Saturday, December 22, 2007

Open Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

Many of the folks in Abingdon have been good this year (except those nasty speeders!) So could you please find it in your heart to consider some of the items on this list?

These are in no particular order, and we will take any and all if available.

1. A decent restaurant in the Wal-Mart/Target shopping center. We love our fast food here, but it would be nice to have a spot with actual knives and forks and wait staff close-by. Sorry Santa, Country Kitchen doesn't count.

2. Speed bumps. I've been asking for these and so far no one cares. Or how about a stop sign? I've been told that slowing traffic is an illegal usage of stop signs, but maybe you could bend some rules?

3. More trees. If not more trees, can you stop all the cutting? I really never appreciated those trees by the WaWa on 924 until cutting them down created the ugliest corner around.

4. A new pharmacy. This is a joke Santa! Why would we need another pharmacy here! Oh wait, a new one's being built near Bright Oaks Drive. That's not funny, Santa.

5. More money for the library. You know that we love our library here. Maybe you could send them some new books, or at least some more copies of Sue Grafton's new book because I'm very low on the reserved list for that one.

6. An elected school board. I don't know, Santa, maybe it wouldn't make a difference at all, but I'd really like my voice to be heard and listened to. Maybe the threat of defeat might make these people more receptive to community voices.

7. A choice. I've got a few years, but if the middle/high schools in my area continue to fail so miserably on the MSA scores, could you send me a voucher so that my kids can attend a school where the county cares more about the students?

8. Pedestrian walkways. I would love to be able to walk to Target or Wal-Mart, but let's face it, it's too dangerous for me. How could I cross the road once I got there anyway? Can you help the wise transportation department think about pedestrians in its plans?

9. Whatever the Anita Leight Estuary Center wants. I'm not sure what that is, but they're great, so please send whatever they need.

10. A great 2008 for TAA readers and other area bloggers. And maybe some more blog readers for 2008, too!

Thanks, Santa. If it doesn't all fit under the tree, maybe you could put some of it in the many storage facilities located nearby!

Friday, December 21, 2007

It's Crazy Out There

I made the rounds this morning doing some last-minute shopping and it seems that most of Harford County shared that thought. Festival was especially crazy, with Constant Friendship a close second.
Thanks to Bel Air News and Views for the mention and the item about the child getting hit in front of Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, I'm not surpised at all. (Is anyone?) I am always yelling at my kids not to hang on the front of the cart and if you see a crazy mother pushing her cart while clinging to her children -- that's me.
The 4-year-old was hit in the crosswalk! Instead of greeters, Wal-Mart needs a traffic patrol.
This can happen anywhere. This a.m. I was almost taken out by an Escalade while I was trying to get into Coffee! Coffee! By the way, that Starry Night blend is absolutely delicious.
On a happier note, people not in their cars were dare I say it -- friendly! A woman in BJ's I moved just slightly for told me to have a "Blessed Day and Merry Christmas" and the Target cashier wished me "a great Christmas!"

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Back from the Brink

After almost a weeklong bout with strep throat, TAA is somewhat back in business. I'd like to give a shout to all the friendly people at Patient First in Bel Air who made me feel comfortable while I was feverish and hallucinating. It's great when you don't feel like driving all over to be able to get blood work, a strep test and a flu test done in one shot. I was also able to purchase my antibiotic there. I know not everyone has shared my experience, but in the literally dozens of times we've been there, the staff has been great.
Unfortunately, my illness left me unable to attend the highly anticipated 1-95 meeting, which I read had a good turnout. I'm still not up to speed on that, but I'm going to e-mail some questions to the transportation department. They've assured everyone they're answering all the questions, so we'll see.
Thanks to all who voted on the poll question. The majority who responded were shopping locally. I myself did some power shopping at the Harford Mall this a.m. I can't believe mall officials said that no parking was disturbed for the new buildings. Half the parking lot is gone! I was reminded why I am a very infrequent mall shopper.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Jacqueline Haas: Immortal

"Are you kidding me?" This is what I kept asking myself while paging through The Aegis special section in today's paper: Harford County Public Schools Annual Report "Building on Success." Please pick it up if you'd like to enter what appears to be the rapturous dream world of our school superintendent.
In her opening column, the Maryland Superintendent of the Year (among other things that are lovingly detailed later in the tab) Haas discusses how helping a child is the closest any of us get to being immortal. She says that educating not only is a chance to strive for greatness, but for immortality.
She also calls on "stakeholders" to join her in her journey through the future.
Among the pages and pages of glowing achievements racked up by the appointed, accountable to stakeholders, school system was one downer. A brief mention of the NCLB test scores, which if you didn't know how dismally some schools performed, you still wouldn't. Here's the lone paragraph:
"Noting that NCLB requires every student to be scoring at least at the proficient level by the 2013-14 school year, Dr. Haas said the school system has its work cut out for it in ensuring that all students have the opportunity to meet standards. She pointed to the vast improvement made during the fours year of MSA testing as an indication the school system is on the right track."
Yes, kudos to everyone! Schools facing their third year of failing. Awesome!
Don't get me wrong. I support the teachers and know what a tough job they have. They do extra work without much support. But like an alcoholic, until the school board admits it has a problem, nothing will change. And they won't, because while the teachers are in the trenches trying to do something, they're fancying themselves immortal. And without elections or any consequence for anything they do (block scheduling anyone?), it looks like we stakeholders will have an eternity to deal with their ongoing successes.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Monday Update

Holiday shoppers were out -- at least a few were -- on Saturday. Festival was less crowded than expected, with the exception of Kohl's, where the aisles were crowded. Of course, they were more crowded with merchandise than shoppers. The shoppers had to leave shortly after we were there because of a bomb threat. Everything turned out OK, but in case you wondered why you couldn't get in the Wheel Road entrance around 5 on Saturday, they had that section blocked off.
In other Festival news, I heard that Coffee, Coffee is under new management.
Don't forget, this week is the 1-95 hearing. TAA has conflicting meetings that night, but is trying to make it happen. The Aegis had an article in Friday's paper about it that made me want to scream. I know they had to get the nuts and bolts about the meeting in, but in a long story, why didn't they ask for clarification about how exactly those express toll lanes will be "congestion-free." They let that quote stand. Even if I don't make it to the meeting, I will ask that question. How can they guarantee that? Here's the link to the meeting info:
Public hearing

Friday, December 7, 2007

Weather Update: Still Bad

Here in Abingdon in the last 10 minutes we've had snow, rain and freezing rain. Be careful if you're driving out there. My driveway has some slick spots, although it looks wet.
The weather/flu are putting a damper on my Christmas shopping plans I had for today. Thank goodness I did some shopping earlier this week. I went to sale at Dress Barn and bought some sweaters for myself as an early Christmas present!

Warning: Stomach Flu

The stomach flu is quickly spreading through Abingdon Elementary and unfortunately, it's finally made it's way into our little section of it.
It starts with a stomachache a few days before. My third-grader has reported at least two students getting sick while in class -- and then for some unknown reason return to class to finish the day. I'm not sure how they can avoid it.
Here's hoping my third-grader doesn't get it, too. My kindergartener seems to be improving. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

School's Out

After just being outside, I'm changing my earlier view and thinking that maybe it was a good idea schools are out an hour early today. (all afterschool activities are off, too). It's a little slippery where you might not think, so be careful.
Also, we signed up for the eschoolnewsletter, but so far haven't gotten my alert. Thank goodness Don Morrison called all my 4 phones!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Weird Crosswalk on Tollgate

On Tollgate Road at the new Tiree Court age-restricted condos, little white pillars of crosswalk have sprung up. In theory, it's a good idea to have a spot where the folks can cross the street. In reality, once they cross the street, there's no sidewalk on the other side so they'll have to walk in the driveway or in the grass. It's also almost a full right angle when you're making a right turn into the library.
I think my next poll question might be how long these white posts last. (For reference, see constantly disappearing small white posts at intersection of Tollgate and 24 by Wal-Mart)
While mentioning my favorite place, the library, don't forget that Friday is the library "book fair" at Barnes & Noble. Vouchers should be available at all branches. Presenting a voucher at B&N will give the library a percentage of your purchase.