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Board Elections are Coming and We Need You!
Have you considered volunteering your time on behalf of your community? The current two-year terms of office for two Village Board seats and the Columbia Association Council Representative seat expire on April 30, 2018. Village Board members attend one meeting a month where they oversee village finances, advise and take action on such matters as street and house maintenance, and advocate for changes that will benefit Harper's Choice. The Columbia Association Council Representative serves on the Village Board as an ex officio (non-voting) member and also serves as a voting member of the Columbia Association's Board of Directors.
The nomination period runs from March 1 - March 14, 2018
. Information and nomination petitions will be available at Kahler Hall and for download on our website
on March 1; a maximum 150-word CANDIDATE'S STATEMENT is due at Kahler Hall by 5:00 pm on March 14. The STATEMENTS may be emailed to
manager@harperschoice.org
, preferably in a MS Word document. For more information, contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or via email.
HCCA is looking for volunteers to help us count ballots on Election Day, Saturday, April 28 at 3:00 pm at Kahler Hall. If you are available and would like to assist the Election Monitor Committee with this task, please contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or via email.
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Columbia Association (CA) will host two information sessions in February for those who are considering serving the Columbia community by seeking an opportunity to become a member of CA's Board of Directors.
The sessions will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7pm and Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10am, both at CA Headquarters, 6310 Hillside Court, located off
Steve
ns Forest Road and Broken Land Parkway.
CA's Board of Directors has 11 members - one representative from each of Columbia's 10 villages plus CA's President/CEO. Representatives from the villages serve either a one- or two-year term, depending upon each village's bylaws. In late April 2018, six villages will hold elections for their representative to the CA Board of Directors: Harper's Choice, Hickory Ridge, Oakland Mills, Owen Brown, Town Center and Wilde Lake.
Pursuing election may not be a simple decision, and CA recognizes that potential candidates may have questions or need information before filing the necessary forms. Potential candidates are encouraged to attend and learn more about Columbia Association, the role of its board members and how service on the board impacts the community. The goal of the sessions is to have a conversation with residents, including addressing their questions about this opportunity so they can make an informed decision about seeking a seat on CA's Board of Directors.
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HCCA To Host Pizza & Movie Night
Friday, February 9th 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Kahler Hall
5440 Old Tucker Row
Since showing the
Polar Express at Pizza With Santa was such a success last month, we have scheduled a Pizza & Movie Night featuring
The Incredibles. This event is free, but seats are limited; advance registration is required. To register for this event, click
here or call Melanie Jeffers at 410-730-0770.
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Movie Change: HCCA To Host: 55 & Better Lunch & Movie Featuring
From Here To Eternity
Monday, February 19th Noon - 3pm
Kahler Hall
5440 Old Tucker Row
Tickets $7
Some of the community found
Shawshank Redemption to be a tad dark so we are switching our lineup to the classic hit movie
From Here To Eternity, with an all-star cast including
Burt Lancaster,
Montgomery Clift, and
Deborah Kerr. Lunch will be provided by Michael's Deli. Guests will have the choice of one of the meal options below:
Salads
1. California Salad: romain letuce, cheese, strawberries, green peppers, almonds, seeds
2. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
3. Garden Salad
Sandwiches (choice of White, Wheat, Seven Grain, Rye, Sunflower Seed, Sun-dried Tomato, Pita, Kaiser Croissant)
1. Chicken Salad
2. Tuna Salad
3. Turkey Breast
4. Powerhouse
Soups
1. Split Pea
2. Tomato Basil
3. Maryland Crab
4. Chicken Noodle
5. New England Claim Chowder
Or Pick 2 (Choice of 2 half portions of either Salad, Sandwich, or Soup)
Click
here to register for the event.
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Snow Tubing Trip, Annual Lock-In, and More from CA's Youth and Teen Center
Snow Tubing Family Trip to Liberty Mountain!
This trip is sponsored by Columbia Association's Youth and Teen Center to provide a fun activity for adults and their children to enjoy together. The price is $40 per person.
Sign up by Tuesday, Feb. 13. Space is limited! Contact 410-992-3726.
Congrats to Corporal Bendu, of The Howard County Police Department, from Our CheckMates Chess Club
Congratulations to Corporal Symchay Bendu on his recent promotion. Cpl. Bendu has helped facilitate our CheckMates Chess Club for three years and was instrumental in the $500 donation that our club recently received from the Oakland Mills Community Association.
Save the Date: For Girls Only Annual Lock-In on Feb. 15
Mark your calendars for Thursday, Feb. 15, when we will host the annual lock-in for the For Girls Only Club at the Youth and Teen Center. This activity is for club members only, but each member may invite one guest and should sign up with Ms. Annabelle. Members should also bring a dish to share with the group. A special outing is planned for the evening; be sure to see Ms. Annabelle for more details.
Nothing to Do? Be the Change You're Looking For
Columbia Association is now accepting applications for students to serve on the Teen and Middle School advisory committees. Connect with a diverse range of students around the County. The committee looks great on your resume, school, and work applications. Earn community service hours and see your vision come to life.
These two committees get young people involved in their community by planning, organizing and implementing positive programs and activities for their peers. In the process, they gain self-confidence and leadership experience.
Save the Dates: Parenting Workshops
Youth and Teen Center will host two parenting workshops sponsored by the Jacaranda Center for Family and Youth, Inc.
Critical Connections
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6:30-8:30pm
Join us as we explore the components of the critical adult-youth relationships that all youth need to be successful, healthy and whole. Participants will develop strategies to mobilize and build the caring adults that their children need in order to succeed in life.
Rethinking Summer
Wednesday, May 2, 6:30-8:30pm
Experts will provide parents with the tools and strategies to develop a summer learning plan that promotes academic success and social-emotional development.
Volunteers Wanted: Help Teach Older Adults to Use Technology at Upcoming Tech Café
We are seeking volunteers to come where you will show older adults how to get the most of their digital devices as part of the Tech Café program.
Tech Café will be held at East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, next to the East Columbia Library branch in Owen Brown. Sessions run from 3:30-4:30pm on Feb. 6; March 6; April 10; May 1; and June 5.
For more information, please contact the East Columbia 50+ Center at 410-313-7684 or CA's Youth and Teen Center at 410-992-3726.
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Columbia Solar Coop - Information Session
February 20, 2018; 7-8pm at the Owen Brown Community Center
(6800 Cradlerock Way)
Columbia residents can now join a local Cooperative to go solar as a group and get a discount! By going solar through the CoOp, participants will save approximately 25% off the cost of a solar system. Columbia Association is partnering with Civic Works' Retrofit Baltimore program to promote this unique opportunity to the Columbia community. Retrofit Baltimore will provide you with trusted information, guide you through each step of the process, and connect you with a vetted and screened contractor.
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Interactive Mystery Theater at Historic Oakland
Wednesday, February 14, 7:00 pm
Unique Valentines Day gift!
The crowd was hushed as the manor proprietor got ready to unveil the prized display of the evening, the Lickety-Split Diamond, only to find it had been stolen while the crowd mingled in ignorant bliss. Now it is up to you, your guests, and the detective to find the thief and restore the diamond to its rightful place, getting the unveiling back on track.
Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres with dessert, and coffee will close the evening. Tickets must be purchased in advance: $35 per person for those who reside on Columbia assessed property (i.e., Columbia lien payer), or $45 per person for all others. You must be 21 to attend. Singles welcome!
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February is Teen Dating
Violence Awareness Month!
Teen Dating Violence Workshop for Parents & Youth!
S
aturday, February 24, 2018
9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Oakland Mills Middle School
9540 Kilimanjaro Road
Columbia, MD 21045
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Young people and the adults who care for them can build the skills they need to engage in balanced, rewarding and loving relationships. On February 24, join HopeWorks, the Council of Elders and the Howard County School System as we focus on learning skills to create and foster positive, healthy relationships for youth with their peers and dating partners.
The program will feature separate sessions for parents and youth ages 7 to 17. Sessions include:
- Elementary Students & Their Parents: I CAN WE CAN
- Middle & High School Students: Is This Love? Workshop
- Middle School Students: The Good, The Bad & The Abusive Workshop
- High School Students: It Is It Isn't Workshop
- Middle & High School Parents: Talking About Love Workshop
The arts-based I CAN WE CAN workshop for elementary students and their parents is made possible by the Howard County Arts Council through a grant from Howard County Government.
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Spirit of Columbia Scholarship
The Maggie J. Brown Spirit of Columbia Scholarship Award is now accepting applications. Columbia Association scholarship program offers up to six $2,500 education awards to graduating high school seniors who exhibit exceptional efforts in providing community service to benefit Columbia residents and those in the Columbia area.
The deadline to apply is March 15, 2018. For more information, visit this
website.
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Are You Concerned About Air Traffic Noise?
Many residents have voiced their concern about the noise they are experiencing from BWI air traffic. Visit our website to read more about the issue and find links to sites with more information and ways to voice your concern. Go to
ColumbiaAssociation.org
, select the Residents tab, and click on the link that says
"Concern for Air Traffic Noise".
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Covenant Corner
SCOOP THE POOP!
Did you know that a single gram of pet waste contains an average of 23 million
fecal coliform bacteria, some of which can cause disease in humans? When you fail to clean up after your pet, the poop left on sidewalks, in the woods and on lawns is both unpleasant and a nuisance. It is an even bigger problem when it rains and the waste and bacteria is carried by storm water into our nearby streams, lakes and rivers. It can create a health hazard for people and do a lot of damage to the environment. It's your "doodie" to clean up after your pet, and it's the Law.
Below is a summary of the most common animal control laws, along with the contact information for Howard County Animal Control, the County entity that handles these complaints.
HOWARD COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS
All animal owners in Columbia are subject to the Howard County Animal Control Laws.
Here are a few summarized requirements under Section 17.300 of the Howard County Animal Control Law:
- A pet must be on a leash and under the control of a responsible person when not on an owner's property. This person must be capable of immediate and effective restraint.
- Owners are responsible for immediately removing pet defecation when off their own property.
- Pet Owners must remove an accumulation of defecation from their own property to prevent annoying odors.
Residents who have concerns about animal behavior or the care and control of animals are urged to call Animal Control for more information or to report a violation: 410-313-2780.
Happy February! The Village Architectural Committee reminds residents to promptly remove any remaining holiday lights and decorations.
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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.
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Architectural Committee Meetings
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.
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Village Board Meetings
The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for February 6th at 7PM. Approved Agendas and Meeting Minutes are/will be available on our website.
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This weekly e-Newsletter serves as a recap of news and events we share with our community throughout the week via other social media channels. Connect with us on
Facebook
and
Twitter
to receive more regular announcements and information from us.
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Was this message forwarded to you from a friend? You can subscribe to this newsletter directly so that you can receive it straight to your inbox from us! You may also text HCCANEWS to 22828 and follow the prompts to register.
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Village Manager
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Facility Manager
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Covenant Advisor
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Event & Community Outreach Coordinator
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Village Board Member
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Village Board Member
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Village Board Member
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Village Board Member
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Columbia Council Rep
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Village Board Member
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* Term expires 4/30/18
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5440 Old Tucker Row Columbia, MD | 410.730.0770 |
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Website
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