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This story was corrected on March 18, 2010. An explanation of the correction follows the story.

Julia Cavicchi, 13, who lives with her mom in Gaithersburg and her dad in Washington Grove, is a veteran hair donor for cancer patients, said her mother Clare Lise Kelly. 

Julia recently cut 10 inches of her hair for Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program, marking her third donation. The campaign asks for volunteers to grow, cut and donate their healthy hair to make wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. HairUWear, a company that makes "alternative hair" accessories, extensions and systems for women and men, will craft the human hair into high-quality wigs for women affected by hair loss from cancer.

The golden ponytail Julia donated will be made into a wig for cancer patients through the Women's Cancer Research Fund, a nonprofit based in Newport Beach, Calif., that aims to improve the cure rates of patients with gynecologic cancer — ovarian, endometrial or uterine and cervical cancer. Julia, now an eighth grader at Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology in Rockville, will attend Poolesville High School's global ecology program next year.

Here comes the ...

Brides-to-be, mark your calendars! The city hosts a Spring Bridal Showcase from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, at Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road. The city rents the 19th century estate for weddings and other events. Caterers, photographers, event planners, musicians, florists, makeup artists, hotel representatives will be on hand and door prizes will be given away throughout the day.

Admission is $5. For information and directions, visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/

kentlandsmansion or call 301-258-6425.

Music times two

Classical music lovers, take note. The city hosts a new series "Music on the Move: An elegant evening with the music of Beethoven and Dvorak" at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

"And it is a concert with a really fun twist!" reports Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Director Denise Kayser.

Two concerts will run simultaneously in the Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road and the Gaithersburg Arts Barn Theatre, 311 Kent Square Road. Watch one act in one spot and switch at intermission to enjoy a second concert in the other venue. First grab some free chocolate desserts, coffee and tea to go!

Concertgoers will enjoy "rarely heard and favorite masterpieces" performed by string players from the National Symphony Orchestra Players, said Kayser. A pianist from Bethesda's Levine School at Strathmore will accompany.

The Kentlands Mansion Concert Program will feature Natasha Bogachek on violin accompanied Dasha Gabay on piano performing Ludwig van Beethoven's Romance F major Op. 50, and Antonin Dvorak's Sonatina G Major Op.100 and Mazurka Op.49, Kayser said.

The Arts Barn Concert Program will feature Alexandra Osborne and Joel Fuller on violin and Eric deWaardt on viola performing Beethoven's Trio for Two Violins and Viola in C major Op. 87, followed by Dvorak's Terzetto for Two Violins and Viola in C major Op. 74.

Kudos

-Paul Schauppner, son of Carl and Teresa Schauppner of Gaithersburg, achieved the highest academic and military honors at the U.S. Naval Academy in fall, when he was named to the superintendent's list for the fifth consecutive semester. Schauppner, a 2007 Quince Orchard High School graduate, is in his third year at the academy and majors in system engineering.

-Three Gaithersburg residents made the fall dean's list at Boston University: Rebecca J. Benzion, Samantha M. Ducey and Danielle K. Hedquist.

-Dana Galuska daughter of Brian and Karen Galuska of Gaithersburg made the fall dean's list at Towson University, where she is a sophomore and accounting major.

-Dylan K. Bernstein, son of Damon K. Bernstein and Holly I. Keebler of Laytonsville, made the dean's list at Washington College, where he is a junior majoring in American studies.

-Ama Serwaa Frimpong of Montgomery Village made the fall dean's list at Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C.

-Melanie L. Dollar of Gaithersburg made the fall dean's list at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa.

Ready to roll

The City of Gaithersburg Skate Park at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., re-opens March 26 for the 2010 season. The park, welcomes skateboarders and in-line skaters during all sessions, and allows BMX bikers every day except Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Hours are 3 p.m. to sunset weekdays and noon to sunset Saturdays and Sundays. During spring break, March 29 to April 26, the park will open daily at noon and hold extended hours.

Helmets are required; elbow and knee pads are optional. All safety equipment is recommended. In-line skaters must wear wrist guards. Protective gear is available for rent.

Admission is $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents. Memberships are $35 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. For more information call Maura Dinwiddie at 301-258-6350, ext. 168 or visit the city's Web site at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/skate.

Down on the farm

The 14th Annual Gas & Steam Engine Show runs April 10-11 at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood.

The Friends of the Farm Park invite all collectors to bring their tractors, gas and steam engines and antique cars and trucks to the show for display. Country music, farm animals, hay wagon rides, and food will be available for all visitors. Come for the fun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

For more information contact Putt Willett at 301-253-2673.  

Getting motivated

Jessie & James and the Gang aim to inspire children to develop the habits of practice and self discipline in "Practice Makes Perfect," a School's Out for Arts motivational program that will run two performances at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. March 30 at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road. Comedy, juggling and "amazing dog feats" are only part of the fun.

Tickets are $8 for residents and $10 for nonresidents and may be purchased online through RecXpress at www.gaithersburgmd.gov or calling the city 301-258-6394.

Green Week in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg's annual Green Week celebration kicks off with a special Environmental Family Fun Night at 7 p.m. April 16 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., next to Gaithersburg High School, reports city spokeswoman Britta Monaco. Blue Sky Puppet Theater will put on "Lights Out on the Bunny Brothers," a fast-paced, humorous story designed to teach children valuable environmental lessons.

"The Bunny Brothers characters are studying conservation in school, but don't learn their lesson until they are tricked into thinking they've wasted all the electricity and water in the world," Monaco said in a statement. "The audience will share in the lessons the Bunny Brothers have learned."

Admission is $2, with a maximum of $5 per family of three or more. Children under the age of two are admitted free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. To register, call 301-258-6350. For more information on this program and other elements of Gaithersburg Green Week, visit the city's Web site at

www.gaithersburgmd.gov/environment.

Swing into spring

"It may be snowy outside but it's never too early to think of spring and golf," reads an invitation from the City of Gaithersburg to the annual Spring Swing Golf Tournament on April 29 at the Redgate Municipal Golf Course in Rockville, 14500 Avery Road. Call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture at 301-258-6350.

Arab American Heritage Month

The 2010 Arab American Heritage Month Festival, hosted by the City of Gaithersburg's Multicultural Affairs Committee and Arab Americans of Montgomery County, runs from noon to 4 p.m. April 11, at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., next to Gaithersburg High School.

The free festival will feature poetry readings, arts and crafts, folkloric dance and music, Middle-Eastern food, cultural exhibits, vendors, henna, calligraphy, and children's activities. For more information, contact Samira Hussein at 301-412-7779 or Juliet Francisco at 301-330-2445 or e-mail arabheritagefestival@gmail.com.

For more information on Gaithersburg's multicultural outreach initiatives please contact the Gaithersburg Community Services Division at 301-258-6395 or visit the City's website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Be dazzled at Buddhist temple

Kunzang Palyul Choling, Buddhist temple in Poolesville will sell one-of-a kind crystals, from small unique stones to collector-quality specimens, at a special gallery showing and open house later this month.

Be dazzled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and March 27 and 28, 18400 River Road, Poolesville.

Minerals and crystals from around the world, including clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, calcite, onyx and more, will be on display in a range of shapes and sizes: spheres, generators, beds, slabs, and hoods. Staff knowledgeable in the properties of crystals will be on hand to discuss the crystals and answer questions.

Many people use crystals to support their meditation practices and enhance the environment in their homes and businesses, say temple staff, who will offer tours of the temple and its renowned collection of museum-quality crystals.

The Mani Jewel Gift Store will be open for purchase of ritual items, including prayer flags, statues, incense, prayer beads, singing bowls, meditation cushions, and books on Buddhism. All proceeds will benefit KPC activities, including a 24-Hour Prayer Vigil for World Peace and the Garuda Aviary, which provides lifelong sanctuary for abused and neglected parrots.

Admission is free. For more information, contact Mani Jewel Giftstore at 301-972-7190 or www.tara.org.

Send submissions to Patricia M. Murret via e-mail at pmurret@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Gaithersburg-Montgomery Village Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.