Potomac — Zoning Rewrite Project

Montgomery County planners have been revising sections of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance since 2010. Planners seek to rewrite the Zoning Code — last rewritten in 1977 and 1,200 pages long — to modernize antiquated, redundant zoning regulations and create new tools to help achieve goals in community plans, according to the Montgomery County Planning Department.

Next Tuesday, Sept. 11, the County Council will hold public hearings at 1:30 on Transit Proximity Definitions in Commercial and Residential zones; Established Building Line Clarification, Density Transfer from C-2 to CBD Zones and Accessory Apartments Amendments.

To testify, call the County Council at 240-777-7803.

“The revised code — which will be considered by the Planning Board in a number of work sessions before going to the County Council for review … is expected to reduce the number of zones, clarify what uses are permitted in each zone, and rethink 1950s-era commercial strips and office parks,” according to Planning Board officials.

Download the draft at http://www.zoningmontgomery.org

Fill the Boot

Montgomery County firefighters raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as part of the national “Fill the Boot” Campaign.

Money raised from the three-day fundraising event, which began last Wednesday Aug. 29, stays local and helps support 400 families in Montgomery County, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

Before this year’s event, Montgomery County Firefighters had raised $1.8 million since the county began participating in the cause in 1984. In 2012, the International Association of Fire Fighters raised $28 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, according to the fire service. MDA is a volunteer health agency working to defeat more than 40 forms of Muscular Dystrophy through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and professional and public health education.

Proceeds help local services and research programs, including a week-long summer camp for children, support groups and local clinics.

Stop by any fire station, including Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department on 8001 River Rd., with donations.

Potomac’s Got Talent

The Potomac Community Center will kickoff its new season with a new talent show to be held in conjunction with the Potomac Family Fun Fest on Friday, Sept. 28 from 4-9 p.m. at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Rd.

“Does your family, or your child, have a talent that you'd like to show off? Our community talent show is the perfect place to try!” according to the Potomac Community Center. “We're looking for individuals and groups to show off their talents (singers, bands, musicians, anything) and compete for prizes at our talent show.”

See http://www.potomacsgottalent.com to sign up and describe your act.

Call the Potomac Community Center at 240-777-6960 for more information about the Potomac's Got Talent competition.

Family Fun Fest is open to the entire community — members, non-members and families with youth or adults of all ages. The event will include carnival rides, an obstacle course and wrecking ball, the Squeals on Wheels Petting Zoo, music from Electric Entertainment and the Potomac’s Got Talent event.

Club Friday

The Potomac Community Center’s program begins its 22nd year at the Community Center on Oct. 5, 2012, the week after Family Fun Fest (see above).

Activities for students in third through sixth grades include basketball, bingo, dances, ping pong, gym hockey, soccer, crafts, movies and special theme nights.

The weekly evening event takes place from 7-9 p.m., and the Center will open the snack bar at 6:30 p.m.

Online registration is underway at https://www.recweb.montgomerycountymd.gov

After Hours meets the first Friday of every month from 9:15 to 11 p.m., and also runs through March 1, 2013.

The program is available for sixth through eighth grade students.

Call the Potomac Community Center at 240-777-6960.

MLK Auditions

Montgomery County seeks performers for the 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration scheduled Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 at the Music Center at Strathmore.

The MLK Commemorative Committee will hold three-minute auditions on Friday, Sept. 14 at Montgomery College in Rockville, Room 124 of the Musical Building, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The committee is interested in musicians, dancers and performers for spoken word and skits.

E-mail mlkcelebration@hotmail.com to reserve an audition time.

For more information, e-mail Susan Peevy at mlkcelebration@hotmail.com or Yvonne Stephens of Montgomery College’s Office of Equity and Diversity at Yvonne.stephens@montgomerycollege.edu or 240-567-4203.

Great Falls Stewards

The Park Service and Canal Trust seek volunteers to come to Historic Great Falls Tavern on Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers, 12 and older, will paint, rake, clean and clear debris from the Tavern and the surrounding areas.

For more information or to sign up, contact Becky Curtis at 301-745-8889, or email her at volunteer@canaltrust.org.

High school students can receive Student Service Learning hours.

Live and Learn

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, which also serves the Potomac area, will partner with Live and Learn Bethesda to offer classes and programs to the community.

Some of the fall programs include legal and financial planning for elders, ballroom dancing for beginners, a discussion of “The Secrets of Washington D.C.” with author Ronald Kessler, a discussion of “Famous KGB Spies: Where Are They Now?” with former KGB General Oleg Kaulgin, and a lecture series on aging in the community.

The BCC-Regional Services Center also partners with Suburban Hospital, Washington Oasis and the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery and the Bethesda Urban Partnership and other organizations to present programs and classes to the community.

Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/bcc and www.liveandlearnbethesda.org or call Live and Learn Bethesda at 301-740-6150.

Hall of Fame

Montgomery County’s Office of Human Rights seeks nominations for its Seventh Hall of Fame, to celebrate individuals whose ongoing work, service and contributions have positively impacted human and civil rights in the county.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 28 from 3-5 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown.

Nominations are available online or by calling the Office of Human Rights at 240-777-8456. See www.montgomerycountymd.gov/humanrights.

The deadline for submissions is Sept. 10, 2012.

Honoring WWII Veterans

World War II veterans will be honored Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Plaza. County Executive Isiah Leggett, Council President Roger Berliner and the County Council will lead ceremonies starting at 10:30 a.m.

Speakers will include veterans who served in various aspects of World War II.

The county’s public cable television channel will simulcast the event life. In addition, the PEG Network will be recording the stories of many of the veterans for a documentary that will first be shown on Veterans Day.

Montgomery Honors WW II Vets event organizers seek contact with more veterans. Call 240-777-7929.

C&O Canal 5K

A high school sophomore organized the Runners for the C&O Canal (Run 3.1 Miles … Preserve 184.5!) to benefit the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Last fall, the inaugural race raised more than $1,200 to support the park (nps.gov/chch) and its non-profit partner, The C&O Canal Trust (www.canaltrust.org).

This year’s race begins Saturday, Sept. 16 at 8 a.m. at Meadowbrook Park (Candy Cane City), 7901 Meadowbrook Lane in Chevy Chase, and follows flat shady trails through Rock Creek Park.

See canaltrust.org or the race website at http://cando5K.weebly.com

Honoring Fallen Ranger

The Margaret Anderson Memorial 5K and walk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8 on the C&O Canal's towpath, from Antietam Campground to the Rumsey Bridge near Shepherdstown, W.Va., at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Proceeds will be donated to Margaret Anderson’s family for the care of her two young daughters.

Anderson was a law enforcement park ranger stationed in the Palisades District of C&O Canal National Historical Park from 2004 to 2008.

See the Canal Trust website: http://www.CanalTrust.org/MargaretAndersonMemorial5K.

Fall Recreation

Montgomery County Recreation announced its fall guide for programs, which includes a variety of sports leagues and classes programs, as well as several opportunities for travel. The county offers therapeutic recreation services and programs for seniors and people with disabilities, too.

To view the fall guide online, see www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec. Print copies are available at recreation centers, park facilities, libraries and government buildings. Mailed subscriptions can be obtained by signing up on line.

Residents are encouraged to register early since many programs fill quickly. Sign up online, by mail, by fax or in person at the Montgomery County Recreation Administration Offices at 4010 Randolph Rd. in Silver Spring.

Democracy in Action

The Montgomery County Board of Elections seeks students from sixth grade through senior year of high school to serve as Election Day Student Aides during the 2012 Presidential General Election.

Interested students will be required to attend training with their guardians and will be placed on Election Day in neighboring precincts according to their home addresses, The effort would qualify as Student Service Learning credits.

The election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.

Students with bilingual and American Sign Language skills are encouraged to apply.

Register before Oct. 1, 2012 at www.777vote.org.

Fluent Election Judges

The Board of Election also seeks election judges who are fluent in Spanish.

Election judges must be U.S. citizens, registered to vote in Maryland, and 18 years or older. Election judges must also be able to speak, read and write in English. Montgomery County residency is not a pre-requisite to serve.

All election judges will be compensated for training and for Election Day service.

Contact the Board at 240-777-8532, download an election judge questionnaire from www.777vote.org or e-mail Dr. Gilberto Zelaya at gilberto.zelaya@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Park After Dark

Last year’s inaugural Park After Dark sold out. Tickets for this year’s event on Oct. 13 will benefit the C&O Canal National Historic Park.

The grounds of the historic Great Falls Tavern in Potomac will be the setting for an evening under the stars around the bonfire, listening and dancing to music and enjoying food and beverages. Silent and live auctions with special "experience packages," will be offered.

See www.canaltrust.org to purchase tickets. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact info@canaltrust.org.

Get Involved: County Committees

The County Executive seeks applicants for a number of County boards, committees and commissions.

See www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/exec/vacancies

Applications consisting of a brief cover letter, resume and contact information should be sent to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe St., 2nd Floor, Rockville, Md. 20850 or by email to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov