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Community Corner

🌱 Students Fight To Save School + Honoring Healthcare Heroes

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)

Happy Saturday, people of Laurel! Here's everything you need to know going on today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 31 Low: 16.

Here are the top three stories in Laurel today:

  1. Prince George's County students fighting to save their school recently spoke out at a school board budget hearing. One student shared that she was told not to testify by an unknown caller. Staff at Community Based Classroom in Lanham said several students received strange calls asking them if they were going to speak or urging them not to speak. CBC student Jade Mason received one of these calls from an unknown number shortly after registering for the meeting. Mason said that she heard aggression in the caller's voice. The caller told Mason to "not speak" at the meeting or any "future budget meetings." Yet Mason said she "will not be silenced." (FOX 5 DC)
  2. Graduate students at Maryland public universities are asking state lawmakers for the right to unionize. Most graduate students within the University System of Maryland rely on working as teaching and research assistants in exchange for free tuition and a stipend. But stipends can be as low as $21,000. Samuel DiBella, a first-year graduate student on the College Park campus, said that such a low stipend makes it difficult for students with children or those who do not have a safety net to complete graduate school. (WTOP)
  3. Governor Larry Hogan recently encouraged all Marylanders to celebrate the state's frontline medical workers as he issued an official proclamation designating Feb. 7 to Feb. 13 as Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week in Maryland. Gov. Hogan applauded "the tireless work of our healthcare heroes". He's calling on "all Marylanders to take time out next week to do something to show your support and appreciation for our healthcare heroes." As part of this appreciation week, Gov. Hogan's office will collect stories to salute Maryland's healthcare heroes. (Maryland.gov)

Today in Laurel:

  • Visit the Dinosaur Park in Laurel! (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
  • ASALH Prince George's County Truth Branch Event, Get Up!: Music and Black Wellness at the Montpelier Arts Center. (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
  • Family Building Extravaganza at Maryland City Library — How tall can you make a tower out of cups? How about with marshmallows and toothpicks? Get creative as a family as you build structures out of a variety of objects. Please register your entire family under one name. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. (2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
  • Candle Making Workshop in Bethesda — Scents by The Company wants to create an experience in this event! It is hosting a candle workshop that will provide ALL materials needed to make scented candles. Receive light refreshments with music and enjoy games while waiting for candle wax to cool. After creating the perfect candle for yourself, a loved one, or bae, you are now are ready to take your candle home with you and enjoy it in the comfort of your own home. ALL attendees MUST wear a MASK! (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Laurel Police Department: On behalf of Chief Hamill, and all of the women and men of the Laurel Police Department, Cpl. Johnson dropped off supplies at two of our local parishes to be given out to the homeless in need of help. (Facebook)
  • City of Laurel - Government: After meeting as volunteers on the island of Tonga 8 years ago, a local couple felt the waves of the powerful tsunami that crashed into the Tongan Islands. Laurel TV's Jamal Williams introduces us to this Laurel couple leading relief efforts for the tiny nation that means so much to them. (Facebook)
  • Valentine's Day is almost here. Order your Galentine or Valentine a box of amazing treats! Hot cocoa bombs, sugar cookies and gooey chocolate chip cookies available in customizable boxes! (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Wellington North: Little Village Daycare #257505, located in Laurel, have openings for 3 years old and up. We get the kiddos kindergarten ready, and provide meals. We are CPR certified. Children will have lots of fun, play and learn! (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Montpelier Woods: The University of MD Department of Fraternity & Sorority Life is currently searching for Resident Directors for the 2022-2023 academic year. We are looking for passionate and talented people to join our team. (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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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