Village Green/Town²

Two images used to promote local events have gotten under my skin and I can't seem to let them go. My gut feeling is that they were chosen by well-meaning people without any sort of malice so I'm not going to focus on the organizations involved. I just want to focus on the pictures. Both images suggest nostalgia for a time gone by. I suspect the intent was light-hearted: to invoke a mood, to bring a smile. What I see when I look at these pictures? "Remember the good old days when we didn't have any black or brown people? Gee, wasn't that swell?" Representation. You can't be what you can't see. I thought that quote originated with astronaut Sally Ride but, in fact, it looks like it may have been Marian Wright Edelman. In an essay for the Children's Defense Fund, she writes: It’s hard to be what you can’t see. Children of color need to be able to see themselves in the books they read. Just as importantly, all children need to be ex...

First things first. If you live in Columbia and your village is having an election, vote. VOTE. If you live in Oakland Mills you can also buy Spring plants, see an art show, and get a homemade cookie. And of course, there's that whole concept of civic duty. The People Tree can't be passive, folks. Those people are all actively reaching for better things, right? I hate to think what a passive People Tree would look like. Seriously droopy, Wilted, even. An embodiment of community failure. And that's not who we are. Show me that's not who we are. I tell myself every year that I'm not going to get worked up over Village elections. And yet I do, because I feel strongly that we could be doing a much better job at getting residents involved in Columbia community building. Year after year the winners are more than happy to claim victory without acknowledging the ludicrously low turnout. We move through the cycle again and again without improving it. From HoCo...

I'm embarrassed that I didn't think to say this earlier. I wrote about the celebratory concert for Columbia's 50th this week. I wrote about what a gift it was to experience our young people as they did what they love best. But I omitted something huge in the process. Their teachers. Preparation for this concert was on top of the regular teaching schedule and concert commitments that our teachers are already juggling at this time of year. If you've been to any school concerts lately, you know that there's plenty going on in the Spring. In order to stage this concert successfully, the students needed the support of their teachers. It wouldn't have happened without them. What that means is that those teachers worked additional hours after school and on the weekend. Without compensation. Many teachers have second jobs to make ends meet. Musicians play gigs on the weekends. That they gave their professional expertise in order to support their students is no...

In light of yesterday's post, I wanted to share this testimony presented by Deeba Jafri to the County Council on April 24th, 2017. It was written on behalf of Together We Will Howard County by Deeba Jafri and Becca Niburg. I am sharing it with their permission. Chairman Weinstein and Members of the County Council, I come to you tonight to testify about the HCPSS budget on behalf of Together We Will Howard County, an organization of 1200 members who reside or work in Howard County. I also have two children in HCPSS schools, in fifth grade and ninth grade. I am here to request that the position of Diversity Coordinator be funded. Specifically I am asking you to place enough funds in the mid-level administration category for this position, about $150,000. Last year the Board of Education created the position of Diversity Coordinator. However, when the County Executive didn’t fully fund the requested education budget, the position ended up on the cutting room floor.   ...

There are certain topics that I have been wanting to write about that require more than the usual amount of thinking. When I wake up in the morning, I say, "Blah! I am not awake enough to do this first thing in the morning. I'll do it tonight." And, when I get home from work, I say, "Blah! I am brain dead from a day of work! I will write it when I am fresh in the morning." And so it goes. I am able to imagine those blog posts fully fleshed out the night before, or created in the still of the morning,  But alas, they exist only in my imagination. Perhaps this is not the most accurate use of the Schrodinger meme. Perhaps it is more like Lewis Carroll's: "You couldn't have it if you  did  want it," the Queen said. "The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday – but never jam to-day." So it is with the topic of de facto segregation in the Howard County Schools and the importance of a Diversity Coordinator. I feel that whatever I wri...

We get excited about village elections in Oakland Mills. We probable have the largest village board in Columbia, and we actually have nine people running for seven seats. Yes, friends, we have a contested election. I want to put in a good word for these folks: I asked Jonathan Edelson why they had chosen to run as a slate. His answer impressed me.  Here are some highlights: First and foremost, we all agreed we wanted to be positive about OM, highlight what's good and growing, and improve on it . Second, we think we all bring unique areas of interest or expertise that form a good "whole" for the board. Education is another thing we realized we're all pretty passionate about . We make a good team. We don't agree on everything, but we agree on the big stuff. I've served on the OM Village Board, and I've been extremely concerned in the last few years at the direction that certain members have taken. I don't agree with thei...

I went to the Howard County Schools Fine Arts Celebration of Columbia's 50th Birthday at Merriweather yesterday afternoon. I have to admit that I went with the mindset that this was an event that my kid was doing, and I was going to support her. We do that a lot as parents. We support concerts, games, shows, bake sales, car washes...We're parents. That's what we do. But shortly after the program began it began to dawn on me. This program was a gift. These students had worked hard to prepare something that could be shared with the greater community. They gave a big chunk of their weekend to make it happen. (More than that, over the long haul of preparation.) It was so much more than my going to support them. I was there, we all were there, to receive a gift. Their gift. The gift of young people who are passionate about what they do. The unexpected spontaneity of live performance. The joy on the faces of students who are given an opportunity to shine. In a time when hig...

I was on my way to have fasting blood work done when I spotted this vending machine. "Calories Count," it proclaims. "Check Then Choose." Also, "Goodness Inside." It struck me as humorous that on the long hallway to fasting bloodwork, even the vending machines are empty. But why, I wonder? The buildings where Labcorp is located have always been rather a mystery to me. Tucked out of sight around the corner from Thunder Hill Road, they have a ghost town feel to them. I know they re a part of the dear, departed Columbia Medical Plan. (I learned more about that at the Columbia 50th Storytelling Event.) A few redevelopment plans have been floated. None have gained much traction. I have a feeling that there was a time when these buildings were the hub of much activity. Now even the vending machine is deserted. A clarification: the buildings are in good condition and my visit to Labcorp was marked by courtesy and efficiency. One empty vending mach...

Today is a big day for Columbia, and it's a big day for me. I consider myself supremely fortunate to have been a part of this community at a time when a second wave of creation was unfolding. Caring about Columbia, and becoming involved in its future, has given me a connection to my home that I wouldn't have had otherwise (without being here at its inception.) Here's a look back at where I was two years ago, to get you in the mood for today's big event. I hope I'll see you there.  ***** From September 9, 2015: Stop Everything/Start Everything I often wonder what it was like to be here at the beginning of Columbia. It must have been an amazing time. You can visit Barbara Kellner at the  Columbia Archives  to get a taste, or travel in a specially designed  vehicle  if you get the chance, but otherwise, let's face it. We missed out.  Until now. This Saturday the  Inner Arbor Trust  is holding the groundbreaking event for the Chrysal...

When I arrived at work yesterday, it was raining. I had a jacket in the car but I made the executive decision to use it to wrap my iPad to protect it from getting wet. So I was definitely getting rained on as I walked toward the building. Not the best way to start the day. I must have had my head down as I walked because I was surprised when a figure appeared out of the rain with a large umbrella. It was my boss, the head of the Lower School. She had seen me trudging along getting soaked and came over to walk me in the building. Would your boss do that? It put me in a mind of an article I read this week about leadership. The Power of Leadership Vulnerability The author describes the importance of leaders being able to say I don't know and ask for help. There’s a scientific basis for why vulnerability is an important leadership attribute: Humans are wired to help one another. And, again: “Asking for help is the sign of a secure leader-- one who engages everyone to re...

I listened to a story on NPR which had nothing to do with education, and, to me, it was all about education. Go here to read about it and listen for yourself: Two Decades Later, Success for a Man Who Imagined Turning His Life Around The piece centers on reporter Robert Siegel return visit to meet with a man he had interviewed twenty-two years previously. Steven Mallory came from a world of poverty where drug dealing seemed the only way out. He saw friends die or go to jail routinely. Listen to the piece in its entirety to understand how he made a decision to move away from that life and try to build a better one. But I ask you not to walk away from it with that "heartwarming story" feeling about a man who makes good by sheer dint of effort. There's really so much more to it than that. Robert Siegel talks about how Mallory's imagination set him apart from others he interviewed at the same time. He was able to imagine a life for himself that was different fr...

If we could just not have all the big events in Howard County on one weekend, yeah, that'd be great. This coming weekend is an explosion of activity. You know how students wish that teachers would consult each other before assigning big tests and projects? Yeah, well this is like that. We've got so much going on that you'd best be equipped with that magical device that Hermione uses in the second Harry Potter book. Friday evening you can attend the Howard County Storytelling event, or you can pop in at River Hill High School for Guitarpalooza! The storytelling event will forcus on Columbia's 50th, and tickets are  $20.00. Guitarpalooza will feature an eclectic mix including plenty of Grateful Dead and pirate music. Admission is free. Saturday: Chrysalis Dedication and opening concert. (Tickets for the concert are available at MerriweatherMusic.com .) Also: Howard County Greenfest Also: Ellicott City Spring Fest Also: Earth Day at the Howard County Conserva...

The County Council will hold a public hearing tomorrow evening on CB 30, which would create a Citizen's Election Fund as a way to reduce large donations in local political races. If you support public financing, you are encouraged to attend . Here are two pieces outlining support of this bill: Campaign Costs Are Escalating,  Larry Carson Support Campaign Finance Reform in Howard County , Becca Niburg I agree with Ms. Niburg that: Public financing is the answer to the question of how to change politics as usual. Not only does public financing allow a more diverse group of people to run for office, but it also engages more people in the electoral process as they feel as if their contributions actually make a difference. I'd love to see the difference it would make if our political races were influenced by small money instead of big money. It would make a big difference in who could run, and who could succeed. Post comments here:  https://www.facebook.com/VillageGre...

For some reason Milton Matthews is on my mind this morning. It struck me that it has almost been three years since he began as president/CEO of the Columbia Association. https://twitter.com/columbiaassn/status/473433866804277248 How's he doing? You may recall that the CA Board declined to renew the former CA president's contract because he wasn't "visible enough in the community." I suspect there may have been another reason, but, well, I'll leave that to my readers to imagine. So, if you are the sort of person who follows CA happenings, would you say that Mr. Matthews has been "visible" enough? Do you think that's a valid and/or quantifiable requirement? How would you characterize his leadership thus far? I must admit I don't follow CA Board goings on as much as I used to. Tom Coale's write-ups on HoCo Rising were a valuable window into the process. The River Hill rep, Dr. Chao Wu, does share some of his insights here . I reall...

I'm sending you over to Frank Hecker's blog this morning to read  " Creating the Chrysalis: What Comes Next?" While you are at it, take a look at what's happening at Totally HoCo . I'll be back tomorrow to follow up on both. Enjoy your day, whatever is in store! Post comments here:  https://www.facebook.com/VillageGreenTownSquared/?ref=bookmarks

What would I do without Twitter? How does Ms. Frizzle get all these field trips approved by the school system? HCPSS barely approved any field trips the 9 years I was there. It's all about risk management, I guess. Ms. Frizzle and her Magic School Bus seem to operate with a kind of autonomy rarely (if ever) seen in most public school systems. And what about this: Don't be a theater kid cuz you end up dating everybody in that room. Kind of narrows your dating pool, eh? I learn a lot on Twitter because it allows me to search for specific terms that focus on local news and happenings. For instance, did you know that if you search "HoCoMd" the first thing you will see is Allan Kittleman's Twitter information? I wonder if that costs money to maintain? Today's gleanings-- Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia: Our Free Little Pantry is being installed!  If you need assistance, check at 7246 Cradlerock Way in Columbia #HoCoMD #UU #ServiceIsOurPray...

I love Oakland Mills in the Spring. There's something magical about it. My next door neighbors' house has an amazing tree which bursts forth and then rains down "pink snow." There's forsythia and tulips. The grass is growing in thick and green. I noticed on Facebook this morning that I wrote this in April of 2012: Yesterday, driving around town, I was struck by how Springtime shows off Columbia at its best. #home Another one of my neighbors celebrates the arrival of Spring as she documents her long walks around Columbia. First black snake of the season. First toad. She posts photos of adventures with her dogs and I'm struck by all the natural beauty. Meanwhile, over on Route 1... As Howard County residents wait, visions for Route 1 languish  (Fatimah Waseem) While we enjoy beautiful Spring walks in lush green neighborhoods: "People try and die to cross the road. I'll never forget the day I saw a motorized wheelchair going down the center...

Some mornings I zip through the drive-through at the Roy Rogers in Burtonsville. Some days I park at the Dunkin Donuts and run in. Getting coffee is a grab and go proposition. When I'm not in a hurry, well, it's probably not a workday. And I want a place where I can meet up with a friend or take a quiet moment to myself along with my coffee. Where are the best places to do that in Columbia/Howard County? Great ambience, great coffee, great service. Tell me your favorite location for lingering and why. Also, if there's a place that really needs a neighborhood coffee place but doesn't have one, tell me that, too. Post comments here:  https://www.facebook.com/VillageGreenTownSquared/?ref=bookmarks

The conversation was between two young women, both studying EMS, talking about where to live while in Medic school.   All I know is that I still can't even afford to live in my hometown of #ColumbiaMD - as an Adult. Single Woman probs HoCo is craaaaazy expensive.  I'm guessing these two are working while studying, so they're generating some income. Medic School is not some sleep-away four-year proposition. I think you are working in your field as you go. Do we want these young people to be able to live here? Do we have the kind of housing options that would make that possible? Right now I think it would be "live with your parents". Or perhaps one can rent a house with a lot of roommates? I've seen statements online over the years that Howard County is a community for those who have worked to achieve affluence and, if you can't afford it, you don't belong here. These sort of comments go hand-inhand with those who claim that any attempt...

In 2013 I wrote about this picture:  In the post, "Signs of an Ancient Civilization" I talked about the futility of doing the same things over and over again without any real understanding of their purpose.  Well, today I passed that same spot. For the first time since 2013, it looks different. For the first time since that long departed tree was cut down, they have stopped mulching. I'm not sure if this is a step in the right right direction. I think it is. Now it can cease being a memorial to a dead tree and become a part of the lawn. Finally. Of course, this being Columbia and all, we may soon have folks writing letters to the paper and turning up at CA meetings to complain that the public wasn't informed of this change. They will have anecdotal evidence of how Rouse intended mulch to be used. A grassroots group will be formed on the issue. Signatures will be gathered. Meetings will be held. Soon village leadership will set its sights ...