Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Retired Air National Guard Colonel Named Howard Co. Parade Grand Marshal
Happening soon: Animal Advocates of Howard County HUGE Annual Yard Sale! on the Columbia Patch calendar

Good morning to you Columbia! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Veterans Day parade in downtown Columbia to honor a citizen soldier
- Where Howard County residents can securely shred sensitive documents next month.
- How Columbia's backyard trails stack up against other regional paths.
Also on today's calendar: Animal Advocates of Howard County HUGE Annual Yard Sale! and 10 more events.
Today's riddle: Riddle: David's parents have three sons: Snap, Crackle, and what's the name of the third son? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Mainly cloudy, a little rain, with a high of 69 and low of 55 degrees.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, a little rain, temps: high: 62, low: 55.
- Monday: Cloudy, with a high of 65 and low of 58 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Retired Air National Guard Colonel Named Howard Co. Parade Grand Marshal (patch.com) — Howard County has chosen retired Air National Guard Col. Andrew I. Wolkstein as grand marshal for the 12th annual Veterans Day Parade and Celebration, set for Nov. 8 in downtown Columbia. The event will honor the tradition of citizen soldiers while spotlighting Wolkstein's decades of military and nursing service, giving Columbia residents a chance to celebrate local veterans' contributions.
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• Securely Shred Important Documents At Howard Co. Event (patch.com) — Howard County is hosting its fall BIG Shred event near Columbia, letting residents securely destroy up to three bags or boxes of sensitive documents on Oct. 17. Four nearby drop-off sites, including Long Gate Park & Ride, will have on-site shredding trucks and clear rules on what's accepted so you can safely clear out old bills and records.
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• What's your type… of trail? (ggwash.org) — Trail lovers in Columbia may appreciate that the article highlights how our community's backyard paths fit into a broader set of trail types across the Washington region. It explains how designs like Columbia's cul-de-sac-connecting walkways compare with rail-trails, canal paths, and greenway routes, helping you see familiar neighborhood trails in a wider planning context.
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📸 Around Columbia
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Animal Advocates of Howard County HUGE Annual Yard Sale! →
Animal Advocates of Howard County, 8775 Cloudleap Ct, Columbia
8:30 am - Vendor Members Group & the Markets of CRAFTS GALORE! →
Held at Grace Lutheran of Lutherville, 8601 Valleyfield Rd, LUTHVLE TIMON, MD, 21093,
9:30 am - Fall Vendor Fair →
6175 Sunny Spring, Columbia, MD, 21044,
10:30 am - Matilda - The Musical →
10400 Cross Fox Ln, Columbia
8:00 pm - Harbor City Music Company Presents: The Show Must Go On! →
Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts, 5460 Trumpeter Rd, Columbia
3:00 pm
Saturday September 26
Saturday October 3
Friday October 9
Sunday October 11
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Johns Hopkins Children's Center Miracles in Motion 5K →
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1 Safari Pl, Baltimore
8:00 am - 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Ellicott City, MD (Howard County) →
Centennial Park Amphitheater Lp Parking Lot, 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City
9:00 am - AFSP Howard County Out of the Darkness Walk →
Azlon Plaza, 6100 Merriweather Dr, Columbia
9:00 am - Morgan STEM Expo featuring OIC of America STEMFest →
Morgan State University, 1700 E Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore
10:00 am - Fall Festival →
Wilde Lake Park, 10006 Hyla Brook Rd, Columbia
12:00 pm - Sisters of Bon Secours' Wine & Wonder →
Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center, 1525 Marriottsville Rd
1:00 pm - Book Signing with Local Author: The Inner Work of Love & Action →
5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia
1:00 pm - Book Signing for The Inner Work of Love & Action →
Kittamaqundi Community Church, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia
1:00 pm
Saturday September 26
Sunday September 27
📣 Columbia Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Columbia PatchAM possible:
- Glass Doctor Home + Business of Randallstown — (443) 272-1554
- Hop To It Organizers, LLC — 443-741-2575
- The Donnelly Music Studio — (410) 905-8705
- MacGillis Global Academy — (443) 393-0892
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hi Guys!
Maybe someone could give me some advice. My dad passed away three years ago. My brothers both moved in with him to take care of him. I am the… (Nextdoor Phelps Luck)
- Savers Value Village posted a job opening for Retail Warehouse & Production Associate in Columbia. Apply here.
- TJX posted a job opening for Cashier Daytime (Saturday/Sunday a must) in Columbia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbia here.
🗞 Nearby News
Ellicott City
- 'Once A Lion, Always A Lion': All-County Lacrosse Player, 18, Killed In Ellicott City Crash (dailyvoice.com)
Jessup
- Maryland woman accused of killing children has murder trial delayed until 2027 (cbsnews.com)
Elkridge
- Former Lacrosse Player ID'd As Driver Killed In Elkridge Car Crash (patch.com)
- Howard County mother wants her children back on bus route to avoid busy intersection (cbsnews.com)
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: David (Thank you Thomas F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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