Metered Parking in Downtown Ellicott City Free for the Holidays

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: December 22, 2008

County Executive Kenneth Ulman announced that metered parking in downtown Ellicott City will be free until the end of the year.

“I know the national economic problems are hurting everyone, but I am hopeful that measures like this one help those who run, and are employed by, small businesses,” Ulman said.

There are four metered parking areas that offer more than 140 spaces. The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation had requested that the County consider free weekend parking during the holidays, so Ulman’s decision was more than appreciated. “Downtown Ellicott City is an incredibly unique place to visit: great shops, restaurants and galleries — add free parking to the mix and there can’t be a better place to do your holiday shopping,” Foundation President Ed Lilley said.

Parking on Main Street, which is not metered, is still limited to two hours and all patrons of downtown Ellicott City are asked to consider limiting parking to two hours or less so more people can take advantage of this unique opportunity.

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Tennis Benefit for Popular Tennis Pro

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: December 22, 2008

Grace Kubofcik, Natasha Moulton-Levy, Allison Sneller, Kate Dowd, Suzan Lumpkin, from left, and Wendy Moomaw, in front, worked on the benefit for Jim Jeffers. Patti Jenkins, not pictured, also helped at the event.

One of Howard County’s popular tennis pros, Jim Jeffers, is battling throat cancer for the second time and many of his clients organized a tennis benefit this month at the Circle D Tennis Facility in Woodbine. Circle D donated the courts while the dedicated group organized appetizers, a cash bar, and a silent auction. They raised $4,700, and are continuing to collect donations, for Jim and his family.

Jim is the tennis pro at Circle D, the North St. John’s Swim and Tennis Club in Ellicott City and the 40 West Tennis Center in Catonsville. Special thanks go out to the Circle D for donating their facility to this very worthy cause.

Kudos also go out to the following donors including Kate Dowd of the Circle D; Waverly Grill; Pepsi; Mike and Allison Sneller; Natasha Moulton-Levy; Elaine Smart of Sport Styles; Suzan Lumpkin of Prince Tennis Racquet, Leslie Ceresi and Barbara Jeeter.

If you would like to help you can e-mail Wendy Moomaw at wmoomaw@gmail.com.

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Window Decorating Contest in Historic Ellicott City

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: December 15, 2008

The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation, Inc. is again sponsoring a Holiday Window Decorating Contest for retail businesses within the Ellicott City Historic District. There will be an official winner determined by judges as well as a people’s choice award determined by popular ballot.
An official winner will be determined by a panel of judges and a people’s choice award will be chosen by popular ballot. All retail businesses within the historic district are eligible to participate.

Ballots for the people’s choice award will be available at the Howard County Tourism Visitor Information Center located at 8267 Main Street visitors to the historic district will be able to vote until Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. This year’s People’s Choice Ballot will serve as an entry form for the voter in a contest to win a $75 gift certificate to the retail shop or restaurant of their choice in the Ellicott City Historic District. The popular ballot winner will be announced on Monday January 5 and a ribbon will be awarded.

The winner of the official award will receive a ¼ page ad in the July/August issue of Maryland Life magazine courtesy of the Howard County Tourism Council, Inc. and the winner of the people’s choice will receive a 1/4-page ad in the Ellicott City Visitors Guide.

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Madella’s Decorating Tapped for “Extreme Makeover” TV Show

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: December 15, 2008

Interior decorator Lisa Bower, owner of Madella’s Decorating in Ellicott City recently participated in the fabrication of window treatments for the Drumm family in Fayetteville, Pa. The Drumm family was selected last month by ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to receive a new home. With three sons, two who suffer from autism, the family has been living without running water and has had only a small wood burning stove to heat their home.

Bower, a member of the Window Coverings Association of America, was contacted by another member of the organization, Monique Becker, of Becker Window Fashions, in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania to help fabricate the window coverings and pillows for the new Fayetteville home.

Along with seven other decorators/workrooms from Pennsylvania and Maryland they had only two days to complete the project. The “seamstresses” as the behind the scene designers called them, worked until 3 a.m. on a Friday morning installing the window treatments and creating last minute additions for the Fayetteville home. “You can’t imagine all that goes into putting this house together in one week” Bower said. “There is an extraordinary effort of people who donate their time and materials for the family and I feel honored to be part of such a wonderful gift.”

Lisa, who has operated her home based business for four years, has never been involved with a project like this but considering it” an opportunity of a lifetime” has now signed up as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. The show is expected to air in February. Madella’s Decorating will post the show date on their Web site at wwww.madelladecor.com.

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Howard High School Winter Concerts This Tuesday

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: December 4, 2008

The Howard High School Music Department invites you to attend its Winter Concerts. On Tuesday, Dec. 9 you will hear the Jazz Ensemble, Madrigals and Choir; on Thursday, Dec. 11 the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Orchestras will perform. Admission is $5. Snow date is Dec. 17. Call 410-313-2867 for more information.

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