Timonium

Always, there were those lovely old country estates and gracious manor taverns with roaring fireplaces, but in the old days fine dining was associated with the city. Not so anymore. Now, there are more compelling reasons than ever for diners to cross county lines for a good meal. The 50 best county restaurants in Howard County, Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County is a mix of the old and the new, destinations for special occasions and joints for Monday night suppers, the chef-driven and crowd-pleasing.

Carmel Quinn, a homemaker and volunteer, died of a heart attack Sunday at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. The Timonium resident was 83. Born Mary Katherine Carmel Fay in Belturbet, in County Cavan, Ireland, she moved to Baltimore in 1952 after her marriage to Dr. Michael Kevin Quinn, a physician and general practitioner who was also born in her hometown. She worked as a receptionist briefly at Mercy Medical Center after moving to Baltimore. Mrs. Quinn lived in the Hampton section of Towson for many years and played tennis with friends and neighbors.

Nicholas C. Lykos, a druggist who served generations of customers at his independent Lykos Pharmacy in Timonium, died Wednesday of a heart attack at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. He was 70. Mr. Lykos was a member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Baltimore, where he received the highest layman's honor -- Archon to the Patriarch. Born in Allenport, Pa., he was a graduate of the Polytechnic Institute. In 1952, he graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and later served as an Army sergeant in Germany.

This year's Baltimore Symphony Decorators' Show House offers not only a look at the latest interior design trends but also a peek into the Timonium home of quarterback great Johnny Unitas. Unitas lived in the five-bedroom house on Timonium Road from 1971, when the he led the Colts to an AFC title match against the Miami Dolphins, until 1988, when he moved to a farm in northern Baltimore County. Unitas died in 2002. His widow, Sandy; daughter, Paige; and son, Chad, and other members of his family, will cut the ribbon to open the show house on April 28, giving visitors the chance see rooms decorated by some of the region's premier designers.

Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic, Inc. will conduct its December mixed horse sale today and tomorrow at Timonium Race Track, with both sessions beginning at 10 a.m.Mares and stallions constituting 316 head will be sold today, including mares in foal to popular local stallions Two Punch, Waquoit, Allen's Prospect and Polish Numbers, and such premier out-of-state stallions as Devil's Bag, Mountain Cat and Phone Trick.The remainder of the 600-head consignment will be auctioned tomorrow, including 40 yearlings and more than 150 weanlings.

On Wednesday, November 21, 2007, MARIE A. (Nee Griffin) CURRIER, age 89 of Lutherville, beloved wife of the late William M. Currier, devoted mother of Eleanor C. Boyer and her husband Rezin "Sonny" Boyer, Regina A. Currier and her husband Richard T. Bonanno, and the late William "Bill" J. Currier, grandmother of Christopher P. Boyer and his wife Carrie, Elizabeth M. Poffel, Melissa R. McGarry, Parker, Cameron, Mitchell, and McKenna Boyer. Friends may call at the family owned Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center, P.A., 2325 York Road, Timonium, on Sunday, November 25 from 7-9pm, with a Vigil service at 7:30pm.

The man who shot himself at a Timonium gun range Thursday night committed suicide, Baltimore County police said Friday. Officers were called to the Continental Arms at 9603 Deereco Road shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday for reports of a shooting. A deceased adult male was found inside of the gun range. Police said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. cwells@baltsun.com twitter.com/cwellssun jkanderson@baltsun.com Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

A First Watch is coming to Timonium. The new location, in the Timonium Square Shopping Center, will be the second Baltimore-area location. The first is in Pikesville.  The restaurant is expected to open in the spring and will employ approximately 25 people, according to the Bradenton, Fla.-based company. The fast-growing chain , which specializes in breakfast and lunch, says it is currently the largest and fastest-growing daytime-only restaurant concept in the U.S. Follow Baltimore Diner on Twitter @gorelickingood  

Luna's House Inc. set up a booth at the Pet Expo at the Timonium Fairgrounds Jan 25 to 27. Pictured are volunteer Lynne Freund from Bel Air and her foster dog, Sophia (available for adoption), standing in front of the booth. Luna's House Animal Care and Education Center in Edgewood is a non-profit all animal rescue dedicated to bettering the lives of animals and their people.

Today marks the start of the 111th Maryland State Fair, as it kicks off its traditional 10-day run at the fairgrounds in Timonium. You always know the end of summer has arrived when the state fair comes to town.What a delight it is to re-visit the fair every year. Stopping at the familiar Farm and Garden, 4-H and Home Arts buildings, the Cow Palace, the Horse Show Ring and, of course, the Midway, is a reminder of youthful days gone by and of the agricultural heritage that still remains an important part of modern-day Maryland.

"Come casual … dine fine. " That's the motto sprinkled across Christopher Daniel's menu and signage. The concept - good food served in a low-key setting - is a worthy one. But while the service is top-notch, the food portion of "fine" dining needs a boost. The restaurant has been popular since its opening in 2005, though during our visit on a Wednesday evening the Timonium space was only about half full. Even with a big table of chatty women, the atmosphere was hushed, making the conservatively decorated space feel more formal than "come casual" suggests.

Michael's Cafe is nearly 30 years old, but it's still hot. On a recent Thursday night, the Timonium restaurant was hopping. The warm, wood-filled bar was packed, and by 8 p.m., so was the dining room. Since its opening in 1984, Michael's has expanded several times; a current construction project will add an outdoor bar and more seating. Eavesdropping on tables around us, we realized most diners were repeat customers - back, no doubt, for Michael's capable takes on classic American food.

Pauline H. "June" Brannan, an artist and former owner of a Mount Washington frame shop, died Tuesday of congestive heart failure and kidney disease at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. The longtime Ruxton resident was 85. The daughter of farmers, Pauline Hillary Crapster was born in Woodbine and raised in Anne Arundel County. She was a 1945 graduate of Glen Burnie High School. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park and in 1950 married Robert R. Brannan Sr. The couple settled in the Four Winds neighborhood, where they raised their five children.

Marshall Norval "Buzz" Ragsdale, a retired National Cash Register sales executive, died of complications from multiple myeloma Saturday at his Timonium home. He was 91. Born in East Orange, N.J., he was a 1939 graduate of East Orange High School and attended Bucknell University, where he played freshman basketball. In July 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Va. He then served with Marine Fighting Squadron 314 on Midway, Ie Shima and Okinawa.

Zynga, the video game maker best known for FarmVille and Words With Friends, has closed its Timonium office as part of a broader corporate consolidation, company officials said Monday. The company also made changes at three other offices, closing and consolidating some in Texas and New York. The company did not say how many jobs were being cut, but said that the moves affected about 1 percent of its work force of more than 3,000. About half of those in the Timonium office were relocated.

Anna Di Pierno's little charmer of a restaurant has been around for about seven years, operating under the name Pasta Blitz. If you go looking for it, though, look for Il Basilico. Di Pierno has taken a deliberate approach to the name change, but the transition is almost complete. The neon sign above the restaurant, located in a Timonium strip mall, still carries the old name, but virtually everything inside is now emblazoned with the Il Basilico logo. The menu has been changing gradually, too. The main part still consists of Italian-American favorites - lots of them - things like veal Parmigiana, homemade lasagna Bolognese and chicken cacciatore.

Today: Believe I Wood, unbeaten in two starts at Laurel, heads the field in the fourth running of the Bobby Hale Stakes, the opening-day feature at Timonium Race Course.Ten 2-year-old colts and geldings passed the entry box for the 6 1/2 -furlong event, which carries a $30,000 purse.Serious challenges are expected from Enchanted Ghost, a son of Silver Ghost, who won his debut at Laurel earlier this month. Wild Explo, who returned with an excuse in the Primer Stakes, should also be respected in the wagering.

Baltimore County police are asking for the public's help in finding a 23-year-old woman who has been missing since last week. Jerryell Myesha Foster has not been seen since she left her home on Hazy Morn Court in Timonium at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Relatives told police that Foster did not attend a family Thanksgiving dinner and they are concerned about her. They said it was out of character for Foster to miss a holiday with family members and to not be in touch with them. Foster was described as black, 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing about 125 pounds.

Baltimore County police officers from several precincts were called to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium on Saturday after the promoter of a weekend motorcycle show said he asked a gang to leave. The Pagans, a rival of the Hells Angels, were asked to leave by the organizers of the Timonium Motorcycle Show about 1 p.m., police spokeswoman Elise Armacost said in an email. She said additional police support was requested because the department was concerned about a possible confrontation after the Hells Angels were displaying their colors, which motorcycle clubs were told not to do during the event.

Luna's House Inc. set up a booth at the Pet Expo at the Timonium Fairgrounds Jan 25 to 27. Pictured are volunteer Lynne Freund from Bel Air and her foster dog, Sophia (available for adoption), standing in front of the booth. Luna's House Animal Care and Education Center in Edgewood is a non-profit all animal rescue dedicated to bettering the lives of animals and their people.