Maryland Community Newspapers Online
A Riverdale native was named to McDaniel College's spring 2009 dean's list. Isata T. Kallon received highest honors by earning a grade point average of 3.9 or higher. The college is located in Westminster.
Hyattsville independent filmmakers screen movie
Two independent filmmakers of Hyattsville screened their new feature-film, "Cashing Out" on June 13 and 14. Mie Smith is the director and Kate Tsubata is the screenwriter. The film was inspired by the true story of a stranger leaving large cash gifts for people with notes attached reading, "for education" or "for food."
The first screening was held at the University of the District of Columbia on June 13 and the second was held at the Hoff Theater at University of Maryland, College Park on June 14. Trailers for the movie can be seen at www.lightsmithpro.com/cashingout.
DeMatha alumni graduates from U.S. Naval Academy
Three alumni of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville recently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
The naval graduates include: Timothy R. Hammond, a 2005 graduate of DeMatha, Colin W. Benko, a 2004 graduate of DeMatha and Ryan P. Griffith, a 2005 graduate of DeMatha
The three spent four years in a total-immersion program. It combined academics, physical and professional training. Hammond, Benko and Griffith were also commissioned to the rank of ensign in the Navy.
Hyattsville native named to dean's list
A Hyattsville native was named to the dean's list at Juniata College. Hannah Leigh Monroe, the daughter of Donald Monroe and Kimberly McDowelland, had at least a 3.6 grade point average.
Monroe is a senior studying biopsychology. She is a 2007 graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt.
Eating contest in Hyattsville
The Five Guys and Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. restaurants in the University Town Center are co-hosting an eating contest at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Contestants will begin with eating Five Guys near the fountain in Independence Plaza, followed by the ice cream contest at 1 p.m. The restaurants will award gift certificates to winners. Call 301-209-0880. The plaza is at 6500 America Blvd. in Hyattsville.
North Brentwood to celebrate 85 years
North Brentwood will be celebrating 85 years since becoming an incorporated town this month. The town will also host a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday starting at the corner of 40th and Banner streets. A festival featuring music, food, art, crafts, vendors and dancing will immediately follow the parade in North Brentwood Park at 4012 Webster St. To purchase a North Brentwood T-shirt, call 240-838-6803.
Free jazz concerts
The Mall at Prince George's is hosting a free jazz concert series, starting at 5 p.m. today with the Tamika Jones Trio. The group, specializing in mixing Caribbean, soul and reggae sounds, will perform in the food court.
Upcoming performances include: Project Natale on June 25; the Duende Quartet on July 2; the Marcus Mitchell Project on July 9; and the Neo Jazz Movement on July 16.
The concerts are sponsored by the Prince George's Arts Council. The mall is located at 3500 East-West Highway.
Free classes at performing arts venue
Joe's Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier is hosting free classes this summer. There is no registration required for an open hoop class with instructor Jaguar Mary from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. There is a free Vinyasa yoga class taught by Shawna Odour every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. A free beginning ballet class will be taught by Ronya Lee from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. every Saturday.
The venue is at 3309 Bunker Hill Road. Visit www.joesmovement.org.
Summer concert continues
The Music on the Plaza series at University Town Center in Hyattsville continues into the summer. From 5 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday at Independence Plaza, there will be free live music and an interactive fountain for children to play in. Blues musician Deb Callahan will perform Wednesday.
The plaza is at 6500 America Blvd. in Hyattsville. Call 301-779-4800 or
e-mail lal@utcmail.net.
Bladensburg Elementary registering pre-K students
Bladensburg Elementary School will register students for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students each day between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. this summer. Students wanting to enroll in pre-K have to be born between Sept. 2, 2004 and Sept. 1, 2005 and their guardians have to provide two current pay stubs or 2008 income taxes. Students wanting to enroll in kindergarten have to be born between Sept. 2, 2003 and Sept. 1, 2004. Guardians have to bring deeds or lease agreements that have their names and addresses on them, picture identification, students' birth certificate with parents' name on it, up-to-date immunization record and a copy of a current report card if applicable.
Riverdale Park spraying for mosquitoes
The Town of Riverdale Park began spraying for mosquitoes this week and will continue on Tuesday evenings every three weeks until mid-September. The next spraying will be July 7. The town advises residents to empty any containers with standing water.
UPWC gives scholarships to two local students
The University Park Women's Club awarded $1,000 scholarships to two local students at its June 1 meeting.
Each year, the club awards scholarships to two graduating seniors. It gives the UPWC Scholarship to a University Park resident and the Doris McPhee Memorial Scholarship to a student at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville.
The McPhee Scholarship went to Martin Ngwa, of Hyattsville. Ngwa played on Northwestern's soccer and tennis teams and tutored students at University Park Elementary School. He will attend the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore in Princess Anne.
This year's UPWC Scholarship went to Claire Gallagher, of University Park, a student at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt.
Gallagher graduated in May with an above-4.0 grade point average and worked for the school's literary magazine. She will attend the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt.
Join residents, elected officials to commemorate end of slavery
The Juneteenth Festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at District Heights' Walker Mill Regional Park at 8840 Walker Mill Road. Observed Friday, Juneteenth recognizes the end of slavery in 1865. Patrick Ellis of WHUR-FM radio will attend. Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Dist. 25) of Forestville, County Councilman Samuel H. Dean (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville and Prince George's County Planning Board Chairman Samuel J. Parker Jr. will host the event. Performers include Y'Anna Crawley of the BET's "Sunday Best" Gospel competition, Divine Dance Institute, The Finest! Youth Performance Troupe, the Howard University Gospel Choir, Lesole Maine of the South African Dance Troupe, the Richard Payne Trio, Robert E. Person and Solomon S. Sparrow.
Landover Hills private school open for exploration
New Hope Academy will hold an open house for prospective students and their families from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 7009 Varnum Street in Landover Hills. Call 301-459-7311 or visit www.newhopeacademy.org.