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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
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Was this message forwarded to you from a friend? You can subscribe to this newsletter directly so that you can receive it straight to your inbox from us! You may also text HCCANEWS to 22828 and follow the prompts to register.
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Throw Your Hat Into the Ring
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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 two Village Board seats and our Columbia Council Rep expire on April 30, 2016. 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 of Harper's Choice village residents. The nomination period runs from March 1 - March 14, 2016. 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.
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The Columbia Association Aquatics Department is looking for a few good women and men to join their Aquatics Team. Become a Lifeguard, Coach or Lesson Instructor. Information and
applications are online. Join the team that was chosen as the Best Aquatics Programming Association in the country by
Aquatics International Magazine.
If you have any questions, please call us at 410-312-6332.
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Harper's Choice Happenings
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March Card Making: Spring Flowers
Check out this month's fun and engaging card making workshop!
Our theme is Spring Flowers and you will make three projects to take home. The session is from 10am - 12pm on Tue, Mar. 1 at Kahler Hall. Advance registration is required. Fee is $10 and includes supplies. Register online here or call Susan at 410-730-0770.
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Town Hall Meeting
Please join
Senator Ed Kasemeyer, Delegate Eric Ebersole, Delegate Terri Hill and Delegate Clarence Lam at a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, February 16 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.
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Howard County Animal Control Laws
We have received several calls and emails this month about pet waste and pet owners not following the Howard County Animal Control Laws. This includes the Open Space along the CA pathways. Be a responsible dog owner and pick up your dog's waste: it's the law.
All animal owners in Columbia are subject to the Howard County Animal Control Laws. Here are a few summarized requirements under Section 17.300 of the Howard County Animal Control Law:
- A pet must be on a leash and under the control of a responsible person when not on an owner's property. This person must be capable of immediate and effective restraint.
- Owners are responsible for immediately removing pet defecation when off their own property.
- Owners are responsible for preventing their dogs from barking to the extent that it disturbs neighbors.
Residents who have concerns about animal behavior or the care and control of animals are urged to call Animal Control for more information: 410-313-2780.
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Snow Safety Concerns
If you have a storm drain adjacent to your property, please ensure that it is shoveled open to allow the melting snows to drain and prevent street flooding. If you notice that the storm drains are blocked or clogged, please call Highways at 410-313-7450 or go online to TellHoCo to report.
The Post Office does not complete snow removal at any of the cluster mailboxes in Columbia. We ask that residents who use the cluster boxes take some time to ensure that the area in front of the box is shoveled and treated for the safety and convenience of all.
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News From Howard County Recycling
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Special Saturday HHW Day
There will be special Saturday
household hazardous waste
collection days at Alpha Ridge Landfill on
February 6 and
March 5 from 8am to 4pm.
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There will be regular recycling & trash collections on Monday Feb.
15. The Alpha Ridge Landfill wil
l be open from 8am - 4pm.
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Curbside collection of yard trim has ended for most areas*.
Collection will resume April 1. In the meantime, residents may take yard trim material to the
Woodwaste Area at Alpha Ridge Landfill
for recycling.
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Paper Yard Trim Bags
Free paper bags are
no longer available
at the Alpha Ridge Landfill.
When curbside yard trim collection resumes on April 1, residents will be able to pick up free paper bags from 4 locations in Howard County (stay tuned for details).
There are many
local and online retailers
that carry paper bags. If you don't see paper bags at your favorite grocery or hardware store, ask for them!
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Beyond the Blues
CA's Columbia Art Center is partnering with Columbia Festival of the Arts to host "Beyond the Blues: African American Music and Culture" from Saturday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 28.
This invitational theme exhibition showcases a variety of two- and three-dimensional artwork inspired by or reflecting African American music and culture.
The art exhibit will present a variety of paintings, mixed media, photographs, drawings and sculptures by more than 20 recognized artists from the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. regions.
Columbia Art Center is located at 6100 Foreland Garth in the Long Reach Village Center. A free meet-the-artist gallery reception will be held on Friday, Feb. 12, from 6-8pm. No registration is required.
These artists include Mark Angelo Askew, Trudy Babchak, Charles Cooper, Fritz W. DesRoches, Diane Dunn, Jerry Gettleman, Carl Hall, Ronnie James, Minas Konsolas, Steve Krensky, Maceo Leatherwood, Raymond Lucas, Christina McCleary, Arin Mitchell, Gary Mullen, Anthony Ruiz, George Sakkal, Chaya Schapiro, Cherry Schroeder, Valerie Smith, Maxine Taylor, Jacob Thompson, Jonathan West and Jennifer White-Torres.
The event also will include two musical performances. The exhibit's opening night will include a ticketed art preview and concert taking place as part of Columbia Festival of the Arts' Winter Festival. The concert will present blues guitarist Samuel James on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 6-8:30pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at
ColumbiaFestival.org.
Additionally, a free Columbia Art Center
Salon Series jazz and blues concert with the group Sounds Good will be held on Monday, Feb. 22, from 7-8pm. No registration is required.
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Teen Anxiety: How to Recognize, Communicate & Help Your Teen
Adolescence is a stressful time filled with academic, community and social pressures. Stress tops the list of concerns of most teenagers today. Teens that have parental support during stressful times are more likely to navigate daily struggles successfully. This workshop will discuss how to recognize anxiety, gain a better understanding on how to support your child, communicate with your teen about their symptoms, and ensure you don't perpetuate anxious feelings to make them worse.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 from 6:30 - 8:00pm at the
Ellicott City 50+ Athletic Center Conference Room. Cost is $8 and space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Register Online
or by phone
(voice/relay): 410-313-1440.
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HoCo Genealogical Society: Tech for Genealogy
WHEN: Sat, Feb. 20 from 2-4pm
WHERE: Miller Library (9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City)
Society members will present on five topics related to Tech for Genealogy. They are:
- Using Google Maps for Genealogy by Don Dripps
- Using Facebook Groups by Tracy Hill
- Using Evernote by Jerry Kissel
- Summary of Alternatives to Family Tree Maker by Dottie Aleshire
- Panel discussion on personal preferences and experiences with various genealogy software programs including those with cloud storage by Jerry Kissel, Mike Noble, Dottie Aleshire and Dennis Ayers.
The meeting begins at 2pm with browsing and socializing. Sharing time is are 2:15pm and will be followed by the meeting at 2:30pm. The program begins at 2:45pm. The meeting, refreshments and program are FREE. All are welcome.
Please note: if Howard County Libraries are closed, the meeting will be cancelled.
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Student Loan Forum and Resource Fair
The Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs will hold a Student Loan Forum and Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 2 at 7pm. at the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive in Ellicott City, MD. A panel of local, state, and federal experts will answer questions about the student loan process, provide vital resource materials, and offer one-on-one guidance. More details are forthcoming. Mark your calendars to attend!
For more information, call 410-313-6420 (voice/relay).
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Save the Date: Renew. Rehab. Replace.
WHAT: A Workshop for new and long-standing homeowners
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HEN:
Sat. March 5, 2016 9:30am. - 12:30pm
WHERE: The Other Barn (
5851 Robert Oliver Pl, Columbia)
WHY: As Columbia nears its 50th birthday, what are the ways we can honor and build on our city's past by keeping our communities attractive, livable and responsive to changes in how families live today? Both new and long-time homeowners will be inspired by this 3-hour workshop on possibilities for rejuvenating Columbia's existing housing stock.
Sponsored by the Oakland Mills Board of Directors, the OM Neighborhood Enhancement Advisory Committee and the OM Housing Committee.
Much more information to follow!
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Architectural Committee Meetings
Changes made to the exterior of homes in Harper's Choice require approval of the Village Architectural Committee (AC). The AC meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm to review applications. The deadline to submit applications for approval is two weeks prior to the next meeting date. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: 2/9, 2/23, 3/08
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Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for March 1 at 7pm. Agendas and Meeting Minutes are/will be available on our website.
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Village Manager
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Facility Manager
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Covenant Advisor
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Community Outreach Coordinator
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Village Board Chairperson
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Vice Chairperson
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Village Board Member
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Village Board Member
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Village Board Member
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Columbia Council Rep
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Jamilla Brown***
Student Board Member
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* Term expires 4/30/16
** Term expires 4/30/17
*** Term expires 3/30/16
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5440 Old Tucker Row Columbia, MD | 410.730.0770 |
Email |
Website
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