The Mayor and Council will proclaim February as National African American History Month at their Monday, Feb. 4 meeting, recognizing “a time for all Americans to remember the stories of those who helped build our nation and took a stance against prejudice.”
Also known as Black History Month, it’s a time to reflect on the significant contributions made by the black community to Maryland, Montgomery County and Rockville. Here’s how you can do that:
Rockville’s Mayor and Council announced Tuesday evening that applications are now being accepted to fill a vacant seat on the city’s council.
The public will have an opportunity to comment on an amendment to the Comprehensive Master Plan for North Stonestreet Avenue at a public hearing held by the Mayor and Council at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25.
The plan amendment covers the area where Montgomery County Public School facilities, the historic Lincoln High School and Crusader Baptist Church are located. The proposed plan amendment addresses one of five key opportunity areas identified in the 2018 Stonestreet Corridor Study.
Use your mind for better living, find out about lifestyle medicine and play a round of bingo after you learn how to keep your heart healthy, in February at the Rockville Senior Center.
Using Hypnosis/Self Hypnosis for Pain and Well-being. At this free class, explore the use of hypnosis and self-hypnosis to improve your life. Learn to use your mind in new ways: to control pain, relax, sleep better, handle stress, worry less, and live with a happy heart, peaceful mind and playful spirit. Presented by certified hypnotherapist Donald Pelles from 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6. Register with course #7414.
Lifestyle Medicine: A New Approach. Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based practice that offers a fresh approach to improving outcomes related to chronic conditions. It helps individuals and families adopt and sustain healthy behaviors that affect health and quality of life. Internist Dr. Aruna Nathan focuses on how to apply lifestyle medicine principles to prevent and manage chronic conditions at this free presentation, from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Register with course #8020.
Heart Healthy Presentation, Bingo and More! February is Heart Healthy Month! From 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, learn to take care of your heart and the hearts of your loved ones; stay after the presentation by Adventist HealthCare to play heart-healthy bingo with an opportunity to win prizes. Blood pressure screenings will also be provided at this free event. Register with course #9354.
Register for classes at the senior center information desk, by calling 240-314-8810, or with the course number at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.
Community members can learn what it takes to be a police officer through the Rockville Community Police Academy or a special course aimed at 60-plus residents.
The Rockville City Police Department is accepting applications for the free, 8- to 10-week Rockville Community Police Academy, in March, April and May at a time and place to be determined. Participants 18 and older will learn about all aspects of the department, receive hands-on training and earn a graduation certificate on course completion. For more information and registration, email Cpl. Ken Matney at kmatney@rockvillemd.gov.
RCPD is also offering a free course highlighting safety for the 60-plus population and exploring code enforcement, the K-9 unit and forensic science. Participants will also tour the police station. Classes meet from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays, March 20-April 24, in the Azalea Room of the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive. Register for course #8185 at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.
A new and improved skate park for the City of Rockville took a step forward in January with the Mayor and Council’s unanimous approval of a bid award for design and construction.
The new, 15,000-square-feet concrete skate venue would replace the city’s wood and steel park behind the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center, at 355 Martins Lane, which is showing signs of deterioration after close to two decades in operation, despite numerous repairs over the years.
The bid contract was awarded to Spohn Ranch, Inc. of Los Angeles, California, which has designed and built skate parks in Prince George’s and Howard counties in Maryland; Fairfax County, Virginia; Ocean City, New Jersey; West Virginia; California; and in other areas of the U.S.
Features at the new park, construction of which is anticipated to take 10 months, would include an entrance building, lighting, landscaping, and parking and access road improvements.
For more details on the current skate park, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/skatepark. For updates on the construction, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/1966.
Renovations are currently underway in many areas of the Rockville Senior Center to bring the building more closely into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Renovations include the front entrance foyer, offices, Carnation Room stage, back bathrooms, main bathrooms and dining room breakfast bar. Many of the center’s doors will be widened to the appropriate width and light switches adjusted to the appropriate height.
The front entrance is closed, so visitors and members should use side or back parking lot entrances. Renovations are expected to be completed in June 2019.
For more information, call the center at 240-314-8800 or email seniorcenter@rockvillemd.gov.
Registration opens Friday, Feb. 1 for the 2019 Suds & Soles 5K.
This year’s race, to be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22, has 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 live music by Lloyd Dobbler Effect and the opportunity to sample great beverages from a commemorative mug. A KidZone, for children 9 and under, will feature a kids fun run, children’s activities and light refreshments.
The race is open to adults, youth and children, and, new this year, features a tiered pricing structure offering limited slots at reduced prices. Register early and save. To learn more about the race – including sponsorship opportunities, and get registered, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/sudsandsoles.
Proceeds benefit the Rockville Recreation and Parks Foundation, Inc.’s Rockville Recre-ation Fund and MCRRC’s youth and beginning running programs. Learn more about the Rockville Recreation Fund at www.rrpfi.org.
This Month at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
Whodunnit and who is it? Questions that will be answered during this February’s performances at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.
Rockville Little Theatre presents “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” 8 p.m. Feb 1, 2, 8 and 9; 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10.
When the creative team of a recent Broadway flop assembles for a backer’s audition on a suburban estate, things turn deadly in this comedic romp, which spoofs the great murder mystery movies of the 1940s. By John Bishop, directed by Michael Abendshein. Tickets cost $22 for adults, and $20 for students and seniors aged 62 and older.
Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents “The Gondoliers”8 p.m. Feb. 22, 23 and March 1 and 2; 2 p.m. Feb. 24 and March 3.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s story of two gondoliers who discover that one is actually the king of the far-off land of Baritaria — but they don’t know which one. Come to enjoy the fun and music (and figure out the mystery). Tickets for adults are $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.
With more than 150,000 people expected to attend Rockville’s special events in 2019, sponsorship is a great way for businesses to get the word out and connect with potential customers in the Rockville area.
Significant annual events include the Memorial Day weekend music festival, Hometown Holidays; Lunar New Year; the Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show; and the German-themed Rocktobierfest. Sponsors receive promotional opportunities, such as onsite booths, logos on materials, social-media postings and more, depending on level of support.
To see Rockville’s annual events and download a sponsorship packet, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/sponsorship or email development and marketing manager Elisabeth Deal at elisdeal@rockvillemd.gov.
Bring your loved one to Rockville’s community centers this February and share your love for Valentine’s Day!
Annual Heart-to-Heart Family Valentine’s Dance
Friday, Feb. 8, 7-9 p.m. Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway.
Enjoy a red-hot night! Families and friends spend time together
making Valentine crafts and dancing as a DJ spins favorite tunes. Refresh-ments sold by Twinbrook Elementary School. The cost is $4 per person at the door.
CANCELED — Valentine’s Day Late Night
Saturday, Feb. 9, 7-9 p.m. Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Fallsgrove Road.
Little Hearts Valentines
Sunday, Feb. 10, 1-3 p.m. Lincoln Park Community Center, 357 Frederick Ave.
At this fun-filled Valentine’s event, little hearts aged 2-6 will make cards, a bag for their cards, read a book, decorate cookies and more. A small snack will be provided, and adult assistance is required. Pre-register for course #7998 at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration. The cost is $12 for residents, $15 for nonresidents.
