Montgomery Community Events July 17-24, 2008

Thursday 17

CHILDREN'S TEA PARTY REGISTRATION, for ages 4 to 8 accompanied by an adult, ongoing registration for popular program; a librarian reads "Miss Spider's Tea Party" while children have cookies and "tea." 11 a.m. Aug. 9; space is limited. Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-773-9497 or http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE FIELD TRIP, for people with cancer and their family members or caregivers, ongoing registration for a guided tour of the National Library of Medicine at NIH, followed by a demonstration of medical research databases. 1-3:30 p.m. Aug. 19. Participants meet at the Wellness Community-Greater Washington to carpool to NIH grounds; bring photo ID for admission to NIH. The Wellness Community, Suite 100, 5430 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda. Free. 301-493-5002 or twcdc@thewellnesscommunity.org.

CHILD SAFETY-SEAT INSPECTION, specially trained police officers check the condition and installation of child safety seats. Children up to age 8 are required to use a federally approved child seat or booster seat when riding in a motor vehicle, unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall or weigh more than 65 pounds. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Fitzgerald Auto Mall, 5501 Nicholson Lane, Rockville. Free. 240-773-5030.

LIVE BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT, as Asian, Costa Rican and North American butterflies fly among tropical flowering plants, learn about the butterfly life cycle. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, through Sept. 21, Brookside Gardens south conservatory, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Tickets available at the visitors center and conservatory gift shops. No strollers. $5; ages 3-12, $4. 301-962-1453 or http://www.brooksidegardens.org.

CHILDREN'S READING PROGRAM, for ages 5 to 12 accompanied by an adult, David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans sing about reading, books, and insects; part of the library's "Catch a Reading Bug" summer reading program. 10:30 a.m., Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Potomac. Free. 240-777-0690 or http://www.twoofakind.com.

CHILDREN'S STORY TIME, for ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult, a librarian shows short films, sings songs and leads stretches. 10:30 a.m., Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase. Free. 240-773-9590.

CHILDREN'S THEATER PERFORMANCE, for ages 2 to 6 accompanied by an adult, the Rainbow Company children's theater troupe performs "Anansi the Spider," about a mischievous character in traditional Ashanti tales from Ghana. 2 p.m., Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-777-0200.

MONTGOMERY HOSPICE WORKSHOP, a discussion of "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," led by a hospice professional. 2-3:30 p.m. today and 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Montgomery Hospice, Suite 100, 1355 Piccard Dr., Rockville. Free, registration required. 301-921-4400.

RAMAYANA DANCE PERFORMANCE, choreographer Nilimma Devi leads a performance of "Ramayana," a 2,000-year-old Asian epic using masks and colorful costumes, as interpreted by young dancers; sponsored by the Sutradhar Institute of Dance and Related Arts. 2 p.m., Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring. Free. 301-681-1255.

YOUTH BOARD GAMES, for ages 10 to 18 accompanied by an adult, learn how to play or improve your gaming skills, pizza served. 2 p.m. today, July 24 and 31, Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville. Free. 240-773-9410.

YOUTH FILM, a screening of "Eight-Legged Freaks" (2002), a PG-13 action thriller about giant poisonous spiders. 3 p.m., Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Free. 240-777-0140.

YOUTH BANDS CONCERT, local teen bands perform; sponsored by Aspen Hill library and the Montgomery County Recreation Department. 7-9 p.m. today, July 24 and 31, Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville. Free. 240-773-9410, Ext. 79409.