Montgomery Community Events May 15-22, 2008

Thursday 15

CHINESE BOOK DISCUSSION, Ba Jin's "Cold Nights," in Chinese. The novel, set in China in 1944, tells of a man, his wife and mother during the final years of the Sino-Japanese war. 10 a.m., Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-773-9490.

PLANT CLINIC, Montgomery County master gardeners answer gardening questions; bring in plant specimens and insect samples for identifying and diagnosing problems. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays, Montgomery County Extension Office, 18410 Muncaster Rd., Derwood. Free. Plant Hotline: 301-590-9650, weekday mornings.

SEATED VOLLEYBALL, for people 55 and older, noon-1 p.m. today and next Thursday. Long Branch Senior Center, Long Branch Community Center, Social Hall, 8700 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring. Free, registration required. 301-431-5700.

PRIEST ABUSE SUPPORT GROUP, sponsored by Voice of the Faithful and Survivors' Network of Those Abused by Priests. Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 301-460-5588.

Friday 16

SEWING WORKSHOP, for beginners, seamstress Mariette Ward's subjects include hemming, taking measurements, pinning and cutting a pattern and making alterations. 10:30 a.m., Long Branch Senior Center, Long Branch Community Center, 8700 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring. Free, registration required. 301-431-5700.

NATIVE PLANT AND WILDFLOWER SALE, proceeds benefit naturalist programs at the park. Sponsored by the Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs. 5-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds. 301-916-0220 or http://www.BlackHillNature.org.

Saturday 17

SPRING CARNIVAL, for all ages, carnival games, a moon bounce, rides, basketball shootout, food, live music, a limbo contest, a flea market and bazaar (open until noon) and a live auction. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Burtonsville Elementary School, 15516 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. First wristband for admission to all activities and carnival games, $8; two wristbands, $15; four for $20. 240-381-3984.

REGIONAL CENTER YARD SALES, a series of community yard sales offering antiques, toys, books, music and educational CDs, clothing, jewelry, household items, electronics, carpets, and health and beauty products; proceeds benefit the Eastern Montgomery Emergency Assistance Network; sponsored by the Eastern Montgomery Regional Center; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. the third Saturday of each month, through October, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring. Admission, free; vendor space, $10. 240-777-8411.

STORY TIME, for children 3-6 accompanied by an adult, stories about nature and the four seasons and a nature-related craft. 10 and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays through June 14, Brookside Gardens, Children's Classroom, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Free. 301-962-1400 or http://www.brooksidegardens.org.

PLANT CLINICS, master gardeners from Montgomery County Cooperative Extension answer questions on indoor and outdoor plants, insects, plant diseases and wildlife management; includes advice on pruning. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-773-9490.

STRAWBERRY AND ARTS FESTIVAL, the 18th annual event includes strawberry shortcake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, home-baked goods and other foods, an artisans market area and children's activities. Also, a silent auction of chances to win tickets to sporting events, trips and collectibles; proceeds benefit more than 14 programs and missions locally and abroad. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Potomac United Methodist Church, 9908 S. Glen Rd., Potomac. Admission, free. 301-299-9383 or http://www.potomac-umc.org.

YOUTH BOOK CLUB, for students 13-18 accompanied by an adult, a librarian leads a discussion of Kurt Vonnegut's novel "Cat's Cradle," in which characters chase each other in search of the world's most dangerous substance, a new form of ice. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Free, registration required. 240-773-9460.