The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County will hold its sixth annual meeting and social from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 16 at The Spear Center in the General Growth Properties Building in downtown Columbia.
Donors, friends and members of the community are invited to attend. Wine and refreshments will be served.
Diane Schumacher, Howard Community College athletic director, will speak about "A Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports: Title IX at 35." She will discuss the impact of Title IX on women's athletics. The 1972 legislation was designed to allow women access to education.
The Women's Giving Circle is working to build a community of women in philanthropy, creating a permanent endowment fund and providing grants to institutions and initiatives that address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Admission is $40. General Growth Properties is at 10275 Little Patuxent Parkway. To purchase tickets: send $40 to TCF/Women's Giving Circle, 10227 Wincopin Circle, Suite G-15, Columbia, 21044 or visit www.womensgivingcircle.org. Tickets will be held at the door.
Information: Colleen Taggart D'Agrosa, 1-800-642-2542.
Howard County library branches closed Tuesday
All branches of the Howard County Library system will be closed Tuesday for staff development day, an in-service day for staff. Regular hours will resume Wednesday. Information: 410-313-7890.
Students' artwork on display at The Mall in Columbia
Students from Howard County schools will have a chance to show their artwork to the public at the 36th annual Spring Exhibition at The Mall in Columbia, scheduled to be on display tomorrow through April 6.
More than 2,500 pieces by young artists ages 5 to 18 will be on display throughout the mall.
A reception is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. April 2.
Information: 410-730-3300.
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.acshoco.org) by April 11 to 410-715-9547.
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. Friday to broaden the discussion of 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.
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. A free refresher study session and new test preparation will be offered if applicants are called for an interview and to be tested after Oct. 1.
Information or to reserve a place: 410-992-1923.
Striders to start training program
Howard County Striders will begin its First Step Training Program at 6 a.m. Wednesday March 26 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.
AARP, IRS to help with tax filing
The AARP and the Internal Revenue Service will sponsor free personal income tax preparation for low- and middle-income Howard County residents, with emphasis on those age 60 and older, at county locations.
Self-employment returns with more than $5,000 in expenses and other complex returns are not eligible for the service.
Appointments, which must be scheduled in advance, are available at:
Ellicott City Senior Center (410-313-1400), Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings, and some Tuesday evenings.
Glenwood Community Center (410-313-5440), some 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.