Drinking

It is troubling that Howard County Executive Ken Ulman can dictate what people can eat and drink on county property ("Howard bans sale of sugary drinks on county property," Dec. 12). Last week, Mr. Ulman unilaterally banned the sale of certain beverages on all county properties, including recreation centers, government offices, parks and police and fire stations. We agree that obesity is a serious problem. But we disagree with Mr. Ulman's heavy-handed tactics. Why not give the residents of Howard County, whose tax money pays for the upkeep of county properties, the dignity to think for themselves?

The bar quarters at Hampden's Birroteca are close, so it's easy to make new friends. Between bites of calamari, a new acquaintance said this new pizza joint and bar was a major improvement over the last resident, the short-lived Mill Steakhouse and Tavern. Looking around the packed room, abuzz on a Friday night, it wasn't hard to believe. Asked if it's been this busy on the other weekends the Hampden resident has been here, he chuckled. "Honestly, it's like this whether you're here on a Wednesday or a weekend," he said.

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman moved Tuesday to ban the sale of high-sugar drinks such as soda in parks, libraries and other county properties and at county-sponsored events - hoping yet again to make the county a progressive model. "I believe Howard County government should lead by example," Ulman said. "That's why today I've signed an executive order to increase the availability of healthy beverage options in our county departments and programs. "The vending machines will look different, starting right away," Ulman said at an event in Ellicott City.

German wine. It's one of the most magical wines on earth. It is delicate yet full-flavored. Aromatic, yet firmly chiseled. Like scrimshaw, it is etched. Unfortunately, so many of its low-end offerings still give the entire category a bad name. German wine is not sugar water. Far from it. And the good stuff is not coming at you at $10 a bottle. Take the Donnhoff Estate Riesling Trocken 2011, Pfalz ($23) The nose is all talc, delicate and slightly pollen. On the palate there is jasmine.

Maryland will host the fifth annual Drink Local Wine Conference. The event will be held the weekend of April 12-14 in Baltimore. Created by Washington Post wine columnist Dave McIntyre and wine blogger Jeff Siegel, a.k.a. the Wine Curmudgeon, the Drink Local Wine Conference brings attention to wine made in the 47 states and Canada that aren't California, Washington and Oregon. Maryland's wine industry is one of the fastest growing in the country, nearly doubling in size over the past two years with more than 60 wineries, according to the Maryland Wineries Association.

A Churchville man will spend up to 14 months in jail after pleading guilty Monday to a drinking and driving offense and one count of possession of marijuana in connection with a December 2011 traffic accident in northern Harford County that killed a Pennsylvania man. Charles Robert Creaney, 23, of the 2900 block of Northern Dancer Drive, pleaded guilty in Harford County Circuit Court in Bel Air to one count of negligent homicide by motor vehicle while...

The perfect wine for the holidays is champagne, the drink of celebration that celebrates life. Tis the season! What are you pouring this holiday? Here is what I suggest: Drink Champagne. It is the drink of celebration and it celebrates life. Lily Bollinger said it best: ""I only drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not in a hurry and drink it when I am, otherwise I never touch the stuff unless I am thirsty.

You have to be in pretty good shape to make it up the myriad stairs leading to the main dining room at the Ellicott Mills Brewing Company. But once there - above the din of the street level bar - you'll be glad you made the effort. The spacious 120-seat area is nicely laid out. That, and the menu, promise the opportunity to enjoy good food and conversation with your companions. This historical building at 8308 Main Street is all brick and stone and hard wood, bespeaking the solid foundations upon which this 19th century mill and railroad town were built.

Though outside the leaves were changing, when we sat down for dinner at Marlin and Ray's Seafood and Sunsets, we had sand between our toes. Thanks to fun drinks, good seafood and laid-back service, getting a little sandy felt right. The Bel Air eatery, which opened in early October, is the first Maryland outpost of a Tennessee-based chain. When we arrived, it was 7 p.m. and the restaurant was packed. The friendly hostess warned us the wait would be about 20 minutes (it was) so we headed back outside to explore Marlin and Ray's little patch of parking lot beach.

The parents of a 14-year-old Hagerstown girl who died in December are suing an energy drink company in a California court, alleging that caffeine in the beverages contributed to her death, according to court records. A complaint filed Friday by Wendy Crossland and Richard Fournier states that their daughter, Anais Fournier, went into cardiac arrest after drinking two 24-ounce Monster Beverage Corp. drinks within a 24-hour period. Monster is based in Riverside County, Calif., where the case was filed.