Legislatures designate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week

The first annual Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week will be celebrated from June 4-12 in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission worked collaboratively in seeking passage of resolutions designating a week-long recognition of the Chesapeake Bay. Through this designation, the legislatures encourage residents and environmental and educational groups to host events, activities, and educational programs to increase awareness of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to the states, region and United States.

The second week of June was selected because it book-ends two long-standing, successful outreach events in the watershed, according to a press release. During the first Saturday in June, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosts Clean the Bay Day during which thousands of volunteers roll up their sleeves and take direct action to clean their waterways. In Maryland, on the second Sunday in June, former state senator Bernie Fowler traditionally holds his annual Patuxent River Wade-In event, attended by hundreds over the past 28 years, from schoolchildren to governors, U.S. Congressmen and Senators.

The Susquehanna Sojourn, celebrating the largest river east of the Mississippi that supplies the lifeblood of fresh water flowing in to the Chesapeake Bay, runs from June 17-19 this year, further extending Bay awareness festivities.

Historic Preservation Commission to host awards ceremony in May

The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission will host a Preservation Reception and Awards Ceremony 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 7, at St. Pauls’ Episcopal Church, 4535 Piney Church Road, Waldorf.

The Historic Preservation Award is presented annually to an eligible individual, business, organization, or project that deserves recognition for outstanding achievements in historic preservation. Awards are presented in two categories: Preservation Projects and Preservation Service. Winners will be announced at the ceremony.

Franklin A. Robinson, Jr., the current chairman of the Charles County Historic Preservation Commission, will be the guest speaker for this event. Robinson has served on numerous task forces and commissions throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. He has been a leader in historic preservation efforts in Southern Maryland for more than a decade. His recent accomplishments include appointment to the board of the Maryland Historical Trust by Gov. Larry Hogan (R), and the publication of “Faith & Tobacco: A History of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Parish, Prince George’s County Maryland.” Robinson is the recipient of the St. George’s Day Award, and the Preservation Service Award. Robinson is employed as an archivist with the archives center in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History and resides at the Robinson family farm, Serenity Farm, in Benedict.

Light refreshments will be provided at the event. A donation of $5 per person to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is encouraged. For more information or to RSVP for the event, contact Beth Groth at 301-645-0684 or GrothB@ CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

Arts Alliance seeks artist submissions for Summer Art Show

The Charles County Arts Alliance is accepting submissions for the Summer Art Show, a multi-media public exhibit, to be held at the Waldorf West Library, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf, from June 27 to Sept. 24.

Local artists are invited to submit a maximum of two works of art on any subject, to the Charles County Arts Alliance for consideration at no cost. Artwork entries must be submitted electronically as digital images (jpegs) attached to an email sent to waldorfwestgallery@ gmail.com.

The email must include the artist’s name, mailing and email address, phone number, biography, headshot, title of artwork, materials and mediums used, size and dimensions, the year the work was created and price, if applicable.

Artists who have previously shown in the gallery are invited to submit new work for consideration. Selections will be made by the Gallery Committee and the artists will be notified at a later date in May. All artwork must be wired and ready to hang.

On Saturday, July 23, a “Meet the Artists” public reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Waldorf West Library’s Main Gallery, to honor all the artists participating in the summer show.

For more information on the Arts Alliance, contact the CCAA office at 301-392-5900, info@charlescountyarts.org, or www.charlescountyarts. org.

Local families seek to break cloth diaper change record

Southern Maryland families will participate in a World Record Breaking event, attempting to change the most cloth diapers at one time. Leonardtown will be host to the Southern Maryland site of an international cloth diaper changing event taking place on Saturday, April 23, as a celebration of Earth Day. This is the sixth annual record breaking cloth diaper change event internationally and the third celebration locally in Southern Maryland.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change in 2015 had 7,441 participants and 280 events in 19 countries. In 2014, the world record for most cloth diapers changed at one time was set at 8,459 babies.

Cloth diapers are an environmental and affordable alternative to the billions of disposable diapers that enter landfills every year.

This year’s Great Cloth Diaper Change event is being held at Leonardtown Elementary School in the gym from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families participating in the diaper change should be signed in by 10:30 a.m. to participate in the diaper change at 11 a.m. For more information, go to the Great Cloth Diaper Change of Southern Maryland’s page on Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/Somdgreatclothdiaperchange) or Instagram @gcdcsomd.

Tri-County Memory Walk remembers those lost to addiction

The second annual Tri-County Memory Walk, Death by Addiction, will take place rain or shine at 9 a.m. May 14 at Serenity Farm in Benedict. Attendees are asked to wear farm shoes to participate in the seed planting and walk along the 1-mile path featuring loved ones’ photos. Participants are asked to send photos to Lory Hony at P.O. Box 2764, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or deliver photos to Lory at 484 Main St., Prince Frederick, by May 7. For more information, email tricountymemorywalk@gmail.com.

State Fire Marshal encourages citizens to spring clean for fire safety

State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci suggests citizens should conduct a safety clean up day. Each room in the home should be checked, including the attic, basement, garage, yard and storage shed.

Start by removing all hazards and check for frayed or damaged appliance cords or wires, piles of trash or debris, stacks of paper and magazines, water leaks near electrical appliances and adequate clearance between heating appliances and combustibles.

Properly store flammable liquids and home chemicals. Make sure that gasoline and cleaning fluids are well marked and are out of the reach of children and pets. Store them in a cool, dry place outside the house. Clean up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches, chemicals or other work items away and out of any child’s or pet’s reach.

Check fire protection

and safety equipment. Test smoke alarms and CO detectors. Make sure all doors and windows open easily and are accessible for fast escapes. Make sure street numbers are posted properly and are clearly visible. Check and make sure the home has a working flashlight and battery-powered radio for the approaching storm season.

Sit down with the family and make sure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire by designing a home escape plan. Make sure to have two ways out of every room and have a meeting place outside the home for the whole family. Practice the plan at least twice a year.

Clear away dead leaves and brush from the outside of walls of the home and other structures. Eliminate clutter under decks, porches and stairs.

Tax credit promotes charitable giving for local communities

The Maryland tax credit dubbed “Endow Maryland”, has been renewed for 2016 and will continue to reward donors who help build permanent charitable funds for local communities across the state, including Southern Maryland. Endow Maryland is modeled after successful initiatives established by community foundations across the nation.

Starting Jan. 1, Endow Maryland offers a tax credit for gifts of at least $500 to permanent, endowed funds at qualified community foundations, such as the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland. Qualified donors may receive a 25 percent tax credit on their 2015 Maryland state tax return as an incentive to encourage Maryland residents to give back to their local communities in a meaningful and lasting way. The Endow Maryland tax credit, which is designed to promote charitable giving in Maryland, for Maryland, applies only to gifts to permanent, endowed funds held at your local community foundation—those that will generate many times the initial value of the gift to benefit the community.

To find out how to take advantage of the tax credit and explore different ways to give back, contact go to www. cfsomd.org.

Arts Alliance seeking art show submissions

The Charles County Arts Alliance is now accepting submissions for a Special Summer Art Show, a multi-media public exhibit, to be held at the Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata, from July 13 to Sept. 26. The gallery is adjacent to the front entrance lobby. The exhibit will recognize local artists with disabilities. The month of July is Americans with Disabilities Month. Local artists with disabilities are invited to submit a maximum of two works of art on any subject, to the Charles County Arts Alliance for consideration at no fee. Artwork entries must be submitted electronically as digital images attached to an email sent to waldorfwest gallery@gmail.com Please include Special Summer Art Show in the subject line.

The email must include the artist’s name, mailing address, email address, phone number, biography, headshot, title of artwork, medium and materials used, size, year created, and price if applicable.

Selections will be made by the Charles County Arts Alliance and the Commission on Individuals with Disabilities, and the artists will be notified in mid-June. All artwork must be wired and ready to hang.

For more information about the Gallery, contact the CCAA Office at 301-3925900, or info@charlescounty arts.org.