Charles County Arts Alliance grant season now open

Over the past 29 years, the Charles County Arts Alliance has awarded more than $650,000 in grant funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in Charles County to support activities in the performing, visual and literary arts. Last year, the arts alliance provided nearly $45,000 in funding to 21 nonprofit organizations and schools. This has helped enhance the county’s arts and culture, and inspire fellow residents to explore the diverse arts community and arts offerings present in their own backyard, according to a press release.

As in previous years, the CCAA Arts Grant Program offers two types of grants: Community Arts Development (CAD) grants for nonprofit organizations, and Arts in Education (AIE) grants for schools. The CAD grants have two sub-categories: General Operating grants for arts organizations, and Special Project grants for nonprofit organizations that present activities in the performing, visual and literary arts. Schools may request up to $800, while nonprofit organizations may be eligible for grants up to $6,000. All grants have matching requirements ranging from 1:1 to 3:1, depending on the amount being requested. Grant applications are reviewed by a grant panel comprised of members of the CCAA board of directors and representatives from the community. The grant monies will be awarded at the CCAA Annual Grantee and Membership Gala on Saturday, Nov. 19.

All applicants applying for a CAD grant must send a representative to one of the training workshops, offered on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m., and repeated on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m. The workshops will be held at the United Way House in La Plata, 10250 La Plata Road, and will provide instructions and answer questions for all potential applicants for CAD grants. Contact the CCAA Office at 301-392-5900, or info@ charlescountyarts.org, to sign up for one of these classes. Those applying for an Arts in Education grant are not required to attend the workshop.

Completed CAD and AIE grant applications with all required copies must be in the possession of the CCAA Office (not postmarked) no later than noon on Friday, Oct. 21. The CCAA does not accept responsibility for incomplete, lost, misdirected or late applications; such applications will not be considered.

For more information on the CCAA Arts Grant Program, call 301392-5900, email info@ charlescountyarts.org or go to www.charlescountyarts.org/grants.

Democratic Central Committee looks to fill vacancy

The Charles County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC) has a vacancy, and is accepting applications for the purpose of gender balancing to maintain equal representation. As such, the applicant must be a male following Maryland State Democratic Party ByLaws Article III, Section 1.C.5.

All candidates must be a registered Democrat and a bona fide resident of Charles County.

It shall be the duty and responsibility of each member of the Charles County Democratic Central Committee of Maryland to work in the interests of the Maryland Democratic Party and to further the purposes and policies of the party.

All persons interested in being considered for the CCDCC vacancy must send the following documents to ccdccweb@gmail.com or CCDCC, P.O. Box 2710, La Plata, MD 20646 no later than Tuesday, Sept. 8, by 5 p.m.: • letter of intent stating why the applicant would like to serve on the CCDCCBrief; • biography, including full name, address, date of birth, etc.; • resume; • a copy of the applicant’s voter registration card. All applicants must provide evidence regarding their residence (e.g., current copy of a utility bill). All applicants will be subject to a background and/or credit check.

Documents received after the Sept. 8, 5 p.m., deadline and incomplete packets will not be accepted.

Benedict bridge to be closed for 30-minute overnight periods

Monday and Tuesday nights, Aug. 29 and 30, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close the Route 231 (Prince Frederick Road/ Hallowing Point Road) “Benedict Bridge” over the Patuxent River for 30-minute periods. Crews will intermittently close the bridge to vehicles between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., holding traffic on both the Calvert County and Charles County sides.

The closures are necessary for SHA’s contractor to drive piles under the swing span, which requires the structure to be in the open position. All work is weather permitting. SHA advises travelers to plan ahead to avoid crossing overnight or to allow extra time for the 30-minute intermittent closures.

School board celebrates 100 years with lecture series

Travel through time with the Charles County Board of Education in a three-part educational lecture series exploring the history of the board — and education in Charles County — over the past 100 years.

The board is celebrating its 100-year anniversary and has planned three presentations, starting with “Education: Then and Now” from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, at the Port Tobacco Courthouse and One-room Schoolhouse. The presentation begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by breakout sessions including a trip to the Port Tobacco one-room school, discussion about the changes in education and a hands-on lesson.

Segregation and desegregation will be the focus of the second 100th anniversary presentation on Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17, at the McConchie one-room school located at the Charles County Fairgrounds. Hear from teachers and students who attended segregated schools or went through desegregation — and how it impacted them. Several sessions are planned, and a schedule will be posted outside the one-room school during the fair.

The board will wrap up its educational series showing how the school system handles disasters — tornados, hurricanes and more — with a show at the James E. Richmond Science Center. See the special presentation, “When Disaster Strikes, We are Ready,” at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 1. The James E. Richmond Science Center is located inside St. Charles High School.

The public is asked to share stories and photos with the board through email (boardmail@ ccboe.com), the Charles County Board of Education Facebook page or its 100-year anniversary website at http://www. ccboe.com/100years/.

The public can also follow the board’s centennial celebration news by following @ccps on Twitter and using #ccboe100.