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Community Corner

🌱 Family Photos With The Easter Bunny + BSU Makes ‘Best’ Ranking

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Laurel.

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
|
(Patch Media)

Happy Friday, people of Laurel! Here's everything you need to know today in Laurel.

First, today's weather:

Cooler; windy in the p.m.. High: 54 Low: 32.

Here are the top three stories today in Laurel:

  1. Maryland is fighting against cancer with the"Maryland Cancer Moonshot Initiative" that is worth $216 million. The money for cancer research and treatment is part of Gov. Larry Hogan's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. About 30% of the money — some $67 million — will help build the new Prince George's Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo. Sarah Larson who is the senior director of oncology at the hospital, said, "The impact will greatly meet a historical need to have this one-stop shop of cancer services close to home in Prince George's County. Prince George's County has some of the highest rates of cancer mortalities and cancer incidences." (WTOP)
  2. Governor Larry Hogan recently commemorated March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day," which coincides with a call by the United States Vietnam War Commemoration to join in thanking and honoring Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. He said,"Our administration is eternally grateful for the men and women who bravely served this country, and we are proud to give our veterans this well-deserved recognition. Our citizens enjoy freedom because of the many sacrifices of our military veterans." (Maryland.gov)
  3. Bowie State University's graduate programs in education, nursing, computer science and public administration were recognized among the nation's best by the U.S. News & World Report's 2023 Best Graduate Schools ranking. This ranking system evaluates programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing. Each ranking uses different indicators of excellence across the fields of study to assess the quality of each program. (Bowie State)

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Today in Laurel:

  • Laurel Dutch Country Farmers Market—Open on 9701 Fort Meade Road (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
  • DC FD Burn Foundation Hockey Tournament in Laurel—The Annual DC Firefighters Burn Foundation Benefit Hockey Tournament is back! The tournament will be held April 1 to April 3 at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel. Registration is open now. Reserve your spot on Team Coast Guard. This is a B-C level event. Registration is on a first come-first served basis. (9:00 a.m.)
  • Drawing Techniques at North Laurel Community Center in Laurel—Strengthen your drawing skills as you focus on different media including graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, pastels and watercolor pencils. Techniques include modeling, color transitions, gesture style, blending and wet-on-dry. Materials included but you are encouraged to bring a sketchbook. Info: Ovan Shortt, 410-313-1693 or oshortt@howardcountymd.gov. (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
  • Family Photos with the Bunny—Visit the Bunny in Center Court in the Mall at Prince George's in Hyattsville to capture your spring family memories starting today. Digital photo packages are available with options to purchase prints. Reservations are encouraged. Walk-up visits are permitted when space is available. (11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
  • Food Distribution Event (Drive Thru)—Washington Ghanaian SDA Adventist Church in Columbia will be giving out FREE fruits and vegetables as well as information about other programs to benefit the community. (12:00 p.m.)
  • Domestic Violence Community Resource Fair—This event will take place at Takoma Recreation Center in NW D.C. (12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
  • Services for Families with Young Children—Meet us at Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County on the first Friday of each month for songs, prayers, and other Shabbat and holiday activities. We will meet outside in the back of the synagogue (where the Sukkah is built each fall). All families are welcome, but most appropriate for families with children from birth to age eight. (5:30 p.m.)
  • Ukraine Tribute: Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble (performance) at The Kennedy Center in NW D.C.—Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble will present folk dances from a variety of nations in Eastern Europe, with a program mostly centered on Ukraine and nations that are hosting Ukrainian refugees. These dances showcase the vibrancy and excitement of Eastern European folk dance, with numbers from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and North Macedonia. The performance will end with Ukraine's national dance, Hopak, one of the most recognizable dances from the region that showcases individual solos, tricks, lifts, and dizzying spins, as each dancer tries to outperform the last in a celebration of Ukrainian culture. (6:00 p.m.)
  • Family Friday Kabbalat Shabbat—Musical, fun services at Oseh Shalom Synagogue
    in Laurel. Spiritual and inclusive. All ages welcome. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Jordan Rock (performance) at the DC Improv Comedy Club—Jordan Rock has a famous name and the talent to go with it. The youngest Rock brother has been touring the country the last few years while also acting in Netflix series and movies. He recently taped his first stand-up special in his home state of South Carolina, and now he's coming back to DC to headline our club for a fifth time. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Comfort & Embrace: Brahms' Human Requiem at Dekelboum Concert Hall—Often known as a Requiem for the living, Brahms' masterpiece has touched concertgoers for over 150 years. In Comfort & Embrace, the UMD Chamber Singers join forces with the Washington, D.C.-based professional choir, The Thirteen, to remake this beloved work into a fully staged theatrical production designed to move each and every member of the audience. This production will feature the audience interspersed among the performers, creating a new relationship between audience, musicians and this touching work. Featuring exceptional pianists Derrick Goff and Rachelle Jonck, this production will be performed with its original and intimate orchestration—piano for four hands. About his Ein Deutsches Requiem Brahms wrote: "as regards the text, I must confess that I would gladly leave off the 'German' and replace it simply with 'human.'" Join the UMD Chamber Singers and The Thirteen for this concert which explores human connection. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Bauman Home Fellowship Group—Meets on the first and third Friday nights of each month. We are currently studying the book of Jonah. If interested please send an email to: dbauman11@verizon.net. (7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
  • Columbia Jazz Band: A Salute to the Duke—Join Columbia Jazz Band at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center in Columbia as they pay tribute to one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time! (7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • City of Laurel - Government: On Saturday, April 2 you can help the community by volunteering and earn service learning hours that go towards high school graduation. Call 301-725-7800 now to sign up. (Facebook)
  • City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development: The Department of Economic and Community Development is very happy to announce the promotion of Monta Burrough to the position of Deputy Director. (Facebook)
  • Social Media and Digital Marketing Specialist Kevin Wegman, Prince George's County Government: 5K Glow Walk/Run For Autism • Watkins Regional Park - Get your glow on at Watkins Regional Park for a great cause! Proceeds benefit the YouFit Scholarship for Autism! (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Russett: *MISSING PERSON* I've known Kayla since she was a toddler. She needs our assistance right now and we are concerned about her. Please keep a lookout in greater Laurel. (Nextdoor)
  • Communications and Outreach Team, WMATA: Metro board locks in service improvements, fare discounts in approved $4.5 billion budget. Last week, Metro's Board of Directors voted to approve a $4.5 billion package of service and construction projects that delivers affordability. (Nextdoor)
  • Social Media and Digital Marketing Specialist Kevin Wegman, Prince George's County Government: Armed Forces & Veterans 5K • Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail • May 7 - Get fit for our Armed Forces & Veterans! Whether you're racing to beat your fastest time or taking a stroll with friends or family, this event is for everyone! (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Bowling Brook Farms: Any volunteer ideas or opportunities for teenagers for their community service. They need a couple hours as possible. Preferably after school or weekends. (Nextdoor)
  • Economic Development Corporation - Communications Specialist Jordyn Tillman, Prince George's County Government: Takeout Tuesday Season 3 is here! We're kicking it off with Fireman's Cafe in Clinton! Known for its fried "shrab" cake served with a secret "Fireman's Sauce"! (Nextdoor)
  • Corporal Kurt Schnitzenbaumer, Prince George's County Police Department: Our 2022 PAL Summer Programs are still open for registration. For more information, regarding any of the programs, please check out the attached flyers and please visit our website. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Laurel Bowie: Does any one know the new location of the Navy Federal bank in Laurel Baltimore Avenue? They closed that one. (Nextdoor)

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Events:

  • "Emma" The Pop Musical (April 1)
  • Estate/Garage Sale.......EBTH...........Everything But The House (April 2)
  • 11th Annual, The Pink Event®: An all-inclusive, women-focused experience! (April 2)
  • The Benefits of Gratitude & Positive Affirmations (April 3)
  • Fire-Up Dance Class for Young Girls and Teens (April 4)
  • Loving Yourself-Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Class (April 9)
  • Managing Money, Creating and Building Workshops (April 9)
  • Kids Nearly New Spring Sale (April 23)
  • D.C.Temple Public Open House (April 28)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm a Bowie area resident with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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