Thursday, May 24, 2012
A Reisterstown Patch reader thanks Patch and offers information for veterans looking for jobs.
Dear Mr. Shapiro, Please allow me to introduce myself. As Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), I have responsibility for VA’s education (GI bill), vocational rehabilitation and employment and guaranteed home loan programs. Additionally, my office assists in coordinating many veteran employment efforts and works collectively with the Department of Labor (DOL) and other federal agencies to promote and impact nationwide veteran employment. I came across the Reisterstown Patch article entitled “Help Wanted? Hire a Vet” and I would like to personally thank you for the valuable service your newspaper is providing to this deserving group of individuals. There is a new benefit called the …
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Greater Kingsville Civic Association is expected to receive $500 from the Baltimore County Historical Trust.
Much of Kingsville's history isn't written in books—rather, it's recorded in the memories of the community's longtime residents. Charlie Wolpoff, president of the Greater Kingsville Civic Association, said he intends to preserve that history with the help of a $500 grant from the Baltimore County Historical Trust, announced by County Councilman David Marks on Tuesday. "Kingsville has such a rich history to begin with. A lot of residents have memories themselves or in their families. It's important to document it while it's still there," Wolpoff said. The grant is expected to be presented on June 19. Wolpoff said the group plans to purchase video equipment, microphones and a tri-pod, and possibly editing equipment in the future. "We'd like …
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
How to begin the process of potty training your toddler.
Transitioning your toddler out of diapers is no easy task. But knowing when to start the process is critical to success. If you start too early, you’re only going to frustrate your child, and drag out the process. Recently, my 2-year-old has started the very disgusting habit of taking off his messy diapers. This is all fine and good if I’m in the same room, but it’s horrible when I notice he’s naked 10 minutes later, and then have to clean up the mess. This behavior has clued me in that he is quite ready to start potty training. While many developmental milestones are clear cut, the ability to go diaper-free is not one of them. There is no magic age at which a child is ready to potty train. Some children are ready as early as 15 months, …
Monday, May 21, 2012
Two recently announced retail additions help to fill long-standing vacancies in two area shopping centers.
Two recent announcements of retail options coming to our area are clearly good news for Perry Hall shoppers. Last week, it was announced that Giant Food has chosen to open a new grocery store at the site of the former Superfresh, within the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center. Just a couple of days later, department store chain Boscov's indicated that they will be returning to their former location at White Marsh Mall. Collectively, these two announcements are a good indication that efforts to reach out to the business community have started to bear fruit. The willingness of these two significant retail operators to look to the Perry Hall area for business expansion is good news for everyone. It's important to note that these are but the …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Mom needs time away from the kids, even on Mother’s Day weekend.
I love my kids, more than life. I would do anything for them, and I do. But honestly, there comes a time, when a mom needs a little space. This past weekend was Mother’s Day, and Friday my co-worker asked me—“What do you have planned for Mother’s Day weekend?” He laughed at me when I said, "Oh, we’re doing some family stuff, but I’ve got a sitter Saturday night for some much needed kid-free time.” I guess that doesn’t put me in the running for "Mother of the Year," if I’m gloating about my exciting free time on Mother’s Day weekend. Friday night we hit Chuck E. Cheese, and on Saturday, my oldest had a baseball game. But then I got to spend the afternoon getting a makeover before having a kid-free dinner with friends. On Sunday, actually …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Marylanders need to understand the magnitude of cuts on the table—as well as the revenue proposals up for debate—as our legislature goes back to work on the state budget.
Since the Maryland General Assembly adjourned at midnight on April 9—with fiscal uncertainties still rampant—there has been extensive debate as to where things really stand. With legislators reconvening today to assess the situation and consider alternatives, it is vital for all of us to understand the stakes. By now, everyone realizes that the budget that ended up being approved on the last day of session was actually never meant to succeed. Legislative leaders introduced the "doomsday budget," which contains a host of unpopular program cuts, in order to pressure lawmakers to approve a range of revenue enhancements, as well as a shift of teacher pension costs to the counties. Here is a quick look at the package of cuts that make up the …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Celebrate moms this week. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13.
It’s just after 3 a.m. and I’m finally crawling back to bed because my toddler has been up with a stomach ache. As I drift back to sleep, my 5-year-old taps my shoulder. He’s sobbing because he’s had a bad dream. I settle him back in his bed—all while my husband slumbers undisturbed. Sound familiar? Yeah, this parenting gig is tough. I’ve come to the conclusion that the midnight to morning shift is definitely the hardest part. It leaves me frustrated with lack of sleep, jealous of my sleeping husband and doubling up on coffee in the morning. Yet, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Motherhood is something you can’t prepare for and has the broadest job description you’ll ever come across. And the pay ... well, I won’t even go there. Some …
Monday, May 7, 2012
As Maryland seeks a new Secretary of Transportation, it is important to take a look at the challenges the department will face in the years ahead.
Beverley Swaim-Staley announced last week that she will leave her post as Maryland's secretary of transportation, effective in July. As the O'Malley administration initiates its search for a new leader, let's consider the issues facing the new secretary on his/her first day on the job. Department of Transportation (MDOT) is perhaps the state's largest agency—at least in terms of scope of operations, number of personnel (more than 10,000), and budgeted funds (well over $3 billion annually). MDOT consists of five modal administrations covering aspects of transportation individual citizens are likely to use (highways, ports, transit, motor vehicles and airports). Additionally, the independent Maryland Transportation Authority has …
Friday, May 4, 2012
Being a leader is more that just holding a position or office. True leaders must exemplify a number of fundamental qualities.
Recently, I have been thinking about what it means to be an effective leader. How do we recognize that a particular individual has the qualities that are likely to make them good at moving an organization or a community forward? In order to answer this question, I have culled through the thoughts of a number of leaders. I offer the following as core traits that any person must exemplify, should they wish to be seen as a leader worth following. 1. "Don’t tell people how to do things; tell them what to do and let them surprise you with the results." General George S. Patton I was somewhat surprised to find this quote from the World War II general known to his troops as "Old Blood and Guts." Perhaps even more so, the fact that the notion of …
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Here are some items that belong on new and expectant moms' baby registries.
Even though my youngest is only 2, I find myself walking through Babies 'R Us thinking, “I wish they had that when my son was a baby.” There are so many products to make life with baby a little easier. During the first few months, I know I bought just about anything that would help me sleep, free up my hands to fold laundry or allow me to take a shower. I’ve tried so many gadgets and gimmicks, I'm now a self-proclaimed baby gear expert. Here are my top four must-have products that helped me survive those early months. And here are a few new products. While I haven’t tested them myself, they seem incredibly smart for new parents. Like this travel pillow, which is a very creative solution, given that my son always slumped over in the …
Dottie Cordwell
6:52 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
This is wonderful news! We have lived in Kingsville since 1984. There is so much history here. Some of the homes were part of the under ground railroad during the Civil War. more ›