Community Corner
Pink Plates and Snow in April
Local restaurants celebrate Cherry Blossom season with special fundraising event.
The District isn't the only area around here that sees canopies of pink lining streets and sidewalks–Howard County has seen its fair share of cherry blossom blooms over the past week, too.
Cherry tree buds in the area opened prematurely, according to The Washington Post, which described the scene as "snowing" with petals.
But they’re just in time for the Blossoms of Hope Pink Plate specials program, which begins April 1 and runs through the end of the month.
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In support of the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center at Howard County General Hospital, local restaurants will offer pink-themed specials on their menus – think specialty drinks and cherry-flavored desserts.
“The local restaurant community in Howard County has given generously to our cause over the years,” Victoria Goodman, executive director of Blossoms of Hope said in a statement.
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“Some restaurants have been with us from the beginning and others are new to the promotion this year. All are caring, community partners and each contribution is important. We hope people will support their efforts and 'think pink' when dining out in April.”
Find Pink Plate specials at the following restaurants:
- , Historic Ellicott City
- , Historic Ellicott City
- at Turf Valley, Ellicott City
- , Ellicott City
- , Ellicott City
- Bistro Blanc & Wine Lounge, Glenelg
- , Elkridge
- , Columbia
- , Columbia
- The Melting Pot, Columbia
- , Columbia
- , Columbia
- , Savage
It was 100 years ago that Japan gave more than 3,000 cherry trees to the United States in an effort to forge a diplomatic friendship between the countries, according to the New American.
The Blossoms of Hope project adds to the local cherry tree population every year by planting trees throughout the Howard County Library System and other locations throughout Maryland. The project allows businesses to purchase and dedicate new cherry trees at the , and Elkridge libraries.
Check out the video above for a look at a particularly "snowy" neighborhood, along April Journey Way in Columbia.
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