Calendar of events

A look at the week ahead

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Friday, Nov. 20

An annual auction will be sponsored by the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department social hall. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for pre-auction viewing; auction begins at 6 p.m. MVRSA will host a chicken dinner, including other refreshments. To donate call 301-884-4108 or 301-884-8474.

Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance HomeSpun CoffeeHouse is sponsoring an acoustic open mic event at St Andrew's Church on St. Andrews Church Road in California on Nov. 20 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, with performers admitted free. Light refreshments will be available. To sign up to perform, call Don at 301-373-2661 or John at 301-994-2843.

The 30th annual Southern Maryland Crops Dinner will be held Dec. 2 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the Izaak Walton League in Waldorf. Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and local agribusiness firms and organizations, this conference is an opportunity for those involved in agriculture to discuss problems and hear from experts on the latest in agricultural production and management. Registration fee of $10 includes a catered dinner. Participants are asked to register by Nov. 20. Call Ben Beale at 301-475-4484.

The St. Mary's Hospital Foundation will present its 22nd Annual Foundation Gala, with the theme "Ain't Misbehavin," on Nov. 20 at the Hollywood firehouse social hall. The 1920s-inspired evening will include appetizers and dancing to the music of Highway Star. Proceeds from the gala will be dedicated to the hospital's scholarship program. Seating is limited and ticket prices are $200 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Call 301-475-6455.

Special services featuring evangelist Fred Felton III will be hosted by Living Word Community Church, located at 39371 Harpers Corner Road in Mechanicsville, on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m., Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 10:15 a.m. For more, call 301-884-0167 or see www.lwccmech.org.

A monthly free family game night will be hosted by All Faith Episcopal Church in Charlotte Hall on Nov. 20 in the church hall. Board games and activities for children and adults of all ages will be available. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Call 301-884-3773.

A benefit concert will be held by the family and friends of Brogan Ruppert and A Message of Hope Cancer Fund on Nov. 20 at First Saints Community Church, St. Paul's Campus. Music will be provided by God Project and St. Paul's Praise Team. The evening will also include a silent auction. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. No fee, but a freewill offering will be collected (make checks payable to A Message of Hope).

A family health and fitness fair will be held at Spring Ridge Middle School on Nov. 20 from 2:15 to 4:30 p.m. for students, teachers, family and community members. The program, which is sponsored by the Parent Teacher Student Association at Spring Ridge Middle School, will feature area sports representatives, as well as the St. Mary's Hospital Health Connections van. The program's goal is to introduce a variety of healthy activities while addressing the seasonal flu vaccine, H1N1 and the Gardacil vaccine for girls. There is a $1 admission fee to the program, where attendees can witness demonstrations in Zumba dance, martial arts and participate in an agility program. There will be opportunities to try different sports equipment and attempt new skills. Adult attendees can also receive free health screenings through the St. Mary's Hospital Health Connections van. Call 301-863-4031.

Uncle Phil's Diner II Dinner Theater will be presented by Lexington Park United Methodist Church on Nov. 20 and 21 at 6 p.m. at the church's fellowship hall. Tickets are $14; free for children younger than 5. Tickets are on sale now at the church. Call the church office at 301-863-8500 or visit www.lpumchurch.org.

A steak and shrimp dinner will be held by the American Legion Post 221 in Avenue on Nov. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the post home at 21690 Colton Point Road in Avenue. Call 301-769-2220 for information or 301-769-4346 the day of the event. The menu includes New York strip steak for $13 and 1 lb. steamed shrimp for $13. Sandwiches are available. 

American Sewing Guild's Southern Maryland neighborhood group will meet Nov. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. at Charlotte Hall library. Beginning and experienced sewers are welcome. Bring sewing equipment and call 301-705-7586 for project information or e-mail Maryland@asg.org.

The Newtowne Players will present the longest-running, most-produced musical in the history of American theater, "The Fantasticks" by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, on Thursdays through Sundays, through Nov. 22 at Three Notch Theatre in Lexington Park. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors/students/military and $13 for children younger than 12. For reservations call 301-737-5447 or visit www.newtowneplayers.org.

"Arms and the Man," Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw's comedy about love and war, runs through Nov. 22, at 8 p.m. on Nov. 12 to 14 and 19 to 21 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 22, at the Bruce Davis Theater on the St. Mary's College of Maryland campus. Produced by the department of theater, film, and media studies and directed by faculty member Michael Ellis-Tolaydo. Ticket prices are $4 or $6. To make reservations, call the 240-895-4243 or e-mail boxoffice@smcm.edu.

The musical "Ever After" will be performed by middle school students at The Calverton School on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at the school's Bowen Thomas Center. Shows are free and open to the public.

Narcotics Anonymous meets Fridays at 7:07 p.m. at Three Oaks in Lexington Park.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets 7 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Leonardtown.

Saturday, Nov. 21

A household hazardous waste day will be held Nov. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Andrew's Landfill in California. Visit www.stmarysmd.com.

A holiday craft/vendor fair will be held by Town Creek Elementary School's Parent Teacher Association on Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school. The school is in search of crafters and vendors who are interested in participating in this event. Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m., with breakdown beginning immediately after the event. To rent a table, contact Laura McDevitt at 301-863-6312 or soko@md.metrocast.net.

A Turkey Trot Event, a one-mile fun run/walk, will be hosted by the Parent Teacher Organization at Evergreen Elementary School on Nov. 21. Registration and T-shirt pick-up (for the first 200 who register) is at 9 a.m.; stretching and warm-up at 9:30 a.m.; run/walk starts at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per person, with a $25 max per family. Jazzercise steps will be taught. Post race snacks included. Open to all.

A women's retreat for cancer survivors will be held Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oakley Hall in Avenue. A $15 donation is requested. Call 240-538-1704 or e-mail kvprice11@aol.com.

Artist Stephen Harlan will be at Carmen's Gallery in Solomons on Nov. 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. Visit www.carmensgallery.com.

New Beginning Christian Worship Center Church will hold its 12th pastoral/church anniversary on Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Valley Lee. Guest speaker will be Bishop Larry Thomas of Empower Believers Church.

A Christmas bazaar will be held by Olivet United Methodist Church, located 1.5 miles past Patuxent High School at the end of Olivet Road, on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa will be transported to the church via fire truck. There will be family photos with Santa for a small donation, a kids' room for family gifts, Christmas items and crafts, music and caroling and snacks and bake sale items.

Country singer Skyla Spencer will perform Nov. 21 at My Brother's Place in Waldorf as a fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southern Maryland. No drinking or smoking. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show begins at 8:05 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance; $15 general admission before 8 p.m.; free for children 6 and younger; $20 after 8 p.m. if tickets are still available. Tickets may be purchased at Hot Licks Guitar Shop in Waldorf, Bullock's Piano Salon in White Plains, Joe's Groceries and Deli in Pomfret.

A ballroom and swing dance will be held Nov. 21 at Little Flower School in Great Mills. A lesson will be offered from 7 to 8 p.m.; and a dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Music will be provided by the Southern Maryland Swing Band. Cost is $10 per person. Participants are asked to bring a snack to share; water and soda will be provided. Dance is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of Holy Face Catholic Church. Call 301-645-8509 or e-mail somdballroom@gmail.com.

The 22nd St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Olde Fashioned Christmas Bazaar will be held on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The quilt raffle ticket will be drawn at 3 p.m. This year's design is "The Dogwood Classic," hand appliquéd and hand quilted. There will be a variety of crafters. Lunch will be available on site or for carryout, including homemade stuffed ham, chicken salad and vegetable beef soup. Holiday baked goods will be for sale. Call Louise at 301-475-2719.

A no-limit Texas hold 'em tournament is held by American Legion Post 255 every third Saturday of the month. There is a $60 buy-in. Sign-up begins at 1 p.m. and play begins at 2 p.m. Top prize will be $2,000 based on 80 players. Call 301-904-8244 or the post home at 301-872-5349 to pre-register.

A steak night is held at 5 p.m. the third Saturday of every month at the VFW Post 2632 in California. Crazee Craig provides karaoke. Call 301-863-9520.

Animal Adoption Days are held by the Animal Relief Fund from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at the Well Pet Clinic in Millison Plaza in Lexington Park. Call 301-866-0303.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Saturdays at St. Paul's United Methodist in Leonardtown.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8:30 p.m. Saturdays at St. Paul's United Methodist in Leonardtown.

Sunday, Nov. 22

The St. Mary's Genealogical Society will meet Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Leonardtown l. The public is invited to hear Bill Mitchell and Judy Goddard speak about "The David L. Gale Bible Project – Part II."

The St. Michael's School Fall Festival will be held Nov. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at the school in Ridge. There will be an all-you-can-eat dinner catered by Paul Thompson of Thompson's Seafood that includes stuffed ham, fried oysters, turkey, potatoes, gravy, turkey stuffing, green beans, cole slaw, rolls and drinks. There will be a bake sale, craft room, raffles, games for children and more. Price for dinner is $23 for adults, half-price for children 6 to 10 and free for children 5 and younger. Carry-outs are available for $21. All proceeds go to support the school. For tickets, call Shirley Kovich at 301-872-4321 or 301-872-5771, Ada Spelz at 301-862-4600 or 301-872-4129 or Kay Fenhagen at 301-872-5381.

A monthly all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast will be held by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 9968 of the Knights of Columbus on Nov. 22 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Adult donation is $7 per person or $3.50 for children. Reduced rates available for large families.

St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood hosts bingo on Sundays to benefit St. John's School in the Monsignor Harris Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games start at 6. Dinner and other refreshments will be available. Call 301-373-2281.

Feral Cat Rescue is at Petco in California on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with adoptable cats and kittens. Visit www.feralcatrescue.com for pictures and bios. Gifts of cat food and litter will be gratefully accepted. Call 301-475-5059.

Monday, Nov. 23

The 12th Annual St. Mary's County Christmas Festival will be sponsored by the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary from Nov. 23 to 27, on Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Winegardner Chevrolet showroom, on the square in Leonardtown. Visitors can view decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, peruse silent auction items and craft items and gift baskets and send a letter or card to a member of the armed services. There will be face painting on Friday. Craft making for children. Raffle for Amish quilt and toy wagon. For more contact Johnny Coombs at 301-475-2209 or e-mail 64galaxie@olg.com or contact Dudley Lindsley at 301-373-2551 or e-mail dlindsley@verizon.net. Admission on Friday evening only is $2 for adults; free for children 12 and younger.

The Southern Maryland Community Gospel Choir rehearses Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown. Call Pat McEntee at 301-994-1745.

A singles group has a casual informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. every Monday except holidays at the Garvey center in Leonardtown. Most are in the 50-plus age group. Call 301-863-6308.

A Moms in Touch group meets Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at a private home. This is a group of mothers who meet for one hour each week to pray. For information, other group times and locations call 301-373-3814.

Double Trouble Recovery Support Group meets Mondays at 6 p.m. at On Our Own of St. Mary's Wellness and Recovery Center in Leonardtown. Call 301-997-1066. 

Al-anon meets at 11:30 a.m. Mondays at Church of the Ascension on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at St. Andrew's Church in California.

Tuesday, Nov. 24

A community discussion on teenage suicides will be held Nov. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bowles Farm on Pin Cushion Road in Clements will be led by the Rev. Kathleen Price, rector of All Saints' Church, Oakley Parish, in Avenue. To help plan the event or for more information, call 240-538-1704.

The Republican Women of St. Mary's monthly meeting will be a brown-bag luncheon at the Leonardtown library on Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. Participants are asked to bring a bag lunch.Coffee and dessert will be provided. Guest speaker will be Dan Morris, candidate for county commissioner. Call 301-863-1977.

A dedication ceremony to John P. Girolamo, former director of ReStore operations, will be held at the Patuxent Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lexington Park on Nov. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. A reception will follow. For more information call 301-863-6227.

Community Television in St. Mary's meets on the last Tuesday of each month, except December, at 6:30 p.m. in the Leonardtown SMECO building. At meetings individuals or groups or organizations can get their sole choice of content videorecorded for later public-access cablecasting, or can bring videos already recorded. Call 301-997-1409.

The Ridge Lions Club meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. Contact Addie McBride at 301-481-6767 for more information. The regular meeting place has changed.

The Fifth District Homemakers meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 10 a.m. at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall. Call Gloria Fusco at 301-472-4020.

Volunteers with a sewing project meet Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to make baby quilts for several orphanages in Guatemala. Materials are provided. The group meets at the Patuxent River Assembly of God on Route 4 east of Route 235. Call Molly Frink at 301-373-2432 or e-mail molly.862@pragnet.

The COSMIC Flute Choir meets Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church on Town Creek Drive in California. Open to local residents, high school age and above. Some proficiency is recommended. For information or for a registration form, call Linda at 301-994-9688 or Lisa at 301-994-0736.

Bingo is held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 255 in Ridge. Doors open at 6 p.m. The public is invited. For more information, call after 6 p.m. at 301-872-5349.

TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, #MD 184 meets every Tuesday at St. John's School in Hollywood. Weigh-in is held from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by a business meeting and group therapy. For more information call Emma Bowles at 301-884-2952 or Linda Faulstich at 301-994-3142.

The Southern Maryland Concert Band rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the Thomas Stone High School band room. For more information call 301-855-9933 or 301-884-5848.

Sea Scout Ship 548, for teen boys and girls in Calvert and St. Mary's counties, meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Avenue. Visit www.SeaScoutShip548.com or call Doug at 410-326-4291.

Girl Scout Mariners, for girls ages 11 to 17 in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties, meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Avenue. Visit www.marinerScoutShip1548.com or call Betsy at 443-624-2621.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Leonardtown.

Al-anon meets at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Placid Harbor, the Winpisinger building, located on Clarke's Landing Road, off Route 235, in Hollywood, in the machinist's building.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Church of the Ascension on Great Mills Road.

Wednesday, Nov. 25

Social Security representatives are available at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

The Grown-ups Senior Support Group meets the last Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. at On Our Own of St. Mary's Wellness and Recovery Center in Leonardtown. Call 301-997-1066.

The Chesapeake Toastmasters Club for public speaking training meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. at Wildewood Retirement Center. See http://chesapeake.freetoasthost.us. Visitors welcome.

A postpartum depression support group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lexington Park library. E-mail ppdsginstmarys@verizon.net.

The Lunch Bunch at Hollywood United Methodist Church meets Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the church hall on Mervell Dean Road. Call 301-373-2500.