From the Desk of CA President Phil Nelson

On behalf of the Howard County Government, the Columbia Association (CA) encourages all Howard County residents to fill out the 2010 U.S. Census form when it arrives in the mail in mid-March.
By completing the 10-question form, you will help in determining congressional representation and guiding funding decisions for critical social services and community programs. According to census data, Howard County would lose approximately $700 in federal funding per person per year for every person the census does not include.
Data also indicates that if the Census Bureau fails to count as little as 1% of Howard County's population (which equates to 2,740 people), the region could lose approximately $2 million per year. Completed forms must be returned by mail directly to the Census Bureau by April 1.
Shifting topics, CA is now in its sixth year of sponsoring the Get Active Howard County challenge. Registration begins March 1, and the program will run
from March 29 to June 6. A kick-off event will be held on Saturday, March 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Supreme Sports Club and will include a free Zumba class, information on health issues, light snacks and more.
I encourage businesses, residents, organizations and groups to get involved and make a commitment to increase physical activity. Compete against co-workers, friends and family to make the experience motivating and entertaining. Visit GetActiveHowardCounty.org to learn more.
Also, mark your calendars now - and show your community spirit - for Columbia's first Home Tour on Sunday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlighting Columbia's four oldest villages (Wilde Lake, Oakland Mills, Long Reach and Harper's Choice), the 10 villages have joined with Columbia Archives to create this new tour. Tickets go on sale April 15 for $20 and participants will receive a tour booklet for their city-wide, self-conducted tour.
Profits from Columbia's Home Tour will go to the "One Month's Rent Initiative," a private, community organization. It partners with the Howard Community Council to assist with paying one month's rent (or a security deposit) for Howard County residents who are threatened with losing their housing due to a personal, economic or medical crisis.
On a sad note, our community has lost a truly extraordinary woman with the passing of former CA President Maggie Brown, who died on Jan. 28 with her family by her side. Maggie's hard work, unyielding commitment and, above all, cheerful disposition is everlasting - and she will be remembered fondly for generations to come.
The Brown Family welcomes donations to the Maggie Brown Endowment Fund at the Columbia Foundation as memorial tributes. Contributions may be sent to the Columbia Foundation, 10227 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044. Checks should be made payable to the foundation (please designate the Maggie Brown Endowment Fund on the memo line).
As always, feel free to e-mail your thoughts and feedback to me at Phillip.Nelson@ColumbiaAssociation.com.