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Good morning neighbor!

My good friend Kim Eggborn runs the Simulated Congressional Hearings program for Howard County schools and they’re having trouble finding judges for a few of their schools. It’s just a couple hours in the middle of the day if you can spare them.

It would mean a lot if you’d consider signing up as a judge - here are the details.

Fun tool for you sun seekers - with warmer weather and sunnier days, you can use this website to find cafes and pubs with sunny outdoor patios. It doesn’t know if a place has a patio but does show you shadows from buildings so you can determine it for yourself. Enjoy!

In this week’s Fulton Flyer:

• Bye bye Maple Lawn farmers market 🥲

• May the 4th (Be With You) Family Fun Parade in Ellicott City!

• If you have a sec, can you answer this quick survey? (you may have already done this before)

Here we go!

— Jim Wang

Latest News

More on W.R. Grace Plastics Facility 🏛️

W.R. Grace has been trying to get approval for a plastics facility (where they “convert” plastics into liquids and gas) and organizations like Stop Grace has been fighting tooth and nail to stop it. A Baltimore Sun article shares the latest news and how Howard County Council member Deb Jung has filed a bill that “that would prohibit businesses from conducting research and development activities that produce certain pollutants.”

Maple Lawn Farmers Market is no more ☹️

I noticed the Maple Lawn Farmers Market website had expired and there was no announcements of the first market, so I reached out to Jin Stradley, who ran it. He confirmed that the market would not be coming back this year.

He also wanted to say: "I want to thank the community for supporting the market throughout the years, but please support our friends over at the Savage Farmers Market!”

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

📷 @FultonFlyerMD

📷 by Walter Rowe | 🗺️ Brighton Dam, Brookeville

If you’re wondering if the Azalea Garden at Brighton Dam is blooming, wonder no more! Thanks to photographer Walter Rowe, who shared the above photo about four days ago, we know that now is a great time to visit. WSSC expects peak boom to be May 2-9 but Walter believes you should go sooner rather than later: “FYI, the pinks as of this morning are already fading. I drive by the gardens every day going to/from Gaithersburg for work. I suspect after this weekend everything will be fading and turning brown. I think peak was a few days ago based on my decades of observing them there.”

Walter is a skilled and experienced portrait photographer and his focus lies in capturing the essence of relationships and milestones. He specializes in creating timeless portraits for couples, families, children, high school seniors, and working professionals. Whether it's a heartfelt engagement, a joyous family gathering, or a polished headshot for your professional profile, he is dedicated to immortalizing these precious moments.

And if you need a portrait, give Walter a call (202-355-4123) or visit his website for more information.

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

Local Business

R&R Taqueria in Elkridge Closed 🌮

The gas station taco stand that was made famous ages ago in Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and then moved to the next door shopping center… has closed.

Boyd Cru Tasting Room Opens 5/3-5/4 🍷

Boyd Cru Wines is opening a tasting room in the New Weave Building at Savage Mill and the grand opening is this weekend. You’ll need to make a reservation.

K9 & Coffee Dog Park Opens 5/3 🐶

K9 & Coffee is opening up their new dog park on the 3rd at 10am. It’s $10 a dog while you enjoy a bevvie. Details.

Chick-Fil-A in Snowden Square? 🐮

Will Cox shared in the Howard County Eats Facebook group that Chick-fil-A may “soon” be moving into the Bertucci’s location in Snowden Square. Concept plan if you’re curious, doesn’t mean it’s final but it’s looking pretty close.

Phoenix Theatres Columbia Snowden Opening 5/9 🍿

Phoenix Theatres will be reopening the movie theatre behind the Home Depot on Commerce Center Drive in Columbia. There had been news it might turn into a warehouse but that’s not the case for the time being - the theatre will open on the 9th.

Periodic Table New Ownership 🍽️

As of May 1st, The Periodic Table will be under new ownership.

Nearby Events

Tonight 5/1

• Zaching Against Cancer @ Manor Hill Tavern - Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will be proclaiming May 1st as Zaching Day and Zaching Against Cancer will be hosting a happy hour at Manor Hill Tavern from 5pm to 8pm tonight.

• Cedar Lane Plant Palooza - From 5/1 - 5/3 and 5/9, Cedar Lane School is selling “imperfectly perfect student-grown” plans that include house plants, herbs, succulents, and more. Details.

Friday 5/2

• Lowe’s Spring Flower Giveaway - Every Spring, Lowe’s gives a free flowering plant to MyLowe’s Rewards program members. It’s going to be a 1.5 point flowering plant (worth at least $1) and you have to pre-register and it’s while supplies last. Available Friday and Saturday.

• M3 Rock Festival @ Merriweather Post Pavilion (May 2-4) - Sebastian Bach, David Lee Roth, & more over three days - Details.

Saturday 5/3

• Home Depot Birdy Buffet Kids Workshop - Build a little Birdy Buffet with your kid at 9am. It’s free but you have to register.

• Clarksville Commons Farmers Market - The season opening is this Saturday and it starts earlier this year at 9am and lasts until 1pm. Here’s a list of vendors.

• Community Yard Sale @ St. Pauls - St. Pauls Lutheran Church is holding their Community Yard Sale this Saturday from 8am to 1pm. There are over 30 sellers, a food and bake sale, and it’s just around the corner!

• Walk For Our Stars 5K @ Cedar Lane - This Saturday, 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.

• Spring Fishing Tournament @ Centennial Lake - Anglers of all ages can compete for prizes and trophies at Centennial Lake this weekend. There is a 5-13yo age group and the 14+, more details and registration here.

• Lakefest 2025 in Laurel’s Granville Gude Park - Celebrate the opening weekend of boating operations at the park with “games, food, hayrides, moon bounces, face painting, music, and much more.” Details.

• Bra-la-la Fashion Show Fundraiser @ The Collective Encore - Encore hosts Bra-La-La's Fashion Show Fundraiser to benefit Business Woman’s Network of Howard County scholarship fund. Tickets.

• Spring Yard Sale @ North Laurel CC - The Spring yard sale is going on this Saturday at North Laurel Community Center starting at 9am until noon. It’s free to register as a shopper, if you want a table it’s $25. Register here. (photos from last year)

• Kinetic Sculpture Race - If you head up to Baltimore and the American Visionary Art Museum, you can watch the Kinetic Sculpture Race. It’s exactly what it sounds like, a an 8-hour 15-mile race of “amphibious, human powered works of art custom built for the race.” Starts at 9am and goes until 7pm.

• Sligo Creek Fest - The Sligo Creek open Parkway becomes a street festival from 11am to 3pm with live music, kids’ activities, food and drink vendors, and more from 15 different Montgomery Parks groups. Details.

• Sykesville Art & Wine Festival - If you fancy a minor trek to Sykesville, there’s a fun art & wine festival from 12pm to 4pm. Details.

Sunday 5/4 (Be With You!)

• Native Plant Palooza @ Robinson Nature Center - Head to Robinson Nature Center for Howard County Recs & Parks annual outdoor native plant sale - aka Native Plant Palooza. It goes from noon until 4pm and local vendors (about a dozen) will have their products available for purchase. More info.

• Art & Farm Experiences at Freetown Farm - From 2pm to 4pm, you head to Freetown Farm in Columbia to family nature fun! Details.

• May the 4th Family Fun Parade in OEC - Head over to the Log House in downtown Ellicott City at 1pm for a pet-friendly, family themed Star Wars Invasion! It ends at the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum and there will be prizes! Details.

Upcoming

• Atholton Swim Club Spring Festival 5/10 - Their first every Spring Festival featuring Slurpees and Safety (CPR Training). There will be a yard sale, local makers market, food trucks, and more. Details and sign up for CPR training.

Weather This Weekend

Friday - 84° | 63° - ⛅ - 0.0”
Saturday - 82° | 62° - ⛈️ - 0.42”
Sunday - 72° | 60° - 🌧️ - 0.37”

☀️ data from Weather Underground

Local Theatres and Shows

🎭 Upstage Artists in Beltsville is taking auditions for roles in their latest show, The Adventures of a Comic Book Artists: The Musical, on May 17 - 18 at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 11416 Cedar Lane Beltsville, MD 20705.

They’re looking to cast 17 roles for children ages 10-15. Details.

HCPSS Shows and Events Tickets

Live Music, Brunches, & Bar Events

🎶 Music | ❓ Trivia | 🎭 Comedy | 🍳 Brunch

Friday 5/2

🎶 Looney’s Pub - Starcrush - 9pm
🎶 Clarksville Commons - Gary & the Groove - 6:30pm to 9pm
🎶 Cured / 18th & 21st - Jon Waller - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Kelsey’s Restaurant - Brendan Pelan - 6pm to 9:30pm
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Brach Cobb - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Enslow - 8pm to 10pm
🎶 Union Jacks - M3 After-Party: Opening Act - 10pm - Details
🎶 Union Jacks - M3 After-Party: Midnight Devils - 11pm
🎶 Union Jacks - M3 After-Party: Bad Marriage - 12am

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Deb & Gary - 6pm to 9pm

Saturday 5/3

🎶 Looney’s Pub - misspent youth - 9pm
🎶 Cured / 18th & 21st - Stewart and Adams Trio - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Kelsey’s Restaurant - Mo Stringz - 6pm to 9:30pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - Chuck Brown Band - 9pm - Tickets
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Andrew Bell - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Mixed Business - 8pm to 10pm

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Brett Buehler - 6pm to 9pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Dan Bregman - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Waredaca - Jason & Michelle Hannan - 4pm to 7pm

Sunday 5/4

🍳 Galliano - Jazz Brunch- 11:30am to 2:30pm
🍳 White Oak Tavern - Live Jazz Music - 11am to 2pm
🫖 Lone Oak Brewing - Sunday Tea Time - 11am to 1pm - Reservations

🎶 Cured / 18th & 21st - Sara Jones - 5pm to 9pm

🎶 Manor Hill Brewing - John Benjamin - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Lucy Uke - 1pm to 4pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Eric Zatz - 2pm to 5pm

Monday - Cinco de Mayo

🎶 Banditos Maple Lawn - Joshua Abell - 12pm to 5pm
🎶 Banditos Maple Lawn - Calling All Heroes - 6pm to 10pm
🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Bluegrass Jam - 6pm to 8pm

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

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— Jim Wang