Village Shopping Center

Let's keep the "ho-ho-ho" in all 12 months of 1995. It was my observation that people greeted people on the streets and in stores with a cheery "hello," and contributions to charitable organizations were made without thought to a tax receipt.But people who needed our help during the past two months need food, clothing and shelter all 12 months of the year.Would "January Joy," "February Friendship," etc., entice thoughtful giving?Perhaps local civic organizations or high schools' community service projects could sponsor particular months.

POLICE* Westminster: An official of Enterprise Rent-A-Car in the 140 Village Shopping Center reported that someone broke into the business over the weekend and stole an estimated $1,069.

Here's a puzzle that W. Edward Orser presents to students:Imagine an American community of 20,000 people. Then imagine the same community 10 years later. Its population remains 20,000, but almost none of the residents are the same ones who had lived there 10 years before. What happened?The students sift through environmental and economic catastrophes that could have caused such a dramatic population shift. Then they stumble on the obvious, American answer: Black people moved in, and white people moved out.Posing the question, Dr. Orser, 53, an American Studies professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, has a particular community in mind -- Edmondson Village.

Oakland Mills Village has announced that Oct. 22 will be the village's annual Community Clean-Up Day.The village office in the Other Barn will provide free plastic bags for cleanup collections of refuse. It is a good opportunity for Scout Troops, civic organizations, schools and church groups to provide community service.If you don't know where to begin, call 730-4610 and register for a specific area.*The Kings Contrivance Village Board is proud of the response it received from residents to fill a vacancy on the board caused by the resignation of Shayna Van Meter.

Today is primary election day, so please vote!Whatever your schedule, take the time to cast your ballot. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.And vote for every office. Sometimes there is a tendency to vote for only the "name" offices.There is always the possibility that today's candidate for a local office will someday be a "name" candidate. Know your candidates and vote. It's your government!Have a question? Call the Board of Elections, (410) 313-2727.*This is the month to make a decision about adult and student arts and crafts fall classes.

This Saturday is the Long Reach County Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Long Reach Village Shopping Center.There will be fun, food and games for every member of the family. Be sure to include a tour of the Columbia Art Center. Instructors will be on hand to discuss their classes and to demonstrate art techniques.There will be free refreshments in the center's Japanese garden, whose gate opens to the fair. Ask about the raffle, too -- interesting prizes!*Mark Sept. 24 on your calendar.That is the date of the annual Lake Elkhorn Festival, which begins with a parade at 10:30 a.m. at Dasher Green Elementary School and marches the length of Cradle Rock Way.Youngsters are invited to decorate their bikes and wagons; neighbors are urged to design a float.

It's mid-July. There's still plenty of time to experience summer. Young adults are invited to register for a weekend camping trip to Cunningham Falls in the Catoctin Mountains Aug. 5 to Aug. 7.The trip is sponsored by the Young Adult Ministry office of St. John Roman Catholic Church. For full details and registration, call 992-0715 or 964-1434.*So many things to do, but never time to do them? Artist Roberta Morgan will teach techniques for balancing your life between day-to-day responsibilities and fulfillment of personal interests.

Columbia residents will have a chance tomorrow to win $25 gift certificates to a village shopping center or a color television // through raffles, pocket $50 in cash by estimating jelly beans in a jar and hunt for bargains at a neighborhood flea market.No, it's not a carnival, and it's too early for the summer city fair. It's election day for Columbia village boards and the Columbia Council, which has prompted some villages to provide extra incentive to draw a traditionally complacent electorate out to vote.

Kings Contrivance Village's Crown Prints newsletter published an emergency quiz which is applicable to every household.If an emergency vehicle were called to your home:1. Would it be able to find your house?2. Is your house number clearly visible from the street?3. Is there easy access for the vehicle to get to your home?4. Are cars parked legally or would they delay an emergency team?If your home has a long driveway, consider posting your house number near the street. Guidelines are available from each village covenant adviser for house number location and the color of house numbers.

Dorri Brain's musical talents were recognized this summer when her Annapolis teacher, Mary Tamplin, recommended her for, and she received, the prestigious Peabody Award for Piano.Her interest and skills with the instrument undoubtedly will continue after she graduates from Oakland Mills High School in 1995, as she pursues her career goal of teaching piano to middle school students. Congratulations, Dorri.The Brain family believes in long-term goals. David Brain, a student at Rice University, has been part of a team that's worked under the guidance of Dr. Conrad Danenberg for six years on a "GAS Can" (getaway canister)