(Enlarge) A number of motorcycles arrive at the Howard County Fairgrounds, in West Friendship, for the 10th annual Motorcycle Ride to benefit the Maryland chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. Last year, 2000 riders participated, and the event raised $120,000. This year, the event is scheduled for June 14. (Photo by Priscilla Geisler)

On June 14 (or in case of rain, June 28), the Howard County Fairgrounds will reverberate not with bleats, grunts, and moos, but with the clamor of thousands of motorcycles. This date marks the 10th annual Motorcycle Ride to benefit the Maryland chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, an organization dedicated to supporting the families of law enforcement officials killed in the line of duty.

(Several months ago, I wrote about the Geislers, a Marriottsville family that suffered a law enforcement death and feels grateful for the assistance COPS gave them.)

Registration for the motorcycle ride takes place at different times that morning at a dozen staging locations across the state. The riders receive an escort from their staging location to the Howard County Fairgrounds, where they will enjoy a catered lunch. To view registration information or print out a registration form, go to www.mdcops.org/docs/copsride2009.pdf.

COPS welcomes all motorcycles and riders and requests a minimum donation of $25 per person. Each entrant receives a T-shirt and becomes eligible to win one of three prizes for collecting the most donations. The event also features raffles, door prizes, vendors, and other activities.

For more information, call Donnie Bell at 240-508-0497.

Expect local traffic delays during the event.

The Howard County Conservancy, the first Maryland Green Center in the county, proudly announces the addition of nine new Green Schools in Howard County: Atholton Elementary, Centennial Lane Elementary, Dayton Oaks Elementary, Deep Run Elementary, Forest Ridge Elementary, Glenelg Country School, Glenwood Middle, Hollifield Station Elementary, and Longfellow Elementary. Additionally, Hammond Elementary has received its first recertification.

Existing Howard County Green Schools include Dunloggin Middle, Hammond Middle, Lime Kiln Middle, Reservoir High, River Hill High, St. John's Parish Day School, Triadelphia Ridge Elementary and West Friendship Elementary.

Since 1999, the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education has awarded Green School status to public and private schools, pre-K through grade 12, that pass a rigorous application process demonstrating their commitment to environmental curriculum and sustainability. Schools must apply for recertification every three years.

MAEOE recognizes as Green Centers those organizations that support community environmental learning, demonstrate environmental 'best management practices,' and help local schools achieve Green School status.

The Howard County Conservancy, in conjunction with the Howard County Public School System, Howard County Recreation and Parks and Howard County Master Gardeners, has guided the newly designated Green Schools in their certification efforts.

Congratulations to the new Green Schools on their hard-earned achievement!

Howard County 4-H invites youth ages 8-13 to participate in a Progressive Agricultural Safety Day at the Howard County Fairgrounds on June 29 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The event, which costs $5, covers topics such as fire, water, sun and road safety, and it includes snacks, lunch, a T-shirt, and a take-home bag of safety materials.

To print a registration form, go to www.howard4-h.org. Space is limited to the first 50 applicants.

Call Howard County 4-H Extension Educator Sheryl Bennett at 410-313-1912 or e-mail sherylb@umd.edu for more information.

During the week of June 14, Bon Secours Spiritual Center offers an in-depth study of "The Spirituality of St. Paul's Gospel," at a cost of $575 with a $150 deposit.

Guests may check-in on the 14th at 5 p.m. and then dine at 6, and they depart at 11 a.m. on the 20th. Michael Fonseca, director of Spiritual Formation for the diocese of Gaylord, Mich., facilitates the retreat.

To register, call 410-442-1320 or go to www.bonsecoursspiritualcenter.org. The address for Bon Secours is 1525 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsville.

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