Monday, December 31, 2012
If you're out celebrating on New Year's and don't have a designated driver, here are some choices for getting home.
The highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the last decade occurred on New Year's Day, according to Michael Green, AAA spokesman. But once you start your 2013 pre-celebration, you may not be thinking about statistics. So right now while you're thinking clearly, consider your options. Getting a designated driver or hailing a cab are some of your choices. But if you find yourself with empty pockets and no driver, you have options. Sober Ride Call Sober Ride 1-800-200-TAXI (1-880-200-8294) for a free ride home (up to a $30 fare) from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP). It says rides started Dec. 14 and are available every night until Jan. 1, 2013. People using the service must be 21…
Sunday, December 23, 2012
What toys are kids asking Santa for this year in Prince George's County and Maryland?
Topping off the toys' list the week before Christmas, this year's best sellers at Toys"R"Us include the Time For Your Checkup Doll and the 1980s comeback, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, according to Adrienne O'Hara, Toys"R"Us spokeswoman. The items that are selling best in Prince George's County and Maryland are also the ones selling best nationwide at the toys store, according to O'Hara, who described them below: HOLIDAY TOY BEST SELLERS #1 - Disney Doc McStuffins Time For Your Check Up Doll Doc McStuffins is a Disney Junior show that features a girl with stuffed animals and dolls that she nurses back to health. Time For Your Checkup Doll is one of the most popular in the series. She comes dressed in a lab coat and sings songs and …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
All Gaithersburg city facilities will be closed on Christmas and New Years Day, while others remain closed longer.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Greg Cohen
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Thursday, December 20, 2012
The city of Gaithersburg released the holiday schedule for city facilities. All facilities within the city will be closed Christmas and New Year's Day. Additional information about closures, per the city of Gaithersburg, below: Editor's Note: The article has been updated to correctly reflect the closure dates for the Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center.
Friday, December 14, 2012
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, November 27, 2012
Gaithersburg news in brief.
The city of Gaithersburg released the following news over the last week: Spiegel Elected Vice President of Montgomery County Chapter of Maryland Municipal League Gaithersburg City Council Vice President Ryan Spiegel has been named Vice President of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League (MML). Spiegel has been involved with MML since his election to the Gaithersburg City Council in 2007. "I am proud to serve an organization that brings together the cities and towns in Montgomery County to advocate for our residents and businesses,” said Council Vice President Ryan Spiegel. “The County’s MML chapter is integral to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life as we work with other community stakeholders to build …
Monday, November 26, 2012
Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!
We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16 to deckthehouse.patch.com/contest/gaithersburg Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. So, what are you waiting…
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Some toys on store shelves this holiday season could cause choking, have toxic components or damage children’s ears
- NEWS
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Sunday, November 25, 2012
By Maria-Pia Negro for Capital News Service Some toys on store shelves this holiday season could cause choking, have toxic components or damage children’s ears, according to the annual report of the Maryland Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy organization. “Choking toys are still the most prominent (hazardous toys) in the market this holiday season,” said Jenny Levin, an advocate for Maryland Public Interest Research Group, at an annual press conference. According to the group’s research, choking - on small toy parts, on small balls and on balloons - is still the leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. Between 1990 and 2011, more than 200 children died from choking incidents, the group reported. The report also…
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!
We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16. (Check back here next Monday for a direct link to our contest page so you can enter.) Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local…
Sunday, November 18, 2012
A primer on sending items to military troops this holiday season
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Ben Gross
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Sunday, November 18, 2012
The holidays can be one of the most difficult times of the years for military personnel serving away from home. The simplest gesture—a call, a card or a gift can make a huge difference in their morale. There are countless organizations that help facilitate the gift giving process, and we’ve put together this guide to help you select a group to help you send something to the troops this holiday season. Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program The Red Cross will accept holiday greetings through Friday, Dec. 7 at the following address: Holiday Mail for Heroes P.O. Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456 The organization offers the following tips to help your letter pass through the screening process: Shutterfly The popular photo card …
Friday, November 16, 2012
The festivities take place at the City Hall Concert Pavilion in Olde Towne on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, beginning at 6 p.m.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Greg Cohen
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Friday, November 16, 2012
Santa Claus is coming to town. Gaithersburg will kick off the holiday season with Jingle Jubilee, a traditional tree lighting ceremony, with holiday music performances featuring the Gaithersburg High School Holiday Ensemble Band and Pritchard Music Academy, and a visit from Kris Kringle himself. Hot chocolate, hot apple cider, coffee and kettle corn will be sold at the event by the Gaithersburg Student Union, with proceeds benefitting Autism Speaks. The event is free to the public and starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, at the City Hall Concert Pavlion. Should the event be cancelled due to inclement weather, the tree lighting only will take place on Monday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
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 ›