🍦AAA trifecta

Good morning, Columbia. Yesterday I learned that some coffee shops serve flights and we’re kind of obsessed with the idea. Craft beer flights are so 2019. Bring on the coffee flights. I also had a bacon flight once at a restaurant in Alabama. That was fantastic.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

Big sass. Little body. Meet Rocky — a 12-pound, two-year-old Skye/Yorkie mix with one blue eye, one brown, and zero awareness of his size. He lost his home when his owner couldn’t care for him anymore, but Hatton Animal Rescue stepped in. Rocky’s crate trained, house trained (outdoors and pee-pad savvy), and mostly quiet — unless he hears a “situation” outside or spots a dog he needs to brief. Big dogs intimidate him, small dogs might be OK, but he’d love to be your one and only. He may bark at you at first — it’s nerves, not rudeness — then he’ll melt into full-time cuddle mode. Ready for a tiny sidekick with big personality? Rocky’s waiting at Hatton Animal Rescue and honestly we’re surprised he’s been there so long.

Monday, Feb 16 is Presidents’ Day — and yes, schools are closed Monday and Tuesday. Between this and snow, we’re not sure how much the kids are learning these days.

Closed:

Howard County Government offices, courts, 50+ centers, and the animal shelter. Also dark: Belmont Manor, Firehouse Museum, Patapsco Female Institute, and Waverly Mansion.

Open:

After-school activities were canceled Wednesday at Atholton, Guilford Park, and Hammond high schools as officials investigated rumors about a fight between students. Police say there’s no active threat. The move paused sports — including Atholton vs. Guilford Park basketball.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

Friday

FiEvo's Valentine's Bachata Class | Bring your partner or fly solo to this Valentine's weekend dance class. Come Friday night, Saturday afternoon, or both. | 8 PM | Fitness Evolution, Laurel

Saturday

Toby's Dinner Theatre: Rock of Ages | The 80s rock jukebox musical gets the full dinner-theatre treatment. Also playing Friday & Sunday. | Doors 6 PM, Show 8 PM | Toby's Dinner Theatre Columbia

Valentine’s Day Comedy Game Night | Interactive experience with clean stand-up comics Stacey Carver and Coy LaSone | 5–7 PM

Sunday

Third Sunday DJ Swing Dance | Beginner lesson at 5 PM, then two hours of dancing to recorded swing classics. Savage residents get in for just $10. | 5–7:30 PM | Carroll Baldwin Hall, Savage

Threads of Heritage: African Print Fabrics Exhibition | Opening reception already happened Thursday with County Executive Calvin Ball, but the fabric exhibition celebrating African textiles and their stories continues on display through April 3. Community quilt participation available. | 10 AM onwards | Savage Mill

Fused Glass Spoon Rest Workshop | Learn basic fused glass techniques and make something functional. Your creation gets fired and will be ready for pickup in two weeks. Two sessions available. | 11 AM or 6 PM | Columbia Art Center

Candlelight tribute to Fleetwood Mac | A string quartet plays the greatest hits of Fleetwood Mac in a room only lit by candles | 9 PM

The 2026 Holiday Mart Juried Arts & Craft Show is now taking applications for the Saturday, Dec. 5 event — and yes, early-bird pricing is live (it better be this early). Submit by Monday, March 2 to snag the deal: $20 nonrefundable application fee, plus $135 per booth (no electric) or $155 (with electric). If you’re accepted, you’ll get a link to reserve your space.

If you’ve got handmade magic ready for holiday prime time, this is your cue.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has signed Council Bill 3-2026, clearing the way for more accessory dwelling units — aka ADUs — across the county. Think backyard cottages, garage apartments, and in-law suites on single-family lots.

The update aligns local zoning with Maryland’s new ADU law and county housing plans, aiming to boost “missing middle” options for seniors, young workers, caregivers, and multigenerational families. The bill keeps owner-occupancy rules, eases lot restrictions, and allows attached or detached units by-right in many zones.

Howard County just pulled off a rare feat: a AAA bond rating from all three major agencies — Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service, and Standard & Poor's. Only about 2% of counties nationwide earn that trifecta.

What does that mean? Think of it like a credit score for the county. The higher the rating, the lower the interest rates when the county borrows money for schools, roads, parks, and public safety. Lower rates = less taxpayer money spent on debt, more spent on stuff we actually use.

County leaders say strong reserves, steady growth, and tight budgeting sealed the deal. In plain English: lenders trust Howard County to pay its bills — and that trust saves us money.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

37 🌡️ 23 | 🌥️ | 1% 🌧️ | 💨 15 mph

40 🌡️ 23 | ☀️ | 3% 🌨️ | 💨 9 mph

53 🌡️ 34 | ⛅ | 3% 🌧️ | 💨 9 mph

45 🌡️ 33 | 🌧️ | 72% 🌧️| 💨 5 mph

Cured 1821 | Kevin Howard| 6 PM
The Morgan Inn | Dave Phenicie & Paula Richardson | 6 PM

Bare Bones | Radio Hero | 8 PM
Blackwall Barn & Lodge | Mike Heuer | 8 PM
Collective Encore | Love Riot | 8 PM | Tickets
Cured 1821 | Aiden Interrante | 6 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Rod Sebastian | 6 PM
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Stealing Savannah | 9 PM
The Morgan Inn | ENSLOW | 7 PM
Oversea Distillery | Scarlet Kiss | 6 PM
Reckless Shepherd | Vertigo Red | 9 PM
Smashing Grapes | Jennifer Schimpf | 8 PM
White Oak Tavern | Dan Ingham | 8 PM

Bare Bones | Bored Certified | 8 PM
Blackwall Barn & Lodge | Grayson Moon | 8 PM
Cured 1821 | Bob Butta | 5 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Ciaran Quinn| 6 PM
Looney’s Maple Lawn | The Gab Cinque Band | 8 PM
Reckless Shepherd | Better Off Dead | 9 PM
Smashing Grapes | Cynthia Marie | 8 PM
White Oak Tavern | Noah Pierre & Josee Molavi | 6 PM

Blackwall Barn & Lodge | Jamie Bishop | 11 AM
Cured 1821 | Sidestreet Duo | 5 PM
Manor Hill Brewing | Sophie Bernitt| 2 PM
The Morgan Inn | Soul Family Band | 2 PM
Reckless Shepherd | Komolapur Express | 7 PM
Smashing Grapes | Jason Kearse | 11 AM
White Oak Tavern | Jazz Brunch | 10 AM

Thanks for reading Columbia Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone from Alabama.