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A Potomac native is acting as the eyes and ears for a few lucky students as he travels around the world on a 40-foot ship.

Adam Domanski, 26, set sail along with two other crew members from Hampton, Va. on Nov. 2. His trip will take him around the globe to countries including the Dominican Republic, China, Greece, Spain and Gambia, and he'll be traveling through May of 2012. All the while, he'll be communicating with students in several middle school classrooms here in the United States, including in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia.

The journey is through a nonprofit group called Eye of the World, which according to its Web site is an "interactive traveling classroom."

As educational director, Domanski is "responsible for communicating with the students and preparing information for them," according to his father, Piotr. He'll be using technology, including an interactive Web site and live video conferencing, to draw students into the different cultures he'll visit along the way. "We talk quite often [about how] kids don't know geography in this country, and this should expose them to the world and inspire them to study," Piotr Domanski said.

Domanski said his family is native to Poland, and his son first got interested in sailing on lakes while vacationing in the country. Later, he acted as the president of the sailing club at his alma mater, the College of William and Mary.

Throughout the trip, teachers will tie in the journey to their lesson plans. "It's a teaching tool for teachers, where they can use the different aspects of the Web site inside their classroom to enhance their teaching," explained Alan Witt Jr. who chairs the board of directors for Eye of the World.

Students will compare the costs of goods at home and abroad, help solve on-board engineering problems, and identify wildlife at the different ports the crew visits, among many other educational activities. Before the journey, the crew members met with students for an in-class exercise in which students help chart the boat's course. "It helps them to establish personal contact, so when the kids look at the Web site they can connect better with the content," Piotr Domanski said.

Students from Virginia gathered to wave goodbye as the Domanski and his crew set sail on Nov. 2. For more information about Eye of the World, or to keep up with Domanski's journey through the crew's blog, visit

www.eyeotw.org.

Don't forget!

The Potomac Theatre Company's production of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" opens Friday at the Blair Center for the Arts at the Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road in Potomac. The production, which will feature a live orchestra, is based on the classic movie, "Miracle on 34th Street." According to the group, the show weaves the tale of a man who claims to be the real Santa Claus, trying to convince a single mother and her daughter that the fantastical figure really exists.

The show will run through Dec. 6. For show times and reservations, visit www.potomactheatreco.org or call 301-299-8571.

"New Moon" fans

take a bite out of Blockbuster

Fans of the vampire book series "Twilight" gathered in Potomac on Friday to celebrate the upcoming release of "New Moon," the second feature film based on the popular books by author Stephenie Meyer. The series, which highlights the adventures of a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire, has sparked a craze among vampire fans young and old. Fans lined up outside the Blockbuster Video in the Cabin John Mall last Friday, eager for a chance to win tickets to an advance screening of the widely anticipated film.

Costumed fans gathered for a free screening of the first film, "Twilight," posed with life-sized cut-outs of the main characters, Bella and Edward, and played vampire and werewolf look-a-like contests. "New Moon" is slated to be released Nov. 20.

Potomac author honored

Congratulations to Potomac resident Anthony Pitch, who was recently awarded the Arline Custer Memorial Award for the best book of 2009 by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference. Pitch penned a critically acclaimed book detailing Abraham Lincoln's assassination, dubbed "'They Have Killed Papa Dead!' —The Road to Ford's Theatre, Abraham Lincoln's Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance." Pitch is being honored by the group for the second time. He was also given the award in 2001 for his historical work, "The Burning of Washington: The British Invasion of 1814."

Pitch will speak about his new book at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 12089 Rockville Pike, Rockville.

A Scottish-American tradition celebrated in Potomac

Oct. 25, the Rev. Larry Duncan led a Scottish-American tradition at the Potomac Presbyterian Church. The Sunday service, dubbed "Kirkin' of the Tartans," featured bagpipe music, a color guard, kilts and Highland dancers. The service hearkened back to a period in the 18th century during which many Scots were prohibited from wearing tartan cloth, or plaid designs often associated with Scotland.

According to church representatives, the service was geared to celebrate families of all nationalities and remembered those whose faith or culture has been suppressed. The day also coincided with Reformation Sunday, which marks the day in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" to the doors of a cathedral in Wittenberg, Germany; launching the Christian Protestant movement.

A twinkle in the park

Gaithersburg's Winter Lights Festival is back for its 14th season, transforming Seneca Creek Start Park into a Winter Wonderland for all ages.

Giant holiday displays designed with thousands of lights line a 3.5 mile drive through the park. More than 380 illuminated displays and 60 animated vignettes will "light up the night," said city spokeswoman Britta Monaco. Theme areas include Winter Woods, Victorian Village and the North Pole.

Get a sneak preview from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $14 per car.

Or get out your walking shoes and bring the family for a one-mile stroll through Teddy Bear Land from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30, or bring a blanket and enjoy the scenery on a 45-minute open air trolley ride.

The Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival runs nightly Dec. 4 through Jan. 2 at the park, 11950 Clopper Road. The event is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Proceeds will benefit charities, including the city's Dolores Swoyer Camp Scholarship Fund, Friends of Seneca Creek State Park, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Gaithersburg Help and the Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Program.

For more information, including costs, call the city parks department at 301-258-6350 or visit www.

gaithersburgmd.gov.

What are you thankful for?

As Thanksgiving approaches, The Gazette wants to know what you are thankful for this year. Let us know in 50 words or less what you will be giving thanks for this holiday season. E-mail ssiegel@gazette.net with your stories or thoughts, even photos. Some replies will be printed in this column in the next couple of weeks.

North Potomac writer

"counts her blessings"

A story written by North Potomac resident Sheoli Gunaratne is featured in the most recent edition of the popular inspirational series, "Chicken Soup for the Soul." This year's edition, dubbed "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings," details stories about people who look out for the silver lining even during tough times. Gunaratne's story is entitled "Tsunami Survivor." The "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series has sold more than 112 million copies since 1993, and was named in 2007 by USA Today as one of the five most memorable books of the past quarter century.

For more information, visit www.chickensoup.com.

This column is for you. Send press releases, news tips and other information to Erin Donaghue by phone to 301-280-3007, by e-mail edonaghue@ gazette.net, by fax to 301-670-7183 or by mail to 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.