Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Prince George's County residents are encouraged to share their ideas for the future of the county at a series of forums scheduled for November and December.
"Envision Prince George's" is a new initiative launched by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission with support from AmericaSpeaks, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that encourages civic participation, and the county's Planning and Parks and Recreation departments.
Attendees will break out into small groups to discuss everything from transportation and health care to historic preservation and economic development.
Forums are scheduled for today at 6:30 p.m. at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro; Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Oxon Hill; and Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Prince George's Ballroom in Landover.
A special event for young people is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in College Park. A countywide forum is planned for March.
The events are all free to attend, but residents interested in participating are encouraged to register online at www.envisionprincegeorges.org or call the Planning Department at 301-952-3594.
Step team collecting coats, toys for homeless
The Surrattsville High School Sophisticated Show Stoppers Step Team is collecting new or gently used coats and new, unwrapped toys to be donated to local homeless shelters.
The coat drive started Nov. 9 and will continue through Dec. 14. The toy drive will begin Nov. 30 and finish Dec. 21.
Donations can be brought to the high school's main office, at 6101 Garden Drive in Clinton, on school days between 7 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Organizer Tynisha Payton can be reached for more information at 202-705-7767.
First responders honored for saving woman's life
Four firefighters and paramedics from the Clinton Fire/EMS Station were recognized by the Prince George's County Council for taking swift action to rescue a pregnant woman trapped underwater in her car following an Oct. 24 crash.
At the Nov. 10 ceremony, Council Chairwoman Marilynn Bland (D-Dist. 9) of Clinton presented a proclamation to Wesley Auld of Mechanicsville, Dale Giampetroni of Silver Spring, Derian Whitted of Landover and Dave Wilson of Severn.
"The fact that the County Council acknowledged what we did, it was quite exciting stuff," Giampetroni said in an interview after the ceremony.
The woman they rescued, Sade Davis of Clinton, was also present at the ceremony.
"I was so happy and I was proud to be up there," Whitted said in an interview after the ceremony, adding that Sade Davis "is like family now."
Elementary school students, parents get active
More than 120 students and 200 family members turned out to hula hoop, jump rope and participate in other activities with students Nov. 5 for Princeton Elementary School's first annual Healthy Families/Healthy Living Day.
Students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade were accompanied by their parents, grandparents, siblings or other relatives for the event, which school officials hoped would encourage exercise and healthy living.
"We always encourage our children to get out and exercise, but a lot of times we may not practice what we preach," said parent Kyi Branch of Suitland, who joined her 9-year-old son, fourth-grader Jamal Jefferson, for the program.
School parent liaison Stephanie Fletcher Simon said she plans to make the event an annual affair.
County service members complete military training
Army Private Reginald L. Dickson graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla., according to the Joint Hometown News Service.
He is the son of Debra Dickson of Upper Marlboro and a 2009 graduate of Surrattsville High School in Clinton.
Air Force Reserve Airman Denice S. Luke, a 2007 graduate of Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, and Air Force Airman Robert A. Shelton, a 2008 graduate of Surrattsville High School in Clinton, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
The airmen completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate's degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.
Luke is the sister of Marco Waisome of Upper Marlboro and daughter of Marieta Luke of Reserve Crossing in Georgia.
Shelton is the son of Wanda Shelton of Clinton and grandson of Mary Wheeler-Thomas of Temple Hills.
Resident receives special education advocacy award
The Arc of Prince George's County, an advocacy group for individuals with developmental disabilities, honored Steve Pyles of Fort Washington for his ongoing commitment to helping students with special needs.
Pyles, whose son has developmental disabilities, received the Award of Excellency in Advocacy at a ceremony on Oct. 29. He is a former president of The Arc's board of directors and has advocated for those with special needs for more than 20 years, according to Elizabeth Wilson, a spokeswoman for The Arc.
"I was surprised and very delighted to get it," Pyles said.
Seven other individuals from around the county and one school were also recognized by The Arc for helping people with developmental disabilities.
Anti-violence concert
will feature local artists
Local nonprofit Stop the Violence is sponsoring a concert at Suitland High School at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 to promote nonviolence among young people in the community.
The event will feature performances from local gospel, R&B and hip-hop artists.
Stop the Violence, based in Simpsonville, promotes crime prevention among young people through concerts and other programs. They also work to decrease school dropout rates.
Tickets cost $10, with the donation of canned goods, in advance and $15 at the door.
For more information, contact Diane Garey at 877-390-9005.
County groups hosting HIV/AIDS panel and free testing
Several Prince George's County organizations are sponsoring the "Wear Red for the Cause World AIDS Day 2009: Universal Access and Human Rights" event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Rennie Forum in the Largo Student Center at the Prince George's Community College at 301 Largo Road in Largo.
A panel of healthcare experts will discuss universal access to health care and human rights, with specific resources focused on Prince George's County. The event is being sponsored by the Prince George's County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the Prince George's County Health Department and the Prince George's Community College Health Education Center.
Free and confidential HIV and STD testing is available to the public.
For information, e-mail hsw@pgcacdst.org or call 301-736-3250.
Male symposium coming
to area resource center
The Glenarden Apartments' HOPE and Resource Center will hold its two-day male symposium, "Positive Changes Through Positive Males Representation," from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
The event will be held at the Glenarden Apartments Community Center at 3010 Brightseat Road.
Registration is due today. The event is free. Discussion topics will include health and nutrition, social skills, workforce development. Call 301-322-5365 or 301-322-5386.
Residents to represent minority businesses
The Prince George's County Council confirmed three local residents Nov. 10 to the Minority Business Opportunities Commission, following their nomination by County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D).
The confirmed members to the commission, which monitors the county government's efforts to work with minority businesses, include Anthony Hill of Brandywine, who will serve through 2013, and Tiffany Hollinger of Upper Marlboro, who will serve through 2011.
Airman arrives for active duty
Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher M. Walker, a native of Clinton, arrived for duty at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
Walker is a security forces specialist assigned to the 436th Security Forces Squadron, according to the Joint Hometown News Service.
Walker, a 2005 graduate of Surrattsville High School in Clinton, is the son of Michael F. Walker and Della M. Walker of Clinton.
Breast cancer campaign aims
to collect loose coins for change
All Shades of Pink Inc., a Glenn Dale-based nonprofit corporation that assists women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families with resource referrals, non-medical advice and/or emergency financial assistance, is holding a "Change for breast cancer" campaign through Dec. 15.
Interested participants can request their pink coin purse at www.allshadesofpink.org and begin collecting loose change.
Once the coin purse is filled, participants can make a contribution to ASOP by check, money order or online donation in the amount of change collected.
Visit www.allshadesofpink.org or www.allshadesofpink.org/uploads1/
c4bc-brochure.pdf.
Holiday food and fitness expo to be held in county
The Prince George's County Health Department and Prince George's County Public Schools are sponsoring the fifth annual Holiday Food and Fitness Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex at 8001 Sheriff Road in Landover.
The expo aims to promote healthy lifestyles in the county. Information and health screenings will be available.
Call Melony Griffith at 301-883-3153 or e-mail mggriffith@co.pg.md.us.
County providing
H1N1 vaccinations
Prince George's County is providing H1N1 shots to all school children at their schools and to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention priority groups from 9 a.m. to noon every Thursday at the Cheverly Health Clinic at 3003 Hospital Drive in Cheverly. The program began Oct. 27 and will continue until further notice.
Priority groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants under 6 months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, all people ages 6 months through 24 years, and people age 25 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
For information, visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/
Government/AgencyIndex/Health/
flu-vaccination-info.asp.
H1N1 vaccines are also being administered from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 3 and 10 at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex at 8001 Sheriff Road in Landover in the town hall meeting room.
At least 1,000 will be administered each day at the four clinics to people ages 6 months to 24 years, health care workers and pregnant women. The shots are free, and no proof of residency is required.
For information, call 301-583-2400.