August 2012

Potomac — Great Falls Tavern, Mule-Drawn Canal Boat Rides, through October. Wednesday-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 ahead to confirm, rides were suspended earlier this month due to low water. C&O Canal National Historical Park at Great Falls Visitor Center, 301-767-3714.

Glen Echo Park’s 1921 Dentzel Carousel, is in its 92nd year. The 1921 carousel will be open Saturday and Sundays, from noon to 6 p.m. through September. Additional hours in August. Call 301-634-2222 or visit www.glenechopark.org.

Potomac Farmers Market, organized by Montgomery County, through October, Thursdays, 2-6:30 p.m. Potomac United Methodist Church, 9908 South Glen Road at corner of Falls Road and Democracy Blvd. 301-792-6054.

First day of school, Montgomery County Public Schools, Monday, Aug. 27. See www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.

September 2012

Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery 42nd Annual Labor Day Art Show features the work of more than 250 artists, ranging from painting to pottery at Glen Echo. Visit www.glenechopark.org or www.yellowbarnstudio.com. Opening reception, Friday, Aug. 31, 7-9 p.m., Spanish Ballroom and will continue to be exhibited from Sept. 1-3. Free. Call 301-634-2222.

Cabin John Kids Run at the Cabin John Regional Park in Potomac, Westlake Drive. Free for runners 18 and under. Sunday, Sept. 15. A mile run, half-mile run and quarter mile young run is offered. Registration is race-day only. See www.mcrrc.org

74th Annual Labor Day Parade in the City of Gaithersburg, Monday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. rain or shine. Call 301-258-6350. See www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Potomac Library Book Sale, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Saturday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter. Runs most months.

Half Marathon, Sept. 9, 7 a.m., Annual Parks Half-marathon, www.parkshalfmarathon.com. Run from Rockville to Bethesda. Showcases Montgomery County’s park system. Sponsored by Montgomery County Road Runners Club, www.mcrrc.org.

Potomac Chamber of Commerce Networking, Thursday, Sept. 19, 4-6 p.m., Normandie Farm Restaurant. See www.potomacchamber.org. 299-2170.

Family Fun Fest. Friday, Sept. 28, 4-7 p.m., Potomac Community Center at 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac. Sponsored by Montgomery County Recreation and Friends of Potomac Community Center, “Who’s Got Talent” contest, carnival rides and games, prizes, petting zoo, DJ, $5 for unlimited rides and games.

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. 1-29 at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E. Reception, Friday, Sept. 14, 6-9 p.m. 301-215-6660. See www.bethesda.org.

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/.

Annual Bazaar, Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 10620 River Road, Sept. 21-23. See www.peterpaul.net. Call 301-765-9188.

Glen Echo Park’s 1921 Dentzel Carousel, is in its 91st 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.

October 2012

West Montgomery County Citizens Association (WMCCA), Potomac’s umbrella citizens association, is scheduled to hold its first general meeting. Meets the second Wednesday of each month, October through May. Potomac Community Center. 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. www.wmcca.org.

Potomac Country House Tour is an annual Potomac tradition in October organized by Saint Francis Episcopal Church, giving a glimpse inside some of Potomac’s most interesting homes while raising funds for dozens of local charities. Oct. 13-14. See www.potomaccountryhousetour.org for listing of activities and this year’s schedule.

Taste of Bethesda, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The 23rd Annual Taste of Bethesda, a food and music festival in the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda. Enjoy "tastes" from more than 55 participating restaurants, along with live entertainment and a children's activities area and classic car show. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.

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. 13, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored 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 to find this year’s October date.

Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Community Walk, to prevent suicides. Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to noon. Carderock Park Pavilion. Check-in at 9-10 a.m. This 3-5 mile walk, in conjunction with 200 communities across the country this fall, benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. See www.afsp.org or e-mail ncacchapter.afsp@gmail.com.

Potomac Day in Potomac Village, the annual community festival, will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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.

November 2012

The Potomac Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner, honors Potomac’s citizen, businessperson and youth of the year, Thursday, Nov. 5. Normandie Farm, 10710 Falls Road. See www.potomacchamber.org.

Potomac Community Center 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.

43rd Annual Book Festival, Nov. 1-11, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Rd., Rockville. Call 301-881-0100. See www.jccgw.org.

Rockville 10K/5K, 37th annual Montgomery County race, returns Nov. 4 to King Farm Village Community Center. See www.mcrrc.org.

West Montgomery County Citizens Association (WMCCA) general meeting, second Wednesday, Potomac Community Center, 7:15 – 8:45 p.m.

Bazaar, Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, Saturday, Nov. 10. See www.stgeorge.org or call 301-469-7990.

Potomac Library Book Sale, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Saturday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter.

Potomac Theatre Company's fall production is “My Fair Lady.” Nov. 16-18 and Nov. 23-25, 2011, Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. In the Blair Family Center for the Arts at the Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road. Call 301-299-8571. See www.potomactheatreco.org.

Dinner of Champions, Saturday, Nov. 17 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 21st annual 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. 22, 8:30 a.m. at 9401 Old Georgetown Road at Spruce Street. Includes a two-mile walk/run; wheelchairs welcome. See www.turkeychase.com. Sponsored by Congressional Bank.

Winter Lights is a 3.5-mile drive through a holiday light show at Seneca Creek Park with more than 360 illuminated displays. The 17th Annual Winter Lights Festival premiere is Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23-24, then nightly Nov. 30-Dec. 31. Proceeds from the Festival benefit local charities. Call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

December 2012

West Montgomery County Citizens Association, general meeting, second Wednesday, Potomac Community Center, 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. Public is welcome. See www.wmcca.org.

Potomac Library Book Sale, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 240-777-0690. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter.

Bethesda's Winter Wonderland takes place Dec. 1-2 at multiple locations, including 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 children. 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 17th Annual Winter Lights Festival premiere is Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23-24, then nightly Nov. 30-Dec. 31. Proceeds from the Festival benefit local charities. Call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Jingle Bell Jog 8K, Dec. 9, 9 a.m., at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive. See www.mcrrc.org.

Chanukah Festival, Dec. 8, 1-3 p.m. 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, collecting unwrapped new toys for needy children. Call 301-365-2255 or visit www.cjpvfd.org.

Bethesda Big Train, 2012 Baseball Holiday Auction, Sunday, Dec. 16. Doubletee Hotel. Guest speaker is ESPN Baseball Tonight’s Tim Kurkjian. See www.bigtrain.org or call 301-983-1006.

Friends of the Yellow Barn, 18th annual members show. Dec. 1 through Dec. 23. Visit www.glenechopark.org or www.yellowbarnstudio.com. Call 301-634-2222.

January 2013

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. Potomac falls into two districts, District 15 and District 16, each one with one senator and three delegates. http://mlis.state.md.us

West Montgomery County Citizens Association, general meeting, second Wednesday, Potomac Community Center, 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. Public is welcome. See www.wmcca.org.

February 2013

Chinese New Year is Sunday, Feb, 10 and is the year of the snake. Watch for local events at Potomac Library and Potomac Elementary School, which has a Chinese language immersion program.

The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, 4th annual show, Feb. 15-18, 2013. Organ is featured. Hilton Washington D.C./Rockville Hotel and Executive Meeting Center. The festival provides live musical performances, workshops and seminars. 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. Interfaith Works coordinates the fundraiser, 14 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville, 20850, 301-762-8682. See www.iworksmc.org.

West Montgomery County Citizens Association, general meeting, second Wednesday, Potomac Community Center, 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. Public is welcome. See www.wmcca.org.

More 2013

As organizations finalize their calendars, here are some highlights to look out for during the rest of 2012. See www.PotomacAlmanac.com.

West Montgomery County Citizens Association continues to meet the second Wednesday of every month through May at the Potomac Community Center. See wmcca.org.

March 2013

Potomac Theatre Company Spring production, in the Blair Family Center for the Arts at the Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road. Call 301-299-8571. See www.potomactheatreco.org.

April 2013

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. April 28, 2013. See the Montgomery County Road Runners Club website at www.mcrcc.org or pikespeek10k.com. Now named Kaiser Permanente Pike’s Peek 10K.

"Blast from the Past" at Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road in Potomac, presents its annual 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 C&O Canal Trust, brings 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, www.canaltrust.org, or see the park website at www.nps.gov/choh

Potomac Watershed Cleanup, sponsored annually by Alice Ferguson Foundation. Sat. April 16, 2013, 9 a.m. to noon. Last year, more than 14,000 volunteers picked up 262 tons of trash at last year’s April cleanup event, including 1,566 tires, 37,607 cigarette butts, 31,456 plastic bags, 185,350 recyclable bottles. Volunteers helped at many sites along the Potomac River in Potomac. See www.fergusonfoundation.org.

May 2013

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 or visit www.nps.gov.

Potomac Horse Center Annual Spring Open House, see www.PotomacHorse.com

Run Aware 5K, Cabin John Regional Park, Westlake Drive, organized by Montgomery County Road Runners Club. Race through woods, trails, and, if lucky, mud. Along with the 5K (Cross Country Series) race, there will be a 1K (Junior Participation Series) race. See www.mcrrc.org.

Spring Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George 7701 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda. The annual festival 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, May 19, 2013, an annual May tradition, celebrating the sport of steeplechase racing and benefiting local charities. Race day, festivities on include 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, May 3-5, 2013 in the Perkins Garden and the Landon campus, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda. The annual 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. Call 301-320-3200 or visit www.landon.net.

Mark’s Run, a 5-K race and one-mile run also takes place during the Landon Azalea Garden festival. Mark’s Run is held each year in memory of alumnus Mark Ferris '94, who lost his battle with juvenile diabetes. In May 2011 the run raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Ferris Scholarship Fund and $75,000 to the Joslin Diabetes Center. 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.

June 2013

Potomac Theatre Company’s June show is a Cabaret where the audience eats and drinks while watching a series of One-Act plays. In the Blair Family Center for the Arts at the Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road. Call 301-299-8571. See www.potomactheatreco.org.

Imagination Bethesda, 18th annual children's street festival celebrating the arts. 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.

2013 AT&T National, June 24–June 30, 2013, features 120 PGA Tour professionals at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda who will compete for a $6.5 million purse. The event raises funds and awareness for the Tiger Woods Foundation while paying tribute to U.S. armed forces. See www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org or www.usga.org.

July 2013

Autism Speaks Annual 5K run and one-mile walk to benefit research on autism takes place on July 4 at the Potomac Library, 10101 Glendolden Dr., one block from the intersection of River and Falls Roads at 8 a.m. Last year’s event raised more than $260,000. See www.autismspeaks.org or email autismspeaks5K@autismspeaks.org.

Montgomery County Fairgrounds 4th of July Fireworks, Activities include live music, games and food. Call 301-258-6350. See www.gaithersburgmd.gov

Montgomery College Rockville Campus 4th of July Fireworks, Rockville. Activities include live music and food. Call 240-314-5022. See www.rockvillemd.gov.

Potomac Whitewater Festival in late June or early July is 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.

Bethesda Outdoor Movies: Annual outdoor movie series at corner of Norfolk and Auburn avenues. Contact 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org for movie schedule.

August 2013

Riley’s Rumble Half-Marathon. See www.mcrrc.org.

Compiled by Ken Moore