1. Wooden Toys Recalled by Kendamaspot Due to Violation of Lead Paint Ban http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
2. Dehumidifiers Recalled by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Due to Fire and Burn Hazards http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
3. Dorel Juvenile Group Recalls Play Yards with Bassinets Due to Suffocation Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
The Sun had a story recently about a new detailed grading system that will be used by BCPS. Judging from these comments to the Sun's education blog, many teachers feel this is a waste of time and does nothing to actually further children's educations.
And, BCPS says, no morning pre-K on 12/23. City schools are closed.
Rob Williams of Citizens on Patrol says that a man has been arrested in connection with several burglaries in Rodgers Forge and surrounding areas. He was connected to the Ford Taurus KMT 869, which had been identified as possibly being used in some area burglaries. More details as they become available.
Also, here is the latest crime report. Thankfully, nothing reported in Rodgers Forge. Really, though, I'm surprised when I drive around in the evening how many homes I see that are pitch black and obviously unoccupied. Spend a few bucks on some light timers and improve your odds.
No school Monday for Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
I rec'd this email today from WTMD:
Last month we promised to keep you posted on developments related to the WTMD's proposal for the Senator Theatre. The Baltimore Development Corporation has scheduled a public hearing at the Senator Theatre at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 5th.
Please join us that night to learn about all of the proposals for the Senator's future. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions, and we look forward to seeing you . . .
at the Senator.
Steve Yasko
General Manager, WTMD
Reminder: Come provide input on the proposed boundary for the new West Towson Elementary School. New boundary lines may include boundary changes at Hampton, Riderwood, and Rodgers Forge elementary schools. January 6 at 7:00 pm at Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Avenue, Towson 21286. Read details here.
There are rumors flying that Stevenson Lane will be a boundary line, meaning the kids on Stanmore, Brandon, etc. would take a bus to the new school. I don't know if there's any truth to that, but it would fly in the face of BCPS' own redistricting guidelines, which state:
Develop boundary adjustment proposals that allow students to be transported in the most efficient and feasible manner.
A. Maximize the number of students who can walk to school [kids in RF should go to RFES]
B. Minimize travel time and maximize safety for students who must be transported [kids in RF should go to RFES]
C. Avoid bussing students past a school which has the same grade levels [kids in RF should go to RFES]
D. Avoid duplicate bus runs on the same streets for schools with the same grade levels [I'm not sure what this means...]
E. Transport toward town centers rather than toward countryside to minimize special trips to school for parents and guardians. [kids in RF should go to RFES]
Here is the latest crime report. One burglary in RF and several armed robberies in 21234.
Remember to put several lights on timers so that your house is not dark and obviously vacant when you're gone. (Experts say a timer on one floor lamp in the living room is not enough.)
To volunteer for Rodgers Forge's Citizens on Patrol, Rob Williams at 410-377-4756 or rodgersforgecop@gmail.com.
Info from Rodgers Forge board member Pat Foretich is here.
The Rodgers Forge United Methodist Church (56 Stevenson Lane) is conducting a live outdoor nativity scene on Sunday, December 20th, beginning at 6:30pm (weather permitting). Everyone is invited to attend and be a part of this wonderful event. There will be caroling, costumes, hot chocolate, and cookies. It is a great way to spend the evening getting to know your neighbors and church community while coming together to celebrate the Christmas season. Any questions may be directed to the Church office at 410-377-5137. Hope to see you there!
From the speed-hump project coordinator:
Speed hump construction on Heathfield and Dumbarton Roads is scheduled to begin next Monday, 12/14, weather permitting. During the 3-5 days of construction, there will be single lane closures with flaggers and reduced on-street parking. Please watch for posted signage instructing drivers NOT to park in designated areas.
This project will present a short-term inconvenience to residents, and will also affect RFES and DMS families. Parents are asked to please allow sufficient time for drop-off and pick-up. Consider walking, or carpool with another family if driving is necessary. Given the crew's work hours, the morning is likely to be more challenging than the afternoon. The "carpool" line will be affected at some point, as a hump is being constructed in the midst of that area. Also, pedestrian ramps are being cut at the RFES crosswalk, though hopefully that work will occur mid-day.
Interesting piece in the Towson Times today about the fundraising efforts of two developers on behalf of certain council candidates. Read it here.
Baltimore County formally announced today that single-stream recycling will begin on Feb. 1 (this means you can put paper and bottles and plastic, etc, in the same container). Officials also announced a bunch of additional items that can be recycled that formerly could not:
Interesting piece about the historic designation, along with some glimpses into what things were like "back in the day." Read it here.
I am way too excited about this ...
Press advisory: "Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith will hold a press conference [Dec. 10] to announce that Baltimore County will begin single stream recycling collection on February 1, 2010. ... Single stream recycling collection means that paper, bottles, and cans may be combined in the same container to be picked up on a designated day each week. Officials will announce the expanded list of recyclables to be accepted by the Bureau of Solid Waste Management and explain the new collection schedule/program guide being sent to all County residents."
Storyhour at Ukazoo Books in Towson on Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30. (This had been on hiatus but is back on now!)
Preschool sing-along at Red Canoe books, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Family Fun Day at 10 a.m. Owings Mills Mall.
Please confirm with venue that event is still on.
1. Infant Suffocation Deaths Prompt Recall of Amby Baby Motion Beds/Hammocks http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
2. Evenflo Recalls Cake Toys on Children's Activity Centers Due to Choking Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
3. Goodman Company Reannounces Recall of Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Units Due to Fire Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
From a Rodgers Forgian who will be there dressed as a Who:
Includes a burglary on Heathfield and one on Blenheim, which was noted here last week. Here's the report.
"Dog found - elderly beagle at corner of Pinehurst & Regester at 6:45 pm on Sunday 12/6. Please call ..." UPDATE: The dog has been reunited with his human.
The shop is only allowed to get a permit for a limited number of Sundays per year, and now's the time. Sunday hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 27.
From the Gaywood community (which is right next to RF):
I’m writing to inform you that a house in the 200 block of Blenheim was broken into last night around 8pm. No one was in the house at the time, and no one was hurt. A vigilant neighbor in the adjoining house became suspicious when he heard unusual sounds coming from next door. Knowing that his neighbor wasn’t home, he went out back to investigate and discovered an African American male leaving through the basement door with a bag.
From a Rodgers Forge friend:
Wanted to share that after going to the Ruxton post office (which I've found to be the least painful, distance, wait-time, and parking-wise) and being surprised to learn that they are out of holiday stamps, I ordered them online.Also, I don't know if they have holiday stamps right now, but I often buy stamps at Eddie's Market on Charles because it's faster than going to the post office. The cashiers have them in their registers.
Received a timely confirmation email and should receive my 4 books by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. Much more palatable than going to other branches or returning to Ruxton next week with fingers crossed. A couple of years ago, I "subscribed" via USPS to receive stamps every month (before doing more electronic banking) and their delivery was reliable, as I certainly would hope! Also, S&H is only $1.
Just wanted to pass along a potential holiday time-saver!
The RFES PTA president says in the future almost all correspondence will be via email instead of papers sent home from school. She asks that everyone sign up at the PTA website for the email updates. (Scroll down a bit and look on the right-hand sidebar.) http://rodgersforgepta.org/
For just a buck you can get into lots of family-friendly venues this weekend, including the Science Center, the Aquarium and Port Discovery. Details here.
Towson University's Saturday Morning Science Series: "What Happened to Pluto? Why Isn’t it a Planet Anymore?" Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. and noon. Details here.
They deserve it; they rock the house. We've had this little ditty running through our house a lot recently: "It's a rainy rainy day, but that's OK, we're going to have fun anyway...." Read the article here.
SAVE the DATE: You are invited to provide input on the proposed boundary for the new West Towson Elementary School. New boundary lines may include boundary changes at Hampton, Riderwood, and Rodgers Forge elementary schools. January 6 at 7:00 pm at Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Avenue, Towson 21286. Read more here.
(This sounds really far off, but it's not!)
My sister-in-law told me about this product that she thought sounded very cool. I rarely find myself needing to pee standing up, but if they made it in pre-school size, I might buy one!
1. CPSC, LaJobi Reannounce 2001 Recall of Cribs Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards - Concern that Cribs Could Now Be At Second Hand or Thrift Stores - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
2. Blenders Recalled by Haier America Due to Laceration Hazard - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/
"Meadowbrook invites you to attend a Member Appreciation Holiday Celebration on Saturday, December 5 from 12 - 4 PM. There will be food and drinks, music, tours of the facility, a sale in the Swim Shop, discounts on Summer 2010 memberships, children's activities, a chance to meet Michael and Debbie Phelps, Christmas trees for sale - you won't want to miss this unique event!"
In response to your questions, I contacted Baltimore County traffic engineering today and they said the speed humps for Dumbarton and Heathfield are scheduled to go in the week of December 17, but that could change if the weather does not cooperate.
