IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL.

The History of Mother’s Day and How to Celebrate at Central

With over 100 countries celebrating, including here in Silver Spring, MD, Sunday, May 14th will be the celebration of Mother’s Day in 2023. A special day dedicated to celebrating mothers and maternal figures, and their influence and impact on society and family. 

Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, founded by Anna Marie Jarvis in the United States. The start of Mother’s Day as we know it now was actually started by Anna Jarvis’ mother, Ann Jarvis. Ann Jarvis started a Mother’s Day Work Club to teach local women how to care for their children. 

In 1868 she organized a committee for Mother's Friendship Day: a day for mothers to gather with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation. Ann Jarvis wanted it to be an annual memorial for mothers however, she died in 1905 before the annual celebrations actually were established. 

By 1912 Mother’s Day would be celebrated annually in many states and towns and in 1914 President Wilson signed a measure that established Mother’s Day as an official annual celebration on the second Sunday of May. 

Later in life, Anna Jarvis did not appreciate the commercialization of Mother’s Day. This year, celebrate Mother’s Day the old-fashioned way at Central. You don’t need flowers and fancy dinners to show appreciation for your Mom this year. Create homemade cards, make her breakfast in bed, or do some extra chores around the house, for example. Figure out the best ways to celebrate your Mother at no cost this year. 

Ready for Spring at Central

Spring has sprung! That’s right Central residents, between spring cleaning, Earth Day, and the warmer weather there is a ton to do this April at Central. 

Whether you’re excited or dreading spring cleaning, the time is finally here. Not only will a clean and organized space look great, but it will also improve moods, decrease stress levels, and increase creativity. It is the ideal time to put away winter essentials and prepare your space for the warm weather. 

“Invest in our planet.” That is the theme for Earth Day 2023. This year, there are six main focuses for 2023 Earth Month, which you can discover here. We encourage all of our residents to participate in Earth Day in as many ways as possible. Also, Central urges our community to continue their Earth Day activities all year long. 

With the arrival of Spring, it is also the perfect time to start taking your workouts outside. Spending time in nature and getting some fresh air and sunshine, can be a great way to boost your mood and get some exercise. At Central, we encourage our residents to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and enjoy a variety of outdoor workouts. 

Get into a great mood this April and enjoy the brand-new spring season! 

Get Outside and Enjoy Silver Spring, MD

With the arrival of Spring, it's the perfect time to start taking your workouts outside. Spending time in nature and getting some fresh air and sunshine, can be a great way to boost your mood and get some exercise. At Central, we encourage our residents to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and enjoy a variety of outdoor workouts. Here are a few outdoor activities you might want to try:

Walking, jogging, or running - Whether you prefer a gentle stroll or a more intense run, getting outside for a walk or jog is a great way to get your heart rate up and enjoy the fresh air.

Hiking - Take advantage of the beautiful trails and parks near our community. Hiking is a great way to explore the outdoors and get some exercise.

Biking - Hop on a bike and hit the road or bike paths for a fun and challenging workout. If you need to get your own bike, look into bike-sharing programs in the area.

Outdoor yoga - Take your yoga mat outside and enjoy a peaceful practice surrounded by nature.

Outdoor strength training - Use your own body weight or bring some equipment outside for a challenging strength training session.

Of course, if the weather doesn't cooperate, you can always head to our incredible fitness center at Central for a warm-up, cool-down stretch, or an indoor workout. Whatever your preference, we encourage our residents to stay active and make the most of the beautiful Spring weather.

Central Residents Craft Cute Valentine’s Day Presents

It’s the most romantic day of the year, Central residents! But, seriously, no pressure. 

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be the end-all-be-all of romance. It can be simply a great day to enjoy with those you love. Simply spending quality time and having fun with a loved one in our cozy community room will have you feeling the love. There are plenty of ways to show your love this Valentine’s Day.

While gifts are a traditional part of the holiday, they don’t have to be budget-breaking. Sure, places like Target overflow with adorably-themed pillows, candles, wreaths, and the works. But what could be better than creating something with your own two hands?

Make a DIY Etched Wine Glass: Surprise your sweetheart with a home-cooked meal and a personalized etched wine glass, which is actually much easier to make than it seems!

Heart-Shaped Elbow Patch: Wear your heart on your sleeve, literally. Make it yourself or for your Valentine, using an old sweater or two and scrap fabric (or even paper)!

Lipstick Art: All you need is a piece of white card stock and shades of lipstick for this fun-themed wall art.

Valentine’s Day is all about love. Spend the day in Silver Spring, MD, or cuddle inside, as long as you are surrounded by love then there’s no way to go wrong.

Lively January Events for Central Residents

Everyone here at Central is overjoyed to be stepping into a new year along with our fantastic community members. Central is proud and lucky to be so close to the fantastic Washington DC community, where there is always something to do. Yes, even in the cold of the winter, there are plenty of fun events and things to do- there’s no need to stay inside all month long! 

Every Friday at the Cafe Saint-Ex is the Friday Funnies Showcase. Every Friday at 8 pm, check out the excellent line-up from the top comedians in the DMV area. Enjoy an hour of gliding on the ice with tickets for Ice Skating at Cameron Run!

On the 21st- Drink the District, a wine bonanza with a wide array of wines to sample. 

The next day you can participate in a Goat Yoga Pajama Party. The following weekend is just as fun-filled! Saturday, the 28th hosts a Lunar New Year Celebration at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

Finally, Sunday the 29th, an event for the kiddos- a Grand Princess Show and Character Experience. Twirl on stage, watch the performance and meet your favorite characters. 

There never has to be a dull day left in January!

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Winter Holidays

The chilly winter month of December is filled with celebrations, parties, and holidays all around the world. Some are filled with solemn traditions while others focus on fun and frolic. 

Hanukkah: While the exact dates change every year, this is an eight-day Jewish holiday. Those who celebrate light a special candle holder called a menorah. They do this to remember an ancient miracle in which one day’s worth of oil burned for eight. 

Winter Solstice: This year the winter solstice takes place on December 21st, which will be the shortest day of 2022. People all over the world celebrate with festivals and celebrations. 

Christmas: This Christian holiday is celebrated annually on December 25th. In the US the holiday centers around spending time with family and exchanging gifts. Festivities in Ireland tend to be more religious, and celebrations last until the 6th of January. 

Kwanzaa: A holiday based on ancient African harvest festivals which celebrate the ideals of family life and unity. Celebrated from December 26th through January 1st. 

No matter what holiday, or holidays, you celebrate, we wish you a very happy, healthy, safe, relaxing, and fun holiday season! Happy holidays!

Enjoy Plant-Based Fare at Planta

Planta isn’t just devoted to plant-based dining. It’s also dedicated to environmental sustainability. So in addition to serving only vegan food, every process the restaurant has put in place benefits Mother Earth. From compostable to-go packaging to locally sourced produce, Planta has taken steps to decrease its footprint wherever possible.

So you can feel really good about dining at Planta whether you’re a vegan or not. You won’t even miss the meat at the plant-based Asian restaurant. Its sushi chefs artfully craft rolls sans seafood, using veggies like eggplant or even watermelon as stand-ins. For instance, the ahi watermelon nigiri comes glazed with ginger and citrus soy, while the mushroom “bacon” inari harnesses the umami flavor of fungi. Meanwhile, a baked crab roll is actually stuffed with hearts of palm, plus ponzu and spicy mayo. Foray into raw fare with the pad Thai slaw, kelp noodles tossed with green papaya, peppers, cabbage, and peanut sauce. Or sink your teeth into a signature entree such as the avocado-lime tartare, showcasing beetroot “tuna” with pine nuts, capers, citrus soy sauce, sesame, cilantro, and crispy taro chips.

Music Old and New Rings Out Across the Concert Hall at MCYO: Symphonic Essence

Vivaldi. Mozart. Bizet. These are some of the musical icons inspiring the pair of MCYO: Symphonic Essence concerts on Sunday, December 11th. With one performance slated for 2 p.m. and another set to begin at 7 p.m., you have two opportunities to experience the passion with which the orchestra delivers its cheery holiday symphony.

MCYO is made up of a mix of young artists and seasoned adult musicians led by meticulous conductors who guide them as they master some of the most difficult and famous melodies of all time—alongside some lesser-known tracks. On deck for MCYO: Symphonic Essence is Overture to the Merry Widow, a newly composed suite from Wagners Lohengrin, and Three Sketches for Unbridled Earth. The latter by Jordan Jinosko has actually never been played before in public, and it’s essentially a love poem to Mother Nature. Oscar Navarro’s Libertadores will serve as another homage to the earth, this time the Amazon rainforest and its native people. Tickets to the performances start at $10.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

It’s more than eating turkey, watching football, and taking naps! 

Thanksgiving is a national United States holiday that takes place every third Thursday of November, this year on November 24th.

The first Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn feast. Then, for more than two centuries, Thanksgiving was celebrated on different days by the US colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. 

According to the National Turkey Federation, 90% of American households eat turkey for Thanksgiving- whether it be roasted, baked, or deep-fried. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. 

Parades have also become a common aspect of the holiday. Presented by Macy’s department store since 1924, New York City’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the largest and most famous, attracting up to 3 million in-person spectators along its 2.5-mile route and drawing an enormous television viewing crowd. 

As in the name, Thanksgiving is dedicated to giving thanks. So, this year take an extra moment to figure out what you are most grateful for. 

The spooky side of Maryland

Who doesn't like a good ghost story? Do you binge Ghost Hunters until 3 am? And who doesn’t like to see, first hand, the sites of hauntings? Eventbrite is sponsoring the Savage Mills Ghost Tours to satisfy that spectral itch you’ve been having.

Discover the Mill’s haunted history where restless spirits continue to roam these halls to this very day. Learn about the working conditions during 19th century Savage Mill and how they tie to the ghostly encounters today and the cheeky little girl who loves tripping the living.

Tours are available on November 2nd and 5th, from 8:00 pm until 9:30 pm. You will be guided on your tour by the Savage Mill’s historian who will regale you with stories and impress you with all sorts of facts and information about the Mill and its history.

Information about this once-in-a-lifetime experience can be found here. You can also purchase tickets for either date as well. Come on out and give it a try, we’re confident you’ll have a great time.