If you find an enormous piece of mail in your box this week, rest assured, it’s from us as part of a new effort to grow the Loop’s local reach and keep Potomac connected, informed, and entertained.

The Potomac Spotlight is our first print companion to the newsletter, another short snapshot to help live life locally that bridges email inboxes with something you can actually hold (be sure to use two hands). Only some households will receive this edition, a friendly test we hope to expand if it proves as useful and as fun as intended. It's physically large because, well, it's Potomac and we don't really do "small" out here do we?

The front page features versions of newsletter staples “The Social Calendar” and “Live & Local-ish Music” with the October highlights starting with Potomac Day, naturally.

Inside, you’ll find a quick summary of what The Potomac Loop is all about for first-timers, plus a few grammatical gremlins we caught after printing, also naturally🤦‍♀️.

You’ll also spot exclusive offers from local businesses, some big, some small, some new, and some familiar, but each helping you save a little while helping the Loop keep looping long into the future.

The back page includes some of the key real estate stats on all our biggest assets and something new we're calling “Loop Moments”, a peek at neighbors out and about in true Potomac style living their lives locally (plus a cameo from the official Loop dog!)

We hope you enjoy the Potomac Spotlight and find it another helpful in navigating local life. Feel free to share your thoughts with us about it anytime at [email protected].

...and don’t forget to join in the fun and tag @thepotomacloop or use #PotomacLoop to share your own local moments living life around Potomac and we may feature them in the future!

Now back to your regularly scheduled newsletter:

🏫 Potomac’s schools dominate more Niche’s 2026 rankings, with Stone Mill, Wayside, and Cold Spring sweeping Maryland’s top three public elementary schools, while Bullis cracks the Top 10 private K-12 statewide. See the full rankings for public elementary schools and private schools

🥖 Great bánh mi just got closer. Ba Le Sandwiches is now open in Rockville’s Ritchie Center, serving their Chicago-famous Vietnamese subs, noodle bowls, smoothies, and vegan options. Check out their menu

📜 Step back in time at the Montgomery County History Conference on Nov. 8 with deep-dive sessions from local historians that explore 250 years of county stories. Register now

🏓The National Padel League has launched the first structured national amateur padel competition in the U.S. so you can build a team to battle it out locally with a chance to advance through regional play all the way to a National Championship. Get in the game

Better with Age Comedy Special | 12–2pm @ South Germantown Recreational Park
Wit wins over age in this free outdoor comedy special, where five comedians riff on family, friendships, getting older, and reclaiming your sparkle. Bring a chair or blanket; food vendors on site 😂

Museum on Tap: Uncovering Maryland’s LGBTQ+ History | 7–8:30pm @ Saints Row Brewing
Historian Ben Egerman shares discoveries from Maryland’s first LGBTQ+ Historic Context Study, revealing 300+ sites that trace stories across the state. 🏳️‍🌈

David J. Lynch: The World's Worst Bet | 7–8pm @ Wonderland Books
Washington Post economics correspondent David Lynch joins journalist Jonathan Capehart for a sharp, globe-spanning dive into globalization’s messy past, present, and possible redemption. 📘

Fork & Glass Dinner | Thurs+Fri @ Windridge Vineyards
Savor autumn’s flavors at a communal harvest feast featuring Chicken Marbella, s’mores parfait, and perfectly paired Windridge wines amid vineyard views. 6-8pm both nights, reservations in link 🍇

Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Event | 10am-12pm @ Irish Inn at Glen Echo
Join Tree Friends United volunteers to cut back invasive vines threatening Glen Echo’s trees, then toast your good deeds nearby at the Irish Inn. Register in link🌿

PCV Hosted Women’s Group | 1–2:30pm @ Potomac Library
Join Potomac Community Village for an open, welcoming chat on building and sustaining friendships in the later chapters of life. All are welcome ☕

The State of Aging Policy | 1–3pm @ Virtual
Experts from GWU’s Center for Aging unpack new federal policies shaping services for older adults and caregivers, revealing what’s working and what’s missing. Free; register for Zoom access. 🧓

Building Wealth Over Time Through Investing | 5–6pm @ Potomac Library
SEC expert Erin Scheithe gives teens ages 14-18 a crash course in compounding, stocks, and smart saving proving time really is your best investment. Limited slots; register in link. 💰

Yappy Hour & Pop-Up Dog Park | 5–7pm @ Elm Street Park
Unleash your pup and your appetite for Bethesda’s breeziest night out with live music from Bach to Rock, bites from Smoke BBQ, and a wag-happy crowd under the park lights. 🐾

Quilt Show & Artisan Boutique | Fri-Sat @ Kensington Town Hall
Explore 200+ quilts, shop the Artisan Boutique and Calico Elephant, vote in the whimsical challenge, and support guild community programs. Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm 🧵

Cake4Kids at King Arthur | 10–11am @ Shops at Wildwood
Meet the Maryland Cake4Kids crew baking joy for children in need, one frosting swirl at a time, and learn how you can join the sweetness. 🎂

Art in Nature: Drawing Trees | 5–6:30pm @ Locust Grove Nature Center
Learn to sketch autumn’s changing trees and forest details with guidance from a naturalist on a gentle walk through nature’s studio. Register in link + bring a sketchpad 🌳

⭐ Potomac Day! | 9:30am–3pm @ Potomac Village
Parade pomp, vintage cars, local bites, and a kids’ fest with rides and a petting zoo make Potomac’s biggest block party a hometown classic worth savoring. 🎉

MoCo Epic | Sat-Sun @ South Germantown Bike Park
Ride, revel, and give back at MoCo’s 15th annual mountain biking festival, where every muddy mile helps fund new and improved trails across the region. Register before midnight tonight to ride, otherwise come watch all weekend 🚵‍♀️

Pet Costume Parade | 11am @ The Mansion at Strathmore
Parade your costumed pet through Strathmore’s stately grounds for spooky photo ops, prizes, and bragging rights in this delightfully eerie animal fashion show. 🐕‍🦺

Shopping is my Cardio: Curvy Fit Dance Class | 10am @ Montgomery Mall
Start your Sunday with a high-energy dance workout, then score post-class perks from Macy’s facials to Fabletics deals and pretzel bribes from Auntie Anne’s. Meet on Level 1 in front of Lilly Pulitzer💃

Oktoberfest | 12–5pm @ Kentlands Mansion
Raise a stein to Gaithersburg’s 32nd annual Oktoberfest with Bavarian bands, local brews, German eats, crafts, and kid-friendly fun across Kentlands’ charming streets. 🍺

^{*Dates & times subject to change based on weather and/or venues making your life more difficult}

Forward this to that neighbor who is still waiting for the Potomac Spotlight to fit in the mailbox.

-Potomac Loop Team