December 31, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Holiday Train Garden at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center
December 2 through January 3, Open during center operating hours
Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville
Visitors of all ages are invited to come enjoy an interactive exhibit of accessories and sounds provided by train enthusiast Dennis Moore. The layout features four continuously operating trains through an eight by eight-foot scenic garden. For information call 410-313-4840.
Contact: Christine DiGioia, Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 410-313-4843, [email protected] or Heather Sites, 410-313-4845, [email protected]
Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum Train Garden
November 29 through January 5; Open during museum operating hours
Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Avenue, Ellicott City
This holiday season, the model trains are returning to the Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum. Free for all ages, LEGO® trains, plus N gauge and O gauge models, will be on display. Open during museum operating hours, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/Baltimore-Ohio-Station-at-Ellicott-City for more information.
Contact: Jake Feirson, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-2922, [email protected]
County Executive Calvin Ball Joins Community Senior Forum About Rising Drug Prices
Monday, January 6, 12:00 p.m.
Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Van Mitchell, the chair of the new Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board, will lead a Howard County community senior forum about rising drug costs, the first of a series of events around the state to hear from the public about the burden of paying for their medications. U.S. Representative John Sarbanes, Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and Maryland AARP official Tammy Bresnahan will also take part in the event, to be held at a senior center in Ellicott City. County Executive Ball says the following about prescription drug costs: “It is unacceptable for Howard County residents having to choose between paying for their prescription drugs or buying groceries. Our residents deserve better and we are doing everything in our power to lower prescription drug costs.”
Contact: Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of County Executive, 202-277-9412 or [email protected]
2020 Census Maryland Job Informational Fair
Wednesday, January 8, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Howard County Multiservice Center, 9900 Washington, Boulevard, Suite I, Laurel
Census jobs are available! Census2020 Staff will be available to provide information, answer questions, and guide you through the application process. Call 410-313-0220 for more information or visit https://2020census.gov/jobs. This event is hosted by the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS).
Contact: Stephanie Adibe, Deputy Director, DCRS, 410-313-6400 or [email protected]
Year of the Howard County Woman Kick-off Event
Friday, January 10, 3:00 p.m.
Howard County Welcome Center, 8267 Main St, Ellicott City
In partnership with Visit Howard County, the Howard County Historical Society will kick-off "The Year of the Howard County Woman" at an event at the Howard County Welcome Center. This kick-off will feature remarks by Liz Bobo, Howard County's first Woman County Executive who is the honorary spokesperson for the Historical Society for this yearlong celebration.
Contact: Amanda Hof, Executive Director for Visit Howard County, 410-313-1904 or [email protected]
2020 Snowflake Ball for Dads and Daughters
Saturday, January 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville
Dads (or special adults) and daughters (ages 4-12) come shake, rock and roll those winter blues away with refreshments, live DJ, dancing, games, crafts and an ice cream sundae bar. Admission includes a professional photo of each couple to take home. Pre-registration is required, call 410-313-4840; cost is $40 for one child/one adult for center members and $50 for one child/one adult for non-center members). Each additional daughter is $20. The inclement weather date is Saturday, January 25.
Contacts: Christine DiGioia, Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 410-313-4843, [email protected] or
Heather Sites, Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 410-313-4845, [email protected]
Annual HoCo OPEN Art Exhibit
January 17 - February 22, opening reception January 17, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Howard County Arts Council, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City
HoCo Open is a non-juried annual exhibit celebrating artists who live, work, or study in Howard County. Eligible artists (aged 18 years and older) were invited to bring one piece of ready-to-hang original artwork completed in the past two years to the Arts Council on January 3 from 4:30 p.m.– 6:30 p.m. Also on exhibit in Gallery II: What It Is by Deidre Argyle that transforms gallery space into an immersive installation composed of fabric cubes, projections, and sound. What It Is explores questions about time and repetition, bringing to our attention the cycles that govern us: creation, decay, and transformation.
Contact: Colleen West, Executive Director for Howard County Arts Council, 410-313-2787 or [email protected]
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Day of Service
Sunday, January 19, Reception at 2:00 p.m., Program at 3:00 p.m.
Howard Community College, Horowitz Center Smith Theatre, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
Day of Service Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, January 20, 9:00 a.m.
Ascend One Building, 8930 Stanford Boulevard, Columbia
Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission for its annual celebration of the life and legacy of civil rights leader. There will be a student essay and poster contest and Living the Dream award presentations for a community member and an organization.
The celebration will culminate with a Day of Service event that will take place on the following day, Monday, January 20. Both events are free to the public. Attendees to both events are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or diapers for donation to the Howard County Food Bank.
Contact: Yolanda Sonnier, Administrator, Howard County Office of Human Rights, 410-313-6430, E-mail Address: [email protected]
Evelyn Boulware, Howard County Office of Human Rights, 410-313-6430, E-mail Address: [email protected] -more-
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Remembrance
Sunday, January 19, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Avenue, Ellicott City
On this special day, a special musical program by the Bain Center Gospel Choir, presentations about Dr. King’s legacy as well as local civil rights activists here in Howard County. Please bring a nonperishable food item to donate to a local food bank. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information contact Caitlin Chamberlain, 410-313-0420 or [email protected]
Contact: Caitlin Chamberlain, Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, 410-313-0420, or [email protected]
Howard County Restaurant Weeks & Craft Beverages to Enjoy
January 20 - February 2
Restaurants, Breweries & Distilleries across Howard County
Mix up your culinary experience with diverse specialty chef menus and craft beverages in restaurants, breweries, and distilleries across Howard County. Participating locations will be offering unique menus for every taste and budget.
Contact: Amanda Hof, Executive Director for Visit Howard County, 410-313-1904 or [email protected]