August 21, 2008
Columbia
Also see Find Columbia photos Browse guides to communities in and around Baltimore: |
Howard County photos
Take the neighborhood quiz
You've read the profiles. You've perused the Nitty Gritties. Now test your Baltimore neighborhood knowledge with this quiz.
Calendar
Programs
Arthritis health Laurel Regional Hospital, 7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel / The hospital is partnering with the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to offer a seven-week exercise program called People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) at 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays beginning today and ending Oct. 9. Fee is $25 or $3 per class. 301-497-7914.Community Notes
The Columbia Association will hold a KidsKorner Meet and Greet at 3 p.m. tomorrow at the east Columbia library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia.
Business Digest
Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors, a Columbia-based fee-only service, has entered a partnership with the Columbia Orchestra to help extend the orchestra's contacts and support in the local business community.
Health Notes
Dr. Peter L. Beilenson, Howard County's health officer, will kick off the Association of Community Services' fall series of meetings Sept. 17 with a discussion on health issues affecting county residents and challenges for the coming year.
Religion Digest
The Baltimore First Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3291 St. Johns Lane, Ellicott City, will open its new sanctuary Saturday.
Datebook
Best bet
Realism Rouse Company Foundation Gallery in Howard Community College's Horowitz Center will present an exhibition of work by young artists of the Taller de Grafica Popular, a workshop founded in the 1930s for printmakers whose work reflected issues facing Mexican society. The show, which features precursors of the aesthetic movement that yielded muralists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Oroszco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Elizabeth Catlett, will open Aug. 28. A reception is planned from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 13. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 410-772-4512.At midlife, a triumphant return
About a month before last summer's Iron Girl Triathlon, Melissa Emery was beset by debilitating fatigue.
A 'Thunder'-ous weekend unseats 'Dark Knight'
It took four of Hollywood's biggest stars to take down Batman.
EnviroCenter draws interest
A renovated 1905 farmhouse on a busy truck route in Jessup might seem an unlikely place for political involvement in environmental innovation.
Landlords to be billed
Hundreds of Howard County homeowners who also own rental properties soon will receive bills for undeserved property tax breaks they received under Maryland's Homestead Tax Credit program.
Fine day for culture
Two women sit on a bench and converse in Korean as their kids play nearby, scurrying down a curvy slide and running across a kiddie bridge at one of Centennial Park's playgrounds yesterday.
Joan Leslie Tieperman
Joan Leslie Tieperman, a 20-year heart transplant survivor and former elementary school teacher, died Aug. 10 at her home in Woodstock in Howard County. She was 66.
Laura Vozzella: Getting Baltimore dolled up
If little girls in and around Baltimore want a doll that looks like Mommy, they're in luck, no matter if she shops all day at Cross Keys, gets lost on Columbia cul-de-sacs, works a street corner in the 'hood or lives with another mommy in Mount Vernon.
Vehicle ID etching offered
In cooperation with the Howard County Police Department, Wilde Lake Community Association will offer a free vehicle identification etching service from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10.
Blood drive set for Sept. 4
The Town Center Community Association will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive to help replenish the local blood supply from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 4 in the ballroom of Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point road.
Photography course set for September
Nature photographer Michael Oberman, a resident of Harper's Choice, will teach beginning nature photography from 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Sept. 8 and 15 at Slayton House in Wilde Lake Village Center. An outdoor photo shoot is planned for Sept. 13.
6 schools fall short of state-ordered progress
Six schools in Howard County fell short of meeting state-ordered progress goals in the past year and were placed on a list of underperforming schools, despite appeals filed by county education officials.
Mystery writer Seitz due at book signing
Mystery writer Stephen Seitz will speak about and sign copies of his novel, Sherlock Holmes and the Plague of Dracula, at 2 p.m. today at Borders Book & Music at Columbia Crossing.
Sara Beck to perform at One World
Former Howard County resident Sara Beck will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at One World Coffeehouse at Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way. Beck now lives in Nashville.
Community Notes
The Red Cross is urging donors to help replenish Maryland's blood supply, which has dropped below what is considered safe and adequate.
Endangered historic treasures
In the eight years that Preservation Howard County has been compiling its list of the top 10 endangered historic sites, some places have been saved, some have been razed and some have seen little change at all.
Md. students fare better
A greater percentage of Maryland's elementary and middle schools met federal achievement standards than in recent years, even as the state raised the bar by requiring more students in each school to pass the yearly tests in reading and math.
Protestors aim anger at 'Tropic Thunder'
On the day the highly anticipated comedy Tropic Thunder opened nationwide, Matthew Plantz showed up at a Howard County theater, but he wasn't lined up to buy a ticket.
Calendar
Programs
Arthritis health Laurel Regional Hospital, 7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel / The hospital is partnering with the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to offer a seven-week exercise program called People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) at 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays beginning Aug. 21 and ending Oct. 9. Fee is $25 or $3 per class. 301-497-7914.Business Digest
Integral Systems Inc., a provider of software for command and control systems for satellites, has announced plans to move its corporate headquarters from Lanham in Prince George's County to Columbia next year, bringing more than 200 jobs to the area.
Religion Digest
Christ United Methodist Church is accepting registration for its Sunday School classes, kindergarten through high school, at Owen Brown Interfaith Center in Columbia.
Community Notes
The annual Cuts Against Cancer cut-a-thon to benefit the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Lutfi's Salon and Spa, 12143 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville.
Health Notes
As part of its $105 million development plan, Howard County General Hospital has opened a new 542-space, five-level parking garage for the hospital's employees. Employee safety was a priority in designing the garage, which features emergency call boxes, guard rails to prevent unauthorized entry, interior and exterior cameras and an elevated security booth staffed 16 hours a day, according to a news release. The garage's Charter Drive entrance will be closed at 6 p.m. daily. The development plan also includes a five-level patient pavilion and extensive renovation of the hospital's structure.
State delegate returns property tax discount
Del. Keith E. Haynes informed the Howard County Department of Finance yesterday that he was returning five years of property tax discounts he improperly received under the Homestead Tax Credit program.
'Dark Knight' smokes 'Pineapple Express'
Batman was higher than Hollywood's newest pot heads.
Home tax benefits wrongly accepted
Several state legislators have been receiving thousands of dollars in undeserved property tax breaks under the Homestead Tax Credit program, records show.
Seeking mentors, tutors for elementary, middle schools
A-OK (Assist Our Kids) Mentoring/Tutoring Program is recruiting volunteers to work with Howard County elementary and middle schools.
Columbia Pro Cantare auditions begin next month
The Columbia Pro Cantare will hold auditions for all parts in its 32nd season of concerts. Among the works to be performed are Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, Handel's Messiah, Brahms' Requiem, and a Tribute to Paul Robeson, with baritone Lester Lynch and the chorus.
Misako Ballet concert next week is free
Misako Ballet Company will offer a free studio concert from noon to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the company's studio in the Harper's Choice Village Center, 5485 Harpers Farm Road, Suite 203.
'An Affair to Remember' at Slayton House Theatre
Slayton House Theatre in Wilde Lake Village Center will begin its 16th season of "Marvelous Movies and More" with a showing of An Affair to Remember at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12.
Move by transportation board angers some politicians
The move by the Ken Ulman-led Baltimore Regional Transportation Board to designate $340 million in future state transportation funding for mass transit projects has raised the ire of some politicians.
Community Notes
The Columbia Association's Culture and Cuisine Exchange is offering a travel opportunity for Columbia residents to Cergy-Pontoise, France. The exchange, scheduled from Oct. 17 to 29, will take place in two parts: the first, in Cergy-Pontoise, outside Paris; the second in the south of France.
Hole lot of fun
Any kid can splash-dive into a swimming hole. Gunther Byrd of Lutherville chose to go the way of a trapeze artist.
3 men indicted in May killing
Three Baltimore County men were indicted yesterday in the May killing of a Howard County man who was found shot in a Columbia parking lot, according to the state's attorney's office.
Calendar
Programs
Arthritis health Laurel Regional Hospital, 7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel / The hospital is partnering with the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to offer a seven-week exercise program called People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) at 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays beginning Aug. 21 and ending Oct. 9. Fee is $25 or $3 per class. 301-497-7914.Volunteer Notes
The Howard County Conservancy is seeking volunteer naturalists to serve as educators for school programs at the conservancy's headquarters at Mount Pleasant, 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock.
Health Notes
The Central Maryland Red Cross will offer baby-sitting training for ages 11 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 9325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia.
Business Digest
Graphic Technology of Maryland Inc., a Jessup-based commercial printing company, has earned certification for its use of sustainable materials from three organizations. The company is certified to use a logo showing that the paper it uses for printing has been produced using sustainable forestry practices. The company was recently certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification; it was certified in 2005 by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Community Notes
Registration is open for the 25th anniversary Make-A-Wish Triathlon At Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, Del.
Squaring off on Wilde Lake future
A discussion this week between Wilde Lake residents and officials of the firm that wants to redevelop Columbia's oldest village center sounded more like a verbal tug-of-war than progress toward consensus.
Dismissal of sex abuse charges rejected
A judge yesterday rejected a motion to dismiss the charges against a former Howard County teacher accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with several students.
'Dark Knight' to pass $400 million mark
Even an army of the undead could not dislodge Batman from his box-office perch.
Deborah Stallings
Deborah Stallings, 48, is the founder and CEO of HR Anew, a human resources management consulting and professional services firm. She started the company as its only employee out of a small Columbia apartment almost 10 years ago. It now has 28 employees and about 20 independent contractors. Stallings lives in Columbia with husband Douglas M. Corner, who works in CarMax sales. She has a 28-year old daughter, Kena Hodges, and a 3-year-old grandson, Kristian.
Police chief to discuss safety trends
Howard County Chief of Police William J. McMahon will discuss trends in public safety at 7 p.m. Thursday at the meeting of the Columbia Association board's External Relations Committee.
Session to focus on gay matters
The Columbia/Howard County Chapter of PFLAG - Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays - will hold a question session and discussion of matters relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way.
Library plans forgiveness lessons
The Howard County Library and 40 community partners will offer "Lessons of Forgiveness," a part of the multiyear initiative "Choose Civility" designed to make Howard County a national model of respect, consideration, empathy and tolerance.
Computer classes at 50+ center
Computer Seniors of America will offer basic, advanced and specialized day and evening classes at the east Columbia 50+ center.
Community Notes
Talk to focus on energy conservation
The Green Building Institute will offer a talk by Thomas H. Marston of Energy Services Group on "Evaluating Your Family's Energy Profile" from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the institute's Enviro-Center, 7761 Waterloo Road, Jessup.Arrest in Columbia killing
Howard County police have arrested a fourth suspect in the fatal shooting of a Columbia man in May.
Teen gets 10 years in attack
A teenager convicted of aiding in the near-fatal stabbing of another teenager at The Mall in Columbia this year was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison in Howard County Circuit Court.
Calendar
Programs
Arthritis health Laurel Regional Hospital, 7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel / The hospital is partnering with the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to offer a seven-week exercise program called People with Arthiritis can Exercise (PACE) at 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays beginning Aug. 21 and ending Oct. 9. Fee is $25 or $3 per class. 301-497-7914.Howard Live Calendar
On Stage
'Into the Woods' The Conservatory Camp at Slayton House Theatre will present its own production of Into the Woods, a humorous rendition of favorite fairy tales, at 7 p.m. today and tomorrow, and 2 p.m. Saturday, at Slayton House in Wilde Lake Village Center, Columbia. Tony McGuffin directs. Tickets are $8 in advance; $6 for senior citizens and students. Tickets at the door are $10. 410-730-3987.Health Notes
Howard County General Hospital staff members will offer free, walk-in blood-pressure screening from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Aug. 18 at the Glenwood library, 2350 Route 97, Cooksville.
Community Notes
Oh, You Must Live in Columbia, a history of the town's unusual street names and the people who chose them, is available at the offices of the Columbia Archives, the book's publisher, 10227 Wincopin Circle, Columbia.
Religion Digest
The Parent Resource Place, a program of Jewish Community Services in Howard County and the Jewish Federation of Howard County, will offer "Shalom Belly, Shalom Baby," a childbirth education class with a Jewish perspective.
Role by youth urged in Columbia's plans
With the formal rezoning process for central Columbia's redevelopment about to begin, a group of young, business-oriented Howard County residents has stepped into the nearly five-year-old discussion.
'Dark Knight' passes $300 million mark
TheDark Knight continues to obliterate box-office records, crossing the $300 million mark in just 10 days.
Community Notes
Hall of Fame inductees named
The Howard County Community Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Parks, has announced its 2008 inductees: Tony Brudis, Jim Carlan, Don Disney, Karen Dye, Roger Hockey, Helen Moody and Stanley "Chick" Nedzel.Obama Sing-Out recalls '60s civil rights movement
On the same night that about 200 prominent Maryland Republicans gathered in Baltimore for a big-ticket fundraiser for John McCain, a similarly sized group of Democrats assembled in Columbia and sang out for Barack Obama.
2 linked to Baltimore drug ring are indicted
Two men accused of participating in a Baltimore heroin trafficking organization were indicted by a Howard County grand jury last week on gun and drug charges stemming from their arrest at a home in Columbia.
Community event and pizza party
In celebration of National Night Out, a national crime-prevention campaign encouraging neighbors to build a sense of community, the Wilde Lake Community Association will offer a pizza party for village residents from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Green.
Howard Education Notes
HCC cuts ribbon for radiologic lab
Howard Community College opened its radiologic technology laboratory with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 18. It was attended by Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Howard County government officials, and representatives from CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield and Howard County General Hospital.Dog adoption event set for Saturday
The Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue Adoption Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Columbia PetSmart, 9041 Snowden River Parkway.
Oakland Mills plans pool party Aug. 4
The Oakland Mills Community Association will sponsor a pool party Aug. 4 for Oakland Mills residents.
Tower opponents win first victory
Opponents of a proposed 23-story tower in Columbia have won their first legal victory in more than two years with a decision by Maryland's second-highest court that could give them a chance to argue their case before the county appeals board.
Arc group home starts from scratch
The startling crunching and cracking sounds that reverberated through a neighborhood near Oakland Mills High School a couple of hours after daybreak yesterday gave way in the afternoon to duller thumps and thuds that are expected to continue today.
Religion Digest
The Shrine of St. Anthony, 12290 Folly Quarter Road, near Glenelg, will hold a Healing Mass on the Feast of the Portiuncula at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. Masses for the feast will be celebrated at 8 a.m. and noon Aug. 2. A Day of Prayer: Praying with St. Clare of Assisi, is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 9.
Volunteer Notes
Historic Ellicott City Inc. will present its 24th Decorator Show House at Homewood Farm from Sept. 20 to Oct. 19 and is seeking volunteers to help with the event.
Community Notes
Charity's Closet, a thrift shop for women and juniors operated by teens, is having a sale tomorrow. All items at the shop are $5 each. Those who buy a pair of sandals at this price will receive another pair free.
Howard Live Calendar
On Stage
Elite teens The CCTA Elite Teen Drama Program will present Phantom of the Opera at 7:30 p.m. today, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Reservoir High School in Fulton. The production is the culmination of the Teen Professional Theatre, a four-week summer workshop for young actors, ages 13 to 21, offered by Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts. Tickets are $10-$22.50 and are available at www.CCTArts.com. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. 410-381-0700.Students exchange cultures
When it comes to immersing themselves in another culture, exchange students from Howard County don't fool around.
A career in helping and housing
Carole MacPhee started her career as an emergency response volunteer helping house needy people in 1972 after the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Agnes in her hometown of Wilkes Barre, Pa.