To have community events listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, Va. 22102, e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in Potomac. If you have any questions, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 12
<cal2>Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes, and literary activities for children 36 months and up at Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 10:30 a.m. Call 240-777-0970.
English Conversation Club. The English Conversation Club is for people who want to practice speaking English in a friendly setting at Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 2 p.m. Call 240-777-0970.
Focus Music. Enjoy the folk group Hot Soup at O’Brien’s BBQ, 387 East Gude Drive, Rockville, 8 p.m. Tickets are $15, general and $12 for Focus Music members. Visit www.focusmusic.org.
Afternoon Tea. Enjoy music by local musicians while drinking Strathmore’s specially brewed tea at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701, Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, 1 p.m. Cost is $20. Call 301-581-5108 or visit www.strathmore.com.
Robyn Helzner Trio. The Robyn Helzner Trio will perform Jewish music at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Call 301-581-5108 or visit www.strathmore.com.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 13
<cal2>Holiday Lanterns. Brighten up the long nights with a traditional German-style candle lantern made in the guise of an animal or elf at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 4:30-5:30 p.m. All children must have an adult helper. Cost is $7. Ages 6-12. To register go www.parkpass.org.
Birth parent support group. For those who have ever placed a child up for adoption. At the The Barker Foundation, 7979 Old Georgetown Road, 1st floor, 7-9 p.m. Ages 21 and up. Free. Call 301-664-9664.
Time for Twos. Stories, songs, and literary activities for children 24 to 36 months old attending with an adult at Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 10:30 a.m. Call 240-777-0970.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 14
<cal2>Nature Crafts. Use nature's materials and one’s imagination to create decorations and ornaments for the winter home at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 4-5 p.m. Cost is $5. Ages 5 and up. To register go www.parkpass.org.
Bethesda Art Walk. Patrons can delight in 12 downtown Bethesda galleries at the Bethesda Art Walk. The Bethesda Art Walk allows art lovers to visit downtown Bethesda’s gallery community from 6-9 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and several waltzes. Contra dance lesson from 7:30 - 8:15 p.m. Dance from 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. to the Glen Echo Open Band. In the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Admission: $9. Contact info@fridaynightdance.org.
Mr. Churchill Pageant. Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road, is hosting its second annual Mr. Churchill Pageant at 7 p.m. in the Bish Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and close at 7:10 p.m. Tickets are $10 if payment is received before Dec. 14. Tickets at the door are $15. Visit www.churchillsga.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 15
<cal2>Swing Dance. Jingle Bell Rock with the Daryl Davis Band in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. The evening will kick off with a beginning swing lesson taught by Marc Shepanek and Ellen Engle at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., the Daryl Davis Band will take the stage and play until midnight. $13 or volunteer for an hour to get in free. Contact volunteers@flyingfeet.org to get on the volunteer schedule. Contact dance@flyingfeet.org.
Saturday Stories. Stories, songs, and literary activities for families at Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 10:30 a.m. Call 240-777-0970.
Flannel Board Stories. Drop in for a seasonal tale of winter delight at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 11-11:30 a.m. All ages. Free. Visit www.parkpass.org.
Wine Tasting. Enjoy Italian wine at Bella Italia, 4844 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 6-8 p.m. Ages 21 and up. Free. Call 301-654-2667.
Carousel Tours. Carousel tours start at 12 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, and give visitors a closer look at the 1921 Dentzel carousel. Find out how it was made, how it works, and about the rest of the amusement park attractions that were built around it. Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Park Tour. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, tours begin at 2 p.m. and lead visitors through a walking tour of the Park to learn about its history and the current programs in arts, dance and children’s activities. Admission is free. Tours begin at the visitor's desk in the Arcade Building..Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Nature Program. Come visit Discovery Creek Children's Museum Forest Tales exhibition at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Spend time with the entire family while participating in engaging science and nature activities. In the former Glen Echo Park stable building, near the park entrance. Open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is free for members and children under 2, $5 for nonmembers. Call 202-337-5111 to make arrangements or visit www.discoverycreek.org.
English Conversation Club. Join in practicing and improving one’s spoken English with the help of volunteers leading discussions at the Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, 3 p.m. Call 240-777-0690.
Traditional Jewish Music. The New Klezmer Quintet with Ramon Tasat will perform at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit www.strathmore.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 16
<cal2>Waltz Dance. Waltz Time presents a beginning waltz lesson from 3-3:30 p.m., followed by an afternoon of waltzes and other couples dances. Dancing from 3:30-6 p.m. to the music of The Waltztrons. As always, no partner is required for this dance in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, and the cost is only $8, including lesson. Contact info@waltztimedances.org or 202-238-0230.
MusiKids Open House. Mini-demo classes, holiday singing and giveaways at MusiKids, 4900 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, 3-5 p.m. Free. Call 301-215-7946.
Carousel Tours. Carousel tours start at 12 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, and give visitors a closer look at the 1921 Dentzel carousel. Find out how it was made, how it works, and about the rest of the amusement park attractions that were built around it. Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Park Tour. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, tours begin at 2 p.m. and lead visitors through a walking tour of the Park to learn about its history and the current programs in arts, dance and children’s activities. Admission is free. Tours begin at the visitor's desk in the Arcade Building..Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Nature Program. Come visit Discovery Creek Children's Museum Forest Tales exhibition at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Spend time with the entire family while participating in engaging science and nature activities. In the former Glen Echo Park stable building, near the park entrance. Open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is free for members and children under 2, $5 for nonmembers. Call 202-337-5111 to make arrangements or visit www.discoverycreek.org.
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 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. In the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Admission: $12 nonmembers/$9 FSGW members. Contact 202-518-1299.
Author Reading. The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, presents at prose reading by Louis Maier, author of "From The Golden Gate to the Black Forest," and novelist Ann McLaughlin, who reads from "The House on Q Street." 2-4 p.m. Free. Visit www.writer.org.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 18
<cal2>Bustles and Beaux: Classic in Context. Join Michael Bevel for a discussion of Thomas Hardy's novel, "Jude the Obscure" at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 7:15 p.m. Visit www.bustlesandbeaux.blogspot.com or call 240-777-0970.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 19
<cal2>English Conversation Club. The English Conversation Club at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 2 p.m., is for people who want to practice speaking English in a friendly setting. Call 240-777-0970.
Potomac Book Club. Adult book discussion at the Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, on "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" at 1 p.m. Ask for the book at the Circulation Desk. Call 240-777-0690.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 21
<cal2>Six String Sing-a-Long. Enjoy a musical performance and sing-a-long of children's favorites with Ellis Woodward at the Cabin John Mall Atrium, 11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9:30 a.m. Free.
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers presents 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 House Red. In the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Admission: $9. Contact info@fridaynightdance.org.
Wine Tasting. Enjoy Italian wine at Bella Italia, 4844 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 6-8 p.m. Ages 21 and up. Free. Call 301-654-2667.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 22
<cal2>Carousel Tours. Carousel tours start at 12 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, and give visitors a closer look at the 1921 Dentzel carousel. Find out how it was made, how it works, and about the rest of the amusement park attractions that were built around it. Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Park Tour. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, tours begin at 2 p.m. and lead visitors through a walking tour of the Park to learn about its history and the current programs in arts, dance and children’s activities. Admission is free. Tours begin at the visitor's desk in the Arcade Building..Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Nature Program. Come visit Discovery Creek Children's Museum Forest Tales exhibition at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Spend time with the entire family while participating in engaging science and nature activities. In the former Glen Echo Park stable building, near the park entrance. Open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is free for members and children under 2, $5 for nonmembers. Call 202-337-5111 to make arrangements or visit www.discoverycreek.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 23
<cal2>Carousel Tours. Carousel tours start at 12 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, and give visitors a closer look at the 1921 Dentzel carousel. Find out how it was made, how it works, and about the rest of the amusement park attractions that were built around it. Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Park Tour. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, tours begin at 2 p.m. and lead visitors through a walking tour of the Park to learn about its history and the current programs in arts, dance and children’s activities. Admission is free. Tours begin at the visitor's desk in the Arcade Building..Visit www.nps.gov/glec.
Nature Program. Come visit Discovery Creek Children's Museum Forest Tales exhibition at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Spend time with the entire family while participating in engaging science and nature activities. In the former Glen Echo Park stable building, near the park entrance. Open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is free for members and children under 2, $5 for nonmembers. Call 202-337-5111 to make arrangements or visit www.discoverycreek.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 29
<cal2>Wine Tasting. Enjoy Italian wine at Bella Italia, 4844 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 6-8 p.m. Ages 21 and up. Free. Call 301-654-2667.