Rockville ranked seventh overall and fourth among small cities in the U.S. for its ethnic diversity, a new WalletHub study found.
Generous contributions from more than 240 individuals, businesses, and community organizations resulted in $93,149 of food, cash, toys and gift cards for the 2019 Rockville Holiday Drive.
These contributions, and the hard work of many volunteers, enabled the city to:
The Rockville Science Center is now in Rockville Town Center. The storefront center is located at 36C Maryland Ave., across from the Rockville Town Square Plaza ice rink and Rockville Memorial Library, in Rockville Town Square.
The storefront center’s first major event will be an opportunity to experience a universe of stories and see the stars with a two-day series of planetarium shows. The center will host a large inflatable planetarium that will depict winter’s evening sky, including prominent constellations, the movement of the stars, moon and planets, and significant astronomical events.
The shows, at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 and noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, are for all ages. Tickets are $7. Free admission for children under 3. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For tickets, visit the Rockville Science Center on Facebook or bit.ly/RSCSkyTonight.
In the weeks ahead, the storefront center will host project-based programs for after-school activities, camps, scout merit badges and home schools; additional special events featuring unique speakers, adult science nights and parties; and team activities. Learn more at www.rockvillesciencecenter.org.
Visitors to the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center can now walk through an inviting, brand-new lobby and use larger, modernized indoor-pool locker rooms, as well as other improved amenities, before they hit the water.
The newly renovated lobby and lockers rooms were made available to customers in late January, but renovation work at the swim and fitness center isn’t over quite yet.
Customers can expect to see construction continue in and around the facility over the next few months. As such, the section of the indoor facility’s parking lot that is furthest from Martins Lane will be closed for construction work.
Registration for youth and adult sports is now open.
Adult sports during the spring are: men’s softball; co-rec softball; co-rec basketball; co-rec volleyball (indoor and beach); and co-rec soccer. Game nights vary.
Registration deadlines for adult league players and teams are in late March.
Youth sports for spring are youth coach-pitch baseball, T-ball, soccer, and track and field. Practices for youth track and field begin at the end of March, with meets beginning in mid-April. Practices for youth soccer, T-ball, and coach-pitch baseball begin in early April, with games beginning mid-April.
The registration deadline is Thursday, March 5, with a discount for early bird registration until Friday, Feb. 28. Coaches are needed for teams in spring youth sports leagues. If you’re interested in taking part, contact sports@rockvillemd.gov.
Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/recreation/sports for league details and registration information or call 240-314-8620.
Registration opens Friday, Jan. 31 for the 2020 Suds & Soles 5K.
This year’s race, to be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, has once again been selected as the Maryland Road Runners Club of America 5K Championship Race. The Montgomery County Road Runners Club and the City of Rockville are teaming up again to present this 5K course on neighborhood roads that begins and ends in Town Center. The post-race party will feature the opportunity to sample great beverages from local breweries. A KidZone, for children 10 and under, will feature a kids fun run, children’s activities and light refreshments.
The race features a tiered pricing structure offering limited slots at reduced prices. Register early and save, and learn more, including about sponsorship opportunities, at www.rockvillemd.gov/sudsandsoles.
Learn to interact better with people with dementia and learn about hearing-loss options, heart health and the prostate this February at the Rockville Senior Center.
Register at the senior center’s information desk by calling 240-314-8800, or with the course number at www.rockvillemd.gov/ registration.
Dementia-friendly Initiative
Community members can often feel awkward when communicating with someone living with dementia, and may experience unnecessary discomfort when running errands, dining out and attending community events. With this free training, from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, gain new skills and resources to effectively continue work and other activities while helping those with dementia. Conducted by Nancy Epstein, of JK House of Grace, a qualified Dementia Friends community educator and part of Montgomery County’s Dementia Friendly Initiative. Register with course #11524.
Hearing Loss
In a free session, from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, Lisa Yuan and Christy Gavitt will share their personal experiences with hearing loss, and the strategies and tools, including assistive devices, that help them remain engaged and productive. Both presenters are Network of Community Assistive Technology Trainers — volunteers who go out in the community to educate people about hearing-loss resources and tools to enhance the ability to understand speech in different settings. Yuan works at the National Institutes of Health Communications and wears a cochlear implant and hearing aid; Gavitt is a global health consultant and wears hearing aids. Register with course #11522.
Heart Health
A basic overview of how to prevent and manage symptoms and/or conditions related to heart health through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. There will also be a heart-healthy bingo activity that will go over different facts about heart health. Presented by Adventist HealthCare from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. Register with course #11525.
Update on Prostate Health
When is a prostate exam necessary? What does an elevated PSA mean? What treatment options are available for prostate cancer? Learn how to maintain a healthy prostate with urologist Mark Rosenblum with this free seminar, 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. Register with course #11587.
Ongoing Skin Clinic
Held the second Friday of each month. Appointments required. Medicare/insurance will be billed. Call 1-877- 345-5300 for appointment, see Betty in the health room, or call her at 240-314-8803.
Memory Café
Free sessions for people living with early-stage memory loss to connect with one another through social events promoting interaction and companionship. Contact Sheila Griffith at 240-844-3608 or sagriffith@alz.org before attending. Bring a bag lunch. Noon-1 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 3 and 24. Register with course #11539
Racially relevant theater, an unconventional experience, jazz and a classic operetta will feature this month at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.
“A Raisin in the Sun,” presented by the Rockville Little Theatre. Performances at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2.
Rockville Little Theatre will present the racially relevant classic, “A Raisin in the Sun,” this month at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.
Set in Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s, the play depicts the dreams and ambitions of the Younger family as they await and receive a life-altering insurance check.
Faced with daily tensions, prejudices and a harsh reality, the family struggles to maintain dignity amid the chaos. Written by Lorraine Hansberry and directed by Kevin Sockwell.
Tickets cost $22; $20 for seniors (62 and older) and students.
“Joshua Sommerville: Eccentric but Necessary,” presented by Unique Sounds of Love LLC. 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
An interactive, unconventional and once-in-a-lifetime experience that advocates imperfections, spirituality and eccentricity.
Tickets cost $35.
“Swinging Sunday,” presented by the Rockville Concert Band. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.
The annual concert, filled with jazz favorites, which will be joined by Rockville Swing Band. No tickets are required, but a donation of $5 is suggested.
“The Pirates of Penzance,” presented by the Victorian Lyric Opera Company. Performances at 8 p.m. Feb. 21, 22, 28, 29; and at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 1.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved comic opera tells the story of Frederic, a boy mistakenly apprenticed to a softhearted band of pirates. Features many of Gilbert and Sullivan’s wittiest and most engaging tunes, including the immortal “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” and “Poor Wand’ring One.” Directed by Amy Sullivan; music directed by Joseph Sorge.
Tickets cost $28; $24 for seniors 65 and older; and $20 for students.
For tickets or more information, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre, call the box office at 240-314-8690, or email theatre@rockvillemd.gov. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre is located at 603 Edmonston Drive.
The Hometown Holidays Music Fest returns to Rockville Town Center this Memorial Day weekend. The 32nd annual free festival will feature four stages of entertainment, the Taste of Rockville and activities for kids, from noon-8 p.m. Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24.
The city’s 76th annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, May 25, in Town Center. Applications to participate in the parade will be available beginning Monday, Feb. 3 at www.rockvillemd.gov/HTH.
The city is seeking speakers for the Memorial Day ceremony. Rockville and Montgomery County residents who have retired from, or currently serve in, the United States military are eligible to take part in the ceremony. Volunteer speakers must be comfortable speaking in public and must prepare a five- to seven-minute speech about their experiences in the armed forces, including what it means to serve and to honor those who have served.
Contact Amanda Knox at aknox@rockvillemd.gov or 240-314-8604 to participate or learn more.
Find more details, as they are announced, at www.rockvillemd.gov/HTH and “City of Rockville Hometown Holidays” on Facebook.
Meet the artists of works on display at the Rockville Student Juried Art Show from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery.
The exhibition, which will be held Feb. 2-21, will display artwork of varied media by students from grades 6-12.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday. The gallery is closed on official holidays.
The Glenview Mansion Art Gallery at the Rockville Civic Center is located at 603 Edmonston Drive.
