Shaare Tefila Congregation in Olney, MD will host a communal singing program called Erev Shira—“Planting The Seeds Of Song,” and warmly welcome those who love to sing. The event is on Saturday, February 11, 2012, 8:00 pm-10:00 pm, to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat (also called The New Year for Trees). Four accomplished DC area singers, guitarists and music educators are leading this spirited program: Sally Heckelman, Teddy Klaus, Liz Kruger and Jill Moskowitz. The event is designed to hearken back to Israel, where evenings of communal singing (in Hebrew, called: shirah b'tzibur) still are a staple of Israeli culture. This event is meant to create an enthusiastic evening of song and fellowship in our own community and become a community-wide event, and possibly a Washington area tradition. (This year’s event is sponsored by Shaare Tefila.) As part of that goal, a SECOND Erev Shira has been planned for Sunday, April 29th, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) as a community. The cost of attending the February 11 event is only $10 for reservations made by February 8, or $12 at the door. For more information, contact Lisa Arber, Special Programs Coordinator, arberld@aol.com. To RSVP, contact the Congregation’s Office, and make checks payable to “Shaare Tefila Congregation,” mailed to 16620 Georgia Ave., Olney, MD 20832.

]]> FOREVER YOURS: A Valentine’s Day Workshop A special workshop for widows, widowers and life partners who want to honor and remember their loved ones on Valentine's Day. February 13, 2012 /1:30-3:00 p.m . Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Rockville. Registration required: 301-921-4400.

]]> Greater Olney Civic Association Meeting, in the Olney Community Room, Buffington RE/MAX Building, 3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, 7:30 pm. The main entrance to the room is on the side of the building facing the Bank of America. For more information, visit www.goca.org.

]]> The Olney Library Book Club Discussion Group now meets at the Wheaton Library on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:45 p.m. Books can be picked up at the information desk at Wheaton Library.

]]> Gates of Discovery: The Rose and George Teller Preschool of Shaare Tefila will host a Holiday Playdate on Monday, February 20, 2012, from 10-11 am, at its location: Shaare Tefila, 16620 Georgia Avenue, Olney, MD 20832. The playdate event will enable parents and children to: \n-- Meet the preschool’s warm and experienced staff \n-- Learn about programs available there, and see a class in action \n-- See the preschool’s state of the art facility, housed in a brand new building \n-- Visit its natural setting playscape-style playground, especially designed for preschool age children, one of the few such playscapes in Maryland \n-- Enjoy free playtime for preschool age children, and have them take part in planned activities For more information about the playdate program or the Preschool (which is nondenominational), please contact Beth Adler, Director, at badler@shaaretefila.org, or 301-593-3410, X 105

]]> Four professional comedians are appearing on Saturday night, each considered hilarious AND almost guaranteed to keep audiences laughing with their own unique insights into life!! Seating and a wine/beer cash bar opens (together with schmoozing and light refreshments), at 7:15 pm. The show begins at 8:00 pm; a delicious Dessert Buffet follows the show. The evening’s headliner: comic Mike Eagan, who’s performed for 30 years onstage across the U.S., including regular appearances at Las Vegas, Atlantic City & New York City. He’s known as a “Comedian’s Comedian,” because other comedians stay after their own act to catch his, he’s that funny! He’s a quick wit, with excellent ad-lib ability. The evening’s MC and Host is comedian Irwin Loring (Founder of Kaleidoscope Comedy), Irwin’s appeared at several NY comedy clubs, and many local MD/DC/VA Clubs. His style is considered a mixture of David Brenner and George Carlin, with a touch of Don Rickles. Also on the bill: comedian Jay Szech, who’s appeared widely in LA and Baltimore and other cities. He’s opened for national headliners, become a fixture up and down the East Coast, and has a very interactive comedy style. Then there’s comedian Jeff Hysen, a Shaare Tefila member, who’s “killed” audiences in LA, NY, and DC. He’s effective at taking everyday situations and turning them into stories audiences love, as they recognize themselves in Jeff’s stories. Tickets are: $27/per person (including the show and buffet dessert); $30 at door. Or if buying 4 Tickets, the cost is $100, or tickets for a table of 10 is $225. Contact: (1) Jill Goldwater at 301-593-3410; jgoldwater@shaaretefila.org; or (2) Cilla Grosberg at 301-384-8789; drgmrs@aol.com; or (3) visit Shaare Tefila's website at www.shaaretefila.org

]]> 36th Annual Pancake and Sausage Day 2012 The Olney Lion Lions and the St. Peter’s Knights of Columbus would like to invite you and your family to our all you can eat fund raiser on Saturday, February 25^th from 8 am until 2 pm. The location is Saint John’s Episcopal Church Hall on Route 108 across from the library. Adults $7.00 and Children 6-12 $3.00 under 6 yrs FREE. Tickets are available at the door. There will also be free Glaucoma and vision testing from 9-2. Please help us help the Olney community with the proceeds. If you have any questions or would like to advertise in our program booklet contact Steve Bready at 301-598-8585.

]]> Formerly from Silver Spring, MD, Jono David is a 45-year-old British-American freelance photographer and writer, based in Osaka, Japan. His mission is to contribute to the preservation of “Jewish Communities of the World” by documenting them photographically. Each photograph gives vision to community life today, while safeguarding memories for tomorrow. Jono has visited and taken pictures in 120 countries and territories. The program is free. However, please RSVP by February 19 by contacting the Congregation Office at 301-593-3410, ext. 104 or mbmason@shaaretefila.org

]]> Greater Olney Civic Association Meeting, in the Olney Community Room, Buffington RE/MAX Building, 3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, 7:30 pm. The main entrance to the room is on the side of the building facing the Bank of America. For more information, visit www.goca.org.

]]> The Olney Library Book Club Discussion Group now meets at the Wheaton Library on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:45 p.m. Books can be picked up at the information desk at Wheaton Library.

]]> SAVE LIVES! GIVE BLOOD. INOVA Blood Drive from 2:30-7:00 p.m. at Brooke Grove Retirement Village. Appointments preferred, but walk-ins welcome. For information or an appointment, contact Nancy Ochsenreiter, director of volunteer services at Brooke Grove Retirement Village, 301-570-7081 or volunteers@bgf.org.

]]> Greater Olney Civic Association Meeting, in the Olney Community Room, Buffington RE/MAX Building, 3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, 7:30 pm. The main entrance to the room is on the side of the building facing the Bank of America. For more information, visit www.goca.org.

]]> The Olney Library Book Club Discussion Group now meets at the Wheaton Library on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:45 p.m. Books can be picked up at the information desk at Wheaton Library.

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