To have community events listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send mail to 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, MD 20854, e-mail Joy Allen at almanac@connectionnewspapers.com, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 10
<cal2>Time for Twos. Songs, rhymes, stories and fingerplays for 2-year-olds (ages 24-36 months). Pre-registration required. Call to register. 9 a.m., at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY.
Truth for Real Course. Introductory course for understanding Adi Da Samraj and Adidam. Thursday, Feb. 10, 7:30-9 p.m. Donations. Call 301-656-6277. At Adidam Revelation Bookstore & Dharma Arts Center, 7215 Arlington Road, Suite 202, Bethesda.
The Potomac Area Newcomers Club (PANC) meets for lunch at a member's home. Cost is $12. For reservations and directions call 301-365-2927.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 12
<cal2>Valentine's Day Guitar Gala. The Levine School of Music Guitar Faculty, including Franco Platino and Risa Carlson, provides a romantic evening of several styles of guitar music, with a dessert and wine reception at intermission. Proceeds will underwrite financial aid and enrichment opportunities at Levine School of Music. Saturday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m., at Round House Theatre, 7501 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. Cost is $50 for premium seating; $35 for general admission; $20 for children 12 and under. 202-686-8011 or www.levineschool.org.
Book Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY. Sponsored by the Friends of the Potomac Library. Most hardbacks are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents.
English Language Conversation Club. 3 p.m., at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY. Practice and improve English with the help of volunteers leading discussions. Two hours.
The Catholic Alumni Club of Washington, an organization of 400 single Catholics, is sponsoring a Valentine's Day Singles Dance on Feb. 12, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., at the Bethesda/Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Reception Hall, 5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda. Admission is $15, and there is dancing to a D.J. Proper dress required; no jeans or sneakers. For all ages 21 and older. For more information, call George at 703-768-4243 or visit www.dcsinglecatholicpro.org.
"How to Write Music for Families." Singing and song-writing duo Trout Fishing in America hosts this workshop at 6 p.m., at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. This class for professional songwriters teaches how to write songs appealing to both adults and children. $25. For information or to enroll, call 301-581-5100.
Beach Party. 7-10 p.m., at Connelly School of the Holy Child, 9029 Bradley Blvd., Potomac, in the main building. Featuring DJ Doug, dancing, a tattoo parlor, necklace-making, sand art, refreshments and more. Wear Hawaiian shirts and beach garb. $5 at the door. Call 301-365-0561 or e-mail prc-inc.org to make reservations.
Socrates Cafe, a philosophical discussion group exploring "big questions," loosely based on the Socratic method of dialogue, meets, 7-9 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville. Coffees, teas and light refreshments will be served. Contact 301-762-7666 or www.uucr.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 13
<cal2>Singing and songwriting duo Trout Fishing in America performs with Dan Zanes & Friends at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10-32. The show consists of two, 45-minute sets and an intermission. The show takes place at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For information or tickets, call 301-581-5100.
Russian Lecture. 4 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. Newcomers from the former Soviet Union are invited to attend a lecture, presented in Russian, on the United States tax system. For more information, call Yelena at 301-348-3874 or Valeria at 301-348-3875.
Café Seret (Movie Café). 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. View the highly-acclaimed, Israeli-produced film “Broken Wings,” then discuss it. For more information about this free program, call Debbie Sokobin at 301-348-3760.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 14
<cal2>Rock Club Meeting. The Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Montgomery County meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive, Rockville. The program will be a presentation by Mike Ellwood. The title of his talk is “ Fossil Collecting Opportunities in the D.C. Area.” Mike is past president of the Calvert Marine Museum Fossil Club and is an expert on area fossils and collecting locations. Visitors are always welcome and there is no charge. Call 301-299-8213 for information.
The Chuck Redd Trio performs as part of Strathmore's Music in the Mansion season. 7:30 p.m. Its Latin-tinged jazz program is titled “Sounds of Rio.” Tickets are $26 for general admission, $23 for seniors, and $15 for students. Tickets can be obtained by visiting www.strathmore.org or by calling 301-581-5100. The Mansion at Strathmore is located at 10701 Rockville Pike, in North Bethesda.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 15
<cal2>"Over the Rainbow: A Concert Celebrating a Century of Harold Arlen" commemorates the 100th anniversary of Arlen's birth. Featuring Broadway star Faith prince and television and Broadway singer Tom Wopat, as well as a jazz combo. 8 p.m., at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For information or tickets, call 301-581-5100. Tickets are $27.50-$65.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 16
<cal2>Potomac Book Club. 1 p.m., at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY. This adult book discussion's current book is "The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse." Ask for the book at the Circulation Desk. No registration required. Two hours.
Los Hombres Calientes brings its African- and South American-influenced, New Orleans-style jazz and funk to the Strathmore Signature Series at 8 p.m., at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For information or tickets, call 301-581-5100. Tickets are $18-32.
Trumpet and percussion masters Irvin Mayfield and Bill Summers present a master class in New Orleans jazz for musicians, age 14 and up, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For information or to register, call 301-581-5100. $25.
Kum Schmooz. 1 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. Meet with fellow landslayt (countrymen) and speak the mamaloshen (“Mother Tongue”). For more information, call Lynn Gittleson at 301-348-3840.
Jewish History Book Club. 7:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. For the title of the book to be discussed, call Barbara Winnik at 301-348-3778.
Archaeology Lecture. 8 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. Dr. Kyle McCarter of Johns Hopkins University presents an illustrated lecture titled “The Great Flood.” Admission is $5 for JCC members and the Center’s Archaeology Lecture Series benefactors, and $8 for the general public. For more information, call Lynn Gittleson at 301-348-3840.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 19
<cal2>Lunar New Year Celebration, with the Chinese School of the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington, D.C. All ages. Noon, at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY.
English Language Conversation Club. 3 p.m., at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY. Practice and improve English with the help of volunteers leading discussions. Two hours.
Dance Bethesda, downtown Bethesda's inaugural event, features a weekend of activities, including a formal dance concert at 8 p.m., at Round House Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and younger, cash or check only. Round House Theatre is located at the corner of East-West Highway and Waverly Street in downtown Bethesda. For information, call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Singles Expo Mixer and Casino Night. 7:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 125 Montrose Road, Rockville. For more information or reservations, contact Rita Cohen at 301-348-3866 or rcohen@jccgw.org. $40.
“The Vagina Monologues.” The Montgomery College women’s studies program and the women’s studies student group presents “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler, at the Rockville Campus, at 8 p.m., in the Theater Arts Arena, located in the Theatre Arts Building, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Contains frank language and is intended for a mature audience.$12 for adults; $6 for students and seniors. As this is a fund-raiser, all donations and tickets are tax-deductible. Tickets are available in advance or at the performance. For information, contact 301-279-5355.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 20
<cal2>Waltz Dance for Everyone. Sunday, Feb. 20, in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Introductory Waltz Workshop, 3-3:30 p.m., followed by waltzing, 3:30-6 p.m. The band The Magic Waltz Trio performs. Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is $7 per person. For more information, call Donna Barker at 703-978-0375 or Glen Echo Park at 301-320-2330.
Singles Expo. 11 a.m. brunch, 1 p.m. interactive workshops, 8:30 p.m. gala dance with a 20-piece orchestra and a DJ. Brunch and workshops cost $70 and the gala dance costs $30. At the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 125 Montrose Road, Rockville. For more information or reservations, contact Rita Cohen at 301-348-3866 or rcohen@jccgw.org.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 21
<cal2>The MOMS Club of Potomac offers activities and support for stay-at-home moms and their children. New calendars and newsletters are given out the third Monday of every month. The group meets at 10:30 a.m., at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road. For more information call Gloria at 301-765-7635.
Discover Strathmore Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This year's free family festival focuses on the traditional arts including music, crafts, stories and dance passed down by families, communities, and tribal, ethnic and occupational groups. Live performances, demonstrations and hand-on activities educate and entertain children at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For information or tickets, call 301-581-5100.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 22
<cal2>Baby Time. Songs, rhymes, stories and fingerplays especially designed to encourage early literacy skills in pre-talkers (ages 0-12 months). 10:30 a.m., at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Call to register. 30 minutes.
National Council of Jewish Women. All interested persons can come hear Rachel Murov, director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee of the greater Washington and Baltimore region, to address the topic “How AIPAC Serves the Jewish Community. Reservation deadline is Feb. 17. Dairy lunch, $7. Desert and coffee, $2. To make reservations, call 301-871-1169 after 1 p.m. For more information, call 301-468-6124.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 23
<cal2>"Oliver," a musical, is performed Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. (preview); Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 24-26, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.; at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for others. Preview tickets are two for the price of one. Thursday evening performances feature Afterwards, a discussion about the play immediately following the performance. Call 301-279-5301, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
Percussion Ensemble Concert. 6 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. For more information about this free concert, call Janet Getz at 301-348-3779.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 24
<cal2>"Oliver," a musical, is performed Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. (preview); Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 24-26, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.; at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for others. Preview tickets are two for the price of one. Thursday evening performances feature Afterwards, a discussion about the play immediately following the performance. Call 301-279-5301, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
A documentary film on Adi Da Samraj, "The Outpouring of Divine Brightness," is screened Thursday, Feb. 24, 7:30-9 p.m. Free. At Adidam Revelation Bookstore & Dharma Arts Center, 7215 Arlington Road, Suite 202, Bethesda.
Parenting Workshop. 7:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. The JCC’s Bender-Dosik Parenting Center presents this workshop on parenting differences between mothers and fathers. The fee is $10 for JCC members and $12 for the general public. For more information, call Robin at 301-348-3837.
Memory Workshop. 7:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville. Instructor “Memory Mike” Druckman will teach techniques to improve reading recall. The fee for this workshop is $8 for JCC members and $10 for the general public. For more information, call Rita Cohen at 301-348-3866.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 25
<cal2>"Oliver," a musical, is performed Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. (preview); Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 24-26, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.; at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for others. Preview tickets are two for the price of one. Thursday evening performances feature Afterwards, a discussion about the play immediately following the performance. Call 301-279-5301, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 26
<cal2>"Oliver," a musical, is performed Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. (preview); Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 24-26, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.; at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for others. Preview tickets are two for the price of one. Thursday evening performances feature Afterwards, a discussion about the play immediately following the performance. Call 301-279-5301 or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
Symphonic Blockbusters Series. Grammy nominee Cho-Liang Lin plays Tchaikovsky's violin concerto on a program with Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique." Saturday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m., at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets may be purchased through the Strathmore Ticket Office by calling 301-581-5100. Ticket prices are $65, $45, $40, $35, and $25. Children 7-17 are free.
English Language Conversation Club. 3 p.m., at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 240-777-0690, 301-765-4083 TTY. Practice and improve English with the help of volunteers leading discussions. Two hours.
District 15 Town Hall Meeting. Sen. Rob Garagiola (D-15), Del. Kathleen Dumais (D-15) and Del. Brian Feldman (D-15) host a town hall meeting, 11 a.m.-noon, at Potomac Community Library, in the meeting room. All are invited to attend and discuss issues pertinent to Montgomery County and Maryland as well as the 2005 Maryland General Assembly Session. For more information, contact Diane Yaeger at 301-858-3169.