Liz Taylor Hospitalized For Congestive Heart Failure

LOS ANGELES -- Elizabeth Taylor has been hospitalized for treatment of congestive heart failure.

Her spokeswoman, Sally Morrison, said Friday that the Oscar-winning actress was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center within the past couple of days.

The 78-year-old Taylor is being treated for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, a condition she disclosed she had back in November 2004.

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Police Arrest Sex Offender For Groping Young Girl

Prince William County Police have arrested a man for allegedly groping an 11-year-old girl at a mall.

Police say 66-year-old John Niehaus followed a girl around the Potomac Mills Mall, then rubbed up against her in one of the stores.

Niehaus was arrested and charged with assault and battery. He is a registered sex offender.

He was held without bond, and there's no official court date yet.

Source

Talbot County - Tax Haven Gem

Talbot County residents enjoy the lowest real
property tax rate in the entire State of Maryland.
It is almost 40% lower than the next lowest county.

Talbot County residents also enjoy next to the lowest income tax rate in the entire State only surpassed by Worcester County.

Talbot County residents also enjoy a full Homestead Credit. No other County in the State offers a full credit, where the assessed value of the property cannot increase at all from when first purchased.

How have they been able to accomplish this task - by pegging their real estate property tax assessment increases at -0%. That's right - Talbot County residents have not seen an increase in their real property assessable tax in well over a decade.

Other highlights of Talbot County include - no personal property tax.

Whatever Talbot County legislators are doing - I encourage them to keep doing it. For all other adjacent Counties - take heed - as we could learn a thing or two from these savoy politicians.

Musharraf Accused In Bhutto Death

A Pakistani court issued an arrest warrant Saturday for former President Pervez Musharraf in connection with the assassination of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, while government investigators accused the retired general of involvement in the slaying.

Though he does not yet face any charges, the developments mark a major escalation of legal troubles for Musharraf, a one-time U.S. ally who went into self-exile in Britain in 2008 after being forced out of the presidency he secured in a 1999 military coup.

The accusations of a role in Bhutto‘s death were leveled by a government now run by Musharaff’s rivals. They make it nearly impossible for him to fulfill pleges to return to Pakistan and lead a new political party.

Bhutto was killed Dec. 27, 2007, in a gun and suicide bomb attack after returning to Pakistan to campaign in elections Musharraf agreed to allow after months of domestic and international pressure. Musharraf blamed the Pakistani Taliban, an al-Qaida affiliated group, for the attack, but government prosecutors now allege he was part of the plot to kill the popular former premier.

“A joint investigation team in its report to the court has found Musharraf guilty of being involved in the conspiracy and abetting to kill Benazir Bhutto,” said Zulfikar Ali Chaudhry, the lead prosecutor.

He said the probe has evidence that Musharraf was “completely involved” through Baitullah Mehsud, the late leader of the Pakistani Taliban, and that prosecutors are seeking a murder trial. He did not elaborate.

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Senators Want Washington's Credit Card Pulled

Several members of Congress joined with supporters at the Conservative Political Action Conference to blast not only Barack Obama's profligate spending habits, but those by their own committees too.

"There are 26 committees in Congress that spend your money. Isn't it time we had one committee dedicated to saving your money?" ask Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.

"Last year the president talked about spending [during his State of the Union address]. This year he talks about investing. For those of you who don't have your Obama-State-of-the-Union decoder ring, it's just another Washington word for more spending," he added.

He said, "This administration talks about making an investment. I think a lot of us know what kind of a return we can expect: More government, more debt, fewer jobs and less freedom."

He said the deficit, projected to be $1.5 trillion this year, is out of control.

"It took 43 presidents more than 200 years to wrap up the first $5.8 billion in publicly held debt," he said. "In the Obama administration's last budget, we will double than in five years and triple it in 10. … Last year 40 cents of every dollar the federal government spent came from places like China."

More here

Star Parker: 'Gay Conservative' Is An Oxymoron

CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, has been an annual gig for me for years. But this year I concluded it was not my place, and I declined to participate in the various venues at the event to which I was invited.

Yes, the reason I declined was the inclusion of GOProud, a group identifying itself as representing "gay conservatives and their allies," as a sponsor of the event.

And it's the reason why some of the nation's most important conservative organizations – the Heritage Foundation, the American Family Association, Concerned Women of America, Family Research Council, Media Research Center and the National Organization for Marriage – did not participate.

The founder and chairman of GOProud removed any doubt on my part that not participating was the correct decision by dismissing these groups as "losers," "clowns" and "not relevant."

I, of course, have been accused of being worse than a clown. The barrage regularly comes in from the left. But this is a first that I've had to listen to this kind of stuff from a group that postures as "conservative."

I became a conservative in church. I thought I was doing OK in my previous life – scamming the welfare system, going to the beach, soaking in my welfare-subsidized hot tub, treating sex as a hobby and abortion as birth control.

In our culture today that views material prosperity as the ultimate barometer of success, the truth is becoming unfortunately lost. If there is nothing more than what is before our eyes in this world, what does it matter?

When I understood how the culture of welfare-state materialism was destroying not just my life, but all of black America, there was no dividing line in my mind between "social issues" and "economic issues." The only dividing line I saw was between right and wrong, good and evil.

The idea of "gay conservative" is an oxymoron.

"Gay" is everything that "conservative" is not.

The foundation of the worldview that so-called "gay conservatives" embrace has far more in common with liberalism than with conservatism.

It's a worldview that is man-centered rather than God-centered. It is a worldview that rejects eternal truths passed on from the beginning of time.

Although the worldview that "gay conservatives" choose to invent may diverge from the worldview of liberals, their common ground is that they make it all up.

Read more

[Star Parker is president of CURE, the Center for Urban Renewal, and author of "White Ghetto: How Middle Class America Reflects Inner City Decay."]

'I'm Fed Up Of Your Stupidity, Get On The Plane!'

The nagging wife of Tunisia's ousted president had to force him to flee the country on a private jet by telling him to 'get on board, you idiot', a French magazine has revealed.

Shamed dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali is said to have refused to board the plane at Tunis airport, insisting: 'I don't want to go. I want to die in my country.'

But wife Leila Trabelsi was overheard telling him: 'All my life I've had to put up with your stupidity. Just get on!'

Tunisian police chief Ali Seriati, also beside the steps of the plane, then added: 'For God's sake, just get on board.'

They finally managed to goad 74-year-old Ben Ali aboard by telling him it would only be a 'temporary exile' and he would be able to return soon, it was reported.

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[So.. the magic words are 'Abra Cadabra.. Get On Board, You Idiot'.  We'll have to remember that.  --Editor]

Laugh Line Of The Day

President Obama said Saturday that his upcoming budget will force Washington to “live within our means” at a time when American families are having to make difficult economic decisions every day.

"It’s time Washington acted as responsibly as our families do.."    --President Obama

HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER

Oystering

Over the years many a man has made his living from the waters west of Wicomico County by tonging up from depths from 10 to 20 feet the elusive bivalve known as the oyster. Through over fishing and the devastating effects of the diseases MSX and Dermo, there are but a few who even bother to go tonging anymore.

           

When tonging was a way to make a decent living, the oyster boats would be three deep at the dock of H. B. Kennerly Co. in Nanticoke waiting to unload their day’s catch. The state-imposed limit was 25 bushels and the better tongers would often have two of three bushels carried over to be counted on the next day’s tally.

           

The Nanticoke River is divided up by the state in parcels and leased to various individuals. A lease-holder will stake out their acreage and they were the only one allowed to tong them. Poaching onto another man’s grounds was common practice and the locals could become quite contentious about it. The state does maintain some oyster ground and anyone can tong on it.

           

Oysters have to adhere to something hard to grow to their legal size of three inches. Since the bottom of the Nanticoke is mostly sand, the Kennerly Company used to save all the shells from our shucking operation and “plant” them every spring. The way they did this was to load them on a flat barge and go to where they were to be put over. They then turned a large hose on them and they went flying everywhere. It was a sight to see.

           

Oystering is like farming. It gets in a man’s soul and the pursuit of the tasty bivalve drives him to do things that an ordinary man would shirk. Some of the more ardent tongers would take their Privateer boat and skim it over the ice to get in the river when their regular 40-43 foot boat was frozen in the harbor. They might only get four or five bushels, but they figured it was more than they would have had if they had not gone out.

           

An oysterman is very resourceful. The small keg pictured above is a waterman’s thermos. Since the brackish water of the Nanticoke is not fit to drink, he had to carry fresh water with him. This one is about 100 years old. The last of the tongers carried an ice chest filled with their favorite beverage along with their lunch.

           

As recently as the 1980’s, a Mr. Pruitt, who was in his 80’s, was out tonging one day when his motor quit. Mr. Pruitt proceeded to pull the piece of carpet he had on the deck for better footing, cut two slits in it with his ever ready pocket knife and run the shafts of his tongs through these holes. He then sailed himself safely back to Nanticoke harbor. He was not only a true waterman for going after oysters but he proved himself a capable sailor.

           

One day, it was particularly nasty weather-wise. Occasionally a tourist would grace our premises with the thought of “making our day” by spending a few bucks. Now, we were a $25 million dollar business and looked on the cash customer as more of an annoyance than a god-send. One of the tongers came in the office to cash in on his days’ catch. He looked plenty the worse for wear. I remarked to him that it must have been pretty bad out there. The lady said that he was a waterman and was used to it. He told her in no uncertain terms, “Lady, you never get used to being cold and wet.” And that was that!

“Those Voices Don’t Speak For The Rest Of Us”

ARE THE WICOMICO ENVIRO-NIMBYS FIGHTING THE POWER SYSTEM UPGRADE?

For many months, Delmarva Power has been planning the installation of a major power transmission line – called the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway, or “MAPP” -- that would run through the Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore to near Millsboro Delaware, It would pass through Wicomico County, crossing the Nanticoke River near Vienna. This line would allow for power to be supplied to the area from generating facilities located across the Bay, thereby increasing the load capacity on the Shore, and assuring better reliability in the case of some glitch in the local power facilities, such as that at Vienna. Various environmental activist groups have been fighting to block this line.

Now, it appears that two of Wicomico County’s groups, including the “Wicomico Environmental Trust,” that regularly oppose development have gotten involved, with Michael Pretl as their mouthpiece, in the pending proceedings at the Maryland Public Service Commission. We can’t tell you if they are truly concerned because of some real issue – Delmarva Power has gone to great lengths to protect the environment – or whether these groups see a chance to shake down some money to finance their publicity and lawsuits against development in Wicomico County.

By the way, the proposed route of the MAPP power line runs across the Nanticoke River not far from Mr. Pretl’s waterfront estate at Riverton. Yes, his home is in the very same area that WET and the “Friends of the Nanticoke” say should be off-limits to residential use. Can you say NIMBY?

Clunker Math

Think of it this way:  A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800 gallons of gas a year.  A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480 gallons a year.  So, the average "Cash for Clunkers" transaction will reduce US gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.  They claim 700,000 vehicles so that's 224 million gallons saved per year.  That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil.   5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption.  More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs about $350 million dollars.  So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $350 million.  We spent $8.57 for every dollar we saved.

I'm pretty sure they'll do a great job with our health care, though!

Next Neighborhood Roundtable Meeting

The next meeting of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Roundtable will be Tuesday, February 15 2011, at 1:00 p.m., in room 306 of the Government Office Building.

1) Dog Park Update

AGENDA

2) Camden Neighborhood Empowerment Stabilization Program (NESP) update

3) State of the City Address invitation

4) Wicomico River Project/Downtown Revitalization Update

5) Neighborhood Updates/Concerns

Please call the office at 410-548-3100 if you have any questions about the meeting.

Free Car Seat Check

Four Chaplain Memorial

On Sunday, February the 20th at 2:00 PM 

         The Southeastern shore District of the American Legion

           and local Clergy of different faiths will join together

          for  a service in memory of Four Immortal Chaplain.

            Four US Army Chaplain of different faiths while

        serving aboard a Troopship in 1943   that was torpedoed,,

        while it was sinking they were giving life preservers out to

          those aboard, when there were no more  to give they gave

          their own.

    This service is held at Historic St Pauls Episcopal Church(1773)

              RT US 50 & Memory Garden Lane in Hebron

    There is also in place a memorial of the Four Chaplain and soon

     to be in  place a monument on the grounds

                                                                       

                                        Come and join us 

Little League Registrations

Joe,

Fruitland Little League will continue registration for the upcoming season this Saturday February 12th from 9 am to noon at our fieldhouse in Fruitland.  Registrations will be every Saturday in February from 9 am to noon.  More details can be found at our website http://www.fruitlandlittleleague.org/ where parents can also download the forms needed to register their child.

Library Director Tom Hehman Announces Retirement

WHAT:  Library Director Retiring

WHEN:  August 1, 2011

WHO:  Public

WHERE: Wicomico Public Library

SALISBURY, MD – February 11, 2011 – Wicomico Public Library Director Tom Hehman announced his retirement today, effective as of August 1st.  He has served as Library Director since January, 2004. 

Mr. Hehman stated, “My years at the Library have been very rewarding and it’s been an honor to serve this community. But, after 40 years as a professional librarian, I want to spend more time with my grandchildren, playing the trumpet and working on automobiles.”

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., said, “We are going to miss Mr. Hehman’s vision, enthusiasm, and commitment to community. He has been a great asset to Wicomico County as our Library Director.”

Library Board Chair Laura Thorpe commented, “Over the past 7 years, Tom Hehman has served our library and the people of Wicomico County with a balance of expertise and dedication. Mr. Hehman’s leadership has promoted initiatives enhancing community partnerships, while also supporting a dedicated and knowledgeable staff. On behalf of the Wicomico Library Board of Trustees, we wish Tom well in his upcoming retirement.”                                                         

Ms. Thorpe added that the search process for the next Director will begin shortly.

The following items are highlights from Mr. Hehman’s tenure:

• Establishment and enlargement of the Pittsville Branch

• Relocation and enlargement of the Centre Branch at the Centre at Salisbury

• Purchase and utilization of new bookmobile

• Transfer of old bookmobile to Sheriff for mobile command center

• Completion of  comprehensive planning for services and facilities

• Implementation of new service initiatives to 50+ population, teens and boys

• Reception of over $1M in competitive grants awards

• Establishment of Friday Night Live community concert series

• Maintenance of core services despite severe budget cuts.

Last year the library circulated over 783,000 items; offered over 1,200 programs, classes and events attended by over 13,000 people; registered over 131,000 computer sign ups; answered over 49,000 information questions; recorded almost 1,600 community meeting room bookings; and provided almost 1,000 bookmobile visits to schools, daycare centers, senior facilities and neighborhoods.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY TO JOIN LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCING PROPOSAL TO BAN SEPTICS IN MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – Governor Martin O’Malley will join legislative sponsors of a proposal to ban septic systems in major new developments Monday, an initiative he supported during last week’s State of the State address.  The bill, sponsored by Delegate Stephen Lafferty and Senator Paul Pinsky, will require that major new subdivisions include technology to treat sewage waste before it is discharged. The bill will also promote smart growth and agricultural preservation.

Governor O’Malley will also join Kim Coble, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Septic systems prevent bacteria from entering waterways or ground water, but do nothing to reduce nitrogen pollution, one of the most significant problems facing the Chesapeake Bay. Modern technologies, with a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment, can be utilized to reduce pollution from these developments.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN DEPLOYMENT CEREMONY FOR MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 11, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley will participate in a deployment ceremony for more than 170 members of the Maryland Army National Guard tomorrow.  The deployment, for the 1729^th Field Support Maintenance Co., includes more than 170 members of the Havre de Grace-based unit who will deploy to Fort Hood, Texas for training prior to deploying to Iraq for approximately one year in support of Operation New Dawn. 

The Governor will join Major General James A. Adkins, Adjutant General of Maryland, for the ceremony.