Saturday, November 04, 2006

Some Random Musings...

What will the various Howard County blogs (Ho Co Hayduke, Howard County Maryland Blog, Columbia Compass, Fineline, et al) occupy themselves with after next Tuesday?

Post election analysis and general bellyaching can only last so long.

Does anyone else find the traffic patterns at Columbia Crossing (Target, Dick's, etc..) maddening?

It is extremely frustrating trying to navigate around those various stores and parking lots on a weekend. It is only going to get worse as we approach the holidays. Forget Town Center planning, we need a charette for Columbia's suburbs!

And speaking of bad shopping center layouts, the Long Gate Shopping Center (Target, Safeway, Kohls, etc.) in Ellicott City is another one. I think the land planner who laid that one out should be made to direct traffic there on weekends.

If you ever want to make a point to your kids as to why they should stay in school, take them by those guys who stand on the corners around the Columbia Crossing shopping area swinging those Ryland Homes signs. That's their future without an education.

I happen to think that the Home Depot in Columbia is the worst one on the planet. Just my opinion. I cannot wait for Lowes to open.

Last week, on our way back from the eastern shore, my partners and I decided to stop into the Rams Head Tavern on West Street in Annapolis. Within five minutes we realized that Anne Arundel County still hasn't "gotten it" with the smoking thing. We Howard Countians have become spoiled. Next time we'll wait till we cross the Ho Co border.

Best places to meet for beers in Howard County?

Clyde's, Kelseys, Green Turtle, Ellicott Mills Brewing Company...

Anyone I missed?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

To answer your questions in order:

What will we do? Hey, the Presidential Election starts November 8th. Plus, who says we will even know the winners on November 7th?

I'll add another bad traffic pattern, one right down the road at the entrance to Dobbin Center at Wal-Mart....

And I'd like to add Champps to your list, once you get by the major parking problems at the Mall....

Anonymous said...

Columbia Crossing is, bar none, the worst shopping center in Howard County and probably the state. Every time I go there, I leaved anxious and stressed. It's worse than the dentist.

As for Nov. 8, I plan to write solely about the wild and wooly things my dog gets into each day.

wordbones said...

Hayduke,

A buddy of mine was actually the project director for the original phase of Columbia Crossing (Target, et al).

It is something I have never forgiven him for!

And Dave...

I have never quite forgiven Chammps either since they removed the Guiness taps!

Anonymous said...

My favorite pub is my living room. The Barkeep's cute, they always have my favorite brews on hand, last call is whenever I want it to be, I don't ever have to be the designated driver and you can't beat the prices.

I agree about the poorly designed parking lots, nowif we had good mass transit . . .

After the election comes the interesting part, we get to play backseat driver to all those politicians we have elected.

B. Santos said...

There is plenty to do after the elections. The "Village Board Chairs" are discussing changes to new town zoning (outside of downtown). CA board meetings and county council meetings will continue on a regular basis. And we can start handicapping the CA elections, which will take place in April.

As far as the happy hour scene, Rocky Run is my regular place, Clydes is classic.

wordbones said...

Mr. Santos,

You make a good point. Is Barbara Russell up for reelection this year?

Should we start a "Draft Hayduke" movement?

wordbones said...

And good point...

Rocky Run is a good place to meet for beers.

It will be even better when the new (improved) smoking regs go into effect.

Anonymous said...

Another bad traffic pattern - US 40 @ Ridge Road. I think there's some big box near there, too. I read somewhere the state has this intersection on a priority list for fixing. I wonder why no one foresaw it being so bad when they permitted the additional nearby development?

From the comments here, it seems the pattern is bigboxes bring annoying traffic patterns. As conscientious as these community-focused enterprises are, it's hard to imagine they would purposefully inconvenience their customers. Gosh.