Back to School. How did it come so fast? West Friendship Elementary principal Carol Hahn will welcome students back Monday, Aug. 31. Joined by assistant principal Trish Lannon, the school motto of "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Remember Self Control" will set the tone for a school year of learning.

Principal's secretary Penny Jones, who has been the hub of things at West Friendship for more than 17 years now, reminds the community that West Friendship Elementary has been designated as a Green School.

The school has resolved to reduce paper consumption and continue as an ecologically friendly environment. Parents and community members are encouraged to go to the school Web site at www.wfes.hcpss.org.

Everybody's talking about "Buy Local." A concept that makes tremendous sense from a health standpoint and from an environmental standpoint. In West Friendship, buying local has been made not only simple, but delicious, too.

Take Kim Lawlor, who described the beet recipe she made for her family, as, "like a dessert." Kim utilized Larriland Farm, in Woodbine, for the pick your own venture and came home with a basket load of fresh from the ground red beets in mid-July. She whipped up a beets in balsamic vinegar treat that had her family clamoring for more.

The Lawlors also picked blackberries out at Larriland and ended up with a blackberry pie loaded with eight cups of berries. "The best," Kim said.

Jenny's Market on East Ivory Road has so many tables of fresh produce that cars line up to get to the farm stand. The new traffic configuration at the intersection of Route 32 and Ivory Road made for some confusion early on, but the Heigh Family Jenny's Market signs have become a sort of treasure hunt for those who miss the turn.

Roundabout or not, loyal customers wind around to find the produce stand which is filled with melons, berries, tomatoes, corn, beans and relishes galore.

The cherry selection in late summer was the best around. Jenny's Farm Stand will remain open though the end of October with hours of Tuesday- Sunday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Go to Jenny's Web site at www.jennysfruitandvegie.com.

The Sykesville Farmers Market continues on Thursday evenings, 3-6 p.m. through Sept. 24. Local vegetables, fruit, crafts, flowers and plants, baked goods and even organic poultry and meats. The farmers market will be set up at South Branch Park, just off of Route 32, in Sykesville.

One more time. That's the mantra of the Howard County Master Gardeners who will be stationed at the Glenwood branch library Monday, Aug. 31, 7-8:30 p.m. to answer any "green" questions you pose.

The River Hill Music Boosters will hold the first meeting of the school year on Sept. 1, 7 p.m. in Room 207 at River Hill High School.

Bette Hoover. You've got to love this energetic grandmother who has the energy of an 18 -year-old. Bette is beloved to me because she spells her name like Bette Davis, because she is the only person who has given me a "foil the deer" method which has been successful (sort of) and because she travels the world on goodwill tours. Bette also hosts yoga classes at Eden Valley, in Dayton.

The classes for novice or pro are held Monday evenings, 6- 7:15 p.m. If you would like to join in this discipline which builds mental, physical and spiritual strength, call Bette at 410-531-5610.

Mark your calendar for an upcoming signature community event. The annual Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church Media Sale is scheduled for Sept. 11, 3-7 p.m. and Sept. 12, 9 a.m.- p.m. A $5 bag sale will be in place Sept.12, from noon to 3 p.m.

Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church is at 14551 Burntwoods Road in Glenwood. Questions on the sale? Need directions? Call the church at 410-442-1204 or Carole Kramer at 410-442-2475.

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