Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The "Golden Voice" Ted Williams - The Voice Of Fashion Week In Baltimore

Ted Williams, the homeless Ohio man who became an overnight sensation earlier this year, will be bringing his "golden voice" to Charm City in August when he serves as announcer for Baltimore Fashion Week, the event's executive director, Sharan Nixon, confirmed.



Williams signed a contract Tuesday morning that results in him live announcing designers each day of the four-day event. In addition, Williams will do radio spots and attend promotional events associated with Baltimore Fashion Week, which runs Aug. 18-21.

"When we finally found his information, and his agent said he wanted to come, I just started crying because I couldn't believe it," Nixon said. "Having someone of his magnitude say they are willing to be a part of my event is just fabulous."

Williams achieved instant celebrity in January after the Columbus Dispatch posted on its website a video interview of him where he demonstrated his voice by doing a mock radio announcement. The video hit YouTube and went viral — making him a household name. He has recorded voice-overs for various national brands and he's been offered a job announcing at games for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Williams has also had his share of troubles, including being detained in Los Angeles by police after an altercation with his daughter, and a brief stay in rehab for alcohol abuse after appearing on "Dr. Phil."

Nixon said she is not concerned that Williams' personal troubles will affect his appearance at her event.

"His agent has assured me that he will be fine," she said. "There won't be any problems. Everybody has their problems in life. It is not my place to wonder if he is going to handle himself accordingly as a special guest of Baltimore Fashion Week."


Williams is excited to attend Baltimore Fashion Week, according to his agent, Alfred Battle.

"We have not been in the Baltimore area," said Battle, who has known Williams for the past 25 years. "Surely there are some people who have been touched and affected by his story in that area. We want to make a personal appearance by those people."

Battle stressed that Williams would be ready for his trip to Baltimore. In fact, Williams is scheduled to begin taping a reality television show "Second Chance At Life," which will chronicle his life as well as allow him to give other homeless people a chance at redemption, according to Battle.

"Ted is doing wonderful," Battle said. "He is living in a sober living environment in Los Angeles. He's doing a good job with it, too."
The addition of Williams is the latest in an attempt to elevate the event's image, according to Nixon.


In January, Nixon announced that she was moving the event back to Baltimore after holding it at the Sheraton Baltimore North in Towson. The new site — a parcel of land near the Morgan Stanley building in Harbor East — will provide Nixon with the type of location she envisioned when she first launched the event, she said.




To Read More>>>Overnight sensation Ted Williams to be the voice of Baltimore Fashion Week

'Promises- A Prom Boutique' Needs Your Help

The organizers of Promises- A Prom Boutique are looking for donations of gowns and accessories of all kinds to make this year's event to be held on March 18-20 a huge success.

Your tax deductible donations will enable young women with financial hardships to attend their proms.


All kinds of dressy apparel and jewelry may be dropped off at any Hospice Thrift Store, the Lighthouse Ministries Thrift Shop or the Foodbank Thrift Store, just tell them it's for the Prom Boutique.

Easter Bunny To Be Unusually Late This Year

You will have plenty of time to dye Easter eggs this year.

Easter falls on April 24, the latest it has arrived in 68 years, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington.

Easter hasn't come this late since 1943 and won't be this late again until 2038.

"In both 1943 and 2038 Easter occurs on April 25, which is as late as it can theoretically be," said Geoff Chester, an astronomer and public relations officer with the observatory.

Easter last occurred on April 24 in 1859, and it will not fall again on the 24th until 2095.

"The earliest possible date for Easter is March 22," Chester said.

Easter is generally the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the vernal equinox.

That is the case this year but not every year, because the precise definition — used by Christian churches under rules going back to the 1500s — is more complicated.

For example, that definition fixes the vernal equinox — the first day of spring — as March 21, although that date can vary. The equinox comes this year on March 20.

You'll have to work on those eggs earlier the next couple of years. Easter falls on April 8 in 2012 and March 31 in 2013 before falling back to April 20 in 2014.


Source; timesdispatch.com www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/mar/08/tdmain01-easter-will-be-unusually-late-this-year-ar-889628/

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

International Women's Day - 2011

2011 United Nations Theme: National Women's Day

Equal access to education, training, and science and technology. Pathway to decent work for women.

2011 year marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. The day was commemorated for the first time on 19 March 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, following its establishment during the Socialist International meeting the prior year. More than one million women and men attended rallies on that first commemoration.

In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. The Day is traditionally marked with a
message from the Secretary-General.


Why dedicate a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women? In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the General Assembly cited two reasons: to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security. For the women of the world, the Day's symbolism has a wider meaning: It is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.

Text from Women Watch www.un.org

"So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding." www.internationalwomen'sday.com

The "Safe Haven for Heroes Act"

Rep. C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger will introduce (on Tuesday) new legislation that would make it illegal to protest at military funerals within the state of Maryland.

The "Safe Haven for Heroes Act" comes after the decision last week by the Supreme Court that says funeral protests, such as those by the Westboro Baptist Church, are permitted under The First Ammendment.

“We need to thank God for the service and sacrifice of our American military fighting for our freedom,” Ruppersberger said in a statement. “The right to free speech is a valuable liberty that we all cherish as Americans. While I respect the recent Supreme Court decision, I wanted to find a way to stop groups like Westboro from using military funerals as occasions to promote their own political agenda and inflict incalculable harm on the grieving families of our troops.”

Ruppersberger stated that the bill would enable groups such Westboro to exercise their right to free speech without disrupting the funerals themselves or forcing funeral participants to encounter the protesters.

According to the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center the Westboro Baptist Church protestors has been identified as a hate group. Westboro Baptist Church has protested nearly 600 military funeral in over 20 years.

Who: Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Maryland Veterans

What: Ruppersberger to Announce Legislation to Prevent Protests at Military Funerals

When: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
12:30 p.m.

Where: Linthicum Veterans Memorial
Camp Meade & Maple Road
Linthicum, Maryland

HYMN SING Sunday

HYMN SING

SUNDAY MARCH 13, 2011


FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
31027 Depot Street

New Church, Virginia

6: 00 PM until 9:00 PM


FCB Praise Team and Greg Fentress leading off with praise and worship.

Singers for the evening: Brian and Monique Linton, Kindred Spirit, Cliff Jester, Earnie Ray Mears.

Refreshments will follow.

A love offering will be taken for Courtney Bloxom. Please plan to attend and bring a friend so that the family will know that the community cares and are praying so very hard for Courtney's recovery.

~BRING YOUR VOICE OF PRAISE~

For information: (757)824-0493

Please continue to pray for Courtney. She is making progress every day but recovery is slow. Your prayers do help and continue to be uplifting for the family.

Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital To Open New Suite

On March 9 Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital will open their newly remodeled, digital mammography suite. Digital mammography offers better visibility of the breast and improved detection rates.

According to President Kristin Webb, Several Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary volunteers worked many hours to raise $125,000, underwriting 1/2 the costs.

Mammograms play a central part in the early detection of breast cancer. The newer digital mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor for analysis and interpretation.

Because there is no film, patients can expect shorter exam times enabling Riverside to serve more patients quicker.

Digital exams also require less exposure time, resulting in a lower dose of radiation for the patients, an added benefit over a lifetime of screening exams.

www.shoredailynews.com

Body Found On Assateague Identified.


The Maryland Medical Examiner has positively identified a body that was found at Assateague National Seashore last November as 36 year old Jung Han Lee of Silver Spring, Maryland. In late October, Dewey Beach Police found numerous personal items belonging to Lee on the beach, but an extensive search turned up no sign of the man. Lee was identified through a DNA sample and the ME says there was no sign of foul play.

NEWS RELEASE
Date & Time: November 6, 2010 @ 3:08 pm
Case #: 10-240
Location Occurred: Assateague National Seashore
Victim: Jung Han Lee Korean Male, 36 years of age Silver Spring, MD

Narrative:UPDATE

Through investigation of the unidentified body that washed up on Assateague National Seashore, it was learned that the Dewey Beach Police Department was investigating a missing person. Several personal items were left on the beach belonging to Lee and family members had not heard from Lee in several days.

Lee had been under mental duress for several years due to being unemployed. The items left on the beach were forwarded to the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation. During an examination of the body at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, MD, no signs of foul play were noted.

Contact was made with family members who reside in Silver Spring, Maryland and an interview was held in December with those members. A DNA sample was obtained from Lee’s mother for comparison with the remains.

After comparison and analysis by a Virginia forensic lab, it was determined that the two samples matched. Investigators were able to positively identify the remains as those of Jung Han Lee. Family members were notified on February 11, 2011 which brings closure to this case.

The Dewey Beach Police Department closed their missing person investigation after receiving positive identification through DNA of Lee. Any further questions can be referred to the Dewey Beach Police Department at (302) 227-6363.

www.wgmd.com

Monday, March 7, 2011

Registration For Pageant Has Been Extended


Registration for the Miss Hope Eastern Shore has been extended until March 18th!

Looking for participants 11 to 12 years old.

For registration information go to www.bringyourbling.net Registration form can be filled on line.

REGISTER TODAY! TIME'S RUNNING OUT!
100% of the proceeds from this pageant will be donated towards the care of Courtney Bloxom.

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting Tonight


AGENDA

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 P.M., MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011

CITY HALL

1. Call to Order, Prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance.


2. Review and approval of minutes from meeting of February 7, 2011.


3. Review and approval of bills to be paid.


4. Representatives of National Rural Water Association to present trophy recognizing Pocomoke City’s water as second place winner in a recent nationwide taste competition held in Washington, D.C.


5. Representatives of MarVa Theater and Performing Arts Center to discuss budget request.


6. Authorize Vice President of the City Council to sign Proclamations:


A. Arbor Day- April 6, 2011


B. Fair Housing Month (April)


7. Authorize renewal of Mutual Aid Agreement Between Pocomoke City Police Department and Crisfield Police Department.


8. Review and approve proposal from PKS for three year extension of auditing services contract.


9. City Manager to present proposal from EnerNoc Company for electricity cost savings at Wastewater Treatment Plant.


10. Review proposals from electrical engineering firms for design of electric improvements for new pedestals on Municipal Docks.


11. Authorize placement of advertisement in program for upcoming DELMARVA FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION CONVENTION, which will be held in Pocomoke City from April 28-30.


12. Authorize repairs to surplus truck recently donated by the Maryland Forrest Service to the Pocomoke VFC.


13. City Manager to present 8 month budget status report.


Comments from the Audience


Mayor and Council items.


Adjourn


AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.


Last Day to Register For Pocomoke Election

Last day to register to vote in the Pocomoke City elections is Monday, March 7, 2011 (TODAY).

If you need an application for an absentee ballot or for more information on how to register call city hall at 410-957-1333. Absentee ballots must be in by March 31st.

The city election is Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

FIELD NOTES By Delegate Mike McDermott

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Mike McDermott

February 28st-March 4th, 2011

• Monday afternoon a joint hearing of the Judiciary and HGO (Health and Government Operations) Committees on the Medical Marijuana bill. As proposed, the bill would allow for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes in Maryland and would establish a permitting and growing process by the government. It would also establish strict rules governing the prescription process by the medical community. The hearing was beneficial and many questions were asked, but some of the issues remain very complex. There is great concern that Maryland would become like California and also about how the permitting process would actually function for growing marijuana for medical purposes. At the hearing, I presented by amendment to the bill which would provide that use of marijuana for medical purposes could only be done through vaporization, ingestion, pill form, injection, or by any doctor approved medical device. This would restrict marijuana from being smoked and would insure that it is utilized through best medical practices. The bill has a long way to go, but it is on the way.

• Tuesday morning during session, it was announced that the Judiciary Committee would meet immediately after the close of business for a vote on SB-116, the Gay Marriage Bill. Well, we all showed up…except for two missing democrats…and we waited to vote. It became clear after about 15-minutes that the missing delegates had gotten the Wisconsin flu and had flown the coop. Of course, we demanded to vote on the bill but were told by the Chairman that he wanted to wait until the other two delegates could be present. Clearly, he knew he did not have th votes he needed to pass the bill out of committee. We waited an hour to vote that day, but it never happened.

• On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee conducted hearings on the following bills:

1. HB-408: This bill seeks to address a gap in identity fraud where criminals use false names to create fictitious identities. This has become a new form of identity theft being utilized to defraud businesses of millions.

2. HB-484: This bill seeks to correct an omission from compliance with the Federal mandates of Jessica’s Law by creating a Sex Offender Registry for Juvenile Offenders. This is required for Maryland to come into compliance and not place federal funds received from the Department of Justice at risk. It is not required that the Juvenile Registry be available to the public, but it would be accessible by the Criminal Justice system and the registrants would be required to comply with registration monitoring the same as adult offenders. There was a lot of discussion on this issue and some on the committee struggle with treating juveniles in the same way we deal with adults. There may be a compromise that will work for all members, but we will have to see how this one works out.

3. HB-507: This bill seeks to require law enforcement agencies to report on any deployment or use of an Electronic Control Device, commonly called a tazor or stun gun. This legislation is part of an attempt by some to thwart the use of these devices in Maryland by placing burdensome restrictions on their availability and use by law enforcement and civilians. This bill would treat these weapons differently than any other weapon utilized by law enforcement, and I do not see it coming out of the committee with a favorable ruling.

4. HB-568: This bill seeks to ban the use of any proceeds from drug trafficking from being utilized by a defendant to secure legal representation. The law already prohibits the use of ill gotten gain from being used to compensate to knowingly be received by an attorney for compensation, but it currently exempts money from drug sales. Go figure! This law would make it a crime to do so and was met with opposition by some on the committee who took exception to the notion that this practice was ongoing in Maryland. As the committee is composed of be many trial lawyers, I doubt this one finds its way to the House floor for a vote.

5. HB-588: This bill seeks to ban the use of portable scanning devices by criminals who use them to gather credit card information when they are simply in close proximity to a potential victim. We saw a display of how criminals use these devices to simply retrieve credit card information by simply standing near an unknowing victim. This is a relatively new method and it was hoped by the sponsors that the committee would allow law enforcement to be proactive with this law. The committee appeared to like the law, but the Chairman was skeptical at this point.

6. HB-594: This is my bill which would require a certain category of Top Tier Sex Offenders to be monitored by GPS technology by law enforcement. The hearing went well, and the only hold up is in the cost of implementation. I am working with Parole and Probation to see if something can be worked out within the current law to accommodate the provisions of this bill. The only opposition was from, of course, two registered sex offenders. Of course, they painted themselves as “victims” and did not feel this approach was needed.

7. HB-663: This is a simple bill which would make it a crime to commit a crime of violence in the presence of a minor. This would be an add on charge, but it would address the egregious way some of our children are traumatized by adults.

8. HB-682: This bill seeks to require bail bonding companies to pay the full bonds of defendants that fail to appear for trial on a sooner rather than later time table. Many of the bondsmen came to testify about how this type of legislation would injure their business and attempted to show how they currently comply and the system, in their opinion, is not broken. After listening to testimony, it is clear that this is a very competitive business where bondsmen are undercutting each other on a regular basis to garner customers. There was concern expressed for companies which only require a person to pay 1% of the bond as a fee.

9. HB-781: This bill would extend the prohibitions on the drug Salvia so it could not be sold or marketed in Maryland for adults. It is already illegal for juveniles. It would not make possession a crime, but it would eliminate distribution within the state. As Salvia is not on the federal DEA list, I am not sure if this one will be leaving the committee with a favorable ruling.

10. HB-845: This bill seeks the banning of the drug Mephedrone. This is another synthetic drug being utilized form frequently in the state, but it has not been placed on the federal DEA list. The committee tries to work with the federal banning list as this allows for a seamless application of the law. The federal government also conducts intense studies and testing to determine if a substance should be on the controlled substance list. I believe there will be a “wait and see” approach on Medthedrone.


• On Wednesday, we had been working behind the scenes in reaching out to any democrats on the committee who may be having a change of heart about the Gay Marriage Bill. We talked about Civil Marriage amendment issues and the like with the focus on preserving the definition of marriage as it is today. We seemed to gain some ground and it looked like we had two votes coming over, but the pressure was being well placed from the Democratic side of the aisle. I saw the Speaker of the House come into our Committee Room on more than one occasion that day, and he was not happy. There were numerous visits by the highest ranking members of the House as they caucused with the hold out democrats who desired to “vote their conscience” on the matter. Sadly for them, their “conscience” had little to do with the desire of the leadership…it was just getting in the way. There would be no vote today either.

I have to give a tip of the hat to Delegate Mike Smigiel and Delegate Don Dwyer. They both led the opposition effort in the Judiciary Committee and it was their actions that helped delay the vote and kept the liberals off their game.

• On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing on the following bills:

1. HB-574: This bill would provide for punitive damages against a certain category of “high risk drunk drivers”. Those favoring the bill believe it would allow for monetary punishment of these drivers on a civil basis beyond the damages caused. While this seemed like a good idea, it was quite clear following testimony that this would undoubtedly result in higher insurance premiums for all Marylanders were it enacted.

2. HB-729: This bill seeks to preserve the rights of Marylanders who may sign onto a Class Action Agreement without full knowledge of their actions. It would tend to make these types of agreements unenforceable in many instances.

3. HB-765: This bill seeks to require the State of Maryland to claim the surplus funds established and held by the Attorney Grievance Commission and use them for general government purposes when those funds exceed a certain level. The account is currently at over 10 million dollars, but is apparently being addressed by the commission.

4. HB-797: This bill would require proper investigations be conducted on judges and other officers of the court when a complaint is filed and found to have merit. Following testimony, it was clear that there is general reluctance for these type of cases to move forward as a general rule. We heard some egregious testimony of alleged improprieties by more than one victim concerning officers of the court.

5. HB-921: This would require insurance carriers to divulge the amount of coverage liability a plaintiff in a court case may have during prelitigation hearings. There was disagreement on the impact of this type of disclosure as to whether it would help or hurt the process.

6. HB-1120: This bill would allow for civil claims to be filed against those who sell or furnish alcohol to individuals who wind up damaging property or injuring another party as a result of their intoxication. It seems the bill would take away from individual responsibility and place more on restaurant and bar owners who may be unwitting victims themselves of a previously intoxicated patron. This is a bill which would drive up the cost of doing business in Maryland through the need for greater insurance premiums.

7. HB-1126: This bill seeks to make provisions for jurors in Baltimore City to receive some type of parking compensation. I guess the delegate thinks the rest of Marylanders should pay for Baltimore City jurors to park their cars. Well, why not? Don’t we pay for everything else over there? There is also a companion bill to this one, HB-1136 which seeks to increase the amount of money paid by Baltimore City for those performing their civic duty. It would further require all employers to provide paid leave time for those serving on jury duty in Baltimore City. My thought is, if Baltimore City wants these things, let them pay the bill. The state is broke.

8. HB-1129: This bill would define Contributory Negligence in Maryland. There is great concern by the business community and those practicing law in Maryland that certain recent inquiries and actions taken by Chief Judge Bell of the State District Court seem to indicate his desire to see the age old definition altered. There were many arguing and pleading for the General Assembly to take action rather than wait for the Judicial Branch of the government to legislate from the bench. I am not sure if we will get a chance to vote this one out, but I sure hope we do.


• On Thursday, when we showed up for our committee session, again several delegates were missing in action. It became abundantly clear that these freshmen democrats were holding firm, but one of them was beginning to cave to pressure. It became clear, as the day wore on, that we would not be voting on SB-116 today either.

• On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee held the following hearings:

1. HB-162: This bill would create a criminal penalty for Child Neglect whereas, till now, this has only been applied civilly by the Department of Social Services as a means of action. This bill was presented by Lt. Governor Brown and his task force. It was generally well received, but was too broad and left a lot of things to be worked out before it could be passed. As a result, a subcommittee was created by the Chairman to study the bill and recommend changes to the full committee. I was honored to be selected as a member of the subcommittee and we will meet next week to address the issues in the bill with the Lt. Governor.

2. HB -407: This bill seeks to create a specific charge of cruelty to animals during an incident of domestic violence. While this may be a problem area, it was thought that there was ample law in place to address this issue.

3. HB-510: This bill seeks to enhance the penalties ascribed to the charges involving stalking and other forms of harassment. We heard from two victims who provided compelling testimony on the need to get tough. I will be offering an amendment to this bill which would provide that District Court Commissioners could not release a person on bond who is charged with violating the provisions of a Peace or Ex-Parte Order.

4. HB-582: This bill seeks to broaden the definition of harassment to include electronic communications and applications. This would include social media sites, emails, text messages and the like. This bill was well received.

5. HB-667: This bill would provide that a Final Peace Order could be up to one year as opposed to the current limit of 6-months.

6. HB-819: This bill would include “strangulation and suffocation” under the current criminal definition of a “serious physical injury”. We received testimony which indicated that this type of injury often is underreported and not obvious to investigators, although it can be a very serious medical issue for the victim.

7. HB-859: This bill would broaden the use of out of court statements made by a victim of child abuse. It would allow caseworkers and counselors to testify as to hearsay evidence of a victim. During discussion, it was agreed that the language of the bill needed to be tightened up and amended before it would pass out of committee.

8. HB-872: This bill would require GPS tracking of Respondents under the decree of a Final Protection Order. This bill met with stiff opposition as the government would be tracking individuals who are not charged with a criminal act. I do not believe this one is coming out of committee. It was interesting to me that the ACLU showed up to protest the GPS tracking of Sex Offenders, but were a no show in this instance.

9. HB-968: This bill has been named, “Justice’s Law” by the sponsor in honor of the child who was murdered and charged under the Child Abuse statutes. Under the law, the defendant could only receive a maximum sentence of 30-years. This bill seeks to provide the judge the ability to sentence a defendant up to Life in prison if convicted. This bill makes a lot of sense and certainly would find application in the courts when it comes to sentencing bad guys.

10. HB-1018: This bill seeks to provide an applicable distance in a Protective Order issued by a court whereby a Respondent could not come within a designated distance of the Petitioner. After hearing testimony, this seemed to be more of a problem with court interpretation of the current law rather than a loop hole being exploited.

11. HB-1019: This bill seeks to create and define “reasonable corporal punishment” in Maryland. It was interesting to me as this bill was being proffered by advocates who believe this type of parental punishment should be banned in Maryland. Parents need to keep their radar up on bills such as these that seek to take away or limit their ability to correct their children in the way they deem appropriate. Abuse should never be tolerated, but these folks would eliminate spanking altogether if you gave them the chance.


• On Friday morning, the Eastern Shore Delegation met with several folks from the shore including representatives from the Salisbury Zoo. They provided us with information packets on updates and the pending expansion of their facilities as well as their ongoing capital campaign. They are seeking a bond grant of $200,000.00 (state debt) for an Animal Health Clinic and a new Visitor/Environmental Center. Zoo Director Joel Hamilton did a nice job presenting their progress and expressing their need for support. Del. Conway and Del. Cane have already forwarded a bond bill to address the request for funding.

Also making a presentation were folks from the Teackle Mansion in Somerset County. They are also engaged in a major renovation project and are attempting to secure some funding from the state through a bond bill. They recently completed work involving the replacement of their HVAC system and are now working on the interior restoration.

The more lively discussion we had at the meeting came from the various representatives from several Local Management Boards across the shore. We heard specifically from Caroline County’s board as well as Dorchester County. These boards assist local government in distributing funds for various programs providing services to children in our communities. Over the past two years, the administrative funding for these programs has been greatly reduced by the state and they have struggled to maintain personnel so as to adequately manage their programs. The boards were complaining that they have funding which they should be able to access to help cover these administrative costs while times are bad in the economy and their funding sources are so depleted. Rosemary King, the Executive Director with the Governor’s Office for Children was also in attendance and spoke to the delegation about the expressed concerns. She clearly sent a message that the available funds must be used for programs and not address administrative costs. She felt strongly that they had gone the extra mile in the past two fiscal years to allow the various boards to adjust their spending and personnel needs to meet the new normal and she was disinclined to make any further provisions for future requests. The exchange was back and forth with ideas being offered and it appears we will continue to negotiate with her office on ways to assist the LMB’s as they continue to provide these much needed services to our folks back home.

• Friday, the drama surrounding the committee vote on Gay Marriage came to a head. The bottom line is, the democratic leadership was able to stiff arm the votes they needed in the committee to get it to the floor, so they quickly scheduled the vote Friday afternoon. There was a spirited debate from both sides, but I believe the compelling arguments were with those in opposition to the passage of SB-116. There were so many television cameras in the committee room, you could see little else. Clearly we were a divided committee. The Republicans on the committee were joined by three (3) Democrats in opposition, while those in favor were all Democrats. The final vote was cast by the Chairman to pass the bill on to the House floor.

I watched and participated all week long as our committee members worked to sway votes. I can tell you that if those votes were cast by secret ballot, there would have been several more “no” votes cast on Friday and it would have been defeated. On the floor when the entire House votes next week, I believe one or more of our committee members who voted for the bill will vote against it for Third Reader. I also do not believe the supporters of SB-116 have the needed votes for passage at the present time. The floor debate will, no doubt, be long and arduous. In the end, it would have always been better to let the voters decide at the polls in 2012; and, if the vote is favorable in the House, I’m quite sure the bill will be petitioned to referendum in Maryland.

I have to say after this week, the meetings were long and exhausting and the Eastern Shore never looked so good as when I crossed that bridge late Friday afternoon.

Afghan President Rejects US Apology Over Killings

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan's president on Sunday rejected a U.S. apology for the mistaken killing of nine Afghan boys in a NATO air attack and said civilian casualties are no longer acceptable.

According to a statement from his office, Hamid Karzai told Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, that expressing regret was not sufficient in last week's killing of the boys, ages 12 and under, by coalition helicopters.

NATO has also apologized for the mistaken killings. Civilian casualties from coalition operations are a major source of strain in the already difficult relationship between Karzai's government and the United States, and they generate widespread outrage among the population.

"President Karzai said that only regret is not sufficient and also mentioned that civilian casualties during military operations by coalition forces is the main reason for tension in relations between Afghanistan and United States," the statement said. "It is not acceptable for the Afghan people anymore. Regrets and condemnations of the incident cannot heal the wounds of the people."

The killing of the nine boys took place on March 1 in the Pech valley area of Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan.

Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, who directs day-to-day operations of coalition forces across Afghanistan, later issued a video statement of apology.

Hundreds of people from a left-wing political party marched through Kabul to protest U.S. military operations and demanded the withdrawal of foreign troops
They chanted "death to America, death to the American government" and carried pictures of Afghans killed or wounded in recent airstrikes. They burned an effigy of Obama.

TO READ MORE GO HERE>>

Muslims Call for Demolition of Statue of Liberty

If flying jets full of innocent civilians into the World Trade Center wasn't perfectly symbolic of Islam's relationship to America, how about this — Muslims are calling for the demolition of the Statue of Liberty. From Shariah 4 America:

The Statue of Liberty, designed by Frederic Bartholdi, stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor; representing Libertas, the Roman (false) goddess of Freedom, it is symbolic of the rebellious nature of the US constitution that elevates the command of man over the command of God.
In Islam, the public veneration of idols and statues is strictly prohibited. This has forced sincere Muslims to develop realistic plans that will aid in the removal of the Statue of Liberty.
Due to the scale of the task at hand, it is highly likely that rigorous safety checks will need to be employed before the demolition of the Statue of Liberty can commence; thus as a temporary measure, it is proposed that a large burkha is used to cover the statue, thereby shielding this horrendous eye sore from public view as well as sending a strong message to its French creators.
Post demolition, it is recommended that a minaret be built as a fitting replacement, allowing the glorification of God to be proclaimed daily as well as act as a powerful reminder of the superiority of Islam over all other ways of life.

It reads like a joke at the expense of Islamic arrogance, but the site actually seems to be on the level. Not that this will dissuade any liberals from reflexively siding with Muslims against the Americans they want to kill or enslave.



VIA:Moonbattery.com>>

Teen rises to fame channeling Johnny Cash

Summary

Discovered singing on a Seattle street, Vince Mira, 15, is a somewhat shy kid who looks uncomfortable during a TV interview. But when he steps up to the microphone to sing Johnny Cash's classic "Ring of Fire," the result is downright spooky. He performs the song in this Good Morning America segment.




VIA: KATU.com

Hat Tip; REE

Sunday, March 6, 2011

MD. State Police Looking For Hit and Run Driver

Maryland State Police from the Berlin Barracks are looking for the public’s help after a disabled Vietnam veteran was hit by an SUV while walking his dog on Route 113 in Pocomoke City.

Paul Hudson, 71, was walking his dog near Smitty’s Garage on Route 113 when he was hit by a black SUV and knocked out of his wheelchair. Hudson was helped back into his wheelchair, his dead dog placed into his lap and left. He was taken to PRMC in Salisbury to be treated for his injuries. Hudson’s dog was killed in the accident.

HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES, REQUEST PUBLICS HELP

CASE # MVAR 1196001255

DATE & TIME: 3/5/11 2:50 – 3:00 PM

LOCATION: Southbound US 113 at Smitty’s Garage

VEHICLE / OPERATOR #1. Unknown Black Sports Utility Vehicle

INJURIES & TRANSPORTED LOCATION:

Paul Franklin Hudson Sr, 71 YOA of Pockomoke, MD

Extent of Injuries are being evaluated at this time, and is being transported to PRMC.

On 3/5/11 at approximately 3:00 PM, 71 year old Pocomoke resident Paul Hudson was walking his dog in the area of US 113 & Smitty’s when a black SUV struck him. Hudson is a disabled Vietnam war veteran and is confined to a wheelchair. He was knocked out of his wheelchair and his dog was killed. Unknown individuals assisted him back into his wheelchair, placed his deceased dog in his lap and left the area. The victim was transported for treatment at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Anyone who has information about this incident is requested to contact the Maryland State Police at 410-641-3101, extension “0”. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Pocomoke Police Department are both helping in the investigation.

Pocomoke Crime Report For The Month Of February

Theft    2011-01-31    500 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Other    2011-01-31    300 Block MARKET STREET    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Theft    2011-01-31    500 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $100

Other    2011-01-31    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Traffic    2011-02-02    RT 13 NB AT 366    (DRIVING, ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE) MOTOR VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT REQUIRED LICENSE OR PERMIT...

Vehicle Stop    2011-02-02    NO ADDRESS PROVIDED    PERSON DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLE ON HWY.(PUBLIC USE OR PROPERTY) ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE AND PRIVILEDGES

Traffic    2011-02-03    CEDAR STREET AND FOURTH STREET    (KNOWINGLY DRIVING, OWNER KNOWINGLY PERMITTING TO BE DRIVEN) UNINSURED VEHICLE...


Traffic    2011-02-03    ROUTE 13 @ NOCKS    FAILURE OF VEH. TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY

Other    2011-02-03    1100 Block MARKET STREET    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Other    2011-02-03    400 Block BANK STREET    WARRANT

Theft    2011-02-04    700 Block CLARKE AVENUE    THEFT: LESS $500 VALUE

Other    2011-02-05    600 Block WALNUT STREET    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Other    2011-02-07    NO ADDRESS PROVIDED    WARRANT

Breaking & Entering    2011-02-08    700 Block NINTH STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft    2011-02-11    400 Block OXFORD STREET    UNAUTHORIZED USE OF M/V

Other    2011-02-11    200 Block BROAD STREET    WARRANT

Breaking & Entering    2011-02-08    700 Block NINTH STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft    2011-02-11    400 Block OXFORD STREET    UNAUTHORIZED USE OF M/V

Other    2011-02-11    200 Block BROAD STREET    WARRANT

Other    2011-02-11    700 Block FOURTH STREET    FALSE STATEMENT TO OFFICER

Theft    2011-02-13    200 Block WALNUT STREET    THEFT: LESS $500VALUE

Other    2011-02-13    800 Block LAUREL STREET    MAL DESTR PROP/VALUE- $500

Drugs    2011-02-13    CYPRESS PARK    CDS: POSS PARAPHERNALIA

Assault    2011-02-13    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE

Other    2011-02-13    1 Block FRONT STREET    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-02-15    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    THEFT SCHEME L/T $1,000

Theft from Vehicle    2011-02-16    1000 Block LYNNHAVEN DRIVE    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Other    2011-02-16    500 Block MARKET STREET    WARRANT

Other    2011-02-16    100 Block NEWTOWNE BOULEVARD    WARRANT

Other    2011-02-17    WILLOW STREET    WARRANT

Other    2011-02-19    1 Block SOMERSET AVENUE    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Other    2011-02-19    SHORT STREET    ATTEMPT BY DRIVER TO ELUDE UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICER BY FAILING TO STOP VEHICLE...

Traffic    2011-02-20    RT 13 SB AT POCOMOKE REST    DRIVING VEH. ON HWY AT SPEED EXCEEDING LIMIT

Traffic    2011-02-21    ROUTE 13    WARRANT

Theft from Vehicle    2011-02-22    600 Block LAUREL STREET    THEFT: LESS $500VALUE

Theft    2011-02-22    100 Block MARKET STREET    THEFT LESS THAN $100

Arson    2011-02-22    500 Block LAUREL STREET    ARSON/THREAT

Other    2011-02-23    300 Block SECOND STREET    WARRANT

Vehicle Stop    2011-02-23    300 Block SECOND STREET    VIOLATE EXPARTE/PROT ORDER

Other    2011-02-24    300 Block SECOND STREET    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-02-24    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    THEFT SCHEME $1,000 - L/T $10,000

Theft    2011-02-25    900 Block MARKET STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Other    2011-02-26    900 Block LAUREL STREET    WARRANT

Theft    2011-02-27    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Other    2011-02-27    1000 Block LYNN HAVEN DRIVE    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Mudbogging Goes Indoors

MudBogging, for the first time, was taken inside the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in January, through the efforts of Checkered Flag Productions.

Some of the regular drivers from the Gumboro Mudbog were on hand to put their trucks through the last tracks of thick mud before settling down and concentrating on the upcoming season of racing which is just now a few weeks away.

Jared Collins (no photo) driving Orange Crush, in the Modified Class, took first place in the Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening shows.


Kelly Hubbard driving High Voltage, in Modified Class, took fourth place Friday night, first place Saturday afternoon and second place Saturday night.
Lee Sturgis who drives Grey Ghost and

Patrick Long the driver of All Night Soldier finished somewhere in the mix of it all but had a great time participating. This put an end to the mudbogging for a few weeks for these guys. The new racing season in Gumboro begins in April and since the first of February the drivers have been busy preparing for the summer of mudbogging.

More stories and photos on mudbogging in our archives........please feel free to browse.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Nancy Grace~ '50 People In 50 Days'

The PPE has been asked to share this information to our readers:

On tonight's episode of Nancy Grace: America's Missing - a show that aims at finding 50 people in 50 days - on HLN

Grace will be conducting an in-depth expose of 32-year-old Venus Stewart from Colon Township, MI, who is thought to have been murdered by her husband after vanishing in April 2010. Venus Stewart walked out to her mailbox to mail a letter on the morning of April 26, 2010. She was never seen again. Drag marks in the yard pointed to signs of a struggle.


Venus Stewart

"Search warrants later revealed blood believed to belong to the 32-year-old mother in her estranged husband’s truck along with a receipt for a shovel, tarp, and gloves. Police believe the young mother of two little girls is dead, but a body has yet to be found. The estranged husband Doug Stewart is now on trial for Stewart’s murder – charged with first degree premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit first degree premeditated murder. While Venus’s family finds solace with the justice system they want to find their daughter to give her a proper burial."


TIPLINE: 269-483-7611
Missing Since: April 26, 2010
Missing From: Colon Township, Michigan
Classification: Endangered Missing
Age at Disappearance: 32
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 130 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

Warrants Issued

Is it just ironic?
Action seems to continue since the arrest of the Walmart employee Tia Johnson. Johnson was arrested last week and charged with theft from Walmart that had been ongoing in the store for two years. In her statement she admitted to not charging family and friends for some purchases when they shopped at the store and turning in bogus return receipts for cash.
Warrants were issued on February 25, 2011 and served March 2, 2011 on Byrdie Johnson Gibbs and her husband TimmothyL. both of Fruitland, Md. The couple was charged with five counts of con-theft scheme.
Trial date is 4/22/11.

Pictures of Bombs Posted On Facebook Can Get You Alot Of Attention

( March 4, 2011) When a picture or comment is posted on the Internet, it could be there forever for anyone to see. One Ocean City man learned this the hard way last week, when he was arrested and charged with a serious crime because of a picture he posted on his Facebook page.


Authorities contend that Ernesto Garcia-Bristo, 26, posted a picture of himself holding two pipe bombs, along with a comment that he made the bombs to use against another person. The Ocean City bomb squad arrested him Feb. 24 and charged him with possessing a destructive device.

The investigation into Garcia- Bristo’s activities was started by an agent with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement because Garcia-Bristo was supposed to have been deported in 2008, according to the police report. The agent began conducting surveillance of Garcia- Bristo after learning that he was still living in Ocean City.

As part of the investigation, the ICE agent examined Garcia-Bristo’s online Facebook page. The agent was concerned by some of the pictures posted on the page, and contacted the local bomb squad.

According to the statement of charges written by Deputy Fire Marshal Cliff Christello, one picture depicted a Hispanic male with a black ski mask over his face holding “two metallic, oblong cylindrical objects (one approximately half the size of the larger) attached together by what appears to be black electrical tape and connected on top by a thin item similar in size/consistency to a fuse or electrical wiring.” These were believed to be pipe bombs.

A string of online comments below the picture led police to believe Garcia-Bristo was the man in the picture holding the suspected bombs, that he made the suspected bombs in Ocean City and that he threatened to use them against another person.

According to the police report, one comment asked, “And is that one of your creations?” The reply, which police said was written by Garcia- Bristo, said, “C’mon, don’t you remember, Fat Boy, it’s the one we did in 76th, it was a gift for that [expletive]. Thank god they understood, because otherwise BBBBUUUMMM to hell.”


Read more HERE>>

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Standoff In West Ocean City Ends Peacefully

March 04, 2011
Written By: News Editor, Shawn J. Soper

WEST OCEAN CITY -- A West Ocean City man was charged with assault, false imprisonment and other charges this week after a nearly two-hour standoff at his home on Wednesday resulted in one of the largest mobilizations of local law enforcement and emergency services manpower and equipment in recent memory.

Around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported domestic assault in progress on Blue Marlin Drive in West Ocean City. The initial investigation revealed the suspect, identified as Jasun V. Weistling, 37, of Ocean City, had been involved in a domestic altercation involving family members including his children and was highly intoxicated and possibly under the influence of prescription medication, according to police reports.

When deputies arrived, Weistling had fled from the home to the second floor of his detached two-car garage where he kept an office. According to sources, Weistling was self-employed as a day trader on the stock exchange from his home office. The perimeter was quickly secured and the victims of the assault were extracted from the home.

Over the next two-plus hours, Weistling remained in the garage office as the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Maryland State Police, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) and the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office, continued to deploy massive amounts of manpower and equipment to the scene. SWAT teams in full regalia mobilized along with the Bomb Squad and its robot. Marked and unmarked police cars along with emergency services vehicles lined both sides of the otherwise peaceful street on both sides and in both directions as concerned neighbors looked on from a safe distance.

It was uncertain at the scene if Weistling was armed, or the extent of his arsenal, but Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Colonel Doug Dods confirmed yesterday the suspect was believed to be armed and potentially dangerous.

“When we got a hold of him, he wasn’t armed,” he said. “Family members told us he had a shotgun and a handgun in the garage office, so that raised a whole lot of concerns.”

Multiple attempts to establish communications with Weistling were made by law enforcement officials to no avail. At one point, the suspect’s father implored his son to come out peacefully over a loudspeaker, but the standoff continued. At another point, the Bomb Squad robot was deployed and officers on the scene called for a boom camera, presumably to gain visual access to the interior of the garage.

Finally, around 7:21 p.m., Worcester County Sheriff’s Office deputies were able to take Weistling into custody without further incident. He was transported to PRMC in Salisbury for evaluation. He was later charged with two counts of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment and alcohol intoxication endangerment. Weistling made an initial appearance in District Court yesterday morning and was ordered held on a $50,000 bond.

Dods said the incident had a fairly successful outcome despite concerns for Weistling, and more importantly, the family members involved.

“We’re hoping he gets the help he obviously needs, but he has to answer for his actions,” he said.


Source; mdcoastdispatch.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 'JMMB'











Thursday, March 3, 2011

Pocomoke City Community Awareness meeting

The next Pocomoke City Community Awareness meeting will be March 19th at 10 am at the Pocomoke Library.

Hat Tip; Dr. Duffy for keeping us informed on these meetings.

Where Can He Work

Better yet who would hire this dude? Why would anyone want to do this to their body?

There's zero chance of getting a decent job anywhere not to mention how sorry he will be that he did this to his body about the time he reaches 50.

Click on the video screen to go to the youtube page and check-out some of the freaks on the right of that page.

A Little More Pocomoke History

Do you remember Dr. Hall?

How about W. H. Clarke & Co. Druggist?

While I was digging through some of my junk I came across this old bottle that I had long forgotten about. We found the bottle in this old house while cleaning up after we bought the house.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The medicine bottle is still about 1/2 full of it's original contents. It smells like a hybrid concoction of maybe 12% Vicks, 8% Robitussin and 80% 90 proof moonshine, yeah that's about right.

All and all it's in pretty good shape for it's age, the label is still very legible even through all the grime and 53 years of collecting dust.

The label that is still attached firmly to the bottle clearly says as follows;
155-969                4-12-58 

Grady Powell

One (1) Teaspoon full in water Three Times A Day

Dr. Hall

W. H. Clarke & Co.
Druggist

Phone 124                   Reg. No. 8141

Pocomoke City                    Maryland

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

 CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE