One Hundred Years and Other Good News

If you need a little good news to help you ease into your Monday, may I suggest:

Columbia barbershop marks 100 years of haircuts — and mentoring Black barbers, Jess Nocera, Baltimore Banner 

Photo credit Jessica Gallagher, The Baltimore Banner

It’s a beautiful and thorough piece about Warren’s Barber Shop in the Owen Brown Village Center. Warren's is the first Black-owned barbershop in Howard County. And no, nothing in Columbia is a hundred years old, obviously. You’ll have to read the story to learn more about their roots. 

The Village of Owen Brown doesn’t pop up in the news all that often. Although, over last year or so it has been a pretty happening place. The Department of Recreation and Parks has worked with the community to fine tune plans for a new East Columbia Library Park, and the new East Columbia 50+ Center received the “Large Project of the Year Award” , awarded by the County Engineers Association of Maryland (CEAM). 

And, while it may not make the news, the Owen Brown Interfaith Center hosts a number of community events all throughout the year. I would hazard a guess that the Interfaith Center’s capacity for meeting and event space brings many people to Owen Brown who would never have come there otherwise. 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation maintains a Free Pantry which is kept stocked with both non-perishables and produce throughout the year. This “no questions asked” initiative supports Owen Brown neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity. 

Image from UU Columbia website 

Wait. Did I forget to mention that the Library has installed a solar panel canopy in the parking lot?

Images courtesy of A. MacDonald 

Oh! And the 50+ Centers will now be open on Saturday mornings. (That includes the East Columbia one, yay.)

Have a wonderful Monday. Have any local news? Let me know.

Village Green/Town² Comments

Fair Weather/Fall Frolics

 

Friends, may I present today’s weather predictions for Columbia, Maryland:

Image from Weather Bug App, 10/20/2024

This is an especially good thing, since two local events which had to be scrapped due to bad weather are rescheduled for today. 

Over in Wilde Lake (aka Vibrant Wilde Lake) they are actually hosting two events back to back. Beginning at noon it’s Wilde Lake Fall Fest. 

Join us for a fantastic day of fun at the Wilde Lake Fall Festival! Celebrate the season with the community on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Wilde Lake Park. There’s something for everyone: live music, local vendors, delicious food, trick-or-treating, and family-friendly activities. Kids will love the moonbounces, scarecrow spoon craft, and exciting games! It’s the perfect way to kick off the fall season. Don’t miss out—be part of the #VibrantWildeLake fun! RSVP HERE!

This event is free and open to the public but they’re asking you to register in advance. (See link above.)

Immediately following at four PM is Wilde Lake’s Walktober event.

Join the Wilde Lake Neighborhood Reps on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 4PM for a Walktober event at Wilde Lake Park! Choose to participate in a friendly walk around Wilde Lake (approximately 1.3 miles) or "share a bench" to get to know a neighbor.

There is no charge to attend and this event is open to all. Please join us as we seek to build community and health in our village!

True confession: I’m having some mobility issues right now and a Walktober event where I could “share a bench” is mighty tempting. I love this kind of creative thinking which expands the parameters of who is welcome to participate.

Also rescheduled for today, the Columbia Orchestra Pops Concert at the Chrysalis (Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods) beginning at 4:00 PM.

Presented by BWFA, this free, family-friendly performance by the Columbia Orchestra is the perfect way to spend a beautiful evening outdoors enjoying music in the park.

Don’t miss this fun and exciting musical journey filled with possibilities as the Columbia Orchestra performs a captivating program of popular pops melodies for all ages, including thrilling themes from classics like "Star Wars" and "Mission: Impossible."

The program also includes beloved jazz standards such as Duke Ellington's swinging "Just Squeeze Me" and the dreamy ballad "So Many Stars." Bring a blanket and enjoy this delightful musical journey through galaxies both near and far!

Register for your free tickets here. 

The Pops Concert has been a fixture of each season in the Park since it opened in 2017. The ongoing collaboration between the Columbia Orchestra and the Inner Arbor Trust has produced some lovely musical events. I hope there will be many more.

I intend to be at this concert but several logistical problems are conspiring against me. Here’s hoping.

Village Green/Town² Comments

Freedom to Read

 

HCPSS Media Specialists were suprised this week to discover a note in their work email wishing them a Happy National School Librarian Day. If you thought they were surprised since National School Librarian Day is in April and not October, you’d be partly right. 

But what really made them scratch their heads was who sent the email: Trent Kittleman, a candidate for the Board of Education, District 5.

Image used with permission.

Thank you Media Staff!

Dear HCPSS Media staff:

Shoutout to all the superheroes behind the shelves!

Happy #NationalSchoolLibrarianDay

Dear Media staff,

I am truly thankful for the dedication, hard work, and commitment you show in providing first-class media centers to all our students --including my five grandchildren!

Trent Kittleman

Candidate for Board of Education, District 5

There are several reasons why this email is puzzling if not downright troubling. It appears to violate accepted boundaries for ethical campaigning. Teachers are being solicited at their place of business by someone who, if elected, would have substantial influence over their professional lives. We have rules that govern what candidates can and cannot do. They can’t place campaign signs on school property, for instance, or actively campaign on school grounds.

Sending a campaign email directly to media specialists at work looks an awful lot like campaigning on school grounds to me.

How do I know it’s meant to be a campaign email? This:

Used with permission 

The email closes with information about participating in early voting and contains the campaign information at the bottom.

For many folks a run for the Board of Education is their first experience with politics and election rules. Sometimes they run afoul of things like sign placing and need to be brought up to speed when it comes to what is and isn’t appropriate. Ms. Kittleman, the veteran of many political campaigns both locally and statewide, can’t be confused with a newcomer. That’s what makes this email so unsettling.

And there’s one more thing. 

Kittleman is well known locally as an early supporter of the Howard County Moms 4 Liberty Group, withdrawing her membership only when deciding to run for BOE. M4L has a national reputation ( and in Howard County, too) for attacking the professional expertise of school librarians/media specialists and demanding the removal of materials they don’t like from school library collections.

In short, M4L has made it their business to undermine intellectual freedom in schools and denigrate the professional ability of school librarians. If you’ve watched any BOE meetings recently, you’ve seen how they operate. They don’t call media specialists the “Superheroes Behind the Shelves”. They call them “groomers” and “woke indoctrinators.”

A vote for Ms. Kittleman to sit on the Howard County Schools Board of Education is a vote for that. Therefore, soliciting the votes of these HCPSS teachers whose field of expertise has already been subjected to such negative and almost threatening scrutiny could very well be interpreted as offensive. Or disingenuous. 

I most certainly cannot explain it. 

If you live in District 5 I’d suggest you go look up her opponent Andrea Chamblee  and learn all you can before casting your vote.

Some good news for today. October 19th is Freedom to Read Day of Action.

Librarians nationwide are facing verbal abuse, death threats, and, in some cases, even criminal charges and jail time. As bastions of intellectual freedom, public libraries are at the forefront of this battle. On October 19, New York City will join our counterparts across the country to stand up for free, unfettered access to information. Upholding diverse perspectives and a broad range of ideas is not only essential to the core mission of libraries, but to our democracy. - - from the American Library Association article on Freedom to Read Day of Action

Throughout the country, Freedom to Read Day of Action is hosting more than 100 events in 35 states to take action to support libraries and to push back against book bans. I haven’t found any events specifically in Howard County. (If you know of any, let me know.)  I do know that one of the best ways to support the freedom to read right now to is to vote for candidates up and down the ballot who have a proven track record of supporting libraries and intellectual freedom. 

That includes how you vote in the Board of Education race. Early Voting begins October 24th, 

Village Green/Town² Comments

F ³: They Paved Paradise

There’s quite a lively conversation going on over at the Columbia MD Reddit on the theme:

The worst parking lots in Columbia.

After reading many responses filled with heartfelt frustration I began to wonder. Is there such a thing as a good parking lot? An excellent parking lot? Can you think of a place you look forward to visiting because the parking lot is just that good? 

Don’t limit yourself to HocoLocal examples. I’m thinking of parking lots everywhere. 

Parking lots have to be designed by somebody. There’s clearly a range of expertise involved. Has anyone ever designed a parking lot of such intrinsic excellence that they won awards for it? Where does the budget come from for parking lots? Do they often get the short end of the stick when funds are allocated?

The public can be persnickety when it comes to parking preferences, and I admit to being one of them. When I lived in Rodgers Forge I got to a point where I wouldn’t shop at the Towson Mall at all if I couldn’t get parking in the exact location I liked best. That area was 1) more convenient to my needs and 2) I’d never forget where I parked.

Yes, I realized that was self-limiting. Perhaps I didn’t really need to shop in the Mall all that much after all.

Even if you are not daunted by walking long distances, it’s likely you wouldn’t pick parking lots as the place you’d want to do that. Large expanses of pavement with few protections for pedestrians in a sea of hopefully roving automobiles aren’t the settings that entice me, anyway. I feel like a wrote a post once proposing that regular shuttles might be a solution in sprawling shopping centers like Columbia Crossing. Park once, then easily travel from business to business without needing to move your car.

(It hints at Public Transportation. Therefore it probably won’t catch on.)

I learned from the thread on Reddit that ingress/egress and resulting traffic play a big role in the parking lot situation as well. It doesn’t matter how much you like the business if you get snarled up both coming and going. You’ll probably find an establishment you like almost as much if going there doesn’t take years off your life. 

So, here’s your assignment. What’s the very best parking lot you’ve ever visited and why? Or do you think the whole concept of parking lots is inherently flawed and it’s not possible to make a good one? Are they merely ugly examples of our car-dependent culture?

If we started giving awards for the best parking lots would other parking lots want to improve in order to snag public recognition?

What do you think?

Village Green/Town² Comments

Pick Your Pleasure

Maybe you’re a pumpkin spice person or maybe you’re a mulled cider person. What ever your preference, I think it’s safe to say that Fall weather is making itself known and it may very well be time to put away the last of the summer clothes and pull out some sweaters or comfy hoodies. 

Maybe. We know how quirky Maryland weather can be.

Speaking of pumpkin….are you a pumpkin carving person or a pumpkin painting person? I’ve done both. After years of encouraging squeamish preschoolers to stick their hands into pumpkin guts for the sensory experience, I’m certainly not afraid to get my hands dirty. But a whole lot of glitter paints (and maybe even glow in the dark?) can be fun, too.

Why do I ask? Well, I noticed that Tribos Peri Peri in Ellicott City is doing their free pumpkin carving again this year.

From Tribos Peri Peri Instagram 

Join us at Tribos Peri Peri Ellicott City for spooktacular evenings of creativity all month long!

Enjoy free pumpkin carving-bring your own tools or use ours! Carve your own jack-o-lantern and take it home to brighten up your neighborhood.

Whether you're channeling your inner artist or looking for a fun family activity, we've got you covered with delicious food and no clean-up hassle!

Every Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM

until Halloween! Offer is at the Tribos Peri Peri Ellicott City location only. Call 410-720-2448

to RSVP!

Below are some photos from last year’s events. I’m almost tempted to dive in, myself.

Yes, I’ve written about Tribos before. We discovered them on the Fourth Of July in 2023 and just keep coming back. The food and service are excellent and the owner and his family have been very kind to us. 

If you haven’t been there yet, they are located across from Waterloo Elementary School, near where Eggspectation used to be. Or, to be precise:

Today’s Thursday, so - - if you want to get in on this pumpkinpalooza, give them a call to reserve your spot.

And now, for something completely different:

Here’s an event which is definitely not kid friendly and it’s not in Howard County. But it’s absolutely, positively Halloween-themed.

Image from Monarque social media 

A sinfully sweet Halloween awaits you at Monarque 

Join us for a night of interactive entertainment, a prix fixe menu, Sweet Gwendoline cocktails and much more. 

Reserve your seat https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1070506&restref=1070506&experienceId=348364&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

From the Open Table Listing:

Join us for a tantalizing event in partnership with Sweet Gwendoline Gin! Monarque will be celebrating Halloween in style with intimate discoveries, interactive entertainment, and burlesque on the main stage. Join us early in the evening for a three course meal, two Sweet Gwendoline cocktails, and the full range of wicked entertainment. Then slide through the secret passage to Elk Room for a wild afterparty!  Delight and Bewitch is an event for guests 21 years of age and over.

Monarque is located on Fleet Street in Harbor East.

Why am I sharing this here? It’s simple. The event is the brainchild of former HoCo Blogger HoCoHouseHon. Those personal connections  carry a lot of weight around here.

What’s your favorite Fall and/or Halloween tradition in HoCo? Let me know.

 Village Green/Town² Comments 

Racism Mars Community Conversations

 

I’m about to make a claim for which I have no scientific proof. You have been warned.

Nobody who has read this news is happy about it:

Howard County Police arrest teen, charge him with first-degree murder in weekend shooting, Abby Zimmardi, Baltimore Banner

Or, to be more precise, every response I have seen on social media has been expressed with varying degrees of anger, fear, sadness, and frustration. At long last, Howard County can agree on something.

That’s where the agreement ends, however. Where we diverge is in how we respond, how and if we want to lay blame, or what we think should be done next. I can safely say that some folks want to lay blame a whole lot more than they want to entertain viable solutions.

In reviewing three of those online conversations/threads, I wasn’t surprised to see that some used this inicident as an open door to spew all kinds of racist nonsense and glaringly obvious dogwhistles. The sheer enthusiasm of this kind of online behavior looks less like community concern and more like children on a holiday trip to the amusement park. Perhaps these commenters generally keep their racism under wraps during day-to-day exchanges but, wow - - give them an excuse and the floodgates are opened.

It’s sad. And I would feel sad if it didn’t make me so angry.

It is possible to discuss this topic and not spew racism. I know this because I read through another local online conversation where there was plenty of deep feeling and disagreement but not one incident where racist words were used. 

The third conversation was primarily straightforward with a few unhelpful comments. Other commenters called out the racism when they saw it.

It is possible. It is possible to talk about this deeply disturbing incident which combines crime, violence, guns, schools, and students without using it as a free pass to be racist.

Not only is this behavior just plain wrong it also does nothing to address the problems that we, as a community, need to address. In fact, it makes them even harder to solve.

If it isn’t possible for you than maybe you should take a hard look in the mirror.

Village Green/Town² Comments 

Drink up, HoCo!

The Baltimore Banner ran a brief piece yesterday about Howard County seasonal cocktails. 
 

What’s on tap in Howard County this fall? Sip into the season with autumn-inspired drinks, Claire Duarte, The Columbia Mom for the Baltimore Banner

I don’t know exactly how these sorts of arrangements work. I don’t think that Claire Duarte works for the Banner in the traditional sense. She’s an independent content creator with an emphasis on advertising and marketing. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram. 

Also, she’s not to be confused with Kris Schneider of Howard County Moms  which is a Facebook group focused on community. Both women were written up in the Baltimore Sun in April. Alas, I no longer have access to that article. The Columbia Mom page is pushing content out, whereas Howard County Moms engages group members in community-oriented conversations around local opportunities and events. Both share relevant local information; the way they do it and what they are aiming for differs.

Schneider was also written up by the Sun in 2017 if you are able to see that. (So far I don’t regret cancelling my subscription to the Sun when it comes to their current coverage. I do miss having access to past material.) 

But I digress: the topic was cocktails, yes? Duarte’s piece reminded me of the time I was fortunate enough to attend a media evening introducing Cured/18th and 21st. One of the restauranteurs who spoke to us talked about the evolution of the new restaurant concept, and how he had carried around an idea for a new cocktail specifically for 18th and 21st “in his back pocket” for a very long time. It was the first time I had thought about the creative process as it pertained to beverages.

And it is creative. Possibly even an art. 

Reading this piece in the Banner brought to mind an article I’d like to read: what are the local establishments that have the best alcohol-free options: creative mocktails, NA beers and wines? That would be strong selling point for me, as most visits I make to restaurants include a mix of drinkers and non-drinkers. When I choose a location for a family gathering or birthday meal, I want to be confident that the options for everyone in the party are equally appealing and imaginative.

To be honest, most places we’ve been consider themselves accommodating if they offer one alcohol-free beer. 

More and more people are choosing to live sober or to choose alcohol-free options from time to time for any number of reasons. Hopscotch Bottle Shop in Fells Point/Baltimore opened in response to the growing sober and sober-curious market. Here in Howard County local nonprofit Sobar has brought appealing alcohol-free options into the mainstream at area events and festivals. 

So where are HoCo commercial establishments promoting their Fall mocktails? Seasonal NA brews? Alcohol-free wines that pair perfectly with their new seasonal menu? 

I wonder if the hospitality industry is operating under the assumption that alcohol is for everyone, alcohol-free is for a small, specialized group. Who are you going to pitch to? Not the small, specialized group, I guess.

There’s also a financial aspect. There’s a huge markup on alcohol and that’s where a lot of businesses really make their money. Customers are used to the idea that it’s the alcohol in the drink that makes it expensive, so they balk at an alcohol-free beverage carrying the same price tag. But when those drinks are made with creativity, care, and high quality ingredients, they aren’t cheap to produce. Asking restaurants to willingly lose money is a hard sell.

Asking restaurant patrons to change their mindsets about the cost of their drinks can be, too.

Questions of the day: 

1. Do you have any favorite fall drinks of any variety?

2. Have you had any exceptionally good alcohol-free beverages in Howard County? Downtown Columbia, even? 

Let me know.

Village Green/Town² Comments 

Acorns, Eels, and the Power of Connections

I can’t tell you how thrilled I was at the positive response to last week’s post about the eel ladder. I was afraid it was one of those things that intrigued me personally but lacked general appeal. This happens. 

I never would have known about the eel ladder if it weren’t for someone whose name might be familiar to you: AJ Metcalf. Metcalf was a local editor for Patch back in the day. The early days of Patch were peopled with some legitimately gifted journalism folks and I’ve kept track of some of them since then. 

Mr. Metcalf is now the Director of Media Communications for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It’s that human connection that prompted me to follow DNR’s  social media accounts. You may recall I wrote about their intriguing call for acorns last year. 

“We need yours nuts.” 

Simply because of this one personal connection I’ve frequently found myself fascinated and better informed about aspects of Maryland I had really known very little about. From their website: 

Vision Statement

Inspired by nature and rooted in science to improve and grow stewardship for Maryland’s natural resources.

Mission Statement​

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources leads the state toward a resilient future by using data, partnerships, and an innovative spirit to improve ecological, social, and economic outcomes for all communities.

Naturally I’m always on the lookout for stories where the activities of the DNR fall within our local area. That’s what drew me in to the eel ladder story. Then, last night, in an entirely different setting, the Department of Natural Resources popped up again. 

This question appeared on the ColumbiaMD Reddit:

When is peak foliage expected to occur this fall in Columbia Maryland?

Well! I thought people only cared about peak foliage in vacation destinations like Vermont. Does anyone keep track of perfectly ordinary Columbia, Maryland? Surprisingly, yes.

Guess who? A reader responded:

A month or so, you can get emails from DNR. The info is posted here:

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2024/10/10/fall-foliage-report-for-october-10-2024/

In case you appreciate visual aids, here’s a map DNR posted several days ago.

Map showing the Fall foliage in Maryland 

Years ago I had a rather heated discussion with someone about what was the most motivating factor in getting people to attend choral concerts. He said it was the music on the program and I said it was who would be performing. Yes, it was a rather silly argument and more an indication of what each of us was most motivated by. In retrospect, both are important. But even then, fresh out of college, I was aware of how much personal connections motivated me.

It’s also true that, in the case of Mr. Metcalf, if I hadn’t already been deeply interested in the natural environment I might not have been motivated to take more than a cursory glance. It’s rarely either/or. 

Have you ever become interested in something because a friend or family member clued you in to something new? I think sometimes we underestimate the power of those connections.

Village Green/Town² Comments 

Bad Attitude

I’m just going to admit it. I’m more ticked off about a bunch of things than I am inspired about any particular local stories right now. For today, I’m asking you to humor me. You most certainly do not need to agree with me. But a blog is meant to be commentary, after all.

My current laundry list:

1. People who want to celebrate Columbus Day should be required to give public readings of the atrocities committed by Columbus during his lifetime.

2. Not everything you don’t like in community affairs is an evil scheme.

3. Professional football is violent and racist, wildly expensive, and contributes nothing positive to who we are in this country.

4. While we’re at it, high school bands should not exist to serve football.

5. I really, really hate political campaign seasons, national and local. Local is worse, I think.

6. Not a fan of what Larry Hogan thinks passes for leadership. 

7. I hate that I am always discovering little pockets of racism in myself. 

8. So pleased that inflation is under control. Could someone please let the grocery stores know?

9. What is it with HCPSS and deferred maintenance??? 

10. Scapegoating immigrants is ugly whether it’s in a campaign speech at the national level or in local Facebook groups.

And there you have it. Perhaps I should add, “Get off my lawn” ? I’ll see you tomorrow, hopefully with a better attitude.

Village Green/Town² Comments 

F ³: When the Music Speaks

 

I feel as though it has been a while since I’ve talked about arts education. The topic reached out and grabbed me last night when I stumbled upon a program in public television called Mambo Legends: The Music Never Ends.

This program is a part of a larger series called Voces. 

About VOCES

Produced by Latino Public Broadcasting, the acclaimed PBS documentary series VOCES features the best of Latino arts, culture and history and shines a light on current issues that impact Latino Americans. Devoted to exploring the rich diversity of the Latino experience, VOCES presents new and established filmmakers and brings their powerful and illuminating stories to a national audience. - - PBS/mpt

This episode tells the story of the Mambo Legends Orchestra, a music ensemble “committed to keeping the sounds of the great Afro-Cuban bandleaders Machito, Tito Puente, and Tito Rodriguez alive for future generations.” The program is rich with engaging storytelling that invites the viewer into the history of the rise of mambo in the U.S. and the Afro-Cuban musicians who loved and championed it.

It’s also alive with the music itself: exciting rhythms, complex harmonies, a driving energy that makes you feel the entire orchestra might lift off and take flight. I’d encourage you to look them up on YouTube to get a sense of the music and how they perform together. An audio recording alone isn’t enough.

As I watched I realized there were two things percolating in my mind. One was that I was learning so much history and it bothered me that I hadn’t been exposed to any of it in school. This was a culture that none of my educational environments had deemed important enough to study. And, as a music major in college, this was a musical genre that I never encountered.

Of course, that was a while ago. Perhaps college music programs are broader these days.

The other thought I had was how cool it would be for schools to have their own mambo groups. Yes, we are all used to Jazz Bands but could students learn the same skills and gain new musical experiences by participating in a different kind of ensemble? Total immersion in mambo’s musical culture could be a beautiful thing, not just musically but also as an affirmation of cultural identity.

To be clear, this is not the same as having your Jazz Band do a piece with a “Latin flair” any more than one can claim to honor Black music by performing a spiritual once a year for Black history month. This kind of music is worthy of more than a token acknowledgment. The history and culture of the people who are keeping this music alive is worthy of study and celebration, and not just during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

We can’t ask our public schools to be all things to all people and I do believe that our music programs do amazing things. I’m excited about the developing Modern Band curriculum which is offering more opportunities to students who might normally opt out of participating in school music ensembles. But as I watched Mambo Legends: The Music Never Ends, it got me thinking about whose cultures we honor and how much we miss by continuing to do what we have always done.

What do you think?

Village Green/Town² Comments

Let’s Go to the Park

Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods is the place to be this weekend with back to back community events.

(Does that sentence need an exclamation point? I’m not sure I’m awake enough for that yet.)

On Saturday it’s the return of the Hops and Harvest Festival from 12 to 5 PM. 

From the event page:

The Hops & Harvest Festival returns to Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods on October 12th! For 2024, Hops & Harvest is running a single extended festival session from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

This year's lineup features more than 100+ local beers, wines, and spirits with unlimited tastings, live entertainment, artisan, vendors, fresh local eateries, games, and more!

Featuring live performances by the best local artists, the entertainment lineup for this festival is great!

Enjoy activities like cornhole while letting the little ones play in the children's area.

This is a paid, ticketed event. Click here to purchase tickets. To learn more about what’s on offer at the festival, visit the Hops and Harvest website.  I’m tickled to see that local nonprofit Sobar will be there featuring NA beers and ciders. 

As with any event that centers around alcohol, make sure you have a designated driver. 

Sunday is HoCo Pride 2024! (Okay, I was ready for that exclamation point.) 

From the event page:

This year, we are celebrating Finding Vibrance Everywhere at our 5th annual HoCo Pride Festival!!

Our Pride festival is a vibrant, family-friendly event that brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity, promote equality, and foster a sense of community. The festival will feature a variety of activities, including live music, entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and games.

Our goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone can feel proud of who they are and who they love.*

Pride is free and open to the public but you must register in advance for your tickets so they know how many people to expect and so they can assign parking.

Weather predictions for the weekend (as of now) look hopeful. I’m looking forward to Pride and spending an afternoon in my favorite park.

Village Green/Town² Comments 

The Lost Hour, Plus: A New Book

I just lost an hour of my life because the clocks downstairs are an hour later than the one upstairs. It seems our bedroom clock took itself off of Daylight Saving Time in the middle of the night… 

That hour I lost? You guessed it: it’s the hour I write the blog in. Phooey.

Here’s a local story for your day. From WJZ TV Baltimore:

A Latina artist from Columbia, Maryland, is using her creative talents to uplift Latinas with her first illustrated book, "Viva Latina: Wisdom from Remarkable Women to Inspire and Empower."

Maryland artist inspires Latinas with first illustrated book: "We should celebrate Latinas", Alexus Davila, WJZ TV, CBS Baltimore 

The artist is Sandra Lucia Diaz. The book is Viva Latina: Wisdom from Remarkable Women to Inspire and Empower, by Sandra Velasquez, published by Rock Point.

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, this might be a good resource to check out. Ask for it at one of your favorite local bookstores. Or put in a request at the library. It came out in September so they may not have it yet.

I’ll see you tomorrow if I figure out how to get my lost hour back. Have a great day! 

Village Green/Town² Comments

If You Build It

Today’s Man on the Street Question:

What do you know about eels?

You weren’t expecting that, were you?

What I knew: they are slippery and wiggly. They appear a lot in crossword puzzles. And people are forever buying hot eel pies from street vendors in the English historical mysteries I borrow from the library.

What I did not know: eels climb ladders.

Image shared on Patapsco Facebook group

One Last Hurdle: American Eels Navigate over Ellicott City’s Daniels Dam with a New Ladder, Maryland Department of Natural Resources 

Umm…a ladder?

First of all, it doesn’t really look like a ladder. You see that white PVC pipe in the far left of this photo? That’s it. 

Photo by Joe Zimmermann

Named for its function rather than its form, the eel ladder at Daniels doesn’t resemble a step ladder. It’s more of a simple tube—or a kind of eely waterslide—that stretches from the top of the dam to the water below, where it runs a few feet under the surface and provides an attraction flow that interests eels. The bottom of the pipe is covered with substrate netting that gives the eels enough purchase for their ascent.

But why?

Dams along the Patapsco River interfere with the eels’ natural migration routes. That means less healthy habitat for them, and contributes to a decrease in the eel population. Why should we care?

 The eel is a strange and complex creature. They’re an often-caught and slimy inconvenience for many anglers. But American eels are a critical part of the freshwater ecosystem, a vital piece of the food web and a transportation system for freshwater mussels. Globally, several eel species are in decline or imperiled, in part because of dams that sever large areas of habitat. And because of their epic migration and mysterious life cycle, eels have also beguiled scientists and the public for hundreds of years.

It seems that these wiggly-looking things play a valuable role in the grand scheme of things, something I would not have known had I not read this article. DNR Biologists Jim Thompson and William Harbold essentially MacGyvered a new eel ladder from easily obtainable materials from the hardware store. It’s a simple design and only cost around six hundred dollars, a good deal less than previously available ones.

If you want to read the article in its entirety, you will learn more about eels than you ever wanted to know. If you are pressed for time, I’ll give you the big news: the ladder is working and the eels are prodigious climbers. Better yet, watch the video:

Eel Ladder at Daniels Dam Patapsco Valley State Park

Back when the dam was built, the power it generated was vital to local industry. That is no longer the case.

Four hundred and fifty feet of stone masonry that cuts straight across the waterway, Daniels Dam has slowed the passage of the Patapsco River a few miles from Ellicott City since the 1830s, when it powered mills for producing canvas and denim. This year, the nonprofit American Rivers began a feasibility study for the possible removal of the dam, which is now long out of use. The Department of Natural Resources, which owns and manages the dam, supported American Rivers’ application to fund the study. 

It may be pretty to look at, but dams alter natural habitats and contribute to a significant decrease in freshwater wildlife. In the case of Daniels, which ceased operation long ago, a transition to a dam-less river makes a lot of sense - - especially to the eels. Would you want to climb a forty-three foot ladder if you didn’t have to?

You can follow the Patapsco group on Facebook. Maryland Department of Natural Resources is on Facebook and Instagram.

Village Green/Town² Comments 

The Anguish of Twelve Months

 

This is a local blog, and the events of October 7, 2023 are not a local story. But they deeply impact members of our community and to ignore this day would be ignoring their grief. And there is no local story today that could possibly be bigger than the death and destruction of the last year.

I’m sorry. It’s no way to begin your Monday. It would be easier to push it aside. 

The last twelve months have challenged everything I thought about Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East. They have also made me realize how useless I am and how powerless I feel to have any positive impact in this morass of suffering. 

But, I apologize. This isn’t about me. 

I read these words this morning:

Monday will mark one year since the Hamas attacks on Israel left over 1,200 people dead and 251 people taken hostage.  

In the year since the October 7th attack, an estimated 41,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza through Israel’s military response, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.      

It’s about them. And it’s dedicated to our friends and neighbors here in Howard County for whom these deaths are not just numbers in a news article. 

Oh, we have all heard time-worn expressions like “war is hell” or “there are truly no winners in war” but it seems to me that Americans (that includes us, Howard County) have done a truly abysmal job at processing what this conflict really means. Some have worked extremely hard at preventing opposing views from being heard at all. 

When I was growing up many of my sister’s friends protested the Vietnam War and they were labeled as anti-patriotic or Communists and perhaps a threat to orderly society. Young people today protest in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza and they are accused of hating all Jews everywhere and wishing for their demise. That’s a huge difference. 

Would you be vocal about advocating for a ceasefire if you felt your Jewish friends and neighbors would take that as a personal attack against them and their personal safety? Your friends and neighbors are right here and you can see them. The people suffering are far away and, if you try very hard, you can put your anguish in a box and manage to not say anything that might upset someone you know.

“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”

– John Lewis

Are we?

If this is a day which impacts you personally my heart aches for you. If, like me, you have the luxury to hold it at arm’s length - - perhaps we can use this day to look at what options we have to actively be peacemakers in this world. Express care for those who are hurting. Or, at the very least, to open that box and let all that anguish out and face the truth of it. 

Village Green/Town² Comments

Digging for Dirt

Meanwhile, back to Question A. That’s the one that would establish an Independent Office of Inspector General. It’s on the November ballot in Howard County. Back in July I put out a call for an explanation that would be easily comprehensible to someone without a lot of prior knowledge:

Second, with the recent forward movement on an Inspector General in Howard County, I am looking for someone who can explain the entire process to people who have no background knowledge. You know, as in the request, “Explain it to me like I’m in kindergarten.” I don’t mean to suggest that my readers are dummies. Far from it. But I think that people who are intensely “in the know” sometimes forget that not everyone is. 

Coincidentally, the Baltimore Banner published this piece in September.

4 things to know about Howard County's inspector general ballot measure, Abby Zimmardi

It’s pretty darned good, although it still assumes some prior knowledge that many folks don’t have.

I’m coming back to this today because I’ve seen a line of thinking about this topic taking shape on social media that concerns me. It’s appears that there’s a chunk of people out there who are pushing for the Inspector General position pretty much because they don’t like the people currently holding office in county government. 

No, let me be blunt. They think that the County Executive is the root of all evil and that everything that is wrong with the county stems from him. To that end, they are agitating for an Inspector General because they believe that it is somehow possible to be the elected executive in Howard County and magically give away big bags of cash* to one’s friends. 

They are looking for an Inspector General to validate their personal/political animus. 

Not enough money for schools? It couldn’t possibly be because we need to raise revenue. No, they are sure that an Inspector General will magically find that money piled up in the George Howard Building somewhere, waiting to be doled out like so many goody bags at a child’s birthday party. 

I remain torn about Question A but there’s one thing I am absolutely certain about: that is a terrible reason to establish an Inspector General. 

It’s absolutely possible to disagree with the priorities of elected officials. Those priorities certainly steer decisions involving money. If you don’t agree with those priorities, elect a candidate whose views you can wholeheartedly support. 

• Find an excellent candidate 
• Get them elected 

It’s both a facile and irresponsible act to claim that leaders you do not agree with are, by default, crooks.

I know that there are many sincere and dedicated folks who support Question A and are working hard for its passage. I do not want to paint all supporters with the same brush. Those folks want to see an Inspector General use ethical investigative methods to examine and understand the workings of County Government. 

What happens when that collides with the view that the Inspector General is there purely to go after the people that some residents don’t like? I don’t think that’s going to end well. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump for those people to turn the accusations against the Inspector General’s office for being “bought off” or “in on the corruption.” The loudest supporters for an Inspector General could become its biggest detractors in a heartbeat. 

It’s not a reason to dismiss Question A out of hand but, boy, does it ever leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Village Green/Town² Comments

*metaphorically speaking 

The Best Day of the Year

Let’s talk about perspective. Have you ever seen this New Yorker magazine cover?

Original drawing for View of the World from 9th Avenue, Saul Steinberg, March 29, 1976

It’s a humorous look at how New Yorkers comprehend the world and their place in it. There’s what’s important, and then…there’s everything else. 

This is my way of saying that, while there are an impressive number of events going on in HoCo today, for me there’s really only one thing: the Oakland Mills Fall Festival. Or you could say there’s my Village Festival up close and in detail, and then there’s everything else. I confess to my skewed perspective.

It’s one of my favorite days of the year in Oakland Mills. The day kicks off at eleven am with the Oakland Mills High School Band. New this year: Poms! The Festival runs from 11 - 4 but for me it just isn’t festival day unless I hear the band. Warning: if you talk while the band is playing I just might give you my Teacher Look.

From OMCA:

The Oakland Mills Fall Festival is October 5th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! And this year, the weather is looking mighty fine, so we will be OUTSIDE! Come enjoy some great food, cOMmUnity, performers (including the OMHS Marching Band), vendors, and kids' activities. And if you want to bike to the festival, park your bike at the Bike HoCo Bike Corral for free (in the festival parking lot, near the bus stop and Interfaith Center). See you at the Festival!

If you like to scope out events in advance, here’s the Fall Festival website.

And yes, there will be live music throughout the day. Come enjoy the performances in our lovely courtyard. The Stevens Forest PTA will be back again this year selling their tasty hot dogs as well as chili, chips, and drinks. There will be other food vendors on site but I’m a sucker for chili dogs.

If you’ve never been to the Oakland Mills Village center, or perhaps have never made it to the Fall Festival, I hope you will stop by. I have found over the last twenty-odd years or so that many of the folks with confirmed opinions about my village have never actually been here. Of course, not every day can be a festival day, but, the essence of what makes a good community is here every day: the people. Come meet some today! 

In a spirit of giving a nod to “everything else” - - 

Markets: Clarksville Commons, Free Town Farm, Maple Lawn 

AACR Homecoming: A Celebration of Resilience, Resistance & Advancement!

Autism Society of Maryland Walk and 5K Run

Church of the Ressurection Community Fall Festival 

Navigating Freedom At Robinson Nature Center 

Saint Matthew’s Church Multicultural Festival 

Ellicott City Wizarding Weekend on Magical Main

And there may very well be more. You may even be the adventurous sort who hits up multiple events in one day! 

As for me, if I get to hear the OMHS Marching Band, have a chili dog, connect with neighbors, and enjoy a Fall Day…well, that will be just the right amount of fun for me. 

Have a great weekend!

Village Green/Town² Comments

F ³: Auto Matic

 

Some time in August the Check Engine light in my 2010 Mazda 5 came on. They really should call it the “I need ten thousand dollars worth of work” light. It was fourteen years old and had carried a lot of bins of rhythm instruments and dancing scarves in its day. It was the Mom-mobile and the teacher-mobile and the music-mobile. Sad to say, it ended its years sitting around a lot due to COVID and my early retirement.

Maybe it was just sad.

For a variety of reasons, we did not get around to replacing it until this week. It’s amazing how long that felt and kind of scary how thrilled I am to have my own car again. In theory two people should be able to get by on one car (especially if one of them is retired) but…it has been a l…o…n…g six weeks. 

I always seem to be the one who lags in the technology department when it comes to cars. My first car had no clock at all when everyone else’s did. My second car still had manual locks. My third car had a cd player - - oh, joy!  - - but no screen with a back-up camera, GPS, or Bluetooth capability.

Now, my friends, I have it all. I’m tickled but also convinced I’ll break something. If there is another level of fancy technology I still don’t have yet, please don’t tell me. I’m luxuriating in my new bells and whistles.

However, now I have an entirely new problem.

As soon as I announced the arrival of my new wheels, folks started asking what I was going to name it. I have named plenty of stuffed animals but a car is different. I’m just not ready yet. 

(To be honest, I have named all of my other cars but then promptly forgot all about it. I just don't anthropomorphize cars the way that I do teddy bears, for some reason.) 

It would be funny if people named cars the way that they do pleasure boats and race horses. I can see naming it Happy Errands (if a boat) or Julia’s Last Hurrah (if a racehorse.) But, as a car? I’m stumped. It didn’t help that a friend reached out to let me know that it was National Name Your Car Day. Sheesh. The pressure is on!

Aside from the great joy of having a sense of personal independence and autonomy restored, there’s one more thing that makes it different from any other car I’ve owned. It’s red. I never thought I’d be cool enough to own a red car.

Not my exact car. Example from a basic Google search.

So, for now, I’m going to call it Red. If another name eventually surfaces it can always be the auto “formerly known as Red.”

Do you have any good car stories? Let me know.

Village Green/Town² Comments