🍦All Atterbeary

Good morning, Columbia. A JPMorgan executive lost her job this week after a video showing her dumping, then stealing a special-edition New York Knicks trash can went viral. And it gets worse. New York City is selling a replica online for just $170. Which is a lot of dough for a trash can but is still cheaper than losing a six-figure banking job.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

America turns 250 this year. And like most municipalities, Howard County is making a big deal of it. We’re talking parties, outdoor movie nights (Hamilton!), and of course, Independence Day.

The events run all year, but since Thomas Jefferson and his buddies voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 4 all those years ago, that’s when the bulk of the HoCo250 festivities happen. Such as. . .

The full lineup of HoCo250 seminars, exhibits, and community events lives on the county's site.

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The race for second place in the county executive race was close. First place was not.

Former state delegate Vanessa Atterbeary ran away with Tuesday’s Democratic primary, earning nearly 60% of the vote. County council member Deb Jung garnered just over 20% while fellow council member Liz Walsh got just under 20%. Bob Cockey received just about 2%.

Similarly, almost all of the County Council races will also be decided via primary. Only District 5 has a Republican challenger in Ryan O’Connor. Kevin Chin leads District 1. Jessica Nichols leads District 2. Christiana Rigby leads District 3. Janssen Evelyn leads a crowded District 4. And Cat Carter leads the Democratic District 5 primary.

These numbers are still unofficial. The certified results are expected in early July.

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🎈 = family-friendly events

🎈🪕 Fiddlers & Fireflies - Bring a picnic and settle into the orchard as fireflies rise at dusk, folk music fills the air, and kids make insect habitats and firefly crafts at Howard County Conservancy.

🎭 HCC Theatre Program Presents "Two Gentlemen of Verona" - Free outdoor Shakespeare under the stars at Howard Community College's Dreier Stage—bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle in for romance, comedy, and one very scene-stealing dog.

🎈🐾 World's Largest Swim Lesson - Free swim lesson at Faulkner Ridge Pool for all ages—learn water safety basics and build swimming confidence at the same time as thousands of other folks in dozens of countries.

🎶 Friday Music: Freezer Burn - Free outdoor concert at Clarksville Commons featuring blues, classic rock, and original tunes—bring chairs and blankets or grab takeout from the plaza.

💃 Dancin' Under the People Tree - All-ages dance fitness session led by CA instructors under the iconic People Tree sculpture at the Columbia Lakefront—no experience required.

🎭 American Idiot - Silhouette Stages brings Green Day's rock opera to life at Slayton House—high-energy music, minimal dialogue, and a story of post-9/11 disillusionment.

🏄‍♂️ Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC Tour 2026 - The laid-back surf-rock singer-songwriter brings his mellow vibes to Merriweather Post Pavilion.

🐮 Clarksville Commons Farmers Market - Local produce, artisan foods, handmade goods, and live music—a Saturday morning staple at Clarksville Commons with Brett Buehler performing and Bee City Howard County as a special guest.

🎨 Columbia Community Market - Summer Edition - Local vendors, food, music, and free raffles at Owen Brown Interfaith Center—free entry, family-friendly vibes, and a chance to support small businesses.

🎈🚗 June Meet: Mikey & Mel's Cruise In at Maple Lawn - All makes and models welcome at this monthly car cruise-in—Mikey and Mel's kitchen serves up eats.

🎸 The Strokes - Reality Awaits North America - The iconic rock band brings their Reality Awaits tour to Merriweather Post Pavilion.

🎨 Historic Oakland's Summer Craft Market - Browse handmade items from local vendors at Historic Oakland—a great chance to support artisans in a historic setting.

🎶 Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet - Bold brass arrangements by the Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet at St John's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City.

🎶 Goose at Merriweather Post Pavilion - Improvisational rock and extended jams from Goose—an evening for fans of live music exploration.

🎭 HCST Presents: Fiddler on the Roof - Howard County Summer Theatre marks its 50th production with this beloved musical about family, faith, and the courage to adapt, featuring a full cast, live orchestra, and dynamic choreography.

🎭 Toby's Dinner Theatre Presents: Mean Girls - The hit musical with a buffet dinner before the show—performances Thursday through Sunday at Toby's Columbia.

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🗑️ Beat the Heat – Howard County's curbside crews are clocking in early. Now through Friday, September 4, trash, recycling, food scraps, and yard trim pickups start an hour earlier, at 5 AM, to keep collectors safe under Maryland's Heat Stress Standard. Set your bins out the night before or by 5 AM on collection day so you don’t have to ask your neighbor with two bins to share next week. Won’t happen again, Rick 🙂

🚧 Seal the Deal – Public Works crews are chip-sealing about 22 miles of roads across western HoCo this week. Work should wrap by early August, weather permitting. Expect loose stone, fresh lane lines, and the occasional flagger, so ease off the gas through the work zones.

📹 Eyes Everywhere – Howard County police just flipped the switch on a new Real-Time Information Center, a hub that pulls surveillance cameras, body cameras, drones, and license plate readers into one live feed during emergencies. Acting Chief Terrence Benn says it gives officers a single picture instead of a dozen screens. The county is spending roughly $200,000 a year on it over the next five years.

🎨 Art of the Matter – The county and the Howard County Arts Council want your take on the public art planned for the future Public Garden in Glenwood. The $500,000 commission will sit on the historic Longwood estate, a site with a layered and difficult past, and organizers want community input on its themes before any artist is chosen. The survey is open now in English and Spanish.

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87 🌡️ 67 | 🌤️ | 10% ☔ | 💨 S 9 mph

89 🌡️ 67 | ⛈️ | 84% ☔ | 💨 NW 6 mph

84 🌡️ 66 | 🌧️ | 84% ☔ | 💨 W 6 mph

84 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | 13% ☔ | 💨 N 5 mph

88 🌡️ 67 | 🌤️ | 8% ☔ | 💨 SE 6 mph

Collective Encore | Kanin Wren | 7:30 PM |  Ticket
Cured 1821 | Joe DeCara | 6 PM

Bare Bones | Uncommitted | 8 PM
The Barn & Lodge | Grayson Moon | 8 PM
Collective Encore | Winslow | 8 PM | Ticket
Cured 1821 | Grant Langford | 6 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Brandon Kennedy | 6 PM
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Midnight Mimosa | 9 PM
Merriweather | Jack Johnson | 7:30 PM | Tickets
The Morgan Inn | Skatt-Daddy | 8 PM
Reckless Shepherd | Glamour Kitty | 9 PM
Smashing Grapes | Jennifer Schimpf | 8 PM
Sonoma’s | Spellbound | 7 PM
White Oak Tavern | Mr. VCR | 8 PM

Bare Bones | Remedy | 8 PM
The Barn & Lodge | Patrick Donovan | 8 PM
Collective Encore | Winslow | 8 PM | Ticket
Cured 1821 | Aiden Interrante | 6 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Brandt Dunn | 6 PM
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Big Machine | 9 PM
The Morgan Inn | InToneNation | 8 PM
Reckless Shepherd | Klepto Radio | 9 PM
Smashing Grapes | Jordan Mills | 8 PM
White Oak Tavern | Anthony Frijia | 8 PM

The Barn & Lodge | Jennifer Schimpf | 8 PM
Collective Encore | The 19th Street Band | 7 PM | Ticket
Cured 1821 | Sidestreet Duo | 5 PM
Manor Hill Brewing | Drew Cline | 2 PM
Merriweather | Goose | 7:30 PM | Tickets
The Morgan Inn | The Soul Family Band | 2 PM
Smashing Grapes | Patrick Cooper | 11 AM
White Oak Tavern | Jazzy Brunch | 11 AM

Thanks for reading Columbia Scoop today. If you found something useful, share it with the friend whose AC has been "making a weird noise" since May.