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Two biolab scientists receive international awards
Writer'S NOTEBOOK
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Walter Boynton
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Walter Boynton and Carolyn Keefe of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons received awards from the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation at its annual conference in Portland, Ore., on Sunday.
Boynton, a professor at the lab, shared the Odum Lifetime Achievement Award with longtime colleague Michael Kemp of the Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge. Both labs are run by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
Boynton and Kemp were recognized for their research of and pragmatic solutions to several real world problems such as "eutrophication, oxygen depletion, nutrient budgeting and food web structure," according to a UMCES release. Boynton was recently elected CERF's president-elect and will assume his post in 2011, according to CERF's Web site.
During 30 years of collaboration, Boynton and Kemp have written more than 50 publications and been jointly awarded more than 35 grants and contracts, according to the release.
"Walter and Michael's collaboration is a tribute to their lifelong work and dedication to expanding our knowledge of our world's coastal waters," UMCES President Donald F. Boesch said in the release. "They are a shining example how the UMCES faculty are actively building inter-laboratory partnerships to broaden our body of scientific understanding."
Boynton's expertise regarding eutrophication, or the increase in an ecosystem's nutrient concentrations, and its effects has earned him the international moniker "Mr. Nitrogen," said lab Director Margaret Palmer, who is also a member of CERF.
Keefe, a senior faculty research assistant at the lab, received the federation's Distinguished Service Award for acting as its treasurer and finance committee chair. Keefe has also played a significant "leadership role" in organizational outreach, Palmer said.
In addition to highlighting Boynton and Keefe's accomplishments, the awards bring the lab more international recognition, Palmer said, adding that CERF's global membership makes it the largest organization dedicated to estuarine and coastal research.
"They're very important members of the lab. Walter is one of those people I say, ‘You can't ever retire,'" Palmer said. "They make me very proud. These are two people we admire a lot."
Boynton and Keefe have worked for the lab since 1975 and 1980, respectively.
Submit events for visitors guide
The Calvert County Department of Economic Development is collecting information for the 2010 Calvert County Visitors Guide and Calendar of Events.
The guide gives free promotion to county museums, restaurants, stores, hotels, inns and recreational boating groups. The 2009 Visitors Guide is available at www.ecalvert.com/content/tourism/visitorsguide.
New sites must submit an application form, available by calling 410-535-4583 or 800-331-9771 or going to www.ecalvert.com/content/visitorsguideforms/index.asp. New forms are only required for last year's sites if changes have been made to it. Forms should be faxed to 410-535-4585. The deadline for applications is Nov. 15.
Instructions for entering events into the 2010 calendar via an online entry system are available as a PDF file at www.ecalvert.com/content/tourism/calendarofevents/instructions.asp. Due to space limitations, the department may edit or omit listings from both the guide and calendar as necessary.
For more information on the department, call 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, e-mail info@ecalvert.com or go to www.ecalvert.com.
Child support public forum
The Maryland Department of Human Resources will hold a public forum on possible changes to the state's child support guidelines today, Nov. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Charles County Department of Social Services in La Plata.
Proposed revisions include updating rates to reflect the current cost of raising a child and increasing the minimum amount required for a low-income noncustodial parent to reflect 2009 poverty guidelines.
More than 200,000 Maryland children currently rely on child support payments, for which rates have not increased since 1988. Guidelines are reviewed every four years.
To confirm attendance, contact Melody Lewis at 410-767-7065 or mlewis2@dhr.state.md.us.
League hosts evening with state reps
The League of Women Voters of Calvert County will hold its Annual Legislative Evening with the Annapolis Delegation on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Calvert Pines Senior Center in Prince Frederick from 7 to 9 p.m.
Representatives from local community groups will have the chance to speak with state legislators about their priorities for the 2010 General Assembly Session. Public comment will be allowed as time permits.
Time for an NHS comedy
Northern High School's fall play, "All in the Timing," a collection of six single-act comedy plays, will be performed at the school's Mary Harrison Center on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.
For more information or to order tickets, call 410-257-1519.
Theater group pursues Red Ryder
Patuxent Playhouse, a nonprofit community theater group, will perform the classic "A Christmas Story" through the first two weeks of November at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center Theater in Prince Frederick.
Show times are 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, Saturday, Nov. 7, and Friday, Nov. 13, and 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door beginning one hour prior to show time.
For advance or group sales, go to www.paxplays.com. For information, call 410-326-1401.
