october
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mmcdc newsTRANSCRIPT
Dancing unto the Lord is Ms. Briana Gray,
a Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr High School student.
Ms. Gray's dance is used to glorify God at the
Resurrection Bible Fellowship Church that
meets at Patuxent Elementary School.
From page 1. Gingerbread Christ-
mas
NEW Senior Services: Sign-up
Now for Snow Emergency Relief
Last Paper Copy! Meadowlark Goes OnLast Paper Copy! Meadowlark Goes OnLast Paper Copy! Meadowlark Goes On---Line @Line @Line @
Gingerbread
Christmas @ Patuxent
Marlboro Meadows Marlboro Meadows Marlboro Meadows
Community DevelopmentCommunity DevelopmentCommunity Development
Corporation (MMCDC)Corporation (MMCDC)Corporation (MMCDC)
Office: 240 627Office: 240 627Office: 240 627---791579157915
FAX: 202 355FAX: 202 355FAX: 202 355---666866686668
[email protected]@[email protected]
The MeadowlarkThe MeadowlarkThe Meadowlark O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9
N E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E R
T O D O L I S T !
Educator‟s
Scholarship closes
10-15-09 Page 3
Senior Services
Sign-up for snow
Services Page 4
Vendors & Performers
Sign-up for
Gingerbread Christmas
@ Patuxent Page 5
Come to Resume
Workshop: How to
Apply for Federal Jobs
11-2-09 Page 8
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E
Highlights of Meetings 2
Resurrection Bible Fellowship 3
Lango Foreign
Language Scholarship 3
Christmas Lights Contest 3
Senior Services 4
Gingerbread Christmas 5
PSAT / SAT 6
Bethel UMC Community
Outreach 7
How to Apply for Federal Jobs 8
Mulch Can Kill Trees 8
REPORT ALL CRIME:
Register for MMCDC‟s new senior services
program which will promote the emotional,
social, and physical well-being of older adults
through existing county/state/Federal resources.
Ms. Janet Dickerson leads this exciting new
program that will also help students earn
community service credits.
In addition, area churches will partner and
connect with our older adults.
Watch our progress at www.mmcdc.net! But
for now, seniors should call the Office at
240 627-7915 to sign-up for;
Snow emergency telephone tree
Snow shoveling services
Acts of friendship and kindness
Continued on page 4, See Senior Services
Call the MMCDC office at 240 627-7915
to pick-up a paper copy!
Bethel United Methodist Church will
partner with the Meadows to host a
Christmas Extravaganza.
Vendors Needed! Patuxent Elementary School
Monday December 7, 2009 6:30PM
Continued on page 5, See Christmas
Report ALL criminal activity to the police. Keep a
record of all incidents and send YOUR information to
[email protected]. MMCDC is sharing monthly
reports with the authorities.
WE NEED YOUR regular REPORTS! Together we can move crime out of the Meadows!
Call Prince George’s County Police
Immediate police = 911
Non-emergency District II 301-390-2100
Police non-emergency 301-333-4000
Call Maryland-National Capital Park Police
Non-Emergency: 301-459-9088
Emergency: 911 OR 301-459-3232
MMCDC Meeting Highlights
2
Date: Monday, October 5, 2009
The Marlboro Meadows Community Development
Corporation‟s General Membership Meeting was called
to order by the President.
Opening Prayer was offered by James Smith.
The minutes were read and approved.
NEW BUSINESS: Retiring Officers of 2008 admini-
stration were recognized by Alice Holt of the Office
Community Relations for the Honorable County Execu-
tive, Jack Johnson.
NEW BUSINESS: Resume Workshop Instructions on resume preparation was provided by
Ms. Shawn Young, Career Navigator for Baltimore City
Youth Programs.
Federal job applicant, George Terry gave advice based
on personal experiences to successfully apply for
Federal jobs.
The next class will be led by Robin Terry Mazyck,
Federal recruiter, to all participants in seeking
individualized resume review & job referral assistance.
Shawn Young & George Terry Career Navigator Successful Fed Applicant
Mazyck & Senator Peters
Date: Monday, September 14, 2009
The Marlboro Meadows Community Development
Corporation‟s General Membership Meeting was called to
order by the President at 7:45PM
Opening Prayer was offered by Robin Terry Mazyck.
There were no prior minutes to read and there were
no OLD BUSINESS items.
NEW BUSINESS: Recognition and Appreciation Certifi-
cates for volunteers.
MMCDC‟s Special Guest, the Honorable Douglas Peters,
presented certificates to retiring MMCDC officers James
Smith, Paula Porter, Teresa Lynn, and Sammie Whitehead.
Councilman Samuel Dean, Delegate Marvin Holmes, and
Governor Martin O‟Malley also sent certificates.
Appreciation certificates were presented to all MMCDC‟s
2008-2009 volunteers.
NEW BUSINESS: MMCDC
introduced the newly elected
Board of Directors. Board
Member, Frazier resigned
effective September 2009.
NEW BUSINESS: Annual Activity Plan and Recreation
Committee Reports: The president identified a variety of
proposed activities for the general membership, beginning
with a resume writing class in October. The executive
secretary gave information about up-coming activities at
the Patuxent Community Center.
New MMCDC Board of Directors with Senator Peters
Senator Douglas J.J. Peters, Paula Porter, Sammie Whitehead, & Teresa Lynn
3
Lango Offers 3 Foreign Language
Scholarships to Educators’ Children
Resurrection Bible Fellowship (RBF),
established as a home church in November 2007,
now worships and serves God and His
people in Upper Marlboro, Maryland at the
Patuxent Elementary School of the Marlboro
Meadows Community. The Pastor of RBF is
Reginald Slade, who has a passion for meeting the
needs of the people.
Ministry activities include:
*Children‟s Sunday School at 10.20AM
*Worship service at 11:00AM every Sunday
*Prayer meeting and bible study every Tuesday
night at 7:00 PM
*Saturday morning prayer by phone every
Saturday at 7:00 AM
*Saturday outreach in the Marlboro Meadows
Community at 11:00 AM twice a month
Outreach missions involve donating food, school
supplies, and other necessities to the families in
the community and the county as a whole. During
the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we
provide turkeys and other items to the needy.
It is RBF‟s desire to, not just talk about love, but
to actually bring the love of Jesus to the Marlboro
Meadows Community. RBF will fellowship and
connect with the hearts of the people on a regular
basis.
If you have a need, the Pastor can be reached on
301 802-9427.
Resurrection Bible Fellowship
Welcomes All
Lango of Prince George‟s County is offering three scholarships
for Spanish, French, and Mandarin languages to Prince George‟s
County educators. The Sue E. Goodson Excellence in Educa-
tion Scholarship will go to educator applicants who have are
employed in PG County‟s public or private preschool/elementary
schools. Applicants must have at least one child (age 18 months
through 9 years). To apply, please send an email application
package to [email protected]. The application
package should include information about the applicant (like an
informational resume) and an essay of no more than 500 words
on, “Why is learning a second language important to give my
child a competitive edge?” Successful applicants must attend
at least 27 of the 30 Lango foreign language classes of the Lango
curriculum.
Less than 15 percent of public elementary schools offer foreign
language programs making opportunities scarce for children
from English speaking families to gain fluency in a second lan-
guage. Lango works with parents and local schools to teach chil-
dren Spanish, French, and Mandarin at convenient times to in-
clude after school, on weekends, and during summer camps to
boost bilingualism in children. Research shows that learning a
second language at a young age when the „acquisition window‟
is still open not only improves a child‟s retention of the lan-
guage, but also their ability to speak accent free.
Joanne Wallington, Program Director for Prince George‟s
County, introduced Lango to Prince George‟s County in an effort
to fill a void for foreign language programs for young students.
In making the announcement, Wallington said, “I am pleased to
offer these scholarships named in honor of my aunt who recently
retired from early education after over 35 years in business.”
Applications are due by October 15, 2009. Selections will be
made by October 22, 2009.
Are You Ready for
Christmas Lights Contest?
MMCDC has prizes for the 3 best decorated
homes in the Meadows.
In addition, we will look for the best neighbor-
hood decorated block!
MMCDC hopes you will join in the fun and decorate
your home!
From page 1, Senior Services
Ms. Dickerson is working to involve county offices, political officials, and area churches in assisting the Meadows‟ seniors.
Our first task is to survey and identify our older and/or disabled adults. Register with the MMCDC by phone at 240 627-7915,
email [email protected], or by fax at 202 355-6668. Watch www.mmcdc.net as we develop the following projects:
I’m an older adult living in Marlboro Meadows. I need help for the following;
My Email Address: □ Snow removal help
□ Put me on the community’s emergency telephone tree.
My Name: □ I need services from an area church for____________
Street Address: □ I need county services for _______________________
Cell Telephone: Here’s what I need: Home Telephone:
Age: __________ □ I am a disabled adult
Delegate Marvin Holmes was asked to
advise MMCDC on their immediate and
long term goals for the senior services
program. Thanks Delegate Holmes!
Mail the registration form to MMCDC,
PO Box 93, Upper Marlboro, MD
20772
or email it to [email protected]
or send a fax to 202 355-6668 Left to right: 2nd VP Teresa Lynn, 1st VP Janet Dickerson, Exec Secretary LaShawn Jackson, Delegate Marvin Holmes, Treasurer Haydee Henry, Pres Robin Terry Mazyck
Seniors, register today! Let us know you exist. How can we help you? Area police, churches, neighbors, friends, school students, and our political representatives care about you!
NEIGHBORS — VOLUNTEER YOUR BUSINESS or CHURCH TO HELP.
4
referrals for interior house
repair
prayers and bible study conference
calls: all from your home
telephone!
snow /storm
emergency check-up calls
coordination for house
weatherization and
revitalization
companion calls and visits
to the sick or shut-in
emergency telephone-tree (power
outages-storms-snow-domestic
threats)
educational workshops sponsored by
church & government offices
nutrition referrals, county
health related assistance
house-to-house socials,
games & craft clubs
alerts to county for social work
assistance
transportation coordination drug/alcohol referral
assistance
financial planning
workshops
estate planning classes senior rights, domestic/elder abuse
referral & assistance
foot care referrals & training
M-NCPPC sponsored
senior center
holiday social events and home
visits
area parks upgrades (walk paths,
chess tables, game courts, etc.)
personal development
workshops
National TRIAD
senior safety program
police department safety
monitoring and home inspections
scam and crime alerts seniors mentoring young
parents
From page 1, Gingerbread Christmas
Events include: A FREE gingerbread house for every child to build and decorate! Buy a photo with Santa! Free
gift wrapping. Free Christmas prayers. Holiday goodies are for sale. Letter writing to “Dear Santa”. Caroling,
music, raffle and more fun!
Name of Representative: Performance or Stage Name or Company Name:
Telephone Number: Work Number:
Address:
City: State: ZIP
Email Address:
□ I want to rent a space to sell Christmas ware/crafts. All vendors pay $20 for a single space. Vendors must bring
own table and chairs. There is no electricity. You may not sell food nor drinks. Set-up begins @6:00PM
□ I am a performer. We will make EVERY effort to schedule you during the times requested.
Attach a statement for your introductions.
1. Bathrooms are inside the recreation facility. 2. Performers will be on the school stage. Vendor tables will set-up in various places inside the facility. 3. The MMCDC reserves the right to have any materials/performances removed if deemed inappropriate (i.e. toy fire-
arms, weapons, nudity, etc.) 4. You are encouraged to sell/distribute any of your own promotional products like records, CDs, music, flyers, etc. 5. You MUST remove All of your Trash and take it with you since there is no other way of disposal.
Print Name, Group, Company, or Organization: Liability Disclaimer: I will not hold the Marlboro Meadows Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) or any of the sponsoring organiza-tions or individuals associated with Marlboro Meadows Community Day responsible for theft, incident or liability of any kind. I understand that this is an inside event. I represent the performing group and offer our performance free of charge as a public service to the Marlboro Meadows Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) which is a non-profit organization. I have read, understand and agree with the above liability disclaimer.
Signature of the responsible person:______________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________________________________________________
5 To View This Newsletter Go To:
www.mmcdc.net
MMCDC’s Gingerbread Christmas
Vendor and Performer Application
Monday, December 7, 2009 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Email registration is preferred: [email protected].
OR
Mail application to MMCDC; PO Box 93; Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
6
All You Ever Wanted to Know About the PSAT & SAT All You Ever Wanted to Know About the PSAT & SAT
(and Why You Should Know About These Tests) (and Why You Should Know About These Tests) by by Ann Harris Davidson, B.Ed., M.P.H.
• Who runs these tests, what they are and what they test
• Where to find information about the tests
• Why these tests are important ~ even if they are not predictors of future success at anything
• What doors they open and their relationship to college funding (with examples of how much money various universities
can offer)
• How often they can or should be taken and how scores can be combined or withheld
• When these tests are held (including which ones the public school system will pay for) or when the best times are to take
them
• Why it‟s never too early to start preparing for them
How many National Merit Semifinalists there are every year and what scores are needed in Maryland and around the coun-
try to become a National Merit Semifinalist (including in which states it is easiest or hardest to become a National Merit
Semifinalist)
These and other questions have been addressed by Ms. Ann Harris Davidson, author of the book, Berwyn Heights: Then & Now. Parents
in Maryland listen as Ms. Davidson presents the following information about the PSAT and the SAT.
The National Merit Scholarship Program has announced the 16,000 National Merit Semifinalists for 2009. Below this article is the list of “cut-off” scores that Maryland’s students need to meet or exceed to qualify as National Merit Semifinalists (from http://www.collegep lanningsimplifie d.com/NationalMe rit.html). The scores vary from state to state because each state is allotted a percentage of the 16,000 (on the basis of something like the state’s population of high school seniors) and some states have large numbers of students who score well. This year, the high-est cut-off scores are for U.S. International students, Massachusetts and D.C. at 221/240, with Maryland and New Jersey close behind at 220/240. (Yes, D.C.’s cut-off is high because so many high-scoring students attend schools such as the National Cathedral School for Girls, St. Albans, Sidwell Friends, St. John’s College, etc.) The 2009 cut-off scores are actually slightly lower than they have been in previous years.
In 2009, Prince George’s County had 12 National Merit (NM) Semifinalists (see http://connectedcom munities. us/showthread. php?t=30094). Private schools in this county has no NM Semifinalists. Two of this year’s semifinalists are home-schooled students from one family in Bowie; and the county’s remaining 10 National Merit Semifinalists are all students at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. (In comparison, 15 of Montgomery County’s public high schools had at least one NM Semifinalist, with 53 NM Semifinalists at Montgomery Blair High, 39 at Richard Montgomery High, and a total of 170 in that county, as per http://connectedcom munities. us/showthread. php?t=21300.)
A student’s score on the PSAT (the College Board’s Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test), from the test when done in October of the student’s grade 11 year, is the SINGLE determinant of selection as a National Merit Semifinalist. Reg-istration for the PSAT must be through schools and the test is only offered in October of each year – and only students in grades 9, 10, and 11 may take it. The PGCPS now pays ONLY for students in grade 10 to take the test. (Note: it is the PSAT scores when students are in GRADE 11, not grade 10, that the College Board uses for selection of the Na-tional Merit Semifinalists.) This year, the PSAT will be on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 (with Saturday, October 17, 2009 as the make-up date, as per http://www.collegeboard.com/ student/testing/ psat/reg/ dates.html). The fee for the test is only $13.00. There is a deadline for parents to register their students for the PSAT. (Parkdale’s Testing Coordinator has confirmed that Park-dale’s PSAT registration deadline is Monday, October 5, 2009; Eleanor Roosevelt’s Testing Coordinator has confirmed a deadline of Friday, October 2, 2009 – due to other testing activities in the following week.)
High scores on the PSAT (and its related SAT) lead to more offers of scholarship money and open more doors to col-lege. I thus strongly recommend that, even though the PGCPS is no longer paying for the PSAT for grade 11 students, parents should register their grade 9 and grade 11 children to take this year’s PSAT because: (a) it’s a cheap test at $13 and is the best educational bang-for-the buck that one can get (given the experience and
feedback that the test provides);
7
A growing number of Bethel friends gather
every Monday afternoon for food and
fellowship at Jerry's pizza in the Marlboro
Crossing Shopping Center, near the Giant
supermarket. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
The gathering starts at 4:30PM.
The Bowling Team meets each Monday at
1:30PM at Crofton Lanes in Bowie. The cost is
$2 plus shoes. Join the team for lots of bowling
fun!
Bethel continues to collect food for the Upper
Marlboro Food Bank housed at Trinity
Episcopal in downtown Upper Marlboro. Food
Bank donations may be brought in at any time
and deposited in the colorful tubs in Bethel‟s
fellowship hall. We emphasize the first Sunday
of each month.
The following opportunities are available for
those interested in hands-on support for the food
bank:
*2nd Saturday of the month @7AM food
distribution - carry bags to cars
*Thursday before 2nd Saturday @ 7PM
set up for distribution
*Friday before 2nd Saturday@8AM: pack
food bags
Bethel will be joining Union United Methodist
Church, Cheltenham UMC, Trinity Episcopal,
and St. Paul's Moravian for an annual
community thanksgiving service. The service
will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at
Bethel United Methodist Church.
Rev. Donna Nelson will be preaching.
Bethel United Methodist Church: Weekly Outreach Announcements
Greetings from Pastor Jennifer Fenner Wednesday small group bible/book study continues each
Wednesday at 11:30AM at Bethel United Methodist
Church, 16101 Swanson Road. Please consider joining the
group for lunch and study.
The new fall bible study continues each Wednesday
evening, at Mt Oak UMC, at 7PM. Mt Oak is located at
14110 Mount Oak Rd, Mitchellville, MD 20721-1208.
(301) 249-2230. Pastor McDonald and Pastor Jen are
co-teaching a small group study on the book of James. For
those with children and youth, Mt. Oak‟s children's ministry
and youth small groups are in session at the same time.
We have begun a new Sunday school series called "Does your
Church have a prayer? We will be looking at Jesus' high
priestly prayer prayed for the church, the journey to the prom-
ised land, and the way God is calling and leading today. This
is a very important study and ALL are welcome. If you have
never been a part of adult Sunday school, please consider
joining us.
Sunday, October 25th, Bethel will be joining Cheltenham
UMC's children and youth for their annual corn maze
adventure. We will meet at Bethel, at 3:30PM. Everyone 10
years and older is welcome to attend! We will be walking
through the corn maze located just north of Bethel on route
301. After the maze, we will have pizza
together at a local pizzeria.
Pastor Jen continues a Sunday
evening bible study on the book of
Acts. Study starts at 5PM. Come learn more about the
power and history of the early church! Coffee and desserts
will be provided.
(b) grade 9 offers the first opportunity to take the test and having two practice attempts at the test over two years (grades 9 and 10) is better than having just one try in grade 10; and
(c) it’s on the third possible test attempt, in grade 11, that the PSAT actually counts (given that the scores in grade 11 are what determine not just the National Merit Semifinalists but also the National Achievement Semifinalists) . Experience on the PSAT and individualized coaching improve scores (which will be one of the reasons why Montgomery County has 170 National Merit Semifinalists and Prince George’s County has only 12).
8
Too Much Mulch May be Killing
Your Tree
Poor tree! According to Jeff Gillman, a research
scientist, too much mulch around trees can cause
many problems, to include premature death!
We pile beautiful mulch around our trees in the shape of a volcano. This is often bad for the
general health of the tree‟s trunk and the
surrounding roots if the mulch is too high or too
close to the trunk.
If it‟s too close to the base, the mulch softens some
tree barks and allow insects, rodents, and diseases to easily invade the
lower areas. The lower trunk, unlike the roots, cannot survive long-term constant contact with the moist mulch. This type of mulching
is the equivalent of planting a tree too deeply.
If the mulch is too high around the base, the roots will attempt to find
their level by growing up and over the high pile to seek water and air. A thick pile of mulch can force the roots to wind themselves too tightly
around the trunk. Over a period of time, these roots can injure or even
kill the tree as they strangle the base.
So keep the mulch away from the trunk. Only spread a one—two inch layer of mulch to suppress weeds and to retain water. Let the mulch
decay before adding a new layer. Avoid mulch that smells of vinegar or worse because it may have been improperly stored and now contains
harmful acids.
Taken from the Washington Post 9-10-09. Thanks to Mr. Henry Becker.
To Purchase An Ad In This Newsletter,
Please Contact The Editor,
Jerilyn M. Turpin: 301/627-0479
Rates: Business Card $15, Full Page $75,
1/2 Page $50, 1/4 Page 25
How to Apply for Federal Jobs
FREE Workshop: Part II
WHEN: Monday, November 2, 2009
PLACE: Patuxent Elementary School
TIME: 7:30PM
MMCDC helps neighbors with their resumes. Learn
about the Federal job application process.
We help adults and students apply for Federal
summer jobs too!
Join the MMCDC network/email to share regular
job announcements: [email protected]!
Bring your job announcements and resumes!
“Fall Styles Are Waiting For You” Services include Perms, Wash & Sets, Braiding for Children
Rates are Reasonable. Senior discounts apply (age 62)
Customers Leave Toni’s Styles Smiling
Licensed (MD) Call Toni (301) 574-1596
Toni’s Styles in Marlboro Meadows