YEP! First Round Awarded

May 1, 2023

Dear Friends,

Our empowering YEP! grants are designed to support nonprofit organizations that are expanding or creating new programs for youth in Howard County, with a particular focus on mental health, wellness, and social-emotional learning.

Last week, we announced that thirteen local organizations are a part of the first round of Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grant recipients.

These organizations will be offering new, innovative, and expansive programs that support young people, mostly between the ages of 10 and 18 in our community. Many of these organizations are leveraging community partnerships to expand their reach. YEP! programs will include opportunities for mentorship, tutoring, sports programs, environmental education, technology workshops, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and so much more.

Read more here.

Commitment to Education

Last Week, the Board of Education (BOE) voted to support option 3 of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) feasibility studies for Oakland Mills Middle School and Dunloggin Middle School. Working collaboratively with our State partners and the County Council, over the past five years, including my proposed FY24 budget, we have provided $559M in capital funding.

Our collective commitment to education is unwavering and we will continue our partnerships to work towards a cohesive funding plan. Please read my entire statement here.

Blazing Dragons

Our scholar athletes are consistently making us proud with their significant achievements as both students and athletes. Our Howard Community College Dragons continue to exemplify excellence. It was a pleasure to join Dr. Daria Willis to celebrate our outstanding HCC Dragons for their exceptional achievements in cross country, soccer, volleyball, and basketball. It’s always inspiring to see young people excel in both academics and sports, and these students truly represent the best of Howard County.

Thank you to Mike Smelkinson, HCC's Athletics Director, as well as all of the coaches and mentors for inspiring these incredible scholar-athletes to be their best.

Looking Posh

It’s always beautiful to welcome a new business to Howard County. I had a great time joining Kimberly and Quintus for the grand opening of Posh Salon Studios in Columbia. This is their second location in Howard County, and a true testament to the hard work and diligence of the entire team. This studio is home to the entrepreneurial artists who shape their destinies and help their clients look and feel more beautiful.

Congratulations to Kimberley and the entire Posh team for this expansion! Learn more here.

Celebrating Our Culture

It was a pleasure to join Vice Principal Adrienne McKinney, Swetha Thaker, Rachel Pierre-Mathieu and our entire Dayton Oaks ES Dolphin community for their annual Culture Fest. From dance performances to creative cultural displays, it was such a vibrant showcase of the diversity which makes our county strong.

Howard County is a place where we embrace our cultural diversity, and celebrations like these make me so proud to call Howard County home.

Honoring Zach's Legacy

I continue to be inspired by Zach who advocated for the world to be a better place while he was struggling in his own battle with cancer. This year, we are celebrating 10 years since the founding of Zaching Against Cancer Foundation, and it will be 11 years since Zach stuck his strongman pose, signaling strength, courage, determination, and hope.

I know Zach’s legacy will continue to live on due to the ongoing efforts of this incredible foundation, and I’m proud to proclaim May 1st as Zaching Day in Howard County. Thank you to the Zaching Against Cancer Foundation for all you do to support our Howard County residents and all those in our community who are battling cancer.

Take Your Child To Work Day

Thursday was Bring Your Child to Work Day! I’ve been looking forward to this day for weeks. I’m so happy that my daughter, Alyssa, could join me today and our team. We started the day off by kicking off Howard County's first Bring Your Child to Work Day event since the pandemic. More than 200 children partook in the festivities alongside their parents, our dedicated county employees. It was a joy seeing our children embrace the opportunity to experience some of Howard County has to offer.

This event is part of the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work program, which aims to build diversity in the workplace and raise awareness of children's issues. We're thrilled to be able to bring this event back after a few years of postponement and see such great participation. More importantly, we are so grateful to have incredible Howard County Government employees who are proud to showcase their work with their children.

Our day included visits to Howard Community College, Meadowbrook Athletic Center, and culminated with a press conference in Oakland Mills. A huge thank you to everyone on my team who worked tirelessly the last few weeks to make this day a success for all our kids and parents.

Elevating Survivor Voices

Last week, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we reflected on the progress we’ve made in achieving justice for victims of crime. This year’s theme, Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change, reminds us of the importance of amplifying the voices of survivors and creating an environment where they feel heard, believed, and supported.

I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the families, friends, advocates, prosecutors, and officers who have worked tirelessly to support survivors and prevent more lives from being lost to crime and violence. Your strength, compassion, and dedication are truly heroic. I'm honored to work with our public safety partners, including Howard County State's Attorney's Rich Gibson, Howard County Sheriff's Marcus Harris, Howard County Police Department Chief Gregory Der, and their teams. I remain committed to providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety of every member of our community, while also creating an environment where everyone feels safe. Let us continue to work together to elevate the voices of survivors, engage with their stories, and effect real change in our communities.

Valiant Vikings

Our spectacular students continue to break barriers and make history and our Vikings are proving nothing less. Our Mount Hebron High School Track and Field Team had a phenomenal season, winning the Howard County Indoor Track and Field Championship. In addition, Samuel Jordan made history by becoming MHHS’ very first State wrestling champion.

Their collective efforts show us that with determination, anything is possible, and I couldn’t be more proud of these scholar-athletes. Congratulations!

Thank You, Horizon!

The Horizon Foundation has remained a steadfast partner and supporter in the fight to break systemic barriers to good health and wellness for all. It was an honor to join them for their Community Summit, featuring Soledad O’Brien, where I was surprised to receive recognition as a 2023 Public Health Hero for our efforts to ensure complete streets for all.

Thank you to Nikki, the Board of Directors, and every person who helps ensure Howard County is the best place to live, work, play, and grow for all our residents.

Achieving Wildecats

Our spectacular students and staff continue to break barriers and make history and our Wildecats are proving nothing less. I’d like to congratulate the Wilde Lake Boys’ Basketball Team for clinching their first Howard County championship in over 45 years! I’d additionally like to recognize Brandon Lauer, who was named Maryland State Athletic Director of the Year and Dr. Chandra McKnight-Dean, who was named Howard County School Psychologist of the Year.

Their collective efforts show us that with determination, anything is possible, and I couldn’t be prouder of these inspiring members of our community. Congratulations!

Jazzy Talents

Howard County is home to thousands of students with incredible musical talents, and this weekend, they performed at Jazz in the Woods. This event showcases the talent of our young musicians from across the county. The beautiful melodies are sure to brighten up any cloudy day.

Thank you to Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, Howard County Public School System, and every student who performed.

Supporting Our Dragons

It was an incredible time supporting our fantastic Howard Community College and the HCC Education Foundation at Vino Scholastico. The work of the foundation is important to providing for student scholarships and academic needs. Thank you to Dr. Willis, the Board of Trustees, and all our staff and faculty who remain committed to ensuring our Dragons have access to high quality education. Together, I know that we can help our students get there, from here.

Are You Ready to Battle?

I had a great time at our annual Battle of the Books where more than 1,500 students showcase their critical thinking and teamwork skills! Thank you to our Howard County Library System, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and Howard County Public School System for your consistent collaboration. Together, we can ensure our students are the best and brightest as they head off for their next chapter in middle school.

Congratulations to all the participants. You are “literally” the best!

20 Minutes

Earth Month is the perfect time to recommit ourselves to building a greener and more environmentally-friendly future for all. One way we celebrated our earth was by joining many of my Howard County Government colleagues for our annual 20 Minute Cleanup around our government campus. Over 16,000 people have participated in this litter cleanup over the years, and it's always inspiring to see our community come together to make our environment cleaner and greener.

The 20 Minute Cleanup is an easy way we can all make a difference, and by committing just 20 minutes, we can create significant change. Let's all continue to do our part to build a better future, especially during Earth Month.

Soaring Hawks

Please join me in congratulating River Hill High School’s Black Leadership Union, Indoor Track and Field Team, and Dylan McCullough for their outstanding achievements! I was elated to have the opportunity to recognize these fantastic students for their hard work and determination.

River Hill’s Black Leadership Union has done tremendous work over the course of this school year with the organization of a Christmas toy drive that gave more than 200 gifts to foster children in Baltimore. The indoor track and field team won their first ever state championship, accumulating 75 points and defeating South Carroll. Dylan McCullough also represented RHHS at State’s and won his first state wrestling title in the 3A/4A State Championships.

These exceptional students have demonstrated how high our Hawks will fly, and I know they will continue to achieve even greater heights. Congratulations!

Tell Us, HoCo!

Tell HoCo is an easy way for anyone in Howard County to report non-emergency issues while on-the-go, such as potholes, damaged street signs, graffiti, street maintenance, street light issues, damaged trees, and more. By working together, we can resolve the small problems before they become big ones.

Submit a report here.

Roaring Lions

Please join me in congratulating our Howard High School Girls Basketball team for winning the Class 3A State finals! I was thrilled to stop by and congratulate our roaring Lions for their achievements. This was our Lions’ second state championship in program history and the first since 1994.

These exceptional students have demonstrated how both determination and teamwork pays off, and I know they will continue to succeed for years to come!

May the Fourth Be With You!

Are you looking for your next career?

The Maryland Department of Labor and Howard County Office of Workforce Development are hosting a recruitment event on May 4th at the Columbia Workforce Center. This is the perfect opportunity to discover employment opportunities that work best for you. May the Forth be with you during this endeavor!

Learn more and register here.

Resilient Raiders

Across our county, we have incredible scholar-athletes who always give us something to cheer for. I had a wonderful time joining our Atholton High School Cheerleading Team to congratulate them on winning the Howard County Winter Cheerleading Championship! As their first competition of the season, our Raiders demonstrated how hard-work and determination can pay off. I know they will continue to achieve great things. Congratulations!

Join My Team!

My office is currently looking to fill several vacant positions. To learn more and apply, please click the respective link below.

Administrator of OCS - This position manages the Office of Community Sustainability which has attained the distinction of becoming the first county in the U.S. to be designated LEED Platinum under LEED v4.1 for Cities and Communities. The Administrator coordinates energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable and alternative energy, and climate policies and programs.
Deputy HR Administrator - The deputy to the Human Resources Administrator assists with carrying out strategic priorities. The position is expected to develop well-designed and innovative programs to attract and retain a talented workforce and to implement County-wide initiatives and policies that reflect best practices and promote a workplace of excellence.

I encourage interested persons to apply today! To find a full listing of available positions, please click here.

Government Updates

Department of Community Resources and Services

Moving Tips and Tricks: How to Choose a Moving Company

The process of choosing a moving company, packing and moving can be overwhelming. To help consumers learn how to make their move a smooth one and avoid falling victim to moving scams and fraud, our Department of Community Resources and Service’s (DCRS) Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has joined forces with the Howard County Library System and the Maryland Motor Truck Association to host a “Moving Tips and Tricks: How to Choose a Moving Company” webinar.

Set to take place tomorrow, May 2^nd at 7:00 p.m., participants will receive tips on hiring a reputable moving company, discuss the services movers provide and what the contract should include, learn how to spot and how to avoid common moving scams and fraud, and find out what you can do if you are the victim of a moving scam.

While this webinar is FREE, advance registration is required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/HoCoMoving or call OCP at 410-313-6420 for more information.

Veterans, Need Help Filing VA Claims or Applying for Health Care?

Howard County Veterans, DCRS’s Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) and Office of Veterans and Military Families invites you to stop by the Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville this Wednesday, May 3^rd for a PACT Act Veterans Claims Clinic & VA Health Care Eligibility Fair.

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA benefits and health care for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. It is one of the largest expansions in VA’s history and could impact generations of Veterans and their survivors. If you served during the Vietnam, Gulf War or Post-9/11 eras, I encourage you to register for this free event to find out how the PACT Act affects you. Even if you have been denied VA benefits or health care in the past, you may now qualify under this new law.

To learn more information about this event and/or to schedule an appointment to meet one-on-one with a VA claims processor to file or follow up on a claim or to get help applying for VA health care if you are new to the VA health system, click HERE.

Explore Aging Unbound During Older Americans Month this May

May is Older Americans Month and all month long OAI will be celebrating this year’s theme, "Aging Unbound," with activities, workshops, music and more. This month, I encourage county residents, especially those age 50 and older, to join the fun by stopping by any of our 50+ Centers to pick up their Passport Challenge card. Collect a stamp at each Older American Month activity you attend and once you’ve collected six, be sure to turn in your card at a 50+ Center near you to be entered to win a handful of prizes.

To find out more about this month’s activities and schedule, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/aging/OAM23 today.

Mental Health Awareness Month

In addition to May being Older Americans Month, May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, DCRS’s Office of Veterans and Military Families has joined the VA to highlight the positive outcomes Veterans have experienced who have addressed their mental health concerns. Hear what made the difference in their mental health journey and how treatment has changed their life and outlook on life. With the support of loved ones, communities and care teams, countless Veterans across our country have learned to manage their symptoms and thrive, and you can too.

Department of Fire and Rescue Services

Welcome Deputy Chief Tavon Claggett

Welcome Tavon Claggett, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services' (DFRS) newest Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Claggett comes to the department after 25 years with Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD). As a member of BCFD, Claggett rose through the ranks from Firefighter/Paramedic to Assistant Chief up until his retirement in 2020. Following his retirement from BCFD, Claggett served as a Division Chief with the Roswell Fire Department in Georgia until recently.

Proven leaders like Deputy Chief Tavon Claggett are one of the many reasons our Department of Fire and Rescue Services continues to be such a positive force in our community. Strong leadership in public safety helps ensure that Howard County remains one of the safest places to live, work and play in our country.

To learn more about Deputy Chief Claggett, click HERE.

Creating a Home Fire Escape Plan

A fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. To ensure all your family members know what to do when there is a fire, DFRS is encouraging residents to make a fire escape plan for their home. Bring together everyone in your household and walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should also consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Once you have your plan, be sure to put it to the test by practicing your home fire escape plan twice a year.

To learn more about making your plan, check out the National Fire Protection Association’s website. Remember, if you ever see/smell smoke or fire in your home, get out, stay out and call 911.

Howard County Health Department

Members Sought for Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board

Our County’s Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board (LBHAB) plays a vital role in monitoring and improving behavioral health outcomes for members of our community. If you share our of expanding behavioral health resources and strengthening our system of care, I encourage you to apply today to become a member of the LBHAB. We are currently seeking consumer, family member and professional applicants interested in serving on the Board.

To learn how, include additional eligibility requirements and how to apply, click HERE. Please note, the deadline to apply is this Friday, May 5^th.

Department of Housing and Community Development

Investing in Housing Initiatives So All Can Call Howard County Home

For so many families who want to call Howard County home, buying or renting here is out of reach. Making homeownership widely available is a critical component to building a strong and prosperous community, and we must do the diligent work to ensure it is accessible for all. As I announced last week, my Proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 includes more than $16.5 million for the County’s Housing Opportunities Trust Fund, homeownership and rehabilitation programs, and rental assistance.

Established last year, the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund aims to promote equitable access to affordable housing for households of limited income in Howard County. In my proposed budget, I included $10 million in funding for the Trust Fund – a 50 percent increase from the year before.

I also included $6.5 million for homeownership and housing rehabilitation initiatives, which are aimed at increasing access to homeownership for limited income homebuyers. This investment will help more families achieve homeownership and wealth-building opportunities through the Settlement Downpayment Loan Program and the Housing Assistance Program. In just the last five years alone, nearly 400 families have accessed homeownership in Howard County because of these critical programs, which homeownership more attainable and affordable for all who want to call Howard County home.

Finally, I have also proposed $1 million in funding to bolster rental assistance programs. Since the start of the pandemic, Howard County has distributed more than $25 million to process 3,800 applications for past due rent and utility payments, among other needs. This funding was essential to keeping limited income individuals and families in their homes during especially difficult times.

By further investing in these initiatives, we are creating wealth for families by expanding homeownership opportunities and improving our mixed-income housing availability.

Office of Human Rights and Equity

Beyond Black & White

Join our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) this Thursday, May 4^th as it kicks off Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month this May with a “Beyond Black & White” seminar. Set to take place at 6:30 p.m. at the County’s North Laurel Community Center, during this workshop, participants will learn about the racial history and experiences of discrimination that Asian Americans, Jewish Americans and Hispanic and Latino Americans have faced. To register to participate in this event, please click HERE.

For questions and/or more information about this seminar, contact OHRE’s Community Outreach Coordinator Holly Hoang at 410-313-6430 or email hhoang@howardcountymd.gov.

Reading Human Rights: Interior Chinatown

Reading Human Rights is an award-winning monthly book discussion group hosted by OHRE and Howard County Library System (HCLS) that encourages literary exploration and community dialogue around a variety of human rights concerns. It explores works of fiction and non-fiction to teach community members the various ways individuals, cultures and communities celebrate their identities and combat injustice.

For its May book discussion – to be held in person at HCLS Miller branch in Ellicott City on Tuesday, May 30^th at 6:30 p.m., OHRE and HCLS will discuss Charles Yu’s Interior Chinatown. Winner of the 2020 National Book Award, Interior Chinatown explores race, pop culture, immigration, assimilation and escaping the roles we are forced to play.

To secure your seat for this month’s event, click HERE today to register.

Department of Planning and Zoning

Planning Board Meeting

Our Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Planning Board will be holding a hybrid meeting, in person at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City and virtually via WebEx, starting at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, May 4^th, to hear the following agenda items:

F-22-026 — Huan Wu & Yali Li – A request to review Final Subdivision Plan (F-22-026) in accordance with Section 16.125(c) of the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations for a subdivision that abuts or adjoins a scenic road. The subject property is 1 acre and is zoned R-20 (Residential: Single) and will be subdivided into two lots.
F-22-036—Andrew & Zugell Jamison – A request to review Final Subdivision Plan in accordance with Section 16.125(c (1) of the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations for a subdivision that abuts or adjoins a scenic road. The subject property is 7.053 acres, zoned RC-DEO (Rural Conservation) District, and will be subdivided into two lots.

To register to testify, click HERE. Registration must be completed prior to 7:00 pm the night (May 3, 2023) before the scheduled meeting to participate. If you do not wish to testify, but simply to watch the meeting, click HERE to watch.

A five-member board, the Planning Board makes recommendations to the Zoning Board or County Council on matters related to planning and zoning and renders a final decision on selected development proposals. Before recommendations or decisions are made, the Board holds a public meeting or hearing to provide interested persons the opportunity to provide comment. For details about procedures for testifying at a Planning Board meeting, click HERE.

To learn more about Howard County’s Planning Board and upcoming meeting dates, click HERE.

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Also, this Thursday, May 4^th, DPZ’s Historic Preservation Commission will be holding a VIRTUAL meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. The meeting agenda and instructions on how to watch or participate in Thursday’s meeting can be found on the Commission’s website.

To register to join Thursday’s meeting through your computer to view and hear the presentations, you will need to register by noon on the 4^th. Once registered, further instructions and a call-in attendee number will be provided via email.

Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board

Additionally, next Tuesday, May 9^th, DPZ’s Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board will hold a hybrid meeting, in-person at the County’s George Howard Building (3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City) and via WebEx, starting at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to attend, you must pre-register so you can be identified during the meeting. To pre-register, click HERE. Once registered, further instructions and a call-in attendee number will be provided via email.

Police Department

Free Steering Wheel Locks Still Available

County residents, if you own a 2016-2021 Hyundai or a 2011-2021 Kia with no proximity key (key fob) and are still in need of a steering wheel lock, Howard County Police Department (HCPD) has extra locks still available at its Northern (3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City) and Southern (11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel) District Stations. Available while supplies last, to pick up your FREE steering wheel lock, simply bring your Maryland driver's license and vehicle registration to the lobby of either District Station today.

A special thank you to the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council for providing grant funding to HCPD so it could purchase these wheel locks.

Department of Public Works

Woodland Road Stream Restoration Project Public Meeting

Our Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Stormwater Management Division will hold a public meeting this Wednesday, May 3^rd at 6:30 p.m., in The Linden Hall at 4765 Dorsey Hall Drive in Ellicott City, to present plans for the Woodland Road stream restoration project. The project will include stabilizing a section of a stream near the 4000 block of Woodland Road in Ellicott City, using wood and rock structures. Bio-engineered plantings will also be used to re-establish a more natural stream, reduce instream erosion, improve water quality and protect the newly upgraded forced main sewer and the existing gravity sewer main from future erosion. The project is estimated to begin in the summer of 2023 and weather permitting, is expected to take five months to complete.

The informal meeting will include an overview of the project followed by an open discussion. County staff and representatives from the project’s design consultant will be on hand to answer any questions and gather public comments. Those unable to attend the meeting and/or have questions, should contact Mr. Avinash Dewani at 410-313-6417 or email adewani@howardcountymd.gov.

Hickory Ridge Road/Campus Drive Traffic Light Activation

Reminder, a newly installed traffic signal at the intersection of Hickory Ridge Road and Campus Drive is scheduled to be activated around 11:00 a.m. next Monday, May 8^th. To alert motorists of the new signal, the signal will be set to temporarily flash yellow for traffic on Hickory Ridge Road and flash red for traffic on Campus Drive. Motorists approaching the flashing yellow signal should proceed with caution through the intersection, while those with flashing red should stop before proceeding through intersection when clear. The flash operation will switch to full color (green, yellow\ and red) next Thursday, May 11^th around 11:00 a.m.

Bureau of Highways

Caution, WET PAINT!

Every spring and summer, as weather permits, DPW refreshes lane line marking paint to ensure that street markings are highly visible and our roadways are safe.

With DPW’s 2023 painting season underway, the department is reminding motorists to show caution and patience when they come upon a paint truck convoy driving slowly in the roadway. To avoid wet paint:

NEVER pass the paint truck or trail vehicle;
NEVER change lanes behind the striping truck or trail vehicles;
DO NOT swerve back and forth to see around the paint truck or trail vehicle; and
If parked, wait five minutes before driving on the painted areas.

If you have questions and/or for more information, please contact DPW's Bureau of Highways at 410-313-7450 or email highways@howardcountymd.gov.

Department of Public Works Construction Report

To learn about DPW projects currently underway, click HERE. Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.

If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) “Project Portal” website.

Maryland State Highway Administration

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun overnight work to improve the road surface on US 1 between Whiskey Bottom Road and the bridge over the Patuxent River, north of Gorman Road in Laurel. During the overnight work hours of Sundays through Thursdays, 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with occasional daytime work of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., motorists can expect single-lane closures guided by a flagging operation in the work zone.

Following these improvements to US 1, which SHA expects to complete in June, weather permitting, SHA will begin improvement work to the southbound lanes on MD 32 between I-70 and MD 144 in West Friendship. This overnight work on MD 32 will also take place from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays, and will require a single-lane closure on southbound MD 32 and the closure and detour of the eastbound I-70 ramp to southbound MD 32. The detour includes eastbound I-70 to northbound MD 32, with a U-turn to access southbound MD 32.

SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Motorists are reminded to stay alert, focus on driving and, look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.

For more information about these projects, click HERE or contact SHA at 410-545-0303.

Department of Recreation and Parks

May the 4^th Family Parade

May the 4th be with you! Join Recreation and Parks for a free pet-friendly, family-themed Star Wars invasion of Old Ellicott City this Thursday, May 4^th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The parade will start at the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin on Ellicott City’s Main Street and finishes at the Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum. After the parade, participants are invited to come enjoy light refreshments at our Admiral Ackbar snack bar and participate in the Yoda best costume contest. Participants can also earn raffle tickets by stopping by specially marked stores to be entered for a chance to win prizes! Pre-registration is required to participate.

Community Kickball Game

All are invited to join our Department of Recreation & Parks’ this Saturday, May 6^th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for its inaugural Community Kickball Game, brought to you by our team at the new Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Columbia. I encourage you and your family to stop by Martin Road Park (located 6701 Martin Road) this Saturday and show off your kickball skills or cheer on participants in this family-friendly competition.

Registration for this free event is encouraged; however, it is not required. To sign-up, visit https://tinyurl.com/htcckickball2023 today.

Pool Maintenance Scheduled at Roger Carter Community Center

Just a friendly heads up as summer quickly approaches. The pool at the County’s Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City will be CLOSED from Tuesday, May 16^th through Thursday, May 25^th for its annual maintenance, with the pool projected to reopen to the public on Friday, May 26^th. For updates, please contact the center at 410-313-2764, extension 3.

We thank you in advance for your patience as our Recreation & Parks team works hard to ensure our Roger Carter Community Center pool is in tip-top shape and ready for the summer pool season.

Wine in the Woods Tickets are NOW on Sale!

Wine in the Woods is just around the corner! If you haven’t snagged your tickets yet for this two-day event, set to return to Symphony Woods May 20^th and May 21^st, be sure to do so today at www.wineinthewoods.com. PLEASE NOTE, tickets are ONLY being sold at www.wineinthewoods.com and Recreation & Parks headquarters in Columbia. Any third-party sales are not authorized and are likely a scam.

The year’s Wine in the Woods will feature a bigger and better Maryland Wine Explorer Village area, where attendees will find a curated selection of Maryland-grown wines. The Village will offer wine enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy fine, local wines in an exclusive section of the festival with a larger glass, food options for purchase, music and separate bathrooms. This year’s Maryland Wine Explorer Pass wristband will include everything the Taster Ticket provides PLUS exclusive access to premium wine samples from wineries around the state. As there are a limited number of these tickets available, be sure to snag your Pass before they sell out!

Office of Transportation

May is Bike Month

May is Bike Month and this May, our Office of Transportation has once again teamed up with the Downtown Columbia Partnership to offer some amazing biking events.

For starters, starting at 9:00 a.m. this Saturday, May 6^th through 6:00 p.m. this Sunday, May 7^th, Transportation will cohost the annual BikeAround Downtown. This year’s course will start off a at Color Burst Park in Downtown Columbia (DTC), roll around Wilde Lake and over through Harper’s Choice, before circling back and joining the multi-use parkway to wind back to Color Burst Park. This slightly more than five-mile course is perfect for the family or novice cyclists, as well as those with more miles under their wheels. The event will kick on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. till noon with a BikeAround Block Party at the Azlon Plaza in DTC. To learn more about this year’s event, including to register for free, click HERE.

In addition, Transportation will also once again join the Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s statewide Bike to Work Central Maryland Week celebration, which runs from May 15^th to May 21^st, by hosting an in-person Bike to Work Day event on Friday, May 19^th. The day will begin with a kick-off event at 7:00 a.m. till 9:00 a.m. at the Azlon Plaza in DTC to celebrate cycling as a healthy, green and FUN commute mode. There will be shirts, swag, prizes and more. To register for this year’s kick-off Bike to Work Day event, click HERE.

Of course, participants can ride any time during the week to anywhere and pick up their event shirt at any participating bike shop or at our pit stop (the registration location for the pitstop is 6100 Merriweather Drive) on the 19^th.

Office of Workforce Development

Summer Youth Employment Program

Calling all Howard County youth and young adults, age 14 to 24, applications are now being accepted for our Office of Workforce Development's Summer Youth Employment Program. This six-week PAID program allows young people to explore interests, gain mentorship and establish a professional network, while learning and developing practical job readiness skills.

Participants will have the opportunity to work up to 25 hours per work as either a contingent employee with County Government or a private sector business in Howard County, all while earning a competitive wage. To learn more about this program, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/youth-services today.

Please note, while the application deadline is Friday, May 19^th, due to limited positions, those interested in participating in this program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.