Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Columbia film festival could reshape Howard County’s creative economy.

Also check out The "Dollar Tree" of garage sales, everything priced at rock bottom! on the Columbia Patch calendar

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Hello again Columbia! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Columbia film festival could reshape Howard County's creative economy.
  • Why an aqua mower flipped in Lake Kittamaqundi—and what CA says
  • What will "preferred parking" at The Mall in Columbia cost you?

Also on today's calendar: The "Dollar Tree" of garage sales, everything priced at rock bottom! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 84 and low of 70 degrees.
  • Thursday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 94, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 89 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Is a film industry ecosystem in the cards? (bizmonthly.com) — Columbia's own film community is pushing for stronger state and county tax incentives to grow a full-fledged film industry ecosystem, centered on the Columbia Maryland Film Festival running Sept. 7–13. Local leaders say better incentives, streamlined permitting, and training programs could bring more big productions back to Howard County, boosting jobs, small businesses, and year-round creative opportunities for residents.
   

2. Aqua mower capsizes in Lake Kittamaqundi; all staff are safe (baltimorefishbowl.com) — An aqua mower used for weed control capsized in Columbia's Lake Kittamaqundi during routine maintenance, but Columbia Association reports all staff are safe and no fuel or oil leaks have been detected. CA says protective measures are in place and a full investigation and safe equipment recovery are underway, reassuring residents who frequent the lakefront paths and nearby amenities.
   

3. Shopping malls hitting consumers with parking charges (cleveland.com) — If you shop at The Mall in Columbia, be aware that a new paid "preferred parking" option is being rolled out, similar to programs at other malls nationwide. Standard parking remains free, but closer premium spots now cost a few dollars per hour, marketed as a convenience for quick trips and restaurant visits.
   

4. From album cuts to live streams: An Elkridge sound studio hits its biggest year in 20 years (bizmonthly.com) — A longtime recording studio now based in Elkridge traces its roots back to Columbia, where Sound Grotto was first founded 20 years ago. The studio now attracts touring acts that rehearse after kicking off shows at Columbia's The Collective Encore, underscoring how local venues and studios feed into a broader regional music scene.
   

5. Avidrone Pushes Heavy-Lift Drone Performance Toward the 4:1 Barrier (dronelife.com) — Avidrone, which maintains its U.S. headquarters in Columbia has won DARPA's Lift Challenge with a heavy-lift drone that nearly achieved a record 4:1 payload-to-weight ratio. The company's success showcases advanced rotorcraft and autopilot technology being managed in part from Columbia, positioning the area within a cutting-edge defense and logistics innovation story.
   

📸 Around Columbia

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Johnston & Murphy posted a job opening for Part-Time Stock Associate in Columbia. Apply here.
  • County of Howard Maryland posted a job opening for Utility Worker II - Public Works - Bureau of Highways/Mayfield in Ellicott City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbia here.

Ok Columbia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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