Abingdon Community Council eNews

Volume I Issue #19 April, 2013 C. David Copenhaver, Editor

Welcome to our latest issue of the ACC eNews. This eNews has been developed in an effort to reach out to the residents of Abingdon. Our purpose is to provide you an opportunity to become more informed and to encourage more participation at our monthly meetings! Please share this eNews with your neighbors. Why not plan to join us at our next meeting on Monday, April 22, 2013 from 6:30pm -7:30pm at the Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009? Join us and participate; take that leap of faith, you may find it rewarding! (For additional information, contact me at abingdoncc@gmail.com.)
(If at any time you wish to have your eMail address removed from our data base, just reply remove.)

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Abingdons Treasures: Harford County Public Library, Abingdon Branch

(The Abingdon Branch is located at 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009)

The Abingdon community was founded in 1779 and became a center for education, religion, industry, and crafts. Once only large land tracts and farms, it now contains a mix of low, medium, and high-density singlefamily homes, garden apartments, town homes, and condominiums. From 2000-2010 this area saw a 27.8% increase in households and experienced a 26.6% population growth. Retail areas, community and neighborhood centers are located at Constant Friendship and Festival at Bel Air. Significant development continues to occur at the Boulevard at Box Hill, with the opening of Wegmans in September 2011, JC Penney in October 2012, in addition to a number of restaurants and boutique shops. The Abingdon community also contains two major natural areas, the Harford Glen Environmental Education Center and the Bush Declaration Natural Resources Area, plus a multi-purpose indoor recreation facility called the Emmorton Recreation and Tennis Center. The Abingdon Branch opened to great fanfare on May 17, 2004. Situated on a 15.2-acre site, the library is interconnected to the surrounding community with sidewalks that join the library to the school next door and to the local neighborhoods. The grounds include wooded areas, walking paths, picnic tables and a pond with an overlooking wooden dock. In the Spring of 2009, a community playground was added to the property, maintained by the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation. Since its opening day, the library has been embraced by the local community. The library quickly became the second busiest in the county. For the fiscal year ending in June 2012, the library recorded over 302,600 visits and checked out over 877,600 items. The library features a drive-thru window, self-checkout machines, wireless internet access and a DVD dispensing machine. There are individual study rooms for varying size groups. Also there is a large public meeting room, a smaller conference room, and a small computer lab, all available for rent by profit and non-profit groups. The Abingdon Branch will be hosting the Booths of Tudor Hall exhibit from May 4th June 8th and the annual Summer Reading Program is just around the corner beginning on June 10th. The library has many new digital products which allow people to check out books, magazines, TV and movies, and music. We are also launching a new STEM initiative for our youngest customers entitled Little Leapers. Visit us at the library or call (410-638-3990) for more information on all of our exciting services. Hope to see you soon!
(Source: Lisa Mittman, Branch Manager. Some changes were made.)

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Friends of Harford Annual Meeting

We would like to invite you to attend our annual Friends of Harford meeting on Sunday April 14.
We meet at Liriodendron 502 W Gordon Street in Bel Air at 4:30 pm. Our speaker is Valerie Twanmoh, former Peoples Council and Harford County Hearing Examiner. She will address the Harford County Property Development Process. Join us and visit with neighbors and friends and enjoy refreshments and these beautiful surroundings. For additional information go to: www.friendsofharford.com.
(Source: Friends of Harford. Some changes were made.)

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Walmart says Harford legislation 'sets up arbitrary hurdles'

Company's plan for new store near Bel Air could be seriously affected by county council bill.

Walmart fired back at the Harford County Council late last week, issuing a brief statement Friday about new zoning legislation that could force significant delays on the proposed store the company wants to build south of Bel Air. "While we are still determining if this action specifically impacts our Bel Air plans, we think legislation that sets up arbitrary hurdles for development and discriminates against business based solely on size is misplaced," Steven Restivo, senior director of communications for Walmart, said. "Instead, we encourage the Harford County Council to evaluate policies that encourage job creation, spurs economic development and expands affordable shopping options for residents," the statement concludes. The council introduced legislation at its March 19 session that would require developers of big box retail stores of more than 75,000 square feet to have their plans reviewed through the county's zoning appeals process, which would necessitate public hearings and additional approvals not currently required for such buildings. The legislation, Bill 13-16, sponsored by four of the seven council members Jim McMahan, Dion Guthrie, Joe Woods and Council President Billy Boniface has been introduced at a time when Walmart is seeking county approvals for a new store planned at the intersection of Route 924 and Plumtree Road in the Bel Air South community. A public hearing on Bill 13-16 is set for April 16 at 7 p.m. in the county council's chambers at 212 S. Bond St. in Bel Air. Many residents of the area have been protesting Walmart's plans since they first surfaced in detail last spring. The company wants to build an 186,000-square-foot store on about 17 acres, which carries the requisite B3 zoning for a retail building that size. The company plans to close an existing, smaller store in the Constant Friendship community in Abingdon, barely two miles from the new store site. Guthrie, one of the bill's sponsors, said last week the legislation is "absolutely" in response to Walmart's Bel Air South plans. He said the legislation is designed to make Walmart and other big box store developers "jump through some hoops." The company's forest conservation and traffic study plans remain under review by the Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning, Shane Grimm, the department's chief of plans review, said Thursday. If the council approves the legislation before the Walmart plans receive final approval from planning and zoning, the new requirements could affect the project, although there would also be the possibility of a legal fight over its applicability. Any legislation approved by the council would also be subject to a veto by Harford County Executive David Craig. Last year, Craig urged Walmart officials to reconsider their plan for a new store and to concentrate instead on expanding their existing store at Constant Friendship in Abingdon. Walmart, however, said it does not want to expand the Constant Friendship store and would press ahead with building the new one.
(Source: Aegis staff report. Some changes were made.)

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Hooker Farm Concept Plan for 168 Single Family Homes Goes to Development Advisory Committee on April 3rd
A Development Advisory Committee (DAC) Meeting has been scheduled for the following project(s): The Hooker Farm Concept Plan for 168 single family homes. (Located on the east side of Laurel Bush Road; across from Falkland Drive. Tax Map 57; Parcel 58. First Election District. Council District F.) Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, April 3rd at 9:00 A.M. Meeting Location: Second floor conference room of 220 S. Main Street, Bel Air, MD

The public is invited to attend, ask questions and voice any questions or concerns. The Community Input Meeting for this project was held March 5, 2013.The proposed site plan(s) and other information is available at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/PlanningZoning/index.cfm?ID=53. Do you want to know where this fits into the development process? Read A Citizens Guide to the Harford County Property Development Process by Friends of Harford. Access the following link: http://www.friendsofharford.com/foh_news/DevelopmentProcessExplained-sep18.pdf
(Source: reprinted, with permission from The Dagger, www.daggerpress.com, some changes were made)

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Sign-Up for the Walk MS 5K at Ripken Stadium on April 21st

This family friendly event helps raise funds for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Come join us for face painting, refreshments, and entertainment! Create a team, or register as an individual and use our online fundraising tools to support the NMSS Maryland Chapter.

Go to Website to participate!
Source: harfordneighbors.net, some changes were made.)

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News from Boulevard at Box Hill:

Opening Soon: Wild Birds Unlimited

The Wild Birds Unlimited History & Mission/Vision/Values History- More than 30 Years of Flight

In 1981, Jim Carpenter combined his retail experience with his avid enjoyment of nature and backyard bird feeding to open the first Wild Birds Unlimited store in Indianapolis, Indiana. Two years later the first franchised location opened. We now have over 270 stores throughout the United States and Canada. WBU is the foremost specialty retailer of bird feeding and nature appreciation products in North America. Our Mission: We Bring People and Nature Togetherand We do it with Excellence! Our Vision: To provide products, services and inspiring shopping experiences that enhance our customers lives by educating them and their communities about the value of birds, nature and their surrounding environment. Our Values are our foundation. Providing our franchise store owners and the WBU Franchise Support Center Staff firm footing to build our respective businesses upon.
(Source: http://www.wbufranchise.net/VB/Templates/Launch.aspx. Some changes were made.)

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Menchies Frozen Yogurt Coming Soon To Boulevard at Box Hill

Menchie's opened its first store in Valley Village, a suburban community of Los Angeles, California, on May 15, 2007, by husband & wife team Danna & Adam Caldwell. The Menchie's concept emerged from a story of two lovebirds and their common love of frozen yogurt, when Adam took Danna to a frozen yogurt store on their first date; that was when Danna's sweet tooth took over, and the world of frozen yogurt was never the same again! Their dream was to create a yogurt store where people from all walks of life and ages can enjoy themselves not only from great tasting, quality frozen yogurt, but from a unique experience in a fun and happy environment that makes every guest smile. Menchie, the company mascot, is an integral part of making people smile. Along with Menchie, they incorporated a unique and inviting store design, outstanding selections of frozen yogurt and fresh toppings, and attention to the needs of every guest, young and old. Combining all these important aspects created the concept that incorporates much of what Menchie's delivers today. In 2010, Menchie's was awarded as the #1 fastest growing food franchise in the United States and holds today the prestigious status of the largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise in the world! At Menchie's every smile matters :)
(Source: http://www.menchies.com/yogurt-shop-our-locations/all. Some changes were made.)

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Dates to Ponder:
Opening Day at Ladew Topiary Gardens
April 1, 2013 10:30am 5:00pm Ladew opens for its 42nd season! Enjoy guided tours of the Manor house and self-guided tours of the Gardens and Nature Walk

Andy Grammer Concert

April 4, 2013 7:00pm 10:00pm APG Federal Credit Union Arena Known for his vibrant pop/rock/soul mix and free-flowing vocal delivery, Andy is currently on his first headlining tour, selling out venue after venue. His debut album generated two Top 10 hits with "Fine By Me" and "Keep Your Head Up." Named one of Billboard's 2011 Artists to Watch, he"s on the fast track to another big year, and fans can't wait to see (and hear) what happens next. Indie-rock band Augustana, known for their hits "Boston" and "Sweet and Low" will be joining the show to make this a once-in-lifetime concert!

Sunday Afternoon Concert Series

April 7, 2013 3:00pm 5:00pm Featuring: Chung Chung, piano. Purchase tickets online at tickets.harford.edu

Harford Artists Gallery

April 11, 2013 12:00pm 4:00pm HAA is a non-profit organization of local artists creating very affordable original art including oils, watercolors, pastels.

Romancing the Chrome Car Show

April 13, 2013 10:00am 5:00pm Location: Jarretts Field Romancing the Chrome, a car show presented in partnership with the Jarrettsville Lions Club. Auto lovers are invited to enter their obsession in categories ranging from muscle and sport to Jeep to "Journey Story" cars, which would be any auto that has a good journey story behind it. Pre-register cars online at www.hcplonline.org or starting at 8 am day of event.

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Girls Night Out in Downtown Bel Air

April 18, 2013 5:00pm 8:00pm Location: Downtown Bel Air Bel Air shops are open later and there are deals to be had. Local restaurants and pubs have great Happy Hour specials! Sponsored by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance.

Earth day e-Cycling Drop-off

April 20, 2013 9:00am 1:00pm Anita C. Leight Estuary Center Clean out all your old stuff and electronics from the basement, family room and garage and recycle at our E-Cycling Dropoff. Call 410-612-1688 for more information or directions. Free drop-off includes CPUs, monitors, keyboards and mice, printers, scanners, cables, power supplies, VCRs, DVD players, telephones, cell phones, stereos, fax machines, circuit boards, video display devices, and all flat-screen TVs. New - batteries - car, boat, small appliance. $20/TV fee to drop off any size TV that is NOT a flat screen No registration required.

Abingdon Community Council Meeting

April 22, 2013 6:30pm 7:30pm Location: Abingdon Public Library

Veterans and Military Build to Celebrate National Volunteer Week

April 24, 2013 7:30am 3:30pm Location: Call 410-638-4434 for details Join Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna as we participate in National Volunteer Week with a special one-day-only home building project. Veterans and active military from all branches of the armed forces are encouraged to come out to volunteer! No experience is necessary.

Jazz by the Bay

April 27, 2013 11:00am 9:00pm Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground Shore Park Free parking (grass area, ATEC, ODR), free entrance open to the public Food/beverage contractors Vendor items for sale VIP Tent with samples MWR activities to include sales of souvenir items CYS Children's activities area, Bounce Houses.

Bel Air Community Chorus Concert

April 28, 2013 7:00pm 9:00pm Location: Bel Air High School Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe Street, Bel Air. 7-9pm. FREE. Come with family and friends to the Bel Air Community Chorus Spring Concert. It will be filled with songs that all will love, and fun for all. For more information go to baccsings.weebly.com/index.html

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Next Meeting:

Abingdon Community Council

April 22, 2013 (6:30pm 7:30pm) Abingdon Public Library

Guest Speaker:

Sharon Lipford, Deputy Director Community Services

Members:
Cynthia Hergenhahn, Chairperson C. David Copenhaver Carlin Cook Earl Grey Gregory A. Beaty Joan Hamilton Recording Secretary: Donna Copenhaver

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