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

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

20070606 Carroll County Times week in review

Carroll County Times Week in review

(The Carroll County Times does not use permalinks. This is being posted Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 – if you are interested in a story, go click on it now…)

June 6th, 2007

Local News

Click these links for:

Teachers praise Gateway students with parting words of wisdom When the first class received certificates from Gateway School, Principal Bob Cullison decided to have a staff member personally introduce each student.

Gateway students find Carroll Community doors open Commencement practice for Gateway School students took place at Carroll Community College, but it was not the first time the students set foot on the campus.

Veteran recalls war days One Carroll County veteran missed participating in D-Day, the allied invasion of Europe, by a few months.

Man joins fight against breast cancer While Michael Sien walked 60 miles in the 2006 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day event in San Diego, something else bothered him more than his achy legs.

Previous Local News


June 5th, 2007

Strike Up The Band By Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer NEW WINDSOR The stage at the New Windsor Fire Carnival was empty Monday night, but music still filled the air. The stage couldn’t accommodate the 80 chairs necessary for the students from New Windsor M…

Summer peak time for occurrences of Lyme disease With more people engaging in outdoor activities during the warm summer months, it’s important to keep in mind that humans aren’t the only creatures out and about this time of year. May, June and July are also peak months for cases of Lyme…

Republican club officers innocent Circuit Court judge finds leaders of group did not violate campaign finance rules Leaders of the Carroll County Republican Club Inc. were found innocent in Carroll County Circuit Court Monday of charges they violated the state’s campaign financ…

Carroll Springs graduation about one achievement,’ one student’ At the graduation ceremony for Ilissa Loube at Carroll Springs School, Principal Robin Farinholt asked those who had been a part of Ilissa’s education over the years to stand. More than half of the room rose to their feet. “Someone may as…

Journey brings Weber Brothers back for shows Gamble’ to learn from musical hero paying off for Westminster natives They call it a pilgrimage. Six years ago, brothers Ryan and Sam Weber, then 20 and 17, respectively, left their Westminster home to pursue their dream of playing music full t…

June 4th, 2007

Newborn kitten receives puppy love Call it a case of puppy love or maybe kitten love is more appropriate. Sprinkle, a 1-year-old white Chihuahua owned by Westminster resident Teresa Coale, considers the newest addition to the household her new puppy. Her new “puppy” is a…

Carroll Food Sunday hopes to meet growing needs David Taylor is the new chairman of Carroll County Food Sunday, a nonprofit food pantry located in Westminster. He and his wife, Dorothy, moved to Westminster from Chicago in 1999. He has been volunteering for the organization for five years and bega…

Packed with power Kingsdale Gas Engine Show a family affair HARNEY The light drizzle coming down couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors in a garden tractor pull Sunday at the Kingsdale Gas Engine Show at the Harney Fire Company. It was pretty much l…

Trial to begin in campaign finance case Club president, treasurer charged with illegally gathering funds The trial of two members of the Carroll County Republican Club accused of violating campaign finance laws is set to start today. Club President Scott Hollenbeck of Westminster and Treas…

BGE customers fight rising costs of electricity Some Marylanders are pushing back against Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.’s 50 percent price increase for electricity. Rubin Fullwood of Eldersburg switched to Washington Gas Energy Services of Herndon, Va. He also sent out a mass e-mail and said …

June 3rd, 2007

Residents turn out for variety of vendors at Manchester Day MANCHESTER Two-year-old Michaela Black was smiling as a she dragged a miniature Radio Flyer wagon across some grass during Manchester Day on Saturday. Her new toy didn’t come from a toy store, and it wasn’t actually a toy. “That w…

Summer camp options abound While overnight camps and traditional day camps are still available for school-age children in Carroll County, the summer camp business has been expanding in recent years to add more theme-based day camps. In recent years, traditional day camps at th…

Summer camp options abound While overnight camps and traditional day camps are still available for school-age children in Carroll County, the summer camp business has been expanding in recent years to add more theme-based day camps. In recent years, traditional day camps at th…

County libraries defend Dewey Decimal System A library in Arizona may have plans to drop the Dewey Decimal System, but Carroll County Public Library Director Lynn Wheeler says it would be chaos without the widely used classification system. “I can’t imagine the inefficiency of tryin…

Carroll Road Construction Nww Carroll County's Department of Public Works plans the following capital improvement projects for the week of June 4: Autumn Ridge Subdivision (Sunshine Way, Snowfall Way, Garden Way, Skyline Way, Falling Leaf Court, Treetop Court, Bonfire Court, …

Keeping busy during the summer months With school ending soon, some teens are looking to volunteer rather than work this summer, so they can fulfill state community service requirements. The Maryland State Department of Education requires every student to perform 75 hours of service lear…

Nonprofit seeks to help break cycle of poverty Since she had her first son at age 19, Diane Koontz has had a lot of experience dealing with the Department of Social Services. The 26-year-old Eldersburg resident is still struggling despite having received medical assistance for her three sons, foo…

Standard jobs becoming more rare From seasonal camps and ice cream vendors to year-round retail stores, businesses find themselves swamped with more applicants than they can evaluate at the end of the school year. For many businesses, though, the summer hiring process can begin as e…

Gas prices not halting vacation plans Gas prices are on the rise, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping vacationers. Jill Mewhirter of Hampstead said her family of five heads down to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on vacation with about 40 other family members. “We’re not going to …

Gas prices not putting damper on summer vacations Gas prices are on the rise, but that doesn't seem to be stopping vacationers. Jill Mewhirter of Hampstead said her family of five heads down to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on vacation with about 40 other family members. "We're not going to not go. We go ever…

June 2nd, 2007

Reading hits the road in new program Carroll County Public Library branches want residents to take a road trip this summer despite high gas prices and the fact that many participants can’t drive. The theme of the library system’s summer reading program, which began accepti…

Phone system helps monitor inmates’ calls The Enforcer expected to more than double Detention Center’s revenue Officials at the Carroll County Detention Center say they hope a new phone system will not only make monitoring inmates’ calls easier but also bring in more money. The p…

Let us be remembered’ Carroll Christian seniors celebrate graduation, God Hugs, high-fives and hoots of excitement followed the graduates of Carroll Christian High School from the Church of the Open Door’s auditorium to the lobby Friday night. The graduating seniors…

Tech Center says bye to cosmetology, teachers WINFIELD The South Carroll Career and Technology Center said goodbye to two beloved teachers and a long-standing program during a certificate ceremony for seniors Friday night. This was the last year for the cosmetology program at South Carroll and…

Farmers anticipate storms Official: Recent rains washed away before soaking into ground After a month of near-record-low rainfall, local farmers have their fingers crossed about predictions of thunderstorms this weekend. Deer Park weather observer Ralph Hartsock said he is ho…

Phone system helps monitor inmates’ calls The Enforcer expected to more than double Detention Center’s revenue Officials at the Carroll County Detention Center say they hope a new phone system will not only make monitoring inmates’ calls easier but also bring in more money. The p…

Reading hits the road in new program Carroll County Public Library branches want residents to take a road trip this summer despite high gas prices and the fact that many participants can’t drive. The theme of the library system’s summer reading program, which began accepti…

Farmers anticipate storms Official: Recent rains washed away before soaking into ground After a month of near-record-low rainfall, local farmers have their fingers crossed about predictions of thunderstorms this weekend. Deer Park weather observer Ralph Hartsock said he is ho…

Tech Center says bye to cosmetology, teachers WINFIELD The South Carroll Career and Technology Center said goodbye to two beloved teachers and a long-standing program during a certificate ceremony for seniors Friday night. This was the last year for the cosmetology program at South Carroll and…

Let us be remembered’ Carroll Christian seniors celebrate graduation, God Hugs, high-fives and hoots of excitement followed the graduates of Carroll Christian High School from the Church of the Open Door’s auditorium to the lobby Friday night. The graduating seniors…

June 1st, 2007

Two churches ask for unused bikes in donation effort Two South Carroll churches are asking people to haul unused bikes out of their garages and basements to donate them to people in developing countries where bikes are a major mode of transportation. St. Joseph Catholic Community Church in Eldersburg, …

Donations pour in for cancer walk When a three-time cancer survivor and other residents of the Carroll Vista development began organizing Taneytown’s first Relay for Life in the fall of 2006, their goal was to raise $5,000 to support the American Cancer Society. Less than …

Corrections for Friday, June 01, 2007 Because of incorrect information provided to the Times, the driver of a 2007 Nissan passenger car was misidentified in a news brief on page A8 Thursday. The driver was Melinda Elizabeth Peugh, 32, of the 5200 block of Stonebridge Way in Sykesville.…

Carroll News Briefs for Friday, June 01, 2007 Water, sewer rates to increase The average county water and sewer user can expect to see his or her quarterly utility bills go up by $15 after the Carroll County Board of Commissioners passed new rates for fiscal year 2008 Thursday. The new wate…

Hands-on experience: 445 high school seniors earn certificates of achievement from Tech Center His high school physics and calculus classes have given Brent Hedrick the textbook knowledge he needs to pursue a degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering. However, taking additional classes and completing projects at the Carroll County Career …

Scrubbing way to career path MOUNT AIRY Winter Beckles didn’t expect his career as a surgeon to start at 17 years old. But as a student at the Carroll County Career and Technology Center’s surgical technician program, he scrubbed in for a total knee replacement, an…

Cooling centers offer refuge from heat The county is taking steps to help residents beat the heat. Carroll opened six cooling centers throughout the area for people vulnerable to the extreme heat or those without air conditioning. The cooling centers normally are open when the county decl…

City fires provoke suspicion Police and fire officials in Westminster are examining whether two suspicious fires that occurred within a week of one another are connected. The state fire marshal’s office doesn’t know if the fires are related but is looking for a conne…

May 31st, 2007

Carroll News Briefs for Thursday, May 31, 2007 A military support group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Winslow Center at McDaniel College in Westminster. The support group is for family members and friends of service members, providing a safe, supportive and confidential environment.…

Animal control continues Marston trapping as part of study Having caught less than a dozen animals, county animal control officers continue to trap small mammals in Marston as part of a federal study of the trichinella parasite found in pigs on a nearby farm. Nicky Ratliff, executive director of the Humane S…

Carrolltowne Elementary adds buzzer to keep track of visitors ELDERSBURG For a little more than a week, visitors to Carrolltowne Elementary School have been greeted by a sign that points to a doorbell beside one of the front doors. Once the doorbell is pushed, a staff member in the main office is required to …

Police seek information about cemetery vandalism Hampstead police are still looking for information about vandalism in one of the town’s cemeteries that occurred more than a week ago. Two tombstones were tipped over and three more were broken in Hampstead Cemetery, said Capt. Jay Gribbin of t…

Festival of Knights ELDERSBURG Century High School’s mascot is the Knight, and on Wednesday, that took on a whole new meaning. Students were treated to a Renaissance festival during lunch where they could participate in such activities as watching short plays an…

Organization encourages preservation Rapid growth in the North Carroll area has led a Manchester resident to form a community organization intended to influence developers and encourage land preservation. David Solomon has been concerned about the effects of development in Carroll Count…

May 30th, 2007

Booms’ are illegal Some fireworks are illegal in Maryland, but that doesn’t stop people from using them or others from complaining to the police about their use. In Carroll County, gold label sparklers, some novelty items and ground-based sparklers are the only…

Fireworks’ future foggy Farm Museum, Rotary clubs struggle with rising costs for Fourth of July event Officials of the Carroll County Farm Museum and the Rotary Clubs of Carroll County are worried about whether they can continue the traditional Fourth of July fireworks at t…

Sykesville Town Council votes not to make tax changes While operating expenses are being met, paving projects are several years behind SYKESVILLE Expressing concern that expenses were outpacing revenue for future years, the Town Council approved a $2.5 million budget for 2008 fiscal year that hel…

Caregiving program prepares for change When grant ends, Neighbors Helping Neighbors group will become nonprofit organization An interfaith volunteer caregiving program of the Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County is on its way to becoming an independent nonprofit organization. Carrol…

Fun with power tools Students make furniture to be auctioned off at New Windsor carnival NEW WINDSOR Visitors to the New Windsor fire carnival will get a chance to bid on some handmade pieces of furniture donated by the students of New Windsor Middle School’s aft…

May 29th, 2007

Burden comes with rate increase Customers will have to adjust budgets with few alternatives to BGE Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. electricity rates go up 50 percent Friday, and consumers will have little choice but to bear the increase. On that day, the price of electricity jumps fro…

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20070606 Massive Attack Dissolved Girl

Massive Attack - Dissolved Girl

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OT8QT4BEOTo



20070606 Massive Attack Dissolved Girl

20070605 Daily Photoblog

Daily Photoblog – 2nd Amendment Drive

Photo Credit: Mrs. Owl

June 5, 2007

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

20070604 McCain fires back at conservative immigration critics

McCain fires back at conservative immigration critics

June 4, 2007

Story Highlights

Conservatives criticize Sen. John McCain for backing immigration reform
Plan to give illegal immigrants visa "amnesty," conservatives say
Arizona Republican says doing nothing amounts to "silent amnesty"
McCain accuses fellow candidate Mitt Romney of pandering on the issue

[…]

From Candy Crowley and Sasha Johnson

CNN Washington Bureau

Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) -- Immigration reform is proving to be a divisive issue for the Republican Party. But few prominent Republicans are feeling the heat like Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a fact that prompted the 2008 contender to address the issue head-on Monday.

"I'm not running to do the easy things," McCain told the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce in a speech. "I defend with no reservation our proposal to offer the people who harvest our crops, tend our gardens, work in our restaurants, care for our children and clean our homes a chance to be legal citizens of this country."

McCain earned the ire of conservatives when he co-sponsored immigration reform legislation with Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, last year -- a proposal critics charged provided amnesty to illegal immigrants.

The current iteration of the Senate's immigration compromise has prompted similar outcries, but does not have McCain's name attached to it, although the senator said he was heavily involved in its negotiation.

(Watch McCain ally Sen. Lindsey Graham try to sell the immigration plan in South Carolina)

"Illegal immigration and our porous borders are problems that we have, to our shame, ignored for too long because it was too hard and politically risky to solve," McCain said. "A number of us -- Republicans and Democrats and the president, have tried to meet this responsibility.

"We have proposed a remedy that, while imperfect as all compromises are, is nevertheless a serious, comprehensive and practical attempt to secure our borders," he said.

Read the rest here: McCain fires back at conservative immigration critics

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20070604 Study Music tech search terms riskiest

Study: Music, tech search terms riskiest

June 4th, 2007

I wish that I had saved the article – but I ran across an article not too long ago that essentially explained that “yesterday’s trauma is today’s routine” with regard to being bothered by spam and viruses, malicious code and insidious spyware.

It, as I remember, explained that technology is catching up with preventing such attacks on our computers…

Maybe yes, maybe no. With many of my colleagues, dealing spam and viruses and such is still quite a headache and I can only imagine is still costing individuals and businesses a great deal of time and money.

I don’t know the answer. I guess the cyber-world of technology is reflective of the “real” world, whatever that is, and “stuff” is going to happen.

I just wish we could get a better grip on handling it…

Anyway, I came across this article, below, that I wanted to share. I have noticed that often it is the very young and the much older technology users that often will end up with their computers all gummed-up.

Older folks are relatively incredulous that “someone would want to do that.” And the younger folks are naive and inexperienced…

But the article, to which I refer to below, perhaps explains another reason why young folks end-up with their computers all gummed-up; music searches…

Read the entire article… The other troubling matter that seems to persist, is the perception that too many of the ads contain problems… It is extremely important that we get a handle on this, as revenue from ads is an important component to sustaining the web… and Wi-Fi...

Study: Music, tech search terms riskiest

By ANICK JESDANUN, AP Internet Writer Mon Jun 4, 2007

Search terms related to music and technology are most likely to return sites with spyware and other malicious code, a new study finds.

[…]

In many cases, the programs come bundled with adware and toolbars McAfee considers unwanted, according to McAfee's "The State of Search Engine Safety" report, scheduled for release Monday.

Nonetheless, McAfee found it slightly safer to use search engines overall. Although about 4 percent of search results lead to sites deemed risky, that's down from 5 percent a year ago.

[…]

Risks are greater when clicking on keyword ads that make up much of search companies' revenues: According to McAfee, 7 percent of such links produce risky sites, down from 8.5 percent a year ago.

[…]

Search companies have taken steps to mitigate the risks. Google, for instance, sometimes flags links to sites it deems risky, and McAfee found a notable drop in risk when using Google, AOL and Ask.

[…]

Read the rest of the article here: Study: Music, tech search terms riskiest

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20070605 Quote of the day

Quote of the day - Moving?


June 5th, 2007


“Our world is incomplete until each one of us discovers what moves us--our passion. No other person can hear our calling. We must listen and act on it for ourselves.”


Richard J. Leider Life coach


Thanks TC

20070604 News Clips

News Clip

June 4th, 2007

State News

Former appointees: Firings “political”

http://www.examiner.com/a-761942~Former_appointees__Firings__political_.html

Firings of mid-level state employees for political reasons apparently have been brought back in some parts of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration, at least according to some of those getting fired and their friends.

A yearlong probe by a special legislative committee with subpoena powers was highly critical of the practice under former Gov. Robert Ehrlich and sought to ban the firings with legislation that went into effect Friday.

Ex State Official: Political Firings Not Limited To Ehrlich

http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=58683

Republicans in Annapolis are accusing Democrats of being guilty of the same political games that led to a special legislative committee investigation of the hiring and firing practices of former Gov. Ehrlich.

Former Department of Aging official Anne Sunderland told the Examiner her recent firing was political.

Sunderland questioned what she sees as a double standard that Democrats complained when Gov. Ehrlich did it.

O'Malley firings criticized as political

http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070601-103635-8585r.htm

An unofficial list of state employees dismissed from their jobs or demoted has some lawmakers wondering whether Gov. Martin O'Malley is repeating the same hiring -- and firing -- practices that led Democrats to a 13-month probe of the Ehrlich administration.

More than two dozen state employees were let go or demoted by the state's transportation agencies, including members of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, the father of a former Ehrlich press secretary and a former Republican fundraiser, according to an unofficial list obtained by The Washington Times.

As Fill-In, O'Malley Expands Exposure

Governor's Speech Sparks Speculation Of Higher Pursuits

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/02/AR2007060201141.html

Standing before hundreds of Democrats, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley called for universal health care, accused President Bush of "foreign policy malpractice" and decried the country's loss of international credibility.

Officially, he was filling in for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y) during the Democratic convention Saturday in what traditionally has been the nation's first presidential primary state. But he was also making the latest in a string of appearances that have served to broaden his exposure among the party elite and activists should he decide to pursue higher office.

"It's the worst-kept secret in Maryland that the governor has national ambitions," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert), who, like some others, questions O'Malley's extracurricular activities, given a looming $1.5 billion budget shortfall and other challenges facing Maryland.

O'Malley hits road to sub for Clinton

Governor makes N.H. appearance

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.omalley03jun03,1,6497448.story

Gov. Martin O'Malley got to live a politician's dream yesterday when his sport utility vehicle rolled to a stop in this presidential primary-obsessed state amid a throng of cheering supporters.

The only hitch was that they were chanting somebody else's name.

O'Malley was in Concord for the day on behalf of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the presidential candidate he endorsed last month, representing her at the New Hampshire Democratic Party state convention while she was busy campaigning in Iowa.

Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell, the minority leader from Southern Maryland, said O'Malley should be home working on a solution to the state's projected $1.5 billion budget shortfall.

"With a trip to Ireland, a trip to Las Vegas and a trip now to New Hampshire, it seems like there's a lot of high-profile travel going on and not a lot of heavy lifting on the state's financial problems," O'Donnell said.

O'Malley Stumps For Clinton In NH

http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=58662

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley called for universal health care and accused President Bush of foreign policy malpractice during a speech yesterday at the New Hampshire Democratic convention.

O'Malley was filling in for New York Senator Hillary Clinton, whose presidential bid he has endorsed.

BGE customers fight rising costs of electricity

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/06/04/news/local_news/newsstory3.txt

Some Marylanders are pushing back against Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.’s 50 percent price increase for electricity.

Rubin Fullwood of Eldersburg switched to Washington Gas Energy Services of Herndon, Va.

He also sent out a mass e-mail and said about 100 of his friends have also made the change.

“That’s the American way,” he said. “That’s the capitalist way.”

Special Session on BGE Rate Hike?

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7517&Itemid=35

With the BGE rate hike now in effect, and areas such as western Maryland targeted for similar hikes in the next 18 months, there are growing calls in Annapolis for a special session to consider regulating electricity. It might be a case of too little, too late according to Baltimore County Republican State Senator Andy Harris. He told WBAL radio that there is little state lawmakers can do to lower electric rates. Harris says restoring regulation to electric prices will only work on the federal level. Several lawmakers want a special session to restore regulation to electric prices. Harris says restoring regulation is an idea worth considering, noting deregulation of electricity has not worked, because it's too costly for companies to build new power plants to generate electricity

Both Sides Gird for Forthcoming Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/02/AR2007060200985.html

Advocates for same-sex marriage are preparing for a decision by the Maryland Court of Appeals that could come any day, with big consequences.

The court is expected to rule on whether the state law banning such marriages, challenged by 19 same-sex couples, is constitutional. The judges could uphold the law, declare it dead and impose a remedy, or kick the issue back to the General Assembly to legislate protections for gay couples.

Opponents of gay marriage began to gather forces during the legislative session that ended in April, forming a loose coalition called the Marriage Caucus. Right now, the fledgling group of lawmakers is looking at legislation to "strengthen families," Del. Gail H. Bates (R-Howard) said. As for the court decision, "We're just kind of waiting to see what they have to say," Bates said. "Personally, that's a single issue for the other side. It's not for us."

Washington County Senator On Gay Marriage

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7518&Itemid=35

Its been six months since Maryland’s highest court heard arguments in the ongoing gay marriage debate, and though there is no indication of a ruling anytime soon, Washington County State Senator Alex Mooney has urged constituents to let their representatives know where they stand. Mooney, a three term republican who strong opposes the concept of gay marriage, tells WCBC News he doesn’t want to see Maryland follow the lead of Massachusetts. A quick recap of where Maryland stands: A 1973 law says marriage is only between a man and a woman, but the question isn't addressed in the state constitution. In January 2006, Baltimore Circuit Judge M. Brooke Murdock struck down the law, and the state immediately appealed. The state Court of Appeals heard the case in December; a decision is in the offing but nothing has been announced. Mooney says it appears to him some type of compromise is being looked at.

Administrator, yes; Administration, not so much by Laura Vozzella

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella03jun03,0,6012205.column?coll=bal-local-columnists

Attorney General Doug Gansler's office issued a news release the other day that referred to the "Gansler Administration." As in, "Protecting and improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries is a priority of the Gansler Administration."

Was there a Curran administration?

Gansler's predecessor doesn't think so.

Safety should be paramount in ICC by Michael Dresser

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/bal-md.dresser04jun04,0,3168882.column?coll=bal-local-headlines

There are compelling reasons to build the Intercounty Connector and compelling reasons not to build it. I'm staying neutral on that issue. But let's assume the courts uphold the decision to complete the 18.8-mile toll road through the Washington suburbs.

In that case, there is no excuse if Maryland officials fail to make it the safest, smartest, most speed-controlled road on this planet.

Council's only Republican described as 'very productive'

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.politics03jun03,1,6818382.story

As the five-member Howard County Council's only Republican, Greg Fox may have more success influencing legislation than if he had political company.

In the council's toughest test so far - County Executive Ken Ulman's first budget - Fox persuaded two Columbia Democrats whose political views are generally in tune with Ulman's to support his proposal on fire taxes instead. Together, the three - Fox, Chairman Calvin Ball, a former firefighter, and Mary Kay Sigaty - cut $1.6 million from a fire contingency fund to keep the fire property tax rate from rising by 2 additional cents on rural properties. The move was a boon to Fox's mainly western county constituents.

Trial to begin in campaign finance case

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/06/04/news/local_news/newsstory2.txt

Club president, treasurer charged with illegally gathering funds

The trial of two members of the Carroll County Republican Club accused of violating campaign finance laws is set to start today.

Club President Scott Hollenbeck of Westminster and Treasurer Suzanne Primoff of Woodbine were charged with illegally gathering and spending funds for a political campaign, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $25,000.

Lawmakers seek accord

Often at odds, County Council and state delegation to meet

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.accord03jun03,0,2246865.story?coll=bal-local-harford

They have sparred in the local press and traded jabs from their respective offices.

Now members of Harford's County Council and General Assembly delegation are looking to a series of joint work sessions to air their differences and perhaps find a better way to address issues facing the county.

Boniface and Del. Barry Glassman, also a Republican and chairman of the delegation, are lifelong friends who hope their amity will spill over into the discussions, they said.

"We want to sit down, talk with them and go over their concerns," Glassman said. "I think the work sessions will be productive. We can get draft proposals done ahead of time and the sessions may help the council understand the state budget process."

National News

Gilchrest on middle ground

Anti-war Shore Republican faces challenges from the left and right

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/NEWS01/706030305/1002

Yellow ribbons and American flags cover store windows and car bumpers in this Eastern Shore town, which recently said goodbye to its largest deployment of National Guard members since World War II.

But as 131 Cecil County soldiers head to Iraq as a part of a national surge in troop levels, Elkton represents a divide in what could prove a national gauge of support for the war among Republicans.

That's because the Eastern Shore faces a dilemma in the re-election campaign of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, a 16-year incumbent who was one of only two Republicans to vote earlier this year for a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq.

Strong opposition mounts to unseat nine-term Congressman

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/NEWS01/706030304/1002

Today marks the 151st day that Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Md.-1st, has spent in office this term.

It's just more than 20 percent of the two years he was elected to serve in November.

Kratovil to announce 1st District bid

http://www.wmdt.com/wires/displaystory.asp?id=62257164

Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil plans to formally announce today that he will challenge Republican Wayne Gilchrest for his First District congressional seat.

Kratovil is a Democrat and plans to make his announcement at a seafood restaurant on Kent Island at noon.

Hoyer Poised to Set Record for Service

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/02/AR2007060200985.html

Tomorrow, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D) will become the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives in Maryland history.

Hoyer, who has served in Congress for 26 years, will surpass the record set by George Hyde Fallon, who represented Maryland's 4th Congressional District from 1945 to 1971. Hoyer was sworn in June 4, 1981, after winning a special election to replace Gladys Noon Spellman, who had a heart attack in office that left her comatose.

Runway money awarded

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070602/NEWS01/706020313/1002

U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Wicomico County $4.6 million to complete runway work at the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport.

The funds -- announced Friday -- will be used to complete the final reconstruction phase of the main runway, which dates to World War II. Upgrades include new pavement, lighting and signage, bringing the airport up to Federal Aviation Administration standards.

20070604 500 Years of Female Portraits in Western Art

500 Years of Female Portraits in Western Art

This is a quite fascinating and surreal piece of video art in which the painted images of women’s faces morph from one to the next…

Posted June 4th, 2007

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Monday, June 04, 2007

20070604 Quote of the day

Quote of the day - judge your luck…

Monday, June 4th, 2007

“Good and bad luck is a synonym, in the great majority of instances, for good and bad judgment.”

John Chatfield

Thank TC

20070531 How to Keep Chickens in a City

Join the "urban chicken movement"

How to Keep Chickens in a City

Retrieved May 31st, 2007 – posted June 3rd, 2007

Oh Sugarshoot – I can just see some neighbors in some neighborhoods going bonkers with this…

Although my neighbors probably would just shrug their shoulders and not care…

I have a real childhood affection for chickens. On my grandfather’s farm, I loved to visit the chickens. In one of my more famous childhood events, I let all the chickens out – because, as I explained to an ever-patient Pop-Pop, “they wanted to go outside and play…”

Enjoy.

http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Chickens-in-a-City

Join the "urban chicken movement" and raise your own backyard flock. Chickens are both entertaining and useful to keep. Don't expect to save money, though your hens will earn part of their rent by laying eggs for you. What follows is a brief introduction to keeping chickens within the constraints of an urban environment.

Chickens can turn slugs and kitchen scraps into fertilizer and eggs. Magic and fun!

Read the rest here: How to Keep Chickens in a City

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20070603 Columnist and author Eric Alterman arrested at Democratic debate

Columnist and author Eric Alterman arrested at Democratic debate

June 3rd, 2007

It appears that Eric Alterman[1] has met his karma.

Yeah, as journalists we’ve all been there. But apparently Mr. Alterman did not get the memo: “When in hole stop digging.”

We’ve all been in the VIP tent trying to land a story. The rule of thumb is that when you are asked to leave, be obsequious. Be polite and ya never know, ya just might be able to stay a little longer.

And never ever hassle with the police. Security at a big event can often be your biggest ally.

Whatever. Read on…


June 3, 2007

Columnist/Author released after being arrested in Spin Room

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN ) – Columnist and author Eric Alterman has been released after being arrested Sunday night inside the debate spin room. He was charged with criminal trespass after police say he refused repeated orders to leave.

Goffstown, N.H. police said Alterman was in the spin room as a guest of the Creative Coalition and went to an area reserved for a private reception for WMUR-TV. Police said he was asked by an executive at the party if he was invited to the private area and was asked to leave. A police officer was called after a verbal altercation ensued. According to police, Alterman was asked seven times to leave and became increasingly loud as he refused. After ignoring a final request, police said he was handcuffed and taken from the building.

Alterman spoke with CNN after being released. He called the arrest a “misunderstanding” and claimed he did not refuse orders to leave.

[…]

Alterman writes a column for “The Nation” and writes the “Altercation” blog for Media Matters. He also has authored several books, including “Why Presidents Lie.”


Read the entire saga here: Columnist/Author released after being arrested in Spin Room

Read his bio in the footnote below.

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[1] Bio

Termed "the most honest and incisive media critic writing today” in the National Catholic Reporter, and author of “the smartest and funniest political journal out there,” in the San Francisco Chronicle, Eric Alterman is Professor of English at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, media columnist for The Nation, senior fellow and “Altercation” weblogger for Media Matters for America, (formerly at MSNBC.com), senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he writes and edits the “Think Again” column, and a history consultant to HBO Films.

Alterman is the author of the national bestsellers, What Liberal Media? The Truth About Bias and the News (2003,2004), and The Book on Bush: How George W. (Mis)leads America (with Mark Green, 2004,2005). His most recent book is When Presidents Lie: A History of Deception and its Consequences, (2004,2006. His Sound & Fury: The Making of the Punditocracy (1992, 2000), won the 1992 George Orwell Award and his It Ain't No Sin to be Glad You're Alive: The Promise of Bruce Springsteen (1999, 2001), won the 1999 Stephen Crane Literary Award. Alterman is also the author of Who Speaks for America? Why Democracy Matters in Foreign Policy, (1998).

A frequent lecturer and contributor to virtually every significant national publication in the US and many in Europe, in recent years, he has also been a columnist for: Worth, Rolling Stone, Mother Jones, and The Sunday Express (London). A senior fellow of the World Policy Institute at New School University, and former Adjunct Professor of Journalism at NYU and Columbia, Alterman received his B.A. in History and Government from Cornell, his M.A. in International Relations from Yale, and his Ph.D. in US History from Stanford. He lives with his family in Manhattan where he is at work on a history of postwar American liberalism.

20070531 Obama Campaign Names Kevin Griffis South Carolina Communications Director

20070531 Obama Campaign Names Kevin Griffis South Carolina Communications Director

Many will recall that Kevin Griffis used to be with Landmark at the Carroll County Times back around 1999-2000.

SCHotline Press Releases

Obama Campaign Names South Carolina Communications Director

Kevin Griffis, South Carolina communications director for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign

Posted in
Uncategorized by schotline on May 31st, 2007

COLUMBIA, SC — Barack Obama’s campaign has named Kevin Griffis as its South Carolina communications director.

The former Atlanta political reporter most recently served as communications director for the Democratic candidate in Arizona’s 2006 U.S. Senate campaign. Griffis went to Arizona after having directed communications for Virginia’s Democratic coordinated campaign during Gov. Tim Kaine’s successful 2005 gubernatorial run.

“Kevin’s long-time service to Democratic politics, experience in the South and commitment to changing this country make him an excellent addition to our growing South Carolina team,” the Obama campaign’s South Carolina State Director Stacey Brayboy said.

In addition to the experience listed above, Griffis has also directed communications for the Democratic Party of Virginia.

From 2000-2003, Griffis was the political reporter for Atlanta’s independent newsweekly, Creative Loafing. In 2002, he won the national award for news story of the year from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, an industry group that includes as its members newspapers such as The Village Voice and the Chicago Reader. Griffis’ story uncovered tens of thousands of dollars of illegal campaign contributions made to the then-Atlanta mayor’s re-election campaign.

Griffis is a graduate of Beloit College in Beloit, Wisc. and has family in Lancaster, Kershaw and James Island, South Carolina.


http://schotlinepress.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/obama-campaign-names-south-carolina-communications-director/

Sunday, June 03, 2007

20070602 Saturday morning roof fire at Classico Pizzeria




Saturday morning roof fire at Classico Pizzeria College Square Shopping Center

Classico Pizzeria, (410) 751-7600 College Square Shopping Center, 444 W.M.C. Drive, Unit 102, Westminster, MD 21158


June 2nd, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff


Westminster, MD – 4:00 AM - - Shortly after a thunder and lightning storm rolled through Westminster late Friday evening, Mike Bareford, the manager of the College Square Liquor Store smelled smoke just as he was leaving his store.


As he walked out of his store to continue to investigate the source, he discovered smoke rising from the roof over Classico Pizzeria, a popular Italian restaurant at Suite 102, College Square Shopping Center, 444 WMC Drive, at the intersection of WMC Drive and Route 140 in Westminster.



He called the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center at 00:55 (12:55 AM.) Fortunately Mr. Bareford was working late and thanks to his quick thinking and a sprinkler system; a fire in the restaurant next door to his store was quickly extinguished.



Approximately 25 Carroll County firefighters from Westminster, New Windsor, Pleasant Valley, Reese, and Union Bridge responded. Westminster City Police also responded.


Westminster Fire Department Chief Jeff Alexander arrived on the scene first at 12:57 AM and assumed command. The first units arrived on the scene at 1:01 AM.


The owner of the restaurant, Giuseppe Como was at home at the time of the fire. He had left the restaurant at approximately 11 PM. Mr. Como and his brother, Nunzio Como, also arrived quickly as did at least one employee of the restaurant.



Smoke was found coming from the air handler unit on the roof and that the sprinkler system had discharged below the air handler in the restaurant.



Chief Alexander reported that the sprinkler system put the bulk of the fire out and shortly after firefighters gained access to the restaurant, they quickly established a 1-3/4-inch water line and extinguished what remained of the fire.


The fire was placed under control at 1:16 AM.

Units remained on the scene for clean up until 2:05 when Chief Alexander terminated command but remained on the scene until 3:05 awaiting the arrival of BGE to check the electrical system, and further consultations with the owners of the restaurant and a representative of the shopping center.


It was preliminarily determined that the fire was accidental (- a possible lightning strike.) No damage estimates were immediately available.


Nuzio Como said that he was impressed at how careful the firefighters were to make sure that the damage to the restaurant was as minimal as possible. The firefighters had carefully covered up much of the kitchen area with large tarps.



Giuseppe Como did not have an estimate as to how long it will take for the restaurant to re-open except he hoped that it would not be long.


The Como brothers are well known as to how fastidious they are about keeping the restaurant spotless and as the firefighters were leaving the restaurant, he and his brother and an employee were already hard at work mopping-up the floor and cleaning up what little mess that resulted from the fire.

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Classico Pizzeria, (410) 751-7600 Classico Pizzeria, College Square Shopping Center, 444 W.M.C. Drive, Unit 102, Westminster, MD 21158 http://tinyurl.com/cpv9hj

Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

20070528 Variety: ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

Variety: ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

Hat Tip: The Digital TV Weblog: i-Caught – or see post on Soundtrack: 20070531 The Digital TV Weblog: I-Caught to begin test on ABC August 6

Posted on Soundtrack June 3rd, 2007

Anyone who reads Soundtrack, know by now how much I like movies and videos… and TV commercials…

Commercial TV these days leaves me flat. I’m not much on game shows, situational comedy, and certainly not a fan of reality TV.

But I hope to catch this program – “ABC I-Caught” - when it comes out – as I have so enjoyed much of YouTube… This seems like a pretty good match-up. We’ll see.

ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117965899.html?categoryid=1300&cs=1

Network launches user-generated video show

By MICHAEL LEARMONTH Posted: Mon., May 28, 2007, 8:00pm PT

ABC is hoping to reinvent the newsmagazine for the YouTube generation with a show produced by ABC News but based on user-generated video.

Hourlong skein "i-Caught" will get a six-week run on the network starting Aug. 6 at 10pm on Mondays with an eye toward a midseason return if it performs as well as the network hopes.

Amateur video will form the basis of the show's segments, but ABC News correspondents will build news stories and features around video captured on cell phones or digicams and uploaded to a companion Web site.

Exec producer David Sloan said the show will take on a wide breadth of potential stories, including breaking news; celebrity journalism; investigations; and stories of politics, crime, Internet hoaxes or just the moments of everyday life.

"The watershed event that changed newsgathering was the London terror attack in 2005," Sloan said. "There were people on that subway who did not know if they would live or die, but they got out their cell phones and started shooting."

Read more: ABC gives 'i-Caught' six-week run

20070603 YouTube on Soundtrack

June 3rd, 2007

To view posts on Soundtrack which include videos on YouTube go here.

For posts on Soundtrack that include videos from my YouTube accountgo here.

For additional commentary and other related material on YouTube – go here.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

20070602 Jack just wants his toast

Jack just wants his toast

“Five Easy Pieces”

Released September 11, 1970

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtfNE4z6a8

The movie's most famous scene takes place in a roadside restaurant (a Denny's, just south of Eugene, Oregon), where Bobby tries to get a waitress (Lorna Thayer) to bring him toast with his breakfast, which is not on the menu.

Despite appeals to logic and common sense, the waitress adamantly sticks to the rules of the restaurant, so Bobby comes up with a plan of his own:

Bobby: I'd like a plain omelet. No potatoes, tomatoes instead. A cup of coffee and wheat toast.

Waitress: No substitutions.

Bobby: What do you mean? You don't have any tomatoes?

Waitress: Only what's on the menu. You can have a number two — a plain omelet. It comes with cottage fries, and rolls.

Bobby: Yea, I know what it comes with, but it's not what I want.

Waitress: Well I'll come back when you make up your mind.

Bobby: Wait a minute, I have made up my mind. I'd like a plain omelet, no potatoes on the plate. A cup of coffee and a side order of wheat toast.

Waitress: I'm sorry, we don't have any side orders of toast. I'll give you a English muffin or a coffee roll.

Bobby: What do you mean "you don't make side orders of toast"? You make sandwiches, don't you?

Waitress: Would you like to talk to the manager?

Bobby: You've got bread. And a toaster of some kind?

Waitress: I don't make the rules.

Bobby: OK, I'll make it as easy for you as I can. I'd like an omelet, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce. And a cup of coffee.

Waitress: A number two, chicken sal san. Hold the butter, the lettuce, the mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee. Anything else?

Bobby: Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules.

Waitress: You want me to hold the chicken, huh?

Bobby: I want you to hold it between your knees.

The waitress then indignantly orders them to leave, to which Nicholson knocks the drinks off the table with a sweep of his arm.

Back in the car:

Hitchhiker in the back seat: Fantastic that you could figure that all out and lie that down on her so you could come up with a way to get your toast. Fantastic.

Bobby: Yea, well I didn't get it, did I?

Hitchhiker in the back seat: No, but it was very clever. I would've just punched her out.

_____

Chopin Prelude No 4 via Five Easy Pieces

And the bonus video… (If ya knew the movie, you’d understand…)

tammy wynette stand by your man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwBirf4BWew

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20070531

“Five Easy Pieces”

20070602 Nope This is not Hobson

Nope - This is not Hobson.

June 2nd, 2007

You say, “Who is Hobson?”

“But that is not the question. Why are we here, that is the question. And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in this immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come.”

Samuel Beckett – “Waiting for Godot”

So, - Where the Hell WAS Matt?

For more in the “Hobson” series, click here.

Meanwhile – How do you fold soup? And just what is the meaning of “math potatoes?”

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