Issue #074: Happy St. Patrick’s Day + Shamrock Puzzle

Happy St. Patrick’s Day - Places to Celebrate

• Lucky Leprechaun Gift Card Raffle 8am - 4pm

• St. Paddy’s Day Party w/ The Bards 12pm - 8pm

• Killarney House St. Patrick's Celebration 12pm

• Crayfish at Old Bowie Town Grille, St Patrick’s Day 7pm - 10pm

Driving Safely on St. Patrick’s Day: Maryland’s Enhanced Enforcement Plan

To ensure a safe St. Patrick's Day weekend in Maryland, the State Police will ramp up patrols and enforcement efforts targeting impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving. This initiative, supported by funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office, involves saturation patrols on roads noted for high DUI incidents from Friday through Sunday. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team (SPIDRE), specially trained to spot impaired drivers, will be particularly active, funded by a grant aimed at reducing alcohol-related accidents and fatalities.

Prince George’s County will see increased patrols in key areas, with the Forestville Barracks focusing on routes 301 and 5 and the southern parts of the county, while the College Park Barrack will oversee Route 1 and Interstate 495. Motorists are urged to designate sober drivers, use public transportation, and avoid distracted driving to keep the roads safe for everyone.

Checkout Changes Ahead: Walmart and Target's New Approach in Maryland

Walmart and Target in Maryland, like in other locations, are making changes to their self-checkout systems to improve the shopping experience and address concerns such as wait times and theft. Target is testing a limit of 10 items or fewer at select self-checkout lanes to reduce customer wait times and improve efficiency. This adjustment aims to redirect shoppers with larger orders to full-service checkouts, potentially increasing interaction with staff and reducing congestion at self-checkout areas. Walmart, on the other hand, has been exploring various adjustments to its self-checkout services, including measures to combat theft and possibly adjusting the availability of self-checkout lanes to certain shoppers.

These modifications are part of a broader trend among retailers to fine-tune their self-service options to balance customer convenience with operational challenges such as theft prevention and efficient use of staff. The reaction from the public to these changes has been mixed, with some shoppers expressing frustration over perceived inconveniences. As these retailers continue to adapt their checkout processes, they aim to enhance the overall shopping experience while addressing the practical realities of retail operations.

Freedom to Read Act: Maryland's Move to Safeguard Library Collections

In Maryland, a new bill known as the Freedom to Read Act is being introduced to protect public libraries from the surge of book bans and restrictions. Sponsored by Delegate Dana Jones, the bill sets to fortify the diversity and freedom of library catalogs against partisan and doctrinal censorship, specifically targeting state-funded libraries, including school libraries. This legislative push responds to a national wave of library material challenges, with around 700 cases reported in 2023 alone. The proposed law not only discourages the exclusion of books over ideological differences but also heightens penalties for damaging library materials, increasing fines up to $1,000.

The initiative emerges amidst controversies in Maryland, like Carroll County's review of 58 books, spotlighting the tension over LGBTQ+ content and explicit materials in schools. This legislation aligns with a wider "decency agenda," advocating for free information access and countering misinformation. By promoting a landscape where libraries can freely offer diverse narratives and perspectives, the Freedom to Read Act champions intellectual freedom and the invaluable role of libraries in fostering dialogue and understanding among communities.

Prince George’s County Schools are on Spring Break March 25 - April 1

March 17

• Not The Man I Married by CMR Impact Productions at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Rd, Bowie MD 20715 6pm

• Crayfish at Old Bowie Town Grille, St Patrick’s Day Old Bowie Town Grille, 8604 Chestnut Ave, Bowie 7pm - 10pm

• Wedding Bliss, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Greenbelt, MD 12pm - 5pm

March 18

• AFROFUTURE: Exploring the past, present, and future, exhibition Bowie State University Fine and Performing Arts Center, Gallery of Art, 14000 Jericho Park Rd Bowie, MD

• WIN4SHUR presents A TEA PARTY with Food, fun, and fashion 13711 Old Annapolis Rd, 13711 Old Annapolis Road, Bowie 12pm-5pm

March 19

• Kids Create: Spring Flowers and Butterflies, South Bowie Library 15301 Hall Rd, Bowie 6:30pm - 7:30pm

March 20

• Steering wheel lock giveaway (for Kia and Hyundai vehicle owners) Bowie Police Information Center

  15456 Emerald Way, Bowie 12pm - 3pm

• Women's History Month Breakfast by the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, The Grove Oak Creek Golf Club, 600 Bowieville Manor Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, 8am -10 am

• Prince George's County MeatOut Day 2024, A day to consider the health benefits of a plant-based diet for a Day

March 21

• Ready 2 Read Storytime: Ages 0–2 PGM Library 15210 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 10:15 –10:45pm


• Morehouse College 2024 Glee Club Concert & Award Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 7:00pm


March 22

• Bowie High School Baseball ⚾️ First Home Game of 2024 Season 15200 Annapolis Rd. Bowie, Free Event - 4:30pm

March 23

• Quilt Bingo -hosted by Southern Comforters Quilt Guild of Bowie 6111 Columbian Way Bowie 11am

• Recovering the African American Burial Grounds at Sacred Heart, Belair Mansion 12207 Tulip Grove Road Bowie 2-3pm

• Bowie Baysox Annual Free Family FunFest, in conjunction with Macaroni KID Bowie-Crofton-Odenton at Prince George’s Stadium 4101 Crain Highway Bowie, MD 20716 10am to 1pm

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Just for Fun - Complete the St. Patrick’s Day Puzzle

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