AARP and the IRS will sponsor free personal income tax preparation for low- and middle-income Howard County residents, with emphasis on those ages 60 and older, at more than 10 locations in the county.
Self-employment returns with more than $5,000 in expenses and other very complex returns are not eligible for the service.
To schedule an appointment, call:
Ellicott City Senior Center (410-313-1400), Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings, and some Tuesday evenings.
Glenwood Community Center (410-313-5440), selected Wednesdays.
East Columbia Senior Center (410-313-7680), selected Thursdays.
Bain Center, 410-313-7387), Monday, Tuesday afternoons; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday mornings; selected Saturdays.
Elkridge and Savage Senior Centers (410-313-7387), alternate Wednesdays.
'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. today 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.
WomenHeart to meet Feb. 20
WomenHeart, a support group for women with heart disease, will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 in the Nordstrom's caf? on the second floor of The Mall in Columbia.
Information: Marilyn Smedberg-Gobbett, reddress05@verizon.net.
PFLAG venue to be used for election
The Columbia-Howard County chapter of PFLAG will not meet Tuesday because the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, the venue for the chapter's meetings will be used for the Maryland primary election, to be held that day.
The chapter will send a delegation to Annapolis tomorrow to participate in Lobby Day, sponsored by Equality Maryland, to advocate for issues of concern to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, including passage of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act.
Information: 410-290-8292.
Report underage drinking to police
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 to underage people 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.
Teen job fair planned 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.hcdrugfree.org, and click on "Programs." Useful information is available at www.playitsafeoceancity.com. Information: 443-325-0040.