🍦No new data centers (for now)

Good morning, Columbia. Today is National Cognac Day and National Cheese Day, depending on how you’re feeling. Btw, cognac is kinda like champagne. It’s a brandy but must be made using one of six white grape varietals grown in the Cognac region of France and aged for a minimum of two years. Nobody likes region-specific alcohol more than the French.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

The County Council voted unanimously Monday to halt new data center development until November 2027 while a task force studies how the giant server farms affect water, power, noise, and neighborhoods.

Why the timeout? The county's zoning rules for data centers were written in 1993 — back when "the cloud" meant something in the sky. Council member Christiana Rigby, who sponsored the bill — officially the S.M.A.R.T. Siting bill, for Strategic Moratorium for Assessing Responsible Technology — stressed this isn't a ban: existing facilities and already-approved projects aren't affected, and data centers are still expected to play a role in the Columbia Gateway redevelopment. The bill now heads to County Executive Calvin Ball's desk.

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We don’t have any drive-in theaters in HoCo, but we do have this. Outdoor movie season officially starts this weekend, and you've got two to pick from (and a third come fall):

🎬 Lakefront Live Movie Nights kick off this Friday with the live-action Lilo & Stitch on the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. Free films run through September 4 — all closed captioned, all starting at dusk (around 8 PM). The summer lineup includes Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

🍷 The Wine Bin's Summer Movie Nights are back in Old Ellicott City nearly every Saturday through September 5. This week: Dial M for Murder at 9 PM. Come early for wine tastings and charcuterie inside the shop, and grab popcorn — proceeds benefit Voices for Children.

🌳 Movie Nights in the Park returns to Color Burst Park in the fall (September 18–October 9), with pre-show games and dance parties at 6 PM and films at 7:15 — including Toy Story 5 and the live-action Moana.

Pack a blanket. We'll see you out there.

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Blandair Regional Park cuts the ribbon on Phase 6 tomorrow at 3 PM, with a celebration running 3:30–5:30 PM at the park's west side (5750 Oakland Mills Road).

The headliner: a 15,000-square-foot destination skatepark — modern concrete built into the hillside and designed for every wheel and skill level. Bring your board, helmet, and pads to take the first laps, or just watch the crew from Charm City Skate Park throw a demo.

Round it out with lawn games (Pony Hops, Giant Connect 4, and cornhole — all provided) and dinner from two on-site food trucks. Phase 6 broke ground in September 2024, the latest step in Blandair's transformation from 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Columbia into the county's marquee park.

Event details here.

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🎈 = family-friendly events

🎈🎶 Amped in the Park - The free outdoor concert series kicks off at Color Burst Park with live music from Lakecia Benjamin, food, and giveaways.

🩰 Ballet Bouquet - Misako Ballet Company blends classical ballet with Japanese-inspired artistry, joined by NYC guest company Feathers Dance.

🎈🎬 Movie Night: Lilo & Stitch - Mr. B hosts the live action remake on the Downtown Columbia Lakefront, preceded by Dancin' Under the People Tree.

🎈🐮 Clarksville Commons Farmers Market - Farm-fresh produce, baked goods, meats, and local artisan goods, with live music by Mike Walls.

🎈🏃 Maryland Half Marathon & 5K - The 18th annual race at Maple Lawn has raised $8M+ for the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center.

🎈🎪 Savage Fest - Community festival with a petting zoo, bounce castles, pony rides, and live music.

🎈🍓 Strawberry Festival - The annual berry-forward celebration in Savage's Guilford neighborhood.

🎈🏃 Matzohball 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run - The 22nd annual family-friendly race through Western Regional Park, benefiting three local charities.

🎈🌱 Pollinator Fest - Bees, butterflies, crafts, live music, and rescue animals at the Howard County Conservancy.

🎈🐱 Meow at the Manor - BARCS' annual adoption event at Manor Hill Brewing, complete with a special Barn Cat's Meow beer release.

🎈🎭 Toby's Dinner Theatre: The Wizard of Oz - The classic musical with buffet dinner — matinees and evening shows all weekend. There's no place like Toby's.

🎈🍦 Summer Sounds Ice Cream Socials - Live music, family activities, and ice cream at a multiple village centers Thursday–Sunday.

🎨 2026 Student & Faculty Exhibition - Columbia Art Center showcases pottery, sculpture, glass, paintings, and more.

🎉 For the history books – Guilford Park High School celebrated its first-ever graduation Monday, sending about 350 seniors across the Merriweather Post Pavilion stage. The county's newest high school opened in 2023 and is the largest ever built in HoCo.

🔬 Big brains – Mount View Middle School placed 10th in the nation at the 2026 National Science Olympiad at USC — the best finish by any Maryland middle or high school ever, and the state's first national team trophy. The 15-student team (plus four alternates) medaled in hovercraft, water quality, and codebusters against 120 of the country's best squads.

🍽️ Mad about Maple Lawn – Ellicott City favorite Mad Chef Kitchen & Bar is opening a second location this fall, taking over the former Banditos Tacos & Tequila space on Westside Boulevard in Maple Lawn. Late October is the target. (Don't worry, Banditos fans — the Columbia location is still pouring margaritas.)

💼 New way to work – Enclave Coworking quietly opened at 10715 Charter Drive a few weeks ago — consider the quiet part officially over. The 24/7 space offers flex coworking, dedicated desks, and private offices, plus a nights-and-weekends plan for side hustlers. They're currently offering free two-week flex trials. Check it out.

👖 Closure at the Mall – Finally Vntg, the vintage clothing shop at the Mall in Columbia, has closed its doors. Sharp-eyed Redditors spotted the closure first. Keep an eye on the shop's Instagram in case a comeback — or an online shop — materializes.

🥪 Turns out there actually is free lunch – HCPSS's Summer Meals Program returns June 24–July 31, serving free weekday meals from 12:30–2 PM to all HCPSS students and any kids 18 and under. No applications, no enrollment, no fees — kids just need to be present. (Note: no service July 3.) Find a meal site.

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88 🌡️ 63 | ☀️ | 0% ☔ | 💨 NW 5 mph

91 🌡️ 68 | 🌤️ | 0% ☔ | 💨 W 6 mph

94 🌡️ 69 | 🌤️ | 35% ☔ | 💨 W 10 mph

88 🌡️ 63 | ⛈️ | 44% ☔ | 💨 NW 8 mph

76 🌡️ 56 | 🌧️ | 19% ☔ | 💨 NE 10 mph

Bare Bones | Brandon Freelump | 7 PM 
Cured 1821 | Rodney Kelly | 6 PM 
Merriweather | Kali Uchis | 
The Morgan Inn | David Phenicie & Paula Richardson | 6 PM

Bare Bones | Misspent Youth | 8 PM 
The Barn & Lodge | Mike Heuer | 8 PM
Collective Encore | The Weeklings | 8 PM | Ticket
Cured 1821 | Aiden Interrante | 6 PM 
Hoco Brew Hive | John Haywood | 7 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Albie Stepowany | 6 PM 
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Lush | 9 PM
Manor Hill Brewing | Jon Watkins | 5 PM
The Morgan Inn | GP3 | 8 PM 
Reckless Shepherd | The Betty White Stripes | 9 PM
Smashing Grapes | Marissa Zechinato | 8 PM 
White Oak Tavern | Greg Kneller | 8 PM

Bare Bones | Freezer Burn | 8 PM 
The Barn & Lodge | Andrew Bell | 8 PM
Collective Encore | The Weeklings | 12 PM | Ticket
Collective Encore | The Weeklings | 8 PM | Ticket
Cured 1821 | Bob Butta | 6 PM 
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Miss Soon Rising | 6 PM 
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Smoke Signals | 9 PM
The Morgan Inn | NoWhere Fast | 8 PM 
Reckless Shepherd | Radio Hero | 8:30 PM
Smashing Grapes | Jennifer Schimpf | 8 PM 
Sonoma’s | Dance Little Sister | 7 PM
White Oak Tavern | Paul Kalamari | 8 PM

The Barn & Lodge | Sean Bera | 8 PM
Collective Encore | Paperback Writer Brunch | 12 PM | Ticket
Collective Encore | The McCartney Experience | 7 PM | Ticket
Manor Hill Brewing | Drew Cline | 2 PM
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, please share it with someone who treats the frozen yogurt toppings bar like a competitive sport.