Features (All)

Article - News; by Aries Matheos - 9/16/10

Fire Weather

September’s low humidity feels good, but it can spark fires

Was the Sunday shower of .66 inches of rain enough to extinguish the “critical fire weather conditions” blanketing over half of Maryland? The rain “wasn’t enough to alleviate the drought conditions,” according to Monte Mitchell, the State Fire Supervisor with the Maryland Fire Service. “Until we start getting in a regular pattern of rainfall,” drought — and with it the danger of wildfires — is here to stay. Forty percent of Maryland...

Article - People; by Vicki Marsh - 9/16/10

Better with Age

Senior ShowStoppers dance circles around stereotypes

Sultry women draped in gossamer, adorned with trinkets and coins, shimmy their hips on the main stage. All the women gyrating are over 70; some are in their early 80s. These members of Joanne DeWilde’s belly dancing troupe are just a fraction of the elite entertainment group called The Senior ShowStoppers. Phyllis Laser and husband Larry dance the Tennessee Waltz. The ShowStoppers tour Anne Arundel County with an eclectic performance featuring musicians, singers,...

Article - Features; by Katie Dodd - 9/16/10

Running into Trouble

From start to finish, the Annapolis 10-miler pushed me way past my comfort zone

The humid air carries a buzz of excitement as 4,585 people packed in the early morning shade of Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on August 29 stretch their limbs in anticipation of the impending race. This 10-mile run is the culmination of my weeks of training through another hot, humid Annapolis summer. It’s also the fulfillment of a goal I’ve had for years of watching the race from the sidelines — to be running on the other side of the fence. “It’s an adventure...

Article - News; by Sandra Olivetti Martin with Katie Dodd - 9/9/10

Bay Weekly’s Primary Primer

Who’s who on your September ballot — and why you should care, whether or not you’re a September voter

We understand. We’ve all had so much on our minds. election day is upon us. Indeed, early voting — brought to us by last year’s General Assembly — gave us six days to vote (September 3-8, except Sunday) before traditional Election Day, September 14. So you’ve come to your last chance to interview the people you’ll be hiring to manage your public — and as often as not, very private — life. With Bay Weekly’s 2010 Primary Primer in hand, you...

Article - Places; by Bay Weekly staff - 9/9/10

Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum’s Annual Affair...

It only sounds ritzy.

Sunflowers and flowering grasses stuffed into mason jars atop picnic tables covered by red and white checkered tablecloths decorate the park’s Pavilion, a fully-renovated historical barn. Flickering lanterns add to the homespun charm. A generous spread and open bar keep you fed and watered. The lively auctions — both silent and live — give you a head start on holiday shopping. Awaiting your bid: Jewelry, sports tickets, gift baskets, fine art, romantic getaways, surfing...

Article - Places; by Bay Weekly staff - 9/9/10

The American Chestnut Land Trust’s Annual Auction...

On September 26, celebrate all things local, starting with community farming on ACLT land.

“This year kicked off our CSA,” says spokesperson Joy Woppert. Named Double Oak Farm, the garden was planted on farmland that had been fallow for years. The other local milestone ACLT is celebrating is the planned Prince Frederick Overlook Trail. The new seven-and-half-mile trail will connect an existing trail to Prince Frederick’s Main Street. Capping off the busy year is Locally Yours. Calvert caterer Dream Weaver will be filling bellies with menu items made using...

Article - Creature Feature; by Diana Beechener - 9/2/10

Are You in Good Paws?

These pet insurance claims will make you check your policy

Insurance covers many members of your family, including the furry ones. The nation’s oldest pet insurance company, Veterinary Pet Insurance, rewards the most daring clients with its annual VPI Hambone Award, celebrating the most unusual claim. This is not the Darwin Awards. All pets considered for the competition have made full recoveries if not learned their lesson. The 12 most bizarre insurance claims are posted on the VPI website, where readers and pet fanciers vote for their favorite...

Article - People; by Diana Beechener and Margaret Tearman - 9/2/10

America’s Deadliest Job

A Bay Weekly conversation with the captains of Deadliest Catch, Sig Hansen and brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand

For six seasons, the Discovery Channel’s reality show Deadliest Catch has followed Bering Sea crab boats on their quest to find king and opilio crab. The conditions are dangerous: Freezing temperatures adding dangerously heavy ice to over-laden boats, mountainous waves careening across the decks and heavy machinery swinging overhead. This is a job where men are men and women are nearly non-existent. The perilous profession is ranked the deadliest job in America. The show is ranked as...

Article - People; by introduction by Margaret Tearman - 9/2/10

Back to Work

Celebrating Labor Day

Where oh where did summertime go? Even though the weather will likely remain warm for at least another month, the calendar tells us it’s the end of summer — marked by the arrival of Labor Day. The long weekend pleads for one more picnic, one more barbecue, one more nap in the hammock. Then vacation is over. Labor Day traditionally means it’s time to put away the white shoes, deflate the pool floats, pull out the marigolds and plant mums. But Labor Day wasn’t established...

Article - Creature Feature; by Sandra Olivetti Martin - 8/26/10

This Week’s Creature Feature

Maryland’s Most Humane Lawmakers

The Maryland General Assembly is a pretty animal-friendly place, according to the Maryland Humane Scorecard released this month. Across both houses, 117 of 188 members scored 75 percent or higher; only 12 legislators scored less than 50 percent. Forty lawmakers — six senators and 34 delegates — scored 100 percent. Representing Anne Arundel and Calvert, House Speaker Michael Busch (District 30) and Del. James Proctor ((District 27A) are 100-percenters. Eight lawmakers scored even...