Sunday, Feb. 26
Genealogy Dwight Parker will give a presentation "Tracing your Slave Ancestors" at 3 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4100 St. Johns Lane in Ellicott City. Parker will talk about how he researched his ancestors back to a slave village on Mansfield Plantation in Georgetown, S.C. Now he is on the board of the Mansfield Foundation, along with John Parker, a descendant of the owners of the plantation. Information: 410-796-3022.
'The Merchant of Venice' Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents the Bard's tragic comedy through March 24 at Oliver's Carriage House, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia. Tickets are $36, $29 for seniors (older than 65) and $15 for students. For showtimes and information, call 410-313-8661 or go to chesapeakeshakespeare.com.
Wednesday, Feb. 29
School news The Board of Education's Legislative Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the Lobby Conference Room ML 2 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
Saturday, March 3
Concert The Unitarian Universalist Chalice Concert Series presents "Fundango," a concert featuring Harmonious Blacksmith, at 3 p.m. at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. Pianist and series director Michael Adcock will give a pre-concert lecture at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 for students. Children younger than 15 admitted free with a paying adult. Information: 410-381-0097 or uucolumbia.net/concerts.
Cocker Spaniel Adoption Day The Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue group will hold an adoption day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Petsmart, 9041 Snowden River Parkway. Information: cockerspanielrescue.com.
Future
Police recruiting A recruiting event for applicants for entry-level officer, lateral officer and cadet will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, 2200 Scott Wheeler Drive in Marriottsville. Learn about job opportunities, benefits, the application process, academy life and more. Displays of police equipment and demonstrations from specialized units will be featured, and tours of the training center will be given. Written and physical testing starts at 9:30 a.m. A doctor's authorization form is required for physical testing. Information: 410-313-4273 or howardcountymd.gov/policejobs.htm.
Forum The Agriculture Marketing Program of the Howard County Economic Development Authority will hold its Central Maryland Women in Agriculture Forum, "Forging New Bonds between Field and Table," from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15 at the Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship. Forum includes a variety of topics and speakers. Registration fee of $35 includes lunch and light refreshments. For registration or information, call 410-313-6500 or go to hceda.org.
Concert The Oakland Mills Community Association presents the Oakland Mills High School Orchestra in concert at 7:30 p.m. March 17 at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia. Advance tickets are $10, $5 for children under 12; $15 the day of the concert. Purchase tickets at The Other Barn or at brownpapertickets.com/event/214445. Information: 410-730-1129.
Classical music The Sundays at Three Chamber Music Series presents pianist Eun Joo Chung at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia. Program include music by Schubert, Brahms, Chopin and Bach-Busoni. Tickets are $15, free for 17 and younger accompanied by an adult. Information: 443-288-3179 or sundaysatthree.org.
Announcements for the datebook may be sent by mail to The Baltimore Sun in Howard County, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278; by email to howard.events@baltsun.com; or by fax to 410-332-6455.