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The University of Maryland Extension program will present a free Grow It Eat It class from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Deerfield Run Community Center, 13000 Laurel Bowie Road.

The class will include a presentation from master gardener Donna Koczaja and time for questions and answers. By the end of the seminar, Koczaja said participants will have all the knowledge they need to get started on their own gardens.

"My goal is to inspire people and to show them how easy it is," said Koczaja, a Laurel resident.

Class participants do not need to have massive backyards to get started on a vegetable garden, said Koczaja, adding that her own garden is 25-by-10 feet and provides her with an abundance of zucchini, peppers and tomatoes each summer.

"It's not a big garden, but you'd be surprised with how much you can grow in a small space," she said.

Class registration is not required.

For more information, contact Dave Kneipp at pg_growiteatit@verizon.net or visit growit.umd.edu.

University of Maryland Extension is a statewide, non-formal education system within the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Students to compete in county spelling bee

The Gazette-The Star Prince George's County Spelling Bee will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The top spellers from public, private and home schools will compete for a chance to represent the county at the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee being held in June in Washington, D.C.

County schools Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. will speak at the competition, and the Grammy Award winning Maryland Boy Choir will perform.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Gazette-The Star event, which is free and open to the public.

Bank manager joins Laurel Board of Trade directors

The Laurel Board of Trade has named A. Bernard "Bernie" Robinson, manager of the Main Street branch of PNC Bank, to its board of directors.

Bob Mignon, another board member, said the group appointed Robinson to the board because of the bank's relationship with Laurel. PNC took control of the branch from Citizens National Bank, which had operated in the location since 1890, in 2007.

The Laurel Board of Trade is a group of 100 businesses and individuals who work to promote business in the Laurel area. The board also hosts the annual Main Street Festival and RiverFest events in Laurel.

Laurel launches new magic club

Laurel's Department of Parks and Recreation has launched a new magic club for residents who are interested in meeting with other magic enthusiasts to learn and perform tricks. The club meets 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays at the Laurel Armory Community Center, located at 422 Montgomery St.

Danny Miller, assistant recreation facility manager for the armory, said parks officials decided to introduce a magic club because of the popularity of a new club that focuses on a Japanese cards game.

"We just saw the success of the Yu-Gi-Oh club and figured we'd give it a go," Miller said.

The magic club is free and geared to those who are 13 or older. Participants are asked to bring a deck of cards. Contact Miller at 301-725-8088.

City hosts snow response meeting

Laurel Mayor Craig A. Moe and the City of Laurel Emergency Services Commission will hold a review of the city's response to the February snow storms at 7 p.m. today at the Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road. All city departments that were responsible for snow removal and emergency incidents will be on hand.

The public is invited to attend. Input from the commission and the public will be reviewed for consideration of possible changes in the city's response to major snow storms.

Contact James Collins at 301-725-5300, Ext. 244.

Students named to dean's list

Two Laurel residents have been named to the fall 2009 dean's list at their colleges and universities.

Jessica Albrecht, a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park, was named to the dean's list in the university's College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Kishendra Gopaul was named to the dean's list at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn.

Scotchtown Hills recognizes honor roll students

Scotchtown Hills Elementary in Laurel has announced the students who were named to the honor roll for receiving all As and Bs during the second quarter of the 2009-10 school year.

The following list includes the first half, in alphabetical order, of students who received the honor: Jose Aceves Jr., Kevin Afoakwah, Osaretin Aimufua, Uyiosa Aimufua, Olubankole Akinrimisi, Jenifer Aleman, Jhoan Alvarado, Elvia Amaya, Felix Amon, Itoro Anwana, Alexis Araia, Marvin Banks III, Melanie Barros, Leenika Belfield-Martin, Daniela Benitez-Maldonado, Keyonna Biggs, Erica Bryant, Arianna Carrington, Kimberly Chevez Henriquez, Daniel Chicas, Cheyenne Comitz, Demetrius Craft, Jason Cueva, Jose Cueva-Acevedo, Cindy Diaz, Abigail Dina, Julie Tam Do, Christopher Dunn, Jarai Eboumy, Chioma Egege, Reynna Iyo-Nonga Etongwe, Michaela Farias, Epiphany Forleh, Ambar Francis, Briana Francis, Carl Francisco, Jean Germain, Tajh Gilchrist, Oriana Giuriola, Destiny Gladden, Donovan Gladden, Nicole Gore, Ayanna Graham, Julia Hernandez, Brendan Hilbun, Delante Howard Jr., Eric Howard, Brooke Hunley, Amya Hurley, Syed Hussain, Ishmael Janneh, Mariama Jawara, James Johnson, Karmyn Johnson, India Joines, Ernest Jones, Abdullatu Kamara, Danesha Kennedy, Deidre Kennedy, Safiya Khalfani, Alyssa Khoury, Angel Kubi, Derick Lamothe, Brianna Lea, Alex Linares-Reyes, Kelly Lopez-Aguilera, Jennifer Lozada and Hannah Lumi.

The rest of the honor roll list will be featured in next week's edition.

Theme park looks to harmonize with bands for Live & Local series

Six Flags America is recruiting upbeat, talented bands to perform for at the theme park March 27 through April 5 for its Live & Local series. The park will feature one musical act each day in celebration of spring break.

There is no monetary compensation for performances; bands will receive free park tickets and meal vouchers. Music styles from salsa to reggae, R&B to alternative, and classic rock to country are welcome.

To be considered for the series, bands should send electronic press kits and links to websites to the Six Flags America Entertainment Department at twiesemann@sftp.com or mail them to P.O Box 4210, Largo, MD 20775. Attn: Six Flags America Entertainment.

To be considered for the March and April performances, bands must submit information by Monday.