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Typical Weirdness



I’m taking a break from the intensity of the past few days to present an assortment of the kind of local weirdness you may have come to expect on these pages. I need a breather. 

First off: why had I not known this fun fact? There’s a HoCo connection to The Exorcist?




Does anyone find it ominous that it closed just one year after the film’s release? Hmm…

Truth in advertising: I have never seen The Exorcist. When it came out I was teen living in Stamford, Connecticut and the big talk was that star Linda Blair hailed from one town over in Westport. 

At any rate I’d love to learn more about this local connection to a well-known film.

*****

Popular Columbia restaurant The Food Market has announced their upcoming venture: Vacation: Columbia and Chill. I don’t recommend Googling that unless you are prepared to be given all the information on Vacation: Colombia and Chile.


Image from The Food Market social media


It looks to be an outdoor venue. I’m all for that. Will it be seasonal, then? The words “Vacation and Chill” bring to mind hanging out by the pool or under big umbrellas at the beach. Will there be caramel popcorn? Will you be able to stroll in wearing your still-wet swim suit and flip flops? I wonder. 

*****

If you are following Howard County Budget Season then you’ve been trying to keep up with all of the official announcements. This is the time of year when the County Executive makes his pitch to the community in support of items in his county budget proposal. It’s all a part of a larger process of course. The community is invited to give input. The County Council must vote.

Me? I wanted to know about all the signs. Here’s a screenshot. You know, those signs.


Image from Howard County Government social media

For about a month or so every spring, Howard County seems to be running a foam core production business. The visual aids which flank the County Executive and other local notables are of excellent quality, visually appealing, and informative. They help support the announcements by organizing/making sense of the information that goes into each budget proposal.

Some folks around town grumble every year about whether we have the money for various new initiatives. Me? I want to know about all those signs. I reached out to Safa Hira, Director of Communications for the County Executive.

Not crucial, but I’m curious: what happens to all these signs? I’m guess they’re printed on foam core. You all must make a ton of these over the course of the year.

Ms. Hira responded:

There’s various things that happen to them. Sometimes, organizations like to keep these boards and they’ll display them during events throughout the year, in their offices, etc. We normally keep these boards for at least two years (because we reuse them quite a bit), whether it’s at like fairs, public forums, etc. and then we recycle when done. I hope that helps answer your question.

I’m glad to know they are more than single-use items. I’ve been lying awake at night imagining creative reuse like new school construction and affordable housing.

*****

Have a wonderful Thursday. I’m hoping to make it over to the event at the new East Columbia 50+ Center this afternoon.


This week: Early Voting - - Thursday May 2nd to Thursday May 9th, 2024, from 7am-8 pm daily. 

Soon: Saturday Market at Clarksville Commons, May 4th from 10 am - 2 pm.

Down the Road Apiece: Old Ellicott City Pride Festival, June 1st, 1 pm - 8 pm.




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