Scavenger Hunt

Clicking through the Internet yesterday, Austin Higginbottom discovered new ways to enjoy Maryland's outdoors -- not such an easy task for a boy whose right leg will be in a cumbersome brace much of the summer."

JOANNE ROWE WILL BE getting a military-style haircut, thanks to the fund-raising efforts of youths in the New Windsor Cluster Group who fasted for 30 hours to help raise money and food for World Vision. "Last year, Ron Arthur, a youth counselor in our church, agreed to shave his head if the kids raised a certain amount of money," said Brenda Sebastian, a member of Uniontown United Methodist Church, one of two Northwest churches that formed the youth cluster. "This year Joanne said she would get a military-style haircut if they raised their goal of $2,200," Sebastian said.

Fair time is just around the corner, and many active folks are wrapping up their preparations. The 48th annual Howard County Fair offers family fun, entertainment and a chance to participate.The rides and games are open Saturday, Aug. 14, as the rest of the fair exhibits swing into operation. The following day's schedule is packed with activities from a milking contest to a pie-eating contest and a parade. The whole week is filled with livestock judging, 4-H activities and more entertainment.

WESTMINSTER -- A high school prank turned sour late Friday night when two teen-agers were apprehended and charged with theft, police said.State police now are investigating loss and damage from a high school scavenger hunt that took place that night.Police said they discovered the hunt when they received a call about two individuals who were on the roof of a Route 140 carpet store.When two state police troopers arrived at Traynor's Floors and Carpets, they apprehended two teen-agers they believed were attempting to steal the head from the oversized human figure that sits atop the building.

Shrek is the fourth entry in this summer's Little Italy Open-Air Film Festival. Here are four reasons why it's especially pertinent to see it tonight: 1. Mike Myers as the title ogre conjures more comic dimensions with his voice and computer animation than he does as his new Austin Powers villain, Goldmember, with makeup and prosthetics. 2. The parody of Disneyland -- with the evil Farquaad (John Lithgow) creating a sanitized court free of warts, smells and wrinkles -- plays even sweeter now that DreamWorks won the first Academy Award for best animated feature.

As long as the weather holds, 10 hot-air balloons will be launched into the air Saturday from the Harford County Equestrian Center. They'll go up as part of SARC's Family Fun Day, one of two events this weekend to help raise money for SARC's programs, which include a 24-hour helpline, a safehouse, counseling, crisis intervention, a teen corner, hospital companions and legal advocacy and representation. For more information about SARC (Safety, Awareness, Resources, Change), visit http://www.sarc-maryland.org . The 2nd Annual Rising Above It Balloon Festival, with family-friendly activity sponsored by the county nonprofit that provides resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking, also includes the Balloon Glow Gala.

ON A BRISK winter weekend, a group of fathers said goodbye to their fax machines and work-related phone calls to bond with their children. An emergency physician, a veterinarian, a circuit judge, lawyers, salesmen and others became members of Indian tribes with names such as Saponi, Chippewa and Shoshoni.The gathering, officially the Carroll Cherokee and Shawan Winter Camp-Out 1998, was one of the highlights of the Carroll County Family YMCA Indian Programs. The program is designed to give fathers time to explore new things with their children and teach them values such as caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, said David Sommer, director.

Armed robbery conviction brings term of 40 years A 22-year-old man who was found guilty of armed robbery for holding up a liquor store in Northeast Baltimore has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to city prosecutors. After a two-day trial in Baltimore Circuit Court, a jury Wednesday convicted Jeffrey Corporal of armed robbery, reckless endangerment, using a handgun in a crime of violence and having a handgun in a vehicle, prosecutor said. Circuit Judge John N. Prevas ordered Corporal to spend 20 years in prison for armed robbery and 20 years in prison on the gun charges.

What a summer! Just the kind of hot, humid weather to spend around a pool.Teens and preteens are invited to the North Linthicum Recreation Club Sunday for a day of swimming, prizes and refreshments at two separate parties.The preteen party, "Fly Away Balloons," is for children ages 3 to 11 and will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Craft projects will be included at the preteen party. Parents can stay and swim while their children are enjoying the festivities.For information on the preteen party, call Mary Topa at 789-8202, or the pool office at 789-2404.