DEEP CREEK LAKE — The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc. and the Garrett County Arts Council will host the 15th annual Art in the Park July 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and July 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park.

The event will be held rain or shine and feature more than 45 artists, including several new to the festival, who display and sell their work. Entertainment, food, naturalist programs and a children’s art tent are among featured activities.

“Art in the Park is an event for the entire family to enjoy,” said Caroline Blizzard, volunteer coordinator of Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc. “Beautiful artwork, hands-on activities, delicious food will delight children and parents alike. We are proud to offer such programs that can bring family, fun, art and education together.”

The variety of artistic and handmade pieces at the event will include jewelry, photography, wood turned items, native wildflowers, pottery, fused glass, original artwork, wood painted furniture, handmade wooden furniture, tatting, homemade chocolates, hand-woven baskets, wool rugs, handmade soaps and children’s books.

A silent auction July 12 will include artwork donated by vendors. Animals from frogs and turtles to birds of prey may be viewed in the park tent. The annual tie dye of the 2014 Art in the Park T-shirt will also be held. The arts council will display and sell tickets for its annual quilt fundraiser and operate a children’s art and activity tent.

Food will be available and a variety of hands-on activities will be held.

In addition, visitors can explore the interpretive/educational Discovery Center, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the summer.

Admission is the usual charge into Deep Creek Lake State Park. Children in car seats and seniors over 62 are free. Docking is available for those wishing to come by boat.

For more information, call 301-387-7067.

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OAKLAND — The Garrett County Board of Education voted to approve the six consolidation recommendations made by the School Attendance Area Committee. The 4-0 vote was taken during a special business session Tuesday. Matthew Paugh, associate member, wasn’t present during the meeting.

The recommendations will assign a boundary for the 2014/2015 school year to Swan Meadow Elementary School using the existing transportaion routes and will allow students currently attending Swan Meadow to continue to do so. Students who currently attend Yough Glades Elementary School will have the option of remaining there or attending Swan Meadow. The recommendations also suggest that Swan Meadow’s goal of enrolling 12 additional students be reviewed in April 2015 and that the kindergarten program at the school be implemented for the 2014/2015 school year.

An additional recommendation includes assigning the mobile modular classrooms, already approved by the board and the Garrett County commissioners, to Broad Ford Elementary School. Another recommendation includes reassigning the Glades West to Tomar Drive area to the Crellin district.

The consolidation plan has been a challenge, Jane Wildesen, supervisor of elementary education for the board and a member of the committee, said in a previous interview with the Times-News.

Bus transportation will remain as is and will not be extended to encompass any of the proposed changes for the school year. Any student who can use established routes will continue to be provided that bus service.

Crellin and Swan Meadow start and end times will be adjusted to be consistent with the remaining elementary schools in the county beginning with this school year. Parents/guardians of students who attend Crellin and Swan Meadow schools will be notified how the time change will affect their children as the school year approaches.

The consolidation plan in its entirety can be viewed at http://www.garrettcountyschools.org/news/2014/06/-board-of-education-approves-committees-recommendations.

More here.