DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Maryland Delegate Gets 30 days For Drinking While Boating
Dwyer, 55, pleaded guilty in Annapolis on Tuesday to operating his boat under the influence of alcohol, but District Judge Robert Wilcox denied his request for probation.
Wilcox told Dwyer he shouldn't get special treatment since lawmakers have an obligation to obey laws and ordered the Anne Arundel County Republican to also pay a $1,000 fine. He was facing up to a year behind bars.
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Statin Nation: The Great Cholesterol Cover-Up
There’s serious confusion about cholesterol; whether high cholesterol levels are responsible for heart disease, and whether statins – which are cholesterol drugs – are really the appropriate solution to reduce heart disease risk.
The documentary above, Statin Nation – The Great Cholesterol Cover-Up, sheds much needed light on this topic. The film is available for free viewing for only seven days, so please share it widely as soon as possible.
As noted in the film, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, the most common form of which is coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD affects the blood vessels supplying blood to your heart, causing them to narrow, thereby restricting the amount of oxygen supplied to your heart.
The conventional view is that high cholesterol is a major risk factor for this condition – even children “know” that cholesterol forms plaque and is bad for your heart.
The focus on cholesterol has created an enormous market for statins; drugs that act by blocking the enzyme in your liver that is responsible for making cholesterol.
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The documentary above, Statin Nation – The Great Cholesterol Cover-Up, sheds much needed light on this topic. The film is available for free viewing for only seven days, so please share it widely as soon as possible.
As noted in the film, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, the most common form of which is coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD affects the blood vessels supplying blood to your heart, causing them to narrow, thereby restricting the amount of oxygen supplied to your heart.
The conventional view is that high cholesterol is a major risk factor for this condition – even children “know” that cholesterol forms plaque and is bad for your heart.
The focus on cholesterol has created an enormous market for statins; drugs that act by blocking the enzyme in your liver that is responsible for making cholesterol.
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THE INSPIRING STORY OF WHAT AN ARIZ. COP DID TO A TEEN SHE FOUND WALKING 9 MILES
Christian Felix still had several miles to go when Phoenix Sgt. Natalie Simonick spotted him around 11 p.m. last month. When she pulled over thinking he was breaking curfew, she learned he was 18 years old and thus not in violation, but she also learned a few other things about the young adult, ABC News reported.
At a press conference last week she said she saw a strong work ethic in Felix, the local ABC affiliate KNXV reported. She also found Felix had never learned to ride a bike nor had he ever driven a car.
“He never had a father in his life, so he had no one to teach him,” Simonick said.
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What No One Wants To Hear About Benghazi
Congressional hearings, White House damage control, endless op-eds, accusations, and defensive denials. Controversy over the events in Benghazi last September took center stage in Washington and elsewhere last week. However, the whole discussion is again more of a sideshow. Each side seeks to score political points instead of asking the real questions about the attack on the US facility, which resulted in the death of US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
Republicans smell a political opportunity over evidence that the Administration heavily edited initial intelligence community talking points about the attack to remove or soften anything that might reflect badly on the president or the State Department.
Are we are supposed to be shocked by such behavior? Are we supposed to forget that this kind of whitewashing of facts is standard operating procedure when it comes to the US government?
Democrats in Congress have offered the even less convincing explanation for Benghazi, that somehow the attack occurred due to Republican sponsored cuts in the security budget at facilities overseas. With a one trillion dollar military budget, it is hard to take this seriously.
It appears that the Administration scrubbed initial intelligence reports of references to extremist Islamist involvement in the attacks, preferring to craft a lie that the demonstrations were a spontaneous response to an anti-Islamic video that developed into a full-out attack on the US outpost.
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Republicans smell a political opportunity over evidence that the Administration heavily edited initial intelligence community talking points about the attack to remove or soften anything that might reflect badly on the president or the State Department.
Are we are supposed to be shocked by such behavior? Are we supposed to forget that this kind of whitewashing of facts is standard operating procedure when it comes to the US government?
Democrats in Congress have offered the even less convincing explanation for Benghazi, that somehow the attack occurred due to Republican sponsored cuts in the security budget at facilities overseas. With a one trillion dollar military budget, it is hard to take this seriously.
It appears that the Administration scrubbed initial intelligence reports of references to extremist Islamist involvement in the attacks, preferring to craft a lie that the demonstrations were a spontaneous response to an anti-Islamic video that developed into a full-out attack on the US outpost.
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Detergent Pods Are Still Toxic Temptation For Children
The Lankford family found Tide Pods easy to use and convenient. Then, they had the scare of their life.
"We were just terrified. It was easily the worst night of my life," Stephanie Lankford said.
The Chesapeake City couple couldn't believe the pods that made their laundry easier poisoned their two-year-old son Colin.
"My son Brandon came upstairs, and he ripped open the shower curtain and said, 'Daddy, Colin ate poison,'" Shad Lankford said. "As soon as I ran around the corner, my son Colin was at the bottom of the stairs, and he was choking. He was not breathing. He was holding his throat. I was stuffing my finger in his mouth and I ran him up to the shower, his face was all red and was being burned and he gagged up in the shower. He spit up and I thought it's all good."
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A Letter To The Editor 5-13-13
No wonder Baltimore is bankrupt!
Joe, This car frequents a local apartment complex here in Salisbury.
It is clearly tagged as Baltimore city fire officer.
What the heck is it doing in Salisbury and on who's dime?
Signed,
A concerned taxpayer
COBURN GOES AFTER NFL'S TAX-EXEMPT STATUS
However, in the NFL and other professional sports leagues, he may have found some revenue enhancements. The Republican senator is hoping to go after the tax exempt status of the NFL and other leagues currently classified as "non-profits." The NHL and PGA would also fall into this category.
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Denver Public Schools Pay $216 Million To Wall Street Banks To Unwind Swaps
You can move from New York City to Colorado, but it seems you can never escape the all encompassing tentacles of Wall Street parasitism and theft. I recently covered a similar situation back in March in my piece Wall Street: $474 Million, Detroit: 0. In both cases it seems clear that public officials had no idea what they were getting into and there was a great deal of irresponsibility, but that is beside the point. It’d be one thing to say these communities should suffer the consequences of their actions if Wall Street had to as well, but we all know that isn’t the case. So it is highly immoral and culturally destructive to say it’s ok that Wall Street gets bailed out from all their mistakes and then is able to turn around and impose austerity on everyone else. That’s the way America works today and we can thank Ben Bernanke and Barack Obama for that reality. We must never forget the enablers in chief of all of this. Oh, and did I mention that the $216 million paid by Denver represents two-thirds of annual teaching expenses? USA! USA!
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Benghazi Scapegoat Remains In Prison For Film
The man who made the anti-Islam film that Obama administration officials erroneously blamed for the Benghazi, Libya, terror attacks remains in federal prison eight months later, serving a yearlong sentence for probation violations committed as a result of his involvement with the video.
Mark Basseley Youssef, who made the film “Innocence of the Muslims” under the pseudonym Sam Bacile, was sentenced in November after pleading guilty to four violations of a supervised release order, which included lying to his probation officer, using aliases, and using the Internet, according to court records.
“There has been no change in his status that we’re aware of,” an official with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Central District of California, the office that charged him, said Monday on condition of anonymity. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists his release date as Sept. 26.
Mark Basseley Youssef, who made the film “Innocence of the Muslims” under the pseudonym Sam Bacile, was sentenced in November after pleading guilty to four violations of a supervised release order, which included lying to his probation officer, using aliases, and using the Internet, according to court records.
“There has been no change in his status that we’re aware of,” an official with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Central District of California, the office that charged him, said Monday on condition of anonymity. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists his release date as Sept. 26.
Hillary Clinton And Benghazi, IRS, Obamacare: Five Things You'll Care About in Politics Next Week
Chris Christie is shrinking, and the House Republican conference is growing. What's old will be new again: An immigration bill is barely moving, the IRS looks like it's playing politics, and there's another health care repeal vote in the offing. Hillary Rodham Clinton is even back in the spotlight, and may be back before Congress soon. So much for beaches and speeches to keep her occupied in retirement. All that and more are among the stories the ABC News political unit is tracking in the week ahead:
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BREAKING NEWS: CONVICTED PHILADELPHIA ABORTION DOCTOR SPARED DEATH SENTENCE
Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion doctor convicted of killing three babies, agreed to forfeit his right to an appeal and will get life in prison.
From Fox News
From Fox News
HOW HIGH UP DOES THIS GO? NEW REPORT IMPLICATES WASHINGTON OFFICIALS IN IRS SCANDAL
From the Washington Post:
Internal Revenue Service officials in Washington and at least two other offices were involved in the targeting of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status, making clear the effort reached well beyond the branch in Cincinnati that was initially blamed, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post.Whoa.
IRS officials at the agency’s Washington headquarters sent queries to conservative groups asking about their donors and other aspects of their operations, while officials in the El Monte and Laguna Niguel offices in California sent similar questionnaires to tea party-affiliated groups.
Okay, so it appears the Washington Post report contradicts the IRS official who claimed last week that the political targeting was done by “low-level” staffers in Cincinnati.
Arrest Made In Lewes Burglaries
Location: Colorado Court and Arkansas Court, Sand Dune Village, Lewes, DE
Date of Occurrence: Thursday May 9, 2013 between 1:00 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.
Suspect:
Casey S. Wiedman, 27, Lewes, DE (Photo Attached)
Burglary 2nd (3 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
Drug Dealing (Marijuana)
Possession of Burglary Tools (3 counts)
Theft of a Firearm (12 counts)
Theft (3 counts)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Criminal Mischief (3 counts)
Arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $84,250.00 secured bail.
Date of Occurrence: Thursday May 9, 2013 between 1:00 a.m. and 7:20 a.m.
Suspect:
Casey S. Wiedman, 27, Lewes, DE (Photo Attached)
Burglary 2nd (3 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
Drug Dealing (Marijuana)
Possession of Burglary Tools (3 counts)
Theft of a Firearm (12 counts)
Theft (3 counts)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Criminal Mischief (3 counts)
Arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $84,250.00 secured bail.
Pitt Bull Loose in Delmar: UPDATE
Mr. Albero: Could you please post that there is a white pit bull with a black color running loose on Colonial Mill Drive in Delmar, MD; near Stage Road. He looks like a nice dog, but we all have small dogs in this neighborhood and need to have his caught and taken home. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Who Is The Highest Paid Public Employee In Your State?
Think the best paid public servant in your state is some tax-collecting bureaucrat with a commission-based comp structure, or some administrative apparatchik? Think again. As the following infographic from Deadspin shows, in 41 US states, the highest-paid public employee is either the football, basketball or hockey coach at the local state school. Whick takes cares of the "Circuses" part. For now, at least, public sector bakers did not make the list...
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Maryland Casino Revenue Grew At Second-Fastest Rate In 2012
Overall, Maryland’s gaming industry ranked No. 17 in 2012 for consumer spending among 23 states with casinos. State casinos last year generated $377.81 million, placing it just behind Florida ($427.9 million) and immediately in front of Kansas ($341.15 million).
Maryland’s total, however, makes it the second fastest-growing state in the U.S. for consumer spending on casino gaming. The state grew last year at a rate of 142.6 percent, placing it behind Kansas at 603.7 percent.
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Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The Senate Judiciary Committee held the first of many hearings on comprehensive immigration reform. In the seven and a half hour hearing, senators debated 32 of the three hundred proposed amendments to the bill, and adopted 21 of the changes. The proposals ranged from plans to correct technical immigration issues, to Sen. Ted Cruz's amendment to triple the number of border control agents, to Sen. Jeff Sessions' proposal to construct a 700 mile, double-layered fence along our Southern border. Thankfully, most of the extreme amendments were voted down, but there's still cause for concern over the proposals they accepted. One of the most contentious changes was Republican Senator Chuck Grassley's mandate, that the Department of Homeland Security submit a plan to stop 90 percent of illegal border crossings in high-risk areas, before undocumented individuals already living here can even apply for so-called "provisional immigrant" status. This provision is only slightly better than Grassley's rejected, poison-pill amendment, which set unattainable benchmarks that DHS had to meet before any pathway to citizenship would be considered. After losing the Hispanic vote in the 2012 election, Republicans have attempted to paint themselves as pro-immigration, but it's all an act. The racist and unrealistic GOP amendments in this legislation show they have no real desire to fix our nation's immigration system. As the Senate Judiciary Committee debates the hundreds of remaining amendments over the coming months, we must prevent these poison-pill provisions from making immigration reform meaningless. Call your Senators and tell them to fight these poison-pill amendments, and support provisions that actually fix our broken immigration system.
Sex Trafficking Growing In U.S., Maryland
Sex trafficking is becoming a problem of growing concern in the U.S. 11 News I-Team reporter Deborah Weiner looked into the issue and discovered that one doesn't have to look far to find victims who have been forced to sell themselves at the hands of a human trafficker
Last week, a federal jury convicted a New York man on charges of sex trafficking in Maryland.
During that week, Weiner joined two volunteers of a group called Safe House of Hope for a night as they packed up supplies for victims of sex trafficking in south Baltimore's Curtis Bay. The pair, identified only as Gloriel and Derek, said they knew they would find some victims.
It didn't take long before they spotted young women waiting alone on the city's dark streets.
Read more
Last week, a federal jury convicted a New York man on charges of sex trafficking in Maryland.
During that week, Weiner joined two volunteers of a group called Safe House of Hope for a night as they packed up supplies for victims of sex trafficking in south Baltimore's Curtis Bay. The pair, identified only as Gloriel and Derek, said they knew they would find some victims.
It didn't take long before they spotted young women waiting alone on the city's dark streets.
Read more
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY HIGHLIGHTS ADMINISTRATION’S JOB CREATION INITIATIVES
U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Maryland #1 in the nation for entrepreneurship and innovation for second year in a row
Governor visits House of Cards set to tout Maryland Film Production Tax Credit
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 14, 2013) – Governor Martin O’Malley today visited the House of Cards set to tout the Administration’s commitment to job creation and innovation by highlighting the Maryland Film Production Tax Credit, which to date, has created 5,700 jobs and was recently expanded during the 2013 legislative session. The critically-acclaimed series House of Cards is filming its second season in Maryland.
“There is no progress without a job. Maryland has now recovered 97 percent of the jobs lost during the Bush Recession. This session, we increased our film production tax credit - which has created 5,700 jobs - from $7.5 million to $25 million to expand job creation and economic opportunity while bolstering the film industry in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “Working together, we can grow and strengthen our middle class by investing in education, fostering innovation and giving workers the skills they need to compete in the 21st century global marketplace.”
In the first quarter of 2013, Maryland created jobs faster than any other state in the region and at the 4th fastest rate in the nation. Maryland’s dynamic private sector led that growth, creating nine out of every 10 new Maryland jobs. As of March 2013, our work alongside thriving businesses has driven down the unemployment rate to a four-year low and allowed us to recover 97 percent of the jobs we lost in the national recession.
Investing in Jobs
- The FY14 Capital Budget creates, supports, and leverages over 43,000 jobs rebuilding schools, roads, bridges, community colleges, and other projects.
- Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 raises an average $800 million annually, which will support 57,000 jobs over six years, ease traffic congestion, and build a 21st century transportation network.
- Wind Energy Act of 2013 combines innovation and job creation by incentivizing the construction of a 200 megawatt wind farm off Maryland’s coast, with the potential to create over 1,000 high-paying green jobs.
Training our Workforce
- The EARN (Employment Advancement Right Now) bill fosters collaboration between businesses, local governments, and non-profits so workers receive training in the skills they need to find jobs in high-demand sectors like construction, manufacturing, cyber, and healthcare.
- Veterans Full Employment Act ensures that veterans receive the full credit they deserve for their military training, education, and experience -- both from licensing boards and institutions of higher learning.
Encouraging Private Investment
- Public-Private Partnership legislation passed this year makes the P3 process more predictable, transparent, and attractive to private investors. Once streamlined, P3s could contribute between 6 and 10% of Maryland’s $3.1 billion annual capital budget and create as many as 4,000 jobs.
- The FY2014 budget invests $56 million to spur investment and create jobs in Maryland’s key industry sectors:
- Biotechnology Tax Credit spurs innovation in Maryland’s world-class biotechnology and life sciences sector. Through FY2013, Maryland has invested in more than 50 companies creating more than 200 new biotechnology jobs. The FY2014 budget invests $10 million in the program, 25% more than last year.
- Research and Development Tax Credit protects Maryland’s #1 ranking for research and development per capita. The FY2014 budget invests $8 million in the R&D Tax Credit, $2 million more than last year.
- Cybersecurity Investment Tax Credit ensures Maryland, home to the National Cyber Center of Excellence, remains a national leader in cybersecurity.
- Film Tax Credit secures job-creating film productions in Maryland such as HBO’s Veep and Netflix’s House of Cards. To date, the tax credit has created more than 5,700 jobs for cast, crew, and extras in Maryland. The FY2014 budget invests record funding in Maryland’s film industry.
- InvestMD invests in promising early-stage companies throughout the state. Through an online tax credit auction, InvestMaryland raised $84 million in venture capital for Maryland businesses. Those dollars can leverage up to 5 to 10 times that amount in private equity dollars, or roughly $350 - $700 million. To date, more than $2 million has been disbursed to eight Maryland start-ups and $25 million has been invested by three local venture firms. In April, the first winners of the inaugural InvestMaryland Challenge were announced out of an impressive field of over 250 entrants. Nearly $28 million in investment dollars will be available in FY2014 to further these efforts.
In April, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranked Maryland #1 for entrepreneurship and innovation for the second year in a row and among the top ten for economic performance for the fourth year in a row. The Milken Institute ranks Maryland #1 in research and development per capita and #2 for science and technology assets. The nonpartisan group The States Project says the state is #2 for economic opportunity and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation ranks Maryland among the five states best positioned to succeed in the new economy. And last year, entrepreneurial Marylanders made Maryland fourth in the nation for startups per capita according to a study by Fast Company.
Md. Delegate To Plead Guilty In Boat Crash
A Maryland lawmaker plans to plead guilty to operating a motorboat while drunk before an August accident that injured several people, in exchange for dropping charges accusing him of causing the collision, his attorney said Monday.
Del. Don Dwyer’s blood-alcohol content was .24 percent — three times the legal limit and higher than the .2 indicated in a preliminary report, attorney David Fischer said. Dwyer apologized for operating his boat after drinking, but he maintained he did not crash into the other vessel.
“I believe that the photographs that we have, the information that you all have from what was taken on the scene, clearly shows that my boat was the boat that was struck and sank,” the Republican from Anne Arundel said. “Again, I do regret that incident. I’m grateful to have the support that I have.”
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Del. Don Dwyer’s blood-alcohol content was .24 percent — three times the legal limit and higher than the .2 indicated in a preliminary report, attorney David Fischer said. Dwyer apologized for operating his boat after drinking, but he maintained he did not crash into the other vessel.
“I believe that the photographs that we have, the information that you all have from what was taken on the scene, clearly shows that my boat was the boat that was struck and sank,” the Republican from Anne Arundel said. “Again, I do regret that incident. I’m grateful to have the support that I have.”
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2013 Best-Mannered Teacher Award Given To Ann Wiseman
Lisa Chase (right), Eastern Shore Chapter class instructor and director of the Delaware Chapter, presents the 2013 Best Mannered Teacher Award to Ann Wiseman (left) during 2013 class’s final session, an instructional dinner dance. The award is given annually to recognize a person who best influences the students with personal examples of manners and etiquette.
In bringing the program to the Eastern Shore, Mrs. Wiseman was devoted to helping the 5th through 8th graders to learn manners, etiquette, and ballroom dance which teach them to respect themselves, their parents, their teachers and those they will meet and interact with the rest of their lives.
The current program instructor and director, Lisa Chase of Dover, made the presentation at the last class session which included an instructional dinner with parents and others.
While making the presentation, Ms. Chase said that Ms. Wiseman had taught her “how to exhibit grace under pressure, and when the unexpected happens you roll with it. Do what we can gracefully, and God will be there, too.”
IRS Under Fire
The Internal Revenue Service is under fire for scrutinizing tea-party groups in the run up to last year's presidential election. The agency has apologized, blaming the discrimination on a few low-level employees primarily in Cincinnati. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is expected to publish the results of a year-long investigation later this week. A draft copy suggests that executives at the IRS knew about the attention employees were giving to conservative political groups that applied for tax-exempt status following the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling. Republicans took to the Sunday talk shows to demand an apology from President Barack Obama.
Obama Gives 90 Days To See Equal Pay Report
Women in the federal government earn 89 cents for every dollar paid to men. President Barack Obama cites that statistic in an executive order on equal pay in the federal workforce. He is directing agencies to report within 90 days their policies for setting pay to the Office of Personnel Management. They'll report on practices for paying new employees, returning staff and those who work part time because they may be caring for family. OPM in turn will set a governmentwide strategy. The order says the agency may consider changes to the General Schedule classification system, guidance to agencies and recommendations for new laws.
Half Of Small Business Owners Say Health Care Reform Is Bad For Them
A new Gallup Poll finds that 48 percent of small business owners think the Affordable Care Act is going to be bad for their business. These business owners think it will make health insurance more expensive and reduce the quality of care they and their employees will receive.
Only 9 percent of small business owners think health care reform will be good for them.
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Gov't Obtains Wide AP Phone Records In Probe
The records obtained by the Justice Department listed outgoing calls for the work and personal phone numbers of individual reporters, for general AP office numbers in New York, Washington and Hartford, Conn., and for the main number for the AP in the House of Representatives press gallery, according to attorneys for the AP. It was not clear if the records also included incoming calls or the duration of the calls.
In all, the government seized the records for more than 20 separate telephone lines assigned to AP and its journalists in April and May of 2012. The exact number of journalists who used the phone lines during that period is unknown, but more than 100 journalists work in the offices where phone records were targeted, on a wide array of stories about government and other matters.
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7 Ways To Turn Your Garage Sale Into A Moneymaker
I recently gave our house a top-to-bottom spring cleaning. My takeaway, besides sore muscles, was the realization that we have a lot of stuff we no longer use or want to clean. Among our collection are a dated Sony Trinitron TV and a tired iMac G3 computer, inherited collectibles that just aren't our style, unneeded furniture in the basement, clothing that no longer fits . . . you get the idea. We haven't yet figured out to do with all those things.
If you find yourself in a similar situation and want to try to make a few bucks--and are up for a bit of a challenge--holding a good old-fashioned garage sale (stoop sale, yard sale, or rummage sale) could be a worthwhile way to unclutter your home. Just follow these seven tips so your sale goes smoothly.
Find out whether you need a permit. A few weeks out, contact your municipal offices about the need for a permit. The fee is typically only a few dollars. Also ask about any restrictions on where you can post signs for your sale.
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If you find yourself in a similar situation and want to try to make a few bucks--and are up for a bit of a challenge--holding a good old-fashioned garage sale (stoop sale, yard sale, or rummage sale) could be a worthwhile way to unclutter your home. Just follow these seven tips so your sale goes smoothly.
Find out whether you need a permit. A few weeks out, contact your municipal offices about the need for a permit. The fee is typically only a few dollars. Also ask about any restrictions on where you can post signs for your sale.
More
Bats In The Backyard: Good Or Bad?
Q. I've heard that bats are good to have around because they eat bugs. But don't they also carry rabies? —M.O., White Plains, N.Y.
You're right on both counts. Bats are important to our ecosystem because they feast on pests that would otherwise ruin crops. Plus they eat mosquitoes. On the other hand, while most bats don't have rabies, one could give you that deadly virus if it's infected. So don't handle bats, even if they look healthy. (Rabid bats often display odd behavior, such as flying during the day or landing on the ground.) If a bat scratches or bites you, get medical help right away. You may need an anti-rabies shot. And avoid inhaling dust that's contaminated with bat droppings; it can contain harmful fungi.
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You're right on both counts. Bats are important to our ecosystem because they feast on pests that would otherwise ruin crops. Plus they eat mosquitoes. On the other hand, while most bats don't have rabies, one could give you that deadly virus if it's infected. So don't handle bats, even if they look healthy. (Rabid bats often display odd behavior, such as flying during the day or landing on the ground.) If a bat scratches or bites you, get medical help right away. You may need an anti-rabies shot. And avoid inhaling dust that's contaminated with bat droppings; it can contain harmful fungi.
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NY Man Found Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Women in Md.
A federal jury on Thursday convicted a New York man of sex trafficking several women through several states, including Maryland, for about a year and a half.
Jeremy Naughton, 32, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was convicted of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, transporting individuals to engage in prostitution and a firearms violation.
U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said from January 2009 to the fall of 2010, Naughton and his friend, Charles Anderson, would target female prostitutes who didn’t have a pimp and force them to work for them.
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“THE NINE MOST SIGNIFICANT WORDS WOMEN USE”
1. FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. FIVE MINUTES: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. NOTHING: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. GO AHEAD: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!
5. LOUD SIGH: This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. THAT’S OKAY: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. “That’s okay” means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. THANKS: A woman is thanking you, do not question or faint. Just say “you’re welcome”.
8. WHATEVER: Is a woman’s way of saying F*@& YOU!
9. DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’s wrong?”. For the woman’s response, refer to #3.
Baywater Animal Rescue Receives Spay/Neuter Award
Cambridge, MD --Baywater Animal Rescue is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from The Snyder Foundation for Animals Inc. The Snyder Foundation For Animals awards grants through a competitive application and review process. The funds will support Baywater Animal Rescue’s in-house spay/neuter program.
Baywater Animal Rescue spays and neuters all animals prior to adoption and this grant will help provide the surgery for 250 shelter animals. “We’re honored to receive this generous gift and proud that The Snyder Foundation values the good work that we do at Baywater Animal Rescue,” said Suzette Stitely executive director of the rescue. “Located in one of the poorest counties in Maryland, grants like this help us to save lives.”
Baywater Animal Rescue is the Mid-Shore’s Premiere No Kill shelter providing adoption, spay/neuter and pet retention services. Learn more about them at www.baywateranimalrescue.org.
Baywater Animal Rescue spays and neuters all animals prior to adoption and this grant will help provide the surgery for 250 shelter animals. “We’re honored to receive this generous gift and proud that The Snyder Foundation values the good work that we do at Baywater Animal Rescue,” said Suzette Stitely executive director of the rescue. “Located in one of the poorest counties in Maryland, grants like this help us to save lives.”
Baywater Animal Rescue is the Mid-Shore’s Premiere No Kill shelter providing adoption, spay/neuter and pet retention services. Learn more about them at www.baywateranimalrescue.org.
Pump Station Cleaning
In an effort to keep the public informed of Public Works activities, please be aware that the City of Salisbury will be performing routine maintenance work at the Northside Pumping Station at the intersection of Fitzwater Street and Delaware Avenue and at the Southside Pumping Station on Ridge Road.
The public will notice increased Public Works activities in the area while the stations are being pumped out and cleaned. Work will begin on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 and shall be completed on
Wednesday, May 15, 2013. There should not be any interruption in service during this time.
The public will notice increased Public Works activities in the area while the stations are being pumped out and cleaned. Work will begin on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 and shall be completed on
Wednesday, May 15, 2013. There should not be any interruption in service during this time.
The Damning Dozen: Twelve Revelations From The Benghazi Hearings
Much of the media and liberal establishment simply ignored yesterday's Benghazi hearings. They were content to see, hear, and speak no evil -- which is typically the fastest way to kill a story in Washington. Others framed the proceedings as just another quixotic, partisan effort to hype a long-resolved story. Selling that template requires adherence to two fallacious assertions: First, that no major questions remain regarding the 9/11 terrorist assault on our consulate in Benghazi, Libya -- and second, that no new information emerged from the whistle-blowers' hours-long testimony. The former claim is outright insulting. The latter betrays either aggressive ignorance or wishful thinking. House Oversight Committee Republicans' focused questioning extracted quite a few nuggets of relevant information. For their part, many committee Democrats were focused on unseemly efforts to attack, distract and smear -- all employed as they cynically groused about Republicans "politicizing" the investigation. Cutting through the nonsense and dissembling, here's what we now know:
(1) Murdered US Ambassador Chris Stevens' second in command, Gregory Hicks, was instructed not to speak with a Congressional investigator by Sec. Hillary Clinton's chief of staff, Cheryl Mills. Hicks said he'd "never" faced a similar demand at any point during his distinguished 22-year diplomatic career. When he refused to comply with this request, the State Department dispatched an attorney to act as a "minder," who insisted on sitting in on all of Hicks' discussions with members of Congress (higher quality video is available here):
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(1) Murdered US Ambassador Chris Stevens' second in command, Gregory Hicks, was instructed not to speak with a Congressional investigator by Sec. Hillary Clinton's chief of staff, Cheryl Mills. Hicks said he'd "never" faced a similar demand at any point during his distinguished 22-year diplomatic career. When he refused to comply with this request, the State Department dispatched an attorney to act as a "minder," who insisted on sitting in on all of Hicks' discussions with members of Congress (higher quality video is available here):
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New Orleans Police Identify Suspect In Mother's Day Parade Shooting
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans police and federal authorities were searching early Tuesday for a young man who is suspected of opening fire at a Mother's Day parade in New Orleans, wounding 19.
Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas identified the suspect late Monday as Akein Scott, 19, of New Orleans. Referring to blurry surveillance camera images of the mass shooting, Serpas said police have "multiple identifications of Akein Scott as the shooter" seen in the film.
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Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas identified the suspect late Monday as Akein Scott, 19, of New Orleans. Referring to blurry surveillance camera images of the mass shooting, Serpas said police have "multiple identifications of Akein Scott as the shooter" seen in the film.
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The City Of Salisbury Is Saddened To Hear Of The Passing Of Pat Fennell, Who Served The City
The City of Salisbury is saddened to hear of the passing of Pat Fennell, who served the City with distinction for 22 years as Executive Officer. Pat was a dedicated public servant, having retired
from the Marine Corps before beginning his career with the City. In addition to providing overall supervision to the City’s departments, under the direction of the Mayor, he was best known for his work in acquiring numerous grants for the City in both community and economic development.
“It was an honor for me to succeed Pat as the City’s Executive Officer. Pat provided strong leadership to the City and our departments and laid a firm foundation for us to prepare for the
future,” said John Pick, Salisbury City Administrator.
from the Marine Corps before beginning his career with the City. In addition to providing overall supervision to the City’s departments, under the direction of the Mayor, he was best known for his work in acquiring numerous grants for the City in both community and economic development.
“It was an honor for me to succeed Pat as the City’s Executive Officer. Pat provided strong leadership to the City and our departments and laid a firm foundation for us to prepare for the
future,” said John Pick, Salisbury City Administrator.
Requiem For A Grand Old Party
Has the bell begun to toll for the GOP?
The question arises while reading an analysis of Census Bureau statistics on the 2012 election by Dan Balz and Ted Mellnik.
One sentence in their Washington Post story fairly leaps out:
"The total number of white voters actually decreased between 2008 and 2012, the first such drop by any group within the population since the bureau started to issue such statistics."
America's white majority, which accounts for nine in 10 of all Republican votes in presidential elections, is not only shrinking as a share of the electorate, but it is declining in numbers, as well.
The Balz-Mellnik piece was primarily about the black vote.
Sixty-six percent of the black electorate turned out, to 64 percent of the white electorate. Black turnout in 2012 was higher by 1.7 million than in 2008. Hispanic turnout rose by 1.4 million votes.
But from 2008 to 2012, the white vote fell by 2 million.
This is the crisis of the Grand Old Party:
More
The question arises while reading an analysis of Census Bureau statistics on the 2012 election by Dan Balz and Ted Mellnik.
One sentence in their Washington Post story fairly leaps out:
"The total number of white voters actually decreased between 2008 and 2012, the first such drop by any group within the population since the bureau started to issue such statistics."
America's white majority, which accounts for nine in 10 of all Republican votes in presidential elections, is not only shrinking as a share of the electorate, but it is declining in numbers, as well.
The Balz-Mellnik piece was primarily about the black vote.
Sixty-six percent of the black electorate turned out, to 64 percent of the white electorate. Black turnout in 2012 was higher by 1.7 million than in 2008. Hispanic turnout rose by 1.4 million votes.
But from 2008 to 2012, the white vote fell by 2 million.
This is the crisis of the Grand Old Party:
More
