Potomac Loop

February 13, 2026

🍀 You've found a Lucky Penny

Good morning, Potomacker!

Valentine's weekend idea:

"Babe, let's watch curling tonight." Nothing says romance like two people whispering "nice sweep" in a silent room together.

In today's Potomac Loop,

• Lucky Penny gift shop opens today

• Lunar Year celebration at Montgomery Mall

• Jeff Herbert's back at Old Anglers

Let's Loop.

🗞️ The Local Lowdown

🪙 The Lucky Penny Opens Today in Potomac Village

Potomac Village just got a little more interesting.

The Lucky Penny, a curated gift and home shop, opens today at Potomac Promenade shopping center, right next door to Bagels & Grinds. If the space looks familiar, it should: it's the former Ferrell's spot, which means the Village has a gift shop again!

Owner Danielle Hutt named the shop after her daughter Kate, who as a little girl seemingly found a penny on the ground every single time the family got out of the car. What started as a furniture refinishing business in 2016 has evolved into a brick-and-mortar filled with handblown glass hearts from Poland, curated vintage pieces sourced from Europe, candles, bath products, handbags, and hostess gifts at every price point. Gift wrapping is complimentary.

Danielle, a self-described "Midwest friendly" transplant, wanted a space where people could find the perfect gift and feel welcomed doing it. Her family has strong Potomac connections: her kids went to Potomac Elementary and her son later delivered pizzas for Potomac Pizza and you'll catch her daughter behind the register on weekend mornings at Bagels & Grinds.

Grand opening hours today are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Starting next week, regular hours will be Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The store will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

Stop by The Lucky Penny today or check them out here

🥗 Pura Vida Miami now open in Cabin John Village. Pura Vida Miami brings its cult-favorite açai bowls and green smoothies to the former Colada Shop space on Tuckerman Lane, with bright interiors and a plant-filled patio perfect for your next clean-eating Instagram moment. Check out the opening

🎨 Glenstone unveils America's story through art. Two powerful new exhibitions open today at Glenstone: 'Ties of our common kindred' explores America's 250th anniversary through the museum's collection in the Gallery, while three masterworks by Jasper Johns now command Room 9 of the Pavilions. Plan your visit

📧 The sewage spill becoming the largest ever. What started as a Clara Barton Parkway pipe collapse has now appears to have become the largest wastewater disaster in U.S. history, with millions of gallons still flowing into the Potomac. Read the latest [The Hill]

🏒 🏸 Winter Term II sports registration opens today at 6:30am. Grab your spot for ice skating and tennis classes starting February 21. The popular eight-week session fills fast, so set those alarms. Register here

✨ Young artists, your gallery debut awaits. VisArts wants DMV creatives aged 17-27 for NextGen 13.0, complete with mentorship, critiques, and that first professional show feeling. Applications close March 11. How to submit an application

🗳️ Time to throw your hat in the ring. Aspiring County Executive, Council, or School Board candidates must file in person by 9pm February 24, with campaign committees, financial disclosures, and fees ready to go. Learn about filing requirements

🐕 Animal shelter hosts Valentine's adoption event. Montgomery County Animal Services offers half-off adoption fees for large dogs this weekend (2/14-15), with nearly 80 dogs needing homes at critical capacity. See available dogs

🥃 Saturday's rare spirits drop is loaded. Montgomery County's coveted spirits drop lands Saturday with Potomac Village scoring 6 bottles of Eagle Rare 10-Year and Cabin John getting 6 precious Fortaleza Blancos. Line up early for your two-bottle limit at these first-come, first-served releases. See the full allocations

🗓️ The Social Calendar

Support the Loop by mentioning it when you attend.

Fri · Feb 13

Great Backyard Bird Count

9am-10am · Locust Grove Nature Center

Join Montgomery Parks naturalists to spot and count local bird species as part of this nationwide community science project. Bring binoculars or borrow theirs. Register in link

Make Your Own Collage Workshop

10:30am · Potomac Community Center

Potomac Community Village's Cultural Arts Programming guides you through creating your own mixed-media collage using provided materials and techniques.

The International Gem & Jewelry Show

12pm-6pm · Montgomery County Fairgrounds

America's Jewelry Marketplace celebrates 59 years with a three-day showcase featuring gemstones, jewelry, and accessories from numerous vendors. Friday 12pm-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

Parents Night Out

6pm · My Gym Potomac

Drop kids off for three hours of fitness games, active play, pizza and Valentine's-themed fun while parents enjoy a night out.

Advanced Arrangements

7pm · Rewild Cabin John

REWILD's resident arrangement master teaches advanced techniques as you craft a 6-inch arrangement in an exclusive low bowl planter by a local ceramicist.

Sat · Feb 14

2026 Falling for You 5k/10k/Half

7:30am-8:30am · C&O Canal National Historic Park

Run alongside the Potomac River with waterfall views post-race on the scenic C&O Canal trail. Walkers & strollers welcome

Valentine's Orchid Centerpiece Workshop

11am · Good Earth Garden Market

Create a special Valentine's gift in this hands-on workshop where you'll design a living centerpiece featuring an orchid, complementary foliage plants, and creative decorative elements.

Health and Wellness Expo - Be Your Own Valentine: Choose Wellness in 2026

11am · Dill Dinkers North Bethesda

Meet Montgomery County wellness providers offering health screenings, fitness demos, and nutrition advice, plus try free pickleball and enter raffles for wellness prizes.

Sun · Feb 15

Celebrate Lunar New Year

11am-3pm · Westfield Montgomery

Watch lion and dragon dances, martial arts demos, and traditional Chinese music performances presented by the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center to ring in the Year of the Horse.

Valentine's Diffuser Workshop

2pm · Potomac French Market

Reine des Fleurs guides you through creating custom scent diffusers with organic essential oils, complete with champagne and French desserts to set the mood.

👉 See every Potomac event on our full calendar 👈

🎷 Live & Local-ish Music

Fri

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival
Bethesda Marriott · 3pm-11:59pm · TIX

Doug Bell
Windridge Vineyards · 5pm

Jay Byrd
Whelans · 7pm

Tim O'Brien with Jan Fabricius
The Barns at Wolf Trap · 8pm · TIX

Kurt Elling: In The Brass Palace
The Music Center at Strathmore · 8pm · TIX

Nobody's Business
Hank Dietles · 9pm

Sat

Jeff Herbert
Old Anglers Inn · 2-5pm

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival
Bethesda Marriott · 9am-11:59pm · TIX