Nov. 20, 2014
Harper's Choice Voice
The e-Newsletter for the Village of Harper's Choice

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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 Facebook and Twitter to receive more regular announcements and information from us.
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Santa is Coming to Harper's Choice!
Pizza with Santa: December 20 at 11AM

Our annual Pizza with Santa event is scheduled for Saturday, December 20 at 11AM at Kahler Hall. This favorite holiday tradition is planned especially for Harper's Choice residents. Space is limited and tickets are required.

 

Please visit Kahler Hall to RSVP and pick up your free tickets. Guests will enjoy pizza, special holiday crafts, and hearing Santa read Twas the Night Before Christmas. Bring your cameras and enjoy a special family photo opportunity with Santa!

We encourage attendees to bring one non-perishable food item per ticket for the food bank. Items will be collected on December 20 and given to the Howard County Food Bank.
 


Santa's Helpers Needed for Fun, Family Event
The Harper's Choice Community Association presents Pizza with Santa on Saturday, December 20th and needs special helpers to make it a successful event for everyone.

Volunteer "elves" will assist with crafts, keep children engaged as they wait for a turn with Santa, take photos for families visiting Santa, and help with decorating and clean-up.

Volunteers needed from 10AM - 2PM on Saturday, December 20th. Students can even earn volunteer hours helping our community!

Call Susan at 410-730-0770 or visit the online opportunity through The Volunteer Center to sign up. 
 
HCCA Holiday Schedule
Association Offices are Closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday
The Harper's Choice Community Association offices will close at 1PM on Wednesday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will re-open at 9AM on Monday, December 1.

Kahler Hall will be open for scheduled meetings and special events during the holiday.

Our staff wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. 
 
Get Stocking Stuffers. Support Harper's Choice MS
Shop at Five Below and Support Harper's Choice Middle School PTA
Help the HCMS PTA earn money and enjoy holiday shopping at Five Below from Sunday, December 1 - Saturday, December 7! Present this flyer  at checkout and 10% of the proceeds will go to the HCMS PTA. A printed copy of the flyer must be used and is only valid at the Gateway Overlook Five Below in Elkridge off Route 175. Thank you for your support!
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Toys for Tots Collection at Harper's Choice Middle School
Donations Accepted Through December 12
The mission of the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

Harper's Choice Middle School is a collection site for the Toys for Tots program through December 12.

Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to help the Marines reach their goal and bring smiles to the faces of many children in our community.
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HoCo Holiday Closures and Reminders
No Trash/Recycling Pick-Up, County Offices Closed on Thanksgiving

Howard County Government offices, animal shelter, community and athletic centers, activity rooms, historic sites, parks, senior centers and the landfill will

be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  

 

As there will be NO trash, recycling, yard trim or food scrap pick-up on Thanksgiving Day, the County's holiday "slide" schedule will be in effect. Those with Thursday pick-up will slide to Friday, Friday will slide to Saturday.  

 

The landfill and parks will re-OPEN on Friday, November 28; however, County Government offices, senior centers, historic sites and animal shelter will remain CLOSED. While the community centers, athletic centers and activity rooms will be closed on Friday to the general public, they will be open for scheduled special or permit approved events. The State's local Circuit Court and District Court will also be CLOSED on November 27th and 28th.

 

Parking meters will be free on November 27, but all parking regulations and fees will be in effect on November 28. The Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) buses will not run on Thanksgiving Day, but will resume a regular weekday schedule on Friday. For more information on RTA, please call 1-800-270-9553 or visit www.transitrta.com.  

 

The 9-1-1 Center, Howard County Police Department and Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services remain staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, please call 410-313-2200.

County offices will re-open at regular business hours on Monday, December 1.



Did You Know...
Free Legal Assistance is Available at East Columbia Library?
Howard County Library System partners with the Howard County Circuit Court to meet the needs of self-represented litigants in Howard County.

Attorneys provide free legal assistance for income-eligible walk-in clients from 6PM - 8PM at the East Columbia Library (6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia) on the dates listed below.

Contact Circuit Court Law Librarian Sandy Brewer at 410.313.2135 with questions.

Upcoming Civil Law Self Help dates: Dec 2, Jan 6, Feb 3

Family Law Assistance Program provides free legal assistance for income-eligible, walk-in clients on matters such as divorce, separation, custody, child support, alimony, and name change. Upcoming Family Law Assistance dates: Nov 25, Dec 9 & 16, Jan 13 & 20, Feb 10 & 17.

No registration required.

Covenant Corner
Snow Removal Reminders

County code requires snow to be removed from sidewalks within 48 hours after the snow has fallen. Prompt removal of the snow is much appreciated by neighbors who walk in all kinds of weather. Waiting until a day has passed can make the snow difficult to remove and can become a hazard for school children who rely on the sidewalks for safe trips to and from school.


'Tis the Season for Holiday Lights

We love to see our neighborhood decorated with holiday lighting and seasonal displays. These displays do not require written approval for placement during the season. We do ask that all decorations and lighting come down by the 3rd week in January. Enjoy! 

 

Holiday Events
Mistletoe & Moonlight Shopping at Robinson Nature Center
Holiday shopping can be hectic, but you can spend an enjoyable evening at Robinson Nature Center's Mistletoe & Moonlight Shopping event Friday, November 21, from 6PM-9PM.

Children can find the perfect gift while their families enjoy the exhibits. Combine the evening with a trip to the planetarium.

Free admission to the center; tickets for planetarium are $6 per person.
Jazz in the Mills Presents a Holiday Jazz Extravaganza

Jazz in the Mills at The Other Barn in Columbia, MD presents its Annual Holiday Jazz Extravaganza on Sunday, December 7, 2014 featuring the melodious sounds of Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams.

 

Showtime is 5PM - 8PM. Soft drinks, wine and snacks will be available for sale. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 at The Other Barn and are available online. Tickets will be available at the door for $20.

 

Jazz in the Mills is sponsored by Lavenia Nesmith and the Oakland Mills Community Association.

 

For more information, please contact Lavenia Nesmith at Lavenia_nesmith@comcast.net or call 301-596-5128 or 410-730-4610.

Colonial Holidays at Belmont Manor
Enjoy colonial holiday decorations, period reenactments, music, food and drink at the Belmont Manor House on Sunday, December 7 from 3PM - 6PM.

For more information and to register, visit the Howard County Conservancy website. All proceeds benefit the Conservancy's educational programs at Belmont.

HoCo Historical Society's Annual Holiday House Tour
It's Holiday House Tour time with the HoCo Historical Society (HCHS)! This year's tour is on Sunday, December 14 from 1PM - 6:30PM and includes homes from historic Elkridge; Belmont, Maycroft, Rockburn, Elkridge Assembly Rooms, and Grace Episcopal Church. Tickets are limited, get yours today!

Ticket holders will travel comfortably en route to the various historic sites aboard a fleet of Eyre Buses (with bathrooms).

 

Non-Refundable Ticket costs are:

  • $40 for HCHS Members
  • $50 for Guests of HCHS Members
  • $60 for a Ticket + 1 Individual HCHS Membership (either new or renewal)

Pre-purchase tickets and snack packs online.  Tickets will be available for purchase online through December 13. Snack packs that  include a sandwich, chips, and your choice of wine or water must be pre-purchased by December 10. Individual beverages (water, wine) will be available on the bus for a small donation.

 

Your purchase is non-refundable. Please consider unused tickets a donation to the mission of the HoCo Historical Society

 

Bus boarding begins at 12:45PM at the Charles E. Miller Branch Library (9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City). Buses will leave promptly at 1PM, so please arrive early enough to park, check-in, pick up your snack pack, and board buses by 12:45PM.

 

Please wear low-heeled shoes and bring a flashlight to assist your vision and walking.

50+ Events
Channel Your Inner Geezer - Don't Get Mad, Get to Work!
The Oakland Mills Community Association is hosting a four-part career workshop for individuals 50 and Older at The Other Barn, January 2015.

Are you looking for a career change, but don't know where to begin? Janet Ruck, Certified Job and Career Transition Coach, will offer a four-part career workshop beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2015 from 10AM - noon.

Each session will discuss a different topic relating to job searching. It is recommended that you plan on attending all four sessions: January 14, 2015, January 21, 2015, January 28, 2015 and February 4, 2015. All sessions will take place at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia.

The workshop is FREE. Registration is required. Please call The Other Barn at 410-730-4610 to register or to get more information or email Brigitta Warren.

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:
11/25, 12/9, 1/13.  


Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for December 2 at 7PM. Agendas and Meeting Minutes can be found 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