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Good morning neighbor!

This weekend is the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes! Post time is 6:50pm but those eager to see a Triple Crown winner will have to wait, Derby winner Sovereignty isn’t racing this weekend. (I’m sure your favorite bar is having a watch party!)

Have you heard of Maryland State Parks “3 in 2025” Adventure Challenge? If you can complete 25 or more themed challenges before November 15th, you can win some pretty great prizes. It looks like fun!

Finally, for those with kids in HCPSS, tomorrow is a half day! Good luck! 😂😂😂

In this week’s Fulton Flyer:

• New restaurant coming to the Merriweather District 🍗

• Don’t go into Lake Elkhorn for a bit… 🤢

• No strawberries at Gorman this year 🙁🍓🙁

Here we go!

— Jim Wang

Want to catch lantern flies?

People are putting these Catchmaster Tree Shields on their trees and it’s catching the pupae as they climb up the trunk. It seems like a really inexpensive way to fight back against this invasive species… but kinda gross to remove if bugs stuck to tape give you the willies.

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

Latest News

HoCo Executive Ball Submits Emergency Funding Legislation

Earlier this week, County Executive Calvin Ball submitted emergency legislation that would provide $14.5 million in additional funding for HCPSS for the next fiscal year’s operating budget. It draws on the County’s Policy Reserve. Details.

Sewage Overflow in Columbia 🤢

Howard County Health Department issued this announcement: “As a result of a broken main that caused a sewage overflow behind Watchlight Ct., in Columbia, MD, we are asking the public to avoid contact with the water from the area behind Watchlight Ct., continuing downstream to include Lake Elkhorn. It is also best to keep family pets away from the impacted water.“

All HoCo Libraries Closed Today 5/15 📚

They’re all closed today for a professional development day, fortunately they’re open tomorrow when HCPSS is having a half day!

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

📷 @FultonFlyerMD

📷 by Anjali Sandhu | 🗺️ MD

This is the inside of a Fun Bus, a “vibrant, climate-controlled “gym on wheels” designed to bring high-energy fun and fitness directly to your party or event! Perfect for children ages 2 to 7 years, the FUN BUS is packed with colorful, age-appropriate gym equipment and led by FUN instructors who turn every visit into an unforgettable adventure.”

It looks like a lot of fun and even though it’s a bus, it doesn’t move once it gets there so it’s completely safe and really convenient. It looks like a great way to tire out your kids and their friends!

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

Local Business

2025 BGE Energizing Small Business Grants 💰

BGE has a grant program offering $20,000 grants to Maryland small businesses, applications are accepted through June 13. Most people aren’t aware that BGE does this but if you’re a for-profit business and an existing BGE electric or gas customer in good standing then you could be eligible. Learn more.

Nash and Smashed to Merriweather 🐔

Nash and Smashed, a fast casual fried chicken and burger restaurant, is coming to the Marlow at the Merriweather District. They have numerous locations in MD, VA, and DC; but the closest one is in Silver Spring.

No Strawberries @ Gorman Farms This Year 🍓

Late May is when we start seeing the local farms start offering “pick your own strawberries” but that will not be the case this year at Gorman Farms, they won’t be having it this year. I’ll put together a list of other farms offering it in upcoming emails as they announce them.

Nearby Events

Tonight 5/15

• Columbia MD Social Meetup @ Reckless Shepherd - If you’re in your 20s and 30s and looking to meet others, Columbia Social MD is hosting a meetup at Reckless Shepherd tonight at 5pm.

• Sip & Script Calligraphy Workshop @ Notch8 Brewing - From 7pm to 8:30pm, learn or improve your calligraphy with instruction and demonstration, plus get a beginner’s calligraphy kit and materials to write on. Details.

• Tea & Puzzles @ Owen Brown Community Association - If you think you’re good at puzzles, compete in tonight’s Tea & Puzzles competition (500 pcs). $20 per team (2-4, age 16+) and you have two hours to win some prizes - must be a CA-assessed property resident. Tickets.

• 85th Birthday Trivial Challenge (Online) - Howard County Libraries will be closed today but you can celebrate its 85th birthday with an online Kahoo! Trivia Challenge. More details here.

• Run Club w. Charm City Run @ Black Flag Brewing Company - Every Thursday, join Charm City Run for a casual 2-3 mile run/walk and finish with $5 pours at Black Flag. Details.

Friday 5/16

• Bike to Work Week Celebration @ Color Burst Park - It’s Bike to Work Week but they’re celebrating Bike from Work Day at Color Burst Park on Friday from 4pm to 6pm. Details.

• Wine and Art Talk @ Boyd Cru in Savage - From 4pm to 5:30pm, join a wine and art chat with Monica Lyles, a local artist. Details.

• Karaoke Dance Party @ Nottingham’s -Hosted by “JK” Shanay and DJ Yadi, come by for some karaoke starting at 8pm.

Saturday 5/17

• 150th Preakness Stakes @ Pimlico - The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes will be this Saturday, with a post time of 6:50pm. The Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, won't run so no Triple Crown this year.

• Clarksville Farmer’s Market - This weekend from 9am to 1pm.

• Reservoir H.S. Pickleball Club Fundraiser - The Reservoir Pickleball Club is hosting a fundraiser tournament with the proceeds going to Fidos for Freedom. Click here for more details and how to sign up.

• Maple Lawn Annual Yard Sale - Head to the lot behind Galliano for this year’s annual yard sale from 8:30am to 12pm.

• Music City Bluegrass & Roots Festival - If you enjoy Bluegrass, head over to The Vortex at CAA Park in Catonsville from 11am to 10pm. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door and kids 12 and under are free.

• Tabletop Gaming Time @ Savage Mill Library - For those ages 12 and up, head over to the DaVinci Room at 2pm to 4:30pm for table top gaming. Register here but it’s free to attend.

• Columbia Orchestra: American Reflections - A performance of three pieces by the Columbia Orchestra starting at 7:30pm. Details.

• Wine in the Woods - The annual event takes place in Symphony Woods on Saturday and Sunday. Details.

Sunday 5/18

• Ben Folds with the Howard County Youth Orchestra - Ben Folds will be performing with the Howard County Youth Orchestra at Merriweather Post Pavilion - doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30. Details.

• Tropical Plant Out Volunteer Day @ Jim Duke’s Green Farmacy Garden - At 11am, head over to 8210 Murphy Road in Fulton to volunteer and help plant tropical specimens at the garden. Details.

• May Foraging Walk @ Jim Duke’s Green Farmacy Garden - Come back at 2pm (or stay?) for a foraging walk where you can learn about edible wild plants, how to identify them, their uses, etc. Tickets.

Upcoming

• Acoustic Jam Session @ North Laurel Community Center - On the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, from 1pm to 3pm, enjoy and participate in a jam session - no experience required. While the listing says 50+, all are welcome and “Everyone in the room has an opportunity -or two or three- to suggest a song they'd like to play, sing, or hear. We take turns sharing tunes in a variety of *styles we enjoy; improvising old favorites together; singing along with friends; and chatting about musical experiences we enjoy. Participants play songs by ear, read from devices, or use notebooks filled with lead sheets and arrangements.” Sounds like fun!

• Wendell Live! Sinatra Tribute @ Galliano - From 5:30pm to 8:30pm, head over to Galliano to hear Wendell Live! perform hits from Ol’ Blue Eyes.

(nothing in this section is sponsored, I just think it looks fun)

Weather This Weekend

Friday - 85° | 65° - 🌩️ - 0.17”
Saturday - 87° | 61° - 🌤️ - 0”
Sunday - 74° | 56° - 🌤️ - 0”

☀️ 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.

Live Music, Brunches, & Bar Events

🎶 Music | ❓ Trivia | 🎭 Comedy | 🍳 Brunch

Friday 5/16

🎶 Looney’s Pub - Justin Taylor - 9pm
🎶 18th & 21st - Bob Butta - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Barebones Grill & Bar - Radio Hero - 8pm to 11:59pm
🎶 The Collective Encore - Kanin Wren: Ultimate Taylor Swift Experience - 8pm - Tickets
🎶 Clarksville Commons - Alternate Crossing - 6pm to 8pm
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Jeremiah Miles - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - Neel Madan - 9pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Madisun Bailey - 8pm to 10pm
🎶 Kelsey’s Restaurant - Rod Sebastian - 6pm to 9:30pm

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Cory Jones - 6pm to 9pm
🎶 Oversea Distillery - Juels Bland - 6pm to 9:30pm

Saturday 5/17 - Preakness Stakes!

🎶 Looney’s Pub - Killybach - 9pm
🎶 The Collective Encore - Eclipse: Journey Tribute - 8pm - Tickets
🎶 18th & 21st - TBA - 6pm to 11pm
🎶 Barebones Grill & Bar - Crush - 8pm to 11:59pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - School of Rock - Columbia - 12pm - Details
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - Guns N’ Led - 9pm - Details
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Noah Pierre - 8pm to 11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Anthony Frijia - 8pm to 10pm
🎶 Kelsey’s Restaurant - Miss Moon Rising - 6pm to 9:30pm

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Sky King - 6pm to 9pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Joseph Monasterial - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Simba - 4pm to 7pm
🎶 Oversea Distillery - Saxophonist/Entertainer Geno Marriot - 6pm to 9:30pm

Sunday 5/18

🍳 Galliano - Jazz Brunch- 11:30am to 2:30pm
🍳 White Oak Tavern - Live Jazz Music - 11am to 2pm

🎶 18th & 21st - Sidestreet Duo - 5pm to 9pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - School of Rock - Columbia - 12pm - Details

🎶 Manor Hill Brewing - IMU Duo - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Sandra Dean - 1pm to 4pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Round About - 2pm to 5pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Michael Heister - 2pm to 5pm

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

Thank You!

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— Jim Wang