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.

85th Birthday Bash: Evening in the Stacks

Bring your sneakers and your snazziest outfit, and we'll dance the night away. Enjoy a gourmet meal by Rouge Catering, sip signature drinks by The Wine Bin and Sobar, and more. This year’s gala fundraiser benefits the vital work HCLS does to help prepare young children for kindergarten.

Tickets are expected to sell out so get yours today at hclibrary.org/stacks.

Winter Updates & Reminders

It’s that time of year again to prepare for wintry precipitation and make sure that you have all the tools that you may need to get through a snowy day. When snow falls, it is the responsibility of the property owners for clearing all sidewalks that abut their property.

Please refrain from parking on streets after snowfall, especially on a cul-de-sac because it makes snow removal nearly impossible for highway crews. Parking in one’s driveway allows police officers, firefighters, and paramedics to respond quickly to public safety tasks while driving in treacherous conditions and leads to quick and complete clearing of the roads.

The Bureau of Highways provides access for emergency vehicles during life-threatening individual emergencies such as birth, illness, death, fuel deliveries, or fire upon the request of either the Police Department or the Department of Fire and Rescue Services. If you are experiencing an emergency situation during a snow event, call 911 immediately.

Here are some useful links for more information:

Bureau of Highways

Howard County School Closings

Blood Drive: February 14; 9AM-3PM

Columbia Association and the Red Cross

In collaboration with the American Red Cross, we will be hosting a blood drive to give back and contribute to the wellness of others. For many patients receiving urgent medical care, the need for blood doesn’t stop for winter activities or inclement weather. Donors will receive a free $15 gift card to the merchant of their choice. In order to sign up for a slot to donate, please click here:

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=carefirstcolumbia. Last year, as a result of this drive, Red Cross informed us that at least 32 lives could be

saved!

Location: Supreme Sports Club, 7080 Deepage Drive, Columbia

FLYER HERE

Columbia Cleans: April 5; 10:00 AM -1:00 PM

Join Town Center Community Association, your friends, and neighbors for a community clean up. We'll be cleaning the multi-use path around Lake Kittamaqundi.

Meet on the patio above the lakefront fountain near Millie Bailey Park and Whole Foods at 10:00 am. We'll provide trash bags and water to keep refreshed. Please bring work gloves if you have them.

This is an excellent opportunity for residents, children, and youth organizations to help the community. All ages are welcome, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Waivers are required. For participants under the age of 18, a parent/legal guardian must sign waiver. Waivers are available in advance and will be available at Lake Kittamaquandi the day of the event. Click Here for an individual's waiver. Click Here for a group waiver such as a family, scout troop, or environmental club.

RSVP appreciated, not required. Questions? Call 410-730-4744 or email:

VillageManager@Columbia TownCenter.org

2025 Village Board Elections

All villages have different election procedures as independent corporations just like we have 50 states in the USA with different voting procedures.

You must be a resident of Town Center living in a Town Center annexed area/property to run for election to the Board and must not have any current covenant violations. 

2025 Town Center Village Election Calendar

February 3: Candidate Application Click HERE: Nomination Period Begins

February 3 – March 2 (by NOON): Application period for candidates for Village Board closes. No exceptions.

March 2 (NOON EST): Deadline to submit candidate applications. Application Period Ends March 2 at Noon EST. No exceptions.

The application is not complete and accepted without a signed original application and your Candidate’s Statement delivered ELECTRONICALLY to the Village Manager’s Office via email at VillageManager@ColumbiaTownCenter.org. NOTE: Candidate statements should be in a Microsoft Word format and no more than 150 words.

April 10, 7:15 pm-8-45pm*: Candidates Forum at Historic Oakland and/or via Zoom Meeting if there is a contested election*.

April 26*: Lease Agreement/Voting: If you live in a rental apartment in the Village of Town Center or a condo/townhouse/single family house that you do not own, you must have a copy of a current lease agreement on file to participate in the Town Center Village election. Please email a copy to villagemanager@columbiatowncenter.org or drop it off at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD no later than Friday, April 18 at 5pm EST or on election day you can present your most recent utility bill or valid drivers’ license with your name on it showing your Town Center address.

April 26*: Election Day*

*NOTES*: *If there are fewer or equal candidates for Village Board than there are Board seats there will be no election and all candidates will be deemed elected per TCCA’s By-Laws. In that case, there will not be a Candidates’ Forum and an election will not be held on April 26.*

Romance Scam: Don't Get Caught & Lose $$$

The Howard County Office of Consumer Protection has great tips on how not to get caught in a Romance Scam. Click HERE for valuable information.

Black History Month: February

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Local Involvement:

The Howard County Center of African American Culture is available for tours by appointment only when they reopen by calling 410-715-1921.

The Center is located at 5434 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD. Learn about the rich history of blacks in Howard County and view artifacts, vintage clothing and materials that tell a story of struggle, excellence and survival. Visit the website here.

For additional Howard County local events click here.

State Involvement:

Visit the Maryland Tourism site for activities throughout the State where you can celebrate the important contributions of blacks to our state, our culture and our future.

Visit the Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad State Park, take a driving tour on the Eastern Shore of sites important in the life of Frederick Douglas, or join in on activities at your local church or community center.

Resources:

• Urban Institute: learn about the use of the word Black versus African American.
• NAACP National Organization: learn to be an advocate.
• Howard County NAACP Chapter: it starts at home everyone!
• Black Lives Matter: a network of action.
• 21 Books for your anti-racism education.

Howard County Library Recommended Books:

What’s on your list to read, listen to, and watch this February for Black History Month? If you don’t know where to start, we’ve got some recommendations. Take a look at this list of movies, music, cookbooks, children’s titles, fiction, and more.

Protect Yourself From Online Scams: File a Complaint With the FBI

To protect yourself from scams, the FBI says that your best defense is “healthy skepticism.” Scammers want you to react quickly; always remember to slow down. If you get a suspicious message, don’t respond immediately – take a beat. To learn more about staying safe, click here to visit the FBI’s webpage. If you believe you may be the target of a scam, you can file a complaint by clicking here and visiting the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

2025 Legislation Proposed By the Howard County Delegation: Make Your Voice Heard!

The Howard County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly proposed local legislation and legislative bond initiatives for 2025. CLICK HERE

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

Click HERE for more details.

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.

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.