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Amistad Schooner At National Harbor
The Freedom Schooner Amistad is docked through Monday at National Harbor.
The ship is a re-creation of La Amistad (meaning friendship), a vessel that became a central part of the first human rights case in U.S. courts argued on behalf of enslaved Africans.
In the Amistad incident of 1839, Africans who had been kidnapped and sold into slavery took over the ship as it sailed from one Cuban port to another. After weeks at sea, the ship was seized off Long Island, N.Y., and towed to Connecticut, where the Africans were jailed on charges related to the takeover.
Their case eventually went before the U.S. Supreme Court, where former president John Quincy Adams argued successfully on behalf of the Africans. In 1841, those who survived were returned to Africa.
The Amistad's visit to National Harbor commemorates the 1808 signing of the U.S. law abolishing the African slave trade. While docked, the Amistad is open to the public for free tours.
An exhibit associated with the vessel is on display through 5 p.m. Monday in the Prince George's County Administration Building at 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Dr. in Upper Marlboro.
Hyattsville Street Fest At Queens Chapel Center
The annual Hyattsville International Street Festival is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Saturday.
All activities will take place at the Queens Chapel Town Center on Hamilton Street between Queens Chapel and Ager roads.
Vendors will sell food, art and crafts. Free entertainment, games and live music will be followed by fireworks at dusk.
Golf Channel to Cover 2009 Melwood Open
The Golf Channel will cover the 2009 Melwood Prince George's County Open, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) announced last week.
The event is scheduled for June 1-7. The tournament is hosted by the Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville and will feature 156 professional golfers vying for a $675,000 purse.
The Melwood event, launched last year, includes a high school tournament and junior clinic, pro-am events, a private sponsors' party at Six Flags America and other social events. Proceeds benefit Melwood, a nonprofit group that serves more than 2,100 people with disabilities by providing job training and employment, housing and recreation opportunities.
Hispanic Bar Association Awards Dinner Sept. 25
The Maryland Hispanic Bar Association will recognize the organization's leaders at a gala and awards dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m. next Thursday at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt.
Martin A. Portillo, a Kaiser Permanente physician who is active in the Latino Center of Excellence, will be the keynote speaker. Portillo practices internal medicine and is a member of the National Advisory Council on Cultural Competent Care in the Health and Human Services Department's Office of Minority Health.
State Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George's), one of three Latino legislators in the Maryland General Assembly, will receive the leadership award. Yolanda Maria Welch, founder and chief executive of Respira Medical, a respiratory and medical equipment company, will receive the outstanding achievement award.
Hector Manzano will receive the public service award, recognizing his contributions to the establishment of the Baltimore City Hispanic Commission, which was recently approved by the city's council and mayor.
Tickets for the event are $85. For information or tickets, call Joe at 410-659-6428 or Bettina at 410-385-3806 or visit http:/
Voter Registration Hours Extended
The Prince George's County Board of Elections is working extended hours, including Saturdays, to ensure that county residents who want to register to vote in November's election get a chance to do so before an Oct. 14 deadline.
The elections office will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct. 11, as well as regular business days, to help process registrations for the General Election on Nov. 4.
Residents who want to vote absentee must request a ballot by Oct. 28.
Voters can check their registration status at http:/
-- Compiled by AKEYA DICKSON
