Skilled and unskilled volunteers work together on projects of painting, carpentry, plumbing, cleaning, and gardening.   This program depends solely on the contributions of money, materials, equipment and labor by local companies, organizations, churches and individuals.  If you are looking for a place to make a difference, please consider Christmas in April.

I took my grandson, Bryce, and we both had spaghetti.  Bryce says that Joe’s Place is a “good restaurant.”

The Visitors Guides do an excellent job in explaining the different elements of the state government and the roles of each chamber.  Students also get a chance to see the Maryland General Assembly Video, “The Legislative Process.”

Today the Assembly was honoring The Cat in the Hat who sponsors along with the Maryland State Education Association the annual “Read Across America.”

The breakfast was well attended by more than 300 people representing all the counties in the Fifth District.  Greetings were offered by Senator Benjamin Cardin and the Keynote Address was given by Valerie B. Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement.

This breakfast is an excellent wrap up to the other events that are throughout the month of February honoring Black History and keeps in our minds the accomplishments and achievements that Blacks have made to our nation.

I had a chance to talk with many of the business leaders, government officials, and Southern Maryland residents last night.  Everyone was enjoying the music, food, and opportunity to mingle and catch up with their friends and neighbors.

Census data are used to determine the number of representatives your state receives in the U.S. Congress, as well as your community’s representation in the state legislature.  The data are also used to distribute more than $400 Billion in federal funds each year to communities for establishing and improving schools, hospitals, roads and senior services.  Our state government and in some instances, county government and businesses also uses the census the same way to allocate services based on headcount or to verify how many people live in a given area.

Children have been undercounted in every census since the first one in 1790.  Please remember to include all your children – even babies when you complete the 2010 Census form.   All infants, children and adults who live in a household should be counted, regardless of nationality, citizenship status, race, age or gender.

Before the ribbon cutting, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot warmly greeted the many Charles County officials and business owners who came to participate in the festivities. He emphasized the importance of this branch office to assist Charles County residents in completing their tax duty on time.  Any Maryland resident can bring in their federal tax forms for assistance and also have the branch office complete their state tax forms at no charge. He encouraged all those who qualify to take the Earned Income Tax credit that is available for 2010. Franchot has been a proponent for financial literacy among all citizens and is interested in financial literacy becoming part of the Maryland high school curriculum.

In attendance were Charles County Commissioners Wayne Cooper, Sam Graves, Rueben Collins, and Gary Hodge; as well as Sheriff Rex W. Coffey; Director of Administrative Services at the Sheriff’s Office Jack Hurd; Clerk of the Circuit Court Sharon Hancock; Stanley Trice of the Maryland Comptroller’s Office, and Orphan’s Court Judge Frank Lancaster.  Julie Vanderslice represented my office since I was in Annapolis.

This office is conveniently located at 1036 Saint Nicholas Dr., Suite 202, in Waldorf. It shares the same building as Avant-Garde Carpet and Floors behind the Charles Towne Plaza and across from the Saint Charles Towne Center Mall.

Ken Gould of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce presented the post with a plaque commemorating the re-opening.  It was nice to see the support that the veterans received from Sheriff Coffey, the Charles County Commissioners and numerous citizens.  The American Legion is very involved in our community and providing needed support; if you are looking for a venue for an event, please consider the post as it would help support the veterans and their works.

This dinner is well attended each year and I also had discussions concerning social service issues with Brenda Donald, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, Delegate Sally Jameson, and Commissioner Sam Graves.

The Charles County Delegation had a chance to meet our county Teacher of the Year Janet Jones from General Smallwood Middle School.  Janet teaches reading in Grades 6 through 8, quite an accomplishment.  I always look forward to meeting these teachers who are the best we can offer our children.

Peter and State Teacher of the Year Jennifer Rankin

What a pleasure it was to meet some of the seniors and get a chance to ask questions about their plans.  I am always glad to hear their interest in higher education as I believe that education is a tool to insure your future.  My very special thanks goes to Conchita Walls who is the College and Career Advisor at Lackey.  She works tirelessly with the seniors to make sure they understand their options for the future and gives out encouragement to all who have dreams.

My trip to Lackey reminds me of the dedication of the countless teachers, administrators, advisors, and school support personnel who labor with our children.  I am convinced that Charles County has some of the finest examples of this dedication and commitment.

Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code governs who would be considered a dependent for tax purposes.  In essence, they must be a family member and you must provide over one half of the support for this person, unless no one single person provides over one half of the support.  (You would probably need to talk to your tax professional with the specifics to see if you qualify on this issue.)

I also contacted the Department of Human Resources to see who administered programs for seniors.  I soon got a call from Felicia French at the Department of Aging about a program called the National Family Caregiver Support Program which is housed in the 19 local Area Agencies on Aging throughout the State of Maryland.  It also supports Grandparent caregivers who are taking care of their grandchildren.  For more information about this program or to request information or services, contact the local Area Agencies on Aging.  The number in Charles County is 301-934-9305.

The next week I noticed in the Maryland Independent that Chesapeake-Potomac Home Health offers an elder care provider referral service.  By calling 877-770-1847, seniors and caregivers can obtain resource and contact information for many elder care issues.

SeniorLink is a free service offered by CPHHA to tri-county residents and provides information on topics from health care to legal advice, from financial assistance to finding affordable meal solutions.

While I am going to post this on my blog a more detailed list of services will be in my News Update to those who get my newsletters.  This is important information for us all.

Many of you know that I am very interested in Chapman State Park and have attended meetings with the Friends of Chapman State Park and Ranger Patrick Bright who is the Area Manager for the Maryland Park Service.  He recently sent me a list of accomplishments that have been made at the Park in the last who years.  I think you will agree that they have made some definite progress.

DNR’s Maryland Park Service & Friends of Chapman State Park

2008 – 09 Chapman State Park Milestones

Environmental Sustainability

• Redoubled Potomac shoreline cleanups, removing approximately 2 tons of trash, during Potomac River Clean Up and various volunteer days involving local scouts, businesses, and community groups!  Debris sample include 110 tires, 555 disposable lighters, over 200 hundred road flare caps, over 2000 expended shotgun shells &/or wadding….
• All underground fuel oil and gasoline tanks removed from the park.
• Numerous, successful invasive plant removal events.
• Rare, Threatened, and Endanger Species Study completed.

Historic Preservation

• A state of the art security system was installed in the Mt. Aventine mansion.
• The ancient Mt. Aventine mansion furnace was finally replaced!
• Specifications for Mt. Aventine exterior renovation drafted and competitive bidding process initiated.  Contract should be awarded by close of 2009.

Recreation and Visitor Services

• Longshadows and River Cabin were boarded up to deter vandals.
• New fences installed at the Mt. Aventine Area gate.
• Mt. Aventine porches repaired and painted.
• Deadfall trees were removed from all park trails.
• Trail map completed.
• Coastal Woodlands trail rerouted around active eagle’s nest and reopened.
• Park designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society.
• Expanded deer hunting opportunities.

Partnerships & Collaborations

• Search and Rescue Dogs of Maryland (SARDOM) increasing use of park facilities.
• George Washington University (GW) School of Business, Tourism Program.
• The Friends of Chapman State Park officers and Board of Directors were recently elected and expanded!

Initiatives Planned for 2010

• Mt. Aventine exterior renovations to be completed in early 2010.
• Launch the long-awaited park website in early 2010.
• Work closely with DNR Heritage program to target the removal of the invasive Japanese Stilt Grass on the park’s Ridge Trail.
• Coordinate with DNR Wildlife unit to better manage the growing deer herd.
• Targeted “natural filters” reforestation of approximately ten acres to aid in habitat and Potomac/Bay water quality.
• Expand SARDOM partnership to afford more training access and presence in park.
• Expand collaboration with GW’s Tourism program to involve Chapman State Park in its “Sustainable Destinations” curriculum.

Ryan received first place at the statewide competition for his documentary, Benjamin O. Davis, and won Outstanding State Entry for Maryland at the National History Day competition.  The House of Delegates presented him with a Resolution for his outstanding achievement.  I had a chance to meet Ryan and have a few words with him and was immediately impressed.  I was proud that he is a student from Charles County.

Barbara Stepura, Chair of the art show, opened the ceremony by thanking us for attending and for our support in getting the MCAC driveway paved so that patrons no longer have to drive on a dirt road to the art center. MCAC President Mary Agnes Swann also presented a lifetime membership certificate to Delegate Levy for his support of the MCAC since his early days as a county commissioner. Ms. Stepura closed the event by saying that all the students were winners even if they didn’t get a ribbon or a monetary prize. She said that having their art works displayed at the MCAC meant that they had really accomplished something great. The entries were judged by Ms. Sally Parker who studied art at both the University of Maryland and at the Smithsonian.

It was a pleasure to spend time reviewing the students’ drawings, oil paintings, ceramics and photographic works on display; and I was sincerely impressed with the talents of the Charles County high school students. Arts programs in schools enhance the educational experience for all students.    I reminded the students and their parents that the Charles County delegates have scholarships available for 2010 high school graduates which can be used for art degrees as well as other fields of study.

Ken Weikel of Chick-fil-A was honored as the outgoing President of the Chamber.  Ken is committed to helping business grow in Charles County.  He has been active in numerous causes and is extremely generous in his support for the activities of organizations around the County.  He definitely qualifies as an all around good guy.

Darlene Breck of the Southern Maryland Business Center was installed as the 2010 President of the Chamber.  Darlene has been an active supporter of business and organizations in the County and has proven expertise as a leader in the community.  I have known her personally for many years and she also owns the building where I have my District Office.  My best wishes to her for the coming year.

We are all proud that he is a Charles County resident and certainly deserves this honor.

The 21^st was the day for the School of Medicine to visit Annapolis.  The School of Medicine is the 5^th oldest and first public medical school in the US and the first medical school in the country to construct its own hospital for clinical instruction.  Students are encouraged to be actively involved in community programs such as HIV clinics, homeless and domestic abuse shelters, nursing homes and local schools.

Since I am greatly concerned about the need to attract more medical professionals to the Southern Maryland area, I asked them if any of them were planning to practice in Charles County.  I then spent some time explaining how Charles County enjoyed a great quality of life and was a wonderful place to raise a family.  I am not sure that I converted any of the students to move here, but I will keep trying.  Adequate health care of top quality is needed for our county to thrive.