Gas Shortage Blues + Curbing Crime + Laurel Mill Walking Tour

Welcome to the Laurel Daily! Here you will find newsworthy events going on this week, including a look back at gas shortage blues, a shooting in a nearby shopping center, a walking tour that focuses on Laurel’s Mill History, and details on how police plan to curb crime this summer.

Weather Report:

Today, the weather will be partly sunny and humid with a few rain showers. Temperatures will reach a high of 86 degrees.

Here are the top three stories in Laurel today:

1. The recent gas shortage when the Colonial Pipeline experienced a ransomware attack was just a blip compared with two separate gas shortages in the 1970s. Recent photos of people filling up every conceivable type of container with gasoline triggered memories of coping with much more serious shortages. Read this article for a look back at the 1970s gas shortage blues, starting with the first gas shortage in the 1970s that was sparked in October 1973 because of the Yom Kippur War. (Baltimore Sun)

2. One person is dead and two others were injured after a shooting at an outdoor shopping center in Prince George’s County. The incident occurred before 11:00 p.m. Thursday near a Silver Diner located in Woodmore Towne Centre near Ruby Lockhart Boulevard in Glenarden. City of Glenarden Police Chief Philip O’Donnell told reporters that at least two people were shooting at each other before fleeing on foot. Prince George’s County police confirmed one person died at the hospital after suffering critical injures from the shooting. Two people were also hurt. None of the victims have been identified. No arrests have been made and no suspects were named. Motive is unknown. (WTOP)

3. Police in Prince George’s County have a plan to prevent crime rates that tend to rise during the summer months. Operation Heat Wave aims to suppress summertime crime through prevention and enforcement while engaging the community. Acting Police Chief Malik Aziz said they are looking towards enhancing not just the reduction of violent crime not just in the enforcement area, but also the prevention area, youth programs, and senior programs. The plan includes directing patrols to target areas with increased visibility and having officers act proactively versus reactively. (WTOP)

Today in Laurel:

• Laurel Dutch Country Farmers Market – Located at 9701 Fort Meade Road, the market is open. (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Sara and The Igniters at American Legion Laurel Post 60 – Attend to enjoy listening to this band featuring Sara Zito! (7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.)
• Historic Laurel Walking Tour: Laurel’s Mill History – Explore Laurel’s Upper Main Street to learn about the town’s early cotton mill and the town and community that grew up around it. (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Laurel Museum Reopening – The Laurel Museum reopens today after 15 months. This event called “2020 What A Year!” will update the current exhibit: “Unpacking Laurel’s Past: 150 Years on Display." The exhibit area will include the original 2020 displays and feature new sections on COVID-19 in Laurel, Social Justice in Laurel, and The 150th Anniversary Celebration That (Mostly) Wasn’t. (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Outdoor Sip and Craft – Enjoy a summer evening of beverages and historical crafts on the beautiful, Montpelier grounds. Create your own unique blended mocktail. Learn a traditional craft, too, with a modern twist. Develop a new skill set and a new set of friends. In the event of poor weather, this imaginative event will move indoors. Ages 18 and up are welcome to attend! Register in advance at www.pgparksdirect.com. Email montpeliermansion@pgparks.com or call 301.377.7817 with questions and for more information. (6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
• Public Food Distribution – Serving our community by giving away fruits and vegetables, bread, meats, and dairy products that are donated for distribution to the needy. Boxes and bags filled with groceries to grab and go. Volunteers may call (240)583-0996 to get involved. (10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• GymBratz Presents “Hustle4ThaMuscle Parking lot Takeover” – Be motivated to help everyone stay healthy and fit by participating in this free workout featuring a live DJ and vendors! (12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• Hogs N Dogs – Enjoy FREE hot dogs, chips and refreshments! Letterfly Pinstriping will be onsite all day! Come out and score some custom artwork on your bikes, helmets and cars! (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• First Annual Chan Robbins Bird Walk – The Friends of Patuxent Research Refuge cordially invites you to the First Annual Chan Robbins Bird Walk today at the South Tract Visitors Center. This is a FOP members-only event, which is limited to 15 participants. Registration through Eventbrite is required to attend. (7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
• Kidz Pick – Experience a perfect mixture of excitement, creativity and fun-filled activities. Each day the schedule will include Krafty Kids, Amazing Artists, Spectacular Sports, Great Games, Science Superstarz, and Nifty Naturalist. Lunch will be provided to all campers. Camp will follow HCRP Summer Camp COVID safety policies. Contact Ovan Shortt for more info by calling 410-313-1693 or via email, oshortt@howardcountymd.gov. (7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Derrick Lewis's Basketball Camp – Join U of MD's All-ACC Player and Coach Derrick Lewis as he brings his exciting basketball experiences to the courts! Coach Lewis and his staff pride themselves on the ability to teach basketball skills and fundamentals to young players. Visit www.derricklewisbasketball.com for more information. Call Patrick McGinnis, 410-313-4716 or pmcginnis@howardcountymd.gov for more info. (9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
• Rube Goldberg: Wacky Fun at Laurel Hybrid Summer Camp – At this Rube Goldberg Camp, kids can learn how to build a simple machine and learn about the connection to 19th Century Mill life. Monday is virtual, the rest are onsite. For registration forms visit www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org or contact info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Gardens Ice House Summer Camp – Join this camp for affordable fun! Sports, games, contests, a mobile video game, arts and crafts, team building challenges, and special activities are offered. This camp’s proven curriculum and programming formula allows the instructors to roll through the day weaving high intensity and low impact activities together so that every type of kid has their moment to shine! (9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Laurel Patch Notebook:

• Laurel TV is looking for a part-time reporter (Details here)

Now you’re all caught up with the local news and events for today!

If you want to reach me with news about the City of Laurel, send an email to me at this address (laurel@patch.com) and include “Laurel News” in the subject line of your message.

Before you go, let me tell you a bit about me since my newsletter will arrive to your inbox on a daily basis. My name is Alexis A. Goring. I’m a Bowie area resident with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I’ve worked as a freelance reporter for years in the media industry.

I’m also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work.

Here’s the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

I’m looking forward to bringing you all the latest news on a daily basis.

Stay safe and enjoy the day!