Applicants needed to help build Habitat townhouses

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007

Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County is seeking applicants for the second phase of a townhouse development that is the group’s largest project ever.

Twelve townhouses are already being built in the Linganore Woods community, and construction is scheduled to begin on the final 12 townhouses this summer, said Shana Newman, the group’s communications manager.

The development is part of Habitat’s goal to build 20 houses per year by 2010, up from the one or two homes per year it currently builds, Newman said. ‘‘It’s a tall order, but we’re all working hard,” she said.

The organization will hold three information sessions this month, the first step in the application process. Applications are due by mid-March, and those selected will be notified by the end of the year, Newman said.

Applicants are required to attend one of the upcoming three-hour sessions: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Montgomery Hills Baptist Church, 9727 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring; 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, 610 S. Frederick Ave.; and 1:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Church of the Resurrection, 3315 Greencastle Road in Burtonsville. RSVP by calling 301-990-0014, ext. 26. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, visit www.habitat-mc.org.

Silver Spring residentturns 104

On Jan. 29, Silver Spring resident Peter Scaldaferri will turn 104. Scaldaferri has lived in his Four Corners home since 1959, said his son Tony Scaldaferri, a Colesville resident.

‘‘He came to this country in 1924 from Italy,” Tony Scaldaferri said.

After coming to the area, Peter Scaldaferri worked as a stone mason, doing work on the National Cathedral as well as bridges and underpasses across the region.

‘‘It was what his father — my grandfather — did. In those days, you followed your father’s profession,” Tony Scaldaferri said.

After retiring in the 1970s, Peter Scaldaferri stayed active by doing masonry and brick work on his son’s home.

Employment services offered

The Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center in cooperation with the Montgomery Works Career Development Center will provide its monthly job-related assistance 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the services center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring. An employment specialist will on hand to offer career guidance for finding employment or building skills to help advance within a current job. Individuals can also get help with skill assessments, resume writing, interviewing, career planning, networking and using computers to find job opportunities. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 240-777-8400.

Nursery school open house

Liberty Grove Nursery School is hosting an open house noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. The school offers morning classes September through May for 3- and 4-year-olds. Students will be accepted as long as they will turn 3 or 4, depending on the chosen class, by Dec. 31, 2007. Liberty Grove is located in Liberty Grove Methodist Church, 15225 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. For information, contact Jeanne Weiland at 301-879-5891 or LibertyGroveNurserySchool@gmail.com.

ESOL classesforming

Three new English for Speakers of Other Languages classes for adults will begin Feb. 7 at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, in partnership with the Chinese Culture and Community Center. The classes will run for 20 consecutive weeks. All classes will meet Wednesdays, two from 10 a.m. to noon and a third from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road.

The classes will be open to all East County residents wanting to learn English. The classes are free, but a $10 refundable deposit and $16 book fee are required. Registration and placement testing will take place on the first day. To sign up for a class or receive more information, call 240-777-8400.

Spanish immersion open house at Burnt Mills ES

Burnt Mills Elementary School in Silver Spring has openings for students in its Spanish immersion program. The program serves Burnt Mills, Cresthaven, Dr. Charles R. Drew, Roscoe Nix and Cannon Road elementary schools.

An open house will be held 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today at the school, 11211 Childs St. Call Sonya Vasilios at 301-649-8192.

‘Fresh Fridays’ returns

‘‘Fresh Fridays,” a free middle and high school youth event, will be held 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Smithville School Museum and Education Center, 811 E. Randolph Road in Silver Spring. The event is sponsored by Faithful and True Christian Center. RSVP to church elders Joey and Kinta Jones at 301-879-5637 or email kinta.jones@fatcc.org.

Seminars for tenantsand on finance

The Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center will hold a tenant’s forum 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 6. Those attending will learn about tenant rights, financial assistance, legal assistance and other topics . The center also will hold a finance program 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 21. A panel of experts will provide information designed to assist residents in gaining control of their finances.

The services center is located at 3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring. Call 240-777-8400.

Send your news items, announcements and community events to Danny Jacobs, at djacobs@gazette.net, or call him at 240-473-7563. Send them by mail to Burtonsville Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. Deadline is one week prior to publication.