!!!! 443-250-6703 HOME IMPROVEMENT ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1-800-998-5574 JANUARY 14, 2016 LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES P RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES D RIVATE 3887569-1 3 X 2.51 i Judge NANCY B. SHUGER served for 18 years as an Associate Judge on the 22095NAN Legal Services - CNG District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, handling various civil and criminal matters. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers a creative, positive alterna3887569-1 tive tot the cost and uncertainty of litigation for individuals, businesses, organiza004676NANCY tions and families. As a former judge, she can assist disputing parties to achieve reasonable results. ADR offers a way for her to help people discover common SENTINEL interests which can allow them to shape their own resolution to their disputes. NANCY As a mediator, she acts as a private neutral. She emphasizes that mediation can be effective wether the parties desire to address differences in an ongoing relationship, or to reach a mutually agreeable solution to a single dispute, without trial. She uses mediation, arbitration and settlement conferences successfully for conflict involving personal injury (including auto torts and premises liability), employment, workplace conflict, child access, elder law, ethics, collections, contracts and other civil matters. Nancy B. Shuger • Baltimore, MD 410-903-7813 • nancy.shuger@gmail.com HOME IMPROVEMENT BEST SALE EVER!!! Need New Carpet or Flooring??? All this Special Number for $250.00 off. Limited Time. Free In Home Estimate!! Call Empire Today@ 1-844-369-3371 FIND THE RIGHT CARPET, FLOORING & WINDOW TREATMENTS. Ask about our 50% off specials & our Low Price Guarantee. Offer Expires Soon. Call now 1-888-906-1887 INSTRUCTION EARN YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ONLINE Accredited - Affordable. Call Penn Foster High School: 855-781-1779 CAREER TRAINING NEW YEAR, NEW AIRLINE CAREERS GET FAA certified Aviation Technician training. Financial aid for qualified students. Career placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1-877-818-0783 www.FixJets.com AVIATION Grads work with JetBlue, Boeing, Delta and others- start here with hands on training for FAA certification. Financial aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-823-6729 HELP WANTED, GENERAL DRIVERS WANTED Federal Government Delivery Services is looking for exceptional OTR drivers. 2 years experience. Great employee benefits & 0.60/loaded, 0.40/unloaded. Call 574-584-7253 x1110 HELP WANTED!! Make up to $334 A Day! Data entry workers needed online. Work From Home. Genuine Opportunity! Register Online Today! www.data-income.com PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 A Week Mailing Brochures From Home! No Experience Required. Helping home workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www.MailingProject.net TIME FOR A CHANGE Local Company has Openings Available NOW. No Experience Required to Start. We Provide Full Training and Support, Competitive Pay + Bonus Opportunities, and a Dynamic Work Environment. Call 410-616-0615 to Learn more About the Opportunity WANTED: LIFE AGENTS; EARN $500 A DAY: • Great Agent Benefits • Commissions Paid Daily • Liberal Underwriting • Leads, Leads, Leads • LIFE INSURANCE, LICENSE REQUIRED. Call 1-888-713-6020 19 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL HELP WANTED, GENERAL HELP WANTED, GENERAL Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Content 3887583-1 &D Media Writers (Rockville, MD), Support 2 X 2.01 i analytically the dvlpmt & mgmt of chemistry 47135AD Help Wanted, General - CNG &3887583-1 chemical engg content to be integrated into s/ware products/svcs. Write scientific propos003341AD REP SENTINEL als to STEM grant funding agencies to support AD expansion REP the of the middle & HS chemistry & chemical engg exploration products into the post-secondary & college education levels. Master's deg in Chemistry or Chemical Engg. Send resume to Owen Software Development Company Limited, Attn: HRGC, 700 King Farm Blvd, Ste 610, Rockville, MD, 20850 Courtroom Clerk District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County Silver Spring D 3887714-1 Perform specialized clerical work at the 2 X 1.76 i 47135ADN Help Wanted, General - CNG advanced level assisting the judge in courtroom 3887714-1 and dockets. Prepare/generate procedures 003173ADNET CHEMICAL ENG paperwork SENTINEL for the judge s and/or defenADNETs signatures. CHEMICAL ENG dant Responsible for assisting the judge in the maintenance, operation, and organization of the courtroom. Work is performed with considerable independence and is evaluated for efficiency, effectiveness, timeliness and compliance with procedures. Resolve a variety of unprecedented or unusual problems. Ability to work overtime, as needed without prior notice. Ability to travel to Rockville location as needed. Maybe called in D 3887681-1 during emergencies, e.g. inclement weather 2 X 1.76 i 47135COUand Help General - CNG conditions staffWanted, shortages. Please visit the 3887681-1 website court’s to apply 003173COURT CLERK http://www.courts.state.md.us/jobs/index.html SENTINEL COURT CLERK EOE Sr. Technical Advisor for Health & Nutrition to: develop & update ADRA's nutrition technical strategies, standards & protocols; collect & make tools & initiatives, inc. workshops, available to nutrition implementers; support Sr. Country Mgrs. by providing technical support, mentoring & training; ensure that donor &D 3887613-1 intern'l humanitarian standards are 2 X 3.01 i adhered to; facilitate data collection 47135HEL Help Wanted, General for - baseCNG line, qualitative & quantitative surveys on 3887613-1 004011HELP WANTED health & nutrition services; identify & apply SENTINEL nutrition best practices, trends, priorities & HELP WANTED innovative methodologies to enhance the quality & effectiveness of ADRA programs. Min. Req: Master's in Nutrition or rel. field or for. equiv. plus 2 yrs. rel. exp. req'd. Send resume & cover ltr to: Attn: HR, ADRA Int’l, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904. A DVERTISE IN The Sentinel! HELP WANTED, GENERAL HELP WANTED, GENERAL D 3887719-1 Steel Fab/erection Co Structural 2 X 1.76 i 47135MEC Help Wanted, General - CNG Seeking exp Estimator/Proj Manager 3887719-1 003173MECHANIC Robert@robertswelding.com SENTINEL MECHANIC Mechanic IV ‘ Maryland Environmental Service seeks a Mechanic IV at our Grinding Operations facility in Derwood, MD. Must have HS Diploma/GED, 9 years related experience, tubgrinding operation/repair or truck & loader maintenance experience is a plus! Class B CDL preferred. See ALL requirements on www.menv.com, Careers Page. To apply, send D 3887619-1 resume Attn: 400623 to MES: 259 Najoles Road, 2 X 1.51 MD i 21108, or fax to 410-729-8235, or Millersville, 47135OPE Help Wanted, General - CNG email resumes@menv.com 3887619-1 003006OPENINGS SENTINEL OPENINGS Communications Specialist to: handle internal communication efforts for ADRA's Marketing & Development Unit, inc. intranet manag't, president's communication, & coordinate internal training events; assist in development of a strong media contact list; track media mentions & media trends, seeking out & managing media placement; create & develop press releases, media relations content & conD 3887765-1 tent for corporate release; contribute to social 2 X 2.51 i media calendar & digital communication. Min. 47135UAD Help Wanted, General - CNG Req: BS Media Studies, Communications or 3887765-1 003676UADWEB GEMG TECplus ASST rel. field or foreign equiv. 2 yrs. rel. exp. SENTINEL req’d. Nat’l & intern’l travel req’d. Send UADWEB GEMG TEC ASST resume & cover ltr to: Attn: HR, ADRA Int’l, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Emergency Technical Assistant to: assist in developing ADRA's network emergency manag't policies, protocols & guidelines; assist coordinate network emergency response of category 3 emergencies; ensure response proposals adhere to donor obligations & agency standardsregs & procedures; coordinate w/ Business Development Unit on developments of USAID & DOS Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration (PRM) & maintain contact with key staff of such organizations; collect relevant info. on the emergency & Country Office capacity to assist in making proposals 3887736-1 toD Min. Req: MS Public Health 2USAID/PRM. X 2.51 i or47135UAD rel. field req’d. resume & cover to: Help Send Wanted, General - ltr CNG 3887736-1 Attn: HR, ADRA Int’l, 12501 Old Columbia 003676UADWEB COMM Pike, Silver Spring, MDSPE 20904. 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With just one phone call, your business and/or product will be seen by 3.6 million readers HURRY....space is limited, CALL TODAY!! Call 1-855-7216332 x 6 or 301 852-8933 email wsmith@mddcpress.com or visit our website at www.mddcpress.com WANTED TO BUY OLD GUITARS WANTED! Gibson, Martin, Fender,Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg, and Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1920’s thru 1980’s. TOP CASH PAID! 1-800-401-0440 LOTS & ACREAGE GREAT MTN. LAND SALE 5.3AC. WAS $64,900 NOW $49,900 CLOSE TO TOWN/ NEAR LAKE CABIN SHELL $26,000 Rare chance to own private one of a kind Land with Mtn. views perfect for camp, build ATV, retire, recreation abounds on this mix of Open and wooded rolling land. New perc, elec, Survey. No time to build. Excellent financing. CONTACT OWNER 800-888-1262 20 The Montgomery County Sentinel January 14, 2016 PHOTO BY DAVID WOLFE Kalynn Sefcik of Damascus loses the ball in a physical matchup Friday. Clarksburg Girls Beat Damascus Coyote coach says school makes history by defeating Swarmin’ Hornets for the first time ever 56-50 By Carlos Alfaro @carlosalfarorod DAMASCUS – No one was happier than Clarksburg head coach Sissy Natoli after the lady Coyotes defeated Damascus Friday 56-50. “Just incredible,” Natoli said after the victory. “It was just huge.” Huge, but not easy as the two teams battled in a close and physical matchup. Clarksburg managed to widen its lead to eight points briefly during the second half, but Damascus never trailed by more than that and fought an incredibly tough battle all night. For Clarksburg it made the victory that much more sweet. “First time we beat Damascus, and it was a huge win for us. Just being able to close out a game against a good team. We’re on a roll here, playing pretty good defense, a little flat the first half, I thought we played much better the second half,” said Natoli. Clarksburg started out hot, put together an early seven-point run and exited the first quarter leading 15-10. Junior forward Lindsay Brown scored half of Damascus’ points in the first quarter. “We knew they were athletic, we knew they were much bigger than us, our goal was to keep them out of the lane and not let them get easy baskets,” said Steve Pisarski, head coach for Damascus. The second quarter brought a rejuvenated Damascus offense, as they worked on whittling down the score differential. Both teams traded the lead through the latter part of the second quarter but a quick run past an unexpecting Clarksburg defense by junior guard Kalynn Sefcik and a subsequent layup in the last 10 seconds put Damascus ahead at halftime 27-25. In the third quarter, consecutive three pointers from senior guard Kaylan Jackson and sophomore guard Phylicia McInnis edged out a lead from Damascus that Clarksburg would never relinquish. Clarksburg only outscored Damascus by one point in the fourth quarter but it was enough to keep the Swarmin’ Hornets at bay and break the losing spell when competing against them. “Let’s just say we’re history in the making. It’s a tough game, but we got through it,” said Clarksburg senior point guard Ciara Wright. With the loss Damascus fell to 6-2, while Clarksburg moved up to 7-2. JANUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL 21 SPORTS County athletes score well in P.G. track meet By Kathleen Stubbs @kathleenstubbs3 HYATTSVILLE— Montgomery County athletes took first in multiple events and set a meet record in the girls 500m run and the boys 55m hurdles Saturday at the Montgomery Invitational at the Prince George’s Sport and Learning Complex. Masai Russell of Bullis finished the girls 500m race in 1:14 minutes— a meet record. Northwest High School athletes claimed multiple wins in both track and field events. The jaguars won the boys 4x200m relay, the boys distance medley relay (10:55) and the boys 4x800m relay. Meanwhile Taylor Wright won the girls triple jump for Northwest with 39 feet, 2 inches. Northwest hurdler and sprinter Shyheim Wright clocked a meet record when he placed first in the 55m hurdle finals in 7.4 seconds, followed by Good Counsel hurdler Ian Davis (7.8 seconds). Wright also broke the meet record earlier that day in the semifinals. “Everything was perfect,” said Northwest head coach Robert Youngblood about Wright’s race. “It was a great start.” Youngblood said 55m hurdlers have to be sprinters as well as hurdlers. “(They) have to sprint to the first hurdle as opposed to run to the first hurdle,” said Youngblood. Youngblood said he placed Wright in the 55m dash and not the 55m hurdles for a until he learned to incorporate sprinting into his race. The hurdler’s starts improved as a result. “Now he explodes better off the blocks,” said Youngblood. Northwest jumper Taylor Wright won the girls triple jump (39 feet, 2.5 inches). Bullis won the girls 4x400m relay finishing by 6 seconds ahead of the pack, finishing in 3:57. Alexus Pyles, Clarksburg jumper, finished first in the 55m hurdles finals. She was joined by multiple Montgomery County hurdlers. Alexis Postell, Bullis, second place 8.5 seconds; Leondra Coreia, Northwest (8.6); Helnsarah Penda, Seneca Valley, fifth (8.65); and Lindsay Lewis, Bullis, (8.8) seventh of seven finishers. Clarksburg head track and field coach Scott Mathias said Pyles ran her hardest. “It wasn’t her perfect race,” said Mathias. “She hit a couple of hurtles but she ran fast. She ran as hard as she could run.” “When it comes down to the finals it’s a lot of nerves, a lot of pressure,” Mathias said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re pretty. It doesn’t matter if you’re fast. All that matters is that you win and she did.” In the boys distance medley relay other county teams made the top 10: Winston Churchill (11:08), fourth; Quince Orchard, seventh (11:14); James H. Blake, eighth (11:18); and Bethesda-Chevy Chase (11:18)placed ninth. The Paint Branch girls team won the girls distance medley relay (12:41) followed by Walter Johnson (12:44). Desalyn Dillard, Paint Branch head coach, said she was proud of her distance medley relay anchor, senior Bethlehem Taye. “She had a very smart race,” said Dillard. “She was patient. She was aggressive.” Paint Branch started out in the lead, but two teams passed the Panthers runner. When Taye received the baton she had about a 15m-20m gap, Dillard said. Instead of trying to close the gap all at once with a surge, she caught up to Walter Johnson anchor Abigail Green a little each lap before she was close enough to pass her. “Abby (Green) is a very talented athlete,” said Dillard. “That race could’ve easily gone either way.” Good Counsel senior Jack Wavering finished third in the 3200m run with a lifetime personal record 9:30, after his 9:36 record. “I was pretty happy with it,” said Wavering. “4:50 followed by 4:40 is pretty good.” He ran his second mile faster than the first and made a lifetime personal record. Wavering ran in the front pack the entire race, which was primarily lead by Richard Montgomery junior Rohann Asfaw (9:36). Wavering raced with Asfaw and Northern High School (Calvert County) runner Matt Bennet (9:25), finished second as well as Eric Walz (9:32) from Dulaney placed fourth. Asfaw placed fifth. The four raced each other during cross country in 2015. For Asfaw the race did not end as well. Asfaw led the 3200m runners for more than half the race up until the final few laps. He said setting the pace was one of the hard parts. “My coach and I decided to take a more aggressive approach and take the lead,” said Asfaw. “I think doing most of the work took a toll on me mentally, and it didn't work out so well in the end.” Around lap 10, he said Bennett was trying to take the lead, so Asfaw sped up somewhat. “Well I continued to lead until about 2 laps to go, and after holding off other runners (who were) trying to gain the lead, my body had become tired and I wasn't able to keep (the lead) any longer,” said Asfaw. After continuing to lead the group for about four laps, Bennett and others passed him. Asfaw finished 10 seconds after first-place finisher Hengst (9:25) of McDonough School and placed fifth. Wavering said the familiar competition pushed him. “That was actually really exciting,” said Wavering. “When I first looked at the heat sheet (before the meet) seeing all the really top guys was really exciting for me. Asfaw agreed that the familiar competition added to the race, however. “It brought back memories from XC and it was fun racing them since I know them,” said Asfaw. Advertise in The Call Lonnie Johnson at 301-306-95008 PHOTO BY JACQUI SOUTH In the last seconds of the first half, Blake's Kobe Colston (0) and Magruder's Marquaine Wilkerson (5) fight for a loose ball Friday night in Derwood during a varsity boys basketball game. Colston eventually pulled it up and scored on a fast break layup to bring the Bengals within two points at the half, 27-29. Blake went on to win 57-55.However, Magruder made up for the loss Tuesday with a 45-44 win over Blair while Blake fell 61-52 to Springbrook. The Colonels next host Springbrook Thursday and the Bengals head to Burtonsville this Friday to play Paint Branch. 22 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL JANUARY 14, 2016 SPORTS Whitman girls destroy R.M. sans junior guard Meyers By Eva Paspalis @EvaPaspalis BETHESDA – Watch any Walt Whitman varsity girls basketball game and junior guard Abby Meyers is impossible to miss. She gives opposing defenses fits as they struggle to cover her. She possesses a finesse that makes even the most difficult shots look simple. What was impossible to miss on Tuesday night, however, was the tremendous beating the Vikings laid on the visiting Richard Montgomery Rockets. Meyers did not even dress to compete. Meyers sprained her ankle on December 28 during the 34th Annual Governor’s Challenge holiday tournament game against Stephen Decatur High School. The bout against Richard Montgomery marks the second game in a row she has missed. Vikings head coach Peter Kenah said he kept Meyers out of the game as a precaution. Senior forward Betsy Knox picked up the slack by logging 14 points in a game that proved the Vikings can win emphatically even with their leading scorer on the bench. Senior forward Emily Mey- Rockets cruise past Vikings By Eva Paspalis @EvaPaspalis BETHESDA – The Richard Montgomery varsity boys basketball team went on an 11-point scoring run in the final minutes of Tuesday’s game to snatch a victory against the divisional rival Walt Whitman, 6357. The win gives the Rockets a 7-2 record and sole possession of first place in the 4A South division. The Vikings (5-4) have lost three of their last four games. Two of their most recent losses were decided by six points or less. Rockets senior forward Daniel Alexander earned 17 points in a game featuring nine ties and several lead changes. Alexander’s fierce fourth quarter rebounding was instrumental in Richard Montgomery’s victory. The senior, along with junior center Zaire Mitchell-Paden, guarded the paint and kept Whitman from scoring. The Rockets boasted multiple scoring threats, as both MitchellPaden and senior guard Jonathan Custodio both scored 10 points. “They have some good guys that made plays,” said Vikings head coach Chris Lun. “We need to capitalize when we have opportunities.” The Vikings could not land a free throw in the final four minutes of the game, disintegrating their fivepoint lead. Whitman junior guard Hannes Kogelnik scored four three-point baskets in the first half. The Richard Montgomery defense rendered him a non-factor in the second half. Kogelnik finished with 12 points. Vikings head coach Dave Breslaw said that neutralizing Kogelnik was an important part of his team’s game plan. “We talked about guarding [Kogelnik] at length,” he said. “If you keep a guy on him, he’s not going to drive.” The Rockets also shut down Vikings junior guard Jack McClelland, who scored 12 points in the loss to Churchill last Friday. McClellan appeared to struggle to find his rhythm. Richard Montgomery held him to just three points on the night. “We’re just trying to wear teams down,” said Breslaw. Lun said he expects a “competitive, hard fought game” whenever the Vikings face Richard Montgomery. His team travels to face Wootton Friday afternoon. Richard Montgomery faces BCC the same day. The Barons’ one point loss to Churchill on Tuesday puts them one game behind the Rockets in the divisional standings. Breslaw described last year’s playoff loss to the Barons as a motivator for this season. “BCC, that’s everything,” he said. “We can learn a lot from that game.” ers also scored 10 points. Whitman improved to 8-3 and plays Wootton Friday. Kenah said Meyers will probably play limited minutes. “We’ll see how she responds to a full practice,” he said. “We will know better after tomorrow.” The Rockets (6-5) appeared hapless from the start. Knox led the Vikings on a 10-point scoring run from tipoff. Richard Montgomery fell into a 19-4 hole after one quarter. Rockets senior guard Devon Goetz earned nine of her team’s 16 points. The Vikings held Richard Montgomery to one basket in the third quarter. The Rockets struggled from the foul line and most shot attempts missed wildly. Knox and Whitman senior guard Marie Hatch pulled down the rebounds. Kenah expressed confidence in his team’s performance going into the game. “With us it’s always about defense and moving the basketball,” he said. “We set a goal of not giving up more than 35 points. We hit that.” The Rockets remained supportive of their teammates, chanting from the bench even as they stared at a 45-12 deficit. Richard Montgomery head coach Mike Oakes appeared defiant after the loss. “I have a very mentally tough team, so I’m really not concerned about whether or not the girls are going to recover [from the loss],” he said. “It was a golden opportunity to play with the best and we didn’t take advantage of it by playing our best.” The 9-1 BCC Barons are up next on Richard Montgomery’s schedule. Oakes said he believes his team is ready for another challenge. “We’ll put in two good days of practice. We’re going to come out ready to go on Friday,” he said. MoCo athletes nominated for McDonald awards By Brandy L. Simms @BLS1969 Clarksburg senior guard Andrew Kostecka headlines a list of Montgomery County student-athletes who have been nominated for the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game which is scheduled to take place March 30 at the United Center in Chicago. Kostecka, a Loyola signee, is one of three Clarksburg players who have been nominated for the prestigious all-star game. “Honored to be nominated for the McDonald’s All-American game,” said Kostecka. “Means a lot to me and shows that my hard work is paying off.” Clarksburg seniors Dallas Marshall and Jeffrey McInnis have also been recognized along with Blake swingman Jeffrey Powell-Young and former Montrose Christian standout Alani Moore, a Germantown native. On the girls side, Bullis forward Lawrencia Moten is among the nominees along with National Cathedral standout Isabella Alarie who com- petes for the Germantown Lady Panthers AAU program. Raven James, a former Bullis standout who plays at Paul VI, has also been nominated for the McDonald’s All-American Game. “I’m really fortunate and grateful for the opportunity,” said James. “I mean it’s an honor really and it just goes to show that hard work really does pay off and we will see what happens. I just have to keep working to get better you know, but I am definitely blessed and excited about the nomination.” Two high school football coaches call it quits By Brandy L. Simms @BLS1969 After nearly two decades coaching high school football in Montgomery County, Northwood head coach Joe Allen is stepping aside. Allen, who also held head coaching stints at Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Churchill, has opted to resign his position at Northwood after one season at the helm. The Washington, D.C. native said he is leaving the Northwood football program due to family obligations. “I had to make a decision based on my family,” said Allen, who guided the Gladiators to a 2-8 record last season. “I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do yet but I know I couldn’t support my family and coach at Northwood at the same time. Northwood was a great experience for me.” Allen compiled an overall 4251 record during his head coaching career in Montgomery County including a 36-27 mark in six seasons at Churchill. During his tenure at Churchill, Allen guided the program to three division titles in six years including the 2011 campaign that saw the Bulldogs finish 10-2. “That,” said Allen,” was probably the highlight.” Meanwhile, Watkins Mill head coach Kevin Watson has resigned after five seasons at the helm of the Montgomery Village public school. Watson compiled an overall 23-28 record during his tenure including a 5-6 mark last season. The Wolverines last year earned a playoff berth for the first time since 1999. Besides Northwood and Watkins Mill, B-CC and Walter Johnson are also searching for new head coaches to lead their respective football programs. Einstein last month hired Mike Bonavia to replace Neal Owens who parted ways in November after a two-year stint at the Kensington public school. “We are going through a formal selection process to hire a new coach,” said Watkins Mill athletic director Reginald Spears. “The interview process will begin in early February.” Famed Gaithersburg football coaching legend dies after lengthy illness By Brandy L. Simms @BLS1969 A Montgomery County high school football coaching legend has passed away. Fred Joyce, a longtime assistant coach at Gaithersburg High School, died on January 9. He was 74. During his tenure at Gaithersburg – which lasted more than four decades – Joyce helped coach many of the program’s top student-athletes including Hank Fraley who went on to play in the National Football League and now coaches with the Minnesota Vikings. “He was a special person who shaped a lot of lives,” said Joyce’s nephew and Northwest head coach Michael Neubeiser. “I remember how much he cared about his athletes and his attention to detail. He was all about being fundamentally sound.” In 1994, Joyce was among the first assistant coaches ever to be inducted into the Maryland Football Coaches Hall of Fame. He received the John W. Voight Award for loyal service. Last October, Joyce was among a group of 22 inductees who were enshrined in the inaugural Gaithersburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Joyce joined former Gaithersburg head coach John Harvill and current Trojan helmsman Kreg Kephart in the Gaithersburg Hall of Fame along with many other individuals associated with the Gaithersburg football program. “That was Harvill’s right hand man,” said Ellsworth “Tookey” Turner, a former Gaithersburg twosport athlete who was also among the inductees enshrined in the school’s inaugural Hall of Fame. “Coach Joyce was no joke. He was a hell of a coach and a hell of a football player, too.” In addition to football, Joyce also coached track and field at Gaithersburg. Joyce was a three-time state champion in the shot put and discus at Fort Hill High School in Cumberland and earned a football scholarship to the University of Maryland where he was a three-year letterman. Joyce is survived by his wife, Celeste, and sons Jimmy and Doug. JANUARY 14, 2016 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL 23 SPORTS Shokoohinia pins four to win Patriot title By Lem Satterfield @lemslatest OWINGS – Hamoon Shokoohinia stepped onto the top spot on the podium, looked at the wrestlers positioned on either side and thought, “finally.” Shokoohinia pinned all four opponents toward winning the 145pound title at the Patriot Classic Tournament, enabling the Walt Whitman High senior to call himself a champion for the first time in his nearly two-year-long high school career. “I was on varsity at the end of my sophomore year, but I only had about eight matches,” said Shokoohinia, who finished sixth in the county and fourth in the Class 4A-3A West Regional. “This is only my second full year of varsity and my first time winning a tournament. It feels like it’s the first step to my higher goals and to much better things to come.” Shokoohinia joined undefeated teammate and practice partner Mitch Fenton (152) in running the table in the 22-team affair at Northern High of Calvert County. “Last year, Mitch and I were the only two to qualify for the state tournament, so this was sort of similar,” said Shokoohinia, who is 17-3. “I made it to states in a tough weight class at 152 and wrestled [Centennial’s two-time state champ] Austin Kraisser, which was a great experience. I feel like it’s prepared me better for this year.” Teammates James Bamberger (138) and Marcos Solloso (170) were third, and sophomore Clark Boinis (113), fourth as the Vikings (175 points) placed five wrestlers within the top four of their weight divisions toward a third place finish behind champion Oakdale (251.5) of Frederick County and runner-up Old Mill (189) of Anne Arundel County. “In the medal rounds wrestling for first, third and fifth, we had a total 7-1 record, so I was pretty happy with that,” said coach Derek Manon. “We only took 11 guys, so it’s hard to win a tournament when you don’t have a full lineup. But each of our guys had at least two wins. Everybody contributed with a couple of pins.” Shokoohinia nailed down three first-period falls, including one in just 21 seconds, on the road to decking H.T. Elson of Herndon, Virginia, in 3:30 of their title bout. “All of my losses this year were up at 160,” said Shokoohinia. “Being at 145 and going before Mitch, it’s like I can maybe provide some motivation for him.” Fenton registered two first-period pins and another in the second before winning, 5-2, over Oakdale’s Chase De Maille, a two-time state qualifier and regional champion who owns a 7-2 victory over Damascus’ county champion, Brendan Parent up at 160 pounds. “I personally believe that I could have wrestled better,” said Fenton, who earned a county title as a sophomore, his third regional crown last year and has placed third and fourth at the past two Class 4A3A state tournaments. “A win is a win, so I’ll take it, but I could have done a little more, offensively. So in that regard, I could have done better.” Fenton missed last year’s county tournament with an illness before decking all three regional opponents in the first period, a combined 4 minutes, 37 seconds. In addition to his own quest, Fenton is stoked for his teammates, in general, and, Shokoohinia, in particular. “Hamoon has really put in the work. I was so happy to see my practice partner up there after winning it,” said Fenton. “We have The Grapple At The Brook at Springbrook this weekend. I won it last year, and I’m looking to keep my streak ” Also participating was eighth place Sherwood, which crowned Charlie Siarkis (285), had runnersup in Hunter Mueck (106) and Tristan McKneely (113), and a fourth place finish from and Chase Wilson (120). A senior who went 31-5 as a county runner-up and regional champion who placed sixth at states last year, Siarkis pinned all three opponents, including Old Mill’s Zach Acosta at 3:02 of their title bout. Madyun leads Battling Barons on the mat Wilson wins eight matches By Lem Satterfield @lemslatest Sufyan Madyun became aware two weeks ago that he would likely be wrestling his buddy, Blake Matthews, of Bullis. “I texted Blake and said, ‘Hey, we might be wrestling each other,’” said Madyun, who has known Matthews for six months. “He was like, ‘Yeah,’ and then we both laughed about it.” But it was Madyun who laughed last. Madyun emerged victorious from their 152-pound match at Bethesda-Chevy Chase, his 6-5 triumph over helping the host Barons (22-1) to win their Battlin’ Barons Duals invitational highlightec by a 42-28 win over runner-up Franklin of Baltimore County, which was a 42-30 winner against third place Springbrook. “We both smiled at each other, shook hands and started wrestling. There was no talking during the match,” said Madyun, who twice countered Matthews’ high-crotch single-leg attempts to secure takedowns of his own. “I just whizzered Blake and kind of funked out of a scramble to get around him each time. I’d say those were the difference in a match that was always tied or else I was up by one. I was never behind.” Madyun went 8-0 with two pins to improve to his overall record to 21-2. Similar performances were turned in by teammates Eli Guttentag (106), Alec Cohen (170) and Marcelo McAndrew (182) as the Barons’ winning streak improved to 20 consecutive matches since falling to defending county and Class 4A-3A state champion Damascus, 54-18, on Dec. 12. “Damascus is always a tough team, but I think that we’ve progressed since then,” said Cohen, a senior county runner-up who was third at regionals. “If we were to face them again, I think you would see a lot of improvement there.” Madyun, McAndrew and Cohen are all seniors with identical 21-2 records. McAndrew went 8-0 with six pins, and Cohen, 8-0 with seven falls. “Marcelo and I really have a tremendous dynamic in the way that we push each other in practice and how it translates onto the mat,” said Cohen. “We have a lot of young wrestlers who have come in and done well, and it was a great experience for our team to do as well as we did this weekend.” Guttentag, a freshman, also went 8-0 with 6 pins and a major decision to improve his mark to a teamleading 23-0. Marcelo’s younger brother, sophomore Gabriel McAndrew (195), went 6-2 with six pins. “We’re really excited about how we’re doing, which has definitely surpassed expectations,” said Marcelo McAndrew, who was third in the county last year. “The younger guys have come in and put in the work as have the five or six seniors, which has really helped the team to improve.” Top wrestlers for Springbrook were Aaron Robertson (170/182), Christian Balmoris (106), Letrell Harris (113/120) and Luis Galeano (145). Robertson went 7-1 with five pins, his lone defeat coming at 182 pounds against Franklin. Balmoris, a second-year wrestler, also went 7-1 with six pins to improve to 16-4. Harris and Galeano each went 6-2 for the Blue Devils. “Balmoris is really developing, which is fun to watch,” said coach Rob Whittles, whose Blue Devils host a Grapple At The Brook Tournament on Friday and Saturday. “It was a good team effort and those guys really led us in wins for the weekend.” The Grapple at The Brook field will include Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, Northwest, Sherwood and Whitman, Howard County’s Atholton, Long Reach and Reservoir, Harford County’s Fallston, Prince George’s County’s Roosevelt, St. Mary’s County’s Great Mills, Virginia’s McLean, Woodbridge and Yorktown, and Delaware’s Cape Henlopen. Highlights for Bullis were Matthews, the Brown brothers, Alex (145) and Aryemis (160/170), and Marcelo Motta (132). A senior who finished seventh at private school states last year, Alex (28-2) pinned eight opponents in a combined 9 minutes, 33 seconds to earn the trophy for Most Falls In The Least Amount of Time. A fourth place finisher at states, Aryemis, a junior, also pinned his eight opponents to improve to 29-0, decking one wrestler in a cradle for his 100th career win. Matthews went 7-1 to improve his overall record to 26-3, and Motta, 7-1 to raise his record on the year to 23-5. Landon sophomore Brendon Gallagher (138), a fifth place finisher at last year's private schools state tournament, was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler after going 8-0 comprised of four pins, three technical falls and a major decision to improve his overall record to 24-2. Gallagher’s 5-2 title bout win at Mad Mats was over sixth-place private schools finisher Josh Laubach of Baltimore’s Archbishop Curley. By Lem Satterfield @lemslatest BETHESDA — Cornell Wilson won eight matches and pinned adversary, Pat Bernardo, of Wootton, toward earning the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award at last weekend’s Big Trains Duals at Walter Johnson. A Paint Branch senior who has been competing at both 220 and 285 pounds, Wilson went 8-0 with seven falls, improving his record to 22-1 on the year and pacing the Panthers to an overall second place finish in the 12-team team affair. Wilson’s history with Bernardo includes losing, 6-3, on the way to a third place finish at counties, and, 32, in overtime, en route to placing third at the Class 4A-3A West Re- gion tournament. But Wilson got the last dig in last year after his 5-2 consolation rounds victory eliminated Bernardo from the state tournament, where Wilson finished fourth. “This was a big match against my rival, Pat Bernardo, and I pinned him in the second period at 220, where he was ranked No. 1,” said Wilson. “I’ve been wrestling at 285 to fill a gap on our team, but it feels good to make a statement and to show anyone who is doubting that I’m going back to 220.” Wilson’s lone defeat has come by 3-2 in overtime against Poolesville’s unbeaten 285-pound Kyle Wilkins, a returning county and regional champion who placed third in last year’s 2A-1A state tournament. Good Counsel senior soars By Lem Satterfield @lemslatest Garrett Neff had no trouble reaching the 160-pound finals of last weekend’s Hub Cup Tournament at North Hagerstown High of Washington County on a major decision, a technical fall and a first-period pin. But that’s where the Good Counsel senior faced St. Paul’s junior Dale Tiongson, who is not only a friend and former Falcons’ teammate from a year ago, but who had taken Neff into overtime last month before losing a tight bout. “I’ve always liked Dale, and to go out and wrestle an ex-teammate was weird. But the match meant a lot to my coaches, and to me,” said Neff, who decked Tiongson last month toward finishing seventh at The Beast Of The East Tournament. “Our previous match was tied, 5-5, in the first period of overtime when he drove for a double, I threw in an under-hook, rolled across my back and pinned him. We used that match as a preparation for this recent one since we figured we could meet in the finals.” Neff had just enough, yet again, to earn a 3-2 championship triumph over Tiongson, who reached the title bout on three pins after having lost, 1-0, two weeks ago to Centennial of Howard County’s two-time state champion Austin Kraisser. Joining Neff as champions were Jared Thomas (106), Kevin Budock (145), Paul Hutton (170) and Brady Daniel (220), with a runner-up finish from Bailey Thomas (152) as the Falcons (264 points) easily out-distanced runner-up Archbishop Spalding (178) and the 20-team field. 24 THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL JANUARY 14,2016 SPORTS EDITOR’S CORNER Richard Montgomery brothers shine in sports By Brandy L. Simms @BLS1969 ROCKVILLE – Richard Montgomery High School senior Daniel Alexander and his kid brother Daryn are inseparable. “We do a lot of things together in the house and when we go play sports,” said Daniel, 17, “so we’re always usually together.” Daniel and Daryn, a 15-yearold sophomore, are both threesport athletes at the Montgomery County public school. On the basketball court, they are like two peas in a pod, wherever one goes, the other is sure to follow. Take for instance the Rockets’ game against Wootton earlier this month. On a particular play, Daniel passed the ball to his younger sibling who scored a basket and was fouled. Daryn converted the foul shot for the three-point play that helped extend the Rockets’ lead. Richard Montgomery went on to win the game, 64-50, thanks in part to the Alexander brothers who exhibit a special chemistry on the court. “When I’m down he knows how to motivate me the best,” said Daniel, “so I think it’s great playing with my little brother.” Growing up in a household with six children, Daniel and Daryn always dreamed of one day playing together in high school and that dream turned into a reality last year when Daryn made Richard Montgomery’s varsity football team. Daryn said they used to have a sibling rivalry when they were younger but that has changed now that they are in high school. “We’re more mature now,” said Daryn. “We learned that we’re brothers and at the end of the day PHOTOS BY JAQUI SOUTH Daniel and Daryn Alexander from Richard Montgomery. we got to look out for each other.” Last year, the Alexander brothers helped lead the Richard Montgomery football team to its finest season in a decade; the Rockets finished the 2015 campaign with a 9-2 record and earned the program’s first postseason berth since 2005. Daniel was among the county’s leading wide receivers this past season, registering 38 catches for 660 yards and eleven touchdowns. He also made an impact at cornerback with 62 tackles and six interceptions including a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown in Richard Montgomery’s 20-13 win over Clarksburg last October. “Daniel’s a really great football player,” said Richard Montgomery sophomore quarterback Spencer Silverstein. “I’m going to miss him next year.” The brothers played varsity football together last fall and are now varsity teammates on the basketball team this year. This spring they both plan to compete together on Richard Montgomery’s varsity track and field team. On Tuesday night, the brother act was in full effect as Daniel and Daryn combined for 22 points in the Rockets’ 63-57 win over Whitman. The road victory helped Richard Montgomery improve to 72 on the season. The Alexander brothers have set lofty goals for the 2015-16 campaign and would like to help put the Richard Montgomery basketball program back on the area map. “I want to win a state championship with him,” said Daryn. “I want to make it to a state championship before he goes to college.” The “Smiling Assassin” gets his due and is a MoCo fond football memory During his playing days on the NFL gridiron, Montgomery County resident Steve Atwater earned the nickname “Smiling Assassin.” The Sporting View by Brandy L. Simms On Saturday, during our nearly 20-minute phone conversation, Atwater told me he got that nickname from a former NFL coach. That coach was none other than former Dallas Cowboys defensive back Charlie Waters who was a Denver Broncos assistant when Atwater was selected by the franchise in the 1989 NFL Draft. Atwater, a Chicago native, grew up in St. Louis and played college football at the University of Arkansas where he switched positions. After enjoying a stellar career as a high school option quarterback, Atwater became a safety in college. He was named to the All-Southwest Conference team three times and was twice named an All-American and finished as the Razorbacks’ alltime leader in interceptions with 14. His NFL career was legendary, he competed against players such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, Marcus Allen and Keenan McCardell among others. However, his signature moment arrived in 1990 during a Monday Night Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs and their mammoth running back Christian Okoye who was nicknamed the “Nigerian Nightmare.” Okoye burst through the line of scrimmage where he was met by Atwater who knocked him backwards. The famous video clip has been viewed more than 700,000 times on YouTube. “He was just riding roughshod on everybody,” recalled Atwater, who won two Super Bowls and was named to eight Pro Bowls during his tenure with the Broncos. “Fortunately, I was able to stop him that time.” A few years ago, Atwater migrated north from Georgia to Maryland with his wife and children to be closer to his two sons who were both playing college football at the time. Steve Atwater Jr. played at Georgetown and DiAndre Atwater competed for the Princeton Tigers of the Ivy League. A third son, Paris, was a high school junior at Sherwood when the Atwaters moved to Montgomery County. Steve Atwater joined the Sherwood coaching staff to share some of his knowledge of the game. “I had a great time, man” said Atwater. “I had helped coach most of my boys coming up. It was my first time coaching Paris’s team, one of the teams that Paris played on.” Atwater is among a group of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In past years, he’s been named a semifinalist but now is just one step away from receiving the ultimate honor. “I’m pretty excited about it,” said Atwater, a Brookeville resident. “I’ve never gotten this far before.” On February 6, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016 will be selected from the list of 15 modern-era finalists plus three senior nominees and Atwater could be in that group. Atwater’s family is also overcome with joy at the notion that he could be a Pro Football Hall of Famer in the near future. “We are all extremely grateful,” said Paris Atwater, who graduated from Sherwood in 2014, “and just praying that the next cut goes his way.” You can contact Brandy at: blssports@hotmail.com