Be prepared, Glen Burnie. They're going to be home from school -- again.
November is one of those months during the school year that lays waste to any semblance of a schedule as students enjoy six extra vacation days on top of regular weekends.
The school board offers a reasonable explanation for each day -- elections, parent-teacher conferences, Thanksgiving -- but I couldn't help but detect a mischievous note of glee in their voices as they declared Nov. 6 a "training day."
If I were of a suspicious nature I would think they actually enjoyed and needed these breaks from our little munchkins. But I'm sure that's not the case.
Just as I'm sure my son was mistaken when he claimed he saw several of his teachers at Blockbuster Video early that same "training day" morning renting "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "My Cousin Vinny." These "customers" were wearing dark glasses with bulbous plastic noses, and they were partially hidden behind several very large bags of popcorn. And come to think about it, I did notice a school bus careening out of the parking lot heading south on Ritchie Highway toward the school.
Next time, invite me, guys. I loved "Fried Green Tomatoes."
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A woman's place in the business community has changed dramatically since the Glen Burnie Business and Professional Women's Club first secured its charter in 1964. The white gloves and hats have been replaced by briefcases and Fil-o-faxes as more and more women find their place in the work force.
Two women whose contributions to the community have aided these changes were honored by the Glen Burnie BPWC at a service award dinner last week.
Agnes Davenport and Rose Marie Owens were recognized for their outstanding and continued contributions to the organization and the community.
Davenport was a charter member of the club and one of the original officers. Throughout her 28 years with the club, she has served in many capacities, including president, treasurer and recording secretary. Following her retirement from the federal government in 1987, Davenport offered her assistance in operating a day-care center with her daughter-in-law. However, she still allows time for the Glen Burnie BPWC, serving as hospitality chairwoman, sunshine chairwoman and dinner reservations coordinator.
Joining the club in 1974, Owens began her work with the club as membership chairwoman. Since that time she has had a variety of responsibilities, including vice president, hospitality chairwoman and her current duties as community affairs chairwoman and corresponding secretary.
Retirement also means extra work for Owens. She visits senior citizens in local nursing homes, volunteers at North Arundel Hospital and tutors area youths.
Chapter President Christine Davenport says the club is the oldest and largest organization of working women in the world. Originally founded in 1919 to solicit better working conditions, higher wages and independence for women, the organization has not stopped to rest on its laurels as it tackles the problems facing women today.
"Women's voices are being heard across the nation, throughout the land," Davenport said. "It's time for women to be heard, it's time for women to lead, and it's time for a change and that time must start now."
For information on joining the club, call 761-5763.
While they're not exactly dancing in the streets over at Glen Burnie Senior High, a select group of dancers will perform throughout the county, under the direction of dance teacher Dianne Rosso.
The school's touring company will perform the production "Dance Is" at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Pascal Senior Center. The performance is free and open to the community.
Members of the touring company are Valerie Baker, Christine Downin, Danielle Fracalossi, Dezi Jim, Stephanie LeCompte, Tina Long, Ossai Miazad, Lisa Richmond, Jaime Smith and Cara Thomas.
Another troupe, the Glen Burnie High School Dance Company, is a smaller group, with Dawn Eyler, Long, Downin, Baker, Fracalossi and Thomas. This group has been invited to perform at 10 a.m. Nov. 27 at Marley Station Mall's kick-off of the holiday shopping season.
Several Glen Burnie dance students have received honors for their dancing skills:
* Val Baker, Jim and Danielle Stez were awarded dance scholarships to the Maryland Hall For the Halls.
* Downin and Fracalossi won first prize in the talent competition at the county fair.
* Baker, Downin and Fracalossi have been selected to perform with the county's dance ensemble.
From Jan. 1 to Oct. 1, the Glen Burnie Fire Department's ambulance crew responded to more than 2,000 calls, making it the busiest ambulance unit in the county for basic life support. Of those calls, 65 percent were answered by volunteers.
Those same volunteers are extending an invitation to the community to stop by the fire station, 9 Central Ave., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, to see the equipment, meet with the volunteers and learn about fire prevention and safety.
Joining the volunteers will be McGruff the Crime Dog, Sparky the Fire Dog and Vince and Larry, the crash dummies.
"We do a lot of work with kids," said Jim Franklin, coordinator of the open house. "Last month we had 300 area kids come through the station for a tour. Sunday, we'll be demonstrating the breathing apparatus and teaching the kids how to stop, drop and roll."
For information on the open house, call Franklin, 760-3680.
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There's a new slate of officers and board of directors at the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.
Griff Hall of Bello Machre has been elected president for a one-year term. The other officers are Dan Boyd, of Boyd and Dowgiallo, president-elect; Brad Pingrey, of First National Bank, vice president; Shirley Murphy, of Allstate Alarms, secretary; Dorothy Abel, of the Bank of Glen Burnie, treasurer; Mike Zivkovich, of Tidewater Rental Center, immediate past president.
The following members have been elected to two-year terms on the board of directors: Edward Kennedy of Westinghouse Electric Corp., Hilda Hambruch of Wyman Park Federal Savings and Loan, Bobby Edmundson of C&P; Telephone, Virginia Jones of Desktop Computer Consulting, and Jeff Jefferson of Baltimore Gas and Electric.