BGE Green Grants Program Open for Applications

BGE has opened the 2016 Green Grants program to applicants. All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations within the BGE service area that focus on conservation, education, energy efficiency, pollution prevention and community engagement are eligible to apply at www.bge.com/giving.

Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available to both new and existing programs that clearly demonstrate a commitment to environmental improvements in the community and to enhancing environmental stewardship throughout BGE’s central Maryland service area. Applications must be received by May 16.

“Since 2013, more than $1 million has been awarded to more than 100 organizations through our Green Grants program, helping our environmental partners throughout central Maryland positively impact the community,” said Calvin Butler, Jr., CEO for BGE. “We’re always excited to see the innovative ways that Green Grant recipients are bettering the environment and our communities.”

BGE’s corporate citizenship aligns with its parent company, Exelon Corporation. As part of Exelon’s 2012 merger, Exelon and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining an average of $7 million in annual charitable giving in Maryland for the next 10 years. The BGE Green Grants program fulfills part of that commitment. For more information on the BGE Green Grants program, visit bge.com.

Schuh Statement on Arundel School Board Nominating Commission’s Recommendations

Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh has released the following statement on the recommended candidates for the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.

“I congratulate Chairman Jamie Falcon and the Anne Arundel County School Board Nominating Commission on recommending one of the most diverse slates of candidates in the history of our county. Their selections are a demonstration of our county’s commitment to a securing a voice for all in our education system.

“With a group of candidates that is 40% African-American and 80% women, we can ensure a board of education that is reflective of the citizens they serve.”

LHC Accepting Applications for 2017

Leadership Howard County (LHC) is currently accepting applications for the Class of 2017. This 10-month program, which runs from September 2016 through June 2017, offers an intense curriculum of civic information and leadership development, and empowers community leaders to become more effectively engaged in community service.

Participants are selected based on a written application and personal interview, and represent a broad cross-section of the community: large and small businesses, government, nonprofit, education and faith-based communities. Applicants must live or work in Howard County, and have a demonstrated record of volunteer community service. For more information, call 410-730-4474 or email [email protected].

Keep Calm and Bark On: CA’s Dog Day Afternoon Returns on May 14

Columbia Association (CA) will be hosting the 10th annual Dog Day Afternoon on Saturday, May 14, with extended hours this year — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Columbia DogPark. The park is located at 5901 Rivendell Lane, off Cedar Lane and adjacent to Cedar Lane Park, near the Harper’s Choice Village Center.

CA also will be selling official Dog Day Afternoon T-shirts for $10, or two for $15. Pet communications readings will be $10 for 10 minutes. Caricature drawings of your loveable four-legged friend are $5 for a black-and-white drawing and $10 for a color drawing. Microchipping will also be available for a minimal fee. Only cash will be accepted during Dog Day Afternoon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit a local animal-related nonprofit to be announced.

In addition, CA will be collecting items to be donated to the nonprofit:

  • Canned cat and dog food
  • Dry cat and dog food
  • Soft treats and biscuit-type treats
  • New dog and cat toys (Kong-type indestructible toys are great)
  • Blankets and towels
  • Buckle- or martingale-type collars
  • Leashes
  • Gift cards from pet stores for emergency food and supplies, as needed

For more information, call 410-423-1891 and email [email protected]. A rain date has been set for Sunday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Columbia DogPark.

AACC Military/Veteran Resource Center Expands Hours

The Military/Veteran Resource Center at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) has extended its hours to Saturdays, effective immediately through May 21, the end of the spring term. The center, located in the Truxal Library in Room 112 on the Arnold campus, is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in addition to its regular Monday through Friday hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Saturday hours allow veterans and military personnel to study with and tutor each other in preparation for exams, and to prepare for summer and fall classes. Students using the center also have access to computers, copying and faxing. The center is staffed by at least two veterans whenever it is open. For information, visit www.aacc.edu/military or call 410-777-4838.

Anne Arundel Seeks Applicants for Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board

Anne Arundel County is seeking applicants to sit on the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board. Openings include vacancies for one voting member and two alternate members. The board is the second step in the appeal process of property tax assessments; a citizen first appeals his property tax assessment to the Maryland Department of Assessments, then to the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board and finally to Tax Court.

The three-member board (with two alternates) meets “as needed” at the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis. Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are encouraged to apply. An application, consisting of a brief cover letter and résumé, should be sent by mail to Arlene Berlin, Director, Boards & Commissions, Anne Arundel County, 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses, should be included. Applicants should indicate the position for which they are applying.

HCGH Holds Walking Program in Laurel

Howard County General Hospital will hold We Walk for Wellness every Saturday, through Oct. 1, at North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whisky Bottom Road, Laurel. Registration for new participants will begin at 8:45 a.m. in the parking lot behind the center every Saturday, followed by the program from 9 to 10 a.m.

The walking program will consist of a warm-up, guided group walking and cool-down, including light aerobic activity such as jumping jacks, marching in place and arm circles. Information about nutrition and exercise will also be available. HCGH is holding the program in partnership with We Promote Health. For more information, call 410-740-7601.

Explore Columbia’s Natural Settings With CA’s Organized Outdoor Walks

Columbia Association’s (CA) series of outdoor walks has returned with 10 days of exploring the lakes, streams, woodlands and wildlife of Columbia. “Exploring Columbia on Foot” again is being led by award-winning environmental author Ned Tillman, who guides discussions on the nature, history and future of these outdoor settings, including the plans for them and challenges they may face in the near future.

The walks began in April and will be held through October. All walks will begin at 10 a.m. Registration is not required.

The schedule of remaining walks and meeting locations includes the following:

  • Thursday, May 5, Lake Elkhorn — meet at Hopewell Pool (9200 Rustling Leaf)
  • Saturday, May 21, Dorsey’s Search — meet at Dorsey Hall Pool (4649 Columbia Road)
  • Thursday, June 2, Gateway Business Park — meet at parking lot adjacent to Aida Bistro (6741 Columbia Gateway Drive)
  • Thursday, June 16, Downtown Columbia — meet at People Tree (10221 Wincopin Circle)
  • Thursday, Aug. 25, Long Reach — meet at Kendall Ridge Pool (8245 Tamar Drive)
  • Saturday, Sept. 10, Kings Contrivance — meet at Amherst House (7251 Eden Brook Drive)
  • Thursday, Sept. 22, Harper’s Choice — meet at Kahler Hall (5440 Old Tucker Row)
  • Thursday, Oct. 6, River Hill north — meet at Claret Hall (6020 Daybreak Circle)
  • Thursday, Oct. 20, Wilde Lake — meet at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane)

For more information, contact CA’s Open Space Management Division at [email protected] or 410-312-6330.

HCAC Announces Guest Juror for Paint It! Ellicott City, Return of Gino Award

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) has announced that the juror for its annual plein air painting event, Paint It! Ellicott City 2016, is Stephen Doherty, editor of Plein Air magazine. Doherty has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions, judged art exhibitions for museums and art societies, and written a dozen art books and hundreds of magazine articles.

HCAC also announced the return of The Gino Award in 2016. Named in honor of artist Gino Manelli by his son, Julian Manelli, the Gino Award is a $2,000 cash prize that will be given to one to two artists participating in Paint It! Ellicott City 2016.

Paint It! Ellicott City is sponsored by HCAC, Howard County Tourism, the Ellicott City Partnership and the Howard County Public School System. The event will take place this year from July 7–11. During the course of the weekend, juried artists will set up their easels throughout Ellicott City’s historic district and “paint the town” as they vie for a minimum of $5,000 in total awards, including the $2,000 Gino Award.

On July 11, HCAC will host a special reception from 6–8 p.m. to celebrate the opening of an exhibit of the juried artists’ work at the Howard County Center for the Arts. The evening will feature the presentation of awards by the juror as well as a one-night exhibit of work created during the Open Paint-Out. The juried artists’ exhibit will run through Aug. 19 and the Open Paint-Out artists’ work will be on display at the Howard County Welcome Center through the summer.

The deadline for entries for the juried portion of Paint It! Ellicott City 2016 is April 29. Entry forms can be downloaded at hocoarts.org/exhibits.php. For more information on this and other Arts Council programs, email [email protected], or call 410-313-2787.

Hills of Milltown 5K Set for May 8 in Ellicott City

Lace up and race up the hills, down the valleys and around the winding streets through Ellicott City’s historic residential district and past 13 historic sites during the Hills of Milltown 5K, which kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 8, in Parking Lot F at 8394 Main Street and Ellicott Mills Road.

Proceeds benefit the Beautification Fund of the Ellicott City Partnership, and up to $1,000 will be donated to Blossoms of Hope, The Howard County Cherry Tree Project, in support of the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center at Howard County General Hospital.

The Post-Race Party will be held at the Courtyards of Tonge Row, at Lot D, with the award presentation at 9:30 a.m. To register online ($35 plus online fee), go to www.active.com/ellicott-city-md/running/races/hills-of-milltown-5k-challenge-2016.

The day of registration fee is $40. Packets may be picked up in advance at Road Runner Sports on Saturday, May 7, from 2–4 p.m. Special discounts will be available at Road Runner on purchases that night. For more information, visit www.hillsofmilltown5kchallenge.com.

Hammond-Harwood House to Hold 75th Anniversary Celebration

A special Hammond-Harwood House event will transport guests back to the 1940s as its board of trustees presents the 75th Anniversary jubilee of the founding of its association.

A celebratory garden party will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 5–8 p.m., and serve as the historic home’s largest fundraiser of the year. Commemorating the good works of those who saved the home in 1940, this trip back in time is sure to be a “gas.” Heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, a jazz ensemble, vintage vignettes, classic cars and house tours will entertain guests. Tickets are $125 and may be purchased at www.HammondHarwoodHouse.org or by calling 410-263-4683.

HCAC Arts Scholarship Recipients Announced

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) has announced the recipients of its 2016 Arts Scholarship Program. A total of $10,000 in awards was distributed.

A $2,000 scholarship was awarded to Michelle Wong, Atholton High School, Instrumental Music; and the following students each received $1,000: Jin Byun, Howard High School, Visual Art; Kevin Cincotta, Glenelg High School, Instrumental Music; Connor Gallant, Atholton High School, Literary Art; Yelim Kim, Howard High School, Visual Art; Charlie Reynolds, Glenelg High School, Visual Art; Zachary Sager, Hammond High School, Theater; Benjamin Sheeley, Howard High School, Instrumental Music; and Megan Thornton, Howard High School, Visual Art.

Bailey Fund Established With CFHoCo

Mary and Earl Armiger established a designated permanent fund at the Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo) called the Millie Bailey Fund. Designated permanent funds benefit one or more predetermined organization every year into the future.

The Armigers established the fund in November in honor of local Howard County philanthropist Vivian “Millie” Bailey as part of her CFHoCo Philanthropist of the Year award in 2015. The donations contributed to the fund support programs at Columbia’s Running Brook Elementary School. Bailey is a longtime supporter of the school, as well as many other organizations.

Earl Armiger, chairman and CEO of Orchard Development and past chairman of the CFHoCo, and his wife, Mary Armiger, founder of Armiger Management, are both long-term supporters of the Howard County community and local organizations.

For more information or to donate to the Millie Bailey Fund, contact the Community Foundation of Howard County at 410-730-7840 or go to www.cfhoco.org.

Nonprofit Launched to Foster Healthy Communities Through Nature

A team of Marylanders committed to the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and the natural environment have come together to found the Community Ecology Institute (CEI). The mission of this Howard County-based nonprofit is to foster social and ecological health, and community, by enhancing the connection between all people and the natural world.

CEI is working to achieve this goal by researching, designing, implementing and promoting opportunities to foster health and build community through connection to nature. Its focus areas include nature engagement, ecological restoration; experiential education, socio-ecological health, resilience enhancement, and community building. It prioritizes initiatives and topics that work across multiple areas.

Implementation efforts are focused on programs in central Maryland. However, it is working quickly to share lessons learned, best practices, tools and resources so these programs and initiatives can be successfully implemented in localities around the country.

For more details about The Community Ecology Institute, visit: www.communityecologyinstitute.org.

ARTreach 2016 Set for June 11

ARTreach is back. The second outdoor, community arts festival is set for Long Reach Village Center on Saturday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live music by regional performing artists, including Christylez Bacon and Wytold, Ursula Ricks Project, Ocho de Bastos and more.

Sample hands-on arts activities and watch a variety of artists as they demonstrate their craft. Interact with performers, face painters, caricaturists and more as you stroll the village center. Volunteers are needed to assist during the festival. Details and an online sign-up form are available at artreachhoco.org. To learn more about ARTreach, contact 410-313-ARTS (2787) or [email protected].

SOHO Garners Grant From CarMax Laurel

Special Olympics Howard County (SOHO) was recently awarded a one-time $50,000 grant from CarMax Laurel Toyota. The grant is part of its regional giving program and is focused on healthy living and leadership development.

“CarMax cares deeply about the communities we are a part of – without them, we could not be successful. Our giving is rooted in the passion of our associates, and they told us they want to focus on children’s healthy living,” said Shawn Shamlou, CarMax Laurel Toyota general manager.

Bob Baker, director of SOHO, noted that a grant of this size will allow SOHO to continue to focus on improving the health and well-being of Howard County children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through its sports and social programs. Athletes participating in Special Olympics have improved physical fitness, increased self-confidence and social competency, and greater readiness for employment.

Bernise Kish Gallery artist, Tom Fretz Call for Artists for the Kish Gallery

The Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House is accepting applications for artists to exhibit at the galleries for the 2017 gallery season. The Gallery Screening Committee will be reviewing applications in this spring for artists to exhibit in 2017. The deadline to submit an application is June 1. To access an application, visit www.wildelake.org/events-programs/the-bernice-kish-gallery-at-slayton-house.

Send completed applications to Carole Black, Gallery Director, Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, MD, 21044; or email to [email protected].

Whipps Annual Plant Sale Set for May 13–14

Friday May 13 and Saturday, May 14, Ellicott City’s only public garden-park, run entirely by volunteers — the Whipps Garden Cemetery —will hold its annual fundraiser plant sale at the First Lutheran Church, at the corner of Chatham and Frederick roads, Dunloggin.

The Whipps plant sale will feature many native perennial flowers, including many butterfly, shade-loving and deer-resistant plants. Many of the plants, including natives favored in today’s landscape, are donated from the gardens of master gardeners. The sale is a favorite of Ellicott City gardeners because it features many unusual and hard-to-find varieties.  The program is operated by the University of Maryland’s Extension Service. Howard County Master Gardeners — a group of more than a hundred men and women — work as volunteers throughout the county on a number of horticultural and environmental projects.

All proceeds from the annual plant sale go for the upkeep of the one-acre park. For more information, contact Aleta Gravelle at 410-274-7795 and [email protected].

Neighbor Ride Receives Champion in Life Award

The BFG Community Foundation has presented Neighbor Ride with a 2016 Champion in Life Grant Award. The $2,500 grant award recognizes local community organizations that are dedicated to serving the needs of others.

Neighbor Ride is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the health and quality of life for Howard County’s older residents by providing transportation for health care appointments, social outings, volunteering, fitness and educational activities, shopping, religious services and other personal needs. Since services were launched in November 2004, Neighbor Ride’s volunteers have provided more than 113,000 trips for local seniors.

The foundation is dedicated to affecting a positive and determined impact in the Baltimore Metropolitan community in the areas of sheltering the homeless, feeding and caring for families, fostering the educational needs of our youth, and supporting those who protect our community.

Cummings Announces Winner of Annual Congressional Art Competition

Congressman Elijah Cummings has announced that Jini Kim, a senior at Howard County’s Mt. Hebron High School, is the winner of the 2016 congressional Art Competition for the 7th District of Maryland. Kim’s painting, entitled “Entangled Fantasia,” will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year, alongside the works of other young artists from across the country.

Initiated by members of the U.S. House of Representatives and sponsored by the Congressional Institute, the Congressional Art Competition recognizes and encourages artistic talent in the nation. To participate, high school students submit entries to their representative’s office, and each district selects a winning entry, which is then displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

HCAC Announces Two New Exhibits

On May 6, the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) will open two new exhibits: “Resident Visual Artists Exhibit 2016” and “From Start to Finish: Inside the Mind of the Photographer.”

In its 32nd year at the HCAC, Resident Visual Artists Exhibit 2016 features recent work created by artists who have studios at the Center for the Arts: James Adkins, Joan Bevelaqua, Michael Brown, Myungsook Ryu Kim, Art Landerman, Diana Marta, Amanda Gordon Miller, Joyce Ritter, Jereme Scott, Alice St. Germain-Gray, Andrei Trach, Jamie Travers, Mary Jo Tydlacka, and David Zuccarini. The artists work in various media, including oil and watercolor painting, woodblock printmaking, drawing, fiber art and glass bead-making.

A free reception will be held on June 16 from 6–8 p.m. in conjunction with the Columbia Festival of the Arts, with entertainment by All County Improv at 6:30 p.m. and Resident Artists’ Open Studios from 7–8 p.m. Resident Visual Artists Exhibit 2016 and From Start to Finish run through June 17. For more information about HCAC programs and exhibits, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit hocoarts.org.

Davis, Dunn Team Up for Exhibit at Artists’ Gallery

Local artists Nancy Lee Davis and Diane Dunn love to paint and they love to travel. For their May show at Artists’ Gallery in Columbia, they will exhibit paintings that have grown from years of visiting  many parts of the world: France, Africa, Slovania, Morocco, Ireland, Costa Rica, Cuba and more. They both feel that travel not only inspires and enriches the soul, it also provides fertile ground for their art work.

The show includes oil paintings by Nancy Davis and works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel-colored photographs by Diane Dunn. It will run until June 3, with an opening reception on Friday, May 6 from 6–8 p.m. at Artists’ Gallery, American City Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle, Columbia. For more information, call 410-740-8249 or visit www.artistsgallerycolumbia.com.

Howard Rec & Parks Seeks Public Input for Plan

Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks is seeking input from county residents for its Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP), a comprehensive plan produced every five years that guides the department on key issues, trends and plans for managing and enhancing the systems of preserved public lands, parks and recreation facilities.

Producing an LPPRP is a prerequisite for Howard County’s participation in Maryland’s Program Open Space, which provides grants for the acquisition of land for conservation and park purposes as well as for the development of public recreation facilities. In fiscal year 2015, the county added 47 acres of land through the program, and in total manages 3,457 acres of land purchased through it.

The Department has contracted Boston-based Sasaki to assist in developing the LPPRP. Sasaki is a planning and design firm of 250 employees that works locally, nationally and globally, across multiple scales.

The LPPRP is due to be submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of Planning by July 1, 2017. For more information on the LPPRP and to read the plan submitted in 2012, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/LPPRP.