Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Gov. Martin O'Malley appointed former Rockville City Councilman Robert Wright to Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment Fund Advisory Board.
The governor also appointed eight other Maryland residents to the board.
The purpose of the advisory board is to oversee the allocation of revenues collected from the greenhouse gas cap-and-trade auctions conducted by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a coalition of 10 states committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generating plants.
Wright's role on the advisory board is to represent the residential customers of Maryland.
The fund will allow Maryland to make investments in programs that can lower their electric bills by an estimated average of $8 per month and reduce greenhouse gas emissions without impact on already tight state funds, according to a press release from the state.
Wright welcomes recommendations regarding the fund. E-mails can be sent to bob.wright@runbox.com.
Auto repair shop
raises money for bay
Rockville-area auto repair and parts distributor Autoy & AutoWerke held its 31st annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 20, raising more than $1,100 to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, according to owner David Toy.
"We always have a great turnout for Oktoberfest, and this year was no exception," Toy said in a statement. "It's a fun way for us to thank our clients for their continued support. They, in turn, are very generous with their donations to CBF.
Employees and friends dished out bratwurst and beverages to a crowd of more than 200 clients and car aficionados who gathered at the company's facility on Coakley Circle in White Flint.
Library gets cooking
Chef Jeff Henderson, best-selling author and star of the Food Network's new reality show, "The Chef Jeff Project," will visit the Rockville Library 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday for "Read, Eat & Give," a program sponsored by Montgomery County Friends of the Library, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) and the county's Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.
Henderson's memoir and New York Times bestseller titled "Cooked" traces his rise from a drug dealer on the tough streets of Los Angeles to renowned chef at the Bellagio Café in Las Vegas.
His new Food Network show will debut two days after his appearance in Rockville. It follows several youths from disadvantaged backgrounds through culinary skills training and reveals how their lives are changed through food.
The "Read, Eat & Give" program will feature a screening of the new television show and a book signing of "Chef Jeff Cooks: In the Kitchen with America's New Inspirational Culinary Star."
Tickets are $35 per person and $50 per couple. Tickets for members of Friends of the Library are $25 per person and $40 per couple. All proceeds will benefit disadvantaged youth seeking careers in the culinary arts and support the creation of "Teen Spot," a project to help build library space to encourage safe alternative recreational and educational opportunities for young people.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.folmc.org or call 240-777-0020.
RHSfestival coming
to Rockville High
The Journalism Academy at Rockville High School will celebrate student media at the annual RHSfestival 6-10 p.m. Saturday on the school's athletic fields.
Admission is free. Rockville student musicians will perform and the movie "Back to the Future" will be featured on a giant outdoor screen.
The academy will host its first annual Ram Classic golf tournament Nov. 4 at RedGate golf course in Rockville.
Calling all students
of St. Jude
St. Jude Catholic School in Aspen Hill wants everyone to "Come Home to St. Jude" this fall.
Former and current students of the school and their families, as well as the local community, are invited to attend the traditional homecoming-style event planned for Oct. 18.
Tentative highlights include a scrimmage, a parade of wagons, old-fashioned games and making s'mores.
For more details, visit the school's Web site at www.stjudesschool.org or call 301-946-7888.
Raising money and awareness of foster children
Bedford Court in Aspen Hill regularly raises funds for WRC-TV Channel 4's Wednesday's Child program to purchase gifts for foster children in the Washington metropolitan area.
Bedford Court Red Hat Ladies held a "Sundaes for Wednesday's Child" program in August, raising $800. This marks the third year the group has raised money for foster children.
The Olney Cold Stone Creamery donated ice cream for the event.
Knights are selling ‘Entertainment'
The Knights of Columbus Council 2323 is offering the 2009 Entertainment Book for immediate use.
The profits from the sale of the book are used to enhance the charities supported by the council.
The 2009 Entertainment Book provides savings up to 50 percent on dining, travel, shopping, theater, hotels, attractions and more.
The cost is $25. For more information, call Gary Palmer at 301-948-6494 or e-mail gtdbpalmer@verizon.net. The council is based in three area parishes: St. Francis of Assisi in Derwood, St. Martin's in Gaithersburg and St. Mary's in Rockville.
Items appropriate for this column should be sent to Judith Hruz, Editor, The Rockville/Aspen Hill Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877; faxed to 301-670-7182 or 301-670-7183; or e-mailed to jhruz@gazette.net. Deadline is Thursday at 5 p.m. for consideration for the following week. Items are subject to editing and used on a space-available basis.
Federal and state offices are closed Monday, Oct. 13, in observance of Columbus Day. Banks, libraries and courts are closed. County government offices are open; and recycling pickup and trash collection are normal. Ride On and Metrobus will operate weekday schedules. Metrorail will operate a modified Saturday schedule from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Parking will be charged at county lots, meters and garages.
