Oakland Mills High

Memorial ceremony to be held Sept. 11 County Executive James N. Robey will hold a brief remembrance ceremony to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Garden of Hope at Centennial Park, created in memory of those who died and honoring the resilience of the American spirit and dedicated on the first anniversary of 9/11. A brief processional ceremony will conclude with laying a wreath at the Garden of Hope stone monument and a moment of silence.

The Long Reach Community Association, in partnership with village center owner Perrine Wheeler Inc., will have a Cintas document-shredding truck on the village center parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6 for residents to dispose of unwanted documents. The service is free; residents must present identification showing residency. Participants will be issued "certificates of destruction," showing that their documents have been disposed of safely. The paper will be recycled. Information: 410-730-8113.

Lively Arts for Little Ones! will present a performance by Milkshake for children ages 2 to 5 and their chaperones at 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. April 7 at The Other Barn in Oakland Mills Village Center. The Interactive music-making show costs $4.50 for children ages 2 and older and adults. Group rates are available. The Other Barn is at 5851 Robert Oliver Place. Information: 410-730-4610. Oakland Mills PTSA planning a benefit The Oakland Mills PTSA is planning a dinner and silent and live auction to help raise money for medical expenses for David Hillen, parent of a student at the school.

David Hillen, parent of an Oakland Mills High School student, is in need of a liver transplant and has been unable to work because of his disease. He has been judged by the medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital to be an excellent candidate for the procedure but the cost is high - about $350,000 for the transplant alone. The Oakland Mills PTSA is planning a dinner and silent and live auction next month to help raise money for medical expenses, and it is seeking donations of gift certificates or products from businesses for the auctions.

After spending an hour working with Jefffers Hill Elementary School pupils on homework assignments, Eric Cole, a 17-year-old senior at Oakland Mills High School, watched with a look of accomplishment as his mentees played an intense game of Connect Four. "I really wish someone came to me when I was in elementary school," Cole said. "It's nice that the kids have someone to talk to who is not a teacher." The activities were part of a mentorship program at Jeffers Hill in which the Alpha Achievers of Oakland Mills High School provide hourlong tutoring twice a week.

The Columbia Bank will offer free credit training to Oakland Mills residents from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place, in Oakland Mills Village Center. The class, which will discuss the importance of a credit report, how to order one and how to repair a credit history, is offered in conjunction with the Oakland Mills Revitalization Plan. Renters looking toward homeownership, owners interested in refinancing and improving their property and those interested in improving their financial situation are invited to attend.

The Howard County Diabetes Coalition and the Columbia Association will sponsor "Open House: Diabetes," an information and resource-sharing session, to be held from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Supreme Sports Club, 7080 Deepage Drive. Discussion will include facts about diabetes, the role of exercise and nutrition in managing the disease and new developments in care and resources. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Information: 410-381-5355. Stamp gift box workshop to be held in Oakland Mills The Oakland Mills Community Association will sponsor a workshop, "Stamp Gift Boxes with Gina," from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at The Other Barn in Oakland Mills Village Center.