Around Town

Spotted yesterday in the parking lot of the Columbia Target: - couple walking towards the entrance, the gentleman carrying a life-size Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toy. At least, I'm assuming it was a toy. What else could it be? A towel rack? A clothes valet? A home security system?

Anyway, as my husband and I watched the couple traipse across the parking lot, we began to imagine various scenarios for why the couple happened to be there the day after Christmas.

He: Why do I have to carry this thing?
She: Because it was your idea. And because I'm looking for the receipt.

Or,

She: I told you not to buy that thing.
He: Well, who knew she'd get six of them?

Or,

She: Well, I thought you'd like it.
He: I do like it, honey. It's just that it...scares the dog.

Who knows? There are a million stories in the return line on the day after Christmas. This is just one of them.

Some exciting news in the Village of Oakland Mills: the Second Chance Saloon announces:

Attention craft beer lovers!!!
NOW ON TAP-the first edition of Second Chance Homebrew!! 
2C ENGLISH BROWN ALE: a tasteful brown ale with rich nutty flavor made with local honey. Come up and try it this week!!!

I don't know much about home brew but I'm pretty sure it's a relatively small-batch operation, so don't wait to come by and try this out.

One last thing. Sarah Russo, School Librarian for Wilde Lake Middle School, has been sending out emails to authors and all-around famous people. Her school is about to move in to an entirely new space, and she has a really big idea:

Would you mind taking a few minutes to write a note, letter, or card, or draw a doodle to congratulate and/or welcome my students their new media center, and to inspire and encourage them? How you encourage them is up to you - encourage them to find their passions, think creatively, and explore their libraries. Encourage them to read, be kind to others, and use their talents to make the world a better place! It can be as short or as long as you like, I will display whatever you create in our media center, and it will be shared on social media if you like. While our school opens on January 2nd, words of inspiration and encouragement have no expiration date, and yours would certainly welcome many generations of students into our halls.

While Ms. Russo has been reaching out to folks from far away, I think it would be cool if local folks got into the act. I'm going to check and see if she's interested. As fun as it will be to read the words of a public figure or favorite author, it might also been inspiring to learn that there are folks from one's own home town who've got your back. 

Just a thought.