June 10, 2019

Dear Friends, Happy Pride Month! In Howard County, we don’t just tolerate diversity and inclusion, we celebrate it! I was honored to mark the start of Pride Month with members of our LGBTQ+ community last week . During June, on this 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, we will remember those who fought for justice. We will resist those who would turn back the clock on equal rights and we will rejoice because of the LGBTQ+ love we have in our community. I hope you will join me and PFLAG Columbia-Howard County for a Pride Celebration on Saturday, June 29th, 2019 from 11:00am – 5:00pm at Centennial Park. This will be Howard County’s very first Pride festival of many to come! You can find more information here .

This Week in HoCo

Agricultural Land Preservation Program Restored  Agriculture continues to play a vital role in Howard County, both in terms of our environment and our economy. Our farms provide locally grown food, minimize our environmental footprint, and grow jobs. We are re-opening the Agricultural Land Preservation Program to safeguard our natural spaces and helps farms thrive. I believe we must renew our promise of support to all our farmers and residents. We must be the environmental leaders who protect and preserve agricultural lands, as well as those who live and work there. This program was shut down over a year ago due to budget shortfalls. By working with the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Finance Department, and the Agricultural Preservation Board, we were able to responsibly restore this important program. You can watch the announcement here , watch a summarized video about it here , and check out the pictures here .

Eid Mubarak May this Eid bring you joy, be the start of a new beginning, and bring you and your family lots of happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing our Muslim sisters and brothers who celebrated last week a blessed Eid Al-Fitr! I was so honored to join our Howard County Muslim community to celebrate at their morning prayers at Dar Al-Taqwa mosque. Eid Mubarak!

Howard County Releases 2019 Opioid Report This Health Department 2019 Opioid report, “Response To A Crisis,” reveals in-county opioid deaths are down 25.5%. I want to thank everyone at the Health Department, our emergency responders, and our community partners for working tirelessly to keep all our neighbors and loved ones healthy. Looking ahead, we will continue to unite our community in the fight against opioids and addiction. Together, we can end the stigma around seeking help, increase access to treatment, and prevent substance use disorders. In the face of crisis, Howard County stands strong and united. Read the full report here.

Law Enforcement Torch Run  It was an honor to join the  Howard County Police Department for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. This "Flame of Hope" is an inspiration to many of our athletes as they prepare for the Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games. D-Day 75th Anniversary  “They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate.” — President Franklin D. Roosevelt On Thursday, we marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day. A day when we honor and commemorate our veterans who sacrificed so much to fight bravely for our freedom today.  #LestWeForget

Local Business Workshop  I was glad to join  Howard County Office of Purchasing , Howard County Chamber of Commerce , and the  Howard County Economic Development Authority to host our county’s first ever Local Businesses Workshop. The more than 9,900 businesses in Howard County serve as a pivotal driver in our local economy. That is why we are promoting our programs that keep as much money as possible right here in our community. The free event provided local business owners with assistance in the Howard County Procurement Process, aiming to allow more County project funds and grants to go to community businesses. We were proud to draw representatives from 58 local businesses and we hope to certify even more in the future. Moving forward, Howard County government will put Howard County businesses first.

Congratulations Clarksville Middle School! I was so honored to join our students at  Clarksville Middle to celebrate their accomplishment of being recently named a Blue Ribbon School of excellence! Congratulations to Principal Shortridge and the entire administration for their phenomenal dedication to provide our students with the best education.

Congratulations, Del. Turner! Please join me in congratulating my good friend and mentor, former Delegate Frank Turner on his recent appointment to the  Howard Community College Board of Trustees. HCC is a phenomenal institution where students are able to foster a well rounded education toward their future careers and goals. Thank you to the entire Board for their work which serves those across the state. I'm confident that Delegate Turner will be a great asset to the Board and our College community.

Legislative Matters

In the County For a full list of current legislation, visit the  County Council website. For upcoming Council meetings, visit here. The next Legislative Public Hearing for the County Council is June 17 at 7:00pm. Click here for a summary of the legislative agenda.

Departmental News

Department of Community Resources and Services With the announcement of the recent data breach at Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, the Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of Consumer Protection is reminding residents of a NEW Federal law that allows you to freeze and unfreeze your credit file for free . You can also get a free freeze for your children who are under 16 and if you are someone’s guardian, conservator or have a valid power of attorney, you can also get a free freeze for that person as well.   Most creditors (and retailers who extend credit) review your credit reports before approving loans or extending credit. By placing a credit freeze (also known as security freeze) on your credit reports, creditors cannot review them and consequently, won’t approve credit applications submitted by you or, more importantly, identity thieves.   Please note, the Federal Trade Commission does advise consumers to not confuse credit freezes with credit locks. While they work in a similar way, locks may have monthly fees. To guarantee a free freeze by federal law, be sure to opt for a freeze and not a lock.   To place a free freeze on your credit report, contact: Equifax at 1-800-685-1111 or visit https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/; Experian at 1-888-397-3742 or visit https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html and Transunion at 1-888-909-8872 or visit https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze.   For more helpful consumer tips and hints from the Office of Consumer Protection, click HERE . If you are looking to make a difference and help older adults in our county, I encourage you to apply today to be a part of the County’s Commission on Aging. Comprised of 15 members, the Commission’s work includes: participating in community activities; researching and advising the County Executive on policies, programs and practices that impact the health and wellbeing of older adults and their families; and providing advice and support to county agencies, non-profits and other stakeholders working to create an equitable, livable and accessible community for all older adults in Howard County. The Commission is specifically looking for individuals over the age of 55; the DEADLINE to apply is Monday, July 1. To learn more about the Commission, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, click HERE . For those business representatives with an interest in consumer issues, I encourage you to apply today for the County’s Consumer Protection Advisory Board. Composed of seven voting members, the Board’s activities include participating in community activities and advising the Office of Consumer Protection and the County Executive on policies, programs and practices that can improve consumer protection-related services in the county. For eligibility requirements, details on how to apply and for more information about the Board, click HERE . The DEADLINE to apply is Tuesday, July 2. To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Howard County’s Office on Aging and Independence (OAI), in collaboration with AARP Maryland, will co-host a FREE shred event and information day this Saturday, June 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at OAI’s offices, located at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. The paper shredding event will take place in the parking lot adjacent to OAI’s offices and will be held rain or shine. Attendees may shred up to two boxes of personal documents per vehicle, no business documents, onsite. Pre-registration is required to participate; to register for a shred time, visit  https://aarp.cvent.com/HowardShred . In addition to the shredding event, the day will also feature six, 45-minute workshops, focused on various aspects of elder abuse and financial exploitation, led by the Maryland Department of Social Services’ Adult Protective Services, Howard County’s Office of Consumer Protection, Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office and Howard County Police Department. Pre-registration is encouraged for the workshops; to register, visit https://aarp.cvent.com/HowardShred .

Department of Fire and Rescue Services' Office of Emergency Management The month of June officially marks the start of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is predicting a near-normal hurricane season, with a likely range of nine to 15 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which four to eight could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including two to four major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).   In anticipation of this year’s hurricane season, our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is reminding residents now is the time to prepare. Know our area’s risk of hurricanes. Check out OEM's "Hazards in Howard County" website, to learn more about our local hazards, including hurricanes. Know what to do before, during and after a hurricane. Create an emergency communication plan. Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work and in the car. Check your insurance coverage and take the time now to collect and secure critical records and documents. Make sure your "Emergency Alerts" are activated on your phone. You can also sign up for weather alerts through a variety of mobile applications. Consider purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio.

Department of Planning and Zoning As we announced in last week’s newsletter, the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) is gearing up to restart its Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan . During the month of June, our master plan consultant team, led by Mahan Rykiel & Associates, will be working with DPZ and other county agencies to prepare for the following summer activities: The launch of a new Master Plan Advisory Team, including a mix of returning and new members. A multi-week online engagement campaign this July to get everyone up to speed on what master plan concepts will be changing given my “EC Safe and Sound” flood mitigation plan and to gather input regarding amenity space, parking, infill development, circulation, placemaking and more as impacted by the plan. Input gathered this summer will help with the development of new and refined concepts for public review this fall.   For more information, to view the master plan schedule, review information presented at prior public workshops and/or to join DPZ’s Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan email list, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/ecmp . DPZ’s Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a meeting this Wednesday, June 12, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the George Howard Building’s Columbia/Ellicott City Room to hear the following items:   Review of Project #19-09, Blue Stream Phase III, Washington Boulevard and Blue Stream Drive, Elkirdge Review of Project #19-10, Children’s Lighthouse Daycare, 8150 Mission Road, Jessup The DAP process encourages excellence in project architecture and site design to improve design compatibility with surrounding development, to promote revitalization and to enhance property values. For DAP’s Rules of Procedure, click HERE . For questions and/or more information about DAP, contact the Departmetn of Planning and Zoning at 410-313-2350 or email dap@howardcountymd.gov .

Department of Planning and Zoning’s Office of Transportation IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) will be hosting a public meeting in Howard County this Tuesday, June 11, to discuss its long-range transportation plan, Maximize2045: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan , and the 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) .   The BRTB is responsible for approving all highway and transit projects using federal Surface Transportation Funds throughout the Baltimore region. It’s Maximize2045 is a regional long-range transportation plan that seeks to make the best use of the resources that make up and support the Baltimore region’s transportation system. The plan contains a list of major capital transportation projects the region expects to implement from 2024 to 2045. The TIP details proposed federal, state and local money for maintaining, operating and expanding highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian networks over the next four years.   The meeting will take place from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Belmont/Hockley room at Elkridge branch library, located at 6540 Washington Boulevard, and will give attendees the chance to explore these two draft plans and learn more about the region, major projects and funding.   For more information about these plans or the full public meeting schedule, visit www.maximize2045.com or contact the Baltimore Metropolitan Council at comments@baltometro.org for questions and/or to provide comments regarding the plans.

Office of Human Rights Government Listens On June 6, 2019, Howard County Department of Housing and the Office of Human Rights provided a focus group to listen to residents in Howard County concerned with housing discrimination so that their input as stakeholders can inform the regional plan to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This plan is a multi-year and regional analysis of impediments to fair housing in our region. If you were unable to attend, but would like to provide input, contact Elizabeth Meadows at 410-313-6324 or eameadows@howardcountymd.gov . Howard County’s Office of Human Rights and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights will be celebrating Pride Month on June 18, 2019 by offering a free workshop at 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Conference room 211 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This workshop is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!  “Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Individuals: How to be an Ally” is an innovative, dynamic, hands-on approach to creating safe spaces for all; focusing specifically on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex & Asexual (LGBTQ+) community. From the classroom bully to the unintentional exclusion by use of certain language, LGBTQ+ people frequently find themselves excluded and uncomfortable in a variety of settings. This workshop aims to reduce the often unwelcoming and even hostile environments in which LGBTQ+ people navigate in their daily lives. Workshop participants will discuss the differences between sexual orientation, gender identify, gender expression and biological sex. Participants will also discuss LGBTQ+-inclusive terminology and pronouns, best practices, and explore their role and responsibility in creating a more welcoming environment at work, school, and in our communities. All attendees will leave the workshop with greater understanding and workable solutions for promoting Safe Spaces of Respect, Acceptance, and Support for all. If you are looking to bring this workshop to your organization, this is a great opportunity to preview the workshop and see it in action! Register Here Howard County Bystander Intervention Training co-sponsored by the Office of Human Rights Have you ever witnessed someone being harassed for their identity or appearance? Learn how to safely step up and be supportive when community members encounter harassment or hate speech. Please join us at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 24 th at the Howard County Library – Elkridge Branch, 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD 21075 for this timely training. To register for this event, please visit https://hocobystanderintervention.eventbrite.com This program is co-sponsored with CAIR (Council for American-Islamic Relations), Muslim Family Center, People Acting Together in Howard (PATH), NAACP Howard County, Howard County Muslim Council, and Maryum Islamic Center. Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month June is Caribbean American Heritage Month! Please join County Executive Calvin Ball and the Office of Human Rights on Tuesday, June 25 th at the Belmont Manor and Historic Park, 6555 Belmont Woods Road in Elkridge for an evening panel discussion with the Caribbean American community honoring Caribbean American Heritage Month in Howard County and within the state of Maryland. Representatives from Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and more will share their knowledge, insight and culture as we celebrate the vibrant diversity within our Caribbean community. The panel discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a reception held prior at 5:30 p.m . This event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited. Please call 410-313-5906 to reserve your seat, or email Fsheik@howardcountymd.gov or Schapple@howardcountymd.gov for more information.

Police Department Join Howard County Police Department (HCPD) for its monthly Coffee with a Cop this Thursday, June 13 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Starbuck’s inside the Long Gate Shopping Center’s Target in Ellicott City. Come meet face-to-face with HCPD's Community Outreach Officers in an informal and neutral space to discuss issues, ask questions and build relationships one cup of coffee at a time. As always, coffee and conversation are on the house. For more information and/or questions, contact HCPD's Community Outreach Division at 410-313-2207. Get ready! Howard County Police Department’s (HCPD) mobile rec center is coming to a neighborhood near you this summer. As part of HCPD’s Community Athletic Program, school resource officers will be stopping by the following locations from June 24 to August 16 , 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (expect July 4 and August 5 -9) ready to play basketball, baseball, flag football, Xbox or just hang. Mondays – East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia Tuesdays – Talbott Springs Pool, 9660 Basket Ring Road, Columbia Wednesdays – Blandair Park, 5750 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia Thursdays – Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia and Mayfied Woods Middle School, 7950 Red Barn Way, Elkridge Fridays – North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel   No need to register in advance. Just show up for some good, old fashion fun.

Department of Public Works Bureau of Environmental Services Starting this Saturday, June 15, 2019 , the County’s Bureau of Environmental Services will no longer be accepting curbside recycling placed out in plastic bags . Items placed out for recycling, should be placed loose in your county assigned recycling bin/cart. Items placed out for curbside recycling collection in plastic bags will not be collected. Those looking to recycle their clean plastic bags, can do so at participating local grocery stores, big box stores and other retailers who have plastic bag collection bins set up, normally inside the store’s front entrance. Check out the Bureau’s “Know Before You Throw” website for a map of participating locations. For questions and/or more information about curbside recycling, please contact the Bureau of Environmental Services at 410-313-6444 or email help@howardcountyrecycles.org . REMINDER: The Independence Day holiday is one of the six holidays that affects the County’s curbside trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim collection program. As there will be no curbside collection on Thursday, July 4, the county’s holiday slide schedule will be in effect the remainder of that holiday week; i.e. Thursday pick-up will slide to Friday and Friday to Saturday. Wondering what the other five holidays might be that affect curbside collection? They are Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Memorial Day. To learn more about the holiday slide schedule, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule . Department of Public Works Construction Report There were no new Capital Projects announced this week (see the June 4 newsletter for a full list of previously announced projects); however, the following maintenance is underway.   Columbia Hickory Ridge Road Resurfacing – Maintenance project to resurface Hickory Ridge Road from Cedar Lane to Broken Land Parkway, as well as repair failing transitions at many of the side streets, is underway. While two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the project, delays can be expected. Signs have been posted to alert motorists of the work and flagging operations are in place to direct traffic as needed during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Motorists are reminded to stay alert, slow down and don’t follow too closely when traveling through a work zone. Remember, work zone safety is in your hands. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late June.   To learn more about DPW Capital Projects currently underway, visit https://bit.ly/2V6K5B6 . 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 website and search by “County” to learn more about State road projects in Howard County.   Also, be sure to follow the County’s Facebook and Twitter pages every Monday morning for upcoming maintenance projects happening that week, weather permitting. On these social media pages, you’ll also find information regarding the county’s street sweeping schedule, which generally begin in the months of January, April, July and September.

Department of Recreation & Parks TRAIL CLOSURE: The County’s Patuxent Branch Trail from Savage Park to Columbia Association's Lake Elkhorn is closed for at least the next month, weather permitting, due to the extreme amount of overhead tree hazards along the trail. For updates, please follow the Department of Recreation & Parks' Facebook page and/or for questions, please feel free to contact the Recreation & Parks at 410-313-4700 for further assistance. Do you have a parent or older relative with a dementia-related diagnosis? If so, I encourage you to check out our Department of Recreation & Parks’ Prisms therapeutic recreation program. Designed for adults with a dementia-related diagnosis, Prisms provides opportunities for social interactions, recreation and leisure pursuits, and maintenance of functional abilities, while providing extra supports to facilitate aging-in-place. All levels of ability are welcome to register; however, appropriateness for the program (i.e. ability to meet a participant’s needs safely) must be determined prior to starting Prisms. Potential participants must complete an intake interview. To learn more or to schedule an intake interview, contact Susan Potts at 410-313-4628 or email spotts@howardcountymd.gov . The next session is set to begin July 16. With summer just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to check out the exciting camps and classes our Department of Recreation & Parks has to offer this upcoming season. From the young to the young at heart, we have something for everyone to enjoy. Click HERE to check out Recreation & Parks’ 2019 Summer Camp Guide and 2019 Spring/Summer Activity Guide today! Ever wanted to fish Centennial Lake at night? Now's your chance! Join our Department of Recreation & Parks throughout this summer and fall, for a unique opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Bring your own fishing pole, tackle, bait, bug repellent, flashlight or lantern, chair or boat (note: all boats must meet Maryland DNR requirements and must have the proper lights). While advance registration is encouraged, on-site registration is available. Cost is $5 to fish each night; however, anglers 14 years of age and older can pay just $100 once and enter the Nite Bite Fishing Tournament Series. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/nightfishing for more information. Participants under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Upcoming dates are: Friday, June 21, 6:00 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, June 29, 6:00 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, July 6, 6:00 p.m. to midnight; Friday, August 9, 6:00 p.m. to midnight; Friday, September 13, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.; and Saturday, October 12, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. For questions and/or more information, contact Dawn Thomas at 410-313-1754 or email dthomas@howardcountymd.gov .

Upcoming Events and Meetings

June 13 - Coffee with a Cop Join Howard County Police Department (HCPD) for its monthly Coffee with a Cop on Thursday, June 13 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Starbuck’s inside the Long Gate Shopping Center’s Target in Ellicott City. Come meet face-to-face with HCPD's Community Outreach Officers in an informal and neutral space to discuss issues, ask questions and build relationships one cup of coffee at a time. As always, coffee and conversation are on the house. For more information and/or questions, contact HCPD's Community Outreach Division at 410-313-2207.

June 14 - Kids Night In at the Museum Parents, n eed a kid-free date night? The County’s Department of Recreation & Parks has the solution for you! Drop your children off with the Department at the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum for a “ Kids Night In ,” while you enjoy dinner and shopping in Historic Ellicott City. The kids will have a blast from the past doing historic crafts and exploring the hidden history of the train station. For more information and/or to register, contact Emily Mosher at 410-313-0419 or email emosher@howardcountymd.gov .

June 14 thru June 16 - LakeFest Weekend For three days straight, the Columbia Festival of the Arts’ free LakeFest Weekend will feature live music, performers, activities, arts and crafts show, food and more for all ages. One of the highlights of this year’s LakeFest will be performances by the Bridgman|Packer Dance Company. Critically acclaimed for their innovative integration of choreography and video technology . For more information about this year’s LakeFest, including a schedule of events, visit https://columbiafestival.org/lakefest-2019/ .

June 15- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Workshops and Shred Event The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, in collaboration with AARP Maryland, will co-host a shred event and information day on Saturday, June 15 to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. This event is free and open to the public. To learn more and/or to register for a time slot with the paper shredding event or workshop, visit https://aarp.cvent.com/HowardShred .

June 15- Juneteenth Celebration In commemoration of when Union General Gordon Granger stood upon the balcony of the historic Ashton Villa in Texas and read aloud “General Order No. 3,” declaring all slaves to be free, Howard County Government proudly joins the Howard County Center of African American Culture, Inc. and The Columbia Town Center Community Association in recognition of Juneteenth, the oldest known commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The celebration will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the 15 th at the Historic Oakland Manor, 5430 Vantage Point Road in Columbia.

June 15- Roger Carter Community Center 6th Anniversary Celebration Come c elebrate the Roger Carter Community Center ’s 6th anniversary with giveaways, music, snowballs and of course, birthday cake from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the 15 th . For questions and/or more information, call 410-313-2764.

June 21 & 29 - Nite Bite Fishing at Centennial Park Bring your own fishing pole, tackle, bait, bug repellent, flashlight or lantern, chair or boat (note: all boats must meet Maryland DNR requirements and must have the proper lights) and come fish Centennial Lake at night. Advance registration is encouraged; however, on-site registration is available. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/nightfishing or contact Dawn Thomas at 410-313-1754 or email dthomas@howardcountymd.gov .

June 22 & 23 - Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum “Summer Fest” Come support the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum at “Summer Fest,” featuring the museum’s antique construction equipment that will be put through the paces. There will be cranes, track loaders, crawlers and graders from the early 1900s to the 1960s, as well as a petting zoo, blacksmith presentations, museum tours, live bands and more. To learn more, visit www.farmheritage.org/antique-construction-equip-field-day.html .

June 26 - Lakeside Movies @ Centennial Lake As part of its Summer Concert series , the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks will host two movie nights this summer on the lawn area in front of the concert stage at Centennial Park south . This month’s feature film is The Sandlot (PG) and is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:15 p.m. So, grab your blanket or lawn chair, bring your family and friends, and come enjoy a movie outdoors. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and carpool if possible as these events typically draw large crowds. Also, don’t forget your flashlight to help you navigate your way to your seats and car. The Adventure Shack Concessions will also be open until the end of the movie, serving movie night food and refreshment specials. For more information, call 410-313-4700. In the case of inclement weather, call 410-313-4451 after 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance.

June 27 - Belmont Blockbusters Experience the beautiful setting of Belmont Manor & Historic Park , while enjoying a free showing of Wreck It Ralph – Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) with your family and friends on Belmont’s outdoor screen . The park opens at 7:00 p.m., so stop by early to enjoy the gardens and set up your blankets, lawn chairs and picnic basket before our feature film starts shortly after sundown (dusk). For more information and/or in the case of inclement weather, visit www.belmontmanormd.org or call 410-313-0200.

June 27 - 29 - Columbia Film Festival Presented by the Columbia Festival of the Arts, the Columbia Film Festival is a three-day cinema celebration featuring a diverse selection of juried films from Feature and Documentary productions, to Independent and Student Shorts, as well as a growing new category of Web Series. To learn more, visit www.columbiafilmfestival.org/ .

June 28 - 30 - Paint-It! Ellicott City 2019 Plein Art Paint-Out & Exhibition Artists from around the region will gather in Historic Ellicott City to participate in Paint It! Ellicott City , an annual plein air painting event. Spectators are invited to spend the summer weekend strolling the streets and shops of the picturesque mill town and watching the artists at work. Community artists are encouraged to grab their easel and brushes and join the fun as Open Paint-Out participants.

June 29 - Howard County’s Inaugural LGBTQ PRIDE Festival Join me and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) for Howard County’s inaugural LGBTQ PRIDE Festival, a celebration of sexual and gender minorities in Howard County. Set to take place at Centennial Park south, located at 10000 MD 108 in Ellicott City, the festival will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. Those demonstrations by the LGBTQ+ community helped spur the gay liberation movement that continues today. Accordingly, the theme of the festival will be “Remember, Resist, and Rejoice.” F or information, visit www.howardcountypride.org .

June 29 - Soulful Symphony’s #Soulfulsetlist Soulful Symphony takes the stage June 29 in its inaugural three-show season, Soulful Summers, as Merriweather Post Pavilion’s resident symphony. Continuing its mission of exploring the rich diversity of American Roots Music, Soulful Symphony captures the magic and wonder of one of our nation’s most iconic stages combined with a mash-up of anthems covering every conceivable style and genre. For more information and additional concert dates, visit www.dcacc.info .

June 30 - Joint Anniversary Celebration: HoCoPoLitSo and Columbia Film Society Join in saluting the founding of the   Columbia Film Society  and HoCoPoLitSo with an afternoon that celebrates the education of girls, the beauty of story and the power of collective action. Set to take place in Howard Community College’s Smith Theatre from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., this joint anniversary event features a talk by one of the writers of Girl Rising and a showing of the documentary film that inspired global awareness about the importance of education for girls. To learn more, visit https://hocopolitso.org/programs/ .

June 30 - Columbia Orchestra Summer Pops Concert Join the Columbia Orchestra for a FREE Summer Pops Concert at the Chrysalis on the grounds of Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods . Bring your lawn chair or blanket, picnic dinner, and your family and friends to enjoy the sounds from your favorite films, including Superman , Magnificent Seven , and The Lion King , Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, patriotic songs, and the ultimate outdoor classic: The 1812 Overture.

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