"Basically it's a program that features African-American music and words to not only get people singing and dancing, but to also get them thinking about where we come from as a people," said artistic director Jason Cook. "We're basically trying to get the community together through music and dance."

Cook said the music ranges from jazz to popular music, anything that makes people remember events in African-American history.

During the 1998-99 school year, the Colours Art in Education Program was implemented throughout the public schools system in Prince George's County and allowed individual schools to create their own Colours program. Each week performers learn about the importance of education, social responsibility and the arts. Troupes perform within their own schools throughout the school year, and in May, all of the troupes come together for a major performance at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

For more information about Colours and to find out about upcoming auditions and productions, call 301-486-3729, or visit www.colours.org.

City's after-school program applications available

New Carrollton's HotSpot Community Initiative is preparing for the start of its Youth Leadership Program, an after-school program designed to provide educational, leadership, social and recreational opportunities for youth.

Participants in the program will participate in trips to the National Zoo and a Baltimore Orioles baseball game; outdoor experiential learning; multiple hands-on science projects; and individual and group instruction on topics such as leadership, drug refusal, conflict resolution, decision making and goal setting.

All fourth and fifth grade students that live in apartments and condominiums along 85th Avenue and Riverdale Road are eligible to participate. Those residents alone are allowed to participate because they have been specifically identified by the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention as HotSpot areas in Prince George's County.

Space is limited to 25 students, so residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications are available in all of the rental offices of the apartment complexes, at local elementary schools and in the New Carrollton Municipal Center.

For more information call 301-459-6100.

Children's theater group

to perform at Playhouse

The Prince George's Publick Playhouse will offer the production of, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," as part of its series of Saturday programs for young audiences. The production will be performed by the Children's Theater Association Saturday at 11 a.m.

An original adaptation of the popular children's book by Laura Joffe Numeroff, this imaginative story about a boy who gives a bossy mouse a cookie is a silly, fun-filled ride that not only provides entertainment, but also incorporates phonics lessons into the story.

This show is recommended for children ages 3 to 6. Seats cost $5.

For more information or reservations call the Publick Playhouse Box Office at 301-277-1710.

Gospel music highlight

of holiday celebration

Faith Temple No. 2 Church in Capitol Heights will hold a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. The event will include gospel music and a keynote speech by former church member Angelo Roe. Roe, an attorney, received a scholarship from the church while she attended law school. She is now an associate minister at First Baptist Church of Glenarden.

"She grew up in our church. She was helped while she was in college. She 's a lawyer. We gave her a scholarship," said church member Rosetta Higgs.

The celebration will serve as forerunner to the church's monthlong Black History Month celebration. The church is located at 211 Maryland Park Drive.

Peppermill Village

King Day march canceled

The civic association canceled its annual celebration march, citing inclement weather concerns.

"Last year we had three cases of hypothermia and the schools are not willing to let the young people out," said Peppermill Village Civic Association President Georgie Jennings.

Last year the march drew crowds nearing 3,000 despite cold weather. Participants came from local schools, colleges and universities. Jennings said a particularly memorable segment included a symbolic procession of students who marched with arms interlocked. She said observers will be well served-- despite the cancellation-- by a plethora of prayer breakfasts offered at area churches.

The association will meet today at 8 p.m. at Oakcrest Elementary School, 929 Hill Road in Landover.

Washington Gas offers

energy conservation tips

Washington Gas, which services Fairmount Heights residents among others, will increase its prices by as much as 27 percent in response to increased demand for natural gas. The company provided cost-reduction tips that include the following:

Schedule a furnace check-up. Regular maintenance will best guarantee maximum efficiency and reliable operation.

Consider replacing your furnace with a new, high-efficiency unit if you have experienced problems with your current one.

Check and clean your furnace filter once a month and replace it once every three months.

Wrap your water heater with a insulation blanket.

Set thermostats between 65 and 70 degrees and slightly lower at night. Set it to 58 degrees when you're away from home for a few hours. Warmer temperatures are recommended for homes with the ill, elderly or infants.

Never use range-top burners or ovens for home heating.

State residents can get energy assistance through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program. For more information call 301-750-1000.

Teen meltdown

Peppermill Community Center will hold its annual New Years celebration Jan. 19 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be music, food and much, much more.

"We'll have the place set up like it's an island," said Jareaseh Brown, assistant director at the center. 'They need to come out. They'll have fun. We're bringing the summer to winter."

The center is located at 610 Hill Road, Seat Pleasant. For more information call 301-350-8410.

Items for Community Notebook may be sent to Kevin Harris, The Gazette, 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1200, Landover, Md. 20785; or faxed to 301-731-2141; or e-mailed to kharris@gazette.net.

CommunityCalendar

Send items for the calendar to Linda Phelps at The Gazette, 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1200, Landover, Md., 20785 or e-mail them to princegeorges@gazette.net. If you have any questions, call 301-731-2100.

Thursday, Jan. 11

Newseum Van Trip for ages 55 and older will be offered at 10 a.m. at the Evelyn Cole Senior Center, 5720 Addison Road, Seat Pleasant. The cost is $5 for bicounty residents and $6 for all others. Travel to this popular news museum and learn about the history of the media in America. Reservations for the trip are required. For more information, call 301-386-5525.

Youth Tumbling for ages 7 through 9 will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. at the John E. Howard Community Center, 4400 Shell Street, Capitol Heights. The cost is $15 for 4 weeks for bicounty residents and $18 for 4 weeks for all others. Learn the basic skills of tumbling including rolls and flips. For more information, call 301-735-3340.

Water Aerobics for ages 18 and older will be held from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Glenarden/Theresa Banks Complex pool, 8615-A McLain Avenue, Glenarden. The cost per class is $5 for bicounty residents and $6 for others. A 10-class punch card costs $45 for bicounty residents and $54 for others. For information, call 301-772-5515.

Friday, Jan. 12

Xtreme Teen snapshot for ages 12 through 17 will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cedar Heights Community Center, 1200 Glen Willow Drive, Seat Pleasant. Teens will learn the basic photography skills. For information, call 301-773-8881.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Water Walking for ages 18 and older will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Glenarden/Theresa Banks Complex pool, 8615-A McLain Avenue, Glenarden. The cost is $5 for bicounty residents or $45 for 10 punch card; $6 or $54 for 10 punch card for all others. For more information, call 301-772-5515.

Bon Appe-Tots for ages 3 through 5 will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Cedar Heights Community Center, 1200 Glen Willow Drive, Seat Pleasant. The cost is $3 for bicounty residents and $4 for all others. Children create treats and enjoy a great cooking experience. For information, call 301-773-8881.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie for ages 3 through 6 will be held at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. at the Prince George's Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly. The cost is $5 per person. The Children's Theater Association presents an original adaptation of the popular children's book by Laura Joffe Numeroff. For more information, call 301-277-1712.

Teen 2001 Celebration for ages 12 through 17 will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Peppermill Community Center, 610 Hill Road, Seat Pleasant. There is no fee with center identification. Call 301-350-8410.

Sunday, Jan. 14

Web page design for youth class will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Learning Center at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover. The cost is $38 for 2-mile radius residents, $50 for bicounty residents and $60 for all others. Reservations are required. For more information, call 301-583-2430.

Monday, Jan. 15

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for ages 55 and older will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Evelyn Cole Senior Center, 5720 Addison Road, Seat Pleasant. Enjoy multi-generational celebration honoring Dr. King. Reservations are required by January 11. For information, call 301-386-5525.

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration for all will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Seat Pleasant Activity Center, 5720 Addison Road, Seat Pleasant. Enjoy multi-generational celebration honoring Dr. King presented by Seat Pleasant Activity Center and Evelyn Cole Senior Center. Reservations are required by January 11. For more information, call 301-386-5525.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration for all ages will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Park/Kentland Community Center, 2411 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover. Enjoy videos of Dr. King's life including a video of The March on Washington. For more information, call 301-386-2278.

Neighborhood clean up for all ages will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Oakcrest Community Center, 5200 Marlboro Pike, Capitol Heights. The cost is $1 for bicounty residents and $2 for all others. Reservations are required. For more information, call 301-736-5355.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration for ages 6 through 17 will be held at 4 p.m. at the Columbia Park Community Center, 2901 Kent Village Drive, Landover. Enjoy a group discussion, crafts, and a video tribute to Dr. King. For more information, call 301-341-3749.

What the Dream Means to Me for ages 6 through 12 will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Glenarden/Theresa Banks Complex Center, 8615 McLain Avenue, Glenarden. Children, write and present a one page essay about what Dr. King's means to you. Participation awards given. Reservations are required by January 12. For information, call 301-772-3151.

Hand Dance Lessons for ages 16 and older will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cedar Heights Community Center, 1200 Glen Willow Drive, Seat Pleasant. The cost is $40 for 8 weeks for bicounty residents and $48 or 8 weeks for all others. For information, call 301-773-8881.

Tuesday, Jan. 16

Basic Workplace Skills for ages 18 and older will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Learning Center at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover. The cost is $136 for 2-mile radius residents, $180 for bicounty residents and $216 for all others. Class meets for six sessions, Tuesdays and Thursday from January 16th through February 1st. Use course to prepare for GED exam. Reservations are required by January 11. For more information, call 301-583-2430.

Low-impact Exercise Classes for ages 18 and older will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at Margaret Brent School, 5816 Lamont Terrace, New Carrollton. The cost is $50 for 16 sessions every 8 weeks. For information, call the instructor at 301-731-6261. Do not call the school.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Internet Exploration for ages 16 and older will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Learning Center at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover. The cost is $30 for 2-mile radius residents, $40 for bicounty residents and $48 for all others. Reservations are required by January 12th. For information, call 301-583-2430.

Women's self-defense for ages 18 and older will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Oakcrest Community Center, 5200 Marlboro Pike, Capitol Heights. The cost is $30 for 6 weeks for bicounty residents and $36 for 6 weeks for all others. Reservations required. For more infornation, call 301-736-5355.