More News

Four Bethesda district police officers were honored last week by the Montgomery County Police department with Lifesaving Awards. The award is the second most prestigious award given by the department and is awarded to police employees who make a major contribution toward saving a life by providing medical treatment prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Service personnel.

Second District officers Christina Ragan and Joshua Hess earned the award for helping to save the life of a Chevy Chase man who attempted to commit suicide in October. The officers arrived at the man's house in the 5500 block of Friendship Boulevard and found the man who had cut his arm and had a deep arterial injury.

Ragan immediately provided first aid by applying direct pressure to the wound to reduce bleeding. Hess kept the man alert by applying sternum rubs as he faded in and out of consciousness. Once Fire and Rescue personnel arrived, the man was transported to the hospital where he was treated.

The award states: "The doctors believed that the officers' actions had saved the man's life."

Second District officers Frank Fish and Matthew Majkrzak were honored for saving the lives of passengers of a car that had been involved in a major collision in January.

As they were driving to assist with a call for service, Majkrzak, who was driving, encountered a vehicle which was being driven recklessly. It had crossed the double yellow line in the area of East West Highway and Brookeville Road. After Majkrzak avoided an impending head-on collision, the vehicle eventually struck a curb causing it to flip several times and then strike an electrical pole. As a result of the collision, the vehicle was leaking fuel and a fire started in the engine block. Fish and Majkrzak entered the vehicle to remove the incapacitated occupants and provided first aid. The investigation determined that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and was charged accordingly.

The award states that: "The officers were presented with a tense and volatile situation that needed prompt rescue action to eliminate an imminent threat of life. Neither of the officers faltered under pressure, utilized their training, and performed exceptionally. The officers did what they were trained to do and provided a valuable public service."

MoverMoms wins Governor's Volunteer Service Award

MoverMoms, a Bethesda nonprofit, was one of several winners of the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards, presented in several categories by the Office of the Governor.

MoverMoms won in the Group category. All the winners were recognized for their commitment to volunteerism and outstanding volunteer efforts at a ceremony held at the Maryland Hall for Creative Arts in Annapolis on April 20.

"We are so honored to receive this wonderful award," MoverMoms president and co-founder Rebecca Kahlenberg of Bethesda, wrote in an e-mail to The Gazette. "It's a real tribute to each person in our group who takes time out of her busy life to help make a difference in the larger community through volunteering."

Kahlenberg accepted the award together with MoverMoms co-founder Heidi Bumpers of Cabin John. Also in attendance were MoverMoms treasurer Joci Spector of Chevy Chase, and MoverMoms Education Committee Chairperson Salma Ali, of Potomac.

For more information about MoverMoms or to join, visit www.movermoms.org or e-mail movermoms@aol.com.

Learn about Maryland

Gold Mining History

Was gold mined in Kensington?  The Kensington Historical Society Meeting on Tuesday will feature a slide show and talk by author Walter Goetz, who will share anecdotes and historical facts of this little nugget of county and State history.  Goetz draws from his collection—the largest in existence—of Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia documents, photographs and personal interviews with former local gold miners. He has spent 35 years collecting this history and verifying mine locations. Goetz has also authored three books on this subject: "Maryland Gold Fever,"" Montgomery County (MD) Gold Fever" and "Fairfax (VA) Gold Fever". 

Coffee begins at 7 p.m. and the lecture at 7:30 at Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell St.

Hear the music in Bethesda

Outdoor concerts come back to Bethesda starting this week. The free concerts take place from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bethesda Place Plaza, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays in Veterans Park at the corner of Woodmont and Norfolk avenues through July. The concerts will offer a range of musical styles including rock, jazz, blues Motown and swing.

For more information call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.

Get green with 

Kensington and Garrett Park

Kensington and Garrett Park are teaming up to for a free, earth-friendly and fun-filled event

on Saturday to get everybody in the neighborhoods a little greener.

A Shred-It truck, which will shred documents and recycle the contents, will be on hand, so spring cleaners can 86 up to for boxes of papers and keep their identities safe. Demonstrations will be given on presentations on home efficiency, green living, home energy audits, solar PV and green remodeling and building.

For the kids, crafts and activities will be available, including a seedling planting workshop. Giveaways will send lucky winners home with composting bins, lawn and leaf bags, seeds and other great stuff just in time for Mother's Day.

The festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at and around Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell St. To get involved, contact Louise Hamilton, 301-949-2424.

Travel photo exhibit

to move on soon

This is your last chance to see photographs of "Women of Ancient Civilizations" and "Shapes of Spain" by Stuart Brafman, on display at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, until Friday.

According to the photographer, a self-proclaimed "Grandpa Moses of photography," the combination of rich, black and white images speak volumes about the less-traveled world's timeless spirit and Spanish architecture's tribute to modernity.

Brafman's work has been exhibited in numerous venues including the Ewing Gallery in Washington, D.C., University of San Francisco and the Aspen Institute.

Cupcake party

will celebrate moms

Moms, grandmothers, moms-to-be and anyone else who loves cupcakes are invited to the Mommy's Day Cupcake Party from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday at Thyme Out, a café and market in North Bethesda. Children are invited to decorate a pre-baked cupcake with provided frostings and decorations. In addition, photographers from Silver Spring's Labor of Love photography will be on hand for no sitting-fee mini photo sessions. The event will also feature complimentary food samplings, music, raffles and special giveaways. The first 50 guests will receive a goodie bag with treats to pamper moms.

Thyme Out is located at 11401 Woodglen Drive in North Bethesda. For more information, call 240-221-2777 or visit www.thymeout.com.

This column is for you. Share your good news! Feel free to send press releases and news tips. For Bethesda and Chevy Chase items, contact Stephanie Siegel via e-mail at ssiegel@gazette.net or phone at 301-280-3006. For Kensington and Garrett Park items, contact Jen Beasley via e-mail at jbeasley@gazette.net or phone at 301-280-3005. You can also send information by fax at 301-670-7183, or snail mail at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.