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The 215 students at Skyline Elementary School in Suitland voted in the school's first student government election on Oct 19.

Ten-year-old Tania Brown, a fifth-grader from Suitland, was elected president. Tania is an honor roll student and peer tutor who said she hopes to increase the number of field trips students take and bring in more fundraising dollars to the school.

"My ultimate goal is to get my classmates focused on their responsibility in achieving an education," she said.

The other elected officers are Vice President Eden Wagner, 11, a sixth-grader from Fort Washington; Secretary Quiana Gardner, 11, a sixth-grader from Fort Washington; Treasurer Bariyah Watts, 8, a third-grader from Capitol Heights; and Sergeant at Arms Jonathan Hutto II, 10, a fifth-grader from Suitland.

Kindergarten teacher Julie Quintana will run the SGA. Principal Mark Dennison said teachers and staff hope the organization encourages student leadership and gets students excited about participating in school life.

Diabetes, Alzheimer's subject of two upcoming seminars

Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton is hosting two free events in November to help residents better understand health issues in their community.

On Nov. 3, the hospital is hosting a free seminar on Alzheimer's disease, part of its ongoing "Ask the Doctor" series. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

On Nov. 7, the hospital is holding its seventh annual diabetes information expo and health fair from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The event will feature lectures from physicians on preventing and treating diabetes, free blood screenings, $15 flu shots and other health-related activities.

Both events are at the Colony South Hotel and Conference Center in Clinton. For more information about the "Ask the Doctor" series, contact the Community Relations office at 301-877-5700. To learn more about the diabetes expo, call 301-877-5560.

Six local residents named

to preservation committees

Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson (D) named six local residents to the county's Historic and Cultural Trust and Historic Preservation Committee.

The County Council confirmed Johnson's nominees on Oct. 20. The confirmed members of the Historic and Cultural Trust, which acquires and preserves historic sites, include Karen Toles of Suitland, Michael Leventhal of Accokeek, Carolyn Rowe of Fort Washington and Jack Thompson of Upper Marlboro.

The confirmed members of the Historic Preservation Commission, which oversees historic properties in the county, include Thompson and Herman Windsor, of Upper Marlboro.

The appointees will serve four years in their respective positions, according to John Erzen, a spokesman for the County Executive's office.

Deadline approaching for Christmas in April applicants

Sunday is the deadline to nominate a household in Prince George's County for repairs by volunteers with Christmas in April. The nonprofit group organizes an annual event to repair the homes of seniors in the community.

Repairs will take place April 24. To be eligible, the homeowner must be a senior citizen and reside in the home. Anyone can submit an application on behalf of a homeowner in their community. The selected homeowners will be notified in January.

For more information or to submit an application, contact local organizer Mary Kucharski at 301-868-0937.

Recycling awareness event

in Upper Marlboro

County residents are invited to attend an open house Nov. 7 at the Prince George's County composting facility and wastewater treatment plant in Upper Marlboro, kicking off a week of activities to encourage recycling in the county.

The free tours will start at 10 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. from the composting facility, at 6100 Crain Highway, and the wastewater treatment plant, at 6600 Crain Highway.

For more information, contact Kim Knox at the wastewater treatment plant at 301-206-8233.

Upper Marlboro man recognized for civic service

Barry Schlossberg, of Upper Marlboro, was named last week as this year's recipient of the annual Prince George's County Civic Federation Cup Award.

The annual award recognizes longtime service to the community. Schlossberg was nominated by the other members of the Brookwood-Hollaway Civic Association, of which he is president.

"I'm very appreciative," he said. "It's quite an honor to be recognized by your peers."

The 71-year-old Schlossberg is a lifelong resident of the county, whose involvement in his community spans from the District Five Citizens' Advisory Council and Community Emergency Response Team to the Volunteers in Police Services program and as a member of advisory groups to the police and public works departments.

"I'm very proud of him, I can't think of anyone who deserves it more than he does," said his wife, Marsha Schlossberg.

The Federation will hold a ceremony in December to honor Schlossberg.

Area church offering

trick-or-treating alternative

Kettering Baptist Church is sponsoring Sweet Spirit Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at 1 Kettering Drive in Upper Marlboro. Sweet Spirit Night provides an alternative to the traditional Halloween trick-or-treating. Children and teens ages 1 to 18 are invited to learn about Halloween and God. Call 301-336-7150.

Fire department offers Halloween safety tips

For a safe Halloween, the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department suggests that children's costumers are made of flame-resistant, light-colored fabric or have reflective qualities, are short enough not to interfere with walking or become entangled in bicycle chains and that facial makeup is used rather than masks so children can easily see.

Children should carry flashlights, not candles or torches, and before leaving home children should discuss their proposed route, time of return and companions. Adults should accompany younger children.

Trick-or-treaters should only visit the homes of people they know or local, familiar neighborhoods and stopping only at well-lit houses. Children should not enter houses or apartments.

Children should avoid busy streets, always use sidewalks and follow all traffic rules and regulations. Motorists are used to avoid unnecessary travel on Halloween evening. Drivers should go slowly and be alert of small children crossing the street.

Halloween treats should be saved until children return home so adults can examine candy closely. Unwrapped candy shouldn't be eaten.

People receiving trick-or-treaters should keep their porch lights on and keep jack-o'-lanterns clear of doorsteps.

County hosting informational forum on the flu

Prince George's County Councilman Will Campos (D-Dist. 2) of Hyattsville and Dels. Jolene Ivey (D-Dist. 47) and Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47), both of Cheverly, will host an informational forum on the flu from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Northwestern High School's cafeteria, at 7000 Adelphi Road in Hyattsville.

Dr. Donald Shell, health officer for Prince George's County health department, will be on hand to give residents the most up-to-date information on swine flu, the seasonal flu and the county's public health plan. Call 301-952-4436.

Organization hosting home business extravaganza

The Northern Prince George's County Chapter of Mocha Moms Inc., a national organization that serves as a support group for stay-at-home mothers of color who choose not to work full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families, is hosting its fifth annual Home Business Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Perrywood Elementary School at 501 Watkins Park Drive in Upper Marlboro.

The event is designed to help moms considering working at home and support those who have already begun.

Several home-based business owners will be available to discuss what they're doing from home, explain why it works for them and sell their services and products.

Children's activities will be available. The event is free and open to the public. For information, visit www.mochamoms.org.

Nonprofit holds annual domestic violence empowerment breakfast

Sisters4Sisters Inc., a Lanham-based nonprofit organization, is holding its fourth annual Silent Tears Domestic Violence Empowerment Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Martins Crosswinds at 7400 Greenway Center Drive in Greenbelt.

The goal of the event is to educate the community on domestic and sexual violence resources and services and provide awareness and prevention tools. Area survivors and families will share their stories.

Tickets are $35. Visit www.sisters4sisters.com.

The Largo-Kettering Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7757 and its Ladies Auxiliary encourages students to enter an audio essay democracy scholarship contest for high school students.

Interested students should submit their three- to five-minute audio essay on this year's theme, "Does America Still Have Heroes?"

There is a total of $148,000 awarded in scholarships. The first place winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship.

Essays will be judged on originality, content, delivery and how it relates to the theme.

The deadline is Sunday. Call Peter Moore at 301-580-3876 or Julia White at 410-268-2466.

County nonprofit collecting funds to benefit women with breast cancer

All Shades of Pink Inc., a Glenn Dale-based nonprofit organization that assists women and their families diagnosed with breast cancer with resource referrals, nonmedical advice and/or emergency financial assistance during their treatment period, is participating in the 2009 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Washington Nationals Stadium in southeast Washington, D.C.

Team ASOP's goal is to raise $500. The walk is free, but ASOP asks supporters to donate to help ASOP meet their fundraising goal. Those unable to participate but who want to support ASOP's efforts can make a donation.

For information, call 301-356-4688 or visit http://makingstrides.acsevents.org and click on Washington, D.C., www.allshadesofpink.org.