Thanksgiving won't be the same this year for my family. My 18-year-old nephew recently joined the 
Marines and is currently in Boot Camp. This year, my family will miss having him at the dinner table, hearing his goofy laugh and my 8 year old son will miss having him to wrestle. There is comfort in knowing he is safe, well, as safe as you can be in Boot Camp. But, there are many families who have loved  ones fighting for our freedoms in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
 
Consider sending a note of thanks to these brave men and women.  It's free and only takes a minute.
 
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.
 
  http://LetsSayThanks.com

Linda

I will be enjoying bi-valves and beer with lots of folks on Friday, November 20, 2009. This event is at Timonium Fairgrounds from 6-10 p.m.. This is a big shucking event in the Baltimore area featuring oysters prepared 10 ways and Beers such as:

Heavy Seas Loose Cannon
Evolution Lucky 7 Porter
Evolution IPA
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head Chicory
Saranac Imperial IPA
Lake Placid UBU Ale
Magic Hat #9
Pyramid Haywire Hefe
Lancaster Shoofly
Lancaster Winter Warmer
Stone IPA
Stone Smoked Porter  

And if you don't like oysters, but still want to come, there is plenty of other food such as crab soup and pit ham, turkey and beef.  

 http://www.beerandoyster.com/timonium/show-info

(some pictures on the site are actually from the Chili and Cheese Fest this year. I know, because I was there as you can see. That, too, is a terrific event!)

In 2004, I became a registered member of the National Marrow Donor Program which is now Be The Match Registry^SM. Saving a life doesn't always require money or to be in the right place at the right time. For many of the thousands of patients with leukemia and other life threatening diseases, a bone marrow transplant is the only hope for a cure. 70% of patients in need of donors do not have matches in their families and need our help.  For more information, visit www.marrow.org There is a fee to join.

"Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege."

- John D. Rockefeller Jr.

 Have a great week!

Multi-Family Home, perfect for investor or first time buyer offered at $260,000. Zoned Owner Occupied Rental with 2 apts. - generates $1950 in rent. First floor apt. is currently rented. Each apt. has separate laundry and kitchen.  Recently updated porch, roof, windows and siding. Private and quiet park like setting. Pride in ownership is obvious. Location is convenient to UMBC, 695, and shopping. 

The Baltimore Running Festival is October 10. Team Relay and Half Marathon are sold out, but you can still register for the full (qualify for the Boston) and 5K - these close on Oct. 2. There will be free parking, a Kids Run, ample water and snack stations on course, and Marthon Pace Groups. There will be a Celebration Village, open to the public near the finish at Ravens Parking Lot C, where there will be live music, games, food and drinks. Follow the link for more information:

http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/site3.aspx

If you are looking for something to do in Baltimore this weekend, may I suggest  going to Restaurant Row off of Market?

This summer, I saw 2 great concerts: the B-52s and a Bruce Springsteen cover band at Rams Head. If you are not in the mood for a concert, you can always try one of the restaurants. Sadly, on Sept. 6, Babalu Grill closed = ( They had fantastic Latin food.

Last weekend, I went to a piano bar on The Row called Howl at the Moon.

This place is guaranteed to put even the worst of moods to rest - it worked for me! There is a cover charge of $5 and drinks are a little pricey, but it is well worth the money. Once you are stamped, you can come and go as you like. Howl at the Moon does not serve food, but since it is located on Restaurant Row, it is easy to get carry out and bring it back to the bar. The band is staged in the center of the bar (2 pianos, drums, and guitar) and plays whatever you request (for a few dollars, of course).  

Of course, this Catholic girl who did start much too late (if you know this song, you'll understand why I say this) had to request Billy- helllooo, it's a piano bar! The band players not only are musically talented, they are entertaining, too, and keep the atmosphere lively. So, I had a great time and I think you could, too!

BTW, if you could read the dry erase board, you would see that someone paid to have "Yankees Suck" written. For a higher sum, you could have it changed. I was thinking something political, but didn't go there ; )

Rep. John Fleming of Louisiana introduced into the House of
Representatives, House Resolution 615 which puts all Congressmen and
Congresswomen under Obamacare.


If you support such an amendment after signing Rep. Fleming's
petition, here is a letter you can download and send to your own
representative asking him or her to support House Resolution 615.



I, ______________________, fully support House Resolution 615, which
expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who
vote in favor of the establishment of a public, federal government
run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to
participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
and agree to enroll under that public option.

I urge my representative, __________________, to become a cosponsor
of the resolution and be willing to be accountable for any vote they
make to reform health care in America.


______________
Your Name


___________________________________________

___________________________________________
Your Address

____________________________________________

Your Email Address





Contact your Representatives at:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

My father is 75. He is a retired engineer and served in the military. He's always worked hard for what he has. I was discouraged to hear him tell me that Social Security will not increase with the cost of living in 2010 or 2011.  Of course, Medicare costs will increase - which is directly taken out of Social Security checks.

The same people in government who can't manage care for Medicare and Social Security recipients want to be in control of the proposed government health plan. Hellllooooo......do we want them to run our lives into the ground? I'm sure gov't would be happy to pick out our plots, too.

My heart goes out to those seniors who worked so hard and put money into Social Security every paycheck expecting that one day it would be there for them.