Thursday/Jan. 26
Women Business Owners Meeting. Join the Women Business Owners of Montgomery County (WBO) at 5:30 p.m. at The Doubletree Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville for a presentation on Life Balance vs. Life Burnout. The cost for this event is $45 for members and $50 for non-members. To RSVP, call 301-421-4890, ext. 2, or visit www.wbo-mc.com to register online. Indicate with the response if you would like to order a vegetarian meal.
Parenting Programs. "Girl Bullies: Dealing with Cliques and Exclusions," from 7-9 p.m., explores the bullying behaviors of girls and discusses strategies for helping bullies, victims and bystanders. Children and teens welcome. Free. At the Potomac Library 10101 Glenolden Road, Potomac. Call 301-229-1347.
Sunday/Jan. 29
Cinema Art Bethesda will show “Together,” in which music is both a burden and a salvation to a 13-year-old violin prodigy. The doors to the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Ave., will open at 9:30 a.m. and the film will begin at 10 a.m. A provocative discussion led by a local film expert will follow each film. Tickets at the door are $14. For further information, visit the Web site at http://CinemaArtBethesda.org or call 301-365-3679.
Slow Blues dancing with popular teaching duo of Donna Barker and Mike Marcotte. The lesson from 7 - 8:30 p.m. is followed by blues dancing until 10:30 p.m. at the Town Hall in Glen Echo, at 6106 Harvard Avenue. The class will refine techniques of leading and following, present ideas for moving from closed to open position, suggest alternate footwork, offer ways to use dips, and follow through with moving musically. Prior experience is not necessary. Admission for the lesson and dance is $14; and $6 for the dance only. Partners are not needed. Register at the door. Call Donna Barker at 703-978-0375 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, or go to www.DanceDC.com.
Student Recitals. The Levine School of Music's student recitals are at 1 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, Room 309, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Call 301-897-5100. Admission is free.
Historical Discussion. The Montgomery County Historical Society (MCHS) presents a talk on the technological and engineering advances of the C & O Canal with canal historian Robert Kapsch at 3:30 p.m. in the Beall-Dawson House, 103 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville. $3 MCHS members, $6 non-members. For reservations call 301-340-2825.
Monday/Jan. 30
Special Education Program. A free program on learning accommodations and strategies to help students with special education needs is presented at 7 p.m. at the Special Needs Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Sandra A. Mercer, a longtime advocate for special education students in Maryland, will discuss strategies for parents and students and the importance of a supportive environment for individuals with special education needs. To register, call the Special Needs Library at (voice) 240-777-0960 or (TTY) 301-897-2217 or email snlinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Saturday/Jan. 28
Concert. Library Lovers Month kicks off at 11 a.m. with a performance by the Caribbean musical group Goombay at the Wheaton Library 11701 Georgia Ave. Free and suitable for families.
Friday/Feb. 3
The Friday Night Dancers present traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and several waltzes in the Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Contra dance lesson from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Dance from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. to Glen Echo favorite Mando Mafia. Tickets are $8. Contact info@fridaynightdance.org or visit www.fridaynightdance.org.
Singles Dance. Parents Without Partners' Singles Dance from 8 p.m. - midnight at the Elk's Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd. Fairfax. Members $10, Non-members $14. Call 703-362-6496 or 703-543-8215.
Concert. The Composer's Society of Montgomery County is playing at 8 p.m. at the Recital Hall in the Montgomery College Music Building, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville. Mixed Styles including Japanese, classical, romantic, folk and minimalist. A free reception follows the concert. For more information e-mail sueojohnson@hotmail.com
Saturday/Feb. 4
Jazz Concert. The Freddy Cole Quartet plays at 8 p.m. at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, as part of the center's 2005-2006 guest artist series. Tickets are $26, $24 for seniors and students. Call 301-279-5301 to make reservations. www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
Children's Theater. "Come Back, Amelia Bedelia and Other Stories," at 11 a.m. at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, features music and stories for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $7 adults and $6 seniors, students and children. Call 301-279-5301 for reservations. www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
Voter Registration. The Montgomery County Board of Elections will conduct voter registration drives from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at local public libraries. There will also be demonstrations on how to use the voting machines. Libraries: Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road, 301-570-1232; Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., 301-840-2515; Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 240-777-0922; Damascus Library, 9701 Main Street, 240-773-9444; Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring, 240-777-0910.
Music. Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist David Sánchez performs at 8 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Fueled by the inspiration of sax greats Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, Sánchez plays a brand of jazz that the Chicago Tribune dubbed "as incendiary as [it] is intellectually provocative." Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. www.davidsanchezmusic.com. Call 301-528-2260
The Underground Railroad: A Personal Journey. Historian Anthony Cohen, a fourth generation descendant of a runaway slave, recounts the gripping tale of his ancestor, Patrick Sneed, who fled bondage in 1851. Ages eight and above. 2 p.m. Large meeting room, downstairs. Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave. 240-777-0678.
Sunday/Feb. 5
Li-Ming Toastmasters Club welcomes guests in developing communications and leadership skills from 10-11:30 a.m. at the staff lounge of Julius West Middle School, 651 Great Falls Road, Rockville. Call 301-279-8720 or visit www.li-ming.org/toastmaster.
Waltz Dance. Waverly Station is playing for a Waltz Dance from 3:30-6 p.m. at Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. An introductory waltz workshop will be from 3-3:30 p.m. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222. Visit www.dancedc.com
Tuesday/Feb. 7
The African American Book Discussion Group will discuss “The Known World” by Edward P. Jones. Mr. Jones is an acclaimed local author who resides in Arlington. Adults. 7 p.m. Register and pick up the book at the information desk. Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. 240-773-9460.
Thursday/Feb. 9
Second Story Duo Concert. Megin, Geoff and Herold play and sing music from West African and calypso music, on authentic African rhythm instruments. Family. 7 p.m. Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Dr., Rockville. 240-777-0240.
Friday/Feb. 10
Lecture. "Movies, Race, and World War II." This video-illustrated lecture by Thomas Cripps of Morgan State University is from 7-9 p.m. and demonstrates how Hollywood films such as "Sundown," "Sahara," "Lifeboat" and government propaganda movies like "The Negro Soldier" anticipated the politics of racial activism and offer a documentary record of that aspect of American history. At the Beall-Dawson House, 103 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville. Call M-NCPPC's historic preservation section, 301-563-3400.
Saturday/Feb. 11
Owl Prowl. Explore the refuge at night while looking and listening for owls from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. For all ages. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Nature Tots: Introduce preschoolers to the wonderful world of birds through songs, stories, and crafts from 10:30-11:30 p.m. and 1-2 p.m. in this fun, interactive program at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 197. Ages 3-4. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Voter Registration. The Montgomery County Board of Elections will conduct voter registration drives from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at local public libraries. There will also be demonstrations on how to use the voting machines. Libraries: Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., 240-777-0970; Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave., 240-773-9590; White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, 301-622-2492; Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Drive, Rockville, 240-777-0240; Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, 240-773-9460. For additional information, contact Gilberto Zelaya at 240-777-8532; or email Gilberto.Zelaya@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Children's Theater. TheatreWorks/USA presents "Come Back, Amelia Bedelia & Other Stories" at 1 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Developed to introduce young audiences to a variety of stories and storybooks, TheatreWorks/USA creates charming musical revues out of well-loved children stories, bringing the audience along with delightful, interactive singalongs. Tickets $10. www.theatreworksusa.com. 301-528-2260
African American Heritage Celebration featuring Griot Baba Jamal Koram with stories for the whole family. Crafts, read-a-thon and more. 1 p.m. Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville. 240-773-9410.
Sunday/Feb. 12
Bird Hike. Search for birds in several refuge habitats from 8:15-10:15 a.m. on this guided hike at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. Field guides and binoculars recommended. For all ages. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Whose Clues? Come learn about animals from 2-3 p.m. by looking for the signs they leave behind in this hands-on interactive program with stories, songs, and crafts at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 197. Ages 5-7. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Tuesday/Feb. 14
The African American Book Discussion Group will discuss. “Unforgivable Blackness” by Geoffrey C Ward. Copies of the book available at the library. Adult. 7 p.m. White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. 301-622-2492.
Wednesday/Feb. 15
Nature Hike. Discover the changes nature is going through from 1-2 p.m. on this guided hike at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. Ages 8-10. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Thursday/Feb. 16
The African American Book Discussion Group will discuss “Walk Through Darkness” by David A. Durham. 18 years and older. 6-8 p.m. Rockville Library, Board Room, 2nd floor, 99 Maryland Ave. Contact Dianne Betsey, 240-777-0078 or Lisa Navidi, 240-777-0166.
Thursday/Feb. 16
Single tickets: $20 (advance); $25 (at the door)
Orchestral Concert. An assembling of some of the finest folk talent in the Washington area, Ocean Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. www.kinesiscd.com/jennifercutting/ocean_press.htm. Call 301-528-2260.
Saturday/Feb. 18
Voter Registration. The Montgomery County Board of Elections will conduct voter registration drives from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at local public libraries. There will also be demonstrations on how to use the voting machines. Libraries: Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville, 240-773-9410; Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd., 240-773-9420; Poolesville Library, 19633 Fisher Ave., 240-773-9550; Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, 240-777-0690; Special Needs Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 240-777-0960. For additional information, contact Gilberto Zelaya at 240-777-8532; or email Gilberto.Zelaya@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Sunday/Feb. 19
Signs of Spring. Explore the refuge for the first signs of spring plants such as skunk cabbage and spice bush from 9-11 a.m. on this guided walk at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. Ages 16 and up. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Wednesday/Feb. 22
"John Edgar Wideman, Contemporary Black Novelist," noted author, Rhodes Scholar and the only writer awarded the PEN/Faulkner prize twice is the subject of a talk by Dr. Priscilla Ramsey of the Maryland Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. Adult. 7 p.m. Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville. 240-773-9410.
Saturday/Feb. 25
Voter Registration. The Montgomery County Board of Elections will conduct voter registration drives from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at local public libraries. There will also be demonstrations on how to use the voting machines. Libraries: Germantown Library, 12900 Middlebrook Rd., 240-777-0110; Noyes Library, 10237 Carroll Place, Kensington, 301-929-5533; Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg, 240-777-0200; Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave., 301-897-2211; Rockville Library, 99 Maryland Ave., 240-777-0140. For additional information, contact Gilberto Zelaya at 240-777-8532; or email Gilberto.Zelaya@montgomerycountymd.gov.
“Rhythmic Legacies,” a mix of traditions, dance and storytelling presented by The Erika Thimey Dance & Theater Company. Family. 2 p.m. Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave. 301-897-2211.
“Reflecting Africa,” a program of African drumming, dance, and spoken word poetry presented by the Soul in Motion Players. Final program in the multicultural Winter Family Festival series sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Silver Spring Chapter. Ages 5 and up. 2 p.m. Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd. 240-773-9420.
Tuesday, Feb. 28
Book discussion on “Escape from Slavery: The True Story of My Ten Years in Captivity—and My Journey to Freedom in America” by Francis Bok. Discussion conducted by Kenneth Lewis, Kensington Park Library agency head. Adult. 11 a.m. to noon. Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave. 301-897-2211.