Update On Station 16

The Salisbury City Council advanced the proposed purchase to the next stage at today's City Council Meeting, which is negotiations with the buyer.  Then it will return to Council. There were only 3 members present, Cohen and Campbell were not there do to previous commitments.

Remember this when it comes to election time in April Folks. They have shoved so many projects down your throats, thinking they can continuously get away with it BECAUSE YOU DON'T CARE and they THINK they cannot be stopped. After all, you voted Comegys back into Office the last time.

Don't forget the Waste Water Treatment Plant, you know, the 99.9% compliant facility. The new Fire Station 16 at $14,000,000.00 and the old Mall TIFF. YOU need to let them know this is NOT what YOU, (as taxpayers) want.

Just how many other reminders do you need. Oh yeah, The Bricks.

Home Invasion On Grapevine Road

On November 15, 2010 at approximately 0815 hours, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the above address on Grapevine Rd. for a report of a Home Invasion Style Robbery.

Upon arrival, Deputies located the victim/resident, Black/Male, 43 YOA, who stated an unknown black male (Suspect #1) knocked on his door and when the victim open the door, Suspect #1 forced his way into his residence, wrestling the victim to the floor, followed closely by another unknown black male (Suspect #2) and an unknown white male (Suspect #3). The victim and Suspect #1 struggled while Suspect #2 and #3 ransacked the residence stealing cash, credit cards and a cell phone. All three suspects fled and left in a full size, green in color van, driven by an unknown Suspect (#4). The van was last seen driving south towards Rt. 54. Investigators from WBI responded and assumed the investigation. Anyone with additional information pertaining to this or any other investigation is asked to contact the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation at 410-548-4898 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.

SUSPECTS: Suspect #1: Unknown Black Male, approximately 6’ ft tall, 290lbs, thick build, closely cut hair, goatee, wearing black hoody, blue jeans and "Timberland" style boots.

Suspect #2: Unknown Black Male, approximately 6’ ft tall, 190lbs, thin build, shoulder length braids, cleanly shaven, wearing a white T-shirt, long blue shorts and white tennis shoes.

Suspect #3: Unknown White Male, approximately 5’ 7" ft tall, 140lbs, thin build, short red hair, thin goatee, wearing a small dark jacket and blue jeans.

Suspect #4: No description available

CHARGES: Robbery, 2nd Degree Assault.

Wondering If You Could Help: UPDATE With Photo

Dear Joe Albero,

I was hoping you would be able to help in this matter.

On Friday night in Princess Anne I nearly ran over a 4-5 month old kitten.  Unfortunately the van behind me didn't see her in time and hit her.  I jumped out of the car but before I could get to her she was run over again.  Fortunately I was able to stop a truck from running her over yet again with only about 2ft to spare.  Amazingly she had survived, and held up her bloody face enough to make some weak sounds.  The lady in the van was kind enough to stop, give me a blanket and locate a 24 hr pet hospital with the help of the local pharmacy.

She is at the vet now, and is recovering.  The vet says she appears to have been shot sometime in her short life as well, as there was some sort of projectile visible on the x-ray.  I paid the vet bill for the initial trauma treatment and had her tested for feline leukemia and feline aids, both came out negative.  Unfortunately my job requires a lot of travel so I don't have the capacity to look after her.    

I don't know anything about this kitten in regards to temperament, training etc.  All I know is she needed some help to live and currently needs a home.  When I last saw her she was responsive and could move all of her limbs. She is currently still at PET's ER in Salisbury and needs an owner with time to work with her.  She can be visited at Pet's ER (410-543-8400) if anyone would like to go see her.  They are open 24 hours on the weekend and after 8pm on weekdays.

Would it be too much to ask to have some information and pictures of this kitty posted on your site?

Thank you very much for considering this,

Sean 

Jack Johnson Nabbed By FBI - FBI's Affidavit Charging Prince Georges County Executive & Wife

Now this is worth reading. GO HERE.

HEROIC CITIZEN SAVES DRIVER FROM CERTAIN DEATH

On November 15, 2010, at approximately 2:10 a.m., Ocean City Police and Fire Departments responded to a parking lot located in the area of 5300 block of Coastal Highway, in reference to a car that had been driven into a canal.

Officers observed a car that was completely submerged in the canal on the south side of the parking lot. While at the scene, police located a female later identified as Taylor Cole Vanderhook, 23, of Fenwick Island, DE, at a bus stop in the area of 54th Street. Police noted that Vanderhook was completely soaked with water.

While at the scene police were contacted by Christopher Sullivan, general manager of Yang’s Palace at 5401 Coastal Highway, who stated he had observed the car being driven by Vanderhook enter the parking lot at 5311 Coastal Highway. Sullivan noted the car was driving with a flat tire on its rims because of the noise the car made when it entered the parking lot. Sullivan then observed the car strike a boat that was out of the water on blocks in the parking lot. The car then stopped for a short time and then drove into the canal.

Sullivan told police that when he saw the car drive into the canal, he ran down to the parking lot and over to the car, which was still floating in the canal with Vanderhook seated in the driver’s seat. While the car was still floating in the water, Sullivan attempted to get the car near a floating dock, however, was unable to maneuver the car close enough to the dock causing Sullivan to lose his balance and fall into the 50 degree water. Sullivan then noted the car with the trapped occupant was beginning to fill with water and sink.
Sullivan located a piece of wood in the parking lot, which he used to smash out the rear window of the now partially submerged car. With only about 6 inches of airspace in the car, Vanderhook was able to climb out of the back of the car.

By the time the first officers arrived at the scene the car was completely submerged. Members of the Ocean City Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team also responded to the scene and checked the submerged vehicle to ensure no other persons were located in the vehicle. Vanderhook was located by police at a bus stop on Coastal Highway.

Police arrested Vanderhook for driving under the influence of alcohol. Vanderhook was also charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident for striking and damaging a boat that was located in the parking lot.

LORA Chimes In On The Old Station 16

To the members of the Salisbury City Council;

 

The members of LORA would like to weigh in on the matter of the disposal of Fire Station 16 in downtown Salisbury.

 

As a group of locally-owned restaurants, we are concerned about the plans for this site. The city is planning to sell the station to a venture group. You were told that this group consists of Perdue Farms, Black Diamond Catering, the Hospitality Entrepreneurial division of the University of Maryland and two widely known real estate developers, Palmer and Bradley Gillis. We wonder if the city realizes their plan could easily create an environment that will cause hardship and loss of sales at our local restaurants?

The groups' plan, as stated in a letter to the council, is to create a location where events can be held to attract the public, such as shows, banquets, dinner theaters, etc. According to this letter sent to you by Brad Gillis, this venture group has been using a Regional Urban Design Assistance Team study which was completed in 1980, and a HyettPalma study which was completed in 2001. Much of this information is over 30 years old. How much bearing should these outdated studies have on the decisions the city is making in 2010?

 

The letter also says the UMES. hospitality students and Black Diamond Catering will host local causes and groups in this facility. Does this mean that students will be utilized in a capacity where they will be given class credits instead of working as paid labor? This is where an uneven playing field starts to come into play. Will there be charges associated with these events? If so, will the establishment be operating as a privately-owned business? How can a privately-owned business operate in conjunction with a University for credits, if in fact that is the case? Our organization does not have an issue with the property being sold at market value to an independent restaurant owner or entrepreneur, but if there actually is a UMES connection, the potential for causing unfair competition rises dramatically.

If the UMES students are allowed to work there in exchange for credits, the facility can operate at a much lower cost, as there is no wage structure to affect food pricing. The locally owned restaurants in our organization will not be able to compete with a location that can sell food at a greatly reduced cost due to free labor. City council members and LORA have not seen any information concerning exactly how this facility will operate. LORA does not mind competition when the playing field is level, and apples are compared to apples. But we feel we must object when it seems that the city is practically giving away a taxpayer-owned property which we feel is an asset to our community. This asset should be retained as part of the city's historic value and in trust for the future generations.

 

The question remains : Is the City of Salisbury selling Fire Station 16 to a private investment group at a highly discounted price so that it can be used as a commercial catering hall or a restaurant of some sort? We wonder why the city feels it has to sell the property to anyone at this juncture. Property values are currently in severe decline. Is there some sort of city fiscal emergency forcing the sale of this property? Salisbury's citizens would perhaps be better served by retaining this property until the markets stabilize and it can be sold for its true value. Additionally, we question the value of this property at $150,000. We believe the property was valued in the recent past at closer to $500,000, and possibly near $750,000 during the real estate boom. A selling price at the liquidation level of only $150,000 would be a great disservice to the citizens of Salisbury, who paid for that building with their tax dollars. So, our questions can be rephrased as, "Why so fast? Why so cheap?" LORA would like to see a current appraisal of the property before a decision is made. The taxpayers have a vested interest in that property. LORA would also like to know why the actual owners of the building, the taxpayers, have not been asked for their vote on the matter.

 

LORA would like to ask council what safeguards are in place for this building. What will happen in a few years if the concept is not supported by the community - if the crowds do not come, the attendance is minimal, the economic crisis continues? What will prevent the owners from declaring their idea a failure and turning the entire building into apartments, or worse yet, just let it stand empty? This is a historic property; perhaps without the cachet of Poplar Hill Mansion, but the building still has a story to tell. LORA would like to suggest the property remain in city control and be converted to a firehouse museum, city historical site, or in the future, perhaps a part of the Eastern Shore Regional Library. It is possible that federal funding is available to enhance such a project - has anyone investigated this option? Perdue Farms and the Gillis's could still jump on board with corporate community support for this type of project, which would enhance the downtown area and bring foot traffic. The convenient locations of the library and the parking garage, as well as the downtown plaza and the existing Regional Art Institute and Gallery, furthers the idea.

 

LORA would like the City Council to refrain from selling Fire Station 16 until further study is done on the current value of the property. Additionally, we recommend that a new R/UDAT be done to reflect current conditions, rather than engaging in a major decision by relying on 30-year-old information. The city has an obligation to make the best decisions possible for the future. Once this historic building is sold to a private owner, the city has lost its chance to make something truly magnificent happen. We are not recommending that Perdue Farms, Palmer and Brad Gillis and others be excluded from a project at the site. But the firehouse belongs to the people - they are the true owners.

 

LORA believes this proposal to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. It lacks true structure in referring to UMES, when UMES may not even be involved. The proposal does not outline the scope of Perdue's participation. It promotes a catering facility with community involvement, which all of us currently do and participate in on behalf of the community. The proposal makes a reference to a historical foundation but one with residental housing on the second floor, which does not seem in keeping with the idea of a historical building. The proposal mentions the movement of the property to a tax base for personal property taxes and amusement taxes. but the valuation after such a move would be at the level of a $150,000 purchase and not the facilitie's true value. Even at a $250,000 purchase price, the taxpayers of Wicomico County would see a minimum of $70,000 in potential tax losses in the next 15 years. Again, what is the motivation to liquidate this property at this time at such a cheap price? This is a disservice to the taxpayers of the city.

 

LORA is currently 20 members strong and we are growing every day. We have more than 1,500 employees plus their families that will to do what is necessary to see the firehouse stays within our community. We have an essential part to play in the life of this city and the surrounding county. We, like you, feel we have an obligation to the citizens of this area. We are requesting further study of the above mentioned points before the sale is completed and the city loses this building forever.

Neighborhood Roundtable Tomorrow

1.  Crime Statistics

2.  Neighborhood Empowerment Stabilization Program/Princeton Homes Sweep – follow up

3.  Neighborhood concerns

4.  Third Friday events/upcoming holiday events

The Neighborhood Roundtable Meeting will be held Tomorrow at 1:00 in room 306 of the Government Office Building. The agenda items are listed above.

Accident Scene On Rt. 13 In Salisbury Last Night

Simpson's Towing became a victim last night of a vehicle traveling down Rt. 13 allegedly doing 70 mph hitting one of their heavy duty wreckers and possibly totalling both vehicles. To replace the vehicle would cost around $80,000.00. It took about 30 minutes for Firefighters to get the driver out of his vehicle and from what we have learned the driver was alive when they pulled him out. The wrecker is still at the location because it is where it is housed on Simpson's lot.

Fed's Ability To Influence Market Could Be Over

NEW YORK — The Fed Rally is over

.

The Federal Reserve took the first step in a $600 billion plan to boost the economy Friday. The same day, the Standard & Poor's 500 index tumbled to its worst weekly loss in three months. It wasn't just a coincidence.

GO HERE to read more.

Prince George's County Officers Arrested

The FBI arrested several Prince George's County Police officers Monday morning in an ongoing investigation and is serving search warrants in the county.

It was not immediately known if the arrests are related to the Jack Johnson arrest on Friday.

Source 

Powellville Fire Department ROCKS!

One of the other detours we made on the Poker Run for Homeless Veterans was to the Powellville VOLUNTEER Fire Department. We had heard along the way that they were putting packages together for our Soldiers overseas and I just had to stop in and see what they were up to.

Hundreds of people gathered for several hours putting care packages together and the smiles on every ones faces was very heartwarming. Great work Popwellville Fire Department and the residents who participated.

Allen Roast Beef Event A Huge Success

Cars lined up for hours in Allen yesterday to purchase meals to take home and or come inside to sit down for some great fellowship and unbelievable roast beef!

County Executive Rick Pollitt was your Waiter inside serving food as well as busing tables. Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman arrived to show her support for this event and I wish we had time to sit down and eat because the unbelievable smell of the food was driving us nuts.

This was our first detour on the Poker Run we participated in yesterday and I'm glad we stopped in.

Giving Back To Homeless Veterans

I joined the Fraternal Order Of Eagles on Sunday for a Poker Run that turned out to be a blast. The route was from Salisbury to Peakey's in Princess Anne. Then to Oasis in Willards, then the VFW in Delmar and back to Salisbury. However, we decided to take several detours along the way, all of which I'll put up in the next couple of Posts. There were 55 bikers who participated and raised thousands of dollars to give back to homeless Veterans.

Melson Tractor Pulling Ends Season

Folks, this event was absolutely a blast. Unfortunately their season ended Saturday but you talk about fun competition! Kids as young as 9 years old to people in their 80's would compete in tractor pulls, dirt track drag strip races, truck pull raced, mud bog races and even lawn mower pull races. In many cases the Melson't would have to extend the competition to a second day because so many competitors would come out for the challenge.

My Grandson and I went on Saturday night and I thought, we'll only be there for a little while. After 5 hours of entertainment and cold temperatures, he still didn't want to leave.

We were told by the Owner that they spent years advertising in the Daily Times, spending several hundred dollars per ad and next to no results. This year they chose to advertise with Salisbury News for $100.00 a month and the return on their investment was unbelievable.

I can assure you of one thing, we'll be back next season and we'll do so as often as they have these races.

From 9 To 80, Melson Tractor Pulling Is A Blast

Young, Old, Big or Small, for $5.00 a person this is by far the best entertainment on the Eastern Shore.

Oh, sure, sometimes the slow tractor pulls can be a bit boring but when they add in the other races it makes it all worth while.

Saturday ended the season with trophy's and a LOT of happy faces, young and old. We'll see you next season.

A Different Kind Of Bank Deposit

Salisbury Kennel Club Dog Show "3 Times Better Than Last Year"

Joe:

 

I want to personally thank you for all you did for our Eastern Shore Classic.  We have had a great 5 days and the response to our health clinics was the best ever.  I think it was  due to your blog.  Our gate was 3 times better than last year and the vendors all said they were very happy with their sales.  Again, thanks and  especially to your beautiful wife  who was as ever very charming and worked her butt off and also presented the Toy Group Trophy for us. 

 

Thanks  

Barb Furbush

Beau Oglesby Celebrates Victory Party At Micky Fins In Ocean City

Beau and his beautiful Bride gathered at Micky Fins Friday night to celebrate with friends over his victory as the new Worcester County States Attorney.

I joined many from Wicomico County who made the journey to Ocean City to celebrate with Beau. Joel Todd put out a Press Release but refused to send it to Salisbury News.

Mr. Todd should have realized his connection for the former Mayor and Police Chief in Salisbury would be the final nail in his career. Out with the good old boys and in with honorable prosecution from here on out.

Congratulations Beau Oglesby and Worcester County.

Obamacare

Joe,

Thanks to Obamacare and the mandates placed upon insurance companies by this failed plan, my insurance renewal has increased more than 20%. So I can choose to pay the increase or choose an insurance plan that doesn't cover my insurance needs. Hey....I could always go on the State plan for free right? No thanks. I'd rather pay my own way. Thanks Obama, you monumental failure.

Another Helping Of Debt-Cutting, Please

Cut Public Broadcasting funding? Half-a-billion dollars saved ... Sell off excess federal land? Billions saved ... And wait, wait there's more ...

Brother's Transplant Gift Carries Unbearable Cost

When Chad Arnold needed a liver transplant, his younger brother Ryan offered part of his liver. Ryan Arnold died following the surgery, leaving Chad with the struggle of living his life without the person who saved him.

GO HERE to read more.

Salvation Army's Challenges To Meet Holiday Need

Salvation Army bell ringers are ringing in another season with an ambitious goal, but it won't be easy.

The National Capital Area Salvation Army wants to raise $1.6 million this holiday season.

However, a changed policy by Giant Foods is expected to present a challenge.

Instead of bell-ringing six says a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Salvation Army, along with other charitable groups, will be limited to six days in November and six days in December, for just four hours at a time.

"In order to best serve our customers, and not hinder their shopping experience, it is necessary that we operate within established guidelines" said Jamie Miller in a statement released by Giant.

Officials with the Salvation Army said they're worried. Half of the $1.3 million raised last year came from kettles in front of Giant.

GO HERE to read more. 

Obama Praises Netanyahu Over New Freeze

U.S. President Barack Obama praised Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday, saying that his decision to impose a 3-month construction freeze in Judea and Samaria shows seriousness on the part of Netanyahu.

Speaking to reporters in the U.S., Obama said that renewing the freeze is an encouraging and promising sign. He expressed his hopes that a new date for resumption of negotiations is set quickly and then there will be no need to continue the construction freeze. “I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu for taking a very helpful step. It is not an easy step not for him, but it shows he's serious,” Obama said.

Meanwhile, a diplomatic source clarified on Sunday evening that despite Obama’s statements, no agreements have yet been reached within the Israeli government regarding the continuation on the freeze.

“The Prime Minister has not yet reached an agreement regarding the freeze and is still insisting that certain conditions be met. Only when these conditions are met will there be an agreement on this issue and it will be brought forward to the security cabinet.”

The new freeze proposal was highly criticized throughout the day on Sunday In Israel.

MK Uri Orbach (the Jewish Home) said in an interview with Arutz7 on Sunday, that if the government decides to renew the freeze, his party would leave the coalition.

Earlier in the day, Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said that he would abstain in a Cabinet vote on a new freeze if two conditions are met, one of them being a letter from President Obama promising that Israel can resume construction after 90 days. Yishai added that he also wants it made clear that all building for Jews will proceed in all of Jerusalem.

Yishai’s announcement that he would abstain caused an outrage among residents of Judea and Samaria communities, as dozens of people protested angrily outside the homes of ministers from the Shas party.
Read more >>

P.G County Exec Arrested In Sting - Wife Too

Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, arrested in a corruption probe Friday, told his wife to hide tens of thousands of dollars in her underwear as federal agents arrived at his house to search for illegal payoffs from a developer, federal prosecutors have charged.
Caught in an FBI sting taking a $15,000 payment from an unnamed developer Friday, Mr. Johnson later told his wife by telephone not to answer the door when two FBI agents came to their home, authorities said.
The county executive, a Democrat who was previously the county's top prosecutor, then told his wife, Leslie Johnson, to tear up a $100,000 check from the developer and stash tens of thousands of dollars in cash in her bra, authorities said in charging documents.
"Tear it up! That is the only thing you have to do," Mr. Johnson told his wife, referring to the check, according to prosecutors.
Asked by his wife about "cash down in the basement," the documents say Mr. Johnson replied, "Put it in your bra and walk out or something, I don't know what to do."

Later, Mr. Johnson told his wife to flush the check down the toilet, according to documents.
"Yes, flush that," he said.
FBI agents, in a search of Mrs. Johnson, recovered $79,600 in cash from her underwear, officials said.
U.S. Attorney for Maryland Rod Rosenstein said the investigations are ongoing and that additional charges are expected.
Richard A. McFeely, special agent in charge of the FBI, said the charges followed a "long and complex investigation."

MORE

PA Disappointed With US 90-Day Freeze Proposal

Palestinian Authority officials said on Sunday that they were “surprised” to hear about the latest US proposal for a three-month settlement freeze in return for a package of incentives to Israel.

Some officials in Ramallah did not hide their disappointment with the “sudden change” in US policy which, they explained, puts the PA in a difficult position. However, they stopped short of rejecting the US offer in public.

The officials expressed strong reservations about the US proposal, mainly because it does not include east Jerusalem and limits the freeze to only three months.

One official closely associated with PA President Mahmoud Abbas criticized the US administration for “succumbing to [Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu’s extortions.”

The official told The Jerusalem Post that the PA’s credibility would be severely damaged if it resumed the peace talks with Israel while “building was continuing in east Jerusalem.”

The PLO Executive Committee, a key decision-making body dominated by Abbas loyalists, on Sunday reiterated its opposition to a “partial freeze” of settlement construction, adding that construction should also be halted in east Jerusalem.

“A settlement freeze must be comprehensive and permanent,” the committee said in a statement. “What’s the point of negotiating while Israel is continuing to steal Palestinian land?”     More from JPost

Ohio Girl Found Alive, Bound; No Word On 3 Others

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (AP) - Ten miles from home, a 13-year-old girl was found bound and gagged but alive four days after disappearing with her family. The whereabouts of her mother, brother and another woman remained a mystery, however.

A man was arrested Sunday at the home where Sarah Maynard was found in this central Ohio city, and authorities hope he will provide information leading to the others, Knox County Sheriff David Barber said.

"We were hopeful that we would find more than one" of the missing people in Hoffman's house, Barber said.
"Our information was definite that it was most likely that Sarah was going to be in that house."

Barber did not say what led investigators to the two-story tan-sided house where they found the girl bound in the basement. Matthew J. Hoffman, 30, was arrested and charged with kidnapping.

GO HERE to read more.

Newborn Left In Bag In Va. Church Parking Lot

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - Fairfax County Police say a newborn baby girl has been found inside a duffel bag in the parking lot of a Springfield church.

The newborn was found about 6:30 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Saint Raymond of Penafort Roman Catholic Church on Pohick Road and taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Police say the hours-old infant was likely only left alone for a few minutes and is in good condition.

Investigators say the baby is in good condition and is expected to be in the hospital for several days. Doctors believe she may be of Hispanic descent and that she may have been born between midnight and 6 a.m. Sunday. She appears to be full-term and was not delivered in a hospital.

GO HERE to read more.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Expands Its Reach

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is working on getting its message out after a poll found that many Marylanders -- including the 300,000 people who paid extra for Save The Bay license plates -- don’t know what it is and what it does.

GO HERE to read more.

Two Faces Of Armistice Day

The boy brimming with pride, the fanatics burning with hate... two faces of Armistice Day

He was 3ft tall in his shiny black shoes and he wore his great-uncle’s medals with pride as he stood to attention in the rain.Jonny Osborne, seven, symbolised the face of a new generation yesterday as he marched shoulder to shoulder with servicemen and women to honour those killed by war.

 But three miles across London from the Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph, another face of Britain was on display. It was contorted with hatred, poisoned by politics, and fuelled by flames from a giant, burning poppy.

GO HERE to read more.

A Child's View Of Thunderstorms

A little girl walked to and

  from school daily. Though the weather that morning was questionable and

  clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to school. As the afternoon

  progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightning.

The mother

  of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as

  she walked home from school. She also feared the electrical storm might

  harm her child. Full of concern, the mother got into her car and quickly

  drove along the route to her child's school.  As she did, she saw her

  little girl walking along.

At each flash of lightning, the child

  would stop, look up, and smile.  More lighting followed quickly and

  with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.

When the mother drew up beside the child, she lowered the window

  and called, "What are you doing?"

The child answered, "I am trying to

  look pretty because God keeps taking my

  picture."

Anna Ella, The Forgotten Carroll

A member of the distinguished Maryland family and the daughter of a governor formulated two pivotal Civil War battle plans

Anna Ella Carroll, a Somerset County anti-slavery and political activist who was a military strategist and a "secret member" of President Abraham Lincoln's Cabinet, has remained a shadowy and almost enigmatic figure in Maryland's history.

But hopefully, that's all about to change.

The Friends of Anna Ella Carroll, in partnership with the Maryland Women's Heritage Center, are hosting the world premiere of "The Lost River," a film telling the story of Carroll's remarkable life, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge on Saturday.

GO HERE to read more.

Things To Think About

How come wrong numbers are never busy?

Do people in Australia call the rest of the world 'up over'?

Does that screwdriver belong to Phillip?

Can a stupid person be a smart-ass?

Does killing time damage eternity?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why is it called lipstick if you can still move your lips?

Why is it that night falls but day breaks?

Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand?

Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Are part-time band leaders semi-conductors?

Can you buy an entire chess set in a pawn-shop?

Day light savings time - why are they saving it and where do they keep it?

Did Noah keep his bees in archives?

Do jellyfish get gas from eating jellybeans?

Do pilots take crash-courses?

Do Roman paramedics refer to IV's as "4's"?

Do stars clean themselves with meteor showers?

Do you think that when they asked George Washington for ID that he just whipped out a quarter?

Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

Have you ever seen a toad on a toadstool?

How can there be self-help "groups"?

How do you get off a non-stop flight?

How do you write zero in Roman numerals?

How many weeks are there in a light year?

If a candle factory burns down, does everyone just stand around and sing "Happy Birthday?"

If a jogger runs at the speed of sound, can he still hear his walkman?

If Barbie's so popular, why do you have to buy all her friends?

If blind people wear dark glasses, why don't deaf people wear earmuffs?

If cats and dogs didn't have fur would we still pet them?

If space is a vacuum, who changes the bags?

If swimming is good for your shape, then why do the whales look the way they do?

If tin whistles are made out of tin, what do they make fog horns out of?

If white wine goes with fish, do white grapes go with sushi?

If you can't drink and drive, why do bars have parking lots?

If you jog backwards, will you gain weight?

Why do the signs that say "Slow Children" have a picture of a running child?

Why do they call it 'chili' if it's hot?

Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game," when we are already there?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Commission Studying Pension And Retiree Benefits Plans Public Hearing Today

The Public Employees’ and Retirees’ Pension Benefit Sustainability Commission will hear what employee groups, unions and the general public think about some possible changes to retirement benefits Monday afternoon.

Nine potential changes to pension and health benefits – and actuarial calculations showing what they might mean for the state’s bottom line -- were circulated to eight employee working groups including unions, retired employees’ associations, and the state retirement system’s board of trustees. These groups will tell the commission what they think of potential changes to the system, said Michael Rubenstein, a policy analyst for the Department of Legislative Services who is staffing the commission. After that, the commission will hear testimony from the general public.

Maryland currently has an estimated $33 billion in unfunded liabilities for benefits it has promised to pay over the next three decades -- $18 billion for pensions and $15 billion for retiree health insurance.

GO HERE to read more.

Debt Collector Threatens To Shoot And Eat Your Dog

A woman says a funeral home's debt collector threatened to dig her deceased daughter's body up and hang it from a tree unless she paid what she owed for the funeral service. That's when she started recording the calls, capturing such things as, "We're going to have your dog arrested, we're going to shoot him, and we're going to eat him," and, "Are you going to pay this bill or not or am I going to have to kill you?"

More »