Community Notes

Mulching program offers tree recycling

Howard County government's "Merry Mulch" program will offer tree recycling from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through Jan. 20, at a variety of drop-off sites.

Trees can be dropped off at Kendall Hardware, 12260 Route 108, and the River Hill Garden Center, 12165 Route 108, both in Clarksville.

Columbia drop-off sites are Cedar Lane Park, 5081 Cedar Lane; and Grandfather's Garden Center, 5320 Phelps Luck Drive.

In Elkridge, trees can be dropped off at Rockburn Park, 5400 Landing Road, and in Ellicott City, on the small Circuit Court parking lot on upper Court House Drive.

Drop-off sites in Glenwood are Glenwood Park, 14675 Carrs Mill Road, and Glenwood Gardens, 2945 Route 97.

In Highland, trees can be dropped off at Schooley Mill Park, 12975 Hall Shop Road, and in Marriottsville, at the Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents' Convenience Center, 2350 Marriottsville Road. Landfill hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Residents of Savage can drop off trees at Savage Park, 8400 Fair St.

Eastern county residents with yard-trimming collection service can set their Christmas trees out on regular curbside recycling collection days, Tuesday through Jan. 21. Trees can be up to 6 feet tall; taller trees must be cut in half or into 4-foot lengths. Decorations, lights and tree stands must be removed. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

After Jan. 20, Christmas trees will still be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alpha Ridge Landfill.

The "Merry Mulch" program, which began in 1993, has kept hundreds of tons of trees out of the landfill, saving valuable space. The recycled trees will be delivered to a compost facility.

Shelter seeks funds for expansion

The Grassroots crisis intervention center and emergency shelter is seeking help to pay for renovations to expand its facility on Freetown Road in Columbia.

The shelter must turn away more than 200 requests each month for shelter because of lack of space, and walk-in requests for crisis intervention services have increased from less than a dozen in 1990 to up to 1,000 a year, according to Andrea Ingram, Grassroots executive director.

The proposed expansion would add counseling rooms and increase the number of beds at the shelter from 32 to 55. The building, which is owned by Howard County, would be expanded from 8,920 square feet to about 20,400 square feet. The Columbia Patuxent Rotary Club has pledged $15,000 to the campaign.

Donors will be recognized. Donations of $1,000 or more can be paid in annual installments.

Information: 410-531-6006. To request services: 410-531-6677.

Activity program for disabled adults

The Arc of Howard County, in partnership with Howard Community College, will offer a new program for adults with developmental disabilities.

The pilot program, Community Opportunities in Recreation and Enrichment (CORE), offers classes in computers, swimming, dance, and arts and crafts, and includes outings and transportation training.

The group, which hopes to foster fun, friendship and learning, meets from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $285 a month.

Information: kbennett@ archoward.org or mlowman@ howardcc.edu.

New service offers help for elderly

Elder Care Options, a new service of Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland, is accepting clients. The service provides care managers who coordinate health care, safety, legal services and other resources for the elderly.

The managers are licensed social workers or registered nurses familiar with Howard County and its resources. They help families and the elderly through medical crises and discharge planning; they also conduct assessments, develop a written summary with recommendations, arrange for and monitor services, and are available when caregivers need a break or live far away.

Information: 800-274-1576.

3 members sought for preservation panel

The Columbia Association's board of directors is seeking three members to serve on its Woodlawn Slave Quarters Preservation Task Force, a subset of the association's advocacy committee.

The task force will recommend to the board a plan for the site and pursue funding. Members of the task force will be appointed to serve until the panel is disbanded.

Those with expertise in historic preservation and African-American history and culture are encouraged to apply.

Letters of interest, with a resume or equivalent information, should be sent by Jan. 13 to Barbara Kellner, Columbia Association, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia 21044 or faxed to 410-715-3067.

Information: 410-715-3103.

Lawyer referral services are offered

The Howard County Bar Association offers lawyer referral services.

The confidential fee-based service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 410-313-2030, or www.howard countybar.org.

Callers will be interviewed to determine the nature of their legal problems and referred to attorneys in good standing with the Howard County Bar Association; callers can schedule a free half-hour consultation with an attorney.