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The Prince George's County Fair begins today at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro.

The fair — held annually since 1842 — will run through Sept. 12. This year's fair features rodeos, carnival rides, puppet shows, livestock presentations and a host of other family-friendly shows and activities.

Daily tickets are $6 for anyone older than 12, $5 for children ages 6 to 11, and free for children younger than 5. Active-duty military and their families are admitted free on Sept. 12.

For more information on schedules and fair event, visit www.countyfair.org or call 301-952-0270.

County animal services facility hosting open house

The Prince George's County Animal Management Group is hosting its first community open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Animal Services Facility in Upper Marlboro.

Staff members and volunteers will be highlighting the importance of animal adoption, offering free pet ownership seminars and leading tours of the facility. There will also be a moon bounce, face painting and other activities for children.

The Animal Services Facility is located at 3750 Brown Station Road. For more information, contact the facility at 301-780-7200.

Marlton family hosts reading night for students

A Marlton family is hosting a free weekly reading night at their home for local students for the seventh year in a row.

The Reed family has been hosting the weekly reading nights as a way to not only encourage reading among local students, but also work on public-speaking skills, according to Felicia Reed, whose son is a sixth-grader at Mattaponi Elementary School.

"I have a strong belief that the kids have got to be able to present," she said.

On most Friday nights during the school year, students from around the community are invited to bring a book, read quietly and then share what they've read with the group. Students are coached on their public speaking skills by Reed and their peers.

Youths of all ages are encouraged to attend. To learn more, contact Felicia Reed at 301-728-8233.

Meet-the-author event at Surratts-Clinton library

E.L. Rhodes, a metropolitan area writer, will be speaking at the Surratts-Clinton branch library at 7 p.m. Sept. 14.

The presentation is part of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System's monthly "Meet the Author" series. Rhodes will be presenting on his most recent book, "A Flaming Rose."

Local students earn college degrees

Several students with local ties recently earned degrees from American Public University and American Military University.

Graduates included Norman Bonen of Joint Base Andrews, an information technology management major; Shimar Brown of Joint Base Andrews, a general studies major; Cable Day of Fort Washington, an intelligence studies major; Dyrell Ford of Fort Washington, an intelligence studies major; Erik Rodriguez of Upper Marlboro, an information technology management major; and Todd Skinner of Temple Hills, a business administration major.

Navy seamen with local ties complete training

Navy Seaman Recruit Kalvin R. Blowe recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. Blowe graduated in 2008 from Suitland High School and is the son of Kim Blowe of Suitland.

Navy Seaman Recruit Kira M. Koppenheffer also recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. Koppenheffer graduated in 2008 from Dr. Henry A. Wise High School in Upper Marlboro.

Breast cancer awareness fundraiser planned

"A Splash of Pink" Breast Cancer Fundraiser Cabaret is scheduled for 10 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at the District Heights Municipal Building, 2000 Marbury Drive. The event is sponsored by District Heights Mayor James L. Walls Jr. and the Frederick Douglass Lodge #10 International Free and Accepted Masons. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Call 202-627-8735.

Upper Marlboro nonprofit hosts walk-a-thon

Through The Smile Train, a New York City-based nonprofit organization that works to provide free cleft surgery for poor children in developing countries and to provide free cleft-related training for doctors and medical professionals, the Upper Marlboro-based nonprofit organization Frown 2 Smiles, Inc. is hosting their annual "Walk-a-Smile" at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at the Washington Baltimore and Annapolis Trail at the Glenn Dale Community Center at 11901 Glenn Dale Blvd. in Glenn Dale.

This year's nearly five-mile walk is dedicated to Renee M. Henry of Jessup, a dental hygienist in Bowie who died in March 2008.

Henry lived in Kettering for 36 years, said Tamekia Davis of Upper Marlboro, the event organizer and the organization's owner and founder, who decided to stage the event to honor Henry.

A participant and sponsor registration begins at 7 a.m. that morning. Registration is $25. All participants will receive an event goodie bag. Those who raise $100 or more will receive a t-shirt.

After the event, there will be a reception with food and entertainment. Prizes will be given for the most pledges raised, first to cross the finish line and the largest participating group. The event is rain or shine.

To register, call 800-851-9660 or e-mail frowns2smiles@aol.com or text 202-438-3668.

For information, to register or donate online, visit www.smiletrain.

org/goto/frowns2smiles2010.

Conference to aid homeowner associations

Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-Dist. 25) of Mitchellville and County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) are playing host to the "Associations Thriving in Today's Economy" conference from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex at 8001 Sheriff Road in Landover.

Attendees will address issues such as handling HOA budgets and property management. Those interested in attending can register at www.princegeorgescountymd.gov or by contacting Daria Bailey from the county's Common Ownership Communities office at 301-952-4729. 

Largo resident named to president's list

Nicole Andolino of Largo was named to the president's list at Lim College in New York, N.Y. for the spring 2010 semester.

To be named to the president's list, students must earn a grade-point average between 3.8 and 3.99.

School supply drive coming to Largo

The Prince George's County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. invites residents to donate school supplies for its Back to School Supplies Drive scheduled for 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday inside the Queen Anne Auditorium of Prince George's Community College at 301 Largo Road. Call 301-736-3250 or e-mail president@pgcacdst.

org.

Earlier this summer, the sorority received the 2010-2011 Chapter of the Year Award for the Eastern Region during Delta's 50th National Convention in New Orleans, La.

The organization received the award for the third time in five years.

College hosts annual Bluebird Blues Festival

Prince George's Community College in Largo is hosting the 18th annual Bluebird Blues Festival from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at the college at 301 Largo Road in Largo.

Clarence Carter is the event's headliner and will perform on the main stage in front of the Novak Field House.

Other main stage performers are Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy, Charles "Big Daddy" Stallings, and Tom Larsen Band. 

M.S.G. – The Acoustic Band Trio, Barry Lee Pearson, Phil Wiggins and Rick Franklin and Warner Williams and Jay Summerour will perform on the Nap Turner stage.

The festival has live entertainment, children's activities, music workshops, food and crafts. The event is free.

For information, call 301-322-0853 or visit www.pgcc.edu.  

5K run/walk at Watkins Regional Park

The 15th annual For the Health of It 5K run/walk is at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at Watkins Regional Park at 301 Watkins Park Drive in Upper Marlboro.

The event is sponsored by the Ivy Community Charities of Prince George's County Inc. and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Iota Gamma Omega Chapter.

To register, visit www.iccpgc.org.

The cost is $35 for participants who register by Sept. 11.

Event proceeds will benefit organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the Bowie-based nonprofit All Shades of Pink, a Bowie-based nonprofit organization that assists women and their families diagnosed with breast cancer with resource referrals, non-medical advice and/or emergency financial assistance during their treatment period.