The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum will host its annual Kwanzaa Celebration Dec. 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m

Read the articlehere:  BBKwanzaa

Seeking a nominating committee volunteer

We are seeking a member of the community who is not a board member to serve on the 2011 HOA nominating committee. The time commitment is minimal, save for some work near election time. If you are willing to help recruit people to run for open board positions in 2011, please e-mail the board@oellahoa.com

Mill Race trail cleanup & weed removal update

A big THANKS to everyone who helped cut back invasive weeds and clear trails yesterday. We had a great crew. We whacked back lots of invasive vines and pulled a heap of trash out of the mill race.

December 13th board meeting agenda

7pm Westchester Center board room

1. Call to order

2. Approval of October minutes

3. Election of 2011 officers (President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary)

4. Treasurer's report

5. Recap of Annual Meeting

6. Snow removal/Landscaping--invasive plant removal and native trees at Long Brick Row; need snow deputies?

7. ARC report

8. Guidelines report & vote on final approval

9. Old business:
a. Lillie Lane drainage
b. Timber Point encroachment
c. collections policy
d. paving bid

10. New business:
a. 2011 Nominating Committee
b. Resident complaints about ACM
c. salt box for Timber Point
d. annual payment schedule

Invasive plant cutting/trail clearing event this Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1pm behind Long Brick Row

We're planning an invasive plant cutting/trail clearing event this Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1pm behind Long Brick Row. If you can spare a little time, we're going to cut back things like ivy, multiflora rose, and bittersweet vines. Don't worry if you don't know the species--we'll help. At the same time, we'll cut back the briars, etc. from a deer trail that should provide easier access to the river.

33rd Annual Historic Ellicott City Midnight Madness and Santa Saturday Dec 3-4

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

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.

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.

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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.

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.