Wedding Ceremonies, Rally Mark New Same-Sex Marriage Law in Maryland

Silver Spring women among first to marry.

  The long-awaited enactment of Maryland’s Civil Marriage Protection Act on Jan. 1 saw a number of same-sex marriages across the state, including the union between two Silver Spring women. The wedding of Ruth Siegel and Nina Nethery was one of a number of same-sex ceremonies profiled in a recent Washington Post story about New Year’s Day weddings. The couple’s ceremony began virtually as soon as the law took effect, at 12:02 a.m., with each participant wearing a baseball cap that read either Bride One or Bride Two. Nethery explained the importance of marriage to her. “When we have an argument, I always think about splitting up and leaving. But I’ve been married before and I remember this phenomenon. It changes your perception on how you …

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Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gaithersburg

Welcome in 2013 at one of these great events.

From large-scale, themed, multi-room extravaganzas to more subdued music and art events, the Washington, DC area has a number of New Year’s Eve parties scheduled, with something to offer for everyone. If you like the more traditional big crowd, big event type celebration, “Big Night DC” at the Gaylord National Resort at the National Harbor may be the destination for you. With 15 themed party areas, five dance floors, more than a dozen bands and DJs, VIP rooms and a number of full and open bars, this six-hour party could see more than 7,000 attendees! Cost:  Tickets are currently $149.99 per person for the main event, $199.99 for the VIP area and include drinks, food, a fun casino lounge—meaning no gambling—and music. Another event that is …

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Gaithersburg To Introduce City Manager Finalists

The finalists will be introduced to city staff on Friday, Nov. 16, and to the public for a "Meet and Greet" Saturday, Nov. 17.

Tomasello Among Three Finalists For City Manager Position

Other finalists for the Gaithersburg position include Annapolis City Manager Mike Mallinoff and Todd Parton, City Manager of Kerrville, TX.

Gaithersburg's Acting City Manager Tony Tomasello was named one of three finalists for the vacant city manager position, the city announced Friday afternoon. Tomasello has served in his current role since the June 15 resignation of former City Manager Angel Jones and was hired by the city in 1996 as its economic development director and has served as deputy city manager since 2001. The city also named Mike Mallinoff, of Glen Arm, MD, and Todd Parton, of Kerrville, TX, among the finalists. On Mallinoff: Michael “Mike” Mallinoff has served the city of Annapolis, MD, as city manager since June 2010 and in several different capacities since 1989. He was director of the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs from 2002 to 2010 and…

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State Health Care Reforms Speed Toward Uncertainty

Critics argue Maryland's health care overhaul lacks prudence.

By Ashley M. Latta, Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS—Federal officials have praised Maryland for leading national efforts to implement health care reform, but critics caution against spending limited funds on a law in jeopardy of repeal. Since 2007, the state has expanded health coverage to more than 289,000 Marylanders. Today, Maryland is recognized as one of the first to embrace the federal Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 and to begin implementing its provisions. "You really are a leader in what you're accomplishing both in terms of health care reform and the Affordable Care Act," Joanne Grossi, regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told a group of Maryland officials. But some policy experts are …

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