A series of public meetings around the region will be held throughout October to discuss an updated transit development plan for Central Maryland.

Officials say the meetings will allow residents to comment on transit services in Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties, and the city of Laurel.

While current transportation will be discussed, the meetings will also review potential ways to improve transit services throughout the area.

The first meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road.

Meetings in Howard County are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive; Thursday, Oct. 20, at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road; and Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Gateway Building, 6751 Gateway Drive. All meetings are 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The last meeting will be held in Anne Arundel County on Wednesday, Oct. 26, also 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Arundel Mills mall, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, in the Harmans Community Room.

Service alternatives will be discussed during another set of meetings planned in February, and plans will be drafted and finalized from March to July. The plan is expected to help during improvement and potential expansion of the transit system over the next five years.

Kittamaqundi Church hosting community social

A free community social will be held by the Sacred Garden of Kittamaqundi Church on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Columbia, featuring live music and refreshments. Located behind the church at 5460 Leaf Treader Way, the half-acre garden was designed for the community to host weddings, meeting, classes, events and worship. The community social will take place in the garden, with live entertainment from band The Bumper Stickers.

Parking is available to attendees in the church lot and along the street. The Kittamaqundi Community Church will also accept donations for garden maintenance. For more information about the garden or the event, go to the Facebook page, Sacred Garden of Kittamaqundi Community, or contact Elaine Buderer at ebuderer@gmail.com.

— Baltimore Sun Media Group

County office closings for Columbus Day

Howard County government offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 10, for Columbus Day, though trash and recycling pickups follow routine schedules.

In addition to county offices and courts, county officials said the animal shelter, 50-plus centers and the Robinson Nature Center will also be closed for the holiday, but county parks, the Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter community centers, county historic sites, Kiwanis-Wallas Hall and the Meadowbrook Athletic Center will be open.

The Cedar Lane and Schooley Mill activity rooms will only be open to those with a permit.

Regular trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap services will continue as scheduled with the Alpha Ridge Landfill open.

The Regional Transportation Agency will operate on its regular weekday schedule and all parking regulations and fees will be in effect. More information on RTA is available by contacting 1-800-270-9553 or going to transitrta.com.

— Andrew Michaels, Baltimore Sun Media Group