'Calling All Artists'
The Meeting House Gallery, Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia, is accepting applications for work to be exhibited November to spring. People older than 18 who live in Maryland, Washington, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania may apply. Artwork in all media and styles that can be hung, including wall sculptures, is acceptable. The deadline is Sept. 1. Information: 410-730-4090.
Fall adult basketball leagues
The Department of Recreation and Parks is accepting registrations for its fall adult basketball leagues. Men's leagues are on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights; women's leagues are on Thursdays. There is a Wednesday Co-Rec league. In addition, there is a 30-plus men's league on Tuesday. Play begins the week of Sept. 13. The fee is $600 per team for an eight-game season plus playoffs. The fee includes officials, scorekeeper, awards and playoffs. The deadline to register is Aug. 20. Information: 410-313-7275.
Volunteer nominations
Howard County Volunteer of the Year nomination forms are available at howardcountymd.gov/voy.htm. The deadline is Sept. 7. Information: 410-313-2023.
Skills park opens
Rockburn Skills Park, targeted toward 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, 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
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents "Romeo and Juliet" and "Pride and Prejudice" through Sunday, July 29, at Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, 3691 Sarah's Lane in Ellicott City. Shows are 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 fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, eggs and baked goods are available at these farmers' markets in the area:
•Howard County Library, Miller branch, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 31.
•Howard County Library, East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays, through Nov. 15.
•Howard County General Hospital, 5755 Cedar Lane, Columbia. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, through Oct. 26.
•Howard County Library, Glenwood branch, 2350 Route 97. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Nov. 17.
•Oakland Mills Village Center, 5851 Oliver Place, Columbia. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 18.
Information: howardcountyfarmersmarkets.com.
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.
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
Special Olympics needs soccer coaches for the coming season, which runs from late August through October. Practices are held twice a week, on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Training will be provided. Information: 410-740-0500.
Guided hikes
The Howard County Conservancy offers free guided hikes and talks on the second Saturday of the month. Visitors can enjoy an easy walk in the meadows and woods of the conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Information: 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.
Theater rental
The Howard County Arts Council has announced the availability of the Black Box Theatre for rental. The 98-seat multipurpose performance space is equipped with professional sound and lighting equipment, nearby dressing rooms, padded seats, black stage curtains and a sprung dance floor. A performance grand piano is also available for rental through a separate agreement with the Howard County Music Teachers Association.
All renters of the theater are required to carry a commercial liability insurance policy of $1 million. Other requirements and rental request forms and rates can be found at hocoarts.org. Rental request forms should be mailed to Room Rentals, Howard County Arts Council, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City 21043.
