July 4th Information - Catonsville Parade, Fireworks and Other Events

In 1947, the community of Catonsville held it's first Independence Day Parade. Today preparation for the parade is a year long endeavor. Throughout the year, the Catonsville Celebrations Committee holds several fundraisers, including the always popular "Catonsville Prom" a dance at the Armory on Mellor Avenue. For the last several years the Catonsville Celbrations Committee has produced and sold T-Shirts as a very popular fundraiser. This year the T-Shirt's commemorate our quirky tradition of lining the Parade Route with chairs days in advance. In the 1950's a fireworks display was added. Today, it is one of the most popular displays in the region, attracting more than 60,000 people each year.

2008 Catonsville July 4th Schedule of Events

9:30 AM Children's Games and Races Catonsville High School corner of Rolling and Valley Road -Decorated Bike Contest, Lollipop Scramble, Quarter Hunt, Ball on Spoon Race, Shoe Scramble, Leapfrog, Wheelbarrow and Sack Races, Water Balloon Toss for all ages.

Prizes for the winners!!Boys & Girls events to be divided among children in four age groups.

2-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-13 years

Sponsored by the Men's Civic Association, Catonsville Recreation and Parks and Association of Government Accountants

11:00 AM American Music Concert Christian Temple5820 Edmondson Avenue at Academy Road Concert is free and open to the public. Call 410-747-2041

3:00 PM 62nd Annual Grand Parade Starts at Frederick Road and Montrose Avenue, proceed east on Frederick Road to Bloomsbury Avenue, south on Bloomsbury Avenue to the Community Center. 12 marching bands including the Ravens Marching Band and the crowd favorite, the Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band.

2008 Grand Marshal is Tom Connor, a 50 year volunteer on the Catonsville Celebrations Committee. Parade will be held rain or shine.

6:30 PM Catonsville High School Pre-Fireworks Musical Salute

9:00 PM Color Guard Tribute

9:15 PM Mammoth Fireworks Display

*Catonsville High School*

Rain Date Saturday, July 5, 2008

For more information. Including information on how you can volunteer or Purchase a Commemorative T- Shirt

Visit the Catonsville Celebrations New Web Site

http://catonsvillecelebrations.org/

Frederick Road Fridays - June 27, 2008

Well it is half past midnight and I am returning home to voicemail and emails from people stating- the second Frederick Rd Fridays had been canceled. It is a good thing that we didn't hear that earlier - we might not have stayed.

I must admit, we did have a change of plans, but, hey this is Music City Maryland and we showed up to hear some Music!

The unexpected 45 minute downpour may have dumped more than an inch of rain on Catonsville, but, it didn't dampen our Spirits.

Although we were all disappointed that Automatic Slim didn't perform his famous Chicago Blues Style Music. The promoters felt that it was more important to be safe and not use all of that electrical equipment around all of that water! Automatic Slim and his band mates thought it would be a better idea to hang out with the crowd at Jennings and remain alive. After all they do have a Wednesday night performance at the Cat's Eye Pub in Fells Point. (See you there).

I would like to thank everyone who helped us regroup, especially Tom Ward from ABC Rental who helped us move alot of stuff very quickly.

Brian Kelum, once again, showed us that the staff of Record & Tape Traders are an important part of the Community.We are lucky that Record & Tape Traders will be staying in Catonsville.

The Beer Garden at Jenning's Cafe had live Music Scheduled to start after the Main Act. So when the rain stopped, Nick appeared early - Live From Bill's House of Music. Nick, a talented guitar player who started his set early kept us entertained. He was a real crowd pleaser, especially with his version of America's- Horse with No Name.

Michelle, the cute and perky Barrister from the Coffee Junction turned out to be quite an entertainer - who would have known that a female banjo player, who sings Barbara Streisand songs would be such a hit. I will be looking for her original song "Catonsville" to appear on you tube, in the near future.

While I was very glad to see UMBC students show up to support the event and patronize Jennings, I know that they were even happier to see the Coor's Light girls show up to hand out swag and buy beers at the bar.

Things really took an unexpected turn when Brian Higgins, of Bill's Music, brought over the Karaoke machine. Karaoke under the Stars at Jennings Beer Garden - who would ever expect that?

And, although I have heard the gang from Rolling Road Golf Club sing Karaoke before, I had not heard Tessa, Jenning's newest hostess or Janine from a Piece of Sunshine, who along with my beautiful wife each sang a variety of favorites.

As far as Brian singing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", or Omar's Rendition of Joan Jett's - I Love Rock and Roll- Apologies are in order to that poor dog, I hope his hearing returns soon. I understand that his owner may be looking for a good dog psychiatrist!

If You missed Brian or Omar, don't worry, because I am sure that you will be able to hear both of them, long before you ever hear me sing again!

Thanks to everyone who helped recover from the weather situation, all of the people that showed up looking for entertainment sure found it tonight. After all this is Catonsville and as the saying goes "The Show Must Go On".

We will see you in two weeks at Frederick and Egges. Along with Musical Guests - Blue Streak. Good Night. Craig

Frederick Road Fridays Information -- THIS IS BIG!

Appaloosa has just been confirmed for the August 8th Frederick Rd. Friday's.
Any one that was a teenager in South West Baltimore County during the 1970's or 1980's will remember this group.
It is rumored that Appaloosa played every Teen Night, Pool Party, Prom and School dance during those two decades!

Appaloosa was born in early 1971 with original members Chuck Ansell - keyboards, Mike Flaherty - drums, Frank Frazier - bass and Jimmy Neeson on guitar. In 1977, Rob Finecey replaced Jim Neeson. His tenure lasted from 1977 - 1982 while giving the band excellent vocals, lead guitar, and songwriting. Larry Neeson joined the group in 1978 as the main lead guitarist, making the band five members. He stayed until '82 when the band went part time. The original vision of a full vocal band with steady playing of songs during their performance all the while pleasing the crowd with their party atmosphere is still with Appaloosa today. After a great 24 years with the group, Joe Cowman, lead vocalist and second guitar/keys had a career opportunity and re-located out of the area with his family. The current line-up now has Gordon Holder on guitar, Tony Cesenaro on bass and the dynamic vocals of Sharon Donovan. Accenting the sound, Appaloosa is proud to have Marc Pena, AKA Midnight Marc, as part of the team since 1999 doing sound and providing outstanding DJ music. Stability and professionalism strike deep into the core of the band’s existence even to this day.It's a good chance Appaloosa played your prom, school dance, CYO/Teen Center, social function, favorite night club and maybe even some of the readers' weddings over the years. Appaloosa takes pride in providing a first rate performance and being a strong dance band. This group still kicks!
http://appaloosaband.net/bio.htm

Source Of Imports - Important to Shop

Alexey Mernaugh, shown holding a basket from Tanzania, and his father, Larry, own the One World Emporium in Strawberry Fields that sells only free trade-certified items from around the world. (Photo by Don Watkins)

By Scott Weybrightsweybright@patuxent.com

Consumers concerned that goods they buy may have been made in sweat shop conditions or were the product of other unfair labor practices in foreign countries won't have such worries shopping in a small store set back from Frederick Road.
The One World Emporium, in a former carriage house behind the Catonsville Gourmet restaurant, features only fair trade items hand-made by native artisans, according to store owner Larry Mernaugh.
The items include woven baskets from Tanzania, Uganda and Cameroon; wind chimes from Indonesia and the Philippines, and even small teddy bears from Sri Lanka, among other products from around the globe.
Mernaugh, 62, gets his products from A Greater Gift, a program run by a nonprofit alternative trade and development organization called SERRV International.
The organization -- Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation -- sells fair trade items such as coffee and chocolates from around the world.
It started A Greater Gift to handle the hand crafts portion of the business.
One World, which opened in May, had been located in York, Pa. for about a year.
Mernaugh said he closed that store in April 2007 because it was losing money.
The Catonsville resident said he met with developer Craig Witzke last year and decided to try again in Witzke's Strawberry Fields complex, where Catonsville Gourmet is located.
Mernaugh's son, Alexey, 19, is a co-owner and runs the store most of the time while his father works full-time as a psychotherapist in Baltimore.
"We certainly won't get rich with this type of enterprise," Larry Mernaugh said.
"It's just about appealing to people's sense of social conscience and supporting fair trade and helping others."
Witzke said he wanted a store that focused on issues beyond profit, especially after hearing from local churches that asked for a store selling fair trade items to be part of the commercial area on Frederick Road.
"I thought it was a perfect fit for what we were trying to achieve," Witzke said.
Mernaugh said he hopes to branch into other areas, such as environmentally friendly products, in the future.
Buying fair trade or green merchandise provides a dual sense of satisfaction for shoppers, he said.
"It's an opportunity to buy something for yourself and at the same time help others," Mernaugh said. "We weren't trying to burden people or ask people to go above and beyond what they already do."
Mernaugh, who has been married to wife Pamala for 25 years, also wanted to include items made in Catonsville, so he's working with artists to display their works in his store.
Currently, works by Marty Spence and Lori Mellendick are available.
Mernaugh said he hopes to add more in the future.
The store is open Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

CMCA Raffle Winner

The Catonsville Men's Civc Association held their 4th Annual Raffle Last Night at G.L. Shacks in Catonsville. This year's winner, Mimi Everson, will have Front Row, Stadium seating for herself and 25 of her friends right across the street from the Judges Station. Mimi and her friends will enjoy Cold Beverages, donated by Gregory Morgan and his Family. CMCA will use the proceeds from this raffle to fund many community based activities.

We would Like to Thank Our Sponsors:

Tacka Motors

L. Brent Johnson of ReMax Reality

G.L. Shack's of Catonsville

To learn more about CMCA and the many activites that we support please visit our website at: www.CMCA-MD.org

Benefit Concert Strikes Chord with Organizer

Founder, coordinator sees benefit show into its 9th year

By Scott Weybrightsweybright@patuxent.com

The benefit concert "Iampsfest" has become such an institution on Edmondson Avenue near the Baltimore City line that those living nearby are accustomed to one day of loud music.
That wasn't always the case.
"In the beginning, there (were) a few angry neighbors," said Steve Iampieri, founder and coordinator of the annual event which began in 2000. "But they learned to cooperate and realized what a good cause it was."
He said he gives nearby residents plenty of warning and puts them on a guest list to get in free.
The ninth all-day concert will be held Saturday, June 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The 12 bands will perform throughout the day in an open field across the street from Iampieri's Westway Lounge and Bar at 5320 Edmondson Ave., which Iampieri's family has owned since 1950.
Iampieri, 38, started the concert in 2000 to benefit Mosaic Community Services, then known as ReVisions Behavioral Health Systems.
Today, proceeds from the event go to two separate college scholarship funds, one in memory of Iampieri's friend Bill Chupka Jr. and the other in memory of his sister, Michele "Mickie" Iampieri.
This year, three Catonsville High School graduates each received a $1,000 scholarship to attend the Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville from the William Chupka Jr. Scholarship Fund.
Chupka committed suicide in 1999 and Iampieri, a Catonsville resident, started the concert to raise awareness for depression and suicide prevention.
Chupka was a student at CCBC, so Iampieri said Chupka's family wanted to help other Catonsville students planning to attend the college.
The fund has given out $15,000 in scholarships to Catonsville High School students over the years, Iampieri said.
The other scholarship goes to an incoming student at Philadelphia University, formerly known as the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, where Mickie Iampieri planned to study fashion design.
Mickie Iampieri, then a senior at Mt. Hebron High School in Howard County, died in a traffic accident in February 2006.
But for Steve Iampieri, the concert isn't about the loss of family and friends.
"It's a celebration of life and we try to tell people to live your life to the fullest, not knowing when somebody's going to be taken," Iampieri said.
The concert mixes 12 national and regional acts throughout the day.
Tickets for the event cost $14 in advance and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the family bar.
Tickets cost $20 at the gate.
Iampieri said the event, plus a bull and oyster roast hosted each year by Bill Chupka Sr., has raised over $20,000 in nine years.

Mark* Friday June 27th*on Your Calender!

Get Your Bad Self Ready for the next Frederick Rd. Fridays event!
LaChica Records Recording Artist AUTOMATIC SLIM will be the playing the Vibrant, Rhythmic, Chicago Blues that he has been famous for, since his arrival in town in 1986.

Dave Carreon, better known as "Automatic Slim" plays up and down the East Coast from New York to Richmond and has been a headliner at the Baltimore Blues Festival, Artscape, The Frederick Blues Festival, The Bay Music Festival.

If you enjoy listening to Live Music in Ellicott City or Fell's Point you probably already know Automatic Slim. Automatic Slim is a regular at the Cat's Eye Pub and Bare Bones.

You can click on the following link to hear a Music Sample.
http://www.automaticslim.com/index.html

Lurman Woodland Theatre

2008 Summer Concert Series

All Shows begin at 6PM

Sat June 28 Carey Zigler's Expensive Hobby

Sun June 29 The Bayside Big Band

Sun July 6 Jambulay

Sat July 12 Carl Filipiak and The Jimi Jazz Band

Sun July 13 Junkyard Saints

Sat July 19 The 8 Ohms Band

Sun July 20 The Deanna Bogart Band

Sat July 26 Reality Jones

Sun July 27 The Heart of Maryland Barbershop Chorus

Sat Aug 2 Open Mic Nite

Sun Aug 3 The Karyn Oliver Band

Sat Aug 9 Big Daddy Stallings & B-Town Bluez Band

Sun Aug 10 Project Natale

Sat Aug 16 Shake the Ground

Sun Aug 17 SPECIAL TIME 12-5pm Bluegrass Jam

6PM Blue Daze

Sat Aug 23 Baltimore Songwriters Association Showcase

Sun Aug 24 Columbia Concert Band

Sat Aug 30 Richard Walton Group

Sun Aug 31 Karen Collins & The Backroads Band

Iampsfest

On June 28th at 11:00am Gates will open for the 9th Annual Iampsfest.
These Events are held on the Lawn at 5301 Edmondson Ave.
to Benefit the William Chupka Jr.

and the Michelle "Mickie" Iampieri

scholarship Funds.

This Years Lineup Includes:
Jeff Coulson
A Stone's Throw
Kelly Bell Band
Unity Reggae
Shoot For Tuesday
Eric Macek
Lloyd Dobbler Effect
Gypsy Dawg
Brothers From Another
Shook
Can't Hang
Three Fifth's

Tickets are $20 at the Gate or you can get your tickets in advance for $14. through Ticket Master at Record and Tape Traders or Iampieri's Bar and at http://www.iampsfest.com/

For More Information email steve@sjvent.com or call 410-491-0338.

FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHTS

The Y of Central Maryland is hosting Outdoor Movie Nights this Summer at the Catonsville Family Center. Bring the Family for a relaxing evening of entertainment and fun!

The Movies are FREE!!
They are Rated G.
Concessions - Pizza *Hot Dogs* Snowballs* Popcorn- Open at 7pm

Dates: July 26th and August 23rd
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: Catonsville Family Y Center
850 S. Rolling Road

Rain Dates August 1st and 28th
For more information call 410-747-9622

Frederick Road Fridays - The First Night Exceeded Everyone's Expectations!

Well, It is June 14. And Last night was The First of the Frederick Rd. Friday's events.

The Weather was Perfect. The Band was Great. And everyone had an Excellent Time.

Over 400 People Participated in The Festivities, Many Stayed and Patronized the Local Businesses for Hours after the Music Stopped.

The Beer Garden at Jenning's Cafe was a Huge Success!

The Businesses that stayed open have reported that they had good nights and are looking forward to more customers during the upcoming events.



I would like to thank the following people:

George Brookhart
Teal Cary
Emory Knode
Jeff Mohler
Cathy Schneider
Jeff Utzinger
Eric Ebersole
These are the People from the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce that made it all happen!





These Free Events Would not be Possible without the help of our Sponsors:

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

Jenning's Cafe

The Columbia Bank



Please be sure to Patronize these businesses and Thank Them for supporting Catonsville's Frederick Rd. Fridays.

Frederick Road Fridays - 2008 Schedule

All Shows are 5:30pm - 7:30PM
See You There!



June 27 -Automatic Slim
July 11 –Blue Streak
July 25 –Bill Dickson & MTT

August 8 –TBA

August 22 –Reality Jones

September 12 -TBA

Catonsville's July 4th Schedule of Events

9:30 am Children's Games & Races
(High School Grounds - Valley Road Parking Lot)

11:00 am Christian Temple Concert
5820 Edmondson Ave.
Call 410-747-2041 for more information

3:00 pm 62nd Annual Parade
Frederick Rd. (starts at Montrose Ave ends at Bloomsbury)

6:30pm Catonsville High School Pre- Fireworks Musical Salute

9:00pm Color Guard Tribute

9:15pm FIREWORKS DISPLAY
at the High School
(Rain Date Saturday July 5th)

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith Visits Site of Catonsville's Frederick Rd. Fridays

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith met with George Brookhart -President of The Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce and Craig Witzke to show his support of Frederick Rd. Fridays.

The Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce Will be Hosting a Series of Outdoor Events this Summer. These Free Events are Called Frederick Road Fridays and will kick off Friday June 13, 2008 from 5:30pm- 7:30pm at Egges Lane and Frederick Rd. (Next door to the Santa House). There will be Live Musical Entertainment and Fun for the entire Family.The Retail Shops along Frederick Rd have been asked stay open later on these Evenings and have promotions, such as sidewalk sales. Some of the local restaurants will be offering specials on these evenings, so plan on staying around after the Music Stops!

These Free Events Could not be Possible without the help of our Sponsors:

Record & Tape Traders

U.M.B.C.

George Brookhart -Long & Foster Real Estate

Appalachian Bluegrass Shop

Molher and Gary Realtors

Edible Arrangements

Catonsville Optical

Peace of Sunshine

The Collectors Edge

Jenning's Cafe

The Columbia Bank
McFarland & Masters LLP
Jenning's Cafe
Catonsville Groomery
Whalen Properties
Object's Found
Disabled Sports - USA
Cary Creative Design
Duesenberg's - An American Cafe & Grill
ABC Rental

Schedule

(All Events Are Sceduled From 5:30pm -7:30PM)

Friday June 13 "The Al Reisinger Band" (featuring Lynn Alonso)
June 27 -Automatic Slim

July 11 -Blue Streak

July 25 -Bill Dickson & MTT
August 8 -TBA
August 22 -Reality Jones
September 12 -TBA

Officials Meet For Summit On School Violence

Baltimore Sun June 3, 2008

CATONSVILLE, Md. -- Educators, community leaders, police and religious leaders met Tuesday at the University of Maryland Baltimore County campus for a summit on school safety.
Tuesday's gathering was organized by State School Superintendent Nancy Grasmick and Rep. Elijah Cummings to come up with ideas to combat school violence. It came just two months after a high school art teacher in Baltimore was attacked by a student. The attack was recorded on a camera phone.
About 300 guests were invited to attend the event, including national experts on urban teens and youth violence. The keynote speaker was Ivan Juzang, founder and president of MEE Productions, Inc., a group that looks at social, health and educational issues that impact low-income communities throughout the country.
Juzang said that Maryland school officials need to being "trying to understand the communications culture of young people and understanding what they're bring into the classroom setting. The more you understand that, the more you can anticipate the arguments or issues they're bringing into the classroom. It better prepares you to encounter and ultimately deal with issues that may arise."
Grasmick explained that one of their first goals is to actually establish a definition of school safety and let teachers and administrators know that they have options.
"Teachers need to feel like they have power to control this, with an understanding and a communication with these students," she said.
Cummings said parents are also an important component to ending school violence. He said there is only so much that can be legislated or created by policy to deal with the violence.
"This is not a problem that we can just limit to the school system. We've got to reach into our community and make sure that we -- all partners -- are part of trying to work with our young people," Cummings said.
"Parents need help. I do believe some need help in raising their children. As the police chief said, parents are 30, the grandparent is 45 and the great grandparent is 60. Some of these parents don't have parenting skills, and that will probably be a training workshop that needs to happen," said Marietta English of the Baltimore teacher's union.