November 7 NewsFlash

Click Here to Register

We Honor Veterans On November 11 & With A Parade on November 10


Join community members for the 10th annual Howard County Veterans Day Parade & Celebration. Each year, this event celebrates our county’s Veterans and honors their profound dedication and service to our country.


Parade: Sunday, November 10, 9:30am

Downtown Columbia Lakefront



For more information, visit howardcountyveterans.org/parade.


In observance of the Veterans Day holiday, County offices will be CLOSED on Monday, November 11.


The Alpha Ridge Landfill will be OPEN.

HBCU 22nd Annual Festival: November 8 & 9


HBCU 22nd Annual Alfred Street Baptist Church Festival that connects Black high school and college students who are interested in attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).  Click HERE to register.


County Shredding Event: Sat. November 9; 9:00am-1:00pm


Howard County Department of Public Works (DPW) Bureau of Environmental Services document shredding event is set to return on November 9th. Held rain or shine, residents will have the opportunity to stop by one of four document shredding locations—the Long Gate Park & Ride in Ellicott City, the overflow parking lot at Elkridge Landing Middle School, our Department of Recreation & Parks' Gary J. Arthur or North Laurel Community Center—to have up to three bags or boxes of paper shredded onsite. 


To learn more about this event and what items are and are not accepted, visit howardcountymd.gov/document-shredding.

Budget Info Session: November 18


Here at Columbia Association (CA), we believe that our organization’s budget is a tangible demonstration of our priorities and values. This is when CA’s Board of Directors determines investments in CA’s programs and services, allocates funds for capital projects and sets limits for the Annual Charge and membership rates. Approving CA’s budget is one of the key tasks and biggest responsibilities the Board undertakes every year. 


Register for Columbia Association's FY 2026 Budget Session: Info Session Registration

How Nature Shaped Maryland; Nov. 14; 7PM


Join Ned Tillman, an author and earth and environmental scientist, for Rocks & Rivers: How Nature Shaped Maryland, to learn about geology, earthquakes, the Ice Age, Indigenous relics, meteorites, dinosaurs and more. Program is aimed at middle school and older. $5 for adults, 15 and younger free.



Register for the program

Merriweather District Fall Activities; Fun For All Ages

Check out the Fall and Winter calendar at the Merriweather District and get in the FUN MOOD!  Fun for the whole family. New restaurants opening soon!


Click Here for the full schedule.


Special Event: Tree Lighting & Ice Rink Opening: November 22nd 5:30PM

Get ready for the Merri-est time of year at the Merriweather District in Columbia! Visit Color Burst Park on November 22nd at 5:30PM for the Annual Tree Lighting and celebration of the Ice Rink reopening for the 2024-2025 season.


Check out what new restaurants are open in the Merriweather District by CLICKING HERE.

Video Highlight Of The Week

  • Things to plant in November.....



Click Here for video.

Excellent article on the status of the Town Center Library: Click HERE

Live music at iconic Merriweather Post Pavilion is revving up for Summer and Fall 2025!


Get your group together and come on out to the best concert venue in the area! Whether it is an indoor seat or the famous Lawn, you are sure to have an amazing party. From Country to Rock and Heavy Metal to New Age, Merriweather has it all!


Click here for tickets

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. 

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

Little Free Pantry: Open Every Day

Vantage Point Park

Help your fellow neighbors in need by donating when you are able. Located in Vantage Point Park just off the main street at 5440 Vantage Point Road.


A few tips, reminders and needed items......

  • No FRESH FRUIT as it spoils quickly in the heat.
  • Stay COVID safe and wipe down supplies, knobs and door handles
  • Do NOT donate items in GLASS containers (could break when removing items from Pantry)
  • Check expiration dates and make sure they are CURRENT and NOT expired
  • Soups (pop top preferred)
  • Mac and cheese, Granola and Protein bars
  • Packs of crackers and cheese
  • Toiletries
  • Juice boxes, Tuna or canned meats


The story of the Pantry from Joel Broida: Click HERE.



neighbors helping neighbors

Town Center Community Association Needs Volunteers!

What is your expertise or passion? We need volunteers to assist in many different areas including the below:

  • Young People Events
  • Elections
  • Senior Events
  • Gardening Experts
  • Safety Patrols

Interested? Send an email to:
covenants@columbiatowncenter.org

See Something, Say Something

Top Safety Tips: Add AirTags or Tiles To Your Car To Track Your Vehicles!


Resident safety is critical. A few tips from the Howard County Police Department (HCPD):


1) By dialing 911 for emergencies and in progress incidents, or to have an Officer dispatched to a location.  

 

2) By dialing 410-313-2200, this is the HCPD (non-emergency) dispatch number. 410-290-Drug (Drug tip line) and 410-313-STOP (Anonymous Tip Line).

 

3) www.hcpd.org, There is a section of the website near the bottom where you can file an on-line report. Details for filing a report are explained on the website. If you do NOT report it, then HCPD can not investigate it.


4) Lock your cars, homes, garage doors and apartments as a lot of crime involves "crimes of opportunity" where thieves test for unlocked doors.


5) Tools for community associations, groups and residents CLICK HERE for Community Outreach.


6) Put an Apple AirTag or Tile (for Andriod phones) in your car to track your car if it is ever stolen.

ALERT: Report non-emergencies to:
410-313-2200.

Things To Do In Howard County

Howard County is full of exciting entertainment, a vibrant arts community and great family fun. Fun awaits around every corner! 


Check out the Digital Visitors Guide

Courtesy of Wikipedia



This week's Fun Facts are about Veteran's Day....


Veterans Day became an official national holiday in the United States in 1938. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honour those who had served in all U.S. wars.


In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day so it would honor all veterans rather than commemorate the end of a single war.


While Memorial Day honors Americans who died in the line of duty, Veterans Day commemorates all Americans who have served their country honorably, both living and deceased.


The 624-acre Arlington National Cemetery is home to the final resting place of more than 400,000 military service members and their families. As such, it holds an observance on Veterans Day every year at 11 a.m., the time the World War I armistice was signed.

Howard County Food Bank

Is Here To Help

Give the Gift of HOPE!  



To better serve the local community and improve ease of accessibility, the Community Action Council of

Howard County (CAC) will have community service workers stationed at the following locations during the following extended times:


Howard County Food Bank

Tuesdays, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Wednesdays, 1:00 am - 7:00 pm

Thursdays, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm


ADDRESS:

9385 Gerwig Lane, Suite J

Columbia, MD 21046

410-313-6185


Laurel MultiService Center*

Wednesdays, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Thursdays, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm


*The Laurel MultiService Center is included along the Purple Bus route.


Learn more at www.CAC-HC.org or call 410-313-6440. 

Howard County Wants To Know!

Report water main breaks, broken street signs, and more on Howard County's mobile app and website Tell Hoco. Residents can report non-emergency issues which the county will assign to the responsible department. Simply download the TellHoCoApp on your mobile phone or visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/tell-hoco


If you have a question, but you're not sure who to ask, send us an email at 

Ask@howardcountymd.gov.

Hold Your Next Meeting Or Event Here...Right In Your Neighborhood!

Spread the word that we are open and ready for your meeting business! Tell your friends and family that they can have a socially-distanced board meeting, event, and staff meeting in a beautiful historic mansion that is right in your own community. Contact Facility Manager Lori Tracy today at yourevent@historic-oakland.com, for rental details on dates and specials!

Visit the website to learn more about the space and elegance of Historic Oakland, located at 5430 Vantage Point Road in Columbia.

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.

Howard County Public Schools Supporting Town Center

Are you interested in what’s happening at the public schools that support Town Center? Check out the school and PTA websites listed below for important information about school news, events and services. 

 

Bryant Woods Elementary School:  Click here for the school website and click here for the BWES PTA website. 

 

Running Brook Elementary SchoolClick here for the school website and click here for the RBES PTA website. 


Swansfield Elementary School: Click here for the school website and click here for the PTA website.

 

Wilde Lake Middle School:  Click here for the school website and click here for the WLMS PTSA website. 

 

Wilde Lake High School:  Click here for the school website, click here  for the WLHS PTSA website and click here for the WLHS Boosters website.  


Need to Talk? Call 211, Press 1

 

Problems with depression? Anxiety? Thoughts of suicide? Drugs or Alcohol?

Call Maryland's helpline: Call 211, press 1 or text your zip code to 898-211 (TXT-211).

District 4 Community Notes
Deb Jung, Howard County Council member, publishes a weekly newsletter featuring information about what's happening in District 4, from construction projects and zoning requests to the many musical, theatrical, and family-oriented events that take place every weekend. 

Click Here to read her newsletter and sign up for her weekly emails.

Columbia Association Board

Below is a link to the Columbia Association Board of Directors web page. Learn who your representatives are and what they are doing to improve the quality of life for all residents in Columbia.

Town Center Village Board

Town Center Village Board members are elected to two-year terms by the members of the Town Center Community Association. The Village Board meets at Historic Oakland each month on the 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm. The Architectural Committee meets the same night, during the Village Board meeting. All residents are welcome to attend in person with advance notice or via ZOOM during COVID. Just email villlagemanager@columbiatowncenter.org for the Zoom link. You can find the agenda the week before the meeting at www.ColumbiaTownCenter.org/board-news/meetings and minutes of past meetings at
 Town Center Community Association
Phone 410-730-4744

Historic Oakland
5430 Vantage Point Road
Columbia, MD 21044

Lyn Locke, Village Manager

        Website | Historic Oakland | About us | Community Services | Contact Us

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