John Davis of Motor Week is on Midday today at 1, and we'll talk about the rising sales of compacts and subcompacts. We'd like consumer opinions on Honda Fit, Ford Focus and Toyota Yaris. Owners of those cars can e-mail us at midday@wypr.org
WYPR-FM, noon-2 pm weekdays, 88.1
Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic a Success | |||||||||||||||
More Than 70 Boys and Girls Participate | May 10, 2008 | ||||||||||||||
More than 70 boys and girls from eight Baltimore City Recreation Centers participated in the Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic on May 3, 2008. We were very happy to see some players who had been with the BYLL last year. After a morning of learning the basics, the players put their new skills to the test in a series of fun games including Musical Groundballs and the Numbers Game. Later, the players were treated to pizza and Gatorade. Many of the young participants were excited and ready to go for the start of the BYLL in June. | |||||||||||||||
Musical Groundballs was a hit at the Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic. | |||||||||||||||
Excitement Builds for Beginning of BYLL in June | |||||||||||||||
The players, coaches, and recreation center leaders are pumped about the beginning of the summer season on June 3. Many players left the Spring Clinic expressing how excited they were to come back and receive their free sticks, shorts, and jerseys. The coaches were excited to continue teaching young people the game of lacrosse. | |||||||||||||||
More than 70 boys and girls participated in the Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic. Many had been a part of the 2007 inaugural season. | |||||||||||||||
In an effort to provide the very best for the youth of Baltimore City, The Trilogy Foundation needs your support. 125 new sticks, 120 lacrosse balls, and 40 pizzas were provided to the participants at the Spring Clinic. In addition we are again providing CPR and Positive Coaching Alliance training to all our volunteers. Each player participating in the BYLL will be provided with full pads, jerseys, shorts, and a stick free of charge. The BYLL also provides a lunch at Patterson Park for all players on the game days. In order to maintain this level of service, your support is crucial. Please visit us at www.realitycharity.com/TrilogyFound to donate. | |||||||||||||||
Players learn the basics during a shooting station run by the Trilogy Foundation’s Rob Lindsey. | |||||||||||||||
Questions? E-mail dskeen@calvertschool.org or call 410-243-6054 ext. 192 | |||||||||||||||
Regarding yesterday's column, a friend reminds us of this Cole Porter song: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," from High Society (1956), sung by Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm....
Who wants to be a millionaire? I don't.
Have flashy flunkeys everywhere? I don't.
Who wants the bother of a country estate?
A country estate is something I'd hate!
Who wants to wallow in champagne? I don't.
Who wants a supersonic plane? I don't.
Who wants a marble swimming pool too? I don't.
And I don't `cause all I want is you.
Who wants to be a millionaire? I don't.
Who wants uranium to spare? I don't.
Who wants to journey on a gigantic yacht?
Do I want a yacht? Oh, how I do not!
Who wants a fancy foreign car? I don't.
Who wants to tire of caviar? I don't.
Who wants a private landing field too? I don't.
And I don't `cause all I want is you.
Who wants to be a millionaire? I don't.
And go to every swell affair? I don't.
Who wants to ride behind a liveried chauffeur?
A liveried chauffeur, do I want? No sir.
Who wants an opera box I'll bet? I don't.
And sleep through Wagner at the Met? I don't.
Who wants to corner Cartier's too? I don't.
And I don't 'cause all I want is you.
Increasingly, pushers of illegal drugs are appearing in the Johnston Square area in central-east Baltimore, and the folks at Saint Frances Academy are organizing to send a message that they're not wanted. You might want to consider going there a week from today and joining them in the walk that's set for that day. Here are the details from Ralph E. Moore, Jr., director of the Community Center at SFA:
We will have the entire St. Frances Academy community and its supporters walk the periphery of the Johnston Square neighborhood on Thursday, May 15th starting at 1:30 PM from the front of the school building at 501 E. Chase Street.
The Outside Walk Against Renegade Drugs will be done to send the message that we are asserting ourselves against the increasingly bold drug activity in the neighborhood, including on the campus of St. Frances Academy. We welcome any advice, assistance or resources you can offer to make the march a success: we will invite our neighbors to join us, as we are inviting you.
We don't have much time even for planning meetings as our school year is rapidly drawing to a close. But we can send the message that we're getting organized and we're resisting the ugly drug dealing being done in our faces.
A simple walk... a witness for what's right... a united front! I can be reached at 443-255-5600.
Germano Fabiani, the Germano in Germano's of Little Italy, says his first cabaret was a success and he's planning them weekly. The next is this Thursday evening.
"The Cabaret at GERMANO'S primary purpose is to promote and support the arts in Baltimore by offering local, regional and emerging artists a casual and intimate venue in which they can interact with their audiences. We also welcome to Baltimore performers from outside our area who desire to contribute to our thriving arts community.
"GERMANO’S upstairs dining room is arranged with tables and chairs facing an open performance space. Guests enjoy informal, engaging interaction with singers, actors and musicians either over drinks or along with GERMANO’S well-known Tuscan food specialties.
"The Cabaret Room opens on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. for pre-show dining. The full menu and specials are available in the Cabaret Room. There is a $10 cover for Cabaret performances and a $15 food or drink minimum. Shows begin each Thursday at 7:30 pm. Seating is limited and early reservations are encouraged.
"On May 8, 2008, performing artist Dana Nichole Scott will be featured. Also appearing is Branda Lock. For reservations and information about the upcoming line-up of performers, please visit our website at www.germanostrattoria.com or call GERMANO’S at (410) 752-4515 or e-mail us at cabaret@germanostrattoria.com. Join us!"
"Michael" and "Lydia" are going to be on the Midday show today, 1-2 pm, 88.1 WYPR-FM
My column of Easter Sunday -- about the young man I called Michael and the homeless couple he took into his rented rowhouse -- generated a lot of interest among readers, and questions. Tell us more, people said. Give us updates. I asked Michael to think about sending me, by e-mail, progress reports -- how he's getting along with Lydia and Paul, whether they've found a job. Remember now: I didn't use real names in the column because Michael didn't want to be seen as bragging about his generosity and he really didn't want his landlord and new neigbors to know what he's doing. I changed his name, and those of his new house mates.
Today, the first installment in Michael's reports.
April 7, 2008
People have been asking a lot of questions lately. I think its only
fair that I answer those people.
But, first some context: I work at a large financial institution in
downtown Baltimore. Its a stimulating, exciting job and I enjoy
working there. Everyday after work I walk down to the last floor of a nearaby parking
garage. At the bottom of the stairwell I put "street clothes" over my
suit. I have gotten my changing time to under 30 seconds. Then I trek
all the way to one of the blue-light sections of Baltimore, where I
live.
I don't live in that neighborhood by accident. I chose it with
specific intent to bring the homeless to live with me. I had
planned every detail for months prior to moving. I spent the months
before I moved searching for "roommates." I hung out with drug
addicts, alcoholics, convicts, felons, etc. When I was making my plans
and arrangements for bringing them into my house I planned for
everything, except this -- roommates who could actually apply
themselves, seek work, and coexist in a house with me. I didn't plan
for people who have dreams and are willing to work to achieve them.
It's now getting to a point where we are just people living together in
a house. We eat together, play games, talk about life, and strategize
on how to get jobs.
Anyways, more than a month has passed and I can say that I am still
alive, still employed, and still in my parent's good graces. I have
yet to be discovered, so far. (My employer and parents don't know this
is happening)
Things at the house have been surprisingly peaceful. I think we are
all getting very comfortable with each other. However, we have still
not secured steady work.
Lydia passed a drug test and got her old waitressing job back, but she tells me that they over hired and so she has to wait a bit before she can get regular shifts. She has a really
bad toothache, but is working on getting it pulled. Paul is skilled at
home improvements and carpentry. Paul claims that he is going to start
work on a deck for someone who will pay him as well as provide tools.
We'll see if that works out. He also recently got mugged in the
neighborhood. That was a really bad night. His whole days earnings
were taken.
I consider this time period to be search-and-destroy mode. I am
finding that Paul and Lydia have walls blocking them from physically
and mentally achieving what they want. I am focused on identifying the
walls one by one. Once I can see them, then I can break them. We have
broken several walls so far, but we still have a ways to go.
Basically, I know I can't do this alone, so I'm trying to reach out
to anyone who wants to help.
I checked out a group called National Student Partnerships. They read
Dan's article and were really excited when I came to visit them. They
really want to help us out. So now it's just a matter of getting Paul
and Lydia to the meeting. They both seemed interested and willing to
go. That will probably happen next week.
Also, I met a guy who does construction work for a living; he works on
the Virginia shore. I invited myself down for a few days to see what
he does and better understand the construction world. That
understanding will help me get Paul a job. I spent this weekend at
a different construction site in Maryland. Paul doesn't have a
GED so it makes calling in for a job a bit difficult. I think the
answer lies in actually getting into the "construction" network and
then using connections to find him work.
There are so many challenges to finding work, so many obstacles to
overcome. But the way I see it, we only have one option: victory.
I am often told, "You should start a charity." My response: no thanks,
we have plenty of charities, soup kitchens, and shelters. They are all
doing necessay and good work. I am not starting a charity. I am not
criticizing the city or the system. I am not raising awareness about
the homeless cause. I am not an "example." I am simply living in my
house with some homeless people, who have become housemates, who have become
friends.
I am also asked, "Is it safe?" My response: No, it's not safe at
all, but it is good. And I think good gets better, much better.
I would like to invite Maryland businesses to this event: "Beyond The Bars, A Symposium on Reentry in Maryland” at the University of Maryland School of Law on May 20, 2008. If your company has been considering getting in the game of hiring ex-offenders -- with the idea that, hey, it might help slow the revolving doors on our costly Maryland prisons -- then you might want to get more information about the whole re-entry scene. Owners of businesses, human resources executives -- you, more than anyone, need to know about this.
Otherwise, these forums become just more preaching to the choir.
Each year, the Maryland State Bar Association's Leadership Academy creates a public service project. This year, it's “Beyond the Bars." They want to bring together and educate people, including employers, about reentry services for inmates returning to communities across the state. I'll be there, as will several government and community representatives. Seating is limited, so you need to RSVP.
The Leadership Academy Fellows are partnering with the University of Maryland's Center for Substance Abuse Research for a database of public and private statewide resources and programs available for ex-offenders. The information will be available on their website at www.mdcsl.org, which will be highlighted at the Symposium as well.
"Our research shows that Maryland's recidivism rate remains at more than 50 percent," says Tracy L. Steedman, organizer of the event. "By raising awareness of the resources currently available to re-entering individuals regarding opportunities for vocational training, employment and substance abuse treatment, the Leadership Academy Fellows hope that their efforts will aid in decreasing the rates of recidivism."
For more information, go to www.beyhondthebarsmd.org
Or contact organizers at info@beyondthebarsmd.org. If you plan to attend, RSVP today.
There isn't much about youth ice hockey that's cheap, much less free. It costs between $800 and $1,800 a year to play this sport in the Baltimore region, depending on the level of a child's skill and commitment (and a parents' willingness to pay for the sport and drive to the rink). But if your kids come to love this particular sport -- often over all others in the fall and winter -- you usually go with it. Parents find ways to make it happen for their kids. Hockey, unlike other sports, covers two seasons, from fall through late winter, which adds to the cost. (The main expense is ice time, which can run up to $300 an hour in our area.)
I mention this because there are a couple of events coming up Saturday where kids can get a taste of hockey for free. Both are sponsored by Baltimore Youth Hockey, a non-profit club I've been associated with since my college-bound son was 6.
Free ice hockey clinics for boys and girls
Boys and girls from 6 to 16, who wish to give ice hockey a try, are invited to two free Let's Play Hockey events on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at new Reisterstown rink in the morning, and at Ice World in Harford County in the afternoon. Prospective players will try on equipment and get on the ice with coaches and experienced players. There is no charge and no registration necessary prior to the event.Parents should RSVP at byhstars@aol.com
Baltimore County: Reisterstown Sportsplex: May 10, 2008, 9:40 AM - 11:30 AM on the ice.
Please arrive for your fitting, registration and instructions between 8:30 and 9 am.
Harford County: Ice World, Abingdon, Md. May 10, 2008, 4:00 PM-5:15 PM. on the ice.
Please arrive for your fitting, registration and instructions between 3:00 and 3:30 pm
Alan Foreman, who serves as counsel to the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and -- whether he enjoys it or not -- point man for slots in Maryland, took part in a debate with Aaron Meisner, of Stop Slots Maryland, recently on the Midday show. It was a good discussion, with Meisner challenging a lot of the claims and promises of tax relief for Marylanders. (In a future debate, we've really got to get someone from the Democratic leadership in the state to stand up for the pro-slots side. Having Foreman as spokesman for that side suggests it's the horse-race industry that will benefit most from 15,000 slot machines in Maryland.)
Anyway, here's Foreman with a follow-up to the radio debate:
"In my appearance with Aaron Meisner last week, I stated that slots in Pennsylvania had begun to generate significant property tax relief for homeowners, which was one of the purposes for legalizing slots in Pennsylvania. Meissner said that there had been no such relief and you and I noted that they had only been operational for a short time.
"This is hot off the press. There are only 5 sites operational at this time. Philadelphia has begun receiving $613 million in property tax relief from slots play. There has been one previous reduction and this one will result in homeowners in the Philadelphia suburbs receiving another $139.20 in tax reductions from this distribution.
"The overall property tax reduction averages $254 per homeowner, with reductions as high as $623 in Chester Upland in Delaware County to $75 in Upper Merion (upper class) in Montgomery County.
In addition, there will be a reduction of $86.5 million in wage-tax relief for Philadelphia. Thirty-seven suburban Philadelphia school districts will get an additional $17 million to make up for wage- taxes their residents pay in Philadelphia. I don't think anyone in Philadelphia and surrounding areas is calling slots evil."
Today on Midday: Douglas Blackmon, author of this new book on the age of neoslavery -- between the Civil War and World War II: The time of Joe Turner.
From Random House: "Under laws enacted specifically to intimidate blacks, tens of thousands of African-Americans were arbitrarily arrested, hit with outrageous fines, and charged for the costs of their own arrests. With no means to pay these ostensible “debts,” prisoners were sold as forced laborers to coal mines, lumber camps, brickyards, railroads, quarries, and farm plantations. Thousands of other African-Americans were simply seized by southern landowners and compelled into years of involuntary servitude. Government officials leased falsely imprisoned blacks to small-town entrepreneurs, provincial farmers, and dozens of corporations—including U.S. Steel—looking for cheap and abundant labor. Armies of “free” black men labored without compensation, were repeatedly bought and sold, and were forced through beatings and physical torture to do the bidding of white masters for decades after the official abolition of American slavery. The neoslavery system exploited legal loopholes and federal policies that discouraged prosecution of whites for continuing to hold black workers against their wills. As it poured millions of dollars into southern government treasuries, the new slavery also became a key instrument in the terrorization of African Americans seeking full participation in the U.S. political system."
Noon on Midday, 88.1, WYPR-FM
WYPR: Midday with Dan Rodricks
Dan Rodricks' election quizzes
Do you know Maryland politics? Test your knowledge with a 10-question game.
Dear drug dealers
Dan Rodricks' campaign to help Baltimore residents "get out of the game."
Rodricks talks about his column on NPR
