Independent MObile JOurnalism Showcasing the "mojo" of HOward COunty

February 2010 Articles (19)

Interview with Tom O'Connor, former CA Board chair

Tom O'Connor, former chair of the Columbia Association board of directors, joins HoCoMoJo's Dave Bittner to share his opinions on the current state of the CA board, what he believes is wrong with it, and what it would take to fix it. We discuss the threat of CA cutting off funding for the Columbia Festival of the Arts, among other programs, and what, in his estimation, the role of the CA board should be.

You can listen to this interview using the embedded player below. …

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Added by Dave Bittner on February 24, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

HCPSS Announces School Make Up Days

Recent historic snowfall in the region resulted in Howard County public schools being closed for eight (8) instructional days so far during the 2009-2010 school year. Last evening, the Board of Education approved the following changes to the calendar to make up the missed instructional days.

The five days designated as inclement weather makeup days on the academic calendar will be used to make up five of the eight days, making June 23 the final instructional day for the 2009-2010… Continue

Added by Ilana Bittner on February 19, 2010 at 12:46pm — No Comments

Snow Wrap Up from County Executive Ken Ulman

February 17, 2010…

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Added by Dave Bittner on February 17, 2010 at 5:45pm — No Comments

Message from Ken Ulman and Sydney Cousin - February 16, 2010

Joint Message with Superintendent Sydney Cousin -- February 16, 2010

We are pleased to confirm that schools will reopen on Wednesday, February 17. We plan to have a two-hour delayed opening tomorrow in order to avoid rush hour traffic and therefore make things more manageable.

We want to thank those of you who have shoveled sidewalks and cleared bus stops. Your contribution to the safety of our students is greatly appreciated, and your continued…

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Added by Dave Bittner on February 16, 2010 at 4:22pm — No Comments

Howard County General Hospital Expands New Electronic Medical Record Sharing Program

Technology Made Possible With $25,000 Verizon

Foundation Grant

COLUMBIA, Md. – Doctors and patients at Howard County General Hospital will benefit from advanced technology that enables medical

records to easily be shared between physicians’ offices…

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Added by Lisa Brusio Coster on February 16, 2010 at 3:46pm — No Comments

February 15, 2010 Message from Ken Ulman and Sydney Cousin

February 15, 2010

Dear neighbors and HCPSS parents,

Thank you for your continued patience as both county and school system crews work to get the county up and running. We are contacting you today about the status of schools and steps being taken to reopen schools as soon as possible. We also want to suggest ways we… Continue

Added by Dave Bittner on February 15, 2010 at 7:47pm — No Comments

A Message from HoCo Public Schools Superintendent

February 14, 2010 - To all HCPSS families,

We announced earlier today that we will not be opening schools on Tuesday as we had originally hoped. As of today, a number of our school parking lots, driveways,…

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Added by Dave Bittner on February 14, 2010 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Blizzard Update From County Exec Ken Ulman February 13, 2010

Another 24 hours has gone by, and that 24 hours was well spent by your

County Government. Cleanup crews were again out in force today, working

to clear hazardous locations and improve specific spots deemed critical

for public safety. Progress is being made every hour, but there is

still A LOT of work to be done. I want to thank you again for your

continued patience as we work through this monumental task.

Today I spent a good deal of time touring Historic… Continue

Added by Ilana Bittner on February 13, 2010 at 8:30pm — No Comments

HUGE Traffic Jam at Mall Today

There were mile-long traffic jams on both MD 175 and Broken Land Parkway leading to the mall today. As my son and I ran errands about 1pm today, we found traffic backed up from the ramps at MD 29 leading to both of these roads. Knowing there wasn't a concert at Merriweather Post, I jokingly remarked that folks were responding to cabin fever by going to the AMC for Avatar. My son then reminded that tomorrow is Valentine's Day - everybody must be headed to the mall for chocolate or jewelry.…

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Added by Harry Schwarz on February 13, 2010 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Blizzard Update From Ken Ulman - Friday February 12

As the snowiest week in Howard County history draws to a close, I want

to thank you again for your continued patience. I had the opportunity

today to tour much of the County with our Director of Public Works. I

was very pleased to see the progress our crews have been making, but we

clearly still have a long way to go before our road conditions – and

our daily lives -- return to normal.

Our primary goal after these storms was to make sure all roads… Continue

Added by Ilana Bittner on February 12, 2010 at 10:04pm — No Comments

Columbia Association Closing Facilities For Second Storm

• CA Headquarters and MSC will close at

4 p.m. today and remain closed tomorrow, February 10. All other CA

facilities will close at 6 p.m. this evening and remain closed tomorrow

as well.

• CA's Inclement Weather Policy will be in effect as of 4 p.m. today, Tuesday, Feb.9,

meaning all classes, programs, etc. scheduled after 4 p.m. will be

cancelled.… Continue

Added by Ilana Bittner on February 9, 2010 at 4:47pm — No Comments

Snow Load and Structural Stability

With the large amount of snowfall over the last weekend, and with the possibility of an additional 10” – 20” on the way, there will be a significant amount of additional weight or “live load” on our roofs. Our building codes anticipate this type of loading and require that it be incorporated into the structural design of the building.

Although the absolute amount of snowfall we have received and anticipate has not exceeded expected design loads, there are several factors that could… Continue

Added by Ilana Bittner on February 9, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Snow Removal of Historic Proportions

A Storm of Historic Proportions

With upward of three feet of snow on the ground, and another ten to tweny inches forecast for Tuesday night, Howard County Government is left with the monumental task of clearing streets, sidewalks, and parking lots and returning a semblance of life as we know it.

The Department of Public Works prioritizes which roads are cleared as follows: main roads, secondary… Continue

Added by Ilana Bittner on February 8, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Storm Update From County Executive Ken Ulman

Published Today at 3:54 to Ken Ulman's Facebook Page.

In the aftermath of the largest snowstorm in recorded history for Howard County, we have been working around the clock to clear our streets and return things to normal as soon as possible. We have called in all resources across the County to help and we are… Continue

Added by Ilana Bittner on February 8, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Irish Evening of Music and Poetry

HoCoPoLitSo, the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society, will host its 32nd Annual Evening of Irish Music and Poetry with award-winning short story writer Claire Keegan on Friday, February 19, 2010, at 8 PM at the Jim Rouse Theater, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia, MD 21044. Tickets are $30 general admission. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89385 or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope and check… Continue

Added by Susan Thornton Hobby on February 8, 2010 at 8:43am — No Comments

The Unplowed CA Pathways

CA is normally quick in plowing the pathways. However, we still can'[ get directly to our Village Center. I asked the CA President for an explanation and he immediately responded with a good one: To quote:

As you know Howard County received over 30 inches of snow over the past couple of days. The County Executive asked if we could send our equipment to help get the streets cleared so emergency equipment could get to

all parts of the community. Since Howard County schools will… Continue

Added by Roy Appletree on February 8, 2010 at 4:50am — 2 Comments

Silhouette Stages, Inc. Now Accepting Charitable Contributions

This is exciting news! If Silhouette Stages, Inc. receives charitable donations totaling $2,500, then an anonymous donor will MATCH the donation amount. This means that any monetary donation, no matter how large or small will be DOUBLED if we can reach that $2,500 mark. Please consider donating $5, $10, whatever you can afford so that we can reach our goal and keep growing as a not-for-profit organization. To receive a donation form, email…

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Added by Wendy Meetze on February 7, 2010 at 12:57am — No Comments

CA Sister Cities High School Student Exchange

Calling all high school French and Spanish students! If you are in level 2 and above, Columbia Association's summer student exchange program may be just right for you! You won't stay in hotels like a tourist. You'll experience a new culture as a member of it as you live with a French or Spanish family for two weeks. What better way to make French or Spanish friends, practice your language skills and go on fun trips to new places?

The Columbia Association is accepting applications for… Continue

Added by Laura C. Smit on February 4, 2010 at 6:14pm — No Comments

Misako Ballet Company Presents "Classical With a Japanese Twist"

Thank-you to our audience for coming to our performance yesterday. The house was full and we hope that you enjoyed the show. We are really thankful for your support and that of the Howard County Arts Council.

Added by Misako Ballet on February 1, 2010 at 10:12am — No Comments