The Prince George’s Post
A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Since 1932
Vol. 75, No. 48 November 29 — December 5, 2007
Prince George’s County, Maryland
Newspaper of Record
Christmas Shopping Starts
Before Thanksgiving Day
By KATE PRAHLAD
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS – As soon as she
started taking down the Halloween
decorations from her Annapolis
crafts store, Natalie Silitch
replaced them with silver-frosted
pine cones, grinning reindeer with
evergreen antlers, and angel treetoppers.
“We decorated the store then
for Christmas, put the ornaments
out and tons of gifts,” said Silitch,
who said Christmas shoppers
“really started in” to her store in
the first weekend of November.
She is just one of the many
local retailers seeing the holiday
shopping season starting early —
very early.
While the traditional start to
holiday shopping is Black Friday,
the day after Thanksgiving, more
than 40 percent of shoppers began
buying gifts before Halloween this
year, according to the National
Retail Federation.
“The actual holiday shopping
season starts much earlier, and it’s
been earlier and earlier each year,”
said Jie Zhang, an assistant mar-
Toy Troubles
Don’t Factor in
Holiday Sales
keting professor at the University
of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith
School of Business.
But the day after Thanksgiving
“still holds a significant symbolic
place as the official kick-off to holiday shopping season,” she said.
“There’s always a media buzz
about how retailers did.”
For retailers this year, however,
the weeks before Black Friday will
be just as important to the bottom
line as the weeks after, even with
an unusually long span between
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Retailers began their holiday
By RICK DOCKSAI
Courtesy Capital News Service
Retailers began their holiday promotions weeks ago to lure early shoppers.
promotions weeks ago to lure
those early shoppers.
“Wal-Mart starts early with
deep discounts,” Zhang said. She
said this year, the store picked 12
toys to be the hot picks for the season and began discounting those
See SHOPPING, Page A7
Holiday
Sweetness
See TOYS, Page A7
Gingerbread House Contest & Show
Courtesy M-NCPPC
Do you like gingerbread?
These are not cookies to eat, but
you can marvel at our bakers’ creativity at the 8th annual Gingerbread
House Contest and Show at Darnall’s
Chance House Museum through Dec.
9, 2007.
This show is guaranteed to delight
children and adults of all ages as they
admire the talent of local bakers who
live within the community.
Visitors to the show will have an
opportunity to vote for the Viewers’
Special
Session Tax
on Cheap
Cigars a
Near-Miss
Choice Awards given to one child
entry and one adult entry.
The show is open daily from noon
until 5 p.m. Darnall’s Chance is located at 14800 Gov. Oden Bowie Drive,
Upper Marlboro, MD. Admission is
$1 per person.
For information about the contest
and show, call 301-952-8010, TTY
301-699-2544.
This special holiday program is
offered by The Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning
Commission, Department of Parks
and Recreation.
By ANDY ZIEMINSKI
Courtesy Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS – State lawmakers increased taxes on cigarettes during the special session,
but the loosie slipped through
their fingers.
A provision that would have
extended the new cigarette tax to
some low-price cigars — known
as “loosies” because they can be
sold individually or in packs —
was abandoned.
Supporters of the effort,
WASHINGTON – Maryland’s
food banks are coming up short
this holiday season.
Food contributions to charitable organizations throughout
Maryland are not meeting expectations. Many were forced to scale
back their Thanksgiving baskets
and other donations for that holiday.
“I think everybody’s feeling a
crunch,” said Deborah Flateman,
chief executive officer of the
Maryland Food Bank, the largest
such group in the state.
The Maryland Food Bank, one
of more than 200 nationwide
sponsored by America’s Second
Harvest, provides nearly 12 million pounds of food annually to
1,000 different community groups.
And though the year-to-date
donations are up roughly 600,000
pounds from this time last year,
Flateman said, the group only has
about 2 weeks of inventory on
hand and is distributing 3 percent
more than last year.
“We’re concerned about the
amount of food we’re able to
attract,” she said. “We’re concerned about the donated product.”
Flateman’s group isn’t alone.
The Western Maryland Food
Bank in Cumberland holds a
“Bags of Plenty” food drive each
November. This year, the event ran
from Nov. 11-21.
The campaign sent brown bags
to area residents to fill and return.
The food bank also markets its
program and has donation bins set
up throughout Allegany County.
Despite this promotion, the
campaign is about 1,000 pounds
ANNAPOLIS – The General Assembly’s decision to reduce expected aid to local school districts
by $152 million in the next fiscal year has teachers
and county officials worried that they are in for “a
difficult time over the next two years.”
The freeze on local aid was one of several measures approved in the just-ended special session that
aimed to close a projected $1.7 billion deficit next
year.
Prince George’s County’s school aid will be
scaled back $29,340.200. Now it is up to local officials to figure out how to deal with the cuts to their
individual budgets
Gov. Martin O’Malley has already signed the bill
that would limit increases in education spending to 1
percent a year for the next two fiscal years and no
more than 5 percent every year thereafter.
Without the change, the state would have been
obligated to boost education spending by 5.2 percent
next year under the Thornton law, which mandates
annual inflation-indexed increases in school aid.
“I’m really concerned about the impact this funding reduction is going to have on senior staff, who
are going to see little economic incentive to stay on
the job,” said Hal Keller, executive director of fiscal
services for Frederick County Public Schools.
The reductions mean Frederick County, alone,
will lose nearly $7.9 million in state aid next year.
Those first two years will be hard times for
school districts, said Dan Kauffman, spokesman for
the Maryland State Teachers Association, which has
many members from Prince George’s County.
“We think 5 percent is keeping pace. But clearly,
we’re in for a difficult time over the next two years,”
Kauffman said.
He said his association will lobby local governments to provide school systems additional help to
make up for lost state funding.
“It’s up to each local jurisdiction. We’re going to
be pushing hard for them to provide more help to
schools rather than less,” he said.
But local governments will find it difficult to help
out, said Michael Sanderson, legislative director for
the Maryland Association of Counties. MACO estimates that every county but Kent will see a drop in
state aid under the measure passed this last week.
“It’s going to be a challenge when they are
putting together their county budgets,” Sanderson
said.
The governor will propose a state budget in
January, and counties are responsible for producing
their own budgets between January and June.
Robert Thomas, a spokesman for Harford County
Executive David Craig, said that until those budgets
are drafted, it is too early to determine what his
See SCHOOL AID, Page A7
which also would have prohibited the sale of single loosies, said
it would have improved health in
urban areas like Baltimore City,
where brands like Black & Mild
are popular among young blacks.
“We thought it was great. We
were sorry that it didn’t stay in,”
said Vincent DeMarco, president
of the Maryland Citizens’ Health
Initiative.
But opponents said the legislation unfairly singled out the
Black & Mild brand.
Food Banks Face Shortfalls With Rising Need
By ROB TRICCHINELLI
Capital News Service
25 cents
State School
Aid Cuts
Worrisome
By KATE PRAHLAD
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS – What kids want, kids get.
And kids want toys. Despite the toy recalls that
have made news this year, analysts expect the toy
industry will still rake it in this holiday season.
“Kids are going to call the shots here,” said P.K.
Kannan, an associate professor of marketing at the
University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of
Business.
Across the board, toys might see “maybe minus 5
percent” in revenues in response to the recalls,
Kannan said, but not for any specific brands.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
recalled millions of Chinese-made toys this summer
because of lead contamination or defective designs.
“It seems like the recalls have slowed down a little bit, but there was a period where every day there
was another recall,” said Raquel Guillory, spokeswoman for the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.
“It’s often hard for consumers to keep track of all of
these recalls, updates, changes added to the list.”
But the timing of the recalls likely will not hurt
the toy industry, Kannan said.
“Consumers tend to forget,” Kannan said. “If the
recalls had been just before holiday season, they
might have had a bigger impact.”
Toy sales totaled $8 billion from January to June
of this year, a 3 percent increase over the same period last year, according to a report from the research
firm NPD Group. Retail toy sales for all of 2006
were over $22.3 billion, the report said.
The majority of the toy recalls took place about
six months ago, Kannan said. When manufacturers
own up to recalls, it gets “confidence back for the
consumers, so overall you’re not going to find much
of an impact,” he said.
One reaction consumers might have is to move
away from giving toys, and instead buy books and
other media such as CDs and DVDs, Kannan said.
“But toys are still one of the biggest sale items
during the holiday season,” he said.
Toys sold best in the fourth quarter of 2006, producing $10.6 billion in sales, helped by four “supercategories” that included youth electronics, vehicles,
arts and crafts and infant/preschool. The super-categories combined generated over $9 billion in retail
Phone: 301-627-0900
behind where it was last year, and
2,000 pounds behind its goal,
according to Diana Loar, the food
bank’s director.
“We’re hoping so,” said Loar
about whether that goal will ultimately be met. “We’re trying to
make that happen.”
The First Wesleyan Church in
Easton distributed 220
Thanksgiving food boxes Tuesday
to Talbot County residents.
The boxes were expected to
reach 1,000 people, said The Rev.
See FOOD BANKS, Page A7
“We believe it’s unfair to target a single tobacco product
brand, to tax it differently than its
competitors,” said David Sutton,
a spokesman for Philip Morris,
which owns the Black & Mild
brand.
The language was proposed
by Del. Shawn Tarrant and Sen.
Nathaniel McFadden, both
Baltimore Democrats.
It would have required retailers to sell the cigars, including
See LOOSIES, Page A7
INSIDE
COMMUNITY
Safter Towns
PEPCO recently donated 830 smoke alarms,
which will be installed in homes throughout the
Prince George’s community.
A3
BUSINESS
Recycling Advances
Prince George’s County has made a promise to
invest in trend-cutting recycling efforts for this
and future generations. Read about the recent
push in this direction.
A5
A2 — November 29 — December 5, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post
Towns and
NEIGHBORS
Clinton Conversations
By NORMA FAZENBAKER
301-579-6116
Thanksgiving was a beautiful day, until it decided to get
cold and windy. I hope that all
my readers had a wonderful
day with their friends and family. Now, it is on to Christmas,
and let’s all hope that Dec. 21
comes soon so the days can
begin again getting a little
longer.
• The National Conference
Center in Landsdowns, Va.,
will be the scene for an
Exclusive eWomenNetwork
“Accelerated Networking” dinner. This will be a Holiday
Shopping Extravaganza. What
better way to learn about
Leesburg/Loudon
eWomenNetwork services and
products than through networking and shopping. The time is
6 to 8 p.m. Contact Pamela H.
Jackson for more information
at 703-450-1687 or go to [email protected]
m. Another of these seminars
will take place at The City
Club on Dec. 12. This will be
a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. Dress in fun, sparkly
holiday attire and network with
the group. Celebrate the collective success of 2007 and
look forward to helping one
another in 2008. For this
extravaganza, you should get
in touch with Susan Wight at
703-343-2145 or go to [email protected].
•When last year’s party
dress doesn’t fit, you may feel
a need to take drastic steps.
Instead of going on a hunger
strike, the Cancer Society recommends eating a little less at
every meal. A 150-pound
women who walks 30 minutes
each day needs 2,250 calories
per day to maintain her weight.
She could lose weight at a reasonable rate by cutting 500
calories per day and aim for
1,750 calories instead. Start by
avoiding supersized portions.
Penn State researchers found
that people feel equally satisfied after eating either an 8inch or 12-inch sub sandwich.
Use small bowls and plates so
you won’t feel deprived, and
get an idea of how your portions compare to the serving
size on the label by using measuring cups. Cut a two-cup
portion of pasta in half and
drop 160 calories. Opt for two,
not three, slices of pizza and
drop 140 to 250 calories. At
lunch, try fruit instead of potato chips. Switch to water or
unsweetened tea instead of
soda or sweetened tea, and
drop 150 calories per 12 ounce
glass. Avoid miscellaneous
calories when snacking your
way through dinner preparations or on the road. Your
waistline will thank you and
you will be taking an important
step in lowering your cancer
risk. This information came
from the Cancer Society’s
newsletter.
Marry a person who has
good conversational skills. As
you get older, these skills will
be more important than any
other.
In and Around Morningside Skyline
By MARY MCHALE
301-735-3451
Crystal Peyton & Jeff
Frederick
Wed at Brookside
Gardens
Jeffrey David Frederick and
Crystal Erica Peyton were married Oct. 20 at Brookside
Gardens in Wheaton. Parents
of the groom are Michael and
Frederick
of
Susan
Morningside; parents of the
bride are Barbara Peyton-Lane,
of Waldorf, and the late
Christopher Lane.
Crystal was given in marriage by her godfather Jesse
Thomas, of Camp Springs, who
stood in for her brother Damon
who is serving with the Army in
Iraq.
The bride’s attendants were
maid of honor Cora Atkinson
and
bridesmaids
Fariha
Quasem, LaKiah Williams and
Porsche Suggs. The best man,
Jerry Mack, came from
Brandon, Fla., for the occasion.
Groomsmen were Lee Johnson
and Alexander Frederick, brother of the groom. Seven-yearold Asya Peyton was flower girl
and D.J. Peyton, 5, was ringbearer; both are children of
Crystal’s brother Damon. A
reception followed at The
Gallery in Silver Spring.
Among the guests were
Crystal’s
grandmother,
Peyton
of
Margaret
Washington; her aunt and uncle,
Betty and Ray Kilbourne of
Brandywine; Jeff’s grandmother, Marion Frederick/Harrower
of Sun City Center, Fla.; and his
aunts and uncles, Bob and
Sandy Frederick with their children, Rebecca and Greg, of
Rockville; and Anne and Rick
Collins, of Ohio.
Crystal graduated from
Suitland High School in 2001
and studied political science at
the University of Maryland,
Flea Market,
Dec. 8 in Clinton
An indoor flea market featuring free gift
wrapping will take place
on Saturday, Dec. 8
from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
the Camp Springs
Community Church
located at 8040
Woodyard Road in
Clinton.
If you would like to
rent a table for the event
or need more information about the flea market or gift wrapping
please call 301-8683030.
College Park. She is currently
employed by the Federal
Transit Administration and is
pursuing a master’s in
Campaign Management at
George Washington University.
graduated
from
Jeff
Suitland High in 2002 and has a
bachelor of arts from the
College of Creative Studies in
Detroit. He is a production
for
the
Water
artist
Environment Federation.
Following a honeymoon in
the Shenandoah Valley, the
newly-weds are making their
home in Clinton.
Victorian Christmas
& 150th Anniversary
My great-grandparents, Dr.
Samuel Mudd and Sarah
Frances Dyer were wed on Nov.
26, 1857, 150 years ago. The
event was celebrated this month
at the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd
Home museum with a slice of
wedding cake for the last visitors to the house before it closes for the season. It will reopen
for tours in late March.
However, their 6th annual
Victorian Christmas will be
held the weekend of Dec. 1 and
2. This lovely event shows the
house decorated as it might
have been back in the1860s,
with candlelight, period trees
and decorations, a Civil War
Santa Claus with his 19th century toys, and a Civil War
encampment on the grounds—
with soldiers from both the
North and the South, getting
along quite well. There are also
refreshments. Hours are 11
a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission, $5
for adults and $2 for children
(members free). From Prince
George’s, take Route 5 (which
becomes Leonardtown Road) to
Poplar Hill Road, to Dr. Samuel
Mudd Road. For more information, call 301-645-6870 or
301-274-9358.
Neighbors
Ezekiel A. Bloyce, principal
of Morningside Elementary
School, has been named a
Principal of Excellence in the
Washington Post’s annual
Distinguished
Educational
Leadership Awards. I’ll be following up on this wonderful
news story.
• Gina Foster and Sharon
Fowler hosted a baby shower
for Katie Frostbutter on Nov. 11
at the Morningside Town Hall.
• Members of the Villages
of Camp Springs Civic
Association will be out cleaning
up Auth Road on Dec. 1.
They’re meeting at 9 a.m. at the
corner of Barto and Auth. If
you’re willing to lend a hand,
show up with your favorite
heavy gloves. For information,
call Phil Eppard, 301-423-1787.
• The Morningside Police
hired a new officer, Michael
Schlaerth, on Aug. 13. He
comes from Lassen County,
Calif., where he was a deputy
sheriff. Having
completed
Maryland’s
Comparative
Compliance classes, he has
been in field training with the
Morningside force for several
weeks and is now patrolling on
his own. Chief Amos Damron
says, “We are very excited to
have him on our team.” The
department is now seven
strong.
• A Morningsider was heard
to complain that the town did
not fly the flag at Glaubitz
Circle on Veterans Day. Mayor
Karen Rooker says their flag is
tattered, and she promises the
matter will be discussed at the
next council meeting.
• St. Philip’s Sodality still
has a few of its handsome 50th
anniversary cookbooks for sale.
Might be a good Christmas gift
for your favorite cook. The
price is $25. To order, call
Karin, 301-899-7784.
May They Rest in Peace
Frank Walter “Woozie”
Sr.,
Langley
longtime
Morningsider, died Oct. 10.
Neighbors say that he could
often be seen out working in the
yard of his Boxwood Drive
home. He was the husband of
Mary Ellen Langley; father of
Roxanna and Frank; grandfather of Kevin and Kayla. He
was the brother of Jimmy, Anna
Marie, Marian and the late Jack.
Services were at Lee’s with burial at Cedar Hill.
• Theresa N. Saylor, of
Owings and formerly of Camp
Springs, died Oct. 8. She was
born and raised in Southwest
Washington. She was the wife
of the late Nevin K. Saylor;
mother of Joan Donnelly and
Marie Bostic; grandmother of
five and great-grandmother of
three. Services were at Jesus
the Good Shepherd in Owings
with burial at Resurrection
Cemetery.
• Geraldine Anne Hamm
“Geri” Logan, 80, school secretary at Mount Calvary School
in Forestville for many years,
died Nov. 6. She was the
widow of John Paul Logan Sr.
Survivors include a daughter,
three sons, seven grandchildren,
five great-grandchildren and a
great-great-grandson.
Milestones
Birthday
greetings
to
Dolores Steinhilber and Sharon
McKlveen, Nov. 22; Leslie
Greene,
Nov.
23;
Ben
Gryskewicz and Mike Waby,
Nov. 24; Andrew Gryskewicz,
Ayanna Williams and Mary
Gaither, Nov. 25; Darryl
Moss, Nov. 26; and Thomas
Shipman, Sr., Nov. 28.
Happy anniversary to Paul
and Sharon Locke on Nov. 22,
and to Gary and Ivy Kline, Nov.
28.
Serving Suitland
By JANICE EUELL
301-736-3481
Prayerfully, all of you had a
wonderful holiday feasting on
the various Thanksgiving
menus.
There were loads of people
who ate because someone
cared that they did for
Thanksgiving.
We hope that those groups
that gave for Thanksgiving will
remember that those same families could be in need of food
throughout the year.
Maybe adopting a family
for an entire year would be a
great way to improve some-
one’s quality of life.
Thanks to the generosity of
so many people, ROJA was
able to distribute 70
Thanksgiving baskets complete
with turkeys, all the dressings,
fruit and vegetables.
Families and senior citizens
at Parkway Terrace and
Parkland Village apartments,
and other residents in
Suitland, District Heights, Fort
Washington, and Temple Hills
were recipients of those blessings.
The Ronald E. McNair
Masonic Lodge No. 146,
MISR Temple No. 213, Karen
Anderson, a dedicated Suitland
resident and community
activist, Pilgrimage Christian
Church and Galilee Baptist
Church were the donors of
more than 70 totally stuffed
holiday baskets. Galilee was a
major contributor with 35 baskets donated.
On behalf of all of the children and families whose holiday was ripe with blessings,
much appreciation is expressed
to all of you for caring.
Welcome back to Carol
Jones and her family who were
on a much needed vacation on
a cruise.
Remember, ‘tis really is
the season to be jolly.
PHOTO COURTESY NATALIE COLE
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Jeffery McCarter
McCarter, Cole Wed
Natalie Marie Cole and
Raymond Jeffrey McCarter
Jr. of Forestville, Md., tied
the knot on Nov. 11, 2007.
Natalie, a Prince
George’s County native,
received her bachelor’s
degree from George Mason
University in 2004 and is
completing a master’s
degree in Organizational
Communications at Bowie
State University. She is the
Public Relations Specialist
for Prince George’s
Community College.
Raymond, a Philadelphia
native, also received his
bachelor’s degree from
George Mason University
and is a Billing Accountant
for Computer Sciences
Corporation in Falls Church,
Va.
The wedding ceremony
and reception was held at
Martin’s Crosswinds in
Greenbelt, Md.
Brandywine/Aquasco
By RUTH TURNER
301-888-1139
Trip to New Orleans
Bowie State National
Alumni Association is sponsoring a Biloxi and New
Orleans trip by motor coach
Aug. 9 to 17, Saturday
through Sunday, for $675
per person double occupancy. The trip includes eight
nights of lodging; four consecutive nights at a casino
hotel on the Mississippi
Gulf Coast; 14 meals; eight
breakfasts; six dinners;
guided tour of New Orleans;
Mississippi Riverboat
Cruise; admission to
NASA’S Stennis Space
Center and more. Leave
Bowie State University at 8
a.m., Aug. 9. Call Addie
Martin at 301-868-6081 or
Barbara Butler at 410-5463425.
Senior Programs
M-NCPPC Department of
Parks and Recreation offers
a variety of senior programs
that include day trips, social
events, fitness programs
and health fairs at community centers. Visit
www.pgparks.com/thingssenior.html.
Kennedy Center Events
The Nutcracker will perform
Dec. 18 - 23 at the American
Ballet Theater at the
Kennedy Center, 2700 F St.,
N.W., Washington D.C. The
Choral Arts Society of
Washington will perform
Christmas music Monday,
Dec. 24, at 1 p.m. at the
Concert Hall. Call 800-4441324 or 202-467-4600 for
information and tickets.
Prayer Breakfast
The annual prayer breakfast
will be held on Saturday,
Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon
at St. Philip’s Baden Parish
Hall, 18301 BadenWestwood Road,
Brandywine. Guest speaker
will be The Rev. Sandra
Smith, pastor of Cooper’s
United Methodist Church in
Dunkirk. Donation: adults,
$12; and children ages six to
12, $6. Children five years
old and younger will be
admitted free. For information and tickets call: E.
Jones, 301-420-4323; R.
Hinnant, 301-627-1235; and
B. Magruder, 301-372-6585.
Nottingham Myers Church
Ushers at Nottingham Myers
United Methodist Church
will be celebrating their 39th
anniversary at 4 p.m.,
Sunday, Dec. 9. The Rev.
Dr. Ianther Mills will be the
speaker. The anniversary
celebration will take place at
the church, which is located
at 15601 Brooks Church
Road, Upper Marlboro.
The Prince George’s Post
The Prince George’s Post
P.O. Box 1001
15207 Marlboro Pike
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3151
Phone 301-627-0900
Legal Fax • 301-627-6260
Editorial Fax • 301-627-8147
Contents © 2004, The Prince George’s Post
Editor/Publisher
Legusta Floyd
General Manager/
Legal Advertising Manager
Brenda Boice
Legal Advertising Assistant
Robin Boerckel
Subscriptions
Anna Curry
Acting Editor
Suzanne White
Web Manager
Kyler Quesenberry
Prince George’s County, Md. Member National Newspaper Publishers
Association, and the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Press Association.
The Prince George’s Post (ISSN 10532226) is published every Thursday
by the New Prince George’s Post Inc., 15207 Marlboro Pike,
Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151.
Subscription rate: 25 cents per single copy; $15 per year;
$7.50 senior citizens and students; out of county add $1; out of state add
$2. Periodical postage paid at Southern Md. 20790.
Postmaster, send address changes to Prince George’s Post, P.O. Box
1001, Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151.
November 29 — December 5, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post —A3
COMMUNITY
JUST FOR SENIORS
Line Dancing with Gwen
Everybody get up out of your
seat and participate in 30 of
the best minutes you will
spend all month. Thursday,
Nov. 29, 1:30 - 2 p.m. Join
Harmony Haller Gwen Purcell,
and have fun exercising and
dancing No reservations
required. Ages 60 and older.
Free. Harmony Hall Regional
Center, 10701 Livingston
Road, Fort Washington. 301203-6040; TTY 301-203-6030.
Healthy Heart & Cardio
A health professional from the
National Institute of Health
Heart Center at Suburban
Hospital will conduct a workshop on maintaining a healthy
heart and cardiovascular system. Monday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.
- noon. Ages 60 and older.
Free. Cora B. Wood Senior
Center, 3601 Taylor Street,
Brentwood. 301-699-1238;
TTY 301-445-4512.
Blood Pressure Screening
Have your blood pressure
checked by staff from Holy
Cross Hospital. Tuesday, Dec.
4, 10:45-11:45 a.m. Ages 60
and older. Free. Langley Park
Senior Center, 1500 Merrimac
Drive, Hyattsville. 301-4084343; TTY 301-445-4512.
Trip to Alexandria, VA
We will visit Carlyle House,
George Washington Masonic
Memorial and Old Town. Fee
includes transportation.
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-5
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS OPENS
p.m. Lunch is on your own.
Reservations required. Ages
60 and older. Fee: Resident
$10; Non-Resident $12. Mount
Rainier Nature & Recreation
Center, 4701 31st Place,
Mount Rainier. 301-927-2163;
TTY 301-699-2544
SMARTlink #108285.
Washington National
Cathedral Tour & Tea
Dignitaries have preached
there. Presidents have worshipped there. Royals have
walked its halls and the most
magnificent music played
there. Experience the majesty,
splendor and wonder of the
famed Washington National
Cathedral. Receive discount
coupons and browse in the gift
salon. Wednesday, December
5, 10:45 a.m.-5 p.m.
Reservations required. Fee
includes transportation, tours,
exhibits, tea and discount
coupons. The bus leaves from
the rear lower level parking
lot. Ages 60 and older. Fee:
$28/person. Harmony Hall
Regional Center, 10701
Livingston Road, Fort
Washington. 301-203-6040;
TTY 301-203-6030.
COURTESY M-NCPPC
One of your holiday plans should include visiting the 21st annual Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park open through Tuesday, January 1,
2008 from 5-9:30 pm. Drive through the park and enjoy seeing animated displays made up of more than one million twinkling lights. Canned goods donations for local food banks are greatly appreciated. The fee is: $5/car or van, $15/mini-bus or limo, $15/bus, and $10/multi-visit pass that is good for three
visits, and is transferable. Watkins Regional Park is located at 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Md. For information call 301-699-2456, TTY 301218-6768.
Two Local
Residents
Join the
Air Force
The following Prince
George’s County residents
have joined the United States
Air Force :
• Corey Banaszak, 19;
2006 graduate of Frederick
Douglass High School, enlisted as a communications cable
technician; went to basic train-
ing in San Antonio, Texas, on
Oct. 30 and will graduate on
Dec. 21; parents Rob and
Katharina
Banaszak
of
Suitland, Md.
• Heidi Leyh, 18; 2007
graduate of Largo High
School, enlisted as a medical
technician; went to basic train-
ing in San Antonio, Texas on
Oct. 16 and will graduate on
Dec. 7; parents Peter and Rosa
Leyh of Owings, Md.
If you would like to learn
more about the Air Force, contact Sgt. Mike Nellis at 301394-0546 or visit his office in
the Capital Center Boulevard.
PEPCO Donates 830 Smoke Alarms
Courtesy FIRE/EMT DEPT.
Thanksgiving morning, 1987, a fire
consumed a Seat Pleasant home injuring
eight adults and taking the lives of six
children. This fire is one that lives on in
the memories of public safety officials
who were involved in this incident.
Firefighters, paramedics, police officers and dispatchers mark each
Thanksgiving morning with a thought
about that incident and what role they
played.
The fire had such an impact on the
department that a life-saving program was
developed and implemented to ensure
working smoke alarms. The Post Incident
Neighborhood Intervention Program is still
used today after any significant incident.
Firefighters, medics and civilian personnel visit communities after a significant
incident and talk with homeowners about
fire safety and injury prevention tips as
well as ensuring a working smoke alarm
into heir homes. A spin-off of the PINIP
is currently underway within Prince
George’s County whereas every home will
be visited to offer safety information and
alarms. We are currently in the second
year of the Proactive Residential
Information Distribution Effort (PRIDE)
with nearly 11,000 homes visited and 200
alarms distributed.
Several public safety members were
invited to the podium to describe their
roles and memories from 22 ago. Their
compassionate description of the events as
they remember were clear as to why the
Fire/EMS Department felt the need to do
more to ensure working smoke alarms in
every home.
These life saving smoke alarm programs would not be possible if it were not
for the efforts of members of the business
community that continue to provide
resources to ensure smoke alarms are
available to distribute at no cost. Today,
PEPCO has donated 800 smoke alarms
and 30 smoke alarms for the hearing
impaired for distribution to our citizens
and residents. Additionally, Battalion
Chief Dennis Wood donated back to the
Fire/EMS Department an award he
received from a leading fire service trade
publication. In July 2007, FIREHOUSE
Magazine awarded Battalion Chief Wood
for his role in coordinating the
Department’s PRIDE program and presented him with a check for $100.
Battalion Chief Wood is donating those
funds to the Fire/EMS Department earmarked for the purchase of smoke alarms.
Fire Investigators determined the cause
of the fire to be accidental and attributed
to a child playing with matches. The
Fire/EMS Department provided information about a Juvenile Fire Setter Program
that is available to citizens and residents if
they recognize a more then casual interest
in young children and fire. Anyone who
may be interested in the program should
call 301-583-1880.
Maryland Medicare Prescription Drug
Plan Open Enrollment Workshop
The Maryland Senior Prescription Drug
Assistance Program (SPDAP) is hosting a
free Medicare open enrollment workshop
in your area to help beneficiaries understand changes coming to Medicare Part D
prescription plan drug coverage in 2008.
Unbiased Maryland representatives will
provide one-on-one assistance to review
the changes with beneficiaries, evaluate
their current plan and provide assistance in
making enrollment changes if needed.
SPDAP members, or their family members,
should bring their red, white and blue
Medicare card, a list of current prescrip-
tions and proof of state residency such as a
driver’s license or voter card.
The event will be held from 10:30 a.m.
to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Kettering Public
Library, 9601 Capital Lane, Largo, Md.
Medicare members wishing to attend
this open enrollment workshop should call
1-800-215-8038 to reserve a seat. Medicare
participants who are unable to attend this
event but would like to learn about other
free workshops or have questions about
SPDAP, can call the SPDAP Call Center at
1-800-551-5995 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Send Your Calendar and Other News Items to:
[email protected]
COURTESY FIRE/EMS DEPT.
Fire Chief Lawrence H. Sedgwick Jr., left, and PEPCO’s Pete Pedersen with
donated smoke alarms.
A4 — November 29 — December 5, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post
COMMENTARY
OP-ED
Why Not 21?
The Renewed Debate
On Underage Drinking
Renewed public discourse about the advisability of
lowering the legal drinking age, largely fueled by former
Middlebury College President John M. McCardell, Jr., has
opened a different front in the war on substance use and
abuse among young people.
Among McCardell’s arguments for issuing drinking
“licenses” to 18- to 20-year-olds are suggestions that the
current legal age of 21 breeds disrespect for the law,
deprives parents of opportunities to teach children to
drink responsibly, and drives problem drinking further
underground and out of sight of those who might be
inclined to help.
As for the parents, SADD’s Teens Today research
reveals those who allow their children to learn to drink at
home incite drinking elsewhere. And arguing that moving
the legal drinking age to 18 will magically transport alcohol use out of the shadows and into the light overlooks
that young people use alcohol differently than they did
even a decade ago.
High-risk, or “binge” drinking, something McCardell
cites as a relatively new phenomenon, has become more
of a means to an end (getting drunk) for many youth
rather than part of a larger social strategy. And that is
unlikely to change with a lower drinking age.
In truth, there are many reasons that young people are
drinking alcohol and drinking it in large quantities,
including genetics, social environments, and such mental
health triggers as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Simplifying complicated etiology bypasses important
issues related to healthy human development.
While some dismiss McCardell as nothing more than
an annoying “gadfly,” many in the medical and prevention
communities are responding to his proposals by rallying
behind a re-statement of the relevant facts, now branded
Why 21?
On the why21.org website, MADD sets up and
promptly rebuts five myths about underage drinking and
drinking laws, addressing, for example, the “forbidden
fruit” issue, the “If I am old enough to go to war I am old
enough to drink” argument, and the worn (and false)
“Europe doesn’t have these problems” analogy.
In contrast, the testimony on the other side sometimes
seems aimed at assuaging the inconvenienced than at best
serving America’s youth. The Chronicle of Higher
Education reported that, during his tenure as a college
president, McCardell came to “resent” the law because it
forces administrators to “choose between policing their
students [and] looking the other way.” Similarly, J. Lee
Peters, vice president for student affairs at the University
of Hartford, told The Chronicle that the law “undermines”
his relationships with students.
But perhaps the undermining actually occurs when
those charged with educating young people downplay a
public health crisis that threatens the safety of those with
whom they are trying to forge meaningful relationships in
the first place.
Some statistics used to bolster the argument for lowering the drinking age appear to reinforce the imperative
that alcohol be restricted among less physiologically and
socially mature populations. These include one cited by
Indiana University Professor Ruth Eng that says 22 percent of all students under 21 years of age, compared to 18
percent of students over 21, are heavy drinkers.
According to The Surgeon General's Call to Action to
Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking, alcohol use by
young people is a leading contributor to death from
injuries, plays a significant role in risky sexual behavior,
increases the risk of assault, and is associated with academic failure and illicit drug use. Specifically, this important report highlights that:
• An estimated 1,700 college students die each year
from alcohol-related injuries;
• Approximately 600,000 students are injured while
under the influence of alcohol;
• Some 700,000 students are assaulted by other students who have been drinking; and
•About 100,000 students are victims of alcohol-related
sexual assaults or date rapes.
Just as significant, the report points to emerging facts
about the permanent damage alcohol can inflict upon the
structure and function of still- developing adolescent and
young adult brains.
Undoing the current minimum-age drinking laws
would likely do little, if anything, to reduce problematic
drinking behaviors on college campuses and most
assuredly would contribute to the downward age-trending
of initiation into alcohol use by legally moving it into the
high school community. It is pertinent to note that,
according to Teens Today, students in grades 6-12 ranked
the drinking age as the number-one reason why they
choose not to use alcohol.
Might we be better off asking, “Why not 21?”
Stephen Wallace, national chairman and chief executive officer of SADD, Inc. (Students Against Destructive
Decisions)
Earth Can Survive, Will Humans, Animals?
Dear EarthTalk:
I recently had an argument with a
friend who says that if we pollute and
cut down the forests, it doesn’t matter
because the Earth will take care of itself
anyway. How would you counter such
an argument?
— Alison Berglof, via e-mail
It is true that Mother Nature has amazing powers to restore her ecosystems, and
most scientists agree that it would be nearly impossible for humans to destroy the
Earth itself, despite our success at wreaking environmental havoc.
Short of a catastrophic meteor strike or
some other unforeseen galactic trauma, the
Earth will likely continue to spin in the
solar system, perhaps as long as there is a
solar system.
Example after example from distant
and recent history underscore the fact that
the Earth can recover from just about any
trauma—including the meteor strike 65
million years ago that many believe
caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Whether subjected to tidal waves, volcanic
eruptions or nuclear bomb blasts, landscapes reform anew, even if it takes years,
decades, centuries or eons.
But what is at stake if we don’t clean
up our act may be life itself as we know it,
both our own and that of other species
with which we share the planet.
We are already witnessing what may
be an even larger species extinction than
occurred with the dinosaurs — but this
time thanks to various human activities.
Eminent Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson
predicts that human-caused environmental
destruction will lead to the extinction of
half of all species on the planet within 100
years.
GETTY IMAGES
Earth itself can survive about any man-made catastrophe, but humnas and animals cannot,
Such species loss is a big problem for
humans. That incredible diversity of life
keeps our water, soil and air healthy, our
stomachs full and our ailments in check
(many modern medicines originated as
herbal plant remedies).
And regardless of the fate of other
species, the destruction of our environment
also impacts us directly. Though early conservationists sought largely to preserve
nature for its own sake and beauty, most
environmentalists today see a direct correlation between environmental protection
and human health. Modern environmental
problems like fast-paced habitat destruction, toxic chemical releases and global
warming (which is exacerbated by cutting
down forests) raise concerns about the
spread of diseases for which we have not
evolved proper defenses.
According to a 2002 Princeton
University study published in the journal,
Science, “Pathogens that have been
restricted by seasonal temperatures can
invade new areas and find new victims as
the climate warms and winters grow
milder.”
That trend is already underway and
has, so far, primarily impacted non-human
animals. However, said Andrew Dobson, a
co-author of the study, “The accumulation
of evidence has us extremely worried. We
share diseases with some of these species.
The risk for humans is going up.”
“Epidemics of Rift Valley fever, a
deadly mosquito-borne disease, rage
through northeastern Africa during years
of unusual warmth,” said the study. “If the
climate becomes permanently warmer and
wetter ... Rift Valley fever epidemics will
become frequent ... Malaria and yellow
fever may become more common as
milder winters permit the seasonal survival
of more mosquitoes, which carry these diseases. A warmer climate also could enable
them to move into areas where the cold
once kept them out.”
GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL
QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o
E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O.
Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it:
www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/,
or e-mail: [email protected].
Columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Revenue Package Shows Commitment to Education
Dear Editor:
The Maryland State
Teachers Association (MSTA)
applauds the efforts of Gov.
Martin O’Malley and the
General Assembly in laboring
to pass a comprehensive and
fair revenue package that will
help provide stable long-term
funding for public education in
Maryland.
Legislators also deserve
credit for minimizing cuts to
education funding by roughly
$50 million compared to what
was originally proposed at the
outset, after receiving tens of
thousands of calls, emails and
visits from MSTA members
who explained in highly personal terms the damage fund-
Farm
Families
Encouraged
to Apply
for Century
Program
ing cuts would cause to students and schools.
We are also pleased that
none of the cost of funding
pensions was shifted to local
jurisdictions, and that funding
of the Geographic Cost of
Education Index (GCEI) was
pledged beginning in the fiscal
year 09 budget.
MSTA will be closely monitoring budget legislation during the upcoming regular session to ensure that educator
pensions continue to be protected and the GCEI finally
funded.
Despite these positive outcomes, MSTA’s 68,000 members, parents and other education advocates are deeply con-
ANNAPOLIS – Has your
family been farming the same
land for at least 100 years?
Then contact the Maryland
Department of Agriculture to
be inducted into the Maryland
Century Farm Program.
“Eligible farm families are
encouraged to apply to the
Century Farm Program to be
recognized for their commitment to continuing the tradition
of agriculture in Maryland,”
said Agriculture Secretary
cerned about the pain caused
by education cuts at a time
when educators are making
measurable progress toward
helping every child succeed
and being faced with rising
pressures from HSAs and No
Child Left Behind.
State and county leaders
still need to address many
unmet needs in our public
schools, including overcrowded classrooms, outdated textbooks and facilities, and the
need for competitive salaries
and benefits to ensure a highquality workforce.
We will continue to work
diligently with the governor
and legislators to find ways to
further minimize the negative
Roger Richardson. “Our farmers and family farms provide
Maryland with much of her
beauty and her character. We
will continue to be defined by
the strength of our farmland,
our farming community and
our rural business.”
From its inception, the
Century Farm Program has
honored families who have
passed their farming operations
down from generation to generation, making it possible for
Clara Floyd
impact of budget cuts on
Maryland’s public school children.
– Clara Floyd
President
Maryland State Teachers
Association
future stewards of the land to
continue in their family tradition. To date, the program has
recognized 134 families for
their commitment and dedication in helping agriculture continue to be a leading industry
in Maryland. A program application can be downloaded at:
www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/centapp.pdf. For a listing of
Maryland Century Farms, visit:
www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/cflist
07.pdf.
November 29 — December 5, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post —A5
BUSINESS
FUTURE OF RECYCLING
Practical Money Skills
By Jason Alderman
Prince George’s County celebrated
America Recycles Day recently with
the grand reopening of the
Materials Recycling Facility and
Launch of Single-Stream Recycling.
Pictured at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the event were, from left,
Prince George’s County Department
of Environmental Resources
Director Charles Wilson; County
Executive Jack Johnson; Council
Member Samuel Dean; and Brett
Frazier, senior vice president of
Waste Management Inc.
Year-End Benefit Review
Could Lower Your Taxes
If you could save hundreds of dollars on your taxes
with just a few minutes’ work, would you? I thought
so.
Before getting caught up in the holiday rush, take a
moment to review your employer-provided benefits and
see if these year-end tips apply:
Maximize 401(k) savings. Many employers offer
401(k), 403(b) or 457 plans that let you set aside
money for retirement on a tax-deferred basis; that is,
where you don’t pay federal or state income taxes on
your savings or their investment earnings until you
withdraw them at retirement.
These plans often match a percentage of your savings – commonly 50 percent or more on up to 6 percent
of income saved. That’s like a 50 percent return on
your investment.
If you’re not contributing at least enough to take
advantage of this match, you may be leaving hundreds
of dollars on the table. There still may be enough time
to catch up for 2007.
Ask your Benefits department if you can make a
one-time increase to your December 401(k) paycheck
deduction. Or better yet, try to permanently increase
the percentage saved going forward.
While you’re at it, examine your investment fund
mixture to ensure it still matches your needs. For
example, people approaching retirement sometimes
move to more conservative funds. Ask a financial professional for help determining your tolerance for
investment risk and which fund options you should
choose.
Use up Flexible Spending Account (FSA) balances.
Health care and dependent care FSAs (also known as
reimbursement accounts) let you use pretax dollars for
expenses you would have had anyway thereby lowering
your taxable income and thus, your taxes.
But factor in your plan’s 2007 spending deadlines
so you don’t forfeit any leftover dollars. Many employers now allow a grace period of up to 75 days to use up
2007 account balances; ask your benefits department to
be sure.
If there’s money left in your Health Care FSA, consider qualified purchases you could make before the
deadline, such as new eye glasses, contact lenses,
braces, or over-the-counter medicines.
Check IRS Publication 502 for a complete list of
allowable expenses at www.irs.gov. On the other hand,
if you’ve already used up your 2007 FSA account balance, think about which elective expenses you could
postpone until early 2008.
To learn more about 401(k) plans and FSAs, go to
Practical Money Skills for Life, a free personal financial management site sponsored by Visa (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/benefits).
Check deductibles and annual plan limits. Health
plans often have calendar year-based restrictions so
plot out your expenses carefully.
For example, if your dental plan has an annual dollar limit for crowns and you know you need two
replaced, ask your dentist about possibly doing one this
year and one after Jan. 1. And, if orthodontia for the
children is looming, ask your dental office for help
scheduling the work so you can reap maximum advantage from your plan.
Similarly, if your vision plan only pays for new
frames every other year, figure out if you should buy a
new set this year or wait until next year. It may be better to replace only the lenses now.
It’s easy to sign up for benefit plans once a year and
then forget about them, but it can really pay to stay on
top of how they work and plan your expenses strategically.
Jason Alderman directs Visa USA’s financial education programs. To sign up for a free monthly personal
finance e-Newsletter, go to
www.practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter.
COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
County Makes Recycling Easier for Users
LARGO – The Prince
George’s County Department
of Environmental Resources
(DER) and Waste
Management, Inc. has officially reopened the Materials
Recycling Facility (MRF)
located in Capitol Heights and
announced the launch of single-stream recycling collection
in the county.
The facility, owned by
Prince George’s County and
designed, constructed and
operated by Waste
Management Inc., incorporates
65,000 square feet of processing space with the capacity to
process up to 25 tons of recyclables per hour.
On average, the facility
will receive and process about
11,000 tons of recyclables
every month, including an estimated 7,700 tons of paper
products and 3,300 tons of
glass, plastics and metals.
Prince George’s County is
the only jurisdiction in the
State of Maryland that owns a
single-stream recycling facility.
“This state-of-the-art facility will simplify recycling for
county citizens and residents,”
said County Executive Jack B.
Johnson.
“By increasing the amount
of recyclable materials collected, we can enhance our recycling rates and make our county a cleaner, greener place to
live through saving energy and
conserving landfill space,”
Johnson added.
With no sorting necessary,
single-stream recycling simplifies the collection of recyclables.
Citizens and residents can
deposit recyclable paper, plastic, glass, steel and aluminum
materials into a single container for collection.
As part of the single-stream
program, participants will now
be able to recycle corrugated
cardboard boxes, junk mail,
soft and hard bound books,
office paper, wrapping paper
and aluminum pie pans along
with the materials that they are
currently recycling.
Over the next three years,
the now familiar yellow recycling bin will be replaced with
65-gallon, wheeled carts with
“By increasing the amount of recyclable
materials collected, we can enhance our
recycling rates and make our county a
cleaner, greener place to live through saving
energy and conserving landfill space.”
– Jack B. Johnson
County Executive
tight-fitting lids that will be
provided to county residents
participating in the Curbside
Recycling Program.
Participants can also place
their recyclables in cardboard
boxes, plastic tubs, baskets, or
any other container marked
with a large “X” to distinguish
it from their regular trash.
With this easier method of
collection and the addition of
new materials, single-stream
recycling could result in the
recovery of up to 30 percent
more recyclable material than
conventional systems.
“We are proud to be part-
Helping Organic Farming Industry in State
Grants Will Assist Farmers Growing Organics
Courtesy DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland organic
farmers received a boost through two new
grants that will help to defray costs to the
farmers and improve opportunities for
organics in Maryland. The first is a
$38,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture
Conservation Innovation Grant to increase
management expertise among organic
farmers, maximize the conservation benefits of organic farming, and explore marketing and infrastructure development
opportunities for Maryland organic grain
and forage farmers. Part of the $38,000
grant was matched by the Wallace
Genetics Foundation. The second funding
element is from USDA to help organic
producers pay for the cost of certifying
their operation as organic.
“As consumer demand continues to
grow each year for organic meat and milk,
the demand for organic grain and forage
continues to increase,” said Agriculture
Secretary Roger Richardson. “This is a
great opportunity for Maryland farmers to
create a sustainable supply of locallygrown organic grains and forage for organic meat and milk producers.”
This project will support the rapidly
growing number of organic grain and forage producers in Maryland by conducting
training workshops in February and March
of 2008, and field days in late
summer/early fall 2008. The workshops
and field days will demonstrate innovated
techniques such as using the combination
of no-till with cover crop roll-down.
The project will be led by the
Maryland Department of Agriculture and
includes an interagency team consisting of
the USDA-Agricultural Research Service
Beltsville Agriculture Research Center,
USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service, Maryland Cooperative ExtensionQueen Anne’s County and Southern
Maryland Resource Conservation and
Development Board. For more information on the workshops, contact Kate
Mason at [email protected].
Based on acreage certified as organic
by MDA, there are currently more than
2,000 acres of certified organic grain and
about 2,500 acres of certified organic forage (hay and pasture) in Maryland. About
700 additional acres are in transition to
organic production and producers have
additional organic acreage certified by
organizations other than MDA. Maryland
was one of 15 states to receive $1 million
in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding
to defray annual organic certification costs
for producers. MDA has certified 97 producers and 24 handlers as organic.
Gathers Named M-NCPPC Director of Parks & Rec
Courtesy M-NCPPC
The Prince George’s
County Planning Board of The
Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning
Commission (M-NCPPC) has
announced the selection of
Ronnie Gathers to fill the position of director of the MNCPPC Prince George’s
County Department of Parks
and Recreation.
Gathers succeeds Marye
Wells-Harley, who retired this
past summer from M-NCPPC
after several decades of service.
Gathers, who served as acting director upon the retirement of Wells-Harley, comes
to the director position after
serving as the deputy director
for facility operations for the
Department of Parks and
Recreation.
In that position he was
responsible for managing the
operations of the Department’s
Maintenance and
Development, Natural and
Historical Resources, Sports
and Permits, and Arts and
Cultural Heritage programs
and facilities.
He has more than twenty-
nering with Prince George’s
County on this newly renovated recycling facility and providing the county with an
effective and sustainable recycling option,” said Brett
Frazier, senior vice president
for Waste Management,
Eastern Operations.
“America Recycles Day is
the perfect opportunity to
showcase the benefits of single-stream recycling to communities across America,” he
added.
For additional information,
call DER’s Waste Management
Division at (301) 855-5045.
two years of experience in the
Parks and Recreation field,
including a four-year stint with
the United States Army
Recreation Department, and
eighteen years managing parks
and facilities for M-NCPPC’s
Montgomery County Parks
Department.
In the Montgomery County
Parks Department, Gathers
served as park manager in
Wheaton and Silver Spring,
and as both Regional
Operations Manager and Parks
Division Chief for the entire
Southern Region of the
County.
Gathers holds a bachelor’s
degree in Physical Education
and Recreation from South
Carolina State University and
earned a Masters Degree in
Administrative Management
from Bowie State University
in Prince George’s County.
The selection of Gathers
follows a rigorous nationwide
search and interview process.
“The commission is
delighted that Ronnie has
emerged as the top candidate.
We are confident that his
knowledge of the commission
and its policies, as well as his
vision for the department, will
Stock Savvy
COURTESY M-NCPPC
Ronnie Gathers
be invaluable assets as he
assumes the director’s position
on a permanent basis,” said
Planning Board Chairman
Samuel J. Parker Jr.
Learn the basics of
investing in the stock market from 7 to 9 p.m., Dec.
4, 11 and 18. Sessions
include: business basics,
understanding and reading
the stock tables, analysis
and stock selections, and
tracking and selling stocks.
The sessions are for ages
13 and older. Fee: Impact
Area $38; Resident $50;
Non-Resident $60. Prince
George’s Sports &
Learning Complex, 8001
Sheriff Road, Landover.
Call 301-583-2400.
A6 — November 29 — December 5, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post
Out on theTOWN
Beowulf ... the Myth Unfolds
Calendar of Events
November 30 — December 3
A Haunting Tale
of Adventure with a
Surprising Edge
By ANTON BITEL
Eye For Film
Times change. Just one
decade ago, it would have been
well-nigh impossible to make a
successful pitch for a big-budget bells-and-whistles adaptation of an epic poem written in
Old English by an anonymous
Anglo-Saxon in the eighth century CE, and set in Denmark
two centuries earlier – but that
was before Peter Jackson’s
Lord Of The Rings trilogy
made a mint. In fact, if it was
not for Tolkien’s championing
of Beowulf in a celebrated
1936 essay, and his reverential
appropriation of motifs from it
in his books The Hobbit and
Lord Of The Rings, even the
original poem would have
remained in obscurity, and
would certainly not have been
canonised as a school text.
No time, it might be
argued, has been better than
the present to attempt a movie
version of the heroic epic.
When there be dragons (and
sea monsters, and hideous
pain-wracked giants), today’s
advances in CGI have the edge
in assisting viewers to suspend
their disbelief – and Robert
Zemeckis has brought all the
lessons he learnt from making
The Polar Express (2004) to
bear on this new animated feature, available in full IMAX
3D, as well as 3D and 2D versions for regular cinemas. It is
a film for our times.
No one likes it when neighbours party late into the night,
but the hideous Grendel
(Crispin Hellion Glover)
responds more drastically than
most, murdering half of the
noisy revelers in the famous
mead-hall of dissolute King
Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins).
Hrothgar offers a reward of
gold to any warrior who can
rid his land of the monstrous
troglodyte, drawing a young
Viking warrior named Beowulf
(Ray Winstone) across the
waves, along with his trusty
friend Wiglaf (Brendan
Gleeson) and a small band of
men. Where his predecessors
had sought to line their coffers,
Beowulf hungers to expand his
already legendary status - and
he quickly sets about facing
Grendel unarmed (and unclad),
sending the creature back to its
maker.
Which is half the problem
– for even with Grendel dead,
the murders continue, and
Beowulf must enter its mountain cave to find its powerful
and seductive mother
(Angelina Jolie). Differing versions emerge of what happens
between them in the wet and
the dark, but their clinch
results in Beowulf’s long and
preternaturally successful rule
on the dead Hrothgar’s throne,
with Hrothgar’s wise queen
Wealthow (Robin Wright Penn)
at his side.
Decades later, Beowulf is
an ageing king of international
renown, his wife is older too,
and he has taken himself a
much younger lover (Alison
Lohman) – but then his seemingly invincible grip on power
is challenged when a golden
dragon begins to ravage all the
surrounding villages. Now
Beowulf must confront not
only his most destructive foe,
but some home truths that he
has long kept hidden.
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SATURDAY, DEC. 1
Hands-On History Day for Children
Make holiday decorations and crafts, play parlor
games, perform an English country dance and enjoy a
holiday treat. 10 a.m.-noon. $7/child. Montpelier
Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel. 301-953-1376.
Adventure Seekers: Washington, D.C.
Visit the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden for
ice skating. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee includes transportation.
Lunch is on your own. Reservations required. Ages 812. Resident $1; Non-Resident $2. Meet at the Mount
Rainier Nature & Recreation Center, 4701 31st Place,
Mount Rainier. 301-927-2163.
Hand Dance: Beginning
Learn the newest and hottest hand and line dance steps
during this 4-week course held on Saturdays. Noon-1
p.m. Ages 16 and older. Resident $30/4 weeks; NonResident $36/4 weeks. John E. Howard Community
Center, 4400 Shell Street, Capitol Heights. 301-7353340.
SUNDAY, DEC. 2
410-531-2564 or
1-888-855-SEAL
Holiday Tea
Sip on your favorite tea and enjoy a delightful assortment of tea sandwiches and sweet selections. 1-3 p.m.
This historic mansion will be decorated for the holidays; and if you are looking for that “unique” gift, artisans from the Prince George’s Artists’ Association will
be on site with their creations. Advance registration
required. Fee: $25/person. Oxon Hill Manor, 6901
Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill. 301-839-7782.
COURTESY WWW.ROTTENTOMATOES.COM
Beowulf is a film for the times. The character above reinforces the heroic
epic with bold and exciting action supported by stunning visuals.
The world of heroic myth
in which Beowulf unfolds is
neither like nor entirely unlike
our own, so it seems perfectly
suited for depiction through the
filter of not-quite-photorealistic
animation. The animated
avatars of Hopkins, Malkovich
(as king’s advisor Unferth),
Wright Penn, Gleeson and
Lohman, achieved through a
state-of-the-art combination of
motion-capture and CGI, all
look the very image of the real
performers. Even Jolie, as the
incarnation of pure feminine
evil (with a serpentine ponytail), though far removed from
any kind of reality, conforms
closely to a tabloid fantasy ver-
Things To
Do Sunday
$EVROXWHO\QRFRVWWR
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B u s i n e s s
FRIDAY, NOV. 30
Lyn Dillies - Americas Premier Female Illusionist
Filled with eye-defying illusions, hypnotic lighting,
music and the enchanting Ms. Dillies. 10:15 and noon.
Recommended for grades K and up. $6/person,
$5/person in groups of 15 or more. Publick Playhouse,
5445 Landover Road, Cheverly. 301-277-1710.
Woodlawn Plantation
& Pope-Leighey
House’s Tea and Tour
will take place from
noon to 7 p.m., Sunday,
Dec. 2. Enjoy tea and
period confections while
learning about customs
of the early nineteenth
century at these two historical sites. Afterward
take a guided tour of the
properties complete with
holiday décor. This
event is for ages 18 and
older. Fee: Resident $65;
Non-Resident $78.
Departs from Bowie
Community Center,
3209 Stonybrook Drive,
Bowie or Lake Arbor
Community Center,
10100 Lake Arbor Way,
Mitchellville. 301-2186745.
If you’re in the mood
for a flick, spend
Sunday, Dec. 2, at the
Hollywood Flyers
Airport event. Watch an
movie at 2 p.m. Free
popcorn and lemonade
included. All ages welcome. Fee: $4/adults,
$3/seniors, $2/ages 18 &
under. College Park
Aviation Museum, 1985
Cpl. Frank Scott Drive,
College Park. 301-8646029.
sion of herself.
Apart from Glover as
Grendel, who strikes a note of
truly freakish otherworldliness
both because of the horrifying
way he looks and because of
his piercing attempt at something like Old English, the only
real odd one out here is the titular hero. Why Winstone was
cast as a blonde-haired Jesustype over six-and-a-half feet in
height remains a mystery that
will be forever lost in the sands
of time; for this Beowulf looks
(and sounds) less like the
stocky Cockney, and more like,
well, Sean Bean. As a character, too, Beowulf stands out as
the film’s weakest link.
MONDAY, DEC. 3
Penguin Playground
Bob Brown Puppets fills the stage with large marionettes that perform incredible feats of skill and daring
in this new production about life in the Antarctic.
10:15 a.m. and noon. Recommended for pre-k to
grade 3. Tickets: $5/person. Publick Playhouse, 5445
Landover Road, Cheverly. 301-277-1710.
PG Post
LEGALS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
IN THE ESTATE OF
JAMES E. GRIFFIN SR
Notice is given that James E.
Griffin Jr, whose address is 5
Garrett Avenue, Arbutus, MD
21227 was on November 21, 2007
appointed personal representative
of the estate of James E. Griffin Sr
who died on June 24, 2007 with a
will.
Further information can be
obtained by reviewing the estate
file in the office of the Register of
Wills or by contacting the personal
representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection
to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file
their objections with the Register of
Wills on or before the 21st day of
May, 2008.
Any person having a claim
against the decedent must present
the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with
the Register of Wills with a copy to
the undersigned on or before the
earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of
the decedent's death, except if the
decedent died before October 1,
1992, nine months from the date of
the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal
representative mails or otherwise
delivers to the creditor a copy of
this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor
that the claim will be barred unless
the creditor presents the claims
within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice.
A claim not presented or filed on
or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be
obtained from the Register of Wills.
JAMES E. GRIFFIN JR
Personal Representative
CERETA A. LEE
REGISTER OF WILLS FOR
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
P.O. BOX 1729
UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772
89255
Estate No. 76796
(11-29,12-6,12-13)
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
IN THE ESTATE OF
MARY LOU LARTZ
Notice is given that Jenifer
Maizel, whose address is 316
Laurel Avenue, Laurel, MD 20707
was on November 8, 2007 appointed personal representative of the
estate of Mary Lou Lartz who died
on October 12, 2007 with a will.
Further information can be
obtained by reviewing the estate
file in the office of the Register of
Wills or by contacting the personal
representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection
to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file
their objections with the Register of
Wills on or before the 8th day of
May, 2008.
Any person having a claim
against the decedent must present
the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with
the Register of Wills with a copy to
the undersigned on or before the
earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of
the decedent's death, except if the
decedent died before October 1,
1992, nine months from the date of
the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal
representative mails or otherwise
delivers to the creditor a copy of
this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor
that the claim will be barred unless
the creditor presents the claims
within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice.
A claim not presented or filed on
or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be
obtained from the Register of Wills.
JENIFER MAIZEL
Personal Representative
CERETA A. LEE
REGISTER OF WILLS FOR
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
P.O. BOX 1729
UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772
89257
Estate No. 77518
(11-29,12-6,12-13)
W. Alton Lewis
1450 Mercantile Ln., Suite 155
Largo, MD 20774
(301) 341-5577
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
IN THE ESTATE OF
OLLIE A. HARMON
Notice is given that Ralph H.
Dawn, Jr., whose address is 416 6th
Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
and W. Alton Lewis, whose address
is 1450 Mercantile Lane, Suite 155,
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 were
on November 6, 2007 appointed copersonal representatives of the
estate of Ollie A. Harmon who died
on September 15, 2007 with a will.
Further information can be
obtained by reviewing the estate
file in the office of the Register of
Wills or by contacting the co-personal representatives or the attorney.
All persons having any objection
to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file
their objections with the Register of
Wills on or before the 6th day of
May, 2008.
Any person having a claim
against the decedent must present
the claim to the undersigned copersonal representatives or file it
with the Register of Wills with a
copy to the undersigned on or
before the earlier of the following
dates:
(1) Six months from the date of
the decedent's death, except if the
decedent died before October 1,
1992, nine months from the date of
the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the co-personal representatives mail or otherwise deliver to the creditor a copy
of this published notice or other
written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred
unless the creditor presents the
claims within two months from the
mailing or other delivery of the
notice.
A claim not presented or filed on
or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be
obtained from the Register of Wills.
RALPH H. DAWN, JR
W. ALTON LEWIS
Co-Personal Representatives
CERETA A. LEE
REGISTER OF WILLS FOR
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
P.O. BOX 1729
UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772
89258
Estate No. 77489
(11-29,12-6,12-13)
November 29 — December 5, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post —A7
School Aid
Toys
Toys, From Page A1
sales, the NPD Group said.
Dominant trends often make up for most
of the toy sales and are pulled from a year’s
research on toys, said Toys R Us spokesman
Bob Friedland.
We’re in the toy business 365 days a
year, so we have the time and perspective” to
see what customers really want, Friedland
said.
This year, he said, “rock star” themed
gifts and “Internet connectivity” toys will be
two of the dominant toy trends.
Children watch programs on television,
but also turn to the Internet to watch clips,
Kannan said.
“It’s across-channel migration,” he said.
“It happens in respect to toys as well, and it’s
one way to jump on bandwagon of what kids
are doing.”
In the frenzy of shopping season, consumer groups still urge parents to be aware
of recall notices, and toy stores are taking
steps to be careful.
“Whenever there is a recall, of course we
remove that product from our shelves, stop
the sale, and if anyone attempts to purchase
it, our register will not allow it,” Friedland
said.
In response to the sheer amount of recall
reports, the Consumer Protection Division of
the Attorney General’s Office created a list
of all the products on its Web site that is
updated daily, Guillory said. Since Oct. 4,
there have been 23 toy recall notices posted
on the list.
“It’s incumbent upon consumer protection groups like ours to make it as easy as
possible when consumers are inundated with
information like these recalls,” she said.
“Say you don’t recall the name of the
company. How are you supposed to get to
their Web site?”
Consumers will look for alternative gifts
on a very small scale, Kannan said, but substitutes for toys do not often sit well with
children.
“If people are looking for things younger
children will like, there might be some level
of kids getting books for presents,” Kannan
said.
“But that may not go over very well with
kids,” he added.
Loosies
Loosies, From Page A1
the popular Black & Milds, in
packs of five or more. Like
cigarettes, they would have
been taxed $1 per pack of five
to 10 cigars and $2 per pack of
11 to 20.
The Senate passed a tobacco tax bill with McFadden’s
amendment, but it was stripped
out in the House. The bill
signed last week by Gov.
Martin O’Malley raised the
cigarette tax but makes no
mention of loosies.
Tarrant said he was disappointed that the language did
not make it into the final version of the bill, but that the
House felt it was an issue better dealt with separately, along
with a tax on moist snuff. He
said he understands the reasoning and plans to bring the issue
up again when the General
Assembly meets in January.
“Of course I was disappointed” that the measure
failed in the special session,
Tarrant said Wednesday. “But
I’ll take a run at it again in
January.”
Tarrant acknowledged last
School Aid, From Page A1
county can provide.
“We will be examining the
amount of state funding, as it
relates to education,” Thomas
said.
Keller said that in
Frederick County, the state cuts
may mean two years of little to
no pay raises.
Teachers whose job performance is satisfactory receive
pay raises every July. But if the
money is not there for the raises, they will have to go without.
“Frederick County Public
Schools is looking at a real
concern about being able to
pay the step increment, which
is looked at by most employees
as being expected . . . we’re
not sure if we’ll be able to put
that in the budget,” Keller said.
The result of the cuts in
school aid in Maryland might
be a lot of teachers leaving the
work force.
“Minimal to no increases
for two years in a row is a considerable factor in whether
they retire or not,” added
Keller.
It could also make it harder
for Maryland to attract new
teachers from out of state and
other nearby jurisdictions.
Keller said Maryland typically needs 7,000 to 8,000 new
teachers a year, but only 2,500
to 3,000 Maryland college
graduates take up teaching in
any given year.
“Maryland needs to attract
teachers from outside, and
that’s on a normal year,” he
said.
Gary Brennan, president of
the Frederick County Teachers
Association, added that new
demands like state tests make
running a school system more
expensive than it was in years
past.
“The funding is scaled
back, but the needs and expec-
tations aren’t scaled back,”
said Brennan, adding that
increases greater than 1 percent
are now vital.
Brennan was hopeful that
officials would have a better
idea of the budget picture
come spring, after counties
have formulated tentative
spending plans.
“Right now, there are just a
lot of question marks in terms
of funding,” he said.
He added that it isn’t just
county officials who will need
to take action.
School officials are also
going to have to think carefully
about how they spend their
money or ways they can cut
back on spending.
“Sometimes, you have to
go back and assess what you
are doing,” he said.
“You might like to have a
new central office building, for
example. But if the budget is
bare, you’ll need to hold off,”
he added.
Please Don’t Drink and Drive During the Holidays
week that the legislation targeted Black & Mild cigars
because hip-hop culture has
given them a wide appeal
among underage smokers.
“Kids don’t talk about
other brands the same way. I’m
not confused about who the
culprit is,” Tarrant said then.
Black & Milds contain pipe
tobacco and come in flavors
such as apple, cherry and wine.
A single cigar costs between
50 cents and $1. A five-pack is
about $3.
Tarrant said teens can
smoke them in school without
getting caught easily because
they are fragrant. He said the
cigars are also a popular choice
for making blunts — cigars
emptied of tobacco and stuffed
with marijuana instead.
McFadden said Philip
Morris is not to blame for
Black & Mild’s popularity
among teens and in rap music
videos. Teenagers “are exploiting these products.”
“Maybe it’s not the intention of the manufacturer, but
the bottom line is, that’s what’s
happening,” McFadden said.
Health officials say that
teenagers who buy single
Black & Milds might not be
aware of the health risks
because they would not see the
warning label on the pack.
Frances Stillman, a Johns
Hopkins researcher who has
studied smoking trends among
young adults in Baltimore, said
some young people smoke
Black & Milds like cigarettes
rather than cigars, which are
typically not inhaled.
“They smoke little cigars
like cigarettes, inhaling. And
the stuff is stronger,” Stillman
said.
But opponents of the proposed regulations said it is
“very unfair” to increase the
tax on loosies for everyone in
the state because of a problem
most pronounced in Baltimore
City.
“This is not a taxation
issue, it is an enforcement
issue,” said Bruce Bereano, a
lobbyist for the Maryland
Association of Tobacco and
Candy Distributors.
“And apparently it’s an
enforcement issue only in the
inner city in Baltimore,” he
added.
at least says she will be.
“I always spend too much.
I’ve been told that before,” said
Felesky, but she said she would
try to cut back this year.
While profits may be anemic, Zhang said the longer
shopping season and the sense
of desperation among retailers
could result in more shoppers
even if they are not spending as
freely.
“The mood won’t be as
optimistic, so consumers will
be more promotion-sensitive,”
she said. “And retailers will be
more competitive.”
In addition to the economy,
retailers face competition with
the Internet. During non-holiday times, the Internet takes
about 6 percent of sales, Zhang
said.
“But the Internet is very
good for gifts, to do shopping
and shipping without the post
office,” she said. She predicted
that 30 percent of holiday shopping is going to be over the
Internet.
Gift cards are also becoming more popular as holiday
gifts.
The
National
Retail
Federation reported that more
than half of consumers want to
receive a gift card or gift certificate as a holiday gift.
“Recipients like the convenience and the flexibility,”
Zhang said. “The stigma of gift
cards is disappearing.”
Felesky agreed, saying now
that her kids are grown, she
gives them more freedom to
choose their gifts.
“As the kids get older, I give
them money,” Felesky said.
“They don’t want some old
lady’s taste.”
Be one of the first to try Southwest Airlines
®
BUSINESS
SELECT
and be one of the first to board.
Shopping
Shopping, From Page A1
toys from 20 to 50 percent.
The drastic discounts could
mean profitability problems for
retailers “who are forced to
compete early with insane discounts way too deep, too early,”
Zhang said. “But it’s beneficial
for consumers who welcome
specials and discounts.”
Retailers may need the discounts to attract shoppers, as
experts predict more conservative growth in holiday spending
this year.
The Maryland Retailers
Association is foreseeing only a
2 percent gain in holiday sales
over last year.
Linda Felesky, who was out
shopping on Maryland Avenue
in Annapolis recently, is one of
those shoppers who is going to
be more cautious this year — or
Food Banks
Food Banks, From Page A1
Dustin Ives, the church’s pastor.
Ives said there is an “abundant need” for the food boxes,
which have “all the makings of
a Thanksgiving meal.”
“This year, for us, the need
is consistent compared to what
we’ve seen every year,” Ives
said. “It’s pretty consistent.
We’re actually giving away a
little less this year.
“We don’t have quite the
resources we've had in the
past.”
Avery Wilson, president of
the Riverdale-based
International Youth Fellowship,
said his group had some struggles with its food drive.
IYF teamed up with local
groups, which hold regular
food drives, to help boost the
overall donations during its
campaign that ran from midOctober to mid-November. It
wasnt enough.
“Last year we did better
than this year,” Wilson said.
“A lot of people aren’t doing
food drives.”
The group assembled about
100 food baskets last year, a
number halved this year.
Food donations in general
have dropped significantly
over the past few years, and
Flateman attributes it to
changes in the way large food
manufacturers and suppliers
donate.
Tighter quality control
restrictions on manufacturers
can mean fewer donations.
“Salvage product” – dented
cans, jars with missing labels,
etc. – is also a mainstay of
food banking, but many manufacturers and grocers are “redirecting them to the secondary
market,” she said.
Discount grocers buy and
resell salvage product, which
can force food banks to compete with discount grocers.
You deserve Southwest Airlines Business Select. For just a little extra, you can
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get a free drink and extra Rapid Rewards® credit. Plus, your fare is fully refundable.
©2007 Southwest Airlines Co.
A8 — November 29 — December 5, 2007 — The Prince George’s Post
COUNTY
CHURCH DIRECTORY
AFRICAN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL
HEMINGWAY
MEMORIAL A.M.E.
CHURCH
“Raising the Standard
God’s Way”
6330 Gateway Blvd.,
District Heights, MD 20747
(301) 568-9127
Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship:
7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday Services:
Pastor’s Bible Study: 7:00 p.m.
“Hour of Power”: 12:00 noon
Thursday Services:
Men of War Bible Study:
7:30p.m.
Rev. Samuel E.
Hayward III, Pastor
www.hemingway-ame.org
BAPTIST
Mount Ephraim
Baptist Church
“A Church That’s Alive Is Worth the Drive”
610 Largo Road Upper
Marlboro, MD 20774
BAPTIST
THE SANCTUARY AT
KINGDOM SQUARE
A Congregation Seeing the Need, Seeding
Into the Future,
And Serving the Savior
9033 Central Avenue,
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
Church Sunday School:
Office: (301)333-9033
9:15 a.m.
www.atthesanctuary.org
Morning Worship:
7:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Prayer/Praise: Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
Salvation Class: Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Worship Celebrations
7:00am and 10:00am
Lord’s Supper
New Members Orientation:
Sunday 9:15 a.m..
Sunday School Hour
Baptismal Service:
First Sunday - 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday Prayer & Worship
9:30am-10:30am
UNITED METHODIST
First Baptist Church of
College Park
Higher Place of
Praise Ministries
UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
Welcomes You Where Jesus
Christ Is Lord and King
Stephen L. Wright, Sr., Pastor
5018 Lakeland Road
College Park, MD 20740
301-474-3995
www.fbc-cp.org
Sunday School 9:30a.m.
Sunday Worship 11a.m.
Holy Communion 1st Sunday
Wednesday Bible Study 7-8p.m.
Wednesday Prayer Service 8p.m.
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Rev. Joseph A. Gilmore, Jr.
Bible Institute Class
7:00pm - Tuesdays and Thursdays
12:00 noon - Wednesdays
WORD OF GOD
COMMUNITY CHURCH
“The Church Where Everybody is Somebody and
Jesus is Lord
4109 Edmonston Road Bladensburg, MD
Anthony G. Maclin, Pastor
BAPTIST
FAITH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Rev. Dr. Michael C. Turner, Sr., Pastor
Elder Willie W. Duvall, Pastor
Sunday Morning Worship: 7:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
Communion Every 1st Sunday
Sunday School: 9:10 a.m.
Dr. Jacqueline McEwan
Elder Leander McEwan
Senior Pastors
7973 Parston Drive
Forestville, MD 20747
Sundays
Morning Dew Prayer 9:00 am
Sunday School 9:30 am
Morning Worship Service
11:00 am
Call Church for
Weekly Services and Classes
(301) 420-2466
United Methodist Church
14418 Old Marlboro Pike,
Upper Marlboro, MD
Pr ais e, Wor s h ip, Pr ayer,
S tu dy, an d S er vice
Church School: 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service: 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Thursday Bible Study 7:00 p.m
Thursday Noon Day Prayer
Reverend Vera Mitchell, Pastor
e-mail: UMCR@ wmconnect.com
“Open Hearts, Open Minds,
and Open Doors”
Christ United
Methodist Church
22919 Christ Church Rd
Aquasco, MD 20608
301/888-1316
Sunday Worship Service
9:45a.m.
Church School 10:00a.m.
Rev Robert E. Walker, Jr.,
Pastor
WESTPHALIA
A Christ Centered Church,
With a Christ Centered Message
United Methodist
Church
“ACHURCH ON THE REACH FOR GOD”
15601 Brooks Church Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Union
1901 Iverson Street
Temple Hills, MD 20748
(301) 894-8622
Fax (301) 894-7641
Nottingham-Myers
United Methodist Church
UNITED METHODIST
9161 Hampton Overlook ~ Capitol Heights, MD 20743
301-350-2200 ~ Website: fmbc111.com
A Prophetic Voice for this
Time and Season
(301) 864-3437
Intercessory Prayer:Sundays - 8:30 a.m.
Church School: - 9:15 a.m.
Morning Worship Celebration- 10:30 a.m.
Wed. Night Bible Study - 7:45 p.m.
BAPTIST
(Formerly Christian Tabernacle Church)
Communion Every 1st Sunday
11:00 am
7:00pm
Church: 301-808-1584
Fax: 301-808-3243
BAPTIST
‘A Bible Based, Christ
Centered & Spirit Led
Congregation’
6801 Sheriff Road Landover, MD
20785 (301) 773-6655
Sunday Biblical Institute:
9:45 a.m.
Sunday Worship:
7:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
‘WONDERFULWEDNESDAYS
WITH JESUS’:
12 noon (The Power Hour) and 6:45
pm
“A Time of Prayer, Praise,
Worship, & The Word”
Dr. Henry P. Davis III, Pastor
www.fbhp.org
HIGHER PLACE OF
PRAISE MINISTRIES
5:00pm every 1st Sunday
Pastor
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
OF HIGHLAND PARK
BAPTIST
(301) 888-2171
www.gbgm.umc.org/nnumc
e-mail:[email protected]
Adult Sunday School: 8:30 a.m.
Monday Bible Study: 7:30 p.m.
Church (301) 627-5088
Youth Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday Prayer & Praise Service: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday School: (Youth/Adults) - 8:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship: 10:a.m.
Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m.
“A Church Where Preaching is Intentional; Bible Study is Essential
and Singing is Empowering and Inspirational.”
Rev. Dr. Michael A. H. McKinney,
Pastor
Pastor: Rev. Thomas N. Austin III
8511 Westphalia Rd.
Upper Marlboro, MD
Two Worship Services:
8 and 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School: 9:30
(301) 735-9373
Fax: (301) 735-1844
Rev. Timothy West, Pastor
Rev. John B. Pinkney Assistant
ALL ARE WELCOME
Web Site: www.westphaliaum.org
CLASSIFIEDS
APPARTMENT FOR RENT
HUD
HOMES
FROM
$199/mo! Buy a 4 bd 2ba
Home only $238/mo! 4bd 2ba
only $350/mo! For Listings
800-585-3617 ext. T296.
Animal Rights, Research to
Veterinary
Advance
Treatments/Cures 1-866-912GIVE.
ly. Home Weekly! 1-800-8830171 Open 7 days a week.
EMPLOYMENT
FedEx Ground O/O TEAMS,
Fleet Owners & Husband and
Wife Teams Welcome. Incentive
Opportunities. Home Weekly,
Start @.98 CPM and $1.249 Hub
Fuel. 1-866-832-6339.
Affordable Foreclosures from
$199/mo! 5bd 2ba only
$375/mo! 3bd 1.5ba Home only
$300/mo! Never Rent Again!
For Listings 800-585-3617 ext.
T297.
Sales Professionals Wanted
$75,000+ Pre-qualified Leads
helping Seniors. Full Benefits,
Retirement, Vacations, Stock
Options
+Management
Opportunities Call Tony Holland
toll free1-866-229-8447.
AUTOMOTIVE
FINANCIAL SERVICES
$500 Police Impounds! Buy
Acuras/Hondas/Toyotas from
$500!
Police
Impounds!
Listings 800-585-3563 ext.
L218.
NEED MONEY FAST? If you
have a pending lawsuit, I can
advance you money. Call me
now: 305-284-8858 Reference
#014007SH. www.freelawsuitmoney.com
$500 POLICE IMPOUNDS!
Hondas, Acuras, Nissans, Jeeps,
Chevys,
etc.
!Cars/Trucks/SUV's
from
$500!For Listings 800-5853563 ext. L174.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Success.
Your
Measure
Advertise in 120 newspapers
across Maryland, Delaware,
and DC, reach over 2.3 Million
households for only $495. For
more information contact this
Newspaper or call 410-7214000, ext. 17 or visit our website: www.mddcpress.com.
ALL CASH CANDY ROUTE
Do you earn $800 in a day
?Your own local candy route.
Includes 30 Machines and
Candy. All for $9,995.
1-888-753-3452.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
Free video explanation.
ABSOLUTELY NO COST TO
YOU!! ALL BRAND NEW
WHEELCHAIRS,
POWER
HOSPITAL
BEDS
AND
S C O O T E R S I M M E D I AT E
DELIVERYCALL TOLL FREE
1-888-998-4111 TO QUALIFY.
HELP WANTED
Part-time, home-based Internet
business. Earn $941 per month or
much more. Flexible hours.
Training provided. No selling
required.
FREE details.
www.k348.com.
Drivers/CDL-A Van & Flatbed
Drivers,
$60,000 Plus Yearly
Potential. High Weekly Miles 1
yr T/T exp. SMX 1-866-8869432 www.smxc.com.
DONATIONS
Donate Vehicle, running or not
accepted. FREE TOWING
TAX DEDUCTIBLE, NOAHS
ARC, Support No Kill Shelters,
TRUCK
DRIVING
#1
SCHOOL. Training for Swift,
Werner
&
others.
Dedicated/Regional/Local.
Approx. $50,000-$70,000 year-
HELP WANTED - DRIVERS
DRIVERS-MORE MONEY!
Sign-On
Bonus
36-43
cpm/$1.20pm$0 Lease / Teams
Needed lass A + 3 months recent
OTR required800-635-8669.
HOMES FOR RENT
HUD HOMES FROM $199/mo!
Buy a 4bd 2ba Home only
$238/mo! 4bd 2ba $350/mo!
For Listings 800-585-3617 ext.
T296.
Affordable Foreclosures from
$199/mo! 5bd 2ba only $375/mo!
3bd 1.5ba Home only $300/mo!
Never Rent Again! For Listings
800-585-3617 ext. T297.
Buy a 4bdr 2ba Foreclosure!
$225/mo!Stop Renting! 5% dw,
20 yrs @ 8 % apr For Listings
800-585-3617 ext. T182.
HOMES FOR SALE
Buy a 4bdr 2ba Foreclosure!
$238/mo!Stop Renting! 4% dw,
30 yrs @8% apr For Listings 800585-3617 Ext. T182.
3bdr, 1.5ba only $215/mo!More
1-4 Bedrooms from $199/mo!4%
dn, 30 yrs @ 8 % Apr! For
Call owner: 866-391-9278.
West Virginia Hunting Cabin 2
1/2 acres joins 900,000 acres on
the Monongahela National
Forest. Near Dolly Sods
Wilderness Area! $79,990.
Power, Perk, All-weather roads.
Call Owner 866-403-8037.
PRIVATE MOUNTAIN GETAWAY Owner has 2 wooded
parcels with Private National
Forest Access. Perked, buildable, views, all- weather roads.
$34,990 each orboth for
$59,990. One hour from
Staunton, VA. Call owner: 866363-3805.
BUYER'S MARKET!! 16.3
Acre Mountain Parcel $99,900!
Part open, part wooded, trout
stream. Perked & surveyed. EZ
financing! Buy direct from
owner. Call Today: 866-9108832.
"Fire Sale - Owner selling
Homes & Land in Berkeley
Springs, Charlestown, WV &
Deep Creek Lake Area. All
offers considered 301-6162349.
www.americanacreage.com.
LOTS & ACREAGE
Best View Offered Anywhere
23 AC- $136,500This has a
REAL 50 mile view over 3
states. Beautifully wooded with
easy access. You don't want to
miss this one!
Call Now 1-800-888-1262.
Nature Lover's Dream 20+ AC$99,850Beautiful park setting
with massive hardwoods and
your own hiking trails. End of
road privacy! Perc done, special
financing. 1-800-888-1262.
MISCELLANEOUS
Make a difference in Prince
George’s County. TEACH.
Teach full-time while pursuing
teaching
certification.
Minimum
Bachelor’s
degree/2.75 GPA. No experience necessary. For more information
and
to
apply:
www.pgteachingfellows.org.
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE
from home. Medical, business,
paralegal, computers, criminal
justice. Job placement assistance. Financial aid and computer provided if qualified.
Call
866-858-2121.
www.Online.TidewaterTech.com
MOUNTAIN PROPERTY
Big Mountain Land Bargains
w/ panoramic 3 state mtn & valley views! Enjoy canoeing &
trophy fishing on private riverfront
park.
REAL ESTATE
mountainbargains.com
NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS - Gated community Public water including fire
hydrants, DSL accessibility,
paved roads, nearby lakes, coming soon. $45,000+800-4639980 www.theridgeatsouthmountain.com
ADOPT: A devoted, loving
couple longs to adopt newborn.
Will provide a warm, secure
home and endless love.
Expenses paid. Call Kathy and
Mike at 1-888-634-4343.
LAND FOR SALE
MAINE
UNBELIEVABLE
LAND
BARGAIN
500
ACRES- Only $249,900.
Abuts2,000 acres of conservation land w/ 2 trout & salmon
streams running through it.
Excellent owner financing w/
low down payment. Call L&S
Realty 207-781-3343.
LAND
LAWN AND GARDEN
Listings 800-585-3617 Ext. T181.
West Virginia Streamfront
Property Own SIX ACRES on the
Middlefork Trout Stream in
Elkins, West Virginia. Just
$39,990. No Money down...
100% Financing!
mum order. 1 year guarantee.
434-349-9510 LIMITED SUPPLY.
PRIVACY HEDGE- FAST
GROWING
LEYLAND
CYPRESS 2' to 3' Reg. $29now
$14.95 4' to 5' Reg. $59 now
$34.95 Free professional installation & Delivery with mini-
NO MONEY DOWN
Free List of Properties Available
with No Downpayment.
Up to $10,000 in Closing Cost.
301.459.5040 or
www.princegeorgeshomeinfo.com