Marriottsville/ Sykesville /Woodstock

Calling all mathematicians, scientists and engineers! Marriotts Ridge High School requests your help evaluating science fair projects Jan. 28, 2009 (rain date Feb. 3). The school needs 100 judges, each of whom will judge between 10 and 15 projects during a two-hour time slot: either 8 to 10 a.m. or 10 a.m. to noon.

If you can assist, e-mail science instructional leader Dan Sageman at daniel_sageman@hcpss.org or science assistant Amy Harich at amy_harich@hcpss.org, or call the MRHS science department at 410-313-5568.

Indicate your name, phone number, e-mail address, which time slot(s) you prefer, and which of the following areas best fit your background: physics, chemistry, environmental science, earth and space science, behavioral and social sciences, animal biology, plant biology, microbiology, computer science, engineering technology or mathematics. The department will try to match you with your area of expertise.

This past summer, as I gassed up my “mommy-van” in Glenelg, my area of choice for lower gasoline prices, I contemplated the irony of driving out of my way to save a few cents per gallon at the pump. Although gas prices have since dropped considerably, our community – the Howard County portion of Marriottsville, Sykesville and Woodstock – contains no gas stations, so many of us, by necessity, still drive a distance to fill up our tanks. Some of our neighbors have chosen to spend less time in this pursuit.

Susan Fugate, data clerk for Marriotts Ridge High School, decided to purchase a Smart Car, a tiny two-seater manufactured by a division of Mercedes-Benz. Smart Cars became available in the U.S. in January 2008 through select Mercedes dealerships. In Maryland, only Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis and Euro Motorcars Germantown offer Smart Centers.

Susan and her husband, Carl, explain that interested customers must first register online at www.SmartUSA.com and pay a registration fee, which later applies to the cost of the vehicle. Do not expect speedy service – the Fugates waited six months before a car became available through the “Orphan List,” an inventory of vehicles that others ordered and then opted not to purchase. Smart Car then allotted the Fugates 24 hours to make their decision.

Susan believes that her “orphan” was definitely worth the wait. Foremost, she appreciates the fuel efficiency – 40 to 45 MPG as opposed to the 17 she logged with her other vehicle, a Pontiac Aztek. Of course, she hangs onto the Aztek for occasions when she needs to transport more than two people. Susan also finds her semi-automatic Smart Car great fun to drive and values the knowledge that it boasts the highest possible safety ratings in its class. Susan cannot believe the amount of attention her new vehicle garners, but happily answers the many questions other drivers direct her way.

Walt Kehoe, who works for Herb Gordon Mercedes-Benz in Silver Spring, limits his trips to the gas station in another way. Instead of driving his Mercedes C230, which averages about 25 MPG or his Jeep, which registers an even lower 14 MPG, he uses one of his two motorcycles as frequently as possible. Walt’s Harley Davidson Heritage Softail averages 38 MPG, while his Kawasaki KLR650 logs an impressive 49 MPG.

For Walt, another benefit to motorcycle travel is sheer enjoyment. However, he acknowledges the danger involved and explains that he drives with extra vigilance when on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, he did not notice many vehicles driving slower in response to high gas prices over the summer, especially in the more urban areas.

Mark Bosley, who works as a meat cutter for Weis Markets in Waverly Woods Village Center, has experienced a more positive reaction from the drivers around him and finds truckers especially supportive. His savings come in the form of a different bike – the human-powered kind.

Although Mark has always biked to work on occasion, he began doing so more frequently in response to the recent higher gas prices. Weather permitting, Mark bikes to work three or four days in a row, then drives his Chevy Silverado one day. He can make the 14-mile trip from his home in Owings Mills in about 50 minutes and, since his pickup averages only 14 MPG, estimates that he saved about $500 per month in gasoline over the summer.

Since Mark participates in mountain bike competitions, he views his ride as training time, but he also feels closer to nature during his commute. He describes the experience as therapeutic. Biking certainly provides a good way to keep fit while preserving the environment.

Do you know other neighbors who have chosen different means for reducing their time spent “commuting” to gas stations? Keep the tips coming! Maybe a little positive peer pressure will encourage the rest of us to make some changes, too.

Edward Pelsinsky, Financial Secretary for St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Knights of Columbus, invites the community to a Bull & Oyster Roast Nov. 8 from 7 p.m. to midnight on November 8. In addition to a full buffet menu with raw bar and drinks, the event will feature live music by The Keepsakes and 50/50 games of chance.

Tickets, which cost $45, will help support the work Father Walter Kongari, a Christian missionary in India. The Roast will take place in the church hall at St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Catholic Church, 10800 Old Court Road in Woodstock. Call Ed at 410-313-8808 or email epelsinsky@verizon.net for tickets.

Many of us have heard about the 1998 death of newscaster Katie Couric’s 42-year-old husband, Jay Monahan, from colorectal cancer. Although typically considered an “older” disease, colon cancer strikes approximately 15,000 people under the age of 50 every year. In March 2007, at the age of 39, West Friendship Elementary School Assistant Principal Trish Lannon became one of the statistics.

Lannon awoke one morning with abdominal pain and a fever and finally visited the emergency room after fainting twice. There, she learned that she was severely anemic; she had lost two thirds of her blood. Following numerous transfusions, tests, and ultimately some drastic emergency surgery, doctors concluded that Lannon had colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Lab results identified her cancer as level IIIC, with IV being the highest stage.

As you can imagine, she suffered much anguish over the next year: a second hospital stay, nine months of chemotherapy, many questions, and constant fears for herself, her husband, and her three young children. During this time, she relied heavily on the Internet site www.colonclub.com for information and support from others via the site’s message board.

Now that Lannon has completed her treatment, she has entered a new phase of her life as a cancer survivor and would like to educate the public about CRC and its prevention. She recently took part in a colon cancer awareness calendar called the “Colondar,” where she appears as “Miss March 2009.” To view the Colondar online and read Lannon’s full story, go to www.colonclub.com/colondar.html. Click on the 2009 models link, and then select March. To support the cause by purchasing a Colondar, select the buy now link.

Lannon recommends visiting the Colon Club Web site or the Colon Cancer Alliance at www.ccalliance.org for more information on CRC. Most importantly, she advises that you know your body. Visit a doctor for any odd or unexplained symptoms, even unplanned weight loss.

Obviously, one’s prognosis becomes better the earlier colon cancer is discovered. Lannon feels tremendously thankful that she currently shows no evidence of the disease and would like to help others avoid it altogether.

Congratulations to the Mt. View Middle School students who earned acceptance into the Howard County Middle School Gifted and Talented Band! These hard-working individuals include flutist Sara Kim and alternate flutist Gloria Nam, clarinetists Allie Berges and Richard He, alternate bassoonist Emily Ingalls, alto saxophonist Mac Robertson and alternate baritone saxophonist Alex Peaco, French horn player Anna Rimlinger, trumpeter Jordan Lee, trombonists Dana Koehler, J.D. Fishman and Jonathan Wu, tuba player Ku Min Kim, and percussionists Jon Schonfeld and Jon Kahl.

The Marriotts Ridge Music Foundation announces its first Citrus Fruit Sale to benefit the Marriotts Ridge High School music department. The fundraiser will help finance the students’ spring 2009 trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn., where they will compete in the national Fiesta-Val Music Festival.

Order some mouth-watering Ruby Red Grapefruit or Navel Oranges before Oct. 31 for Nov. 15 pickup at the high school, or order grapefruit, oranges, tangerines or a variety pack by Dec. 2 for pickup Dec. 13, in plenty of time for the holidays. The order form is available by clicking here.

Call Carita Carlyle at 410-465-2344 or e-mail ccarlyle3@verizon.net or Karyn Littlejohn at 410-442-5440 or mrhsfruit@yahoo.com with any questions.

Amy Bejm, Band Director at West Friendship Elementary School, shares good news this week. Several of her students have earned a band Karate belt, which means that they passed three different areas of band assessments with no more than three mistakes in each one, where each belt level becomes progressively more difficult. Timothy Beschner, Claire Martin, Joey Naidu, Alexandra Pickett, Jake Polinksy, Niklas Schnake, Jillian Stewart and Emma Woodbury have earned a white belt. Samuel Running has earned an orange belt; Anna Lee has earned a green belt; Charis Smith has earned a purple belt; and Grant Felch and Sam Sisney have earned brown belts. Keep up the great work!

On election day, Nov. 4, we will return to our designated polling locations and perhaps see some familiar faces working, smiling, and guiding us through our civic responsibility. Have you ever wondered how these community members become election judges and why they “re-enlist” year after year? What do they do throughout their very long (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) election workday?

In answer to the first question, individuals interested in serving as election judges can contact the Howard County Board of Elections at 410-313-5820. The positions are salaried and include a paid, mandatory training session. Chief Judges act as supervisors of the polling location and thus earn a higher salary than the other positions, which otherwise receive equal compensation.

The first person you may see as you enter your polling location is a Greeting Judge, who welcomes voters and assists as needed. He or she will direct you to a Check-in Judge, who will verify your voting eligibility and assigned polling location. If, for some reason, your name does not appear on your precinct’s register, a Provisional Judge will help you with a Provisional Ballot. Otherwise, a Unit Judge will assist you with the computerized touch-screen voting process. These judges have set up the voting units before the polls open in the morning, and they shut them down again in the evening. Alternate Judges remain on standby should another judge be unable to work on election day.

According to Betty Nordaas, Director of the Howard County Board of Elections, the BOE has recruited 1133 judges for the upcoming general election but still seeks alternates. Since each position must include a representative from different political parties and since the BOE currently has a wealth of Democratic volunteers, they require Republicans and those registered with other recognized political parties, as well as those registered as Unaffiliated. Individuals interested in applying must fulfill the necessary qualifications as outlined here.

This basic information covers the “how” and “what” questions, but to answer the “why,” I spoke with two neighbors who have election experience. Dan Cichetti became an election judge after his retirement, in part because he likes to keep busy. Election Day certainly fits the bill for keeping one active! Also, since Dan works at his own precinct polling location, he enjoys the chance to see friends and acquaintances.

Agnes Eakle, too, worked for several years at her own polling location and valued the social aspects of the experience. Although Agnes no longer acts as an election judge, she feels proud that she performed a civic duty and learned about the election process “behind the scenes.” What a great opportunity for any voter!

By the beginning of fall, back-to-school supplies have gradually disappeared from store shelves, making way for an annual dental nightmare: Halloween candy. How do families limit the sweets their children crave while still allowing a little fun?

Clarksville dentist Dr. Rashmi Parmar has devised a creative solution. From 10 a.m . to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, Parmar will host a “Candy Buy-Back” at her office, 12620 Clarksville Pike (Route 108). The children will receive 50 cents per pound of candy theyt turn in, which Parmar will then ship to our troops overseas. The event will feature games, treats, and fun for the whole family. If you would like to volunteer or need more information, call 410- 531-5639.

This summer, I wrote about Nick Antlitz, a Woodbine teenager who suffered spinal cord damage during an accident in Bethany Beach and remains paralyzed from the waist down. Nick has worked hard on his rehabilitation and inspires others with his positive outlook, yet he requires many more uninsured therapies and treatments in the future. Two upcoming fundraisers will help defray his injury-related expenses.

On Nov. 7, supporters age 18 and older can attend a Bull Roast and Dance in Nick’s honor from 6-11:30 p.m. at the Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department, 1320 West Old Liberty Road in Sykesville. Tickets cost $40. To purchase, mail payment to Winfield Liquors at 1707 West Liberty Road W, Westminster, MD 21157 by Oct. 30, or visit the store in person. Make checks payable to NTAF Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and write “In honor of Nick Antlitz” in the memo section. For more information, contact Bryan Higgs at higgs_b@verizon.net, or go to the Events tab at www.nickantlitz.com.

Next, on Nov. 16, Glenelg United Methodist Church is planning a benefit concert for Nick at 4 p.m. The concert will feature trumpeter and church Music Director Doug Burian, church organist Richard Cartwright, and a special appearance by renowned pianists Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Kai-Win Ho. Saar played the organ at GUMC during his tenure as a graduate student at Peabody Institute; he and Stephanie now reside in New York and collaborate as Stephanie and Saar DUO, performing both four-hand and two-piano repertoire. To read more about their accomplishments and view some of their impressive performances on You Tube, go to www.stephsaarduo.com.

The concert is free to the community, but the church will gratefully accept donations to benefit Nick through the NTAF Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund. GUMC is at 13900 Burntwoods Road in Glenelg. Call the church office at 410-489-7260 for more information.