December Fun from Mary J. Murphy

December
Fun

in Bethesda

and beyond

December 2011

1.0828025477707006 Okay, twinkle toes, lace up those ice skates - when else will you have the chance to glide around the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art? Okay, fine, you can do it all winter, but December's frosty days are a wonderful time to get out there and take yourself for a spin.

0.9693251533742331 Hit the slopes! Did you know that your 4th or 5th grader can ski for free at any one of 22 Pennsylvania ski resorts? This is a super deal for your budding skier. Just register now to take advantage of this great deal all winter.

1.0618556701030927 Searching for a truly unique gift for a tiny tot in your life? Want to support a crafty and creative Wyngate mom (Sam Campbell)? Then check out Fickle Face shirts for ages three to six. Each shirt comes with a blank "face" your child can customize with the included, attachable pieces. There's even a pocket on the front to store the parts when they're not in use. The shirts are high quality and the fun factor is off the charts.

1.0769230769230768 This is the one time of year that shopping must take center stage on your to-do list. For something beyond the typical malls and online shopping, head on over to A Capital Collection of Holiday Shops - the Junior League of Washington's largest and oldest fundraiser. From December 2 to 4, the event brings together more than 60 unique merchants and the festive atmosphere makes you forget how much money you're spending!

0.9411764705882353 Here's a pretty cool idea: a "pay what you can" concert. On December 4 at 3:00 pm, The Washington Conservatory of Music (Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda) will present Jeffery Watson on the piano. The organization's philosophy is that everyone should have access to a world-class concert, regardless of one's financial situation. Seats are first-come, first-served, it's an amazing concert, and you pay what you can. In these rough economic times, here's an idea that deserves our support.

If your feet start tapping involuntarily on December 10, it's because there's a concert in the 'hood! Mary Murphy is sponsoring the Wyngate Citizen's Association's free Neighborhood Concert from 7:00 pm - 9:45 pm in the Wyngate Elementary All-Purpose Room. Stay for ten minutes or two hours; just stop in to hear neighborhood musicians perform classical, jazz, blues, swing, rock & roll and more. See WCA's announcement for more details.

Didn't get tickets to see the lighting of the National Christmas Tree? Don't worry; you can still catch a glimpse of the enormous tree and the Pathway of Peace, which is a series of 56 smaller, decorated trees representing the 50 states, five territories and D.C. that surround the National Christmas Tree. The trees are all illuminated from dusk until 11 pm throughout December, and there are many seasonal displays and performances all month. If you're lucky, your kids will catch a glimpse of Santa in his workshop.

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Hey, Paul Bunyan, sharpen your ax. There's a tree over yonder calling your name! Plenty of tree farms in the area welcome you with hot cider and enough roping and wreaths to stock your home for the holidays. You can visit the usual suspects, Butler's Orchard and Homestead Farm, or you could hop off the beaten path and try Gaver Tree Farm or the tantalizingly named Naughty Pine Nursery.

Pick a mild(er) December night, put on your walking shoes, load your family into the car and head over to Brookside Gardens. The annual Garden of Lights disp 0.9289099526066351 lay begins after Thanksgiving and runs through January, and it's truly spectacular to wander the paths among almost a million tiny lights. They've been set up to display the four seasons, so you'll see massive sunflowers leaning towards you as well as delicate snowflakes drifting to the ground. While you're there, don't miss the train exhibit, which features model "G" scale trains weaving in and out among the flowering plants.

1.0486486486486486 Want to skate on an iceless rink or ride on a trackless train? No, this isn't Dr. Seuss, it's the National Zoo! Even if you've been there so often you think you've seen it all, think again. Visit Zoolights for holiday lights, seasonal food and drink, live music and more. It's open most nights in December, but check the website when you plan to go. And the best news is that admission is free!

0.9622641509433962 There's only one time of year you can see Clara throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, but there are several places you can see it. From the delightfully elegant shows at the Warner Theater and the Kennedy Center, to a kid-friendly adaptation at the Puppet Co., the Sugar Plum fairy will find a way to dance into your holidays.

And, finally, be on the lookout for a weird holiday tradition this month - the water-skiing Santa. Head down to the National Harbor on December 24 at 1:00 pm and sing Christmas carols while Santa, his elves and his reindeer frolic on the frigid Potomac River.

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