HoCo Happenings: July 12 - 26

Looking for something to do around Howard County, but don’t have the time to scour the Internet trying to find what peaks your interest? Here’s your weekly round up of events happening around Howard County in the next two weeks. Enjoy!

KIDS AND FAMILY

CANOE AND PADDLING BASICS

Centennial Park: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Friday July 12 | 6-8:30pm | $35 per person | ages 10 and up

Whether you're a brand-new paddler or are just looking to refine your skills, this paddling basics class gives you the confidence to hit the water on your own! Learn paddling techniques, self-rescue, safety and gear selection for both canoes and kayaks. Participants under 16 are placed in a canoe or tandem kayak with an accompanying registered adult. This is an American Canoe Association certified instructional program. Info: Matt Medicus, 410-313-1769.

CANOE AND PADDLING BASICS

Centennial Park: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Saturday July 13 | 8-10:30am | $35 per person | ages 10 and up

Whether you're a brand-new paddler or are just looking to refine your skills, this paddling basics class gives you the confidence to hit the water on your own! Learn paddling techniques, self-rescue, safety and gear selection for both canoes and kayaks. Participants under 16 are placed in a canoe or tandem kayak with an accompanying registered adult. This is an American Canoe Association certified instructional program. Info: Matt Medicus, 410-313-1769.

GHOSTLY GUIDES

Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 13 | 8-11pm | $25 per person | ages 16 and up

Gain exclusive after-hours access to the oldest railroad station in America and see what eerie adventures await you! Use ghost hunting equipment to ask unseen residents questions, take photos and observe changes in the electromagnetic field to help detect supernatural activity. The night begins with a historic tour of the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum and after a brief orientation you will have the opportunity to wander the building with some of our professional ghost hunting gear. Bottled water and snacks are included. Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov.

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

Warfield Pond Park, 14523 Macclintock Dr, Glenwood, MD 21738
Sunday July 14 | 3-4pm | free | all ages

Does your favorite animal hop on land, yet love to swim? Does it have a large shell but floats in water? Come learn more about these amazing animals as we explore the wonderful world of reptiles and amphibians. Wear comfortable footwear, bring sunblock or bug spray as needed, and we?ll see you at the park! Info: dkjohnson@howardcountymd.gov

RIVER ROMP

Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Thursday, July 18 | 10:30-12:30 | $6 per person or $25 per family (up to 5 people) | all ages

Come celebrate summer by cooling off at the nature center with activities down at the Middle Patuxent River! By popular demand, we've added weekday sessions in addition to our weekend offerings. Bring your own non-perishable picnic, and join a Robinson Naturalist at the river for lunch and fun, family-friendly river games. Search the stream for big and small animals! Make boats and race them downstream! Come dressed to get wet. We wade in the river and recommend closed-toed water shoes. Participants must check-in for program at front desk. Participation is limited to 25 people per program. Online registration not available; please call 410-313-0400 to register.

LIL’ STARS

Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Saturday July 20 | 10-10:30AM | $3 per person | ages 3 and up

Let your little one discover outer space through views of the stars and planets, stories, crafts or song. Give your child a special nighttime experience during the day! Each month we focus on a different theme - from colors of stars, to the stories behind a constellation, to the seasonal changes in the sky. Pre-register to secure your seats. No late seating.

LIL’ STARS

Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Saturday July 20 | 11-11:30AM | $3 per person | ages 3 and up

Let your little one discover outer space through views of the stars and planets, stories, crafts or song. Give your child a special nighttime experience during the day! Each month we focus on a different theme - from colors of stars, to the stories behind a constellation, to the seasonal changes in the sky.

PUBLIC STAR PARTY

Alpha Ridge Park, 11685 Old Frederick Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Saturday July 20 | 7:15-8:45pm | free | all ages

Come enjoy the night sky through telescopes set up by The Howard Astronomical League (HAL). At this relaxed, casual, family event, view live images on a big screen as seen through the Illig Telescope in HAL's observatory. Info/weather updates: www.howardastro.org . Info: Danielle Bassett, 410-313-4634 or dbassett@howardcountymd.gov.

RIVER ROMP

Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Sunday, July 21 | 12:30-2:30pm | $6 per person or $25 per family (up to 5 people) | all ages

Come celebrate summer by cooling off at the nature center with activities down at the Middle Patuxent River! By popular demand, we've added weekday sessions in addition to our weekend offerings. Bring your own non-perishable picnic, and join a Robinson Naturalist at the river for lunch and fun, family-friendly river games. Search the stream for big and small animals! Make boats and race them downstream! Come dressed to get wet. We wade in the river and recommend closed-toed water shoes. Participants must check-in for program at front desk. Participation is limited to 25 people per program. Online registration not available; please call 410-313-0400 to register.

ADULTS

SAKE 101

The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Friday July 12 | 7pm | $30 ($10 credit towards purchase) | ages 21+

There is much mystery and myth about sake, but here you can learn the real deal about this liberating libation. We understand that most people have only experienced hot sake as an accompaniment to sushi, but you don't have to go to Japan to become a bona fide sake connoisseur! Now that we have a sushi restaurant (Umi Sushi) on main street so what better place to learn about sake than here at the Bin! Call the Bin with questions 410-465-7802

HOWARD + MONTGOMERY COUNTY BREWERY TOUR

Tour starts at the Columbia Sheraton: 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia 21044
Saturday July 13 | 11:30-5:30 | $75 | ages 21 and older

Check out Maryland's finest breweries without the hassle of driving and with the added perks of behind the scenes tours, a pint of your choice at each stop, swag, good times, and more! Plus this is our first time at the new Elder Pine Brewing & Blending and gives you a great opportunity to visit breweries in two different counties!

his tour will be taking place in Howard County and Montgomery County and will include the following breweries:

11:45, Bus departs promptly
12:10 - 1:10, Elder Pine Brewing
1:15 - 2:15, Waredaca Brewing
2:45 - 3:45, Ellicott Mills Brewing
4:00 - 5:00, Hysteria Brewing
5:15, Drop off

ELLICOTT CITY OLD TOWN MARKET

9321 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 13 (recurring weekly on Saturday) | 9am-1pm | free | family friendly

Come soak in the atmosphere at our weekly farmers' market and ease into your weekend with live music, great food, plus local artisans in Ellicott City's Historic District

We feature the season's freshest, locally grown goodies including fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, humanely-raised meats, locally baked bread, pastries, prepared foods, soaps, health & beauty, art and more! Our market supports local businesses and the communities they serve. Weekly donations from our market are made to the Howard County Food Bank.

MAKING BITTERS

The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 13 | 2pm | $60 for both classes ($10 credit towards purchase) | ages 21+

Got the itch of a true cocktailian? Then you’ve no doubt wondered how to make a batch of bitters. The beauty of bitters is like that of salt and pepper. A drink may be simply good without them, but with a dash or two of bitters, it’s transformed. Consider the Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Sazerac. These three drinks have made their mark in the cocktail hall of fame for one big reason: Angostura Bitters and Peychaud’s Bitters, both the perfect finishing touch.

This is a TWO-PART class [2nd Class is 8/10]. In the first class, we will mix up three different batches of bitters and discuss their importance while doing a side by side cocktail tasting. In the second class, we will finish our bitters and make custom cocktails featuring our new bitters. Everyone will receive 3 bottles of bitters to take home and make cocktails with. Call the Bin with questions 410-465-7802

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE WINE BIN

The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 13 | 9pm | free | family friendly

Head over to the Bin for outdoor movie night. This week’s movie is The Big Sick. The parking lot closes 1.5 hours before showtime. Chair set up is allowed after that point. The Wine Bin offers beer and wine tastings before the movie. There is popcorn available for a donation to Howard County’s Voices for Children.

YAPPY HOUR

The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Friday, July 19 (recurring 1st and 3rd Fridays) | 6pm | free | family friendly

The Bin hosts Yappy hour in the parking lot adjacent to our building. Bring your well-behaved leashed dog or come without a dog and enjoy everyone else’s dog. Donations and a portion of our sales benefit dog charities. Live Music, Popcorn and a Free Beer and Wine tasting. Your dog is welcome inside The Bin as well. This is a free family friendly event. Check the Wine Bin's Facebook page for an update if the weather is questionable.

CREATING COCKTAILS

The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 20 | 2pm | $35 ($10 credit towards purchase) | ages 21+

There are many ways to 'create' a cocktail, but what does that mean? Chances are, your creation will resemble Christopher Columbus 'discovering' America. One of the only ways to create new cocktails is to work with new products and ingredients. In this class you will gain hands on experience working through the creative process of cocktail making by creating three custom cocktails.Call the Bin with questions 410-465-7802

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE WINE BIN

The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 20 | 9pm | free | family friendly

Head over to the Bin for outdoor movie night. This week’s movie is A Star Is Born. The parking lot closes 1.5 hours before showtime. Chair set up is allowed after that point. The Wine Bin offers beer and wine tastings before the movie. There is popcorn available for a donation to Howard County’s Voices for Children.