The Riviera Beach Volunteer Fire Company held its annual installation of officers and awards banquet on Jan. 10.
One award winner stood out as a shoe in: The Rookie of the Year Dari Alhuwail.
"This year's Rookie of the year has showed so much perseverance and initiative, it's hard to imagine this award going to anyone else. He joined this company October 2012, and came out of the gates running," said David Lewis, an honorary member of the company and a past-president of the Maryland State Fireman's Association.
"He has participated in every fundraiser he could, always communicating his availability for each event. He spends a couple months out of each year in Kuwait, visiting family, and still managed to be No. 1 in Top Training with 375 hours."
The Greg Dodd Award went to Assistant Chief Jay Shipley. The awards was created in honor of an administrative member who passed away a few years ago. Lewis said Shipley is a member who, despite a disability, never lost hope or the drive to help the company move forward to be the best that it can be.
Shipley suffered a life-altering medical emergency that resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. "Where some people may sink into a state of depression from such a devastating injury, he shook it off and looked to the future and began exploring his options to overcome his disability. "Lewis said. "One month after his surgery he was here at the Open house and Fire Safety Day, wheeling around in his wheel chair showing his support to his peers."
Other awards included Firefighter of the Year Nick Curran, Emergency Medical Service Provider of the Year Chelsea Davey, Fire Officer of the Year George Smith, Board Officer of the year is Kim Smith and Gloria Lewis, and the Edwin "Boots" Raynor Award winner George Smith
The newly elected Fire Line Officers are Chief George Smith Sr., Assistant Chief Shipley, Captains Bryan Gregg and Chris Fowler, Lieutenants Ron Lippy, Robert McDermott and Dave Saulter.
The new elected board officers are President Jason Gallo, Vice President James Kiser Jr.,Recording Secretary Kim Smith, Corresponding Secretary Chelsea Davey, Treasurer Russell Zaccari, board members Gloria Lewis, Amy Kiser, Todd Sink, Jimmy McKenna and Curran and Chaplain William "Pope" Zamostny.
Special guests in attendance were Del. Nic Kipke, Anne Arundel County Fire Department Deputy Chief Ron Strobel and Division Chief David Povlitz and a representative from County Executive Steve Schuh's office.
Preschool registration
Community Christian Preschool, 8680 Fort Smallwood Road, is now accepting registration for the 2015-16 school year.
The school offers a structured program, teaching colors, shapes, numbers, alphabet and sociability with morning and afternoon classes.
In the fall, there will be a 2-year-old class offered along with the 3- and 4-year-old programs.
The school also will offer its Super Sizzling Good Time summer camp.
For details, stop in from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, call Donna Contarino, director at 410-255-9250 or visit http://ccpspasadena.weebly.com.
Senior dance
The Stoney Creek Seniors will hold its monthly dance from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Stoney Creek Democratic Club, 8123 Fort Smallwood Road.
Beer, soda and snacks will be provided music by the band Tony and Fritz.
Tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
For details, call Bill Yeager, president, at 410-336-0825.
Library happenings
Mountain Road Community Library, 4730 Mountain Road will host local children's book author Jane Reville at 2 p.m Monday.
Reville will share her book "Ravens of Time" through games and activities.
Also happening at the library:
•The adult book club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday to discuss "The Light Between Oceans" by M.L. Stedman, a novel set on a remote Australian island, where a childless couple live quietly running a lighthouse, until a boat carrying a baby washes ashore.
Eat some popcorn and settle in for Disney's G-rated movie "Wall-E" at 10 a.m. Jan. 31.
For details, call the library at 410-222-6699.
Green Haven meets
Green Haven Improvement Association will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Eastern District Police Station, 3700 Mountain Road.
On the agenda is the election of officers for 2015, the voting in of new member Tim Greever, the proposed budget for 2015, the raffle and the community picnic.
For details, email greenhaven2011@yahoo.com.
Spicy battle
Community United Methodist Church, 8680 Fort Smallwood Road, will be hold is Battle of the Sexes Chili Cook Off at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Chili tasting begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. There will be salad, cornbread and bake sale to accompany the chili.
Participants will be invited to vote for their favorite chili. Those wishing to submit a chili entry should bring their hot chili in a slow cooker and have it to church by 5 p.m. A list of ingredients should be included to assist those with food allergies.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for ages 3 to 11 at the door.
For details, call the church at 410-255-1506.
Pasta dinner
Our Lady of the Chesapeake Catholic Church, 8358 Ventnor Road, will hold a pasta dinner from 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 8 in The Gathering Place.
It will include penne pasta with marinara sauce, meatballs, salad, Italian bread, coffee and tea. The food is donated by Nick and Maria Vaccaro and will include the sale of their cannolis.
The cost is $12 adults, $10 children ages 10 to 15, $6 for children ages 5 to 9. No tickets will be sold at the door.
For tickets, call the church at 410-255-3677, Ext. 105.
Medium session
Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department, 7549 Solley Road, will raise funds, and Margaret Minnick knows it.
Also known as Maryland's Medium, Minnick will hold a session from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 21.
Tickets are $30.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the fire company for new equipment.
For details, call 410-477-5960 or 443-683-1702 or Margaretminnick@yahoo.com.
•The Marine Corps League Detachment 1049 will hold a quarter auction throw down from 7 to 9 p.m. March 26 at fire hall. The doors will open at 6 p.m.
The vendors include Tastefully Simple, Carolyn's Creations, gift cards, candles, Pampered Chef, Thirty One, Longaberger, Party Lite, Avon and more. There also will be raffles and door prizes, and food will be sold.
The cost is $5 for two paddles.
For details, call Jane Huffman at 410-218-8673.
Northern Lights meeting
Northern Lights Against Substance Abuse Coalition will hold a parent and community meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Big Vanilla Athletic Club, 26 Magothy Beach Road.
This meeting will be a town hall awareness discussion on underage drinking and youth substance abuse that is happening in Pasadena. It will include information from the Department of Health, the Anne Arundel County Police Department and local treatment facilities. The discussion will focus on issues the schools and community face and how to prevent underage drinking and substance abuse.
For details, call Angela Gerben at 443-261-4249.
Senior activities
Pasadena Senior Center, 4103 Mountain Road will hold a balance and posture screening at 10 a.m. Jan. 28. Professional Sports Care will conduct a free screening, balance and posture screenings can help prevent exercise related injuries through an examination of certain aspects of an individual's level of fitness.
•Entertainment by Tom Delaney at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 28.
•Van trip to Amish market for shopping and lunch from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 29.
For details, call 410-222-0030.
Correction
An incorrect phone number for the Magothy United Methodist Church Bluegrass Buddies event was published in the Jan. 17 of the Maryland Gazette.
The phone number to reach Robin Law is 443-534-8922.
Contact Kelley Lemons at 410-439-4241 or kelleylemons@verizon.net. Follow her on Twitter @KelleyLemons.