September 23, 2011
Fitness expo
The Columbia Association invites the community to a "Group Fitness Expo" from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Columbia Gym. This free event highlights the association's group fitness program, and a variety of fitness classes will be offered. In addition to the free fitness classes, the event will include door prizes and vendors from the community. Pre-registration is required and closes at 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29. To register and more information, call 410-531-0800 for adult classes and 410-531-8984 for children's classes.
New hire
The Columbia Foundation has hired April Wainwright as office administrator. The Columbia resident is a former freelance writer and a community organizer with the Columbia Association. She has more than seven years of nonprofit administrative experience, most recently with Reading Is Fundamental in Washington. In her new position, Wainwright will provide support for the Columbia Foundation's operations, including event planning, donor database administration, supply and equipment procurement and website content and management.
Support groups
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Howard County offers several support groups each month. Sessions include groups for family and friends of adults with a mental illness, groups for parents of school-aged children with mental health issues, a group for young adults (18-30) living with a mental illness and a weekly group for adults of any age living with a mental illness. For times and locations, call 410-772-9300 or go to nami.org/sites/namihowardcounty.
Concert
St. Louis Church Concert Series presents "Keeping it Close to Home," featuring musicians from county churches, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at 12500 Clarksville Pike. Admission is free. Information: 410-531-6040.
Festival
The Howard County Conservancy's Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Visitors can enjoy a working blacksmith shop, hay rides, pony rides, a native plant sale, children's crafts, historic house tours, live music and food. Admission is $10 per car. Information: 410-465-8877 or hcconservancy.org.
Women and divorce
A class will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway. Registration, times and information: 443-518-4974.
Awards dinner
The Community Action Council will hold its 16th annual Holland Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Turf Valley Country Club in Ellicott City. UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski III will be the keynote speaker. David Weeks from Glenelg Country School will receive the Humanitarian Award, and the Howard County Arts Council is the Service Award winner. Tickets are $75, $650 for a table of 10. RSVP by Sept. 30. Please advise if any meals should be vegetarian.
Information: 410-313-6440 or go to cac-hc.org.
Columbia Association
Organization seeks residents to serve a two-year term on the Senior Advisory Committee. Goal of this committee is to advise the association on the needs, interests and concerns of Columbia's senior residents. Nominees must have demonstrated interest in the senior population, be at least 55 years old and be knowledgeable of senior programs and services in the county. Letters of interest should be mailed to: Columbia Association, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, 21044, Attention Michelle Miller, or e-mailed to Michelle.Miller@ColumbiaAssociation.com. Information: 410-715-3170.
Naturalists needed
Howard County Conservancy seeks volunteer naturalists for its fall field trip programs. Naturalists assist conservancy staff during field trips by leading nature hikes on the property. Field trips are offered during October and November, and naturalists are asked to lead a minimum of three hikes. Training takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays in September for the elementary program and Tuesdays for the secondary program. Participants will receive a manual and learn ecological concepts as well as the history of plants and wildlife in Howard County. Cost for materials is $10.
To register and more information, call 410-465-8877.
Legacy Leaders
The county Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment is recruiting for the 2012 Class of Legacy Leaders.
The program is designed for people 50 and older who want to gain skills and knowledge and create a legacy through their volunteer work with partner organizations. Classes are held for six weeks, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Feb. 1. After completion March 14, Legacy Leaders begin 150 hours of field placement with partner organizations from March to September.
Classes meet at the Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane in Columbia, the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt and the Howard County Conservancy at Mount Pleasant Farm in Woodstock. Field trips to significant local environmental sites are part of the program. A $50 fee is required at enrollment.
