Sunday, March 23
Home show The Howard County Home Show will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville. $5 for adults; $3 for retired and active military; children under 10 free. Appraiser Todd Peenstra will appraise antiques and collectibles.
Tuesday, March 25
River Hill Cultural Awareness Students and faculty of River Hill High School invite the public to an evening of food, singing, dancing, fellowship, information and fun 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the school, 12101 Route 108, Clarksville. The night will feature performances by the school's choirs, the Bollywood Club, the Roots Club and Improv. Admission is free. Information: 410-313-7120.
Wednesday, March 26
Master Gardener Hickory Ridge Community Association is sponsoring free master gardener programs at the Hawthorn Center. "Hot composting" with Kent Phillips will be held at 7:30 p.m. The Hawthorn Center is at 6175 Sunny Spring, Columbia. Information: 410-730-7327.
Thursday, March 27
Rare Books "Gems from Around the World" book discussion with David P. Scheffenacker Jr: will be held at 7 p.m. at the Miller branch library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. Scheffenacker is president of Preston Scheffenacker Properties and collector of rare books. He will discuss first editions by famous explorers, including: Sir Walter Raleigh's 1614 "The History of the World," the 1817 "Expedition of Lewis & Clark" and Ernest Henry Shackleton's 1911 "The Heart of the Antarctic." 410-313-1950.
Saturday, March 29
Howard County Times: Top stories
Big breakfast The Kiwanis Club Country Breakfast fundraiser will be held 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2875 Bethany Lane, Ellicott City. Proceeds support youth activities in Howard County, scholarships and donations to community services organizations. The cost is $7; free for children younger than 8. Information: 410-465-1891.
Arts gala Howard County's "Celebration of the Arts" will be held Saturday, March 29, at Howard Community College's Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Tickets are $100 and $50 and are available by phone at 410-313-2787 or online at hocoarts.org. The gala begins with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring a silent auction of artwork by local artists, culinary treats provided by local restaurants and live musical performances. At 8 p.m., the presentations of the Rising Star Competition and the 2013 Howie Awards take place. $100 tickets include the reception, silent auction and reserved seats in the Smith Theatre; $50 tickets include the reception, silent auction and general seating in the Studio Theatre for the simulcast.
Film Series The Columbia Jewish Congregation presents the next installment of its Jewish Film Series, "Jewish Soldiers in Blue and Gray" at 8 p.m. at Oakland Mills Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The evening features refreshments and a discussion group. Admission is $10 for the single film, with discounts for addition films. Information: 410-997-0694 or go to columbiajewish.org/film_series.
Future
Whiskey-tasting and exhibit The Howard County Historical Society presents "Bootlegger's Paradise: Whiskey-Tasting Event & Exhibit" from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 4, at 8328 Court Ave. in Ellicott City. Don a flapper costume or double-breasted pinstriped suit and be ready to dance the Charleston. Music provided by the Will Fischer Orchestra. Tickets are $65 per person. For more information, call 410-480-3250 or go hchsmd.org/events.
Art show River Hill residents will showcase their artwork from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle in Clarksville. Some works will be for sale. Free admission. Information: 410-531-1749.
Announcements for the datebook may be sent by mail to The Baltimore Sun in Howard County, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278, by email to howard.events@baltsun.com or by fax to 410-332-6455.