Back in the Bubble

Catching up:

The HoCo Office of Human Rights and Equity has created a podcast called Community Chat. It’s hosted by Jackie Scott, Director of the Department of Community Resources and Services. The most recent episode focuses on HoCo LGBTQIA+ living and features HoCo's Register of Wills, Byron Macfarlane, & Jumel Howard, HoCo chapter president of PFLAG.

The podcast is set to air for thirty minutes, once per month. This is the third episode and I have to admit I haven’t jumped in yet. Have you? Any highlights?

An interesting tidbit: Community Chat is recorded at the podcast studio at Harriet Tubman Cultural Center.

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In light of the recent passing of Columbia activist and luminary Sherman Howell, you might want to take a moment to listen to his interview on Elevate Maryland.

Confronting White Supremacy in Howard County, Elevate Maryland, February, 2021

I did not know Mr. Howell though I certainly did know of him. In reading the recent local tributes I feel like I have a lot to learn.

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One hundred apologies to you and fifty lashes with a wet noodle to me for not noticing that the Village Harpers Choice also held a National Night Out Event. This was not a deliberate snub on my part. I honestly did not see it in my searches and I am deeply annoyed with myself.

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Today from 11-3 at the Miller Library Branch in Ellicott City: H3 Hi-Tech, How-to, Hands-on

From the event page:

H3 is an interactive community event that will encourage adults and kids to share skills and learn together. The event will feature HiTech student booths, hands-on activities, and how-to demonstrations from the community and HCLS. Entertainment, food, music, and fun for everyone!

Play games, learn something new, make crafts, and experience a variety of activities at this free and fun-filled community celebration. Features carnival games by HiTech students, how-to activities by community organizations, music, and food trucks ($). There are more than 20 indoor and outdoor areas of fun and skills to enjoy on-site.

Registration is preferred but not required.

And, of course, Saturday during the season means the Clarksville Commons Market from 10-2. Learn more about who’s coming and what’s happening at their event page.

Tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM The Maryland All-State Community Band is presenting a free concert at River Hill High School.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that the Howard County Fair opens this weekend. Here’s what the schedule for today looks like:

Is the Fair a “must-do” part of your summer? Let me know.

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Getting Fresh

One of my favorite days in the Spring comes when this year’s list of Farmer’s Markets is released. That happened this week. New this year are markets in Old Ellicott City and the “Merriweather Market” which, according to the address, will be located here . I mistakenly thought at first glance that it was in the new-construction part of the Merriweather District. I find the name confusing considering its actual location. I’m going to guess that this market is an initiative of the Howard Hughes Corporation because the name seems chosen more for branding purposes than anything else. Alas, the market in Maple Lawn is gone. The thread on the markets on the County Executive’s FB page will provide you with quite the education in who actually runs the Farmers Markets vs what people often think is going on. Short answer: they are not chosen nor run by the county. Each market is an independent entity, sometimes started by community volunteers, other times supported by local businesses...

Teacher Gifts

Today is the last day of school before the Winter Break. It’s a good time to remember the far-reaching nature of our public school system. You may not have children. You may have sent your children to independent schools. It matters not. You will be impacted one way or another. Yesterday I read a long thread on Facebook about several waves of illness in the schools right now. There’s influenza A and norovirus, I believe. And of course there’s COVID. Apparently in some individual schools the rate of illness is high enough for school admin to notify parents. When I was little the acceptable holiday gift for a teacher was one of those lovely floral handkerchief squares. (I don’t know what it was for male teachers. They were rare in my elementary years.) These days the range of teacher gifts is wider and I have fond memories of Target gift cards which I have written about before. I think it’s safe to say that giving one’s teacher Influenza, norovirus, or COVID is not the ideal holiday...

They Can Wait

This is not a typical Saturday post. That’s because, in my community, it’s not a typical Saturday. Oakland Mills High School, after years of deferred repair, needs massive renovation. It’s pretty simple: when you don’t fix a problem it gets bigger. The school system itself said the the OMHS school building was "no longer conducive to learning" back in 2018. 2018 . But Thursday the Boad of Education voted to push it out of the lineup of important projects which will be given the go-ahead to proceed soonest. In my opinion it’s a terrible decision and sets a dangerous precedent. To explain, here’s the advocacy letter I sent in support of Oakland Mills High School. I was rather proud of it. I am writing to ask you to proceed with needed renovation at Oakland Mills High School in the most timely and comprehensive manner humanly possible. I have read the letter sent to you by the Oakland Mills Community Association and I am in complete agreement. You are extremel...

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