Harry Potter party tonight
Howard County Library will celebrate the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with screenings of Harry Potter movies, strolling entertainment, a fencing demonstration, Harry Potter trivia, Hogwarts classes (transfiguration, potions, herbology, care and keeping of magical animals, divination and charms) a scrapbooking workshop for families and life-sized chess from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. today at the east Columbia library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. The book will be for sale, beginning at 12:01 a.m. The event is for children ages 9 and older; children younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. 410-313-7700.
County executive to hold forum
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman will hold an open public forum for all county residents from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Oakland Mills High School cafeteria. The school is at 9410 Kilimanjaro Road in Columbia.
The event will offer residents the opportunity to speak with the county executive and the heads of every county government department.
Those who wish to speak will be asked to sign up when they arrive in the cafeteria. Speakers will be asked to limit their questions or comments to two minutes.
The county executive will answer the question or direct the inquiry to the appropriate department head.
Draft transportation plan for review
Transportation Outlook 2035, a long-range transportation plan for the Baltimore region, will present its draft plan for public review and comment from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Tyson Room at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City.
A presentation on the draft plan is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The plan is being presented around the region. Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 29.
Copies of the draft plan are available at www.baltometro .org and at library branches. Comments can be submitted in writing to The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224, online at www.baltometro.org/bboard or by e-mail to mhaines@baltometro.org.
Teen theater camp presents 'Evita!'
The Teen Professional Theatre, a program of the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, will present the musical Evita! at 7:30 p.m. today; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Reservoir High School, 11550 Scaggsville Road, Fulton.
The Teen Professional Theatre is a four-week intensive summer program for those ages 13 to 21. The program includes workshops, mentoring and a final performance.
Information: www.cctarts .com.
Air conditioner checkups ongoing
In response to problems caused by the recent hot weather, First Transit Inc., the new contract operator for Howard Transit services, is working to assess air conditioners on its buses, make repairs and avoid future problems.
Howard Transit and HT Ride vehicles with broken air conditioners are being taken out of service whenever possible. Free bottles of water are being offered to passengers on buses without air conditioning.
Water will also be made available for Howard Transit passengers at Columbia and Laurel malls and at all county senior centers on days that have been declare Code Orange or Code Red for air quality.
To report a problem with air conditioning on a bus: 1-800-270-9553.
Discussion on costs of long-term care
The Howard County Department of Citizen Services' Office on Aging will offer a program on covering the costs of long-term care at 11 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Kiwanis Wallas Recreation Center, 10481 Frederick Road, Ellicott City.
"Long-Term Living: Covering the Costs" will include discussion of long-term care insurance and other ways to cover the costs of in-home care, assisted living, nursing home care and other expenses.
The discussion will be led by representatives from the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program of the Howard County Office on Aging.
Registration is requested. Information: 410-313-7391.
Red Cross makes urgent call for blood
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the Red Cross has announced that the community blood supply has dropped to crisis level and is urging eligible blood donors to call 800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a donation as soon as possible.
As of July 13, fewer than 50 units of type O-negative blood was available, according to an announcement issued by the Red Cross, which urges community donors to respond immediately.
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 not have not received a tattoo within the past year or donated whole blood within the past 56 days.
Information: 800-GIVE-LIFE.
Rec and Parks offers trip to tennis open
Howard County's Department of Recreation and Parks will sponsor a trip Aug. 31 to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York to see the 2007 U.S. Tennis Open.
The trip will be from 6 a.m. to midnight. The cost is $149, including reserved seating at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Registration is required by July 27.
Information: 410-313-4634. Registration: 410-313-7275, or www.howardcountymd.gov/RAP.