Ninth Annual Dump the Pump Day set for June 19
On June 19, St. Mary's Transit System (STS), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and the public transportation industry will celebrate the 9th Annual National Dump the Pump Day. The day is dedicated to encouraging people to leave their cars at home and ride public transportation. This year's slogan is "Dump the Pump, Save Money, Ride Transit."
National Dump the Pump day emphasizes the environmental benefits of using public transportation. It is also a day for people in St. Mary's county, and for those across the country, to make a difference by conserving gasoline, saving money and helping the environment by riding public transportation (instead of driving).
Public Transportation plays of vital role for the community continuity for businesses, medical facilities and stores for county citizens. Please "Ride the Bus with Us" on June 19 and show your support by wearing an I Dumped The Pump For Transit sticker which will be handed out by our STS bus drivers.
The latest APTA Transit Savings Report shows a two person household which downsizes to one car can save - on average - over $10,000 a year. U.S. public transportation systems help to create a healthier environment by reducing smog producing pollutants and greenhouse gases. Using public transportation also produces nearly 50 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) per passenger mile.
For more information about Dump the Pump and other available STS Services (ADA/SSTAP), call 301-863-8400 x 1120. Additional STS information, such as schedules, routes and fares, can be found on the Department of Public Works & Transportation's updated web site at http://www.stmarysmd.com/dpw/ under STS Transit.
Commission on Aging Meeting Moved to a Different Location
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission on Aging will be held at a different location.
The Monday, June 23 meeting will take place at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall. The commission will meet at the regularly scheduled time (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.).
The Veterans Home is located at 29449 Charlotte Hall Road in Charlotte Hall.
Ribbon Cutting to Debut Improvements at Wicomico Shores Public Waterfront Landing
Following a period of renovation and improvements, the St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks, along with the Board of County Commissioners, will welcome the public back to the Wicomico Shores Public Waterfront. Citizens are invited to join them as the ribbon is cut to reopen the facility.
"We hope that citizens will join us at the public landing for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m." said Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell. "The improvements at this heavily used landing will provide enhanced sanitary and picnicking facilities for our citizens and visitors."
St. Mary's County received funds from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Waterway Improvement Grant Program to improve the facilities at this landing. The project involved construction of a new restroom building and renovations to the picnic pavilion and walkways. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements were also part of the project.
Recreation and Parks wishes to thank the public for their patience during the renovation period. Information and questions regarding the renovation project or ceremony should be addressed to the St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1811.
Museum Fundraiser to Offer Cool Jazz and Irresistible Seafood
The Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival has long been considered the most unique and intimate jazz experience in Southern Maryland. The 14th annual event is slated for Saturday, July, 12 at the St. Clement's Island Museum in Colton's Point, MD.
This riverside event is presented by the Friends of the St. Clement's Island and Piney Point Museums and the St. Mary's County Museum Division. It takes place on the lawn of the museum which overlooks historic St. Clement's Island, birthplace of Maryland. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser benefits museum education programs, preservation projects, exhibits, matching grants, and more.
Scheduled jazz artists include Oli Silk, keyboardist from Great Britain at 3 p.m., Elan Trotman, saxophonist from Boston at 5 p.m., and national recording artist Nick Colionne, jazz guitarist from Chicago at 7 p.m.
Lenny's Restaurant, Bear Creek Open Pit BBQ, Bruster's Real Ice Cream and the 7th District Optimist Club are among the vendors available to patrons.
Tickets are $65 for the general public and $60 for museum members and must be purchased in advance. Only 800 tickets are available and all sales are final. No tickets will be sold at the gate. The festival takes place rain or shine. Ticket price includes free parking, admission to the museum and an optional boat cruise around St. Clement's Island State Park. Tickets can be purchased by calling the St. Clement's Island Museum at 301-769-2222 or going to the website at http://www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/Museums.asp and clicking on the event link.
The St. Clement's Island Museum is located at 38370 Point Breeze Road in Colton's Point. The museum and grounds are handicap accessible.
2014 Summerstock Production of Grease to Take the Stage
The St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks is pleased to announce this year's Summerstock Musical performance will be "Grease" by Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey. The show is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.
Performance dates will be Friday, July 18 - Sunday, July 20 and Friday, July 25 - Sunday, July 27 at Great Mills High School. Sunday evening shows will begin at 3:00 p.m. with all other evening shows beginning at 7:00 p.m. A matinee performance will be held on Saturday, July 19 & 26 at 1:00 p.m. All shows will take place in the Great Mills High School auditorium
Tickets are $14 for adults, $10 for senior citizens 60 years and older and $6 for children 10 & under. Matinee prices are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens 60 years and older and $4 for children 10 & under.
Tickets sales begin Sunday, June 1 online at http://www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/summerstock. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Recreation & Parks main office in Leonardtown. Patrons purchasing tickets online must print them and bring them to the show for admittance. Online ticket purchases are highly encouraged due to the possibility of sold out shows and must be purchased no later than 12:00 p.m. the day before the show you plan on attending. Doors will open one hour before each performance for ticket sales. Patrons can enter the auditorium for general seating thirty minutes before each show time. Cash will only be accepted for ticket sales at the door.
For more information call 301-475-4200 ext. 1800.
St. Mary's County to Hold SKYWARN Class
The St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services & Technology will host Wednesday, a SKYWARN class on July 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Hall Library, 37600 New Market Road in Charlotte Hall, MD. The goal of the class is to train citizens to become SKYWARN storm spotters.
The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. In an effort to obtain critical weather information, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN with partner organizations. SKYWARN is a volunteer program which trains citizens to become severe weather spotters.
SKYWARN spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, including severe thunderstorms, flash floods, tornados and severe winter storms. In an average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. These events threaten lives and property. Since the program began in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled the NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash floods and winter storms.
The free class will last approximately two hours. The curriculum will include:
-- Basics of thunderstorm development
-- Fundamentals of storm structure
-- Identifying potential severe weather features
-- Information to report
-- How to report information
-- Basic severe weather safety
To register for the SKYWARN Basic I class send an email to ema [at] stmarysmd.com with your contact information. For more information, please call 301-475-4200 Ext. 2124.