The Howard County Conservancy will present its annual Earth Day celebration from 9 a.m. to noon April 19 at its Mount Pleasant farm at 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock.
The day will begin with a bird hike at 8 a.m. Tree planting, trail maintenance and service projects will begin at 9 a.m. The event will end with a guided hike at noon.
Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, and groups are welcome.
The conservancy is the county's only environmental education center and its largest land trust. In addition to preserving land through conservation easements, the conservancy manages the 232-acre Mount Pleasant Farm, where educational programs are offered to children and adults.
Information: 410-465-8877.
Basketball contest to feature youths
Youth ages 8-13 will have an opportunity to participate in the Junior Olympic Basketball Skills Competition, to be held at 1 p.m. today at the Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville.
Boys and girls, who will compete separately, will each have 45 seconds to score as many points as possible. Winners advance to a regional competition.
River Hill to hold arthritis workshop
In conjunction with the fourth annual "Get Active Howard County Program," the Village of River Hill will present an Arthritis Prevention and Treatment Workshop at 7 p.m. April 9 at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle.
Dr. Joseph Layug, a Columbia-based orthopedic surgeon, will give a one-hour presentation and lead a discussion of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. He will also describe hip- and knee-replacement surgery, including minimally invasive approaches, gender-specific knee replacements and hip-resurfacing techniques.
Registration is requested but not required.
The presentation is sponsored by the River Hill Community Association and the Howard County Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition.
Information: Gina Harrison, 410-531-1749.
Military
Completes training -- Navy Seaman Apprentice Paul A. Teed, son of Paul A. and Cynthia L. Teed of Ellicott City, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. He is a 2005 graduate of River Hill High School.
Around town
Teen space -- The Glenwood Community Center's game room for teens is open from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The room, designed by teenagers, is for ages 12 and older. It includes a pool table, table tennis, bumper pool and a video game area around a big-screen television set. After-school activities and teen programs are planned. A center identification is required. The program is provided with assistance from the Horizon Foundation. The center is at 2400 Route 97 in Cooksville. 410-313-4840.
Comedy show -- Glenelg Country School will present "The James Munsey Comedy Hypnosis Show," a comedic entertainment with audience participation, at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved at show@glenelg.org. Proceeds will help pay for the school's drama students to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, to present their production, Aesop's Foibles. The Glenelg Country School is at 12793 Folly Quarter Road, near Glenelg. 410-531-8600. Or visit www.munseyentertainment.com.
50th anniversary -- Glenelg High School will hold its 50th anniversary celebration from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Howard County Fairgrounds Main Exhibition Hall. Classes from 1959 to 2008 are invited to attend. Tickets are $40 and include door prizes, games and auctions, and a mechanical bull. On the menu are pit beef and turkey, pulled pork, salads and desserts. Draft beer, wine and sodas will be served, and a cash bar is planned. Music will be provided by Checkered Past. For ticket information or to purchase tickets: www.glenelgboosters.org. Or purchase or pick up tickets from the school's front office during school hours; ask for Dianne Barnoski. 410-313-5528.