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It’s Friday, Columbia! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Red Clay Strays add tour dates, a makgeolli brewing class, and an embroidery workshop with milkshakes + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Columbia protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Resource sharing gets a boost: Maryland libraries have chosen SHAREit to power Marina, the statewide interlibrary loan network, promising unified search and easier requests for Columbia readers and aiming to expand access at lower cost — get all the details.
More cities on the itinerary: Red Clay Strays add 2026 U.S. tour stops, including Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. Special guests include The Revivalists and Haley Reinhart, and tickets went on sale February 27 — get all the details.
Explore a different thrift economy: Prime Thrift Laurel is a budget hunter’s dream near Columbia, with color coded racks for men, wide women’s and kids’ sections, and a kitchen aisle full of practical household finds — read the full story.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Make some art magic: Between rotating exhibits, approachable classes, and a Gallery Shop filled with one-of-a-kind works by local instructors and students, Columbia Art Center nudges any week toward more creativity. Smart, welcoming, and never stuffy, this spot delivers inspiration and pieces you’ll actually want to look at.
Make the backyard happen: When splintery steps and wobbly rails kill your patio vibe, HNH Deck & Porch turns wish lists into sturdy, low-maintenance decks, screened rooms, and porches, with tidy, no-nonsense craftsmanship neighbors quietly copy a month later. Fewer splinters, more sunsets, and a backyard that finally works.
Lakefront seafood mood: The Collective Offshore brings easy lakeside vibes to weeknights with oysters on ice, Chesapeake arancini, and a craveable cream of crab, plus a rotating Columbia Catch if you’re feeling fancy. Zero fuss, just good seafood and a view.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎲 BBMS First Annual Family Bingo Night @ Bonnie Branch Middle (Ellicott City) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Take a break from kid chaos and hit BBMS for the first Family Bingo Night, with pizza, prizes every game, and neighborly small talk. Bring your dauber, grab the $10 package or $5 entry, kids 3 and under are free, and no drop-offs, obviously.
🧵 Hand Embroidered Sweatshirt Workshop & Milkshakes @ The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Old Ellicott City | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for a cozy, beginner-friendly embroidery workshop, and a Crazy Mason milkshake. Hand-stitch a Hanes sweatshirt with your word or design, all supplies included, plus guidance from Green Moon Baby’s Jess Giblin. Come for dessert, leave warm, stylish, and smug.
🚗 March Meet: Mikey & Mel’s Cruise In @ Mikey & Mel’s Deli (Fulton) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Bring your classic or your commuter to Maple Lawn for a laid-back cruise-in, all makes welcome. Free to attend, free parking, no sign-ups, good eats from Mikey and Mel’s, pickle-worthy bragging rights, and Howard County Police keeping things polite. Errands can wait.
❄ Snow Much Fun “Frozen” Party @ Mount Hebron High School (Ellicott City) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Before Mount Hebron’s Frozen hits the stage, Arendelle takes over with royal meet-and-greets, craft stations, snowy snacks, and photo ops, plus a free light-up snowflake wand. It’s $30 for the pre-show party and a reserved seat, and your grownup dignity survives.
🍶 Makgeolli Brewing Class @ JS Brewery | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Whether your sourdough starter is retired or resting, this makgeolli brewing class at JS Brewery gives it a worthy successor. Learn how they make Sun Makgeolli, hear the backstory, taste fresh pours, then craft a batch to take home, ferment, nurture, and casually brag about.
☪ Eid Mela @ Holiday Inn Columbia East-Jessup | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Howard County’s Eid Mela is your annual excuse to browse the bazaar, snack, and pretend that second set of bangles was essential. 8th year, free entry, prime people-watching and browsing, so bring comfy shoes, a tote, and call 978 328 2863 for booths or questions.
🚜 Families on the Farm @ Freetown Farm | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Every third Sunday at the Farm, kids ages 6 to 11 lead the charge, grownups pretend they’re just supervising, and everyone learns how seed becomes salad. Expect hands-on projects in the fields and woods, unstructured nature play, a chatty potluck, and actual community.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Columbia report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 52°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. South wind 2 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 12 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 55°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
This house is wild
Backs to Cedar Lane Park in Beech Creek, this no CPRA outparcel pairs a gourmet granite and stainless kitchen with a family room opening to a deck over the woods. Four bedrooms upstairs include an en suite primary with walk-in. A walkout, partially finished basement adds flexibility and energy efficient laundry, plus a pollinator garden alive with butterflies and hummingbirds.
Take a peek inside →
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