Sheriff to address Triad/SALT group
Triad/SALT of Howard County invites the community to join in a discussion with Sheriff James Fitzgerald at 1 p.m. July 16 in the community room at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions.
The session is sponsored by Triad/SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together). The organization's local branch is a cooperative venture of AARP and the sheriff's and police departments.
Admission to the talk is free. Reservations are not required.
Information: 531-6638.
2 libraries to open Sundays this summer
The Howard County Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, and the Miller branch library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, will continue to be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays this summer, except Sept. 3.
All other branches are closed Sundays. Sunday hours (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) will resume at all branches of the library Sept. 9.
Information: 410-313-7750.
Red Cross seeks blood donors
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the Red Cross is expecting a significant decline in blood donations 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.
Widows, widowers meet once a month
Howard County Young Widows and Widowers, a support and social group, meets from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.
The group offers an opportunity to meet new friends in a supportive atmosphere.
Information: 410-740-5858.
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, runs through 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 next month. 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 scrapbooking.
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.
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.
Relatives as Parents group plans picnic
Relatives as Parents (formerly Grandparents as Parents), an information and support group for those raising the children of relatives, meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, except during the summer, at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia.
The group offers information, referrals and other services. A family picnic is being planned this month.
Regular meetings will resume in September.
Information: 410-381-4800.