Random Rodricks

Tip the limo driver?

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:05:15 -0500

This Just In: A letter from a Baltimore limo driver who asked that I not use his name on account of his being a little self-conscious about having to bring up this business of tipping the driver:

Dear Mr. Rodricks,
I am a limousine driver. As prom and wedding season approaches and people who don’t normally travel by limousine will be booking them, there is something I feel that they may not be aware of.
When someone books a car for an event, included in the contract are the cost of the car, fuel and/or administrative fees and (my reason for writing) a driver’s gratuity. Any reasonable person would assume this to mean a payment to the driver over and above what he or she is paid for his services. Such is not the case. The gratuity that is included in every contract is part of, and sometime the majority of what we are paid. By adding the gratuity to the contact, the burden of paying the driver lands squarely on the consumer.
It is disheartening to watch a client tip the porter who brings his luggage to my car, but smile and thank me when I have driven them to Dulles airport. Or, to drive clients to a business or dinner meeting, wait in the car for hours, return them to their destination with hardly a glance upon leaving. You wouldn’t dream of having dinner at a nice restaurant, getting good service for your waiter without some sort of tip. We are people performing a service. If that service is bad, no acknowledgment should be expected or extended.
As a group, we work long hours getting someone to the airport at 6 a.m. and someone else from the airport at 9 p.m. We don’t make a lot of money per run and have to make numerous trips at all hours to make ends meet.
Please know that I am not begging. But if your driver picks you up and delivers you on time, is courteous and professional, if he is charged with the safe keeping of your children on one of the biggest nights of their lives, please remember to express your appreciation with a small token. Thank you!!

Anybody seen Judge Lamdin?

Wed, 14 May 2008 10:36:18 -0500

I was just at the District Court building in Towson for the morning docket. I saw Judge Alexander, Judge Purpura, Judge Stone and Judge Steinberg. No Judge Lamdin. I was told he'd be there, but could not find him.

His suspension isn't supposed to start until Monday. If you spot him today, call 410-332-6166.

Here's an earlier post (with comments), from December:

Hey, if the judge thing doesn't work out, maybe Bruce Lamdin could get a radio talk show.

From Saturday's Sun: According to court transcripts, he joked that one defendant couldn't seem to keep from stepping in piles of excrement -- but not in those terms. The transcripts also show that he used a slang term for oral sex while sentencing a woman on prostitution charges. And he told one defendant that the Baltimore City courts system would likely "give [her] a key to the city and then send [her] on her way" rather than punish her for her criminal behavior.

Here's how Lamdin was quoted in the April 18 edition of the City Paper, addressing the mother of a defendant who had asked that her son be placed in a drug treatment program.
"You got the wrong judge today," Lamdin was quoted as saying. `I am not one
of those touchy-feely judges that goes for programs where everyone holds hands
and sings Kum Bay Yah, and they hand out lollipops to each other and gift
certificates. I don't believe in that drug court and all that other
foolishness." Later, he added, "I don't feel like it's the responsibility of
the taxpayers to take care of every damn drug addict on the street," and "I
think jail has a telling effect on some people, especially if they are young
and dumb like your son is."

Former Gov. Parris Glendening appointed Lambin, a defense attorney, to the
bench in 2002. At the time, The Sun reported that Lamdin had been "active in
county groups that work to fight substance abuse," and Judge Robert M. Bell,
chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, referred to Lamdin and another
judicial nominee as "hard-working, experienced practitioners with the
temperament to become outstanding jurists."

Nice call.

Started your own bizness?

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:43:36 -0500

Are you an entrepreneur? Are you a surprise entrepreneur -- one who never thought he/she would start his/her own business? Are you a serial entrepreneur?

Call us please and share your experiences today during the Midday show, on WYPR-FM, 88.1

Or send an e-mail at midday@wypr.org. If you haven't guessed by now, today's show is all about entrepreneurs, noon to 2.

Mr. Advice Himself

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:03:29 -0500

Time again for Dear Dan, in which readers of baltimoresun.com write to their favorite blogumnist to pose questions and ask advice -- and risk subjecting themselves to ridiculing comments from readers. Today's is from J.G.

Dear Dan: I'm graduating and I hate the idea of mailing announcements out. However, I recognize if I don't send out announcements, I won't be getting any money. What should I do? I'm leaning toward not sending and risking getting very little in the way of graduation money. Your advice?

Mr. Advice Himself replies: Go to Staples, buy what you need. Sit down tonight and write out some announcements. Spend the money on stationery and stamps. A good investment of T&M, my friend.

Violence

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:45:20 -0500

Today's Midday show (WYPR-FM, 88.1, noon to 2 pm) is all about violence in Baltimore. We're picking up on the cover-story of the May edition of Urbanite.

This Just In, from a Patterson Park resident: "The local Operation Safe Streets chapter in our neighborhood is organizing a walk tonight in response to the shooting that occurred in the 3000 block of E Baltimore St. An 18-year-old shot his mother and then got involved in a shootout with police near the NE corner of Patterson Park (fortunately, the mother only suffered a graze wound, and the police were able to apprehend the suspect). The walk will start at the corner of Ellwood Ave and E Baltimore St at 6:30 PM."

Are you a med res?

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:10:19 -0500

MONDAY MIDDAY: We're talking about medical residency today with two docs who've been through it -- with particular emphasis on the intern year. If you can stay awake, residents, the show airs at noon on 88.1, WYPR-FM. E-mail us at midday@wypr.org and we might read your comments on the air. Would love to hear from those still in the throes of internship.

John Davis: Motor Week

Mon, 12 May 2008 07:07:46 -0500

John Davis of Motor Week is on Midday today at 1, and we'll talk about the rising sales of compacts and subcompacts. We'd like consumer opinions on Honda Fit, Ford Focus and Toyota Yaris. Owners of those cars can e-mail us at midday@wypr.org

WYPR-FM, noon-2 pm weekdays, 88.1

B-more Youth Lax League Update

Sun, 11 May 2008 07:52:44 -0500

Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic a Success

More Than 70 Boys and Girls Participate

May 10, 2008

More than 70 boys and girls from eight Baltimore City Recreation Centers participated in the Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic on May 3, 2008. We were very happy to see some players who had been with the BYLL last year. After a morning of learning the basics, the players put their new skills to the test in a series of fun games including Musical Groundballs and the Numbers Game. Later, the players were treated to pizza and Gatorade. Many of the young participants were excited and ready to go for the start of the BYLL in June.

Musical Groundballs was a hit at the Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic.

Excitement Builds for Beginning of BYLL in June

The players, coaches, and recreation center leaders are pumped about the beginning of the summer season on June 3. Many players left the Spring Clinic expressing how excited they were to come back and receive their free sticks, shorts, and jerseys. The coaches were excited to continue teaching young people the game of lacrosse.

More than 70 boys and girls participated in the Second Annual BYLL Spring Clinic. Many had been a part of the 2007 inaugural season.

In an effort to provide the very best for the youth of Baltimore City, The Trilogy Foundation needs your support. 125 new sticks, 120 lacrosse balls, and 40 pizzas were provided to the participants at the Spring Clinic. In addition we are again providing CPR and Positive Coaching Alliance training to all our volunteers. Each player participating in the BYLL will be provided with full pads, jerseys, shorts, and a stick free of charge. The BYLL also provides a lunch at Patterson Park for all players on the game days. In order to maintain this level of service, your support is crucial. Please visit us at www.realitycharity.com/TrilogyFound to donate.

Players learn the basics during a shooting station run by the Trilogy Foundation’s Rob Lindsey.

Questions? E-mail dskeen@calvertschool.org or call 410-243-6054 ext. 192

Millionaire status overrated

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:12:41 -0500

Regarding yesterday's column, a friend reminds us of this Cole Porter song: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," from High Society (1956), sung by Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm....

Who wants to be a millionaire? I don't.
Have flashy flunkeys everywhere? I don't.
Who wants the bother of a country estate?
A country estate is something I'd hate!
Who wants to wallow in champagne? I don't.
Who wants a supersonic plane? I don't.
Who wants a marble swimming pool too? I don't.
And I don't `cause all I want is you.

Who wants to be a millionaire? I don't.
Who wants uranium to spare? I don't.
Who wants to journey on a gigantic yacht?
Do I want a yacht? Oh, how I do not!
Who wants a fancy foreign car? I don't.
Who wants to tire of caviar? I don't.
Who wants a private landing field too? I don't.
And I don't `cause all I want is you.

Who wants to be a millionaire? I don't.
And go to every swell affair? I don't.
Who wants to ride behind a liveried chauffeur?
A liveried chauffeur, do I want? No sir.
Who wants an opera box I'll bet? I don't.
And sleep through Wagner at the Met? I don't.
Who wants to corner Cartier's too? I don't.
And I don't 'cause all I want is you.

Drug dealers, go away

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:07:33 -0500

Increasingly, pushers of illegal drugs are appearing in the Johnston Square area in central-east Baltimore, and the folks at Saint Frances Academy are organizing to send a message that they're not wanted. You might want to consider going there a week from today and joining them in the walk that's set for that day. Here are the details from Ralph E. Moore, Jr., director of the Community Center at SFA:

We will have the entire St. Frances Academy community and its supporters walk the periphery of the Johnston Square neighborhood on Thursday, May 15th starting at 1:30 PM from the front of the school building at 501 E. Chase Street.
The Outside Walk Against Renegade Drugs will be done to send the message that we are asserting ourselves against the increasingly bold drug activity in the neighborhood, including on the campus of St. Frances Academy. We welcome any advice, assistance or resources you can offer to make the march a success: we will invite our neighbors to join us, as we are inviting you.
We don't have much time even for planning meetings as our school year is rapidly drawing to a close. But we can send the message that we're getting organized and we're resisting the ugly drug dealing being done in our faces.
A simple walk... a witness for what's right... a united front! I can be reached at 443-255-5600.

Cabaret in Little Italy

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:04:55 -0500

Germano Fabiani, the Germano in Germano's of Little Italy, says his first cabaret was a success and he's planning them weekly. The next is this Thursday evening.

"The Cabaret at GERMANO'S primary purpose is to promote and support the arts in Baltimore by offering local, regional and emerging artists a casual and intimate venue in which they can interact with their audiences. We also welcome to Baltimore performers from outside our area who desire to contribute to our thriving arts community.
"GERMANO’S upstairs dining room is arranged with tables and chairs facing an open performance space. Guests enjoy informal, engaging interaction with singers, actors and musicians either over drinks or along with GERMANO’S well-known Tuscan food specialties.
"The Cabaret Room opens on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. for pre-show dining. The full menu and specials are available in the Cabaret Room. There is a $10 cover for Cabaret performances and a $15 food or drink minimum. Shows begin each Thursday at 7:30 pm. Seating is limited and early reservations are encouraged.
"On May 8, 2008, performing artist Dana Nichole Scott will be featured. Also appearing is Branda Lock. For reservations and information about the upcoming line-up of performers, please visit our website at www.germanostrattoria.com or call GERMANO’S at (410) 752-4515 or e-mail us at cabaret@germanostrattoria.com. Join us!"

Michael's open door

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:52:53 -0500

"Michael" and "Lydia" are going to be on the Midday show today, 1-2 pm, 88.1 WYPR-FM

My column of Easter Sunday -- about the young man I called Michael and the homeless couple he took into his rented rowhouse -- generated a lot of interest among readers, and questions. Tell us more, people said. Give us updates. I asked Michael to think about sending me, by e-mail, progress reports -- how he's getting along with Lydia and Paul, whether they've found a job. Remember now: I didn't use real names in the column because Michael didn't want to be seen as bragging about his generosity and he really didn't want his landlord and new neigbors to know what he's doing. I changed his name, and those of his new house mates.

Today, the first installment in Michael's reports.

April 7, 2008

People have been asking a lot of questions lately. I think its only
fair that I answer those people.

But, first some context: I work at a large financial institution in
downtown Baltimore. Its a stimulating, exciting job and I enjoy
working there. Everyday after work I walk down to the last floor of a nearaby parking
garage. At the bottom of the stairwell I put "street clothes" over my
suit. I have gotten my changing time to under 30 seconds. Then I trek
all the way to one of the blue-light sections of Baltimore, where I
live.

I don't live in that neighborhood by accident. I chose it with
specific intent to bring the homeless to live with me. I had
planned every detail for months prior to moving. I spent the months
before I moved searching for "roommates." I hung out with drug
addicts, alcoholics, convicts, felons, etc. When I was making my plans
and arrangements for bringing them into my house I planned for
everything, except this -- roommates who could actually apply
themselves, seek work, and coexist in a house with me. I didn't plan
for people who have dreams and are willing to work to achieve them.
It's now getting to a point where we are just people living together in
a house. We eat together, play games, talk about life, and strategize
on how to get jobs.

Anyways, more than a month has passed and I can say that I am still
alive, still employed, and still in my parent's good graces. I have
yet to be discovered, so far. (My employer and parents don't know this
is happening)

Things at the house have been surprisingly peaceful. I think we are
all getting very comfortable with each other. However, we have still
not secured steady work.

Lydia passed a drug test and got her old waitressing job back, but she tells me that they over hired and so she has to wait a bit before she can get regular shifts. She has a really
bad toothache, but is working on getting it pulled. Paul is skilled at
home improvements and carpentry. Paul claims that he is going to start
work on a deck for someone who will pay him as well as provide tools.
We'll see if that works out. He also recently got mugged in the
neighborhood. That was a really bad night. His whole days earnings
were taken.

I consider this time period to be search-and-destroy mode. I am
finding that Paul and Lydia have walls blocking them from physically
and mentally achieving what they want. I am focused on identifying the
walls one by one. Once I can see them, then I can break them. We have
broken several walls so far, but we still have a ways to go.

Basically, I know I can't do this alone, so I'm trying to reach out
to anyone who wants to help.

I checked out a group called National Student Partnerships. They read
Dan's article and were really excited when I came to visit them. They
really want to help us out. So now it's just a matter of getting Paul
and Lydia to the meeting. They both seemed interested and willing to
go. That will probably happen next week.

Also, I met a guy who does construction work for a living; he works on
the Virginia shore. I invited myself down for a few days to see what
he does and better understand the construction world. That
understanding will help me get Paul a job. I spent this weekend at
a different construction site in Maryland. Paul doesn't have a
GED so it makes calling in for a job a bit difficult. I think the
answer lies in actually getting into the "construction" network and
then using connections to find him work.

There are so many challenges to finding work, so many obstacles to
overcome. But the way I see it, we only have one option: victory.

I am often told, "You should start a charity." My response: no thanks,
we have plenty of charities, soup kitchens, and shelters. They are all
doing necessay and good work. I am not starting a charity. I am not
criticizing the city or the system. I am not raising awareness about
the homeless cause. I am not an "example." I am simply living in my
house with some homeless people, who have become housemates, who have become
friends.

I am also asked, "Is it safe?" My response: No, it's not safe at
all, but it is good. And I think good gets better, much better.

Beyond The Bars

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:37:37 -0500

I would like to invite Maryland businesses to this event: "Beyond The Bars, A Symposium on Reentry in Maryland” at the University of Maryland School of Law on May 20, 2008. If your company has been considering getting in the game of hiring ex-offenders -- with the idea that, hey, it might help slow the revolving doors on our costly Maryland prisons -- then you might want to get more information about the whole re-entry scene. Owners of businesses, human resources executives -- you, more than anyone, need to know about this.

Otherwise, these forums become just more preaching to the choir.

Each year, the Maryland State Bar Association's Leadership Academy creates a public service project. This year, it's “Beyond the Bars." They want to bring together and educate people, including employers, about reentry services for inmates returning to communities across the state. I'll be there, as will several government and community representatives. Seating is limited, so you need to RSVP.

The Leadership Academy Fellows are partnering with the University of Maryland's Center for Substance Abuse Research for a database of public and private statewide resources and programs available for ex-offenders. The information will be available on their website at www.mdcsl.org, which will be highlighted at the Symposium as well.

"Our research shows that Maryland's recidivism rate remains at more than 50 percent," says Tracy L. Steedman, organizer of the event. "By raising awareness of the resources currently available to re-entering individuals regarding opportunities for vocational training, employment and substance abuse treatment, the Leadership Academy Fellows hope that their efforts will aid in decreasing the rates of recidivism."

For more information, go to www.beyhondthebarsmd.org

Or contact organizers at info@beyondthebarsmd.org. If you plan to attend, RSVP today.

A free hockey thing

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:41:13 -0500

There isn't much about youth ice hockey that's cheap, much less free. It costs between $800 and $1,800 a year to play this sport in the Baltimore region, depending on the level of a child's skill and commitment (and a parents' willingness to pay for the sport and drive to the rink). But if your kids come to love this particular sport -- often over all others in the fall and winter -- you usually go with it. Parents find ways to make it happen for their kids. Hockey, unlike other sports, covers two seasons, from fall through late winter, which adds to the cost. (The main expense is ice time, which can run up to $300 an hour in our area.)

I mention this because there are a couple of events coming up Saturday where kids can get a taste of hockey for free. Both are sponsored by Baltimore Youth Hockey, a non-profit club I've been associated with since my college-bound son was 6.

Free ice hockey clinics for boys and girls
Boys and girls from 6 to 16, who wish to give ice hockey a try, are invited to two free Let's Play Hockey events on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at new Reisterstown rink in the morning, and at Ice World in Harford County in the afternoon. Prospective players will try on equipment and get on the ice with coaches and experienced players. There is no charge and no registration necessary prior to the event.
Parents should RSVP at byhstars@aol.com
Baltimore County: Reisterstown Sportsplex: May 10, 2008, 9:40 AM - 11:30 AM on the ice.
Please arrive for your fitting, registration and instructions between 8:30 and 9 am.
Harford County: Ice World, Abingdon, Md. May 10, 2008, 4:00 PM-5:15 PM. on the ice.
Please arrive for your fitting, registration and instructions between 3:00 and 3:30 pm

Slots and taxes

Wed, 07 May 2008 07:24:54 -0500

Alan Foreman, who serves as counsel to the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and -- whether he enjoys it or not -- point man for slots in Maryland, took part in a debate with Aaron Meisner, of Stop Slots Maryland, recently on the Midday show. It was a good discussion, with Meisner challenging a lot of the claims and promises of tax relief for Marylanders. (In a future debate, we've really got to get someone from the Democratic leadership in the state to stand up for the pro-slots side. Having Foreman as spokesman for that side suggests it's the horse-race industry that will benefit most from 15,000 slot machines in Maryland.)

Anyway, here's Foreman with a follow-up to the radio debate:

"In my appearance with Aaron Meisner last week, I stated that slots in Pennsylvania had begun to generate significant property tax relief for homeowners, which was one of the purposes for legalizing slots in Pennsylvania. Meissner said that there had been no such relief and you and I noted that they had only been operational for a short time.

"This is hot off the press. There are only 5 sites operational at this time. Philadelphia has begun receiving $613 million in property tax relief from slots play. There has been one previous reduction and this one will result in homeowners in the Philadelphia suburbs receiving another $139.20 in tax reductions from this distribution.

"The overall property tax reduction averages $254 per homeowner, with reductions as high as $623 in Chester Upland in Delaware County to $75 in Upper Merion (upper class) in Montgomery County.
In addition, there will be a reduction of $86.5 million in wage-tax relief for Philadelphia. Thirty-seven suburban Philadelphia school districts will get an additional $17 million to make up for wage- taxes their residents pay in Philadelphia. I don't think anyone in Philadelphia and surrounding areas is calling slots evil."