Refreshments

Halloween performance -- The Ballet Theatre of Maryland will present The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at 1:30 p.m. today and tomorrow at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. Included will be a costume contest, refreshments and prizes. Tickets cost $43 for adults, $36 for seniors, $23 for students and $18 for children younger than 10. 410-263-8289 or www. marylandhall.org.

The Maryland Jockey Club, which owns both Pimlico and Laurel Park, submitted its plan for capital improvements to the state Friday. The plan has not yet become public but likely will early next week when it has been reviewed by the Maryland Racing Commission and the state's Department of Budget & Management. The document was due Feb. 1 in order for the track to be eligible for slots revenue set aside for racetrack redevelopment. In recent years, some of the redevelopment money has been diverted to cover track expense.

If you go What: Sailing Into the Season, an evening of nautical holiday music Where: The Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second St., Annapolis When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door (includes refreshments) For more information or to make reservations: visit amaritime.org or call 410-295-0104.

The Laurel Museum will celebrate the opening of its new exhibit, "Stationed in Laurel: Our Civil War Story," on Sunday, Feb. 3, from 1 to 4 p.m., at 817 Main St. The exhibit explores Laurel's role in the war that engulfed the nation and how the Civil War affected the town. Refreshments will be provided. For information, go to laurelhistoricalsociety.org or call 301-725-7975.

A newly remodeled Museum Room, filled with an assortment of framed prints, will be unveiled at a Holiday Open House at Laurel Art Center this weekend. Light refreshments will also be served at the open house, which is from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Laurel Art Center is located at 322 Main St.

First Thursdays sponsors a canned food drive to benefit Project Hunger, a local nonprofit organization that distributes food to area shelters. Donations will be accepted at participating Charles Street merchants through tomorrow. Call (410) 244-1030.Santa Claus Anonymous presents its second annual "Taste the Season/Give a Child a Christmas" wine-tasting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Peabody Library, 17 E. Mount Vernon Place. $20. Call (410) 685-4830.The Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St., presents the "1992 Jury Exhibition."

Cross Creek Apostolic Church, 12511 Old Gunpowder Road Spur, Beltsville, will celebrate Friend Day to culminates a month of studies on friendship, Sunday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. The celebration includes music, praise and worship, with guest speaker the Rev. Bill Hobson, from Longwood, Fla. Children's ministry will provide special classes for ages 2 to 13. Refreshments will be served following the service. For information, call the church, 301-498-6006, or Pastor Overton, 301-498-1764.

The Laurel Museum will celebrate the opening of its new exhibit, "Stationed in Laurel: Our Civil War Story," on Sunday, Feb. 3, from 1 to 4 p.m., at 817 Main St. The exhibit explores Laurel's role in the war that engulfed the nation and how the Civil War affected the town. Refreshments will be provided. For information, go to laurelhistoricalsociety.org or call 301-725-7975.

American Girls inspire programs Two Harford County Public libraries offer programs this week based on the American Girls book series, which looks at the lives of various girls throughout different points in history. Registration is required for all the programs: Dec. 13 - Kids in grades two and up travel back in time to Colonial America with Felicity, a rambunctious 9-year-old, through stories and a craft. Wear a Colonial costume and bring your American Girl doll if you've got one. Refreshments will be served.

Mario Venzago, the irrepressible artistic director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Summer MusicFest, wraps up this year's festival with a lot of night music. In addition to Mozart's "Eine kleine Nachtmusik," there will be excerpts from Mendelssohn's incidental music to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and a performance of Manuel de Falla's "Nights in the Gardens of Spain" (with pianist Jean-Louis Steuerman). Also on the bill is Schu-mann's "Manfred." Actor Stephen Schmidt will participate in the program.

Failures to communicate are everywhere. You've no doubt heard radio or TV interviews, for example, where the interviewer seems to be preoccupied with preparing the next question, or following a script, that he/she doesn't actually hear the interviewee's answer to the one just asked. As a public service, I devote this Midweek Madness installment to ... the classic, ahead-of-their-time humorists Bob and Ray, who demonstrate just how badly awry an interview can go. (You'll still learn something about Komodo dragons, though.)

With "Downton Abbey" about to start Season 3 on these shores this weekend, taking us once more into the rarefied world of British society and grand meals around elegantly appointed tables, your ever-thoughtful Midweek Madness featurette would like to offer this quick refresher on the rules of social etiquette, especially those pertaining to the gentler sex. As you know, the women in "Downton Abbey" sometimes forget their place, which can have devastating...

Teachers, home school leaders, Scout leaders, parents and group leaders can learn about educational opportunities in Laurel at an Educators Open House, Thursday, Sept. 27, from 3 to 7:30 p.m., at the Laurel Museum, 817 Main St. This is a chance to meet representatives from community resources such as local museums, including Montpelier mansion; theaters; libraries; and other non-profits and to learn how they serve educational groups. There will be door and raffle prizes, gift bags, refreshments and adult beverages and tours of the Laurel Museum.

We recently read an article regarding the letter Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr. wrote to Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti on the subject of Brendon Ayanbadejo's support of same-sex marriage ("Burns backs off attempt to silence Raven," Sept. 10). Using his words, we are somewhat "appalled and aghast" that an elected official in Maryland would attempt to hinder the free speech of a fellow citizen. Delegate Burns and his constituents have every right to express their views, but so does Mr. Ayanbadejo.

Lady Maryland: a cocktail with a cause, a buzz with a benefit. How could you possibly say no to drinking for charity? That alone sold me. But for those of the more skeptical palate, the refreshing Lady Maryland at Waterfront Kitchen stands alone as an easy warmer-weather sip. Waterfront Kitchen, on the water's edge of Thames Street in Fells Point, is a big believer in sustainability - from using fresh, local ingredients to helping out...

George's, which takes up a fair portion of the first floor of the Peabody Court Hotel, has a warm inviting atmosphere. It couples a bed and breakfast sensibility with a leather-couchy, dimly lit lounge area that makes for a decent dining - and especially drinking - experience. Bartender John Hartz and crew recently redesigned their drink menu to include a wide range of classic cocktails and one particularly refreshing gin drink: The Garden. The Garden's name may conjure images of floral notes, bright colors and sweet tastes, and you'd be mostly right.

Oseh Shalom Synagogue is hosting a refresher course on how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, in recognition of American Heart Month, Sun., Feb. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tue., Feb. 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., 7515 Olive Branch Way, in Laurel. Adult and child (age 14 and over) classes also available. Learn how to use this life saving device and update your CPR skills at same time. Classes taught by Dr. Matthias (Eli) Goldstein. Preregister by Feb. 24, 301-498-5151.

Sunday, Feb. 12 Concert The Galilee Fine Arts Series presents pianist Todd Simon at 7 p.m. at Galilee Lutheran Church, 4652 Mountain Road in Pasadena. Concert includes romantic tunes, as well as melodies from Broadway shows. There is no admission charge, but free-will donations are accepted to help cover expenses. Reception follows. Information: 410-255-8236. Cocker Spaniel Adoption Day Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue will hold an adoption day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Annapolis Petsmart, 2601 Housley Road, Annapolis.