đź”” Blasts, Brunch & Bunny Hops: Your Weekly Local Lowdown

Author

Ana Lohrmann
April 14, 2025

Good Morning, Neighbors!

Spring is buzzing in the Patapsco Valley, and so is this week’s newsletter! 🚨 Blasting resumes in Old Ellicott City—find out when and what to expect. We’ve got your weekly dose of local events, from trivia nights to Easter egg hunts, plus a heads-up about an upcoming Patapsco State Park closure. And don’t miss this week’s reader shout-outs—maybe your favorite spot made the list!

In this week’s issue:

  • Blasts Resume in Old Ellicott City

  • Local Shout-Outs

  • Things to Do This Week

  • Patapsco State Park Alert

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Blasting Resumes in Old Ellicott City this Week

Starting on or around April 14th, residents and visitors to Old Ellicott City may hear blasting as part of the ongoing North Tunnel project. Howard County officials have announced the resumption of underground blasting at the site located at 8800 Frederick Road. This blasting is essential for clearing solid rock to make way for the tunnel-boring machine, "Rocky," which will dig a mile-long tunnel to redirect floodwaters away from Main Street.

According to County spokeswoman Safa Hira, there will be a single blast every few days for the next several weeks. Blasting will occur during daylight hours only and not on Sundays. People in the vicinity will hear air horns prior to each blast. The blasts are expected to sound like “a brief rumble of thunder” and may be accompanied by momentary vibrations.

Howard County crews are taking precautions to ensure safety. Vibrations from the blasting are being monitored with seismographs, and pre- and post-construction inspections are being conducted on nearby properties. Affected property owners were notified of these inspections via certified mail.

The North Tunnel is a crucial part of the county’s “Ellicott City Safe and Sound” plan to mitigate deadly flash floods. Once completed around 2027, this $141 million project will channel up to 26,000 gallons of water per second, aiming to protect the historic town. Please be aware of the anticipated noise and potential minor vibrations as this vital infrastructure project progresses.


Source: The Baltimore Banner

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Local Shout-Out of the Week

Kristi from Catonsville says: “My favorite coffee shop (but it’s also a breakfast/brunch/lunch place) is Charlies’s Bakehouse on Frederick Rd. In Catonsville. It is not inexpensive, but has a really nice retro vibe.”

Darlene from Windsor Mill says: “One of my favorite places is Iron Bridge (in Columbia).” 

Want to give some love to your favorite local business? Reply to this email and spread the word!

Happening This Week

Want to have your event featured? Fill out this form and let everyone know!

Join Us on Easter Sunday!

All are welcome.

Junior Retriever Spring Break Camp

Does your elementary or middle school have spring break April 14-18?

Join us for soccer camp at UMBC!

Full day and half day rates available.

Easter Brunch Buffet at Kelsey’s in EC!

Adults $40, Kids $20, Under 5 Free

Buffet Includes: Carving Station, Seafood Station, Breakfast Station, Salad Station

Check out all the great programing at your local library this week! 
Baltimore County & Howard County

This Week’s Events

Key: $ - Costs Money; R - Requires Registration; D - More Details


Monday - April 14

BINGO at Arbutus Volunteer Fire Hall - 5pm

Live Team Trivia at Stained Glass Pub in Elkridge - 7pm

Dandy-lion Paint Night at Sorrento of Arbutus: 7pm $

Irish Set Dance Lessons at Catonsville Clubhouse - 7:30-8:30pm $

Tuesday -  April 15

Mama Meet Up at Old Mill Cafe in Ellicott City (outdoors on the back patio): 10am

Kids Eat Free: Kid’s Egg Decorating Party at Uno Pizzeria in Ellicott City: 4-8pm R

Medium Debbie Event & Dinner at Kelsey’s Irish Pub in Ellicott City: 5:30-8:30pm $

Chunky Knit Blankets at Simply Made Here in Catonsville: 6-9pm $

Celtic Music Class & Session at Catonsville Clubhouse: 6:30-9:30pm $

Craft Night with Sheena at Shuffles Bar & Grill in Halethorpe: 6:30pm

Dance Fitness: Zumba at Halethorpe Community Center: 7-8pm $

Open Mic Night at Shuffles Bar & Grill in Halethorpe: 7-10pm

July 4th Fundraising & Planning Meeting at Knights of Columbus in Catonsville: 7:30pm

House Party & Tournament at State Fare in Catonsville: 10pm-2am

Wednesday -  April 16

Catonsville Wednesday Farmers Market at Christian Temple: 10am-12pm D

Ellicott City Networking Happy Hour at Sea King Seafood Markets: 5:30-7pm R

Ellicott City’s Literary History & Wine Night at Backwater Books in Ellicott City: 6:30-8pm $

Free Live Trivia Night at BareBones Bar & Grill in Ellicott City: 7:30pm

Open Mic at the Trolley Stop in Ellicott City: 9pm

Karaoke Night at State Fare in Catonsville: 10pm-2am

Thursday -  April 17

Family Game Night at sweetFrog in Catonsville: 5-9pm

Free Creators Coven at Bohemian House in Ellicott City - Come craft with us: 6:30-9pm D

Beginner Salsa Lessons at DAE in Catonsville: 6:30-7:30pm $

Maundy Thursday Worship at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Catonsville: 7pm

Free Team Feud Game - Win Prizes at Shuffles Bar & Grill in Halethorpe: 7-10pm

Bachata Fusion Classes at DAE in Catonsville: 7:30-8:30pm $

UMBC Wind Ensemble presents Love Notes featuring Rob Flax at Linehan Concert Hall at UMBC in Catonsville: 7:30pm R

Latin Dance Night at La Palapa in Ellicott City: 7:30-11:45pm

Karaoke at El Guapo in Catonsville: 10pm-2am

Throwback Thursdays DJ & Pong Tables at State Fare in Catonsville 10pm-2am

Friday -  April 18

Free Easter Wreath Craft at sweetFrog in Catonsville: 12-9pm

The Joint Venture Duo - Live Music at Daniels Bar in Elkridge: 6-9pm

A Story of Redemption: Good Friday Service at Elkridge Baptist Church: 6:30-9:30pm

Good Friday Service at Bethany Church in Ellicott City: 7pm

Free Team Trivia at DePaola’s Pub in Arbutus: 7-9pm

Honest Lee Soul Duo - Live Music at White Oak Tavern in Ellicott City: 8-10pm

Duck Soup Band- Live Music at BareBones Grill in Ellicott City: 8-11:45pm

Free Music Friday - The Betty White Stripes at Fish Head Cantina in Halethorpe: 8pm-12am R

Karaoke with DJ Lisa at Shuffles Bar & Grill in Halethorpe: 8pm-1am

Karaoke Night at the Trolley Stop in Ellicott City: 9pm-1am

Saturday -  April 19

Spring Event & Bazaar for Integrative Medicine & Nutrition for PTSD & Complex Trauma at Reflective Image Counseling Offices in Catonsville: 9am-2pm D

Free Food Distribution at Miller Library in Ellicott City: 9:30-11am

Bingo at Chick-fil-A in Arbutus: 10am-12pm

Easter Extravaganza at Bethany Church in Ellicott City: 10-12pm D

Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Catonsville: 10:30am

Picture Bingo at sweetFrog in Catonsville: 11am-12pm $

Dog Adoption Event at Cybercore Technologies in Elkridge: 11am-1pm D

Kid’s Fest Hosted by Howard County Recreation & Parks: 11am-2pm $

Cooking in the Cabin at Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum in Catonsville: 12-3pm R

Author Works: Alka Joshi discussing her new book, Six Days in Bombay at Backwater Books in Ellicott City: 2-3pm R

Acupressure for Spring at Catonsville Dojo: 2-4pm R

Easter Egg Hunt at Dorsey Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Elkridge: 3pm

Earth Day Terrarium Workshop at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Arbutus: 4pm $

Michael Maverick & The Chaos Effect at Morsberger’s Tavern in Catonsville: 6:30-11:30pm $

Easter Vigil at Salem Lutheran Church in Catonsville: 8pm

Noah Pierre - Live Music at Backwater Books in Ellicott City: 8-10pm

Casey McConville - Live Music at White Oak Tavern in Ellicott City: 8-10pm

Sunday -  April 20

Historic Ellicott City Easter Sunrise Ecumenical Service with Emory United Methodist Church at the Wine Bin parking lot: 6:30am

Easter Egg Hunt at Salem Lutheran Church in Catonsville: 10am

Secondhand & Sustainable: Wardrobe Refresh Demo, Tips & Inspiration at Goodwill in Ellicott City: 10am-12pm D

Behold the Lamb - An Easter Musical at Harvester Baptist Church in Ellicott City:10:30am

Zumba at Arbutus Rec Center: 12-1pm $

Belly Dance Foundations Workshop at DAE in Catonsville: 3-4pm $

Want to see your event listed here? Fill out this form and share your event with the readers of the Patapsco Valley View!

Patapsco State Park Alert:

​Late Opening April 26 Avalon Area Patapsco Valley State Park​ - The park will open at 10AM. There will be a major running event from Guinness Open Gate Brewery into the park and back. There will be no early entry, or staging of vehicles in the park prior to 10AM. Expect delays along the Rt 1 corridor during the event. Above is the map of affected trails and roads in the park impacted by this event.

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Until next time,

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