Out and About
Annual festival/event: Howard County Fair
Honorable Mentions:
Wine in the Woods
Columbia Festival of the Arts
Turf Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival
Volunteer group: Howard County Fire and Rescue
Honorable Mentions:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
The ARC of Howard County
Neighbor Ride
Special event venue: Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center
Honorable Mentions:
The Great Room at Savage Mill
Howard County Conservancy
Waverly Mansion
First date: Historic Ellicott City
Honorable Mentions:
Columbia lakefront
Iron Bridge Wine Co.
Clyde’s of Columbia
Kids' activity: Clark's Elioak Farm
Honorable Mentions:
Sky Zone Columbia
SplashDown
Columbia Association Sports Park
Park: Centennial Park
Honorable Mentions:
Rockburn Branch Park
Savage Park
Cedar Lane Park
Place to enjoy the arts: Toby's Dinner Theatre
Honorable Mentions:
Ellicott City Artwalk
Columbia Art Center
The Rouse Co. Foundation Gallery
Shopping
Consignment shop: Charity's Closet
Honorable Mentions:
Greenberries
Vintage Bliss Boutique
McAdoodle
Antique shop: The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill
Honorable Mentions:
The Pink Cabbage
A Journey from Junk
Antique Depot
Bookstore: Barnes & Noble
Honorable Mentions:
Daedalus Books
Second Edition
Books-a-Million
Car dealership: Apple Ford Lincoln
Honorable Mentions:
O’Donnell Honda
Antwerpen Scion, Toyota and Nissan
Jim Coleman Honda
Clothing boutique: Kokopelli
Honorable Mentions:
Sweet Elizabeth Jane
Serendipity
Kelsey’s Kloset
Furniture store: Oak Tree Furniture
Honorable Mentions:
Su Casa
Havertys
Indoor Furniture
Home decor store: HomeGoods
Honorable Mentions:
Pier 1 Imports
Sweet Elizabeth Jane
Vintage Blue
Jeweler: Smyth Jewelers
Honorable Mentions:
Fulton Station Jewelers
Sergio’s Jewelers
Edward Arthur Jewelers
Pet supplies: PetSmart
Honorable Mentions:
Bark!
My Pet Store and More
Dogs & Co.
Food and Drink
Bakery: Great Harvest Bread Co.
Jim and Karen Adomines loved the bread so much at Great Harvest Bread Co. in Columbia, they decided to buy the place, Jim Adomines says. The husband-and-wife owners, who took over in the spring, plan to keep all breads on the menu, including favorites like challah, “high five fiber,” honey whole wheat and cinnamon chip, and baked sweet treats like blueberry-and-cream-cheese scones and oatmeal-raisin cookies. They will also continue making 100 percent stone-ground whole-wheat breads from wheat freshly milled in the store. “Great Harvest is a unique bread,” Adomines says. “We have breads you can’t get anywhere else that everybody loves.”
Honorable Mentions:
Kupcakes & Co.
Touché Touchet
Wegmans
Caterer: Putting on the Ritz
Honorable Mentions:
Kloby’s Smokehouse
Smokin’ Hot Bar & Grille
Absolutely Perfect Catering
Health food/supplement store: Trader Joe's
Honorable Mentions:
Roots Market
David’s Natural Market
Wegmans
Place to buy seafood: Wegmans
Honorable Mentions:
Frank’s Seafood (closed)
Today’s Catch
Sea King
Beer, wine and/or liquor store: The Perfect Pour
At first sight, The Perfect Pour can be overwhelming. The Elkridge store has thousands of beers, wines and spirits on its shelves. But thanks to its knowledgeable staff, customers quickly quickly whittle thousands down to a few once they’ve explained what they are looking for, says Tom Bender, general manager. So whether you want common drinks like Smirnoff vodka, Kendall Jackson wine or Heavy Seas beer, or rarer breeds like Stawski Krupnik honey liqueur, Domaine la Blaque Pierrevert wine or Nogne O Horizon Tokyo Black beer, chances are Bender and his team will have it. “We strive to have a vast selection, including hard-to-find items in all three categories,” Bender says. “We’re the proverbial full service.”
Honorable Mentions:
Pine Orchard Liquors
Jason’s Wine & Spirits
The Wine Bin
Farmers market: Ellicott City Farmers’ Markets
On Saturdays, Historic Ellicott City's farmers' market takes over two locations off Main Street — The Wine Bine parking lot and the courtyards of Tonge Row near parking lot D. Customers can stock their kitchens with the locally produced fruits, veggies and meats for sale, or they can grab a bite to eat then and there from vendors cooking on the spot. The market will run May through October in 2015.
Honorable Mentions:
Columbia Farmers Market
Frank’s Produce and Greenhouse
Gorman Farm
Health and Wellness
Alternative wellness services: Quiet Time Hypnosis
Certified hypnotist Patricia M. Sapp has worked with patients from ages 6 to 80 and older. “Hypnosis is a safe and natural process for everyone,” she says. Sapp’s training helps her lead patients gently through the hypnotism process to help them overcome challenges, reduce anxiety, increase creativity and break bad habits.
Honorable Mentions:
The Still Point
Maryland University of Integrative Health
Awaken Wellness
Chiropractor: Howard County Chiropractic Spine & Sports Rehabilitation
Honorable Mentions:
Morrison Chiropractic
Dabbs Rehab Center of Maryland
Chesapeake Family Wellness Center
Dental practice: Roschella & Zinger Dental Group
Visits to the dentist are not usually anyone’s idea of a good time, but the patients of Dr. Karen Roschella and Dr. Ann Zinger don’t mind at all. The duo has served the Howard County community for more than 20 years, drawing praise for their efficient and friendly staffs and high-quality dental work. They calm those who are afraid of the dentist and make small children excited about dental care.
Honorable Mentions:
Dobbin Dental
Columbia Smiles Family Dentistry
Menton Family Dental Care
Eye care: Wilmer Eye Institute at Columbia
Honorable Mentions:
Columbia Eye Associates
Physicians Eye Care and Laser Center
Columbia Family Eye Care
OB/GYN: Signature OB/GYN
Honorable Mentions:
Capital Women’s Care
The Women’s Group
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
Pediatric practice: Kenneth Klebanow & Associates
Dr. Kenneth Klebanow founded his practice in 1982; today, it has grown to include numerous pediatricians, nurse practitioners and happy patients from all over Howard County. Dr. Klebanow’s team is available to shepherd children — and their parents — through the trials and tribulations of growing up, from newborn visits through sports physicals and beyond.
Honorable Mentions:
The Pediatric Center
Parnes, May, McKay, Lee & Associates
Ellicott City Pediatric Associates
Urgent care center: Patient First
Honorable Mentions:
AllCare
Righttime Medical Care
KinderMender Walk-in Pediatric Center
Veterinary practice: Triadelphia Veterinary Clinic
Honorable Mentions:
Countryside Veterinary Clinic
Cat and Dog Hospital of Columbia
Dunloggin Veterinary Hospital
Therapist/counselor: Together Couples Counseling
Honorable Mentions:
Andrew Stanton
Congruent Counseling
Sheela Reddy
Salon: Mason & Friends Hair, Skin & Nail Salon
Honorable Mentions:
Looks Salon & Spa
Victoria & Albert Hair Studio
Cloud 9 Salon
Day spa: Skin Therapy Center
Honorable Mentions:
The Pearl Modern Spa and Boutique
Lynn’s Day Spa
The Spa at Turf Valley
Medi-spa: AllCare
Honorable Mentions:
Oasis Day Spa
Between the Lines Medispa
Pura Vida Medical Spa
Home
Flooring and carpeting: Bode Floors
Honorable Mentions:
A Plus Carpet & Flooring
The Vertical Connection Carpet One
Main Street Oriental Rugs
Garden center/nursery: River Hill Garden Center
Honorable Mentions:
Frank’s Produce and Greenhouse
Sun Nurseries
Grandfather’s Garden Center
Heating/air conditioning repair: BGE Home
Honorable Mentions:
Environmental Systems Associates
Ron Air
No-Frost
Homebuilder: Ryan Homes
Nationally acclaimed builder Ryan Homes is the company behind numerous Howard County communities, including a mix of housing types, from condos to single-family homes. The company touts its commitment to building not just great houses but strong relationships with the people buying those homes, too. They promise to work closely with homebuyers throughout the entire building process; customers praise their responsiveness and attention to detail.
Honorable Mentions:
Columbia Builders
Williamsburg Homes
Trinity Homes
Housecleaners: Merry Maids
A national company with teams dedicated to the Howard County area, Merry Maids provides thorough and consistent home cleaning to every client. The company offers standard and customized cleaning options so clients can add specific services when needed, from refrigerator cleaning to packing for a move. With the organizational backing of a large company but the local knowledge of cleaners who live right in the area, Merry Maids is a “best of both worlds” housecleaning service.
Honorable Mentions:
The Cleaning Authority
Pioneer Custom Cleaning
Home Sweet Home Cleaning Services
Landscaper: River Hill Landscape Design
River Hill Landscape Design has been a Howard County mainstay since 1983. River Hill offers a wide range of both commercial and residential services, from maintenance to designing and building fabulous outdoor spaces. The firm’s association with River Hill Garden Center, voted “best garden center/nursery” for 2014, means that River Hill’s clients are covered for all of their green space needs.
Honorable Mentions:
Rhine Landscaping
Mike’s Landscaping Supplies
Oaklawn Landscaping
Plumber: Ken Griffin Plumbing Services, Inc.
Family-owned Ken Griffin Plumbing Services has been a Howard County favorite for over two decades. Customers rely on the Ken Griffin team for basic plumbing services — they’re available 24 hours a day for emergencies — and also for their kitchen and bathroom remodeling expertise. An in-house design department helps remodeling homeowners make the most of their spaces — and budgets.
Honorable Mentions:
Len the Plumber
Zepp Plumbing and Heating
Mark Brew Plumbing
Remodeler: Cornerstone Remodeling
Honorable Mentions:
Cossentino and Sons
Ken Griffin Plumbing Services Inc.
Allan Homes Unlimited
Personal Services
Auto repair: Hillmuth Certified Automotive
Honorable Mentions:
Ken’s Service Center
British American Auto Care
Neubauer’s Auto Repair
Child care: Bet Yeladim
Honorable Mentions:
The Goddard School
Columbia Academy
The Young School
Pet groomer: PetSmart
Honorable Mention:
The Dog Wash
Highland Groomery
The Coventry School Inc. for Dogs and Their People
Doggie day care: Dogtopia
Day care is just one of the services offered at Dogtopia, which serves dogs and only dogs. The Clarksville location, opened in June 2007, also boards dogs overnight and provides spa services and professional grooming. It all makes for a busy, occasionally noisy, place with an average of 60 dogs on hand each day.
Honorable Mention:
Camp Bow Wow
The Coventry School Inc. for Dogs and Their People
Club Pooche
Bank/credit union: Tower Federal Credit Union
When Tower Federal Credit Union opened in 1953, it had seven members who contributed $5 apiece. Six decades later, it is the largest federal credit union in Maryland, with $2.7 billion in assets, 133,000 members and 13 branches, including three in Howard County. But the financial institution still prides itself on personal service. “It is part of our culture not only to help our members enhance their financial well-being, but to work as a team every day to strengthen our relationship with members through personal contact,” says Martin M. Breland, president and CEO.
Honorable Mention:
The Columbia Bank
M&T Bank
PNC
Florist: Wilhide's Unique Flowers and Gifts
Honorable Mention:
Clarksville Flower Station
Raimondi’s Florist
The Flower Basket
Travel agent: AAA Columbia
Honorable Mention:
The Travel Boutique
Destinations Inc.
Monica Baker Travel
Family lawyer: Weinberg & Schwartz
Honorable Mention:
Law Offices of Alisa G. Cummins
Mulinazzi Law Office
Law Office of Robert L. Flanagan
Accountant: Cardoni Waddell LLC
Honorable Mentions:
Keith Dorsey, CPA, Dorsey Accounting & Tax Services Inc.
Jeffrey D. Ring, CPA, MBA, Fisher Ring LLC
Coale, Pripstein & Associates P.A.
Financial adviser: Brian Avrunin
Honorable Mentions:
Gary Williams, Williams Asset Management
Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors
Geier Asset Management
Interior designer: Classic Interiors
Honorable Mentions:
Terra Maria Home Interiors
Drury Lane Interiors
The Decorating Therapist
Real estate agent: Bob Lucido, Keller Williams
Bob Lucido, 56, has been selling homes ever since, at age 18, he became the youngest real estate agent ever licensed in Maryland. Now with Keller Williams and working out of Ellicott City, the Howard County native runs the 40-agent Lucido Team. Over his career, Lucido has sold about 27,000 homes, according to his daughter and marketing director, Lauren Lucido. “But more important than the homes sold is his spotless record,” Lauren says. “He’s built his business on integrity.”
Honorable Mentions:
Creig Northrop, Long & Foster Real Estate
Tim McIntyre, Coldwell Banker
Recreation
Dance lessons: b.funk Dance Company
Honorable Mentions:
Backstage Dance Studio
Studio Dans
Arabesque Dance Studio
Golf course: Turf Valley
Honorable Mentions:
Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club
The Timbers at Troy
Waverly Woods Golf Club
Gym: Life Time Athletic Columbia
Honorable Mentions:
Columbia Gym
Supreme Sports Club
Dancel Family Center Y
Martial arts classes: American Academy of Martial Arts
Honorable Mentions:
Klotz Institute of Karate
WKD Karate for Girls
Hwarang Martial Arts
Music lessons: Mike's Music
Mike’s Music in Ellicott City sells and rents musical instruments and employs 42 teachers who offer music lessons in 24 rooms. But what most excites Haley Gordon, who started the business six and a half years ago with husband Mike (he’s the musician half of the pair, hence the name), is seeing their young musicians perform.
“You see these kids who’ve never played a musical instrument, and they’re up there in front of all their friends playing — that’s the best thing ever,” she says. “That proud look is pretty priceless.”
Honorable Mentions:
Damon Foreman Music Academy
Music & Arts
Olenka School of Music
Pool for kids: North Saint John's Swim & Tennis Club
This Ellicott City facility goes out of its way to attract both adults and children with such events as a crab feast, special teen nights and pre-school days, and swim and diving teams for a variety of age groups. Turning 50 this year, the North Saint John’s Swim & Tennis Club includes some members — and their families — who have belonged since the club opened.
Honorable Mentions:
River Hill Pool
Life Time Athletic (formerly Life Time Fitness)
Swansfield Pool
Yoga studio: The Yoga Center of Columbia
Honorable Mentions:
The Still Point (now Yoga Love)
Bikram Yoga Columbia
Gogo Guru Yoga Studio and Store
Workout class: Life Time Cycle at Life Time Athletic (formerly Life Time Fitness)
Honorable Mentions:
BodyPump at the Columbia Association
BodyPump at Supreme Sports Club
Vinyasa Flow at Gogo Guru
Personalities
Blog: HowChow
Honorable Mentions:
HoCo Rising
Tales of Two Cities
UK Desperate Housewife USA
Clergyperson: Monsignor Joseph L. Luca, St. Louis Catholic Church
Honorable Mentions:
The Rev. Matthew Buening – St. Paul Catholic Church
The Rev. Mark Norman – Grace Community Church
The Rev. Paige Getty – Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia
Coach: Jimmy Creighton, Howard High School boys lacrosse
Jimmy Creighton knows lacrosse. He was captain of his college team at perennial lacrosse powerhouse Salisbury University, and his Howard High team won the county championship last year. But as a coach, he has other priorities besides teaching lacrosse.
“The most important thing, especially at the high school level, is to develop young men into productive young men away from the lacrosse field,” says Creighton, 30. “Lacrosse is great, but it’s not going to put food on the table at the end of the day.”
Honorable Mentions:
Phil Lang – Oakland Mills High School cross country
Joseph Osbourne – Glenelg High School JV boys soccer
Samuel Lee – Hwarang Martial Arts
Elected official: County Executive Ken Ulman
After four years on the County Council and eight more as Howard’s top elected official, Ken Ulman is no stranger to county residents. He’s also no stranger to “best-elected-official-in-Howard” awards, a multiple-time winner who took the title just last year. The 40-year-old Howard County native’s string might have hit a wall, however: Prevented by term limits from running again for county executive, the Democratic executive this year ran for lieutenant governor but lost. After the election, top aides said Ulman is weighing “a variety of options for the future.”
Honorable Mentions:
State Sen. Allan Kittleman
County Council member Courtney Watson
State Del. Guy Guzzone
Personal trainer: Bonnie Pace, Columbia Gym
She’s been a trainer at the Columbia Gym for more than a decade. But Bonnie Pace’s approach has evolved to include more of a focus on nutrition, in part because she is now working on a master’s degree in that discipline. A former competitive body builder, Pace, 53, works with clients of all ages but says many are like her: middle-aged women dealing with time constraints and a body that’s not quite what it used to be.
Honorable Mentions:
Stephanie Dignan – The Boot Camp Girl
Mac Cassity – Extreme Fun & Fit Boot Camp
Vic Selvaggi – Colosseum Gym
Police officer: Vic Broccolino Jr.
“I was raised to care about others and my community,” says the son and namesake of the recently retired president of Howard County General Hospital. “Being a first responder gives me the best opportunity to do that.”
Honorable Mentions:
Mary Levy
Steve Willingham
Mike Johnson
Principal: Scott Ruehl, Mt. Hebron High School
Honorable Mentions:
Pat Saunderson – Reservoir High School
Marcia Leonard – Hammond High School
Nick Novak – River Hill High School
Teacher: Kurt Krenzischek, Columbia School of Music
Kurt Krenzischek, owner and founder of the Columbia School of Music, has been teaching in Howard County since 1969. During that time, he estimates he’s taught at least 5,000 students, instructing them in everything from piano and guitar to voice and the electronic keyboard. “It’s been a jolly ride,” says Krenzischek, 63. “I feel so blessed to do what I’ve always wanted to do, even as a child.”
Honorable Mentions:
Chef Mark Waitsman – Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks
Tom Sankey – Mt. Hebron High School
Robin Flood – Long Reach High School