Boulevard Bites

by Sheila D'Amico

### Dr. Ben Chavis, principal of the American Indian Public Charter School in the Laurel, received the Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon award. This award from the No Child Left Behind—Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors K-12 schools that are academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Congratulations to Dr. Chavis, to the teachers, and to the students whose hard work and achievements qualified the school for the award.

### I asked Laurel beekeeper Russ Bruno if he's noticed any signs of a colony collapse. Russ says, "So far, I have not had any indication that any of my four active hives have a 'collapse' problem. I believe a couple of the colonies swarmed a few weeks ago, depleting those colonies of about 50 percent of their bees, but that is a normal occurrence at this time of year. Also, I had to add additional bees and a new queen to a hive that had a minimal population and not many newborns. I think the old queen just ran out of steam." Russ also says Farmer Joe's still is selling the local honey he delivered last fall. "It has crystallized, but that is normal, and the honey can be reliquified by heating it in a microwave for about a minute and then stirring."

### Former Melrose Branch Children's Librarian, Nina Lindsay, now Children's Librarian at the Main Library, is chair of the American Library Association's Newbery Award committee. She is looking for readers in grades five through seven to help review the newest titles eligible for this award. If you know young readers who love books and may be interested in this group, which meets Fridays, June 29 through August 10 at 2 p.m., let them know about this opportunity. For more information, call Nina at 238-3615.

### Check with your NCPC or other neighborhood group to see if your neighborhood will be hosting a block party this year. If there's one in your neighborhood, be sure to join in the fun. Hope to see you at one of those block parties, a music fest, Woodminster, or just shopping in the 'hood. Meanwhile, if you have article ideas or would like to volunteer, e-mail metroreaders\@earthlink.net, or leave a voice message at 287-2655. Have a wonderful summer, and look for the next issue of the Metro in August.?