Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

20070423 Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

April 23rd, 2007

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5 or what I have come to perhaps understand as the bi-weekly Maryland Blogger Alliance magazine of the mind.

All the articles are great and we’re sure that you will enjoy the variety and talent in each piece.

Table of Contents:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14th, 2007

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11th, 2007.

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007.

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Article No. 6: 20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007.

Sports Section:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14th, 2007

Mr. Swartz introduces the article by saying; “Just a slice of life on the Eastern Shore. Politics gets sort of boring after awhile, and I'm a big fan of my adopted hometown team!”

“… I had a good time watching the opener and getting back to baseball again. I also rectified an oversight from last year, now I’m a paid member of the Shorebirds Fan Club…”

Read the entire article here: Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener. Enjoy the pictures and the enjoyable commentary…

Nature Section:

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11th, 2007.

In the “Three gentleman ducks,” we’re introduced to three gentleman mallards, who are possible named Ping, Pong, and Po? “So here they are, Three Gentleman Mallards who hang out together in the park.”

One can only imagine what they were discussing?

See the pictures here: “Three gentleman ducks

On April 2, we learned that “Last year there was a pair of redwings nesting in the cattails. This year - this past week - I've seen three males, chasing each other at times. Today, two of them were sitting in trees next to each other calling loudly, and the females were there…” In “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” we learn that “the redwings have a winner ... he got the prime real estate ...”

The Ridger then introduces us to “a duel between cardinals.”

Catch the great pics here: “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?

Travel Section:

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, (With something like a 10-60 record as coach of my children's soccer teams why do I do it? Because I'm Soccer Dad!” – He can coach my nieces and nephews anytime – Winning may or not be everything but values are forever…) writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007.

In his article he has posted a number of pics “of Baltimore's Inner Harbor” from a “recent trip to the Maryland Science Center…”

And for a bonus Soccer Dad threw in a Westminster image, in a Brechtian mode of ironic distance, which is of “Ansel Adams meets Rainer Werner Fassbinder” quality. It is a must see photo (scroll to the bottom of the post…) – although it may take a few sessions with the GEICO Cavemen’s therapist to understand it.

[My favorite recent post by Soccer Dad is here: “My blog as refrigerator.”]

Political Commentary section:

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.

Mr. Carter writes, in part: “…in the wake of the horror at Virginia Tech this past week, I’ve been reading a lot about what people have to say about guns… A no-guns allowed policy doesn’t guarantee a killing spree, but it certainly makes it easier…”

Mr. Carter, a “a student, writer, satirist, webTV creator, photographer, athlete, thinker, traveler, blogger and improv comedian,” obviously put some time in his commentary…

Read his entire thought-provoking essay here: “Guns guns guns…

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Mr. Crodhil laments “With the signing of the so-called "popular vote" bill this week, MD Governor Martin O’Malley has in essence, deemed the votes of every single Marylander completely, and totally, irrelevant on the national level.”

Read his thought-provoking explanation here: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant (And he calls to our attention that Pillage Idiot and Pubcrawler also have thoughts on this matter…)

Media Commentary section:

Article No. 6: 20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007.

Last week was a long and hard week for our nation and by the end of the week I had “had it” with the media coverage of the tragedy at Virginian Tech and I had been reduced to a NJ Turnpike toll collector stare.

As an uncle, I already have a Doctorate in Modern Anxiety with a minor in ennui… when it comes to being concerned for the next generation. I have three members of my family in college, two that just graduated, and two that will enter college shortly – all nieces and nephews.

I love talking with them as they are arguably some of the neatest folks on the planet. But the idea of some of the slobbering, feckless, pandering media-types interviewing the students at Virginia through the cracked mirror by which much of the media views its navel, got burdensome.

I was impressed that the Virginia Tech students consistently presented with poise and outclassed the media hacks.

Another thing for certain, in today’s obsessive media, last week proved once again, that the media certainly have been well trained to bark on cue…

The other day, I had but only minutes to stop for a moment and catch-up with the news and all I got were psychologically violent images of “the killer” and the media “interviewing the ghost.” Unhappy, I made, what turned out to be, one too many cups of coffee and turned to my local newspaper…

I opened the paper – “and lost it.”

“Why anyone would want to trivialize the tragedy at Virginia Tech by taking the opportunity to promote a political agenda is beyond comprehension.

Right now I have no time for folks who wish to ride their favorite political hobbyhorse on the back of what is otherwise an enormous human tragedy.

What we need right now is the steady glow of a prudent and human response and not a series of blinking lights.

Read the rest of my “media commentary” (rant) here: “20070422 Media Smackdown.”

Oh yes, I’m feeling a little better today. Thank you for asking.

_____

Thank you for joining us for Carnival of Maryland 5 – the Maryland Blogger Alliance bi-weekly magazine of the mind. It’s been a pleasure hosting this great event. For more information on the CoM, click here.

If you’re a MD blogger, and you’d like to join the Maryland Blogger Alliance (MBA), you can contact the Pillage Idiot’s Attlia at- pillageidiot -at- hotmail -dot- com.

If you have not had a chance to read our previous four Carnivals, please take this opportunity to review some of the best that the Maryland blogosphere has to offer:

Carnival of Maryland #1 - 2/25/2007 was hosted by Bruce Godfrey on “Crablaw Maryland Weekly” on February 25, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland - second edition hosted by Attila of the Pillage Idiot on March 11, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland #3 was hosted by The Ridger on “The Greenbelt” on March 26th, 2007

Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007.

For more simply great reading, click on any of the following web sites that belong to the mid-Atlantic’s premier blogger collective:

Members of the Maryland Blogger Alliance are:

Pillage Idiot (Rockville)

Soccer Dad (Baltimore)

Maryland Conservatarian (Baltimore)

The Baltimore Reporter (Baltimore)

The Sun Lies (Baltimore Area)

The Not So Free State (Woodlawn)

monoblogue (Salisbury)

Crablaw (Reisterstown)

Kevin Dayhoff (Westminster)

Politics, Hon (Baltimore)

blogger1947 (Gwynn Oak)

Jousting for Justice (Owings Mills)

The Voltage Gate (Frostburg)

Howard County Md. Blog (Ellicott City)

The Hedgehog Report (Columbia)

Rockin' Catoctin (Frederick)

The Pubcrawler (Gaithersburg)

C. Dowd's Blog (Lansdowne)

Oriole Post (Silver Spring)

Escape from Pianosa (Baltimore)

Maryland Politics Today (Laurel)

The Greenbelt (Laurel)

Snail's Tales (Germantown)

Leviathan Montgomery (Silver Spring)

Going to the Mat (Frederick)

The AT Wire (Cumberland)

####

20070423 Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

April 23rd, 2007

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5 or what I have come to perhaps understand as the bi-weekly Maryland Blogger Alliance magazine of the mind.

All the articles are great and we’re sure that you will enjoy the variety and talent in each piece.

Table of Contents:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14th, 2007

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11th, 2007.

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007.

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Article No. 6: 20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007.

Sports Section:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14th, 2007

Mr. Swartz introduces the article by saying; “Just a slice of life on the Eastern Shore. Politics gets sort of boring after awhile, and I'm a big fan of my adopted hometown team!”

“… I had a good time watching the opener and getting back to baseball again. I also rectified an oversight from last year, now I’m a paid member of the Shorebirds Fan Club…”

Read the entire article here: Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener. Enjoy the pictures and the enjoyable commentary…

Nature Section:

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11th, 2007.

In the “Three gentleman ducks,” we’re introduced to three gentleman mallards, who are possible named Ping, Pong, and Po? “So here they are, Three Gentleman Mallards who hang out together in the park.”

One can only imagine what they were discussing?

See the pictures here: “Three gentleman ducks

On April 2, we learned that “Last year there was a pair of redwings nesting in the cattails. This year - this past week - I've seen three males, chasing each other at times. Today, two of them were sitting in trees next to each other calling loudly, and the females were there…” In “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” we learn that “the redwings have a winner ... he got the prime real estate ...”

The Ridger then introduces us to “a duel between cardinals.”

Catch the great pics here: “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?

Travel Section:

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, (With something like a 10-60 record as coach of my children's soccer teams why do I do it? Because I'm Soccer Dad!” – He can coach my nieces and nephews anytime – Winning may or not be everything but values are forever…) writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007.

In his article he has posted a number of pics “of Baltimore's Inner Harbor” from a “recent trip to the Maryland Science Center…”

And for a bonus Soccer Dad threw in a Westminster image, in a Brechtian mode of ironic distance, which is of “Ansel Adams meets Rainer Werner Fassbinder” quality. It is a must see photo (scroll to the bottom of the post…) – although it may take a few sessions with the GEICO Cavemen’s therapist to understand it.

[My favorite recent post by Soccer Dad is here: “My blog as refrigerator.”]

Political Commentary section:

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.

Mr. Carter writes, in part: “…in the wake of the horror at Virginia Tech this past week, I’ve been reading a lot about what people have to say about guns… A no-guns allowed policy doesn’t guarantee a killing spree, but it certainly makes it easier…”

Mr. Carter, a “a student, writer, satirist, webTV creator, photographer, athlete, thinker, traveler, blogger and improv comedian,” obviously put some time in his commentary…

Read his entire thought-provoking essay here: “Guns guns guns…

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Mr. Crodhil laments “With the signing of the so-called "popular vote" bill this week, MD Governor Martin O’Malley has in essence, deemed the votes of every single Marylander completely, and totally, irrelevant on the national level.”

Read his thought-provoking explanation here: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant (And he calls to our attention that Pillage Idiot and Pubcrawler also have thoughts on this matter…)

Media Commentary section:

Article No. 6: 20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007.

Last week was a long and hard week for our nation and by the end of the week I had “had it” with the media coverage of the tragedy at Virginian Tech and I had been reduced to a NJ Turnpike toll collector stare.

As an uncle, I already have a Doctorate in Modern Anxiety with a minor in ennui… when it comes to being concerned for the next generation. I have three members of my family in college, two that just graduated, and two that will enter college shortly – all nieces and nephews.

I love talking with them as they are arguably some of the neatest folks on the planet. But the idea of some of the slobbering, feckless, pandering media-types interviewing the students at Virginia through the cracked mirror by which much of the media views its navel, got burdensome.

I was impressed that the Virginia Tech students consistently presented with poise and outclassed the media hacks.

Another thing for certain, in today’s obsessive media, last week proved once again, that the media certainly have been well trained to bark on cue…

The other day, I had but only minutes to stop for a moment and catch-up with the news and all I got were psychologically violent images of “the killer” and the media “interviewing the ghost.” Unhappy, I made, what turned out to be, one too many cups of coffee and turned to my local newspaper…

I opened the paper – “and lost it.”

“Why anyone would want to trivialize the tragedy at Virginia Tech by taking the opportunity to promote a political agenda is beyond comprehension.

Right now I have no time for folks who wish to ride their favorite political hobbyhorse on the back of what is otherwise an enormous human tragedy.

What we need right now is the steady glow of a prudent and human response and not a series of blinking lights.

Read the rest of my “media commentary” (rant) here: “20070422 Media Smackdown.”

Oh yes, I’m feeling a little better today. Thank you for asking.

_____

Thank you for joining us for Carnival of Maryland 5 – the Maryland Blogger Alliance bi-weekly magazine of the mind. It’s been a pleasure hosting this great event. For more information on the CoM, click here.

If you’re a MD blogger, and you’d like to join the Maryland Blogger Alliance (MBA), you can contact the Pillage Idiot’s Attlia at- pillageidiot -at- hotmail -dot- com.

If you have not had a chance to read our previous four Carnivals, please take this opportunity to review some of the best that the Maryland blogosphere has to offer:

Carnival of Maryland #1 - 2/25/2007 was hosted by Bruce Godfrey on “Crablaw Maryland Weekly” on February 25, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland - second edition hosted by Attila of the Pillage Idiot on March 11, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland #3 was hosted by The Ridger on “The Greenbelt” on March 26th, 2007

Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007.

For more simply great reading, click on any of the following web sites that belong to the mid-Atlantic’s premier blogger collective:

Members of the Maryland Blogger Alliance are:

Pillage Idiot (Rockville)

Soccer Dad (Baltimore)

Maryland Conservatarian (Baltimore)

The Baltimore Reporter (Baltimore)

The Sun Lies (Baltimore Area)

The Not So Free State (Woodlawn)

monoblogue (Salisbury)

Crablaw (Reisterstown)

Kevin Dayhoff (Westminster)

Politics, Hon (Baltimore)

blogger1947 (Gwynn Oak)

Jousting for Justice (Owings Mills)

The Voltage Gate (Frostburg)

Howard County Md. Blog (Ellicott City)

The Hedgehog Report (Columbia)

Rockin' Catoctin (Frederick)

The Pubcrawler (Gaithersburg)

C. Dowd's Blog (Lansdowne)

Oriole Post (Silver Spring)

Escape from Pianosa (Baltimore)

Maryland Politics Today (Laurel)

The Greenbelt (Laurel)

Snail's Tales (Germantown)

Leviathan Montgomery (Silver Spring)

Going to the Mat (Frederick)

The AT Wire (Cumberland)

####

Monday, April 23, 2007

20070422 A Jimi Hendrix guitar

April 22, 6:21 PM

“A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix was sold for …”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nayarBrD6mk

jimi hendrix plays piano and violin rare footage 1967

####

Bonus video: 20070422 A Jimi Hendrix guitar...

####

20070422 A Jimi Hendrix guitar ...

April 22, 6:21 PM

“A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix was sold for …”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nayarBrD6mk

jimi hendrix plays piano and violin rare footage 1967

####

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aUDVpHxw9c

Jimi Hendrix All Along The Watchtower

####

20070421 Pandering Hillary

Pandering Hillary

April 23, 2007

Captain’s Quarters has a post that caught my eye in the latest example of “Hillary will say anything” to be president.

The more we learn about the Rutgers team – the more we learn that they are certainly poised and classy. Good for them.

The more we continue to learn about New York Senator Hillary Clinton, the more we learn that she is an empty, unprincipled political hack. What a shame. A little depth and integrity would go a long ways at this point if she is to ever rescue her bid to be president. That is, if her effort can be rescued.

What a world we live in when the likes of an Al Gore running for president for the Democratic ticket is starting to look like a reasonable alternative. At least he knows the ropes. Senator Barack Obama is a clueless neophyte; way out of his element and Hillary seems to have forgotten that she is actually bright and has some depth – if she could ever do something about her perceived character, integrity and the perception that she is a pandering political pariah.

______

Hillary Pandering To The Pimp Culture

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/009752.php

April 21, 2007

Hillary Clinton takes two shots over her involvement in the degrading language of gangster rap. Last night, the women's basketball team at Rutgers blew off a meeting with their neighboring state's Senator, claiming Imus fatigue and a renewed sense of perspective on victimhood after the Virginia Tech shootings.

This morning, Colbert King blasts Hillary for taking almost a million dollars from a fundraiser hosted by a man who gets rich on lyrics that would make Don Imus blush.

First, the Rutgers team passed on a chance to meet with Hillary and hear her sympathy for their victimhood:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton finally dropped by Rutgers to meet with the school's women's basketball coach -- but the players themselves skipped the half-hour meeting, citing their studies and Imus fatigue.

[…]

King has Hillary pegged. She can't castigate Imus for talking about women in the same language as Timbaland while taking almost a million dollars from the rapper. The fact that she tried to wheedle her way into a meeting with the target of Imus' insult while getting funding from Timbaland makes her the worst kind of hypocrite -- the kind that makes money on the practices she derides.

[…]

UPDATE: Bruce Kesler has further thoughts.

UPDATE II: Adjoran had prior thoughts at Wizbang.

Read the entire post here: Hillary Pandering To The Pimp Culture. The post has more good links and be sure to read the comments. For a refreshing change, many of the comments actually add value to the post as opposed to the usual cringe worthy drivel found in way too many comment sections…

####

20070423 Westminster Council Meeting Minutes

Westminster Council Meeting Minutes

City Council

Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting

Minutes of City of Westminster Council Meeting

April 23, 2007

QUORUM:

A meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of April 23, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. Council President Chiavacci; Council Members Albert, Wack, Utz, and Pecoraro; City Administrator Wolf; Acting Director of Planning and Public Works Glass; Chief Spaulding; City Treasurer Unger; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

On behalf of United Way of Central Maryland, Ms. Linda Knott presented Council President Chiavacci and Ms. Wolf a “Company that Cares” award.

Council President Chiavacci read a Mayoral Proclamation declaring the week of May 6-12, 2007 as Goodwill Industries Week.

MINUTES:

Mrs. Albert moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 9, 2007. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

BIDS:

Mr. Glass presented staff’s recommendation that the Common Council accept a proposal from East Coast Liner Co. Inc. to replace the floating cover at the Clear Reservoir for $33,199.83. The funding source is a specific $40,000.00 line item in the current water budget. The existing cover was installed in 1989 and had a 15-20 year life expectancy. The reservoir will be removed from service for approximately two weeks during the installation. Upon Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Utz and unanimously passed, the proposal was accepted.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Pecoraro reported that the intersection of Green and Bond Streets would be closed for work on the West Green Street Project. He advised that the intersection would be posted in advance.

Mr. Pecoraro noted that the Growth and Annexation Committee would hold another meeting in the near future.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Mr. Walsh and Mr. Unger summarized Ordinance No. 764, which would levy municipal taxes for Fiscal Year 2008. Mr. Unger advised that the tax rate would remain the same as that for Fiscal Year 2007. Mrs. Albert moved to introduce the Ordinance. Dr. Wack seconded and the introduction was unanimously approved.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Chief Spaulding reported that a new officer would being working on April 24, 2007 and that the Department would be fully staffed. He further reported that Cadet Workman is doing well in the Police Academy.

Council President Chiavacci noted that he and the Chief were serving on an ad hoc committee to develop interior and exterior enhancements for the Westminster Branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

Ms. Wolf distributed materials from her recent attendance at the Maryland City/County Management Association spring meeting. She reported that the General Assembly was expected to take up a regional planning initiative in the next session. She also reported that concern exists that the State might change its formula for distributing monies for parks. Finally, Ms. Wolf noted that revenue bills had all been shelved during the last General Assembly session.

Dr. Wack complimented Officer Angela Anderson on her assistance with a matter that resulted in an emergency room visit the preceding Saturday. He requested the Chief to convey his appreciation.

Mr. Schroers reported that his department recently received two awards from the Recreation and Parks Association. Council President Chiavacci asked Mr. Schroers to congratulate his staff on behalf of the Council members.

Mr. Schroers advised that the State had fully funded the Program Open Space for the upcoming fiscal year.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

City resident Rebekah Orenstein requested that a tree be planted in memory of the husband of Administrative Assistant Marianne Sheehan, Grant, who passed away in March. Ms. Orenstein also expressed concern about a collapsed fence near her house. Ms. Wolf advised that she would look into both matters.

Council President Chiavacci adjourned the meeting at 7:32 P.M.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk

20070423 Carnival of Maryland 5 will be posted later in the day


Carnival of Maryland 5 will be posted later in the day

April 23, 2007

UPDATE on Maryland Blog Carnival

Hosted by members of the Maryland Blogger Alliance.

The Maryland Blogger Alliance (MBA) “Carnival of Maryland 5” will be posted later in the day.

The wheel is still turning but the peripatetic gerbil that powers this blog juggled a few too many balls in the air this past weekend and has “crashed.”

If you have not had a chance to read our previous four Carnivals, please take this opportunity to review some of the best that the Maryland blogosphere has to offer:

Carnival of Maryland #1 - 2/25/2007 was hosted by Bruce Godfrey on “Crablaw Maryland Weekly” on February 25, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland - second edition hosted by Attila of the Pillage Idiot on March 11, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland #3 was hosted by The Ridger on “The Greenbelt” on March 26th, 2007

Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007.

Meanwhile, if you’re a MD blogger, and you’d like to join the MBA, you can contact the Pillage Idiot’s Attlia at- pillageidiot -at- hotmail -dot- com.

Attila, pictured above with Katie Couric, wrote on March 11, 2007: “The Carnival was the brainchild of members of the Maryland Blogger Alliance (see sidebar). You don't have to be a member to contribute to our Carnival, but we strongly urge you to join if you're a blogger in Maryland. There's really no downside to it. We're an eclectic bunch. We have no political litmus tests for membership, and an increasing number of our members don't focus on politics at all.”

Members of the Maryland Blogger Alliance are:

Pillage Idiot (Rockville)

Soccer Dad (Baltimore)

Maryland Conservatarian (Baltimore)

The Baltimore Reporter (Baltimore)

The Sun Lies (Baltimore Area)

The Not So Free State (Woodlawn)

monoblogue (Salisbury)

Crablaw (Reisterstown)

Kevin Dayhoff (Westminster)

Politics, Hon (Baltimore)

blogger1947 (Gwynn Oak)

Jousting for Justice (Owings Mills)

The Voltage Gate (Frostburg)

Howard County Md. Blog (Ellicott City)

The Hedgehog Report (Columbia)

Rockin' Catoctin (Frederick)

The Pubcrawler (Gaithersburg)

C. Dowd's Blog (Lansdowne)

Oriole Post (Silver Spring)

Escape from Pianosa (Baltimore)

Maryland Politics Today (Laurel)

The Greenbelt (Laurel)

Snail's Tales (Germantown)

Leviathan Montgomery (Silver Spring)

Going to the Mat (Frederick)

The AT Wire (Cumberland)

####

20070417 A CC grand jury has indicted six Bowling Brook employees

A Carroll County grand jury has indicted six Bowling Brook Preparatory School employees

April 17, 2007 – Posted April 22, 2007

Bowling Brook Preparatory School administrator, Brian Hayden released a statement after the grand jury’s decision was announced. Please see it pasted below.

For additional information about the Bowling Brook matter please refer to:

"The high cost of twin tragedies at Bowling Brook" March 14, 2007 Westminster Eagle column

Bowling Brook Preparatory School web site

Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale The Tentacle March 13, 2007

“Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

“Soundtrack” blog posts and information about support for Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy, Keymar, Carroll County MD.

Ari Natter, writing for the Carroll County Times and Greg Garland, writing for the Baltimore Sun, both have articles about the Carroll County grand jury bring charges of “reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine,” (Six Bowling Brook employees indicted.)

“Those indicted, all of whom (Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry F.) Barnes said took part in restraining (Isaiah) Simmons, were Michael Paul Corradi, 31, of Middletown, Pa.; Jason Willie Robinson, 25, of Westminster; Mark Richard Sainato, 36, of Keymar; Brian Gerard Kanavy, 31, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Dennis Harding, 31, of Baltimore; and Shadi Sabbagh, 33, of Keyma,” (6 indicted in death at Bowling Brook.)

Neither paper uses permalinks – so if you are accessing this post at a later date and the links are dead, e-mail me at kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com and I will update the post…

Time has not been my friend this week, however, I am writing an update to the Bowling Brook matter as both articles, albeit good articles, are lacking in a few details that are critical for the reader to comprehensively understand the Bowling Brook issues. I will be building upon two previous pieces: Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale The Tentacle March 13, 2007 and “Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

There continue to be too many logical flaws – too many questions - as to why the storied institution was closed…

But first, for balance – read the commentary on the web site, “Chronicles of Dissent:” Another needless and tragic death from prone restraint 20070324 More questions than answers persist about Bowling Brook

Statement by Bowling Brook Preparatory School Regarding Completion of Grand Jury Proceedings in the Death of Isaiah Simmons

Keymar, MD - April 17, 2007 - The Office of the Carroll County State's Attorney has announced completion of the grand jury proceedings investigating the death of Isaiah Simmons. The entire Bowling Brook community continues to grieve over the loss of Isaiah, and we are disappointed to learn that our former employees will face criminal charges following this unfortunate and tragic loss. Bowling Brook maintains that this incident was unintentional and that these gentlemen have always had the utmost concern for the well being of all of our students without exception throughout their employment.

Bowling Brook administrator Brian Hayden offered the following, "All Bowling Brook team members have always kept the health and welfare of our students at the forefront of our mission to challenge young men to change their behaviors and lead positive and productive lives, and these gentlemen are no exception."

Hayden added, "Hopefully, the truth will bear out through the criminal proceedings and these gentlemen will be found innocent of all charges. We remain in full support and our prayers will be with them and their families throughout the difficult time ahead."

During the past 50 years, Bowling Brook, a nonprofit organization, has achieved an exemplary record of success while serving young men.

Specifically:

79% of students earned their high school diploma while attending Bowling Brook.

In 2006, 159 (89%) of Bowling Brook students successfully graduated from our school. Of these graduates, 49% were accepted to college or technical school, 35% were employed, and 16% transitioned to community-based educational and apprenticeship programs.

In 2006, Bowling Brook students performed over 40,000 hours of

community service across Maryland and 63 students earned Presidential Gold Service Awards for completing over 250 hours of community service.

Bowling Brook closed its doors in early March of this year, but the nonprofit's board of directors and management team remain committed to continuing to fulfill the school's mission in the future. As its path into the future is developed and implemented, the school will update all of its graduates, former employees, and the enormous contingent of supportive community members on its plans.

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