Lawsuit threatened over Western MD wind farm
A group of Western Maryland residents and a state conservation group have filed formal notice they’ll sue to stop construction of a wind farm in Garrett County, contending the massive turbines “almost certainly” will harm endangered bats in the forested, mountainous region.
Save Western Maryland, a group of local residents opposed to wind farm projects in the county, announced Saturday that it had joined with the Maryland Conservation Council and “several concerned citizens” in a June 23 letter warning of the lawsuit to Constellation Green Green Energy LLC, and other businesses that have or have had a hand in the wind farm being built on Backbone Mountain south of Oakland. Constellation Green Energy is an offshoot of Baltimore-based Constellation Energy.
The groups contend the Eagle Rock project will violate the federal Endangered Species Act because the 28 turbines, each more than 400 feet high, would “almost certainly” kill or injure rare Indiana bats or Virginia big-eared bats, both protected by law.
The notice said a lawsuit would be filed within 60 days, unless Constellation obtains an “incidental take” permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for any protected bats its turbines might harm. Getting such a permit requires the applicant to prepare a “habitat conservation plan,” which lays out steps taken to avoid or minimize harm to rare species, and possibly to mitigate their loss as well.
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350
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Deep Creek Lake Fireworks July 4th, 2010
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ6PuZXr9CY&hl=en_US&fs=1]
The setting is always amazing. McHenry Cove starts to fill up with boats at about 7pm or so. I arrived at Ski Harbor on my boat, guests of some clients whom I have worked with for years and from my time owning property there. You see all kinds of picnics, bonfires and party tents set up all along the shorelines of the lake; thousands of people enjoying the 4th of July and the festivities.
The water was really calm in the no-wake cove, and there were kids fishing off the docks and launching kayaks. We setup a picnic blanket and some lawn chairs and settled in for the show. The fireworks typically start at 9:30, so we had some time to kill and to enjoy the atmosphere.
My daughter Kayleah and her friend were fishing off the boat, Noah and his little buddy Wyatt were running around chasing ducks, throwing sticks and exploring the waterfront. We had packed a simple picnic basket with some snacks, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (YUM!) and birthday cake (Happy Birthday Jerry!). The food and company were great and before we knew it, the cove had filled with hundreds of boats and it was showtime…
The fireworks lasted about 30 minutes or so, and the smell of sulphur was drifting through the air. One of the most impressive things for me was the way the sound echoes through the valley and reverberates through the lake. You can hear LOUD echoes on a 1-2 second delay that ring all the way to Sky Valley (a client of mine reports that her dogs are NOT firework fans).
My son, Noah, is turning 3 next month and these were his 3rd set of fireworks he has seen from the lake, but this was by far his most interactive. He spent the first 5 or 10 minutes with his hands over his ears and then seemed to adjust well. You may be able to tell from the video, he was ‘helping’ me adjust the camera 🙂
When the fireworks were finished, we waited for the boat traffic to clear up, and the kids rode home safely in the car – it is a bit scary on the return trip on a boat with all of the traffic, etc. But, as far as I know, everyone made it home safe and happy – thrilled with the most impressive fireworks display Deep Creek Lake has seen in quite a while…thanks to Hugh Umbel for the show!!
Here is a link to the photo gallery on Facebook, and I hope you enjoy the video from http://www.Youtube.com/deepcreeklake.
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350<a href=”http://www.ilovedeepcreek.com/”.
Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!
Fred Thayer Memorial Golf Tourney July 30 Thousand Acres Lakeside Golf Club
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Jul. 1, 2010
Local golfers are invited to don their favorite kilts and join in the first Fred Thayer Memorial Golf Tournament, slated for July 30 at the Thousand Acres Lakeside Golf Club. A kilted Pete Versteegen is pictured above as he readies a shot. Frederick A. Thayer III, retired judge for the Garrett County Circuit Court who was well known for pride in his Scottish ancestry, for his love of golf, and as an accomplished bagpipe player, died in 2006. This tourney in his memory is being sponsored by the McHenry Highland Festival. Thayer co-founded the Garrett Highlanders bagpipe and drum band in 1979 (now Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums).
A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to a scholarship fund in Thayer’s name, which was established in 2007. See story on today’s sports link. To register, persons should go to www.highlandfest.info/golf.html by July 25.
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!
Arrests By NRP Include Illegal Ginseng Harvest
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Jul. 1, 2010
The Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged three people with numerous offenses that began when one of them became lost in Savage River State Forest on June 5 while harvesting ginseng.
James Lewis Alt, 72, and John Darryl Mayhew, 48, both of Piedmont, W.Va., and Gary Lee Farris, 60, Westernport, were charged with collecting ginseng without a permit, harvesting ginseng out of season, removing, damaging, and destroying plants from a state forest, and using property and resources of state wild lands for commercial gain.
Farris and Mayhew were also charged with making a false statement to a police officer.
In another incident, the NRP charged William Kenneth Curry, 56, Pittsburgh, last Friday with operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol and operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol.
Curry was stopped on Deep Creek Lake.
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on www.DeepCreekAlive.com!
Meadow Mountain Teacher Named Best In Business
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Jul. 1, 2010
The American Correctional Association (ACA) has named Russell Metz as one of the “Best in the Business” in the United States. Metz is a science and aquaculture teacher at Meadow Mountain Youth Center, a Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) facility located in Grantsville. The facility specializes in the treatment of youth with substance abuse issues. Metz is one of only 17 correctional employees selected by the ACA from hundreds of submissions.
Since 2005, Metz has steadily transformed the classroom-oriented approach to science, math, and engineering into an environmental science program that takes a hands-on approach in the facility’s environmental center. In partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service, Metz and his students study the cultivation of fish and other aquatic organisms, which is also known as “aquaculture.”
“I have always enjoyed teaching, but it is very rewarding to watch the excitement and joy the students express when they partake in these new experiences,” said Metz. “Some of these youth have never been out of the city, so this country, outdoor, environmental experience is all new.”
Metz and his students oversee the state’s only indoor recirculating system for growing hybrid sunfish. The students are responsible for the care and maintenance of the fish by conducting water tests and collecting data for food and growth charts. The fish are then taken to local ponds by the DNR and released to re-stock the fish populations.
“I already know that DJS has some of the most dedicated employees in the country, but it is great to see one of our own receive the national recognition that he rightly deserves,” said Secretary Donald W. DeVore. “Russell’s aquaculture program has achieved remarkable success with youth who previously have struggled to learn in a traditional classroom environment. The youth that participate in Russell’s classes are not just learning about environmental science; they are learning that they can succeed.”
The ACA also recognized three DJS employees as the “Best in the Business” for the state of Maryland: Dwain Johnson, director of the DJS Violence Prevention Initiative; Daniel McCoy, resident advisor supervisor at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center; and Leo Zilka, community detention officer III.
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on www.DeepCreekAlive.com!
Grantsville Days Deemed Success; Results Released
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Jul. 1, 2010
The annual Grantsville Days celebration was again deemed a success by Gerry Beachy, event chairman.
“We had a terrific Grantsville Days this year thanks to the financial support of many of the members of the Greater Grantsville Business Association (GGBA),” Beachy said.
He reported that the Cub Scouts sold over 1,500 pounds of potatoes and the tractor pull lasted beyond midnight because there were a greater number of entries. In addition, there were more entries in the truck pull on Sunday.
“Since these events lasted longer than anticipated and the pulling sled charges by the hour, we had a shortfall,” Beachy said. “A plea to the GGBA resulted in donation help coming in from Total Biz Fulfilment ($200) and Hill Top Fruit Market ($100) to help with the cost overruns. The Grantsville Lions Club thanks Total Biz and Hill Top Fruit Market and all the businesses that helped make this Grantsville Days most successful. We also thank God for the great weather.”
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on www.DeepCreekAlive.com!
MSDE Allocates $2.8 Million To State Schools
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Jul. 1, 2010
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced that 207 schools across the state, including eight in Garrett County, will share $2.8 million in state funds to participate in the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) classroom breakfast program during the 2010-2011 school year. The Garrett County schools include Accident, Crellin, Dennett Road, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, and Yough Glades elementary schools, and Bloomington School.
“The importance of good nutrition has recently gained national attention. Maryland Meals for Achievement is an easy, inexpensive way to fuel students’ minds for academic success. Students who participate in the in-classroom breakfast program have fewer health issues and improved concentration, behave better in class, and score higher on standardized tests,” said state superintendent of schools Nancy S. Grasmick.
In addition to academic benefits, breakfast has health benefits as well. Eating breakfast has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity. One study found that adolescents who eat breakfast tend to have a lower body mass index than those who do not eat breakfast. Other studies found that students who eat breakfast consume more essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, dietary fiber, and protein.
With the school breakfast program, students have the opportunity to eat school breakfast in their classrooms, and breakfast is incorporated into the academic day. Students do not pay for the meal, regardless of family income. Schools with MMFA have an average daily breakfast participation of 70 percent compared to schools without the program, which serve a traditional cafeteria breakfast and have an average daily breakfast participation of 10 percent.
There are efforts under way to increase breakfast participation in all Maryland schools, according to Grasmick. The school breakfast program is one of several nutrition programs included in the Governor’s Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland. This partnership seeks to eliminate childhood hunger by 2015, a goal that is consistent with President Obama’s efforts.
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!
Fireworks Shows Slated For July 3-July 4 Weekend
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Jul. 1, 2010
At least two major fireworks events are slated for the Independence Day weekend. Garrett County residents and visitors are invited to Broadford Park on July 3 and to Deep Creek Lake on July 4.
The annual fireworks celebration at Broadford Park is set to begin at dusk on Saturday, July 3. A rain date is slated for July 5. Fireworks will be provided by the American Fireworks Company.
The annual Fire on the Mountain fireworks display is slated for Sunday, July 4, to begin at dark, with fireworks being set off at Wisp Resort. The event is sponsored by Hugh Umbel Companies, and a rain date has also been set for July 5. Fireworks can be viewed from numerous points in the area, including by boat. The show will be preceded by the Garrett Community Band/Garrett Choral Society concert on the lawn at Garrett College, which is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!
Mortgage Interest Rates Hit 50 Year Low - Railey Realty Blog
From Mike Kennedy at the Railey Realty blog:
Conforming interest rates on 30 year fixed mortgage loans under $417,000 are near all time historical lows. As of today, the current interest rate is 4.50%.
Even though the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit has expired, this low interest rate is a great opportunity for a buyer to save a substantial amount of money over the life of their loan. In addition, this lower interest rate also gives a buyer more purchasing power. If you are planning on buying a house or real estate sometime this year it may benefit you in the long run to buy sooner than later by taking advantage of this extremely low rate. This is also a great opportunity to refinance your existing mortgage as well depending on your situation and future plans to buy or sell…
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on www.DeepCreekAlive.com!
Have a safe 4th of July weekend!
I’ll be upodating a few pieces of news later today, but for now, have a safe & happy 4th of July weekend!
If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on www.DeepCreekAlive.com!
