🍦Wine in the Woods Weekend is the Best Weekend!

Good morning, Columbia.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

Get your picnic blankets ready — Wine in the Woods is back this weekend, and it’s Columbia’s undisputed preeminent event. What started as a wild idea in 1990 is now a rite of spring. Inspired by Carroll County’s wine festival, then-County Councilman Paul Farragut thought, why not here? After some legal wrangling, Howard County gave Maryland wineries the green light in 1991.

The Department of Recreation and Parks picked the perfect spot: Symphony Woods, right next to Merriweather Post Pavilion. The weekend after Mother’s Day became the festival’s home on the calendar. The name? Wine in the Woods just felt right. The first crowds hit 7,500 per day by 1997. By 2007, 20,000 wine lovers were strolling, sipping, and swaying to live music. Today, it’s a full-on Howard County tradition — part wine, part music, part community magic. Rain or shine (and oh, Maryland loves to test us), the show always goes on. Cheers, Columbia!

We know Columbia is family-friendly, but singles? Not so much, according to WalletHub. The city ranked 179th out of 182 in its “Best Cities for Singles” list, scoring just 39.93. (Atlanta topped the list at 63.81.) So if you’ve been endlessly swiping left with no luck, you’re not alone. The New York Times even spotlighted the study, sparking plenty of agreement on Reddit. One commenter joked—cue SNL’s Stefon voice—“Columbia’s hottest new nightclub is… COSTCO!”

The truth? Columbia’s vibe leans family over flirty. Many settle down here after their single days. But change is brewing. Columbia Social, founded by local Joe Zerafa, helps young professionals find community and dodge the isolation trap. The Columbia Association says it’s working to boost young adult engagement through fitness classes, free Lakefront events, and more. Because even in Columbia, love might just be one connection away. ($)

The Mall in Columbia just lost three big names — Chicken + Whiskey, Bennie’s Pizza, and The Walrus Oyster & Ale House — all operated by restaurateur Desmond Reilly’s SRG Concepts group. Reilly says rising crime and poor response from mall management and county leaders forced his hand, though officials dispute that claim. Reilly points to declining customer counts: down 25% in 2023, 20% in 2024, and 60% overall by 2025. The July 2024 food court murder and a recent double shooting only deepened public fears, he says.

The mall’s landlord, Brookfield Properties, says security has always been strong and negotiations with Reilly continued for months. County officials added a 24hr police presence in the area and dispute claims of inaction. Reilly, whose restaurants thrive in D.C., says suburban customers have zero tolerance for crime. He’s now focused on helping 81 displaced employees while voicing the concerns of other business owners who share his frustration. The debate continues: was it crime, business strategy, or both? One thing’s for sure — the conversation around safety and small business survival at The Mall in Columbia isn’t going away. ($)

Ozempic may be the hottest drug in America, but now it’s facing a major legal challenge. Howard County resident Todd Engel says the diabetes (and often weight loss) medication left him legally blind—and he’s suing the drug’s maker, Novo Nordisk. Ozempic is still relatively new, and honestly—are we surprised a drug with such fast, dramatic results might come with serious side effects? Engel says he’ll never see his wife’s smile again. That’s devastating. ($)

Yikes. Howard County officials issued a health alert after a major sewage overflow flooded a Columbia townhouse community this week. An estimated 1.3 million gallons spilled  — the result of a busted main sewer line. The mess lasted over 30 hours before crews installed a bypass pump to stop the flow. The county’s message? Steer clear. Residents (and their pets) should avoid any water downstream, including Lake Elkhorn. ($)

From Howard High to the Arizona Cardinals—Winston DeLattiboudere III is climbing fast. The 27-year-old was hired in February as the NFL’s youngest defensive line coach, bringing his signature energy, humility, and hustle to the pro ranks. A 2014 All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year, DeLattiboudere made a name for himself at Minnesota, where he grew from undersized freshman to team captain. He later told his college coach he’d return one day—this time, leading Howard University’s team to beat the Gophers by 21. Coach PJ Fleck laughed then. He’s not laughing now.

Since his playing days, DeLattiboudere’s made coaching stops at Charlotte, Oregon, Akron, and Minnesota. Along the way, he’s coached top talent, led freshmen through transition programs, and proved he can thrive at every level. He calls his overwhelming energy his “superpower.” His players call him inspiring. Howard County just calls him ours. And this story’s still being written. ($)

Say goodbye to Brown’s Motel—soon, Route 40 will be home to a brand-new age-restricted apartment building for residents 55 and up. The site, just steps from Patapsco Valley State Park, is being transformed into The Residences at Patapsco Place (working title). With 89 units—nine set aside for moderate-income housing—the project is moving fast. Waitlist’s already open. ($)

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Columbia-based cybersecurity giant Tenable Holdings Inc. has officially named Stephen Vintz and Mark Thurmond as co-CEOs. The decision comes after the January passing of beloved CEO Amit Yoran, who led Tenable through massive growth and its IPO. Vintz, the company’s CFO since 2014, and Thurmond, COO since 2020, had served as interim co-CEOs since Yoran took medical leave in late 2024.

Vintz will focus on product, cybersecurity, and corporate development while Thurmond will lead sales, marketing, and customer success. They’ll officially join Tenable’s board on May 14. Tenable, with nearly 2,000 employees and $800 million in 2023 revenue, looks set to keep growing under their combined leadership.

Baltimore’s worst-kept secret just landed in Columbia. Kong Pocha—known for its golden fried chicken, spicy pork, and no-frills, late-night vibes—has opened a second location at 9350 Snowden River Parkway. It’s part bar, part restaurant, part hangout. Think karaoke, soju, and dishes like army stew and kimchi pancakes that hit like a warm hug. Columbia, welcome to your new late night go-to spot.

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.

This week’s featured event. . .

Skip the Small Talk: Women’s Connection Brunch Coming to Columbia May 18
Looking for deeper connections? Join this curated women’s brunch designed for real conversations and authentic friendships. Expect soulful chats, meaningful takeaways, and a supportive community. Come solo, leave inspired and connected.
When: Saturday, May 18, 10 AM–12 PM
Where: Busboys and Poets, Columbia (6251 Mango Tree Rd.)
Seats are limited—don’t miss out!

Columbia Social Monthly Happy Hour
Ready to meet new people? Columbia Social’s monthly happy hour is back May 15, 5pm at Reckless Shepherd. Good vibes, cold drinks, and new friends await. Don’t miss it!

Howard County Farmers Markets Are in Full Bloom
The wait is over… it’s farmers market season in Howard County! Whether you’re hunting for juicy strawberries, local honey, crusty bread, or farm-fresh eggs, the county’s markets have you covered. Markets are open across the area, including Ellicott City, Columbia, and Oakland Mills. Grab your tote bags and support local farmers, bakers, and makers. It’s more than shopping—it’s a community tradition. Expect live music, friendly faces, and the freshest finds of the season.

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.

Big news for Howard County teens and young adults: the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is expanding thanks to a $250,000 boost in County Executive Calvin Ball’s proposed FY26 budget. Launched in 2018 with just 13 participants, SYEP has exploded in size and will support 300 participants this summer. The program matches young people, ages 14–24, with local businesses, nonprofits, and government offices for paid work and career exploration.

Participants gain real-world skills like communication, time management, and teamwork — plus a paycheck. Companies like Medical Me MD rave about the program’s impact, saying it transforms shy students into confident leaders. SYEP is more than a summer job; it’s a launchpad. Past participants say it’s opened doors to new careers and even helped them start businesses. Applications are open now, but spots fill up fast. Howard County youth, this could be your summer to shine!

Howard County Public Schools just named its 2025 Principal and Teachers of the Year. Lisa Smith, principal of Hammond Middle School, earned Principal of the Year for her hands-on leadership and strong connections with students and staff.

Two teachers received the Teacher of the Year honor. Tyrone Page, band director at Oakland Mills Middle School, was recognized for building a vibrant, inclusive band program and going above and beyond to support students. Natalie Pretzello, band director at Hammond Middle School, was honored for her work growing the music program by 30% and creating a nurturing environment where students excel.

The numbers are in, and they’re tight. Howard County Superintendent Bill Barnes and Board of Education Chair Jolene Mosley say hard choices lie ahead after County Executive Calvin Ball proposed $39.3 million above the required Maintenance of Effort for schools—far short of the $107.3 million the board requested.

Ball cited stagnant enrollment and state and federal funding cuts as major hurdles. He also called the board’s full request “unattainable and unaffordable.” Still, the proposal dedicates 64% of general fund revenue growth to schools, plus $6.7 million for educator pensions and $1.5 million in possible school safety funds.

The school board acknowledged Ball’s efforts but warned that program cuts may be unavoidable, especially with rising special education costs, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future mandates, and inflation pressures. The County Council votes at the end of May. Until then, expect a public push for transparency and advocacy to protect student resources.

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76 🌡️ 63 | 🌧️ | 85% | 💨 SW 2-12 mph

84 🌡️ 63 | ⛈️ | 50% | 💨 NE 2-19 mph

82 🌡️ 66 | 🌨️ | 40% | 💨 SE-E 3-31 mph

74 🌡️ 61 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 E-SE 7-32 mph

72 🌡️ 56 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 SE 8-29 mph

67 🌡️ 50 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 SE 5-22 mph

62 🌡️ 51 | ☁️ | 15% | 💨 SW 5-15 mph

The Collective Encore | Dueling Pianos Featuring the Flying Ivories 7pm

Looney’s Maple Lawn | Justin Taylor
Bare Bones | Radio Hero 6pm
The Collective Encore | Ultimate Taylor Swift Experience 8pm
Reckless Shepherd | Neel Madan 7pm

Nottingham’s Tavern | Karaoke Day Party 3pm
Busboys and Poets | Marcus Johnson 7pm
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Kittyback
Bare Bones | Crush 6pm
The Collective Encore | Eclipse: The Ultimate Journey Tribute 8pm
Reckless Shepherd | Guns n’ Led 9pm

Merriweather Post | Ben Folds and the Howard County Youth Orchestra 730pm
Manor Hill Brewing | IMU Duo
Reckless Shepherd | School of Rock-Columbia 12pm

Stained Glass Pub | Timmie Metz and Erich
The Collective Encore | Hayley Jane Band 7:30pm
Reckless Shepherd | Felix and Fingers DUELING PIANOS 7pm

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