Bowie News: National Night Out, Farmers' Market, Ice Arena Open and Exhibit at Bel Air Mansion

The City of Bowie newsletter is out and there are fun community events planned, along with ways you can give back to the community. National Night Out is Tuesday, the farmers’ market is in full swing, and your civic group can help mark storm drains.

Visit the city of Bowie website to find news.

National Night Out Against Crime – August 5, 6 - 8 p.m.

Learn about crime prevention, have some fun, and meet your local law enforcement officers at Bowie’s National Night Out Against Crime. Enjoy games, children’s activities, free food, fingerprinting demonstrations, and more at this year’s event at Allen Pond Park.

Beat the Heat at the Bowie Ice Arena

The Ice Arena reopened last month after a two-month hiatus for maintenance. Summer skating camps are under way. The facility offers camps, group lessons, public sessions, birthday parties, pickup hockey, pickup figure skating and stick & puck sessions. For more information, visit us online at http://www.cityofbowie.orgor call 301-809-3090.

Visit the Bowie Farmers’ Market

Market vendors offer fresh locally grown produce, fruit, cut flowers, plants, breads, pastries, jams, jellies, meat and more. The market operates in the parking lot of the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts at Bowie High School, 15200 Annapolis Road on Sundays, 8 a.m. - noon, through Oct. 26. For more information, contact Matt Corley at 301-809-3078 or mcorley@cityofbowie.org.

“The Enemy Nearly All Around Us”

Through Sept. 12, Belair Mansion will host a special exhibit detailing life in this area during the War of 1812. Of particular importance is the effect the local campaign had on the Ogle family of Belair and their relatives throughout Prince George’s County and in Washington, D.C. The exhibit can be enjoyed during Mansion open hours, Tuesday - Sunday, noon - 4 p.m. Free. For more information, contact 301-809-3089 or museumevents@cityofbowie.org.

Get Reimbursed $20 Application Fee for Certifying Your Yard as a Backyard Habitat

If you haven’t certified your yard as a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat yet, now is a great time! Usually, it costs $20 to certify your yard, but starting July 30, the City of Bowie will reimburse that amount to 50 homeowners in the corporate limits of Bowie. Reimbursements will be given on a first come, first served basis until all have been claimed or until the program end date on June 5, 2015.

Go to http://www.nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitatto learn more about the certification and to complete the application. Then, e-mail or mail the receipt for your application certification fee along with your name, address, and phone number to klarson@cityofbowie.org or Kristin Larson, 15901 Excalibur Road, Bowie, MD 20716. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for the City of Bowie to send a $20 reimbursement check to your home address. Electronic certification and reimbursement submissions are preferred for this program. If you need assistance applying online or have any questions about this program, contact the City’s Sustainability Planner, Kristin Larson, at 301-809-3044.

Volunteer to Mark Storm Drains!

Are you part of a scout, civic, church, parenting, homeschool or other group looking for a volunteer project? We are looking for groups to apply storm drain markers in select areas across the city. Markers are applied to storm drains along the curbs of city-owned streets to increase awareness that water and anything else entering the storm drain flows directly into our streams.

This project can be a one-time weekend or evening event that takes anywhere from 2 – 5 hours, depending on how long your group wants to work. The task involves the application of a four-inch steel disc marker to the storm drain with an adhesive. All supplies are provided. You simply need to have a group leader and willing volunteers. If Prince George’s County students work, they can earn Student Service Learning hours.

If interested, contact the City’s Watershed Manager, Tiffany Wright, at 301-809-3043 or twright@cityofbowie.org. To see a picture of a marked storm drain, go to www.cityofbowie.org/GreenProjects.