Laurel Park

Collaborative Art Takes Center Stage at The Arc of Howard County’s “Chocolate and Cheers”
Ellicott City, MD — A long-held vision is coming to life at The Arc of Howard County.
At this year’s Chocolate and Cheers, the organization’s reimagined signature event, collaborative art will be the highlight. People supported by The Arc will collaborate with local artists to create artwork for the event’s silent auction, Sapphire Alley.

Executive Director Katie Collins-Ihrke has dreamed of this for years. “Creating space for people to express themselves as artists and be recognized for that work has always been a goal,” she said. “This is about partnership, visibility, and value.”

Day Program participants will visit DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum throughout April to create artwork with guidance from founder and Howard County arts icon Lee Andersen. Andersen will help participants develop and complete framed portrait pieces that reflect their perspectives. She said, “I’m excited to work with The Arc and help the people they support discover the 'artist within.' My goal is to meet each person where they are creatively. Whatever they make, with the right frame and thoughtful arranging, becomes something truly lovely and worthy of being shared.”

Residential Program participants will collaborate with artist Brian Kennedy at The Arc’s Homewood office on several weekends. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom who continues to serve in the Army National Guard, Kennedy also works in cybersecurity and uses art to build connection and community. He will create a series of honeycomb-inspired paintings symbolizing teamwork and collaboration, with participants contributing directly to each piece. Kennedy said, “Art has always been a way to connect—whether across distance, language, or experience. When people create something together, that distance starts to close.”

These collaborative works will be the centerpiece of Sapphire Alley, the event’s silent auction, and will be available for bidding during the evening. This year also marks The Arc’s 65th anniversary, and the organization hopes to raise $65,000 in celebration of 65 years of inclusion. More than an event feature, the art reflects The Arc’s mission in action: supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, connected lives in their communities.

Event Details: May 9, 2026
VIP Hour 5-6pm, Main Gala 6-9:30pm Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park 198 Laurel Race Track Road Laurel, Maryland 20725

Local Event: The Arc's Chocolate and Cheers- Celebrating 65 Years! 

Howard County

Columbia

Maryland

The Arc's Chocolate and Cheers- Celebrating 65...

Collaborative Art Takes Center Stage at The Arc of Howard County’s “Chocolate and Cheers”
Ellicott City, MD — A long-held...

The Arc's Chocolate and Cheers- Celebrating 65 Years! 

Janine Sunday

Kristin Danley-Greiner

Baltimore Metropolitan Area

Ellicott City

Prince George's County

Washington Metropolitan Area

Laurel

Elkridge

Baltimore County

Catonsville

Arbutus

Anne Arundel County

Gaby Arancibia

Odenton-Severn

Montgomery County

Silver Spring

Wheaton

Greenbelt

Carroll County

Eldersburg

&nbsp;The free&nbsp;<a href="https://howardexpo.accessjca.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Howard County, MD, Virtual 50+ Employment Expo&nbsp;</a>is designed to connect all jobseekers aged 50 and over with age-friendly employers via Zoom.
<a href="https://virtualexpos.accessjca.org/schedule-of-expos/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Expo program</a>&nbsp;10a.m. - 3:45 p.m.*
<ul>
 <li>Workshops (10:00 a.m.) 
 Start your day with two engaging workshops tailored to jobseekers aged 50 and above. These sessions provide valuable strategies, tools, and insights to support your career journey. </li>
 <li>Crafting a Resume That Gets You Noticed, Jerri Harris,&nbsp;Career Specialist, CSCC, SPHR and&nbsp;&nbsp;Keyara Stevenson,&nbsp;Director of Career Services, Howard Community College</li>
 <li>From Résumé to Relevance: Using AI to Translate Experience into Today’s Hiring Language,&nbsp;Mark D. Rasch, Lawyer and Computer Security and Privacy Expert</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 <li>Employer Presentations (12:00 p.m.) 13 area employers will share information about their current full and part-time job openings. Jobseekers can ask employers questions via the Zoom chat, making the employment expo a dynamic and interactive experience.</li>
</ul>
Jobseekers: Whether you are re-entering the workforce, changing careers, or seeking new opportunities, you are invited to join us for the expo on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Register today
at: <a href="https://howardexpo.accessjca.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">HowardExpo.AccessJCA.org</a>. 
<a href="https://accessjca.formstack.com/forms/employer_registration_form_howard_county_maryland_expo_copy_2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"></a>
*We will extend the employment expo to accommodate additional employers.
The&nbsp;free Howard County, MD, Virtual 50+ Employment Expo is funded by the&nbsp;Howard County, MD - Office on Aging and Independence and supported by&nbsp;the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) of Greater Washington.
If you need this information in an alternate format or need accommodations to participate, call Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) at least one week in advance.
JCA serves people of all faiths, races, ethnicities, and income levels.

Local Event: Jobseekers age 50+ Register today The free Howard County, MD, Virtual 50+ Employment Expo 

Jobseekers age 50+ Register today The free...

 The free Howard County, MD, Virtual 50+ Employment Expo is designed to connect all jobseekers aged 50 and over with...

Jobseekers age 50+ Register today The free Howard County, MD, Virtual 50+ Employment Expo 

USPTO Sports Value: B'more-Orioles 1.71B, Ravens 6.1B Chicago-Bears 8.2B, Chi-Sox 2.15B, Cubs 5.25B
May 7, 2026 - The "Charm'tastic Mile" of Baltimore (CTMB-1.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecharmtasticmile.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.thecharmtasticmile.com</a>. The chic &amp; famed 1.3 mile corridor located in the heart of&nbsp;Charm City (Est.1975)&nbsp;that connects&nbsp;Dwtn-West, the Inner Harbor &amp; Harbor East (S. Greene &amp; W. Pratt Street to S. President &amp; Fleet Street)&nbsp;that is now listed on Google search as one of the&nbsp;Top 10-15 Most Famous Streets in America&nbsp;is reporting the growing sports valuation of teams will enhance the value of streets that are a USPTO <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.uspto.gov</a> trademark.&nbsp;
The "Charm'tastic Mile" here in Baltimore and The Magnificent Mile in Chicago are two of the very-rare U.S. streets (Rodeo Drive, Vegas Strip) that are USPTO (R)&nbsp;registered&nbsp;trademarks. With this being National Travel &amp; Tourism Week the sports travel business (college, pro) is a major contributor to the overall American economy.&nbsp;
According to Forbes, the Baltimore Orioles have a value of 1.71 billion dollars. The Ravens in contrast have an estimated value of 6.1 billion. Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&amp;T Bank Stadium are major backdrops to The "Charm'tastic Mile" in Dwtn-Charm City. With stadium enhancements to both stadiums in the 900 million dollar range, the value of The "Charm'tastic Mile" as a registered trademark also increases for the City of Baltimore. The O's and Ravens have a combined value of 7.81 billion.&nbsp;
The City of Chicago is one of 12 U.S. cities with all 4 major sports teams. They have 5 major sports, two in the MLB Cubs &amp; White Sox. Based on MLB &amp; NFL only the Bears have an estimated value of 8.2 billion, Cubs 5.25 billion and White Sox 2.15 billion. The most valuable pro sports team of all 4 major sports is the Dallas Cowboys 13 billion. The Bears, Cubs &amp; White Sox have a combined value of 15.6 billion.&nbsp;
Those 3 teams play in the backdrop&nbsp;of the Mag Mile. Its value continues to rise, being a USPTO (R) trademark. The Magnificent Mile is routinely mentioned as one of the Top 10 Most Famous Streets in America. The sports valuation of the 4 major sport leagues is the evolution of the Famous Streets &amp; Sports Culture In America that continues to evolve and grow.&nbsp;
For more information or news media interview requests on&nbsp;USPTO Sports Value: B'more-Orioles 1.71B, Ravens 6.1B Chicago-Bears 8.2B, Chi-Sox 2.15B, Cubs 5.25B please contact Derrick E Vaughan (Famous Streets &amp; Sports Culture In America-Analyst) at 443-851-5244 or email: <a href="mailto:thecharmtasticmile@gmail.com" target="_blank">thecharmtasticmile@gmail.com</a>.<img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&amp;ik=a86232ea81&amp;attid=0.2&amp;permmsgid=msg-a:r-1832966669543606633&amp;th=19e02a9ef78aba8c&amp;view=fimg&amp;fur=ip&amp;permmsgid=msg-a:r-1832966669543606633&amp;sz=s0-l75-ft&amp;attbid=ANGjdJ8vtn-YHw_PNrNSWHjsLA7N4cIvPpZVPBeOgszepO66GONV38-xoa6H7g4gA1nDju9uGs9UzLOUdI6luJKUNmE4I4tJ9-UmprDPwFyUwWwMP-uLfvsuQZbpb9o&amp;disp=emb&amp;realattid=ii_moviwpiq1&amp;zw" alt="image.png">

Local Event: USPTO Sports Value: B'more-Orioles 1.71B, Ravens 6.1B Chicago-Bears 8.2B, Chi-Sox 2.15B, Cubs 5.25B

Baltimore city

Baltimore

USPTO Sports Value: B'more-Orioles 1.71B,...

USPTO Sports Value: B'more-Orioles 1.71B, Ravens 6.1B Chicago-Bears 8.2B, Chi-Sox 2.15B, Cubs 5.25B
May 7, 2026 - The...

USPTO Sports Value: B'more-Orioles 1.71B, Ravens 6.1B Chicago-Bears 8.2B, Chi-Sox 2.15B, Cubs 5.25B

East Columbia Branch - Howard County Library System

&nbsp;Unlock Your Family History
<img src="sandbox:/mnt/data/MelvinwithRobyn.png" alt="From Fragments to Foundation">
Join the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc, (AAHGS) on&nbsp;May 9 at 1:00 PM at the East County Library, Columbia, MD.
Hear a compelling story of how DNA and historical records revealed powerful family discoveries—turning fragments into a meaningful legacy.
&nbsp;May 9, 1 PM&nbsp;&nbsp;East County Library, Columbia, MD
Come get inspired and learn how to take your own research further. All are welcome. Visit our website aahgscmc.org

Local Event: Meeting-Afro American Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. 

Meeting-Afro American Historical & Genealogical...

 Unlock Your Family History

Join the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc, (AAHGS) on May 9 at 1:00 PM at...

Meeting-Afro American Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. 

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church

FREE ADMISSION Join us for the first weekend of our Spring Concert Tour!Celebrate choral music that travels from where we've been to where we're bravely going - across roads, horizons and the landscapes within. Featuring contemporary, classic, and Broadway favorites, this program captures the joy of spring and the promise of what lies ahead.

Local Event: Hunt Valley Chorale - FREE Spring Concert Series pt. 1

Hunt Valley-Cockeysville

Hunt Valley Chorale - FREE Spring Concert...

FREE ADMISSION Join us for the first weekend of our Spring Concert Tour!Celebrate choral music that travels from where we've...

Hunt Valley Chorale - FREE Spring Concert Series pt. 1

Maryland State Fair Grounds

The International Gem &amp; Jewelry Show Returns To The Maryland State Fairgrounds! Shop Directly From Wholesalers &amp; Manufacturers. This show is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC for three days only.
International Gem &amp; Jewelry Show - Timonium, MD May 15-17, 2026 At The Maryland State Fairgrounds (Exhibition Hall) 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
***CHILDREN UNDER 9 NOT PERMITTED***
SHOW HOURS:
<ul><li>Friday, March 15: 12pm-6pm</li><li>Saturday, March 16: 10am-6pm</li><li>Sunday, March 17: 11am-5pm* *No admittance after 4pm Sunday.</li></ul>
<ol></ol>
TICKETS (Good For All Three Days)
<ul><li>Discounted Tickets : $6.00 (Must be purchased online. Credit card only.)</li><li>Standard Tickets : $8.00 (Can be purchased at the show. Cash only.)</li><li>Licensed Wholesale Buyers : FREE (Business license required. Pre-registration required before the deadline.)</li><li>Schools : FREE (School e-mail address required. Pre-registration required before the deadline.)</li></ul>
PARKING: Free And Ample Parking Available Around The Exhibition Hall &amp; 4-H Building.
ABOUT THE SHOW: Forget retail, shop directly from designers, wholesalers and manufacturers for the largest selection at the lowest prices! Shop from rows and rows of quality jewelry, gemstone, bead, jewelry supply and accessory dealers in a unique marketplace setting. Our environment breeds competition and ensures that you will get the best quality merchandise at rock-bottom prices. Find something for everyone when you visit America's favorite jewelry and gemstone marketplace!
Diamonds • Beads • Pearls • Opals • Semi &amp; Precious Gemstones • Engagement Rings • Turquoise • Fine Jewelry • Settings • Men’s Jewelry • Watches • Designer Accessories • Costume Pieces • Vintage &amp; Estate • Custom Jewelry • Findings • Chains • Jewelry Supplies • Fashion Accessories • Gifts • Jewelry Cleaning &amp; Repair • And Much More!
------------------------------------------------ MILITARY RECEIVES FREE ADMISSION: The International Gem &amp; Jewelry Show offers free admission to all active-duty military and veterans with current military identification (offer includes immediate family). Thank you for your service to our country. ------------------------------------------------
LINKS
<ul><li>Website :&nbsp;
 <a href="https://www.intergem.com/events/upcoming-shows/virginia-maryland-jewelry-show-may-15-17-2026" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">intergem.com/events/upcoming-shows/virginia-maryland-jewelry-show-may-15-17-2026</a>
</li><li>Exhibitor Listing :&nbsp;
 <a href="https://intergem.ungerboeck.com/prod/app85.cshtml?aat=564972466d4d374963636a6774655043315742434279416d6262455a78744d61445032554d3444756f59673d" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">intergem.ungerboeck.com/prod/app85.cshtml?aat=564972466d4d374963636a6774655043315742434279416d6262455a78744d61445032554d3444756f59673d</a>
</li><li>E-Mail Notification Sign-Up : <a href="https://www.intergem.com/sign-up/washington-dc-baltimore-md" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.intergem.com/sign-up/washington-dc-baltimore-md</a></li></ul>

Local Event: The International Gem & Jewelry Show - Timonium, MD (May 2026)

Lutherville-Timonium

The International Gem & Jewelry Show -...

The International Gem & Jewelry Show Returns To The Maryland State Fairgrounds! Shop Directly From Wholesalers & Manufacturers....

The International Gem & Jewelry Show - Timonium, MD (May 2026)

7000 Columbia Gateway Drive

Join the community to race for a cause and raise money to support Howard County youth. Participants can sign up as individuals or create a team to rally their network, with options to join the race or cheer from anywhere as a fundraising participant.

Local Event: OhanaHC 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run & Walk

OhanaHC 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run & Walk

Join the community to race for a cause and raise money to support Howard County youth. Participants can sign up as individuals...

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