Calendar of events

A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEAD

Send calendar events (at least two weeks in advance, if possible) to Community, 4475 Regency Place, Suite 301, White Plains, MD 20695. Email items to community@somdnews.com. Include a contact phone number or email on all submissions.

Ongoing

Citizens for the Charles County Public Library Fall Used Book Bazaar is now through Oct. 20 at the La Plata Branch Library, 2 Garrett Ave., La Plata. Bag Day is Oct. 19-20; books are $3 per grocery size bag full. Books, CDs, DVDs, puzzles and magazines. Times are 10 a.m to 6 p.m., Monday-Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday.

Mattawoman Creek Art Center presents “Express Charles County in Art 2018,” a juried multimedia art exhibit that runs through Oct. 28. The center in Smallwood State Park in Marbury is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m to 4 p.m.

Free Kayaking Adventure for service members and their families is 9 to 11 a.m. at Smallwood State Park on Saturday mornings through the end of October. There is no park entry fee for service members and their families. Service members will be reimbursed if they use Uber or VanGo for transportation to the event.

Friends of Smallwood State Park in Marbury are looking for volunteers. Programs include Smallwood’s Retreat, landscaping, building renovation, genealogy, grant writing and social media upgrades. Contact Nancy Gill at ngill1007@comcast.net.

Youth and young adults ages 16-24 not in school or working can contact a Youth Mentor at 301-643-0692 at Tri-County Youth Services Bureau to discuss opportunities through the Ready4Life-SOMD Network. Go to www.ready4life-somd.org, email info@ready4life-somd.org or follow @ready4life_somd on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 36 of Waldorf, along with the Air Force Sergeants Association, helps veterans prepare and file VA claims at the Airman Memorial Building, 5211 Auth Road, Suitland. The free service is every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 301-899-3500, ext. 226, for an appointment.

Friday Fun Nights for children ages 5-17 are held at various community center locations. Each month is a different theme. For a list of dates, times and locations, go to www.charlescountyparks.com. Platinum Senior Care Assisted Living LLC hosts Reminiscing Cafe 6-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8-11 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays at the facility, 4018 Blackbird Court, Waldorf. Good for seniors with dementia. Call 301-638-3194.

VConnections holds Veterans Coffee Breaks 9-10:30 a.m. Mondays at Chickfil-A, 107 Drury Drive, La Plata; the second Tuesday of each month at Burger King, 30004 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall; Wednesdays at Chickfil-A, 3365 Crain Highway, Waldorf; the second Thursday of each month at Chick-fil-A, 16003 Crain Highway, Brandywine; and for women veterans the second Friday of each month at Chick-fil-A, 107 Drury Drive, La Plata. Go to www.vconnections.org. Pomfret Way-of-Life Al-Anon Family Group

and Alateen meets 8 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Joseph Church, 4950 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret. Go to www.marylanddc-alanon.org or call 1-800-425-2666.

Kiwanis of Waldorf meets Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Comfort Suites, 11765 Business Park Drive, Waldorf. Contact Millie Kriemelmeyer at 301-372-8766 or mkriemelmeyer@me.com.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, NARFE, Indian Head Chapter 126 meets at noon the first Thursday of each month at Mama Stella’s Pasta House Restaurant, 7075 Indian Head Highway, Bryans Road. Contact Joan Wright, 301-246-4112 or jkw1108@ verizon.net.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 82 holds bingo on Thursdays at Harry White Wilmer American Legion Post 82, 6330 Crain Highway, La Plata. Early birds

begin 7 p.m. Doors open 6 p.m. Call 301-934-8221.

VConnections assists senior and elderly veterans and families 2-4 p.m. every Thursday at Clark Senior Center, 1210 Charles St., La Plata. By appointment only. For information, go to www. vconnections.org. Southern Maryland Brain

Injury Support Group meets 6-7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Spring Dell Center, 6040 Radio Station Road, La Plata. Call Jerry at 301-753-6335 or Debbie at 301-932-4920. Friday Nighters Al-Anon

Family Group meets 8:30 p.m. Fridays at LifeStream Church of the Nazarene, 5105 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf. No Alateen meeting. Go to www.marylanddc-alanon.org or call 1-800-4252666. Stagg Hall and the Historic Port Tobacco Village are open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and by appointment on Monday at 8450 Commerce St., Port Tobacco. Free. Call 301-392-3418. The Indian Head Farmers

Market is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 18 and noon-6 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 15 at 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head. Crafters welcome. Register at curtis@townofindianhead.org.

Thursday, Oct. 18

24th annual “When the Hammer Falls” Crab Feast, a Charles Regional Medical Center Foundation fundraiser, is 2 to 8:30 p.m. at Captain Billy’s Crab House, 11495 Popes Creek Road, Newburg. Platters of all-you-can-eat crabs, raffles and the infamous cake wheel. Funds support the construction the Julie and Bill Dotson Center for Breast Health in La Plata. For tickets, go to crmcfoundation.org/ crab or call 301-609-4132.

Lifestyles of Maryland and the Community Development

Network are holding a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. for Southern Crossing, a supportive housing development at the White House Motel, 11150 Crain Highway, Newburg. To register, go to http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/ event?oeidk=a07efp8x9xl89070e08&llr=hleylicab.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Chapter 1972, will meet at 1 p.m. at Waldorf West Library, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf. The guest speaker is Susan Allgood of Aetna. For information, call 301-848-3476. Maryland Department

of Planning is hosting a public meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Waldorf Cultural Center, 109 Post Office Road, Waldorf. Second round of outreach for development plan, A Better Maryland. American Legion Post

293 is hosting Steak and Cheese Sandwich Night, à la carte menu, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the post, 3210 Old Washington Road, Waldorf.

Friday, Oct. 19

Mattawoman Creek Art Center’s “Rock thru the Ages” is 6 to 10 p.m. at the Waldorf Jaycee’s Community Center, 3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf. Dress in costume from the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s. Tickets are $65; go to http://MCACrocks.com. American Legion Post 238 will hold a Steak Dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the post, 6265 Brandywine Road, Hughesville. The cost is $15. Public invited. For information, call 301-274-3522 or go to Facebook at American Legion Post 238.

A Night at the Races will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center, 3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf, to raise funds for the Lions Club Camp Merrick. The event will feature appetizers, live music, live auction horse racing, an open bar and more. Cost is $45 per person. For tickets, call 301-870-5858, email info@lionscampmerrick.com or go to www.lcmnightattheraces.com.

Harry White Wilmer Sons of The American Legion Squadron 82 will hold a baby back rib dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 82, 6330 N. Crain Highway, La Plata. The menu includes 1/2 slab of ribs, ranch beans, coleslaw, fries, rolls, coffee and tea. The cost is $12. Gift certificates are available. The public is welcome. For information, call 301-934-8221, or go to alpost82.org. AMVETS Post 13 Chinese

Chicken Casserole Dinner is 6 to 8 p.m. at the post, 2310 Old Washington Road, Waldorf. Green beans, roll, salad, dessert, $9.

Saturday, Oct. 20

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House museum docent Bob Bowser interprets the story of convicted conspirator Ned Spangler at 1 p.m. at the museum, 3725 Dr. Samuel Mudd Road, Waldorf. Bowser will discuss the Spangler artifacts on display. Talks are free but seating is limited. Charles County Master

Gardener plant clinic is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the La Plata Farmers Market, intersection of Talbot Street and Washington Avenue (previously held at Waldorf market). Get answers to your lawn and garden questions. Neighbors Eager To Serve

(NETS) is holding its Harvest Dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 7 Potomac Ave., Indian Head. The menu: Parmesan chicken with spaghetti, bread and dessert. Adults, $15; children 6-12, $7.50; and kids under 6, free. Proceeds help maintain the NETS Food Pantry. Tickets available at the door, or in advance by calling Connie at 301934-6881 or Louis at 301-375-7626. Magic and Illusion Show with Speed to benefit Charles County Crime Solvers is at 7 p.m. at the Family Life Center, Grace Lutheran Church/School, 1200 Charles St., La Plata. Tickets are $30 at smbn. org or by calling Cindy at 301-374-9059.

Insect Art Show is from 6 to 8 p.m. at Shop 53 Tattoo Studio, 6 St. Mary’s Ave., Suite 102 (next to The Greene Turtle). Charles County Board of

Social Services is holding its first 5K Run/Walk from 9 a.m. to noon (registration begins at 7:30) at 305 Queen Anne St., La Plata. Registration is $15. Proceeds will support community projects such as the new Clifford House Visitation Center for children in foster care. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/LaPlata/CharlesCountyBOSS5K, or call 301-3926600. Port Tobacco Players

children’s auditions by appointment for “James and the Giant Peach” are 9 a.m. at the theater, 508 E. Charles St., La Plata. To schedule an appointment, call the producer at 301-752-5651. For information, go to http://www.ptplayers.com/audition-announcement.html. American Legion Auxiliary

Unit 293 Roadside BBQ is 1 to 4 p.m. at 2310 Old Washington Road, Waldorf. Half chicken, two sides, roll, cookie, $12.

American Legion Post 293 Texas Hold-em Tournament, $100 buy-in, 5:45 p.m. sign-up, at VFW Post 8810/American Legion Post 293, 2310 Old Washington Road, Waldorf. St. Mary Star of the Sea

Holiday Antique Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Church Hall, 30 Mattingly Ave., Indian Head. Antiques, jewelry, toys, holiday items and food. $2 donation at the door.

Brilliant Builders is 10 to 11 a.m. at Smallwood State Park, Discovery Center, 2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury. A walk and talk about the impact of beavers on the ecosystem. For information, call 301-743-7613.

Exploring the Mid-Century Modern Architecture of Piscataway Park is 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s Cafritz Environmental Center, 2001 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek. Cost is $10 for just a talk or $34 to include a program book, home tours and a mixer. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2M9bPnz.

Pasta with a Purpose to benefit Good Neighbors of Appalachia is 5 to 8 p.m. at Christ Church Accokeek, 600 Farmington Road W., Accokeek. Dinner includes pasta, salad, bread and dessert. 50/50 raffle; basket auction. Free; donations.