Students hold Gun Control Protest at NRA office in Virginia
 |  |  |  |
Menu
Videos
Montgomery County in Pictures
Local News
Concert set to help raise opioid awarene…
13-04-2018 Hits:527 Local 
Neal Earley
The Music Center of Strathmore will host a benefit concert for Maryland Heroin Awareness Advocates on April 17. COURTESY PHOTO The opioid epidemic first hit home for Carin Miller after both her husband and son became addicted to painkillers. The struggles of her family to deal with addiction led Miller, a resident of Mt. Airy, to start her own nonprofit foundation to help raise awareness for the issue and to help those addicted to opioids seek treatment. “My children are good people with a bad disease and I would just like everybody to know that my children did not choose to become addicted,” Miller said. On April 17, the Music Center at Strathmore will host a benefit concert for Miller’s organization, Maryland Heroin Awareness Advocates. H. David Meyers, professional oboe player and Miller’s boss at AgriSmart, a Rockville-based agricultural company, helped organized the concert arranging for his musician friends to perform in order to raise awareness for opioids.
Read moreChen to plead guilty to carrying a gun i…
11-04-2018 Hits:417 Local Suzanne Pollak
Alwin Chen. FILE PHOTO ROCKVILLE — Alwin Chen, the Clarksburg High School student who brought a loaded Glock 19 handgun to school, is expected to plead guilty on a charge that could send him to jail for three years. Chen, 18, entered into a plea agreement April 5 to carrying a handgun on school property and will learn of his fate in a hearing before Circuit Court Judge John Maloney on April 24. He can be sentenced to 90 days to three years. In exchange for his expected guilty plea, two other charges were dropped, including possession of weapon by a minor and bringing the handgun to school on other days. Chen has been in jail since his Feb. 15 arrest, when the gun was found in his backpack.
Read moreCounty Council holds forum on workplace …
10-04-2018 Hits:639 Local Neal Earley
ROCKVILLE — For months the “Me Too” movement was among the biggest stories in the nation. Reporters, politicians, movie producers and stars were all accused of sexual harassment – something all industries learned that they were not immune from – including the Montgomery County government. On Tuesday, representatives from the County’s departments gathered to talk about workplace harassment more than a month after custodial staff accused Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel of making sexist and racist comments toward them. “So I think kind of given the climate of the, you know, the nation and what’s going on right now, I do think we need to take a closer look,” said Shawn Stokes, director of the Office of Human Resources for Montgomery County. Other County department heads and human resources managers joined Stokes on the panel in order to summarize their department’s policies on harassment and mandatory workplace training required for all department employees. While the particulars of each County department differ, all County employees are required to go through some sort of workplace harassment training.
Read moreMetro consultants confirm resident fears regarding noise and vibrations
A consulting firm hired by Metro has confirmed local residents’ concerns about Metro’s new 7000 series trains – they are louder than the old ones and may have a tendency…
Three suspects in custody in Silver Spring rape case
Montgomery County Police have charged suspects (left to right) Martin “Fat Mo” Chery, 21, Jordan Cobbs, 20, and Tombong Saidy, 18, in connection with the rape and assault of a…
MoCo residents celebrate Easter in Silver Spring
Children prepare to take part in a sack race as part of the Easter celebration in Downtown Silver Spring on Saturday. PHOTO BY ABBY CRUZ SILVER SPRING — Although Peter Cottontail…
County has lowest rates of most common cancers
Dr. Chunfu Liu, Dr. Brandi Page, and Dr. Clifford Mitchell participated in a panel on cancer rates in Montgomery County. PHOTO BY SUZANNE POLLAK Incidences of the five most common forms…
Woodmont businesses optimistic
BETHESDA — With high-rise buildings slowly popping up in the Woodmont Triangle area of Downtown Bethesda, business owners said they are optimistic about the future of local commerce in the…
Hundreds attend Raskin pre-rally
Posters at the Silver Spring Civic Center PHOTO BY SUZANNE POLLAKHundreds of people, ranging in age from those too young to walk to Dr. Anne Riley who described herself as…
Don't Shoot!
Hundreds of thousands show up to encourage increased restrictions on firearms Mothers across the country showed up in D.C. to protest and demand greater gun control after recent shootings at several…
Metro approves budget with no fare increase
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Metro Board of Directors unanimously voted to not increase fares when it approved its operating and capital budgets for Fiscal Year 2019, providing at least one…
BOE approves Gaithersburg school plans
ROCKVILLE — On March 22, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the superintendent’s recommendation for the construction of a new elementary school in the Gaithersburg cluster…
- 1
- 2
- 3
State News
Advocacy groups make final push as sessi…
10-04-2018 Hits:216 State Peter Rouleau
As the 2018 Maryland legislative session enters its final days, state advocacy groups are making a final push for the passage of legislation. “While there are a few bills still alive that we’re still supporting, unfortunately most of the major environmental legislation this year was either voted down or amended down into a non-sensitive form,” said Elaine Lutz, staff attorney for the Maryland office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, an organization which advocates for the health of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waterways. Lutz said the CBF’s primary focus during this session was strengthening the Forest Conservation Act, which she said designates certain areas in the state as priority forests and calls for them to be preserved, but provides few specific criteria or guidelines towards accomplishing that goal. “We are seeing the loss of some of our best contiguous forests,” Lutz said. “The legislation we introduced this year would have provided specific, transparent criteria for preserving the forests and reforestation requirements, but after opposition from some of the counties and the development community, the senate amended it into a more task force-oriented bill to find out where the forests are being lost and require certain recommendations to be made.”
Read moreState song may soon be demoted to histor…
03-04-2018 Hits:397 State Suzanne Pollak
“Maryland, My Maryland,” the Civil War battle hymn that refers to “Northern scum” soon may no longer be the state song. But rather than replace “the embarrassing, outdated and racist song,” as Senator Cheryl Kagan (D-17) called it, the State Senate opted last week to demote the song to historical status. “It will be designated as historical. We are putting it aside,” said Kagan, who stressed that her preference for the new designation is “historical, not historic. ‘Historical’ means that’s what we used to believe.” The lyrics, which are from a poem written in the early days of the Civil War by James Ryder Randall, “are offensive and outdated,” she said, explaining why she has been trying to repeal and replace the song since 2016. Before the song is officially downgraded, the House of Delegates must agree. An official vote in the House has not yet been scheduled.
Read moreStatistics show gun violence rising in M…
31-03-2018 Hits:800 State Neal Earley
With a renewed push to enact gun control legislation taking this place last weekend in Washington, some state politicians are saying Maryland could serve as model of gun control reform for the nation. Since the murder of 17 people in Parkland, Florida, students and gun control advocates have staged walkouts and protest marches in hopes of pressuring Congress to enact new gun control laws such as banning assault weapons which Maryland did through its legislation in 2013.
Read moreMaryland legislative update
With less than a month left to go in this year’s legislative session, both chambers of the Maryland legislature are still working their way through several key pieces of legislation…
Maryland crafts legislation targeting presidential tax return
A Maryland bill that would require all future presidential candidates to release their tax returns passsed the Maryland Senate last week, taking aim at President Trump. The Presidential Candidate Tax Transparency…
Kagan says video shows evidence of inappropriate touching
Cheryl Kagan (left) and Gil Genn (right). FILE PHOTOSNewly-released security camera footage of an interaction between State Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-17th District) and lobbyist Gil Genn is leading to different…
Gun advocates and control supporters rally in Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS — Even a casual observer who visited the House of Delegates’ offices Tuesday could easy deduce the issue of the day by taking notice of the sartorial sameness displayed…
Kagan accuses lobbyist of inappropriate touching
Cheryl Kagan (left) and Gil Genn (right). COURTESY PHOTOS State Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-17) alleges that a lobbyist inappropriately touched her during a legislative event on March 1. “Last night, former legislator…
Gubernatorial candidates talk issues in Takoma Park
Gubernatorial candidates gather in Takoma Park COURTESY PHOTO BY EDWARD M. KIMMEL TAKOMA PARK — Six of the eight Democrats hoping to replace incumbent Gov. Larry Hogan (R) made their…
Gun control legislation to be reconsidered
The mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 people last week has brought new attention to state bills on gun control and school security as…
Gubernatorial candidates Madaleno, Ross pick running mates
Two of the Democrats who are vying for the chance to unseat Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in this year’s general election announced Lieutenant Governor picks this week in hopes of…
Controversial state song may finally change
Maryland’s controversial state song – “Maryland, My Maryland” – could soon go the way of eight-track tapes and cassettes if a number of state legislators get their way. The Civil War-era…
- 1
- 2
- 3
Columns
Democrats face a messaging problem
13-04-2018 Hits:270 Paul's View Paul K. Schwartz
The biggest issue facing Democrats as they head toward the 2018 midterm elections and their quest to retake both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to identify what Democrats are for and not just against. The search is for a rallying issue, so to speak.The difficulty is that it is sometimes a bit challenging to distinguish the two especially when dealing with such a destructive force as the CONmander-in-Chief.There are a couple of good places to start, however. First, simply look at all of the Obama Administration actions that have been, item by item, undone by the current administration. Re-entering the Paris Climate Accord since we are the only nation, and I said only nation thanks to Trump, who is not a signatory is one easy issue to adopt for Democrats. Climate change, by the way, is real, and not being part of the solution implies we are part of the problem. Current efforts to roll back automobile emission standards are a prime example.Rescinding President Obama's executive order on DACA, Deferred Actions on Childhood Arrivals, only served to create an unnecessary crisis. How this issue will ultimately be addressed remains to be seen, but it is likely that...
Read moreThe battle between the press and the Pre…
11-04-2018 Hits:218 Editor's Notebook 
Brian Karem
Of the two comments I’ve heard most regarding media activity in the White House press room, the most ridiculous comment I hear is “Why don’t you guys all get up and walk out?”This comment assumes almost the same kind of mindset attributed to the president: The press is a monolithic group of reporters working in unison to create a narrative. The president believes we’re trying to create a false narrative or are unfair in the way we cover his administration; everyone else just thinks we’re often full of it.
Read moreWe all should be "Mad as Hell"…
05-04-2018 Hits:536 Paul's View Paul K. Schwartz
“What's that you say?”“Come again?”“I can't hearrrrr youuuuu!”That is, in essence, what our state legislators have said to taxpayers in the state of Maryland. Basically, their message is: I can't hear you, and even if I did, I don't really care!As previously mentioned in this column, the recently-released federal tax plan hits the taxpayers of high-taxed states such as Maryland particularly hard. It is estimated that, as a result of the federal tax plan, Maryland taxpayers will see an increase of approximately $400 million in state taxes owed for the 2018 tax year.What to do, what to do, what to do? Well, the state legislature has apparently decided to spend it and not return it to the taxpayers who, if nothing is done, will see an associated increase in their state tax bill come April 15, 2019.Using the 2014 Personal Statistics of Income from the Comptroller's table for itemized deductions, the average increase in state and local returns for Marylanders with an adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less would average about $1000 in additional state tax per return.
Read moreKing, Kennedy, Mom and Dad - Deja Vu all over again
In the early Spring of 1968 my mother began playing a Michelle Lee album she’d purchased.For Weeks “L. David Sloane” and the laments of a woman trying to escape a…
Thirty Days in the Hole!
Woke up this morning feeling half past dead, with this silly rock lyric running through my head.The mailman was early and gave me a shout about something I had no…
And now gun rights for everybody!
Have you ever wondered just how our legislators receive their gun lobby ratings? You know, A-plus through F-minus. Clearly much depends on their voting record on gun-related legislation, whether in…
Keep your hands off the pension, dude
Back, way back, in the early 1980s, the New York office of the United States Customs Service experienced a full-fledged scandal concerning illegal kickbacks, graft, extortion and more, much more…
Disturbing the Snow of Your Thoughts
Curious how old habits stay with you.When I was a young boy and it snowed I loathed walking into either the front or backyard disturbing the fresh powder. It looked…
Everyone needs to establish standards
There are certain expectations we, as citizens, have for the individual occupying the White House. We expect that they have a certain level of integrity, honesty, morals, intelligence, experience, judgment…
Remember the Hawking Legacy
"My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all." – Stephen Hawking Stephen Hawking’s last warning…
Before you go too far . . .
The late comedian Richard Jeni once said in reference to American politics if you’ve gone too far to the right or too far to the left then you’ve . …
Back to the Future via Biff - or Trump
Quite the uproar was created recently with the announcement by the current occupant of the Oval Office of his intention to impose an across-the-board 25 percent tariff on imported steel…
- 1
- 2
- 3
Sports
B-CC lands on top at gymnastics tri-meet…
18-04-2018 Hits:257 Sports Brandy L. Simms
B-CC’s Frances Leadman placed first all-around, first in bars, beam, and floor, and third in the vault during the gymnastics tri-meet at Blake High School. PHOTO BY GEORGE P. SMITH SILVER SPRING — A quintet of Bethesda-Chevy Chase gymnasts shined on Tuesday at Blake High School. Frances Leadman, Majalene Wright, Paige Moffitt, Emily Haight, and Tina Siyoum helped lead Bethesda-Chevy Chase to first place honors over Blair and Blake. Their performance helped the Barons’ earn their first top finish in a meet this season. “It feels amazing,” said Bethesda-Chevy Chase head coach Mary Ingram, whose team has already earned a pair of second-place finishes this year, “and I’m really proud because my girls had a great day and it feels good that they’re rewarded with a win after having a good day at a competition.”
Read moreBlair girls win LAX Battle of the Boulev…
17-04-2018 Hits:135 Sports Eva Paspalis
SILVER SPRING — The 2018 high school varsity lacrosse season may only be a few weeks old, but Blair senior attacker Markeeta Reed has already had her favorite moment of the season so far. Reed turned in a five-goal performance Monday that helped the Blair Blazers earn their first win of the year in the Battle of the Boulevard against the neighboring Northwood Gladiators, 12-7. “I don’t want to see my team lose; it’s not a good feeling,” said Reed. “It’s a relief to win. I made a couple goals to help the team and we worked together to get those goals.” The game started off close at the beginning as both teams traded leads and tied the score twice in the first half. The Gladiators showcased their multiple threats as five players all scored throughout the course of the evening.
Read moreWheaton wins double victory in doublehea…
17-04-2018 Hits:743 Sports Brandy L. Simms
On fire against rival Kennedy, Kelvin Pedroza pitched all five innings in the Wheaton Knights’ 15-2 win of game two. PHOTO BY MIKE CLARK SILVER SPRING — The Wheaton Knights varsity baseball team won both games of a doubleheader Saturday with neighborhood rival, the Kennedy Cavaliers. Wheaton claimed an 11-1 victory in the first game and captured a 15-2 win in the second game. The Montgomery County high schools are separated by a two-mile stretch on Randolph Road. “Everyone went to the same middle school so we’re all friendly,” said Kennedy head coach Josh Creighton, whose team fell to 0-7, “but it’s definitely a huge rivalry in every sport – Battle of Randolph.” The visiting Knights outscored the Cavaliers en route to their second and third wins of the season. “Our whole team performed good – from top to bottom,” said Wheaton senior captain Anushka Fernando. “Everyone performed well. We came out and we put out a performance against our rivals.”
Read moreGburg Trojans dominate NW Jags in girls lacrosse, 12-8
Gaithersburg Trojans’ Maisie Scott (23) brings the ball down the field under the watchful eye of Northwest Jaguars’ Jenny Lee (19). Scott scored five goals in the Trojans’ 12-8 win…
Whitman baseball team gets payback with defeat of WJ Wildcats
Whitman Vikings’ Sam Mermelstein (15) makes it back to second base after taking too much of a lead on WJ Wildcats second baseman Ian Rickles (3). PHOTO BY GEORGE SMITH BETHESDA…
G. Prep’s pitching dominates St. Albans in 4-0 victory
BETHESDA — “After one of the worst losses we’ve had…you can’t blink or you’re going to have some issues,” Georgetown Prep head coach Chris Gonzalez said. It had been two days…
Wootton Patriots win a close one over Northwest in girls lacrosse
A shot attempt from Wootton midfielder Raeann Carpenter is blocked by Northwest goalie Katherine Jones. The Wootton Patriots held on to win 8-7 against the Northwest Jaguars. PHOTO BY MIKE…
St. Albans boys storm back to defeat Landon in lacrosse, 7-4
St. Albans’ William O’Brien goes for the goal but Landon goalie Mitchell Laughlin comes up with the save. St. Albans would make a comeback in the second half to win…
Blair softball team blazes to victory over Paint Branch 5-4
Paint Branch Panthers shortstop Myla Oliphant (13) waits with ball in hand to tag out Blair Blazers' M. Elliott (10). PHOTO BY GEORGE SMITH BURTONSVILLE — Friday’s battle between the Paint…
Landon Bears defeat Bullis Bulldogs in boys lacrosse
Landon’s John Geppert scores his third goal of the day while being hammered by Bullis defenders. PHOTO BY MIKE CLARK BETHESDA — National powers and conference rivals Bullis Bulldogs and Landon…
Kennedy crushes Wheaton in girls lacrosse 6-3
Kennedy’s Aalayah Dorsey celebrates a goal as she’s mobbed by teammates. PHOTO BY MIKE CLARK SILVER SPRING — From a first-half struggle to a second-half blowout, the Kennedy Cavaliers beat the…
Bullis freshman shines in golf victory over Good Counsel
Bullis golfer Sophie Simon lines up for a par putt against Good Counsel at Great Falls Road Golf Course. PHOTO BY MIKE CLARKPOTOMAC — Bullis freshman golfer Sophie Simon was…
- 1
- 2
- 3
Features
Finding adventure by traveling down the …
15-03-2018 Hits:447 Entertainment Barbara Trainin Blank
Beloved characters come to life in Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.” COURTESY PHOTOAlthough dancers learn to smile onstage – other than during tragic moments in the plot of a ballet – Genevieve Pelletier was concerned she had perhaps overdone it in her last role. She was the lead in the Marzipan dance in Metropolitan Ballet Theatre and Academy’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Then along came a role in which an oversize smile fits perfectly. The 17-year-old Quince Orchard High School senior will be playing the Cheshire Cat. “I love the Cheshire Cat, who smiles all the time,” she said. “It fits in with my personality.” Every year Metropolitan Ballet Theatre presents a different full-length ballet during the spring. This year it’s “Alice in Wonderland.”
Read moreIsraeli Dance Festival attracts diverse …
15-03-2018 Hits:392 Entertainment Barbara Trainin Blank
Ilana Preuss and children in 2016 Israeli Dance Festival DC. COURTESY PHOTO You don’t have to be Israeli – or even Jewish – to love Israeli dancing. Margaret “Peggy” Antonisse, 66, is neither, but she attends Israeli dance sessions open to the public a few times a week. She also serves on the planning committee for the annual Israeli Dance Festival DC, which showcases Israeli dance performing groups of all ages in the area. “It also cultivates an appreciation of the rich culture of Israeli dance and encourages participation of people from all backgrounds, ages and skill levels,” said Abby Kerbel, one of the co-chairs. Israeli dance is diverse in and of itself – drawing on Arabic, Yemenite, Latino and Eastern European roots. It incorporates line and circle dances, and sometimes couples’ dances. “I first developed an interest in Israeli dance as part of international dance in college,” Antonisse said. “It was great aerobic exercise and had a wonderful sense of community – when you hold hands in a circle and the group is moving as one in the same direction.”
Read moreLatest Dance Exchange project zeroes in …
22-02-2018 Hits:657 Entertainment Barbara Trainin Blank
Andy Torres, pictured in the foreground, is a collaborator in the Dance Exchange project “Growing Our Own Gardens.” COURTESY PHOTODance involves not only movement and music but community involvement. That’s the viewpoint of Dance Exchange, a Takoma Park-based, non-profit arts organization devoted to dance-making and creative practices that engage individuals and communities of all ages to cultivate a deeper understanding of one’s world. “Dance Exchange collaborates across generations, disciplines, and communities to channel the power for performance as a means for dialogue, a source of critical reflection, and a creative engine for thought and action,” said Matthew Cumbie, associate artistic director. One of the communities Dance Exchange is now exploring is the D.C. area’s queer community. With the collective title of “Growing Our Own Gardens,” the organization has created an ongoing project that promotes “dialogue and action about issues faced by LGBTQ+ communities and centers the stories, lives, and questions of LGBTQ+ throughout history,” Cumbie said. “We’re looking at the history of these communities but bringing the conversation into the modern day.”
Read moreLandscape painter finds outdoor inspiration, but executes canvases indoors
PHOTO OF “BAIE ST. PAUL CREEK by Leni BerlinerLocal artist Leni Berliner did some painting as a high school student many years ago, and like most student artists, she laid…
Exhibit pays tribute to laborers with extraordinary art
“Woman Cleaning Shower” by Ramiro Gomez from National Portrait Gallery exhibit on work. COURTESY PHOTO “The Sweat of their Face: Portraying American Workers,” an exhibit on view at the National Portrait…
Maryland Youth Ballet’s unique production of The Nutcracker
A past production of Maryland Youth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” with Justin Metcalf-Burton and Maya Beeman. COURTESY PHOTOMaryland Youth Ballet can boast of many illustrious alumni. Walk along the hallways of the…
Award-winning author speaks at Gaithersburg High School
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie spoke at Gaithersburg High School on Sept. 26, as part of the One Maryland, One Book program. COURTESY PHOTO GAITHERSBURG — Award-winning and world-renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi…
Chekhov-inspired comedy opens Highwood Theatre’s season
The cast of Christopher Durang's comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” now playing at Highwood Theatre. COURTESY PHOTO Richard Fiske admits to being an adrenaline junkie. He fulfilled that…
Halloween attractions gear up for opening
In 1993, the venture that would eventually become Markoff's Haunted Forest began modestly as a haunted bus ride that visited area. Brothers Matt, Nick, and Alex Markoff conceived of the…
Rockville Little Theatre Celebrates 70 years
Nik Henly and Krisyn Lue rehearse a scene from Rockville Little Theatre's recent production of "Almost, Maine." COURTESY PHOTO ROCKVILLE — Montgomery County experienced a radical change in the aftermath…
“America’s Presidents” exhibit reopens at National Portrait Gallery
A George Washington portrait is among the many works of art on display in the "America's Presidents" exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. COURTESY PHOTO The “America’s Presidents” exhibition at…
Love comes in many forms on Rockville stage
Alexandra Guyker rehearses one of her roles in the play "Almost, Maine" at Rockville Little Theatre. COURTESY PHOTO Sabine is a woman at an exciting point in her current relationship…
- 1
- 2
- 3
Political Cartoons
MC/DC Cartoon: Hannity Hates the Playa, …
18-04-2018 Hits:139 Political Cartoons 
Mark Cabot Robinson
@MCRgh1
Read moreMC/DC Cartoon: Not a "Witch" H…
11-04-2018 Hits:289 Political Cartoons Mark Cabot Robinson
@MCRgh1
Read moreMC/DC Cartoon: Outrageous Perspective
04-04-2018 Hits:324 Political Cartoons Mark Cabot Robinson
@MCRgh1
Read more
- 1
- 2
- 3