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John T. Baker Middle School will hold its annual flag-raising ceremony Friday in front of the school, located at 25400 Oak Drive in Damascus.

The first of two consecutive ceremonies will begin at 8:10 a.m., rain or shine.

"This has become a very special anniversary for all of us, we will honor those in our community who are our everyday heroes with a show of support for them," Principal Louise Worthington wrote in an invitation letter.

The ceremony has been a tradition at Baker, marking the beginning of the school year and the commitment of the students to hard work, good citizenry and academic excellence. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the event has taken on new meaning, as a former Baker teacher died in the plane crash at the Pentagon.

"Since then, we have invited the community to join us in this ceremony, as a visual reminder to our young people of the price of their freedom and the responsibility that they have to use this gift wisely," Worthington said.

Tickets on sale

for HomeTown GetDown

The third annual HomeTown GetDown to Benefit Bernie House will be held Sept 25-26 in Clarksburg.

Bernie House provides a safe home for a family in crisis due to domestic violence. The funds raised from this event will help prepare the house for its fourth family.

The grassroots GetDown is two days of music, art, camping and community. More than 350 people are expected to enjoy seven bands, two DJs, good food and cold beer on more than 60 acres at 2010 Hawks Road in Clarksburg.

"Please join us as we party with a purpose," Chairwoman Siabhan K. Downs said in a prepared statement.

Artists or vendors interested in displaying or selling may send Downs an e-mail at Siabhan@me.com.

Gates open at 3 p.m. Sept. 25 and the music will start at 6 p.m. Breakfast will be served from 8: 30 to 10 a.m. Sept. 26 with yoga at 9.

Advance tickets purchased by Sept. 18 are $10 for one day or $20 for two days including camping. Event day tickets are $15 for one day, $25 for two days with camping.

For information on Bernie House visit www.theberniehouse.org. For details on the music lineup and other event questions, visit: www.hometowngetdown.org.

Old time peach festival

to be held Saturday

Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church hosts its annual Peach Festival on Saturday.

Chicken and ham platters with peaches and ice cream for dessert will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. The Browningsville Band will play at 6 p.m.

The event includes cake walks, sandwiches and a bake table. Bring lawn chairs.

Platters cost $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 eat free. Carry-outs are $11.

The church is at 3425 Green Valley Road in Ijamsville. For information call 301-865-4765.

Purchase memory calendars

at the Damascus Fair

The 2011 Damascus Memories photo calendar will be available at the Damascus Community Fair. Stop by the fair history display inside the activities center to purchase your calendar and see history of the fair, artifacts from the past, and agriculture of today.

Calendars cost $5 and all proceeds go to the fair. If you have any old photos of buildings or past events, fair historian Thomas Woodfield would like to make copies for future calendars.

The fair is Friday to Sunday at the Damascus Activity Center & Carnival Grounds.

Community 4-H Club

welcomes new members

The Damascus Community 4-H Club invites children and teens ages 5-18 to join.

The club meets the first Thursday of each month to do projects such as cooking, sewing, crafts, woodworking, horticultural, photography and entomology. Children ages 5 to 7 can become Clovers.

Call leader Melanie Lauer at 301-253-4831, or send an e-mail to MML927@aol.com.

Bilingual election

judges needed

More bilingual, Republican and unaffiliated election judges are needed to assist at county polling locations during the primary elections Tuesday and the general election Nov. 2.

Judges must be registered to vote in Maryland and be able to speak, read and write in English. Judges cannot hold or be a candidate for a party or public office or serve as a campaign manager for a candidate or as treasurer for any campaign financial entity at the time of the elections. All Democratic judge positions are currently filled.

For more information, visit www.777vote.org.

Last chance to vote early

Five early voting centers in the county are open today and Thursday for the primary election on Sept. 14.

Vote early at the Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Road; Bauer Drive Community Center, 14625 Bauer Drive in Rockville; Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville; Montgomery County Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St. in Rockville; and Silver Spring Civic Center, 8525 Fenton St.

The centers are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voters may cast their ballots at any center, no matter where they live.

For information, visit www.777vote.org or call 240-777-VOTE. A scroll bar with wait times at each center is displayed on the website and updated hourly. Sample primary ballots are also online.

Church prepares for yard sale

Wesley Grove United Methodist Church will hold its annual fall Community Yard Sale on Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The church is at 23640 Woodfield Road in Damascus.

Spaces may be rented for $10 by calling 301-253-0044. The church will also accept donations of saleable items.

Proceeds from sale of donated items and table rentals benefit the mission projects of the United Methodist Women Evening Circle. The United Methodist Men will also raise funds to benefit their mission projects by selling cooked-to-order breakfast sandwiches and a variety of grilled lunch platters throughout the event, in addition to a bake sale.

Bingo is back

American Legion Post 171 is once again hosting cash bingo every Thursday at the post, 10201 Lewis Drive in Damascus. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 7 p.m. Come early and enjoy food prepared by the ladies auxiliary.

Items for People and Places must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration for the following week. They can be mailed to The Damascus-Clarksburg Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; sent by fax to 301-670-7183; or e-mailed to ssingerbart@gazette.net.