Merry Mulch
Collection of Christmas trees for mulching takes place through Jan. 22. Residents can recycle their trees curbside or at one of these locations:
* Kendall Hardware.
* River Hill Garden Center.
* Cedar Lane Park.
* Grandfather's Garden Center.
* Rockburn Park.
* Howard County Circuit Court's upper parking lot.
* Schooley Mill Park.
* Wood waste area at Alpha Ridge Landfill.
* Savage Park.
* Western Regional Park.
Look for the Merry Mulch signs designating the drop-off areas.
Essay contest
Howard County's Commission for Women invites students, including public, private or home-schooled, in grades 6-12 to participate in its essay contest in honor of Women's History Month. This year's theme is "Writing Women Back into History." Deadline is Jan. 20.
Essays should be e-mailed to women@howardcountymd.gov or mailed to the Commission for Women Student Essay Contest, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia 21046.
First-place winners will receive a $200 U.S. Savings Bond and be invited to read their essays at the Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 11 at Howard Community College.
For more information, call 410-313-6400 or go to howardcountymd.gov.
Friends of Education Award
Nominations are being accepted for this award, which recognizes individuals, businesses or organizations for innovative or unique contributions that directly support the school system's mission of excellence in teaching and learning, and student achievement. Nomination forms can be obtained by calling 410-313-7346 or go to hcpss.org and click on "forms." Completed nominations should be returned to the Howard County Department of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City 21042 by Jan. 29.
Call 410-313-5634 for more information.
Proposed textbooks
All textbooks recommended for first-time use in Howard County public schools will be on display from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Tuesday in the lobby at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
Forms for approval or requests for re-evaluation of any of the proposed materials will be available. Call 410-313-5634 for more information.
Holocaust survivors
The Jewish Federation of Howard County has received a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
County residents who are Holocaust survivors and have a limited income might qualify for a grant to obtain medical care, shelter, food and clothing.
Call 410-730-4976, ext. 120, for more information.
Women's award
Soroptimist International of Howard County seeks applicants for the Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Award. Annual award provides a cash grant to a woman head-of-household who needs financial assistance to go back to school to obtain additional education, job skills and training. The money may be used for any cost associated with continuing education, including books, child care and transportation.
Call 410-461-5922 for application or write to Soroptimist of Howard County, Foundations Chair, 8321 Main St., P.M.B. No. 101, Ellicott City 21043.
Application deadline is Monday.
Recycling cans
Habitat for Humanity has placed a collection bin for aluminum cans on the west side of Columbia at the entrance to the parking lot of Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6410 Amherst Ave. in Allview Estates.
This is a joint project with Boy Scouts of America.
Call 410-997-4949.
Recycle old TVs
The Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services reminds residents who have decided not to continue using their analog TVs to recycle them instead of throw them away. Options available:
* The Alpha Ridge Landfill Resident's Convenience Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road, is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and accepts TVs, computers, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, VCRs, radios and other electronics.
* Best Buy's Customer Take-Back Program allows customers to bring in old TVs (32 inches or smaller) at no charge. Limited to two televisions per person per day. Console televisions are not accepted.
Call 410-313-6444 or go to howardcountyrecycles.org for more information.