Artomatic 2008 opens in Washington, DC just in time for Mother’s Day, May 9 and runs through June 15. The one-of-a-kind art extravaganza involves hundreds of regional artists, performers and volunteers. If you love the arts this is a great event to see visual arts, live performances, films, educational presentations and children’s activities. Highlights of the opening weekend include:

• A Latin dance workshop with professional dance instructor Ibis Villegas, featuring salsa, merengue, samba, and other styles at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 10.
• Progressive rock by Guardians of Iridescence at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 10.
• “The Road to Success,” performance art by Carolina Mayorga in the form of a new TV game show at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 10.
• New wave/indie rock by Plastiq Passion, an all-girl band from Union City, New Jersey at 11 p.m., Saturday, May 10.
• An expressive drawing workshop with Giliah Litwack at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 11.
• "In-your-face" jazz/jam music "with a touch of funk" by Bethesda, JD-based Bassment Breaks at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 11.

_{© Artomatic, Inc.}

See Photos and Read More About Artomatic

Beginning on May 10, 2008, Seadog Cruises will offer speedboat cruises (high speed sightseeing tours) on the Potomac River departing from a new dock at National Harbor, Maryland near Washington, DC. Seadog will offer a 45-Minute Speedboat and Sightseeing Tour including informative descriptions of notable DC area landmarks such as Old Town Alexandria, the Wilson Bridge, Jones Point Lighthouse, Ft. Washington and Mount Vernon. Read more about the new Seadog Speedboat Sightseeing Tours.

The National Park Service hosts the first-ever National Train Day with special events on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at a number of national parks across the country and at Amtrak stations in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and here in Washington, DC. The largest National Park Service presence will be at Union Station in Washington, DC, with park rangers and volunteers from the National Park Service Trails & Rails Program as well as rangers from Greater Washington National Parks. National Train Day highlights train travel as an energy efficient “green” mode of transportation and promotes rail travel across American. For more information, visit www.nationaltrainday.com

Don't miss National Harbor's grand opening celebration, a waterfront food and wine festival on May 17-18, 2008! The National Harbor Food and Wine Festival will present more than 70 exhibitors representing the Chesapeake region’s diverse restaurants, food crafters, wineries, breweries and wine and beer retailers. Patrons will enjoy tastings, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, educational seminars, and a bazaar-style emporium. This is sure to be a fun event and a great way to check out the new National Harbor, a 300-acre waterfront community set along a prime spot along the Potomac River.

Read more about National Harbor

Mount Vernon welcomes warmer weather with a festive Spring Garden Party on Mother's Day weekend, May 10 and 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Estate "springs" to life with 18th-century-style musical groups, Mrs. Washington and friends greeting visitors, garden tours, colonial games and dancing, and early-American gardening demonstrations. Visitors leave with party favors - free seed packets! - and may also purchase heirloom plants and garden items at the annual Gardening Days gift sale which ends on May 11. Activities are included in regular admission. Read more about Mount Vernon.

_{Photo © Megan Lott}

Related
Gardens in the Washington, DC Area

Mother's Day, the second Sunday in May, is a time to let your mom know how much you appreciate her. Whether you live in town or miles away, here are some last minute ideas.

• Gourmet Food Baskets
• Flowers
• A Day at the Spa
• Chocolate
• Jewelry

_{Photo © Getty Images}

If you are looking for something fun to do with mom, see my guide to Mother's Day in the Washington, DC Area

The Washington, DC region offers a wonderful variety of daytrips and weekend getaway destinations within a few hours drive. Here are some great getaway ideas for a summer retreat.

• Maryland Eastern Shore
• Best Beaches Near Washington, DC
• Camping in Maryland and Virginia
• Top 10 Romantic Getaways Near DC
• Amusement Parks Near Washington, DC
• Top 10 Weekend Getaways Near Washington, DC

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died serving our country. Washington, DC honors our veterans and famous Americans with many special events and it is a great time to visit the monuments and national memorials. The Memorial Day weekend also marks the beginning of the busy summer season and the capital region hosts family friendly parades, concerts and much more. Find here the schedule of Memorial Day events in the Washington, DC area.

_{Taps at the U.S. Capitol - Photo © Capital Concerts}

More than 100 federal, civilian and military agencies will participate in special events on the National Mall in Washington, DC in honor of "Public Service Recognition Week" on May 4-7, 2008. During the event, kids can meet a NASA astronaut, climb aboard an F-16, take home free buttons, coloring posters, maps and puzzles. Adults take advantage of the celebration by exploring space technology with NASA, searching job databases of government agencies, receiving free health screening tests, and learning about innovations in security and defense. Government employees will be available to answer questions about what they do and why they have chosen public service careers.

Location: National Mall between 4th and 7th Streets.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are a new resident of Washington, DC you have just 30 days to get a DC driver's license and to register your vehicle, unless you are a student, in the military, a member of Congress, or a government appointee. If you are a new resident of Maryland or Virginia, you have 60 days. You probably have a lot on your mind, so here's what you need to know about getting a new driver's license in the Washington, DC area.

• Washington, DC Driver's Licenses
• Maryland Driver's Licenses
• Virginia Driver's Licenses