Elkridge Today: October 21

Last night, the , a 22-acre parcel on Coca Cola Drive, for the new middle school site to serve the northeast. It's projected to open by 2014 to alleviate overcrowding.

Students in Howard County public schools have the day off today because it's the Maryland State Education Association convention.

While school's out, here are a couple of ideas for things to do:

• from HoCo's finest. The Howard County Police Department is offering this course for teen drivers. (Some of us awkward bipeds could use collision avoidance in general.) If you missed sign-up, they're teaching the class other days schools are out as well.
• Halloween shopping. The  offers a $5-off coupon on its website. There's also someone in costume in front of Gateway Overlook publicizing the store, which is entertaining.
• Enter to ; Heidi Klum is judging!!
• The  begins tonight. The spooky adventure in raises money for scholarships that the Elkridge Adult Athletic Association awards local students each year.

Also today the  is going on. There will be screenings, exhibitors, panels, workshops and...I bet there are going to be freebies! Check the list of exhibitors and happenings here.

There’s a high of 61 degrees and a low of 42 today in Elkridge, according to the National Weather Service.