260 New Seats

May 8, 2023

Dear Friends,

We know that the success of our students starts early with a strong educational foundation for our youngest learners. To fulfill our vision for an excellent early childhood education, I am committing $22 million to the Faulkner Ridge Center to immediately advance a new regional pre-k facility. This investment of state pass-through funding will renovate, revitalize, and reopen the Faulkner Ridge Center with 260 new seats for pre-kindergarten.

This investment in the Faulkner Ridge Center builds on my proposed fiscal year 2024 Operating Budget of $1.1 billion for education, an increase of $47 million over FY23. This commitment is the largest increase in local funding to HCPSS in Howard County’s history, accomplished by exceeding Maintenance of Effort by $71.6 million, reflecting our commitment to supporting the needs of our students and educators. My proposed FY 2024 Capital Budget fully funds the Board of Education’s capital funding request for the second consecutive year, providing nearly $68 million in direct funding for school construction needs.

Thank you to our State Delegation, County Council, Board of Education, and Wilde Lake community for your partnership and collaboration on this transformational investment in education. Together, we will continue our work to ensure that all of our students have access to a world-class education.

Read more here.

Honoring My Favorite Veteran

Every year, the Yingling-Ridgley VFW Post No. 7472 hosts a Family Freedom Festival to bring our community together to celebrate our veterans. It was such an honor to join them this year, where the VFW dedicated a refurbished Gun, which was active in World War II, in honor of my dad, Calvin Ball, Jr. My dad was my favorite veteran, my best friend, and my hero. This dedication means so much to me and my family, and his legacy will now be able to live on for generations.

Thank you to the VFW, the Boy Scouts who helped refurbish the guns, and every community member who made this possible. Thank you to all our veterans for their endless services to our state, country, and world!

Taking Care of You

May is Mental Health Awareness month and the perfect time to remind ourselves, and each other, the importance of taking care of our mental health in addition to our physical health. I had a great time at the Mental Health Awareness Fair with my Sisters of the Iota Lambda Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. We know that we must prioritize mental health and ensure everyone who is dealing with a mental health challenge knows that they are supported and resources are available.

Thank you to my Sisters for your dedicated efforts to support our community. Together, we will continue our work to break the stigma surrounding mental health.

Let's Taco 'bout It

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

I had the pleasure of stopping by the grand opening of Banditos Tacos and Tequila in the Merriweather District. There was no better way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo than with tasty tacos. It’s always exciting when businesses expand in Howard County.

Congratulations on the second location in Howard County, and I wish your ongoing success! Learn more here.

Golf Forth, and Prosper

I was excited to join Paul, Jan and many golf enthusiasts for the grand opening of Edge Golf Performance in Columbia. This state-of-the-art training facility, located in Columbia, has a whopping 6,000 square feet of space, and is the perfect place to improve your golf game, both physically and mentally. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, this facility has everything you need to sharpen your skills and enjoy the game.

As an Economic Development Authority Catalyst Loan Fund Recipient, Edge Golf is leveraging investment and creating jobs, while providing four Trackman bays and a Puttview green available to rent for training, practice, and play. In addition, the fitness area is dedicated to improving players' strength, power, and mobility as well. Congratulations, and I wish your ongoing success!

Learn more here.

Savagely Skookum

I had the pleasure of visiting with the dedicated team at Skookum Contract Services, a leading provider of facilities management services. Skookum is known for their expertise in public works, fleet management, and warehouse distribution, and they also operate Skookum Aerospace Manufacturing, which produces a wide range of aircraft parts and assemblies for both commercial and defense industries.

During my visit to their office in Savage Mill, I was impressed by Skookum's commitment to excellence and their unwavering dedication to serving our community. Their contributions to our local economy and beyond are truly invaluable, and I'm honored to have them as part of our vibrant business community.

I invite you to learn more about Skookum Contract Services and their commitment to providing high-quality services to our community by visiting their website here.

Accessing Mental Health Resources

As we continue to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to reaffirm our commitment to expanding access to mental health resources for all. That's why I was excited to visit Ellie Mental Health, a local organization that is working tirelessly to address gaps in mental health services and promote overall wellness.

Ellie Mental Health is dedicated to breaking down barriers that prevent individuals from receiving the care they need, whether it be due to lack of funding, stigma, limited resource availability, or other challenges. Their team is doing incredible work to support our community, and I'm proud to have them as partners in our efforts to improve behavioral health outcomes.

I had the honor of attending the grand opening of their new facility, and I want to extend my deepest thanks to the entire clinical team for their unwavering commitment to the well-being of our residents. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, I encourage you to visit Ellie Mental Health's website here to learn more about the services they offer.

The Sound of BSO

The arts help bring communities together and provide a healthy outlet for all our residents. It was wonderful to join Governor Wes Moore, Dawn Flythe Moore, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for the kickoff of the Summer with the Symphony program. Howard County has been a proud partner and supporter of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for more than 20 years, during which the BSO has captured the minds and imaginations of so many in our region.

On September 13, we look forward to welcoming the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra back to Howard County as Merriweather Arts and Culture Center presents a performance of Rocky Live in concert at the Merriweather Post Pavvilion in Downtown Columbia!

Congratulations to BSO President Mark Hanson, Music Director Jonathon Heyward, and the entire team of talented musicians at the BSO for their efforts to bring music and art to communities across Maryland.

Finding the Right Décor

As we celebrated National Small Business Week, last week, I want to take a moment to recognize our local small business owners. Howard County is lucky to have so many dedicated entrepreneurs who have chosen our community as the place to start and grow their businesses. Not only do they contribute to the strength of our economy, but they also inspire us all with their ingenuity and resilience.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Hadil Haddad, the owner of Haddad Events LLC. This local business specializes in creating custom party décor, such as printing, signage, cut-outs, balloons, flowers, and other rentals. It was truly inspiring to visit their new location in Dobbin and see their passion for their craft firsthand. I encourage everyone to learn more about this fantastic local business by visiting their website here.

Fantastic Frederick

I had a great time joining Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Director Michael Sanderson visiting Frederick County as part of my MACo President’s Tour across Maryland. Throughout the year, Michael and I will be visiting all 23 counties and Baltimore City to discuss how we can collaborate to move our state forward for all Marylanders.

Our first stop was in beautiful Frederick County where we visited with County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and the Frederick County Council. It was also great to see another familiar face, John Peterson, who serves as Frederick County Government, MD's Chief Administrative Officer.

Our regional partnerships are invaluable as we all work to achieve the same goals –communities where people are safe and feel safe, stellar education systems for all students and educators, accessible transportation, and vibrant business community. Through these visits, we are able to listen and help ensure that every Marylander has the best possible opportunities available to them.

Celebrating Our AAPI Heritage

We are thankful to have a community, in Howard County, where we celebrate the beauty of our various cultures. Our Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is vibrant and adds to our beautiful tapestry of diversity and culture. Diversity is a hallmark of Howard County, and our AAPI community contributes to the vitality that makes our County one of the most attractive locations to live, work, play, grow, and thrive for all.

During AAPI Heritage Month, I encourage residents to join us at these various events to celebrate our unique culture which helps our community thrive!

Celebrating Our Scholars

Our Summer Scholars Program has been incredibly successful over the last five years. Last year alone, this program helped more than 100 of our middle school students increase preparedness for their next math level. On average, more than 80% of participating students are fully ready to move on to their next math level due to this program.

It was wonderful to join our community to celebrate the next cohort of this vital program. The investments we’re making in our students today, including those of our parents and students, will ensure that our students of tomorrow have even more opportunities to be ready and successful.

Planting Trees in our cOMmunity

It was great joining our Oakland Mills Village to help replant trees in our cOMmunity. As trees age and begin to die, they can become hazardous. Our Public Works team helps to ensure public safety and that the replanted trees work with the environment around them. We planted Shumard Oaks and Elms, both of which are native to Maryland. Including native plants into spring gardening is a great way to attract pollinators to keep our ecosystem healthy and thriving.

ConGRADulations!

It was an honor to celebrate the 52 active military and veteran students at Howard Community College who are near completion of their degrees. We are deeply grateful for their service to our community, our state, and our Nation. These students remained dedicated to serving others while empowering themselves by working hard to get their degrees. We are so proud of everything they have accomplished, and I know they will continue to get there, from here.

Congratulations to all the graduates and their families!

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.

Join My Team!

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

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.
Deputy Director, OEM - Performs advanced professional level administrative and technical work applying the principles and practices of emergency management to manage and direct the operations of the Office of Emergency Management.
Fiscal Manager, Finance - Performs mid-management and advanced level financial administrative work under the general supervision of the Chief, Bureau of Reporting. Requires a high level of knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Governmental Accounting Standards for state and local governments, and familiarity with investment portfolio management.

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

Explore Aging Unbound During Older Americans Month this May

May is Older Americans Month and all month long, our Department of Community Resources and Service’s (DCRS) Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) will be celebrating this year’s theme, "Aging Unbound," with activities, workshops, music and more. To get the fun started, OAI will be hosting a kick-off celebration this Wednesday, May 10^th from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at its Ellicott City 50+ Center. The celebration will feature exhibitors, giveaways, live entertainment, exercise demonstrations, tours of the Ellicott City 50+ Center and Fitness Center, and FREE Kona Ice. Attendees are also encouraged to take advantage of the FREE onsite respite care, available from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Registration for the onsite respite care is required; to register, call Felicia Stein at 410-313-1425.

While you are at our Ellicott City 50+ Center on the 10^th (or when visiting any one of our 50+ Centers this month), be sure to pick up your Older Americans Month Passport Challenge card. For each Older American Month activity you attend this May, you’ll collect a passport stamp and once you’ve collected six, you’ll want to turn your card in to be entered to win a handful of great prizes.

To find out more about this month’s activities and schedule, check out 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.

Children's Mental Health Awareness Week

While May is Mental Health Awareness Month, May 7^th through May 12^th is Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, a time when we strive to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health and show that positive mental health is essential to a child's healthy development. Along with the State’s Children’s Mental Health Matters! campaign – a statewide initiative aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of children’s mental health and substance use, reducing the stigma of mental health, and connecting children and families with resources to prevent and support mental health conditions, this week, DCRS’ Office of Children and Families’ (OCF) will be hosting two virtual workshops to help parents/guardians learn how to support their child’s mental health.

The first workshop, “Navigate Your Child’s Mental Health Journey,” will take place today, May 8^th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. During this workshop, participants will learn about the stages of mental health and identify local resources and supports available to guide their understanding, choices and steps to aid them in helping their child. To register for this workshop, click HERE.

Following its first workshop, OCF will host its second workshop, “Help Children Be Proud of Who They Are!” tomorrow, May 9^th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Gender identity is a complicated topic that is often misunderstood and confusing for many people. This informative workshop that will help participants understand gender identity development in their child from infancy to age five. To register for this workshop, click HERE.

In addition to this week’s workshops, OCF will be hosting a number of other workshops throughout this month focused on our children’s mental health. For a full list of workshops, click HERE.

Office of Emergency Management

Hurricane Preparedness

T-minus 24 days and counting till the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June 1^st through November 30^th). In preparation for the season and in honor of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, this past week our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) shared a number of helpful tips and information about emergency preparedness before, during and after a hurricane on its Facebook and Twitter pages. If you missed OEM’s post and tweets, I encourage you to check them out, as well as NOAA’s website and FEMA’s website to learn more about what you and your family can do to make sure you are prepared should a hurricane make landfill this spring, summer or fall in Maryland.

Department of Fire and Rescue Services

Swimming Safety Tips

May is National Water Safety Month and with the start of the summer pool season less than three weeks away, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) is reminding parents/guardians to always keep an eye on kids in and around bodies of water. Drowning can be quick and silent.

For more water safety tips, check out the American Red Cross's “Water Safety” website.

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.

Office of Human Rights and Equity

Transpacific Origins: Celebrating the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Diaspora

This May 20^th, our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) will be partnering with the Howard County Center for the Arts and The 3^rd to host its first celebration honoring the culture and experiences of Pacific Islanders. To join in the celebration, be sure to stop Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City on the 20^th at 6:30 p.m. for a live cultural performance, panel discussion and food tasting. The panel discussion will include Howard County Asian American Pacific Islander Commission member Koko Aiolupotea and The 3^rd’s Head Chef Jamila Wright-Jones.

This event will center around Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, creating a space to honor their ancestry, their histories and their identities.

As seating is limited, be sure to reserve your seat today for this amazing celebration by clicking HERE.

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.

Unleashing the Activist Within

Launched this past February, join OHRE on Wednesday May 31^st at 5:00 p.m. for its second “Unleashing the Activist Within” workshop. Held quarterly, this three-hour virtual workshop allows participants to explore the history, culture and tools of activism from 1950 to the present. Attendees will participate in activities that will break their barriers toward engagement, learn tools that promote self-care, gain insights on how to collaborate and organize for greater impact, and brainstorm approaches to substantively engaging in the human or civil rights concerns they are most passionate about.

To register for “Unleashing the Activist Within” training to learn how you can help make a positive change that protects and promotes the human rights of all in our community, click HERE today register.

Department of Planning and Zoning

Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board

This Tuesday, May 9^th, our Department of Planning and Zoning’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.

The agenda for tomorrow’s meeting can be found online.

Design Advisory Panel Meeting

Additionally, this Wednesday, May 10^th, DPZ’s Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will be holding a virtual meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following item:

Review of Plan No. 23-09 10010 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction

To register in advance to participate in this meeting, click HERE. If you only want to listen to the meeting, call 1-650-479-3207 at the meeting time. When prompted, enter 2314 241 7867 as the event access code.

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. You can use DPZ’s DAP interactive map to see which properties may be subject to DAP review. 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.

Office of Procurement and Contract Administration

Gateway Innovation District Master Plan

In case you missed it, this past week, I issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a Master Plan that will guide the transformation of the Gateway Business Park into the premier “Innovation District” on the east coast. The County’s pending General Plan Update, HoCo By Design, calls for a bold redevelopment of the 1,000+ acre industrial and office park into a major hub for employment, entertainment and innovation. The EOI seeks a multi-disciplinary consultant team experienced with master planning efforts of this magnitude.

Interested parties may review the Expression of Interest here under the “documents” tab. Proposals are due on Wednesday, July 5^th before 10:59 a.m. A virtual Pre-Submittal Meeting will occur later this month on Wednesday, May 31^st at 3:00 p.m. Questions about this solicitation should be directed to Jennie Rittenhouse, buyer with the Howard County Office of Procurement, at j rittenhouse@howardcountymd.gov. All additional information about the pre-submittal meeting and proposal submission instructions, can be found on the County’s website here.

Department of Public Works

Bureau of Environmental Services

Memorial Day Holiday Slide Schedule

QUICK REMINDER, our Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Bureau of Environmental Services' "holiday slide schedule" will be in effect later this month, as the Memorial Day holiday is one of the six holidays that affects the County's trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim curbside collection schedule. As there will be NO curbside collection on Monday, May 29th, Monday's pickup will slide to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday and so forth.

To learn more, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule or contact the Bureau at 410-313-6444 or email help@howardcountyrecycles.org for questions.

Bureau of Highways

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. today, 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.

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

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.

What to Do When School’s Out

We all understand the challenge of keeping your little one busy when schools are closed, but our team at Recreation & Parks has you covered. Whether it’s sports, art, chess or music, there are plenty of programs to choose from to make sure your child is staying active this May when schools are closed. Click on the following dates (May 19 ^th and May 29^th) to find out what activities are available this month.

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!

Making Memories at Summer Camp

With summer camp season right around the corner, Recreation & Parks remains at the ready to keep your camper’s mind and body active, entertained and learning all summer long. While Recreation & Parks has experienced record enrollment numbers for its summer camps thus far, there are still plenty of opportunities to keep your child moving, learning and making new friends this summer. To check out this summer camp offerings, click HERE.

Travel Planning Made Easy

Looking to get away? Let our team over at Recreation & Parks plan your next trip! Whether you are looking for a quick one-day getaway or something a little bit longer, Recreation & Parks Trips & Tours teams is here to help. From the Harriet Tubman’s Visions of Freedom to Royal Tea at the Kate Pearl Tea Room, a day in majestic St. Michaels, Longwood Gardens, and five-day trip to Maine, Recreation & Parks offers something for everyone.

For a full list of upcoming trips and tours, be sure to click HERE today so you don’t miss out of the chance to explore all that our country has to offer.

Office of Transportation

If you are planning on attending Books in Bloom in Downtown Columbia this Saturday, May 13^th, our Office of Transportation has you covered with biking directions from the Columbia Village Centers and other areas throughout the county. Our friends at BikeHoCo will also be offering a FREE Bike Corral, think of it as a “coat check” for your bike, where participants can leave their bike while enjoying the festivities.

May is Bike Month

This Bike Month, Transportation has once again joined 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 next 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 next Friday, May 19^th, due to limited positions, those interested in participating in this program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.