The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division, will host a free paper shredding event for local businesses Tuesday, Oct. 8. The event will be held in the parking lot at the Calvert County Fairgrounds located at 140 Calvert Fair Drive in Barstow from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Attendants will be on site to assist.
The shred event eliminates the hassle of small-scale shredding and the cost for a professional shredding service. Business shred events are held biannually in spring and fall.
Businesses must present proof of Calvert County occupancy and are limited to the equivalent of five banker boxes of paper. All paper must be removed from plastic bags and cardboard boxes prior to shredding. Paper clips, staples and wire-bound items are acceptable. Binders, binder clips, hardbound and plastic comb binding books, rubber bands and plastic bags are not acceptable. Certificates of destruction may be requested. The shredded paper is remanufactured into new paper products.
For information about this event or other recycling events, call the Calvert County Solid Waste Division at 410-326-0210 or visit http://www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/RecyclingEvents.
Upcoming Clinic Offers Free Rabies Vaccines for Pets
The Calvert County Department of Public Safety, Animal Control Division, and the Calvert County Health Department are sponsoring a rabies clinic to offer free rabies vaccinations for pets. The clinic will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to noon at Calvert County Fairgrounds, located at 140 Calvert Fair Drive in Barstow.
Proof of prior rabies vaccination is required to receive the three-year vaccine. Eligible pets include cats, dogs and ferrets in carriers or on leashes and muzzled if necessary. This is an open-air clinic with no special facilities to vaccinate animals that cannot be restrained by their owners, such as feral or aggressive animals.
Calvert County pet licenses will also be available at the rabies clinics. Pet licenses are $7 for spayed or neutered pets (proof required) and $20 for those not spayed or neutered. A Calvert County pet license must be renewed every year and is required for all cats and dogs age 5 months and older.
For more information, call the Calvert County Health Department at 410-535-5400 or 410-535-3922 or visit http://www.CalvertHealth.org.
Calvert County Administrator Terry Shannon Announces Retirement
Calvert County Administrator Terry Shannon announced today her plan to retire following 11 years of dedicated service as county administrator and over 32 years of dedicated public service. In order to effect a smooth transition, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announces Mark Willis as the administrator selectee to succeed Shannon later this year. Shannon will advise Willis in the coming months. Shannon's retirement will take effect on January 3, 2020.
"Ms. Shannon has a deep and proud legacy," said BOCC President Thomas E. "Tim" Hutchins. "Ms. Shannon was on the leadership team that brought Calvert County its first AAA bond rating, saving the citizens of this county millions of dollars in interest payments. She led efforts on a variety of significant financial improvements including the restructuring of the county's employee retirement savings program, developing a transparent budget process that helped improve public trust and leading the Department of Finance & Budget to win numerous Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Awards, among other accomplishments. Our county has been lucky to have such a talented and dedicated employee."
"We are also pleased to announce the selection of Mark Willis, who currently serves as director of the Department of Planning & Zoning, to succeed Ms. Shannon," Hutchins added.
"Mr. Willis is a proven and respected leader who has delivered strong operating results. He has demonstrated commendable leadership and the board is confident he will lead our employees to achieve great success in the years to come."
Willis will shadow Shannon in the coming months and continue to manage the Department of Planning & Zoning. Willis, who has served as the Planning & Zoning director since 2016, is the former deputy director of Public Works. Willis is also a retired U.S. Marine Corps captain and former logistics officer.
"It has been a distinct pleasure and honor to serve as county administrator," Shannon said. "I am humbled by the trust and encouragement the Board of County Commissioners has shown me over the years. County government employees are hands-down the best employees out there. As a Calvert County native, and having raised my family in Calvert County, it has been my absolute privilege to serve this beautiful community."
Shannon joined county government in 1987 as a staff accountant. She moved through the ranks to become deputy director of what was then the Department of Administration and Finance in 1991, finance director in 1999 and ultimately county administrator in 2008. Prior to her government service, Shannon was a comptroller for a computer business in Greenbelt, Maryland, and corporate auditor for Suburban Bank in Bethesda, Maryland. Shannon was the county's first female director of Finance and Budget, and Southern Maryland's first female county administrator.
Shannon is a Certified Public Accountant, member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants. She is a graduate of the Leadership Maryland class of 2013. She serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Calvert County Employees Retirement Plan, the Calvert County Sheriff's Department Pension Plan, and the Calvert County Employees Defined Contribution Plan. She also serves on the Finance Committee for the Local Government Insurance Trust.
Office on Aging Hosts Classes to Help Seniors Reduce Falls
The Calvert County Office on Aging is holding a seven-week "Stepping On" falls prevention program to reduce falls and build confidence in older adults. The free program teaches strength and balance exercises along with other strategies to prevent falls in and around the home.
Class sessions will be held Fridays from Oct. 11 through Nov. 22, 1-3 p.m., at Calvert Pines Senior Center located at 450 W. Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. The program is free, but seating is limited. Those interested must register by calling 410-535-4606, ext. 121. Participants should be able to walk independently or with a cane and live in their own home or independent living facility.
"Falling is a common cause of injury for older adults, and can be very serious," said Office on Aging Division Chief Susan Justice. "We are excited to bring this class to seniors in Calvert County, especially those who have recently fallen or who are concerned about falling, as we believe they will gain the skills and confidence to minimize fall risk."
In addition to strength and balance exercises, the program will teach participants methods to identify tripping hazards in and around the home, the influence of vision on fall risk, medications and falling, navigating steps and chairs, how to get up from a fall, bone health, safe footwear and outdoor mobility techniques.
Operating under the Calvert County Department of Community Resources, the Calvert County Office on Aging provides a broad range of programs and services that enable senior citizens to maintain the best possible quality of life.
Make a Splash During Parks & Recreation Free Community Day
The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation will host a free Community Day Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center, or "the Hall." Citizens are invited to take a swim, participate in fitness activities and win prizes.
Residents are encouraged to visit the Hall located at 130 Auto Drive in Prince Frederick during normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the children's pool opening at noon. Scheduled classes and team practices will not be affected by the event.
For additional information, please contact the Department of Parks & Recreation at 410-535-1600, ext. 2649 or the Hall at 410-414-8350.
The Hall features a competition pool with diving boards, children's pool with three youth slides, a therapy pool, leisure pool and spa/hot tub for citizens 18 years and older. Take advantage of all the awesome amenities during Community Day.
Calvert County Parks & Recreation to Offer Fun Fall Family Events
Fall is here and the Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation invites citizens to celebrate the season by participating in several exciting events for the whole family.
Get in on super fun for the whole family during Superhero Sunday at Dunkirk District Park, 10750 Southern Maryland Blvd., Dunkirk on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dress up in your superhero best and enjoy games, inflatables, activities and a touch-a-truck spectacular.
Come out to the Fall Extravaganza at Hallowing Point Park, 4755 Hallowing Point Road, Prince Frederick on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Bring a picnic lunch and join us for hayrides, making scarecrows, a petting zoo, face painting and entertainment. To make a scarecrow, bring old pantyhose, one-piece pajamas or pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
Join in the Halloween Extravaganza at Southern Community Center, 20 Appeal Lane, Lusby on Friday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Come dressed in a scary, cute, funny or original costume for a costume judging contest. Check-in for the all-ages contest is between 11 and 11:30 a.m. and prizes will be awarded for winners in each category. Eric Energy will be performing a shockingly fun science performance called Halloween Spark Attack at 12:30 p.m. Bring a pumpkin for painting and decorating and children will enjoy games and a moon bounce. Pizza will be available for purchase while supplies last.
Have a ghoulish good time during Halloween Family Fun Day at Northeast Community Center, 4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave., Chesapeake Beach on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m. There will be popcorn, face painting, photo booth and pumpkin patch. Cap off the night with a trick-or-treat trail sponsored by local businesses. Be sure to wear your favorite costume and enjoy all of the free fun.
For more information or to register for an event, visit online or call 410-535-1600, ext. 2649. For updates on Parks & Recreation services, park availability, field closures and more visit Parks & Recreation at https://www.Facebook.com/CalvertCountyParks.