Partners in Care Golf Tournament Set for June 18
Partners in Care will hold its annual Partnership Golf Classic on Monday, June 18, at Walden Golf Club in Crofton. The fun, informal tournament uses a Captain’s Choice format. Sponsors include The Bank of Glen Burnie, with a hole-in-one-contest by Wilkins Buick.
Proceeds from the tournament benefit Partners In Care Maryland, a 501(c)3 community nonprofit providing supportive services to help older adults remain independent in their own homes.
Registration is at noon. Foursomes and single golfers are welcome. Sponsorships are available. Call 410-544-4800 or annemyers@partnersincare.org, and see partnersincare.org/golf.
Pictured, left to right, are Partners in Care board members Mike Livingston of Severn, Krystal Duncan of Owings Mills and Dudley Dixon of Severna Park. They’re with Anne Myers of Severna Park, marketing director, second from right.
Golf Tournament Raises More Than $20K for AACCASA, Children in Need
The 12th annual Tee Up for a Child Golf Tournament grossed more than $20,000 for Anne Arundel County CASA (AACCASA). “The money raised will enable us to serve our most vulnerable citizens — children who are in foster care because of abuse or neglect,” said Rebecca Tingle, executive director of Anne Arundel County CASA.
For the past 12 years, BankAnnapolis has been the lead corporate sponsor for the event. It was held at Eisenhower Golf Course and drew approximately 100 golfers and local members of the business community. Former First Lady of Maryland Kendel Ehrlich and BankAnnapolis chairman and CEO Rick Lerner were among those in attendance.
Folly Quarter Middle School Dedicates Greenhouse for Grassroots
Folly Quarter Middle School dedicated its Greenhouse for Grassroots at a ceremony attended by school administrators, faculty, staff and students and board of education members, including chair Sandra French and members Ellen Flynn Giles and Janet Siddiqui. Principal Rick Wilson discussed the multiple aims of the project.
The greenhouse grew out of the work of the Gifted/Talented Instruction Seminar, “Green School Initiative,” under the auspices of Gifted/Talented Resource Teacher Bill McCauley. Students learned about sustainable food production and healthy foods. The produce grown in the greenhouse is donated to Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center to feed guests in its shelter program.
The Horizon Foundation funded construction of the greenhouse through a grant to the school. Wilson is a member of the Western Horizon Council, an advisory group to the foundation, which also includes four students from Folly Quarter.
WGC Hosts Wealth Coach
The first event in the 2012 Circle Series, presented by the Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) of Howard County, featured wealth coach Deborah Owens, author of A Purse of Your Own, at Lord & Taylor in The Mall in Columbia.
Underwritten by Legg Mason, Fidelity Investments and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Owens discussed “seven wealthy habits” and how to apply them to become financially secure. Attendees received a complimentary copy of Owens’ book.
The WGC of Howard County is building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls. The WGC is a fund at The Columbia Foundation.
Enterprise Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Grand Re-Opening of Harper House
Local and state dignitaries joined Columbia-based Enterprise Homes recently for the grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Harper House, which received a $21 million total building green makeover. The nine-story rental apartment building provides green, affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families in a high-cost community.
Harper House includes 42 one-bedroom and 58 two-bedroom apartments. The total building makeover includes a nine-story addition that increases living space by approximately 9,000 square feet, including eight new two-bedroom apartments; added common areas; renovated corridors and lobby area; and a new covered entry.
Following the standards of the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria, the building’s overall projected energy efficiency will increase by approximately 21%.
The $21 million development was funded with tax-exempt bonds issued by Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development through the New Issue Bond Program; Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity from Enterprise Community Investment through the sale of 4% LIHTCs issued by the Maryland Community Development Administration (CDA); a Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability (MEEHA) Grant from CDA; and contributions from the developer.
New Partnership to Create Green Summer Jobs for Young Adults
Howard County Government and People Acting Together in Howard (PATH) have joined forces to create a new partnership to address two growing community concerns: youth employment and stormwater pollution.
Starting this summer, PATH and its partner, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, with the financial backing of a grant from Howard County Government, will hire and train 40 young adults who will learn how to develop green solutions to stormwater management issues.
READY (Restoring the Environment and Developing Youth) program members will use their new knowledge to build facilities that will reduce the storm runoff that carries sediment and pollutants to our streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
“This partnership could not be timelier,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “Howard County is about to receive new mandates from the Maryland Department of the Environment that will require considerable effort to reduce our stormwater impacts on area streams and the bay.”
Howard Agencies, Community Partners Test ‘Operation House Call’
The Howard County Health Department recently conducted an Emergency Preparedness drill, dubbed “Operation House Call,” as part of a statewide exercise led by the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.
The county used a public health emergency scenario that tested the capacity of the health department and partner agencies to activate the mass-distribution of medications to residents through door-to-door canvassing. A portion of the Clemens Crossing neighborhood in the Village of Hickory Ridge served as the target area for the exercise.
The drill was a full-scale event that began with the assembly of more than 600 bags of information and materials to be delivered to Clemens Crossing. Once completed, four teams of health department personnel delivered the bags to households to simulate the response to a true public health crisis.
For more information about the mass dispensing exercise, visit www.hchealth.org.
Cycle Maryland Program Recognized by a National Bicycle Organization
Less than a year after Gov. Martin O’Malley kicked off his Cycle Maryland Initiative, a national bicycle organization has recognized that initiative as one of the reasons Maryland is ranked among the nation’s top 10 bicycle-friendly states.
In honor of National Bike Month, the League of American Bicyclists released its latest Bicycle-Friendly States survey, ranking Maryland No. 8 in the nation and No. 3 in the northeast. This spring, O’Malley has announced $5 million in Cycle Maryland grants to 27 winners to create new bikeway connections and to bring bikeshare stations to Maryland.
Maryland’s ranking was based on a number of key indicators, including infrastructure and funding that provide on-the-ground bicycle facilities; education and encourage programs that promote cycling; and passage and enforcement of bicycle-friendly laws.
LHC Seeking Community Impact Projects
Leadership Howard County (LHC) is seeking to consult with community organizations on an identified problem or issue. These projects will have a meaningful impact on the organization and ultimately the community, and therefore should be real-life, significant projects.
Leadership Premier project teams will consist of six to seven class members who will work over a period of seven to eight months (from October to May). If your organization has a project that would benefit from the perspectives of talented and committed community leaders, visit www.leadershiphc.org and click on “Get Involved” for more information.
An information session for organizations interested in submitting project proposals will be held on Thursday, June 28. Organizations may still submit project proposals (which are due Friday, July 13) regardless of attendance at the information session. For information and registration, contact Laurie Remer at lremer@leadershiphc.org.
CAC Partnership Broadens Visual Arts for Students, Teachers
A new partnership with the Columbia Art Center (CAC) will encourage participation in, and appreciation of, the visual arts among Howard County students, teachers and schools.
Under the terms of the partnership agreement, the CAC will provide gallery space for annual student exhibits and receptions, and offer guest artists to support classroom instruction. Center staff will collaborate with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to offer professional development for art teachers, and will provide information about local art-related activities and opportunities for students. A representative of the CAC will participate on the HCPSS Fine Arts Advisory Council.
Maryland State Retirement Agency’s New Video Now Available on Vimeo
The Maryland State Retirement Agency’s (MSRA) new video, “Retirement Security Benefits Everyone,” is now available on Vimeo. Originally available only on YouTube, the 11-minute video provides viewers with informative context to the ongoing conversation about public pension benefit plans.
Some of the key points addressed in “Retirement Security Benefits Everyone” include: Defined Benefit plans, in combination with Social Security and personal savings, provide a secure retirement for Maryland’s public employees and school teachers. The video can now be viewed by clicking on either the YouTube or the Vimeo icons found on the agency’s home page at http://sra.maryland.gov.
makingCHANGE Partnership to Enhance Financial Literacy for Students, Staff
A new partnership between makingCHANGE and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will help students and staff acquire the financial skills needed for life-long financial wellness.
Under the terms of the partnership agreement, makingCHANGE will serve as an objective, resource of financial literacy information for teachers, staff, students and families. The nonprofit organization will sponsor local events that foster financial literacy for all ages, such as Y-Fi, Money Matters and the Women’s Empowerment Conference.
makingCHANGE will collaborate with the HCPSS to support financial education in the classroom by providing professional development for teachers, access to qualified speakers, classroom activities and other educational resources.
The organization has also agreed to offer financial literacy resources and workplace information sessions for HCPSS employees, to help engage volunteers and parents in the student learning process, and to offer internship opportunities for qualified high school students who wish to explore careers in the financial industry.
Howard County, HBO Honor 50 Healthy Schools
Healthy Howard Inc. recently joined HBO to honor public and private elementary and middle schools at the Fifth Annual Healthy Schools Award Ceremony. Fifty schools were awarded bronze, silver and gold medals based on their efforts to improve the health of their school community through physical activity and nutrition programs that reached nearly 25,000 students.
“The Healthy Schools program represents a real catalyst for change in our community by bringing together parents, teachers, and students to address and overcome barriers to better health,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “Although we have made progress, we know that our effort to combat childhood obesity is critical and ongoing.”
The Healthy Schools program designates schools throughout the county as “healthy” based on the physical activity- and nutrition-related programs they organize throughout the year.
Medaling criteria takes into account elements of planning, community involvement, measurable outcomes and sustainability of the programs implemented. Since beginning in school year 2007–08, a total of 58 schools have participated in the Healthy Schools program.
HCC Honors Broccolino With College’s Most Esteemed Award
The Sen. James Clark, Jr., Medal was awarded to Vic Broccolino, president and CEO of Howard County General Hospital (HCGH), during a recent celebration that gathered both current and former members of the college’s boards. Those present recognized Broccolino’s longtime service to Howard Community College (HCC) and the community.
Chair of the HCC Board of Trustees Kathy Rensin presented the award to Broccolino, thanking him for his contributions to the health care field, service to the community and support to the college.
CAC of Howard County Earns BBB Accredited Charity Seal
Community Action Council (CAC) of Howard County has been awarded the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Charity Seal. The application for BBB’s Accredited Charity Seal can only be completed by a local charity that has undergone a comprehensive review and has been assessed by BBB to meet or exceed each of its 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
“The seal assures the public, including friends and donors, that CAC is committed to the highest standards of ethics, transparency and integrity,” said Bita Dayhoff, president of the CAC.
MAEOE Announces 2012 Maryland Green School Awards
The Jessup-based Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) has announced substantial growth in the MarylandGreen School program, with 56 schools certified as new 2012 Maryland Green Schools, bringing the total number of certified schools to 454 — 20% of all public and private schools in the state.
MAEOE recertified 19 schools and 15 more schools received recertification for the second time. Eleven schools achieved Model Green School status by remaining certified for 14 years.
MAEOE will also certify one new Maryland Green Center, the SERT Program and recertify four centers. Across the state, 34 Green Centers offer support to schools working toward certification as Maryland Green Schools. Green Center staff and volunteers are community partners, assisting schools in fulfilling the requirements of Maryland Green School certification.
For a complete listing of green schools and green centers, visit www.maeoe.org.
Men, Women Don Heels for YWCA of Annapolis Event
Wearing platforms, pumps and Pumas, more than 100 people came together Saturday for the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event to raise awareness about sexual violence.
The event to cap Sexual Assault Awareness Month, was organized and sponsored by the YWCA of Annapolis &Anne Arundel County and co-hosted by and held at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC). In its second year in Anne Arundel County, the walk originally started as a men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence, and has grown nationally to include women and children. All participants, even men, are encouraged to wear high heels.
Money raised at the event will be used to support the YWCA’s programs, which include a sexual assault hotline, hospital accompaniment services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, counseling, and support groups. For more information about the YWCA, or to donate to its programs, visit www.annapolisywca.org.
HCGH, Broccolino Receive FIRN’s 2012 Pat Hatch Award
FIRN bestowed its Pat Hatch Award on Howard County General Hospital (HCGH) and its president and CEO, Vic Broccolino, at FIRN’s 10th Annual American Success Awards dinner, which was held at Turf Valley Resort.
During the 22 years of Broccolino’s leadership, the hospital has experienced significant change and growth, while the community has become increasingly diverse. For example, between 2000 and 2010, the county’s Latino population increased 123%, the Asian population increased 116% and the African-American population increased 39%.
AACC Wins Top State Awards for Online Learning
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) won honors for the best online educator and the top online program for the second consecutive year at the Maryland Distance Learning Association’s (MDLA) annual meeting.
Kenneth Jarvis, professor of hotel/restaurant management at AACC, was named the MDLA’s top online educator, not only for the design of the “World Culture and Cuisine” (HRM 232) course, but also for his leadership in mentoring other online instructors.
The Bridge to Success (B2S) Project was named the MDLA’s program of the year for improving students’ college readiness and math confidence and abilities through two open educational learning courses, “Learning to Learn” and “Success with Math.” B2S was a collaboration with AACC’s partners, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the Open University of London, England; and the University of Maryland University College.
Jarvis designed the online “World Culture and Cuisine” course with visual, auditory, kinesthetic and multi-sensory aspects to engage students and to meet the needs of varying learning styles. The B2S Project is part of a Next Generation Challenge Grant awarded to AACC and its partners through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
AFCEA Central Maryland Chapter Hosts 5th Annual 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run
The Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) Central Maryland Chapter’s 2012 Race for Excellence 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run raised more than $60,000 for its scholarship fund.
This year, more than 1,124 registered participants and their families turned out for the event. The AFCEA Central Maryland Scholarship Fund provides merit-based college scholarships to deserving local high school students. Additional information and event details are available at www.afceacmd.org.
CA Staff Honored With Recognition of Superior Effort Awards
Two Columbia Association (CA) employees recently received Recognition of Superior Effort (ROSE) awards. Sundus Saleh and Karen Hinton were honored at the annual ROSE dinner/awards ceremony, sponsored by the Maryland School-Age Child Care Alliance.
The ROSE awards offer an opportunity to show outstanding employees how much their service is valued. Nominees were recommended by supervisors, co-workers and parents. Saleh is a licensed teacher through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Hinton, also a licensed teacher with MSDE, works with CA’s School Age Services at the Swansfield Elementary before and after school program.
CA’s School Age Services (SAS) offers elementary and middle school children a safe, secure haven where they can explore, learn and have fun. SAS offers before and after school care at several Howard County elementary and middle schools.
There are also programs offered for children on days when Howard County schools are closed. For more information on CA’s School Age Services, visit http://bit.ly/SchoolAgeServices.
FMA Foundation Selects First McCreedy Scholarship Recipient
The Fort Meade Alliance Foundation (FMA) has awarded Christopher Patrick Walker the inaugural Col. Kenneth O. McCreedy Scholarship. Patrick is a senior at Meade High School and a graduate of the Homeland Security Program. In fall 2012, he will be utilizing the scholarship at Capitol College, located in Laurel. The scholarship is valued at $1,000 annually for the four years he attends the college.
The McCreedy Scholarship was created to assist Meade High School seniors participating in the Homeland Security or Project Lead the Way Programs, whose parent(s) are either military or U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees and who plan to go on to higher education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math or linguistics.
Orioles’ $10K Donation to KidsPeace Will Help Howard County Youth
The Baltimore Orioles recently recognized Manager Buck Showalter’s 1,000th win by presenting $10,000 to national children’s charity KidsPeace. Desiree Williams, a KidsPeace foster youth from Howard County, was on the field to accept the gift on behalf of the organization.
In addition to foster care and community programs, KidsPeace, based in Pennsylvania, offers residential treatment facilities and a unique psychiatric hospital serving children from age 3 to 21. The organization has offices in 10 states and Washington, D.C., with a local office in Columbia, which often receives referrals from Howard County Department of Social Services.
Only 46% of foster care youth graduate from high school, 40% to 50% are homeless within 18 months of aging out of the systems and 25% are incarcerated within 24 months.
Showalter and his wife, Angela, have been vocal proponents of KidsPeace’s mission. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kidspeace.org.
United Way Expands Network of Help for Locals in Need
United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) announced the awarding of $200,000 in Community Impact Grants to eight local programs serving Howard County’s most vulnerable residents.
With demand for basic human services high, UWCM continues to concentrate its efforts on improving the health, stability and well-being of central Maryland residents who are disadvantaged, especially those living at or near the federal poverty level. These grants serve to get Howard County residents out of crisis and stabilize them, with the ultimate goal of helping all families and individuals lead self-sufficient lives.
The grant funding reaches across the basic needs spectrum and touches people of all ages in such areas as access to health care, job training and employment, case management, emergency and transitional housing, nutrition, legal assistance, affordable day-care and after-school programs.
