Muirkirk

The redevelopment of a played-out clay pit in Prince George's County will include an unexpected bonus for paleontologists and school kids: a dinosaur park. The developer of an industrial park on the site has donated 7 1/2 acres of the 700-acre Muirkirk property for a public dinosaur preserve, complete with ancient tree species and an exposed layer of clay that has yielded up bits of dinosaurs for more than a century. One of the latest finds - kept quiet for almost a year while the land was transferred to the government and fenced - was the 2-foot-long leg bone of a still-unidentified plant-eater.

Children at Laurel Woods Elementary School, Murray Hill Middle School and Patuxent Valley Middle School will benefit from extracurricular activities and support that are to be available through a new partnership with the Southeastern Howard/Laurel Chapter of Continental Societies Inc., an international public service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. The organization plans to sponsor student projects and activities relating to health, education, employment, recreation and the arts.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center is showing "SSS... When the Iron Was Hot: African-American Iron Workers in Laurel/Muirkirk, 1730-1930." It's a cumbersome title, but it pretty well explains the show, which explores what life was like for African-American ironworkers in the period of slavery and after, at the Patuxent and Muirkirk Ironworks in Prince George's County. It also shows the iron-making process and the architectural structures associated with iron production.

The Patuxent Research Refuge will offer "Birding for the Blind," a program for visually impaired people and their families and friends, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 12 at the refuge's North Tract entrance. The program for children ages 8 and older will introduce participants to birding through hands-on activities and exploration of outdoor habitats. Admission is free but registration is required. The refuge's North Tract is off Route 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 32, east of Laurel.

Departed this life peacefully on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at Cherry Lane Nursing Center, Laurel, MD. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Byrdie R. Jones. He is survived by three sons, William, Jr, Byron and John Jones; two grandchildren, Tanya Jones Austin and Justin Jones; two sisters, one brother, one daughter-in-law, Karen Jones, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends at the Queen's Chapel United Methodist Church, 7410 Old Muirkirk Road, Beltsville, MD on Thursday, September 27, 2007 from 6 to 9 p.m. where funeral services will be held on Friday, September 28th at 11 a.m. Rev. B. Kevin Smalls, Officiating Interment Maryland Nat'l Memorial Park Arrangements by Snowden Funeral Home

BYRDIE ROSS JONES (age 79) "Miss Byrdie departed this life peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Laurel Regional Hospital.M-BM- She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, William E. Jones, Sr; three sons, William, Jr., Byron and John Jones; two grandchildren, Tanya Jones Austin and Justin Jones; three sisters, one brother, one daughter-in-law, Karen Jones, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.M-BM- A brother, Ernest Ross, predeceased her. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 20, 2006 at Queens Chapel United Methodist Church, 7410 Old Muirkirk Road, Beltsville, MD from 6-9 P.M. where funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. Rev. Dr. Bruce F. Haskins, Officiating Interment MD Nat'l Memorial Park Arrangements by Snowden Funeral Home

LAUREL - First, they viewed the horror of terrorism in New York and Washington on their television screens. Now they're seeing the investigation unfold right in their neighborhood. Karl Rosip was watching television coverage of the terrorist attacks Wednesday in his apartment in the 9500 block of Muirkirk Road when he answered a knock on the door. FBI agents wanted to ask him some questions and show him some photographs. "That brought it much closer to home," said Rosip, 27. "Having FBI agents come to your door.

The Maryland/DC Anti-Car Theft Committee and the Howard County Police Department will offer a Free Vehicle Identification Etching from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center, 9105-G All Saints Road, North Laurel. A unique vehicle identification number will be engraved on all the major pieces of glass in each car as a deterrent to theft and to assist in returning stolen vehicles to their owners. Those who attend can register in the Watch Your Car Program, a national vehicle theft prevention program.

The Patuxent Research Refuge will offer "Birding for the Blind," a program for visually impaired people and their families and friends, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 12 at the refuge's North Tract entrance. The program for children ages 8 and older will introduce participants to birding through hands-on activities and exploration of outdoor habitats. Admission is free but registration is required. The refuge's North Tract is off Route 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 32, east of Laurel.

Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts' Teen Professional Theatre will offer five performances of Elton John and Tim Rice's musical, Aida, at 7:30 p.m. July 28 and 29; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. July 30; and 2:30 p.m. July 31 at Reservoir High School in Fulton. The Teen Professional Theatre is a summer program for those ages 13 to 21 that provides workshops, mentorship and a final performance of a Broadway musical. Sixty young actors are participating in this year's program, which includes one-on-one and ensemble rehearsals with guest artists, and mentorships with professional teachers and other staff.

The Maryland/DC Anti-Car Theft Committee and the Howard County Police Department will offer a Free Vehicle Identification Etching from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center, 9105-G All Saints Road, North Laurel. A unique vehicle identification number will be engraved on all the major pieces of glass in each car as a deterrent to theft and to assist in returning stolen vehicles to their owners. Those who attend can register in the Watch Your Car Program, a national vehicle theft prevention program.

Departed this life peacefully on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at Cherry Lane Nursing Center, Laurel, MD. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Byrdie R. Jones. He is survived by three sons, William, Jr, Byron and John Jones; two grandchildren, Tanya Jones Austin and Justin Jones; two sisters, one brother, one daughter-in-law, Karen Jones, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends at the Queen's Chapel United Methodist Church, 7410 Old Muirkirk Road, Beltsville, MD on Thursday, September 27, 2007 from 6 to 9 p.m. where funeral services will be held on Friday, September 28th at 11 a.m. Rev. B. Kevin Smalls, Officiating Interment Maryland Nat'l Memorial Park Arrangements by Snowden Funeral Home

The redevelopment of a played-out clay pit in Prince George's County will include an unexpected bonus for paleontologists and school kids: a dinosaur park. The developer of an industrial park on the site has donated 7 1/2 acres of the 700-acre Muirkirk property for a public dinosaur preserve, complete with ancient tree species and an exposed layer of clay that has yielded up bits of dinosaurs for more than a century. One of the latest finds - kept quiet for almost a year while the land was transferred to the government and fenced - was the 2-foot-long leg bone of a still-unidentified plant-eater.

The North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, a cooperative center created by local nonprofit organizations to reach residents in the southeast area of the county, has expanded to include counseling, legal assistance, information and referral, immigrant services and assistance with food, energy and housing for those in need. The center has expanded its hours of operation and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Seven organizations offer services at the center, including the Community Action Council, Family and Children's Services, FIRN, the Howard County Department of Social Services, Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, the Domestic Violence Center and the Legal Aid Bureau.

The cooperative center created by local nonprofit organizations to reach residents in the southeast area of the county, now known as the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, will hold a community briefing and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. July 18 to present the expanded services offered at the center to the community. Representatives from each of the social service organizations at the center will discuss their programs and services. The center offers help with housing, food, fuel and utilities and crisis intervention.

The 29th Montpelier Summer Concert Series is to begin at 8 p.m. June 24 with three free performances by the Tent Troupe, a traveling summer tent theater sponsored by St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Silver Spring. Neil Simon's Fools, a family show, will be presented at 8 p.m. June 24 and 25. A children's production, All God's Critters, is planned at 1:45 p.m. June 25. The show includes favorite songs, skits, stories and games. Performances will be held, rain or shine, under the Big Top tent at Montpelier; seating is provided.

The 29th Montpelier Summer Concert Series is to begin at 8 p.m. June 24 with three free performances by the Tent Troupe, a traveling summer tent theater sponsored by St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Silver Spring. Neil Simon's Fools, a family show, will be presented at 8 p.m. June 24 and 25. A children's production, All God's Critters, is planned at 1:45 p.m. June 25. The show includes favorite songs, skits, stories and games. Performances will be held, rain or shine, under the Big Top tent at Montpelier; seating is provided.

Family and Children's Services is expanding its services at Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center in North Laurel with the goal of creating a "one-stop shop" of services for individuals and families in need of counseling or other assistance. The organization opened its North Laurel office two years ago. Among the nonprofit organizations to join Family and Children's Services in North Laurel will be Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, the Domestic Violence Center, FIRN (a Howard County nonprofit organization providing services to immigrants)

BYRDIE ROSS JONES (age 79) "Miss Byrdie departed this life peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Laurel Regional Hospital.M-BM- She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, William E. Jones, Sr; three sons, William, Jr., Byron and John Jones; two grandchildren, Tanya Jones Austin and Justin Jones; three sisters, one brother, one daughter-in-law, Karen Jones, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.M-BM- A brother, Ernest Ross, predeceased her. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 20, 2006 at Queens Chapel United Methodist Church, 7410 Old Muirkirk Road, Beltsville, MD from 6-9 P.M. where funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. Rev. Dr. Bruce F. Haskins, Officiating Interment MD Nat'l Memorial Park Arrangements by Snowden Funeral Home

Family and Children's Services is expanding its services at Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center in North Laurel with the goal of creating a "one-stop shop" of services for individuals and families in need of counseling or other assistance. The organization opened its North Laurel office two years ago. Among the nonprofit organizations to join Family and Children's Services in North Laurel will be Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, the Domestic Violence Center, FIRN (a Howard County nonprofit organization providing services to immigrants)