Locations

A state Senate committee yesterday endorsed a slot machine gambling proposal for the third year in a row, this time adding a few twists designed to pacify opponents in the House of Delegates - and, some lawmakers say, satisfy the competing, deep-pocketed interests that hope to profit from slots. The proposal, which passed the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee by an 11-2 vote, mostly mirrors Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s plan for 15,500 slot machines around the state with the proceeds going to shore up the racing industry, build new schools and pay for the state's stepped-up education funding program.

Jo Grishman finds it easy to remember the Howard County Farmers' Market on Tuesdays. "I drive right by it," she said of the market's new Tuesday location this year at Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia. "I love it," said Grishman, a Columbia Crossing artist, as she looked for peaches and tomatoes. "I live two blocks from here." The market has always attracted neighbors such as Grishman. But after jumping to three locations in three years - pushed out of other areas by grocery stores' noncompetitive clauses, by deed restrictions or by failed negotiations - it needs to persuade a broader group of produce-hunters to become faithful customers.

Instead of writing a restrictive new law, Howard County Councilman David A. Rakes wants to try an informal, voluntary approach to steer private methadone clinics to locations that won't spark neighborhood uproars, he said yesterday. "Legislation would be a second choice right now," Rakes said before meeting with two local state legislators who plan to explore drafting a statewide regulatory bill in January. Councilman Allan H. Kittleman, a western county Republican, and council Chairman Guy Guzzone, a North Laurel-Savage Democrat, said they agree with Rakes, an east Columbia Democrat, that a new county law is not a good idea.

When Christina Sorrelle first visited Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace 16 months ago, it struck her as one of Harford County's hidden gems. Later, she called to book the facility for her wedding and reception, but was surprised to learn that the date she wanted was taken. "When I saw the vineyard and the view of the bay, I thought it was incredible," said the 27-year-old Boston resident. "I was sold on it, and having my wedding at Swan Harbor was more important to me than the date. So we scheduled our wedding on our second date choice."

Sunny's Great Outdoors, which began 53 years ago as a military surplus shop but has since transformed into a place to buy recreation apparel and gear, said yesterday that it plans to close six stores - one-third of its locations - over the next 12 weeks. The retailer has been struggling under both a misconception that it's still a place where shoppers must dig through bins and boxes to find merchandise, and the fact that the three Baltimore-area locations slated to close - Parkville, Randallstown and Towson - don't get much walk-by traffic and have scarce parking.

The fun is over at the Discovery Zone FunCenter in North Baltimore.Discovery Zone Inc., the Fort Lauderdale, Va.-based chain of indoor children's play centers, announced yesterday that it closed its facility at 6311 York Road on Sunday.The chain, which announced last month that it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, warned at the time that it would soon close unprofitable locations.Discovery Zone said its locations in Golden Ring, Catonsville and Glen Burnie will remain open.

A Vera Bradley store is coming to Towson Town Center mall next month. UPDATE: The store is expected to open in mid-February, a mall representative said. The maker of colorful, cotton-quilted handbags, accessories, luggage and other items will open its fourth location in Maryland on level 2 near Crate & Barrel, Towson mall officials  said. The store will sell all Vera Bradley products and expects to schedule in-store events. The retailer, founded in 1982 with the goal of inspiring women to "be colorful," has 75 U.S. locations and annual sales of $461 million.

I had my bachelorette weekend recently and it made me think about all of the different options available in and around Baltimore. There really is something suitable for every bride. For example, mine was an entire weekend in one of my favorite places on earth - Ocean City, MD. While the weather was a bit chilly it was perfect for me to be at the beach, enjoy all of my favorite restaurants and bars and relax with the women in my life who mean the most to me. Other weekend getaways in and around the area include Annapolis, D.C., Deep Creek, Philadelphia or even Atlantic City.

When you enter a Soldierfit class, you become a member of the armed forces - even if just for an hour. The military-inspired class takes members through a circuit of exercises that may include running with a weighted pack on your shoulders, much as soldiers do in combat. Or you may be crawling across the floor, keeping as low to the ground as possible to avoid being shot in the buns by an imaginary stray bullet. Your instructor may even shout HOOOOOAAAAH! to get you motivated. Soldierfit is the brainchild of - you guessed it - two former military buddies and their friend.

Microsoft says its "pop-up" holiday stores have been a success and will stay open now that the holidays are over, at least for now. That goes for the Mall in Columbia location as well. It's one of about 30 temporary shops Microsoft opened in the U.S. and Canada for holiday shopping. The company is extending all locations "into the New Year" but not saying how long. Some will become permanent outlets or specialty store locations. The stores were designed to give consumers hands-on experience with products and complement Microsoft's nearly two dozen permanent locations, none of which is in Maryland.