Upcoming City events
- We’ll meet and great at the Avondale parking area.
- Trash bags will be provided, as well as some tools, but if you have your own, please bring them. Please bring gloves.
- Kids are welcome to come with their parents.
- Students are welcome to come for service hours, but you must have your forms at the event for credit.
- Electronics: such as televisions, stereos, computers, game systems and their accessories.
- Sensitive papers: such as bank statements, medical bills, and other items you’d like securely shredded onsite. (X-rays and film also available, though will happen after-the-fact offsite.)
- Paint: latex, oil-based, and wood stains. (I know I’ve got some of these too.) This one does have a cost at $5/ quart or gallon.
- Lightly-used home goods: such as clothing, small appliances, and related. (GreenDrop Charity will be onsite to collect)
- Styrofoam: such as packaging, food containers, and packing peanuts.
- Free “Music at the Mansion” featuring Hispanic music Friday evening, Sep 27
- Harvest Moon Hayrides the evening for Friday, Nov 1 at Riverfront Park.
- Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec 7 at the Armory.
- Teen trip to Hershey Park Halloween on Sunday, Oct 12.
- Martial Arts classes for kids aged 3-15.
- Couples Fight Night (learn self-defense as a couple) and Bio-fitness classes for adults.
- A Toby’s Dinner Theater night for seniors on Sat, Sep 28.
- And plenty more!
Spread Thanksgiving Blessings with Blessing Baskets
Thanksgiving is approaching quickly and is a great time of year to reflect on all the many true blessings we have that are so easy to forget in the hustle-and-bustle of day-to-day – things like food, shelter, family, community, health, freedom, faith, and more.
From that well of thankfulness, it’s only natural to want to give and share – The original Thanksgiving itself was in its ideal form a coming together of peoples to share what they had in the common fellowship of life. Your church and many of our Laurel-based non-profits have great outlets to link arms with community to do so, and I also wanted to share about a newer one organized by Mike Mondy and The Moving in Maryland Group of Keller Williams Realty: Laurel Blessing Baskets.
The Laurel Blessing Baskets drive encourages folks to assemble a laundry basket of goods for a Thanksgiving meal (and optionally, some helpful home items) to help families in need. You can assemble and/or drop-off your basket of goods on Wednesday, Nov 20 from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. at KB Karnival Hall located at 555 Main Street (drive around to the backside off Main Street) where others will also be mingling. And if you’re unable to make it but still want to be a part, you can also contribute to the drive’s GoFundMe campaign.
“A thankful heart is a happy heart” ❤️ - I guarantee finding a way, small or big, to bless someone this Thanksgiving will help make your family’s Thanksgiving all the more full as well. 🙂🦃
Honor Veterans by Placing Flags Today at 2 p.m. at Ivy Hill
If you’re free this afternoon, I’d encourage you to consider taking an hour to mark Veteran’s Day by helping place flags on graves at the Ivy Hill Cemetary. 🇺🇸 You’ll be joining with others in our community helping to honor veterans for their service and expressing our thanks as a community for their sacrifice that has made possible the freedoms we enjoy today as a nation.
Thank you to all who have served! - We treasure your service. 🫡❤️🙏
Help Clean Riverfront Park & Main Street on Sat, Nov 2
The volunteers of Laurel for the Patuxent have an event scheduled this Saturday, Nov 2 to help cut invasive vines at Riverfront Park plus pickup trash on Main Street — a “choose your own adventure” as the event listing says. 😀
From the event page:
Check out the link above for more details, and come on out to enjoy the beautiful weather while being a part of helping beautify our City! ☀️
FREE Recycle electronics, Paper shred, Paint drop-off, & more on Oct 19
A great service Laurel provides its residents are opportunities during the year to do a great house emptying :) – Mark your calendars for next Saturday, October 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to empty your house (or local business) of:
This service is only available to Laurel City residents or businesses in the City, so be sure to have your driver’s license (with address) on hand or mail addressed to the City of Laurel business location.
More details (including a map to confirm you’re in the City) are available Department of Public Works Event Page – so gather some things together this coming week, and be free of them come next Saturday! 🧹😀
Women Entrepreneurs Free Workshop on Oct 16
In honor of National Women’s Small Business Month, the City is co-sponsoring with Pyne Creative a FREE half-day, in-person workshop at the Laurel Municipal Center on October 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This looks like a great opportunity and from the event page:
The Total Package is a hands-on workshop tailored for women entrepreneurs aiming to elevate digital marketing for their small businesses, implement effective public relations strategies, and refine their personal brand and style. Engage in interactive sessions led by industry experts covering topics including: developing your brand online, creating engaging social media content, mastering storytelling in public relations, and defining your “Signature CEO Style.” The Total Package empowers women small business owners to enhance their visibility, influence, and success in their respective industries and fields.
Space is limited, so if you’re interested, I encourage you to apply today! (applications accepted on a rolling basis)
Multi-service Center launches today
Today is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Laurel Multi-Service Center and the August edition of The Business Monthly newspaper has a great write-up describing the origins and plans for use of the space.
… providing a central location for a variety of human services and space for new self-sufficiency and transitional housing programs. It’s designed to streamline service provision, limit transportation barriers, and improve access to services.
Among the services identified:
catering and prepared meals, mail services, a barber and hair salon, a food pantry, a job training and learning center, a medical suite, clothing distribution center, laundry room, and shower facilities.
There is also a gymnasium side of the building that houses shared office space and provides a venue for health fairs, fundraisers, and other community activities. On the housing side of the building is a men and women’s shelter space featuring cots and other amenities that will provide respite on excessively cold or hot days, and overnight, temporary shelter during the winter months (the Winter Haven program you may be familiar with).
Both City Departments and local nonprofits like Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS) and FISH of Laurel will collaborate to provide the services.
Additional details are available in the article linked above, and be sure to tune in to City media channels to see more of the ribbon-cutting event, and look for various of the operations to come online over the months ahead. This looks to be a great service to the City and its people!
Fall Parks & Rec Activities Announced!
Resident should see in their mailbox this week the latest Parks & Rec brochure for fall activities. Whether fall community events, adult or youth trips, fall sports leagues, the City’s pre-school program or more, there’s sure to be something for everybody. :)
Some highlights that caught my attention:
Be sure to peruse your copy in the mail (or browse online) then mark your calendars for your favorite community events and even sign up for class or two to have some fun this fall. :)
Laurel Police Aug 6 National Night Out
Come grab a free hotdog, visit with a K-9 unit, catch live music, and connect with the various law enforcement groups we have here in Laurel – It’s a great night to be out for Laurel Police’s ‘41st National Night Out’ event at Granville Gude Park at Laurel Lakes from 6 - 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug 6.
We have a truly great law enforcement crew and it’s good to get to know them, get some tips about safety, and also learn about what services are available to you as a resident of Laurel.
Plus, did I mention -> the hot dogs! 🌭😉
