Howard briefs

The Big Shred

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced “The BIG Shred” is returning Nov. 9 and will feature four shredding locations this year.

“On November 9th, we are bringing back our ‘BIG Shred’ event to provide residents with not one, but four locations, where they can safely and securely shred their confidential documents,” Ball said in a county government news release. “As cases of identity theft and fraud continue to rise each year, I implore residents to take advantage of this BIG event to ensure their vital information remains protected.”

On the 9th, each event location will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until the trucks are full):

Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville

Long Gate Park and Ride, located off MD 100 Exit 1A in Ellicott City

The overflow parking lot at Elkridge Landing Middle School, 7085 Montgomery Road in Elkridge

North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel

Howard County residents may bring up to three bags or boxes of paper to be shredded onsite, according to the news release. Residents are asked to only bring documents to shred that contain personal information, such as account numbers, passwords, PINs, signatures, Social Security numbers, date of birth. This includes Federal and State Tax documents, credit card and other household bills, medical records, pay stubs, mortgage documents and insurance bills.

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to shred their important documents, residents are also asked to review their items carefully and remove all items that do not fall within the above listed categories. Items such as junk mail, schoolwork catalogs and office paper can and should be recycled with your curbside recycling collection.

For questions and/or more information about county-sponsored shredding events, visit the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services website at howardcountymd.gov/documentshredding or contact the bureau at 410-313-6444 or email [e-mail].

Fall for All Festival

Howard Community College will host its second annual Fall for All festival on Friday from 11 a.m. — 2 p.m.

The free, family-friendly event falls on a day when Howard County and other Maryland public schools are closed to students, so it’s the perfect time to explore HCC and enjoy fall festivities, according to HCC.

“HCC is happy to host the community for the Fall for All festival, which will have activities for people of all ages. We are excited to welcome everyone to our beautiful campus for games, festivities, fun, and maybe even a picture with HCC’s mascot, Duncan the Dragon!” Grace Anastasiadis, director of public relations said in a statement.

Planned activities include a pumpkin patch, face painting, caricature artists, moon bounces, inflatables and games, a DJ, and of course candy, according to HCC. HCC’s sustainability group and community partners will host interactive activities for all ages. Food will be available for purchase from a variety of local food trucks. Family-friendly costumes and festive fall attire are encouraged.

The event has been structured with community members of all ages in mind and is one of many recent initiatives from the college to support the needs of youth and families in Howard County, according to HCC. Over the summer, HCC opened Boys & Girls Clubs chapter on campus, the first club in residence at a community college in Maryland. Additionally, the free YEP! Track and Field program, which introduced Howard County youth to skills and techniques of track and field recently celebrated three participants reaching the AAU Junior Olympic Games, competing against the best amateur youth athletes in the nation.

This event is sponsored by BGE, an Exelon Company. In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be held indoors in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center and in Burrill Galleria. howardcc.edu/fallforall

Hack the Colosseum

The Glenelg Competitive Programming Club is introducing its hybrid hackathon, Hack the Colosseum at the Miller Branch Library on Thursday.

Hack the Colosseum is a 7-hour hackathon designed for middle schoolers and high schoolers of all levels, according to the Howard County Library System.

There are several activities, prizes and free food planned, according to the Howard County Library System. Activities include tournaments and workshops such as Intro to Python, Intro to Machine Learning and Intro to Scratch.

The hackathon will take place at the Miller Library at 9421 Frederick Road in Ellicott City, Thursday at 3 p.m. To learn more and register, visit hackathon.glenelg-computing.org.

East Columbia 50+ Center

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that the Department of Public Works’ East Columbia 50+ Center project has been awarded the prestigious “Large Project of the Year Award” by the County Engineers Association of Maryland.

“This award is a testament to impactful investments that enhance the quality of life of our residents,” Ball said in a county government news release. “The East Columbia 50+ Center is more than just a building; it’s a community hub that fosters connection, wellness, and lifelong learning. We are incredibly proud of the work done by our Department of Public Works and community partners to make this vision a reality.”

This annual award recognizes county government projects that exceed $5 million in cost and demonstrate excellence in meeting the needs of the community, while maximizing the efficient use of resources, according to the release. DPW’s East Columbia 50+ Center Project was recognized for its responsiveness to resident needs, cost-effectiveness and innovative use of county resources.

A LEED Gold Certified building and designed with input from community members and stakeholders, the East Columbia 50+ Center is a model of innovative design, sustainability and community engagement, providing vital services and programs that meet the needs of Howard County’s growing senior population, according to the release. With a focus on sustainability, the project utilized energy-efficient materials and systems to reduce environmental impact while providing a modern, welcoming space where older residents can engage in a variety of activities and services.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for the East Columbia 50+ Center, which truly exemplifies the County’s focus on community-driven projects,” Yosef Kebede said in the release. “This center not only reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability but also our dedication to addressing the needs of our aging population. It is a project we believe will serve the community for generations to come.”

In 2015, the county’s Department of Community Resources identified the East Columbia 50+ Center as one of the top priority projects in its Master Plan, according to the release. With nearly 17,000 annual visits, the prior center space was insufficient to meet the needs of the growing community, estimating that one-third of the county’s 50 and older population lives in East Columbia. The previous center also lacked a fitness center and was the only 50+ center to not have one in the county.

In March 2024, this new 29,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility opened, according to the release. The project’s total cost was $17.8 million, which included $16.8 million in county funding and $1 million in state funding secured in partnership with the Howard County State Delegation.

Seven times larger than its predecessor, the new facility boasts a fitness center, exercise studio, commercial kitchen, large community meeting spaces, a technology hub for virtual programs and expanded educational programs to promote connection and community amongst members. The center is located in the middle of the county’s newly established “East Columbia Campus,” which includes the East Columbia Branch Library and the East Columbia Park.

For more information about the East Columbia 50+ Center, visit: howardcountymd.gov/aging-independence/east-columbia-50-center.

For questions or concerns about this award, contact Public Works Customer Service at 410-313-3440 or email [e-mail].

Howard Community College Arts Events

Howard Community College presents a variety of theater, dance, visual arts and music events in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center throughout the year.

The 2024-2025 season features performances and exhibitions for audiences of all ages, showcasing the work of students and alumni, as well as regionally and nationally recognized artists, according to HCC.

Theater

The Horowitz Center is proud to announce Imagination Stage’s “Wake Up Brother Bear” in a special presentation featuring HCC theater students. Directed by Imagination Stage’s Director of Theatre, Kathryn Chase Bryer, “Wake Up Brother Bear” follows Sister Bear and Brother Bear, who are back from hibernation to take little ones on an interactive journey through the seasons.

“We’re thrilled to bring Imagination Stage back to HCC in this capacity. The opportunity for our students to work alongside theater professionals is invaluable,” Janelle Broderick, Horowitz Center Director said in the release. “Imagination Stage has created something very special with their theatre for the very young program.”

Performances of “Wake Up Brother Bear” are scheduled for Dec. 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15, at 10 a.m. and Dec. 7, 8, 14, and 15, at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission. Recommend for ages 1-5. More information is available at howardcc.edu/brotherbear.

Dance

The HCC Dance program presents three distinct events this season, beginning with the 2024 Dance Showcase, scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9, 2024 at 7 p.m. in Smith Theatre. The 2025 Howard County Community Dance Festival will take place on Feb. 8, including a 7 p.m. Student Showcase, also in Smith Theatre. The 2025 Dance Company production, “Ties Between Us,” will take patrons into The Rouse Company Foundation Studio Theatre for a unique dance experience.

“HCC Dance is excited to present this innovative program, in which audiences sit on opposing sides as the dancers perform in the space between them,” Elizabeth Higgins, HCC coordinator of dance said in the release. “This diverse perspective on dance will convey unique interpretations of the theme featuring choreography by faculty and professional guest artists with dynamic performances by HCC dance students and alumni.”

Tickets for HCC dance program events range from $10-$15 with separate fees for dancer participation in the 2025 Dance Festival. howardcc.edu/danceconcerts

Concerts

HCC music alumni take the stage in the college’s 3rd Annual Alumni Concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

“HCC boasts a vibrant academic music program, and the alumni concert is a true testament to its excellence,” Dr. Hsien-Ann Meng, Concert Series Director said in the release. “The featured alumni have earned their bachelor’s degrees from transfer institutions. The concert includes a talented composer, a dedicated music therapist in training, and an exceptional guitarist. In addition to performing, each alumnus will share their experiences at HCC and insights into their post-HCC endeavors.”

The HCC Concert Series also features guest artists and current students in performances throughout the season, including a special Valentine’s Day presentation by The Baltimore Consort in Smith Theatre on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the HCC Concert Series range from $10-$28 for general admission. Discounts are available for students, seniors and the military. Children ages 12 and under in the same family receive free admission with the purchase of general or senior tickets to the HCC Music Concert Series. howardcc.edu/concerts

Visual Arts

The HCC galleries kicked off the Horowitz Center’s 2024-2025 season with the opening of two exhibitions. In the Richard B. Talkin Family Art Gallery, guests can take in various representations of dragons in “Art of the Dragon,” running now through Nov. 17, 2024. The exhibition includes 2D and 3D work created by HCC students, faculty, staff and guests. The Rouse Company Foundation Gallery also features a group exhibition. “Liminal Resonance,” open now through Oct. 27, 2024, presents an interdisciplinary exhibition of memory, place and the fluidity of the human experience through the lens of six contemporary artists.

Additional exhibitions for the season include the work of Steven Dobbin; multiple student exhibitions; a 25th anniversary celebration of HCC’s Silas Craft Collegians Program, and participation in the Blossoms of Hope Countywide Art Show. More information can be found at howardcc.edu/galleries. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. — 9:30 p.m. daily. The galleries are closed when the college is closed.

The Horowitz Center Box Office is open Wednesdays through Fridays, noon -4 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to performance times. Visit the box office in person or speak with an attendant by phone at 443-518-1500. Email at any time to [e-mail] or visit howardcc.edu/boxoffice.