Sunday, Dec. 18
Figure skating The Columbia Figure Skating Club presents "The Nutcracker on Ice" at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. today at the Columbia Ice Rink, 5876 Thunder Hill Road. Tickets are $12, free for children 2 and younger. Tickets and information: 410-730-0322 or go to columbiafsc.com.
Concert for charity The Columbia Bands, in conjunction with the Howard County Food Bank, holds a concert for charity at 3 p.m. today at River Hill High School, 12101 Route 108 in Clarksville. Bring nonperishable foods and enjoy a variety of concert and jazz music. Information: 301-596-9783 or go to columbiabands.org.
Monday, Dec. 19
Passport services The Passport Acceptance Facility at the Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, offers passport applications and photos from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 410-313-7700.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
School news The Board of Education meets in a closed session at 1:30 p.m. at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. At 4 p.m., the board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting. There will be no evening session. The afternoon session begins with a public forum, when members of the public may address the board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Information: 410-313-7700.
Future
Dance concert Misako Ballet Company will offer a studio dance concert for families with children at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Harpers Choice Village Center, 5485 Harper's Farm Road, Suite 203 in Columbia. Concert will feature dances from "The Nutcracker" and ballet with Japanese themes. Children from the audience will have an opportunity to learn a quick piece and perform it. Information: 410-884-9690 or 443-805-1350, or misakoballet.com.
Classical concert The Sundays At Three Chamber Music Series presents the Gemini Piano Trio at 3 p.m. Jan. 8 at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia. They will play Schumann's "Fantasiestucke," Shostakovitch's "Piano Trio No.1," Arensky's "Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor" and Piazzolla's "Libertango." Tickets are $15, free for those 17 and younger when accompanied by an adult. Information: 443-288-3179 or go to sundaysatthree.org.
'Children On Board' Howard County's annual Preschool/Child Care Information Fair, sponsored by the Office of Children's Services, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Lane in Clarksville. The fair will provide parents, guardians, grandparents and child care personnel with information on child care and pre-school programs. Representatives from community service organizations will also be attending. Admission is free, attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the Howard County Food Bank. Information: 410-313-1940.
Sweetheart dance Dads can take their "princess" out for an evening of dancing and fun on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Kiwanis-Wallas Hall, 3300 Norberts Way in Ellicott City. Dad (or special adult) and his little sweetheart can enjoy dancing, refreshments, crafts, and more. Cost is $40 per couple; $20 for each additional daughter. Times are 4 p.m.-6 p.m. for ages 4-6; 7 p.m.-9 p.m. for ages 7-11. Advance registration required. Deadline is Jan. 20. To register and more information, call 410-313-7275. (Inclement weather date is Feb. 4).
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.