As thousands of acres of forests and woodlands are destroyed every day, perhaps the single most important thing a person can do to help keep the world's environment healthy is simply to plant a tree.
Recently, all 64 fifth graders at Shady Side Elementary School helped by two dozen students from Southern and Broadneck high schools' Stream Team plant 75 trees on the school grounds.
The Stream Team is made of up students in the Anne Arundel County Public School Signature Magnet Program, and is funded by a grant from the state Department of Natural Resources.
Joe Ports, the organization's restoration coordinator, and Jeff Holland, the West and Rhode Riverkeeper, spoke to the students about how the newly planted trees will abate polluting runoff and help improve the water quality in the local waterways.
Through service learning, student leaders from Southern and Broadneck High Schools are planting of 2,265 native trees in the Magothy, Severn and West rivers and North Herring Bay watersheds at eight schools and other sites.
A primary goal of this student-driven initiative is to promote environmental stewardship through community action. At each native tree planting event the Stream Team enlists the help of other student volunteers in kindergarten through 12th grade..
Fire prevention open house
The Deale Volunteer Fire Department, 6007 Drum Point Road, invites the whole community to a free fire prevention open house from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The department will offer fun, information and giveaways.
Games will include a fire hose rolling contest, bucket brigade, fireman's relay race and a gear try-on station.
Learn about fire safety, meet your local volunteers, view the public safety trailer, watch a puppet show and make sure not to miss demonstrations from the department, the Anne Arundel County Police K9 Unit and the AA County Police K-9 Unit.
Food will be sold.
For details, call 410-867-1350 or visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deale-Volunteer-Fire-Department/232166973475597?sk=timeline.
Blessing of the animals
The Davidsonville United Methodist Church will hold a blessing of the animals at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Green Cathedral behind the church grounds, 819 W. Central Ave.
Everyone is welcome to take their animals to be blessed on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his inspiring work with indigents as well as for his love of nature and animals. Most blessings are held as close to the date that commemorates his death, Oct. 4, 1226.
For details, visit at http://www.dumc.net or call the church at 410-798-5511.
'A Touch of Elvis'
The London Towne Property Owners Association will present "A Touch of Elvis" by Mike Hurst at 6 p.m. Saturday at the community hall on Mayo Road in Edgewater, across from Adam's Ribs restaurant.
Along with a pasta buffet for the whole family, people can enjoy Hurst's tribute show which started at the request of his friends and family. I keeps the memory of Elvis alive and creates a tribute that captures the spirit of Elvis and his voice.
There will also be a special appearance by Jennalyn Yon, an 18-year old singing sensation who performs tributes to performers like Patsy Cline, Kelly Pickler, Celene Dion and others.
For tickets, call 410-956-4808 or visit http://www.ltpoa.info.
Golf for youth athletes
The South River Youth Athletics will hold a fundraising golf tournament from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Golf Club at South River, 3451 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater.
The tournament offers a day of fun, food and prizes to golfers of all ages and abilities to raise money for the athletic program.
A variety of contests, games and raffles offer a wide range of prizes, including a new car valued at $20,000 for a hole in one.
The fee is $125 per golfer or $480 for a foursome and includes 18 holes of golf and golf cart; range balls one hour prior to start, bag drop service; lunch on course; domestic and imported beer, soda, sports drinks, water; catered dinner by Stan and Joe's; and a golfer gift bag. Proper golf attire will be required: collared shirts, no cut-off shorts/tank tops/blue jeans. Only soft spike golf shoes permitted. No metal spikes will be allowed. Sponsorships also are available.
Talk on dyscalculia
Dr. Brian Butterworth, author and international expert on dyscalculia, will be the featured speaker at Dyscalculia: Understanding and Educating Students with Math Learning Differences" at the Zelma Wynn Symposium, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18, at the Summit School's campus, 664 E. Central Ave., in Edgewater.
individuals with dyscalculia struggle to learn mathematics, despite having an adequate learning environment at home and at school. Children with dyscalculia fall behind early in elementary school, and may develop anxiety or a strong dislike of math. In secondary school they are likely to struggle to pass math and science courses and find their career options reduced. In adult life, they may earn less, and have difficulties managing their everyday finances.
Butterworth is a world-renowned neuroscientist and emeritus professor of cognitive neuropsychology at University College London. He is working on the neuroscience and the genetics of mathematical abilities and disabilities.
The cost is $50 for parents and $75 for all others.
To register, visit http://thesummitschool.org/events/zelma-wynn-symposium/
The Avery Museum's annual oyster festival will take place from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 19, at the museum at 1418 E West Shady Side Road in Shady Side.
One of the festival's main attractions is, of course, oysters. Vendors will offer fried oysters, oyster stew, and oysters on the half shell, as well as other traditional bay fare, including crab cakes and crab soup, plus hot dogs, beer, wine and sodas. A new item this year will be oyster shooters. The museum will have shuckers providing raw oysters, and the Avery Cafe will offer a sale of home-baked cookies, pies and cakes.
The colorful tent by the water's edge will feature live music by Tim and Savannah Finch of the Eastman String Band; and Janie Meneely with original songs about the bay; Andy Garte and Gary Harmon of the Coastal Flats; and the country, blue grass and gospel songs of local favorites, the Shady Side Sour Notes.
For the kids, the festival offers live crab races, face painting, kite making, fish hat making, sailboat races and a scavenger hunt.
A variety of crafters will also be on hand with products such as jewelry made from old car parts, driftwood sailboats, reproductions of historical maps, handmade cards and crafts and hand painted oyster and crab Christmas ornaments.
One of the unique fundraising elements of the event is the Choose It and Use It program where the public can purchase one of the dozens of donated parties, events, handmade items or services and use them to entertain family and friends or enhance their home or lifestyle, all while supporting the great programs the Captain Avery Museum provides to the community all year long.
Topping off the afternoon is the drawing for the winner of the $5,000 raffle sponsored by the museum. Tickets, which are $5, will be sold at the festival or from local merchants. Purchasers need not be present to win.
Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for children 12 and. Parking will be available at the nearby Shady Side ball fields with a free shuttle service. There will also will be a large amount of overflow parking. Handicapped parking will available at the museum.
For more information, call the museum at 410-867-4486 or visit http://www.captainaverymuseum.org.
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