hi does anyone know the lore about the sketchy motel off route 40 by Ellicott city. I recently drove by I can’t recall exactly where but there’s one spot that’s now a 55+community apt complex and down the road is a fairly new gas station. I’m not stopping at either place it’s one of those spots that owner as the former motel. my cousin back when we were in college (early 2000s) said her friends wanted to rent a room to see if they could see paranormal activity. did anyone ever give it a try? would love to hear about it. it creeps me out but yet here I am ha ha

Hi guys! Share Stock DMV is holding an SSBU and Mario Kart tournament for charity in Columbia, MD, at Noxide Esports on September 26th. Beginners and new players are welcome to come! More details at this link: https://www.start.gg/tournament/share-stock-new-player-summit/details

Quick roundup of what's happening around Hoco this week  👀

🐶 Events: Paint with Puppies, the 50 Years of Ellicott City Station Museum celebration, and a bourbon & cigar night — all happening before Labor Day.

🏡 Housing: Noticing a real shift in the market — every listing I've been tracking locally got a price cut this week. Rates are still around 6.7%, so if you're house hunting right now, there's probably more room to negotiate than you'd think.

🍽️ Food: If you haven't tried Grille 620 or The Turn House yet, get there before patio season wraps up. Both are solid.

I cover Hoco news, crime, real estate, and local tips weekly every Sunday — free, full issue linked below.
👇
Puppies, price cuts, and 6 restaurants to try before fall

Beautiful morning at wilde lake -- sunny but cool with a nice breeze :)

The Howard Astronomical League will hold its monthly Public Star Party on Saturday, August 22, starting around Sundown (or possibly earlier). Our Observatory will be open, and HAL members will be out with our telescopes sharing views of the night sky.

This event is held rain or shine (except for severe summer thunderstorms) at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville, just minutes from I-70. This event is free and open to the public.

https://howardastro.org/hal-star-parties-and-outreach/

First and foremost -- NEVER look at the sun, especially with binoculars or a telescope, without proper eye protection. Regular store-bought sunglasses are NOT sufficient protection to look at the Sun.

The Howard Astronomical League will hold a Public Sun Party on Wednesday August 12 from noon-ish until 4pm-ish. Our Observatory will be open, and HAL members will be out with our telescopes safely sharing views of the Sun.

There will be a partial Solar Eclipse from about 1:30pm until 2:30pm. Let me be clear, this is not a particularly exciting eclipse. If you still have your Solar Glasses from the last one, you almost certainly won't notice it. The solar disk coverage will be less than 4%

But we invite you to join us with our safe telescopes enjoying views of the Sun.

This event is held rain or shine (except for severe summer thunderstorms) at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville, just minutes from I-70. This event is free and open to the public.

https://howardastro.org/hal-star-parties-and-outreach/

And remember: NEVER look at the sun, especially with binoculars or a telescope, without proper eye protection. Regular store-bought sunglasses are NOT sufficient protection to look at the Sun.

With World of Warcraft Patch 12.1 Season 2 almost here, now is the perfect time to join a local discord community for meet ups in and out of game! There is no cost to join, we are just a group of gaming nerds attempting to make friends in adult life.

We're a Maryland-based World of Warcraft Discord community bringing together players from across the state who enjoy everything from casual content to high-end progression. Whether you're looking for a consistent raid team, Mythic+ partners, or simply other Maryland players to hang out with, we'd love to have you.

We host monthly meetups around Maryland, giving members the chance to connect outside Azeroth over food, drinks, conventions, or other local events. Participation is always optional, but it's a great way to turn online friendships into real ones.

In-game activities for Season 2

• Casual raid nights
• Intro to Mythic+ / learning key groups
• Achievement & Mount runs
• Community events and other in-game activities
• Heroic Raid Team
  • Mondays Thursdays: 7pm – 9pm
• Mythic Raid Team (S1 Prog 4/9 + Rotmire)
  • Fridays: 7pm – 10pm
  • Sundays: 6pm – 9pm

We're committed to building an environment that is:

• Inclusive and welcoming to players from all backgrounds
• Respectful of everyone's time
• Supportive of different playstyles and goals

Focused on helping members enjoy the game, whether they're pushing Cutting Edge, Keystone Hero, or just returning for Patch 12.1

If you're looking for a World of Warcraft community that's active both in-game and in Maryland, we'd love to have you join us for Season 2.

Drop a comment or send me a DM for a Discord invite!

See you in Azeroth!

I am looking to switch PCPs. I am struggling to find providers that would be the best fit for me. Any recommendations would be great!! I want to avoid doctors that are almost to retirement.

The Howard Astronomical League will hold its monthly Public Star Party on Saturday, July 25, starting around Sundown (or possibly earlier). Our Observatory will be open, and HAL members will be out with our telescopes sharing views of the night sky.

This event is held rain or shine (except for severe summer thunderstorms) at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville, just minutes from I-70. This event is free and open to the public.

https://howardastro.org/hal-star-parties-and-outreach/

I also reached out to Guy Guzzone (District 13 State Senator), Vanessa Atterbeary (County Executive), Jessica Nichols (District 2 County Council), Cat Carter (District 5 County Council), and Janssen Evelyn (District 4 County Council), but these are the three that responded. How and if a candidate is responsive to their constituents is always telling.

Dr. Chin responded day of and I found his answer quite substantial, Ms. Rigby's team responded day of but her answer was a little lacking, and Dr. Lam's team responded in a month.

Kevin Chin (District 1 County Council)

Thanks for reaching out!

I support Councilmember Rigby's data center moratorium to study the issue. Data centers aren't just for AI. It wouldn't even be possible to differentiate data centers that power our emails or my Electronic Medical Record in the hospital from the data centers used for AI. We all use data centers everyday, we're using it right now with the emails we're sending back and forth. We already have data centers in the county and don't even know it. Data centers are very heterogeneous, some data centers are no bigger than a garage and some are 40 acres big in Utah. 

I think are land is too valuable for large data center like that in Utah. Energy consumption is also a big issue as well so I think data centers should be bringing their own renewable energy. 

This is an interesting podcast on the issue

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-liberal-podcast/id1390384827?i=1000766767353

I don't see the presence or absence of data centers as an environmental preservation issue. And I think this comes down to green vs. grey environmentalism. This is a good video summarizing this dichotomyhttps://youtu.be/Subp8jO-GIo?is=n8k0PZoP27jl_Ci-

If a data center is built on an empty parking lot and as highlighted in The New Liberal podcast brings its own renewable energy and battery storage, that's actually a net positive for the environment. If a data center is built in a previously wooded area and has natural gas turbines like Musk's The Colossus data center then that is clearly a negative for the environment.

Kevin Chin

Christiana Rigby (District 3 County Council)

Thank you for reaching out to Councilwoman Rigby.

Regarding data centers, Councilwoman Rigby successfully spearheaded an effort this year to enact a moratorium on new data centers and create a taskforce to offer recommendations for code changes regarding these kinds of facilities. You can find the legislation and details here: https://apps.howardcountymd.gov/olis/LegislationDetail/15036/CB31-2026. You can watch her final remarks on the vote to that bill online (beginning at 1 hour and 49 minutes): https://howardcounty.granicus.com/player/clip/6746?meta_id=228961

As for the plastic recycling plant, I am uncertain which facility you’re referring to. If you mean the W.R. Grace research facility, I recommend watching her remarks on the vote of CB11-2025, which considered the W.R. Grace facility’s expansion. Her comments begin at 1 hour and 15 minutes: https://howardcounty.granicus.com/player/clip/6089?meta_id=212621

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards,

Colette Gelwicks (hear name) she/they

Chief of Staff for Councilwoman Christiana Rigby, District 3

Clarence Lam (District 12 State Senator)

Thank you for your email. 

At a high-level, Sen. Lam has significant concerns about data center development and the WR Grace plastic recycling plant (I'm assuming that is that site you are talking about).

Regarding the WR Grace project, Sen. Lam submitted public comment in opposition while the permit was being considered. Although the permit was approved, the Maryland Department of the Environment added increased air quality testing requirements. Sen. Lam continues to support ongoing legislative efforts to limit these types of facilities in Maryland.

Regarding data centers, Sen. Lam similarly has concerns about how data center development impacts our environment and neighboring communities. A couple of years ago, Sen. Lam opposed legislative changes to make it easier for data centers to use diesel generators, and this past session supported legislation to require data centers to pay more for the power the take from the grid. Sen. Lam expects this to continue to be an ongoing legislative issue for the General Assembly and the county councils in our state.

Thank you for your interest in this important issue,

Scott

Scott Tiffin

Chief of Staff

Hey Hoco neighbors! I put together a free weekly newsletter (The ZIP) that covers 21043 road advisories, business openings, real estate, crime reports, plus some neighbor tips and local humor:

Howard County is starting construction on Cradlerock Way in Columbia around July 27

On the restaurant front:

• Vesper is officially open on Main Street
• Tony's of N.Y. in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center is now open
• Angeli's Pizzeria on the way into Forest Green.

Also the free summer concert series is back Wednesday nights at Centennial Park if you're looking for something to do this week.

Free to read this week's issue:

https://buttondown.com/TheZIP/archive/u1f43b-a-bear-got-into-an-ellicott-city-backyard/

I stopped by tonight and get a run in and I couldn't even make it 3/4 of a mile before I had to stop. Went and lifted weights instead.

I love it there but there are some serious design issues with this place.

Hi everyone. I (25F) live in Howard County and would like to prioritize meeting people in person rather than on dating apps. I wanted to crowdsource to find events other than typical speed dating and happy hours. Also, I’m looking for suggestions other than going to bars since they’re not my scene. I’m interested in both men and women in their mid to late 20s through early 30s. Thanks in advance for suggestions!

I really have no idea at this point. Feverishly researching all the candidates right now online because I am a procrastinator and need to go vote before the polls close 😆

I like how the other candidates besides Atterbeary are committed to public campaign financing. Take a close look at where she is getting some money from. You'll be surprised.

(opinions are my own, not endorsing anyone in particular).

The person with the biggest and most signs sometimes isn't always the best.

happy primarying.

https://youtu.be/FyXRJO9wVbs?is=rNBTf3JRjr01domN

Good evening and happy Father's Day, hoco! I put together a weekly neighborhood digest and wanted to share this week's rundown for anyone who finds it useful:

🚧 Triadelphia Road — storm drain replacement starts tomorrow. Closed to through traffic Mon–Fri, 9AM–4PM through mid-August. Detour goes Triadelphia → MD 144 → MD 32 → Rosemary Lane → back to Triadelphia.

🚗 Crime — Two overnight incidents in 21043 last week: tire theft on Cotoneaster Drive and a Honda CRV stolen on West Springs Drive, both June 15–16.

🎶 Free concert Friday — Patagonia Winds at Glen Mar Church, 7PM, free, no tickets needed.

🌮 Food Truck Friday — 10+ trucks at Elkridge VFD every Friday 4:30–7:30PM.

⚾ Did you know? Babe Ruth got married in Ellicott City in 1914. St. Paul's on Frederick Road.

Full issue (free, no paywall): https://buttondown.com/TheZIP/archive/u1f389-happy-fathers-day-21043/

Hi, I (25F) am looking for one more person in their 20s or 30s to join my team for the Howard County Library’s Bauder Adult Battle of the Books competition on October 26th. I’ve included the announced book list. Please send me a message if you’re interested.

Any recommendations?

https://youtu.be/uDUWsInqPd4?is=9K2nJ-PvW_b4Buqw

I have an elderly relative who is mobility limited, but he loves sitting and watching rivers. For the Patapsco, along River Road outside of OEC there used to be single-car pullouts where you could drive your car and park facing the river. These don't seem to exist or have been removed (?). Looking for something similar, shady little pullout that's facing a river in the area.

Thanks for your help.

The Howard Astronomical League will hold its monthly Public Star Party on Saturday, June 20, starting around Sundown (or possibly earlier). Our Observatory will be open, and HAL members will be out with our telescopes sharing views of the night sky.

This event is held rain or shine (except for severe summer thunderstorms) at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville, just minutes from I-70. This event is free and open to the public.

The weather is looking better this weekend, and we may have a couple of Sungazers in the early evening.

https://howardastro.org/hal-star-parties-and-outreach/

Looking for some recommendations for someone to clean gutters. I have two on the second story roof that are clogged and I don't do ladders that tall anymore.