October 28, 2019

Dear Friends,   Domestic Violence harms nearly a third of women and nearly 20% of children. Since 1987, Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been designated as an opportunity to raise awareness and promote resources for healing. While we mourn those who have been lost, celebrate the stories of survivors, and bring together advocates who work to end the cycle of violence, we join together to bring awareness to this important cause. Throughout the year, we continue to encourage respect and kindness in all our relationships and to take a stand in our community. To learn more about domestic violence, what you can do to help, or if you wish to seek help, visit the HopeWorks of Howard County website here or call them at (410) 997-2272.

This Week in HoCo

FAA Updates Previous changes to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) flight patterns, made without proper notice or environmental consideration, led to terrible noise pollution in some neighborhoods. We received consistent feedback from our residents that the situation was insufferable. Although we have made substantive progress, we have more work to do to maintain our quality of life in Howard County. This info-graphic provides a timeline with more information on the progress we have made thus far.

Ellicott City Master Plan: Fall 2019 We want to hear from you! The Ellicott City Master Plan: Fall 2019 Survey is now available. Through this survey, we seek to gather public feedback on selected draft guidelines for flood mitigation, environmental sustainability, transportation and parking, economic development, and community character and placemaking. The survey will be available through the end of day on November 5 th. We appreciate your thoughts and feedback as we strive to ensure Ellicott City is safe and sound. Take the survey here.

Drug Take Back Day Looking ahead, we will continue to unite our community in the fight against opioids and addiction. Saturday was Drug Take Back Day where residents could drop off unused medications. In the face of crisis, Howard County stands strong and united. Thank you to  HC DrugFree  and  Howard County Police Department  for hosting this great event and Delegate  Terri Hill  for joining us! Watch a FoxBaltimore story on this crisis here .

EC Safe and Sound Do you have questions about our progress on the revitalization of Old Ellicott City? I encourage you to visit the  Ellicott City Safe and Sound  Facebook page and website for details about the flood mitigation projects the county is working on, maps showing the amount of debris cleared out of the county's waterways, relevant reports, and more. The Ellicott City Safe and Sound website is now optimized for mobile viewing to increase easy access for all.

Men in the Kitchen It’s always a great time to support the  Howard County Center of African American Culture  at the annual Men in the Kitchen event. On this 25 th anniversary, we are proud to celebrate the culinary talent of men in and around Howard County. Many of our community members also had the opportunity to try “Calvin’s Tasty Ribs!”

Cyber-Security Awareness Month October is Cyber-security Awareness Month. Did you know there are more than 90,000 cyber workers in the Greater Baltimore Region? We remain committed to ensuring the growth and success of our local businesses, including the 150 cyber-related businesses, in Howard County and creating a diverse economic environment.

Happy Diwali! May the light of your Diya bring happiness, prosperity, and good health to you and your family. May the divine light shine bright and bring you joy. May this year bring you good luck and fulfill all your dreams.

Plein Air Paint Out Downtown Columbia is an arts and cultural destination in Howard County, and beyond. It’s always great to support our wonderful artists at the   Columbia Association ’s Color Columbia Plein Air Paint Out and Exhibition where artists were live painting our beautiful scenery. The art from today’s exhibition will be showcased at the   Columbia Art Center   from November 2 nd - November 17 th .

Truck or Treat With Halloween around the corner, one of the best way to prepare was at Truck or Treat with   Howard County Recreation and Parks . T his is a great annual event where our costumed friends get to trick or treat with many trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and more while meeting some of our hometown heroes .

Stronger Protections Transparency is a cornerstone of good government and a priority of my administration. We are making it easier than ever for residents to learn about our land development regulations and access all our Alternative Compliance information. In response to ongoing concerns about the granting of waivers, we will file legislation on Thursday to make development requirements stricter and our environmental protections stronger. Read more here.

50 Fastest-Growing Companies Howard County is committed to ensuring the growth and success of local businesses and creating a vibrant economic environment. Please, join me in congratulating these 8 Howard County businesses for being listed among the Greater Baltimore’s 50 Fastest-Growing companies by  Baltimore Business Journal . This Economic Development Week, we are thankful for companies like these who help sustain and improve our workforce. DP Solutions Harkins Builders Midpoint Technology Group Newwave Offit | Kurman Resolute Technologies Unleashed Technologies WebMechanix See the entire list here. Congratulations to all!

Legislative News

Below are two of some of the bills I’m proud to have pre-filed with the County Council to help make our county a beautiful place to live, work, and play. These bills will be introduced at the November 4 th, Legislative Session.

CB56-2019 Widening Rt. 32 For far too long, Route 32 has been a traffic nightmare for Howard County residents and workers. I am pleased that the Maryland Department of Transportation is widening Route 32 and this conveyance of land will accelerate that process. Nearly 60 percent of our commutes cross the Howard County borders on a daily basis. That is a higher percentage than any other county in the region. Our legislation would approve the lease of space to continue improvements.   I want us to create a truly multimodal transportation system that better connects Howard County to the region. We need to decrease the time we spend in the car and increase the time we get to spend with our kids and families. CB57-2019 Raising Minimum Age to buy Tobacco Products The safety of our young people is a top priority of my administration and the responsibility of our entire community. We know that most adults who smoke or use tobacco started by age 21. In addition, in 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. youth, including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students, reported current e-cigarette use. Our legislation would raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21. By decreasing tobacco use among our kids, we will help keep them healthy and decrease their chance of lifelong addiction.   PLEASE NOTE: This legislation updates the Howard County Code to be consistent with the new state law and bill will include the state law exemption for active duty military under the age of 21.

Departmental News

Department of Community Resources and Services Together with our Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, I am proud to host our county’s second annual “Taking the Next Steps” conference. Set for Friday, November 8 th , from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Howard Community College , this conference will highlight local initiatives to support victims as they rise above adversity, and advocate for greater enforcement to identify, eliminate and prevent sexual and labor trafficking altogether.   The conference will feature a keynote address by Rachel Lloyd , founder of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services and the author of “Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale,” as well as breakout session tracks focused on Awareness, Life After Trafficking, Labor Trafficking & Prevention, and Law Enforcement.   Admission is $35 per person and includes all materials, a continental breakfast and lunch. Click HERE to register or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/OHTP for more information. Need a flu shot? Stop on by our Bain 50+ Center at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia on November 7 th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a FREE flu shot. Standard dose, which protects against four flu viruses, is for individuals six months and older. Please note, vaccines are subject to availability and will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Howard County is home to so many remarkable female community leaders who help improve the lives of others in our county, state and nation through their leadership and community service. Help us honor these women, by nominating them today for induction into the Commission for Women 2020 Women’s Hall of Fame (WHOF). Nomination forms are available online or can be obtained by contacting our Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) at 410-313-6400 (voice/relay) or email women@howardcountymd.gov . The nomination DEADLINE is Thursday, November 21 st , 2019 at 5:00 p.m. To Howard County middle and high school students, our Commission for Women is sponsoring an essay contest to mark National Women’s History Month in March. The 2020 theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote,” which celebrates women who fought for a woman’s right to vote in the United States and the centennial of the 19th Amendment. Essays may either discuss the accomplishments of women from the original suffrage movement and/or highlight 20th and 21st century women who have continued the struggle – such as fighting against poll taxes, literacy tests, voter roll purges and other more contemporary forms of voter suppression – to ensure voting rights for all.   Essay contest winners will be recognized by the Commission at its 2020 Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony in March 2020. The DEADLINE to submit your essay entry is January 10, 2020. For essay contest rules and more, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/cfw .  Join us as we salute our community Veterans with the County’s 4 th annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony in Downtown Columbia. Set to begin at 9:30 a.m., this year’s parade will feature marching bands, community groups, military vehicles and more. Immediately following the parade a Veterans Day Celebration at the Columbia Lakefront and future home of the Veterans Monument, featuring music and refreshments and exhibitors. I hope you all will join me and our Commission for Veterans and Military Families as we honor our service men and women. To learn more, visit www.howardcountyveterans.org/parade/ . Mark your calendars! DCRS’s Office of the Local Children's Board presents its second annual “Champions of Change” conference on Wednesday, December 4 th and Thursday, December 5 th . To learn more, click HERE . Note: EARLY BIRD registration cost is $70 per person through November 1 st ; after the 1 st , cost is $89 per person.

Department of Fire & Rescue Services According to the National Fire Protection Association, decorations are the first thing to ignite in 900 reported home fires each year. Two of every five of these fires were started by a candle. Keep your little ghouls and goblins and home safe this Halloween with these tips from DFRS: Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick inside your jack-o-lantern instead of an open flame; Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters; Choose costumes that don’t have long trailing fabric; Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them; and Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.

Health Department The 2019-2020 flu season is here. Have you gotten your flu shot yet? This Saturday, November 2 nd , the Howard County Health Department will be holding a FREE public flu vaccination clinic at St. John Baptist Church, located at 9905 Tamar Drive Columbia, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (OR until all vaccines are gone). No appointment is necessary and participants must be older than six months of age to receive a vaccine. Please note, the church is holding a 5k Run, Walk & Roll for Sickle Cell Anemia that morning as well, so parking may be limited.   For additional clinic dates and tips on additional ways you can protect you and your loved ones this flu season, check out the Health Department’s “Seasonal Flu Information” website . Join in the fight against the opioid epidemic by learning how you can help save someone’s life from an opioid overdose. The first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., on a drop-in basis, at Department’s headquarters in Columbia. Simply show up and a Health department employee will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. To learn more on how you can get trained, click HERE .

Department of Housing and Community Development This week is your last chance this year to apply for our Department of Housing and Community Development’s Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program October open enrollment period. An inclusionary zoning program, MIHU offers quality new homes at reduced sale prices and rents to income eligible families. To learn more about how you can call Howard County home through MIHU, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/MIHU_openenrollment for MIHU homeownership opportunities and www.howardcountymd.gov/MIHU_rental for MIHU rental information. The last day to submit your application for this open enrollment period is Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Department of Planning and Zoning We want to hear from you! The Ellicott City Master Plan: Fall 2019 Survey is NOW AVAILABLE online .   Earlier this month, our Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) hosted its seventh public workshop of its Ellicott City Master Plan series. At the workshop, new and refined concepts and guidelines for the Ellicott City and the Tiber-Hudson Watershed were presented for public review and feedback. Through this survey, we seek to gather public feedback on selected draft guidelines for flood mitigation, environmental sustainability, transportation and parking, economic development, and community character and place making. We also seek feedback on selected draft guidelines for the streetscape, the West End, the Ellicott Mills gateway area, Upper Main/Lot D, the Courthouse area, Lower Main and the Patapsco Riverfront area of Historic Ellicott City.   The survey takes approximately half an hour to complete and is available through the end of day, Tuesday, November 5 th . We appreciate your thoughts and feedback as we strive to build a safer and stronger Ellicott City. The County’s Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a meeting this Wednesday, October 30 th starting at 7:00 p.m. in the George Howard Building’s Columbia/Ellicott City Room to hear the following item:   Review of Project #19-16, The Mall in Columbia Sears/Grocery Store Entrance Improvements, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia   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 DPZ at 410-313-2350 or email dap@howardcountymd.gov .

Police Department On average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to any other day of the year.   While Howard County Police Department (HCPD) will be out and about in full force this Thursday night to help ensure a safe and fun Halloween for all, HCPD is encouraging parents to take a moment to go over these Halloween safety tips with their superheroes, pirates, firefighters and princesses before heading out for an evening to trick-or-treat.   Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the side as possible. Remind children not to take shortcuts through backyards, alleys or playing fields. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Encourage children to trick-or-treat with a group, and before dark. After dark, an adult chaperone should carry a flashlight and choose well-lighted streets. Wear costumes that are short, snug and flame retardant. Flowing sleeves, capes and skirts can be a tripping hazard and can catch fire if they brush against candle flames. Also be sure to wear light colors or reflective tape, and avoid masks that can obstruct your vision. Teach children they should NEVER go into a stranger’s home or car. Remind children not to eat treats before they have been inspected by parents. NEVER eat candy that has been opened. Remind children not to take shortcuts through backyards, alleys or playing fields. Leave porch or other outside lights on to make clear that trick-or-treaters are welcome. Do NOT let children approach homes that are dark. Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard to visitors. Drivers, drive slowly all evening – you never know when a trick-or-treater may dart into the street.   Officers will be on the lookout for vandalism, theft and destruction of property, as well as speeding and drunk or impaired drivers to help ensure everyone has a safe and fun evening. Our detectives regularly conduct visits to verify the residences and places of employment of registered sex offenders in the county. They also follow up on complaints from the community about offenders who may not be living at their registered locations. In preparation for Halloween, HCPD will be conducting a check of Howard County’s registered offenders. Registered offenders on probation who are prohibited from contact with children will be reminded that they are forbidden from participating in Halloween. The goal of the sweep is to identify anyone in violation of the registry’s reporting requirements. A link to the Maryland Sex Offender Registry can be found on HCPD's website . So far this school year, our HCPD School Resource Officers have taken P.L.E.D.G.E (Pride, Leadership, Education, Diversity, Gang Resistance, Evaluation) Program participants go kart racing, on a walking and boat tour of Annapolis and facilitated an Adopt-A-Highway service project that ended with bowling. Parents, want to get your child more involved with HCPD? Learn more about the various Youth Programs offered by the department HERE to find the right program for your child and family. While this past Saturday was National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, did you know that you can properly dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications ALL YEAR LONG thanks to four permanent drop-off locations set up by HCPD. You can find drop-off boxes inside the front doors of the following four County locations: Northern District, 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City Southern District, 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel Community Outreach Building, 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville (business hours only)   By properly disposing of medication you no longer need, you are helping us in the fight against the opioid crisis in our area.   If you are looking to properly and safely dispose of medical sharps (needles, syringes, EpiPens), please visit our Bureau of Environmental Services website for details on how to do so. “Hi, my name is Speckles, or ‘Specks’ or ‘Specksy’ as I’m lovingly called by the folks here at HCPD’s Animal Control Division. I am a 10-year-old Border Collie who is looking for their forever home. While I am unsure of new people and new situations, I COME ALIVE when I am outside. I LOVE to play Frisbee and fetch, I am housebroken and can walk well on a leash. Unfortunately, I had fleas that went untreated for a prolonged period of time, leading to hair loss on most of my body. I’ll be honest, I will require frequent visits to the vet to monitor the progress of my skin and ensure I am getting the proper nutrition. I do hope this won’t scare you away from calling me yours. I look forward to meeting you and am oh-so-hopeful you’ll be the nurturing and loving home I’ve been dreaming of. Will you adopt me?”   If you are interested in meeting Speckles, I encourage you to stop on by our Animal Control and Adoption Center today. And if you think Speckles is cute, you should see all the other animals we have waiting to find their fur-ever homes.

Department of Public Works In case you missed it in last week’s newsletter, over the next three years, our Bureau of Utilities will be replacing 45,000 water meters located inside county homes as part of its planned water meter replacement initiative. These old units are reaching the end of their useful lives and replacing these meters are essential for ensuring accurate and timely water usage data is obtained. The County has contracted with KEYSTONE UTILITY SYSTEMS to support us with this major system upgrade. As these water meters are located indoors, access to your home by appointment will be needed. Residents will receive a notification letter in the mail prior to meter installers arriving in their neighborhood. This notification will include a phone number to call to schedule your appointment, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or Saturday's, available on a first-come, first-served basis.   For more information about our Water Meter Replacement Program, check out the Bureau's website . Maintaining and progressing a robust public works infrastructure is a priority of my administration and the Public Works Board is critical to achieving those goals. This board plays a vital role in our government by providing recommendations regarding the County’s public works policies and practices. For those interested in serving their community, I encourage you to apply today to service on the County’s Public Works Board. To learn more about the Board, eligibility requirements and how to apply, click HERE . The DEADLINE to apply is Friday, November 15, 2019. Department of Public Works Construction Report Below are details regarding new, upcoming, completed and/or delayed Capital Projects and/or maintenance projects. For a full list of previously announced projects, please refer to the  October 21, 2019  newsletter.   Ellicott City New Cut Road Slope, Water and Sewer Repair (Capital Project D-1165) – Project to construct two retaining walls, regrade the area between New Cut Road and the New Cut tributary, and relocate the water and sewer main near 3812 New Cut Road. In addition to this repair project, DPW is also currently rebuilding a retaining wall near 3910 New Cut Road, repairing 20 storm drain culvert crossings along New Cut Road and BGE is relocating eight additional utility poles. The New Cut Road closure and detour remains in effect. All this work is expected to be completed by late July 2020, weather permitting.   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 Public Works' Bureau of Environmental Services As the leaves begin to fall, DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services is asking residents to keep the following in mind. Please don’t blow or rake leaves into the roadway in hope that they will be swept up by one of our street sweepers. Unfortunately, our sweepers are not designed to pick up leaves, as large quantities of them will clog the sweeper's filters and result in the leaves being spread over a large area. Sweeper operators will in fact avoid areas of curb containing an excessive number of leaves.   Also, while our crews work hard to maintain storm drains along more than 1,000 miles of County owned roadways, there are a number of simple things our residents can do to help keep our storm drains free of debris to prevent roadway flooding and harmful nutrients from reaching the Chesapeake Bay: Rake and collect your leaves in paper bags or reusable containers for yard trim curbside collection. Mulch your leaves with your mower; they can help nourish your lawn. Mix your leaves with grass clippings and vegetable refuse to make compost. Participate in the Rake-and-Take program where “rakers” (residents who rake and bag leaves and grass) are matched with “takers” (people who want leaves and grass for composting). When rain is in the forecast, check nearby storm drain grates and clear them of debris.

Department of Recreation & Parks All are invited to join our Department of Recreation & Parks and myself this Saturday, November 2 nd at 7:45 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of Troy Park ’s fourth field (known as Field One). Capable of hosting tournaments, league games, summer camps and so much more, this new field offers yet another way for residents and visitors to enjoy this valuable public space. In fact, Saturday’s ceremony coincides with a two-day lacrosse tournament held in partnership with Inside Lacrosse . Wrestlers, age eight to 14, you are invited to join Recreation & Parks this Saturday, November 2 nd , as it welcomes U.S. Olympic gold medalist wrester Brandon Slay to its Gary J. Arthur Community Center for a pre-season wrestling clinic. Open to boys and girls, participants must have at least one year of recreation-level wrestling experience to participate. Cost is $40 per wrestler and pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Explore our galaxy and beyond with Recreation & Parks and the Howard Astronomical League (HAL) this Saturday (November 2 nd ) night starting at 6:30 p.m. for its FINAL Public Star Party of the season! At this free, family-friendly event, you can enjoy live images on a big screen as seen through HAL’s refracting Illig Telescope in the Alpha Ridge Park observatory. For questions and/or more information about this FREE event, contact Danielle Bassett with Recreation & Parks at 410-313-4634 or email dbassett@howardcountymd.gov . Join us for a food preservation workshop and tasting this Sunday, November 3 rd at the County’s Robinson Nature Center from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. University of Maryland nutritionist Karen Basinger will teach participants about various food-waste reduction methods and tips, including freezing, drying and canning from her award-winning “So Easy to Preserve” curriculum. Following Basinger’s presentation, participants will enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while joining join Nicole from NeatNick Preserves and Mandy of NoodlesKnows for a tasting, cheese-pairing and no-bake recipe demo of NeatNick’s artisanal jams. This event is for participants 21 years or older. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/YesWeCANRobinsonNature . Recreation & Parks will be hosting a disc golf clinic and cleanup event at Rockburn Branch Park on Saturday, November 16 th , from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This FREE event is a great opportunity to learn or practice disc golf fundamentals and help Recreation & Parks with sprucing up the Rockburn disc golf course. We’ll be meeting at 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road in Elkridge (meet at the pavilion near holes 3, 4 and 5 near the sand volleyball court). Please note, all participants must register by November 13 th to take part in this event.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Now through November 30 - Historic Savage Mill Ghost Tours Fridays and Saturdays, now through November 30 th , come brave an hour-long ghost tour of Historic Savage Mill in your date with costumed tour guide and mill historian Marty Schoppert. Created for fans of history and the paranormal, this tour is not for the faint of heart. For more information or to book tour, click HERE . Cost is $15.00 per person.

Now through October - Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City Ghost Tours I double dare you to walk the streets and learn more about the past inhabitants of Historic Ellicott City, one of the oldest and most haunted locales in America, with Howard County Historical Society. The lady in white of Tonge Row, the Civil War soldier who stalks the lower end of Main Street, the vigilant firefighter of Station 2, the Oak Lawn "Cooking Ghost" and the Girl Ghosts of the Ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute invite you to hear their stories during our frightfully fun ghost tours. Tours are held Fridays and Saturdays through the end of October and are not recommended for children under 6. Reservations are required, as space is limited. To learn more, visit http://hchsmd.org/events-tours/ .

October 28 - North Laurel Connections Public Meeting Join our Office of Transportation on Monday, October 28 th at 6:30 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center for an open-house style community meeting to present revised concept plans for the full route and design plans for the two pathway segments of the North Laurel Connections pedestrian and bicycle project. For more information about his project, click HERE .

October 29 - 17 th Annual Celebration of Sports Join our Department of Recreation & Parks and me as we honor those in our community who have made a difference through sports. The event will include the induction of five new members into the Howard County Community Sports Hall of Fame and the presentation of the GoodSports awards. The keynote speaker is former Baltimore Ravens’ Linebacker Jameel McClain. For more information and tickets, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/celebrationofsports .

October 30 - Howard County General Hospital’s Living Well with Chronic Disease This six-week workshop (Wednesdays, Octob er 9 th to November 13 th ) is designed for those living with or at risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, arthritis, lung disease or other long-lasting health concerns. Participants will learn techniques to cope with feelings of frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation, develop skills to communicate more effectively about their health and learn exercises and healthy eating habits to maintain and improve well-being. To register, caregivers are welcome to register as well, visit www.hcgh.org/livingwell .

October 30 - Oakland Mills Road Complete Streets Study Public Meeting Join our Office of Transportation for a public meeting on Wednesday, October 30 th at 6:30 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church as they share the findings and concepts developed through the Oakland Mills Road Complete Streets Study. To learn about this study, click HERE .

October 31 - Drop-In Opioid Overdose Response (Narcan) Training Join in the fight against the opioid epidemic by learning how you can help save someone’s life from an opioid overdose. The first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., on a drop-in basis, at Health headquarters. Simply show up and Health Department employee will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. Click HERE to learn more.

October 31 - Howard County General Hospital’s Cancer Self-Management This six-week workshop (Thursdays, October 10 th to November 14 th ) that provides information and practical tools to help individuals self-manage symptoms, challenges and day-to-day tasks in a small, supportive group setting. Participants include those living with cancer, those who have been affected by cancer and caregivers. To register, click HERE .

November 2 - Grand Opening of Troy Park Field One Ribbon Cutting Ceremony All are invited to join our Department of Recreation & Parks and myself this Saturday, November 2 nd at 7:45 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of Troy Park ’s fourth field (known as Field One).

November 2 & November 3 - Pumpkin Chucking Weekend Join Clark’s Elioak Farm for a fun -filled weekend of flying pumpkins (bring your own pumpkin to catapult across the farm), pony rides, hayrides, face painting and more before the farm closes for the year. For more information, visit www.clarklandfarm.com .

November 5 - Drop-In Opioid Overdose Response (Narcan) Training Join in the fight against the opioid epidemic by learning how you can help save someone’s life from an opioid overdose. The first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., on a drop-in basis, at Health headquarters. Simply show up and Health Department Employee will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. Click HERE to learn more.

November 6 - Howard County General Hospital’s Living Well with Chronic Disease This six-week workshop (Wednesdays, October 9 th to November 13 th ) is designed for those living with or at risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, arthritis, lung disease or other long-lasting health concerns. Participants will learn techniques to cope with feelings of frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation, develop skills to communicate more effectively about their health and learn exercises and healthy eating habits to maintain and improve well-being. To register, caregivers are welcome to register as well, visit www.hcgh.org/livingwell .

November 7 - Bain 50+ Center Free Flu Shot Clinic Individuals six months and older, stop on by the Bain 50+ Center on November 7 th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a FREE flu shot clinic. Please note, vaccines are subject to availability and will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

November 7 - Howard County General Hospital’s Cancer Self-Management This six-week workshop (Thursdays, October 10 th to November 14 th ) that provides information and practical tools to help individuals self-manage symptoms, challenges and day-to-day tasks in a small, supportive group setting. Participants include those living with cancer, those who have been affected by cancer and caregivers. To register, click HERE .

November 8 - Howard County Conference on Human Trafficking Conference Awareness and Prevention Set to take place on Friday, November 8 th , from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Howard Community College , the County’s second annual “Taking the Next Steps” conference will highlight local initiatives to support victims as they rise above adversity, and advocate for greater enforcement to identify, eliminate and prevent sexual and labor trafficking altogether. For more information and/or to register for the event, click HERE .

November 8 & November 9- Artfully Wilde Join the Village of Wilde Lake’s Slayton House for their 30th Annual Artfully Wilde weekend of fun, featuring local music, great food and drink, and local artists. For more information about this free event, click HERE .

November 9- Transition Symposium: Stop Waiting and Start Planning! The County’s Departments of Recreation & Parks and Community Resources & Services, Howard County Public School System, Howard County Autism Society, Howard County Health Department, NAMI Howard County and The Arc of Howard County have partnered together of host a “Transition Symposium” from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 th at Wilde Lake Middle School . Geared towards transitioning youth (ages 14 to 24) with IEP/504 plans, their families and professionals, this year’s event will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. Josie Badger on “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?” preparation for a successful adulthood and employment starts during childhood. For youth with disabilities the question of “what do you want to be when you grow up?” is often avoided. Families and youth need to start these conversations early. Dr. Badger will discuss what “growing up” looked like for a family with high expectations for their daughter with a disability within the complicated, inaccessible and often scary path to adulthood. Cost is $10 per person and includes breakfast and lunch. To register for this event and/or more information, click HERE .

November 9- Holiday Craft Fair Don’t miss the Town Center Community Association Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Historic Oakland on Saturday, November 9 th . This is a juried event featuring handmade crafts and gifts from 50+ vendors, many who have been favorites of our guests for years along with many talented new artisans. Click HERE for more information.

November 10- Veterans Day Parade Join us as we salute our community veterans with the County’s 4 th annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony in Downtown Columbia. Visit www.howardcountyveterans.org/parade/ to learn more.

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