Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Snowflake creators from throughout the country say they want to join the effort.
- OPINION
- Jay Corn
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Wednesday, December 26, 2012
People across the country have had the families of Newtown, CT, on their minds during the holiday season and are searching for ways to help. What can you do? The Sandy Hook Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) recently announced that Sandy Hook students will be relocating to another building to continue school in January. To brighten the students' first day, the PTA is asking for handmade snowflakes from well-wishers across the country, to hang in their new building. "Please help these students have a 'winter wonderland' at their new school! Get creative. No two snowflakes are alike," they said. Snowflakes can be made and sent by Jan. 12, 2013 to: Connecticut PTSA 60 Connolly Parkway Building 12, Suite 13 Hamden, CT 06514 Click here to see …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
It's your turn to share your thoughts on the media's coverage of the nation's latest mass shooting.
In the immediate aftermath of the shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, CT some people thought the news media coverage of the event was overkill, if not completely invasive. There was criticism of cable TV networks for interviewing kids coming out of the school following the massacre, and incorrect information was reported in the hours immediately following the news breaking. But others argue that it’s the job of the news media to be aggressive in telling these stories, and that the misinformation was only the results of erroneous information provide by officials. How would you rate the media coverage of the of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings? Tell us in comments.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School has sparked broader debate over gun control and whether semi-automatic weapons should be banned.
The Sandy Hook shooting has opened a broader discussion over gun control and whether there should be tighter restrictions on semi-automatic weapons like the one used by shooter Adam Lanza. As Columbia Patch points out, citing an article from The Washington Post, current law bans fully automatic assault weapons, but semi-automatic assault weapons are legal, as well as high-capacity magazines. Since the shooting, Walmart stopped selling online the Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine M4A3 Rifle, which is in the same family of firearms as the weapon Lanza used, The Huffington Post reports. Wheaton Patch is reporting that Dick's Sporting Goods has suspended the sale of "modern sporting rifles" at all of its stores. The shooting has sparked a …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
With millions of animals crowding the shelters, rescuing your next pet is the right thing to do.
Have you ever noticed that people like to tell you when their dog is a rescue? That’s because they know they played an important part in saving the life of a deserving animal, and have gotten an amazing companion out of it. They have every right to be proud; rescuing an animal is the right thing to do. We want folks to spread the word so that others will consider the incredible good and personal satisfaction that comes from choosing to rescue. Rescue has been around a long time, but it’s only recently become a part of our mainstream culture. Adopting a rescued pet is the final step in a process that involves a dedicated network of volunteers who devote their time, resources, and homes to save these once-forgotten animals from bad …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Who will win the battle of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., regional foes?
The brawl between the beltways takes place Sunday in Landover. We can only hope it takes place on the field and not in the stands or at your local bar. But speaking of which, check out the scripted banter between the two fans in the YouTube video we've included. Where do your allegiances lie? Are you an RGIII fanatic, too? Or do you view the Redskins "as the other team from Maryland," like the Ravens fan said? TELL US: Who are you pulling for on Sunday and why? Give us a score prediction and a key for the game in the comments. — At the game or watching it with friends? Add your fan photos to this post to show your true colors.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Study reveals we buy according to our age and life stage. But, for gifts, is cemetery lot maintenance really a crowd pleaser?
During the holiday season, many struggle with the anxiety of wondering if a recipient will really like his or her gift. Are you considering opera tickets for your great aunt? What about purchasing a photograph session for a person under 30? Or, maybe grabbing a game for granddad? If the data in a recent article on The Atlantic’s website is any indication, you may want to think foremost about a person's stage in life before purchasing. The article cites a report from HS Dent, an economic forecasting firm that looked at U.S. Census data regarding spending behavior by age groups. Some of the data is less that shocking – spending on hearing aids, prescription drugs and the upkeep of cemetery lots rises dramatically as we age. Expenditures on…
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Ideas to help make the big day stress-free.
Editor's Note: This recipe originally published on Patch on Nov. 15, 2010. Does Thanksgiving strike dread in your heart, or do you love every minute of it? I'm more on the "love" end of the spectrum. I used to view Thanksgiving as an opportunity to try new and sometimes outlandish recipes on unsuspecting guests and family. Now I've mellowed to just making the best-tasting versions of the classics we all love. I've seen magazine articles outlining an eight-week countdown to the big day. Yikes! It's a meal with loved ones, not a polar expedition. To keep the cooking as low-stress as you can, focus on the items that mean the most to your family. If your family has ongoing, heated discussions about which kind of stuffing should be served, …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Small delights for Thanksgiving dessert.
Editor's Note: This recipe originally published on Patch on Nov. 22, 2011. Nothing is sadder for a proud baker than someone turning down dessert because they’re just too full. Instead, offer bite-sized desserts that no one can resist. Mini pumpkin cheesecakes fit the bill and aren’t as temperamental as a full-size cheesecake can be. Cheesecake puts panic in the heart of even seasoned bakers. It seems that either the top cracks and looks like the Grand Canyon, or it collapses and looks like a moonscape. Then there’s the whole thing with Springform pans and water baths. Avoid the angst by making mini cheesecakes in a muffin tin – decadence in a couple bites! Added bonus: they freeze nicely, providing you with a cheesecake fix any time you …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Online petitions to secede surround the Free State.
An apparent wave of post-election discontent has found its way online in the form of tens of thousands of people protesting the outcome of the presidential election by stoking the specter of secession. Maryland isn't among the states represented but all four of its neighbors are. Disgruntled residents from dozens of states—from California to New Hampshire and Texas to Florida—are using the Internet to try to invoke their First Amendment right to “petition the government for redress of grievances” by asking the White House to allow their state to withdraw from the Union. The White House's “We the People” program says the administration will respond to any petition that receives 25,000 or more signatures within 30 days. Petitions that have…
Sunday, November 11, 2012
How will your finances affect your holiday spending?
Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll by the NPD Group said they “plan to spend about the same” as last year, while 10 percent planned to “spend more.” With the economy and job situation still in flux for many families, we want to know what families in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County plan to do for Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa gifts in 2012. Will you be more creative with your gifting? Use sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc? Brave Black Friday sales? Cook or bake for familty and friends?
Dave DeBlasis
7:29 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Channel 5 just reported a story from Newtown that they are pleaing for everyone to stop sending things. They simply cannot process everything they are receiving. Check out Fox 5 DC website for details. more ›