CALENDAR OF EVENTS*

12/13 Special Playgroup Activity: Crafts, 10:30 - 12:30
12/16 Playgroup Holiday Party, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Community Center
12/20 CPRC Playgroup: J.P.Hoyer
1/9 CPRC Planning Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Community Center
1/10 CPRC Playgroup: Librarian @ Community Center
1/24 CPRC Playgroup: J.P.Hoyer
2/2 Child Safety Workshop
2/3 CPRC Playgroup: Librarian @ Community Center
2/10 Special Playgroup Activity: Valentine Crafts
2/14 Valentine Playgroup
2/24 CPRC Playgroup: J.P. Hoyer

ONGOING
Playgroups are every Monday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Gast Park.  If below 65 degrees or rainy, then meet at the Cheverly Community Center.  If the Community Center is closed due to a holiday, the indoor playgroup will not be held.
Locations:
Gast Park:  Corner of Inwood and Parkway.
Cheverly Community Center: 6401 Forest Rd.
J.P.Hoyer,: Bellview Ave.(near 7-11)

Letter From the Coordinator

I'm writing this letter while still feeling euphoric about the hugely successful School Information Workshop.  We had close to 100 people in attendance, and I received positive feedback from many people.  Hearty thanks to the organizing committee: Jeff Beaudry, Sonya Braddock, Daphne Felten Green, Janice Mereday, Shannon Taitt and Ena Ward.  See my article later in Newsline for a full synopsis of the event.

I had planned to host the CPRC Caroling Party on December 14th, but we have had to cancel that event.  I had a small kitchen fire last week.  Everyone is fine!  But there was enough damage done that we just can't host a party until sometime in January.  I'll have a winter potluck dinner instead!  Watch for an e-vite; I'm not ready to set a date just yet.

In early February, we will offer a Child Safety Workshop organized by Andy and Lisa Lincoln.  See Lisa's article later in the Newsline for more information about this great event.

There are a few very specific opportunities for you to get involved in CPRC.  These are listed in a new regular feature of Newsline, "How You Can Help".  Please consider getting more involved.  It's a great way to make new friends.  And I can speak from recent experience; it really feels good to know that because of your work, a wonderful community event was successful.

Another recurring feature of Newsline is the call for dues payment.  We are a pretty low-budget operation, but we do have expenses: sending out this newsletter; babysitting and refreshments at events; other workshop expenses; welcome baskets; and more.  We're doing better with dues collection than ever before!  But we haven't yet reached our goal of fifty paid memberships.  And I'd really like to surpass that goal.  I know there are many of you who want to pay your dues but it just doesn't happen.  Make it happen today!  Be sure to fully complete the membership form so that we can double-check our database.  We hope to publish a membership directory in Fall 2003, so this is especially important.  Thank you!

At our November planning meeting, Cindy Popol started a great discussion about involving our kids in community outreach.  We tossed around a lot of ideas, such as: making cards for nursing homes; visiting nursing homes; collecting food baskets, baby supply baskets, warm clothing; working with the local churches for their "warm nights" shelter weeks.  See Cindy's article later in Newsline for more information.

I look forward to seeing you, hopefully at one of the future CPRC events, Happy Holidays!
Until Then,
Tammie Nelson-Stringer
coordinator@cheverlyparent.org
(301) 386-3782

In every issue of Newsline, look in this section to find out what specific volunteer opportunities exist.  Please contact the person listed to let them know that you want to help.  Thanks!

* Help with the stranger safety workshop, February 2nd  Contact Lisa Lincoln at treasurer@cheverlyparent.org or 301-773-4844.
* Head up the fundraising effort at the Spring Flea Market.  (See article for more information.)  Contact Tammie Nelson-Stringer at coordinator@cheverlyparent.org or call 301-386-3782.
* Help with the fundraising effort at the Spring Flea Market.  We will need people to help publicize, collect items, price items, set up the table, staff the table, help clean up, transport remaining goods to an identified charity.  Contact Tammie Nelson-Stringer at coordinator@cheverlyparent.org and indicate how you would like to help.
* Host a winter potluck dinner.  Contact Tammie Nelson-Stringer at coordinator@cheverlyparent.org.
* Help with assembly and delivery of CPRC's "Welcome Baskets". Contact Laurel Suor at lsuor@yahoo.com or 301-583-9268

Our next planning meeting will be Thursday, January 9 at 7:30 pm in the Cheverly Community Center.  The meetings are always fun, and we get a lot accomplished, generating new ideas and planning for existing events.  Come join us !

Car Seat Update 2002

After our last issue with the article on Children's Car seats we wanted to follow up with the following information concerning the car seat checkpoints.  We have found many options that will do a carseat installation checks.  Fitzmall (Fitzgerald Automall) in Rockville will check and install carseats.  You can make an appointment or go on their scheduled days.  Another option is Childrens Hospital, they will do seat checks at the hospital and their satellite offices, including one on Upper Marlboro: call 202-884-4215 for more information. Also most Daimler-Chrysler dealers will check and/or install seats for free. Parents just have to call in advance for an appointment.  Safe Kids is running a huge child car seat safety campaign right now (they are distributing flyers in all sorts of kids stuff). The local station in this area for inspection is at 14111 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, 240-777-3636. More general information is available at: http://www.safekids.org/.  If these don't work for you, you can call 1-877 FIT  4  A  KID and give your zipcode and they will tell you where to get it checked.  Remember 8 out of every 10 carseats are improperly installed.

Spring Flea Market

In looking at our treasurer report, it becomes obvious that we cannot depend on membership dues alone to fund our many events and the Newsline distribution.  At the November planning meeting we discussed using the Cheverly Recreation Council's Spring Flea Market as a CPRC fundraising opportunity.

We would rent a table at the spring flea market and sell goods donated by CPRC members.  We could collect donated items throughout the year if we have folks willing to store the items (Tanya Marshall volunteered some space in her garage.)  The work for this would be:  advertising to get donations of items to sell, collecting stuff, pricing items, set up, staffing the table, clean up, donating the remaining good to charity.  Everyone at the planning meeting was happy to help with the work, but we are all heading up other efforts.  So we need a fearless leader for this event!  It cannot happen without someone to head it up.  If you are new to the organization this is a fabulous way to meet a lot of people.  I will help you to get volunteers.  We need someone who is very organized and motivated.  Let me know if you are that person!  The date is April 5, but I'd like to get someone designated for it now.  We need to start advertising to collect items, and it would be great to have a head start on getting volunteers organized.

Come to a Holiday Luncheon: Monday, December 16,11am - 1pm

We're going to have a Holiday Party during playgroup on December 16!  It is a potluck lunch; bring whatever you like; something for lunch or something sinful for dessert.  If we end up with all double fudge brownies, then that's what we'll eat!  (But more than likely it will end up more balanced than that).  CPRC will provide the paper products, and various beverages. The time is a little different than the usual playgroup schedule; that's to make it more of a 'lunchtime' event.  The end time is flexible; no one is using the gym so we can extend if we're having too much fun to leave.  We'll have tables and chairs set up for the adults, and little tables and chairs for any kids who sit still long enough.  And of course the CPRC playgroup toys will be there for the kids' entertainment.  So come join us for a little holiday cheer !!!!

Child Safety Workshop: Mark your calendars!

CPRC is presenting a 2 hour child safety workshop on Sunday, February 2, 2003.  The focus will be on safety around strangers using materials from the Good Knight Kingdom.  The program materials are recommended for pre-K to grade 5. There will be activities for parents and children to do together as well as a parent breakout session to discuss childhood risks, parents' perceptions, and the differences between them.  If you would like to help plan and/or present this program, please contact Lisa Lincoln at treasurer@cheverlyparent.org or 301-773-4844.  We will send an evite with time and location closer to the workshop.

Do your kids like Fish ???

Then check out the National Aquarium in Baltimore.  They have a program called Fridays After Five, where the admissions dives to $5 per person after 5pm on Fridays.  Tickets are sold until 8 pm and visitors can stay till 10 pm. Did we mention that kids under three are FREE?  The Aquarium is located at 501 East Pratt Street in downtown Baltimore, 410.576.3800, www.aqua.org.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Are you looking for more ways to help those in your community?  With this new addition of the Community Outreach column in the Newsline, we will try and highlight organizations that you and your family might be interested in helping.  If you know of one that we should look into please contact Cindy Popol at Lcpopol@aol.com.

Meals on Wheels Needs you !!!!!
Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound neighbors.  You can work two or four days a month; weekdays, approximately 10:30 -12:30.  Please consider volunteering for this worthy cause.  Fellow CPRC mom Monique Mangrum drives for Meals on Wheels; if you'd like to ask Monique about it give her a call at 386-4476.  Jennifer Allegro and Tammie Nelson-Stringer have just started doing it as well!  To volunteer call:  301-618-3930
 

Volunteering Opportunities By Tammie Nelson-Stringer

While looking for something useful to do with myself on Thanksgiving, I found this useful Gazette web page listing area organizations in need of volunteers: http://www.gazette.net/princegeorgescty/volunteeropps/

Spread Some Holiday Cheer!

We will be collecting donations of non-perishable foods at the Holiday luncheon party on December 16th. These items will be donated to the food pantry at the St. Ambrose Church, which regularly distributes them to families in our community who are in need. Of particular value are meat items, such as stews, tuna, salmon or chicken, however, any contribution you can make would be greatly appreciated. Remember, all donations must be non-perishable. If you can't come to the party but would like to make a donation, please contact Cindy Popol (301) 559-3254.

Winter Clothing Drive

The Prince Georges Plaza Community Center is collecting gently used winter clothes to distribute to needy families in the area.  If you have any items you would like to give contact Cindy Popol (301) 559.3254

School Information Workshop

CPRC had a very successful School Information Workshop on November 20.

The sheer numbers were impressive:  close to 100 people were in attendance, and parents of 35 kids took advantage of the free babysitting.

But more importantly, the event was a success because parents got information they needed, and an opportunity to talk to other parents about the choices they have made for their child's education.  From more than one person I heard the sentiment; "It's just so reassuring to hear how many children are happy at their schools."  That's what it is all about, really, finding a school where your child is happy and enjoys learning.

Jennifer Bryant, PG County Magnet Recruitment Specialist, spoke on the topic of the magnet schools.  She discussed the history of the magnet system and how it is changing, and described many of the magnet programs in some detail.  She answered many questions from parents about the logistics of the application process.  She distributed a packet of information about the magnet program.

This was followed by a five-person panel discussion, on the theme "So Many Choices".  The panelists represented some of the many choices parents in Cheverly make for their child's education.  Panelists representing Montessori, the county magnet program, Catholic schooling, our neighborhood school (Spellman), and home schooling answered a few prepared questions, then accepted questions from the audience.

During the reception that followed the panel discussion, attendees had the opportunity to talk to parent representatives from sixteen area schools about their experience (and more importantly, their child's experience) at the school they have chosen for their child.

If you attended the event and have feedback, I would love to hear it!  If you missed the event and would like an information packet from the event, let me know.  We are considering having a similar event next year, but about middle schools and high schools.  If you would like to see that happen and/or want to be involved, let me know.  Send all feedback to Tammie Nelson-Stringer at coordinator@cheverlyparent.org.

Now it's time to thank everyone who helped to make this event a success.  Here's where I sound like someone accepting an Oscar.  First, I would like to thank the organizing committee: Jeff Beaudry, Sonya Braddock, Daphne Felten-Green, Janice Mereday, Tammie Nelson-Stringer, Shannon Taitt, and Ena Ward.  Thank you to our speaker and panelists and parent reps (too many to name here, but you know who you are!)  Thank you to the Cheverly United Methodist Church for providing us with the venue for the event (Fogle Hall), and for letting us use the Sunday school nursery room for babysitting.  Thank you to the Cheverly Weekday Nursery for allowing us to use their "rainy day" room as an additional babysitting room.  I would also like to thank our five babysitters, who did a stellar job at watching 35 kids.  A few babies missed their moms and dads occasionally, but other than that, the kids looked like they were all having a wonderful time.  And thank you to Julie James who wasn't on the committee and couldn't attend the event, but helped nonetheless.  And, in the spirit of overly lengthy acknowledgements, I would like to thank my third grade teacher, Mrs. Davies.  :)

E-vite Alert!

CPRC uses www.evite.com to publicize events and track RSVPs.  If you do not receive these
 "e-vites" that means we do not have a current e-mail address for you.  If you have not yet paid dues, please submit your dues with the membership form at the back of Newsline and indicate your e-mail address on the form.  If you have already paid dues, then simply send e-mail to database@cheveryparent.org with your full name and updated e-mail address.  Thanks!

Crayola Works

Looking for a great place for family fun?  Check out the Crayola Works at the Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, MD.  At the Crayola Works Creativity Studio you can select from one of the many incredible art projects available.  The projects are designed for a variety of ages and interests and change frequently.  They have a Parent & Tot Program, M-F, 11:00 a.m. to noon.  Create different projects for the holidays, seasons and special occasions.  Visit their website, www.CrayolaWorks.com or call for more information, 410.799.0400.

Get In the Holiday Spirit

Get out and enjoy a concert of Renaissance and 20th century Christmas music. "A Child is Born", a concert by Convivium, a 12 member a cappella ensemble will be held at Hyattsville Mennonite Church 4217 East-West Highway on Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Wendy Shenk-Evans (a CPRC Member) is a member of the ensemble.

In The Heat of The Moment

Before enjoying our microwaved Thanksgiving dinner, Bill and I heartily agreed that we were most thankful for our fire extinguisher.  We were able to quickly extinguish our kitchen fire using the extinguisher that we kept beneath the kitchen sink.  We were not the picture of grace while executing step one ("OK, it says 'Remove the pin'.  BIIIILLLLL, Where's the [CENSORED] pin?")  So I recommend going one step further than we did, and actually learn how to use the fire extinguisher ahead of time.

Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get one that is rated A-B-C (A=wood or paper fires only; B=flammable liquid and grease fires; and C=electrical fires.)  Read and understand the directions.  Also make note of the instructions for when the unit should be checked or replaced.  Extinguishers should be easily accessible to adults trained to use them, and kept away from children's curious hands.  And most importantly:  If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher and get out.

Herbert Wells Ice Rink

Herbert Wells Ice Rink is located in College Park, MD and offers ice skating and hockey lessons to all ages.  Did you know that on Sunday nights they offer "Family Night"?  Four children can skate for FREE with a paying Mom or Dad !  Their next session starts at the end of December for lessons and they offer public skating sessions every day.  Call 301.277.3717 for more information.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jennifer and Doug McCuiston and big sister Taylor delighted in the arrival of Lailah Ani on October 2nd.

Audrey Ichida and Steven Casper welcomed Declan Alexander Casper on October 5th.

Tina and Richard Lewko and big sister Naomi were thrilled by Jordan Lewko's arrival on November 18th.

And the CPRC community's newest arrival is Alexandra Leal, born on November 20th to proud parents Andrea and Thomas Leal.

The CPRC welcomes all of these little ones and wishes a good nights rest to their parents!!  In the future please send all baby announcements to Laurel Suor at welcome@cheverlyparent.org.

B U L L E T I N     B O A R D

Looking to get rid of that old computer that doesn't work? Give me a call!  I would like to dismantle a computer for my daughter's grade school class, to show them the internals of the computer. After I'm done with it I will dispose of it in an environmentally responsible way. Email tammienelson@comcast.net.

To place an ad in the Newsline Bulletin, contact Jennifer Allegro at editor@cheverlyparent.org.  IT'S FREE !!!!

Watkins Regional Park..... Winter Festival of Lights

Light up your holiday season at Watkins Park in Upper Marlboro,  more than 500,000 twinkling lights are strung throughout the park.  The drive-through exhibit is great holiday fun for the whole family. Nov.29, 2002 thru January 5th, 2003.  5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. $5.00 per car or van, or $10.00 for a multiple visit pass (good for 5 visits, which you can share with family and friends).

Parent to Parent Bookclub

A new bookclub has started in Cheverly focusing on books about parenting issues for all ages.  The next meeting is Wed. Dec. 11th when they will discuss the book, Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey.  The meetings are help at 7:30 pm. in the Parent Resource Room at J.P. Hoyer. The January selection is Awakening Your Child's Natural Genius by Thomas Armstrong, the meeting date is tentative for Jan. For more info. Contact Jean Caswell, JHCASWELL@AOL.COM

A Recipe with a Story by Cindy Popol

We've all heard this wise advice before.  Martha Stewarts of the world, Oprah's party planning guru guests and even my better judgement will say:" When you cook for a party (for heaven's sake), prepare dishes you are familiar with, those you've made plenty of times before.  Now is not the time to get cute, creative or experimental.  Stick to what you know!"

Well, when I was planning my dish for the October potluck, neither Martha nor Oprah could keep me cooking within my means.  I was determined to try something new and just see what happened.  After all, aren't we all comforted by the fact that in a pinch, we now have plenty of choices of ready-made, relatively presentable dishes at out favorite supermarkets?  So, if my experiment failed miserably, which history dictates is a distinct possibility, I could always show up with fresh baked cookies from Safeway, my dignity well intact and my culinary nightmare safely hidden from the public.

Long story short, I measured and mixed, boiled and baked and my adjusted version of the Squash-Rice Casserole was complete.  I think I actually measured everything right for once, it didn't explode in the oven, it hadn't liquefied or petrified in the process, so I decided it was a go.  The casserole seemed fit to present at the party.  So I would hold my breath and hope I wouldn't have to resort to mounding my own plate with a huge portion so it would look like it was really good ( that was a joke - I have never done that!).

By the time I made it to the buffet at the potluck, much to my delight and tremendous surprise, all that was left of the casserole were a few bits I had to scrape from the bottom of the pan.  My first thought was someone must have accidentally dropped the pan on the floor, cleaned it all up and put the pan back on the counter.  But someone actually asked me for the recipe.  I won't disclose any names but thank you, thank you, thank you!

In any case, here is the original recipe.  For the potluck, I substituted spaghetti squash for the rice and used regular sour cream and grated parmesan.  Good Luck and bon appetit!!!  Also, the potluck was a blast.  Thank you Julie.  You and your family were wonderful hosts - Martha would be proud!

SQUASH-RICE CASSEROLE

8 C. sliced zucchini (about 2 1/2 lbs)
1 C. chopped onion
1/2 cup. fat-free,less-sodium chicken broth
2 C. cooked rice
1 C.(4 oz.) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
1 C. fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup. (1 oz.) grated fresh parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Black pepper
2 lg. Eggs, lightly beaten
Cooking Spray

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. 2.   Combine first three ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Cover ,reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until tender.  Drain; partially mash with a potato masher.
3. Combine zucchini mixture, rice, cheddar cheese, sour cream, 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and eggs in a bowl; stir gently.  Spoon mixture into a 13x9" baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
4. Preheat broiler. Broil 1 minute or until lightly browned.  ENJOY !

College Park Aviation Museum

If you haven't checked this out yet you're in for a treat.  There is a great lil'museum right in our backyard. The College Park Aviation Museum highlights achievement in aviation, with lots of planes and space for the kids to run around in.  On Tuesdays they offer a craft for kids, with the paid admissions.  There's also a great  little outdoor play area with toy planes for the kids to scramble around in.  (Although, you wouldn't want to do this right now with these temperatures!)  They are located at 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive in College Park, for more information, call 301.864.6029 or visit their website at: http://www.avialantic.com/collpark.html

December launches the first issue of Newsline with our NEW feature "Pre-Adolescent News".  We'd love to hear your comments or ideas.  If there's something that you would like us to feature let us know.

Book Review by Jennifer Allegro

It's easy to dismiss ten to fifteen  year olds as moody, baffling creatures.  Yet these years are perhaps the most critical time in their development.  Early adolescence is a time when boys are girls may need the help of parents most, yet its often a time when they are the most reluctant to accept it.

Well there is a great book out by Laura Sessions Stepp called Our Last Best Shot, Guiding Our Children through Early Adolescence to give insight into this confusing stage of life.  Laura Sessions Strepp is a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist with The Washington Post.

In Our Last Best Shot, you meet twelve girls and boys from all across America.  Ms.Sessions Strepp spent  a year traveling across America interviewing these kids and spending time with their families.  Through their stories and through her extensive research you hear their stories.  You can gain invaluable advice about how to bring up well-adjusted children.  You'll see how to spot signs of promise as well as signs of danger and it advises parents about when and how they must intervene.

This is a great book even for parents of younger children.  The stories show how these parents raised their children from a young age.  How the values and morals we teach early on really do effect the kids as they get older.  If you get a chance, pick this one up.  It's really quite a good eye-opening read.

When you're with your child, try to listen more than you talk......

The Ski Season is upon Us

With the fall of fresh snow just last week what better way to spend the holidays then hitting some of the local slopes.  Yes, we do have local slopes in DC.  Ski Liberty is one hour away from Dc and received 9" of fresh powder on Thursday, 70% of their slopes are open and they offer Ski /Snowboarding Camps for 8 and up.  They have Snow Tubing at Boulder Ridge which should be opening up very soon.  Check them out at www.skiliberty.com.

Wisp Ski Resort is located at the Deep Creek Mountain Resort, with 16 trails open, they offer a Learn to Ski package of $36 for lift/rental and lesson.  More info at www.skiwisp.com.  Whitetail offers a great deal now till December 24th, a Beginner Learn to Ski/Snowboard Package for ONLY $15, that includes lift ticket/lesson and rental.  This package is for 8 yrs. old and up.  Whitetail is 1 1/2 hrs. from DC.  Check it out at www.skiwhitetail.com.  Roundtop Resort is two hours away and had sixteen trails open with 8" of new snow on Thursday.  Their Snowtubing run is open and they offer great deals on "six-packs" of tickets.  Their website is www.skiroundtop.com.

So if your looking for something fun to do with the kids over that long holiday break, check out the slopes and burn off some of that holiday cheer!

Bead Museum of Washington DC

There is a small museum tucked away in an office building on Capitol Hill that is worth the trip.  The Bead Museum of Washington DC  is located in The Jenifer Building at 400 7th Street, NW.  The Museum was founded by the Bead Society of Greater Washington to promote the study and public appreciation of beads and ornaments from ancient, ethnic and contemporary cultures.  They currently have an exhibit called Silver Speaks: Traditional Jewelry from the Middle East, which is really quite fascinating.  They have a permanent exhibit with the Bead Timeline of History.  For more information and hours call 202.624.4500 or visit their website at: http://www.thebeadmuseum.org/.

The Cheverly Parent Resource Center is collecting dues for September 2002 through August 2003. These dues will help us continue our regular activities such as the twice-weekly playgroups, educational seminars, and new initiatives. To continue receiving Newsline and to support CPRC's efforts to make Cheverly a great place for children, please send your $10.00 check made payable to CPRC using the CPRC Membership Form. If you're not sure if your paid up or not, check your label on the newsletter.  The last two digits reflect the last year you paid your dues.  XX means we have no record of payment.

Tammie Nelson-Stringer, Coordinator, (301) 386-3782, coordinator@cheverlyparent.org

Lisa Lincoln, Treasurer, (301) 773-1642, treasurer@cheverlyparent.org

Donna Brown, Playgroup Coordinator, 301-773-5036, playgroup@cheverlyparent.org

Tanya Marshall, Web Page Coordinator, (301) 772-4025, webmaster@cheverlyparent.org

Randy Zuwallack, Membership Database Coordinator, (301) 772-4025, database@cheverlyparent.org

Melanie Hartwig-Davis, Welcome Coordinator, (301) 386-5387, welcome@cheverlyparent.org

Jennifer Allegro, Newsline Editor, (301) 322-4952, editor@cheverlyparent.org