Village Green/Town²

  While pumping gas at the Shell Station on Snowden River Parkway (the one near BJ’s and Michael’s) I saw something I had never seen before.  The little screen on the gas pump was showing me TikTok videos. Really? Yes, those little screens are not new. I’ve seen them featuring news headlines and entertainment news. Possibly other things? I can’t remember. I’ve never found them all that compelling. What is the purpose?  Is it an opportunity for advertisers to sell us more things while we are stuck at the pump? Is it to entertain us because we are completely unable to be alone without own thoughts for the time it takes us to fill the tank?  Has it really come to that? There is nothing inherently wrong with airing TikTok videos. It was merely one of those moments in life that remind me that I am getting older, I guess. “What will they think of next?” I don’t drive much these days, so trips to the gas station are not as frequent as they used to be. Perhaps the next time ...

Something I didn't expect to learn about from the Columbia episode of WETA’s If You Lived Here: gangs. No, not that kind of gangs. This kind. Well, this kind, only standing up. This is the only photo I have of our mailboxes. Long story. In the section of the show that spoke to Columbia’s history, Rouse biographer Josh Olsen referred to these well-known community structures as “gang mailboxes.” Say what, now? By and large the word gang has a negative connotation in our culture, with the possible exception of the song “Hail, Hail the Gang’s All Here.” We hear about crime gangs, gang culture, high school gangs,  drug gangs. Be honest, if you heard that a neighborhood was well known for its Gang Mailboxes, what would you think? Would you consider that to be a plus? I think most of us know them by their other name: Cluster Mailboxes. In 1967, the USPS launched a new experimental program to test centralized mail delivery. The USPS installed the first cluster mailboxes in some areas and ...

Once again, fortune has not smiled upon me by providing me with a massive lottery win which would enable me to give to every cause I support on Giving Tuesday. The Universe does not owe me this. Nonetheless it’s a longstanding fantasy. Imagine having the joy of having so much money that you could give it away with abandon. Sigh. We all have our dreams. If you read this blog long enough you will be aware of the  local causes   I support. I won’t drag you through that litany again. I’m sure you have your own. And, like me, you have a finite amount of discretionary income to play around with on Giving Tuesday, or, on any given day of the year. I  am going to do something different this year. On Thanksgiving when I bowed my head to say the grace I found I could not give thanks without also offering up prayers for the Middle East. Those in Israel who suffered from the attacks of Hamas. Those in Gaza who have withstood continued attacks from the IDF. No amount of food or family...

 I just had a weird and wacky idea and, since you are already here, I might as well tell you.  It all started when I broke down and finally read this article: What two empty floors of a Columbia tower can tell us about Howard County’s office market , Giacomo Bologna, Baltimore Banner It kept popping up in my feed and I kept passing it by. I vaguely remembered writing a post about how the pandemic might derail some of the current downtown development. At the time of writing none of us knew that one of the biggest changes to come out of those years would be a long term desire for many in the work force to work from home. That change is what has fueled those “two empty floors of a Columbia tower.” In the article, commercial real estate broker Adam Nachlas reveals what that looks like: “Companies now want smaller spaces with conference rooms and desks for employees who only come into the office two or three days a week.” We’ve all seen news articles about the methods that compani...

 You can read what other people’s opinions are on social media, or you can find out for yourself. This Wednesday at the East Columbia Branch of the Howard County Library, the League of Women Voters of Howard County is hosting What’s in HoCo By Design? This event is co-sponsored by the Howard County Libary System.Hear representatives from the County Council discusss the amended new General Plan (HoCo By Design). This event will be a Hybrid meeting beginning at 7pm. In Person:  Howard County Library - East Columbia Branch in the Lucille Clifton Room. Zoom:  The Zoom meeting link will be provided as we get close to the date. Please RSVP to this event so we know how many to expect. If you are unable to attend, don't worry!  We plan to record the meeting and posting it to our website and our Facebook page. If you don’t know much about HoCo By Design, you are probably not alone. This is not because anyone was keeping it a secret - - far from it - - but because we all ha...

I find myself to be downright resistant to the concept of Black Friday but Small Business Saturday holds a lot more appeal to me. In case you are not all shopped out after yesterday, here are a few local suggestions.  Down at the Lakefront: Join us at The 3rd for a fun-filled day celebrating local small businesses! We know you want to be intentional with your dollar. This in-person event is all about supporting our gifted Members and their amazing products. Explore a wide range of vendors offering everything from handcrafted jewlery to art! Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect with local entrepreneurs and shop local. Whether you're looking for a special gift or simply want to show your support, Small Business Saturday is the perfect occasion to do so. Mark your calendars and get ready to shop small! I’m a huge fan of Yolo Health and Wellness plant-based products so I may pop on down there and stock up.  Savage Mill is kicking off its Yuletide Festival today beginning ...

Farmers who plant and tend the crops. Workers who harvest them. Truckers who bring the food to market.  Farmers who raise animals for food. Workers who process the meat. More truckers, more workers, more transport. Workers who process fruits and vegetables, canned foods, frozen foods, baked foods, dried foods, fresh foods. More truckers, more workers, more transport.  Sometimes moving food by train, ship, or by air. Grocery store workers who receive and handle the goods, prepare it for sale. Food service workers who prepare and cook food and sell it to customers. Restaurant workers who prep, cook, serve, clean, and do it again. Delivery workers who bring the food to you. Not all of these people live in Howard County. But, if you are eating any food at all today, they have a place at your table. Nothing would be on it without them.  In May of 2020 I wrote a piece about how some folks were protesting that they hadn’t been designated as “essential workers.” Today’s news: th...

  I have an early appointment so this will have to be brief. On the eve of Thanksgiving, here are some HoCoLocal thanks: The folks at ENTAA Care who’ve been looking after me with great diligence over the last several years. The people who deliver my groceries. The staff at the East Columbia Branch library who keep me in books from week to week. Tribos Peri Peri. Wow, do I love their food.  Friends who keep in touch with me through social media and answer my oddball questions. My Buy Nothing Group, which connects me more to the community than any other HoCoLocal group I’ve been a part of. The Inner Arbor Trust for creating and maintaining a park that welcomes everyone. Clarksville Commons for building community and filling it with fun while supporting small businesses. Drive-through iced coffee, especially the Oakland Mills Dunkin and the Starbucks at Dobbin and Wilde Lake. All of you who read and comment on this blog and give me information and good ideas.  However you sp...

So, did you watch?  In case you haven’t - - and you still mean to - - I won’t go into any detail here just yet. I will say that I thought the episode was beautifully done and, honestly, I have no serious complaints. Local realtor Peter Boscas did a beautiful job. There was one thing that was included that I wasn’t expecting and which I was delighted to see. And there was one aspect of Columbia that was completely omitted and I can’t figure out why.  Feel free to chime in over in the comment section on Facebook. But I have a feeling that I’m way more interested in this show than my readers are.  ***** By now everyone has probably heard that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martinaro will be retiring as of January 10, 2024.  There was a time when this sort of announcement would have been a big deal on this blog. I find myself strangely reticent to have any opinion whatsoever. This is largely because I don’t know enough to have an educated opinion.  I would l...

  Last night I watched an episode of Kelly Corrigan’s Tell Me More with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigeig. One of the topics they touched on was the high number of traffic deaths each year in the US. Their discussion put me in mind of this picture from yesterday’s blogpost.  Photo by Pamela Ford  Also yesterday: Howard County police are investigating a fatal collision overnight in Laurel in which a pedestrian was killed.   At approximately 3:22 a.m. on Nov. 19, a 2022 Hyundai Tucson was traveling west on Gorman Road near Murray Hill Road when it struck a pedestrian in the roadway. The pedestrian was then struck a second time by a 2018 Honda Civic that was traveling behind the Hyundai. The pedestrian, a 17-year-old male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of both vehicles were uninjured and remained at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. - - Howard County Police Department I thought of the assembly of mourners in Owen Brown for Mr. Lee,...

  Trees. We talk a lot about them in Columbia/HoCo. We worry when new projects will cause mature trees to be cut down. We bemoan the hours of raking they will cause every Fall. We bless them for shade on a hot day but curse them if they make gardening difficult - - “too much shade.” We worry about that branch which hangs a little too close to our roof.  We care about their environmental impact. I mean, some of us do. Friday night there was a holiday tree lighting in the Merriweather District. Did you go? Was it fun? Image from Merriweather District social media  Here’s a different kind of tree-lighting event. Vigil in Columbia tonight for 82 YO killed in crosswalk Sunday evening along with family dog, crossing cradle rock way. Image from Pamela Ford on TwitterX In this case a tree is central to a vigil in memory of Thomas Lee, who died after being hit by a car on November 13th. It appears he was out walking the dog. The juxtaposition of the two gives me pause. Whether yo...

I don’t think I’m alone in my fascination with the PBS series “ Finding Your Roots” , hosted by Henry Louis Gates. The show uses both written genealogical records and DNA testing to discover the family histories of each episode’s celebrity guests. Often those guests are surprised, even stunned, to learn what has been revealed through the diligent research of the show’s staff.  But they are there because they want to know. And we learn right along with them. The show makes history come alive, largely because of the personal connection we come to feel with the guests as their stories unfold.  A large portion of each story comes from primary sources.  What are primary sources? Primary sources are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects that were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts that retell, analyze, or interpret events, usually at a distance of time or place. - - Library of Congress website, “Getting S...

 No, I haven’t watched Stranger Things. Yes, I have heard the expression that sprang from the show, of being “In the Upside Down.” Apparently it refers to an alternate parallel universe. Certainly I felt I had entered the Upside Down last evening when I saw this advert from Michael’s. What the heck? They are selling upside down Christmas trees. I don’t know which is worse, an upside down tree or the fact that this isn’t even new this year (I Googled it). Am I the only person who did not know this was a trend? Where has this been hiding? There’s an entire Pinterest account created in 2016 dedicated to Upside Down Christmas Trees. What does it mean to have an upside down Christmas tree? here’s everything to know about the origin , Olivia Muenter, Woman’s Day, December 2021 I’m a bit dubious about the upside down Christmas tree’s supposed historical/religious roots: Though no one seems to know for sure how this particular tradition entered mainstream Christmas decorations, there are a...

  We celebrated our youngest’s birthday at Flavors of India last night. In case you don’t know, Flavors of India is located in the Columbia Gateway area, once lauded by Colonel Gateway in days of yore. I have a confession to make. I almost always get lost when I go somewhere in Gateway. All the streets look alike, all the buildings look alike. It is the business park version of Malvina Reynolds song, “Little Boxes.” I was even moved to write a poem about it once. Part of this may be that I don’t have cause to go there often enough to truly incorporate the lay of the land into my brain. Arriving at my destination (and getting out of there) are an adventure every darn time . After dark? It’s an added level of difficulty. They should erect a well lit archway that warns, “Abandon all hope ye who enter here.” By and large the sidewalks are rolled up when the business folks roll out. Buildings are dark. There’s a feeling of traveling in an abandoned city. It’s almost a creepy vibe. There...

  It has been a rough week for Howard County school parents. Either they’ve been unable to call up school lunch menus to see what’s for lunch, or unable to make appointments for parent-teacher conferences. Considering that the year began with many school parents being unable to find out when the bus was going to come, it certainly seems as though 2023-2024 will be remembered as the Year of Many Mysteries.  Sometimes computers improve the quality of life and sometimes they gum up the works. Someone needs to talk more nicely to the HCPSS computers because it looks as though they are mad and possibly even holding a grudge.  ***** Some nice-looking blonde woman stopped by County Executive Calvin Ball’s Facebook announcement (that he will not be seeking the newly-opened congressional seat) to offer her well-wishes. Actually, no. She held forth for an entire four paragraphs on everything she thought was wrong with Dr. Ball during his tenure as County Executive. I noticed that h...

  They came before the Liquor Board in March. They were approved for their license in May. A press release went up in August. But I really hadn’t heard anything until last week, and I am confused. I’m talking about a business called Tapville Social , which looks like it will be opening in the Mall in November or December.  The anticipation is building as we proudly announce the upcoming arrival of a Tapville kiosk at The Mall In Columbia. This groundbreaking addition marks a significant milestone as Tapville becomes the first establishment within the mall to introduce the novel experience of self-pouring beer, wine, and cider.   (Press Release, Tapville Social) My gut reaction went something like this: Columbia Mall: We must put security at our doors to screen out awful teenagers. Also Columbia Mall: Let’s put a self-serve alcohol dispenser in the center of the place! In February local news and social media were abuzz with stories of uncontrollable teens at the Mall. (“ T...

I’ve been up since five. The old brain refuses to be jump started this morning. Some ideas for you: Read yesterday’s post if you haven’t already. Get the word out about Columbia Community Care’s Toy and Book Drive. Did you know that Zum Bus Drivers and Howard County Library workers are looking to unionize? (Separately, not together) If you haven’t sent me suggestions for my Books by Local Authors post, do it soon. Is the Lark Brown/Restaurant Park McDonalds closed for renovations or closed for good?  Wish me a happy anniversary - - 24 years of wedded bliss! If you have any good ideas on how to jumpstart one’s brain, please send them along. 

What does community care look like? In Columbia/HoCo, it looks like food donations and delivery, plus weekly food distribution sites. It looks like educational events to help parents be better advocates for their children, self-care workshops, and programs for youth.  It looks like fundraisers to support ongoing programs, and hopes, dreams, and plans for a visionary community center. And it looks like the joy of children.  2023 CCC HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE Columbia Community Care will once again be holding our Holiday Toy Drive! Saturday December 16, 2023 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (or until we are out of toys!) Oakland Mills High School (Auxiliary Gym) NEW Toys and Gifts for Kids ages 2-12 years old TOYS AND GIFTS: We're doing things a little differently this year. We'll be sorting donations by age group and bagging them up ahead of time for distribution. So please consider donating Gender-Neutral toys, games, and gifts. 2-5years. 5-8 years, 8 years and older.  NO TOY WEAPONS OF ANY KI...

  There’s so much going on at The 3rd that I’m going to devote all of today’s post to them.  I know I mentioned that they’ve gotten a liquor license, bit I don’t think I’ve told you about their newest venture: One By The Water Café.   Looking at the current menu it appears they’ve got you covered for breakfast and lunch with wraps, soups, sandwiches and salads. It’s still a great place for coffee and a pastry but now there are more possibilities. The annual Thanksgiving pie sale is up and running. You’d better hurry if you want to get an order in. The deadline is November 17th. This year they are offering two kinds of pie: sweet potato and pecan, plus loaves of Hummingbird Bread. Click here to learn more and to order. The pie sale is a fundraiser which helps support the mission of The 3rd to provide support to women of color who are entrepreneurs.  Have you ever attended the WOCAX art show at The 3rd? Now they are doing it year round. Keep an eye out for rotating a...