>Youth working green jobs this summer
>Stephanie Weaver, Times-News Intern
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Sat Jul 16, 2011, 11:06 PM EDT
CUMBERLAND — Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is showing low-income youth that going green is more than a decision, it’s a job opportunity.
Youth from six different counties in Maryland — Allegany, Anne Arundel, Frederick, Howard, Garrett and Prince George’s— are working green jobs this summer under the Community Service Block Grant program.
The program awarded a total of $188,973 to the Maryland Community Action agencies allowing students to work summer jobs in their own communities.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our young people to learn to become good environmental stewards in their communities while perhaps getting their first exposure to future career opportunities in Maryland’s green economy,” Secretary Raymond Skinner said.
The program in Allegany County employs 12 youth and two college student supervisors, according to Courtney Thomas, executive director, of the Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission. The group works four days a week for eight weeks in Frostburg, Westernport and Lonaconing on projects that include groundskeeping, recycling and waste management.
This summer job goes beyond working; on Fridays, the students have “in-service” opportunities including touring local colleges, and seminars on budgeting and tax withholding.
The program focuses on the environment to “highlight the green job sector,” Thomas said, which emphasizes the future employment opportunities for the youth by “offering education exposure” to these areas.
This is the first summer program the HRDC has headed on its own. “We hope it’s the first of many,” Thomas said.
The Garrett County program employs seven students and two supervisors to work on “trail maintenence and development,” Paige Teegarden of Garrett County Community Action said.
The group has been specifically working at Fork Run, in collaboration with Garrett Trails and Garrett College, on the mountain biking trail. The students have helped with construction and maintenence, which Teegarden claims is a growing need in the community and work force.
“Sustainable trails are part of the economic development in the county,” she said. The trails aren’t only used by tourists and locals, but also for educational purposes through Garrett College.
Much like the Allegany County program, the Garrett County students work four days a week throughout the county. Community Action has open positions for the program.
“It’s a terrific opportunity to be outdoors,” Teegarden said.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Legislators keep busy when out of session
>Local lawmakers spend summer responding to constituent emails
Matthew Bieniek
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Sat Jul 16, 2011, 11:20 PM EDT
CUMBERLAND — The legislative off-season, which includes the long, hot days of summer, isn’t a walk on the beach for local legislators.
Instead, it’s a languorous wade through hundreds of emails, a chomp through fire hall dinners, and the inability to go out to the grocery store without being cajoled by constituents about one matter or another.
“My schedule keeps me hopping,” Sen. George Edwards said. Edwards, though, said he enjoys talking to constituents.
“People expect you to be out there,” said Delegate Wendell Beitzel, who said he’s been at several picnics recently organized by political and civic organizations. It might be a picnic, parade or public forum like the one he recently attended on Marcellus Shale.
“Sometimes I look at my schedule and I’m completely booked,” Beitzel said. The forums can spawn ideas for legislative action, so they are valuable, he said.
“Believe it or not, most of my time is spent responding to emails,” Beitzel said when asked about his work when the legislature is on break. One recent email asked him to explain the cable issues in Garrett County. As an “orphan county” Garrett viewers can’t get many television stations from the Baltimore-Washington area.
There’s also a good measure of constituent service work thrown in, Edwards said. Edwards credited his staff with doing much of the work associated with the pleas for help dealing with the government and one bureaucracy or another. He has one full-time staffer based in his district office in Cumberland and a full-time staffer during the Maryland General Assembly session who is part-time when the legislature isn’t meeting.
“I have a great staff, Kim (McMillan) and Victoria (Clark) do a great job,” he said.
Delegate Kevin Kelly and Beitzel were equally effusive in their praise of staff members, who do much of the grunt work associated with constituent service.
“My secretary has worked for me for 28 years. I would be lost without her,” Kelly said.
All the legislators like to keep their hands on the work, though, and Kelly said he dictates all the letters he writes to assist constituents.
Kelly has a specific procedure in handling constituent work. He asks the citizens to write a letter describing their plight, then he writes a cover letter. He then mails the two letters together to the appropriate state official and asks for a follow-up report. Kelly said he handles about five constituent requests a day. Often, citizens just need to get in touch with the right person and Kelly can direct them.
“I help my constituents with their problems, no matter what they might be,” he said. Often, Kelly performs work similar to the work he’d do as a lawyer. Of course, he doesn’t charge, it’s all part of constituent service, he said.
There are, of course, some committee meetings and preparation for the next General Assembly session, but the focus is on spending time with constituents and working on their problems.
“I try to keep abreast of things,” Beitzel said, meaning keeping up with news and reports on statewide issues. And there are the committee meetings down state — he’ll be heading to an interim meeting on the 26th.
All three legislators now get far more emails than letters. Phone calls remain common, though, and Beitzel said he takes about an equal number of calls and emails.
Emails are simple for the constituent, Edwards said. Unfortunately, he does get a lot of emails generated from advocacy websites, which all read the same way.
“I try to respond to each letter or email from constituents, or from Washington County,” Edwards said. Since his district includes part of Washington County, Edwards feels obligated to respond to residents concerned about Washington County issues.
Some concerns require legislation, and ideas for legislation sometimes come from meetings with constituents, the legislators say.
Constituents appreciate it if Edwards can get some kind of answer to their concerns. “Even if it’s not the answer they were looking for,” Edwards said. It’s satisfying when a constituent problem is completely resolved.
“Of course, you feel good about being able to help someone with their problems,” Edwards said.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Reward Offered For Information On Hawk Killer
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Jul. 14, 2011
Members and friends of the Maryland Ornithological Society have donated over $800 to its Goshawk Reward Fund. This reward is being offered for information that results in the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who shot and killed Maryland’s only known breeding female northern goshawk in Savage River State Forest recently.
Persons wishing to donate to this fund can find further information at the following web site: www.mdbirds.org/conservation/endangered/GoshawkReward.pdf.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Real Estate Weekly – 7/15/11
>Residential lots in Garrett County to be sold at auction
Rawlings Auction, Appraisal & Realty LLC announced a public auction of six residential building lots in McHenry on Tuesday. The lots are located in the Red Oaks development directly off Sang Run Road, at the base of the Wisp Ski Resort and minutes from Deep Creek Lake, according to auctioneer Steve Rawlings. The lots “are perked and ready to build, with utilities available at the curb,” Rawlings said. Ranging in size from 1.04 acres to 1.34 acres, the lots are located in a development that has homes. Similar lots sold earlier at prices ranging from $137,000 to more than $200,000, Rawlings said. The auction will be conducted both online and on-site. Bids are being accepted through Monday, after which the highest bid received online per lot will be the opening bid for the live, on-site auction on Tuesday, starting at noon. For information on the properties or on registering to bid online or at the live auction, go to www.rawlingsauctionservice.com or call 301-473-5796.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>BOE Announces Personnel Changes At Board Meeting
>Jul. 14, 2011
At the Garrett County Board of Education meeting, held Tuesday in downtown Oakland, Susan Waggoner, interim superintendent of schools, announced the following personnel recommendations for the upcoming school year. They were approved unanimously by the members of the board.
New appointments: Timothy DeWitt, custodian III, Dennett Road Elementary, effective July 5; Wayne Resh, custodian III, Northern Middle, effective July 5; Lori Schmidt, secretary/media assistant, Friendsville Elementary, effective August 15; Tracy Rase, teacher, Route 40 Elementary, effective August 18; Melissa Davis, teacher, Broad Ford Elementary, effective August 18; Jencene Tice, teacher, Route 40 Elementary, effective August 18; and Jason Shank, principal, Southern Middle School, effective July 13.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Plans Being Finalized For 23rd Annual Kitzmiller Homecoming
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Jul. 14, 2011
The town of Kitzmiller will hold its 23rd annual Homecoming Celebration the weekend of July 22-24. The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 22, with a firemen’s parade along Main Street.
Following the parade, the Kitzmiller Empowerment Group will sponsor a Family Fun Night on the Kitzmiller Elementary School grounds. The Fun Night will feature games for all ages, concessions from several local organizations, and music by DJ Jonny Rock. Friday’s schedule will culminate with a fireworks display over the Potomac River at dusk.
The Saturday, July 23, events will get under way at 11 a.m. with a brief welcoming assembly. Games and inflatable rides will be available throughout the day. The Kitzmiller Lions Club will serve its annual barbecued chicken dinner. Other concessions will be provided by the Kitzmiller Little League and Helen’s Concessions.
Horse-drawn carriage rides operated by Pleasant Valley Dream Rides and high-lighting the community’s history will also be available.
The horseshoe tournament competition will begin at 11 a.m. The annual greater Kitzmiller area Duck Race will be held at 3 p.m. on the rapids of the Potomac. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place, and for the “lame duck.” Plastic ducks will be available for purchase along with community merchandise at the Town of Kitzmiller tent.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will present its Scales and Tales program, affording the opportunity to see wildlife “up close and personal” at 1 p.m.
The Garrett County Sherriff’s Office will provide a K-9 dog demonstration at 2 p.m. Musical entertainment will be staged throughout the afternoon by Rodney Durst and Friends.
New to Homecoming this year will be a presentation concerning World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. The session will detail the horrific experience of 11 African-American soldiers from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion, a unit that was overrun in the opening stages of the battle.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Fiddle, Banjo Contest Slated In Friendsville
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Jul. 14, 2011
The 47th annual Friendsville Fiddle and Banjo Contest is scheduled for this Saturday, July 16, at the Friendsville Community Park.
The pre-show will begin at 4:30 p.m. with performances by Frankfort Middle School’s Teal Steel Band, and square dancing by Pete Bray’s Starthurs. The contest will get under way at 6 p.m. with Friendsville Mayor Spencer Schlosnagle presiding as master of ceremonies.
The contest consists of junior, teen, middle, and senior divisions. The first-place prize in all categories will be $200. Second-place prizes in all categories will be $150, and third place will be $100.
Admission is $5. The contest is funded in part by a grant from the Garrett County Arts Council.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Lakefront log home & Wisp views - 234 Lake Pointe - GA7565748
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234 LAKE POINTE DR
MC HENRY, MD 21541
Lakefront log home in desirable Lake Pointe subdivision. This is the year-round spot to be, with Deep Creek Lake & dock slip in the front & HUGE views of Wisp Ski & Golf Resort out the back! Established & successful vacation rental property offering 4BR/3BA – very well appointed. Buy now & enjoy 2011 rental income!
Contact Jay Ferguson @ 301-501-0420 or DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com for more information or to setup a private showing for this property.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Thunder Moon on the rise
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(SUN PHOTO: Karl Merton Ferron, 2011)
The moon is full tonight. As the first full moon since the summer solstice, it’s known to some as the Hay Moon or the Thunder Moon, for reasons that seem clear enough. It’s officially full at 2:38 a.m. EDT – on Friday morning. Moonrise for Baltimore this evening is at 8:06 p.m. EDT. If you’re out on the beaches tonight, look for Luna to peek over the horizon at 7:58 p.m. Out at Deep Creek Lake, you’ll have to wait until at least 8:18 p.m. to see the Thunder Moon rise.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Maryland Clean Marinas Program is Looking for the Cleanest
>The Cleanest Marina contest is an initiative to get more marinas on board with clean marina practices.
By Mitchelle Stephenson
July 13, 2011
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has had an ongoing certification program for marinas that voluntarily adopt pollution prevention practices. Since 2009, a total of 120 marinas in Maryland are on the list of certified clean marinas. Of those, 18 are in south county. That represents about 25 percent of the 600 marinas in the state.
In order to get more marinas on board with the clean marina initiative, the DNR is having a contest this year for the cleanest marina. A copy of the rules are attached to this story. The winner will be selected in January 2012.
Award Criteria includes:
•Overall cleanliness of the facility (indoors and outdoors);
•Environmental services offered (e.g., recycling liquid and/or solid waste, reliable pump-outs, vacuum sanders, pet waste pick up bags, absorbent pads at the fuel dock, etc.);
•Communicating and enforcing “clean marina” practices and goals to customers and contractors through rules, signs, and services.
The Maryland Clean Marina Initiative recognizes and promotes marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs of any size that meet legal requirements and voluntarily adopt pollution prevention practices. Boaters are encouraged to patronize certified clean marinas and to adopt clean boating habits.
The DNR hopes that the collective effort of individuals and businesses will improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, coastal byways and inland lakes like Deep Creek Lake.
More here If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
