Howard LIVE!

The Howard LIVE! Food, Libations and Luxury Home Show is coming to the Turf Valley Resort on Saturday, February 21st (11:00 am - 6:00 pm) and Sunday, the 22nd (11:00 am - 5:00 pm). It's an interesting show, combining gourmet food, wine and lots of home decorating and improvement exhibitors. It comes at a challenging time in the overall economic environment, but one hopes it's a sign of resilience in the local economy. Or maybe it's just a sign of ostentatious overindulgence. You be the judge.

It's very much open to the public, with tickets available for $20 ahead of the show, or $25 at the door (but you can download a $5 coupon from the website, too). For that price, you get tastings from such restaurants as the Elkridge Furnace Inn, oZ Chophouse, and Alexandra's, as well as 20 gourmet food and snack purveyors. In addition, you get samples from a broad selection of fine wine, spirits and artisan brews. And you get to wander the full range of more than 100 exhibits of luxury home goods, services and suppliers. If you want to skip the alcohol, you can get tickets for $12 online or $17 at the door. Kids 6-12 years old are $5 and under 6 are free.