Village Green/Town²

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Good Neighbors

File this under “Things I learn from the good folks at Oakland Mills Community Association” - - yesterday was National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day. Today is National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day! Let's build stronger communities through small acts of kindness. Here are some ideas: Say "Hello" Help with yard work Give a compliment Share a treat Even small acts can go a long way! I did not know about National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day. Apparently it was founded in 2009 by a man named Starr Valentino from Buffalo, New York. I don’t know if it counts, but I did participate in my Buy Nothing Groups Free Yard Sale yesterday. I brought a few books to add to the giveaway, and I picked out a few treasures for myself. Assorted stencils/straight edges: An awesome and completely new, unused art book: And an embroidered felt Christmas ornament. If you are wondering why I need a W…I don’t. But creative reuse means I can turn it upside down and s...

The Woods, the Wine, and Better Options

Eleven years ago I was answering questions and sharing free bottled water (and cool bracelets) at Wine in the Woods. No surprise: I was volunteering in support of the Inner Arbor Trust at a booth sharing information about the new park in town: Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Having the booth was a smart move. What better way to spread the word about what was coming to the very place where guests were engaging in their traditional seasonal revelry? You are here in the present. This will be here in the very near future. I had some great conversations that day. I did not drink any wine. When I was sent to take a break I had the following exchange with a gentleman sitting at the table where I was having a quick meal. Nice man at my table: would you like some wine? Me: oh, no thanks. I don't drink in the heat. Man: ??? Only later did I realize how hilarious that was. You’re at Wine in the Woods and you don’t drink wine? But no, I don’t. Because wine in the heat give...

F ³: Underbabied?

This week Dr. Mehmet Oz made the public declaration that 1 in 3 Americans are “underbabied.” I have questions. Underbabied? Is that a medical term? Isn’t his job in the field of medicine? One in three? Where are the scientific studies? Where’s the data? This is all sadly connected in my mind with the emotional contortions that women are often subjected to every year on Mother’s Day. I posted this on Facebook at the end of the day on Sunday, with the words: Having some trouble with the sentiments of the day for some reason. For years my issue with Mother’s Day stemmed from my unhappy relationship with my own mother. But now I’m just so frustrated by the horrible wave of trying to redefine woman as breeders - - praising them only for adhering to that one narrow role. And what happens to anyone who is different? It makes me sad and angry. We don’t do this to men. We don’t define them by whether they have produced offspring. We don’t ask if they fe...

Just Trust Me

Thing I expected: a certain amount of inflammatory pushback in response to the CA Board’s decision to remove three board members due to ethics violations. Thing I did not expect: candidates for County Executive jumping into the fray. Dear CA Board, take note. Don’t make big decisions during election season. Needless to say, I have some opinions on this situation. They are based on my personal experience and are informed by (let me look) fifteen years observing local happenings for the blog. But I have to admit that there are other people in town who also have opinions based on personal experience and years of being hyper focused on CA. And their opinions are wildly different than mine. So why should you give any weight to what I’m about to say? I have found myself replaying the following exchange in my mind a lot this week. It’s from an episode of the BBC panel show QI: Host: The most dangerous job in terms of sport? Motorsports: motorcycling, Formula One… Panelist: No, no no I ha...

Entirely Local (Mostly)

This is not me (obviously) but somehow I wish it were. Breaking news from the top of the bookcase, where I remain both elevated and emotionally involved in local affairs. It’s from a company called Generations of Furniture at The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg. I do not know how it popped up in my Facebook feed but I honestly wish I could make this my own personal slogan. So, with an effort to be elevated and emotionally involved in local affairs… The Ridgely’s Run Community Center has created an outdoor space/patio. Did you know? The Ridgely's Run Community Association was established in 2007 by the Savage Stone Company to serve residents near the company's quarry area off US Route 1. ***** The NPHC of Howard County, Maryland is working on a new mental health initiative called “ The Barbershop Brotherhood Series” You can find Episode 1: Brotherhood and Black Identity on YouTube. Images from NPHC of Howard County, Barbershop Brotherhood Series You can check out the...

Maryland’s Mean Kids in the Lunchroom

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. There’s a celebration on May 30th at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. The Howard County Library System has curated a reading list to broaden our understanding. You can find it here. They have been hosting events throughout the month at various branches, as well. Meanwhile, in State Government… Republican delegates mocked colleague’s accent, implied he was a Chinese spy , also titled: Republican delegates face criticism for video mocking Chinese-born colleague , Pamela Wood, Baltimore Banner Del. Mark Fisher and Del. Brian Chisholm posted a 13-minute video on social media focused on Del. Chao Wu, a Democrat representing parts of Howard and Montgomery counties. Throughout the video, they engage in racist stereotypes and insinuate that Wu has communist sympathies. (Reminder: you can access this article for free through the Howard County Library System website.) You may remember Delegate Chao Wu from hi...