HoCoMoJo Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Dave Bittner
People, politics and punditry! Dennis Lane and Paul Skalny bring their unique perspective to Howard County news and events.
Paul and Dennis welcome David Gertler, former school board candidate, mathematician and stand up comedian, to discuss STEM studies in our schools. Plus the latest local news..
Dennis and Paul welcome back Jeanne Parker, manager of Merriweather Post Pavilion, for a preview of this year's concert schedule, and Ian Kennedy, long-time Columbia resident and founder of the Awesome Columbia web site. Plus the latest hyperlocal news..
Dennis and Paul welcome back Roger Caplan and Chris Oxenham for another edition of right versus left discussion. Who's got the best chance at the County Executive race? And what about the Columbia Council? Plus the latest hyperlocal news.
Paul and Dennis are joined by Michael McCall, President of Strategic Leisure and designer of the Symphony Woods Inner Arbor plan. Plus, the latest hyperlocal news.
Dennis and Paul welcome Claire McGill, author of the UK Desperate Housewife blog. Plus, the Inner Arbor plan gets voted on, firefighters feel burned by the county, and all the the latest local news.
Dennis and Paul welcome Nikki Highsmith Vernick, President and CEO of The Horizon Foundation, to discuss efforts to reduce childhood obesity in Howard County, along with other health and wellness programs. Plus, the latest local news.
Dennis and Paul welcome Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler and discuss his role in Maryland politics, including his potential run for Governor. Plus, Michelle Jose from The Mall in Columbia on the expansion plans for the mall.
Dennis and Paul welcome Maryland State Senator Allan Kittleman to discuss the upcoming legislative session, his thoughts on the County Executive office, plus the latest news.
Dennis and Paul welcome David Yungmann and Luis Valdivieso for a look back at the news from 2012, as well as recent local news.
Dennis and Paul welcome Bita Dayhoff, president of Howard County's Community Action Council. Plus, the latest local news.
On this Thanksgiving editing of And Then There's That, Paul and Dennis are joined by Renee Foose, Howard County's new Superintendent of Schools. Plus, the latest local news.
On this pre-election edition of And Then There's That, Dennis and Paul are once again joined by Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, to discuss the four important questions on this year's ballot.
On this special edition of the show, Paul and Dennis are join the Howard County Library System in Celebrating Choose Civility Week in Howard County. Joining them are special guests Korva Coleman, host of NPR's All Things Considered, Andrew Green, opinion page editor at the Baltimore Sun, and Henry Alford, author of Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That?
Paul and Dennis talk about Howard County Magazine's "Best in Howard County Award," Ellicott City parking, SAT scores, and upcoming community events. Plus, a discussion on School Board member Brian Meshkin's last-minute cancellation as our guest.
Dennis and Paul welcome Howard County Council member Greg Fox, fresh from his trip to the Republican National Convention. Plus, gambling, Lance Armstrong, CA salaries, BG&E, and even bras.
Paul and Dennis welcome Howard County blogger Tom Coale from HoCoRising as they review the latest local news, including downtown pathways, Liz's retirement, Symphony Woods and much more!
Dennis and Paul welcome Dr. David Anderson from Bridgeway Community Church, who shares his story of building a successful faith-based organization in Columbia. Plus, The Columbia Grand Prix and all of the latest hyperlocal news.
Back by popular demand, Dennis and Paul are joined by Chris Oxenham and Roger Caplan for a spirited debate about the local political scene. Who's running, who's got a chance, and who's dead on arrival?
Dennis and Paul review the latest local news, and are joined by Michelle Jose, Marketing Manager at The Mall in Columbia.
Paul and Dennis are joined by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, for a review of the latest news in Howard County and an update on HoCo Government projects and politics.
Dennis and Paul discuss the Wegman's grand opening, our new school superintendent, and trying to get certain people on the show. Plus, Josh Stoltzfus from the Columbia Festival of the Arts.
Dennis and Paul talk county budgets, school board budgets, term limits, an APL anniversary, and are joined by Alice Giles, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Howard County . Plus, should 50 Shades of Grey be on our library shelves?
Paul and Dennis taste Wine in the Woods and the other local events happening this weekend, cruise over some speed humps, Wegmans for better or worse, and our growing tax burden. Plus, author Rich Madzel spars with Dennis over his latest survey and the abuse of power.
Dennis and Paul discuss the tragic Ellicott City shootings, a fire in The Mall, the Wegman's liquor license hearing, and are joined by community advocate Joan Lancos.
Paul and Dennis ponder the new CA logo, the ongoing MD budget woes, Elkridge asphalt, a tragic teen suicide, and are joined by HCEA President Paul Lemle, to discusse the role the teacher's union plays in our county.
Dennis and Paul grade the school board primary, the MD general assembly, flags on roundabouts, and more local news, plus Jean Parker, General Manager of Merriweather Post Pavilion, to tell us about the concert venue's summer lineup.
Dennis and Paul trade jabs over high school skirmishes, school board candidates, shifting taxes from the state to county, and much more. Plus, Howard County Director of Downtown Redevelopment Mark Thompson tells us what to expect with the Downtown Columbia redevelopment efforts.
Dennis and Paul cover the latest news from Howard County, and are joined by County Council representative Calvin Ball, who discusses redistricting, Bridge Columbia, the teacher pension fund shift, and much more.
Paul and Dennis discuss a big HoCo donor, school board candidates, HoCo's affordability for young families, and are joined by Marsha McLaughlin, Director of Planning and Zoning for Howard County. How does zoning work, and when to God-given property rights conflict with the wishes of nearby land owners?
Dennis and Paul discuss "Zaching," puppy mills, Brian Meshkin phoning it in, plus Christie Lassen from Howard County Library joins us to promote Evening in the Stacks.
Paul and Dennis discuss leadership changes at local nonprofits, reading classes in HoCo middle schools, CA's budget hearings, and are joined by Chris Oxenham and Roger Caplan. Plus, Dennis rants on the proper perspective on pioneering planners.
Dennis and Paul take on police quotas, teaching to the test, school board candidates, mall redevelopment, and are joined by land planner Cy Paumier to discuss the future of Symphony Woods and downtown Columbia.
Paul and Dennis review the top stories from the past year, joined by reporters Lindsey McPherson from explorehoward.com, and Len Lazarick, from marylandreporter.com.
Dennis and Paul discuss Columbia's quest for identity, Symphony Woods, the county's new solar energy farm, and are joined by Laura Neuman, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Still recovering from Paul's office holiday party, Dennis and Paul tackle a local famous dog, helicopters with ads, turf fields, Midnight Madness in Ellicott City, and are joined by Pam Klahr, President and CEO of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce.
Dennis and Paul cover CA's decision to pilot women-only swim sessions, Elkridge intermodal, redistricting, how smart HoCo residents are, and are joined by Howard County Chief of Police Bill McMahon to discuss public safety in Howard County.
Dennis and Paul discuss downtown development news, tickets and towing, Ravens making good, and are joined by Robert Vigorito from CTA, Columbia Triathlon Association.
Paul and Dennis discuss the school board diversity bill's demise, turf fields and alcohol taxes, and are joined by Peter Franchot, Maryland State Comptroller.
Dennis and Paul celebrate two years and 50 episodes of the show, with help from HoCoRising's Tom Coale, Patuxent Publishing's Lindsey McPherson, food blogger HowChow, and a variety of special guests at the Blogtail party.
Paul and Dennis dig in to main street manure spills, redistricting of County Council seats, diversity on the school board, Clarksville property rights, and are joined by Janet Hines, Director of Development for the Howard Hospital Foundation.
Dennis and Paul discuss the floods, the latest local news, and are joined by Maryland State Senator Ed Kasemeyer to get his views on upcoming state budgets, Elkridge intermodal, redistricting, and much more.
Paul and Dennis cover the earthquake, the latest news, and are joined by Barbara Kellner from the Columbia Archives and Sekou Walker, creator of the "You know you grew up in Columbia MD when" Facebook group. Plus, Mickey Gomez from the Volunteer Center.
Dennis and Paul return from a summer break to catch up on the latest HoCo news, and are joined by Board of Education member Allen Dyer to discuss his controversial legal wranglings with the school system.
Paul and Dennis cover the soon-to-be-open Blandair Park, smoke-free county parks, cops in county middle schools, Elkridge elementary school sites, and are joined by school board member Ellen Flynn Giles.
Dennis and Paul discuss the latest current events, and are joined by Andrea Ingram, Executive Director at Grassroots Crisis Intervention. Plus, County Council member Courtney Watson drops by to discuss the pool tax bill.
Paul and Dennis discuss turmoil on the school board, invasive beetles, swimming pool tax breaks, accoladed for Merriweather Post Pavilion, and are joined by Rachelina Bonacci, Executive Director of Howard County Tourism, to discuss upcoming local events.
Dennis and Paul discuss walkable urban communities, HoCo government building homes, Wine in the Woods, passing the county budget, political trips overseas, graduation season, and are joined by Carole Lehan, performing arts director at Glenelg Country School, to discuss the recent screening of the documentary "Race to Nowhere."
Dennis and Paul are in Symphony Woods this week. Kevin Atticks, president of the MD Wine Association & County Council Rep. Mary Kay Sigaty talk Wine in the Woods, plus a CA and Howard Hughes event about walkable downtowns.
Paul and Dennis talk about jobs in Elkridge, renewable energy tax credits, homeless people back in the mall, basement pot growing, and are joined by MD State Senator Allan Kittleman to discuss the latest MD legislative session.
Dennis and Paul discuss trains in Elkridge, garden center growth in River Hill, the new county budget, liquor tasting, speed cameras, and talk public sector unions with Richard Ruehl, president of the Howard County Fire Fighters union.
Paul and Dennis discuss trains in Elkridge, politico's fundraisers, Mall jewelry heists, and are joined by Josh Feldmark, director of the HoCO office of environmental sustainability. Plus, Stacy Spann on this weekend's housing fair.
Dennis and Paul discuss new wine shipping laws, the closing of Michael's Pub, why HoCo is a great place to date nerds, mountain bike training courses, and are joined by Valerie Gross, President and CEO of the Howard County Library system.
Paul and Dennis discuss the latest news stories with Paul Milton, Executive Director of News Operations for Patuxent Publishing. Allen Dyer's school board ethics troubles, speed cameras, bag and gas taxes, tanning salons and more.
Dennis and Paul discuss CA's social media plans, an attempted suicide downtown, fast food restaurants, and are joined by Kent Menser, BRAC Growth Management Task Force Chairman. Plus, a visit from Mall Manager Katie Essing.
Dennis and Paul ponder bees, bald eagles, deer, potty trained kids, and are joined by Sandy Schrader, lobbyist and former State Senator. They talk about lobbying in Annapolis, plus the Dianne Wilson affair with the Chamber of Commerce.
Paul and Dennis dig out from the snow to discuss the State of County, signage rules, Reservoir High discontent, state tests, and are joined by Steve Charing from PFLAG Columbia-Howard County to discuss gay marriage and civil unions.
Dennis and Paul tackle the Ravens game, pesky robocalls, frisky rabbits, and are joined by Del. Guy Guzzone, to discuss the upcoming legislative session. Plus, the challenges traditional media faces with social media, with local consultant Jessie X.
Paul and Dennis reflect on 2010, offer up some suggested New Years Resolutions for HoCo newsmakers, and find out what shoppers in The Mall are resolving to do in the coming year. Joining them is local attorney Alan Jones.
Dennis and Paul get in the holiday spirit, dredge up some CA stories, cops punching perps, a murder trial re-do, and are joined by Katie Essing, GM of The Mall in Columbia. Plus, Councilperson Courtney Watson on the firing of HHC's Greg Hamm.
Paul and Dennis discuss squeezing the bees, Wilde Lake football, the county banning certain drinks, and are joined by Beverly Francis, President and CEO of The Columbia Foundation.
Dennis and Paul chat about troublesome tee shirts, another school system lawsuit, prostitution in Howard County, regrouping Republicans, and are joined by Colleen West, Executive Director of the Howard County Arts Council.
Paul and Dennis celebrate the one year anniversary of the show, discuss suits agains the school system, police behavior, and wrap up the election season with HoCoRising blogger Tom Coale. Plus, Skip Coale on the Rt 108 funeral home controversy.
Dennis and Paul discuss HoCo's pizza eating monkeys, executive elevators, political endorsements, drug sniffing dogs, and are joined by HoCo Director of the Department of Technology & Communications, Ira Levy. Plus school board candidate Bob Ballinger.
Paul and Dennis discuss funeral homes vs. churches, schools vs. trains and cops vs. handicapped parking spaces. They welcome their guest, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, plus CA Watershed Manager John McCoy.
Dennis and Paul tackle the Preppy Burglar, the candidacy of Brian Meshkin, a precedent setting legal case, and are joined by former Howard County Executive Chuck Ecker. Plus, two minutes with Chris Oxenham on the state of the HoCo Republican party.
Paul and Dennis discuss lawsuits at The Arc, turtles in Lake Elkhorn, downtown schools, and are joined by Rachelina Bonacci of Howard County Tourism. Plus, a special visit from Governor Bob Ehrlich, and two minutes with Tony Salazar.
Dennis and Paul discuss diversity on our county boards, The Enchanted Forest, kids in libraries, and are joined by Howard County Council member from District 5, Greg Fox. Plus, two minutes of open mic with Kay Hartleb, Register of Wills for HoCo.
Dennis and Paul discuss continuing CA cost overruns, candidate forums, TPI initiative failings, and are joined by Tess Gavigan and Mickey Day from the Howard County Fair.
I'm sure you've noticed all the political signs popping up. I call it "lawn voting" and I have to say I'm just not a fan. Are you?
Paul and Dennis discuss a local animal shelter that's causing a stir, the strange politics of election season, and are joined by renowned local wildlife photographer and former rock and roll journalist Michael Oberman. Plus, blogger Tom Coale.
Dennis and Paul chat with guest Kathleen B. Hetherington, president of Howard Community College. Plus, inmates on horse farms, being number two, and the minor earthquake. Plus, two minutes with Jon Weinstein, District 9A candidate.
Dennis and Paul are joined by local activist and Realtor David Youngman. Plus, they discuss parking violators, a $50 million tooth, retiring teachers and wonder why CA can't get their software to work.
Paul and Dennis help kick off the Columbia Festival of the Arts, doing their show on-location as Lakefest is set up at the downtown Columbia Lakefront. They are joined by guest Josh Stoltzfus, program/marketing coordinator for the festival.
Dennis and Paul are joined by local food blogger HowChow. Plus, more dogs, more funeral homes next to churches, and more referendum talk.
Paul and Dennis discuss Emergency Room use, more Pit Bulls, political candidates (with Dennis making an endorsement) and the possibility of raising taxes. Much ado about nothing? Plus, guest Jean Parker, general manager of Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Dennis and Paul talk about the lakefront bell tower, dogs as deadly weapons, a funeral home coming between two churches, Turf Valley shopping, and are joined by guest Courtney Watson, Chair of the Howard County Council.
Looking back, what are your favorite Howard County memories? Mike remembers some of the best pizza joints in town, remembers when smoking and drinking were legal, and when he had really, really good seats at Merriweather.
Rob shares three simple steps to a better you, sure ways to improve your life and the life of those around you.
Paul and Dennis talk about tax day, parking spots for judges, Liz Bobo bringing home the bacon for Symphony Woods, and they celebrate the upcoming Earth Day with Stan Serson from the Green Building Institute.
Dennis and Paul discuss the upcoming Easter holiday, CA's and Symphony Woods, school game concession stands, Wilde Lake village center, and are joined by Stacie Hunt, CEO of Leadership Howard County.
HoCoMoJo's Dave Bittner sits down with Stacy Spann, Director of Housing and Community Development for Howard County, to discuss the housing situation in the county, affordable housing and downtown development, and upcoming events.
Is it possible to truly find peace in this world? Rob Foy explores this notion, and provides three simple tools for helping you achieve peace.
Paul and Dennis discuss the Columbia Festival of the Arts, the census, candidate John Bailey switching political parties, and are joined by Dick Story, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Dennis and Paul talk about porn, proms and sprinklers, and are joined by Greg Hamm, VP at General Growth Properties and the manager for GGP's Columbia projects.
Rob shares his thoughts on the Joy of Acceptance. What if we let go of the little things that annoy us and live in the moment? Is that really possible?
Dennis and Paul talk Olympics, the bidding war for GGP, CA's funding for the Festival of the Arts, and are joined by County Council member Dr. Calvin Ball.
Mike shares his unique perspective on a certain overbearing, impossible to ignore guest we've all been enjoying this winter.
Paul and Dennis discuss the big vote on downtown Columbia development, why teachers and students can't get along, free dry cleaning for the unemployed, and are joined by social media guru Ilana Bittner from Pixel Workshop & HoCoMoJo.
Is it possible to find a truly good cup of coffee in Howard County? Mike Morucci has certainly tried.
There's no shortage of things to do in Howard County, if you have the proper motivation to actually get up and do them.
"Vibrant" Ellicott City, STTAR Center closes, and County Council Chair Mary Kay Sigaty.
"Urban Art", dead dogs, and a visit from potential County Council candidate Dennis Schrader. Plus a Thanksgiving question of the day.
The marketing geniuses who ran the Columbia Mall had a jingle in their bag of tricks, and they weren't afraid to use it.
Longtime Howard County resident, blogger and humorist Mike Morucci on the challenges of navigating in Columbia.
A panel of Howard County leaders discuss their concerns about the redevelopment of downtown Columbia and the future of Howard County.
Howard County Executive answers questions from the media on his proposed FY2010 county budget.