LUNAR NEW YEAR RECOGNIZED
Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. (R) signed a bill into law May 2 that marks the Asian Lunar New Year as a Day of Commemoration in Maryland.
The bill was introduced by Del. Susan C. Lee (D-16) in the House of Delegates and Sen. Brian E. Frosh in the Senate. Both represent parts of Potomac.
The holiday, celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian Americans, takes place at the end of January.
The new law states: "In recognition of the economic and
cultural contributions of the many Marylanders for whom the Lunar New Year holds special significance, the Governor annually shall proclaim the day designated as New Year on the Asian Lunar Calendar as Asian Lunar New Year Day."
During the last three legislative sessions, Asian Americans, who now number over 250,000 in Maryland alone, have joined with Latino, African American, civil rights, labor and women’s organizations in defeating a series of anti-immigrant bills in the state legislature, according to a press release from Lee's office.
CHEFS COME OUT FOR CHURCHILL THEATER
A gala dinner May 13 at the Julia Bindeman Center, 11810 Falls Road in Potomac, will support the Churchill High School Drama Department's trip to the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August.
The department was one of only 40 schools in the nation selected from over 250 applicants, the only school from Maryland attending and the first school from Montgomery County in seven years.
The participating chefs are Michel Richard of Citronelle, Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel's, Roberto Donna of Galileo and Jeff Heineman of Grapeseed.
The remaining seats for the five-course meal have been reduced to $200 per couple
To attend, call Hanna Silberberg as soon as possible at 301-983-8566 or e-mail her at silberberg.hanna@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/churchillhs/documents/gourmetgala5.pdf.
TONYS REVUE AT HOLY CHILD
Connelly School of the Holy Child presents "Why Ever Not? A Tonys Revue" Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the school, 9029 Bradley Boulevard.
The show features selections from 13 Tony Award-winning musicals connected by witty dialogue, with each song set in its original time period.
Featured songs include "Angel of Music" from "The Phantom of the Opera's"; "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from "The Lion King"; and "This is the Song that Goes Like This" from "Spamalot!"
Admission is free and tickets are not necessary. Call 301-365-0955 or visit www.holychild.org for more information.
STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Twelve students have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarships financed by companies, foundations, and other business organizations.
The students are among 30 corporate-sponsored scholarship winners in Maryland. Nationally, about 1,000 scholars were chosen from a group of 15,000 finalists in the annual program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
The winners include Walt Whitman High School students Alex Imas (international relations, Watson Wyatt & Company) and Elizabeth M. Williams (economics, Watson Wyatt & Company).
The scholars are high school seniors who were selected based on their academic record, a recommendation by their school principal, SAT scores and an essay.
CHURCHILL STUDENTS PLACE THIRD AT ECONOMICS CHALLENGE
Four students from Winston Churchill High School placed third at the 2006 East Regional Economics Challenge April 26 in Philadelphia. The college-bowl like competition tests students’ knowledge of economic concepts and theories. After 3 rounds of testing, the top two teams from two divisions faced off in a head to head quiz bowl round to declare the champions.
The students won the state Economics Challenge for Maryland April 24.
The students, Allen Lai, Ellie Lan, Christina Sze, and Rahul Venkateshwara, were accompanied by their coach and teacher Monica Malanoski
The National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) and The Goldman Sachs Foundation created the National Economics Challenge in 2000 to promote student interest in economics, reinforce classroom instruction, advance academics and school spirit, and to reward scholarship.
More information about the Economics Challenge is on-line at www.economicschallenge.ncee.net.
POLICE EXPLORERS HOST FAMILY FUN NIGHT
The Montgomery County Police Department will host a Family Fun Night, dinner and silent auction May 21 at Dave and Buster's at White Flint Mall.
The event raises money for Police Explorer Post 1986. The Explorers program involves young men and women ages 14-20 who interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Explorers take classes in police situations such as Arrest and Search, Traffic Stops, Burglary in Progress, and Accident Investigation collectively contribute over 2,000 volunteer service hours annually to community organizations.
The event begins at 4 p.m. with free child fingerprinting, demonstrations of police equipment and McGruff the Crime Dog in the Dave and Buster’s parking lot.
A dinner and silent auction portion of the event will follow, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Dave and Buster's is located at 11301 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda
For more information, please contact Charles Carpenter at 301-840-2697 or charles.carpenter@montgomerycountymd.gov or visit www.mcpexplorers.org.
ART SHOW AT VICTORY TERRACE
The public is invited to an art show and sale featuring local artists at Victory Terrace, 9440 Newbridge Drive, Saturday, May 13 10 a.m.-3 p,m. For more information, call 301-983-3123.
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AT WHITMAN
The Walt Whitman High School's Festival of the Arts, will be held on Wednesday, May 17 and Thursday, May 18 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. each day.
The festival showcases the school's award-winning visual arts and music programs through performances as well as a student art sale and silent auction.
The Festival concludes with a Student Fashion Show featuring the works of emerging designers on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m.
Admission to all events is free. Walt Whitman High School is at 7100 Whittier Boulevard in Bethesda. Call 301-320-6600.
COUNCIL EXTENDS PLANNING BOARD APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Montgomery County Council has extended the deadline for applications for the position Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman.
So far the only applicant is the current chairman, Derick Berlage, who is seeking a second term.
The deadline extension comes amidst public criticism of Berlage who has been chairman throughout the recent Clarksburg controversy.
The new deadline is 5 p.m. on May 31. Berlage's term will expire on June 14.
No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and all members must be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms.
The Planning Board serves as the Council's principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. The Prince George's Planning Board and Montgomery County Planning Board together form the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission,
The Montgomery County Planning Board meets all day every Thursday. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the second Wednesday of every month. Two full days a week are spent in meetings. Substantial additional time is required for preparatory work and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.
To apply, send a letters of interest and a resume to Council President George L. Leventhal, Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850, by 5 p.m. May 31.
Letters of application are made public as part of the appointment process.