r/ColumbiaMD

Just here to vent and see if anyone is having a similar experience. We’ve been looking for a house since February. We’ve looked at idk maybe 30+ houses at this point. Put in 6 offers all WELL over asking and still nothing! This last one we put in 75k over asking and very generous appraisal gap and inspection and someone else took it with over 100k over asking and waived inspection/ appraisal. This seems absurd to me! We can’t waive appraisal because we are taking out a loan- which I assumed most people do but I guess there are a bunch of people paying cash right now?? Anyone else having a tough time out there in the Columbia/ EC market? This really seems crazy to me!

Hi all, Howard County reporter for WMAR-2 News here. Calvin Ball's latest budget includes $5 million (for a total of $15 million) to help expand the ER, and hopefully reduce wait times. In our coverage of this, I'd like to also include personal anecdotes about experiences at the ER. If you or a family member has had an experience you'd like to share (needs to be on-record and on-camera) please email me blair.sabol@wmar.com.

Anyone else running into hornets of unusual size around Columbia recently? I've seen 3 this week around my house, and killed two of them. Should have taken a picture, but they must be close to 2 inches long. I suppose they could be European giant hornets, but they sure look a lot like the asian murder hornets that were in the news a few years ago.

Anyone available for a DEEP interior clean (shampooing carpet specifically) in the next couple days?? I had seafood boil spill all over the car & the smell is atrocious. I’ve called around & everyone seems to be booked out for weeks..

Looking for a fun Saturday afternoon in Columbia? 🍸🌸

The Downtown Columbia Partnership is hosting a Spring Cocktail Crawl on Saturday, May 16 from 3:00–5:00PM.

The idea is simple: stroll between participating restaurant patios at The Mall in Columbia, sample signature cocktails and light bites, and enjoy a laid-back afternoon. Great for date night, small groups, or anyone looking for a spring weekend activity.

Participating spots include:

• Seasons 52
• Maggiano's Little Italy
• Takumi Japanese Bistro
• Uncle Julio's
• P.F. Chang's
• Shake Shack

A few details:

📍 The Plaza at The Mall in Columbia
🗓 Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ 3:00–5:00PM
🍹 21+ only (ID required)

These events usually sell out ahead of time, so advance tickets are recommended.

More info/tickets: Spring Cocktail Crawl Tickets

What are some good nearby places to do trivia, I know that Pubdog has trivia on mondays but curious about what else is out there.

Trying to find a reliable lawn service. So far the places I've contacted say I'm signed up and then I don't hear from them again. Is anyone reliable? Reliability ratings are abysmal on most so looking for firsthand experience. Thanks!

I know, don't be lazy and cut it yourself. ;-)

Howard County’s Inspector General Kelly Madigan said last month during a Council work session that her office still lacks direct access to some electronic records systems four months after becoming the County’s first Inspector General.

When asked by Councilwoman Deb Jung (D4) if she was receiving all the support her office needed, Ms. Madigan described the need for direct read-only access and replied, “It’s a work in progress, is what I’m gonna say.”

The Inspector General has had to email county employees to obtain access to some records. She told Council members that confidentiality may be compromised when records requests are sent to department heads or others to obtain information, and progress is often much slower as emails are exchanged back and forth. Inspector Madigan emphasized that read-only access to all electronic records is an ongoing issue after four months and multiple conversations with county administration.

Data-sharing agreements between the Inspector General’s office and county departments have been drafted and sent to the county since early March but had not been finalized at the time of the work session.

“The time to talk is done, Ms. Madigan,” Councilwoman Jung replied. “If you are not getting what you need and you’re not getting immediate access, then it’s time to act.” Council members Liz Walsh (D1), David Yungmann (D5), and Christiana Rigby (D3) also expressed support for broad independent access to county records. The Council discussed legislative fixes or other ways to speed up records access before Council approval of the budget on May 20.

Inspector Madigan, who started the job Jan 5, also emphasized some early progress in formalizing oversight. She worked with County Executive Calvin Ball in the recently issued executive order (April 23) declaring that “County employees shall report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse within the operations of Howard County Government to the Howard County Office of the Inspector General.”

The Inspector General’s office had received 52 complaints at the time of the work session.

Residents will have another opportunity to hear from Ms. Madigan during a Howard County Citizens Association-HCCA sponsored meeting May 19 at 7p.m. in the George Howard Building Banneker Room. The organization has also requested that the meet and greet be recorded.

[Howard County News and Opinion is an Editorial/Opinion blog]

housing market is crazy right now and trying to stay on top of it.

we have until end of August to find somewhere and ideally would love to stay in Howard County/just outside of HoCo.

we have a son that is about to turn 2, so we are looking for a 3 bedroom with a little bit of a yard for him to run around (ideally fenced but flexible there)

we are looking ~$500k for a little starter home.

I know that's asking a lot for the area, but wanted to see if anyone was expecting to sell their house or know any about to pop up!

thank you in advance!

Hey Maryland! My name is Austin Dyches, and I am running for Congress here in Maryland's 3rd congressional district.

As a progressive Democrat, I am committed to

1. Overturning Citizens United
2. Making corporations and the super wealthy pay their fair share
3. Universal healthcare
4. Abolishing ICE
5. Ending AIPAC and foreign influence in our elections

The influence of oligarchs and corporate money on our elected officials has gone unchecked for far too long, and Maryland's 3rd district is no exception. It's time that our representatives answer to their constituents, not donors.

Please join us at one of our numerous town hall events leading to the primary on June 23rd, and make yourself heard.

Feel free to ask me any questions!

Campaign website

https://preview.redd.it/45hsfsaubfyg1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=93546fc6c17c32bb100fc3cef22cd19ad96bfee5

Apparently hacky sacks are cool again and my teenager keeps asking for one, but I can't find them anywhere! We've checked Wal Mart, Dicks, Five Below, etc. anyone know where to get one in store?

The hits just keep on coming. Asked yesterday about pest management companies. Today, our HVAC company, Arundel Heating & Cooling, emailed to say that our annual service plan was being cancelled and we could sign up for a service plan that costs $30 more per year ($150 to $180).

So once again, looking for recommendations for local companies. I definitely prefer a locally owned small business, but with the way things are going, I'm happy to take recs for anyone who isn't increasing their costs.

Through Arundel, we got two preventative calls per year, plus a discount on any needed service call. Thankfully, we haven't had any issues and have only needed them for the bi-annual service.

Thank you!