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Community Corner

🌱MD State Of Emergency Ends + Court Overturns Gerrymandering Map

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

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Rise and shine, Laurel! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in Laurel.

First, today's weather:

Rain; colder in the afternoon. High: 55 Low: 24.

Here are the top three stories in Laurel today:

  1. Gulfstream Park's feature race, highlighted by several promising 3-year-olds including debut winners American Icon and Iron Works, will highlight Friday's Stronach 5. The Stronach 5 will feature races from Santa Anita Park, Laurel Park and Golden Gate Fields along with a low 12-percent takeout. The Stronach 5, which continues to offer a strong return on investment, will start at 3:57 p.m. with Laurel's eighth race, a wide-open maiden $16,000 claiming event at a mile for 3-year-olds. (laurelpark.com)
  2. A Prince George's County judge ruled that the County Council failed to follow the law when it approved a controversial redistricting plan last year. As a result, a map crafted in secret by lawmakers will not be used in this year elections. During a virtual hearing last month, an attorney hired by county residents argued that the council-backed map should be thrown out. Lawmakers approved a resolution instead. (WTOP)
  3. Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that COVID-19 hospitalizations in the State of Maryland have dropped below 1,500, as the state continues to report substantial declines in health metrics. Thursday marked the end of the 30-day state of emergency that the governor declared last month. In his State of the State address, Gov. Hogan said, "we have turned back another dangerous variant of COVID-19." He also said that "our long-term public health response will continue." (Maryland.gov)

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Today in Laurel:

  • Outdoor Ice Skating at Washington Harbour — Experience D.C.'s largest outdoor skating rink at The Washington Harbour! It's open for skating every day, including the holidays. Open for general admission, as well as private rentals. (11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
  • Food Distribution Event (Drive Thru) — Pick up FREE fruits and vegetables, plus information about other programs to benefit the community in Columbia. (12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
  • Laurel Park Racing event in Laurel (12:50 p.m. to 4:54 p.m.)
  • Stephen Sondheim: West Side Story (1961) — Ten Oscar wins, including Best Picture, for the dazzling screen adaptation of Broadway's "Romeo and Juliet"-inspired musical smash, a tale of forbidden love starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. This classic is unforgettable for the brilliant score and lyrics from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. (1:00 p.m.)
  • Piano Jazz at Tagliata in Baltimore—To complement the restaurant's menu and décor, guests will be able to hear some of Baltimore's most talented musicians play Tagliata's 1926 Steinway piano, seven nights a week in the lounge. Pasta, wine and live piano will make every night out even more memorable! (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
  • Clint Black featuring Lisa Hartman Black at The Lyric in Baltimore — Clint Black, groundbreaking debut album, genre altering record cemented the country music icon as one of the truest traditionalists in the game and his widespread influence can still be felt in the works of artists today. Now he is heading out on tour with Lisa Hartman Black. Having earned 22 #No. 1 career singles, nearly two dozen gold and platinum awards (U.S. and Canada), a Grammy Award, numerous CMA, ACM and American Music Awards, Clint Black has had one of the most storied careers in modern music. Clint Black continues to hold firm in making great music that doesn't fit a mold or conform to current popularity. (8:00 p.m.)
  • Gina Chavez in concert at the City Winery in Washington, D.C. (8:30 p.m.)
  • A Raisin in the Sun — Up next at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, opening tonight. It's the story of a Black family's struggle to achieve their dreams. Directed by Reggie Phoenix, associate professor of Theatre at Morgan State University, and featuring CSC company members Gerrad Alex Taylor, as Walter Lee Younger and Tamieka Chavis, as Lena "Mama" Younger. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. For tickets and more information, visit www.ChesShakes.com/Raisin (8:00 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • City of Laurel - Government: As a mouth watering preview to its "What's Cookin' in Laurel" exhibit, the Laurel History Museum is presenting a virtual program called "Food and Faith" at St. Mark's Church and the Grove on Feb. 10 at 7:00 p.m. (Facebook)
  • City of Laurel - Government: Passing along an opportunity for those in need of the #COVID19 vaccine or booster. Hyattsville Municipal Government is offering a FREE clinic on Feb. 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Villages at Wellington: Does anyone have a recommendation for a good veterinarian in the Laurel area? I adopted two cats and need to get them checked out. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Russett: I need local input on the Monarch Globals charter schools. Are the charter schools really better than the public schools? (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Old Town Laurel: Possible pet rabbit near Old Town Laurel. Not super skittish, but keeps some distance. For the time, I have him in my back yard. (Nextdoor)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for 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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