HolidaysShops Prepare for the HolidaysA variety of gift ideas.By Susan BelfordThe AlmanacThe interior of Cabin John Mallis one of <strong>Potomac</strong>’s best keptsecrets for holiday gift shopping.The mall offers a warm, well-litcozy environment – not nearly as overwhelmingas huge malls and packed departmentstores. Parking is free and you don’thave to use up all of your patience jockeyingfor a space.Cabin John Mall offers a variety of giftchoices. The merchants are willing to giveadvice and information about the productsthey are selling. The store owners want toget to know you by name and hope you willreturn.Here are some ideas for gifts to be foundinside the mall.Walk through the doors and head straightfor Occasions Unique Gifts and Gift Baskets.Owner Stephanie Menick is a wealth ofknowledge on how to find that perfect giftand her gift boutique has something foreveryone. Frames can feature your photographytalent. The Vinnebago is a canteenthat keeps a whole bottle of wine chilledfor a day at the beach or at a picnic. HerOccasions has a variety of messages for specialholiday gifts.tables are bursting with Christmas andHanukah gifts at every price point. “We canhelp pull themed item together to make avery complete gift that your friends or familywill love,” she said.“For the man in your life, a wooden cuttingboard embossed with his favorite teamemblem — or perhaps National’s or Oriole’sfun signs. The Grilling Collection or BlueberryBreakfast kits from Stonewall Kitchenstaste great and men love getting a giftthey can really use.” Menick also createscustom baskets for corporate gifts, groupAt Occasions GiftStore, items for a“Foodie.”gifts or just as a surprise for your hostess oryour family. “My baskets are all one-of-akindand will definitely be a WOW gift forthe lucky special person in your life,” shesaid.The next stop is the Toy Castle, withinjust a few steps of Occasions. Toy Castle’sowner, Brian Mark said that there has beena toy store in this mall space since 1979.“The grandparents come here now and rememberwhen they brought their kids hereto select birthday and holiday gifts. Thenthey return with their grandchildren. TheyOccasions owner Stephanie Menickdisplays one of their sports signs.love telling their grandkids that theyshopped here and bought toys for theirmommies and daddies. We like to think thatwe haven’t changed much from when themall first opened. We still carry quality toys,explain what the pros and cons of each toy,often let the kids try them out — and wegift wrap.”He said that this year there aren’t anyreally “must have toys,” but “kids still lovegames, science kits and Legos. They are onall their lists.” Cecelia Lopez has been se-See Shops Prepare, Page 42 ❖ <strong>Potomac</strong> Almanac ❖ December 3-9, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Photos ContributedNews<strong>Potomac</strong> Almanac Editor Steven Mauren703-778-9415 or almanac@connectionnewspapers.comSee www.potomacalmanac.com‘Jolly Fat Man’s Run’ Promotes Spirit of GivingFun run benefitsOperation SecondChance.www.ConnectionNewspapers.comBy Susan BelfordThe AlmanacIn 2004, a close friend of CindyMcGrew’s was deployed to Iraq.When his fellow soldiers were injuredand heading to Walter Reed,she visited them, searching for a way to helpthe soldiers and their families. Because ofthe dire need to provide assistance to veteransand their families, she founded OperationSecond Chance (OSC) — now celebratingits 10 th anniversary.“Over the past 10 years, OSC has providedmore than $2.5 million in assistance andmorale activities to our wounded, injuredand ill (WII) veterans. We receive requestsfor assistance every day from veterans whoare struggling to keep up with their bills,”said McGrew. “We assist with rent and mortgagepayments, utility bills, travel lodgingand daily essential items, like food, clothing,etc. We also host monthly caregiverdays, which gives the caregivers an opportunityto be pampered for the day. Additionally,we offer hunting and fishing programsand couples’ retreats that offer achance for families to re-connect.”“It is because of the generosity of ournation’s communities and programs like TheSergeant’s Program, fundraising efforts,grants, CFC and individual donations thatbless us with the opportunity to serve thosewho so bravely served us,” McGrew said.By Susan BelfordThe AlmanacThe Clara Barton Craft Show is a“must-do” for one-of-a-kind holidaygifts as well as the perfect presentfor that “hard-to-buy-for person” – or the “Ican’t think of anything for him or her – andthey won’t give me any suggestions” person.The show includes artists, crafters andauthors. The craft show will be held thiscoming Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1-5 p.m. at theClara Barton Neighborhood Recreation Center,7425 MacArthur Blvd, Cabin John.The show will include new crafters as wellas many returning artisans. Some of thearticles offered for sale are Susan Baum’sreusable clay gingerbread houses which canbe redecorated, exotic necklaces createdwith beads from Africa and India by EllenBenson, author Barbara Glickman with herbook “Capitol Splendor – the Gardens andChuck Dyson, Head Sergeant of the Sergeant’s Program, warms up therunners.Once again, The Sergeant’s Program isdragging it recruits, friends – and one JollyFat Man out of bed for a fun run/walk downCapital Crescent Trail to support OperationSecond Chance — a charity that is close tothe military roots and theme of TheSergeant’s Program. The Sergeant’s Program,headquartered in <strong>Potomac</strong>, is a civilianBootcamp program. Staff utilize a conditioningroutine designed to whip recruitsinto decent shape within a few short weeks– and keep them in shape.Registration for the Dec. 13 run is $40and participants receive a shirt, post walk/run breakfast at the American Tap Roomand the opportunity to participate in a raffleParks of Washington D.C., Dorothy Hall andRussell Wright with Christmas jewelry, knittedhats and scarves and notecards, KarenHench with her “Timeless Treasures” –hand-embellished housewares and personalgift items and fused glass from LyndaSlayen.Michael Higgs will be selling his woodenworks and carvings, and also demonstratingthe skill of wood carving. Bessie Ioakimwill bring her homemade Greek sweets andfig jam, Cecelia Kurtz will offer her organicsoaps and lotions, Stephanie Lovell willpresent her quilts, placemats, hot pads andtotes and Ann McCallum will be performingdemonstrations of her math cookbookwith prizes donated by local merchants.The race was launched 19 years ago whenone of the sergeants went running with agroup of “less than fit” men, otherwiseknown as the jolly fat men. The Sergeant’sProgram held its first run — and each year,have found it the most meaningfulfundraiser they sponsor — so they havevowed to keep it going. Head SergeantChuck Dyson is excited that they can entitletheir run after their group of “Jolly FatMen” in the spirit of St. Nick and SantaClaus. Dyson leads a warm-up for all JollyFat Man participants and gets the groupmoving to the Capital Crescent Trail for thewalk or run of any distance.called “Eat Your Math Homework - Recipesfor Hungry Minds.” The craftspeople arealmost all local residents from Cabin John,Rockville, <strong>Potomac</strong>, Gaithersburg, SilverSpring and Bethesda.“The Friends of Clara Barton Communitysponsor the show. The money we make fromtable rentals goes to support programs forchildren, seniors and families at the ClaraBarton Neighborhood Recreation Center,”Craft Show Coordinator Leslie Barden said.“We are pleased that this year we have 51artists. Every year, we choose one crafterwho contributes their profits to their owncharity — and this year it is ‘Crafters for aCure.’”“I can’t help butthink thatwounded, injuredand ill veteransare all striving to‘Be all they used tobe’ which is so fittingwith TheSergeant’s Programmotto,” saidMcGrew. “Wehave a whole generationof veteransthat sufferfrom PTSD and amultitude of injuries. When they are injured,they are injured for life. Sadly, 22combat vets loss their battles and take theirlives every day.”Rob Grimes, CEO and president of TheSergeant’s Program said, “We are thrilledto continue working with Operation SecondChance and partner with them on thisannual event. The Sergeant’s Program communityis enthusiastic to support such awonderful, worthy and important cause.”This is the last running event of the season.Warm-up in front of Mon Ami Gabi,7239 Woodmont Ave. at 8 a.m. and thenchoose one’s own distance to run or walk –2 miles, 4 miles – or 14 miles to Georgetownand back. Return to the starting line by 10a.m. and head to the American Tap Roomfor a hot breakfast and the raffle. Registeronline or on-site for $40. Thursday, Dec. 11from 6-9 is a happy Hour Packet Pick-up atthe American Tap Room in Bethesda or pickup the packets after the race.For more information or to register, go towww.sarge.com or email info@sargecorp.com.Craft Show To Fill Clara Barton Recreation CenterFrom artists toauthors to crafters.Mikaela Fishman, a WaltWhitman High School seniorMikaela Fishman’s earringsCarole Schulman, one of the founders ofCrafter for a Cure, said, “All of our profitsgo to the Hope Connection, a cancer supportand educational organization locatedin Bethesda. For many years, our groupdesigned and sold belt buckles and pendantsfrom jewelry and buttons – and donatedthe profits for research for OvarianCancer, since one of our members passedaway from it. Now we give to Hope Connectionand we are now focusing onSwarovski crystal embellished earrings,necklaces and hair clips. We also have aselection of freshwater pearl bracelets,beaded necklaces and necklaces withcharms and tassels. We are really pleasedto be in the Clara Barton show – it is such awonderful community.”Meredith Worthington will be presentingher ceramic Christmas ornaments and otheritems for the first time at Clara Barton. “Mycraft is a result of my love of art and theChristmas season. I paint porcelain, resinor plaster Christmas tree ornaments andstanding figurines such as Santa Claus,See Craft Show, Page 4<strong>Potomac</strong> Almanac ❖ December 3-9, 2014 ❖ 3
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