Waldorf man goes to D.C. to raise awareness of rare disorder

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Cornelia de Lange syndrome occurs in about one in 10,000 births. Vojtecky’s 15-year-old daughter suffers from the disorder. The gene responsible for CdLS was not discovered until 2004.

Vojtecky, a member of the CdLS Foundation, visited the offices of Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md) and Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md., 5th) earlier this month to talk about CdLS.

The Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation was founded in 1981 as a family support organization to ensure early and accurate diagnosis of CdLS, promote research into causes and manifestations of the syndrome and help people with a diagnosis of CdLS make informed decisions throughout their lifetime.

For more information about CdLS, call 800-753-2357 or go to www.cdlsusa.or.

Baseball stadiumreadies for season

Make plans to visit the Prince George’s Stadium on Saturday for the Baysox kick off to the 2006 season.

The seventh annual free Family FunFest starts at 10 a.m., rain or shine. The event marks the unofficial start to the Baysox season with carnival games, unlimited use of the Kids Park, face painting, baseball-themed events and more.

While at the FunFest, kids 12 and younger can register for Louie’s Kids Club.

The Baysox opening day on April 6 finds the Bowie-based club facing the Reading Phillies. Single game tickets will be on sale for the first time during FunFest and will be available at the stadium box office and online. Call 301-805-6000 or go to www.baysox.com.

Aren’t you goingto miss the traffic?

With the Wilson Bridge Project on schedule and on budget, project leaders are predicting the opening of the new bridge in just three months.

At mid-day on a Saturday in June, motorists will have an opportunity to drive across the new bridge for the first time, according to a press release from the Wilson Bridge Project.

‘‘This is a major milestone for the project, but more importantly it is a big step forward for long-suffering travelers,” said Bob Douglass, project manager for the Maryland State Highway Administration, in the release. ‘‘With the new bridge opening and the improvements to come, motorists, truckers and others will start experiencing reduced travel times and greater safety.”

The traffic switch will be preceded by a formal dedication ceremony, tentatively scheduled for mid-May.

Travelers using the outer loop of the Capital Beltway I-95 will be the first on the new bridge by mid-June. Five or six weeks later, the inner loop will switch into the new crossing. Demolition of the old bridge will start immediately following completion of the traffic switch.

Five critical construction projects must be completed before the new bridge opens: 11 more concrete decks poured, the redesign and replacement of 1,000 feet of concrete barrier, installation of glass in the bridge operator’s tower, installation of warning and safety gates for the draw bridge and installation of signs on the bridge.

Mikulski honoredfor environmental work

In recognition of her support for the Chesapeake Bay watershed habitat restoration, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) accepted an award earlier this month for her work on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Community Based Restoration Program. NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr., Restore America’s Estuaries President Mark Wolf Armstrong and Chesapeake Bay Foundation Federal Affairs Director Doug Siglin presented Mikulski with the award.

‘‘The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and an integral part of our identity as Marylanders,” Mikulski said in a prepared statement. ‘‘That’s why I work hard to fund effective restoration projects that save the bay and help those who depend on it for jobs and recreation. Maryland’s communities want to do the right thing by the bay, but they can’t do it on their own.”

Stomp out breast cancer

Waldorf Carpet One will introduce a new collection of specially designed pink-ribbon welcome mats in April to support the fight against breast cancer.

This spring marks the fourth ‘‘Carpet One Welcomes Your Support” campaign, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer programs through sales of the distinctive welcome mats. Waldorf Carpet One will donate 25 percent of the sale price from each mat to the local American Cancer Society.

During the three previous campaigns, Carpet One stores nationwide raised more than $340,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Canadian Cancer Society.

‘‘We are really looking forward to continuing our support for this cause in the upcoming campaign,” Linda Clark of Waldorf Carpet One said in a press release. ‘‘We feel it’s extremely important to be a socially responsible business and to give back to our community. Breast cancer awareness is a very important issue, and we are proud to support the American Cancer Society in their efforts to eradicate this disease.”

The spring collection of specialty welcome mats feature seven different designs. All seven will be available April 1 through June at Waldorf Carpet One at 2495 Crain Highway.