Youth initiatives focus of meeting

County Council members Mary Kay Sigaty and Jen Terrasa have met with members of the community to discuss possible youth initiatives. Sigaty and Terrasa have invited their colleagues on the council to join them in a meeting with the group at 3 p.m. March 28 to broaden the discussion to youth initiatives, which may lead to developing legislation.

The meeting will be held in the Ellicott Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City. The public is welcome to attend.

Tax session for nonprofits set

The Association of Community Services will sponsor "At Risk? Your Tax Exempt Status," a discussion of new IRS definitions and other changes that could jeopardize an organization's nonprofit status, from noon to 1:30 p.m. April 16 at The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia.

Jennine Anderson, partner at UHY LLP, an accounting firm, will discuss how required disclosures and other tax issues can affect the operation of nonprofits.

Lunch can be brought or ordered by faxing the order form (available at www.acsho co.org) by April 11 to 410-715-9547.

Citizenship test classes planned

FIRN will offer preparatory classes for the U.S. Citizenship Test, beginning April 3. Registration is limited to the first 20 people to apply.

The classes will include instruction in the current test format and in-depth discussion on United States history and government. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service will institute a new citizenship test Oct. 1.

There is a fee of $40 for flash cards and other study materials.

Information or to reserve a place: 410-992-1923.

'Seventeen' model call at The Mall

Seventeen magazine will hold a "Rock the Runway" model call, fashion show and concert for shoppers, ages 13-21, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow in the Nordstrom wing of The Mall in Columbia.

Three winners will be chosen to walk the runway, participate in a photo shoot, and have their photos appear on www.seventeen.com.

Striders to start training program

Howard County Striders will begin its First Step Training Program at 6 a.m. Wednesday at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia. The program runs weekly through April 30.

The cost is $15 for members.

Information: Joe and Sandy Boys, 410-772-8866.

Support program seeks facilitators

The SPRING Peer Support Program is recruiting peer facilitators and will begin its initial facilitator training to prepare volunteers for support groups March 28.

SPRING is an acronym for Senior Peer Resources, Individuals, Networks and Groups. SPRING groups, which are held at senior centers and other venues around the county, provide a confidential, comfortable setting for men and women to share concerns, insights and ideas.

The five-week training will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia.

Information: Karen Hull, 410-313-7466.

Autism group to raf fle motorcycle

The Howard County Autism Society and Harley-Davidson of Maryland Inc. will raffle a 2007 FXD Dyna SuperGlide motorcycle in Pacific Pearl Blue to raise awareness of autism in Howard County.

Tickets are available for $100 each; $250 for three. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold.

The drawing will be held at the third "Pieces of the Puzzle Gala," from 7 p.m. to midnight April 5.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.howard-autis m.org or at Harley Davidson of Maryland, 7010 Troy Hill Drive, Elkridge.