Although we often encourage children to "reach for the stars," Charis Smith, a sixth-grader at Mt. View Middle School, does so both literally and figuratively. Three years ago, Charis joined the Howard County Celestial Searchers astronomy club, run by Glenelg dentist Dr. Joel "Stardoc" Goodman, a member of the Howard Astronomical League. Charis enjoys gathering with other local children to work on astronomy projects, learn about space, and watch the night sky. The group meets at Bushy Park Elementary School on the fourth Sunday of each month, beginning at 7 p.m.

HAL provides equipment and speakers for the Celestial Searchers' meetings and also welcomes the youngsters at their Public Star Parties, held monthly at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville.

"At these parties you will find dozens of telescopes, laptops, projectors, and pieces of radio equipment that bring the night sky right down to Earth," Charis said.

As one of the oldest members of the Celestial Searchers, Charis recently testified on behalf of the group at a Recreation and Parks Advisory Board hearing regarding improvements to Alpha Ridge Park.

For the past nine years, members of HAL have worked with Recreation and Parks to realize their dream of a publicly accessible observatory at this location. Charis pointed out in her speech that the facility would also help kids "explore the universe in which we live" and support the school system's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program.

Charis further emphasized that "it is very important to have a dark place to view the night sky" because at Bushy Park Elementary, the Celestial Searchers "have to compete with the parking lot lights." She asked that the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board include the public observatory and low lighting in its master plan for Alpha Ridge Park. The Board will vote on this topic Oct. 21.

Kudos to Charis for supporting her interests so passionately and for bravely making the foray into public speaking, which even many adults find intimidating. Great job, Charis!

The Marriotts Ridge High School dance department invites the community to a yard sale fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 3, in the parking lot in front of the school. In case of rain, the event will move indoors to the cafeteria and Commons area.

Stop by between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to do a little shopping, or reserve a space to sell your own yard sale items. One 10-by-18-foot space costs $20; two spaces cost $30; and three spaces cost $40. The dance department also welcomes donated items to sell at its table.

For more information, go to www.marriottsridge.net/documents/MRHSYardSale.pdf, e-mail MRHSDance@yahoo.com, or call dance director Patricia Spruill at 410-313-5573. The school is at 12100 Woodford Drive, in Marriottsville.

On Oct. 10, the Howard County Conservancy offers its final Wonder Walk of the year, "Owls, Vultures and Hawks -- Oh My!" Steve Heacock, an environmental educator and raptor rehabilitator, will teach visitors about the natural history, evolution, and conservation of these magnificent birds of prey.

As always, the Wonder Walk is free of charge. Call 410-465-8877 for more information, or go to www.hcconservancy.org. The Conservancy's address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Woodstock.

Also Oct, 10, Sykesville presents its 36th annual Fall Festival on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The celebration, of course, includes live entertainment and music, plus traditional carnival foodstuffs like hot dogs and sausages, burgers, pit beef and barbecue pork, fries, funnel cakes, ice cream and more.

The event also features a children's activity area complete with inflatables, face painters, and Silly Willy the Clown. Other children's activities include pony rides, Make Your Own Scarecrow, and the Little Sykes Railway. The S&P Railway and Main Street shops will also be open during the event.

Visitors should park at either South Branch Park for a $5 fee (proceeds will go towards renovation of the historic apple warehouse) or at Freedom Park for free shuttle service to Main Street.

For more information, contact Carol Felker at cfelker@marykay.com or 410-804-7421, or Ivy Wells at ivy@sykesville.net, 410-707-4441, or 410-795-8959. The Web site for the Historic Town of Sykesville also contains additional details at www.sykesville.net.

In case of rain, the Fall Festival will move to Oct. 17.

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