IN BRIEF

Auditions to Be Held For Columbia Orchestra

The Columbia Orchestra will have auditions 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 and 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 18 at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia.

The orchestra has vacancies for players of all stringed instruments, second clarinet, contrabassoon, third trumpet and third horn. Woodwind, brass and percussion players can audition for the substitute list.

Prepare to play two major and minor scales in two or three octaves in up to three sharps or flats and bring two contrasting pieces. Sight-reading might be required. To schedule an audition, call 410-465-8777, Ext. 4, or email join@columbiaorchestra.org.

For information, visit http://www.columbiaorchestra.org.

Children's Triathlon Scheduled for Sunday

One hundred children, ages 7 to 14, have registered to compete in the Tri Columbia Kidz Triathlon on Sunday at Clemens Crossing Pool.

The event, sponsored by the Columbia Association and the Columbia Triathlon Association, will include swimming, biking and running. Children 7 to 10 will swim 50 yards, bike two miles and run a half-mile. Children 13 and 14 will swim 100 yards, bike four miles and run one mile.

Registration for the event is closed, but information about upcoming triathlons in the area is posted at http://www.tricolumbia.org.

Railroad Crossing to Close For Maintenance

The railroad crossing at Woodstock and Old Court roads in Woodstock will be closed Monday through Aug. 1 for maintenance by the CSX railroad.

Traffic will be detoured onto Old Frederick, Marriottsville, Granite and Old Court roads. Details and updates about the project will be left on a recorded message at 410-313-4604.

To speak with a public works representative, contact Lisa Brightwell at 410-313-3440 or publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

Enrollment Deadline Nears For Housing Program

Next Thursday is the application deadline for the Howard County's Moderate Income Housing Unit program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Eligible families can enter a lottery to buy or rent new homes at reduced prices in certain zoning districts.

To be eligible to buy, the applicant's household income should be less than 80 percent of the county's median income, or $75,408 for a family of four. To rent, the household income should not exceed 60 percent of the median income, or $56,556 for a family of four. Purchase prices range from $100,000 for an apartment to $240,000 for a single-family home. Rents, which include utilities, range from $1,060 to $1,640.