BBG Member Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens, located on Broomes Island Road in Port Republic, will host a Fall Butterfly Release celebrating the memory of loved ones Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 2 p.m.  

"We are proud to both sponsor and host this event on our newly enhanced grounds and facilities and to dedicate all the proceeds to Calvert Hospice's patient care and bereavement programs," said Marcianna Kreamer, General Manager Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens who goes on to say. "This event embraces and honors the connections we make in life that don't end with the death of a loved one."

The event will include live music, light refreshments, and the reading of each name being honored. The ceremony concludes with the individual release of Monarch butterflies.

For more information about Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens, please contact: Marcianna Kreamer at (410) 257-0544.

Families, join us this Friday, October 3rd at 2:00pm at the Bayside History Museum to learn all about the "Secret Life of Sand Dollars!" Hear a story, play a game and make a take-home sand dollar craft! $1/child, adult must accompany children, Ages 3-5. baysidechildrensprograms@hotmail.com for more information. Bayside History Museum, 4025 4th St, North Beach

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division, will conduct a full-cycle test of the alert and notification sirens throughout southern Calvert and St. Mary's counties on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at noon.

The full-cycle test includes a three-minute activation of all sirens within the 10-mile area around Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. All citizens are asked to remember the scheduled testing and relay the information to friends, family and neighbors.

The testing is conducted to enhance siren operation and increase public awareness of the alert and notification siren system. If the sirens sound at any other time, residents should tune to one of the local radio stations listed below for information and instructions.

This is our Mary Kay unit's seventh year of the Wounded Warrior's gift drive at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC). Every year we visit the Warriors we feel we have been blessed to spend time with those who have served our country and sacrificed to keep us free. We are privileged to spend an entire afternoon visiting with the Warriors and their families. Many have been there more than a year and they remember us when we return. This year we will also visit a local Veteran's Home to deliver gifts.

I am writing to ask that you make a donation of holiday gift sets to brighten a serviceperson's life, their families, help ease the pain of being alone, missing their families and for many dealing with life altering injuries. The average stay at NNMC for a Warrior and care giver is 2.5 years often with minimal visitors. Our Mary Kay unit is working with NNMC to not only provide gifts for the troops but also to provide gifts for the troops to give their own families and caregivers. Your generous donation will help bring a smile of thanksgiving to the face of those who have served our Country. In addition we will be visiting a local Veteran's Home with gifts and joy!

Our Mary Kay Unit will personally visit the troops to deliver the gifts, share the holiday joy and lift their spirits throughout the month of December!  The men will receive Shaving Sets and the women will receive Spa Sets.You are welcome to include a personal note which we will use as a gift tag for each gift you purchase. This is a wonderful way to show your support for our troops while sharing the holiday spirit. 

There is no feeling in the world like giving a gift to someone who was sure they were forgotten or who will be spending the holidays without their family. We cannot help but believe you too will be blessed by participating in this endeavor.

If you are interested in donating, please contact Cindy Bliss: cindyblissmk@comcast.net

On Saturday, October 25, the Calvert Library Foundation will host its second Gala Art Auction to benefit all Calvert Library locations. An extravagant pre-auction "Taste of the Region" reception, with live musicians, and a review of the collection of art to be sold will begin at 7:00pm, with the Auction starting at 8:00pm. The professionally curated collection, including the works of many prominent international artists, as well as sports and music memorabilia, will be auctioned by an entertaining, professional auctioneer out of New York. Art values will accommodate a broad range of budgets.

Tickets for the reception, wine tasting and the auction will be $15 before the auction and $20 at the door. There will be a cash bar. Tickets will be available at all Library locations, from Foundation Board and Auction Committee members, and through the Foundation website http://calvertlibraryfoundation.com

The Foundation invites individuals and businesses to be Sponsors for the Gala Auction Fund (gifts to the Library of $1000 or more), donors for a select collection of local art and gifts to be sold during the main Auction, and advertisers for the Auction Program. All sponsors and donors will be prominently recognized unless anonymity is requested.