Public Meeting

MORE THAN 300 people gathered one night last week to listen to the first formal presentation of what the successor to Rouse Co. has in mind for the future of downtown Columbia. It was the largest such public meeting in memory, and General Growth Properties Inc. of Chicago - which in purchasing Rouse acquired a big share of the planned city's core - put on a convincing show. In the past, we've been skeptical of General Growth's intentions in building out and remaking downtown Columbia - and Howard County still very much needs to be deeply involved in shaping the final plans - but last week the Chicago firm pushed many of the right buttons with its vision for turning Columbia's mall-centric town center into a much more viable "city in a park."

Debate over the meaning of gold-colored sheets of paper passed among members of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners has pitted the elected officials against residents who allege they are thumbing their noses at state open meetings rules. Two residents complained to the commissioners and state officials Tuesday that the so-called "goldenrod" form — or as it's officially known, the "Board of County Commissioners Action Authorization Form" — violates the state's Open Meetings Act, which requires elected officials to meet publicly when conducting official government business.

This weekendThe mackerel run is in full swing, with several head boats beginning daily trips out of Ocean City this week.The Miss Ocean City and the O.C. Princess are among the boats that will begin daily trips today. The Angler plans to start making daily trips on Saturday.Trips usually start at 7 a.m. and return in midafternoon. The cost is roughly $25 per person, with rod and reel rentals available. Anglers may bring their own gear.Be sure to call ahead to check local weather conditions.

THIS WEEKENDThe mackerel run is in full swing, with several head boats beginning daily trips out of Ocean City this week.The Miss Ocean City and the O.C. Princess are among the boats that will begin daily trips today. The Angler plans to start making daily trips on Saturday.Trips usually start at 7 a.m. and return in midafternoon. The cost is roughly $25 per person, with rod and reel rentals available. Anglers may bring their own gear.Be sure to call ahead to check local weather conditions.

TODAY Police meeting -- Baltimore County Police Precinct 9 (White Marsh) will hold a Police Community Relations Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the station, 8220 Perry Hall Blvd. 410-887-5035. TOMORROW County Council -- The Baltimore County Council will meet for a work session at 2 p.m. on the second floor at the County Court House, 400 Washington Ave., Towson. 410-887-3196. Plan conference -- The Department of Permits and Development Management will hold a development plan conference at 9 a.m. in Room 123 of the County Office Building, 111 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson.

Workshop to help parents talk to kids on tough issues The Howard County public school system's Partners for Success Center - a resource for families and schools - will offer a workshop for parents of students receiving special education. "Can We Talk? Communicating With Your Adolescent About Sexuality and Other Important Issues" will be offered from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the ARC of Howard County, 9220 Rumsey Road, Suite 105, Columbia. Ideas for adapting the Family Life Education Unit to individual needs will be presented.

New parking meters on North Charles Street have created such a community uproar that city officials have agreed "as a measure of good faith" to suspend installing meters in the area until after a public meeting in two months.With the arrival of new businesses and the recent renovation of the Johns Hopkins University's Homewood building -- which includes dormitories, offices and retail space -- residents near 31st Street are angry that the meters threaten their free parking and may cause a shortage of spaces.

BEST BET Monday Capt. Wayne Morgan will discuss mid-bay fishing techniques at a meeting of the Pasadena Sportfishing Group, 7:30 p.m., Earleigh Heights Fire Hall, Ritchie Highway and Magothy Bridge Road, Severna Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. for fishing talk. Dinner and refreshments are available for purchase. Details: 410-HEYFISH or pasadenasportfishing.com. BIKING Monday Mountain bikers will meet to discuss restrictions on single-track riding at Loch Raven Reservoir by the City of Baltimore, 7 p.m., REI Timonium, 63 West Aylesbury Road.