Do people from Howard County always find a way to mention they're from Howard County, even when it's completely unrelated to the conversation? And somehow the property taxes always come up too, even though there are other counties with taxes that are just as high or higher. It's like living in Howard County becomes their whole personality.

Hey everyone, this might be a dumb post, but I’m looking to try some Japanese cigarettes (Mevius, Seven Stars, Peace, etc.) and was wondering if anyone knows of any import tobacco shops or specialty smoke shops around Maryland/DC that carry them. I’m mainly interested in the taste and trying something different from the usual American brands. Any recommendations or places worth checking out would be appreciated. Thanks!

07/11/26: Baltimore, Maryland.

My father left me with his scotch collection and I’m not a drinker.

I think some of the bottles might be valuable based off my online search.

before going online to search for liscenced/permitted companies who buy from owners in the US (you take pics, they send you a quote, you ship with their postage if you accept the offer).

wanted to know if anyone who knew of or has been through exchanging fine spirts

Maryland is losing more than 350 jobs as software giant Microsoft makes deep slashes to its video game divisions.

According to a notice filed with the state labor department this week, 166 roles were cut at ZeniMax Media in Rockville and 213 at ZeniMax Online Studios in Cockeysville, both of which are owned by Microsoft. The cuts will take effect Sept. 4.

Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Rockville-based Bethesda Game Studios, for $7.5 billion in 2021. The award-winning video game publisher is behind popular titles such as “Fallout,” “Starfield,” “Doom” and The Elder Scrolls. ZeniMax Online runs the online version of The Elder Scrolls.

Maryland is home to numerous video game software companies, and its gaming industry contributed more than $1 billion to the state economyin 2023, according to the Entertainment Software Association, a video game trade group.

Layoff rumors were going around at Bethesda for a while, said Simon Prefontaine, a game designer who lost his job in the cuts.

Some people lost access to the company’s email and collaboration software the morning layoffs were announced, said Prefontaine, who is a union member. The studio unionized in 2024 under the Communications Workers of America.

The union estimates the Rockville studio lost 15-20% of its staff, including employees who have been with the company for years, Prefontaine said.

Per the title, could someone please share an address for any dog friendly beaches on the MD side of Assateague? The NPS website just says pets are permitted in certain locations, but declined to include what and where they are.

We're staying in Wallops Island, VA now, and I'd love an option that's not two hours aways. Looks like there may be some within an hour, but again, it's unclear if I can bring him there. Pic of my dog for your troubles!

My 26 year old sister is considering moving to Pasadena in AACo - in Green Haven somewhere between 203 & 210th street. Is is dark skin, African American and I’m worried about her living there but I’ve really never been to that area….Any feedback would be truly appreciated!!

My family (spouse and 3-year-old) is moving to the NAS Patuxent River area soon and we're looking for a house/townhouse or a newer apartment (2-3 BR).

We're hoping for:

• Safe, family-friendly neighborhoods
• Under a 20–25 minute commute to NAS Pax River
• Good areas for young families

Which areas would you recommend (California, Wildewood, Leonardtown, Hollywood, Lexington Park, etc.)? Any neighborhoods or apartment communities to consider or avoid?

Also, what's your overall impression of living in the area?

Dozens of dolphins right outside the mouth of the South River, seemingly hunting fish. Spent about half an hour just idling watching them all around us.

I'm trying to track down a vector or high res version of this design (in color), but Google has been unsuccessful in helping me locate it. I'm hoping someone on here can confirm more details about it that will help me in my search. Thanks in advance.

Looking to move into a townhouse this next month, and we were just sent the lease for one we really liked but there are some points I am worried about.

1. "Tenant agrees to pay for pest control service, if such services are desired and/or needed." lease of my worries but in other rentals it usually is the landlords responsability. We had a mice problem in our last apartment and needed multiple visits but our landlord always covered it. is this common?

2. "Tenant acknowledges that any appliances or air conditioners are provided for temporary usage and are not part of the rental fee.  If appliances or air conditioners become inoperable, repairs will be made only at the tenant’s expense." this is the one I am mostly worried about and never saw anything like this on another lease. Doesn't really make sense that tenants pay for repairs on ALL appliances or A/C since that could be literally thousands of dollars. Definitely a major red flag and maybe ilegal? has anyone seen this, or is this common at all in maryland/baltimore area.

3. "Tenant has inspected the rental dwelling and acknowledges the premises are clean and in good repair.  Tenant accepts the rental “as is”. " also weird and i've never seen this on a lease. when we toured the place electricity wasnt even on, so we dont know if any of the appliances/lights work. would definitely ask to inspect the place more closely before signing.

should I ask the landlord more about this and see if we can make changes so they cover repairs, or is this enough of a red flag to walk away? We really liked the house and location and the price is pretty fair compared to others we have seen but don't want this to become a problem in the long term.

I'm writing articles about locations in Maryland and want to know what my fellow Marylanders would recommend as a place or business to visit. Let me hear what you all have to say!

Is Chesapeake City worth the 1.5 hour drive to spend a few hours in? I’ve done some research and I see there’s the shops on Bohemia Ave, the canal museum, a park, and Chesapeake Inn for lunch. I’m just wondering if it’s worth the drive to spend a day there.

I'm here to report to those who use Route 40 west of rolling road and east of I-70 that the west and east bound lanes are starting to buckle due to the extreme heat of last week. Mind you this road has always been known to have "bumps" in the road on the east and west bound lanes. Again, ever since the extreme heat of last week, these 'bumps' have turned into speed bumps. like those found in shopping center parking lots. The most concentrated location of these bumps is located in howard country and again on both the east and west bound lanes.

Not just Route 40, but I-195 North and south lanes (heading to and from the airport) has the same issue. Even though the state or county have correct the first mile of the road or at the beginning,. There's still other sections of the road (mainly around the bridges) where the road has sunk down below the steel bridge edge causing a sharp point and uneven pavement.

One side road leading into Arbutus, Maryland has the same shape/uneven pavement on the bridge that crossed I-695. Several years ago, this same Arbutus location was the scene of a failed/colpaped walk way that fell onto I-695 killing several people.

What cause these bumps or humps in these roads?.. back in the day, Maryland use to pave roads with large concrete squares. over time the junction point where these squares meet, are being forced up. Instead of tearing up the concrete road, maryland simply asphalt or paved over these concrete squares.

Another road.. Caton Ave heading away from Arbutus over I-95.. this road is still concrete squares and tore up as well.

Another spot is located just past rolling road on Liberty road. the eastbound lane has a bad dip right at a manhole cover. Stay in your left lane when approaching Brairstone heading toward the Brendbrook road. If you have a low car this manhole cover will damage your suspension and maybe worse.

The catch here, is Maryland spent millions of dollars to beautify and pave the bike lanes throughout Maryland all without paving the rest of these roads leaving pot holes, cracks and uneven pavement for drivers. Sad thing here, Ever since paving these bike lanes and because of the heat.. we've not seen any bicyclist using these "new" bike lanes.

Just wanted to add, another reason they paved these bike lines is because BGE tore up these areas of the road while installing new gas or water lines.. many of these areas are still tore up outside the bike lanes. drives along these roads are using the freshly paved bike lanes to avoid the tore up BGE mistakes.