Winter Holiday Decorations

Although I miss Halloween decorations, I'm always thrilled to see winter holiday decorations throughout Olney. I love all types of lights: colored, white, flashing, non-flashing, strings, nets, icicles, spiral trees, stars, snowflakes, etc. 

credit: globallybuying.com

Houses bathed with shimmering spots of lights look magical. I like the way houses become canvases onto which projectors paint laser light shows; my teenage daughter, however, think the pinpoints of light look like "Christmas chicken pox.”

Lighted animals, such as grazing deer, add a more natural look to holiday yard scenes -- natural because real deer actually forage in our suburban yards. My neighbor created this very naturalistic tableau of an alligator stalking two pink flamingos.

Also many inflatables convey fun and action like skiing penguins, shivering snowmen, running reindeer, etc. My favorite busy Santa inflatables include

1. Hardworking Santa dragging his apparently extremely heavy bag of presents 

2. Skiing Santa on the slope (or is he walking with crutches?)

3. Daredevil Santa rounding a curve on the back of Snoopy's motorcycle. 

I'll be sad when the holiday lights darken after the New Year, but until then let's enjoy Olney's diverse and delightful decorations. Happy Holidays!

Speed EnFORCEment Awakens

Remember how some speed cameras and their flash boxes looked like innocent beige birdhouses?

 Within the past month I noticed that the birdhouse speed cameras (one on eastbound Route 108 by Sherwood ES and another on northbound Georgia Ave/97 near The Inn at Brookeville Farms) have been replaced by new round white ones. As I drove past, I couldn’t help think that the new cameras remind me of something familiar… ah, stormtroopers! 

Last Friday -- coincidentally opening day of Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- I discovered that the this area’s last old birdhouse speed camera (on westbound Route 108 by Sherwood ES) was being replaced by the newer stroomtrooper model.

So although Olney 9 Cinemas are no longer around, our town can still celebrate the long-awaited movie with the installation of mini-storm troopers guarding our roads.  May the Force (of knowing when to slow down) be with you!

Frank's - the hot sauce. Not the hot dog

Olney, like most of America, is a melting pot. While on the surface we may look and sound alike, the truth is that we represent a diverse set of values, opinions, perspectives and traditions.

Why am I bringing this up now, you say?

Well, a recent interaction with my husband reminded me of this phenomenon. He from a small town in Massachusetts, me from a mid-size suburb in Long Island, NY. Though we've been together for over 30 years, there is still so much about us that is different. Take for example a simple grocery list. My husband, addicted to Frank's Hot Sauce, added "Franks" to the grocery list. Even though we don't eat hot dogs much anymore, when I looked at the word "Franks" on the list at the grocery store, I immediately gravitated to the hot dog section because where I come from "franks" means "hot dogs." You know, like franks and beans.  I thought it was strange that he wanted me to buy hot dogs but I rationalized that he had been camping a lot lately. Later that night, he went in search of his Frank's Hot Sauce to add it to yet another meal (I'm trying not to take it personally) and asked me where the Frank's was. I responded, "In the refrigerator drawer where it's supposed to be." Duh! He with a question mark on his face. Me irritated that yet again he wasn't looking beyond the top shelf of the refrigerator. And then it dawned on me. Oooohhh, you meant Frank's not franks.


So back to my melting pot thesis. The OBEX has come a long way towards developing a culture that is ever more tolerant of diverse but civil discourse on a variety of topics. This has not been an easy process but we should applaud ourselves that we've stuck with it and found a way to make it work. May all of our paths in life proceed with such grace.

Creating a Solidarity Banner - What I learned

I've always loved the idea of sidewalk chalk art. In addition to being just a fun form of artistic expression, it's become an innovative way for public relations experts to draw attention to a particular cause or issue. The good and bad news is that it's just temporary - washed away with the first rain.

After the horrific scenes of the Paris terrorist attacks, artists emerged to draw their feelings on the sidewalk and regular people joined in. It got me thinking - what could we do in little ol' Olney to show our solidarity? Our own sidewalk chalk art!

I reached out to the Carl Freeman company to see if they would let us draw around their fountain as part of their Winterfest activities on December 5. They went one better. "How about your own banner and we'll supply the markers, and, we'll hang it up when it's done in our usual spot at the corner of Spartan Road and Rte 108." Um, okay. That was more ambitious than I planned but what the heck?

So on Winterfest day, the Freeman folks laid out the banner with several large colored markers and had one of their photographer/artists outline the banner title - Solidarity Banner for Peaceful Living. Perfect!!

Now I just had to wait for people to come. I hadn't really thought about how this would all work. The Freeman folks did ask me to monitor the banner but I wasn't sure what that meant. It turned out that to get the impact I was looking for, I needed to monitor it quite a bit. Thanks to some friends who showed up, (Shout out to angels - Meryl T., Fern M. and Stephanie B.!), we facilitated the participation of young and old alike. We asked them to think about what they wanted to draw or write before they put marker to banner. This was a Solidarity Banner for Peaceful Living after all so we wanted their contributions to help illustrate how we in Olney felt about our fellow humans in Paris.

The other thing I learned was that even though it was great to have the contribution of little humans, they tended to draw squiggly lines or half completed faces so we asked that their parent or guardian work with them to improve the quality of their artistic expression. What emerged was a teachable moment between adult and child about why they were doing this and what did they really want to say to others. For me, that was priceless.

Side note:

We were fortunate to have a local muralist drop by who drew beautiful images that really raised the bar of our artwork. She is pictured above in the red hat but I didn't get her name so if anyone recognizes her, would you please send me her name so we can thank her properly and promote her work!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree...

You know holiday time has arrived when Christmas trees lots sprout up everywhere: at Good Earth Garden Market, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and even Rite Aid to name a few. Every morning on my way to Sherwood High School, I drive past Christopher's Hardware store. One day I spotted a sign for “Fraser Fir” and did a double take! Most places carry only Douglas firs (the traditional Christmas tree) but I was excited to see the nontraditional “Fraser Fir” because it made me think of the 1990’s comedy classic "Frasier". 

Okay, I’m off by one letter (Fraser vs. Frasier) but each time I pass the sign, I hear Kelsey Grammar crooning "Hey baby I hear the blues a-callin, Tossed salads and scrambled eggs!”

I love seeing people hauling around trees atop their cars. So what if we live in the suburbs and these trees are found not in the woods but in a parking lot of pre-cut foliage? One day while stopped at the traffic light intersection of Georgia Avenue and Route 108, I glanced up and spotted this festive, unique and nontraditional version of the "tree atop car" tableau.

A Musical Olney Community

About six months ago, my 11-year-old son went to sing with his Olney church group.

His teacher asked if she could speak to me. "Everyone wrote a song to share," she said. "But when your son sang his song for the group, the adult leaders' jaws were on the floor."

I didn't understand. My son had been writing songs since the age of four, and I'd never given it a second thought.

The choir teacher sensed my confusion. "He has a gift," she clarified. "And if it's okay with you, we'd like to help you nurture that gift."

We talked about another Olney man she knew, a voice teacher who - coincidentally - had just started teaching voice to my other son. The choir director and the voice teacher talked, and they connected my son with yet another Olney man - a recent college graduate who could transpose my son's songs from a child's singing to sheet music.

Now, six months later, the choir will be performing one of my son's songs during their Christmas Eve service. My son and I went to a rehearsal a few days ago and I heard, for the first time, the results of the efforts of several musical members of the Olney community.

I was floored. My 11-year-old son had conceived a song only a few months ago - and now it is going to be performed live by a group of ukelele-playing kids for a huge audience. This isn't something I could have done without the choir director, the voice teacher or the musical transcriber. Such a small world - and an absolutely brilliant group of musicians.

I am proud to consider my son a new member of the musical Olney community.

Sharing The Journey

What happens when 20 ladies assemble in a room and exchange notes on how to take care of themselves? A feeling of camaraderie surfaces, just as bread quickly rises when it's baking with all the right ingredients. I felt this sense of companionship when fellow Olney neighbors and friends came together to learn how therapeutic-grade, pure essential oils could help us take better control of our well-being.  

There were “oooh’s” and “ahhh’s” as a bottle of lavender was passed around for everyone to smell. As we inhaled the vapors, a sense of relaxation took over, and some ladies sunk deeper into their chairs. Then came peppermint, and all of a sudden, we perked up, giggled, and were ready to plunge forward! I thought it to be most interesting that everyone had similar reactions. And why wouldn’t we? Many of us share the same experiences as we juggle home, work, kids, family - and health. 

I came out of the class knowing that whether we used essential oils or not, I was empowered with tools to help me make decisions about my health, big or small. As I shared worries and concerns with other participants, I realized that we’re all in the same boat, but that sharing the journey can make it easier on each of us.  

A Mexican Standoff … with Deer

I recently took a walk unlike Estelle Yetti’s Peace Walk. One day, a neighbor and I were hiking behind our neighborhood when we spied two deer standing right next to the path. Munching away, they casually glanced up at us, stared, and then lowered their heads to resume eating.

“Is this a Mexican standoff?” my neighbor nervously joked. According to Cambridge Dictionaries Online, a Mexican standoff is “a situation in which people on opposite sides threaten each other but neither tries to come to an agreement.”

To my neighbor, these deer were a threat. Uncomfortable around dogs, she certainly didn't want to pass these adult doe. Did we pose a threat to the deer? I thought so and expected them to run off. Instead, they just keep eating for a few minutes and then languidly turned to stroll into the woods.

In fact, I was the more startled party. After staring back at the deer, I fumbled with and dropped my phone in an attempt to take a picture. By the time I got my act together, this is the only view I could capture:

I guess this Mexican standoff did come to an agreement: the deer ate undisturbed and I was granted a photo opportunity!

Olney's Precious Diversity

Sometimes the world looks bleak to me, while at other times, it seems hopeful. As world events unfold, I often struggle to maintain a positive perspective. However, there was a ray of hope recently, and it didn't come from a benevolent employer, nor a politician, nor did it pour down from the heavens above. It came from within the Olney community, from “everyday” people trying to fight the climate of xenophobia that's seemingly taken over. 

On November 24th almost 300 people gathered in a show of solidarity at Shaare Tefila on Georgia Avenue for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. I watched with deep appreciation as Jews, Christians and Muslims called for service, cooperation and thanks, exchanged hugs and broke bread together. It was gratifying to see neighbors and friends vehemently nod in agreement throughout the service as scriptures emphasizing tolerance and peace were read. 

It couldn't have come at a better time. The Thanksgiving service not only reflected the rich diversity of Olney, but also allowed me to put my focus on the positive, and nurture that feeling as if it were a precious seed that had been planted inside. 

Simple Pleasures of Repaved Roads

In late July, OBX readers noted the need to repave Route 108 between the Howard/Montgomery county line and New Hampshire Avenue in Ashton. One writer appropriately described that section of Route 108 as a “pothole obstacle course”. My husband and I joked that whenever we drove home from Howard County on Route 108, we knew we were close to Olney as soon as we felt and heard the difference between the smooth, quiet Howard County side and the crater-riddled, car-rattling Montgomery County side.

Last month while driving home from Baltimore near dusk, I didn’t even notice I had exited Howard County until I spied the “Welcome to Montgomery County” sign. Instinctively bracing myself for a bumpy ride, I then realized that I had already crossed the county line ... and was enjoying a surprisingly smooth ride!

I know it is silly to make such a big deal about newly paved roads, but I love them! After my kid's daily drop-off at the Berrend Dance Centre, I’m often tempted to drive an extra circle around the newly resurfaced parking lot behind Rite Aid. I still savor memories of Bowie Mill Road’s long-awaited (and now long-ago) repaving (see Easy Rider). Ah – simple pleasures can be found in the daily grind of chauffeuring and running errands.

Happy Thanksgiving with Stuffing!

Earlier this month, an OBXer posted a notice that began: “LOTS OF BAGS OF STUFFING FOR SALE!”

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word “stuffing” this time of year?

source: https://mclib.net/blogs/history/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/stuffing.jpg 

Of course I realized that my first impression wasn’t correct when I read the notice further: “Great for crafts and sewing projects.”

Whew – I wasn’t the only person to mistake what kind of stuffing was being sold. At least two other readers mistook the fiberfill stuffing for turkey stuffing. I am glad the OBXer sold the stuffing, but imagine this scenario:

You’re cooking the Thanksgiving turkey and about to stuff the bird when you grab this:  

source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/152013140/corn-fiber-toy-filling-eco-friendly

Happy Thanksgiving Olney!

A Lovely, Quaint Intimate Setting

Olney was beautiful tonight. I was driving into Olney from Dr. Bird Road at night and it felt magical... bigger than I want to remember and smaller than a typical DC suburb. We are growing and expanding and hopefully we would not lose sight of the lovely quaint intimate setting.

To the City of Light

Credit: news.com.au

Our hearts go out to the victims of the recent Paris attacks. OBX founder Linda Silverstein suggested people gather to create sidewalk chalk art to honor the sidewalk chalkers in Paris. This wonderful idea brings together the Olney community in support of the Paris community.  I hope we'll see some of the artwork in a later post.

The other night, my daughter unintentionally made another connection between Olney and Paris. As we drove on Route 108 through the "downtown", out of the blue she commented, "I keep forgetting Olney is like a small city of light!" 

God bless the true and big city of light.

Credit: adventure.howstuffworks.com

What's for Dinner?

Day 1 of my blog... the first ever. Let me start with a simple topic, and I promise, I will get more complicated.... and hopefully, more interesting.

When you live in Olney and have kids, we all know that we are thirty minutes away from most things... so it is lovely to have a nice big car... for car pooling, for the many errands, for hauling stuff.... all those things we tell ourselves that we cannot live without.  

So I was off to a mission this weekend. To find that perfect big car with the family package - either standard or as an option... to help us with a more active life style, to help us conquer life in Olney and beyond!

Alas, it did not work as planned. The crossovers (from Sedan to SUV) ... well, I won't name them so I won't be sued... but the third row was a joke or for some unfathomable reason they discontinued it for most popular brands.  And oh, the moon roof (which at least for one brand is to die for) does not come with the family package (don't ask me  why! -- may be the kids stick their heads out of the car and that is too much of a liability for the car company? or they figure us parents don't know what we are doing... hmmm...). 

So after a day of looking and being confused, off to the next big decision. Food! What to eat for dinner and where? And can we make it light? We were tired and hungry... I had a hankering for a nice, spicy cuisine. We went up and down Rockville pike for a bit in search of spicy food with no luck... So we decided to come back to Olney, where our hearts and homes are... stop by at Panera at the Olney Town Center for a bite (it was quiet and lovely compared to a few other places) ... we had a turkey chile and a sandwich... and just remembered what a lovely quiet and relaxed little spot in this world we get to live in and enjoy...! We are very very very fortunate to be here - only in Olney!

It Felt Like a Modern Family Episode....

Remember the lazy cat Halloween decoration? Contrast that prone pussycat to this poised-to-pounce one:

Before Halloween, my neighbor planned to put this menacing blow-up cat on top of his garage. While hoisting the cat onto the roof, he first rested the ferocious feline atop of his SUV. 

When I saw this gigantic grimalkin crouching on top of the car I joked, "Hey, you should keep the cat on the roof of your car and drive around town!" Then I remembered the Modern Family episode when Mitch and Cam tied giant stuffed animals onto their car's roof.

Well, a single cat couldn't create such a hilariously obscene scene.The blow-up cat's only movements would be inflating when the engine was on and deflating when the engine was off. I suggested to my neighbor that he plug the cat into his car's DC connector to keep the fan going.

Sadly, he declined my suggestion: he didn't want to tote around a cat that blew up and delated as he drove around town.

Signage Sport

Anyone driving around town can't miss the plentiful signs along roads hawking handyman services, sports classes, high school shows and more. Although I’ve posted signs only a few times, I quickly learned that signage placement is a competitive sport.

For example, one time I dodged Georgia Avenue traffic to reach the center island, waded through waist-high weeds and endured winds whipped up by cars whooshing by in order to place my sign in the perfect place ... only to find three other signs already planted in the prized, most visible spot. Another time when I actually claimed prime real estate by a traffic light intersection (where drivers can't help but read signs even if they don't want to), the next day I drove back there only to see that four more signs sprouted up around of my sign, blocking it from view! 

No matter where a lucky marketer sticks his or her sign, nothing can beat the most eye-catching sign. Of all the signs I’ve seen so far, I think this is the winner.

Who could miss this neon pink sign with adorable white eyeballs peeking over it?  I remember where I was (the Georgia Avenue-Route 108 intersection traffic light) and what the sign was for (a yard sale). I even looked at it long enough to read the time and place. Now that’s what I call eye-catching advertising!

Walking/Running Man

Last month on the OBX, members discussed a legendary walking man spotted not only around Olney but also in other parts of Maryland and even DC. The first writer described this man as having blond hair…. then another person thought the man had blond dreadlocks… and finally someone thought this walking man was an Asian guy with dreadlocks!  This discussion reminded me of the Asian male who frequently ran around the greater Olney area during the summer of 2009 – naked except for sneakers.

Gray-haired Asian streaker

At that time, my husband -- who is Asian -- also jogged, sometimes shirtless. So whenever he ran in nearby woods, any thicket and undergrowth blocked the lower half of his body and shorts… making him look like the streaker. Whenever he jogged in the neighborhood streets alongside parked cars, shrubbery and garbage cans, anyone on the sidewalk would see only his bare chest. I joked with friends that my husband was the Asian streaker.  

Eventually the naked Asian runner (not my husband!) was apprehended by a friend of mine (a clothed female runner).

Halloween Decorations

I love all Halloween decorations, especially ones that move. My favorite one is an inflatable cauldron with a witch’s legs sticking out and kicking back and forth!

Another one is a giant inflatable haunted tree. Shaking and glowing, the tree extends its branch-claws to reach out and grab you.

A third creative design is a witch riding a bike … with black-purple-orange spoked wheels spinning in the wind. 

Even a decoration that doesn’t actually move – a red-eyed black horse pulling a haunted carriage driven by white masked ghoul – suggests a scary ride you wouldn’t want to take!

I also enjoy Halloween decorations that don’t move. In contrast to their animated counterparts, some “still” decorations seem a bit lazy. I saw a huge inflatable black cat, for example, flopped on its stomach with its legs sticking out to the side. Most menacing inflatable cat decorations are poised to pounce, not to nap. And what about ghosts sitting in chairs? How does a ghost even sit in a chair -- wouldn’t it just fall through? Finally, the skeletons lying down on ground – not posed like they are climbing out of graves – crack me up. They look like they’re taking a snooze. But how are skeletons tired? Aren't they dead?  

On the other hand, when I see a scarecrow sitting in a chair I understand why – after all, it stands all day and night watching over a field. The scarecrow who seems to need a break the most is the one I’ve seen napping in a hammock.

This Won't Make You Want a Flu Shot ...

During my weekly grocery trip to socialize shop at Giant, I overheard a customer at the flu shot clinic gently rib the pharmacist, “It’s probably not a good idea to give out pens with the word ‘hearse’ on them to fill out flu shot forms.”

The pharmacist sheepishly smiled. “Oops – I didn’t realize the pen said ‘hearse’. Do you want another one?”

The customer replied good-naturedly, “Nah, it’s okay. I assume I won’t need one because of the shot.”

I wondered if the customer meant a pen or a hearse!

I also saw many people pushing carts with PILES of green Harris Teeter bags! Perhaps they all encountered the same HT representative at Olney Community Night that I did and like me, they couldn’t say no.

If an Alien Landed at Olney Community Night …

… it would think we are all exercise fanatics. I’ve often heard Olney residents joke that our town has too many restaurants and banks. However, at last week’s Community Night I counted 3 dance studios (Berrend Dance Center, Dancin’ 4 Ever, Studio of Ballet Arts); 3 yoga studios (Aspen Hill Body & Brain Yoga, Open Heart Healing, Yin Yang Yoga & Fitness); 3 martial arts schools (Kang’s Black Belt Academy, Master Method Karate, Scott Teague’s Academy of Martial Arts); 3 gyms (Curves, Gold’s Gym, The Little Gym); 1 golf course (Blue Mash); a fundraiser that requires walking/running (Relay for Life) and even a tutoring center that sounds like it teaches numbers through exercise (Mathnasium of Olney). If the alien said that our town likes physical activity, I proudly agree that Olney is indeed a vibrant and active community.

And if the alien thought that we are a bit high maintenance (with places like Hand+Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Luxuria Salon & Spa; Spa and Massage Envy), I would say that we deserve pampering after working out. If the alien thought perhaps we were overdoing ourselves (and needed places like Integrated Sport, Spine & Rehab, Life Chiropractic and Moss Chiropractic), I would admit okay, maybe a little.

I would emphasize to the alien that at least we burn off the food we eat at our numerous restaurants.  Most importantly, we have plenty of banks to get money to pay for all of our exercising, pampering, rehabbing of sports injuries, and dining.

Peace Walks - The Sounds of Olney

I’ve heard that people who have lost their vision develop a refined sense of hearing and those who have lost their hearing develop a refined sense of sight. For those of us who are lucky to have our vision and our hearing, it can be hard to do both simultaneously.

Recently, I have been venturing out from walking around my block to seeking out more interesting nature paths in and around Olney. So far, I have enjoyed the UndergroundRailroad Trail accessible from Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring and the Quaker Meeting House trail also in Sandy Spring (both intersect at the historic fresh-water spring that gave the community its name). I've also hiked in Lake Needwood, particularly the path from the boathouse.

Beyond the beautiful scenery, I have been trying to pay attention to nature's sounds. This video that captures the sound of the rustling trees at Lake Needwood, and this video that records the sound of rippling waves at a Hampton Beach in New Hampshire (okay, that was nowhere near Olney but I happened to be there last weekend).

I look forward to many more Peace Walks and capturing more sounds.

 

What's on the Bag?

As I noted in an earlier post "Social Giant", I usually shop at Giant but occasionally visit one of the other three grocery stores in town. One of those establishments, Harris Teeter, hosted a table by the exhibit hall entrance at last week’s Olney Community Night.  As I shuffled behind the crowd entering the exhibit hall, I couldn’t help but pause in front of the table. Despite trying to avoid any eye contact, I couldn’t pass the table quickly or stealthily enough.

"Would you like one?" the Harris Teeter representative greeted me, holding out a green Harris Teeter cloth bag. I hesitated and -- as silly as this may sound -- panicked mildly. I thought, 'Augh! I seldom shop at Harris Teeter! I don't want to appear disloyal while shopping at Giant!'

Not wanting to be ungracious, I smiled and accepted the bag quietly. When I returned home, I gave the Harris Teeter bag to my husband to stash in his car. I figure 1) he rarely grocery shops and 2) even if he does and visits Giant, he’ll look like the traitor, not me!

Does anyone else ever worry about shopping in one store while carrying a cloth bag emblazoned with another store's name?

The Voice

While driving around town, I frequently spot familiar faces and want to stick my head out of the car to shout "Hi (insert person's name)!" If I'm on a neighborhood side street, I sometimes even stop to catch up. On the more heavily traveled roads, however, my good intentions can go awry.

One afternoon while coasting down Morningwood Drive, I saw a friend who had been ill. Delighted that she was out and about, I called "Hi (name)!" Unfortunately, I travel faster on Morningwood Drive than I do on a neighborhood side street. By the time she heard my voice and looked up, I was gone. In the rear view mirror I saw her searching for a disembodied voice. Luckily I was able to make a legal U-turn, drive back to her house, stop for a minute and greet her properly.

I wasn't so lucky on Bowie Mill Road. One morning I spotted another friend fetching the newspaper at the end of her driveway. Again, I yelled, "Hi (name)!" but since I was on Bowie Mill Road during rush hour, I couldn't slow down … unless I wanted to cause a multi-car pileup. All I could do was drive on and watch my friend in my rear view mirror look up, searching the air above, behind and all around her for the source of the mysterious voice.

When I got home, I called her. Ring, ring... "Hi, this is Daphne. Sorry - that was me just a few minutes ago that shouted hello. I wanted to say hi but then realized I couldn't slow down in that traffic." 

My friend laughed, "I was wondering who was calling me! My daughter? My neighbor? The wind? Thanks for calling and letting me know I'm not crazy and hearing voices!"

Show Business in Olney Businesses

Names of many Olney businesses and organizations bring to mind of famous movies, plays, TV shows and songs. Three recent allusions that I noticed include:

• Sardi’s Fusion: When I first heard a Sardi’s was opening here, I wondered if by any chance it was related to the legendary theatre district establishment Sardi’s. After all, Olney does have its own Equity theater (see #3). 
• My Fair Lady Consignment Boutique: Decorated with Audrey Hepburn photos, the shop conjures up images from the delightful film and musical where  “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!”
• Tallulah Bankhead cottage: A 9/28 OBX discussion revealed this nickname for the tiny house next to the Olney Theater Center where Bankhead, Ian McKellen and other actors stayed.

In addition to this trio of pop culture references,  I found more connections: 

1. Over the Rainbow Spa: one can't help but hear Judy Garland warbling this ballad from The Wizard of Oz 
2. Serenity Zone Med Spa: Find tranquility here or watch Frank Costanza (Seinfeld) yell “Serenity now!” 
3. Mamma Lucia: Mamma Mia! the musical, movie and the original source, ABBA’s hit song 
4. Field of Screams: a Clueless Joe would miss this reference to the movie Field of Dreams 
5. The Solana Olney: Solaris, an early George Clooney vehicle directed by Steven Soderbergh 
6. Sisters’ Sandwiches & Such: Making Sandwiches, a short film written and directed by Sandra Bullock 
7. Blueberry Garden Healing Center: a person can seek wellness here but “I found my thrill, on Blueberry Hill” 
8. Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Five Guys Named Moe, a rollicking Broadway revue soon to play at Arena Stage 
9. Mannequin Pis: Mannequin, an 80’s flick movie starring Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrell 
10. Our House: a residential training center probably saner than U.K. band Madness’s tune Our House 
11. For Three Sisters: a breast cancer awareness and support group more uplifting than Chechov’s play Three Sisters 
12. The Big Greek Café: My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a romantic comedy with Nia Vardolas and John Corbett 
13. Rescued by Girl Friday: the Howard Hawks classic His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosaline Russell 
14. Cutt n’ Loose: a barbershop whose name conjures up Kenny Loggin’s song from the 1984 Kevin Bacon hit Footloose (later adapted into a musical and remade with Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough

Who knew that Olney was infused with so much pop culture?