Police Presence in Downtown Columbia

A new full-time, permanent HoCo Police Unit patrols the downtown areas of the Columbia Mall, Merriweather District and, Lake Kitt lakefront. Chef Gregory Der commented: “Combating crime and reinforcing the public’s sense of safety are the most critical parts of our mission.” For emergencies contact 911 and for non-emergencies contact: 410-313-2200.

Check crimes in the area Click HERE

Events Supporting Earth Day & Our Planet

Check out the Community Ecology Institute many events during April to celebrate keeping our planet healthy. Click HERE.

Battle of the Books

Help Howard County Library System and the Howard County Public School System host a great Battle of the Books for our county’s kids on Friday April 25, at Merriweather Post Pavilion by volunteering! Please

sign up at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DAFAC2EABF9C43-54953787-battle#/. 

High school students can volunteer if they sign up for the same shift with a supervising adult (we can sign for service hours). Details (about parking, pizza and more!) will be sent to you via email. Contact

winifred.lafrancechambers@hclibrary.org

with any questions. 

Color Burst Park: Eath Day Celebration

Earth Day Celebration at Color Burst Park in Downtown Columbia will feature free eco-friendly

activities for the family on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m.-noon. DIY workshops to create succulent terrarium, peat pot decorating and seed planting will be offered. Attendees are

invited to bring a pair of jeans from home to transform into an upcycled jean journal. Scheduled activities include a 45-minute yoga class hosted by Yoga Six from 10:15-11 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to arrive early to register and set up their own yoga mat or

blanket.

Free giveaways include deciduous tree seedlings for the first 100 families to arrive at the event. The trees are provided by the Arbor Day Foundation courtesy of Howard Hughes. Butterfly wing capes and antennae will be available for the first 100 children on-site.

RSVP at https://www.eventeny.com/events/earth-day-celebration-2025-18026/

Peace Camp!: Could Not Come At A Better Time: June 23-27

The Kittamaqundi Community, located right here in Town Center, will host Peace Camp again this summer for kids ages 5-14, June 23-27 from 9 to 2. Through fun activities in arts, games, storytelling, and team building Peace Camp Astronauts will develop skills in emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.

We will provide snacks.

Tuition is $250, but scholarships are available if needed.

More information can be found at 

https://form.jotform.com/peacecamp/2025-kittamaqundipeace-camp-registr

Books In Bloom: May 10; 10AM - 4PM

Merriweather District’s signature book festival, Books in Bloom, is back for its 9th year, bringing together community with top storytellers for a day of fun and discovery, packed with exciting activities for all ages. This year’s festival will feature Kwame Alexander—the multi-talented creator behind bestselling books, TV shows, and podcasts—alongside award-winning novelists Eric Puchner and Laurie Frankel.

This free outdoor event is presented by the Downtown Columbia Partnership and Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. in Merriweather District’s Color Burst Park and has been a must-attend festival since 2017.

Parents Planning For Kids' Summer Activities: A Lot of Choices for All.....Some Free!

Parents always want to give their kids of all ages fun activities and events to participate in during all times of the yeespecially during the summer. Howard County Government, the Columbia Association, Howard County Public Schools, churches and social services groups offer extensive programs that are both FREE and PAID. These programs are promoted via social media, in classrooms, through mailings, online and in-person at events held throughout the year.

Below is a very short list of the numerous programs for kids throughout the County that can assist. There are many, many more. Hopefully one of them may interest you and your children.

Resource List (Click on Links Below. Some links will be active soon when camp details are available):

• Howard County Parks and Rec: hundreds of programs throughout the year for kids from 5-55+!
• Columbia Association (CA):
• CA Camps
• LakefrontLive: more than 55+ events throughout the summer
• Wilde Lake High School Sports Camps
• Wilde Lake High School Clubs (during school year)
• Bryant Woods Montessi Childrens' House Summer Programs
• Kittamaquandi Church Peace Camp Registration (August 8-14): for questions or sponsorship send an email to peacecamp@lffp.org. Peace camp flyer.

• Howard Community College: Kids on Campus Program
• Howard County Public Library System: extensive free programming for kids throughout the year. SIgn up for an account, search for programs and attend!
• DoodleHatch
• Slayton House Theater Summer Camps

CA Points Program: Helping Families

Every family deserves the opportunity to tap into what CA has to offer, and the CA Points Program opens that door to thousands of kids and parents every year!

Since 2001, CA has been committed to helping deserving students earn a membership for themselves and their families through their performance in the classroom.

This program is currently offered in 20 Howard County Public Schools in the Columbia area:

• Elementary schools: Bryant Woods, Clemens Crossing, Cradlerock, Guilford, Jeffers Hill, Longfellow, Phelps Luck, Running Brook, Stevens Forest, Swansfield, Talbott Springs
• Middle schools: Harper’s Choice, Lake Elkhorn, Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake
• High schools: Atholton, Hammond, Long Reach, Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake

Click HERE for more information.

Open Space Dashboard: CA

Columbia Association owns and maintains more than 3,600 acres of open space and 114 miles of pathways, providing residents with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Columbia Association open space project information is now available to residents online via CA's Project & Access Dashboard. Visit

columbiaassociation.org/open-space/development/real-estate-services/ and click on the Dashboard. You can view various projects, access, and requests currently taking place on CA open space.

Summer 2025: New CA Pool Managers & Lifeguards Needed!: Great Benefits

Click HERE for more details.

What is Up With Town Center's CA Board Rep?

I'm eager to keep you updated on CA news and look forward to hearing your valuable input on how we can enhance our neighborhood together. Follow my adventures on the board through my blog: 

https://medium.com/@csullivan.columbia 

I am a huge coffee drinker — I’m always up for a cup and a chat! Feel free to reach me at: collin.sullivan@ca-board.org

Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods

Join in the fun and visit the Chrysalis! The new season starts this weekend.

Get tickets to events HERE.

Also, check out the Howard County Arts Council calendar is a great resource as you plan your arts outings. 

Senior Call Check Program

Maryland is the first state in the country to start a free, automated telephone service to check in on Maryland's older residents, all across the state. Available for those 65 years and older.

Give your family, friends and yourself the piece of mind knowing that someone will check on you.

Click HERE to find out more and to register.