Village Green/Town²

  Oh, how I love Facebook Marketplace. Kind of. Sort of. Well, I like it well enough. It can be useful for finding things at a good price that are nearby to where you live. Sometimes. If you’re patient and determined. If you don’t lose your mind in the process.  Once upon a time there were the classified ads in the newspaper and (in some areas) the PennySaver. These were largely replaced by Craigslist, and, to some extent, ebay. Years ago we bought a matching sofa set on ebay that was listed as being in Columbia. The owner turned out to live across the courtyard from us and he and my husband carried them across the grass! Now that’s hyperlocal shopping. Then Facebook Marketplace got in the act. It’s right there, beckoning to you, while you’re scrolling on Facebook. What could be easier? Yes, it’s easy. It’s also - - shall we say? - - quirky.  Facebook Marketplace will have the thing you want close to you but it will somehow cost much more than you wanted to pay. Or it wo...

I read online last night that students at one of our local high schools staged a walkout to protest the new cell phone policy. Truth in advertising:  I learned this information in a Facebook group that focuses on the Howard County schools, not in a newspaper article written by a professional journalist. According to information gleaned from this thread, the students got permission and followed all the necessary protocols. The discussion that followed contained a good deal of disagreement. I don’t want to go into detail here because it is a private Facebook group and I want to respect those boundaries. I will share two things which struck me. 1. Despite the differences of opinion, the discussion never sank to name calling, personal attack, or even snarkiness. (One person came close.) I am always stunned when that’s the case. I’m all for disagreement- - even very strongly-worded statements - - but when it devolves into a claws-out, take-no-prisoners mêlée then I think we lose someth...

Until rather recently I didn’t know all that much about Ramadan . Thankfully I live in a community which provides many opportunities to learn. I have found that every year I learn a little bit more about this month of fasting and prayers in the Muslim faith.  Not surprisingly, the first way many of us learn about other cultures is through food. When I noticed that some of the local restaurants we love were offering special menus during Ramadan, I wanted to learn more.  The following information is taken from What You Should Know Before Attending Your First Iftar ,* by Yvonne Maffei.  The Iftar, or the breaking of the fast, is one of the most significant points in the day during Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Observing Muslims will abstain from all food and water — yes, even water — from the crack of dawn all the way until sunset, every day of this month. Iftar is the main meal of the fasting day, which occurs at sunset every day of Ramadan. The initial ...

Yesterday gave me an intoxicating feeling that Spring was downright flirting with us.  It doesn’t take much to awaken that yearning for warmer temperatures and abundant blossoms. There are plenty of things to be serious about right now. But today I’m going to press pause and share some local images that stirred up some Spring Fever in me. This invitation to drop by for coffee from The Little Market Café * grabbed me, but - - it’s not about the coffee. It’s the picture. Stop. Take a few breaths. You are now inside an issue of Victoria Magazine.   Image from Little Market Café social media  Rise and Shine, Coffee Lovers! Spring is in the air, and there's no better way to kickstart your morning than with a delicious sandwich and a steaming cup of coffee or tea!  Whether you're an early bird or just need a little extra motivation to hop out of bed, our cozy spot is ready to serve up the perfect breakfast combo to fuel your day.  Something about all those plants and ...

So, we’ve got measles . Right here in River City. Let’s start with some facts. Measles: What You Should Know,   Johns Hopkins Medicine  Measles is a highly contagious viral infection — one of the most contagious of all known infections. Nine out of 10 unimmunized children who are in contact with an infected person will contract the virus. The virus can linger in the air for about two hours after a person with measles has left the room. It can infect those who enter the room if they are unimmunized. Oh, I forgot the biggie:  At best, measles is a very uncomfortable illness. At worst, it can be lethal. Measles also weakens the overall immune system.  From the World Health Organization  Measles itself also weakens the immune system and can make the body “forget” how to protect itself against infections, leaving children* extremely vulnerable. * I added the asterisk to point out this also means the immune-compromised, people who can’t physically tolerate vaccin...

As the civil rights and very existence of LGBTQIA+ Americans are increasingly under attack, Howard County is holding fast to values of acceptance and inclusion. But if we want that to continue we will need to actively support local initiatives such as the ones I’ve gathered together for you today. They will not survive and thrive by magic. We must make it so by continued engagement, participation, and advocacy. Take a look at some upcoming events in our community. Can’t attend? Send a donation. Even a small one helps.  Tuesday at Backwater Books (in collaboration with HCPSS Pride ) an event to celebrate Navigating the Margins: Navigating the Margins Celebration, 3/11, 7 - 8:30 pm, Backwater Books, Old Ellicot City  Register here. Celebrate Navigating the Margins: A Collection of Stories by High School Students curated by Ella Heiliger with this special event featuring readings from several of our authors, a book signing, and meet and greet with several of our student authors....

 The one that got away: Activist Goth Workshop: Design Your Own Protest Signs, Patapsco Valley State Park. This one caught my eye as I was scrolling and I’m sorry to say that it was last Saturday. On the one hand, I can’t see myself attending. On the other hand - - especially in light of yesterday’s blog post - - there’s something purely delightful about an invitation to: Dance and Create! Reject Facism, Defend Equality Let’s have more of that, please. Also, does Howard County have a really active Goth community? I’m beginning to wonder. An event that really is happening today: Bruster’s Ice Cream on Route 40 in Ellicott City is having a customer appreciation day with a pajama theme. If you’ve ever felt wistful that it’s only the kids who get pajama days at school, throw on your pjs and head to Bruster’s for a free small waffle cone. Or, you can support their pajama drive to support local young people in foster care by donating a new pair of pjs. (Free cone for that, too.) But wa...