Warm Weekend Weather Rolling In: Today in Howard County

Balmy Weather for the Weekend - It's shaping up to be a gorgeous weekend. The cold, windy weather we've had for the past two days will be replaced by temperatures in the mid-60s starting Friday and continue until Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The high Friday is predicted around 60, with a nighttime low of 42. On Saturday, a high around 61, then Sunday the temps could hit as high as 65. Even the nights should be warmer, with nighttime lows dropping between 45 - 55 degrees over the weekend. Not bad for November.

State Teachers Don't Feel Prepared to Implement Common Core - A new survey (pdf) released by the Maryland State Education Association found that 64 percent of MD teachers don't feel adequately prepared to implement Common Core. Eighty-five percent responded that, yes, there are still significant challenges in understanding and implementing the new educational model. Students are expected to be tested with PARCC exams on the Common Core curriculum beginning in the 2014-2015 school year. The MSEA survey polled 745 teachers between Nov. 4 - 8.

The Nutcrakcer on Ice in Columbia - This December, the Columbia Figure Skating Club will hold two shows of The Nutcracker at the Columbia Ice Rink (5676 Thunder Hill Road, Columbia). The performances will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 and are available at the Columbia Ice Rink or online at Columbiafsc.com.

Watch "The Sound of Music" at Mt. Hebron High School - The last three shows of Mt. Hebron High's theater department's production of "The Sound of Music" will take place tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday night. Each show starts at 7 p.m. at Mt Hebron High (9440 Route 99, Ellicott City). Tickets are $10.  

Gansler Asks for Gubernatorial Candidates to Prohibit 'Dark Money' - Earlier this week Attorney General Doug Gansler challenged other leading gubernatorial candidates to avoid so-called 'dark money', funds spent by third-party groups to buy TV, radio, and direct mail advertising. It appears unlikely any other candidate would take up the challenge. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown's campaign manager told the Daily Record that Brown's campaign is focused on "a grassroots effort to deliver our message" and Heather Mizeur's campaign declined to comment on Gansler's request, according to the report. Some outside groups are already spending money to support Brown, according to a Washington Post report.