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Bowie Insider - Issue #109: Navigating Bowie's Building Codes

Nearly $15,000 While Advocating for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Event with Bowie Youth and Family Service

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Bowie Insider
April 25, 2024

In this issue of the Bowie Insider…

🌤️ Weather Forecast 
 🏢 Navigating Bowie's Building Codes: Understanding the Role of Variances and Departures
💝 Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated ® Raises Nearly $15,000 While Advocating for Suicide Prevention
💚 Mental Health Event with Bowie Youth and Family Service
🗓️ Upcoming Events
🤣 Meme of the Day
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Quote of the Day

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. ~ Robert H. Goddard

Navigating Bowie's Building Codes: Understanding the Role of Variances and Departures

Imagine trying to build your dream home but finding out the land is just a tad too snug between your future neighbors. That's where a variance comes in as your architectural superhero! This handy tool lets homeowners tweak certain building rules—like how tall you can go or how close you can build to the edge of your property. It's all about making sure that tight spaces or quirky land shapes don't squash your home-building dreams.

Getting a variance isn't a solo journey. In Bowie, the Advisory Planning Board listens to these requests and gives their recommendations to the City Council, who have the final say. Not just them, though—the County Planning Board and District Council also get to weigh in on bigger development projects. And it's not just about where you can build; it also covers the nitty-gritty like parking designs and how many trees you need for good neighborly privacy. So next time you're puzzled by parking spaces or signage, remember, a variance could be your answer to bending the rules just a little to make things work.

Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated ® Raises Nearly $15,000 While Advocating for Suicide Prevention

Image Credit: PEO Chapter ofAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®

The Psi Epsilon Omega (PEO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® raised nearly $15,000 in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)’s Out of the Darkness Walk. The Campus Walk was held at Bowie State University on April 18 and had 200 walkers and supporters in attendance.

Out of the Darkness Walks take place in cities nationwide and serve as an introduction to AFSP. Through the walks, those affected by suicide and those who support them raise awareness and much-needed funds while sending the message that suicide can be preventable and that no one is alone.

“The increasing number of suicides across the country is impacting our community at alarming rates,” said Karen S. Hicks, PEO President. “We are glad to have another opportunity to participate in this walk to support the mission of AFSP and help prevent suicide.”

In addition to supporting the walk with monetary donations, members of the chapter’s Community and Social Action (CASA) Committee shared information on House Resolution 7265, a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, aligned with the organization's legislative policy initiative to address Black Youth Suicide.

If passed, the bill would make federal funds available to community programs that would allow health professional schools to integrate content about suicide prevention strategies and interventions into their curricula. Funds would also make secure gun storage or safety devices available to residences with an individual under the age of 26 who is at risk of suicide.

Donations collected will help bring AFSP one step closer to achieving its goal of reducing the suicide rate by 20% by the year 2025.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®, Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter was chartered in 2007. Since its founding, the chapter has implemented its service programs in Laurel, Bowie, and Greenbelt, Maryland.

Mental Health Event with Bowie Youth and Family Service

The purpose of this discussion is to empower parents and guardians to have conversations with children early on about the consequences of alcohol and drug use on mental health and behavior.

The event will be held on April 29th, from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. in the Kenhill Center multipurpose room.

Special guest lecturer will be Mr. Richard Moody Jr., from the Prince George's County Office of Student

Engagement and School Support. The presentation will highlight the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 'Talk. They Hear You' campaign, designed to increase awareness of the risk of underage drinking and drug use and to equip parents with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to prevent and intervene with underage drinking and substance use.

Register Here for the mental health event.

Prince George's County Public Schools is not sponsoring, endorsing, or recommending the activities announced in this flyer/material.

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