CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 2009

April - December 2009
Historic Ellicott City Sites Open
Saturday and Sunday, 1-4pm
410-465-8500
www.howardcountymd.gov/RAP/RAP_HistoricalSites.htm

Thomas Issac Log Cabin - free - donations gratefully accepted
Howard County Firehouse Museum - free - donations gratefully accepted
Ellicott City Colored School Restored - free - donations gratefully accepted
Heritage Orientation Center - free
Patapsco Female Institute - admittance fee

Through December 11, 2009
Art Exhibits at Howard County Arts Center
Art Hoco 2009, a juried exhibit featuring the work of Howard County artists, and Time and Shuttles Fly: 60 Years, Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore. Free and open to the public. Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 10AM-8PM; Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 12-4pm. www.hocoarts.org

My Way – A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra
Offered selected dates through January 1st, 2010 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre Columbia. Great songs combined with a witty and charming dialogue; $; 410-730-8311; www.tobysdinnertheatre.com

December 1-20, 2009
A Dickens of a Carol
Patrons are transported back to 1843 as they enter the beautiful Belmont Manor House and become "guests" of Charles Dickens himself! Enjoy a candlelight dinner by a roaring fire, while hearing Dickens' words brought to life. Reservations: www.repstage.org or 410-772-4900.

Through January 3, 2010
The 16th Annual Symphony of Lights
The Symphony of Lights, a spectacular display of more than 70 larger than life, animated and stationary light creations, is a must-see holiday tradition. 410-740-7840, www.hcgh.org

Through January 31, 2010
Holiday Festival of Trains
Wednesdays - Sundays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Holiday celebration of toy trains and model railroading including an O-gauge layout in the car house, the Museum's permanent HO-gauge layout in the freight house, an N-gauge layout, and a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine layout! Please note that the Museum is closed on Christmas Eve & Day and New Year's Day. Please note the Museum is open on New Year's Eve. & O Railroad Museum – Ellicott City Station. 410-465-1945; www.ecborail.org

December 1, 2009 -January 3, 2010
Holiday Festival of Trains at the B&O
Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m, Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Holiday celebration of toy trains and model railroading layouts.
Please note: The Museum is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Please note that the Museum will be open on New Year's Eve.
Baltimore B & O Railroad Museum; 410-752-2490; www.borail.org

December 2, 2009
Wednesday Cooking Classes at Donna’s
Holiday Food Gifts to Make. Class includes wines, tastes of all the foods prepared and recipes. Class starts at 6:30 and lasts about 2 hours; $45. Call for reservations: 410-659-5248 x 112, www.donnas.com

December 2, 2009
The First Ever Great Belgian Beer Fest at Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia, 410-750-1880, www.vistoriagastropub.com

December 4, 2009
Midnight Madness
Start the holiday season off with late night shopping in some of the best shops in Maryland! Customers will enjoy extended hours of business and entertainment during this annual holiday event. There are plenty of stores, restaurants and activities to amuse all age groups. 410-313-1900

December 4th through January 1st
Holiday Window Contest
Stroll through the Ellicott City historic district and view the holiday window decorations as shop owners compete for the best window prize. Public votes determine the winner of the People's Choice Award. Ballots may be picked up at stores in town and at the Howard County Tourism Visitors Information Center, 410-313-1900, 8267 Main Street, Ellicott City Restoration Foundation; www.ecrestoration.org

December 5, 2009
A Time and Place
From the craggy rocks of the Scottish islands in Meddelsshon’s Hebrides Overture to the triumphant trumpets of Respighi’s Pines of Rome, The Columbia Orchestra explores four exotic musical landscapes. Musical Director Jason Love will open the program with Mendelssohn’s work inspired by a visit to the remote archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. Jim Rouse Theatre at Wild Lake High School. 7:30PM $; 410-465-8777; www.columbiaorchestra.org

December 5, 2009
Baby Signing
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Teach your baby how to communicate with 100 basic signs at our Baby Signing class. Parents, grandparents and caregivers of babies up to 12 months old are welcome. The cost includes a review DVD. $40 per person; $75 per couple. Howard County General Hospital. 410-740-7646; www.hcgh.org

December 5, 2009
Natural Holiday Sale
The Howard County Conservancy will host its annual holiday sale with unique local hand crafted items, nature crafts and decorations demonstrations on Saturday, December 5th from 10am – 4pm at the Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Woodstock, 410-465-8877, www.hcconservancy.org

December 5, 2009
Santa Parade in Historic Ellicott City
Be sure to be in the historic district at Noon on Saturday, December 5th to see Santa arrive by fire engine. Stay to shop in fantastic stores and enjoy a bite to eat in our many fine restaurants and eateries. Entertainment and surprises throughout town. 410-313-1900

December 5, 2009
Breakfast with Santa
Père Noël, better known as Santa to the non French, will again be visiting Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant to entertain and delight the little ones; $5.00 for children under 5 and $7.00 for all others; 410-465-4004; www.tersiguels.com ; 9:30AM, 10:00AM and 10:30AM seatings available. Reservations Required.

December 5, 2009
Holiday Mart
New Location: Glenwood Community Center
Join us for the 37th year of this favorite annual Howard County event! You’ll find seasonal gifts and merchandise created by 130 juried artisans. We will have door prizes and a children’s craft corner. Discerning shoppers know this is the place to find unique handcrafted items and home decor. You’re sure to find something for everyone on your list and don’t forget yourself! For more information call Heather Sites at 410-313-4622.All ages; Glenwood Community Center / $4 per person. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap for more information and receive a 50% off admission coupon and directions to the event.

December 5, 2009
Natural Holiday Sale & Nature Crafts
The Howard County Conservancy will host its annual holiday sale with unique local hand crafted items, nature crafts and decorations demonstrations. Children and adults can make whimsical critters from cones, pods and seed heads. 10am - 4pm. The Howard County Conservancy. 410-465-8877.
www.hcconservancy.org

December 5 & 6, 2009
Holiday Open House
at The Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum
Experience the Holiday Season from years past. Fun for all ages. Featuring: Train Garden, Antique Displays, Live Music, Refreshments. Free admission, donations accepted. 10:00 until 4:00pm. For information call 410-531-2569 or check out www.farmheritage.org

December 5 & 6, 2009
Breakfast Buffet with Santa
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join the B&O Railroad Museum for our annual Breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a delicious breakfast, have your photo made while visiting with Santa, take a train ride and enjoy the holiday train layouts! Baltimore B & O Railroad Museum; 410-752-2490; www.borail.org

December 8, 2009
Blinkin' Binkies
Meet up with other moms (and dads!) with small children for this wonderful chance to share some holiday magic with your kids! Stroll along the 1.5 mile path through more than 70 light displays. Moms and dads and kids age 5-12 cost $5 each, no charge for children under 5. Pre-registrations preferred, but walk up registration will be avaliable. 4-6pm. www.hcgh.org

December 9, 2009
Pre-diabetes
7 – 9 p.m.
Learn what pre-diabetes is and how you can make life-style changes to prevent or delay the onset of actual diabetes. $15. Howard County General Hospital. 410-740-7646; www.hcgh.org

December 9, 2009
Wednesday Cooking Classes at Donna’s
Holiday Brunches. Class includes wines, tastes of all the foods prepared and recipes. Class starts at 6:30 and lasts about 2 hours; $45. Call for reservations: 410-659-5248 x 112, www.donnas.com

December 10, 2009
Adult, Child and Infant CPR
5:30 – 9 p.m.
Earn a two-year Heartsaver certification card upon completion of this class, which is not intended for health care providers; $48. Howard County General Hospital. 410-740-7646; www.hcgh.org

December 12 & 13, 2009
Breakfast Buffet with Santa
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Join the B&O Railroad Museum for our annual Breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a delicious breakfast, have your photo made while visiting with Santa, take a train ride and enjoy the holiday train layouts! Baltimore B & O Railroad Museum; 410-752-2490; www.borail.org

December 16, 2009
Wednesday Cooking Classes at Donna’s!
Italian Christmas Eve Dinner. Class includes wines, tastes of all the foods prepared and recipes. Class starts at 6:30 and lasts about 2 hours; $45. Call for reservations: 410-659-5248 x 112, www.donnas.com

December 18, 2009
Tail Lights
Meet up with other dog lovers and enjoy a walk with your best friend through the 1.5 mile path of the Symphony of Lights. The light displays are even more fun when viewed on foot. Humans cost $5, dogs are free! Pre-registrations preferred, but walk up registration will be avaliable. Leashes and clean-up are mandatory! 4-6pm. www.hcgh.org

December 19 & 20, 2009
Breakfast Buffet with Santa
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Join the B&O Railroad Museum for our annual Breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a delicious breakfast, have your photo made while visiting with Santa, take a train ride and enjoy the holiday train layouts! Baltimore B & O Railroad Museum; 410-752-2490; www.borail.org

December 23, 2009
Wednesday Cooking Classes at Donna’s!
The Holiday Hors d’oeuvres Party. Class includes wines, tastes of all the foods prepared and recipes. Class starts at 6:30 and lasts about 2 hours; $45. Call for reservations: 410-659-5248 x 112, www.donnas.com