Sun:
"Most impressively, of the eight serious crime categories, seven have seen a decrease," [County Executive Jim] Smith said, referring to the first six months of this year. "Rape has decreased by 6.2 percent, robbery by 8.5 percent, aggravated assault by 2.5 percent, burglary by 5.8 percent, and motor vehicle theft and arson, each have decreased by 15.8 percent." --more
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Crime is down in Baltimore County
Flu's arrived; have you had shots?
Sun: It's here: Laboratory tests have detected the state's first seasonal flu virus in a sample taken from a sick child in the Baltimore area, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. --more
Educators ask legislators not to cut spending on schools
Sun: Worried that the Maryland General Assembly might decide to cut school funding during this economic downturn, education advocates urged legislators yesterday not to balance the budget by reducing money for education.
The governor has not proposed any reductions recently, but advocates held a news conference asking legislators not to make any changes in the money schools receive under the Thornton funding formula passed in 2002. --more
Monday, November 17, 2008
Is the recession affecting your family?
The news is, understandably, filled with stories of economic hardship. I'm curious about how our community is doing in this down turn.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Meeting on future of schools in Towson area
The Central Area Education Advisory Council will hold a meeting Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Pot Spring Elementary in Timonium to discuss proposed additions to elementary schools, the affect of BRAC and other issues.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Did you change your smoke-detector batteries at the time change?
I just read a horrible story about a toddler dying in a rowhouse fire yesterday and it occurred to me I hadn't replaced the batteries in our smoke detectors in a while. Here's a list of fire-safety info, too.
Saturday is "America Recycles Day"
America Recycles Day (ARD), November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 11th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. Through America Recycles Day, the National Recycling Coalition supports local communities and raises awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling. Volunteer America Recycles Day coordinators are positioned throughout the country and work to organize recycling awareness events in their schools and communities, and in conjunction with their local municipalities. -more details
Ginger-Sesame salad dressing
I found this recipe online for Ginger-Sesame dressing and it is the best. I put it on spinach salad with a little parm and it is so good. Just an FYI.
Towson Rec football game
Towson Rec says: 8-10 advances to the semi-finals (for the first time ever) with their stunning win at North Harford!!!! Now our 8-10 Towson Spartans will take on Loch Raven on SATURDAY, NOV. 15 AT 1PM at Loch Raven Rec at Taylor Ave. across Loch Raven Blvd (this is a schedule change!). Come out and make some noise for our brethren! Air horns, noisemakers, cow bells. Bring 'em all. This one is for the show!!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
recalls
1. JA-RU Recalls Toy Trains Due To Choking Hazard (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
2. Swim 'N Score Dive Sticks Recalled by Modell's Due to Risk of Impalement Injury to Children (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
3. Cobra Electronics Recalls Children's Two-Way Radios with Rechargeable Batteries Due to Chemical Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively in Toys "R" Us Stores (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
I think I'm Miss Hannigan
So we had a perfect storm here recently of my daughter being sick, my son acting like he had cotton in his ears, me with too much work to do and not enough sleep, my husband out of town, and a house that was in disarray. I was not a happy mom.
Then I rented the movie "Annie" for my kids and I watched the beginning with Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan, screaming at the girls to get the banisters gleaming. I looked at my kids sideways to see if they'd say, "Hey, she sounds like you!" They didn't, but I felt pretty bad. (In my defense, I don't walk around with a bottle of vodka. I mix it with cranberry juice and sip it nicely from a glass.) Do you ever feel like this, or is it just me?
"Grinch" is at the Hippodrome
Sun: The first national tour of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! officially opens tonight at the Hippodrome Theatre (after two preview performances), when a cast of two-dozen performers shuffles across the stage in red, pointy-toed Who shoes. - more
Head of FDIC speaks at Hopkins on Nov. 20
Chairman Sheila Bair's topic is "Today's Credit Crisis and the Involvement of the FDIC." Details here.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Seminar on children and play
Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at the Waldorf School
Fall Speaker Series: Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkof, author
Dr. Golinkof, the author of award-winning "Einstein Never Used Flash Cards" and newly published "Mandate for Playful Learning in Preschool: Presenting the Evidence," will present "How Play Motivates Children's Academic and Social Development." Cost is $5.00 at the door.
Location: 2nd Floor, Eurythmy Room of the Tamarind Building. Click for directions
Village Co-op for Tots open house
The Village Co-op for Tots Open House
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7-9 p.m.
at Loch Raven Rec. Ctr. on Glen Keith Blvd.
"Learn more about this unique non-profit parent cooperative preschool for ages 3 and 4 at our open house. Visit Village Co-op Tots or call 410-887-5309."
Parent discussion groups, play groups starting up
Here's some info from the store Bediboo in Lauraville:
Starts this Friday, November 14th.
Please let us know if you are thinking of coming and tell your friends!
Fridays 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Parenting Article Discussion
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Open Playgroup
This group is for parents of children any age.
The first hour is dedicated to reading and discussing a parenting related article (typically a reprint of a past Mothering Magazine article, something from Dr. Sears, etc.). Occasionally we will have a guest speaker. Please note that some of these parenting topics can be very sensitive in nature and focused on attachment parenting and natural family living, so please come prepared to learn and share your experiences.
The second hour and a half is playtime! If can not come to the first portion then please wait until the second half of the group to come, as to not disturb the ongoing discussion.
This Friday we are discussing In the Wake of Vaccines from Mothering, Sept/Oct 2004. There will be copies available for you at the store, or print it out beforehand and bring it along.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
County not getting all tranpsortation money it sought
Wish list in hand, Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. asked state transportation officials yesterday for millions of dollars to pay for improvements to roads, bridges and train stations, but a tough economy means he will not get everything he wants. --more
College-savings seminar Nov. 19
Did you know that if you have a toddler you hope to send to college 16 years from now, you would need to invest about $928 a month starting today to reach the $264,340 you will need? (Excuse me while I pass out.)
Would you like a tax break while saving for your child's college education? Would you like to have a safety net? What are your savings options? We'll have representatives from the College Savings Plan of Maryland to discuss the Maryland 529 plans: the Maryland Investment Plan and the Prepaid College Trust.
Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, the question of financing college looms large over your child's future.
Vincent Amoroso, Director of Student Financial Services of The Johns Hopkins University, will provide an overview of the financial aid process and the philosophy and future trends of financial aid. The panel will be moderated by Brendan O'Brien, financial advisor with SmithBarney.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Hampstead Hill Academy
500 S. Linwood Avenue, Canton
This seminar is FREE and refreshments will be provided. Childcare will NOT be provided. Feel free to bring infants with you who will stay with the parents during the seminar.
RSVP to parentseminar@dbfam.org
Sponsored by the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance www.dbfam.org
What do you think of the electoral college?
If you look at the electoral college numbers, it appears Barack Obama won a landslide victory. (364 to 163 so far, a more than 2-to-1 margin.) But in terms of votes, it was much closer: 65 million for Obama and 57 million for McCain, or 53 percent vs. 46 percent.
In the year 2000, as we know, Al Gore had more popular votes than George W. Bush did (even counting Florida as a Bush win) but Bush had more electoral votes. It was 50.5 million votes for Bush vs. 51 million for Gore but Bush got 271 electoral votes to Gore's 266.
That just does not seem right, and I'd say the same thing even if it swung in favor of the Democrats. How can it be right that a candidate who received less votes can still win the election? I know life isn't fair, but ... this system is just not fair!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Towson Library needs your book donations
Preparations for the 15th annual Friends' of the Towson Library Booksale are underway. They are accepting donations of new and gently used books, videos, CDs and DVDs. Donations may be brought to the Towson Library's Borrower Services Desk. A receipt for tax purposes is available.
(Please, no magazines, encyclopedias, Reader's Digest Condensed Books, textbooks, records or computer books older than 2 years.)
Call the library, 410-887-6616, for more information.
Wells Wine 50% off sale starts Wednesday
November 12-17:
"Buy one 750ml size bottle of wine at the regular price and get the second bottle of the same wine at 50% off the regular price. In stock items only, no special orders, no sale items, you cannot combine this sale with any other coupon or sale, prior sales excluded, and there are no limits on quantities." http://www.wellswine.com/
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Gift shopping at Trinity Episcopal on Nov. 15
Saturday, November 15th
Vendor Shopping Day
10am-2pm
at Trinity Episcopal Children's Center,
120 Allegheny Ave, Towson, MD
10am-2pm
at Trinity Episcopal Children's Center,
120 Allegheny Ave, Towson, MD
Over 25 different vendors to help you get your early Christmas shopping done!
Vendors range from different types of Jewerly, Usborne children books, personalized stationary designs, purses and handbags, children's clothes and accessories, to handcrafted wood and candle designs. There will be something for everyone in the family!
Friday, November 7, 2008
More info on Michael Phelps and changes to Meadowbrook
No word in this Sun story on whether they'll keep the kiddie pool. I hope so.
Update: Just got an email from the pool and here's a bit of what it said:
"While our background and passion is clearly competitive swimming, we realize that the most special quality about Meadowbrook is the balancing of our many programs. We will continue our mission to develop Olympic level swimmers in concert with our community focus. The scope of our program will always be greater than solely training competitive swimmers. Our members will continue to be the primary focus of our facilities and we look forward to enhancing your experience at Meadowbrook as we go forward together.While we hope to bring new energy to Meadowbrook, let us assure you that your daily experience will be affected very little by the change in management. Our hope is that with your help we can take Meadowbrook to a new level of service and quality. We want to be the best family based recreational facility in Baltimore."
And here's a survey:
Resource for new moms
I received an email today from the head of Baltimore's Stroller Strides. I've heard of this group, and kind of wish I'd heard about it five and a half years ago when my son was born. It's a group of moms who get together to exercise with their kids. Sounds like a great way to meet new people and get out of the house with the little one. Here's a link to the group.
