First Amendment: The Right To Tweet

This was a pretty interesting story, in case you missed it, and it all started about a week ago.


Basically, a Kansas high schooler Emma Sullivan tweeted "just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot" to her 65 followers. A member of the Governor's staff discovered the tweet while combing Twitter for references to the Governor. Feeling the tweet was disrespectful, she got in touch with the Youth In Government program (which had put on the Sullivan's trip, with a larger group), which in turn contacted the school where the 18-year-old girl was enrolled. She got yelled at and was ordered to write an apology.


Cue the outcry. Since then, Sullivan has gained 14000+ followers. The school dropped the apology thing, and the Governor issued an apology statement.


Sullivan also indicated that the tweet was not actually true - that she didn't say mean things to the Governor's face - but that she disagreed with the Governor's conservative stance/policies. 


An opinion piece on CNN asks some really interesting questions - at least, several of which came to my mind as I was reading the story.


Among them...

• How common is it for elected officials to have a social media monitor?  
• Is it appropriate for an elected official (or said official's representative) to take action against negative comments?
• Would this have happened if Sullivan was ten years older? (ie, not a high school student)
• Should the fact that she was actually lying be a factor in the conversation? I'm no legal expert, but I'm pretty sure the tweet quoted above doesn't qualify as defamation.

I can think of at least one instance where a complaint conveyed over social media had a positive impact. Last year, during a "HoCo Thursdays" series of posts, Erinn at Something Else to Distract Me posted about the poor state of the roads in her development. Quickly she got a response from a member of the County Executive's staff, and I know that the roads in her neighborhood sure look a lot better now. This was a great instance of a member of government noticing a negative comment and moving quickly to address the issue. (hocoblogs@@@)


Likewise, I can see how a monitor of social media would be useful in locating false claims/libel that could damage a person's reputation. 


Still, I wonder if there are specific people targeted to monitor social media, or if it's something by chance - for example, was Erinn's post noticed because the staff member reads her blog, or because the staff member is in charge of monitoring Howard County-related posts?


And if there is a staffer employed to monitor social media, should that be disclosed? Where?


Although the Kansas incident has a creepy, Big-Brother feel to it - and clearly got out of hand - I do think that social media (facebook, twitter, blogs) can be a very powerful tool through which constituents and elected officials can communicate.  




Thoughts? Leave 'em in the comments below.

Larges, just $13.99..

They don't say anything about medium, extra larges, males, females, or livelies.


But there is this.

I just happened to notice this today as I was getting my morning coffee and walked past Pizza Boli's in Wilde Lake - no idea how long it's been on offer. I'm not sure if I'm intrigued or grossed out. Normally, if I eat there, I stick to cheese sticks (they'll put pepperoni on them as a topping, if you ask).


Anyone got more info? (hocofood@@@)

Where am I, Wednesday?

Good morning, SwimWriteRunReaders! Where am I in the HoCo? (hocoblogs@@@)

Leave your guess in the comments below.

Food versus Food: Cups of Cakes

...or, as those in the know like to say... "cupcakes."

Just before they say "Om nom nom nom."

By Marvelcakes (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The cupcake has always been pretty awesome, a great treat that - when it's really good - doesn't even need the frosting. 

I think of kid things when I think about cupcakes: licking the cake batter off of the spoon; holding the sprinkles up high so they fall evenly... on everything but the cake; glossy round chocolate and vanilla tops crammed into a tray and sent off to school for birthdays (back when you were allowed to do that sort of thing).

Since then, though, cupcakes became a trend. Or, as some would call it, a passion. (or a curse - do a google search. There's lots of CupCakeHatin' going on out there.)

So how do cupcakes in the HoCo measure up against eachother? This FvF is all about finding out! (hocofood@@@)

Contender #1: Snickerdoodle cupcake from Fresh Bakery (the cupcake stand in the Mall).

Fresh Bakery is actually located in Owings Mills, but has "cupcake stands" in area malls - including the Columbia Mall. Somehow, since it's been open, I've managed to walk right past the stand without noticing. Repeatedly. So I took SixSwims with me to make sure I didn't bypass the cupcakey goodness.

Fresh Bakery cupcakes sit in neat rows near little placards, beneath domes of glass. But that's not actually the most interesting thing about them. They're square, which is a pretty interesting visual. But how does that translate to taste?

I chose snickerdoodle because the name was appealing - another throwback from childhood - and the cake was very pretty. 

Square cupcakes from Fresh Bakery. Snickerdoodle is on the right.
Cindy's choice (chocolate/chocolate) is on the left.
Seriously, the square thing is neat.

The first bite of cupcake was excellent - the icing was flavored lightly with cinnamon, but there was a slight crunch to each bite. I couldn't decide if it was a sprinkling of sugar (..to go with the snickerdoodle theme...) or if the cake had been sitting for a while. I really wanted it to be a dusting of sugar. The yellow cake was moist and sweet, but didn't seem to have any noticeable traces of cinnamon. 

Fresh Bakery's cupcake was a nice, light ending after a dinner, and a pleasant treat.

Which brings us to...

Contender #2: Snickerdoodle cupcake from Kupcakes & Co in Elkridge.

Kupcake & Co is located at 6010 Meadowridge Center Drive in Elkridge - you have to drive around to the back of the small strip-type mall to find it. It's a small shop with one table and (the day I went) two huge racks of fresh cupcakes.

Curious how my experience would compare, I couldn't resist ordering the Snickerdoodle cupcake.

Snickerdoodle Cupcake from Kupcake & Co.
It got a little squished en route to the eating (in the back, so this is the better side), but that was my fault.

Kupcake & Co's Snickerdoodle cupcake is visually impressive to start, crowned with a generous swirl of cinnamon-colored icing and topped with pieces of snickerdoodle cookie which give a nice texture. I'm not normally a girl who likes loads of frosting on cake, but this frosting was sweet without being overpowering - the cinnamon definitely helped. 

The cake was spiced as well. Biting into it made me think of warm spice cake around the holidays, and even though I liked the icing, I would have been fine without it. 

And, while I could easily put away a whole cupcake... honestly I didn't need to. Even split between two people, this cupcake was a decadent after-dinner treat.

The Verdict: I thought it would be a hard decision, but while both cupcakes were tasty, a clear winner emerged quickly: Kupcake & Co.! They might turn out a round cupcake, but they don't cut corners. (I know... I know... sorry. Please come back.) Their Snickerdoodle cupcake looked great, I loved the cookie accent. Most importantly, all of the components tasted wonderful, and the cupcake tasted very fresh.

Where do you go for your cupcake fix? What's your favorite flavor? Tell me in the comments!

Where am I, Wednesday?

Good morning, blogfans! Where am I today in the HoCo? (hocoblogs@@@)

Leave your guess in the comments below!

Where am I, Wednesday?

Here you go, blog friends! Where am I in the HoCo? (hocoblogs@@@)


Bonus points if you can tell me where I was standing when I took the picture.

Left turns and Traffic lights

Anyone know what's up with the traffic light outside the Shipley's Grant shopping center (near the intersection of Rte 108 and Snowden River Parkway)?  The lights all had bags over them, and a stop sign has been installed.


I made a left turn out of the lot this morning at 9:30 and it was a bit dicey. Seems like an impossible (read: dangerous) thing during hours with heavier traffic.


hocoblogs@@@

Where am I, Wednesday?

This week, on where am I, Wednesday....


...where am I in the HoCo? (hocoblogs@@@)

Leave your guess in the comments below!

Technicolor Bagels

Don't ask about FvF... but I am prepared to talk about ONE food thing this week. (hocofood@@@)


The Bagel Bin in River Hill has started offering Cheddar Cheese bagels. I noticed them right away a few weeks ago. They're hard to miss. 


OK, to be honest, the color was actually a little alarming (compare to the mild yellow of the egg bagel beside them). I snapped a picture and received some funny looks from other people in line.


My typical MO is to order a pizza bagel on a toasted supreme bagel. This is an awesome breakfast after a quick run (comfort food after being dusted), and has carbs, salt, and fat, which I crave after a long workout. (alright, to be honest, I could eat that after a mile run. Oh well.)


Out of curiosity, I changed it up. I give you, pizza en cheddar bagel.

Pizza bagel on a toasted cheddar cheese bagel at the Clarksville Bagel Bin.
Yeah... I eat the pickle, too, even though it's breakfast. Yum!

The verdict? This was pretty good. Like having pizza on a cheese-it, if cheese-its contained the perfect mixture of crunch and chew. 


Of course, this change might not be for everyone. Based on my recommendation, a friend changed his AM order. The result of his Pizza Bagel Experiment:

Mo, I tried the cheddar bagel as you instructed. It didnt work out. The supreme [my last bagel recommendation] is definitely your finer hour.

Whoops.


Have you tried the technicolor cheddar? Tell me in the comments below!

Where am I, Wednesday?

Hey kids, it's been a few weeks, but welcome to Where Am I, Wednesday?

Do you know where I took this picture in the HoCo? (hocoblogs@@@)

Leave your guess in the comments below!

National HIV Testing Day

Today is National HIV Testing Day. There are numerous places that are offering the test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus - which usually involve a blood draw, but can be done on saliva or urine - in Baltimore. The Howard County Health Department also offers times for free and anonymous HIV/AIDS screening, as well as other STDs. (hocoblogs@@@)

Chalk Drawing for STD Awareness Month at UMB in April, 2011.

Howard County Health Department has two locations:


7180 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, Maryland 21044
410-313-7500


and


9525 Durness Ln
Laurel, Maryland 20723
410-880-5888


Testing is critical for someone to know his or her status, particularly as many STDs can be contracted and spread even in the absence of symptoms, and even when barrier protection is used. Moreover, some STDs can take several months to show up as positive tests, so repeat testing may be necessary. 


There's no sense in pretending that there isn't stigma associated with STDs - to the point that it can discourage people from regular testing and care. 


Think about it next time you're in a conversation and someone throws in a reference to herpes (caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 or 2) as a sign of promiscuity. The CDC estimates that as many as 1 in 6 Americans has HSV-2, the form of virus most often associated with genital herpes. In contrast, the oral form of herpes (typically HSV-1), is estimated to be carried by more than 50% of the population. Oral HSV can be transmitted simply by sharing a glass with someone actively shedding the virus.*


Look again at those numbers. 1 in 6 people. 50%. It doesn't take a genius to realize that unless one is in a 100% monogamous relationship with someone who knows their STD status, it's very possible to contract an STD without "sleeping around." Yet that's often the assumption when people talk about sexually transmitted infections.


Knowing status is critical in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, not just those that can be resolved with treatment. When partners are aware of each other's status, they can take measures to prevent transmission if one partner is affected. HSV can be managed with antiviral medication, while early intervention can reduce the risk of transmission of HIV. 


Below are some pictures I took back in April - which, incidentally, is STD awareness month - of chalk drawings done on the UMB campus to raise awareness for the need for STD testing. Hopefully things like this will help encourage people to get tested regularly as part of their health routine, or at least help further the conversation.

* Edit: HSV1 and HSV2 can cause either oral or genital herpes, depending on exposure.

Where Am I? Wednesday

Somewhere in The HoCo (hocoblogs@@@)....

It's a beautiful morning... somewhere.... in Howard County.

Think you know the answer? Leave it in the comments below.

May Blogger Party!

Next Thursday, May 19th, is the May HoCoBlogs Party. If you live in Howard County (hocoblogs@@@) and you blog (or if you READ blogs like mine from the HoCo), you should definitely go.


Why? 


Well...




There are stickers.


Blogger parties are extremely fun ways to put names and faces together. We're a friendly crowd (even when we're not hunched over our keyboards typing intently).


This month's blogger party is sponsored by the Howard County Library and Howard County General Hospital. I have blogged about HCGH "0" times, and the Libraries ">0" times -- however... HCGH offers outstanding, compassionate, professional care.  They're both awesome resources in our community and it's exciting that they're so interested in reaching out to that community through a platform like HoCoBlogs.


I hear there will be free food.


Finally, as if those reasons aren't enough, I will be there - and I will be having a drink to celebrate my PRE-WEDDING Anniversary! (the future Mr. SwimWriteRun may or may not be in attendance)




The HoCo Blogger Party is May 19, from 5:30p-7:30p at Union Jack's in Columbia.  You can RSVP here.

Food versus Food: Buffalo Chicken Challenge

You know the phrase, "better late than never"? It applies here. Food versus food returns!


I've already mentioned that I like wings. For this battle, I decided to pit two twists on the "buffalo chicken" combo. I suspect I should go into an analysis of the (surprisingly contested) history of "buffalo chicken," but I'm simply going to say the combination of hot sauce (+butter) and bleu cheese is excellent. So, like I did with each of the dishes below... I'm just going to dive in! (hocofood@@@)




Contender #1: Buffalo Bills calzone from Players Bar and Grill in Woodstock.


Players Bar and Grille is a fairly new restaurant in Woodstock (about a 20 minute drive from Columbia) - they just had their official "grand opening" last night. The restaurant (very sports-bar) is huge, with a nice enclosed patio and a big bar.  It was quiet the afternoon we stopped by, although I suspect business will pick up (I didn't realize how new it was). Players is located at 10795 Birmingham Way, Woodstock, MD.


A calzone might seem like an unorthodox treatment of buffalo chicken (or unorthodox for a sports bar, but Players seems to be a mash-up of sports bar and italian restaurant - we entered through a door that was (at that time) beneath and "Italian" sign. Plus, it reminded me of how plenty of foods can (and, dare I say it, should?) come in calzone form - something I learned ordering from DP Dough (aka, the American Calzone Company) in college.  Service was a little slow, but good, and the staff was friendly.

Buffalo Bills Calzone from Players Bar and Grill.

How does a buffalo chicken calzone work? Simple: Dough, buffalo chicken, and blue cheese. I asked for blue cheese dressing on the side, which didn't seem typical but was no problem. The calzone was $8.99.


First off, the meal was huge. I totally ate might have eaten all of it, but I was pretty hungry. The crust was excellent - crisp, flavorful, crunchy on the edges, and not at all tough. I really liked the sauce, too. There was a little bit of spice - enough to pleasantly contrast the cool dressing, but not so much that it burned my mouth or overwhelmed the crust. The chicken was tender and cut to bite-size pieces  which is pretty important to minimize filling-floppage when it comes to calzones.


Was I left wishing for more?  A little bit. I couldn't really taste the blue cheese in the calzone itself, except for in a few spots. I would have liked some mozzarella inside the calzone as well, to make it a little cheesier. Overall, though, this was a pretty delicious lunch, and could easily have been two meals for me.


Fortunately, my buffalo chicken craving was not quenched and I was able to handle....




Contender #2: Buffalo Chicken Club from Baldwin's Station in Sykesville.


To be fair, Baldwin's Station is not in the HoCo. It's right on the line between Howard and Carroll counties (about a 25 minute drive from Columbia). HOWEVER, from where we were sitting, I literally could have thrown my fork and hit Howard County (which would have been pretty rude, so I did not) - I've decided it's eligible for FvF.


Baldwin's Station is a cute restaurant with indoor and outdoor (covered patio) seating, converted from a train station on the CSX railway that was built in 1883. Trains still go by, which is a cool feature (if a little loud, for 30 seconds or so). Baldwin's has an upscale feel with excellent service and reasonable prices (especially for lunch).

Buffalo Chicken Club at Baldwin's Station.

Skimming the menu, I saw the buffalo chicken club sandwich - served with House-made chips for $8.95. Yes, please!


I really liked this sandwich. The bread was all toasty from the grill, which added to flavor and gave it a nice crunch.  Plus, the default was wheat bread, so it felt healthy and was quite tasty. There was a (perhaps too) generous slather of mayo, avocado, fresh tomato slices, lettuce, and fried chicken that had been coated in buffalo sauce.


There was also supposed to be bacon, but I don't actually remember seeing bacon as I was eating. Normally this would be a HUGE fail, but the chicken had an incredible amount of crunch and flavor. So the bacon might have been there, just in hiding. Either way, if it wasn't, I didn't miss it. 


And though I've already mentioned it, I'll say it again - the crunch of the chicken was amazing - I'm not sure how the chef got it to stay as crispy after the sauce went on, but it was great.  The sauce itself had a pleasant kick, especially when contrasted with the avocado and mayo, but was definitely not even close to too-spicy. The house-made chips were also delicious, crunchy, salty, and slightly warm.




The Decision: Both restaurants were entirely new to me, and both meals were quite good. Still, in my mind, there was a clear winner - Baldwin's Station. Despite my nostalgic love for all things calzone, Baldwin's put together a killer sandwich at a great price, and delivered with excellent service. I'll definitely order their Buffalo Chicken Club again (and next time, if I can keep my mind on anything other than 'OMG TASTY,' I might even check for the phantom bacon.




Somewhat Random Disclosure: I will be marrying Matt (aka, the future Mr. SwimWriteRun) at Baldwin's Station in 2012, so I obviously really like it; however, that decision was made after the results for this FvF battle were decided.

"IT" and Actually-Scary Tales.

Horror movies - most of them - don't really frighten me.

They're gross, don't get me wrong. Most are filled with gratuitous violence, bizarre and disappointing monsters, (largely) annoying characters, and trying-too-hard-for-jump-in-the-seat moments. Or at least, that's what they feel like when I watch the average horror flick. 

No, what scares the bejeezus out of me is the subtle creepy things. The things that seem like they could, actually, almost be real. 

This is why I liked "Under The Dome", Stephen King's latest novel, despite the last few chapters - I won't explain further, because I don't want to spoil anything. 

It's the suspense. The shadow of things that seem like they could be real (even when I know, on some level, that they're not). It's a delicious kind of fear, like crossing my arms and letting myself fall backwards into a shadow - part reality, and part surreal.

So, knowing (and maybe, if you're like me, understanding) this, imagine: it's dark outside - the sun has gone down, it's maybe 9pm. The house is quiet. You're reading a book. You look up from the page, frown, and listen. You hear music.

The piped, clown-tastic music that comes from an ice cream truck.

You look out the window. Darkness. Quiet. And then the music again, a phantom ice cream truck cruising the neighborhood - never seen, but on the prowl - in the middle of the night (or close enough).

A little creepy?

Um. Yeah.

Which is why when I finally saw the truck, after weeks of NOT seeing the truck, I had to pull over and take a picture. Before I started snapping away, I wondered what he thought of this weird woman taking flash photos of his truck.

And then I realized he's been trying to sell ice cream at 9pm. In April. This is actually really creepy from an I-would-never-let-a-child-near-this-van perspective, even if you don't believe in "scary" things. So I decided I didn't care.

Thus, I give you: The Elkridge Creeper Ice Cream Man (or, to be fair since I couldn't see inside, Woman)

Proof I'm not just hearing Ice Cream Truck music in my head.
This was actually still creepy after I saw the truck. I hurried home.

At least it wasn't Pennywise.

O: Old Ellicott City

O is for Old Ellicott City.

I've already mentioned some of the history of the HoCo in my posts on Elkridge and Neighborhood. One of the best places to visualize some of that history is in Old Ellicott City.


There, you can see damage/flood marks from past floods - the mills (like Oella) are right along the water, and this has periodically been a serious problem. I heard a story long ago about the history of one such flood (possibly the 1868 one) on NPR, and the damage/loss of life it caused and one hero it produced. If I can find it I'll share it.


Old Ellicott City is also fun because it's good for quirky shops and tasty restaurants. It's apprently getting a Subway, which some people have been upset about... but honestly... if it brings foot traffic, it will hopefully be good for the area.


So, to conclude with another 1000 words...

Old Ellicott City today.
Image from WikiMedia Commons

O is for Old Ellicott City (and.. kinda.. for phoning it in. Oh wait, that's P. Sorry, be back and better than ever tomorrow. In the mean time... what do you love about Old Ellicott City?).

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This post is part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. (hocoblogs@@@) Click on The Link for more info and other participating blogs!

N: Neighborhood, The

N is for Neighborhood (the).

Hey.. articles just get in the way, right?

I already discussed the things I remember about being a kid in the HoCo. Today, I figure I'll talk about where I grew up: Long Reach.

I'll post script some pictures when it's a nicer day for taking them (tomorrow).

Some background for those readers not familiar with Columbia. Columbia is made up of ten "villages", each with neighborhoods: 

• Dorsey's Search - Dorsey Hall, Fairway Hills
• Harpers Choice - Swansfield, Hobbit's Glen, Longfellow
• Hickory Ridge - Clemens Crossing, Hawthorne, Clary's Forest
• King's Contrivance - Macgill's Common, Dickinson, Huntington
• Long Reach - Locust Park, Kendall Ridge, Phelps Luck, Jeffer's Hill
• Oakland Mills - Steven's Forest, Talbott Springs, Thunder Hill
• Owen Brown - Dasher Green, Hopewell, Elkhorn
• River Hill - Pheasant Ridge, Pointer's Run
• Town Center - Vantage Point, Banneker, Amesbury, Creighton's Run, Warfield Triangle
• Wilde Lake - Running Brook, Bryant Woods, Faulkner Ridge, The Birches

Incidentally, the bolded entries represent pools (with Dorsey Hall and River HIll serving as the only pool for their respective village).

Each village is organized around a village center. Common to most of those are (or were) a grocery store, a handful of places to eat (pizza, takeout, and at least one restaurant), often a community center of sorts, a liquor store, and a dry cleaner. These village centers are... well... tucked in at the center (or near) of their villages. Which I suspect is one thing that trips people up when they're trying to get from point A to point B.

The village centers are also connected by Columbia's extensive bike path system - more than 80 miles according to Wikipedia, although I haven't used all of them. I'm not sure about River Hill... anyone?

But I digress. I was talking about Long Reach.

Long Reach is an older neighborhood. And, compared to shiny new ones like River HIll, it's showing it's age. (this is something that has been noted elsewhere and by other bloggers/commenters).  Still, it's one of my favorites. I love the old neighborhoods in Columbia. They have huge, tall trees that remind me that Columbia has history. They have houses that aren't cookie-cutter repeats (even with CA covenant restrictions). 

Summarized from the village's website... Long Reach was originally hundreds of acres of tobacco plantation, eventually patented by Edward Dorsey in 1695. In the early 1700s, with Edward's death, the land was divided between his three sons and passed through the hands of other families afterwards. In 1969, the area had become part of Jim Rouse's plans and the framework for Long Reach was in the works. 

"In June 1971, Howard Research & Development (HRD) announced that Long Reach would be "the first comprehensively planned village in Columbia." Other villages had been planned neighborhood by neighborhood, but the total concept of integrating open space and dwelling space was considered in planning Long Reach. Although the neighborhoods would be planned prior to construction, resident input was still a vital part of the planning process. Cluster housing was used to preserve as much open space as possible and unique measures were taken to protect the Little Patuxent River from collecting sedimentation during the construction phase. Construction of Long Reach began in Spring 1971, with the first residents moving in the Fall of 1971. "

---The Long Reach Village site, "History" 

One more interesting bit of trivia (from the same site): many of Long Reach's street names come from the work of Robinson Jeffers. I had a drivers' ed instructor who stretched a conversation about Long Reach's streets into a twenty minute ramble. If only I'd known...


Stone-cutters fighting time with marble, you fore-defeated 
Challengers of oblivion 
Eat cynical earnings, knowing rock splits, records fall down, 
The square-limbed Roman letters 
Scale in the thaws, wear in the rain. The poet as well 
Builds his monument mockingly: 
For man will be blotted out, the blithe earth dies, the brave sun 
Die blind, his heart blackening: 
Yet stones have stood for a thousand years, and pained thoughts found
The honey peace in old poems.

--Robinson Jeffers, "To the Stone Cutters", Tamar and Other Poems (1924) 

So what does Long Reach have going for it, besides history and poetry? Well, it's also got hidden gems. You know... the favorite haunts, the places people from elsewhere might miss, the details one figures out from running around the area for a while, etc. 

The hidden gems of Long Reach include...

1. Chick 'n  Friends - best takeout chicken I've had in a really long time. Seriously. Drop everything and go there now.
2. Locust Park Pool - a nice renovated bath house, a snackbar, and lap space... and it's not often mobbed. Masters has swum here in the summer as well, and there's an amazing view of the sunrise during practice. Also excellent shade when the sun hits the right points later in the day.
3. Jackson Pond - a really beautiful spot accessible by path at many points. We used to catch fish here when I was a kid.
4. Richburn Liquors - they expanded the store space and have a really nice selection of beer and wine at good prices. Also convenient hours on the holidays, which has saved me more than once when I needed to pick up a hostess gift.
5. High Tor Hill/Eagle Beak Row/Phelps Luck Drive - There is some FANTASTIC hill-training on these roads, for you runner-ly types. I believe the Metric Marathon route runs through here.
6. Stone House - I used to take dance classes in this community space. It's a nice building.

Pop Quiz: Name that Pool!

N is for Neighborhood, the place where I rode my bike, splashed in the pool, and ran around at dusk on summer days, playing street hockey or firing nerf guns or dodging water pistols.

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This post is part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. (hocoblogs@@@) Click on The Link for more info and other participating blogs!

M: Maryland Homebrew

M is for Maryland Homebrew.

We're pretty lucky in Columbia. We've got a lot of cool things - not the least of which is access to a huge, well-stocked store for homebrewing beer and wine (yes, wine). I meant to get over there, ask some questions, and take some pictures... but I didn't. 

So I'm turning the keyboard over to Matt for a GUEST POST all about MD Homebrew.

Dear internet people, 


Maryland Homebrew is in Columbia.  (If you are reading this please send help.)  The store is well stocked with beer and wine homebrewing supplies.  (I have been asked to write this post about Maryland Homebrew, but I am not feeling very creative tonight.)  I guess we are pretty lucky.  (Alas, it's far too late for me to put a paper mache head on my pillow and tunnel my way out.)  You should get over there and ask some questions, maybe take some pictures.  (Plan B, involving mostly whining, was also a bust...my pleas for clemency are returned with "the look".)  Did I mention that Maryland Homebrew is in Columbia?  (If I survive the escape, we will meet up in Switzerland for yodeling and hot chocolate.) 


M@

From the MD Homebrew Site
(see other photos from the store and events here)

Swiss Yodelers
By Moen Photo Service, La Crosse, WI (Wisconsin Historical Society)
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

M is for Maryland Homebrew, providing area homebrewers with supplies and information.

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This post is part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. (hocoblogs@@@) Click on The Link for more info and other participating blogs!