Howard County Briefs

Concerts

•The 25th season of the "Sunset Serenades" summer concert series continues with classical music by the Columbia Orchestra at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at Centennial Park, 10000 Route 108, Ellicott City. Free. Information: 410-313-2022.

•The Department of Recreation and Parks' "Traveling Bands" concert series continues with the U.S. Navy Country Current band at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at Western Regional Park, Route 97 and Carrs Mill Road. Free. Information: 410-313-2022.

•The 34th annual Montpelier Summer Concert Series continues with the Retro-Rockets at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, at Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road in Laurel. Free. Information: 301-776-2805.

Practice SAT

The American Association of University Women will host a practice SAT exam for middle and high school students from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 at Vantage House auditorium, 5400 Vantage Point Road in Columbia. There will be a detailed "scores back" session from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 18 at Vantage House. Light refreshments will be served both days, but it's recommended that students bring a snack. Total cost is $15. Pre-registration required. To register and more information: [e-mail].

Skills park opens

Rockburn Skills Park, targeted to mountain bikers and trail runners, has opened at Rockburn Branch Park. Features include a pump track, flow trail, descending trail, climbing trail and an uphill return trail. The 450-acre Rockburn Branch Park includes 7.4 miles of trails, woodlands, marshes and stream valleys, several multipurpose athletic fields, baseball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, two playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course and picnic pavilions. Information: rockburnskillspark.org.

Onstage, outdoors

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents "Romeo and Juliet" and "Pride and Prejudice" through July 29, at Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, 3691 Sarah's Lane in Ellicott City. Shows at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $15-$36, free for children younger than 18. Tickets and information: 410-313-8661 or chesapeakeshakespeare.com.

Farmers' markets

Local and regional farmers will provide fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, eggs and baked goods at farmers' markets in the area.

•Howard County Library, Miller branch, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 31.

•Howard County Library, East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays, through Nov. 15.

•Howard County General Hospital, 5755 Cedar Lane, Columbia. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, through Oct. 26.

•Howard County Library, Glenwood branch, 2350 Route 97. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Nov. 17.

•Oakland Mills Village Center, 5851 Oliver Place, Columbia. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 18.

Information: howardcountyfarmersmarkets.com.

Lunchtime concerts

The Columbia Association presents its Lakefront Wednesdays Lunchtime Concert Series featuring local musicians performing rock, folk, jazz, flamenco and reggae. The series continues Wednesday, June 27 with Tuckahoe Road from noon to 2 p.m. Also, each week concertgoers can enter a raffle for prizes. Information: 410-715-3104.

Donations needed

Books, records, DVDs, CDs and videos are needed for the annual media and book sale being held at Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church, 14551 Burntwoods Road in Glenwood Sept. 13-15. Donations may be placed on a bench near the side door off the parking lot. (No encyclopedias, National Geographic magazines or Reader's Digest condensed books, please.) Information: 410-442-2475.

Camp volunteers

The Howard County Arts Council is accepting applications for camp volunteers (unpaid) for this year's Visual and Performing Arts Summer Camps. Applications are available for download on the council's website, hocoarts.org. Duties include preparing classrooms and materials for the day's activities, supervising campers in art-related activities as directed by the classroom instructor, and monitoring campers during breaks, lunch, etc. There is at least one volunteer per class. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old by Sept. 1. Camps will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 25-Aug. 17 and before- and after-care are offered 8 a.m.-9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Opportunities may be available to work extended hours during before- and after-care.

Support groups

The National Alliance on Mental Illness 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-age 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.

Soccer coaches