December 22, 2008

Catonsville Blankets

Looking for a Last Minute Gift???
Give a CATONSVILLE BLANKET!
Available in six different colors, they are as comfortable as a sweatshirt and with just a "CATONSVILLE" logo....make a perfect gift for anyone who loves the Catonsville community.
Navy w/ gold lettering, Athletic Gold w/navy lettering and Gray w/ navy lettering sell for $30
Tye Dye Pink w/ navy lettering, Tye Dye Blue w/ gold lettering, and Red Hibiscus Flowers w/ navy lettering sell for $35.
and all are available for the holidays!
Order forms can be obtained from the CMS school website (http://catonsvillems.bcps.org/PTSA/index.htm) or email reymann1904@verizon.net

December 3, 2008

No. 8 Streetcar Path




My wife and I just walked the "New & Improved" No. 8 Streetcar path. It
was great! The path is 8 feet wide. It has been freshly paved and I understand
that over 8 tons of trash and debris were removed. Many thanks are owed to
Maureen Sweeney Smith of the Olde Catonsville Neighborhood Association and the
forty volunteers whose efforts are really noticed. I encourage everyone to enjoy
this trail. And while you are there, if you notice that someone else has left a
piece of trash, please pick it up. Let's Keep This Trail Clean!
The path
which runs from Frederick Rd. to Edmondson Ave. is truly one of the great places
to stroll in Catonsville.

November 21, 2008

ReDiscover Catonsville




Dial Down The Stress: Shop In Your Neighborhood

"Remember that feeling" of past holiday seasons, when life was simpler and less stressed? Remember when we felt connected to our community and took the time to slow down and enjoy the season's pleasures?






ReDiscover that feeling - shop, dine and enjoy the season in one of Baltimore County's 12 local neighborhood downtowns.Baltimore County's neighborhood downtowns are located in Arbutus, Catonsville, Dundalk, Essex, Landsdowne, Liberty Road, Overlea-Fullerton, Parkville, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Towson and Woodlawn Village.

A Holiday Gift: Convenient Free Parking


Baltimore County Economic Development and the Baltimore County Revenue Authority offer area shoppers free parking at all street meters and metered County parking lots Thanksgiving Day through the holiday weekend, November 27 - November 30, and December 14 - 21, 2008.

Dial down the stress: shop in your neighborhood

Enjoy the holidays without the hectic pace and stresses that can be associated with crowded malls and large retail centers. Local shops located in the County's "neighborhood downtowns" offer unique products and gift ideas, as well as a slower pace where you can engage wit the business owver and receive personalized service. In most cases, you can park your car close by and walk from shop to shop - avoiding the congestion and hassle of finding parking in a large crowded lot.

Get to know local businesses such as florist, bakeries and hair stylists that can help you prepare for this year's holiday season. Relax in a neighborhood restaurant - many feature made-from-scratch food items that you won't find in a chain restaurant. Many of the local businesses in Baltimore County's neighborhood downtowns are located in historic districts, adding traditional flavor to the season.

November 19, 2008

A Message (and request) From Jeremy Morses' Family

Happy fall everyone.

In honor and memory of Jeremy's First Birthday we will be holding a Blood Drive. We really couldn't think of any better way to spend that day than to give "life" to someone else. During his stay at Hopkins, Jeremy needed countless units of blood and other blood products. I'm serious when I say I really have lost track of the exact quantity of blood my son needed during his illness. I am passionate about this project knowing all too well what a tremendous difference one unit of blood can make in the life of someone else.


If you feel led to join us in this celebration of Jeremy's life and all that he accomplished in his short time here on earth, please choose from the following options:

Red Cross Blood Drive
Monday, December 1, 2008
1- 7 p.m.
Christ Lutheran Church
5700 Edmondson Avenue
Catonsville, MD. 21228

We are looking for 50 donors. There are time slots open every fifteen minutes throughout the day. Please e-mail me your top three choices of times and I will do my best to accomodate your request. Also, include your telephone number where someone can reach you to offer a reminder call in the days before the drive. The times start at 1pm. then 1:15, 1:30, etc. . . every fifteen minutes ongoing throughout the day. (1pm -7 p.m.) I will confirm the time with you by e-mail as soon as possible. Please expect your total donation time to last approx. 1 1/2 hours.

We are also looking for volunteers to work the registration, canteen, and bake sale tables in two hour increments.
1-3, 3-5, and 5-7 p.m. If this interests you, please e-mail your preference of area and time. Again, I will confirm by e-mail your assignment.

In addition, we need bakers to provide treats for the bake sale. Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated. Please plan to pre-price your donation ahead of time to save time the day of the sale. Please e-mail me to let me know of your intentions for the bake sale so I can be sure to have enough baked goods to sell on December 1st. All proceeds from this sale will go directly to the non-profit foundation that we are setting up in Jeremy's memory. We plan to use the funds from this foundation to provide "Rays of Sunshine" to those who need them, especially critically ill children and their families.

You may also make a direct donation to the American Red Cross in Jeremy's memory.

One last request. We are asking others to share a short story with us about the ways in which Jeremy has impacted your life. I think it would provide us a tremendous amount of comfort to read about the positive ways that our son changed the world, one heart at a time. We may never know the ripple effects that will extend around us for years to come, but this is a good way to start.

As always, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion, love, and generosity as we walk through this storm, trying to find our way without our precious son. We can't change what happened to him, but we can change and make a difference in the lives of others who need and are desperate for our help.

With a Grateful Heart,

Amy Morse-

ScottJ. Scott Morse, Esq

9 Newburg Ave - Ste 201

Catonsville, MD 21228

ph 410-747-2019

fax 410-558-6155

snamorse@comcast.net

www.morselawmd.com

November 11, 2008

Two. Yes 2 !! Bull Roasts This Weekend.

Come Support the
Catonsville Elementary School P.T.A.
Bull & Oyster Roast
November 14, 2008
The Lodge
Nine Mile Lane @ Frederick Road
$35/ticket or $325 for a table of ten
7:30 p.m. – Midnight

Catering by Atlantic Caterers DJ by Kevin Strack
First come / First Serve
NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR
Contact Ed Doll @ 410-242-1813 or edoll22@msn.com
MENU
Pit Beef, Turkey, Ham, Oysters on the Half Shell
Maryland Crab Soup, Italian Sausage, Oyster Fritters,
BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs, Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Green Beans, Tossed Salad,
Assorted Cheese and Crackers, Vegetables w/ Dip,
Coffee, Tea, Setups and Dessert
and
Catonsville Football’s
Bull and Oyster Roast
Saturday, November 15th
7PM - Midnight
at "The Lodge" in Catonsville
2832 Nine Mile Circle
Catering by: Monaghan’s Pub
Tickets - $40 per person

Menu to include: Top Round of Beef, Pit Turkey, Pit Ham,
Rolls & Condiments
Raw Oysters and Clams
Buffet: Maryland Crab Soup, Fried Oysters, Redskin Mashed Potatoes w/gravy, Fresh Greenbeans, Pulled Pork BBQ, Macaroni w/shrimp Salad, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Garden Salad, Sheetcake.
Assorted Soda, Coffee, Draft Beer & Wine
For tickets: Contact Krista Chism at http://mc525.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kchism3@msn.com

November 4, 2008

Dinner to benefit My Brother's Keeper "Blase Cooke Center"

Mount Saint Joseph High School
ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER
Sunday, November 9, 2008

4:00 – 7:00 pm, in the newly renovated MSJ school cafeteria!

Sponsored by the MSJ Mothers’ Club & X-ACT
All Proceeds benefit “My Brother’s Keeper”

Join Students, Families, Friends, Faculty & Alumni
For an evening of great food & fellowship!

$10.00 per person, children under 3 FREE!
My Brother's Keeper "Blase Cooke Center" is located in Irvington. This event is sponsored by the Mount Saint Joe Mother's Club and directly benefits the mission of My Brother's Keeper, none of the proceeds go to MSJ although MSJ is handling the finances for this event.

TWO WAYS TO GET TICKETS:
Purchase at MSJ BUSINESS OFFICE or MAIL SLIP BELOW!

To reserve a table (parties of 6 or more),pls. include name & time of reservation. Contact: Michelle Rosata , mrosata@comcast.net, or 410.461.6380

*Deadline to purchase tickets Wednesday, November 5, 2008

-------------------------------------------------
Name: ______________________________________
Number of Guests _____ X $10.00 = Total $___________
Phone: H____________Cell_____________ Email:_________________
□ Yes! I can volunteer to help at this event!
Please mail this slip with your check made payable to
“Mount St. Joseph High School” to:
Michelle Rosata
3641 Cragsmoor Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Thank you for participating & helping others in need!

November 2, 2008

Tacka Motors

Tacka Motors
http://www.tackamotors.com
Located at 3605 Wilkens Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21229
phone : 410-644-6969
My daughter was in the market for a car. As her parent's, of course we were looking for something safe, reliable and inexpensive. Along with low miles and good gas mileage. She wanted a clean "sporty car".

We have never purchased a vehicle from Tacka Motors before, but, know Tim, through many of the volunteer activities that he participates in.

Tim is a resident of Catonsville. He runs a very impressive dealership and service center on Wilkens Ave. along with a used car lot in Halethorpe.

He found us a great car at a great price and along with the help of his manager, Derek, made this a very easy and enjoyable process. He treated us like family. I felt that the car we purchased was one that he would feel was right for his wife or kids to drive. I recommend that if you are in the market for an automobile, do yourself a favor, and stop by Tacka Motors to see what they can do for you.

October 30, 2008

Daylight Savings Time

Don’t forget to change your clocks back 1 hour this Saturday night and Refresh the batteries in your smoke alarms.

October 27, 2008

Free Flu Shots

ROLL IN, ROLL UP, ROLL OUT!
Saint Agnes provides convenient, quick and easy flu shots

It is not your typical drive-thru, no burger or fires here! On Saturday, November 15, 2008, Saint Agnes Hospital will host a drive-thru flu clinic where residents can receive their annual flu shots without even leaving their car. The flu shots are free but you must be 18 years old and pre-register by telephone. Annually 5-20% of the United States population develops this viral infection and 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. Each year, the influenza virus changes slightly making vaccines from previous years ineffective. However, receiving the current flu shot will significantly decrease your chances of developing the influenza virus. With flu season rapidly approaching there is no better time then now to receive a flu shot!
What: Drive Thru Flu ClinicWhen:Saturday, November 15, 2008, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Where:Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville Lot #3800 South Rolling Road Catonsville, MD 21228 Cost:FreeRegistration:For additional information or to register,Please call: 1-866-690-9355

October 24, 2008

Chesapeake Bank

Chesapeake Bank of Maryland has announced that they will be closing their Catonsville Branch, located at 609 Frederick Rd, in January 2009.

Anyone interested in Leasing on Purchasing the Building may contact me at 443.830.0310 Thanks. Craig

Doodle-opes!

PDA Marketing has developed...a direct mail marketing BREAKTHROUGH!

Doodle-opes, a new innovation in direct mail.If the envelope never gets noticed, then your message will never get read. There are a gazillion postcards, catalogues, bound backs, priority first class, pop ups, post its, tear sheets, oversized and lumpy mail concepts and all have their place in the mix but...the Doodle-ope just begs "open it!!" With this one simple envelope you will confound your competition and increase readership by 150%! Why 150%? because not only will everyone open this, but i guarantee that if you did the fingerprint test every postal employee and maybe even the FBI and the CIA would crawl all over this for the real truth behind the scribble. Only you are privy to the secret code. The only terrorist activity here is waged upon your competition. Scientifically proven: Yes! not any old scribble will produce winning results like this one does. Pushing the envelope, it is your chance to be on the cutting edge of a direct marketing breakthrough.

PDA marketing has designed many “Outrageous and Unusual” marketing pieces for Glazer-Kennedy and Glazer-Kennedy Insider's Circle members. The Photo envelope, X-Ray package, Brown Bag mailer, Kids Mailer, The Travel Postcard, The Gamble Mailer and an array of handwritten pieces capture the No BS, out-of-the-box design look. Cost-effective design services and production work, from conception to implementation. PDA has facilitated many comprehensive marketing campaigns for Bill Glazer and Dan Kennedy students.
Additionally, PDA has also designed many of the Glazer-Kennedy information products such as: 8 Big Ideas, Sales and Persuasion Strategies, Renegade Millionaire Time Management, Personality in Copy, Power Points, Creative Thinking, No BS On-Line Training to name just a few. PDA can create a valuable information product from an audio CD or DVD to as little as an idea.
Doodle-opes takes direct marketing to the next level.
http://www.doodleenvelopes.com/home.html

October 23, 2008

St. Agnes Hospital Expansion Plans

TODAY & TOMORROW: MAKING AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Come hear Saint Agnes HealthCare President & CEO Bonnie Phipps talk about plans for expanding and revitalizing the Saint Agnes Hospital campus. Learn how these changes and the new services and programs will benefit you and your family. Speakers include: Bonnie Phipps, President & CEO, Saint Agnes HealthCare
Diana Griffiths, M.D., Director, Saint Agnes Breast Center

Sister Ellen LaCapria, Vice President, Mission Integration

Sherry Welch, President, Saint Agnes Foundation

Beth Hazel, cancer survivor and Saint Agnes Hospital patient and advocate
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Coakley Room, St. Mark's Catholic Church
27 Melvin Avenue Catonsville, MD


RSVP or for more information: (410) 368-3155 or lmarsigl@stagnes.org

October 22, 2008

El Nayar

El Nayar is hosting it's official Grand Opening Tomorrow-

Thursday October 23rd at 3PM

Hazardous Household Items

Drop Off Your Hazardous Household Items

On Sunday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Baltimore County will collect hazardous household wastes at the Western Acceptance Facility in Halethorpe. County Residents may drop off unwanted household chemicals, paints, pesticides, mercury thermometers, fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, ammunition and automotive fluids for recycling or proper disposal. No trash will be accepted at this event. The Western Acceptance Facility is located at the end of Transway Road, off the 4500 block of Hollins Ferry Road (Beltway Exit 9).

Ribbons of Comfort Dance

IN MEMORY OF DONA - WHO BELIEVED YOU SHOULD "DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING"

LIMITED TICKETS LEFT FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL RIBBONS OF COMFORT DANCE

LIVE MUSIC BY APPALOOSA

TIME: 8 PM - 12 MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 25, 2008 (THIS SATURDAY)

VENUE: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - 1010 FREDERICK ROAD CATONSVILLE, MD 21228

FOR TICKETS: EMAIL
laura.baker11@gmail.com or phone 410-236-1098

PRICE: $25.00 BEER WINE SETUPS

OTHER: SILENT AUCTION, MONEY WHEELS, DOOR PRIZES

With the help of donations from supporters such as yourself, cancer patients will we will continue to see improvements in the comforts provided by the treatment centers we serve. Ribbons of Comfort is a 501(c)3 organization, and your donations are tax-deductible.

The Shed Guys at G.L. Shacks


THE SHED GUYS
are hosting a
GUEST BARTENDER NIGHT


at
GL SHACKS

This Thursday
October 23, 2008

5-9pm

All Proceeds will Benefit
Catonsville High School’s

COMET PARK
STADIUM RENOVATIONS



Food will also be provided * donations will be accepted

Please spread the word and hope to see you there!

October 16, 2008

Jimmy K 5 K


JIMMY K 5k

REMINDER!!
The Jimmy K5K will be held at Mount St. Joe High School this Sunday October 19th, REGISTRATION STARTS @ 7:30
RACE @9AM.
STAY AFTER FOR AWARDS, LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD & FUN!!


For more race info. and registration go to www.charmcityrun.com

October 15, 2008

Fall Pub Crawl - This Friday

CATONSVILLE MEN’S CIVIC ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:

CATONSVILLE’S FALL PUB CRAWL
OCTOBER 17, 2008
Starting at 6PM until 9 PM

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY AT “GL SHACKS”.
OTHER PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS INCLUDE, “JENNINGS CAFÉ” - “SHIPS CAFÉ” - “SEA HUT” - “MORSBERGERS”
YOUR $20 DONATION GOES TO SUPPORT C.M.C.A. AND INCLUDES A CATONSVILLE PUB CRAWL T-SHIRT. ANYONE WEARING THE T-SHIRT WILL RECEIVE HAPPY HOUR DISCOUNTS ON DRINKS AT EACH ESTABLISHMENT.

C.M.C.A. is an all-volunteer organization. Our efforts support local area children organizations.

October 10, 2008

ReThreads / New Threads

Stop in and Meet and Greet the new owners. ReThreads Woman's Boutique located at 6416 Frederick road is under new ownership. Husband and wife couple, Janelle and James Williams, bought the store and plan to keep the core of the business the same while adding a fresh look, new ideas and some fresh new clothing and accessories. James does extensive traveling and he will be incorporating small quantities of close-out deals on clothing and jewelry from stores here in Maryland, New York and abroad.
ReThreads will continue to accept donations as well as buy good quality designer teen and woman's clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories for $1 to $2 per item. Occasionally, they will pay more depending on the item.
The previous owners Nancy Belisle and Jessica Desjardine sold the store in August to Janelle and James Williams who are past Catonsville residents. The store is managed by their son Nicholas who is a student at Catonsville Community College.
ReThreads offers a variety of up-scale new and used fashions for woman from designers including Ann Taylor, Liz Claiborne, Anne Klein, BCBG Max Azria, Donna Karen, Jones of New York, Ralph Lauren, and Chaus. The couple plans to officially change the store's name at the beginning of the new year to " NEW THREADS " to reflect the store's new slogan, "Turning your Rethreads into New Threads".
They are hoping to eventually expand their business in the Catonsville community as early as next summer.
Janelle Williams
ReThreads/ New Threads
443-794-2800 (cell)
410-744-5744 (store)

October 9, 2008

Patapsco Clean Up -Saturday October 11th - 9am-12pm

Please join us for our river cleanup along the Patapsco River in Ellicott City and Catonsville. Betsy McMillion and Teddy Betts are our stream captains. Volunteers will meet and sign in near the bridge that crosses the Patapsco River on the Baltimore County side, near the old Simkins Paper Mill parking lot along River Road (for those of you living in Howard County, Ilchester Road dead ends at the county line and turns into River Road). Signs will be posted to direct you to the registration table. Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied and supervised by an adult volunteer.
We recommend that you call the morning of the cleanup at 410-480-0824 to make sure that the cleanup has not been cancelled due to inclement weather or unsafe conditions along the river.
We will be cleaning up riverbanks on both Baltimore and Howard county sides of the river. We have permission for our volunteers to park in the Simkins Mill Parking lot, near the old train bridge.
We recommend our volunteers wear a hat, long pants and shirt, so any prickly underbrush or insects won't bother you! Chances are you may get wet, so you might want to wear appropriate clothes and waterproof shoes or boots. We also recommend everyone bring their own sunscreen and insect repellant.
Unfortunately, there are no nearby "public" restrooms available, so please plan accordingly.
Please bring your own work or garden gloves and a shovel if you can! Sometimes we find embedded items near the water that can only be removed with shovels. There are also lots of "floatable" items that have been washed down nearby storm drains off main highways, county roads and parking lots, which end up in our streams and rivers! We need all the help we can get! To get an idea of what happens during our cleanup events, please visit the website where we post photos of our volunteers in action at http://patapscofriend.myphotoalbum.com/. We will provide bottled water and some snacks for the thirsty and hungry. It's hard work picking up this trash!
For our high school and college students who need forms signed confirming community service hours, please bring your form, complete the appropriate sections and our stream captain will complete and sign the forms for you at the end of the event.
DIRECTIONS:
HOWARD COUNTY
From Montgomery Road (Route 103), turn onto Ilchester Road.
Travel approximately 2.5 miles.
Go under a train bridge, which crosses over the Patapsco River. Park in the parking lot on your left and look for the red jeep wrangler where registration will be held for our volunteers!
The closest address to our meeting location is Simkins Mill, 201 River Road, Catonsville, MD 21228 for those of you who use your GPS, or yahoo or mapquest for your directions! I will have a cell phone turned on from 8:30 am - 12 pm on the day of the event if you are lost or need to speak to the stream captain at 410-294-9267.
________________________________________________
BALTIMORE COUNTY
From Baltimore Beltway Route 695
Take Exit 13 (Frederick Road West) – Route 144
Travel approximately 2 miles on Frederick Road (Route 144)
Turn left onto Thistle Road (LANDMARK: you will see a big sign
To Dimitri's Restaurant on the corner where you turn)
Travel approximately one mile to the stop sign.
Turn left onto River Road and travel approximately 1/3 mile and park in the parking lot on your right and look for the red jeep wrangler where registration will be held for our volunteers!
The closest address to our meeting location is Simkins Mill, 201 River Road, Catonsville, MD 21228 for those of you who use your GPS, or yahoo or mapquest for your directions! I will have a cell phone turned on from 8:30 am - 12 pm on the day of the event if you are lost or need to speak to the stream captain at 410-294-9267.
Hope you can join us!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR NEXT TREE PLANTING TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 FROM 9 AM – 12 PM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 8, 2008

Public Saftey Day


All are Invited to Public Safety Day
This Fun-Filled Family Event Focuses on Safety and Learning - The Baltimore County Police Community Relations Council proudly announces the 4th Annual Public Safety Day. The festivities will be held on October 11 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Security Square Mall will be reserved for this event. It will be staged on the parking lot at the east end of the mall, next to the Super Fresh grocery store.
There will be examples of hi-tech equipment used by trained staff for safety at home, at work and at play. Displays include: Police Dogs in Action; Tactical Demos; Police Marine and Aviation Displays; Put-Out-A-Fire Demo; Antique Police and Fire Cars; Smoke House Fire Display; Firefighters Rappelling; Kids Activity Area; and much more.
Information will be provided by Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments; the Baltimore County Volunteer Firemen’s Association; the Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs, and other local and state agencies.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Baltimore County Police Department’s Community Resources Team at 410-887-5901

October 4, 2008

Crime Prevention Meeting ---7PM Nov. 3rd

Oak Forest
Crime Prevention
Meeting


Monday, November 3rd at 7 pm
Catonsville Library (downstairs meeting room)


Officer Bill Rubie (Community Relations – Wilkens Police Precinct) will be present to discuss:

· How to prevent crime in our neighborhood
· Introduction to Citizens on Patrol and its effectiveness
· Q & A on neighborhood crime issues

This information will be distributed in a flyer format to neighborhood mailboxes next week. Please inform your neighbors - as many households as possible are encouraged to have representation at this meeting. There will an attempt to gauge the interest level in a Citizens on Patrol group at this meeting - if you are interested but can't make the meeting, please let me know. Thanks!

September 30, 2008

The Economy of Catonsville's Business District is Growing!

El Nayar has finally opened their new location at 801 Frederick Rd. This casual restaurant is Authentic Mexican, laid-back and very down to earth. They are open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week and serve breakfast on Saturday and Sundays. The Restaurant is very tastefully decorated and every seat was taken at 11:40 am today. It was great to not only see the dining room full of new faces, but, to also notice that the other existing restaurants in town seemed to be having a good day as well!

The Owners and Staff of the Columbia Golf Center have been busy all week opening boxes of great inventory. Look for them to have a "Quiet Opening" next week, with a grand opening later in October.

Deusenburgs - American Cafe & Grill, on Mellor Ave., is nearly complete and should have their doors open by the end of October.

There is some construction going on in the old Printed Apparel space, between the new Record & Tape Traders and Morsebergers Tavern. The word on the street is that the Tavern is expanding and will soon offer live entertainment along with pub food.

Catonsville is the place to be! People are traveling here from all over to visit and dine here. ( I know of one couple from Crofton, that travels here regularly, to dine at their favorite restaurant - The Catonsville Gourmet.) Hopefully some of the people we are attracting will decide to open a few more shops down town.

September 29, 2008

A.W.O.L. Skate Shop

People were hanging out in front of 825 Frederick Rd. long before Ben Munoz came to town!

September 16, 2008

Atwater's Bakery in the News!

Although the Atwater's businesses are not located in the Catonsville Area. Many Catonsville residents regularly visit their stores. Recently, The Baltimore Sun Local Catonsville Resident Ned Atwater in this Article. The article was written by Jill Robin and was published in the You & Taste Section. Congrats Ned & La!

Late this summer, one of the top food books on Amazon.com dangled an enticing promise: ArtisanBread in Five Minutes a Day.The book's popularity is testament to how people love fresh bread but loathe the idea of losing a day to bake it.Bread intimidates. The time commitment is a huge part of that, but people also fear the mess or think they'll need an expensive mixer or an advanced yeast degree.And yet, they're drawn to it because, ironically, home-baked bread represents, like almost nothing else, the essence of simple living.

Tips for great bread
• 72 to 78 degrees is optimum room temperature to make bread. Drafts and drastic temperature change can damage dough.
• Flour or water your hands to work the dough.
• If you poke the dough and it springs back, it's not ready to bake. If it stays indented, it's ready.
• This same dough recipe can become the base of a flatbread pizza if, at the final stage, you stretch and flatten it instead of shaping it into a loaf. Baker Ned Atwater recommends topping it with roasted onions, garlic and goat cheese.
• Cover dough as it sits to keep it moist. Dry dough can develop a skin that can keep the dough from fully expanding as it bakes.
• Personalize the bread by marking it on top with a very sharp knife before you put it in the oven.
• Using a pizza stone when baking will give the bread more volume.
• Underbaked bread is harder to digest. Fully cooked bread also stays fresh longer.


At King Arthur Flour's baking hot line, company spokeswoman Allison Furbish says staffers have noticed increasing calls recently from first-time bread bakers and people returning to bread-making after a long time.The company thinks it's the faltering economy driving this craving for homespun comfort. The hot line also buzzed after the 2001 terrorist attacks.Bread: so basic, yet so complicated.It doesn't have to be.Ned Atwater can create a warm, crusty, wholesome loaf with six common ingredients and equipment no fancier than a bowl.He doesn't promise home-baked goodness in five minutes, but he can make it happen in less than six hours, about half the time it takes to bake typical artisan bread."It's something anyone could do with a little time and patience," says the owner of Atwater's bakery in Belvedere Square and other Baltimore locations. "Some people don't think it's worth it. I certainly think it is."As one of Atwater's mentors told him, anyone can take caviar and filet mignon and make a fancy dinner. But to make something impressive from simple ingredients - that's art."It's very satisfying to take something as simple as flour, add water and end up with something as wonderful as bread," he says.And his Country Wheat Bread recipe asks for little more than that.Atwater mixes all-purpose and wheat flours with salt and dry yeast - he likes SAF's granulated yeast but says any instant yeast should work. He adds honey and water. Dough done.The rest is a matter of watching the clock and giving the dough space to work its magic.As dough rests, it's actually working hard, bubbling and expanding, transforming from sticky and gooey to soft and pliant.To knead the dough, a step that occurs twice in the recipe, Atwater wets or flours his hands, lifts the dough and then folds it over - keeping the dough in the bowl. He lifts and folds, lifts and folds, lifts and folds, about seven times or until the gas bubbles have disappeared.When it's time to shape the loaves, Atwater cuts the dough in half. He stretches and pulls one ball into a long, flat oval, quickly folds it into thirds, then folds that three more times into a stumpy rectangle, which he drops into a lightly oiled loaf pan. He makes a boule with the other half, stretching and folding like before, but working the dough into a round. Any shape works.When the time comes, Atwater pulls the loaf from the oven. The crust, baked to a deep, caramel color, crackles as he cuts into it to reveal a soft, airy inside and releases that warm, tantalizing, dreamy aroma that could only mean freshly baked bread.

Atwater's Country Wheat Bread
(makes 2 loaves with 8 to 10 slices each)3 cups all-purpose flour3 cups whole-wheat flour1 tablespoon salt1 tablespoon dry yeast3 cups room-temperature water2 tablespoons honeyIn a big bowl, stir dry ingredients together.In a separate bowl, stir together the water and honey. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix thoroughly. The dough will be sticky.Cover the dough in the bowl and let it rest for 1 hour.Wet your hands with water (or dust them with flour) and fold the dough 7 times. Re-cover it and let it rest for 1 hour.Cut the dough in half. Shape each half into a shape of your choice. You can either put the shaped dough into a baking pan or rest it on a cookie sheet. Cover it with a damp towel and let rest for 1 hour.Bake in a 450-degree oven for about 40 minutes. The crust should be a rich, dark brown and should sound solid when tapped.Courtesy of Ned AtwaterPer serving (based on 20 servings): 137 calories, 5 grams protein, 1 gram fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 29 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 350 milligrams

September 13, 2008

Wicked Willow

Later this month, Randy Woods and Tina Marie Owens, Owners of, Wicked Willow,
will be opening a New Location
at 633- rear Frederick Rd. (Behind Parks DryCleaning and Shoe Repair)


Wicked Willow is a baltimore based floral studio that creates wonderful elegantly styled, finest quality floral design accents for home and office interiors and planned events. They service the Maryland and DC areas. With over 30 years of professional design expertise, their designers always create distinctive designs for clients with discriminating taste. Permanent materials are hand selected for quality and realism for years of lasting beauty. Wicked Willow also creates artistic, elegant and sophisticated fresh floral designs and decor for weddings and all planned personal and corporate events. Contemporary, softly elegant, old world, structural, and sculptural/abstract are just a few special design styles they can create to set the mood for your space. Randy and Tina believe that in a world full of mass production and sameness, that fine quality of hand crafted, individually made and designed accessories and accents are more important than ever. Uniqueness and customization is what they strive for…
Wicked Willow does not operate a retail showroom. Consultations are by appointment only. phone 410.925.7990 http://www.wickedwillow.com/index.shtml

Wicked Willow will occupy the space where for more than 23 years Edmondson TV Repair has operated a Catonsville Location. If you need a Television repaired You can still reach Ken Lang at his Eldersburg Store 410 795 0800.

September 12, 2008

FREDERICK ROAD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH CANCELLED

Due to the Threat of Hurricane Ike ,
Tonight's Friday Night Event has been Cancelled.
Since This Was The Last One Scheduled For This Year, We Hope to See You Next Spring.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making these fun nights such a huge success!
The Committee From The Chamber of Commerce That Worked So Hard To Make This Idea A Reality:
George Brookhart
Teal Cary
Emory Knode
Cathy Schneider
Jeff Utzinger
Eric Ebersole
Jeff Mohler
Lisa Achins
Special Thanks to the Following Individuals and Organizations
For Stepping Up When Their Assistance was Needed:
Omar Jennings III
Brian Higgins
Jamie Lite
Tom Ward
ABC Rental
Baltimore County Rec & Parks
Bond Distributors
The Columbia Bank
The Baltimore County Liquor Board
And of Course Our 2008 Sponsors
Who Funded These Events:
Record & Tape Traders
George Brookhart – Long & Foster Real Estate
Appalachian Bluegrass Shop
Molher and Gary Realtors
Edible Arrangements
Catonsville Optical
Peace of Sunshine
The Collectors Edge
Objects Found
The Catonsville Groomery
McFarland & Master's Attorney's at Law
ABC Rentals
Disabled Sports USA
Bill's Music House
Delmarva Farms
Cary Creative Design
Dusenberg's - An American Cafe & Grill
UMBC
Jennings Cafe
The Columbia Bank
Please be sure to Patronize these businesses and
Thank Them for supporting Catonsville's Frederick Rd. Fridays.

September 11, 2008

Raven's Tailgate to Benefit The Catonsville Comets Booster Club

Catonsville High School’s Comet Booster Club
RAVENS TAILGATE

Sunday, October 12th
12 noon – 5pm

@ The Knights of Columbus Patapsco Council – next to the Catonsville Library

All proceeds benefit renovations at Comet Park!
Help us finish the project –
The new scoreboard is up and it is awesome!

Come see the plans that include new bleachers with seating for 2000 fans, a state of the art press box, restroom facilities
and a new concession stand!


Watch the game on big screen TV’s –
Game time is 1pm
RAVENS vs Indianapolis Colts

$50 donation

Menu Includes -
Bay Country Maryland Crab Soup * Southern Style BBQ Shrimp * Wings *
Full Blitz Chili * Midwestern Pit Beef * Pit Roasted Turkey *
Sweet Italian Sausage * Salads * Ms. Desserts *
Beer, Wine and Soda


Checks made payable to: Comet Booster Club


Tickets available at Opie’s Soft Serve & Snowballs or
Beth Reymann 410-788-3147
reymann1904@verizon.net or
Kevin Beard
kevinlbeard@comcast.net

September 10, 2008

Jimmy K 5K

JIMMY K 5k
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!The Jimmy K5K will be held at Mount St. Joe High School on Sunday October 19th, start time is 9am.

We will be celebrating Mass in the MSJ Chapel at 7:30 am that same day.
If you plan to attend Mass please email Michelle Knighton at
http://us.mc525.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=mdk1634@yahoo.com
For more race info. and registration go to www.charmcityrun.com
or call
Russ Keagle @ 410-869-9057 or Jeanne Deboy @ 410-579-1716

September 9, 2008

Jail House Rock!

On October 4, 2008
The Wilkens Police and Community Relations Organization presents:
Jail House Rock
Put on your dancing shoes and step out to the sounds of DJ Entertainment "The After Dinner Spinners". The WPCRO invites you to enjoy an evening of music and laughter as local celebrities spend a little time behind bars trying to raise "bail". Its all in good fun to establish a fund for educational programs for the officers of Precinct One.
Arbutus Town Hall
1349 Stevens Ave.
8PM til Midnight
Contact Lorna Rudnikas 410-247-9639
Featured Guests:
Senator Nancy Murphy as "The Parole Agent"
and Chalres Kountz as the "Judge"
Tickets are $20. per person
includes beer, and set-ups, BYOB

September 5, 2008

The Next Frederick Road Friday Event Is September 12th!

Frederick Road Fridays WILL NOT BE HELD on Friday September 5th
Please Come Sunday Afternoon to hear your Favorite Local Bands Play at
the Arts & Crafts Festival
Frederick Rd Fridays will return September 12th when we welcome the
U.M.B.C Accapella Group The Mama's Boys
along with Red Sammy

September 3, 2008

Catonsville - Arts & Crafts Festival

35th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
Presented By The Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce
September 7, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Come Hungry There Are Many Great Restaurants Here and
They Will Be Ready For You
*New This Year - Beer Garden at Jennings Cafe*
Musical Entertainment
(Egges Lane Stage)
10:30pm Fiddlin' Around
11:45pm Blue Streak
1:00pm 3 Wise Men
1:45pm 5 Oaks
3:00pm Midlife Crisis
(Melvin Ave. Stage)
11:50pm League of Trees
1:15 pm Bootcher
2:30pm Panning Out
Visit The "KidZone"
Look for The Clowns!
Held in the Courtyard at Strawberry Fields
Games, Moonbounce, Entertainment, Pie Eating Contest, Relay Races
presented by Girl Scout Service Unit 51


A Note From One World Emporium:

Since our shop wasn’t open in Catonsville last year, Alexey and I can’t wait any longer to shout about our September Surprise Santa Sale!

Please visit us on Sunday, September 07, 2008 (the day of Catonsville Craft Festival) as we showcase some of our unique, hand made Christmas items!

Since we are already feeling the Christmas Spirit, we will be raffling free gifts for the children in the Kids Zone (located at Strawberry Fields - Right Next to Our Gift Shop.) We will also have some kid-friendly items for sale.

Please join us for what we know will be a Fun Filled Day.
Larry Mernaugh
Alexey Mernaugh
Proprietors One World Emporium

August 27, 2008

Newburg Avenue

Yesterday the Baltimore County Council voted on my two properties on Newburg Ave. The actual houses are being down zoned from RO to ROA. The County Council also voted to increase the zoning on the rear portion of these properties to BL-CCC, the same zoning that the rest of Strawberry Fields carries. The zoning change on the rear of the property should not be of much immediate concern, to anyone, because we already had approval to move forward with plans to build our parking lot.

I know that the Councilman put forth his best effort to make a decision that would be the best one for the most people. His decision was obviously influenced by the many misinformed people that contacted his office asking him to "Save the Muir House", he must have felt that this is what the public wanted. I know that I wanted to see the house saved!

How could this dastardly developer. demolish these houses to build a .... (Insert here - any number of the lies that were spread about my intentions)?

In Reality, the Muir House was saved two years ago when we bought it. You see the property was marketed as commercial and several developers were interested in buying it with the intention of tearing it down and building something like a strip center. We always intended to protect this house and our actions have clearly demonstrated that.

Our sole purpose for our zoning request was to obtain different financing so that we could enhance the beauty of the 2 properties on Newburg Ave. with new landscaping and exterior cosmetic improvements. We wanted to create a beautiful gateway to our historic residential neighbors. (The inside of both of these properties have received many renovations since we acquired them.)

To prove our intentions, we were willing to enter into certain restrictive covenants that would protect the future of these properties for many years. The self appointed leaders of the NNA were ridiculous and wanted to control every little detail of my project, with unlimited time restraints. This was impossible to agree upon since technology increases so rapidly these days, that, prohibited uses today could be completely desirable in 20 yrs.The representatives from the NNA also wanted the covenants assigned to themselves personally, which meant that if they were to move, they would still be in control. I simply could not agree to their outrageous requests.

In an act of Shear Frustration, I had my attorney propose that I place 9&11 Newburg Ave in the Newburg Ave. Association and let the board draft whatever covenants they wanted to, as members of the association these properties would have to abide by their rules. This meant that if they said no businesses could operate on Newburg Ave., we would have to comply. The problem was that there are already several businesses operating out of houses on Newburg Ave. That are not allowed under their current zoning. (At least one Contracting Company, a daycare provider, a Steel Fabrication Company, a Sign Manufacturing Company, a T-Shirt Printing Company, a Music Recording Studio, Multiple Music Instructors and several other businesses) The Association did not want rules that would apply to any of these businesses ONLY MINE.

The Members of the NNA stated many times that they were not trying to attack me personally; they said they actually liked the improvements that we have made so far. They said that they were concerned about future owners of the property and what they may decide to use the properties for.We tried for Months and Months to agree on which Restrictive Covenants to place on the entire property, but their real intentions were never to reach an agreement, their real motivations were to strip the houses at 9 & 11 Newburg of the appropriate zoning that they have carried for longer than anyone has been able to verify.

The end results are:

Any property owner on Newburg Ave can still request a zoning change during the comprehensive zoning process every four years. Future owners of the properties at 9 &11 will not be excluded from this process as they would have by the covenants I had recommended we put in place.

I will not be able to move ahead with the refinancing plan, improvements to the facades of 9&11 Newburg Ave will be temporarily delayed.

The businesses that occupy these buildings will be able to stay legally and other professional tenants will be able to replace them when they leave.

Thousands of dollars were wasted on legal fees, money that should have gone directly into landscaping and other improvements.

We now have a Neighborhood that has been divided, due to a few individuals’ personal crusades.

The Neighborhood would have been better served if the directors of the Association would have been willing to reach an agreement.

Feelings have been hurt and neighbors are reluctant trust one another.

The leadership of the Newburg Neighborhood Association did nothing to "Maintain and Improve" the quality of life (as their web site proclaims) in Catonsville. They only created fear, anger and hard feelings among many residents of this great town. We deserve better than that.

+++++

I have offered my opinion about the short term affect of this zoning decision and the longer term results of the actions of the NNA. .

The Newburg Ave. Association appears to be very pleased with the results of the vote, I guess they feel that the ends justify the means: Here is an excerpt from their website:

Thank You Catonsville
and
Thank You Councilman Moxley
Thank you Catonsville for responding to our call for support. Over 500 of you joined us in calling on Councilman Moxley to protect our residential community from commercial encroachment.
At the August 26th County Council meeting, the Council voted unanimously to accept Councilman Moxley's motion to down-zone the houses at #9 and #11 Newburg Avenue to ROA and to up-zone the parking lot in their backyards to BL-CCC.
ROA zoning restricts the houses to residential or office use only, and gives substantial protection to maintaining the original structures. While this does not apply to the entire property, it is a significant move to support our request - which was to protect the historic structures and maintain the residential character of Newburg Avenue.
Thank you Councilman Moxley for hearing the voices of the community and taking positive action to protect the beautiful, historic community of Catonsville.

August 23, 2008

Friday Evening August 22nd

The Sixth Frederick Road Fridays was Another Outstanding Evening!

Reality Jones provided an Evening of Excellent Music

The Weather was Great

Bud and Debbie Becker had their Collection of Rock & Roll photographs on display, these Photographs are available for sale at One World Emporium.

The Beer Garden at Jennings Cafe busy with People Enjoying the Festivities.
Young Families Gathered Together - It is Fun to Watch the Small Children
Burn Off a Little Energy - While the Parents Relish the Opportunity to Relax and Take In the
Music.
Frederick Road Fridays will be Skip a Week this Time
Don't Miss The Arts & Crafts Festival On September 7th
We will See You at The Next Frederick Rd. Fridays on September 12th
When We Welcome The Incoming Class at UMBC
The Talent Will be: The UMBC "Mama's Boys"Accapella Group and Local Rockers "Red Sammy".

August 22, 2008

UMBC 5th in U.S. News Poll



Hrabowski pleased at 'up-and-coming' rank; Hopkins 15th overall

By Stephen Kiehl Sun Reporter
August 22, 2008

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, is ranked No. 5 among "up-and-coming" national universities in the latest college rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report - a confirmation, UMBC says, of its rising reputation for research and education.The Johns Hopkins University is ranked No. 15 overall among national universities, down one notch from last year, and the University of Maryland, College Park is up a slot to No. 53 in the rankings, which have stirred disputes but still hold sway over thousands of prospective students trying to determine where to go to college.Harvard, Princeton and Yale were the top three universities in the country, respectively.UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski III said his school's recognition as an "up-and-coming" university meant it was viewed as "innovative and on the move" by the leaders of other institutions, who are surveyed for the rankings. After much publicity about the school's basketball, lacrosse and chess teams, the U.S. News ranking shows the school's academic reputation is just as strong, Hrabowski said.
"What it says to students in the state and beyond is that UMBC is highly regarded in the national academic community," he said.Among other Maryland schools, Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julie) was ranked No. 1 among up-and-coming baccalaureate colleges in the North, and Loyola College in Maryland was No. 2 among regional universities in the North. In ranking schools the magazine classified as liberal arts colleges, the U.S. Naval Academy was No. 22. St. Mary's College of Maryland was No. 84 but ranked No. 1 among liberal arts colleges that are publicly funded. Goucher College fell from No. 91 among liberal arts colleges to No. 111. Among historically black colleges, Morgan State University was No. 19 and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, No. 27.

Ribbons of Comfort Dance

Ribbons of Comfort is an organization that performs acts of compassion for cancer patients in treatment. During this difficult time they provide Fresh Fruit, Current Periodicals, DVD's, CD's, Electronic Equipment, Personal Items, Service and more to Patients Receiving Treatment.
They are a Great Group of People!
JOIN THEM FOR THEIR
CELEBRATION OF LIFE!
Featuring
APPALOOSA
October 25th
at the Catonsville Knights of Columbus
1010 Frederick Rd.
8pm - Midnight
Your $25. Ticket Price includes:
Beer, Wine & Setups
There will be a Money Wheel, Wagon of Cheer,
a Silent Auction and Door Prizes!
Call 410 455 9639 or email lbaker73@comcast.net
All Proceeds Support the Ribbons of Comfort Foundation
www.ribbonsofcomfort.org

August 20, 2008

Frederick Rd. Friday's Reality Jones



It's dancing in streets in Catonsville this Friday August 22nd!


This event will feature Live Music from 'Realty Jones'. The Free concert will take place at Egges Lane -next to the Catonsville Firehouse. The fun starts at 5:30Pm and we invite the entire family. Chairs are avalable.
Jenning's Cafe will feature a 'Beer Garden', which will stay open late! Food can be purchased from any of the restuarant in Catonsville and brought with you to enjoy while listening to the music.
So bring the kids, bring the neighbors and bring your friends.


Reality Jones is a Baltimore-based, original band fronted by singer/songwriter Tim McFadden. Tim's writing provide insightful lyrics and memorable melodies for Reality Jones to arrange and mold into well crafted, unforgettable pop/rock songs. The band is comprised of top-notch musicians, all of whom have many years of playing experience. Such a background enables them to perform a few live improvisational jams at each show, which their fans have come to enjoy. The band prides itself on exceptional instrumentation, tight harmonies, and a unique blend of personalities that all combine to keep an audience captivated.


Community Blood Drive

Catonsville Community Blood Drive Saturday Aug 23, 2008

Saturday August 23, 2008
Bloomsbury Community Center106 Bloomsbury Ave.Catonsville, MD 21228
8:00am-1:30pm

to sign up for a donation time
contact Major Doug Barth at 301-518-0046 or catonsvilleblooddrive@comcast.net

Walk-ins are always welcome.
Sponsored by
Fort McHenry Squardon, Civil Air Patrol,
Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce
Baltimore County Dept of Recreations and Parks, and
the Civil Air Patrol

Saturday Sept. 13th at Strawberry Fields

Starting at 10:00am and will end at 11:00am This is a Children’s event. The featured performer, Christine Kellar from “Dance on the Planet” will entertain the children with song and dance. Coffee will be available for the adults and juice for the children. Strawberry Fields is located behind the Catonsville Groomery and the Catonsville Gourmet ( 821-827 Frederick Road ) Bring blankets if you like, chairs will be available. http://www.danceontheplanet.com/ . This FREE Event is being Sponsored by: George Brookhart of Long & Foster Realtors



Catonsville Fall Into Fitness 5K Race


Saturday, September 27th at Mathew’s 1600 ( 1600 Frederick Rd. ). Registration starts at 7:00am and the race starts at 8:00am. Join a thousand other runners and walkers to raise funds for the St Agnes Lung Cancer Center, The St Agnes Foundation and The Rotary Club of Catonsville-Sunrise Charitable Foundation. Register online at http://www.charmcityrun.com/ or go to http://www.rotarycatonsvillesunrise.org/ .

Around the World in 20 Wines

'Wine Tasting' event featuring wines from Greece, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Australia, France, California, Portugal & Spain. Lavish Hor D' Oeurves will be served to compliment the wines. Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $40 per person at the door, Must be 21 or over.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Cost:$35 in advance, $40 at the door

Mathew's 1600
1600 Frederick RoadCatonsville, MD USA 21228

35th Annual Catonsville Arts & Crafts Festival

The Catonsville Arts & Crafts festival has something for everyone. Over 240 talented artists and crafters along with local business and civic groups join a delicious variety of food vendors to line our Frederick Road Village. We have a car show for the automotive enthusists and our famous Kidzone to entertain children of all ages. “Clowning Around” is the theme of this year’s Kidzone and will include games, the all-time favorite moon bounce, entertainment, a pie eating contest, relay races and much more.

For your listening pleasure, we have expanded our musical entertainment to include two venues, a stage next to the Fire Station on Egges Lane and one at the west end of the Festival at the corner of Frederick and Melvin Avenues. All of our bands have musicians who grew up, live or work here in Catonsville and we are sure you will delight in their talent and variety.

Come and enjoy a great day in Catonsville!!

Sunday, September 07, 2008
10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Cost:FREE

35th Annual Catonsville Arts & Crafts Festival
Frederick RoadCatonsville, MD USA 21228

"Rudy" to Speak at Cardinal Gibbons

Everyone who loves sports and underdog stories knows the popular football motion picture “Rudy”. The “real” Rudy, Dan “Rudy” Ruettiger, is now an equally popular international youth motivational speaker. People such as film star Matt Damon attribute Rudy’s encouragement for their successful attitudes. On Saturday, September 13th at 7:00pm Rudy will bring his inspirational message to the Cardinal Gibbons School. Accompanying his message will be actual film footage of the Notre Dame game that made “Rudy” a household name. Tickets are $25 with proceeds going for the benefit of the Cardinal Gibbons athletic programs. Seating is limited. For tickets and further information, call Joe Loverde at 410-788-2425 or Jim Malone at 410-207-2531.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Starts at 07:00 PM
Cost:$25
Location:
Cardinal Gibbons School
3225 Wilkens AvenueBaltimore, MD Baltimore City 21229

August 16, 2008

Farmers Markets - Catonsville


It's a growing business
Farmers' markets are 'red hot' in the city, across Md.
By Jacques Kelly Sun reporter
August 16, 2008

(Photo) At the farmers' market under the Jones Falls Expressway, Suzannah Hoffman, 8, helps out at the Richfield Farm stand. (Sun photo by Algerina Perna / August 3, 2008)

The corn's been selling out before closing time. The heirloom tomatoes disappear, too. This summer, farmers' markets have emerged as consumer-driven havens for decidedly local foods sold in a setting of tell-all candor.In a summer vexed by food safety worries and gasoline-cost anxiety, farmers' markets are mushrooming. Growers also report favorable weather conditions as boosting this summer's harvest - as well as increasing attendance. Consumers say they are shopping for price and assurances that the food comes from farms no more than about 50 miles away."I've gone from two workers at the Waverly Market to five," said Cindi Umbarger, who owns Woolsey Farm in Harford County's Churchville. "I've gone from three freezers to four. I've gone from one to two trucks."The inquiries are different as well. "I can tell all our new customers by all the questions they asked," Umbarger said. "They asked about how our animals are housed. They asked about hormones and antibiotics. They asked where our feed comes from."
Mark Powell, chief of marketing and agricultural development at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, said sales numbers are not in yet, but he is hearing that sales are up."For years, the Maryland Department of Agriculture labored in the wilderness trying to promote our local produce. All of a sudden, it's red-hot," he said. "All of the indicators say there is something going on in the minds of consumers saying, 'We want local.'"Added Vernon "Mark" Rey, president of the 32nd Street Farmers' Market in Baltimore's Waverly neighborhood: "Vendors tell me they are up 25 percent from a year ago. Some are up 50 percent."And while the customer base remains top-heavy with those seeking a quart box of ripe tomatoes or peaches, restaurateurs now shop these stalls to acquire ingredients they will later promote for their Maryland pedigree and eco-friendly status."My egg and chicken customers like the story behind the product," said Andy Bachman of Fallston, who has doubled the number of eggs he typically sells on a busy Saturday. "They want that local product, and they are willing to pay for it. There is a real interest in and appreciation of the egg."One way to measure the increased attraction is by the number of markets. The state reports that in 2004, Maryland had 72 farmers' markets, up from 30 a decade earlier. Last year, there were 74 markets; this year, there are 84. The Baltimore area now has 10 markets from Catonsville to Dundalk.The statistics translate into a half-day beehive of activity when the farmers arrive with their loaded trucks, collapsible tables and green shade umbrellas."The only reason I haven't been selling out earlier is that I've been bringing so much more," said Joseph Bartenfelder, who sells produce at his Preston farm on the Eastern Shore and is also a member of the Baltimore County Council. "I think people are staying closer to home this summer and that that they are scared by all the produce shipped in over great distances."While Baltimore's principal farmers' market opened downtown on a Sunday in the 1970s, its typical audience - sandwiched under the Jones Falls Expressway - has enlarged this season. Its organizers say that it has been crowded since opening this year in June.As bells at the nearby Zion Lutheran Church call worshipers to service, market shoppers overlook the gritty setting under the highway to spend a couple of hours lining up for coffee and breakfast items. The tote bags bulge with fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and plants. This sprawling market stretches from Gay Street northward.The downtown market's organizers note increased numbers of downtown dwellers residing in the Harbor East and other adjacent areas, but they also credit other issues."People are aware of the carbon footprint," said Carole Simon, who coordinates the Downtown Farmers' Market. "They look at a tomato and know it was just picked off a vine and that it was not gassed to make it appear red."Organizers say food safety is driving the success of the markets."I simply feel very comfortable shopping here because everything is fresh," said Juanita Sowell, who lives in Charles Village and walks to the Waverly market. "You know what you are getting."Janna Howley, whose Farmfresh group organizes markets in Washington's Dupont Circle, as well as St. Michaels, Annapolis and Silver Spring, says her organization counts attendance - which is not done in Baltimore. In 2006, her markets attracted 150,000. Last year, attendance increased to 170,000.Participants at the Waverly market, open for five hours Saturday mornings, see this summer as a boom year.
"Our sales this summer are almost double what they were last year," Umbarger said this week. "After a national ground beef scare last winter, I sold more ground beef than ever. I almost ran out."She said she and her suppliers - a Jarrettsville natural honey producer and a free-range chicken raiser - meet to discuss what new items customers might buy. They are talking about adding beeswax candles."The more we hear about food security and contamination issues, the better it is for markets like ours," said her sister-in-law, Kate Dallam, an owner of Broom's Bloom Dairy in the Fountain Green section of Harford County."The perception of farmers' markets used to be you could get seasonal, local produce for less money. Now, there is a change. Customers think you can get really good, safe products in general. They like that," Dallam said.

"The whole idea of manufactured food is a nightmare," said Brande Meese of Bolton Hill as she shopped at the Waverly market. "The idea of buying local is a natural. It makes perfect sense - the less you have to trek.""I can't tell why we're getting more customers," said Dave Hochheimer, a Lineboro orchard owner. "Sales are so fast that we don't have time to talk.""It's a way to stay in farming when so much in the agricultural business is stacked against you," said Chris Reid of Buchanan Valley Orchard. "These markets give farmers a viable livelihood and bring more buyers fresh produce."Chris Reid, the second generation of his family to grow fruit, said, "One of our philosophies has been to diversify. We look at what people are asking for. We listen to what people say they had as kids."In this regard, he offers certain items such as two varieties of gooseberries (used by Baltimore chef Spike Gjerde at his Woodberry Kitchen) and red and black currants. Throughout the year, he picks strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches and apples. He also grows 10 varieties of plums."It's always a busy time of the year when you have peaches and tomatoes," said Kevin Tuckey, a farmer from Biglersville, Pa., who traveles to Towson's Allegheny Avenue weekly for that community's farmers' market.Customers are realizing this summer that they had best get to farmers' markets well before the posted closing hours."I'm disappointed," said Freya Sonenstein as she looked at an empty truck that earlier had been full of corn. "It's all gone."jacques.kelly@baltsun.com

Partial list of farmers' markets Baltimore
Saratoga Street between Holliday and Gay streets, under the JFX Viaduct, 8 a.m. to noon Sundays until Oct. 25.
Harbor East - 1600 Lancaster St., between South Exeter Street and Central Avenue, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 25.
Waverly - East 32nd and Barclay streets, 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays, all yearSuburbs
Towson - Allegheny Avenue between York Road and Washington Avenue: 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 20; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 22 (Allegheny Avenue at Washington Avenue)
Carroll County - Smith Avenue and Carroll County Agricultural Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 6.
Howard County - 6600 Cradlerock Way, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 20
Bel Air - Mary Risteau Building, parking lot, 2 S. Bond St., 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays through Oct. 25; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 28.
The Catonsville Farmer's Market is held in the parking lot at the Bloomsbury Center. The market is open from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. every Wednesday until late November.

August 15, 2008

Catonsville Times Article



















Neighbors upset by plans for houses on Newburg Avenue
Property already zoned for office use
By Marcia Amesmames@patuxent.com
Posted 8/13/08



Craig Witzke's request for small-scale commercial zoning at 9 and 11 Newburg Ave. has turned "terribly stressful" for him, the Catonsville developer said last week.
So many people called his Catonsville home since late July to complain about the request that his attorney was advising him not to comment, Witzke told the Times.
Almost 100 people had contacted 1st District Councilman Sam Moxley's Catonsville office by e-mail or phone between July 25 and Aug. 8 to discuss the issue, said Moxley aide Bryan Sheppard.
Most seemed eager to save the late Allan Muir's home at 11 Newburg Ave., unaware that no one has lived there since Witzke bought the property in 2006, Sheppard said.
Both 9 and 11 Newburg Ave. have been zoned for offices for more than a decade, Sheppard said.
Witzke said he intends to preserve the houses at 9 and 11 Newburg, but wants the zoning change because it would enable him to refinance a loan for the properties.
Sheppard and Witzke each said they were surprised by the sudden widespread concern regarding an issue that has been on the proverbial table for several months.
More than 500 people have signed a petition asking Moxley to recommend residential use for the properties, which combined are approximately 1 acre. The petition was sponsored by the 14-household Newburg Neighborhood Association.
At least 268 of the signatures were collected online beginning July 25, after association president Colin Flynn and his wife, Marie, announced the petition in an e-mail to "Catonsville Friends."
That e-mail, which was forwarded July 25 to the Times, included a statement that Sheppard interpreted as misleading, and Colin Flynn described last week as "overly strong."
"We are not attempting to mislead anybody in anyway," Flynn said of the e-mail.
The statement in question read: "If these properties are changed to commercial zoning, any of the stores you find on Route 40 could replace the current structures."
An examination of Baltimore County's online zoning maps, however, showed that about 90 percent of the commercial properties fronting on Route 40 in Catonsville have more permissive commercial zoning than the small-scale commercial designation Witzke has requested for 9 and 11 Newburg Ave.
"Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to proofread it and I mistyped 'any‚' instead of 'many‚' in the sentence about Route 40 stores," Marie Flynn wrote in an Aug. 8 e-mail to the Times.
She noted sending a corrected version on July 25 that changed the statement to read: "If these properties are changed to commercial zoning, then in the future someone could replace these houses with the kinds of buildings and stores that you find on Route 40."
The Times did not receive the corrected version until Aug. 8.
The zoning Witzke has requested allows retail stores, restaurants, banks, taverns and medical clinics.
He would need special zoning relief to use the property as a carwash, service garage, hotel, motel, funeral home or theater.
He would not say what the plans are for those properties.
Newburg Neighborhood Association representatives testified March 4 before the Planning Board against Witzke's zoning request for 9 and 11 Newburg Ave.
In addition, they said they wanted both properties downzoned from residential office to strictly residential.
The Planning Board recommended that Witzke's request be approved, contingent on his reaching a restrictive agreement with the neighborhood association on how the properties could be developed.
At the County Council hearing for District 1 on June 18, a Newburg association representative testified that the agreement was still pending; Witzke testified that his attorney was working on it.
Last week, Witzke said he thought an agreement was "very close" to being completed.
He said he had agreed to prohibit the presence of a liquor store or tavern, a fast-food restaurant or a gas station.
"I am willing to file papers attached to the deed that certain things could never happen," he said.
"There is no agreement at this time," Colin Flynn said Aug. 8.
Earlier this summer, Moxley said he would accept written testimony on 1st District issues through the end of July.
Because of the apparent confusion surrounding the issue of 9 and 11 Newburg Ave., he probably would accept testimony through mid-August, Sheppard said.
Witzke's request was one of more than 570 that were filed last fall in Baltimore County's 2008 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process.
Of that total, 62 requests, or issues, were aimed at properties in the 1st District, which includes Catonsville, Oella and part of Woodlawn, as well as Arbutus, Halethorpe, Lansdowne, Riverview and Baltimore Highlands.
Conducted every four years, the CZMP is the main process for changing allowed uses on properties in the county.
It includes a Planning Board hearing in each of the seven council districts, followed by a County Council hearing in each district.
The County Council, which has the final say, is scheduled to vote Aug. 26.
But it must have all issues decided and proposed as legislation beforehand.

August 14, 2008

Small Black Bear Captured in Arbutus!

Tranquilizer gun used to quell animal that had roamed area

By Kevin Rector Sun Reporter
August 14, 2008

A young male black bear that had been spotted for more than a week in the Arbutus-Halethorpe area of Baltimore County was captured last night after Department of Natural Resources police shot it with a tranquilizer gun as it roamed in the backyard of a house in Arbutus.The 1 1/2 -year-old, 100-pound bear ran a short distance after being hit, then collapsed as the drug took effect in the 5200 block of Larlin Road, not far from the Beltway. The animal was not injured.After being examined, the bear was placed in a circular bear-capture cage, doused with water and transported by DNR vehicle to the more isolated wilds of Western Maryland, where it was to be released.The bear had made its way from St. Mary's County and through Calvert and Anne Arundel counties in the past few weeks and was spotted yesterday in the Arbutus area, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Dozens of sightingsThe agency received calls from dozens of residents who reported seeing the bear, officials said.Before the animal was captured last night, Paul Peditto, director of the department's Wildlife and Heritage Service, said he and four other DNR employees were in Arbutus yesterday to investigate the reports and look for the bear. Peditto said they confirmed a sighting near Southwestern Boulevard and Selma Avenue.
Not a threatThe bear "isn't an animal that's creating a threat just by its mere presence," but DNR officials would use lethal force if it became an imminent threat to people, Peditto said. Dozens of bears each year travel through areas of the state that they don't commonly inhabit, but "not normally this close to Baltimore City," he said.The bear is "probably a little over a year old and is looking for his home territory," Olivia Campbell, a department spokeswoman, said earlier yesterday."What happens with bears is that their mothers kick them out of their den, and they need to go find their own home range," she said.Bears can travel up to 30 miles a day, she said.Campbell said the bear had been traveling along river corridors and could have come across the Potomac River from Virginia. Last week, the bear was spotted in Shady Side in Anne Arundel County "very early in the morning enjoying an apple from an apple tree in someone's front yard," Campbell said

August 13, 2008

Whatever Happened to...Ron Swoboda?

By Jacques Kelly
Baltimore Sun
August 9, 2008
Former New York Mets right fielder Ron Swoboda will be visiting Baltimore this weekend to spend some time with his father at the family home on Lakeview Avenue in Sparrows Point.Swoboda, 64, is now a television color commentator for the New Orleans Zephyrs, the New York Mets triple-A farm club. He retired from professional baseball in 1973 and was a television sportscaster in New York before moving to New Orleans, where he also did 20 years of local TV sports."I try to relieve myself of overt Baltimorese, but it comes out after a couple of beers," he said of the local accent.He's been married to the former Cecilia Hanna of Bel Air for nearly 43 years and has a son, Brian, who lives in Stewartstown, Pa. Another son, Ron Jr., lives in Metairie, La.
Swoboda, a graduate of Sparrows Point High School, started playing baseball as a 9-year-old in the Edgemere Little League. He advanced to Sterling "Sheriff" Fowble's teams in Patterson, Herring Run and Clifton parks. At age 18, Swoboda played on the Dolphin Club. At 19, he played on Leone's Boys' Club at Swann Park in South Baltimore, where his coach was Walter Youse, an Orioles scout.In 1963, the summer after his first year at the University of Maryland, he played in a Johnstown, Pa., tournament and was offered a New York Mets contract. He signed as a right fielder and had a role in the Mets' defeat of the Orioles in the exciting 1969 World Series when he made a ninth-inning, Game Four catch - he was almost horizontal to the ground - on a hit from Brooks Robinson. "I got to play in Memorial Stadium in front of my family," he said. "And Brooks was always one of my personal heroes and my idol.""Swoboda is the personification of the Mets - exciting, unpolished, unpredictable, a little brash and young," a 1965 Sun profile said. Legendary Mets manager Casey Stengel added to the image by referring to him as "Suhboda" and saying he "wouldn't sell Suhboda for half a million dollars."

This article has been published on this blog, for the many people that have asked about him.

On the Lighter Side!

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