UPCOMING LISBON VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY EVENT Spaghetti Dinner, Thursday May 17th 4:30-7:30pm. Visit lisbonvfc.org for details or call 410-489-4646.

PARENT/CHILD FUN HIKE May 18, Avalon, 4:30-6pm. Help children to sharpen their observation skills in nature by bringing your child on this parent/child fun hike along the 2-mile Cascade Falls Trail. A volunteer Ranger will provide each pair with a list of items to look for. The top observers will receive a fun prize. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring water. For ages 8 and up. Meet at the Orange Grove parking lot. Please call 410-750-0674 in advance to register or for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.

YARD SALE/FLEA MARKET Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church 6750 Woodbine Road, Woodbine is holding a Yard Sale/Flea Market May 19th 8:00am-1:00pm. For rental information please call 301 829-7597.

HISTORY HIKE: THE PATASPCO RIVER VALLEY May 19, Avalon, 10am-12pm. Hunting elk and buffalo in the valley? Gen. Robert E. Lee and John Wilkes Booth in the area? A Civil War steam gun confiscated here? The largest producing mills in the country here? The resident of a 13,000 acre estate influencing the change from tobacco farming to grain production? The first steam-powered boat in the U.S. operating here? Horses pulling train cars through the area? Two National Historical Monuments here? A 45-foot deep raging Patapsco River? Come and find out about these and much more of the fascinating history of the valley. Find out why some have called the Patapsco "the river that built America". A Volunteer Ranger will lead the hike and talk from the Visitors Center in Avalon to the Orange Grove Area and back covering 4 miles on flat, paved surfaces. Wear comfortable clothes, and bring water. For ages 10 and up; anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please call 410-750-0674 in advance to register or for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.

OLD SCHOOL GAMES May 19, Avalon, 3-4pm. Join us for a collection of 1800s inspired games and make your own ice cream! Bring history to life as visitors of all ages act out the life of an 1800s kid. For ages 15 and up. Meet at Avalon Visitor Center. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up or for more information. Cost: $2 per person.

ANIMAL ADVOCATES OF HOWARD COUNTY ANNUAL YARD SALE 5/19 8:30am-2:00pm. No early birds. Everything 1/2 off starting at 1PM. All proceeds save the lives of local animals, reduce pet overpopulation, and prevent animal suffering.

SMALL MIRACLES CAT AND DOG RESCUE YARD SALE Saturday May 19th (rain date May 20th) from 8am until 1pm to benefit the rescue. 10236 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. Tons of items for sale. Please support us by supporting the sale or bringing us donations to sell.

SIXTY PLUS WILLS/LEGAL SCREENING On Wednesday, May 23, 2012 from 1:00-4:00 pm, Attorney Anthony Doyle 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 couple's 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.

PAINTING WILDLIFE May 23, Avalon, 10am-12pm. Come and join an avid painter/Volunteer Ranger as we relax at the lake and paint some of the native wildlife. Beginners are especially welcome, but any level of expertise may participate. Instruction will be provided. Picture files will be available for subjects in addition to any live animals we may see. All materials will be provided. Wear old clothes. (Acrylic paint is permanent on cloth.) Bring drinking water. For ages 9 and up; under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at Lost Lake. Please call 410-750-0674 in advance to register or for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.

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 April 19th - May 24th, 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.

WINE IN THE GARDEN TO BENEFIT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Howard County Conservancy announces the sixth annual Wine in the Garden party to be held on Thursday, May 24th from 5-8 p.m. Guests will enjoy wine and foods from a variety of local restaurants and caterers while listening to bluegrass music in the Conservancy's three-acre native plant garden. Browse our large silent auction filled with unique items such as artwork, getaways and more! The garden features native plants and garden elements named in honor or memory of loved ones. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 after May 20th. Visit www.hcconservancy.org for more info or to reserve a ticket. The Howard County Conservancy is a non-profit organization and the first environmental education center in Howard County. The Conservancy provides educational programs for children and adults throughout the year at our 232-acre Mt. Pleasant Farm. The Conservancy is located on Old Frederick Road (Route 99) between Bethany Lane and Marriottsville Road. For further information call 410-465-8877 or www.hcconservancy.org.

COMMUNITY YARD SALE May 26, 8am-2pm, Lisbon UM Church, 15875 Frederick Rd (next to Lisbon Elementary School). Call Dan for free space 410-489-9519.

OPEN HOUSE May 26, Avalon & Hilton, 12-3pm. Check out the mysteries of the Avalon Visitor Center and the Hilton Nature Center before the summer crowds hit. New activities and fun updates have occurred over the winter months. See what's new, meet some volunteers and naturalists! For all ages. Meet at either or both the Avalon Visitor Center or/and the Hilton Nature Center. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up or for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.

HERP HIKE May 26, McKeldin, 1-3pm. Join one of our naturalists for a look at some of nature's most misunderstood creatures - the reptiles and amphibians, or "herps". Participants will be introduced to a few of Maryland's native herp species before heading out on a hike in an attempt to view these fascinating creatures in the wild. The hike will be short, but participants might need to be able to flip rocks and logs, sometimes near water. Any clothes that may get dirty or wet should be worn, also footwear that can be worn in the water is optional if you want to wade in the stream. Please no open-toed shoes. Through this program, we hope to train you in proper "herping" etiquette and skills so that you may be able to experience these animals in the wild on your own, but above all to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of these interesting, helpful, and sometimes beautiful creatures. For all ages, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up or for more information. Cost: $3 per person.

HISTORY HIKE: THE PATAPSCO RIVER VALLEY May 15 & May 31, Avalon, 10-11:30am. How did this valley evolve from an Indian hunting ground to the cradle of the industrial revolution in Maryland to Maryland's first state park? How did John Glenn, Captain John Smith, Victor Bloede, General Robert E. Lee, Greenpeace, and the Ellicott brothers make a difference here? Join a volunteer ranger to find out this and much more. A one and a half mile walk on flat ground will accompany the talk (unless it rains). Meet at the Avalon Visitor Center, and wear comfortable shoes. For ages 10 and up. Please call 410-750-0674 in advance to register or for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.

VENDORS WANTED Get Your Funk On! Seeking Vendors/Crafters/Yard Salers/Whatevers. The American Cancer Society and The Pink Cabbage will be hosting a Funky Flea June 2nd at The Pink Cabbage. This yearly event is a lot of fun! Sell your goods and help a great cause. Register at www.thepinkcabbageshop.com

YARD SALE Poplar Springs UMC, 915 E. Watersville Rd., Poplar Springs, MD 21771, will hold a Yard Sale as part of the Historic National Road Yard Sale on Saturday, June 2, 2012, 8 am to 2 pm. Spaces are available at a cost of $10. Bring your own table. Call Jane at 410-489-7269 to reserve your space. Food rights are reserved.

ANNUAL FLEA MARKET & MINI-BOOK SALE Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church, 14551 Burntwoods Road, Glenwood, MD, Saturday, June 2 - 8:00am-1pm (rain date June 9). Spaces are free, tables for $5, setup at 7:30am. Registration is required because spaces are limited. Call Carole Kramer at 410-442-2475.

HUGE COMMUNITY YARD SALE June 2, 8am-2pm (rain date June 9). Hosted by St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 16457 Old Frederick Rd, Mt. Airy, ~1 mile west of Lisbon Shopping Center. Food available all day. A maximum of 40 spaces are available at $15/ea. To reserve your spot call 410-489-4411 or email stpaulsemail@comcast.net.

UNDERSTANDING GRIEF - (JUST FOR TEENS) sponsored by Gilchrist Hospice Care - Howard County location, located at 5537 Twin Knolls Rd, Suite 433, Columbia, June 5, 6:30-8pm. The program is free but pre-registration is required. To register, please cal Gilchrist Hospice Care's Howard County Office at 443-539-4086 or email GHC_bereavement@gilchristhospice.org.

SINGLE AND PARENTING SUPPORT GROUP Single and Parenting is a group where single parents meet and find practical help and hope, watch dynamic video sessions and enjoy small group discussion. This group will meet at Chapelgate Church in Marriottsville on Tuesdays from June 5-August 28, 7-9 pm. Child care provided through 5th grade. $15 fee for workbook. Registration is appreciated. Chapelgate Church, 2600 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville. www.chapelgate.org, 410-442-5800, ext 165.

FLEA MARKET & MINI BOOK SALE Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church 14551 Burntwoods Rd. Glenwood 21738 (Howard County) is holding the 5th Annual Flea Market on Sat. June 2, 2012 from 8am-1pm. Rain date is the following Saturday, June 9. Space is limited to 30 vendors. Spaces will be FREE. Six foot long tables are for rent for $5. Set up time is 7:30am. Because of the vast numbers of books received for our annual fall book sale, we again will have a mini book sale inside the building. We encourage all our book sale customers to visit us for the mini book sale in June & for the huge book sale in Sept. To reserve a space, table or to ask questions, call Carole Kramer 410-442-2475 or email churchbooks@hotmail.com.

FATHER LOSS WORKSHOP Hospice of Howard County, located at 5537 Twin Knolls Rd, Suite 433, Columbia, will sponsor a Father Loss Workshop on June 12, 6:30pm-8:00pm. This workshop is for adults who have experienced the death of a father. They will provide the participants and opportunity to explore the meaning of their loss and to express their thoughts and feelings. The program is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, please call Hospice of Howard County at 443-539-4086 or email GHC_bereavement@gilchristhospice.org.

EMMANUEL METHODIST PRESCHOOL conveniently located off Rt. 29 or I-95 in Howard County is still registering for the fall 2012-2013 school year. Limited space available in the 3-Day 2 1/2 year old program, 2-Day Afternoon 3 year old program, and the 5-Day Extended (9am - 1pm) and Full-Day (9am - 3pm) 4 year old program. For more information about our unique MSDE accredited program for children ages 2.5 to 5 years, please call 301-725-5178 or visit www.emmanuelpreschool.com.

RAINFOREST EXPEDITION SUMMER CAMP! Join us at Chapelgate Presbyterian Church for an exciting camp July 9-13th from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. Register today at www.chapelgate.or/camp.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Rolling Hills Baptist Church will be offering Vacation Bible School from Monday, July 23rd thru Friday, July 27th at 6:00pm to 8:30pm each evening. This VBS is open to children who are entering grades 1 thru 6 only (No kindergartners or Pre-Ks). Any questions and/or Registration can be done online at their website www.rollinghillsbaptistchurch.org .

BOOKS, RECORDS, DVDS, CDS, VIDEOS WANTED For 17th Annual Media Sale at Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church, 14551 Burntwoods Rd, Glenwood. Place donations in and on plastic bench @ side door off parking lot. Tax donation forms are inside the bench. Sale dates: Sept. 13, 2012 from 3 - 7pm, Sept. 14, from 3 - 7 pm, Sept. 15, $5 BAG sale from 9 am - 3 pm. We do NOT accept encyclopedias, national geographic magazines, or reader's digest condensed books. We accept donations 365 days a year. We prefer to get them as early as possible during the year, so that they can be sorted. Last year we had 20,000 books for sale! Call 410-442-2475 Carole Kramer (Coordinator).

POPLAR SPRINGS UMC THRIFT SHOP located at 919 East Watersville Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771, is open 11 am - 2 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Join us the last full weekend of each month for a $5 bag sale.

ADULT CATS FOR ADOPTION Howard County Cat Club is a nonprofit rescue that operates a no-kill, cage-free shelter that adopts to indoor/outdoor homes. We also do free behavior consultations by email and telephone. Please visit our web site www.howardcountycats.org for more information and to view cats available for adoption.