While the country debates Health Care Reform, in the August heat, in Catonsville, residents will choose sides on more immediate concerns. Do you like Opie's or Tastee Zone?
Just as passionate as the allegiance to Coke or Pepsi, the patrons of ice cream and snowballs have a definate divide. The crushed ice of Opie's vs. the shaved ice of Tastee Zone. The crowds on the picnic tables of Opie's vs. the curbside seating of Tastee Zone. Ask any resident of Catonsville over the age of 5 and they will have a definite preference for one or the other. Occasionally, the ice cream snowballs of the Candy Box, which are easy to grab on a trip down Frederick Rd, but it is a dash and go experience rather than a hang around to chat with anyone who shows up, kind of place. We also have the gelato of Cafe di Roma which offers a more mature, relaxing, international feel but without the tradition and history of the Junction.
We can also debate 5 Oaks vs. Rollingwood. Families naturally gravitate to one pool or the other. Both can boast about their pool, their grounds and their recreation, but they will never convince the other to concede. There are a few who choose membership to Hunting Hills, another lovely pool, but their members are mostly at the far end of town, so the splashing of swimmers at the other two pools drown out their voices.
Do you enjoy the concerts at Lurman Woodland Theatre tucked nicely into the knoll just a few steps from Bloomsbury Avenue? The smell of grilled food, the nice facilities and the kids playing nearby, make this a great retreat right here in "Music City." Or, do you enjoy the Frederick Road Fridays, a concert/block party in the parking lot next to the Santa House? It features classics like Appoloosa, Bill's Music House and Jenning's beer garden. Just like its location, this is the "heart" of Catonsville.
This raises more questions. Where is the best coffee? The best pizza? The best bakery? The best roadside stand?
So take a summer break from the debate of politics and talk of the weather, to consider which side you will take in this Catonsville discussion. As you are filled with the passion to express your opinion, feel free to post it here.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Going Round About Traffic Circle
The corner of Edmondson Avenue and Old Frederick Rd has been a topic of conversation at cookouts, and the pool most of this summer. The decision to remove the traffic lights and install a round-about brings mixed reviews from those of us who travel this route 4 or more times per day.
While the workers, for the most part have been completing the work fairly quickly and with reasonable courtesy to drivers, the chaos has tested the patience of harried moms and student drivers. From the initial set up of the stop signs, placed mostly behind tree limbs, to the constantly changing lane lines, often rearranged in the time it takes to drive to the pool and back, the flashing message to “Stay Alert” is an understatement. The local residents have graciously dealt with the dust, disappearing and reappearing sidewalks, and spontaneous worker picnics on their lawns. But now we must consider the final product. The curbs have been pinched in so as to condense the lanes forcing biker riders and skateboarders who use the bike lane to quickly merge into the car lane. The lack of visibility to see around the corner from Edmondson up Old Frederick toward Rolling Rd, was not an issue when the traffic light was holding back the oncoming traffic, but now this blind spot poses a serious problem as one will be unable to see the traffic entering the circle from Old Frederick until the driver on Edmondson is in the circle too.
My biggest concern will not be an issue until August 31, the first day of school. An intersection where traffic once stopped at a red light, perhaps a little too long for some, has been changed to a free flowing traffic pattern where the cars will never stop. Sounds great, until 3pm Monday thru Friday, when the middle school children are dismissed and begin their walk up Edmondson Avenue. For the few students who travel on the sidewalks, there will be no light to slow or stop the traffic as they cross the street. This concern was raised by the community at local meetings. The solution is a raised brick crosswalk. We are talking MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS HERE! For the many students who frequently walk on the yellow line in the center of Edmondson Avenue as they travel towards Old Frederick, the turn-about may offer an island of repute for further play and taunting of drivers. Perhaps the bricks could be yellow too and entice them to “Follow the yellow brick road.” But I doubt it.
Perhaps there will be a crossing guard as promised. Perhaps the middle school students will like the fresh sidewalks and spontaneously use them. We will see soon enough. I advise you to continue to following the wise advice of the flashing yellow sign, long after it is removed from Edmondson Ave. “Stay Alert!”
While the workers, for the most part have been completing the work fairly quickly and with reasonable courtesy to drivers, the chaos has tested the patience of harried moms and student drivers. From the initial set up of the stop signs, placed mostly behind tree limbs, to the constantly changing lane lines, often rearranged in the time it takes to drive to the pool and back, the flashing message to “Stay Alert” is an understatement. The local residents have graciously dealt with the dust, disappearing and reappearing sidewalks, and spontaneous worker picnics on their lawns. But now we must consider the final product. The curbs have been pinched in so as to condense the lanes forcing biker riders and skateboarders who use the bike lane to quickly merge into the car lane. The lack of visibility to see around the corner from Edmondson up Old Frederick toward Rolling Rd, was not an issue when the traffic light was holding back the oncoming traffic, but now this blind spot poses a serious problem as one will be unable to see the traffic entering the circle from Old Frederick until the driver on Edmondson is in the circle too.
My biggest concern will not be an issue until August 31, the first day of school. An intersection where traffic once stopped at a red light, perhaps a little too long for some, has been changed to a free flowing traffic pattern where the cars will never stop. Sounds great, until 3pm Monday thru Friday, when the middle school children are dismissed and begin their walk up Edmondson Avenue. For the few students who travel on the sidewalks, there will be no light to slow or stop the traffic as they cross the street. This concern was raised by the community at local meetings. The solution is a raised brick crosswalk. We are talking MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS HERE! For the many students who frequently walk on the yellow line in the center of Edmondson Avenue as they travel towards Old Frederick, the turn-about may offer an island of repute for further play and taunting of drivers. Perhaps the bricks could be yellow too and entice them to “Follow the yellow brick road.” But I doubt it.
Perhaps there will be a crossing guard as promised. Perhaps the middle school students will like the fresh sidewalks and spontaneously use them. We will see soon enough. I advise you to continue to following the wise advice of the flashing yellow sign, long after it is removed from Edmondson Ave. “Stay Alert!”
Monday, July 27, 2009
Dear Sam, It's time to go.
Dear Sam
It's time to go. (Read in a soothing, motherly voice) In light of your second DUI this week, it is time to resign from the Baltimore County Council. Perhaps these incidents are symptoms of a deeper personal issue which requires your time and attention to resolve. Or perhaps it shows a total disregard for your personal safety and the safety of other drivers and passengers on our roads.
Our public officials should be role models for the citizens of our community and the community's children. In 2005, your loyal supporters asked for understanding from your constituents because public officials are human and entitled to a mistake. A mistake. One mistake.
This second incident, again involving an accident, and causing injury to another person, can no longer be brushed aside as "a mistake." This time the behavior can only be described as reckless.
Each year the PTAs and PTSAs sponsor events in our schools explaining to students the dangers of drinking and driving. These organizations can no longer have our councilman at student events representing local government. This topic was discussed at PTA meetings in 2005 and it will take up valuable meeting time again, if you continue as our County Councilman.
A quiet resignation will show the citizens and children of Catonsville that there are consequences for bad actions. No public explanation is necessary. Resign. get the help you need. Stop drinking and driving, not just for a few years, but forever. My children, my friends and my neighbors deserve to be safe on Catonsville's streets.
It's time to go. (Read in a soothing, motherly voice) In light of your second DUI this week, it is time to resign from the Baltimore County Council. Perhaps these incidents are symptoms of a deeper personal issue which requires your time and attention to resolve. Or perhaps it shows a total disregard for your personal safety and the safety of other drivers and passengers on our roads.
Our public officials should be role models for the citizens of our community and the community's children. In 2005, your loyal supporters asked for understanding from your constituents because public officials are human and entitled to a mistake. A mistake. One mistake.
This second incident, again involving an accident, and causing injury to another person, can no longer be brushed aside as "a mistake." This time the behavior can only be described as reckless.
Each year the PTAs and PTSAs sponsor events in our schools explaining to students the dangers of drinking and driving. These organizations can no longer have our councilman at student events representing local government. This topic was discussed at PTA meetings in 2005 and it will take up valuable meeting time again, if you continue as our County Councilman.
A quiet resignation will show the citizens and children of Catonsville that there are consequences for bad actions. No public explanation is necessary. Resign. get the help you need. Stop drinking and driving, not just for a few years, but forever. My children, my friends and my neighbors deserve to be safe on Catonsville's streets.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Catonsville Men's Civic Association- A Catonsville Treasure
The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association.
They are the unsung heroes who help make the Catonsville traditions special for our children. These men have brought many years of fun times and memories to our family and surely many others.
These are the men who arrive at the high school early 4th of July morning to set up the games. Piles of hay for the lollipop hunt. Ropes outlining the race courses. The tent to distribute the price ribbons. These are all completed prior to the arrival of excited children and parents dressed in red, white and blue.
The games go on despite extreme heat and sprinkling rain. Most years there is a huge crowd, including locals, returning Catonsvillians and visitors. Generations of families have grown up attending this event. The old fashion games like sack races and wheel barrow races are exciting for the kids and nostalgic for the adults. Our family favorite is the final game, the balloon toss.
Just lining up for the gum ball race is entertaining enough. The men walk along the row of kids placing gum balls onto the small plastic spoons held by little hands. The instructions include, “Place the gum ball on the spoon and run to the end of the line, without dropping the gum ball. If you drop the gum ball onto the ground, do not eat it.” Some kids look forward towards the end of the line, anticipating their winning finish. Others are eyeing the gum ball, licking their lips, thinking of a way to sneak the gum into their mouth. Others have already dropped the gum, picked it up, and popped it into their mouth, chewing away!
My kids have participated for years, even winning a blue ribbon one year. Nick’s goal was to compete and win the "big" event. Reserved for teens and adults, each player removes their shoes and surrenders them to the members of the Men's Civic Association. They are mixed and tossed and shuffled at the other end of the field. The goal is to run down the field, find your shoes, put them on and return to the starting line FIRST. After years of observing this ritual, my then middle school son entered the competition, finishing in the top 10, along side grown men, twenty somethings and teens. He voweled to return the next year and win. He remarked about his goal a few times during that year, when we reviewed the photos from that day. The morning of the 4th, one year later, he returned to claim his victory!
The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association also sponsors the Egg Hunt in the spring, the 4th of July fireworks, the CHS After Prom Party, and 2 CHS scholarships, fundraising passing a bucket and selling glow necklaces at the fireworks show. While I do not know any of them personally, I recognize them each year. They are as much a part of our Catonsville 4th of July tradition as hot dogs and potato salad.
The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association is a Catonsville Treasure.
They are the unsung heroes who help make the Catonsville traditions special for our children. These men have brought many years of fun times and memories to our family and surely many others.
These are the men who arrive at the high school early 4th of July morning to set up the games. Piles of hay for the lollipop hunt. Ropes outlining the race courses. The tent to distribute the price ribbons. These are all completed prior to the arrival of excited children and parents dressed in red, white and blue.
The games go on despite extreme heat and sprinkling rain. Most years there is a huge crowd, including locals, returning Catonsvillians and visitors. Generations of families have grown up attending this event. The old fashion games like sack races and wheel barrow races are exciting for the kids and nostalgic for the adults. Our family favorite is the final game, the balloon toss.
Just lining up for the gum ball race is entertaining enough. The men walk along the row of kids placing gum balls onto the small plastic spoons held by little hands. The instructions include, “Place the gum ball on the spoon and run to the end of the line, without dropping the gum ball. If you drop the gum ball onto the ground, do not eat it.” Some kids look forward towards the end of the line, anticipating their winning finish. Others are eyeing the gum ball, licking their lips, thinking of a way to sneak the gum into their mouth. Others have already dropped the gum, picked it up, and popped it into their mouth, chewing away!
My kids have participated for years, even winning a blue ribbon one year. Nick’s goal was to compete and win the "big" event. Reserved for teens and adults, each player removes their shoes and surrenders them to the members of the Men's Civic Association. They are mixed and tossed and shuffled at the other end of the field. The goal is to run down the field, find your shoes, put them on and return to the starting line FIRST. After years of observing this ritual, my then middle school son entered the competition, finishing in the top 10, along side grown men, twenty somethings and teens. He voweled to return the next year and win. He remarked about his goal a few times during that year, when we reviewed the photos from that day. The morning of the 4th, one year later, he returned to claim his victory!
The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association also sponsors the Egg Hunt in the spring, the 4th of July fireworks, the CHS After Prom Party, and 2 CHS scholarships, fundraising passing a bucket and selling glow necklaces at the fireworks show. While I do not know any of them personally, I recognize them each year. They are as much a part of our Catonsville 4th of July tradition as hot dogs and potato salad.
The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association is a Catonsville Treasure.
The Chairs of Catonsville
The Chairs of Catonsville
The 4th of July Chairs on Frederick Rd appeared, to my observation, the Saturday before July 4th. One week seems a reasonable amount of time since in previous years I can recall their arrival 10 days prior, and once, 2 full weeks in advance of the 4th. After a brief exchange of letters in the Catonsville Times, debating the appropriate amount of time for the chairs to sit on Frederick Rd, a sort of self policing took effect and reasonable minds returned to 1 week to 10 days.
This phenomenon is common place to Catonsvillians, but lost on outsiders. This week I was greeted at my office in Ellicott City by irritated comments like “What’s with the chairs on the side of the road?’ and “Those people should get a life.” Why does this harmless event bother people so?
I myself find it charming. Since I generally arrive at the parade about 2:30pm and perch my family comfortably on the curb, the “reservists” don’t bother me. When I see the chairs, I am reminded it is time to break out my red, white and blue decorations. The fact that the chairs can sit on Frederick Rd for at least a week, remaining for the most part unharmed or stolen, renews my faith in human nature. The fact that others have confidence leaving their chairs, reminds me that others have that faith too. I watch the people who wait at the bus stops, “living large” for a week, relaxing in nice lawn chairs. These thought make me smile as I drive down Frederick Rd. It is part of the seasons of Catonsville.
I was in Arbutus on Monday. There were no chairs along the parade route, building the excitement and expectation, like stockings hung by the fireplace awaiting Santa. It is part of the anticipation that makes the 4th of July in Catonsville special.
The 4th of July Chairs on Frederick Rd appeared, to my observation, the Saturday before July 4th. One week seems a reasonable amount of time since in previous years I can recall their arrival 10 days prior, and once, 2 full weeks in advance of the 4th. After a brief exchange of letters in the Catonsville Times, debating the appropriate amount of time for the chairs to sit on Frederick Rd, a sort of self policing took effect and reasonable minds returned to 1 week to 10 days.
This phenomenon is common place to Catonsvillians, but lost on outsiders. This week I was greeted at my office in Ellicott City by irritated comments like “What’s with the chairs on the side of the road?’ and “Those people should get a life.” Why does this harmless event bother people so?
I myself find it charming. Since I generally arrive at the parade about 2:30pm and perch my family comfortably on the curb, the “reservists” don’t bother me. When I see the chairs, I am reminded it is time to break out my red, white and blue decorations. The fact that the chairs can sit on Frederick Rd for at least a week, remaining for the most part unharmed or stolen, renews my faith in human nature. The fact that others have confidence leaving their chairs, reminds me that others have that faith too. I watch the people who wait at the bus stops, “living large” for a week, relaxing in nice lawn chairs. These thought make me smile as I drive down Frederick Rd. It is part of the seasons of Catonsville.
I was in Arbutus on Monday. There were no chairs along the parade route, building the excitement and expectation, like stockings hung by the fireplace awaiting Santa. It is part of the anticipation that makes the 4th of July in Catonsville special.
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