Features (All)

Article - News; by Margaret Tearman - 6/30/11

Legally Local

It’s easier to say that popular word than to define it

Buying local is all the rage. But what is local? Until now, there has been no way to guarantee that what you’re buying is grown locally — whatever that is — or even grown in Maryland. Now, thanks to a new law taking effect June 27, foods sold in Maryland as “locally grown or produced” must be identified by state of origin. Raw meat, eggs, fish, fruits, vegetables, shellfish and processed dairy products all fall under the law. ...

Article - News; by C.T. Schwink - 6/30/11

Countdown to the Fourth

The work starts early each year to make bombs burst in air on Independence Day

Every July, Americans celebrate our nation’s birthday with fireworks. The crowd gets quiet as the sun goes down, waiting for the countdown to illuminate the sky in a bombastic and awe-inspiring yearly birthday ignition. It only takes a moment to ignite a firework, the touch of a match or more accurately, the push of a button. It takes far longer to organize a large-scale celebration. Starting July 5, event planners will be working on next year...

Article - People; by Margaret Tearman - 6/23/11

Finding Murphy

A village turns up for a lost cat

Murphy is missing. The sweet-natured cat disappeared from her home in Chesapeake Overlook, near the Anne Arundel-Calvert line on Sunday, June 5. Finding Murphy has become a community effort. There isn’t anything particularly exceptional about Murphy, says her human, Colleen Sabo. “We’ve had a lot of pets over the years,” she tells Bay Weekly. “But for some reason this cat has captured my heart. I just love...

Article - Green Living; by Sandra Olivetti Martin - 6/23/11

Love the Bay?

Southern High School artists will paint you a wall to proclaim it

When it comes to wearing your heart on your sleeve, Muddy Creek Animal Hospital, in the rural crossroads known as West River, has reached a new high. The artists of Southern High School have splashed a celebration of the Southern Anne Arundel environment — from Bay to wetlands to farm fields — onto the vet clinic’s 25-foot-high exterior wall. The evocative mural realizes a long-held dream for Grant Nisson, whose veterinarian “family practice”...

Article - Creature Feature; by Margaret Tearman - 6/23/11

This Week’s Creature Feature: Protecting a...

Five Smithsonian cheetah cubs thriving

For five cheetah cubs born May 28 at the Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., the first doctor’s visit was a house call. In mid-June, Smithsonian biologists spent a few minutes examining the two-pound furballs — and happily reported all five cubs to be healthy and active. “When I was weighing the last cub, he was being a very tough little guy,” said Adrienne Crosier, cheetah biologist. “We...

Article - News; by C.T. Schwink - 6/16/11

Where to Take Your Swimming Lessons

Anne Arundel County Arundel Olympic Swim Center - Swim lessons for adults and kids. Children must be a least three years old and potty-trained: 410-222-7933. Truxton Park Swimming Pool - A variety of swimming programs for adults and children: 410-263-2958. North Arundel Aquatic Center - Swim lessons for adults and kids. Children must be a least three years old and potty-trained: 410-222-0900. Severna Park Swim...

Article - News; by Sandra Olivetti Martin - 6/16/11

Cleaning a River Takes Heart and Brains

Report from the 24th annual Patuxent River Wade In

“We’re all Fowler’s Followers,” said Congressman Steny Hoyer, as 86-year-old retired state senator Bernie Fowler led the 24th annual Wade In to his beloved Patuxent River. Hoyer had already proclaimed the river’s health — C- to D- as measured by the Patuxent Riverkeeper — “not good enough.” When the procession of Followers had waded into the rain-fed river from Jefferson Patterson Park, Fowler announced “the news is...

Article - People; by Chris Kearney and Erik Embry - 6/16/11

In Sickness and in Health

Love doesn’t care about age

Al Able, of Breezy Point, took those words to heart when he married Adelaide. Al was a confirmed 45-year-old bachelor when he met Alelaide, then a 60-year-old widow, on a blind date that almost didn’t happen. She stood him up. He persisted, and they met, despite Alelaide’s insistence that she was too old for him. “Love doesn’t care about age,” Al told her, and they married a year later. Over 32 years in health and in sickness...

Article - People; by Sandra Olivetti Martin - 6/16/11

Parallel Footsteps

Walter Boynton couldn’t help but pass on the environmental gene to daughters Jessica and Sarah

Walter Boynton has invested his life in the environment. World famous for his research into urbanizing watersheds, the plain-spoken professor is a public employee, laboring on salary at Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons. “He was understanding, always encouraging my sister and me to do different things,” recalls daughter Sarah. “Showing us and telling us about the Bay and rivers. He kept us involved and gave us every opportunity to explore. But he...

Article - People; by Sandra Olivetti Martin - 6/16/11

Dad and the Family Business

Three Chesapeake families make it work at work

For Father’s Day 2011, we inquired into the family dynamics of three father-founded businesses, all longtime supporters of our own family business, Bay Weekly. Making it Work for Everyone The Westmoreland Family of Alexander’s of Annapolis Salon and Day Spa Working together has been working for Alexander Westmoreland and his family for more than 15 years at Alexander’s of Annapolis Salon and Day Spa. Both girls finished high school...