Montgomery Community Events May 15-22, 2008

Thursday, May 15, 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.

LIBRARY PATRON APPRECIATION DAY, for library patrons of all ages, giveaways, music, refreshments and prizes. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-773-9490.

YOUTH HIV AWARENESS PROGRAM, for ages 14-20, a health fair focusing on HIV prevention among youths and an opportunity to talk to HIV-AIDS counselors or get tested. Also, health-related games and prizes. Sponsored by Montgomery College; Identity Inc., a nonprofit organization that works with area Latino youth to help them mature into adulthood; and GapBuster Learning Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting higher levels of achievement for youths. Noon-5 p.m., Montgomery College, Takoma Park, 7600 Takoma Ave., Takoma Park. Free. 301-422-1272.

HOME BUYER FORUM, Sen. Rob Garagiola (D-Montgomery) will talk about on the state and county economy, and three panels of industry specialists talk about how to buy a home, pricing a home to sell, improving a credit report and how to talk to a lender; sponsored by Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce. 1-5 p.m., Little Bennett Elementary School, 23930 Burdette Forest Rd., Clarksburg. Free. 301-515-8200 or 301-442-4972 or http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/clarksburg.

GARDEN TOURS, includes seasonal flowers in bloom; meet at rear-exit doors. 2 p.m. Saturdays, through June 14, Brookside Gardens, Visitors Center, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Free. 301-962-1400 or http://www.brooksidegardens.org.

CHILDREN AND DOGS WORKSHOP, for ages 5-12, Colleen Pelar, author of "Living With Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Hair," demonstrates how children should behave around their own and other people's dogs and how to read dogs' body language; sponsored by Your Dog's Friend. 3 p.m., Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac. Free, reservations required. 301-983-5913 or http://www.yourdogsfriend.info.

Sunday 18

PHOTO CRITIQUE WORKSHOP, a Photoworks faculty member leads an informal discussion of images and a session to critique photos; bring digital or traditional images in color or black and white. Coffee and bagels will be served; a monthly meeting sponsored by Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. 10 a.m.-noon, Glen Echo Park, Photoworks Studio, North Arcade Building, across from Dentzel Carousel, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Free. 301-229-7930 or http://www.glenechophotoworks.org.

PFLAG SUPPORT GROUP, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. 2 p.m., Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda. Free. 301-439-3524 or http://www.pflagdc.org.

CULINARY HISTORY DISCUSSION, a panel and group discussion with historians, hearth cooks, chefs, writers and other food enthusiasts on experiences that sparked an interest in food and food history; sponsored by Culinary Historians of Washington. 2:30-4:30 p.m., Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Meeting Room A, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. 301-320-6979, http://www.chowdc.org or appetite@kousoulas.com.

Monday 19

VETERANS ISSUES FORUM, U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and other business leaders talk about issues facing veterans, the steps Congress is taking to address them, and benefits and services available to veterans and their families. 10-11:30 a.m., Bohrer Park Activity Center, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 301-424-3501.

PHOTO EXHIBITON AND OPENING RECEPTION, young photographers' images. Sponsored by Photoworks. 5-7 p.m., Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Free, reservations suggested. 301-229-7930 or http://www.glenechophotoworks.org.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, Hani Miletski, a sex therapist, leads a discussion of "Sex and Intimacy After Prostate Cancer," sponsored by Suburban Hospital Cancer Program. 7-8:30 p.m., Suburban Hospital, 8600 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda. Free. 301-896-2193 or sjacobstein@suburbanhospital.org.

ELEANOR CLIFT, the journalist and "McLaughlin Group" TV panelist discusses her book "Two Weeks of Life: A Memoir of Love, Death and Politics," the parallel stories of the deaths of Florida resident Terri Schiavo and Clift's husband, journalist Tom Brazaitis. 7:30 p.m., Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase. Free. 301-656-2797.

Tuesday 20

VISION SUPPORT GROUP, for people with low vision, Scott Holden, of Vision Support Systems gives a talk, "Update on Video Magnification." Bring a lunch; refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. 12:30-1:30 p.m., Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase. Free. 301-656-2797.

DOMESTIC ADOPTION DISCUSSION, for adults, an information meeting on domestic adoption of infants and older children, sponsored by Adoptions Together, a nonprofit organization that provides child-placement services and lifelong support to people affected by adoption. 7-8:15 p.m., Adoptions Together, Suite 200, 10230 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Free, registration requested. 301-422-5110, http://adoptionstogether.org or jklotz@adoptionstogether.org.

OPERA CLUB MEETINGS.7 p.m., Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-773-9490.

MENTAL HEALTH YOUTH SUPPORT GROUP, for parents of children with mental illness, a supervisor from St. Luke's House will talk about the organization's career transitions program for high school juniors and seniors with emotional disabilities. The program is intended to help students make a successful transition to college, to help set career and education goals and to help with job placement. Sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Montgomery County; refreshments will be served. Free parking is available in the Lincoln Street parking garage. 7:30 p.m., Suburban Hospital, Lower Level, Room CR 6, 7, 8600 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda. Free. 301-949-5852 or http://www.namimc.org.

DISABLED CHILDREN'S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT, for parents, family members and caregivers of children with disabilities, a support group to share feelings, coping mechanisms and planning strategies. 7:30-8:45 p.m. Tuesday and the third Tuesday of each month, Jewish Social Service Agency, 6123 Montrose Rd., Rockville. Free, registration required. 301-816-2633.

Wednesday 21

YOUTH GAME CLUB, for ages 12-18, classic board games, cards and trivia; light snacks. 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays, Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-773-9490.

SINGLE MOTHERS AND POVERTY TALKS, the first in a series of panel discussions with consultants, policymakers, advocates and service providers to address challenges of single mothers living in poverty. This week's topic is "In the Shadows: Single Mothers, Young Children and Poverty." Sponsored by Montgomery County Commission for Women. 7-9 p.m., Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center, Suite 100, 401 N. Washington St., Rockville. Free, registration required. 240-777-8330 or http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw.

YOUNG READERS BOOK CLUB, for ages 5 to 9 accompanied by an adult, a librarian leads a discussion of Caralyn Buehner's "Fanny's Dream," Marc Brown's "Arthur Tricks the Tooth Fairy" and other short stories. 7-8 p.m., Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Free, registration required. 240-773-9460.

BETHESDA TOASTMASTERS MEETING, for people interested in developing public speaking, listening and leadership skills. 7:15-9 p.m., Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane. Free, registration required. 301-571-4324, http://www.hat.freetoasthost.org or mg6469@yahoo.com.

Thursday 22

MORNING BOOK DISCUSSION, for adults, a librarian leads a discussion of Richard Russo's fifth novel, "Empire Falls," set in a crumbling mill town in Maine. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Fairland Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Free, registration required. 240-773-9460.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

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