Carroll County Times Editorial for Sunday, July 20, 2008: Westminster shutting out the public

Carroll County Times Editorial for Sunday, July 20, 2008: Westminster shutting out the public

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/07/22/news/opinion/editorial/editorial572.txt

Last week's aborted attempt by Westminster officials to circumvent the bidding process for a multi-million dollar roadwork contract was just the latest in a string of questionable actions that should have residents concerned about how their government is being run and whether the city is fiscally sound.

In May, the city advertised as required by law that it would not be lowering the tax rate to maintain a constant yield with rising revenue. As tax and assessment revenues increase, the state says that governments should lower the tax rate to maintain a constant yield. If they don't, they have to advertise the defacto tax increase.

Most municipalities don't decrease taxes, so Westminster not doing so wasn't unusual. What was unusual, however, was that city officials could provide no expense numbers prior to the May constant yield hearing, and they could not explain how they knew they would need additional tax revenue if they didn't have the expense numbers.

To further muddy the picture, the city then produced a "narrative" budget, touting it as easier to follow and good for residents. The narrative, however, did not include a breakdown of revenues and expenses.

Not surprisingly, with no real numbers and scant facts on expenses and revenues available, few people attended the constant yield hearing.

Weeks later, after not holding a public hearing on the budget, and with little discussion of the budget in open sessions, the council approved the current fiscal year's budget.

Officials never could explain why they didn't want to hold a public hearing.

Given the lack of open discussion, as well as the unavailability of real budget numbers, residents may be concerned that either their council voted on something they had no real knowledge of, or the council talked secretly - and illegally - outside public meetings to hash out the details and hid that from residents.

Last week, the city announced it would be firing several employees and consolidating some positions in an effort to save money. The week before, the city had to hold an emergency meeting in order to give the mayor the authority to sign for a $3.5 million loan for road projects. Originally city officials planned to circumvent the bidding process and give the contract to C.J. Miller. But last week they thought better of ignoring the city charter on putting contracts out to bid and removed the rubber stamp approval from the constent agenda.

Juggling the intricacies of a municipal government can be challenging for anyone, and there are sure to be missteps along the way. But what has emerged in Westminster since the beginning of this year's budget process is more than a few simple missteps and more closely resembles a concerted effort to hide the city's finances from public view.

The mayor and council need to return to the basic concept of doing public business at public meetings. They need to stop treating the public as intruders, and they need make a full accounting of the city's finances and why they have thrown up so many barriers to public participation in the budget process this year.

20080720 Carroll County Times Westminster shutting out the public

Westminster Governance open and transparent govt, Westminster Mayor 200505 to 2009 Thomas K. Ferguson

Taylorsville United Methodist Church sermons by Pastor Sarah Dorrance

Taylorsville United Methodist Church sermons by Pastor Sarah Dorrance

July 24, 2008

Full link to download sermons: http://www.taylorsvilleumc.org/Sermons/

July 6, 2008: “Divine Appointments” Isaiah 52: 6-9 ; Romans 10: 9-15
2008-07-06 divine appointments.mp3

July 13, 2008: “God of all Comfort” Psalm 40: 1-5; 1-2; 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
2008-07-13 God of all comfort.mp3

July 20, 2008: “Blessed to be a Blessing” Genesis 12: 1-5; Romans 4: 13-16
2008-07-20 blessed to be a blessing.mp3

July 27, 2008: “Why am I a Methodist?” Matt 22: 34-40; Ephesians 2: 1-8

4356 Ridge Road
Mt Airy, MD 21771

Tel: 410-875-4101

Office Hours: Mon. & Wed. 9:00 am—Noon
Other Office Hours by appointment
E-mail:taylorsvilleumc@comcast.net

Schedule of Special Events

August 3rd– 6:00 pm Pizza and movie night for youth with Pastor Sarah. Come talk about next year’s plans.

August 24th Church Picnic—All are invited! Worship will be at 10:30 am at the Lions Club Ball Field. We will have worship outside, pot luck lunch, softball, games and more.

Worship—Every Sunday at 11:00 am
Sunday School at 9:45 am

Related: For other posts and information on Taylorsville United Methodist Church see:

religion taylorsville united or Religion Taylorsville United Methodist Church or Religion Taylorsville United Methodist Church

Taylorsville United Methodist Church videos on Kevin Dayhoff’s YouTube account

20080724 Taylorsville United Methodist Church sermons by Pastor Sarah Dorrance

Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff – July 23, 2008

Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff – July 23, 2008

Related: “explorecarroll” website unveiled for the Westminster, Eldersburg and Sunday Carroll Eagle

July 23, 2008

Viva la bicyclette de Carroll
Published July 23, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Today, as you are reading this, the 95th Tour de France is in Stage 17. This year's race began on July 5. After 23 days,...

Memories from City Hall and e-mail from the great beyond
Published July 20, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
Westminster purchased the property for its City Hall, on Emerald Hill Lane, from the estate of George W. Albaugh in September 1939 for the grand...

Appreciating Tony Snow's passion for life
Published July 16, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Saturday, July 12, former White House press secretary Tony Snow, 53, died of cancer. I certainly never knew him, yet after following his too-short career for...

Westminster's Civil War role didn't end at Corbit's Charge
Published July 13, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
The last several weeks have been busy in Carroll County, and one of the busiest was during the June 27-29 events surrounding the commemoration of...

Smith & Reifsnider was too hot to handle in July 1938
Published July 9, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Seventy years ago, Carroll County was reeling from the aftermath of fireworks of an unwelcome variety -- one of the biggest fires in the county's...

What a concept: sharing the wealth and pain of tax increases
Published July 6, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
"Gov. (William Preston) Lane does not like taxes ... but as long as you have colleges to take your money, ... you are to have...

The merry marry month of June
Published July 2, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
As we say goodbye to the month of June, bachelors can breathe a sigh of relief that they've survived what has historically been the traditional...

Years ago, trip to the beach required help from a little ferry
Published June 29, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE For many Carroll County residents, summertime means an opportunity to make an annual family trek to Ocean City, Md. Some of my fondest childhood memories...

Westminster's past included days of swine and meters
Published June 25, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
There have been many critter problems in the history of Westminster, but none seems to have caused as much a stir as what to do...

20080723 Recent WE and SCE columns by Kevin Dayhoff

20080721 Nags Head Outer Banks North Carolina The Three Lifeguards

Nags Head, Outer Banks North Carolina: "The Three Lifeguards"

© Kevin Dayhoff http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

20080721 Nags Head Outer Banks North Carolina The Three Lifeguards

20080716 Being and artist and growing up in Carroll County by Lyndi McNulty

20080716 Being and artist and growing up in Carroll County by Lyndi McNulty

16.JUL.08 Eye for Art: Being an artist and growing up in Carroll

Eye for Art: “Being an artist and growing up in Carroll” by Lyndi McNulty

“There is no better place to be an artist than Carroll County,” exclaimed Kevin Dayhoff of Westminster. “Lots of people have asked me what it is like to grow up an artist here. It’s great. Growing up in Carroll County you learn self-sufficiency, independent thinking and personal responsibility. You learn that the world doesn’t owe you a living because you are a writer and an artist,” he said.

“There is a great sense of artistic collaboration in Carroll County that comes from our agricultural heritage, such as when folks got together and did barn raising,” he said.

“I grew up an artist and a writer. My mom, my dad and my friends were very supportive. My father was a painter and a woodworking artist, creating both art and beautiful furniture out of wood, and mother is a culinary artist,” Dayhoff reflected.

“One of my earliest discoveries with art was drawing cartoons and caricatures. I used to sit in class and draw caricatures of the teachers. Even today, I continue to draw postcard size caricatures of daily events, vacations and people in the news. I make my own vacation ‘mail art’ postcards,” he said, laughing.

“‘Mail art’ opened up the world for me long before the internet. After almost two decades, I still have a collaborative mail art partner in Japan.”

Combination of talents

“My main preoccupations growing up were reading, art, writing short stories, and plants. I was very fortunate to put them all together and make a living. That is how I got into landscaping. After all, landscaping is a 3-D mixed media assemblage with plants,” Dayhoff said.

“I also learned that if I spent hours doing a collage I ended up with a storage problem. But, if I drew a landscape design and did a landscape collage with plants, I got paid for it.” In 1974 Dayhoff started a landscaping, designing and nursery business. That business also gave him time to do art and write.

Dayhoff’s work from the 1980s and 1990s included art created on copying machines, color experimentation, collaging and new technologies.

Since his first art show at the Theatre Project in Baltimore in 1981, Dayhoff has been exhibiting art, including mixed media collages, drawings, sculpture and photography.

“I have had a lifelong interest in color [and] spatial relationships putting together incongruent objects. In recent years I have expanded my use of technology to collage with a digital camera, a scanner and a computer. I was inspired by Sue Bloom, a McDaniel art professor, who uses computers to create art,” he said.

“The collages are about putting seemingly disparate items and qualities together to give them a new meaning and a new purpose,” Dayhoff explained. “A lot of the collages began to come off the page into a much more sculptural element as a result of the inspiration of Wasyl Palijezuk, a now retired art professor at McDaniel College.”

Dayhoff has taught art, horticultural and landscape design as an adjunct faculty member for Carroll Community College.

On display

He has exhibited his art for the Carroll County Arts Council for the past two decades as well as at other venues.

“There are so many opportunities for art and culture to flourish in Westminster,” he said. “Capitalizing upon the successes of Common Ground on the Hill, the McDaniel and Carroll Community College Art community and the Carroll Arts Center Carroll, Westminster is the perfect place for art studios, art galleries and artists to live and work, especially on Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street.”

“Growing up an artist has always been an advantage in my life as it teaches you to be a collaborative and creative problem solver and think outside of the box,” Dayhoff said.

He can be contacted at kdayhoff AT carr DOT org.

— Lyndi McNulty is owner of Gizmos Art in Westminster.

Art, Art – Eye for Art Lyndi McNulty Advocate, Dayhoff bio and disclosures

http://westminsteradvocate.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=3728&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1322&hn=westminsteradvocate&he=.com

Grammy and Aunt Betty patrol for dolphins

Grammy and Aunt Betty patrol for dolphins

The Babylons at Nags Head, Outer Banks, North Carolina July 18-26, 2008

Grammy and Aunt Betty take a walk on the beach and keep an eye out for dolphins...

07/20/2008 © Kevin Dayhoff

20080720 Grammy and Aunt Betty patrol for dolphins

Westminster will impose job cuts by Katie Jones for the Westminster Eagle

20080718 Westminster will impose job cuts by Katie Jones for the Westminster Eagle

Westminster will impose job cuts

Layoffs, revision of benefits announced

By Katie V. Jones

Originally Posted on the Westminster Eagle 7/16/08

Westminster Mayor Thomas Ferguson announced Monday the elimination of several jobs within city government as a means to cut the city’s budget in the face of what he called a “challenging year.”

A press release issued Monday said the cuts are needed “to facilitate a balanced budget.”

The city will not fill two vacant positions in the Office of Finance and the Mayor’s Office, and will eliminate the position of Housing Rehabilitation Coordinator and Manager of Planning.

Additionally, the city’s Code Enforcement Officer and Section 8 Housing Inspector positions will be merged into one job, and the City Clerk position will be trimmed from a full-time position to part-time.

Two administrative assistant positions will be cut, but two “staff assistant” positions will be created.

The release said a severance package, including pay and benefits, will be set up for employees whose positions have been eliminated.

In addition, the release announced changes to current city employees’ benefit packages.

Employees will be asked to double their contribution to health care policies from 7 percent to 14 percent.

Also, retirees’ health care benefits will be modified, and employees hired after July 1 of this year will not be eligible for this benefit, the press release stated.

“This has been a challenging year for the city as revenues have declined and expenditures have continued to increase,” said Ferguson in the release.

“Our three-year operating projections do not indicate this situation will improve significantly in the immediate future,” he addded. “Accordingly, I am reluctantly outlining the steps we have taken to adapt to this financial situation.”

Borrowing $3.5 million

The job cuts were not discussed at Monday’s meeting of the mayor and council.At the meeting, though, city officials did discuss how they would spend the $3.5 million loan that the council authorized in a special session July 9.

The bond money is targeted at road overlay projects, and Jeff Glass, director of public works, briefed the council on which streets would be slated for repairs and the possible order of completion.

Glass said that while his office has organized 11 groupings of streets for “some orderly fashion,” the future contractor of the project may have their own suggestions on how the work should proceed.

Glass noted that while plans are to complete all 11 groups, the rising cost of asphalt could prevent all from completion.

At the special session on July 9, Ferguson had noted that if asphalt prices continue to rise, the city may opt to stall the road repair program and return some of the $3.5 million without using it.

Prices, he said at last week’s meeting, are “going due north,” and will already affect the number of projects the city thinks it can accomplish.

The general obligation bond will be with BB&T Bank and is structured for nine years, with a two-year interest-only component. If the city chooses not to use the full amount, there is no penalty for early repayment, officials said.

At Monday’s session, the council agreed to put the overlay project out to bid instead of extending an existing order with C.J. Miller. While this will delay the project, it is necessary, Ferguson said, to get “the best price we can.”

That process will take 30 days, which Glass described as “the fast track.”

“It has to be advertised and the companies have to put their bids together,” he said. “Thirty days is cutting it.”

While Glass was fairly confident that the first two groups of streets would proceed as planned, Ferguson reminded everyone that the proposal was a “plan.”

“This is a plan and it is subject to modifications and change,” he said.

Jim Joyner contributed to this story.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/221/westminster-will-impose-job-cuts/

20080709 22 ways to be a good Democrat

20080709 22 ways to be a good Democrat

22 WAYS TO BE A GOOD DEMOCRAT

July 9th, 2008

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than nuclear weapons technology in the hands of the Iranians, Chinese and North Korea.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach fourth graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make "The Passion of the Christ" for financial gain only.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14.. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and A.G. Bell.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.

17. You have to believe that the only reason Socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and a sex offender belonged in the White House.

19. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

20. You have to believe that illegal Democrat Party funding by the Chinese Government is somehow in the best interest to the United States.

21. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right wing conspiracy.

22. You have to believe that it's okay to give Federal workers the day off on Christmas Day ..........but it's not okay to say "Merry Christmas."

Ready to vote???

Humor Political, Politics Democrats and Liberals, Politics Liberal double standards

Recent Westminster and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Recent Westminster and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

July 6th, 2008 – posted July 9, 2008

What a concept: sharing the wealth and pain of tax increases
Published July 6, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
"Gov. (William Preston) Lane does not like taxes ... but as long as you have colleges to take your money, ... you are to have...

The merry marry month of June
Published July 2, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
As we say goodbye to the month of June, bachelors can breathe a sigh of relief that they've survived what has historically been the traditional...

Years ago, trip to the beach required help from a little ferry
Published June 29, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE For many Carroll County residents, summertime means an opportunity to make an annual family trek to Ocean City, Md. Some of my fondest childhood memories...

Westminster's past included days of swine and meters
Published June 25, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
There have been many critter problems in the history of Westminster, but none seems to have caused as much a stir as what to do...

My columns are found on the website here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/

I write for three of the newspapers in the Patuxent Publishing Group, the Sunday Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle. The Patuxent Publishing Group is owned by “Tribune.” Tribune also owns the Baltimore Sun – and as a matter of fact, the Sunday Carroll Eagle is distributed in the Sunday edition of the Baltimore Sun – see: 20071021 Baltimore Sun: “To our readers”)

My columns and articles appear in Westminster Eagle Opinion: http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ - The Westminster Eagle: http://www.explorecarroll.com

and The Sunday Carroll Eagle Opinion: http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ - The Sunday Carroll Eagle: http://www.explorecarroll.com/ – distributed in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun.

20080706 recent Westminster and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

“explorecarroll” website unveiled for the Westminster, Eldersburg and Sunday Carroll Eagle

“explorecarroll” website unveiled for the Westminster, Eldersburg and Sunday Carroll Eagle

June 26th, 2008 – posted July 9, 2008

On June 26, 2008 our new Westminster, Eldersburg and Sunday Carroll Eagle website were all combined into a new website: http://www.explorecarroll.com/.

Check it out and bookmark it.

My columns are found on the website here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/

I write for three of the newspapers in the Patuxent Publishing Group, the Sunday Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle. The Patuxent Publishing Group is owned by “Tribune.” Tribune also owns the Baltimore Sun – and as a matter of fact, the Sunday Carroll Eagle is distributed in the Sunday edition of the Baltimore Sun – see: 20071021 Baltimore Sun: “To our readers”)

My columns and articles appear in Westminster Eagle Opinion: http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ - The Westminster Eagle: http://www.explorecarroll.com/

and The Sunday Carroll Eagle Opinion: http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ - The Sunday Carroll Eagle: http://www.explorecarroll.com/ – distributed in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun.

20080626 “explorecarroll” website unveiled for the Westminster, Eldersburg and Sunday Carroll Eagle

20080703 Westminster Fire Department Engine 32 on Main Street

Westminster Fire Department Engine 32 on Main Street in Westminster

July 3rd, 2008 Kevin Dayhoff

Engine 32 of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department in Westminster, MD is seen here returning from a call at the crosswalk on Main Street in front of the Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library and Locust Street park.

Pam Zappardino Columns from Jan 1 2008 to July 1 2008

Pam Zappardino Columns from Jan 1 2008 to July 1 2008

July 1, 2008

Real flowers take center stage in 'Art is Blooming'
I was at the Taneytown Business Breakfast some weeks ago - a miracle in itself as my being outside the house and semi-awake at that hour is a rare occurrence - when I heard about an exhibit at the Taneytown History Museum that was coming up fast. I g... Jun. 26, 2008


Art bars: As good as it gets
Let me be right up front. Not only should chocolate be acknowledged as one of the basic food groups, it should be the one at the bottom of that pyramid in the spot reserved for foods we're supposed to eat morning, noon, night, and several times in be... Jan. 3, 2008


'Go Fish' exhibit is cool, fun, refreshing
A master of understatement, curator Susan Williamson noted that "It's a little fishy" in the Tevis Gallery at the Carroll Arts Center. It's a lot fishy. They're everywhere, but maybe not as you might expect to see them. Lou Frisino takes the exhibit'... Jun. 19, 2008


Wide angle on Art in the Park
My camera and I went to Art in the Park last Saturday, in the heart of Westminster. The first heat wave of the summer was upon us, and "sweltering" doesn't quite capture the weather, but being a working artist isn't for the faint of heart. They all s... Jun. 12, 2008


Botero's work filled with rich color
Fernando Botero doesn't look larger than life. His work, on the other hand, is astonishingly so. And it started with a mandolin. He was always interested in volume and strength, Botero remembers. At 24, he drew that mandolin, making the sound hole ve... Jun. 5, 2008


'Distant Voices' chronicles life of Japanese AmericansThere was some amazing theater here in Carroll County last week, and unfortunately too few people took the opportunity to experience it. The Carroll County Public Library brought the Distant Voices Touring Company to the Carroll Arts Center for a per... May. 29, 2008


Stories connect us to ourselves
Knock, knock. Who's there? Gabriel. Gabriel who? Not exactly what you'd expect in a speech by a world leader. But this world leader understands the art of the story; the power story has to build relationships, even in the course of a 20-minute talk; ... May. 22, 2008


11 students display works in spring show 'Gestalt'
"Gestalt" is the thing over at McDaniel College's Rice Gallery this week: the whole, more than the sum of the parts, seeing the big picture. Eleven seniors are doing just that in the last of this spring's student shows there. Melinda Hirt opens up th... May. 15, 2008


Art integral in all aspects of life
Some folks believe art is a luxury. "Nice but not necessary" seems to be the thinking. Yet humans as far back as we can trace made art, and that art has been integral in ceremony, tradition, religion and government. It reflects who we are. It is made... May. 8, 2008


Look closely at "The Right Side of the Brain"
In another life, I did research on that gray matter inside our heads, so the "The Right Side of the Brain" seemed right up my alley. Far from a physiological endeavor, it's actually the name of the senior capstone exhibition at the Rice Gallery on th... May. 1, 2008


Unchosen art on display for 'Salon de Refuses'
Spring is in the air, and the juried student art shows are popping up on the McDaniel College campus at about two-week intervals. Students compete to get their work into these shows and as in all competitions; many works aren't selected. While disapp... Apr. 24, 2008


Looking upon the moon differently
There's something about the moon. It holds an important place in nearly all cultures and evokes emotional responses from all of us at one point or another. Christina Collins-Smith calls it "one of God's most elegant and powerful creations ... whose m... Apr. 17, 2008


Restated, the arts in Carroll are just fine
Five years ago, the Carroll County Arts Council packed itself up and moved west, up the street to the site of the former Carroll Theater. It settled into its new home, redone in art deco splendor, and started in to make art. The first exhibit was "Th... Apr. 10, 2008


Legendary artist's work 'a ribbon around a bomb'
At first blush, Frida Kahlo's work is complex, striking, seductive, haunting, earthbound, otherworldly. Her sense of color is perfect, her lines exact, her moods palpable, her light subtly reinforcing intent, her forms precisely what the composition ... Apr. 3, 2008


Society often overlooks artists' contributions
I watched the American Masters special "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song" debut on PBS a few weeks back. It's the story of 89 year-old Pete Seeger's life, but it's much more than that. It's the story of the power of music, and by extension, all of the ... Mar. 27, 2008


Singer-songwriter puts on show unlike any other
Cheryl Wheeler walked onstage at the Carroll Arts Center last week without, as she noted, even checking her hair in the mirror. "Too late now," she mused, doing some one-handed tidying. Wheeler's self-deprecating sense of humor is still intact. So is... Mar. 20, 2008


Take time to appreciate Jones' works in exhibit
"About a Hundred Things I Forgot," at McDaniel's Rice Gallery, is a very unusual exhibit that doesn't seem like it should be. The subtitle: "Figure Paintings" might lead you to expect an emphasis on those figures. Robert Jones has some other ideas. F... Mar. 13, 2008


Art rules in Carroll schools
This time of year, I, a self-confessed lover of winter, get giddy about two things. I can't wait for my first crocus sighting. There's something about it that just makes me happy. The second thing has the same effect. It's the Annual Youth Art Month ... Mar. 6, 2008


South Carroll league takes its show on the road
The South Carroll Fine Arts League is on the move - in more ways than one. This no longer fledgling group has increased its membership and has a couple successful members' shows under its belt. Headquartered in South Carroll, the league has members w... Feb. 28, 2008


Aldrich puts together powerful exhibition
It takes a lot to render me speechless, but Cynthia Aldrich managed to do it last Sunday with the opening of her installation "Bearing Witness" in the Gallery at Carroll Community College's Scott Center. It is simply the most powerful exhibit I have ... Feb. 21, 2008


Planes, parallels worth the effort
The Rice Gallery at McDaniel College can be challenging. A long, somewhat narrow space with a wall of west-facing windows, it has rather inflexible lighting that can't quite compensate during the day nor illuminate well at night. And then there are t... Feb. 14, 2008


Exhibit showcases the beauty of glass
SiO2. Silicon dioxide. An everyday chemical we use constantly, paying little or no attention. It holds stuff, like water, flowers, maybe a martini. It keeps things out or in: rain, dearly bought heat. Sometimes we notice that it's pretty. Sometimes, ... Feb. 7, 2008


Light provides different view of art
This dark thing is starting to get old. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of those weird people who actually loves winter, but the excessive amount of darkness gets to me. Depression can set in around this time of year and doctors say some of it can be tra... Jan. 31, 2008


Hopper's National Gallery exhibit is full of surprises
"What I wanted to do was paint sunlight on the side of a house." A bit surprising coming from Edward Hopper, perhaps best known for his images of a gritty New York. I caught the traveling exhibition of Hopper's work at the National Gallery last week... Jan. 24, 2008


'Expressions of Carroll' exhibit lacks energy
The Carroll County Artists' Guild has many talented artists, and attending one of its shows usually interesting. I was a bit surprised, though, by "Expressions of Carroll," the guild's current exhibit in the Community Gallery at the Carroll Arts Cent... Jan. 17, 2008


Comedy Pigs 'Wreck the Halls'
Jesus and Santa Claus walk into a bar, and from that opening scene on, even if you managed to miss the broad hint in the title, you know that "Wreck the Halls" is not going to be the most reverent of holiday fare. The nearly sellout crowd in Frederic... Jan. 10, 2008


Rock Ball to benefit nonprofit
Group seeks to help offset rising medical costs For the second straight year, Granite House is holding a fundraiser to subsidize the costs of mental health care for people who cannot afford it. Granite House is an affiliate of the Sheppard and Enoch ... Apr. 17, 2008

20080701 Pam Zappardino Columns from Jan 1 2008 to July 1 2008
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/

20080700 Westminster MD A Month of Sundays 2008 Summer Concert Series

Westminster MD A Month of Sundays 2008 Summer Concert Series

“A MONTH OF SUNDAYS” – 2008 Summer Concert Series

We cordially invite you to join us at 6:45 pm in the Westminster City Park (off Main Street & Longwell Avenue) each Sunday in July for a variety of great music.

We are celebrating our 14th summer of bringing great entertainment to the public!

Food and beverages will be sold.

Concerts are Free and Open to the Public.

Check the attached schedule and come earlier to join in the fun if we're hosting a display of beautiful cars by Free State Corvette Club, Street Cars of Desire, Classic Corvette Club of Maryland, or touring motorcycles by Gold Wing Road Riders Association! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

Join us as we host a "Spotlight on Local Talent"...an opportunity for community talent to be featured opening each concert week by singing The National Anthem and performing a song to open our second hour of entertainment after our half-time concert break.

Be sure to come early and receive your free ticket for our "Best Seat in the House" drawing held at the beginning of each concert. You could win special seating for your group to view the concert, a free CD from our host entertainment, a free summer concert series t-shirt, and cold beverages to quench your thirst as you sit back and enjoy the show!

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Westminster City Park. Public bathroom facilities are located in the park. Audio and video recording of concert performances is prohibited. No pets are allowed.

In the event of possible bad weather that might be a threat to our weekly performance or questions about the scheduled entertainment, you may telephone Linda Silfee, Concert Event Program Coordinator, at 443-286-2367 for updated information.

While no admission is charged to attend the free Summer Concert Series, we encourage donations of personal care items for all ages (i.e. newly purchased deodorants, toothbrushes & toothpastes, soaps), paper goods (i.e. toilet paper, paper towels), cleaning supplies (i.e. Windex, Formula 409, furniture polish), baby food, diapers or formula will be collected to help the homeless & low-income individuals served by the Human Services Programs, Inc. of Carroll County. Items will be collected at each performance.

(The concert series is presented in joint cooperation with the City of Westminster Recreation Department, the Carroll County Department of Recreation & Parks, and the Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.)

We hope to see you in July at the Westminster City Park for our free summer concert series!

(concert info: call 410-876-6639, 410-848-6962, 410-876-5407, 410-386-2103, 443-286-2367)


July 6, 2008 – IRON RIDGE – Traditional Bluegrass, Country, Light Gospel

Kicking off our summer concert series is a repeat performance by Iron Ridge, a band dedicated to preserving old-time traditional bluegrass while adding some original and light gospel tunes that will melt your heart. Delight in the awesome picking of Denny Kopp on mandolin & fiddle. Jerry Leitner is a stand-out on rhythm guitar. Max Allison excels as bass player and on vocals in the group’s awesome 4-part harmonies. Listen closely to Jay Mosley’s velvet voice along with his sweet-pickin’ banjo! Jay’s son, Joey, an award-winning musician, is a real delight with his special touch on guitar and vocals. Miss Jen Starsenic adds a fine dimension to the group with her sizzling fiddle. Listen closely as these voices blend in a crisp and clean, tight harmony, while they present a refreshing and professional performance on stage, coupled with superb instrumental work. http://www.ironridgeband.com/

“National Anthem” will be sung by Miss Alexia Mercedes Van Horn, a 20-year old Westminster local talent, who currently attends Towson State University and is also in the process of recording her musical debut CD in Nashville, Tennessee. Our 2nd set will begin with Alexia performing “God Bless America”.

(Join us for a special summer evening in the Westminster City Park as Free State Corvette Club showcase their beautiful cars for our enjoyment…all the while taking advantage of this opportunity to cast a vote for your favorite car and contribute to our charity!)


July 13, 2008 – THE CRAWDADDIES – Cajun, Zydeco, Swing, Roots, Rock & Reggae

This 5-member band, founded in 1995, infuses these sounds of music into an incomparable, groove-laden sound that is unquestionably their own. The eclectic, good-time spirit of their set and twelve years of touring the national festival and college circuits has earned the band a strong following. They have performed locally for Westminster’s Fallfest and the Maryland Wine Festival. Join us to experience the accomplishments of these talented musicians, who along with the use of traditional guitars, keyboards & drums, also perform using an accordion and rubboard. The Crawdaddies have come together to form an extremely unique musical group to present an infectious pulse and high-energy classic cajun/zydeco rhythm with cool swing grooves, country, rock, funk and soul.http://www.thecrawdaddies.com/

“National Anthem” will be sung by Ginger Jefferson, a local talent from Hampstead, who has participated in nine September Song productions and currently sings with “The Candlelighters”, a music ensemble based at the Glyndon Methodist Church. Ginger is a student of vocal coach, Phyllis Rudolph. Our 2nd set will begin with Ginger performing “Amazing Grace”.

(Join in the excitement as Street Cars of Desire will be in the City Park at 5:30 pm displaying their cars for our enjoyment!)



July 20, 2008 Rich Clare – PENTAGON w/ Rico and The Ravens – Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues…from then until now! (This concert may last until 9:30 pm.)

Pentagon is a 6-piece show band that plays Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues from the time it started until now, showcasing the music from Wilson Picket to Smash Mouth…from Buddy Holly to U2! They will conjure up a memory, make you laugh along the way! Pentagon is best known for their 6-part vocal harmonies and unique brand of humor. The band has performed in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Puerto Rico. Pentagon has been a mainstay at Hershey Park Amphitheater for the past 30 years! http://www.richclarepentagonbandfanclub.com/

“National Anthem” will be sung acappella by Jennifer Rose, a well-known entertainer & very dear friend to many of us at our summer concert series through these past years, who is an extremely talented country, rock, pop singer. Our 2nd set will open with Jennifer performing “America the Beautiful”.

(Join in the festivities and be sure to vote for your favorite touring motorcycle as the Gold Wing Road Riders Association will be displaying their bikes at 5:30 pm!)


July 27, 2008 The Van-Dells – Oldies, Rock & Roll Show Group

The Van-Dells are an oldies show group that specializes in 50’s and 60s Rock & Roll and are billed as “the Nation’s #1 Rock & Roll Review!” Back by popular demand for a repeat performance, be entertained by a cross section of oldies combined with a unique blend of comedy, choreography, tight harmonies and costume changes. http://www.van-dells.com/

“National Anthem” will be sung acappella by ONE ACCORD, a 17-voice men’s chorus from Sandy Mount United Methodist Church in Finksburg, who has been singing together for more than 10 years, under the skilled direction of Linda Wheat. Our 2nd set will open with the chorus singing “God Bless America”.

(Join us in the City Park as Classic Corvette Club of Maryland will begin showcasing their cars at 5:30 pm!)

Annual events holidays Month of Sundays in July

20080625 The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past history

The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past history

June 25th, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

Photo caption: Looking east on the south side Main Street of Westminster Maryland at St. John Catholic Church in the 1920s. The church was built in 1865. On June 19, 1952 the storm blew through town and toppled the steeple at 4:45 in the afternoon. As a result the structure was subsequently deemed unsafe in 1968.

The last church service was held on February 4, 1968. The structure was demolished in early March 1977 and replaced with the Westminster Branch of the Carroll County Public Library in March 1980. (The image is from an old file collection. The photographer is unknown. Kevin Dayhoff)

Writer’s note – a shorter version of this column appeared in the print edition of the Westminster Eagle on June 25, 2008.

_____

June is “invasion month” in the city of Westminster. Over the years, a sampling of the invasions over the years has involved bugs, hogs, parking meters, dust, flies, manure, and Southern troops have made historic appearances in the city and caused quite a ruckus.

Ay caramba – where to begin?

Throughout history there have been many critter problems in Westminster, but none seems to have caused as much a stir as what to do with the city’s hog population.

Many thanks go to Laurel Taylor, the Westminster City Clerk who gave me a hand a while back in getting to the bottom of the controversies.

As early as October 1, 1860, an ordinance was enacted by the Westminster mayor and common council, which prohibited “the running at large of hogs and swine” in the city.

On October 9, 1860, “the price per head for the impoundment of errant swine was reduced from $2.00/head to $1.00/head. The daily fee for impoundment was reduced from $1.50 to $.50.”

The following year, on June 12, 1861 the minutes of the common council proceeding note: “Moved and seconded that the Ordinance relating to Hogs running at large in the City of Westminster be enforced and that after the 1st of July 1861 all hogs or swine found in the streets will be taken up and disposed of as directed by Ordinance heretofore (illegible - passed?) by the Board and that ....Joseph Shaw publish a Notice of the same to the Citizens of Westminster prior to 1st July 1861.”

Dogs running loose seem to have also been a problem because in 1866, an ordinance took effect that prohibited dogs from running at large in the City unless they were muzzled.

The minutes of the meeting at which that Ordinance was adopted contain a warning: “Attention is hereby called to the Ordinance already existing relative to swine running at large, which will be rigidly enforced.”

However, the problems associated with hogs persisted and in October 1895 a special council meeting was called after “Dr. J. Howell Billingslea and a committee of citizens who went before them to urge immediate action in the interest of the public health,” according to an October 12, 1895 article in the now defunct American Sentinel newspaper.

The newspaper article noted that Dr. Billingslea was “convinced that the hog pens, even when kept as clean as possible, are disease breeders and a constant menace to the health of the people in towns of any considerable size, a fact about which there can hardly be a dispute…

“January 1st, 1896, is spoken of as the period at which the prohibition will likely go into effect. While such a measure will work hardship, probably in many cases, it seems to be necessary to the preservation of the health of the community.”

The article did not go into detail as to what “hardships” would occur.

In June 1946 another controversy erupted in downtown Westminster – parking meters.

On May 24, 1946, the now defunct Democratic Advocate reported that parking meters “from Charles Carroll Hotel to Anchor street, (became) a reality Tuesday morning when a force of men started drilling holes for the erection of the meters.”

The proposal by the city to install parking meters was quite controversial and the subject of litigation. However, the newspaper reported, “The injunction was denied by Judge Clarke, some time last April, and an appeal was under way but later dropped by the opposers…

“Charles Armacost, popular contractor of Finksburg, has charge of the placing the meters in position. The work is being done very rapidly.”

Of course, parking in downtown Westminster ebbs and flows in controversy. I can recall more than a few spirited conversations about the parking meters well into the late 1950s and 60s.

For many of us, one enigma remains and that is why parking was removed from the south side of Main Street in front of where the downtown branch of the Carroll County library is located.

Many of us who grew up in Westminster recall parking on that side of the street – in front of where St. John Catholic Church was then located. The came along “progress” and a center turn lane – that is hardly ever used - was added for the entire block and the parking removed.

Nevertheless, in spite of the critter challenges and the parking meters, the city has survived. Whether we will survive the city’s current “tax, borrow, and spend” initiatives remains to be seen.

####

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
####

www.kevindayhoff.net
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E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

20080625 The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past history

20080625 The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past history

North County News: At school - Handzo named to deans list at Georgia Tech

North County News: At school - Handzo named to deans list at Georgia Tech

Posted on explorebaltimorecounty 6/25/08

Send announcements to 409 Washington Ave., Towson, MD 21204, or northcountynews@patuxent.com.

Ryan Handzo, of Phoenix, was named to the dean's list at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. (Mr. Handzo is the son of my sister, Tammy Frock Handzo and her husband, Rob Handzo.)

Joslyn Lear, formerly of Baldwin, earned a master's degree in education from Loyola College in Baltimore.

Matthew Hartig, of Parkton, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in metals and jewelry from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga.

Abbe Balaban, of Phoenix, a junior at Widener University in Chester, Pa., was awarded a Chris Towns France Scholarship from Cultural Experiences Abroad to fund a semester overseas. Balaban, who is studying psychology, international relations and French, will spend the fall at the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Jamie Grandizio, of Baldwin, was named to the president's list at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., where she is studying kinesiology.

Amy Jaklitsch and Lisa Jaklitsch, of Parkton, were named to the dean's list at Frostburg State University in Frostburg.

Scott Meade, of White Hall, received an appointment from Rep. Roscoe Bartlett to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

These North County students graduated from Towson Catholic High School:
* Michael Brady, of Sparks.
* Emily Kearns, of Glen Arm.
* Erika Kolakowski, of Baldwin.
* Brittani Perz, of Glen Arm.

John O'Brien, an assistant principal at Hereford High School, has been transferred to the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, where he will be an assistant principal. Louis Jira, an assistant principal at Randallstown High School, will replace O'Brien.

20080625 North County News Handzo named to deans list at Georgia Tech

20080623 Obama for change

Barack Obama for change

Because that is all you will have left when he’s done.

June 24, 2008 - - The base idea for this image was passed on to me in an email from “CJ.”

I guess it resonated with me as the presumptive Democrat nominee for president’s conversation so far about economics and taxation is a major concern for me as I ponder the merits of his candidacy of the Oval Office.

At my advanced age I can easily recognize political silliness when I see it and I refuse to be distracted.

Barack Obama appears to be an honorable man who wants to be president and I admire him for his accomplishments.

My heart and prayers go out to him and his family when I hear or read the vicious personal attacks over drivel that ultimately I really don’t give a rat’s backside over. It’s all so boring and an unnecessary distraction of high chair food fight proportions.

I don’t really care what Rev. Wright has said or when he said it. I don’t care about what Senator Obama’s wife said or when she said it.

I’m not fooled by the recent marketing makeover with his appearance on People magazine or Mrs. Obama’s chattiness on “The View.” I have no interest in voting “for the friendly guy next door” to be president.

I care about issues such as who is going to protect us from foreign aggressors. I care about national defense.

I care about the economy. I care about the class warfare being promoted, disguised as taxation policy.

I care about the deleterious affects of our nation’s lack of a coherent energy independence policy.

I care about who has the experience necessary to be president.

I care about who is going to appoint the next several Supreme Court justices.

If I were to have a choice between “a third term for the Bush Administration” or “Jimmy Carter’s second”; I’ll take “Bush’s third term” in a nanosecond.

Although I realize that Republican presumptive presidential nominee John McCain is certainly no George W. Bush and I have not, as yet mistaken Senator Obama for President Jimmy Carter…

Anyway - I played with the base idea for the image; re-arranged it and added to it and voila.

Please cut and paste this image and distribute it widely…

KevinDayhoffNet

www.kevindayhoff.net

20080623 Obama for change

20080619 “Blue Balled” by “Truth through Action”

20080619 “Blue Balled” by “Truth through Action”

“Blue Balled” by “Truth through Action”

A 4 minute and 30 second short film about a young lady who abandons a late night encounter when she discovers her date’s undisclosed secret. The film was shot in Manhattan over two nights in April. (See footnote 1.)

Retrieved June 19, 2008: http://truththroughaction.org/media-gallery/film/blue-balled/

http://youtube.com/watch?v=15zSYa1_7J0

June 19, 2008 - - At my advanced age I can easily recognize political silliness when I see it and I refuse to be distracted.

Nevertheless, from an artist’s point of view – as someone who really enjoys edgy videos and the use of cutting edge art to promote (advertise) a particular agenda, this video is kinda cool. I liked it…

However, the purpose of commercials and advertising is compel and persuade a person, who is not particularly predisposed, to purchase a product – or in this case, vote a certain way.

I can’t imagine this video being persuasive to an independent or least of all a conservative. It seems to be an artistic endeavor in search of meaning. (And I can’t really throw stones at that when I look back at some of my political advocacy in the past…)

This video, with its high production values and artistic accomplishments, is only appealing to the choir – and if anything, may very well persuade an independent or conservative to shy away from the frivolous and superficial values presented.

To state the obvious, I certainly know of few folks who ever utilized a person’s party affiliation in choosing a partner for life – or an evening.

The country is full of husbands and wives who cancel each other’s vote at the voting booth during presidential elections…

Nevertheless, this video is out there in the pop culture overlay that is being promoted by supporters of presumptive Democrat presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

Moreover, in all candor, I’d like to see more of the edgy, artistic approach to political advocacy from both sides of the aisle and I’ll look forward to more of the work of New York filmmakers Joshua Sugarman and Brandon Yankowitz of YaSu Media.

However, one can easily agree with ABC News writers, Susan Donaldson James and Cloe Shasha, when they observed in a thoughtful analysis on June 11 in “Dems Use Edgy Films to Rally Youth Voters”:

“The video, created by the new political organization TruthThroughAction.org, is one more affirmation that the Internet is a central character in the 2008 presidential race.

The blue-leaning nonprofit was founded by New York filmmakers Joshua Sugarman and Brandon Yankowitz of YaSu Media, who are producing a series of short films and online videos. The "527" group is, unlike political action committees, exempt from contribution limits.

[…]

… "Our products have a message but are also entertaining as film projects, and we don't think anybody else is doing the same thing."

Like the "Obama Girl" video, which spread virally last year, "Blue Balled" is intended to rally the indie community and young political activists to support the Democrats in November…

[…]

"I thought it was brilliant," said Andrew Rasiej, co-founder of TechPresident, a group blog that covers how the 2008 presidential candidates use the Web.

"It clearly taps into the fact that the election has captured the imagination of the youth of our country and reinforces a message that any political organization for a candidate would want to associate with -- hip cool and passionate," he told ABCNEWS.com.

"It clearly takes advantage of the atmosphere of young people paying attention to the election and using their language and their medium to convey the message," he said. "It's very shrewd."

[…]

Jeff Everson, an economics major and football player at Middlebury College, was not impressed with the Democrats' video. "I thought that as a political tactic it wasn't effective," said Everson. "But at the same time I found it funny. The concept of this video sort of separates the country, which seems counterproductive."

Everson, a McCain supporter, agrees that the Republicans need to find new ways to reach young voters.

"One of the mistakes that McCain made was not utilizing technology like YouTube," said the 20-year-old. "The Democratic Party has done a better job of encouraging young people to vote."

Whether the message of these clips fits with Barack Obama's strategy is anybody's guess.

A film that includes copious amounts of alcohol, sex and near nudity may not fly with the group of young evangelicals Obama is now targeting.

"Anytime any organization tries something new, there will always be people who don't agree," said filmmaker Sugarman. "What the Democratic Party and anyone involved in politics are starting to realize is that we need a new way to get in touch with people beyond the traditional means of political communication."

The complete article by ABC News writers, Susan Donaldson James and Cloe Shasha, is worth a good read. Please find it here: “Dems Use Edgy Films to Rally Youth Voters.”

Related: View Political Monogamy

Kevin Dayhoff

www.kevindayhoff.net

_____

Footnote 1:

Written and Directed by Josh Sugarman

Presented and Produced by Brandon Yankowitz

Produced by Brigitte Liebowitz

Starring Michelle Galdenzi and Bryan Dechart

Featuring Steven Berrebi and Elo Santana

Music by Shanna Zell and J. Chris Griffin

Crew

Duke Greenhill, 1st AD

Jason Pritzker, 2nd AD

Apryl Richards, Script Supervisor

Mike Bozzo, DP

Joel Knutsen, 1st AC

Ian Swanson, 2nd AC

James Leonzio, Steadicam Operator

Havi Elkaim, Production Designer

KD, Key Hair Stylist

Allison McCrudden, Key Makeup

JD Hartman, Gaffer

Sean Hutcheon, Key Grip

Matt Jensen, Grip

Joshua Hilson, Sound Mix

Alan Tansey, Boom Operator