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NEWS RELEASE

March 19, 2008

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Howard County’s 1st “GreenFest” Kicks Off Earth Month

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Government will sponsor the County’s first-ever GreenFest on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97 in Cooksville. This free event offers something for all ages and features exhibits, demonstrations, activities and practical tips for easy ways to “green” your home, workplace and lifestyle.

“If you want to learn how to make your lives greener and more sustainable – or if you want to learn more about energy efficiency - this is the place to be,” said County Executive Ken Ulman.

Sixty vendors will have information on topics such as green buildings, green consumer products, leaving a green footprint, and the benefits of hybrid vehicles. Also, local environmental clubs and organizations will have information on environmental awareness. The first 150 people who attend the event will receive free canvas shopping bags from My Organic Market (MOM’s).

Activities will include a bird walk, a binocular building workshop for children, a wildlife hike, a dragonfly and frog watch, and a live animal display by “Reptiles Alive.” There will also be a stormwater exhibit, watershed puzzle and other environmentally focused children’s activities to teach kids about the environment and nature.

Take a tour of the green Community Center on-site or sign-up to tour the Elkridge recycling facility at a later date. Visitors will also be able to register for a free home energy audit. GreenFest will serve as a drop-off location for used cell phones, eyeglasses and binoculars to donate to the needy. And back by popular demand---the free shredding event: residents are encouraged to drop off paper documents and data storage devices (DVDs, CDs, floppy disks, tapes, etc.) for destruction and recycling.

Howard Transit will provide FREE shuttle bus service from The Mall in Columbia (upper parking lot near Sears Service Center) at 9 a.m. and 10:20 a.m. only. The return buses will depart the Glenwood Community Center at 11:40 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. only The ride takes approximately 30 minutes on the bus, so be green, save gas and take the bus!

For more information and a schedule of events, visit the county’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov and click on GreenFest, e-mail help@howardcountyrecycles.org or call (410) 313-6444.