June 22nd  Weekly e-Newsletter for the Village of Harper's Choice.
Harper's Choice Showcases Original Columbia Artists

Sunday, August 13, 2017, 7:30pm
John Levering and Wes Yamaka, popular Columbia artists in the 1970s, turned to art after other careers personifying Columbia's goal to be a place for people to grow.
They opened Columbia's first art gallery and studio called "Eye of the Camel" in the 1970s. As our way of celebrating Columbia's 50th birthday, the Art Gala will feature original works by both artists and will kickoff with a champagne reception and light refreshments. 

Art work needed. To loan art for the event, contact Steve Ingley by July 15th @ 410-730-0770 or manager@harperschoice.org.
Recreation and Parks Summer Concerts

 
Recreation and Parks' Sunset Serenades is back! Grab a blanket or lawn chair, bring the family, have a picnic and enjoy the sounds of summer! Refreshments available for sale. Boat Rentals available at Centennial Park, and the Adventure Shack is open for food sales and refreshments. 

Sunset Serenades 
T ues. June 27, 7:45 p.m.   Movie Night: Finding Dory 
Wed. July 5 Holiday -  No Concert 
Wed. July 12, 7:00 p.m.  The Scotch Bonnets  
Wed. July 19, 7:00 p.m.  Jenee & Black Butterfly  
Wed. August 2, 7:00 p.m.  Groove Quest 
Wed. August 9, 7:00 p.m.  Gaelic Mishap  
Wed. August 23, 7:45 p.m.   Movie Night: Jaws 

Participate in the annual Canned Food Drive! The Community Action Council of Howard County will be collecting nonperishable food items for the Howard County Food Bank at all Sunset Serenades concerts. For more information about CAC, visit www.cac-hc.org.
Howard County's BIKESHARE slated to begin around 
July 6, 2017

 
Howard County will launch the new BIKESHARE program next month. There will be seven Bikeshare stations around Columbia.  One station will be located at the  Oakland Mills Village Center next to the bus stop on Robert Oliver Place. 

Bikeshare stations will be located at Howard County General Hospital, Howard Community College, One Merriweather Building, Lakefront (2 locations), Oakland Mills Village Center, and  Blandair Park.

The basic principal of Bikeshare is for users to rent a bike at any station and return a bike to any station. As with any program, there are details for the users, and even an "app" to get you going!

Please refer to this  WEBSITE for complete details. 

If, after reading the website, you have questions please,  email us.
Volunteers Needed

Make a difference!
Help enhance the academic and social development of identified students in elementary and middle schools and community after-school programs near you through a consistent, supportive relationship with a child.

A-OK (Assist Our Kids) Mentoring -Tutoring Inc. is actively seeking adult volunteers to mentor and tutor students for next school year. Volunteers must be available weekday, daytime hours, to meet one-on-one with an assigned student during the school day or with students in small groups in after school programs. A minimum commitment of one school year is required.

Learn more about A-OK's volunteer opportunities at an Information Session:
Tuesday, July 25th at 11am
OR
Wednesday, August 23rd at 1pm
Howard County Library - Miller Branch
9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City
Sign up via email to susan@aokmentor.org.
Merriweather Movies  


Enjoy Merriweather Movie Nights featuring food and beverages from Manor Hill Brewing and
Manor Hill Tavern. Tickets are free for general admission or $10 if you want to reserve a seat and get access to the new VIP party deck.

June 29 - The Last Waltz
July 26 - Moana
August 30 - School of Rock

Doors open at 5:30pm and showtime is at 7:30 pm. For tickets and more information click here.
Exploring Columbia On Foot, Outdoor Walks

The walks will be held on the remaining five Thursdays and one Saturday from June through October. Most walks will begin at 10am; the walk at The Mall in Columbia begins at 8:30am. Registration is not required.
  • Saturday, June 24, The Mall in Columbia (8:30am) - meet at the Plaza in front of Season's 52 (10300 Little Patuxent Parkway)
  • Thursday, July13, Long Reach - meet at Jeffers Hill Neighborhood Center (6030 Tamar Drive)
  • Thursday, Aug. 31, Kings Contrivance - meet at Huntington Pool (7625 Murray Hill Road)
  • Thursday, Sept. 14, Harper's Choice - meet at Hobbits Glen Pool (11130 Willow Bottom Drive)
  • Thursday, Oct. 12, Downtown Columbia - meet at Lakefront Plaza (10275 Little Patuxent Parkway)
  • Thursday, Oct. 26, Hickory Ridge - meet at Hawthorn Center (6175 Sunny Spring)
4th of July Parade  

The 47th Annual Longfellow Friends of the Traditional 4th Parade will take place on Tuesday, July  4, rain or shine, at 10am. Lineup begins at 9:15 in the parking lot of Longfellow Elementary School. The parade  will travel from one end of Hesperus Drive to the other, and return to the school via Eliot's Oak Road.
 
The parade will be followed by a softball game at noon between the Eliot's Oak Nuts and the Hesperus Wrecks, to be held on Field #3 at the Cedar Lane Park entrance on Cedar Lane.  

Food Drive and Fourth of July Help Food for Tomorrow collect donations to the Howard County Food Bank as they participate in the Longfellow Friends of the Tradition Fourth Parade on Friday, July 4 at 10:00 a.m. Please consider donating: cereal, breakfast bars, tuna, meal makers (that can be combined with protein), condiments, baby products, juice boxes, and healthy snacks.

Going to be out of town? You can donate online.
Good Neighbor Recognition
 

If you live in Longfellow and have a neighbor that you would like to see recognized in the Longfellow 4th of July Parade for their significant contributions to your neighbors and/or the larger community, please contact Barbara  Russell  at 410-730-4024 or  email robwalrus@gmail.com .
The Roving Radish Is Back
 

Howard County's Roving Radish promotes healthy eating habits through meal kits comprised of locally and regionally grown foods straight from the farm to your table. The meal kits are available to anyone who works, plays or lives in Howard County and are offered at a discounted price to those in need. Vegetarian meal kits are now available. The Roving Radish is now accepting online orders for the 2017 season, or they can be reached by phone at 410-992-2049.
Summer Pool Parties!! Save The Dates!
Mark your calendar for this year's fun neighborhood pool parties! We're excited to splash and play with our community at what we are expecting to be our best pool parties yet!! Space is limited for both events.  This is a free event, but tickets are required and will be available at Kahler Hall beginning June 19.

Longfellow Neighborhood Pool Party 
When: July 13 from 6-9pm 
Where: Longfellow Pool
Theme: Cupcake & Pizza Social
Food: Free Cupcakes & HomeSlyce Pizza Truck!!!  Mod Pizza Gift Card Raffle!!!
 

Swansfield Neighborhood Pool Party
When: August 10 from 6-9pm
Where: Swansfield Mini Water Park
Theme: Picnic Fun 
Food: Free HomeSlyce Pizza Truck & Rita's. Pub Dog Gift Card Raffle!!!

 
 
Covenant Corner

BULK ITEM & SCRAP METAL COLLECTION
If you have large items taking up space in your home that really need to go to the landfill, don't pay to have them hauled away. Call the County or go online to schedule a bulk item pick-up, curbside, in front of your home. Up to four items per household per collection; any items too large to be collected by two workers will be tagged and left for the homeowner to remove. For a list of items that will not be collected or to schedule a pick-up, call 410-313-6444 or visit HowardCountyBulkPickup.org.
Green Building Tax Credit Extended
 
County Council passed and County Executive Allan Kitttleman signed CB34, an extension to the residential portion of the "high performance building" tax credit.  The program would have ended this year, but the extension renews it for another 5 years.  The tax credit gives a powerful incentive to build homes that are sustainable and energy efficient. As builders participate in the program, they learn more about building "green" and it becomes more mainstream.  To learn more about green building in Howard County click here .  For more specifics on how the credit is implemented, visit HoCoGov's Finance Department page on the  High Performance Building Credit.
Farmers Markets
 
It's a great time to shop at Howard County farmers markets and farm stands.  A detailed list of farmers markets can be found here .  These markets are Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Howard County Economic Development Authority also has a useful on-line  farm search  - narrow the results by "on farm markets" or "pick your own" to find even more opportunities to buy local food.

Athletic Club Temporary Closing 
The Athletic Club will be closed this summer beginning on Monday July 31 and will re-open Monday August 28.
Have you visited us on Facebook lately?
 
Please join us on Facebook for up-to-date information about what's happening in and around the Harper's Choice Community.

Architectural Committee Meetings

Please check the calendar on our website for the latest meeting dates.
 
Changes made to the exterior of homes in Harper's Choice require approval of the Village Architectural Committee (AC).
 
The AC will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 PM to review applications. 

The deadline to submit applications for approval is two weeks prior to the next meeting date.
Village Board Meetings

The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for July 11th at 7PM. Approved Agendas and Meeting Minutes are/will be available on our website.
Keeping You Informed
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Village Manager
Facility Manager
Covenant Advisor
Melanie Jeffers
Event & Community Outreach Coordinator

Your Village Board
Village Board Member
Village Board Member
Village Board Member
Village Board Member
Erik Avant **
Village Board Member
Columbia Council Rep

* Term expires 4/30/17
** Term expires 4/30/18

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