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Congratulations to Potomac resident Joan Burggraf Riley, an assistant professor at Georgetown University, who has been named as the 2009 District of Columbia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Riley teaches at the Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies, and was selected among professors that were nominated throughout the Washington region. Honors were also awarded to winners from 38 states out of more than 300 top professors across the country.

Riley was recognized for her impact on academics at the university, including through the Bringing Theory to Practice Project, in which she helps to incorporate health and wellness concepts into university coursework. The project, which has reached about 2,000 undergraduates, is supported by the Charles Engelhard Foundation and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Riley also helped to launch a new academic minor in health promotion within Nursing and Health Studies. Riley's work has been published in journals including the "Journal of Health Administration Education," "Critical Care Nursing Quarterly" and "Health Promotion Practice." She serves as the faculty adviser for the Georgetown University Chapter of Best Buddies International, a group that promotes friendship between students and people with developmental disabilities. She works as a nurse practitioner in the Georgetown University Student Health Center, and is also an alumna of the university.

She was recognized this year by the university's John Carroll Award, which honors five alumni who exemplify the ideals of the university's founder; and has also received the prestigious Dorothy Brown Award, awarded to a professor by undergraduate students.

"I am honored and humbled to receive this award, just as I am inspired by the intellectual curiosity and passion for learning of Georgetown students," Riley said in a statement.

Three Eagle Scouts

honored at Tikvat Israel

Three members of Troop 1948 of Rockville recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Scott Goodin, David Zuckerman and Joshua Greenwald were feted during a Court of Honor Nov. 1 at Congregation Tikvat Israel, which sponsors the troop.

In order to achieve the Eagle Scout rank, each young man completed at least 21 merit badges and planned, developed and provided leadership to others in a service project that benefited his congregation, community or school, Scoutmaster Raymond Horn told The Gazette.

Honoring three Eagle Scouts at the same time is not common in Troop 1948, Horn said, adding it is an "interesting time" for the young men to be involved in Scouting because the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America is Feb. 8 of next year.

Goodin, 17, son of Doug and Mary Goodin of Rockville, planned and carried out a horticultural project for Tikvat Israel as his project. He first joined Boy Scouting in October 2002. A senior at Georgetown Day School, he is interested in film, theater lighting and psychology and plans to major in film in college.

Zuckerman, 18, son of Steve and Joanne Zuckerman of Rockville and a member of Troop 1948 since 2002, he planned and managed the cleanup of the archives room at B'nai Israel Congregation in Rockville. He is a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in physics.

Greenwald, 18, son of Jeff Greenwald and Sherry Marlowe of Montgomery Village, joined Troop 1948 in June 2003 after receiving his Arrow of Light from Pack 276. He attends the math/science/computer science magnet program at Poolesville High School and he hopes for a career in the medical field. His Eagle project was organizing the packing and unpacking of materials for the move of Hebrew Day Institute from Wheaton to Congregation Tikvat Israel.

In addition, Troop 1948 awarded the Etz Chaim (Tree of Life) Award, given to high school-aged Boy Scouts of the Jewish faith, to David Friedland, 17, of Potomac.

Friedland, the son of Melissa and Robert Friedland and a senior at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, became a Boy Scout at age 11 and received the Eagle Scout award in January. He is the founder of the Stand Up group at his school and was president of the Student Government Association during the 2008-09 school year.

The Etz Chaim Award is encourages young adults to explore adult Jewish roles in the context of family, community and Jewish people.

Troop 1948 provides a complete Scouting experience in a Jewish context, Horn said. Scouts come from all parts of Montgomery County. For more information, visit www.troop1948.org.

We asked, you wrote in:

What are you thankful for?

-I am thankful for the health of my family; the individual freedoms we enjoy as U.S. citizens; and for the daily pleasures that come with sharing one's life with a wonderful husband and two special children. As my family enjoys its Thanksgiving, I will give thanks to so many people who have given their time and resources to provide children and families in our community with their own Thanksgiving meal and in so many other ways.

— Amy Demske, Potomac

-This Thanksgiving, I will be giving thanks for a wonderful father. Lou Donatelli recovered from quadruple bypass surgery and is as good as new! Raised in Washington, D.C., he has been a resident of Potomac for nearly 30 years, and married to his wife Ann for nearly 50 years. He has one daughter, three sons, three daughters-in-law, and 11 wonderful grandchildren. He is a business owner, a supporter of many wonderful causes, schools and charitable organizations, an avid golfer, a traveler, a lover of all things Italian and a true friend to so many! Happy Thanksgiving!

— Julie Donatelli, Potomac

Help pets during the holidays

Local Long & Foster real estate agent Deborah Hartten is reaching out to help animal rescue groups this season. The Kentlands businesswoman has organized "Warm Hearts, Happy Paws," an in-kind donation drive to benefit participating rescue groups that spend volunteer hours and dollars to foster pets and find them permanent homes.

Rescue groups including Lizzy's Lodge, McWag Rescue and the Montgomery County Humane Society are participating and have posted wish lists on Hartten's Long & Foster Web site, http://WarmHeartsHappyPaws.info. Needed items run from leashes and pet collars to bowls, toys and blankets.

Drop off your new or almost-new items through Dec. 13 at Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Gaithersburg, 218 Kentlands Blvd., Maple Springs Veterinary Hospital, 14925 Dufief Mill Road in Gaithersburg.

In Rockville, two animal hospitals are also collecting donations. Bring items to Kenhaven Animal Hospital, 12311 Wilkins Ave. and Nebel Street Animal Hospital, 12100 Nebel St.

Donations can also be brought to King Farm's Pawlitics, 404 King Farm Blvd., Suite 140, Pro-Feed Pet Nutrition Center, 5542 Randolph Road and Plow & Hearth, Congressional Plaza, 1625 Rockville Pike.

This column is for you

This column is for you. Send press releases, news tips and other information to Erin Donaghue by phone to 301-280-3007, by e-mail edonaghue@ gazette.net, by fax to 301-670-7183 or by mail to 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

-Federal, state and county offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day.

-Banks, libraries and courts are closed.

-Montgomery County Public Schools administrative offices are closed.

-No refuse or recycling collection. For remainder of week, collections will be provided one day later. County's waste transfer station is closed.

-Ride On, Metrobus and Metrorail will operate on a Sunday schedule.

-MARC trains will not run Nov. 26-27.

-County liquor stores are closed.

-Parking is free at county lots, meters and garages.