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...

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...

What Kids Are Thinking

It’s a Monday in February, and if you guessed that a lot of Howard County students have the new cell phone policy on their minds, you’d be right. It will mean big changes and it will be stressful, no matter how much good we hope it will do in the long run. But on this particular Monday cell phones might not be top of mind, as amazing as that seems. Some kids will go to school wondering if they or family members will be seized by ICE. Some will fear that their parents’ employment will be purged by the ongoing rampage of Elon Musk and his cronies through Federal Government. Some fear heightened and renewed racism as programs that supprted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are vilified and destroyed. Some worry that it soon won’t be safe for them to use the bathroom in school anymore. It goes without saying that some kids fear going to school every day because of the prevalence of school shootings. And look! Here’s something new to fear. That old hate group, Libs of TikTo...

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