Are long lines, traffic, endless gift shopping and wrapping leaving you too busy this holiday season to burden yourself with hanging Christmas lights on your Howard County home? Luckily for you Merriweather Post Pavilion is hosting their annual display of more than 75 spectacular larger-than-life, animated and stationary light creations in Columbia, Maryland.

Minutes from your Columbia home, ride through this smorgasbord of lights festivity with hot cocoa in hand now through January 1, 2012 gazing at these wonderful light creations. This is a wonderful group activity between family and friends alike.  The Merriweather Post Pavilion is open 7 days a week from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., including holidays with the exception of December 31st. All proceeds from the Christmas light display benefit the Campus Development Plan for Howard County General Hospital: A member of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

If you aren’t attending any costume parties this Halloween, try attending the murder mystery dinner at Blair Mansion Restaurant. Hosted every Friday and Saturday evening and select Sunday afternoons, this restaurant near Ellicott City one of the best interactive, comic mystery dinner theatres in the area.

Their menu is constantly changing, offering you an endless variety. Specializing in seafood, American and Italian dishes, guests will enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet before the festivities begin. Blair Mansion Restaurant also offers various vegetarian entrees. An enticing show begins after the buffet and lasts for about 90 minutes.

If you prefer a more intimate affair, host a mystery dinner party right in your own Howard County townhome and have guests dress up. Either create your own mystery or purchase a mystery dinner kit and have your guest try to unravel the details of your own murder mayhem. Whichever Halloween celebration you choose, make sure it is steeped in the kind of mystery that will leave you guessing until next Halloween.

Don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight? No worries. Shipley’s Grant townhomes in Howard County are surrounded by some of the finest restaurants in the area. Experience an array of dishes from all over the world, from authentic French-style cooking to award winning American-style cuisines. While our list doesn’t begin to measure all of what dining in Howard County has to offer, it does get your taste buds watering.

The Diamondback Tavern
This is a traditional Maryland tavern specializing in local produce, fish and meat. They feature a bar and game room upstairs and a cozy dining room downstairs. Open daily until 2am.
3733 Old Columbia Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-313-8530

Johnny’s Bistro on Main
Specializing in rustic bread sandwiches, paninis, innovative salads, tapas, gourmet pizzas, and daily specials. Half priced wine on Wednesday and Thursday. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
8167 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-461-8210

Portalli’s
Whether you’re looking for traditional Italian style dishes or unique preparations Portalli’s is the place for you.
8085 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-720-5037

Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant
The menu at Tersiguel’s is a combination of authentic French-style cooking and rustic country flare.  Tersiguel’s has been voted “Best French Restaurant” by both the Zagat Survey and Baltimore Magazine.
8293 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043-4627
(410) 465-4004

The Trolley Stop Restaurant
One of Ellicott City’s most charming restaurants. The Trolley Stop serves handcrafted meals true to the culinary tradition and heritage of Maryland & Regional Style cooking in a casual friendly atmosphere. Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner – 7 Day
6 Oella Avenue
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-465-8546
410-465-3679 (fax)

Alexandra’s Restaurant
Located on the garden level of Turf Valley, Alexandra’s provides an elegant setting overlooking beautifully manicured golf greens. In addition to an extensive daily menu, Alexandra’s offers a Champagne Jazz Brunch every Sunday and seasonal holiday brunches. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
2700 Turf Valley Road
Ellicott City, MD
410-465-1500

The Crab Shanty
A family owned restaurant known for its award-winning seafood and family friendly atmosphere. From the best traditional crab cakes to original signature dishes, The Crab Shanty has been a dining icon for 30 years.
3410 Plum Tree Drive
Ellicott City, MD
410-465-9660

Greystone Grill
Serving an array of American-style cuisine, fresh seafood and free range chicken, with more than 40 different wines, Greystone Grill is a step above casual dining offering an urban-style atmosphere in a suburban setting.
8850 Columbia 100 Parkway
Columbia, MD
410-715-4739

LeeLynn’s Dining Room and Lounge
“Where Families Eat and Grownups Meet” Enjoy a delicious selection of entrees, plus sandwiches, salads and small plates. Open for lunch and dinner; reservations accepted.
9495 Old Annapolis Road
Ellicott City, MD
410-715-8500

We want you to discover your community and all of the treasures that surround you. What better way to know and grow than finding the hidden gems on Maryland’s Wine Trails. Enter today for your chance to win a limo service and a guided tour for you and 5 of your friends!

Ellicott City, Maryland is full of fantastic finds, from small antique treasures nestled in the historic district to high-end pub food, just down the road; the perfect blend of modern convenience and familiar nostalgia. This combination exemplifies life in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor in Maryland, providing you the ability to get to the big city fast or hide away at the beach or countryside at a moment’s notice.

Just a short distance down Route 70 from Shipley’s Grant Townhomes, are several of Maryland’s Wine Trails, home of 8 wineries and 120 acres of vineyards.  And we want to treat you and 5 of your closest friends!  Be whisked away from Shipley’s Grant in your own private limo to Maryland’s Wine Trails, where you will visit beautiful vineyards and try outstanding wines. Full details are below, but for additional entries, follow the Shipley’s Grant Facebook Fan page or Twitter account!

Entries Are Due By: October 17, 2011 at Midnight

Winners Will Be Notified: October 18, 2011 by 5 pm EST

Limo Service and Vineyard Tour: November 5, 2011 from 11:00am – 6:00pm

Prize Includes: Limo Service from Shipley’s Grant in Ellicott City for you and five friends on a vineyard tour through Maryland’s Wine Trails.

To Enter: Submit form on www.discoverbozzuto.com, additional entries can be attained through Shipley’s Grant Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Must be a resident of Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia to enter.

To discover more about Maryland Wines and other Trails visit the Maryland Wineries Association.

Living in a Howard County community, such as Shipley’s Grant, offers an array of weekend getaway destinations. Within a few hours drive, you could find yourself exploring a big city or small town, relaxing on a beach or hiking near breathtaking mountains. While Shipley’s Grant Ellicott City townhomes are comprised of luxury amenities, such as a pool and a beautifully decorated community center,  nothing compares to enjoying a  wide range of activities from exploring historical sites to relaxing at a local yoga retreat to shopping to casino gaming. Whatever your idea of fun, here are some local weekend getaway locations near the new townhomes in MD of Shipley’s Grant Bozzuto.

• New York City – Go to a Broadway show; see the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Enjoy dining and shopping in the unique neighborhoods of the largest city in the U. S.
• Philadelphia – Philadelphia is home to more than just the Liberty Bell. Enjoy unique shops, refreshing outdoor activities and an exciting nightlife.
• Poconos – A great destination all year round. Endless fun and a tremendous variety of diversions, such as luxurious resorts, family attractions, outdoor adventures, bed and breakfasts and more.
• Atlantic City – Casino gaming, spas, world-class entertainment, fine dining, golf, etc. Whatever turns you on about a destination, Atlantic City has it.
• Deep Creek Lake – Mountains, rivers and lakes offer a wide selection of activities from active outdoor adventures to just plain relaxing. Enjoy hiking, bicycling, picnicking, boating, fishing, camping, swimming, and horseback riding in warmer weather and skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling during the winter months.
• Yoga Retreat – Discovering yoga can lead individuals to a new life that consists of both a healthy mind and an equally healthy body.
• Washington Photo Safari – Choose from a collection of themed workshops as animal safaris, night safaris, and travel safaris at this Washington DC professional and amateur photography field trip workshops.
• Colonial Williamsburg – Step back in time and visit Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum, encompassing 301-acres of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings.
• Hiking Trip – A great hike can be more than a walk in the woods. It provides opportunities for clarity or contemplation—as you sit by a waterfall, watch the moon rise over the ocean, or bask in the rush of reaching a summit.

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle can sometimes be viewed as an annoyance rather than a benefit. Recycling may seem to be another extra step in your day, but it is actually quite simple once you understand the process. With a few adjustments to your daily routine you too can live in an eco-friendly community in Howard County. The following is a list of the do’s and don’ts when recycling at your Shipley’s Grant townhome in Ellicott City.

For Paper

Do: Recycle paper with staples, clips, or spirals intact. The metal will be removed by machines later in the process.

Don’t: Include paper with food stains such as pizza boxes as they contaminate a load

Don’t: Include shredded paper. Shredded paper creates a sorting problem and often gets mixed with the glass shards.

For Plastic

Do: If your curbside recycling program does not accept plastic bags there are two options. Most grocery stores will accept plastic bags and have recycling bins inside the store. If they do not offer this option find a plastic bag drop off center in your area.

Do: Refer to the plastic code number imprinted at the bottom of the plastic container to identify whether or not it is a safe plastic to recycle.

Don’t: Keep caps on bottles. Bottle caps are made from a different type of plastics and can ruin a batch of recyclables.

For Glass and Metal

Do: Rinse out bottles, jars, and cans. Also, washed pie tins and foil, metal bottle caps,  and scrap metal are all acceptable.

Do: Include empty aerosol cans.

Don’t: Worry about removing container labels as they will burn off during the recycling process.

Don’t: Include hazardous aerosol cans or other hazardous waste containers.

For Electronic Materials

Do: Check a site like Earth911.com to find green recyclers in your area.

Don’t: Put your electronics, such as computers or cell phones, out with the trash!

For Furniture

Do: Donate your unwanted items to your local thrift store.

Don’t: Make the town dump your first stop.

Click below for more information regarding recycling at your Ellicott City townhome:

- Howard County Recycling Program

- Specialty Recyclables

When you’re not enjoying The Shoppes at Shipley’s Grant, relaxing next to our outdoor fireplace or walking our community trails, find time to get involved in some of Howard County’s community September events.

SEPTEMBER 2011

2
Latin Salsa Dance Party

Enjoy dancing to all your Latin favorites: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Rumba, Samba, Mambo, and more at That’s Dancing Ballroom! No partner necessary, all levels welcome, and it’s open to the public. Group class from 8:15-9:00pm and dance party from 9-11pm. Refreshments offered, no jeans please. $20.00 per person, $15.00 per person after 9pm (student discounts available). For more information contact, contact Carlos & Marielle Pabon at 301-776-0085 or e-mail thatsdancing@verizon.net.

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Pooch’s Pool Party
Pooches and their pals are invited to paddle and play before the pool is closed for the season. All dog park/off-leash area rules apply to this event and must be followed. Dog handlers must be at least 18 years of age; children under the age of 12 are NOT permitted, while youth 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration begins August 4 for residents; August 11 for non-residents. To register, call 410-313-7275. For more information, contact Karen Bradley at 410-313-4635 or e-mail kbradley@howardcountymd.gov.

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9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Join County Executive Ken Ulman, members of the Howard County Council and public safety personnel at Centennial Park as they pay tribute and remember those who lost their lives 10 years ago as a result of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This event starts at 8:30 am. For more information contact the Office of Public Information at 410-313-2022.

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WomenFest

Presented by the Office on Aging, this annual wellness event for women includes free seminars, health screenings and participatory exercise demos, plus an array of vendors and exhibitors. WomenFest is an interactive day that focuses on health, wellness, fashion and beauty, and is designed to inspire women to live more balanced, healthier and fuller lives. This is a FREE event in the Gary J. Arthur Community Center from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Contact the Office on Aging at  410-313-6410 for more information.

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Alzheimer’s Benefit Car & Truck Show

Heart of Maryland Classic Chevy Club hosts the 19^th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Benefit Car & Truck Show at Frederick, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration from 10 am to 4 pm.  The show features an auction at noon of donated items, savings bond giveaway for registered vehicles, trophies for Top 30 vehicles, special awards, door prizes, dash plaques, moon bounce for kids, raffles, music, vendors, and more! For more information, email 567hmccc@comcast.net or call Earl: 240-446-6657, Butch: 301-845-4239, or Ed: 301-514-2207.

Reading the term “wall painting techniques” may have you thinking of complicated schemes that will require a team of professional painters to complete, but there are simple ways of applying and manipulating paint to create a wide range of wall surface textures.  With simple instructions and your imagination, fresh and contemporary designs are just one brush stroke away in your Ellicott City home. Here is a list of four simple techniques you can do in any spacious room in your new townhome in Maryland.

….

1. Color washing:  This is a soft, gently textured surface created by brushing one or two thin successive washes of diluted paint over a smooth basecoat. The wash can tone or contrast with the basecoat, and generally is a slightly darker color.
2. Dragging: This grainy effect is created by pulling or dragging a dry brush over a coat of wet paint.
3. Sponging: This is a quick and easy way of giving texture to a wall.  A sponge is used to apply one or more colors over a solid basecoat.
4. Frottage: It consists of brushing a wash onto the wall, and then with a piece of plastic or paper, scrunching it slightly over the wet paint and then lifting it away.

Remember, these are only four of countless ways to decorate an interior wall in your Shipley’s Grant townhouse. Other ways to add life to plain walls are stenciling, wall decals, textured wallpaper, and numerous other painting techniques. There’s no wrong way of decorating as long as you love the outcome. Be bold!

(TIP: Use the Home Depot Calculator to help estimate how much paint you’ll need to cover your walls and trim.)

Nothing says “summer” in Maryland quite like fresh steamed crabs from the Chesapeake. Shipley’s Grant is here to offer you the local resources to get your Maryland crab feast going this summer with tips on where to buy them and how to pick them!

Get your crabs right near your new Ellicott City home, with fresh bushels at:

- Sea King Seafood Market, in Ellicott City http://www.seaking.com/

– Frank’s Seafood, in Jessup, MD at Route 1 and 175 http://franksseafood.com/

Keep the mess out of your new home and at the restaurant, try:

- Ellicott City’s Crab Shanty http://www.crabshanty.com/

– Laurel’s Bottom of the Bay Seafood (http://www.bottomofthebay.com/

– Catonsville’s Sea Hut Inn http://www.seahutinn.com

Just looking for some nice lump crab meat? Try: Timbuktu in Hanover for award winning crab cakes , Laurel Meat Market in Laurel, MD or Today’s Catch at Wilde Lake Village Center in Columbia.

Whether it’s in your new backyard at Shipley’s Grant Townhomes or in the kitchen, lay out the newspaper and get cracking! Get started by:

Step 1: Picking up a hefty steamed crab. Preferably one with plenty of Old Bay seasoning.

Step 2: Rip the claws off and eat any of the meat that comes off with them.

Step 3: Use a knife, mallet, or fingers to crack open the claws. The best part!

Step 4: Locate the apron. This is the monument-shaped area on the underside of the crab. Pull the apron off and discard.

Step 5: Pull the top of the shell off, starting from the top.  Remove the insides you wouldn’t want to eat (gills (the devil’s fingers to locals), etc.).

Step 6: Break the crab in half.  Use a knife to cut the half again.

Step 7:Eat the white meat, and enjoy!

If that sounds a bit complicated, watch this demo from the premier crab seasoning Old Bay, and enjoy those crabs!

The Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan area offers some of the nations’ best theater venues. From the Kennedy Center to the Hippodrome there’s always a play to be seen or symphony to enjoy, but you can even get your dose of the performing arts right here in Howard County! Just moments from your new Shipley’s Grant Townhome are local and nationally recognized hot spots for entertainment.

In Historic Ellicott City, at the eerie and haunted Patapsco Female Institute, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Theater Company  performs under the stars and offers a great venue for some of the Bard’s greatest works. This season includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream (through July 31^st) and The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), a comedic take on everything Shakespeare.

Toby’s of Columbia  offers award-winning Broadway and original musicals with great buffet-style dining. Toby’s has been nominated 57 times for Helen Hayes Awards, the DC area’s version of the Tony Awards, so you’re guaranteed a professional show. From matinees to late night showings – this is your one stop for dinner and a show in Howard County! Be on the lookout for Anything Goes and Chicago, this season.

Rep Stage is the only professional theatre company in Howard County and the only professional theatre housed on a community college campus, at Howard Community College. This great theater company boasts providing audiences with regional and national premieres each season, to keep you on top of great theater!

Need more options? Don’t forget these other great theater options:

- Check local high schools: Long Reach High School and Howard High School put great shows on every season!

- Take a trip to Washington or Baltimore! For the most recent news visit The Washington Post’s Going Out Guide for Theater & Dance.

- Looking for something a little off the beaten path? Why not try Silver Spring’s Strathmore  for classic concerts and literary events or the Annapolis Summer Garden Theater right on the harbor!