Video tribute to journalists: ‘God rest ye weary journalists’

Video tribute to journalists: ‘God rest ye weary journalists’

Kurt Greenbaum – “STL Social Media Guy”: Video tribute: ‘God rest ye weary journalists’ December 15, 2008 by Kurt

Hat Tip: Lauren King

Writers in the “Post-Dispatch’s newsroom conspired to put together this video/commentary on the industry.” Its quite good…

“Pass it on to your journalism friends: A humorous look at the state of journalism today just in time for the holidays. All in good fun. And by someone who believes firmly in the ability of the Web to save our industry.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTENC6wK3p4&eurl=http://www.igreenbaum.com/2008/12/video-tribute-god-rest-ye-weary-journalists/



20081215 Video tribute: ‘God rest ye weary journalists’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTENC6wK3p4

Recent columns by Katherine Heerbrandt

Recent columns by Katherine Heerbrandt

December 24, 2008

Buck up, America Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/24/08 556 words
Whew. There aren't enough Christmas cookies and milk in the house to make that one go down easier. Thanks, Mr. Grinch, I mean Gingrich.

Merry mail redux Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/22/08 587 words
You know the ones I'm talking about. Printed on red paper with a border of snowflakes, those single-spaced, 10-point-type missives highlighting the exotic trips, the brainiac athletic offspring, the job promotions and the charity work rivaling Mother Teresa.

Hall bails on Hargett Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/19/08 551 words

Hall, a certain contender for Frederick mayor in 2010, sent a letter to Mayor Jeff Holtzinger and the aldermen Thursday, reiterating what she said in 2007 when she voted to condemn 148 acres west of the city for use as a regional park.

Hand me that shoe Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/17/08 536 words

Seems to me, though, you don't have to be a financial genius to figure out that unchecked, unabated, out-and-out greed on the part of a few is screwing it up for the rest of us.

Matter of trust Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/15/08 506 words
The immigration advocacy group has legitimate beefs with the sheriff's office over its public information requests regarding the sheriff's controversial partnership with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Sheriff Jenkins admitted his office didn't "cross all the "T's" and dot all the requisite "I's" in responding to CASA.

Breaking up is hard to do Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/12/08 553 words The mayor and Board of Aldermen received a Dear John letter last week, hand delivered in an envelope marked "Confidential." The breakup note didn't even try to soften the blow with an apology or well wishes, and ended with a terse directive that candidates must file at City Hall, not Winchester Hall.

Inspiring minds Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/10/08 556 words Last week 930 WFMD radio's Bob Miller and Blaine Young worked tirelessly to raise more than $123,000 for the 33rd annual Christmas Cash for Kids program. The money will buy toys for almost 3,000 needy kids in Frederick County.

All you need is love Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/08/08 560 words
How brave of Corrigan, a former naval officer, to say so out loud. He's right, of course. It's just that simple and just that complicated.

Passion vs. logic Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/05/08 550 wordsThat's not a new concept, but it's an essential truth, especially when it comes to the issues of illegal immigration and "counting kids."

20081224 Recent columns by Katherine Heerbrandt

Frederick News Post Editorial New Credit Card Rules

Frederick News Post Editorial New Credit Card Rules

Originally published in the Frederick News–Post December 23, 2008

Federal officials have moved to protect credit card holders from several common practices employed by companies that issue cards. This has been a long time coming and, unfortunately, won't take effect until July 2010. Some also argue that the new rules don't go far enough in protecting cardholders from unfair and costly practices.

Still, the new rules are a big improvement. Perhaps the most important reform involves interest rates. When the new rules become active, card-issuing companies will no longer be allowed to apply interest rate hikes to existing balances. (There will be some exceptions, such as payments that are more than 30 days late.)

Read the entire editorial here: New credit card rules

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_editorial.htm?StoryID=84310

20081223 Frederick News Post Editorial New Credit Card Rules

Sarah and Rudolph

Sarah and Rudolph

Word is that Rudolph did not make the Christmas trip this year. And now we know why…

20081223 Sarah Palin and Rudolph

This week in The Tentacle for December 24 2008

This week in The Tentacle for December 24 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Keeping Christmas
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Tomorrow we celebrate Christmas. The pageantry, art, decorations, traditions, and music of the season – especially the music – have all the ingredients for great family memories.


A Different Place…
Tom McLaughlin
Santubong, Borneo – I watched television and read about the Indonesian troops preparing for possible terrorist attacks. Soldiers repelled down hotels, getting ready for a possible Mumbai incident.


Tuesday, December 23, 2008
My Traditional "Nutcracker" Tribute
Roy Meachum
This was written the first Christmas after I started my Frederick column; that was in 1984. It was revived over the years because of requests from mothers and ex-mice; some could now be mothers in their own right.


Monday, December 22, 2008
Just a little Q&A
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
How is it that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was seen by many as unqualified to be vice president and Caroline Kennedy is considered by many of the same people to be the perfect potential senator?


Shopping and related thoughts…
Steven R. Berryman
What are you doing reading this column when you could be out Christmas shopping?


Friday, December 19, 2008
Caroline Kennedy, Senator?
Roy Meachum
Her ballet slippers are probably lost; discarded with other no-longer-useful items when the family moved out of the White House and back to Georgetown. When the sightseers and gawkers proved too much, her mother settled the small brood in New York; the brother was too young to recall the details. While alive, his memory must have remained tattooed with impressions, including faces.


Setting the Record Straight
Joe Charlebois
I rarely respond directly to other columnist's points of view or more precisely an individual column, but our local WFMD star and Frederick News Post columnist, Katherine Heerbrandt, couldn't be more wrong on so many items in her December 17 column.


Thursday, December 18, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Chris Cavey
Bet you didn’t expect a letter from the “Republican Family” this year. Well, surprise, we’re alive and well. Just sending an annual holiday note to catch you up on some of our family’s happenings and highlights of the past year.


Life’s Little Lesson…
Joan McIntyre
Today is a special day for at least two people in Frederick. Commissioner Charles Jenkins is celebrating his birthday today. So in honor of his very special day, we'll keep this light and positive. Happy Birthday, Charles.


Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Time flies like an arrow
Kevin E. Dayhoff
As I’ve grown older, the joy of the Christmas season has slowly but surely become overshadowed with pressure and chaos. Certainly not to be overlooked is the emphasis on the materialism and over-consumption that has insidiously eroded the joys of the season.


Mountain Climbing and Orchid Hunting
Tom McLaughlin
Santubong, Sarawak – The condo is like most in Ocean City. Thirty floors contained two sections. I am on the 13th. There are no others like them in this area nor can others be built because of the rainforest which is now a national park.


Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Whistling in the Dark
Roy Meachum
Among all presidents, George W. Bush appears the champion; he whistles in the dark best. The old expression may not be used much these days; it means making noises to scare possible boogey men away.


More Regulations, Less Result
Farrell Keough
When we were last together, we discussed the iconic imagery subtext replete within the film It’s a Wonderful Life. The pleonasm of this previous discussion was self-serving and self-evident, yet constructive in its perspicacious appraisal.


Monday, December 15, 2008
When American Cars Were King
Steven R. Berryman
American cars manufactured by the big three automakers are case studies of what not to do in a competitive environment. When engineering creativity and innovation fall by the wayside, what you get is a “car by consensus” aimed at the widest possible audience that – in the end – satisfies nobody.

20081224 This week in The Tentacle

Kevin Dayhoff E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org His columns appear in The Tentacle, www.thetentacle.com; The Westminster Eagle /Eldersburg Eagle The Sunday Carroll Eagle - Opinion: http://explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 http://picasaweb.google.com/kevindayhoff

As Santa hits the road, fire department is a driving force

As Santa hits the road, fire department is a driving force

Kevin Dayhoff kdayhoff AT carr.org Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 12/24/08

Tonight's the night when all good little boys and girls go to bed and lay awake listening for Santa Claus.

Last week I had the opportunity to witness Santa Claus making an exploratory visit to town, aboard on a Westminster Volunteer Fire Department fire engine.

Many volunteer fire departments have the tradition of traveling through Carroll County communities with Santa Claus freezing his buns off on top of a piece of fire fighting apparatus.

It is an event to behold.

I'm not sure which is the better Kodak moment: seeing little children throughout town totally transfixed on the apparition of Santa Claus coming down the street on a fire engine or watching big burly firefighters get all sappy, mushy and sentimental about making children smile for Christmas.

I believe in Santa Claus, especially having met him personally. But I've never been able to solve the mystery of why it is that when Santa is around, I can never find Tom Hyde, Scott Clendaniel, Chris Cull or Gil Roper. I suppose they must be his regular "drivers."

At any rate, traveling through town for several hours, Hyde was all smiles as Roper, Cull, and Clendaniel traded their favorite "Santa Claus detail" stories over hot soup prepared by Santa helpers Brenda Roper and Anita Kronk.

One of the tales included the time the fire engine happened upon a traffic accident and Santa Claus came running up to aid the driver of one of the cars involved in the mishap. Recalled Hyde:

"I thought the woman was going to faint as she looked up and there was Santa Claus to help her ... She said she knew she was shaken up (by the accident) but couldn't understand why Santa Claus was there. ..."

Santa said his favorite place in town to visit was up by McDaniel College when the co-eds are in town. I can only be sure it's because Santa really appreciates young folks engaged in scholarly endeavors.

The cold and occasional emergency response aren't the only challenges of riding around town shouting Merry Christmas. It seems that the job also involves getting to know where all the low wires and tree limbs are.

In any given year, the Westminster volunteers distribute around 2,000 candy canes, which presents the real Christmas mystery -- how moms and dads manage to get their children to bed after seeing Santa Claus and topping off the evening with a few candy canes.

Unfortunately, this year's bad weather kept the fire department from spreading holiday good cheer for as many evenings as they would have liked.

It seems reindeer can go anywhere in icy-rainy weather, but taking fire engines that cost several hundred thousand dollars out in bad weather for anything but an emergency response is bad form.

Moving on from one wonderful holiday tradition to another; Christmas Eve is when many families decorate their Christmas tree.

The other day I found an explanation as to why a Christmas tree is better than a man:

A Christmas tree requires very little maintenance, just a little water and they're happy.

A Christmas tree smells better and it takes up less room. It adds charm to a home and never whines.

And a Christmas tree doesn't get mad if you bust its ... (ahem) ornaments.
Merry Christmas from all of us at The Westminster Eagle.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kdayhoff AT carr.org.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/1904/santa-hits-road-fire-department-driving-force/

20081224 WE As Santa hits the road fire department is a driving force weked

Kevin Dayhoff E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org His columns appear in The Tentacle, http://www.thetentacle.com/; The Westminster Eagle /Eldersburg Eagle The Sunday Carroll Eagle - Opinion: http://explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 http://picasaweb.google.com/kevindayhoff

Recent Explore Carroll Columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Recent Explore Carroll Columns by Kevin Dayhoff

December 24, 2008

As Santa hits the road, fire department is a driving force
Published December 24, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Tonight's the night when all good little boys and girls go to bed and lay awake listening for Santa Claus. Last week I had the opportunity...

Carroll shares a history of joining as a community in faith and song
Published December 21, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
Some of the many reasons we have such a high quality of life in Carroll County can be traced to the religious traditions found in...

Antler envy: Why Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer is probably a cross dresser
Published December 17, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
In an era when nothing is sacred, we are fortunate in Carroll County to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah -- and not the "winter festivities between...

This time of year, we can't get enough Christmas music, or eggnog
Published December 14, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE The Christmas season means different things to different folks. I have many great childhood Christmas memories of growing up in Westminster. I'm biased of...

Shop Carroll for that hippopotamus this Christmas
Published December 10, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Westminster certainly loves to pull out all the stops for the holiday season. This year is certainly no exception. The weekend after Thanksgiving featured the...

Everyone's a winner at the Westminster Holiday Parade
Published December 10, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
... but here are entries the judges liked best Westminster's annual Holiday Parade was a great time for all. Judges said determining particular "winners" in...

Everyone's a winner at the Westminster Holiday Parade ...
Published December 5, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Westminster’s annual Holiday Parade was a great time for all. Judges said determining particular “winners” in various parade categories was difficult because everyone — the...

In the end, Rutherford Hayes had the croquet balls to be president
Published December 4, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
For this Sunday's column, let's keep it light. May we discuss croquet? At my age, croquet is about as close to a contact sport as...

Luebberman marks 20 years with Westminster Fire Dept.
Published December 3, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Kevin Dayhoff kdayhoff@carr.org Cake and stories were served Nov. 22 as about 30 members of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department gathered at the John Street firehouse...

Letters
Published December 3, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Dayhoff right to lament loss of Pour House on Main St. I just wanted to say "BRAVO" to Kevin Dayhoff regarding his recent column in...

One turkey leg, early Thanksgivings and a pair of President Harrisons
Published November 30, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
We certainly hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are now enthroned upon the couch, watching football and relaxing with a pair of birds: a...

Waist is a terrible thing to mind
Published November 24, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to it because it will be the first holiday in which my extended family gets...

Turkey, stuffing, illegal radios and rowdy college kids
Published November 23, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
This Thursday is Thanksgiving, and we at The Eagle hope you have a great turkey-day with lots of food, friends and family. Perhaps because of our...

Welcome to the Coffee Shop Bank and Trust Company
Published November 19, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
I was sad to see last week that the Pour House Café on East Main Street in Westminster was closing. The unreal irony of the...

At Westminster polls in 1920, the 'Women Disappointed Them'
Published November 16, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE The fact that women gained the right to vote was a milestone that got mixed reviews in Carroll County after the 19th Amendment...

Life work of Sargent Shriver began in Westminster
Published November 12, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Twenty years ago this week the community was abuzz in anticipation of one of Carroll County's most celebrated native sons, Robert Sargent Shriver Jr. returning...

Patriotic, misty-eyed and corny about our Election Day
Published November 9, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE Last Tuesday, after two years, 45 debates and $2.4 billion spent, American voters finally had their day. Is it just me, or does...

Junction and Lenny Moore explain what teens are thinking
Published November 5, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
On Thursday, Nov. 6, Junction Inc. will host a substance abuse and awareness program sponsored by the Board of County commissioners at 6 p.m....

After this long campaign season, we have many reasons to celebrate
Published October 31, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
This coming Tuesday is General Election Day, and I hope everyone takes the time to vote. Along with our freedom of speech, the right to vote...

Silvery Moon celebrates auxiliary's golden anniversary
Published October 29, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Fifty years ago on Sept. 2, 1958, the Carroll Hospital Center Auxiliary was officially formed. Its first president was Gladys Wimert. Other community leaders...

20081224 Recent Explore Carroll Columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Monoblogue: What we are up against

Monoblogue: What we are up against

Michael Swartz over at Monoblogue has a must-read post for conservatives who understand the power of technology. Yeah, I know it’s the holidays and I am also aware that Mr. Swartz’s content is always a must-read. But this different and his analysis is right on the money… Read it. Kevin Dayhoff

What we’re up against

by Michael @ 10:27 am. Filed under Bloggers and blogging, National politics, Politics

I’ve made mention of this before, but I’m one of those on Barack Obama’s campaign mailing list. On Friday I got an e-mail from David Plouffe, who helped run the campaign. Indeed, it’s looking like the re-election campaign is already underway:

Read his entire article here: What we’re up against http://monoblogue.us/?p=2992

20081223 Monoblogue What we are up against

This time of year, we can't get enough Christmas music, or eggnog

This time of year, we can't get enough Christmas music, or eggnog

By Kevin Dayhoff Posted on Explore Carroll 12/14/08 EAGLE ARCHIVE

The Christmas season means different things to different folks.

I have many great childhood Christmas memories of growing up in Westminster.

I'm biased of course, but I can't imagine a better place in the world for the pageantry, art, decorations and music of Christmas in Carroll County.

Everyone has his or her favorite Christmas music. A few at the top of my list include: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Johnny Marks.

Of course, my list also includes "The Chipmunk Song" sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1958 and "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," written by John Rox and recorded in 1953 by Gayla Peevey -- who was just 10 years old at the time.

Other classics that come to mind are a little more offbeat and mischievous, such as "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Tommie Connor. Tommie was only 13 years old when it was recorded in 1952. The song was initially banned by the Catholic Church in several cities including Boston.

An account by entertainment journalist Robert Fontenot notes that the "cute novelty (song) about a kid who can't understand why mommy is cheating on daddy with Santa" was not cleared by the "Council of Churches" until a special conference took place.

Alas, before we throw snowballs at someone else, let's remember that Carroll County was also the scene of Christmas mischief as far back as the 1800s.

According to research for the Historical Society of Carroll County by Jay Graybeal, one of the earlier references in local newspapers about caroling can be found in the now-defunct Democratic Advocate on Jan. 3, 1873. The article indicates that not everyone on the community was well behaved on Christmas:

"Christmas masqueraders were out in full force on Wednesday (Dec. 24) and Thursday (Dec. 25) nights. If they would behave with more propriety when entering the residences of our citizens, they would be treated better, but as it is they seem to take the occasion for showing how rudely they can misbehave."

Ahhhhh, that holiday glow.

Read the entire column here

: This time of year, we can't get enough Christmas music, or eggnog

http://explorecarroll.com/community/1814/this-time-year-we-cant-get-enough-christmas-music-or-eggnog/

20081214 This time of year, we can't get enough Christmas music, or eggnog

By Kevin Dayhoff Posted on Explore Carroll 12/14/08 EAGLE ARCHIVE

Frederick News-Post: Gold coin dropped almost a week before Christmas

Frederick News-Post: Gold coin dropped almost a week before Christmas

Originally published in the Frederick News-Post on December 23, 2008

By Stephanie Mlot News-Post Staff

Christmas came early this year for Frederick's Salvation Army.

The clink of the elusive South African gold Krugerrand coin was heard on Friday at the Wal-Mart on Md. 85.

The coin, valued at $900, has been a Frederick tradition for at least five years, said Maj. Raymond Pruitt, Salvation Army Corps officer.

"That's as far back as any of the staff remembers," he said.

Pruitt said the coin usually arrives the week of Christmas, though sometimes it gets dropped a little early.

Though no one knows who offers the coin each year, Pruitt said he thinks it's the same person.

"They don't want to be identified," he said. "We're perfectly happy to honor that wish."

Read the rest here: Frederick News-Post: Gold coin dropped almost a week before Christmas

20081223 FNP Gold coin dropped almost a week before Christmas

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=84328

Recent articles by Tom LoBianco

Recent articles by Tom LoBianco

December 24, 2008

Tom LoBianco
Contact Tom via e-mail
Recent Stories

Renewable sources to reduce oil demand
Rise in demand seen as near nil, say analysts
Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008
Federal energy analysts said Wednesday that U.S. demand for oil barely will grow over the coming decades because of efforts to reduce use and invest in renewable power sources, but fossil fuels will continue to make up 80 percent of the nation's energy supplies.

Emissions crackdown: Who wins, who pays?
Monday, Dec. 15, 2008
Leaders in the Democratic Congress haven't even passed new emissions standards - which likely would raise upward of $100 billion - but various interests supporting the measure already are split about who should get the money.

Obama to set health goals, tap Daschle
Energy, environmental team likely to assuage leftists
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce his health care priorities at a news conference Thursday and has tapped an energy and environment team likely to assuage fears from liberals that they had been left in the cold, multiple sources said Wednesday.

Obama to name Chu as energy secretary
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name Nobel-prize winning physicist Steven Chu his energy secretary, sources familiar with the Obama transition team said Wednesday.

Boxer: Stimulus will pass quickly
Senate eyes alternative energy
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008
A top Senate Democrat on Monday sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama assuring him that Congress will move quickly to approve an economic stimulus plan between $500 billion and $1 trillion, and base much of it on establishing energy independence through renewable and alternative energy sources.

GM touts electric-drive models amid bailout requests
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008
General Motors showed off its green wares at the Electric Drive Transportation Association conference Wednesday, while members of Congress sat about a half-mile away on Capitol Hill deciding whether the carmaker would survive another year.

Sen. Martinez will not seek re-election
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008
Sen. Mel Martinez, Florida Republican, said Tuesday he would not seek re-election in 2010, ensuring a high-stakes fight in the in the battleground state of Florida.

Alternative-energy advocates hail adviser
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008
Renewable and alternative energy advocates looking to score politically by moving their issue into the realm of national security debates notched a victory Monday when President-elect Barack Obama picked retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones to become his national security adviser.

'Tofurkymobile' out for new holiday traditions
Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008
The Tofurkymobile plows on, long after the day of real turkey gobbling has passed and the seasonal jokes about tofu raised "in the wild" have been shelved for another year.

Cheap gas stalls green efforts
Tax idea loses public support
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
Advocates of energy conservation and renewable fuels may be the only ones in America looking back nostalgically on the days of $4-a-gallon gasoline.

20081224 Recent articles by Tom LoBianco
http://www.washingtontimes.com/staff/tom-lobianco/

Blaming History by Michael Tomasky, The American Prospect

Blaming History by Michael Tomasky, The American Prospect

Hat Tip: Truthout

Blaming History Friday 19 December 2008

Michael Tomasky explains how Milan Kundera's The Joke changed his view of politics.

So the assignment is "a book that changed my view of politics." Harder than it sounds. I will confess that when I was a younger man, I was far more likely to think of records, as we used to call them, as life-changing, and if pressed, I could probably to this day defend the proposition that The Basement Tapes taught me as much about America as did, say, either John Steinbeck or V.O. Key.

I could name something predictable by Schlesinger or Hofstadter, or one of those seminal works on the 1960s or Watergate that I and most other American liberal males of my generation display on our shelves and in select cases have actually read to completion. But the idea of "life changing" led me to reach into the memory hole for those rare occasions when reading a book so fired my mind that, while I was immersed in it, I could think of nothing else. You know the feeling: You can't wait for work or class to finish so you can plow back into the book; as you near the end, you actually slow down because you don't want it to stop and can't imagine not being able to read it anymore.

It turns out that it's a novel, Milan Kundera's The Joke, that met for me the above criteria: The book is quite political and contains within its pages lessons about how people adapt to the larger political contexts in which they live. These are lessons that were and are more universal than one might assume - given that Kundera was assaying totalitarian society - about what can happen when the stirrings of the soul are thwarted by the imperatives of the state.

Read the entire essay here: Blaming History by Michael Tomasky, The American Prospect

20081219 Blaming History by Michael Tomasky for The American Propsect

Westminster Mayor Council Meeting Dec 22 2008 cancelled

The next meeting of the Westminster mayor and common council for December 22, 2008 has been cancelled.

Home >> City Government

City Council City Council Members Minutes of City Council Meetings

The City of Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting
of December 22, 2008 has been cancelled. The next scheduled meeting
of the Mayor and Common Council will be held on January 12, 2009.

From the City of Westminster:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

20081222 Westminster Mayor Council Meeting Dec 22 2008 cancelled

Pearls and a cigarette

Pearls and a cigarette

“Pearls and a cigarette” December 19, 2008 Kevin Dayhoff

20081219 Pearls and a cigarette

Legally Blonde The Musical at the Kennedy Center

Legally Blonde The Musical at the Kennedy Center

For a holiday extended-family outing on Friday evening, December 19, 2008; we went to see “Legally Blonde” at the Kennedy Center. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. Before the show we enjoyed dinner at Papa Razzi on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown.

On December 15, 2008 Emily Cary wrote a preview for the Examiner:

'Legally Blonde' opens at Kennedy Center by Emily Cary Special to The Examiner 12/15/08

"– Rhiannon Hansen is exactly where she planned to be the day she auditioned for the MTV reality show, "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods." When "Legally Blonde the Musical" ..."

Related links:

http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showevent&event=tjtsd

“Legally Blonde The Musical”:

That's Becky Gulsvig pictured here to the left in a photo from the Kennedy Center web site. She was a delightful Elle Woods...

"Nominated for seven 2007 Tony Awards, Legally Blonde makes its D.C. premiere. Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her, Elle sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Dec 16, 2008 - Jan 11, 2009 Opera House Approx. 2-1/2 hours $25.00 - $95.00 Tickets and Schedule About the Program Gift Items Sponsors"

http://www.dcexaminer.com/entertainment/121508_Legally_Blonde_opens_at_Kennedy_Center_.html
http://www.paparazzi-restaurant.com/

http://www.paparazzi-restaurant.com/index.cfm?pk=content&cd=LOCATION&pid=10245&cdid=10350

20081219 Legally Blonde The Musical at the Kennedy Center

State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

If only this were true today:

State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

Democratic Advocate, December 20, 1946.

Fiscal Situation Vastly Improved During 8 Years of Office—Annapolis, December 16 –

The State's Annuity Bond Fund Reserve as of December 31 will be approximately one million dollars, Governor Herbert R. O'Conor made known today, following a checkup made by the State's fiscal officers at his request.

As of November 30, the report showed, the balance in the Fund was $913,701.54, with receipts from taxes for the month of December estimated at $70,000.00 allowing for interest payments for the month of December of $13, 823,75, the Governor pointed out, there will be available in the Reserve as of the close of the calendar year a total of $969,877.79.

Democratic Advocate, December 20, 1946.

20081220 19461220 State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

Squirrel obstacle mission

Squirrel obstacle mission

December 19, 2008

This reminds me of how I spend many of my days…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL0glHob3kI



20081219 Squirrel obstacle mission

This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Time flies like an arrow
Kevin E. Dayhoff

As I’ve grown older, the joy of the Christmas season has slowly but surely become overshadowed with pressure and chaos. Certainly not to be overlooked is the emphasis on the materialism and over-consumption that has insidiously eroded the joys of the season.


Mountain Climbing and Orchid Hunting
Tom McLaughlin
Santubong, Sarawak – The condo is like most in Ocean City. Thirty floors contained two sections. I am on the 13th. There are no others like them in this area nor can others be built because of the rainforest which is now a national park.


Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Whistling in the Dark
Roy Meachum
Among all presidents, George W. Bush appears the champion; he whistles in the dark best. The old expression may not be used much these days; it means making noises to scare possible boogey men away.


More Regulations, Less Result
Farrell Keough
When we were last together, we discussed the iconic imagery subtext replete within the film It’s a Wonderful Life. The pleonasm of this previous discussion was self-serving and self-evident, yet constructive in its perspicacious appraisal.


Monday, December 15, 2008
When American Cars Were King
Steven R. Berryman
American cars manufactured by the big three automakers are case studies of what not to do in a competitive environment. When engineering creativity and innovation fall by the wayside, what you get is a “car by consensus” aimed at the widest possible audience that – in the end – satisfies nobody.


Friday, December 12, 2008
Counting All Students
Roy Meachum
My position on illegal immigrants differs slightly from Sheriff Charles "Chuck" Jenkins' and, of course, County Commissioner John "Lennie" Thompson's.


ACLU Wants Wall around DC
Joe Charlebois
Now the Maryland chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stepped into the illegal immigrant fray. Why?


Thursday, December 11, 2008
Here's the Answer! – A Review
Roy Meachum
If there's anything wrong about the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of "Twelfth Night," I simply didn't catch it. This is the most consistently comedic I've seen of any of the Bard's comedies.


Time for An Adjustment
Tony Soltero
Seventy-five years ago this month, America put an end to the most ill-advised and misguided social-engineering experiment in its history. With the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, the nation rectified the reactionary mistake made by the 18th Amendment and repealed Prohibition.


It’s All Corn
Patricia A. Kelly
Our country is under siege. We’re dropping like flies from obesity, coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, etc. Even our children are affected, with many diseases traditionally associated with aging showing up in them.


Wednesday, December 10, 2008
In Your “Koobface”
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Last week I had all the pleasure and honor to be among the 120 million users of the social networking web site “Facebook” who were targeted by a computer virus known by the unusual name of “Koobface.”


Maryland in the Borneo Newspaper?
Tom McLaughlin
KUCHING, Borneo – Still sleepy and in the early dawn hours, I sat in a Chinese coffee shop in downtown Kuching. The thick black Sumatra liquid, with a finger of white condensed milk on the bottom in the clear cup, had yet to be stirred.


Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Eric Shinseki as Prophet
Roy Meachum
You might not remember Eric Shinseki's name. Among Army troops he's mildly infamous for ordering all ranks to wear berets. He's now been named by the incoming administration as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. That could never happen while Richard Cheney exercised power in the vice president's office.


Who Thought This Up?
Farrell Keough
Why is it that It’s a Wonderful Life seems to continuously play from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day? Is this some evil plot by Big TV to drive us crazy during this season? Or is it some other ghastly plot of excess?


It’s Good to Be a Teacher … Part 2
Nick Diaz

“Ten Reasons Why I Envy Teachers” is the title of an article by a New England psychologist, Dr. Michael G. Thompson. In my last installment, I referred to this piece as the basis to my assertion that teachers are, indeed, people who should be envied.

20081217 This week in The Tentacle

Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff

December 14, 2008 – posted (finally) on December 18, 2008

This time of year, we can't get enough Christmas music, or eggnog
Published December 14, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE The Christmas season means different things to different folks. I have many great childhood Christmas memories of growing up in Westminster. I'm biased of...


Shop Carroll for that hippopotamus this Christmas
Published December 10, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Westminster certainly loves to pull out all the stops for the holiday season. This year is certainly no exception. The weekend after Thanksgiving featured the...


Everyone's a winner at the Westminster Holiday Parade
Published December 10, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
... but here are entries the judges liked best Westminster's annual Holiday Parade was a great time for all. Judges said determining particular "winners" in...


Everyone's a winner at the Westminster Holiday Parade ...
Published December 5, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Westminster’s annual Holiday Parade was a great time for all. Judges said determining particular “winners” in various parade categories was difficult because everyone — the...


In the end, Rutherford Hayes had the croquet balls to be president
Published December 4, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
For this Sunday's column, let's keep it light. May we discuss croquet? At my age, croquet is about as close to a contact sport as...


Luebberman marks 20 years with Westminster Fire Dept.
Published December 3, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Kevin Dayhoff kdayhoff@carr.org Cake and stories were served Nov. 22 as about 30 members of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department gathered at the John Street firehouse...


Letters
Published December 3, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Dayhoff right to lament loss of Pour House on Main St. I just wanted to say "BRAVO" to Kevin Dayhoff regarding his recent column in...


One turkey leg, early Thanksgivings and a pair of President Harrisons
Published November 30, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
We certainly hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are now enthroned upon the couch, watching football and relaxing with a pair of birds: a...


Waist is a terrible thing to mind
Published November 24, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to it because it will be the first holiday in which my extended family gets...


Turkey, stuffing, illegal radios and rowdy college kids
Published November 23, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
This Thursday is Thanksgiving, and we at The Eagle hope you have a great turkey-day with lots of food, friends and family. Perhaps because of our...

http://explorecarroll.com/search/more.php?f=news&p=1&s=Dayhoff

20081214 Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Washington Post: Fed Could Remake Credit Card Regulations

Washington Post: Fed Could Remake Credit Card Regulations

What in the world took the Fed so long to stop the predacious practices of credit card issuers?

New Rules Would Ban Retroactive Rate Hikes

By Nancy Trejos Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, December 14, 2008; F01

The Federal Reserve on Thursday will vote on sweeping reform of the credit card industry that would ban practices such as retroactively increasing interest rates at will and charging late fees when consumers are not given a reasonable amount of time to make payments.

The Fed, which has been considering the proposed changes since May, declined this week to release details of the final draft regulations. But banking officials and consumer advocates said that they do not expect substantial changes before the vote, especially since members of Congress have pressured the Fed not to water down the rules.

However, industry officials and consumer advocates said, the Fed will likely postpone a decision on a proposal to prohibit banks from charging fees for overdraft protection unless they have given customers the chance to opt out. Both the banking industry and consumer advocates considered the overdraft proposal flawed.

If the new credit card regulations are approved largely as proposed, they would represent the most significant overhaul of the industry in decades, banking officials and consumer advocates said. The Fed has not yet indicated a timeline for implementation.

[…]

Read the entire article here: Fed Could Remake Credit Card Regulations

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/13/AR2008121300906.html?nav=igoogle

20081214 WaPo Fed Could Remake Credit Card Regulations By Nancy Trejos

An Evening of Readings and Carols at Princeton University Chapel

An Evening of Readings and Carols at Princeton University Chapel

December 12, 2008

20081212 An Evening of Readings and Carols at Princeton University Chapel

UTR patio pic for December 12 2008

UTR patio pic for December 12 2008

Dayhoff Dailey Patio Pic

20081212 UTR patio pic for December 12 2008

The Kiawah Island Marathon December 6 2008

The Kiawah Island Marathon December 6 2008

December 12, 2008

Pictures of my nephew, Ryan Handzo, in the race can be found here on marathon foto com

http://www.kiawahresort.com/recreation/marathon/

View 2008 Kiawah Marathon Race Results

Map Downloads: Full Marathon Map (PDF 77 KB) Half Marathon Map (PDF 52 KB)

Great race wrap-up and commentary by Lance P. Martin :

Great Moments in Marathon History: Kiawah Island 2008 Sunday, December 07, 2008

Kiawah Island is a runner's marathon. At 2,000 or so, it's neither too big or too small. Pre-race could not be easier. They open the East Beach Conference Center and runners lounge in the halls and meeting rooms until the start, which is right outside the front doors. Article storage is self-serve, you just put your name on your bag and toss it into an unsupervised tent. This is awfully easy for runners, and I doubt that theft is an issue.

[…]

Read the entire post here: Great Moments in Marathon History: Kiawah Island 2008

------
December 6 2008 Kiawah Island Marathon Race Results

http://www.rmssports.com/results/08kiawah.txt

KIAWAH ISLAND MARATHON
26.2 MILE ROAD RACE
KIAWAH ISLAND,S.C. DECEMBER 6, 2008 , USATF cert# SC02031BS
Results compiled by Race Management Systems(RMS), www.rmssports.com

********** AWARDS LIST **************

********** FEMALE OVERALL RESULTS ***********
1 Jennifer Jacobs 28 Durham NC 2:59:00
2 Mary Bertram 21 Salisbury NC 3:01:33
3 Ale-Sabio Kennedy 36 Statesboro GA 3:12:31
4 Kim Donaldson 47 Chapel Hill NC 3:15:56
5 Val Kazmer 22 Charlotte NC 3:17:30
********** MALE OVERALL RESULTS ***********
1 Chuck Engle 37 Dublin OH 2:35:09
2 Ryan Thompson 27 Charleston SC 2:36:48
3 Bernhard Sill 38 Clemson SC 2:43:01
4 Ben Clarke 24 Atlanta GA 2:44:58
5 Brian Waters 25 Marietta GA 2:46:08
********** FEMALE MASTERS OVERALL RESULTS **********
1 Carol Miles 44 Georgetown KY 3:21:20
2 Sandra Murphy 41 Evans GA 3:30:45
3 Camelia Marculescu 41 Charleston SC 3:31:53
********** MALE MASTERS OVERALL RESULTS **********
1 Steve Noone 50 Glenmoore PA 2:49:40
2 Tim Anderson 47 Greensboro NC 2:53:06
3 Jeffrey Milne 40 Chester Springs PA 2:54:09
********** FEMALE GRAND MASTERS OVERALL RESULTS **********
1 Cindy Matthes-Loy 50 Fort Myers FL 3:47:08
********** MALE GRAND MASTERS OVERALL RESULTS **********
1 Bill Grether 58 Bellingham WI 3:07:29

********** AGE-GROUP RESULTS **********

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 19
1 Rosie Montgomery 19 Oakton VA 4:30:52
2 Kate Jones 18 Evans GA 6:56:37
MALE AGE GROUP: 15 - 19
1 Ryan Handzo 19 Atlanta GA 3:23:46
2 Nick Spenello 18 Alpharetta GA 4:00:05
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 20 - 24
1 Maegen Stokes 24 Seneca SC 3:53:03
2 Hannah McLain 20 Athens GA 4:04:13
3 Sarah Berglind 20 Simpsonville SC 4:12:50
MALE AGE GROUP: 20 - 24
1 David Payne 23 Greenwood SC 2:52:22
2 Chris Weir 24 Sugar Hill GA 3:02:42
3 Andrew Sayce 20 Clemson SC 3:14:57
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 25 - 29
1 Caitlin Schier 25 Union SC 3:18:59
2 Alison Boyd 28 Charleston SC 3:23:52
3 Bree Ruppert 25 Charleston SC 3:24:26
4 Lindsey Miller 26 Charlotte NC 3:27:11
5 Marie Boyle 28 Atlanta GA 3:27:55
MALE AGE GROUP: 25 - 29
1 Andrew Clarke 27 Atlanta GA 2:55:45
2 Keith Reed 26 Atlanta GA 3:00:17
3 Thomas Clarke 28 Charleston SC 3:08:28
4 Thomas Parker 29 Winter Park FL 3:10:12
5 David Dirito 28 Carrboro NC 3:10:16

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 34
1 Carol Moore 30 Nashville TN 3:22:35
2 Laura Hill 34 Duluth GA 3:26:17
3 Jessica Mumford 31 Savannah GA 3:28:16
4 Stephanie Hall 34 Hickory NC 3:35:13
5 Jessica Costen 34 Matthews NC 3:37:06
MALE AGE GROUP: 30 - 34
1 Neil Jacobs 34 Durham NC 2:59:25
2 Jason Putnam 31 Simpsonville SC 3:05:28
3 James Loging 33 Laurens SC 3:06:33
4 Jason Pattillo 33 Augusta GA 3:06:54
5 Randy Hutchison 32 Greenville SC 3:10:06
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 35 - 39
1 Katrin Currens 37 Richmond VA 3:35:47
2 Heather Currier 35 Martinez GA 3:38:17
3 Betsy Howard 36 Savannah GA 3:38:41
4 Kathrine Wall 37 Weddington NC 3:40:00
5 Heather Saal 35 Kiawah Island SC 3:40:41
MALE AGE GROUP: 35 - 39
1 Mason Ferratt 39 North Charleston SC 2:51:59
2 Jack McDermott 39 Tallahassee FL 2:59:23
3 Derek Detemple 38 Gilbert AZ 2:59:23
4 Brian Hann 39 Camden SC 3:03:33
5 Peter Mandy 37 Bethesda MD 3:09:08
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44
1 Katie Watson 40 Mt. Pleasant SC 3:32:23
2 Laura Boselowitz 40 Mt. Pleasant SC 3:38:21
3 Karen Killeen 40 Richmond VA 3:40:47
4 Carol Hauss 43 Salisbury NC 3:41:34
5 Janine Myatt 41 Bristol VA 3:44:10
MALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44
1 Denis Cormier 42 Raleigh NC 2:59:15
2 Jay Waller 41 Augusta GA 3:00:36
3 Sean Killeen 43 Richmond VA 3:01:31
4 Brandt Chi 43 Dover DE 3:01:51
5 Jeff Brandenburg 42 Columbia SC 3:03:35
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49
1 Janet Gallo 45 Martinez GA 3:40:06
2 Lisa Gregoire 48 Summerville SC 3:52:03
3 Barb Romano 49 Bartlett IL 3:56:51
4 Elizabeth Hindal 48 Charlotte NC 3:59:12
MALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49
1 Larry Jourdain 46 Sandy Run SC 3:05:18
2 Tim Dupree 49 Fleetwood NC 3:06:31
3 Huey Inman 47 Mt. Pleasant SC 3:07:09
4 Raymond Ross 48 Roswell GA 3:07:50
5 Matthew Cooke 46 Asheville NC 3:15:33
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 54
1 Betty Floyd 52 Marion SC 3:54:13
2 Beverly Knight 51 Jeffersonville IN 3:54:52
3 Joanna Davis 50 Wilmington NC 3:55:43
MALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 54
1 Mark Houde 51 Camden SC 3:07:30
2 Daniel Dietz 50 Smyrna GA 3:09:45
3 Eric Smith 50 Greenwood SC 3:12:15
4 Steve Thompson 53 Chapel Hill NC 3:14:39
5 Jeffrey Eggers 50 Northfield MN 3:20:52
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 55 - 59
1 Toni Cruz 57 Concord NC 4:07:37
2 Lynn Grimes 57 Blythewood SC 4:14:42
3 Kathlyn Haddock 59 Columbia SC 4:15:43

MALE AGE GROUP: 55 - 59
1 Kevin Lloyd 56 Darien CT 3:30:12
2 Gerry Englert 56 Summerville SC 3:32:26
3 Philip Waters 56 Lexington KY 3:39:30
4 Ernie Chatman 59 Brooksville FL 3:39:57
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64
1 Tillie Clark 61 Metairie LA 4:40:00
2 Therese Jochum 63 Mooresville IN 4:57:49
3 Joan Mulvihill 64 Charleston SC 4:58:30
MALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64
1 Fred Reinhard 63 Sullivans Island SC 3:35:50
2 Curtis Lintvedt 61 Exeter NH 3:54:36
3 Terry Ringle 62 Lexington KY 4:06:21
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 65 - 69
MALE AGE GROUP: 65 - 69
1 Gerry Carner 65 Clemson SC 3:29:50
2 Neil Jacobs 65 Summerville SC 4:18:17
3 James Lake 67 Alexandria VA 4:37:47
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 70 - 74
1 Elfriede Tolley-Bee 72 Sumter SC 5:14:46
MALE AGE GROUP: 70 - 74
1 Charlie Raper 72 Maryville TN 4:02:38
2 Donald Moore 70 Fort Myers FL 4:14:00
3 Richard Murphy 74 Bay Shore NY 4:15:42
4 Eugene Defronzo 72 Cheshire CT 6:06:48
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 75 - 99
MALE AGE GROUP: 75 - 99

Read the rest of the results here: http://www.rmssports.com/results/08kiawah.txt

20081206 The Kiawah Island Marathon December 6 2008

Dayhoff Frock Wright Ryan Handzo

Sports Running

Sports Running Kiawah Is Marathon

Sports Running Marathons

Dixon and City Democrats Get Raises While Contemplating Layoffs

Public officials accepted a pay raise in this economic climate is beyond bizarre…

December 10, 2008

Dixon and City Democrats Get Raises While Contemplating Layoffs

ANNAPOLIS—On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City Comptroller Joan Pratt and the 13 other City Council members had pay raises approved by the Baltimore City Board of Estimates, which all three of them sit on. The move was done without identifying the titles or names of those receiving a raise. This comes at a time when Mayor Dixon has not ruled out layoffs for city workers and revoked cost of living raises for middle managers.

“Once again, this is an example of Maryland Democrat leaders operating under a different set of rules than the rest of us,” said MDGOP Chairman Jim Pelura. “These raises amount to $26,250 which is a substantial amount of money to anyone who is not a big-government politician. Mayor Dixon is talking about laying off lower level city workers. I certainly think that $26,250 might save at least one job. Do as I say, not as I do is becoming a common stance in Baltimore City and the state of Maryland.”

“We need new leadership for Maryland that puts taxpayers, small businesses, and working families first. There are several leaders who have volunteered to take part in the furloughs for state employees. Mayor Dixon, Council President Rawlings-Blake, and Comptroller Pratt should follow suit and reject these pay raises,” concluded Pelura.

###

To members of Maryland Republican Party FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Justin Ready 410-263-2125

This week in The Tentacle for December 10 2008

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
In Your “Koobface”
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Last week I had all the pleasure and honor to be among the 120 million users of the social networking web site “Facebook” who were targeted by a computer virus known by the unusual name of “Koobface.”


Maryland in the Borneo Newspaper?
Tom McLaughlin
KUCHING, Borneo – Still sleepy and in the early dawn hours, I sat in a Chinese coffee shop in downtown Kuching. The thick black Sumatra liquid, with a finger of white condensed milk on the bottom in the clear cup, had yet to be stirred.


Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Eric Shinseki as Prophet
Roy Meachum
You might not remember Eric Shinseki's name. Among Army troops he's mildly infamous for ordering all ranks to wear berets. He's now been named by the incoming administration as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. That could never happen while Richard Cheney exercised power in the vice president's office.


Who Thought This Up?
Farrell Keough
Why is it that It’s a Wonderful Life seems to continuously play from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day? Is this some evil plot by Big TV to drive us crazy during this season? Or is it some other ghastly plot of excess?


It’s Good to Be a Teacher … Part 2
Nick Diaz

“Ten Reasons Why I Envy Teachers” is the title of an article by a New England psychologist, Dr. Michael G. Thompson. In my last installment, I referred to this piece as the basis to my assertion that teachers are, indeed, people who should be envied.


Monday, December 8, 2008
Where does it end?
Richard B. Weldon Jr.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for the redress of grievances.”

Amendment 1 to the Constitution of the United States


Conversational Items
Steven R. Berryman
In absolutely no particular order, here are some hot items for your reading pleasure, just in time for that water cooler conversation or company holiday party.


Friday, December 5, 2008
"Chorus Line" – Review
Roy Meachum
"Chorus Line" opened Tuesday at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre. That should be quite enough for anyone who knows the slightest thing about theatre; they should rush to buy tickets for the show that ends a week from Sunday, on December 14. It lasted 15 years on Broadway and was brought back for a two-year revival that spawned the national tour visiting Charm City. This is a true stage icon.


The Right Track on Illegals
Joe Charlebois
On November 25, CASA de Maryland, the prominent immigrant rights group in the state, filed suit against the Frederick County Sheriff's Office to obtain information regarding the execution of the 287(g) program. This program effectively allows state and local governments to act in a seamless fashion in regards to those detained for violations of immigration law.


Thursday, December 4, 2008
Open Your Hearts – and Your Wallets
Joan McIntyre
Christmas Cash for Kids is winding up, but it‘s not over yet. If you haven't heard of this fabulous program hosted by our very own Bob Miller, hordes of volunteers, and WFMD (930 AM), then all I can say is you don't really live in Frederick County; or your cave doesn't get a radio signal.


Proper Packaging and Wrapping Paper
Chris Cavey
This weekend the Maryland Republican Party will hold its winter convention in Annapolis. Contrary to what many might think the semi-annual gathering of the GOP faithful will not be a time of mourning and gnashing of teeth. Instead a review, revival and rebirth is expected.


Wednesday, December 3, 2008
When cupcakes grow on trees
Kevin E. Dayhoff
It was serendipitous Monday evening, the day that President-elect Barack Obama unveiled his national security team, that I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Melvin A. Goodman, a former CIA analyst, discuss his latest book, The Failure of Intelligence: The Decline and Fall of the CIA, during the ninth annual Resnick Lecture at McDaniel College.


Moving East for a Spell
Tom McLaughlin
“Warm and tropical with pouring rains after 3 P.M.” describes Borneo in this northeast monsoon season. The city of Kuching combines old and new, with the modern Hilton overshadowing Chinese shop houses built in 1900's.


Tuesday, December 2, 2008
"Let Slip the (Political) Dogs of War"
Roy Meachum
"Cry havoc" forms the first part of that "Julius Caesar" quote and that might make a bitter title for the electoral cycle that starts right after the looming holidays. Shopping malls aside, I do not count Thanksgiving as the leading edge of Christmas.


Change! It’s Everywhere! It’s Everywhere!
Farrell Keough
As a new year is dawning, many issues and perspectives are drawing near in our political arena. We have a “change” coming on our national front – but we must remember that our state representatives will be meeting in the near future and may be offering us “change” as well.


Monday, December 1, 2008
Anatomy of a Correction
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
On November 20, I gave a lunchtime speech to the Frederick County Builder's Association. After more than a dozen years in public service, these public speaking opportunities have become something I look forward to.


Never Cool
Steven R. Berryman
As usual, family gatherings over the Thanksgiving weekend allowed for more personal interactions. I have three wonderful teenagers and have confirmed that the scrutiny and evaluation that befall parents at this critical juncture are surely unimaginable to anyone not experiencing it first hand.

20081210 This week in The Tentacle

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Dr Elmo

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Dr Elmo

Dr. Elmo made this in his living room in 1983. It played on MTV for 18+ years. Written by Randy Brooks and performed by Dr. Elmo.



Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Dr. Elmo official web site

20081208 19830000 Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Dr Elmo

Westminster Mayor and Common Council meeting agenda for December 8 2008

Westminster Mayor and Common Council meeting agenda for December 8 2008

Home >> City Government

City Council

City Council Members Minutes of City Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Public Hearing Notice

The public hearing set for Monday, December 8, 2008, to receive comments on proposed Ordinance Nos. 796 and 797 dealing with sewer charges and water rates for metered services provided by the City of Westminster will not be conducted as scheduled and will be rescheduled early next year.

THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF WESTMINSTER

Thomas K. Ferguson, Mayor
AGENDA

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of December 8, 2008

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Fallfest Presentations

Holiday Parade Awards

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2008

3. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

4. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

5. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Introduction of Ordinance No. 798 – Modifications to General Fee Ordinance - Thomas Beyard

Introduction of Ordinance No. 799 – Chapter 94, Section 5 – Peddlers’ and Solicitors’ Fees – Thomas Beyard

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. Approval of Agreement CB-1108 – Commitment of Intent for the Redevelopment and Occupancy of the City Park Concession Stand/Community Building – Ron Schroers

7. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Cancellation of December 22, 2008 Meeting

8. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

9. CITIZEN COMMENTS

10. ADJOURN

PLEASE NOTE: THE DECEMBER 8, 2008 MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE JOHN STREET QUARTERS OF THE WESTMINSTER FIRE COMPANY. FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

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



I Want a Hippo for Xmas Words and music by John Rox performed by Gayla Peevey (1953)

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,
that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian

There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too!

19530000 Lyrics I Want a Hippo for Xmas