| | Oakland Mills Community Association | Important news & info about the community in which we live. | |
Upcoming Events
CALL AHEAD or CHECK EMAILS and FACEBOOK to find out the status of meetings and events.
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October 1, 7:00 p.m.
RAC Meeting
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October 3, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
OM Fall Festival
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October 13, 7:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
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October 15, 7:00 p.m.
RAC Meeting
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October 16, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Lively Arts for Little Ones Presents Tony M. Music
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October 27, 7:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
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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
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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
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Traffic non-emergency: email hcpdtraffic@howardcountymd.gov
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Traffic emergencies: call 911.
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File a traffic complaint HERE.
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Traffic & Engineering Division (info on street calming, community speed control program, etc.) HERE.
Oakland Mills Community Resource Officer:
PFC Sean Pepper
spepper@howardcounty.gov
410-313-3685
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Howard County Government Website
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.
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Howard County Council
Oakland Mills is located in Council District 2 and represented by Opel Jones.
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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 hOMe to 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 or to contact the Board, click HERE.
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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
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OMCA Open Space Advisory Committee
For community members who are interested in the current and future use of CA's open space.
Next Meeting: October 21, 7:00 p.m., The Other Barn
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OMCA Housing Committee
Next meeting: October 7, 7 p.m., The Other Barn
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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.
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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
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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: October 1
Info/list of applications will be posted three days in advance of the meeting HERE.
applications@oaklandmills.org
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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
| | We Want You! 2027 Election Monitoring Committee |
OMCA Seeking 2027 Election Monitoring Committee Members
OMCA is looking for residents who would like to be a part of the 2027 Election Monitoring Committee to oversee the Election Day process.
The Election Committee moderate Candidates’ Night, upholds the election rules and procedures, and counts the votes on Election Day, Saturday, April 24, 2027.
Election Committee members must be a member of Oakland Mills Community Association and be able to contribute a total of about 25 hours of their time during February, March, and April for any meetings, Candidates’ Night and Election Day.
Interested? Please send an email to manager@oaklandmills.org.
| | 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. | | Columbia Association Town Hall | | |
September 24, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Slayton House
10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
What’s ahead for our community? Join Columbia Association’s Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team for a conversation about the decisions shaping Columbia’s future.
CA will share updates on the Fiscal Year 2028 budget, the planned purchase of 6310 and 6315 Hillside Court, and the Natural Resources Stewardship Plan, then open the floor for your feedback. RSVP if you plan to join (required for free childcare).
| | Call for Donation Requests | | OMCA's donation request period is now open! Nonprofits can submit their requests by October 15, 2026. Funds should be used to benefit the common good of the Oakland Mills community. Click the button below for details. | |
Annual Free Tree Giveaway for Oakland Mills Residents
Oakland Mills Community Association and Columbia Association are excited to announce that CA has given 40 trees to OMCA for our residents. Trees MUST be reserved in advance and must be picked up during the distribution period listed.
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Get your steps in! Walk, roll, or ride to the festival and/or keep track of your steps during the event. Join the Oakland Mills Fall Festival Walktober StepUp Group!
| Check out our list of craft & community vendors, performers, food trucks, and more on the updated festival website! | Lively Arts for Little Ones: 2026-27 Season | | Community Events & Opportunities | | |
Transition Repair Cafe
Have your items fixed, instead of replaced!
Better for your wallet and the environment.
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.
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The Longest Table
September 26, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Howard Community College Quad
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
Share a meal while exploring curiosity and empathy with neighbors from all walks of life.
More info & tickets
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Columbia Classic 5K & 10K
September 27, 7:30 a.m.
Merriweather Row Plaza
Start & Finish at 10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy
More info & registration
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Encore Showcase
October 6, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Blandair Regional Park North Area
5685 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia
It’s Active Aging Week. Come celebrate with free activities geared toward keeping your mind and body active! Enjoy mini fitness sessions, quick art projects, and giveaways. For 50 yrs+. Learn more & register
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The BIG Shred
October 17, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(Or until the trucks are full)
Four Howard County Locations (see below)
County residents can bring up to three bags or boxes of vital documents to be shredded securely onsite at one of the following locations:
- North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
- Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD-97, Cooksville
- Elkridge Landing Middle School, 7085 Montgomery Road, Elkridge
- Long Gate Park & Ride, 4951 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City
To learn more about The BIG Shred, including what items are and are not accepted, please visit the Bureau's “Document Shredding” website.
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Movie Nights in the Park
Now through October 9
Colorburst Park
6221 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia
Sep. 25: Moana - Live Action (2026)
Oct. 2: The Wizard of Oz
Oct. 9: Toy Story 5 (2026)
More info & RSVP
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Howard County Conservancy Events
The Conservancy offers public environmental education for all ages, including bird walks, a pollinator festival, guided hikes, field trips and other student programming. Visit the event page to see upcoming opportunities.
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Amped in the Park Concert Series
Sponsored by Merriweather Arts & Culture Center
See dates and Info
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Community Ecology Institute Programs Registration
Registration is open for seasonal and yearlong memberships for the following CEI programs:
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HCC Student Theatre Productions
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St. Louis Church Concert Series
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Howard Community College Concert Series
| | Community Resources & Volunteer Opportunities | | |
Neighbor to Neighbor Mediation
From the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center of Howard County
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Howard County Aging in Place Tax Credit
Due October 1, 2026
Applicants may qualify if they are 65 or older and have owned and lived in the home for 30 years; are 65 or older and retired service members with 20 years of active-duty service; have a 75% to 99% service-connected disability; or are eligible surviving spouses. Learn More
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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.
| | Looking for ways to volunteer or donate?
Visit our Volunteer page to see how you can help! | | |
OMHS Food Pantry
Next distribution day: October 21, 3:30 p.m.
OMHS Parking Lot
BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO THE OAKLAND MILLS FALL FESTIVAL!
(OCTOBER 3, 11 AM to 3 PM)
The OMHS Food Pantry will have a table where you can take your donations.
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
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Deer Management:
What to Know About Columbia Association’s Controlled Archery Hunts
This October, CA will hold controlled archery hunts on the following dates:
• Wednesday, October 14
• Tuesday, October 27
• Friday, November 6
• Friday, November 20
• Wednesday, December 16
Designated locations are under consideration in River Hill, Town Center, Kings Contrivance, Oakland Mills and Owen Brown. Maps will be made available as soon as the areas are finalized.
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Watershed Wise from CA's Watershed Resident Advisory Panel:
Keep Leaves Out of Storm Drain
Fallen leaves are great for improving your soil, but leaves that wash into streets can clog storm drains and contribute to localized flooding. Storm drains also carry water—and anything in it—directly to our streams, lakes, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
As leaves break down in waterways, they release nutrients that can contribute to algae blooms, reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life.
Instead of letting leaves wash into the street, use them as mulch beneath trees and shrubs or in your garden. You can also add them to your compost bin or place them in paper bags for collection at the Alpha Ridge yard waste area.
If you live near a storm drain, consider volunteering to keep it clear or taking turns with neighbors to check it regularly. It is especially important to remove leaves and other debris before and after storms.
| | Columbia Ice Rink Now Open for the Season!
Learn more about public skate times, lessons, events, etc. by visiting the rink's website. | | 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Howard County Bureau of Environmental Service
Compost Demonstrations
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Howard County Public Library
Visit the Howard County Public Library website to access virtual educational resources & events and more.
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Little Free Library at The Other Barn
The Little Free is now open! Take a book, leave a book. Happy reading!
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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!
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Delicious autumn!
My very soul is wedded to it...
― George Eliot
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