Turkey Chase Results
Last Thursday marked the 30th annual Turkey Chase, the popular 10K race event benefitting the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and charities of the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club.
Thousands of runners descended on Bethesda, temporarily closing down two lanes of Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Road in pursuit of a lead car carrying the traditional turkey mascot, State Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Dist. 16), County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and his wife.
Ricky Flynn, 25, of Lynchburg, Va., was the top overall finisher with a time of 31 minutes and 13 seconds, earning him a $200 prize. Top female finisher Morgane Gay, 22, of Bethesda also took a $200 prize with a time of 36:14.
Former Walt Whitman High School runner and state cross country champion Caroline Guiot, 18, finished first in the female age 12-19 division with a time of 41:35.
More results can be found here.
Little Increase Expected in Maryland Thanksgiving Travel
AAA forecasters say the number of Marylanders expected to travel this Thanksgiving holiday is virtually the same as during last year’s holiday period, a reflection of continued caution over spending.
Nearly 883,000 Marylanders, less than a half percent increase from last year, are expected to travel 50 miles or more round trip between tomorrow and Sunday, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
“This year it appears short-to-moderate distance holiday trips primarily by auto are replacing long-haul trips by air,” said Ragina Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The forecast predicts 61,600 Marylanders will travel to their Thanksgiving destinations by air, an almost two percent decrease from last year. It also predicts 18,000 will take buses, trains or boats, an almost 14 percent bump.
The State Highway Administration is promoting its 511 information system as a way to stay current with any Thanksgiving travel updates.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says part of the reason for the predicted flat travel rate is gas prices, which on average in Maryland are above the national average despite falling from peak prices in September.
Locally, watch for Thanksgiving closures on Wisconsin Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. between Pooks Hill Road and Commerce Lane because of the annual Turkey Chase race.
Morning Notes
Special Thanksgiving Farmers Market Today — Central Farm Markets is having a special Thanksgiving market today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its North Bethesda Mid-Pike Plaza location (11806 Rockville Pike). Fresh food and produce will be available as well as prepared turkey day fare ready for pick-up. [Central Farm Markets]
Bethesda Row Clothing Store Introduces ‘e-commerce showroom’ — Bonobos, the pop-up men’s fashion store on Bethesda Row (7216 Bethesda Lane), is employing a fresh concept for Bethesda shoppers. Customers make appointments to try on clothes they see on the store’s website. [Modern Fellows]
December Exhibit Features Work By Former Local Teacher — Bethesda Urban Partnership’s Gallery B art studio (7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E) will feature works by former Montgomery Blair art teacher and department head Jude Nagel, who died last year. [Bethesda Urban Partnership]
B-CC High School Newspaper Looking For Funding — The Tattler, one of the oldest high school newspapers in the country, needs donations to keep printing. The staff would like to publish bi-weekly and is hosting a fundraiser next week. [Bethesda Patch]
Flickr photo by rczeien
Thanksgiving Day Closings
Most of the Montgomery County government will shut down next Thursday for Thanksgiving, with the exception of Ride On service, which will run on a Sunday schedule.
Trash and recycling pick-ups scheduled for Thursday will happen Friday and pick-ups scheduled for Friday will happen Saturday. Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday and students will be released early on Wednesday.
County offices, libraries, liquor stores, recreation facilities, Commuter Stores, the Shady Grove Transfer Station, MCPS administrative offices and state offices and courts will all be closed.
Parking at public garages, lots and meters will be free and WMATA will run both the Metrobus and Metrorail on Sunday schedules.
Montgomery County will celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow (Saturday) with its annual Thanksgiving Parade in Downtown Silver Spring, beginning at 10 a.m.
Flickr photo by PDX Pipeline
Town of Chevy Chase Donates Thanksgiving Dinners
The Town of Chevy Chase is asking for donations to help make 115 Thanksgiving dinner baskets for MCPS families in need.
Students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and the Jane E. Lawton Community Center will also take part. The baskets will go to families of Montgomery County students in the county’s Linkages to Learning program.
Through Nov. 15, those interested in donating can drop off a check payable to the B-CC PTSA or gift food cards from Giant and Safeway at the Town office or to Georgia Guhin at 4006 Rosemary St.
The entire Thanksgiving dinner runs $75, the turkey $25 and other groceries $50. Contact Town Community Relations Co-Chair Bridget Hartman at 301-654-4938 with any questions.
The dinner basket drive will also be incorporated into the Town’s annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, set for noon on Sunday, Nov. 18 at Tarrytown Park (7500 block of Lynn Drive). After the mile walk on the Capital Crescent Trail to Elm Street Park, participants can head to Town Hall to help assemble and decorate the Thanksgiving baskets.
Those interested can RSVP through the Town office.
Registration For 30th Annual Turkey Chase
The popular Thanksgiving morning Turkey Chase is in its 30th year after more than 9,000 runners participated in Montgomery County’s largest race in 2011.
Runners can register here and find more information here. Until race day on Nov. 22, registration is $45 for the 10K, $20 for the two-mile and $15 for the always dramatic 50-meter Kid’s Run.
The signature charity event of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club and the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase, the Turkey Run has raised more than $1.5 million for YMCA and Rotary charities since 1992.
Packet pick-up is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19 and Tuesday, Nov. 20 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at City Sports (7121 Arlington Rd.). The race starts at the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase (9401 Old Georgetown Rd.)
