Officer First Class Patrick McDonald, of the Howard County Police Department, was honored at a luncheon May 19 at the ninth annual Law Enforcement Awards Program for his work with Columbia mall. The program is sponsored by the Maryland Retailers Association.

Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman, along with members of the Grassroots board of directors, cut the ribbon and dedicated the expanded Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center on May 16. The center provides 24-hour telephone and walk-in crisis counseling, a mobile crisis team, emergency shelter and transitional housing to those in need.

STTAR Center, in Columbia, has announced that Katie Cogan and Ray Heim have been appointed as therapists to the clinical department of the center.

The Arc of Howard County Light Enhancement Program is one of three recipients of the "Light the Fire" Meritorious Service Award from The Arc of Maryland, given during an awards presentation April 25. The award is presented to an individual or organization that has distinguished itself through a significant program activity benefiting citizens with cognitive and developmental disabilities in Maryland.

Cole Schnorf, of The Arc of Howard County, is the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award from The Arc of Maryland. Schnorf, who was among several individuals from around the state honored for exceptional volunteer efforts on behalf of individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities and their families, was presented with the award during an awards presentation April 25.

Jonathan Jackson Jr., the founder and operator of JJ Fitness, in Ellicott City, has released a book, "The Discovery of JJ's Way: Your Basic Guide to 20 pounds in 12 weeks." The book demonstrates how to incorporate great food, fun exercise, rest and relaxation into daily life to achieve maximum results.

Kimberli Hammonds-Hite, of Woodstock, has been announced as a top 100 semifinalist in the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame, created in 2006 as a way to share inspiring stories of people who live every day with the same spirit as the Energizer Bunny. As an employee of Drum for Healthy Families, Hammonds-Hite works to ensure staff meetings, playgroups, parent-support groups and other activities are well managed. She has been entered into a second judging phase. The winner of the contest will he inducted during a ceremony to be held Aug. 19, in St. Louis.

Vytex Windows, a vinyl window manufacturer in Laurel, has been listed as one of the nation's 100 largest window manufacturers by Window & Door magazine. Vytex is the only top-100 company situated in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, its primary market area.

eCity Co., in Ellicott City, is the recipient of the Astrid Bronze award for the business collateral designed for Chesapeake Orthopaedic Sports Medicine.

Governor Martin O'Malley has appointed Vik Khanna, the chief executive officer of Galileo Health Partners, in Ellicott City, and a exercise specialist, to a four-year term on the Maryland Advisory Council on Physical Fitness.

Revere Bank, of Laurel, has appointed David White and Henry Posko Jr. as members of the board of directors. In addition, three new employees, Mary Pat Fleming, Carrie Quinn and Melinda Babson, have joined the bank.

Berman, Goldman & Ribakow, an Ellicott City-based accounting firm, has appointed Douglas Crumb as a staff accountant and Michelle Anderson as a marketing coordinator.

The food and hospitality firm Marriner Marketing Communications, in Columbia, has been selected to develop a new foodservice Web site and conduct Web marketing activities for Knouse Foods, a grower-owned cooperative that offers processed fruit products under the Musselman's, Lucky Leaf, Apple Time and Speas Farm brands.

Howard Community College held its commencement ceremony May 16, dedicated to former trustee Leola Dorsey, who died earlier this year. The Boyd Commencement Address was delivered by Gov. Martin O'Malley. The Graduate Address was delivered by student Amena Ali. In recognition of significant contributions to the college community and student, honorary degrees were bestowed upon benefactors Patrick and Jill McCuan. The processional was led by 2008 Alumnus of the Year Kevin Preston, and the faculty processional included the Outstanding Faculty Member for 2008, Patrick O'Guinn, professor of the social sciences in the teacher education division.

Looks LLC was recognized as the Outstanding Employer of the Year during The Arc of Maryland's Annual Award Ceremony held May 25. This award is presented to an employer with an exceptional record and ongoing commitment of providing employment opportunities for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, who represents parts of Baltimore and Howard counties, is one of four legislators awarded the 2008 Legislative Leadership Award from The Arc of Maryland, during its Annual Awards Ceremony held May 25. The Arc recognized Kasemeyer for his budgetary leadership on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and their families who rely on services funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

You Salon Inc., in Ellicott City, recently hosted Sam Villa, an education artistic director for Redken, at the salon. Villa led a class in advanced techniques in hair design, attended by the You Salon team. The salon is a semi-finalist for the Global Salon Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Casey Baynes, a resident of Ellicott City, has been recognized as a Influential Marylander by The (Maryland) Daily Record on its second annual list. Baynes, the founder and executive director of the Casey Cares Foundation, which provides uplifting programs to critically ill children and their families throughout the Maryland and Mid-Atlantic area, was selected in the area of philanthropy. In addition, she was also recognized as an "Up and Comer."

Columbia Allstate representatives Mary Amshey and Jamie Coyle have been recognized by Allstate Insurance Company for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and financial service sales. As a result, Amshey, based in Guilford, and Coyle, based in Hickory Ridge, have been awarded the Allstate Regional Champion's award, Allstate's symbol of outstanding achievement. The award recognizes their performances and symbolizes their dedication in assisting customers.

Audacious Inquiry, a management and technology firm headquartered in Howard County's Center for Business and Technology Development, in Columbia, has recognized the launch of Our Freedom Years (www.FreedomYears.com), a new Web portal on healthy aging from Retirement Living TV and Erickson Retirement Communities. Audacious Inquiry served as the national television network's strategy and technology partner for the project.

Sittig Mortgage, a mortgage broker in Columbia established in 1993, is the recipient of the Lending Integrity Seal of Approval from the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. The seal is given to those who meet the association's highest standards for ethics, integrity, professionalism and knowledge in the mortgage industry.

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