Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Several local organizations are recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with events that aim to educate residents about the problem and of the resources available to fight it.
The Family Crisis Center, Inc. of Prince George's County is hosting a week-long series of brown-bag lunch forums. The events will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, at the group's center, at 3601 Taylor St. in Brentwood.
On Oct. 26, Manual Ruiz will speak on domestic violence within the Latino community; on Oct. 27, Loretta Baum will speak on domestic violence and its impact on children and teenagers; on Oct. 28, Elissa Levine will speak about domestic violence and victims; on Oct. 29, victims and abusers will speak out and share their experiences; on Oct. 30, there will be a comprehensive presentation on available programs and resources for victims of domestic violence.
The week will close out with a silent auction, entertainment and refreshments at 6 p.m. Oct. 30. Call 301-799-2100 for information.
In Hyattsville, the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville is holding a free domestic violence awareness workshop from 2 to 5 p.m., Oct. 18. The workshop, entitled "Learn the facts, know the signs, stop the abuse" will be held at the church, at 6201 Belcrest Road. To RSVP, call 301-661-1993.
Mount Rainier signs up
for alert system
Mount Rainier's police department has joined a list of municipalities in Prince George's County that send out e-mail, Web and text messages in the event of crimes and emergencies. The city's department has signed up for Nixle, a free system that allows government agencies to quickly communicate with subscribers. The Riverdale Park, Edmonston and Prince George's County police departments already use the system. Residents can sign up and customize alerts by visiting www.nixle.com.
County will install
free smoke alarms
The Prince George's County Fire and EMS Department will provide and install free smoke alarms in homes in recognition of Fire Prevention Week, which is ends Saturday.
Requests can be made by calling the Smoke Alarm Hotline at 301-864-7233 or by going to the department's Web site at www.princegeorges
countymd.gov/FireEMS/ and clicking on the link for a free smoke alarm.
DeMatha alum enters
U.S. Air Force Academy
Thomas C. Popp, a 2009 graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, recently entered Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Popp is the son of Bowie residents Stephen and Lauren Popp.
Popp will need to complete the training in order to enter the first year at the academy. He will spend six weeks in training, where he will learn how to adjust from civilian to military life and disciplines, procedures and drills.
During the second part of the training, he will train while living in a tent outdoors in order to adjust to field conditions. Cadets will complete courses in confidence, assault, leadership and reaction and will participate in a rescue mission.
Coat drive and black doll show at the Mall at Prince Georges
The Mall at Prince Georges in Hyattsville is once again hosting a Black Doll Show and Sale in which African-American doll artists, vendors and collectors will display and sell items. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The event also will include a special exhibit of Dorothy Dandridge memorabilia. For information on the show or how to register as an exhibitor, call 301-649-1949, e-mail
Ljohnsonshows@aol.com or visit www.johnsonshows.com.
The mall also is teaming with radio station WHUR 96.3 to hold an annual coat drive Saturday. The event will include live radio broadcasts from noon to 4 p.m. in front of Target, encouraging shoppers to donate coats.
All new coats will be donated to the National Capital YMCA, Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, Shepherd Cove Shelter and the Family Crisis Center of Prince George's County.
The mall is located at 3500 East-West Highway.
Area church
hosting free dinner
St. Michael and All Angels Church will host its monthly free community dinner and food distribution Oct. 17 in Adelphi.
The dinner will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, located at 8501 New Hampshire Ave. in Adelphi. The church will serve a hot meal to attendees and distribute eggs, peanut butter, canned goods and other food items to people in need.
The church hosts its free dinner and food distribution on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 301-434-4646.
Saturday tutoring
in county high schools
Tutoring on Saturdays is available until Saturday at Largo High School at 505 Largo Road in Upper Marlboro; Crossland High School at 6901 Temple Hills Road in Temple Hills; and Northwestern High School at 7000 Adelphi Road in Hyattsville.
Tutoring in English/language arts, math, science, social studies and advanced placement classes is offered.
Transportation is not provided.
For information, call Largo High School at 301-808-8880; Crossland High School at 301-449-4800; Northwestern High School at 301-985-1820; or the High School Consortium at 301-583-1600.
Open house
at Mount Rainier's corn bin
The Preserve Our Planet Cooperative of Mount Rainier is hosting an open house in celebration of its new corn-fuel bin. The bin holds corn that residents can burn in corn-burning stoves to heat their homes. The open house is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, with a potluck brunch to follow. The event will be at 3601 Bunker Hill Road in Mount Rainier.
Women's health conference
to be held in Adelphi
Staff from Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham are presenting the break-out sessions at the fifth annual Women's Health Conference: A Women's Retreat from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at the University of Maryland Inn and Conference Center at 3501 University Blvd. East in Adelphi.
More than 12 sessions led by area physicians will explore health-related topics, medical research and prevention strategies for overall health and well being.
The conference's featured speakers are Denice Whalen-White, president and founder of the Glenn Dale-based nonprofit All Shades of Pink; Lillie Shockney, professor of breast cancer and administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Breast Center and assistant professor in the surgery and gynecology departments of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore; and Rosemary Allender, geriatric care manager and founder of Family Eldercare Management in Bowie.
Registration before the event is $50 per person or $60 on-site. The conference fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, signature gift bag and parking.
For information and a registration form, visit www.dchweb.org or call 301-552-8560.