Weekend at Random

I wouldn’t call it a protest.

You couldn’t exactly characterize it as gang activity.

Loitering, maybe?

You may think you want to shop at Ross Dress for Less in the Columbia Crossing shopping center. The Canada geese have other ideas.

Move along, human. We live here now.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen that portion of the parking lot filled to capacity. Perhaps we should retrofit it as a bird sanctuary? All that pavement can’t be good for their feet.

*****

The good folks at Comics to Astonish were the victims of the kind of astonishment that nobody wants yesterday.

Somehow they still managed to get it all cleaned up, open for business, and even host their usual Friday night gaming group.

I’m not a gamer, but I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for this place ever since they posted a lost and found for this sweet little guy in 2021.

If you’re into comics or gaming cards (is that proper terminology?) now would be a very good time to visit Comics to Astonish:

9400 Snowden River Pkwy #112 Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-381-2732
Hours: Monday 12-5 pm Tuesday Closed. Wednesday through Friday: 12-7 pm, Saturday 11-7 pm Sunday: 12-5 pm

*****

Today is the annual Lunar New Year celebration at the Mall beginning at 1:00 pm. This event is presented through the Office of the County Executive and the AAPI Commission. (Visit the event page on FB for more information.)

The celebration will feature live performances and interactive activities for all ages. We look forward to coming together to celebrate as we ring in a year of energy, change, and strength—the Year of the Fire Horse!

*****

The weather predictions for today are grim. If you don’t want to brave the cold temperatures and high winds perhaps today would be a good day to stay in and see if you have any extras you could donate to local nonprofit Home of Our Own Howard. Here’s the current list of needs for February.

It strikes me that today would be a very good day to be grateful for having a home of one’s own. And if you’re looking for a good deal on home items to feather your own nest - - go to Facebook Marketplace and search Home Of Our Own. All proceeds from these sales support their mission.

Keep warm.

Village Green/Town² Comments

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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...

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...

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