Ellicott City, MD – The Historic District will light up the night with its 33rd annual Midnight Madness Friday, December 3 followed by Santa Saturday, December 4. On Friday night, the grown-ups can enjoy the festive atmosphere with refreshments and special promotions for wining, dining and shopping until midnight rain, snow or shine. Special live holiday musical entertainment will be provided throughout town. Valet parking will be available at each end of Main Street as well as a shuttle service that will run between the Howard County Court House lot and Main Street.
The following day, Saturday, Santa arrives on his fire truck with a parade starting at 12 noon, making his way down Main Street and ending up at the historic Ellicott City Fire House Museum at Church Road and mid-Main Street where kids can visit him until 5p.m. More family entertainment for Saturday includes local high school madrigals, jazz and chorale groups, and a walking Victorian Christmas tree. The area historic sites will be open until 4 p.m.
Midnight Madness and Santa Saturday are sponsored by The Ellicott City Business Association
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Stitches in Season-a community quilt charrette and holiday bazaar Dec 4 at Banneker Park
Stitches in Season a community quilt charrette and holiday bazaar Dec. 4, noon, at Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, 300 Oella Ave. Workshops, reception and participation in quilt making. 410-887-1081.
Oella in the News
This is a recounting of a Thanksgiving before Oella was re-developed & re-rehabilitated. Read it here.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
2010 Board of Directors Election Results
Mr. Mangen of American Community Management verified a quorum of members at Monday's annual meeting (by way of attendees and proxy ballots). After a quorum was established, the election process commenced.
Each of the three candidates were announced. Director Lauer read a prepared statement that Mr. Drehoff ask be read in his absence. That was followed by statements by the other 2 nominees - Directors Altemus and Rath. Before voting commenced, there was an open call for nominees from the floor — there were no additional nominees.
Two volunteers then collected the ballots and tallied results with Mr. Mangen observing the process. Upon completion, the results were announced with Directors Altemus and Rath retaining their seats on the board.
The board would like the thank the volunteers that tallied ballots as well as all that participated in the voting process.
Per request, additional details regarding the election have been posted below:
There were 25 ballots cast by members in attendance and 18 cast by proxy. These 43 ballots fulfilled the 25% membership attendance requirement to establish a quorum as mandated by the CC&Rs (25% of 161 membership requires 41). The counting of ballots was performed by 2 volunteer members in attendance, with Mr. Mangen from ACM acting as a witness. The detailed election results were as follows:
Please note that members were able to send in ballots for the purposes of establishing a quorum without casting votes for candidates — as such the totals needn't add up to 100% of the cast ballots.
Each of the three candidates were announced. Director Lauer read a prepared statement that Mr. Drehoff ask be read in his absence. That was followed by statements by the other 2 nominees - Directors Altemus and Rath. Before voting commenced, there was an open call for nominees from the floor — there were no additional nominees.
Two volunteers then collected the ballots and tallied results with Mr. Mangen observing the process. Upon completion, the results were announced with Directors Altemus and Rath retaining their seats on the board.
The board would like the thank the volunteers that tallied ballots as well as all that participated in the voting process.
Per request, additional details regarding the election have been posted below:
There were 25 ballots cast by members in attendance and 18 cast by proxy. These 43 ballots fulfilled the 25% membership attendance requirement to establish a quorum as mandated by the CC&Rs (25% of 161 membership requires 41). The counting of ballots was performed by 2 volunteer members in attendance, with Mr. Mangen from ACM acting as a witness. The detailed election results were as follows:
| Candidate | Total Votes |
|---|---|
| Anne Altemus | 37 |
| Jeff Baker (write-in) | 1 |
| Don Drehoff | 1 |
| Raina Rath | 38 |
Please note that members were able to send in ballots for the purposes of establishing a quorum without casting votes for candidates — as such the totals needn't add up to 100% of the cast ballots.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Drinking Water Notice
As mentioned by a resident at the annual meeting, the City of Baltimore issued a public notice regarding drinking water this Summer as required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since many residents reported not seeing the notice, it is passed along here for reference...
- City of Baltimore Public Works — Public Notification
- The Anne Arundel County government seems to have posted a copy of the letter mailed to residents.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Celebrate Benjamin Banneker's 279th birthday Saturday, Nov.13, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Banneker Park
On Saturday, Nov.13, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., join the Friends of Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum and others as they celebrate Benjamin Banneker's 279th birthday. The program "What's up with Ben" will be a "spoken word café" as spoken word artists interpret Benjamin Banneker's life and accomplishments. Admission is free, donations are accepted.
The museum hosts a unique collection of Banneker's works, a gallery featuring "An Exhibition of Maryland Community Quilts", a gift shop, patio garden and a reconstruction of Benjamin's cabin on the grounds. The Historical park consists of 142 acres on the original Banneker property, with a wildlife habitat, gardens, nature trails and a restored 1850's era house.
The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum is located at 300 Oella Avenue, Oella, MD 21228, about two miles east of old town Ellicott City.
For information call 410-887-1081.
The museum hosts a unique collection of Banneker's works, a gallery featuring "An Exhibition of Maryland Community Quilts", a gift shop, patio garden and a reconstruction of Benjamin's cabin on the grounds. The Historical park consists of 142 acres on the original Banneker property, with a wildlife habitat, gardens, nature trails and a restored 1850's era house.
The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum is located at 300 Oella Avenue, Oella, MD 21228, about two miles east of old town Ellicott City.
For information call 410-887-1081.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Nov 15 Annual Meeting agenda and candidate bios
November 15, 2010 Oella Homeowners Association Annual Meeting Agenda
7pm, Main Hall, Westchester Center
1)Call to order if quorum is established
2)Introduction of Board of Directors & Community Manager
3)Approval of 2009 Annual Meeting Minutes—member vote
4)Treasurer’s report--review of 2010 budget status, delinquency report; proposed budget for 2011, HOA expenses, paying dues online/automatic payments
5)Landscaping and common area maintenance—vegetation areas; parking areas:paving & painting needs, snow removal; long range plan for repair/replacement/improvements (draft)
6)Architectural Review Committee
7)Guidelines discussion
8)Encroachment at Charles James Circle—member vote on granting easements
9)Introduction of candidates for Board of Directors
10)Questions and comments from residents
11)Election-- member vote by written ballot, counting of votes and verification of ballots,results will be announced on the HOA website
12)Adjourn
Board Candidates (alphabetical order):
Anne Altemus (Current board Vice President). I moved to Oella in 1993, and bought my home in 1996. I am a medical illustrator by training, and currently work at the National Library of Medicine at NIH in Bethesda , MD and am an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Department of Art As Applied to Medicine. My primary office location is at the NIH in Bethesda , MD. It is a lengthy and sometimes arduous commute, but once I turn onto Oella Avenue and wind up the hill toward Long Brick Row, I quickly realize why I live in Oella. I was appointed to the HOA Board in the Spring of 2007 to fill a vacancy and then formally elected later that year. I am keenly interested in many aspects of the service of the Board in support of the Association with specific emphasis on a few areas: providing historical consistency to the oversight of the work of the Board and its volunteer governance, preserving the charming and historic character of the village, and finally, supporting my neighbors who serve in many ways to make Oella a wonderful community.
Don Drehoff (Oella resident). I feel I could contribute the following to the community: 1)hold to, if not reduce, the existing budget and HOA assessments; 2) work to replace the existing management company, if not eliminate; 3) minimize the influence of the ARC, if not eliminate altogether; 4) limit the encroaching control of the HOA, if not eliminate altogether; 5) neutralize Wagandt’s negative impact on the community. I have the following background: 1) MBA; 2) MS in strategy; 3) previous HOA experience (Aspenwood , early 90s); 4) a desire to represent those in the community who have had unfavorable experiences with the HOA.
Raina Rath (Current board President). I have lived in the Oella area since 1994. I am interested in preserving the historic streetscapes and natural landscapes that drew me to the area. Oella is unique in so many aspects that I felt it important to serve on the board to establish a functional and cohesive written governing policy. I am a local attorney and enjoy my Oella home which is a serene retreat from the workaday world.
7pm, Main Hall, Westchester Center
1)Call to order if quorum is established
2)Introduction of Board of Directors & Community Manager
3)Approval of 2009 Annual Meeting Minutes—member vote
4)Treasurer’s report--review of 2010 budget status, delinquency report; proposed budget for 2011, HOA expenses, paying dues online/automatic payments
5)Landscaping and common area maintenance—vegetation areas; parking areas:paving & painting needs, snow removal; long range plan for repair/replacement/improvements (draft)
6)Architectural Review Committee
7)Guidelines discussion
8)Encroachment at Charles James Circle—member vote on granting easements
9)Introduction of candidates for Board of Directors
10)Questions and comments from residents
11)Election-- member vote by written ballot, counting of votes and verification of ballots,results will be announced on the HOA website
12)Adjourn
Board Candidates (alphabetical order):
Anne Altemus (Current board Vice President). I moved to Oella in 1993, and bought my home in 1996. I am a medical illustrator by training, and currently work at the National Library of Medicine at NIH in Bethesda , MD and am an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Department of Art As Applied to Medicine. My primary office location is at the NIH in Bethesda , MD. It is a lengthy and sometimes arduous commute, but once I turn onto Oella Avenue and wind up the hill toward Long Brick Row, I quickly realize why I live in Oella. I was appointed to the HOA Board in the Spring of 2007 to fill a vacancy and then formally elected later that year. I am keenly interested in many aspects of the service of the Board in support of the Association with specific emphasis on a few areas: providing historical consistency to the oversight of the work of the Board and its volunteer governance, preserving the charming and historic character of the village, and finally, supporting my neighbors who serve in many ways to make Oella a wonderful community.
Don Drehoff (Oella resident). I feel I could contribute the following to the community: 1)hold to, if not reduce, the existing budget and HOA assessments; 2) work to replace the existing management company, if not eliminate; 3) minimize the influence of the ARC, if not eliminate altogether; 4) limit the encroaching control of the HOA, if not eliminate altogether; 5) neutralize Wagandt’s negative impact on the community. I have the following background: 1) MBA; 2) MS in strategy; 3) previous HOA experience (Aspenwood , early 90s); 4) a desire to represent those in the community who have had unfavorable experiences with the HOA.
Raina Rath (Current board President). I have lived in the Oella area since 1994. I am interested in preserving the historic streetscapes and natural landscapes that drew me to the area. Oella is unique in so many aspects that I felt it important to serve on the board to establish a functional and cohesive written governing policy. I am a local attorney and enjoy my Oella home which is a serene retreat from the workaday world.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Last “First Fridays” Event of 2010 in Historic Ellicott City is November 5
The Historic District will celebrate the last of its monthly “First Fridays” series of events of 2010 on November 5 from 6-9 pm with a Main Street Gives Back theme. There will be family-friendly entertainment and games as well as live music by The Bristols, Bill Hooper and more. Shops open late.
Participating shops and restaurants will offer special promotions, host a food drive and donate 10% of their evening’s sales to benefit The Grassroots Day Resource Center of Howard County. Please bring a non-perishable food item to support this local charity.
“First Fridays” are sponsored by The Ellicott City Business Association
Participating shops and restaurants will offer special promotions, host a food drive and donate 10% of their evening’s sales to benefit The Grassroots Day Resource Center of Howard County. Please bring a non-perishable food item to support this local charity.
“First Fridays” are sponsored by The Ellicott City Business Association
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