Pelican Pete's, located in what briefly was the Country Kitchen, appears to be opening soon, with a sign out reading just that. The owner, received tentative liquor license approval all the way back in October 2009, was required to report to the liquor board every 30 days after a meeting in May when the liquor board threatened to revoke the license because of the stalled opening.
The project has been much delayed, but we are hoping that the end result will be a vast improvement from the dismal restaurant that inhabited the space previously.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Weis in Abingdon Closing
Weis will close its door Feb. 26. This is not surprising, but sooner than we expected. Certainly the two years of construction before Wegman's opens didn't help its finances. But we must say we won't miss the terrible parking lot. We did get a few good birthday cakes in there, however.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Looking Up for 2011
Reading back on some of our most recent posts, we've noticed that traffic, construction, and general idiocy have been getting us down. But for 2011, at least in this entry, we're going to look at some bright spots.
As much as we hate the mass destruction of thousands of trees and an awesome sled riding hill at Box Hill South, when perusing a recipe last week we immediately thought, "Where in Harford County could we find these ingredients?" And then we had a happy thought. Maybe if at some point we can safely get through the bottleneck at Tollgate/MD 24 in September, we can go to Wegman's and buy the ingredients. What will it be like to be able to find the unusual right here in Harford County? And so close. When that construction is completed, we're sure we will breeze right over there, problem-free. (OK, we admit there might be just a smidge of sarcasm there.)
We're also hoping that a new movie theater will make an appearance at the Boulevard. On seeing "True Grit" on opening day, we were bombarded with noise from the movie next door. (Bonus movie critique: True Grit is a must-see.)
In some of our previous posts, there were also comments on Abingdon students attending Edgewood Middle and High Schools. While no one was more concerned than we were about sending our children to EMS with all the horror stories (everyone's on drugs, pregnant, homeless, gang-banged, etc) we could not be happier with the experience our student has had since attending this fall.
Two years ago we attended a meeting of the Alternate Governance Board which had chosen, of its available three options, to hire a new principal. We were skeptical that this indeed, would make any difference. But we have seen firsthand the difference one person can make when he has the tools and the authority to effect change. Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, who was given the authority by the state, not HCS, was able to hire and fire who he wanted. For years, Edgewood was a dumping ground for teachers who the county could not or would not fire. While the former superintendent talked about how much she wanted success in Edgewood, the actions of the front office clearly showed otherwise. When you walk into the building now, the change is palpable. While before when we went into EMS it was dirty with broken water fountains, it's cleaner and brighter. There are student organizations there now that didn't exist before. The teachers take time to talk to parents and work with the students.
It's not perfect, after all, it is middle school. There have been fights, just as there have been at any other middle school. There are students facing problems that students at Fallston don't have to worry about. That doesn't make them bad students--it just makes it more challenging to teach them. But when the drug-sniffing dogs came, the police officer said it was the cleanest school in the county. That's something you will never read in The Aegis.
We have had conversations with school board members in the past where they have said, "well, it's not really that bad there." They were trying to convince us to send our children there because, hey, it could be worse. They were apologists because they didn't really want to admit there was a problem. Once the state and federal government said there IS a problem, only then did it change. As much as this county hates state intervention, we would personally like to send them a thank you card for stepping in at EMS.
So we're starting out 2011 with optimistic realism, if that's possible. The bluebirds have returned to our back yard, the library's winter reading program has started, and for now, everything's looking OK.
As much as we hate the mass destruction of thousands of trees and an awesome sled riding hill at Box Hill South, when perusing a recipe last week we immediately thought, "Where in Harford County could we find these ingredients?" And then we had a happy thought. Maybe if at some point we can safely get through the bottleneck at Tollgate/MD 24 in September, we can go to Wegman's and buy the ingredients. What will it be like to be able to find the unusual right here in Harford County? And so close. When that construction is completed, we're sure we will breeze right over there, problem-free. (OK, we admit there might be just a smidge of sarcasm there.)
We're also hoping that a new movie theater will make an appearance at the Boulevard. On seeing "True Grit" on opening day, we were bombarded with noise from the movie next door. (Bonus movie critique: True Grit is a must-see.)
In some of our previous posts, there were also comments on Abingdon students attending Edgewood Middle and High Schools. While no one was more concerned than we were about sending our children to EMS with all the horror stories (everyone's on drugs, pregnant, homeless, gang-banged, etc) we could not be happier with the experience our student has had since attending this fall.
Two years ago we attended a meeting of the Alternate Governance Board which had chosen, of its available three options, to hire a new principal. We were skeptical that this indeed, would make any difference. But we have seen firsthand the difference one person can make when he has the tools and the authority to effect change. Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, who was given the authority by the state, not HCS, was able to hire and fire who he wanted. For years, Edgewood was a dumping ground for teachers who the county could not or would not fire. While the former superintendent talked about how much she wanted success in Edgewood, the actions of the front office clearly showed otherwise. When you walk into the building now, the change is palpable. While before when we went into EMS it was dirty with broken water fountains, it's cleaner and brighter. There are student organizations there now that didn't exist before. The teachers take time to talk to parents and work with the students.
It's not perfect, after all, it is middle school. There have been fights, just as there have been at any other middle school. There are students facing problems that students at Fallston don't have to worry about. That doesn't make them bad students--it just makes it more challenging to teach them. But when the drug-sniffing dogs came, the police officer said it was the cleanest school in the county. That's something you will never read in The Aegis.
We have had conversations with school board members in the past where they have said, "well, it's not really that bad there." They were trying to convince us to send our children there because, hey, it could be worse. They were apologists because they didn't really want to admit there was a problem. Once the state and federal government said there IS a problem, only then did it change. As much as this county hates state intervention, we would personally like to send them a thank you card for stepping in at EMS.
So we're starting out 2011 with optimistic realism, if that's possible. The bluebirds have returned to our back yard, the library's winter reading program has started, and for now, everything's looking OK.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
You Know What's Funny?
Receiving a call from Harford County advising patience when driving this evening because of congestion on MD 24 and Tollgate Road.
From our vantage point here at 7:45 p.m. we can see that the traffic is still crawling out of Constant Friendship Blvd. Now certainly this couldn't have been a surprise to anyone, it being a few hours before Christmas. But did the county do anything to prepare for this gridlock? No. They couldn't have just checked to see if maybe the traffic lights were synched? They couldn't have assigned a traffic patrol there earlier today, before the problem started?
We'd like to say that we are hopeful for the future. That when the construction is complete there will be an end to the congestion, which is a daily event, not something just saved for a special occasion. But the new traffic pattern will not address the real problem that the county, in its foresight when giving its blessing to the center failed to address. There's only one way in, and one way out.
So to those people who fought the proposed outlet mall that would have had its own entrance onto Interstate 95 and are probably long gone from Abingdon, we'd like to say thank you very much, and Merry Christmas.
From our vantage point here at 7:45 p.m. we can see that the traffic is still crawling out of Constant Friendship Blvd. Now certainly this couldn't have been a surprise to anyone, it being a few hours before Christmas. But did the county do anything to prepare for this gridlock? No. They couldn't have just checked to see if maybe the traffic lights were synched? They couldn't have assigned a traffic patrol there earlier today, before the problem started?
We'd like to say that we are hopeful for the future. That when the construction is complete there will be an end to the congestion, which is a daily event, not something just saved for a special occasion. But the new traffic pattern will not address the real problem that the county, in its foresight when giving its blessing to the center failed to address. There's only one way in, and one way out.
So to those people who fought the proposed outlet mall that would have had its own entrance onto Interstate 95 and are probably long gone from Abingdon, we'd like to say thank you very much, and Merry Christmas.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Andy Harris..Hard at Work
We usually try to stay out of politics, but the hypocrisy factor is just too high on this one. Politico -- and many other media outlets --are reporting that our soon to be Rep. Andy Harris caused quite a stir demanding he get his goverment health insurance early.
This is of course, the same man who does not believe in government subsidized health care, caught complaining that he would have to wait an entire month after he was sworn in to receive the benefit. He was quoted as saying, ""This is the only employer I've ever worked for where you don't get coverage the first day you are employed," and he spokeswoman said he was merely pointing out how "inefficient" the government run plan was.
We would really like to know where he has been working. In our indentured servitude as reporters, we sometimes had to wait as long as 3 months, with the shortest being 1month.
This is of course, the same man who does not believe in government subsidized health care, caught complaining that he would have to wait an entire month after he was sworn in to receive the benefit. He was quoted as saying, ""This is the only employer I've ever worked for where you don't get coverage the first day you are employed," and he spokeswoman said he was merely pointing out how "inefficient" the government run plan was.
We would really like to know where he has been working. In our indentured servitude as reporters, we sometimes had to wait as long as 3 months, with the shortest being 1month.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Putt Putt Closing
The Putt Putt Fun Center/Stars and Stripes Grill is closing on Oct. 31. A result of the economy? We will keep our thoughts to ourselves on this one. We studied journalism law in college.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Lane Closures/New Traffic Pattern
The new traffic pattern went into effect last night, and we must say it sounded last night as if they were bombing the new traffic pattern into place. Very loud.
Here's the official release. We've corrected the dates. The project was delayed last week because of the torrential rain. This says the lane closures should be over, but sources tell us some are still in place.
WHAT: Weather permitting, a new traffic pattern will be put into place at the MD 24 and MD 924/Tollgate Road temporary intersection which will result in two traffic signals for MD 924/Tollgate Road motorists. The new pattern also will have traffic shifted onto the new ramps from MD 24 to MD 924/Tollgate Road.
To prepare for the new pattern, single-lane closures will be in effect on northbound and southbound MD 24 approaching MD 924. In addition, periodic traffic drags will take place in both directions of MD 24 and on the ramp from southbound Interstate 95 to northbound MD 24. During the traffic drags, police will bring vehicles to a reduced pace prior to the work zone.
WHEN: On MONDAY OCT 11, at approximately 7 p.m., the right lane of southbound MD 24 will be closed. At approximately 8 p.m., the right lane of northbound MD 24 will be closed. Traffic drags will take place throughout the night. Work is anticipated to be complete and the new pattern put into effect by 5 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12. In the event of inclement weather, the work will take place Wednesday night beginning at 7 p.m.
WHY: The new traffic pattern is being implemented to allow construction of the MD 24 bridge over MD 924 and Tollgate Road as part of the I-95/MD 24 Improvement Project.
Here's the official release. We've corrected the dates. The project was delayed last week because of the torrential rain. This says the lane closures should be over, but sources tell us some are still in place.
WHAT: Weather permitting, a new traffic pattern will be put into place at the MD 24 and MD 924/Tollgate Road temporary intersection which will result in two traffic signals for MD 924/Tollgate Road motorists. The new pattern also will have traffic shifted onto the new ramps from MD 24 to MD 924/Tollgate Road.
To prepare for the new pattern, single-lane closures will be in effect on northbound and southbound MD 24 approaching MD 924. In addition, periodic traffic drags will take place in both directions of MD 24 and on the ramp from southbound Interstate 95 to northbound MD 24. During the traffic drags, police will bring vehicles to a reduced pace prior to the work zone.
WHEN: On MONDAY OCT 11, at approximately 7 p.m., the right lane of southbound MD 24 will be closed. At approximately 8 p.m., the right lane of northbound MD 24 will be closed. Traffic drags will take place throughout the night. Work is anticipated to be complete and the new pattern put into effect by 5 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12. In the event of inclement weather, the work will take place Wednesday night beginning at 7 p.m.
WHY: The new traffic pattern is being implemented to allow construction of the MD 24 bridge over MD 924 and Tollgate Road as part of the I-95/MD 24 Improvement Project.
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