Current
October 21, 2010
Priceless
Chesapeake
Serving Northern Calvert and Southern Anne Arundel Counties
Homecoming at Kellams Field
‘Field of Dreams’ Unveiled After $500,000 Facelift
Page 14 Local Teens Stage Terrifying Haunted House
Story Page 12
Where Do Old Cell Phones Go?
Story Page 23
Pages 2 - 11
2010 Voter Guide
The nearest early voting center in Anne Arundel County is located at:
Chesapeake Current Election Coverage – Listen to Full Interviews The Chesapeake Current is continuing its coverage of candidates on the ballot in November’s General Election in Calvert County. This issue we are profiling the candidates seeking seats on the Calvert County Board of Commissioners, as well as the Calvert County Sheriff candidates, state races and candidates on the ballot in North Beach, based with one-on-one interviews with each candidate. Readers can visit www.somd.com/election2010 to listen to the full 10-15 minute interviewz with most candidates.
Edgewater Library 25 Stepneys Lane Edgewater, MD 21037 The only early voting center in Calvert County is located at: Calvert County Elections Office 30 Duke Street Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Early Voting May Eliminate Election Day Crunch In 2007, the Maryland General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment that was later approved by voters allowing early voting starting with the 2010 elections. This means that beginning this year, any registered voter in Maryland can vote in person before Election Day. For the general election, early voting centers will be open starting Friday, October 22 through Thursday, October 28, except for Sunday, October 24 when early voting centers are closed. Early voting center hours are 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. each day of early voting. Anyone in line at 8:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote. The normal General Election Day is November 2. However, any registered voter in Maryland can choose to vote early.
On T he Cover
The Beach Buccaneers celebrate their first homecoming at the newly revamped Kellams Field in Chesapeake Beach following a $500,000 renovation project. Read all about it on page 14.
Residents of the Town of North Beach must go to two separate locations to cast all their ballots in the general election. - To vote for Federal, State and County candidates, North Beach residents must cast ballots at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department on Bayside Road in Chesapeake Beach. - In order to vote in the North Beach election for Mayor and Council Members, residents must cast those ballots at the North Beach Community Center between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on November 2. Applications for absentee ballots are available at the Town Hall trailer. Town ballots cannot be cast at the Calvert County Early Voting Center.
Brenneman: Let’s Bring the Sheriff’s Office Into the 21st Century Profile of Don Brenneman (D) Candidate for Calvert County Sheriff Calvert County Sheriff candidate Don Brenneman (D) would like to bring the sheriff’s department into the 21st century. “Right now the crime rate is one of the highest I’ve seen in the past eight years. Crime has been on the decline nationwide over 5.3 (percent). Property crimes (down) 4.6 percent. And this county here reported an 18 percent increase in crime last year. Charles County reported a decline. Prince George’s reported a decline.” The way he plans to reduce crime is to put additional deputies on the road and create an intelligence division to listen to the community and understand their needs. Brenneman said Calvert County is unique in its law enforcement needs because of the wide range of socio-economic cultures living within it. The north and south ends of the county are transient residents moving into the county for a few years at a time because of their jobs in Washington, D.C. or Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Watermen live in Solomons, North Beach and Chesapeake Beach. And teachers and other professional live throughout. Officers who understand their areas know how to patrol them, he said. For example, the northern end of the county is made up mostly of commuters who are gone for long periods during the day, making their residents more attractive for breakins. Another part of the part of the county with restaurants and bars generates more calls during the weekend nights. Areas heavy with shopping outlets report an increase in vehicle break-ins during the holiday season. Gathering intelligence is something Brenneman has done for 38 years. Even as he’s been campaigning he’s gathering intelligence. “Knowing a problem before it becomes a problem. Don’t ignore it. Document it and understand it. Sit down and listen to them. Even as I’m door knocking I’m listening. I was in the southern end of the county and hear about drag racing, people working on their cars all night long. They’ll tell you a lot. Then react on those situations.” One neighborhood he visited he learned of break-ins. Since the community was off the beaten path, he quickly surmised there was a “walker,” meaning it was someone in the area committing the crimes. By the time he visited the last house, he was confident he knew where the suspect lived. Brenneman feels the county funds the sheriff’s office very well. He believes the budget could be managed better, possibly even reduced. At the minimum he doesn’t believe he’ll come in over budget as he suggests the current sheriff has done. Citing this year’s email scandal, highspeed calls which resulted in the death of a teenager and fighting over uniforms, Brenneman said he’d like to restore professionalism back to the department. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
community
For the 5th year in a row, an area teenager is transforming his family’s home into a truly frightening “Haunted Adventure,” which is open to the public for free. Get the scary details on page 12.
Also Inside
2-11 Election Coverage 12 Community 13 On The Water 14 Cover Story 16 Taking Care of Business 19 Letters 20 In Remembrance 23 Green Living 24 Business Directory 27 Out & About
EVENTS
FOR EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA, CHECK PAGE 23 IN OUT AND ABOUT
county politics Evans: Police Work is in My Blood
Profile of Mike Evans (R) Candidate for Calvert County Sheriff “The challenge is the deployment of resources when you don’t get additional resources,” said incumbent Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans. Although he did receive funding for three additional deputies last fiscal year, those officers are currently in the police academy. The year before last he did not receive additional funding from the county and his request for federal stimulus money was denied. In the meantime, he’s moved three deputies off road patrol into narcotics, school and domestic violence units. In order to maintain proper coverage throughout the county, the sheriff’s department has gone to 12-hour shifts and divided up the county so there is some overlapping coverage. For example, if an officer in the north is taking a suspect to jail, the officer in the neighboring precinct knows to cover that area. Evans is disappointed that the Calvert County Board of Commissioners didn’t keep up with their
commitment to provide funding for additional deputies each year. Currently the sheriff’s department has 1.6 deputies for every 1,000 citizen, which is among the lowest ratios in the state, which averages 2.7 throughout the counties. However, installing computers in all the patrol vehicles by the end of the calendar year will help keep deputies out on the road instead of coming into the office to complete paperwork. Providing digital cameras to officers in the field will help document domestic violence without having to call additional resources to the scene. “Is it (the Sheriff’s department) funded appropriately? I guess. I would like to have more. I think anybody in command – anybody in the country would say ‘I can do better with more staff.’ And I think we can. Are the commissioners doing their part? Yes. Do I think they can do more in the future? Yes. And I hoping they will regardless of who is commissioner next year. His philosophy on law enforcement is to treat everyone they way you want to be treated. “Call someone back whether you solved their case or not. ‘I worked on your case, we found this ___ but we were unable to find ____, your case will be suspended.’ Keep in touch with the people. They don’t expect you to solve every crime but they want to be notified and that’s important.” Evans has served in Calvert County for over 30 years. His children are here and serving in law enforcement. His grandchildren are here. He’s visible and accessible. Anyone who wants to talk to him just has to call, email or text him. If he’s in the office and a citizen drops by, he wants to be available to hear their concerns. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
Clark: Calvert County is Financially Very Strong Profile of Gerald Clark, (R) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner Incumbent Calvert County Commissioner Gerald “Jerry” Clark, (R-District 1) is optimistic and pleased with the overall condition of the county. “Calvert County is financially very strong, we have not laid off, not furloughed, not cut any services and we have not raised any tax rates in Calvert County at any point in this whole financial crisis. So we’ve navigated very well and will continue to use the same formula and same methods used on a yearly basis going into the next term.” The local government has not raised the property tax rate since the late 1980s “and has served us well” especially considering the values of homes have kept themselves over the years even through the down turn in economy and housing crises, according to Clark. While stating “anything is possible” as far as lowering the current property tax rate, Clark said the commissioners must determine if they can still
bring in enough revenue to fund schools, public safety, roads and snow removal. Stating the county’s property tax rate is in the bottom 20 percent of the other counties in the state, Clark believes the pinch of the tax burden is really coming from the state and federal government. Even though he’s pleased with the strength of Calvert’s financial position, he recognizes the biggest challenge facing the Board of Commissioners is approaching the budget conservatively but finding efficiencies, cutting departments and without raising revenue. He points out while he’s been commissioner the county has increased funding to public education, public safety and local road projects. As far as the local economy, Clark said deficit spending by state and national government does more to hurt local businesses. He believes the county has a good track record working with local businesses. “Business owners find ways to make it work. We just need to know what the rules are, what to expect, what the fixed costs are going to be. Let us loose and go out there and do our thing.” Clark thinks the county government has done a good job over the years of preserving the rural character of the county. The percentage of growth has dropped to a manageable one to one and a half percent. The commissioners cut the density of residential lots as well as put over $1 million this past year into preserving land. “We’re preserving more property than developing and on our way to goal of 40,000 acres (preserved).” By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@ somdpublishing.net
VOTE for
Randy Hummel
For North Beach Town Council Supports ALL of North Beach, not just special interests. Reasoned decisions taking into account our past, present and future. Will not mortgage our future to pay for our present. Asks the hard questions and isn't afraid of the answers. Isn't afraid to make the tough, possibly "unpopular" decisions.
Knowledge and Experience Committed Available Honesty Integrity
Keep moving Forward, not Backward! By Authority of: Jennifer S. Hummel, Treasurer
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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Donnelly: Commissioners Should Take Pay Cut Profile of V. Charles Donnelly (I) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner “This incoming group of commissioners may be the first ones run out of town in four years on rails with tar and chicken feathers. Because it is going to be hard and it’s going to be tough. That’s just the economic reality,” said Calvert County Commissioner Candidate V. Charles Donnelly (I-District 1). Reducing the size of government without sacrificing public education or public safety is the four year challenge for the next Board of Commissioners. Donnelly says it means taking a hard look at government to reduce costs, cut waste and maybe even transfer some functions of government to the private sector. For example, St. Mary’s and Anne Arundel counties have turned permitting and inspections over to a private business. This eliminates approximately $300,000 from the county budget. The service is better and it creates jobs in the community, which generate real property and income taxes. Diversifying the government and creating an aggressive economic development department to at-
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tract clean businesses to the area will also reduce the county’s dependence upon real property taxes, about 65 percent of the revenue making up the 2011 budget. Donnelly finds it troublesome from his observation that people are voting with their feet and leaving the county. He feels a disproportionate number of lower income and African American groups are adversely affected by the current real property tax structure. There is something philosophically wrong when a person works hard, raises kids, pays taxes and is suddenly in position where they have lesser income but rising real property and is forced to sell off waterfront or farm property, according to Donnelly. Even more disconcerting is they are moving to St. Mary’s County because they don’t want to leave the area. He’d like to see a tax exemption made for citizens reaching a certain age and having lived in the county 20 or more years. Commissioners ought to set the tone for painful budget cuts by rolling back their salaries 20 percent. The $50,000 isn’t much but at least they would be leading by example says Donnelly. “This may sound funny coming from a lawyer, but this is the most litigious group of politicians I’ve ever encountered. They’ll fight you over anything. It doesn’t seem to bother them that they have to hire a Baltimore law firm to do it and spend $1.25 million dollars in legal fees, rather than resolve the issues they want to battle with the Tiki Bar.” He wonders how the commissioners can sit down to a meal paid for by taxpayers every Tuesday after they effectively closed down Chesapeake Church’s food pantry over road access which the state highway department has no problem with. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
Thursday, October 21, 2010
county politics
Mackall: We Will Solve These Problems Together Profile of Kimberly Mackall (D) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner
Young, single, a new face, full of energy and fresh ideas are the reasons Calvert County Commissioner candidate Kimberly Mackall (D-District 1) believes voters should elect her this November. “I’m committed to this county. I am a person who believes bringing people to the table to help solve problems. We are going to solve these problems together.” Mackall said it’s not going to be just county commissioners it’s going to be the community, and the stakeholders in the community, those people who are a part of the churches, the businesses the non-profits and civic organizations coming together to solve the problems. The major issue facing the county over the next four years is the recent announcement that a third nuclear reactor may not be built. She would like to see the county mount up an effort to diversify the county’s tax base and not rely on one large taxpayer or on property taxes.
“I think we need to look at how we are spending our money to ensure that we are looking at not only being fiscally responsible but looking at opportunities. I think tourism is something we really need to look at. Are we focusing on that for every dollar we spend are we making $36 back?” Besides tourism, she wants to talk to our senators about bringing some Department of Defense offices down to the county, putting component manufacturers into the Patuxent Business Park. The county should be marketing the business park to bio-sciences and green technology. In order to make the county attractive to business, the Thomas Johnson Bridge needs to be improved. Right now, Mackall believes the backups are a deterrent to potential business worried about employees and parts not arriving on time. Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the bus routes within the county is also a need she’s hearing from local citizens. They are saying if they have to be at work by 10 a.m., they have to catch a bus by 7 a.m. As far as property taxes, Mackall would like to look into incentives for entry-level professionals wanting to move into the county. She thinks the Town Centers are one way to attract nurses and schoolteachers currently commuting in from St. Mary’s, Waldorf and Anne Arundel. She’d like to consider waiving impact fees for these young professionals as well. “I just want us to follow it (the comprehensive plan) and get it implemented. When we do we will be able to retain the entry-level professionals. That’s a tax base for us. They will support the businesses.” By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
county politics McConkey: Zoning Needs to Help Businesses Profile of Kelly D. McConkey (D) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner
Nutter: I Want to Hear What The People Say Profile of Pat Nutter (R) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner
Owner of Kelly’s Nursery in Dunkirk, Calvert County Commissioner Candidate Kelly D. McConkey (D-District 3) is not comfortable with the local economy. He would like to see the local government encourage small businesses by awarding county businesses county contracts. “There should be a preference so that they are creating jobs within our county and keeping money right here,” he said. Furthermore, he would like to see the local farmers get together and provide produce to the local schools and for the county to get together and support one another by buying local. “As a member of the Maryland farm bureau, I’ve been in agricultural business my whole life. I want to protect the farmers. “ He agrees with the current plan to direct commercial growth into the town centers and industrial growth into industrial areas. However, he would like to see the zoning more flexible. For example, he talked about how an indoor soccer complex is allowed in the town centers, but not in the light industrial. “If we can allow the zoning to help the businesses out it’s going to make a huge difference. The soccer complex can’t afford to go into the town centers but they can afford to make it in the light industrial. It’s something that’s not costing the county anything.” Such flexibility in zoning may also help fill up empty spaces in the light industrial complexes throughout the county, according to McConkey. He agrees most county residents are not pleased with the current property tax structure, which he’s open to reviewing. His main concern is less money coming from the state at the same time property values are going down. “The problem we face is, if we change the tax structure are we still going to have the same quality of life in Calvert County? I don’t mind paying what I’m paying because of the quality of life here.” That being said, he would like to give senior citizens a tax relief after paying taxes their whole life. The Thomas Johnson Bridge is a concern, but he points out construction of the bridge is a function of state government. He’s more interested in finding land for Park and Rides to help reduce commuter traffic. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
ch Forward and a e B h rt o N g in Mov f Our Town o r te c ra a h C e Preser ving th
VOTeMichael
S e L K O J BO for
NOrTh BeACh MAyOr on Nov 2nd
Approved: Kathleen Walthall, Treasurer
He doesn’t claim to have all the answers, in fact, he’s more interested in listening to what the citizens of Calvert County have to say about the challenges facing the Board of Commissioners over the next four years. Pat Nutter (R-District 1) believes one of his greatest assets is the ability to listen to people and respect their opinions. If elected, he plans to be a fulltime commissioner and spend his time speaking to “concerned groups, gathering their input, suggestions and opinions.” One concern raised to him a number of times by the same lady is the inflexibility in the assessment of impact fees. For example, how much does a parent who has lived in the county all her life impact the county infrastructure by moving in her adult child? Why should she pay $7,500 just to expand the house by 900 square feet for a little bit of extra space in the home? Another concern is the need for transportation for after school programs. Nutter believes there is enough interest in attending programs and even enough volunteers to run the programs, but not enough buses to facilitate the children taking advantage of the activities. He’d like to hear some proposed solutions. Nutter encourages people to buy local as much as possible, which keeps money and jobs in the county. He’d like to see the county provide tax breaks or incentives for the small local businesses to expand and employ some of the 67 percent of those currently commuting out of the county. Maintaining the rural heritage is important to Nutter, he doesn’t want to see the county turn into a suburb. He likes the fact that he can travel anywhere in the county and still run into people he knows. But that doesn’t mean he’s opposed to growth. He’d rather see slow and managed growth. He would also like to see the county maintain tourism and small local businesses as opposed to bringing in big box stores. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
Evan Slaughenhoupt for CALVERT COUNTY COMMISSIONER
“As a past member of the County Ethics Commission and past member of the County Ethics Commission and past president of DACCA, Evan understands how a strong local economy, low taxes and a transparent government are the building block to preserving and protecting our quality of life. We are fortunate to have such a well informed and qualified candidate running for County Commissioner.” - George Owens, Dunkirk, MD
“I believe in fiscal prudence and transparency are the foundation of good government.”
Evan on the Issues • I support reducing the constant yield. • I support reducing taxes. • I support reducing spending. • I will enhance the County ethics code. • I support improving the education formula funding. • I support 2nd Amendment rights. Auth: citizens to Elect Evan Slaughenhoupt; Gregory Kernan, Treas.
www.evanslaughenhoupt.com
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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county politics
Parran: Calvert Succeeding Despite Poor Economy
Phalen: Government is Supposed to Serve the People
Profile of Wilson H. Parran (D) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner
Profile of William J. Phalen (D) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner
Born and raised in the county, incumbent Commissioner Wilson H. Parran (D-District 3) first ran for election because he wanted to manage growth. He believes the rural character is why so many people move to Calvert. Since he began serving on the board, the government has preserved 26,000 acres of their goal of 40,000 acres, or 31 percent, of the county lands. “So preserving the landscape, preserving land in Calvert County is a major, major commitment for me. We are directing a lot of residential growth into the town centers. We want that rural landscape look and not have those congested areas like in surrounding counties.” Although the commissioners looked to reduce property taxes in 2008, Parran is glad they didn’t since the “bottom fell out of the economy” just a few months later. Alluding to the three-year assessment cycle decrease in property values, Parran said “Any adjustment now would be premature.” Also on his mind when planning the budget is the state’s significant reduction in revenues given to the county. He explains the state gave Calvert County $6 million dollars in 2009 but only $250,000 for the current budget cycle. “We’ve been hit twice. First in state revenue and then income taxes (declines).” He feels the formula used for funding education for the last four to five years has been key to the Calvert County Public Schools success. He plans to continue with the formula, which puts the county in the top rank in terms of dollar amounts spent per child. “We are going above what the law requires.” Besides education, local government funds infrastructure, defined by Parran as public safety, traffic, sewers and town centers. He is pleased during his tenure the Southern Connector was completed and significant progress made on the Prince Frederick loop. He chairs the Regional Infrastructure Advisory Committee with the Tri-County Council, which has placed the Thomas Johnson Bridge and bringing light rail to Waldorf at the top of Southern Maryland’s transportation priorities. He believes three counties going to the state brings more clout to the regional issues. Like many of the other candidates, Parran agrees the county could be more business friendly. Currently, the county does have a small business development center to support small businesses, but he’d like to see incentives based upon certain criteria for businesses to fund expansions. He would also like to see the county attract “clean and green” businesses such as consultants and contractors who support Patuxent River Naval Air Station. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
“The purpose of government is to serve the people. When government tries to close down a food pantry because of zoning, that’s not serving the people,” said Calvert County Commissioner candidate William J. “Bill” Phalen (D-District2). This philosophical change has to come from the Board of Commissioners and be passed down from department head to the employees working with the citizens of Calvert, according to Phalen, who said this attitude made him successful the 16 years he served on the Calvert County Public School Board. Phalen had many examples of how he believes the current board doesn’t serve the people well including not being business friendly to small businesses. “I’m not satisfied with how business is treated. In today’s vernacular, we aren’t business friendly and haven’t been for a long time.” As commissioner, he would like to dedicate some of the current staff in planning and zoning to facilitating the process of starting a new business. Ideally the way this would look, according to Phalen, is that a dressmaker who doesn’t know anything about opening a business can walk in and someone would explain the process from beginning to end. The explanation would included a list of all the other government departments involved and a list of their expectations. Just like the county gives tax incentives to big business like BGE, Phalen would like to see the county give tax incentives to small independent farmers who are willing to take the risk to grow something new and different in Calvert. “There are very few independent small farmers, it’s not profitable. I believe there is another tobacco out there, it’s not called tobacco.” A second concern for Phalen is transportation. “We are headed for grid lock sooner rather than later. I’m concerned and I don’t believe the current commissioners drive up the road between six and eight in the morning.” The answer to traffic congestion on Route 4 is bus transportation. While the county doesn’t put the buses on the roads, the county can provide parking for commuters. Phalen suggested these things haven’t been a priority for the current board. Crediting the school system’s success with looking ahead and planning accordingly, Phalen would like to see county government look ahead and plan for traffic, which includes helping the state get moving on the Thomas Johnson Bridge. As far as taxes are concern, he feels the current tax structure has served the county well. He doesn’t expect to see property taxes change in the next one to two years. Since “county government is dipping into its rainy day fund, now is not the time to change it (property taxes).” By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
V The Republican Women Leaders of Calvert V urge all to VOTE! O O early voting - october 22 to october 28 general election - november 2 T T The RWLC supports the following candidates: E E V O T E
Governor/Lt. Governor Robert Ehrlich and Mary Kane Comptroller William Campbell U.S. Senate Eric Wargotz U.S. House of Representatives Charles Lollar MD State Senate District 27 Vernon Hayes MD State Senate District 29 Stephen Waugh MD House of Delegates 27A Toni Jarboe-Duley Mike Hethmon MD House of Delegates 27B Mark Fisher MD House of Delegates 29C Anthony “Tony” O’Donnell
Calvert County Commissioners Gerald W. Clark (District 1) Pat Nutter (District 2) Susan Shaw (District 2) Steve Weems (District 2) Evan Slaughenhoupt (District 3) Calvert State’s Attorney Laura Martin Sheriff of Calvert County Mike Evans Treasurer of Calvert County Nova Tracy-Soper Clerk of the Court, Calvert Peggy O’Donnell Judge of the Orphan’s Court, Calvert Leslie Downs Board of Education, Calvert David Cole
V O T E
V Did you know the first women and Blacks in Congress were all V Republicans, and, that Women’s Right to Vote passed only when the of the House and Senate? O O Republicans became theYes,majority true facts! Republicans Value Freedom, Value And Respect The T T Constitution And Are For Lower Taxes, Smaller Governtment And Support Small Businesses. E E 6
Authority By: Janet Hartman, RWLC Treasurer
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Shaw: We Can Hold The Line Without New Taxes Profile of Susan Shaw (R) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner “A steady hand is needed in these budgetary times. You really need someone who understands the budget inside and out. There is a steep learning curve. I did not think so at first, but I was wrong,” said incumbent Calvert County Commissioner Susan Shaw (R-District 2) Citing declining property assessments and reductions in state funding coming to the counties, Shaw believes the county budget is the biggest challenge facing incoming commissioners over the next four years. “It’s extremely important that we watch our spending and in fact we cut the budget 4.5 percent in this current year and will probably have to do something similar again. Anybody promising something that costs additional money is not being fiscally responsible.” Shaw is concerned about the state government’s threat to pass the responsibility for funding teacher pensions down to the counties. Such a move will increase local taxes by twelve cents on the dollar and bankrupt most of the Maryland counties. “We have to hold the line. And we can. We can maintain the quality of life that we’ve become accustomed to without raising taxes if the state does not pass the teacher pensions on to us.” Watching the budget has meant deferring approximately $100 - $160 million in capital improvement projects. When money is available again, Shaw has three priorities. First is the Solomons fire house, she states is a fire trap, next the Prince Frederick fire house because of mold and structural issues and finally the Lusby library which is inadequate for the current demand. In the current economy, Shaw feels education is sufficiently funded using the same formula for the last four to five years which has ranked Calvert County among the top funded schools in the state. She is also pleased there are funds available to purchase recreational fields in Solomons. The obstacle has been finding land, which has proper soils and accessibility. The economy has slowed down the Prince Frederick loop project, but hasn’t stopped it completely. Residents should start seeing work begin soon on Armory Road. Other road projects scheduled to begin include upgrading Boyd’s Turn and Dowell roads. Shaw said there is no question about the county’s need to become more business friendly. One way she believes will help is to help local businesses get the word out about where they are located and what kind of product and service they provide. “Signage is an issue. Everybody used to know where everybody was. That’s not the case anymore.” By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
county politics Sloughenhoupt: Improve Business by Getting Government Out of the Way
Weems: Cut Spending Instead of Raising Taxes
Profile of Evan Sloughenhoupt (R) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner
Profile of Steve Weems (R) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner
Calvert County Commissioner candidate Evan Sloughenhoupt (R-District 3) has four ideas to improve the business climate by getting government out of the way. First, he would like to implement an ethics code. “If you improve transparency people will get a fair deal when working with the government. You hear complaining about the good ole’ boy network or someone got a job or a contract. These are symptoms.” Next he would like a top down review of all the planning and zoning ordinances looking for “unintended consequences. There have been people hurt actually losing homes because of enforcement of some of the zoning activities and that’s unconscionable. We need to review that and fix that.” Most critical, he would like to introduce some management tools, which allow for efficiencies in government. “When you have greater efficiencies you can afford to have a smaller government, a less expensive government and also you have decisions based on metrics and you can hold people implementing activities more accountable.” His final idea is to reduce taxes. He believes they are too high in relation to “Anne Arundel, Montgomery and five other counties. Lower the tax rate and you actually encourage people to spend more.” As commissioner he will strive to strike the right balance between preserving the way of life for agriculture and watermen and residential growth. It also means protecting natural resources such as the Chesapeake Bay and rivers. He would like to see the government create a set of blue prints of what the county will look like at build out, which is only about 6,000 homes away. Projecting how many deputies are necessary at build out and knowing how many the Sheriff’s department employees there are now will help the county plan and budget appropriately. The county should hold the state accountable for improving the traffic safety and flow within the county. Slaughenhoupt believes the state needs to close down more dangerous highway crossovers and create more right turn only onto Route 4, along with creating sufficient acceleration and deceleration lanes and legal U-turns. By voting for him, Slaughenhoupt believes citizens will receive a new face, new ideas and a different approach for managing government. He plans to hold county employees accountable to a metric based formula and insist they come to the board with relevant data to justify decisions. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
A lifelong resident of the county, Calvert County Commissioner candidate Steve Weems (R-District 2) is an advocate for residential growth. “The smart growth initiatives to place development in the town centers is a great concept and I commend the former commissioners for that. What needs to be conveyed is the difference between the major and minor town centers.” Stating growth is going to happen, Weems stands for common sense and being realistic in the county’s approach to growth. “I would advocate for the residential growth. To encourage it. Maybe become a little lax with the transfer of development rights and facilitate the growth there in a balanced manner. They come here for the rural character and they would like for it to remain that way.” Facing a flat tax base over the next four years will make setting the county budget the major challenge facing the new Board of Commissioners, according to Weems. “Therefore we will have to cut spending or raise
Stinnett: State Might Lay Huge Burden On County Profile of Barbara Stinnett (D) Candidate for Calvert County Commissioner “I’d like to see an old fashion processing plant. We used to have them here. So people who have cattle, goats, and sheep have a place to take them to be processed,” said incumbent Calvert County Commissioner Barbara Stinnett (D-District 3). These processing plants could lead to creating markets within the county for new types of agricultural business. Unless farmers and watermen are able to make money from their businesses they will be forced to sell their lands, Stinnett said. Helping these kinds of businesses is in line with Stinnett’s desire to become less depend upon Constellation Energy Nuclear Group as the county’s largest taxpayer. Providing tax incentives to smaller businesses and encouraging tourism are areas she’s thinking about during the next four years. “Small businesses are the mortar for the foundation for the taxes and keeping a viable county. I don’t want to see huge businesses come in to wipe out our businesses just hanging on.” The Thomas Johnson Bridge is critical not only to the economic health of the region but also to the safety of residents living in the southern end of the county. Noting how traffic is bottlenecked over a simple auto accident, Stinnett is concerned about the possible need to evacuate the county. She believes it is going to take federal money to see the bridge become a reality. Expanding the Park and Rides is another key to improving the traffic and quality of life in the county. “We will always have people going back and forth to other areas where the jobs are. I think that’s been since the 60s, 70s, and 80s. We don’t have the businesses.” Stinnett has found her time as commissioner rewarding. She believes when she was elected she was “elected to a job of service.” As an “at large” commissioner she gets involved and helps anyone who calls her. “It is mind blogging the way government seems to interfere with its own regulation and its own destiny. Sometimes people just need a little boost. That’s the greatest reward you can get.” Should the state follow through on its threats to hand off funding teacher pensions to the county, this will be the number one challenge facing the next Board of Commissioners because it will become a “tremendous burden” on local government and tax payers, according to Stinnett. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
taxes. I’m in the camp of cutting spending – two to five percent cumulative. We have to stay the course and combat the financial shortcomings on the horizon.” This is the case especially since the state is facing a $2 billion deficit. The county can’t rely on state money to help balance the budget. Weems is one of several small business owners running for a commissioner’s seat. As a local business owner he “is not comfortable with the environment in which small business owners have to deal with local government.” He was encouraged to hear from the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce that there is a new facilitator assigned to help businesses move from point A to point B. “From a development perspective it shouldn’t become an ordeal. The regulations need to be backed off and sped up frankly. A lot of people get frustrated and basically give up and that shouldn’t be the case. This is a capitalist society at the end of the day and these people should be encouraged.” Weems would like to avoid future controversies with the local teachers over contracted salaries and cost of living allowances. “I would like to emulate St. Mary’s County who did not have this contract dispute. I would like to see contingencies for the next fiscal year – a compromise since morale is low among the teachers.” While the improvement to the Thomas Johnson Bridge is really a matter for the state and federal governments, Weems would like the county to take advantage of the information age by sending alerts to phones and email regarding traffic issues and alternative routes. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
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Hayes: Government is Not Immune to The Economy Profile of Vernon Hayes (R) Candidate for Maryland State Senate, Dist. 27 “Government is not immune to the economy. I don’t think it is right to look at the public and say you should worry about losing your job, you should be worried about losing your income, but we aren’t going to ask that of government,” says Maryland State Senator candidate Dr. Vernon Hayes (RDistrict 27), who holds a doctorate in public budget and finance. Opposed to tax increases, Hayes says anyone familiar with basics in economics knows raising taxes in a consumer driven economy is the worst thing government can do. At the same time, he’s not happy about talk of cutting education and health; however, government needs to treat their budget the way its citizens treat their household budget. “We had lots of kids in our classrooms when we were growing up and we didn’t grow up to be morons. If it is a case of putting a teacher in a school or keeping a historic landmark open every day for two visitors, I’ll pick the teacher.” He believes public education is important but he doesn’t think throwing money at schools is necessarily the correct answer. He cites Washington, D.C. has the highest cost per pupil allowance, but not the highestranking educational system. Stabilizing government and the business environment should be the state legislature’s focus over the next four years. Maryland has a number of challenges to overcome. First it is ranked 4th in the nation for its tax rate. Next it falls close to the bottom in business friendly criteria. Looking at such reports leads Hayes to the conclusion that environmental regulations do appear to be part of the problem. “We also we live in delicate eco-system. I believe in good government, but not over regulating. I believe government does great things. I don’t believe in the supremacy of the market. There is always a tension between regulation and markets. “ Another reason businesses are not looking to move into the state is too many unanswered questions for business planners to take a risk. “Why would a business come here if they are going to have expenses to clean the bay? Are they going to have a tax increase?” Hayes says bringing business and top education to Maryland is his top priority. He would like the governor and legislature come out immediately at the beginning of a new session and announce there will be no tax increases. This, streamlining environmental regulation processes and a nationally recognized educational system will go a long way into inducing businesses to come. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
Fisher: Private Sector Will Lead Maryland to Prosperity Profile of Mark Fisher (R) Candidate for Maryland House of Delegates, Dist. 27B “The private sector will lead Maryland into prosperity, if and only if, we make Maryland friendly for small businesses. It’s time to renew Maryland’s Opportunity Society and say: ‘Made in Maryland,’ instead of ‘Moved from Maryland’,” said Maryland State Delegate 27B candidate Mark Fisher (R-Owings). Citing Maryland’s position as the 4th highest in state tax rates in the nation and losing 3,000 businesses last year, Fisher believes the 2007 Maryland’s General Assembly’s record tax increase is killing jobs and making the economic recession worse. “I support reintroducing a ‘sales tax-free holiday’ in Maryland, which was eliminated by my opponent. The 20 percent sales tax increase has caused more Marylanders to shop in Delaware, a tax-free state.” Fisher would like to see the state implement “truth in spending measures” in particular when it comes to collecting taxes for transportation projects, instead of using the funds to balance the budget. “The transportation trust fund is routinely raided by the folks who control Annapolis. It is for this reason that I support ‘Truth in Spending Measures’- namely, to put fees and revenues into ‘lock boxes’ for both transportation and the environment. Too often, we’re taxed and charged fees for transportation and the environment, but the money is transferred to another pet project,” he said. This practice, which Fisher suggests “those in Annapolis have turned this into an art form,” has depleted the funds available to address the Thomas Johnson Bridge and bringing light rail to Southern Maryland, the region’s top transportation priorities. State regulations for environmental issues are hurting individual homeowners, small businesses and employees. Fisher uses the example of House Bill 1350, which charges an impact fee of $1,000 per square foot for any new building in tidal and non-tidal wetlands. Depending upon the size of the new construction, the impact fee alone can make the project unaffordable. Therefore, a homeowner could be prevented from building on their property thus preventing them from hiring a contractor, who in turn hires employees. “The facts speak for themselves. In the past two months, Maryland has recorded the largest increase in unemployment in the nation. Maryland needs to revamp its anti-business, regulatory and taxation regime.” Based upon his campaigning and door knocking, Fisher believes Calvert County voters are ready for a change. He invites those who think Maryland is heading in the wrong direction to cast their vote for him. “Voters are concerned about how our elected officials have adopted the premise that larger government, higher taxes and more spending will get us out of this economic recession. The economic challenges that we face are unprecedented and continuing the policies of our current elected officials will only make things worse.” By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
STATE politics
Miller: Southern Maryland is Safe With Me Profile of Thomas V. Miller, Jr. (D) Candidate for Maryland State Senate, Dist. 27
As long as he remains President of the Maryland Senate, nothing bad will happen to Southern Maryland, promises incumbent Senator Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr. (D-District 27). He’s a small businessman; his siblings and children were raised in Southern Maryland, educated in both public and “land grant” colleges. He understands the issues facing farmers, watermen and businesses alike. For these reasons, Miller would like the citizens to re-elect him on Nov. 2. Even though his heart and home are in Southern Maryland, Miller feels he’s worked hard as the Senate President to ensure all citizens in the state are heard and represented well by being fair to all parties in Annapolis. It has been suggested small businesses are being strangled by the environmental regulations passed by the state. “Businesses are not being strangled by storm management border rules. In fact the reason why the storm water management rules are in place is they were a compromise with businesses and the environment. The problem is we need to protect the Chesapeake Bay. We need to protect the Potomac River. We need to protect the Patuxent River. My district borders on all three. We need to prevent runoff. The majority of pollution doesn’t come from sewage plants, but runoff from lawns.” He said he knows construction businesses don’t like to comply by installing safer storm drains, but it is necessary. The result of the current regulations has been bringing back the population of rockfish and crabs and improvements with oysters, he claims. The General Assembly has already worked on the state budget the last two cycles by cutting spending and raising taxes. Miller doesn’t see a need for additional taxes, but to sit back and wait for those rate increases to start generating revenue. The nation has faced “largest and longest recession since the Great Depression,” and Maryland has weathered it well, at least in line with neighboring states and better than many others, according to Miller. However there is no additional revenue for expensive projects like the Thomas Johnson Bridge and bringing light rail to Southern Maryland. Nor is there money for any other transit issues facing the state, such as the Baltimore Washington beltway, rated second worst behind Los Angeles and first in length of commute, said Miller. The biggest challenge facing legislatures over the next four years is to continue to progress in education by building schools, funding teacher retirement, reducing classroom sizes, raising the test scores and making college affordable. Miller doesn’t want to see Maryland drift backwards in supporting education. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
Kullen: Balancing State Budget Most Difficult Challenge Profile of Sue Kullen (D) Candidate for Maryland House of Delegates, Dist. 27B
No
D
Incumbent State Delegate District 29 Sue Kullen says balancing Maryland’s state budget will continue to be the most difficult challenge facing elected representatives during the next four years. She considers it an opportunity to find ways to balance federal funds with the revenue available to the state. Since the federal government mandates spending on healthcare, education, roads, and public safety, there are not many areas left to reduce spending. Each year the budget process begins by looking at the different “pots of money” not being used, understanding the current and proWorking Hard jected revenue stream, and reviewing state spending. In the current economic climate Kullen does not for Ca support raising taxes, which will further stress the taxpayers and businesses. AWARDS: “Unfortunately that becomes a very emotional issue in Annapolis. If we could figure out ways of 2010 Legislator of the Year - MD taking the emotion out and looking at what are vital state programs and what are programs not so vital 2010 Legislator of the Year - MD M to look at eliminating.” ENDORSED BY Kullen favors the state look for ways to “jump start the economy” by attracting businesses, maybe through tax breaks. Maryland State Education Assoc The state government has already cut spending in the previous budgets. To eliminate any more Nurses Association — Calvert Ed duplicity within the government departments will be an expensive process, but one that is necessary to Maryland League of Conservation keep the budget balanced. Farm Bureau — Maryland Asso “I personally think there are not many areas we can cut drastically enough to make a huge impact www.SueKullen on the budget,” she said. Authority: Guffrie M. Smith, Jr. People need to be realistic in their expectations of government during these times. The Thomas Johnson Bridge and expanding light rail are top Southern Maryland regional priorities; however, citizens need to look at advanced timelines. That being said, Kullen believes there is money available to continue moving these projects forward and the state should continue moving them forward. Currents Chesapeake As far as environmental regulations possibly strangling small businesses, Kullen agrees sacrifices Publication Date: October 21, 2010 need to be made which spreads the burden equally across people, businesses and government. The state Size: 1/4 page - 4.75 x 5.375 needs to support to small business as much as possible. Full Color In the end state representatives need “to be prepared to do the right thing when it comes to the environment.” By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net1-Time Insert
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NORTH BEACH politics
North Beach Mayoral Candidates Speak Out on the Issues
What are the top issues facing North Beach and what will you do about them? What can voters expect over the next four years if they elect you November 2? These are the questions the Chesapeake Current asked of the three North Beach Mayoral hopefuls. The following responses are in each candidate’s own words.
Michael Bojokles, 53 Democrat • Occupation – Dad, Mayor of North Beach, and local Realtor What do you think is the #1 issue facing North Beach today and what will you do about it, if elected mayor? Ensuring the completion of planned beach replenishment and expansion will be my highest priority. It is the beach that created our town in 1910 and enables us to claim North Beach as the “Jewel of the Chesapeake.” Since 1847, we have lost close to 1,000 feet of shoreline and the average annual rate of erosion is over five feet and increasing. I was finally able to secure the last permit required for the “go ahead” in July of this year after working tirelessly for almost four years with no less than nine different state and federal agencies. The best time of year to conduct this work is in late February when the tides are at their lowest. This project, which is already funded and scheduled, will allow us to dredge sand that has washed away just offshore and bring it back onto the beach. When completed in early spring, we will have a beach and shoreline that is much wider and deeper than today. Outline your agenda, describing in detail what you hope do for the town over the next four years, if elected mayor. In addition to the beach replenishment project above, I want to conclude negotiations for the purchase of Walton Beach Nature Preserve and move forward with plans to construct a Department of Nat-
Lynda Striegel, 61 Democrat • Occupation – Attorney with office in North Beach What do you think is the #1 issue facing North Beach today and what will you do about it, if elected mayor? Lack of communication is causing or contributing to ALL the problems we have in town right now. High cost of living and taxes, crime and drugs, cancelation of Bayfest, controversy of carts on the boardwalk, slow or no movement on infrastructure improvement, certain residents of the town feeling like second class citizens, code enforcement – all of it and more can be linked to poor or no communication. I have a plan to increase and foster communication with all citizens and groups represented in the town to bring us together and collaboratively solve the problems of North Beach. I have strong leadership skills and am not afraid to make the hard decisions. Outline your agenda, describing in detail what you hope do for the town over the next four years, if elected mayor. My agenda is: • Reduce the high cost of living – This includes reducing taxes for the next four years. This
ural Resources living shoreline. I will also continue to work closely with the Army Corps of Engineers for design and construction of the wetlands restoration project adjacent to the Walton Beach Nature Preserve. This project will examine ways to prevent tidal flooding on the north end of town. The living shoreline and wetland restoration projects will be environmental models that contribute to the health and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. When completed, we will open a long awaited canoe and kayak launch. I also want to build a wetlands nature trail and park system that will connect the boardwalk with the wetlands and living shoreline. Making sure that the remaining elements in the town’s comprehensive storm water management plan are completed is another item that will be at the top of my agenda. Significant improvements have been made with the installation of a new out-fall pump next to the Visitors Center and other important initiatives, but more work remains to be done. As a father of two young daughters I will ensure family and community events continue for years to come. The North Beach Friday Night Farmers’ Market and Cruise-Ins have made North Beach THE place to be on Friday nights. Our market, which has created a real sense of community, is one of the most successful in the entire state and is used as a model for others to follow. Movies on the beach, summer concerts, Christmas on the beach, the polar bear swim, and other high-quality family events will remain a priority. Some other important goals are to continue to preserve our small-town character utilizing Smart Growth practices and to work with the Beach Buccaneers organization to enable North Beach children to participate on local sports teams.
will mean working with the budget to reduce wasteful spending while maintaining essential services. • Take on crime/drugs – Work with the sheriff’s dept. to get the most out of our existing contract and, if that doesn’t work, create a plan that will. • Maintain/improve the character of the town – This includes negotiating to get the kind of development WE want to maintain our small town feel. Also, we need to safeguard against abusing our best asset of the town – the beach. If residents can’t enjoy it because of overcrowding, we must work to correct the problem by increasing out of county beach fees. Our events add a lot to the charm of our town. We must maintain and build on our events to bring spending to our town and enjoyment for all. • Respect for all – I treat everyone with respect and will continue to do so as mayor. This means working collaboratively with residents, businesses, and HOAs in town. I have a plan to foster two-way communication and let people have a voice in their government. • Strategic planning – includes budgetary plan for a strong financial future, long-term infrastructure planning (includes parking remedy), common sense economic development that will make our businesses stronger, attract new/year-round businesses that benefit residents such as a bank and small market, and protect but promote our natural resources - they are our most precious asset!
Current Mayor Michael Bojokles. Former Mayor Mark Frazer, and Council Member Lynda Striegel are all vying for North Beach Mayor in the November 2 election.
Mark Frazer, 69 Republican • Occupation – Dentist with office in Dunkirk What do you think is the #1 issue facing North Beach today and what will you do about it, if elected mayor? The issue which affects the greatest number of residents, whether they are property owners or renters, is the high property tax! Owners are affected directly and renters indirectly because their rent is determined by mortgage and tax payments. During my eight years as mayor, I recommended to the council a property tax rate reduction three times. Each time the council agreed and the budget went to public hearing with a proposed rate reduction. In spite of the fact that property tax revenues are filling the coffers of North Beach at an unprecedented rate, the current administration has never presented its annual budget at a public hearing calling for a tax rate reduction! With close to a million dollars of your money now sitting in a local government investment account, my first priority will be to return that money to you in the form of real property tax rate reductions. Outline your agenda, describing in detail what you hope do for the town over the next four years, if elected mayor.
It is important to restore the trust and confidence that North Beach residents once had in their town government. That trust and confidence has been lost because the current administration believes it knows better than the citizens. Case in point…the new Town Hall building! The preservation of the charming, small town atmosphere of North Beach must once again become a priority. In the summertime our town has come to resemble the “Ocean City of the Western Shore.” Overwhelming crowds, parking problems, traffic congestion, boardwalk vendors, closed streets, noise and litter have all but discouraged North Beach residents from using their own beach! Another threat to the quality of life in North Beach is the increasing presence of young people gathering around town in groups that intimidate, offend and often vandalize public and personal property. Drug use and distribution is widespread. Our deputies do their very best but we need additional police presence. I will add a North Beach Community Police officer who will be dedicated to serving only in our town. To help offset the cost of this additional officer, I will be returning my salary as mayor to the town. Lastly, but certainly not least, making North Beach more affordable to live in is important to me. The tool most effective and most readily available for that purpose is the property tax rate. I took the lead in reducing it three times in my 8 years as your mayor and I will make continued reduction a high priority.
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
9
NORTH BEACH politics
Forum Defines North Beach Candidates Three Mayoral and Nine Council Hopefuls Face Off The League of Women Voters set the ground rules up front at their Candidate Forum for North Beach Municipal Candidates. The audience could write and submit questions on an index card and the moderator would ask the candidates. Each one had 90 seconds to respond, and no verbal personal attacks were permitted. The first question focused on what each candidate’s priorities would be, if elected. Former Mayor Mark Frazer said his would be to manage the town’s money, not take any more of it than necessary to run the town, and provide security. Council Member and Mayoral Candidate Lynda Striegel said better communications would be her priority, and said all the recent problems the town has faced are a direct result. Once communication channels are fixed, Striegel said, everything else would fall into place. Incumbent Mayor Michael Bojokles said if reelected, he would continue beach replenishment efforts and focus on environmental issues such as expanding the town’s waterfront, developing a living shoreline and building nature trails.
All candidates proclaimed they were against gambling in North Beach and many said they would adamantly fight any state efforts to expand gambling to the town. There was considerable debate over the $900,000 in the town’s “rainy day fund,” which Bojokles said he was proud to have built up over the past four years. Bojokles said this reserve was needed when the state recently cut highway user funds considerably to the municipality. He said the town will also need it when tax assessments come in and are much lower because of the economic crisis and decreasing property values. Frazer, however, said he would refund that money to town residents, and Striegel vowed to find ways to cut taxes in the future. On the other hand, all candidates voiced support for continuing the North Beach Friday Night Farmers’ Market, with Frazer even telling Bojokles, “Michael, you actually did something right.” However, there were split opinions on the new Town Hall. Andrew “Bud” Hunt said, yes, he agreed with the argument that it is “a bit large,” but he thinks the right de-
cision was made. Greg McNeill, who repeatedly referred to himself as “the process candidate,” said he felt it was the right town hall but the wrong process. Striegel said the town hall is the Nine of the ten candidates for North Beach Town Council appeared at the “People’s House” League of Women Voters forum. and it was a decision that is only made every 40 to 50 years or no refreshments available for evening movmore and the extra space should be used to ies and other events when storefronts were the town’s advantage. Greg Dotson echoed closed. Frazer said his opinion was, “You his ongoing complaint that the building is don’t bring businesses from out of town to “too big and cost too much.” Mayor Bo- compete” and Greg Dotson said that he was jokles defended it, saying it was “beautiful” immediately opposed when he heard about and noted that 27 meetings were devoted to it. Striegel commented that, “It is an issue, it, so the public was heard. Bojokles also and we need to sit down with the local busisaid that because of the economic downturn, nesses and decide.” Council candidate Ken Wilcox said he understood that carts on it was built for far less than expected. Crime was also a hot topic. Council- the boardwalk had been around for a long man Greg Dotson challenged police. “Of- time, and that people at the beach do need ficially there may not be gangs, my house a refreshment or two. Council candidate and car were tagged by the ICP – Insane Mike Benton said the real issue now was Clown Posse.” Mike Benton added, “When the economy, and as a small business owner I was growing up in North Beach, there himself, he loves patronizing the carts. He used to be Pagans, Tribes and all kinds of said existing businesses need to improve so Patuxent Habitat for motorcycle gangs, but at the same time, I people will walk to them. Mayor Bojokles Humanity’s newest ReStore is never had a key to the front door. Today, cited the example of the owners of the Cold coming to Calvert County! 52% of the town is rentals. I think we need Penguin, who started with a cart and opened to crack down on landlords and bad rent- a storefront ice cream store that stayed open 8900 Chesapeake Avenue ers.” Mayoral Candidate Striegel said while for events. One of the questions was about the canknocking on doors, people could tell her North Beach, MD 20714 celing of Bayfest this year, which Bojokles where the problems lived, but were afraid to tell police because of fears of retaliation. admitted was unfortunate. He defended his Councilwoman Jane Hagen said establish- decision because of a lack of vendors, saying a Neighborhood Watch program is part he did not want to spend taxpayer money to New and used furniture, ing of the answer, but they’ve had trouble get- subsidize the event, and those who were upappliances, home décor, ting people to sign up. Hummel called the set understood when he explained it to them. the consensus among all candidates building supplies, light boardwalk and waterfront, “An attractive Itthatwas Bayfest should be revived into a more nuisance.” The high school teacher remindoff retail prices while fixtures, roofing, flooring ed residents that, “When you see three or upscale event in cooler weather in the spring supporting a worthy cause! and so much more! five teenagers in a group, it does not mean or fall. There was also discussion over the they are a gang or drug dealers or they’re going to take your purse. They’re simply beaver dam near the San Francisco develaimless teenagers who like to hang out opment. Residents are concerned because on the boardwalk.” He noted that sheriff’s of standing water and damaged and dying deputies have only made six drugs arrests trees that could fall on their homes. The dam in town since April. Julius “Junior” Lubbes is on private property, outside the North said, “There always have been a lot of gang Beach limits, so the town has no jurisdiction wanna-bees in the beaches, but they’re just according to Councilman Randy Hummel, chickens. The drug problem ain’t nothing who added that water that shallow is not a like it used to be. Most we have now is a mosquito breeding threat and that the beaBeginning November 6 Open Saturdays 9 am – 4 pm Wednesdays through Fridays 10 am – 5 pm couple drunks that hit something with their vers actually slowed erosion in the marsh. Beavers are protected species according to cars.” We also accept your tax-deductible donations. Call 301-737-6273 and we’ll pick up your items. On the topic of pushcart vendors on the Maryland Department of Natural Rethe boardwalk, Bojokles said criticism sources (DNR), and Mayor Bojokles said of him and the staff had been unfair and DNR told him that they are looking into the that all businesses in town were given first possibility of relocating the animals because chance at the opportunity, but nearly all of the public nuisance they’ve created. The only candidate for public office declined. He said he made the decision in who did not attend the League of Women response to people who complained about there being only one waterfront vendor Voters Forum was Thomas Crockett. previously, and that there were limited or
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
LOCAL POLITICS Catch the Debate on Cable
Learn More About the Candidates:
The Twin Beach Community Channel on Comcast Cable is planning to rebroadcast the October 14 League of Women Voters North Beach Candidate’s forum on multiple occasions. The purpose is so area residents will have additional opportunities to educate themselves about local political candidates before casting their ballots on November 2nd. The forum, hosted by The League of Women Voters of Calvert County, featured North Beach candidates for Mayor and Town Council. It will only air in North Beach and Chesapeake Beach on Comcast Channel 6, the local community channel, and will be rebroadcast at the following times:
The North Beach Loop (Business Group) has rescheduled its candidate forum for Thursday, October 21 at 6:30. The event will be held at the North Beach Community Center. The previous event was canceled the night of the tropical storm. The same night, the League of Women Voters will host a candidate forum for all General Election candidates on the Calvert County ballot beginning at 5:00 p.m. on October 21 at Huntingtown High School, Rts. 2/4 in Huntingtown. A Youth-Oriented Candidates Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, form 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Calvert County Fairgrounds in Prince Frederick. The forum is sponsored by the Calvert Crusade for Children, Inc. and a light meal will be provided at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, especially youth and their families. For more information, please contact calvertcrusade@chesapeake.net, (410) 2868300 or visit their web site at www.CalvertKids.org. All these candidate forums are free and open to the public.
· 7:00 p.m. on October 22, 29, and November 1 · 2:00 p.m. on October 23 and 30 · 4:00 p.m. on October 31 The forum took place at the North Beach Senior Center.
Two Candidates Launch Write-In Campaigns for Commissioner Four-term Calvert County Commissioner Linda Kelley, who lost the primary by 119 votes, is one of two candidates who are actively asking for write-in votes. The other write-in candidate for Calvert County Commissioner is Libertarian Rich Falcone of Chesapeake Beach. Kelley says there will be instructions on at polling places on November 2 on how voters should write in a candidate. “These votes are processed through voting machines, so all you have to do is touch the screen where it says ‘write-in’ and a keypad will pop up and you simply type in the name.” They are then tabulated the next day.
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410-414-9037
Nov. 02. 2010.
Delegate
SUE KULLEN
I’ll work to: • protect our safety & home values, • promote new businesses & lower taxes, & • preserve our beaches & small town life.
Ken
Kid’s Meal
VOTE
Ken Wilcox for North Beach Town Concil
FREE
VOTE
WILCOX
Town Council
Working Hard for Calvert County AWARDS: 2010 Legislator of the Year - MD Nurses Association 2010 Legislator of the Year - MD Mental Health Assoc.
Learn more on Facebook: “Ken Wilcox for North Beach Town Council”
ENDORSED BY: Maryland State Education Association — Maryland Nurses Association — Calvert Education Association Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Maryland Farm Bureau — Maryland Association for Justice
Auth. by Friends of Ken Wilcox, K. Wilcox, Treas.
www.SueKullen.com
North Beach
Authority: Guffrie M. Smith, Jr. Treasurer
Thursday, October 21, 2010 Chesapeake Currents Publication Date: October 21, 2010
11
Area Teen Stages ‘Haunted Adventure’ Corpses, Chain Saws, and Gore for Halloween
New Randle Cliff Project Underway Residents complained about the crumbling structure for years. Now the old Randle Cliff Market on Route 261 at Summer City Boulevard south of Chesapeake Beach is being demolished to make way for a new development. Commissioner Susan Shaw tells the Chesapeake Current, “It has taken literally YEARS to get the permits to tear it down even though it was unsafe, an eyesore, reduced the community property values, and drew trespassers and dumping. The Randall Cliffs Community is relieved. Law enforcement is relieved. The property owner is relieved. I am relieved that the persistence paid off.” Shaw says, “A new commercial use building with an apartment above it will be built there.” “The Randle Cliffs Market site was a challenging location sandwiched between the Critical Area and State Route 261 that involved negotiations with the State The old Randle Cliff Market property is being cleared Health Department, the MD State High- to make way for a new mixed-use development. way Administration, the MD State Critihoops that had to be jumped through.” cal Area Commission, with additional The owner/developer is Ed Baddour, storm water management and road setback issues.” Shaw adds, “There were many owner of Royalle Vending in Sunderland.
“I always love going to haunted houses, then I come home and think about how I could do them better,” says 13-year-old William Callis, who is staging his ‘Haunted Adventure’ for the 5th year in a row. “I get lots of help,” he says. “We have 14 actors every night we’re open in the various ‘rooms’ and ‘buildings’ we have set up around our yard. My dad, Jim Wahlgren and grandfather, Warren Callis, are the builders along with myself. My friend, Garrett Hagen has also been with us since the first year.”
William Callis, 13, gets a lot of help from his friends and relatives in staging his annual “Haunted Adventure.” Shown left to right in back are Donnie Richardson, 13; Garrett Hagan, 15; William Callis, the organizer; l to r in front are Dalton Richardson, 7; Gabe Brown, 9; and Bryce Callis, 12. William says 14 actors are needed in various “rooms” and ‘buildings’ every night.
“It’s really, really scary when it’s dark,” Callis says, as he goes through a tour. “One room is ‘like a slaughterhouse’ where we have a crazy farmer and pig torsos and a butcher shop. We have a ‘coffin room’ with an animatronic corpse, and there’s an actor hiding under a bed where it looks like there’s a cut up body and he jumps out and scares people. We use lots of red paint splattered all over and it looks like blood with the strobe lights and we even spritz people with a little water in some places so they think it’s blood spraying on them, but it’s really not. We have a shed with a guy on top who jumps down on a steel plate and it causes people to jump about ten feet! We have a crazy guy handcuffed to a fence who
The Haunted Adventure is at 8916 Frederick Avenue in North Beach between Second and Third Streets. It’s open from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights through October 30, and on Halloween, Sunday, October 31. It’s free and open to the public. can almost grab you and guys with chain saws, too. Oh, and there’s an old car that looks like a car wreck and zombies inside. It’s really great!” “Most of it is optical illusions, which makes it even scarier,” Callis says. There are creepy lights and fog machines along the way to add to the ‘ambiance.’ In the inground pool in the backyard, Callis says there are bones scattered in the bottom and it’s lighted “so it looks like a bunch of people drowned.” There is no admission – it’s free of charge, and Callis says 2,000 or more people go through it every October. “We get at least 300 people a night.”
William Callis has a ‘butcher shop’ in his Haunted Adventure, plus lots of buddies with chain saws to scare the living daylights out of you. “It’s really creepy when it’s dark,” he says.
The Haunted Adventure is located at 8916 Frederick Avenue in North Beach between Second and Third Streets. It’s open from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights through October 30. On Halloween, Sunday, October 31, it will open beginning at 6:30 p.m. as well.
Bay Bridge Among the World’s Scariest
12
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Just in time for Halloween, the October issue of Travel & Leisure Magazine is listing our Bay Bridge as one of Scariest Bridges in the World. Their list ranges from sky-high suspension bridges to dilapidated rope structures that aren’t for the meek. The Bay Bridge is ranked #9 among the scariest anywhere. Maryland’s William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge, better known as the Bay Bridge, was built in 1949 and spans the Chesapeake Bay to connect our western shore to the eastern shore. It’s 186 feet high at its highest point. As Travel & Leisure explains, “Drivers are notoriously afraid of this bridge, as it’s subjected to frequent—and often violent— storms. And when the bad weather hits, forget about visibility: get to the middle of this five-mile-long bridge and you can barely see
land.” If it’s too much for you to handle, you can pay someone to drive you to the other side. In fact, the Maryland Transportation Authority privatized its Bay Bridge drive-over service not too long ago. Previously, the agency’s vehicle recovery technicians drove nervous motorists across the bridge at no charge, but in 2008, the service was privatized according to the (Easton, Md.) Star Democrat so workers could focus on their primary job, responding to disabled vehicles and other emergencies. Motorists afraid to drive across the bridge can now pay a private company for the ride. Kent Island Coach of Stevensville handles upwards of 2,000 drive-overs a year. The cost for motorists to get someone to drive them over is $25 and the fee is $30 to transport bicycles.
Fall Transition Continues By Bob Munro It’s obvious when, for example, the first Spanish Mackerel of the season are caught each summer. Conversely their southward departure to the Atlantic passes without a trace. Every summer we look forward to catching these speedy, toothy critters that are often mixed in with Bluefish and Rockfish. They could have left two weeks ago or maybe last week, but it is now safe to say that Spanish Mackerel are gone from our part of the Chesapeake until next July. One reason is the downward trend in water temperature. From mid-September to mid-October the average water temperature at the Gooses Reef (http://www.buoybay.org) decreased from 74 to 67 degrees, which is quite a change. Daylight gets shorter and shorter, and we’ll soon be changing our clocks back an hour, actually on the first Sunday in November. Cooler water seems to trigger more surface feeding action by Rockfish and Bluefish, and this Fall it’s no different. Flocks of small gulls and terns can be found diving on hapless pods of Bay Anchovies, driven to the surface by hungry fish. Fishermen cannot resist such an opportunity and hope that the feeding fish are of legal size. Light tackle anglers live for this kind of action, which can at times be non-stop. We need to remember that larger fish sometimes can be found well below smaller fish at the surface. During the last few weeks some 30inch class Rockfish have been caught primarily along the Western Shore near the mouth of the West River and from
the Radar Towers to Parker’s Creek. While most “summertime” Rockfish average 17-22 inches (18 inches is the legal limit), fish like those shown in the photos are not very common at this time of year. Crew members from Maryland’s Air National Guard, all of whom served one or more tours overseas, were very fortunate on a recent charter aboard the “Worm” out of Chesapeake Beach when they had a great catch of 30-inch class Rockfish. From the helm of the charter boat Kyran Lynn, Captain Marty Simounet offers the following: “The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler, and that means one thing - the fishing will be heating up. Resident Rockfish should be vacating their shallow water haunts and moving to deeper channels while foraging on baitfish in the coming weeks. Along with the cooler weather, the migratory Trophy Rockfish will also be returning around Halloween. These fish should range in the low 30” to upper 40” class and can be found along channel edges on their return.”
On the
Water
Don’t catch ‘em all, Bob Munro About the Author: Bob Munro of Chesapeake Beach has been a career research biologist for the US Fish & Wildlife Service. At one time or another, he has visited every river entering the Chesapeake Bay from the Susquehanna Flats to Hampton Roads. An avid fisherman, he’s fished the midChesapeake since the mid-1980s.
Captain Marty SiMounet Breezy Point Marina PO Box 609 • North Beach, MD 20714
410-474-4105
charterfishing@aol.com • www.fishharder.com
Gluten Free Baking Class
Herrington’s Executive Pastry Chef,Tom McReynolds will provide a hands-on experience in producing gluten-free baked goods including artisan breads, cookies and pizza!
Sunday, November 21, 2010 ~ 10am-2pm $75 per person
Space is limited. Call Herrington on the Bay at 410-741-5101 or Email info@herringtononthebay.com to RSVP
• Draperies Made On Premises • In-House Upholstery • Professional Installation • Hunter Douglas Binds & Shades • Custom Boat Interiors & Curtains • Over 2,000 Fabrics To Choose From!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
13
Cover On The
Homecoming at Kellams Field
Beach Buccaneers Shine in New Stadium
After years of planning and securing funds, a beautifully revamped Kellams Field was dedicated on October 15, following much of its $500,000 facelift being completed. Chesapeake Beach Mayor Bruce Wahl thanked State Senator Thomas V. “Mike” Miller (D-Calvert) who lives in Chesapeake Beach and Delegate Sue Kullen (D-Calvert) for the $250,000 bond bill they secured for the project. The Town of Chesapeake Beach’s contribution is $165,000. The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted ear-
The new electronic scoreboard was symbolically illuminated at the dedication, and of course showed the Beach Bucs winning.
Calvert County Commissioners President Wilson Parran addresses the crowd at the Kellams Field dedication ceremony. Behind him is Jim Niland of the Beach Buccaneers, State Senator Thomas V. “Mike” Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach), Commissioner Susan Shaw, Chesapeake Beach Mayor Bruce Wahl, Commissioner Gerry Clark, Delegate Sue Kullen (D-Calvert), and Dick Meyers from Senator Barbara Mikulski’s office.
The new bleachers were packed with hundreds of parents, friends and supporters of the Beach Buccaneers at the dedication of the revamped field.
lier this year to use $85,000 in recreation excise taxes to help fund the improvements. Board President Wilson Parran, and Commissioners Su-
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14
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
san Shaw and Gerry Clark were on hand for the dedication ceremony. Although no federal funds were involved, Dick Meyers from Senator Barbara Mikulski’s office presented Wahl with a proclamation. Jim Niland of the Beach Buccaneers thanked the parents and supporters who also helped raise funds. Les King of Homes
New IHOP Opens Election Day After you vote on Election Day, you might want to consider having breakfast at the new International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in northern Prince Frederick. Shaq Qureshi, who owns the area franchise, tells the Chesapeake Current that the new restaurant will open at 6:30 a.m. on November 2 to serve hungry voters. Qureshi tells us they’re swamped with people wanting work. The day we spoke with him, he said they’d received 460 applications, and people are still coming. Qureshi says, “We took the “help wanted” sign down and have to turn people away. We’ve already hired 130 people, which is all we need, and we’re starting to train them now.” The new IHOP is located at the old Red, Hot and Blue building at 680 Prince Frederick Blvd. near Food Lion in Prince Frederick. He says they will be open seven days a week, from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. beginning Tuesday, November 2, and have the capacity to serve about 180 people at a time. They will be open 24-hours on Fridays and Saturdays from the very beginning.
Nathan Weatherly of North Beach, age 5, pledges allegiance to the flag during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner at the dedication of the new Kellams Field in Chesapeake Beach.
and Gardens by Les (AKA Windmill Farms) and contractor Crandall also made significant in-kind contributions and were recognized as well. Chesapeake Beach Town Council gave authorization for this phase and awarded contracts amounting to just under $150,000 at its meeting August 19. That phase of the project included contracts to A1 Bleachers for $49,000 for new seating, Nevco for a $43,000 digital football scoreboard, $25,000 for a football press box to Old Tyme Contractors, $18,000 for foundation pilings to Crandell, Inc., $10,000 in electric and lighting upgrades to Mackey Electrical, and $4,000 to Batting Cage Foundation and Rough-In/Warm-Up Pitcher’s Mound. Persistent drainage problems because of its location in a marshy area were resolved in Phase 1 of the project, along with revamping a 70-foot baseball field and adding concrete bleacher pads. Phase Two raised the playing fields, and added sprinkler and irrigation systems. Plans for future phases include a skate park for skateboarders, a baseball scoreboard and press box, and security camera systems. The total cost of the project is estimated at a half million dollars, and at last report, it is on budget.
BUY LOCAL - BUY BBG
Visit the businesses listed below for the best in local products and services: 21st Century New Millennium American Legion Post 206 Andre & Associates Annapolis Business Systems Arts Council of Calvert County Artworks @ 7th Asset Logistics, LLC At the Bay Healing Arts Center Barstow Acres Counseling & Children's Center Bay Shore Webs Bay Weekly Bayside History Museum Bayside Partners, LLC Beach Combers Hair Salon Beach Front Limo Taxi Service Beauty by the Bay Beauty Salon Business Direct, Inc. Calvert County Chamber of Commerce Calvert County Dept. of Social Services Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch Calvert-Arundel Pharmacy Campbell Improvements Career Puppy, Inc. Celebrate! Chesapeake Bay Optical Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa Chesapeake Current Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens Chesapeake Pharmacy Coach on Call Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, PA Crow Entertainment Davis, Upton, Palumbo & Kefler, LLC Day Financial Group Design Expo Flooring Erimax Inc. Fridays Creek Winery Garrett Music Academy Heavenly Chicken & Ribs Heron's Rest Guest Cottage Herrington on the Bay Catering Idea Solutions Integrity Yacht Sales Jiffy Plumbing and Heating Inc. Kaine Homes Kairos Center of Maryland Kelly's Tree & Lawn Service Legacy Financial Group Mike Benton Enterprises Magnolia Plumbing Mary Kay Cosmetics Mary Lou Too Charter Fishing Northern Calvert Lions Club Not-So-Modern-Jazz-Quartet Nutritious Harmony, LLC Paddle or Peddle Party Creations Pieces-N-Time Antique Clocks Pre-Paid Legal Services / Identity Theft Shield Printer Green RAR Associates Development Corp. Rausch Funeral Home ReMax 100 Beach Realty Rita's Dunkirk Ritter Architects Rod 'N' Reel Restaurant Rotary Club of Northern Calvert Royalle Dining Services, Inc. Running Hare Vineyard S. Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce SanD Renovations SeaScapes Home Accents & Gifts Sherri Turner Home Towne Real Estate Sisk Auto Body Sisters Corner, LLC Smokey Joe's Grill Sneade's Ace Home Center State Farm Insurance Striegel & Buchheister Stuff4SaleUSA.com The Inn at Herrington Harbour The UPS Store Town of Chesapeake Beach Town of North Beach Tyler's Seafood Van Wie Enterprises, Inc. Your Mortgage Matters
Thursday, October 21, 2010
15
taking care of
BUSINESS
More About the ReStore Grand Opening in November
“It’s like a treasure hunt when you come into a Habitat for Humanity ReStore,” says Chris Warren, a spokesman for the Patuxent Habitat for Humanity affiliate serving Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. “It’s a great resource and you’ll always find something interesting. In fact, the inventory at our Lexington Park store turns over about once a week so every time you come, there’s something new and different.” The Grand Opening for their newest ReStore located at 8900 Chesapeake Ave, North Beach, MD 20714 is Saturday, November 6 at 9:00 a.m. As the Chesapeake Current reported in our last edition, Metropolitan Appliance, which operated out of the building for 23 years, will move upstairs and continue its service and repair business. Store hours will be Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, volunteer or donate please call (410) 326-9050 or e-mail info@patuxenthabitat.org. “When you see something in a ReStore, you
have to act fast,” Chris says. “We sell everything at 50% to 90% off retail prices, and most of what we have is one of a kind. Sometimes we will get some large lots, such as a pallet of flooring tiles from a manufacturer or a builder. So you have to get it while it’s here or it’s history. For example, we had a huge old antique desk come in the other day and it was gone in a couple of hours – someone grabbed it.” “Everything is donated to us. And people get a tax-deductible receipt for the full price,” Warren says. “Much of what is donated is brand new or slightly used, and we research what it’s worth and then cut that price at least in half, so buyers can find some tremendous deals.” Warren says the new Habitat ReStore in North Beach will have about 5,000 square feet of merchandise. Proceeds from ReStore operations help local Habitat for Humanity affiliates fund the construction of Habitat houses within the community. Many affiliates across the United States and Canada operate successful ReStores – and some raise enough
funds to build an additional ten or more houses per year. Warren says the Patuxent Habitat for Humanity is currently finishing a house in Lusby, and is ready to start building another one in Prince Frederick. Patuxent Habitat for Humanity is an incorporated, non-profit affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International Since its inception in April 2003, Patuxent Habitat for Humanity says it has been bringing people, from all walks of life, together to build decent, affordable homes for working families in Calvert and St. Mary’s
Counties. The Patuxent Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lexington Park opened its doors in September 2007. It has been both a success and blessing to the affiliate and the community. Warren says, “We know the new North Beach location will be just as successful!” All funds generated by the ReStore directly support the building efforts of the affiliate. Another benefit is that Habitat for Humanity ReStores divert reusable materials from local landfills. More than 80 tons has been recycled so far.
BBG Member Profiles Meet Our Local Librarian
By Brian McDaniel
Each facility has free materials, movies, audio, magazines and many other items availI often wonder if the able for check out. There are classes, semiInternet and the age of in- nars and special programs for children and stant gratification are rob- adults. They even have free Wi-Fi for those bing our youth of the thrill that need access. Most people probably don’t know that of the hunt when searchlibraries can even help you find a job. I have ing for information. Yet here in our com- to admit that I’ve never thought of a library munity, we have wonder- in that way, but they can. Just ask about their ful resources at our librar- available services. Having libraries like the Calvert Liies that keep that love of brary branches is an absolute blessing in printed materials alive. our community. Yes, the InJoan Kilmon, Branch ternet is great, but nothing Manager of the Twin Beaches beats the smell of books and Library, knows how important the convenience of having it is for a child to read. She unmaterials surround you that derstands that it’s not always are typically free to check about reading as much as it is out. It’s also nice to have a about absorbing multiple nugknowledgeable person like gets of information along the Joan to point you in the right way that later may help that direction. child solve problems or acJoan enjoys what quire knowledge. It’s the thrill she does, and her passion of the chase and that independence a child feels when they Joan Kilmon, Branch Manager is a great service for our community. of the Twin Beaches Library. do it all by themselves. If you have an opportuLibraries do that for kids nity to visit the Twin Beaches all the time. No matter how great the Internet is, libraries remain an Library, please say hello to Joan. If you have amazing place to go. They offer a distrac- questions about the library or wish to contact tion-free atmosphere and a wonderful place Joan Kilmon, please call (410) 257-2411 or to escape. Children and adults can find a email her at jkilmon@somd.lib.md.us. Brian McDaniel is the owner of Crow comfortable spot at any Calvert Library Entertainment, LLC and a resident of North branch, including the ones in our area in the Twin Beaches and the Fairview Library on Beach. He has a background in radio, film, television, music production and is a profesRoute 4. However, it’s not just about the books. sional emcee.
Chesapeake Current Business Calendar Build your business through networking at these local business events: The Calvert Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours (BAH) on November 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. hosted by Fantasy World Entertainment, 124 Jibsail Drive, Prince Frederick. Leave all your cares and worries behind and be prepared to let loose with lots of fun and games. Please note that this event will be held on the first Thursday instead of the normal second Thursday. For more information, call (410) 535-2577. The SAACC and Historic London Town and Gardens Presents ‘A Bridal Affaire’ on Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. It’s an exclusive event showcasing local businesses providing products and services for the discerning bride-to-be. For sponsorship or exhibitor information, call the SAACC at (410) 867-3129.
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
Want to see your photos on the Cover of the 2011 South County Business and Community Directory? The Southern Anne Arundel County Chamber is now accepting photographs through October 29th. For more information, contact Carla Catterton by emailing southcounty@toad.net or call (410) 867-3129.
Businesses That Support the Arts By Joy Baker It is time to start to make your holiday gift lists. To get some great ideas, come to North Beach, pick up a Passport brochure, and follow the Loop map. You may be surprised to find that at least five of the member shops of the North Beach Loop are art galleries or regularly hold shows of local artwork. Communities around North Beach are rich with talented art- Seascapes in North Beach features both paintings and phoists who are fortunate to tography by local artists, along with one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry. have places to show and sell their creations. comer Michael Roane of Dunkirk is At the Bay Healing Arts Center is a favorite with his photos of the Bay home to photography of scenes of the and Patuxent River and the birds that bay, marsh and town. The featured abound. Photographers Shannon photographers are Valerie Watson, O’Mealy and Jackie Niles round out Jeanne Hodges and John Young. Julia the mix with their Calvert County Musengo generously donated one of “views.” If jewelry is more your thing her goddess series paintings hanging local Barb Hance has seaglass and there and jewelry makers, Elizabeth nautical baubles that will warm your Walden and Ginger Marcus, have cre- heart. Check the website www.seaated beaded necklaces, bracelets and scapeshome.com or visit SeaScapes on earrings that are sold there. Facebook for monthly art shows. Crossing Bay Avenue and enThe next art on display is in a new tering Artworks at 7th, you will find store, Bay View Boutique, on Chesathat each room contains a universe peake Ave. Entering the door you of different media. Paintings in oils, are in the front room where jewelry, watercolors, prints, pastels, sketches, made by local residents Katrina Jones greeting cards, jewelry, painted fab- of Chesapeake Beach and Barbara rics, ceramic sculptures, pottery and Watson of Huntingtown, is displayed. more will entrance you. Watch for Landscapes, flowers, and portraits frequent show openings featuring the painted by artist Don Oswald of Cheswork of one or two members and be apeake Beach fill the room. Iron and ready to be wined and dined while you glass tables and a heron sculptured take in their art. In October, Hunting- from metal, from Walton Welding in town artist Carmelo Ciancio’s works Sunderland, are carefully placed along of animals in fine detail graced these the walls. walls. Look for Suzanne Shelden’s From something new to somescenic paintings of local landscapes thing old, Richard’s Bayside Florist and Selina Anderson’s watercolors, has been a landmark presence in prints and fantasy stepping-stones in North Beach for over thirty years. early November. Here, flower arrangements for all ocCheck your Passport map to find casions have been prepared for three Seascapes Home Accents & Gifts decades and customers have always were you will find home furnishings been able to depend on a variety of gift and gifts alongside art and inspiration. items to be available. The art gallery Captain Roy, a local charter boat leg- displays the work of local artists who end has talents beyond the bay. His depict the local flora and wild bird life “fish” Adirondack chair and bench as well as a variety of seascapes. that grace the front porch are just a Hold on to those lists that you sample of the art you will find inside. have been making and checking twice Thru the front door you will pass Tam- along the way because Santa’s coming my Vitale’s mermaid sculptures. The to town, and you are here already! refinished “garage” displays the works Joy Baker is a holistic Usui Reiki of local award winning painter Col- practitioner with ART level training leen Sabo of Friendship and photog- who practices at At The Bay Healing rapher Robert Tinari of Chesapeake Arts Center in North Beach. Beach. Be sure to pick up a schedule of Tinari’s classes held at Artworks at 7th. Local artist Lyn Striegel will charm you with her prints of whimsical puppies, the Bay and her travels. New-
North Beach Loop
taking care of
BUSINESS Perfect Gentlemen Barber Shop
By Jonathan Pugh
two additional barbers and a hair braider, who offer a full range of styles and cuts. Keith Williams is a master barber who These include fade cuts, temper tapers, has been cutting hair for over 25 years. In eyebrow arching, and razor shaves. Keith likes to sum it up this way: May of this year, he opened “We specialize in hair. a new barbershop in LoYou got it, we cut it!” thian that immediately beKeith learned his trade gan attracting customers. in 1985 at the Chamberlin Perfect Gentlemen is Vocational High School in located in the Shoppes of Washington, DC. He began Waysons Corner at 5408 to professionally cut hair Southern Maryland Blvd. at Bolling Air Force Base Keith selected this location and then moved to Joe’s in because there were no barLandover, where he worked ber shops in the area and for 15 years. In 2000, he it’s close to his home in Updecided to open his own per Marlboro. It has turned shop in Washington, DC, out to be a good business near the intersection of decision. North Capital and P Streets. “We’re staying quite After 10 years in the Disbusy and doing well for a and Master Barber Keith trict, the timing seemed new business,” says Keith. Owner Williams gives a customer a trim. right for another move. “Customers appreciate our Upon entering Perfect convenient location and tell Gentlemen, it’s immedius they like the haircuts ately apparent that this pristine barbershop and personal attention they get.” The shop caters to an ethnically di- takes pride in its work and puts the cusverse group of people and now has a grow- tomer first. ing numbers of regulars. Keith employs
Thursday, October 21, 2010
17
RE-ELECT MIKE EVANS IN 2010
Vote to re-elect Sheriff Mike Evans on November 2nd
The People’s Choice . . .
30 years of proven leadership to Calvert County Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
Sheriff Mike Evans served as a Maryland State Trooper in Calvert County for 15 years and Deputy Sheriff in the Calvert County Courthouse for five years. First elected Sheriff in 2002, he has worked very hard over the past eight years to ensure every citizen receives the highest quality of law enforcement and protection. He understands and appreciates why you choose to live in Calvert County better than anyone else.
Protecting and supporting our communities in every way Key Accomplishments • Reorganized the Sheriff’s Office and introduced a new rank structure to improve management • Obtained specialized computer technology, including Crash & Crime Zone software to enhance prosecution of fatal, near fatal, and major crimes • Increased specialized training for officers in areas such as traffic and management, accident reconstruction, HAZMAT operations, and attendance at the FBI Academy
• Increased K-9 operations by adding a new K-9 training facility and more dogs specially trained in drug detection, bomb detection, and human location • Created the Calvert Investigative Team in partnership with the Maryland State Police and Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office to investigate major crimes and drug investigations • Improved services at the Detention Center and implemented a pretrial release program
Auth: Susan Evans, Treasurer
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www.mikeevansforsheriff.com
Thursday, October 21, 2010
And much more!
L L
The following letter was received from a Chesapeake Current reader in Huntingtown. Both incumbent Delegate Sue Kullen (D-Calvert) and challenger Mark Fisher (R) were asked to comment. Fisher’s campaign declined, but Kullen did provide a response, which is printed following this letter. The following response was US treat balances on gift cerDear Editor: mantra of month, “Tax &and Spend,” October is Breast Cancer Awareness we Del. Cancer. Now, itbywas seri- Sue Kul- tificates as unclaimed property. provided Delegate Suevery Kullen promotes her solution: Maryland does not. sincerely hope that the following personal, heartfelt ous! len My (D-Calvert): mother never had Delegate Sue Kullen (D- seize the “abandoned” balances Gift certificates are very
TER T E TtoEthe r ET EtodtithoR e Editor
S S
Point… CounterPoint Four Words No One Wants to Hear
letter may prompt Chesapeake Current readers to get a a mammogram. In fact, she cards as a way of getting your money Calvert) wants a license to save steal.youronlifeprivate citizens’ gift cardswas - so scared about what she popular and are a huge business to without you noticing. So now curmammogram. It could or the life of someone I would like to respond to Mi- corporations who would prefer than She wants pick our pockets . . cards for which someone paid dear totoyou. suspected was wrong, that rent lawmore says no feesit. can But be charged chael Thomas’s letter to the editor you not use them at all. Rightsearchers learn about early . literally. cold, hard cash - and use that monnow for she hid it from everyone until the first 12 months, expiration detection is the key. If you are afraid a and set the record straight on HB 126 Last October, Sue Kullen al- ey for more government spending. the business only benefits if you nev- dates have to be at least four of it was too late. She declined years mammogram, trust me, you should be much in 2009, By the Stephanie Cosby According to the U.S. Delied with liberal big spenders very rapidly and“Commercial before long, Law - Gift er use an expired gift certificate, not and all conditions have to be clearly more afraid of late stage breast cancer. Certificates in Montgomery County and spon- partment of Labor, Maryland lost my husband (also- Balances a nurse) - Presump- the consumer. This bill was an at- readable on the card. Watching my mom die was the most Abandonment.” “So(HB I have results of your biopsy afraid it two sored a bill 126)thethat would 6,700 jobsand overI’m just the last and I tion wereofcaring for her at tempt to put a percentage of thedifficult mon- part ofMy to support bothtoof mydecision experience. So I say I was a co-sponsor, not the isn’t good news… You have cancer.” authorize the State of Maryland to breast months. These losses were home. the She and I were taking ey in the general fund as withall other these bills was, in what I believe, the you women out there, if you’ve reached four words no one everworst wantsintothe hear. I hadClearly, done Sue sponsor of the seize cashThe balances on privately nation. the same journey, butbill, werealong on with 62 of unclaimed property in the State. best interest of the consumer and the the tender age of 40 (or beyond) and haven’t everything right monthly self breast exams, and yearly my colleagues from around the State owned gift cards when those Kullen doesn’t get it and her legdifferent paths. Thistreatment same year I supported The author during her for breast taxpayer. had your mammogram call your doctor and the doctor foryear. my annual clinical breast and diagnosis from both brought political parties, cardstrips wenttounused for one islative efforts willexam. make Ithe cri- Her cancer. to legislation that increased consumer one TODAY. Do it for the ones showed bright-eyed for Sue my yearly whenhistory a gift I’d certificate was protections for gift cards as schedule We are up in the midst of and an bushy-tailed sis worse. Del. Kullen is to thelightclarify a family many love! Sue Kullen exam just 40th birthday. Within to be Itexpired. The bill businesses were charging you economic crisisa few that days rivalsafter the myproblem. You can’t tax anda spend never presumed known about. also outraIf you’d like to read Stephanie’s Blog, Delegate 27B few weeks, the radiologist on the other end of the phone proposed either four yearsfrom fromathe Great Depression. Real unem- your way out of a recession. She changed my treatment decision lumpectomy with geous activation and many monthly it fees contains useful links to excellent resources in lay was uttering those words. date of purchase or one year after the radiation to a double mastectomy with reconstruction – ployment is at 17%, job growth has to be defeated. charges on unused balances of gift Neitherand I, nor my doctor, could Taxpayers feel my lump. It was last that transaction that13 hours and a second surgery terms about breast cancer, how to talk to a friend or fama surgery would last is non-existent government can stop this madily member with breast cancer, hospital links, and much in a deep slightly unusual near the of three 70% of later the that unused would be four hours. To make spending is outand of control. Every location, ness by voting for crease Mark Fisher for months http://stephaniescircus.blogspot.com my left breast. Fortunately, I had been a coordinator for certifi-ended up in the ICU just days more.About mattersexpired worse, gift my mother single baby born today in Mary- Delegate in District 27-B. Mark the Author: Stephanie Cosby of North Beach was a federally funded breast cancer-screening program and before my surgery. I really wanted to postpone, but she cate would go to the land and throughout the country Fisher has pledged to cut taxes, recently interviewed by as a nurse too, I had good knowledge about the type of urged me to not wait. Fund General Baltimore ABC affilicomes into this world saddled cut the budget and say, “No” to State’s cancer I had and different types of treatment. I readied I and spent30% fivewould days stay in the hospital after my surgery. ate WMAR, Channel with myself $30,000for of the government debt! any tax increases. upcoming battle by doRecovery was difficult, but I had so 2 for a story on breast In even response, Suffice it to say, Mark Fisher with the business ing moretaxpayers research. are that issued themuch gift love and support from friends cancer, which is artighteningI also theirdecided personal fiscal will not be the type of representhat I would not let and family. Sadly though, breast chived on their web certificate. At present belts.this Nothing moredefine frills, who save Imore, tative who uses the power of govsite. Since being diagwas. I started cancer 100% of the unused took my mom just three nosed with breast canspenda Blog less. to These are times tohealth cut updates ernment to pick your pocket. communicate weeks after my surgery. Her fear expired balance stays government spending, cut taxes cer in 2007, she’s been to my friends and family, blogging on of dealing with a highly treatable encouraging women and reduce of government Michael A. Thomas with the business. things the likesize feeling like “If I collected More thandisease half ended up causing her much 40 and over to get their at allMardi levels. Gras beads for as many times Huntingtown more of the states in the suffering than I ever experi- yearly mammograms, True to had the Democrat as I’ve to show Party my breasts to enced in my treatment and recovery. and help women make strangers – I mean doctors – I could And that’s the truth of it: breast the decision to get a host my own parade.” I maintained a cancer is a very treatable disease if first mammogram. very optimistic outlook, which lasted caught early. One in eight women for about 15 days. The author with her mother, who died of breast will be diagnosed with the disThat was when my mother, who cancer while she was also undergoing treat- ease. Treatments are becoming The author today. was living with my husband and me, ment for the disease. better and even less invasive as rewas diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast
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ThedoChesapeake Current is a bi-weekly news magazine news andreport information for residents of We NOT authorize any political inserts, so if you find anyproviding in your copy, please them immediately to us at editor@chesapeakecurrent.com or callArundel (410) 231-0140. We intend to prosecute those who steal our advertising Northern Calvert and Southern Anne Counties. space for personal gain or in an attempt to tarnish our good reputation. We focus exclusively on these communities: Chesapeake Beach, Deale, Dunkirk, Friendship, HuntingWe focus exclusively these communities: Chesapeake Beach, Deale, Dunkirk, Friendship, Huntingtown, Lotown, Lothian, NorthonBeach, Owings, Rose Haven, Plum Point, Sunderland, Tracey’s Landing, and Waythian, Beach, Rose Current Haven, Plum Point, Sunderland, Tracey’s Landing, andmonth Wayson’s The son’s North Corner. The Owings, Chesapeake is available every other Thursday of the in Corner. high-traffic Chesapeake Current is our available Thursday the month high-traffic locations throughout our target locations throughout targetevery area,other including postofoffices andinlibraries. area, including post offices and libraries. The Chesapeake Current is owned by Bayside Partners, LLC and is published by Southern Maryland The Chesapeake Currentwhich is owned by Bayside Partners, LLCcontent, and is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Publishing Company, is responsible for the form, and policies of the newspaper. We are a Company, which is to responsible for theCalvert form, content, policiesSolomons of the newspaper. We are a sister publication to sister publication the Southern Currentand (serving Island and Lusby) and the County the Southern Times of St. Calvert Mary’sGazette County.(serving Solomons Island and Lusby) and the County Times of St. Mary’s County. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. No content or images may be used for any reason without express permission.
Thursday,October October21,7, 2010 Thursday,
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Allen Booth, 73 Allen Frank Booth, age 73, of Huntingtown, died on October 1, 2010. He was born on April 12, 1937. Services were held at Bethel Way of the Cross Church in Huntingtown with interment following at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD. Sewell Funeral Home in Prince Frederick provided the arrangements.
Mildred Brown, 93 Mildred Iona “Millie” Brown, age 93, of Dunkirk, MD died October 4, 2010 at Burnett – Calvert Hospice House in Prince Frederick, MD. Millie was born July 30, 1917 in Rockingham, NC, to John E. and Rebecca (Gay) Ingram. She was educated in Rockingham schools and came to Washington to attend Gallinger Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1943 as a Registered Nurse and stayed to work at the hospital, which became DC General Hospital. Millie once called the plant engineer at the hospital to fix a leaking faucet and Andy Brown came to fix it. She was married to Andrew J. “Andy” Brown or “Brownie” in January 1944. Andy died in May of 1977. Millie retired from DC General Hospital in 1989 at the age of 72. She moved to Calvert County in 1995. Millie attended Dunkirk Baptist Church and was a life long member of the Eastern Star, originally in Seat Pleasant, currently in Upper Marlboro. Millie always loved spending time with her family. Preceding her in death were her parents, John E and Rebecca Ingram; her husband, Andy; a son, Robin M. “Robo” Brown; and five siblings. Surviving
are two sons, Andrew J. Brown, Jr. “Jack” and his wife, Barbara, of Dunkirk; Albert W. Brown “Bucky” and his wife, Max, of North Beach; a daughter, Linda “Anne Marie” Thompson and her husband, Dave, of Owings; nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and a sister, Lillian Humphrey, of Rosehill, NC. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to: Burnett - Calvert Hospice House, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20736 or www. calverthospice.org
Alphonse Caplins, 87 Alphonse John Caplins, age 87, of Huntingtown, died on October 12, 2010. He was born on February 6, 1923. Alphonse was beloved husband of Lillian Caplins; loving father to John, William, Stephen, Kathy, Charles and the late Vincent; grandfather to James (Sgt USMC), Jeffery, Matthew, Laura, Benjamin, Timothy, Jennifer and the late Jonathan; brother to Anne Lockwich and the late Millie Urksta, Vincent Caplins and Sister Mary Francis SSC. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements were provided by Lee Funeral Home in Owings. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Smile Foundation, Steve Vowell, Attny, 303 East Millsap, PO Box 8310, Fayetteville, AR 72703.
Cheryl Chappell, 60 Cheryl Ann Chappell, age 60, of Chesapeake Beach, died on October 7, 2010. She was born on May 19, 1950. She was loving wife of Curtis Chappell, beloved mother of Jaclyn Douglass and Michael Chappell, and grandmother of Savan-
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nah and Scarlett. Cheryl is survived by her father, Ralph R. Moody, and six brothers. Interment took place at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD. Lee Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements.
Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements. Expressions of sympathy in Larry’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, Calvert County Unit, P.O. Box 752, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
Eileen Chitty, 58
Vernell Johnson, 67
Eileen Janis Chitty, age 58, of North Beach, died in Prince Frederick on October 9, 2010. She was born on May 14, 1952 in London, England to the late Alfred and Iris Smeed Riefe. She had been employed in the banking industry and enjoyed reading as a hobby. She is survived by her husband, Howard Chitty of Reading, England; son, Daniel Chitty, also of Reading; daughter, Denise, and husband, Guy Mandley, of North Beach; brother, Stephen Riefe, of Ireland and two grandchildren. Services were private. Burial will be held in England at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capitol Area, 8300 Greensboro Dr., Suite 800, McLean, VA 22102. Raymond-Wood Funeral Home in Dunkirk provided the arrangements.
Vernell V. Johnson, age 67, of Dunkirk, died on October 13, 2010. He was born on September 27, 1943. Services will be held at Dunkirk Baptist Church, 11275 Southern Maryland Boulevard in Dunkirk on October 23, 2010. Burial is planned at Zion Hill Cemetery. Sewell Funeral Home in Prince Frederick is providing arrangements.
Lawrence Edwards, 87 Lawrence Howard “Larry” Edwards, age 87, of Dunkirk, passed away on October 13, 2010 at the South River Health and Rehabilitation facility in Edgewater, MD. Larry was born November 13, 1922 in Leesburg, VA, to William Randolph Sr. and Ruth Elizabeth Nichols Edwards. He was raised in Anacostia in the District of Columbia, graduated from Anacostia High School and attended Strayer Business College where he studied finance. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946 and was discharged as a Seaman First Class. He married Shirley Davis and they lived and raised their family in Prince George County, MD. Larry was employed by the Washington Gaslight Company as a customer service manager in their billing department. In his leisure time he enjoyed photography, fishing, hunting and crabbing. He also volunteered for Christmas in April. Larry’s wife, Shirley, passed away March 9, 2009 and he had resided with his daughter in Dunkirk since June of 2010. Larry is survived by his daughter, Diane “Dee” Cifizzari, and her husband, Phil, of Dunkirk; granddaughter Shannon N. O’Steen and husband Jack of Hughesville, MD; and a great-granddaughter, Angelina Nicole O’Steen. He was preceded in death by his brothers William R. Edwards, Jr. and Robert L. Edwards.
Thomas Neis, Sr., 78 Thomas “Tom” D. Neis, Sr., age 78, of Friendship, formerly of College Park, Maryland, died on October 12, 2010. He was born on December 26, 1931. He was the beloved husband of Martha Neis and the late Helen Neis. Tom was the loving father of Margaret Riek and her husband, Henry; Kathryn Bury and her husband, Edward; Janet Dutrow and her husband, Bobby; and Thomas D. Neis, Jr. He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren. Tom is also survived by one brother, Robert Neis, and his wife, Carol. His first wife, Helen, passed away in 1984 after 30 years of marriage. In 1987, he and Martha were married. Tom was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and a former member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 108 in Cheverly, MD, and the Elks Lodge of Prince Frederick. Tom retired after 39 plus years with the United States Department of Agriculture, where he worked in Research and Marketing Services. His retirement allowed him to spend more time with his family and to pursue his love of fishing, bowling, hunting and tennis. A mass of Christian Burial was held on October 19th at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in North Beach, with interment at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD. Lee Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements.
Christopher Schoenfeldt, 40 Christopher Scott Schoenfeldt, age 40, of Lothian, passed away on October 7, 2010 in Baltimore, MD. Known as Scott, he was born April
10, 1970 in Washington, D.C. to Charles H. and Joyce H. Schoenfeldt. He was raised in Lothian, attended Tracey’s Elementary, and graduated from Southern High School in Harwood, MD, class of 1988. Scott worked for Wash-Rite Power Washing Company for many years, and was also employed as a grounds worker at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, and as a worker in heavy construction. In his leisure time Scott enjoyed target shooting. He was an avid reader, but was happiest when he was working. He was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Lothian. Scott was preceded in death by grandparents Miriam Hardesty, and Mamie and Eugene Schoenfeldt. He is survived by his parents, Joyce H. and Charles H. Schoenfeldt, of Lothian; a daughter, Tiffany N. Schoenfeldt, and step-son, Frank R. Cobb, both of Churchton, MD; a brother, Mason Schoenfeldt, of Elkridge, MD; and his grandfather, George J. Hardesty, of Lothian. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Chapel UM Church, 1010 Wrighton Road, Lothian, MD 20711
Lawrence Spriggs, 77 Lawr e n c e Evander Spriggs, age 77, of Dunkirk, peacefully departed this life on October 11, 2010 at Calvert Memorial Hospital. He was born February 28, 1933 in Anne Arundel County, MD, to the late James Ellsworth Spriggs and Mary Spriggs Whittington. Lawrence was the oldest of nine children. He attended Anne Arundel Public Schools and was a long time resident of Anne Arundel County. Lawrence was joined in holy matrimony to Shirley Chew Spriggs on November 3, 1956. They were blessed with two children. Lawrence began his career in the U.S. Army in April of 1953. He was honorably discharged from active duty in April 1955. After serving in the Army, Lawrence was employed by Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, MD, until he retired. After retirement from
Andrews, he joined his brothers at the family construction business, Spriggs Construction. Lawrence was a faithful, dedicated, and active member of Peter’s United Methodist Church where he attended since childhood. He served as President of the United Methodist Men, Men’s Choir, Vice President of the Trustees, Chairman of the Finance Committee, member of the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Senior Choir, Stain Glass Committee and the van driver for the Sunday School. Lawrence loved the Lord and was not afraid to praise him. If there was a program at Peter’s, Carter’s or any of the community churches, you could count on him being there. His favorite songs were “Peace in the Valley” and “There’s A Bright Side Somewhere”. Lawrence was well loved and respected by his family and everyone he met. He was always willing to help and lend a hand whenever and whoever needed it. Lawrence was a long time devoted fan of the Washington Redskins Football Team and the Baltimore Orioles Baseball Team and loved watching the games on Sunday evenings with the family. Lawrence leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Shirley Chew Spriggs; son, Larry Spriggs, Sr.; daughter, Linda Parker; daughterin-law, Sandra Spriggs; son-inlaw, Jerry Parker; six grandchildren, Tarell, Larry, Jr., and Amber Spriggs, Jerone, Taneika, and Lakia Parker; and one great-grandson, Jai Parker. He also leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Mary Spriggs Whittington; one brother, William Spriggs; two sisters, Victoria and Genevieve Spriggs; three sister-in-laws, Madeline, Carolyn, and Valerie; three aunts, Carrie Hall, Helen Wallace, and Dorothy Spriggs; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Everett, Henry, Walter and Frank; and stepfather, Daniel Whittington. Lawrence will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Sewell Funeral Home in Prince Frederick provided the arrangements.
deceased) and Anthony T. Swann, Jr., (Jean); devoted grandfather of 12; 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters; brother of Philip, Kenneth and Martin. Arrangements were provided by Lee Funeral Home in Owings. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of you choice.
Georgia Wallace, 87 Georgia A. Wallace, age 87, of Lothian, died on October 6, 2010. She was born on June 10, 1923. Services were held at Church of God in Lothian with interment at Moses Cemetery in Lothian. Sewell Funeral Home in Prince Frederick provided the arrangements.
Virginia Whittington, 96 Virginia Ellen Whittington, age 96, a lifelong resident of Dunkirk, passed away at
home on October 15, 2010. Virginia was born May 6, 1914 in Chaney, MD, now part of Dunkirk, to Mordie L. and Rose Trott Brady. She was raised in Dunkirk and graduated from the former Tracey’s High School in Tracy’s Landing, MD. She married Clifton O. Whittington, Sr. on June 27, 1931 at Smithville Methodist Church, and they lived in Dunkirk where they purchased their own farm in 1935. Virginia was a devoted homemaker and farm wife who raised her family, kept her home, volunteered in her community and worked in the fields with her husband. She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener, raised turkeys on the farm and dressed geese and ducks for local hunters. She was a lifelong member of Smithville U.M. Church where she was active in the United Methodist Women and helped in the kitchen at church dinners and functions. She was also a 50-year member of the Calvert County Farm Bureau, a member of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, and as a lifelong Democrat was active with the Calvert County Democratic Women. Among her many interests, Virginia was fond of reading and taking senior’s bus trips with her friends. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clifton, Sr., who passed away September 17, 1980; a son, Charles Arthur “Arky” Whittington; a daughter, Beverly J. Leitch; sisters Mildred Gibson and Joyce
Williams, and brothers Hilary M. Brady and Douglas L. “Dubby” Brady. She is survived by two devoted sons, Clifton O. “Boots” Whittington, Jr. and wife, Shirley M., and William C. “Cally” Whittington and wife, Shirley A., all of Dunkirk. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, June Whittington; a son-in-law, Billy Leitch; sixteen grandchildren, twentynine great-grandchildren and four great, great, grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara J. Dominique. Funeral Services and a celebration of Virginia’s life were held at Smithville United Methodist Church in Dunkirk. Interment followed in Smithville Church Cemetery. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements. Expressions of sympathy in Virginia’s name may be made to Smithville U.M. Church Cemetery Fund, 3001 Ferry Landing Road, Dunkirk, MD 20754.
Evelyn Wilson, 84 E v elyn Jane Wilson, age 84, of North Beach, died on October 5, 2010. She was born on March 25, 1926. Lee Funeral Home in Owings provided arrangements.
Anthony Swann, Sr., 98 Anthony T. Swann, Sr., age 98, of Dunkirk, died on October 6, 2010. He was born on August 24, 1912. He was beloved husband of the late Evelyn B. Swann; loving father of Carol Zust (Paul deceased), A. Rosemary Curtin (James)(Allan
Thursday, October 21, 2010
21
All Roads Lead to Great Shopping
in the
North Beach Loop
LOOP SEASONAL EVENTS See www.northbeachloop.org for further event details guin
n Cold Pe Ave 101
y 9100 Ba 714 h, MD 20 c a e B North
Bay Wine & Spirits 9100 Bay Ave 103 North Beach, MD (410-257-0067)
Old Town Cand
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9122 Bay Ave. North Beach, M D (410-286-7300) Current Hours: Fri-Sat 10-6 Su n 11-6
Lighthouse Market Place ONE STOP SHOPPING 9124 Bay Avenue North Beach, MD (301-855-0707)
At The Bay Healing Arts Cente r
9129 Bay Ave North Beac h, Md. (410-286-911 0)
Chez Elle Boutique 9132 Bay Ave North Beach, MD (410-257-7000)
Sweet Sue’s Bake Shop & Coffee Bar 7th Street & Bay Ave North Beach, MD (410-286-8041)
ke Chesapea s e u q Anti
ve 4133 Bay A ch ea B h rt No 158) (410-257-3
22
October 30 North Beach Loop and the Town of North Beach present
Festivities begin at 4 PM Costume Parade & Contest for Kids & Pets (Costume Parade, Kids & Pets meet at Welcome Center 4 PM) Tricks and Treats 4-6 PM at local businesses “Movie on the Beach” 6:30 PM weather permitting
October Events Oct 21 - North Beach Loop Political Forum- NB Community Center 6:30-8pm Oct 23 & 24 - Wine Tasting EventCoffee,Tea & Whimsey 1-4 pm Oct 28 - Health and Nutrition Seminar Bay Healing Arts Center 7 pm (RSVP 410-286-9110) Oct 30 - Costume Party-Bay Wine & Spirits 7-10pm $25 gift cert prize Oct 31- Reiki Practitioner Share At the Bay Healing Arts Center 1-3 pm (RSVP 410-286-9110)
Coffee, Tea & Whimsey, Inc. 4109 7th Street North Beach, MD (410-286-0000)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Inn at Herrington Harbour
100 410-741-5100, ext. ive Dr ore Sh ke 7161 La 714 North Beach, MD 20
Sisters’ Corner Gifts and Crafts
8905 Chesapeake Ave. at 2nd St. North Beach MD (410-286-0074)
Deanna Dove “Island Girl Radio” www.islandgirlradio.com 4001 4th Street North Beach, MD (301-908-4135)
Boutique Bay View eake Bay Ave
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SeaScapes Hom e Accents & Gifts
4105 7th Street North Beach (410-286-2755) M-Sat 10-6 Sun Noon-5
Twin Beach Players Present Two Fall Shows Be sure to catch “Keeping Faith” and an all-kids musical version of “A Christmas Carol” in November and December by The Twin Beach Players (TBP). The first is the award winning play “Keeping Faith” by Baltimore playwright, Mark Scharf. The show runs for two weekends November 5 through 14 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays nights at 8:00 p.m., Sundays. 6 p.m. and a half price show for senior citizens on Thursday, November 11 at 8:00 p.m. Parents Ed and Jane are not about to let their teenage daughter Faith marry 45-yearold Hartsell (Hart) Edward Thomas Williams IV – even if he does own Hartsell’s Patio Furniture. On the day before the wedding, they do what any caring parents would do: they kidnap Faith and drive into the wilds of Arkansas to hide out until things cool down or Faith changes her mind. With Hart and the police in pursuit and Faith refusing to play victim, Ed and Jane have their hands full in this dark comedy, which is part extremely-dysfunctionalfamily-fun and part political commentary. Twin Beach Players also proudly present an all kids musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” from November 26 through December 12.
Jeanne Louise (as Jane), Lindsay Haas (as Faith) and Tom Wines (as Ed) in the Twin Beach Players’ production of “Keeping Faith.”
Here are the show dates and times: November 26 and 27; December 3, 4, and 10 at 7:00 p.m.; Matinees on November 28 and Dec. 5, 11 and 12 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 general admission and $10 for senior citizens, students, children under 13, military personnel and members of the Twin Beach Players. For more information and to reserve tickets in advance, contact Regan Cashman at www.twinbeachplayers.com or (410) 474-4214. The venue for both shows is the Holland Point Civic Center, 919 Walnut Ave., North Beach, Maryland.
Meeting on Fishing Creek’s Water Quality Fishing Creek is the subject of the next subwatershed plan public meeting. Calvert County government staff is working to prepare water quality plans for the county’s 22 creek subwatersheds as part of the county’s Comprehensive Plan. These plans will help the county achieve water quality objectives that include “fishable/swimmable” goals for all its waterways. The public is invited to a meeting on the Fishing Creek subwatershed on Tuesday, October 26, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center in Chesapeake Beach. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to discuss the effects of living near Fishing Creek, which loops south from near the Route 2/4 split in Sunderland and then northeast to the Chesapeake Bay. The meeting will feature a review of the current The health of Fishing Creek will be the health of Fishing Creek as determined by the county’s subject of a public meeting. grant-funded water testing process. Residents can also learn about water and land usage patterns that impact the sedimentation of waterways and nutrient loading from stormwater runoff. Addressing these issues will ultimately help improve water quality in the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay. The Fishing Creek subwatershed boundary includes Route 2 on the west and the Chesapeake Bay on the east. Most of Chesapeake Beach is within the subwatershed along with portions of Mount Harmony, Sunderland and Huntingtown. Public meetings have already been held on the Mill Creek, Hall Creek, Parkers Creek and Grays Creek subwatershed plans. Those interested may call (410) 535-2348 to RSVP for the meeting. A presentation on the subwatershed planning process is available at www.co.cal.md.us under Planning and Zoning.
Where Do All the Old Cell Phones Go? By Anna Chaney Willman
Check your junk drawer, closet, desk, pantry, garage or shed. Today, there are about 180 to 200 million cell phone users in the United States alone. There are already an estimated 500 million old cell phones “at large.” Americans replace between 100 million and 130 million cell phones each year, however, the cell phone recycling industry processes less than 10 million of these! The millions add up pretty quickly at this pace, which means that people will likely dispose of these in your local landfill. Technology outdates your phones quickly, so when you find that long lost dinosaur, it’s not nearly as usable as it was when you tucked it away for safekeeping… even more reason to recycle those cell phones as
soon as possible. Is disposing of a cell phone in a landfill harmful to the environment? The less trash that goes into a landfill is always best. First of all, we are saving energy and limited resources as well as keeping useable and valuable materials out of landfills and incinerators. Cell phones have components made from copper, precious metals, and plastics - all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Recycling these materials not only conserves resources, but prevents air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that if all of the 100 million cell phones that are replaced annually were recycled, we could save enough energy to power more than 18,500 U.S. households with electricity for one year. It’s very easy to recycle cell phones these days. Pretty much all cell phone carriers have recycling programs in place. When you go to upgrade to the latest “Droid” or “i-Phone,” take your old phone with
“Because Local Government Should Be The Government That Serves You First.” • Protect North Beach is safer than it used to be, but that doesn’t mean it is as safe as it could be.
• Promise
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Continue my efforts to strengthen the North Beach economy.
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you. Many carriers even offer tradein programs. They will have your old phone appraised and offer you money toward your new phone or toward other products sold in their stores, or to even pay toward your phone bill. You can even find “drop boxes” at locations such as emissions stations and Office Depot. Sometimes local schools and emergency responders have fundraising initiatives and request that you donate your old cell phones. So, what happens to my phone when I turn it in for recycling? I interviewed Dan Schaeffer, owner/ operator of a Verizon Wireless Carrier, Executive Wireless, serving Anne Arundel County. Dan told me that his stores participate in a program called Flip-Swap, which can be found online at www.flipswap.com. Flipswap as well as other recycling programs generally do one of the following with used phones: • Some are donated to shelters for use in a variety of emergency (911) phone programs • Some are sold for use in other countries • Some are repaired or refurbished and sold in the U.S. either as replacement or pre-paid phones • Finally, others are broken down to
the essential elements and recycle Schaeffer also noted that his stores have a neat program whereby they will sometimes honor complimentary minutes ($30 worth) on your old cell phone when you are upgrading to a new phone. This serves as a “pre-paid” phone and many customers are choosing to use those minutes on their old phones to give to their children when they are travelling or to take out on the boat or other adventurous activities whereby there is a good chance that something could happen to that phone. Mr. Schaeffer highly recommends recycling of your telephones when upgrading; “It’s the right thing to do; it not only benefits our environment, but also often benefits fellow friends in need,” he says. About the Author: Anna Chaney Willman is the founder of Herrington on the Bay Catering in Rose Haven, MD, which has achieved the first level of certification from the Green Restaurant Association. This article was inspired by her 9-year-old son, Connar Willman.
t h g i N Frighatt the Beach
Saturday, October 3
0
at North Beach from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Meet at 4:00 p.m. at the Welcome Center on the Boardwalk at 5th Street and Bay Avenue for a kids’ costume parade and safe trick or treating! Following the costume parade,
“Hocus Pocus” starring Bette Midler will be shown (weather permitting) at dusk, around 6:00 p.m. Brought to you by the Town of North Beach and North Beach Loop Businesses
For more information, call North Beach Town Hall at (301) 855-6681
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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The Chesapeake Current will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The Chesapeake Current reserves the right to edit or reject any classified ad not meeting the standards of The Chesapeake Current. It is your responsibility to check the ad on its first publication and call us if a mistake is found. We will correct your ad only if notified after the first day of the first publication ran.
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Area Teens Doing Good In Our Community By Nick Garrett
This issue I wanted to take a break from politics because I figured with the all of the signs and campaigning going on, that you may appreciate something a little different. In this column, I would like to recognize several hundred spectacular teenagers that are impacting our community in a number of positive ways. We often see pictures of people with an oversized check in one hand and an award in the other, when companies or individuals step up and donate to a non-profit or community organization in need of funds. Chances are you have never seen a photo-op of the kids who organize concerts at All Saints Church. But since the series started in 2004, they have raised almost $30,000.00 for organizations all over the world and in our community including Doctors Without Borders, St. Jude’s “Believe in Tomorrow House,” Calvert County Public Schools, The American Cancer Society, The Turnabout Café’s Job DevelThe next teen concert at All Saints Church is October 22 at 7:00 p.m. and will be the regular mix of local student bands and a few bigger acts. Cover charge is $5 per person, with proceeds benefiting a local family battling healthcare costs. All Saints is located at the corner of Rts. 2 and 4 in Sunderland. Shows are held in the Parrish Hall down the hill from the sanctuary.
opment Program, End Hunger in Calvert, and Safe Harbor, to name only a few. One of the first was a rock concert that raised $5,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina. I first began organizing concerts in the county to give music students and local bands a concert venue. In order to raise awareness, we decided to make the concerts fundraisers for whatever community group needed help at the time. This way, the teens would begin understanding the value of volunteerism and have an opportunity to earn service hours for school. Initially, there was little public praise for the self-motivated ingenuity and fundraising success these teens experienced. That was until one week in 2005 when I happened to pick up the newspaper and saw the standard photo op picture described above, with a $1,000 contribution for Katrina victims from a local corporation. After sending a wellintentioned nasty gram, praise began to pour in for the teens and bands as the community learned what the kids had been up to with these concerts. Ken Phelps, the rector at All Saints Episcopal Church in Sunderland and I thought it would be best if we established a committee that allowed a group of teens to take part in organizing the events. This proved to be a good idea and the events continued to flourish. Fast forward to 2010, and we have a sixyear long series of successful concerts that has brought much needed assistance to those in need.
Garrett Music Academy students Pierce Jordan, Max Robinson, Bobby Morrison, along with their friend Angelo Todaro, approached me saying that they wanted more opportunities to play music since there is no performing arts center in the county for bands and musicians. Until then, they had been organizing house parties featuring bands from up and down the east coast. I was impressed with their initiative, knowledge of the history of the fundraising program, and their desire to usher in another phase of impact on the community. Ken Phelps and long time event partners and volunteers Steve Watson, and Dennis Laurie, parishioners at All Saints agreed that allowing another committee to begin organizing the regular fundraisers would not only give more groups somewhere to play but would give them a vested interest in their community. Not only did they deliver on last Friday’s concert, by booking touring acts from as far away as New Jersey and Philadelphia, such as “Bubblegum Octopus” but they hosted a “house party” to raise separate money to pay the bands so that all of the event money could go toward the Adult Day Care. Upwards of 250 people gathered for a rock concert in the Parrish Hall of All Saints’ Church and raised $500 toward The Adult Day Care’s initiative to fundraise matching funds for a state MTA grant that would get a new wheelchair lift van for the organiza-
Nick Garrett works with a group of teens to organize benefit concerts. Here they are shown giving a donation to Easter Seals following one of their local shows.
tion. For a $5 cover charge, the teens enjoyed six of their favorite local bands. Over the years, many national touring acts have come through as well. In a time when role models are sparse and young people have to bear the mental weight of the world at a younger and younger age, it is rewarding and comforting to know that when their time comes, young people in Calvert County continue to be civic minded and look after their community. Not to mention how important it is to have a regular venue for musical performances in the county.
About the Author: Nick Garrett is the owner of The Garrett Music Academy in Owings, published author, and has served and continues to serve on various boards and commissions in Calvert County.
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
Out&About Friday and Saturday, October 22-23
services for the discerning bride-to-be. For more information, call the SAACC at (410) 867-3129 or email southcounty@ toad.net.
The Odd Couple: New Direction Community Theater presents Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” (Female Version) at 7:00 pm at The College of Southern Maryland, Prince Frederick Campus. For reservations call (443) 624-4484 or email NCDT@comcast.net.
Saturday, October 30
Saturday, October 23 Heavenly Trash Yard Sale: from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at St. James Parish, 5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, MD 20711. Check out the many areas such as the Joyful Jeans Denim Shoppe, Blessed Babe (baby clothes), Faithful Furniture (new and used), Angelic Adornments (new and antique jewelry), Miraculous Marvels (computers and electronics), the Written Word (books and stationary), and so much more! All proceeds benefit the Outreach Ministries of St. James Parish. Directions on their web site at www.stjameslothian. com. Calvert Marine Museum’s 40th Birthday Party: Entertainment all day, special tours, food and fun. A giant birthday cake is to be cut at 4:00 p.m. At the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons. Haunted Water Park in Chesapeake Beach: Family Fun Night at the Haunted Water Park in Chesapeake Beach! It’s creepy, it’s fun, and it’s free! Come in costume, walk through the Haunted River and Trick or Treat around the Park 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Rain date is October 30. Pit Bull Awareness Day: The Humane Society of Calvert County is sponsoring this event at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in an effort to bring positive awareness to the American Pit Bull Terrier and their responsible owners. There will be a costume contest, parade, raffle, agility and obedience demos, vendors, food, vet services and county dog licenses available. All breeds are welcome, but no intact males or flexi-leads. Valid rabies tags must be present on all dogs. Call (410) 257-4908 for more information.
Sunday, October 24 A Bridal Affaire: The Southern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce and Historic London Town and Gardens Presents ‘A Bridal Affaire’ on Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. It’s an exclusive event showcasing local businesses providing products and
Fright Night at the Beach: From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Welcome Center in North Beach on the boardwalk. Halloween fun for kids with a costume parade and safe trick or treating sponsored by local businesses! Movie (Hocus Pocus) will be shown, weather permitting, at dusk (around 6:00 p.m.) For more information, call (330) 414-1185.
Thursday, November 4 When the Liver’s Not Happy, Nobody’s Happy: Your liver is a busy organ, with at least 500 jobs all different and important. Learn how to keep your liver healthy at a lunch and learn session hosted by Calvert Memorial Hospital (CMH) from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. at the hospital in Prince Frederick. The cost is $10 per session and includes lunch. Dr. Renee Bright, Gastroenterologist is the guest speaker. To register, call (410) 535 – 8233.
Saturday, November 13
Honoring Vets at the Calvert Library Calvert Library honors veterans every year Residents can also honor the brave vetthrough a special event in November. This year, erans who keep our freedom alive is by the library has enlisted the aid of students from posting a picture of your favorite U.S. each of the high schools. These presenters have Military Veterans on a white star on interviewed a veteran of their choice and will Calvert Library’s Tree of Honor through share the highlights of their conversation on Veteran’s Day, November 10, 2010. Wednesday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the CalTake this special time to learn of your vert Library Prince Frederick. family’s and friend’s contributions to The theme of the presentation is “Land of the security of our country. the Free = Home of the Brave.” Come learn why these special Americans have been willing to make such personal sacrifices for our country and freedom. There will be time for questions and answers from the interviewers as well as the interviewees. A musical celebration of patriotism in song featuring the Patuxent Pearls will precede the program at 4:30 p.m. in the Library Café. Please come early and enjoy a wonderful evening with your family. Calvert Library Prince Frederick is also showing a series of documentaries about World War II at 2:00 p.m. the Monday, Tuesday and Friday of Veterans’ Day week. On Monday, November 8, come see a documentary about D-Day with a tour through modern-day Normandy. Tuesday’s documentary is about Hell’s Highway and Friday’s is about the Battle of the Bulge. For more information call Robyn Truslow at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
See the Magic of Scratchboards
Renowned artist Carmelo Ciancio of Huntingtown is back after a ten-year hiatus with an incredible show of wildlife interpretations at Artworks @ 7th. Fur, Feathers and Fun! features masterful color scratchboards, which Carmelo loves because of the the total control the medium provides and its unusual effects. The Italian artist’s show runs through October 31st. Artworks at 7th is located at 9128 Bay Avenue in North Beach, MD 20714. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or by appointment. For more information about this show, call (443) 624-1457 or email sicilianocc@me.com. There is no admission fee.
Mad Hatter Ball: Mark your calendars now for Calvert Memorial Hospital Foundation’s event from 7:00 p.m. to midnight at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro to benefit the Endoscopy Center at Calvert Memorial Hospital. For information, call (410) 535-8178 or register online at www.calverthospital.org.
Sunday, November 28 Light Up the Town: The Town of Chesapeake Beach will “Light up the Town” at 6:00 p.m. Gather at Town Hall and enjoy music, treats, and a very special guest from a very special person as “Mother Christmas” once again lights the official Town Christmas Tree!
Saturday, December 4 Holiday Parade: Join the Bay Business Group (BBG) and the North Beach House and Garden Club for this annual holiday event. Every child gets to visit with Santa following the parade to tell his or her wishes. The parade goes along boardwalk, beginning at 1st Street at the St. Anthony’s Church parking lot and begins at 12:00 noon.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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Thursday, October 21, 2010