Oakland Mills eNews

July 1, 2026

Oakland Mills Community Association

Important news & info about the community in which we live.

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Upcoming Events
CALL AHEAD or CHECK EMAILS and FACEBOOK to find out the status of meetings and events.

The Other Barn and OMCA office will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.

July 2, 7:00 p.m.

RAC Meeting

July 14, 7:00 p.m.

Board Meeting

July 16, 7:00 p.m.

RAC Meeting

July 28, 7:00 p.m.

Board Meeting

August 3, 6:30 p.m.

OM Pool Party (tickets on sale Monday, July 6)

September 13, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Jazz in the Mills 20th Anniversary with Lavenia Nesmith (online and in-person tickets at The Other Barn currently SOLD OUT)

Contact Info

Contact Us!

The Other Barn and OMCA office will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.

Office Hours:


Monday through Thursday

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday

9:00 a.m. to Noon

Saturday

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Before you visit The Other Barn, please contact us by email or phone to schedule an appointment.


Brigitta Warren, Village Manager

manager@oaklandmills.org  

 

Ellen Gallagher Roberts

Facility & Rental Coordinator 

events@oaklandmills.org  

 

Amy Carpenter, Events & Administrative Coordinator

office@oaklandmills.org  

 

Carrie Wenholz, Covenant Advisor for Letters of Compliance

loc@oaklandmills.org


Michael Vaughn, Covenant Advisor for Exterior Alteration Applications (in office Tues/Thurs)

applications@oaklandmills.org  


Karina Caico, Covenant Advisor for Property Concerns (in office Mon/Wed)

propertyconcerns@oaklandmills.org


Contact Board Members HERE.


The Other Barn Phone: 410-730-4610

Celebrate in our amazing space!

Rent The Other Barn!

The Other Barn is currently booking events into 2027. To view The Other Barn venue photos and info, please click on the button below. Tours are by appointment only. For further questions, contact Ellen Gallagher Roberts, Facility and Rental Coordinator at events@oaklandmills.org. Follow The Other Barn

on Facebook!

Other Important Community Contact Info

Howard County Police

  • For emergencies, call 911
  • Non-emergencies: 410-313-2200
  • Traffic non-emergency: email hcpdtraffic@howardcountymd.gov
  • Traffic emergencies: call 911.
  • File a traffic complaint HERE.
  • Traffic & Engineering Division (info on street calming, community speed control program, etc.) HERE.


Read more about HCPD's Community Outreach program.

Howard County Government Website


July 3 & 4 Closings


Need guidance on County programs, local events, or services? AskHoCo is here to help! Email at ask@howardcountymd.gov, and our team will make sure you’re informed and connected. We’re dedicated to being your first stop for County information.

Howard County Council
Oakland Mills is located in Council District 2 and represented by Opel Jones. 
  • District 1 - Liz Walsh Website 
  • District 2 - Opel Jones Website 
  • District 3 - Christiana Mercer Rigby Website 
  • District 4 - Deb Jung Website 
  • District 5 - David Yungmann Website 

Who handles what?

Want to know who handles what—CA, the Howard County Government, or the Columbia Village Community Associations? Click HERE to see a

simple breakdown.

New to the neighborhood? Welcome hOMto Oakland Mills! We'd love to welcome you to OM. Email manager@oaklandmills.org and we'll send you all of the great info you need to feel right at hOMe!

Oakland Mills Board of Directors

Board News


Upcoming OMCA Board Meetings


For meeting agendas and past board meeting minutes, click HERE

 

To contact the OM Board click here.

OMCA Committees



OMCA has several committees that are always ready to welcome new members. If you would like information or would like to find out about serving on a committee, please email Brigitta Warren manager@oaklandmills.org.


OMCA Education Committee

Meetings are hybrid, held as needed at The Other Barn and on Zoom.

Next Meeting: TBD

OMCA Open Space Advisory Committee

For community members who are interested in the current and future use of CA's open space.

Next Meeting: TBD

OMCA Housing Committee

Next meeting: TBD

OMCA Public Space Committee

For residents interested in the uses of Howard County's public spaces and roadways. Meets the third Tuesday of each month.

OMCA Tenant Committee

For residents of Columbia Pointe, Autumn Crest, Forest Ridge, and The Verona. Meetings are hybrid, held at The Other Barn and on Zoom.

Next meeting: TBD

Resident Architectural Committee (RAC)

The RAC meets virtually on Zoom on the first & third Thursdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Next meeting: July 2


Info/list of applications will be posted three days in advance of the meeting HERE.


applications@oaklandmills.org

Architectural Covenant Processes

Info on architectural covenant processes, visit the Covenant Tab on the Oakland Mills website.


Exterior Alterations Applications Info

Click HERE.


Request For Letter of Compliance

Click HERE


Resale Packet

Click HERE to download. Hard copies can also be purchased for $30 during regular business hours.


Covenant Complaint Form

Click HERE

Cul-de-sac & Block Party Funds Available from OMCA

Passed by the Village Board at the May 12, 2026, funds are now available for cul-de-sac beautification projects and block parties held by Oakland Mills residents. These are funded by the Oakland Mills Community Association using proceeds from our annual plant sale that was held on May 2nd. 

Board Notes from Karin Emery, OM Columbia Council Rep

See updates from our Columbia Council Representative, Karin Emery. Click the button below to see her newsletter archives.

Get to Know an OM Board Member: Jonathan Edelson

Meet OMCA Board Chair and Education Committee Chair, Jonathan Edelson!


This summer will mark 24 years living here in Oakland Mills. Along the way, my wife and I welcomed two daughters to the world, and they have thrived in our cOMunity and our schools. One just finished her first year in college, and the other is finishing her freshman year at OMHS.


We owe a debt of gratitude to our village and strive to pay that back and ensure others will have the great experiences we've had here in Oakland Mills. My wife is a past president of the Stevens Forest PTA, and in addition to serving on the Oakland Mills Village Board, I am the outgoing president of the Oakland Mills High School Fine Arts Boosters. I want to ensure our schools and our community gets the investment and support it needs and deserves, including that much delayed and deferred renovation of OMHS. I also hope to see improvements in the relationship between the Columbia Association and Columbia's villages as this unique arrangement has been historically so much more than just a business agreement. There's no place like hOMe!


--Jonathan

Prepare for Success School Supply Donation Drive

Jazz in the Mills: Lavenia Nesmith

Online and in-person tickets at The Other Barn sold out.

OM Farmers Market

Community Events & Opportunities

4th of July Celebration

Saturday, July 4, 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Columbia Lakefront

10275 Wincopin Circle, Columbia

Bike HoCo Bike Corral, 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. (see below for more info)


Come to this unforgettable July 4th celebration at the Columbia Lakefront! Enjoy free festivities (including live music) and fireworks. Plus, neighbors 21+ can raise a glass to summer at the community beer garden featuring local breweries and wineries.


The Lakefront opens for blankets and seating at 3:00 p.m. Prior to this, blankets, chairs, and other items will be removed. Inclement weather date: July 5 (fireworks only). Sponsored by Howard County Rec & Parks, Merriweather Arts & Culture Center, and Columbia Association. Free parking available. Registration not required.


Learn more at Howard County's July 4th Celebration website and CA's Lakefront Live website.

Transition Repair Cafe

Have your items fixed, instead of replaced!

Better for your wallet and the environment.

 

August 8, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at East Columbia 50+ Center

September 12, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Freetown Farm

October 10, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Freetown Farm

November 14, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Freetown Farm

 

The Community Ecology Institute's Freetown Farm is located at

8000 Harriet Tubman Lane in Columbia, MD.

 

More information about the Repair Cafe

Check out these repair guides too.

Toby's Dinner & Show: Mean Girls

Now through August 23

More info & tickets

Howard County Parks & Rec Summer Concert Series

Wednesdays, July 8 - August 5, 7:00 p.m.

Centennial Park South Amphitheater

10000 Clarksville Pk, Ellicott City

More Info

East Columbia 50+ Center Art Exhibit: "Nishita Jain and Her Students

Reception: July 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Exhibit: July 2 through September 25

6610 Cradlerock Way, Columbia

Howard County Unity in the Community Resource Fair

August 1, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Long Reach Village Center

8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia

Free admission. Family services & community resources, DJ music, moon bounce, food giveaways, arts & crafts, raffles & prizes, fun for the whole family. View the flier in English or Spanish.

Blood Drive

August 10, 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Kahler Hall

5440 Old Tucker Row, Columbia

More Info

Amped in the Park Concert Series

Sponsored by Merriweather Arts & Culture Center

See dates and Info

Community Ecology Institute Programs Registration

Registration is open for seasonal and yearlong memberships for the following CEI programs:

Howard County Recreation & Parks

Find info on upcoming events, activities, sports, and more. Recreation & Parks' Camp Guide Summer 2026 NOW available onlineOnline registration is now open. If you’re looking to fill a particular week or weeks this summer, check out Recreation & Parks’, “2026 Camps By Weeks” website, which for your convenience, breaks down what camps are being offered each week.

HCC Student Theatre Productions
Click HERE.
St. Louis Church Concert Series
Click HERE.
Howard Community College Concert Series
Click HERE.

Community Resources & Volunteer Opportunities

Need Help?

Sometimes life hits hard, and you just need a little help. 

Click the button below to find organizations that can help with everything from mental health crises to food emergencies to home repairs and more.

Help Others

Looking for ways to volunteer or donate?
Visit our Volunteer page to see how you can help!

OMHS Food Pantry

Next distribution day: June 24, 3:30 p.m.

OMHS Parking Lot


We are now taking donations for the OMHS food pantry at The Other Barn. Drop off items Monday through Thursday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Click HERE to see a list of items needed.


We appreciate all of the community donations to the Oakland Mills Food Pantry. Please be sure to check all expiration dates on donations prior to bringing them to The Other Barn. The pantry cannot distribute expired items. Thank you.

Columbia Association News & Events

CA Headquarters & Member Services Office


6310 Hillside Court

Columbia, MD 21046

CA main number: 410-715-3000

Member Services number: 410-730-1801


Columbia Association Website

Columbia Association's Facebook Page

Pools Now Open!

CA’s 23 outdoor pools are open and waiting for you and your family to come swim! Check out CA’s interactive pool guide for real-time updates on pool capacity, available amenities, and more once pools are open.

Other CA News & Resources

CA's Mapping & GIS Resources Page

Download maps, discover interactive apps and use the information provided to explore the Columbia community. 

Living Next to Open Space


Columbia Association now has a brochure for those living near Open Space. Read more.

Visit CA's Open Space page for more information.

CA OPEN SPACE

50/50 SURVEY PROGRAM


Does your land abut CA Open Space? Then you could qualify to have CA pay for half of your home's boundary survey!


To ensure accurate installation of exterior alterations within your property boundaries, a survey of your property can be done. In order to assist with that effort and to prevent encroachments onto CA Open Space, the 50/50 Survey Program was created. CA now offers a discounted survey for community members who own property adjacent to CA Open Space.

 

For more information and to take advantage of this program, email: RealEstateServices@ColumbiaAssoication.org.

Youth and Teen Center @ The Barn

Website

Phone: 410-992-3726

Teen Center Director: Rene Buckmon, Rene.Buckmon@columbiaassociation.org


Drop-in Program

Is your child looking for a community of peers, great activities, and a whole lot of fun? Sign them up for the Drop-In program at the Youth and Teen Center! It has a range of educational, enrichment and recreational opportunities that support positive peer interaction, hands-on learning opportunities, decision-making, and development of life skills. September's calendar is full of fun activities including sports, trivia, art classes and more.


Other Resources/Info

Howard County Bureau of Environmental Service

Regular curbside collections July 3 & 4.


Now through September 4, curbside collections will begin at 5:00 a.m.


Safely Dispose of Fireworks:

Never place lit or warm fireworks/sparklers in trash or recycling.


1. Allow spent fireworks to cool down.

2. Soak fireworks in a bucket of water overnight.

3. Double bag the soaked fireworks to prevent drying out and potential reignition.

4. Put the double-bagged, soaked fireworks in your trash.


Have unused fireworks? Use them or give them to a friend.


Compost Demonstrations Are Back!

What can you learn?

  • How to compost kitchen scraps and yard trimmings in your backyard.
  • How to troubleshoot backyard composting issues.
  • How to improve your soil’s health by incorporating compost.

Find more info and demonstration dates HERE.

Tell HoCo

Tell HoCo (formerly See Click Fix) is an interactive website for Howard County residents to report issues to the County. Issues include, but are not limited to, roadway issues, missing street signs or fallen street signs, street tree issues, potholes, cracked sidewalks, etc. THIS IS NOT a site for 911 emergencies or police or fire issues.

Check Your Radon Levels!

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Unless you test with a radon test kit, you can't tell whether your home has radon, because radon is a gas that has no smell, no color, and can't be seen. Visit the County's Radon website for more info on radon and how to get a test kit. 

EV Charger Checklist

To assist electric vehicle owners with the installation of a vehicle charger in a dedicated homeowners association parking spot, DPZ has put together this checklist, outlining the items you’ll need to submit your EV charger approval submission.  

 

For questions and/or more information, contact DPZ’s Development Engineering Division via email at ded@howardcountymd.gov. You can also email Public Member of the Zero Emissions Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council of Maryland Paul Verchinski at verchinski@yahoo.com

Maryland Community Solar

Maryland Community Solar's program allows residents to save up to 25% on their BGE bills without the need for installing solar panels. Instead, they receive the benefits directly from a local solar farm. Enrollment is simple — all that’s required is a current BGE bill. Credit scores are not a factor, and there is no cost to participate. Residents may cancel at any time if they choose. Find out more

Civic Works Home Energy Programs & Solar Group Buy

The Howard County Office of Community Sustainability has joined forces with Civic Works, a nonprofit organization committed to helping homeowners and renters in Howard County save energy. Together, we’ve established an initiative aimed at helping Howard County residents go solar and upgrade their energy efficiency. Learn more.


Also taking customers through August 31 is Civic Works' Solar Group Buy program.

BGE Natural Gas Info Pages
If you smell gas, call 911.
Learn how BGE responds to, assesses and repairs natural gas leaks HERE.

Howard County Department of Public Works Construction Projects Map: Click HERE.


Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administrations Project Portal: Click HERE.

Lightbulb Exchange Program Expansion

Howard County residents can now visit any Howard County Library branch to exchange used incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs for new, energy efficient LED bulbs (while supplies last). More info

Howard County Public Library


Visit the Howard County Public Library website to access virtual educational resources & events and more.

Little Free Library at The Other Barn

The Little Free is now open! Take a book, leave a book. Happy reading!

Support our OM Merchants

Visit the OM Website for a complete list of merchants and businesses. All Oakland Mills merchants are open and would love your support!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

—Declaration of Independence