The Town Courier

Gaithersburg’s Hometown Newspaper | Serving Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard Park and More
The
TOWN
Vol. 12, No. 17
Courier
www.towncourier.com
September 4, 2015
#FIRSTARMY Returns to
Cougar Dome for 25th Reunion
By Pam Schipper
I
n 1988, Quince Orchard High
School opened to 9th, 10th
and 11th grades. This fall, Oct.
2 and 3, alumni from those original classes are coming back to
celebrate the 25th anniversary of
QO’s first graduating class.
“We all remember 1990 like
it was yesterday,” said Andrea
(Faris) Roberts, one of seven
women organizing the reunion
event. “This is only this one time.
This is a historic event, 25 years
after we graduated the first class.
We want to involve the community as best we can.”
That the reunion weekend
kicks off with a home football
game against Gaithersburg on
Oct. 2 (gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
is fitting. QO began as it has gone
on—as a football powerhouse.
Roberts began high school and
completed 10th grade at Seneca
Valley High School, and she recalled not wanting to start high
school all over again at QO. Plus,
Seneca Valley’s football team was
legendary.
That would change.
“In 1991, we were state champs
in football,” Roberts said. “We
took our best talent with us (from
Seneca Valley).”
Roberts was not an athlete or
cheerleader at QO, but she did
keep a scrapbook of clippings
from the school newspaper, the
Cougar Crier, that chronicle the
football seasons. Some on the reunion committee were cheerleaders, Roberts said, and they were
surprised to see themselves in her
scrapbook.
And then there’s her father, Lee
n
QOHS Reunion Continued on page 16
Photo | Submitted
The original classes that opened Quince Orchard High School in 1988 return Oct. 2 and 3 for a
25th reunion.
Photo | Submitted
Former Kentlands resident Jeremy Vest stars in a new film, “Bulletproof,” and a documentary, “Becoming Bulletproof.”
Return of the Native: Vest to
Talk About Film at AFI Theatre
By Ellyn Wexler
J
eremy Vest, 29, is coming home for a visit;
his purpose is to “rep the doc,” as is the parlance in the trade. The star of the 35-minute film, “Bulletproof,” a 2012 Zeno Mountain
Farm project, as well as “Becoming Bulletproof,”
the 80-minute film documenting its creation,
will take part in a Q&A session that follows a
Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m. screening of the documentary
at the AFI Theatre in Silver Spring. Doors open at
n
VEST FILM Continued on page 8
PRSRT-STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GAITHERSBURG, MD
Permit #1722
Living the Dream: Lakelands Park Middle
Models Hopefulness and Achievement
By Pam Schipper
O
Photo | Submitted
Austin Cohen (center, white sweatshirt) has breakfast with (left to right) his younger sister,
Courtney, his father, Scott, and his mother, Miriam.
Fleet Feet Sports Races to
Crush Cancer for Cohen
The Town Courier
309 Main Street
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
7 p.m., and reservations are mandatory.
Jeremy has Williams syndrome, a genetic condition characterized both by medical problems
like developmental delays and learning disabilities, and positive attributes including a highly social personality and an affinity for music. He and
his parents, Sue and Ken Vest, left their Kentlands
home of nearly 21 years on July 29; the intention in
selling their house and relocating to Wilmington,
By Sharon Allen Gilder
“Y
ou can’t change what
is. You’ve got to make
the best of what you
have. It could always be worse,”
said Scott Cohen. He added that
he tries not to count the clichés in
his head since his 15-year-old son,
Austin, a Quince Orchard High
School sophomore and football
player, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, in
March 2014. A tumor was discovered in the femur just above the
knee of Austin’s right leg. When
chemotherapy failed to eradicate
the tumor, which grew to the size
n
CRUSH CANCER Continued on page 9
n Aug. 31, 2015, Lakelands Park Middle School
opened its doors to an estimated 1,048 students and began
its second decade. “I can’t believe
it’s been 10 years,” said Joe Sacco, former LPMS principal who
opened the school and nurtured it
through its first three-and-a-half
years.
Sacco, now retired from teaching after 32 years and the owner
of a local Miracle Ear franchise,
recalled the thought and work
that began before opening day on
Aug. 29, 2005. “It was very exciting to build a new school together with the community,” he
said. “Parents, students, staff and
the City of Gaithersburg were involved. I interviewed hundreds of
potential staff members and chose
those that I believed were the very
best. We planned and planned and
had a great time envisioning what
it would take to combine students
from different schools and create
a unified new school that would
be high achieving.”
The school opened to grades
6 and 7 only with approximately
550 students.
Setting high academic goals
and meeting the county’s expectations for standardized test scores
were only part of the dream that
Sacco and staff held for the new
school. “We were looking at the
whole child and creating a space
that would welcome students and
families,” Sacco said. “One way
we did this was to create a special
training space for staff. This was
unique in the county and served
n
LPMS anniversary Continued on page 17
Page 2
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
September 4, 2015
The Town Courier
Page 3
AROUND TOWN
Compiled by Pam Schipper
Get Ready to Run!
Photo | Submitted
Cub Scout Pack 221, which meets monthly at Rachel Carson Elementary School, offers Scouts in grades 1 through 5 opportunities to go camping and discover many other adventures.
Join Cub Scout Pack 221
Cub Scout Pack 221 is looking for new members in grades 1 through 5. This pack serves the Gaithersburg Kentlands/Lakelands area. Scouts learn useful skills, make memories, spend time with friends and
family and have fun. Examples of activities are the Pinewood Derby (building and racing cars), camping,
spending the night in a museum, Mobile Mining, Reptiles Alive exhibit, fishing, and many more fun and
exciting adventures.
The entire Cub Scout Pack 221 meets once a month at Rachel Carson Elementary School. Dens, or
grade-level groups, meet one to two times per month at various locations.
Everyone is invited to the first Cub Scout Pack 221 meeting on Sept. 15, 6:45 p.m. at RCES. For more
information on how to join, contact Shauna Shupe at scmyers2003@yahoo.com.
The popular chip-timed Kentlands/Lakelands 5K
Run, Walk and Kids Fun Runs takes place Saturday
morning, Sept. 5. Some 1,500 runners are expected
for the 5K, and another 350 for the Kids Fun Runs.
The loop course, featuring water stops and live entertainment, winds through Lakelands and Kentlands,
starting and finishing on Main Street behind Kentlands Market Square. Hosted by the nonprofit Kentlands Community Foundation in partnership with
the City of Gaithersburg, the Kentlands/Lakelands
5K has grown to be the largest 5K race in Montgomery County. The Kentlands Community Foundation
annually donates 50 percent of race proceeds to local
charities.
The Kentlands Acoustic Jam holds a breakfast concert in front of the Kentlands Clubhouse during the
5K. Bring your coffee and a blanket to sit on. There
is also a Post-Race Expo in Kentlands Market Square,
and the evening brings I&I Riddim Reggae on the
Kentlands Clubhouse lawn, 4 to 6 p.m., the Bad Influence Band with special guest Mary Shaver in Kentlands Market Square, 6 to 9 p.m., and an outdoor
screening of “Into the Woods” at dark on the Kentlands Clubhouse lawn. For more information, visit
www.kentlands.org/5K/info.
Kitten Season Gives Local Shelter Paws
By Pam Schipper
A
t the Animal Welfare League of
Montgomery County in Gaithersburg’s Olde Towne, the
height of summer has come and gone
on little cat feet. “I would say in total
we have had more than 28 (kittens),”
said Susan Glimcher, AWLMC Board
member. “They are going slowly this
summer.”
Really more of a home than a shelter with nearly cage-free living for
homeless cats, the completely volunteer-run and no-kill AWLMC has
adopted out more than 1,300 cats
in its first 10 years. Kittens are fostered by AWLMC volunteers because
n
adoption Continued on page 8
Photo | Pam Schipper
Canines celebrate the end of the dog days of summer with their annual
jump into the Quince Orchard Park pool.
Dogs Have Fun Closing Down Area Pools
Dogs make a splash on Labor Day at area pools as
the summer season is closed out with true canine
style. Many dog owners look forward to this day all
summer long.
Photo | Marsha Liebl
Darius and Lambikins are available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County.
• The Quince Orchard Park Almost Annual Doggy Swim is Sept. 7, 5 to 7 p.m. for QOP and
Vistas residents.
yourviews
Resident Concerns About Quince Orchard Retaining Wall
I am rereading the article “Living on the Edge” in THE TOWN
COURIER for the fifth time. I take
“Living on the Edge” to mean both
the physical danger of the wall falling and the financial danger of who
will pay $2,000,000 bill. As for the
physical danger, it must not be that serious. For the past 5 months, I either
walk or drive by “the now infamous
retaining wall” on Quince Orchard
Road. There simply is almost NO
WORK being done. Where is the
• The Kentlands Annual Dog Swim is held in the
Social Pool, Sept. 7, 4-6 p.m.
progress and more importantly where
are the workers? Once in a while, and
I do mean once in a while, three or
four workers are present as they mill
about the base of the “infamous wall”
talking. I’m not sure but maybe they
are all supervisors, which would explain the lack of work. At the present
rate, I would have grave doubts if the
“infamous wall” could be completed
by 2025, if at all. Mark Avon, president of the company doing the remediation work, states that many por-
tions of the wall “THAT WE ARE
NOT WORKING ON … MAY
NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE
WINTER.” If the absence of work
is any indication of what YOU ARE
WORKING ON, it would appear
that almost NONE OF THE WALL
will make it through the winter.
Regarding the financial considerations, I have two suggestions for the
KCA (Kentlands Citizens Assembly):
n
your views Continued on page 8
• The Lakelands Dog Swim takes place at the Lakelands Pool, Sept. 7, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
MD 119 Intersection
Improvement Project Resumes
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s
n
Around town Continued on page 10
Correction
The Aug. 21 front page photo of Salon Red staff
and owner Morty Modaressi was taken by Marleen
Van den Neste, a professional photographer who
is based in Gaithersburg. Her website is www.
marleenvandenneste.com.
Page 4
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Former NIST Guard Faces Prison Time
309 Main Street
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
For Advertising: 301.279.2304
Also on the Web at www.towncourier.com.
Diane Dorney
Publisher
news@towncourier.com
Matt Danielson
President
matt@eink.net
Pam Schipper
Managing Editor
pam@towncourier.com
Debi Rosen
Advertising Manager
301.279.2304
ads@towncourier.com
Leslie Kennedy
Advertising Sales
301-330-0132
leslie@towncourier.com
Staff Photographers
Arthur Cadeaux
Yenrue Chen
Christine DartonHenrichsen
Staff Writers
Jennifer Beekman
Nora Caplan
Mike Cuthbert
Gina Gallucci-White
Sharon Allen Gilder
Betty Hafner
Sheilah Kaufman
Donna Marks
Syl Sobel
Maureen Stiles
Ellyn Wexler
Social Media
Consultant
Mac Kennedy
©2015 Courier Communications
The Town Courier is an independent newspaper published twice a month that provides news
and information for the communities of Kentlands,
Lakelands and Quince Orchard Park in Gaithersburg,
Md. The paper is published by Courier Communications, which is responsible for the form, content and
policies of the newspaper. The Town Courier does not
espouse any political belief or endorse any product
or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters
submitted for publication must be signed and may be
edited for length or content. The Town Courier is not
responsible for any claims made by advertisers Letters
to the Editor and Commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, management or advertisers
of The Town Courier.
By Gina Gallucci-White
A
former National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security guard faces a maximum 20year prison sentence after pleading guilty
Aug. 21 to making less than 5 grams of
methamphetamine at the federal facility.
Christopher Bartley, 41, of Gaithersburg,
is set to be sentenced Nov. 19 at the U.S.
District Court in Greenbelt. He is not in
custody, federal officials said.
“Methamphetamine is unsafe to produce and unsafe to use,” said U.S. Attorney
Rod J. Rosenstein. “Mr. Bartley damaged
government property and jeopardized the
health and safety of NIST employees by
mixing dangerous chemicals.”
Bartley’s lawyer, Steven VanGrack, told
The Washington Post that his client was
not making the illegal drug to sell or use.
The lieutenant wanted to understand the
drug better in order to conduct training
exercises to benefit NIST officers.
According to details in the plea agreement released by federal officials, Bartley
attempted to manufacture the illegal drug
under a chemical fume hood on July 18.
While making meth, an explosion blew
out four shatterproof windows from their
frames. They were located between 22 to
33 feet from the building. As a result of the
explosion, Bartley was burned on his head,
including singed eyebrows and hair, and on
his arm.
The silent heat alarm was triggered
during the explosion when the temperature in the room reached 180 degrees,
officials said. Firefighters saw the injured
Bartley leaving the room. Before he left the
n
POLICEBeat
First Responders Honored
The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce recently honored 46 first
responders during the 20th annual Public
Safety Awards Breakfast at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
The honorees hail from the Gaithersburg Police Department (GPD), the Fifth
and Sixth Districts of the Montgomery Police Department (MCPD) and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS).
Members of Girl Scout Troop 274 were
also recognized with a Meritorious Service
Citation for their work to promote pedestrian safety at St. Martin’s on Md. 355 at
Summit Avenue in June.
Four MCFRS personnel along with four
MCPD Sixth District officers received
awards for their decisive, quick actions
when a plane crashed into a home, killing
six near the Montgomery County Airpark
a few weeks before Christmas last year.
MCFRS officials earned the Medal of Valor honor while the MCPD officers were
given Citations for Bravery.
Three different cases involving domestic assault, a string of burglaries and a drug
case led to 11 GPD officers obtaining Meritorious Service Citations for their hard
work. Five MCPD Sixth District officers
received the same award for their work to
aid abused women involved in prostitution
and human trafficking victims.
The Citation of Bravery was given to
four MCPD Sixth District officers who
COLOR
arrest Continued on page 9
By Gina Gallucci-White
helped save two lives during an emergency and 10 MCPD Fifth District officers for
apprehending a violent criminal.
Four MCPD Fifth District officers received the Medal of Valor for saving the
life of a suicidal teenager.
National Prescription Drug TakeBack Day Is Sept. 26.
The Gaithersburg and Montgomery
County Police departments are two of several agencies participating in the event.
The Gaithersburg event will take place
at the department’s police station at 14
Fulks Corner Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No liquids or syringes will be accepted
and there is no cost for the service, which is
anonymous with no questions asked.
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
cityscene Plan in Development for Olde Towne
Park Plaza
A development plan for Olde Towne
Park Plaza, located at South Summit and
East Diamond avenues, is in the works. A.
Morton Thomas and Associates, an engineering and design firm, will analyze the
current property, area traffic and lighting.
The firm will also come up with a conceptual and preliminary design for the plaza.
Ribbon-Cutting Set for New Nature
Play Space
A Sept. 19 ribbon-cutting celebration is
set to mark the grand reopening of the redesigned Constitution Gardens.
The municipal park, located at the intersection of Brookes and Park avenues in
Olde Towne, has been transformed into a
nature play space featuring a story circle
called The Lost Library, a bird’s nest ideal for climbing and pretending and Log
Page 5
By Gina Gallucci-White
Town with playhouses and sensory garden.
The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. and
feature contemporary music by “American
Idol” contestant Travis Tucker. Games,
storytelling and other fun events will take
place around the park.
If you plan on attending, park at Gaithersburg Elementary School, which is a
block from the event.
Nonprofits, Not-for-Profits May
Apply for Event Proceeds
For those who attend the annual Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival, not only
does your ticket cost go toward a wonderful experience but a portion also benefits
area nonprofits and not-for-profit organizations. These organizations have from
now until Sept. 11 to apply to be one of the
charities to benefit from the event. The applications may be found at the city’s website
in the related documents section. Those
chosen will be informed in mid-October.
MEETING CALENDAR
9/8
Senior Advisory Committee Meeting, Benjamin Gaither Center, 10:30 a.m.
Community Advisory Committee Meeting,
Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 6:30 p.m.
Transportation Committee Meeting, Public
Works Conference Room, 7 p.m.
Mayor and City Council Meeting, City Hall
Council Chambers, 7:30 p.m.
9/9
Police Advisory Committee Meeting, Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 7 p.m.
Multicultural Affairs Committee Meeting,
Activity Center at Bohrer Park – Large
Conference Room, 7:30 p.m.
Board of Appeals Meeting, City Hall Council Chambers, 7:30 p.m.
9/10
Mandatory Candidate Training, City Hall
Council Chambers, 7:30 p.m.
Olde Towne Advisory Subcommittee Meeting, City Hall Gallery, 7:30 p.m.
9/11
Educational Enrichment Committee Meet-
ing, Wells/Robertson House Conference
Room, 7:30 a.m.
9/12
Federal Election Early Voting Centers Public Hearing, Montgomery County Executive
Office Building, 10 a.m.
9/15
Olde Towne Park Plaza Design Ad Hoc Committee Meeting, City Hall Gallery, 8 a.m.
9/16
Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall
Council Chambers, 7:30 p.m.
9/18
Economic and Business Development Committee Meeting, City Hall Gallery, 7:30 a.m.
Candidate Filing Deadline, City Hall City
Attorney’s Office, 5 p.m.
9/21
Mayor and City Council Meeting, City Hall
Council Chambers, 7:30 p.m.
For the latest information on city meetings, visit
the City of Gaithersburg website at
www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
301-657-3332
301-299-5222
Page 6
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
New Season Begins at Arts on the Green
By Pam Schipper
D
uring an Aug. 24 presentation on
Arts on the Green before the Mayor
and City Council, Shellie Williams
said, “I don’t like being called the best-kept
secret. I like being called the best jewel in
the crown and everybody knows about us.”
Williams is the Arts Barn arts administrator, and she began her directorship in
September 2013. Last year, she and Kentlands Mansion facility manager Kristy
King strengthened the longstanding partnership between their two facilities with
the new Arts on the Green rebranding.
Their first joint program, Gatsby on the
Green on Sept. 28, 2014, was a smashing
success.
According to Williams, combined attendance across all Arts on the Green events
(including classes, camps and rentals)
jumped from 39,650 in 2014 to 50,485 in
2015. New programming initiatives like
Get in the Act, seven open mic nights at
the mansion, and a daytime performance
series for seniors and homeschoolers that
features professional actors, drew a diverse
audience to Arts on the Green. “Each year,
we are programming one day out of three,”
Williams noted.
September is the 2015-2016 season’s
opening act, and it promises even more exn
arts on the green Continued on page 12
Photo | Submitted
New this season at Arts on the Green is VF Dance Theater’s Cirque du Dance on May 6 and 7.
Photo | Elli Swink
No less than 39 musicals are referenced in “The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!),” opening Sept. 11 at the Arts
Barn. A cast of four plays dozens of parts. They are (left to right) Micky Goldstein, Bill Brown, Ellie Borzilleri and
Cheryl Campo with musical director Keith Tittermary on piano.
Musical Hits All the
Right Notes!
By Sharon Allen Gilder
M
usical aficionados, this one’s for
you! “The Musical of Musicals
(The Musical!),” coming to the
Arts Barn on Sept. 11 through Sept. 27,
soars with scores paying comical homage to composers and lyricists who have
penned some of Broadway’s classics. The
well-versed selections throughout the
production, in the style of Rodgers &
Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and
Kander & Ebb, have been parodied into
a witty satire. The show is comprised of
five acts, each of which are short musicals, addressing a familiar refrain among
aspiring actors and artists who often
lament, “I can’t pay the rent!”
Gaithersburg’s Arts on the Green is
presenting the musical in partnership
with Damascus Theatre Company who
graced the stage with the same production in February when weather conditions forced the cancellation of several
performances. “I was so taken with the
production that I invited them to remount the production for Arts on the
Green. It has a simply fabulous cast and
will be a huge hit with fans of musical
theatre,” said Laura Andruski, theatre
program coordinator at the Arts Barn.
The 90-minute show with one intermission first appeared Off Broadway
in 2003 at The York Theatre Company
where it gained the notoriety of becoming the longest running show in the theatre’s 35-year history. In 2005, the show
moved to the Dodger Stages where the
production was nominated in five categories for several Drama Desk Awards
including Outstanding Musical. New
York Magazine characterized the musical as, “Funny, charming and refreshing. It hits its target with sophisticated
affection!” and The Daily News wrote,
“Hilarious! It’ll keep you laughing from
start to finish.”
The Damascus Theatre Company
production is produced by Elli Swink
and Carol Boyle, and choreographed by
Megan McNellage. Swink said, “It’s a
spoof on a bunch of different musicals
so I think it’s fun for people to pick out
all the different segments to see how
many of the shows they know.” There
are 39 musicals referenced throughout
the show. Swink enthusiastically added,
“It’s older shows like ‘Sound of Music’
and ‘Oklahoma,’ and also newer shows
like ‘Avenue Q’ and ‘Into the Woods.’
We have a really good cast so there’s some
n
musical Continued on page 10
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 7
arts& entertainment
Compiled by Pam Schipper
Montgomery Portrait Artists
Through Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.,
Kentlands Mansion
Five members of the Montgomery Portrait Artists present their multimedia works
at the Kentlands Mansion. Free. www.
gaithersburgmd.gov
Market Square Live!
Sept. 5, 6-9 p.m., Kentlands Market Square
Enjoy a live performance by the Bad
Influence Band with special guest Mary
Shaver. Free. www.marketsquarelivekentlands.com
Evenings in Olde Towne,
Four Star Combo
Sept. 10, 6-7:30 p.m., Gaithersburg City
Hall, Concert Pavilion
Enjoy some great rockabilly at the
City Hall Concert Pavilion. Free. www.
gaithersburgmd.gov
Movie on the Lawn: ‘Shrek, The
Final Chapter’
Sept. 11, dusk, Lakelands Clubhouse Lawn
The final installment of the Shrek series
will be shown on an inflatable screen on
the lawn. www.lakelands.org
‘The Musical of Musicals
(The Musical!)’
Sept. 11-27, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays,
2 p.m. Sundays, Arts Barn
In partnership with Damascus Theatre
Company, Arts on the Green presents
“The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!).”
This show is structured in five acts, each a
short musical parodying (and paying homage to) the style of a composer or composer/lyricist team: Rodgers & Hammerstein,
Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Kander & Ebb,
all dealing with roughly the same classic
melodrama plot: “I can’t pay the rent!”
Recommended for ages 12 & up. Tickets
n
shoptalk
Potomac Garden Center
Donates Beauty
When the Rachel Carson Elementary
School PTA asked Potomac Garden Center
to help with planters in front of the school
on Aug. 26, Lisa Barrett and LouAnn Maier were more than happy to spend an hour
advising the PTA on plant selection, and
they also showed members how to arrange
them. Then Potomac Garden Center donated all of the plants—more than 30 total—and the soil needed to refresh all six
planters, said Paula Ross, RCES PTA president.
MCPAW Is NYAJ’s September Cause
for Paws
Thanks to the efforts of the MOMS
Club of North Potomac-Muddy Branch,
Not Your Average Joe’s in Gaithersburg
has designated MCPAW as the beneficiary of its Cause for Paws! Every Tuesday in
September, mention the MOMS Club of
arts & entertainment Continued on page 12
Compiled by Pam Schipper
North Potomac-Muddy Branch and Cause
for Paws, and Not Your Average Joe’s will
donate 15 percent of your bill to MCPAW.
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www.kentlandsfootdoctor.com
NerdWallet Suggests Gaithersburg
as New Foodie Destination
A recent report from the website NerdWallet.com, a personal finance and information service, ranks Gaithersburg as the
20th best city to start a new restaurant.
Demand for new restaurants and local economic conditions were considered in the
report’s examination of 530 U.S. cities. To
read the full report, visit www.nerdwallet.
com/blog/small-business/start-restaurant.
New Openings for Downtown Crown
In early August, the Hair Cuttery
opened its fifth salon in Gaithersburg at
130 Crown Park Ave. Ted’s Montana Grill,
a steakhouse chain known for its burgers
and chops made from bison, is expected to
open in October at 113 Ellington Boulevard.
Whole Kids Foundation Fair Puts the Fun in Fundraising
Don’t miss this third annual event on Sunday, Sept. 13, noon to
4 p.m. at Whole Foods Market Kentlands. Local businesses partner
with Whole Foods to offer the fun: Great Kids Events Moon Bounces & Balloon Twister, My Gym Kentlands Obstacle Course, Greenkids
Audubon Naturalist Society EnviroScapes Watershed Activity, Fleet
Feet Sports Gaithersburg Booth, Face Painting, and Quick Start Tennis with the Montgomery Tennisplex. Entertainment includes local band
Throwing Wrenches, as well as plays and demonstrations by the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre and Academy & Fitsu Fitness Program. The
fair benefits the Whole Kids Foundation, a charitable organization that
provides children with access to healthy food choices through partnerships with schools, educators and organizations. Activity tickets can be
purchased at Whole Foods Market Kentlands Customer Service. Most
activities cost one or two tickets. Tickets are five for $5 or 12 for $10.
A cup of coffee and a second opinion
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Triton Wealth Management is an independent fee-only Registered
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Page 8
The Town Courier
■ VEST FILM
from page 1
North Carolina, where the cost of living is
significantly lower, is to provide Jeremy with
a nest egg and an independent life. They are
hoping the move will make as profound a
difference as the camps Jeremy has attended
since he was 9 years old.
“Camp changed his life,” Sue Vest said.
On the recommendation of his physical
therapist, Jeremy first went to Camp Jabberwocky, a summer camp for children and
adults with disabilities on Martha’s Vineyard, in 1995. He subsequently attended the
Zeno Mountain Farm group of camps, started 12 years ago by Jabberwocky alums Will
and Peter Halby and their wives.
Based on the Jabberwocky model, Zeno’s
“philosophy is to create a truly inclusive
community that builds genuine friendships
that transcend stigma and stereotypes,” according to its website. Comprising the Zeno
community are “people with Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, law degrees, Autism,
a love of art, teaching certificates, cognitive
delay, carpentry skills, Williams syndrome,
a willingness to dance in public and Spina
Bifida.”
Nobody—including directors, administrators and participants, with or without
disabilities—is paid or pays to be at Zeno.
Individual donors and foundations provide
most of its funding.
Jabberwocky and Zeno’s summer arts
camp in Lincoln, Vermont, and film camp
in Los Angeles nurtured Jeremy’s interest
and abilities in acting. At Jabberwocky, he
had a role as a reporter covering presidential
conventions in “How’s Your News?” which
became an MTV series. His Zeno credits include original short films like “The Return
of the Muskrats,” “Selling the Future,” and
“The Adventure of Lenny Maloney.”
Zeno co-founder Will Halby has known
Jeremy for some 20 years, since their shared
days at Jabberwocky, and has observed his
talents mature. In addition to acting, Jeremy plays piano by ear, and is an excellent
drummer who began taking lessons at age 4.
Halby said whenever a musical performance
takes place at camp, Jeremy jumps right in.
In “Bulletproof,” filmed on location in
Southern California, Jeremy played the Wild
West gunslinger Bulletproof Jackson. The
inclusive community’s 10th film was screened
July 25 at the Smithsonian’s 25th anniversary
celebration of the American Disabilities Act.
While he and director Peter Lazarus wrote
the template, Halby said, once on set, everyone contributed and deserves a writing credit. As far as the character Bulletproof Jackson, “We wrote it around Jeremy, around
what we thought he could do,” Halby said.
Jeremy has the one trait Halby believes
is essential to being a successful performer.
“An actor has to love the concept of being
observed, and Jeremy has always enjoyed being entertaining,” he noted. And Halby has
seen growth through the years: “Jeremy has
become more and more able,” very likely because he sees the “payoff to working hard.”
Also, he said, Jeremy has learned to understand his character, and that he is not being
himself, and the audience believes him.
Halby saw Jeremy struggle with the
less-than-glamorous realities of film making.
“The hard part for Jeremy was to pay atten-
tion and stay focused. Being on set is really
boring—a lot of sitting around and waiting,
listening to others say their lines, retakes. It’s
really hard for anyone, but for someone like
Jeremy, who likes to jump around and be active, it’s a real challenge.”
While the Zeno crew was making “Bulletproof,” Emmy Award-winning Director
Michael Barnett and his SuperFilms crew
were filming what transpired—“the essence
of artistic expression through vibrant human
bonds and powerful insights.” They ended
up with nearly 200 hours of documentary
footage, then visited some of the actors in
their home environments—including Jeremy in the Kentlands—which they edited
into “Becoming Bulletproof.”
On its run through the film festival circuit, the documentary has won 10 awards
thus far, and will open officially on Sept. 25.
SuperFilms has committed to donating all
proceeds to Zeno Mountain Farm, the website states, “so they can continue to spread
their inclusive philosophy, support lifelong
friendships, and create great films.”
Jeremy and the “Bulletproof ” cast have
been accompanying the documentary on
its rounds to take part in the post-screening
Q&As. Hopeful about a future full of music and acting, Jeremy said, “It’s pretty nice
here (in Wilmington), but I miss the Kentlands”—and he would love to see his neighborhood friends at the AFI screening.
To
make
reservations
for
the
Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m. screening at the AFI
Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in
Silver Spring, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/
zeno-mountain-farm-invites-you-to-thedc-a rea-f u nd ra iser-a nd- screen i ng - ofbecoming-bulletproof-tickets-18281851510.
■ adoption
peaking in late spring or early summer, and
ending in fall,” explained Glimcher—local
shelters are flooded with kittens. AWLMC
has adopted out all but 12 of its little charges
now.
AWLMC prefers to have kittens adopted
in pairs, as they do best with a playmate of
their own age. Exceptions are made, said
Glimcher.
In addition to working to find placements
for homeless kittens and cats, AWLMC has
programs to help pet owners afford to spay
and neuter their pets. AWLMC offers a lowcost program for both dogs and cats. Cats are
spayed/neutered for $50 each, and dogs less
than 60 pounds are spayed/neutered for $100
each. In addition, twice a year AWLMC offers special certificates so that Montgomery
County residents can get their cats or dogs
spayed or neutered for free.
For more information on adoptions and
spay/neuter programs, visit www.awlmc.org
or www.facebook.com/AWLMC.
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from page 3
they need extra care, and they are brought
to AWLMC at 12 Park Ave. and Kentlands
PetSmart for adoption on alternating Saturdays.
“While kittens are adorable, and very
much desired by potential adopters, most
shelters don’t have the resources to care for
very young kittens,” Glimcher explained.
“Neonate kittens—those who are about
two to three weeks old—must be bottle-fed
every few hours. Shelters must place them
with someone who is trained to care for neonates. If they don’t find those adopters or
foster placements fast, the kittens are often
euthanized. Kittens older than three weeks
still require extra care. Their immune systems aren’t strong, so disease and illness are
concerns.”
During kitten season each year—“really three seasons in one, starting in spring,
yourviews
from page 3
1.
RE/MAX REALTY GROUP OF CROWN
2.
If the wall could cost up to $2,000,000
and if the KCA bylaws prohibit borrowing more than $200,000 for such
a project, then it appears to be time to
alter the bylaws and up the ante.
If the KCA begs, borrows or steals
$900,000 from the city of Gaithersburg, it would only be fair-play for
the Kentlands Community to open
up all, YES ALL, of its recreational facilities to all of the residents of
Gaithersburg. Not a bad QUID PRO
QUO (this for that): $900, 000, and
there may be more for use of the
communities’ recreation facilities.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Pisarra
Kentlands resident
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 9
■ CRUSH CANCER
from page 1
of a cantaloupe, he underwent surgery for its
removal, “then it metastasized to his lungs,”
said his dad.
Subsequently, Austin has undergone approximately 20 administrations of chemotherapy, clinical trials at Sloan-Kettering
Institute in New York, and other surgeries
including an alternative, uncommon surgery called rotationplasty performed by orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Carol Morris at Johns
Hopkins, where a portion of his leg was removed and his ankle joint became his knee
joint. A video, “One Step at a Time” by
Lindsay Simpson, describes Austin’s journey
and the medical procedure he underwent to
maintain the optimum use of his leg so he
can return to the football field. In the video,
his oncologist, Dr. Holly J. Meany at Children’s National Medical Center, noted that,
“There are 300 to 400 cases a year. If you
think of overall numbers, it’s really quite
rare.”
Scott’s posting on Facebook about Austin’s
diagnosis caught the attention of Chris and
Robyn Gault, owners of Fleet Feet Sports
in Kentlands. Scott, a tri-athlete, had been
a customer of the store for many years and
participated in many of the store’s fun runs.
No strangers to hosting events to support
charitable causes, the Gault’s first thought
was how could we help? Robyn Gault said,
“Chris showed the posting to me and I was
like god, I mean, could you imagine going
through this with your kid? Nobody should
ever have to go through this.” They presented the family with the idea of a run/walk
in honor of Austin to assist with mounting
travel and medical expenses.
Fortified with Fleet Feet’s slogan “The
power of running for good” Crush Cancer for Cohen: Pub Run & Walk was born.
■ arrest
from page 4
building, he took the remnants of the items
and threw some them away in a dumpster
near the building. The remainder were discarded in a trash bin at another building.
After a search, officials announced they
recovered the items all used in the manufacturing of meth: a coffee grinder with white
powder residue, rubber gloves, a funnel, a
soda bottle containing white powder with
a rubber tube coming out of the top, coffee filters, burnt and melted plastic, a bottle
of Drano crystals, a gas mask and protective
Photo | Submitted
Austin Cohen had an uncommon surgery called rotationplasty to maintain optimum use of his leg and enable him to
return to the football field.
The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1
from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning at Fleet
Feet with pub stops for ice-cold beer samplers first at Quincy’s, then Pinky & Pepe’s
Grape Escape, Noodles & Company, The
Wine Harvest, and Coal Fire for the end
party where there will be happy hour prices
on food and drinks. A non-alcoholic sports
drink will also be available at each stop.
Depending on the route selected, participants can run/walk 2 or 4 miles. The long
route includes Quincy’s. The shorter route
is 2 miles within Kentlands. Cost is a $20
donation per participant. “The entire $20
goes to the charity,” said Robyn, “and all
the restaurants have generously donated the
beer. Typically, people hang out afterwards
and socialize, and then they’ll buy their own
beer and food after the free beer.” Brooks
running shoes and apparel company is the
event’s sponsor. The first 200 people to sign
up will receive a pint glass featuring the
Brooks and Fleet Feet logos.
Austin was free of cancer until a scan
safety glasses. Inside his car, officials also
found a book of Bartley’s handwritten notes
on ingredients and equipment needed to
make meth.
Hours after the explosion, Bartley sent
an email to his NIST supervisor titled “tonight’s explosion” and admitted to trying to
manufacture meth, officials said. He would
also tell a law enforcement agent he had
been trying to make meth at the time of the
explosion. Bartley resigned his job less than
a day after the explosion. Just shy of a month
after the incident, Bartley was charged.
As of mid-August, the building where the
explosion took place remained closed and
only available to staff on an as-needed basis.
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during clinical trials at New York’s
Sloan-Kettering Institute this past July detected a reoccurrence of cancer in his lung.
His treatments will continue locally at
N.I.H. in Bethesda.
“He’s doing fantastic,” said his dad. “If he
was wearing long pants you wouldn’t know
anything except a limp and you would have
to ask him why because he doesn’t wear
his emotions on his sleeve. He doesn’t really want to talk about it too much. He just
wants to live his life, which I think most
people eventually get to that point where it’s
like, OK, enough of this, let’s go ahead and
kind of move on.”
Scott said that along the journey through
Austin’s diagnosis, surgeries and treatments
he “marvels at what people complain about
now.” He finds himself teaching lessons
about perspective. “When people complain
about things, it’s more like I think a little
taste of perspective would do you good …
let me tell you a story … so I don’t think
you have it so bad. I’ve taught them perspective whether it’s me or some story that I’ve
heard. … It could always be worse.”
Fleet Feet’s fundraiser underscores the
coming together of community the Cohen
family has experienced. In the Simpson video, Austin’s mom, Miriam, noted, “I feel
like they put their arms around our house
and just held us tight.”
Scott said, “You know the saying, ‘It takes
a village?’ That’s really shown through with
everything that’s been going on with Austin. People come up to me and say, ‘I’m sorry with what you’re going through.’ I’m not
really going through it, if you will, he’s really the one that’s going through it. I’m just
along for the ride and provide what I can for
him when he needs it so … support … it’s
just knowing there are people out there and
that there’s still some good in the world …
that cliché, you know.”
Austin with his camera will be on the sidelines with QO’s JV football team this fall,
documenting the season and enjoying the
camaraderie of his teammates. In an Aug.
19 Facebook posting, Scott wrote, “We are
incredibly thankful that Austin continues to
fight off the field just as he did on.”
For more information, watch a
video about Austin’s journey at www.
monu me nt a l ne t wor k .com /v id e o s /
austen-cohen-123114 and visit www.
f le et fe et g a it her sbu r g.com /c a lend a r/
pub-run or contact Brittany at Fleet
Feet, 301.926.6442 or marketing@
fleetfeetgaithersburg.com.
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Page 10
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
aroundtown
from page 3
State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $765,000 improvement project at
the MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway) and
Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive
intersection. Weather permitting, the work
should be complete by the end of the year.
The project will improve safety and reduce
congestion with longer turn lanes along
westbound Orchard Ridge Drive, improve
left turn traffic movements from MD 119
onto Orchard Ridge Drive and enhance pedestrian safety across MD 119. Other work
in the .6 mile corridor includes
• extending the left turn lane on westbound Orchard Ridge Drive by 350
feet to allow more vehicles to line up
for the turn and not block mainline
lanes;
• modifying the median on Orchard
Ridge Drive to improve turning movements from southbound MD 119 onto
Orchard Ridge Drive;
• modifying the median and realigning
the crosswalk on the northern leg of
MD 119 to improve pedestrian visibility for drivers making right turns from
Orchard Ridge Drive onto northbound
MD 119;
• constructing sidewalk ramps, curb and
gutter median cut-throughs, and detectable warning surfaces for Americans
With Disabilities (ADA) compliance;
and
• resurfacing all traffic lanes and applying
new pavement markings.
Pedestrian traffic will be maintained at all
times during construction. Signs will direct
pedestrians to safe crossings within the project limits. SHA may use electronic message
boards, construction cones, barrels, arrow
boards and a flagging operation to direct motorists through the work zone. SHA’s contractor for the work is M. Luis Construction
Company of Baltimore. More than 39,000
motorists use this section of MD 119 daily.
To expedite all phases of work, crews may
temporarily close one lane in either direction
of MD 119. Motorists should prepare for the
following lane closures:
• Weekdays, single lane closures on
northbound MD 119 between 6 a.m.
and noon and southbound MD 119 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.;
• Overnight, Sundays through Thursdays, lane closures possible between
9 p.m. and 6 a.m.; and
• Single lane closures weekends on northbound MD 119 between 6 a.m. and 10
a.m. and southbound MD 119 between
6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Lakelands Community
Yard Sale Planned
Bring items to sell or look for new treasures on Sept. 12, 8 a.m. to noon at the
Four Corners Park on Lakelands Drive.
There is no charge to participate, and you
don’t need to register in advance. For more
information, visit www.lakelands.org
Lakelands Residents Go on a Bar
Crawl Sept. 12
Reconnect with friends and family at the
2nd Annual Lakelands Bar Crawl on Saturday, Sept. 12, 6 to 11 p.m. Lakelands residents will visit downtown Kentlands establishments the Wine Harvest, Not Your
Average Joe’s, Pinky & Pepe’s, Coal Fire
and Boulevard Tavern. For more information, visit www.lakelands.org
BlackRock Launches Season With
New Programming
The 2015-2016 season at BlackRock,
which begins Oct. 3 with the jazz group The
Hot Sardines, will feature expanded international dance and theatre programming, as
well as more world music. A sampling includes Indian Ink’s “The Elephant Wrestler,”
the Peruvian puppeteer company Teatro
Hugo e Ines, and the contemporary Israeli-based Vertigo Dance Company.
Also new this season at the BlackRock is
the Australian acrobatics ensemble Gravity
and Other Myths’ A Simple Space, part of
the BlackRock’s multi-year commitment
to presenting contemporary circus. Krista
Bradley, BlackRock executive director, was
selected as one of 24 representatives from
venues and festivals from North America,
southern Europe, and Nordic countries to
participate in Autopistes: Circus Dissemination, a two-year cooperation project.
Register to Vote Nov. 3
The City of Gaithersburg’s election for
mayor and three City Council members
is Tuesday, Nov. 3. City residents who are
registered to vote in Montgomery County
are automatically registered to vote in
Gaithersburg elections. Monday, Oct. 19,
2015 is the last day to register to be eligible to
vote in the November election. To confirm
your registration, contact the Montgomery
County Board of Elections at 240.777.VOTE
or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/
elections.
■ musical
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Our treatments include gental manipulation, myofascial release, electrical stimulation,
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from page 6
good singing.”
The cast of four is comprised of Ellie Borzilleri, Micky Goldstein, Bill Brown and
Cheryl J. Campo. Each play a dozen characters resulting, Swink laughed, “in lots of
quick costume changes!” Megan McNellage
will fill-in for Borzilleri the last weekend of
the show. Behind the scenes are master carpenter Jim Korte; tech director and lighting
designer Rick Swink; and sound designer
Vitol Wiacek.
Musical director Keith Tittermary accompanies the singers on a rented baby grand piano. Swink said, “The piano is the real star,
too. Keith plays the entire show on that piano and his work is awesome.” Tittermary
created a slideshow that runs between the
acts featuring photographs of the composers, the show associated with them, and the
Self-Serve VEIP Kiosk Debuts
Maryland vehicle owners can now test vehicle emissions using a new self-service Vehicle Emission Inspection Program (VEIP)
kiosk. Two VEIP self-service kiosks, one located at the Gaithersburg MVA branch office
and one located at the Glen Burnie VEIP station, are available 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Jointly administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and the
Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE), the new VEIP kiosk now works at
the convenience of Marylanders—any day,
any time.
The new kiosk is part of a one-year pilot program that uses innovative inspection
technology to simplify the vehicle emissions
testing process. Users simply plug a device
into their vehicle’s computer diagnostic system to determine whether their vehicle’s
engine is working properly and whether
its emissions are meeting Maryland’s environmental standards. The process takes less
than 10 minutes. Users can preview a kiosk
demonstration on the MVA website.
Model year 2005 and newer light-duty
vehicles and model year 2008 and newer
heavy-duty vehicles are eligible to use the
self-service VEIP kiosk. About 900,000 vehicles on an annual basis, or 58 percent of
vehicles tested each year, will be eligible to
use the kiosk. The cost for the VEIP test is
$14 whether administered through the traditional stations or the new kiosks.
Seasoned Spellers Wanted
Friends of the Library, Montgomery
County (FOLMC) has opened registration
for its annual Seasoned Spellers Senior Spelling Bee to be held on Saturday, Oct. 17 at
11 a.m. at Rockville Memorial Library, 21
Maryland Ave.
Registration at $25 per participant is open
until Oct. 12 for Montgomery County residents 55 years of age and older. To register,
visit www.folmc.org, call 240.777.0020, or
email staff@folmc.org. The event is free and
open to the public to watch. To join or receive more information about FOLMC, visit www.folmc.org.
shows Damascus Theatre Company has performed through the years.
Tittermary said, “There are great play-onword jokes. Part of what makes the show fun,
and what I love, is that it uses the simple device of one plot, which is basically a girl can’t
pay her rent. … They tell it in five different
ways. Audiences who are not ‘theater people’
will enjoy it because the five styles are vastly
different from each other, but theater people
will love it because all five styles are written in a unique musical theater style and the
composer and playwright, Eric Rockwell
and Joanne Bogart, got each style spot on.”
Tickets for “The Musical of Musicals (The
Musical!)” are $22 each, $12 for children
under 14. The play is recommended for ages
12 and up. The curtain goes up on Fridays
and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2
p.m. For more information, visit www.
gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/arts/theater-atthe-arts-barn.
September 4, 2015
The Town Courier
Page 11
Page 12
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
■ arts on the green
summer savings!
from page 6
citement and new programming.
“The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” presented by Damascus Theatre
Company gets the season off to a rollicking start on Sept. 11 with its musical parody and homage to well-known artists like
Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kander & Ebb.
The Singer Songwriter Series begins on
Sept. 12 with Austin-based artist BettySoo,
who gives folk a twang and pop to turn
it all into something breathtakingly new.
Annette Wasilik opens for BettySoo. A 3
p.m. singer songwriter workshop precedes
the 7:30 p.m. concert.
The daytime series for seniors and home-
schoolers continues this season with “Mark
Twain and Mr. Clements, Tonight!” on
Sept. 16, 1 p.m. Professional actor Kurt
Sutton plays the title role, highlighting
Twain’s tall tales and celebrated sense of
humor. This daytime series show enjoys a
special evening encore at 8 p.m.
Look for a new School’s Out Camp on
Sept. 14. Kids ages 8 to 16 can have a fun
day at the Arts Barn, making theatre guided by theatre professionals.
Later in the season, Arts on the Green
will bring Murder in the Mansion Dessert Theater in partnership with A Taste
For Murder Productions on Oct. 30 and
31; Redhot & Blue Yale in Concert on
March 16, featuring Yale University’s
oldest coed jazz a cappella group; and
VF Dance Theater’s Cirque du Dance on
May 6 and 7.
arts& entertainment
from page 7
are $22 for adults, and $12 for children 14
and under. www.gaithersburgmd.gov
‘It’s a Grand Night for Singing’
Sept. 12, 6-8 p.m., City Hall Concert
Pavilion
Featured choruses and quartets include
the Arlingtones, Harbor City, Harmony
Express, Singing Capitol Chorus, and Sons
of the Severn. Master of ceremonies will be
Dave Bankard, president of Sons of Severn.
Free. www.gaithersburgmd.gov
Backyard Concerts: Savoy Truffle
Sept. 13, 5-6:30 p.m., Kelley Park
Savoy Truffle is a Beatles cover (not tribute) band based near Frederick, Maryland.
Their songs are performed in an eclectic
mix of blues, jazz, rock and country styles,
interspersed with personal anecdotes and
genuine northern England humor! Free.
www.gaithersburgmd.gov
Mark Twain and Mr. Clemens,
Tonight!
Sept. 16, 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., Arts Barn
Audience members will be able to participate in the music and songs of Clemens’
time while enjoying Twain’s hilarious tall
tales and witty humor. Featuring Kurt Sutton in the title role, this wonderful show
offers an intriguing approach to an American literary icon. Tickets are $20.
Evenings in Olde Towne,
Patty Reese
Sept. 17, 6-7:30 p.m., Gaithersburg City Hall,
Concert Pavilion
Enjoy some great roots, soul and rock
at the City Hall Concert Pavilion. Free.
www.gaithersburgmd.gov
Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
in Concert
Sept. 19, 11 a.m., Arts Barn
Two-time Grammy Award-winners
Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer sing and perform on a variety of instruments including
guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, percussion and homemade instruments. The duo
will perform music from their latest release
“Dancin’ in the Kitchen: songs for ALL
families.” Recommended for ages 3 and
up. Tickets are $12.
Singer Songwriter Concert
Series: BettySoo
Sept. 12, 3 p.m. workshop, 7:30 p.m.
concert, Arts Barn
Photo | Valerie Fremin
BettySoo kicks off this season’s Singer Songwriter Concert
Series Sept. 12.
The City of Gaithersburg’s Singer
Songwriter Concert Series, presented by O’Hair Salon + Spa, kicks off
its 2015-2016 season with BettySoo. Straight outta Austin, BettySoo sings a little gospel, some
straight-ahead folk, a bit of twang,
a taste of pop, and maybe even a
familiar oldie with a new twist. In
addition to the concert experience,
patrons can participate in special workshops with the artists for
unique insight into the world of the
singer songwriter. $25 for concert
only; $45 for workshop and concert.
www.gaithersburgmd.gov
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 13
Back to School
assignment
education
Compiled by Pam Schipper
Enrollment Grows This School Year
Montgomery County Public Schools
(MCPS) welcomed more than 156,000
students on the first day of the 2015–2016
school year today, the largest enrollment
in the district’s history. Enrollment in
MCPS is increasing by more than 2,600
students this year, the eighth straight year
of growth greater than 2,000 students.
The projected enrollment for this
school year is 156,514 students, an increase of more than 2,600 students over
last school year. Since 2007, MCPS enrollment has increased by nearly 19,000
students—enough to fill 24 elementary
schools to capacity.
Photo | Mac Kennedy
To mark the first day of senior year, the Quince Orchard High School Class of
2016 gathered on the school tennis court before the bell rang on Aug. 31.
Photo | Mac Kennedy
Students streamed in the doors of Rachel Carson Elementary School on Monday, Aug.
31. MCPS enrollment estimates numbered students at 1,039 for the 2015-2016 school
year. This is 372 students over building capacity.
Music Man Takes the Lead of
the Gaithersburg Chorus
By Ellyn Wexler
A
man with a multitude of musical credentials will lead the Gaithersburg
Chorus this season. Cory Davis, 29,
the group’s new conductor and music director, seems to have it all, and more; he
is an experienced pianist, tenor, conductor,
arranger, composer and nonprofit arts professional.
Davis grew up in a “somewhat musical”
family in Somerset, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. His grandmother was a
high school choir director who gave private music lessons, and his mom, among
his grandmother’s students before she was
married, plays piano and organ. “Growing
up, I would see my mom playing the piano
to relax or for fun, and I guess I attached
to that somehow, because when I was in
second grade, I asked my parents if I could
take piano lessons,” he recalled.
In high school, in addition to piano
lessons, Davis played clarinet in the symphonic and marching bands, sang in chorus
and show choir, and played double bass in
the jazz band and orchestra. As a senior, he
conducted the marching band during field
shows and football games.
Although Davis said, “I just always enjoyed doing music and I was good at it,
so I kept doing more,” he did not decide
on music as a major or a career until his
sophomore year at George Washington
Photo | Submitted
Cory Davis, the new music director and conductor of the
Gaithersburg Chorus, hopes to give “folks who just love to
sing a place to shine!”
University. He is pleased to have waited.
“I think generally we push ourselves to get
very specific early and by staying open, you
have more opportunities to explore and
discover what you enjoy and where you
excel,” he said.
For him, a liberal arts education had
several benefits. First, he said, “I think
n
new director Continued on page 14
Alumni QO Drum Major
Wins Scholarships
Rachel Sze, of Gaithersburg, forn
assignment education Continued on page 15
Page 14
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
backto school
firstperson
Here’s to a Super School Year … Not
A
nother summer’s in
the books.
Buh, bye. Don’t
let the door hit you on the
way out.
Don’t get me wrong, I
love summer. But it’s time
to look ahead to all that
By Mauren
school year 2015-16 has
Stiles
to offer.
Particularly exciting?
SUPER LICE.
That’s right, Maryland’s been named fertile ground for a super, duper resistant strain
of lice.
Are there non-resistant lice I don’t know
about? Nits that wave the white flag when
you douse yourself in RID?
Umm, no.
Lice of all varieties take no prisoners. I
know this because just one outbreak nearly
institutionalized me. Just generic, run-ofthe-mill lice. Nothing super about them or
the experience.
The boys and I headed to the beach with
my mother-in-law after school let out. Once
we arrived, I took advantage of the extra
adult and snuck out to get a haircut. If you
are in Ocean City, Maryland, Hair Cuttery
or the Barbershop are your only choices.
So, Hair Cuttery it was. I got a trim and a
few minutes of peace.
Score.
But as I started the car engine, I noticed
my stylist and the receptionist walking
through the parking lot and I knew they
were headed for my car.
I suspected I’d left something inside or
had a problem with my credit card.
But lice? Lice came out of left field.
They were uncomfortable but composed
enough to bring evidence on the comb
they’d used. They also bolstered the claim
by pointing to a white shiny nit near my ear,
gleaming in the OC sun.
Excellent.
I stared into my side-view mirror in horror, then apologized and squealed wheel out
of there, scratching all the way.
On the short drive home, I thought back
to all the itching I had seen lately and ignored.
I rounded up my kids and checked Drew
first. My recollection was that he had been
the itchiest.
Bingo, nits all over the base of his neck.
I didn’t check the other two, I loaded
them in the car and headed back to Hair
Cuttery. On the way, I had the pleasure of
calling the parents of kids we had been in
contact with before we left.
If you’ve ever wondered what hell is like,
that was it right there. When it comes to
spreading lice, apologies ring hollow and
fall on deaf, panic-stricken ears.
At the salon, I was suddenly Hester
Prynne with a scarlet “L,” shunned by the
townspeople. We were kicked to the curb
where we scratched and pleaded with them
to help us.
I finally hired my stylist to come to our
place and shave the boys’ heads. We drove
straight to Rite Aid, cleared the shelf of
RID, picked out as much candy as would fit
in the cart and checked out.
** I’m actually scratching as I write this,
the memory is so vivid. If you’re scratching reading this, I’m sure it’s the power of
suggestion, not real lice, right? I mean that
would be too coincidental, right? **
I treated all three boys, letting them
percolate and eat candy while sitting in the
■ new director
that solo concert performer is not the only
worthwhile career in music.” Even now, he
added, “It also helps me remember that in
case this whole music thing doesn’t work
out, I could be comfortable in any number
of other possible careers.”
During college, Davis took voice, pia-
no and choral conducting lessons; studied
composing and arranging; was active in
the University Singers, Chamber Singers,
Wind Ensemble, the Orchestra and even
the Women’s Choir, where he served as
accompanist; and music directed and accompanied many theater productions. He
graduated summa cum laude in 2008 with
a bachelor’s degree in music and major concentrations in piano and voice, and won the
Barry Manilow Endowed Prize in Music
for excellent musicianship and versatility.
Toward the end of college, via an internship with Washington National Opera’s
education department, Davis became interested in arts management. Post-graduation,
he worked at Chorus America, leaving in
2012 to perform music full-time. In time,
however, he “realized I needed to feed
both sides of my brain, both the artistic,
performing side as well as the Excel spreadsheet side,” and returned to Chorus America as its part-time development manager.
There were additional reasons: “It’s nice to
have a steady paycheck and health benefits.
I also figured if I ever wanted to start my
own chorus or arts nonprofit, I would need
to at the very least be familiar with how a
nonprofit is run. And since Chorus America is a national service organization (for
choruses and choral leaders), it offers access
to the biggest and brightest stars of the choral field. It’s a no-brainer for me to work
there. It’s also just a wonderful organization
in every way.”
The Washington Concert Opera, the
Castleton Festival, and the Runnymede
Singers are also on his resume, and he has
performed or served as an accompanist for
many local arts institutions. He is currently
the accompanist for the Washington Men’s
Camerata.
Davis has high hopes for the 28-year-old
Gaithersburg Chorus. “I’m hoping to bring
renewed energy to the group, and focus on
repertoire that is diverse, accessible, and
above all, fun and rewarding to sing,” he
said. He is aware that the group “has a wonderful library of pieces they’ve performed
in the past, which I haven’t fully explored,
but I’m glad I won’t have to reinvent the
wheel when programming concerts.”
The members he has met so far have
impressed him. “I thought everybody had
great energy and enthusiasm, and to me,
that’s one of the best things about a volunteer singing ensemble. I’m hoping with that
energy, we’ll be able to attract some fresh
faces to the group.”
Davis has no definitive plans for change
“since I wasn’t around to see where the
group was before. As always with a leadership transition, things will feel a bit different, and of course you can’t always please
everyone, but I’m hoping that by striving to
create a coherent choral ensemble together, we will be able to build our own little
community that helps to enrich one other
and those around us. I’m excited to have
the chance to build on my personal creative
vision while giving folks who just love to
sing a place to shine!”
“Cory is going to be a breath of fresh air,
and brings both a lot of energy and musicianship to the job,” said Laurie Levy-Page,
performing arts program coordinator for
Arts on the Green. She also noted, “With
the hopefully temporary shuttering of the
Kentlands Chorus, there may be greater interest in this—the only community chorus
left in town.”
Prospective members can meet Davis and register for the chorus at the first
rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept.
8, at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park,
506 South Frederick Ave. The chorus welcomes members, high school age and older,
who sing soprano, alto, tenor or bass/baritone. Previous singing or music experience
is not required. Rehearsals are Tuesdays,
7:30 to 9:30 p.m., in preparation for public
concerts in December and May.
from page 13
it’s especially important for musicians and
artists to be able to think critically, to be
able to write, and make connections across
disciplines.” It also “helped me understand
n
first person Continued on page 16
September 4, 2015
The Town Courier
Page 15
backto school
Assignment Education from page 13
mer two-time drum major for the Quince
Orchard High School Marching Cougars,
has been named the recipient of the Elizabeth S. Rimpau Memorial Scholarship
for Euphonium in the Spartan Marching Band and the Eldon C. Rosegart Endowed Scholarship in Instrumental Music
at Michigan State University for the 20152016 academic year. Sze has performed
with The Spartan Marching Band at The
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, The Big Ten
Championship, the Rose Bowl, and the
Cotton Bowl. Sze is studying music education, and plans to teach at the high school
level following her graduation.
APFO Revisions Comment Period
Ends Soon
The City of Gaithersburg Adequate Public
Facilities Ordinance (APFO) was designed to
guide development decisions and make sure
that roads and schools can serve population
increases created by new housing. There are
currently proposed changes to the APFO
that focus on revisions to the definition of
“adequate school capacity” for development
purposes. The record remains open until 5
p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 for comments
on the proposed changes. To comment,
e-mail cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.
New Teachers for MCPS
Hundreds of new MCPS teachers participated in the New Educator Orientation
(NEO) Aug. 17–21. NEO provides an opportunity for new teachers to learn about
MCPS, meet their colleagues and get ready
for the new school year. MCPS has more
than 800 new teachers starting this year.
Respect the Bus
According to Captain Didone, director
of Montgomery County Police Traffic Division, “We’ve had over 1,955 violations in
the first 18 months of the school bus camera
program, and that’s way too many.”
Currently, there are 25 school bus cameras strategically deployed on school buses. Those cameras record vehicles that pass
stopped school buses with activated flashing
red lights. Those cameras will eventually be
deployed on up to 100 buses. Citations are
mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The camera-generated fine is $125. No
points are associated with a citation issued
through this program. A citation for the
same offense issued by a police officer is $570
and three points on your license.
When approaching a stopped school bus
with activated flashing red lights, Maryland
law requires that motorists traveling in the
same direction as the bus must stop. The law
also requires that motorists approaching the
bus from the opposite direction must stop
unless there is a physical barrier, such as a
median.
ACT Participation and Performance
Increase for Class of 2015
For the fourth consecutive year, ACT
scores improved for Montgomery County
Public Schools (MCPS) graduates, even as
the district saw a dramatic increase in the
number of test takers.
The MCPS Class of 2015 earned an aver-
age composite score of 23.9 (out of 36) on
the ACT, an increase over the Class of 2014
(23.7) and higher than the performance of
graduates in the state of Maryland (22.7)
and the nation (21.0).
According to data released by ACT on
Aug. 26, 2015, 3,545 MCPS graduates took
the ACT, an increase of 392 students—or
12.4 percent—over last year. That is the
largest one-year increase in ACT test takers
in at least five years. In fact, from 2011 to
2014, the number of graduates taking the
ACT increased by just 131 students.
The ACT exam includes four sections—
English, mathematics, reading and science—and is scored on a scale from 0 to 36.
The MCPS Class of 2015 scored a 24.3 on
the reading portion (an increase of 0.5 from
2014) and 23.7 on the science portion (an
increase of 0.3). The MCPS scores on the
English (23.4) and mathematics (23.8) sections are unchanged from last year. MCPS
graduates outscored their peers across
Maryland by more than 1 point on each
section of the ACT.
According to MCPS data, 34 percent of
graduates from the Class of 2015 took the
ACT, which is an increase of 4.5 percentage
points over the previous year.
Results for the SAT college placement
exam are expected to be released in September.
Photo | Submitted
Rachel Sze, alumni drum major for the Quince Orchard
High School Marching Cougars, is a scholarship
recipient for the 2015-2016 academic year at
Michigan State University.
Page 16
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
backto school
QOHS Reunion from page 1
Faris, announcer known far and wide as
the Voice of the Cougars, who will be
broadcasting from loudspeakers at the Oct.
2 game. That’s pretty great, Roberts said,
adding that her father has been announcer
at QO games for more than 20 years.
“We want to get the Red Army out
there” especially for this game, Roberts
said. She hopes that 25th reunion alumni will be sporting chalkboard black
“#FIRSTARMY”
t-shirts.
Roberts
designed the logo used on the t-shirts.
Through the reunion website—www.
qohs2015reunion.com—alumni can order
the shirts and personalize them with their
names and graduating years on the back. A
general reunion event t-shirt designed for
the community also will be available for
purchase on the website.
After all of the reunion events’ bills have
been paid, any extra money will be donated to the QOHS Booster Club to benefit
future Cougars, Roberts said. The reunion
committee hopes to offset costs and increase its donation to the QOHS Booster
Club by selling sponsorships to local businesses. Businesses can choose placement
on QOHS 25th Reunion yard signs, large
banners and the event website. Sponsorship
options range from $50 to $1,000.
We’re trying to keep ticket prices for the
events low, Roberts said, and make this a
family friendly weekend.
After the football game, alumni will go
to Quincy’s Bar and Grille on Quince Orchard Road. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
brings a family-oriented and fully catered
picnic at High Point Farm in Clarksburg.
“It will be a great day,” said Roberts. Kids
can enjoy sports like soccer, t-ball, horseshoes, and jump in a moon bounce. Saturday night is for adults-only when the third
floor—inside and out—of Growler’s in
Olde Towne will be reserved, beginning
at 7 p.m., for the QO classes of ‘90, ‘91 and
‘92. “We’ll have an ‘80s and ‘90s band,”
said Roberts.
Roberts recommends purchasing tickets
now through the reunion website before
prices go up on Sept. 19.
Even if you aren’t a member of QO’s
original classes, you’ll want to visit www.
qohs2015.reunion.com. It’s a trip down
memory lane and back with photos submitted by alumni. Big hair ruled along
with that ‘80s music, and Driver’s Ed was
a required class taken during school hours,
Roberts recalled. Most of today’s Kentlands
and Lakelands was still farm land. Quince
Orchard was a two-lane, windy road.
Kevia (Shepard) Matthews, who is part
of the 25th reunion committee and was
voted “Most Unforgettable” by her senior
class, said she has had a great time reconnecting with classmates through a reunion
Facebook group page. “(During high
school,) I knew someone from all of the
groups,” she said, “and they knew me.”
Matthews was a cheerleader all through
Ridgeview Junior High, Seneca Valley
High School and then QO. She remembers
how focused everyone at QO was on being
the best. “Everyone was competitive,” she
said, in their area of interest—academics,
sports, the arts.
The Class of 1990 is important, she
pointed out, because it established QO
traditions and culture. Students voted on
school colors, mascot and even school
name before QO opened. “Potomac Valley
High School” had been a favored choice,
but that was voted down by students. “Everything started with us,” she said, citing
school songs and school spirit activities. In
fact, the Class of 1990 was the first in the
county to hold a senior citizens’ prom.
Matthews went on to college and military service, but she said that through her
travels, she has “always called this place
home.” Seeing other states and countries
gave her new perspective on and appreciation for how wonderful life is in this area.
The website features a page that honors
class members who are active or retired
military. Another page remembers class
members who have passed away.
Everyone with photos of the classes of
’90, ’91 and ’92 is invited to submit them
via the website, or to email Andrea Roberts directly at bamaroberts@gmail.com.
Roberts hopes that everyone turns out
to celebrate QO’s three original graduating
classes. “If you don’t make the memories,
then you don’t have them,” she said.
Photo | Submitted
Pictured are Andrea (Faris) Roberts and Jennifer (Boyd)
Sapp the night of their senior prom in spring 1990.
firstperson
from page 14
middle of the family room floor. At that
point, I was contemplating making them
sleep there, too.
I unpacked every article of clothing we
had and began the endless cycle of hot water washing and high heat drying.
The stylist arrived just after I combed
out the boys and shaved everyone but Mac.
He’s proven over the years that he’s not
lice worthy. I continued to treat him anyway because he was getting a little cocky.
Nothing like RID burning your scalp to
knock you down a peg.
I’ve never loved my boys more than in
that moment. When it comes to lice, boys
rule and girls drool.
And this girl needed to stop procrastinating, treat herself and get combed out.
The stylist did the back of my head but
then triple bagged her supplies; anxious to
high-tail it out of there. I wrote her a check
equivalent to a car payment and still felt
like I owed her more.
Like a bottle of Dom or a vacation.
Meanwhile, Mark was back home, hot
water washing and high heat drying. What
he couldn’t wash he sprayed and wrapped
in Ziplock bags.
This is the one time his obsessively neat
side was not a total pain. Those lice didn’t
stand a chance when Mr. Clean rode into
town.
I comforted myself with the fact that lice
die in 48-hours without live contact. So,
the lice at home would be dead when we
got there. The trick was not bringing live
critters back with us.
I rewarded the boys with a round of
miniature golf, one of the few places our
contact with the outside world would be at
a minimum.
The course only took cash not credit.
All my cash went to tipping the stylist and
buying supplies. My eyes welled up and I
spilled our story to the teenager who really
wanted me to pick a ball color and move
on.
However, the owner overheard and not
only let us play for free but gave us all
t-shirts. I hugged those shirts like the uncontaminated gold they were and thanked
him profusely; pledging undying loyalty to
his Down Under Golf Course.
We slept in our Down Under shirts that
night with all the pillows wrapped in trash
bags. We slid around the bed and got no
sleep but the next morning everyone’s head
was almost clear.
My poor mother-in-law hid out at her
place until we were no longer a bio-hazard.
She rejoined us the next night at dinner after a trip to Walmart to buy all new brushes, hair accessories and duffel bags.
We even bought a couple of t-shirts not
of the matching mini-golf variety.
Did we survive?
Barely.
Which is why I hope we don’t spend the
year focusing on science. In particular, the
chemistry necessary to force Super Lice
into extinction.
September 4, 2015
The Town Courier
Page 17
backto school
LPMS anniversary from page 1
as a model for other schools and even became a county-wide training space.”
The school “worked hard to create a
caring environment,” he added. “The
staff mentored the students and truly went
above and beyond for families. I was honored to work with such a great staff.”
One such staff member is current Assistant Principal Carrie Reed, who opened
LPMS with Sacco. In Feb. 2014, Reed won
the City of Gaithersburg Character Counts!
Person/Business of Character Award. She
was nominated by current LPMS Principal
Deborah Higdon, who cited Reed’s warm
and caring support of students.
Reed’s memories of that first day in 2005
were of “everyone smiling, reminiscing
about their summer, sharing stories and
meeting new people … and most of all, the
enthusiasm by all.”
Reed furthered Sacco’s thoughts about
the strength of LPMS staff during those
early years. “I would agree that our stakeholders—students, staff and parents—have
been a major strength to the school since
the beginning. We have had a sense of
family since its opening.”
“Staff worked really hard—evenings,
weekend and holidays—and never complained,” Sacco said. “The parents were
the most supportive group I have ever seen.
The students really worked hard and had
fun as well.”
By January 2009, Sacco had left LPMS
to become associate director of education
at the National Zoo. Several years later, he
opened his Miracle Ear franchise stores.
“I have always been a ‘science guy,’ with
a background in biology,” he said. “I also
had some background in audiology from
the 1970s and wanted to be an entrepreneur. Buying a franchise from Miracle Ear
was a tough decision, as I have always loved
education, but I am really enjoying what I
do now. I continue to teach—in a different
way—and help people overcome some barriers. I have two stores, one in King Farm
and the other in North Bethesda. The business is doing very well. If any of my former
Lakelands Park family remembers me, stop
by or give me a call—I miss you all!”
Principal Deborah Higdon took over at
the beginning of the school year in August
2009, and she noted the “energy in the air”
on her first day. She said that for the past
seven years, the school’s strength has been
“our students, staff and parents. We expect
our student to receive a world-class education, and they do. As a direct result of
what we are doing, Quince Orchard High
School and Northwest High School have
seen an increase in 9th grade eligibility and
a decrease in negative behaviors associated
with incoming freshman from Lakelands.”
During Higdon’s leadership, LPMS has
evolved into an academically challenging
school. “Eight years ago, Lakelands did
not make Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)
for two years in a row in six areas,” Higdon explained. “Since that time, we made
AYP most years in all areas and have shown
progress in closing the achievement gap
with our African American students, students who receive special education services and students who receive free or reduced meals (FARMS). Our student body
has also grown by more than 250 students.
We expanded our programs to include the
School Community Based Program and
Facilitated Communications Program. “
Reed echoed her thoughts, “I do want
to note that Ms. Higdon has increased the
rigor in instruction during her tenure as
the principal.”
Sacco’s educational philosophy of caring
for the whole child—academic, social and
emotional—continues and has been furthered by Higdon, as evidenced by student
opinion. “Our students rated us as ‘The
Most Hopeful’ middle school out of 38
middle schools,” said Higdon. “We were
tied with Robert Frost Middle School as
number 1 in the county. It was such an
honor for my staff when you consider there
are over 33,000 middle school students in
the county who had the potential to complete the survey. Our staff cares about students. They are passionate about teaching
and learning. Every day they consistently
go above and beyond the call of duty to
reach every student.”
When asked about her dreams for
LPMS—then and now—Reed said, “My
dream was to be a model middle school,
and I think that we are living that now.”
Page 18
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
The ParkPages
News and Current Events for Quince Orchard Park
n
Meeting Calendar
Sept. 8 — HOA Board Meeting, Clubhouse, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — Condo Board II, Clubhouse, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 — Condo Board I, Clubhouse, 7 p.m.
E-mail your contributions to ellyn@towncourier.com
Marshall Guides Young Teens to the Write Stuff
L
ucinda Marshall is following
paths old and new in her lifelong
passion for writing. Not only has
the Arizona-born QOP resident resumed writing poetry after a hiatus of
some 30 years, but also she is sharing
her passion with young writers.
Although Marshall has no formal
training as writer or teacher (her
bachelor’s degree is in architecture),
she came from a family of writers. As
a child, she and her grandmother, a
poet, would spend their visits writing
together, and her parents published
the Scottsdale Daily Progress for 25
years. Marshall’s “first paid gig” was a
circus review at age 6, and she was a
teen columnist for the Phoenix Jewish News. Over the years, she wrote
an award-winning column for the
Louisville Eccentric Observer, as well
as numerous blogs, articles and essays.
Recently, two of her poems were
published: “Kaddish Season” in Poetica Magazine’s summer 2015 edition
and “Articulation of a Dream Time”
in Sediments Literary Arts Journal’s
newbies issue.
Since January, Marshall has been
facilitating the Teen Writing Club
at the Gaithersburg Library. Recognizing the need for such a club while
working with volunteers earning SSL
(Student Service Learning) hours
at the library, teen librarian Laura
Sarantis approached Mark Willen,
the Maryland Writers’ Association’s
(MWA) teen writing coordinator,
who sent Marshall to Gaithersburg.
“This is the first time I’ve worked
with kids on an extended basis,” Marshall said. “Now that my own kids are
grown, I have time for work like this,
and I believe strongly in giving back
to the community.”
“The girls do remind me of myself
at that age,” Marshall said. “I wish I
had had a group like this then. Being a writer is a lonely undertaking,
so providing a supportive communi-
n
September 2015
MANAGEMENT MENTIONS
Trash and Recycling
Photo | Pam Schipper
QOP resident Gabby Howenstein works with the Teen Writing Club at the Gaithersburg Library to create a
nursery rhyme chalk mashup.
ty for them at this early stage of their
work is a really excellent concept and
I’m so glad MWA started this program.”
This year, the work of four club
members was published in the “MWA
Teen Anthology,” including that of
QOP’s Gabby Howenstein. In April,
the club celebrated National Poetry
Month by putting up a wall of poetry in the library, and in May, Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman invited
another QOP club member, Yamini
Manikoth, to introduce an author at
the Gaithersburg Book Festival.
The group’s most recent project on
Aug. 18 consisted of publishing—that
is, chalking—a nursery rhyme mashup on the sidewalk in front of the library. About 15 girls, ages 11 to 16,
took part “under orders that it had to
be 3-year-old friendly,” Marshall said.
“We were thrilled by the turnout and
how well it came out. Not only were
the kids able to quickly write their
parts of the story from the outline we
created, but also they were able to execute it and work together and then
present it. Those are all fantastic skills
that will serve them well as writers.”
Gabby Howenstein said the group
met her goals “to expand my horizons
in my writing, get good feedback, and
hopefully make a few new friends.”
In addition, she “had the opportunity
to hear and read the wonderful writing of some of our other members.”
Yamini Manikoth heard about the
club from Gabby, and “thought it
would be interesting to see what it
was like. And I think it’s one of my
favorite things now, because so many
people come in and talk about things
of mutual interest. … So as someone
who enjoys writing, hearing feedback
from other people who think the
same as you is one of the best feelings
in the world.”
Credit for the group’s success is
shared with two other adults, Marshall said: co-facilitator Peggy Ruppel, with whom “I could not do it
without,” and Laura Sarantis, “a great
resource and supporter.” Not to mention, she added, the teens themselves:
“They are such motivated kids.”
Marshall will expand her teen
horizons in the fall with two poetry
workshops. An eight-week Gaithersburg Recreation program at the
Benjamin Gaither Center will begin Sept. 10, and a four-week one at
The Writer’s Center in Bethesda will
begin Oct. 10.
HOA Notes
QOP’s Almost Annual Doggy
Swim is set for Labor Day, Monday,
Sept. 7, 5 to 7 p.m. QOP and Vistas
residents are invited to bring their canines to the QOP Community Pool.
Pool toys and special treats as well as
ad hoc awards will be provided for all
four-legged participants. Owners are
responsible for their dogs’ social behavior. Special thanks go to PetSmart
and Bark! for supporting this event.
Contact Steve or Suzanne Scharf if
you want to help or have questions:
240.603.6831 or 301.252.4968.
Potomac Garden Center began installing new plantings at the Twin
Lakes Boulevard entrance and at the
median tips on Orchard Ridge Drive
at Winter Walk Drive.
The Management Group Associates (TMGA) said the community has
a problem with people putting their
trash out in bags or open cans—rath-
er than the mandated rigid, tightly
closed containers. This is creating a
litter problem and a potential rodent
issue. Enforcement of this policy will
be stepped up, including the imposition of fines on violators.
TMGA has noticed many homes
with weeds in the landscaping
beds. Residents are reminded that
Liz Huntley, MedImmune’s director of corporate citizenship and community relations, will attend the Sept.
8 QOP Board meeting to talk about
plans for the design and construction
of the company’s new parking structure.
Management Notes
these beds should be weeded.
TMGA reminds residents NOT to
throw away their pool passes, as these
will be reused next summer. If a barcode has worn off or the pass is damaged, it can be exchanged for free by
returning it to TMGA with a note requesting replacement. Lost passes will
be replaced next year for a $10 fee.
Trash, which is collected on Tuesday and Friday,
must be placed in lidded trash cans. Trash should not
be left for collection in bags; these may be ripped
open by dogs, birds and other pests, and trash is
strewn throughout the community. Continued use of
bags may result in fines.
Consider painting your house number on your
trash cans and lids so they may be returned on windy
days.
It is also helpful to label recycling bins with house
numbers, and to place bagged newspapers and magazines atop commingled materials in the bin.
Trash cans and recycle bins must be stored out of
sight on non-pickup days.
Recycling is picked up on Fridays. Containers,
with lids, are now available from the City of Gaithersburg. Please contact the city at 301.258.6370 to
have a lidded bin delivered and the old one picked up.
The new bins will diminish problems with trash in
the neighborhood. It is helpful to label recycling bins
with house numbers. Lids may be attached to bins by
drilling small holes and attaching with twine.
Bulk recycling pickups are the first Friday of each
month. Sept. 4 is the next bulk pickup day.
The City of Gaithersburg and Potomac Disposal
(301.294.9700) both offer collection services for bulk
items at no cost.
Dog Duty and Animal Services Information
Cleaning up after dogs is the legal responsibility of
every canine owner walking a dog in the community.
Dogs are not permitted off-leash on common property in the City of Gaithersburg.
Contact Information for
Gaithersburg Animal Control
To report after hours/emergency animal service
calls, City of Gaithersburg residents must now contact the Montgomery County Emergency Communication Center (MCECC) at 301.279.8000. MCECC will then notify and dispatch a Gaithersburg
Animal Control Officer for response.
To report non-emergency animal service calls and
for information on related animal matters during
regular business hours, residents may contact the
Gaithersburg Animal Control Office directly at
301.258.6343. Regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, please visit www.
gaithersburgmd.gov/services/animal-control.
Website
Agendas for meetings, as well as many important
documents (minutes and meeting summaries) can be
found at the QOP website: www.quinceorchardpark.
com.
QOP Management Contact Information
Quince Orchard Park Community Manager
Ruchita Patel
QOP Assistant Community Manager Alex Deering
c/o The Management Group Associates, Inc.
20440 Century Boulevard, Suite 100
Germantown, MD 20874
Phone: 301.948.6666
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 19
KAUFMAN’sKITCHEN
Looking Forward to Fall
A
s usual, summer is
over and I never
had time to enjoy
it. But here are some
new books and international recipes to take you
into the fall season.
Chicken With Thai
Basil Kai Pat Horapa
By Sheilah
Kaufman
Two of my friends and
fellow authors have finally written a cookbook about a cuisine that I love.
From “Nong’s Thai Kitchen: 84 Classic Recipes That Are Quick, Healthy and
Delicious” (Tuttle) by Nongkran Daks and
Alexandra Greeley
This simple recipe is probably one of the
most popular dishes on any Thai menu. The
beautiful aroma of the Thai basil makes it
one of my favorite dishes, and it only takes
a few minutes to prepare. To make the
dish spicier, chop the hot chilies rather than
slicing them; that way, more chili flavor
will spread throughout the dish in the final
step. You might remember Chef Nong’s
name from “Food Network’s Pad Thai
Throwdown Challenge” where she won
over celebrity chef Bobby Flay, proving her
mastery and skill in preparing Thai cuisine.
Nong is the executive chef and owner
of the Thai Basil Restaurant in Chantilly,
Virginia. She is also the author of several
Asian cookbooks. Alexandra Greeley is a
food writer, cookbook author, editor and
freelance writer, and was a staff food editor for Vegetarian Times magazine. Both
women are members of Les Dames d’Escoffier. Makes 4 servings.
2 cups (200 g) thinly sliced fresh
mushrooms
1 cup (130 g) cut green beans,
blanched
2 green onions (scallions), cut into 1-in
(2.5-cm) pieces
1 cup (30 g) fresh Thai basil leaves
3 fresh hot chilies, chopped or thinly
sliced on the diagonal
Combine all seasoning sauce ingredients
in a bowl and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry until
it turns golden, about 3 minutes. Add the
chicken and stir-fry the meat until it turns
white, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the seasoning sauce, stirring a few times. Stir in the
sliced onion, mushrooms, green beans, and
green onions. Finally, add the Thai basil
leaves and chilies and stir until well mixed.
Serve hot.
Eggplant Rolls With Honey, Mint,
and Sesame Seeds
Seasoning Sauce
1/4 cup (60 ml) chicken stock
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sweet dark soy sauce
Fresh mint and honey are complemented
by the soft texture of the eggplant. Serve
as an appetizer or as part of a mezze with
other small dishes.
Spices make it possible to travel far and
wide on a culinary plane and also open
an extra dimension in cooking that can
transform dishes from ordinary to sublime. “The Spice Kitchen: Flavorful Recipes from Around the World” by Michal
Haines (Interlink) unlocks the best-kept
secrets of culinary traditions from around
the world. Talented chef Michal Haines
has developed an impressive knowledge of
and genuine love affair with these precious
ingredients. Coupled with stunning
photographs, this book will inspire new
directions in your culinary repertoire, and
the full A-Z guide in identifying, storing,
and cooking with spices will help demystify the art of using them.
Chicken Mixture
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely
chopped
1 lb (500 g) thinly sliced chicken
breast
1/2 yellow onion, peeled, halved and
cut length-wise into 1/2-in (12.5-mm)
slices
2 large eggplants, tops trimmed, cut
length-wise into 1/4-inch strips
vegetable or grape seed oil for baking
1 teaspoon iodized salt
6 tablespoons good quality honey
6 tablespoons well-washed, finely
chopped mint
6 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted
in a dry pan until brown
juice of 1 lemon
Preheat oven to 350°F, Arrange the
eggplant strips with a little space between
each on a rimmed baking sheet. Moisten
each with a little vegetable oil and sprinkle
with salt. Bake until browned and soft, 15
minutes. Remove from the oven and cool,
patting them with paper towels to remove
excess oil.
Drizzle the eggplant strips with the honey, then sprinkle with some of the mint and
some of the sesame seeds. Roll up each strip
and place on a serving plate. Sprinkle lemon juice over the top and scatter strips with
the remaining mint and sesame seeds. Serve
immediately. Serves 3 to 4 as an appetizer.
Cilantro Lime Quinoa
From Chef William E. Jones, executive
dining chef for the B.F. Saul Company
who began his culinary adventure in 1981
when his parents moved from Ft. Walton
Beach, Florida, to Daegu, South Korea, to
do contract work for the United States military. As a seven-year-old in a completely
new environment, he looked for fun and
exciting things. The local open-air markets and small dive restaurants captivated
him, and living in Micronesia gave him
a unique opportunity to experience some
of the world’s best seafood. He looks back
often, referencing his experience overseas
and using it to inspire fresh, bold flavors
in his food. Now he has the privilege of
serving a fantastic group of executives for
the B.F. Saul group of companies.
1 ounce extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. quinoa
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon raw sugar juice of 4
large limes, divided
2 ounces chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon raw sugar
2 1/2 cups water
2 ounces chopped cilantro, divided
2 cloves chopped fresh garlic
Add olive oil and garlic to a medium
sauce pan over medium/high heat. Sauté
garlic until lightly browned and then add
quinoa. Stir quinoa until coated; add salt,
sugar and 2 1/2 cups water. Reduce heat to
simmer and add 1/2 of the lime juice and
1/2 of the cilantro. Continue to stir while
simmering for about 8 minutes. Turn off
heat and let it rest covered on the stove for
about 10 minutes. Once quinoa is fully
cooked, add the remaining lime juice and
cilantro and mix. Quinoa is now ready to
reserve chilled for service. To reheat, use
a small sauté pan over low heat and a little
water for 2 minutes or until hot.
Editor’s note: For more edible delights
by Sheilah Kaufman, go to www.
cookingwithsheilah.com.
Page 20
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
MIKEAT THE MOVIES
No Escape (R) ****
One cannot imagine
Lake Bell or any other actress of note auditioning
for this part. The role calls
for running, leaping off
buildings, shooting, beating and trying to keep it
together during scads of
By Mike
escape scenes, but there
Cuthbert
is “no escape.” The Dwyer family: Jack (Owen
Wilson), Annie (Bell) and their two preteen daughters, Beeze (Claire Geare) and
Lucy (Sterling Jerins), arrive in Thailand
for Jack’s new job but he never gets to the
office. He is one of several American targets of a mob that wants his company out
of their country.
Mob violence ensues and the family is
guided through it by several saviors, not
the least of which is Hammond (Pierce
Brosnan), an agent for US-UK corporations who want the rights to Thai water
and other raw materials. His is skilled in
things military and guides the family expertly through mass executions, riots,
a brothel, under a corpse, and to the US
Embassy. No luck there as the riots have
already reached them. This is just one occasion in which we think the Dwyers are
not going to be OK.
To get where they’re going, they have to
leap from roof to roof (girls included) and
struggle through the mob scenes going on
around them, most of which are aimed at
Americans. Brosnan is effectively heroic in
his role of protector and guide. The film’s
impact lies in the choreography of the fight
and flight scenes and in the constant threat
of discovery no matter where the family
ends up. The Thai gangs are fiercely cruel,
and it is impossible to predict which member of the family is going to be bumped
off first—a handy asset in an escape thriller
like this one.
Wilson is extremely effective as an amateur fighting to save his family, Bell tolerates her beatings and falls like a trouper,
and the kids are charmingly vulnerable. It
is a reflection of changing times that they
have a most unexpected savior turn up,
bringing the film to a relieving close. This
probably will scare the younger set since
their demographic is the most severely in
danger for the entire film, but the director makes sure they are at the center of the
jeopardy just for that reason.
Hitman: Agent 47 (R) ***
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Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard
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The best thing about this film is the fact
that, of all the action films out this summer, it is the first that has its cast put new
clips into their armament. Usually, guns
fire forever without re-arming and some of
the select assassins in this film never seem
to reload.
The whole movie is a bit of a reload,
however, with Diana (Katje) played by the
Asian actress Angelbaby [sic], a partial human. She and Agent 47 are from the same
batch of robotized assassins but, as we are
reminded several times during the film, it
is what you do that determines what you
are. Agent 47, bar code and all, is played
by a shaved Rupert Friend (his bar code
is more easily seen), and his archenemy,
“John Smith” by Zachary Quinto. When
he asks, “What am I?” a perplexed 47 is
told: “Same as me only better.” That’s, as
they say, debatable since the two are a pretty dead even match most of the film.
One of the confusing aspects of the film
is who is alive and who is dead. Since three
of the four main characters are semi-robotized, they keep popping back into action
after suitable time not only for a funeral but
for re-lubrication and self-healing. They
are easy to tell apart, however, since they
have bar codes tattooed into the back of
their necks. No bar code? Human.
Ciaran Hinds (Litvenko) (human) is the
architect of all the robots and is the “father” of #47 and #93 but has the handicap of suffering with Stage 3 cancer, made
more serious a condition by all the running around he has to do to escape the evil
robots who are trying to get his formula
for more robots so they can take over the
world. It is good to remember, however,
that Smith is only “a failed experiment.”
(He loses some fights.)
A secondary but incredible role is played
by the city of Singapore with its spectacular architecture. Effective staging of the
numerous fight scenes is also a feature, with
a particularly gory one being the interior
of a building all in white. It is hypnotical-
ly effective for blood spurting and splashing. This film is not for the squeamish or
for those who believe even the good guys
miss a target now and again, but perfect for
summer heat when your brain is tired or
missing and you don’t have time to reload.
American Ultra (R) ***
One of the strangest films in recent
memory, this one features a washed out,
dual-tinted Kirsten Stewart as Phoebe and Jesse Eisenberg as Mike, also a bit
washed out, as CIA agents. The only one
of the two who knows her role is Phoebe
since she is Mike’s handler. Their boss is
an aging Connie Britton as Victoria. She
is in trouble with her boss, Topher Grace
(Yates) who is out of control, cancelling
her operation (featuring Mike and Phoebe)
in favor of his own.
Sounds prosaic until you factor in the fact
that this is a whacked-out stoner comedy/
thriller with buckets of blood, unfortunately spread heavily over Mike and Phoebe, making the humor a little ironic. Mike
soon gets tired of all the violence suddenly
surrounding him: “If I die, I’m going to
do it stoned and smiling in my bed.” Odds
are against that as he gets roundly whipped
by each and every opponent for the entire
film. He, of course, is in love with Phoebe and plans on giving her an engagement
ring but bombs, automatic rifle fire, grenades and SUVs charging at him out of
control keep the ring in his pocket.
One of the more bizarre scenes has Victoria (Britton) cradling a very heavy automatic weapon. She looks like she wants
her guitar back. Mike, along the way, discovers that he has super-human fighting
ability and most of his fights are conducted
in a sort of hypnotic haze. The directors
created some pretty weird special fighting
effects for him—my favorite was the bullet-deflecting frying pan—and he wields
them all in a mystified manner. The script
has a lot of humor but, again, buckets of
blood, making it hard to know if it’s time
to laugh. Go ahead and take a chance.
Pretty weird and laughable stuff for as violent a film as this. And yes, a “Mr. and
Mrs. Smith” type sequel is suggested in the
last reel.
Sinister 2 (R) 0
I will not, because I am basically a nice
and forgiving person, name the cast of this
dreadful miscarry. Deserted farmhouse,
spooky old church with rats and a bloody
past and mysterious figures that fade in and
out among the rats, plus a ghostly family
that propels the action with spectacularly
ineffective home movies shot on 16mm
film, mark this as an amateurish and embarrassingly bad childish production. The
acting is below mediocre, particularly that
of the father who is so cruel that he is a
parody, the script so predictable—almost
as predictable as the loud clanging that
marks each attempt at surprise—that the
least perceptive film-goer will be moaning
and looking for the exit before reel one is
over. Even the children lack any appeal at
all. Certainly one of the worst films of the
summer or any recent season. Avoid.
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 21
reader’schoice
“At the Water’s Edge”
Written by Sara Gruen
O
n a family trip at
the age of 12, Sara
Gruen fell in love
with a ruined castle in the
Scottish Highlands. Thirty years later the Canadian
writer, who now lives in
North Carolina with her
By Betty
family, came across an arHafner
ticle connecting that castle to the nearby Loch Ness and its mysterious monster, reminding her of that spot’s
allure. She promptly booked a research trip
to northern Scotland, and she reports that
the ideas for a new book streamed out.
The result of that research is Gruen’s new
novel “At the Water’s Edge” (2015). The
story opens in Philadelphia in January 1945
when most young men are off fighting the
war. But Maddie, a socialite with a “nervous condition,” and her husband, Ellis,
along with their friend, Hank, are living
a life filled with lavish parties, drunken
mischief and grand schemes. The two men
have avoided military service with ques-
tionable conditions—one,
supposedly, is colorblind
and the other, flat-footed—and they are eager
to escape the judgments
of others. They convince
Maddie to accompany
them to Scotland to get
definitive, photographic proof that the Loch
Ness Monster exists.
The three are confronted with the realities of war on the
voyage, as well as in
the living arrangements when they
arrive. Most multiunit buildings in
the village now
house wounded
soldiers and civilians, so the
only lodging available to them is a small
inn with a snarly proprietor, Angus. Ellis and Hank are unimaginably rude and
rowdy among
the locals, but
Maddie suffers
silently. Her seasickness
keeps
her dizzy for days,
the rationed food
is inedible and
there is no such
thing as a warm
bath. On their first
lake excursion, the
men find Maddie
incompetent and, for
reasons soon to be revealed, from that day
on they leave her back
in the inn.
Maddie
immerses
herself in the daily life of
the inn. Though she’s led
a pampered existence and
is incapable of taking care
of herself, she is willing to learn. From this
early point on, the story becomes surpris-
ingly predictable. Anna, the housekeeper,
accepts Maddie’s offer to help with the
cooking and cleaning and teaches her the
necessary skills. Meg, the earthy and hardworking barmaid, opens Maddie’s eyes to a
different way of thinking and living. And
then there’s the gruff, bearded Angus with
a good heart and a tragic personal story; you
don’t have to be a seasoned romance-novel
reader to know where that is going.
I remember Gruen’s 2007 “Water for Elephants” as a joy to read, with circus life
in the 1930s coming alive with the colors, sounds and language of life under the
big top. I had hoped to become similarly
immersed in the atmosphere of the misty,
waterfront lands of the Scottish Highlands,
but sadly, I was not. And anyone looking
for a historical novel, as suggested by cover material, will be disappointed. Wartime
events are often clumsily planted into the
story. Gruen is a gifted storyteller and Maggie is an appealing character, so the story
has some appeal. Just lower your expectations.
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The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Sports
Cross Country Teams Are Off and Running
By Jennifer Beekman
R
unning tends to be an incredibly
individual sport; success requires a
tremendous amount of internal drive
and the ability to push one’s body to its
limits. The long, three-mile races featured
during the fall’s cross country season, especially, tend to give the average spectator
the impression that competitions are every
boy or girl for him or herself.
But as teams kick off their 2015 campaigns this week, Quince Orchard High
School coach Seann Pelkey and Northwest
coach Robert Youngblood agreed that
cross country is deceptively team oriented.
“In cross country, everyone is on the
same page; it’s a lot more of a team and
family atmosphere (than track),” Pelkey
said. “Everyone has the same goal and does
the same training. In track, everyone has
their own events.”
The scoring system also lends itself to
camaraderie among teammates. Teams are
allowed seven entries per race but only the
Photo | Christine Darton-Henrichsen, Potshots by Christine
Student athletes on the Quince Orchard cross country team organized warm-up drills on Aug. 26.
top 5 finishers count toward the scoring—
team scores are determined by adding the
places of the first five runners together. The
sixth- and seventh-place runners, however,
can displace other teams’ top finishers and
be extremely impactful.
Close pack running is important, Pelkey
said. A single point can make a world of
difference. Therefore, the key to a strong
team is allowing for as little space as possible between the first and fifth runners.
“The elite teams out there, they have a
very good No. 1 runner and their fifth person is only a few points from that,” Pelkey
said.
While some Montgomery County cross
country programs, like Northwest, use the
fall season as a building block toward the
winter’s indoor and spring’s outdoor track
and field seasons, Quince Orchard has a
rich cross country history.
Pelkey said he could count on one hand
the number of times in the past 25 years
that one of his teams did not make it to
the season-ending state championship and
last fall was one of them. The girls barely
qualified for states but the five-time state
champion boys missed the cut. This fall,
Pelkey said, the goal is to reestablish the
program in the county’s upper echelon.
“We want to put ourselves back up where
we belong,” he added. “I’d like to think we
are a top 5 program in the county. I know
the amount of work our top runners have
put in over the summer. It’s about closing
up some of the gaps with our back half,
and I think we’re perfectly capable of doing
that. Any time we start the season, I believe we belong in the conversation.”
The Cougar boys return three of their
top four runners from 2014. Leading the
way again this fall is senior Liam Walsh,
who posted the county’s 12th-fastest time
last fall—16 minutes, 25.6 seconds—and
finished eighth at the county meet. Classmate Christian McCann and sophomore
Ethan Mara round out what should be a
solid top 3.
While Quince Orchard’s girls graduated their top performer, the Cougars return their next six finishers from last year’s
county competition, including Maya Jacobson, Isabelle Sajonia and Eliana Krakovsky. The three are settling into a decent
top group, Pelkey said, and the Cougars are
working on building depth.
The Northwest boys have some questions to answer, having graduated their top
3 runners, including last year’s Gatorade
Maryland Cross Country Boys Runner of
the Year Diego Zarate. While Youngblood
admitted Zarate is irreplaceable, he said he
does not feel like the Jaguars, who finished
fourth at states, are starting anew. Rather
n
cross country Continued on page 25
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 23
Photo | Mac Kennedy
The Cougars are ready to take on Damascus this Friday, Sept. 4, kick-off 6:30 p.m.
QO Football: Bigger, Stronger, Angrier … But Are They Better?
By Syl Sobel
I
t’s a sign of the success of the Quince
Orchard High School football program that even though they have won
45 games in the past four years, finished
as state runner-up in 2011 and 2012, and
lost the regional finals to eventual state
champion Northwest the past two seasons,
in their minds, they haven’t accomplished
a thing.
“We haven’t really done anything yet,”
said fullback Eisley Kim, a team captain.
“We haven’t won anything. We always
came in second place.”
“Our guys are still hungry from last year
… really the last four years,” said head
coach John Kelley. “We’ve had some very
good football teams here, but our goal is
always … the ultimate goal. Our guys are
still trying to achieve that, and until they
do, they just keep on fighting.”
“We have a chip on our shoulder,” said
Kim.
Fellow captain, guard Max Ward, explained this another way: “A bunch of angry guys trying to do something special.”
So as QO prepares to open its season
Friday night at Damascus, the question is
this: Does this year’s Cougar football squad
have what it takes to win that elusive state
championship?
They certainly have the talent. As many
as 10 players on this year’s team are candi-
dates to play college football, with junior
running back Marvin Beander already
having an offer from North Carolina State
University and fellow junior, mammoth
offensive lineman Michael “Big Mike” Joseph likely to get offers before the season
is over.
They have experience, as a dozen starters return, including four starting offensive
linemen. “Everyone on this team—especially every senior—has a chance to be a
leader,” said Ward. “Everyone needs to be
a leader.”
And they are big—very big. Team members committed themselves to a grueling
offseason workout regimen to get “bigger,
stronger,” and it worked. Their starting de-
fensive line averages 255 pounds per man,
while their starting offensive line averages
260, anchored by the 370-pound Joseph at
left tackle and 290-pound Zeph Titus, a senior captain, at center.
So the expectations surrounding this
year’s team are 180-degrees different from
last year, when then-new coach Kelley
had to prove that QO remained among
the county’s elite programs. His team responded with a 10-2 season and finished
two yards from a tying touchdown in the
regional finals, and goes into this season
ranked 10th in the Washington Post preseason poll.
Kelley acknowledged what he called
n
qo preview Continued on page 26
Page 24
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Photo | Arthur Cadeaux
Northwest’s Terrell Campbell carries the ball in the Jaguars’ 21-14 loss against two-time 3A state champion Franklin
(Baltimore County) in an Aug. 28 scrimmage.
Photo | Arthur Cadeaux
Mark Pierce hands to Juwon Farri during an Aug. 28 scrimmage against Franklin.
Expectations High for Two-Time
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Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-6 PM, Sunday 11-5 PM
9906 River Road, Potomac, MD 20854
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By Jennifer Beekman
A
s the two-time defending Class 4A
state champion with a third-year
starting quarterback, the Northwest
High School football team enters 2015
as a preseason favorite to go for the rare
three-peat—and as the main target on every opponent’s schedule. But coach Mike
Neubeiser said the Jaguars do not view
themselves as accomplished a team as their
recent achievements might indicate.
Last fall, in its third consecutive playoff appearance, Northwest (13-1 record
in 2014, 33-7 since 2012) became the first
team to win back-to-back 4A state titles
since crosstown rival Seneca Valley did so
in 1997-98. But few players on this year’s
squad contributed much to those victories.
“As a team, this team hasn’t accomplished anything,” Neubeiser said. “We’re
just another team.”
Northwest is in good position with
6-foot, 200-pound senior Mark Pierce
back under center to lead the offense. But
the right-handed quarterback is primarily
surrounded by first-year starters—the Jaguars return just four players on offense and
one on defense. Inexperience, however, is
not synonymous with lack of talent, and
there is no shortage of playmaking ability
on Northwest’s 2015 roster.
“We have a lot of talented players but
they’re inexperienced,” Neubeiser said.
“Right now we look young and we make
a lot of mistakes; there’s a lot of work to
do. We’re not at the place we were last year
at this point. They’re just going to have to
get in games and learn how to play; we’re
going to have to do more coaching (than
we had to do last year).”
This fall, the Jaguars plan to implement
the same multifaceted offense that’s propelled them in recent years, Neubeiser said.
Versatile running back Khalil Owens (5
feet, 9 inches and 180 pounds), who rushed
for 202 yards and three touchdowns on 34
carries a year ago, has the potential to make
big plays for Northwest. He didn’t get
many snaps last season as the Jaguars were
set with 2015 graduate EJ Lee (1,551 yards,
23 touchdowns), but Neubeiser said he sees
similarities between Owens and Lee. The
former will also be working behind the
biggest offensive line Northwest has had
in recent history, led by Cole Cheripko (6
feet, 3 inches and 250 pounds), Neubeiser
added.
“Khalil is a really good football player,”
Neubeiser said. “He has good vision and he
is stronger and faster than he was last year.”
Owens’ strength on the ground should
open up the door for Pierce to continue the
n
nw preview Continued on page 25
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 25
Photo | Christine Darton-Henrichsen, potshots by Christine
QO cross country coach Seann Pelkey addresses his team during a late August practice.
■ cross country
from page 22
than one distinct No. 1 this fall, Northwest will be propelled by six or seven more
evenly matched No. 2 runners, he added.
Junior Komlan Attiogbe is Northwest’s
top returner. He finished 55th in last year’s
county meet as the Jaguars’ fourth-best
performer. Youngblood said he expected
Chase Osborne, Elton Quansah and Rory
O’Neil to post some good results as well.
“A lot of people are going to say (we
are starting over and rebuilding) but, no, I
don’t believe that,” Youngblood said. “We
didn’t build a team, we built a program. If
you notice, every season, cross country, indoor, outdoor, we’re right there along with
some of the best teams. The biggest word
right now is ‘commitment.’ Diego believed
in what I was doing and did everything
I asked and the rest of these guys (on the
■ nw preview
from page 24
type of production that’s set him apart from
most quarterbacks in Montgomery County
and the state in general. Last fall he completed 135 of 240 pass attempts for 2,185
yards and 32 touchdowns with only eight
interceptions and his ability to put the ball
in his receivers’ hands should continue to
be a focal point for Northwest’s attack.
While Pierce will be working with a
predominantly new receiving corps, he
began to establish a great rapport with his
receivers during the spring passing league.
Sophomore Alphonso Foray (6 feet, 1
inch and 190 pounds) and transfer Reggie
Anderson, the son of Sherwood graduate
and former NFL player Richie Anderson
(5 feet, 11 inches and 165 pounds), lead a
group of athletic options for Pierce. Senior
Ibrahim Konate (5 feet, 10 inches and 165
pounds), who came to Northwest from
Richmond this year, also should be a major
factor in the Jaguars’ passing game.
Defensively, Northwest will be reliant
on its speed and athleticism. Neubeiser
team now) were freshmen or sophomores
at the time and they observed it and now
they are following his lead.”
Though the Jaguar girls graduated several runners from their lineup, they return one of the county’s top performers,
junior Sofia Zarate, who finished 17th at
last year’s state championship. Youngblood
said senior Kendra Knopp and the addition
of middle distance runner Lananda Correia and a strong freshman and sophomore
group should help make Northwest a team
to watch.
Youngblood added that cross country
season is a great time for the track program’s non-distance athletes to build a
good base of endurance and strength for
the upcoming winter and spring track and
field seasons.
“In cross country you really rely on each
other out on the course,” Youngblood said.
“We stress that you will not succeed individually, unless you succeed together.”
Briggs Painting
& Guttering
Painting
said senior safety Martin Foray (5 feet, 10
inches and 185 pounds) “is as good as you
will find.” Northwest’s coach said he expects the U.S. Military Academy recruit to
receive additional Division I offers as the
season progresses.
The Jaguars, who are scheduled to open
their state title defense against Montgomery 4A North Division foe and perennial
postseason contender Gaithersburg on Friday, will have to weather one of the county’s toughest schedules. Northwest will
face Seneca Valley and much-improved
Blair on Sept. 11 and 18, respectively. And
big games against Sherwood (Oct. 2) and
Quince Orchard (Oct. 16), the only team
to defeat Northwest in 2014, loom in the
middle portion of the season. A Week 9
matchup against Clarksburg could have
major playoff implications; the Coyotes
hung with Northwest a year ago.
“Our schedule is incredibly tough,”
Neubeiser said. “Just in our first two games
alone, it’s going to be really difficult. We’re
going to have to be on our toes and performing at a high level.”
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Page 26
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
■ QO preview
from page 23
“outside expectations,” but said “every year
we treat the same way. We have a lot more
questions than answers. … It’s still day by
day, play by play, trying to get better each
time.”
Kelley’s caution is understandable, because
despite QO’s size, talent and experience,
they have three new linebackers, several new
starters in the secondary, and a new right
tackle. Mostly, Kelley is worried because he’s
handing the ball to an unproven newcomer, sophomore quarterback Kendell “Doc”
Bonner, a transfer from Gonzaga.
Bonner has the tools to be a star—he’s big
(6 feet, 190 pounds), fast, throws bullets effortlessly, exudes confidence, and is a quick
learner, according to Kelley. But, Kelley
quickly added with some degree of emphasis, “he’s only a tenth-grader!” and “he’s
never started a varsity game before. … It’s
going to take time.”
So what will we see this Friday night when
QO opens its season on the road against one
of the toughest teams in the county, 7thranked Damascus?
A “hard-nosed football team,” said Titus.
“Come right after you. Try and knock you
off the ball. Go as hard as we can every play.”
“We’re always going to have the identity as a running football team,” said Kelley.
“We do have some weapons, but at the same
time I think we know where our bread is
buttered.”
Establishing the run will largely be the
job of that huge offensive line of Joseph, Titus, guards Ward (a three-year starter) and
Photo | Mac Kennedy
QO’s sophomore quarterback Kendell “Doc” Bonner (red jersey) dodges a tackle in recent scrimmage against Westfield.
Jack Hanson, senior tackle Ryan Moore,
and a rotating cast of underclassmen, and
the backfield of Kim and the elusive Beander who, at 180 pounds, has added muscle to
complement his smooth moves. Kim, whom
Kelley calls “the best fullback in the state,”
may also get some carries at tailback, as will
hard-running Shawn Barlow, a senior, and
junior scatback Titus Johnson.
Despite their robust running game, the
Cougars have lacked a potent passing attack
the past several seasons, and to that end,
Bonner may be just what the doctor ordered.
He showed good touch and accuracy in preseason scrimmages, and has many targets to
choose from. Greg Williams (265 pounds)
returns for his third year at tight end, and
Gregg Weinstein and Shayne Carver will
also get time. At wideout, senior Nick Moon
is joined by junior transfer Fofie Bazzie. Bazzie is a gifted athlete with playmaking ability once he becomes more comfortable with
the offense, and Moon is a solid possession
receiver with a knack for getting open. The
versatile Barlow will also line up at receiver,
as will Abdul Khan and Marqell Broxton.
Another question for the Cougars is
whether their trademark Black Paw Defense
will display its typical dominance without
Adam McClean, the star lineman now at
University of Maryland. The man to watch
is dynamic senior lineman Sean Green, a
two-year starter. At 260 pounds Green has
the strength to overpower blockers and the
explosive speed to burst past them, and will
likely disrupt opposing offenses. Khalil
Sewell-Fair, also 260, returns at tackle, with
Williams and senior Jon McDonald (235
pounds) at end.
The line-backing trio of Brendan Nolan, Noah Pagley and Raymond Butler is all new. They have size and talent,
but will get tested quickly at Damascus.
In the secondary, Barlow and Bazzie give
them a tough, athletic duo at safety, but both
are playing the position for the first time.
Broxton returns as a starter at one corner,
and senior Kendall Hampton is new at the
other.
So, is QO ready to clear that final hurdle,
make it to M&T Bank Stadium in December, and walk off a winner?
“They’re progressing,” said the always
cautious Kelley. “For us, it’s just about putting together four quarters of football. Four
quarters of mistake-free football. Take
things one play at a time, one series at a time,
and one drive at a time … try to put it together when it counts.”
But then he adds: “Our kids are hungry.
… It’s important to them. And that’s a big
step, too.”
Kick-off is 6:30 p.m. Friday at Damascus.
“Just be there 9/4/15,” said Titus, “and get
ready for a show.”
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015
Page 27
Market Square Live!
Summer Concert Grand Finale
Sat., September 5
6–9 PM
The Bad Influence Band
Celebrate Labor Day with Washington D.C.’s award winning four-piece
band along with Special Guest Mary Shaver for an evening of
Rock and Blues music.
Concert goers can enjoy food and beverage within the confines in the
outdoor seating areas of the local restaurants or feel free
to bring food to the Market Square.
We hope to see you back next year!
Sponsored by
Thank you to Blittzed and Pritchard Festival Productions, LLC for organizing a
great summer concert series for the community.
Market Square Businesses Serve Our Communities
Five Below - Petsmart - Moby Dick - Next Day Blinds - Signs by Tomorrow - Daviko Gems - Bath & Floor Stiles
- 525 Boutique - Rizman Ahmad DDS - Starbucks - Colonial Opticians - Sports Clips - Tipo’s Toy Box -Tandoori
Nights - Jessa Medical Supply -Wine Harvest - Tea Spa Wellness Center - Jo’s Comfort Zone - Buca Restaurant
– USPS - My Gym - Orange Theory Fitness - Dry Clean Station - 16 Handles - Kentlands Paragon 10 - Potomac
Pizza - Pacifica Café - Goodarzi Hair Salon - Pasha Restaurant - Mattress Warehouse – Peppers - Vasilis Med
Grill - Five Guys - Thai Tanium Restaurant – Michaels - Dress Barn - Dr. Karl E. Lee Two Left Feet Dance
Orange Theory Fitness
Tandoori Nights
Moby Dick
Potomac Pizza
Colonial Opticians
6824 Elm Street, Suite 200 | McLean, VA 22101 | 703.821.0500 | BeattyCos.com
Page 28
The Town Courier
September 4, 2015