Inclement Weather

Family resource center opening Get Connected, a new family resource center, will dedicate its offices at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd., Westminster. Families seeking information on issues ranging from substance abuse and mental health problems to educational concerns can find help with the center's trained family navigators. Offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. Information: 410-871-0008. Democratic club to meet tomorrow The Carroll County Democratic Club will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Frisco Family Pub in Carroll Plaza Shopping Center on Englar Road, Westminster.

The Baltimore County Police Department today will honor officers who have been killed in the line of duty, officials said. The seven officers from the department who have been killed in the line of duty are: Officer Edward Kuznar, Officer Charles Huckeba, Officer Robert Zimmerman, Officer John Stem, Cpl. Samuel Snyder, Sgt. Bruce Prothero and Sgt. Mark Parry. The memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Towson Courthouse Plaza, 401 Bosley Ave. In the event of inclement weather, the service would be moved to the Potomac Lounge in the University Union building at Towson University, county police said.

The Savage Volunteer Fire Company will present an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Savage Volunteer Fire Co. Hall, 8925 Lincoln St. Homemade meat and vegetable sauces, salad, bread and dessert are planned. Jewelry and baked goods will also be for sale. The cost for dinner is $7 for adults; $4 for children to age 13. Information: 410-880-5803. The Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor a basket bingo at 7 p.m. March 31 at the fire hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is $15 in advance; $17 at the door.

Howard County public schools have been closed for four inclement-weather days this year (2006-2007). Originally scheduled to end June 14, the school year, as of now, is to end June 20. Schools will dismiss children three hours early June 18, 19 and 20, with no half-day kindergarten/preschool/RECC. June 12, 13 and 14 will now be regular school days with no early dismissals. The schedule might be adjusted if schools are closed for additional inclement-weather days. The school calendar provides for six inclement-weather makeup days of which four have been used.

The Savage Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. March 19 at the Faith & Ministry Center, 9032 Baltimore St., Savage. Carolyn Adami will discuss "A Look at Slavery and the Underground Railroad in Howard County." The program was rescheduled because of inclement weather. Ronald Coleman, a social worker and resident of Savage whose ancestors were slaves on a rice plantation in South Carolina, will give a brief history of Amazing Grace and sing an a cappella version of the hymn. Admission is free and open to everyone.

A discussion about a pending renovation project and sewage problems at Mount Hebron attracted more than 200 people to the high school's auditorium for two hours Monday evening. Top school system administrators favor a $49.8 million plan that would include mechanical upgrades, full systemic renovations and an expansion of the school's art, athletic and administrative offices. But concerned parents wanted the school system to further investigate other options, according to Cindy Arlinger, the Mount Hebron PTSA president, who attended the meeting.

State funds approved for CCBC renovations The state Board of Public Works has approved a grant of more than $670,000 for renovations to the Humanities and Arts building on the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County, state officials said. The grant is designed to cover half the cost of a $1.36 million contract to Denver Elek Inc. Baltimore County would pay the other half. The project includes renovations of the building's exterior masonry, waterproofing, new windows, a new heating and air conditioning system, and a new emergency generator.

NEW YORK -- Retail sales growth in the week after Thanksgiving fell to 3.1 percent, the slowest rate in four years, as consumers delayed holiday purchases to wait for discounts. A longer shopping period between Thanksgiving and Christmas contributed to consumers' delays, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and UBS Securities LLC said yesterday. Their survey showed that 25 percent of shoppers finished most of their purchases by Sunday, down from 32 percent the previous two years.

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa wasn't really bothered by the postponement of Game 4 of the World Series on Wednesday. He said yesterday that he'd be able to deal with it if inclement weather - either here or in Detroit - causes more interruptions of the Fall Classic. The accepting attitude from such an intense manager comes partially from experience. La Russa was manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1989 when their World Series with the San Francisco Giants was postponed for 10 days because of an earthquake before Game 3 on Oct. 17. It was a strange balance of baseball and tragedy.

The Association of Community Services will hold its annual luncheon conversation with the Howard County Council from noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Meeting House in Oakland Mills Village Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. The community is invited to speak with council members on issues such as the budget, senior and moderate-income housing, public transportation and human services. Admission is free. Lunch can be brought or ordered for $7 a person, payable at the door. A form to order lunch, available at www.acshoco.