Free Flights for Youth to be Offered on International Young Eagles Day
On Saturday, June 8 2013, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will provide airplane rides for young people (ages 8 to 17) from the St. Mary's County Regional Airport. The flights, to be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., are free, safe and flown by FAA licensed and experienced volunteer pilots. Registration for the flights will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, at the Captain Walter F. Duke Terminal Building by 9 a.m. and will be subject to weather conditions
The EAA Aviation Foundation's Young Eagles program has introduced young people to the world of flight since its founding on July 31, 1992. The program recorded one million Young Eagles flown by Dec. 17, 2003, the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. The volunteer Young Eagles effort has now reached over 1.7 million youth in 90 countries.
The EAA is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds. The organization was originally founded in 1953 by a group of individuals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who were interested in building their own airplanes.
The program is sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 478 based in St. Mary's County and is supported by the Commissioners of St. Mary's County, the Department of Public Works & Transportation, and the Airport Advisory Committee.
For more information about Chapter 478 and the Young Eagles rally, please visit http://www.478.eaachapter.org.
G.O.L.F. Sponsorship Program to be Part of Annual Tournament
Individuals can help families participate in Recreation & Parks programs
The Scott Verbic Memorial Golf Tournament would like to announce the G.O.L.F Program - "Giving Opportunities to Local Families." The program provides sponsorship opportunities for individuals and families to contribute to the Recreation & Parks Scholarship Fund. For just $25, you or your family can have your name placed among fellow donors on a plaque which recognizes your contribution to help local families participate in recreation programs. The plaque will be on permanent display at Recreation & Parks main office in Leonardtown.
The tournament is held in remembrance of Scott Verbic who was a Recreation Advisory Board Member, Volunteer Coach, and advocate for youth in the community. The 18th annual tournament takes place next Friday, June 7, at the Wicomico Golf Course. Proceeds from the event go to the Recreation & Parks Scholarship Fund which provides recreational opportunities to youth in St. Mary's County. The Scholarship Fund awards qualified individuals a 50% discount on recreation program registration.
If you wish to donate online go to http://www.stmarysmd.com/recreate and click on "Online Registration." Choose special events or enter code #440802A to donate $25.
St. Mary's County Building Authority Commission to Meet
A meeting of the St. Mary's County Building Authority will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Room.
The meeting room is located inside the Chesapeake Building on the Governmental Center campus in Leonardtown, at 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown.
Junior Golfers Can Play Three Challenging Courses This Summer
Young golfers, ages 8 - 14, can take advantage of a great opportunity to test their skills on three different Southern Maryland courses.
The first ever Tri-County Golf Junior Tour will allow budding golf enthusiasts to hit the links in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties.
The tour begins on June 24 with stops at county operated golf courses as follows:
-- June 24 - Chesapeake Hills
-- July 8 - Wicomico Shores
-- July 22 - White Plains
-- August 5 - Wicomico Shores
-- August 12 - Chesapeake Hills
Tee times begin at 10:30 a.m. on all dates. The format will be individual stroke play (2x par max score per hole). Golfers will be grouped into two age divisions (ages 8-10 and 11-14). Those in the 8-10 division will play nine holes at 1,000 - 1,500 yards. Golfers in the 11-14 division will play nine holes at 2,000 - 3,000 yards.
Registration fee is $10 per child and $10 per event. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place in each division. A complimentary awards banquet will be held August 12. Daily lunch specials will be available for $3 or less.
Parents please take note, this is a competitive tournament. Three years of prior golf experience is preferred. Adult volunteers are needed for scorekeeping.
For more information, contact Tim Hepler, via email, at heplerta@co.cal.md.us.
New Maryland Law to Require Smoke Alarms be Equipped with Long-Life Batteries
Governor Martin O'Malley has signed into law a measure requiring battery-operated smoke alarms in homes be equipped with batteries which last ten years. State fire officials hope the new technology and the new law, which takes effect July 1, will save lives.
Without a working smoke alarm house fires are often deadly. By 2018, Maryland law will require residential smoke alarms be lithium-powered, ten-year models featuring a "hush" option to discourage homeowners from simply removing the battery to silence the noise, which could potentially leave them unprotected.
"By promoting public education on smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, exit routes, the community actually becomes the hero by saving themselves, thereby preventing the firefighter from putting themselves at risk," says Hedrick of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Deputy State Fire Marshal Bruce Bouch said that working smoke alarms are important because they give people more time to escape from burning homes and avoid the effects of fire, such as smoke.
For more information visit http://prepare.stmarysmd.com/ or http://ready.gov/ .
Interested in becoming a Fire and or Emergency Medical Services Member? Please contact our Recruitment & Retention Coordinator at 301-475-4200 ext. 2114 or emergencyservices@stmarysmd.com
Take Action and be Prepared for Severe Weather Season with CodeRED Weather Warning Service
With an active severe weather season predicted, St. Mary's County officials urge all residents to enroll to receive early warning alerts through CodeRED Weather Warning, a free service to all county residents. The service provides automated severe thunderstorm, tornado and flash flood warnings immediately after an alert has been issued by the National Weather Service, making it an essential preparedness tool to stay safe.
Those who have already enrolled to receive CodeRED Weather Warnings but have recently moved or changed telephone numbers are encouraged to visit the county website at www.stmarysmd.com and click on the CodeRED logo at the bottom of the page to update their contact information. Those without Internet access may call the Department of Emergency Services and Technology at 301-475-4200 option 6, option 3 to subscribe to receive CodeRED Weather Warnings by supplying their information over the phone.
"Every season our county experiences weather related damage and our community has repeatedly relied on CodeRED Weather Warning to receive advance warning of severe storms," said Bob Kelly, Director of St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services and Technology. "We encourage our residents to be proactive and stay prepared by signing up to receive these weather alerts."
In addition to the CodeRed Weather Notices, St. Mary's County encourages citizens to make preparations at home and office for emergency events. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. More details on how to prepare for an emergency can be found at http://prepare.stmarysmd.com.
"It is our main priority to keep our citizens safe. The best way to do that is to get them better prepared and better informed," Kelly said.