'Mural in the Parks' contest

The Department of Recreation & Parks is sponsoring an art contest for youths ages 11-17. Contestants are to design a mural illustrating the department's activities or programs such as the environment and nature, sports, art, music, dance or even a favorite park facility. There will be one winner for each of the park locations. Winners will receive a $50 gift certificate that can be used for a future camp, class, league, program or amusement park ticket. Entry forms with contest rules are available at howardcountymd.gov/rap. For more information, call Jennene Lausier at 410-313-1693. Entries should be mailed or dropped off at Recreation & Parks' Headquarters, Attention: Teen Division, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, 21046. Deadline is June 1.

Guided hikes

The Howard County Conservancy offers free guided hikes and talks on the second Saturday of the month. At 10 a.m. on May 21, visitors can enjoy an easy walk in the meadows and woods and along stream banks of the conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Information: 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.

Volunteers

The Howard County Arts Council seeks two volunteers to serve on the Baltimore City Arts & Cultural grant review panel. Interested individuals should have expertise in science/history museums, aquariums, libraries or zoos. Attendance at a three- to four-hour meeting on June 15 is required. Send resume and letter of interest to grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org. Information: hocoarts.org.

Theater rental

The Howard County Arts Council has announced the availability of the Black Box Theatre for rental. It is a 98-seat multipurpose performance space and is equipped with professional sound and lighting equipment, nearby dressing rooms, padded seats, black stage curtains and a sprung dance floor. A performance grand piano is also available for rental through a separate agreement with the Howard County Music Teachers Association. All renters of the theater are required to carry a commercial liability insurance policy of $1 million. Other requirements and rental request forms and rates can be found at hocoarts.org. Rental request forms should be mailed to Room Rentals at the Howard County Arts Council, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, 21043.

Celebration

At 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28, the Howard County STARS will hold its annual end-of-the-year celebration at River Hill High School, 12101 Route 108 in Clarksville. Event brings together more than 600 high school theater students to celebrate a season of outstanding performances. The celebration features excerpts from each of the 12 high school theatrical productions, a performance by the All-County Improvisational Acting Troupe and a salute to the critic teams. Tickets are $10 and be purchased from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday at River Hill High School or online at seatyourself.biz/rhhs.

Flea market and book sale

Event takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 at Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church, 14551 Burntwoods Road in Glenwood. Rain date is June 18. Tables available for $5 and spaces are free. Information: 410-489-0063.

Endowment fund

Howard County resident Elaine Ritchey has established the Arnold Braer and Maggie Endowment Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Columbia Foundation, that will support organizations dedicated to animal welfare. Fund is a memorial to her brother, Arnold Braer, who lived in Laurel, and his beagle, Maggie. The two died in November 2006. For more information about the Columbia Foundation, call 410-730-7840 or go to columbiafoundation.org.

Seeking committee members

The Slayton House Gallery seeks qualified individuals for the Slayton House Gallery Selection Committee. Applicants must have a background in the arts to be considered. Send resume to Bernice Kish, wlca@columbiavillages.org or Carole Black, cjblack@columbiavillages.org. This is a pro bono position. Deadline is June 15.

Boating season

The Department of Recreation and Parks has opened its newly renovated boat-launching ramp and fishing pier at Centennial Park. Located on the south side of the park, the ramp and pier improvements include an enlarged pier and an ADA-compliant walkway. The start of this year's boating season, which normally begins March 1, was pushed back to April 22 because of the construction project. As a result, the cost of an annual boat permit has been reduced from $35 to $30. Permit is good for the entire season, which ends Nov. 30.

Information: 410-313-7271 or howardcountymd.gov/rap.

Business expo

The Columbia Association's Business Expo will be 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at the Columbia SportsPark, 5453 Harper's Farm Road. Informational displays will educate business professionals on the association's offerings available through programs and services. Displays include the Columbia Art Center, Columbia SportsPark, Volunteer Center Serving Howard County, camps, time banking, golf, a physician referral program, "Columbia Matters" TV show and more. Event will also include a moon bounce for the kids, music and food. Free. Information: 410-715-3185 or go to ca4business.org.

'Cinderella'

Howard County Ballet presents its production of "Cinderella" at 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 21-22, at Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Lane in Ellicott City. Tickets are $19.50 in advance, $21 at the door, $12 for seniors, children and students. Discount for groups of 10 or more. For tickets and more information, call 410-465-9414 or go to howardcountyballet.org. Tickets are also available by mail: Howard County Ballet, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, Md. 21043.

Vendors for Columbia International Day

The Columbia Association seeks vendors for the 17th annual Columbia International Day, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at the downtown Columbia lakefront. Columbia International Day highlights and celebrates the cultural and ethnic diversity that distinguishes Columbia from other communities. Free event features live music and entertainment representing a variety of cultures; international food and crafts vendors; children's activities and more.

Applications are being accepted from vendors and artisans who would like to display or sell items with an international theme. There is a discounted rate for vendors who apply before June 2. For an application and more information, call 410-715-3161 or go to columbiaassociation.org/events.

Renovation project

The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks has received a $30,000 grant from the National Recreational Trails Program Fund. The grant will be used for the renovation of the Village of Owen Brown's pedestrian pathway system.

The project, scheduled to begin in October, will allow the restoration of the deteriorating East Columbia pathway with a new overlay of asphalt. Howard County will provide $30,000 in matching funds, along with any remaining funds needed for the project.

Renovations will consist of repaving the 3,909-foot pathway that serves the Owen Brown Community Center, Owen Brown Interfaith Center, Owen Brown Village Shopping Center, Cradlerock School, the Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, and the Southwick and Elkhorn housing communities. Anticipated completion date is the summer of 2012.

Information: 410-313-2022.

Disaster information sessions

The Volunteer Center of Howard County hosts monthly disaster volunteer information and orientation sessions to inform community members about how to prepare for and respond to a disaster. A session will run 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia. The session will identify local response agencies and inform participants how they can volunteer, prepare and train to respond in times of disaster.

To register and for more information: 410-715-3179.

Yard waste collection

Howard County's Bureau of Environmental Services will resume weekly yard waste collections through Jan. 20, 2012. Yard waste will be picked up weekly during regular recycling days and should be placed outside by 6 a.m. Allowable yard waste items include grass, leaves, hedge clippings/light brush, small limbs or branches less than 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length, dry seed pods, straw, hay and bamboo. Residents are encouraged to use paper bags or reusable containers.

To obtain a free paper yard waste bag (limit two bags per family), go to the Bureau of Environmental Services at 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 514 in Columbia, or the Alpha Ridge Landfill at 2350 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville.

For a complete list of what yard waste is and is not accepted, or for more information, go to howardcountymd.gov/dpw/recycling.htm.

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.

Kindred Spirits

Kindred Spirits, a social club for people 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. Highlights 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. 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.

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. It 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.

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.