The ticket raffle for the wildly popular White House Easter Egg Roll starts Feb. 21.

An online lottery system will distribute thousands of tickets for the 2013 White House Easter Egg Roll. The event is open to children ages 13 and younger and their families.

This year’s White House Easter Egg Roll will take place on April 1 on the South Lawn of the White House.

The lottery is open at 10 a.m. on Feb. 21.

Signing up for the 2013 White House Easter Egg Roll lottery is free. The deadline for lottery entries is at 10 a.m. on Feb. 25. Lottery results will be available on March 1.

You will need to create a free account at recreation.gov to be able to enter the lottery when it opens.

More information about the event is available at www.whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll. 

Have you been the to the White House Easter Egg Roll before?

Three finalists have been announced for the 2013-2014 Montgomery County Public Schools' Teacher of the Year award:

• Steven Katz, math teacher at Westland Middle School
• Dawn Charles, English teacher at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School 
• Cristina Ulrich, kindergarten teacher at Brookhaven Elementary School

All three are recipients of the Veteran Teacher Award and are being honored with 2013 Excellence in Teaching Awards from the Marian Greenblatt Education Fund, according to a statement from MCPS.

The Greenblatt Education Fund also is honoring Adam Stephens, an instrumental music teacher at Montgomery Blair High School, as the 2013 Rising Star Teacher of the Year. This award honors a first- or second-year teacher whose creativity and enthusiasm encourages students to challenge themselves, according to the statement.

“Congratulations to these outstanding teachers on being recognized for their excellence by the Marian Greenblatt Education Fund,” MCPS Superintendent Joshua P. Starr said. “They represent the dedication and commitment of our staff, which is the foundation of our district’s continued success.”

These teachers, along with other MCPS employees and partners, will be honored as part of the annual Champions for Children Awards Celebration hosted by the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education. The MCPS Teacher of the Year will be named during that event, which will take place on Thursday, April 25, at MedImmune’s headquarters in Gaithersburg.

The Marian Greenblatt Fund is named for a former board of education member and recognizes teachers who inspire their students to achieve, encourage younger teachers to be the best they can be, and help their schools and communities. Recipients of the Veteran Teacher Award must have five years or more of teaching experience in Montgomery County and receive a prize of $1,000. The recipient of the Rising Star Teaching Award receives $500, the statement continued.

A new coalition is advocating for dollars for state transportation projects, including the planned 16-mile Purple Line light rail that would connect Bethesda with New Carrollton, The Washington Post reports.

Get Maryland Moving, a coalition of groups, including the Montgomery County and Bethesda-Chevy Chase chambers of commerce, Purple Line Now, Action Committee for Transit, and the League of Women Voters of Maryland, is pushing for state legislators to make new revenue for transportation projects a top priority this legislative session, according to the group’s website.

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach has proposed a 3-cent gas tax that would raise about $300 million for transportation projects, Patch reported.

But without a tax increase to fund the Purple Line, the project—along with Baltimore’s Red Line and the Corridor Cities Transitway through the Interstate 270 corridor—could be put on hold, Maryland transportation officials have said. Montgomery County officials and transportation advocates have argued that deferring the funds in the state's transportation funding plan could stall the projects and make them less competitive for federal dollars.

Get Maryland Moving is encouraging Maryland residents to contact their legislators and sign a petition supporting transportation funding. The petition reads:

“No funding solution this year means that critical capital projects such as the Purple Line, Red Line, and MARC upgrades may be delayed for years or decades. We call on our leaders to take a different path: to invest in our future by securing funding for critical transit projects, road maintenance, and other investments to support smart, sustainable growth for Maryland.”

Montgomery County’s decision to stop charging for use of the county’s dog parks has satisfied some frequent users of the dog park at Wheaton Regional Park, while others expressed concern that the lack of funding would result in poorer facilities.

In December, the county Department of Parks announced that it would stop collecting a $40 permit fee for use of the county’s five dog parks. The fee was imposed in July 2010.

“I always thought the fee was a little high, but I was willing to pay because it really is a great service,” said Donato Soviero, who takes his German Shepherd, Kumi, to the park frequently. “A lower fee may have been more reasonable, but I am certainly not complaining about removing it altogether.”

Another resident, Florence Bayard, said that she has been taking her dogs to the park for eight years. She said that the $40 fee was a waste of money and was not allocated properly.

“We’ve been asking for better gravel and more space for years, but our concerns were never answered," she said. "All they gave us was a play feature, which we didn’t even ask for."

However, Ilana Weisel, who takes her dog, Niko, to the park every day, said that she was concerned the removal of the fee could have a negative impact on the park.

“I always saw the fee as a safety net and was surprised when they got rid of it altogether," she said. "There are features we still need, such as a replenished surface."

Flip Pressman, who was playing with her dogs Oliver and Bailey in the park Friday afternoon, agreed that she was always content to pay the fee.

Bayard said that in her eight years of regularly coming to the park, the fee was seldom enforced.

“I wish people would pay more attention to the rules they established," Bayard said. "People shouldn’t bring their female dogs in heat or their unneutered males. That seems to cause most of the problems.”

When the county agreed to stop collecting a fee, the department stated one reason for the change was a decreased use of park space. Weisel said that since the fee was revoked in December, she has noticed a significant increase in the number of dogs playing in the park daily.

If Elaine Kujawa’s experience represents the thoughts of more local residents, the decision to revoke the fee will be successful in increasing usage.

“I never used the park before December," said Kujawa. "The $40 fee always seemed unreasonably high, so I’m glad they got rid of it."

Anyone with a hunger for something sweet or savory got a chance to satisfy both cravings at CakeLove on Saturday, Feb. 16 in downtown Silver Spring. The owner of the bakery and the owner of CapMac food truck teamed up for the Sweet & Cheesy event. Customers got a chance to try out pasta dishes and taste cake icing samples.

"What we want to do is sell our cream cheese icings to people, not just on our cupcakes, but in pint size containers and 4-oz. mini-tubs," said Warren Brown, the owner and founder of CakeLove.

The "from scratch" bakery moved from its Ellsworth Drive address to 8512 Fenton St. about two years ago. There is seating at the new location where people can stay and enjoy their treats. The customers who stopped by for the taste test provided feedback Brown will use to decide what cream cheese icings will sell best.

"It's exciting because people love the way they taste. They love the way they look, and that's just cool," said Brown.

Patrons sampled cream cheese icing in six different flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, lemon, Nutella and peanut butter. The velvety icing, made with cream cheese, butter and other natural ingredients, makes the bakery's Red Velvet and Carrot Cakes among the most popular.

"They put a lot of frosting on, and I'm really a big fan of that," said Rachael Travis, a District of Columbia resident. She considers CakeLove her favorite and worth the trip to Silver Spring because of the moistness of the cupcakes.

There are now six CakeLove locations in the District, Maryland and Virginia. Brown, who left a law career to open his first bakery a decade ago, started tinkering with some of the recipes last year in response to the comments of some customers.

"We stripped down recipes for the Red Velvet, Vanilla and Banana cupcakes so that they are not as dense," Brown explained. "They are light and fluffy, and have a texture that is soft all of the way through."

CakeLove's owner plans to begin selling flavors of the cream cheese icing soon to people who want to use them on baked goods they make at home.

While some people tasted the icing samples, others watched the chefs making macaroni and cheese at the CapMac table. Chef and owner Brian Arnoff launched his food truck business in November of 2010. His concept of unique mac and cheese recipes started with a desire to serve handcrafted food at affordable prices.

"We like to make food that's really soul satisfying and comforting for people," said Arnoff, CapMac's owner. "It's going to bring back a childhood memory for them or make them feel good when they're not feeling 100%, or brighten their day."

CapMac's menu features classic macaroni and cheese made with aged cheddar and topped with a crumble of Cheez-It crackers. The MarcoBolo is ground beef brisket simmered with red wine, tomatoes and fresh herbs. You can also get Chicken Parm, which are meatballs infused with fresh herbs, shallots and parmesan. The offerings served at the Sweet & Cheesy event were a hit with Tom Gagliardo.

"Perfect for a cold day. It's good, tasty. I can't stop eating while you are talking to me," said Gagliardo, a Takoma Park resident.

CapMac's owner has worked in the kitchens of some award-winning chefs. Arnoff prepares menu items with his staff at a commercial kitchen in Silver Spring. That location now makes it possible to offer nearby residents a new option. They can have their favorite CapMac dish delivered for dinner seven days a week.

"I've come to just love CapMac. My favorite is MarcoBolo," said Max Eisenman, a Silver Spring resident. "We're ordering it for dinner tonight."

Eisenman and Alice Massie have traveled to D.C. to catch up with the food truck. "It is actually the best mac and cheese I've ever tasted," said Massie, a CapMac fan.

Chef Victoria Harris is Arnoff's business partner. She runs the food truck that operates mostly in the District. However, they are working on options for making the truck available to Silver Spring residents. The CapMac truck will be in the Giant Foods parking lot March 16 for the Blair Residents Appreciation Week.

CapMac's Classic recipe is featured in the Washington, DC Chef's Table Cookbook. It also includes Brown's Pink Lady Layer Cake.

Check out the websites of CakeLove and CapMac for more information.

Note: This is a bakery and a food truck profile, not a review. Opinions expressed do not represent the ideas of the writer or Patch.

By Penelope Johnson

Editor's Note: This poem about Brookside Gardens in Wheaton was first published on Potomac Patch.

I worked in Potomac for quite a few years (Bullis and Potomac United Methodist Church) and got to know a lot about its history and the people who live here now.

Fascinated by the early history from when Potomac was an Indian trail and through the Civil War skirmishes right here in Potomac and how it affected families and church congregations, I am drawn back often. I live in Rockville and spend every waking minute writing or spending time with family, grandchildren and our dogs, some of whom come with rescue tales (tails!) of their own.

_______

Brookside Gardens

Gold hazel catkins in the wood
and Lenten roses hovering at our feet
bloomed slyly up to our surprise,
a gardeners kiss beneath our eyes,
that they are here before they should
to seem so strangely sweet.

In snow threat still so slow to leave
we dream but only play the fool,
that all the woods could be like this is,
a diadem of sweet Narcissus,
leaving all to want and grieve,
so jealous of that flawless jewel.

Long before time's unthawed cloak
has stopped the freezing burn,
or ceased to play in wicked humor
when spring is winter's gentle rumor
each bud enjoys its unexpected joke,
and has its time amused in turn.

When an aging season seems to hesitate

there is goodbye in ready spirit.
The bird wake comes in light still cold
in the grasp of February's hold
We do, at last, exult to hear it
the sounds of spring upturned but late.

A bill providing a public subsidy to offshore wind generation received preliminary approval from the House of Delegates Wednesday.

The bill, one of Gov. Martin O'Malley's initiatives for the 2013 Maryland General Assembly session, would add $1.50 to the average consumer's electric bill once the windmills are built and start generating electricity.

The turbines would likely be built 10 to 30 miles off the coast of Ocean City.

The bill was passed despite attempts by Republicans to derail it because of concerns about costs.

The House passed a similar bill last year but it later died in the Senate. The bill is expected to pass the General Assembly this year.

The House of Delegates could schedule a final vote on the legislation as early as Thursday or Friday.

Discussion about the implementation of dedicated bus lanes or bus rapid transit systems in Montgomery County will continue at the Montgomery County Planning Board's next meeting, on Thursday, Feb. 21.

The county planning staff will update the board on its recent work on the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan. A public hearing for the plan will be held on May 2, according to a planning department briefing.

The planning staff recommends that Maryland State Route 355 "is the best candidate for pursuing a high-quality BRT treatment to serve future planned growth," and that U.S. Route 29 "is the best candidate for implementing dedicated bus lanes in the near term," according to the briefing.

There is a concern, however, that BRT ridership on Route 355 could be low compared to other BRT systems across the country, according to a recent report on transportation planning in the county published by the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy.

County planners are more optimistic: "[Our] transportation modeling work has shown that the forecast 2040 ridership on MD355 is far higher and we are confident that we should begin planning for a two-lane median busway for most of this corridor," according to the department briefing.

***

Staff planners also will recommend the board approve an amended Athletic Field Use Permit Policy, according to a Montgomery County Department of Parks memo.

Under the amended policy, field permitting will be administered by the Montgomery County Office of Community Use of Public Facilities, and the bulk permitting process that started last fall will continue. The amended policy also includes specific guidelines for the use of synthetic fields.

Read the amended policy on the planning department's website.

***

The planning board also will hold a work session on the county's Zoning Rewrite Project.

Read the full agenda for Thursday's meeting on the planning department's website.

In a span of just three weeks, three pedestrians have been fatally hit by cars in Montgomery County. Police say the collisions aren't related and that pedestrian deaths have happened "in bunches" in the past. 

Details on the deaths: 

Jan. 22: A 53-year-old Beltsville woman drove her 2002 Mitsubishi Montero onto a sidewalk, hitting Georgina Afful-Asare, 54, of the Briggs Chaney neighborhood Silver Spring. Afful-Asare was taken to the hospital where she died of her injuries.

Feb. 7: Charles Oppong Aboagye, 44, of the White Oak neighborhood of Silver Spring, died after being hit by a Nissa Altima while crossing the southbound lanes of Route 29 at Oak Leaf Drive. A 43-year-old woman from Columbia, MD, was heading south of Route 29 when she hit the man, who witnesses said had tripped while trying to cross the street. 

Feb. 11: A 59-year-old man from Silver Spring was hit by a 2005 Nissan Altima in Aspen Hill and later died of his injuries. Frank Sedwick, of the 1200 block of Downs Drive, was crossing Georgia Avenue from west to east at Heathfield Road in Aspen Hill when the driver, a 24-year-old woman from Virgina, hit him.

Police told Patch that the collisions are under investigation.

"Any time that three pedestrians lose their life in a short period of time is something that we take seriously," Captain Thomas Didone, director of the Montgomery County Police Department's traffic division, wrote in an email to Patch.

"The only thing that I see that could be newsworthy is advice to pedestrians to make sure that they have or wear reflective clothing or items when they walk at night to increase their visibility," he wrote.

After Patch reported the deaths, commenters offered thoughts on why the crashes occur and what could be done to prevent fatalities.

Better lighting at intersections?"The question I have is what can be done about pedestrian safety on Georgia Avenue between Glenmont station and Olney?... The location of the accident is very dark at night, and people often speed through that area. I wonder if better lighting through that whole corridor would make a difference, to make pedestrians easier to spot from a distance," said Ben Schumin.

Reading signage more carefully? "...Pedestrians, under Maryland law, have the right to cross roads ANYWHERE. They must yield to cars ONLY between intersections. I agree that pedestrians often do not observe pedestrian signals at controlled intersections. Neither do motorists or cyclists..." said Ian Cooper. 

Lower speed limits?"...People routinely travel 55 and above right through that stretch [of Route 29]. In addition, there's a lot of darting in and out of lanes," said Kim Cooke.

What do you think? Are these collisions an unfortunate coincidence or is more work needed to ensure pedestrian safety? Tell us in the comments.

Sweetie’s name suits her perfectly. She has a heart of gold, a gentle nature and is as sweet as can be. She has not always been properly cared for by her human family, but that hasn’t impacted her spirit or love of people one bit.

Sweetie is a 6-year-old, 98-pound Rottweiler mix, a breed that’s often mischaracterized because they are large, dark and powerful dogs. In reality, they are highly intelligent, loyal protectors of their families, and do so well in obedience training that they make excellent service and therapy dogs.

Sweetie would be great in a service role because of her loving and calm nature, and her ability to roll through life’s different obstacles with ease. She’s the perfect companion dog: affectionate, loyal, social and just wants to be by your side.

Sweetie was found as a stray on the streets and needed medical attention. She had an old injury that had not been treated, and infection had set in and spread to the bone in her foot. She had to have her toe amputated, and was put on antibiotics to clear out the infection, but she’s on the mend now, and getting stronger and building up her endurance every day.

At the shelter, Sweetie was a favorite among the staff, who were all impressed by her unwavering positive outlook and sweet disposition, even as she suffered through considerable pain before the surgery. They knew she was a special dog who deserved better, so they contacted Mutts Matter to take her to the comfort and love of an experienced foster home where she could rehabilitate and find her new family.

She is being fostered in Rockville by Deanna, an attorney by day and veteran Mutts Matter foster mom by night, and who has been taking excellent care of Sweetie, helping her make her way back to good health.

Since Sweetie's surgery, Deanna has seen dramatic improvement in Sweetie’s energy and endurance levels, going from a pup who was hesitant to walk up the stairs to one who now goes on walks and chases balls. Deanna and Sweetie schedule a game of fetch in the back yard each day, and they’ve worked their way up to two walks a day. She gets really excited about walk-time and bobs her head up and down to show her enthusiasm when the leash comes out. Sweetie is not going to be a running partner or high-speed agility dog, but she’s holding her own, and enjoys getting out of the house for any kind of social outing.

Inside the house, Sweetie knows the rules and understands the schedule. She’s potty-trained, and Deanna lets her have free roam of the house when she goes to work. She’s a verbal dog in all the right ways; she lets you know if she needs to go outside, or if someone pulls into the driveway or comes to the door. She doesn’t bark over and over, she just lets out a quick alert to give a heads up that you have company.

She’s also very in tune with her daily schedule and will let Deanna know if she is running behind or staying up too late. When she’s ready for bed, Sweetie will let out a big, dramatic sigh before she heads into the bedroom alone. She has a little drama queen in her, and knows how to work a room.

Sweetie needs a family who has the time and flexibility to give her the attention she deserves as she lives out her golden years. A home with a one-level living option, where most of her daily activities can be done without many steps to contend with would be best. Sweetie gets around fine, but has some mild arthritis that is not uncommon in large-breed pups.

She takes daily glucosamine supplements to help with her joint movement, and currently has pain medication to help her as she continues to rehabilitate. Sweetie gets along well with everyone, so she would do well in a family with kids or make a great companion for another pup in the home. She would be an ideal fit for a retired couple or someone who is home during the day and wants a loving companion.

***

To learn more about Sweetie, go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, or you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.

Follow Mutts Matter on Facebook to learn more about us and see new pups coming into the rescue!

Adopting an Adult or Senior Dog

Adult dogs can make the best pets. They’ve already grown into themselves and have established personalities, so you know what you’re getting. They’ve typically been "socialized" and understand what it takes to be part of your family’s pack. They have calmer temperaments, are better able to focus during training and are eager to learn and please you. Adult dogs are also more worldly—most have already experienced car rides and know how to walk on a leash, so they’re instant companions ready to take on new activities with you. They are very grateful for the second chance they’ve been given and really appreciate a loving and caring home.

Adopting an adult dog is your opportunity to be a hero. At the shelters, older dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. Saving an adult animal’s life is not just a good thing to do, but it will reward you in ways that you may not expect.

Issuing his first State of the County address in four years, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett detailed new education and development initiatives, The Washington Examiner reported.

Leggett (D) hopes to promote adult-level English classes to "make it easier for English-as-a-second-language residents to master the language, enabling them to get better jobs and expand the county's tax base," according to the report.

The County Executive also wants to create an after-school program to help underachieving students. The proposal would "expand the current 'Excel Beyond the Bell' program—an after-school support system available in just a few middle schools in the county—to all middle schools," according to the report.

Read the full text of Leggett's speech by clicking the PDF to the right.

Leggett criticized state officials for not finding more money for transportation projects, The Examiner reported.

"We can't build these critical transportation projects (Purple Line, Bus Rapid Transit) unless we can pay for them," he said. "Montgomery County is doing its part. But we can't‚ and we shouldn't—have to shoulder the burden all alone."

Read the full story on The Washington Examiner.

The effort to repeal the death penalty in Maryland was stalled by the vote of one Baltimore County Democratic senator but it may pass this year because of another.

Sen. Bobby Zirkin said he will vote in favor of a bill that repeals capital punishment in the state.

"I'm forever torn on this issue, have been and probably always will be," Zirkin said in an interview Thursday. "I'm extremely jealous of people who fall comfortably on one side of the debate or the other."

In the end, Zirkin said he made the decision to vote for repealing capital punishment based on testimony of some victims who said the death penalty provided little closure because of lengthy appeals and that the state hasn't executed anyone in nearly a decade.

Zirkin said the families "suffer an unspeakable pain that continues and continues."

The repeal is one of Gov. Martin O'Malley's legislative priorities for the 2013 Maryland General Assembly session.

Zirkin's decision was first reported Thursday morning by the Washington Post.

In 2009, Zirkin sponsored a bill that tightened requirements on the use of the death penalty by requiring additional evidence including a video-taped confession, video that shows conclusively that the accused murderer committed the crime or DNA evidence.

But Zirkin was not on the Judicial Proceedings Committee at the time and has never had to cast a vote on a repeal bill.

"I was 50-50 on it four years ago," Zirkin said. "This isn't a change [of position]. It's an evolution in my thought."

Part of that evolution involved a look at which jurisdictions use the death penalty. Baltimore County has the reputation for being the most frequent user of capital punishment.

Two of the five remaining inmates on death row were convicted and sentenced in Baltimore County.

"That was one of the pivotal issues for me," Zirkin said. "Only one jurisdiction ever uses it."

In the end, Zirkin said it was not an issue of morality for him.

"I don't have a moral problem executing these monsters," Zirkin said, adding that he wants to "kill these people myself.

"But I have to separate the emotion from the practical legal reality," Zirkin continued. "The practical legal reality of our system is that it is very broken to the point that this hasn't been used in almost a decade."

Zirkin's vote will give death penalty opponents the six votes they need to get the bill out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee . It also means that there are roughly 26 senators who will vote to pass the bill when it comes to the floor next week—two more than required.

The committee is expected to hold a vote Thursday night. The bill is expected to receive a preliminary vote by the middle of next week with a final vote that Friday, according to Sen. Brian Frosh, chairman of the committee.

In previous years, Sen. Jim Brochin, a Democrat who also represents Baltimore County, was seen as the vote that kept the repeal from moving out of committee.

After seven months of renovations at its new location in Silver Spring, The Siena School celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

The new building at 1300 Forest Glen Road is more than double the size of Siena’s old facility on Georgia Avenue, according to a statement from the school. 

The Siena School, a private 4th to 12th grade school established in 2006 for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities, purchased the building from the Boys and Girls Club last July, completing a two-year process.

Before moving to Forest Glen Road, the school leased space from the Montgomery Hills Baptist Church. 

Costco's open house Wednesday night in Kensington was a familiar set-up.

Just as it did last April, Costco brought in consultants to stand behind tables and answer community members' questions about the gas station the major retailer wants to build in Wheaton.

Whether Costco will be able to apply for a building permit is a question ultimately for the Montgomery County Board of Appeals. But first the county's Planning Board will weigh Costco's special exception application on Feb. 28, taking into consideration a negative review by the Planning Department.

The Costco store in Wheaton is set to open April 10--after the special exception hearings in March.

Not much seems to have changed since the previous open house, except that Costco has shifted the proposed site a few hundred feet to the east--in response to the County Council's decision last summer to create a buffer zone between large gas stations and community amenities such as pools.

It's difficult to find someone who has not already chosen sides in the controversy. Supporters say they look forward to the convenience of cheap gas near their homes, while opponents say the environmental and health risks are too great.

"I can see why the people who live near it wouldn't want it, but I think it's a real plus for Wheaton and Montgomery County in general," said Kim de Groot, who lives near Newport Middle School, where the open house took place.

Wheaton residents Annette and Christian Laguerre wore "Yes! Costco Gas" stickers at the open house. The Laguerres recently became Costco members and they said they are hoping that the Costco and its gas station improve the quality of the Westfield Wheaton mall. They also said they hope that the lower gas prices at Costco would make prices more competitive at other area gas stations.

Kensington resident Aaron Tucker said he had examined Costco's special exception application materials beforehand and remained unconvinced by Costco's consultants.

"I don't think it's necessary, and I think it's a bad idea," he said. "Despite what people say, there will be effects."

It has been a struggle of more than three years for opponents, but the negative Planning Department report and some recent attention from state legislators seem to have served as encouragement.

"For the first time, I'm somewhat optimistic," said Larry Silverman, an adjunct environmental law professor at Johns Hopkins University. Silverman opposes the proposed gas station as an environmental and health hazard.

He sees Wheaton at the cusp of a growing trend: big-box retailers moving into densely populated urban areas and local governments struggling to determine whether to erect safe buffers. It is, what he calls, "a bridge too far."

"If Costco wins here, it will have national implications," Silverman said. "We're shaping the future."

Each week, Patch puts together a list of local activities and events going on in your area this weekend.  Check back weekly and tell us in the comments if you know of any additional activities coming up.

Click here to submit an event in the Wheaton Patch events calendar.

International Night

• Where:  Wheaton High School, 12601 Dalewood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 
• When:  Friday, Feb. 22, 5 p.m.
• Description:  International dinner served from 5-7 p.m., musical and dance performances go from 7-9 p.m. All proceeds from the show are donated for student scholarships.
• Cost: $5 (food is sold separately)

Maple Sugar Festival

• Where: Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD
• When:  Sunday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.
• Description:  Learn how maple trees are tapped for their sap, and then watch as the sap is boiled down into syrup in outdoor demonstrations. Tasting opportunities will be available on silver-dollar-sized pancakes and swirled over shaved ice. 
• Cost: $5 

Northwood Dinner Theatre

• Where:  Northwood High School, 919 University Blvd W, Silver Spring
• When:  Friday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m.
• Description:  2nd Annual Northwood Dinner Theatre Show.  Dinner served at 6:30, show starts at 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $25

Luma Theater

• Where:  5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda 
• When:  Saturday, Feb. 23
• Description:  Whimsical and funny light show.
• Cost: See website for ticket information.

Dance, Cheer and Fashion Academy

• Where:  John F. Kennedy High School, 1901 Randolph Rd, Wheaton
• When:  Sunday, Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m.
• Description:  Dance classes combine jazz and hip-hop dance, cheers, stunts and fashion as a form of individuality as well as group cohesion.
• Cost:  $10

Gilbert & Sullivan’s lolanthe

• Where:  F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Dr, Rockville
• When: Thursday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m.
• Description:  Political satire comedy directed by Alan Paul, music by Joseph Sorge.
• Cost: $24

Art Auction

• Where:  19951 Father Hurley Blvd, Germantown
• When:  Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.
• Description:  Art auction featuring art in all media and price ranges. Complimentary assorted hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and refreshments.
• Cost:  $10

UPS Road Code at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington - Germantown Branch

• Where:  Boys & Girls Club, 19910 Frederick Rd, Germantown
• When: Friday, Feb. 22, all day.
• Description:  Teens ages 13-18 are invited to learn safe driving tips and instructions.
• Cost:  Free

Cycle for Great Causes

• Where:  Saturday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
• When:  14501 Homecrest Rd, Silver Spring
• Description:  The Cycle for Great Causes is the 5^th annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and the Capital Area Food Bank.  The goal is to raise $10,000 or more.  Cycling classes begin at 7:00am and are 45 minutes in duration.  Class times are 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m.
• Cost:  $30

Ballet I & II by Halo

• Where:  Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Rd, Germantown
• When: Saturday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m.
• Description:   Ballet classes for ages 5-8 and 9-12.  Classes will be about developing correct posture, proper alignment, flexibility and strength.
• Cost: $96

Girl's night out

• Where:  Sage Consignment Furniture, 3734 Howard Ave, Kensington
• When:  Friday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.
• Description:  2^nd Girls Night Out featuring vintage fashions, home goods, furniture and more.
• Cost:  Free

Montgomery County police have released the latest crime report for the Fourth District, from Feb. 4-12. The list published here is not comprehensive, but rather selects incidents that occurred in or near Wheaton and Glenmont. 

In addition to the reports listed below, police arrested an 18-year-old from Laurel and charged him in the Feb. 8 armed robbery of the Wheaton Deli on Georgia Avenue.

- An armed robbery occurred at the bus stop at Layhill Road and Greenery Lane, Glenmont, on Friday, Feb. 8, at 9 p.m.  The suspects threatened the victim with a weapon and obtained property.

Suspects: Two black males, both 20-22, 6 feet to 6-foot-2, 170-180 pounds, one wearing a long camouflage jacket, and the other wearing a long black coat.

- A strong-arm robbery occurred in the area of Valleywood Drive, Wheaton-Glenmont on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 9 p.m.  The suspect forcefully removed property from the victim. 

Suspect: Black male, 20-30, 5-foot-10 to 6 feet, with thin build, short hair.

- A residential burglary occurred in the 12300 block of Kendall Street, Wheaton-Glenmont, on Wednesday, Feb. 6, between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Unforced entry; nothing was taken. 

- A residential shedburglary occurred in the 2700 block of Elnora Street, Wheaton, overnight from Tuesday, Feb. 5, to Wednesday, Feb. 6.  Forced entry; property taken.

Red Line trains will single track in two work zones this weekend, starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, and continuing through closing on Sunday.

Trains will single track "between Friendship Heights and Van Ness to allow for track, fastener and insulator renewal, and between Takoma and Rhode Island Avenue to allow for platform reconstruction and rail joint elimination for a smoother ride," Metro reported on its website.

During the weekend, trains between Shady Grove and Glenmont will operate every 24 minutes in each direction. On Saturday and Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., extra trains will be added between Van Ness and NoMa-Gallaudet, so that trains will run about every 12 minutes between those stations, Metro added.

Metro advised passengers traveling through either work zone to allow about 20 minutes of extra travel time.

Read more about this weekend's scheduled track work at Metro's website.

Girl Scouts will be selling cookies at the Giant Food on University Boulevard in Wheaton starting Friday, Feb. 22, and continuing through March 24.

For more information, enter your ZIP code into the Girl Scouts’ Cookie Locator application (or click here if it's not appearing correctly for you above). You may also download the Girl Scout cookies locator mobile app.

Sales are dependent, in part, on the weather.

Girl Scout cookies are $4 a box this year. Each Girl Scout troop gets to keep up to 70 cents from every box sold.

Why do Girl Scouts sell cookies, anyway? Find out here!

What's your favorite kind of Girl Scout cookie? Vote here!