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Good morning neighbor!

Did you know Saturday April 26th is National Pretzel Day? That means you can a free pretzel at Wetzel’s Pretzels. Closest one is at Arundel Mills, seems a bit far for a free pretzel but that depends on how much you like free pretzels! 🥨

In this week’s Fulton Flyer:

• A planet full of Earth Day events!

• Maryland Day down at UMD! (you should go)

• Cypriana is open but the Duchess has closed

Here we go!

— Jim Wang

Maryland Day 2025

This isn’t sponsored but this is one of my favorite events of the year - Maryland Day is a massive event at the University of Maryland College Park where all the departments show off what they do.

It’s Saturday, April 26, from 10am to 4pm.

There are 400+ free events and activities and you can see the whole schedule here. We’ve been going there for a few years (my wife teaches at UMD) and only are able to small parts of it - that’s how big it is.

It’s free. Parking is free. The only cost is your time and braving the crowds.

(this was not sponsored, but this space is available!)
Interested in featuring your business here? 📩 Say hello!

Latest News

Sandy Springs Friends School to Remain Open 🥳

The Sandy Springs Friends School board of Trustees has announced that the school will remain open through the 2027-2028 school years after the Friends of Sandy Spring coalition pledged $15 million to save the school. Reported by the MoCoShow.

Gator Invitation Track Meet 4/25-4/26 🐊

When you see loads of vehicles at Fulton E.S. and Reservoir H.S. this weekend, it’s for the Gator Track & Field Invitational. 80+ teams are set to be there!

HCDrug Free Medication Disposal 4/26 💉

If you have some medication or sharps that you need to dispose of, go to the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot from 10am to 2pm and safely get rid of it. They will take practically everything! Details.

HCPSS Simulated Congressional Hearings Needs Judges! 🧑‍⚖️👩‍⚖️ 5/1 - 6/11

The Simulated Congressional Hearings is an annual program at Howard County elementary schools in which 5th graders showcase what they’ve learned in their social studies classes. The program needs volunteers judges to act as congresspersons to listen to student presenters, ask questions, and provide feedback. You do not need any experience to do this and you will be given everything you need the morning of your hearing. Details here.

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

📷 @FultonFlyerMD

📷 by Brandon Parra | 🗺️ Lib’s Grill, Fulton

I always wondered how the pros get up so high to power wash buildings and it turns out you use an articulating lift (or as my kids and I call them, a cherry picker!). This is Brandon Parra of Studs With Suds MD (fantastic name) giving Lib’s Grill in Fulton a fresher look.

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

Local Business

Business Closures 🥲

• Today’s Catch has Closed 🐟 After 48 years, Today’s Catch has closed. Read their Facebook post.

• The Duchess has closed too 🫡👑 The Duchess was a place in Ellicott City where you could get a generously packed sandwich for practically nothing. Nomtastic Kim has a short reel from 82 weeks ago that’s fun to watch if you’re feeling nostalgic. Happy retirement!

Cypriana is (softly) open! 🥳

I drove by yesterday afternoon and spied a “NOW OPEN” sign on the door, so I emailed Managing Partner Yianni Giannas and he said they are having a soft open. Dinner starting at 5pm Tuesdays through Sundays. “Official” open is soon but you can stop on by!

Apply to join the Citizen Police Academy 5/9

Did you know that you can apply to join the Citizen Police Academy and take part in a free 12-week course that teaches you what it’s like to be a police officer? You get tours of the department, training center, crime lab, and 911 call center. You will learn traffic laws, use of force, and other regulations. There’s even interactive firearms training on a firearms simulator as well as police pursuit and driver training. Deadline to apply is May 9th. More information here.

Nearby Events

❓I adjusted how we’re organizing this section, what do you think? Better? Worse?

Tonight

• Comedy Show @ Lone Oak - Bojo Entertainment presents a comedy show at Lone Oak Brewery in Olney (technically, Fallen Oak Distilling but same address). Ivan Martin and Lucas Bohn will be performing, doors open at 5:30pm and show starts at 7pm. More details here as well as tickets.

Friday

• 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.

Saturday

• SpringFest in Old Ellicott City - SpringFest is back at Old Ellicott City on Saturday from noon until 6pm (there is a Trolley Trail walk that starts at 9am but most events are after noon). There will be a rock climbing wall, live music, food trucks, 30+ artisans, and more. More details here.

• Howard County Conservancy 35th Anniversary - The Howard County Conservancy is celebrating it’s 35th anniversary on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. “Join the Conservancy for anniversary cake and a special announcement at 10 a.m. Stay to celebrate the planet and the Conservancy until 2 p.m. with a tree planting, native garden tours, open house at our historic farmhouse, a one-man band, blacksmith demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, a story walk, animal encounters, food trucks, children’s nature activities and Youth Climate Institute programs.” Details.

• Super Soup Saturday @ St. Mark’s Parish Hall - Head down to 12621 Old Columbia Pike to St. Mark’s from 11:30am to 2pm to enjoy a how bowl of free soup or chili. Takeout available. Details.

• Jazz in the Woods @ Merriweather - Jazz in the Woods is an annual jazz celebration that is put on by the Inner Arbor Trust and the HCPSS Fine Arts Office. Starting at 11am at the Chrysalis in Symphony Woods, enjoy music from student musicians follow by the Navy Commodores. Details here.

• Independent Bookstore Day - Did you know it’s the 12th annual independent bookstore day this Saturday? If you head over to Novel Refuge, which is a non-profit used bookstore benefitting refugee and immigrant services in the Cherry Tree Center, you can participate in the festivities. They partnered with libro.fm and hid a golden ticket in the store - finder gets 12 free audio book credits.

• Queen Takes Book in Columbia is participating too!

• DMV Elite FC Season Launch @ Periodic Table - Head to the Periodic Table at 7pm for the DMV Elite FC season launch party. They are the local National Premier Soccer League team and you get a chance to meet players, coaches, and their mascot, Stripes. Details.

• Health Expo @ North Laurel Community Center - The African American Community Roundtable will be hosting the 2025 Health Expo at the North Laurel Community Center. There will be free health screenings, grocery giveaways, panels, and other resources. Register here.

• Canine Human Network Spring Fling - The Canine Humane Network in Highland is having their Spring Fling Fundraiser Adoption Event where there will be rock painting, friendship bracelets, raffles, Snoballs, James’ Devil Doggs, and, of course, doggos! Details. (rescheduled from 4/12)

Sunday

• Charmed Farm Festival @ Manor Hill 🦄 - Clover Luck Stables and the Drama Learning Center will turn Manor Hill Farm into a magical land of unicorns, princesses, and fairies as the Charmed Farm Festival returns to the brewery. Details.

• Maple Lawn Community Yoga - Danielle Rosenblatt Wellness is hosting an All-Levels Vinyasa Yoga Flow class. Details.

• Spinal Flow Healing - If you’d like to learn how to reduce your stress with the Spinal Flow Healing Technique, join Amanda Fries at the High Vibes Healing Center for a class. Details. 

• Maryland Winds at Merriweather Park - Maryland Winds: A Stroll in the Park is a free performance at the Chrysalis at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Maryland Winds is a professional HoCo concert band (it’s not just wind instruments!) and this event features Tubby the Tuba! Details.

Upcoming

• 4/30 - Caregiver Education Series - Thoughtful Hospitalization - The Caregiver Education Series is a four-part series at Winter Growth meant to give families and caregivers the knowledge they need to help support their loved ones. This 2nd session covers how to prepare for hospitalization, advocating for them, and ensure smooth transitions in care. Details.

• 5/3 - Walk For Our Stars 5K @ Cedar Lane - Next week, Cedar Lane School is hosting its 27th annual Walk For Our Stars 5K that benefits the special needs students at the school. It’s great for all ages, you can learn more and support the run here.

• 5/3 Flip Orley Comic Hypnotist @ The Collective Encore - Flip Orley, a comic hypnotist, will be performing on 5/3 at The Collective Encore. Tickets

Weather This Weekend

Friday - 77° | 62° - 🌤️ - 0.05”
Saturday - 77° | 46° - ⛈️ - 0.32”
Sunday - 72° | 46° - ☀️ - 0”

☀️ data from Weather Underground

Local Theatres and Shows

Full HCPSS theater schedule.

Live Music, Brunches, & Bar Events

🎶 Music | ❓ Trivia | 🎭 Comedy | 🍳 Brunch

Friday 4/25

🎶 Looney’s Pub - Kono Nation - 9pm
🎶 18th & 21st - Aiden Interrante - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Common Kitchen - Calvin Thomas - 6pm to 8pm
🎶 Barebones Grill & Bar - Crash the Limo - 8pm to 11:59pm
🎶 The Collective Encore - Winslow: Evening of The Eagles - 8pm - Tickets
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - Kelly Bell Band - 9pm - Tickets
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Grayson Moon - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Angie Miller - 8pm to 10pm

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm- Sticks & Stones - 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturday 4/26

🍳 Looney’s - Brunch w/ Bluey & Bingo - 11:30am to 3pm - Details (fully booked unfortunately)

🎶 Looney’s Pub - Black Hole Sons - 9pm
🎶 18th & 21st - Damon Foreman - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Barebones Grill & Bar - Gary & The Groove - 8pm to 11:59pm
🎶 The Collective Encore - Winslow: Evening of The Eagles - 8pm - Tickets
🎶 Periodic Table - Devin & Kirk - 5:30pm to 8:30pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - The Fitzkee Brothers - 8pm
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Andy B - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Mercy Creek Duo - 8pm to 10pm

🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - The Dirty Blondes Duo - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm- Cameron & the Claytones - 5:30pm to 8:30pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Craig Cummings - 4pm to 7pm

Sunday 4/27

🍳 The Periodic Table - Drag Me to Brunch - noon - 2pm - Tickets
🍳 Galliano - Jazz Brunch- 11:30am to 2:30pm

🔪 Kelsey’s Irish Pub - Murder on the Menu - 5:30pm to 9pm - Tickets

🎶 The Collective Encore - Slim Man - 8pm - Tickets
🎶 18th & 21st - Sara Jones - 5pm to 9pm

🎶 Manor Hill Brewing - Sophie Bernitt and Sticks & Stones
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - The Liquor Store Boys - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Seth Kibel Trio - 1pm to 4pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Noah Booz - 2pm to 5pm

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

Thank You!

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— Jim Wang