Group to host news conference on new nuclear reactor safety

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

The coalition has identified weaknesses in logistics, public education and design specifications in the plan that could have devastating impacts should an accident or terrorist attack occur at the plant, according to a press release.

The speakers will include David Kosmos, program associate with the Maryland Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), Kevin Kamps from Beyond Nuclear, Norma Powers and Bob Boxwell, concerned Calvert County residents, Tyler Sinclair, a St. Mary’s County student, and Dr. Gwen DuBois, a member of the Baltimore-based Physicians for Social Responsibility.

The Chesapeake Safe Energy Coalition was formed in response to Constellation Energy plans to build a new nuclear reactor in Lusby on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The coalition’s concerns include the high cost of constructing a new reactor, public safety and environmental impacts associated with nuclear power, according to a press release. The Chesapeake Safe Energy Coalition advocates meeting our energy and climate needs through safe alternatives such as energy efficiency, wind and solar power rather than by perpetuating dependence on dangerous sources of energy like nuclear.

For more information, visit www.marylandpirg.org.

CSM to host conferenceon student success

Education is a key component in achieving life-long success. Providing students with the opportunities they need to engage in the learning process, discover new topics and develop their own methods of academic inquiry are the best means of encouraging a life-long love of learning that can help students reach their full academic and personal potential. The College of Southern Maryland invites all K-12 and college faculty and administrative staff to share their ideas and best teaching practices at its Mid-Atlantic regional conference focusing on student success.

During ‘‘Promoting Student Success: The First Year and Beyond,” on Oct. 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Center for Business and Industry at the La Plata campus, conference organizers will facilitate workshops, lectures and group activities that focus on how educators can increase student preparedness, incorporate and utilize technology in and out of the classroom, nurture life-long learning and much more.

‘‘I am very pleased CSM will be hosting its first regional conference on promoting student success. Bringing educators together to present their ideas will help all of us refine our approaches and enhance student success. I am hopeful that this conference will become an anticipated yearly event for educators in the area,” said CSM President Bradley Gottfried in a press release.

Conference tracks include teaching approaches and strategies, technology, student preparedness and general interest. The keynote speaker for the conference will be Dr. Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, an associate professor of International Relations in the School of International Service at the American University in Washington, D.C., and director of the university’s General Education Program.

Jackson will speak on ‘‘Generational Images of Learning: Millennials, Media and the 21st Century Classroom.” He is the author of ‘‘Civilizing the Enemy: German Reconstruction and the Invention of the West” and is co-editor of ‘‘Civilization Identity: The Production and Reproduction of ‘Civilizations’ in International Relations.”

Other conference presentations include ‘‘Building an Effective Bridge: Training Peer Mentors,” ‘‘Improving Student Readiness for College and the Workforce,” ‘‘Mission Possible: The Administrator’s Role in Fostering a Motivating Environment,” ‘‘Common Reading Initiatives: Strategies that Work,” ‘‘Multicultural Education at the Crossroads of the 21st Century” and ‘‘Not Another Brick in the Wall — Taking the Pain Out of Business Math.”

Registration for the conference is $80 until Oct. 9, $90 thereafter, and includes breakfast, lunch, light refreshments and conference materials. For registration materials visit http:⁄⁄www.itc.csmd.edu⁄studentsuccess⁄registration.html.

For additional information on CSM’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, call 443-550-6199, ext. 7602, or visit www.itc.csmd.edu⁄studentsuccess.

Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuseto hold annual run⁄walk

The Calvert Alliance Substance Abuse Inc. (CAASA), with the assistance of the Chesapeake Bay Running Club, is sponsoring the Seventh Annual ‘‘Step By Step” 5K Fun Run⁄Walk on Saturday, Nov. 3, to honor Mike Blackwell, a marathon runner who was killed in January 2001 while jogging on Broomes Island Road.

Proceeds from this event will benefit CAASA programs such as Project Graduation, National Night Out, Youth Summit and the Mini-Grant Program.

The race will take place on Nov. 3 at 9 a.m., with early registration and check-in at 8 a.m.

The start and finish line is at the Calvert Marine Museum. The 3.1-mile course will cover scenic roadways along the river and Back Bay in Solomons. This is a flat and fast, certified course. Teams and groups are welcome. There will prizes awarded for runners and walkers in numerous age groups and T-shirts are provided to the first 150 registrants.

The preregistration donation is $20 for adults and $10 for students Chesapeake Bay Running Club and CAASA members. The day of the race, donation is $25. Strollers are welcomed with walkers. No pets are allowed. Registration forms can be found on the CAASA Web site at www.co.cal.md.us⁄residents⁄health.caasa. Online registration is powered by Active.com.

Sponsor’s of this years race include: Comcast; Bayside Chevrolet Buick Toyota; Bob Hall LLC; Century 21-Comcast Earnest Inc.; Cheryl Jimmy Bare, King Electric; Sheriff Mike Evans; Quality Built Homes; Rymer & Associates, P.A.; Bay Area Disposal; Body In Balance; Hatcher Supply, Inc.; Mogie Spins The Disc!; Sneade’s Ace Home Center; Automatic Rain Lawn Sprinklers; Calvert Elks Lodge No. 2620; DWI Services, Inc.; Jackie Chase, Realtor, RE⁄MAX 100; Rausch Funeral Home; and Spyro’s Bagel & Coffee Shop.

For more information about the race, contact the CAASA office at 410-535-3733.

LDA to celebrateLearning Disabilities Month

The Learning Disabilities Association of Calvert County (LDA) celebrates October as Learning Disabilities Month. The purpose of Learning Disabilities Month is to draw attention to this wide-spread disability and to focus attention on both the causes and solutions for meeting the learning disabilities challenge, according to a press release.

The chances of knowing someone with learning disabilities are good, since it is estimated that 15 percent of the U.S. population, or one in seven Americans, has some type of learning disability. Among school-age children, more than 6 percent are currently receiving special education services because of learning disabilities — almost 3 million students.

The LDA will sponsor a guest speaker, Nick Garrett, owner of Garrett Music Academy.

Garrett will share his life story struggling with learning disabilities. He will be speaking on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Meeting Room No. 2.

The LDA will also host an open house on Monday, Oct. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Meeting Room No. 2. Come to gather information and find help about Learning Disabilities.

The primary mission of LDA is to identify causes, promote prevention and to enhance the quality of life for all children and youth with learning disabilities and their families. LDA also fosters research and protection of the rights of the learning disabled under the law. LDA provides programs that promote awareness, advocacy, empowerment, education, service and collaborative efforts.

The membership of LDA — composed of individuals with learning disabilities, family members and concerned professionals — advocates for the students of school age with learning disabilities and for adults affected with learning disabilities.

As a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, it can receive donations through monetary donations mailed to LDA or through the United Way campaign. United Way pledge cards have a Donor Choice designation where donors can write in LDA of Calvert County, Inc., P.O. Box 3126, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.

For information about getting involved with LDA of Calvert County, contact 410-257-7511 or e-mail calvertlda@aol.com, and visit www.ldaamerica.org.

Northern High to host mock crash Oct. 12

Northern High School will be hosting a mock crash and Branded DUI program on Friday, Oct. 12.

The Branded DUI program features seven Maryland teenagers who were arrested for DUI, following an impaired driving crash or as a result of a traffic stop.

It will begin at 8 a.m., and will be followed by an open discussion with the students on alcohol and drug impairment and other traffic safety issues.

Two of the teens featured in the Branded DUI video are from Calvert County, one from Patuxent High School and one from Northern High School.

The mock crash will follow in Northern Middle School’s parking lot between 9 and 9:50 a.m.