New shows, awards -- Howard County Arts Council is sponsoring two new exhibitions at its galleries in Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City. Relying on Memories: Michael Farrell and Edda Jakab and the Maryland Art Education Association's juried exhibit will be open from Aug. 31 to Oct. 19. A reception, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 7, is to include the council's annual meeting and grant awards ceremony. County Executive Ken Ulman will talk about the Americans for the Arts 2007 National Award for County Arts Leadership recently bestowed on Howard County government. Admission is free and open to everyone. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 410-313-ARTS, or www.hocoarts.org.