Hospital campus going smoke-free
The campus of Howard County General Hospital will be smoke free, beginning Nov. 15.
The hospital chose to implement the policy Nov. 15 to coincide with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, when the society promotes local and nationwide activities focused on the benefits of not smoking.
Howard Count General Hospital has been informing patients, visitors and staff members about the change since the summer through a hospitalwide campaign called "Breathe Easy -- HCGH is Smoke-Free."
The hospital is offering reduced-cost smoking-cessation classes for its employees and has developed a nicotine replacement protocol to assist hospital patients who smoke. With a doctor's order, patients who qualify can receive a nicotine patch, inhaler or gum.
Residents in need status to be discussed
The Association of Community Services will sponsor "Surviv- ing/Thriving in Howard County" -- a discussion of the status of county residents in need and community attitudes about self-sufficiency -- from noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia.
Panelists include James Smith of the Community Action Council; Linda Zumbrun, Department of Social Services; Glenn Schneider, Health Department; and Joe Willmott of the Board of Homelessness.
Those who attend can take a lunch or order a box lunch by Nov. 9 at www.acshoco.org. The cost for a box lunch is $7, payable at the door. Lunch forms, available online, should be faxed to 410-715-9546 or e-mailed to info@acshoco. org.
Information: 410-715-9545, or www.acshoco.org.
Hospitalized kids due Halloween treat
On Wednesday, children hospitalized in the pediatric center at Howard County General Hospital will be given handcrafted fabric dolls made by members of the Kiwanis Club of Columbia for Halloween.
Co-president Ruby Schneider will distribute the dolls and crayons, to be used by the children to add faces and clothes to the dolls. "She'll be dressed as a witch," said Henry Stern, the group's public relations chairman.
The Kiwanis Club focuses on service to the community, particularly children.
The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Bob Evans restaurant, off Route 100.
Information: 410-309-4362.
Kiwanis schedules craft fair, breakfast
The sixth Kiwanis Fall Craft Fair and Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon tomorrow at Kiwanis Wallas Park, Route 144 and U.S. 40 in Ellicott City.
Admission to the craft fair is free. The pancake breakfast costs $5.
Proceeds will help pay for Kiwanis community service projects.
Information: Gus Katsampis, 410-465-1891.
Blood donation competition set
The Columbia Foundation's next-generation initiative, "Twentyfive-fortyfive," a program to involve younger people in philanthrophy and public service, and the Howard County Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Network have launched a competition to see which group can donate the most blood to the American Red Cross.
Volunteer donors, who needn't be affiliated with either group, can donate blood at the Red Cross Bloodmobile, which will be parked from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today on The Mall in Columbia parking lot near the J.C. Penney store.
Information: Candace Dodson Reed, 410-730-7840, or Catherine Lay, 410-730-4111.
Public meeting set on 'Vision' paper
The Columbia Association's board of directors will hold a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to hear comments from residents on "Downtown Columbia: A Community Vision," a document released Sept. 28 by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.
The document establishes a framework for the next 30 years of development in Columbia's Town Center and outlines a three-step implementation process
The Columbia Association board plans to respond to the proposal and include comments from members of the community. The board will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 8 to discuss comments received from the public. Those who attend Thursday's Nov. 1 meeting will be allowed to speak for three minutes; representatives of groups will be allowed to speak for five minutes.
To access "Downtown Columbia: A Community Vision:" www.howardcountymd.gov. The document is also available at Howard County libraries and at County Council offices.
The meetings will be held at Columbia Association headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle, above Clyde's Restaurant.
Information: 410-715-3111.
Bikers set to 'Ride for Our Troops'
Two hundred Harley-Davidson bikers are expected to "Ride For Our Troops," to benefit the Blewitt Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving severely injured members of the military and their families, at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The ride is to start at Harley-Davidson of Maryland, 7010 Troy Hill Drive, Elkridge. Registration starts at 10 a.m. After the 20- to 30-minute ride, which is to end at Centennial Park, a picnic lunch with music is planned.
Motorcyclists who contribute $25 or more can ride. Checks should be made payable to the Blewitt Foundation.
Information: 410-796-1044, or www.theblewittfoundation. org.
Candidates sought for scholarship
The Columbia Association is seeking candidates for its annual Spirit of Columbia Scholarship Award, given each year to high school seniors who have shown extraordinary dedication to community service.
As many as six $2,500 scholarships will be awarded this year to graduating high school seniors who live on Columbia Association-assessed property or have a parent who works full time on assessed property. Candidates must have at least a "C" average, and a demonstrated history of voluntary service to the Columbia community.
Winners will be honored at a reception.
Applications are available at local high schools, Columbia community centers and Columbia Association headquarters (10221 Wincopin Circle). They can also be downloaded from www.columbiaassociation.org.
Applications must be submitted by March 1.
Information: 410-715-3175.
English Conversation Club at library
The Miller branch library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, offers an English Conversation Club from 7:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Mondays for people who speak English as a second language and would like to practice conversation in a group setting.
First-time participants must register in advance.
Information: 410-313-1950.
Laughter program for seniors offered
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will sponsor "Laughter The Best Medicine," a program for seniors ages 55 and older, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Kiwanis Wallas Recreation Center in Ellicott City.
Laughter-based exercises are said to strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure and promote emotional healing.
The program is not based on joke-telling.
The cost is $4.
Information: 410-313-7320 or 410-313-7279.
Women sought for Hall of Fame
The Howard County Commission for Women invites nominations of outstanding women for induction into the Women's Hall of Fame.
The 12th annual Hall of Fame induction will honor women who have achieved distinction in their work, made lasting contributions to the community and improved the quality of life for other people.
Nominees must be natives of Howard County or have lived in the county for at least 10 consecutive years.
Nomination forms, which must be received by Nov. 16, are available online at www. howardcountymd.gov/CitizenServices/CS_ HomePage.htm, at county libraries, or at the Gateway Building, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia. They also can be obtained by calling 410-313-6400.
Completed forms can be mailed to the Commission for Women, Women's Hall of Fame Committee, P.O. Box 348, Simpsonville 21150-0348. They should be sent with three letters of recommendation, a typed biographical account (limited to two pages) and a 5-inch-by-7-inch black-and-white head-and-shoulders photograph of the nominee.
Nominations are reviewed by an independent committee, which makes recommendations to the commission. The nominees will be honored at a public ceremony during Women's History Month in March.
Family center offers groups for youngsters
The National Family Resiliency Center is accepting enrollment for support groups for children and teens ages 5 to 18 whose parents are separated, divorced or remarried.
The groups, which are organized by age, focus on the needs of the children, who learn that they are not different from others in similar circumstances. Children and youth learn skills to express their feelings in the setting of the support group, and in their families.
Parents and family members are included in the final two sessions.
Registration is required.
A men's support group is also available.
Information: Lauren Woodfork or Kathy Helt, 410-740-9553, Ext. 200, or e-mail, sales@divorceabc.com.
The fee, which is based on family income, ranges from $10 to $50 a session. The center is a private, nonprofit charitable organization.