Mar 2, 2018
Looks like another Bomb Cyclone is headed to the East Coast. Today is windy with some snow accumulations and a high of 31 degrees and low of 19 degrees. The weekend will be mostly clear and sunny and temps both days with a high of lower 30s and a low of lower 20s. Winds will remain gusty through Sunday morning.
Due to high winds and snowmaking operations, ski and ride operations are suspended at Wisp for today. Plans are to be open tomorrow, Saturday, March 3 from 9am – 5pm.
The Mountain Park is currently also on a wind hold for snow tubing, ice skating and mountain coaster operations.
Kudos to the McHenry Emergency Medical Response team! A colleague needed assistance yesterday afternoon and they arrived just eight minutes after the call was placed! Thank you all.
Terah Crawford Band is playing at Ken’s Irish Pub Friday at 8:00pm.
Some good acts playing at MoonShadow in McHenry this weekend. Campfire Gypsies Friday evening at 8:00pm, Kenny Fetterman Saturday at the same time and Tom Batchhelor & Fiddle Mike play free Sunday at Noon.
The Mountain Fresh Winter Farmers Market will be held at the Mary Browning Senior Center starting at Noon this Saturday 11:00am-1:00pm. The market is expanding to the main level board room in the Mary Browning Senior Center in the Community Action building! Starting tomorrow, enter from the parking lot through the main entrance to the building. It’s handicap accessible and we have room to grow!
Spoke to Sheriff Rob Corley and Deputy Mike Bittinger Thursday afternoon. They are looking for some good applicants for a number of open positions in law enforcement, corrections and emergency response. If you know of some strong candidates that can pass a background check tell them to consider the County.
Here’s something a little different: Hand Lettering with Hannah will be held at HABco’s Friendsville Road location Saturday evening starting at 6:30. Space is limited and there is a fee.
The presentation on “Bullet Journaling: Doing It Your Way” at the Oakland Library has been rescheduled from March 21st to Wednesday, March 28th at 6:00pm.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on a number of topics that can impact Garrett County, its citizens and its resources.
Sound fishy? Actually, it’s not, but if you are into fish of all kinds, even those not found at Deep Creek Lake, check out this report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Here are the 2018 Garrett County Primary Candidates as well as the 2018 Primary Candidates from across the state.
Mar 1, 2018
Mar 1, 2018
Riparian Homeowners Can Help Improve Water Quality
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree plantings to help improve water quality in targeted Garrett County communities.
County landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free tree seedlings through the department’s Backyard Buffers program.
Trees planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, reducing sediment, lowering peak water temperatures and stabilizing stream banks. Each “Buffer in a Bag” contains 25 native bare-root tree and shrub seedlings suitable for planting in moist soil conditions. The bundle will include a mix of swamp white oak, common ninebark, silver maple, river birch and white pine. Quantities are limited, and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Maryland Forest Service staff will provide information on tree planting and growing techniques, planting arrangements, tree maintenance, and tips about other good native species choices at the time of pick up.
Requests to participate in the program will only be taken until March 30. If you are interested in participating, please call 301-334-3296 or email melissa.nash@maryland.gov. The trees will be available for pick up in early April.
Mar 1, 2018
Garrett College Continuing Education and Workforce Development has scheduled a course, Workplace Excellence at the College’s Northern Outreach Center in Grantsville on Thursdays, March 8 to 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This course is designed for individuals pursuing entry-level career training and provides instruction on workplace excellence. The flexible modules include learning about the employer’s perspective, practical skills that emphasize how to expand and develop career objectives.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: determine how to succeed in a changing environment, improve personal adaptability and manage stress, understand and utilize various methods of communication- non-verbal, verbal, e-mail and appropriate conversations with working with the public, demonstrate skill in public hospitality demeanor and dress/style and have a greater self-awareness of self, customers and co-workers.
The course is being instructed by Trish Yoder, who has an extensive career and educational history in executive organizational leadership, community development, health and human services, coaching and program/project management and evaluation of change. She has 30 years’ experience working with multiple types of organizations, nonprofits, businesses and communities that cross a wide spectrum of almost every aspect of the community.
Ms. Yoder holds an MS in Organization Development and Human Resources from Johns Hopkins University, another MS in Counseling Psychology from Frostburg State University, and a BS in Psychology from Frostburg State University.
To register for this course or for more information, persons may contact Garrett College Continuing Education and Workforce Development at 301-387-3069.
Mar 1, 2018
Garrett College Continuing Education and Workforce Development will be offering a course, Canine Massage, on Thursday, March 8 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:45 p.m. The class will be held at the Garrett College Northern Outreach Center in Grantsville.
Canine massage therapy is beneficial for all types of dogs, from pets to dogs active in obedience, agility, search and rescue, police K-9 units and guide dogs. The massage sequence and benefits are the same for both groups.
Participants will learn 26 muscle groups on each side of the dog’s body. Massage causes an immediate effect on dogs. Noticeable relaxation at first, followed by increased exhilaration. Medical science is making it possible for our dogs to live much longer lives. However, with that comes the problems that are associated with aging. Massage therapy helps the older, less active dog live a more comfortable life. Regular massage therapy can benefit your dog during recovery from injury or surgery.
This course is being taught by Debbie Daniels. Daniels is a certified animal massage therapist. She is a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork and holds certification in canine and equine massage.
For additional information contact Terry Beachy, Program Coordinator, by calling 301-895-4700 or terry.beachy@garrettcollege.edu. To register for this course, persons may contact Garrett College Continuing Education and Workforce Development at 301-387-3069.
Mar 1, 2018
The Board of Trustees of Garrett College announced that it is inviting nominations for the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Garrett College. This award is typically given at Garrett’s commencement ceremony in the spring. Any member of the community may submit a nomination, and all nominations are encouraged.
The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals or organizations that have significantly and positively influenced Garrett College’s mission and goals. To recommend a candidate for nomination, please contact Ms. Marcia Knepp, Executive Assistant to the President, at 301-387-3056 or at marcia.knepp@garrettcollege.edu for a nomination form and materials.
In order to be considered for this award, all nominations must be submitted no later than Monday, March 12, 2018.
Mar 1, 2018
Last Week’s Economic Headlines
•Home sales have slowed over the winter months, as existing home sales fell 3.2% in January following a 3.6% drop in December. According to the National Association of Realtors®, sales of existing homes are 4.8% below a year ago, which is the largest annual decline since August 2014. The NAR suggests that a lack of inventory has driven prices higher, pushing some potential buyers out of the market. Nevertheless, total housing inventory at the end of January rose 4.1%, which is still 9.5% lower than a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 3.4-month supply (3.6 months a year ago). The median existing-home price for all housing types in January was $240,500, up 5.8% from January 2017 ($227,300).
•In the week ended February 17, there were 222,000 initial claims for unemployment insurance, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised down by 1,000. The advance insured unemployment rate slipped to 1.3% for the week ended February 10. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended February 10 was 1,875,000, a decrease of 73,000 from the prior week’s level, which was revised up 6,000.
Eye on the Week Ahead
The week opens with the January report on new home sales, which slid in December. The second report on the fourth-quarter gross domestic product is out mid-week. The first installment showed annualized economic growth at 2.6%, with consumer spending up a strong 3.8%. This week’s report is based on more detailed information and may change noticeably from last month’s account.
Data sources: News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e. wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. Market data: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates). All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Past performance is no guarantee.
Courtesy of ERL Financial
Mar 1, 2018
The weather for today will be rainy with a high of 50. Tonight, the rain will turn to snow showers with a low of 27; accumulation of an inch or so possible.
Great event last evening at the Mountain Maryland Tech Network. My students enjoyed meeting local entrepreneurs and techies and I appreciate them taking the time to chat with my students and share their insight and stories.
Sarah was a guest panelist at last night’s GCWP Social Media panel; there were over 20 attendees and we all walked away with a nugget of wisdom for our own businesses.
There’s a Women’s Networking Luncheon today at Noon at Ace’s Run Restaurant.
Are you ready for solar? There’s a meeting this evening at 7:00pm in the Garrett Information Enterprise Center (GIEC) at the College. It is free, sponsored by Engage Mountain Maryland and will help people understand more about the Mountain Maryland Solar Co-Op.
Do you love DCL? Support growth of our resort-based economy? Are you concerned about local jobs, schools and future for our kids? Then check out this Action Alert from the Friends of Deep Creek Lake.
The Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park has announced their March events calendar. They have some good programming scheduled for this weekend, including a Dr. Seuss reading, animal feeding and pinecone building.
The March GOBA meeting will be held March 13th, 8:00am – 10:00am, in Room 111 in the GEIC at Garrett College. This seminar will help employers understand the specifics of the “Earned Sick and Safe Leave” law that went into effect February 11th, 2018. Contact Holly Lane at the Chamber – 301.387.6171 to register.
This warms the heart: The Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex (CARC) recently announced a new partnership agreement with The Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation. The new agreement provides critically ill children and their families’ access to the facility’s swimming pools when staying in the McHenry area for respite housing.
It’s National Wedding Planning Day! Have your fiancé visit (our partner) The Deep Creek Wedding for photos of our gorgeous venues and more information on hiring local vendors.