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Baltimore-based Root Branch Productions, which offers TV and film production classes for youth, is planning to kick off a production program in Prince George's this fall for youth and is generating interest with an event Friday in Capitol Heights.

This fall, Root Branch will partner with the church to begin a Root Branch Kids six-week film and television production program for Capitol Heights and Seat Pleasant youths who are in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades and are interested in broadcast production.

On Friday, Root Branch will present two youth-produced films from the Baltimore and Philadelphia area from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Faith Temple No. 2 Original Free Will Baptist Church, at 211 Maryland Park Drive.

The Baltimore film is "Success and Wisdom Awaiting Good Girls," and the Philadelphia film is "US Connected: Reaching Out a Helping Hand."

Visit www.rootbranchproductions.com, e-mail kids@rootbranchproductions or call 240-274-6136 for more information.

Lanham-based nonprofit to hold annual backpack drive

Sisters4Sisters Inc., a Lanham-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment of women in mind, body and spirit, is holding its ninth annual backpack drive from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Bowie Library at 15210 Annapolis Road.

Persons who need backpacks for school-aged children or for those who want to donate items should e-mail contact@sisters4sisters.com.

There will also be educational workshops and tips for parents to help children have a successful school year. Visit www.sisters4sisters.com.

Fraternity alumni chapter hosts scholarship awards ceremony

The Bowie-Mitchellville Diamond Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Bowie-Mitchellville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., held its first scholarship ceremony July 14 at Woodstream Church in Mitchellville.

Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Lauren Robertson, Candice Brown, Cameron Butler and Anthony Galloway.

Each student maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Robertson will attend the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, in Princess Anne; Brown will attend Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y.; Butler will attend Rutgers University at the Newark, N.J. campus; and Galloway will attend Morehouse College in southwest Atlanta. Cameron Butler will attend the Newark College of Arts and Sciences.

Christian School alumna receives scholar athlete honor

Maame Amponsah of Beltsville, a 2007 graduate of Lanham Christian School and member of the women's basketball team at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., was named to the Capital Athletic Conference's scholar athlete honor roll for the 2009-2010 academic year.

The honor roll included all student athletes in the conference who earned grade-point averages of 3.2 or higher during the fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters.

Amponsah is a rising senior majoring in business law.

The Capital Athletic Conference was formed in 1989 and is made up of nine schools in the mid-Atlantic region that complete at the NCAA's Division III level. Marymount University is a private Catholic school with about 3,600 students.

Kettering Founder's Day parade, carnival cancelled

The Kettering Founder's Day parade and carnival, which had been scheduled for Saturday, was postponed until a later date. A new date has not yet been set.

Mitchellville resident graduates from District college

Gabrielle N. Burno, 22, who lives in the Lake Arbor community in Mitchellville, graduated May 8 from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Burno, a graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School in the District, received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education.

She is currently studying for a master's degree in education from the Minnesota-based online college Capella University while she teaches preschool at the District's Bright Horizons School.

Man with Largo ties completes Marine course

Marine Corps Pfc. Drakkar J. Coley, the son of Regina Coley of Largo, recently completed the Marine Aviation Maintenance Administration Course.

During the course with Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One, Marine Aviation Support Training Support Group 21, in Meridian, Miss., Coley was trained in classified information, aeronautic technical publications and the Navy Airlift maintenance program, among other things.

School supply drives

planned in Capitol Heights

Young Men Enlightening Younger Men, a Capitol Heights nonprofit mentoring group for young men, is holding its first school supply campaign. The group, started by late Maryland State Trooper Wesley Brown in 2007, asks residents to give a $25 donation to provide a local elementary school student with one backpack and school supplies or $50 to provide three elementary school students with backpacks plus school supplies.

Donations can be mailed to YMEYM to the attention of Sylvester Brown Jr., P.O. Box 31592, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Call 301-336-8129 or visit www.ymeym.org for more information.

Valuable Blessings Inc., a Capitol Heights-based community outreach nonprofit organization, is looking for school supply donations.

Monetary donations may be sent via PayPal at www.valuableblessings.

com or directly to Valencia Davis. Residents will receive receipts for their donations. Call Davis at 301-917-5391 or e-mail donations@valuableblessings.com for more information.

Afterschool camps coming

to Oakcrest Community Center

Starting Monday, the Oakcrest Community Center will offer after-school study and play, group games and after-school crafts programs for children ages 6 through 12 at 1300 Capitol Heights Blvd.

The after-school study and play program will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and cost $35 per month.

The group games program will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and cost $25 per month. The after-school crafts program will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and cost $25 per month.

All programs will be held during the following dates: Monday through Sept. 30; Oct. 1 through Oct. 29; Nov. 1 through Nov. 29; and Dec. 1 through Dec. 22. Call 301-736-5355 for more information.

Women's health symposium coming to Glenn Dale

The BET Foundation, Honey Nut Cheerios and the Association of Black Cardiologists are sponsoring a women's health symposium from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church at 11400 Glenn Dale Blvd. in Glenn Dale.

The symposium works to bring together thousands of African-American women and their families for education, fitness and fun.

Rhythm and blues singer Deborah Cox, fitness trainer Donna Richardson-Joyner, actress Bern Nadette Stanis, commentator Jeff Johnson and public health expert Dr. Stephanie B. C. Bailey will be present.

The event is free, but registration is encouraged.

For information, call 1-866-356-7348 or visit www.betfoundation.org.

Community day comes to Capitol Heights church

The Pennsylvania Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church will hold a community day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Capitol Heights church located at 4010 Belt Road. Admission is free to the event, which will offer free screenings for blood pressure and diabetes and provide information on how to stop smoking. There will be food, snow cones, popcorn and a moon bounce for children. Call 301-925-8402 or 202-365-7032 for more information.

Lanham resident named

to university's dean's list

Nakita Smith of Lanham was named to the dean's list of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, dean's list for the spring 2010 semester.

To be named to the dean's list, students must earn at least a 3.75 grade-point average.

Lanham church to sponsor Gospel fun fest

Amistad St. Paul United Church of Christ in Lanham is hosting a Back to School Youth and Youth Adult Revival and Gospel Fun Fest at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the church, 9721 Good Luck Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The guest preacher is the Rev. David Bowers.

There will be praise and worship, a liturgical dance, a Christian comedy, poetry, food and games.

For information, call 301-577-7700 or e-mail amistadstpaulucc@gmail.com; call Joan Bundy, chair of the church council, at 240-765-5718; or pastor Marvin Silver at 301-452-6936.

Lanham church, nonprofit sponsor back-to-school supplies drive

Amistad St. Paul United Church of Christ in Lanham and a Lanham-based nonprofit organization are sponsoring at community empowerment and awareness day from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. Aug. 28 at the church, at 9721 Good Luck Road in Lanham.

The Light of the City Resource Center of Maryland provides free college- and career-planning to underrepresented and underserved students in Prince George's and Montgomery counties and in Washington, D.C. At the event, the center's founder, Cynthia Hammond Davis of Lanham, will hold free college and financial planning workshops.

There will also be health screenings, public and nonprofit emergency social services, fire safety and prevention, home security and prevention and music and children's games.

Donations for the event's school supply drive are welcome. Event participants are asked to fill a backpack with school supplies for a child.

For information, call 301-577-7700 or e-mail amistadstpaulucc@gmail.com; call Joan Bundy, chair of the church council, at 240-765-5718; or pastor Marvin Silver at 301-452-6936.

Kettering community hosts yard sale

The Kettering Community Association is sponsoring a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Kettering Community Center, 11801 Chesterton Drive.

Residents can bring a one- to six-foot table. Space is free, limited to homeowners and on a first-come, first-served basis. Setup begins at 7 a.m. Reservations are required.

Call 301-249-6678 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.