How Can We Make Every Day Earth Day? (Sponsored)

Here are some family activities you can do to foster environmentalism. Sponsored by Sony.

Very few events are celebrated around the globe, but Earth Day is. This year, it’s come and gone. But we’re here to ask: What can we do to show our love of the earth on that day, and every day? On May 31, Sony will release After Earth, an action-packed movie that takes place 1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity to leave. It’s the kind of scenario that makes you want to donate to Greenpeace, recycle everything, and start biking every where, immediately. So, in honor of Earth Day, Patch has teamed up with Sony to present these ideas for making every day Earth Day. How can we make every day Earth Day? Begin with little things. Easy things. Obvious things. Things we take for granted each day, and use and/or abuse because of …

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Letter: The Real Students of Perry Hall High School

An Essex woman thanks the dozens of volunteers who made the 2013 Senior Citizen Prom possible.

Editor's Note: Students from Perry Hall High School hosted the annual Senior Citizen Prom Thursday afternoon. Dozens of students helped make the event, which grew more than double in size, possible. Stick with Patch for more coverage from the prom. By: Ginni Scheible A senior prom. You think this is nothing unusual, but this one is. It isn't the young students all dressed up. This is prom attended by: mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers. We are invited by the students, and served free dinner, beverages and desserts by the same students. It is such a wonderful, enjoyable and uplifting affair. Also, planned entertainment and prizes make it a fun evening, as well. How refreshing to see how happy they are and the joyful smiles on …

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Happy 5th Birthday, Storyville

Storyville at the Rosedale Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library has been an amazing success since its opening in 2007.

Last week, elected officials, library supporters, and families and children from throughout our area gathered at the Rosedale Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) to recognize an important milestone.  Storyville, an interactive early literacy learning center located within this library, celebrated its fifth birthday. For those who might not have already visited this wonderful resource, Storyville @ Rosedale is a free, museum-like service that encourages children and caregivers in the County and beyond to explore the interactive exhibits featured in a unique townscape.  The townscape features a variety of seven innovative activity areas that include: This internationally-recognized concept was fully funded by the Foundation …

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Perry Hall Church Hosts Franklin Square Blood Drive

All pints collected will go directly to Medstar Franklin Square Hospital, keeping blood in the community.

UPDATE (April 20)—The blood drive as been cancelled due to a lack of donors.   ORIGINAL—It's been a fairly crazy week to say the least. Tragedies in both Boston and Texas have raised awareness of the need for blood and the good people who will/can give it. It was reported that marathon runners, after crossing the finish line, continued jogging to Boston-area hospitals to give blood to the victims of the bombings. Too often the call for blood donations goes unheeded—until disaster strikes. I know this having donated 20+ pints of blood to the American Red Cross in my life. That's two humans worth of blood for those keep score. I cherish the Red Cross and its response to calamity across this great country, but have we forgotten about home? …

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LETTER: Archbishop Offers Prayers for Victims of Boston Attack

Prayers from the Archdiocese of Baltimore include "an end to violence and terror."

Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, issued the following statement on the tragedy in Boston April 15: "On behalf of the priests and faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, I offer prayers for those who lost their lives today and for those who were injured in the violent attack in Boston. Our prayers are with them as well as their families and loved ones, just as we pray too for an end to violence and terror throughout the world. May the love of our compassionate Savior be with all who were impacted by this tragedy.”  

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Stop the Cicada Madness, Already!

Dundalk Patch editor Marge Neal goes out on a limb to set the cicada story straight.

Baseball in Baltimore Means Spring is Really Here

Many Marylanders do not truly consider spring to have arrived until another season of Baltimore Orioles baseball has begun.

For many folks living in the Baltimore area, last week marked the true beginning of spring.  The week began with an away game victory for the Baltimore Orioles and ended with a stunning grand slam home run induced victory against the Minnesota Twins on opening day Friday.  Regardless of whether you are a rabid sports fan, the advent of spring and warm weather doesn't really seem to mean much until our local baseball team goes back on the field. What does baseball season mean to you?  I have many fond memories of going to Orioles games with my family, back when the team played in Memorial Stadium.  I even had the chance to attend one of the 1983 World Series games at this venerable location, having the chance to watch the O's defeat the …

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Comment: 'Time For Yuppies To Buy Shotguns'

Baltimore-area Patch readers speak their minds.

This week, Patch readers took to the comment streams to chime in on local politics, neighborhood crime and the proposed White Student Union at Towson University. Here's some of what your neighbors are saying: Perry Hall: "So happy for Daniel! It's a miracle - total physical recovery from such an ordeal. Looks like mentally he's healing quite well too. Got to love this courageous kid" — Karan Abbasi said on Daniel Borowy to Model As Part of Anti-Bullying Campaign North Baltimore: "It's time for yuppies to buy shotguns and big nasty looking dogs..." — Baltimore Matt on Police: 1 Man Responsible for Villages of Homeland Robberies Dundalk: "Very unfortunate. I am certain this does not reflect the views of our town." — Amy Menzer on Sandy …

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White Marsh Mall Offers Contemporary Style Tips for Prom

All eyes will be on the runway at White Marsh Mall Saturday for Prom Jam.

Prom is just around the corner, Perry Hall. T-minus 45 days to be exact!  OK, so Perry Hall's prom might be a few weeks away, although students can start getting excited this weekend at the inaugural Prom Jam fashion show and interactive event at the White Marsh Mall.  From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, mall-goers will be treated to a fashion show featuring local high schoolers, hair and make-up demos as well as the chance to win a $200 gift card.  “We want to provide teens with the latest prom tips and trends in an entertaining, stress-free way. Prom Jam combines all the elements important to teens—fashion, retailer deals, music and fun with friends—and it’s all free,” said Jessica Benson, marketing manager for White Marsh Mall.   Organizers, …

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Maryland's Top April Fool's Day Pranks: Share

April Fools Day is one of the trickiest days of the year. How do you celebrate April 1?

April 1 is my dad's favorite holiday. Yes, it is a holiday to him. How else would you describe a day where you can put a loved one on edge simply because they know you like to pull pranks. April Fools Day is the day we've set aside to both celebrate and avoid our resident pranksters. Here are a few of the best pranks my dad has managed to pull off over the years: Of course, there are plenty of pranks you can view online. Huffington Post rounded up some of the best pranks of the year. I'll add Google's "treasure map overlay" on its Google Maps function as one of my personal favorites of this holiday—check the photo with this post for a localized preview. I'm curious about your favorite April Fool's Day jokes and tricks. Now, I'm not …

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