United Way online auction opens for Mardi Gras Gala

Friday, Feb. 9, 2007

The auction will run through March 1. United Way supporters will be receiving e-mails about the auction, and can forward those e-mails to invite an unlimited number of guests to virtually ‘‘attend” and take part in the auction. Using updated software provided by cMarket Inc., a company with a focus on serving non-profit organizations, the United Way of Calvert County has assembled a catalog of auction items to get people bidding.

Auction items that promise adventure, travel and luxurious relaxation are up for bid, including jewelry, golf packages, business services, martial arts summer camps and fitness memberships.

Although the online auction will end March 1 the auction itself will conclude at the Mardi Gras Gala on March 3, on the main floor of the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro. Proceeds from the event and auction items will go to United Way of Calvert County’s 34 local agencies and programs that help community members.

For more information about the Mardi Gras event, auction, donations, sponsorships, tickets or getting involved, call Kelly Chambers at 410-286-0100.

Black historyon Chesapeake Bay is subject of lecture

Vincent Leggett will present ‘‘Blacks on the Chesapeake” at the Calvert Marine Museum on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. Leggett is the founder of the Blacks on the Chesapeake Foundation and holder of the distinguished honorary title of Admiral of the Chesapeake.

The Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, founded in 1984, is dedicated to sharing the legacy of black achievement in the maritime and seafood-related industries of the Chesapeake Bay region. Ultimately, the foundation seeks to shatter the myth that people of color are neither concerned about nor involved in the environmental and economic issues affecting their communities. Leggett is also an author and lecturer in his own right, recognized for bringing to light the significant achievements of black people throughout the history of the Chesapeake Bay. He will present a multimedia program with a book signing to follow. The program is free.

For more information, call 410-326-2042, ext. 41, or visit the museum’s Web site at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day Gathering canceled

The Friends of Calvert County Senior’s Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day Gathering scheduled for Friday, Feb. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. has been canceled. This event will not be rescheduled.

Conservation program deadlines extended

Virginia (Ginger) L. Murphy, state conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maryland, announced the extension of time for Maryland’s farmers to be considered for financial assistance in the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (through Feb. 28,), and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (through Feb. 16).

Farmers interested in installing conservation practices through EQIP or WHIP should contact their local NRCS or Soil Conservation District office, located at USDA service centers, for more information on the eligible conservation practices, the application process, and receiving conservation assistance. In Calvert County call 410-535-1521. Information on these programs is available at www.md.nrcs.usda.gov.

So. Md. College Access Network sponsoring FAFSA workshop

Parents of high school seniors, won’t want to miss the FAFSA line by line workshop on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Calvert High School auditorium on Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. The workshop will break down the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application line by line, giving information about completing the FAFSA accurately. The workshop is lead by Sonia K. Wagner, executive director of Southern Maryland College Access Network, an emerging non-profit organization working to help students and families understand the intricacies and application process for college admissions and financial aid.

Patuxent High School to host registration night for courses Feb. 21

Patuxent High School will host its annual registration night on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. Registration night will provide information about course offerings, the registration process, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, college planning and advising for all freshmen.

AP teachers, department heads and guidance counselors will be available to talk with and answer questions for interested students and parents.

Parents and students of all grade levels should plan to attend to learn more about the academic and extra-curricular offerings available at Patuxent High School.

Guidance counselors and teachers from all subjects will be available in the front lobby to answer questions throughout the evening.

An information session will be given for all freshmen parents in the auditorium to explain the registration process and timeline, as well as to share information about classes and graduation pathways.

Parents are urged to attend in order to learn about new graduation requirements and High School Assessment (HSA) testing.

AP teachers representing all AP courses will be available in the media center to discuss the benefits for students who enroll in AP courses. Data indicate that students who take AP courses and the AP exam in high school substantially increase their chances for success in college. Students and parents considering enrollment in AP courses are urged to attend.

There will be an activity fair in the cafeteria to allow students and parents to learn more about ways to get involved in clubs and sports. Representatives from groups will be present to answers questions and share experiences. Important Registration Dates at Patuxent High are Feb. 13 to 23, where counselors will visit English classes for registration presentation and distribution of materials; Feb. 21, registration night at 7 p.m.; Feb. 27, registration day, where first period teachers will distribute registration forms and students will obtain teacher and parent signatures; Feb. 28 to March 2, with collection of registration sheets through first period teachers.

University women offering grants

The American Association of University Women has announced its Dare to Dream grant for women 18 and older who wish to apply for a $300 grant to further their educational opportunities, for personal growth or for service projects in their communities. Applications for those living in Calvert County are available at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick. Applications may also be obtained from msalh@comcast.net or by calling Ann Harrison at 410-394-3733.

Applications are due by March 31 and may be mailed to AAUW Dare to Dream Grant, P.O. Box 216, St. Leonard, MD 20685.

State senior hall of fame currently accepting nominations

The search is on for a Maryland resident, 60 years of age or older, who has made an outstanding contribution to improve the lives of others in the community, to be nominated for the 2007 Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

Nominations may be made by an individual or an organization.

Forms are also available by calling Parker Koons at 410-828-58-52 or Dr. Robert Lloyd at 410-744-6101.

MSCHF will induct up to 50 nominees. The deadline for nominations is April 30.