The owner of the Hilltop Plaza shopping center in Bowie is promising nearby residents that sprucing up the property and constructing townhouses on an unused parking lot will breathe new life into the center and deter crime.

When students at Beltsville Elementary School report to school Aug. 24, it will be the first time in nearly 30 years that Stephen Beegle won't be there to greet them.

Piscataway Park in Accokeek will receive $1 million in federal stimulus money to help restore two acres of shoreline along the Potomac River. The money will also be used to help protect 30 acres of freshwater wetland and a threatened Native American archaeological site.

During a radio show this week, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) suggested he was open to recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states -- something he's never said publicly -- with several caveats.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK, take a blanket and listen to music under the setting sun. 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 13, Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro. Free. 301-218-6700; TTY, 301-218-6768.

Horse trainer and RFD-TV personality Clinton Anderson will work with horses as the featured guest at Show Place Arena's Down Under Horsemanship event 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Show Place Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro. $50. 301-952-7999, 301-952-7900.

ECLECTICA -- 7-8:30 p.m. today. The band features Grammy winner Roy "Futureman" Wooten on drums during outdoor concert series On the Green. Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro. Free. 301-218-6700.

Christ Episcopal Church will host a line dancing social from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at 8710 Old Branch Ave., Clinton. $7. The church will also host a fish fry, which will include hot dogs, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 25. 301-868-1330, christchurchclinton@verizon.net .

MALL WALKERS, supervised walking with blood-pressure monitoring; parents are encouraged to bring children in strollers; sponsored by Southern Maryland Hospital Center. 8-9:30 a.m. weekdays, Centre at Forestville, Pennsylvania Avenue and Donnell Drive, Forestville. Register at the mall's Center...

These sales were recorded in Prince George's County and supplied to The Washington Post by Spatial Systems Associates, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and the Maryland Office of Planning. To find sale and assessment records for homes in Prince George's and other Washington areas,...

These were among incidents reported by Prince George's County police. For information, call 301-772-4710.

From the outside, it looks like a gigantic, windowless bus. But inside, Fairfax County has built a high-tech training laboratory for firefighters and paramedics that didn't cost taxpayers a cent, will save the county time and money and is likely to save lives.

Prince George's County Animal Shelter, 8311 D'Arcy Rd. in Forestville, makes animals available for adoption by residents of the county and other jurisdictions. Adoptable animals, as well as lost pets, can be seen on the shelter's Web site. Go to http://www.goprincegeorgescounty.com and click on...

The following were among animal cases received recently by the Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources' Animal Management Division. Call 301-780-7200 for directions to the Prince George's County Animal Shelter, hours of operation and adoption and licensing procedures. The...

Before her night shifts as a registered nurse, Tijeerah Washington checks Metrorail's Web site, then dashes out the door five minutes before her train is supposed to leave.

These were among sales recorded recently in Anne Anne Arundel County and supplied to The Washington Post by Spatial Systems Associates Inc., the Maryland Office of Assessments and Taxation and the Maryland Office of Planning. To find sale and assessment records for homes in Anne Arundel and...

These sales were recorded in Howard County and supplied to The Washington Post by Spatial Systems Associates, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and the Maryland Office of Planning. To find sale and assessment records for homes in Howard and other Washington areas, visit...

These were among incidents reported by the Howard County Police Department. For more information, call 410-313-2236.

The following incidents were reported by the Anne Arundel County Police Department. For information, call 410-222-8050.