HCPS Will Implement AVID in Two Middle Schools This Year

Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is excited to announce it will implement AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, at Aberdeen and Havre de Grace middle schools this coming school year. AVID is a non-profit elementary through postsecondary college readiness system that is designed to close the achievement gap with increased school-wide learning and performance. Read more...

Outdoor Adventure Camp 2011

The Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation is offering 2 one-week Outdoor Adventure Camps for children between the ages of 11-14.

Week 1 will be held Monday-Friday, July 11-July 15, 2011 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Week 2 will be held Monday-Friday, August 1-August 5, 2011.

Each day brings campers a new experience at a different site. Campers will experience ropes challenges, canoe basics, kayaking, spelunking (caving) and rock wall climbing. Transportation will be provided from Kelly Fields in Bel Air to the various camp sites. Read more...

Habitat for Humanity Merger to Provide More Families with Affordable Housing

Habitat for Humanity of Cecil County and Harford Habitat for Humanity Announce Merger

Bel Air, MD – Habitat for Humanity of Cecil County and Harford Habitat for Humanity have merged. The new affiliate name is Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna. While the name has changed, their mission to partner with families and the community to build and repair homes remains the same. Read more...

Havre de Grace Library Branch Unveils New Teen Room

(Belcamp, Maryland) Harford County Public Library Havre de Grace Branch unveiled a dedicated Teen Room recently. Designed and decorated by the teens, this room will be a new destination for many local youth.

Jennifer Brown (pictured on left), age 15 from Havre de Grace High School and Mira League (pictured on right), age 14 from Edgewood High School were both on hand for the activities. “It was cool to help design how the room would look and be able to help decorate it,” stated Jennifer Brown. “This included painting the walls with splatter paint!” Read more...

Beat Hot Summer Boredom by Chillin’ at “The Zone”

July 9th 8:00pm – 11:00pm

The Zone is the only entertainment venue offering Harford County teens (rising sophomores, juniors & seniors) a place to hang out with friends to enjoy great music and the energy of each other. At The Zone, we want our guests to have a place to call their own, where they have lots to do including dancing, a game room or just hanging out. July 9th Grand Opening to include raffle for Driver’s Ed at Premier Driving School, gift cards, prizes, photo both and more! Located at the McFaul Center in Bel Air. Admission is $10 at the door. Read more...

Harford Tech Graduate Wins World Online Art Contest

Congratulations to Katie Snyder, a 2011 Harford Technical High School graduate, for being named the overall winner in the 2011 Sargent Art Brighter World Online Art Contest for her mixed media painting of chicks! She won an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City July 15-17, 2011, where she will join other Youth Art Month state winners, parents and art teachers who will be arriving from 13 different states, for a fun-filled weekend. Katie’s art teacher, Judy Demond, will join her on the trip. Read more...

Wine Shipments Now Available in Maryland

Comptroller Makes First Historic Purchase at Boordy Vineyards

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Comptroller Peter Franchot marked his place in state history on July 1 making the first legal purchase of wine and having it shipped to his home. Marylanders can now have wine shipped to them and local wineries can ship their product to customers in the state. Read more...

Bob Six Memorial Joust at Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club

The Amateur Jousting Club of Maryland will present a benefit match on July 9th on the grounds of the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club to raise funds for the Historical Society of Harford County. The Bob Six Memorial Joust will take place beginning at 11:00 AM in the horse show/polo ring of the hunt club's facility at 3405 Pocock Road Monkton, Maryland 21111 at the corner of the Jarretsville Pike and next to Ladew Gardens. This is a family day and tailgate picnics are encouraged. There is no seating so please bring blankets or lawn chairs. (Please no pets). Read more...

Summer Youth Programs at Rocks State Park

Rocks will be offering youth programs for children ages 3-13 this summer.

Join us for our six week session, “Water: Where would we be without it?”

$30/child for the six session program. Pre-registration is required. Register early by calling 410-734-9035. Spaces fill quickly. Read more...

Scott T. Gibson Receives the Daily Record’s 2011 “20 in Their Twenties” Award

(Bel Air, MD) - - Scott T. Gibson, Director of Human Resources for Harford County Government is a recipient of The Daily Record’s 2011 “20 in Their Twenties” award.

New this year, The Daily Record created 20 in Their Twenties to recognize young professionals in their 20s whose creativity and entrepreneurial spirit already are contributing to a new energy in Maryland. Winners were selected on the basis of their professional accomplishments, community involvement and the impact of their achievements. Read more...

Brighton Retirement Sale Starts Thursday, July 7 at Heartbeat in Downtown Bel Air

A Special Brighton Event kicks-off our Brighton Retirement Sale on Thursday, July 7

Brighton's Donna Hutchinson will be on hand to preview what is new at our Brighton "What's Old, What's New" event. Read more...

HCPS Receives Grant for Elementary Engineering Project

Read more...

Northeastern Maryland Technology Council (NMTC) has partnered with the Community Foundation of Harford County to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education and workforce development in Harford County. NMTC has established a special project fund for STEM education through the Community Foundation. The fund makes grants to Harford County organizations with projects and programs that promote and support STEM education.

"Big Apple Adventure - Where Faith & Life Connect" at Bel Air Church of the Nazarene

All children age 3 years old through 5th Grade are invited to our VBS program. Kick-Off night will be Wednesday, July 6th, from 7-9pm and then we'll meet every Sunday in July (10,17,24.31) from 9:30am-Noon. It's going to be great! Read more...

Two Harford County Programs Receive National Achievement Awards

Online Idea Forum, Green Star Program Honored by NACo

(Bel Air, MD) - - Harford County Executive David R. Craig is pleased to announce that the county has received two Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for initiatives undertaken in the last year. Read more...

Thanks for the Parade!

On behalf of the Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc., I wish to thank the greater Bel Air and Harford County community for its response to this year's parade. The weather was a bit hot, it's true, but it cooled off by parade-time, and the breeze was wonderful and there was NO RAIN! I thought that the crowds were very large, enthusiastic and well-behaved. The entire parade showed greater Bel Air to be the patriotic, fun and accessible family-oriented community it truly is. Read more...

ARRA Grant Benefits HCPS Students with Disabilities

Excerpt from the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services 2010 Annual Report

Humanim’s Start on Success (SOS) program is a partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), Humanim, Harford County Public Schools, and employer partner Upper Chesapeake Health (UCH). The project is funded by a $150,000 ARRA grant ($75,000 per year, for two years) through DORS. Read more...

July Public Health Matters Segment Features Keith Mills

Bel Air, MD - The July Harford Cable Network (HCN) television schedule will include a “Public Health Matters” (PHM) segment on prescriptive medication addiction featuring a compelling and motivational interview with Baltimore broadcaster and sports personality, Keith Mills.

Mr. Mills, with PHM host, Harford County Health Officer Susan Kelly, traces the history of his introduction to prescriptive pain killers from the time of a disabling back injury, to his abuse, treatment, relapse, the public embarrassment of his arrest, and to subsequent recovery in light of what he admits is an ongoing and lifelong process. He speaks candidly about the humiliation he felt, the devastation of his family, the consequences to his career as a sportscaster, and the disease ramifications of his addiction, citing how “severely wicked and destructive” the pattern of addiction is and how it can impact anyone. Read more...

APG Technology Showcase Draws Crowd of More Than 600

Harford Community College presented its annual showcase of Aberdeen Proving Ground recently at the Amoss Center in Bel Air. The event was a huge success with 627 registered participants from 23 states representing 284 organizations. Over 60 companies exhibited the capabilities and technologies at and coming to Aberdeen Proving Ground. In addition, there were 43 presenters at this year’s event. Read more...

Gov. Martin O’Malley to Appear in 2011 Bel Air Independence Day Parade

(Bel Air, Maryland) Gov. Martin O’Malley is set to appear in the Bel Air Independence Day Parade for a third time, the Bel Air Independence Day Committee Inc. announced Friday.

O’Malley previously appeared in the parade in 2007 and 2009. He was elected to a second term as the state’s governor in November.

“We’re honored to have Gov. O'Malley in our parade,” parade chairman Mike Blum said. “It's a great honor for the people of Bel Air and Harford County that their governor cares enough to be part of our patriotic event.” Read more...

Tiger Lily Yard Sale!

Join us this Friday, July 1st for First Friday in downtown Bel Air

Tiger Lily will be open until 7pm and the summer sale has begun! Everything on the sale rack has been reduced again, plus we created a wall of new sale items that are great. There is a lot of summer left and this is a another great Tiger Lily sale! Read more...

Art Exhibit to Celebrate 21 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act

“Art Without Boundaries” to be on display at the Student Gallery, Joppa Hall, Harford Community College

(Bel Air, MD) - - July 1 through July 31, artists with and without disabilities will demonstrate that art has no boundaries at an exhibit at the Student Gallery in Joppa Hall at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Fridays from 7:30 a.m. until 9:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Student Gallery is closed on Sundays. Read more...

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Magnolia Middle School Nets First Place in Musical Competition

Congratulations to the band, orchestra and chorus of Magnolia Middle School that all earned first-place trophies at Hershey Park’s “Music In The Parks” competition recently. The orchestra and band earned excellent ratings, and the chorus earned a superior rating. In addition, the band and chorus also took home the Overall Division A and AA trophies. Read more...

Call for Purses: Offering Hope and Homes to People in Need

3rd Annual Purse Auction Event to Benefit Two Non-profit Organizations Providing Hope and Housing to People in Need in Harford County

Bel Air, Maryland – On September 16th and 17th, a Silent Purse Auction and Sale, entitled HOPE IN HANDBAGS, will be held at the Bel Air Armory on Main Street.

The two organizations who will benefit from the event are Harford Family House, Inc., and Welcome One-FCCAU, Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United. These organizations are partnering to highlight the continuum of care they provide to those in need of help and housing in Harford County. FCCAU offers a night shelter to homeless men and women, and Harford Family House offers a one-year transitional housing program and emergency shelter to homeless families with children. Read more...

Chair and Vice Chair Reelected to Harford Community College Board of Trustees

Bryan E. Kelly, CFP®, (left photo) has been reelected Chair and Dr. James J. Valdes (right photo) has been reelected Vice Chair of the Harford Community College Board of Trustees. Read more...

Harford County Public Schools Celebrates Activation of Multi-School Solar Program

Program covers six schools with a total capacity of 1.2 MW

Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) celebrated on June 16, 2011, the activation of the HCPS solar program—a 1.2 megawatt, multi-school solar program that is expected to generate more than 28 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy over twenty years. Read more...

Charlene Hiester, Amy Plante and Rose Satz Appointed to the Board of Harford Family House

Bel Air, Maryland – Charlene Heister of PNC Bank, Amy Plante of M&T Bank and Rose Satz US Army/LULAC were recently appointed to the Board of Harford Family House.

Charlene is a Vice President-Business Banker III Northeast for PNC bank, a 2008 graduate of the Harford Leadership Academy and serves on the Harford Christian School Advisory Board. Amy is the Branch Manager for the M&T Bank location in HdG and has organized a Christmas party for the children at Harford Family House for the last three years. Rose is a Computer Scientist with Program Executive Office –Integration(PEO-I), Software Integration (SWI), APG, MD and an active board member of LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, and a member of Women in Defense, New Executive Women, AFCEA, AUSA and the Fisher House. Read more...

Harford Elementary/Middle State Test Scores Remain High

State targets continue to rise; Harford schools hold steady in 2011

Harford County Public Schools students continue to achieve at a high rate of proficiency on the Maryland School Assessments (MSA) taken by third through eighth graders in reading and mathematics. Close to 90 percent of elementary and middle school students are performing at a proficient level in reading, and middle school students are demonstrating equally high performance in reading and lower but improving proficiency levels in mathematics. Read more...

William Paca/Old Post Road Classes Net Harford Glen’s Golden Can Award

Each year, fifth grade students and teachers participate in Harford Glen’s Golden Can Award competition while they are attending the residential program.

The focus of the competition is minimizing impact on the environment through the appropriate handling of waste food and recyclable materials at mealtimes and rethinking how we utilize our natural resources. As a result of participating in these stewardship activities, students continue to apply stewardship skills at school, home and in the community. Read more...

Volunteer Host Families Wanted

Looking for volunteer families in Harford County that would be willing to share their home and hearts for a teenager from another part of the world.

Students live with a volunteer host family for 10 months while attending our local high schools. Host families provide a bed, a bedroom, (sharing a rooom with another teen ok), meals, a little transportation to school and social events, love and guidance. Read more...

Now at Heartbeat ---- Brighton's Newest Gift with Purchase is Perfect for Summer!

Hurry into Heartbeat for Brighton's Newest Gift with purchase!

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One per customer while supplies last

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Children's Center of North Harford Now Enrolling for Fall 2011-2012

The Children's Center of North Harford is conducting registration for the Fall 2011 Session of it's "Me and My Shadow" Program for Two Year Olds.

“Me and My Shadow” is a Mommy-and-Me type program for children two years old and a caregiver. Classes are 1 ½ hours long and are offered on Wednesday OR Friday beginning September 16, 2011 and lasting 12 weeks. Read more...

Bel Air High Celebrates First Biomedical Sciences Graduating Class

This year, Bel Air High School celebrated its first graduating class of Biomedical Sciences students with a walkthrough and ceremony at the school. The celebration was attended by students, parents, teachers, representatives from the Maryland State Department of Education, Superintendent Robert M. Tomback and several local politicians and Board of Education of Harford County members. Read more...

Don't Miss Our Newly Expanded Kameleon Jewelry Shop at Heartbeat

We just expanded our Kameleon Jewelry Area!

By adding an additional display case and fixtures we also increased our assortment to be the area's best destination for Kameleon interchangeable jewelry.

Stop-in to experience it! Read more...

Harford Community College Receives Grant for Certificate to Career in a Year

Harford Community College has received a grant for $74,490 to provide services for out-of-school youth aged 16-21 in Harford County. The College will partner with the nonprofit SAGE Group to provide High-Demand Occupational Training (HOT) leading to a certificate to assist eligible youth with transitioning to a career in one year. The program will serve 25 economically disadvantaged youth who need help with basic literacy skills. Students will receive assistance selecting and registering for appropriate HOT certificates as well as financial aid for tuition, fees, books, course supplies, and tools. Read more...

Harford County to Host Annual Symposium on Drug Prevention, Intervention and Treatment

Topics to include suicide prevention, bullying, substance abuse and internet safety

(Bel Air, MD) - - On Tuesday, June 28 from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Harford County Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy, will hold its Annual Symposium on Drug Prevention, Intervention and Treatment at Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe Street, in Bel Air. Read more...

Above & Beyond Summer Adventure Programs 2011

Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation is accepting registration for the Summer Adventure Programs beginning June 27.

Learn trust, cooperation and teamwork through games and low & high ropes elements held at Harford Glen and our rock climbing wall at Edgeley Grove. Ages 9-15 meet on Monday-Friday, 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Read more...

Summer Exploration Nature Camps at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center

Canoe Explorations
Wet Wonders
Aquatic Adventurers
Adventures in the One Hundred Acre Woods
Winters Run Watershed Tour
Critters at the Creek
Adventurous Artist

Read more...

Route 40 Business Association Golf Tournament Benefits The Arc

2nd Annual Tournament Set for June 27 at MGCC

[ABERDEEN, MD] – Registration is underway for the Route 40 Business Association Golf Tournament to benefit The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region.

The tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 27 at Maryland Golf & Country Clubs in Bel Air, Maryland.

At the captain’s choice golf tournament, golfers will enjoy 18 holes of championship golf, cocktails, dinner reception, and awards, and a silent and live auction. There also includes a 10,000 Hole in One Contest, Putting Contest at the Turn and each golfer receives a $25 Gift Certificate to the Pro Shop. Read more...

Summer Musical Theater Camp

With summer approaching, students may be looking for something to do - possibliy something engaging, fun, and well spent? We are inviting all interested students to Patterson Mill to partake in the HS Summer Musical Theater Camp. Here they will learn vocal techniques, musical theater history, performance, dance (tap...yes we will dance), and many other things! Not only will we be doing the performance aspects, we will also dive into the technical theater (lights, sound, composition, etc). Read more...

Health Department Offers No-Cost HIV Testing in Observance of 2011 National HIV Testing Day

Bel Air, MD – In observance of 2011 National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), the Harford County Health Department will offer anonymous, no-cost HIV testing on a “walk-in” basis on Monday, June 27, 2011, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 pm at the Health Services Division office located on the top floor of 1 North Main Street in Bel Air. In conjunction with this service, the Department will have free refreshments and other giveaways. Read more...

Havre de Grace Middle School Honors Presidential Award Recipients

Havre de Grace Middle School held the 2011 Presidential Awards recently. Colonel Orlando Ortiz, APG Garrison Commander, was the guest speaker and spoke with the honorees about hard work and achieving goals. Along with Colonel Ortiz, Principal Anthony Bess, Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty and School Counselor Darlene DiMichele, as well as Assistant Principals Betty Mull and James Johnson, were all present to congratulate the Presidential Award winners. Read more...

William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary Receives Fire Prevention Grant

Article submitted by FM Global

William Paca/ Old Post Elementary School has received a $1,654.00 fire prevention grant from FM Global, one of the world’s largest property insurers.

FM Global representatives presented the award to William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School, which was used to purchase smoke detectors. The detectors were distributed to families who attended the recent Fire Prevention and Safety Fair. In cooperation with Chief Ernie Little, of Aberdeen Fire Company and Fire Prevention, and Safety Officer Amber Wainwright, of Joppa Magnolia Fire Company, families learned fire-prevention strategies to help reduce the possibility of house fires. Also, Sabrina Wainwright, Maryland’s Jr. Miss Fire Prevention of Joppa Magnolia Fire Department, was onsite to speak to students as an ambassador for fire safety and community service. Read more...

Harford Community College Awarded Grant for Civil War Discussion Series

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office awarded Harford Community College a grant to present programming that probes the meanings of the American Civil War.

In observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the College’s Library will partner with the Harford County Public Library, the Spirits of Tudor Hall, and the Historical Society of Harford County to promote and present a five-part reading discussion series, “Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War,” to the public in spring 2012. Read more...

Harford Dance Theatre Auditions for Harriet’s Happiest Halloween on June 26

Harford Dance Theatre of Harford Community College will hold auditions for the annual production of Harriet’s Happiest Halloween on Sunday, June 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Amoss Center on the Harford Technical High School campus. Registration begins at 10 a.m.

All roles are open; anyone 11 years of age or older may audition. Participants should bring dance shoes; combinations will be given at the audition. Call-backs will be held that day at 12:30 p.m. Read more...

Dairy to Host Harford’s Farm Visitation Day on June 26

Keyes Creamery at Mt. Felix opens for public to experience ag first-hand

(Bel Air, MD) - - The Harford County Farm Bureau, in cooperation with the Harford County Executive’s Division of Agriculture, will be holding its annual Farm Visitation Day on Sunday, June 26, 2011 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. This year, the event will be hosted by Keyes Creamery at Mt. Felix Dairy Farm, 2000 Level Road (Route 155), in Havre de Grace. Read more...

Business Community Rallies to “Support Our Heroes” for C4ISR Military Ball

(Aberdeen, MD) It was renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead who said “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” In fact, Ed Carnes, Vice President of USfalcon (located at Water’s Edge) and Chair of the Fisher House Committee for “Support Our Heroes” Ball is leading the charge to do just that.

Seven years ago, several organizations at Fort Monmouth joined together and chose the Fisher House Foundation, Inc. as a way to help soldiers and their families. The entire community joined in and raised over $900,000 in the last six years by holding various events throughout the year culminating with the Military Ball. With Base Realignment and the transition of government and defense contractors moving to Aberdeen, the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) community has decided to continue the tradition. “Support Our Heroes” Military Ball will be held under a tent and beneath the stars on Saturday, June 25 at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Read more...

Run for Shelter 4th Annual 5-K Run/2-K Fun Walk for FCCAU

The Welcome One Emergency Shelter operated by Faith Communities & Civic Agencies United (FCCAU) is excited to announce: 4th Annual Run for Shelter Race

Date: Saturday, June 25, 2011 (rain or shine)
Race Day Registration Time: 7:00-7:45 am
Start Time: 8:00 am
Location: Annie's Playground, 864 Smith Lane, Fallston, MD 21047
Course: Starts and ends at Annie's Playground and loops through the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail
Read more...

Jameel McClain Fitness & Football Clinic

Join Baltimore Raven Jameel McClain for a one day fitness and football clinic. The clinic will be held rain or shine (held indoors if it rains) on Saturday, June 25th at the Edgewood Boys and Girls Club located at 2002 Cedar Lane, Edgewood MD 21040 (off Hanson Rd in Edgewood).

Registration will be at 9:30am and the clinic begins at 10am.

Participants should bring a bagged lunch. A snack and water will be provided. The clinic will conclude at 3pm. All participants must be picked up no later than 3:30pm. Read more...

Mudders & Udders Pottery Sale

Join us for Ice Cream and Pottery at Brooms Bloom on June 25th from 11:00 am until 7 pm. This special sale features local potters and glass makers only twice a summer. Brooms Bloom is located at 1700 South Fountain Green Rd in Bel Air, MD.

Ice cream is the best and is made right there on the farm. Yum! Read more...