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The Bay in the Balance

Snapshots from Earth Day 2015

Bay Weekly celebrates 22 years this week. On April 22, Earth Day 1993, we appeared as the Paper Committed to the Chesapeake. Like so many, Bay Weekly’s founding family was drawn to Chesapeake Bay. But all of us together exert tremendous pressure on this place we love. How are we doing in finding a sustainable balance?

article – News

– by – 4/16/15

The Cake’s on Us

And ads are half-price

After you’ve filled up on the substance of this week’s issue, you’ll be ready for dessert. We’re serving cake to top off the celebration of our 22nd birthday on Thursday, April 23. Bay Weekly is always free, but only on this day of the year is your second ad — of any pair — free. Single ads are the best bargain of the year, too, at half-price. Place your order in person, by phone or email — with payment — any time up to 5pm April 23 to enjoy this birthday gift.

article – News

– by – 4/16/15

Strange Harvest

Oysterman hauls up archaeological treasure

Sandra Olivetti Martin

A big jug was not what waterman Simon Dean of Solomons was expecting to haul up from the bottom of the Patuxent River in his oyster tongs. As a committed young waterman in partnership with wife Rachel to work the water and — with a new venture, Solomons Island Heritage Tours — introduce visitors to the estuarine experience, Dean knows his Chesapeake. But nothing had prepared him to harvest a botija.

article – History & Lore

News

– by Sandra Olivetti Martin – 4/16/15

Looking to Change the Way We Pay Taxes

Senator Ben Cardin wants a system that’s fair and easy to understand

Sandra Olivetti Martin

Everybody hates taxes, yet we want more and more services from government. Trying to balance those two forces, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin wants to change our entire tax system, which he regards as out of whack, not to mention unfair. The system he’s espousing essentially taxes us when we spend money rather than siphoning it from our paychecks, earnings, dividends and capital gains. Cardin is a Democrat, but many Republicans agree with him. So does Bill Gates.

article – Bay Weekly Interviews

News

People

– by Sandra Olivetti Martin – 4/9/15

Breaking Away

How a 60-something heart-attack survivor found fitness and friendship riding with the Fab Brew Crew

Gary Schmidt

About 5pm on a Tuesday afternoon, I pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of the Inn at Pirates Cove in Galesville. Where was everyone? I had expected the place to be teeming with cyclists. Had I come to the wrong place at the wrong time on the wrong day? Confusion joined doubts that had been growing since I decided to check out the cycling group I heard of from friend John Hoffman.

article – News

People

– by Gary Schmidt – 4/9/15

“Elianna Is …”

A poetry finalist in Maryland’s Young Authors competition

Thomas C. Hall

Of the hundreds of entries submitted in the statewide Young Authors competition, a Shady Side Elementary third-grader is a finalist in the poetry division. Elianna Joelle Coon’s poem “Fall Is …” caught the eye of judges.

article – News

People

– by Thomas C. Hall – 4/9/15

Rolling with the Punches

Cover some miles with Kevin Detwiler to aid Marylanders with disabilities

Michelle Steel

Kevin Detwiler, a contestant in April 25th’s Walk, Run & Roll at Historic St. Mary’s City, rolls with the punches with positive outlook, determination, stamina and lots of exercise. Thirty-six years ago on a March day, then seven-year-old Detwiler got hit with the punch that changed his life. On a bike outing with his family, Detwiler was struck by a car, suffering traumatic brain injury. Doctors feared a permanent vegetative state.

article – News

People

– by Michelle Steel – 4/9/15

Solving the Lightbulb Puzzle

To buy the right bulb, you need to be an engineer

Bob Melamud

In the electrical department of a local big box home improvement store, I couldn’t help but overhear a woman mumbling, “When did things become so complicated?” I drifted in the other direction to avoid the drama. Then I realized she wasn’t talking about her love life. She was trying to buy a light bulb. There were no sales people in sight. I’m not sure if I was motivated by human kindness, chivalry or the need to show off my knowledge from 40 years of electrical engineering. Whatever my reason, I volunteered to help.

article – Green Living

News

– by Bob Melamud – 4/2/15

Last-Minute Donation Keeps Sailing Hall of Fame Afloat

“We want Annapolis to be known as the best city for sailing in the world.”

Thomas C. Hall

The National Sailing Hall of Fame is finally set to launch its next phase, thanks to a $250,000 donation from the Merrill Family Foundation, run by the three children of the late Capital and Washingtonian publisher Philip Merrill. “This comes from two things: our love of sailing and our love of Annapolis,” Cathy Merrill Williams said. “We want Annapolis to be known as the best city for sailing in the world,” she said.

article – Boating

News

– by Thomas C. Hall – 3/26/15

Oysters Meet Their Shuckers

All you can eat plus sides of local culture at the Deale Volunteer Fire Department’s Oyster Roast

Diane Burt

With a toothpick set in the corner of his mouth, Kenny Wilde offers up jive with fresh-shucked oysters. “The toothpick helps to keep a cigarette out of my mouth,” says Wilde, K-MAN to his followers. Wilde works construction most days, though he still holds a Tidal Fishing license so he can harvest oysters. “I went out a few times this fall,” he says. “Enough to remind me it’s hard work.”

article – History & Lore

News

People

– by Diane Burt – 3/26/15

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