Cancer-fighting cooking taught

Local cooking instructor Brandi Redo will teach participants how to maintain a low-fat, vegetarian diet filled with cancer-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals and cut down on fatty foods that Reilly said have been linked to cancer.

The second session will take place Sept. 19.

Call 800-542-5096.

Development discussion

City officials are holding a charette, a series of urban design meetings open to the public, on the future of the commercial areas of Maryland Gateway and Ethan Allen Gateway along New Hampshire Avenue beginning next week. Urban planners and architects will be on hand to lead a discussion for improving the commercial areas, and the public is encouraged to attend.

The opening session will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at the City Council chambers at 7500 Maple Ave. Additional sessions will be held Aug. 15, 17 and 20.

Proposals due Aug. 20

The deadline for applications for the city’s Community Development Block Grants is Aug. 20.

The grants are typically awarded for community development work aimed at improving the living standards of low- to moderate-income residents. For more information or to receive an application, contact the department of Housing and Community Development at 301-891-7224 or SaraD@takomagov.org.

Opportunity for poets

The Arts and Humanities Commission is looking for poets for its 2007-2008 poetry series. Send three to five poems to the Arts and Humanities Commission at ahc@takomagov.org or by mail to 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912. The submission deadline is Sept. 4.

Exhibition coordinator sought

The Arts and Humanities Commission is looking for someone to coordinate exhibition activities at the Community Center. Responsibilities include the solicitation and review of exhibit proposals, assisting exhibitors in logistical activities, and curating one show of curatorial and community interest. To apply, send a one-page cover letter, including your vision for the Takoma Park Community Center Exhibitions Program and resume to the Arts and Humanities Commission at 7500 Maple Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912 or by e-mail at ahc@takomagov.org For more information, call 301-891-7224. The deadline is Sept. 4.

YES basketball playoffs

The YES basketball league’s playoffs began Aug. 6 and will continue through Aug. 16 at Piney Branch Elementary School at 7510 Maple Ave. Games will be played 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays.

At the libraries

Bedtime storytelling will be held 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Takoma Park Maryland Library, 101 Philadelphia Ave. Stuffed animals, pajamas, pillows and blankets are welcome. Call 301-891-7259 to sign up.

The Long Branch Library will hold an anime movie series in August with films such as ‘‘Bleach,” ‘‘Naruto” and ‘‘Appleseed.” Showings will be held 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Aug. 21.

Youth ages 10-18 interested in the Young Adult Online Gaming Program are welcome to visit the Long Branch Library’s computer lab 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 17 to learn more about Internet gaming.

The Long Branch Library is located at 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring. Call 240-777-0910.

Art day planners needed

Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Commission is looking for volunteers interested in assisting with the planning of the first Takoma Park Arts and Humanities Day scheduled Oct. 20. Those interested in leading workshops and sharing their artistic talents with the community should contact Sara Ann Daines at 301-891-7224 or ahc@takomagov.org.

Looking for new filmmakers

Aspiring filmmakers interested in showing their work at the sixth-annual Takoma Park Film Festival are asked to submit their work for consideration. Entries from any genre will be accepted, and filmmakers will be eligible for prizes.

Filmmakers can submit videos or DVDs with a completed entry form, a self-addressed stamped envelope if they would like their work returned, and a stamped postcard for receipt or notification if desired to Takoma Park Film Festival c⁄o Takoma Park Maryland Library, 101 Philadelphia Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912. Notification will take place by mid-October.

Films can be submitted until Sept. 1. The festival will be held in mid-November. Entry forms are available at www.takomaparkfilmfestival.org. Call Agnes Moon at 301-770-7281.

Chorale singers wanted

The Central Maryland Chorale is looking for singers to join its non-auditioned community chorus. The fall season will include two concerts in collaboration with the Queen Anne’s Chorale, and the spring concert will feature Maurice Durufle’s ‘‘Requiem.” Rehearsals are held 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays at the Laurel Presbyterian Church, 7610 Old Sandy Spring Road. For more information, call 301-317-9646 or visitwww.centralmarylandchorale.org.

Health program grants

The deadline for African American Health Program mini-grants is Aug. 24. The AAHP offers mini-grants ranging from $1,000 to $4,900 to community groups for specific health related projects geared to African-Americans in Montgomery County.

For more information, call 240-777-1833.

Theodore Roosevelt 60th

The Theodore Roosevelt High School class of 1948 will hold a luncheon for its 60th reunion June 7, 2008. For more information, call Linda Mae Fleishman at 301-649-5877.

Concerts at Silver Plaza

Funk and R&B artist Elliott Levine will perform 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday on Ellsworth Drive’s Silver Plaza as part of the Silver Spring Swings free concert series.

Zero Discipline will perform classic and modern rock 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Silver Plaza.

Visit www.silverspringdowntown.com.

Send Takoma Park news to Mike Meno at The Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. The phone number is 240-473-7505. The fax line is 240-473-7501. Items can be emailed to mmeno@gazette.net