Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Do you have items you no longer need? A number of holiday collections are underway and items can be easily donated at one location. Find out more!
Are you buying a new winter jacket? Do you have holiday lights that no longer work? Did your kids get duplicate toys this year? Did Santa bring you a new cell phone? If you have items you’d like to toss but aren’t sure what to do with them, a number of collections are taking place in Montgomery County and items can be dropped off right at the Salvation Army at 18705 North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, MD. You can also drop off items at Goodwill of Greater Washington at 619 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg or 4816 Boiling Brook Parkway in Rockville. Have any unwrapped, unused toys? They can be donated to Toys for Tots in 2013. If you have coats you no longer need, donations are being collected through many local churches. Cell …
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Your guide to movies premiering now through Christmas Day in Germantown.
With many offices closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day and the kids out of school, going to the movies tends to be one of the more popular holiday-season events, and Hollywood is unleashing some serious star power to end 2012 and welcome 2013. Patch has put together this handy guide to all of the great year-end movie releases that are playing at Regal Cinemas Germantown Stadium 14. In theaters now Movie: The Impossible Stars: Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor What it’s about: A couple vacationing in Thailand with their three sons who get caught in the 2004 tsunami. Rating: PG-13 Movie: Jack Reacher Stars: Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall What it’s about: Cruise plays the role of Jack Reacher (the hero of many Lee Child books) as a former …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Five quick tips for keeping toys safe for kids.
As the countdown to Christmas Day continues and parents rush out to get their children gifts this season, safety tops the list for one expert. Local Voice’s blogger Anna Schmitt from the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises parents to keep in mind their kids' eye safety. Schmitt says toys such as airsoft guns, bb guns and paintball guns can be particularly hazardous. Read more: Keep Eye Safety in Mind When Choosing Gifts this Holiday Season. Join Patch’s Local Voices! We want to provide a platform for your message. Email Tamika Smith, the Community Manager for Montgomery County, at Tamika@Patch.com to sign up.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Looking for something exciting to do this weekend? Check out some of the fun things going on around town.
Each week, Patch puts together a list of local activities and events going on in your area this weekend. Check back weekly and tell us in the comments if you know of any additional activities coming up. To submit an event in the Patch events calendar, click on “Events” at the top of the page and then click on the green "Add an event" button on the right side of the page. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra Sweeney Todd at The Highwood Theatre Waverly Street Gallery Holiday Exhibition of 24 Gallery Artists Cresthaven Craft Fair Holly Trolleyfest Nutcracker Olney Ballet Theater A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Miracle on 34th Street Festival of Lights Garden of …
While the two holidays fall in close proximity to each other and are celebrated in popular culture together, Hanukkah does not hold the religious significance for Jews that Christmas holds for Christians.
Each year, Hanukkah falls in close proximity or during Christmas according to the Hebrew calendar. Because of that, the two are celebrated side by side under the “Happy Holidays” moniker. But in terms of religious significance, Hanukkah doesn’t rank as high for Jews as Christmas ranks for Christians. “It’s hard to not make a big deal of out Hanukkah living in America, and I’m not sure it’s a bad thing,” said Rabbi Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown. “That’s not a problem for me as long as we don’t forget about everything else that makes us Jewish.” Jonathan Schwartz, senior aide to Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and a member of Temple Emanuel, sees Hanukkah as having two roles in the lives of American Jews…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Occasionally, Patch will highlight stories from the past—like this column from on what Christmas in Germantown was like 60 years ago. This story was originally published Dec. 18, 2011.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Employees of the retail giant hope to take advantage of one of the year's busiest shopping days.
Employees of DC-area Walmart and Sam's Club locations are joining a national strike effort this Black Friday to protest what they view as low wages, poor scheduling practices, and worker intimidation on the part of the retail giant. The campaign, organized by Making Change at Walmart and linked with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, is planning demonstrations outside dozens of stores nationwide on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. In the DC area, Nov. 23 protests are scheduled for Walmart and Sam's Club locations in Laurel, Hyattsville, Bowie, Gaithersburg, Woodlawn, Severn, Clinton, Abingdon, Alexandria, and Fairfax. (Both chains are owned by parent company Walmart Stores, Inc.) The strike action …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
How will your finances affect your holiday spending?
Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll by the NPD Group said they “plan to spend about the same” as last year, while 10 percent planned to “spend more.” With the economy and job situation still in flux for many families, we want to know what families in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County plan to do for Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa gifts in 2012. Will you be more creative with your gifting? Use sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc? Brave Black Friday sales? Cook or bake for familty and friends?
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Support animal care, science and research with these great gift options.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
- Ben Gross
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Do some good for yourself, your family and friends and the animal kingdom by doing your holiday shopping at the National Zoo this year. For the kids: Bring home plush versions of Crystal or Cody, the zoo’s gray wolves with these realistic 16” renditions of the popular canines for just $20. Colorful owl or butterfly-themed purses are always in style and sure to be a hit with the girls in your life. Each version features working zippers, an inside pocket and a 10” strap for $22. For the animals: Show your favorite zoo animal how much you care by purchasing one of these great enrichment toys. You can either purchase items on the zoo’s online store, or visit the Enrichment Giving Tree to find out what’s on their wish list and you can drop it…
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Winter Lights on Christmas Eve
The night before Christmas and all through the park, the cars were driving slow to the mark. Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park was the place to be on Christmas Eve. The animated displays included Teddy Bear Land, Candy Land, boats in the lake and more representing holiday tradition and fun for the family.
Gregg Roberts
4:11 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
It drives me crazy when people keep repeating the line ''Hanukkah is a minor holiday.'' In Israel children have off all week for Hanukkah. Orthodox Jewish schools in Baltimore have a 4 day weekend. Hanukkah is other then Purim the only holiday that traditionally doesn't have restrictions on music, travel etc. and is the last holiday historically and the only one to have happened in Israel. No … more ›