Collecting for UNICEF Tonight

By Leslie Bauer
Posted: October 31, 2008

I have received news from Heather Perry, Glenelg High School Key Club organizer, who shares that the club is currently collecting for UNICEF and the Kiwanis International Foundation to support raising money for the Swazi Children Care Project.

This is a lifesaving program that funds hundreds of neighborhood care points where orphaned and vulnerable children can receive a warm meal, shelter, medical care, education, and protection. The club will be accepting donations at the Glenelg football game, tonight, Oct. 31 from 7-9 p.m. as well as while they are out trick-or-treating around the Glenelg neighborhoods.

If you are interested in finding out more about their campaign, go to www.freewebs.com/glenelgkeyclub. The money that is collected will be sent to UNICEF so that they can provide much needed supplies to high-risk children that are tragically touched by HIV/AIDS. The club thanks the community in advance for your help to the cause, helping children in Swaziland and fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.

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Victory by Revenge CD Release Concert This Saturday

By Leslie Bauer
Posted: October 30, 2008

We all hear stories of students who form bands in high school, with dreams of making it big one day. For one local group, they are well on their way, and many in the area will be able to look back and say we knew them when.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Rick Butler, a member of the local band Victory by Revenge. Rick plays synthesized piano and sings backup vocals for the band, who is celebrating the release of their first CD. Other band members include Sam Everett, who sings lead vocals and plays guitar; John Rossomondo, bass player and back-up vocals; Greg Friedman on the guitar; and James Ennis on the drums. The band has been playing together for about 2 1/2 years, although their love of music goes back to middle school, at least. Greg and James originally played music together, as did Rick and friend Brian Frost. The four eventually joined forces, adding Sam and John along the way, and Victory by Revenge was formed.

Brian has since left the band, but the music goes on. Popular with local youth, the band has played at parties, the lakefront in Columbia, the RHHStival and the Coffee House in River Hill, but has also had the opportunity to take their music on the road – to Baltimore and places such as Fletchers, the Recher Theatre and the Powerhouse, the Park Rock Festival and Room with a Brew in Southern Maryland as well as Tuesday Tunes in Pennsylvania.

This past spring, the band competed in Courtesy on the Road’s Live Twelve Battle of the Bands, winning the competition and earning the honor of putting together a music video, used by local police to promote courtesy on the road for teenage drivers.

With a music video under the belt, the band has gone on to produce their first CD, “First Date Mistakes,” which will makes its debut at a CD release concert at the Glenwood Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free and the music will start at 7:30. In addition to Victory by Revenge, several other bands will be performing, including Drop Out Year.

The new CD will be available for purchase, as will Victory by Revenge T-shirts. The CD features 6 songs. Lyrics are written mostly by Sam, and the band writes the music together. Rick says they songs are about life experiences of the band members. One of the songs on the CD, entitled “A Heart for Faith” is about a young girl named Faith at Johns Hopkins who is in need of a heart transplant.

The band would like to thank their many fans and families who have supported their musical aspirations. In addition, they would like to thank their manager, Joe Patanella, and Ferrell McCollough who did the album photography, as well as a promotional photo shoot for the band. These days the band members’ schedules are pretty full with school — Greg, James and Sam are all seniors this year at Glenelg High School. Rick and John both graduated from Glenelg last year.

John currently attends Howard Community College, and Rick is attending the Art Institute of Washington. All of these young men want to continue to play music professionally. Let’s see where this gig will take them!

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Candy Buyback this Saturday

By Leslie Bauer
Posted: October 29, 2008

Here we are, days away from Halloween, and many parents are already wondering “What are we going to do with all that candy?!?” In our house, we have been known to have some of that candy stick around until well after New Year’s Day…believe it or not!

Enter Dr. Rashmi Parmar to the rescue. This year, local Clarksville dentist Dr. Parmar will be hosting a Candy Buyback Day on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now you may ask, what is a dentist going to do with all that candy? Dr. Parmar has the perfect solution. This event has been titled “Treats for Troops.” Candy and other goodies collected will be sent to our troops as a way to say thank you, while promoting good oral health. The day is a way to promote community involvement, and give local kids a chance to do something special for the troops.

Plan to stop by, turn in your candy, and enjoy some games and treats. Dr. Parmar’s office is  at 12620 Clarksville Pike in Clarksville. She is looking for volunteers to help with the collection of candy. If you would like to volunteer to assist, or have any questions, call 410-531-5639.

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GHS Marching Unit Fruit Sale

By Leslie Bauer
Posted: October 23, 2008

Winter is coming, and local residents are asked once again to consider stocking up on some fresh Florida citrus. The Glenelg High School Marching Unit has begun its annual Fruit Sale. Currently available for order are pink grapefruit, navel oranges, tangerines or a variety pack of grapefruit, oranges and honeybells.

Orders are due by Friday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. with a scheduled pick-up date of Nov. 15 between noon and 2 p.m. at Glenelg High School. For additional information or to see future fruit sale dates, go to www.glenelgbands.com/fruit.php or call Cindy Desrochers at 410-489-4977.

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Columbia Pro Cantare Chorus Concert This Saturday

By Leslie Bauer
Posted: October 22, 2008

Several area residents will also be performing with the Columbia Pro Cantare Chorus as they open their 32nd season Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. in The Jim Rouse Theatre at Wilde Lake High School.

The evening will kick off with a silent auction beginning at 6 p.m. The evening performance will feature choral favorite Carmina Burana, performed by the chorus, with help from The Peabody Children’s Chorus, soloists soprano April-Joy Gutierrez, baritone Jason Kaminski, and countertenor Peter Lee, as well as a full orchestra, conducted by CPC founder and artistic director Frances Motyca Dawson. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $25 for adults and $22 for seniors and students. Credit card charges will be accepted.

For further information, call 301-854-0107 or 410-799-9321; or go to www.procantare.org

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