Next Up At Sip N' Blog--Alderman Ross Arnett

Alderman Ross Arnett will join us to talk about the city budget, elections, finances, the city manager petition and whatever else may suit our fancy at the April 2nd Sip N' Blog. Cool people, hot drinks...special guests-every Thursday morning from 8 to 9 am . This week we will meet at Zu Coffee in the Bay Ridge Shopping Center near The Giant supermarket (Accessibly by bike, green and brown bus).

Our special guest for April 9th has not been confirmed. Any suggestions? On April 16, we will meet Cooks Cafe owner Craig Sewell of the Annapolis Sustainable Business Alliance to learn more about shopping locally and supporting local businesses.

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Shropshire Looks to Help The Unemployed

Alderman Sam Shropshire has started a support group to assist unemployed Annapolitans. “Job losses are increasing in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis at an alarming rate due to the national financial crisis. We are organizing to help individuals and families in need," said Shropshire.

The group will begin meeting in City Council Chambers, Wednesday, April 8th, at 6:00 PM.. The group will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month as a source of encouragement for men, women and families facing job losses.

Shropshire sent this out as a news release as an alderman and said not a word about him being a mayoral candidate or his campaign. I believe he is sincere in his desire to assist the growing numbers of unemployed in our city but he is likely to get grief about this for "politicking" and for using City Council Chambers. Shropshire has always taken a strong interest in the needs and concerns of everyday people, so this move is not surprising, yet he should expect some criticism.

I don't really care what his other motives may or may not be as long as he addresses this serious issue. The only question is how does he see city government as being able to help? Shropshire has often taken on issues beyond the realm of city council, but what is more pressing locally than unemployment? I can think of one way the city can hep--get the Market House open--and soon! I'm afraid that may be beyond his ability now as alderman and maybe even beyond the ability of the next mayor, whether it's Shropshire or not.


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Sip N' Blog to Go From Ahh to Zu...

Now hear this...All first class politicos to the comm.....Our popular and informative weekly Sip N' Blog get-togethers on Thursday mornings will move next week to Zu Coffee in Bay Ridge...maybe temporarily...maybe permanently...maybe we'll just move from location to location and spread the business around. Last week's discussion with South River Federation Executive Director presented everyone with a lot of thoughtful ideas and challenges about cleaning up our local rivers.

Next up? Not sure yet...we are working on a few possibilities but your suggestions are always welcome. See you next week at Zu at 0800 hours....Now hear this....

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Jazz Pianist Hod O'Brien to Play Benefit Concert at St Johns College, Sat. March 28

This is a great opportunity to hear world class jazz piano right here in Annapolis and it's for a terrific cause.






Learn more about it at www.Jazzforgeorgia.com .


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The Testocracy of Our Schools

I invite readers to read my new weekly column, The Ninth Ward at The Capital's Hometown Annapolis web site. The print version will be published tomorrow, but will resume regular weekly publication on Wednesday.


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Cohen to Make It Official on Saturday

County Councilman Josh Cohen will officially announce his candidacy for mayor on Saturday, March 28, 12 noon, City Dock, Annapolis. Rain or Shine! At this point, it looks as if it might be rain. RSVP/Questions: cohenformayor@ymail.com (that is ymail, not gmail...)

Please send comments, subscribe, share with your friends, and support our sponsors. Join us at Ahh Coffee! in Eastport almost every Thursday from 8-9 am.

Ahh Coffee! Will Be Closing...Sip N" Blogs Will Continue

Yup. Bad news all around. Ahh Coffee! thrived for over three years but it is going the way of many retail establishments during these times.

We are searching for a new location but this Thursday will be our last Sip N' Blog at Ahh Coffee! so come and meet meet Erik Michelsen, executive director of The South River Federation and learn about the watershed and ongoing pollution prevention and restoration activities. Stay tuned.

Please send comments, subscribe, share with your friends, and support our sponsors. Join us at Ahh Coffee! in Eastport almost every Thursday from 8-9 am.

Local Political News Roundup

Admittedly it is all Democratic news...but if anyone has additions, I'll add it it....

A Special Announcement???....Thursday, March 26, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Birthday Fundraiser and Celebration of Alderwoman Classie G. Hoyle (Ward 3). Entertainment and light fare, plus a special announcement about the 2009 City Council elections by Alderwoman Hoyle. Mount Olive Community Life Center, 2 Hicks Avenue, Unit 400, Annapolis 21401. Suggested contribution: $100. For more info or to RSVP: 443-949-7755 or classiehoyle@yahoo.com.

Friday, March 27, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Almost 7:30 Friday Morning Democratic Breakfast. Tim Mennuti, president of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County (TAAAC). Eastport Yacht Club, 317 First Street, Annapolis. Cost: $6. To receive notices of upcoming speakers, contact Edie Segree at easegree@comcast.net.

Saturday, March 28, 12 noon, Josh Cohen’s Announcement of Candidacy for Mayor of Annapolis, City Dock, Annapolis. Rain or Shine! RSVP/Questions: cohenformayor@ymail.com (that is ymail, not gmail, FYI.)

Monday, March 30, 5 to 7 p.m. Josh Cohen for Mayor Campaign Kickoff Fundraiser at Kyma Restaurant, 69 West Street, Annapolis. Wine, beer and Mediterranean fare, including tzatziki, hummus, olives, Spanish cheeses, crab and piquillo dip, spanakopita, garlic chicken skewers and pasticcio ravioli. $50 per ticket; $150 •$250 •$500 Hosts. Please make check payable to “Cohen for Mayor” and mail to P.O. Box 3481, Annapolis, MD 21403. RSVP to Kathleen Nieberding at knieberding@comcast.net or 410-212-1051.

Wednesday, April 1, 5:30 p.m. Fundraiser for Trudy McFall, Democratic candidate for Mayor, at the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis, Wiley Bates Heritage Park, 121 S. Villa Ave., Annapolis. Food by Larry Griffin Professional Catering. Suggested donation: $50. RSVP to Dennis Conti at 410-280-0751 or dennis_conti@hotmail.com.

The Wayne Taylor for Mayor campaign is hosting three Town Hall meetings at 7 p.m. on each of the following dates: Tuesday, April 7, at the Eastport Fire Department, 914 Bay Ridge Ave.; Tuesday, April 14, at the Wiley H. Bates Boys and Girls Club, 121 S. Villa Ave; and Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 199 Duke of Gloucester St. Light refreshments will be served at each meeting. For more info contact Sugar Stallings, campaign manager, at 443-822-9436 or trinidad22us@yahoo.com.

Please send comments, subscribe, share with your friends, and support our sponsors. Join us at Ahh Coffee! in Eastport almost every Thursday from 8-9 am.

CP Sells Out....or Who Ever Said "Capital Punishment" Was a Double Entendre About "The Capital" Newspaper?

Dear Loyal CP Readers:

Starting this Wednesday, I will be writing a weekly column for The Capital. This might shock those familiar with my many dozens of letters to this newspaper over twenty-five years, and my thousand or so posts here, but how could I turn down the chance to expose my vexatious observations of Annapolis life and politics to many more readers than I've been able to do with this notoriously snarky blog?

The Capital's editor and publisher Tom Marquardt knows what he is getting--and what he is getting into (pardon the ending with a preposition). He does not intend to edit or restrict me. You’ll be reading the same irreverent, cranky, sarcastic, controversial and risqué things you have come to expect from me, but I’ll probably be nicer to the newspaper--at least on the record. You can read his column about my column in today's Capital at Tom-Marquardt.

I will be paid, although it's a miserable, intolerable and insulting stipend. Considering the times and the conditions of newspapers, I am lucky. The Capital could not pay me enough to sell out--but it is giving me the opportunity to attract a lot more readers and get paid something. Anything is better than the less-than-beer-money-pittance I now earn from third-party Google ads.

Because the personal energy required to write regularly is very demanding, I was thinking of shutting down (shutting up?) or reverting to an occasional column or two, either at CP or perhaps in conjunction with another blogger. To more fully understand, consider the wise words of “gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson who said, “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Or put another way, as Jimmy Neutron’s cartoon friend Sheen remarked, “I do so relish these times of peril”.

Tom and I had developed a friendly relationship since we met at a party many years ago and he could not believe that mild-mannered me was the man behind the poison pen, and the scourge of his newsroom. The wine at the party must have helped. Though I was a frequent critic of the paper which he has edited for decades, we always respected each other and our basic goals as journalists remained essentially aligned, although his style is more, shall I say constrained than is mine? As with most journalists, we both appreciate reader response, comments and even criticism, from those who actually care about the news.

Tom and I have been meeting occasionally for lunch to “reality check” each other. I’d tell him how bad his paper was and harass him for some unpardonable journalistic sin or for a silly, murky editorial. He’d tell me how ridiculous one of my letters was or how my unedited writing shamelessly delved into trivial matters that knew no bounds. I’d say how readers were disgusted with his paper. He’d tell me how his reporters or particularly his two veteran columnists were steamed at me. Sometimes we’d even share news tips, discuss how to handle a developing story or poke fun at the antics of some elected official.

Then we’d enjoy lunch and part as friends. He’d drive his luxury car back to his reserved spot and go to his plush, corner-office to run that rag of an excuse for a newspaper (or web-site) in which you can, ahem, cough, cough, now read my column. I’d return on my bike or in my ancient mini-van to sit alone in my dark office, stare at the computer where I’d open a vein and proceed to pollute cyberspace and the local polity with the madly absurd, unedited, and unexpurgated rants that you have come to expect.

So please continue to fawningly follow my every word, including "The Ninth Ward" in The Capital where they will allow me a measly 700 or so words a week. Today The Capital in print and online. Tomorrow the entire blogosphere.

Sincerely,

"CP" a.k.a. Paul Foer and now the weekly writer of "The Ninth Ward."

Please send comments, subscribe, share with your friends, and support our sponsors. Join us at Ahh Coffee! in Eastport almost every Thursday from 8-9 am.