https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNKa9GHFIdY

because 64% of voters in Hoco were supposedly supportive of not taking actions against illegals even with criminal records? Judges were in on this too? And Calvin Ball is basically saying he's waiting for the Federal Government to do something about it while refusing to work with them on catching illegals with criminal records? Did I just understand this right?

holy crap. this may be 6 months old but this is on the level of California stupidity. I keep realizing more and more how awful our elected officials are here. although, at least it would explain the stupidity of quite a few people in this sub and why they have such issues with criminals being caught.

Seems no grocery stores (Wegmans) or book stores (Barnes and Noble) carry this newspaper. If anyone can tell me where I can pick up a copy (to keep, so library won't cut it) it'd be most appreciated. Thank you!

Looking for the best carrot cake in HOCO and surrounding areas!!

I was coming back from getting my kid at school, and as I was driving, a school bus literally turned the red lights and stop sign on as I was already passing it! I am so irate right now. There's no way I could've stopped before the 20ft rule! I briefly slammed on the breaks and then quickly realized it wasn't going to happen, so I continued. I'm so incredibly mad right now! Why would a bus driver do that!? 😤

My sister is a dental hygiene student at BCCC and she needs more patients. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have any family close by and I’m traveling from Vermont to be one of her patients. She’s had some people back out and that affects her grades if she can’t get enough patients. They offer a ton of free services including X-rays, periodontal screenings, cleanings, deep cleanings, sealants, and more. All services are free! If this isn’t the place to post this, can someone guide me in the right direction? If anyone is interested please let me know I am really proud of her for following her dreams and I don’t want her to fail because she can’t find enough patients.

…and why it matters.

http://villagegreentownsquared.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-lonely-lot-has-bg-day.html

Does anyone in Columbia have chickens in their yard? And know the rules for it? The house is not part of CA.

A few scenes from the Lunar New Year Celebrations held at the Columbia Mall this past Saturday. Hope you enjoy!

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBZLhU

Thanks in advance! I want to dance!

Just moved to Columbia! My boyfriend and I are both 23, and love to have fun. What are the best places around here for nightlife/bar scene? I know there aren’t clubs until you get toward Baltimore or DC, but what’s the best bar to have fun at this weekend?

Has anyone else been getting repeated cold calls on buying your home? Is this a scam or are these people really this desperate?

I've checked Uhaul and they seem to only sell them for $78. Home Depot in Columbia doesn't carry them in their rental fleet.

I am trying to find two utility dollys to use for approximately one day.
Thanks!

I've been to 90+ and got a bike fit. They are really geared toward road bikes and speed and people who clip in. They seem OK, but not that interested in party pace type of riding. My bike fit was ok, but then the bikes they were mentioning to me were carbon fiber, $4000 bikes when I specifically said I was looking at touring and wanting something beefy, probably steel and NOT carbon fiber.

I've been to the Patapsco store and they were good. They helped me modify an old bike to make it fit better, but they are busy and I'm unsure. I selfishly want someone to pay attention to my needs and wishes and let me know how to get that if I can. Like, is this the lowest granny gear? What else should II consider? Etc.

Don't even mention Trek. No way. It's like a cars sales shop. They don't even know what they are selling.

What I'm wanting to do is to talk with someone about my Surly Ogre and get the fit dialed in, have a dynamo hub installed and also discuss get a Rohloff hub.

I don't want to race, or build for speed. I want a strong and comfortable bike for riding all day and I need a mechanic who understands that. Is Patapsco the place? Or are there other places I should look?

The disputed succession at the top of Columbia Association throws the Ten Kingdoms into turmoil, with several of the factions seeking leverage or leadership in whatever order emerges. Ever the diplomats, the rulers of Wilde Lake summon the other great houses to their castle of Slayton House for parley; banners bearing the sigils of elk, locusts, and other houses snapping in the wind; a sea of colors proclaiming ancient allegiances. Cloaked figures whisper in shadowed corners as wary knights grip their sword hilts, sensing that peace is but a fleeting illusion. To the surprise of few, Dorsey Search sends no delegation, while Hickory Ridge sends two, each claiming legitimacy. While these facts seem relatively trivial at the time, they foreshadow the downfall of those Kingdoms. Save the rival factions from Hickory Ridge, the summit begins amicably. But long-held grievances and distrust simmer barely beneath the surface. Though able to maintain good relations with all, Wilde Lake finds itself ensnared in the web of competing ambitions—few of the kingdoms can even agree on the underlying grievances, let alone who should hold the power to resolve them. After many words have been said, the delegations depart with empty promises to gather again in another Kingdom’s keep soon.

But a friendly reunion will not be held. Long Reach, with natural advantages in territory and population, decides to seize the initiative. Seeking dominion over all land north of Rouse Parkway, forces from Locust Park launch a brutal, pre-dawn assault on Thunder Hill. Smoke and flames rise as houses are razed, and defenders are overwhelmed by relentless waves of attackers. Reinforcements from Phelps Luck arrive swiftly, cutting off escape routes and securing Blandair Park with a ferocious cavalry charge that leaves no survivors. The swiftness of Long Reach’s attack shatters any hopes of organized resistance. Longstanding mixed loyalties among the populace of Thunder Hill make the area easy to pacify—Thunder Hill is annexed. Oakland Mills rallies its remaining forces, fortifying the southern edge of Rouse Parkway and stationing the bulk of its warriors to deter attack from Jeffers Hill. Thunder Hill may be lost, but Long Reach will pay dearly to move further into Oakland Mills. Meanwhile, a large, well-equipped host sets forth from Kendall Ridge, quickly securing the northern portions of the Dobbin Corridor and forcing the surrender of the independent Free State of Sewell’s Orchard before turning its sights further south toward Gateway. There is no malice in the Reachmen’s attacks—simply a cold calculus that their size makes them the inevitable victor, and a swift, decisive war is preferable to drawn-out strife.

An uneasy peace is maintained in the Old County, where Wilde Lake, Town Center, and Harper’s Choice uphold cordial relations. Wilde Lake’s good faith and enduring attempts at diplomacy shield it from direct attack, yet they hold no sway over the storm erupting across Columbia. Life maintains a semblance of normalcy, but it is not destined to last. To the far west, River Hill sits behind the natural bastion of the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, safe from surprise attack. Skirmishers from Pointers Run prowl the banks of the Middle Patuxent River, their keen eyes scanning the tree line for movement, yet they make no effort to press beyond their borders—for now. Confident in their security and sensing that time is on their side, River Hill dispatches riders to Clarksville, West Friendship, and as far as Mount Airy, securing alliances and hiring mercenaries in preparation to one day spread their rule over all of Columbia.

Hickory Ridge crumbles into chaos before either of its delegations can return from the summit. Its incongruous borders and numerous outparcels make it arduous to defend, but its divided leadership makes such a task impossible. Anarchy erupts as pirates from Allview and raiders from Simpsonville descend upon the kingdom. Hawthorne Castle, Hickory Ridge’s lone bastion, is isolated from any strategic position and provides no meaningful base from which to restore order. Individual tales of heroism abound, but Hickory Ridge plays no unified role in the greater war. It becomes a lawless wasteland, where the kind hide, the cruel plunder, and the brave perish. Chaos recognizes no borders and begins to spread outward…

Harper’s Choice expends great effort repelling incursions from the chaos that was once Hickory Ridge. Its leaders know that no treaty can be struck with River Hill—their attack is inevitable. To prepare, Harper’s Choice fortifies the Clarksville Pike crossing of the Middle Patuxent and sends its own skirmishers into the Environmental Area, where skirmishes with marauders and Pointer’s Run men-at-arms erupt.

Dorsey Hall declares its independence, raising its banners in defiance. The other kingdoms would likely let Dorsey Hall live in peace; however, in defiance of common sense and in surprise to the people of Fairway Hills, the leaders of Dorsey Hall insist on keeping the golf course - as if it were a castle keep rather than an beckoning grave. The green fairways shall soon run red. In a tale as old as time itself, greed leads to ruin. Sensing disunity, Long Reach’s western brigades, now reinforced with conscripts from Thunder Hill, renew their offensive. Realizing their folly too late, Dorsey Hall’s leaders dispatch a messenger to parley, offering concessions in exchange for peace while preparing for the worst. Yet fate is cruel—the messenger never arrives, vanishing in the fog of war without a trace. As battle begins, Long Reach offers no quarter. Outnumbered, the tattered remnants of Dorsey Hall retreat north, hoping to hold their homeland, while refugees from Fairway Hills flee toward Wilde Lake and Town Center.

While Owen Brown is spared the immediate violence engulfing the other kingdoms, the air is thick with tension, and ominous threat of war is felt by all. All major trade routes are controlled by rival factions, and supplies dwindle. Pragmatic leadership ensures that Owen Brown’s warriors are, man-for-man the most effective of any kingdom, yet they remain overmatched by Long Reach’s sheer numbers. Like Hickory Ridge, Owen Brown boasts only a single fortress—a small, nameless hold ill-suited to a prolonged siege. Maneuver is Owen Brown’s best hope, yet its options are grim. Oakland Mills’ southern flank is exposed, making raiding easy, but such action would be madness—if Oakland Mills falls, Owen Brown will be Long Reach’s next target. An attack southward into Kings Contrivance to open trade routes might be possible, but at great risk. Owen Brown’s leaders are aggressive but wary of how quickly violence can spirals out of control in unintended ways. The people of Owen Brown must dig in, rationing supplies, hoping their levies will hold. The once-abundant game of the forests and lakes begins to dwindle…

Wilde Lake offers to act as emissary between River Hill and Harper’s Choice, hoping to stave off war, while also pledging a portion of its modest forces to patrol their frontier. But Wilde Lake cannot be in two places at once—its resources are consumed sheltering the flood of refugees from Fairway Hills. Its people remain generous, but bread and warm blankets grow scarce.

Town Center has the opposite reaction to the refugees fleeing Long Reach’s advance. Dense and easily fortified, the rulers of Town Center close their doors to outsiders and decide to wait out the conflict. The councilors claim this is a necessary measure to preserve stability, but whispers of hoarded supplies and lavish banquets in Historic Oakland spread among the discontented masses. The ruling class, content to ride out the storm behind high walls, turns a blind eye to the growing unrest, while the smallfolk, abandoned to their fate, begin to question their loyalty to the city's rulers. They revel in grand feasts at Historic Oakland, pretending the outside world does not exist.

The chaos of what was once Hickory Ridge and Allview threatens to engulf Macgill’s Common. Kings Contrivance, needing to defend its vulnerable northern neighborhood, unclear of Savage’s intentions, and unable to defend against these threats in addition to a concerted attack from another kingdom, signs a nonaggression pact with Owen Brown. Southern Columbia, will know peace. The deal ensures Kings Contrivance can focus its forces on defending against raiders from the Savage lands. For Owen Brown, the deal secures crucial resources: the fertile pastures of Morningside Stables provide the best horses for cavalry and the critical shipping lanes of R32 and southbound I-95 reopen trade to the previously isolated Owen Brown.

In the east, the sight of Kendall Ridge’s mighty host was enough to secure oaths of loyalty from the Free State of Sewell’s Orchard and the merchants of northern Dobbin. Their scouts claim much of the Gateway Demesne, but it can hardly be yet called secure. However, as Long Reach’s main force attempts to move south through the small wilderness of the Elkhorn Branch, they meet heavy resistance from unknown hill tribesmen. While not a de jure part of Long Reach, the house of Jeffer’s Hill has long assumed this territory as its own. At first the resistance is viewed as a nuisance, but soon it becomes clear the hill tribesmen would need to be taught a lesson and cleared from Long Reach’s rightful territory. A contingent of nearly half the Kendall Ridge host’s total size marches in force. It is a glorious sight, a river of steel and banners flowing toward the defiant hills, drums of war echoing through the valley. The Reachmen’s victory is certain, their dominance inevitable. Yet, as the seeming juggernaut of Long Reach marches confidently towards its destiny, shadows shift unnaturally in the underbrush, and unseen eyes gleam from the ridgelines.

To be continued…

Woke up this morning to see my driver's side door lock bezel taken off and the lock fully broken off & on the floor. They weren't able to make it in my car luckily and didn't break the window like last time. These people need to put the same effort into finding a job, it's getting bad out here.

Is there any place nearby that has one? Only one I can seem to find just by googling is the pearl.

Is there any place I can have my jeep towed to that will junk it for some cash? I attempted to fix up an 05 jeep and am tired of putting money into it, was wondering if I could junk it and maybe get some of my money back

Any ideas?

Can’t bring myself to continue spending money at these stores for (hopefully) obvious reasons.

Can anyone suggest locally owned shops for buying every day essentials like toiletries/cleaning products?

Have you been dejected and depressed about this past week? Are you looking for a specific, actionable way to help? I propose a week of volunteer work February 17th-23rd. For as many of the days of that week as you can manage, do not do your normal job. Search for local organizations or do one of the ideas below. If you cannot take off, can you financially support this work? Even a few dollars from all of us would go a long way. Though, I would highly encourage you to go to connect with your community if at all possible.

When the right tries to spin this as a bad thing, ask people to take a step back and examine why you are accepting that volunteer work is a bad thing. Mr. Rodgers told us to look for the helpers in times of trouble, so we're going to be an army of helpers. Imagine the work you do every day going to directly to bettering the lives of those around you.

For any of these activities that need permits or training, please seek those out. And contact any organization before just showing up to make sure they need the help that day.

• Food kitchens • Delivering meals • Animal shelters • Youth programs • Picking up trash (where it is safe to do so) • Cleaning graffiti • Offer a neighbor free babysitting, yardwork, or housework • Teaching computer literacy, garding, budgeting, whatever you know • Driving folks without transportation to appointments • Artists and programmers could see if organizations need help improving their logoa and websites • Nursing homes • Help out at abuse shelters • Offer free makeup/haircuts/pedicure/manicures to the poor • Park service • Organize a morning walking group for folks who don't feel safe going out alone • Registering people to vote • Libraries • Pass out flyers informing people of their rights and where they can find local services • Donate goods or handcrafted items • Organize a buy nothing community give away • Free lemonade stand • Work community gardens • Put on a free concert, dance performance, or play • If you have special skills like a law degree or medial training, offer these services for free • Offer a space to organize these activities • Free car wash or oil change

Hi all. I wanted to know if someone who have worked for XPERTECHS - Managed IT Services & IT Support Columbia? How is it and working environment? TIA

So I took my car to the Sunoco on 40, he said that it will be $1600 to pass inspection and he immediately reported it. I just had my car inspected in LA and NM 12 days ago and they said it was fine. Now I am so confused about what to do if anyone can recommend a different mechanic for a less expensive opinion?

Me and my friend need haircuts desperately so any of you guys know any good barbershops in the area.

Has anyone gotten the pink edition Red Bull yet? If so what store

HoCo library workers are trying to get some support in their efforts to secure a living wage through a letter writing campaign. I think our library system is amazing (toddler story time and the tool library have been life savers for me in the past). And a big part of that is the great staff working there, so I was happy to support them.

If you feel the same you can support them here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hclwu-wages/

I know there are always recommendations for kid-friendly dining, but anything specifically that might be fun/different for Valentine's day in the general area (specifically with an almost 7yo only)?

Anyone know if any of the tennis or pickleball courts are clear of snow? Kids wanted to try to play today. Either that or basketball. Centennial is probably most convenient. TIA

I know it’s not apple season. The apples I’ve had lately from Harris Teeter have been awful. They all taste like they may have once been in a room with an apple! 😂

I’ve got a bit of an apple addiction right now & need to satiate it! Come on, Columbia Reddit! Tell me where the good apples are!!

Looking for the best cannolis in the area!! Please drop suggestions!