Monday, October 25, 2010

Bryan Sears has left the virtual building for a Patch of greener pastures

Bryan Sears has left the virtual building for a Patch of greener pastures

Monday, 25 October 2010

By Kevin Dayhoff

Today, Oct. 25 is Bryan Sear’s first day as Patch.com’s assistant regional editor for Maryland region one and the politics and government reporter in Baltimore County.

Join me in wishing him the best on his new adventure in journalism.

It was on Friday, October 15 that Sears, the award-winning political writer succinctly announced on Facebook “Today was my last day at the Towson Times.”

It was an uncharacteristic short missive for Sears, the well-known and well-read prolific peripatetic political editor for Patuxent Publishing Co.'s eight Baltimore County community newspapers.

(For more on Sears, see: “COUNTY COUP — Patch puts Patuxent Publishing's political pundit on payroll,” written by Alan Z. Forman and of which, I contributed.)

For the last nine years, Sears have covered “government and politics in Baltimore County and state government and politics as it relates to Baltimore County,” according to a brief bio on his newspaper blog, “Strange Bedfellows.”

His blog, on the Explore Baltimore County website, is considered by many political junkies to be must reading for anyone who wants to know anything about Baltimore County – and Maryland politics.

Sears, who is also the president of the local Maryland Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, is also known in the close-knit Maryland area family of journalists as a student of the ever-changing 24/7 world of newspapers in the age of the Internet, Twitter, Facebook and blogs.

He frequently posts newspaper and media news and analysis on his Facebook page, always has time on the phone for inquiries from various other writers, and has constantly pushed the envelope of encouraging the Internet presence of newspapers both vertically and laterally.

According to his personal writer’s blog, “Baltimore County Politics,” he is “also a political contributor on the Maryland Morning News program on Thursdays on WBAL 1090 AM…

“[A]s well as a frequent guest on many of the station’s shows, a co-host on Jay Liner’s ‘All Politics is Local’ show on WCBM 680 AM, and [has] appeared on State Circle on Maryland Public Television.”

As readers quickly filled his Facebook page with best wishes and surprise, folks slowly coaxed more information out of Sears about the abrupt change of venue.

“I'm sure I’ll probably repeat this a few times but for you early birds... I'm going to Patch.com here in Baltimore County where I will continue to cover county government and politics,” wrote Sears.

Later, Sears revealed even more insight into his new job, “I'm the assistant regional editor for Maryland Region 1 (mostly Baltimore County) and I'll be covering Baltimore County government for the Patch.com sites in Baltimore County…”

“There's a lot more to say about this and I'm sure it will all be said but it's important to start with noting that I spent about 1/4 of my life (about 9 years) here at Patuxent and loved the work. I love my home county and what I covered and was honored to work with the reporters and staff that came and went during my time.

“The work I did at The Towson Times was the best of my career (so far -- stay tuned) and it is in no small part due to the people around me who helped me become a better reporter every day.”

Saturday, on his personal writer’s blog, Sears elaborated more, “It’s been a whirlwind week here at the home office in Towson,” said Sears in “Leave? I live here.”

“In case you haven’t heard, I left the Towson Times and Patuxent Publishing Co. Friday. (Well, technically Thursday but what’s a few hours among friends?)”

Sears went on to explain that his tenure with Patuxent “ended Thursday when I gave notice of my intention to leave and go to Patch.com and was subsequently let go a day later. It’s an odd feeling to be let go from a job where you work from home.

“I’d be escorted out of any other office under the same circumstances. This time, everything was done by phone and e-mail and when it was over I simply hung up the phone and let my dog in…

“I start the new gig on Oct. 25 where I’ll be Patch.com’s assistant regional editor for Maryland region one and the politics and government reporter in Baltimore County.

“Patch.com is a hyper-local news source that has sites around the country

including 27 in Maryland. Four of those are in Baltimore county — Catonsville, Lutherville-Timonium, Perry Hall and Towson.

Since the beginnings of newspapers in

Germany

in 1615, newspapers have always been changing, adapting – and controversial.

Many historians accept that 1960 was the first year more Americans got more of their news by watching TV than reading the newspaper. Recent historians believe that the year 2000 was the first year that more Americans get their news from the Internet than from the television.

Enter into the fray, Patch. Jay Yarow wrote in Business Insider on May 2, 2010, “AOL plans to spend $50 million to build hundreds of Patch sites… this year according to its 10-K.”

For those who have been around the block several times, in the last decade, in which the newspaper industry has labored under a bad case of the flu, there have been plenty of newspapers that have come and gone.

Who can forget the short life of the print edition of the Baltimore Examiner that lasted from April 4, 2006 until February 15, 2009? Today, the Baltimore Examiner continues an online presence; of which many with 20/20 hindsight suggest is where it ought to have concentrated its energies from the beginning.

However, Patch is going to be only an Internet newspaper and not have to deal with the expense and aggravation of printing presses and newspaper delivery.

The data migration from newsprint to website media has been ugly. So much so, that several years ago, a younger colleague who was an early adopter of advocating for a strong Internet presence for newspapers, once said, in a moment of total frustration, that if he had his way, no-one over the age of 45 should be allowed to be newspaper management.

Sears is 42 years-old.

Photo of Bryan Sears Courtesy of Baltimore County Politics

20101024 sdosmKED Sears has left building

Labels:Journalists Sears-Bryan, Media Patch, Newspapers, Newspapers Explore Balto Co

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/10/bryan-sears-has-left-virtual-building.html
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Sunday, October 24, 2010

BRIAN GRIFFITHS at Red Maryland: Why you should vote for State Question 1

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

Why you should vote for State Question 1

http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-you-should-vote-for-state-question.html

Sure there are a few places that have been talking about Question 1 for a few years now, but only recently has Question 1 been getting even a moderate amount of press, and most voters probably have no idea that it is even on the ballot.

What is Question 1? It's a Constitutional required provision that requires every twenty years that we be asked if we want to hold a Constitutional Convention:

Question 1
Constitutional Question
(Senate Bill 26, Chapter 9 of the 2010 Legislative Session)
Maryland Constitutional Convention
Should a constitutional convention be called for the purpose of changing the Maryland Constitution?
Under Article XIV, Section 2 of the Maryland Constitution the General Assembly is required to ask the voters every 20 years whether a constitutional convention should be called for the purpose of altering the Maryland Constitution.

If a majority of voters support a Constitutional Convention, we will go to the polls and elect 188 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in a non-partisan election. Those Delegates will go to Annapolis and literally have the opportunity to write a new constitution to put before the people of Maryland.
Now there are a lot of people who don't necessarily think this is such a great idea. Kevin Dayhoff is concerned, for example, that this would turn into a liberal field day. However, I tend to disagree with that assessment... http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-you-should-vote-for-state-question.html

BRIAN GRIFFITHS at Red Maryland: Why you should vote for State Question 1

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Unofficial Polling Place turnout for Carroll County on September 14, 2010

Maryland State Board of Election Unofficial Polling Place Turnout for Carroll County on September 14, 2010

http://www.elections.state.md.us/press_room/2010_stats/pp_carroll.pdf

[20100914 Unofficial Polling Place turnout for CC]

Carroll County, voting, early voting, Maryland, elections

Unofficial Polling Place turnout for Carroll County on September 14, 2010roll

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The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Donations Dropped 11% at Nation's Biggest Charities Last Year

October 17, 2010

Donations Dropped 11% at Nation's Biggest Charities Last Year

By Noelle Barton and Holly Hall http://philanthropy.com/article/A-Sharp-Donation-Drop-at-Big/125004/

Note: This article corrects figures for Catholic Charities USA that appeared in an earlier version. As a result, the order of the top 10 charities has changed.

Donations to the nation’s biggest charities dropped 11 percent last year, a decline that was the worst in the two decades since The Chronicle started its Philanthropy 400 rankingof the organizations that raise the most from private sources.

Nonprofit organizations say they don’t expect to have done much better by the time 2010 ends. More than one in four of the groups provided projections for 2010, and the median change they predicted was an increase of just 1.4 percent.

The 400 institutions in the survey raised $68.6-billion in 2009. The drop they suffered in contributions was nearly four times as great as the next biggest annual decrease: 2.8 percent in 2001, when charities also struggled to raise money from recession-battered donors.

The median amount raised by charities on the Philanthropy 400 also declined last year to $98.8-million, down from $105-million in 2008, meaning half raised more and half raised less. The Philanthropy 400 is based on the most-recent year of data available for charities; most organizations reported data for the 2009 fiscal year but some groups reported data for other periods of time...http://philanthropy.com/article/A-Sharp-Donation-Drop-at-Big/125004/

The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Donations Dropped 11% at Nation's Biggest Charities Last Year

Carroll County Maryland Ag Center corn Maze

September 18, 2011 UPDATE: Come to the Carroll County Agriculture Center 2011 Corn Maze. Support the Ag Center and agriculture in Carroll County - and have lots of family fun... It starts this Friday September 23, 2011 and goes until October 30, 2011. Fridays 5-9; Saturdays 5-9; Sundays 2-7. Admission Adults- $10.00 Children 3-12- $5.00 Children 2 & under- FREE. For more information Contact Nichole @ 410-848-6704 http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/horsefair/carroll-county-horse-fair.asp

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=254818731202769&ref=nf

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/neighborhoods/central_carroll/ag-center-corn-maze-opening-sept/article_4ed77dc0-dfde-11e0-b44f-001cc4c002e0.html

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Carroll County Maryland Ag Center corn Maze

It's another pretty Fall day in Maryland. Consider taking the family out to the Carroll County Ag Center corn Maze. It's a fun family event and it supports the Ag Center, which supports agriculture in Carroll County.

2010 Corn Maze Open at the Carroll County Ag Center in Westminster Maryland http://tinyurl.com/2aw7yfb

http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4772/a-maizing-quest-westminster/

-- PRESS RELEASE --

For more information contact:

Nichole McLaughlin, Office Manager 410-848-6704

For more information and directions, call the Agriculture Center at 410 848-6704; or go to www.ccag.biz or click on http://tinyurl.com/2fxtxhn

706 Agriculture Center, Westminster, MD 21157

http://www.scribd.com/doc/36772100/Carroll-County-MD-Ag-Center-2010-Corn-Maze-Flyer

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/09/2010-corn-maze-to-open-at-carroll.html

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/20100910%20CC%20AG%20Ctr%20Corn%20Maze

September 1, 2010

Corn Maze to Open in Westminster

Get lost this fall at the 2010 Carroll County Agriculture Center corn maze.

Authorities have identified the crop circles found outside of Westminster as the work of Carroll County Ag Center volunteers and not the work of space aliens.

~~~~~~

Beginning Friday, September 10, 2010, the Ag Center will feature over 2 miles of trails creatively carved out of acres of seven-foot tall corn just outside of Westminster.

It has been six years since a maze was artfully carved into the crop fields at the Ag Center. In 2004, over 3,300 folks visited.

The theme of this year’s maze is a celebration of Carroll County’s agricultural heritage. A cornucopia of grapes, an apple, a banana, pumpkin, and squash have carefully been carved into the field for hours of family fun.

Come test your navigational skills. Get off the couch, turn off the TV, get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air and support a worthy cause, the Carroll County Agriculture Center, home of the nationally known Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.

Public hours are Friday and Saturday nights from 5 PM to 9 PM and Sunday afternoons from 2 PM to 6 PM. The maze will be open weekends until October 31, 2010 and will feature a haunted maze on October 29^th and 30^th, 2010.

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 3 to 12. Group prices and times are available, call 410 848-6704.

For more information and directions, call the Agriculture Center at 410 848-6704; or go to www.ccag.biz or click on http://tinyurl.com/2fxtxhn

Labels: 20100910 CC AG Ctr Corn Maze, Ag, Ag Carroll Co MD Ag Center, Carroll Co Community Events

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This event is to benefit the CARROLL COUNTY AGRICULTURE CENTER, Inc. The Carroll County Agriculture Center is the site of the 50,000 square foot Danele Shipley Memorial Arena, as well as numerous other meeting facilities, function and banquet rooms and outdoor facilities. Located in central Carroll County, the Agriculture Center also helps meet the needs of our neighbors in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and southern Pennsylvania. The facilities are designed to host a wide variety of events from livestock shows to entertainment events, trade shows and exhibits. The Agriculture Center is also the permanent home of the Carroll County 4H & FFA Fair.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=65463&id=1040426835&saved#!/photo.php?pid=1474874&id=1040426835&ref=fbx_album

Click on the image above for more information or contact: Nichole McLaughlin, Office Manager 410-848-6704 For more information and directions, call the Agriculture Center at 410 848-6704; or go to www.ccag.biz or click on http://tinyurl.com/2fxtxhn 706 Agriculture Center, Westminster, MD 21157

Corn Maze, Carroll County, Maryland, Agriculture, Westminster, Kevin Dayhoff, family

2010 Corn Maze to Open at the Carroll County Ag Center in Westminster Maryland http://tinyurl.com/2aw7yfb

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37193049/Get-lost-this-fall-at-the-2010-Carroll-County-MD-Agriculture-Center-corn-maze

20101024 sdosm corn maze promo

The 2010 Carroll County Agriculture Center corn maze in now open

Carroll County MD Ag Center 2010 Corn Maze Flyer

Labels: 20100910 CC AG Ctr Corn Maze, Carroll Co Community Events, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Westminster community events

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Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Joseph W. Blickenstaff, Sr., 84 of Taneytown

(December 19, 1925 - October 21, 2010)

http://www.myersdurborawfh.com/index.cfm

Sign Guest Book

Joseph William Blickenstaff, Sr., age 84, of Taneytown, died Thursday, October 21, 2010 at Hanover Hospital in Hanover, PA.

He was born December 19, 1925 in Baltimore, the son of the late Wilbur N. and Lena Gontrum Blickenstaff.

He was the husband of Doris Marie Neumeister Blickenstaff, his wife of 61 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.

Joseph moved to Carroll County in 1966. He worked as an electrician for the Western Maryland Railroad and Silverblatt Electric, retiring in 1990.

Joseph spent his retirement years working in his woodshop making toys for his grandchildren and taking care of the family farm located in Blacks Corner.

He was a member of the V.F.W. Post # 1529, in Baltimore and St. Mary’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Silver Run.

In addition to his wife he is survived by children and spouses, Frederick W. Blickenstaff of Westminster, L. Bernard and Melissa Blickenstaff of Reisterstown, Franklin T. Blickenstaff and his companion, Audrey Baxter both of Taneytown, Donna J. Blettner of Hanover, PA and Linda A. Blickenstaff and her companion, William Wenderoth of Littlestown; brother, L. Wesley Blickenstaff and wife Doris of Randallstown; grandchildren, Joseph W. Blickenstaff III, Audra M. Blickenstaff, Bradley R. Blickenstaff, Tyler D. Blickenstaff, Michele L. Fasnacht, Billy Joe Blickenstaff, Angela M. Blettner, Clinton A. Blettner and William C. Caple, Jr.; also survived by five great grandchildren, close family and childhood friends, Anna Koch and family of Baltimore and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Joseph W. Blickenstaff, Jr., KIA Vietnam 12/19/70 and siblings, Wilbur N. Blickenstaff, Jr. and Floy Sloan.

A funeral service will be held Monday, 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3978 Littlestown Pike, Silver Run with his pastor, Rev. H. Lee Brumback II officiating.

Interment will follow in St. Mary’s UCC Cemetery in Silver Run with military honors.

The family will receive friends Sunday 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 91 Willis Street, Westminster and Monday 1:00 pm until time of the service at the church.

20101021 Joseph W Blickenstaff Sr.

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