HomeLifeStyleHomeHomeLifeStyleLifeStyle PotomacPotomac Pages 8-12 Sports, Page 15 ❖ Classifieds, Page 14 Classifieds, ❖ Donna Dadkhoo, Natalie Hwang and Hrishi Balaji will be per- forming “Landslide” in 2016 “Blast” at Churchill High School. Calendar, Page 6 ‘Blast‘Blast fromfrom thethe PastPast 27’27’ News, Page 3 Police Rescue Injured Eagle News, Page 5 Whitman Boys’ Basketball Wins Region Championship Sports, Page 15 Photo contributed online at potomacalmanac.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.comMarch 9-15, 2016 Potomac Almanac ❖ March 9-15, 2016 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ March 9-15, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Potomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren 703-778-9415 or [email protected] News See www.potomacalmanac.com Churchill To Present ‘Blast from the Past 27’ Musical performances to revolve around “elements” theme. By Susan Belford The Almanac arth, wind, fire, water — these el- ements have influenced culture Ethroughout history as well as music since society’s early begin- nings. “Blast From the Past 27 – Elements” will present a testimony to their power through vocals and dance performances of songs such as “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel, “Rain” by the Beatles, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye Anna Votaw serves as a Blast and Tammi Terrell, “Great Balls of Fire” by Company manager. She has per- Jerry Lee Lewis and “I Feel the Earth Move” formed in Blast for the past 4 years by Carole King. and is a member of Churchill’s “Blast From the Past” has been a long- Showstoppers. standing musical success at Winston Churchill High School (WCHS) showcasing the talents of the student cast and techni- cal/production crew, as well as the dedica- tion of the director, technical director and the parents. Blast Director Matt Albright addresses Blast performers before re- The show requires the efforts of 150 stu- hearsal. dents who serve not only as singers, danc- larger piece of the artistic puzzle we as art- every minute because I will never be able ers, band members, carpenters, sound and ists try to create. As they become intrinsi- to be a part of this production again. It’s audio technicians and choreographers — cally committed to the production, they wonderful but sad — and I’m so glad I could but who search for just the right costume, learn the true value of communication and be a part of it.” dedicatedly practice dance moves and sup- artistic exploration with their peers. Blast Since the founder and lead singer of the port one another and their teachers when 27 is a student-run production from student band Earth Wind and Fire died this year, yet another snow day is called by Montgom- musical arrangements, choreography, light the Blast Band and the Churchill Pianist Anthony Ratinov is the ery County. The extravaganza is packed with and sound design to vocal performance.” Showstoppers will be performing “In the Blast Band’s student conductor. energy and enthusiasm – and has been a Albright explained that he would not have Stone” and “Shining Star.” Contemporary “not-to-be-missed” show within the been able to develop the show without the tunes, such as “Fireball” by Pitbull, “Burnin’ were four years old, and both enjoy writ- Potomac community for 27 years. help of his student leaders as well as Pro- Up “ by the Jonas Brothers and “Burn” by ing arrangements. Matt Albright, Churchill’s choral instruc- duction Designer and Technical Director Ellie Goulding will be interspersed with “I enjoy teaching the music after I write tor, is directing “Blast” for the third time. Benjamin Schnapp and Lighting Designer crowd-favorites such as “Cry Me a River,” the arrangement. It’s very satisfying to lis- “Each year, I am astounded by the amaz- Kristofer Sanz. Most of the student leaders “River Deep, Mountain High,” and “Ring of ten to the harmonies of the vocalists,” ing talent and creativity of our students,” are graduating seniors who have performed Fire” — representing a variety of music Hwang said. he said. “That is why as a teacher, I believe in previous productions. genres. Besides writing the band arrangements, students should gain the experience of cre- Company Manager and Vocal Captain Many of the vocal arrangements were cre- Ratinov serves as the student conductor. ating Blast themselves. Not only can we fos- Anna Votaw said, “This year’s Blast is so ated by senior Natalie Hwang and the band “We have 15 band volunteers who have ter intellectual and creative pursuits, but we different for me because, as a senior, I ap- arrangements were done by senior Anthony allow them to become an integral part of a preciate it so much more. I have to savor Ratinov. Both have studied piano since they See ‘Blast’ Embraces, Page 13 Local DAR Chapter Provides Patriotic Service most likely the popular Hungerford’s Tavern, which Hungerford’s Tavern stood at the corner of South Washington and Jefferson streets in Rockville. According to the chapter encourages Hungerford’s Tavern Daughters of the American Revolution website, “On Saturday, June 11, 1774, at new members. Hungerford’s Tavern, the leading men of lower By Susan Belford Frederick County met with Henry Griffith as mod- The Almanac erator and Archibald Orme as clerk and resolved unanimously: ‘That it is the opinion of this meeting n June 7, 1974, the Hungerford’s Tavern that the most effectual means for the securing of Contributed Photo OChapter of the Daughters of the American American freedom will be to break off all commerce Revolution (DAR) was founded in with Great Britain and the West Indies.’ Dr. Thomas Potomac. Ever since the organization was begun, they Sprigg Wootton, Nathan and Zadek Magruder, Rich- have provided patriotic service to the nation, the state ard Brooke, Henry Griffith, Evan and Richard Tho- and community. Their motto, “God, Home and Coun- mas, Dr. William Baker, Thomas Cramphin, Jr. and try” serves to define their mission: dedication to pro- Allen Bowie were appointed to carry the resolution moting patriotism, preserving American history and to Annapolis.” In January, delivering stuffed animals to the Montgom- securing America’s future through better education. “Two years later, on September 6, 1776, a resolu- ery County Family Justice Center are (from left) Jackie Why was this DAR chapter named for Hungerford’s tion introduced by Dr. Thomas Sprigg Wootton was Cronin, Acting FJC Director Thomas Manion, and Patty Tavern? The birthplace of Montgomery County was See Local DAR, Page 13 Vitale. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Potomac Almanac ❖ March 9-15, 2016 ❖ 3 Opinion POTOMAC Warning Signs ALMANAC www.PotomacAlmanac.com For Artificial Newspaper of Potomac A Connection Newspaper Turf An independent, locally owned weekly The following open letter was addressed newspaper delivered State Del. Aruna Miller. to homes and businesses. On behalf of the hundreds of 1606 King Street households in Montgomery Alexandria, Virginia 22314 County who are members of the Free digital edition delivered to West Montgomery County Citizens your email box. Go to Association, we are grateful for connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe your leadership on HB 883 seek- ing warning signs on artificial turf PUBLISHER fields owned by local governments Mary Kimm [email protected] or school systems. @MaryKimm We hope the county goes much further in its action re- EDITORIAL PHONE: 703-778-9415 garding artificial turf E-MAIL: Letter fields, including but [email protected] not limited to banning EDITOR any further installa- Steven Mauren, 703-778-9415 tion of artificial turf playing fields [email protected] until extensive, unbiased tests are SPORTS EDITOR completed and more is known Jon Roetman, about the effects of known toxins 703-752-4013 [email protected] found in the plastic rugs and the @jonroetman artificial grass blades which make up synthetic turf. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Belford, Carole Dell, The health and environmental Cissy Finley Grant, Carole Funger, risks posed by these playing fields Colleen Healy, Kenny Lourie, have been reported in national and Ken Moore regional reports by several repu- Contributing table media outlets these past two Photographers years, so it is high time our locally Winter’s Finale? Harvey Levine, Deborah Stevens elected government officials take The day after the last Art/Design: action. West Montgomery County Laurence Foong, John Heinly snow, which fell on Production Manager Citizens Association has for years March 4, branches are Geovani Flores advocated for a moratorium on the dusted along the installation of all such playing Potomac River at the ADVERTISING fields until their impact on human C&O Canal National For advertising information health and the environment is [email protected] Historical Park. thoroughly examined and those 703-778-9431 reports are released to the public. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES We already know that toxic sub- Photos by Display Advertising: stances in crumb rubber have been Kenny Lourie 703-778-9425 Deborah Stevens [email protected] introduced onto dozens of our The Almanac public high school playing fields Andrea Smith 703-778-9411 Classified Advertising without the benefit of any compre- [email protected] hensive safety studies, and that the conversion from safe, healthy, Debbie Funk National Sales & real Estate natural playing fields to expensive 703-778-9444 artificial turf fields continues to be [email protected] pushed by certain members of the David Griffin Montgomery County Public School Marketing Assistant administration without any regard 703-778-9431 to these health concerns. [email protected] We agree with the Children’s Jerry Vernon Environmental Health Center of hope that you will shepherd it We are writing to you concern- combination of high speeds on Executive Vice President [email protected] the Icahn School of Medicine at through the entire House legisla- ing the recent fatal crash at the River Road, limited visibility due Mount Sinai, which urges a com- tive process to full passage.