May 4th Weekly e-Newsletter for the Village of Harper's Choice.
HCCA 2017 Village Board Election Results

The total number of ballots cast this year for the Harper's Choice elections did not reach a quorum.  On Tuesday, May 2, Candidate Benjamin S. Rubin withdrew his candidacy.  Per the Harper's Choice bylaws, Section 2.03A, " Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, if after the date for which nominations for the Board of Directors is closed the number of nominees meeting the requirements set forth in Section 2.02 is less or equal to the number of vacant director positions, the qualified nominees shall be deemed to have been elected by the members and the Board of Directors shall appoint such nominees to the available director positions for the term provided for in Article 8 of the Association's Articles of Incorporation."
 
As such, this is now an uncontested election and the following individuals are deemed elected:
 
Robert T. Fontaine
Erik M. Avant
Stephen Cook

For more information, contact Village Manager Steve Ingley at 410-730-0770 or via email at [email protected].
Spring Community Shredding / eCycling & Red Ribbon Yard Sale

It's time for our annual Spring Red Ribbon Yard Sale and Shred/eCycle event!
Here is a list of registered streets and  a map to help you find them:
WHEN: Saturday, May 6
YARD SALE: 9AM-1PM.
Participating Streets:
  • Hesperus Drive
  • Cedar lane
  • Amherst ave.
  • Summer Day Lane
  • Swansfield Rd.
  • Rock Coast Rd.
SHRED/eCYCLE:  Saturday  May 6th, 9AM-1PM at the parking lot between Kahler Hall and the Bain Center. Limit 3 small bags/boxes per person for the Shred Truck. eCycle guidelines are listed below. Minimal fees required for some items.
 
FREE: Computers, Laptops/Notebooks, Keyboards/Mice/Cables, Monitors, Printers, Scanners, Cell & Regular Phones, Fax & Answering Machines, VCR, Cable Boxes, Stereo Equipment, Battery Back-ups (non-alkaline), TV (less than 26" - 1st one free)
 
FEE-BASED: TV 26" - 40" ($15), TV larger than 40" ($25), Console TV ($35)
 
NOT ACCEPTED: Microwaves, Refrigerators, Washers/Dryers, Toasters, Dishwashers, Household Appliances


Columbia Archives



Founder's Day celebrates James Rouse's Legacy with May 9 event in Columbia

Celebrate James Rouse's legacy and honor his vision at Founder's Day, which will be held on Tuesday, May 9 from 9am-noon in Smith Theatre at Howard Community College (10901 Little Patuxent Parkway). 

The event is being presented by the Columbia 50th Birthday Celebration, HCC and Columbia Archives. It is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged at Columbia50FoundersDay.Eventbrite.com.

The event's moderator is Josh Olsen, author of "Better Places, Better Lives: A Biography of James Rouse." The keynote speaker is Harvard University professor of urban planning Ann Forsyth, who will speak about "Health and Well-Being in Columbia: Early Aims and Future Potential."

After her presentation, Forsyth will lead a roundtable discussion titled "Going Forward: Today's Answers to Creating a Better City" featuring:
  • Ian Kennedy, executive director of the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission
  • Heather Kirk-Davidoff, enabling minister at Kittamaqundi Community Church
  • Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of The Horizon Foundation
  • Ken Ulman, former Howard County executive and now the president of Margrave Strategies
Columbia's 50th Birthday Celebration began in March and is continuing through Saturday, October 7, featuring a variety of community organizations and institutions that will be showcasing exhibits, events and activities throughout the 29-week celebration. More information is available at ColumbiaMD50 on Facebook.com/columbiamd50 andTwitter.com/columbiamd50, as well as at ColumbiaMD50.com.

Coming Soon: HoCo Farmers' Markets

You know spring is finally here when the Howard County Farmers' Markets open for the season. Local and regional farmers will provide the freshest of fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, meats and baked goods for your health and enjoyment. Nothing tastes better than the freshest food at its peak. Stop at one of the five locations beginning Wednesday, May 10 and enjoy the bounty of the season! For more information, visit the HCEDA Farmers' Markets website. Travelling around Maryland? You can find out about county Farmers' Markets simply by visiting the MD Department of Agriculture's webpage for more locations.
Longfellow Elementary Spring Fair
May 13th from 10am-2pm
Inflatables
DJ
Magician
Photo Booth 
Silent Auction 
Much More
Click here for flyer.
Exploring Columbia On Foot, Outdoor Walks

The walks will be held on nine Thursdays and one Saturday from March through October. Most walks will begin at 10am; the walk at The Mall in Columbia begins at 8:30am. Registration is not required.
  • Thursday, May 18, Oakland Mills - meet at Thunder Hill Neighborhood Center (5134 Thunder Hill Road)
  • Thursday, June 1, River Hill - meet at Claret Hall (6020 Daybreak Circle)
  • Saturday, June 24, The Mall in Columbia (8:30am) - meet at the Plaza in front of Season's 52 (10300 Little Patuxent Parkway)
  • Thursday, July 13, Long Reach - meet at Jeffers Hill Neighborhood Center (6030 Tamar Drive)
  • Thursday, Aug. 31, Kings Contrivance - meet at Huntington Pool (7625 Murray Hill Road)
  • Thursday, Sept. 14, Harper's Choice - meet at Hobbits Glen Pool (11130 Willow Bottom Drive)
  • Thursday, Oct. 12, Downtown Columbia - meet at Lakefront Plaza (10275 Little Patuxent Parkway)
  • Thursday, Oct. 26, Hickory Ridge - meet at Hawthorn Center (6175 Sunny Spring
Middle School & High School XBOX Challenge


Anatomy of a Scam: 

A Presentation by the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection and Howard County Police
 
Anatomy of a SCAM , learn all you can to protect yourself from various types of SCAMS - telephone, online, door-to-door, theft, skimming, and online dating.  Rebecca Bowman, Administrator of the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection and HCPD Officer Andre Lingham, Police Senior Citizen Liaison, will discuss these very important topics.  This is one presentation you don't want to miss.
 
DATE:   Wednesday, May 17, 2017
TIME:    6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION:   The Other Barn, Oakland Mills Village Center, 5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD  21045
 
Free program .  Registration is preferred. Contact Oakland Mills Community Association for details;
oaklandmills.org ., [email protected] , or 410-730-4610. Sponsored by the Oakland Mills Community Association's Safety & Security Committee. To view flyer click here.
Columbia Smart Energy Challenge: Information Session

June 8, 2017; 7-8pm at Kahler Hall in Harpers Choice
 
The Columbia Smart Energy Challenge, a six-month program that began Jan. 1, further encourages individuals to improve comfort while reducing energy bills through home energy upgrades, leveraging BGE's Home Performance with the ENERGY STAR Program. The Smart Energy Challenge provides additional incentives to residents as a way to raise awareness and increase the number of audits conducted. 
Join the Columbia Smart Energy Challenge
* Home energy audits are $100 (a $400 value)
* Rebates cut the cost of energy improvements by 50 percent (up to $2,000 total)
* Earn $50 when you refer a friend who completes an energy audit
* Help your neighbors! Any village that completes at least 10 energy audits during the challenge       will have a celebration - with 100 free LED lightbulb giveaways to residents

Local Employment
 
Covenant Adviser for Violations and Property Concerns 

The Oakland Mills Community Association (OMCA) has a job opening for part-time Covenant Advisor for Violations and Property Concerns. The job is weekdays and approximately 20 hours per week.  
Strong interpersonal and written communication skills a must.
Familiarity with Columbia's covenant process preferred. Position requires on-site visits to properties in Oakland Mills, correspondence and meetings with property owners, and adherence to the Oakland Mills covenant violations procedures.

Click  HERE for the job description. 
 
Applicants should submit a resume to   [email protected].  Due to the volume of inquiries, only qualified candidates will be contacted.  No walk-ins or phone calls please. 

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible. 
Covenant Corner


Mowing and Grass-cycling.
Want to have a lush lawn AND help the environment? Remove no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade when mowing. Cutting to the proper height can reduce weeds by as much as 50%. And leave those grass clippings on the lawn; this recycles nutrients, conserves water, and saves time and trash bags! For more lawn care tips, visit the MD Cooperative Extension website.



Did You Know...
The parking and storage of boats, trailers, RV's, Jet Ski's, and other similar vehicles is prohibited
on property in Columbia without the prior written approval of the Architectural Committee. Section 8.01 of the Harper's Choice Village Covenants states, "Without the prior written approval of the Architectural Committee: (d) No boat, boat trailer, house trailer, trailer or other similar items shall be stored in the open on any lot." The Columbia RV Park has spaces available for rent to Columbia Lien payers; contact 410-381-0194. Visit them online here.


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 Meeting Date Change

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 the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month 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 June 6th 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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Village Manager
Facility Manager
Covenant Advisor
Melanie Jeffers
Event & Community Outreach Coordinator

Your Village Board
Village Board Member
Village Board Member
Village Board Member
Village Board Member
Erik Avant **
Village Board Member
Columbia Council Rep

* Term expires 4/30/17
** Term expires 4/30/18

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