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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Lost Dog Found In Fruitland


Hi Joe,

This young guy showed up at our yard on Nina Lane in the East Fields section of Fruitland around 4 pm Tuesday to play with our dogs. He's friendly, high spirited and knows how to sit. Looks like he just got Frontline treatment recently too. Too bad he doesn't have a tag so we can return him ourselves. We'll be taking him to the Wicomico Humane Society in the morning of we don't hear from anybody tonight. You can contact me at 443-523-2712.

Thanks for all you do for pet owners in the area.

- David Argentieri

FORMER CAPE HENLOPEN STAR ADDED TO SHOREBIRDS ROSTER

Townsend was the Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006

Salisbury, Md.
– The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday afternoon that Tyler Townsend has been added to the Delmarva Shorebirds roster. He is expected to be in the starting lineup for game one of the series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Townsend was selected in the third round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft by the Baltimore Orioles following a stellar three-year career at Florida International University. He is the second highest draft pick in FIU school history. Townsend had a record setting campaign for the Panthers in 2009. He hit .426 with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs. The Lewes, Delaware native holds the career mark for RBIs at FIU with 164.

The accolades rolled in for Townsend following his impressive ’09 season. He was named to the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-America First Team and the Sun Belt Conference First Team.

In 2006, Townsend was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and the Louisville Slugger Player of the Year in the state of Delaware. He hit .600 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs as a senior at Cape Henlopen High School.

Townsend began his professional career with the Aberdeen Ironbirds in 2009. He hit .143 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 31 games.

The 21-year old was rehabilitating a hamstring injury in extended spring training over the last two weeks.

The Shorebirds take on the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information, called the Shorebirds Box Office 410-219-3112.

SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 4/20 vs. Greensboro

PREVIEW: Following a walk off win on Monday night, the Shorebirds begin a four-game series with the Grasshoppers tonight. T.J. Baxter scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Glenn Gibson. The ‘Birds are tied for first place in the Northern Division with the Lakewood BlueClaws. The Shorebirds took three of four games from the Grasshoppers at NewBridge Bank Park (4/12-4/15).

BONUS BASEBALL: The Shorebirds have gone into extra innings in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2008 season. On July 31st, they played a 13-inning game against Kannapolis (L, 5-6) and on August 1st, the two teams played 10-innings (W, 4-3).

BAXTER LEADS LEAGUE: T.J. Baxter scored his league leading 14th run of the season last night to give the ‘Birds a walk off win. He has scored at least one run in 11 of the 12 games this season.

14TH FIRST ROUNDER: Matt Hobgood is the 14th Expos/Orioles first round selection to suit up for the Delmarva Shorebirds and first since Billy Rowell (1st round pick in 2006). The following first rounders have played for Delmarva; Chris Schwab, Michael Barrett, Darnell McDonald, Jayson Werth, Rick Elder, Mike Paradis, Larry Bigbie, Keith Reed, Chris Smith, Adam Loewen, Nick Markakis, Brandon Snyder and Billy Rowell.

24 GAMES IN 24 DAYS: The Shorebirds open the 2010 season with 24 games in 24 days. The first off day of the season isn’t until May 2nd. The Shorebirds also have a stretch from early May into June where they play on 28 straight days.

Tech Expo - Last Chance To Register


April 22, 201010AM - 4PM

It's last call to register for the Delmarva Technology Expo. We're almost at capacity. So if you've been putting off registering, this is the time to do so. It's a great, full-day event which lets you explore the technologies that other Delmarva organizations are using to control costs, improve productivity, and grow profits!

Come explore the newly updated Cisco NOW Van and discover the latest in Borderless Networks, Video, Physical and Network Security, Unified Communications and Collaboration, and many other advanced solutions.

This Thursday - April 22, 2010
www.delmarvatechexpo.com

The NOW Van will be making a special appearance in Salisbury, MD as a part of the Delmarva Technology Expo. It's a full day event, giving you the opportunity to learn about a variety of technology solutions. We're bringing together some of the IT Industry's largest vendors to showcase their industry leading products. An expo-style floor with vendor booths allows you to browse at your leisure, while breakout sessions give you the chance to look at specific technologies at a deeper level.

Come to the Delmarva Technology Expo,and in just one day you can explore:
Computer Networking
Business Telephone Systems
Internet Marketing Strategies
Document Management Solutions
For a full description of the day's breakout sessions, visit our web site.

There is no cost to attend the Delmarva Technology Expo, but you need to register in advance because we'll likely reach capacity today.

Get a Firsthand Look at Key Solutions for Your Businesson Board Cisco's Network on Wheels

Borderless Networks - Learn how Cisco’s next-generation architecture delivers the new workspace experience, connecting anyone, anywhere, using any device, to any resource – securely, reliably and seamlessly.

Video-Related Demos - Explore how Cisco’s latest video production, sharing and surveillance solutions can help you communicate in new, more effective ways.

Industry Vertical Demos - Discover how Cisco’s advanced solutions tailored to specific industry needs and objectives help businesses within create better, more productive and safer working environments.

Physical and Network Security - Discover the latest in surveillance, safety and network monitoring and response solutions designed to protect customers, employees and data.

Unified Communications and Collaboration - Experience Cisco’s broad portfolio of advanced communication and collaboration solutions designed to increase productivity, efficiency and ROI.

More Capabilities - Get a first-hand demonstration of Cisco’s latest wireless, network management and security solutions and learn how you can employ them to achieve measurable advantages throughout your organization.

ORPHANS' COURT JUDGES WORK AS A TEAM


(Seated in the picture - Judge Linda M. Hess, Chief Judge William D. Shockley and Judge Dale Smack)


All three Worcester County Orphans' Court Judges have filed for re-election. The Orphans' Court meets once a week and hears all contested matters involving Worcester County decedent's estates. Also, it approves accounts, awards of personal representative's commissions and attorney's fees in estates. Chief Judge William D. Shockley has served on the Court for six terms while Judge Linda M. Hess and Judge
Dale Smack are completing their first term.

Another Pet Owner Found Today


Thanks for your help Joe. The owner was contacted today.
Thanks again

Julie Dilworth Brewington Canceled The Event "Patients First Healthcare Summit"...

Julie canceled the event "Patients First Healthcare Summit".

Another Success Story



DAISY has been reunited with her Family. Folks, while these success stories are always enjoyable to see, I want to personally thank ALL of the people who have been kind enough to take these animals into their homes and holding onto them until their owners have been located. I know how inconvenient it can be but as you can see, Salisbury News finds their owners in a very short period of time. Keep up the good work!

PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN IN CYBERSPACE

CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK
STATE POLICE FOCUS ON CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO KNOW
HOW TO KEEP FROM BECOMING A VICTIM

TODAY: PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN IN CYBERSPACE

(Pikesville, MD)
– Anyone who is a parent today knows that a computer quickly becomes a part of their child’s life and the Internet provides a seemingly unlimited opportunity for exploration and education. Unfortunately, criminals, many of whom prey on unsuspecting children, also use cyberspace to identify and connect with their victims. In today’s “Right To Know: How To Keep From Becoming A Victim,” the focus is on protecting your child while he or she is on the Internet.

Police investigators who are a part of Maryland’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force know all too well of the dangers that put children at risk. Task force members made more than ten times as many arrests in 2008 as they did in 2000, when the task force began. Arrests increased from 242 in 2000 to 2,541 in 2008.**

Task force members have also seen an increase in child pornography complaints they have handled. In 2003, they dealt with 3,554 cases and in 2008, they investigated 9,234 cases of possession of child pornography on computers, most of which was distributed or obtained through the Internet.

The task force has also dealt with more cases involving individuals who solicit young people for sex over the Internet. In 2008, they investigated 1,608 sexual solicitation of a minor over the Internet cases, compared with 672 in 2003.

(**These numbers do not necessarily indicate an increase in the frequency of these crimes in Maryland. The task force has grown in size and effectiveness since 2000 and is making more criminal cases today than ever before.**)

Maryland’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force suggests three important rules of on-line safety for children that investigators urge parents to teach their children and ensure they follow. They are:

1) I will never give out or send personal information (photos, address, phone numbers, or location of school) without my parent’s permission.

2) If I come across or am sent information online that makes me feel uncomfortable, I’ll tell my parents or teachers and will not respond to this kind of message.

3) I’ll never agree to get together with someone I meet online without my parent’s prior knowledge and permission.

The Task Force also has ten important tips parents should use to keep their children safe while online. They are:

1) Place the computer in the most public room in your home.

2) Establish ground rules for Internet use.

3) Share time online by surfing the Internet with your child.

4) Instruct your child not to give out personal information without your permission.

5) Read the privacy policy of any site that asks for personal information before you allow your child to respond.

6) If your child wants to meet in person someone they have met online, make sure a parent is present.

7) Instruct your child never to respond to email or chat messages that make them feel uncomfortable. Ensure you child reports such messages to you when or if they occur.

8) Inform your Internet service provider of any inappropriate uses of the Internet encountered by
you or your child.

9) Encourage your child to share their online experiences with you.

10) Know exactly what various parental control tools can and cannot do and how they work.

To make a complaint about on-line child exploitation, the task force can be
contacted at 1-800-MDS-KIDS. Reports can also be made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tip Line at www.cybertipline.org.

In 2000, the Maryland State Police received federal funding to establish the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with a mission of protecting children from Internet crime through community education, active investigation, and effective prosecution. Maryland used a task force model and formed cooperative relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to build a ‘circle of protection’ to help safeguard Maryland children from Internet predators, while building partnerships that provide an effective investigative response to online child exploitation.

The current members of Maryland’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are the: Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney, Baltimore City State’s Attorney, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore County State’s Attorney, Baltimore Police Department, Bel Air Police Department, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Cecil County State’s Attorney, Cumberland Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Frostburg Police Department, Harford County Child Advocacy Center, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Howard County Police Department, Maryland State Police, Montgomery County Police Department, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Maryland, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney.

Bob Ehrlich’s Schedule - April 21st To April 25th


Below is Bob Ehrlich’s public schedule from April 21st to April 25th:


WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21st, 2010
6:30 P.M. REMARKS TO THE JUNIOR GUNPOWDER AGRICULTURE CLUB LOCATION: Friendly Farm Restaurant at 17434 Foreston Road, Upperco


THURSDAY, APRIL 22nd, 2010
7:00 P. M. KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR ALLEGANY COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE
LOCATION: Ali Ghan Shrine Club, 13100 Ali Ghan Road Northeast, Cumberland


FRIDAY, APRIL 23rd, 2010
11:00 A.M. BUSINESS ROUND-TABLE WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
LOCATION: Ristorante Ottaviani, ‎25 North Centre Street, Cumberland


SATURDAY, April 24th, 2010
6:00 P.M. ATTEND THE 2010 SHOCK TRAUMA GALA
LOCATION: The Baltimore Convention Center

7:00 P.M. ATTEND THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATON "MEMORY BALL GALA"
LOCATION: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront


SUNDAY, APRIL 25th, 2010
1:30 P. M. SPEAKER AT THE 5th ANNUAL BANDS ON THE BAY CONCERT
LOCATION: Herrington on the Bay, Route 261, West Friendship Road, Friendship

24 April 2010 Meet Maryland's Republican US Senate Candidate 2010 -- Jim Rutledge!


Restore, Defend and Cherish Our Constitutional Rights


COME, MEET & SUPPORT

Maryland's United States Senatorial Candidate
Jim Rutledge

at a Coffee fundraiser on

Saturday, April 24, 2010
2:00 pm

Cathy and Steve Keim Residence
627 Ridge Road
Salisbury, MD 21801

Minimum suggested donation
$50 per individual

Please R.S.V.P. (include the names of each person attending)
Contact Cathy Keim at 410-546-8471

Donations can be made the afternoon of the event
OR
On line at Rutledge for US Senate
OR
Checks should be payable to and mailed to:
Rutledge for U.S. Senate
P.O. Box 263
Forest Hill, MD 21050
(Please indicate on check the donation is for the April 24th event)

Obama's Jobless Crisis

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Forty-four percent of America's unemployed have been jobless for more than six months. That's the highest rate since the Great Depression. The previous high was 26 percent in June 1983. No matter what the White House says, an economic recovery has not arrived.

On Friday, President Obama signed a new law to maintain unemployment insurance benefits for the chronically unemployed for up to 95 or 99 weeks. Eligibility for 99 weeks applies when a state's unemployment rate is more than 8.5 percent. That's almost two whole years, which represents a huge increase compared to the maximum 26 weeks that were available as recently as June 2008. For perspective, between 1954 and 2007, the national average maximum duration for unemployment insurance ranged from a low of 22.8 weeks in 1954 to a high of 27.2 weeks during most of the 1970s.

The level of the benefits is unprecedented, too. Weekly unemployment insurance payments are the highest ever, and government additionally pays for most health insurance for the unemployed.

The liberal assumption is that long-term unemployment shows the need for longer benefits, but economists see a different trend: Historically, long and generous benefits are the cause, not the cure, for long-term jobless rates. The more something is subsidized, the more of it you get. People only receive benefits as long as they are unemployed. In the past, one way people got back into the labor force was by taking a part-time job, but now this means forfeiting unemployment checks as well as subsidies to buy health insurance. For many, part-time work worsens their circumstances more than no work at all.

Most of the unemployed wait until benefits are about to run out before taking another job. About one-third of those receiving unemployment insurance find work right after their benefits run out. This trend occurs whether unemployment is high or low. Extending benefits simply delays job-seeking. In the current case, the percentage of the unemployed who have been jobless for more than six months increased right after the length of the benefits first increased in July 2008, and then again after the stimulus increased unemployment benefits in March 2009.

From January through June 2008, the percentage of unemployed who had been out of a job for more than six months remained virtually unchanged. However, as soon as the unemployment benefits were increased to 39 weeks, the percentage of those unemployed long term immediately started rising. Long-term unemployment during this recession is uniquely bad because of government policies that discourage job-taking.

President Obama and congressional Democrats need to explain why they are persisting with policies that have contributed to the creation of so much unemployment. The stimulus created massive havoc in labor markets by moving money from where people would have spent it to where the Democrats wanted it spent. This moved jobs from one sector to another along with the money, which raises unemployment as workers move between jobs. Now the massive increase in unemployment insurance benefits is ensuring that people stay unemployed for longer periods of time.

One uncomfortable reality is that a deeper and darker crisis gives the president more opportunity to ram through leftist policies to remake the American economy into a more European socialist model. Such strategy is not pie in the sky. In November 2008, Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama's chief of staff, announced: "Rule one: Never allow a crisis to go to waste. They are opportunities to do big things." Rule two might be to create a crisis where none would have existed.

ACTIONS TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF WASHINGTON METRO RAIL SYSTEM

GOVERNOR McDONNELL, GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, AND MAYOR FENTY ANNOUNCE REGIONAL ACTIONS TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF WASHINGTON METRO RAIL SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES

Improved Safety Oversight Would Increase Transparency, Independence, and Authority

WASHINGTON, DC (April 20, 2010)
– The Governors of Maryland and Virginia, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia today agreed to a plan of action to cooperatively address safety problems on the Washington Metro Rail system. This agreement follows a series of discussions between transportation leadership from the three jurisdictions on improving transit safety in the region and addressing challenges facing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and its state safety oversight agency, the Tri-State Oversight Committee (TOC).

Both WMATA and the TOC have undergone unprecedented scrutiny since the June 22, 2009 Red Line accident at Fort Totten, including Congressional and National Transportation Safety Board hearings and a March 4, 2010 Federal Transit Administration Audit, which TOC must respond to by May 4, 2010. Congress is also considering legislation that would require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a public transportation safety program over transit systems like Washington Metro Rail and allow states and regions to institute their own safety oversight programs.

“It’s imperative that our efforts to improve safety and security on the Metro system be done with the highest standards of accountability and transparency. These cross-border partnerships help maintain that level of accountability, for our shared transportation systems and public safety initiatives” said Governor Martin O’Malley, “Safety standards and enforcement procedures must be in place to help focus WMATA on meeting its obligations to its riders and employees. We’ll continue to apply these standards to our public safety initiatives, sharing information across borders and saving lives throughout our region.”

In the short-term, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia have agreed to pursue “Phase One” by implementing an enhanced Interim TOC Oversight Program that would not require time-consuming procedures or negotiations. This includes establishing a TOC Policy Committee, providing the TOC Chair with additional executive authority, and implementing monthly reviews and reporting requirements.

In the long-term, the three jurisdictions have agreed to a “Phase Two” that would establish either of two safety oversight programs, or others as appropriate, into consideration. The jurisdictions could either create a legally-authorized public transportation safety oversight commission – a Metro Safety Commission (MSC) – or let the federal government provide safety oversight over the Metro system. A decision will be made following passage of the federal legislation, issuing of regulations, Presidential Executive Order, or WMATA Board decision, and an analysis of the needs of the program at that time.

“Our regional transit safety plan will strengthen the oversight of Metro by putting in place a program capable of meeting, or even exceeding, proposed requirements in the federal legislation and addressing the FTA Audit. Citizens and employers from Vienna to Bethesda to Capitol Hill count on a safe and dependable Metro system. In many ways, Metro is the thread that holds this dynamic and growing region together.” Governor Bob McDonnell said.

“WMTA is one of our region’s most vital transportation resources for millions of residents and visitors. As Mayor of the District of Columbia, I am committed to creating an effective collaborative approach to oversight and management of the transit system in an effort to improve service delivery and ensure the safety of each and every passenger.” said Mayor Adrian Fenty.

The three leaders also discussed the state of their joint public safety initiatives. Since 2008, the three jurisdictions have worked collaboratively to track the most violent offenders under their respective supervision as they cross borders. The jurisdictions share arrest information on a daily basis. These initiatives include the Violence Prevention Initiative, a collaboration allows three jurisdictions to compare arrest data against names of those under supervision for possible matches. Today, the commitment to continue this strong collaboration was reaffirmed.

Jon Voight Calls Out Barack Obama

The Salisbury Festival Craft Beer Tasting Event


Hi Joe,

I just wanted to let you and your readers know about a new event this year at The Salisbury Festival. They have added a Craft Beer Tasting event that will take place on Sunday April 25th from 12:30pm - 5pm. It will be at the River Walk Park across from the Holiday Inn in downtown Salisbury.

The event will be featuring 20 breweries from around the world and tasting more then 40 different styles of craft beer. Tickets are $30 and include unlimited tastings of all the beers. Some breweries will have representatives available to answer any questions about the beer that you might have.

There will be Live music by Wes Davis from 12:30-1:45 and NO BYSCUYTS from 2pm - 5pm. Also Black Diamond Catering will be offering food throughout the event. You can get tickets at The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Sobo's Wine Beerstro, Specific Gravity , and Evolution Craft Brewing Co. in Delmar.

If anyone has any questions they can call Jeff at 410-219-1117.

Thanks again for all the great work you do for our community. And if your in the area please stop by and say hi.

Jeff Trivits
Sobo's Wine Beerstro

Lost Dog Needs Its Owner


Joe..


Could you please post this to find her owner? She was found in Salisbury on the corner of Russell and Pinehurst. Contact Kateri @ 302 236 1458

FRUITLAND MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO PRODUCING PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO AND PICTURES OF A NEIGHBORHOOD CHILD

Enticed a Young Girl Into his Home to Produce Nude Pictures

Baltimore, Maryland
- Russell Glenn Burnett, age 44, of Fruitland, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to producing child pornography.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland
Rod J. Rosenstein; Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chief Michael Phillips of the Fruitland Police Department; and Wicomico County State’s Attorney Davis Ruark.

According to the plea agreement, in late April, 2009, Fruitland Police Department
officers began an investigation into sexual assaults against several minors in Fruitland, Maryland. Several children and adults were interviewed and it became apparent that Burnett had inappropriately touched some of the children. The police also learned that Burnett had photographs of some of the children in unclothed or partially unclothed states.

A search warrant was obtained and when police arrived at Burnett’s residence,
Burnett was upstairs disassembling one of his computers. The police seized several computers and peripheral devices, storage media and associated items. Forensic reviews of the material revealed, among other images of child pornography, a video recording made in June 2005 of one of the neighborhood minor females known to Burnett. Burnett had enticed her to come into his house and to his third floor computer room to produce pornographic images of her. The girl is seen undressing and the camera focuses on her genital region. Burnett is clearly visible in this video clip. Moreover, in some of the still images found on the computer media seized, Burnett is seen touching the girl’s inner thigh and body.

As part of his plea agreement, Burnett is required to forfeit all items seized from his residence, as well as his interest in the residence.

Burnett faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in
prison, followed by supervised release up to life. U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. has scheduled sentencing for July 7, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. Burnett is currently incarcerated upon his conviction in state court of three counts of sexual assault and sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 15 years suspended.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Details about Maryland’s program are available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md/Safe-Childhood/index.html.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael
Cunningham, who is prosecuting the case.

Wicomico County Liquor Control Board Fails To Terminate Abusive Employee


A Few weeks ago we provided an article that discussed a member of Sarah Foxwell's Family receiving an abusive phone call from a Wicomico County Liquor Store Employee. This individual started yelling at this Family Member using curse words and abusive language.

Even though they found the employee had in fact done what Mrs. Powell explained when she made the complaint, the Board refused to terminate the employee and stated "We have disciplined the employee in question, within the parameters set forth in our employee agreement."

Folks, if you had heard what this employee had said you'd be outraged. He called them thieves, he threw the F-Bomb out frequently and stated "you got what you deserved," referencing Sarah Foxwell's murder.

Mind you, he made the call from the Liquor Store while on duty. After your Niece had been brutally murdered, do you feel they handled this properly? Would you allow one of your own employees to make such an abusive call and then keep them employed?

This is what's wrong with America today Folks. One can only wonder what's next from this man. Wicomico County should be ashamed of itself.

Recovery? Most Metro Areas Still Losing Jobs

Only 16 of 384 areas show employment growth in latest Adversity Index

The recovery remains jobless for most of the nation, with only 16 of 384 metro areas showing job gains in the past year, according to new Adversity Index data for February from Moody's Economy.com and msnbc.com.

Of the nation's 384 metro areas, 205 had begun to recover, or 53 percent, according to the February Adversity Index. That's up from 185 metro areas in January, or 48 percent.

But the gains have been confined to manufacturing and housing, not employment.

Moreover, the only areas showing jobs growth are low-population areas. Here is a list of the 16 areas (only 4 percent of the total) showing job gains in the three-month period ending February 2010 compared with the same period a year earlier. They're ranked by annualized growth in jobs:

Ocean City, N.J., up 5.0 percent
Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, Wash., 3.1
Bloomington, Ind., 2.1
Jacksonville, N.C., 1.8
Bismarck, N.D., 1.6
Morgantown, W.Va., 1.1
College Station-Bryan, Texas, 1.0
St. Joseph, Mo.-Kan., 0.9
Cape Girardeau-Jackson, Mo.-Ill., 0.8
Warner Robins, Ga., 0.6
Barnstable, Cape Cod, Mass., 0.6
State College, Pa., 0.5
Lawton, Okla., 0.5
Yakima, Wash., 0.4
Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Texas, 0.1
Hanford-Corcoran, Calif., 0.1

GO HERE to read more.

Civil Rights Icon Dorothy Height Dies At 98

Dorothy Height, an icon of the Civil Rights Movement and a longtime leader in the pursuit of equal rights for women, has died at the age of 98.

Height, who had been in the intensive care unit at Howard University Hospital since March 18, passed away at 3:41 a.m., according to a hospital official. No cause of death was immediately available.

Height has been a part of many of the nation's historic civil rights events. She stood beside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial as he gave his famous "I have a dream" speech. She had said she had directly known every American president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And she was on the stage in Washington for President Barack Obama's inauguration.

GO HERE to read more.

LEARN HOW TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT

(Pikesville, MD) – While remembering victims of crime during National Crime Victims Rights Week, Maryland State Police are working to inform citizens about how they can keep from becoming victims by providing important prevention tips dealing with crimes that continue to be prevalent. The focus today is on identity theft.

Identity theft is a frustrating crime and its effects can haunt victims for years. Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal identifying information, which can include a name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud, theft, or other crimes. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 10 million Americans have their identities stolen every year.

In addition to monetary loss, victims of identity theft may be denied loans, housing, vehicles purchases, or may lose out on job opportunities because of negative information on their credit reports. They could even be arrested for crimes they did not commit because someone else is using their identity while committing crimes.

Identity thieves may steal your mail, wallet or purse, or even go through your trash. They might use email scams and pose as a legitimate company on-line while obtaining your personal information. They also call and try to get potential victims to provide personal information over the phone.

In Carroll County last year, State Police arrested two men who were breaking into cars parked in gym parking lots. People going to work out rarely took their wallets or purses with them and often left them in their cars in plain sight. The thieves were using a ‘slim jim’ to open even locked cars and then they would take a credit or check card from the victim’s wallet. If there were multiple cards, the thieves left some and often the victims did not realize a specific card was missing for several days.

By that time, the thieves had used the stolen credit cards to purchase power tools, electronics, or other items which they would sell on the street for quick cash. These two thieves were charged with 21 incidents in Carroll County and were also connected with thefts in several other counties.

If you think your credit card has been stolen, notify your bank or the issuing institution immediately. A stolen credit card remains usable until the holder notifies the bank the card is not in his or her possession any longer.

Once thieves have stolen your identity, their opportunities are endless. They often open new credit card accounts, never intending to pay the bills, which, of course, are charged to the identity theft victim. Thieves often open a wireless phone account, or get utility services like electricity, heating, or cable TV, all of which are charged to the victim’s name and account. They open bank accounts in the victim’s name and write bad checks, or drain the victim’s savings account through electronic transfers. Thieves obtain driver’s licenses or other documents using a victim’s name or Social Security number.

Citizens are right to be concerned about identity theft and they have a right to know how to protect themselves against this crime. There are many ways to reduce the chance of becoming an identity theft victim.

The Federal Trade Commission urges citizens to
1) deter theft by safeguarding your personal information;
2) detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements; and
3) defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem.

The FTC also urges people to:
1) shred financial documents before discarding them;
2) protect your Social Security number (don’t carry it in your wallet and consider keeping it in a home safe);
3) provide no personal information unless you are certain of who you are dealing with;
4) don’t use obvious passwords; and
5) keep your personal information secure.

Identity thieves are using computers to commit many of their thefts. State Police
urge computer users to never reply to email or pop-up messages that ask for personal information and to not click on links in the message. Do not cut and paste a link from that message into your Web browser. The link will likely send you to a site different than the one indicated. People should also use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a firewall, while making sure to keep all of them updated regularly.

Sometimes, victims receive an email asking them to call what appears to be a legitimate number in order to update personal account information or to supposedly access a refund. Thieves then use a device that may lead the person to believe they are calling a Maryland area code, but they are actually calling a scammer out of the state or even the country.

If you think you have been a victim of identity theft you should:
-file a police report;
-place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit reports by contacting one of the three
nationwide consumer reporting companies:
Equifax – 1-800-525-6285
Experian – 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion – 1-800-680-7289;

-close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently; and
-report your theft to the Federal Trade Commission, either on-line at
www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone, or by mail.

When you file a police report for theft, fraud, or stolen identity, police will ask for certain specific information. It is a good idea to keep this information available if needed, but keep it in a locked home safe or other area inaccessible to others.

Investigating police officers will ask for your:
-date of birth;
-driver’s license number;
-Social Security number;
-telephone numbers at home, work, cellular;
-email addresses of every victim and every member of the household;
-name of bank or credit card company;
-account numbers involved in the theft and the names of the primary and secondary account holders (The credit card or bank card number must be provided by the victim and will not be provided to police by the bank absent a subpoena.).

Investigating police officers will also ask for:
-when and how the fraud or theft was discovered and how the victim became aware of it;
-last known user transaction date and location;
-bank or credit card company contact name and telephone number;
-a list of recent locations you parked, where you work and the last time you saw your card;
-a timeline of the theft and your actions since;
-photocopies of any letters, account statements and other related documents;
-possible locations of the theft and descriptions of persons around when the theft might have occurred.

Street Slang Musik Artist Rayz Performing Live


We are gearing up for a big weekend! We are shooting the video for the attached song "We get it in mane" featuring Street Slang Musik artist JimmyBang, Rayz & Yung R. We are also having a album release party for the independent album "Divine Intervention" directly after the video shoot at Oscars in Princess Anne, Md. The enormous amount of people who listened to the Sarah Foxwell song because you placed it on your blog proves that you have done an excellent job promoting the interesting, fun, important, and exciting events throughout the Eastern Shore so we're hoping you'd help us by informing your readers of our upcoming event.


Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

# 1 on the hip hop charts for Salisbury, Md http://www.reverbnation.com/rayzstreetslang

School Lock Down

Joe,

I hope you will re post this because I am an aggravated parent tonight.

This afternoon we received an automated call from our child's school(Woodson ES in Crisfield) informing us that they were on lock down because of reports of a predator trying to entice children who walk home from school into a car.

I immediately called the Crisfield PD for more information and the dispatcher wasn't sure of what I was talking about but put me on hold to get answers.I was told that it had been investigated and the Chief determined it was a hoax.

However,the school and many other parents were still under the impression that it was a real alert.They related to me that the police told THEM about the situation.

So at this time I have no idea if it is true or not,but after the Sarah Foxwell tragedy I think there needs to be more effort to publicize these type of threats.

Had the school not made those calls, I or any other parents would have no clue that children were potentially at risk.

Is America's Recovery A Rotten Sham?

Taipan Daily: America's Recovery Is a Rotten Shamby Justice Litle, Editorial Director, Taipan Publishing Group

The “recovery” we are now witnessing is based on theft, greed and deceit. It’s a giant rip-off, a rotten sham. In this sleazy imitation of a free market economy, liars, cheats and deadbeats are the ones getting rewarded.

And as for the savers, the hard workers, the ones who chose to honor their debts and live within their means? Nothing but a bunch of suckers. (They’re the ones paying for it all.)

If you’re one of those “suckers,” at least you’ve got company. I’m a sucker too.

All this time, I thought working hard for my money and staying debt free was wise. I thought sticking with one credit card – paying down the balance every month, no exceptions – was prudent. I thought driving a five-year-old car – fully paid off, nothing flashy – was a sensible thing to do.

Nope. Turns out those were sucker moves. What I should have done, to be in synch with this economy, was to have bought a 3,000-square-foot McMansion at the peak of the bubble… pulled out a cool hundred thousand in home equity loans… and then defaulted on the place.
That way I could have had the cash for a jet ski and a new convertible and a Hawaiian vacation – you know, the means of living in style – without having to worry about a thing.

No Morals Is the New Normal

Apologies for my cranky tone today. I hope I’m not messing up your Monday. It’s just that, heading into the weekend, I read something that absolutely made me sick. More on that in a moment…

Two weeks ago your humble editor asked, “Did the Housing Bust Fuel the Consumer Spending Binge?” In that piece, it was explained step by step how the phenomenon of “strategic defaults,” i.e. homeowners walking away from their mortgages, may have fueled a surge in retail spending by way of freeing up cash.

As it turns out, it looks like the strategic default thesis was correct. And this helps show why those who were expecting a “new normal” got it wrong.

See, guys like Mohamed El-Erian at Pimco (and yours truly) at first thought the “new normal” meant consumers tightening up and living within their means. What we failed to realize is that “new normal” actually translated to “NO MORALS,” as in “deadbeats ripping off the banks with abandon” (while the banks in turn screw the taxpayers).

In the piece two weeks ago, I hat-tipped a blog called Credit Writedowns for helping me solve the strategic default puzzle. The main blogger there, Edward Harrison, continues to do solid investigative work. Below are some of the anecdotes he recently reported (underscore emphasis mine). After reading them, I think you’ll understand my mood:
· My 25 year old niece had $10,000 of outstanding credit card debt. Recently, she told the bank she couldn’t pay. She is not unemployed so the ‘hardship’ is all relative. Nevertheless, the bank offered her a concession which she refused. They offered another concession, she refused again. Finally, they told her if she paid $150/month for 2 years (total of only $3600 with no interest), they would call it paid in full! She accepted in a heartbeat. It is less than a month later, and she celebrated her good fortune by going on a cruise to Hawaii.
· A friend owns a small manufacturing co. He tells me of one of his female employees who was saddled with a $450,000 home she purchased almost five years ago with no down pmt. One year after her purchase she pulled $75,000 home equity and purchased ‘fun stuff’ including a boat. She recently walked away from the house (now saddled with $525K mortgage), purchased a new house for $200,000 (in her sister’s name) and kept all the goodies purchased from the home equity withdrawal. With the much lower mortgage payment she just bought a new car.
· Almost everyone in my "survey" is aware of, or knows someone living rent free in their home for an extended period of time, having stopped paying their mortgage. Many of these free boarders are spending lavishly on non-essentials. My hard-working part-time assistant knows two different 35+ yr olds who have enjoyed over 9 months (one is up to month eleven) of rent-free living in very nice homes they purchased in 2004/2005! Both are employed and both enjoy a non-frugal lifestyle. My assistant wonders if he should do the same or have me pay him more so that he too can enjoy the ‘good life’.
· My sister is a nurse with 25+ years on the job. She told me of a young couple that she is good friends with that both work at her hospital making a decent joint income. They didn’t like the fact that they grossly overpaid for their 3000 sq ft home in 2006. They stopped making hefty monthly payments six months ago and haven’t yet been contacted by the bank. They have decided to wait until contacted and then walk away. In the meantime, they just returned from NYC from a week vacation in the Big Apple.
· My brother-in-law wanted to know if he should stop making payments on everything. He lives in Virginia and his carpentry skills are not as marketable as they were in the height of the boom. He and his wife’s best friend have lived close-by for many years. For the past 13 months since they strategically decided to stop paying their mortgage, they had yet to be contacted by their bank. Not even one letter! My brother-in-law doesn’t understand how they get to pocket the mortgage and spend carefree, including a 10-day Caribbean vacation.

Apparently there are lots more anecdotes of this type – potentially “millions of similar stories across the country.”

I thought I was about as cynical as I could get. I thought that, after the initial outrage of the bailouts, my anger was all but spent. But this makes me feel righteously ticked off all over again.

The Revolutionary Rip-Off Machine
Why be furious? A few reasons.

First of all, because these happy-go-lucky knuckleheads spending strategic default “mad money” like water have the attitudes of fiscal dope fiends. They are likely going to go broke again en masse, or otherwise need bailing out, and someone else will have to pay. AGAIN.

Second of all, because it’s just damn disgusting that those people who scrimped and saved to own their homes and pay their debts – i.e. the “suckers” who lived by a moral code of personal obligation and free market ethics – have to see such blatant debauchery not just flaunted, but rewarded by the system. It’s a breakdown of ethics and common sense that threatens the future of the country as a whole.

And third, because even though the banks are the ones eating strategic default losses, they aren’t the ones getting screwed in this deal. TAXPAYERS and SAVERS are the ones getting shafted – people like you and me. (Oh, and your kids too. They’re going to pay out the nose for all this. Big time.)

To understand why the banks don’t really care about strategic default losses – why they can let defaulters go a year or more without so much as a slap on the wrist – take a look at the following chart from Gluskin Sheff.

The chart shows the financial sector’s profits as a percentage of all corporate profits in total.
Before the crisis hit, the financial sector had worked its way up to more than a third of all corporate profits at the peak – an obscene number in itself. Thirty-three cents out of every dollar earned by way of financial engineering? You don’t see that kind of imbalance in a healthy economy… only in a paper casino “phinance” economy, where the “ph” is for phony.

As the financial crisis took hold, the financial sector’s profits plummeted, which the chart shows. But then, post crisis, they bounced back with a vertical vengeance. See that rocket ride on the right side of the chart? It comes courtesy of the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury, finding any way they can to shovel huge profits into Wall Street’s pockets. At the taxpayer’s and saver’s expense.

Here is how the revolutionary rip-off machine functions:
Lavish-spending “strategic defaulters” feel justified in ripping off the banks.
The lawless deadbeat culture spreads – as sparked by the banks’ own example.
The banks don’t care because they are in the rip-off game too, on a larger scale.
The banks can ignore strategic defaults by way of taxpayer-funded profits.
The whole thing winds up being a backdoor political transfer. Washington pumps torrents of money into the rotten banks. The banks look the other way as strategic defaulters catch on that “the way to play the game” is to defraud, deny and spend. And politicians get to enjoy the illusion of recovery.

A License to Print
So how are the banks ripping off the taxpayer, you ask? By way of the record steep yield curve. In keeping short-term rates near zero, the Federal Reserve has given the banks a license to print money.

Thanks to Ben Bernanke, banks can borrow as much as they want for practically nothing… plow that cash into longer-dated U.S. Treasuries… and make perpetually huge profits with little to no risk. It’s like a permanent backdoor bailout subsidy.

Meanwhile, again, the powers that be, to the extent they truly know what is going on, are happy about the strategic default situation. They see the defaults and rampant spending binges as a good thing. Why? Because all that “mad money” creates the illusion of a healthy consumer!

All these jokers going out to buy new cars and Hawaiian vacations and whatnot are fueling a new spending surge, which in turn boosts corporate earnings, which in turn gets Wall Street cheering and the average citizen thinking “hey, things are okay.”

And as for the banks – why should they trip over pennies on their way to dollars? The big banks have far more money coming in by way of the Federal Reserve’s magic gift (zero interest rate policy) than they do going out.

A Criminal Disaster
The whole thing is a criminal disaster. Here’s why:
· Zero interest rates are a cruel punishment for savers, especially elderly savers.
· Backdoor inflation (via the creation of excess reserves) is a means of rewarding profligate debtors and punishing savers harshly (making “suckers” of them).
· Businesses are gearing up based on the notion that this consumer spending surge is sustainable, when in actuality it’s a giant mirage.
· The massive profits being accrued by the banks are pooling disproportionately in the pockets of fat cats and deeply connected investment players (as usual).
· The real backbone of America’s economy – small business – is still being neglected. So are genuine savers.
· The up-and-coming generations – the children that will inherit all the debt being created – are in some ways the most voiceless victims of all in this scheme.

Small Business Pain
Meanwhile, even as corporate America rejoices, small business continues to starve. According to a recent survey from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the credit picture is worsening for small business now. Despite all the hoopla, the employers of more than half of America’s workforce have reason for pessimism, not optimism, in the quarters ahead.

But who cares, right? The recovery, or at least the illusion of it, will be carried on by the revolutionary rip-off machine. The Fed has found a neat new way to funnel cash into the hands of those who least deserve it, just as it did with AIG.

And taxpayers and savers – the few of them left that is – will just keep getting squeezed on both sides. An estimated 47% of Americans pay no taxes at all… and the fat cats at the top of the oligarchy ladder certainly get a lot more out of the system than they put in.

So that leaves the “suckers” in the middle (i.e. you and me) to pay the final tab. For all of it. The whole rotten thing.

To be honest, I don’t really know what to think of my country any more. This ridiculous, debauchery-ridden, quasi-socialist Ponzi-scheme of a recovery is going to end in absolute disaster. Crushing deflation, hyperinflation, heck, maybe even martial law… it could all be coming down the pike, in wave after debilitating wave, when the music finally stops.

Maybe we’re just fulfilling the old prophecy:
A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.

SET ON A VAT? THEN GET RID OF INCOME TAX

A value-added tax, or VAT, will be rationalized as necessary to restore fiscal equilibrium. But without ending the income tax, a VAT would be just a gargantuan instrument for further subjugating Americans to government, says columnist George F. Will.

A VAT is collected on value added at stages during the process of production, but most of its burden is borne by consumers. They file no VAT returns, so its stealthiness delights the political class, which can increase it in small, barely noticed increments, with every percentage point yielding another $100 billion, says Will.

Although the nation's welfare often varies inversely with that of the political class, a VAT would ameliorate a real problem, says Will:

Americans consume too much and save too little.
Furthermore, today's baroque tax code drives economic distortions and enables corruptions.
Corporations do not pay taxes, they collect them, passing the burden to consumers as a cost of production. And corporate taxation is a feast of rent-seeking -- a cornucopia of credits, exemptions and other subsidies conferred by the political class on favored, and grateful, corporations, says Will.

Because the income tax is not broadly based, it radiates moral hazard. Its incentives are for perverse behavior:

The top 1 percent of earners provide 40 percent of that tax's receipts.
The top 5 percent provide 61 percent.
The bottom 50 percent provide 3 percent.
So the tax makes a substantial majority complacent about government's growth, says Will.

Increasingly, the income tax is codified envy. A VAT is the political class's recourse when the resources of the minority that is targeted by the envious are insufficient to finance ravenous government, says Will.

And because the 16th Amendment will not be repealed, adoption of a VAT would proclaim the impossibility of serious spending reductions, and hence would be the obituary for the Founders' vision of limited government.

Source

It Takes An Army

Rodney Stark argues the Crusades were defensive wars.
by Terry Scambray
The New Oxford Review

A review of God’s Battalions: The Case for the Crusades by Rodney Stark (Harper One, 2009, 260 pp.).

Speaking in Egypt last June, President Obama apologized for an imagined American imperialism on territory that itself was gained by Islamic conquest. The New York Times in 1999 compared the Crusades to Hitler’s atrocities. Even Pope John Paul II joined in by apologizing for the sacking of Constantinople by crusaders in 1204.

Rodney Stark, Distinguished Professor of Social Science at Baylor, shows that such statements are serious bunk. For, as he writes, the Crusades were defensive wars to repel the Islamic conquest of Byzantium as well as to prevent the destruction of the Holy Land.

So when in 1095 the Greek Byzantine emperor in Constantinople requested help, Pope Urban II called for a crusade.

However, the table was already set for a response to Islamic colonialism. For Mohammedanism had been ascendant since the 7th century when Mohammed led his Bedouin tribesmen out of Arabia into Syria, Persia and Egypt, robbing in service of religious conversion. As Mohammed said on his deathbed, “I was ordered to fight all men until they say, ‘There is no God but Allah.’”

Next the Moors, as they were then called, swallowed up North Africa, Spain, and Sicily. They later sacked Rome in 843 and 846, forcing the pope to pay tribute.

Yes, Stark, in his short book, does omit the fact that when the interests of Christians and Muslims coincided, they banded together to fight their co-religionists. This happened, for example, when the Muslims were assisted by the city states of Naples and Amalfi in attacking their rivals, Rome and Messina. But this episode was concluded when the pope cobbled together a united front to eliminate the Muslims from the Italian peninsula, though attacks did continue for another century.

Nonetheless, by the 1100s, Islam was menacing the Orthodox Greeks.

Yet Christianity had correspondingly gained a second wind: the Greeks had defeated Islam at Constantinople in 672 and Charles Martel’s Franks defeated the Moors at Tours in 732.

GO HERE to read more.

Women: Republican vs. Democrat

Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus

BAXTER SCORES ON WILD PITCH TO GIVE SHOREBIRDS 3-2 WIN IN 11 INNINGS

PALSHA’S STRONG RELIEF EFFORT BUOYS FIRST HOME WIN OF SEASON

SALISBURY, Md.
– T.J. Baxter scored all the way from second on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift the Delmarva Shorebirds over the Hagerstown Suns, 3-2, and salvage the final game of a four-game series at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Monday.

With Glen Gibson (1-1) on for his second inning of relief, he tossed the third ball of an intentional walk to Tyler Koldny over the head of catcher Sandy Leon, allowing Baxter to race home and give Delmarva (7-5) its first home win of the season. The keeps the Shorebirds atop South Atlantic League’s Northern Division. Hagerstown fell to 6-6 with the loss.

Ryan Palsha moved to 1-0 on the season with four innings of stellar relief. He allowed just a hit and a walk and fanned six.

Mikey Planeta led Delmarva at the plate, going 2-for-4 while J.P. Ramirez also had a pair of hits in four at-bats and scored a run.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Delmarva catcher Luis Bernardo reached on a fielder’s choice and used a pair of wild pitches to scamper home from third with two outs to tie the game at 2-all and send the game into extra innings.

The Shorebirds got on the scoreboard first in the second inning. South Atlantic League Player of the Week Kolodny, the league leader in home runs, started the frame, pushing a bunt up the third base line for a base hit.

Kolodny then stole second and was driven home by Brian Conley. Conley snuck a double past the dive of Hagerstown first baseman Brett Newsome to score Kolodny with one out for a 1-0 lead.

Hagerstown responded with two runs in the fifth as the first three men to hit against Delmarva starter Jake Cowan reached base. Marcus Jones led off the inning with a single to right, followed by a double to center by Ramirez, moving Jones to third.

Newsome then dumped a base hit over the head of Shorebirds’ second baseman Ty Kelly to score Jones and knot the game, 1-1.

Suns’ catcher Sandy Leon broke the tie with a fielder’s choice to shortstop that brought home Ramirez from third for the lead.

Delmarva starter Jake Cowan turned in a solid performance on the hill for the ‘Birds but earned a no decision. He went seven innings scattered six hits and two runs and two walks. He struck out seven.

The Shorebirds are back in action Tuesday against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds’ box office at (410) 219-3112. On the mound will be right-hander Matt Hobgood (1-0, 4.66 ERA). Greensboro counters with righty Erik Carrillo (0-2, 11.70).

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PASSING OF ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM DONALD BORDERS

(ANNAPOLIS, MD) – Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Archbishop William Donald Borders, who served as the 13th Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

“I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Archbishop William Donald Borders, who helped guide Baltimore Catholics for over 15 years.

Archbishop Borders spent his life working to advance the common good, including naming the Archdiocese’s first female pastoral director. His good works reminded all of us that there is indeed a unity to spirit and matter. His service in the Lord's name mattered to so many families throughout our State.

Our hearts today are with the countless members of his congregation and our extended Catholic family.”

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO CONTINUE “JOBS ACROSS MARYLAND TOUR” AT SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

Governor to discuss performance measurement practices that increase efficiency and effectiveness and help protect the Chesapeake Bay

ANNAPOLIS, MD
– At the invitation of former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, Governor Martin O’Malley will continue the “Jobs Across Maryland Tour” tomorrow at Salisbury University, where he will address students and faculty on the innovative performance measurement standards he’s implemented as Governor, including the BayStat program. Governor O’Malley will discuss how a more efficient and effective government helps create the conditions for economic growth in tough economic times.

The Governor will discuss these initiatives with a public audience, and later talk with former Congressman Gilchrest’s “Politics and the Environment” class. Governor O’Malley will hold a media availability at approximately 6:30 p.m.


WHAT: Governor O’Malley to continue “Jobs Across Maryland Tour” at Salisbury University

WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Salisbury University
Guerrieri University Center
1101 Camden Avenue
Salisbury

Governor Markell Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary Of Adopt-A-Highway Program

Dover -- Governor Jack Markell today joined Secretary of Transportation Carolann Wicks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Delaware's Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) Program. This celebration recognizes not only the 800+ Adopt-A-Highway volunteers who work each year to keep litter off state roadways, but also several 20 year participants of the program as well as those volunteering the most hours, longest serving volunteer, greatest number of volunteers in a one group, and group collecting the most litter. The celebration is also an opportunity to highlight the benefits of the program in order to create a safer, healthier and cleaner Delaware. Originally established on April 25, 1990, volunteers with the program have logged thousands of hours working to keep Delaware roadway's litter free.

"We're working to make Delaware the best place in the country to build a business and raise a family. People want to live and work in attractive places where's there's a strong sense of community and Adopt-A-Highway delivers on both," Governor Markell said. "It shows that people care and makes Delaware's corridors attractive to residents and visitors alike. Motorists and cyclists also appreciate the beauty of a clean roadway in their daily travels."

The Adopt-A-Highway Program allows individuals, businesses, civic groups, service organizations, communities, church groups, environmentally-conscious groups, and school groups to help keep Delaware litter free. Volunteers "adopt" a two-mile stretch of a state maintained road and agree to conduct a minimum three litter cleanups per year.

"Last year, over 4,371 individual AAH volunteers picked up over 6,000 bags of trash, and spent 1,534 hours cleaning roadsides," said DelDOT Secretary Carolann Wicks.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On April 16, 2010 at approximately 11:30 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the eight hundred (800) block of Hanover Street for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the offices met with an adult male victim who advised that he had been assaulted while attempting to separate two (2) neighbors that were involved in a physical altercation. The victim advised that while attempting to separate the two (2) subjects fighting, another subject approached him and stunned him with a stun gun. The victim was able to identify the below listed suspect. The officers approached the suspect and found that he still had the stun gun in his possession. The suspect was taken into custody and the stun gun was recovered.

ARRESTED: Timothy Matthew Parrott, 19 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: First degree assault
Second degree assault
Possession of a dangerous and deadly weapon
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000015260

On April 17, 2010 at approximately 12:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police responded to a residence on Emory Court in an attempt to serve a warrant. Upon arrival the officers met with the below listed suspect, who was not the subject named on the warrant. The officers entered the residence and observed a smoking device sitting on a table which was found to contain suspected marijuana.

ARRESTED: Susan (nmn) Marinelli, 49 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Release to Central Booking
CC # 201000015352

On April 17, 2010 at approximately 7:30 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Boscovs Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of two (2) shoplifters. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised the officers that store employees had observed the below listed suspects taking clothing from the store without making any attempts at payment. The suspects were pushing a baby carriage and were observed taking clothing and concealing the clothing in the carriage. When checked, the carriage was also found to contain clothing and items taken from the Macys, Sears and J.C. Penney stores. The total value of the items taken was in excess of $ 1,000.00.

ARRESTED #1: Delia Garcia-Velasquez, 25 years of age
Bridgeville, Delaware
ARRESTED #2: Josue Rivera-Gomez, 29 years of age
Bridgeville, Delaware
CHARGES (Both): Theft (under $ 1,000) - (4 counts)
Theft scheme ($ 1,000 to $ 10,000)
DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking
CC # 201000015396

On April 17, 2010 at approximately 9:42 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the area of the Salvation Army for the report of a possible burglary in progress. Upon arrival the officers located the below listed suspect dressed in dark clothing and attempting to escape the area. The suspect had a bag, which he dropped, and when recovered was found to contain tools used to break locks on doors. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had broken locks on several Salvation Army doors, however was interrupted before any property was taken. The suspect was taken into custody.

ARRESTED: James Wesley White, 44 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Second degree burglary
Fourth degree burglary
Malicious destruction of property (2 counts)
Possession of burglary tools
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000015423

Governor's Meeting Today

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, VIRGINIA GOVERNOR McDONNELL, WASHINGTON, DC MAYOR FENTY TO MEET ON REGIONAL ISSUES, HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY

ANNAPOLIS, MD
– Governor Martin O’Malley, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, and Washington, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty will hold a meeting today in Alexandria to discuss regional transportation issues and public safety initiatives. Following the closed-door meeting, the Governors and Mayor will hold a media availability to discuss outcomes of the meeting.

Bob Ehrlich Will Speak At The Baltimore CFA Society Luncheon

Bob Ehrlich will speak at the Baltimore CFA Society Luncheon, "A Review of Legislative Issues and How they are Impacting Maryland Business"

In his continued effort to support Maryland’s small businesses, Bob Ehrlich will speak at the Baltimore Chartered Financial Analyst Society Luncheon, “A Review of Legislative Issues and How they are Impacting Maryland Business”, on Tuesday, April 20th. Ehrlich will discuss policy decisions made in Maryland over the past 10 years that have hurt small businesses and job growth. He will also discuss his plan to repeal the 20% increase in the state sales tax imposed under the O’Malley Administration.


Who: Bob Ehrlich
Baltimore CFA Society

What: A Review of Legislative Issues and How They Are Impacting Maryland Business.

When: Tuesday, April 20th at 12pm.

Where: The Center Club 100 Light Street, Baltimore / 16th Floor, Harbor Room.

Men's Or Coed Softball Teams?????

Joe, could you post on your news site, a listing of men's or coed softball teams, leagues, and how to contact a team / league if you were interested in playing ? I'd love to play, but I don't know how to go about contacting a team or league.

Upper 90 Soccer Academy


The Upper 90 Soccer Academy became the first Boy's soccer team from the Eastern Shore to ever advance to the Maryland State Cup Semi-Finals with a 1-0 overtime win over FC Frederick (#4 MD) yesterday in Jarrettsville, MD. Elmis Mayorga scored with 28 seconds left to secure an exciting win and pit Upper 90 against Olney Rangers (#1 MD) in a match to be held this weekend. Players from Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester, Sussex and Accomac Counties are represented on the Upper 90 roster. The Maryland State Youth Soccer Association runs the annual Maryland State Cup Championships, a part of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. Champions at various ages between 13 and 19 have been crowned since at least 1945.

How Yodeling Began

Have you ever wondered where and how yodelling began?

Many years ago a man was travelling through the mountains of Switzerland
Nightfall was rapidly approaching and he had nowhere to sleep. He went up to a farmhouse and asked the farmer if he could spend the night. The farmer told him that he could sleep in the barn.

As the story goes, the farmer's daughter asked her father, "Who is that man going into the barn?"

"That fellow travelling through," said the farmer. "needs a place to stay for the night, so, I told him he could sleep in the barn."

The daughter said, "Perhaps he is hungry." So she prepared a plate of food for him and then took it out to the barn.

About an hour later, the daughter returned. Her clothing dishevelled and straw in her hair. Straight up to bed she went.


The farmer's wife was very observant. She then suggested that perhaps the man was thirsty. So she fetched a bottle of wine, took it out to the barn, and she too did not return for an hour. Her clothing was askew, her blouse buttoned incorrectly. She also headed straight to bed.

The next morning at sunrise the man in the barn got up and continued on his journey, waving to the farmer as he left.

When the daughter awoke and learned that the visitor was gone, she broke into tears. "How could he leave without even saying goodbye," she cried. "We made such passionate love last night!"

"What?" shouted the father as he angrily ran out of the house looking for the man, who by now was halfway up the mountain.

The farmer screamed up at him, "I'm going to get you! You had sex with my daughter!"

The man looked back down from the mountainside, cupped his hand next to his mouth, and yelled out .....

"LAIDTHEOLADEETOO"