Taste of Catonsville

The 12th Annual Taste of Catonsville will be held Monday night, April 21st, at Rolling Road Golf Club starting at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. They can be purchased online at http://www.catonsville.org/. Sam's Bagels will be there!


Saw Allison and friends at the steel drum concert, it was a great show. Also nice to see former principal, Mr. Tomback, back at CHS. The kids at CHS are lucky to have a music teacher like Jim Wharton who creates opportunities for them to perform with guest artists and composers.

Here's a job you may never have thought about....Billy Sheeder, steel drum tuner. with Katelyn

Scott talked about his recent experience at Oriole Park. He had great seats, just 4 rows behind home plate, and the Orioles won. His only complaint was about the food. He had bought hotdogs outside of the park before the game, but by the 5th inning he was hungry. Scott said he asked his stomach, "Do you really need to eat?", thinking about the high cost of ballpark food. And his stomach answered, "Yes, I do". So he first went to buy nachos and cheese, but it turned out that the machine had not heated the cheese, and it was too cold. Then he went to buy a $5 soft pretzel, saying he would take any flavor as long as it was warm. The first pretzel was too hard, so Scott wound up with a buttered pretzel, but it was just OK. He plunked down $5 for a soda that was just right. Does anyone else notice the similarity? Don't you expect the next line to be "And the three bears came back to their seats and Scott ran out of the stadium"?

Hersheypark Visit

If you want more information about Andy Narell and to hear his music, check out his website at http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/narell_andy/artist.jhtml. Then you can hear him live in concert Thursday night at Catonsvile High School performing with the steel drum band.

Spent the first weekend in April at Hersheypark. Hershey sports a new arena called Giant Stadium, and the Milton Hershey School campus for disadvantaged students continues to grow. We also saw the St. Petersburg Ballet perform at the gorgeous Hershey Theater. If you go, be sure to visit Chocolate World and take the Trolley Tour of the town. Also, if you get a chance to try the new Hershey Meltaway Center Bliss chocolates, we loved them! Just wanted to share how much roller coasters have changed over the years.

Sarah (age 12) waits to blast off - 0 to 80 mph in seconds

Here's the original Comet wooden coaster - the only coaster at Hershey when I was 12

New Farhenheit coaster- the steepest vertical drop in the entire USA- opens the end of May

Sarah and Rosa with Peppermint Pattie

Pancake Breakfast with the Scouts

Sam's was well-represented at the Scouts' breakfast.

There will be a spaghetti dinner in the near future too if you missed the pancakes.

Don't forget, the Catonsville Steel Drum Band performs at the high school this Thursday night with Andy Narell, international composer and performer. Tickets are only $8!

Dana and Chef Jeff

The Foster Family

Sue, Jeff and Harold

Jack, Gladys and Tony

Glenn, Zack and Max

Popcorn and Bagels

Scott's daughter sells popcorn for her team.

Scott delivers Fisher's popcorn from OC. Yummy!

Doug uses Dima's sturdy bread knife on Don. Bystanders cheered!

Dima served samples of new whole wheat, multigrain, and blueberry bagels. They were delicious. Some were enjoyed with popcorn as a side.

Welcome new blog readers from around the world. And as Glenn says, can you believe all of these people have nothing better to do with their time?

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Manila, Phillipines; New Delhi, India; Islamabad, Pakistan; Istanbul, Turkey; Ionnina, Greece; the Netherlands; Zurich, Switzerland; Vienna, Austria; Berlin, Germany; Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Athens, Greece; Sacramento, CA; Cambridge, MA; Boulder, CO; Norwood, MA; Cincinatti, OH; Dayton, OH; Minneapolis, MN; Chester, SC; Ft. Worth, TX; Albuquerque, NM; San Antonio, TX; Langhorne, PA; Nashville, TN; Fairbanks, AK; Bedminster, NJ; San Luis Opispo, CA; Gautier, MI; Jacksonville, FL; Astoria, NY; Alpharetta, GA; Fleetwood, PA; and Bowie, MD.

Top 35 Oxymorons

(Submitted by Pat R.)

OK, Doug, an oymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words.

35. State worker
34. Legally drunk
33. Exact estimate
32. Act naturally
31. Found missing
30. Resident alien
29. Genuine imitation
28. Airline food
27. Good grief
26. Government organization
25. Sanitary landfill
24. Alone together
23. Small crowd
22. Business ethics
21. Soft rock
20. Butt Head
19. Military Intelligence
18. Sweet sorrow
17. Rural Metro (ambulance service)
16. "Now, then ..."
15. Passive aggression
14. Clearly misunderstood
13. Peace force
12. Extinct Life
11. Plastic glasses
10. Terribly pleased
9. Computer security
8. Political science
7. Tight slacks
6. Definite maybe
5. Pretty ugly
4. Rap music
3. Working vacation
2. Religious tolerance
1. Microsoft Works

Counter-clockwise

Happy Birthday to Patty! Patty celebrated her birthday yesterday by going to the horse races at Charlestown. This sparked a discussion on why horse races are always run counter-clockwise. Paul shared that once he bet on a horse that turned the wrong way out of the gate, ran clockwise and crossed the finish line first. Unfortunately, he didn't win since the horse was running in the wrong direction. This made Don and Bill T. wonder if horses run in the opposite direction in Australia because they had heard that toilets flow in the opposite direction below the equator. (I know, I didn't get the connection either).

This discussion made me wonder whether toilets really do flush in the opposite direction in Australia. I learned that the swirling effect (the Coriolis force) will be swamped out by the shape of the toilet or if the jets encourage a "contrary" swirl. Turns out Australian toilets have two different flush selections and that most send water down the sides of the toilet bowl simultaneously so no swirl direction can be observed. However, if you just take a big funnel with a small hole, fill it up with water, let the water go still, then unplug the hole and let it drain out, you will get the Coriolis force and it will be clockwise "down-under" Australia, counter-clockwise here in North America. See the video in the post below.

Back to the horse racing..... turns out races are run counter-clockwise only in the U.S. and Canada. In the UK, France, Hong Kong and Australia horseraces run clockwise. Auto races in the UK also do, but am not sure about races in other countries that also drive on the right side of the road (France) as in the U.S. The reason why baseball players run the bases counter clockwise along with NASCAR, INDY, horse racing, dogs, running counter clockwise etc., has a lot to do with the American Revolution. Early Americans hated the British so much they wanted to do almost eveything opposite to their rules. (Politics again!)

For NASCAR, it more likely due to the rotation of the earth. In the Northern hemisphere, racing counterclockwise pulls the front nose of the car down. In the Southern hemisphere, cars racing counterclockwise cannot reach the same speed as the car wants to lift.

So Happy Birthday, Patty! Aren't you sorry that you ever mentioned going to the races and started all this?

Australian Toilet Flushing - TRUTH EXPOSED!

Humor to 100 %

Here is your reminder that life is full of simple pleasures. Have a great day!

Perfection Deception

Bill W's quote for the day: "Common sense is an uncommon commodity."

One of my favorite speakers/writers is Loretta Laroche. The focus of much of her work is to laugh at ourselves, let go of stress, and enjoy our lives in the present. Check out her website at http://www.lorettalaroche.com/ to subscribe to her free newsletter or to check out her books and videos. The paragraph below is from her monthly online newletter.

Well, we have officially entered into spring. It doesn't feel like it yet but there are definite signs. I see green trying to poke it's way through the earth in my garden, the birds are definitely revving up, and the sun feels warmer. Although I'm not fixated on the weather, I'm glad we're through winter because we'll get some relief from the "winter whiners". I have lived in the Northeast all my life and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort is put into discussing the weather, especially in recent years. I often wonder if we wouldn't be better off if we just didn't know until we woke up to whatever was going on and then dealt with it accordingly. I remember a time when that's exactly what went on. Of course as a kid it was exciting to wake up to snow and the possibility of staying home from school. However it had to be akin to an Antarctic blizzard with the only transportation possible being dog sleds. People just seemed to brave the elements differently. They just sucked it up and went their merry way. Today we need to know how many inches, will it be mixed with rain, how big the flakes will be, and will it or won't it go out to sea? Then there are hundreds of shots of clogged highways, abandoned vehicles and individuals shoveling or snow-blowing their sidewalks. Roving reporters from different stations interview individuals carving their way through the ice and snow as if they were looking for answers to world peace. All the people interviewed are always in shock that the weather is doing what it's doing even though the season would ultimately give them the reason. Following is what we all know but seem to forget. If its winter it usually snows or its cold, spring brings variable weather, summer is mostly hot and humid, and fall is temperate and sometimes chilly. Often, none of the former holds true and the weather fools you and brings a sixty degree day in January or February. I find it to be remarkably metaphorical. Nothing is perfect and nothing stays the same. This flies in the face of what we humans strive for, which is to have things the way we think they should be. Weather, work, family friends, traffic, kids, animals, can be unpredictable. The best gift you can give yourself is to learn to accept the unexpected. Believe me you'll be much happier.

Andy Narell Solo

Here's your opportunity to see Andy Narell, world-famous steel pan composer/performer, right here in Catonsville! Andy, who currently resides in France, will perform with the CHS Steel Band on Thursday, April 17th, in the high school auditorium at 7:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the door. If your ony experience with our talented steel drum band has been the 4th of July parade, you won't believe the range and talent of these musicians. Trivia: did you know the steel pan is the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century? All other acoustic instruments were invented much earlier. So hope to see you at the concert!

Community News

Seems the trick to attract more readers is simply for me to stop writing! Welcome new readers in Hong Kong, China; Auckland, New Zealand; Athens, Greece; Bath, England; 's-hertogenbosch, Noord-brabant, Netherlands; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Tacoma, WA; Ft. Myers, FL; Clinton, ME; Girard, KS; Kenner, LA; Dodge City, KS; Nashville, TN; Ft. Worth, TX; Hayneville, AL; Chester, SC; Hampton, VA; Columbus, OH; Canton, MI; Sterling, VA; Havre de Grace, MD; Herndon, VA; Westminster, MD; Mt. Laurel, NJ; and Philadelphia, PA.

What a busy week! Hope everyone is well. Bill reported that his wife, Barbara, is home from the hospital. Birthday greetings go out to our friend, Gerhard, in Germany.

The news report today stated that a bagel is a healthy source of protein. Below if the nutritional info on our favorite treat:

Bagel
Serving Size: 1 medium, 4" diameter
Protein: 9 g

Calories: 247

Fat: 2 g

Saturated Fat: Less than 1 g

Several customers have noticed a change in the bagels' texture and taste in recent weeks. Andrea reported that the dough is now prepared by a Kosher bakery and a different flour is being used.

Scott is taking orders for Fisher's Popcorn. He will pick orders up in Ocean City next weeked. Proceeds benefit his daughter's basketball team. (Here's Scott sticking his tongue out :P )

Don't forget that you can get tickets at the door next Saturday for a delicious pancake breakfast at the Catonsville Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 8:30 am. Proceeds benefit Jeff's son's boy scout troop. (See info on a previous post).

There will be a community yard sale sponsored by Five Oaks Swim Club on Saturday, April 26th. Table space goes for $20. Don has posted a flyer on Sam's bulletin board for more info.

I am off to Hersheypark for the weekend. Hope someone takes good notes on the weekend's gossip and posts them on the blog!

Funny People Fail Video

Nice to see what could go wrong on another Monday morning!

Map of Recent Blog Readers

Love those little balloons! New readers in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, Canada; San Diego, CA; Cockeysville and Severna Park, MD; Virginia Beach, Va; Destrehan, LA; Janesville, WI; Miami, FL; Naperville, IL; and the Bronx and Brooklyn, NY.

Recycle Your Old Computers!

I don't know about the rest of you, but we have more than one old computer and stereo stored in the basement. I am so glad to have an opportunity to get rid of them safely and with a tax deduction to boot! Thanks to Pat R. fo finding this info for us.

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Location: Immaculate Conception Parish
Organizer: Immaculate Conception Parish, Boy Scout Troop 750, CDM Inc.
Contact name: Mike Fannon
Contact email: mike@cdmecycling.com
Contact address: 200 Ware AvenueTowson, MD 21204
URL: http://www.immaculateconception.net/parish/directions.htm
Description: ONE DAY ONLY (Rain or shine)
This event will be hosted by Immaculate Conception Parish at 200 Ware Avenue in Towson, MD 21204
Boy Scout Troop 750 is organizing and operating this event.
Computer Donation Management (CDM) is the licensed Maryland recycling company performing the electronics reuse/recycling work. (website is at www.cdmecycling.com )

Background: computers contain hazardous but valuable materials and should be donated for reuse, dropped off at the county landfill or a recycling company, or picked up as a special bulk item with a waste hauler for a fee.

Cost: CPU's, speakers, fax machines, scanners, printers, keyboards, stereos, cell phones, mice & microwaves accepted free of charge, $10 contribution for monitors rqst'd; no TVs please. The event supports a youth service project/fund raiser; tax deductible donation receipts provided.
Sorry, no TVs are accepted during these collections.

Tax Donation: all donations support a non-profit youth service project and fund raiser. Donation receipts will be provided for tax deduction purposes. (consult an accountant for more info)

Additional information can be provided by sending an email to mike@cdmecycling.com or by calling 410-525-1400.

Directions to Immaculate Conception parish can be found at the following website: http://www.immaculateconception.net/parish/directions.htm

Memory and Disposal: erasure of data prior to donation will provide additional peace of mind, but all hard drives are either erased in compliance with the Dept of Defense 5220.22-M disk sanitizing standard or are physically destroyed during recycling operations. Collected materials are handled in an environmentally and socially responsible manner with virtually no material being land filled.

Please try to dispose of your packaging and cardboard with your normal recycling pickup program as much as possible. Thank You!

Opening Day Tickets

4 tix, sec 3, row G, seats 1-4, $150 for all 4

possibly 2 tix club level, sec 244, row DD, seats 9-10. $150 for both

pass on to anyone you think may want tix

also may have access to up to 20 more tix

See Glenn if you are interested!

New Marketing Idea

These pictures were taken by visitors to Istanbul, Turkey. The men carry trays of bagels for sale balanced on their heads. Where do they carry the cream cheese? Neat idea if somebody here can actually do it!

Sam's Classifieds

Alicia is looking for someone to paint the exterior of her house who is honest, reliable and reasonably priced. Does anyone have any leads for her?

I was happy to find a pet sitter right at Sam's. Susan Jones owns a professional pet sitting service. Her website is www.havepetswilltravel.net.

A Soft Breeze

The blog has added a new international reader in Rio de Janiero, Brazil! Other new readers in Gwynn Oak, MD; Towson, MD; Halethorpe, MD; Los Angeles, CA; New Berlin, NY; Freehold, NJ; Jacksonville, FL; Appleton, WI; Berlin, Germany; and Edmonton, Canada.

Recovery was in the air at Sam's today. Scott was back at work, and Bill W.'s wife, Barbara, is home from the hospital. My family also had a successful first visit to Charlestown races and slots, won big on a two-cent machine! So feeling the luck of the Irish, hope you enjoy the sentiments below.

Some Irish words of wisdom (shared from Stat Counter.com)

Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras.

Hunger is a good sauce.

Moladh luath agus cáineadh mall. Be quick to praise and slow to criticise.

Tús maith leath na hoibre. A good start is half the work.

Má bhíonn tú ar lorg cara gan locht, beidh tú gan chara go deo. If you seek a friend without fault, you will be without one forever.

Cuir síoda ar ghabhar ach is gabhar i gcónaí é. Dress a goat in silk and it’s still a goat.

Is fearr an sláinte ná an táinte. Health is better than wealth.

And from this day on may you always have these blessings…A soft breeze when summer comes, a warm fireside in winter, and the comfort of a true friend.

Papaya Dance

The Phillipine Army does the Papaya Dance. Think we could learn it - it's all the rage!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone. Hope your day was joyful!

Below are some pictures from our family's celebration.

Send in your photos for posting.

Sarah dyed these beautiful eggs.

Sue decorated these "pysanky" Ukranian eggs. Most are 30 years old ! (Sue was a child artist).

Jean's favorite daffodils with angel food cake.

Harold, the wandering jew, holds the TV remote and some goodies.

Paul, Zach and Patty play 20 Q (it didn't guess "totem pole")

" Easter Egg" balloons line Frederick Road

Casey and Katelyn send Easter greetings from their sunny LA vacation with friends.

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