A look at the week ahead

Friday, March 12, 2010

Friday, March 12

The Lutheran Mission Society Compassion Center trailer will be in the parking lot of First Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 12. Gently-used clothing, small appliances and food pantry will be available. Clothing donations are accepted. The church is located at the intersection of Route 2-4 in Huntingtown (6300 Southern Maryland Blvd.). Call 410-257-3030 for more information, or go to www.firstlutheranchurch.org.

Saturday, March 13

The Drum Point Club welcomes folks from Solomons, Chesapeake Ranch Estates, White Sands and surrounding areas to the grand reopening of the newly renovated Drum Point Clubhouse at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 13. The club is a nonprofit conservation and social organization. The clubhouse is available for rentals for weddings, family reunions, graduation parties and business meetings. Call 410-326-0023 for details.

Families are invited to join a naturalist at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, to explore the Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm for vernal (seasonal) pools and streams that may be used by amphibians. Wear boots and appropriate clothes for this "off trail" hike through the woods to explore and search for signs of spring. Reservations are required. The event is free. Call 410-535-5327 for details.

The Lutheran Mission Society Compassion Center trailer will be in the parking lot of First Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Gently-used clothing, small appliances and food pantry will be available. Clothing donations are accepted. The church is located at the intersection of Route 2-4 in Huntingtown (6300 Southern Maryland Blvd.). Call 410-257-3030 for more information, or go to www.firstlutheranchurch.org.

The Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer AD/CPR/AED Child and Infant Review classes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Participants may register for the complete class online at SouthernMaryland.RedCross.org, or only a portion of the class. Call 410-535-5230 for a manual registration. The class will be held at the Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross Office at 150 Main St. in Prince Frederick.

The Southern Maryland Decorative Painters, the local chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters, will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 13, in the meeting room of the Charlotte Hall Library in Charlotte Hall. Some previous painting experience is necessary. There is a membership fee. For more information, call 301-884-2835, 240-210-8332 or 410-326-2576, or go to www.smdpaint.org.

The Annual NAACP breakfast summit will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Gray-Ray Post 220, American Legion Hall, 2105 Sixes Road in Prince Frederick. Topics include fire safety tips, identity theft and making the 2010 U.S. Census count. Guest speaker will be Maryland Attorney General Doug F. Gansler. The breakfast is free, but an RSVP is requested. To RSVP or for more information, contact 410-535-2730, 410-535-0413 or 410-535-2506.

The Battle Creek Nature Education Society will host a "Wild Auction" on Saturday, March 13. The BCNES helps support nature education programs and outdoor recreational activities at Flag Ponds Nature Park, Kings Landing Park and Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary. Its "Wild Auction" fundraiser at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp will support these efforts. Preview of items, along with good food and drink, will begin at 7 p.m. Rodney Thompson will begin the auction at 8 p.m. Unique handcrafted items, such as local pottery by Denise Breitburg and Sarah Houde, along with first class Nationals tickets and framed artwork will be up for the highest bidder.

Come join the fun and help raise funds for programs, too. For more information, call 410-535-5327.

Author and eco-educator Deacon Ritterbush will be signing copies of her award-winning book, "A Beachcomber's Odyssey, Vol. I," and displaying samples of sea glass, fossils and various Chesapeake Bay beach treasures at Bay Books on Three Notch Road in California, Md., from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 13.

Visitors are encouraged to bring in samples of their own beach glass and beach treasures for estimates of age and origin while meeting the Maryland-based author.

Calvert Career Center's 22nd Annual SkillsUSA Bowl-A-Thon will be on Saturday, March 13, at Lord Calvert Bowl in Huntingtown. Hours are 9 a. m. to 11 p.m. 

Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Proceeds will support high school students competing in local and national competitions. 

Contact Kathy Lisko at 410-535-7323 to reserve a lane or make a donation.

There will be a half-price "early bird" special for the 9 and 11 a.m. time of $15 per team member with a maximum of five bowlers to a team. The price from 1 to 11 p.m. is $30 per team member with a maximum of five bowlers to a team. Theses prices include two games and shoe rental within a two-hour time frame. 

Celebrate 10 years of masquerading, mayhem and merriment at the United Way of Calvert County's "Mardi Gras" to be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Show Place Arena. Join more than 500 Mardi Gras revelers, stepping out for an enchanted evening of fine cuisine and cocktails, stilt walkers and theatrical performers. Dance to New Orleans-style R&B with the famed Tom Principato Band and see the crowning of this year's King and Queen of Mardi Gras. Experience the excitement when one lucky grand prize winner takes home the keys to a stunning Mercedes Benz SLK convertible, donated by Family Auto Care. Tickets are $135 and all proceeds benefit 36 local programs improving the lives of those in need. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.unitedwaymardigras.com, or call 410-286-0100.

Waters Memorial United Methodist Church will hold its annual ham, corned beef and cabbage dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13. The price for the dinners are $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 6 to 12, and children 5 and younger eat for free. Carryout will be available. Tickets will be sold at the door. There will also be a bake table and handmade crafts. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the building fund. For more information, contact the church office at 410-586-1716. The church is located at 5400 Mackall Road in St. Leonard.

The Southern Maryland Audubon Society will present "Late Winter and Resident Birds," from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Visit a variety of habitats along the Patuxent River in Southern Prince George's County. Check for waterfowl along the Patuxent River, winter sparrows and grasslands birds at Milltown Landing and Merkle, and visit a variety of other locations along with river depending upon conditions. To make a reservation or for more information, contact the leader, Fred Shaffer, at 410-721-1744, or e-mail glaucousgull@verizon.net.

Sunday, March 14

A "Tapestry of Hope" concert will be presented by Richard Smucker, Susan Yoe and friends at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Prince Frederick. Here's a second chance to see the snowed-out "January Blues" concert, a unique musical experience featuring talented and diverse individuals in the community. The Calvert High School dance team will also be on hand. A freewill offering will be collected, with all proceeds going to Episcopal Relief Development to support the earthquake victims in Haiti.

There will be an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 14, at the American Legion Auxiliary in the main hall, Route 260 in Chesapeake Beach. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12; children 6 and younger eat for free. Non-members are cordially invited. For more information, call 301-855-4926

The College of Southern Maryland's Ward Virts Concert Series will present Brian Ganz at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 14, at CSM's Prince Frederick Campus, Room 119, 115 J.W. Williams Road in Prince Frederick. An international pianist, Ganz has performed with such symphonies as the National Symphony and the L'Orchestre Philharmonic de Monte Carlo. The Ward Virts Concert Series is presented by Kaine Homes and CSM. Limited tickets available. The concert is free. For more information, call 443-550-6000, e-mail rperez@csmd.edu, or go to www.csmd.edu/Finearts.

A Longaberger basket bingo will be held Sunday, March 14, at the Prince Frederick Volunteer Rescue Squad. Doors open at 1 p.m., with games starting at 2 p.m. Cost is $20 for advanced reservations and $25 at the door. Additional packets are $5 each. For more information, call 410-535-9836.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Chesapeake (UUCC) is presenting a two-part series on "Ethical Eating" on Sunday, March 14, and Sunday, March 28.

"Ethical Eating: Making a Choice to Minister to the Earth" is the topic for Part 1 on March 14 from 10 to 11:15 a.m., at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, California, Md. For directions, go to www.theuucc.org. A children's program will be available as well as a nursery.

Part 2 includes a screening and discussion of the film, "Food, Inc.," on March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Asbury Retirement Community's clubhouse in Solomons. This session is recommended for adults and older teens. Nursery will be available. UUCC meets the first, second and third Sundays at 10 a.m. from September through June at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, 44219 Airport Rd., California, Md. For fourth and fifth Sunday locations, go to www.theuucc.org for Social Justice Projects occurring in the community. For information, contact UUCC at 301-880-0508 or Board President Fred Ruark at pres@theuucc.org.

Calvert National Little League's Annual Basket Bingo event will be held Sunday, March 14, at the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department. Doors open at 2 p.m.; early bird games start at 3 p.m., and regular games begin at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Cost is $25 for 20 games. For more information or to purchase your tickets in advance, contact Tina DeNeale at 410-586-3748.

Monday, March 15

The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) John Glenn Squadron is accepting scholarship applications from tri-county area high school seniors who plan to pursue a STEM-based degree in college. Applications must be submitted by March 15 to the St. Mary's County Business, Education and Community Alliance (BECA) at www.smcbeca.org. Learn more about the scholarship program at www.mcaa-jgs.org.

Tuesday, March 16

The American Legion Post 206 Auxiliary meets the third Tuesday of every other month at 7 p.m. in the Main Hall, Route 260 in Chesapeake Beach. Members are encouraged to attend. For details, call Brenda Miller at 301-855-4926.

The MOMS Club of Mechanicsville will host a general meeting at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department firehouse at 10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. The MOMS Club of Mechanicsville is a support group for stay-at-home moms who stay at home with their children, including those who have home-based businesses and those who work part-time but are home with their children for some portion of the day. The meeting will be followed by a potluck lunch. This event is open to the public for prospective members interested in joining the fun. Children are always welcome. For more information, e-mail momsclubofmechanicsvillemvp@yahoo.com for additional information, or call 301-290-0694.

Classical Christian Tutorial Service will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, at Grace Brethren Church, located at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 260 in Owings. The Classical Christian Tutorial Service (CCTS) has existed for 14 years and continues to support homeschooling parents by offering affordable tutorial services classically. CCTS accomplishes this goal through: focusing on a Classical approach to education; instructing in phonics, grammar/writing, science, history, Latin (Algebra I is offered to eighth grade); offering classes for grades 1 through 8; employing experienced tutors who love their jobs and their students; opening each morning with chapel; and memorizing scripture and hymns. The group meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For additional information, contact Sonya Roth at 410-867-2362 or Debbie Schwenk at 301-908-2764.

Join Dr. Robert Van Fosson, podiatrist, at Calvert Memorial Hospital's monthly LifeCycles program to learn the causes, treatment and prevention of plantar fasciitis.

Those who have pain in their heel when they stand up for the first time in the morning may have plantar fasciitis.

The program will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, in Classroom 1 at CMH. The program is free, but registration is required to attend. Call 410-535-8233.

Wednesday, March 17

The Newcomers & Neighbors Club of Southern Maryland will host a wine tasting and buffet luncheon with wine specialist Dee Peters at Di Giovanni's Dock of the Bay in Solomons Wednesday, March 17. A coffee fellowship will start at 10:30 a.m. followed by a short meeting and the program at 11 a.m. The inclusive price is $35 with wine or $20 without wine. For reservations, contact Phyllis Bonfield at 410-326-2221, or by e-mail at pkb@chesapeakedream.com.

Thursday, March 18

The Calvert Toastmasters Club meets at 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Prince Frederick Library. Meetings are open to the public and visitors are welcome. Call Rob Fagerson at 443-295-6613 for more details.

The Calvert County Health Department has scheduled a flu clinic for 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at the Health Department in Prince Frederick. Flu remains unpredictable and all residents are encouraged to be vaccinated against H1N1 (Swine) and Seasonal flu this year. The health department will provide both H1N1 flu and Seasonal flu vaccines to anyone who would like to be vaccinated. All vaccines will be provided to everyone on a first come, first serve basis. There is no charge for the H1N1 vaccine. For more information, go to www.calverthealth.org.

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Calvert County Chapter 1466, will meet at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 18, at the Calvert Pines Community Center, located on West Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. There will be a program on the new Aquatic Center (or guest speaker of interest) followed by a short business meeting. Also, join others for an early lunch at 11:30 a.m. at La Tolteca in Prince Frederick. Active and retired federal employees, spouses, members, non-members and guests are welcome. Contact Roger Cronshey at 410-535-4576 for more information on the meeting or for NARFE membership.

Saturday, March 20

The eighth annual Women of the World Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at St.Paul's Episcopal Church in Prince Frederick, with networking time from 11:30 to 12:30. The event is open to all and will recognize women's achievements in Southern Maryland and the continuing efforts to empower women in Calvert County. The program theme, "Sisters on the Planet," will focus on women's roles in protecting the environment. The keynote speaker for this year's event is Sara Leeland, renowned environmental philosopher, professor and writer. To reserve a seat, mail checks in the amount of $25 payable to: League of Women Voters, P.O. Box 1510, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Reservations must be paid in full by March 10, 2010.

For information, contact Kathy Riley at 410-586-2176, or e-mail khr638@verizon.net.

Trinity United Methodist Church will host its 28th annual all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 20. Tickets are available at the door at the event. Cost is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children ages 4 to 10 and children 3 and younger eat for free. Proceeds from the event will benefit several memorial scholarship funds and youth service project missions. The church is located at 90 Church St. in Prince Frederick. For more information, call 410-535-1782.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland and The Rotary Club of Northern Calvert are hosting the 13th Annual Charitable Indoor Miniature Golf Tournament at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at the Bayside Boys & Girls Club, located at 9021 Dayton Ave. in North Beach. Come and enjoy fun for the whole family, including an 18-hole indoor miniature golf course, a food buffet, games, prizes, drawings and more. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $10 for youth ages 17 and younger. Space is limited, so purchase tickets in advance. To purchase tickets, call Phil Pfanschmidt at 301-855-2380 or e-mail info@northcalvertrotary.com, and for more information go to www.northcalvertrotary.com.

The Southern Maryland Audubon Society will present "Late Winter Land Birds, Waterfowl," at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary's County from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 20. Meet at the Park & Ride lot across the street from the Lexington Park Post Office on Tulagi Place. This trip has produced Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl and waterfowl in the past. Attendees must sign-up in advance for this trip and provide a Social Security number. Facilities included and no fee. To make reservations and for security detail, contact the leader, Dean Newman, at 240-895-7321, or e-mail dean.newman@verizon.net before March 13.

Adult Education Program Orientation and Skills Assessment will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at the Hunting Creek Annex, 4105 Old Town Road in Huntingtown. The Adult Education Program is for all people who are older than 16, out of school and need a high school diploma. Adult Education classes, which help prepare students for the GED test or the External Diploma Program, are offered during the day and evening at various sites within the county. To enroll in an Adult Education class, students must participate in an orientation and skills assessment before being assigned to a class. For more information or to register, call the Adult Education Program at 410-535-7382, or go to the Web site at www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/other/adulted/index.htm.