Mission BBQ: Don’t Miss the Brisket

Mission BBQ's moniker is fitting because its founding team is on a mission—and not just to serve stellar barbecue. They're working hard to support U.S. veterans and active military through organizations like the USO, the Special Operations Warrior Fund, and the Navy Seal Foundation. They also support local police officers and firefighters and love to hire veterans to help them get back on their feet.

The eatery's many philanthropic efforts only make its food taste even better. The brisket comes highly recommended. It's slowly smoked over oak wood and evokes authentic Texan cuisine. Enjoy the meat solo or try it on a sandwich. You can also sink your teeth into tender pulled pork, sliced turkey, pulled chicken, sausage, or even seasoned and smoked salmon. Add a side made from scratch, like the mac and cheese, baked beans, or fries for the full Mission BBQ experience.

Public Domain/Pixabay/Tabble

Happy Hour for Healthcare Providers in Columbia: Calling All Medical Professionals in Need of a Cocktail

If there's anyone who deserves to kick back at happy hour, it's a healthcare provider. Nurses and doctors, dietitians and physical therapists, and many other practitioners work hard at hospitals and outpatient centers every day to keep patients happy and healthy. If you fall under this professional umbrella, don't miss Happy Hour for Healthcare Providers in Columbia on Thursday, June 15th at Seasons 52.

From 5 to 7 p.m., area healthcare providers are welcome to come to the eatery and mingle with other folks in the profession. It's an excellent opportunity to build your professional network and form relationships. Admission is free, but bring your wallet along if you want to grab a drink or two!

Toby’s Dinner Theatre: A Buffet and a Broadway-Caliber Show

Toby's Dinner Theatre has been around for nearly 40 years, and in that time, residents of Columbia and beyond have grown to love the unique form of entertainment it offers. The theater imports award-winning Broadway plays and musicals to your backyard, paired with a buffet-style dinner that you get to enjoy while you watch. With extras like an in-house orchestra and in-the-round seating—so no one is more than 30 feet from stage—dinner and a show at Toby's is something special.

If you want to experience it for yourself, the list of upcoming performances is jam-packed with opportunities. Currently, Toby's cast presents Beauty and the Beast, an adaptation of the Disney classic that recently hit theaters with live-action players. Starting June 15th, enjoy Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at Toby's. Dreamgirls and Miracle on 34th Street round out this year's season in the fall and winter months.

Public Domain/Pixabay/geralt

Learn More About the History of Iron Ore and the Patapsco Valley at the Howard County Library

Whether you're new to the area or you've lived here your whole life, chances are there's something new for you to learn. And who better to teach you than a Howard Community College instructor who has also served as the president of the Upper Patuxent Archaeology Group and the president of the Friends of Patapsco Female Institute? That person is Lee Preston, the presenter for History of Iron Ore and the Patapsco Valley.

On Sunday, June 4th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Lee comes to the HCLS Miller Branch of the Howard County Library to weave a tale about the Ellicott City of yesteryear. The story includes the way that the Patapsco Valley factored into the iron industry both before and after the American Revolution, including how the Dorsey Family and Avalon Iron Works contributed. This event is free, so don't miss it if you're interested in local history!

Public Domain/Pixabay/DVOC

Caribbean American Music and Food Festival: Don’t Miss This Springtime Event

The Caribbean American Music and Food Festival is an opportunity for residents of Howard County to explore the intersection of Caribbean and American culture in a fun environment. That environment is obviously packed with plenty of fresh food and live music, which is what makes it really fun.

The cuisine includes dishes from the Caribbean as well as more Americanized versions of the fare, so there should be something for everyone. Meanwhile, musicians span various genres, from reggae to blues to R&B. Mark your calendar for the festival on Sunday, May 28th from 12 to 10 p.m. at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $25 for general admission.

Pints, Poses, and an Extra POW: Yoga Flow and Fresh Brews

Perhaps you think of pairing beer with pizza first and foremost, but beer also pairs quite well with yoga. If you're skeptical, just sign up for the Pints, Poses, and an Extra POW event at Manor Hill Brewing. It combines a yoga class with a drinking session, and you might be hooked after you try it.

From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 21st, Lululemon Ambassador Katie Ficca leads the yoga class out on the lawn. Bring your mat and slather on the sunscreen. After you flow through the poses, you can head inside and enjoy a complimentary beer fresh from the tap. The brewery is all yours (and your fellow yogis') until 6 p.m., so feel free to bring along some cash for another pint or two before you leave. The class fee is $20 per person.

Take a Ride in a Hot Air Balloon at the Preakness Balloon Festival

The Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship host The Preakness Balloon Festival this May. From the 18th to the 20th, more than 25 colorful hot air balloons dock at the fairgrounds. Head out to check out the balloons or actually go up in the air for a ride. Don't worry, you won't go far—the balloon remains tethered to the ground the entire time.

Even if you're not keen on leaving the ground, there's still plenty to enjoy at The Preakness Balloon Festival. Check out the "One Hot Rod Stewart Tribute Show" on the main stage or listen to music mashed-up by DJ Rockin' Rob. Beer, wine, and high-quality food are part of the equation too. Stay until dusk to experience the Balloon Glow, when the hot air balloons take to the sky with their vibrant colors shining brightly for the full balloon festival experience.

Don’t Miss the BYO Mother’s Day Brunch at the Overhill Mansion

Nothing says, "I love you, Mom" like a multi-course brunch on a day designated just for her. The Mother's Day Brunch at Overhill Mansion provides decadent breakfast fare upon which you, your mother, or any other maternal figure can feast on Sunday, May 14th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $45 for adults and just $20 for kids, granting you access to the all-you-can-eat buffet. It offers lighter brunch options, such as assorted muffins, scones, and croissants with preserves and spreads, but these are just a warm-up. Save enough room for inventive dishes like the basil French toasted eggs in a basket with ginger syrup, the seven-pepper fried chicken with waffles and cauliflower puree, and the tomato-braised short ribs with corncakes and strawberry relish. There will also be a non-alcoholic mimosa bar, and you're welcome to BYO wine or champagne to add to your drink. Will you be attending this celebratory Mother's Day event?

Enjoy an Inventive, Upscale Sandwich at Bon Fresco

The bakers at Bon Fresco take their time when it comes to the most important component of their sandwiches: the ciabatta bread. In fact, from the time they craft the dough to the time the bread comes hot from the oven, about 30 hours pass. That's how long it takes to create a product worthy of the Bon Fresco reputation.

Patrons rave about the London Broil sandwich. Two slices of ciabatta filled with steak, provolone cheese, dijonnaise, mixed greens, and red onions. It's the perfect sandwich to grab and take on a picnic to the park—but then again, so is every sandwich on the menu. If you're looking for something meat-free, try the baguette filled with brie, sun-dried tomato pesto, and caramelized onions at Bon Fresco. Will you be visiting this local eatery this week?

Keith’s Treats & Eats: Where Spuds Sate Your Sweet Tooth

If you like sweet potatoes, there is a very good chance that you'll love Keith's Treats & Eats. This Laurel shop and its associated food truck specialize in a line of unique sweet potato desserts. First of all, the sweet potato pies fly off the shelves as soon as they're baked. Next, the soft, moist sweet potato bread makes a great breakfast treat (try it toasted, with a bit of butter), or you can order Keith's unique sweet potato pancakes with a side of bacon and home fries. The rich, creamy sweet potato pudding is an ideal afternoon snack, while the ultra-rich sweet potato bread pudding is best saved for after dinner with a cup of coffee.

While sweet potato treats steal the show at Keith's Treats & Eats, there's also a limited menu of non-sweet potato foods. Regulars rave over the chicken salad sandwiches, and they say you can't go wrong with a bag of house-made honey granola bites.

Keith’s Treats & Eats
14713 Baltimore Avenue
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 362-3624
www.keithfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/keiths-treats-and-eats-laurel

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