January 17 th   Weekly e-Newsletter for the Village of Harper's Choice.
Howard County Government will be conducting a Town Hall meeting to discuss plans for the new Fire Station in Harper's Choice.  The meeting will take place at Kahler Hall on Tuesday, January 29 beginning at 7:00 pm.  Staff from Fire and Rescue and the Department of Public Works will be here to answer your questions.
Have you considered volunteering your time on behalf of your community? The current two-year terms of office for three Village Board seats expire on April 30, 2019. Village Board members attend one meeting a month where they oversee village finances, advise and take action on such matters as street and house maintenance, and advocate for changes that will benefit Harper's Choice. The nomination period runs from March 1 - March 14, 2019.  Information and nomination petitions will be available at Kahler Hall and for download on our website at www.harpershoice.org on March 1; a maximum 150-word CANDIDATE'S STATEMENT is due at Kahler Hall by 5:00 pm on March 14.  The STATEMENTS may be emailed to [email protected], preferably in a MS Word document.  For more information, contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or via email.

HCCA is looking for volunteers to help us count ballots on Election Day, Saturday, April 27 at 3:00 pm at Kahler Hall.  If you are available and would like to assist the Election Monitor Committee with this task, please contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or [email protected] .
January 19th - 7:30pm
Jim Rouse Theatre
5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia                                                                 
 
The 14th annual Jazz at the Lake concert featuring Brazilian guitarist Chico Pinheiro. Pinheiro will play with Alex Brown on piano, Zach Brown on bass and Eric Doob on drums. The award-winning Wilde Lake High School Jazz Ensemble will open the show, and perform one piece with the guest artists. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. (Golden Opportunities passes are not valid for this special concert.)

For more information, contact [email protected] or 410-997-2070.
The Annual Celebration Of The Life and Legacy of Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr.


Looking for Student Filmmakers



Once again, HC DrugFree is proud to partner with the HoCo Student Film Festival. This year, HC DrugFree is looking for teens to create short public service announcements (PSAs) focused on vaping or Juuling in Howard County. Be sure to visit our website at  http://www.hcdrugfree.org/hoco-filmfest, visit  hocofilmfest.com and contact our office at [email protected] to request our logo and ensure you have all the needed information. The deadline to submit films is Friday, April 5. The festival will be held on Friday evening, April 26 at the Charles E. Miller Library in Ellicott City.

Registration Now Open: Howard County's 2019 Evidence-Based Parenting Classes
 
Howard County parents/guardians of 9 to 14 year old's  are invited to join HC DrugFree and the Howard County State's Attorney's Office for our next Guiding Good Choices parenting 4-week program. 
 
Participants will learn the skills to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs. After completing the program, families will be able to influence their children to help prevent drug use and other risky behaviors; develop clear family guidelines and expectations about drug use; and teach children how to stay out of trouble, keep their friends and still have a good time.
 
Classes will be held on Tuesdays, March 5, 12, 19 and 26. Adults are expected to attend all 4 sessions. Unless otherwise notified, all meetings will be held at the Elkridge Branch of the Howard County Library from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. More information will be shared in future newsletters, but a flier and the registration link can be found on HC DrugFree's website at http://www.hcdrugfree.org/events/. Registration is now open. 
Dynamic Dialogue

Covenant Corner


HOLIDAY DECORATIONS 
Please note that all exterior holiday decorations and lighting should be removed by January 31. We enjoyed the displays; thank you for sharing your holiday spirit with us!


CURBSIDE CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY TREE RECYCLING 


Curbside Holiday Tree Recycling is available through January 19th on your regular recycling day. Trees will not be collected on trash days before January 19th. Be sure to remove all tinsel, garland, ornaments, tree stands, plastic bags, or any other man-made materials. Tree must be cut into 4-foot lengths or smaller and tied. Bundles must weigh less than 40 lbs. Set your tree out the night before your pick up; trees are picked up by a separate truck between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents' Convenience Center
Don't worry if it's past January19th...You can still RECYCLE your tree at the landfill. Hours: Monday through Saturday from 8 am - 4 pm. No plastic bags permitted.

Tree Drop-off Sites
There are several sites where you can take your tree to be recycled; 2 are close to Harper's Choice:
Kendall Hardware; 12260 Route 108
Cedar Lane Park; 5081 Cedar Lane off Route 108

SNOW INFO YOU SHOULD KNOW:
HCCA INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSING: Harper's Choice Community Association follows Howard County Government. Every attempt will be made to open as soon as it is safe to do so and staff can make their way in to work. We will put weather-related closings on our Facebook page.

MOVE CARS OFF PUBLIC STREETS: When a substantial snowfall event is planned, please move all cars into driveways so plows can clear the streets curb to curb.

DO NOT PARK ALONG CUL-DE-SAC ISLANDS: Plows can only clear your circle if there is enough room for them to turn and room to push the snow. Park in your driveway or garage when snow is predicted.

UNCOVER STORM DRAIN INLETS: If melting snow has no place to drain, it can cause street icing and flooding.

CLEAR THE SIDEWALKS: The owner of property abutting a sidewalk is required to remove snow from the sidewalk within 48 hours after the snow has fallen (Howard County Code). This includes public sidewalks that are adjacent to your property or behind your property.

Where to Go For More Snow Information
Snow Emergency Info. 410-313-2900
Bureau of Highways 410-313-7450
Bureau of Utilities 410-313-4900
Bureau of Environmental Services 410-313-6444
On the Internet: ] County-  www.co.ho.md.us (Click on the Snowflake Icon to track snow removal) ] State-  www.chart.state.md.us ] School Closings-  www.schoolsout.com or  www.hcpss.org ] Columbia Association - http://www.columbiaassociation.com/home  


Architectural Committee

We are looking for residents interested in serving their community on the Architectural Committee. With a small commitment of two evenings a month, your impact can be BIG. You will be helping to shape the development that is coming to Harper's Choice in the next few years. The Architectural Committee meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Members must also be compliant with the Village covenants and obtain a compliance letter from this office for any property that they own in the Village. We currently have one open seat on the AC. If you have the time to volunteer and an interest in the covenants, contact the Covenant Advisor, Debbie Nix for information.

AC MEETING INFORMATION
Applications are due two weeks prior to the meeting date. 1st quarter meetings:
January 22; February 12, 26; March 12, 26; April 9, 23. Applications and Guidelines are posted on our website. 
Have you visited us on Facebook lately?
 
Please join us on Facebook for up-to-date information about what's happening in and around the Harper's Choice Community.

Architectural Committee Meetings

Please check the calendar on our website for the latest meeting dates.
 
Changes made to the exterior of homes in Harper's Choice require approval of the Village Architectural Committee (AC).
 
The AC will meet on Tuesday, the 22nd at 7:30 PM to review applications. 

The deadline to submit applications for approval is two weeks prior to the next meeting date.
Village Board Meetings

The next meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for February 5th at 7PM. Approved Agendas and Meeting Minutes are/will be available on our website.
Keeping You Informed
This weekly e-Newsletter serves as a recap of news and events we share with our community throughout the week via other social media channels. Connect with us on Facebook  and  Twitter  to receive more regular announcements and information from us.
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* Term expires 4/30/19
** Term expires 4/30/20

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