Dear Friends,

I hope everyone had a restful Thanksgiving surrounded by good food and good company. The holidays are in full swing, and we are feeling the busyness here in my office. I have attached holiday-specific resources and community opportunities below. Be sure to check it out!

I had the privilege to embark on a ride along with the BWI Fire Paramedics. Although we had no calls at the airport during my ride, I had the opportunity to see the county calls they pick up when extra help is needed. When County Fire Fighters are busy, they step in and support our community. 

It is truly amazing what incredible, life-saving work can be accomplished in the tight quarters of the vehicle. Anne Arundel County is lucky to have the additional support of BWI Fire Paramedics. Thank you, Paramedics 43!

All senior activity centers will close temporarily at the end of December and reopen in January. Two centers will have an extended closure to accommodate scheduled renovation improvements within the centers. The schedules are as follows:

Winter Closure Schedule: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - January 4, 2026.

These centers reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026:

• Arnold Senior Activity Center

• Brooklyn Park Senior Activity Center

• O'Malley Senior Activity Center

• Pasadena Senior Activity Center

• Severn Senior Activity Center

• South County Senior Activity Center

Renovation Closure Schedule: Monday, December 22, 2025 - Friday, January 23, 2026

These centers reopen on Monday, January 26, 2026:

• Annapolis Senior Activity Center

• Pascal Senior Activity Center

The Senior Center Plus Program and transportation service to senior activity centers will not occur during the closures, but they will resume when the centers reopen. Lunch will not be served at the senior activity centers during the closures, but lunch will be served at all other congregate nutrition sites. Center members who routinely attend the Annapolis and the Pascal Senior Activity Centers are encouraged to visit other nearby centers for programs, activities, and Senior Nutrition lunches. 

During the renovation closure, arrangements have been made for Senior Center Plus participants, Senior Nutrition Program members, and those who rely on the Office of Transportation for transportation to the centers.

For more questions about Transportation, please call 410-222-0022 or visit www.aacounty.org/transportation. For inquiries or the enroll in the Senior Nutrition Program, please call 410-222-0256. For food pantries and meal distribution sites near you, please visit www.aacounty.org/food-council/food-resources. For assistance or for anyone needing accommodations, contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities at 410-222-4257. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1.

Governor Moore announced last week that applications are now open for the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program in eight local jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel County. Families and students who are enrolled in Community Schools in these jurisdictions, while experiencing homelessness or at risk for housing instability, can apply for emergency financial support through the program.

Application portals for the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program are open in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Washington, and Wicomico Counties.

For more information about the program and how to apply, visit the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program webpage

First Lady Dawn Moore recently, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, launched a campaign to raise awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline during the holiday season. The campaign will broadcast on radio stations and audio-streaming platforms across Maryland from November 26, 2025 to January 10, 2026—a time when call volumes increase to the crisis centers. 

To learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or to get support, visit 988.maryland.gov. 

As BGE prepares for winter, customers are reminded to prepare as well, by following these helpful tips below, as well as others that can be found at BGE.com/winter:

• Maintain Your Heating Systems – Most cold-weather energy expenses are related to heating. Schedule service for your heating system to keep it operating efficiently.

• Lower Your Water Heater Temperature– Water heating accounts for about 18% of the energy consumed in your home. Set your water heater at the warm setting (120°F) and save.

• Manage Your Thermostat – Keep thermostats set at a comfortable level, but for each degree you lower it, you can save about two percent on your heating bill. When you are asleep or out of the house, consistently lowering your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours could save approximately 10 percent on your bill.

• My Account Online Tools – Your BGE online account contains tools and detailed energy usage information. By viewing your energy usage, comparing trends, and discovering the results of energy-saving practices, you can manage your energy more efficiently. Log onto BGE.com/MyAccount to get started.

• Sign up for High Usage Alerts – Receive a notification by phone, email, or text if your energy usage is trending higher than usual so you can take steps to reduce your use before your bill arrives. You can also set a budget threshold to alert you when your bill is projected to be higher than a specific amount each month. Log in to My Account to sign up for High Usage Alerts at BGE.com/MyNotifications.

• Keep Your Natural Gas Appliances Vents Clear – Know where your natural gas appliances vent to the exterior and ensure the vents are clear so that they work properly.

BGE customers are encouraged to visit BGE.com/alerts before winter weather grips the region. Customers can receive updates on their energy usage and information regarding power outages via text, email, or phone, including when power is out, when service is expected to be restored, or when power is restored. In addition, customers can text "ADDOUTAGE" to MYBGE (69243), to enroll in our two-way texting program to report outages and check the status of an outage.

Anne Arundel Community College’s English Language Learning Office is offering free English Basic Skills (EBS) classes for multilingual adult learners starting this January. These beginner-level classes help students improve English for everyday life, work, and community.

Fill out the Interest Form to get started:

• English

• Spanish

For more information, visit the English Basic Skills webpage.

Questions? Contact the English Language Learning Office at esloffice@aacc.edu or 410-777-2901

The holidays are a perfect opportunity to connect with your household and declutter any medications that have accumulated over the year. It is very easy to have unused and expired medication pile up in the home, and it is important to create a plan for safe disposal. 

Myoldmeds.com is a website that offers a locator tool to help residents find drop-off locations year-round. There are 11 sites in District 32, and hundreds of others across the state. These locations are easily accessible and are likely already a part of your weekly routine. Check them out for more information. 

My office remains open year-round to help you with issues and answer your questions. During the interim, my Chief of Staff, Nancy Lipin Crawford, and our Legislative Aide, Abigail Bento, will be in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday and working remotely on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

The interim is busy; there are community events, meetings, committee site visits, task force studies, and oversight committee meetings to attend. On Tuesday alone, I had 11 meetings, and the Finance Committee had a joint briefing with HGO. 

Thank you, District 32, for allowing me to serve as your State Senator. I am looking forward to seeing you out and about in the community.

Sincerely,

Pamela Beidle

Senator, District 32, Maryland General Assembly

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• Locations and Dates for AAC Food Bank Distributions (from 3 - 6pm, or until supplies run out)

  • Lula G. Scott Community Center – Tuesday, November 18th

    • 6234 Shady Side Road, Shady Side, MD 20764

  • Pascal Senior Center – Wednesday, November 19th

    • 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21061

  • Annapolis Senior Center – Thursday, November 20th

    • 119 S Villa Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401

   

  Additional Resources

  • AAC Food Bank Food Map: Click here

  • Food Access Warm Line: food-access@aacounty.org, 410-222-FOOD

Have you been denied insurance coverage for medically necessary care or had your emergency appeals denied? Call the MIA Emergency Hotline at 1-800-492-6116

“Maryland law gives Maryland consumers the right to appeal a decision that denies you coverage for medically necessary treatment. If your health care provider has determined that certain medical treatment is needed, but your HMO or health insurer does not agree, this law allows you to appeal. Under the appeals and grievances law, the Maryland insurance Commissioner has the authority to overturn your health plan's decision if your treatment is determined to be medically necessary.”

For more information, click here. 

Anne Arundel County will open several county facilities to provide warming relief as we near closer to the winter season. These facilities are meant to be utilized by community members seeking temporary relief from the cold weather during their normal business hours. Click here for scheduling and locations. 

For additional resources, such as shelter, special accommodations, or more, contact the AAC Warm Line (see end of newsletter).

Click here to be directed to our Unemployment Insurance Assistance Form. 

The Anne Arundel Libraries have an abundance of exciting upcoming events. There are events for all ages, ranging from infants to adults. With it being National Deaf Awareness and Hispanic Heritage months, there are special events! Please see the link below to help you find your local library and events near you: https://www.aacpl.net/