Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: The Novel Refuge Recognized For Giving Back To Community: Best Of 2025

Also, don't miss Kwanzaa Market Day on the Laurel Patch calendar

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Saturday December 20th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Laurel! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Laurel bookstore turns used books into support for local refugees
  • How does Laurel High School rank among Maryland’s biggest schools?
  • Why was a Laurel-born woman sent to an ICE jail in Louisiana?

Also on today's calendar: Kwanzaa Market Day and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Laurelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Laurelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 44 and low of 32 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy, temps: high: 49, low: 22.
  • Monday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 41 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. The Novel Refuge Recognized For Giving Back To Community: Best Of 2025 (patch.com) — Laurel residents are celebrating The Novel Refuge, a volunteer-run used bookstore honored in Patch’s Best of 2025 series for its community impact. The shop is praised for its friendly atmosphere, affordable selection, and commitment to donating profits to local refugee resettlement agencies, reflecting Laurel’s diversity and spirit of giving.
   

2. The 25 Largest High Schools in Maryland (2026) (mocoshow.com) — Laurel families can see how Laurel High School stacks up statewide: it ranks 23rd among Maryland’s largest high schools, with 2,179 students, an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, and a C grade from Niche. The list, based on 2026 federal data, highlights how Prince George’s and Montgomery County schools dominate Maryland’s biggest campuses.
   

3. ICE arrests Maryland woman claiming to be U.S. citizen (thebanner.com) — A young woman born in Laurel was taken into ICE custody this week and transferred to a Louisiana detention center, despite her attorneys insisting she’s a U.S. citizen. Her legal team has filed an emergency challenge in Maryland court, which has temporarily blocked her removal while they fight to prove her citizenship and reunite her with family.
   

4. 'To See It with This Clarity is Amazing': Parker Solar Probe's Closest-Ever Images Reshape Scientists' Understanding of Solar Storms (thedebrief.org) — Some of the most important new solar images are being processed and the Parker Solar Probe operated right in Laurel where Johns Hopkins APL runs the mission. Researchers there and nationwide have discovered that parts of massive solar eruptions can actually fall back into the Sun, reshaping its atmosphere and improving long-term forecasts of space weather that can affect power grids and satellites.
   

5. An asteroid could hit the moon in 2032, scattering debris toward Earth (sciencenews.org) — Laurel gets a notable mention as home to Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Lab, where a researcher modeling asteroid 2024 YR4’s path says Hawaii and the western U.S. could see a bright lunar impact flash in 2032. Scientists are tracking a small but real chance the asteroid could hit the moon and potentially scatter debris that might threaten satellites and astronauts, prompting talk of possible deflection missions.
   

📸 Around Laurel

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Laurel

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Laurel Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Laurel PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hey neighbors!
    I need budgie/parakeet for my daughter. Looking for small/home business to buy couple of birds. Please help me find one. Thanks in advance. (Nextdoor Patuxent Greens)
  • Wawa, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate in Laurel. Apply here.
  • Associa, Inc. posted a job opening for Community Association Manager in Laurel. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Laurel here.

Ok Laurel! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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