January 31, 2020
Media Contacts:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Mark S. Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
February
Howard County Restaurant Weeks & Craft Beverages to Enjoy
January 20 – February 2
Restaurants, Breweries & Distilleries across Howard County
Mix up your culinary experience with diverse specialty chef menus and craft beverages in restaurants, breweries, and distilleries across Howard County. Participating locations will be offering unique menus for every taste and budget.
Contact: Amanda Hof, Executive Director for Visit Howard County, 410-313-1904 or Amanda@howardcountytourism.com
2020 Preschool and Child Care Education Fair
Saturday, February 1, 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville
Parents, guardians, grandparents and child care personnel, join the County’s Department of Community Resources and Services for its annual Preschool/Child Care Information Fair. Providing a “one stop shop” for information on child care, pre-school and summer programs, this year's Fair will feature representatives from community service organizations that offer programs and services to Howard County’s young children. Admission to the Fair is free; however, attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food items or an unopened pack of diapers to donate to the Howard County Food Bank. To register to receive updates and reminders about this event, https://hocochildcarefair.eventbrite.com. The new 2020 Parent’s Guide to Howard County will be distributed at the event free of charge.
Contact: Debbie Yare, Howard County Office of Children and Families, 410-313-1943
Lunch Date with History 2020 Lecture Series: Historic Love Letters
Friday, February 7, Doors Open at 11:30 a.m., Lecture Runs from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Museum of Howard County History, 8328 Court Avenue, Ellicott City
If you are a history lover, a romantic or are interested in hearing romantic love letters written by historically famous Howard County people, then join the Howard County Historical Society on the 7th for its February “Lunch Date with History 2020 Lecture Series.” This month’s event will be presented by Ed Lilley of the Maryland History Tours. The event is free for Howard County Historical Society members and $5 for non-members. To purchase your tickets, visit https://4agc.com/commerce_pages/7f649888-5061-4fe6-ac47-b25380833af0. You are sure to love this annual Valentine’s Day event.
Contact: Shawn Gladden, Executive Director, Howard County Historical Society, 410-480-3250, director@hchsmd.org
Black History Lunch and Learn
Thursday, February 13, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge
A lunch and learn experience focused on exploring Black history and Black experiences within the context of American history, systems, institutions and culture. Come explore pieces of our racialized history with the intention of creating space for authentic connection and genuine understanding. The County’s Department of Community Resources and Services seeks to provide a space for community members to interact and discuss the implications of our history, while critically thinking about how it impacts our current and future communities. All perspectives, truths and experiences are invited to respectfully engage in this experience
Contact: Jeannie DeCray, Department of Community Resources and Services, 410-313-5175 jdecray@howardcountymd.gov
Black History Expo
Saturday, February 15 11:00 a.m. to 5:00pm
Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia
The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Howard County and the Howard County Public School System invite you to participate in the 2020 Black History Expo. This year’s expo will feature a variety of exhibits, an educational workshop on the film Meet Me at Equality hosted by the County’s Office of Human Rights, entertainment and a panel discussion focused around the year’s theme: “African Americans and the Vote.”
Contact: Muriel Mitchell, Event Coordinator, 410-461-4717, mitchelldst@gmail.com
Turf Valley Resort’s 40th Annual Wedding Extravaganza
Friday, February 21, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City
Recently engaged? Come check out Turf Valley Resort’s annual wedding extravaganza on February 21st, featuring more than 80 wedding service exhibitors all under one roof, an extensive food and beverage selection, and three fully decorated ballrooms, each with its own unique theme. For tickets and/or more information about this year’s event, visit www.turfvalley.com/celebrate/wedding-extravaganza.
Contact: Nicole Motsay, Director of Marketing, Turf Valley Resort, 410-465-1500, nmotsay@turfvalley.com
42nd Annual Evening of Irish Music and Poetry
Friday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.
Howard Community College, Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Smith Theatre, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
HoCoPoLitSo’s annual Irish Evening will feature a reading by award-winning and three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee author Alice McDermott, a rousing concert by Celtic rock band O’Malley’s March and performances by the champion Teelin Irish Dance Company.
Contact: Janelle Broderick, Director for Horowitz Center, 443-518-4587, jbroderick@howardcc.edu
Black Author Spotlight
Saturday, February 22, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Howard County Library System, Savage Branch, 9525 Durness Lane, Laurel
Looking for some great books featuring Black main characters and/or written by Black authors? Join Howard County Library System, in celebration of Black History Month, for an afternoon of book recommendations from various genres and collections. Geared towards youth ages 11 and older; parents and adults are welcome as well. Registration required; register online or by calling the Savage Branch at 410-313-0760.
Contact: Christie Lassen, Howard County Library System, 410-313-7786
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to Deliver “State of Business” Address
Tuesday, February 25, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Executive to speak around 12:30 p.m.
Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City
Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball as he presents his “State of Business” Address to the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, outlining his plans for Howard County’s business community. The luncheon is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., with the County Executive expected to speak around 12:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit https://business.howardchamber.com/events/details/state-of-business-2373 or call 410-730-4111.
Contact: Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
A Swashbuckling Evening in the Stacks!
Saturday, February 29, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Howard County Library System, East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
Come set sail on the “hi” seas with Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Library System (HCLS) President and CEO Tonya Aikens, and library supporters for a jolly good evening of swashbuckling adventures, music, dancing, silent auction and more all in support of HCLS. This year’s featured speaker and Pride of Baltimore historian, Dr. Pierre Henkart, will discuss early Baltimore’s privateering history and Chesapeake shipbuilding in the 1780-1815 period. Among other things, Dr. Henkart will share how Baltimore’s boom years of 1790 to 1815 gave birth to the fast Baltimore Clippers, the most successful privateering vessels of the era. For tickets and more information about this “yo, ho, ho” good time, visit hclibrary.org/stacks.
Contact: Christie Lassen, Howard County Library System, 410-313-7786