Tag Archives: Downtown Silver Spring

Weekend Happenings – Silver Spring & Takoma Park

It was a LONG, WET week but the sun is shining and the weekend is here! The weather looks promising — sunny and 70º so it should be a great weekend to get out and do something fun. Here’s a round-up of a few local Silver Spring and Takoma Park events that just might fit the bill:

Annual Touch Truck @ Silver Spring Nursery School
Saturday, May 3 from 10AM – 1PM
Trucks of every kind for children to explore. There will also be live music, food, arts & crafts, a book fair, and face painting.

Woodlin Spring Fair @ Woodlin Elementary in North Woodside
Saturday, May 3 from 2PM – 5PM
Inflatable Obstacle Course, “Just Dance” Dance Off, Face Painting, Live Band, Flower Sale, Food & Bake Sale, Raffles, and more!

Old Takoma Art Hop
Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4 from 10AM – 6PM
The 5th annual Art Hop will showcase a variety of art including photography, jewelry and wearable art, paintings, sculptures, collage and mixed media works.  Come see the work of over 70 of artists in shops, restaurants, and galleries throughout Old Town, the Takoma Junction and Takoma DC.

Takoma Park House and Garden Tour
Sunday, May 4 from 1PM – 5PM
Historic Takoma’s 2014 House and Garden Tour showcases the “Spirit of Holly Avenue.” The self-guided tour, includes several spectacular homes and gardens.

Fiesta Asia (Ellsworth Dr. & Fountain Plaza)
Sunday, May 4 from 10AM – 6PM
Asia Heritage Foundation hosts performances, food, crafts, interactive activities, and shopping.

Taste of Fenton Village (between Thayer & Silver Spring Avenues)
Sunday, May 4 from 1PM – 6PM
This family-friendly “restaurant crawl” offers $2 – $5 sample appetizers and tasting plates with international flavors. Rain or shine, 31 Fenton Village restaurants will welcome event attendees to sample their diverse cuisines and cultures at the same time.

Dive on In …. Silver Spring Pool Round Up!

April 15th may be tax day to most but to me it’s the official start of summer – it’s the day I send in my summer pool dues. My thoughts are already drifting to spending time with family and friends sitting poolside. We joined our pool about 13 years ago and have graduated from the baby pool, to the shallow end and now the diving well. I’ve finally reached the “other side” and can read a book or actually have a conversation!

There are lots of local pools with awesome swim teams and snack shacks, social events and holiday celebrations. If you are looking to join a pool, we’ve compiled a list of some local ones with links to the pool home page and membership info.

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Help Go Brent Team Spring into Action with A Wider Circle

Can you help Go Brent Team spring into action? We are a proud supporter of Silver Spring based charity A Wider Circle, which has furnished the homes of 19,236 families to date. In addition to furnishing homes, A Wider Circle provides top-notch adult education classes, comprehensive job support, and basic essential items to its clients.

We are hoping we can count on your support to help stock A Wider Circle with basic essential items. We’ll be collecting donations through May. Send an email to Beth@GoBrentTeam.com and we’ll arrange to swing by and pick up your donation. We’ll be collecting items for the next two weeks or if you prefer, you can drop you off donations directly at A Wider Circle – 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Donated items should be in new and unopened condition. Thank you for helping us to serve our community!

Non-Perishable Food

  • Whole Grain Pasta
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Brown Rice
  • Low-sodium Canned Beans, Vegetables
  • Low-sodium Vegetable Soup
  • Dried Beans and Lentils
  • Low-sugar Oatmeal

Personal Care Items

  • Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
  • Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Lotion
  • Shampoo
  • Wet Wipes
  • Toilet Paper
  • Tissues

Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies

  • Dish Soap
  • Sponges
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Cleaning Sprays
  • Toilet Cleaner
  • Mops & Brooms
  • Cleaning Brushes

Baby Items

  • Nail Clippers
  • Thermometer
  • Diaper Rash Ointment
  • Diapers and Baby Wipes
  • Baby Shampoo
  • 4oz or 8oz Bottles
  • Child Proof Plates, Spoons & Sippy Cups
  • Baby Onesies, Bibs, Hats & Socks
  • Baby Bath Tub
  • Hooded Bath Towel
  • Diaper Bag
  • Baby Carrier
  • Infant or Toddler Car Seat
  • Baby Swing or Bouncy Seat
  • Crib or Pack N Play Sheets
  • Baby Blanket
  • Safety Gate
  • Baby Monitor
  • Baby Books/Toys

Learn more about A Wider Circle and its founder Mark Bergel, who was recently named a 2014 CNN Hero. A Wider Circle is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization.

A Silver Spring Dog’s Life

ellsworth dog park.existiong.

I recently heard that Montgomery County Parks and Planning will hold a hearing on April 24  for a proposed DOG PARK in an underutilized section of ELLSWORTH PARK in downtown Silver Spring. The park would be a great addition to the dog-loving Silver Spring community of which I now count Dave and myself to be proud members.

Dave and I had never had a dog during our 20 plus years together, working schedules did not allow it, and frankly, I didn’t really want a dog. My young nephew, Robert, once said “Aunt Debbie, at least you could get a goldfish!” I replied, “too much responsibility.” But when my working schedule changed about 2 years ago, I decided, why not get a dog, and we (meaning me) decided we (me) wanted a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. My thought was go to Craigslist and get a dog….Not So Fast! I quickly learned there are emails, conversations, waiting lists, forms, deposits and questionnaires to prove your worthiness to purchase a puppy. ARGH! We got through it, named our 9-week old puppy “Winston” after my sister’s first boyfriend. (Not really, we named him after Winston Churchill due to his English roots, but my sister’s first boyfriend was named Winston.)

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Calling Silver Spring’s Incoming Kindergarteners!

So right now at this very minute, it’s snowing. And the last thing you’re likely thinking about is your incoming Kindergartener starting school next fall. Really, we are all just desperately trying to hold it together until Spring Break. Our thoughts are drifting to the end of this school year, summer camps, the pool, the beach. But wait! Montgomery County Public Schools have Kindergarten Orientation Programs scheduled for this April and May (and yes despite the snowy day, April is just a week away).

Children who will turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2014 are eligible for Kindergarten during the 2014-2015 school year. Don’t miss your chance to attend orientation with your kindergartner; the orientation program is designed to help parents enroll children and assist students in becoming acquainted with future friends and the school environment. You can call your home school to make an appointment for orientation. You can also obtain more information by visiting Montgomery County Public Schools website.

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The Neighborhoods of Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring has Sprung!  Silver Spring, MD is the perfect balance of urban and suburban lifestyles.  This suburb, considered to be the first of Washington, DC,  has undergone a significant renaissance adding new residential, retail, office, and entertainment venues.  Silver Spring provides an abundance of diverse restaurant choices, arts and cultural activities, Rock Creek and Sligo Creek parks as well as being home to major employers such as the FDA, Discovery Communications, and NOAA.  Downtown Silver Spring is also home to the Fillmore concert venue and the American Film Institute’s Silver Theater. Visit downtown Silver Spring to shop at the open air farmer’s market or practice your “triple toe loop” at the ice skating rink, or enjoy a free concert or attend the Silver Spring Jazz Festival in the summer.

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