Help is available finding child care
Parents in Howard County can receive free assistance finding state-licensed child care centers, family child care providers and programs for school-age children and preschools.
The service, called LOCATE: Child Care, can be reached at 410-313-1930 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Trained child care counselors will be available to help parents find the care best suited to their needs, preferences and ability to pay.
LOCATE: Child Care, a service of the Howard County Child Care Resource Center, also advises parents on programs for which they may qualify, such as subsidized health care, subsidized child care and tax credits.
Information: 410-313-1940.
Service academy applicant procedures
Rep. John Sarbanes has announced that applications to be considered for a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are available from his office.
Sarbanes said students who live in Maryland's 3rd District are eligible to be considered by him for a nomination, a prerequisite for applying to one of the academies.
The application packet is posted at www.sarbanes. house.gov. Students can also request an application form by writing to Rep. John Sarbanes, 600 Baltimore Ave., Suite 303, Towson 21204, or e-mail, academies@mail.house. gov.
The deadline for receipt of completed application packets is 5 p.m. Nov. 1.
Information: Sharon Nathanson, 410-832-8890.
Schools add Verizon cable TV hookup
The Howard County school system's cable television programming is now available to Verizon customers on Verizon Cable Channel 42. The school system will also continue to broadcast on Comcast Cable Channel 72.
School system programming on both channels will be identical.
Information: 410-313-6682.
College schedules orientation sessions
Howard Community College has scheduled new-student orientation sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 20 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 22.
First-time students are encouraged and expected to attend. Parents are also welcome to attend a program for them that will run concurrently during both sessions.
Refreshments, information packets, activities, interactive workshops, campus tours and prizes are planned.
Appetizers will be provided at 5:15 p.m. before the evening session, and dessert will be served after the session. Professor P.M. Forni of the Johns Hopkins University, founder of the Civility Project, will speak.
A continental breakfast will be served at 8:15 a.m. before the daytime session, and the college will provide lunch. Students will also be invited to participate in HCC ThinkFast, an interactive game show in which participants have a chance to win money.
The sessions will be held at the Athletics Center on the college campus, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia.
Information or registration: 410-772-4430.
Stressless Tests classes scheduled
Registration is open for Stressless Tests Summer Study Skills classes, to be held at Centennial High School in Ellicott City.
Classes for high school students will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 7-10 and repeated Aug. 14-17.
Middle school classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 31 through Aug. 3, Aug. 7-10, and Aug. 14-17.
The cost is $165 and includes a copy of the Study for Success digital video disc by Betty Caldwell.
Information or registration: 410-740-4659, or www.stress lesstests.org.
Music camps planned at HCC
Howard Community College's Musical Arts Center will offer summer music camps for beginners ages 5 to 10, intermediate and advanced students in strings and orchestra, rock, jazz and brass.
A Gemini Piano Trio Workshop for ages 11 to 18, piano camps for ages 7 to 18 and beginning violin classes for children ages 4 and older will also be offered.
Information: 410-772-4871, orwww.howardcc.edu/ visitors/mac.