The Spot Rockville...Cafe Rio Travilah...Trader Joe's...Which are you most excited about?

There's a lot of new openings around Rockville/Gaithersburg...which are you most excited about?

The Spot Rockville - Asian Food Hall next to Rockville Town Square

Cafe Rio - New store officially opened in Travilah Square

iFly Sky Diving - Indoor sky diving in Gaithersburg

Carvana - Car vending machine in Gaithersburg

The Beach - Pike & Rose (fake) beach aka sand.

Travilah Quarry - Earth Day Open House 2018

Not a lot of advertising but definitely not to be missed! Aggregate Industries is hosting their annual Quarry Earth Day on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10am-3pm. This is a great opportunity for area residents to tour inside the quarry and see firsthand what goes on inside. There's a great shuttle bus that drives you down inside. There's also a lot of area businesses that give away treats and other souvenirs. Great for adults, great for kids. Here's a link for more information.

Here's also a previous post I wrote back in 2014 about the Quarry Earth Day!

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mothers out there....thank you for all you do!

Here is me and my little ones.

This gorgeous photo was taken behind Glenview Mansion a couple weeks ago.  My first time there, and the Spring flowers didn't disappoint.

National Zoo's New Baby Panda's name is - BEI BEI

The National Zoo's new baby panda got his name today: Bei Bei means "precious, treasure" in Mandarin Chinese.  It is also complementary to his sister's name Bao Bao.  Can't wait for the panda pavilion to re-open so we can meet the new panda ourselves!

Take a look at this picture I captured on the Panda Cam.

Talk about co-sleeping arrangements! I could watch the Panda Cam all day!!!

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair - August 14-22, 2015

The wait is over!  Horse pulls, truck pulls, NINJA TURTLES, Christmas Tree judging, chain saw art, funnel cakes, sheep sheering, pig racing, monster truck madness, goat sales, beef steer judging, caramel apples, honey bee demos, ferris wheels, dairy awards, magic shows, kettle corn....nuff said!

For more info, check out the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair Website

General Admission: Adults $10.00, Children 11 & under FREE every day.

501 Perry Parkway Parking: $10 cash onsite, Lakeforest Mall: FREE

Season Pass: $75.00 unlimited admissions, includes Perry Parkway Fair Parking
Three Day Fair Admission Ticket w/ Perry Parkway Parking $45.

FREE shuttle bus from Lakeforest Mall to the Fair.

Carnival Hours: Friday, 8/14/2015 3pm - Midnight, Saturday 8/15-22/2015 noon - Midnight.

Megapass Wristbands: Carnival One-Day Megapass Ride Discount Wristband $20 (online only until midnight on 8/15) 4 ride tickets can also be purchased for $5 in the Carnival area only.

$25 One-day ride Megapass wristbands can only be purchased at the Guest Services ticket stations located in the Carnival area of the Fairgrounds or on our website.  The Speed ride is excluded from the ride wristband offer.  All wristbands are only good on the day they are purchased until midnight.  4 ride tickets can also be purchased for $5 in the Carnival area only.

Rockville Fall Recreation Guide 2015

Rockville Fall Recreation Guide is here!  Check out the great classes available to all!!

Open Painting on the Rooftop!

https://www.visartsatrockville.org/more/event/open-painting-on-the-rooftop-3/?utm_source=Open+Paint&utm_campaign=class&utm_medium=email

National Donut Day - Donuts in MoCo

According to CNN, the first Friday of June is declared National Donut Day.  Good news, there's a plethora of Dunkin Donuts locations all over Montgomery County.  In Rockville alone, I've seen 2+ new locations pop up (I pass 3 of them on my way to work.).  Not to mention the Krispy Kreme and their DRIVE THRU! Clutch with sleeping kids in the back!!  Since the closing of Fractured Prune in Rockville Town Square, there really hasn't been any custom or independent donut shops in the area.  Can't imagine the profit margins being too high in that business.  But such a shame, considering there are so many independent donut shops on the West Coast and NYC.  =(

Top 50 Peeps Dioramas sponsored by the Washington Post

My favorite time of year: PEEP TIME!  This is definitely on my bucketlist...to create one of these diaramas made of peeps.  Check out this year's entries here.

www.washingtonpost.com

And here's this year's winner! Can you find 12 hidden peeps in this picture?

3.14.15 Pi Day in the Metro DC area

March 14th, also known as Pi Day! This year is super special because it's also 2015... hence 3.14...15!  Check out who's offering pie specials this year in the area:

• Blaze Pizza - Montgomery Mall Bethesda, College Park, Laurel has custom-made pizza pies all day for $3.14.
• Dangerously Delicious Pies (my personal favorite)- H Street, pie slices for $3.14 during the hours of 9-11am and 7-10pm.
• Pi Pizzeria - Penn Quarter, has specials all month including free apps and salads, $5 dine-in menu, Thursday dine-in buy one large pizza, get second equal or lesser value for $3.14.  AND if anyone has a March 14th birthday and can show ID, you get a FREE large pizza!
• Pizzeria Paradiso - Georgetown, $3.14 beers from 9:26pm until midnight. (because pi begins 3.1415926!) Love it!
• Radius Pizza - Mount Pleasant, pizza slices for $3.14 with beverage purchase.

Did You Know - City of Rockville sells Discount Theme Park Tickets

In preparation for our first trip to Dutch Wonderland (queue music), I was on the search for cheap them park tickets.  To my suprise, the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks, in cooperation with the Marland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA), is selling general admission tickets to area parks at a deep discount!

For example:

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Gate tickets All Ages $72, MRPA Selling price $54
Kings Dominion - Gate tickets All Ages $64, MRPA Selling price $43
Six Flags America - Gate tickets All Ages $60.49, MRPA Selling price $38
Six Flags Great Adventure - Gate tickets All Ages $71.68, MRPA Selling price $37

2014 tickets are for sale to the general public.  You do NOT have to be a Rockville City resident to enjoy these discounts!  Just visit one of the three locations to purchase your tickets: Rockville City Hall, Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, Thomas Farm Community Center.

Check out the City of Rockville's Website here for more details.

You stay cool MoCo! (In my best Ron Burgundy voice)

When the summer humidity hits, all I can think of are ways to stay cool (especially when you’re 6 months preggo like me!)  Here’s my list of “Local Cool Spots in the MoCo Heat”

Fountain on theRockville Town Square

Free water fountains run all summer long and best part is…their FREE!  Check out the Rockville Town Square website for hours and details.

Carmen’s Italian Ice

Local Rockville shop offering homemade, gourmet Italian Ice in over 60 flavors.  If flavored ice isn’t your cup of tea, they also offer frozen custard, tart yogurt, shakes, and a topping bar.

Germantown Splash Park & Mini Golf

One of a kind 280-jet water maze, cave with waterfall, water bucket drops, slide, and spraying animals.  The South Germantown Recreational Park also has one 18-hole Miniature Golf course right next to the splash playground.

 

Bruster’s Ice Cream

YUM, this seasonal destination is located in Gaithersburg where, wait for it, they even have a DRIVE-THRU.  Can’t beat drive thru ice cream.  Be warned, their small scoop is gigantic!

 

Water Park at Bohrer Park

Located in Gaithersburg, this water park features a recreational swimming pool, multiple slides, floatable animals, and a tumble bucket.  Cheap admission rates, especially if you’re a Gaithersburg resident.

 

2014 Quarry Earth Day Recap

We made it this year's Quarry Earth Day (it only took 30+ years of living next to the Quarry!).  It was loaded with family friendly activities, free food, and bus tours down into the quarry pit.

Abby posing in front of a tractor

Discovering Cotton Candy

Yum!

Quarry Conveyor Belt

The pit

Quarry Pit

Here are some fun facts about the quarry itself.

• The quarry pit is approximately 450 ft deep.  That's about 50 stories!
• There's still enough stone to mine the quarry for another 30+ years.
• It only requires 17 employees to operate.
• The monthly electric bill totals approximately $45,000.

Washington DC celebrates Pi Day - 3-14

Today is National Pi Day, where March 14, or 3-14, is celebrated by math enthusiasts everywhere!  I celebrated by purchasing one of the HUGE apple pies from CostCo (you know the ones you ogle at but can't possibly buy because how on earth would you finish a pie that size)!  Delish!

Check out the Pi Day deals that were featured in today's Washington Post.

2014 Peak Cherry Blossom Dates Announced

According to the National Park Service, this year's peak cherry blossoms are projected to be April 8-12th.  This year's National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held March 20-April 13th with the festival parade to be held April 12th.  Of course these dates only pertain to the cherry blossom trees around the Washington DC tidal basin.  There's always premium cherry blossoms in the suburbs as well.  The suburb cherry blossoms usually bloom earlier than the DC ones.  Check out my previous post about MoCo's popular cherry blossom locations.

Chinese New Year 2014 in Montgomery County, MD

The Lunar New Year is again upon us, this year falling on January 31st.  The Year of the Horse! Since I too am the year of the horse, that means I'm the ripe old age of....12! =P

The Chinese New Year is a 15 day event that starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later.  With such a large Chinese population in the DC region, there is no shortage of celebration events.  Here are just a couple.

Chinese New Year Parade and Fesival in Washington, DC - 2/2/14, 2-4:30pm in Chinatown - H Street NW btw 6th and 8th Streets.

Gaithersburg Chinese New Year Events - 1/27-2/9/14 at Lakeforest Mall. Look at CCACC's website for more details on exciting demonstrations, arts and crafts, and lion dances.

Chinese New Year Events - MCPL - various days and times at your neighborhood Montgomery County Public Library.  See website for details.

Chinese New Year Festival - Falls Church - 2/1/14 10am-6pm at Luther Jackson Middle School.  Free admission to see performances from China, Kora, India, Thailand, Vietnam, along with fantastic demonstrations, dragon parade, and fashion show.

Fair Oaks Mall Lunar New Year Celebration - 2/1/14 - 2/2/14 1-6pm @ Fair Oaks Mall.  Performances and exhibitions presented by Washington Hai Hua Community Center.  See website for details.

MoCo gets a brand new library! Gaithersburg Library

Montgomery County Public Libraries has a newly renovated library - Gaithersburg Library.  See their press release below for more information!

Newly Renovated Gaithersburg Library Re-opens for Business; Ribbon-cutting, Special Programs Mark Celebration

The newly-renovated and re-designed, 21st-century Gaithersburg Library re-opened today with an official ribbon-cutting, special programs, musical entertainment and a large turnout from the community that has been awaiting this day. Local officials participating in the Grand Re-opening were County Executive Ike Leggett; County Council President and Lead for Libraries (on the Health and Human Services sub-committee) Craig Rice; Council vice president George Leventhal and Councilmember Phil Andrews (Dist. 3); Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz; Department of General Services Director David Dise; Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) Director Parker Hamilton; and Gaithersburg Branch Manager Kay Bowman. The State Division of Library Development and Services was represented by State Librarian Irene Padilla, and the Gaithersburg Library Advisory Committee was represented by Chairman Christopher Dentel. Leggett said, “Although, the Gaithersburg Library is more than 30 years old, it is now a 21st-century library that offers new kinds of services for job seekers, new Americans, students, seniors and young children. It will also be a hub for community life, where residents can connect with each other face-to-face or connect with people and resources on the other side of the world.” “As Lead for Libraries, it is exciting when we open a new library that represents so much to a community,” said Rice. “Our libraries are community hubs, areas for research, and places to allow you to simply relax and read. All of these and more are why libraries are so integral to our community and are what make Montgomery County such a great place to live.” “We are thankful for all of the hard work that went into this major renovation and expansion of the Gaithersburg Library,” said Mayor Katz. “With the efforts of Montgomery County, residents of all ages now have access to expanded library resources and services in a vibrant and environmentally friendly facility, enhancing the quality of life in our diverse community.” MCPL Director Hamilton thanked all “who made this day a reality. We are pleased to offer 21st-century public library services to the residents of Montgomery County through our newly renovated Gaithersburg Branch. I am glad that the community has their library back, and the doors are open, once again, for business.” Following are some highlights of the new building: Site The two-story, 62,505 square-foot facility is located at 18330 Montgomery Village Ave. the same location where the 36,814 square-foot, one-story library opened in 1981. Library Services The adult, children’s and teen materials are conveniently located on the main level, in addition to the public access computers. The dedicated teen room has an overhead projection system to accommodate a variety of media. Books & Materials There are more than 100,000 print volumes and access to an array of online databases. The World Language collection includes Farsi. Technology An Information kiosk with a map/directory of the building, also displays a daily listing of programs and meetings, plus three information guide PC’s provide answers to frequently asked questions about the building. There are 40 internet PC’s, five catalog PC’s and a Computer Lab with 12 PC’s. Five self-service checkout workstations are provided for customer convenience. “Computer bars” in the Quiet Study, Teen and Adult collection are powered to allow the public to use their laptops and local WiFi. Green/Energy Efficient Features As part of the stormwater management system, vegetative roof areas capture and filter runoff. Metal grid trellis walls are designed to support climbing plants resulting in green vegetated walls. Windows, roof monitors, skylights and clearstories flood the interior and reduce the need for artificial lighting. The building is equipped with water-saving plumbing fixtures. The parking lot contains specified spaces for fuel efficient cars. Building Amenities A coffee bar/café in the lobby area features café seating and access to the courtyard garden. A stylized leaf mobile above the Information Desk marks the entrance to the Children’s collections. The entry lobby and atrium are defined by a thick masonry wall of locally quarried fieldstone. A 300-seat public meeting room shares the top floor with the offices of the County’s Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity. Construction/Project Info The architectural team consisted of Whitman Requardt & Associates, LLP and Ann Beha Architects. Construction was performed by Henley Construction Company, Inc. which was also the construction contractor for the original Gaithersburg Library. Overall project management was handled by the County’s Department of General Services with Mariam Zarif serving as project manager. The total cost of the redesign and renovation project is $23,041,000. Partial funding was supplied through the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development and Services, County Library Capital Project Grant Program. Hours, contact information The Gaithersburg Library will be open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. To reach the library, call 240-773-9490. The Branch Manager is Kay Bowman. For more information about the library, its layout, programs and services, and to read more highlights, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library and find Gaithersburg under Branches.

Best DC Area Holiday Activities

What's your favorite holiday activity in the DC region?  Here's a couple of my favorites!

Visiting the National Christmas Tree


Seeing ZooLights at the National Zoo


Gaylord National Ice! - National Harbor



City of Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival


MBT's Nutcracker Ballet

MoCo Christmas Events…you know…for the kids!

Check out these great local activities to celebrate the holidays!


Cookies and Milk with Santa
Location: Germantown Volunteer Fire Department 20001 Crystal Rock Dr Germantown, MD 20874

Time: 10:00 am- Noon and 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm

Cost: Free

Come join the Germantown Volunteer Fire Department for Cookies and Milk with Santa. Kids can meet the firefighters of Germantown and Santa. There will be crafts for kids of all ages.

The Station will be open from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 14, 2013.

Winter's Eve Celebration - Glen Echo Park

• Winter’s Eve Celebration

  Location: Glen Echo Park 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812

  Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

  Cost: Free

  Site: http://www.glenechopark.org/winters-eve-2013-0

  Get into the holiday spirit at Glen Echo Park’s annual Winter’s Eve celebration! It’s a FREE FAMILY EVENT, open to the public, and visitors of all ages.

  FREE HOLIDAY CRAFT PROJECTS:

  * Make your own salt dough ornaments and other holiday decorations
  * Create a festive, candy cane mouse with felt
  * Cut out and assemble a 3D Snowflake
  * Decorate gift bags and tags
  * Design winter decorations with colorful ”Magic Scratch” techniques
  * Have your Family Portrait Taken

  HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES:

  *Adventure Theatre MTC Student Ensembles sing an eclectic mix of holiday & wintertime songs
  6:30 and 7:30 pm in the Adventure Theatre

  *Washington Conservatory presents the American University Jazz Ensemble conducted by Josh Bayer
  8 pm, Washington Conservatory of Music, South Arcade

  *Sing and strum-along with Washington Conservatory folk guitarist Mike Kligerman
  6:15 and 7 pm in the Puppet Co.

  ETC:

  *Just for this special night, the Partnership will transform one of its classrooms into a hot chocolate bar and storybook area. The complimentary hot chocolate bar will offer hot chocolate, fresh popcorn, and other treats. Enjoy Storybook readings from 6:30 – 8:30 PM with Laura Martin of Playgroup in the Park.

  *Create a blown-glass ornament, 8 -10 pm at the Glassworks Studio (sign-up from 6 - 8 pm, $35, min. age 16)

  *During the Winter’s Eve celebration, the Partnership's Holiday Art Show will remain open in the Popcorn Gallery with special extended hours from 11am to 10pm. This will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to shop for holiday gifts. The show features a wide range of artwork, from one-of-a-kind silver jewelry made by our resident silver artist, to beautiful photographs, to striking fused glass creations.

  *The National Park Service will give Carousel Tours from 6 - 7 pm

Smithsonian Names New Panda Cub

The 100-day-old female panda cub at the National Zoo in Washington, now has a name: Bao Bao (宝宝) — meaning precious or treasure — was the most popular of the five names put up for a popular vote by Zoo.

The name was announced during a ceremony at the Zoo on Sunday afternoon.

Cui Tiankai, ambassador of the People's Republic of China, wrote the name in calligraphy on scrolls, which were unfurled at the ceremony.

Tiankai said that both sides of the Pacific are excited today. In a recorded video message first lady Michelle Obama said: "Our two nations have worked hand in hand in this crucial and successful effort."

As the AP points out, this is only the second cub to survive since the pandas first became a symbol of happy diplomacy between the two countries in 1972 following President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China.

The AP adds:

"Mei Xiang's only other surviving cub, a male named Tai Shan, was born in 2005 and was returned to China in 2010 for breeding. Male panda Tian Tian is the father of both cubs."

The zoo says that Bao Bao will make her public debut in early January 2014.