The Howard County community is nothing if not engaged. When it came time to cast their ballots in the 2016 Best of Howard readers' poll, more than 15,000 voters chimed in.
Editor's note: Winners and honorable mentions were determined by popular vote. Readers were invited to vote online in August. Find the official rules here.
Out & About
Best Annual Festival/Event
Howard County Fair
Honorable mentions:
Wine in the Woods
Columbia Festival of the Arts
Turf Valley Hot Air Balloons Festival
Best Art Gallery
HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
Honorable mentions:
Pistachio Gallery
Still Life Gallery
Howard County Center for the Arts
Best Kids’ Activity
Clark’s Elioak Farm
Honorable mentions:
Sky Zone Columbia
SplashDown
Columbia SportsPark
Best Park
Centennial Park
Honorable mentions:
Rockburn Branch Park
Savage Park
Cedar Lane Park
Best Performing Arts Group
Columbia Orchestra
![Twenty years ago, the Columbia Orchestra used to hope for a couple hundred people at its concerts with 40 strings performing. These days, it has 40 violinists alone and often sells out the 747-seat Rouse Theatre. “It’s quite amazing how it’s evolved for a community orchestra,” says Jason Love, the orchestra’s music director for the past 18 years. “I think there are a lot of people in our audiences who don’t realize this is not a professional orchestra. The orchestra’s ability to combine attributes of a community group and a big-city, professional orchestra is “not exactly unique, but it’s close,” he says. The Columbia Orchestra was formed in 1977 when a handful of local string players began playing classical music as the Columbia Chamber Orchestra. Over the years, wind instruments and percussion were added, and a regular season of concerts was scheduled as conductors came and went. But the orchestra remained an all-volunteer group, attracting mostly Howard County residents with a lifelong love of — and talent for — music. “Most have been playing since they were kids,” Love says. “Some could’ve been professional musicians.” Today, the orchestra performs about 10 programs a year, with performances ranging from classical to pop to shows for children. “We have such a fantastic energy,” he says. “Our musicians are very talented, but a lot are playing this music [in public] for the first time, and the enthusiasm they bring is infectious — it creates a nice climate for the audience.” Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City410-465-8777<a href="http://columbiaorchestra.org/" target="_blank">columbiaorchestra.org</a>](https://www.baltimoresun.com/resizer/PDmQj1dF9EzBUBL8P3zLA8bKmMY=/1400x0/top/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/VOH7DPGDQVAWZNPPJKDZTIRYYA.jpg)
Honorable mentions:
Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Columbia Pro Cantare
Rep Stage
Best Special Event Venue
Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center
Honorable mentions:
The Great Room at Savage Mill
Howard County Conservancy
Waverly Mansion
Best Volunteer Organization
Howard County Fire and Rescue
Honorable mentions:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
The Arc of Howard County
Neighbor Ride
Shopping
Best Antique Shop
The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill
Honorable mentions:
The Pink Cabbage
A Journey from Junk
Antique Depot
Best Bookstore
Barnes & Nobles
Honorable mentions:
Daedalus Books
Second Edition
Books-a-Million
Best Bike Shop
Race Pace Bicycles
Honorable mentions:
Princeton Sports
Performance Bicycle
The Cycle Mill
Best Bridal Shop
The Bridal Boutique/Columbia Bridal
Honorable mentions:
Curvaceous Couture
Venus Bridal
Cherie Amour
Best Car Dealership
O’Donnell Honda
Honorable mentions:
Apple Ford Lincoln
Antwerpen Scion, Toyota and Nissan
Jim Coleman Honda
Best Consignment/Resale Shop
2nd Avenue
Honorable mentions:
Charity’s Closet
Greenberries
McAdoodle
Best Clothing Boutique
Sweet Elizabeth Jane
Honorable mentions:
Serendipity
Kokopelli
Kelsey’s Kloset
Best Furniture Store
Oak Tree Furniture
Honorable mentions:
Su Casa
Havertys
Indoor Furniture
Best Jeweler
Smyth
Honorable mentions:
Sergio’s Jewelers
Edward Arthur Jewelers
Fulton Station Jewelers
Best Pet Supplies Store
PetSmart
Honorable mentions:
Bark!
My Pet Store and More
Dogs & Co
Food & Drink
Best Beer, Wine and/or Liquor Store
The Perfect Pour
Honorable mentions:
Pine Orchard Liquor
The Wine Bin
Jason’s Wine & Spirits
Best Caterer
Putting on the Ritz
Honorable mentions:
Kloby’s Smokehouse
Smokin’ Hot Bar & Grille
Absolutely Perfect Catering
Best Farmers’ Market
Howard County Farmers’ Market (Ellicott City)
Honorable mentions:
Frank’s Produce and Greenhouse
Ellicott City Old Town Market
Gorman Farm
Best Health Food/Supplement Store
Trader Joe’s
Honorable mentions:
David’s Natural Market
Wegmans
Roots Market
Best Place to Buy Seafood
Wegmans
Honorable mentions:
Today’s Catch
Sea King
Whole Foods
Health & Wellness
Best Alternative Wellness Services
The Still Point
Honorable mentions:
Maryland University of Integrative Health
Awaken Wellness
Quiet Time Hypnosis
Best Audiologist/Hearing Repair
Kaplan Hearing Center
Honorable mentions:
ENTAA Care
Costco Hearing Aid Center
Alicia Spoor Designer Audiology
Best Chiropractor
Howard County Chiropractic Spine & Sports Rehabilitation
Honorable mentions:
Morrison Chiropractic
Dabbs Rehab Center of Maryland
Chesapeake Family Wellness Center
Best Day Spa
The Pearl Modern Spa & Boutique
Honorable mentions:
Lynn’s Day Spa
The Spa at Turf Valley
Skin Therapy Center
Best Dental Practice
Columbia Smiles Family Dentistry
Honorable mentions:
Roschella & Zinger Dental Group
Dobbin Dental
Menton Family Dental Care
Best Eye Care
Wilmer Eye Institute at Columbia
Honorable mentions:
Physician’s Eye Care and Laser Center
Columbia Eye Associates
Columbia Family Eye Care
Best Medi-spa
All Care
Honorable mentions:
Oasis Day Spa
Pura Vida Medical Spa
Between the Lines Medispa
Best OB/GYN
Capital Women’s Care
Honorable mentions:
Signature OB-GYN
The Women’s Group
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
Best Orthodontist
OX Orthodontix

Honorable mentions:
Baltimore Orthodontic Group
Vanguard Orthodontics
Rubler & Halpern Orthodontics
Best Pediatric Practice
Kenneth Klebanow & Associates
Honorable mentions:
Howard County Pediatrics
Ellicott City Pediatric Associates
The Pediatric Center
Best Physical Therapist
Howard County Physical Therapy
Honorable mentions:
Life Fitness Physical Therapy
Revive Physical Therapy
BodyWise Physical Therapy & Wellness
Best Plastic Surgeon
Dr. William Kanter and Dr. Mitchel Kanter, Plastic Surgery Professionals
Honorable mentions:
Dr. Sarah Mess
Dr. Eric Chang, Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery LLC
Dr. Terri Hill
Best Therapist/Counselor
Andrew Stanton
Honorable mentions:
Together Couples Counseling
Congruent Counseling
Sheela Reddy
Best Urgent Care Center
AllCare
Honorable mentions:
Patient First
KinderMender Walk-In Pediatric Center
Righttime Medical Care
Best Veterinary Practice
Countryside Veterinary Clinic
Honorable mentions:
Triadelphia Veterinary Clinic
Cat and Dog Hospital of Columbia
Dunloggin Veterinary Hospital
Home
Best Flooring and Carpeting
Bode Floors
Honorable mentions:
The Vertical Connection Carpet One
A Plus Carpet & Flooring
Main Street Oriental Rugs
Best Garden Center/Nursery
River Hill Garden Center
Honorable mentions:
Frank’s Produce and Greenhouse
Sun Nurseries
Grandfather’s Garden Center
Best Heating Air Conditioning Repair
Environmental Systems Associates
Honorable mentions:
B&B Air Conditioning and Heating Service Company
Ron Air
No-Frost
Best Home Builder
Ryan Homes
Honorable mentions:
Columbia Builders
Williamsburg Homes
Trinity Homes
Best Housecleaners
The Cleaning Authority
Honorable mentions:
Merry Maids
Home Sweet Home Cleaning Services
Pioneer Custom Cleaning
Best Landscaper
River Hill Landscape and Design
Honorable mentions:
Rhine Landscaping
Mike’s Landscaping Supplies
Oaklawn Landscaping
Best Plumber
Ken Griffin Plumbing and Heating
Honorable mentions:
Zepp Plumbing and Heating
Joseph Heil Company
Mark Brew Plumbing
Best Real Estate Agent
Bob Lucido, Keller Williams Integrity
Honorable mentions:
Creig Northrop, Long & Foster Real Estate
Jesse Hoffman, The Jesse Hoffman Real Estate Team
David Yungmann, Keller Williams Integrity
Best Remodeler
Cossentino & Sons
Honorable mentions:
Ken Griffin Plumbing and Heating
Cornerstone Remodeling
Allan Homes Unlimited
Personal Services
Best Accountant
Keith Dorsey, CPA, Dorsey Accounting & Tax Services Inc.
Honorable mentions:
Jeffrey D. Ring, CPA, MBA, Fisher Ring LLC
Dembo Jones
Daniel Mules, Geier Asset Management
Best Auto Repair
Hillmuth Certified Automotive
Honorable mentions:
British American Auto Care
Ken’s Service Center
Neubauer’s Auto Repair
Best Bank/Credit Union
M&T Bank
Honorable mentions:
Tower Federal Credit Union
PNC
The Columbia Bank
Best Barbershop
Sal’s Barber Shop

Honorable mentions:
Rob’s Barber Shop
Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
Master Barber
Best Childcare
Bet Yeladim
Honorable mentions:
The Goddard School
Columbia Academy
The Young School
Best Computer Repair
Best Buy Geek Squad
Honorable mentions:
Percworks
ScottE Software
IT by Lee
Best Doggie Day Care
Camp Bow Wow
Honorable mentions:
Dogtopia
The Coventry School Inc. for Dogs and Their People
Club Pooche
Best Family Lawyer
Weinberg & Schwartz, LLC
Honorable mentions:
Mulinazzi Law Office
Law Offices of Alisa G. Cummins, PC
Law Office of Robert L. Flanagan
Best Financial Adviser
Gary Williams, Williams Asset Management
Honorable mentions:
Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors
Geier Asset Management
Brian Avrunin, Ameriprise
Best Florist
Wilhide’s Unique Flowers and Gifts
Honorable mentions:
Raimondi’s Florist
Clarksville Flower Station
The Flower Basket
Best Interior Designer/Decorator
Classic Interiors
Honorable mentions:
Terra Maria Home Interiors
The Decorating Therapist
Drury Lanes Interiors
Best Pet Groomer
Petsmart
Honorable mentions:
The Dog Wash
Highland Groomery
The Coventry School Inc. for Dogs and Their People
Best Salon
Mason & Friends Hair, Skin & Nail Salon
Honorable mentions:
Looks Salon & Spa
Victoria & Albert Hair Studio
Cloud 9 Salon
Best Travel Agent
AAA Columbia Car Care Insurance and Travel Center
Honorable mentions:
Destinations Inc.
Monica Baker Travel
The Travel Boutique
Personalities
Best Blog
HoCo Rising
Honorable mentions:
The Unmanly Chef
Pilates, Pearls, and Peanut Butter
Village Green/Town Squared
Best Clergyperson
Monsignor Joseph L. Luca, St. Louis Catholic Church
Honorable mentions:
The Rev. Paige Getty, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia
The Rev. Matthew Buening, St. Paul Catholic Church
Rabbi Craig Axler, Temple Isaiah
Best Elected Official (2016)
County Executive Allan Kittleman
Honorable mentions:
County Council Chairman Calvin Ball
State Sen. Guy Guzzone
County Councilwoman Jen Terrasa
Best Personal Trainer
Bonnie Pace, Columbia Gym
Honorable mentions:
Stephanie Dignan, The Bootcamp Girl
Mac Cassity, Extreme Fun & Fit Bootcamp
Vic Selvaggi, Colosseum Gym
Best Police Officer
Vic Broccolino Jr.
Honorable mentions:
Mary Levy
Steve Willingham
Mike Johnson
Best Principal
Marcia Leonard, Hammond High School
Honorable mentions:
Nick Novak, Howard High School
Pat Saunderson, Reservoir High School
James LeMon, Wilde Lake High School
Recreation
Best Crossfit Box
CrossFit Cove
Honorable mentions:
Top Tier CrossFit Columbia
12 Labours CrossFit
CrossFit PCR
Best Dance Lessons
b.Funk Dance Company
Honorable mentions:
Arabesque Dance Studio
Backstage Dance Studio
Studio Dans
Best Golf Course
Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club
Honorable mentions:
Turf Valley
Waverly Woods Golf Club
The Timbers at Troy
Best Gym
Supreme Sports Club
Honorable mentions:
Life Time Athletic Columbia
Columbia Gym
Dancel Family Center Y
Best Martial Arts Classes
American Academy of Martial Arts
Honorable mentions:
Klotz Institute of Karate
WKD Karate for Girls
Hwarang Martial Arts
Best Music Lessons
Mike's Music
Honorable mentions:
Damon Foreman Music Academy
Music & Arts
Olenka School of Music
Best Pool for Kids
Swansfield Pool and Mini Water Park
Honorable mentions:
North Saint John’s Swim & Tennis Club
LifeTime Athletic (tie)
River Hill Pool (tie)
Best Yoga Studio
The Yoga Center of Columbia
Honorable mentions:
Bikram Yoga Columbia
Gogo Guru Yoga
Yoga Love