January 15, 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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Special Invitation from HoCo Office of Transportation
Meeting to Preview Preliminary Design Plans for Multi-Use Pathway
Cedar Lane, north of Little Patuxent Parkway, provides an opportunity for enhanced access for bicyclists, pedestrians and the disabled. The Howard County Office of Transportation, in cooperation with the Howard County Department of Public Works, has developed preliminary design plans (30% design plans) for a multi-use pathway on the west side of Cedar Lane from Little Patuxent Parkway to Harper's Farm Road. The pathway would connect to the Downtown Columbia Trail, which is currently being constructed from Howard County General Hospital, all the way through the heart of Columbia and on to Blandair Park in Oakland Mills.

Stakeholders are invited to attend a PowerPoint presentation with Howard County Office of Transportation and Department of Public Works staff and provide their feedback on the 30% design plans. Stakeholders include local residents, public agencies, and community leaders.

 

The meeting will be held on January 28 from 6:30-8:30PM in the Swansfield Elementary School cafeteria. In the event of inclement weather, this meeting will be cancelled. Please email or call (410)313-4364 for more information. 

 

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.

   

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

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Where's My Flier?
Please notify us if your Columbia Flier isn't delivered as scheduled.
It's come to our attention that some of our residents may not receive the weekly delivery of the Columbia Flier. Please email Susan or call her at 410-730-0770 if you do not receive yours on delivery day so that she can help resolve the issue. Please provide your name and delivery address. In the event that your entire street or community does not receive its scheduled delivery, please provide as many addresses as possible.
Covenant Corner
Important Snow Reminder: Clear Your Sidewalk
All homeowners please note: "It is the duty and obligation of the owner of property abutting a sidewalk in a public right-of-way to remove snow from the sidewalk within 48 hours after the snow has fallen." {Howard County Code, Section 18.402(h)}. This includes all sidewalks adjacent to your home, front, side and back, if any. Residents may report snow covered sidewalks by calling the non-emergency Police number at 410-313-2200. Be sure to have the house number and street address of the property in question.

 

Help Neighbors in Need

If you are willing to help remove snow for seniors or others in Harper's Choice who are unable to clear the snow from their sidewalks and driveways, please contact us. We will keep your information on hand to provide to neighbors in need. Your thoughtfulness can make a big difference to a neighbor in need. 

 

Track the Trucks

The activities of snow removal trucks can be tracked by visiting the County's Snow Removal Tracking System. The website gives you access to maps of the County, showing whether the County's roads have been plowed or treated with de-icing materials.   

 

Keep Cars Off of Snow Covered Streets

Please park your cars in driveways and off public streets so plows can clear as much snow as possible. County residential streets are plowed one time per snowstorm.  

 

Once the county crews clear your street, they will not return to plow it a second time. To avoid getting plowed in, consider clearing a space called a "collection pocket" prior to your driveway that will collect the snow from the plow. This can help keep snow from piling up across your driveway once the plow comes down your street.    

 

Did You Know...
Columbia Association Has a New Weekly Web Series?
This week, Columbia Association (CA) launched a new weekly video series called, "A Conversation with Milton Matthews," that talks about CA news, events, programs and services. On this week's episode, President Matthews talks about CA's headquarters relocating to Hillside Court later this year.
  
A Conversation with Milton Matthews: CA Headquarters Relocation
A Conversation with Milton Matthews: CA Headquarters Relocation

Youth & Teen Center Will Distribute Clothing this Weekend?
The Youth & Teen Center is preparing for its Annual Clothing Drive Distribution, which will be held Saturday, January 17 from 9AM-2PM and Sunday, January 18 from 11AM-2:30PM.

The Teen Center is located at 5853 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD. For more information, call 410-992-3726.
Upcoming Events
Volunteer for MLK Day of Service

Join community members in a day of service on Monday, January 19, in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Across Howard County. To see how you can make MLK Day A Day On, Not A Day Off, and how you can volunteer for a variety of service opportunities, please visit www.volunteerhoward.org/hocomlkserve  


To make a difference through volunteering every day, contact the Volunteer Center serving Howard County at
info@volunteerhoward.org or 410-715-3172.

The Romanovs as You Never Knew Them
The Romanovs as You Never Knew Them will be held on Wednesday, January 28th from 7PM-8:15PM at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System. This event is co-sponsored by the Howard County Historical Society.

The Romanov dynasty has been portrayed in many ways, including inaccurate interpretations of the czars as mysterious, un-European, and just plain strange. Discover how the Romanov sovereigns were unique and compelling, and how each fit into the world in which they lived and ruled.

 

Presented by Vladimir G. Marinich, retired Professor of History at Howard Community College. Marinich received his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from City College of New York and his Master of Arts in Anthropology from New York University.

Click here to register online for this free event.

 

Mother-Son Valentine's Dance
Make your Valentine's Day one to remember. Mothers (or aunts, grandmothers, godmothers, and other special women in a young man's life) and sons, ages 3-12 yrs, are invited to an evening jam-packed with fun on Saturday, February 7 from 5:30PM - 7:30PM at the North Laurel Community Center. Activities include refreshments, live DJ, dancing, games, crafts, a souvenir photo and an ice cream sundae bar. Fee includes participation of one adult and one child; each additional son is $16 for center members and $20 for nonmembers. Inclement weather date is February 21. Contact Ashley Jones at 410-3113-0459 or amjones@howardcountymd.gov for more information.

 

 

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 from 9:30AM - 1PM 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.

 

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: 1/27, 2/10, 2/24.  


Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for February 3 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