The Jolly Shows Carnival will be at the Clarksburg Outlets (22705 Clarksburg Road Clarksburg, MD 20871) from April 19 to April 30. There will be over 30 attractions, including carnival rides, games, and food wagons. According to their website, “We are a new generation of carnival operators who strive to be more progressive and professional. We realize that we must produce a premium product for our customer’s hard earned money. We won’t forget our proud traditions, but we are committed to overcoming the stigmas which have hindered our industry for far too long.” Tickets can be purchased here.
Unlimited Ride Specials Pre-Sale Information (ends April 19 at 5 pm): 1 Wristband: $25 (save up to $5); 4-Pack: $85 (save up to $35); 50 Ride Tickets: $45 (save $15)
Unlimited Ride Specials Information after April 19: Weekday Wristband (Tuesday-Thursday): $27; Weekend Wristband (Friday-Sunday): $30; 4-Pack: $100 (save up to $20); 50 Ride Tickets: $55 (save $5)
Hours: Weekdays 5 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 1 pm – 11 pm; Sunday 3 pm – 11 pm
Germantown was founded in the early 19th century by European immigrants. It was called “German Town” because of German immigrants (along with immigrants from other European countries) who set up shop in the agricultural village when a road was created to connect Neelsville to Darnestown. The original plan for Germantown divided the area into a downtown and six town villages: Gunners Lake Village, Kingsview Village, Churchill Village, Middlebrook Village, Clopper’s Mill Village, and Neelsville Village. Now, Germantown has a population of over 90,000 people, making it the third most populous place in Maryland behind the city of Baltimore and Columbia (census designated place). Below you’ll find ten suggestions for free things to do in Germantown, MD:
- Black Hill Regional Park: This park offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking trails, boating, fishing, and picnicking. It also has a nature center where you can learn about the local flora and fauna.
- Germantown Town Center Urban Park: This park features a splash fountain, playground, and a large open space for picnicking, sports, and relaxation. It’s a great place to enjoy outdoor activities and community events.
- South Germantown Recreational Park: This expansive park offers a variety of recreational facilities, including soccer fields, baseball fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a skate park. There’s also a scenic lake where you can go fishing.
- Seneca Creek State Park: This state park offers free admission and has miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. The park also has a nature center where you can learn about the local wildlife and habitats.
- BlackRock Center for the Arts: This cultural arts center offers free admission to some of its galleries, which feature rotating exhibitions of visual arts. It’s a great place to appreciate local and regional artwork.
- Germantown Library: The Germantown Library offers free access to a wide variety of books, magazines, DVDs, and other resources. It’s a great place to relax, read, or do research.
- Schaeffer Farm Trails: This network of trails offers scenic hiking and biking opportunities through woodlands, meadows, and along Seneca Creek. It’s a great place for nature enthusiasts and outdoor recreation.
- Kingsview Local Park: This park features sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas. It’s a great place for families to enjoy outdoor activities and relax in a natural setting.
- A Stroll Through Germantown Town Center: This area is walkable and has everything you’d need from the previously mentioned public library and Black Rock Center for the Arts, to places where you can shop or eat if you’d like to spend during your walk at a grocery store, many restaurants, and more.
- Germantown Historical Society Museum: This small museum features exhibits on the history and heritage of Germantown and the surrounding area. It’s a great place to learn about the local history and culture.
Please note that availability and hours of operation may vary, and it’s always best to check with the respective venues or websites for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit. Enjoy your time in Germantown!
Back in March, we let you know that Hulu Skewer House would be moving in to 1488-B Rockville Pike, the former location of Mi Rancho and On The Border before that, next to Yekta. The restaurant has just announced that it will hold its soft opening on Saturday, December 31. The restaurant asks that you send a direct message via Instagram to get invited to the soft opening (see post below).
Hulu Skewer House touts “the most authentic Chinese BBQ experience in Maryland.” It will offer a variety of skewers, appetizers, and Chinese cuisine. They will also have karaoke available on the second floor, which is currently being constructed. The space has been vacant since Mi Rancho closed its Rockville location since September 18th. Mi Rancho continues to operate its Germantown and Silver Spring locations.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmo8_wnNpyC/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
In a move to consolidate members, staff, resources, etc. SoldierFit has permanently closed its Bethesda location (7920 Norfolk Ave Bethesda, MD 20814) with plans of combining it with its North Bethesda/Rockville location (12241 Nebel St, North Bethesda, MD 20852). SoldierFit Bethesda opened approximately three years ago in Bethesda, while the North Bethesda/Rockville location opened in 2016.
Soldierfit, founded by Army veteran Danny Farrar and Rockville native/Wootton High School alumnus Dave Posin, offers memberships for group classes, access to exercise equipment, personal training and kids’ classes. In 2007, the company started with boot camps in area parks until it leased brick-and-mortar space in 2010 in Gaithersburg. The gym has additional Montgomery County locations in Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, and Silver Spring. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
While there aren’t any restaurants in Montgomery County that have been awarded Michelin stars, we’ve put together a list of the 24 nearby restaurants that have earned stars. Michelin stars are awarded in a three star system: one star meaning “a very good restaurant”, two stars meaning “excellent cooking that is worth a detour” and three stars meaning “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey”. These are not based on customer reviews, rather these stars are awarded by Michelin Inspectors who are anonymous food experts and have undergone official Michelin Guide training in France.
As explained by Fine Dining Lovers “The judging criteria is the same for each restaurant, focusing on the quality of the ingredients, cooking techniques and, most importantly, taste. Michelin stars are awarded solely on the standard of cuisine, so inspectors will not consider things like restaurant decor or ambience when awarding stars, although the comfort and quality is rated from 1 to 5 using a crossed fork and spoon symbol.” Below is the list of the 24 nearby Michelin star restaurants:
One Star
Albi (1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003) – Middle Eastern eatery
Bresca (1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009) – French influenced bistro
Cranes (724 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001) – Spanish-Japanese fare
Elcielo D.C. (1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002) – fine dining Colombian & high-concept tasting menu
Fiola (601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20004) – rustic Italian food
Gravitas (1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002) – New American tasting menuz
Kinship (1015 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001) – unique New American
Little Pearl (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003) – sophisticated fixed price menu & wire pairings
Masseria (1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002) – Italian prix fixe menus
Maydan (1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009) – Caucasian, North African & Middle Eastern cuisines
Métier (1015 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001) – French-themed restaurant with a tasting menu
Imperfecto: The Chef’s Table (1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037) – elegant seafood and steak dishes with seasonal ingredients
Oyster Oyster (1440 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001) – seasonal, carefully sourced tasting menus
Reverie (3201 Cherry Hill Ln, Washington, DC 20007) – TEMPORARILY CLOSED – elevated New American fare
Rooster & Owl (2436 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009) – modern American tasting menus & wine
Rose’s Luxury (717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003) – New American small plates
Sushi Nakazawa ( 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004) – luxurious Japanese omakase
Tail Up Goat (1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009) – Mediterranean fare and Caribbean inspired drinks
The Dabney (122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001) – Mid-Atlantic cuisine
Xiquet (2404 Wisconsin Ave B, Washington, DC 20007) – high end Spanish restaurant specializing in Valencian cuisine
Two Stars
Jônt (1904 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009) – tasting menu with a focus on Japanese products
minibar by José Andrés (855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004) – fixed price menus exploring molecular gastronomy
Pineapple and Pearls (715 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003) – 4 course menu with wine and cocktails
Three Stars
The Inn at Little Washington (309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747) – American cuisine
Below is our list of the November 2022 upcoming races in Montgomery County. If there are any MoCo races we may have missed, please feel free to comment with the race name and any additional information you may have:
5K Orchard Run – November 12 (Germantown, MD) — Registration fees are $40 until November 10, $45 November 11-12. Kids Fun Run is free. This is a trail run hosted at Butler’s Orchard by Montgomery County FCA. More information available here.
Kensington parkrun – every Saturday 9 am (Kensington, MD) — This is a free weekly run that takes place at Rock Creek Trail. Participants are asked to register beforehand. More information available here.
Stone Mill 50 mile run – November 12 (Montgomery Village, MD) — Registration fees are $75. This is a trail run starting at Stedwick Elementary School and will take participants through the Seneca Greenway and Muddy Branch trails. More information available here.
Freedom is Never Free Half – November 13 (Potomac, MD) — Registration fees are $30 for the 5K, $45 for the 10K, and $65 for the half. This is a flat run at Carderock Recreation Area. Strollers and walkers are welcome. More information available here.
Run Under the Lights – November 19 (Gaithersburg, MD) — This 5K is currently full, waitlist is open. Registration fees are $40, $35 for ages 0-15. This is a run through the Gaithersburg Winter Lights festival at Seneca Creek State Park. More information available here.
Turkey Chase Charity Race – November 24 (Bethesda, MD) — Registration fees are $50 for the 10K, $40 for the 2 mile walk/run. This is a run starting at the Bethesda Chevy Chase YMCA and runners will run through the marked streets in Bethesda. More information available here.
Turkey Burnoff 5/10 mile – November 26 (Gaithersburg, MD) — This race is free for MCRRC members, $15 for non-members 18+ and $10 for non-members under 18. This is a trail run through Seneca Creek State Park. More information available here.
We spoke with a representative from a Montgomery County Sport & Health location on Friday who confirmed that all Sport & Health locations will be rebranding to Onelife Fitness gyms. Currently, Montgomery County is home to two Sport & Health locations- Bethesda and North Bethesda. We were told that notice will go out to existing members on October 1st announcing the change and providing additional information to members.
Back in 2014 US Fitness added Sport & Health to its portfolio of clubs, creating one of the largest health club companies in the country. US Fitness, a partnership between industry veterans Kirk and John Galiani and New Evolution Ventures, operates Onelife Fitness and Crunch Fitness clubs throughout Virginia and Washington, DC under the leadership of the Galianis. Sport & Health operates health and fitness clubs in and around the Washington, DC.
There are existing OneLife Fitness locations in Germantown, Olney, and Rockville.
We have complied a list of the tallest slides in and around MoCo for your thrill seekers. They are listed below in no particular order.
- Cabin John Park, 1 slide temporarily out of order (7400 Tuckerman Lane Bethesda, MD 20817)
- Butler’s Orchard (22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876)
photo by Butler’s - Greenbriar Local Park (12525 Glen Road Travilah, MD 20854)
photo by Greenbriar - Damascus Recreational Park (23723 Kings Valley Road Damascus, MD 20787)
- RIO Washingtonian Center Playground (231 Rio Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878)
- Kemp Mill Urban Park (1200 Arcola Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902)
photo by Kemp Mill Urban Park - Wheaton Regional Park (2000 Shorefield Road Wheaton, Maryland 20902)
photo by Wheaton Regional Park - Beyond MoCo: Lafayette-Pointer Park and Recreation Center (5900 33rd St., NW, Quesada St NW, Washington, DC 20015)
photo by dc.gov - Beyond MoCo: The Big Slide Mount Tabor Park At Rocky Ridge (13616 Motters Station Road Rocky Bridge, MD 21778)
photo by Visit Frederick - Beyond MoCo: Blandair Regional Park (5750 Oakland Mills Rd Columbia, MD 21045)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ4Nz9IhtSP/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Per Zero Deaths Maryland, “In April 2022, Maryland lawmakers passed SB 176, a bill that will upgrade the state’s law that protects children traveling on our roadways. The new law goes into effect on October 1, 2022, and states that children must be kept rear-facing until at least two years of age, unless the child meets or exceeds the height and weight on the seat’s guidelines. Having a seat that properly fits the child is also another important consideration. SB 176 brought Maryland in line with laws in 16 other states (CA, CT, IL, LA, ME, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, WA) and the District of Columbia.”
In April 2022, Maryland lawmakers passed SB 176, a bill that will upgrade the state’s law that protects children traveling on our roadways. The new law goes into effect on October 1, 2022, and states that children must be kept rear-facing until at least two years of age, unless the child meets or exceeds the height and weight on the seat’s guidelines. Having a seat that properly fits the child is also another important consideration. SB 176 brought Maryland in line with laws in 16 other states (CA, CT, IL, LA, ME, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, WA) and the District of Columbia.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that children should ride rear-facing for as long as possible. Rear-facing child seats do a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, and the back of the seat takes most of the impact energy. When children ride forward-facing, their heads are thrown forward in a crash, possibly resulting in serious injuries. Before SB 176, Maryland law only required a child to ride in a car seat until reaching at least 4’ 9” in height. The Maryland Department of Transportation supported the revision of the law to help guide parents on keeping a child rear-facing, something that was not addressed by the prior law.
The inclusion of age for rear-facing child seats helps law enforcement officers educate drivers on proper child passenger safety and gives clearer guidance for caregivers. Under the prior law, no guidance was provided for rear facing. This new bill helps bring attention to the fact that children under two are better protected in a crash when riding rear facing. Under SB 176, only a written warning may be issued for the first violation, supporting law enforcement’s request to use the new law as a teaching moment for drivers rather than a fine.
The October 1 start date gives partners time to build strong campaigns as well as caregivers time to prepare for the change in law. Some who currently have a child in a forward-facing-only seat will find that a convertible seat – one that can be used forward- and rear-facing – may better protect their child. Such seats may also prove to be easier to use and more cost-effective.
Kids in Safety Seats (KISS) supports a volunteer network that offers Car Seat Assistance Programs (CSAP) to the community. A CSAP offers low-cost options (convertible or combination seats) to the public for those in need. Referrals to the programs are made primarily through the KISS Helpline or email.
For more information on selecting the right car seat, please visit NHTSA’s website at:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#car-seat-types
Featured image by Zero Deaths MD
For those moms whose children are fascinated with all things dinosaurs, read on to find out where you can take your littles to learn more and explore their curiosities. They are listed by distance from the approximate middle of Montgomery County.
The Path to the Past in the outdoor Nature Exploration Area located in the Locust Grove Nature Center (7777 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda, MD) lets you “Take a journey back through time, starting from present day to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth millions of years ago. As you walk, learn about the different periods of geologic time. When did the first plants and mammals appear? Have temperatures changed over time? How have our continents changed? You’ll end your journey at a dig site, where you’ll discover a life size replica of a dinosaur fossil. Become a paleontologist; find your tools in the workbox at the dig site and see which dinosaur fossil you unearth.” More information available on their site.
Dinosaur Park (13100 Mid-Atlantic Boulevard Laurel, MD 20708) is an outdoor park with a fenced fossil site and playground. You can “Walk the same ground the dinosaurs did millions of years ago in Laurel, Maryland! Discover secrets of Prince George’s County’s prehistoric past at Dinosaur Park. The park is a unique site which preserves a rare deposit of fossils from the early Cretaceous period, about 115 million years ago.” The park is open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of each month with varying hours and the playground is open daily. More information available on their site.
Beginning in October, Dinos Alive is a temporary dinosaur exhibit in an immersive Jurassic venue at the Rhode Island Center (524 Rhode Island Ave NE, 20002). It features over 80 life-size animated replicas of species such as the T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, and Suchomimus. The fully immersive VR experience is suitable for ages 4+. Estimated duration is 60-75 minutes, all ages are welcome, and tickets start at $20. More information available on their site.
The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils – Deep Time exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, DC 20560) located on the first floor is described as a “massive, 31,000-square-foot exhibition will inspire a new generation of dinosaur lovers and scientists.” Admission is free and the museum is open every day 10 am-5:30 pm except December 25. More information available on their site.
The Dinosaur Mysteries exhibit at the Maryland Science Center (601 Light St Baltimore, MD 21230) is one where “you’re the paleontologist. Over a dozen full size dinosaurs roam this exhibit hall. Walk under, over, and through a landscape filled with dig pits, a field lab, excavation sites, and other areas of discovery.” This exhibit is particularly great as it allows littles to see over a dozen dinosaurs on display, work in a field lap and dig pits, and walk in a trackway of dinosaur footsteps. “Full size skeletons and casts of fossilized remains are on display and everything is hands-on. Touch a triceratops skull. Grab a brush and work side by side with other dinosaur hunters. Pick up a set of calipers and measure the length of dinosaur leg bones or sit in a nest of eggs. Stand in a footprint in the dinosaur trackway. Listen for the roar of a lumbering giant.” More information available on their site.
The Dinosaurs exhibit at the Maryland Zoo (1 Safari Place Baltimore, MD 21217) is available until November 30, 2022 and was named a 2022 Best of Baltimore winner for Best Kids’ Exhibit. “Travel through a prehistoric forest of roaring, rustling dinosaurs deep in the heart of the Zoo. You’ll take a winding path through our Maryland Wilderness to experience up-close encounters with life-size, animatronic dinosaurs like velociraptors, triceratops, tyrannosaurus rex, and more, created by Dino Don Inc. The fully robotic creatures move their heads, arms, tails, and even spit water! Along your journey, we’ll help you spot the connections between animals at the Zoo and these prehistoric beasts. Learn how these fascinating creatures moved, hunted, and reared their young in many of the same ways our animals do today.” The exhibit is open from 10 am – 4 pm with last entry at 3:45 pm. You can buy a ticket with or without zoo admission. More information available on their site.
Dinosaur Land (3848 Stonewall Jackson Highway White Post, VA 22663) is an outdoor walkable theme park It is a roadside attraction park with over 50 life size dinosaurs, “inviting visitors to step into the world of the prehistoric past, turning back the pages of time to the Mesozoic era, when dinosaurs were the only creatures that roamed the earth.” They also have a gift shop with a variety of dinosaur items. Beginning September 8, Dinosaur Land will be closed every Thursday through December. Tickets are $6 for ages 2-10, $8 for 11 and up. Their hours vary by the season and can be found on their site.
Featured photo courtesy of Maryland Science Center
Target’s car seat trade-in event will run from September 11-September 24. The popular event provides a 20% off coupon for a new seat, stroller, or select baby gear when you trade in a car seat or base.
Drop your trade-in item in the designated box inside the store, use your Target app to scan the code on the box and you’ll find the offer in your “ Baby category + more contactless savings”. Save the offer by clicking the red “+” and you can use it online or in store. More details can be found on Target’s site.
There are Montgomery County Target locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville, and Wheaton.
