Skip to main content

More Than Mold

Glenwood. In local news coverage and on social media, it's become synonymous with mold, illness among students and staff, lack of transparency from school system leadership. If you don't know about what's going on out there, you should.

And yet.

And yet there's more to Glenwood than mold, and I'm sure the folks who live out that way would love to be able to focus on the good and be known for more than living in crisis mode. So, with that in mind, here's a little sparkle of light for you this morning. Via @LoriConforti:

New #RandomActsOfKindness added, which will you choose? Visit the Glenwood Branch @HoCo_Library #spreadjoy #HoCoMD

Lori Conforti's Twitter page describes her as:

Teens' Instructor & Research Specialist, @HoCo_Library Providing educational opportunities to students & the wider community. Libraries=Education

I don't know Ms. Conforti in real life, but I enjoy following her on Twitter because the programs she's running for teens at the Glenwood Branch are so appealing. Off the top of my head I recall reading about astronomy, hedgehogs, musical theater, knitting...I don't think libraries did this kind of outreach to teens back when I was in school. Sadly, there's no way I can sneak in and pretend to be a teen at this point in my life. Much eyerolling would ensue.

This is another example of what a valuable role the Howard County Library System plays in our community. When I think of the Howard County Libraries I think of words like responsive, collaborative, dynamic. It's truly something to take pride in. There's a chance to celebrate their 75 years at their Chapters-of-our-Lives Time Capsule Installation on December 21st at 4 pm, at the Central Branch. Learn more here.

And don't forget to pick a random act of kindness and spread some joy today.

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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...