March 26, 2019
Media Contacts:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Mark S. Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Howard County 20 Minute Cleanup
Any time in April
Various times and locations throughout Howard County
Howard County’s Office of Community Sustainability is encouraging folks to take 20 minutes this April, to step outside and pick up litter around their neighborhood, school or office complex as part of the County’s 10th annual 20 Minute Cleanup initiative. Participating is easy – whether by yourself or with friends, business colleagues, classmates or family members, simply do your cleanup. Once complete, email your results to 20minutecleanup@howardcountymd.gov, or use Twitter and include @livegreenhoward when you tweet your results. The hashtag #20minutecleanup can also be included. Please include the number of people who participated and how many bags of trash/recycling that you collected. To learn more about the 20 Minute Cleanup, visit livegreenhoward.com and click on “Events.”
Contact: Elissa Reineck, Office of Community Sustainability, 410-313-0700
12th Annual Daffodil Day
Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Whipps Garden Cemetery, 3651 Saint John’s Lane, Ellicott City
Help welcome spring with a day of horticultural presentations by master gardeners at Whipps Garden Cemetery. This one-acre 19th-century cemetery features daffodils, bluebells and other blooms. For more information, visit http://whippsgardencemetery.org/daffadils.htm.
Contact: 410-274-7795 or historicgarden3651@gmail.com
2019 Children’s Discovery Fair: Math All Around Me
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
A celebration for children ages 3 to 5 years old with adult and/or families, this FREE event features the hands-on activities related to math, interactive games crafts and stories. The theme for 2019 is “Math All Around Me.” A dental van will also be on-site offering free dental screenings for children ages 2 to 12 years old. This event is part of the “Launch into Learning” school readiness initiative and is sponsored by the Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council. For more information, call 410-313-1940 or email children@howardcountymd.gov.
Contact: Office of Children and Families, 410-313-1940 or children@howardcountymd.gov
Howard County’s 12th Anniversary “GreenFest”
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (rain or shine); Paper shredding from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (or until the trucks are full)
Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Science Engineering and Technology Building, Columbia
Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball for this year’s GreenFest, featuring approximately 70 vendors, exhibits, demonstrations and outdoor activities. This year’s theme is “Science and our Environment.” There will be green vendors, free workshops, lunch and snacks, outside activities for kids and a native plant sale. Additionally, there will be repair opportunities and reptile and bird exhibits. New this year is a fix it yourself workshop. The “Green Community Leadership” and “Business Recycling and Waste Reduction” awards will also be presented. As always, back by popular demand is the FREE shredding event in Parking Lot B, where residents can shred up to three bags or boxes of paper documents. GreenFest is free and open to the public. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.HCGreenFest.org.
Contact: Alan Wilcom, Bureau of Environmental Services, 410-313-6444
Howard County Police Department Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, April 17, 6:00 p.m.
Howard Community College, Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Police Chief Lisa Myers and the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) as they recognize officers, civilian employees and volunteers for outstanding contributions made to the community and the department. This year’s ceremony will highlight many of the examples of great work done by agency members in 2018. Awards to be given include: Police Officer of the Year, Detective of the Year, Community Service Award, First Year Service Award, Scott Wheeler Traffic Safety Award, Civilian of the Year, Telecommunicator of the Year and more.
Contact: HCPD, Office of Public Affairs, 410-313-2236
Earth Day Tree Planting Celebration
Saturday, April 20, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; inclement weather date April 27, same time and location
Rockburn Branch Park West, 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road, Elkridge
Come help the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks with an Earth Day reforestation project. All ages are welcome to come plant, mulch and shelter native trees. Tools and instructions will be provided by the Department’s natural resources staff members. Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by parent/guardian.
Contact: Melissa Byrne, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4704 or mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov
6th Annual Kids’ Fest
Saturday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meadowbrook Park, 5001 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City and Meadowbrook Athletic Complex, 5001 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City
Have fun with the entire family, the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks 6th Annual Kids’ Fest will feature sports instruction, games, activities, arts and crafts, food, and much more. For information/registration: www.howardcountymd.gov/kidsfest. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Contact: Brian Wyman, Department of Recreation and Parks, 410-313-4705 or bwyman@howardcountymd.gov
World Languages Café
Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
East Columbia 50+ Center of the East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
Come in and join a language table of your choice. Language tables will be hosted by a native speaker who will facilitate conversation. Languages include American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese – Mandarin, Chinese – Cantonese, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Farsi, French, German, Korean, and others. This group is organized by Laura Smit, Program Manager for International Exchange & Multicultural Programs at the Columbia Association.
Contact: Laura Smit, Program Manager for International Exchange & Multicultural Programs, Columbia Association, 410-715-3000
Hero Hustle
Saturday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Race begins at 10:00 a.m.
Inclement weather date is Sunday, April 28.
Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville
Kids three and older, come dressed as your favorite hero and join the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks for a one-mile walk/run that includes fun obstacles and hero training! All participants will receive a ribbon, a goody bag and refreshments. Cost is $10 Gary J. Arthur Community Center members and $15 for non-members. To register, visit https://bit.ly/2FuCAij.
Media Contact: Sara Schwab, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4842 or sschwab@howardcountymd.gov
Ellicott City SpringFest
Saturday, April 27, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Historic Ellicott City’s Main Street
Celebrate the spring season in Old Ellicott City at its annual SpringFest. This free and family-friendly event offers three outdoor stages, serenading the crowd with classic rock and acoustic/folk mixed with a little bluesy funk tunes from more than 20 bands. There will also be free family crafts, artisans, local food, wines and locally brewed craft beer. Free parking and shuttle service from county parking lots makes getting to the festival easy. For more information, visit visitoldellicottcity.com/springfest.
Contact: Ellicott City Partnership, 443-240-2060
Earth Day Clean-Up
Sunday, April 28, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Roger Carter Community Center, 3000 Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City
Come celebrate Earth Day by lending a hand to help pick up litter and clean up along tree lines, historic properties and parking lots. The event will kick-off at the Roger Carter Community Center with a continental breakfast. Gloves, bags, and a t-shirt will be provided for volunteers. To register, visit https://bit.ly/2WfjPVM.
Media Contact: Cody Peach, Department of Recreation and Parks, 410-313-2747 or cpeach@howardcountymd.gov