<mh>Bells Mill Celebrates Reading
<bt>Bells Mill Elementary will recognize Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss's birthday with a day-long program of activities including guest readers:
8-8:30 a.m.: A light breakfast in the all purpose room. Children may bring a parent and a favorite Dr. Seuss book for thirty minutes of quiet reading.
9-9:30 a.m.: Jane Nishida, Secretary for the Maryland Department of Environment;
9-10 a.m.: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, five uniformed men to read in classrooms;
10-11 a.m.: Marcela Sanchez, staff writer for "The Washington Post. Sanchez gives a daily news report which appears on the Spanish language network "Univision;"
11 a.m.-noon: Andrea McCarren, reporter at WJLA Channel 7;
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Tracy Offer, published poet and Bells Bill parent; and
2-3 p.m.: Delegate Mark Shriver (D-15).
The school is located at 8225 Bells Mill Road in Potomac. Call 301-469-1046.
<mh>Youth Commissioners Sought
<bt>Montgomery County is seeking applicants under the age of 21 to fill seven vacancies on its Commission on Children and Youth. Two incumbents are eligible and intend to apply for reappointment. The 27-member Commission advises the county on policies, programs and services which support children, youth and their families. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month in Rockville. Members are expected to serve on Commission committees and these meetings are held as needed. The deadline for applying is March 15. Send a letter of interest to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., Rockville, MD 20850. Include a home and school address with telephone numbers.
<mh>Food Drive
<bt>Bells Mill Elementary, 8225 Bells Mill Road in Potomac, will collect nonperishable items from Feb. 15-March 8. Suggested donations include cereal; canned fish; canned vegetables and fruit; pasta; rice; beans; peanut butter and jelly; macaroni and cheese in a box; soup and granola bars. Donations will be sent to the Manna Food Center in Rockville. The food drive is sponsored by the Community Action Committee and the Student Council. Call Liz Grossman at 301-983-2399 or Kathy Thrower at 301-983-6987.
<mh>Scholarships Available
<bt>The Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) is offering a statewide scholarship award program to assist students in post-high school education expenses. Open to any student currently a senior in a public or private Maryland high school, the annual contest will award a $1,000 scholarship to the State Winner. Three students will be awarded Honorable Mention scholarships of $250 each. Awards are based on a panel evaluation of a written essay, which is judged on originality, content and grammar skills. This year's essay theme asks entrants to answer the question, "If you were given one million dollars, what would you do with it, and why?"
All entries must be received by the MBA no later than Friday, April 26. Contest entry forms are available at schools and in many MBA member bank lobbies. Information is available at http://www.mdbankers.com/community/index.htm. Call Pat Holle at 410-269-5977.
<mh>Student Art Competition
<bt>Art students from Montgomery County middle and high schools, public and private, may submit their work for competition and display on Saturday, March 23. The Montgomery County Youth Art Competition, sponsored by the Maryland Federation of Women's Clubs, will be held at Leisure World, Clubhouse 1, on Georgia Avenue between Bel Pre and Norbeck, from 9 a.m.-noon.
Cash prizes will be award in categories: $100 for first; $50 for second; and $30 for third. Winners of this competition will go on to the state level in Baltimore where cash awards are doubled.
Rules and entry forms may be obtained from county art teachers. Entry forms will also be available at the door. Call Dorothy Davis at 301-598-9657.
<mh>Seniors in the Schools
<bt>Interages, an agency that develops intergenerational programming, is seeking volunteers age 55 and older to participate in two programs.
"Dialogues Across the Ages," will bring together seniors and high school students on a wide range of topics. The program consists of eight once-a-week sessions.
"ASAP (After School Activities Program) needs mentors to work one-on-one with students on reading and communication skills. Volunteers will meet once a week with an elementary student in a group setting. An orientation is provided.
Both programs begin in March. Call the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600.
<mh>Tutor Training Workshop
<bt>The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will hold a workshop for tutors on two Sundays, March 10 and 17, from 12:30-7 p.m., at Tikvat Israel, 2200 Baltimore Road in Rockville. Space is limited. Call 301-942-9292.