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Good morning!

To those with school-aged kids barely surviving Spring Break, I salute you. It’s Thursday. We just came back from Great Wolf Lodge and Colonial Williamsburg… and we’re barely hanging on. They’re back in school in just a few short days. 🤣🤣🤣

It’s a jam packed weekend of events because it’s Earth Day on Saturday and there are a lot of events going on in Howard County to celebrate! We list a few that caught our eye below.

Also in this week’s Fulton Flyer:

• HoCo offices closed for Good Friday

• Where to find the Easter Bunny!

• Bennies may be closing on Sunday?

Here we go!

— Jim Wang

💵 Unless otherwise clearly noted, nothing else is sponsored.

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Latest News

FES Expanded Transportation Areas 🚌

If you have kids going to Fulton Elementary School who are walkers, FES just expanded the transportation area (as in some walkers will now be bus riders) so only those within 0.75 miles of the school will walk (it was previously 1 mile). You can see the updated map here. Now more families get to roll the dice with Zum! 🤣

HoCo Offices Closed for Good Friday 😴

Howard County government offices, 50+ centers and animal shelters will be closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday. Trash pickups (recycling, etc.) are all nomral. Here’s the full list.

Columbia Mall to get 24/7 Police Patrols 👮

This newsletter will never be a place for any type of fear mongering or political news, but I wanted to share this bit for those concerned about safety at Columbia Mall. There will now be a 24/7 Howard County police patrol beat for the mall plus a full time satellite office inside.

Performing Arts Center Breaks Ground 🎭

The Performing Arts Center has broken ground! I'm a big fan of Toby's Dinner Theatre and was excited to learn how there will be a new Performing Arts Center with a 340-seat dinner theater (for Toby's), two 200-seat black box theaters, and more (plus housing!) in its place. If you're curious, The Merriweather Post explains it all (and more local news).

🗣️ have news you want to share? reply and we may feature it!

📷 @FultonFlyerMD

📷 by Missy Kanney | 🗺️ Phowheels, Burtonsville

Phowheels’ official open is Friday but they’ve had a soft open already. We haven’t been yet but the photos have looked amazing!

🗣️ want your photo featured? send it to us and we might add it!

Where To See The Easter Bunny 🔎

If you’re looking to see the Easter Bunny, here are some Easter themed events in the region. Some are a bit out of the way but probably worth the drive? 😁 🐰

📷 If you just want a photo, you can always head up to the Bass Pro Shops and get a free photo from 4/12-4/20. It’s just a 4×6 and you can pay to get more (digital print, etc).

Lakeside Title Easter Egg Hunt - 4/19

Lakeside Title Company is hosting an Easter Egg hunt at their offices along with Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue. There will be a raffle, treats and sweets, a photo opp with the Easter Bunny, and adoptable pups!

Clark’s Elioak Farm - 4/12 - 4/20

Egg hunts GALORE! All day from the 12th through the 20th with regular admission for kids (1-3 and 4-6). Details here.

Mary’s Land Farm - 4/19

The 5th Easter Eggstraveganza ($15-$18) means you get to hunt eggs (up to age 12), enjoy candy, games, wagon rides, and live shows. If your kids like princesses, they will be there from 10am to 2pm (Belle, Ariel, Cinderella, Tiana and Snow White). There will also be food trucks and an Easter Bunny for photos. More details here.

18th Annual PEEPshow in Westminster - 4/11 to 4/21

It’s a cheeky name (not THAT type of cheeky geeze) but the 18th Annual PEEPshow is at the TownMall of Westminster. You can see fantastically outrageous sculptures made of Peeps.

Bunny Train in Walkersville - 4/19

If you love trains, the Walkersville Southern Railroad is a train! And they’re running an Easter themed ride on the 12th, 13th, and 19th at 11am, 1:30pm and 4pm. Tickets.

Bunny Bonanzoo @ Maryland Zoo - 4/18-4/20

Next weekend, the Maryland Zoo is having their Bunny Bonanzoo where there will be games, activities, crafts, live entertainment, and non-stop egg hunts. It’s included with your Zoo admission. Details here.

Decadent Dessert Bar - 4/19

If you find yourself near Decadent Dessert Bar in Maple Lawn between 2pm and 2:30pm, the Easter Bunny will be there giving out a special gift to the first 50 kids. Details.

Local Business

Sandy Spring Friends School Closing 🟩🥲

Sandy Spring Friends School will be shutting down at the end of this year because it doesn’t have the “financial wherewithal to meet its obligations.” It opened in 1961. Our kids LOVE their summer camp, which also appears to be cancelled, and this is a huge bummer. The Adventure Park is a separate entity and will remain open.

Bennie’s Pizza May Be Closing Too 🍕🥲

Crystal Travis posted in the Howard County Eats Facebook Group that she chatted with the bartender and they may be closing on Sunday. No official word yet, but they are owned by the same folks that own the Walrus and Chicken + Whisky, which shut down almost a month ago.

Phowheels Opening Friday 🍜

According to The Mocoshow (who saw their IG post), Phowheels will be opening on Friday April 18th. What’s fun is they offer a drive thru option (as well as dine-in) and it’ll be exciting to see all these new openings in Burtonsville Crossing! (they’ve had their soft open so if you want to check them out, you can!)

Beer Garden at Manor Hill Tavern is open 🍺🍺

The Manor Hill Beer Garden is open for the season as of two days ago. When the weather it’s nice, you can now enjoy a beer outside (you can bring your furry friends!).

Nearby Events

Earth Day @ Clarksville Commons 4/19 🌍

Clarksville Commons will be hosting an Earth Day celebration from 10am to 1pm. It’s a “mix of local farmers, green-minded crafters, eco-friendly businesses & non-profits, and local government on the plaza, and an electric vehicle meet-up on the grassy strip along Route 108.” Should be a fun time! Details.

Earth Day @ Color Burst Park 4/19 🌍

Join in celebrating Earth Day at Color Burst Park from 10am until noon where there will be a DJ-led yoga session, DIY workshops and more. The first 100 families can get a tree sapling and the first 100 kids can get butterfly wing capes! RSVP.

Chrysalis Kids: Culture Queen @ Merriweather Park 4/19 🦋

Head to The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods at 11am to enjoy a free musical performance by Culture Queen. More details here.

Kid’s Fest @ Meadowbrook Park 4/19 🛝

Head up to Meadowbrook Park in Ellicott City for Kid’s Fest, ages 2-12, where you have “sports instruction, games, activities, arts and crafts, food, and more.” It’s $8 if you pre-register, $10 at the site. Details.

Beer & Oster Fest @ Manor Hill 4/19 🦪

The inaugural Manor Hill Beer & Oyster Fest will be happening at noon on Saturday. They will be premiering a collab beer (Longline Chesapeake Oyster Stout, with Upweller Beer Co.), local oysters from Sapidus Farms and Mother Shuckers, as well as oyster themed specials from the Pizza Trolley and Mr. Soft Ice Cream Truck. Mandy B. will be performing live music from 1pm to 4pm. More info here.

Fashion Design Challenge: Earth Day @ Central Library 4/19 🌍

Head to the Howard County Central Library for a fun Project Runway style challenge to design the best outfit in an hour. This event takes place from 3pm to 4:30pm, where kids ages 10 to 13 will use recycled materials to create an outfit. It ends in a fashion show at around 4:15. Learn more.

Comedy Murder Mystery @ Collective Encore 4/19❓🔪

If you’d like to go back to the future in a totally rad comedy murder mystery set in a time when neon was normal (yes, the 80s), you’re in luck. Ovation Dinner Theatre will be back at The Collective Encore on April 19th and you can get tickets here. (and learn more about the theme)

Mikey & Mel’s Cruise In 4/19 🚗

Mikey & Mel’s Cruise In is happening this Saturday from 10am until 1pm. It’s a free meetup of car enthusiasts with a DJ. All makes and models are welcome. Details.

Line Dancing @ Lone Oak Brewing 🕺

Fancy some line dancing? For $10 you can swing on by Lone Oak Brewing in Olney. Details.

Squeaky Clean Comedy 4/25 🤣🤣🤣

In the mood for some comedy? Head up to Nourishing Journey in Columbia for 2 hours of clean comedy laughter - Details - Tickets.

Wine in the Woods 5/17-18 🌳🍷🌳

The 31st annual Wine in the Woods isn’t until mid-May but tickets are available now. I haven’t been in ages, have you? I’m curious to know the impact of not having the Maryland Wineries Association involved last year. Learn more.

Weather This Weekend

Friday - 78° | 62° - 🌤️ - 0”
Saturday - 85° | 61° - ☁️ - 0”
Sunday - 72° | 52° - 🌤️ - 0”

☀️ data from Weather Underground

Local Theatres and Shows

Live Music, Brunches, & Bar Events

This list started as just local live music but has since expanded to include brunches, trivia, and bar events too:

🎶 Music | ❓ Trivia | 🎭 Comedy | 🍳 Brunch | 🔪 Murder Mystery
🐰 Easter Bunny - This means a restaurant is having the Easter Bunny present.

Friday 4/18

🎶 Looney’s Pub - More More More - 9pm
🎶 The Collective Encore - Angry Young Band (Billy Joel Tribute) - 8pm - Tickets
🎶 Common Kitchen - Domenic Cicala - 6pm
🎶 Cured / 18th & 21st - Unified Jazz Endesmble - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Kelsey’s Irish Pub - Richard Walton - 6pm to 9:30pm
🎶 Barebones Grill & Bar - Duck Soup Band - 8pm to 11:59p
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Jennifer Schimpf - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Honest Lee Soul Duo - 8pm to 10pm

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Damon Foreman - 5:30pm to 8:30pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Simba - 4pm to 7pm

Saturday 4/19

🐰🍳 White Oak Tavern - Easter Bunny Brunch - 11:30am to 3pm - Details

🔪 The Collective Encore - 80s Rewind Murder Mystery (Ovation Dinner Theater) - 8pm - Tickets

🎶 Looney’s Pub - Tripwire - 9pm
🎶 Cured / 18th & 21st - Kevin Howard - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Kelsey’s Irish Pub - TBD - 6pm to 9:30pm
🎶 Barebones Grill & Bar - Blue Line - 8pm to 11:59pm
🎶 Periodic Table - Dan Bergman - 5:30pm to 8:30pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - Neel Madan - 7pm
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Madisun Bailey - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Casey McConville - 8pm to 10pm

🎶 Manor Hill Brewing - Mandy B - 1pm to 4pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Six String Chuck - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - 100 Proof - 5:30pm to 8:30pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Simba - 4pm to 7pm

Sunday 4/20 - Easter Sunday 🐰

🐰🍳 Lib’s Grill - Easter Brunch Buffet - 10am to 3pm - Resy
🐰🍳 Kelsey’s Restaurant - Easter Brunch Buffet - 10am - 1:30pm - Info
🎶🍳 Periodic Table - Jazz Brunch - 11am to 3pm
🍳 Dive Bar & Grille - Easter Brunch - 11am to 3pm

🎶 White Oak Tavern - Live Jazz Music - 11am to 2pm

🎶 Manor Hill Brewing - DT Huber - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Lauren and Paul - 2pm to 5pm

🗣️ have a favorite spot I missed? reply and we may feature it!

Impress Your Friends…

… did you know that USS Constellation that’s docked in Baltimore is the last ship to survive from the Civil War?​

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— Jim Wang