I just got an update from the North Laurel Civic Association about its June 21 meeting. They have a very big agenda for that night.
Laura Newman from the Howard County Economic Development Office will speak about how to attract businesses to our area and redevelop Route 1.
Also, on the agenda will be a vote on what the community says about the proposed Royal Farms. Royal Farms wants to change the zoning so it can put a gas station and convenience store where Laurel Dodge is located.
This would change what the county has proposed for the site and could affect how Route 1 is redeveloped. If you want a say in how the association votes, plan to attend the meeting.
It will be held at 7 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center. Members will also start to plan their annual picnic, which will be held on Sept. 16.
I received an update from the Scouts after their food drive. The Girls and Boy Scouts in the area recently collected bags of food and collected 62,115 pounds for food for the local food pantries in Howard County as well as Baltimore City. Thank you for all that participated.
Emmanuel United Methodist Church is holding a blood drive for the American Red Cross on June 10. It will run from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
This is an ongoing program the church has taken on to give back to the community. The Red Cross is in desperate need of donors, so please consider donating. To book your appointment, please to go http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-2727-2123). The church is 10755 Scaggsville Road.
It's that time of year again. Emmanuel United Methodist will hold its annual vacation Bible school June 18 through 22, 9 a.m. till noon, for children 4 years old to fifth grade. Registration forms can be found at the ministry center or at http://www.eumclaurel.org. Call Donna Meoli at 301-725-5200 for more information.
School is ending for the year and summer has officially started. Please remember that kids will be outside playing and to be extra careful watching out for them. Also, if you have any special plans or announcements, I would be happy to share them in this column.
This is also the time of year when people like to go away for vacation. Make sure you remember to protect your home while you are away.
Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home for any suspicious vehicles coming to the house. Have them removed any newspapers from your driveway, put out and put away your trash cans and collect your mail.
Have a light on a timer so the house looks lived in. Many people hire house sitters to give their homes that lived in look. Make sure you tell your neighbor someone will be staying in that house, if you have someone there.
Enjoy your summer everyone.
