We are expecting cold weather soon! If you have warm clothing items you no longer need, please consider donating to Silver Spring Cares’ third Annual Winter Clothing Drive benefiting Linkages to Learning at JoAnne Leleck Elementary at Broad Acres.
We’re collecting warm clothing now through December 8th. Items accepted include Winter Coats, Jackets, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Boots, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Pajamas, Pants, Fleece, Socks, Blankets, etc! If it’s warm and in great condition, it’ll happily find a new home this winter! Please only donate items that are in dignity condition. Please do not donate items that are missing buttons, have stains or tears.
If you’re within a 15-minute drive of downtown Silver Spring, you can schedule your donation pick-up. You can also drop-off donations at the Go Brent office between 9am – 3pm (@ 914 Silver Spring Avenue next to Kaldi’s).
Silver Spring Cares, Go Brent’s not for profit, works to strengthen the Silver Spring community through the power of connection. Linkages to Learning is a school-based collaboration among the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Montgomery County Public Schools and community-based service providers.
The Thomas Group hosted a pet adoption event along with the Humane Rescue Alliance onSaturday, October 26. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the animals. It was a fun day – full of smiles, belly rubs, and laughter.
Thrilled that some animals found their FURever homes too. Success!
Join Go Brent’s Debbie Gerald and Caliber Home Loans’ Branch Manager Ramez Fahmy for this free event.
When: Wednesday, November 13 from 7:00-8:30 PM Where: Silver Spring Civic Center in Downtown Silver Spring
We’ll be discussing the ins and outs of purchasing and financing your first home. If your to-do list includes buying a house or condo now or in the future, please join us. This is a great opportunity to learn about the buying process and ask questions.
Please sign-up in advance. There is no cost or obligation, just plenty of information!
There’s little inventory now but as you know the DC-area market typically explodes come Spring. If you intend to buy or sell (or both) in 2020, now is the perfect time to meet with an agent to ensure you have a strategy in place and don’t miss out.
Go Brent agents are full-time Realtors who have an unrivaled command of the local market. In the past three years, we’ve successfully assisted our clients to buy and sell nearly 400 homes.
We work throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and Washington, DC; from first-time homebuyers to seasoned home sellers, we’ve got you covered. Put our expertise to work for you – contact Go Brent to schedule your free consultation.
Fall is here! We’ve moved away from the dog days of summer, but it also means crunchy apples, bright orange pumpkins, spooky festivities, delicious treats, and crisp autumn air. We’ve gathered a list of the most fun and most entertaining fall festivals and autumnal events in the area. Take your family, go on a date, even take a stroll alone! These fun festivals have something for everyone.
Boo At The Zoo
photo via national zoo
The Smithsonian’s famous National Zoo hosts an amazing
treat-filled event – BOO AT THE ZOO!
Kids can go trick-or-treating at the wildest spot in town
during Boo at the Zoo. Celebrate Halloween early with more than 40 treat
stations, a dance party and kids’ karaoke. This frightfully fun
evening is a magical time for the whole family. There is candy as well as
non-food items to collect as you walk around and explore the zoo. Many
animal enclosures are open as well for zoo-goers. Beer and food are available
for purchase at the zoo as well. Come ready to say “boo!”
Festival Info:
When: Friday, October 18th, Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th from 5:30 – 8:30pm Address: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 Cost: $20/per person for FONZ members, $30/per person for non-FONZ members
Gather the family together for a fun evening! Children can dress in their favorite costume, participate in a garden costume parade, paint a pumpkin, try a pumpkin treat, and top the evening off listening to award-winning storyteller Gary Loyld present “Pumpkin Tales for the Young” telling tales more funny than scary. Designed for kids 3-12.
Festival Info:
When: Friday, October 25th from 5:30 – 8:30pm Where: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center 1800 Glenallen Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902 Cost: $18/per child; adults free.
Join in the Halloween fun at Pumpkin Rock n’ Roll – a full-blown Halloween extravaganza. Enjoy family-friendly attractions including live musical performances, the pumpkin derby race, food trucks, and a hay maze.
Festival Info:
When: Saturday, October 27th from 12:00-4:00pm Where: GIGS Courtyard 3762 Howard Ave. Kensington, MD 20895 Cost: FREE!
Silver Spring Holiday Crafts Desserts & Sweets Festival
photo via Chic Events DC
Just in time for kids’ candies celebration, join us for a delectable excursion in the world of sweets and desserts! Come to Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring for a crafts and dessert fair on Sunday, October 27th. Join the KIDS’ COSTUME PARADE with BEST COSTUME prize from 2:00pm – 2:30pm. Also, don’t forget to get your pumpkin decorating ready just in time for Halloween!!
Festival Info:
When: Sunday, October 27th from 1:00–6:00pm Where: Veteran’s Plaza – Downtown Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Cost: FREE!
Located in upper Montgomery County, Butler’s Annual Pumpkin
Festival is the place to be on Fall weekends!
There are so many activities and fun stations, that everyone
will have done something they loved by the end of the day. Check out the hayrides,
hayloft, straw maze, pony rides, pedal tractors, and face painting! Lots of food
vendors on hand to tackle all your fall-food cravings as well!
Festival Info:
When: Weekends October 19/20, October 26/27 & November 2/3 Where: Butler’s Orchard 22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876 Cost: $12/per person (children 24 months & younger free)
Cash Only at Gate. ATM on site or purchase tickets at the market with your Visa or MasterCard.
Fall Fun Fest featuring 7-acre corn maze, farm animal
barnyard, giant slides, jumping pillows, mini mazes, wooden play structures,
corn bins, pedal kart, country cruisers… over 60 awesome attractions!
Festival Info:
When: Now thru November 3 from 10:00am-6:00pm daily Where: Gaver Farm 5501 Detrick Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771 Cost: Admission $13.50 per person weekends, $9 per person weekdays, kids under 2 free. Season Pass $35 per person.
The Thomas Group is partnering with the Humane Rescue Alliance to host an adoption event to help animals find their FURever home.
Pets from the Humane Rescue Alliance will be available for adoption at our office on Saturday, October 26 from 10AM – 1PM. Come, play, and stay a while – there will be free coffee, treats, belly rubs, and smiles!
We are also sponsoring a pet supply drive during the month of October to benefit the Humane Rescue Alliance. Check out their wish list here; donations can be sent directly to HRA or dropped off at Go Brent office during the month of October.
Go Brent is located
at 914 Silver Spring Avenue #103 in downtown Silver Spring (just next door to
Kaldi’s Social House).
We are proud of the impact Silver Spring Cares continues to make in our community. Their latest effort, the “Not Your Traditional Back to School Drive,” collected specific items to assist families and students as they begin the new school year. The drive benefitted 8 Silver Spring schools.
Read more from Silver Spring Cares in the recap below:
Our Not Your Traditional Back to School Drive was aimed at allowing all children in our community to start the school year with confidence and dignity. Our efforts provided a helping hand by collecting specific items for 25 families (think new shoes, lunch boxes, underwear, clothing, and backpacks) as well as general items to be distributed to teachers, counselors, and students including hygiene products, graphing calculators, water bottles, books, puzzles, art supplies, and more!
Thanks to a partnership with Silver Spring Cares and the YMCA Youth & Family Services/Linkages to Learning, we assisted families in five elementary, two middle schools, and one high school – all right here in Silver Spring!
The drive benefitted students/families in the following local schools:
Montgomery Knolls Elementary
New Hampshire Estates Elementary
Rolling Terrace Elementary
Broad Acres Elementary
Oak View Elementary
Green Castle Elementary
Eastern Middle School
Silver Spring International Middle School
Blair High School
Silver Spring Cares works to strengthen the Silver Spring community through the power of connection. In addition to the Not Your Traditional Back to School Drive, Silver Spring Cares has connected over 4,000 donors and volunteers to a robust network of 30 local nonprofits, delivered over 3,000 meals through our Casseroles for a Cause program, and warmed over 350 families through our Warm Clothing Drive.
Photos from the Not Your Traditional Back To School Drive:
Want to participate in the next Silver Spring Cares community event?
Join Go Brent’s Debbie Gerald and Caliber Home Loans’ Branch Manager Ramez Fahmy for this free event.
When: Wednesday, September 18 from 7:00-8:30PM Where: Silver Spring Civic Center in Downtown Silver Spring
We’ll be discussing the ins and outs of purchasing and financing your first home. If your to-do list includes buying a house or condo now or in the future, please join us. This is a great opportunity to learn about the buying process and ask questions.
Please sign-up in advance. There is no cost or obligation, just plenty of information!
As a native Washingtonian, Natalie Thomas has grown up in Silver Spring’s Woodside Park and had even purchased her first home in Woodside Forest. She definitely knows her way around from boutiques to bakeries and everything in between.
Get to know Natalie in this latest agent spotlight as she takes you through her favorite spots in and around the DC-Metro area.
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Growing up here and having been fortunate enough to travel to various cities, I have really come to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our metropolitan area and just how much it has to offer. There is a little something for everyone here – whether urban, suburban, waterfront, or mountains – our metropolitan area has it all.
While we live in a very transient area, I have come to love this about our area because it brings people from all over the world together! I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS: FOOD SPOTS!
More of a foodie? Well, the food scene just keeps getting better. With so many different cultural influences in this city, no cuisine is left unturned.
PassionFish – Bethesda
Barcelona – Cathedral Heights
Buena Vida – Silver Spring
Where do your tastebuds take you for a nice dinner out with family or friends?
Barcelona – 14th St or Cathedral Commons (DC)
Mi Rancho, Olazzo (Silver Spring)
Blacks Market (Kensington)
Le Diplomate (14th St)
What are of your favorite places to order in from?
Amina Thai (Silver Spring) – Grubhub delivers.
Jewel of India (Silver Spring) – Postmates delivers.
Spring Garden (Silver Spring) – Free delivery.
Favorite Happy Hour spots?
Urban Butcher (Silver Spring)
Mrs. Ks (Silver Spring)
Olazzo (Silver Spring)
Ruths Chris (Bethesda)
Blacks (Bethesda)
Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda)
Jaleos (Bethesda/DC)
PassionFish (Bethesda)
Favorite Mexican Restaurants?
Lauriol Plaza (Adams Morgan)
Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda)
Mi Rancho (Silver Spring)
Uncle Julios (Bethesda)
What’s the best breakfast or brunch spot in the area?
Buena Vida – Great brunch spot – unlimited small plates (Silver Spring)
La Pain Quotidien (Bethesda)
LET’S TALK SHOPPING!
Wildwood Center
Friendship Heights
Reddz Trading
Where’s the best shopping in the town? Are there any good boutiques?
Friendship Heights (DC) – Great combination of high-end retail mixed with off-price apparel chains like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. My favorite part of shopping in Friendship Heights is having access to all different types of retail while being able to pop in and out of shops and enjoy the outdoors.
Reddz Trading (Bethesda) – Second hand designer clothing store. Unique designer finds at unbeatable prices.
Wildwood Center (Bethesda) – Mix of boutiques and designer stores.
GET ACTIVE!
Love the great outdoors and mountains? Within an hour you can be hiking at the Shenandoah National Park or sipping wine at a vineyard with mountain views. Our nation’s Capital is full of history from the Capitol, to the White House, to the monuments or museums.
Gravelly Point Park
OrangeTheory – Silver Spring
Billy Goat Trail
Are there any good hikes or bike trails?
C&O Canal (DC) – Hiking and biking
Great Falls (MD) – Billy Goat Trail
Rock Creek Pkwy (MD) – Hiking and biking
Harpers Ferry (VA)
Gravelly Point Park (DC) – Great walking/biking trails
Patapsco Valley State Park (MD) – Great hikes
Sugar Loaf Mountain (MD) – Hiking
Theodore Roosevelt Island (DC) – Walking
Are there any recommendations for workout classes in the area?
Yoga: Blue Heron Wellness (Silver Spring)
Pure Barre (Silver Spring)
Orange Theory (Silver Spring)
LOCAL BREWS & SIPS
Denizens Brewing Company
3 Stars Brewing Company
Kaldi’s Social House
So many to choose from. What are some of your favorite local breweries?
Denizens (MD) – I love that you can bring your dog and sit outside.
3 Stars Brewing Company (DC) – love that you can bring in your own food and get a cold beer.
Best coffee spots in the area?
Kaldis (Silver Spring)
Blue Bottle Coffee (DC – Wharf) – AMAZING DRIP COFFEE
HAVE A SWEET TOOTH?
Pie Sisters
JennyCakes Bakery
Dolcezza
What’s the best bakery in town?
Nothing Bundt Cakes (Silver Spring)
Jenny Cakes Bakery (Kensington)
Baked & Wired (Georgetown)
Pie Sisters (Georgetown)
Tout de Sweet Shop (Bethesda)
Velatis (Silver Spring)
Dolcezza (DC)
District Donut (DC)
FUN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
The best part about our city is that most of these activities are free and can be enjoyed through so many means of transportation – kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, scootering, or even a Segway tour!
Great Falls
Eastern Market
Union Market
What are fun weekend activities to do in the neighborhood?
Farmer’s Market
Kayak/Paddle Board (DC)
Yoga Class/Barre Class
Union Market (DC)
Museums (DC)
Vineyards/Breweries
Hikes/Biking
Favorite Farmers Markets?
Silver Spring
Capitol Hill – Eastern Market
Are there any cool historical spots worth visiting?
Pretty much anything downtown! White House / Capitol / Museums / Monuments, etc.
What’s your favorite park to take the kids and / or pet to or just take a scroll in?
Great Falls – It’s by far my favorite walk in the area…gorgeous/scenic views.
Interested in keeping up with Natalie? Follow her on instagram!
With the new school year right around the corner, Silver Spring Cares is bringing another wonderful community drive to our area. Take part in the Not Your Traditional Back To School Drive, providing bulk school supplies for 7 schools in Silver Spring.
Not Your Tradition Back To School Drive will take place from August 5th – 23rd.
Read more about the drive from Silver Spring Cares below:
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Back to School!
Yet, for many families in our community, this is a time of stress and shame as they already struggle to make ends meet. Many collections are being held for basic school supplies like crayons and glue and Silver Spring Cares is ready to help families by going one step further to meet the growing demands of today’s modern students.
Thanks to a partnership with YMCA Youth & Family Services/Linkages to Learning we hope to ease this burden for families in five elementary and two middle schools in Silver Spring! From individual family requests to providing bulk items for distribution to teachers and students, we hope to allow all children in our community to start the school year with confidence and dignity.
