Free Family Movie Day Deadline Extended
If you missed the March 27 deadline to reserve your tickets for the Department of Aging and Human Services/Maryland Access Point's Free Family Movie and Information Day "Bringing Community Together" … you're still in luck! The deadline has been extended to April 18.
The Free Family Movie Day takes place in Building 1, room 133 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, 44219 Airport Road in California, MD. Two movies will be shown and both are true stories focusing on non-fictional characters with have disabilities and overcame obstacles and achieved their goals through hard work and determination. Representatives from the St. Mary's County Health Department's Resource Coordination Program, Pathways Incorporated, Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living, Hearing Professionals and Southern Maryland Community Resources will also be present to share information concerning available programs and services.
Those needing special accommodations and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact Monika Williams, Maryland Access Point Coordinator at 301-475-4200, ext. 1057 by April 18.
For movie times or to reserve a seat please contact Ms. Williams or visit www.stmarysmd.com/aging or https://eventbrite.com/event/15834626795/.
Recreation Specialist Sought by Recreation and Parks
The St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks is accepting applications for a part time Recreation Specialist (Salary Range: $16.32 - $18.36 / hour) in its Childcare Division.
The Recreation Specialist will be responsible for assisting the Youth and Summer Camp Coordinator with planning, organizing, coordinating, overseeing and guiding recreational program activities in youth programs, specifically Before and After School Care, Summer camp, Special Events and Birthday Party rentals. The work includes assisting with program innovation, planning implementation and evaluation and providing support of creative, design, instructional, promotional and clerical duties including billing and facility rentals with RecTrac, ordering and maintaining supplies. The work requires excellent communication and human relations skills due to considerable public contact.
The deadline for application submissions is April 22. For more information on opportunities with School Age Care, please call 301-373-5410 or visit www.stmarysmd.com/docs/rpjobopenings.pdf which will take you to job descriptions and application process.
2014 Gold Star Award Winners Announced
The St. Mary’s County Health Department announced recipients of the 2014 Gold Star Award given annually to food service facilities that achieve superior food safety standards. Forty award recipients for calendar year 2014 were recognized at a ceremony held April 6th in Leonardtown. Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer, and Ms. Robin Finnacom, Acting Director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development, welcomed the attendees.
“Unsafe food can lead to over 250 diseases; worldwide, foodborne illness is a significant cause of death and disability,” said Brewster. “The partnership between the food service industry and public health in the U.S. has led to tremendous success in preventing and containing foodborne disease outbreaks.”
The Gold Star Program has recognized food establishments for superior compliance to food safety standards with this annual award since its inception in 2007. Environmental health specialists at the health department regularly inspect nearly 500 food service facilities in St. Mary’s County to ensure food safety is being adequately addressed. Through these inspections and food safety education, the risk of foodborne illness is greatly reduced.
“The conscientious efforts made by these food establishments deserve to be recognized and rewarded,” stated Vic Krasnokutsky, Environmental Health Specialist Manager at the health department. “They have demonstrated exceptional attention to public health safety and sanitation.”
The food establishments that achieve this high level of compliance receive a certificate and a window sticker designating them as Gold Star establishments. The requirements to earn a Gold Star are:
-- No critical violations (based on COMAR 10.15.03)
-- No temperature violations cited during a monitoring inspection
-- All violations noted by an inspector must be corrected by a 30-day follow-up inspection
-- No confirmed unsafe food handling complaints
-- At least one food service worker completed a recognized and approved “Food Service Sanitation and Safety Class” within the last two years
“In addition to facility inspections, the health department also provides safe food handling classes for food service workers twice a year to promote food safety education,” said Alan Shick, Food Safety Program Supervisor.
For more information about the Gold Star Program and for a list of the 2014 Gold Star Award winners, please visit http://www.smchd.org/food-facility-inspections/