Missing Cat

Joe -

I've been told that you are willing to post lost pet information on occasion.  Here is a pic of my lost cat , "Ginger" .  She was last seen on Gum Point Road in Berlin.  She is 4 years old, spayed, front declawed and has a  microchip from Home Again #473F71413E.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Melanie Buchanan-Nooney
Cell (410) 430-8312

Missing Child UPDATE: FOUND

We'd like to thank everyone for forwarding their tips and information. This child is now back with her Family and is safe.

Joe,

We are looking for our 16 year old daughter who did not come home from school yesterday. We have reason to believe she has disappeared with her 19 year old Aunt. They are in a 98 Black, 6 cylinder Mustang that has expired VA tags. There is a dent in the rear trunk lid and also dents along other body parts.

If anyone has any information, please contact the Wicomico Sheriff's Dept. immediately. 410-548-4891.

Thank you

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES DISASTER DECLARATION FOR NOVEMBER TORNADO

U.S. Small Business Administration formally grants disaster declaration, allowing citizens and businesses to apply for damage reimbursement

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 10, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced today Maryland has received a Declaration of Disaster from the U.S. Small Business Administration as a result of the severe storms and tornado, which struck Baltimore City, and Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties on November 17, 2010.

At the request of the Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management and Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Governor O’Malley submitted a request for a disaster declaration, which will provide low interest loans to homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations for physical damages, or economic injury for disaster related losses related to this tornado but not covered by insurance.

“Key to recovering from any disaster is for people to get back on their feet as soon as possible,” said Governor O’Malley. “The emotional damage from any disaster is greatly enhanced when the financial damage is more than a family can bear.  This process will expedite the rebuilding of the apartment complexes and assist local families and businesses during this difficult time in their lives.”

           

“This additional aid will help us to make certain that tornado victims in Northeast Baltimore can continue to get back to normal,” said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “We have to remember that these citizens have suffered great damage and loss just ahead of the holiday season.”

Beginning December 14, 2010, residents and businesses may seek assistance from the SBA Assistance Center.  The Center will be located in the W.E.B DuBois High School, 2201 Pinewood Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21214. The hours of operation are Tuesday, December 14 through Monday, December 20 from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the Center may obtain information on loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at http://www.sba.gov/. Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.  Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is February 7, 2011.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is September 9, 2011. 

           

On November 18, 2010, the National Weather Service conducted a survey of the area and confirmed an EF-1 tornado, which produces winds between 86-110 mph, touched down in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County.  The communities of Dutch Village and Mt. Pleasant in Baltimore City suffered the most damage with 47 apartments and townhomes sustaining major damage. The residents of both communities were evacuated and have since been relocated to permanent housing.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake has also established the Northeast Baltimore Disaster Relief Fund, administered by Catholic Charities, to provide assistance to families affected by the tornado. Businesses and individuals interested in donating to the disaster relief fund can do so through Harbor Bank of Maryland: Northeast Baltimore Disaster Relief Fund c/o Harbor Bank of Maryland, Mall-04, 25 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-3702.

Let's Fill These 2 One Hour Slots! UPDATE

Joe,

We have 2 one hour slots available tomorrow, Saturday, December 11th that we would really like to see filled.

North Walmart Retail - 5 to 6 p.m.

Fruitland Walmart Retail - 4 to 5 p.m. This has been filled. Thank You!

We are very fortunate that the weekends and evenings have stayed booked with volunteers.

We are still in need of bell ringers 9 to 5 p.m. during the week.

Many thanks,

The Red Kettle Campaign


If you'd like to volunteer please call 410-749-7464. 

November Federal Budget Deficit Highest On Record

Government's deficits set to climb if Congress passes a tax-cut plan

WASHINGTON — The federal budget deficit rose to $150.4 billion last month, the largest November imbalance on record.

And the government's deficits are set to climb higher if Congress passes a tax-cut plan estimated to cost $855 billion over two years.

The Treasury Department says the November budget deficit was 25 percent higher than the $120.3 billion deficit in November 2009.

Some of the jump, though, was due to a quirk of the calendar determining when benefit checks are mailed.

Source

GOVERNOR, FIRST LADY O’MALLEY TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

Governor, First Lady encourage visitors to bring new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 10, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley and First Lady Katie O’Malley will open Government House to the public on Saturday for their annual holiday open house.  Members of the public will have the opportunity to see the Government House holiday decorations, as well as visit the State House rotunda Holiday Tree decorated with handmade ornaments from students throughout Maryland, a tradition begun under the Glendenning Administration.

All open house attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots.  U.S. Marines will be on hand to college the toys as visitors enter Government House grounds.  Governor and First Lady O’Malley will also greet the students who made ornaments this year prior to the open house.

All attendees, including visiting media, must have photo ID.

                                             

WHAT:           Governor, First Lady O’Malley to greet students and families who made ornaments for State House Holiday Tree

WHEN:           TOMORROW, Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:         State House Rotunda

                        100 State Circle

Annapolis, MD

WHAT:           Governor, First Lady O’Malley to host Holiday Open House at Government House

WHEN:           TOMORROW, Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Government House

                        State Circle

Annapolis, MD

NOTE:             All visitors to Government House must have photo ID

Save A City Landmark

Dear Friend of LORA,

The City of Salisbury is about to give away a city landmark. Should they? Did you know about this poorly planned action?

On Monday December 13th at 6pm, the City Council will consider disposal of the old Fire Station 16 in downtown Salisbury for only $100,000.

The buyers have failed to provide a clear picture of what they are going to do with this landmark structure.

LORA members have a vested interest in the future of Salisbury and its citizens. We try not to be adversarial, but we have run across this situation that we feel you should be aware of, and you may wish to take steps about the matter.

Background: The members of LORA, and a group of our customers, are opposed to the proposed disposal of Fire Station 16 in downtown Salisbury.

As a group of locally-owned restaurants, we are concerned about the plans for this site, especially since many of our customers have brought this matter to our attention and gotten us involved. We feel that all residents of Salisbury whose tax dollars paid for this property should be concerned as well.

The city is planning to sell the station to a venture group for the greatly discounted price of $100,000. The group's plan, as stated in a letter to the city council, is to create a location where events can be held to attract the public, such as shows, banquets, dinner theaters, etc. This seems to have the potential for being a boon to the city. However, according to this letter, 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. Our organization wonders how well the citizens of Salisbury are being served by using what appears to be outdated studies to make decisions for the city in 2010 and beyond.

LORA has not seen any information concerning exactly how this facility will operate or who will have a hand in the profits; however, 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, which is actually two separate parcels, should be retained as part of the city's historic value and in trust for the future generations. We would not like to see the city of Salisbury become involved in enabling a venture group to buy a piece of property at far below its market value in order to assist that group to create a facility designed to undercut existing businesses within the city. Unfair business competition subsidized and assisted by the city cannot be tolerated by LORA, and the concept or execution of such activity should not be tolerated by any citizen of the city.

We wonder why the city feels it has to sell the property so quickly at this point in time. Property values are currently in severe decline. Is there some sort of city fiscal emergency forcing the sale of this property? Why sell this particular piece of history, as opposed to many of the other parcels which the city currently owns? 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 $100,000. 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 $100,000 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 both parcels 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.

This is an historic location; 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. The venture group could still jump on board with corporate 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 properties. Additionally, we would 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. The firehouse parcels belong to the people - the public is the true owner. We also feel that this matter should be put on the agenda and decided - by the people - at the next election.

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 also have a loyal customer base, and we feel we have an obligation to make sure they are aware of what is happening in their city. We have an essential part to play in the life of this city and the surrounding county. We are notifying the council that we are requesting further study of the above mentioned points before the sale is completed and the city loses this building forever. And we would like you, the citizens of Salisbury, to join us in defending your property.
From the Members of LORA

TAKE ACTION!!

Before the city makes a decision about your property without asking your opinion, get them your thoughts. Our members will be attending this meeting. Visit council chambers at 125 N. Division St. on Monday December 13 at 6 pm for this interesting council meeting.

OR let council members know how you feel about the issue by sending an email toallcitycouncilmembers@ci.salisbury.md.us.

The one email will go to all council members individually.

Or you can speak to Mayor Jim Ireton via email at jireton@ci.salisbury.md.us

Fine Arts & Craft Show Tomorrow

Fine Arts & Craft Show, Youth Exercise Services (Y.E.S. gym) 123 West Main Street, Fruitland, MD, Saturday, Dec 11, 2010, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Over 30 Artists and fine Crafters, handmade jewerly, paintings, knitting, soaps, candles, glass, and raffle table with all items donated from vendors. Raffle to benefit the programs provided by non-profit organization Youth Exercise Services, Inc. Come finish your Christmas shopping at the Fine Arts & Craft Show!

Update On Fatal Accident Last Night

Unfortunately, the person in the fatal accident last night was Bobby Clyde. He was really big in the dog world. He ran training classes at the Salisbury Kennel Club and he was a Judge at Dog Shows around the world. He was well known and highly respected.

Martin Sanchez Honored

Martin Sanchez, from Salisbury, was honored Thursday by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) as he was selected to the organization’s Division I All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team.  Sanchez, who played for Worcester Prep, was one of only two freshman named to the 33 man squad.  Martin started all 17 games at centerback for the US Naval Academy and helped lead the team to a league best 12 goals allowed.  He was also named to the Navy-UMBC All-Tournament Team and was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week throughout the season.

Calling Out To Our Friends In Pocomoke

The charts you see above are the most recent charts for WalMart in Pocomoke. While every community is coming together to help those in need, Pocomoke seems to have a slow start and we need your help.

Volunteering to ring the bell for the Salvation Army is one of the most rewarding experiences you can receive in your lifetime. Knowing you're doing your part to give back to your community by simply offering your time is rewarding enough. However, greeting the hundreds, (if not thousands) of people each day willing to reach into their pockets to help their fellow man, well, there's just nothing better.

Please consider finding some spare time to participate and call 410-430-7464. Merry Christmas!

Fernando Ringing A Bell For Salvation Army

Joe,

We are thrilled to share with you that Fernando and Hal will be ringing a bell for The Salvation Army tomorrow, Saturday, December 11th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Boscov's at the Centre of Salisbury.

They encourage all of their friends and supporters to stop by and help stuff the kettle with donations to support kids in need in our community this Christmas season.

We feel this is also a wonderful opportunity to congratulate and thank Team Guerrero for bringing Fernando back to Salisbury for his next bout in 3-D on ESPN!!!!

Please stop by and say "Hello" to our hometown HERO tomorrow from 11 to 1 p.m. in front of Boscov's interior mall entrance!

Thanks to all,

The Red Kettle Campaign

Somerset County FOP Lodge #135 Annual Toy Drive

Members of the Fraternal Order Of Police lodge #135 again try to make christmas a little better for needy families this year. Officers got togeather and went toy shopping helping the Seton  Center Cathloic Charities and Social Services in Princess Anne. Standing in front of the toys are; Sisters, Regina Hudson, Eileen Eager from the Seton Center Catholic Charities, Det. Tim Bozman of the Princess Anne police Department, Deputy Kevin Goepfert and K-9 Deputy Daum of the Somerset county Sheriff's Office, Shasta Taylor, Denise Merrick'treat of Social Services

LATINO COMMUNITY FORUM

From 6-8p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2010 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1514 Old Ocean City Road, Mayor Ireton will attend a Lower Eastern Shore Latino Community Forum organized by Jacqueline Lisjuan, to discuss important topics pertaining to the Hispanic Community in our area.

“The Hispanic community has changed from being known as the seasonal farm working community to college students, small business owners, community activists, legal advisers, and professionals who are staying in the area purchasing their own homes and calling Delmarva home. The Latino community in this area is very diverse and makes up a great deal of this population. We have a lot to offer with our beliefs, education, careers, and diversity. This event will begin to build a bridge of communication and cooperation that is desperately needed. I look forward to supporting Mayor Ireton in his efforts to serve the people of Salisbury,” said Jacqueline Lisjuan Latino Forum Coordinator.

Rum Punch: Reid Adds Sweeteners To Tax Bill To Placate Democrats

Tax cut bill introduced by the Senate majority leader is chock-full of sweeteners — which cover everything from the film industry to rum producers — to serve as a legislative pacifier for Dems upset over the concessions the president has handed Republicans.


GO HERE to read more.

Goldman Implicated In CDS Price Manipulation Scandal

One of the recurring topics on Zero Hedge since inception has been that Goldman's flow/prop operations, simply by dint of their massive, monopolistic size, allow the firm to manipulate various securities, among which equities, structured products, and especially CDS. And while the firm has migrated to a more wholesale market manipulation paradigm when it comes to equities due to the far smaller bid/ask spreads, requiring the need for Goldman to become either an SLP on the NYSE, or to create market manipulating algorithms, such as that it is currently accusing Sergey Aleynikov of stealing, where the firm has always excelled has been in the far thinner, and far more profitable, courtesy of wide bid/ask margins, CDS market. Today, we get confirmation from Senator Carl Levin, to whom it appears Goldman has the same trophy value as SAC to the New York District Attorney and Federal Task Force, that Goldman was engaged in precisely the kind of CDS manipulation we have previously alleged the company was involved with.

From the FT:

Goldman Sachs ’ trading activities in the credit insurance market in 2007 have come under attack from a US senator after e-mails revealed a senior trader urged colleagues to “kill” some investors’ positions.

Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate permanent subcommittee on investigations, told a hearing on Wednesday that the alleged activity “looks like a trading abuse to me”, although he added that at the time in question the credit insurance market was unregulated.

While lacking the nuances of the firm's Abacus insider trading scandal, in which the firm bet openly against clients, here the wager was even more sinister: in essence while making markets in names in which Goldman was often the only axe, it would subsequently, knowing full well which clients has how much protection on, take advantage of this information and create artificial squeezes in any direction it desired. Furthermore, by controlling the variation margin on any position, Goldman could force its own clients to collapse on their positions, at massive losses, just so Goldman would make a profit, and Goldman's own traders could make another record bonus.

Mr Levin said that in May 2007, Goldman adopted a “short squeeze strategy” to drive down the price of credit default swaps on troubled mortgage-backed securities. Mr Levin alleged the move, which Goldman denies, would have enabled the bank “to purchase the CDSs for itself at artificially low prices”.

The subcommittee’s probe uncovered a document revealing a second trader stating that Goldman “began encouraging a squeeze” – a strategy that never materialised due to market conditions.

Ostensibly, the level of wrongdoing here could be said to be far greater than in the Abacus fiasco, as while Goldman was obviously making a market in CDOs, with or without one party knowing who or what the other party in the synthetic transaction was, in this case Goldman was the only beneficiary, and it can no longer use the "we are making markets defense" - in fact, there is no defense, as this is precisely a demonstration of just the monopolistic flow-control behavior we have been arguing for years, to which the only remedy is a true dismantling of Goldman's prop trading operation, and not its mere rebranding into a client-facing trader with billions in inventory. This is not insider trading: this is the worst form of abdication of client responsibilities imaginable.

Mr Levin’s attack opens a potential new front in the controversy over Goldman’s trading practices. In July, the bank paid $550m (€416m) to settle fraud charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission over an MBS sold during the financial crisis.

Mr Levin produced e-mails in which Michael Swenson, an executive in Goldman’s fixed-income trading division, told colleagues to offer cut-price credit default swaps on MBSs. As the housing market collapsed in 2007, investors, including Goldman, were rushing to buy default swaps to short MBSs that were losing value.

In another e-mail, he said Goldman should reduce prices on CDSs to “cause maximum pain” for existing holders of credit insurance.

Furthermore, it appears this has been a pervasive practice at Goldman, and surely not only in its CDS trading vertical:

In his end-of-year evaluation, uncovered by the subcommittee, Mr Salem called the squeeze a “doable and brilliant” strategy but said it ultimately never happened.

When cornered with this revelation, Goldman squirted some ink, and proceeded with the usual defense: you are all a bunch of idiots, who don't get the deeply humanistic and totally non-ulterior motive at play here.

Goldman said on Thursday: “This type of language sounds awful and is very disappointing, but it does not reflect the reality of what happened. There was no short squeeze.”

Of course, these identical kinds of allegations a year ago merely got us branded as the "conspiracy" blog. While we know too well, that before anything is fixed within Goldman's (allegedly) criminal and all-encompassing monopolistic enterprise, none other than its supreme defender, the Federal Reserve will have to be taken down, meaning the status quo will not change until after the revolution, we are at least once again, gratified to know our crackpotness was, as happens all too often, based on real facts which in any other banana republic would lead to at least one conviction.

Source

CITY OF SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

Meeting #21                                      
DECEMBER 13, 2010 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301

Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

6:07 p.m. CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION – Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
Dave Winslow
United Way

6:15 p.m. PRESENTATION – Ms. Pam Baker (Barbacane, Thornton and Company)
FY10 audit and financial statements

6:30 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
November 22, 2010 minutes
December 6, 2010 Special Meeting minutes
Resolution No. 2001 - reappointment of Daniel Baker to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Resolution No. 2002 - appointment of Jane Dibbern to the Friends of Poplar Hill Mansion Board of Directors
Resolution No. 2003  - reappointment of Dean Davis to the Friends of Poplar Hill Mansion Board of Directors
Resolution No. 2004 - reappointments of Margot Hall and Linda Wainer to the Zoo Commission
Resolution No. 2005 - accepting donation of funds from the Delmarva Zoological Society to pay for the proposed fencing changes at the Salisbury Zoological Park
Resolution No. 2006 - accepting donation of a new vehicle from the Delmarva Zoological Society for the Salisbury Zoological Park
Manufacturing exemption request - K & L Microwave
Manufacturing exemption request – MaTech

6:35 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland

6:50 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2127 - 2nd reading - authorizing City to issue and sell bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,100,000 (Milford Street water tank project)
Ordinance No. 2128 - 2nd reading - amending Chapter 8.11, The Fire Prevention Code, of the Salisbury Municipal Code
Ordinance No. 2129 - 2nd reading - amending Section 15.24.040, Referenced Standards, and Section 15.24.050, Applicability of Provisions, of the Salisbury Municipal Code
Ordinance No. 2132 - 2nd reading - approving an amendment of the FY11 General Fund Budget to appropriate additional funds to pay for advertising costs associated with administrative appeals under the City Zoning Code
Ordinance No. 2133 - 1st reading - amending Chapter 13.04, Section 13.04.090, Reduction or Increase of Water and Sewer Charges, of the Salisbury Municipal Code to provide for adoption of water and sewer rates by ordinance
Ordinance No. 2134 - 1st reading - amending Section 12.04.060, Removal of Snow from Sidewalks – Notice – Enforcement, of the Salisbury Municipal Code

7:30 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No. 2007 - accepting a proposal from Coastal Venture Properties, LLC for the purchase of real property owned by the City of Salisbury known as Station 16 – Old Fire Headquarters
Resolution No. 2008 - authorizing reducing the speed limit on Beaglin Park Drive from South Schumaker Drive to Hannibal Street
Resolution No. 2009 - authorizing the reinstatement of the Salisbury Police Department position of Colonel/Assistant Chief of Police; authorizing the creation of an additional police officer position; deauthorizing two Lieutenant positions; and amending the police pay scale to add a ninth pay scale

8:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

CLOSED SESSION – following conclusion of regular meeting agenda as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland Sections 10-508(a)(7)(8)

Cut The Deficit, But Not My Programs

The majority of Americans think the federal deficit needs to be reduced, according to a new poll from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. They just don’t like many of the ways of doing it.

The survey found that 70 percent of people think the federal budget deficit is a major problem that must be addressed now. Another 23 percent think it’s a major problem, but it can be addressed once the economy improves.

In addition, about 65 percent of people think the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit is through a combination of cutting major programs and increasing taxes.

That all sounds good in theory, but in practice it gets a little dicier. A majority of those polled disapproved of most of the concrete proposals for reducing the deficit.

GO HERE to read more.

Salvation Army Secret Santa At Sam's

Joe,

The Salvation Army was blessed by a secret Santa who made a very generous anonymous donation to the Sam's Club Red Kettle yesterday (Thursday). To that individual or individuals, we cannot thank you enough for your support of our vital mission.  

In these difficult economic times, those less fortunate in our community need our support more than ever.  Together we can help ease their suffering.  Every donation is important to fulfilling that mission.

May God continue to bless you and all of our donors in all that you do.

With gratitude,

The Red Kettle Campaign

More Indoor Opportunities At Crown Sports Center

Joe,

As you shared with us, Mr. Hearne has suggested that we add a second Kettle at Crown Sports Center on Friday evenings and Saturdays.  

This has created another opportunity for INDOOR bellringing!  Anyone interested in volunteering at Crown should contact us at 410-749-RING(7464).  This would be a great way for students to earn community service hours - just remember students under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Thanks so much!

The Red Kettle Campaign

Thank God Its Friday

What Will You Be Doing This Weekend?

Today's Survey Question

If you could wish a person to be the next Mayor of Salisbury, 

who would that person be?

Does Delmar Maryland Need A Code & Compliance Department?

Unless this building is completely worthless, why wouldn't the owners put up some new plywood and shingles to restore it. I know the economy isn't what is used to be but from what I've heard about Tom McGuire, (jobless) he was able to obtain funding from the Town to put a new roof on his house and a brand new kitchen. Perhaps this property owner should look into those same options.

Team Guerrero Brings Boxing Back To Salisbury On ESPN

Last night Hal Chernoff and Fernando Guerrero announced the return of boxing in Salisbury partnered with ESPN Boxing. As we mentioned last night, this event will be the first time in Television History that ESPN will broadcast it Live and in 3-D.

The excited crowd broke out in applause once the news was released, knowing Fernando Guerrero was not only coming home after a trip recently to Atlantic City, we all knew the economic & development he'd be delivering to Wicomico County.

His opponent, Saul Roman, 32-8 by way of 27 knock outs. While some ANONYMOUS commenter's continue to try to put up nasty comments that we simply won't allow, this guy is a heavy hitter and a knock out artist. He has fought World Champions and this will certainly be an excellent challenge for Fernando.

Ticket prices start at $20.00 and go up to $125.00 and go on sale TODAY at www.wicomicociviccenter.org. This makes for a perfect Christmas Present this Holiday Season and helps build our own economic & development here at home, instead of Atlantic City, Vegas and other areas known to Boxing.

Fernando will leave the Salisbury area in the next few days to head to Atlanta for training for a few weeks, then he'll head off to Los Angeles for several weeks to complete his training. While Fernando has usually trained in Washington, D.C. and the Main Street Gym here in Salisbury, Hal Chernoff and Prize Fight Promotions is stepping it up and sending Fernando off to camps that train the best in the World. It's finally here Folks, the man you'll see in the ring this February will mature to the next level and I for one can't wait to see the end result.

If you're looking for that perfect Christmas Gift, LOOK NO FURTHER! More to come......

Companies Out To Cut Down On Sick-Day Fraud

As an alarming number of workers play hooky, corporations are clamping down — and calling in the detectives

Rick Raymond parked his black Kia SUV behind a row of trees and peered out at his target. It was 4 a.m. on a recent morning, and Raymond — a seasoned private detective who has worked roughly 300 cases, from thieves to philandering spouses — was closing in on a different sort of prey. Recently, Raymond has come to occupy a new and expanding niche in the surveillance universe.

Corporations pay him to spy on workers who take "sick days" when they may not, in fact, be sick. Such suspicion has led Raymond to bowling alleys, pro football games, weddings, and even funerals. On this morning it has taken him to a field outside the home of an Orlando repairman whose employer is doubtful about his slow recovery from a car accident. Although Raymond tries to be impartial about his subjects, "80 to 85 percent of the time," he says, "there's definitely fraud happening."

Playing hooky without getting caught — as immortalized in the cat-and-mouse skirmish between Ferris Bueller and Principal Rooney in Ferris Bueller's Day Off — used to be an adolescent rite of passage. Now it has given rise to a thriving industry, with stern legal precedent to back it up.

GO HERE to read more.

Mother Pleads Guilty In Connection With Slain Principal

There's another plea in connection with the murder of a popular D.C. middle school principal

.

Artura Williams pleaded guilty to credit card theft.

Williams is the mother of Sharif Lancaster, one of four men charged in the death of 43-year-old Brian Betts.

His body was found in his Silver Spring home in April.

GO HERE to read more.

Lawmakers In 3 States Gird Against Abortionist

Pro-life advocates in Maryland, Iowa and Indiana are pushing back with rallies and talk of more restrictive legislation as one of the nation's most prominent late-term abortion doctors works to expand his practice in all three states.

Don Dwyer Jr., a Republican member of Maryland's House of Delegates from Anne Arundel County, said this week that he was talking with other pro-life lawmakers about more restrictive legislation in the wake of Dr. LeRoy Carhart's decision to establish an office this week in the Germantown Reproductive Health Services clinic in suburban Montgomery County.

Mr. Dwyer told Southern Maryland Online that the purpose of the talks was to produce a bill "to regulate abortion clinics as they do in many other states." The next session of the Maryland General Assembly begins Jan. 11.

Separately, the Archdiocese of Washington said it is expecting hundreds of Catholics to participate in a Mass and processional walk Saturday to oppose Dr. Carhart's new practice.

"Obviously, what Carhart brings to Maryland is not what women in a crisis pregnancy need," said Kathy Dempsey, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Catholic Conference. The rally will begin at Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, a half-mile from the clinic.

Mr. Dwyer's efforts are being matched this week in Iowa and Indiana, where pro-life legislators signaled their intent to draft bills to ban late-term abortions in their states.

They said they will be looking closely at Nebraska's Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which forbids abortions after 20 weeks' gestation because a fetus of that age can feel pain.

The pro-life National Right to Life held a strategy conference this week in Arlington, Va., to offer its state affiliates guidance for the 2011 legislative session. Along with Maryland, Indiana and Iowa, state lawmakers are drafting bills along the lines of the Nebraska statute in Kentucky, Kansas and Oklahoma.

"What Nebraska did was fantastic," Margie Montgomery, the executive director of Kentucky Right to Life, told the Associated Press. "That makes us more excited about it. Now we can point to it — it's already a law in Nebraska."

This "fetal pain" law is viewed as the main reason Dr. Carhart, who has performed late-term abortions in Omaha for years, decided to seek other locations for his services.                              

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Obama Signs Bill Setting Aside Another $1.15 Billion Compensation To Black Farmers

President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed the Claims Settlement Act of 2010, a bill awarding $1.15 billion to African American farmers to settle claims that the U.S. Agriculture Department discriminated against them. This is on top of earlier legislation awarding black farmers $100 million.

In 1999, the federal government paid out about $1 billion to 15,640 black farmers who claimed USDA had discriminated against them be refusing to provide them with federally subsidized farm loans in the years 1981-1996.  The compensation was the result of a settlement in a class action lawsuit known as the Pigford case.

The new $1.25 billion settlement now funded by Congress and signed into law by Obama will go to pay up to an additional 94,000 African Americans who farmed or "attempted" to farm in that same 1981-1996 time frame. But according to the Census Bureau, the number of black farmers in America between 1981 and 1996 peaked at 33,000 in 1982.

Some members of Congress have called for an investigation of potential fraud in the government’s previous payout to the black farmers, and they have expressed doubt that this second settlement is any more legitimate. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said the Pigford settlement program is compromised by fraud and has morphed into a “modern-day slavery reparations programs.”                               

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Incoming Chair Of House Foreign Affairs Committee Wants To Isolate Enemies, Make U.N. Accountable

The incoming Republican chairwoman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday identified U.S. funding of the United Nations as a target. The comments are likely to send a chill through supporters of the Obama administration’s policy of deeper engagement with the U.N.

“I plan on using U.S. contributions to international organizations as leverage to press for real reform of those organizations, such as the United Nations,” Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said after GOP lawmakers confirmed she will chair the committee in the next Congress.

The Florida Republican also has her sights set on the administration’s budgets for the State Department and foreign aid.

“There is much fat in these budgets, which makes some cuts obvious,” she said. “Others will be more difficult but necessary to improve the efficiency of U.S. efforts and accomplish more with less.

“We must shift our foreign aid focus from failed strategies rooted in an archaic post-WWII approach that, in some instances, perpetuates corrupt governments, to one that reflects current realities and challenges and empowers grassroots and civil society.”

In her role as ranking minority member of the Foreign Affairs Committee since 2007, Ros-Lehtinen has been a vocal critic of repressive and corrupt regimes, with Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea and the Palestinian Authority frequent targets.

She is an outspoken supporter of Israel, a strong advocate of tough sanctions against Iran and opposes calls to end the embargo of communist-ruled Cuba. (Ros-Lehtinen was born in Havana in 1952 and moved with her family to the U.S. when Fidel Castro seized power seven years later.)

“My worldview is clear,” she said Wednesday. “Isolate and hold our enemies accountable, while supporting and strengthening our allies. I support strong sanctions and other penalties against those who aid violent extremists, brutalize their own people, and have time and time again rejected calls to behave as responsible nations. Rogue regimes never respond to anything less than hardball.”                                    

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GOP Senator: Funding Bill A 'Trojan Horse' For Obamacare

A Republican senator criticized the continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through next year as a vehicle for funding the healthcare reform law.

"Using the end-of-the-year spending bill as a Trojan horse to fund the new federal healthcare law is hardly the mandate from the November elections," said Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) in a statement Thursday.

The House passed the CR on Wednesday night by a narrow margin, bringing the government one step closer to being funded through Sept. 30.

However, Coburn said, the CR includes funding for a number of provisions in the reform law, and he urged other members who campaigned on defunding the healthcare reform measure to oppose the CR.

"It’s time for Congress to extend current tax rates, pass a clean spending bill — a ‘continuing resolution’ — without extraneous and vague healthcare provisions, and go home," he said.                            

The Hill

11 Reasons Why The Threat From Al-Qaeda Is Not Real

The United States government has repeatedly stated that the treat from Al-Qaeda against America is very real, and that all action is being taken to eliminate that threat. Nobody in their right mind would question such a serious assessment about a sensitive national security matter from the world’s leading democracy. But the truth is that over the past fifty years America’s democratic institutions like the press have been weakened, and an elitist National Security State has risen, and taken control over all aspects of government.

Since World War II U.S. leaders have consistently lied to the American people about foreign threats in order to feed the military machine’s appetite for war. All of these wars are unjust and unwarranted but that does not stop the self-interested criminals who control U.S. foreign policy. A recent example of a lie they told was their assertion that Saddam Hussein was in possession of weapons of mass destruction. That episode revealed to many people the true nature of the American government. Simply put, it does not care about the truth, or the American people, or the members of the military. U.S. leaders like former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, to name but a few, tell lies at will. Dishonesty means nothing to them. They deceive the American people, the American military, and the world about their motives and methods – and they lie to themselves about their own powers and abilities.

Next to the hundreds of thousands of innocent people who were slaughtered by the American war machine in its numerous criminal wars, U.S. soldiers have suffered the most – way more than the rest of the population in America. It can’t be said enough that the U.S. government’s treatment of its soldiers is scandalous and shameful. It is so out of whack that in America today dogs are treated better than military vets. Some dogs are even treated to luxurious spas while military vets are denied the proper health care that they deserve. Instead, they’re left to rot, and commit suicide. And for what? To defend America? To defeat Al-Qaeda? Or to keep the war machine and its benefactors rich and powerful? As you will see by the end of this post, it is the latter.

I. Setting The Historical Scene: The United States Government And The American Mainstream Media Are Anti-Democracy, Anti-Freedom, Anti-Peace

“All governments lie.” said American journalist I. F. Stone. You can add to that great quote “and all newspapers lie, too.”

By joining forces together, the CIA and American newspapers sold two criminal wars to the people – a manufactured and destructive “War on Terror,” and the Iraq war. Most journalists were not consciously part of the propaganda campaign, they just bought the hype, but, without a doubt, a lot of journalists who work for the CIA knowingly injected false information into their columns and helped spread nationalist fever across America to boost public support for the wars.

GO HERE to read more.

The WikiLeaks Vindication Of George W. Bush

The WikiLeaks de facto declassification of privileged material makes it case closed: Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction -- and intended to restart his program once the heat was off.
 
President George W. Bush, in the 2003 State of the Union address, uttered the infamous "16 words": "The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa."
 
Former Ambassador Joe Wilson sprang into action and, in an op-ed piece, in effect wrote, "No, the Cheney administration sent me to investigate the allegation -- and I found it without merit."
 
Put aside that Wilson's CIA-employed wife, not the evil Vice President Dick Cheney -- as Wilson implied -- sent him on the African errand. Put aside that the British still stand by the intelligence on which Bush made the claim. And put aside that the anti-Bush Washington Post, in an editorial, concluded that Wilson had lied about not finding evidence to support the Iraq-in-Africa-for-uranium claim, since he told the CIA the opposite when he reported back from Africa.
 
Bush claimed that Iraq sought uranium, specifically "yellowcake." What is yellowcake, and why would its presence or attempted acquisition corroborate the nearly unanimous assumption that Saddam possessed WMD?
 
The Associated Press called yellowcake "the seed material for higher-grade nuclear enrichment" and said that it "also can be enriched for use in reactors and, at higher levels, nuclear weapons using sophisticated equipment."
 
"Bush and Iraq: Follow the Yellow Cake Road" headlined a euphoric Time magazine July 2003 piece -- written when the Bush administration began backtracking from the Iraq-sought-uranium-from-Africa claim. Time said no yellowcake equals no WMD equals bogus basis for war.

GO HERE to read more.

Gas Prices

Hi Joe,

I just saw your article on the high gas prices. Just something I found out about a week ago. I don’t know the entire deal, but when you buy groceries from Giant, you are given points. When your points are high enough, which does not take long at all, you get a 10, 20 or 30 cent credit at any Shell station by presenting your Giant Card – you know the card you scan whenever you shop. I had to get gas quickly at the Shell station down in Princess Anne, and though it was posted as $2.89 at the pump, when I presented my Giant swipe card, it took off the 20 cents – so I only paid $2.69 per gallon. Not bad. The lady at the station did say that they may not be doing this after Christmas – so now is the time to get it.

Hope this helps your readers.

How To Pick A Dog At The Pound

Italian Car Pool Lane

Teacher’s Union Criticizes Pension Commission Process As Rushed, “Offensive”

The executive director of the state teacher’s union said the process being used by the commission considering changes to state pensions was “offensive,” rushed, and lacked both details and consultation with affected employees.

“The whole discussion has been how are we going to cut costs,” David Helfman, executive director of the Maryland State Education Association, told reporters Thursday at a briefing. “There’s no indication that it’s being done in good faith.”

Casper Taylor Jr., the former House of Delegates speaker who heads the commission, denied most of Helfman’s complaints. “I think we’ve been very consultative,” Taylor said. “We have had a complete actuarial analysis.”

GO HERE to read more.

Tips For Parents And Teens Who Use Facebook

WASHINGTON - If you've been a fan from the start, or you saw the hit movie "The Social Network", you know Facebook was initially designed for college students.
 
Today it boasts more than 500 million members from young people all the way up to senior citizens.
"If they (Facebook's users) were a country they'd be the third largest country behind China and India, so it's huge," says CBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid.
 
Teens are actually a minority on Facebook, although lots of teens use it. Local 15-year-old Ben says Facebook's "Chat" feature is now one of the main ways he keeps in touch with friends.
 
"If I ever need to a reach a friend I'll just jump on my computer and hop on Facebook," Ben says. "If they're online, then I know I'll get a hold of them in two seconds." Ben thinks it's easier than calling or texting someone.
 
One problem is a number of kids who join Facebook are too young.
 
"The minimum age is 13, although a study was done independently that said...37 percent of 10-to-12-year-olds are on Facebook, and each one of them is lying about their age to get on, " says Magid.
 
If you have a pre-teen child, it's a good idea to learn about Facebook, because they might already be using it, or will become interested in joining soon.
 
"I don't think my parents even knew what Facebook was when I joined," says Zach, another area 15-year-old.
 
Magid says for teens who meet the age requirement, there are great privacy protections tailored specifically for them.
 
"If you're between 13 and 17, there are some controls. For example (in the privacy settings), the definition of 'Everyone' for a minor is actually 'Friends', 'Friends of Friends' and 'Networks.' It's not literally everyone. So even if you set the maximum public exposure, you're still not really exposed to the entire public."
 
Using Facebook means you have to be careful at a very young age about posting things that could come back to bite you later in life. Photos of young people holding plastic party cups with mysterious beverages in them are particularly problematic, because colleges are using Facebook to scope out student applicants.

GO HERE to read more.

Friday Special From Brew River

At The Gap, "50% Off All Sweaters" Is Essentially Meaningless

One would think that with a major national retailer such as The Gap, promotional signage would be carefully coordinated on a national basis. Local stores wouldn't be slapping whatever placards they have lying around in the store window, whether or not the sales advertised on those placards are actually happening, and regardless of whether the prices on the placards are actually true. Jeremy tells Consumerist that... well, at his local Gap, that pretty much seems to be the case.

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For-Profit Dialysis Centers Have Higher Mortality Rates, Up To 24%

If you're a patient at the largest for-profit dialysis chain in America, you're 19% more likely to end up dying than if you went to a non-profit chain. If you're at the second-largest for-profit chain, you're 24% more likely to die. These disturbing results were released in a new study in the Health Services Research journal. Guess if you're going in for dialsysis, you'll want to think carefully about your choice of treatment options and don't forget to include a non-profit center in your selection process.

More »

Palin Takes Shot At Hunting Opponents

Sarah Palin is drawing the ire of animal rights supporters for a scene from the TLC show, in which he shoots a caribou.

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal Fails In Senate

The Senate failed to pass a repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy on Thursday. The 57-40 vote stopped just short of the 60 necessary to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was the only member of the GOP to vote in favor of a DADT repeal, with Sens. Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) backing away from their initial support of the measure. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was one of a minority of Democrats voting no on the repeal.

GO HERE to read more.

BARRICADE ENDS PEACEFULLY IN CARROLL CO.

(TANEYTOWN, MD)—A barricade situation in northwestern Carroll County ended peacefully this morning when Maryland State Police arrested a man who is believed to have fired at Taneytown police officers who went to his home last night.

Shortly before 1:00 a.m. today, members of the Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element and Hostage Recovery Team used an armored vehicle to approach the man’s home. Troopers used a loudspeaker to communicate with the man and urged him to come out of the house and surrender.

Within minutes, the man came out of his townhouse and was arrested by members of the STATE Team. He will be taken to the Carroll Hospital Center for a checkup before being brought to the Westminster Barrack for processing. He is facing numerous criminal charges. Further information regarding his identity will be released later today after charges are filed.

Members of the Westminster Barrack Criminal Investigation Section are remaining at the scene. They will be serving a search warrant at the residence for evidence related to the shooting.

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. yesterday, two officers from the Taneytown Police Department responded to a call for shots fired in the 400-block of Red Tulip Court, Taneytown, Md. When the officers approached the rear of the home, they encountered a man in the backyard who was holding what appeared to be a shotgun. The man cursed at the officers, said "come get me," and then fired shots at the officers.

Both officers retreated and called for backup. As they were retreating, the officers said the suspect fired multiple additional shots. Neither officer was wounded by gunfire.

Maryland state troopers, Carroll County deputies, and officers from the Westminster Police Department responded. A perimeter was established around the scene by police. Chief Bill Tyler of the Taneytown Police Department came to the scene and requested Maryland State Police take charge of the ongoing police response and investigation.

The Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team responded, as did negotiators from the Hostage Recovery Team. State Police K-9 units responded and a State Police helicopter arrived to stand by on the scene.

Police initiated a reverse 9-1-1 call to homes in the area to alert residents to stay inside. Several residents were evacuated due to their close proximity to the scene.

No additional shots were fired after the initial incident occurred. A motive for the shooting is not clear at this time.

The investigation is continuing.

Nigeria: Halliburton Plans Plea Bargain In Cheney Corruption Case

Lagos, Nigeria - Halliburton is planning to make a plea bargain in former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's corruption case, Nigerian officials told GlobalPost.

Nigeria's anti-corruption agency charged Cheney as the head of Halliburton when its engineering subsidiary, KBR, allegedly paid bribes totaling $180 million to secure contracts worth $6 billion.

KBR has admitted to bribing officials. Last year the company pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to paying the bribes to Nigerian officials prior to 2007, when it was a subsidiary of Halliburton. KBR, which is now independent from Halliburton, agreed to pay $597 million in fines, according to the Associated Press.

Cheney's lawyer dismissed the new Nigerian charges as "entirely baseless."

GO HERE to read more.

2010 Transit Riders Have Monthly Savings Of $938

Wilmington -- Washington, DC- Heading into the end of the year public transportation riders have a little more money in their pockets. As gas prices rise this holiday season, switching from driving to riding public transportation is a proven way for individuals to cut monthly and yearly transportation costs, while also reducing their carbon footprint The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released their monthly Transit Savings Report noting that riding public transportation saves individuals, on average $9,581 annually, a savings of more than $400 compared to the same time last year, and up to $798 per month based on the December 7, 2010 average national gas price ($2.96 per gallon-reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate. Philadelphia area transit riders had annual savings of $11,253, saving $938 each month. APTA releases this monthly Transit Savings Report to examine how an individual in a two-person household can save money by taking public transportation and living with one less car. The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district is $161.56, according to the 2010 Colliers International Parking Rate Study. Over the course of a year, parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,939. Methodology APTA calculates the average cost of taking public transit by determining the average monthly transit pass of local public transit agencies across the country. This information is based on the annual APTA fare collection survey and is weighted based on ridership (unlinked passenger trips). The assumption is that a person making a switch to public transportation would likely purchase an unlimited pass for their local transit agency, typically available on a monthly basis. APTA then compares the average monthly transit fare to the average cost of driving. The cost of driving is calculated using the 2010 AAA average cost of driving formula. AAA cost of driving formula is based on variable costs and fixed costs. The variable costs include the cost of gas, maintenance and tires. The fixed costs include insurance, license registration, depreciation and finance charges. The comparison also uses the average mileage of a mid-size auto at 23.4 miles per gallon and the price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline as recorded by AAA on December 7, 2010 at $2.96 per gallon. The analysis also assumes that a person will drive an average of 15,000 miles per year. The savings assume a person in two-person household lives with one less car. In determining the cost of parking, APTA uses the data from the 2010 Colliers International Parking Rate Study for monthly unreserved parking rates for the United States. To calculate your individual savings with or without car ownership, go to www.publictransportation.org.