BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
The following Black History Month events are sponsored by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Montgomery County Historical Society and the Sandy Spring Slave Museum. For more information on any of the programs, call Park and Planning's historic preservation section, 301-563-3400.
* Friday, Feb. 3, 7-9 p.m.: “Uncle Tom,” a of Josiah Henson, the model for Uncle Tom in the Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom’s Cabin." Henson grew up a slave in Montgomery County, and escaped to Canada from Kentucky in 1830.
Place: Ken-Gar (Josiah Henson) Community Center, Ken-Gar Palisades Local Park, 4140 Wexford Drive, Kensington
* Friday, Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m.: “Movies, Race, and World War II” -- This video-illustrated lecture demonstrates how Hollywood films and government propaganda movies like "The Negro Soldier" anticipated the politics of racial activism and offer a documentary record of that aspect of American history.
Place: Beall-Dawson House, 103 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville
EDISON HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
The Thomas Edison High School of Technology holds its annual open house on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5-8 p.m. (snow date: Feb. 15) at 12501 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring. High school students from all Montgomery County Public Schools can choose to enroll for one-half of their school day in one of the 19 different programs at the school. Teachers, students and business and industry partners will be showcasing the academic, career and technology programs. Visit www. mcps.k12.md.us/schools/edison, or contact Linda Lynch at 301-929-6920 or e-mail Linda_T_Lynch@mcpsmd.org.
TOWN HALL MEETING
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-08) will convene a town hall meeting for residents of the Eighth Congressional District. The Congressman will report to residents about the activities of the 109th Congress, including important issues such as the war with Iraq, Social Security, education, health care, gang violence, the economy, homeland security, disaster preparedness and transportation. Van Hollen will answer questions and respond to comments from the audience. All residents of the 8th Congressional district are invited to participate in this town hall meeting at Spark Matsunaga Elementary School, 13902 Bromfield Road, Germantown, on Monday, Feb. 13, 7:30-9 p.m. Call 301-424-3501.
BLOOD DRIVE
The Montgomery County Police Citizen Academy Alumni Association will hold a blood drive Friday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Training Academy, 9710 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville. Photo identification is required. Allow one hour for a donor visit.
CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
High school students invited t participate in the 25th Annual Congressional Art Competition. All students who live or attend school in Maryland's eighth congressional district are eligible to participate in the contest sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
The entries will be exhibited at Strathmore Arts Center April 1-28 and the winning entry will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol with the winners from each of the nation's 435 districts.
Runners-up will be displayed in Van Hollen's congressional offices.
Entry forms must be signed by the entrant, a teacher, and a parent and faxed by March 15 301-424-5992
Forms and more detailed information are available at www.house.gov/vanhollen. Questions may be directed to Congressional Art Competition Coordinator Linda Pepper at 301-657-8650 or at pepper461@aol.com.
TOWPATH STILL CLOSED AT WIDEWATER
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has extended the temporary closure of the towpath in the Widewater section of the canal, between mile 13 and 13.6, because unseasonal weather conditions have prevented placement of the final towpath surface. “We were hoping to finish this up by the end of the calendar year,” said Dan Cody, a civil engineer with the Park Service.
A detour is provided around this construction area via Berma Road. Visitors are advised to follow posted detour signs. The detour will be in effect until further notice. “It’s all weather-dependent at this point,” Cody said.