And any books left over from the sale will be donated to Books for Africa, a student-run group at George Washington University that is helping to stock a library in Nigeria.

Emily Narkis, 18, a Walter Johnson alum from Bethesda and now a freshman at George Washington, served as the link between the Boosters and Books for Africa. The university group has collected more than 30,000 books since its founding in 2002, Narkis said, and is working on another 20,000 just for the Nigerian library.

"For them to buy one new book and have it sent to Africa costs $10," she said, so "the equivalent value is $200,000."

Narkis will be making another stop when she comes back to Bethesda this weekend to pack up the unsold books at Walter Johnson, she said. She is also picking up leftovers from a used book sale earlier this month at Wyngate Elementary School.

For more information on the Walter Johnson sale or to make a donation, contact Molly Rehbehn at 240-888-3012 or books@graves.net. Donations also can be dropped off at the school office through Friday afternoon.

For information on Books for Africa, call 202-242-1086 or e-mail b4africa@gwu.edu.

Congratulations

Emily Zametkin of Kensington has been named to the dean's list for the fall term at the University of Rochester. Zametkin, a sophomore, is the daughter of Alan and Deborah Zametkin of Kensington.

St. Paul's Methodist holds monthly pancake breakfast

Loosen your belt and bring a big appetite to the monthly all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast 8-10:30 a.m. March 5 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 10401 Armory Ave. in Kensington. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Red Bird Missionary Conference, a district in the depressed coal-mining area in eastern Kentucky where the church provides social services.

Breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage, and costs $4.25 for adults, $1.50 for children 12 and under, with a family maximum of $12. For more information, call 301-933-7933.

Kensington announces

blood drive

The Town of Kensington announces its annual blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 19 at Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell St. Time slots for giving blood are being scheduled at 15-minute intervals. Donors must not have given blood since Jan. 22 and must also be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be 17 years old. To schedule an appointment, contact Andrea Gill, at 301-949-4030 or rgill3@aol.com.

Kensington Arts Theatre holds auditions for 'Kiss'

The Kensington Arts Theatre is holding auditions for its upcoming production of "Kiss of the Spider Woman" at 7:30 tonight at Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell St. Artistic director Elizabeth French said the theater is looking for actors for lead and supporting roles in the popular Broadway musical, from "rock tenors" for the leading male roles to mezzo altos and sopranos.

The production is scheduled to open May 13 and will run Fridays and Saturdays through June 4. For more information, call Kensington Arts Theatre at 301-547-7101 or visit the group's Web site at www.katonline.org.

Volunteering in Kensington

You can learn about volunteer opportunities in and around Kensington Heights at tonight's meeting of the Kensington Heights Citizens Association at 7:30 p.m. at Kensington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 3000 McComas Ave. Guest speakers will include Ann Evans from the Montgomery County Volunteer Center and Karen Lottes from the Montgomery County Historical Society.

Poetry reading to be held

at Kensington Row Bookshop

Kensington Row Bookshop hosts a poetry reading at 7 p.m. tonight at 376 Howard Ave. in Kensington. The poets scheduled to read are Celia Brown, Mark Dawson and Merrill Leffler, followed by an open reading. The event is free, and refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 301-949-9416.

Seeking volunteer

baby-sitters for fund-raiser

The Kensington Nursery School is looking for neighborhood teenagers willing to donate several hours of baby-sitting as part of a raffle at the school's "Roaring 20s" fund-raiser on Saturday. The school is raffling off several free dinners from area restaurants and, for the perfect night out, wants to add a free baby-sitter to the package. Volunteers must be 16 years old, have proof of participation in a baby-sitting course and provide two references. The time donated can be counted toward students' community service hours.

The fund-raiser itself begins at 7:30 p.m. at Kensington Town Center, 3710 Mitchell St. The event is billed as a retro-themed Casino Night, with open bar, hors d'oeuvres and games of chance. Tickets are $20. For more information or to volunteer as a baby-sitter, contact Trish Brennan-Gac at 202-255-6484 or by e-mail at brennan843@yahoo.com.

Brookside Gardens to hold Green Matters symposium

"Earth Friendly, People Friendly Landscapes," a Green Matters symposium, will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton.

Several speakers will discuss topics including wildflower meadows, shorelines, swales and ponds, and how to create and maintain sustainable landscapes, which have little negative impact on native ecosystems, preserving the environment and creating healthier surroundings.

The event is sponsored by Beltsville Garden Club, BG Chapter of the Azalea Society of America, Annie May DeFrank, Friends of Brookside Gardens, Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, Sierra Club-Montgomery County Group, Silver Spring Garden Club, Marilyn and David Vismara, Winding Orchard Citizens Association and Johnson's Florist and Garden Centers.

Fee is $79. Registration required.

Call 301-962-1400 to receive a detailed brochure, or visit www.brooksidegardens.org to download a copy of the brochure and a registration form.

This column is for you. Share your good news! Feel free to send press releases and news tips. Contact me via e-mail at kkaufmann@gazette.net, phone at 301-280-3005, fax at 301-670-7183, or snail mail at 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878.