Author: Sponsor
HomeWorks is a new curated furniture +home decor store in Bethesda, featuring thoughtfully sourced pieces for a layered, lived-in home.
Presidents’ Day Sale starts Feb 13. Up to 25% off storewide.
Shop in-store for sofas, lighting, rugs, styling pieces + more — with new arrivals added weekly.
We also offer in-store Shop Consults for furnishing guidance and Full-Service Interior Design through @blacksaltinteriordesign.
4920 Fairmont Avenue Bethesda, MD
Visit + shop the showroom
Noticing Changes in Older Loved Ones Over the Holidays? What Montgomery County Families Should Look For
With more families spending extended time together this season, subtle signs of aging often become harder to ignore.
Holiday visits often give Montgomery County families a closer look at how older relatives are really doing day to day. With nearly 20% of county residents now age 65 or older, these moments of awareness are becoming increasingly common.
Local caregiving professionals say families often notice the same patterns when extra support may be needed. Some common signs include:
- Missed medications or confusion about schedules
- Increased forgetfulness or frequently repeating stories
- Difficulty with bathing, dressing, or everyday mobility
- Unsteadiness, recent falls, or increased fear of falling
- A home that feels less organized or less safe than before
- Changes in mood, appetite, or social engagement
“In many cases, families aren’t looking for problems — they’re just spending more time together,” said Ross Fierman, owner and operator of Synergy HomeCare of Montgomery County. “That time can bring clarity and open the door to supportive conversations.”
Earlier this year, Synergy HomeCare of Montgomery County was named Best In-Home Health Care Service in Bethesda Magazine’s Readers’ Picks, an award voted on by Bethesda Magazine readers. The recognition reflects a growing preference among local families for care that allows loved ones to remain at home while receiving meaningful support.
Non-medical in-home care can begin gradually — sometimes just a few hours a week — and expand as needs change.
As families gather this season, experts encourage paying attention, asking questions, and knowing what resources are available when it’s time to act.
More information about local in-home care options is available at synergymoco.com.
Poyoteca Peruvian Rotisserie is marking its fifth anniversary in Rockville with a special one-day promotion that brings their signature charbroiled chicken to the community at an unbeatable price. The restaurant will offer quarter chicken meals for just $6.99 on Wednesday, October 22nd (in-store at Rockville location only).
Anniversary Special Details
The anniversary promotion offers significant savings for local chicken lovers:
- Price: $6.99 for a quarter chicken meal with two sides
- Date: Wednesday, October 22nd only
- Availability: In-store only
- Address: 14921 Shady Grove Rd, Rockville, MD 20850
- Limit: 2 meals per customer
Five Decades of Family Tradition
Poyoteca represents a remarkable 50-year culinary legacy spanning three generations, starting in Lima with grandma Dora’s recipe. What sets Poyoteca apart from other chicken establishments is their commitment to traditional cooking methods – every chicken is marinated by hand and cooked over charcoal to achieve that distinctive rich, smoky flavor that has kept customers coming back. Poyoteca also offers traditional Peruvian dishes, empanadas and more.
Don’t Miss Out
This anniversary special represents a rare opportunity to experience Poyoteca’s signature charbroiled chicken at a heavily discounted price. Given the restaurant’s popularity and the significant savings offered, early arrival is recommended. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 22nd, and head to Poyoteca Peruvian Rotisserie in Rockville to take advantage of this one-day anniversary celebration.
As families prepare for the new school year, local students are heading back to class with unprecedented college acceptance rates that are reshaping expectations for academic achievement.
Exceptional Results Drive New Academic Standards
C2 Education’s Class of 2025 set remarkable benchmarks that demonstrate the impact of strategic academic planning. With 94% of students gaining acceptance to top 100 universities, these results highlight what becomes possible when students receive comprehensive support throughout their high school journey.
The numbers tell a compelling story: students averaged 1361 on the SAT, placing them in the top 10% of test takers nationwide, while ACT scores reached 29.9, exceeding national benchmarks by 54%. Nearly half of all Ivy League applicants earned acceptance to their target schools. In total, the Class of 2025 secured $22 million in scholarship awards.
Building Success from Day One
As the new academic year begins, C2 Education continues helping students at every level develop the skills that lead to these outcomes. Their comprehensive approach addresses multiple aspects of academic preparation:
- Standardized Test Mastery: ISEE®, PSAT®, SAT®, ACT®, and AP® exam preparation
- Subject-Specific Tutoring: K-12 academic support across core curriculum areas
- College Strategy Planning: Multi-year roadmaps for admissions success
- Essential Study Skills: Foundation-building for long-term academic growth
Free Diagnostic Test & Consultation Available
Families can schedule a free diagnostic test and consultation this fall to establish baseline performance levels and create tailored academic plans. These consultations help identify specific opportunities for improvement while there’s still time to make meaningful progress during the school year.
This weeklong experience is designed to promote wellness across all ages through a variety of engaging and health-centered experiences—from literary enrichment and fitness samples to child-friendly activities and crucial health services like vaccinations. Culminating in our Main Event, the “Health and Harvest Fair,” on Sunday, September 14.
Event Highlights by Day:
- Tuesday, September 9
The Lessans Family Literary Series presents:
What Your Body Knows about Happiness by Janice Kaplan at 7:00 PM
- Thursday, September 11
A Taste of Group Exercise – a sampler class. Register via My J — 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Friday, September 12
- Fern Weiland: Mealtime Challenges — 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
- Vaccinations Available — 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Offered for various ages and types,
Including:
- Ages 50+: Shingrix, Pneumonia, RSV
- Ages 10+: Tdap, MMR
- Ages 7+: Hep-B, Meningitis
- Ages 3+: Flu
- COVID (Pfizer and Moderna) — pending latest CDC age guidance
- Sunday, September 14 — Main Event: Health and Harvest Fair
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM— $5 per person
The Fair includes:
- Live Music
- Food Tastings
- Wellness Demonstrations
- Family-Friendly Activities
- Bounce Inflatables
Location: The Bender JCC of Greater Washington | 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD, 20852
ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS & ACTIVIST
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, 7:30 P.M.
ROBERT E. PARILLA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE-ROCKVILLE CAMPUS
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Academy Award-winning actress, director, producer, author, and activist Marlee Matlin. From Hollywood’s spotlight to global advocacy, Ms. Matlin shares her powerful story—breaking barriers, challenging norms, and inspiring hearts. This event promises insight, inspiration, and impact. Listeners come away informed and empowered to make a difference in the world, with the knowledge that they can begin by changing just one person’s life.
Ms. Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures’ CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also starred in numerous television projects, including SEINFELD, THE WEST WING, LAW AND ORDER: SVU, THE L WORD, SWITCHED AT BIRTH, THE MAGICIANS, ABC’s DANCING WITH THE STARS, and QUANTICO. In 2012, she released her first app, appropriately titled MARLEE SIGNS, teaching American Sign Language to millions of smart phone users. Ms. Matlin has also penned three novels for children, as well as her New York Times best- selling autobiography, I’LL SCREAM LATER. In 2022, Ms. Matlin made her directing debut, being the first network television director who is Deaf for the Fox TV anthology drama, ACCUSED. In 2022, her Apple TV+ film CODA swept every category it was nominated in at the 2022 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In 2025, the documentary MARLEE MATLIN: NOT ALONE ANYMORE premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Shoshannah Stern, the documentary explores Ms. Matlin’s life and career, and her activism.
For tickets and information, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC or call the box office at 240-567-5301.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in DC, Maryland, Virginia, federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry
Our federal employment lawyers represent federal employees nationwide before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). When filing an appeal with the MSPB a federal employee must carefully complete several critical steps to start the process. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the dismissal of the appeal or the exclusion of critical components from MSPB review.
Filing Deadline for an MSPB Appeal
In general, an appeal must be filed within 30 calendar days of either the effective date of action, if any, or the date the appellant receives the agency’s decision, whichever occurs later. However, if the appellant and the agency mutually agree in writing to engage in an alternative dispute resolution process before the appeal deadline, the filing period can be extended by an additional 30 days, resulting in a total of 60 calendar days to file the appeal.
The MSPB will likely dismiss an appeal that is filed after the deadline. To avoid this outcome, it is essential to strictly adhere to all filing deadlines.
Where to File an MSPB Appeal
You must file your appeal with the MSPB regional or field office that serves the geographic area where your duty station was located at the time the action was taken. However, if the appeal involves a final decision by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) concerning retirement benefits, or an adverse suitability determination, it should be filed with the regional or field office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. For a complete list of MSPB regional and field office jurisdictions, refer to Appendix II of Part 1201 of the Board’s regulations. The MSPB has some helpful information listed here regarding the filing of appeals.
Electronic Filing of an MSPB Appeal
The MSPB e-Appeal system, is the most efficient and is the exclusive platform for electronic filing with the Board. If you prefer not to file your appeal electronically, you may download the MSPB Appeal Form and submit it using traditional methods, such as postal mail. While using the Appeal Form or the e-Appeal Online application helps ensure that all required information is included, use of the form is not mandatory.
At our law firm, we utilize the electronic filing system from the initial filing through the conclusion of the appeals process. Regardless of the method used, an appeal must be submitted in writing and must contain all the information required under 5 C.F.R. § 1201.24(a). Specifically, § 1201.24(a) provides that all appeals must include the following:
- The name, address, and telephone number of the appellant, and the name and address of the agency that took the action;
- A description of the action the agency took and its effective date;
- A request for hearing if the appellant wants one;
- A statement of the reasons why the appellant believes the agency action is wrong;
- A statement of the action the appellant would like the judge to order;
- The name, address, and telephone number of the appellant’s representative, if the appellant has a representative;
- Where applicable, a copy of the notice of proposed action, the agency decision being appealed and, if available, the SF-50 or similar notice of personnel action. No other attachments should be included with the appeal, as the agency will be submitting the documents required by 1201.25 of this part, and there will be several opportunities to submit evidence and argument after the appeal is filed. An appellant should not miss the deadline for filing merely because he or she does not currently have all of the documents specified in this section.
- A statement telling whether the appellant or anyone acting on his or her behalf has filed a grievance or a formal discrimination complaint with any agency regarding this matter; and
- The signature of the appellant or, if the appellant has a representative, of the representative. If the appeal is electronically filed, compliance with § 1201.14 and the directions at the Board’s e-Appeal site (https://e-appeal.mspb.gov) satisfy the signature requirement.
Procedures Following an MSPB Appeal
The Administrative Judge assigned to the case will issue an Acknowledgment Order to the appellant, their representative (if any), and the agency. This order serves to officially notify all parties of the appeal and transmits a copy of the appeal to the agency. It also directs the agency to submit a written response explaining the reasons for the personnel action being challenged, along with all documents contained in the official agency record related to the action.
As the case proceeds, the Administrative Judge will issue additional orders and notices regarding required pleadings and procedural deadlines. Pleadings may be submitted electronically via the MSPB’s e-Appeal Online system, or by regular mail, fax, or personal/commercial delivery. Following a hearing, or, if no hearing is requested, after the close of the written record, the Administrative Judge will issue an initial decision.
A well-prepared submission significantly improves a federal employee’s chances of either successfully litigating the case or reaching a favorable settlement. A clear and thorough appeal gives the Administrative Judge the context needed to assess the claims early on and ensures proper understanding of the legal arguments from the outset, which facilitates settlement discussions.
Conversely, if the appeal lacks clarity or detail, the Administrative Judge may overlook key issues, diminishing the focus on the case and weakening its presentation throughout the process. For these reasons, our firm strongly recommends that federal employees seek legal counsel to review and prepare the initial appeal to ensure it meets all procedural requirements.
Contact Us
Berry & Berry, PLLC represents current and former federal employees in employment, administrative, labor union, and security clearance matters, both nationwide and abroad. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, please visit our website at www.berrylegal.com or call us at (703) 668-0070.
Giovanni Argueta began his academic journey at the University of Miami, where he majored in computer engineering. Despite his love for the sunny weather and the perks of living near the water, Giovanni returned to his home state of Maryland and continued his engineering studies at Montgomery College (MC). At MC, Giovanni attended an “informational tabling session” and learned about UMD’s Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program, offered at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG). (more…)
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ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS & ACTIVIST
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, 7:30 P.M.
ROBERT E. PARILLA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE-ROCKVILLE CAMPUS
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Academy Award-winning actress, director, producer, author, and activist Marlee Matlin. From Hollywood’s spotlight to global advocacy, Ms. Matlin shares her powerful story—breaking barriers, challenging norms, and inspiring hearts. This event promises insight, inspiration, and impact. Listeners come away informed and empowered to make a difference in the world, with the knowledge that they can begin by changing just one person’s life.
Ms. Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures’ CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also starred in numerous television projects, including SEINFELD, THE WEST WING, LAW AND ORDER: SVU, THE L WORD, SWITCHED AT BIRTH, THE MAGICIANS, ABC’s DANCING WITH THE STARS, and QUANTICO. In 2012, she released her first app, appropriately titled MARLEE SIGNS, teaching American Sign Language to millions of smart phone users. Ms. Matlin has also penned three novels for children, as well as her New York Times best- selling autobiography, I’LL SCREAM LATER. In 2022, Ms. Matlin made her directing debut, being the first network television director who is Deaf for the Fox TV anthology drama, ACCUSED. In 2022, her Apple TV+ film CODA swept every category it was nominated in at the 2022 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In 2025, the documentary MARLEE MATLIN: NOT ALONE ANYMORE premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Shoshannah Stern, the documentary explores Ms. Matlin’s life and career, and her activism.
For tickets and information, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC or call the box office at 240-567-5301.