Summertime, summertime. Playing in the yard, hanging out at the pool and having fun at summer camp are great. Other options for summertime fun for the young set include Blast-in-the-Past: A Hands-On History Playground. This activity on the Montpelier Mansion grounds will feature a kid-size Colonial village, camping out in the "wilderness," designing a Colonial-style hat, and more fun, learning experiences.The Blast-in-the Past will be held on Thursdays and Saturdays, from July 9 to Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.The fee for participation is $2 per day for residents and $3 for non-residents.No reservations are required.Children can stay for an hour or all day.Call 301-377-7817 for more information.
The 34th annual Invitational Sculpture Exhibition is currently on view in the Main Gallery at the Montpelier Arts Center.Also on display at the center is the work of Andrei Trach, who uses thick paint strokes to call forth moods and concepts through texture, color and movement.Both of these exhibits run through Aug. 2.Come into the coolness of the center for a break and breathe in the beauty of the art on view. Admission is free. Call 301-377-7800 for information.
Want to set up a personal get-fit walking challenge? Join Club 300 and try the Summer Senior Walking program, "Walk Across America." Club 300, sponsored by Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, is for seniors (age 60+) and "pre-seniors" (ages 50 to 59). The free program encourages participants to use a pedometer to record mileage walked each day in order to earn a pin for each state virtually walked across from coast to coast. The activity can be performed inside or outside, individually or as part of a Club 300 walking group. More information and registration forms can be accessed at pgparks.com/Club300.htm, or by calling 301-446-3400.
Personal and home safety are important ingredients of a stress-free summer. Recently some local residents reported being pestered by aggressive solicitors purporting to be selling security systems as representatives of the Honeywell company. That company manufactures parts for security systems, but does not do door-to-door sales. Recently in the Knoxville, Tenn., area, people who had been visited by these "sales people" were later burglarized.To report this type of suspicious activity, call the Prince George's Public Safety Dispatch Center's non-emergency number, 301-352-1200, if the activity is currently in progress.You can also contact the Prince George's Crime Stoppers Hotline Anonymous Tip Line: 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Home security is definitely important. Our District VI police station can do home safety inspections, with recommendations for upgrade and improvement.Call 301-937-0910 for more information.