Art show
The Howard County Conservancy hosts its annual Juried Art Show and Auction, "The Art of Stewardship — Lands & Historic Buildings & Structures," through April 13, at 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Open to all original art and photography media, including sculpture, from traditional to contemporary work, using a variety of techniques and imaginative interpretations. Works will be judged on their focus on the care, appreciation and understanding of our lands, historic buildings and structures. For an entry form and more information, call 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.
Support group
Jewish Community Services is offering a new community bereavement group, beginning on May 2. The group will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for eight weeks, through June 27. For anyone mourning the death of a loved one, the group will provide a welcoming place where participants can be with others who are grieving, find support within the Jewish community, and benefit from the opportunity to talk with specialists about grief. Pre-registration is required by April 15. Fee is $36. The group will not meet on May 30. To register, location and more information, call 410-730-4976, ext. 120.
Art competition
The Columbia Art Center Galleries sponsors the Congressional Art Competition for the 3rd Congressional District of Maryland, April 7-9. Exhibition will feature more than 35 2D art works created by high school students from the 3rd Congressional District counties, including Baltimore, Baltimore County, Howard County and Anne Arundel County. Art on display will include paintings, drawings, collage works, prints, mixed media, computer generated art, and photography.
An awards ceremony and reception for the show will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 9, at the Columbia Art Center, 6100 Foreland Garth in Columbia. Congressman John Sarbanes, honorary chairman of the event, will announce and honor the award winners of the show. First Place winning artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington for one year with the rest of the national winners. For gallery hours and more information, call 410-730-0075 or go to columbiaartcenter.org.
Scholarships
Donors to the Columbia Foundation have established scholarships for public high school seniors who will attend a two- or four-year college or university this fall. Information and applications are available at columbiafoundation.org under the grants and programs tab, and at high school guidance counselor offices. Applicants will need to deliver completed application forms to their guidance counselors before March 31.
'GreenFest'
The annual "GreenFest" takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 2 at Howard Community College, Burrill Galleria, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Event features vendors with information on topics such as creatively reusing waste products, energy efficiency and water conservation, green buildings, green consumer products, and living green in Howard County. Attendees can also learn more about composting, improving indoor air quality, green car care, eating local and seasonal foods, beekeeping, biking to work and minimizing their carbon footprint. Workshops will be held on how to build a rain barrel, recycling and vegetable gardening. Outdoor activities include a guided nature walk, a garlic mustard pull, on site tree planting and a guided exploration for reptiles.
For more information and a schedule of events, call 410-313-4374 or go to hcgreenfest.org.
Vacation Bible school
Glen Mar United Methodist Church will hold two vacation Bible school sessions this summer for three-year-olds through present sixth-graders. The theme is "PandaMania." Session I runs July 5-8 and Session II runs July 11-15. Both are from 9 a.m. to noon at the church, 4701 New Cut Road in Ellicott City. Suggested donation is $25 per child or $50 per family, and includes a T-Shirt. Registration deadline is April 30. To register and more information, call 410-465-4995, ext. 204 or go to glenmarumc.org.
Volunteers
The Howard County Arts Council seeks volunteers to assist at its Celebration of the Arts and 30th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, March 26, at HCC's Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center. Volunteers are needed for various opportunities, including reception, raffle ticket sales, silent auction and general setup. Those interested should contact the Howard County Arts Council at 410-313-2787 or e-mail Kimberly@hocoarts.org.
Swimming pools
The Columbia Association is developing an Aquatics Master Plan to ensure pools serve the community in the near and long-terms. Informational workshops to provide an overview of the master plan process will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 29 at the Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place in Oakland Mills, and March 30 at the Hawthorn Community Center, 6175 Sunny Spring Road in Hickory Ridge. Information: 410-381-1096 or go to columbiaassociation.org.
Art contest
The Columbia Association's International Exchange and Multicultural Programs are sponsoring the annual Sister Cities Young Artist Competition. Residents, ages 13-17, are invited to create an original artwork illustrating their vision of this year's contest theme, "Shaping Your Community for a Greener Future." Artwork should reflect the many ways you or your community are working to protect the environment. Artwork may highlight a problem, issue or solution that is important to you. First-prize winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to The Mall in Columbia, and be entered into the Young Artist Competition of Sister Cities International, which awards 10 finalists. Second- and third-place finishers will receive a $25 gift certificate to be used toward a class or workshop at the Columbia Art Center.
Accepted media include watercolor, oils, pastels, pen and ink, charcoal, photography, mixed media and collage, as well as computer-generated art. All work must be two-dimensional and no more than 1/4 inch in depth. Artwork must be submitted by April 15 to the Columbia Art Center, 6100 Foreland Garth, 21045.
For an entry form and more information, call 410-730-0075 or the association's International Exchange and Multicultural Programs at 410-715-3162, or go to columbiaartcenter.org.
Audition
Misako Ballet Company will hold an audition at 10:45 a.m. April 9 at its studio, Harper's Choice Village Center, 5485 Harper's Farm Road, Suite 203, in Columbia. People who have a strong background in dance, either classical ballet or modern, and are 18 years or older are encouraged to try out. Information: 410-884-9690.
'Into the Woods'
Red Branch Theatre Company presents its first show of the season Friday, March 25, through April 9 at the Drama Learning Center, 9130-I Red Branch Road in Columbia. Show times vary. Tickets are $15-$18 in advance, $20 at the door. Information: 410-997-9352 or redbranchtheatre.com.
Scholarships
Special Olympics Howard County will award two scholarships to outstanding student volunteers who have demonstrated their commitment to the program by volunteering and advocating for the athletes. Available are the Jackie Burk Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Volunteer for Special Olympics Howard County, valued at $1,500, and the Allan Homes Award, valued at $1,000.
Interested students must complete an application (available at somdhc.org), provide at least one recommendation from a Special Olympics coach, management team member or sports coordinator and write a 500-word essay about their experiences as a volunteer. High school seniors and college students are eligible to apply.
Completed applications should be mailed to Special Olympics Howard County, Attn: Scholarship Committee, 8970 Route 108, Suite A-1, Columbia, 21045, and postmarked no later than April 1.
Information: 410-740-0500.
Volunteers
The Howard County Conservancy seeks volunteer naturalists to serve as educators for the conservancy's school programs at Mount Pleasant, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Naturalists will assist conservancy staff in leading hikes on the conservancy's historic farm property. Training is 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 Mount 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 through Aug. 5 for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Full- and half-day sessions are available. Costs are $145 to $225 per week. A $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 at glenmarumc.org.
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 hot dogs, 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.
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.
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.
'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.
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. The 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 consists of teachers, administrators, students, parents and other community members who advise, support and advocate for the improvement of educational programs. Meetings will take place 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.