COMMUNITY NOTES

The Baltimore Sun

26 groups getting $140,000 in grants

The Columbia Foundation, Howard County's community foundation, is awarding $140,000 in project grants to 26 local charitable organizations.

Human service grants totaling $78,100 are to go to Arc of Howard County; Chase Brexton; Community Action Council of Howard County; Congregations Concerned for the Homeless; Ellicott Terrace/Columbia Housing; Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center; Humanim; Loyola College; Neighbor Ride Inc.; Salvation Army Howard County Service Center; Special Olympics Howard County; Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults; and Winter Growth.

Arts and cultural grants, totaling $4,500 are to go to Howard County Ballet and Little Patuxent Review.

Education and community services grants, totaling $57,400 are to go to: the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum - Ellicott City Station; Courtesy on the Road; Green Building Institute; HC DrugFree; Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club; Individual Difference in Leaning Association; Korean American Community Association of Howard County; Oakland Mills Community Association; Reservoir High School; University of Maryland, Howard County Legacy Leadership Program; and Vision Howard County.

The foundation has awarded more than $9 million in grants to Howard County nonprofit organizations.

Red Cross seeks blood donors

The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the Red Cross is expecting a significant decline in blood donations because of the July 4 holiday and is urging eligible blood donors to call 800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a donation as soon as possible.

Platelet donors should call 800-272-2123 to schedule an appointment.

Donors must be in generally good health; at least 17 years old, or in Maryland, age 16 with written parental consent; weigh 110 pounds or more; and have not received a tattoo within the past year or donated whole blood within the past 56 days.

Information: 800-GIVE- LIFE.

Fund provides help to pay pool fees

In partnership with the Columbia Foundation, the family of the late Ann Scherr, former director of community services at the Columbia Association, has established the Ann Scherr Fund to provide scholarships for summer pool memberships for families in need.

The grants are intended to help families with lower incomes pay the already reduced rate that the Columbia Association offers.

Ann Scherr was concerned that Columbia's facilities and services should be accessible to everyone.

Information or to request an application: 410-730-1801.

Housing application period has opened

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman has announced that the county's second open application period for the Moderate Income Housing Unit Program began Sunday and ends July 31.

The inclusionary zoning program requires developers of new housing in specific districts to sell or rent a percentage of the dwelling units to moderate-income households.

The units are sold or rented through the Department of Housing and Community Development. Those who want to purchase or rent a unit must fill out an application for a "certificate of eligibility" based on income, assets, household size, whether the applicant wants to rent or purchase and other factors. Certified applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

The next Moderate Income Housing Unit Program lottery, which is to include for-sale townhouses in the development of Shipley's Grant and condominiums in Elkridge Crossing, will be held in August. Those eligible for the lottery will be notified and invited to attend.

Eligible renters will be chosen directly from the list, based on application dates, when the units become available.

Maximum permitted incomes range from $51,063 for purchasers in a one-person household and $38,297 for renters to $96,290 for purchasers in an eight-person household and $72,218 for renters.

Information: 410-313-6318, or www.howardcountymd.gov.

History project seeks participants

The Howard County Library invites residents to tell their personal history or help collect the stories of others as part of the This Is Your Life project.

The project is designed to enable Howard County residents ages 50 and older to celebrate their lives by creating oral histories, writing memoirs, investigating genealogy and scrap-booking.

Anyone interested in being interviewed or in being trained to conduct an interview should call Kelli Shimabukuro, 410-313-7763.

The project is co-sponsored by the Howard County Office on Aging, Columbia Archives, Howard County Historical Society, Vantage House and American Literary Press.

Cuba Caravan meal, program tonight

Howard County Friends of Latin America and others will welcome the Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan with a dinner and program from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at the Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, in Oakland Mills Village Center.

A dinner of beans and rice and entertainment will be provided. A $5 donation is requested.

Information: www.friends oflatinamerica.org.

Aid organization has a new Web site

The Community Action Council of Howard County has a new Web site, http:--cac-hc.org.

The council serves and is an advocate for the low-income population of Howard County.

The nonprofit organization, which served about 2,600 families last year, receives funding from federal, state and local government, private organizations and local businesses.

Information: 410-313-6440.

Woodworking shop open to seniors

The Bain Center operates a woodworking shop equipped with power tools and staffed by volunteers from the Howard County Woodworkers' Guild.

The shop is open to senior citizens working on projects of their own. Hours are from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays.

Information: 410-313-7213.

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