EDITOR'S NOTE: Articles for Worth Noting must be submitted in writing to the Bowie Blade-News, 2000 Capital Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401, or e-mail to bkoepper@bladenews.com at least two weeks before publication date and need not be resubmitted. Items should include the date, time and place of the local event, pertinent information and a daytime telephone number.

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Honoring veterans

Woodlawn Baptist Church, 5001 Church Road, will honor veterans from all branches of the military with a certificate of appreciation at the 10 a.m. service. Hershel Williams, the last surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from the battle of Iwo Jima, will also be recognized. For information, call 301-262-6449.

Pumpkin patch

Church of the Redeemer, 7300 Race Track Road, will host a pumpkin patch Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information, call 301-262-7888.

Pet photos

Crunchies Pet Foods, 2421 Crofton Lane, Crofton, will host pet Halloween photos Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring pets, dressed in costume. Proceeds will benefit the Rude Ranch Animal Rescue. For information, call 410-798-9559.

Halloween dance

LA Singles will hold a Halloween dance party Friday from 8:15 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 6111 Columbian Way. Costumes optional, prizes for best costume. All singles and singles groups welcome. Popular music of today with a mix of old favorites will be featured. For information, call 410-721-6666 or 410-969-6392.

Fall Fest

Jireh Place, 3121 Trinity Drive, will host a community Fall Fest Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. with activities for all ages. A rock-climbing wall, moon bounce, hay maze, Big Band Caliente jazz band, martial arts demonstration, balloon art, door prizes, free food and more will be featured. For information, call 301-262-1767.

Mah-jongg tournament

Temple Solel, 2901 Mitchellville Road, will host a mah-jongg tournaments Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded. Coffee, which will be served at 9:30, and a deli lunch are included with the $54 registration fee. For information, call 301-249-2424.

Astronomy lecture

Washington Church of the New Jerusalem, 11914 Chantilly Lane, Mitchellville, will present a free astronomy lecture Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. The topic for discussion is robotic exploration of Mars and the status of the Spirit rover that is currently on Mars but hung up on a rock. For information, call 301-464-5602.

Scrap booking

First Lutheran Church of Bowie, 12710 Duckettown Road, will host a day of scrap booking fellowship Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call Sue Meyer, 301-464-2599.

Blood drive

A blood drive will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the senior center, 14900 Health Center Drive. For information, call 800-448-3542.

Self-defense for women

Bowie Hadassah is sponsoring a two-hour self-defense program for women Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. at Vuong's Martial Arts, 1117 Route 3 North, Gambrills. The public is welcome. Cost is $10 to support Hadassah Research Center in Israel. For information, call 301-249-5167.

Craft shows

St. Matthew's United Methodist Women will sponsor their annual autumn craft show Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 14900 Annapolis Road, featuring a diverse group of crafters, a bake sale and concessions. Admission and children's craft activities are free. A family cookbook of recipes from Marines, their families and friends will be available for $10. Proceeds will be donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. For information, call 301-262-2630 or e-mail LKMeadows@aol.com.

Odenton Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary will hold a craft/vendor show Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the firehouse, 1425 Annapolis Road. Tables are $20; two for $35. For information, call 301-776-9372.

Fitness classes

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is accepting registration for bioaerobics dance fitness classes which begin the week of Nov. 9 at Bowie and South Bowie community centers and the senior center. For information, call 800-262-5175.

DivorceCare

A Surviving the Holidays seminar will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at Grace Baptist Church, 7210 Race Track Road, for those separated or divorced. Discussion topics include "Why the Holidays are Tough," "What Emotions to Expect," "How to Plan and Prepare," "How to Handle Uncomfortable Situations" and "Using the Holidays to Help you Heal." There is a $4 workbook fee. RSVP to 301-262-1767 by Nov. 6. For information, call Linda Blachly, 410-672-7027.

Citrus sale

Boy Scout Troop 1283 is accepting orders for its annual citrus sale. Navel oranges, pink grapefruit and tangelos are available at a $25 a case. Half cases are also available. The fruit will be delivered to Cresthill Baptist Church, 6510 Laurel-Bowie Road, for pickup Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information or to place an order, call 301-262-3903 or 301-352-9071 or e-mail Cindy Garmoe, wsg2@verizon.net.

White House ornaments

Bowie Civitan Club is selling the 2009 White House Ornaments to help support special schools and programs for the mentally and physically challenged in the Bowie area. For information, contact Laura Chesnick, 301-262-8220 or bowiecivitan@aol.com.

Police Explorers

Individuals ages 14-20 who are eager to learn about police work, leadership and service to the community are sought for the City of Bowie Explorer Post 1916. Explorers participate in activities which allow them to have hands-on experience with police officers in their roles within the community. The program gives the Bowie Police Department an opportunity to become directly involved in an educational role with students. For information, call the Bowie Police Department, 301-575-2480, or visit its page on the city Web site.

Senior trips

The following senior trips have been scheduled:

Union Station and Pageant of Peace, Washington, D.C., Monday, Dec. 7, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., $20.

Pre-Kwanza Celebration (African heritage dancers and drummers with lecture at The Publick Playhouse, Cheverly, Thursday, Dec. 10, 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $12

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor, National Geographic Museum, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $28.

All trips depart from and return to the senior center, 14900 Health Center Drive. Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure time.

For information, visit www.bowieseniorcenter.org, pick up a trip sheet at the center or call Judy Lorenz, 301-809-2300.

Holistic seminars

Bowie-Crofton Holistic Community presents free seminars Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books, 4420 Mitchellville Road. The schedule includes: Nov. 2 - Bodywork with Bernadette Lea; Nov. 9 - Systemic Enzymes, Chronic Disease & Weight Loss with Lisa Lewis; Nov. 16 - Emotional Freedom Technique with Denny Doyle. For information, call 410-924-1971 or visit www.BowieCroftonHolisticCommunity.org.

At the library

The Bowie Library offers:

Daytime Storytimes - newborn-12 months with caregiver, Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.; 12-23 months with caregiver, Tuesdays, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.; 2-year-olds with caregiver, Wednesdays, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.; ages 3-5 Mondays, 1 p.m., Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; families, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.

Evening Storytimes - Stories for families, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Reel to Reel Readers - ages 9-12, first Wednesday, through December, 4:30 p.m.

Some activities require registration. For information, call 301-262-7000; TTY 301-808-2061.

Wildlife visitor center

Patuxent Research Refuge's National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, has scheduled the following:

Bird Walks - ages 12+, Wednesdays, Nov. 4 and 18, 8-10 a.m.

Creepy Critter Chats - all ages, Saturday, 1-3 p.m.

Nature Tots: Furry Friends - ages 3-4, Friday, Nov. 6, 10-11 a.m.

For information, call 301-497-5887.

Teacher workshops

The environmental education office of the Patuxent Research Refuge, National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, continues its fall teacher workshop series. All workshops are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as follows: Nov. 7 - Project Wild/Ecological Concepts; Nov. 15, Project Learning Tree.

Teachers and group leaders are provided with a variety of hands-on-activities to be used with environmental education or life science curricula. Participant receive a grade and age appropriate curriculum guide. Fee is $15 per workshop. To register, call 301-497-5898 or 301-497-5763.

Farmers market

Bowie Farmers Market features vendors offering fresh locally grown produce, fruit, cut flowers, plants, breads, pastries, jams and jellies, flavored coffee and crabs. The market, in the parking lot of Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, is open Sundays, through Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon. For information, contact Matt Corley, 301-809-3078 or mcorley@cityofbowie.org.