Ellicott City

July 5, 2009

Howard group lists endangered historic sites in county

A preservation group's annual bid for publicity to help save endangered historic sites in Howard County has a new twist this year - its criticism of the design for a new library along Frederick Road.

July 2, 2009

Inquiry continues into child's death in car

Howard County police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a child left forgotten in a car seat who died of hyperthermia in a stifling vehicle.

June 26, 2009

Erickson drops deal to buy part of Carroll property

With the recession continuing to freeze even one of the most reliable housing sectors, Erickson Retirement Communities has dropped plans to buy and develop up to 188 acres of historic Doughoregan Manor in Howard County as a senior living complex.

June 21, 2009

Painter turns tavern roof into public art

An Ellicott City tavern that has long blended into the scenery along rural Frederick Road has recently morphed into an eye-catching piece of public art.

June 21, 2009

Around town

Chess The Elkridge library, 6540 Washington Blvd., sponsors a chess club for ages 13 and older from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Players of all abilities are welcome. 410-313-5077.

June 21, 2009

30 principals, others promoted, transferred

Retirements and professional development were cited as a cause for more than 30 promotions and transfers that were unveiled at Thursday's school board meeting.

June 2, 2009

GM files for bankruptcy-law protection

Legendary automaker General Motors Corp. on Monday became the largest U.S. industrial company ever to file for bankruptcy-law protection, in a restructuring that puts it under unprecedented government ownership and jump-starts a plan that will include plant closings and thousands of job losses, but that the company hopes will return it to profitability.

May 31, 2009

Around town

Book discussion Kim Barnes, author of Construct Your Conversations: Strengthening Relationships, will appear at 11 a.m. June 13 for a discussion and signing at Java Grande Cafe, 9050 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 109 at the Route 40 Shopping Center next to SunTrust Bank. Call 410-480-3865.

May 24, 2009

Around town

Coaches sought The Ellicott City Patriots Youth Football and Cheer Program, for youngsters ages 5-14, is seeking volunteer coaches for the 2009 fall season. Anyone interested in serving as a head or assistant coach should e-mail James Schroeder at james@istechs.com. Cheer coaches are also needed, including head coaches, assistant coaches, stunt coaches, dance coaches, cheer gymnastic coaches, fitness trainers and competition coaches. Training and certification are offered. Call Linda Lagala-Spano, 410-461-1225.

May 17, 2009

Around town

Awards party The Arc of Howard County will hold its annual meeting and Celebration of Excellence awards event at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 11735 Homewood Road. Cost is $5 per person. Call 410-730-0638, ext. 242.

May 17, 2009

Photo contest

The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation Inc. will sponsor an amateur photo contest featuring pictures taken in the Ellicott City Historic District.

May 17, 2009

$1.4 billion Howard County budget likely to be OK'd

Although last-minute alterations are possible, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman's $1.4 billion budget appears headed for approval Wednesday without major changes by the five-member County Council.

May 17, 2009

Kiwanis meet Mondays

The Kiwanis Club of Ellicott City meets Monday evenings at 6:45 p.m. at the Kiwanis Wallis Hall, 3300 Norbet's Way, Ellicott City. All are welcome.

May 17, 2009

Residents fighting proposed Ellicott City church

A proposal to build a two-story church on a small residential parcel along U.S. 40 in western Ellicott City is stirring hostility among nearby residents, who are angry at having to fight a new battle in what they see as a continuing war to keep more dense projects at bay.

May 10, 2009

Bit of gardening

Master gardeners will answer inquiries about plants and gardening from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Miller library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City.Information: 410-313-1950.

May 10, 2009

Ellicott City photo contest

The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation Inc. will sponsor an amateur photo contest for photographs taken in the Ellicott City Historic District.

May 10, 2009

Desirable Spaces

Ellicott City house offers unusual serenity

Old houses have character. You can't buy a door like that," said Bill Ward, waving at one of two curved doors in the foyer area of his family's home.

May 3, 2009

Howard County bloggers keep small-town values alive

Bill Duncan had lived in Howard County for 10 years before he realized something important: The most useful things he knew about the county - where to have his oil changed, get good picante sauce, or find a plate of Peruvian chicken - he learned not through the media, but by word of mouth.

April 30, 2009

Two teens accused of assault in Ellicott City

A Howard County high school student celebrating his 16th birthday with friends at his family's Ellicott City home was attacked last week, and two teenagers have been charged as juveniles with assault.

April 24, 2009

Banks foreclosing on homebuilder

Auction signs sprout from manicured front yards of a row of new brick and stone townhouses in Columbia, signaling yet more foreclosures amid the collapse of the luxury housing market. But in what some experts see as the latest wave of foreclosures to hit the Baltimore area, the homes' builder, rather than homebuyers, went into default.

April 20, 2009

Hard work pays off for Ellicott City native Maybin

At first glance, the path Aaron Maybin took to the NFL draft seems stunning and capricious. The Ellicott City native stayed just three years at Penn State, only one as a starter and that after a teammate was suspended early in the season.

April 19, 2009

Howard lawmakers see progress on cameras, mobile homes, bonds

With Maryland's budget problems garnering most of the attention, Howard County's local legislative efforts seemed small by comparison, but important things were still happening.

April 16, 2009

La Palapa serves casual Mexican fare

Ellicott City's La Palapa makes a good run of it. All at the same time, it operates as a family restaurant, a sports bar, a college-style happy-hour hangout and a few things in between. Mariachi bands stroll on Friday and Saturday nights, and folks take salsa lessons on Thursday night. I wouldn't think of it as a destination restaurant, but as a place to consider if you're in that area.

April 13, 2009

Testing the waters

Christopher Ward is only 3 years old, but already he is a swimmer, making his way the entire length of the pool at the Ellicott City Y and then, after a little break, back again.

April 12, 2009

A park service

Free of walls and a conventional religious atmosphere, an outdoor pavilion overlooking a tree-lined lake just may be the ideal setting for a community Easter service.

April 12, 2009

Trade show

The Tuesday Ellicott City Lunch Chapter of Business Network International Inc. will sponsor a trade show event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at TGI Friday's in Columbia.

April 8, 2009

Bill to require reports on SWAT teams OK'd

State lawmakers have approved a plan to require police departments to report back to them on SWAT team activities - legislation that came after the mayor of a Prince George's County town had his home raided last summer. Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo and an Ellicott City woman were among those who testified in favor of greater reporting on SWAT teams. In both raids, which were part of drug investigations, police shot and killed the homeowners' dogs. Police erroneously thought Calvo's wife was involved in drug trafficking. Karen Thomas' son, who was not home during the Ellicott City raid, was later arrested on charges of selling a gram of marijuana to an undercover officer. The Senate voted unanimously Monday night to send the measure - approved by the House of Delegates - to the governor's desk for signature.

August 24, 2008

Korean hot spot Shin Chon sizzles with customers in Ellicott City

Sometimes when restaurants close for an extended period of time, they never quite recover when they reopen. This is not the case with Shin Chon. Since it reopened after major renovations, it's on its way to becoming the Korean equivalent of the Cheesecake Factory - at least as far as a lengthy wait for a table goes. OK, a slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean.

August 22, 2008

Rick Maese: Taking the field

It has taken a couple of tries now - the language barrier is proving to be quite the Great Wall - but the Chinese volunteers have a tight grip on the rain-slicked tarp and they're finally sprinting toward the outfield, revealing Murray Cook's diamond in the rough.