Parenting workshops

The Howard County Office of Children's Services presents a series of workshops for parents and guardians raising children from birth to age 8 on one Thursday of each month through April at Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way. Topics include child development, encouraging self-esteem and good behavior, positive guidance and discipline, and how to keep children safe and healthy. Classes meet from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per class. To register and more information, call 410-313-1940.

Art exhibit

The paintings of Marc Boone and Michael Sastre will be on display through March 13 in the Rouse Co. Foundation Gallery at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway. A reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 2. Information: 410-772-4804.

New student orientation

Sessions for new students at Howard Community College will be held from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 24 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 26. Both sessions include refreshments, information packets, interactive workshops, campus tours and prizes. Parents are welcome to attend a special parent session during the student's orientation. To reserve a space in one of the sessions: 443-518-4430 or http://www.howardcc.edu/nso. Information: 443-518-1420 or studentlife@howardcc.edu.

Relay for Life team meeting

Organization holds its first team meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the East Columbia Library Senior Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way. Everyone is invited. Participants will be treated to a potluck supper and learn about Relay, an overnight event designed to celebrate cancer survivorship and raise money for the American Cancer Society. The Relay event will be held June 3 and 4 at Hammond High School.

Information: 410-781-4316, hcrelay@hotmail.com or howardrfl.com.

Auditions

Red Branch Theatre Company will hold auditions for the coming season, beginning March 25 with "Into the Woods." Audition dates are by appointment from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24. Prepare 16-32 bars of a song (bring sheet music) and a one-minute monologue. Email redbranchtheatre@gmail.com to set up an appointment. Audition location is the Drama Learning Center, 9130-I Red Branch Road, Columbia.

Essay contest

Howard County's Commission for Women invites students, public, private and home-schooled grades six to 12 to participate in its annual essay contest honoring Women's History Month in March. Theme is "Our History is Our Strength." Essays should be sent to women@howardcountymd.gov or mailed to the Commission for Women Student Essay contest, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia 21046. Deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 18. Information: 410-313-6400.

Ride home program

The "Guaranteed Ride Home" program is coming to Howard County. The program, funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation, guarantees a free ride home to commuters who regularly travel to work by mass transit, van pool, car pool, bicycle or walking. The program offers a free ride up to four times a year in a taxi or rental car, depending on location. To be eligible, commuters must register in advance and renew their registration annually. Registration and information: 800-745-7433 or commuterconnections.org.

Winter classes

Registration is under way for the Howard County Arts Council's visual and performing arts winter programs at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road in Ellicott City. The council offers classes and workshops for children, teens and adults. Classes begin Jan. 25 and continue through March 26. For a brochure and information: 410-313-2787 or hocoarts.org.

Restoration

A project to repair an eroding stream and protect an existing sanitary sewer infrastructure behind the properties on Old Willow Way in Ellicott City is expected to be completed by early March. The stream will be regraded and stabilized through the use of stone and plant materials. Information or concerns: 410-313-3440.

Volunteers

The Howard County Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment is recruiting for its 2011 class, which begins Jan. 31. Program is designed for those 50 and older who want to gain skills and knowledge and leave a legacy through their volunteer work. Classes will be held twice a week for six weeks, followed by a mentored volunteer field placement of 150 hours from March to September. Classes are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be held at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Goddard Space Flight Center and the Howard County Conservancy. $50 fee required at time of enrollment. Information: 410-381-5279, 410-796-7232 or http://www.howardllie.com.

JROTC registration

Students can request an interview with the JROTC instructor and school administrator if the program is not offered at their designated high school and they want to enroll for the 2011-2012 school year. Parents should contact Atholton, Howard or Oakland Mills high schools to arrange an interview. Requests must be made by Friday, Jan. 21.

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.

•Students at Patuxent Valley Middle School have joined the Great American Can Roundup. A collection bin for aluminum cans is outside the school, and proceeds from recycling will be used to fund Green School projects and field trips. The school is at 9151 Vollmerhausen Road in Jessup.

Film series

The Columbia Jewish Congregation opens its annual film series on Saturday, Jan. 22, with "A Matter of Size." All screenings will be at the Columbia Jewish Congregation, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Room 200. Tickets are $30 for the 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 SBloch@comcast.net.

Recycle old TVs

The Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services reminds residents to recycle analog TVs rather than throw them away. Options available:

The Alpha Ridge Landfill Resident's Convenience Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road, is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and accepts TVs, computers, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, VCRs, radios and other electronics.

Best Buy's Customer Take-Back Program allows customers to bring in old TVs (32 inches or smaller) at no charge. Limited to two televisions per person per day. Console televisions are not accepted.