Classic Grand Prix planned for Sept. 23
Howard Community College's 2007 Columbia Classic Grand Prix, an equestrian competition and fundraiser, will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at the college, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia.
In celebration of the Grand Prix's 20th year, a raffle featuring 20 prizes, including a choice of a Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle or roadster and 20 gift certificates to area restaurants, is planned. Raffle tickets, on sale now, are $100; three are sold for $250. Only 1,200 will be sold. There will be 20 winners.
A $10,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic will be held at 11:30 a.m. The $40,000 Columbia Classic Grand Prix, which features world-class equestrians, including Olympic veterans, will be held at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $8-$200 for tent seats. Information: 410-772-4450 or visit www.howardcc.edu/grandprix.
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 county government departments.
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
A draft of Transportation Outlook 2035, a long-range transportation plan for the Baltimore region, will be presented for public review and comment 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 21224, online at www.baltometro.org/bboard or by e-mail to mhaines@baltometro.org.
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 the functioning of 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 declared 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.
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 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 Friday.
Information: 410-313-4634. Registration: 410-313-7275, or www.howardcountymd.gov/RAP.