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Community Corner

🌱 What’s Cookin’ Laurel? Museum's Food Spotlight Now Open

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Laurel.

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Get on up, Laurel! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in Laurel.

First, today's weather:

Windy and cooler. High: 58 Low: 22.

Here are the top three stories today in Laurel:

  1. For the 18th straight year, the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie (G3) will have a different winner when the prestigious stakes for older female sprinters holds its 70th running Saturday at Laurel Park. Hibiscus Punch sprung a 41-1 upset of the 2021 Barbara Fritchie over a field that included multiple stakes winners Hello Beautiful, Dontletsweetfoolya and Needs Supervision. Trainer Justin Nixon had hoped to bring the 7-year-old mare back for a title defense in the Fritchie, but she ran ninth in her prep, the six-furlong What a Summer Jan. 29 at Laurel. (Past The Wire)
  2. University of Maryland employees Sandy Everett and Andrea Ball moved to College Park. Since then, they have enjoyed virtually nonexistent commutes, closeness to family, and walkability to neighborhood hotspots. Previously, they had been renting in Laurel. They said that the transition wouldn't have been possible without the College Park City-University Partnership's homeownership program. The initiative aims to increase the number of UMD and city employees living in College Park by providing a $15,000 incentive to buy a home within city limits. The program launched in 2015 and provides the money to homebuyers through interest-free, 10-year forgivable loans. (Maryland Today)
  3. Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations at Maryland's six casinos. The expansion is part of the governor's booster action plan, which includes the $2 million VaxCash 2.0 Promotion with the Maryland Lottery to further incentivize Marylanders to get a booster shot. (Maryland.gov)

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Today in Laurel:

  • "What's Cookin' Laurel?" Restaurants, Recipes & Community—The Laurel Museum's newest exhibit opens today. What's Cookin' Laurel puts food in the spotlight, exploring all the ways that we as Americans, Marylanders and Laurelites connect with our past and experience the present through growing food, cooking, dining out, and shopping. Visitors will discover Laurel's farmers, restaurants, food stores, African American traditions, Community Cookbooks and more. Admission is free. The Laurel Museum is located at 817 Main Street in Laurel. Open hours are 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Laurel Historical Society is also available to groups and for research by appointment only. For more information visit www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org, or contact the LHS at info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org, 301-725-7975. (12:00 p.m.)
  • Parents Night Out at Pongos Interactive in Crofton—Drop the kids off for some fun! We will have a variety of activities available for kids to choose from, including gaming, crafts, stop-motion animation, and more. Pizza and juice are included! (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
  • Disney On Ice presents "Let's Celebrate" at Capital One Arena—Disney on Ice is a live show created by Disney, that takes place on ice. First starting in 1981 under the name Walt Disney's World on Ice, it's grown into a worldwide ice-rink phenomenon. (7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
  • Maija Rejman and Barry Moton at the MAJF Club Stage in Rockville (7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.)
  • LAUGH. Live Standup Comedy Showcase—Live entertainment is the best! Receive some stress relief, unwind and party! A great lineup of comedians and special guests. Showcase the best national and local comedy acts from HBO, SHOWTIME, NETFLIX, AXSTV, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, Conan, Fallon, Kimmel, Colbert, MTV, VH1 and FX., in the Event Room at Nottinghams in Columbia. (8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
  • Dave Cole and the Main Street Blues performance on the MAJF Club Stage in Rockville—As a DC native, Dave "Git" Cole became an instant favorite within the DC Blues Society. Being an ace guitarist with soulful vocals, Cole's versatile expression of the blues leaves the crowd thrilled and other musicians amazed. If hearing the blues doesn't make you stand up and holler, then you've never heard David "Git" Cole play the blues. A favorite of the D.C. Blues Society, this native Washingtonian brings the full range of his experience as one of the area's most versatile musicians. (9:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Bowling Brook Farms: This Saturday (Feb. 19), from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., the Savage Library will have the monthly Ukulele lesson and play along. Bring your uke. Below is a link to register for the event. Hope to see you there! (Nextdoor)
  • Social Media Specialist, Montgomery Parks Marilyn Sklar, Montgomery Parks: Black History Month Family Day is a free, in-person program at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Russett: Plumber needed for water supply line. I have a leak. We think it is somewhere between the water meter and the house. Any recommendations on who I should call? County already came out and said it must be a leak, not the meter. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Kings Woods: Anyone know a body shop where they can steam clean the underside of your car? Mechanic suggested it for my boyfriend's car but we don't know the body shops around here. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Arden Pointe: Has anyone seen Charles the trash hauling guy? He seems to have disappeared. The cell number I have for him is no longer in service. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Montpelier: Wondering if anyone has recommendations on companies for bathroom remodels. I have an Eton style house (garage is on the left, so a flipped layout?), and want to finally upgrade my original-to-1967 full bathroom. (Nextdoor)
  • Maria Gonzales-Jackson, Neighbor: Interested in sharing your time and talent to help at-risk girls (all opportunities are virtual)? Volunteer to serve as a mentor or tutor! (Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm a Bowie area resident with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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