The Southwest Leadership Team continues to provide an excellent opportunity for local and county groups to share information beneficial to the greater Arbutus and Lansdowne areas. The team meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. in the meeting room of the Arbutus Library, 1581 Sulphur Spring Road.

In the event of bad weather, call the library at 410-887-1451 to confirm that the meeting will be held.

Among those who made presentations during the team's December meeting were:

* Lorna Rudnikas, who delivered reports for the Wilkens Police and Community Relations Organization and Soroptimist International of Arbutus.

Soroptimist International of Arbutus is accepting nominations for its annual $500 award to a young woman, aged 14-17, in recognition of her volunteer efforts in support of her community.

The Violet Richardson Award may be used for any purpose by the winner.

Rudnikas said she also plans to visit area high schools in the next few weeks to deliver applications and information.

To find out more about this program, go to the group's Web site at www.soroptimistarbutus.org and click on the "Programs" button.

* Betty Cain of the Lansdowne United Methodist Church and Riverview Community Association, provided information on free meals offered twice monthly to residents in need. The church also actively assists the homeless in finding housing.

Cain also works closely with Betty Okonski of the Southwest Emergency Services to meet the needs of area families. Volunteers are needed at SWES. Call 410-247-8154.

* David Lloyd, principal at the Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies, announced that the school is always in need of service learning and adventure education opportunities for the students.

The center provides middle and high school-level scholastic programs for at-risk youth who have been unsuccessful in a traditional setting.

Organizations in need of service volunteers should call the center at 410-887-0934.

* Gary Decker, aide to U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, announced that the Census Bureau is hiring temporary workers during the decennial count. A local office has been established in Catonsville by the U.S. Census Bureau, as reported in the Nov. 25 issue of the Arbutus Times.

To apply, go to the census Web site at 2010.census.gov, or call 443-631-8070.

* Joe Mullins, president of the Lansdowne/Baltimore Highlands Senior Center, provided a calendar of events for December at the center. In addition to exercise and games, the center offers educational programs, health screenings, and travel opportunities. Call 410-887-1443.

The Kensington Improvement Association is among the area community associations reaching out to those in need during the holiday season by collecting food items for area residents.

Contact Edith Robinson at edith.robinson2@verizon.net.

Baltimore County Council Chairman Joseph Bartenfelder was the guest speaker at the November meeting of the Wilkens Police and Community Relations Organization.

He discussed a number of bills then under consideration by the County Council, and since passed, that he said will improve public safety in Baltimore County.

He cited:

* Bill 74-09 provides finances activities of the Victim Advocate program;

* Bill 77-09 will add funds to the Violent Offender and Warrant Apprehension Taskforce's budget;

* Bill 78-09 imposes new rules, including the requirement of licensing, on scrap metal processors in the county;

* Bill 79-09, provides funds to enforce Maryland's underage drinking laws;

* Bill 80-09 provides funds to permit the hiring of two new crime analysts; and

* Bill 81-09 provides funding to enhance the Domestic Violence Victim Coordinator program.

Bartenfelder also took part in the award of the Officer of the Month to Ofc. Gail Wickless from the Wilkens precinct.

Wickless was commended for her overall knowledge and abilities and specifically for work leading to the apprehension of an area "cat burglar," and for leading her shift in arrests and investigations.

A Distinguished Service Award was given to Lisa Mack for her activities in June 2009. Mack provided police with information after observing a purse snatching, rendered aid to the victim and also to an officer injured while apprehending the suspect in the case.

Announcements

Baltimore County's Commission for Women is accepting nominations for its annual "Woman of the Year" and "Young Woman of the Year" awards.

Both awards honor women who have made contributions to improve the lives of women and families in Baltimore County.

Nominees for the "Young Woman" award must be high school seniors.

Call Jackie Wilson at 410-887-3448 for a form and information about the nominating process.

Baltimore County's Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs is accepting nominations for the fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Content of Character Award.

This honor is given to an individual who best exemplifies the ideals described in Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Nomination forms available from the Office of Fair Practices by calling 410-887-5557 or going to the county's Web site at www.baltimorecountymd.gov.

Calendar of Events

Dec. 11: The Halethorpe Civic League host an open house/holiday gathering at the Halethorpe Civic Center on Northeast Avenue, 7:30-9 p.m. Learn about the programs the league offers for community residents and area youth, such as tutoring in history, math, science and reading; an amateur photography contest, tours of Washington and Annapolis during the General Assembly session; an essay contest.

Call Otis Collins, league president, at 410-247-6792.

Dec. 12: The Oblate Sisters of Providence hold a benefit concert at the Our Lady of Mount Providence Chapel, 701 Gun Road, at 6 p.m., to raise awareness about the order's work to educate children, minister to the poor and neglected, and house and protect the orphaned. The nuns have been greatly impacted by the financial situation of the past several years and funds are perilously low.

Featured performers include tenor David Marshall, soprano Kadejah One; LaVerna Scruggs, soprano; and gospel choirs Rehoboth and St. Ambrose, both of Baltimore.

Concert tickets are $25.

Call 410-242-8500.

Dec. 16: The Southwest Area Educational Advisory Council will hold its annual Elected Officials Meet and Greet at Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave., at 7 p.m.

Please note that this is a changed location.

Local representatives, administrative members and faculty from area schools, parents and members of the advisory council are scheduled to attend.

Contact Beverly Lindsey at blindsey@ccbcmd.edu.

Dec. 19: Have breakfast with Santa at the Y of Central Maryland Child Care Center in Catonsville, 9:30-11 a.m.

This event is free and requires no pre-registration.

Call 410-747-9622.

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