Howard Life - October 2007-May 2008 - (Page 30) TEN GREAT DATES Summer’s over and school has begun, but that doesn’t mean it’s all work and no play in Howard County. Our area is full of great places for getting to know a new crush or becoming reacquainted with the love of your life. Here are 10 ways to fire up your current relationship—or start a new one! Columbia Pro Cantare Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Western Regional Park Howard County Arts Council 1. 21st Annual Columbia Classic Grand Prix Spend the day on the grounds of Howard Community College enjoying Grand Prix show-jumping, where horse and rider race the clock through a challenging course of obstacles. The Grand Prix, held annually in September, offers a wonderful opportunity to see Olympic-level equestrians right in your own back yard! Enjoy carnival food and vendors while watching the spectacle. For more information, visit www.howardcc.edu or call 410-772-4450. interests. Aida Bistro (www.aidabistro.com), Alexandra’s at Turf Valley Resort (www.turfvalley.com), Belmont Conference Center (www.belmontconferencecenter.com), the Elkridge Furnace Inn (www.elkridgefurnaceinn.com), and the Iron Bridge Wine Company (www.ironbridgewines.com) all offer wine dinners on a regular basis. Reservations are required—and make them well in advance! 8. Support Our Local Teams There are all sorts of professional sports teams in our area, but nothing beats a Friday-night high school football game. Even if you didn’t go to school in Howard County, there’s something about being out under the lights, eating popcorn, and cheering on some of the most passionate athletes you’ll ever see. After the game, head to Clyde’s in Columbia (www.clydes.com), Cacao Lane in Ellicott City (www.cacaolane.net), or Rams Head Tavern in Savage Mill (www.ramsheadtavern.com) for a drink and a review of your team’s strategy. 5. Make Like Your Favorite Maryland Athlete Wish you were Kimmie Meisner? Want to show off your inner Cal Ripken? Then take advantage of the many sporting facilities throughout the county. The Columbia Association (www.columbiaassociation.com) operates its own ice rink as part of its extensive portfolio of sports and recreation facilities, and Friday-night skate time features a deejay. Rocky Gorge Golf Fairway (www.rockygorgegolf.com) in Laurel offers batting cages, a driving range, and miniature golf, all easily accessible from Route 29. 2. Outdoor Discoveries Sometimes, embarking on a new learning experience is the best way to get to know a romantic interest. If you’re outdoorsy, try one of L.L. Bean’s Walk-On Adventures. You and your new pal can learn to fly fish or kayak right at Centennial Lake in the heart of Ellicott City—transportation and equipment are provided! Sign up at the L.L. Bean store at the Mall in Columbia for your three-hour lesson. For more information, call 410-715-7020 (offered seasonally). 9. Get Cultured Did you know that Howard County has its own professional theater company? Rep Stage at Howard Community College produces a full season every year. This year’s offerings include “Mrs. Farnsworth” (playing now), as well as local favorite “The Santaland Diaries” and the classic “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” by George Bernard Shaw. For more information, visit www.repstage.org. Prefer live music instead? Attend a performance by the Columbia Pro Cantare (www.procantare.org), Candlelight Concerts (www.candlelightconcerts.org), or the Columbia Orchestra (www.columbiaorchestra.org). 6. Be Spooky Together If you and your date are interested in haunted history, there’s no better place to start than Ellicott City. Howard County Tourism’s ghost tours are offered every Friday and Saturday night from April to November in the Historic District and monthly on the date of the full moon. Round out your evening with dinner at the Crab Shanty—you’ll enjoy a discount with your ticket stub—or on Main Street. Reservations are strongly recommended for ghost tours. Visit www.visithowardcounty.com or call 410-313-1900 for more information. 3. Relax at the Pearl The Pearl Modern Spa and Boutique is one of Howard County’s newest day-spa destinations. Be forewarned: Go for a day and you’ll want to stay for a year. The Pearl offers special packages for couples that incorporate various treatments in a serene environment. The spa’s “Dynamic Duo” package includes an hour in the Blue Grotto, massages for two, and a sea-salt-infused soak in a hydrotherapy tub big enough for both of you. To reserve, call 301-776-6948 or visit www.thepearlspa.com. 10. Go to a Festival Howard County hosts festivals large and small throughout the year. The Fall Festival in Historic Ellicott City will take place on September 29 and will feature music, sidewalk sales, a beer garden, and wine tastings. The Farm-City Celebration (www.farmheritage.org) runs from September 25 through October 6. And the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival—the largest of its kind in the United States—is held annually in May at the Howard County Fairgrounds (www.sheepandwool.org). 7. See a Show 4. Wine Dinners Howard County’s restaurants and hotels often feature wine dinners where special chefs’ menus are paired with wines from a particular vintner or region. These dinners are a great chance to learn about the featured wines, enjoy a wonderful meal, and meet fellow diners who share your epicurean Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia has been going strong for 28 years and is the easiest date you’ll ever plan: dinner and a show, all included in your ticket price! Of course, Toby’s also offers a full cash bar. This fall kicks off with “Titanic: The Musical,” with a menu planned around dinners actually served aboard the ship (www.tobysdinnertheatre.com). Howard County offers infinite unique and interesting date opportunities—so just find a romantic prospect and you’ll be set for fun! 30 howardLIFE http://www.aidabistro.com http://www.turfvalley.com http://www.belmontconferencecenter.com http://www.elkridgefurnaceinn.com http://www.ironbridgewines.com http://www.clydes.com http://www.cacaolane.net http://www.howardcc.edu http://www.ramsheadtavern.com http://www.columbiaassociation.com http://www.rockygorgegolf.com http://www.repstage.org http://www.procantare.org http://www.candlelightconcerts.org http://www.columbiaorchestra.org http://www.visithowardcounty.com http://www.farmheritage.org http://www.thepearlspa.com http://www.sheepandwool.org http://www.tobysdinnertheatre.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.