$54M dry cleaners suit inspires Md. bill
March 4, 2008
In case you haven’t heard: Judge Roy Pearson’s ridiculous multimillion dollar lawsuit against a D.C. dry cleaners is being taken seriously in Maryland’s legislature, The Washington Post reports. Del. Barbara A. Robinson (D-Baltimore) testified yesterday on her proposal (PDF) that dry cleaners be held financially responsible for damaged clothing.
Speaking of our state government, the Pew Center on the States gave it a “B” grade for effectiveness in a recent ranking. Andy Rosen writes about it on Eye on Annapolis.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMd. pizza supplier donates to week-long food drive
March 4, 2008
Maybe I’ve just been hungry at work, but I feel that pizza’s been in the news a lot lately.
Yesterday, I ran an Uncover story about the rising cost of wheat used to make pizza crusts, which is leading some pizza makers to offer alternative menu choices and consider raising prices. The cost of cheese has also grown.
But that didn’t stop Joe Corbi’s from donating 10,000 pizza kits this week to the Harvest for the Hungry spring food drive. The drive runs through Saturday.
From the press release:
While our country continues to enjoy high economic prosperity, there are still 31 million Americans who are at risk of hunger or malnutrition. To date, Harvest for the Hungry campaigns have collected food and funds worth more than $30,000,000.
“We are thrilled about our ongoing partnership with Joe Corbi’s,” comments Deborah Flateman, CEO of the Maryland Food Bank. “They are one of the organizations that continue to give to the Maryland Food Bank. In these times of financial uncertainty, we must remember that we are all fragile.”
Joe Corbi’s was founded in Columbia, Md., 25 years ago, and has become a popular source of fundraising for PTAs, little league teams and clubs. According to the company Web site, Joe Corbi got his start at the Baltimore Pizza Crust Company, which produced and distributed pizza crusts throughout Maryland.
To participate in this week’s Harvest food drive, leave a bag of non-perishable food by your mailbox and local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or Postal Service carriers will pick it up.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentAsleep on the job? Not this week.
March 3, 2008
Here’s a national debt that gets little press: our national sleep debt. It affects all of us, and every morning we hit the “snooze” we are paying the price.
Today is the start of National Sleep Week, reports Sleep Services of America, a Glen Burnie-based company that is urging Americans to spend more time sleeping in bed rather than at their desks.
A survey of 1,000 people found participants average only six hours and 40 minutes of sleep a night on weeknights, and roughly one-third said they had fallen asleep or become very sleepy at work in the past month.
Personally, I’m surprised it’s only one-third.
Just how big a deal drowsiness is depends, of course, on your job, the AP writes.
Recently, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the NRC should have investigated a tip that security guards often took naps on the job at a Pennsylvania nuclear plant. (They did so only after a videotape of guards sleeping at the plant surfaced several months later).
And sleeping at work can dictate catching up at home; the study found workdays are getting longer and time spent working at home averages 4.5 hours each week.
Here’re some tips for good sleep:
- Establish a regular sleep schedule to help set your body’s internal clock
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine close to bedtime
- Exercise regularly but avoid doing so at least three hours before bed
- Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and cool
And maybe try to sleep in a bit more? The National Sleep Foundation says our average wake up is at 5:35 a.m.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMarylanders: Fear the Python
February 28, 2008
“Pythons could slither north as climate warms.”
It sounds like the basis for a horror movie, but it’s not. It’s a headline from Silver Spring-based Discovery Communications.
According to Larry O’Hanlon at Discovery News, the 20-foot, 250-pound reptiles could survive in multiple states by the year 2100 (at that point our climate may resemble their native India or Pakistan).
“The big snakes could comfortably creep through Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware and southern New Jersey,” he writes.
Well, they can have southern Jersey, as far as I’m concerned.
Of course, they’ve already immigrated to the U.S. A few years ago, researchers discovered a self-sustaining population of Burmese pythons in the Florida everglades - probably the result of a pet released into the wild (Snakehead, anyone?). Since then pythons have been spotted in other regional parks and preserves.
If their mere presence isn’t frightening enough, this fact could do it: they eat alligators. ALLIGATORS. (There’s a photo in that link that is worth clicking on. Trust me).
The story concludes, “USGS researchers are also looking into the potential for similar invasions by nine species of giant constrictors, including boa constrictors and yellow anacondas, which are common in the pet snake trade.”
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentCritics cry foul over chicken sandwich slogan
February 28, 2008
Sheetz’s new “Crispy Frickin’ Chicken” billboards are causing a stir for the use of fowl - sorry, foul - language.
From the AP story:
The campaign is aimed at young adults, and the company did not intend to offend anyone, [Spokeswoman Monica] Jones said.
“We’re kind of known for edgy, kind of brash advertising tactics, and we knew this would spark a certain amount of controversy,” Jones said. “That said, we’re proud of the campaign.”
The 100 billboards will be taken down when the campaign ends on Wednesday.
Sheetz Inc. is based in Altoona, Pa., but operates stores in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentJudge’s reprimand for Supremes comment “shows progress”
February 27, 2008
So says Lynn Hecht Schafran, director of the National Judicial Education Program, in a post at Ms. JD.
Maryland Judge W. Kennedy Boone was reprimanded last month for calling three African-American women lawyers “the Supremes” and advising the defendant to “get an experienced male attorney.”
CARYN TAMBER, Legal Affairs Writer
Sphere: Related ContentSwitch to digital TV could affect ‘vulnerable populations’
February 22, 2008
In less than a year, your television signal could go black. No Jeopardy, no Wheel of Fortune, no daytime soaps.
That is, if you receive your broadcast signal through the TV’s antenna. And, while no one I know of uses the “plug in and go” method of television reception, Maryland’s chapter of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group says the scheduled switch to a digital broadcast signal could affect “elderly and other vulnerable populations” that rely on the free over-the-air analog broadcasting.
Congress mandated a digital transition plan in 1996. Now, less than one year out from the switch on Feb. 17, 2009, Maryland PIRG’s Web site has posted some useful information for consumers who may be affected – about 22 million Americans, according to the site.
For example, the government is offering up to two $40 coupons per home to offset the cost of the most basic converters. According to the government, a converter box will cost between $50 and $70. A report issued by PIRG details more on the process.
An e-mail sent out today by the group addresses other issues. Such as, if you subscribe to cable or satellite television, you won’t need to buy a converter. However some providers may move some or all of their programming to a digital tier, which could cost more in monthly fees.
It also says if you live in an area with poor or low reception that low-power television stations are not required to go all-digital after the due date and viewers in these areas should contact their station for details.
Is anyone excited about a national transition to fancier technology? Or do you hate the idea of a government mandate that may cost us all more money?
LIZ FARMER, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentMayhem: is it worth your DNA?
February 14, 2008
Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to expand how Maryland uses DNA to fight crime. As of now, the state only takes samples from convicted felons. O’Malley would like to see that expanded to people arrested for violent crimes and burglary. All of this makes sense, of course, but I couldn’t help but notice one of the crimes listed that the governor wants to require DNA samples for.
Sandwiched in between manslaughter and maiming (two clear-cut offenses) is the crime of all crimes: mayhem. That’s right, folks, mayhem.
In my days as a hellion teenager (you can see the demon seed beginning to sprout in my childhood picture posted on reporter Robbie Whelan’s K-9 blog) I committed many offenses that now, apparently, are DNA-worthy. I mean, instigating anarchy, chaos and, yes, mayhem kept me going through those difficult years. Sorry, Afterschool Special, but you just didn’t get through to me.
So here’s a warning to any wayward youth out there: I know how you feel, but mayhem isn’t the answer.
Francis Smith, Special Publications Assistant Editor
Sphere: Related ContentEmbracing the ‘Potomac Primary’
February 11, 2008
If you’re still getting used to the idea that your primary vote carries significant weight this time around, you’re not alone. I felt like I couldn’t escape the campaign ads all weekend.
Though predictions have been swirling about the impending “sweep” by Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, some voters are still undecided. Here’s your guide to the metropolitan-area movements of the presidential candidates today, in case you’d like to take one in:
BARACK OBAMA
- Rally at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; Free, public
- Rally at the 1st Mariner Area, Baltimore. Doors open at 2:45 p.m.; Free, public; RSVP encouraged
HILLARY CLINTON
After speaking yesterday in Bowie, the District and Manassas, Va., here’s the Clintons’ schedule for today:
Hillary: Will tour the GM Allison Transmission Plant in White Marsh, Md. and will speak at UVA in Charlottesville, Va. She’ll also take part in a Politico/ABC7 forum this evening.
Bill: Will speak in Fredericksburg, Roanoke and Fairfax, Va.
JOHN MCCAIN
- Rally in Richmond, Va. at Richmond International Airport. Begins at 5:30 p.m.; 5701 Hunstman Road
Have you already visited a local rally or speech? What were your impressions?
Above: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley during a town hall meeting at Bowie State University in on Sunday, Feb. 10. (AP Photo/Baltimore Sun, Kenneth K. Lam)
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentVilla Julie: What’s in a name?
February 8, 2008
In another of a series of changes at Villa Julie College, Shelton Rhodes Ph.D. would be the new business school’s first-ever dean.
The move comes as school officials are also brainstorming on what to re-name the 60-year old college, which will be re-christened as a university.
According to a press release from the school, a total of about 80 names were originally suggested to the naming committee. From those, six finalists were selected and are now being reviewed by focus groups.
The names, in no particular order from Villa Julie’s Web site are:
- Billiart University — This name comes from the school’s founder, Sister Julie Billiart.
- Stevenson University — From the Villa Julie Web site, this name was selected because it reflected “the rural and sentimental roots of the College.”
- Tufton University — Pays homage to a community that lies between the Stevenson and Owings Mills campuses of the school.
- Great Oaks University — Inspired by seven oak trees on the college’s original grounds not to mention its legacy fund.
- Sagamore University — Chosen because it is the name of an estate that lies between the Stevenson and Owings Mills campuses.
- Greenspring University — I figured it was because the main campus was on Greenspring Valley Road. But, according to the site this name was inspired by “the valley, roads and history connecting our two campuses the “green” motif.”
BEN MOOK, Assistant Business Editor
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