5 Things Adults Love About the Indoor Pool

 Step into any one of our  indoor swim centers and you are welcomed with the sounds of kids splashing, laughing, and shrieking with joy. What you won’t hear is the quiet content of many parents who have come to chaperone those kids, and of other adults who enjoy the indoor swim centers as much as their younger counterparts.  But contented they are.

1. Diving boards – It happens time and again: kids are drawn to the diving boards and then ask their parents to rate their jumps, dives, and cannonballs. Suddenly, the parents simply cannot resist getting on that flexible platform and jumping high into the air, not giving a care to how graceful [or not] their landing might be. Diving boards and platforms bring a thrill to any indoor pool visit. Whatever your age, it feels good to try something that is a little scary, a little silly, and a whole lot of fun!

2. Slides – We challenge you to swish and splash down the long water slide on your next visit to the Germantown Indoor Swim center… without cracking a smile. We bet you can’t do it! There is also a long slide at the Kennedy-Shriver Aquatic Center and smaller slides at the Olney Swim Center.

3. Technology Time Out – With smart phones giving us easy access to email and work, many adults find it harder and harder to take a break. When we break from technology, we get a much-needed mental break as well. Unless you plan to waterproof your phone, it’s best to leave it locked in the locker room. Many adult visitors find the 2-hour recreational swim flies by and they feel more connected after having face-to-face interactions with their kids, or other adults.

4. Regulated Temperature - When it’s cold out, there is no better place to be than the warmth and humidity of an indoor swim center. Your spirits are lifted as quickly as the snow has melted on your boots. Plus, when it’s hot out, it’s still very comfortable at the indoor pools and you don’t need sunscreen!

5. Hot Tub – Need we say more?

 For more information on the indoor swim centers including hours of operation and recreation swims, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

Explore These Art Classes That Are Perfect For Cold Winter Days

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Draw and Clay for Kids (4 sessions, $39)

Children ages 4 to 9 will have the opportunity to study the American Eagle, learn about its habitat, and why it has become an important symbol for our country. Kids will then draw, sculpt and paint their very own eagle. A $10 material fee is due to the instructor on the first class.

369221 starting 2/4 at Germantown Community Recreation Center from 5:15 – 6:15 pm

369220 starting 2/5 at Bauer Drive Germantown Community Recreation Center from 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Sketching with Charcoal (2 sessions, $45)

Teens and adults age 16 and up will work on charcoal drawing skills with the help of a trained fine artist. We will practice sketching still life and quick sketches, then move onto drawings that take longer. We will work with use of vine charcoal, black conte, umber conte and white conte. We will also discuss composition, light and dark, form and space. A material fee of $20 is due to the instructor at the first class. If you have questions email valeriehaber@msn.com.

362017 starting 2/12 at Plum Gar Community Recreation Center from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Paint Like VanGogh with Merlot (1 session, $49)

Participants must be age 21 and over. We supply the wine, the instruction, and all of the supplies. You supply the artistic creativity, the smiles and the fun! Register with a friend and join us as we create a masterpiece while enjoying a few glasses of win.

363104 on 2/6 at Potomac Community Recreation Center from 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Bath & Beauty Products (1 session, $35)

Kids and adults ages 12 and up will create homemade bath salts, moisturizers, toners, body lotions, hand creams and more. Everyone will bring home a basket of products to keep or give as gifts, and recipes to keep creating products at home!

363224 on 2/12 at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center from 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Shabby Chic Furniture Painting (1 session, $115)

Take a look around your house and grab that old chair, side table or other small piece of furniture that you wouldn’t throw away because you just knew all it needed was a little paint. In this class we will teach you how to bring it back to life with non-toxic paint and various techniques.  Take a photo of the piece you wish to refinish and email thriftdiving@gmail.com for approval. Then bring a lunch and plan for a full day of refinishing!

369216 on 2/22 at Longwood Community Recreation Center from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm

369217 on 3/29 at Potomac Community Recreation Center from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm

Find your Inner Chef with a Cooking Class!

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Cooking skills are skills that serve you time and again. Whether you are just starting out and need a knife skills class, or if you want to expand your recipe book and learn to make something a little more challenging, we have the class for you. It’s time to get cozy in the kitchen and learn something new!

Knife Skills Class (1 session, $65)

Participants must be age 18 and up. Learn the proper and most efficient way to peel, slice, and chop a variety of foods with a proper chef’s knife. Then learn how to properly separate and de-bone a chicken. Bring your own knife, borrow one of ours, or purchase a new one at class at a discount from a professional line of knives we will have on hand.  We will prepare lunch as we work so come hungry and with an $18 food fee for the instructor.

369787 on 2/15 at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Real Thai, Real Good (1 session, $65)

Sign up early because this class is popular! Learn to make fried pork wontons, a spicy dipping sauce, chicken in coconut soup, and pad thai with pork, chicken and shrimp. Top it all off with a traditional Thai dessert of sweet sticky rice with fresh mango, and you have a meal to impress! Bring $18 for a food fee due to the instructor.

369786 on 2/11 at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center from 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Wine and Dine with Great Bargain Wines (1 session, $55)

This class is for participants ages 21 and over. You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy great wine! All of the wines we will sample in this class cost less than $20 at Montgomery County liquor stores. We will pair a variety of wonderful, inexpensive wines with delicious recipes including chicken supreme over egg noodles, traditional French quiche, and meatballs in a blueberry barbecue sauce. You will leave with the recipe to make again at home, and an extensive list of wines and notes to review. A $25 food and wine fee is due to the instructor at the time of class.

369781 on 2/7 at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center from 7:00 – 10:00 pm

Creative Italian Cooking (1 session, $65)

Sure, spaghetti and meat sauce is an easy meal that everyone loves, but this class will teach you to make more creative Italian specialties that will delight and entertain your taste buds. We will make homemade Italian flatbread, otherwise known as focaccia with your choice of toppings. We will also enjoy an asparagus soup with homemade parmesan custards. Moving onto agrodolce (sweet and sour) meatballs served with Italian style green peas and mushrooms, and finally ending with Italian doughnuts and ice cream, this meal will fill you up! Bring $18 food fee for the instructor.

369788 on 2/22 at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Kids Kitchen: Food, Fun and Fitness (1 session, $65)

Kids ages 10-15 will learn about good habits including nutrition and physical activity that are key to staying healthy. Participants will get hands-on experience preparing delicious and nutritious recipes from all the food groups. In addition there will be fitness activities and discussion about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

368868 on 2/15 at White Oak Community Recreation Center from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

368866 on 3/15 at Mid County Community Recreation Center from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

February is American Heart Month

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Heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease claim the lives of about 600,000 Americans every year and to raise awareness, February has become American Heart Month.  In 2011 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started the Million Heartscampaign, which aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. by 2017. One way to help reduce the risk is to exercise regularly, which can help you manage contributing factors such as weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

We have a wide variety of classes to help you get moving, build exercise into your weekly routine, and ultimately improve your heart health.

Dance and Fitness (20 sessions, $140)

This class offers a complete cardiovascular aerobic workout with a variety of music and choreographed moves that will keep all participants (women and men) engaged and entertained. The classes include flexibility and leg routines leading into a full aerobic workout, plus weights, abdominal work and cool down stretch. Experienced instructors are trained and certified in CPR. Bring a mat/blanket for floor work, and hand weights (optional). Questions? Email dancenfitness@verizon.net.

Jackie Sorensen’s Strong Step (10 sessions, $70)

This is a high-energy, low-impact fitness class that will get your heart pumping and put a smile on your face. We incorporate a blend of exercises, and resistance training to providea full body workout. Students can adjust step level to vary intensity. Participants provide own step, exercise mat, and 1-6 lbs. hand weights (optional). Limited steps available for class use. Call instructor to verify availability at (240)-207-3091.

Turbo Kick (11 sessions, $88)

This class is for participants ages 16 and up (14-15 if accompanied by parent or guardian). Cardio kickboxing is the perfect way to keep your heart healthy. This class also incorporates body-sculpting moves to help you get lean and toned. Put it all to dance music and you’ve got a high-intensity, fast-paced, class that is FUN and totally addicting! For more info, contact Jacki at: smilenbaby@hotmail.com.

Knockout Workout (8 sessions, $64)

Participants must be age 16 and up (13-15 if accompanied by parent or guardian). Challenge yourself with a unique blend of non-stop intense cardio boxing and body sculpting combinations. We’ll do intervals of cardio and strength training to help you improve your muscle strength, speed, agility, flexibility and of course, your heart health! Bring weighted gloves (optional) and a mat for floor workout. Questions? Contact Jeanne@koworkout.com or visit www.koworkout.com.