Two awards in window contest go to Vintage Girls

The Vintage Girls, at 8086 Main St., not only won The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation Inc.'s Judges' Choice Award in the 2009 annual window decorating contest, but it won the People's Choice Award as well.

This year's official winner was determined by a panel of judges from Howard County Tourism and The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation. The winner receives a 1/4 page ad in the issue of their choice from Howard Magazine published by Patuxent Publishing Co.

The People's Choice Award was chosen by popular ballot during the holidays through Jan. 3. The popular ballot winner was announced on Jan. 5 and receives a ribbon and an ad in the Business Monthly courtesy of Howard County Tourism. This year's runners up were The Yuppy Puppy Pet Boutique at 8104 Main St. (first runner up) and Country Crafters at 8080 Main St. (second runner up).

The Vintage Girls' window was a fantastic confection entitled "Sugarville" with a large candy house and lots of sugary smaller houses.

It was the first time in the history of the contest that the same business won both the judge's and people's choice awards, said Ed Lilley, president of the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation Inc.

"They are always very excited about the contest and put a lot of thought, time and effort into their window. That deserves to be rewarded," he said.

-- Mary T. Robbins Phelan

Martin Luther King Jr. celebration set for Jan. 17

The county's 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will take place Jan. 17 at Howard Community College.

The free event will honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader and include performances, an awards presentation for winners of a student essay and poster contest and presentation of an award to a resident who exemplifies the spirit of King's message. The theme of the event is "I Have a Dream: Justice, Equality and Peace."

The event will take place in the college's Smith Theatre, beginning with a reception at 2 p.m. and the program at 3 p.m.

Event organizers ask that attendees bring a canned food item to support the county food bank. Opportunities for volunteer work on the Jan. 18 holiday also will be advertised at the event.

Interpreter services will be provided if requested at least seven days prior to the event by calling the Department of Citizen Services at 410-313-6400 or by using Relay or 7-1-1 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For more information, call the Office of Human Rights at 410-313-6430.

-- Jennifer Broadwater

United Way plans youth leadership effort in Howard

The United Way of Central Maryland will launch a youth leadership development program in Howard County in the coming year using a $30,000 grant from SimplexGrinnell and Tyco.

The Youth Venture program is intended to empower students to become community leaders and address needs in the community. The grant will help launch Youth Venture in Howard and Harford counties.

"We are enthusiastic to be part of the Youth Venture network," said Mark Furst, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, in a statement. "This program will allow young people in the region to be part of change firsthand and to see what can happen when they achieve their full potential."

Through the program, teams of students work under adult supervision to identify and address needs in their community using $1,000 grants.

-- Jennifer Broadwater

Commission for Women taking essay submissions

The Howard County Commission for Women is holding an essay contest for students in grades six through 12.

The annual competition, held in honor of Women's History Month, will highlight women in career fields including science, arts, sports and politics.

Essays should focus on a contemporary or historical American woman who has a made a difference in a field selected by the writer.

Winners will be selected in both middle school and high school divisions.

First place winners will receive a $200 U.S. Savings Bond and will read their essays at the Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony March 11 at Howard Community College.

Essays can be sent to women@howardcountymd.gov or mailed to the Commission for Women Student Essay Contest at 6571 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21046.

The deadline for entries is Jan. 20.

For more information about the contest, call 410-313-6400 or go to www.howardcountymd.gov/CitizenServices/.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

Commission on Aging creates awards program

The Howard County Commission on Aging is launching a new awards program and is seeking nominations.

The Recognition Awards Program will honor outstanding efforts to promote successful aging in Howard County. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 10.

The categories for nominations include awards for individuals in civic engagement, excellence in the arts, leadership in education and outstanding youth volunteer; and awards for organizations for fostering a caregiver-friendly workplace and a benchmark award for businesses.

Nominees must live, work or do business in Howard County and must demonstrate exceptional contributions to the lives of county residents. Nominators are asked for details of how the nominee meets the award criteria and describe or list achievements specific to the award category.

For more information or to download a nomination form, go to the Office on Aging's Web site at www.howardcountyaging.org and click on the link at the bottom of the page for Commission on Aging 2010 Recognition Awards. To request a form to be delivered by mail, call 410-313-6410.

Completed forms are to be sent to Howard County Commission on Aging, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21046, or via e-mail to coa@howardcountymd.gov.

Award winners will be recognized at an awards celebration in May.

-- Jennifer Broadwater

County Council elects Watson as chairwoman

Members of the Howard County Council elected new leadership Dec. 7, selecting Ellicott City Democrat Courtney Watson as new chairwoman.

The four Democrats on the five-member board picked Watson, and named current chairwoman Mary Kay Sigaty as vice chairwoman.

Greg Fox, a Republican from Fulton, abstained from both votes.

The council elects new leaders each December. Watson also served as the council chairwoman from December 2007 to December 2008.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

Virginia foundation honors Howard citizen group

The Citizens in Charge Foundation, a Virginia-based voter rights group, has awarded the Howard County Citizens for Open Government with its December John Lilburne Award.

The award, presented each month to people or groups working to defend the right to petition, is named after a 17th-century English political activist.

Howard County Citizens for Open Government was recognized for its efforts to overturn a Board of Elections decision invalidating more than 80 percent of the signatures on a petition to block the construction of a grocery store at Turf Valley.

Residents hoped to take the County Council's approval of the store to referendum on the November 2010 election ballot.

However, the election board concluded that the majority of the signatures were invalid because they failed to completely match the name on a signer's voter registration card.

Paul Jacob, president of Citizens in Charge, called the matching requirement burdensome.

"If the court doesn't overrule this interpretation, Marylanders will have no right to referendum, even though their state constitution guarantees it," he said.

On Nov. 13 the group's case was heard during a civil, non-jury trial in Howard County Circuit Court.

Judge Timothy McCrone said he will issue a written opinion on the matter at an unspecified later date.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

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