PWC Max Weight Loss Program

2:00 - 4:30PM - Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

• David Chappell a Washington, DC native, is one of the most sought after and respected musicians in the area. For the last several years, he has won the Washington Area Music Awards (WAMMIES) for 'Musician of the Year', 'Rock Instrumentalist of the Year', and 'Roots Rock Instrumentalist of the Year'.

• Anthony Pirog Excerpt from Guitar.com article: “Anthony Pirog’s work is otherworldly – feverish in its delivery and interstellar in its complexity – but his feet have long been planted on the ground in Washington DC. When he was a kid he soaked up the city’s music, studying Danny Gatton and blues transplant Roy Buchanan while grunge giants raged in the long twilight of the revolution summer.

But what’s the most DC thing a DC musician can do? Well, they could start a band with members of Fugazi and put out records on legendary DC punk-indie label Dischord. That would do it.

The resulting band, The Messthetics, are a freewheeling power-trio orbiting Pirog’s pyrotechnic guitars and the rhythm section of bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty, who proved themselves two of the best to ever do it across six LPs with the post-hardcore giants.”

Read the full article HERE

• Pete Ragusa Drummer with: Tom Principato Band, Scott Ramminger & The Crawstickers, Moonshine Society, Dave Chappell, Patty Reese, Catfish Hodge, Tommy Lepson.

• John Previti Award-winning bassist John Previti grew up in the Southern Maryland-D.C. area during the early sixties, immersed in the region’s bubbling cauldron of musical styles: swing, country, jazz, R&B, soul and the roots of rockabilly. He was famed Washington, DC guitarist Danny Gatton’s bass player for eighteen years, from 1976-1994. John’s first recording as a leader, “Swinging Lullabies For My Rosetta” (Mapleshade Records) has received tremendous reviews. Other recent recordings include a Tribute to Danny Gatton with Big Joe Mayer and Joe Stanley, and a swing session with John Cocuzzi, Alan Vaché and Big Joe. Over the years, John hass won a number of awards for his rare talent. These include WAMA "Wammie" awards for Musician of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, and Album of the Year.

Video “Harlem Nocturne Medley”

Former MCPS principal appears to stomp on kindergartner in shocking video

New video shows a former Montgomery County elementary school principal’s controversial incident with a kindergartner. FOX 5's Shomari Stone spoke exclusively with the parent of the student involved.

The Brief

A new video has surfaced allegedly showing a principal stomping on the foot of a kindergarten student with autism. The incident reportedly occurred last year at Ritchie Park Elementary School in Montgomery County. Andrew Winter, who was reassigned to Rock Creek Valley Elementary before withdrawing, is now at the center of controversy.

FOX 5's Melanie Alnwick reports that parents at Rock Creek Valley claim Winter's appointment as assistant principal was made without transparency or community input. Alnwick says the video of the incident that led to his prior assault charge recently surfaced.

Video allegedly shows former principal hurting child with autism

A new video has surfaced allegedly showing a principal stomping on the foot of a kindergarten student with autism. The incident reportedly occurred last year at Ritchie Park Elementary School in Montgomery County. Andrew Winter, who was reassigned to Rock Creek Valley Elementary before withdrawing, is now at the center of controversy.

Shocking video appears to show former principal stomping on foot of child with autism

In the exclusive video obtained by FOX 5, Dr. Andrew Winter, wearing a green jersey, is seen in the cafeteria at Ritchie Park last June. He is accused of grabbing the child by his clothing, sitting him down, looking around, and then forcefully stepping on the six-year-old's foot, causing the child to cry.

Winter was acquitted in a Montgomery County bench trial.

"Shocking, scary to know there is video evidence of him physically assaulting my son and now he’s acquitted - I'm still trying to understand that," the boy’s mother said in an exclusive interview with FOX 5. "I’m still in shock. it’s been a year - still can’t believe this happened to my now 7 year old."

Despite acquittal petition expresses concerns about Winter's suitability

Dave Martella, Andrew Winter's attorney, said in a statement: "The allegations against Mr. Winter were tested in a court of law and a judge threw the case out without Mr. Winter even having to testify. Some people want to rely on one video from one angle to draw conclusions about Mr. Winter’s conduct and as we know from watching any NFL football game, one angle often does not show you what actually happened."

In an email, Montgomery County Public Schools told FOX 5 that Mr. Winter informed them last week that he no longer wishes to be assigned to Rock Creek Valley Elementary School.

Despite the acquittal, Rock Creek Valley parents circulated a Change.org petition expressing serious concerns about Winter’s suitability. The petition had 639 signatures.

Former MCPS principal appears to stomp on kindergartner in shocking video

New video shows a former Montgomery County elementary school principal’s controversial incident with a kindergartner. FOX 5's Shomari Stone spoke exclusively with the parent of the student involved.

The Brief

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Former Ritchie Elementary School Principal Andrew Winter, who was recently reassigned to Rock Creek Valley Elementary School in Rockville, has withdrawn from the position following backlash from parents over a controversial incident involving a kindergartner.

Montgomery County Public Schools confirmed Monday that Winter informed them of his decision to step away from the interim assistant principal role at the new school.

His withdrawal comes after parents launched a petition opposing his reassignment.

Shocking video appears to show former MCPS principal stomping on kindergartner

What we know:

The controversy stems from an incident last February, captured on video, showing Winter allegedly grabbing a 6-year-old student with autism by his clothes, sitting him down at a lunch table, and appearing to stomp on the boy’s foot, causing him to cry. Winter was arrested and charged with second-degree assault but was later acquitted.

What they're saying:

The boy’s mother, speaking exclusively to FOX 5, expressed her anger and frustration over the incident and its impact on her child.

"It's shocking," she said. "It's scary to know that there is video evidence of him assaulting my son and that he was acquitted. I'm still trying to understand it … It doesn't mean he's innocent."

Parents at Rock Creek Valley Elementary shared relief over Winter’s decision to withdraw.

MCPS said they are working to determine the next steps following Winter’s departure.

Andrew Winter's attorney, Dave Martella, sent FOX 5 a statement saying,"The allegations against Mr. Winter were tested in a court of law and a judge threw the case out without Mr. Winter even having to testify. Some people want to rely on one video from one angle to draw conclusions about Mr. Winter’s conduct and, as we know from watching any NFL football game, one angle often does not show you what actually happened."

FOX 5 reached out to Winter for comment but has not yet received a response.

2024 Arts Vibrancy Index from SMU DataArts Compiles List of 40 Most Vibrant Arts Communities Across the U.S., Based on Measures of Per Capita Supply, Demand and Government Support for the Arts

FREDERICK, Md., Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, released its annual ranking of the 40 most arts-vibrant communities in the United States, organized into three separate lists based on community size, which identifies Frederick-Gaithersburg-Rockville as number 9 in the list of 20 Large communities in the United States. The list is based on their 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index, which is developed through a data-driven approach that analyzes the level of supply, demand, and government support for the arts using data available in more than 900 communities across the country. Frederick, along with its neighbors Rockville and Gaithersburg has consistently appeared on the Arts Vibrancy Index since the launch of the rankings in 2015. This year, the Frederick-Gaithersburg-Rockville area is ranked ninth on the annual list of the 20 most arts-vibrant large communities in the nation.

"We are thrilled to have Frederick in the top ten most arts-vibrant communities in the US again this year," said Louise Kennelly, Executive Director of the Frederick Arts Council.

The Index reflects fluctuations in arts activity, participation, funding, access and employment that occurs in each community; however the Arts Vibrancy Index has consistently shown that highly arts-vibrant communities are dispersed broadly throughout the U.S., with every region of the country represented in the top rankings. This finding arises naturally out of objective analysis of the data, not from any selection of communities to achieve geographic representation. From Ohio to Colorado, New York to Alaska, arts vibrant communities recognize regional artistic diversity and community success.

Highlights from the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Community Rankings:

"In the face of rising costs, shifting funding sources and long-standing inequities in access, funding and employment, arts communities have continued to demonstrate their resilience and the undeniable richness they bring to towns and cities across the country," stated Dr. Jennifer Benoit-Bryan, Director of SMU DataArts. "The Arts Vibrancy Index helps the arts community – leaders, businesses, governments, funders – better understand the dynamics of arts activities that occur in local areas. Over the years, it's been rewarding to see the diverse ways the reports have been used: from funders who use data to analyze how their investments can increase arts vibrancy in the communities they serve to arts leaders who use the reports and interactive maps in their decision-making for relocating their operations or determining markets for touring shows. The Index has been indispensable in shining light on the arts in communities all across the country."

The Lists In addition to the top arts-vibrant communities listed in the rankings, all 50 states are compiled in a separate ranking, where New York remains in the top position for 2024. Arts-vibrancy scores for every county in the United States can be viewed on an interactive map that identifies arts and cultural strengths that are present in every community.

Large Communities (population: 1 million +) On the list of the most arts-vibrant communities with populations of 1 million or more: Boston, MA ranked in the third spot on the list of large communities, its highest position ever; Rochester, NY returns to the Top 20 list following an absence since 2018; and Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI rose to the 14th spot on the list of large communities after their 2023 debut at 18th position.

Medium Communities (population: 100,000 – 1 million) Medium communities are home to populations ranging from 100,000 to 1 million people. Syracuse, NY is new to this list, while Wilmington, DE returned to the list for the first time since 2020.

Small Communities (population less than 100,000) Small communities are defined as areas with populations under 100,000. Auburn, NY; Branson, MO; Taos, NM joined the list of small communities while Jackson, WY-ID ranked first among small communities for the fifth year in a row.

The Arts Vibrancy Index is composed of 13 unique measures which cover aspects of supply, demand, and public support for arts and culture, and are adjusted for cost of living and population differences among communities. For more information on how the Arts Vibrancy Index is calculated, metrics, data sources, more detail on specific communities and the interactive map, please visit https://www.culturaldata.org/what-we-do/arts-vibrancy-index.

ABOUT THE FREDERICK ARTS COUNCIL The Frederick Arts Council invests in a vibrant and cohesive arts community for the people of Frederick County. The organization fosters an environment where the arts flourish in the community through grants and scholarships, arts advocacy, and links to essential resources. FAC is responsible for large-scale programming such as the Frederick Festival of the Arts, Sky Stage, Frederick Public Art Initiative, FAC Artist Studios, Art in the Park, and Arts in Education grants. For more information about the Frederick Arts Council, visit http://www.frederickartscouncil.org.

ABOUT SMU DATAARTS SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, is a project of the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. The mission of SMU DataArts is to provide the evidence-based insights needed to collectively build strong, vibrant, and equitable arts communities. Its research efforts range from academic papers published in leading journals, applied research undertaken with community partners, and actionable insights shared directly with arts practitioners. Its programs provide business intelligence tools and resources to help arts leaders leverage data to answer critical management questions and connect research analyses to their own work. Recent publications include research reports on the scope of federal COVID-19 relief funding for the arts; national operating trends for arts and cultural organizations the alchemy that drives high performing arts organizations of color; audience diversity, equity and inclusion in large performing arts organizations; impact of investments made in diverse creative communities; and more.

Media Contact

/ Maria May, Resnicow and Associates, 214-207-6082, mmay@resnicow.com, www.frederickartscouncil.org

SOURCE Resnicow and Associates

La Faye Howard, assistant principal at Winston Churchill High School, has been named the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). This award recognizes the work of these outstanding instructional leaders in leading teaching, learning and student achievement, and fostering cultures that promote success for all stakeholders.

“Every day, we want to come in and do our very best,” Howard said during a surprise celebration at the school on Dec. 13. “We want to be impactful; we want to cultivate relationships and we want to make a difference for every student we come across. That is my goal and intention every day.”

She was nominated by Churchill Principal John Taylor and her nomination was supported by colleagues, students and parents. She was surrounded by peers, family and friends. Superintendent Thomas Taylor and Board of Education President were on hand, as were Montgomery County Council Vice President Will Jawando and Councilmember Sidney Katz, who declared Dec. 13 Dr. La Faye Howard Day in Montgomery County.

“It’s a virtuous cycle when you have great students, great educators and great leadership in a school building,” Taylor said. “When that is strengthened by having great assistant principals that lift up what’s happening in the school, amazing things happen. You need to spend about 10 seconds at Winston Churchill High School to know great things are happening here.”

Howard also received accolades from a parent who wrote, she “is kind, thoughtful, smart, creative, a wonderful communicator, an exceptional listener and can find ways to effectively follow up on what matters most even when there are seemingly insurmountable hurdles in the way. Taylor described her role in fostering a positive culture and reducing incidents of hate and bias by writing, “Dr. Howard heads up our No Place for Hate student group. With over 120 members, these students actively plan and implement lessons and activities that promote acceptance and safety for all students and work to stop and address in real time bullying and hate bias in our school.”

Her active and visible presence is appreciated by her students. “Dr. Howard has played an instrumental role in ensuring students at Winston Churchill High School feel absolutely supported and safe,” said one of her students. “She is always present and active and immerses herself in connecting with students, which makes it very easy for any student to talk with her, ask for help or just chat.”

The NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle and high school level assistant principals who have excelled in facilitating high quality instruction and learning opportunities positively impacting all students. These leaders are acknowledged by their peers and school communities for their exemplary contributions to the profession. The awards recognize leaders in the areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment as well as building professional learning within their schools that promote wellness, equity, student centeredness, results orientation and collaborative leadership and innovation.

Howard will now compete for honors at the national level.