Music is a highlight of the Christmas holiday season and it seems like its in the air 24/7 these days. You will find some delightful live music right here in Clarksville. Our schools produce outstanding musicians. Come to "A Night of Acapella," at River Hill High Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
A number of River Hill students have been selected for statewide musical groups. Congratulations to Allyson Luo (Clarinet), Michael Busher (Trumpet), Erica Kocher (French Horn) and Logan Faulconer (Percussion) on being selected to participate in the all-state senior band. David Flyr was selected as first chair French horn in the all-state senior orchestra. The All-State Senior Band/Orchestra is composed of the most talented students statewide in grades 10-12.
The all-state junior band is composed of the most talented musicians in grades 7-9 in the state. Shane Mercy (tenor saxophone), Allan Levy (baritone saxophone alternate), Kevin Xu (trumpet), Alexander Crich (trombone), David London (trombone alternate) and Joseph Busher (French horn) will represent River Hill in the all-state junior band. Congratulations. Keep up the good work.
You are invited to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on Route 216 for "Las Posadas" Sunday, Dec. 18 starting with pot luck at 5 p.m.
Marriotts Ridge High School Music Foundation would like to extend an invitation to the community to attend the 2011 Holiday Jazz Cabaret at the school Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. Hear award-winning Madrigals, women's ensemble and other choral groups plus tunes from the big band jazz group combined with yummy food and drinks. It's sure to put you in the mood for the holidays.
Admission is $10 per person. For more information, email donna@fdaexpo.com.
Colleen Konstanzer and volunteers with Neighbor Ride are proud of their latest award. Neighbor Ride earned the Better Business Bureau's Accredited Charity Seal. In these difficult economic times a lot of people need the help that local charities can provide. Others are willing and able to give aid, but they want their contributions of time or money put to good use.
Charities such as Neighbor Ride can display the BBB Accredited Charity Seal attesting to sound standards and strengthening public trust. Neighbor Ride depends on volunteers to serve seniors age 60 and older.
When volunteers drive, seniors thrive. To learn more, contact Colleen at 410-884-7433 or go to http://www.neighborride.org.
For generations, children of all ages have been mesmerized by miniature trains. But thirty years ago trains were not a hot item as technology for other toys advanced. Train enthusiasts were relegated to repairing and maintaining what they had.
Clarksville residents Randy and Margaret Walton never lost their fascination with trains. Margaret shares the latest news from local resident Mike Wolf. Mike also loves trains and has stuck with them through thick and thin to grow Howard County-based M.T.H. Electric Trains into a thriving retail business with quality replicas of Lionel and other famous trains and tinplate layouts. You'll find his wonderful displays at historic Union Station in Washington now until Jan. 2 in the Main and West Halls.
There are four glass domes in the Main Hall featuring five O-gauge trains. In the West Hall you'll find a huge 8- by 30-foot tinplate layout with both Standard and O-gauge trains. The trains are all independently controlled for actions and sounds on a series of timers and the entire display turns on or off with the MTH Digital Command System.
The system, trains and tinplates are mostly available in the M.T.H Ready-to-Run catalog. This is the first time M.T.H trains have been displayed at Union Station. It's an opportunity for grandparents and parents to revive old memories while passing on a heritage to the young. A visit to the train display at Union Station sounds like a great family day trip for the holiday season.
You can learn more at http://www.mtktrains.com.
Sanford trains only get set up at this time of year and the grandkids seem to find the novelty quite interesting. They are old enough (all in school now) to help assemble and operate the trains and Disney monorail.