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 in North Laurel.
Those who attend will be offered opportunities to meet and talk with professional 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 and space mission engineering.
Parents are invited to accompany their daughters to the STEM careers expo. Refreshments will be served, and resource material will be available. 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.
The Women's Giving Circle is a community of women philanthropists addressing the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Information: womensgiving circle@comcast.net, or 301-854-1107.
Forum set Monday on CA president post
The Columbia Association's board of directors invites residents to attend a public forum at 7:30 p.m. Monday to share their thoughts on the background, experience and qualifications the next association president should have.
The search for the association's next president will begin soon, and the board is requesting suggestions for a job description.
The meeting will be held at association headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia.
Those unable to attend can submit ideas at http:--president.columbia matters.org/NextPresident/.
Information: 410-715-3100.
Hot line targets underage drinking
Parents and school staff can help reduce underage drinking and perhaps save lives by calling the Howard County Police Department's Party Buster Hotline: 410-313-2284.
Anyone who learns about or observes a party where alcohol is going to be served should call and leave a message with the address of the residence or cross streets, and a telephone number, if possible. A name can also be left, but is not required.
The Alcohol Enforcement Unit will listen to the messages and investigate.
For parties in progress, when an immediate police response is needed: 410-313-2929 or 911.
Summer camp expo to be held Sunday
The Harper's Choice Community Association and Kidstreet News will sponsor the 25th Camp Expo from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Kahler Hall in the Harper's Choice Village Center, Columbia.
Representatives from day and overnight, local and regional camps will attend. Families with children are welcome; children's activities are planned.
Admission is free and open to everyone. Strollers are not permitted.
Information: 410-730-0770.
Job-volunteer fair for teens is March 8
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.
For handouts with information on Senior Week in Ocean City: www.hc drugfree.org, and click on "Programs." Useful information on planning the week is available at www.playitsafe oceancity.com.
Information: 443-325-0040.
'Roots' to celebrate county heritage
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. Sunday 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.
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 today.
Information: 410-715-3044, or www.columbiafestival.com.
Online registration open for camps
The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks has improved its online registration system for summer camps and activities.
Parents can now register their children at 6 p.m., rather than at the usual midnight starting time. All other registration - by phone, mail or in person - began at 8 p.m. yesterday.
The county has also upgraded the computer system to accommodate the online 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.
Jewish group offers support for caregivers
Jewish Family Services in Howard County offers a support group for adults who are caring for an elderly family member or friend. The group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Federation offices, Century Plaza 1000, 10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 401, Columbia.
The group, which will provide an opportunity for caregivers to share concerns and resources, will meet Monday and March 10, April 14, May 12 and June 9.
The cost is $5 a session.
Information registration: Liz Schoen, 410-730-4976, Ext. 25.
Register online to testify at hearing
Residents who want to testify at the Howard County Council's legislative hearing Feb. 19 can sign up electronically to testify.
The new Web-based sign-up sheet will be available at www.howard countymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_ HomePage.htm. (Click on "Give Testimony" and follow the instructions.)
Those who register can insert the text of the written testimony and receive e-mail confirmation that the council has received the message.
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.
The system is to be expanded to allow members of the public to sign up electronically to testify at budget and legislative hearings.
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.
Shelter is seeking 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.
Choose Civility magnets 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 magnets are intended to be used on cars. A $1 donation is requested.
A Choose Civility Spring Symposium is planned from 8 a.m. to noon May 14.
Information: 410-313-7763.