<b>August 2010
</b>Great Falls Tavern, Mule-Drawn Canal Boat Rides, May – October. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 11a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Experience living history while traveling up the canal, locking through lift locks during this one-hour boat ride. Call the C&O Canal National Historical Park at Great Falls Visitor Center, 301-767-3714. (Note: Call before you go, boats running sporadically in Fall 2010 due to low water in the Potomac River.)
Glen Echo Park’s 1921 Dentzel Carousel, is in its 90th year. The 1921 carousel will be open Saturday and Sundays, from noon to 6 p.m. through September. Call 301-634-2222 or visit www.glenechopark.org.
Potomac Farmers Market, organized by Montgomery County, through October, Thursdays, 2-6 p.m. Potomac United Methodist Church, corner of Falls Road and Democracy Blvd. 301-590-2823.
English Language Conversation Club, Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Dr. Saturday, Aug. 28, 3 p.m. 240-777-0690.
First day of school, Montgomery County Public Schools, Monday, Aug. 30. See www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.
<b>September 2010
</b>Guided tours of Riley’s Lockhouse, one of the C&O Canal’s original lockhouses. Join volunteers in period costume and explore the life of a lock-keeper. September and October (also May and June). Riley’s Lock Road (off River Road.) www.nps.gov/choh/.
Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery 40th Annual Labor Day Art Show features the work of more than 200 artists, ranging from painting to pottery at Glen Echo. Visit www.glenechopark.org or www.yellowbarnstudio.com. The 40th Annual Labor Day Art Show’s opening reception, Friday, Sept. 3, Spanish Ballroom and will continue to be exhibited from Sept. 4-6. Free. Call 301-634-2222.
Cabin John Kid’s Run at the Cabin John Regional Park in Potomac, Westlake Drive. See www.mcrrc.org Free for runners 18 and under. Sunday, Sept. 5. A mile run, half-mile run and quarter mile young run is offered. Registration is race-day only.
Public school holiday, Monday, Sept. 6, Labor Day.
72nd Annual Labor Day Parade in the City of Gaithersburg, Monday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. rain or shine. Call 301-258-6350.
Public schools closed for Rosh Hashanah, Thursday, Sept. 9. (Note; Yom Kippur is Sat., Sept. 18.)
Tour De Canal, Sept. 10-12, bicycle tour, choose either 184, 100 or 20 miles of towpath riding from Cumberland to Georgetown. The ride, the 14th annual event, benefits the Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area. Call 703-766-9025, e-mail tourdecanalnca@alz.org, or visit www.alz.org/nca.
The Trawick Prize, downtown Bethesda's annual juried arts competition awards: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards. The exhibition featuring The Trawick Prize finalists will be held from Sept. 1-25 at The Trawick Gallery, 2728 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, 301-215-6660. Opening Sept. 10, 6-9 p.m. See www.bethesda.org.
Potomac Library Book Sale, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Saturday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter.
Half Marathon, Sept. 12, 5th Annual Parks Half-marathon, www.parkshalfmarathon.com. Run from Rockville to Bethesda. Registration open, entry limited to 2,750 runners. Sponsored by Montgomery County Road Runners Club, www.mcrrc.org.
First Congenital Heart Walk, Sept. 12, at George Mason University, 10 a.m., registration opens at 9 a.m. The walk, including many Potomac people, is a joint effort between the Adult Congenital Heart Association and the Children’s Heart Foundation. See www.congenitalheartwalk.org.
Vote. Primary Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Montgomery County Board of Elections 24-hour information line, 240-777-8683. See www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections.
Public Schools closed, Sept. 14. Primary Election.
Family Fun Fest, Friday, Sept. 24 at the Potomac Community Center at 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac. An annual festival for children and families, featuring carnival games, moon bounces, clowns and more. Call 240-777-6960. This year’s festival honors Linda Barlock, the center’s longtime director who recently retired.
Glen Echo Park’s 1921 Dentzel Carousel, is in its 90th year. The 1921 carousel will be open Saturday and Sundays, from noon to 6 p.m. through September. Call 301-634-2222 or visit www.glenechopark.org.
<b>October 2010
</b>West Montgomery County Citizens Association (WMCCA) holds its first general meeting of the season on Oct. 13, meets the second Wednesday of each month, October through May, Potomac Library 8 p.m. WMCCA strives to maintain quality of life in Potomac by monitoring growth and placing the highest priority on green space. WMCCA aims to protect the environment; perpetuate animal and bird habitats; encourage low density, controlled growth and confined commercial areas; and it supports the philosophy, policies and goals in the Master Plan for the Potomac Subregion. www.wmcca.org.
55th annual Potomac Country House Tour, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3. An annual glimpse inside some of Potomac’s most interesting homes. This year, see award-winning contemporary home designed by David Jameson, Avenel Farm Estate, family renovated colonial, River Falls Town Home along with a Maryland Sweets Café and gourmet lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both days, 20 vendors at Saint Francis Church, 10033 River Road, Potomac Village. See www.potomaccountryhousetour.org for complete listing of activities.
Taste of Bethesda, Oct. 2 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The 21st Annual Taste of Bethesda, a food and music festival in the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda. Enjoy "tastes" from 50 participating restaurants, along with live entertainment and a children's activities area. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Capital Area Gulf Coast Relief Run at Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Oct. 3. Registration for the 5-k run or walk begins at 7 a.m., festivities beginning at 8 a.m. Event to benefit to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund. www.gulfcoastreliefrun.org. Students organized this event, which is presented by the Winston Churchill High School Key Club.
Potomac Oak Day each October celebrates a 275-year old oak tree near the Potomac Oak Center at the corner of Travilah and Glen roads with a picnic and other festivities. Watch the Almanac for announcement of this year’s celebration.
Potomac Library Book Sale, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored most monthly by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter.
Firehouse Open House at the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department Station 10, 8001 River Road. Activities include live action demonstrations, including stop, drop and roll, stove fire demonstrations and automobile extrication. Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department now hosts birthday parties for children. Call 301-365-2255 or visit www.cjpvfd.org.
Audubon Naturalist Society annual meeting, Monday, Oct. 11, 5:30 – 8 p.m., Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase. 8940 Jones Mill Road. Maryland State Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-16), representing parts of Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Potomac (District 16) is scheduled to speak. The meeting will include several brief reports, recognition of volunteers and the Natural History Field Studies graduates, and the election of members to the ANS Board. See www.audubonnaturalist.org or call 301-652-9188.
Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Carderock Pavilion. Check-in at 8 a.m. This 3-5 mile walk, in conjunction with 200 communities across the country this fall, benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Call 301-972-2280 or trishtraylor@comcast.net. See www.afsp.org.
Potomac Day in Potomac Village, the annual community festival, will be held Saturday Oct. 23. Arts and free entertainment for all ages, ranging from rides for children to an antique show and business fair. The highlight is the Potomac Day Parade at 10:30 a.m., featuring hundreds of entrants, including bands, horses, antique cars, school groups, scouting organizations, and candidates for elected office. Call the Potomac Chamber of Commerce at 301-299-2170 or visit www.potomacchamber.org.
Annual Bazaar, Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 10620 River Road, Sept. 24-26. See www.peterpaul.net. Call 301-765-9188.
Bethesda Row Arts Festival, Oct. 16-17. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday. 7250 Woodmont Ave. Call 301-637-5715. See www.bethesdarowarts.org.
<b>November 2010
</b>Vote. General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Montgomery County Board of Elections 24-hour information line, 240-777-8683. See www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections.
Public Schools Closed Monday, Nov. 1, Professional day for teachers.
Public Schools Closed Tuesday, Nov. 2, Election Day.
The Potomac Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner, honors Potomac’s citizen, businessperson and youth of the year. Scheduled annually in November, at Normandie Farm, 10710 Falls Road. See www.potomacchamber.org.
Potomac Community Open Flea Market at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, has been regularly scheduled on a biannual basis in November and May. Call the community center, 240-777-6960.
41st Annual Book Festival, Nov. 4-14, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Rd., Rockville. Best selling authors visit the JCC to discuss their recently published books. Call 301-881-0100. See www.jccgw.org.
Rockville 10K/5K, Montgomery County's oldest race, returns Nov. 7. See www.mcrrc.org.
West Montgomery County Citizens Association (WMCCA) general meeting, Nov. 10, Potomac Library 8 p.m.
Potomac Library Book Sale, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Saturday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter.
Potomac Theatre Company's production of "The Micado" from Nov. 19- Nov. 28. Friday, Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. In the Blair Family Center for the Arts at the Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road. Call 299-8571. See www.potomactheatreco.org.
Autumn Lights Auction and Reception, Audubon Naturalist Society, Nov. 20, 6-9 p.m., Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, 8940 Jones Mill Road. Supports ANS environmental education and advocacy programs. Items to donate for auction welcomed. See audubonnaturalist.org or call 301-652-9188.
Dinner of Champions, Nov. 20 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 301-881-0100 or see www.jccgw.org. The event honors those who have achieved success in the world of sports, and those who have made extraordinary contributions to the community. The dinner benefits the Jewish Community inclusive programs for individuals with special needs.
Turkey Chase 10K Run benefits the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase, YMCA’s Youth and Family Services and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club Foundation. Race takes place on Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, 8:30 a.m. at 9401 Old Georgetown Road at Spruce Street. Includes a two-mile walk/run; wheelchairs welcome. See www.turkeychase.com.
Public Schools Closed for Thanksgiving, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25 - 26.
<b>December 2010
</b>West Montgomery County Citizens Association, general meeting, Dec. 8, Potomac Library 8 p.m. Public is welcome.
Potomac Library Book Sale, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Saturday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter.
Bethesda's Winter Wonderland takes place Dec. 3-4 at multiple locations, including a concerts at Imagination Stage and in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. The event features caroling, ice sculpting, storytelling, holiday performances and hands-on craft activities for kids. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Winter Lights is a 3.5-mile drive through a holiday light show at Seneca Creek Park with more than 350 illuminated displays. The 15th Annual Winter Lights Festival premiere is Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 - 27, then nightly Dec. 3 – Jan. 1 (closed Mondays and Dec. 24). Proceeds from the Festival benefit local charities. Call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
Jingle Bell Jog 8K, Dec. 12, 9 a.m., at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive. See www.mcrrc.org.
Chanukah Festival, Dec. 5, all day, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. Chanukah-related projects and activities. See www.jccgw.org.
Christmas Tree Sale, Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, Station 10, 8001 River Road. Call 301-365-2255 or visit www.cjpvfd.org.
Santa on Fire Engines, toy collection, is also run by the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department. A procession of fire engines carry Santa on a tour of Potomac neighborhoods over the course of several evenings in December. Call 301-365-2255 or visit www.cjpvfd.org.
Public Schools closed, Fri, Dec. 24 until Jan. 3, 2011.
</b>January 2011
<b>The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2300 bills including the State's annual budget. The 428th Session will begin Jan. 12, 2010. Potomac falls into two districts, District 15 and District 16, each one with one Senator and three Delegates. http://mlis.state.md.us
Public Schools closed, Monday, Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Public Schools closed, Monday, Jan. 24, professional day.
<b>February 2011
</b>Chinese New Year is Feb. 3. Watch for local events at Potomac Library and Potomac Elementary School, which has a Chinese language immersion program.
The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival is held over President’s Day weekend, at the Doubletree Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike, Feb. 18-21. The festival provides live musical performances, workshops and seminars. Call 301-468-1100. See www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org.
Thanksgiving in February, Bethesda Cares. Dine out in one of the 100 restaurants supporting hunger relief work of local nonprofit agencies providing food and grocery money to those in need. See www.thanksgivinginfebruary.org.
Public Schools closed, Monday, Feb. 21, President’s Day.
<b>Rest of 2011
</b>As organizations finalize their calendars, here are some highlights to look out for during the rest of 2011. See www.PotomacAlmanac.com.
<b> April 2011
</b>The Bethesda Literary Festival has been held annually in April. Features poets, authors, journalists, novelists, poetry slams, essay contests and youth book parties. Literary events take place in downtown Bethesda's bookstores, galleries and retail businesses, as well as the library and elementary school. Visit www.bethesda.org.
Pike's Peek 10K run along Rockville Pike from Shady Grove Metro to White Flint Mall. See the Montgomery County Road Runners Club website at www.mcrcc.org or pikespeek10k.com.
"Blast from the Past" at Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road in Potomac, presents its annual rock and roll musical revue featuring student cast members, musicians and stage crew. Late April or early May. Call 301-469-1200 or visit www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/churchillhs for dates and more information.
The Annual C&O Canal Pride Days, a joint effort between the park and Canal Trust, bringing hundreds of volunteers into the park to conduct maintenance projects. Work at C&O Canal National Historical Park at Great Falls (Md.) and other sites along the Potomac River and C&O Canal towpath. Call the Canal Trust at 301-714-2233 or see the park website at www.nps.gov/choh.
Audubon Naturalist Society’s Nature Fair and spring festival takes place annually. Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase. 8940 Jones Mill Road. See www.audubonnaturalist.org or call 301-652-9188.
Potomac Watershed Cleanup, sponsored annually by Alice Ferguson Foundation. More than 14,500 volunteers picked up 251 tons of trash at 275 different sites at last year’s April cleanup event, including 24.9 tons of tires, 13,945 bags of trash and recyclables. 15.1 tons of recyclable materials were recycled. Volunteers helped at many sites along the Potomac River in Potomac. See www.fergusonfoundation.org.
Spring Break. Public Schools closed from Monday, April 18 through Monday, April 25.
<b>May 2011
</b>Mule-Drawn Canal Boat Rides, Great Falls Tavern, May – October. Call the C&O Canal National Historical Park at Great Falls visitor center, 301-767-3714.
Spring Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George 7701 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda. The annual festival, beginning May 6, includes traditional Greek cuisine, outdoor/indoor dining, Greek dancing, church tours and Greek pastries. Call 301-469-7990 or visit www.stgeorge.org.
The Potomac Hunt Races is an annual May tradition, celebrating the sport of steeplechase racing and benefiting local charities. Race day festivities include feature steeplechase racing, thoroughbreds and festival tailgate parties, a car show, pony rides and more. See www.potomachuntraces.com.
Strawberry Festival at Potomac United Methodist Church, 10300 Falls Road in Potomac, is traditionally held the weekend before Memorial Day. Berries, a silent auction, bake sale, rummage sale, craft fair, dollar items and games and activities for children. Call the church at 301-299-9383 or visit www.potomac-umc.org.
The Landon Azalea Garden Festival takes place April 29, 30 and May 1, 2011 in the Perkins Garden and the Landon campus, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda. The festival dates back to the mid-1950s when Landon’s founders, Paul and Mary Lee Banfield opened the newly acquired azalea garden to the public. Mark’s Run, a 5-K race and one-mile run also takes place during the festival. A parade will premiere at the 2011 festival. Call 301-320-3200 or visit www.landon.net.
The Bethesda Big Train begins its season at the Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Regional Park, 10600 Westlake Drive. The Big Train plays in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, a wooden-bat collegiate league that has sent athletes to Major League Baseball. See www.bigtrain.org.
Hometown Holidays is a Memorial Day festival and parade in the City of Rockville with concerts, children's crafts and games. Call 240-314-5022 or visit www.rockvillemd.gov.
Public Schools Closed, Monday, May 30, Memorial Day.
<b>June 2011
</b>2011 U.S. Open, Professional golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda. June 13–19, 2011, www.usga.org
Imagination Bethesda is a children's street festival celebrating the arts, that has taken place annually in June. The festival will feature costume characters, face painters, international dance troupes, theater performances, a moon bounce and a variety of hands-on arts activities. Call 301-215-6660 or see www.bethesda.org.
Last day of school, Thursday, June 16. Students dismissed after lunch. (Could vary depending on the number of snow days.)
<b>July 2011
</b>Autism Speaks Annual 5K run and one-mile walk to benefit research on autism takes place on July 4 at the Potomac Library at the intersection of River and Falls Roads at 8 a.m. See www.autismspeaks.org or email autismspeaks5K@autismspeaks.org.
Montgomery County Fairgrounds 4th of July Fireworks, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg. Activities include live music, games and food. Call 301-258-6350.
Montgomery College Rockville Campus 4th of July Fireworks, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Activities include live music and food. Call 240-314-5022. See www.rockvillemd.gov.
Potomac Whitewater Festival in July, an annual fundraising event that celebrates kayaking in the Potomac River. Offers races for kayakers and clinics and activities for the public. See www.potomacfest.com
<b>August 2011
</b>Bethesda Outdoor Movies: Corner of Norfolk and Auburn avenues. Contact 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org for movie schedule.
Scotland Community Day annually takes place in August at the Scotland Community Center, 7700 Scotland Drive, Potomac. Call 301-983-4455 for more information.