Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Friday, October 30, 2009

Maryland Approves Nuclear Deal


Maryland regulators have offered conditional approval to let Constellation Energy Group join with French energy giant, EDF, in a $4.5 billion-dollar deal the two companies have argued is critical to building the nation's first new nuclear reactor in nearly 30 years.

The state's Public Service Commission ruled that with several conditions - including rebates of roughly $100 for each Baltimore Gas and Electric ratepayer - the merger amounts to a good deal for Maryland residents.

Constellation and EDF have one week to agree to the state's conditions.

Making the approval contingent on rebates and other measures amounts to a minor victory for Gov. Martin O'Malley -- one that he will almost surely incorporate into stump speeches as he campaigns for re-election next year.


GO HERE to read more.

Reported Shooting On Charles Street


There's been a report of a shooting at 315 Charles Street. However, the weapon is a BB Gun. Press Release should be forth coming Monday or Tuesday.

Schools Are Where Stimulus Saved Jobs


More than half of positions saved were teachers, White House report shows

The best symbol of the $787 billion federal stimulus program turns out not to be of a construction worker in a hard hat, but rather of a classroom teacher saved from a layoff.

On Friday, the Obama administration released the most detailed information yet on the jobs created by the stimulus. Preliminary data showed that of the 640,239 jobs created or saved, 325,000, or more than half, were jobs in education that school districts claimed were saved when stimulus money averted the need for layoffs. While the stimulus was initially sold in large part as a public works program, only about 80,000 of the jobs that were claimed Friday were in construction.

The figures do not include jobs indirectly created by the money pumped into the economy through tax cuts, unemployment benefits and aid to states for Medicaid. If those were included, the administration estimates, the tally would rise to more than 1 million jobs saved or created.

GO HERE to read more.

Here We Go, I Told You So!


Stocks slide as consumer worries grow
Lackluster consumer spending report gives investors little to rally around

NEW YORK
- Stocks plunged Friday, erasing all of the previous day's big gains, as a drop in consumer spending fanned worries that the economic recovery won't be sustainable.

Major stock indexes tumbled more than 2.5 percent, including the Dow Jones industrials, which gave back all of Thursday's 200-point gain. Banks as well as energy and materials companies posted the biggest losses.

As stocks fell, investors moved to safer assets like the dollar and Treasurys. At the same time, the Chicago Board Options Exchange's Volatility Index, known as the market's fear gauge, soared nearly 25 percent to 30.88, the highest since early July. Its historical average is 18-20. It hit a record 89.5 a year ago.

GO HERE to read more.

Rep. Kratovil: Economic Report Is Encouraging, But More Work Is Needed


Washington, DC –

Rep. Frank released the following statement today after the announcement that the economy grew by 3.5% in the third quarter of 2009:

“Today’s announcement that the economy grew by 3.5% in the last quarter is encouraging news. Maryland families have been hit hard by this recession, and these latest figures give us some hope that things will start looking up soon. But we still have a lot of work to do. The ultimate goal is job creation, and we can’t afford for this to be a jobless recovery. I will continue to look at all options to spur job growth by backing small business, supporting middle class families, and sticking to fiscally responsible spending practices.”

Rep. Frank Kratovil

41-Year Old Townsend Man Arrested On Numerous Sexual Assault Charges


Location: Various Locations in Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware

Date of Occurrence: On-going since January 2009 to Present

Suspect(s): Mr. Bruce A. Rowan, 41, of the Unit Block of Oak School Road,
Townsend, DE

Resume:

On October 4th, 2009, Delaware State Police Troop 3 Major Crimes Detectives were
contacted by a 16-year old female and her family regarding an on-going sexual
relationship with a 41-year old male, identified as Mr. Bruce A. Rowan, of the
unit block of Oak School Road, Townsend.

The investigation revealed that the relationship started in January 2009 and
ended in August. The incidents occurred at various locations in Kent and Sussex
counties.

Mr. Rowan was taken into custody at his residence on today’s date without
incident. He was transported to DSP Troop 3 where he was formally charged with
the following felonies:

* 15-Counts of Rape 4th Degree
* 1-Count of Sex Offender Unlawful Sexual Conduct Against a Child
* 1-Count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
* 1-Count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Mr. Rowan was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of
$201,000.00 cash bond.

Speaker Pelosi Ignores American People

Yesterday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats unveiled H.R. 3962, their latest version of the health care legislation that’s been hotly debated for months in Congress and across the country. (Read it here.)

One thing is clear. Your concerns about a government takeover of health care have been totally ignored by Speaker Pelosi and her allies, who worked behind closed doors to write this bill. After months of debate, the bill they introduced today is essentially the same bill the American people have already flat-out rejected.

Government-run insurance? Still in the bill. Higher taxes? You betcha. An individual mandate that restricts choices and innovation by requiring Washington to define what qualifies as health insurance? Check. A job-killing employer mandate, a budget-busting expansion of the Medicaid entitlement, and countless provisions that set Washington bureaucrats firmly between you and your doctor? Better believe it.

What about comprehensive lawsuit abuse reform and a ban on taxpayer funded abortion? Not surprisingly, those important items are still not in the bill.

There is one major and obvious difference between H.R. 3962 and H.R. 3200, however. At 1,990 pages, the new version is almost twice as long as the old one. H.R. 3962 has all the “government takeover” of H.R. 3200 with an extra thousand pages thrown into the mix. That’s a whole lot of government involved in personal, private health care decisions.

The American people want reforms that provide them with more choices, more competition, more innovation, higher quality, and lower costs. That’s the approach taken by the numerous patient-centered bills introduced by Republicans, including my own Empowering Patients First Act, H.R. 3400. Unfortunately, our ideas have been consistently and intentionally dismissed by the majority party.

But passage of this monstrosity is by no means certain. Though we expect a vote on this bill in the next week, there is still time to make your voice heard. Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers. Get the word out and don’t delay. The future of American health care is in the balance, and we are on the clock.

Sincerely,

Rep. Tom Price, M.D.

Senator Venables In Boating Accident


I just received a prayer request from a friend, passed on to her by her sister Allison Venables. Senator Venables and his friend, Mr. Gootee, have been involved in a boating accident on the bay (hit a buoy) and have been flown to a hospital in Baltimore. No other details are known at this time.

Please keep these men and their families in your prayers.

Please Don't Tell Me Someone Tried To Rob The Downtown Post Office

A message just came through to me stating the SPD are in front of the Downtown Post Office with their lights on. The SPD do have a girl in handcuffs just outside the building. I guess we'll have to wait 24 hour to actually find out what happened. You know, that's when their Press Release will be made public.

DSP Seeks Public's Assistance With A Commercial Burglary


Location: 32266 Frankford School Road, Proaction Paintball Inc.,

Date of Occurrence: Between Sunday, October 25th, 2009 and Thursday, October
28th, 2009

Suspect(s): Unknown suspect(s)

Resume:

On Thursday, October 28th, 2009, at approximately 2pm, Delaware State Police
responded to 32266 Frankford School Road, Frankford, also known as the Proaction
Paintball, Inc., reference to a commercial burglary. The burglary occurred
between Sunday, October 25th and Thursday, October 28th, 2009, unknown
suspect(s) forcibly gained entry into a detached shed and removed a large number
paintball guns and related accessories.

The Delaware State Police urges anyone with knowledge of this incident to
contact (302) 856-5850 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Individuals
offering information may remain anonymous.

FBI: Gunshots Hit US Rep. DeFazio's Office Windows

Three shots fired at a federal courthouse in Oregon late Wednesday or early Thursday hit windows in U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio's office, while a fourth shot hit a wall above the office, the FBI said.

No one was in the second-floor office at the time, and the Democratic congressman's staffers in Eugene found the damage when they arrived for work Thursday morning.

Investigators believe the shots were fired between 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday, FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele said, adding they're not certain that DeFazio's office was the intended target.

"Right now, our biggest concern is determining why this happened," Steele said, adding the FBI doesn't know whether the shooter or shooters were trying to hurt anyone. "We're obviously taking this very seriously."

DeFazio spokeswoman Molly Simmons confirmed the congressman was in Washington, D.C., at the time.

The Register-Guard reported that from outside the courthouse, the only visible damage to DeFazio's office was to one window that had a single, quarter-sized hole with cracks spidering outward.

No details were released about the type of ammunition used.

The courthouse was open for business as usual Thursday.

The FBI is working with the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Protective Service and Eugene police.

Source

It's Amazing What Can Be Found On Ebay

Now all you have to do is shave your head and claim you didn't see anything.
So everyone knows, this badge was truly purchased recently on Ebay.

U.S. Seeks Power To Force Even Strong Banks To Shrink


WASHINGTON -- Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Thursday that his proposal to overhaul banking rules would give the government the ability to order even healthy companies to "shrink and separate" if their size or scope threatened the broader economy.

His comments were the starkest admission yet from the Obama administration that the regulatory revamp working through Congress could lead to a drastic reshaping of financial institutions. That reflects a growing sentiment among some policy makers around the world, who believe the best way to prevent banks from being "too big to fail" is to prevent them from being big in the first place.

The financial crisis has redrawn U.S. banking in the past two years, with several of the country's largest firms collapsing into bankruptcy or into the arms of competitors. The result has been consolidation. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co. controlled a combined 33% of U.S. deposits as of June 30, up from 22% at the end of 2008, according to SNL Financial.

Such market dominance has reinforced a view that some companies will never be allowed to falter, even if rescue comes at great expense to taxpayers, because the broader economic shock would be devastating. Critics also argue that the size disparity allows large companies to borrow money more cheaply and box out competitors.

GO HERE to read more.

Caption This Photo


Mayor Ireton And City Celebrate Harvest Festival At Pemberton Apartments



Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr. invites you to the Pemberton Manor Harvest Festival, located at 1017 Fairground Drive, on Friday, October 30, 2009 from 5:30 – 8:30.

The Mayor along with other City of Salisbury Departments will be in attendance at this fun filled evening of games, treats, a costume contest, karaoke and much more. In addition to all the fun, staff from Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance will be doing face painting and the Fire Department will be there with fire trucks and fire prevention tips. Also joining the festival will be McGruff from the Police Department. We invite you and your family to come out and show support.

Mayor Ireton states that, “We know that this neighborhood has faced issues in the past. We have dedicated the resources of this government to helping residents live in a safe and secure environment. The steps that Habitat America has taken, coupled with the City of Salisbury efforts, will lead to that safety and security.”

Mark Thompson, a member of the Westside Revitalization Partnerships stated, “The Westside Revitalization Partnership is working with the Mayor to bring positive activities and new energy to the Pemberton Complex. This is a good way for the residents to take back their homes and change the negative and violent atmosphere.

Marti Rowntree, District Manager of Habitat America says, “It is great to have the Mayor, the City Departments and community support, as we make a change in the neighborhood”.

Pemberton Manor would love to thank the following businesses who have donated supplies, food, candy and their services: Papa John’s, Parsons Professional Grounds, Party Etc., Elliott Electric, Five Star Painting, Lollipop & Company, Code 3 Security and Dawn Williams DJ Services.

Yard Sales 10/30/9

CLICK HERE for this weekend's scary yard sales.

If you have an upcoming yard sale, please email me at atlanticjw@aol.com. Please include all information you would like, as it is FREE!!!! Please type "yard sale" in the subject of your email. Please have all requests to me by Thursday at 3pm for Friday's posting.

Happy Halloween. Be safe.

Church Bazaar TODAY!

http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2009/10/st-johns-um-church-bazaar-and-silent.html

St. John's Bazaar Menu


Oyster Sandwich $5.50
Chicken Salad Sandwich $3.00
Chicken Salad - Pint $5.00
Chicken Salad - Quart $10.00
Soup - Pint $2.50
Soup - Quart $5.00
Soup - Bowl $2.00
Dumplings - Pint $2.50
Dumplings - Quart $5.00
Dumplings - Bowl $2.00
Hot Dogs $1.50
Hamburgers $1.50
Cheeseburgers $1.75
Desserts $1.00
Drinks $1.00
Ice Cream $1.00

Platters
Oysters, dumplings & green beans $7.00
Chicken Salad, dumplings, green beans $6.00

Ethics Investigators Probe Dozens In Congress


Ethics probes hit dozens in Congress



Confidential document reveals review of activities of over 30 lawmakers and aides regarding defense lobbying, corporate influence peddling and other issues.



Full story

Don't Forget Our Little Friends


I recently contacted Linda Lugo, Director of the Wicomico Humane Society as I was concerned with all the budget cuts, how have they been affected?

Unfortunately they have been hit very hard and the following is her reply to my question.

"Hi Joe,

Forgive my not getting back to you until today but I have been out of town and just got back. As to the budget cuts, we were cut about $35,000 from what we asked for for the fiscal year that started on July 1st. A couple of weeks ago, we were notified that we, along with everyone else, were being cut an additional 15% from our budget which translates to an additional cut of about $44,000. What that has meant is losing 2 animal control officers. We had 3 and now we have 1. We are prioritizing animal calls so that means that we are hoping people will have patience. We will do the best we can to respond to calls as quickly as possible but it is going to take time. This is a big county and with only 1 officer...

The cut has also resulted in changing what calls we can respond to when we are closed. Right now the ONLY calls our officer will respond to is if a dog or cat is injured or sick. I am hopeful people won't call and say the animal is sick or injured just to get the officer out there... if our officer responds and the dog or cat isn't sick or injured (and not an old injury), they will leave the scene and address the call during regular business hours.

It is not our intent to not provide the best service we can but there is little money to go to a lot of places. We are committed to not cutting back on what we do for the animals that come into the shelter but that is expensive.

We are now vaccinating against canine influenza and that is about $8.00/dose and the dogs need 2 doses. We also don't want to not test for heartworms or feline leukemia/FIV but those tests are over $10.00 each... but it is well worth the cost to help ensure that pets adopted from us are as healthy as we can make them.

It is a hard time for everyone and again, we are hoping for the patience and understanding of people.

Please let people know that they can call and talk to me or any one of my staff and we will do all we can to get their problems taken care of as soon as we can.

Thanks Joe. Hope this finds you well.

Linda"

Thank God It's Friday


What Will YOU Be Doing This Weekend?

Red Kettle Drive Kicks Off, Let The Sniping Begin

Is it possible to sap the spirit of giving from Christmas? No, but some Eastern Shore residents sure give it a go.

Yesterday the Salvation Army kicked off its annual “Red Kettle Drive” with a breakfast in Salisbury. These giving individuals, and many others, will spend countless hours during the Holiday season ringing a bell in the cold and collecting funds to help those less fortunate than themselves. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Not on the Lower Shore. Why? SbyNEWS publisher Joe Albero has the unmitigated gall to use Maryland and Delaware’s most popular blog to promote the Kettle Drive and encourage his readers to volunteer their time and money. Shame on you Joe!

Because Albero is none too popular with certain quarters of our community, some will actually encourage residents NOT to contribute. For those who live outside of the confines of our bizarre little “Peyton Place”, I’m quite serious.

Local gadfly and Barrie Comegys mouthpiece Jonathan Taylor requested that “concerned citizens” (translation - “Albero haters”) call the Salvation Army and demand that Albero be excluded from the 2009 Kettle Drive. Since Albero was at yesterday’s kick-off, that obviously didn’t work. Their next plan is to distribute nasty little pamphlets to drop in the kettle rather than cash. Now that’s the Christmas spirit guys!

Now the appropriately named “Grinch” promises to have “coins” made stating their refusal to donate because of Albero. Granted, this is so many mule muffins, but imagine the type of twisted personality required to come up with this nonsense.

It doesn’t matter whether you love Albero or hate him. Last year the Salvation Army was facing a shortage of volunteers. Albero took it upon himself to promote the hell out of the Kettle Drive AND donate hours of his own time. SbyNEWS readers stepped up to the plate with their time and money. Despite the economy, the Salvation Army saw a sizable increase in donations. Was this ALL because of Joe Albero. Of course not. I never heard him make that claim. However, there is no question that Albero impacted the Kettle Drive and he (along with his readers) should be applauded.

Instead, we are witnessing a nasty little cabal encouraging people NOT to support their own community because of one guy’s participation. Following their logic, if Albero is seen shopping at Wal-Mart they shouldn’t shop there?

My view is a little different.

To Albero - Promote the hell out of the kettle drive. Double your coverage of last year (if that’s even possible).

To SbyNEWS Readers – Keep it up! I know times are tough, but donate your time and money.

To the Salvation Army – Thank the Lord for people like Albero and his readers.

To people like Jonathan Taylor – Don’t forget your sun block. You're going to HELL!

from Delmarva Dealings

The Salvation Army Kicks Off Their 2009 Red Kettle Campaign









The Salvation Army kicked off their 20009 Red Kettle Campaign Drive at the Fountains yesterday morning with more than 200 people in attendance. The goal again this year is to raise $200,000.00 and with your support I believe we can make this happen.
Salisbury News will be expanding our responsibility in this drive by adding another location. Last year we covered Sam's Club and the Salisbury WalMart. This year we'll add Gander Mountain and we'll need your help.
Last year Sam's Club and the Salisbury WalMart were the two biggest income providers during the entire campaign, thanks to you. We'd like to see the Gander Mountain location as one of the top three.
This year Salisbury News will once again post charts with individual names and corporate names of those who volunteer to ring a bell at these locations. Just by volunteering, your name or company name will get FREE advertising on Salisbury News every day and sometimes several times a day. Who better to do business with than those who volunteer to help others. Salisbury News is pleased to provide such advertising and we need you now more than ever.
The economy has hit us hard since last year and even more families are in need. When you reach into your pocket for loose change, you have no idea how big a difference it makes in some one's life. I know that every time I walk past a red kettle, if there's change in my pocket, it goes in the bucket. Even if I've just donated the day before, it doesn't matter. Remember what my Grandmother used to say to me, "Joe, someone else needed it more than you did." It's the truth Folks.
Please consider volunteering your time this year and let's achieve their goal of $200,000.00. Below are some of the Award Recipients for the 2008 Red Kettle Campaign. Thank You once again and we'll have those scheduled up in no time so everyone can start filling in the slots.
2008 Red Kettle Awards

Individual Bell Ringers

1st: Ken Menser rang 132 hours and collected $5,474.21 in donations.

2nd: John Peters rang 115 hours and collected $3,500.38 in donations.

3rd: Michelle Dashiell rang 48 hours and collected $1,969.04 in donations.

Corporate Bell Ringers

1st: George G. Strott Law Firm rang 58 hours and collected $2,612.57 in donations.

2nd: Peninsula Regional Medical Center rang 33 hours and collected $1,606.97 in donations.

3rd: CFS Retirement &Tax Solutions rang 41 hours and collected $1,536.41 in donations

Clubs and Organizations Bell Ringers

1st: Ocean Pines Kiwanis rang 147 hours and collected $7,543.81 in donations.

2nd: Optimist Club of Salisbury rang 74 hours and collected $2,665.79 in donations.

3rd: Quota Club of Salisbury rang 44 hours and collected $2,106.20 in donations.

Pelosi's Contempt For Voters

The 1,990 page health care proposal, unveiled by Nancy Pelosi, demonstrates the contempt she, and other Democrat leaders have for a huge block of Americans. While the vast majority of Americans believe some form of health care reform is needed, depending on the poll, 40% to 54% oppose the current proposals. In 2008, 132,588,514 citizens voted. At the low end of 40% that translates into 53,035,405 Americans are opposed. I expect that supporters will dispute the polls or accept the low end and proclaim majority rules. In any case, how can such a large group be totally ignored? These are the same people that claim the rights of a single individual must be protected, but over 50 million can be ignored.

Tea Party protests were ignored and reviled. The Republican party leadership was barred from entry as The Senate and House Democrats crafted their bills. Is this what "Hope and Change" was all about ? Is this the "Transformation of America", promised by Obama ? Please don't bother to point out that Republicans were also bad guys, I know that. What the country must deal with is the here and now. Don't you think the health care problem can be fixed without destroying the entire system ? Surely if politics can be overcome, reasonable people can find a solution.

Ten Commandments for Congress to consider, -

1) Insurance companies shall not deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.

2) Congress shall establish a cap on malpractice awards..

3) Health care clinics shall be provided for the poor.

4) Claims shall be paid promptly

5) Paperwork shall be reduced to a one page standardized form

6) Neither Government nor insurance companies shall come between a doctor and patient.

7) Fraudulent claims shall be prosecuted as a Federal crime.

8) The training of additional health care providers shall be a priority of the VA or other Federal facilities.

9) Federally trained providers shall be obliged to serve in areas of high need for a period equal to 150% of the time it took to train them.

10) The only government option would be for the purchase of catastrophic coverage.

I have as much health care experience as Obama, Pelosi or Reid. Probably more, as I have lived longer and had more illness. The ten items, I have listed are not cheap, but they most likely are less expensive than what congress is proposing. I don't believe it would take 1,990 pages, that no one can read, to fix the problem.

Have at me Kool Aid drinkers,

Joel

A Sour Treat In Illinois As State Taxes Halloween Candy

This Halloween, the state of Illinois is offering more trick than treat.In an effort to meet expenses, the state has recharacterized the way that it taxes candy for purposes of sales tax.

The state previously characterized candy as food, which meant that it was subject to a lower sales tax. The new tax rules, which took effect Sept. 1, however, redefined candy as, well, candy, and subjected it to the full state and local sales tax.

That means that in Chicago, which currently bears the not so desirable title of "highest taxed city in the nation," you can expect to pay 10.25% in sales tax for a candy bar.

But not just any candy bar.

In a twist that has confused consumers (and defied explanation), the tax specifically exempts candy which contains flour. The actual text of the act specifically states:

"candy" means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. "Candy" does not include any preparation that contains flour or requires refrigeration.

So what does it mean for shoppers this Halloween season? You'll have to read labels.

Candy corn? Candy. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? Candy. Snickers? Also candy. But Milky Way? Not candy. Twizzlers? Also not candy: Twizzlers and other forms of licorice candy contain flour.

GO HERE to read more.

Door To Door Carbon Monoxide Education Campaign Kicks Off

Ocean City Fire Department personnel have begun the Carbon Monoxide Public Outreach
Awareness Program to inform residents of carbon monoxide (CO) danger, and the importance of CO detectors. The primary target for the campaign is single-family dwellings.

Fire crews will be going door-to-door in residential areas of the Town of Ocean City, checking for the use of CO detectors and functional smoke detectors. The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office has provided informational brochures that will be distributed by fire crews.

The campaign begins immediately and will take place seven days a week, except for holidays, between the hours of 11:00AM and 5:00PM.

WH Fights The Smears At....Edmunds.com?

The White House's campaign to name and shame irresponsible news outlets is now being trained on an allegedly faulty analysis of the Cash for Clunkers program by automotive website Edmunds.com.

In a blog post, White House internet guru Macon Phillips complains that Edmunds's claim of a $24,000 federal cost for each car sold through the program is hyped and lacks support.

"This is the latest of several critical 'analyses' of the Cash for Clunkers program from Edmunds.com of a $24,000 cost for each which appear designed to grab headlines and get coverage on cable TV," Phillips griped, suggesting that the site's rationale would imply some buyers came from "Mars."

The White House also complains that Edmunds.com is being opaque about its data.

However, some of the wording in Phillips's post may also suffer from a degree of opacity. For example, when he talks about "the price impacts that a program like Cash for Clunkers has on the rest of the vehicle market," I think he's referring to the fact that demand driven by the program may have led some car buyers to pay more than they would have otherwise.

Of course, driving up car prices is a two way street. The Council on Economic Advisers analysis of the clunkers program notes that prices for and values of used cars may have gone up since so many were permanently taken out of the mark. That could benefit car owners, at least theoretically.

UPDATE: Edmunds has responded with a statement posted here.

Source

Pelosi Has Go-To Gang On Big Votes

By Mike Soraghan - 10/28/09 06:00 AM ET

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has only lost one major vote since becoming Speaker.
And with a roll call expected on a landmark healthcare bill as early as next week, she is facing one of her toughest tests yet: bringing together a caucus split between factions engaged in open warfare.

Pelosi’s ability to unite Democrats and get the tough bills passed derives from her powers of persuasion and careful vote counting. And part of counting votes is knowing whom you can count on in a pinch.

Here are some of the key Democrats Pelosi is likely to turn to as the voting on healthcare reform comes down to the wire, along with two hard-to-get votes.

Rep. Dennis Cardoza (Calif.): Cardoza is Pelosi’s ambassador to the Blue Dog Democrats. The controversial climate vote (which passed with the minimum number of votes needed) and the healthcare debate have severely strained her relationship with the centrist group’s leadership, making Cardoza’s job that much more difficult, but also that much more important. Cardoza strays from Democratic orthodoxy on environmental issues like the Endangered Species Act, but he voted with Pelosi on climate change.

Rep. Xavier Becerra (Calif.): Becerra, who won an elective slot for leadership last year, is an important link for Pelosi to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where he used to be chairman. That will be crucial as Pelosi works to find immigration language that can keep Blue Dogs and other centrist Democrats on board.

Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.): The ideologically diverse New Democrat Coalition has been split on the question of a public option. But since ascending to its chairmanship, Crowley has managed to keep any infighting largely below the surface and quietly negotiate deals with Pelosi, such as allowing physicians to opt out of the government-run plan. He is a top fundraiser and his interest in leadership is well-known. Once considered a loyalist of House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Crowley has broadened his reach and has become Pelosi’s go-to for the New Democrat Coalition.

Rep. George Miller (Calif.): If Pelosi needs to trade away liberal priorities to get a bill, the task will likely fall to Miller, who is alternately called Pelosi’s “right-hand man” and her “consigliere,” to coax them back on board. Miller has street cred with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and perhaps no other member is closer to the Speaker.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas): Days before the climate change vote in June, Cuellar was telling a fellow lawmaker that he planned to vote no. Just then he got a tap on the shoulder. “Henry,” Pelosi said, “can I talk to you about your vote?” Cuellar, a Blue Dog and the most conservative of Texas’s Hispanic delegation, prides himself on being a business-minded Democrat. He’s bucked leadership on tax cuts and closing tax loopholes for energy companies. But when the final votes were tallied, he was a “yes” on Pelosi’s climate bill.

Rep. Mike Thompson (Calif.): When Thompson first ran for Congress in 1998, Pelosi backed him over a more liberal candidate, saying he was a better fit for the district. Thompson is the most conservative of the coastal California Democrats, but he has stuck by Pelosi, changing his vote from no to yes on the bailout vote (the first bailout vote was the only major vote Pelosi has lost), supporting the climate change bill and voting for the health bill in committee.

Rep. Bruce Braley (Iowa): Braley replaced Republican Jim Nussle. His ambition has impressed Democratic leaders and earned him a slot on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he voted for the bill in committee. After the bailout bill failed in 2008, Braley was one of the Democrats who switched to pass it the next month.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.): Giffords, a Blue Dog and a Frontline member, supported Pelosi on Iraq, voting for a timetable for withdrawal. After President George W. Bush vetoed that bill, Giffords supported a bill that included Bush’s Iraq request, ending a difficult early chapter for Pelosi’s new majority.

Rep. John Yarmuth (Ky.): The Southern Democrat voted to end the war in Iraq in 2007, even though he was considered one of the party’s endangered members. This year, Yarmuth, who defeated a Republican incumbent in 2006, voted for the climate change bill. That’s a tough sell in a Southern state, but Yarmuth can take comfort that President Barack Obama won his district with 56 percent.

The hard-to-get votes:
Rep. Frank Kratovil (Md.): Kratovil is considered one of the most endangered Democrats in this year’s freshman class. He became the poster child for incivility when protesters hanged him in effigy. So it was a surprise when Pelosi snagged his vote on climate change by making Maryland farmers eligible for as much as $1 billion in incentives for reducing emissions. But she might not get him this time; Kratovil has said he’s a no on the healthcare bill.

Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (Pa.): Pelosi has courted her assiduously, holding a high-profile event to announce that she would include in the bill Dahlkemper’s proposal allowing adult children to stay on their parents’ insurance longer. But Dahlkemper hasn’t committed publicly, and has told leaders she is a no on the “robust” public option.

Source:
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/65109-speaker-has-go-to-gang-on-tough-votes

Today's Survey Question

Are You Rooting For The Yankees Or Phillies?

I Called It Long Ago

Stock analysts issue 'Black Tuesday' warningTrends on anniversary of 1929 collapse indicate markets on verge of 'crash'

On this 80th anniversary of the "Black Tuesday" stock market collapse, some analysts are experiencing déjà vu, warning a major crash in the stock market is imminent.

Graham Summers, senior market strategist at OmniSans Research, wrote in the firm's daily e-letter yesterday that the markets may finally be on the verge of the crash he has been predicting for more than two months.

"Well, judging from the market's action today, I believe we may be within 48 hours of getting the "Official Sell" signal I've been waiting for," he wrote in "Gain, Pains, and Capital."

"I've been forewarning of a potential crash for months now. And the market's current action is precisely what you would expect for a major top (increased volatility)," Summers wrote.

Author and WND columnist Vox Day, asserts in book released last week, " The Return of the Great Depression," that the U.S. is entering the early stages of the Second Great Depression.

Day concludes an economic contraction of very large proportions is developing. But he contends that "due to a reactive wave of positive social mood, statistical obfuscation and understandable denial, it will take about a year for the consensus opinion to cycle through the various scenarios in descending order of optimism before the grim reality finally becomes apparent to even the casual observer."

Summers says the "issue now is whether this rally gives up this week, rolls over and breaks below the trend line or if there will be some greater push to the upside."

More here..

Carjacking On New Castle Avenue

Location: Area of New Castle Avenue and Rogers Road, Wilmington, Delaware

Date of Occurrence: Thursday, October 29th, 2009, at 5:39 p.m.

Suspect(s): Three black male subjects- no further details

Resume: DSP detectives are investigating a car-jacking that occurred yesterday afternoon on New Castle Avenue.

The victim in this case only remembered being in the area of New Castle Avenue and Rogers Road, possibly at the Star Center Strip Mall (adjacent to the aforementioned intersection), when he was approached by three male subjects.

As the victim was getting out of his SUV, he was struck in the back of the head with an unknown object causing a large laceration. He blacked out and the suspects allegedly stole his vehicle- a gray 2005 Chevrolet Suburban bearing Delaware tag: PC449912.

The victim was transported from the scene to the Wilmington Hospital where he was treated for his injury. As a result of the attack, the victim was unable to provide many details.

Anyone who spots this vehicle is advised to call 911. Tips regarding this case can be directed to Troop 2 detectives at 302-834-2630 ext. 6 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

Brooks Robinson


Jim Henneman - Pressbox 10/27/09

Three times during their respective Hall of Fame careers -- all in the same season -- Brooks Robinson came close to bringing Earl Weaver to tears. It was only fitting then, that during Monday Night's classy tribute, "An Evening With Brooks Robinson," it happened a fourth time.

It's safe to say, it won't happen again because the fundraiser for the Babe Ruth and Sports Legends Museum and the American Cancer Society almost certainly is the last time the "Original Oriole" allows anyone to throw a night in his honor.

"I've had enough adulation," he said many times during the course of the evening. "My heart won't take any more."

As one of those called on to pay tribute to Brooks, Weaver had difficulty containing his emotion after slowly making his way to the stage. "When I was [managing] in the minor leagues, I could tell he was going to be a Hall of Fame player because of how hard he worked," said Weaver. "He worked every day doing whatever needed to be done to be a great player.

"But when I got to be manager of the Orioles," Weaver said, pausing to control emotions that only rarely betrayed him in the dugout, "what I realized was that Brooks wasn't coming to work every day -- he was coming to play baseball. He just loved to play the game. He wasn't coming to work, he was coming to play."

Weaver admits he was close to tears the day he told Brooks he was coming out of the lineup -- almost certainly for good. "When I called him into my office he was nothing but class personified," recalled Weaver. "He said, 'Skip, do what you have to do.' I knew how much it hurt him, because I knew how much he loved to play the game, but he was, as always, a true gentleman about it."

That was in early April 1977 and it wasn't long after (only a few days in fact) Brooks tested Earl's tear ducts again, this time, as it turned out, with something of a farewell present. Inserted into the game as a pinch-hitter in the 10th inning of a game that was all but in the record book as a loss, Brooks fouled off a half-dozen pitches before hitting a three-run, game-winning home run, providing a stunning exclamation point to his incredible career.

It was one of the few times in his entire career with the Orioles that Weaver left the bench to join the on-field celebration. He would later call it the single most memorable moment of a career that included four pennants and one World Series championship.

The third Brooks-induced breakdown occurred later that same season and Weaver was already sweating it out weeks before he had to make a call. Rick Dempsey was about to come off the disabled list. Terry Crowley, who had been summoned from Rochester to take his place on the roster, was hitting up a storm. And the Orioles, surprisingly in the midst of a pennant race that would go to the last weekend, faced a critical roster move.

The Orioles were in Cleveland several weeks before the decision had to be made and Weaver was already agonizing over how to break what many would consider unthinkable news -- that Brooks, who actually was on the roster as a player-coach, would be released to make room for Dempsey. Earl, having already gone through the emotional trauma of telling Brooks he was being benched, clearly didn't want to be the one who had to deliver this message.

"You can see what's going on," he told me during a postgame session with his coaching staff in the hotel lounge. "Why don't you speculate on what's going to happen?" It was a suggestion that would lead to the worst disagreement I would ever have with Earl -- and the only one I ever had with the late John Steadman, then-sports editor at the News-American who was a whole lot more than just a boss and mentor during my career.

"I'm not writing it unless you or [general manager] Hank [Peters] tells Brooks first," I told Earl. "Brooks deserves more than to get this news over the phone after Connie [Brooks' absolute Hall of Fame wife] reads it in the paper. If you tell Brooks what's going to happen, I'll write it. But I'm not doing it before that, and I better not read it anywhere else, either."

Well, you can imagine where this one is headed. A week or so later, the Sun's Ken Nigro speculated about the possibility of Robinson being released to make room for Dempsey -- and I was livid when I went to the park that night.

"Has anybody talked to Brooks?" I asked Weaver in the dugout after batting practice. The answer, of course, was no, and I was not a happy camper, which, to his credit, Weaver understood.

That didn't make me -- or Steadman either, for that matter -- feel any better. In the newspaper business the so-called "exclusive" story is the ultimate, so naturally we had a little discussion about how Nigro got it and I didn't. When I told him the story, Steadman wasn't sympathetic. I can still hear his words: "In this business, you can't look a gift horse in the mouth," Steadman said. "When you get a story like that, you have to run with it."

The only thing I could say was: "I understand, but I would do the same thing again," and we agreed to disagree.

It was probably the only philosophical difference we ever had. He understood my feelings, but thought I made the wrong decision. To this day, I understand Steady's position, and we are still in disagreement. I'm glad I never wrote that story.

Ultimately, of course, Weaver had to break the dreaded news, which for a third time in the same season left him emotionally drained. Brooks was an established star long before he became manager and Earl was always appreciative of how he had been accepted by the team's veteran players. But in this instance, it made his job that much more difficult. And it showed.

Weaver and I long ago got over our little spat, which really wasn't hard, considering our emotions were driven by the mutual respect we have for Brooks. Perhaps that is why, for some reason, "An Evening With Brooks Robinson" provided some closure to that little debate we had 32 years ago.

As Earl (No. 4) was paying tribute to Brooks (No. 5), I can personally attest he wasn't the only one in the house with a damp cheek.

More Disapprove Of Obama's Handling Of Economy: Poll

The hopeful mood that accompanied the start of President Obama's term has given way to deepening concern about the nation’s economic troubles, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

In the survey, a 52 percent majority of Americans described the nation as headed "off on the wrong track," compared to 36 percent who said the U.S. is "headed in the right direction." Though Obama's overall approval rating remained unchanged at 51 percent, assessments of Obama's handling of the economy have declined.

Some 47 percent approve his economic stewardship, down from 50 percent in September, while 46 percent disapprove, up from 42 percent in September. The telephone survey of 1,009 adults, conducted Oct. 22-25, carries a margin for error of 3.1 percentage points.

GO HERE to read more.

Penguin Plays Table Tennis

Boxer Puppies For Sale

AKC Boxer Puppies For Sale

Tails Docked, Dew Claws Done, First Shots and Wormed
Will be Ready 11/07/09.
Raised in the house with children.

Please call 410-835-0134

We are the girls. Notice the fawn spot on the top of the white puppy's head.



And we are the boys. We did not cooperate like our sisters did.


Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus

" Skyline Drive "
To Purchase Photos Email Me At ksphoebus@gmail.com

Are Investors Ready For Higher Interest Rates?


If the economy keeps growing, it hastens the day when the Federal Reserve ends the era of 0% interest rates

Data showing the U.S. economy is growing again has renewed the debate about where interest rates are headed—a question with big implications for both the economy and investors.

The U.S. gross domestic product report released Oct. 29 showed that the economy grew by 3.5% last quarter, a higher percentage than many were expecting, and fixed-income markets took it as a sign that a rate increase will happen sooner. Treasury prices fell after the release of the GDP figure, and the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries rose 0.08 points to 3.5%.

That's still a historically low rate, reflecting the fact that the Federal Reserve is holding the short-term federal funds rate near zero in order to stimulate the economy. It's the reason why yields on bank savings and money market accounts are so paltry.

Such low rates aren't sustainable for long periods of time out of fear, among other things, that low rates can overheat the economy, spark inflation, or drastically devalue the U.S. dollar. "At some point the Fed needs to be thinking about tightening monetary policy," says Villanova School of Business economics professor Victor Li.

GO HERE to read more.

DELMAR OPEN SKATE NIGHT

Fri. - Nov. 6
7-10 pm

Old Skateland Building - S. Division St.

Salisbury - now Mitchelle's Martial Arts

$5.00 per person at the door (skating or not)
(Skate rental included)

You do not have to be from Delmar to skate.

Snack bar will be open.

Sponsored by the Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce

The Eastern Shore’s Largest Bingo Event Returns To The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Salisbury, MD – Be the first to shout bingo at Bingomania, which returns to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Saturday, November 21. Doors open at 5:00pm for early bird games and regular games begin at 7:30pm.

Admission to Bingomania includes all regular and special games, including the Jumbo Jackpot Game. Regular games offer a $500 prize while special games pay out $1000. The Jumbo Jackpot Game pays a maximum of $10,000. Increase your chances of winning and help the Maryland Food Bank at the same time by bringing three non-perishable food items to the game. Those that do will receive 3 additional cards for the first early bird game, which has a payout of $500.

Tickets are $45 per person in advance and $55 per person at the door. Tickets are on sale now at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Ave. Salisbury, MD), online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org and by phone at 410-548-4911. All proceeds benefit the Mardela Junior/Senior High School Band. For more information contact the Mardela Band-Aides at 410-677-5170.

How To Handle Squirrel Problems


There were five houses of religion in a small Florida town:

The Presbyterian Church,

The Baptist Church,

The Methodist Church,

The Catholic Church and

The Jewish Synagogue...

Each church and Synagogue was overrun with pesky squirrels.



One day, the Presbyterian Church called a meeting to decide what to do about the squirrels.. After much prayer and consideration they determined that the squirrels were pre-destined to be there and they shouldn't interfere with God's divine will.

In the Baptist Church the squirrels had taken up habitation in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a cover on the baptistery and drown the squirrels in it.

The squirrels escaped somehow and there were twice as many there the next week.
The Methodist Church got together and decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God's creation. So, they humanely trapped the squirrels and set them free a few miles outside of town. Three days later, the squirrels were back.

But...... The Catholic Church came up with the best and most effective solution.. They baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church. Now they only see them on Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter.

Not much was heard about the Jewish Synagogue, but they took one squirrel and had a short service with him called circumcision and they haven't seen a squirrel on the property since.

The Eastern Shore Dental Society


Good Afternoon Mr. Albero,

The Eastern Shore Dental Society is sponsoring a lecture by one of the country's foremost authorities on street drugs, Dr. Hal Crossley. This event scheduled for November 13 and 14 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center is for people from all walks of life: parents, educators, healthcare providers, drug counselors, social workers, law enforcement etc. This is a pilot program that we hope to take to other parts of the Eastern Shore and eventually to the Western Shore. We are being supported in this effort by all branches of law enforcement in this area because of the awareness that we hope to provide the public in this ever growing problem on the Shore. I'm writing to ask your help. Salisbury News has a tremendous audience. At some point in October would you be so kind as to publicize this event on your blog? Costs are being underwritten by the membership of the non-profit Eastern Shore Dental Society and donations from area businesses Your help is greatly appreciated.

CHARLES P. BRENNER, DDS

Great Orators Of The Democrat Party

'One man with courage makes a majority.'
- Andrew Jackson

'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.'
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

'The buck stops here.'
- Harry S. Truman

'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.'
- John F. Kennedy



And from today's Genius Democrats...............


'It depends what your definition of 'Sex' is?''
- Bill Clinton

'That Obama - I would like to cut his NUTS off.'
- Jesse Jackson

'Those rumors are false .... I believe in the sanctity of marriage.'
- John Edwards

'I invented the Internet'
- Al Gore

'The next Person that tells me I'm not religious, I'm going to shove my rosary beads up their ASS.'
- Joe Biden

‘America is--is no longer, uh, what it--it, uh, could be, uh, what it was once was...uh, and I say to myself, 'uh, I don't want that future, uh, uh for my children.'
- Barack Obama

'I have campaigned in all 57 states.
- Barack Obama (Quoted 2008)

'You don't need God anymore, you have us Democrats.'
- Nancy Pelosi (Quoted 2006)

'Paying taxes is voluntary.'
- Sen. Harry Reid

'Bill is the greatest husband and father I know. No one is more faithful, true, and honest than he.'
- Hillary Clinton (Quoted 1998)


HOW LUCKY CAN WE BE TO HAVE SUCH BRILLIANT MINDS IN CHARGE OF OUR IMPERILED COUNTRY?

2,000 Pages Of Mandates, Taxes, And Bureaucracy

This morning, House Democrats held a press conference to unveil their health care reform bill, which they claim will expand coverage for all and decrease costs. Sounds good, but once you peel away the “feel good” rhetoric, there’s nothing to be excited about. This 2,000-page bill includes a job-killing employer mandate, an individual mandate that requires Washington bureaucrats to define what kind of coverage is acceptable, burdensome tax increases, Medicare cuts, and a huge expansion of Medicaid that will break already strained state budgets.

You see, the Democrats are playing a game of bait and switch when they talk about the costs of this legislation. For instance, they say that costs will be kept under the arbitrary $900 billion cap that President Obama has requested. Well, they’ll stay under the cap simply by expanding Medicaid eligibility. In other words, they’ll be shifting the costs off one set of taxpayer-funded books to another set of taxpayer-funded books. And, don’t forget: we just had to bail out those states in large part because their Medicaid budgets were bleeding them dry!

Social Security is broke, Medicare is broke, Medicaid is broke – and all of them were created with the best intentions. But we have to face reality. Our deficit is at an all-time high. Our debt is nearing $12 TRILLION with no signs of slowing. We’re on a crash course for financial ruin. This isn’t conjecture, it’s basic economics.

Republicans have put forth alternative after alternative taking a patient-centered approach -- not focused on government, focused on you -- that will keep costs down, but each and every one of them has fallen on deaf ears. They weren’t even considered by Democrat leadership. Yesterday’s Chicago Tribune did a great job highlighting several of these Republican alternatives that won’t break the bank (a bank that’s already bankrupt).

GO HERE to read more.

ACORN Defunded Until October 31st. Unless......

On October 1st Congress had failed to pass the annual appropriations bills which fund all government programs for the new fiscal year, so the President signed a Continuing Resolution to allow government programs to continue their current spending for one month. As part of this 30-day resolution ACORN was denied funds.

By November 1, 2009 Congress must pass twelve appropriations bills for the new fiscal year or pass another Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep government programs running at their current spending levels. All twelve appropriation bills and a CR must include the same language as the October 1, 2009 CR that denied ACORN funds in Section 163.
Unless language is identical to that in Sec. 163. ACORN will be eligible for funding again.

There are 12 appropriations bills, each funding different government agencies and programs. Adding the prohibition language to the Transportation funding bill doesn't stop ACORN from accessing Housing funds. Even if Congress added the specified language to each of the twelve appropriations bills it would expire in one year, September 30, 2010.

The only way to ensure that ACORN is barred from federal funds across the board and for more than a brief time is for the White House to suspend and bar ACORN from federal funds. It doesn't take an act of Congress.

Make Mine Freedom (1948)


This Cold War-era cartoon uses humor to tout the dangers of Communism and the benefits of capitali...

Mardela Community To Celebrate Life And Service of Teacher Barbara McCool

Mardela Community to Celebrate Life and Service of Legendary Coach and Teacher Barbara McCool with Memorial Service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

A memorial service for Mardela Middle and High School teacher and coach Barbara McCool, 71, will be held in the school gymnasium at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

She will be celebrated in the gym where she had worked tirelessly since 1965, serving Mardela Middle and High School as a physical education teacher, athletic director, and coach of girls basketball and other sports. Coach McCool died at home Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Memorial contributions can be made to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 21802. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, Maryland 21804.To send condolences to the family visit http://www.hollowayfh.com/.

“I’ve known Coach for about 23 years. I can’t say that I’ve gone a week in those 23 years without having some kind of correspondence with her,” said Tia Jackson, a 1990 Mardela High School graduate and star on its basketball team, now head coach of the University of Washington Huskies in Seattle. Jackson said that what she learned from “Coach” she will “continue to do for the duration of my life. I say I have these McCoolisms in my pocket that I carry with me wherever I go.”

Jackson played in the WNBA in 1997, and worked as assistant coach at several universities before becoming a head coach in 2007. Whether she was a student, player or coach, Jackson could count on McCool to clue her in to the harsh truths and to continue to remind her of life lessons -- about work ethic and commitment to team and teammates -- first learned in the Mardela gym. “Coach” delivered even the sternest message with love.

“I’m standing taller and stronger than I ever would have had she not been present in my world,” Jackson said.

Dave Byrd, Pocomoke High School boys basketball coach and athletic director, traveled with McCool to state basketball meetings for 33 years and knew her even longer. McCool was “an icon, one of a kind,” he said. Known primarily as a girls basketball coach, McCool had also won a state championship in field hockey. She had an unflagging dedication to her school and to her profession as a physical education teacher.

“She was just a great friend and a great example for educators on the Eastern Shore and student-athletes on the Eastern Shore,” Byrd said. “She was the No. 1 female coach and pushed our student-athletes to succeed on the field or court, and more importantly pushed our student-athletes to go on to college and succeed in life.”

Claudia Hudson, a Mardela Middle and High teacher, knew McCool for many years as a fellow member of the Mardela staff and as her daughter’s basketball coach for six years. “I have heard her yell ‘God bless a milk cow!’ so many times that I can’t even say the words without hearing her voice.”

But there are other things Hudson will remember: “She was just like a mother hen, hovering over the girls and making sure they were hydrated and ankles were wrapped and meals were healthy. It was quite an experience. The real moms went along too, but they always let Coach rule because they respected her so much and trusted her to do what was right.” Coach McCool was “a rare breed … hard as nails on the surface, but a real softie underneath,” paying for shoes, camps, uniforms so students wouldn’t miss out on opportunities “because she believed in the kids and she wanted the best for them.” She taught her athletes about truth, commitment, honesty, conviction, sportsmanship, self respect, dedication and work ethic.

At Mardela Middle and High School, Hudson’s daughter Tania was in the capable and challenging hands of Coach McCool. Toward the end of her life, McCool was in the hands of Tania Hudson Reeder, the former student who was now her lung doctor. Coach proudly told anyone who would listen than she had taught her lung doctor everything she knew. “The truth is, Barb always did encourage Tania, and never faltered in her faith in her.”

McCool received a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian College in Boone, N.C., in 1960, and for five years she taught physical education in Virginia school districts. In 1965 she was hired as a teacher for Mardela Middle and High, and she remained there for the rest of her career, serving not only as a teacher but as the athletic director and girls head basketball coach. She also served as head coach of the boys soccer team for three years at a time when a strong coach was needed to rebuild the program. She also coached volleyball and track and field during her career.

“As a head coach, she was a true professional, performing her duties with the utmost efficiency and ability. She was an innovative and dynamic coach, infusing her athletes with tremendous motivation and instilling in them a desire to be the best they can be,” said Ralph Osborne, who as supervisor of athletics for Wicomico County Public Schools supervised Coach McCool for 23 years. Though she coached at one of the smallest high schools in the state, she fostered a tradition of success for her teams and athletes. She was recognized earlier this year for reaching the milestone of 600 career varsity wins, and in 2008-09 was selected as the Maryland District VIII Athletic Director of the Year. Her teams had numerous county, conference and regional titles over the decades.

“While she was demanding of her athletes, she always had their best interests at heart. She nurtured them and encouraged them in all their endeavors,” Osborne said. “Her demands and expectations of her athletes were only surpassed by the demands and expectations she placed on herself. She was like iron, never bending or breaking. In more than 40 years of coaching, she only ever missed one game, and that was due to an emergency stay at the hospital – with guards outside the door, of course, to prevent her leaving for the game.”

Liza Hastings, assistant principal at Bennett Middle School, played for Coach McCool from 1988-92. Unlike Jackson, one of her contemporaries, Hastings did not seem destined for a career in basketball either as a player or coach. That didn’t matter to Coach McCool, who pushed every player to be their personal best no matter what their level of ability. Though Hastings was not a natural athlete, “She never let me use that as an excuse. She taught me to push myself, that you have to have pride, and that you never settle… She pushed, and because of that I pushed, and that translated into academics and other areas of high school, like getting into the SGA (Student Government Association).”

“I have such respect for her, I really do. She’s one of my heroes,” Hastings said.

Ron Wainwright, a Mardela High School history teacher and former Wicomico Teacher of the Year, held Coach McCool in high esteem after knowing her for 25 years and spending 14 years as her assistant coach for soccer, track and basketball. “She sacrificed a lot of her own personal life for the kids and the school,” he said. “I know of no person who has ever put in as much time for the kids and the basketball program and the school as she did – ever.”

“She would do or say anything if it was in the best interest of the kids,” Wainwright said.

The Mardela Middle and High School family and the community will celebrate her life and career even as they mourn her passing. She will be missed by many in Wicomico County and beyond.

“Coach McCool exemplifies our Wicomico County teaching staff in her intense dedication to the success of every student in her care,” said Dr. John Fredericksen, superintendent of schools. “She was the consummate professional in her knowledge of her subjects and students. She spent the time needed not only to bring their skills up to the highest level at which they could achieve, but to give the gift of focused attention to each student who entered her classroom, field or gym. She was a true teacher in the highest sense of the title.”