June 4, 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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Pool Hours
Here are the hours of operation for the pools in Harper's Choice through June 19.

Longfellow
12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

Swansfield
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

Hobbit's Glen
12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Make This Summer Count

Summer is a great time to make a difference in your community! Neighbor Ride invites you to help us decrease isolation and improve the quality of life for Howard County seniors by volunteering to provide rides for medical appointments, social outings, religious services, fitness activities, shopping and other needs. Daytime, evening and weekend opportunities are available and NO SET SCHEDULE IS REQUIRED. Parents are welcome to bring their children along when volunteering for a wonderful inter-generational experience. Contact us at (410) 884-7433 or volunteer@neighborride.org  for more information. You can also visit us on the web at www.neighborride.org  or www.facebook.com/NeighborRide.


Tips to Help When You're On the Move

Getting ready to move? Use these tips to help your move go smoothly.  

 

Find a reliable moving company - Don't rely solely on online or newspaper advertisements. Ask friends and family for recommendations, and look for online reviews. If you are moving from Maryland to a different state, make sure your mover is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as required by federal law. Visit Protect Your Move or call 201-366-9805. If you are moving within Maryland, you can get recommendations from the Maryland Movers Conference at 410-644-4600.

 

Compare estimates - Obtain estimates from at least 3 companies. Movers are required by both federal and Maryland law to provide written estimates.

  • Movers may give binding or non-binding estimates. Make sure you understand which type of estimate you are getting. If you get a non-binding estimate, ask the mover what kind of conditions or circumstances might result in the final price being more than the estimate.

Consider insurance options - Movers usually set a low limit on their liability for lost or damaged goods based on the "valuation" of the goods set forth in their contracts - often only $0.60/pound. For greater protection, look into buying insurance through your homeowner's insurance company or a company that specializes in moving insurance.  

Get a copy of your contract and inventory list - Make sure the mover's inventory list includes all your items and their condition before the mover leaves your home. Have the contract and inventory on hand when the mover arrives at your new home so you can make sure that everything is delivered according to your agreement.

 

For more detailed information on your rights when you move, get our Factsheet It's Your Move! Know Your Options Before Hiring a Moving Company at www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer.

 

For information on this and other consumer topics or to obtain these tips in an alternative format, call the Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs at (410) 313 -6420 (voice/relay) or

e-mail them at:  consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

 

 

Did You Know...
A Columbia Resident Card is FREE and offers benefits and discounts?

 

Residents who want to take advantage of free 2nd Sunday Swim and a host of other Columbia Association sponsored events will need to have a Columbia Card (formerly known as the CA Resident Card).  

The card can be obtained for free at CA's Membership Service Center located at 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia (in the building just above Clydes at the lakefront, Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).  

 

Click here to learn more about the Columbia Card. Call 410-730-1801 or email for additional assistance.  

Covenant Corner
Planning Your Summer Alterations?

 

Reminder: the Covenants require architectural approval prior to the start of work. Stop by Kahler Hall to pick up an application or download one from our website. The AC meets twice a month until August, when we will have only ONE meeting on August 18. Meetings are open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend. Contact the covenant advisor for more information.

 


Relay for Life of Howard County
When: Saturday, June 6 from 4:00 p.m. to Sunday, June 7 at 6:00 a.m.  

Where: Long Reach High School (6101 Old Dobbin Road, Columbia, MD)

Contact: Richard Pante at 301-562-3614

 

Opening Ceremony: 4:00 p.m.

The Opening Ceremony brings everyone together for a high-energy event kickoff to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, to inspire hope by sharing recent accomplishments and progress, and to remind everyone that while we are winning this battle, fighting cancer is a year-round priority.

 

Survivors Lap: 4:30 p.m. 

During the Survivors Lap, upbeat music plays as all cancer survivors at the event take the first lap around the track cheered on by the other participants who line the track, celebrating their victory over cancer.

 

Survivors Reception:  5:00 p.m.

Survivors and their caregiver will be treated to a catered dinner in the school's cafeteria where they will celebrate life with fellow survivors. After the receptions, survivors are invited to join in the festivities down on the track.

 

Luminaria Ceremony: 8:30 p.m.

The Luminaria Ceremony is a time to remember people we have lost to cancer, to support people who currently have cancer, and to honor people who have fought cancer in the past. The power of this ceremony lies in providing an opportunity for people to work through grief and find hope. Participants will be invited to locate the luminarias of their loved ones so that they can light them during the ceremony.

 

Closing Ceremony: 6:00 a.m.

The Closing Ceremony is a time to remember the lives of those lost and to celebrate that each of us has committed, through our participation in a Relay event, to fight back against this disease over the next year.

 

www.RelayForLife.org/HowardMD

 

FREE Events Included in Columbia Festival of the Arts Lineup

 

The Columbia Festival of the Arts is pleased to present Cross Currents, its 2015 Summer Festival, featuring diverse free and ticketed events including film, dance, comedy, theatre, and music.

 

The Cross Currents Festival is a blend of contemporary artists filled with electrifying performances and fascinating hybrids like global sensation Pilobolus, fusing modern dance theatre and acrobatics, and Hot Club of San Francisco: Cinema Vivant, celebrating imagination with live Gypsy swing and vintage silent films.

 

The 2015 Summer Festival runs June 12 through 27, beginning with Free Opening Weekend on the Lakefront in Columbia Town Center (6/12-6/14): a weekend of outdoor fun for the whole family that has become a Columbia tradition. Additional free events are offered throughout the Cross Currents Festival, and are listed below.

 

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

Opening Weekend on the Lakefront

Columbia Town Center Lakefront 

Friday, June 12, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

This weekend-long event throughout the Columbia Lakefront includes live music, kids' entertainment and crafts, an invitational fine arts and crafts show and sale, festival food fare including Maryland wine tastings and Horseshoe Casino Brew Zone, strolling performers, and a variety of activities for all ages. Included among the lineup of bands performing on the Lakestage are Ocho de Bastos, Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band, Pigpen Theatre Company, and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores. Free shuttle service (departing every 15 minutes) will be provided by Howard Transit between parking lot F at the Howard Community College campus and the Columbia Town Center Lakefront.  

Meeting House Gallery Reception

Oakland Mills Interfaith Center 

Sunday, June 14, 12:45 p.m.

The Meeting House Gallery invites you to meet the artists of our Eye Of The Beholder exhibit: Greg Holmes, Rebecca Rothey, Diana Ulman and Lorenzo Wilkins. The exhibit will include ceramic pottery, collage and acrylic paint, watercolor, and photography. For information, call 410-730-4090 or visit meetinghouse.org.

 

Exhibits, Reception and Improv

Howard County Center for the Arts 

Thursday, June 18, 6:00 p.m.
Presented in partnership with the Howard County Arts Council
 
See two stunning exhibits in the Howard County Arts Council galleries, step into the black box theatre for an uproarious performance by the All-County Improv Troupe, and roam the Resident Artists' open studios to see their work and process, all while enjoying light refreshments.
Maryland Student Film Festival
Monteabaro Hall, The Horowitz Center at Howard Community College

Saturday, June 20, 3:00 p.m.

 

In cooperation with Howard County Public Schools, the Columbia Festival of the Arts, and the MD Student Film Festival, Howard Community College showcases local and regional films from high school, college and other students. Winning films will air on HCC-TV, which serves hundreds of thousands of viewers in the Baltimore, MD-Washington DC corridor and represents only the best in arts and educational access.

ARTreach Arts Festival
Long Reach Village Center

Saturday, June 20, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

 

This free, outdoor, community arts festival at the Long Reach Village Center will feature arts demonstrations, exhibits, and hands-on activities, as well as the sounds and sights of local and regional performing artists. Interact with magicians, face painters, community organizations, and more as you stroll the village center. Help us engage the community and re-imagine Long Reach-the village with a heart-by infusing its center with art! ARTreach is a partnership between Celebration Church, Columbia Association, Columbia Association Art Center, Columbia Festival of the Arts, Howard County, Howard County Arts Council, and Long Reach Community Association.  For more information, visit www.artreachhoco.org or call the Howard County Arts Council: 410-313-ARTS (2787).

ManneqART Madness
Historic Savage Mill 

Sunday, June 21, All Day   

 
  Watch talented international hair sculptors and special effects movie makeup artists work on models wearing Sculpture on the Human Form creations representing this year's bold themes of Nature, Literature, Art, and Architecture.
World Poetry Party
The Horowitz Center at Howard Community College 

Friday, June 26, 7:00 p.m.  

Presented in partnership with HoCoPolitSo and Columbia Association     

 

Poets and literary lovers read and recite their own works, and the works of famous international poets, both in English and in the poets' native languages. A reception will follow.

 

  

River Hill Flea Market

When: Sunday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: At the River Hill Village Center parking lot (6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, 21029).

 

Shop for treasures at this fun annual event. Miscellaneous items for sale to include books, toys, child/adult clothing and accessories, furniture, collectibles, electronics and much more! Call 410-531-1749 for more information.

   

Open Streets Howard County Festival
Are Open Streets the future of Howard County? Here's your chance to find out.

The Little Patuxent Parkway "Loop" in Clary's Forest will be home to the first Open Streets Howard County demonstration project on Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to comfortably and safely ride your bike on the road? Bike lanes and sidewalks have come a long way in the last few years, and at the Open Streets Howard County festival in June, you can come see and experience new approaches to encouraging healthy transportation options like walking and cycling. The event will temporarily take over a lane of the Little Patuxent Parkway Loop and reserve it for people-powered transportation.

And if that's not enough, there will be many fun activities for all ages, including food trucks, scavenger hunts, and giveaways. Bike mechanics will be on-hand to help get you ready to ride!

Lakefront Wednesday Lunchtime Concert Series
Columbia Association presents the Lakefront Wednesday Lunchtime Concert Series! Enjoy live concerts by the lake every week. In addition to great live music, guests will receive free cold beverages and be eligible to win a raffle! This year's performers include series favorites and popular local musicians representing a wide variety of musical styles, including rock, folk, jazz, blues and R&B. This year's event will be held June 17- August 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Here is the concert line-up:

June 17
Ted Garber
Rock/Blues/Americana
June 23
Angela Sheik
Electro-Acoustic
July 1
Automatic Slim
Blues
July 8
Unity Reggae Band
Reggae
July 15
Damon Foreman
Rock/Funk
July 22
Jordan Mills
Various Genres
July 29
Janice B
R&B Soul/Soul
August 5
Cara Kelly & The Tell Tale
Various Genres
August 12
Steve Tove
Tropical Rock

 

Vivian Bailey Day
When: Monday, June 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, MD)

Wilde Lake Community Association invites the community to a reception to honor Mrs. Vivian (Millie) Bailey for her outstanding contributions to the community. 

Mrs. Bailey, who is 97 years old, continues to volunteer and raise funds to help students at Running Brook Elementary School. She was recently invited to the White House where she met President Obama and Vice President Biden. In addition, Mrs. Bailey collects contributions for packages that she sends to servicemen and women overseas. 

Please join your friends and neighbors to hear about Mrs. Bailey's experiences and commitment to service while enjoying light refreshments in the Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House (Lobby Gallery).

Registration is encouraged but not required. Click here to register online. 

 

Conservation Stewardship Program
The mission of the Howard County Master Gardeners is to educate residents about safe, effective, and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities. The Master Gardener program is administered by the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Service. Please join them for this upcoming event.
Barberry and Basketgrass

When: Tuesday, June 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.   

Where: Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA), South Wind Circle trailhead at 5795 Trotter Road, Clarksville, MD


Non-native, invasive plants are a real threat to our ecosystems and our habitat restoration efforts. Come hear Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp, Assistant Professor of Biology at Towson University, speak about the ecology of Wavyleaf basketgrass, a relative newcomer and very challenging species, and a citizen-science initiative to map its current distribution. The remaining time is spent dealing with our nemesis, Japanese barberry.

 

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 p.m. to review applications. The deadline to submit applications for approval is two weeks prior to the next meeting date. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: 6/9, 6/23, 7/14.  


Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for July 21 at 7:00 p.m. Agendas and Meeting Minutes are/will be available on our website.