  February Funin Bethesda
and beyond |
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February is full of hidden treasures...
and Mary J. has found them for you! |
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 Yes, it's so painful that there will be yet another Super Bowl without the burgundy and gold. But, hey, it's a Super Bowl regardless. And whether you can't get enough of the pigskin or you live for the commercials, February 6 is a day you'll be sitting in front of the television. Chances are good you'll be completely ignoring about four different New Year's resolutions (don't eat junk, don't drink, don't yell at the kids, don't yell at the television - you know what I mean). So, since you're doing it anyway, eat something really yummy! Tony Marciote of Chef Tony's Restaurant on St. Elmo Ave. has provided a must-have Chesapeake Nachos recipe sure to impress your friends. Click here for Tony's recipe. Want to know more about Chef Tony's Restaurant? Visit www.cheftonysbethesda.com/welcome.html.
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Lions & yo-yos & crafts, oh my! Celebrate Chinese New Year in Washington, D.C. Visit Chinatown on February 6 for the real deal: a dragon dance, kung-fu demonstrations and musical performances. There will even be a giant firecracker set off at 3:45 pm! For a details, schedule and directions, see www.dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/ChineseNewYear.htm.  On February 12, Rockville Town Center will host an afternoon of cultural performances, arts and crafts, and restaurant samplings. For more details, see www.rockvillemd.gov/events/lunar-new-year. Throughout February, various Montgomery County public libraries will also mark the celebration with lion dances, arts and crafts, and yo-yo demonstrations. These events occur on different Saturdays (currently February 5, 12 & 26) at different libraries, so be sure to check the MCPL online calendar. Search "Chinese New Year" at http://host.evanced.info/montgomerycountymd/evanced/eventsearch.asp?ln=ALL.
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With the seemingly constant winter weather falling from the sky, we've had just enough delayed openings, three-day  weekends and school cancellations to make every parent start thinking of shipping their kids off to camp this summer. Sports or arts? Day or sleepaway? The Summer Camp Expo at Lakeforest Mall (or Dulles Town Center) will help you decide. Parents love how all the big camps are represented in one location, which makes apples-to-apples comparisons easy. For various Expo locations and dates, visit www.dc.about.com/od/familyactivities/a/CampFairs.htm. | Cue th e violins. If you're a runner, it will break your heart to hear that you've missed your chance to legally run around DC in your underwear this year - the registration deadline has passed. But it's not too late to watch others do it! On February 12, head downtown and witness the Second Annual Cupid's Undie Run, benefitting the Children's Tumor Foundation. It starts in a bar on Capitol Hill at noon, and then everyone strips down to their skivvies and runs a mile. When and where else will you ever see such a sight? For details, visit www.cupidsundierun.com. Put the registration deadline on your calendar for next year and start shopping for show-stopping (or at least traffic-stopping) underwear!! |
You can dance the night away in downtown Bethesda - for free! Dance Bethesda and DuShor Dance Studio (www.dushor.com) are opening their doors from 7:00-10:30 pm on February 18 for free dance lessons and parties. If you watch "Dancing with the Stars" and think it looks like fun, head down to their studios and give it a whirl with trained instructors. You don't have to know a bambuca from a barn dance to participate! | Geeky parent s unite!!! Discover Engineering Family Day is Saturday, February 19, and if you take your kids down to the National Building Museum, they can make slime, explore electricity (safely, we hope!) and visit the Design Squad for some hands-on fun. This event is free! While you're down there, don't miss the "Towering Ambition" Lego display. One of only 11 worldwide Certified Lego Professionals has built large-scale artistic models of 15 famous buildings around the world, entirely from Legos. You really have to see this display to believe it (www.nbm.org/exhibitions-collections/exhibitions/lego-architecture.html). The "Towering Ambition" exhibit will run through the summer, so don't panic if you can't make it this month. For more information on Engineering Family Day activities, visit www.nbm.org/families-kids/festivals/discover-engineering-family.html. |
Strathmore Hall opens its doors for Discover Strathmore on February 17 at 11:00 am. Discover Strathmore is an arts extravaganza that invites you to watch sculptors, try a dance class, join a sing-along, and even take a bow on the Music Center stage. This free event, designed to spark interest in the arts, will feature artisans practicing their crafts and performances on the main stage. Details available at www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/view.asp?id=3252. | |
 How many pancake breakfasts must one eat before feeling a burning desire to learn about maple syrup? Fear not, if you've hit that point! On February 20, 10:00-4:00, take part in the annual Maple Sugar Festival at Brookside Gardens. Walk through the maple-making process from the sap to the syrup, with lots of tasting along the way. The event is free and reservations aren't required. Find all of the information you need to plan a visit at mncppc.typepad.com/news/2011/01/brookside-nature-center-hosts-free-popular-maple-sugar-festival-sunday-february-20th.html.
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 This is hard to report with a straight face, but it is the month of love, so we'll try. Woo at the Zoo is being presented by the National Zoo on February 11 at either 6:30 pm or 8:30 pm. This adult-only event, which has a nominal fee, will feature a show offering a "lighthearted exploration into the sexual habits of animals." It's supposed to be funny...someone, please go, just so you can tell us what it's like! There is a cash bar (face it, you'll probably need a drink at some point), and reservations are required. This would certainly be a memorable Valentine's Day date! For more information and tickets to this unique event, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/woo/default.cfm?hpout=wu&xtr=. |
Have you ever wanted to be handcuffed to your spouse? Or have you wanted to handcuff your spouse and leave the room? Either way, the Museum of Crime and Punishment puts a unique twist on Valentine's Day this year. On February 11-15 from 4:00 pm until closing, the museum will offer exhibits explaining different crimes of passion and will even tell true stories - such as that of the Valentine's Vampire - that will make you want to cuddle up with someone. Details and tickets at www.crimemuseum.org/valentine. |
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Given where we live, President's Day has to be more than just a day off, right? Take this holiday to visit some of the spectacular sights right in our back yard. The White House Visitors Center is offering chats with Abe Lincoln and a chance to design White House china for your own state dinner. The Lincoln Memorial is the logical spot to hear a dramatic reading of the Gettysburg Address. The new Madame Tussauds $2 million Presidents Gallery wax exhibit will have you watching to see if the statues blink. Whatever you decide, there are plenty of ways to show your patriotic colors and honor our forty-four presidents. For more information, as well as Revolutionary War reenactments, walking tours, a 10K race and even a fancy-schmancy ball at the 18th century Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, make tracks to dc.about.com/cs/walkingtours/a/presidentsday.htm. |
 If you have a crafty "tween," send him or her to Paper Source on Bethesda Row on February 5 from 11:00 to 12:30 pm. This irresistible store offers workshops for all different kinds of paper crafts, and this particular one will help 9-13 year olds make Valentine accordions to send as cards or keep. For $25, the store provides instruction, the accordion books, glassine envelopes, stickers and many other embellishments to make each personal creation special. Have your friends come and help decorate the panels! All the information you need can be found at |
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Mary J. Murphy
Allied Realty Corp.
301-656-8600
301-717-8372 direct
7605 Arlington Road, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20814
mjmurphy@alliedrealtycorp.com
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Editing and graphic design by The advice contained in this newsletter is the result of three very opinionated Bethesda moms getting together over coffee. We don't get paid, these aren't advertisements; these are the same great ideas and tips we share with our friends. Enjoy!
Mary J. Murphy
Allied Realty Corp.
301-656-8600
301-717-8372 direct
7605 Arlington Road, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20814
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