‘Know Your Zone’ hurricane preparedness campaign launched

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in conjunction with local emergency managers, is rolling out a new hurricane and severe weather evacuation system. The new system is a result of the Maryland hurricane evacuation study which concluded earlier this year. The study identified specific evacuation zones in the state that are prone to tidal floods and surge. The “Know Your Zone” campaign aims to bring awareness of the identified evacuation zones to Maryland residents making evacuation notices easier to understand.

Charles County residents should know the evacuation zone of their residence, business or vacation site. The zones in Charles County are designated by letters A and B.

Zone A: coastal areas most likely to be impacted by flooding from major tropical storms or categories 1 and 2 hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Zone B: extended coastal areas that will be impacted by severe flooding from major hurricanes, categories 3 and above on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. This zone may also include homes that could be cut off from the evacuation routes due to major flooding of roadways.

Residents and visitors to Maryland are encouraged to visit the new interactive “Know Your Zone” web page at www. KnowYourZoneMd.com. You can learn more about this program and type in an address to quickly find out what zone, if any, the property is located in.

If an evacuation is needed to protect lives, Charles County will issue evacuation orders by zone instead of by geographic descriptions. It is important residents take time to plan for emergency evacuations due to hurricanes and tropical storms.

The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30. Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes and flooding. Prepare by ensuring you know how to receive a warning, have a plan, practice safety tips and know your evacuation zone. Preparedness information can be found on MEMA’s website at mema.maryland.gov. Residents can also download the free MARYLAND Prepares mobile app at mema.mar yland. gov/Pages/mdprepares. aspx.

To register for the Citizen Notification System (CNS) or to manage your message settings, provide preferred contact information and select categories, go to www. CharlesCountyMD.gov/ CNS. CNS updates and alerts are available from Charles County Government, Charles County Public Schools, Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the National Weather Service.

McConchie OneRoom School to open July 4

The McConchie OneRoom School at the Charles County Fairgrounds will be open on July 4th from 3 p.m. until the fireworks begin.

Step into a time capsule and be a student of 100 years ago. Have a handson learning experience sitting at an antique desk in a classroom of a bygone era. Enjoy a family-friendly event with a video, a tour and artifacts. Admission to the schoolhouse is free.

County government offices closed on Independence Day

The county administrator announced in a press release changes to the normal operating schedule for the month of July. All offices, facilities and services not listed will be operating on a normal schedule. Wednesday, July 4 (Independence Day)

• All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed.

• The Charles County Landfill and all recycling centers will be closed.

• Curbside recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed one day for the remaining week, July 5 through July 7.

• VanGO services will not be operating.

• The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, Port Tobacco Recreation Center, Elite Gymnastics and all school based community centers are closed.

• All pools will be open noon-5 p.m. for open swim (Lackey, Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center, North Point, McDonough, and La Plata. Thomas Stone Pool is closed for repairs)

• Charles County Public Library is closed (all branches).

• Charles County Department of Health is closed.

For questions about County Government holiday closures, contact the Public Information Office at 301-8852779 or PressRoom@ CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

All MVA, emissions stations closed June 30

All Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration branch offices and vehicle emissions stations will be closed on Saturday, June 30, for system enhancements. The MDOT MVA Online Store and kiosks will also be unavailable from 11:45 p.m. on Friday, June 29, until Saturday, June 30, at noon.

The offices and emissions stations will reopen Monday, July 2, for normal hours.

Free, secure document shredding offered July 21

The Department of Public Works is providing free, secure, on-site shredding services on July 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Charles County Government Building Parking Lot, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata.

Bring up to five boxes — per vehicle — of personal documents for shredding and recycling. The event is for Charles County residents only.

For more information, call the Department of Public Works’ Environmental Resources Division at 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778.

For additional information, visit www. CharlesCountyMD.gov/ Outreach. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-7352258.

Sailing camp available at St. Mary’s College

The nonprofit Brendan Sailing Camp, now operating in its 34th year, is geared toward children ages 11 to 18 with a wide range learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, hearing problems and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The camp will be at St. Mary’s College of Maryland that this year and includes both daytime sessions and overnight sessions from July 18 to 27.

Children are taught how to sail in a non-competitive environment, as well as how to use sailing as a foundation for building life skills, self-confidence and social ability.

More than 600 students have attended these camps. On the final day of both sessions, parents are invited to take a sail with their camper to show off the skills they have acquired.

Tuition assistance for the $650 camp is available through Brendan’s scholarship program. For more information, go to the camp’s website at www.brendansailing.com or call 202-638-2788.

Ruth’s Miracle black tie fundraiser is July 28

Ruth’s Miracle Group Home Foundation (RMGH) is hosting its 2018 Annual Award Dinner Banquet Fundraiser black tie event July 28, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Center, 3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf.

The night includes delicious cuisine, dancing and live band.

All proceeds will benefit the women, children and the new Ruth’s Miracle Group Home facility. All participants will enjoy an evening of entertainment, prizes, raffle, silent auction, heavy appetizers and fabulous dinner cuisine. And the event will be broadcast live by TV and radio via voxwave. com. Sponsorship opportunities include: purchasing a table at $1,000 and having your logo/ business on our website, your sponsorship listed in our fundraiser event souvenir program book, and your sponsorship announced live on TV and radio during the event. For more information, contact Veronica Alston, executive director, at 202-769-7498 or email ruthsmiracegh@gmail.com. Reserve your tickets today. Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 at the door and $1,000 per table of 10 seats. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ruthsmiraclegh.org by using PayPal or mailing a certified check or money order to Ruth’s Miracle Group Home Foundation, P.O. Box 6711, Largo, MD 20792. RMGHF is a 501(c)3 IRS certified organization whose mission is to provide housing for homeless women and children. Donations are tax-deductible. Log on to our website and like us on Facebook. Ruth’s Miracle Group Home

Foundation is a United Way Community Partner and a Combined Federal Campaign Agency, #24746.

State arts council award nominations due July 30

In 2007, the Maryland State Arts Council’s folklife program, Maryland Traditions, created the state Heritage Awards to recognize outstanding stewardship of Maryland’s living traditions. Each year, three awards are made in the categories of person/people, place, and tradition. Nominations can be submitted via the Heritage Awards form found at www. msac.org/maryland-traditions-heritage-awards. Nominations are due July 30.

Past recipients include The Baltimore American Indian Center, The Sheep and Wool Festival, the Ladies Aid Society of Smith Island and Cambodian ceremonial music master Chum Ngek. Awards will be presented at a public ceremony Dec. 1 at the Proscenium Theatre at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Nominations from the public are invited.

The three awards are based on the following criteria. The person/ people awards are selected based on their demonstration of the highest standards of excellence in such areas as research, documentation, presentation, entrepreneurship, artistry, stewardship and community impact. The place award honors those that specially ser ve to keep traditions alive and are meaningful and effective gathering places or sites for carrying on living or endangered traditions. The tradition award recognizes those that connect communities to cultural heritage in ways that exemplify Mar yland’s dynamic spirit and may include events, occupations, knowledge, cultural scenes and organizations.

The Maryland Heritage Awards were established in honor of folklorist and community leader Alta Schrock (1911-2001). Schrock, a native of Garrett County, taught biology at Frostburg State University and founded publications, events and lasting institutions designed to share and safeguard her region’s traditional art forms. Her achievements in cultural conservation include the creation of The Spruce Forest Artisan Village, Penn Alps, the Journal of the Alleghenies and the Springs Festival. Schrock’s legacy and work are a continuing source of inspiration for the Maryland Traditions Heritage Awards today.