Howard County's Commission for Women is sponsoring an essay contest in honor of women's History Month in March. The national theme for this year's celebration is "Women's Art, Women's Vision."
The contest is open to Howard County students in grades 6-12. The essays should describe a contemporary or historical American woman who has excelled in the arts and could be considered visionary because of her contributions.
First-place winners in each grade category (grades 6-8 and 9-12) will receive a $200 U.S. Savings Bond and be invited to read their essays at the Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, to be held at 7:30 p.m. March 13 in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City.
The deadline for submission is Friday.
Essays can be submitted as a Word document, with the subject line "WHOF Essay Contest, to women@howardcountymd.gov. Or they can be mailed to the Commission for Women Student Essay Contest, P.O. Box 348, Simpsonville, MD 21150-0348.
Information: 410-313-6400 or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/CitizenServices/C S_HomePage.htm and click on "Commissions & Advisory Boards," and then on "Commission for Women," or inquire at school guidance offices.
Kiwanis Club to meet Wednesday
The Kiwanis Club of Columbia will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Bob Evans Restaurant off Route 100 to discuss the state of the Chesapeake Bay.
The dinner meeting is open to the public. Information: Jesse Schneider, 410-730-0695.
Register online to testify at hearing
Residents who want to testify at the Howard County Council's legislative hearing Feb. 19 can sign up to testify electronically, starting tomorrow.
The new Web-based sign-up sheet will be available at www.howardcountymd.gov/Countycouncil/CC_HomePage.htm. (Click on "Give Testimony" and follow the instructions.)
People will be called to testify on bills and resolutions in the order in which their names appear on a list generated by the Web site.
Those without access to a computer can continue to register at the council's hearings, or call the council's office during business hours for assistance.
Information: 410-313-2001.
Ten to compete in arts event
Ten finalists will compete for prizes totaling $8,500 in the Howard County Arts Council's 2008 Rising Star Emerging Performing Artists Awards, to be held April 26 at the 11th Celebration of the Arts in Howard County.
Performing artists, ages 18 to 35, auditioned last month before a panel of professionals. The finalists are actress Courtney Bell; singer Risa Binder; soprano Colleen Daly; Jorge Espinoza, cellist; Alexander Francis, pianist; Matthew Hemerlein, guitarist; classical ballerina Rebecca King; opera singer Keesun Kwon; modern dancer Aimee Velle; and instrumentalist Chrysanthy Wallace, who plays piccolo.
An audience of more than 700 artists, arts patrons and representatives from business and other communities will select three winners by popular vote. The event will be held at Jim Rouse Theatre, Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia.
Tickets, which cost $50 (balcony) or $75 (orchestra), are for sale.
Information: 410-313-ARTS, or www.hocoarts.org.
'Roots of Howard County' planned
The villages of Columbia, the Columbia Association, the African Art Museum of Maryland and the Howard County Center of African-American Culture will present "Roots of Howard County: In Celebration of African-American History" from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 10 at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia.
The Ambassadors of Jazz, a youth group, will perform. Images of Freedom poster contest entries will be on display and light refreshments will be served.
Those who attend can visit the African Art Museum of Maryland and see a display presented by the Howard County Center of African-American Culture.
Admission is free. Information: 410-730-4744.
Shelter seeks dishes for residents
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center is nearing completion of its $5.5 million renovation and expansion project and is seeking cookware, dishes and utensils to prepare and serve meals for shelter residents.
The expanded shelter will serve as a temporary home for 55 people. The building's new commercial kitchen will enable volunteer groups to prepare meals onsite. The kitchen and dinnerware are the focus of a new fundraising campaign.
To make a donation, send a check to Grassroots, 6700 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD 21044.
Choose Civility mag nets available
The Howard County Library has Choose Civility car magnets in stock. The magnets are part of an initiative that includes 40 partners, led by the library, to position Howard County as a model of civility.
Funded by Friends of Howard County Library, The Horizon Foundation and Howard County General Hospital, the project is intended to enhance the quality of life in the county and emphasize the importance of civility for those who live and work here.
The book by P.M. Forni, founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project, Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct, is available at library branches. A $1 donation is requested.
A Choose Civility Spring Symposium is planned from 8 a.m. to noon May 14.
Information: Kelli Shimabukuro, 410-313-7763.