Anne Arundel Launches Resource Website for Hispanic-Latino Residents

Anne Arundel County has launched a new resource website for Hispanic-Latino residents at www.aacounty.org/espanol. It includes a welcome message from county Hispanic liaison Maria Casasco. The site also includes links to information and resources for non-English speaking citizens of Anne Arundel County.

“Outreach to our Hispanic citizens is a major priority of our administration,” said County Executive Steve Schuh. “This new informational website will better connect non-English speaking residents to county government.”

Watch Arundel Minority Business Report on Different Platforms

The next episode of Anne Arundel County’s Minority Business Report will feature guests Brett Smith, general manager of Porsche of Annapolis, and Alfred Hogan, co-owner of Team Rangori Martial Arts, in a discussion on business development from a diversity perspective.

The Minority Business Report airs daily on Comcast 98/Verizon 38 in Anne Arundel County (Monday at 10 a.m., Tuesday and Friday at 1 p.m. and 10 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 4 p.m., and Thursday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.). You can now watch the Minority Business Report on YouTube. To watch, also visit www.aacounty.org/news-and-events/video-library/minority-business-report—february-2017.

Kittleman to Advance Plan to Preserve Tubman School

Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman has pre-filed legislation seeking the transfer of $3.4 million to allow the county to acquire property at 9020 Mendenhall Court, Columbia. Once purchased, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) would transfer its departments of maintenance and school construction to that location from the Harriet Tubman School, clearing the way for the county to preserve the school as a cultural and educational center.

The school, which opened in 1949, served as the county’s only all-black high school until it was closed through desegregation in 1965. For more than three decades, it has been used as office and storage space for the school system.

The Mendenhall property is a 49,000-square-foot office building constructed in 1981 and currently owned by Howard MD Green LLC.  It would provide parking for more than 200 vehicles and allow HCPSS to further consolidate a portion of its operations by relocating from property the county leases on Ridge Road, in Ellicott City. The county also plans to move its police evidence storage and fire department’s Quartermaster to the Mendenhall property from their current locations at the Dorsey Building on Bendix Road.

The $3.4 million would come from a variety of funds that had been allocated for acquisition of school sites, remediation and facilities.  The total purchase price is expected to be approximately $5.2 million.

HCC to Host Job Fair in March

More than 120 government agencies, businesses and organizations will visit Howard Community College (HCC) in March to showcase career opportunities for students and community members.

The job fair will be held Friday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will take place in the Burrill Galleria of the Clark Library Building, located on 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. The event will feature representatives from 80 government agencies, businesses and organizations who are looking to fill part-time and full-time positions. This free event is open to students and community members seeking employment. To review the complete list of employers at the job fair, visit www.howardcc.edu/jobfair. For more information about career resources available at Howard Community College, visit the Career Services web page at www.howardcc.edu/career.

‘Old Mill’ Dance Class to Evoke 1918 Dance in Laurel

Can you Foxtrot? Waltz? Do a basic Box Step? On Saturday, March 18, at 1 p.m., join Fidel “D.J. Salsero” Gonzalez for a one-hour dance class at the Laurel Museum that will honor Laurel’s World War I past. Participants at “An Old Mill Dance Class” will have an opportunity to learn some new moves or polish old ones at a place where the locals danced almost 100 years ago.

The Laurel Museum’s current exhibit:  “Laurel’s WWI:  From Here to Over There,” uncovered research indicating numerous dances for soldiers, including one at the “Old Mill” (the old cotton mill) with soldiers from the 23rd regiment in February 1918.

Beginners are welcome, and the class will be friendly to all ages and levels of expertise. The class is being held at the Laurel Pool Room, 9th and Main Streets. There’s a suggested donation of $3 for Laurel Historical Society members and $5 for non-members. The museum, at 817 Main Street, is open Wednesdays and Fridays 10–2, and Sundays 1–4. Admission is free. For additional information, visit www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org or contact [email protected] or 301-725-7975.

Deadline Approaching for Teens to Apply for Spirit of Columbia Scholarship Award

Teens still have time left to apply for the 2017 Maggie J. Brown Spirit of Columbia Scholarship Award — a $2,500 scholarship awarded to students who exhibit exceptional efforts in providing community service to benefit Columbia residents and those in the Columbia area. The deadline to submit a completed application is March 15.

Up to six $2,500 scholarships will be awarded by Columbia Association (CA). The students must live on CA-assessed property or have a parent/guardian who works full-time on, or owns, CA-assessed property. Applicants must be graduating in May/June 2017 from an accredited public, private or parochial high school, or be or home-schooled in accordance with COMAR 13A.10.01. The students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Applications are available online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/scholarship. For more information, call 410-715-3161 or email [email protected].

Nominations Open for NAMI Board

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maryland Annual Meeting will be held on June 11, at a time and location to be determined. The organization also is seeking nominations for candidates to serve on its board of directors, starting that month. As per the NAMI Maryland’s bylaws, candidates may be nominated by an individual member or by an affiliate.

Member Responsibilities and Expectations can be found at www.namimd.org/uploaded_files/636/Board_Member_Expectations_2017.pdf. As per the bylaws, all nominations must be received at least 90 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The deadline for the submission of nominations is March 11.

Silas Craft Collegians Event to Raise Funds for Programs, Scholarships

Hunan Manor Restaurant, in Columbia, will be filled with hundreds of community members, elected officials and Howard Community College (HCC) faculty and staff from 5 to 8 p.m. on March 13 as they support the college’s Silas Craft Collegians Program. The program offers students mentorship and personalized attention in a supportive academic cohort to promote scholastic achievement, graduation and transfers to four-year institutions.

For the 18th year, Hunan Manor, at 7091 Deepage Drive, will host the event, which has raised more than $355,000 since its inception. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Silas Craft Collegians program and student scholarships.

Dinner tickets are $45, or $30 for seniors (60-plus), and can be purchased online or at the door. HCC student tickets are $15 and can be purchased in person at the Foundation Office in McCuan Hall, Room 102. For more information or to purchase tickets online, go to howardcc.edu/sccathunan.

HCAC Accepting Applications for Community Arts Development Grant

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) is currently accepting applications for its fiscal ’18 Community Arts Development Grant Program. The program funds day-to-day activities for county arts organizations, as well as arts-related projects for new arts organizations or non-arts groups. Interested applicants should visit https://hcac.cgweb.org for more information and to register. The deadline to apply for the program is May 17.

HCAC’s grant program is supported through grants from the Howard County government and the Maryland State Arts Council as well as through its own foundation and corporate and individual giving initiatives.

HCAC General Exhibit Applications Due April 1

Artists wishing to be considered for an exhibit in the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) galleries are invited to submit a general exhibit application. The HCAC Exhibits Committee meets quarterly to review applications and select artists for the exhibit space. Artists, ages 18 and older, working in all media and styles including time-based and installation artists, are encouraged to apply, either individually or as a group.

The committee also welcomes proposals from curators and organizations. Detailed entry guidelines are available in the Exhibit Opportunities section of www.hocoarts.org, for pick-up at the Howard County Center for the Arts or by mail by calling 410-313-2787 or emailing [email protected]. The next deadline for submissions is Saturday, April 1.

Soup’r Sundae Set for April 2

The Faith Community Partnership of Bethany United Methodist Church, Glen Mar United Methodist Church and Wilde Lake High School are hosting the ninth annual Soup’r Sundae, a family event featuring soups prepared by area restaurants, as a fundraiser for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center on Sunday, April 2, from noon–3 p.m., at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia.

Admission is $20 per adult and $5 per child under 12, and includes unlimited soup and bread and ice cream. There will be a silent auction with hundreds of items, music and entertainment for children. More than 600 people attended last year’s event.

Tickets are at www.souprsundae.eventbrite.com or by contacting [email protected]. Tickets will also be available at the door for cash and checks made out to Grassroots. Sponsorships are available.

Applications Being Accepted for LHC Premier, Youth Programs

Whether you are a recent graduate or a longtime alumnus or alumna, you know how important the Leadership Howard County (LHC) network can be. Help that network continue to grow by nominating someone for the Leadership Premier Class of 2018.

An information breakfast will be held on April 20, and online applications are due May 15. Candidates may live or work in Howard County, and should have a demonstrated interest in community service. For more information, visit LeadershipHC.org.

Newest Members Presented in March at Artists’ Gallery

Artists’ Gallery, on Main Street in Ellicott City, will dedicate March to showcasing its eight newest members. They work in a variety of media, and the gallery will present their work to gallery visitors in the gallery’s featured artist space. The show will run until March 26.

Artists’ Gallery is located at 8197 Main Street, Ellicott City, and is a member-owned gallery representing media that include oil, watercolor, collage, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, traditional photography, hand-colored photography, digital painting, stained glass, wood-cut prints, mixed media and wooden objects. For more information, call 443-325-5936 or visit www.artistsgalleryec.com.

Glen Mar Golf Classic Set for May 22

The 6th Annual Glen Mar Golf Classic is set for Monday, May 22, at the Timbers of Troy Golf Course, in Elkridge. The event, hosted by Glen Mar United Methodist Church, will benefit Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.

The tournament includes a continental breakfast, silent auction and luncheon. In addition to trophies for the three foursomes having the lowest scores, prizes will be awarded to the Winning Senior Team and Winning Women’s Team, and for longest drive and closest to the pin for men and women. There will also be the opportunity to win prizes for a hole-in-one, a putting contest and a “circle of cash.”

The format is “Captain’s Choice” (scramble); seniors’ and women’s tee boxes will be permitted. Golfers can register online at www.glenmargolfclassic.com. Sponsorship information is also available at www.glenmargolfclassic.com.

Loyola’s Executive Education Offers Seminars for Aspiring Managers

Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business and Management will hold three Executive Education seminars this spring to help mid-level professionals develop business skills that benefit their organizations and progress their careers.

Sellinger designed Executive Education seminars to reflect the needs of Baltimore’s business community and improve the job performance and immediate potential of participants. Each open enrollment seminar consists of four three-hour sessions held on Loyola’s campuses or off-site locations over the course of two weeks.

  • Innovating for Competitive Advantage seminars equip managers with a data-driven approach for creating and maintaining a competitive advantage through innovation and continuous improvement. Sessions will be held on March 21, 23, 28 and 30.
  • Finance and Accounting for Business Leadership seminars help non-financial participants develop an understanding of terms and techniques used in managerial accounting and financial analysis. Sessions take place on April 18, 20, 25 and 27.
  • Effective Strategic Planning and Implementation seminars provide an interactive format to develop leadership skills in order to optimize strategic implementation. Sessions, which take place on May 9, 11, 16 and 18. To learn more and enroll, visit www.loyola.edu/executive-education.

Oceania CultureFest to Celebrate Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

Columbia Association (CA) is seeking musicians, dancers, exhibitors and food vendors for the upcoming Oceania CultureFest, which will celebrate Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The event is hosted by CA and the Howard County Library System (HLCS).

This free family event will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at HCLS’s Miller Branch, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Performers (dancers, musicians, singers, haka) and exhibitors from Oceania are invited to participate and show the Howard County community what makes their countries and cultures unique. Representatives from Australia, New Zealand and all of the Pacific Islands are invited to participate, including but not limited to the islands of Fiji, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti/French Polynesia  and Tonga. Performers can be children or adults.

Interested parties should contact Laura Smit, program manager for CA’s International Exchange and Multicultural Programs, by calling 410-715-3162 or sending an email to [email protected].

BGE Employees Receive National Technology Award

BGE employees Heather Anderson and Amanda Janaskie recently were honored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) with the Technology Transfer Award for an energy efficiency and smart thermostat program. The Technology Transfer Award is given annually to utility employees who have explored and implemented innovative technologies on behalf of their company and the industry.

Anderson and Janaskie received the award for evaluating smart thermostats for integration with BGE’s demand response programs that help reduce energy usage on peak demand days. As a result, BGE now has the ability to interact with customers more intelligently and provide real-time information during high usage days. This technology also demonstrates BGE’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

SECU Announces $40K Scholarship Program

As part of its continued support and partnership with the University System of Maryland (USM), Linthicum-based State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has announced the launch of the inaugural SECU-University System of Maryland Scholarship Program. Under the new program, a total of $40,000 in scholarship dollars, to fund individual scholarships ranging from $2,000–$5,000 each, will be available to SECU members who are enrolled or accepted into a University System of Maryland institution for the fall 2017 semester.

To be eligible for the new scholarships, applicants need to be an existing SECU member or may apply for SECU membership as part of this program. The program is open to all graduating high school seniors, current USM students and students transferring to any of USM’s 12 institutions for the fall 2017 semester. Applicants will be required to submit a 500–750-word essay or a two-minute video that discusses how they believe financial education will impact their future financial goals.

Essays and videos must be submitted to SECU by April 30. For more information about the new SECU/University System of Maryland Scholarship Program, visit secumd.org/scholarships.

Rep Stage Announces World Premiere Musical ‘Dorian’s Closet’

Rep Stage, a regional theater-in-residence at Howard Community College (HCC), has announced the full casting for its world premiere production of “Dorian’s Closet,” a new musical based on the life of legendary female impersonator Dorian Corey. Directed by Co-Artistic Director Joseph Ritsch, with book and lyrics by Richard Mailman, and music by Ryan Haase, the show runs April 26–May 14, with previews on the first two nights and opening night on April 28.

“Dorian’s Closet” will be presented at the Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center, located at HCC, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Tickets are $40 for general admission, $35 for seniors and the military and $15 for students with a current ID; Wednesdays and the first Thursday are pay-what-you-can performances. For tickets and additional information, visit www.repstage.org or 443-518-1500.