Improving Columbia's best asset--our biking and walking trails

Having spent most of December out of town the thing I missed most was not having Columbia's trails on which to run. I had to run on roads that had traffic or on uneven sidewalks.  No running on trails with scenery that changes with the seasons.  When people ask me if I ever plan to move out of Columbia my first thought is, "Where would I run if I moved?"  Our CA trails spoil us.  That is why I am attending a public meeting next week that CA is sponsoring and wanted to let everyone know about.

CA is hosting the first public meetings for the Connecting Columbia project next week. To register for this event, visit: http://connecting-columbia-public-meetings.eventbrite.com/. Note that both locations will have the same content.

January 10, 7:30-9:00PM Owen Brown Community Association, 6800 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045

January 11, 7:30-9:00PM Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, MD 21044

The goal of the project is to create an action agenda that will result in a more interconnected and comprehensive bicycling and walking circulation system for health, recreational and transportation purposes. A brief presentation will occur at approximately 8PM introducing the project team and describe the project, goals, and objectives. Before and after the presentation, there will be several “stations” for residents to make suggestions and recommendations. For more information about the project, please visit www.columbiaassociation.org/connectingcolumbia.

P.S.

Something strange happened to yesterday's blog.  When I posted it in the morning the information was there and when I looked at it later in the day  to add something only the image I used was there. So I am re-posting the information.

Advocacy efforts worth knowing about

Equality in 2012: The Strategy for Achieving GLBT Rights in Maryland

Join PFLAG Columbia-Howard County for an exciting evening of discussion and collaboration as we strategize a WINNING approach to the 2012 Maryland legislative session.

Tuesday, January 10th at 7:30 PM Owen Brown Interfaith Center  7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045  directions available on our website www.pflagmd.or

Come join Dan McCarthy and the rest of your PFLAG family at 7:30PM, Tuesday night, January 10.  Join the fight and help us achieve equality in 2012!

 

The national GLBT political gurus all agree that Maryland is the next and best battleground to fight for and achieve marriage equality. The foundation has been laid by you in previous years, but this is our year for success.

We will present a dynamic panel with representation from:   Marylanders United for Marriage Equality Gender Rights Maryland and Equality Maryland     This dynamic panel will detail our community's political and lobbying strategy for securing:   Marriage equality and Gender anti-discrimination protections You will learn about all the specific legislation being proposed, opportunities and obstacles to passage and most importantly, what you can do to make an impact. Please make time to attend and lend your support for EQUALITY.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From the Climate Change Initiative of Howard County  Jan 15, 2-4:30pm: Earth Forum of Howard County: The Chesapeake Bay and Your Backyard.  Congressman John Sarbanes will discuss working to restore the health of the Chesapeake, promote management of storm water runoff, and increase environmental literacy.  For more information: http://www.hococlimatechange.org/events/earth-forum Jan 31, 7pm: Is Fracking in Maryland’s Future? at the East Columbia Library.  Maryland is studying whether to allow hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to extract natural gas. The public is invited to join experts on natural gas issues for a town hall meeting to discuss environmental concerns, economic impacts and more.  Panelists will include Delegate Heather Mizeur, sponsor of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Act; Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network; and Harry Weiss, a member of the state panel studying natural gas drilling and an attorney with Ballard Spahr who has represented both landowners and oil and gas companies in Pennsylvania.  http://www.hococlimatechange.org/events/howard-county-event Upcoming Circles: Jan 3, 7pm:  Choices for Sustainable Living at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center.  Don't sleep-walk through the future.  Join a discussion circle for "Choices for Sustainable Living" by coming to the kick-off meeting.  For more information, contact Bonnie Sorak at goecsa@yahoo.com or 410-465-0427. Jan 6, 7pm:  Transition Howard County meeting at a private home in Ellicott City.  Jonah Blaustein of the the Public Banking Institute (http://publicbankinginstitute.org/) will talk about economic sustainability and public banking.  RSVP to hococlimatechange@gmail.com is required as space is limited. For more information: http://www.hococlimatechange.org/get-involved/transition-town