Vote For Your Favorite Howard County Hair Salon

Howard County readers help determine which area salons can turn you from frumpy to fabulous.

Sometimes, looking good comes down to who has the best information. It's easy for even the most dedicated of the beautiful people to get caught in a style rut. That’s where we come in. This week, we want you to help Patch determine the best hair salons in Howard County.  Here is how it works. Peruse our site, and rate or comment on your personal favorite hair salon. Do you love Bombshell Salon in Ellicott City? Do the stylists at Naima’s Hair Design in Elkridge do the best job with curly hair? Do the colorists at Art of Hair in Savage get your hair color picture perfect? Or is it Kristie’s Hair Design in Columbia that gets your recommendation? Then we will list your top choices in a follow-up story next week based on who gets the best …

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From Banker to Baker: New Businesswoman Sets Up Shop In Columbia

Linda Cheng, owner of Linda’s Bakery, talked to Patch about her dream of owning a bakery and why she decided to leave the corporate world to make it a reality.

With just word-of-mouth publicity and a few emails sent to friends and acquaintances, Linda’s Bakery opened in the Snowden Center earlier this month to a "great crowd." "I was very happy with the crowd — Howard County has very active foodies." owner Linda Cheng said. The Rockville resident said being a small business owner has its challenges but it’s worth it if you're doing something you really love. Cheng, 30, said she has been baking professionally for five years and graduated with honors from the L’Academie de Cuisine’s Pastry Arts Program in Gaithersburg. She has worked at a number of bakeries over the last few years, but recently decided to strike out on her own. Despite her current culinary credentials, at one time Cheng saw herself…

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Free Parking, Santa and ‘Nog: Small Businesses Want You, Bad

Small Business Saturday comes to your town this weekend.

Small businesses in quaint retail districts across the suburban Baltimore/D.C. region will be offering promotions and other enticements for shoppers who want to buy local for the holidays. More than a dozen public, private and advocacy organizations, supported by American Express OPEN, the company's small business unit, have teamed up to declare Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday. (Full dislosure: American Express has signed on as a sponsor of small business-related content on Patch during the holidays.) There are incentives for both small businesses and shoppers. Business owners who sign up for the Facebook page receive a $100 Facebook advertising credit to help build an online presence for their business. For shoppers, American Express …

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Poll: Will You Trade Thanksgiving Family Time For Holiday Deals?

Stores are competing for consumers looking for deals in a tough economy.

It appears holiday promotions will be more aggressive than ever this year. Walmart, Toys "R" Us and Gap are among the retailers who have said they’ll be open Thanksgiving Day. Target, Macy’s, Kohls and Best Buy will open at midnight for Black Friday deals, according to the Contra Costa Times, which said it was only a few years ago when Black Friday didn’t start until 5 a.m. And the promotions for Christmas shopping are already well underway. The week after Halloween, Arundel Mills had its Santa house up and running. Mr. Claus started making the rounds in the Mall at Columbia on Nov. 11. Costco started its Christmas decorating in August, according to The Consumerist, a subsidiary of Consumer Reports. Will you be shopping on Thanksgiving? …

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Frugal Family: Start Your Holiday Shopping Early with These Deals

If you haven't started your holiday shopping, you're already behind. Get on in here and save at Hasbro Toy Shop, Staples, Disney, and more.

Welcome back, my fair frugal friends. Our adventure this week includes kick-butt deals for the entire family. Remember, not just any sale makes it into Frugal Family. Only the best of the best can catch my eye, and believe me, thousands of deals audition each week.  However, the few that make this list have undergone the scrutiny of a watchful and somewhat skeptical eye.  My promise to you is this: They will save you a substantial amount of dough.  They will add to your quality of life, even if only a sliver. And last but certainly not least, they will bring you utter and complete happiness and bliss. Hasbro Toy Shop:  Hasbro is doing their Friends and Family event, and just in time to stock up on gifts for the holidays.  Use code FSFAM11 …