The Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition will present the Southern Maryland premiere of its new documentary on Maryland victims of financial fraud, “Stealing Trust,” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the La Plata United Methodist Church at 3 Port Tobacco Road in La Plata.
As the country continues to struggle under a 3-year-old economic crisis that has left more than 15 million Americans jobless and caused more than 10 million families to lose their homes to foreclosures, the film provides a revealing, and very relevant, look at the kind of predatory practices that did so much to cause the crisis, according to a news release from the group.
At the same time, “Stealing Trust” harnesses the clear and eloquent voices of the victims of these financial abuses to offer a deeply affecting glimpse at the devastating human toll they have exacted on individuals and families across Maryland.
The film is a great vehicle to discuss the impact of predatory financial practices and a powerful call to action to do more to protect Maryland consumers, the release states.
At the screening, MCRC leaders will discuss the ways consumers can protect themselves from the kind of abuses the film documents and lead a question-and-answer session on the consumer issues most important to Marylanders.
The screening will be co-sponsored by LifeStyles of Maryland Inc.
Contact MCRC Communications Director Franz Schneiderman at 410-624-8981 or at Franz@marylandconsumers.org or go to www.marylandconsumers.org.
Bikers love babies
Die-hard bikers and weekend warriors alike will gather at 11 a.m. Oct. 9 to raise funds for the March of Dimes.
The Bikers for Babies ride will start at Maryland International Raceway at 27861 Budds Creek Road in Mechanicsville at 2 p.m. Registration, a tattoo contest, bike show and The Sam Grow Band will all kick off at at 11 a.m.
Individual riders and motorcycle clubs will hit the road to help support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. Last year, 256 residents participated in the ride, according to a March of Dimes press release.
Rick Bolton, this year’s Bikers for Babies chairman in Southern Maryland, said in the release, “Seeing the riders set out together in support of the smallest members of our community is always an incredible sight. The roar of the bikes moving in unison speaks to the power this group has in working together for stronger, healthier babies.”
Local sponsorship and leadership is provided by Riders Insurance, All American Harley-Davidson, Fort Washington Harley-Davidson, Victory of Southern Maryland, MIR and Apehanger’s Bar & Grill.
County offers emergency response training for residents
The effects of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in Charles County underscore the important role that effective, coordinated community response efforts play in protecting lives and property.
The Charles County Department of Emergency Services offers a 20-hour Community Emergency Response Training program for residents. CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number.
Through training, citizens will learn how to manage utilities and put out small fires; save lives by opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.
For more information or to sign up for CERT training, call Jennifer Adams, emergency services specialist, at 301-609-3430 or AdamsJen@CharlesCounty.org.
Democracy lecture scheduled
Historic St. Mary’s City, in conjunction with the Center for Courage and Renewal, invites the public to a program of reflection and sharing titled “Democracy from the Inside Out,” which will feature a live webcast with Parker Palmer discussing core ideas from his newest book, “Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit.”
The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Historic St. Mary’s City visitor center auditorium at 18751 Hogaboom Lane in St. Mary's City.
Following the program, Kathleen Glaser, a national facilitator with the Center for Courage and Renewal, will facilitate a discussion about ways people might nurture and strengthen democracy in the community.
Palmer looks with both realism and hope at how to deal with our political tensions for the sake of the common good. Building on his decades of social activism and inner-life exploration, Palmer examines ways to restore the invisible infrastructure of American politics.
“What he did for educators with “The Courage to Teach,” he does here for citizens by seeking answers to democracy’s dilemmas within and between us,” Glaser said in an HSMC news release. “Palmer points the way to a politics rooted in the commonwealth of creativity and courage still found among ‘We the People.’ I am excited about sharing this opportunity to hear Parker Palmer speak and to talk with members of our community about his ideas.”
The program is free. Contact Elizabeth Nosek at ejnosek@smcm.edu or 240-895-4984.
Jewish Deli Night planned
Congregation Sha’are Shalom will celebrate its third anniversary at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 with a Jewish Deli Night at the synagogue at 18 Henry Ford Circle in Waldorf.
Corned beef, pastrami, chopped chicken liver, turkey and egg salad sandwiches will be available. Each sandwich comes with coleslaw, potato salad, pickles, sauerkraut, drinks and dessert.
Prices are $12 for adults, $6 for children 5 to 12, and children younger than 5 eat for free.
Make reservations by sending checks payable to Sha’are Shalom to Madelene Weinberger, 4826 Bryantown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601. Deadline for receipt of reservations is Oct. 20.
Mikulski inducted into National Women’s Hall of Fame
U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) was inducted Saturday into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, N.Y., the home of America’s women’s rights movement.
“We’re here today to honor and learn from the past,” Mikulski said in a news release announcing the award. “The founding mothers of Seneca Falls had the passion and determination to seize the day and to make a difference. They lived and acted in the present. They understood the power of now. This is our lesson … our time is now. We need to seize it.”
On Jan. 5, Mikulski became the longest-serving female senator in American history.
Mikulski was among 11 of the hall’s 2011 inductees.
Pesticide disposal program expanded
For the first time, farm operators statewide will be able to dispose of unusable or unwanted agricultural pesticides this year under a program sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Maryland Department of the Environment, the University of Maryland Extension and various agricultural organizations.
The pesticide disposal program has been available to Maryland farmers and agricultural commodity producers since 1995 on an annual rotating basis. This is the first year the program will be open to operators statewide.
“This is an excellent opportunity for growers to safely dispose of old, banned, unwanted or unusable pesticides that may have been stored on their property for years,” Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance said in an MDA news release. “This beneficial program helps to protect the Chesapeake Bay and keep Maryland smart, green and growing by removing potential contaminants from the environment through proper disposal.”
More than 170,000 pounds of unusable or unwanted pesticides have been collected from more than 330 farm sites throughout Maryland since the program first was initiated. The program is funded through registration fees collected from pesticide manufacturers and registrants, the release states.
Maryland’s 2011 pesticide disposal program is available free of charge to all farmers, nurserymen, greenhouse operators and Christmas tree growers. Registration forms to participate in the program are available online at www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/regform.pdf or from University of Maryland Extension offices. The deadline for registration forms to be submitted to MDA is Jan. 16.
Once producers submit a registration form listing the types and quantities of pesticides to be disposed of, MDA inspectors visit the storage site to estimate the weight of the materials and to tag the pesticide containers for collection. A contract is awarded by MDA to a certified hazardous waste hauler who makes arrangements with the grower to pick up the pesticides. The entire process from registration to pickup takes approximately eight to 10 months.
In addition to the unwanted pesticide disposal program, MDA operates an annual empty pesticide plastic container inspection and collection program open to the public in at least seven locations statewide from June through September. In addition, 14 pesticide dealer sites participate in the program. During 2011, 42,000 containers, weighing 20 tons, were collected from about 110 participants. The pesticide containers are collected, chipped, processed and remanufactured into new pesticide containers by a contractor hired by the pesticide manufacturing industry. Since the program began in 1993, MDA has collected 700,000 empty pesticide containers weighing approximately 300 tons for recycling.
For additional information, contact Rob Hofstetter, special programs coordinator, Pesticide Regulation Section, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Annapolis, MD 21401. Call 410-841-5710.
Fall Colonial frolic set at Accokeek Foundation
The National Colonial Farm has a full day of Colonial activities scheduled 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at the farm at 3400 Bryan Point Road in Accokeek.
Step back in time and see a variety of Colonial demonstrations as costumed volunteers from the Stitch ‘n Time Club spend a workday on the National Colonial Farm. Observe spinning, cooking, basketmaking, woodworking, blacksmithing and gardening.
The day also will include a cheese-making workshop 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the administrative building for $35 for nonmembers and $30 for members. Join Eileen Watts of Hard Bargain Farm for a hands-on exploration of basic cheese-making. Participants will experiment with different recipes in making a simple (but delicious) “farmer’s cheese,” and also will learn how to make fresh mozzarella. Milk will be sourced from local, grass-fed cows. Participants will take home the cheese they make in class.
A Monthly Foodways Southern Maryland Stuffed Ham demonstration will be noon to 1 p.m.
Join experts who will introduce particpants to the epicurean delights of Colonial Marylanders. Learn how tastes and the food itself have changed over 300 years and explore the “receipts” (recipes) and meal preparation for everything from peas and pottage to food traditions for which Maryland is known. This month’s menu will include Maryland stuffed ham — a true Southern Maryland holiday tradition.
Also Oct. 15, the foundation is holding a farmer training on legal poultry processing 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the foundation education center. Cost is $25 for nonmembers, $20 for members
Join Polly Festa, Accokeek Foundation manager of livestock and pastures, for a workshop on legal poultry processing in the state of Maryland.
Participants will learn how to navigate the licensing process in order to sell poultry wholesale, retail or to restaurants. Participants also will learn about sanitary and humane processing practices, and gain hands-on experience processing poultry from start to finish. Please dress appropriately, in old clothes suitable for farm work.
Christmas craft, vendor fair set
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church will hold a holiday craft and vendor fair 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the church’s parish hall at 28297 Old Village Ave. off Route 5 opposite Bert’s 50’s Drive-In in Mechanicsville.
There will be craft and vendor tables, including representatives of Tupperware, Tastefully Simple, Longaberger and Pampered Chef among others. Also scheduled are raffles, a food table and bake table.
Free admission.
For information or to rent a table for $25, call Cathy at 301-290-0186.
