Spring is fast approaching, so the Howard County Conservancy once again seeks volunteer naturalists to guide hikes during its 2012 spring field trip season. If you love nature and would like to share your knowledge with area students, consider assisting Conservancy staff by leading three or more hikes this April and May.
During the month of March, naturalist training will run Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the elementary program and on Tuesdays for the secondary program. Materials cost $10. Participants will receive a manual and will learn ecological concepts and information about the history, plant life, and wildlife of Howard County. Call 410-465-8877 to register.
Speaking of Conservancy naturalists, one such volunteer will guide this month's free Wonder Walk – a "Family Hike Onsite" – March 10 at 10 a.m. Participants should wear clothing suited to the walk and the weather and prepare to search the premises for signs of spring while learning fascinating facts about local flora and fauna. In case of inclement weather, check the website at http://www.hcconservancy.org for instructions.
From March 14 to April 19, the Conservancy will display the original works of juried artists in its third annual "Art of Stewardship" show, this year celebrating "All Things Round." Outdoor sculptures will be on display in the Conservancy gardens, while paintings and photographs will hang in the Gudelsky Gallery. Admission is free, but visitors should first call the number listed above to make sure the gallery is open.
Finally, March 15 at 7 p.m., Anthony Geraci will speak to families about "Healthy Food in Our Schools." Geraci is the former director of food and nutrition for Baltimore city schools and is now the executive director of nutrition services for Memphis (Tenn.) City Schools. He is also a nationally-recognized childhood nutrition consultant who has provided input for First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative on fighting childhood obesity.
Learn what kids are choosing to eat today and how it impacts them as a result. How can schools support healthy eating habits? What does it take to change school cafeterias and home lunch boxes?
This program, which was rescheduled from last November, costs $5 per family, and students are free. To register, use either the website or phone number listed previously. The Conservancy lies between Woodstock Road and Bethany Lane, at 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Woodstock.
Hot on the heels of the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at St. James United Methodist Church comes another youth fundraiser: a lasagna dinner set for March 10 at 6 p.m. Proceeds from this event will help fund the Camp Hope summer mission trip, where the youth will perform home repairs for low-income families in western Maryland.
The meal will also include entertainment and a silent auction, and tickets cost $9 by advance purchase only. Order tickets by calling the church at 410-442-2020.
Glenelg United Methodist Church would like to announce its first free community concert of the year, this time featuring the exquisite music of a classical string quartet. Musicians include Sheng-Tsung Wang and Christopher Franke on violin, Sarah Hart on viola and Charlie Powers on cello.
The concert will begin March 11 at 4:30 p.m. with light refreshments following. The church will also collect a freewill offering in support of its food pantry mission. For more information, call the church at 410-489-7260. The address is 13900 Burntwoods Road, in Glenelg.
Every month, Bon Secours Spiritual Center offers a community program titled, "Keep the Spirit Up – A Day for Job Seekers and Career Changers," for the cost of a freewill donation (suggested amount: $15). This month, the program will run March 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Grace Garrett, of Appreciative Cafe Coaching and Consulting, will lead a morning session that includes prayer, guided reflection, and relaxation on the beautiful Bon Secours campus. After lunch, participants can attend workshops on personal and job search management skills.
Bon Secours will also offer several spiritual workshops and retreats throughout the month, such as its regular "Friends Day of Prayer" Wednesday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This month, Father Bob Albright will talk about "The Kingdom of God as Imaged in Sacred Scripture." The cost is $30.
On March 24, Cindi Miller will teach participants how to choose happier, healthier thoughts and actions in "Confirm Your Wellbeing," scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The day costs $55; wear comfortable clothing and prepare for some interactive practice.
Also on the 24th, Duffy Laws and Lisa O'Reilly will lead a "Taize Workshop" from 1 to 7 p.m. Participants will spend the afternoon learning the history of the Taize Community, founded by Brother Roger Schutz in 1941, as well as the musical theory behind the Taize prayer chants. The evening portion of the program will include dinner and an hour of contemplative prayer. Participants may wish to prepare by looking at the Taize website (www.taize.fr) and any Taize books or CDs at http://www.giamusic.com. This program costs $30.
The month will conclude with two workshops on March 31: "How Prayerful Listening Changes Lives," from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Father Nicholas Amato, and "Cycle of the Seasons: a Cultural Exploration for Being in the Flow of Life," from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. with Patricia Clarke. The first program costs $55, and the latter costs $60.
To register for any of the programs at Bon Secours, call 410-442-1320, or go to http://www.bonsecoursspiritualcenter.org. The address is 1525 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsville.
Don't forget that the annual Mustang Flea Market is Saturday, March 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school cafeteria. You can support the Marriotts Ridge High School Music Foundation by shopping the sale for books, toys, clothing, electronics, housewares, collectibles, and other assorted goodies. Entry costs $1 per person, and all sales are cash only.
If you still have gently used items that you would like to donate to the sale, drop them off in the cafeteria Friday, March 2, from 4-8 p.m.
Questions? Go to http://www.mrhsmusic.net or email mustangfleamarket@gmail.com