To have community events listed in The Potomac Almanac, mail to 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, MD 20854, or e-mail to almanac@ connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Photos, especially color, are encouraged. Please send notice of events at least two weeks in advance.
Wednesday/Dec. 11
Adoptions Seminar at Adoptions Forever, Inc., 5830 Hubbard Drive, Rockville, from 7-9 p.m. All aspects of international adoption in El Salvador. Program repeated on Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon-2 p.m. Free. Call 301-468-1818. Visit www.adoptionsforever.com.
Daytimers Forum at Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road, Potomac, at noon. Guest speaker will be Norman Ornstein, resident scholar, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. Free. Call 301-299-7087.
Friday/Dec. 13
Craft Festival The 25th annual Winter Gaithersburg Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-15, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fine art and crafts, including pottery, paintings, jewelry and painted silk, will be on display. Craft demonstrations in furniture making, metal spinning, papermaking and more. Admission is $7 for adults; children under 12 are free. Free parking. Call 301-990-1400. Visit www.sugarloafcrafts.com.
“Broadway Christmas Carol,” at Round House Theatre, East-West Highway, one block east of Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. Helen Hayes Award recipient Michael Sharp is back with performances through Dec. 29. Wednesday-Saturday, at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.; and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30; patrons age 30 and under pay $10 with ID. Group discounts available. Call 240-644-1100. Visit www.ebenezerscrooge.com.
Bethesda Art Walk Galleries and art schools in Bethesda open their doors to the public and serve free refreshments. Call 301-215-6660.
Marketing Seminar Real estate trainer and speaker Roger Butcher will conduct a three-hour training program on building referrals, at Four Points by Sheraton, 8400 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. The doors open at 9:15 a.m.; seminar will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For details and complimentary tickets, call 1-800-422-1462.
Holiday Yappy Hour at Ana’s Ark Doggie Day Care, 601-5 Dover Road, Rockville, from 6:30-8 p.m. Bring a new wrapped dog gift ($10 value) to swap. Door prize drawings at 7:15 and 7:45 p.m. All dogs attending should be well socialized and current on vaccinations. Call 301-738-6781.
Saturday/Dec. 14
Used Book Sale at the Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Many books for less than a dollar. Donations of books in good condition accepted. No out dated text books or magazines. Call 240-777-0690.
Holiday Concert Potomac United Methodist Church, South Glen and Falls roads, will present “Christmas in America” at 5 p.m. Classical works and a holiday sampler. Call 301-299-9383.
“Geology and Our Changing Landscape” at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. A one- or two-mile hike over rocky landscape. Space limited. Reservations required. Call 301-767-3714.
Trail of the Month. Join a guided hike, “Maryland Heights,” beginning from Harpers Ferry to a view of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers merging. A 5.1-mille hike, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., for ages 14-adult. Bring snack and lunch and wear sturdy shoes. Transportation provided from Milestone Shopping Center in Germantown. Cost is $5. Call Locust Grove Nature Center at 301-299-1990.
Bluegrass Music The Original Seldom Scene with Larry Stephenson will appear at Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for seniors, students and children. Reserved seating. Call 301-279-5301.
“The Nightingale” A Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration on Tour production at Montgomery College’s Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. The children’s classic comes to life. Recommended for ages 5-adult. Tickets are $6 for general admission and $5 for seniors, students and children. Call 301-279-5301.
Children’s Classical Concert Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Drive, Rockville, presents “Carnival of the Animals,” at 2 p.m. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, program features the NOW Ensemble (members of NIH Community Orchestra). Free. Call Judith Bourzutschky at 301-765-7056.
Sunday/Dec. 15
Holiday Sing-Along for the whole family at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., at 1 p.m. Carol songbooks will be passed out. Enjoy the season with cider and cookies. Call 301-767-3714.
Masterworks Chorus presents a holiday concert at Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $24. Call 301-530-0540. Visit www.strathmore.org.
Cinema Art Bethesda presents “Mile Zero,” at the Landmark Bethesda Row Theatre, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, at 10 a.m. A discussion with a film expert follows the show. Tickets are $12 at the door. Call 301-365-3679.
Humane Society Mobile Adoption Unit at Three Dog Bakery, 4916 Elm St., Bethesda, from 1-4 p.m. Call Debbie Wood at 240-773-5966.
Christmas Cantata at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, 6601 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda, at 12:15 p.m., during the 11 a.m. worship service. All are welcome. Call 301-365-2850.
Machaya Klezmer Band at the Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Refreshments will be served. Call Tzipora Sofare at 301-230-3756.
Tuesday/Dec. 17
Senior Holiday Party at Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Entertainment provided by Jordan Kitts Music Store of Bethesda. Catered lunch costs $11. Bring a $5 wrapped gift to exchange with other seniors. Call 301-983-4471.
Toddler Time Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, presents “Sleepy Time” at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., for ages 1-2 with an adult. Explore the drowsy world of hibernating animals. Call 301-299-1990.
Masterworks Chorus at Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $24. Call 301-530-0540. Visit www.strathmore.org.
Wednesday/Dec. 18
“A Mouse in the House” at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., for ages 3-5 with an adult. Gather around the woodstove for a story. Fee is $2; $1 for members. Also on Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. Call 301-299-1990.
Thursday/Dec. 19
Beginning Birdwalk for adults at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Call 301-299-1990.
Friday/Dec. 20
Handel’s Messiah will be presented at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, at 8 p.m., Dec. 20-21. The National Chamber Orchestra with the Cantate Chamber Singers and soloists Rosa Lamoreaux, Roger Isaacs, Bryce Westervelt and Thomas Stork. Tickets are $37, $27 and $17 for adults; children ages 6-17 are free. A pre-concert lecture begins at 7 p.m. Call 240-314-8690.
Winter Solstice Hike and Revelry at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, at 7 p.m. Explore the customs and lore of the shortest day of the year and take a brisk hike. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Cost is $6 per family; $5 per member family. Call 301-299-1990.
Saturday/Dec. 21
Ranger’s Choice Join a park ranger for a demonstration, talk or walk, at 1:30 p.m. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd. Some programs are handicapped accessible. Also, on Sunday, Dec. 22. Call 301-767-3714.
Stars and Snowflakes at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, from 10-11 a.m. Designed for ages 3-adult. Wide range of skill levels for designing snowflakes or 11-pointed star. Cost is $1 per craft. Call 301-299-1990.
Victorian Holiday Party at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, from 2-4 p.m. Feast on cakes and chocolate, make crafts and cards of the era. Designed for ages 7-12 (under 8 with an adult). Cost is $10; $8 for members. Call 301-299-1990.
Nature Walk at Woodend, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, from 10-11 a.m. Explore the trails with an experienced naturalist. Free. Meet at the Audubon Bookshop. Call 301-652-9188.
Handel’s Messiah will be performed by the Landon Symphonette at the Mondzac Performing Arts Center, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for students, by reservation or at the door. Free parking. Call 301-320-1090.
Sunday/Dec. 22
Celtic Music at Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, featuring Moonfire, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24. Call 301-530-0540. Visit www.strathmore.org.
Christmas Concert Moonfire, a trio of singers-performers, presents traditional Celtic, English and American songs on dulcimer, guitar, flutes keyboard and violin. Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets are $24. Call 301-530-0540.
“The Winter Rose” Potomac United Methodist Church, South Glen and Falls roads, will present the choir and orchestra in “The Winter Rose” at 10 a.m. Call 301-299-9383.
Tuesday/Dec. 24
Christmas Eve Service at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 10033 River Road, at 8 and 11 p.m. Liturgies for the Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord, at 5 p.m. Call 301-365-2055.
Christmas Eve Service Potomac United Methodist Church, South Glen and Falls roads, will present American composers and folk music at 7 p.m. Call 301-299-9383.
Thursday/Dec. 26
Storytelling with Jane Dorfman at Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo Park, at 1:30 p.m. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $6. Call 301-320-5331.
Friday/Dec. 27
Celtic Performance by Maggie Sansone at Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo Park, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Joining Sansone will be Bob Esty on Celtic harp, Terry O’Neil on Irish fiddle, Jen Silverman, the dancing drummer, Hot Ice dance troupe and dancers from the Broesler School of Irish Dance. Tickets are $6 with group rates available. Call 301-320-5331. Visit www.adventuretheatre.org.
Saturday/Dec. 28
Adventure Theatre presents Matthew Pauli, “Clown Extraordinaire,” at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Pauli will show the audience the funny side of life. Recommended for ages 5 and up. The theatre is located at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Tickets are $6 with group rates available. Call 301-320-5331.
Sunday/Dec. 29
“The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” will be presented by Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo Park, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. The C.S. Lewis classic about love, faith, courage and giving. Sign language available at 3:30 performance. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $6 with group rates available. Call 301-320-5331.
Monday/Dec. 30
“The City Prince,” at Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo Park, at 1:30 p.m. An interactive musical fable about a prince who outwits a devious prime minister. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $6 with group rates available. Call 301-320-5331.
ONGOING
Yellow Barn Gallery The Studio Members Show and Sale will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 29, from noon-5 p.m. The juried show was judged by Tom Morris, an instructor at the Corcoran School of Art and Glen Echo Park. The gallery is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call 301-371-5593.
Holiday Display at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, through Dec. 31. See a miniature village featuring the Seneca schoolhouse, Dr. Stonestreet’s office, The Surrey of Potomac Village and other area landmarks; a fantasyland with little figures and Santa. The library is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Adventure Theatre presents “A Little House Christmas,” through Dec. 22, based on the Laura Ingalls Wilder classic. Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. For children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $6. Group rates available. Call 301-320-5331.
“Nutcracker” The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., presents the timeless classic, through Dec. 29. Show times are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at 10 and 11:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $6 with group discounts available. Program, recommended for kindergarten-adult, runs about 50 minutes. Call for reservations at 301-320-6668.
Daily Tours of Clara Barton National Historic Site, 5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tours begin on the hour and highlight the recent discovery of Clara Barton’s Office to Locate Missing Soldiers, located on 7th Street in Washington City, during the Civil War. Free. Call 301-492-6245.
Conversation Club at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive. Group practice in spoken English on timely and interesting topics taken from the news or daily life. Upcoming dates include Dec. 14, from 3-5 p.m.; and Dec. 18, from 7-9 p.m. January TBA. Volunteer discussion leaders needed. Call Nancy Benner at 240-777-0690.
The Potomac Area Newcomers Club welcomes new residents to the community, with monthly meetings. Call for locations and reservations at 301-365-7572. For membership, call Sue Bigler at 301-610-5056. Visit www.geocities.com/potomacnc/.
MOMS Club of Potomac offers activities for stay-at-home moms and their children. New calendar and newsletter given out the third Monday of the month. Meets at 10:30 a.m. at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road. Call 301-983-5225.
American Antique Arts Association meets the third Monday of the month at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, at 1 p.m., September-June. Meetings include speakers, demonstrations and information. New members are welcome. Call Mary Lennon at 301-299-5030.
Art Glass Exhibit The Glass Gallery, 4720 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, presents the work of Native American artist Tony Jojola, through Dec. 21. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 301-657-3478. Visit www.theglassgallery-usa.com.
Fine Art Miniatures at Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, through Dec. 31. Painters, sculptors and engravers. Juried exhibition. Call 301-530-0540.
Strathmore Hall Decorated Trees In the Invitational gallery, the G Street Doll Club shows a seven-foot holiday tree displaying original, hand-crafted dolls. Other trees are decorated with holiday-themed art pieces by area artists. All works are available for sale. Strathmore is located at 10701 Rockville Pike, in North Bethesda. Call 301-530-0540. Visit www.strathmore.org.
Mystery Night for children at Barnes and Noble, 4801 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, at 7 p.m. for ages 7-11. A weekly series on Thursdays for children who love mystery books and solving mysteries. Weekly clues provided. Free. Call 301-986-1761.
Potomac Seniors gather at Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, during the week for a variety of activities between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The program includes Tai Chi, entertainment, health screenings and education, chair
exercises, crafts, speakers, counseling,
theme parties, monthly mini-trips and intergenerational activities. Visit http://www.co.mo.md.us/rec/Seniors/ptmsr.htm, or call 301-983-4471.
Rockville Art League The group’s juried Winter Art Show at Glenview Mansion Art Gallery, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, through Dec. 31. Call 240-314-8660.
“Amelia Bedelia” at Imagination Stage, 11301 Rockville Pike at White Flint Mall, Rockville, through Jan. 12. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Holiday matinees at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Dec. 23-24, Dec. 26-27 and Dec. 30-31. Evening performances on Dec. 28, Jan. 4 and 11, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.50; $6.50 for groups of 10 or more. Call 301-881-5106. Visit www.ImaginationStage.org.
Creative Partners Gallery in Bethesda is showing its Members Holiday Show, from noon-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The exhibit will feature unusual and imaginative art and one-of-a-kind works, through Jan. 4. Call 301-951-9441.
Beginners Bird Walks Stroll the grounds of the 40-acre Woodend Sanctuary of the Audubon Naturalist Society, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase. Look for resident and migrating birds. Guided walks take place every Saturday through February, from 8-9 a.m. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Older children welcome. Free. Call 301-652-9188.
Birders The Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society sponsors bird field trips and holds monthly meetings where speakers present talks with slides of birds of the region or the world. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Road, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Visit http://www.mdkinc.com/mccbird/index.html.
Gems and Minerals The Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Montgomery County meets regularly at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive, at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (except July and August.) Visitors welcome. Free. Call 301-299-8213.
Performance Lectures, sponsored by the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences graduate school at NIH, features all sixteen Beethoven String Quartets performed live with lectures and outlines of each quartet. For music lovers, as well as trained musicians. Program runs through Jan. 14 on Monday evenings, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the NIH campus in Bethesda. To register, call 301-496-7976, or visit www.faes.org.
30+ Happy Hour hosted by the Young Professionals group from the Jewish Community Center for ages 30 and above at different clubs in Bethesda. First Tuesday of every month, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meet new people and see old friends. Call 301-881-0100.
Tea Time Afternoon tea at Normandie Farms, 10710 Falls Road in Potomac, the first and third Wednesdays of every month, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $18 per person. Call 301-983-8838.
Art Exhibit Capricorn Galleries, 10236 River Road in Potomac, will exhibit the works of Dana Forrester, Emil Janel, Shirley Pettibone, Tom Owen, Steven Lundberg and more, through December. Watercolors, oils, drawings, wood carvings and glass. Call 301-765-5900.
The Scottish Country Dance Society Of Washington invites beginners and experienced dancers to join the dance group. Instruction and social dances are offered throughout the year. Meetings are Mondays starting on Sept 9 at 8 p.m in the NIH Fitness Center, Building 39 in Bethesda. Cost is $3 per session. Call Betty Lee Barnes at 202-966-3595 or Belinda Acre at 703-528-5628.
Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., daily. Call 301-767-3714.
Storytime for children at Barnes and Noble, 4801 Bethesda Ave., Sundays at 3 p.m., Tuesdays at 11 a.m. and Fridays at 11 a.m. Free. Call 301-986-1761.
Afternoon Tea is served at Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike, every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. Prepaid reservations required. Call 301-530-0540, or visit www.strathmore.org.
Ice Skating at the Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, is open all week, with early-bird specials on Tuesday and Friday, 7:30-9 a.m., and pickup hockey from 10:15-11:45 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Call 301-365-2246.