🌱 Laurel Offers Paid Career Opportunity + Red Cross Blood Drive

Alexis Goring
Updated ·6 min read

Good morning, Laurel! Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on around town today.

First, today's weather:

A bit of afternoon snow. High: 37 Low: 21.

Here are the top three stories today in Laurel:

  1. The City of Laurel, in partnership with the Metro Baltimore AFL-CIO, United Way of Central Maryland, and Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake are collaborating to present a free, apprenticeship training opportunity. It's being offered via the Raising the B.A.R. (Baltimore Apprenticeship Readiness) Program administered by the Baltimore D.C. Metro Building Trades Unions.These are "earn while you learn" career opportunities in building and construction trades. (City of Laurel)

  2. Bethlehem Stables' Wondrwherecraigis will kick off his 5-year-old campaign at home in the $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park Jan. 29. The six-furlong Fire Plug is among six stakes worth $550,000 in purses on a scheduled 10-race program at the Maryland oval. (BloodHorse.com)

  3. Red Cross is hosting an upcoming Blood Drive in Laurel. The number of Red Cross blood donors declined 10 percent since the pandemic began. As an incentive, people who donate blood or plasma through the Red Cross during February will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card. People who give blood or plasma during January will automatically be entered to win two tickets to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, California. (Laurel Patch)

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Today in Laurel:

  • Glitter Bonspiel — Three Game Guarantee with 24 teams! Registration is $360 per team. Open to curlers of all ages! Enjoy this event at the Potomac Curling Club in Laurel! Register at: https://curldc.regfox.com/2022... (12:00 p.m)

  • Sheila E. And The E-Train— Best known to music fans as Sheila E., she became a top session and touring musician before the age of 20, performing and/or recording with Prince, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, and Steve Nicks among others. Sheila E.'s producing, arranging, and performance talents have been showcased throughout the music and film industry with appearances on, The Academy Awards, The Latin Grammy Awards, BET Awards, The American Music Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors, The Summer Olympics, WOW Awards, ALMA's, and The Image Awards. In 2014, Sheila released her literary biography titled The Beat of My Own Drum, and her solo album, ICON. In 2018, Sheila E. released, ICONIC: Message for America, an album that displays her efforts in awareness to social issues and humanitarianism. Sheila E. continues to produce and perform music throughout the world. Listen to her performance at the City Winery in Washington, D.C. (6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)

  • AcoustiCafe Live at Laurel American Legion Post #60— AcoustiCafe is back at the American Legion Post 60 in Laurel! Get ready for a night out full of great acoustic-style Rock, Folk and Country classics and plenty of dancing! Enjoy the company of our Country's heroic veterans. The event is open to the public. Enjoy some food and drink with some great Americans. No cover charge and guests are welcome, just push the buzzer and sign in. (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

  • Boys Varsity Basketball v. Croom - CMIT Academy North - High Public Charter (7:00 p.m)

  • Stand-Up Showcase —Some of the best stand-ups from the local comedy scene are coming to perform on one of comedy's most famous stages (DC Improv Comedy Club in NW DC). This is a showcase, with several comedians performing for a total of around 90 minutes. (7:30 p.m.)

  • Benedetti Performs Marsalis Violin Concerto — Marin Alsop returns to the podium for a world premiere by composer and sound artist Angélica Castelló. Following the premiere, Grammy® Award-winner Nicola Benedetti performs Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto in D Major, a work written specially for her. Saint-Saëns’ brilliant “Organ” Symphony crowns the program. For info on the latest guidelines concerning mask and vaccination requirements, please visit BSOmusic.org/ResponsibleReturn. For more info, visit www.BSOmusic.org or contact PatronSupport@BSOmusic.org or by phone at 410-783-8000. (8:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • PGCPS: Today we unveiled a new mural at William Hall Academy by local artist Ryan Allen that depicts history and community progress! #PGCPSProud (Instagram)

  • City of Laurel - Government: The City of Laurel sends its deepest condolences to the family of Mayor Kevin Ward and to the Elected Officials and City staff of Hyattsville Municipal Government on the tragic loss of your beloved Hyattsville Mayor. (Facebook)

  • City of Laurel - Government: Governor Larry Hogan has ordered the United States and Maryland flags to fly at half-staff in honor of the firefighters lost in the Line of Duty fighting Thursday’s fire in Baltimore City. (Facebook)

  • City of Laurel - Government: Do you have a background in computers and looking to start your career in IT? Check out this Virtual Hiring Event on Feb. 10! Registration information is below. (Facebook)

  • City of Laurel - Government: With 40 percent of Maryland children in the 5 - 11 age group receiving at least one dose of the two-dose regimen, the Maryland Department of Health has created a new series of statewide ads featuring “Real Kids” who have been vaccinated against #COVID19. (Facebook)

  • City of Laurel - Government: With February 1st less than a week away, the City of Laurel plans to host a Virtual Black History Month Program Honoring the City of Laurel's African American Elected Officials on Feb. 6, starting at 3:00 p.m. (Facebook)

  • Laurel Parks & Recreation: Pickleball Drop-in returns 2/22/22 at the Laurel Armory. Don't forget your paddle! For more information, visit https://www.cityoflaurel.org/p... (Facebook)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Laurel Lakes: 55 more days until spring! Book your next inflatable party www.kapookids.com (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Old Town Laurel: Need a nanny? I have my certifications for infant and toddlers and school age. I’m looking to work between 30 to 40 hours. If you know a friend who needs a nanny, please refer me! (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, North Laurel Road: Is anyone renting out a basement or an apartment for a small family in Laurel? It's urgent! (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Villages at Wellington: Does anyone have suggestions for Chinese Food places in the Laurel Lakes area? We used to go to Lannys at Rt. 1 and Cherry Lane, but they closed their doors. (Nextdoor).

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! See you all tomorrow for your next 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