Feb. 19, 2015
Harper's Choice Voice
The e-Newsletter for the Village of Harper's Choice

Keeping You Informed
This weekly e-newsletter serves as a recap of news and events we share with our community throughout the week via other social media channels. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to receive more regular announcements and information from us.
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Throw Your Hat Into the Ring
Village Board Nomination Period is March 1 - March 14
Are you interested in taking an active role in your community? Run for the Harper's Choice Village Board! The current two-year terms of office for five Village Board seats expire on April 30, 2015. Village Board members attend one meeting a month where they oversee village finances; they advise and take action on such matters as street and house maintenance; and advocate for changes that will benefit all Harper's Choice village residents. The nomination period runs from March 1 - March 14, 2015.  Information and nomination petitions will be available at Kahler Hall on March 1 and must be returned to Kahler Hall by 5:00 pm on March 14. Information and nomination petitions will also be available for download on our website beginning on March 1. For more information, contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or via email.

 

Appraisal Roadshow Coming to Harper's Choice!
Register NOW for the Appraisal Roadshow and Vendor Fair 2015
Do you have trash or treasure in your home? We will have a gemologist and a generalist appraiser on hand at Kahler Hall on Saturday, March 21 at 9:30AM and 11:30AM to offer appraisals of up to two items per person. Items to consider bringing include jewelry, silver, coins, time pieces, furniture, glass, porcelain, paintings, bronze, toys, documents, and any other items (except stamps). For each item, the entire audience will learn what it is, what it's worth, and what they can do with it. You do not need to bring an item to come and enjoy the show. Click here for more information about the event!

Register online to have your item(s) appraised or to attend the show.

Vendor and advertising opportunities are available. Click here to reserve a table or promote your business.

 

INFORMATION WANTED

$750 REWARD

POLICE SEEK SUSPECT(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR

DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY 

CALL 410-313-STOP

 

Howard County Police are seeking information about the person(s) responsible for spray-painting vandalism of more than 200 cars since Dec. 15. Some of the damage includes the words "Jack Boys," the letters "HS," and other random markings.

 

During the overnight hours on Dec. 15, unknown suspect(s) spray painted multiple vehicles parked in the 7500 block of Monarch Mills Way. Since then, multiple similar incidents have occurred:

  • Dec. 15 in the 7500 block of Monarch Mills Way
  • Dec. 20 in the 9600 block of Whiteacre Rd./ 5800 block of Thunder Hill Rd.
  • Dec. 21 in the 5800 block of Stevens Forest Rd.
  • Dec. 27 in the 5800 block of Stevens Forest Rd.
  • Dec. 31 in the 5500 block of Waterloo Rd.
  • Dec. 31 in the 8300 block of Tamar Dr.
  • Jan. 14 in the 7500 block of Murray Hill Rd.
  • Feb. 1 in the 6900 block of Deep Cup
  • Feb. 3 in the 5700 block of Stevens Forest Rd.

Police do not believe the vandalism to be hate-bias or gang-related. There are no suspect descriptions at this time.

 

Anyone who may have information is urged to call (410) 313-STOP. Police are offering a reward of up to $750 for information. Callers may remain anonymous.

 

Town Center Village Manager/Executive Director Opening
Columbia Town Center Seeks New Village Manager
Strong leadership, management, financial, and communication skills. Bachelor's degree plus minimum 3 years of community service, budget, and administrative experience. Ability to liaise with community and government agencies. Starting pay in the $60's with excellent benefits.  Email cover letter and resume. Submission deadline 2/27/2015.
Covenant Corner
Free Up Space in Your Home!

Do you have usable home improvement items that are too good to throw away and you don't want to pay to get rid of them?  Want to help keep usable items out of the landfill?  The Loading Dock, Inc. is a building materials reuse facility that sells and accepts donations of new, used or surplus building materials and home improvement items and they will come to your home and PICK-UP donations!  Check out on their website or call to schedule a pickup: 410-558-3625 x17.


 

Bulk Item and Scrap Metal Collection
If you have large items taking up space in your home that really need to go to the landfill, don't pay to have them hauled away.  Call the County or go online to schedule a bulk item pick-up, curbside, in front of your home. Up to four items per household per collection, any items too large to be collected by two workers will be tagged and left for the homeowner to remove.  For a list of items that will not be collected or to schedule a pick-up, call 410-313-6444 or visit  HowardCountyBulkPickup.org.

 

 

Columbia can be even more beautiful, and the environment can be healthier, after just three hours on what has become another tradition - Columbia-Wide Cleanup Day.

 

Columbia-Wide Cleanup Day will take place on Saturday, March 21, from 9AM to Noon, taking place simultaneously at locations in all 10 villages.

 

People who would like to participate can show up at one of the meeting locations and clean-up areas listed on the CA website. Residents participating in Harper's Choice will pick-up their supplies at the Swansfield Neighborhood Center and focus on the open space area behind Green Dory and Berrypick Lane and end at Harper's Farm Rd.  

Columbia Association's "Excite Columbia" is Back!
Sign Up Now for the Spring 2015 Session of CA's Citizens Academy

Columbia Association's (CA) citizens academy, Excite Columbia, will be returning soon for its spring 2015 session. The six-week program will be held on Tuesdays beginning March 24 and concluding on April 28. Classes are held from 6:30 to 8:30PM at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle.

 

Since 2013, Excite Columbia has educated and informed residents with an in-depth view of how CA operates and serves the community. The citizens academy also provides a forum for CA and community members to interact and engage with one another.

 

Topics covered include:

  • Session 1, My Columbia Association: Presentations from CA Board Chair, Russ Swatek and CA President, Milton Matthews.
  • Session 2, Community Vision: Columbia history and CA's Community Services division
  • Session 3, Fitness & Watershed Management: CA's recreation facilities, services and programs, as well as watershed management
  • Session 4, Financial Responsibility: CA's Annual charge and budget
  • Session 5, Quality of Life: CA's open space management division and CA's sustainability efforts
  • Session 6, Graduation: Program finale and wrap up.

Excite Columbia is open to anyone 18 or older interested in learning more about CA. Registration for the program is required, as there is limited seating. For more information or to register, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Excite.

 

 

 

 

Tax-Aide Sites and Schedules
Help is Available During Tax Season
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in conjunction with the IRS, offers free assistance to low and moderate income taxpayers, with special attention to those 60 and older. Appointments are required; call to schedule yours today. The sites are listed below. For a list of documents you need, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.

 

Bain Center (Call for locations!)
410-313-7387

FEBRUARY 2 thru APRIL 15

Mondays & Tuesdays, 11AM - 4PM
Wednesdays, 8:30AM - 1PM
Thursdays, 11AM - 8PM. (selected)
Fridays, 8:30AM to 1PM
Saturdays, 8:30AM to 1PM. (selected)
East Columbia 50+ Center
6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
410-313-7680

FEBRUARY 18 and MARCH 4, 18

Wednesdays, 9AM to Noon
(Snow Date: April 1)
Elkridge Senior Center
6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, MD 21075
410-313-5192

FEBRUARY 4, 11, 25 and MARCH 11, 25

Wednesdays, 9AM to Noon
(Snow Date: April 1)
Ellicott City Senior Center
9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
410-313-1400

FEBRUARY 2 thru APRIL 15

Tuesdays, 5PM - 9PM
Glenwood 50+ Center
2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723
410-313-5440

FEBRUARY 5 thru APRIL 15

Thursdays, 9:15AM to 12:15PM
North Laurel 50+ Center
9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723
410-313-0380

FEBRUARY 3 thru APRIL 15

Tuesdays, 9AM to 1PM
Wednesdays, 1PM to 5PM
APRIL 1-15
Thursdays, 1PM to 5PM
Fridays, 9AM to 1PM
Upcoming Events
Lifetime Transitions Series

Wondering about the future as you age? Join the Hickory Ridge Community Association on March 3 from 5PM - 7PM at the Hawthorne Center (6175 Sunny Spring Road, Columbia, MD) for the first of 3 seminars on lifetime transitions for older adults.

 

At this FREE event, the Office on Aging will present valuable information about services and options available to older adults who choose to age in place. Representatives from The Village in Howard and NeighborRide will also be present.

 

Register online or call 410-730-7327 to reserve your seat.

 

The session will include (subject to change):

  • Opening Remarks - Dayna Brown, Administrator, Office on Aging
  • Consumer Safety Tips - Becky Bowman, Administrator, Office of Consumer Affairs
  • Home Safety and Modification - Mary Becker, O.T., Aging-in-Place Program Manager
  • Health & Wellness Programs - Starr Sowers, Health & Wellness Division Manager
  • Senior Center/Senior Center Plus Services - Terri Hansen, Senior Center Plus Division Manager
  • Home & Community Based Programs - Ofelia Ott, Home & Community Based Services Division Manager
  • Information & Resource Assistance Programs - Peggy Hoffman, Aging & Disability Resource Center Division Manager
Black History Expo 2015
The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Howard County, Maryland, in partnership with the Howard County Maryland Branch N.A.A.C.P. and the Howard County Public School System, invites the public to attend the Black History Expo 2015. Admission is free. The theme for this event is A Century of Black Life, History and Culture.

There will be exhibits, vendors, activities, and entertainment throughout the day. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy this celebration of Black History and Culture. The date and location are Saturday, February 28, 2015 from Noon until 5PM at Wilde Lake High School located at 5460 Trumpeter Road in Columbia, Maryland.
Contact Muriel Mitchell for more information.
Join Your State Delegates for a Town Hall Meeting
Delegate Eric Ebersole, Delegate Terri Hill and Delegate Clarence Lam all plan on attending a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30PM at Kahler Hall (5440 Old Tucker Row, Columbia, MD 21044).

 

This is an opportunity to discuss legislative and community concerns with your elected officials. You will also get to hear what your representatives are currently working on in Annapolis.  

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Meetings
Architectural Committee Meetings
Changes made to the exterior of homes in Harper's Choice require the approval of the Village Architectural Committee. The AC meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM to review applications. The deadline to submit applications for approval is two weeks prior to the next meeting date. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: 2/24, 3/10, 3/24.  


Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for March 3 at 7PM. Agendas and Meeting Minutes are available on our website.