Issue #024

Upcoming Local Events

From the Home Show to comedy, author book signings and kids events, there is something for everyone in the upcoming events in Bowie and the surrounding area. For more detailed information, click on the link provided.

The Month of January

• National Bath Safety Month

• Financial Wellness Month

• Get Organized Month

• National Hot Tea Month

• National Mentoring Month

• Self-Love Month

• Teen Driving Awareness Month

Events in and around Bowie

January 27

• Pop-Up Park Picnic: Couple Date Night (Self-Guided) - 100 White Marsh Pk Dr, Bowie, MD 7am - 3pm

• Houseplants 101 – Meet Our Plant People, Patuxent Nursery

  2410 Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD. 1pm - 2pm

• Candle Making Workshop at 6600 Laurel - Bowie Road Bowie, MD 20715 - 1:00 - 3:30 

• "Disentangled" Book Reading & Discussion with Author Kia DuPree, South Bowie Branch Library, 15301 Hall Road Bowie, MD 20721

• Joe Clair Presents: Bangin’ in Bowie featuring featuring comedians Brooklyn Mike, Timmy Hall, and Cool Bubba Ice, Bowie Center for the Performing Arts - 7:00 and 9:30

• Bowie State University - Free 21 Day Course for Inner Peace & Joy, Virtual event

• SWAMPOODLE come to Old Bowie Town Grille, 8604 Chestnut Ave, Bowie, MD 7:00pm

January 28

• Grayson Moon Live Music, The Blackwall Barn & Lodge

  329 Gambrills Rd, Gambrills, MD. 11:00am - 2:00pm

January 31

• Free virtual Workforce Development Program Information Session ages 15 - 25 - 7:00pm 

• Amateur Radio Operators and FCC Licensed Technician Class with the Bowie Wireless Assoc. a 501(c)3 Amateur Radio Club. Virtual Class. For registration info contact [email protected]

  🗓 Want to add your event in Bowie Insider? Click Here to submit your upcoming February event.

Empowering Bowie's Youth: Innovative Workforce Training in STEM and Entrepreneurship

The City of Bowie, Maryland, is offering a comprehensive Workforce Development Program aimed at young residents aged 15 to 25. This free initiative is designed to equip participants with essential life skills and workforce competencies, particularly focusing on careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Additionally, the program includes a module on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, catering to those interested in starting their own businesses.

Open to residents within the municipal boundaries of Bowie, the application process for this virtual program commences every January. The program itself starts after the Spring Break of Prince George's County Public Schools and includes six sessions: a four-week course covering STEM careers and life skills, followed by a two-week course on innovation and entrepreneurship. Residents under 18 must submit a signed parental consent form to complete their application.

The program dates are structured with separate sessions for youth (ages 15-17) and adults (ages 18-25). These sessions are scheduled on different days of the week, ensuring a focused and age-appropriate learning experience.

Organized by the Office of Grants Development & Administration in collaboration with Bowie Youth & Family Services, this program is funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant.

The Buzz in Bowie Real Estate

According to Realtor.com there are currently 294 homes for sale in Bowie, MD, ranging from $59K to $2.2M.

Bowie is in a sellers market, which means there are more people looking to buy than there are homes available.

• Median sold home price is $500k.

• The median listing home price is $489K.

• Median listing home price/Sq ft is $239.

• Homes in Bowie, MD sell after an average 35 days on the market.

From Trash to Treasure: Bowie's Groundbreaking Initiative Turns Food Waste into Garden Gold

The City of Bowie, Maryland, has launched an initiative to tackle food waste, a major environmental concern. Approximately 25% of waste going to landfills is food waste, which decomposes to release harmful greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. To combat this, the city has established several programs to encourage composting, a process that transforms food and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Residents of Bowie now have three options for composting:

Drop Off Site: The Kenhill Center at 2614 Kenhill Drive, opened in December 2023, allows residents to drop off food waste. Accepted items include meat, bones, eggshells, tea bags, and more. The food waste is processed at the Prince George's County Organics Facility using advanced technology.

Backyard Composting: The city sells large outdoor compost bins to residents for $20 each, enabling them to create compost on their property.

Curbside Food Waste Program: Available in select neighborhoods, this program provides bins for collecting food waste, which is then picked up by Public Works staff and taken to the County's Organics Facility.

The city's initiative is a significant step towards reducing landfill waste and combating climate change. By turning food waste into compost, Bowie is not only managing waste more sustainably but also providing a valuable resource for gardening and soil enrichment.

The Bob Marley: One Love Social Impact Scholarship: Empowering HBCU Students (Bowie State University eligible) for Community Change

The Bob Marley: One Love Social Impact Scholarship is a unique initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of community leaders and change makers. Sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, the $5,000 scholarship aims to support the students committed to social activism and positive change.

Students interested in applying for this scholarship must be enrolled in Bowie State University, Clark Atlanta, Hampton University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University or Spelman College, a decision made to deepen the scholarship’s impact within a specific educational community. The scholarship recognizes and supports students who are not only academically proficient but also passionately involved in social change initiatives.

Eligibility criteria for the One Love Social Impact Scholarship include a strong academic record, enrollment in an eligilble HBCU, and a demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact in the community. This could be through volunteer work, leading social initiatives, or active participation in community service projects.

To apply, students must submit a detailed application including their academic transcripts, a resume highlighting their contributions to social change, a personal statement outlining their vision for community betterment, and letters of recommendation. These components collectively paint a picture of the applicant’s dedication and potential for creating meaningful social impact.

This scholarship is more than just a financial aid; it is a stepping stone for students to amplify their efforts in community service and leadership. It acknowledges the importance of supporting young individuals who are committed to bringing about positive changes in society. Through this, the One Love Social Impact Scholarship contributes significantly to nurturing responsible, community-oriented leaders of the future. Deadline: April 30, 2024. For more information or to apply visit Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

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Don’t Get on Cupid’s Naughty List: A Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

On Valentine's Day I forgot the gift. My name on the naughty list took a swift shift. Cupid frowned and took his quill, wrote my name with a playful skill. "Oops," I said, "I've made a blunder, no roses, chocolates, or even thunder."

My sweetheart laughed, said, "It's okay, Your love is my gift, every single day!" So here's a tip, clear and brisk, forgetting gifts is quite a risk. But if love's true, it will persist, even if you're on Cupid's naughty list!

Here are a few ideas in the Valentine’s Day Gift Guide to get your juices flowing, EARLY, so that you don’t end up on Cupid’s naughty list 😍

“The Best …” is coming to the Bowie Insider

Wonder no more! We will be introducing the “Best of…” in Bowie and the Regional Area as a weekly series. Stay tune as we ask for you to nominate businesses in the following categories and more. Each winner will be interviewed and featured in an issue of the Bowie Insider.

Stay tune for an alternative date for the launch of “The Best….Bowie”.

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