How to Prune (Not Kill) Trees and Shrubs

I thought I could capture some basic pruning techniques to share with all of you here, however pruning is a bit more complicated than can be captured in a few simple sentences. Here is a link to a comprehensive pamphlet "How to Prune Trees" from the US Forest Service. This information was written to help people properly prune the trees they care about. You can also review this video that will explain the importance of pruning.  

 

 

If you doubt your ability to safely prune large trees, please hire a professional arborist. Information in this publication can be used to interview and hire a competent arborist. The Village office has several names of tree companies who have successfully worked in the community and have been recommended by others. Call or send an email for more information.  

Howard County Executive Kittleman will hold a Town Hall
meeting on Tuesday, March 31 at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place in Oakland Mills beginning at 6:30PM -  8:30PM. Attendees may begin signing in on March 31 at 6PM.  

Kittleman will discuss any subject and field questions from
residents, as a way to encourage dialogue on matters of
interest.Town Hall meetings are free and open to the
public. After this meeting in east Columbia, Kittleman will
schedule others in different parts of the county.

The Annual Searching For Spring Egg Hunt, co-sponsored by the Villages of Columbia, will be held on Saturday, April 11 from 10AM-11:30AM at the Columbia Sports Park in the Harper's Choice Village Center located at 5453 Harper's Farm Road.  No admittance permitted after 10:45AM .

• 10AM Crafts and Balloons 
• 10:45AM Egg Hunt (While supplies last! Please bring your own basket!)
• 11AM Entertainment with Turner, Dean of Magic

This event is especially planned for children ages 2-8. Tickets are required for this FREE event. They are available at Kahler Hall and all village community centers while supplies last. Tickets are for Columbia lien-paying residents only.  

Plans are underway for a fun and exciting Health & Safety Fair for the Harper's Choice Community! We're working with local organizations and businesses that encourage and promote health, wellness and safety for our neighbors of all ages. We will have Child ID services, Bike Safety Checks, a Bike Rodeo and representatives from a variety of agencies that provide free services to our community.

 

Mark your calendars and plan to attend our Health & Safety Fair on Saturday, April 25 from 10AM-2PM at Kahler Hall (5440 Old Tucker Row, Columbia, MD 21044) 

 

Tickets are on sale now for Columbia Festival of the Arts' 2015 Spring Festival (4/16 - 4/19), featuring an array of free and ticketed events including theatre and concert performances, readings, and visual arts activities.

 

The Festival season kicks off with benefit event SPARK! Highlights include indie orchestra Portland Cello Project, New York sensation The Skivvies, and Ethiopian-American novelist and MacArthur Foundation 'Genius Grant' recipient Dinaw Mengestu.

 

The American Routes 2015 Spring Festival runs April 16 through 19, and is a weekend full of intimate chamber performances in venues throughout greater Columbia. From full theatrical productions in Oliver's Carriage House, a stone and timber structure built in the 1830's, to performances by renowned musicians, the artists of the American Routes Festival are at the intersection of American traditions and the ever-evolving American journey.

 

"As a newcomer to Howard County, I have been thinking a lot about how we all got here and where our adventures have taken us," says Todd Olson, Executive Director of the multi-disciplinary arts festival now in its 28th season. "Our Spring Festival is quintessentially American yet completely informed by Global personalities and works."

 

For a complete 2015 Spring Festival Schedule, please visit www.columbiafestival.org.   

 

 

 

Can you believe it is already time for our annual Spring Red Ribbon Yard Sale? This year, we're making a bigger day out of it by including a Shred and eCycle event.  

 

All the information and details for the big day are listed below.

 

SHRED/eCYCLE: 9AM-1PM at the parking lot between Kahler Hall and the Bain Center. Limit 3 small bags/boxes per person for the Shred Truck. eCycle guidelines are listed below. Minimal fees required for some items.

 

FREE: Computers, Laptops/Notebooks, Keyboards/Mice/Cables, Monitors, Printers, Scanners, Cell & Regular Phones, Fax & Answering Machines, VCR, Cable Boxes, Stereo Equipment, Battery Back-ups (non-alkaline), TV (less than 26" - 1st one free)

 

FEE-BASED: TV 26" - 40" ($15), TV larger than 40" ($25), Console TV ($35)

 

NOT ACCEPTED: Microwaves, Refrigerators, Washers/Dryers, Toasters, Dishwashers, Household Appliances