By 1983 the museum had its first permanent facility staffed by volunteers, with the first full-time staff hired in 1989. Today it is in a 22,000 square foot facility with outdoor exhibits and meeting spaces.
Inside the Museum
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
National Electronics Museum (Linthicum Heights, MD)
In a nondescript building near BWI is the National Electronics Museum, incorporated in 1980 primarily as a way to display defense-related electronics from the former Westinghouse (now Northrop Grumman) facility nearby, including airborne radars and a radar for the BOMARC supersonic missile (the first long-range anti-aircraft missile).
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Howard County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Overview
On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, the Task Force chartered by Howard County Executive Alan Kittleman to perform the first comprehensive review of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) will meet in Ellicott City for one of two remaining working meetings.
The Task Force plans to wrap up its discussion in the January 27th meeting two weeks later, with a final meeting on February 10th.
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Task Force
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
So what is APFO, why should you care, and what are the issues being discussed?
What is APFO?
APFO was instituted in 1992 as a mechanism for Howard County to manage growth and the impact of new development on schools and roads.
Howard County did this by controlling the number of housing allocations. Developers are not able to build without housing allocations, and their projects must undergo a review to determine the cost of mitigating the impact on local school capacity and traffic congestion.
Developers have the option to either perform the required improvements themselves or pay into a County fund for that purpose.
(It should be noted that the courts have ruled, however, that the County cannot indefinitely delay development. If developers have housing allocations and the correct zoning for their projects, they can proceed after 4 years even without the improvements.)
Why should you care about APFO?
APFO attempts to establish reasonable thresholds for ensuring that funding is available to increase school and road capacity, to offset the impact of growth from new developments.
These issues have a major effect on quality-of-life issues in our community, especially in a place like Howard County that places high value on its top-performing school system.
What are the APFO issues being discussed?
The questions raised in the review revolve around the scope of what should be included (i.e., should the impact on more than just schools and roads be considered), what are "reasonable" thresholds and criteria, and how often the process should change.
Among the topics expected on tomorrow's agenda are:
The Task Force plans to wrap up its discussion in the January 27th meeting two weeks later, with a final meeting on February 10th.
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Task Force
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
So what is APFO, why should you care, and what are the issues being discussed?
What is APFO?
APFO was instituted in 1992 as a mechanism for Howard County to manage growth and the impact of new development on schools and roads.
Howard County did this by controlling the number of housing allocations. Developers are not able to build without housing allocations, and their projects must undergo a review to determine the cost of mitigating the impact on local school capacity and traffic congestion.
Developers have the option to either perform the required improvements themselves or pay into a County fund for that purpose.
(It should be noted that the courts have ruled, however, that the County cannot indefinitely delay development. If developers have housing allocations and the correct zoning for their projects, they can proceed after 4 years even without the improvements.)
Why should you care about APFO?
APFO attempts to establish reasonable thresholds for ensuring that funding is available to increase school and road capacity, to offset the impact of growth from new developments.
These issues have a major effect on quality-of-life issues in our community, especially in a place like Howard County that places high value on its top-performing school system.
What are the APFO issues being discussed?
The questions raised in the review revolve around the scope of what should be included (i.e., should the impact on more than just schools and roads be considered), what are "reasonable" thresholds and criteria, and how often the process should change.
Among the topics expected on tomorrow's agenda are:
Notes: Emerson Town Hall with Council Member Jen Terrasa (Dec. 2015)
Howard County officials were the invited guests at Emerson's December 2015 Town Hall in the Emerson Clubhouse. Featured were:
- Kathleen Donodeo, Transportation Planner in the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning
- Jen Terrasa, Howard County Council Member for District 3
- Kate McLeod, Special Assistant to Ms. Terrasa
The primary topics for discussion were transportation issues (including the lack of public transportation in Emerson and traffic), the status of infrastructure improvement local projects (primarily the Stephens Road bridge and sidewalks), school funding, and zoning and development.
Public Transportation
Monday, January 11, 2016
Cyber Security Preparedness Briefing by the FBI on 1/27/16
Howard County's Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will be hosting FBI Supervisory Special Agent Daniel Gray on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 in Ellicott City during the second half of their quarterly meeting to speak on the topic of Cyber Security Preparedness.
Mr. Gray is responsible for the management and coordination of all FBI Cyber Investigations for Maryland and Delaware, and was formerly the Assistant Section Chief of FBI Cyber Division’s former Cyber National Security Section.
To sign up, go to the LEPC EventBrite page: http://howardcountylepc.eventbrite.com/
Topic: "Cyber Security Preparedness: Best practices for individuals, and businesses to meet escalating cyber threats” with FBI Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Daniel Gray
Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2016
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (the first hour will have brief outs from Howard County agencies, and the second hour will be Mr. Gray's presentation)
Location:
Roger Carter Community Center
3000 Milltowne Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Web Site: howardcountylepc.eventbrite.com
Full Description from the Event Page:
Mr. Gray is responsible for the management and coordination of all FBI Cyber Investigations for Maryland and Delaware, and was formerly the Assistant Section Chief of FBI Cyber Division’s former Cyber National Security Section.
To sign up, go to the LEPC EventBrite page: http://howardcountylepc.eventbrite.com/
Topic: "Cyber Security Preparedness: Best practices for individuals, and businesses to meet escalating cyber threats” with FBI Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Daniel Gray
Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2016
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (the first hour will have brief outs from Howard County agencies, and the second hour will be Mr. Gray's presentation)
Location:
Roger Carter Community Center
3000 Milltowne Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Web Site: howardcountylepc.eventbrite.com
Full Description from the Event Page:
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Howard County Zoning Director Meets Community in North Laurel (Dec. 2015)
Howard County's DPZ has a very large effect on many of the quality of life issues in our area, to include the potential redevelopment of Route 1.
They manage the zoning regulations in Howard County, and review developer proposals for their impact upon schools, the environment and congestion (traffic).
DPZ's Approach to Development in Howard County
Mr. Lazdins spoke about his philosophy for the zoning process and his belief that engagement with the community was essential for successful outcomes.
He stated that any community will always be going through a constant state of change, and that there are three components to creating great design that is a good fit for Howard County:
- Preserve: Identify the the things that the community values, and that you want to write zoning regulations to keep
- Enhance: This is more difficult, as you have to define what it means -- housing? streets? sidewalks?
- Transform: The toughest part, especially if an area hasn't hit bottom yet where it has become clear to everyone that radical change is needed
Mr. Lazdins cited his broad and diverse background, including in the public sector (Chief of Special Projects for Montgomery County, and City Planner for Grand Rapids, MI) and as a partner in a professional planning firm (with other partners from the Rouse Company in Howard County) where he worked on projects across the country, to include the 3-year effort to replace the Woodrow Wilson Bridge outside of DC.
After listening to several residents express their concerns, he stated that it was clear to him that the Route 1 Corridor needs more attention in the 2016 DPZ work plan presently being put together.
Assessment of the DC-MD-VA Region
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Frozen Fest at Robinson Nature Center (Columbia, MD)
Howard County's Robinson Nature Center will be hosting Frozen Fest on Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 1 PM to 4:30 PM.
This kid-oriented activity will focus on the science of "cold" activities, with expected events including how to make ice cream, guided Winter Nature Walks, frozen experiments, and presentations on how cold-blooded animals survive winter without being able to generate their own heat.
Frozen Fest
Date: Sunday, January 24, 2016
Time: 1 PM - 4:30 PM
Cost: $7 for Robinson Annual Pass holders; $10 General Admission; Under 3 years old - FREE
Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
410-313-0400
http://www.howardcountymd.gov/robinsonnaturecenter.htm
Activities for 2016 Frozen Fest:
This kid-oriented activity will focus on the science of "cold" activities, with expected events including how to make ice cream, guided Winter Nature Walks, frozen experiments, and presentations on how cold-blooded animals survive winter without being able to generate their own heat.
Frozen Fest
Date: Sunday, January 24, 2016
Time: 1 PM - 4:30 PM
Cost: $7 for Robinson Annual Pass holders; $10 General Admission; Under 3 years old - FREE
Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
410-313-0400
http://www.howardcountymd.gov/robinsonnaturecenter.htm
Activities for 2016 Frozen Fest:
Monday, January 4, 2016
Autumn Walk Leaf Removal
We received an inquiry last month about the status of the Autumn Walk leaf removal service, so here's the response from our contractor:
Some of the equipment left stains on driveways in some cases, but those washed away with the rains.
We have been out to the property several times since leaf season began in October. We were there on or around October 8th & the 20th, November 3rd and again on the 16th. We are pretty much finished for the season and will get any late falling leaves cleaned up when we do the Spring Clean-Up on the property.If you have leaves still caught in the bushes of your private flowerbeds, you'll need to remove them yourselves because the service works by blowing the leaves into a large pile, and then mulching them to return them to the soil.
Some of the equipment left stains on driveways in some cases, but those washed away with the rains.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
The Return of the Columbia Poinsettia Tree
The Poinsettia Tree is up in The Mall in Columbia -- so the holidays must be here!
For those who don't know the story, when Columbia was founded almost 50 years ago, the Rouse Company wanted to find some kind of signature display to mark the holiday season.
The company's chief horticulturist Leroy J. Brown created a steel structure to hold a multi-tiered series of poinsettia plants of varying heights, along with an elaborate system for watering them.
For those who don't know the story, when Columbia was founded almost 50 years ago, the Rouse Company wanted to find some kind of signature display to mark the holiday season.
 |
| The Poinsettia Tree under construction in The Mall in Columbia |
The company's chief horticulturist Leroy J. Brown created a steel structure to hold a multi-tiered series of poinsettia plants of varying heights, along with an elaborate system for watering them.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Emerson Now Has a Facebook Page
Emerson also now has a Facebook Page!
Please "Like" the page to keep up-to-date on events in Emerson, and also to ask and answer questions of your neighbors.
And please also tell all of your friends who live in Emerson to Like the page as well. It will help us build out this great community we live in!
Please "Like" the page to keep up-to-date on events in Emerson, and also to ask and answer questions of your neighbors.
And please also tell all of your friends who live in Emerson to Like the page as well. It will help us build out this great community we live in!
- Emerson Community Home Owners Association on Facebook
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Thanksgiving Week Trash Schedule + Yard Trim
Please remember that due to the holiday, recycling collection will be on a "slide" schedule this week.
Trash and recycling containers should not be placed on the curb prior to 6 PM the night before a collection date.
Last week Autumn Walk's landscaping contract made a pass through the neighborhood with blowers and a mulching mower for the leaves that have fallen.
Also, when trimming your own bushes, please note that Howard County has changed its policy for yard trim and will no longer allow plastic bags to be used. Our street's transition date is January 1, 2016.
- Trash collection will be on Tuesday as normal (11/24).
- Friday's recyclable collection will slide to Saturday (11/28).
Last week Autumn Walk's landscaping contract made a pass through the neighborhood with blowers and a mulching mower for the leaves that have fallen.
Also, when trimming your own bushes, please note that Howard County has changed its policy for yard trim and will no longer allow plastic bags to be used. Our street's transition date is January 1, 2016.
Going forward yard trim should be placed in paper bags or bundled with twine.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Santa Heim, Merrieland (aka Savage, MD)
(Note: Savage will hold its annual Historic 1869 Bollman Bridge Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 5:30 PM, followed by the Tree Lighting at Baldwin Hall near Savage Mill.)
It's an odd part of local history that when the fabric mills at Savage Mill closed down at the end of World War II, the town of Savage, MD briefly became a year-round Christmas Village that produced as much as one-third of all of the handblown Christmas ornaments sold in the US, including ornaments on the National Christmas Tree in 1948.
And, in a bit of self-referential promotional hype, the new proprietor Harry Heim declared that the town would be Santa's home south of the Mason-Dixon Line, or "Santa Heim".
Savage Mill
For almost a century and a half the rushing water from the Little Patuxent River coursing through a 30-foot water wheel powered fabric looms at Savage Mill, creating the factory town of Savage that supplied workers to the mills.
It's an odd part of local history that when the fabric mills at Savage Mill closed down at the end of World War II, the town of Savage, MD briefly became a year-round Christmas Village that produced as much as one-third of all of the handblown Christmas ornaments sold in the US, including ornaments on the National Christmas Tree in 1948.
And, in a bit of self-referential promotional hype, the new proprietor Harry Heim declared that the town would be Santa's home south of the Mason-Dixon Line, or "Santa Heim".
Savage Mill
For almost a century and a half the rushing water from the Little Patuxent River coursing through a 30-foot water wheel powered fabric looms at Savage Mill, creating the factory town of Savage that supplied workers to the mills.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Minutes: Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting 11/9/15 - Draft
Autumn Walk HOA held its budget meeting in the Emerson Clubhouse on Monday, November 9, 2015.
Topics Discussed:
Details:
Topics Discussed:
- Current Financial Status
- FY16 Budget
- New landscaping contract
- Monument Sign
- Reserve Study
- Maintenance issues
- Some houses need to take remedial action
- Parking issues
- Fire Marshall is going to declare new firelane
- Miscellaneous
- Solar Panels
- Snow removal
- SHCCA
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The Flamingos of Autumn Walk (Saturday)
Bindu and Dharmesh have invited everyone over for what may be the last Flamingo Friday, er, Saturday, of the season!
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015
Time: 7 PM-ish
Location: At the Flamingo (9811)
In addition, Bindu encourages everyone to come and bid a fond farewell to Chinar and Vaibhav as they get ready for their next adventure.
Related:
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015
Time: 7 PM-ish
Location: At the Flamingo (9811)
In addition, Bindu encourages everyone to come and bid a fond farewell to Chinar and Vaibhav as they get ready for their next adventure.
Related:
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Notes: Howard County Executive Alan Kittleman Talks About Redevelopment
Howard County Executive Alan Kittleman was the featured guest at the November 3, 2015 meeting of the Southern Howard County Civic Association (SHCCA) meeting in the North Laurel Community Center (NLCC).
The meeting was an open forum for the approximately 50 members of the community in attendance to ask questions of Mr. Kittleman and express their concerns.
The main topics centered around redevelopment in the southeast corner of the County, the current review of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) developer fees, and how new budget constraints will affect Howard County's ability to address the lack of a long-promised swimming pool at NLCC.
Next:
Redevelopment in Savage/North Laurel
Mr. Kittleman expressed concern that too much commercial zoning had been changed to residential zoning along the Route 1 corridor, which he feels should be one of the economic engines of the County.
He cautioned it is the Howard County Council that controls zoning and not the Executive, and that furthermore there are a number of residential projects already in the pipeline, but stated he would like to see more commercial office and manufacturing development along Route 1.
Another complication is that Route 1 requires coordination with Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties, as well as the Maryland State Highway Department and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Mr. Kittleman was also asked about specific issues:
The meeting was an open forum for the approximately 50 members of the community in attendance to ask questions of Mr. Kittleman and express their concerns.
The main topics centered around redevelopment in the southeast corner of the County, the current review of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) developer fees, and how new budget constraints will affect Howard County's ability to address the lack of a long-promised swimming pool at NLCC.
Next:
- Tuesday, December 1, 2015 @ 6:30 PM: SHCCA Meeting, Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) Director Valdis Lazdins
- TBD in 2016: Town Hall with Howard County Executive Alan Kittleman in North Laurel/Savage
Redevelopment in Savage/North Laurel
Mr. Kittleman expressed concern that too much commercial zoning had been changed to residential zoning along the Route 1 corridor, which he feels should be one of the economic engines of the County.
He cautioned it is the Howard County Council that controls zoning and not the Executive, and that furthermore there are a number of residential projects already in the pipeline, but stated he would like to see more commercial office and manufacturing development along Route 1.
Another complication is that Route 1 requires coordination with Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties, as well as the Maryland State Highway Department and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Mr. Kittleman was also asked about specific issues:
CANCELLED: 2015 Lisbon (MD) Old-Fashioned Christmas Horse Parade
Update: This year's Lisbon Christmas Horse Parade in Lisbon, MD originally scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2015, has been cancelled due to insurmountable logistical problems from the rapid growth of the parade. The organizers expect to bring the horses back in 2016.
Instead, there will be an alternate parade on December 12th of decorated tractors and farm equipment to continue the original goal of raising funds for local food banks.
The original post for those who were interested in the event:
Over 500 decorated horses, ponies, donkeys and mules are expected Tractors and farm equipment that have been decorated for the holidays will be featured in this annual Christmas Parade in Western Howard County.
The parade is free to spectators, and entry fees from the riders benefit Howard and Carroll County Food Banks and the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department (40/40/20 split).
Tips from the organizers:
Instead, there will be an alternate parade on December 12th of decorated tractors and farm equipment to continue the original goal of raising funds for local food banks.
The original post for those who were interested in the event:
The parade is free to spectators, and entry fees from the riders benefit Howard and Carroll County Food Banks and the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department (40/40/20 split).
Tips from the organizers: