Wednesday/Jan. 11
Parenting Program. "The Road to Independence," from 7-11 p.m., discusses what parents can do to raise dependable, accountable, responsible children. Parents will learn specific strategies for giving choices and setting limits to gain cooperation on chores and allowances. Free. At the Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Call 301-229-1347.
Hiking With Kids. Take an easy hike around Cabin John Regional Park that even the youngest toddler will enjoy from 11-11:45 a.m. Adults and children under age 3 welcome. Meet at the Cabin John Train Station in Cabin John Regional Park. Call 301-962-1477 for reservations.
Thursday/Jan. 12
The Division of Family and Community Partnerships will have the 2006 Summer Search Family Night on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 7-9 p.m. in the cafeteria at Richard Montgomery High School. The snow date for the event is Wednesday, Jan. 18. Summer Search Family Night offers parents and students an opportunity to meet program directors, obtain applications, learn about scholarships, and receive a copy of the new catalog of summer opportunities. For more information, call the Division of Family and Community Partnerships at 301-279-3100.
Beginning Leather Tooling. Stitching pouches of cow hide and embossing them with leather stamps from 4:30-5:45 p.m. For ages 7-12. $10 per child. So kids can gain some insight into what it was like for our ancestors to work with leather and to rely on its strength and durability. Call 301-962-1477 for reservations
Friday/Jan. 13
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers present traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances and several waltzes. Contra dance lesson from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Dance from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. to the Glen Echo Open Band. $8, in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. Contact info@fridaynightdance.org or visit www.fridaynightdance.org.
Art Walk. Patrons can view 12 downtown Bethesda galleries and studios from 6-9 p.m. at the Bethesda Art Walk. The Bethesda Art Walk allows art lovers to visit downtown Bethesda’s gallery community. For more information, call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Saturday/Jan. 14
Swing Dance. Tom and Debra, Washington, D.C.’s most popular swing dance instructors and promoters, present another special night of dancing to the Toni Lynn Washington Band. Beginner lesson with Tom and Debra 8 to 9 p.m. is followed by dancing until midnight. $13, in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. Visit http://www.gottaswing.com, or call the Dance Hotline at 703-359-9882.
The National Philharmonic Piano Trio, presents Rachmaninoff's "Trio …lÈgiaque," Op. 9, Mozart's Trio in G Major, K 564, Schumann's Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 63 at 8 p.m. at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre,
603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Tickets are $25, 18 and 11. Kids 7-17 are free. Call 240-314-8690.
The ASCE Toastmaster Club will meet at the Potomac Community Center, 1315 Falls Road at 9:20 am. Become a better public speaker. Newcomers welcome. Call 301-299-2826.
Potomac Library Used Book Sale on Saturday Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most hardbacks are $1 and most paperbacks are $.50. The library is located at 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac. Call 240-777-0690.
Children's Tour. A talk and tour for children through the current art exhibit at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Starts at 10:15 a.m. Includes an art related story and a hands-on activity. Free. Call 301-581-5109 for reservations.
Music. Christina Jennings, flute, and Lura Johnson, piano present a water theme program at 7:30 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets are $23 adult, $23 seniors and $15 students.
Sunday/Jan. 15
Ballroom Tea Dance. The La Salle Dance Orchestra returns for another full year of monthly dances featuring popular dance music of the 1920s and '30s. Whether its a fabulous fox-trot, a lovely waltz, a tantalizing tango, a romantic rumba or a sophisticated swing, you're guaranteed a wonderful afternoon of dancing. Marc and Ellen will teach an introductory class from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The orchestra plays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. $8, in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. Call 703-425-7926 or visit www.lasalledanceorchestra.com.
Contra & Square Dance. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American dancing with a focus on New England-style contra dances, and including square dances, country mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. All dances are taught, and no partner is necessary. The newcomers' welcome lesson is at 7 p.m., followed by called dances from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. $10/$8 FSGW/members, in the Spanish Ballroom. Call 202-518-1299 or visit www.fsgw.org.
Slow Blues dancing with popular teaching duo of Donna Barker and Mike Marcotte. The lesson from 7 - 8:30 p.m. is followed by blues dancing until 10:30 p.m. at the Town Hall in Glen Echo, at 6106 Harvard Avenue. The class will refine techniques of leading and following, present ideas for moving from closed to open position, suggest alternate footwork, offer ways to use dips, and follow through with moving musically. Prior experience is not necessary. Admission for the lesson and dance is $14; and $6 for the dance only. No partner necessary. Register at the door. For more information, call Donna Barker at 703-978-0375 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, or go to www.DanceDC.com.
Music. Rechard Spece, clarinet, and Alexander Paley, piano play at 3 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets are $23 adult, $23 seniors and $15 students.
Tuesday/Jan. 17
Scat Study. Join the Locust Grove Nature Center, Cabin John Regional Park, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, from 4-5 p.m. to study scat and what it can tell us about animals. $6. Ages 6-12. Call 301-962-1477 for reservations.
Wednesday/Jan. 18
Storytime. Join the Locust Grove Nature Center, Cabin John Regional Park, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, from 10-11 a.m. for a story about animals who live in shells. Then make a pretend hermit crab family to take home. $5. Ages 3-5 with an adult. Call 301-962-1477 for reservations.
Thursday/Jan. 19
Jaleo, located at 7271 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, announces a special dinner with wine expert, Francisco Astudillo of Elite Wines, speaking on behalf of Jean León on Thursday, Jan. 19. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and is priced at $65 per person (tax and gratuity not included) featuring a six-course meal created by Jaleo's culinary team lead by James Beard Award-winning Chef José Andrés. To book a reservation for the wine dinner, call 301-913-0003 or visit www.jaleo.com.
Friday/Jan. 20
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers present traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances and several waltzes. Contra dance lesson from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Dance from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. to eclectic Southern Maryland quartet Some Assembly. $8, in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. Contact info@fridaynightdance.org or visit www.fridaynightdance.org.
The Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of First Battalion, The Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guards, Friday Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. at the Robert Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville. Watch the blend of sounds of Scotland with traditional dance and detailed costumes. Tickets are $40 and $38 for seniors and students. Seating is reserved. Call 301-279-5301.
Saturday/Jan. 21
Swing Dance. The Washington Swing Dance Committee presents the extraordinary boogie-woogie sounds of the Daryl Davis Band. Pinetop Perkins chose the 27 years young Daryl to succeed him in the Muddy Waters Legendary Blues Band. Daryl works with such greats as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires and The Coasters. He was the featured pianist on Cephas & Wiggins’ album, Flip Flop & Fly. Beginner swing dance lesson 8 to 9 p.m., dance 9 p.m. to midnight, in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. $12 or volunteer for one hour and get in free. E-mail Derek at wsdcvolunteer@hotmail.com. For more information, call 301-340-9732 or visit www.wsdc.org.
Sunday/Jan. 22
Critiques and Coffee. A photo jam session at Photoworks. View and discuss traditional and digital images over coffee and bagels. Led by Photoworks staff, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Arcade Building. Call 301-229-7930 or visit www.glenechophotoworks.org.
Waltz Dance. Waltz Time's Sunday afternoon dance starts with a Waltz lesson from 3 to 3:30 p.m. This lesson is aimed at beginner dancers with little or no waltz experience, and no partner is required. More-experienced dancers are welcome to join in as a warm-up. The lesson is followed by an afternoon of waltzing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. Cost for the whole afternoon is only $8, and no partner required. Visit www.dancedc.com/waltz.html.
Contra and Square Dance. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American dancing with a focus on New England-style contra dances, and including square dances, country mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. All dances are taught, and no partner is necessary. The newcomers' welcome lesson is at 7 p.m., followed by called dances to 10:30 p.m. $10/$8 FSGW members, in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. Call 202-518-1299 or visit www.fsgw.org.
Monday/Jan. 23
Montgomery College will hold a second audition for the Montgomery College Symphony Orchestra on Monday, Jan. 23, starting at 6 p.m. All spaces for the first audition in December were filled. Community members and students, including high school students looking for college-level playing experience, are invited to audition for the orchestra. Auditions will take place in the Music Recital Hall, located in the Music Building at the Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville. All musicians, both new and returning, must audition each semester. To schedule a required audition time, call 301-279-5209.
Mom's Club of Potomac will be meeting at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac, at 10:30 a.m. A parenting expert will be discussing discipline. At-home moms and their children are welcome. For more information, call Eve Schiff at 301-299-0451.
Parenting Programs. "Just Say Yes! A Positive Approach to Setting Limits," from 7-9 p.m., will show parents how to set limits positively. Free. At the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda. Call 301-229-1347.
Thursday/Jan. 25
Women Business Owners Meeting. Join the Women Business Owners of Montgomery County (WBO) at 5:30 p.m. at The Doubletree Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville for a presentation on Life Balance vs. Life Burnout. The cost for this event is $35 for members and $40 for non-members for those who prepay by 12 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16. Registration after the Monday deadline, add $10. To RSVP, call 301-421-4890, ext. 2, or visit www.wbo-mc.com to register online. Indicate with the response if you would like to order a vegetarian meal.
Parenting Programs. "Girl Bullies: Dealing with Cliques and Exclusions," from 7-9 p.m., explores the bullying behaviors of girls and discusses strategies for helping bullies, victims and bystanders. Children and teens welcome. Free. At the Potomac Library 10101 Glenolden Road, Potomac. Call 301-229-1347.
Sunday/Jan. 29
Cinema Art Bethesda will show “Together,” in which music is both a burden and a salvation to a 13-year-old violin prodigy. The doors to the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Ave., will open at 9:30 a.m. and the film will begin at 10 a.m. A provocative discussion led by a local film expert will follow each film. Tickets at the door are $14. For further information, visit the Web site at http://CinemaArtBethesda.org or call 301-365-3679.
Slow Blues dancing with popular teaching duo of Donna Barker and Mike Marcotte. The lesson from 7 - 8:30 p.m. is followed by blues dancing until 10:30 p.m. at the Town Hall in Glen Echo, at 6106 Harvard Avenue. The class will refine techniques of leading and following, present ideas for moving from closed to open position, suggest alternate footwork, offer ways to use dips, and follow through with moving musically. Prior experience is not necessary. Admission for the lesson and dance is $14; and $6 for the dance only. Partners are not needed. Register at the door. Call Donna Barker at 703-978-0375 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, or go to www.DanceDC.com.
Monday/Jan. 30
Special Education Program. A free program on learning accommodations and strategies to help students with special education needs is presented at 7 p.m. at the Special Needs Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Sandra A. Mercer, a longtime advocate for special education students in Maryland, will discuss strategies for parents and students and the importance of a supportive environment for individuals with special education needs. To register, call the Special Needs Library at (voice) 240-777-0960 or (TTY) 301-897-2217 or email snlinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Friday/Feb. 3
The Friday Night Dancers present traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and several waltzes in the Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Contra dance lesson from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Dance from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. to Glen Echo favorite Mando Mafia. Tickets are $8. Contact info@fridaynightdance.org or visit www.fridaynightdance.org.
Saturday/Feb. 4
Jazz Concert. The Freddy Cole Quartet plays at 8 p.m. at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, as part of the center's 2005-2006 guest artist series. Tickets are $26, $24 for seniors and students. Call 301-279-5301 to make reservations. www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
Children's Theater. "Come Back, Amelia Bedelia and Other Stories," at 11 a.m. at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, features music and stories for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $7 adults and $6 seniors, students and children. Call 301-279-5301 for reservations. www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.
Sunday/Feb. 5
Li-Ming Toastmasters Club welcomes guests in developing communications and leadership skills from 10-11:30 a.m. at the staff lounge of Julius West Middle School, 651 Great Falls Road, Rockville. Call 301-279-8720 or visit www.li-ming.org/toastmaster.
Friday/Feb. 10
Lecture. "Movies, Race, and World War II." This video-illustrated lecture by Thomas Cripps of Morgan State University is from 7-9 p.m. and demonstrates how Hollywood films such as "Sundown," "Sahara," "Lifeboat" and government propaganda movies like "The Negro Soldier" anticipated the politics of racial activism and offer a documentary record of that aspect of American history. At the Beall-Dawson House, 103 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville. Call M-NCPPC's historic preservation section, 301-563-3400.
Saturday/Feb. 11
Owl Prowl. Explore the refuge at night while looking and listening for owls from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. For all ages. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Nature Tots: Introduce preschoolers to the wonderful world of birds through songs, stories, and crafts from 10:30-11:30 p.m. and 1-2 p.m. in this fun, interactive program at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 197. Ages 3-4. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Sunday/Feb. 12
Bird Hike. Search for birds in several refuge habitats from 8:15-10:15 a.m. on this guided hike at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. Field guides and binoculars recommended. For all ages. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Whose Clues? Come learn about animals from 2-3 p.m. by looking for the signs they leave behind in this hands-on interactive program with stories, songs, and crafts at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 197. Ages 5-7. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Wednesday/Feb. 15
Nature Hike. Discover the changes nature is going through from 1-2 p.m. on this guided hike at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. Ages 8-10. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.
Sunday/Feb. 19
Signs of Spring. Explore the refuge for the first signs of spring plants such as skunk cabbage and spice bush from 9-11 a.m. on this guided walk at the Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract on Route 198 between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 32. Ages 16 and up. Free. Call 301-497-5887 for reservations. www.patuxent.fws.gov.