Low-Cost Housing Planned in St. Mary's

But when Steele and Scott dropped in to meet the owner of a La Plata business that was rebuilt after the 2002 tornado, a different message -- apparently unnoticed -- streamed across the screen of a computer in a corner of the room: "Trust me. . . . I work for the government."

Commuter Alternatives

Commuter transportation alternatives to Virginia will be showcased Monday in a program presented by the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland.

The transportation event will feature information on vanpools and subscription bus services. Representatives from companies that plan to offer these types of services to commuters who are traveling from Southern Maryland to Virginia will be in attendance. Routes will originate in Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's and Prince George's counties in the morning and go to Virginia locations.

The program will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Waldorf Jaycees Center, 3090 Crain Hwy. in Waldorf.

Subscription bus service allows a group of people, usually working for the same employer or at a common site, to contract with a bus company to provide daily commuter trips to and from work on a continuing basis.

Such service is not subsidized by an employer, state or local government, or any regional entity. However, through its Commuter Assistance Program, the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland will help bus companies and employees set up the agreements.

All Southern Maryland commuters working in Virginia who may be interested in participating in a vanpool or subscription bus program are invited to attend the program.

For more information or to RSVP by tomorrow, call Helen Fassel of the Tri-County Council at 301-870-2520.

Civista Goes Smoke-Free

Civista Health announced Monday that all of its facilities and vehicles will become smoke-free effective Sept. 1.

The new policy will prohibit the use of tobacco products within the buildings or on the grounds of Civista facilities. However, people will be allowed to smoke in their own vehicles while on Civista's campuses.

Smoking has been banned within Civista Medical Center in La Plata for at least a decade, the announcement said. Civista officials said they are taking the additional step of implementing smoke-free campuses to further stress the health risks of smoking.

"Inhaling smoke, first or secondhand, is a life-threatening behavior that does not belong in or near a health care facility which is dedicated to saving lives," said Christine Stefanides , president and chief executive of Civista Health. "We are acutely aware that being in a hospital is a stressful time for patients and family members, which often increases their desire to smoke. At the same time, we must be concerned about the overall health consequences of smoking."

Civista's announcement said it has been preparing employees for the new policy for many months, offering smoking-cessation classes and tips.