|
County Executive Ball Announces Free Weekly Food Distribution for Families Affected by the Federal Government Shutdown
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) will hold a free weekly food distribution for families who have been impacted by the federal government shutdown.
"This history-making shutdown of the federal government is directly impacting one in ten residents of Howard County," said Ball. "Sadly, without their paychecks, some families now cannot even afford groceries. Everything we can do, we will do to help them. It is imperative that the president and the Congress act immediately and return these hard-working public servants to their jobs."
Beginning Friday, January 25 and continuing every Friday until the shutdown ends, families of furloughed employees can receive a bag of grocery items and snacks from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at The Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia. A valid government ID is required; supplies are limited, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
|
Howard County Government will be conducting a Town Hall meeting to discuss plans for the new Fire Station in Harper's Choice.
The meeting will take place at Kahler Hall on Tuesday, January 29 beginning at 7:00 pm. Staff from Fire and Rescue and the Department of Public Works will be here to answer your questions.
|
Have you considered volunteering your time on behalf of your community? The current two-year terms of office for three Village Board seats expire on April 30, 2019. Village Board members attend one meeting a month where they oversee village finances, advise and take action on such matters as street and house maintenance, and advocate for changes that will benefit Harper's Choice. The nomination period runs from March 1 - March 14, 2019. Information and nomination petitions will be available at Kahler Hall and for download on our website at www.harpershoice.org on March 1; a maximum 150-word CANDIDATE'S STATEMENT is due at Kahler Hall by 5:00 pm on March 14. The STATEMENTS may be emailed to manager@harperschoice.org, preferably in a MS Word document. For more information, contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or via
email.
HCCA is looking for volunteers to help us count ballots on Election Day, Saturday, April 27 at 3:00 pm at Kahler Hall. If you are available and would like to assist the Election Monitor Committee with this task, please contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or
manager@harperschoice.org
.
|
Join us Thursday, January 31 at 2pm for a Facebook Live Q&A at Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation to discuss early black-owned businesses in Columbia with our guests, Barney Putnam and Leonardo McClarty. Both will be presenters on Monday, February 11 at Columbia Archives' panel discussion on "New Town Entrepreneurship: Early Black-Owned Businesses in Columbia,1967-1977," which will be held at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane in the Wilde Lake Village Center).
Please remember to register for the February 11 event, which includes a presentation of archival materials maintained within Columbia Archives, which feature early black-owned businesses in Columbia, followed by a panel discussion with local, county, regional and national business representatives.
For more information, or to register, click here. We look forward to seeing you there!
|
Harper's Choice Community Association would like to congratulate Nehemiah Lewis, 6th grade, Harper's Choice Middle School for winning first place in the middle school Student Essay Contest at Sunday's Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration!
|
Howard County Police Double Goal Set for Special Olympics Maryland Ahead of Plunge
Despite the extremely cold temperatures, law enforcement departments across the state are getting ready to plunge into the Chesapeake Bay for the Special Olympics Maryland.
It's a commitment Maj. Ellsworth Jones, of the Howard County Police Department, said is priceless.
"When you get out there, (Special Olympics athletes) lined up out there waiting and greeting you, so you get the feeling as soon as you get there. (The feeling) is the reason why you (plunge). So it's a heartwarming experience when you get there, just them meeting you, because they are so grateful," Jones said.
Jones has been with the Howard County Police Department for 30 years. He's been plunging for the past 10 years and heads up the effort to get other officers involved.
"Sometimes they like to get dressed up and wear strange things and really get involved because they love it," Jones said.
Since 1986, law enforcement departments across the state have raised $40 million through plunges like the Polar Bear Plunge and other fundraisers.
"Throughout the year, they are raising funds for Special Olympics Maryland through the law enforcement torch run, doing Cops on Tops and Tip a Cop and Cover the Cruiser, and so we thank them for everything they've done for our athletes," said Kira Northrop, director of media for Special Olympics Maryland.
This year, the Howard County Police Department had a goal of raising $2,500, but they raised $5,000 and are still taking donations. Even a small amount can go a long way.
"A $25 donation will buy an athlete equipment for a season," Northrop said.
Police, fire, EMS and military personnel will plunge Friday, while the plunge for the public is on Saturday. Click
here for video & more information.
|
Anniversary of First Interracial Marriage in Howard County
The public is invited to the 50th Anniversary celebration of the first interracial marriage of Howard County. The program will be held Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 2:30pm at the Howard County Library, Miller Branch, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. The event is free and hosted by the Baha'i Community of Howard County. For more information, please contact
howardcountybahais@gmail.com or (410)730-6540.
|
Save the Dates: Columbia Solar Cooperative, Columbia Cleanup Day
Are you thinking of going solar? The Columbia Solar Cooperative - a combined initiative of Columbia Association and Civic Works' Retrofit Baltimore for the Columbia Solar Cooperative - will host an information session on Thursday, February 28 from 7-8pm at the Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way. Save approximately 20% off the cost of solar panels for your home and enjoy the many benefits of going solar, including lower electricity bills and increased property value. For more information, visit
retrofitbaltimore.org/rsvp-columbia.
Columbia Cleanup Day will take place on Saturday, March 30, with volunteers picking up trash that has accumulated in open space throughout the community. For times and locations, please contact your local village community association.
|
Covenant Corner
Watch as John McCoy from CA's Watershed division shares tips and information about snow and ice melt products in this short video:
https://vimeo.com/311757611
.
HELP PROTECT OUR WATERSHED
Never use fertilizer to melt ice and snow. The nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizer harms our local streams, groundwater and the Chesapeake Bay! See the table below for useful info on several popular ice melt products. For a free copy of "Melting Ice Safely," call the University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service at 800-342-2507 or view the information online at:
http://extension.umd.edu/learn/melting-ice-safely-fs707.
Architectural Committee
We are looking for residents interested in serving their community on the Architectural Committee. With a small commitment of two evenings a month, your impact can be BIG. You will be helping to shape the development that is coming to Harper's Choice in the next few years. The Architectural Committee meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Members must also be compliant with the Village covenants and obtain a compliance letter from this office for any property that they own in the Village. We currently have one open seat on the AC. If you have the time to volunteer and an interest in the covenants, contact the Covenant Advisor, Debbie Nix for information.
AC MEETING INFORMATION
Applications are due two weeks prior to the meeting date. 1st quarter meetings:
February 12, 26; March 12, 26; April 9, 23. Applications and Guidelines are posted on our website.
|
Have you visited us on Facebook lately?
Please join us on Facebook for up-to-date information about what's happening in and around the Harper's Choice Community.
|
Architectural Committee Meetings
Changes made to the exterior of homes in Harper's Choice require approval of the Village Architectural Committee (AC).
The AC will meet on Tuesday, February 12th & 26th at 7:30 PM to review applications.
The deadline to submit applications for approval is two weeks prior to the next meeting date.
|
Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for February 5th at 7PM. Approved Agendas and Meeting Minutes are/will be available on our website.
|
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.
|
Subscribe to Our e-Newsletter
|
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.
|
Village Manager
|
Facility Manager
|
Covenant Advisor
|
Event & Community Outreach Coordinator
|
|
Village Board Member
|
Village Board Member
|
Village Board Member
|
Village Board Member
|
Columbia Council Rep
|
Village Board Member
|
|
* Term expires 4/30/19
|
|
|
|
5440 Old Tucker Row Columbia, MD | 410.730.0770 |
Email |
Website
|
|
|
|
|
|