Articles by Ashley Brotherton

The Bay’s Green Giant

SERC scientist triples blue crab population

Chesapeake Country has a Green Giant. Tuck Hines may not be green as Kermit or big as Andre the Giant, but his work to save the Bay’s blue crab population has earned him Washingtonian Magazine’s gigantic title. When the Bay’s blue crab population fell to 255 million, Hines and his Smithsonian Environmental Research Center team convinced Maryland Department of Natural Resources to change harvest regulations. His determination paid off....

Article - People; by Ashley Brotherton; 5/16/13

Cancer Never Sleeps

… So Relay For Lifers don’t, either

… So Relay For Lifers don’t, either, bringing overnight teams to tracks round the nation to walk, relay-style, to raise money and support for cancer survivors, caregivers and families. Each track is lighted with luminaries bearing the names of loved ones who have battled cancer. In over 5,000 communities nationwide, Relay For Life has raised $4 billion for the American Cancer Society since 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt circled a Tacoma,...

Article - News; by Ashley Brotherton; 5/9/13

Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy

Annapolis Mall is getting Tanked

Westfield Annapolis Mall is the next target for Animal Planet’s show Tanked, where brother-in-law duo Wayde King and Brett Raymer create one-of-a-kind, over-the-top fish tanks. The pair of fish tanks are the centerpiece for a new dining café near featuring four new eateries: Dumpling Dojo, YoLavie Frozen Yogurt, SMAK Café and Squisitos Pizza and Pasta. King and Raymer run the family business, Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, from Las Vegas, and have...

Article - News; by Ashley Brotherton; 5/9/13

In Celebration of Wilderness

Add to America’s record of natural history; win a Smithsonian spot

Your photographs could hang in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, home to the world’s largest diamond, a triceratops and mummies. Fifty inspired images will join that rare collection through the Wilderness Forever 50 photography competition, which celebrates Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing the Wilderness Act 50 years ago. Our natural treasury of wilderness amounts to more than 100 million acres. Wildernesses — “rare, wild...

Article - News; by Ashley Brotherton; 5/9/13

The Secret to Award-Winning ’Cue

A Kansas City Barbeque Judge gives Bay Weekly the deets

Is each piece of meat evenly cut? Does it look appetizing? Are the pieces neatly arranged? What kind of garnish did the chef use? All these questions are answered in the first 30 seconds by Kansas City Barbeque Society judge Jorge Alday, who is judging the Parole Rotary Club’s Naptown barBAYq contest this weekend. He bases his first score on appearance: a 2 looks inedible, a 9 is perfect. He takes a sliver of meat with his...

Article - People; by Ashley Brotherton; 5/2/13

Giving a Building Life

Hard Bargain Farm going light years ahead of just green

A living building sounds like something out of a futuristic, sci-fi movie, but it’s closer than you think — 2015 to be exact. The Alice Ferguson Foundation just broke ground for a living building at Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek. The Foundation is the first in the region to build a living building and will be fourth in the world to earn the title. What does it take to create a living building? Fifteen million dollars, a...

Article - Green Living; by Ashley Brotherton; 5/2/13

Hoofing for a Good Cause

Don Chomas’ pink pig advances Parole Rotary’s Naptown barBAYq

The Parole Rotary’s Naptown barBAYq is coming to town with more than 50 teams competing to win bragging rights to best pork, chicken, ribs and brisket. Next weekend you’ll smell the smoke far and wide. Barbecuing begins late May 3 with the festival running May 4 and 5 at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. You’ll get your chance to taste from 2:30-5pm Saturday ($10). This week, you might meet the pig. That’s Rotary president Don...

Article - News; by Ashley Brotherton; 4/25/13

Nameless Heron Closer to an Identity

Vote for your favorite name

More than 550 of us aspire to name the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s famous blue heron on the Save the Bay license plates. Three finalists name the cut. Now you get to vote for your favorite. Hattie the Heron, suggested by Jane Dimalanta of Jessup in honor of her great-great-great-great-grandmother. “She was a strong woman and so is our beautiful bird.” Seemore D. Bay, by Lesley Ann of Chester, who hopes this name reminds us to see more of the...

Article - Creature Feature; by Ashley Brotherton; 4/25/13

Invasive Plants Spreading a Mile a Minute

State Highway Administration is fast behind

Don’t let looks deceive you. Some of the pretty greenery you see on the side of the road is invasive. Invasive plants are a growing problem in the state. Pretty white-flowering Bradford pear trees escaped from domestication, Mile-a-minute weeds and multiflora rose bramble may look nice, but they are invaders. Now the State Highway Administration is on a mission to remove the troublemakers. Safety worries Charlie Gischlar at the State Highway...

Article - News; by Ashley Brotherton; 4/18/13

Say Cheese!

It’s time for your close-up, Mother Nature

Capture family memories with the Bay as a backdrop, on top of one of Maryland’s mountains or in a leaf-filled meadow for Maryland League of Conservation Voters’ family photo contest. The League wants photos of families having fun in Maryland’s great outdoors to enrich League publications and website while inspiring Marylanders to fight to protect our state’s natural beauty. Email your photos, name and contact info by May 31 to info...

Article - News; by Ashley Brotherton; 4/18/13