Bonnie Augostino

America's Promise Alliance recently announced the winners of its annual 100 Best Communities for Young People. Calvert County was honored as one of these communities. America's Promise poured over the nominations from over 300 towns, cities and communities across the entire United States to find the areas of the country that offer the best programs to lower the high school dropout rate (Calvert County currently has a 91.1% graduation rate) and increase the chances for success of the young people of the community. This is the second year in a row that Calvert County was named to the list.

A few of the reasons Calvert County was honored as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People included:

• It is a stable, clean and safe environment in which to raise kids.
• The Washington Post has ranked all four public high schools in the Calvert County school system in the top 1000 schools nationally.
• At least half of the county's annual budget is spent specifically on the welfare and education of children.
• All ethnic/minority students have graduated at the same rate or higher than non-minority students.
• Local community members, organizations and agencies have made a concerted effort to provide services and activities specifically geared towards the youth of the community, including the Calvert County Family Network.
• Facilities like the new Hall Aquatic Center help encourage a healthy, active lifestyle amongst kids.
• Calvert County schools currently require that all students contribute at least 75 Service Learning hours before they graduate.

America's Promise Alliance was founded in 1997 with the express goal of gathering together leaders, business people and adults in the communities across the country to help foster the youth of America to become active citizens living in a safe, healthy environment with a proper education that readies them to become caring adults. America's Promise Alliance works with over 400 national partner organizations to get kids aware of their roles in society.

We are so proud that America's Promise Alliance decided to honor Calvert County as one of the best communities for young people for the second year in a row. You can bet that the members of our community will not stop in doing everything possible to make sure this continues to be a great place for families to raise their children. If you're interested in purchasing a Calvert County home of your own, please don't hesitate to contact me today!

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

I know we just celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving is just over three weeks away, but Christmas is about to begin in Calvert County and you don't want to miss out on the fun. You can begin helping Santa by starting the Christmas shopping early, enjoy spectacular light displays, view a fun winter wonderland up close, take a trip to Christmas past and embrace the Festival of Trees during November 2011. Here's a rundown of the Christmas festivities going on in and around Calvert County during November:

16th Annual Holiday Gift Bazaar - November 7, 2011-December 14, 2011, Salisbury University (Atrium Gallery, 109 Fulton Hall, Salisbury, MD and Atrium Gallery, Guerrieri University Center, Salisbury, MD), 10am-4pm. Purchase handmade cards, posters, jewelry and much more from local artists. Get that special one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones and support local artists at the same time. For more info, please call 410-548-3972 for more info.

Winterfest of Lights - November 17, 2011-January 1, 2012, Northside Park/Winterfest Village, Ocean City, MD. Open from 5:30-9:30pm Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30pm-10:30pm Fridays and Saturdays. In addition to the sparkling lights, drink some hot cocoa, take a ride aboard the Winterfest Express, sing fun Christmas carols and shop at the Yukon Cornelius Gift Shop. Santa will be making an appearance every Friday evening until December 23rd to take pictures with the kids. Cost: $5 per person ages 12+, free to kids under 12. For more info, please call 800-626-2326.

Christmas on the Potomac - November 18, 2011-January 8, 2012, Gaylord National, 201 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD. Walk through the amazing ice sculpture representations of Dreamworks' Christmas special "Merry Madagascar". See how the animals of "Madagascar" save Christmas. For more info, please visit the Christmas on the Potomac website.

Festival of Trees - November 26, 2011-November 29, 2011, Tidewater Inn's Gold Ballroom, Harrison & Dover St, Easton, MD. Presented by the Friends of Hospice, the Festival of Trees has been the annual kick-off to the Christmas season in Easton for the last 25 years. Decorated trees aren't the only attraction, though. Included in the weekend's festivities are a fashion show, run/walk with the YMCA, Candy Cane Lane and a Daddy/Daughter dance among other things. For more info, please call 410-819-FEST.

Victorian Christmas Celebration - November 26, 2011-December 31, 2011, Gordon Roberts House, 218 Washington St, Cumberland, MD. Take a step back in time to the Victorian age. Celebrate the season with concerts, carriage rides, dinner and much more. For more info, please call 301-777-8678.

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year because Christmas is beginning in the Calvert County area. It's fun for the whole family to enjoy. Remember that it's also a great time to buy a Calvert County home. So, contact me when you're ready to start looking. I'm always happy to help!

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and the continued crazy weather we've had here on the Eastern Seaboard, many homes in Calvert County (as well as others across the state) were left without power. Irene may have passed through the area, but that doesn't mean that we should not be prepared for the possibility of other major storms headed our way. After all, I believe the Boy Scouts have it right: always be prepared. So, here are a few tips on being prepared for a Calvert County storm:

• Emergency Kits - You really should keep two emergency kits handy: one for the car and one for your Calvert County home. In these emergency kits should be at least 3-5 days worth of clothes, food and water for each of your family members, extra prescription medication, glasses (if necessary), handheld radio with fresh batteries, basic first aid kit, waterproof matches, candles and warm blankets. You can pick up MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) at army surplus stores. These are complete meals that have an extensive shelf-life. They can be eaten cold but really taste better after they are warmed up. They are also completely self-contained, which makes them perfect for an emergency kit. Keep all these materials in a container that is easy to grab and go (like a backpack or Rubbermaid storage bin). That way, if you have to get out in a hurry, you don't have to fumble around to find what you need.
• Make an Emergency Plan - Put together an emergency plan with your family and practice it. Designate a specific relative or close family friend located well outside of your area to call in case your family is separated during an emergency. Make sure everyone knows the phone number(s) of this person and how to get in touch with them. When separated, each group should check in with the designated contact person to let them know where they are so they can then let the rest of your family know.
• Don't Forget the Pets - Make sure you have enough food and water for 3-5 days for your pets. If your pet is on special medication, keep some extra in your pet's emergency kit. You don't want to have to add worrying about a sick animal to your list of concerns during an emergency.
• Safekeeping of Important Documents - Whether they're personal, financial or medical, keeping important documents safe is a must. Purchase a waterproof, portable container to keep them in. Keep the container in a place that is easy for you to get to so you can grab it when you have to make a quick getaway. It's also smart to make copies and keep them in a safety deposit box, if possible, as a backup. You can also purchase a USB flash drive from any office supplies store that will store all the info from your computer in a handy, portable unit so you can take your computer information with you wherever you go, even if you can't take the computer itself. Keep copies of all your insurance information as well as a complete inventory of your household items with your important documents. You may need this if you have to deal with your insurance company later.
• Fuel Up - Always keep your car fueled up and go over evacuation plans with your family on a regular basis. The more you practice, the better prepared you will be when an emergency happens.
• Be Alert for Alerts - Pay attention to the emergency alerts given during over the radio and TV. When an evacuation of your Calvert County neighborhood is recommended, don't ignore it. Things can be replaced. People can't. Your safety and the safety of your family is much more important than your "stuff". Also, listen for where to go in case of an emergency.

Being prepared for a Calvert County storm just makes good sense. But, storms aren't the only emergencies to be prepared for. These tips and a bit of practice will help keep you and your family safe in case of an emergency of any kind that happens in Calvert County.

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

It seems that everybody nowadays is trying to be more environmentally conscious. Recycling in Annapolis is just one of the ways to do that. Recently, Mayor Joshua J Cohen added 18 new public recycling containers around Annapolis in an effort to encourage recycling efforts by the citizens of and visitors to our beautiful city as part of his Clean & Green initiative.

Right now, there are a total of 21 recycling containers placed throughout the downtown Annapolis area: along Main Street, Susan Campbell Park and both inside and outside the Market House. This didn't cost the taxpayers any extra money to implement, either. Thanks to the rebate money received through Annapolis' curbside recycling program, the City was able to buy eight brand new recycling bins. The other 10 were refurbished. Collection of materials left in the recycling bins will be handled by the current staff.

Not everything can go in the public recycling bins. The following materials are acceptable to recycle:

• Aluminum items (such as cans and foil)
• Glass
• Metal food and beverage containers
• Paper (newspaper, magazines, cardboard, paper ads)
• Plastic bags
• Plastic bottles
• Plastic utensils

The Mayor plans to add more recycling containers around the City of Annapolis as soon as funding permits. The Department of Public Works worked closely with the Historic Preservation Commission to create recycling bins that wouldn't compromise the aesthetic of historic Annapolis.

Congratulations to the residents of the City of Annapolis. It is your recycling efforts at home that have allowed the city to make it easier to recycle in public and keep Annapolis beautiful. Keep up the good work!

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

Do you enjoy a love of the arts? From now through October 2011, you can attend the First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis. As the name implies, the arts festival is held on the first Sunday of each month from 12pm to 5pm at Calvert Street and West Street in downtown Annapolis.

The First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis combines the best of an artist's market, street festival and an arts and crafts festival with live entertainment mixed in. More than 100 local artists and vendors showcase their wares each month for you to view and even purchase. Entertainment includes live music, dancers, street performers and even live theater performances. Food vendors will be on hand to fill your belly with some tasty treats.

Admission is absolutely free. Free parking is available in the State Parking Garage (Calvert Street & Bladen Street). For a small fee, you can also park closer to the event on Calvert Street, between West and Clay Streets at the Gotts Court Garage and Whitemore Garage. If there is rain on the day of the event, call 410-741-3267 after 8am on the day of the event to make sure it has not been canceled.

Sponsors are always welcome. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis, email them at erik@firstsundayarts.com. Any local artist interested in setting up a booth at the monthly festival should apply online at the festival's website. If you're an entertainer who wishes to perform in front of thousands of people each month, please fill out an online application for musicians or other entertainment. Keep up to date with the latest information for each month's festival by following them on Facebook or Twitter.

From now through October 2, 2011, downtown Annapolis will host the First Sunday Arts Festival on the first Sunday of every month. Come down to enjoy free live entertainment, eat good food and see artwork from more than 100 local artists.

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist