Community news

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

‘‘Parenting Matters: Raising Successful Children,” a regional parenting conference and youth event offered by the Maryland State Parental Information and Resource Center in partnership with the Maryland Department of Education, the college, area school districts and community organizations, will be held Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the College of Southern Maryland, La Plata campus. Featured speaker will be author and trainer Charlie Applestein and in addition to numerous other workshops, the conference will feature a group drumming circle workshop and a DANCE empowerment workshop.

The conference is free, but pre-registration is required by May 12 at www.mdpirc.org or by calling 301-863-0130.

Kiwanis to hosthealth and safety fair

The Kiwanis Club of St. Mary’s County will host its eighth annual health and safety fair and hospital fundraiser on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Colony Shopping Center near Target. The event will include courtesy car seat inspections and education provided by the Tri-County Passenger Safety Committee. Complimentary health screening will be provided by the Health Connections van, and presentations will be given by Maryland State Police, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department and St Mary’s County Health Department, with the help of Opie the Otter.

Equipment displays will be provided by the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad and Department of Natural Resources. Other participants include the WOW van from St. Mary’s County Library, St. Mary’s County Department of Public Safety, Southern Maryland Child Care Resource Center and demonstrations of CPR techniques.

A Mother’s Day flower sale featuring locally grown flowers will also be part of the event. All proceeds from the flower sales support St Mary’s Hospital CPR training for parents of infants and toddlers with special needs.

Ballet Calienteto perform ‘Passages’

Ballet Caliente will perform ‘‘Passages” on June 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. at Great Mills High School. Under the artistic direction of Sheryl-Marie Dunaway, ‘‘Passages” is an original story ballet following the milestones in a young dancer’s life.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 online and at the door. Advance ticket sales to the general public will begin Saturday, May 10, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and on Friday, May 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ballet Caliente, 21615 S. Essex Drive, Lexington Park.Ê

Visit www.balletcaliente.com or call 301-862-0038.

Show to featurestudent art

The Sower Art Barn, an art show featuring high school and college art works, will be held Saturday, May 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Campbell residence, 19946 Tower Hill Road, off Route 244, between Chingville and Whirlwind roads.

Student art will be on display and many pieces will be available for sale. There will be painting, photography, woodworking, jewelry and, perhaps, some pottery. The Sower Art Barn is an opportunity for young artists to talk about their work to the public, meet artists from other schools, have their work professionally critiqued and sell their work with no fees attached. The Daughters of Veda Middle Eastern Dance Troupe will perform at 1 p.m. and Don Dirkin at 2:30.