Are you the parent of a current high school sophomore who is interested in making a difference? They may want to consider joining the Leadership U Class of 2012. Leadership U is an exciting leadership development, teambuilding and community service opportunity for high school students.
This four-month program involves: a week-long summer session of hands-on learning and interactive activities; completion of a team community service project and participation in 'Shadow Day' where students have the opportunity to spend a day with a business or community leader.
This program is for current high school sophomores with leadership potential, a desire to learn with others, and with an interest for the community. Informational sessions for Leadership U will take place Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Miller Branch Library and Feb. 9 at Hammond High School, from 7-8 p.m. at each location.
Previous Leadership U grads will be on hand to share their experiences. Parents and students are both encouraged to attend and learn more about this program. Applications and information are also available in the Glenelg High School guidance office or at http://www.leadershiphc.org. Application deadline is March 9.
Many may remember hearing on the news after Christmas morning fire in Connecticut of the Badger family. The fire was notable because it killed all three children, as well as their grandparents.
The cause of the fire? Embers that had been removed from the fire and were improperly disposed of. Sadly, our local fire department reports that far too many fire calls during the winter months are due to improperly disposing or storage of fireplace or wood stove embers that ignite. Residents are engaging in extremely unsafe practices such as placing these embers in paper bags or cardboard boxes, and storing them in places in or around the home. Many people don't realize the severity of their actions, and underestimate the importance of disposing of ashes in canisters designed for this purpose.
In an effort to help educate county residents, and in cooperation with the county's home improvement and hardware stores, the Department of Fire and Rescue Services will conduct a community outreach program by setting up shop inside the entrance of several local stores, to help to educate the public.
This educational program will take place over the next few weekends, Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Look for representatives from Fire and Rescue Services at Kendall's Hardware in Clarksville, Clark's Ace Hardware in Ellicott City, Lowe's in Columbia and the Home Depot in Columbia and Ellicott City.
Was one of your new year's resolutions to learn more about the universe? Join the Celestial Searchers Astronomy Club and learn a bit about stargazing. The club, a joint effort of the Bushy Park Elementary School PTA and the Howard County Celestial Searchers, will hold a winter meeting Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Bushy Park Elementary School Art Room, No. 230.
Now in its 14th year, the Celestial Searchers, an astronomy club for students in kindergarten through eighth grades, conducts its meetings on the fourth or fifth Monday of the month during the school year. Special events may also be planned throughout the school year in conjunction with significant astronomical events.
Club activities include observing programs geared toward learning the night sky, guest speakers, art projects, and telescope viewing. Past speakers have included representatives from Hubble, NASA, Howard Astronomical League, the Solar System Ambassador Program and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab on topics such as the space telescope, rocketry, satellites, telescopes, and sky watchin. Projects have included "building" a comet, making astro tee-shirts and greeting cards, learning about the phases of the moon, safe solar observing, and understanding the magnitude and motion of the universe.
Meetings last one hour and are followed by telescopic and naked eye observing, weather and homework permitting. Parental involvement is encouraged as most parents attend meetings with their children and participate in club activities. Besides having the support of the Bushy Park PTA,
The Celestial Searchers shares an excellent relationship with the Howard Astronomical League, an adult astronomy club based in Columbia. Celestial Searchers get to attend HAL star parties and HAL members enjoy assisting the young members with SIZZLE, an observing project for which the children can earn certificates. A voluntary annual donation of $20 per family is requested to offset supply costs and astronomy books given away as door prizes at each meeting to a lucky member.
For further information, contact club founder Joel Goodman at 410-531-6600 or email him at Stardoc@Goodteeth.com. Come join the fun Jan. 30 and remember — keep looking up!