Because of forecasted heat.
http://www.bcps.org/status/
Sent from my cell.
What do you think? Post or read comments here: Comments
Because of forecasted heat.
http://www.bcps.org/status/
Sent from my cell.
Read it here. I believe the robbery on a Saturday afternoon occurred at the Towson library garage.
filed under crime
Because of heat. And city schools are on a half-day schedule.
filed under school issues

BCPS: "The Baltimore County Public Schools Books of Character Book Club is a system-wide opportunity for BCPS middle school students, teachers, parents, and community members to select books from a suggested reading list based on an identified theme relating to the BCPS Character Objectives. Students read selected books and engage in wiki discussions and activities related to the BCPS Character Objectives and the development of good character. ...
During the 2010-2011 school year, students from Dumbarton Middle School’s reading club submitted more wiki comments than any other group in Baltimore County – sharing thoughts about their personal experiences and themes from the books they read." More details here.
Way to go, guys!
filed under Rodgers Forge, school issues
FYI for those planning to enjoy nature this weekend:
filed under health
filed under childhood issues, health, public interest
Read about it in The Sun.
filed under Baltimore County news, crime, Rodgers Forge
http://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=51037
filed under Rodgers Forge
filed under Baltimore County news
filed under Rodgers Forge
I've never been to one of these -- anyone familiar with them? How's the selection, and are the prices good? They're going to have a bulk section, which sounds great. It will be located in Timonium in the same strip mall as Kohl's and Michael's and Old Navy. More info:
http://www.momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&sid_store_news=95&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288
It's because Dumbarton Middle is closed due to the fact that they don't have electricity. RFES is open, though.
http://www.bcps.org/status/
Read it here.
filed under crime
Multi-family yard sale on May 21st from 8:30am until 12pm. Located on the 300 block of Old Trail Road.
Some of the things to be sold:
Artwork
CDs
Kid's battery-operated 4-wheeler
Remote control cars
Plastic kitchen
Pack n' Play
Baby gates
Britax car seat
Thomas the Train Table
Sit n' Stand stroller
Lots of toys from toddler through older kids
Baby clothes for boys
filed under things to do

"The Baltimore County Healthy Kids Coalition filed a formal request for lists of ingredients contained in the entrees that are being served in BCPS elementary schools for the months of May and June 2011. This is information that is not posted on the BCPS website, nor is it readily available to parents.
We then asked a registered dietitian to peruse the ingredients and share her thoughts. Her comments are available alongside the ingredient lists."
Read more here:
http://www.baltimorecountyhealthykids.org/2011/05/healthy-kids-coalition-posts-list-of.html
By the way, did you know that sherbet counts as a fruit in our schools? That is: Clarified pineapple juice from concentrate (water and concentrated clarified pineapple juice), sugar, corn syrup, milk, cream, less than 2% of: guar gum, mono & diglycerides, xanthan gum, polysorbate 80, carrageenan, tetrasodiumpyrophosphate, citric acid, natural flavor, sweet whey, raspberry juice concentrate, nonfat dry milk, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and FD&C red #40.
filed under Baltimore County news, childhood issues, health, school issues
My husband saw this sign posted at the corner of Kenilworth and Charles today. Are you preparing for May 21?
Here's an NPR story about the subject:
... "Knowing the date of the end of the world changes all your future plans," says 27-year-old Adrienne Martinez.
She thought she'd go to medical school, until she began tuning in to Family Radio. She and her husband, Joel, lived and worked in New York City. But a year ago, they decided they wanted to spend their remaining time on Earth with their infant daughter.
"My mentality was, why are we going to work for more money? It just seemed kind of greedy to me. And unnecessary," she says.
And so, her husband adds, "God just made it possible — he opened doors. He allowed us to quit our jobs, and we just moved, and here we are."
Now they are in Orlando, in a rented house, passing out tracts and reading the Bible. Their daughter is 2 years old, and their second child is due in June. Joel says they're spending the last of their savings. They don't see a need for one more dollar. ... Full story here.
First reported by Patch.com (read their story here), and the Sun also has a piece here.
filed under school issues

Details are available here.
filed under things to do
New York Times: On command, Eze Schupfer [AGE 3] reads aloud the numbers on a worksheet in front of her: “42, 43, 12, 13.” Then she begins to trace them.
“Is that how we write a 12?” her instructor, Maria Rivas, asks. “Erase it.”
“This is a sloppy 12, Eze,” she says. “Go ahead: a one and a two. Smaller. Much better.”
Eze moves to 13.
“Neater,” Ms. Rivas insists. “Come on, you can do it.” Finally, she resorts to the kind of incentive that Eze, her pink glitter sneaker barely grazing the ground, can appreciate: “You’ll get an extra sticker if you can do a perfect 13.” (Read the full story here.)
Perfection demanded of preschoolers? Injecting 8-year-olds with Botox so they'll do better in beauty pageants? What is wrong with people?
What do you think of the Kegasus character for the Preakness? I must admit I thought it was pretty lame, but someone I know who is very successful in the advertising world said he thought it was clever. Now that there is an actual Kegasus thing walking and talking, I think I'm even more horrified, though. What do you think of it?
Read it here.
filed under crime
See them right here in Towson on June 13.
Tickets:
http://www.missiontix.com/events/product/11474/george-clinton--parliament-funkadelic
filed under things to do
Because of rain. It is now scheduled for May 21 from 9 am to noon.

As you've probably noticed, there is a new housing development coming to Towson, behind Wilson Lighting, off York Road. What do you think, will this help liven up downtown Towson? (Which is in desperate need of livening up.)
filed under Baltimore County news
Details will be coming soon, but FYI, the deadline for letting the board know you want to run for a seat on the RFCA board in the fall election is July 14. So put it on your radar if it's something you've considered doing.

An open letter to the parents and community of Rodgers Forge…
The faculty and staff of Rodgers Forge Elementary School would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt “THANK YOU” for the many kindnesses and expressions of appreciation you shared with us as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. Flowers, smoothies, special mugs and handmade candy, sweet treats of every kind, cupcakes, breakfast, lunch and hundreds of cards made us all feel really special and valued last week.
Teaching is hard work but it is work we are proud of and feel is important. What makes it especially great for us is that the community in which we work, your community, is so generous with its time and talents in support of what we do. You respond to our needs, are diligent in keeping your community safe, offer solutions when problems arise and advocate for your families.
Most importantly, though, you send us wonderful kids and trust that we’ll do right by them. We work hard to keep that trust. So thanks for saying thanks! It means a lot!
filed under Rodgers Forge, school issues
This weekend in Roland Park. Buy native plants, learn about composting and more. Details here:
http://www.rolandparknative.org/web/SevenGenerationsWeekend2011.html
filed under things to do
Saturday, May 14 -- 7:00PM -- Atomic Books in Hampden.
http://www.atomicbooks.com/calendar.html
filed under things to do
The annual Stoneleigh Spring Yard Sale will be Saturday, May 14, from 9-12. The rain date is Sunday, May 15.
http://www.stoneleigh21212.org/event
filed under things to do
The Loyola University Maryland women's lacrosse team not only made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004, but they get to host a home game against Massachusetts in the first round this Saturday, May 14 at 1 pm at the Ridley Athletic Complex.
Here's a link to more information: http://www.loyolagreyhounds.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/050811aaa.html
Tickets: https://secure.imodules.com/s/958/ecommerce.aspx?sid=958&gid=7&pgid=846&cid=1984
filed under things to do
Every Friday night starting May 13, 2011 through September 30, 2011 from 6:00pm till 9:30pm, Towson Chamber of Commerce, Lite 101.9 and Towson Times will sponsor a Block Party on Allegheny Avenue, between Washington Avenue and York Road.
There will be live music; wonderful summertime food provided by local restaurants, ice cream, snow cones, beer, wine and some special activities for children’s entertainment. Bring your family, friends and your lounge chairs, but please leave your pets at home. Inexpensive and convenient parking will be available.
filed under things to do
The latest crime report is a rather scary one, though nothing in RF. Read it here.
filed under crime
Here's an interesting New York Times article about what manufacturers are using instead of BPA in their plastics.
"Manufacturers might be removing BPA, a chemical used to harden certain plastics, from their products, but they are substituting chemicals that may be just as dangerous, if not more so."
Read the article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/opinion/09browning.html?_r=1
filed under childhood issues, health
Enjoy gourmet food and drinks from the restaurants and market at Belvedere Square all while listening to the sounds of summer through some of Baltimore’s hottest bands!
Every Friday, May 13 through September 16, 6-9 pm.
This Friday, it's the Crawdaddies.
filed under things to do
Thanks to the RF board members who organized and volunteered for this event, and to the Towson U students who helped out.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns consumers that some "metoo" clip-on table top chairs, imported by phil&teds USA Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo. put young children at risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC is urging consumers to stop using some metoo clip-on chairs immediately.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11218.html
Read about it here:
http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/113229/towson-commons-terminates-amc-theater-lease/
Girl Scout Troop 2820 is having a dog wash tomorrow - Saturday - at 3 p.m. It will take place in the driveway behind 312 Hopkins Rd.(alley between Hopkins, Dunkirk, Heathfield and Dorking). There will also be dog walks, dog treats and a bake sale of human treats!
Thanks so much!
-Diana
The wooden side rails that run from the headboard to the footboard and hold the bunk bed’s mattress in place can split and cause the bunk bed to collapse, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Sold at: Walmart, Kmart and Target stores and online at www.walmart.com, www.kmart.com and www.target.com from September 2004 through September 2009 for about $190.
Details and photos:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11214.html
Saturday, May 7, 8 am to noon in front of RFES. You must be a Rodgers Forge resident to use the dumpsters, so bring your driver license.
Acceptable items: yard waste, paper, mattresses, carpet, metal waste, appliances with freon. (Correction: NO APPLIANCES OR ELECTRONICS. There was a misprint in the newsletter; these items will *not* be accepted.)
AmVets will be there to take reusable furniture and working computers.
The Loading Dock will take undamaged wood and most other materials that can be used in the building and home-construction trades.
Unacceptable items include: tires, paints, gasoline containers, propane tanks, electronics, anything explosive.
filed under Rodgers Forge
Details here:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-water-main-break-20110505,0,1664628.story

Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores. Check with your local shop for their participation and rules. www.freecomicbookday.com
filed under things to do
From the Wiltondale Citizens on Patrol:
"The following information is being distributed by several area schools and neighborhoods. You may remember that a few years ago a registered sex offender was seen in the Roland Park area. More recently, he was seen at Tropicool on Falls Road, in clear violation of his parole, which requires him to stay away from places where children congregate. He was not eating italian ice but was watching children. After he was confronted, he reacted badly and was jailed on that parole violation. Since then, he was released, and this past week he has been seen twice at the Royal Farm store on Falls Road driving his red VW Cabriolet. If you observe him in violation of his parole, please call 911."
filed under childhood issues, crime

No computer equipment, cords, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, telephones, cell phones and the like. Nothing that could contain hazardous waste. There was a misprint in the newsletter but please note that these materials will *not* be accepted.
For information on what to do with old electronics, you can visit this Baltimore County site:
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/ecycling.html
It's this Saturday morning. If you can assist with this very helpful and popular event, contact RFCA board member Janine Schofield at jcschofield(at)yahoo.com. Be the "someone else" who does it!
From a friend of mine in Rodgers Forge:
At 730a yesterday my husband called me at work to tell me that a bottle of children’s liquid medication was sitting on the bathroom sink, lid off, contents gone…did I know anything about this? I had given my feverish, 2-year-old daughter the recommended dose for her age/weight at 5am, put the childproof lid back on and left it in the box and on the sink as a reminder for my husband should she need follow up dosing.
We determined that sometime between 645a (when I left for work) and 730a (when my husband entered the bathroom and found the empty bottle), our 4-year-old son had consumed 2 to 3 ounces of the medication. Either I did not have the cap on securely, or as my new BFF Eric at Poison Control suggested, since children have a much higher frustration threshold than adults, my son worked it until it came off.
filed under health
filed under things to do
May 7, 8 am to noon in front of RFES. You must be a Rodgers Forge resident to use the dumpsters, so bring your driver license.
Acceptable items: yard waste, paper, mattresses, carpet, and metal waste.
AmVets will be there to take reusable furniture and working computers.
The Loading Dock will take undamaged wood and most other materials that can be used in the building and home-construction trades.
Unacceptable items include: tires, paints, gasoline containers, propane tanks, anything explosive, and electronics.
filed under Rodgers Forge
Preview sale is Friday, May 6 from 4 pm to 7 pm
Market Day is Saturday, May 7
8 am to 3 pm
Offering Annuals & Perennials, Native Plants, Shrubs & Trees, Vegetables & Herbs Gardening Demonstrations, Mother's Day Gifts, Kid's Activities, Used Book Sale & Raffle, Food & Drink. Details here.
filed under things to do
Saturday, May 7, 10am-4pm
Enjoy talks, workshops and information tables about holistic practices for all ages - including special activities for kids! Topics/workshops include reiki, accupuncture, yoga, tai chi, nutrition, spirituality and wellness, and many more. Before you leave, take some time to walk in our outdoor labyrinth.
This fair will be a service to our community by exposing people to the wide variety of physical and spiritual paths to wellness.
Details:
http://www.govanspres.org/govanspres/wellness_fair
filed under health, things to do
Looks like the Royal Farms was targeted again, but this time the police caught the suspects. Read the report here.
filed under crime
May 7 -- Join us for an exclusive collection of dealers featuring hard to find perennials and annuals, unusual exotics and container specialties plus decorative furniture, urns, statuary and other architectural treasures.
Priority Preview Sale: 8 am – 10 am; $75 for members, $100 for non-members, includes Ladew membership, first chance shopping, continental breakfast, and lecture with Founding Director of Horticulture, Wave Hill, Bronx, NY, and Honorary Chair Marco Polo Stufano.
General Admission Sale: 10 am – 5 pm; $15 for Sale, $25 Sale + Lecture (seating is limited). please note: Admission to Ladew on Saturday, May 7 is $15 for all visitors, members included.
http://www.ladewgardens.com/index2.html
filed under things to do
The Children's Playhouse of Maryland, in residence at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex, presents The Sound of Music 1 p.m. weekends May 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. A special 4 p.m. May 15 show will be Sign Language Interpreted by student interpreter interns from the CCBC Interpreter Preparation Program.
Performances will be given in the J Building Lecture Hall, CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard. Tickets, $10 general admission and $8 for birthday parties or scout troops, are available from the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-ARTS (2787) weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the door, space permitting.
http://baltimore.broadwayworld.com/article/Childrens-Playhouse-of-MD-Presents-THE-SOUND-OF-MUSIC-Beginning-58-20110428
filed under things to do
(Image has been removed because the tortoise is now home. Not everyday you see a "tortoise found" sign, though.)
We spoke to the woman posting the signs. She found him in the middle of the road in Rodgers Forge.