'Paint It!'
Exhibition featuring artwork created by 25 juried artists during the recent three-day plein air painting event in Ellicott City will be on view July 15-Aug. 23 in Gallery I at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road in Ellicott City. A reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, July 15. Information: 410-313-2787 or hocoarts.org.
'Drama Mini Week'
During the event being held Monday-Friday, July 15-19, at Laurel Mill Playhouse, students ages 6-11 will explore the world of drama through games, techniques for acting and stage work, puppetry and more. Students will also learn how to stand and how to be heard when on stage. An end-of-session performance will be held at noon Friday, July 19 at 508 Main St. Tickets are $58 per person. Information: 301-452-2557.
Calling all artists
•The Meeting House Gallery at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center is accepting applications from artists for its "Season of Light" exhibition beginning in November and for a nature exhibition beginning in January. For applications and more information, go to themeetinghouse.org.
•The Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House is accepting applications for artists to exhibit in 2014. Applications will be reviewed in the spring for artists to exhibit next year. The deadline to apply is June 1. For applications, go to wildelake.org/events. Send completed applications to: Carole Black, Gallery Director, Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia 21044, or email cjblack@columbiavillages.org.
Volunteers needed
Voices for Children, Howard County's Court Appointed Special Advocate Program, seeks volunteers to train and match to children, up to 21 years old, who are living in foster care. Volunteers must be 21 and pass a criminal background check. Training will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays for eight weeks beginning Sept. 20 in Ellicott City. For an application and more information, call 410-740-0933 or go to voicesforchildren.org.
Gardening volunteers
The Howard County Conservancy seeks Wednesday morning drop-in gardening volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to noon to help maintain its themed and native plant gardens. All levels of experience welcome. For information, call Tabby Fique at 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.
Skills park
Howard County Times: Top stories
Rockburn Skills Park, targeted toward mountain bikers and trail runners, features a pump track, flow trail, descending trail, climbing trail and an uphill return trail. The 450-acre Rockburn Branch Park includes 7.4 miles of trails, woodlands, marshes and stream valleys, multipurpose athletic fields, baseball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, two playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course and picnic pavilions. Information: go to rockburnskillspark.org.
Guided hikes
The Howard County Conservancy offers free guided hikes and talks on the second Saturday of each month. Visitors can enjoy an easy walk in the meadows and woods of the conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Information: call 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.
Kindred Spirits
Kindred Spirits, a social club for people diagnosed with early memory loss or dementia, meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the 50+ Center at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2700 Route 97, Cooksville. Highlights include therapeutic activities, including music, art and exercise, as well as a support group. A daily fee of $30 includes snacks, lunch, coffee and tea. The program is sponsored by the Howard County Office on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Maryland. Information: call Judy Miller at 410-313-5441 or email jumiller@howardcountymd.gov.
Spanish speakers
The Foreign-Born Information and Referral Network, 5999 Harpers Farm Road, Suite 200-E, Columbia, needs Spanish-speaking volunteers to greet clients, answer basic questions, make appointments and support the staff. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday; other times may be considered. Information: call 410-992-1923, ext. 14.