CVB Establishes Tourism Scholarship for Arundel Residents
The Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has established a scholarship fund designed to make it easier for Anne Arundel County residents to pursue careers in tourism. That’s the announcement CVB President and CEO Connie Del Signore recently made during her organization’s National Tourism Day festivities at Rams Head On Stage, in Annapolis.
At the same time, Del Signore and CVB Board Chair Erin McNaboe challenged CVB members and partners, elected officials and tourism industry leaders in attendance to match the donation — achieving a scholarship fund of $25,000 — in time for the CVB’s 25th Anniversary celebration on Sept. 17. Sen. John Astle responded to the challenge on the spot by presenting a $500 check to Maryland Tourism Education Foundation (MTEF).
According to a 2015 Choice Communications Systems study, the tourism industry in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County directly employed 34,737 individuals (17% of private sector jobs) and accounted for $932.3 million in wages in 2014.The number of scholarships awarded and the amount of the scholarships will be determined by MTEF in cooperation with the CVB. The deadline for submitting applications for the scholarship is July 31, 2015. For more information, visit www.visitannapolis.org.
Celebrating Business: BWCC Readies for 6th Annual Showcase & Tasting
The Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce (BWCC) and Mid-Atlantic Networking will be celebrating Maryland business with a showcase and tasting on Tuesday, June 9, at Laurel Park. With the track as a backdrop, vendors from all over the region will be on hand showcasing their products, while restaurants offer samples of their food.
Tickets are $20 per person; for groups of 10 or more the tickets are $10 each. The event will be held from 5–8 p.m. Tickets are available at www.bwcc.org/events.
Booths are available as well. Go to www.bwcc.org/events for more information. Restaurant booths are free. Sponsorships are available. Call the BWCC for more details at 301-725-4000.
LHC Calling for Community Impact Projects
Project proposals are being solicited for the 2016 Leadership Howard County classes. A component of the Premier and Essentials programs, the community impact project is identified by a host organization — typically a nonprofit organization or government entity. Class participants perform research and propose creative, sustainable solutions.
Information sessions providing more information will be held on two days: Wednesday, June 10, 8:30–9:30 a.m. and Wednesday, June 17, 4–5 p.m. The events will be held at Loyola College in Maryland’s Columbia campus at 8890 McGaw Road, Columbia. Applications are due July 2. For more information, visit www.leadershiphc.org; to R.S.V.P., contact Laurie Remer at [email protected].
Columbia Arts Fest Needs Volunteers
The Columbia Festival of the Arts is looking for volunteers for its free opening weekend on June 12–14. This weekend will kick off the Cross Currents Festival with three days of performances, arts and crafts activities, exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, music and more.
Volunteers help to bring this event to life for the more than 20,000 people who descend upon Columbia Town Center to take part in the festival. Festival organizers are looking for fun-loving adults and teens (ages 16 and up) to help in a variety of areas. Volunteer by yourself, with friends or as part of a team.
Having trouble online? Call Diana at 410-715-3044 or e-mail [email protected] to sign up for volunteer opportunities.
CA Hosting Annual KidsDay Party at Columbia SportsPark on June 6
KidsDay, the annual welcome-to-summer event designed for kids and hosted by Columbia Association (CA), returns on Saturday, June 6, with a party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Columbia SportsPark.
Just show up and enjoy a day of super-fun activities at the park, which is located at 5453 Harpers Farm Road, toward the back of the Harper’s Choice Village Center. KidsDay is sponsored by Greenberries.
Mini-golf and all-you-can-hit batting cages will be free for all kids ages 13 and younger; those 14 and up can pay $5 for one activity or $7 total for both. There also will be numerous fun offerings available and free to all, including arts and crafts, a moon bounce, Zumba for kids, and a variety of games and structured activities. While you and your family are having fun, learn more about CA’s youth programs, classes, camps and special offers.
For more information, contact Erin McPhail at 410-423-1891 or [email protected], or visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/KidsDay.
Linwood Participates in Research Partnership, Enhances Music Program
During the past year Linwood Center adult program volunteers participated in research projects conducted by the Division of Cognitive Neurology/Neuropsychology, Department of Neurology of the School of Medicine of Johns Hopkins University.
Research projects were undertaken to understand and potentially improve learning, language, speech and other cognitive disorders that affect some individuals on the autism spectrum. This research is being conducted to develop better ways to assess speech so that participants’ abilities can be more precisely evaluated and to better understand how language is used. Linwood volunteers were justifiably proud of their involvement in the research and are paid for their time while participating in this research.
It is expected that the research results will help to advance care for adults living with autism and improve services at Linwood Center, which is now a Johns Hopkins-approved research site.
In addition, the Cherelles, an eight-member female vocal group that performs popular tunes from Broadway shows and Hollywood movies, has contributed $825 to the center to support the music enrichment program of Linwood Center School. Recent studies indicate that daily sensory experiences, including music enrichment, may improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with autism.
The Goddard School to Open in Greater Laurel Professional Park
Laurel–based Resource Enterprises has announced that The Goddard School will open in the Greater Laurel Professional Park, located at 14520 Park Center Drive. Construction has begun on the site and the franchise owner and operator, Samarth Patel, projects that the opening date will be in October.
The school will enroll 130 students, offering high quality programs for infants and toddlers, pre-school, kindergarten and school-age programs, including summer and before/after school programs.
The Goddard Systems has earned AdvancedEDTM Corp. Accreditation and Middle States Corporate Accreditation. Visit www.goddardschool.com to learn more about the programs and how to enroll.
LHC Recognizes Outstanding Community Leaders
Leadership Howard County (LHC) will honor three outstanding community leaders for their service at its Annual Awards Dinner and Graduation on June 9, at Ten Oaks Ballroom, Clarksville. Included are Distinguished Alumni: Bob Jeffrey, The Jeffrey Group at Morgan Stanley; Leadership Legacy Award: Barbara Lawson, Synergies Consulting Group; and Unsung Hero Award: Richard Dean, Environmental Systems Associates.
The dinner is an opportunity to recognize outstanding leaders who have embodied the mission of Leadership Howard County to transform the community. The event also celebrates the graduation of the Leadership Premier and Essentials classes of 2015. Information and registration information is available at www.leadershiphc.org.
Maryland Legal Services Corp. Seeks Nominees for Annual Awards
The Maryland Legal Services Corp. (MLSC) was established as a nonprofit organization by the Maryland General Assembly to receive and distribute funds to grantees that provide civil legal services to the poor.
In recognition of outstanding contributions by Maryland individuals and organizations that provide or support justice to the poor, MLSC has created four awards to be given annually, as follows: The Arthur W. Machen, Jr. Award; The Benjamin L. Cardin Distinguished Service Award; The William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award; and The Herbert S. Garten Public Citizen Award.
Nominations for the 2015 awards must be submitted not later than June 15. Formal awards will be presented at a ceremony in the fall. For online nomination forms, nomination descriptions and instructions, as well as a list of past award recipients, see www.mlsc.org/awards/nominating-process. For additional information or assistance, contact [email protected].
Centennial Park Pathway Improvements to Begin
A Howard County park project to lay new asphalt on approximately two miles of existing paved paths in Centennial Park in Ellicott City was scheduled to begin early this week. The project will include the backfilling of topsoil along the edges of the paths to make them level.
The work will be done on portions of the 2.4-mile Centennial Lake loop and the path leading from the intersection of Maryland Route 108 and Centennial Lane to the lake loop. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed in June. For more information about Centennial Park, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/centennialpark.htm.