Domestic Violence Center

The Horizon Foundation is giving a $95,000 grant to the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County to help the nonprofit agency continue a transition after several months of turmoil. County Executive Ken Ulman announced the gift Thursday, just days after Inga James was named the group's new interim director. The Domestic Violence Center replaced its entire board and director last month, and Ulman is awaiting the results of a county audit. "DVC has experienced a number of challenges over the past year, but the Horizon Foundation award represents a crucial step in restoring the county's and the community's confidence in this organization," Ulman said in a prepared statement.

These groups meet regularly. Abusive relationships - Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, 5457 Twin Knolls Road, Suite 310, Columbia. Free child care. 410-997-0304. Adult Children of Alcoholics - Wednesdays, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, 9325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia; Saturdays, 12:45 p.m., Serenity Center, 9650 Basket Ring Road, Columbia. 410-796-4680. Alcoholics Anonymous - Sundays, 7 p.m. Share experience, strength and hope with each other to solve this common problem and help others to recover.

The Howard County Domestic Violence Center will likely replace its embattled executive director, County Executive Ken Ulman said Tuesday, after the troubled nonprofit's board resigned and was replaced by a group selected by his administration. Annie Burton-Byrd, the group's third director and CEO in less than a year, is probably out, Ulman said. She was hired Jan. 28 but ran into trouble a few weeks later when it came to light that she was on a federal list of persons barred from handling federal funds.

Sunday, Jan. 8 Classical concert The Sundays at Three Chamber Music Series presents the Gemini Piano Trio at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia. The group will play Schumann's "Fantasiestucke," Shostakovich's Piano Trio No.1, Arensky's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor and Piazzolla's "Libertango. " Tickets are $15 for adults and free for ages 17 and younger when accompanied by an adult. Information: 443-288-3179 or sundaysatthree.org. Wednesday, Jan. 11 Genealogy The Howard County Genealogical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Road.

A senior staff member of The Domestic Violence Center of Howard County Inc. has been named acting head of the agency, which serves battered women.Stephanie K. Sites, the center's director of residential services, was appointed the acting executive director in July. She replaces Fran Price, who left to pursue other opportunities, said Terry Farrell, president of the center's 25-member board of directors.Ms. Sites was chosen acting head because she has the most seniority, knows about domestic violence, and has good managerial skills and a rapport with government officials, Mr. Farrell said.

Yard sales are fall's version of spring flowers. They seem to pop up on lawns, driveways and open spaces. If you are planning an October yard sale, the Howard County Domestic Violence Center would appreciate your support by sharing a percentage of your profits with the center or by sponsoring a yard sale for its benefit.Involve your neighbors and have a co-op yard sale for the center. Call 997-0304 and list your sale as part of their October fund-raiser.*Lemon Tree Unisex Haircutters in Dobbin Square is offering a free Lemon Tree Child Protection Package for children under 12 years.

Citizens Against Spousal Assault has officially changed its name to The Domestic Violence Center of Howard County.The purpose of the name change, which was effective Dec. 1, is to avoid confusion with other agencies also using the acronym CASA.The Domestic Violence Center provides services to anyone who has experienced a violent relationship, not just spouses. Help is also available to elderly parents who are abused, people in abusive dating relationships, children in violent homes and abusive homosexual relationships.

County government offices to close for King holiday County government offices, courts and libraries will be closed in observance of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. The landfill will be open, and Monday recycling and trash schedules will be in effect. Parking meters will be enforced. Information: 410-313-2022. United Seniors of Md. to hold legislative rally United Seniors of Maryland will hold a legislative rally -- "Aging in Place: Your Place or Mine?" -- from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19 in Francis Scott Key Auditorium at St. John's College in Annapolis.

Criminal justice researchers have known it for years: Children who hurt and torment animals often grow into adults who assault other people. Many communities, including Howard County, are beginning to acknowledge that link. Some people have taken steps toward dealing with the dangers it presents. "Animals are often the first visible victims of home violence," said Virginia M. Prevas, manager of the First Strike Campaign, administered by the Humane Society of the United States. First Strike is a 5-year-old program aimed at educating the public about the relationship between cruelty to animals and violence against people.

Two of Howard County's most vocal anti-violence agencies have formed a partnership aimed at keeping at-risk teen-agers out of trouble and out of jail.The Domestic Violence Center of Howard County and the Sexual Trauma Treatment, Advocacy and Recovery Center (STTAR) have received a $55,000 grant to fund Youth Intervention Partnership, a 10-week group therapy program for high-risk youth.The partnership between STTAR and the Domestic Violence Center is a logical one, said Cheryl DePetro, STTAR's executive director.

A three-page preliminary audit report on Howard County's Domestic Violence Center gave the nonprofit a clean bill of fiscal health but criticized the organization's former board for its efforts at a background check before hiring the former director. "We have not found any evidence to indicate any irregularities," County Auditor Haskell Arnold said, though the agency will need to carefully monitor its funds to get through the year. Thanks to a $275,000 surplus, the agency is in the black, Arnold said.

The Horizon Foundation is giving a $95,000 grant to the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County to help the nonprofit agency continue a transition after several months of turmoil. County Executive Ken Ulman announced the gift Thursday, just days after Inga James was named the group's new interim director. The Domestic Violence Center replaced its entire board and director last month, and Ulman is awaiting the results of a county audit. "DVC has experienced a number of challenges over the past year, but the Horizon Foundation award represents a crucial step in restoring the county's and the community's confidence in this organization," Ulman said in a prepared statement.

A Takoma Park consultant was named interim director of Howard County's troubled nonprofit Domestic Violence Center on Monday. Inga James, president and CEO of IJay Consulting, was to begin work Tuesday, according to an announcement from the agency's recently named board of directors. James, with 25 years' experience in human services and criminal justice, is to run the Columbia-based center until the board can recruit a permanent replacement for former director Annie Burton-Byrd.

The Howard County Domestic Violence Center will likely replace its embattled executive director, County Executive Ken Ulman said Tuesday, after the troubled nonprofit's board resigned and was replaced by a group selected by his administration. Annie Burton-Byrd, the group's third director and CEO in less than a year, is probably out, Ulman said. She was hired Jan. 28 but ran into trouble a few weeks later when it came to light that she was on a federal list of persons barred from handling federal funds.

Perhaps it's the brief darkness that nudges people closer, forging among them a unity of purpose as their individual, flickering flames gradually multiply to illuminate the night with one bright glow. Whatever the psychology of a candlelight vigil, its power as an emotionally unifying force is undeniable, making it the perfect choice for a new annual gathering to remember victims who have been assaulted or killed by loved ones, said Krista McKee, who recently took the helm of the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County.

A Congolese native who had diligently cared for her comatose husband for more than a dozen years needed $1,000 to restore electricity to their home. Another woman, whose son had been murdered a year earlier, finally found employment and housing after recovering from a nervous breakdown and needed $650 for a security deposit on an apartment. When $1,000 or less prevents a woman in dire circumstances from taking a major step toward reversing the downward spiral of her life, the Response Network of the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County comes alive.

Howard County's Domestic Violence Center is seeking donors to help alleviate a food shortage at its five domestic violence shelters.The shelters' 34 beds are all filled, said Stephanie Sites, the center's executive director. Usually, the center has one or two vacant beds, she said.The number of clients has made it difficult to keep a supply of food, especially now that children need lunches for school, Ms. Sites said."Howard County has been good about food donations, but we're going through them like water," she said.

Gala fundraiser planned for Sept. 15 Tickets are on sale for the Hope Gala, a fundraising event for the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County. The event, which will honor state Sen. James N. Robey, features celebrity waiters for the black-tie optional gala dinner and dance. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Kossiakoff Center of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in North Laurel. Robey is being honored for his continuing support of the Domestic Violence Center.