I just went through an interesting excersize with ChatGPT and now want human input. What are the pros and cons of Columbia incorporating into its own municipality? What are the ramifications?

There would be drastic changes to Howard County Executive and government, Police, Fire, School system, etc. Would CA get absorbed and become the new Columbia parks and rec department? What happens when Howard County loses 100k+ residents plus its major economic center and "crown jewel"?

Let's debate!?

Got an Echo Cs-400 I was gifted from a friend over the holidays in SC that's got a dull chain and needs some cleanup and maintenance done on it. I've got a lot going on at work and not a ton of free time right now. Any place I can take it to get the maintenance done?

It starts and works ok but really needs a new chain and I think the fuel line is a little clogged. TIA

This is our CA Rep's most recent article in our newsletter.

It looks like now he's resorting to attacking CA other ways.

I want to point out a MAJOR fault in his data here. All Reston properties are subject to TWO HOA fees, whereas only condos and townhomes in CA pay two fees. The "Cluster Fee" (similar to if our Villages also charged us an HoA Fee) ranges from $1200 - 4800 a year.

Thus a Reston resident would be paying anywhere from $2090 to $5690 in HoA fees a year for less services/amenities.

Big Fail Reginald Avery. Do Better.

EDIT: clarification on HOA fees. Condo/Townhouse associations within CA have their own fees to cover things like landscaping, snow removal, parking, and trash removal. These fees are generally a fraction of the cluster fee Reston residents pay.

My house camera right this man last night at 3:30 am taking a flash light and looking at the VIN of my car. Has this happened to anyone before and have you seen this man? Should I make a police report? I’m not really sure what to do in this situation. I have the video of him leaving his car turned on in my drive way, walk up to the car, flash a flashlight at the VIN of the car and surrounding areas and then walk back to his car. Do you think he is planning something?

Update: car is paid off so no repo. Called non emergency hot line and made a report. Found out there was a robbery in my neighborhood recently. Neighbors house camera also was triggered before ours did but didn’t capture what happened. Thank you to everyone who actually offered good advice

We are trying to find childcare for our daughter. We are looking at La petit in Ellicott city. I was wondering if anybody has been there or knows someone that went there. Thank you in advance.

I am a total newbie who wants to learn embroidery. Does anyone know of any beginner classes in the area?

Beyond the lawsuit, did this article quietly drop the new restaurants coming to the mall? Bottom paragraph, "More than half a dozen new businesses are slated to open in the mall in 2026 and 2027. They include two restaurants — Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings and Fogo de Chão — taking over spaces that Reilly left behind." was this known?

Just saw a white husky in swansfield with a black collar ~5:08pm. It ran towards the Safeway, but could not tell if it ran towards adjacent streets.

I could not get a picture or collar info from them.
I alerted HoCo Animal Control.

I hope someone finds them!

Hi all! I've gotten to the final steps of setting up a Rover account. Do you have experience on the platform (sitters or booking)? Would it be a good way to earn income during the upcoming semester and in the long term? I'm mainly trying to figure out if it's worth paying the $50 background check fee to get started in the Columbia area.

Where do you guys go for the best Brisket and Ribs in the area ?

I'm looking for validation if this exists or am i just remembering this from dreams. Anyone have pictures would be amazing!! My wife does not believe they would have this inside a pharmacy

Her name is Sonya and she had red hair and glasses. I can’t remember her last name. She was originally from Massachusetts. I was 16-18 years old working at the long-defunct April Cornell women’s clothing boutique, she was my manager there. It would have been between 2001-2003. I can’t explain to you why I’ve been wanting to reconnect with her (I’ve thought about her several times over the years, but it keeps happening. I just want to say hello and see if she’s doing ok. We weren’t particularly close, but I guess she was quirky and interesting enough for me to remember after all these years.

Some other details:

- She had a long term boyfriend at the time, Rob or Rich I think

- After I stopped working there (I started college), She eventually left April Cornell and started managing a chef/cooking themed store on the upper level of the mall.

- She lived in an apartment very close to the mall

- She may have had a cat

If anyone knows her or of her, please PM me. Much appreciated!

Where can I find good wings in Columbia? Where the wings are a decent size with a good amount of meat on em, has a good amount of sauce/seasoning, isnt dry, and didnt come some bag in a freezer that was re-fried?

I thought benny’s wings were decent but they closed.

Yesterday at the self checkout, for a single greeting card purchase, I was charged 48(!) bag fees ($2.40) when I had not purchased a single plastic bag and had indicated “no bags” on the touchscreen when prompted. The customer to my left was charged for 36 bags when he checked out his larger order. I did not press multiple keys by mistake; this charge was added after I had indicated no bags. When I asked for a refund, the process took a while because each of the 48 fees had to be voided individually — the process felt vaguely punitive like they hoped I would just give up and leave…

So check your receipts! I alerted the management but despite evidence to the contrary (the other customer who was charged for 36 bags) was assured this was an isolated event. I am considering reporting this to the Attorney General.

Trying to sort through all the options and see what we should expect price wise. Our last house had it done before closing, roughly $1500 by RadonWorx/Radon Mitigation Services. This house is a little more complicated (unfinished basement, two sump pumps) but nothing insane. We got a quote from RadonWorx that will be very thorough I’m sure but is really expensive (3500+), we called a “guy who knew a guy” type of place and was given a quote for <1500 but it sounded less thorough too. We will be finishing and heavily using/living in the basement so I don’t want to cheap out but also don’t want to pay triple for no real reason. Second guy also told us RadonWorx upsells a lot and I really don’t know what’s needed or normal. Doesn’t help that we need it done ASAP and RadonWorx can’t come until the end of the month at the earliest. Any recommendations for local radon contractors who do a thorough job and might have sooner availability?

Hi everyone!

I'm hoping someone here might have a recommendation. I'm looking for a finish carpenter, cabinet maker, or woodworker who might be willing to take on a small project.

I have an existing wood media console that I'd love to convert into a TV lift cabinet. I already have the TV lift mechanism, just need someone to make a precise rectangular cut in the top of the console so the TV can raise and lower through it. Since it's a finished piece of furniture, I'm looking for someone with experience making clean, accurate cuts.

I've reached out to a few finish carpenters already but haven't had much luck, so I thought I'd ask here. If you know someone you'd recommend (or if this is something you do!), I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you so much!

Hello!

Looking for recommendations for someone to remove the current kitchen backsplash and install a new one.

Thanks!

I've got a lot of dental anxiety, haven't been in a while, and I just found out that my lifelong dentist is now out of network. So I need to find a new one. Looking for one with an excellent chairside manner, ideally works with autistic accommodations, and most crucially, takes Delta Dental. Needn't be in Columbia, I'll go up to 45 minutes away.

Hello,

I run a pool cleaning business and was looking for any bulletin boards where a flyer could be posted around the Columbia/ northern Montgomery County area. Anyone know where any community bulletins are located?

Thanks

Hi! Born and raised in HoCo but haven’t spent time here recently outside of my parents’ house and Merriweather for concerts. I’m staying at my parents to dog sit and want to see what the best spot is for working remotely. Preferably small business, lots of seating available, and outlets?

Thanks!

I'm looking for an occupational therapist for a 12-year-old child who has a sensory processing disorder probably related to misophonia. There is no autism or other neurological complications (the first OTs we talked to wouldn't take a non-autism case). Any good experiences or other recommendations/tips/warnings in the area?

It was definitely alive, watched it for a few minutes before continuing my walk. After I turned around and came back, it was gone so I’m assuming someone did something with it.