🍦Return of the (pizza) king

ɒidmυloƆ ,ϱninɿom booӘ

γɒboɈ ɘɿɘʜ ɘʞoį γɈɈiw on ƨɘɿɘʜT
Ɉiυɿʇ ɿɘmmυƨ ƨυoiɔilɘb ɒ ƨi nolɘmɿɘɈɒW

Confused? Here’s a hint: Leonardo da Vinci would understand that with no tools.

Here’s another hint: Take a screenshot and mirror it.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

Tired: Groundbreaking ceremonies. Wired: Wall breaking ceremonies.

County Executive Calvin Ball & friends kicked off Phase 2 of The Capitoline Center on Tuesday with a ceremonial wall breaking at the former Circuit Courthouse at 8360 Court Avenue in Ellicott City. The final phase adds 6,300 square feet of new space: a new headquarters for the county's Roving Radish healthy-meal-kit program, a shared teaching and demonstration kitchen (the largest in Rec & Parks' portfolio), and two multipurpose community rooms.

Phase 1 opened earlier this year with the Howard County Arts Council's new headquarters and the county's first Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural Center. And Roving Radish has earned the upgrade: since 2015 it has prepared 88,250+ meal kits and put more than $1 million back into 33 local farms.

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Old Ellicott City's most famous dining room smells like wood-fired pizza now.

River House Pizza Co. – the wood-fired favorite from the Forest Green Shopping Center – has moved into 8293 Main Street as River House on Main, a pizzeria bistro from owners Nathan Sowers and Kimberly Kepnes. Week two of the soft opening runs through Sunday with lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch on the menu.

The Main Street move comes with an expanded menu for River House. And it puts Nathan back in the kitchen where he cut his teeth. Not everyone knows that Nathan worked at Tersiguel's from 2004 to 2016.

Keep in mind that this is a soft opening. Everyone’s still getting used to the new space. A little patience will go a long way.

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🎈 = family-friendly events

🎬 Movie Night - Wicked - Outdoor screening of the Oz musical at the Columbia Lakefront at dusk (around 8 PM), closed captioned.

🎨 Whimsical Workshop at Manor Hill - Build an enchanting fairy house from glass bottles, clay, and natural materials in Manor Hill's hop field.

🎈 🎉 Midnight Mini-Golf - A 21+ night of mini-golf under the stars with a Beach Party theme, lawn games, and Jimmy's Seafood truck.

🎶 Loveboat Yacht Rock at Hickory Ridge Village Center - The Summer Sounds Series brings soft rock hits from the late 70s and early 80s to Hickory Ridge.

🎶 Friday Music: Debonis Allen Duo - Classic rock covers from the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, and more at Clarksville Commons.

🎈 🐟 Kids Fishing Derby - Catch-and-release derby at Lake Elkhorn for youth of all ages, with trophies and volunteer help for beginners.

🎈 🎥 Family Fun Day - A Wicked-themed celebration at the Columbia Lakefront with free kids' activities, character meet-and-greet, and a bracelet-making station.

🎤 Alex Warren Presents: Little Orphan Alex Live - Pop's breakout singer-songwriter behind “Ordinary” brings his tour to Merriweather Post Pavilion.

🎶 Panama Rex (Jimmy Buffet tribute) at Forest Green - Free outdoor concert bringing tropical vibes and beach favorites to the Forest Green series.

🎨 Summer Invitational Exhibition Art Reception - Opening reception for a juried exhibition featuring Howard County artists at Bernice Kish Gallery, 3–5 PM.

🐮 Farmers Market at Clarksville Commons - Fresh produce, artisan foods, baked goods, crafts, and live music at the Saturday market.

🎬 Movie Night - Wicked: For Good - The second Wicked film continues the Oz story under the stars at the Columbia Lakefront.

🚴 20th Annual Donna Sunderdick Columbia Pedal & Paddle - Ride 45 miles and swim a lap at 23 outdoor pools in this classic Columbia summer tradition.

🎈 🍦 Mike's Gelato 10 Year Anniversary Party - Celebrate at Frank's Produce with music, kids' activities, giveaways, new flavors, and a food truck.

🧘 Pilates on the Lakefront - A 45-minute lakeside Pilates class at Merriweather Lakehouse, followed by wellness drinks, energy bites, and a build-your-own bouquet bar.

🎶 Summer Sounds Series at Kings Contrivance Village Center - Crafts & Cords theme with live music and family-friendly activities, 4–7 PM.

🎭 Toby's Dinner Theatre Presents: Mean Girls - The musical paired with a buffet dinner, running through August.

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🎾 Court adjourned – The tennis courts at Blandair Regional Park are temporarily closed for resurfacing, with the project expected to wrap around July 21. Need a rally fix in the meantime? Get with the times and pick up pickleball. Just kidding. . . Rec & Parks keeps a list of courts and amenities at every county park here.

🎖️ Marshal plan – The Howard County Veterans Foundation is taking nominations for grand marshal of the Veterans Day Parade on November 8. This year's theme honors "citizen soldiers" for America's 250th, so the ideal nominee has served in the National Guard or a reserve component. Know someone? Nominations are open through September 2 at HowardCountyVeterans.org/marshal.

💧 Pond life – Howard County DPW will present its plan to repair the stormwater pond at the Dayton Highways Shop on Monday, July 13 at 6 PM in the Pindell Room of the Glenwood library. The fix includes dredging out sediment, a new spillway, and a shallow wetland, with construction running January to October 2027. Questions welcome – staff and the project's consultant will stick around for a Q&A.

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70 🌡️ 85 | 🌩️ | 70% ☔ | 💨 SSW 6 mph

70 🌡️ 88 | 🌦️ | 19% ☔ | 💨 W 8 mph

67 🌡️ 83 | ⛈️ | 55% ☔ | 💨 N 5 mph

64 🌡️ 84 | ⛅ | 15% ☔ | 💨 ENE 7 mph

64 🌡️ 84 | ⛅ | 11% ☔ | 💨 E 6 mph

Bare Bones | Dan Ingham | 7 PM
Collective Encore | John Nemeth | 7:30 PM |  Ticket
Cured 1821 | Joe DeCara | 5 PM
The Morgan Inn | Down Time | 6 PM

Bare Bones | Betty White Stripes | 8 PM
The Barn & Lodge | Mike Sharp | 8 PM
Collective Encore | Experience Unlimited (EU) feat. Sugar Bear | 8 PM | Ticket
Cured 1821 | Ian Trushiem | 6 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Rod Sebastian | 6 PM
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Radio Hero | 9 PM
The Morgan Inn | Blondie Meets the Talking Heads | 8 PM
Reckless Shepherd | My Chemical Bromance | 9 PM
Smashing Grapes | Jennifer Schimpf | 8 PM
Sonomas | Jack Jones | 6 PM
White Oak Tavern | Dan Haas | 8 PM

The Barn & Lodge | Soulstice | 8 PM
The Barn & Lodge | Grayson Moon | 8 PM
Collective Encore | Carey Ziegler | 8 PM | Ticket
Cured 1821 | Kevin Howard | 6 PM
Kelsey’s Restaurant & Irish Pub | Mo Stringz | 6 PM
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Cherry Crush | 9 PM
The Morgan Inn | Stone Ridge Boys | 8 PM
Oversea Distillery | TBA | 7PM
Reckless Shepherd | Black Hole Sons | 8:30 PM
Smashing Grapes | Ed Willz | 8 PM
White Oak Tavern | Aidan Ewald | 7 PM

The Barn & Lodge | Andrew Bell | 11 AM
Cured 1821 | Sidestreet Duo | 5 PM
Manor Hill Brewing | Mandy B | 2 PM
The Morgan Inn | The Soul Family Band | 2 PM
Smashing Grapes | Sara Jones | 11 PM
White Oak Tavern | Jazzy Brunch | 11 AM

Thanks for reading Columbia Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who introduced you to a great band 10 years ago and you still think of them every time you hear the music. Thanks for introducing me to Mt. Joy, Sam!