More News

Olney's Project Change is not afraid to tackle tough issues.

From bullying to wearing seat belts to underage drinking, the organization has urged teens to be responsible members of the community.

Project Change will hold a town meeting titled "Make Olney Better for Our Youth" 7-9 p.m. Thursday to explore a variety of issues. The meeting will be held at the Buffington RE/MAX Building Community Room, 3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road.

For information on Project Change, visit www.projectchange-md.org.

Seniors can exercise free

at county rec centers

The county Department of Recreation invites residents age 60 and over to use the exercise/weight rooms in its community recreation centers free of charge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Fridays.

The closest local facility is the Longwood Community Recreation Center at 19300 Georgia Ave. in Brookeville.

The rooms are equipped with a full circuit of self-administered weight and aerobic equipment that will help increase cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility, county officials say.

The recreation department offers periodic orientation sessions at the centers to help seniors familiarize themselves with exercise rooms and gain confidence and skills in using the equipment. For information, call Charles Minear at 240-777-6965.

Feeding families in need

in the community

An Olney businesswoman is doing her part to feed families in need.

During March, Curves in the MidAtlantic Region, including the Olney and Gaithersburg branches owned by Katy Bauer, is participating in the 11th annual Curves Food Drive to benefit local food banks.

Curves will waive its service fee for anyone who brings in a bag of non-perishable groceries and joins March 9-28.

"We have a chance to help so many people at a time when the food banks are lowest," Bauer said in a press release.

Others wishing to donate may drop off non-perishable food items at Curves may do so during business hours. For more information, call 800-Curves30 or visit www.MidAtlanticCurves.com.

Marcus Johnson to perform

at Montgomery College

Montgomery College will present an evening with award-winning jazz artist Marcus Johnson and the Montgomery College Student Jazz Ensemble Friday to raise money for student scholarships.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center on the Rockville campus, located at 51 Mannakee St.

Johnson has released more than 10 CDs, all reaching the Top 20 or higher on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts, according to college officials.

Johnson was born in Ohio and raised in Washington, D.C. He received a bachelor's degree in music from Howard University and master's and doctorate degrees from Georgetown University.

Tickets to the benefit concert are $25 for general admission and $10 for Montgomery College students. To purchase tickets, call 240-567-5301.

For more information, call La Verne Gordon, associate development director, at 240-567-4023 or send an e-mail to laverne.gordon@montgomerycollege.edu.

Tot Swap at county fairgrounds this weekend

Penny-pinchers seeking bargain prices on brand-name items for children might find what they're looking for at a Tot Swap planned 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Montgomery County fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St. in Gaithersburg.

Pickings include new and gently used children's and maternity items from more than 300 area families. Frugal families will find children's clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, baby equipment, toys, play equipment, books, videos, sports and play equipment, maternity wear, books, videos, DVDs and more.

Merchandise can be dropped off for consignment 2-8 p.m. today or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.

For more information, call 301-330-2678 visit http://totswap.net.

Masters in Music to continue Sunday at museum

The Masters in Music Sunday Afternoon Concert Series will continue Sunday at Sandy Spring Museum

National Philharmonic Trio will perform at 5 p.m.

A lecture will be held at 4:30 p.m.

The National Philharmonic Trio features three classical music performers from the Washington, D.C., area: violinist Jody Gatwood, concert master of the National Philharmonic Orchestra and professor at The Catholic University of America; cellist Lori Barnet, first chair of the National Philharmonic Orchestra; and pianist Phil Hosford.

Cost is $23 for adults and $9 for students at the door. For subscriptions and individual ticket reservations, call the museum at 301-774-0022 or log on to www.sandyspringmuseum.org.

Spring consignment sale coming March 21

Got little ones? Lots of them?

If twins and triplets have you heading to the poor house in trying times, keep the faith. The Montgomery County Parents of Multiples will hold its annual spring consignment sale on March 21.

The sale is one of the club's biggest events of the year. Last year the sale brought more than 140 sellers letting go of multiple car seats, high chairs, cribs, diaper changers and loads of little clothes.

MPCOM's sale will runs 9-11 a.m. with a half-price sale on leftovers from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Julius West Middle School, 651 Great Falls Road in Rockville.

The sale will bring summer clothing and bathing suits size preemie to 5T, maternity wear, "childproofing" equipment, strollers, high chairs, playpens, bathtubs, furniture, toys, supplies and more, said Lisa Reichmann, president.

Admission is $2 per person at the door. Cash and checks will be accepted. 

For more information, call MPCOM at 301-419-8008 or write to sale@mcpom.org

Grief relief for children

offered by Hospice Caring

Camp Caring, a bereavement camp for children sponsored by Hospice Caring Inc. in Gaithersburg, is taking applications for this year's session.

The sleep-away camp, which runs May 29-31, brings 25 children each year to a 300-acre retreat on Maryland's South Mountain for a camp experience designed to bring comfort and support following the death of someone they love.

The camp is free and offered to children ages 8 to 12.

Each camper will have an adult Big Buddy who will offer support and listening — any time of day or night, even in the middle of the night, said Donna Mowry, camp coordinator.

Campers will participate in games and activities designed to foster trust and a way of coping with loss. Trained volunteers will lead support groups where children share thoughts and feelings and learn they are not alone.

To support Camp Caring or to register a child, call Mowry at 301-990-8904.

Looking for Clarksburg Elementary alumni

Clarksburg Elementary School is making plans to celebrate its 100th anniversary in the fall.

The planning committee hopes former students and teachers will return for the celebration on Nov. 7 and is looking for old photos, mementos and stories about attending the school.

The planning committee will meet 3:45 p.m. Friday at the school. For more information, call teacher Karen Earp at 301-353-8060.

Volunteers needed to help manage money

The Mental Health Association of Montgomery County's Representative Payee Program is recruiting volunteers to provide money management services for disabled adults in the upcounty.

Each volunteer will work with a disabled adult to provide the service. Volunteers spend about six hours per month paying routine bills and budgeting for an individual in need of financial supervision.

Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and be well organized, have good basic math skills and be able to work with clients who have a variety of disabling conditions.

Training and ongoing supervision are provided. Call 301-424-0656, ext. 111, for more information.

If you have an interesting note about the people and the events of our community, send it to Judith Hruz, Editor, The Olney Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, or e-mail it to jhruz@gazette.net. Our fax numbers are 301-670-7182 or 301-670-7183. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration for the following week. All items are subject to space availability.