Kindergarten registration
Registration for new students or students entering public school kindergarten in August will be held at all Howard County public elementary schools 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Feb. 28-March 4, and other times as determined by individual schools.
Parent or guardian must present the following information at the time of registration:
•The child's proof of birth in the form of a birth certificate, baptism certificate, hospital certificate, or passport.
•Record of immunizations.
•Proof of residency in the form of a lease, a deed, or house contract and a utility bill.
•Photo ID of the parent/guardian.
•Proof of parental relationship or custody.
Driver's licenses and voter registration cards will not be accepted as proof of residence. Parents of children born outside of the United States and/or for whom English is not the primary language spoken in the home, should contact the International Student Registration Center at 410-313-1525 (English/Korean) or 410-313-7102 (English/Spanish) for registration. For addition information, call 410-313-6682.
Laser tag
The Columbia Association Teen Advisory Committee sponsors a special high school outing from 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. March 19 at Shadowland, a laser tag adventure site in Columbia. Cost of the event is $5 per person and includes two games, pizza and snacks. All Howard County high school students are welcome. Space is limited. To register and more information, call 410-715-5523. Shadowland is located at 9179 Red Branch Road.
Volunteers
The Howard County Conservancy seeks volunteer naturalists to serve as educators for the Conservancy's school programs at Mt. Pleasant, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Naturalists will assist conservancy staff in leading hikes on the conservancy's historic farm property. Training takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays in March. Participants will receive a manual and learn about native plants, animal species, ecological concepts and the history of Mountt Pleasant. Cost for materials is $10. Registration and information: 410-465-8877.
Summer day camps
Glen Mar United Methodist Church in Ellicott City will hold weekly summer day camp sessions, June 27-Aug. 5 for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Full-day and half-day sessions are available. Costs are $145 to $225 per week. $50 deposit is required for each camp at time of registration, balance is due by June 1. Sessions include Pioneer Outdoor Camp; Mix It Up Camp; What's Cooking?; Summer Fun and Games; Lights, Camera, Action; Celebrate; and Talent Camp. Information: Andrea Calomeris at 410-465-4995, ext. 212 or e-mail camp@glenmarumc.org. Registration forms available on at glenmarumc.org.
Annual awards program
The Howard County Commission is accepting nominations for its annual Recognition Awards Program. Awards will recognize outstanding achievement by individuals and organizations that exemplify the commission's mission to promote successful aging in Howard County. The deadline for nominations is March 4. Winners will be recognized May 10 at the Bain Center in Columbia.
Categories include individual leadership awards, excellence in the arts, leadership in education, outstanding youth volunteer and more. For information or to download a nomination form, go to howardcountyaging.org and click on the link for 2011 Commission on Aging Recognition Awards, or call 410-313-6410 to have it mailed. Send completed forms to Howard County Commission on Aging, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 200, Columbia, 21046, attention Awards Nomination, or e-mail to coa@howardcountymd.gov.
Solar cooking contest
The Columbia Association's Teen Advisory Committee and the Columbia Archives are sponsoring a Solar Box Cooking Contest on May 14 at the Columbia Lakefront. Solar boxes can be used to make hotdogs, cookies, nachos and more. Prizes will be awarded for the best cooked item. The contest is part of the Save the Planet Day Celebration and the Columbia BikeAbout events. For more information and instructions on how to build a solar cooker, call 410-715-5523.
Culture cafe
The Columbia Association, in collaboration with the African Art Museum of Maryland and the Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County, invites community members and those who have an interest in Africa to help plan an Africa Culture Cafe to be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 6 at the Hawthorn Center in Columbia. The cafe will showcase African craft vendors, music, dance, videos, fashions and educational displays on West and East African countries. Information: 410-715-3162.
Scholarships
The Elkridge Adult Athletic Association is accepting applications from area high school seniors for its 2011 scholarship awards. Applications will be accepted until April 22. Information: 410-796-8088.
Student film festival
The annual Howard County Student Film Festival, a product of the HCPSS Gifted and Talented Intern/Mentor Program, is seeking original film submissions from public and private high school students. All films must be three to 10 minutes in length, original and family friendly. Submission deadline is Friday, Feb. 25. Information: hocofilmfestival.com.
Parenting workshops
The Howard County Office of Children's Services presents a series of workshops for parents and guardians raising children from newborn to age 8, 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. Registration and information: 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. Information: 410-772-4804.
'Kindred Spirits'
"Kindred Spirits," a social club for individuals diagnosed with early memory loss or dementia, will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays in the 50+ Center at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center at Glenwood. Activities include speakers, discussion of current events, yoga, meditation and art therapy. Daily fee of $26 includes snacks, lunch, coffee and tea. Information: Judy Miller at 410-313-5441 or jumiller@howardcountymd.gov. The program is sponsored by the Howard County Office on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Maryland.
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.
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.
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 gynecologists, transportation and crisis contacts. The guide also indicates whether Spanish and Korean are spoken at the facility, as well as the address, contact information and hours of operation. Hours and information: 410-880-5917.
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, 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.
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.