🌱 Keep MD Beautiful​ Program Awarded $320K + Local Zumbathon

Alexis Goring
Updated ·7 min read

Hey, Laurel! It's Saturday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in Laurel.

First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 78 Low: 49.

Here are the top four stories today in Laurel:

  1. An unfortunate incident happened on a local high school's baseball team's home turf that put a damper on the anticipation of the baseball season starting. A fire burned Parkdale High School's home dugout to the ground leaving the squad with a damaged field and no equipment. As Prince George’s County investigators figure out what caused the fire, the Parkdale baseball team is receiving support from the region’s baseball community to help them spring forward and perhaps play on their home field at least once this season. (WTOP)

  2. Forever Maryland recently announced that 85 grants totaling $320,000 have been awarded toward environmental education, community cleanup and beautification projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. These annual grants are funded by the Maryland Environmental Trust, Forever Maryland, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). (Maryland.gov)

  3. Defending champion Whereshetoldmetogo and fellow multiple stakes winner Jaxon Traveler are scheduled to compete for the first time in Saturday’s $75,000 Not For Love at Laurel Park. The six-furlong Not For Love for 4-year-olds and up is one of two stakes restricted to Maryland-bred/sired horses on an 11-race program, along with the $75,000 Conniver for fillies and mares 4 and older sprinting seven furlongs. (Past The Wire)

  4. According to Patch reporter Kristin Danley-Greiner, for the second time in less than a year, a 32-year-old nurse who lives in Bowie and works in a Maryland COVID-19 intensive care unit, celebrated winning the Maryland Lottery. She bought her newest lucky ticket March 1 at the Kettering BP gas station in Upper Marlboro. (Patch)

Today in Laurel:

  • Laurel Dutch Country Farmers Market—Open on 9701 Fort Meade Road (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

  • Player Evaluations with Laurel Little League, Inc. (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

  • Family Storytime at Discoveries (the library in Annapolis Mall) (10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)

  • Picture Bingo at sweetFrog Laurel—It’s time for some froyo fun! Bring the kids in for some fun, prizes and sweetFrog. The kids will play 3 games of BINGO, 2 lines and 1 coverall. The prize for winning the coverall, a small plush of Scoop or Cookie! Finish off your fun with a kids cup of sweetFrog! Tickets are $10 for each participant. This covers the games, prizes and yogurt! Parents don’t have to play, but they do have to stay! (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

  • Hoppy Hour and Meditation with Bunnies at The Self Care Social II—Join us for a fun, relaxing and cute bunny experience! Bunnies will be visiting from Tripple Spring Farm from Brandywine for Hoppy Hour, which includes a short, guided mediation. Included in your ticket is also a lemonade. Space is very limited. BYO yoga mat or towel to sit on. Please wear a mask, to keep everyone safe. (11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)

  • Zumbathon For Multiple Sclerosis at Fitness Evolution in Laurel (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

  • Women’s History Tea at the Montpelier Mansion in Laurel (2:00 p.m.)

  • Christylez Bacon and the Washington Sound Museum Orchestra—Christylez Bacon is a Grammy Nominated Progressive Hip-Hop artist and multi-instrumentalist from Southeast, Washington, D.C. As a performer. Her multi-tasks between various instruments such as the West African djembe drum, acoustic guitar, and the human beat box (oral percussion), all while continuing the oral tradition of storytelling through his lyrics. In Washington, D.C., Christylez began a cross-cultural collaborative concert series, Washington Sound Museum (WSM). WSM is a monthly intimate celebration of music featuring guest artists from various cultural backgrounds, ranging from the Hindustani & Carnatic music of India, the Contemporary Arabic music of Egypt, and the music of Brazil. (6:00 p.m.)

  • John Crist Comedy Show at The Lyric Baltimore—"The Fresh Cuts Comedy Tour is unlike any tour we’ve ever done. It’s been quite an experience to have been off the road for almost two years and really have time to think, create and build a stand-up show that is all-new, fresh and funny,” says John. “I recently performed at a few small venues in preparation for the tour, and fans were SO grateful to just be outside, in a social setting amongst friends. Especially with comedy, it feels like the more the world is kind of upside down, the better the comedy. There really is no better therapy than coming together for a night of laughter.” (7:00 p.m.)

  • LIVE MUSIC: The Thistle and The Rose at Capitol Cider House in NW DC—Keep the St. Patty's party going with a homegrown Celtic duo! The Thistle & The Rose delivers an upbeat combo of danceable fiddle grooves and stomping raucous rhythms. They've performed together as a duo since 2016, delighting audiences across the DMV and were featured performers at The Alexandria Irish Festival. (7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

  • Roll N Skate Social Club at Laurel Roller Skating Center (7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

  • Grace the musical at Ford's Theatre in NW DC—"Grace" is a brand-new musical by local Washington, D.C. composer Nolan Williams celebrating African-American food, family, and tradition. The musical tells the story of the Minton family and their struggles owning a family restaurant in a changing neighborhood through a mix of musical styles, including jazz, R&B, and ballads. (7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Public Information, Bowie Police Department: The next DEA #DrugTakeBackDay is scheduled for April 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thank you for safely and responsibly disposing of unused medications! (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Montpelier Forest: Looking for a plumber recommendation. I have a toilet I want replaced. Can anyone recommend a licensed and insured plumber? (Nextdoor)

  • Associate Commissioner, Consumer Education & Advocacy Joy Hatchette, Maryland Insurance Administration: "Surrender charge" What does it mean? Watch this video for the definition. #WordOfTheDay. (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Villages at Wellington: Urgently hiring cashier and tagger positions at ZIPS Dry Cleaners on 14705 Baltimore Ave in Laurel. (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Villages at Wellington: I am seeking help for a family member who is a conscientious, smart, considerate young man who is seeking employment starting after school or in summer following school year. (Nextdoor)

  • Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Communications, Montgomery County Government: Go Electric is happening today from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.! This FREE event takes place at North Campus Drive, on the campus of Montgomery College in Rockville. (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, High Ridge: Looking for recommendations for refinishing kitchen cabinets. Ours need to be cleaned and repainted. Any recommendations? Has anyone used American Cabinet Refinishers?Any other company or individual? (Nextdoor)

  • Maryland Public Service Commission Tori Leonard, State of Maryland: Washington Gas fined more than $1 million for poor customer service. The Maryland Public Service Commission has imposed a civil penalty of more than $1 million against Washington Gas for a decline in customer service quality. (Nextdoor)

  • Citizen Services Specialist Jorhan Santana, Prince George’s County Government: We invite you to join us for the virtual Community Partners’ Spring Meeting on April 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (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.

This article originally appeared on the Laurel Patch