Montgomery Community Events Aug. 7-14, 2008

Thursday 7

COLOR PHOTO CONTEST, submissions of color photographs are being accepted for the "Great Communities" photo contest; a panel of experienced photographers will judge two categories, adult and youth (age 17 and younger); pictures should show quality of life, urban downtowns, rural life, parks and trails, residents, buildings and public spaces taken in the county since Jan. 1, 2007; photos may be entered as 4x6 or 5x7 prints or high-resolution digital images; winning photographers can receive cash awards from $75 to $300 and have their images displayed at public events, published in Planning Department publications and posted on the Web site; deadline for entries is Aug. 20 and an entry form must accompany photos; sponsored by Montgomery County Planning Department; submissions can be dropped off 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily or mailed to "Photo Contest" at the following address; winners will be announced at the Magical Montgomery festival, Sept. 27 in Silver Spring. Montgomery County Planning Department, Suite 211, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Free. 301-495-4600 or http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/planning/photocontest.

SOLAR CAR DERBY REGISTRATION, for children ages 8 to 14 accompanied by an adult, ongoing registration for a solar car derby where children will assemble and keep a working, solar-powered model car and race their cars 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 23; students will also learn about clean energy; participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a Montgomery County resident; sponsored by Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center. Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring. Free, registration required; space is limited and participants are required to show up promptly at 10 a.m. 240-777-7700 or askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov.

HEALTH AND EXERCISE PROGRAM, for seniors, Chris Haynes, a nurse from Suburban Hospital, leads a weekly walk for exercise. Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring. Free. 301-681-1255.

LIVE BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT, Asian, Costa Rican and North American butterflies fly freely among tropical flowering plants. Learn about the butterfly life cycle; tickets may be purchased either at the Visitors Center or at the conservatory gift shops; the walk between the buildings is approximately two-tenths of a mile or an eight-minute walk along a shady but steep incline. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, through Sept. 21, Brookside Gardens, South Conservatory, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. $5; ages 3 to 12, $4. 301-962-1453 or http://www.brooksidegardens.org.

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.

SMALL BUSINESS COUNSELING, members of Senior Corps of Retired Executives provide one-on-one counseling for people with small businesses. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays and Tuesdays, Rockville Library, Meeting Room No. 2, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Free. 240-777-0001.

ORIGAMI CRAFT CLASS, for adults, Lois Dicker, an origami teacher, demonstrates the art of paper folding and makes basic paper creations. 10:30 a.m., Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring. Free. 301-681-1255.

DRAWING AND PAINTING CLASS, for seniors, artist Maria Gonzalez of Arts for the Aging teaches a class for beginners and offers tips on drawing techniques and subjects. 11 a.m. Thursdays, Long Branch Senior Center, Long Branch Community Center, 8700 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring. Free. 301-431-5700.

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP, for those with chronic pain, and their family and friends, neurologist Robert Gerwin talks about fibromyalgia, a chronic pain illness characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, and how to treat it; participants can bring ice or heat packs, pillows and mats to be comfortable; sponsored by Pain Connection. 1:30-3 p.m., Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Free. 240-777-0922.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP, for people widowed less than two years. 2-3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton. Free. 301-949-7398.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP, for people who are widowed two years or less; a weekly support group. 2-4 p.m. Thursdays, Leland Community Center, 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase. Free. 301-949-7398.

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE PROGRAM, for children ages 5 to 14 accompanied by an adult, a "Play Ball" themed science program; science center staff explain how scientists search for answers to questions like "How does a baseball stay airborne?" and more; sponsored by the Maryland Science Center. 2 p.m., Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Free, tickets are required and can be picked up at the Children's Desk. 240-773-9490.