Shelter Adopts Out Record Number of Animals during Clear the Shelter Event
The Tri-County Animal Shelter participated in the national Clear the Shelter event on Saturday, Aug. 15. A total of 67 animals were provided forever homes, the highest number of adoptions in a single day in the shelter’s history. Animals adopted included cats, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
During the event, all pet adoption fees were waived. The shelter partnered with the Calvert and Charles County Humane Societies to ensure all animals found appropriate adoptable homes. Local veterinarians were on-site to vaccinate and sterilize all animals. The shelter thanks Facebook friends and shelter volunteers Kim Holt and Mel Blake for promoting the event on their social media pages, recruiting volunteers and assisting during the event. Holt also raised money for a shelter dog, Lillie, to receive heart worm treatment and as a result, Lille now has a forever home. A special thanks to residents and volunteers Theresa Needer and her daughter who were on-site with a bake sale and lemonade stand, raising $217.17 for the shelter.
Clear the Shelter is a nationwide adoption event sponsored by NBC News. The event works to adopt out animals and promote animal shelters. Visit
www.ClearTheShelters.com to learn more about the event.
The Tri-County Animal Shelter is located at 6707 Animal Shelter Road in Hughesville. Shelter staff can be reached at 301-932-1713 or 800-903-1992. Adoption hours are Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To view animals available for adoption, visit
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/es/animalshelter/tri-county-animal-shelter or
www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD112.html to find your “purrfect” pet.
Veteran Benefit Seminars Available in September
Did you or your spouse serve in the military? You may qualify for veteran’s benefits. Attend one of the seminars below to receive valuable information about services that you may be eligible for which you may be eligible.
La Plata Public Library (2 Garrett Avenue, La Plata)
Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.
P.D. Brown Memorial Public Library (50 Village Street, Waldorf)
Thursday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
Potomac Public Library (3225 Ruth B. Swann Drive, Indian Head)
Thursday, Sept. 3 at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.
Waldorf West Public Library (10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf)
Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m.
For more information, contact Ruth Anderson-Cole at 301-609-5712. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Vision 2020 Program Applications Available Sept. 1
Charles County Vision 2020 Program applications will be available online starting Tuesday, Sept. 1 for the 2016 selection process. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. Visit
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CS/CCVision2020 for program and application information.
The Charles County Vision 2020 Program is designed to help Charles County residents improve their quality of life as it relates to health, education, transportation, housing, and employment. Over a two year period, participants will work with an assigned social worker who will provide support, navigation, and referrals. Program participants will work toward achieving their goals and obtaining long-term self-sufficiency.
Applications are also available at the Department of Community Services building, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco. For more information, contact Jessica Magorian at 301-934-0100 or MagoriaJ@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Maryland Renters' Tax Credit Deadline is Sept. 1
The 2015 Renters’ Tax Credit program application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 1. Qualified Maryland renters can receive up to $750 in tax credits.
In order to qualify for the program, renters must be:
• Age 60 and over or 100 percent disabled.
• Legally responsible for the rent.
• Or, a surviving spouse of one who otherwise would have been eligible.
Other potentially eligible applicants include residents who meet the following requirements:
• Are under the age of 60 who has at least one dependent under the age of 18 living with them.
• Have not received federal or state housing subsidies.
• Do not reside in public housing.
• Have a combined income of all residents of the home is below the allowable guidelines during the year they apply.
For application assistance in Charles County, county senior citizens age 60 and older and family caregivers of seniors residing in the county may contact the Maryland Access Point of Charles County at 1-855-843-9725. Printed applications are available in the main office of the Department of Community Services (8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) and all branches of the Charles County Public Library. Electronic applications can be found at
www.dat.maryland.gov, via email at sdat.taxcreditapp@maryland.gov or by calling the Tax Credits Telephone Service at 410-767-4433 (in Baltimore) or toll-free at 1-800-944-7403.
For more information and specific guidelines on qualifications for the Renter’s Tax Credit, please visit the Department of Assessments and Taxation website at
www.dat.maryland.gov, call the Tax Credits Telephone Service at 410-767-4433 or toll-free at 1-800-944-7403, or follow the Department of Assessments and Taxation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MD_SDAT and Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Maryland-State-Department-of-Assessments-and-Taxation/218721461546884?fref=ts.
Fall GUIDE Available Online Sept. 2
The Charles County Department of Community Services fall edition of The Guide will be available Wednesday, Sept. 2 online at
www.CharlesCountyParks.com. The GUIDE is a convenient resource listing current activities offered by the Department of Community Services. The GUIDE features classes, trips, and activities for everyone from toddlers to seniors, including leisure classes, swim lessons, sports programs, school-based recreation center programs, and registration details.
Printed copies of the GUIDE are available at local community centers, indoor pools, Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center, and the Department of Community Services office in Port Tobacco. Online registration is available for most programs at
www.CharlesCountyParks.com.
For more information on other events and opportunities offered by the Department of Community Services, visit
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CS or call 301-934-9305 or 301-870-3388. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
New Preservation Matters Newsletter Now Available
The Department of Planning and Growth Management’s new annual online publication, “Preservation Matters: Celebrating Charles County’s Historic Places,” is now available for viewing online. To view the newsletter, visit
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/pgm/planning/historic-preservation-newsletter.
This edition features “On the Trail of An Assassin: A Journey to Rich Hill.” Lincoln enthusiasts and history buffs alike will enjoy reading about the local location, Rich Hill Farm, and the site’s role in the escape route of former president Abraham Lincoln’s assassin. Go back in history, as well as learn about what preservation of the site entails today.
Also featured are articles on Washington Burch, the War of 1812 British camp in Benedict, the 2015 preservation awards, archaeology finds in a Southern Maryland farm field, and the Historic Preservation Commission.
A limited number of printed copies of the newsletter are available upon request. To obtain a printed copy of the newsletter, or for more information about the “Preservation Matters” publication, contact Ms. Beth Groth at GrothB@CharlesCountyMD.gov or 301-645-0684.
Shred Event Featuring Composting and Rain Barrel Workshops Set for Oct. 3
The Department of Public Works is hosting an environmental outreach event on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Charles County Government Building parking lot (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Backyard composting and rain barrel workshops are available, as well as free document shredding. Advance registration for workshops is required.
Charles County Government and the University of Maryland Extension staff are pleased to offer one hour workshops for rain barrels and composting. The first rain barrel and compost bin workshops begin at 10:30 a.m.
Shred Event
• Free, secure, on-site shredding services available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Bring up to five boxes (per vehicle) of personal documents for shredding and recycling.
• Event is for Charles County residents only.
• For more information, call the Department of Public Works’ Environmental Resources Division, 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778.
Rain Barrel Workshop
• Take home a rain barrel and learn proper in-home installation techniques, practical uses for rain barrels, and how to reduce the impact of runoff on local waterways.
• Become eligible for a Stormwater fee credit.
• Advance registration is required. Register at
www.go.umd.edu/ccrainbarrel or for more information call Rachel O’Shea at 301-396-5237 or Jackie Takacs at 240-393-6508.
• Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 21.
Composting Workshop
• Construct a compost bin and learn how to create quality compost in your backyard.
• Registration is required. Register at
www.compostworkshop.eventbrite.com.
• For more information, call Department of Public Works’ Environmental Resources Division, at 301-932-3569 or Luke Gustafson at 301-934-5403.
• Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 21.
For registration forms and additional information, visit
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/Outreach. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Estonian Youth Choir in Concert Sept. 16 at St. Charles High School
The Charles County Commissioners, in partnership with World Artists Experiences, present a concert-play by the Youth Mixed Choir Vox Populi of Estonia on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. at St. Charles High School (5305 Piney Church Road, Waldorf). The special concert presentation, an opportunity to connect people through the arts and culture, is part of Charles County’s sister county relationship with Jogeva County, Estonia. Free and open to the public.
Performed by the Estonian Youth Mixed Choir Vox Populi, “Meditations with Tormis”, based on the choral cycles “Etudes in Keys” and “Nature Pictures” by Veljo Tormis, is a musical journey in the natural landscapes of Estonia, the variation of the four seasons and their corresponding patterns of harmonies. The harmony-language of composer Veljo Tormis is illustrated by photos of Estonian nature in different seasons. The concert-play celebrates the 85th birthday of Veljo Tormis.
With more than 60 members, the female and male choirs of the Youth Mixed Choir Vox Populi will perform movements separately and together. From the cycle “Nature Pictures”, the movement “Autumn Landscapes” will be performed as a mixed choir, “Spring Sketches” as a female choir, and “Summer Motifs” and “Winter Patterns” with female and male choirs as intended by the composer.
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.