Film series

The Columbia Jewish Congregation presents its annual film series beginning on Jan. 22 with, "A Matter of Size." All showings will be held at the Columbia Jewish Congregation, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Room 200. Tickets are $30 for entire four-film series, $24 for three, or $17 for two showings. Single tickets will also be available at the door for $9. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., screenings begin at 8 p.m. Refreshments and post-film discussion included. Information: 410-381-4809, 410-997-0694, or email SBloch@comcast.net.

Services directory

The Southeast Howard County Health Services Directory, a guide to resources near North Laurel and Savage, is available free at the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, 9900 Washington Blvd. Directory includes listings of clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, general and family practices, dentists, obstetricians and gynecology physicians, transportation, and crisis contacts. Guide also indicates whether Spanish and Korean are spoken at the service delivery sites, as well as the facility's address, contact information and hours of operation. Hours and information: 410-880-5917.

Emergency funds

The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has granted $4,900 of its 2010 grants budget in emergency funds to local nonprofits serving women and girls. Emergency Grants are provided to selected nonprofit organizations on an annual basis to be used throughout the year toward immediate relief of emergencies in the lives of women and girls they serve. Each of this year's recipients was granted $700. WGC was founded in 2002 and has more than 850 donors, who have contributed and pledged more than $850,000 to its donor-advised fund with The Columbia Foundation, Howard County's community foundation. Information: womensgivingcircle.org.

MLK Holiday Commission

Interested Howard County residents 18 and older can apply for openings on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission to serve two-year terms. They must be willing to attend the commission's meetings at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Columbia Gateway Building, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive. The commission was established to encourage and coordinate appropriate activities and ceremonies throughout Howard County to honor the birthday, ideals and legacy of King. Successful candidates will be appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the County Council. Letters of interest, including resumes, should be sent to Jessica Feldmark, chief of staff, George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City 21043.

Construction project

A mid-block pedestrian crosswalk to improve safety, including ADA-compliant ramps, is being constructed on Little Patuxent Parkway between the Mall in Columbia and Merriweather Post Pavilion. and includes sidewalks, crosswalk striping, pedestrian crossing signs and ramps. Project is expected to be completed by early November. Information: 410-313-3440 or e-mail publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

New Year's Eve

The Mall in Columbia celebrates its 40th anniversary with a "Ball in the Mall" from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. New Year's Eve to benefit the Columbia Foundation. Event originated in 1972 to serve as a birthday celebration for the town of Columbia's fifth birthday, and was last held in 1987 to mark its 20th anniversary. Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, an open bar, live music and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $100 per person and are available online at columbiafoundation.org. The mall is at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway.

Grant awards

More than 30 arts and cultural organizations in Howard County and Baltimore will receive $342,943 in matching grants from the Howard County Arts Council for fiscal year 2011. These matching grants will be used by 18 organizations, nine public schools and 11 Baltimore organizations to support general operations, artist residencies and art projects. Information: 410-313-2787.

Hall of fame nominations

Howard County's Commission for Women is seeking nominations for outstanding women to be inducted into the 2011 Women's Hall of Fame. The event honors women who have made significant contributions to Howard County or the nation through their profession and/or community service, and who are role models. Nominees can be either living or deceased, and must have lived in Howard County for at least 10 years. Deadline for submissions is Nov. 12. Information: 410-313-6400 or howardcountymd.gov/citizenservices.

Savage Park project

A construction project to stabilize a stream channel and improve treatment of storm water runoff in Savage Park is continuing. The purpose of the project is to repair an eroding channel that carries storm water from the park property to the Little Patuxent River, following a path that crosses the recently installed Little Patuxent Parallel Sewer Interceptor. The project should be completed by early February. Information: 410-313-3440.

Job search support group

Howard Community College's Counseling and Career Services Office offers a free job search support group from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fridays through Nov. 12 at 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Meetings focus on learning and practicing job search strategies, including clarifying and marketing skills, researching employers and industries, networking, writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing and preparing for HCC's job fair being held Nov. 5. Information: 410-772-4855.

Tutors needed

A-OK (Assist Our Kids) Mentoring-Tutoring Inc. seeks adult volunteers to work in Howard County public schools and in after-school programs. Volunteers may work with individual students and/or small groups during and after school. Volunteers are asked to commit for one hour a week for a minimum of one school year. Among the schools the organization is associated with are Oakland Mills Middle and Atholton, Bryant Woods, Longfellow, Phelps Luck and Running Brook elementary schools. Information: 410-730-6030.

Council seeks members

The Community Advisory Council to the Board of Education is seeking at-large members for the coming school year. The council sponsors educational programming for members and provides the opportunity to study and have input into curriculum, educational policy, redistricting and budget.

Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Department of Education in Ellicott City. At-large members serve a two-year term. Information: 410-313-6682.

Performing artist award

The Howard County Arts Council is accepting applications for its 2011 Rising Star Performing Artist Professional Development Award. Competition is open to individual performers, ages 18-35, who live, train, work or perform regularly in Howard County or have done so in the past. Review criteria include artistic expression, technical ability and stage presence. Up to 10 finalists will be selected to perform at the council's gala celebration March 26. The audience of more than 500 artists, patrons, business and political representatives and community members will vote for its favorite performer; the winner receives a $5,000 award on stage. Application deadline is Nov. 1 and requires a $10 fee. Information: 410-313-2787 or hocoarts.org.

Volunteers

The Howard County Conservancy is seeking Wednesday drop-in gardening volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to noon to help maintain thematic and native plant gardens on the property. All levels of experience are welcome.

Also, drop-in workdays in the Children's Garden, located within the Community Gardens, 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. No experience needed. Meet at the Nature Center.

Information: 410-465-8877 or hcconservancy.org.

Theater workers needed

Red Branch Theatre Company is accepting resumes for costume designers, lighting designers and stage managers for the remaining shows this season. Send applications to Jennifer Spieler at jspieler1025@aol.com.

Panel seeks members

The Secondary Language Arts Advisory Committee seeks new members. The committee, consisting of teachers, administrators, students, parents and other community members who advise, support and advocate for the continuous improvement of educational programs, meets four times during the school year at a central location. Information: 410-313-6620.

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.

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.

Spanish speakers wanted

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: 410-992-1923, ext. 14.