| | 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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November 5, 7:00 p.m.
RAC Meeting
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November 10, 7:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
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November 19, 7:00 p.m.
RAC Meeting
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November 24, 7:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
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December 6, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Jazz in the Mills Holiday Extravaganza: Paul Carr and Friends, featuring vocalist Alison Crockett
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December 5, 9:00 to 11:15 a.m.
Journey to the North Pole at The Other Barn - meet Santa!
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December 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Gingerbread House Decorating
| | The Other Barn will be having some interior painting done beginning November 3rd. Please be sure to check our Facebook page for possible changes in our office hours. | |
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.
Howard County offices will be closed for Veterans Day, November 11. See full list of closings and openings.
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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: November 18, 7:00 p.m., The Other Barn
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OMCA Housing Committee
Next meeting: November 4, 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: November 5
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
| | Leaves are Falling! What to do with them? | |
The leaves are lovely, but they can create some issues - and so can the way we dispose of them! Here are some tips from OM's covenant advisors:
🍂Rain Garden Maintenance: if you have a rain garden, make sure leaves don't clog the water inlet.
🍂Remove leaves from water runoff areas, “dry river beds,” and gutters to prevent clogging.
🍂Don't blow leaves onto neighboring properties or CA Open Space. Besides being just plain rude (yep, we said it), it's also against rules and regulations.
🍂Don't put leaves in piles on the street to be picked up by the County. Howard County does not have leaf vacuums. All leaves must be placed in paper yard-waste bags, open-top bins, or a Feed the Green Bin (if you're enrolled in the program) and put out for pickup on your yard debris collection day. Visit the County's Yard Trim Collections page for more info.
🍂Don't burn leaves. It's illegal to burn yard waste in Howard County!
A Note from from CA's Watershed Resident Advisory Panel:
Keep Leaves Out of Storm Drains
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.
| What to do With Your Halloween Pumpkin | | |
It was fun, but Halloween has passed. Now it’s time to figure out what to do with that pumpkin! Howard County has several options:
🎃Put it in your Feed the Green Bin (if you have one)
🎃Drop it off at the Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents’ Convenience Center (M-Sat, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2350 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville)
🎃Drop it off at Robinson Nature Center (T-Sun, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 6692 Cedar Lane,
Columbia)
🎃Bring it to Pumpkin Palooza on Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Miller Branch Library (9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City). There will be games, composting demonstrations, food trucks, and more!
Just remember to remove all decorations, including candles, lights, and plastic bags. (Paint is ok, though water-based paints are preferred).
| | 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. | | Journey to the North Pole at The Other Barn | | |
Several slots available. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 6 at 9:00 a.m.
Link will work after tickets go on sale.
| | Jazz in the Mills Holiday Extravaganza: Paul Carr & Friends, featuring Vocalist Alison Crockett | | Gingerbread House Decorating | | Community Events & Opportunities | | |
Columbia Center of Theatrical Arts: A Musical Update
November 6, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Residences at Vantage Point Auditorium
5400 Vantage Point Road, Columbia
Residences at Vantage Point hosts the final program in its Arts & Culture Collective Fall series featuring Brynn Williams, CCTA Program and Education Director, and young performers who have received training at the center.
To register for “A Musical Update,” call 410-995-9743 or visit www.VantagePointResidences.org/arts
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Free VIN Etching for Auto Theft Prevention
November 7, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
South District Station
11226 Scaggsville Rd, Fulton
Free and open to all! Engraving your car's unique vehicle identification number (VIN) on all major pieces of glass is a highly effective deterrent and assists police in returning a stolen vehicle to its rightful owner. It takes just minutes, and no appointment is needed. HCPD will also be handing out a limited number of free steering wheel locks for Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners. For questions and/or more information about VIN etching or this event, contact HCPD's Auto Theft Unit at 410-313-1035.
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Cranksgiving Food Drive & Biking Event
November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Community Ecology Institute's
Freetown Farm
8000 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia
Start from your home and end at the drop-off site at the Plaza at the Mall in Columbia (near Seasons 52). On the way to the drop-off site, participants will have a variety of route options to choose from and will be tasked with picking up various food items along the way at the nearby grocery store of their choosing.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to join members from HCPD’s Community Outreach and Pathways Section on a group ride starting from The Other Barn in Oakland Mills to The Mall in Columbia and back. The group ride will start at 10:00 a.m. and is a great way for younger and/or less experienced riders to bike to the collection location from a Village Center with seasoned cyclists as guides.
To register and/or to learn more about this great event, including which items have been requested, visit OoT’s “Cranksgiving Downtown Columbia” webpage. The first 100 registrants will receive a shirt.
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Howard County Veterans Day Parade & Celebration
November 8, 9:30 a.m.
Downtown Columbia
Save the date for the 12th annual Howard County Veterans Day Parade & Celebration! Each year, this event is an opportunity to celebrate our county’s Veterans and honor their profound dedication and service to our country. More info
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Transition Repair Cafe
November 14, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Community Ecology Institute's
Freetown Farm
8000 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia
Have your items fixed, instead of replaced! Better for your wallet and the environment.
More information. Check out these repair guides too.
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Our Boys, Our Men, Our Future: Health and Wellness Fair
November 21, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Harriet Tubman Cultural Center
8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia
Join the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services and our community partners for free health screenings, fitness demos and community resources designed to support men and boys. Admission is free and registration is not required. For more information, view the event flier in English/Spanish or contact Ovan Shortt at 410-313-1453 (voice/relay) or oshortt@howardcountymd.gov.
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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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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! | |
Help Needed to Restock Pet Food Bank
HCPD’s Animal Control Division’s Pet Food Bank is in critical need of cat food and litter and dog food, as its supply is running extremely low. If you are able and interested in helping Animal Control restock its Pet Food Bank, please considering donating through its online Amazon “Howard County Animal Control Wishlist” or dropping off supplies at its Adoption Center at 8576 Davis Road in Columbia.
The County's Pet Food Bank allows Animal Control to assist county pet owners who may be on a fixed income, in between jobs, or due to other financial strain, care and feed their pets instead of having to surrender or re-home their furry friend. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
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Howard County Toys for Tots: Help Wanted!
The 11th Annual Howard County Toys for Tots is coming up! Here's how you can help:
- Host a collection box! Interested businesses and organizations can register HERE.
- Help pre-bag toys on Dec. 18 or help with distribution on Dec. 19 (volunteer link will go out soon)
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OMHS Food Pantry
Next distribution day: November 18, 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
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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:
- Friday, November 6
- Friday, November 20
- Wednesday, December 16
More info and maps can be found on CA's website (click button below).
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Make a Difference with Ripple Effect!
Ripple Effect, a new Columbia Association (CA) project, invites residents to monitor local streams and ponds for two important pollutants: chloride from winter road salt and nitrate from fertilizers and other sources. By collecting and testing water samples, volunteers will help CA better understand local water-quality conditions and identify where education and outreach could make a difference.
No water-testing experience is needed! CA will provide testing kits, with everything you need. You’ll gain practical experience, learn more about the health of Columbia’s waterways, and contribute valuable local data. Every volunteer can help create a ripple of positive change for our community and the environment!
Ready to get involved? Whether you can help regularly or just for a while, your participation matters. Join us at the Oakland Mills Village Board meeting on November 24th to learn more and get started with your free kit, or contact Sustainability@columbiaassociation.org to get involved. Volunteers from across Columbia are welcome!
| | 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
There will be regular curbside collections on Veterans Day, November 11. No slide schedule will be in place.
There will be no curbside collections on Thanksgiving Day. Thursday and Friday collections will slide one day.
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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I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
—Maya Angelou
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