Arundel Digest

City seeks input on parking changes

ANNAPOLIS - Alderman Richard Israel, D-Ward 1, is proposing an array of modifications to the city's parking permit procedures.

The City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. tomorrow at City Hall seeking feedback on his legislation.

Some of the proposals include allowing certain residents along West Street near downtown to park in the second and third parking districts. The legislation also seeks to update parking districts to reflect the construction of Acton's Landing.

Mr. Israel said he also wants to strike down the residency requirement for the city's Parking Advisory Board to allow business owners who live outside the city to serve on the board.

Annapolis Middle up for discussion

ANNAPOLIS - School officials will hold a public meeting Tuesday to discuss options for restructuring Annapolis Middle School.

Because the school has repeatedly missed targets on standardized tests, the state is requiring officials to pick and implement plans for an overhaul.

Their options are: replace all or most of the staff, reopen as a charter school or bring in an educational management team. There's a range of changes they can make within those options.

The meeting will provide parents and other community members with more information, according to a news release from the county school system.

The public can ask questions but won't be able to give testimony; instead, community input will be solicited through feedback cards at the meeting and online at www.aacps.org.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the team teaching room at Annapolis Middle School, located at 1399 Forest Drive.

Environmental fair set next weekend

PAROLE - The Home Depot in Annapolis is hosting an environmental fair next Saturday to show off eco-friendly products, ways to volunteer to help the environment and low-cost rain barrels.

The fair is planned for 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the store, 145 Defense Highway.

One of the highlights will be workshops to assemble rain barrels at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Coca-Cola has donated several dozen barrels and the staff from the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center will help participants put the barrels together. The barrels are available on a first-come, first-served basis and supplies are limited.

There also will be hands-on earthworm seminars for kids at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

BGE will help people with rebates for energy efficient appliances, the county will give out recycling bins and companies will promote their products.

AAMC forum about black women's health

PAROLE - Anne Arundel Medical Center will address the health concerns of African-American women at a forum next week.

The hospital is partnering with the First Christian Community Church of Annapolis and the Continental Societies of Anne Arundel County to host the forum, which is scheduled for next Saturday. Participants will learn about heart disease prevention, colon health and breast cancer, among other topics. The event is free, but interested participants should register by calling 443-481-4000.

The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital's Sajak Pavilion.

- From staff reports