The big 10-year census does not happen automatically.       The census is a hugely complicated enterprise, and the 2020 count promises to be more difficult than ever because of several factors, including lack of funds and the shift to a mainly online count.

     Saturday’s forecast calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s.       One way to get out and enjoy the warm weather is to join in the annual watershed cleanup.     Volunteers are needed to help Alliance for the Bay’s Project Clean Stream team collect trash.     Project Clean Stream is an annual event for the Bay watershed and communities. The project supports all six states the Bay touches, as well as Washington, D.C., with stream and woodland cleanups.

Historic St. Mary’s City

     There’s nothing like the sound of a chainsaw to catch Judy Taylor’s attention.      That’s because following it may lead her to an opportunity that could keep her husband Larry Taylor happily engaged for hours at a time. When he disappears into his woodturner’s equivalent of a man cave, magic happens.

       Another historic Chesapeake site joins UNESCO’s roll of Sites of Memory.        On the United Nations’ list, ­Historic London Town and Gardens joins Historic Sotterley Plantation, Annapolis’ City Dock, Baltimore’s Fells Point and dozens of other sites nationally as part of the Slave Route Project. The project commemorates the nearly 12 million African people forced into the Middle Passage of the transatlantic human trade.

      Trained to retrieve items, alert their partner to important sounds such as a doorbell or alarm, operate light switches and seek help in an emergency, service dogs help many veterans and first responders with disabilities achieve independence. Partnering with a service dog is free.        But preparing those dogs is an expensive and specialized business. The cost of the dog, medical fees and training can run close to $25,000.       Now, Maryland will help pay the bill.

       A debate on Asian oysters engaged Sunderland Elementary School students in reading, writing and speaking — skills the world’s first universities considered essential for leading and for promoting the best ideas.       Rising to the challenge, students went beyond arguing pro or con.

      St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, is the anniversary of the death of the patron saint of Ireland. Kidnapped as a teen, Saint Patrick was brought to Ireland but eventually escaped to his native Britain. He later returned to Ireland and is credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish. He died in the fifth century. But on March 17, at least in America, everybody is Irish. Indeed, more than 30 million Americans have predominantly Irish roots. Between 1820 and 1930, 4.5 million Irish arrived in America.

      Looking to “better serve the modern library,” the Calvert Library’s Board of Trustees is testing out dropping an age-old policy.       March begins a four-month pilot of no late fees for checked-out materials. That means materials checked out at Calvert Library branches incur no fees if kept beyond their due date. Automatic renewal will continue for four circulation cycles if no one is waiting for the item.

     Improving the Calvert County community one student at a time has earned Concerned Black Women of Calvert County the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award.        The annual award honors individuals and organizations in each Maryland county and Baltimore City exemplifying the former mayor, governor and comptroller’s lifelong commitment to service.