Historic Ellicott City's Rumor Mill fusion bar and restaurant and GreenRow Books are hosting a new BookPlates book discussion series.
Starting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, the BookPlates group will meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at the Rumor Mill. Tickets are $20 which includes a copy of the book selection, book-themed hors d'ouevres by Chef Matthew Milani and the discussion. Drinks will be available for purchase.
To launch the new BookPlates discussion series, Chef Milani and GreenRow Books are hosting a Rumor Mill holiday happy hour to reveal the January book selection on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., with snacks and drinks courtesy of the restaurant.
RSVP (required) for the Dec. 18 holiday happy hour and the Jan. 13 BookPlate discussion series at the GreenRow Books Facebook page (click the "Events" tab) or call the store at 410-750-7000. For more information about the Rumor Mill restaurant and GreenRow Books, go to their websites at http://www.therumormillrestaurant.com and http://www.greenrowbooks.com.
Good news for shoppers — the Howard County government announced that all downtown Ellicott City parking lots will be free during the holiday season through Thursday, Jan. 1. The free holiday parking applies only to the downtown parking lots. Meters on Main Street and Maryland Avenue will remain operational and parking rules will be enforced.
"We appreciate the free parking in lots, and we think we will strike the right parking balance to ensure a successful holiday season," said Debra Korb, executive director of the Ellicott City Partnership.
Downtown Ellicott City has six parking lots named by letter A through F. A public parking map of the historic district can be found at http://www.howardcountymd.gov/ecparking.htm. This site also includes information about the Parker App, a smart phone app that directs motorists in real time to open parking spots.
Last month, Howard County's Department of Planning and Zoning initiated a downtown parking lot renaming project to generate new names for the lots that reflect the qualities that make the downtown area special. Through Friday, Dec. 19, the community is encouraged to go to EngageHoward (engagehoward.mindmixer.com), a social engagement platform, to vote on the new parking lot names. The DPZ will take the community's suggestions and presents the results to the new County Executive for consideration.
Speaking of the new county executive, congratulations to Allan Kittleman. In his first month in office, Kittleman is hosting a Fiscal Year 2016 Citizens' Budget Hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, in Ellicott City.
Residents who have thoughts, ideas or concerns about the county budget can go to http://www.howardcountymd.gov/budgettestimony.htm to sign-up online to speak at the hearing or to provide on-line budget testimony. Note, internet testimony is considered public information and is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.
Residents who want to speak at the hearing can also sign-up in person at the event beginning at 6 p.m. Speakers must sign up individually. For more information, contact the budget office at 410-313-2077.
The Howard County Historical Society's 38th annual holiday house tour is this weekend, Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Select Realtors, the tour will showcase five historic Howard County properties all decked out in their holiday finest — Rockburn More's Morning House (original Edward Dorsey House), Belmont, Maycroft, Elkridge Assembly Rooms and Grace Episcopal Church.
Ticket holders will depart from Charles E. Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City and travel to the various historic sites aboard Eyre Buses.
Ticket prices are as follows — HCHS members $40, guests of HCHS members $50 and a general ticket plus one individual HCHS membership, either new or renewal, $60.
Purchase tickets online until Saturday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m at http://www.hchsmd.org (click the Event tab and scroll down to find the holiday tour event). For more information, call 410-480-3250 or email info@hchsmd.org.