Friday, May 18, 2012
Feathers, bows and sequins, oh my!
Marjae Hicks is busy adorning Baltimore area heads with feathers, jewels, bows, sequins, flowers and all the bling that is associated with a Preakness hat. The Preakness Stakes is one of Baltimore's historical sports events, offering tradition and excitement. And big hats. According to Marjae, owner of Hats by Marjae in Westminster, MD, Preakness-worthy hats are big and whimsical and will get people talking. "You have to wear your hat with confidence. If you don't, it will show," Marjae said. "You have to have confidence in your hat. Even if it's the most whimsical, crazy-looking hat, it will be beautiful." Black-Eyed Susan-inspired hats are always popular, she said. The Black-Eyed Susan, a flower with a black button in the middle and …
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Thursday, May 17, 2012
Baltimore County Republican calls for State Police patrols and to declare tourist area "a no travel zone."
The Inner Harbor area of Baltimore City is being terrorized by "black youth mobs" and city and state officials are "covering it up," according to one Baltimore County Republican. "This has been going on for years," said Del. Pat McDonough, a Middle River Republican who also represents part of Harford County. "I have a responsibility as an elected official to bring this to the public's attention," the delegate said, adding that "roving mobs of black youth are responsible for the attacks." A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake declined to comment directly to McDonough's remarks. "Del. McDonough's sad and racially-charged publicity stunt is not deserving of a response and Mayor Rawlings-Blake is proud of the men and women of the …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Republican Todd Huff went to the 2011 game in Dallas with a shopping center and apartment complex owner.
Todd Huff says he's not a big football fan, but in 2011 he attended at least four games, including taking a trip to Dallas to see the Super Bowl with a local shopping center and apartment complex owner. The games highlight a hole that the State Ethics Commission says exists in legislation passed by the County Council earlier this year. The legislation was meant to bring county law substantially into sync with the state ethics law. Huff, a Timonium Republican, attended at least four games in 2011, including the Super Bowl. He wrote about the games, which include three Baltimore Ravens games, on his official council Facebook page. Tickets to one of the games were provided by Merritt Properties, as first reported by the Baltimore Sun. None of…
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sluggish economy, skyrocketing value in metals are among the reasons for a 450 percent spike in such crime since 2009, police Chief Jim Johnson said.
Individually, the theft of copper wiring and piping from homes and businesses in Baltimore County usually amounts to little more than stealing a few dollars worth of metal. But, a closer examination of the issue finds the economic impact far worse, Baltimore County police chief Jim Johnson said. Destruction of property, business hours lost and a heightened sense of vulnerability make copper thefts one of the fastest growing problems facing the community, he added. This is why Johnson announced Monday the formation of the region's first law enforcement team dedicated to the growing problem of metals theft. The chief made the announcement at a news conference at BGE's White Marsh Learning Center to highlight the issue, as the utility is a …
The proposed liquor store in Wegmans has sparked the debate.
The proposed 10,000-square-foot liquor store inside the new Columbia Wegmans has reignited the debate on whether wine, beer and liquor should be sold in Maryland grocery and convenience stores. In an expansive article on Saturday, the Baltimore Sun examined how multiple grocery stores are trying to find ways around rules that generally ban chain grocery stores from selling wine, beer and liquor. (There are some exceptions, such as an Eastern Shore Giant location that has a license that has been grandfathered.) Adam Borden, the president of Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws, said the bans are antiquated. “Our culture has evolved,” said Borden. “It used to be one where temperance and orderly tax collections were our most paramount …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
With the cancellation of this year’s Bloomin’ Artfest, several Main Street shop owners are coming together Saturday to try to liven up Reisterstown.
When Bloomin’ Artfest officials announced that this year’s festival was cancelled, Main Street was left without a spring festival. But that didn’t stop the owners of Secrets on Main Street from making something happen. The arts boutique and craft workshop hosts its first annual Spring Fling on Saturday at 214 Main Street. “It’s spring time and time for people to come back to Main Street,” said co-owner Kristin Scanlon. The event features a variety of crafts and kids activities, a food tasting and music from the Unity Reggae Band. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., with activities throughout the day. From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., attendees can decorate fabric with black light paint, paint balloons, throw paint-filled balloons at a shed…
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Columbia Gas Transmission says pipeline from Owings Mills through Oregon Ridge Park to Fallston will add reliability to existing natural gas service to BGE.
A proposed extension of a natural gas pipeline has Warren Alperstein thinking a lot about the well that provides water to his house these days. Columbia Gas Transmission wants to build a 21.4-mile extension of an existing pipeline from Owings Mills through Oregon Ridge Park to Fallston. The extension is part of a larger system that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico. The extension would run along side another existing line, but would require the company to expand its current right of way from a width of 50 to 75 feet. Some of those easements will extend onto or near existing residential property, some residents said. The line would also run through the backyard of Alperstein's Reisterstown home. "The thought of a bulldozer backing into my …
The store above Java Mammas hopes it can bring more traffic to Main Street.
When Lorena de Leon moved to this area from Los Angeles nine years ago, she was struck by Reisterstown’s Main Street but dismayed that it wasn’t more lively. With the opening of Decals on Saturday, this new Main Street shop owner hopes to breathe some new life into Reisterstown. As the name implies, the store sells decals of all types. “This is a part of town that’s always been really dear to me and I feel like it would be really cool and really neat to see it revitalized a little bit,” the Owings Mills resident said. “I think the way that you do that is to bring in new stores, new products. [Main Street’s] been known as either consignment row or the antique row for a very long time.” The store, which de Leon will run with business partner…
Monday, May 7, 2012
Council votes to prohibit panhandle lots in the Carney-Cub Hill-Parkville community. Bill allowing biking, hiking in Loch Raven Reservoir is withdrawn.
Updated (11:12 a.m.)—County restaurants and other businesses that don't have liquor licenses but allow customers to bring their own beer and wine may soon need a license to continue the practice. Councilman Todd Huff, a Timonium Republican, introduced a bill Monday night that would create a "BYOB License" for restaurants and some other businesses that do not already have a license to sell alcohol to patrons. "There is no law governing BYOB," said Huff. "We looked." Currently, businesses such as restaurants and cigar shops are technically allowed to offer "BYOB by right," Huff said. Many restaurants already do, the councilman said. The problem, according to Huff, is that some businesses that allow customers to consume alcohol also allow …
Kym Byrnes
9:25 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Who is going to Preakness? And what horse is worth betting on? more ›