Maryland Community Newspapers Online
The City of New Carrollton will hold a Halloween Party from noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the New Carrollton Municipal Center at 6016 Princess Garden Parkway. The event is open to children 12 and younger. Call 301-459-6100.
The City of District Heights will also hold a Halloween Party beginning at sundown on the city's recreation ball field Friday. There will be games, storytelling, a pumpkin hunt and free candy. Call 301-336-5633.
A Harvest Kiddie Cabaret will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Capitol Heights' Oakcrest Community Center, 1300 Capitol Heights Blvd. The event will feature a costume showcase, games, food, dancing and face painting. Admission is $4 for residents and $5 for non-residents. Call 301-736-5355.
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.
Deadline approaching
for essays on heroes
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.
Volunteers needed
for Thanksgiving feast
Valuable Blessings Inc. and LePearl Ballroom will hold a community Thanksgiving banquet from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 26 at LePearl at 7929 Central Ave. in Capitol Heights. Valuable Blessings Inc. is a Capitol Heights-based nonprofit focused on mentoring and community outreach. Volunteers are needed to help serve and host attending families as well as to deliver to families who cannot attend. Youth may earn community service hours for school. Residents in need of a meal must display a ticket. Call 301-917-5391 or 240-375-3376.
Lanham-based nonprofit holds 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.sis
ters4sisters.com.
Nonprofit to participate
in breast cancer walk
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.
Cheverly resident completes Army ROTC training
Bryant Jones of Cheverly recently completed four weeks of a leader training course through the U.S. Army Reserve ‘Officers Training Corps in Fort Knox, Ky. Jones, a 2005 Bladensburg High School graduate, is the son of Cheverly residents Gary and Barbara Jones. He is a student at the University of the District of Columbia.
Two central area residents named to county committee
Susan Pruden of Cheverly and Fairmount Heights Councilwoman Nancy Saxon and are among 13 county residents nominated by County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) to the county's Historical and Cultural Trust and Historical Preservation Committee. The group is dedicated to preserving historical sites throughout Prince George's County. All residents were sworn in Oct. 20. Pruden is a real estate agent with Century 21 Home Center in Lanham, and Saxon is founder and CEO of the Mildred Ridgley-Gray Charitable Trust Inc. Both are existing historical trust members.
Council confirms nominees for historic preservation commission
Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson's (D) nominees for the Historical and Cultural Trust and the Historic Preservation Committee were confirmed Oct. 20 by the Prince George's County Council. All members were sworn in following their confirmation.
Glenn Dale resident Phyllis Anderson and Mitchellville residents Del. Gerron Levi (D-Dist. 23A) of Woodmore and John Wulu Jr. were confirmed, as were county residents Karen Toles, Lynne Anderson, Nancy Dixon-Saxon, Mildred Gray, Michael Leventhal, Alfonso Narvaez, Susan Pruden, Carolyn Rowe, Robert Schnabel and Jack Thompson.
The Historical and Cultural Trust, which acquires and preserves historic sites throughout the county, promotes educational activities relating to historic preservation. The committee has established a countywide organization of volunteers, the "Friends of Preservation," to support preservation efforts.
County compost, water treatment facilities open to the public
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Western Branch Treatment Facility and nearby Prince George's Composting Facility will offer open houses and free tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Western Branch Wastewater Treatment Facility at 6100 Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro. The event is part of Prince George's County's celebration of America Recycles Day. Call 301-206-8233 for more information.
District Heights seeking donations for winter coat drive
The District Heights Recreation Department is partnering with D-Block Boxing, a youth boxing class held at the city's municipal building, to hold a winter coat drive. Both groups will accept donations between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 30 at the city's municipal building at 2000 Marbury Drive. The coats will be distributed between 9 a.m. and noon. Contact Darius Jackson at 301-336-5633 or Mac Rogers at 410-474-1265.
Seat Pleasant seeks local vets for city's Veterans Day program
Seat Pleasant will hold its annual Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Seat Pleasant Activity Center and wants to recognize local veterans.
Residents who want to be recognized must give their name, address, branch of service, contact information, rank and years of service to Darlinda Sanders by Friday. The guest speaker at the event, at 5720 Addison Road, will be Hanson R. Boney, chaplain for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Contact Sanders at 301-336-2600 or darlinda.sanders@seatpleasantmd.gov.
Lincoln Vista Civic Association elects new officers
The Lincoln Vista Civic Association elected new officers Oct. 15: Terrance Collins, president; Krista Williams, vice president; Stephanie Hicks, secretary; Cheryl Woody, assistant secretary; Beverly Smith, treasurer; and Fred Felix, parliamentarian.
Jackie Bates was appointed as executive assistant, and Erma Anderson was appointed as recreation chairwoman.
Faculty art exhibit on display at Largo school
Prince George's Community College is displaying the school's 51st annual Art Faculty Exhibition through noon Nov. 12 in the Marlboro Gallery at 301 Largo Road in Largo.
The exhibit depicts the art-making process and the teaching process.
A reception open to the community is from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight. Some works are for sale.
Faculty recital at Largo school
Prince George's Community College in Largo is having its music faculty recital at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Marlboro Gallery at 301 Largo Road in Largo.
The concert features piano solos, duets and quartets.
Soprano Angelina Shumway and pianist Gary Kirkeby are some of the faculty performing.
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.