Shelter wants you ... to adopt a pet for the holidays

NEWS IN BRIEF

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

This month is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Adoption fees for senior pets this month are reduced to $45. "Senior" or "mature" pets are animals that are 5 or older.

Senior pets are usually housebroken, calmer and less destructive than younger dogs, and may already know some tricks that they can share with their new owners. Unlike with puppies or kittens, owners will already know how big their pet will get and what he will look like upon adoption. Many people believe "senior" animals are at shelters because they are "bad." However, pets are relinquished for many reasons including owners are moving or have died, allergies, deployment, foreclosure or eviction. Those who would like to adopt a mature pet and take advantage of the reduced adoption fee, can go to the Tri-County Animal Shelter. Adoption hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The shelter is closed on Sundays and all Charles County government holidays, including today, Veterans Day.

In partnership with Lucky Ones rescue organization, the shelter will have dogs available for adoption at PetSmart at 3045 Festival Way in Waldorf from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 14.

Dogs of different breeds, ages and sizes will be available for adoption. View animals available for adoption at www.charlescounty.org/es/animalcontrol or www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD112.html.

The shelter will hold an after-Thanksgiving 50 percent off sale on all animals from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 28. Those interested in adopting a new pet can stop by the shelter that day and choose from a large selection of animals.

All animals will be checked by a veterinarian before being adopted. The adoption fee covers the costs of spaying or neutering, a microchip, physical exam, rabies vaccination, distemper vaccination, feline leukemia/FIV testing for cats, deworming (if under 6 months) and heartworm testing for dogs older than 6 months old.

Call the shelter at 301-932-1713 or 800-903-1992 or e-mail animalshelter@charlescounty.org for more information.

The shelter is at 6707 Animal Shelter Road in Hughesville.

Spencer to perform in Waldorf on Nov. 21

Nashville country music singer Skyla Spencer will perform Nov. 21 in concert as part of the "Family Friendly Concert Series" at My Brother's Place in Waldorf.

The concert will also feature Russ Dean. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The show will begin at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $10. General admission before 8 p.m. costs $15. After 8 p.m., tickets are $20. Children 6 and younger get in free.

Partial proceeds and donations will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland.

Tickets are being sold at Hot Licks Guitar Shop at 3250 Old Washington Road in Waldorf, Bullock's Piano Salon East at 4429 Crain Highway in White Plains and Joe's Groceries and Deli at 8355 Marshall Corner Road in Pomfret.

My Brother's Place is at 3081 Old Washington Road in Waldorf.

Festival of Trees gearing up

Preparations for the 2009 Friend of Hospice Festival of Trees, an annual fundraiser that benefits Hospice of Charles County, are well under way.

One of the focal points of the festival, which begins Nov. 27 and runs through Nov. 30, is the Poinsettia Tree and Memory Book.

Those interested can purchase a poinsettia plant to be featured as part of a poinsettia tree display in remembrance of a loved one.

The live plant purchased can be picked up at the Jaycees center following the senior's brunch (after 1 p.m. Nov. 30 or before noon Dec. 1). To help build this tribute, complete and return a poinsettia registration form, which are available at hospiceofcharlescounty.org. Reservation forms should be returned to Friends of Hospice, P.O. Box 129, La Plata, MD 20646 by Nov. 16. The information provided will be included in the 2009 Memory Book.

Personal checks or money orders can be made payable to Friends of Hospice. Visa or MasterCard purchases are also accepted.

The theme for the festival will be "Home for the Holidays" as Hospice of Charles County is currently building the first Hospice House facility in Waldorf on Davis Road.

Call Colleen Wilson at 301-934-1268 or e-mail cwilson@hospiceofcharlescounty.org.

Cheerleading teams advance to regional, state competitions

Two Charles County Public Schools varsity cheerleading teams have a chance to compete at the state level as winners in the county competition held Oct. 31 at North Point High School.

The team from North Point received first place and La Plata High School won second place.

Both teams competed in the southern regional competition Nov. 10 against teams from Anne Arundel, Howard and St. Mary's counties for one of four spots at the state competition.

The state event will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at North Point at 2500 Davis Road in Waldorf. The top four teams from both the southern and northern regions will compete in the state competition. The northern region includes Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick and Harford counties.

Other Charles County public high school teams placed at the county competition. At the junior varsity level, La Plata won first place and Thomas Stone High School earned second place. A team from North Point also won first place in the freshman-level competition.

Church collecting winter coats

Grace Lutheran Church will hold a winter coat drive through November. Coats can be dropped off at the church at 1200 Charles St. in La Plata.

New coats and clean, reusable coats will be donated to the Southern Maryland Compassion Center and Charles County Children's Aid Society.

Call Victoria Yake 301-752-1148.

Museum offers merit badge programs

The Calvert Marine Museum will offer girls the opportunity to earn merit badges during special weekend badge programs.

"Brownie Try-Its" run from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. and include "Lighthouse" on March 13, "Movers" on Dec. 19 and Feb. 13, "Animals" on Jan. 9, "Earth Is Our Home" on March 7 and "Eco-Explorer" on April 11.

For junior Girl Scouts, sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4:30 p.m. and include "Lighthouse" on Nov. 22 and March 28, "Environmental Health" on Jan. 3, "Visual Arts" on Jan. 31, "Rocks Rock" on Feb. 7 and "Earth Connections" on Feb. 28.

Cadette level badges are offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include "Museum Discovery" on Jan. 10 and "Lighthouse" on April 18.

Call Diane Milgrim at 410-326-2042, ext. 45. To register, call 410-326-2042, ext. 41. Fees vary.