Monday, Monday

This Monday is the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. It’s also the federal holiday marking Dr. King’s birthday. Many folks will have a day off from work, though not all. I think it’s important to remember that certain sections of the work force almost never get these days off, for example: retail, hospitality, health care. For those who can, the MLK birthday holiday is observed as “a day on, not a day off” by participating in activities to serve others.

A lot of people I know are making plans for Monday. I’ve been asking around. 

Glen Mar Church is again holding its day of service event.

To learn more, and to register, visit this page.

8:30 - 4:30, Glen Mar United Methodist Church, 4701 New Cut Road Ellicott City, MD 21043

8:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Morning Session

12:30 PM to 4:30 PM: Afternoon Session

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM: All-day Session

Off-site Projects (various times)

Howard Ecoworks is holding a Watershed Makeover workday and they are looking for volunteers.

UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled due to the impending storm predictions for Monday. Please check out this announcement to learn more. 

Please visit their Facebook page to learn more about Howard EcoWorks. To learn more about the event itself and to register, click here.

For those looking for fellowship and respite from the political events of the 20th, 

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Hickory Ridge will be open to the community. 

Inspired by the "can do spirit" of our county, join us for coffee, chat, and community support on Inauguration Day.

Monday, January 20, 10 am - 1 pm

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church

10689 Owen Brown Road, Columbia, MD 21044

If you like to bake, bring a treat! Otherwise, just come. The sanctuary will also be open for those who would like to pray.

Update: Thanks to longtime reader Donna for bringing the following to my attention:

MLK Day: Free Coffee, Compassion, and Community at Queen Takes Book

MLK Day is Monday and we will be open for anyone who wants to venture out in the cold. We will have free coffee, compassion, and community for those of us who need it.

We have also put together a list of suggested reading for MLK Day. Check it out on bookshop.org. 

Queen Takes Book, 6955 Oakland Mills Road, Suite E, Columbia MD 21045

The Baltimore Banner is running an article about how many Black residents in the Baltimore area may be spending Monday.  Included in the piece is Columbia’s own Herb Smith, who has plans to be out helping others.

“I’m not going to sit home and I’m definitely not going to the presidential inauguration. I’m doing what was meant to do — service,” said Smith, a Columbia resident who was an organizer for the Obama campaign. “I’m going to help people who are going to be affected by this next administration’s policies.”

I’ve been asking around to see how people I know will be spending the day on Monday. I didn’t get many answers. (This may be because people just don’t feel comfortable talking about it.) One friend will be volunteering at BARCs animals shelter. Another has plans to make a big pot of soup. In general I see choices for the day falling into several categories: to serve, to engage in self-care, and to grieve. That last response is best summed up by a post I read on Bluesky:

Where are we all meeting up to cry Monday?

How about you? Are you making plans?

Village Green/Town² Comments

Free Samples

No hope. If I went with my gut this morning I’d be calling this No Hope Thursday. I’m deep into a “what’s the point?” mindset this morning. If you know, you know. 

There are no local stories that rise above the overwhelming dread I feel about the future.

Write anyway.

There are no upcoming events that entice me to believe they are worth doing.

Write anyway.

There are no local initiatives or ideas currently under discussion that feel possible to me anymore.

Write anyway. 

Yesterday I received a box in the mail from the Penzey Spice company. It was a surprise. It contained 27 sample-sized packets of a spice blend named Resist. That’s a whole heck of a lot of resistance in one box. These days I’m not sure I’m capable of enough resistance to fill just one of those small packets.

Light a single candle? Curse the darkness? Go back to bed?

Write anyway.

Yesterday for the first time I stepped out of my comfort zone and showed up at the drop-in coloring session at the East Columbia 50+ Center. The folks at the desk were friendly and they made me my own photo ID for signing in when I visit. I spent about two hours in the company of some fun and easygoing women who made me feel welcome and filled me in on what the center is like. 

It wasn’t so much that I had a desperate urge to color but rather that I’ve been determined to try something new. Will I go back? I think I might. I get the feeling that there’s something there for me to learn or experience that’s worth exploring.

Is that…hope? Maybe the thinnest of wisps.

 A while back I saw a television program about the children’s show Bluey and how it pertains to concepts of modern day fatherhood. The prospect of trying to be the kind of engaged and playful dad that Bandit is was daunting to many of the fathers interviewed. A parenting expert pointed out something interesting. Bluey episodes are seven minutes long. Maybe you shouldn’t freak out about trying to be “that dad” 24/7. What if you committed to being that dad for a whole seven minutes?

A seven minute unit of dad-ness.

A sample sized packet of resistance.

A two hour adventure outside my comfort zone.

This week I received an invitation to have coffee with a local someone who I admire greatly and I haven’t even responded because, well, “What’s the point?” That’s a rough place to be in and I think I’m not alone in this right now. But what if that cup of coffee is every bit as much a harbinger of hope as a sample sized packet of resistance?

I don’t know. 

But, here I am. Writing anyway.

Village Green/Town² Comments

Food Chain

Have you seen this?

REAL ESTATE:

What a hedge fund’s $1 billion play has to do with downtown Columbia Lillian Reed, Baltimore Banner

Well! 

I didn’t, as they say, have this on my bingo card. But I suppose we should talk about it. The article begins like this:

The hedge fund is displeased.

Billionaire Bill Ackman of investment firm Pershing Square made that much clear in his letter Monday to Howard Hughes Holdings, the Texas-based developer that owns much of downtown Columbia.

Pershing Square owns a 38% stake in Howard Hughes and has been frustrated for months with the company’s stock price. Ackman’s letter this week put Howard Hughes’ board of directors on notice that the firm now wants to pay $1 billion to snap up more of the developer’s stock with the intent of a merger.

There’s a local conversation about this going on over on the Columbia reddit, if you are interested.

I am no expert in real estate, mergers, or hedge funds. But, like all of you, I have opinions. The Howard Hughes Corporation is far bigger than just Columbia, of course. I have a hard time seeing that bigger picture. To me, this article is primarily about my home. Tunnel vision, maybe. Understandable? I think so.

Here is my wildly simplified take on what’s at stake here: 

Columbia was created by a man, Rouse, and a company, The Rouse Company. The Rouse Company was an entity that did things. That’s what it was for. Eventually it was sold to a company that wanted to own the companies that did things (General Growth ) then spun off to a new company that wanted to own and develop the real estate holdings created by the companies that did things.

Are you still with me? 

Bill Ackman talks about wanting to use his investment capabilities to turn Howard Hughes into something like Berkshire Hathaway.  In grossly simple terms, Berkshire Hathaway is a company that amasses companies that bought companies that were originally companies that actually did something.

When I look at this it sounds a lot like what happened to the Baltimore Sun and what has happened to newspapers all over this country. I cannot name one example in which this turned out well either for the newspapers or for the communities who would be better served by high quality, professional journalism.

Or think of what has happened as private equity firms buy into health care. 

When you are a company that makes something, or does something, you are keenly aware of where your focus should be. What constitutes excellence? Making the best somethings, or doing the best job at the something you do. If you are Bill Ackman, you are so far removed from that concept that your goals are wholly disconnected from what created those companies in the first place. 

Here is the mission statement of the Howard Hughes Corporation:

At Howard Hughes, our mission is to enhance people’s lives by building inspired, award-winning communities.

Our passionate professionals are energized by the opportunity to create a sense of discovery and wonder. To bring innovative approaches and perspectives to creating new ways of enjoying life. And to create vibrant, sustainable communities that reflect the diverse interests and priorities of their neighbors and residents.

All of this to say that at Howard Hughes, we’re not just about brick and mortar; we’re about heart and soul. And the chance to enrich life’s journey, every day.

So, are Bill Ackman and his hedge fund displeased because HHC is failing to fulfill the goals in its mission statement? Heck, no. 

It’s all about the stock price. 

I personally find the disconnect horrifying. But money is money and ownership is ownership and I don’t see how we could possibly have any say here. Friends, I have never felt exactly warm and cuddly about the Howard Hughes Corporation but this feels a whole lot worse. 

What do you think?

Village Green/Town² Comments 

Summer is Coming

 

Summer is coming. I know this not from anything I see from looking out my windows, nor from anything I feel when I step outside. Honestly, it’s hard to believe that anything is assured these days but here are a few things that tell me that summer is not all that far way

The Howard County Beekeepers Association has announced their annual beekeeping short course. I hear that this is the best introduction for first time beekeepers.

The first session is Wednesday January 29th and the course runs from 7 - 9:15 pm in the Howard County Fairgrounds Dining Hall. Visit their website to learn more and to register. 

Another sign that summer must be on its way? The surge in online adverts for area summer camps. 

1. Kids on Campus already has a digital camp catalogue available and registration opens January 23rd. 
2. I’m not seeing any link to Camps on the Columbia Association website home page, but if you click on Community Programs you will find camps as an option. You’ll find general information there but it looks like online registration isn’t open yet. 
3. You can take a look at Rec and Parks digital summer camp guide  at the Rec and Parks website. Registration for county residents begins February 5th. 

Of course there are many other fascinating hoco summer camp opportunities but I see those as being “the big three” locally. Are there others that you would recommend? By far our best summer camp experience through the years was at Slayton House Camp of the Arts in Wilde Lake. Sadly, that camp no longer exists in its original form. We’ve got great memories, though. 

Are there any other local signs that are reassuring you that summer is coming? I’m not a gardener but I’ve heard that a big part of the off-season involves looking at seed catalogs* and dreaming of next year’s garden.  So I’m imagining the good folks at Clarksville Commons sitting by a toasty fire somewhere while planning this year’s farmers’ markets and community events in the same sort of way. 

What about you? Are you yearning for warmer temperatures or are you perfectly content to enjoy more of the white stuff? I’m usually pretty outspoken about my loathing of heat and humidity but this year’s cold temperatures have me beat. 

Village Green/Town² Comments 

* Speaking of seeds, The Howard County Library is hosting a Seed Share event on January 25th at the Miller Branch from 1 - 4 pm. 

Furry Friends Need Human Helpers

Sometimes the best thing you can do to help a friend is to go for a walk. In this case I’m talking about four legged, furry friends. Small Miracles Animal Rescue in Ellicott City is in need of volunteer dog walkers.

Help! We continue to be very short on volunteers to walk dogs EVERY day at 9 am, noon and 6 pm! This morning and the past two nights, we've only had one volunteer to help staff walk all of the dogs. We make sure they get their needs met, but if we have volunteers, they can get longer walks and have fun in the SNOW! Plus then staff can focus on other needs at the shelter.

If you aren't ready to adopt, how about walking and giving love to some puppers? Just stop by 10236 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City - you don't have to commit to a specific day or time, just come help. Thank you! (FYI: Volunteers must be 18 or older and no, you cannot bring your dog along to help.) Volunteer applications are on the website, or fill one out when you arrive - it won't take long.

Pet lovers can also lend a hand by helping Howard County Animal Control and Adoption Center keep up with the growing number of requests to their pet food bank. 

We have had an increase in the number of requests for our PET FOOD BANK. We are currently low on almost everything. If you would like to help those struggling to feed their pets and keep pets in their homes, you can donate to our shelter. There is a large donation bin at the front doors and our Amazon wish list is below. Thank you.

Howard County Animal Control Amazon Wishlist 

Going off in a tangent here…now that the Maryland General Assembly is in session, I’m wondering how many members of the Howard County Delegation have pets? I believe that delegates Courtney Watson and Jessica Feldmark have dogs, while Delegate Jen Terrasa and family participate in kitten fostering. Anyone else?

Straight out of Wikipedia 

By the way, if you are interested in the kind of animal-centric legislation that will be under consideration during the 2025 session, here’s a good place to start:

Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc.

Here are some of the issues they were considering in last year’s session.

*****

It’s hard to talk about pet rescue, adoption and care right now without thinking about the impact of the wildfires in California. If you are interested in and able to support those efforts, Best Friends Animal Society is requesting monetary donations. Learn more here.

In addition, this info from We Rate Dogs:

The folks at Pasadena Humane are caring for hundreds of animals affected by the fires. They anticipate getting more animals in need of emergency care as the fires rage on. You can help them provide critical resources for displaced animals by donating through the link below.

give.pasadenahumane.org/fire

Village Green/Town² Comments 

New and Notable

 

Last night we picked up dinner from the newly opened Hip Hop Fish and Chicken in Oakland Mills. Like many new restaurants it had fallen into the “long-awaited” category. We are not patient people in these parts. (I wrote about paying a visit to another one of their locations back in April.) From feedback I’ve seen online this area has plenty of Hip Hop fans. My take: the food is fresh, tasty, generous portions. It’s also not the kind of food I can eat all that often - - definitely of the rare treat variety.

More importantly, I hope this brings people to Oakland Mills who might not have been here before.

In a few weeks we’ll be celebrating the opening of another new business, a 7-11 with a gas station. At long last the empty lot at the corner of Stevens Forest and Robert Oliver Place will be filled. It’s been vacant as long as I have lived here.

It has been an uphill climb to find businesses willing to invest in my village. And we all know how the older village centers have been struggling to remain viable. The Oakland Mills Village Center has been particularly challenging because it is comprised of multiple plots of land owned by different owners. So, seeing new investment is pretty exciting to me. 

When potential residents come to OM looking at houses they’re also going to visit the Village Center. If they get a sense that it’s a functioning hub for the neighborhood, that’s a good thing.

Also in the category of the new and different: Ellicott City business Live Unusually has announced a product which will be released with the Live Unusal brand: hot sauce. 

I wrote about this business back in 2023, largely because I was charmed by this video. If you’re interested in trying the new hot sauce, pay them a visit. It will only be available at their store on Old Main Street. I wonder if they recommend it as a gelato topping?

One last thing: today’s your last opportunity to vote on your choice for the new Howard County flag. Don’t miss out. Whatever decision is made it will be better if you participated in it. That’s how this community thing works.

Have a good Sunday. Keep warm!

Village Green/Town² Comments 

That Arc Won’t Bend By Itself

 

One of my favorite quotes from the late Martin Luther King, Jr. is this one:

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.

At face value it seems to reassure us in hard times that all is not lost. There is hope. But, as we move into a time where the status quo is clearly both a rejection of morality and a mockery of justice, I am reminded that, if the arc of the moral universe is going to bend at all it will be because we bend it. We must struggle with it, wrestle with it, defend it. It will not bend towards justice all by itself.

For many white people, thoughts of racial justice and equality are something “nice to do.” As much as we think we are making these goals a priority within our minds we often do not truly make it our struggle. Issues of race are uncomfortable to talk about and we would much rather feel we are surrounded by by like minded do-gooders so that we can just relax and not think about it.

This is not enough. Especially now where the doors of government have been opened to people who are actively hostile to anti racist ideas and the goals of racial justice, equity, and inclusion are clearly under attack.

If you’re looking for some ways to bend that arc, you have some local opportunities this weekend.

Today from 10 - 2 at the Harriet Tubman Center the State Commission on Lynching will hold a required hearing on Howard County lynchings. This event will be held in person as well as live streamed.

From the Howard County Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation page:

On Saturday January 11, 2025 the state commission on lynching will be conducting their required public hearing regarding Howard County lynchings. This is the flier created by them for the event. The following are confirmed speakers: a descendant of the Henson family, Del. Terri Hill (proponent p/supporter of the legislation that created the commission), Sen. (Ret.)

Michael Bowen Mitchell (ancestor came to HoC to help set up NAACP chapter), Howard County State's Attorney Rich Gibson (speaking about mob violence, rule of law, etc then and now), and others. County history of mob violence in the form of lynching will of course be given at this hearing in which testimony will be given and solicited also from attendees to the commissioners for purposes of the final report they must give to the Governor. Come learn what has been uncovered by research regarding this topic of county history. If YOU have something you'd like to contribute, please plan on attending either in person or virtually.

This link explains more about the event and how to register:

Maryland Lynching Memorial Project

UPDATE: The state commission was advised this morning that the county is under a snow emergency plan. Tubman building is not open. As of right now, it’s been moved to 1130 today (virtua) pending hearing from our presenters to verify it still works for them. Will add info here when I know - - jam

This is exactly the kind of history that some folks are looking to suppress. Even in Maryland which some see as a securely “Blue” or left-leaning state, it has taken a huge amount of effort to bring this to fruition. There’s no guarantee that initiatives like these will continue if we don’t actively advocate for them and support them.

Tonight at Howard Community College, this year’s Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.

When: Saturday, January 11, 6-8:30 pm Where: Horowitz Center Smith Theatre, HCC

Learn more at the Facebook event page. Register for your free tickets. This event will also be accessible via Facebook Live.

Tomorrow from 1-4 pm at the Harriet Tubman Center: the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

From the event page:

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) and the Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission invite you to join us at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center for a Day of Service on Sunday January 12, and engage in meaningful service opportunities, education and projects that embody Dr. King's dedication to equality and social justice.

Attendees will be able to choose from several service opportunities, including the Kits to Heart program, where they can create Care Bear Towels and write and decorate handwritten letters for cancer care kits. The event will also host a Voter Registration Drive and a book display by the Howard County Library System and an MLK Read-In of works about Dr. King and the civil rights movement.

The Howard County MLK Holiday Commission will also be collecting non-perishable groceries, baby supplies and personal care items from 12:30-2:30p.m. at several area stores. Visit https:// www.howardcountymd.gov/OHRE-mlk for the most up-to-date listing of participating stores.

To learn more and register, visit the eventbrite page for this event. Hear from members of the MLK Commission about the Day of Service.

This weekend gives us some very concrete examples of how we can remind ourselves to continually reset our inner moral compass so that we can actively engage in bending the arc towards justice. I’m so grateful that our community is committed to doing this work and providing opportunities to come together and learn together.

Village Green/Town² Comments