Where the Money Goes

Last year I wrote this post about how I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford a ticket to the Howard County Library event, "Evening in the Stacks." I devised an ingenious plan to save up, little by little, so that I'd be ready this year.

And then I wasn't.

Yesterday morning I was beating myself up as I saw friends posting pictures and anecdotes of their preparations for the big event. And I wasn't going to the Royal Ball. Again.

It hasn't been the greatest year for me money-wise, because every time we have a delay I miss an entire morning of work. A snow day is a full day of work that I'll most likely never get to make up, because scheduling between sixteen schools is a nightmare. I have the kind of job where I get paid for exactly what I do: no more, no less. And, I do love snow days, but...

So I was going about my daily activities yesterday, thinking and thinking about where all the money goes. As I passed the table by the front door I saw a piece of mail hand-addressed to me. It was a thank-you note from Tom Coale.

Frequent readers of this blog know that Tom is a local blogger, the former CA rep from Dorsey Search, and a Democratic candidate for the state delegate seat in 9B. He's also my friend. I've never been all that excited about donating to the campaigns of political candidates, possibly because I have never had a lot of discretionary income to throw around.

Tom is different. Even though he isn't even running in my district, he has convinced me of the difference that one good person can make in transforming the conversation and working for change. If I believe that, I should support it.

As I read his note I realized that I did have the money to buy a ticket to "Evening in the Stacks". I just made a different choice with it this year. Little by little, that money went in small donations to a grassroots campaign that I truly believe in. Enough for a ticket and even a new outfit.

I'm sorry, Howard County Library. I know you are awesome and I did give small tips to two of the Celebrity Bartenders. But this year I did something a whole lot less glamorous. In the end I think it will benefit our state, our community, even our library system.

And I can stop kicking myself around the house and start saving for next year.

Posted with Blogsy

Comments

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...

Village Green/Town²

Search This Blog