Orioles Magic On And Off The Field: Buses For Baseball Introduces Pediatric Oncology Patients To Baltimore Ballplayers
June 28, 2008
Orioles magic was definitely in the air June 17 and it had nothing to do with the rebuilding franchise earning their major league leading 20th (and counting) come-from-behind win as they took the 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros. The magic was actually displayed before the first pitch was even thrown.
This year, the Cool Kids Campaign and Major League Baseball Players Association partnered up to give pediatric oncology patients and their families a night of fun at Camden Yards and they call it Buses for Baseball. This is how the press release reads: “Buses for Baseball gives underprivileged kids throughout the United States and Canada the chance to attend a Major League game and meet the players. The Players Trust partners with local transit authorities and Major League teams, as well as charitable organizations in all Major League cities, to share the thrill of a big league game with kids…” Continue reading Orioles Magic On And Off The Field: Buses For Baseball Introduces Pediatric Oncology Patients To Baltimore Ballplayers
Dance, Eat, Play And Plunder In Havre de Grace With The Pirates Of The Chesapeake
June 26, 2008
Three hundred and seventy-three years ago, or thereabouts, a small ship attempted to trade with Native Americans at Palmer’s Island, now known as Garrett Island, on the Susquehanna River at the top of the Chesapeake Bay. The ship never made it to the island - it was captured in what was dubbed the first act of piracy in Maryland.
Several centuries later, the Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House in Havre de Grace is celebrating the history of piracy on the Chesapeake with a Pirate Gala on July 12. Aside from eye patches, peg legs, shoulder-mounted parrots, plank-walking and an unimaginable number of scurvy-mouthed “arghs!,” the event will also feature a reggae band, an auction, food and beverage, a costume contest and a re-created pirate encampment. Continue reading Dance, Eat, Play And Plunder In Havre de Grace With The Pirates Of The Chesapeake
An Unofficial Stance On the Board Of Education Nominating Committee As Presented By Tom Fidler
June 24, 2008
It’s ironic, the way Harford County Board of Education President Tom Fidler chose to issue a lecture about the limits on the official authority of the County Council-created Board of Education Nominating Committee on unofficial stationery.
For such a ponderous pronouncement, supposedly agreed upon by the entirety of the Board of Education, you would think Fidler would have used the actual Board of Education seal and letterhead. You know, just to drive home how official the position is. Instead, it looks like he whipped up a cut and paste job at home on Microsoft Word before dashing it off to the Harford County Council.
Continue reading An Unofficial Stance On the Board Of Education Nominating Committee As Presented By Tom Fidler
“With The Fourth Pick Of The 2008 Draft, The Baltimore Orioles Pick…”
June 24, 2008
Brian Matusz.
Who? What about Justin Smoak? What about James Beckham? Was Yonder Alonso still on the board?? These are the questions that rang out by the Oriole faithful when Andy MacPhail and company chose the lefty out of the University of San Diego.
But how does this translate to the future of the Oriole franchise? Let’s take a deeper look.
Was this the right choice? Only time will tell. This is the blueprint that MacPhail follows when he builds a team from the ground up. Trust MacPhail. His track record shows he prefers to stockpile young starting pitchers and then add the free agent slugger. Continue reading “With The Fourth Pick Of The 2008 Draft, The Baltimore Orioles Pick…”
English: Where Will Harford County Public Schools Place Its New Biomedical Services Magnet Program?
June 22, 2008
To the Members of the HCPS Board of Education:
The decision on selecting the school location for the placement of the Biomedical Services Magnet Program is on the BOE agenda for June 23, 2008.
In April, 2006, after the redistricting of secondary schools, enrollment projections for the new secondary school attendance areas were presented. When the grandfathering of redistricted students was complete, BAHS was expected to have 1578 students in 2010. The current Sept. 30, 2007 enrollment projections anticipate 1276 BAHS students in 2010. In less than 18 months, HCPS’s enrollment projection for BAHS shrunk by 302 students, or 19%. Where did the students go?
In May, 2006, the Ed Specs for the new BAHS building included space for the Medical Arts Magnet on the third floor. The issue was brought to the Board for a vote as a highly unusual “non-agenda” item, but was stymied because of the questionable availability of seats to house the program, based on the recent post-redistricting projections noted above. All mention of the magnet program interior design had to be removed from the Ed Specs for the building, although the square footage on the third floor remained as general classroom space. And for 2+ years, the subject has been dormant, and the construction of the new building moved along. Continue reading English: Where Will Harford County Public Schools Place Its New Biomedical Services Magnet Program?
IronBirds Come Back To Aberdeen For Home Opener After Historic Start To Season
June 20, 2008
The Aberdeen IronBirds are set to kick off their Opening Day of the 2008 season after coming home from Hudson Valley with two wins in their pocket. They dropped the finale Thursday night (10-5) but managed to create quite an uproar to get their season started and trek home with a 2-1 record.
History was in the air, both Tuesday and Wednesday night. Wednesday the IronBirds pitching staff platooned to throw the first ever one-hitter. Chris Salberg, Joe Esposito and Brandon Cooney made their mark in Aberdeen’s record book with this feat bringing home a 4-0 shutout win. Continue reading IronBirds Come Back To Aberdeen For Home Opener After Historic Start To Season
An Acidic Snap: The Pleasantries Of Praxis Sauvignon Blanc
June 18, 2008
It’s time for another wine review, and this time two things have changed: 1.) it’s a white instead of a red and 2.) I tasted it with three other people. This time around I took on Praxis Cellars Sauvignon Blanc and of course it is compliments of Wine World in Abingdon.
When I took my first whiff of this one I breathed a deep sigh of satisfaction because a nice aroma of apple and citrus flooded my nostrils. These are the kind of smells I have come to adore from Sauvignon Blancs, which happen to be my favorite white varietal. Next came the tasting. As each person around the table took the first sip, words of praise rang out from two in the bunch. “Oh, I really like it,” said one. “It’s not as dry of a finish for this type of wine,” said another. Continue reading An Acidic Snap: The Pleasantries Of Praxis Sauvignon Blanc
Ekey: “Unacceptable Level Of Failure” In Harford County Public Schools Warrants Scrutiny
June 17, 2008
Dear Mr. Smilko:
The Aegis reported recently that you made the statement that “the dropout rate is decreasing”. In fact, the dropout rate for the Harford County Public Schools for 2007 is the second highest dropout rate out of the past five years. The rates in 2003, 2004, and 2005 were all lower than the rate for 2007. The trend for the dropout rate over the past 8 years does not indicate a consistent, year to year decline.
Please consider the graduation rate as a more appropriate measure of school system success. The graduation rate for 2007 is the third highest in the past decade and started showing sustained improvement in 2003. Continue reading Ekey: “Unacceptable Level Of Failure” In Harford County Public Schools Warrants Scrutiny
Basketball, Video Games And Shirley Temples With Extra Shirley - If Only All Pro Athletes Were Like Aberdeen’s Jai Lewis
June 16, 2008
I didn’t get “jobbed” by poor officiating. There was no weeping. No fainting. International professional basketball player Jai Lewis, as far as I know, didn’t contemplate a trip back into the NFL. (However, there was a time that I contemplated a new career path - more on that later.) No two-on-two with any other suckers looking on. No wheelchairs or off-the-wall antics. It was a night of straight-up fun.
There was a little nail-biting on my part. Jai didn’t get to the ESPN Zone for our big dance till late. It was about 8:45 p.m. So once 8:15 p.m. rolled around, I started clamming up and I wondered, what if he doesn’t show? Nah! By 8:30 p.m. I had called home to have Neil check my email. I texted Brian: “Jai’s not here.” By 8:31 p.m., I was contemplating my chosen career. What was I thinking? I can go back to waiting tables, I can run a snowball stand. Why’d I challenge him? Maybe my taunting went too far - after all he doesn’t really know me? Continue reading Basketball, Video Games And Shirley Temples With Extra Shirley - If Only All Pro Athletes Were Like Aberdeen’s Jai Lewis
One, Two, Three Strikes You’re Out At Ye Olde Ball Game: Vintage Base Ball Club In Havre de Grace Is Looking For Players
June 12, 2008
It’s our great American pastime. Other sports might be more action-packed, hard-hitting and in-your-face, but there’s just something special about the pace of the game, the crack of the bat and the thrill of a home run.
Nothing symbolizes summertime in America more than the underhanded toss of the pitcher, the smack of the ball into a bare, ungloved hand and the unmistakable colored shield adorning the chest of each “ballist.”
There’s nothing quite like good old fashioned base ball - played 19th century style - and it’s coming soon to a field near you. Continue reading One, Two, Three Strikes You’re Out At Ye Olde Ball Game: Vintage Base Ball Club In Havre de Grace Is Looking For Players
