Did Robinsons Want A Nature Center?

The Sun has an intriguing story about the deal leading to the new nature center being constructed in the Middle Patuxent environmental area.

While the project may mark a triumph for Ulman's effort to make Howard County a leader in environmental progress, there is an undercurrent of hurt feelings among the scattered members of Robinson's extended family, who recently learned about the groundbreaking from a local friend but have decided not to attend. Several wonder whether Robinson would have wanted such a large, active center on her land.

The piece raises more questions than it answers, but several of the details are curious nonetheless.

Re-check Those Clarksville E. Bus Skeds

From a note to parents:

As you may have heard, bus information that was published in the local newspapers was incorrect. We posted correct routes here in the building. For those of you that were unable to make it to the open house...I will post the info on our website.

HoCo Loses $8.3M In State Aid

The Sun says the cuts are needed to deal with state budget woes and could mean "an immediate ban on local road repaving and possible higher costs at Howard Community College."

County health officer Peter L. Beilenson said he will have to lay off as many as 10 people and end programs in county clinics for services such as cancer screenings, sexually transmitted disease prevention, tuberculosis and other kinds of screenings, and tobacco use cessation. The effect of the cuts will be magnified, he said, because most savings must be squeezed from cuts that can’t be imposed until the second half of the current fiscal year, which began July 1.

River Hill's Entrepreneurial Spirit

Here's an interesting Back to School offer sent by school e-letter to River Hill families:

Calculators for Sale – August 27 & September 3rd. We were able to secure a nice supply of Texas Instruments Calculators and we will be selling them at RHHS at Orientation and Back-To-School Night. These calculators are being offered at at descent price, at convenient times, and a portion of the proceeds will help PTSA and Boosters! Click Here for the flyer with prices. You can always call or email if you want to place an order. If you have any questions, please contact Krysten Badey, RHHS Student & President, Bytes and Pieces LLC

Man, 87, Charged In 91-Year-old's Death

Ah, the new media: A Sun story in WaPo on Howard's first homicide charge of the year:

They were two elderly men living out their days at Harmony Hall, an assisted living facility in Columbia. James W. Brown and Earl Lafayette Wilder didn't know each other, according to an official at the facility, and might not have had any contact until Aug. 14.

Now, Brown, 91, is dead, and Wilder, 87, has been charged with killing him that afternoon in an incident outside the home. It was Howard County's first homicide of the year.

Joseph LaVerghetta, general counsel for Harmony Hall's owner, said it isn't clear what triggered the incident.

"Nobody knows what happened,'' LaVerghetta said. "It's shocking. It's sad, a very strange thing."

Police said Brown was sitting on a bench outside Harmony Hall when Wilder struck him in the head.

HoCo To Break Ground On Nature Center

The ceremonial first shovels will be employed at 11 a.m. on Saturday at 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia.

From HoCoGov:

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Join County Executive Ken Ulman, representatives from Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks and the James and Anne Robinson Foundation as they “dig in” to begin construction on a new state-of-the-art nature center, made possible through the generous donation of Anne Robinson. The Center has been designed to incorporate extensive energy efficient and environmentally friendly strategies, making the facility a LEED Platinum rated building and minimizing any contribution to the County’s carbon footprint. When complete, the Center will offer educational programs related to nature, resource management and history and include an auditorium, two classrooms, a children’s discovery room and a 50 seat digital planetarium called “The NatureSphere.” Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2010.

Peanut-free Tables For The Kids

What will they think of next?

From HoCo schools:

Maryland Law requires schools to designate a table in the cafeteria as peanut and tree-nut free. While most students with peanut and tree-nut allergies do not experience severe reactions with skin-only contact with their allergen, some students need more protection in the cafeteria.

For students with physician-documented anaphylactic allergy (e.g., physician's order for EpiPen) to peanuts or tree nuts, or a physician-documented anaphylactic allergy to another food, provisions for an allergen-free table will be made on a case-by-case basis, based on student need, physician-input, and parent request.

Upon parent request, the school will provide a designated table for a student with physician-documented anaphylactic allergy. Your child is NOT required to sit at this table, however the school is required to make this option available.

An allergen-free table will be considered when:
• The student experiences severe, frequent and/or disruptive symptoms after skin exposure to their allergen.
• There is concern that other students' food may be ingested.
• The student experiences symptoms from inhalation of food odors/dust (e.g., peanut shells), etc.
• The parent makes a request.

If you are not sure whether your child needs this extra protective measure, please discuss this with your child's health care provider or with the cluster/school nurse. If your child requires or you wish to discuss the need for an allergen-free table, please contact the cluster/school nurse at your child's school.