Spend an afternoon with two real-life local heroes, Astronauts Fred Gregory and Paul Richards. This is a family-oriented event.  

The two veteran astronauts both live in the Annapolis area. They will make presentations about their experiences living and working in space and how research done by NASA gives insight into climate issues on the Chesapeake Bay.  

Gregory was the first African-American commander of Space Shuttle Discovery, the vehicle that just flew over Washington and will be on display at the Air & Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center. Richards flew on Discovery as well and performed a "space walk."  

The event is perfect for families with children. Free, but reservations are required. Read more.

Dispose of your unwanted medications -- controlled, prescription and over-the-counter -- in a safe way that keeps those chemicals from ending up in our waterways or in the hands of kids.   

The Take Back program is anonymous, no identification is requested of people disposing of medications, and people are therefore encouraged to removed identifying labels from containers. Liquid medications should be in a sealed container to prevent leakage (ziplock bag). Other medications will be disposed of directly into the disposal box, and their original containers can be put in a recycling bin. Needles are NOT being accepted.

This initiative nation-wide initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and there are more disposal locations in Anne Arundel County. For more information click here. 

*Reasons why keeping unused or expired drugs in your home is not safe:

• Over 40% of poisonings reported to the poison control center are from mishandled or misused prescription drugs.
• Those who abuse prescription drugs often meet their own needs by stealing drugs or stealing property in order to buy drugs.

*Proper disposal of medicines is important for the following reasons:

• The federal government currently does not have regulations or standards in place to control pharmaceuticals found in drinking water.
• Waste water treatment facilities are not equipped at this time to deal with screening for these drugs or removing them from the water.  
• If medications are put in the trash, they can be scavenged and sold illegally.  
• When these drugs are flushed, they find their way into drinking water and are being ingested by humans, wildlife, and fish.

*Source: EPA

• Have you and your children enjoyed yourselves at any of AOTBʼs social events?

• Have you met neighbors at these gatherings that make you glad you live where you do?

• Is the good fellowship and community spirit that have grown in AOTB over the years important to you and do you want it to continue?