72 HOURS Jan. 30, 2025

THE ARTFUL BARISTA

For this artist, an unexpected platform for recognition emerges: her day job

MOUNT AIRY WRITER FEATURED IN NEW BOOK

An essay by 72 Hours writer Erin Jones is featured in the new book “Broken but Beautiful,” released on Jan. 28. “I’m honored to have contributed a chapter to this book,” Jones wrote recently on an Instagram post. “I set out to write about liturgy, but in many ways it’s also a love letter to [Fourth Presbyterian Church] and the healing that has taken place since I stumbled through those doors 14 years ago.” The book is a collection of essays from authors all over the country, published by the small, faith-based publisher Gospel-Centered Discipleship.

COMING TO A PHONE NEAR YOU

Wondering what new emojis will emerge this year and how you’ll use them? According to the German Press Agency, tampon, afro hair, vape and haggis emojis were all denied by Unicode Consortium, which sets the international standard for character encoding. But we will be getting these: a face with bags under the eyes, a fingerprint, a leafless tree, a root vegetable, a harp, a shovel and a “splatter.” Other emojis expected to be released this year include Bigfoot, a treasure chest, a “fight cloud” and an apple core. Here’s to our modern-day hieroglyphs! Enjoy!

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE FAIRY LORE OF FREDERICK?

Alice Hannington Read grew up in Frederick and returned here as an adult. As a kid here, her mother would tell her stories about the fairies of Frederick. “My mother taught us about fairy paths to investigate when we were growing up,” she said. “I, in turn, took my daughters there often — and now my grandchildren.” Fast forward to present day, and she has written and illustrated a children’s book called “The Secret Fairies of Frederick” to share these whimsical stories with the community. Meanwhile, since the book has come out, several people have told her about “real fairies they’ve encountered,” she said. “They’re very intriguing stories. One involved a peach tree in Middletown that I need to know more about.”

FIRE IN ICE IS THIS WEEKEND

We would be remiss if we did not mention Fire in Ice, arguably the most popular wintertime festival in Frederick. The event brings thousands of visitors to downtown Frederick over three days — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — to see the wondrous spectacle of works of art in the form of glistening ice sculptures, combined with fire dancers and other fiery performances throughout town. Here’s hoping the weather holds up for it — i.e., stays cold enough to keep these sculptural pieces intact for the weekend.

Lucky Corner spices up traditional Vietnamese dishes

At Lucky Corner in Frederick, head chef and owner Pha Huynh whips up traditional Vietnamese fare but with a twist.

Trung Huynh, general manager of Lucky Corner and Pha Huynh’s son, said his father immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam more than 40 years ago and “worked his way up.”

“He didn’t go to culinary school,” he said. “At that time, it was more about making money to support my sister and finding a place and all that. ... He didn’t have any money to go to college.”

Huynh said his father began working at different restaurants to pick up culinary knowledge and skills, including how to make American, Spanish and other types of food.

He said his father “wants to give a little twist” to traditional Vietnamese food and “make it his own way.”

Huynh said Lucky Corner’s original location on North Market Street in downtown Frederick opened in 2006, and the restaurant later moved to its current location in the Westview Promenade shopping center on Buckeystown Pike in 2016.

At the former location, he said, customers would line up against the wall trying to get in.

“It was a nice little, what they call it? ‘Hole in the wall.’ But we had to expand,” Huynh said. He said his father was “happy, excited, and he wants to give customers more of what he can offer.”

Lucky Corner’s signature dish is its chicken with chili and lemongrass. The chicken is sautéed with white onions, carrots, scallions, chili peppers and lemongrass. Huynh said the combination of two popular Vietnamese ingredients, fish sauce and lemongrass, creates a “really nice aroma.”

While the dish is traditional, Lucky Corner puts its own spin on it to “make sure that the customers are actually going to like this.”

“As a chef, we’re happy to see a dish returned to the kitchen completely empty. It feels good that we’re doing something right,” he said. “It’s a satisfying feeling.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Huynh said, Lucky Corner “suffered just like everybody else.”

“We have a lot of regulars that came in and were like, ‘You know what? I’m here to support you guys. I hope you guys make it through,’” he said. “I want to say thank you to them, because with their help, we made it through COVID.”

Huynh said ever since then, “we know that customers love us. We couldn’t ask for more. I think the Frederick community has been very supportive.”

— Esther Frances

LUCKY CORNER

5100 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 174, Frederick 301-360-5913

luckycornerrestaurant.com Facebook: facebook.com/luckycorner

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Price: Menu items range in price from $6.75 appetizers to $20.95 dinner entrees.

Trung Huynh recommends: Chicken with chili and lemongrass, which is sautéed with white onions, carrots, scallions, chili peppers and lemongrass.

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Chicken with chili and lemongrass at Lucky Corner in Frederick.

Staff photos by Ric Dugan

Trung Huynh, general manager at Lucky Corner in Frederick.

World and jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer

Tom Teasley talks about his recent projects

BY COLIN MCGUIRE

Special to The News-Post

Multi-instrumentalist. Percussionist. Drummer. World and Jazz Music Connoisseur. You name it, and Tom Teasley has a little bit of it in him. Recently, he released two projects, both in duo form. “Wisdom” is a collaboration with vocalist Charles Williams, who has since passed away. “Lunch Break,” meanwhile, spotlights Teasley’s work with trumpeter Dave Ballou.

Teasley is based in Alexandria, Virginia, but you can catch him in Frederick, where he occasionally performs in the Frederick Experimental Music Association music series, spearheaded by Bill Shoemaker.

72 Hours caught up with Teasley recently to talk about those releases, the magic of speaking through music, what instrument he’d like to work with next, his history in New Orleans and, of course, all the projects he’s working on currently — and there are many.

I love these new projects, and I want to start with “Wisdom.” You did this with a vocalist, which is something kind of new. How did this project come together?

I had been working with Charles, who died a couple years ago. We had this project going for a couple of decades and we traveled all over the world, largely for the State Department, doing a lot of the Americana, African-American poetry by Langston Hughes and James Weldon Johnson and some Martin Luther King. We were both teaching at Levine School of Music and we were invited to do a program for one of the faculty recitals. It was received so well — and I know it’s such an unusual thing because it’s just percussion and vocals — that we just kept going with it. We have two other pieces. The first is called “Poetry, Prose, Percussion and Song,” and then there was another one called “Word-Beat,” which was mostly a lot of African-American songs. In bringing these two projects together, the thing that spawned my interest in doing this project with Charles was hearing a recording of Max Roach playing along with Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. I thought, man, that was amazing, and Max Roach is one of my favorite musicians ever. I thought if they were doing that in real time, it would even be more magical.

Yeah, it’s a fascinating listen, and I’m really glad it all came together.

soundtracks for a theater project that I was working on. For about the past 15plus years, I’ve been very involved with a D.C. theater project. That was taking all my time. So, I’m trying to put together the infrastructure that would allow me to do some touring. Also, for reasons that are logistical as well as artistic, I really like working with just one other person. I find that the conversation is deeper. That might change, and I’d be open to doing other projects, but duos just seem to work for me. Also, a duo is relatively easy to tour.

That’s very true. Is there an instrumentalist or an instrument in particular that you would like to work with but haven’t worked with yet?

That’s a great question. Well, a couple things come to mind. A couple summers ago, I played with Rez Abbasi, a great guitarist who lives in New York and is a very forward-thinking jazz player. He’s from Pakistan and has a deep knowledge of the Indian tradition. I’m interested in that. Then, more succinctly, I have two projects that will probably be the next things coming out. One is with a wonderful violinist, and we’re doing a kind of jazz-improv-Celtic mix with just percussion and fiddle. Then, I’ve done some work with John Wubbenhorst, who is a maestro of the Indian bansuri flute. I would be interested in exploring something else. I’ve been touring to China with some frequency, and I’d be interested in playing with some of the Chinese and Korean instruments as well. Something that is not squarely in the jazz lexicon would be an interesting thing.

The other project, “Lunch Break,” with Dave Ballou — I think a trumpet is one of the best instruments I’ve ever heard with you. What do you think about that?

You know, let me put it this way: I think Dave is one of the best instruments I’ve ever heard with me. Also, the trumpet fits really well. It doesn’t seem as esoteric as it might be when I define it to someone. If I’m talking to someone who hasn’t heard it and say, “Yeah, I’ve got this piece with percussion and trumpet ... .” There is a history of it, with a variety of others. Don Cherry and Blackwell, for example. I think Max Roach did a thing with Dizzy Gillespie one time, so it’s not unheard of, but it’s a little different. The title came about because I was filming some

educational video for one of the companies I work with and I was literally taking a lunch break. I was talking to Dave and said, “Listen, man. Come on by. We’ll do an informal thing and just play,” and that’s exactly what it was. We did some editing after the fact, but there were no second-takes; everything was a first-take. We just played.

You make educational videos and you make stuff for the State Department as well. With these types of projects, do you ever want to get out and do proper tours?

You know, I do. Part of getting these things out is me making a more concerted effort to put my stuff out there. Most of my previous recordings — I like them, but they were intended to be

That’s the thing about a lot of your material — it combines jazz and world music, really. There are so many different influences. Is that a conscious thing on your part? Did you always know you’d want to take from both worlds, or did this just kind of come together and you fell in love with it accidentally?

I’d say that both of those things you said are true. On the thing with Dave Ballou, I’m playing more of a traditional drum set. That was actually something that came about during COVID times. I was a drum set player because I never played anything else, and then I started touring for the State Department and that got me into the world music — because I was focusing on jazz adaptations on world percussion. So, what happened during COVID was I needed a new proj-

(See TEASLEY 6)

Courtesy photo

Tom Teasley

Admiral Radio will bring timeless Americana sounds to New Spire Arts

Admiral Radio brings a lineup of guitar, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, foot tambourine and shakers to the stage, complete with rich harmonies.

Admiral Radio will bring an evening of rich harmonies to New Spire Arts at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, with a performance featuring guitar, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, foot tambourine and shakers.

This South Carolina-based duo, featuring husband-and-wife team Becca Smith and Coty Hoover, offers a nostalgic blend of Americana music that bridges the gap between the past and the present.

Inspired by the history of their 1941 wooden Admiral Radio, Smith and Hoover weave together threads of country, folk and roots music to create a sonic tapestry filled with homespun comfort and evocative charm. Their music resonates with audiences of all ages, offering a refreshing take on traditional styles infused with contemporary appeal.

Since the release of their debut album, “Sounds Like You,” in 2020, Admiral Radio has been making waves beyond the Southeast. Their sophomore album, “Songs From The Vault” (2022), breathes new life into old-time songs from the public domain.

This performance is part of the season-long Tivoli Discovery Series, which showcases emerging artists.

Tickets are $10 in advance or pay what you want at the door and are available at weinbergcenter.org, by calling the box office at 301-600-2828, or in person at 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

Blues poet Nat Myers will play Gettysburg

A poet and guitar picker with a staggering voice, Korean American blues troubadour Nat Myers will make his Gettysburg debut live onstage Feb. 6 at Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater. Myers comes to Gettysburg after a string of concerts in Europe.

Majestic Theater executive director Brett Messenger first heard Nat Myers at New Jersey’s storied Stone Pony and has been a fan ever since.

“Myers is a truly uncommon artist. He has a sound all his own and lends his incredible, and very human, voice to songs that speak to issues of today,” said Messenger. “His music is soulful. It is relatable. It is important.”

Myers’ folksy blues and remarkable pickin’ are authentic, timeless and enduring. The Kenton County, Kentucky, native’s delivery harkens to

traditional blues giants, but with his unique blend of modern roots and Americana.

A poet for the modern era, Myers’ debut album, “Yellow Peril” is filled with blues about traveling the rails, running from danger, and running toward something harder to define. It reflects Myers’ experience as a Korean American and reflects him coming into harmony with his roots.

South Central Pennsylvania native Virginia Masland will perform an opening set of her original music, as well as some selectively reworked covers ranging from traditional folk to classic country.

Tickets start at $24 and are available at the Majestic Theater Box Office, 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, by calling 717-337-8200 and online at gettysburgmajestic.org.

Gettysburg Choral Society seeks vocalists

The Gettysburg Choral Society Inc. is actively seeking singers, including paid section leaders, for its spring season. Auditions are being held by appointment.

The chorus seeks to utilize the finest choral techniques in an effort to continually improve the quality of performances. As such, persons who read music and have choral experience are encouraged to audition.

Vocal accuracy, tone quality,

blending ability, diction and vocal range will be evaluated during the audition. Good sight reading is a plus. All persons auditioning must be at least 18 years of age and bring a prepared song to sing.

For those who have extensive voice training and fulfill certain chorus requirements, a modest stipend will be paid upon the successful completion of the semester’s work.

Rehearsals are scheduled for each

TEASLEY

(Continued from 5)

ect. So, I wanted to take that whole concept full circle and start applying some of the world music concepts to the drum set. So that way, each category of instruments starts to inform the other.

I was surprised to hear you play more traditional drums this time around. There’s even a little bit of swing and bit of groove that I just wasn’t expecting.

Yeah, that was one thing that I really wanted to do on this recording. I wanted to get past the esoteric part of what one might think of a percussion and trumpet recording. I really wanted it to have a strong dance-like sensibility. That first tune, “Tips In Baghdad,” when I overdubbed the drums, I did kind of like a New Orleans groovy kind of Neville Brothers thing.

Yeah, it’s one of my favorite spots on the record.

I went to Peabody Conservatory, playing mostly classical, and shortly after that, I found myself in rhythm and blues bands, so I spent a lot of time in New Orleans. That experience ... made me hear all of these world influences being informed by the American experience. It was still uniquely American, but they weren’t the traditional grooves I was hearing. That spawned the interest in me. When I would tour with the State Department — you’re always trying to reference something you currently hear with something in your past. So, when I would hear people from other countries play “Hey Pocky A-Way” by The Meters, I’d think, yeah, I can do something with that. It may not be traditional, but I can contribute. That became my M.O. when I was traveling. It was fascinating because the rhythm can express feelings and emotions that you just can’t say with words, and the rhythm actually becomes a way to communicate with one another.

It’s a beautiful thing. It really does define music being transcendent in that way.

Monday evening in Gettysburg from 7 to 9 p.m. from March 3 to May 19. Concerts are scheduled for May 23 and 25, as well as an evening event on May 26.

For additional information, or to schedule an audition, contact Julie Strickland at 717-515-3176 or mayfairy25@gmail.com.

For more information on the Gettysburg Choral Society, go to gettysburgchoralsociety.org.

It absolutely does. That goes to my bigger agenda now. I’m interested in getting some of my most creative work out there into the world, but I’ve also become very interested in the functionality of what music can accomplish in addition to just the aesthetic of is it good or not. One project I do is record sound design for psychiatrists who are recording guided meditation for soldiers returning. I do some community music events, too. The State Department work really impressed upon me how music can really change people.

This interview has been edited for space and clarity.

Colin McGuire has been in and out of bands for more than 20 years and also helps produce concerts in and around Frederick. His work has appeared in Alternative Press magazine, PopMatters and 72 Hours, among other outlets. He is convinced that the difference between being in a band and being in a romantic relationship is less than minimal. Contact him at mcguire.colin@gmail.com.

Courtesy photo

Nat Myers

Courtesy photo

Enjoy the beauty of Chambersburg’s IceFest in a different way with carriage and wagon rides

Chambersburg IceFest and Franklin Coun

Author and illustrator Alice Hannington

Read tells of

BY JENNIFER LEE

Special to The News-Post

First-time author and illustrator Alice Hannington Read recently published the children’s book “The Secret Fairies of Frederick.”

72 Hours caught up with her to talk about the project and how it came to be.

Describe “The Secret Fairies of Frederick” in your own words.

The images spring from part imagination and part trying to capture some of Frederick’s charm and wonder in the drawings and in story form.

My mother used to promise us there were fairies in the flowers, so I tried to combine the two.

Why Frederick?

Frederick is a very unique place. It gets under your skin. Sometimes, I just breathe in and feel so grateful to have grown up here. It’s a wonderful place. I wanted to do something to express that somehow.

It’s my love letter to my town, so to speak.

What are your ties to Frederick?

I moved here with my parents, Arthur and Ginny Read, and my four siblings in the fall of 1962. My father was sent to Frederick from Andover, Massachusetts, to become president of the then Everedy Company on East Street, which is now known as Everedy Square. At the time, it was still a thriving factory that made all sorts of wonderful pots, pans, broilers, cake savers and unique kitchen items.

After college, I moved back to Frederick, but moved to the D.C. area to pursue a music career and landed there for a good while, [where I began raising] my two daughters, Lucy and Jaimie.

Eventually, my girls and I decided to move back to Frederick. It had always felt like home to us.

We always kept a foot in Frederick, as my parents were still here all those years.

the fairy lore of Frederick

What were you doing before you focused on becoming an author and illustrator?

I worked at the Banner School the first year it opened but left to pursue my dream of being in a rock band, which I was. We even wrote a song about Frederick in the mid1980s and made a video that is now a wonderful, albeit unintentional, time capsule of our town. It features a lot of settings and fields that are no longer here.

Then, I stayed home raising my children. During that time, I started a house portrait business in the Northern Virginia area. This is where I worked on my drawing skills over the years. Your inspiration?

My mother. She loved flowers and gardening; she was very involved in the garden clubs. She and her friends were very instrumental in the beautification of Frederick back

in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. They still are to this day. The garden clubs are the unsung heroes of Frederick’s beautification, in my opinion. She thought Ron Young was a vital part of their effort.

Is there fairy lore within Frederick?

My mother taught us about fairy paths to investigate when we were growing up. I, in turn, took my daughters there often — and now my grandchildren.

But since the book has come out, so many people have told me about real fairies they’ve encountered. They’re very intriguing stories. One involved a peach tree in Middletown that I need to know more about. Maybe there will be a sequel after all!

What is the intended audience for your book?

It says in the dedication that it’s for all the children of Frederick — past, present and future.

GET A COPY

“The Secret Fairies of Frederick” books are available for purchase at the Shab Row Tea Emporium at 112 N. East St., Frederick, McCutcheon’s Apple Products at 13 S. Wisner St., Frederick, and The Simple Life: Metaphysical Marketplace at 119 E. Patrick St., First Floor, Frederick. Follow the book and get updates on upcoming readings and book signings by searching “The Secret Fairies of Frederick” on Facebook.

That’s true.

But I kind of think it’s for children of all ages, especially, if you grew up here and had the thrill of eating a donut from Capello’s Market or got yourself home from a night at Carroll Creek Dam.

So many happy Frederick memories.

Which fairy or landmark is your favorite?

In the book, a lot of family and friends may be fairies in disguise, so it’s hard to pick just one. But it may have to be my dear Theresa Brown fairy in front of Wag’s with her husband, Floyd.

Maybe the skaters on Culler Lake — skating was allowed at one time. That was from a happy time long ago. It brings back so many happy memories of lovely evenings with friends and family.

What did you find to be the most difficult part of your ar-

tistic process?

It was about a two-year-long process. It was a lot of work. It was sometimes hard to see light at the end of the tunnel. It was sometimes hard to believe I’d ever get it done. I was lucky to have a lot of friends cheering me on.

What was your creative process like? Was it seamless?

During the drawing process, I would write down snippets and phrases of things I thought would work. Then, it was a matter of tying it all together toward the end.

I wouldn’t say it was seamless, in that there were a lot of technical challenges that slowed the process a bit, but over all, I just kept plugging away.

What was the biggest obstacle in creating this book?

Figuring out the mechanics of how to turn the drawings into a book.

Thankfully, my daughter Jaimie was able to help me with the graphics and the challenges of getting the concept into an actual book.

Do you have any advice for first-time authors, or those wanting to publish a book?

If it’s something you really want to do, sit down and begin. Be prepared for setbacks and a roadblock or two, but just keep going.

I’d also be sure to investigate your publisher thoroughly before self-publishing. There are some very reputable ones but also some fly-by-nights, so make sure you check reviews and ratings.

Is there anything else you want readers to know?

It has been the thrill of a lifetime watching the book being so well received. I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve received from the community.

I hope these little fairies will be around for all the children of Frederick for many years to come.

This interview has been edited for space and clarity.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Alice Hannington Read

THE FREDERICK MOM

The Frederick Mom’s recommendations for the weekend of Jan. 31

Activities to do with the kids this weekend, courtesy of The Frederick Mom. Fire in Ice

6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 31, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 1, noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 2 Downtown Frederick Free

This weekend only, Downtown Frederick turns into a winter wonderland, full of fiery performances, ice sculptures and games! Fire in Ice is an annual event for the whole family. See live ice-carving demonstrations, play on a family-friendly ice putt-putt course (331 N. Market St.), roast mallows, and participate in the Polar Lounge (15 E. Sixth St.), complete with ice bars, ice luges and icy photo opps. Check out fire performances from 7 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater. Then, Saturday, see fire performances at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. There will be a food truck court at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. For a fun scavenger hunt, pick up a clue sheet at 5 N. Market St. from noon to 6 p.m. Then on Sunday, enjoy the Sunday Artwalk from noon to 4 p.m. throughout Downtown Frederick. Don’t forget to see Sailing Through Winter Solstice, the beautiful display of lit-up boats on Carroll Creek all weekend long. Free shuttles into downtown and free parking at designated locations are offered all day on Saturday. Garage parking is a flat $10 fee. Text FIREINICE to 888777 to sign up for text alerts about important updates during the event. Visit visitfrederick.org/events/annual-events/fire-in-ice for parking and shuttle details, event schedule and a map. •••

Daddy-Daughter Dance

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 31, 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 1, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 2 Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Frederick $70 per couple

Fathers, father figures and caretakers, take your little princess to a dance she’s sure to remember for years to come! Get dressed to impress and boogie the night away. The dress code is semi-formal, but formal wear is welcomed. Light refreshments will be served. This dance

is recommended for dads and their princesses aged 4 to 12. Advanced registration is required. If you have more than one princess, it’s $35 for each additional child. For tickets, visit the Frederick County Parks and Rec website at recreater.com (search by number: #33983, #33984 or #33985).

•••

ASL Immersive Baby Storytime 11 to 11:45 a.m. Feb. 1

C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Pat-

rick St., Frederick Free

Saturday morning, Donna DiMarco invites families with deaf, hard of hearing and CODA babies to attend an ASL immersive storytime at the downtown Frederick library. Expect fun, interactive bonding moments, reading, signing and more. A playgroup is offered afterward for families to connect. This event is recommended for children up to age 5.

STEM Lab Drop-in

2 to 2:45 p.m. Feb. 1

Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont Free

Have some fun with science, technology, engineering and math! Drop in Saturday to Thurmont’s beloved library at 2 p.m. for a hands-on, free STEM Lab opportunity for kids. This program is designed for children in grades K-5 and their caregiver. If you miss this one, another open STEM Lab Drop-In will be offered on March 1, the first Saturday of the month, during the same time.

•••

Symphony Saturdays: Strings 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 1

C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick Free

Frederick Co. Public Libraries invites you to Symphony Saturdays because children deserve to get familiar with the different instrument families. Through fun, hands-on demonstrations led by musicians in the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, each free session aims to introduce an instrument family (i.e., strings) followed by an instrument-related activity. Elementary-aged children are welcome. Unable to make this one? Save future Symphony Saturdays in your calendar: percussion on Feb. 8, brass on Feb. 15, and woodwinds on Feb. 22.

Stargazing at the Farm 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1

Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm, 8253 Dollyhyde Road, Mount Airy Free

Explore the night and see what stars are visible! This Saturday evening, join the Westminster Astronomical Society (WASI) and try your hand at stargazing with the family! WASI members will point their telescopes toward the night sky for observers to find celestial objects. Check Milkhouse Brewery’s website or socials for updates, as this event is weather-dependent and a cancellation will be announced if cloudy.

Icy Fury Fest

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 1 and 2

Crash and Catharsis Rage Factory, 14 W. Patrick St., Frederick

$45 to 60

C&C Rage Factory is Frederick’s first

TIFFANY MAHANEY

Downtown Frederick Partnership

A performance during the 2024 Fire in Ice in downtown Frederick.

‘THE

Ocean explorer Robert Ballard has dedicated his life to understanding the living creature that is Earth

BY SHUAN BUTCHER

Special to The News-Post

When oceanographer and marine geologist Robert Ballard was a child, he didn’t read Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” because reading was difficult for him. He learned, later in life, he was dyslexic. But in 1954, when he was 12 years old, Ballard did see the movie — and immediately fell in love with Captain Nemo and the Nautilus.

“When I told my parents that I wanted to be Captain Nemo, they didn’t laugh,” Ballard said recently in a phone interview. “Parents should never laugh at a child’s dream.”

Instead, his parents took him to the submarine base in San Diego, which he fell in love with, and decades later, Ballard would become known as being the man who discovered the sunken Titanic, some 1,000 leagues under the sea.

“I’ve always wanted to go under water,” he said simply.

His passion started with snorkeling and then scuba diving and grew from there.

After high school, Ballard attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. Since it was a land grant university, all male students at the time were required to do two years in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, whether they wanted to or not. Afterwards, he signed up to be a combat infantry officer in the Army. Then he attended graduate school at the University of Southern California and earned a doctorate in oceanography. That’s when the Navy came calling.

“The Navy found me, and I was no longer in the Army. I was told I had six days to report to the Office of Naval Research in New England. To that point, I had never been east of the Mississippi.”

Ballard was assigned to the deep diving program and worked as a deep submergence officer with the NR1, a nuclear-powered research submarine based in New London, Connecticut.

“I spent 30 years in and out of that submarine,” he said.

In fact, Ballard’s discovery of the Titanic was paid for by the Navy as a cover for a military mission.

His first expedition took place when he was just 19 years old in the summer of 1959. Now, Ballard is going on 83 and has lost track of the number of expeditions — “probably going on 150 at this point,” he estimated.

Throughout his career, he has moved back and forth between earth sciences and deep submergence engineering.

WATCH

Watch Robert Ballard’s team work by visiting nautiluslive.org, where you can check out the gallery and see some of the discoveries made from the ship Nautilus, which he owned for 16 years.

IF YOU GO

Robert Ballard will speak onstage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick, as part of the Frederick Speaker Series. For tickets and more information, visit weinbergcenter.org.

“If you thought COVID was bad, wait for the next bowling ball,” he continued. “I believe that Earth is reacting to our presence and it’s made the decision that we need to go. I think it is pretty important to figure out this planet.”

For Ballard, exploration is a quest for the truth.

“We are a creature that’s very curious about where we came from, what we’re here for, and where we are going,” he said.

His present mission is exploring “the New America,” he said.

“Americans don’t realize that 52% of the land we own lies beneath the sea. We have better maps of Mars than half the United States.”

In 2019, he put together a team of researchers from five institutions to compete for a government contract to explore America’s shorelines.

“I am an Equal Opportunity Explorer,” he joked.

In addition to discovering the wreckage of the RMS Titanic in 1985, Ballard also found the battleship Bismarck in 1989, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in 1998, and John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 boat in 2002.

But among his favorites are those found in The Black Sea.

“The Black Sea has no oxygen below 100 meters. It is a museum,” he said. “We found these perfectly preserved shipwrecks from the Byzantine period and found an even older one from the period of Alexander the Great.”

He said people have always been fascinated with shipwrecks.

“When you Google how many ship-

wrecks are still left to be discovered, the answer is something like 3 million. These are lost chapters of human history. The deep sea is the largest museum in the world. More history is preserved in the deep sea than all the museums of the world combined — and we are just finding those time capsules.”

After writing his PhD dissertation on plate tectonics, Ballard has dedicated his life trying to figure out Earth.

“The Earth isn’t just a rock. It is a moving, dynamic creature,” he said. “The concept of Gaia is that Earth is a living creature that is, hopefully, in a symbiotic relationship and codependency upon all other life. But humans are out of sync. If we don’t get back into sync, we will be removed by Earth and all other life.

“It is very much like the second Lewis and Clark expedition. Since the majority of my team are women, we call it the Lois and Clark Expedition. Our job is to boldly go where no one has gone before in America. The amount of land that is beneath the sea is equal to five and a half Louisiana Purchases, so it is a massive amount of real estate. We don’t know what we are going to see. It is fundamental exploration. You can’t help to make new discoveries.”

The group is in year five of a 10-year contract.

When it comes to Ballard’s own career, he said feels lucky, like he has been in the right place at the right time — and also like he never left middle school.

“I’m a curious kid from Kansas that loves what I do,” he said, “and I love inspiring the next generation.”

Shuan Butcher is a writer, nonprofit professional, event planner and avid traveler. He writes from Frederick.

Courtesy photo

Ocean explorer Robert Ballard will be live onstage on Feb. 6 as part of the Frederick Speaker Series.

(Continued from 9)

and only Rage Room. This weekend, they’re hosting a special event, Icy Fury Fest, to coincide with Downtown Frederick’s Fire in Ice festival, where hundreds of ice sculptures are stationed outside for onlookers to see — and not to smash! Icy Fury Fest is set in place to sway anyone’s intrusive thoughts to destroy an ice sculptures and, instead, book a Rage Room where you can take a bat to “ice towers” of glass. Relieve your irritation and tension in a controlled, judgment-free environment. This applies to Fast Smash sessions (15 minutes) and Smash sessions (25 minutes). A 15% off discount is offered; use promo code ILOVEFREDERICK. One person to a Rage Room at a time. All safety gear is provided, and clean up is done for you! Participants must be age 14 or over to participate. The closest parking garage is the Court Street Garage. Get smashing at C&C!

Sensory Sensitive Sundays

9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 2

Chuck E. Cheese, 7210 Guilford Drive, Frederick

Cost varies

Did you know Chuck E. Cheese opens two hours early on the first Sunday of each month to give dedicated time to kids with autism, special needs and those with sensory-processing differences? Through the Sensory Sensitive Sundays program, families can play in a quieter dining and entertainment environment with dimmed lighting and a sensory-friendly arcade experience. These events also include a trained and caring staff member to ensure each guest has a safe, fun visit. If you have kids in Frederick, then the newly remodeled Chuck E. Cheese is still the place to go. It’s better than you remember! With a new trampoline zone, yummy concessions to order, and a convenient Tot Zone for toddlers, it’s a great place to spend a Sunday.

Cycling 101: Bike Basics for Beginners

2 p.m. Feb. 2

Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick Free

Have your family’s bikes ready for spring weather! Join staff from our local friendly bicycle shop, Bridgeway Bikes, this Sunday to learn some of the basics of cycling, including an introduction to terminology and easy, basic bike maintenance for beginners, such as how to lube a chain, check tire pressure, and assess your brakes. If you can, bring your bike for some hands-on demos and practice. This free event is open to everyone.

Tiffany Mahaney is at least a fifth-generation native to Frederick County, and she now proudly raises her own family here. She is the owner of The Frederick Mom on Instagram. Follow her @thefrederickmom.

OpenAI releases AI agent that helps book flights, order food for users

BY RACHEL METZ

Bloomberg

OpenAI is rolling out an artificial intelligence tool that can help book flights, plan grocery orders and even complete purchases for users, joining a growing number of tech companies betting on so-called AI agents that act on a person’s behalf.

The service, called Operator, can carry out a wide range of tasks by using the internet much in the way a human would, including navigating to a website, typing and clicking buttons, OpenAI said on Thursday. Operator’s software works by combining some of OpenAI’s computer-vision features with multi-step problem-solving capabilities meant to mimic how people reason, the company said.

Bloomberg News first reported on OpenAI’s plans for Operator in November. Initially, OpenAI is releasing what it calls a “research preview” of Operator online to a limited number of US customers who pay $200 per month for the recently introduced ChatGPT Pro subscription. The company said it hopes to learn from Operator’s early users so it can improve the product and plans to offer it to more paid customers over time. It also plans to release additional AI agents in the coming months, OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman said during a livestream introducing the product.

The Operator rollout is part of a broader industry push toward agents, or AI software that can complete multi-step tasks for users with minimal supervision. OpenAI-backer Microsoft Corp. and rival Anthropic have launched their own takes on agent software, as have a number of other startups. The companies hope such tools can save users time with their personal and professional tasks and thereby live up to the long-held promise that AI will make people more productive. Altman previously said agents will be “the next giant breakthrough” for AI.

In a demonstration of the tool recently, Peter Welinder, OpenAI’s vice president of product, and Yash Kumar, who leads product and engineering for Operator, showed how the tool could look for a restaurant reservation or recognize the items on a handwritten list to prep an online grocery order. Kumar said

2024.

OpenAI partnered with a number of companies on the tool, including Instacart, OpenTable, Uber and StubHub, in part to ensure Operator works well on their websites.

After Kumar prompted Operator to use OpenTable to book a table at San Francisco restaurant Beretta around 7 p.m., the tool opened a remote browser window, went to OpenTable’s website and searched for the restaurant — but couldn’t initially find it. As it turned out, OpenTable was set to search for restaurants in Iowa, not California. But Kumar had previously instructed Operator to search within a certain San Francisco zip code for relevant queries, so on its own, the tool switched to searching OpenTable in San Francisco and then shared a reservation for him to approve.

“We see a lot of potential for how this can evolve from small things to medium things to large things,” Kumar told Bloomberg News. He personally has been using Operator to do his grocery shopping and to book reservations at tennis courts. Operator can also carry out multiple tasks simultaneously. For example, a user might prompt the service to find a hotel in Vancouver that has Peloton bikes in its gym and then, before it has finished, ask Operator to find an American Girl doll bed on Craigslist. As long as a user has confirmed that Operator can carry out a transaction — such as buying a pair of leggings

from an online store — and has input any required credentials and payment information, the tool should be able to complete a purchase, Kumar said. OpenAI plans to eventually release the AI model behind Operator for developers to use to build their own agents.With those capabilities, however, AI agents like Operator also present new safety and security risks, given the potential for AI to make mistakes or be misused by bad actors. It’s one thing for a chatbot to spit out an inaccurate response to a question about a historical event and quite another for an agent to make mistakes with someone’s credit card.OpenAI said Operator is meant to turn down some tasks, such as actions involving banking and anything the company considers harmful. There are a number of actions the tool will not complete, and will instead alert a user to carry out, including logging in to websites, providing payment information and filling out CAPTCHAs, the company said. Operator should ask a user for approval before it does things like ordering something online. For some tasks, such as writing emails, the service will require a user to supervise it, OpenAI said. Users can also take control of any tasks that are in process and pause them if need be.“The user should always feel they’re in control,” Kumar said.

Andrey Rudakov

The ChatGPT virtual assistant logo on a smartphone arranged in Riga, Latvia, on Aug. 16,

Artists lean on state and county funding to realize their creative projects

BY KARI A. MARTINDALE

Special to The News-Post

As anyone working in the arts can tell you, it is not the easiest path to riches.

There is a lot of unpaid time put into our work up front, be it hours of painting, sculpting, composing, writing or researching. Many artists are not employed in their artistic field, and if they work full-time to support themselves and their families, they might need to take off of work to dedicate time to their craft.

Expenses like supplies and professional development usually fall on artists, to be recovered after compensation. For many, the time and money required up front can present a barrier that thwarts creativity.

Fortunately for Frederick artists, we live in a county and state that value the arts and provide grants and prizes that help sustain projects, professional development and the artist as a whole. The Frederick Arts Council and Maryland State Arts Council are two organizations that provide valuable support to the arts community, with application deadlines throughout the year.

Louise Kennelly, executive director of Frederick Arts Council, said, “FAC grants have played an important role in nurturing and sustaining local artists and arts organizations. Over the last three years, we awarded more than $700,000 in grants to Frederick County artists and arts organizations. Whether the award was to a first-time recipient or an established artist, these funds help provide a foundation of support so that the arts can thrive across our community. This investment in Frederick’s creativity strengthens our entire community as it leads to connections to place and to each other.”

MSAC offers a number of types of grants, including professional development, creativity grants for projects and grants for the living and working expenses of artists, as well as

awards that recognize achievement and fuel progress.

Professional development is important in any field. Elayne Bond Hyman recently received a grant from MSAC to attend the Maryland Arts Summit, which she said was both creatively validating and practical.

“I attended two workshops, which were helpful. One nourished me as an a cappella singer, inviting me to share my voice in community with others while overcoming fear, to listen for the sounds within what needed to be heard and to have the courage to sing them. It was awesome.

OUT40 was able to host 40 Fest, a celebration of Black and brown musicians, businesses and organizations, after receiving a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

“The second encouraged me to take my work seriously in legal/copyright terms, assets to be monetized, and to become acquainted with issues which might arise when transferring my copyrighted material, my legacy, to my offspring,” Bond Hyman continued.

Previously, Bond Hyman had used a grant from FAC to self-publish her book “They Came Across South Mountain,” each copy a unique, handmade work of art.

“I researched my book for seven years and wrote it in three,” she said, “but without a timely grant [of $5,000] from

photo

Elayne Bond Hyman uses her grant to record an audio version of her book “They Came Across South Mountain.”

MSAC through my local funder, FAC, ‘They Came Across South Mountain’ might yet be sleeping in an iCloud closet, waiting to be born. Instead, the money translated into an affirmation of my decade-long creative effort [and was] a confidence builder that gave me the courage and energy to claim my identity as both writer and author.”

An additional grant from

FAC allowed Bond Hyman to produce an audiobook.

“Those artist grants have been transformational,” she said.

Lori Rounds is a visual artist who received two professional development grants from MSAC, along with a recovery grant from FAC.

“All of this funding allowed me to not only keep my art practice active during the pandemic but to expand my artistic skills through the exploration of new materials and techniques,” Rounds said.

These grants have the potential to reach and educate more than the recipient. Rounds said she has shared her “new knowledge and techniques with the Frederick community through presentations at the Delaplaine Arts Center and the Frederick Arts Council.”

In 2019, Rod Deacey won a contest through FAC that allowed him to print his beat poetry book.

“At the time,” Deacey said, “I was looking for something to sell at my live beat poetry performances. The beat poetry genre does not appeal to con-

(See

Courtesy of OUT40

Courtesy photo

Matt Long has received several grants from the Frederick Arts Council.

Courtesy

Jennifer Hudson: Solo 2025 and Bonnie Zuckerman: Forest of Dreams Exhibits — through Feb. 4, Washington County Arts Council, 34 S. Potomac St., Suite 100, Hagerstown. Hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. 301-791-3132 or washingtoncountyarts.com.

”Gash” — through Feb. 23, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Sculpture by Jin Lee. Provoked by recent political controversies surrounding women’s rights, Lee’s work focuses on conflict and responses to conflict’s power to result in transformation for the individual and society. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 301698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Time Is A Place” — through Feb. 23, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Noelani Jones’ work in this exhibition focuses on the accrual of thread in woven cloth and its metaphorical and actual connection to time and place. All of the textiles in the exhibition have been made with reciprocity with the land in mind, from the cultivation of plants for dyeing to the utilization of a foot-powered loom. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

“Memories and Metaphors” — Feb. 3 to 23 at Blanche Ames Gallery, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. A collection of African-American art from across the nation, curated by Eileen Berger, owner of Just Lookin’ Gallery in Hagerstown. Each piece serves as a powerful testament to the resilience, creativity and cultural heritage of the AfricanAmerican experience, and to foster a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of AfricanAmerican art. 301-473-7680, bagalleryappointment@gmail. com, frederickuu.org.

”Sunflowers & Snow” — through February, Garryowen Irish Pub, 126 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, Pa. Paintings and prints by Dorothea Barrick. Daily 11 a.m. to midnight. 240-674-9488, 717337-2719.

”Romancing the Novel”

— through March 7, Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. A major exhibition exploring romance novels and their cultural impact featuring original cover art, including paintings by James Griffin, Frank Kalan and Gregg Gulbronson, manuscripts, publicity materials, genre history, and fan artwork. In association with McDaniel’s Nora Roberts American Romance Collection, Bowling Green State University’s Browne Popular Culture Library, renowned romance publisher, Harlequin, and Yale University Art Gallery. Public reception 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, gallery talk at 6 p.m. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 410857-2592 or mcdaniel.edu.

“Resting in Winter” — through March 9 at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. This solo exhibition by Gaithersburg photographer Timothy Lynch focuses mainly on close-up imagery of nature. “I named the exhibit ‘Resting in Winter’ because, like us, everything needs time to grow,” says Lynch. “I enjoy exploring artistic expression, particularly botanical photography in winter, showcasing wilting plants and fallen leaves that reveal the beauty of decay. In this process, while life diminishes, beauty endures.” 301-258-6394.

”Emergence” — Jan. 31-Feb. 23, NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St., Frederick. Come out, come up, come forth. Join us as we emerge from winter into a new season, a new light. The varied talents and styles of the NOMA artists will help you break through and see something new. Reception 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1. Noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 240-367-9770 or nomagalleryfrederick.com.

Wine and Art Series Presents “Hidden Fruit of the Vine — Digital Artwork by Allen Hirsh” — Feb. 1-28, Links Bridge Vineyard, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. A biophysicist by profession,

Courtesy photo

“Lineage” features prints and paintings by Lee Newman and his teacher, Robert D’Arista, from Feb. 1 to 23 at the Delaplaine Arts Center in downtown Frederick. Newman will give an art talk from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 1. Shown here, “Bending Figure,” by Newman.

he comes at his artwork via a very novel process. Starting with a photograph, Hirsh creates impressionistic and abstract images using a massive mathematical program he created. Manipulating both the color and position of each pixel in images of the vineyard allows him to uncover a hidden world of fascinating unanticipated scenes. For this exhibit, he started with photographs taken at Links Bridge Vineyards then transformed them using his unique process. The resulting imagery fascinates the eye as the mind tries to unravel and define the image. Hours 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by appointment. 301-4662413 or linksbridgevineyards. com.

Metro Washington Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine. org.

”Moving Forward” — Feb. 6 through March 2, Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. A juried show featuring selected works from CH/Art Inc. members, an active community of artists and artisans centered in Chevy Chase, D.C. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7. Gallery hours and more info at bethesda.org/bethesda/ gallery-b-exhibitions.

Washington County Art Educators Exhibit — Feb. 6 through March 4, Washington County Arts Council, 34 S. Potomac St., Suite 100, Hagerstown. Opening reception 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 6. Virtual exhibit online Feb. 8. Gallery hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. 301-791-3132 or washingtoncountyarts.com.

”Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy” Honors Art Exhibition — March 1328, Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. Opening reception 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 13, gallery talk at 6 p.m. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 410857-2592 or mcdaniel.edu.

of America Exhibit — Feb. 1-23, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. See the beauty and richness of colored pencil as a medium for creating fine art. Meet the artists 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Lineage” — Feb. 1-23, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. The artworks in this exhibition are a reflection on the tradition of teaching in the visual arts and how aesthetic ideas and techniques are passed on to successive generations. Lee Newman’s own work will be accompanied by those of his teacher, Robert D’Arista. Meet the artists 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday,

Kathryn E. Wentz Juried Undergraduate Exhibition — April 1-11, Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. Reception 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 3, awards presentation at 6 p.m.Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 410-857-2592 or mcdaniel.edu.

Senior Capstone Exhibits — April 15-25 and April 29May 9, Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. Reception 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m. April 17 and May 1. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 410857-2592 or mcdaniel.edu.

The artful barista

For this blossoming artist, an unexpected platform for recognition emerges: her day job

BY JOSEPH PETERSON

Special to The News-Post

It’s not often that a day job becomes a creative outlet full of opportunity for personal and artistic growth, but that’s exactly what Starbucks barista Zoe Anderson has found as a shift manager at the Seventh Street Starbucks in Frederick.

Anderson has created dozens of richly detailed, playful scenes using colorful chalk pens for seasonal, holiday and promotional posters on display at the coffee chain’s Seventh Street location, aka the Hood College Starbucks. This labor of love has essentially become part of her barista duties.

But more than a simple “daily specials” board, Anderson’s developed her own distinctive style, garnering many fans among customers and recognition for her work, as well as increased sales for the store.

“It’s something I feel privileged to be able to contribute to my store,” she said, an opportunity the North Carolina native never thought would develop in this way when she moved to the area three years ago.

One of her early managers, Colleen Pagels, recognized her artistic skill and the potential for it to find expression in some of the store’s seasonal displays.

“She was very quiet and reserved about her talent,” Pagels said of Zoe. Impressed by some sketches she saw, Pagels remained undeterred and encouraged her barista to take a turn trying her hand at a couple of store signs, recalling that in her excitement, she told Anderson, “You have to showcase it! You can’t not do it!”

Pagels said she wanted Zoe and another barista to take turns bringing their creative visions of each season to whatever needed to be drawn. “I’d let them create their own thing on what that meant, just to come up with their own ideas,” she said.

As for Anderson, she had drawn a few pieces for other Starbucks locations she worked at before coming to Frederick, but the Seventh Street Starbucks was different.

“Until I got to this store, I didn’t get to really have creative freedom,” she said, crediting a handful of managers like Pagels who let her spread her wings and ultimately find her artistic voice.

ON THE WINGS OF A DREAM

Anderson has posted much of the art she’s created for the coffee company on her Instagram account @zoeannemargaretart, featuring a couple dozen examples of pieces she’s drawn since 2022. Comparison is inevitable between her Starbucks creations and her older work, and in that comparison, a noticeable shift seems to have occurred: a blossoming of her craft as an artist, surely, and yet her skill and style haven’t merely matured, they’ve exploded in a dramatic, breathtaking fashion.

Anderson said she feels that within herself as well, especially with the influx of positive feedback from customers and the way her coworkers hype her up.

“I think I’ve just gained some self-confidence, like really and truly, I’ve just felt more confident and daring with certain things, and I’ve felt more adventurous recently and more willing

to take risks,” she said.

She also says a lot of those risks have been paying off, particularly with regard to playing with color. That has looked like making some extremely bold choices, like the bright, blissfully chaotic autumnal collage featuring the perennial favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte and other Starbucks beverages nestled in an array of fall festivity.

But it takes just as much confidence to risk restraint, as Anderson did with the

Zoe Anderson, a supervisor at the Starbucks on West

Courtesy photo

Work by Zoe Anderson for Starbucks.

see it changed for a while, they’ll say, ‘Zoe, when’s the next piece coming?’ Everybody knows it’s her. And if they don’t, we’ll proactively tell them.”

Anderson’s art provides more than just something fun to look at, however. Functionally, they are ads, promotional reminders to try that new drink, take advantage of a seasonal offering or take home a bag of coffee beans. When Starbucks decided to make cross-promotional drinks in conjunction with the film release of “Wicked,” the store’s team had a spur-of-the-moment idea and turned to Anderson to see if she could make posters on a tight turnaround.

“I did them in one night,” she said. “People were really excited about it, like right off the bat.”

Wingo recalled that many customers would come in and be completely enticed by Anderson’s poster, ordering a Glinda’s Pink Potion or an Elphaba’s Cold Brew — named after the two witches in the story — simply because of how they looked in the artwork.

“The picture almost looked better than the drink,” Wingo said. “Without Zoe’s artwork, we would not have sold the ‘Wicked’ drinks the way that we did.”

He knew this because he’d spoken to other store managers to ask how their “Wicked” drinks were selling.

“They’re like, ‘We sell, like, one a week — one a day, maybe,’ and we’re over here selling six, seven, eight, nine, 10 a day,” he said, expressing that regardless of what anyone else says, he’s going to credit that trend directly to Anderson.

CHILDREN WILL LISTEN

Christmas scenes she drew for the recent holiday season. She described a gentleness and softness to her approach with those, which gave the drawings an air of nostalgia and captured, through just a few colors, an almost tactile realness in the droopy pine boughs and richly textured wreaths among the symbols of the season.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS

What is art’s role in creating a sense of place? For the Seventh Street Starbucks,

before it moved to its new location, the art offered a sense of uniqueness, giving the store its own atmosphere, and providing regular customers something new to look forward to seeing at a regular clip.

“We have people that come in that specifically said, ‘We knew Pumpkin [Spice] was launching; we came to see Zoe’s artwork.’ Or, ‘We knew the holidays were changing; we want to see Zoe’s new artwork,’ Anderson’s current manager, Nicholas Wingo said. “And if they don’t

Beyond the images, a big part of any good corporate art is the typography, and Anderson’s posters are full of it. She likes to research different fonts as a starting point, but the typefaces of the words on her posters are essentially her own creations.

She attributes her keen eye and fancy flair for typography to her mother’s own hand, which, as she tells it, never signed anything young Anderson needed to take to school without taking the opportuni-

ty to view it as a canvas for her own artistic peacocking.

“She was really, really, really good at calligraphy, and her writing was absolutely stunning,” Anderson said.

This was especially true in the way Anderson’s mom would sign her permission slips for field trips with a fountain pen — a signature so dramatically artistic, it would invariably lead other kids to ask, “You’re mom signed this?!”

Anderson also described her mom’s hand-written notes for college, which she attended when Anderson was young, were works of art in and of themselves. In that regard, she said her own art is the result of being a product of her environment, where her mom could turn even the most prosaic slips of paper into arresting canvases of art and typography.

It’s the kind of memory of her mom that Anderson clings to amid a tapestry of growing up that wasn’t all roses, fountain pens and field trips.

“I lost connection with my mom due to substance abuse and homelessness,” Anderson said, “so a lot of this has also been spiritual … like reconnecting with her, with a positive association with her, and just appreciating the time I had with her.”

As Anderson mines her memories of her mother’s random acts of art, she also recalls just how much her mom loved coffee.

“She would make me little cappuccinos when I was little in my tiny kid mug, and it would just be some milk, but it was something that was always so important to her,” Anderson said.

In remembering, it’s that act of service that allows her to feel close to her mom and embrace the influence those memories have on her artwork.

“She was special. She was so intelligent, she was so funny, and I’m grateful for all that she taught me, the good and the bad,” Anderson said.

CARRYING THE BANNER

Some interesting developments have happened of late that may result in what

Staff photo by Katina Zentz

Seventh Street, poses with her artwork at the facility on Jan. 24.

Courtesy photos

ANDERSON

(Continued from 15)

many hope is a mere temporary setback in just how much of Anderson’s art can be viewed on any given day. The first has been a corporate push, led by the Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Nichols, for a back-to-basics streamlining of store look and feel, especially new stores like the one the Seventh Street Starbucks recently moved into.

this mindset — something … that would catch my eye. I wanted people to notice.”

It’s the kind of art and design one often sees on Starbucks gift cards, tumblers or other merchandise — or other stores and brands, too, which is something she’s open to, as demand for her work grows. Recently, she ventured out of Starbucks to create a large drawing, now on display, for a Chick-fil-A in Mount Airy.

Consequently, a lot of Anderson’s artwork, and the available in-store real estate to display future work, has been removed, despite the fact that she’s been internally recognized by the company for her artwork and its contribution to the company’s success. However, her current manager continues to push for more opportunities for her, with one big win already in the works: a chalkboard A-frame sign that stands inside the store.

“With Zoe, she is recognized by our district manager as well, when it comes to her artwork,” Wingo said. “So we are being allocated an additional one [A-frame sign], solely for Zoe’s work.”

Despite the recent limitations, Wingo also said he still plans on advocating for more opportunities for Anderson’s artwork to find an outlet.

“I’m so passionate about people doing what they want to do,” he said. “I want her to be recognized. I’m encouraging her to do more with her skill set. I want her to be a shift supervisor for me for the rest of her life [because] she’s phenomenal, but I don’t want to limit her. She has so much talent.”

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT

Anderson’s entire oeuvre for Starbucks is firmly rooted in the disciplines of commercial art. It’s a label she said resonates with her identity as an artist.

“I definitely started to move more into

She also created a board for the annual release of the Starbucks Anniversary Blend, which she said was noticed by a “higher-up” from the company visiting the store one day. This eventually led to her getting recognized on a company-wide internal communications portal, giving Anderson and her efforts even greater recognition within the company that could potentially lead to more opportunities.

As for what those opportunities look like, there is a talent pool of artists the company works with for new designs on merchandise or messaging, gift cards and more — items destined for massive distribution throughout the company’s tens of thousands of stores. Anderson’s name is on that list.

“It’s scary and crazy and never something I thought would ever happen,” Anderson said.

She welcomes the chance, though, because Zoe Anderson isn’t one to shy away from taking a risk.

And like her mom, she’s found her own everyday item to transform into a canvas for her artwork: a coffee-shop chalkboard.

Joseph Peterson can usually be found reading the weathered plaques of obscure monuments he sees while wandering the city. He counts public libraries, public lands and places where local community is fostered among his favorite kinds of places.

Courtesy photo

Work by Zoe Anderson for Starbucks.

GRANTS

(Continued from 12)

temporary poetry magazines and journals, as it lies somewhere between song lyrics and ‘real’ poetry,” so he found self-publishing to be his only option. The prize money from FAC funded that process.

Grants have helped artists accomplish large projects, as well. Kiki Wilson is CEO of OUT40 Media, an organization with a mission to build a regional platform that broadcasts the artistry, life and legacy of underrepresented communities in Frederick.

MSAC awarded Wilson a grant in 2022, which “transformed the trajectory of minority arts in Frederick,” she said. “OUT40 was able to host 40 Fest, a celebration of Black and brown musicians, businesses and organizations.”

FAC has been a continual supporter of OUT40 by awarding grants to support OUT40 programs and events, she said.

Frederick sculptor Esperanza Alzona was awarded a C.A.N. (Create and Activate Now) Recover Grant from the Frederick Arts Council in fiscal year 2023 that was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts to support Frederick County artists and arts organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The C.A.N. grant has helped me expand my creativity and purchase materials and supplies, [allowing] me to undertake a large sculpture project, the scope of which would have otherwise been inaccessible to me,” she said.

More specifically, the grant funded “Lamentation,” a mixed-media sculpture of cast aluminum and fabric that was the centerpiece of her solo exhibition “Reflections on the Human Condition” at the Frederick Arts Council’s Al and Helen Hurwitz Gallery in Frederick, which was on view from Nov. 4, 2023 to March 23, 2024.

Multimedia artist and graphic designer Matt Long received grants in 2020 and 2022. The 2020 Artist Relief Fund grant, he said, reimbursed financial losses incurred as a result of a large number of COVID-related event cancelations, exhibition closures and loss of business sales.

Unbeknownst to Long, because he had applied for the relief grant in 2020, he was automatically considered for the James M. Green Award. According to Kennelly, through the Community Foundation of Frederick, the FAC grants the James M Green Fund to individual artists as well as music scholarships to school-age students. These applications will open in the spring of 2025, with the exact date still to be determined.

“It was a really nice surprise to arrive in my mailbox,” he said of his receiving the award in 2022.

It helped him with additional COVID impact recovery, material purchases and general operating costs.

“Both of these grants were incredibly helpful during a very challenging time,” Long continued. “I am a creative, self-employed entrepreneur who has been active in the local community over the years, and these awards were a good help and morale boost to keep me moving along. During that time, not much support was offered for creatives in business. Every little bit helps!”

Kari Martindale is a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and spoken word artist who has been published in various literary journals and anthologies, and she has been featured in readings across Maryland. She has an MA in linguistics, sits on the board of Maryland Writers’ Association and is a member of EC Poetry & Prose.

‘Presence’ is a handcrafted ghost story as seen by the ghost

BY TY BURR

The Washington Post

They’re selling “Presence” as a horror movie when it’s something else entirely: a ghost story as told from the point of view of the ghost. As such, it’s more unsettling than scary, more dramatically gripping than nerve-shredding. And it’s directed by Steven Soderbergh, so you know it has to be smart.

Best of all, “Presence” is short and sure of itself, a tidy 84 minutes that explore a fraying family dynamic as observed by the household poltergeist. Soderbergh always seems most interesting when he’s bored and gives himself an artistic or technical challenge, and here, with a camera that silently roams an old suburban house, unable to step past the doors outside, the challenge is putting the audience inside the mind of a phantom as it yearns to protect the family’s most vulnerable member.

That would be Chloe (Callina Liang), a teenager still reeling from the death of her best friend after an apparent overdose. When the family moves in at the start of “Presence,” Chloe immediately feels something in the room with her, her eyes darting uncertainly toward the camera’s gaze, which nervously beats a retreat to the safety of the girl’s bed-

room closet.

The screenplay by David Koepp (“Jurassic Park,” “Mission: Impossible”) sketches in the rest of the family with broad but adroit strokes: ruthless tiger mom Rebekah (Lucy Liu), a business executive whose instincts aren’t strictly legal; her son Tyler (Eddy Maday), a swaggering high school swimming star and the mother’s perfect prince; and dad Chris (Chris Sullivan), a gentle giant who feels he married out of his league and is just beginning to realize his mistake.

These relationships tend toward the schematic, but this is a ghost story, remember, and the ghost’s curiosity compels it to wander from room to room, watching a family hurtling toward meltdown. Chloe’s extrasensory antenna leads her to realize there’s a spirit in the house, and Liang achingly conveys the raw adolescent confusion and resistance of a young woman who knows what she feels, no matter what anyone tells her.

Sullivan is touchingly empathetic in his scenes with Liang — they’re two outcasts in a house of strivers — and Liu works to make her role more than a cartoon. The only other characters who intrude on the family are Tyler’s high school friend Ryan (West Mulholland), who shows Chloe an unexpected sensitive side,

and a part-time neighborhood psychic (Natalie Woolams-Torres), who corroborates Chloe’s and Chris’s fears even as Rebekah and Tyler mock her as a con artist.

“Presence” gets the maximum return from a minimum of setting and concept, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. (If anything, it seems to wrap up a little too quickly.) This has become a Soderbergh hallmark, and it puts him in the tradition of classic studio-era craftsmen who cranked out unassuming gem after unassuming gem and did so on time and under budget. There isn’t a wasted shot or an untrimmed frill; you feel you’re in the hands of a master who no longer needs to prove himself.

Is the ghost that of Chloe’s dead friend? “Presence” leaves the matter unresolved and leans toward a larger mystery, one that nags at a viewer with an inconsolable air of loneliness. The fluid camerawork (by Soderbergh himself) holds the movie together with a restless, anxious personality of its own.

“It doesn’t know why it’s here,” says the psychic of the phantom. “There’s something it needs to do, but it doesn’t know what.” By contrast, “Presence” knows exactly what it needs to do: haunt the family up to the end credits and the audience well beyond.

Chris Sullivan (Chris) and Lucy Liu (Rebekah) in “Presence,” directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Photo by Peter Andrews/NEON/ The Spectral Spirit Company

SUMMER CAMP: A HEALTHY CHOICE FOR YOUR CHILDREN

If you have children, you don’t need a reminder that summer is just around the corner. But did you know that summer camps offer numerous physical and mental health benefits for kids? Now that registration is underway, these benefits may help convince you—and your kids—to embark on this exciting adventure.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH NATURE

Many summer camps are held in wooded areas outside of cities, often near lakes and rivers. The positive effects of direct contact with nature— improved mood, energy and attention span—are widely documented. Going to camp is an excellent way for young people to recharge and support their mental well-being.

GET ACTIVE

Workshops and activities are an integral part of summer camps. Whether it’s a kayaking trip, a hike in the woods or a game of soccer, kids and teens can engage in physical activities in a fun and safe environment

from morning until night. On top of the benefits of physical activity, these experiences help young people learn about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Although summer camps may seem intimidating at first, they provide a wealth of health benefits for young people. Campers form lasting friendships and create valuable memories. If you want to register your child for summer camp, look for options in your area.

7 ways to entertain the whole family this summer

Do you want to fill your summer with activities that the whole family can enjoy? Here are seven winning suggestions to keep kids and adults entertained.

1. Take a short or long bike ride, and don’t forget to make an ice cream stop along the way.

2. Organize a lazy day where you watch movies, snack on popcorn and candy and play board games. It’s the perfect way to spend a rainy day.

3. Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day at the park. Bring books to read or games to play, like Frisbee.

4. Take part in a family-friendly escape room. Solve puzzles and showcase your teamwork.

5. Choose a few tasty recipes to cook together as a family.

6. Visit an exhibit that interests the whole family and will teach you new things.

7. Take up horseback riding and discover the joys of riding with the wind in your hair.

CAMP: WEEK ONE JUNE 16 - JUNE 19, 2025

CAMP: WEEK TWO JUNE 23 - JUNE 26, 2025

Children ages 5 to 12 9:00am-2:30pm

SPORTS DAY CAMP: DOUBLE-DUTY FUN FOR YOUR CHILD

Day camp registration time is here! If your child has expressed an interest in trying something new this year, why not register them in a sports camp? These camps offer the typical benefits of traditional camps, and they also help children develop valuable skills that will last a lifetime.

WHAT’S A SPORTS DAY CAMP?

A sports day camp operates similarly to a traditional day camp but focuses primarily on organized sports. Activities may vary by the offerings available in your region, but these camps could expose your child to athletic skills for sports like basketball, tennis or soccer. You may even find specialized day camps providing an immersive experience in a specific sport.

Whether it’s a full week dedicated to skateboard ing, golf or rock climbing, the options are endless.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

In addition to promoting socialization, sports camps can help your child develop and maintain healthy habits early in life. They also provide access to skilled trainers, ensuring your child receives valuable guidance and support.

Whether your kid prefers outdoor activities, gym workouts or water sports, a sports camp can help them learn goal setting, resilience and a spirit of cooperation. These lessons are invaluable in everyday situations.

Do you want your child to enjoy the fun of summer while acquiring lifelong skills? Enroll your child in a sports day camp today.

FIND YOUR FRIENDS. FIND YOUR Y.

At summer camp, your kids will make new friends and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day.

Locations include:

• Downtown Y

• Natelli Family Y

• Y Arts Center

• Camp West Mar and more...

Kids On Campus

Local Mentions Local Mentions

HILLSIDE

Buckeystown United Methodist Church is hosting its ANNUAL PANCAKE SUPPER

on Tuesday March 4th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Come enjoy plain and blueberry pancakes, country sausage, bacon, biscuits & gravy, eggs and drinks This event is free, and we will accept donations that will support our building maintenance and missions https://buckeystownumc org/ 3440 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown, MD 21217

BUFFET DINNER

Mt Airy VFC Auxiliary Fri, Feb 07 2025 4-7p or until sold out Eat in or Carry-out

Fried Chicken, Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Mac & Cheese, Succotash, Baked Pineapple, Cole Slaw

Adults: $18; Children 6-12: $8 00 Under 5 is FREE; ($2 extra for carry-out)

Mt. Airy VFC Reception Hall

1008 Twin Arch Rd, Mt Airy Credit or Debit Cards Accepted

CASH BINGO

January 31, 2025

New Midway Vol Fire Co

Doors Open: 5:00 Games Start: 7:00

Admission: $25 00 includes 20 Reg Games 3 Specials and $500 Minimum Jackpot Extra Cards Available Food and ATM Available For Info Call 301-898-7985 or 301-271-4650

DRIVE-THRU

DINNER AND BAKE SALE

Saturday Feb 22, 2025

FROM 11 AM - 3 PM

St John's Lutheran Church Creagerstown, MD 8619 Black's Mill Road

Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Pepper Slaw, Biscuit and Piece of Cake for $15

Buckets of chicken will be available as follows:

8pc: $10, 12pc: $15, 16pc: $20 Vegetables: $4/Pint; $7/Quart

Pre-Orders due by 2/16

Please call Carmi Sayler @ 301-401-0633 OR text 240-529-7471 with your name, phone number and order

TURKEY FARMS

Turkey, Chicken, Duck, Pork, Beef, Smoked Meats, Deli Meats & Cheeses, Seafood & More Hillsideturkey.com

301-271-2728

30 Elm St Thurmont, MD 21788

Thursday 8-7

Friday 8-3

Saturday 8-12

JEFFERSON RURITAN CLUB COUNTRY BREAKFAST and BUTCHERING

Sat Feb 1, 2025, 7am-11am; Adults $14, Children 6-10 yrs $7; under 6 yrs Free; Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, Fried Country Ham, Pudding, Hominy, Sausage Gravy, Coffee & Juice Pick up Meat Orders - 8am-12 noon; 4603B Lander Rd Jefferson, MD 21755

SPORTSMAN’S BINGO

SATURDAY, March 8, 2025

DOORS OPEN 5:00, BUFFET 6:00

GAMES BEGIN 7:30

NEW MIDWAY VOL FIRE CO

20 Games (10 Games paying $200 Cash, 10 Games for Guns), 50/50, Money Jars, Gun Jars $40/Person includes Buffet Dinner Tickets: Buddy 301-271-4650 or Nick 301898-7985

Services

•

• Appliance

• Bed and Mattress Removal

• Mulch Delivery

• Lawnmower & Equipment Removal

• Light Demo

• Welding repairs and fabrication

• Hauling needs

• Dump trailer available for rent

lukeshaulandproperty @gmail

CAVALIER KING CHARLES PUPPIES

8 wks old, M/F, Tri-Color, Vet Checked, 1st Shots, Libertytown, Call/Text 301-639-2375

Pets & Supplies Services

LAVERNE'S SPARKLE CLEANING SERVICE

You call, we clean! We clean houses, condos, apartments, move in/move out, Air B&B, construction clean-up, Licensed & Registered Avail weekdays & weekends Call 301-996-1385 or email laverne62@comcast net to schedule an appointment Thank you for your business!

Learnologyworld

Services Tutoring/Instruction

Thursday Jan. 30

CLASSES

Healthy Living for your Brain and Body

— 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at MIddletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. Learn about research in diet, nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Use hands-on tools to help incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. 301-600-7560.

lgrackin@frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org/calendar.

ETCETERA

Thirsty Thursday — 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Frederick Eagles, 207 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Domestic beers are just $3.15, non-domestics are $4.35, and wings are a steal at 94 cents each. And if you’re a member, you get an extra 20% off! Can’t beat that! 301-663-6281.

FrederickAerie1067@gmail.com.

FAMILY

Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, stories and more. 301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Elementary Explorers: Groundhog Day Shadows — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Participate in a variety of experiences related to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. This program is geared for those in homeschooled programs or activities in Grades K-5.  301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Teen Time: Popcorn and Pixar — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Join us to experiment with popcorn toppings and view Pixar shorts! This program is for teens in 7th through 12th grades (ages 13-18). 301-600-7250. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Pajama Storytime — 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Meets weekly for songs, stories, games and more. PJ’s optional! 301-600-6333. dspurrier@frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org.

FILM

“Vaccination From the Misinformation Virus” film and panel discussion — 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hodson Auditorium, Rosenstock Hall, Hood College, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick. The Microbiology, PublicHealth, and History film festival at Hood College resumes to address rampant misinformation concerning vaccines and immunization and their impact on the public’s health. Followed by discussion with the film’s director Brian Dean Abramson and others. chee@hood.edu. tinyurl.com/mph-film-fest.

MUSIC

Live Jazz at the Cocktail Lab — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Get swanky with us every Thursday night for live jazz and your favorite craft cocktails. 21 and older. 301-233-4817. monica@tenthwarddistilling.com. tenthwarddistilling.com.

Gangstagrass — 7:30 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A multi-racial collective of musicians who demolish every preconception you have about country music and hip-hop music. These string pickers and MCs create a shared cultural space for dialogue and connection between folks that usually never intersect. The boundaries are gone and Gangstagrass is out there doing things nobody thought would work but when you hear it you know, down in your soul, that it does work. Gangstagrass is here to help us party together with an irresistible blend of America’s rural and urban music traditions. $38, $33, $28. 301-600-2828. bhiller@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org.

Friday Jan. 31

ETCETERA

Mahjong — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Recurring mahjong and game event hosted by the Asian American Center of Frederick. Join us to watch, learn, and play! All skill levels are welcome! 301-600-1630. mtong@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/mahjong-aacf-136562. Teen Job Fair — 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Connect with local business representatives to discover and pursue job opportunities for teens. Participating employers include Frederick

County Workforce Services, Fort Detrick (life-guarding), City of Frederick Parks and Recreation, Frederick County Parks and Rec, Goodwill Industries of the Monocacy Valley, Continental Pools (life-guarding), YMCA of Frederick County, Texas Roadhouse, Wegmans. 301-600-8200. fcpl.org.

Parker Mathews Acoustic Music Live on Stage — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rockwell Brewery Riverside, 8411 Broadband Drive, Frederick. Parker is a multi-talented, passionate singer-songwriter. In the Taproom, no cover charge. It’s up to you to support local talent! 240-575-9755. matt@rockwellbrewery.com.

FAMILY

The Wild World of Animals — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. This exciting live show brings you up close with some of the planet’s most majestic, fascinating and critically endangered creatures. Join expert Grant Kemmerer as he introduces 13 amazing animals from all corners of the animal kingdom — arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. $19 - $29. 301-790-3500. boxoffice@mdtheatre.org. mdtheatre.org/wild-world-of-animals.

Daddy Daughter Dance — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Also 4 to 6 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Ages 4 to 12. Take your little princess on a date to remember. Dress to impress while dancing the night away. Light refreshments. An adult male must accompany his princess(es). Advance registration is required. Space is limited.  $70, $35 for each additional child. 301-6002936. recreater.com.

FESTIVALS

Fire In Ice Weekend — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Downtown, Frederick. Continues 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 1 and noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 2. Ice sculptures, fiery performances and games, ice carving demonstrations, family-friendly ice putt-putt course (331 N. Market St.), roast marshmallows, participate in the Polar Lounge (15 E. Sixth St.) complete with ice bars, ice luges and icy photo opps. Fire performances 7 and 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater, also where food trucks will be located. Sunday art walk noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy the lit-up boats on Carroll Creek all weekend. Free shuttles to down and free parking at designated locations all

day Saturday. Garage parking is a flat $10 fee.  301-698-8118. mainstreet@downtownfrederick.org. downtownfrederick.org.

MUSIC

2025 Young Artist Award Concert — 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. The winners of the 2025 Young Artist Award will perform in concert. This annual competition, hosted by the City of Gaithersburg in partnership with the Kentlands Community Foundation, is a juried event designed to offer talented young musicians, ages 12 to 18, a meaningful and enriching artistic experience through competition and performance. $10. 301-258-6394. artsbarn@gaithersburgmd.gov. gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation.

Live Music at the Cocktail Lab — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Every Friday in the Cocktail Lab we’ll be servin’ up our deliciously wild concoctions and some sweet tunes to get your weekend started off right. 21 and older. 301-233-4817. monica@tenthwarddistilling.com. tenthwarddistilling.com.

THEATER

Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” — 6 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick. In the world’s longest-running play, when a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears only escalate. Brimming with intrigue, sophisticated humor, and surprising twists, “The Mousetrap” is one of Agatha Christie’s most iconic murder mysteries. Friday and Saturday evenings and matinees on the first, third and fifth Sunday, through March 1. Tickets vary. 301-662-6600. WOB@wayoffbroadway.com. wayoffbroadway.com.

Winter Comedy Extravaganza — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. This winter improv comedy festival will feature The Comedy Pigs, Oh Crit, Key City Improv, That’s What She Said and Off Key: The Improvised Musical! That’s 5 teams in one night! Don’t miss out! $15. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org.

Saturday Feb. 1

CLASSES

Fox Haven Foragers: Year-Round Land Reciprocity Circle — 9 a.m. to noon at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. This year-long program invites you to connect deeply with the land, learn to see beyond individual plants by exploring the full ecosystem, and find your role within it. Meets first Saturday of the month through November. See website for pricing. 240-490-5484. alecks@foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org.

Make a Tote: Cyanotype, Bundle Dye and Sewing Workshop — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at private location, shared upon registration, Frederick. Join us for a hands-on creative workshop where you’ll learn three unique textile techniques taught by artists seasoned in their craft: cyanotype printing, bundle dyeing, and sewing. Perfect for beginners and seasoned makers alike, this workshop blends artistic expression with practical skills and you’ll leave with a one of a kind bag that you made yourself. Pre-register.

$225. Hello@kristinarzt.com. kristinarzt.com/pages/make-a-tote.

Vermiculture — 10 a.m. to noon at University of Maryland Extension Office, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick. From vermiculture to composting, learn ways to benefit the environment and your garden. We will offer tips and techniques for using worms to transform kitchen scraps into nutrition-rich plant fertilizer in a small space inside your home.

301-600-1596. strice@umd.edu. bit.ly/FCMG25-Vermiculture.

DreamBuilder Life Coaching — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. This workshop will provide an overview on how to create a life you love, using a proven, reliable, repeatable method.

301-600-7560. fcpl.org.

Journaling Workshop — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Myersville Community Library , 8 Harp Place, Myersville. Make regular journaling feel like a joy, not a chore. Join local writer Laura Rennie for a practical and inspiring journaling workshop. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a total beginner, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose — and a journaling toolkit to guide you through the rest of the year. Bring a notebook!

301-600-8350. rkurtz@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

ETCETERA

Jefferson Ruritan Club Country Breakfast and Butchering — 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Jefferson Ruritan Club, 4603B Lander Road, Jefferson. Adults $14, ages 6-10 years $7; under 6 years, free;  Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, fried country ham, pudding, hominy, sausage gravy, coffee & juice. Pick up meat orders 8 a.m. to noon. 301-662-3643. rdhigdon@comcast.net. jeffersonruritan.org.

Myersville Indoor Farmers Market — 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Myersville Fire Co. Banquet Hall, 301 Main St., Myersville. Held on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Shop local, enjoy fresh and high-quality products, and support the sustainability of the region’s agriculture and economy. Shoppers can expect a diverse array of offerings, including seasonal produce, baked goods, meats, eggs, handmade crafts, and other unique items. 301-524-1035. myersvillefarmersmarket.com.

Craft Swap: Hosted by Emmitsburg Library and Emmitsburg Senior Center — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Emmitsburg Senior Center, 300A S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Refresh your stash with a craft supply swap! How it works: Donate your new or gently used craft supplies to the Senior Center or Library during the week of the swap Jan. 27-30. We will sort the donations. On the day of the swap, you can “shop” for any of the supplies you want. You do not need to donate any supplies to shop. Open to all ages.  301-600-6329. virtualseniorcenter@ frederickcountymd.gov.

Candlemas Festival at All Saints’ — 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 106 W. Church St., Frederick. Celebrate the ancient Feast of Candlemas with uniquely Frederick style. An ice sculpture of the church spire will be in front of the church all day. The 1855 neo-gothic church will be open for visitors 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Hot foods featuring pulled pork, chili, loaded potatoes & more plus baked goods are for sale in the Great Hall for dine-in or take-away 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wine available only for dine-in.  Hot beverages are free! Labyrinth in the Parish Hall open for walking 2-4 p.m. Blessing of Candles will be at 4 p.m. in the church; bring your own for home use during the year. Candlemas Service with music (no Eucharist) begins at 5 p.m. with candlelit procession. No entrance fee for church open house or labyrinth. For handicap access use entrance in Memorial Garden. 301-663-5625. churchoffice@allsaintsmd.org. allsaintsmd.org.

Ice Fury Fest — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Crash and Catharsis Rage Factory, 14 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Also on Feb. 2. Book a Rage Room where you can take a bat to “ice towers” of glass. Relieve your irritation and tension in a controlled, judgment-free environment. This applies to Fast Smash sessions (15 min.) and Smash sessions (25 min.). One person to a Rage Room at a time. All safety gear is provided, and clean up is done for you! Participants must be age 14 or over to participate. $45-$60. 240-741-2847. ccragefactory.com.

Navy Submarine Group Meeting — 11:10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at King’s Restaurant, 785 Middleway Pike, Inwood, W.Va. The TriState Base of Submarine Veterans meeting begins at 11 a.m. and lunch will follow. If you are a Navy veteran and qualified on a submarine, please join us. The Tri-State Base of WV, MD, and PA meets every month, rotating between states.  We have community projects, participate in veteran’s

projects, parades, etc. Spouse/friend is welcome at the meetings.  bradleyrd@gmail.com. ussvi-tri-statebase.org. Stargazing at the Farm — 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm, 8253 Dollyhyde Road, Mount Airy. Join the Westminster Astrological Society for a night of stargazing. WASI members will point their telescopes toward the night sky for observers to find celestial objects. Check Milkhouse Brewery’s website or socials for updates, as this event is weather-dependent and a cancellation will be announced if cloudy.

301-829-6950. milkhousebrewery.com.

FAMILY

ASL Immersive Baby Storytime — 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at The C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Donna DiMarco invites families with deaf, hard of hearing and CODA babies to attend an ASL immersive storytime. Expect fun, interactive bonding moments, reading, signing and more. A playgroup is offered afterward for families to connect. This event is recommended babies up to age 5. 301-600-1630. fcpl.org.

Family Storytime — 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Stories, movement, music and fun for the entire family. Designed for kids, with a caregiver.   301-600-7200. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

First Saturday STEM Lab Drop-In — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Drop in for a hands-on STEM Lab opportunity. This program is designed from children in grades K-5 and their caregiver.

301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. .

Creative Outlet for February — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Kids and adults are invited to drop-in and get creative together on art activities at family tables! Each session features a themed activity. Create an ice painting in celebration of Fire in Ice. Please, no large groups.

$2 per participant. 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.

Italian AYCE Buffet Dinner — 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Prospect United Methodist Church, 5923 Woodville Road, Mount Airy. Spaghetti with red sauce with or without meatballs, lasagna with red meat sauce, chicken/white sauce, or vegetable, tortellini (no meat), rigatoni (red meat sauce, salads with homemade dressings, greens and beans, bead and dessert, iced tea, lemonade, sodas and coffee.

$14, $7 ages 6 to 11, ages 5 and under free. 301-829-9244. prospect.marvinchapel.umc@gmail.com.

FESTIVALS

First Saturday at Frederick Book Arts Center — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Frederick Book Arts Center, 127 S. Carroll St., Fred-

erick. Take a break from the cold and join us for our open house! At 1 p.m., Xavier Byrdlee and Eric Groff will demonstrate several methods of printmaking and invite you to print your own editions on the etching press! Learn a brief history of block printing, how to set up and run the press, and all of the reasons to like each kind of process we teach. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy the featured artwork in our gallery, browse our store, and take a tour of our studio space! As part of Fire in Ice, a shuttle bus will ferry visitors from the Keys Stadium to the Visitor Center (just one block east of FBAC). 301-228-9816. corrine.wilson@fredbookartscenter.org.

GALLERY

First Saturday Open Studios — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at FAC Studios, 7 N. Market St., Frederick. Spend First Saturday browsing art and touring the artist studios. 301-662-4190. emma@frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org.

Art Matters Artist Talk: Lee Newman — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Exhibiting artist Lee Newman describes the work and themes of his exhibition, “Lineage,” a reflection on the tradition of teaching in the visual arts and how aesthetic ideas and techniques are passed on to successive generations. 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.

Exhibition Openings: Metro Washington Chapter of the CPSA and Robert D’Arista & Lee Newman — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. View exhibitions and meet the artists. These exhibitions open Feb. 1 and can be viewed starting at 9 a.m. Beat the crowds and visit us earlier in the day.  301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.

MUSIC

Next Level Slackers — 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Frederick Eagles, 207 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Rock Bank featuring Gary Faulkner, Aidan Ryan  and Paul Shultzaberger all from Frederick. Hometown local band. $10. 301-663-6281. FrederickAerie1067@gmail.com.

19th Street Band Live in Concert — 8 p.m. to 10:55 p.m. at Rockwell Brewery Riverside, 8411 Broadband Drive, Frederick. We’ll be dancing down by the river, rockin’ Rockwell Brewery. Party with The 19th Street Band & get rid of those winter blues! Doors 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m. Tickets online. $15. 240-575-9755. matt@rockwellbrewery.com.

Symphony Saturdays: Strings — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at The C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Through fun, hands-on demonstrations led by musicians in the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, each free session aims to introduce an instrument family (ie. Strings) followed by an instrument-related activity. Elementary-aged children are welcome. Save future Symphony Saturdays, each held at C. Burr Artz Public Library at 2 p.m.: Percussion on Feb. 8; Brass on Feb. 15; and Woodwinds on Feb. 22. fcpl.org.

Galentine’s Day II – The Boy Band Project — 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. Pop up shops open at 5:30 p.m. with concert starting at 7 p.m. The Boy Band Project will transport you back to a time when the boy-band phenomenon dominated pop culture and when Total Request Live was appointment television! 18 and older. Tickets: Adults $34, Seniors $29, Military and 1st Responders $25, 18 and under $24. 717-263-0202, option 1. vperry@thecapitoltheatre.org. www.thecapitoltheatre.org.

James Fernando Trio — 7:30 p.m. at Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. Hailed as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” James Fernando and his Philly-based jazz ensemble masterfully present a refreshing take on the piano trio format. $30, $20 students (18 and under). 301-2586394. artsbarn@gaithersburgmd.gov. gaithersburgmd.gov.

The Purple Xperience: A Prince Tribute — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Charloff has long performed Prince’s music in the tribute group The Purple Xperience. The group has been hailed as the top Prince tribute act, even before Prince’s sudden death, not only because of Charloffs dynamic stage presence, musicianship and vocal talents, but because the group also featured keyboardist Matt Fink, aka Doctor Fink, of Prince’s original band, The Revolution. $34 - $54. 301-790-3500. boxoffice@mdtheatre.org. www.mdtheatre.org/purple-xperience.

THEATER

Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” — 6 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick. In the world’s longest-running play, when a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears only escalate. Brimming with intrigue, sophisticated humor, and surprising twists, “The Mousetrap” is one of Agatha Christie’s most iconic murder mysteries. Friday and Saturday evenings and matinees on the first, third and fifth Sunday, through March 1. Tickets vary. 301-662-6600. WOB@wayoffbroadway.com. wayoffbroadway.com.

Winter Comedy Extravaganza — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. This winter improv comedy festival will feature The Comedy Pigs, Oh Crit, Key City Improv, That’s What She Said and Off Key: The Improvised Musical! That’s 5 teams in one night! $15. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org.

Sunday Feb. 2

Sunday Funday — noon to 9 p.m. at Frederick Eagles, 207 West Patrick Street, Frederick. Get your game face on because

it’s Sunday Funday and we’ve got football all day long! Join us from 12-9pm for a touchdown-worthy good time. And don’t miss out on our wing special from 1-5pm, paired perfectly with our buckets of beer at a steal. #SundayFunday #FootballFever #WingTime #BeerBuckets 301-663-6281. FrederickAerie1067@gmail.com.

CLASSES

Eye Do: Creating the Perfect Eye for Any Occasion — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. Join us at the Mansion as we partner with Make Up and Skincare by Kayla LLC to create the perfect eye for any occasion. You’ll leave feeling confident and ready to take on your daily make up routine. Brushes, eye primer, basic eye shadow, and eyeliner will be available for students to use and take home. However, we do ask that you bring your favorite mascara and any additional eye shadow colors that you’d like to incorporate into your look. Ages 15+.

$48 resident, non-resident: $52. 301-2586425. kentlands@gaithersburgmd.gov.

ETCETERA

Something Old, Something New Bridal Swap and Vendor Show — noon to 3 p.m. at Steinhardt Brewing Company, 400 E. Patrick St., Frederick . Year 2! For the bridesto-be, shop for wedding wares and decor, while meeting some of our favorite vendors. Entrance is free, however donations will be collected at the door to support Heartly House of Frederick. Free. 240-626-6639. jennifer@nevermoreevents.com.

Frederick Plant and Seed Swap — noon to 5 p.m. at Rockwell Brewery Riverside, 8411 Broadband Drive, Frederick. We will now be hosting Frederick Plant and Seed Swap on the first Sunday of every month. Swap plants, seeds, stories, advice. Chances to win prizes. Free to attend. Come swap or just browse. 301-372-4880. matt@rockwellbrewery.com.

FAMILY

Sensory Sensitive Sunday — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Chuck E. Cheese, 7210 Guilford Drive, Frederick. Cost varies. Families can play in a quieter dining and entertainment environment with dimmed lighting and a sensory-friendly arcade experience. These events also include a trained and caring staff member to ensure each guest has a safe, fun visit. If you have kids in Frederick, then the newly remodeled Chuck E. Cheese is still the place to go. It’s better than you remember! With a new trampoline zone, yummy concessions to order, and a convenient Tot Zone for toddlers, it’s a great place to spend Sunday! Regular open hours on Sunday is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 301-694-7227.

Cycling 101: Bike Basics for Beginners — 2 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Join staff from Bridgeway Bikes to learn some of the basics of cycling, including an introduction to terminology and easy, basic bike mainte-

nance for beginners, such as how to lube a chain, check tire pressure, and assess your brakes. If you can, bring your bike for some hands-on demos and practice. This free event is open to everyone! 301-600-7250. fcpl.org.

GALLERY

Downtown Artwalk: Jaz Parks — noon to 4 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Take a self-guided jaunt downtown and visit local galleries! At the Delaplaine, Jaz Parks will be showcasing ceramics and functional pottery. 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.

MUSIC

Song Circle — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. A song circle is a gathering of folks to make music together, to sing, play and share songs. Bring your own acoustic instrument. You can also just sing or listen. Hosted by The Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise (FAME). 18 and older. 301-600-7560. lgrackin@frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org/calendar.

POLITICS

Gaza Ceasefire Now Rally and Speakers — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Winchester Hall, 12 E. Church St., Frederick. Support a ceasefire now resolution in Frederick City and County. Hear speakers and reasons for County resolution. Walk to City Hall, hear speakers and more reasons for City resolution. Walk to Evangelical Reformed UCC, 3 p.m., 15 W. Church St., community room. Hear speakers from local organizations, Islamic Society, Washington, D.C., and student groups. bobhanson48@gmail.com. FrederickceasefireNow@gmail.com.

THEATER

Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” — 12:30 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick. In the world’s longest-running play, when a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears only escalate. Brimming with intrigue, sophisticated humor, and surprising twists, “The Mousetrap” is one of Agatha Christie’s most iconic murder mysteries. Friday and Saturday evenings and matinees on the first, third and fifth Sunday, through March 1. Tickets vary. 301-662-6600. WOB@wayoffbroadway.com. wayoffbroadway.com.

Monday Feb. 3

CLASSES

ESL High Beginners Conversation Class — 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkers-

ville. We welcome adults (18 and older) who want to practice their English to a conversation class hosted by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Students will practice their speaking and listening skills with conversations guided by an instructor from the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Registration is required by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. 301-600-8200. fcpl.org.

ETCETERA

Bar Bingo — 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Frederick Eagles, 207 W. Patriick St., Frederick. Get your packets for $12, which includes 7 games. Happy hour 5 to 7 p.m. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. 301-663-6281. FrederickAerie1067@gmail.com.

FAMILY

Baby Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories and play for babies and their grownups. Designed for children up to 24 months with a caregiver. Afterwards, we offer a “stay and play” for all to enjoy. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Teen Healthy Relationships and Dating Violence Prevention with Heartly House — 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Come in to hear from the Heartly House about Healthy Relationships and Dating Violence Prevention. Intended for ages 13-18. Snacks will be provided for those attending

the presentation. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

MUSIC

Appalachian String Band Jam — 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at Y Arts Building, 115 E. Church St., Frederick . Led by Dr. Jason Miller. If you play violin (fiddle), viola, cello, string bass, banjo or guitar and are age 11 or older, bring your instrument and join us. From 6- 7 p.m. there will be an “instructional” hour where “newbies” learn about the style and are taught a specific piece. From 7-8:45, experienced players can join in and jam. pfreema2@jhu.edu. meetup.com/peabody-preparatory/events.

Tuesday Feb. 4

CLASSES

Yoga — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. Strengthen your body, clear your mind and release the stress of living and working in today’s hectic world with this gentle yoga class. Presented by Mountain Spirit Yoga. Please bring your own yoga mat. 18 and older. 301-600-7560. lgrackin@frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org/calendar.

ETCETERA

Embracing Green Burial: A Return to Nature with Michael Judd — noon to 1 p.m.

via Zoom. Michael Judd is the co-founder of Morris Orchard Natural Burial Park, Frederick’s first dedicated green burial ground (morrisorchardnaturalburial.com). Learn about choices for end-of-life care, home funeral, home burial, and green burial practices.  Michael will share information, resources, and personal experiences as he honors the wise traditions of natural burial and the relevance of these choices for us today. $10. 301-663-3416. aharmon@commonmarket.coop. commonmarket.coop.

Open Chess Play — 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Stop in and play chess with your friends. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Service Industry Appreciation — 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Frederick Eagles, 207 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Hey there! We love our fellow service industry folks, so come on by and enjoy an extra discount on our already wallet-friendly food and drinks – that’s right, 20% off your tab! And if you’re a member, you get an additional 10% off our already cheap prices. Just flash us your paystub and we’ll hook you up. Can’t wait to see you here! #ServiceIndustryPerks #DiscountsForHardWorkers #CheapEatsAndDrinks 301-663-6281. FrederickAerie1067@gmail.com.

FAMILY

Preschool Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30

a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories, and fun for preschoolers and their grownups. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Get Ready for Kindergarten — 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Have fun exploring literacy, STEM and art through play-based activities that integrate essential school skills. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver.  301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Night Owls — 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Storytime, pajama style! Enjoy movement, music and stories with the whole family. PJ’s optional! Designed for kids of all ages with a caregiver. 301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Wednesday Feb. 5 CLASSES

Gentle Yoga for All! — 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at The Common Market, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. This class is the perfect intro for a new student or an experienced yogi. By donation. 301-663-3416. aharmon@commonmarket.coop. commonmarket.coop.