Independence Day
Annual July 4 festival and fireworks display will be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 4, at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. Festival kicks off with children's entertainment featuring a puppet theater, The Kinderman and stilt man Wes Holly. Fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. Free parking. Rain date for fireworks is July 5. Information: 410-313-1671.
'Sunset Serenades'
Howard County Recreation and Parks' annual concert series held at Centennial Park South, 10000 Route 108, kicks off July 7 with classic rock and pop by Captain Jack. Concerts are free. $3 per vehicle parking fee, except Aug. 11. Information: 410-313-4700 or howardcountymd.gov/rap.
Management committee volunteers needed
The Columbia Association seeks representatives from Harper's Choice, Kings Contrivance, Oakland Mills and River Hill to serve on its Watershed Management Resident Advisory Committee. For more information, contact Sean Harbaugh at 410-381-3470. Resumes can be submitted to him at 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia 21044. Deadline is July 26.
Volunteers
The Howard County Conservancy is seeking drop-in gardening volunteers to help maintain the thematic and native plant gardens on the property. Work days are 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays. All levels of experience needed. Information: 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.
Call for artists
Artists 18 and older who live, work or study in Howard County are invited to submit one piece of original art for a nonjuried exhibit at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City being held July 2-Aug. 13. Drop-off is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 28, at the center. Artwork will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, one piece per artist, until the gallery is full. All work must be delivered ready for installation.
A free reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July8. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Information: 410-313-2787 or hocoarts.org.
Umbrella exhibit seeks artists
The Columbia Art Center seeks artists of all ages to visually interpret the theme "Your World: What Makes You, YOU?" on golf umbrellas as part of Columbia International Day on July 24 at the Columbia Downtown Lakefront. Artists of all ages are eligible to participate individually, as a pair or a group. Entry forms and information: 410-715-3161 or columbiaartcenter.org.
Theater workers needed
Red Branch Theatre Company is accepting resumes for costume designers, lighting designers and stage managers for the remaining shows in the current season. Interested persons should send applications to Jennifer Spieler at jspieler1025@aol.com.
Farm-City scholarship
The Howard County Farm-City Committee is offering a Farm-City Committee Scholarship of up to $500 to a county high school senior for the fall semester. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has maintained academic excellence and whose efforts in agriculture have improved the county.
The student should be involved in education, agriculture and community support. Students should complete an application, write a 1,000-word essay on how their studies will help the county, and supply a letter of recommendation, high school transcript and a resume with community activities, service projects, awards and work experience. Applications are due July 1. Information: http://www.hceda.org.
'Proof' audition
Red Branch Theatre Company seeks an actor to play the role of Robert in David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Proof." The actor should be able to portray a man in his late 50s and older. Information and to schedule an audition: jspieler1025@aol.com.
Leadership awards
The Howard County Commission on Disability Issues seeks nominees for its annual leadership awards program to recognize outstanding efforts and promote the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and achieving independence through pursuing personal goals while living with a disability. Nominees must live, work or provide services in Howard County. To download a nomination form, go to howardcountymd.gov/citizenservices or call 410-313-6402 to get one by mail. Deadline to submit nominations is July 30.
Recycling cans
Habitat for Humanity and the Boy Scouts of America have placed a collection bin for aluminum cans at the entrance to the parking lot of Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6410 Amherst Ave., in Allview Estates. Information: 410-997-4949.
International Day vendors
The Columbia Association is seeking vendors and artisans for its annual Columbia International Day on July 24 at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. This free event features live music and entertainment representing a variety of cultures, with food, crafts, children's activities and more. Applications are being accepted from those who wish to display or sell items with an international theme. Information: 410-715-3161 or 410-715-3175.
Call for artists
Slayton House Gallery is accepting applications to exhibit for the coming season. Applications are available by e-mailing cjblack@columbiavillages.org. Information: 410-730-3987.
Teen vocalists and bands
The Columbia Association Teen Advisory Committee is seeking performers for "Teen Tuesdays" at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront through July 27. Teen Tuesdays are part of the annual Lakefront Festival, which features outdoor concerts and movies during the summer.
Teens should send a CD to Carol Wasser, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia 21044.
Mentors and tutors wanted
A-OK (Assisting Our Kids) Mentoring-Tutoring Program needs adult volunteers to work in Howard County schools, grades K-8, and after-school programs. A-OK is working with the following schools: Oakland Mills Middle School, Bryant Woods, Longfellow, Phelps Luck, Running Brook, and Talbott Springs elementary schools.
For information or to volunteer: Chaya Kaplan, 410-730-6030 or chayakaplan@verizon.net.
Children's services
The CARE Center for Child and Adolescent Resources provides free information to Howard County parents to find services and programs in the community for children and teens. Staff will help families identify needs and find solutions. Resource and referral information can cover areas such as community services, recreation and sports, financial assistance, support groups, drug or alcohol abuse, youth development, child care programs and more. Information: 410-313-2273 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Volunteers needed
The Howard County Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock, seeks volunteers to work Wednesday mornings to help maintain gardens on the property. All levels of experience are needed. Information: 410-465-8877 or hcconservancy.org.
Library resources
The Howard County Library will offer one-on-one tutoring at its branches.
Call a library branch to schedule a session, available at all branches unless indicated.
"Job Search Tools at the Library," a tour of databases, websites and periodicals as well as the business and career sections, will be offered at the Central Library. 410-313-7850.
"Mouse in the House: Family Web Surfing," a program for children 7 and older and adults that covers the basics of surfing the Internet and websites that are friendly to children.
"Open the Door to Open Office," a tour for ages 15 and older of the free software package that creates, edits and saves documents, spreadsheets, presentations and pictures.
"Research 24/7," a way to access full-text articles and other resources for school assignments, business or personal use from any computer.
"Surfing Basics for Seniors," hands-on practice in using the Internet, offered at the Central Library. 410-313-7800.