Dec. 11, 2014
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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We Asked. You Responded. We're Still Listening.
Excellent Turnout for Our Community Support Initiative Meeting

On Monday, December 8, the Harper's Choice Community Association hosted an inaugural, community-wide, Community Support Initiative meeting at Kahler Hall.

 

The purpose of the meeting was to bring together residents, merchants, school principals, government officials and other interested and/or affected parties to discuss conditions at our Village Center.

 

Residents of our community gathered to share ideas and discuss the needs and concerns of the Harper's Choice Village Center. We thank Council Member Mary Kay Sigaty, Police Chief Gary Gardener and several officers assigned to our community, Kimco Manager Troy Brown, Safeway Manager Joe Bohns and residents of Harper's Choice for sharing honest, candid, and valuable information that will help us create a better environment for our community.

 

We look forward to working together to improve Harper's Choice. Please contact us with questions or concerns about the Village Center. And remember: when you see something that doesn't look right, say something! Call 911. We are the ears and eyes of this community! 

  .
Not-to-Miss Holiday Light Display
Final Year for Favorite Holiday Tradition
Photo by Jen Rynda
Be sure to make a visit to 5034 Durham Road East to see the final holiday light display of Charles "Chuck" Daniels and his wife Andrea Almand. Driving by this home has become an annual tradition for many county residents. As many as 500 vehicles an hour drive by the home during the highlight of the season. With $30K worth of inventory for his display, Chuck promises to provide his visitors with a memorable experience for the final year of his display.
'Tis the Season for Charitable Giving
Four Ways to Make Your Charitable Donation Count

As soon as Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, requests for "end of year" donations start to appear in your mail and email, in person, over the phone, on social networking sites, and through your mobile device. If you want to express your thankfulness with a gift to a charity, find an organization that spends wisely on a cause you support and screen any requests scammers send your way.

 

When you get a request for a donation:    

  • Double-check the group's name to see if it's legitimate.
    Scammers often use names that look or sound like reputable organizations and hope you won't catch it. Ask the caller for the charity's legal name, address and telephone number and compare that information with what you find independently through an internet or phone book search. 
  • Find out if the solicitor is a paid fundraiser for the charity.
    Paid fundraisers often receive a large percentage of donations. To maximize the impact of your gift, send your donation directly to the charity instead of going through the fundraiser.
     
  • Make sure the charity is registered.
    In Maryland, charities must register with the Office of the Secretary of State before asking for donations. The Secretary of State's website
    allows you to see if a charity is registered and provides links to other sites that will assist you in making your donation decisions.
  • Be wary of high pressure tactics and requests for cash.
    Scammers will say anything to get you to send money before you can research the so-called charity or think over your donation. Scammers may also ask you to send cash or pre-paid cards, or wire money so there's no way for you to trace where the money goes or get it back.

Please contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs at 410-313-6420 (voice/relay) if you have any questions or concerns about charitable donations or other types of solicitations. 

 

Vendor Registration is Open: Camp Expo 2015
Mark Your Calenders for Camp Expo 2015

Camp Expo, now in its 32nd year, is sponsored by the Harper's Choice Community Association and attracts families from the area looking for summer programs for their children. To encourage families to attend Camp Expo, we will offer special prize drawings throughout the event, including up to three $100 gift cards towards the camp of choice.

 

Vendor registration is available online. 

 

Camp Expo will be held on Sunday, January 25 from 2:30PM - 5PM at Kahler Hall.  

Did You Know...
HoCo's Sharpshooting Program Helps Manage the Deer Population?
 Howard County Recreation and Parks has announced its fall/winter schedule for managing deer through sharpshooting. This program will be held in an effort to help maintain a stable, balanced white-tailed deer population on county lands where deer browsing has been shown to reduce biodiversity.

The sharpshooting program is different from the managed hunts, which were announced in September. Speci
ally trained and qualified personnel using highly accurate, noise-suppressed rifles, remove deer under a special permit issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. All the meat from this operation is donated to charitable organizations in the area. All properties will be closed to the public during the hours of operation, 3:30PM - midnight, unless otherwise noted.

The sites and schedule for 2014-2015 are as follows:  
  • Alpha Ridge Landfill and Park
    March 9
  • Belmont Park
    December 8, February 26, March 5
  • Blandair Park
    December 11, January 12, February 23
  • Daniel's Mill Overlook
    December 18, January 26, February 9
  • Fulton South Park
    December 4, February 2 & 17
  • Governor's Run Open Space
    December 18, January 26, February 9
  • Gray Rock Farms Open Space
    December 11, January 12, February 23
  • Hollifield Farm
    December 18, January 26, February 9
  • Meadowbrook Park
    December 15 & 22
  • Mount Hebron Open Space
    December 18, January 26, February 9
  • River's Edge Open Space
    January 5, March 2
  • Robinson Nature Center
    January 5, March 2
  • Rockburn Branch Park
    December 8, February 26, March 5
  • Savage Park
    December 4, February 2 & 17
  • Timbers at Troy Golf Course
    December 8, February 26, March 5
  • Worthington Park
    December 15 & 22

    For more information on the deer management program, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/deermanagement.htm or please call the Department at 410-313-1675.
CA Wants to Keep You Informed of Events, News, and Facilities?
CA is reminding residents that to be kept up to date regarding CA events, news, and facilities, they need your current email address. When you register your current email address on their website, you'll be able to select the types of information you want to receive. For example, you may select (only) news & information about Golf, from the Art Center, and CA's own eNewsletter. There are approximately 15 categories to choose from. 

 

To register your email address, go to ColumbiaAssociation.org/Notify. CA does not distribute or sell your email address to any other entity: your email address is used to communicate (only) CA and Haven on the Lake information you choose to receive through this opt-in list.

 

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: 1/13, 1/27, 2/10.  


Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for January 6 at 7PM. Agendas and Meeting Minutes are available on our website.

Stay Connected
Village Manager
Cathy Murphy
Facility Manager
Covenant Advisor

Community Outreach Coordinator

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5440 Old Tucker Row  Columbia, MD 21044  410-730-0770  events@harperschoice.org