FOR YEARS, Russ Tenhoff tried to get away from the Brooklyn area. Tenhoff was born in South Baltimore and moved to Brooklyn when he was 3. When he married at age 21, he moved to Glen Burnie and has since lived in various parts of Anne Arundel County. Then in 1998, he began to feel that he needed to get back to his home neighborhood and begin a ministry.
"I felt that God was asking me to come back," said Tenhoff. "I'm liking it to what happened to Moses in the Bible. He had to go and get ready to come back and do what he needed to do. It was the same way for me."
He spoke to the Rev. John Krauch of Maryland's Church on the Rock. Krauch mentioned that his church had just bought the old Flamingo Lounge tavern off Church Street and was looking for something to do with it. Tenhoff mentioned that the Flamingo would be a good location for a coffeehouse. Krauch handed him the keys, and Tenhoff began his coffeehouse ministry by opening the Brooklyn Bridge Christian Coffeehouse.
Since then, the Brooklyn Bridge has become one of the most popular Christian coffeehouses in the area. When it came time for the Church on the Rock to begin full renovations of the Flamingo, Tenhoff moved his ministry to the Brooklyn Bible Church in the Arundel Village Plaza, 5517-C Ritchie Hwy.
The Brooklyn Bridge will celebrate its third anniversary at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The popular group Holy Smoke will be guest performers.
"Holy Smoke was the first band to play at the coffeehouse, and they're coming back for us," said Tenhoff. "For the children we will have Steve Gambrills from Extreme Balloon. He is a magician and balloon sculptor. He can make everything, from big, room-size sculptures down to little animal sculptures. It will be a real party atmosphere."
Tenhoff said the coffeehouse has always been family-oriented. "One of the things that I'm excited about is that we've always been a bridge to gap generational, race, denominational and age differences. There's such a feeling of harmony here; it's so laid-back and relaxed. It's a real blessing to be a part of," he said.
Brooklyn Bridge does not have a cover charge. Information: 410-789-6218.
Welcome back
Communities and their institutions are dynamic. To the residents it may seem like things stay the same, but in reality, everything is always changing. Often it is only when we have been away for a while that we notice the changes.
The congregation of the St. John United Methodist Church sets aside one Sunday a year to welcome back those members who have been away for a while. This year, they have chosen Nov. 10.
The Rev. Elliott Rice of the Gospel Tabernacle Church in Baltimore will be the guest minister at the 11 a.m. service. The gifts of the Extensions of Faith Interdenominational Praise Choir, the St. John Liturgical Step Team and the St. John Divine Spirit Adult Dance Ministry will enhance the service.
Dinner will be served after the service. The St. John United Methodist Church is at 6019 Belle Grove Road. Information: 410-636-2578.
Plans for Big Apple
The Brooklyn Park High School Alumni Association's annual holiday shopping trip to New York has been scheduled for Dec. 4.
The bus will leave the high school at 6:30 a.m. and will arrive in the heart of Manhattan at Broadway and 50th Street at 11 a.m. Guests spend the day on their own, seeking out holiday bargains that can only be found in the Big Apple.
If shopping isn't on your mind, you'll have plenty of time to take in a show. Al Pacino, Michael Crawford, Edie Falco, Sally Field, Linda Lavin, Kathleen Turner and Anne Heche are just a few of the stars appearing on Broadway.
The bus will leave New York at 7 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive in Brooklyn Park at 11 p.m. Tickets are $30 for members of the BPHSAA and $35 for nonmembers. Information: 410-789-7214 or 410-636-3269.
Classes for all ages
A new session of the Craft-n-Play Club for 1-year-olds will begin Wednesday at the North County Recreation Center, 196 Hammonds Lane.
Craft-n-Play provides children with an opportunity to interact with one another while enjoying stories, play and crafts. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. The club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesdays for six weeks. The cost is $30. Information: 410-222-0036.
We live in a world where it has become necessary to constantly upgrade our skills. Whether we have just graduated from high school or have earned a Ph.D., to keep in step in the working world we must constantly master new skills. The problem is finding time to do so while putting in 40-plus hours a week at our jobs.
The North County Recreation Center has found a way to help. The center offers several "teach-yourself" computer classes. Classes in Spanish, Microsoft Word 2000, Windows 98, Windows Millennium and typing are also available.
Participants ages 10 and older may use the center's computer lab weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cost of the Spanish and typing classes is $20 for a 10-week session. The other classes cost $10 each for a four-week session. After completing the classes, you will be prepared to amaze your friends with your knowledge of Spanish and impress your boss with your office skills. Information: 410-222-0036.
My aunt and neighbor Agnes Cieri tried for years to teach me how to sew, and although she was a whiz with a needle and thread and a patient teacher, I never got the hang of it. But it's never too late to learn. Sewing and quilting classes are starting this week at the North County Recreation Center. Choose from creative sewing, intermediate machine quilting or intermediate sewing. There is also a Crochet Club and Knit Club. Call 410-222-0036 for times and costs.
Youth Dance is Friday
The Glen Burnie Moose will sponsor a Youth Dance from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at their hall, 1911 Crain Highway. Admission is $5 and a nonperishable food item. At Large Productions will provide the music and food will be sold. There will also be door prizes and contests.
Youths ages 11 through 17 are welcome. Information: Gary Kniess, 410-766-1156.
Church blood drive set
The St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church will hold its fall blood drive from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 11 in the church hall, 4708 Prudence St.
"Donors are urgently needed. ... Please consider donating," said events spokesman William Shenton.
For information or to schedule an appointment, call Shenton at 410-792-2481.