Dasher

After scouring catalogs and online purveyors of fine goods, our astute trend spotters have come to two conclusions: This holiday season, scarlet is the new black and, perhaps more shockingly, the moose is the new reindeer. Don't be confused by the fact that the two animals both have antlers. Moose are easily distinguished by their longer snouts and their general lack of sleekness. Much the same way as you would tell the difference between your Great-aunt Martha and a Victoria's Secret model.

Ryan Eckell of Columbia likes to read books, especially Civil War books, and sometimes writes his own. Reading them aloud is a different story.Unnerved by the thought of sitting before an audience on "Authors' Day," the 10-year-old could not read his latest work last week. So he allowed his Dasher Green Elementary School special-education teacher, Alaina Beth-Young, to read his six-page untitled book about Christmas at his "Nana's."As his teacher read, Ryan sat beside her with his right hand partially covering his face.

During the county furlough week, Monday through Thursday, the Community Action Council of Howard County will move its operations to Dasher Green Head Start Center, 6680 Cradlerock Way in Columbia, and the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, 9105 All Saints Road in Laurel. Call 410-313-6440 for more information.

POLICE LOG* Owen Brown: 6700 block of Cradlerock Way: Books were taken after someone pried open a set of double doors at Dasher Green Elementary School on Sunday, police said.* Long Reach: 6100 block of Shining Rock: A gray 1990 Volkswagen Passat with Maryland tags XXJ897 was stolen Sunday or Monday, police said.

During the county furlough week, Dec. 28-31, the Community Action Council of Howard County will move its operations to Dasher Green Head Start Center, 6680 Cradlerock Way in Columbia, and the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, 9105 All Saints Road in Laurel. Call 410-313-6440 for more information.

On June 16, 2004, LOUISE A.; beloved mother of Tiffany Nicole Dasher; dear daughter of Howard and Mary Baines Jr.; sister of Howard Baines III. Also survived by other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the Gonce Funeral Service, P.A., 4001 Ritchie Highway, on Friday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Services on Saturday at 9 A.M. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery.

The Owen Brown Community Association will sponsor a meeting to discuss the joining of Dasher Green Elementary and Owen Brown Middle schools at 7:30 p.m. today in the Hopewell room of Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way. Roger L. Plunkett, assistant superintendent for school administration, will answer questions. Everyone is welcome. Information: 410-381-0202.

A developer plans to build 66 townhouses inside the Cradlerock Way loop in Owen Brown village, one of the few remaining buildable properties in the 21-year-old community.Linthicum-based Dasher Green Associates LTD plans to develop the townhouse lots on 8.7 acres between Melting Shadows and Talisman lanes on land that used to be part of the 600-plus-acre Dasher family farm, much of which was purchased in the early 1960s by Columbia developer James Rouse.Paul Revelle, a Columbia resident and associate with Dasher Green Associates, plans to meet with the Owen Brown village board at 7:15 p.m. at the Owen Brown Community Center to discuss the project, being called Cradlerock Farm.

Howard County schools Superintendent Michael E. Hickey announced the appointments and transfers of 15 administrators at the school board meeting last week.The changes include:Patricia Tidgewell will become the new instructional director of elementary schools, replacing the retiring Edward Alex- ander. Dr. Tidgewell had been set to become principal of the new Ilchester Elementary School when it opens in the fall. She previously was the principal of Laurel Woods Elementary School.Jacqueline Lazarewicz, principal of Clemens Crossing Elementary School, will become the principal of Ilchester.