Village Green/Town²

I just learned that March 1st is Zero Discrimination Day. Definitely a case in which shooting for zero is a worthy goal. Rather than pontificating on the topic, I'm going to send you to read the article that I just read: http://www.upworthy.com/19-big-and-small-ways-to-show-youre-all-in-for-zero-discrimination-day?c=sr1&s=p&sr_source=lift_facebook Zero Discrimination has a worldwide mission. Today I'd like to challenge you to do something that forwards this goal right here in our community. Make it local. Then post here to tell me your ideas: https://www.facebook.com/VillageGreenTownSquared/?ref=bookmarks

A memory from childhood. Visiting the cemetery to put flowers on my grandfather's grave. It was a sunny day. We walked past the Garfield memorial and there were some special flower arrangements and displays. My mother looked, turned her head away. Almost seemed to shudder. "What are all those things about?" I asked her. I could tell she really didn't want to tell me. And then, hesitating, she told me a very carefully worded story about Germany. And Hitler. And what happened to the Jewish people during the war. I felt a chill of dread come over me. More than anything, the sight of my mother being afraid to tell me about something was the most terrifying of all. How horrible it must be if my mother shrank from naming it: Holocaust. For years I had nightmares about that day. We walked past the displays, and the small groups of people who had come to show their respect. There was a placard that read, "Never again." My mother said, "We can'...

The headline reads "Five reasons to do business in Howard County". The story recounts an event held at One Merriweather by Bisnow. ( story ) I found myself drawn to the photographs. There are plenty of them. In scanning them, I noted, that, with the exception of Ike Leggett, this event appeared to have a serious lack of racial/ethnic diversity. The speakers, aside from the MoCo Exec, look to be an assortment of white men. Period. Hmm. Does this mean anything? Should I care? I guess I already do care, or else I wouldn't  be mentioning it. I look at these pictures and think, "the future of Howard County is more pale male heads. Oh, yay."  Why does it matter? Perspective. This comment made me think. "The goal [of transportation] is not to move people," he said. "The goal is economic development." (Christopher Leinberger) Well, maybe. But to those folks in Howard County who'd just like to be able to get  to work and to shop, economic ...

From the crazy ideas file at Village Green/Town², these Dome Houses made of polystyrene: https://www.facebook.com/yooDesignStudio/videos/10154163980606044/ I say, make Gateway the final Columbia Village and make all the houses like this. With tons of walkability to shops and an appealing "around the Gateway" transit system. Let's do something really off-beat and quirky and fun. Downtown development is moving along all right, but nothing about it is anywhere near weird enough for me. Well, actually, the plans for Merriweather Park in Symphony Woods were pretty darn visionary. Remember ? Funny thing, the people who strongly objected to these forward-thinking designs were folks who participated in Columbia visionary James Rouse's New American City. These were Pioneers in a new way of living. Does one get to a point in life when one clings to the old vision and rejects any kind of new vision? Is it inevitable? Columbia is getting ready to celebrate its 50th birt...

Tonight is the Howard County Libraries annual fundraiser, "Evening in the Stacks." For many years I have lamented that I couldn't afford to go. I would look at the photos of the event posted online and have that sense of regret that I wasn't one of the Cool Kids who go to this event and other big-ticket charitable events around town. I did go one year thanks to a free ticket extended to me by a friend. It was wonderful, but for a shy person who came alone it had its limitations. Now that I am working full time, I am coming to grips with having more disposable income. I am trying to choose wisely when it comes to charitable donations, especially since so many things I believe in are under attack these days. When I woke up this morning I had to face the fact that, now that I have the money to go to Evening in the Stacks, I'm simply too exhausted to want to go. And I'd have to fight my inner introvert to even make it in the door. Two thoughts on this: 1. ...

The Howard County Board of Education took the time to address the issue of protections for transgender students at their board meeting last night. Here is their statement: In the Howard County Public School System, each school works with children and families, as it always has, to preserve the privacy and rights of all students, including transgender students. HCPSS reaffirms that commitment and will not change its practices. You can read more here at the HCPSS website.  At the same meeting,  Board of Education approved a budget which restores  support staff in media, kindergarten, ESOL, and early childhood to 2014 levels. They have also created  a position for a diversity/inclusion coordinator. Let's hope it sticks this time!  It is heartening to see the Board at work making such excellent choices in behalf of students, parents, teachers, and staff. If you'd like to thank them for their work, you can use this handy-dandy form provided by HCEA...

I have allergies and asthma. I was born this way. It can be annoying, uncomfortable, and limiting. I've been through years of allergies shots, taken a boatload of medication, visited the emergency room after a run-in with book mold and cats. I can't have pets, even though I love animals. But this is who I am. I was born this way, and I have learned to deal with it. And you know what? Nobody is offended. No one scorns me, doubts the veracity of my claims, or tries to interfere with my civil rights. What a privilege that is. It's just accepted that "that's the way I am." Not so for LGBTQ folks. So often they don't get that benefit of the doubt. "This is who I am." "This is how I was made." No, they don't get a free pass because just the fact of their existence offends somebody. Before I go any further, I want to be clear that I know my analogy is flawed. Allergies and asthma are an illness, ones I wish could be completely re...