Forum aims to help race relations in the community

Charles County community members, faith leaders, law enforcement and other concerned citizens are hosting an “I’m All In: Creating an Atmosphere for Human Dialogue,” forum 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at New Life Church’s “The Dome,” 9695 Shepherd’s Creek Place, La Plata. This forum will provide an informative discussion from a diverse panel of community members, and breakout sessions to discuss opportunities for individuals and the community to become actively engaged, according to a press release. The goal is to prevent the violence and racial divide occurring throughout the country from happening in Charles County.

Anyone interested can register online through www.lifestylesofmd.org or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/ lifestyles of maryland. Hardcopy registration forms are also available for pick up at LifeStyles’ office 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday–Friday, at 101 Catalpa Drive, Suite 103, La Plata, at the Charles County Public Library locations, and faith-based locations throughout the county. Forms can be returned via email and fax to info@ lifestylesofmd.org. For more information, call 301-609-9800.

Stewart to hold ‘Back to School’ community event

Kick off the school year with Charles County Commissioner Amanda M. Stewart (D) at her second annual “Back to School” Community Fiesta on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Mattawoman Middle School, 10145 Berry Road, Waldorf. All ages are invited to attend. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The “Back to School” Community Fiesta will focus on saying no to bullying, drugs, and texting and driving. During the event, children will have the opportunity to sign pledges to “say no.” Several learning opportunities will be available, including self-defense and hands-on CPR demonstrations, and testimonies on bullying. The Department of Health, Charles County Sheriff’s Office Crime Solvers and Department of Social Services will provide safety and health information and resources for parents.

Participants will have the opportunity to make a craft and sign up for a Charles County Public Library card. Children can also meet several mascots including Pinch from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Chick-fil-A cow, Andy Armadillo and a Minion from Disney’s “Minions.” Back to school haircuts will be available for children by Mobile Hair Cuts. Raffles, giveaways and light refreshments will be available.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, ranging from gold to titanium levels. Sponsors must complete the sponsorship levels and commitment form by Saturday, July 30. Those interested in monetary donations can complete the receipt for cash donations form. Both forms can be downloaded at www. CharlesCountyMD.gov and returned via email to StewartEvents@ CharlesCountyMD.gov.

For more information about the event, email StewartEvents@ CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

Sheriff’s office accreditation team seeks public comment

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will arrive Aug. 1 to examine all aspects of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures, management, operations and support services as part of the agency’s continued efforts to maintain its accreditation. The sheriff’s office is seeking its sixth re-accreditation.

“The purpose of this visit by the team of assessors is to confirm the Charles County Sheriff’s Office continues to meet the commission’s standards and is part of a voluntary process to maintain CALEA accreditation,” said Sheriff Troy D. Berry (D) in a press release.

During the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to comment at a public information session 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, in the training classroom located at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters, 6915 Crain Highway, La Plata.

Any person who cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team may do so by telephone. Calls will be taken by the assessment team at 301-609-6517 from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. The CALEA standards are available for review from the office of planning and accreditation at the sheriff’s office headquarters. The planning and accreditation office may be contacted at 301-6096419.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation may write to John Gregory, regional program manager, at the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

“CALEA assessors are law enforcement professionals from agencies located some distance away in order to maintain the objectivity of the assessment process,” said Danny Johnson, the agency’s deputy director of planning and accreditation, in the press release.

The assessors this year are Major Paul Baggett, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeland, Fla., and Lt. Virgil Hubbard, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville, Tenn. They will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance with CALEA standards can be verified. Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be re-accredited.

Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports affirming continued compliance with those standards under which it was accredited. For more information regarding CALEA, call 800-368-3757 or 703-3524225, or go to www.calea. org.

CSM hosts annual foundation golf tournament

Over its 25 year lifetime, the College of Southern Maryland Foundation’s Golf Classic signature event has brought together golf enthusiasts, college alumni, community leaders and the business community to raise more than $700,000 for scholarships for CSM credit and non-credit students as well as for CSM athletic programs.

This year’s event will be held Thursday, Aug. 18, at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club in Issue, which has hosted every classic since the tournament began.

This year also marks the 15th year Marrick Homes has been the lead sponsor of the golf classic. Marrick Homes has pledged to be a grand tournament sponsor for the next four years.

This year, state Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton (D-Charles) of the college’s class of 1966 will be the honorary guest. Middleton will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his graduation from the college during the homecoming-themed golf tournament.

“The education I received at the college has provided me, as well as countless others, with a lifetime of opportunities,” Middleton said in a press release.

“From a statewide perspective, I see the college as one of the best entities of the Maryland community college system,” Middleton said. “CSM means so much to the community. This golf tournament is a way to bring the citizens and business community together in a fun way to show support for an institution that is a source of pride for the entire Southern Maryland region.”

Other CSM alumni and former athletes from the college are expected to attend.

Check-in and continental breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 18, with a shotgun start for golfers at 9 a.m. The tournament will use the captain’s choice format. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the course. A dinner and silent auction will begin at 3 p.m. There will be closest-to-the-pin and longest drive contests for men and women.

Those who want to join in the festivities but would prefer not to golf in the tournament may wish to try out the Sip and Swing for an IMPACT. Participants looking to improve or familiarize themselves with the game of golf can enjoy a day of golf instruction paired with a wine tasting. Check-in will begin at 11:15 a.m., followed by a wine and food tasting at 11:30 a.m. At 1 p.m., there will be interactive clinics that feature putting, chipping and full-swing techniques. Sip and Swing participants will join the other golfers for dinner and a silent auction later in the day.

Go to www.foundation. csmd.edu/news-events/ golf-classic for sponsor, golfer, Alumni Row and Sip and Swing registrations. Sponsorships and golfer registration deadline is Aug. 5. The Sip and Swing early bird cost will be $75 per person, or $100 per person after July 31.

For more information, contact Erika Abell in the CSM Development Department at 301-934-7647 or Erika.Abell@csmd.edu. Information on the CSM Foundation can be found at www.csmd.edu/ Foundation/.

Southern Md. Blue Crabs encourage summer reading

The Southern Maryland Regional Library and the three county public library systems are once again partnering with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to give free stadium seat vouchers to every participant in this year’s summer reading program. The vouchers are good for a free ticket to one of three Southern Maryland Library Nights with the Blue Crabs (July 22, 23 or Aug. 6), at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. The July 23 and Aug. 6 games begin at 6:35 p.m., while the July 22 game begins at 7:05 p.m.

For more information about the summer reading programs, or about the Southern Maryland Library Night with the Blue Crabs, go to a library or corresponding website: Calvert Library (Calvert Library. info ),

Charles County Public Library (ccplonline.org), and St. Mary’s County Library (stmalib.org).