County Executive Ken Ulman, Chief Administrative Officer Lonnie Robbins and Budget Director Raymond S. Wacks will attend a budget hearing at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Road.
The meeting has been scheduled to give residents who might find it difficult to attend the usual nighttime budget hearings an opportunity to discuss their budget priorities and concerns.
Sign-up for those wishing to testify will begin at 12:30 p.m., and testimony will be heard on a first-to-sign-up, first-to-speak basis. For those who would like to present their testimony via the Internet, the form is available online at the home page of the county's Web site, www.howardcountymd.gov. Testimony submitted via the Internet is considered public information and is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
The county executive will hold his final budget hearing for the fiscal 2009 budget at 7:30 p.m. March 6 in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building.
Library plans 'Eve ning in the Stacks'
The Howard County Library will hold its 11th annual gala fund-raiser, this year called, "Evening in the Stacks: Walk the Red Carpet," from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at the east Columbia branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way.
Guests can sip martinis while bidding on silent auction items, dine on food provided by the Elkridge Furnace Inn, and listen to a film panel that features critic Ann Hornaday. Big Tubba Mista will provide music for dancing.
Tickets are $100. Proceeds will benefit the library's educational initiatives.
Information: 410-313-7750 or visit www.hclibrary.org.
Soroptimists to an nounce award winners
Soroptimist International of Howard County will hear progress reports on its annual awards projects at a monthly dinner to be held at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Caf? de Paris, 8808 Centre Park Drive, Columbia.
Winners will be announced for the group's three awards: The Women's Opportunity Award, helping women heads of household who support their families; the Violet Richardson Award, recognizing community service by a young volunteer, ages 14-17; and Making a Difference for Women Award, honoring a woman who, through personal or professional effort, makes a difference in the lives of women and girls.
An Awards Banquet honoring the winners will be held in April.
Soroptimist, an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women, works to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.
The local chapter of the group meets on the third Thursday of each month. Information: Karen Trennepohl, 410-750-9413.
Annual fundraiser features scooter raffle
As part of its annual gala fundraiser, "Evening in the Stacks," the Howard County Library will raffle off a new, red, 2007 LX 150 Vespa Scooter, an easy-to-park and environmentally friendly way to drive around Howard County.
Only 250 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held at the event - "Evening in the Stacks: Walk the Red Carpet" - to be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at the east Columbia branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way.
Raffle tickets are $40, three for $100, and are available at library branches and online at www.hclibrary.org. The scooter comes with a $200 gift certificate for a helmet and gloves. (The winner will be responsible for taxes and tags, estimated at $400, and must be at least 18 years old.) Attendance at the gala event is not required.
Proceeds will go to the library's educational initiatives.
The scooter is to be provided by Bob's BMW and Motorcycles.