Flu disaster drill to affect hospital visitors June 16

Friday, June 13, 2008

The main entrances to the hospital will serve as access control points where all visitors, employees and physicians will be asked brief questions about their general health and have their temperature taken as part of a simulated response to a pandemic outbreak of Avian Flu.

‘‘We want to apologize in advance to our visitors for any inconvenience they may experience during the drill,” said CMH Security Director Tim Conway in the release. ‘‘The hospital regularly conducts drills to enhance our ability to care for the community in the event of a real disaster. Your cooperation and understanding during this time is appreciated.”

The county and statewide drill will last for four days. On Tuesday, community volunteers will be used to practice a patient surge in the emergency department. On Wednesday and Thursday, the hospital will simulate its ability to sustain patient care over an extended period in the event of flu pandemic.

‘‘The drill is key to proactive local planning,” Conway said. ‘‘It will help us to analyze our response and create ways to improve our disaster preparedness for the health and safety of our community.”

Annmarie Garden touts grand openingas a success

Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park and Arts Center in Solomons enjoyed spectacular crowds and rave reviews during the three-day grand opening celebration, May 30 through June 1, according to a press release.

For the first time, visitors were able to explore the highly-anticipated new Arts Building and its two opening exhibitions, Re.action and Olga Hirshhorn Recollects. Guests also were able to visit the new gift shop and sampled the fare in the cafe. Festivities began with a Friday night black-tie gala, followed by two days of public programs, including art activities, live music performances, public art projects, a kinetic bike parade and more.

On Friday evening, nearly 300 elegantly-attired people gathered for the back-tie gala. After walking the red carpet, attendees enjoyed the company of honorary guest Olga Hirshhorn as they explored the varied works from her private collection in Olga Hirshhorn Recollects. Featuring works by such art world luminaries as Picasso, Matisse and Miro, this exhibit marks the first time any of these artists have been publicly displayed in Southern Maryland, according to the release.

Guest juror of the Re.action exhibition, Mark Ward, was also present to mingle with guests and announce the award recipients for the exhibition. Andy Malone of Royal Oak, Mich., won best in show for his piece titled ‘‘1967 Rebellion Chess Set.” The merit award went to Bradley Litwin of Philadelphia, for his kinetic sculpture, ‘‘The Rotapult.” Randy McDaniel of Reading, Pa., received honorable mention for his musical metal sculpture, ‘‘The Choir.” These pieces were chosen for their effective portrayal of movement in artwork, the release said.

The evening also included music by the Linden String Quartet on the East Plaza, while the Ian Dylan Trio lent jazz sounds to the Main Gallery. Upon leaving, guests received a bottle of wine courtesy of Solomons Island Winery with a label featuring the new Arts Building.

With unusual art and complementary activities designed to appeal to a range of ages and interests, visitors all agree that Re.action is the perfect exhibit to open the new Arts Building, the release said. The exhibit invites patrons to explore and delight in art. The first thing visitors noticed was the noise. This is not a quiet gallery, but rather an active space with buzzes, clanks, dribbles and even the click of Morse code. Most every piece in the exhibit requires the visitor to do something — push a button, stand a certain way, spin a pedestal or turn a crank — all with the goal of exploring and enjoying the many ways artists create movement in their work.

Additional weekend festivities introduced new on-going programs such as Sunday FUNdays and Plaza Performances. This year’s summer public art project, Stick Together, also provided an art-making experience. Local artist Alice Yutzy began a new collaborative ceramic tile project that will be installed in the garden. A kinetic bike parade on Sunday allowed the chance for little ones to turn their bikes into kinetic sculpture and ride them along the wooded path behind musical bandleader, Mark Guifridda.

Visitors can enjoy Re.action and Olga Hirshhorn Recollects, as well as other new programs throughout the summer. Admission to 30-acre Annmarie Garden grounds is free. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Arts Building and Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, call 410-326-4640 or go to www.annmariegarden.org.

African-Americancommunity dayset for June 21

The Calvert County branch of the NAACP invites the public to join it for a day of fun and celebration at the 13th annual African-American Family Community Day on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard.

The event is based on the theme of ‘‘Celebrating a Patchwork of Cultures.”

The event is traditionally held near June 19 — Juneteenth — which is a historic date for the African-American community. While slavery was abolished on Jan. 1, 1863, it took several months for the word to get to those in the South.

On June 19, 1865, enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, finally heard the proclamation that announced their freedom. For hundreds of years, the citizens of Galveston have celebrated this as their Emancipation Day.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated throughout the country, according to a release.

A variety of displays and activities will be featured throughout the day. The event will feature children’s activities, a moonbounce, food, a fashion show, Christian comedian Sean Sarvis and live entertainment featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Orioles.