Program today on teens and DUI
HC DrugFree and Centennial High School will sponsor a program for parents and high school students, "Branded 'D.U.I.' -- Consequences for Teens Who Drink and Drive," from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Centennial High School in Ellicott City.
The film, Branded D.U.I., which follows 11 young Maryland drivers and shows the consequences of driving under the influence, will be shown. The film includes stories about drivers who caused fatalities, went to jail, lost their driver's licenses, were barred from high school activities, faced higher insurance rates or lost college scholarships.
After the film, District Judge Pamila J. Brown will explain what happens in Howard County when a teenager gets a DUI citation. Officer Mark Heron of the Alcohol Enforcement Unit will answer questions.
Admission is free; reservations are not needed.
Information: 443-325-0040.
For handouts with information on Senior Week in Ocean City: www.hcdrugfree.org, and click on "Programs." Useful information on planning the week is available at www.playitsafeoceancity.com.
HC DrugFree's Teen Job and Volunteer Fair, sponsored by Howard County General Hospital, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8 at Long Reach High School in Columbia.
Columbia Festival seeking logo art
The Columbia Festival of the Arts will feature an original piece of artwork by a Howard County student on its festival brochures, programs and posters. The student, who can be in kindergarten through 12th grade, will receive a cash prize of $500.
Artist Alice Webb, designer of Columbia's 2007 commemorative posters, will conduct the judging. Award-winning pieces will be on display at the festival June 13-28.
Those who want to enter the contest are asked to create a comprehensive design that reflects a variety of art forms on a piece of white paper 16 1/2 inches high by 11 3/4 inches wide. The paper should not be folded. The deadline for entries is Friday.
Information: 410-715-3044, or www.columbiafestival.com.
Girls expo to stress science, engineering
The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, with support from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and Math Engineering Science Achievement, will hold an introduction to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for middle and high school girls from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at APL.
Those who attend will be offered opportunities to meet and talk with women in their fields of interest, participate in hands-on STEM activities and visit displays on careers in aerospace, computer science, electrical engineering, geology, information technology, science education, space mission engineering and more.
Parents are invited to accompany their daughters to the STEM careers expo. Refreshments will be served, and resource material will be available.
The Women's Giving Circle is a community of women philanthropists addressing the needs of women and girls in Howard County. The expo will be held in the Howard Room, APL Building 1, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel.
Reservations are suggested.
Information: womensgivingcircle@comcast.net, or 301-854-1107.
Online registration open for camps
The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks has improved its online registration system for summer camps and activities.
Starting today, parents can register their children at 6 p.m., rather than at the usual midnight starting time. All other registration -- by phone, mail or in person -- begins at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
The county has also upgraded the computer system to accommodate the expected demand.
Summer Camp Guides are being sent to county households; they are available online at www.howardcountymd.gov/RAP by clicking on "Seasonal Activities and Information" or at Recreation and Parks headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia.
To register by phone: 410-313-7275, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. To register by mail: 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia 21046. In-person registration will be accepted at Recreation and Parks headquarters; the Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville; and the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia.
Information: 410-313-4700.
Contest honors women's history
Howard County's Commission for Women is sponsoring an essay contest in honor of Women's History Month, celebrated next month. 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 six to 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 six to eight and nine to 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 submissions 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 21150-0348.
Information: 410-313-6400, or 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.