Komen Maryland Moving Race for the Cure to Columbia Gateway
Susan G. Komen Maryland has announced that the organization will host its 26th Annual Race for the Cure in Columbia, on Saturday, Oct. 13. The new location in central Maryland offers an opportunity for the event to grow and to attract new participants from a broader region.
“The work Komen Maryland has done across the state has been nothing short of life-changing for many people,” said Executive Director for Komen Maryland Michael Jessup. “Through events like the Race for the Cure and our generous donors, we have been able to invest $28 million in local breast cancer programs that provide critical support as well as contribute more than $11 million to national research.”
The Komen Maryland Race for the Cure is one of the largest single-day fundraisers in the state and is consistently ranked as a top charitable event in the metro area by the Baltimore Business Journal. It is expected to attract 5,000 participants this year, and the fundraising goal for the event is $850,000. Registration is open at www.komenmd.org/marylandrace.

‘Ready? Set? Good!’ Encourages Emergency Preparedness Planning at Home
Extreme weather, power outages and other disasters happen every day around the world. Residents in the Baltimore region are encouraged to prepare at home before an emergency occurs. “Ready? Set? Good!” is a call-to-action emergency preparedness campaign through the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).
The campaign encourages people to, at a minimum, put aside a portable, battery-powered radio, flashlight and one gallon of water per person, per day, to help get them through those first critical hours when basic services are down. The campaign targets homeowners, heads of households, moms, dads, caregivers and families to prepare for an emergency before one happens.
“Ready? Set? Good!” also encourages residents to use a checklist to prepare other items: blankets, non-perishable foods, family plans, pet supplies, etc. For more information, including tips and a checklist of recommended items, visit www.readysetgood.org.

Free KidsDay Event on Saturday, June 9, at Columbia SportsPark
KidsDay — the annual welcome-to-summer event for kids hosted by Columbia Association (CA) — returns on Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Columbia SportsPark, 5453 Harpers Farm Road, toward the back of the Harper’s Choice Village Center.
Mini-golf and all-you-can-bat batting cage sessions will be free for all kids ages 12 and younger, as well as all CA Fit & Play, Play, 5Day Golf &Play, and Golf Fit & Play members of any age. Non-members and other CA members ages 13 and older will pay a fee. KidsDay is free and open to the public. Preregistration is requested at ColumbiaAssociation.org/kidsday.

Americana Recital at St. Louis Church, Clarksville, May 11
Violinist Destiny Mermagen and pianist Heather Adelsberger will perform a 19th-century program featuring the second violin sonata of Charles Ives — known as “The Walt Whitman of American sound” — and Henri Vieuxtemps’ “American Bouquet,” a virtuosic suite based on American folk tunes, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 11, at St. Louis Church, Clarksville.
Widely known as one of America’s most important composers, Ives was able to “write pieces in traditional European style, but with an American accent,” according to NPR. Violinist Mermagen said Vieuxtemps’ pieces, composed in the 1850s and inspired by American popular music and Irish immigrants, “showcase a lot of other virtuosic melodies and tunes.”
No tickets are required for the free concert, which is the final performance of the St. Louis Concert & Artist Series 2017–18 season. For more information, see www.stlconcertseries.org or call 410-531-6040.

Journey Leadership Program for Howard Middle Girls Now Includes Seventh-Graders
Maryland Leadership Workshops, a division of Leadership Maryland, is expanding its 2018 Journey program for Howard County middle school girls to include girls who are rising into seventh grade, in addition to grades eight and nine. Registration for Journey is available online at www.mlw.org and closes May 15.
Journey will take place July 15–21 at UMBC. During this unique residential program, each student identifies her own leadership skills, strengths and weaknesses in a supportive and fun environment that fosters increased self-esteem and confidence. Journey graduates are equipped with leadership skills, tools and motivation to enhance their schools and communities.
This program includes workshops focusing on topics such as empowerment and motivation, communication, decision-making skills, self-awareness and building healthy relationships; group projects for girls to apply and get feedback on their leadership and interpersonal skills; small group interactions between staff and girls to address specific areas of individual growth and identify an action plan for post-site implementation; and recreational activities and team-building games.
Scholarships are available. For more information, call Anita Durall Anderson at 301-444-8623.

Asad Brings Mysteries of the Taj Dynasty to Artists’ Gallery
Sadaf Asad is exhibiting a group of paintings that highlight the beautiful and intricate artistic style of the Mughal Taj Dynasty, which ruled most of the Indian subcontinent from the late 7th century to the early 18th century. This area included what is today Asad’s native Pakistan. The show runs until May 27.
Asad has been influenced by the cultural and artistic life the Mughals brought to India; the jewel colors and interesting patterns in her work represent Asad’s interpretation of the exotic artistic period. She works mostly in charcoal, pastel and ink.

Kittleman Seeks Members for Board of Health
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman is seeking one health professional, one mental health professional and one substance use disorders professional interested in serving on the county’s Board of Health.
Composed of 11 members, the board must include one environmental health professional; three health professionals, one of which may be a veterinarian; and seven members from the general public. Those representing the general public must meet one of the following qualifications.
• At least two may not have professional or administrative training in the health occupations;
• At least two may have had professional or administrative training in the health occupations, but have not worked as a health professional in the past five years;
• At least one shall have professional experience in mental health; and
• At least one shall have professional experience in substance use disorders.
Board members serve five-year terms and are responsible for the health and sanitary interests of the people of Howard County. With the exception of December, July and August, board meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the administrative offices of the Howard County Health Department, located at 8930 Stanford Boulevard, Columbia.
Applicants should send a résumé and a brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the commission to Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: David Lee, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 18. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Health/Boards or call the Howard County Health Department at 410-313-6300.

Kittleman Seeks Student Member for Howard’s Commission for Women
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman is seeking a student applicant who is interested in serving on the Commission for Women. The commission is composed of 12 members, including one student, and helps promote the economic, social and political equality of women in Howard County. The student commission member will serve a one-year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a rising 11th- or 12th-grade student in a public or private Howard County school, have an interest in women’s equality and be able to attend the commission’s meetings. The meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Gateway Building, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia.
Applicants should send a résumé and a brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the commission to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: David Lee, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the county executive for approval, and the nominee will be submitted to the County Council for confirmation. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 31.
For more information, call the Department of Community Resources & Services at 410-313-6400 or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/CFW.

Howard County’s Volunteer of the Year Awards Announced
Howard County honored outstanding volunteers recently in a ceremony that recognized the generosity and achievements of two individuals, one nonprofit organization or governmental agency and one for-profit or community group. The annual event also included the announcement of Howard County’s Volunteer of the Year and other special award recipients.
Award winners will have an engraved brick installed in the “Pathway to Excellence” at the county’s Troy Park at Elkridge. The pathway is to be part of the park’s development. This year’s award winners are at follows.
• Volunteer of the Year: Mary Lasky
Lasky was recognized for her work with the Community Emergency Response Network since its inception in 2002 and the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
• Non-Profit Volunteer Organization of the Year: Lambda Gamma Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
For more than three decades, the Sorors of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Lambda Gamma Zeta Chapter have focused their numerous outreach programs largely on scholarship, service and sisterhood.
• Community Volunteer Group of the Year: The Loan Closet of Howard County’s Volunteers
A clearing house for donated medical equipment, the Loan Closet is able to function because of its volunteers, in particular Dennis Fabel, Kathy Pelch and Sandy Reading.
• Unsung Hero: Monica Fabbri
Jumping immediately into action after the devastating 2016 flooding, Monica Fabbri is recognized for her dedication to ensuring continued care for the residents of Ellicott City’s West End.

Rising Stars Shine at HCAC’s Celebration of the Arts
Nearly 425 business and arts leaders were on hand in late March for the Howard County Arts Council’s (HCAC) 21st Annual Celebration of the Arts. Held at Howard Community College’s Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, in Columbia, this year’s benefit gala netted approximately $73,000, with an additional $68,377 in donated goods and services.
Buddy and Sue Emerson, active supporters of a number of community and charitable organizations statewide, were the honorary chairs for the evening. Myron “Mo” Dutterer, recipient of the 2003 Howie Award for Outstanding Arts Educator and a pillar of the Howard County theater community, served as emcee.
The Rising Star Performing Arts Competition featured 10 emerging performing artists vying for the title of Rising Star and a professional development award of $5,000 won by pianist Junghoon Park.
Then the 2017 Howie Awards were presented to Ric Ryder (Outstanding Artist), Tolly Rumbaugh Peddicord (Outstanding Arts Educator) and Michael Clark (Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts). The inaugural Howie Award for Outstanding Arts Leadership was also presented to Howard County Arts Council Executive Director Coleen West, in recognition of her 20 years of dedicated service and advocacy.
Since 1998, more than $1.5 million has been raised through the event.

Columbia Orchestra to ‘Taste the Music’
The Columbia Orchestra will hold a special event, “Taste the Music,” at Ten Oaks Ballroom on Sunday, May 6, at 5 p.m., to commemorate the orchestra’s 40th Anniversary. Music performed by members of the orchestra will be paired with Italian dishes.
The program will include selections from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro” and more; Music Director Jason Love will provide commentary. Cocktail attire preferred. Tickets are $100 each, or $700 for a table of eight.
The orchestra’s 40th season continues on Saturday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m., with a concert featuring French impressionists and romantic favorites. Listeners will recognize Dukas’ “Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” which Walt Disney included in his 1940 animated film “Fantasia.” The orchestra also will perform Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” and two popular works by Ravel — “Bolero” and music from his ballet “Daphnis & Chloe.” Matthew Miller and Megan Rabe, two winners of the orchestra’s 2018 Young Artist Competition, also will perform.
For tickets and more information, call 410-465-8777 or visit www.columbiaorchestra.org.

HCAC Announces Two New Exhibits
The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) has announced two new exhibits: “Resident Visual Artists Exhibit 2018” and “Surface & Structure.”
In its 34th year at the HCAC, “Resident Visual Artists Exhibit” features recent work by artists with studios at the Center for the Arts: James Adkins, Stanley Agbontaen, Joan Bevelaqua, Myungsook Ryu Kim, Art Landerman, Diana Marta, Brendan Nass, Joyce Ritter, Jereme Scott, Alice St. Germain-Gray, Andrei Trach, Jamie Travers, Mary Jo Tydlacka and David Zuccarini. The artists work in a variety of media.
“Surface & Structure” features work by artists Sooo-z Mastropietro and Chloe Irla. Both artists create mixed-media work that often incorporates various textile materials.
Both exhibits run through June 22. A free reception will be held on June 21, from 6–8 p.m., in conjunction with the Columbia Festival of the Arts. For more information, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit hocoarts.org.

Apps for Ryder Grant Due to HCAC June 29
Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) has announced that applications for the fiscal 2019 Mark Ryder Original Choreography Grant Program are available. This program was established at the bequest of Mark Ryder’s family, in honor of his life’s work, to recognize individual creative expression and to provide financial assistance to choreographers to create new original work. Ryder was an established dancer and choreographer in the dance community.
A fund has been established at the Columbia Foundation to enable monies to be awarded for this purpose in perpetuity. The grant award recipients will be announced in September at HCAC’s Annual Meeting and Grant Awards Ceremony. The minimum grant amount will be $500. Email [email protected] or call 410-313-ARTS (2787) for more information. The deadline to submit applications is June 29.

Whipps Annual Plant Sale Set for May 11, 12
On Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, 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.
All proceeds from the annual plant sale go for the upkeep of the one-acre Whipps garden/park, and fund such projects as keeping fresh wood chips on all of the pathways and signage for trees, shrubs and selected perennials. For more information, text Aleta Gravelle at 410-274-7795 or email [email protected].

HCPSS Recognized as a Best Community for Music Education
The Howard County Public School System has been recognized as one of the 2018 Best Communities for Music Education Districts by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.
HCPSS is one of four Maryland districts, and one of 583 school districts across the United States, being recognized by the NAMM Foundation as among the Best Communities for Music Education. This is the third consecutive year HCPSS has received the award.