August 18: Weekly e-Newsletter for the Village of Harper's Choice.
Overpass Closure
The pedestrian overpass that crosses Cedar Lane, near the Swansfield Elementary School, will be closed to the public between 6am Monday, August 22nd and 5pm Friday, August 26th. The closing is necessary due to the location and nature of the repairs being performed.
Harper's Choice Happenings
Learn to Swing Dance!
 
 

Taught by Marty Miodek and Christine Leggett

What: Eight-week Thursday night series
When: September 8-November 3 (NOTE: No class Thursday, September 29)
Where: Kahler Hall (5440 Old Tucker Row)
Time: 7:45-8:45pm
Fee: $120 - Register online here

NO PARTNER REQUIRED! Learn the essentials! Our beginner class series takes you through the basics of swing: six-count, eight-count Lindy Whip and Circle, and both side-by-side and Back Charleston.
You must be registered for the entire session; no partner required. Tuition is $120 per person for the eight-week session. If you have a prepaid voucher or gift certificate please email Debra  for instructions before you attempt to register.
  
September Plant Night
  
A creative spin on a typical get together. Our event hosts will lead us step-by-step through an engaging gardening project while you enjoy light refreshments on us and are welcome to BYO libations. You will go home with a succulent garden to enjoy!
Space is limited. Pre-registration by September 14 is required. $40 fee includes all supplies and snacks. Must be 21 or older to attend. Register online to reserve your space.
  
Fall 2016 Red Ribbon Yard Sale
  
Please complete this form to register your street for the October 1, 2016 Red Ribbon Yard Sale. All streets in the Village of Harper's Choice that are registered by September 23, 2016 will be included in online and print advertising. Stop by Kahler Hall before October 1 to pick up your red ribbon!

The following streets are registered for the October 1 Red Ribbon Yard Sale. This list will be updated as streets are added:
  • Celestial Way
  • High Hay Drive
  • Rondel Place
  • Willowbottom Drive
Please call 410-730-0770 or   email us with any questions.
 
Did You Know?
You Can Backstage at Merriweather?
 
 
Run - or walk - the stage at Merriweather Post Pavilion during the third annual Discover Downtown Columbia 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, right in the heart of Downtown Columbia!

The race starts at The Mall in Columbia and weaves through Symphony Woods and Merriweather Post Pavilion and other Downtown Columbia landmarks before ending at the beautiful Lakefront. A live band will welcome finishers and Clyde's will be hosting a Beer Garden with free beer for race participants.

The Corner Bakery CafĂ© and Whole Foods Market will provide free food. T-shirts guaranteed to runners who register before  Sept. 5 . Register at discoverdowntown5k.com . 
Covenant Corner

MOSQUITO PROBLEMS? HOW ARE YOU DIRECTING WATER ACROSS YOUR PROPERTY?

Those black flexible downspout extensions are often used to direct water away from the foundation of your house. Inexpensive and easy to install, these seem like a simple solution to redirect water. These corrugated drain  extensions are a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

When water flows out of the extension tubing, some will naturally get trapped in the grooves. Mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to breed hundreds of larvae.

Also, you may not be aware that these hoses are not permitted to be run above ground, as per the covenants. All drainage hoses, tubes or pipes must be buried below ground or in a landscape bed and should not dump out anywhere near the property line. Using splash blocks, river rock or similar materials at the end of a straight, short, 24" downspout extension is highly recommended.

Questions? Contact your village covenant advisor.
Around Town
4th Annual Wilde Lake Old-Fashioned Family Picnic

Enjoy a day with your family and friends at the 4th Annual Wilde Lake Old-Fashioned Family Picnic on Saturday, September 17 at Wilde Lake Park (near the boathouse), 11am-3pm. The event is open to all community members and features free entertainment and activities, including live music, moon bounce, face painting and more. Food and drink is available for purchase. Visit the Wilde Lake Community Association website for more details.
League of Women Voters of HoCo General Election Forum

The League of Women Voters of Howard County invites you to join us for our General Election Candidates' Forum on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, 7-9pm, for the Board of Education and for the U.S. House of Representatives. The forum will be held in the Banneker Room in the George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, 21043. The event will be available live on Howard County Government Television (GTV) channel 44 on Verizon and channel 99 on Comcast. The forum will also be rebroadcast on GTV, dates and times TBD. It will also be available for viewing on the LWVHC website. 
CA Speakers Series Explores Racial Integration in Housing
 
Columbia Association (CA) is pleased to present "Sustaining Racial Integration in Housing in Columbia: Exploring the Model of Oak Park, Illinois," the next event in CA's Community Building Speakers Series.

The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7pm at the Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way. The featured speaker will be Rob Breymaier, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, where he leads the nation's most successful effort to promote integration and the affirmative furthering of fair housing in the private housing market.

CA's Community Building Speakers Series brings thought-provoking speakers on topics that stimulate us to discuss, engage and build our sense of community in Columbia. Columbia's commitment to being truly integrated is at the heart of the community. Jim Rouse made this absolutely clear to all the developers and sales associates doing business when Columbia was being founded.


"It is important for all of us who are selling houses or lots or renting apartments in Columbia to understand that Columbia is a truly open city," Rouse wrote in an August 1967 memo, employing the language of the time to emphatically state his intent to build a community based on equal opportunity.

Oak Park, Illinois is located just west of Chicago. Thanks to the Housing Center's efforts and leadership, it has established and sustained an integrated community that is open, inclusive and prosperous. Breymaier has published articles and opinion pieces and has been interviewed on a variety of media outlets, including Marketplace, The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR and the Chicago Tribune.

Advance registration is not required but is appreciated. Register online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/speakers. For more information, please contact Scott Templin at 410-715-3166 or Scott.Templin@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
 

 
Upcoming Meetings
Architectural Committee Meetings

Changes made to the exterior of homes in Harper's Choice require approval of the Village Architectural Committee (AC). The AC typically meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm to review applications.

The deadline to submit applications for approval is two weeks prior to the next meeting date. Upcoming meeting is scheduled for: 9/13, 9/27 10/11.  

Village Board Meetings

The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for September 6 at 7pm. Approved Agendas and Meeting Minutes are/will be available on our website.
Keeping You Informed
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