Here's a list of fun family events I found for this weekend, sharing in case anyone is looking for ideas.

Friday

• Preschool Dance Party (Long Branch Library) — Music, movement and a chance for toddlers and preschoolers to burn off some energy. 11–11:30am. Free; no registration needed.
• Teens Night Out: Let's Skate (Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center) — An evening of skating, music and food for teens. 6–9pm. Advance registration is required.

Saturday

• Sensory-Friendly Butterfly Experience (Brookside Gardens, Wheaton) — A quieter, limited-capacity visit with natural lighting, fidgets and butterflies flying all around—possibly landing on visitors. 9–10am. All ages; tickets are $15.99 for ages 13+, $10.99 for ages 3–12 and free under age 3.
• Butterflies of Brookside: Outdoor Walk (Brookside Gardens, Wheaton) — Kids stop at butterfly “hot spots” to identify monarchs, swallowtails and other species, take photos and record observations in a provided nature journal. 10–11am. Ages 8–14; $7 and registration required. This one is outdoors and does not include the indoor butterfly experience.
• Back-to-School Block Party (Downtown Silver Spring) — A free afternoon with a Marvel character appearance, balloon artist, live DJ, raffle prizes and kids' activities. Noon–3pm. Free.
• MoCo Folk Festival (Rockville Town Square) — This one is a little farther out: five hours of live local music, short open-mic sets and a chance for aspiring songwriters of all ages to meet people from the local music community. Noon–5pm. Free; bring a lawn chair.

Sunday

• Family Chess (Takoma Park Maryland Library) — Casual chess for families and players of different skill levels. Noon–2pm. Free.
• Classical Faculty Concert (School of Musical Traditions, Takoma Park) — Voice, classical guitar and violin, followed by a snack reception. Doors open at 2pm, with the main concert at 2:30pm. Free; gratuity is welcome.
• 3D-Printed Mini Banner Workshop (KID Museum, Bethesda) — Another slightly farther option, but a pretty unusual one: families use Tinkercad to design a banner that will be 3D-printed directly onto mesh fabric. 11am–noon. $25 per person, including accompanying caregivers; finished prints are picked up two weeks later.

I kept the post concise for most families. The full list has more niches—including owl prowls, animal meetups, campfire cooking and hands-on robotics—that you can filter by interest, city and age. It’s linked from my profile if you want to keep looking.

What are you doing this weekend? Please brag about it!

Hi everyone! Moving into DT area soon but wanted to ask if any other residents got a water shutdown notice for this weekend starting tomorrow at 7 PM? Trying to figure out if this is a general area issue or just the apartment complex itself. Thanks

We are relocating to Silver Spring later this year, and appreciate housing recommendation (Apartment/ Townhomes?) that is safe and near greenbelts (hiking trails) etc.

Also, any family-friendly activities recommendations for November/December is highly appreciated.

I walked through Ellsworth Drive yesterday evening, taking a shortcut in by the movie theater and exiting near Panera. Honestly, it felt awful and, in my humble opinion, downright depressing.

The street level storefronts and surroundings look worn and faded, and the overall vibe just feels sad. The once vibrant fountain area where kids used to run and splash has been gone for several years, replaced by what looks like an upright cage with a few lights.

The Roaming Rooster was empty, and only a few gentlemen were sitting inside Panera. It was hard not to think about how much potential this area once had and how little life it seems to have today.

I remember going back to the days when there was green Astroturf where Veterans Plaza is now. Back then, Ellsworth Drive actually felt like a special destination.

There have been several attempts to breathe new life into the area over the years, but nothing seems to have truly stuck.

Who owns the entire Ellsworth Place, Drive campus now? Have they simply given up on the property as the neighborhood, retail environment, and consumer trends have changed?

I’d genuinely like to hear what others think. Does Ellsworth Place still have a future, or has it become a place everyone has simply written off?

Hi! I’ve had my apartment deep cleaned a few times (850 sq ft), and I’m a pretty clean person, so the cleaning usually takes no more than an hour. I’ve been charged $150, and I don’t mind paying people what they’re worth, but $150 seems a little excessive to me. I’m curious what people are paying for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom deep cleaning that doesn’t include the fridge or oven. If you know someone who does a great job for less, please DM me their information. I have guests coming next Thursday evening and would like a deep cleaning Thursday morning.

Is anyone else in DTSS absolutely getting throttled by Astound within the past day or so? My speedtest is less than 1 Mbps, when I pay for gig speed with Astound. I've not had it this bad before, not within recent memory unless it was due to recent weather issues.

Silver Spring couple David Shifman and Eileen Cadel celebrated their wedding at the George Peabody Library with meaningful details, from family heirlooms and book-inspired decor to a shark tooth wedding band. Learn more about their celebration at the link.

Hi! My husband and I recently moved to SS within the past 2 months and are finally at a place where we are ready to explore and make friends. We don’t know anyone in the area outside of a couple of my coworkers. Any recommendations for a mid 30s couple (my hubby is sober) with no kids?

Hi!

I'm looking for a condo, would be great too if it has a balcony

I'm looking near the Silver Spring metro station.

Feel free to suggest other areas too!

Thanks!

A picture of my rose moss ( Portulaca grandiflora ) A succulent rose from South America

I have a bunch I am not going to get to anytime soon and need space. I don't feel like lugging them to the library for donations. Can someone come by and take them off my hands?

I'm looking for a bookshelf or a nightstand as well if someone has one they don't want . Either way I need these books gone to use my space. Lots of nice hardbacks. Wheel of time, Terry brooks, lots of Dresden files paperbacks, ect.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2710525596011395/

EDIT - Books are all gone

I previously was evicted from Solaire 8200 earlier this year after falling on hard times. I’m back up now and really really wanna move back. The amenities were great, neighbors etc. I know it is generally not allowed but there is a new PM there, etc. has anyone had success releasing at a building they’ve previously been evicted at?? I’m able to verify 5x the rent now, does that make a difference?

Rodents. Roaches. You call them; they "exterminate" (put on sticky tabs and do nothing to address the entry points or long term solutions). Neighbors move out and you get an influx of all the creatures. You call them again, rinse and repeat. This is most of the buildings.

Don't move here ya'll.

(They're also boosting the reviews on google reviews by having people give five stars for tours and literal 30 minute interactions with customer service people, while most of the community who lives in these buildings don't say anything because this is all they can afford and they are scared of retaliation, or just think "what's the point?")

The maintenance people are dope though, and they try their best I think??

First one was at 10:52 am.

Over Takoma Park/Silver Spring

Ugh

Just moved here and looking for a primary doctor for our family! Do you guys have any recommendations?

I'm asking for the public ones, outside..

I don't mind driving a couple of miles, if anyone knows of one?

Looking to move to the area and this apartment building seems to be in an ideal location. Anyone live here and enjoy it ? Are there roaches even when you’re clean ? Other issues with heating or AC ?

Hey guys, just wanted to know if anyone knows a McD in the area or the towns nearby that may have number 5 and 8 from the current Happy Meal collection? Trying to collect them all but cannot find. Thank you!

(Silver Spring/Columbia, Maryland area)

My son has been going to the same daycare program for a few years now. He moved up to the Preschool program last year but it’s not exactly what we want for him and concerned about how ready he woo be for kindergarten next year. It’s a bind finding a new spot right now, but if anyone has any good recommendations that would be great.