As soon as Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, requests for "end of year" donations start to appear in your mail and email, in person, over the phone, on social networking sites, and through your mobile device. If you want to express your thankfulness with a gift to a charity, find an organization that spends wisely on a cause you support and screen any requests sent your way.

When you get a request for a donation:    

• Double-check the group's name to see if it's legitimate.
  Scammers often use names that look or sound like reputable organizations and hope you won't catch it. Ask the caller for the charity's legal name, address and telephone number and compare that information with what you find independently through an internet or phone book search. 
• Find out if the solicitor is a paid fundraiser for the charity.
  Paid fundraisers often receive a large percentage of donations. To maximize the impact of your gift, send your donation directly to the charity instead of going through the fundraiser. 
• Make sure the charity is registered.
  In Maryland, charities must register with the Office of the Secretary of State before asking for donations. The Secretary of State's website allows you to see if a charity is registered and provides links to other sites that will assist you in making your donation decisions.
• Be wary of high pressure tactics and requests for cash.
  Scammers will say anything to get you to send money before you can research the so-called charity or think over your donation. Scammers may also ask you to send cash or pre-paid cards, or wire money so there's no way for you to trace where the money goes or get it back.

Please contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs at 410-313-6420 (voice/relay) if you have any questions or concerns about charitable donations or other types of solicitations. 

Camp Expo, now in its 32nd year, is sponsored by the Harper's Choice Community Association and attracts families from the area looking for summer programs for their children. To encourage families to attend Camp Expo, we will offer special prize drawings throughout the event, including up to three $100 gift cards towards the camp of choice.

Vendor registration is available online. 

Camp Expo will be held on Sunday, January 25 from 2:30PM - 5PM at Kahler Hall.  

Beginning Friday, December 26 and continuing through Friday, January 16, 2015, holiday trees may be recycled seven days a week from 7:30AM - 5PM at various drop-off sites throughout the County. A full list of drop-off sites is available here. One exception to the above days and times is the Alpha Ridge Landfill, which is open Monday through Saturday, 8AM - 4PM.

Schedule of Activities: 

• 5PM - Gates open. Enjoy festivities and walk through the Symphony of Lights.
• 7PM -  Fireworks (weather permitting)
• 7:30PM - Last admission to walk through the Symphony of Lights 

Midnight at 7 is an annual event held at Symphony Woods in Columbia, MD. Advanced registration is required. Cost is $15 per person aged 4 and up. Children 3 and under are free. All proceeds benefit Howard County General Hospital. Parking instructions will be emailed with your registration confirmation.  

Paquito D'Rivera will perform on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Jazz @ The Lake Concert, at the Jim Rouse Theatre in Columbia, MD. The 12-time Grammy-winning saxophone and clarinet master will be accompanied by noted jazz musicians Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Zach Brown, Eric Doob, and Paulo Stagnaro. D'Rivera is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. He moves effortlessly among jazz, Latin, and classical genres.

The award-winning Wilde Lake High School Jazz Ensemble will open the show and perform a joint piece with D'Rivera, known for mentoring young musicians. Wilde Lake Band Director Lewis Dutrow promises a "hot night of cool jazz" for all in attendance.