DIRT! THE MOVIE Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7pm. The Howard County Conservancy will be showing Dirt! The Movie a film that explores our relationship with soil, the living skin of the earth and a resource as critical to life on our planet as air and water. Narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis, this 2009 documentary was an official nominee for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and won several other awards, including the best documentary award at the 2009 Visions/Voices Environmental Film Festival and the "Best film for our future" award at the 2009 Mendocino Film Festival. Nationally known soil scientist Patrick Drohan will be on hand to introduce the film and lead the audience discussion that follows. Dr. Drohan was instrumental in the creation and design of the Smithsonian's exhibit on soil, the most ambitious exhibition ever dedicated to soil. Refreshments provided. $10 per family, $12 after Jan 17th. To register or for more information, go to www.hcconservancy.org.

MAKING TOT TRACKS PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM Jan 22, 2:30-4:30pm at the Robinson Nature Center. Cost is $12. This program is for 4-6 yrs olds. Children should bring a clean white T-shirt for a special opportunity to create a track story of their own. Pre registration is required. Call 410-313-0400.

EMMANUEL METHODIST PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 5:30pm-7:30pm. MSDE accredited preschool registering 2, 3, and 5 day classes (Extended and Full Day options available) for the Fall 2012. Serving ages 2 ü to 5 years for over 33 years in Howard County. Please call 301-725-5178 or visit www.emmanuelpreschool.com.

SIXTY PLUS WILLS/LEGAL SCREENING On Wednesday, January 25, 2012 from 1:00-4:00 pm, Attorney Thomas Burns will be at the Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042, for the 60 Plus Wills and Legal Screening Program. Services include simple wills, powers of attorney, living wills, small estates and deed changes. The program is open to Howard County residents over age 60. Cost of document preparation depends on individual or coupleÕs income. This program is available on the fourth Wednesday of every month except December, when the program is not offered. It sponsored by the Howard County Department of Citizen Services, Office on Aging. An appointment is required. Please note that because of the demand for services, appointments often must be scheduled one or more months in advance. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call 410-313-1400.

PRAYING WITH HENRI NOUWERN Fri. Jan. 27th at 5:00 PM - Sun. Jan. 29th at 11:00 AM. Guided By: Gordon Creamer. Cost: $ 225.00. Location: Bon Secours Spiritual Center, 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville Md. 21104. Henri Nouwen is celebrated as one of the most notable figures in modern spirituality. He has afforded us a viable language in contemporary times with which we can recall and name the suffering, growth and richness of our own spiritual journeys. During the course of this weekend retreat, participants will engage in various opportunities for personal exploration, meditation and group reflection of Nouwen's most prominent ideas. Consideration of some excerpts from his published literary works will be included in this experience as attention is given to refueling our spiritual lives in the dawning of the new year. To register, please call 410-442-1320 or visit www.BonSecoursSpiritualCenter.org.

SPACE - THE FINAL FRONTIER PLANETARIUM SHOW Jan 28th, 1-2pm, at the Robinson Nature Center's NatureSphere, a digital planetarium and dome-style movie theater. Cost: $3 per ticket with daily or annual pass. Call 410-313-0400 for more information or to reserve your seat.

HC DRUG FREE PROGRAM HAZE The Perils of the College Drinking Culture in America. Monday, January 30, 2012, 7:00 PM, Howard High School Cafeteria. On September 16, 2004, Gordie, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Colorado, pledged a fraternity. The next morning, he was found dead - a victim of an irresponsible hazing ritual involving alcohol. HAZE will shed light on the severity of college binge drinking, destructive drinking games and hazing. This is a MUST SEE presentation for teens and parents. Guest Speaker: Joseph Schwartz, M.D. - Medical Director, Psychiatric Services, Howard County General Hospital. Co-sponsored by the Howard High School PTSA and HC DrugFree

COLUMBIA PRO CANTARE will present its first Singathon, February 11, 2012, a special event celebrating the chorus's 35 years of song in Howard County, at The Mall in Columbia. Free admission! Stop by for a while or stay for the afternoon. The chorus will perform include love songs for Valentine's Day, short classical pieces from the CPC repertoire, and some familiar tunes for audience participation. Individuals can show their support for CPC by making online contributions before, during, and after the event. Visit www.procantare.org for more information.

COLUMBIA PRO CANTARE will present "Remembrances," Sunday, March 18, 2012, 3pm, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City. The chorus and guest artists will perform works by Haydn, Debussy, Delius, Massenet, and Torelli. Tickets are $20; $18 (srs and students) in advance; $2 more at door. Visit www.procantare.org for more information.

HC DRUG FREE PROGRAM What's Happening Now? A Parents Guide to Substances Their Teens May Be Using. Thursday, January 26, 2012, 7:00 PM, Lime Kiln Middle School Cafeteria. This program will provide information to parents so that they can help their children make good choices. Substances such as inhalants, medicines, alcohol, bath salts, marijuana, K2, and Spice will be discussed. For parents of students in 4th grade or older. Co-sponsored by the Lime Kiln Middle School PTA and HC DrugFree.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP HELPS ADULTS WITH PARENTAL LOSS sponsored by Gilchrist Hospice Care of Howard County, located at 5537 Twin Knolls Road, Suite 433. For adults who have recently experienced the death of one or both parents & would like help working through their grief. This group will meet Feb 7-March 13, 6:30-8:00pm. This service is provided free of charge, however, pre-registration is required. For more information and reservations call Gilchrist Hospice Care of Howard County at 443-539-4086.

WIDOWED PERSONS/LIFE PARTNER GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP for all ages. Sponsored by Gilchrist Hospice Care- Howard County Office, located at 5537 Twin Knolls Road, Suite 433 will meet Feb 16-March 22, 6:30-8pm. Sessions are free but pre-registration is required. For additional information and reservations call Gilchrist Hospice Care's Howard County Office at 443-539-4086.

SMALL MIRACLES CAT RESCUE now offers low cost spay/neuter plus vaccinations for both cats and dogs. Surgery is typically done on Tuesday or Wednesday and an appointment is required. Call Moira at 410-274-3530 for an appointment or more information. Stop the cycle of unwanted animals.

HOWARD COUNTY CONSERVANCY CALL TO ARTISTS! For our Third Annual Art and the Art of Stewardship: All Things Round in appreciation of the 15th Anniversary of The Visionary Art Museum. The Howard County Conservancy will host its Third Annual Juried Art Show and Auction, "THE ART OF STEWARDSHIP -"All Things Round" March 10-April 19, 2012. A loving, wide Call to Artists for the strongest expressions of stewardship of our Earth working in 2 dimensional art/photography and outdoor sculpture; focusing on the infinite variety of how nature expresses it's wonderful, spherical characteristics. Open to all original art & photography media including outdoor sculpture, from traditional to contemporary work, using a variety of techniques and imaginative interpretations. Be inspired! www.avam.org Works will be judged on their heartfelt expression of nature's ever-present rOundness and how it both affects and inspires both nature and humankind. All work will be judged for acceptance and for awards by Rebecca Hoffberger , Founder & Director of the American Visionary Art Museum, Greg Mort, internationally acclaimed artist, & Anne Raver, New York Times contributor. For further information and entry form call 410-465-8877 or visit www.hcconservancy.org.

Carroll County Notes

Frederick County Notes

General Notes

GREYHOUND RESCUE, INC We find loving homes for retired racing Greyhounds. If you are looking for an amazing family pet, please contact www.greyrescue.org. Denise Davis 304-229-4944.