Retirement opens district judge spot

News of note

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009

The vacancy will be filled by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Lawyers interested in the vacancy should request a personal data questionnaire from Deborah A. Unitus or Linda Etzold in the administrative office of the courts at 410-260-1291. The questionnaire is also available as a downloadable document on the judiciary's Web site at www.mdcourts.gov.

Applicants who reapply to a commission with whom they have filed a questionnaire within the past 24 months need not file a new questionnaire. The candidate may submit a letter stating he or she is reapplying and submit any changes that have occurred since the submission of the earlier questionnaire.

The completed questionnaire and two writing samples must be received by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Late applications will not be accepted.

Midnight Special to perform

From Florida, California and all points in Maryland and Virginia, the '80s and '90s band Midnight Special will perform with the original members for a two-day reunion show at the Colony South Hotel in Clinton, according to a press release.

The two-day event will honor the 20-year entertainment careers of Buster Morgenstern, guitar/vocals; Ronnie Smith, keyboard/vocals; Eric Scott, bass/vocals; George Ceely, drums; Tierney Allen, vocals; John Luskey, guitar/vocals; and Derrick Praylow, bass/vocals.

Midnight Special (who performed as a band all over the mid-Atlantic region for more than 10 years) will perform at the Decoy Lounge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jan. 23 and 24. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Volunteers wanted for student job shadow program

Charles County public schools are looking for volunteers to participate in a job shadow program that pairs students and business leaders. The job shadowing experience is a chance for students to explore careers and employment prospects.

Kickoff for the job shadowing program is Feb. 2, and continues through March 13. Students job shadow between 8:30 a.m. and noon; however, other arrangements can be made.

Last year, 9,702 students participated in job shadowing activities and the school system's goal is to maintain the high level of student participation in 2009.

Job shadowing experiences help heighten student awareness of the link between school work and the world of work, said Connie Jones-Mouton, coordinator of minority achievement, in a school system press release.

Call 301-934-7245 or e-mail cmouton@ccboe.com for more information or to volunteer. The job shadowing experience can be tailored to meet the needs of the student and business. The deadline to volunteer is Jan. 16.

A school system job shadow volunteer form is available for download at www2.ccboe.com/pr/enclosures/2008-12-29-JobShadowForm.pdf.

Online newsletters offer education tips

Know what questions to ask in order to help a young child solve problems? How do you teach a child to take responsibility for assignments?

"Parents make the difference!" helps with these types of questions at all stages of a child's education. The monthly publication on the county's public schools' Web site, offers practical tips and solutions for how parents can get involved in their child's education. The articles are compiled from the Parent Institute's "Parents make the difference!" newsletter series.

The link is www2.ccboe.com/parentscomm/pmtd/index. Each section is updated monthly.

For more information about the Parent Institute, go to www.parent-institute.com.

Sign up now for spring Girl Scout camps

Girl Scout spring camps are being planned and limited spaces are available.

For more information, go to www.girlscouts4u.org or call Lori Davis at 800-834-1702.

Tell us your inauguration plans

Are you planning to attend any of the presidential inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C.? The Maryland Independent wants to hear about your plans and what the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama means to you. E-mail Kayleigh Kulp at kkulp@somdnews.com or Alan Brody at abrody@somdnews.com.

Seasonal songs from Schubert Singers

Schubert Singers will present its winter concert at 3 p.m. Jan. 11 at Christ Church on Charles Street in La Plata.

The program will begin with songs about snow, including "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," a setting of the Robert Frost poem by local composer Michael Peerless and "Velvet Shoes" by 20th-century composer Randall Thompson. Three American folk songs will be performed as well as a German carol, to observe the beginning of the season of Epiphany.

The concert is free.

Schubert Singers, a concert choir for children, is open by audition in the fall and spring to boys and girls entering second grade and above who like to sing. The singers learn and perform folk songs, spirituals, rounds and music by classical and contemporary composers that is especially suited to the young voice.

The audition will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at Christ Church. Singers will participate in a short rehearsal, then sing in pairs for the directors. Children making successful auditions will be invited to prepare for a spring concert to be presented June 14. Rehearsals will begin March 3. The cost is $35 per child, with additional children $25.