Every chance I get to donate money to Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) or attend an event that benefits BARCS, I jump at the chance to go. There are so many homeless animals, and BARCS does a great job rescuing them and preparing them for a forever home. This year, there will be an event in the Arbutus area to benefit the furry creatures. The event is being held by Lansdowne resident Chelsea Willis and Jon Holmes, the owner of Universal Comics in Arbutus. The event is called “Zombie Apocalypse Arbutus” and will be  on October 30, 2011 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm at 5200 Southwestern …

On Sept. 30, the Lansdowne Business and Professional Association hosted their first old fashioned block party. They invited businesses in the area to come set up their own table and inform the neighborhood on their services and what they offer. \LBPA provided cheeseburgers and hot dogs cooked by Fred Jones and the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department. In attendance were: the Lansdowne Ravens Roost #76, the Lansdowne Improvement Association, Patapsco’s Amish Farmer’s Market, Believe hair studio, John Johnson discussing electric deregulation, and Lansdowne Inn. This was a great opportunity for …

On Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, St. Clement held their annual Fall Fiesta.  This is the third year they’ve held this event. The event took place in the parking lot of the Sister’s Academy. There was great food including:  pit beef, hamburgers, hot dogs, Spanish entrees, Rita’s Italian ice, popcorn and plenty of treats for the kids. There was plenty of entertainment provided for the kids. There was a Ravens themed moon bounce, basketball, soccer games, balloon popping with darts, pick a duck, win a prize, and many more.  Most children could be found in the moon bounce or having intricate designs …

If you walk up to a stranger on the streets of Lansdowne and asked him what he remembers 10 years ago on 9/11, he would clearly be able to describe that day. It was seared into all Americans' minds. This year marked the 10-year anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in United States history. I remember flipping on the television for the morning announcements in my homeroom around 8:45 a.m. at Lansdowne High School. The news reports were going crazy about a plane crashing into one of the World Trade Center towers in New York. Not too long after, sitting in homeroom, we all observed the …

Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer for most of us. Most people have “end of the summer” cookouts and celebrate the new fall season. Around the Lansdowne community, you soon will see the leaves changing and less people outside. With the end of summer also comes the start-up of our local community meetings. Most communities opt to take the summer off and have their new meetings resume in September. So if you ever get a chance, come on out and see what they are all about. The Riverview Community association meeting is one of the first to arrive. That association’s president is Ron …

The end of summer is quickly approaching. New things are popping up around town and new events are starting to arrive. School will be starting next week, much to most children’s disappointment. This upcoming weekend there will be an event held at the Leadership through Athletics facility to “Jump into Fall” with Councilman Tom Quirk. The event is Saturday, Aug. 28 from 3-6 pm. Leadership through Athletics is located at 2900 Hammonds Ferry Road. The event will feature a dunking booth, moon bounce, basketball, batting cages, food, beverages and ice cream for all ages. Originally there was going…

Have you ever wanted to star in a film shoot that may turn into a commercial?  Well you may be in luck.  The new Bally’s Sport club that is opening in our Lansdowne Station is looking for employees, friends, members and children to star in a film and/or photo shoot.  They are seeking between 80-100 participants. The shoot will take place the week of August 8, 2011 – August 12, 2011.  A day at the photo shoot will take 10-12 hours and you must be available the whole time.  Some participants may need to be available 10-12 hours, all week. Interested in signing up?  Send an email to casting@…

Who doesn’t enjoy fireworks on the Fourth of July? Each year, residents of Lansdowne and surrounding areas attempt to figure out the best spot to watch the fireworks display. If you live in Lansdowne, you most likely will be viewing the fireworks that will be shot off at Catonsville High School. If you’re interested in seeing the fireworks at Catonsville High, your best bet is to find a nice spot on a hill near UMBC. Corners will have snowball vendors, glow-in-the-dark necklaces and many other fun items to keep the kids busy. Others opt to venture downtown to the Inner Harbor's firework …

School will be letting out very soon. At the end of the year, most kids are given a summer reading packet, or some type of summer work. Although some children dread the project, others run home and get it done right away. Depending on your school your summer reading may be specified by author, genre, period, etc. The summer reading packet is to encourage the child’s mind to stay active during the summer by reading a book. Reading is a great way to keep your brain constantly exercising. It brings information into your brain, and stretches your mind. The classics are always fun to engage …

Every year around this time, summer fever starts to set in. Many start thinking about the beach and long to get away. Most local residents make a fast break for Ocean City, MD.  The Ocean has many things to offer, along with a free, clean, warm beach.    The many restaurants that line the coastal highway provide a wide range of food choices. There are many entertainment spots, from put-put, nightclubs, laser tag, and even a water park. The adults can escape to Seacrets, a restaurant/night club with sandy beaches and floats in the water.  Lansdowne residents just like to take Memorial Day's …

If you drove by Gianni’s Italian Bistro at 3720 Washington Boulevard in Lansdowne on Sunday, you would’ve seen a very large crowd and many attractions. Sunday was Gianni’s Spring Festival.  Many people made it out to participate in the games, food, wheels and the dunking booth. Some of the proceeds raised during Spring Fest will go to Muscular Dystrophy research and the Brightview Home for people with Alzheimer's disease. There were a few bands that provided music during the festivities and many carnival games that the kids could enjoy, as well as a moon bounce and a fishing game. Many 50/50’…

The tunnel in the Lansdowne community has been debated for quite some time. Many citizens have been working to have this tunnel closed. The tunnel is located right next to the Corner Florist on Clyde Avenue and runs beneath Hammonds Ferry Road to Sulphur Spring Road.  If you’ve ever visited it, you may have turned and run. The tunnel is covered in graffiti, littered with trash, and reeks of urine. It’s used as a trash can, at some times housing, and other times as a restroom. People take a risk when walking through this tunnel. Who knows who or what may be down there waiting? Pete Kriscumas, …

Spring is in the air. The weather is finally looking better, and you can even see new ducklings floating around in ponds with their parents. Most days have been very comfortable and provided enjoyable weather around Lansdowne. Each day you see more and more people out walking family pets, or just taking their children out to play. New things are coming to Lansdowne soon. One of the most talked-about new businesses is Bally’s gym. Many have probably noticed the work going on over in the Lansdowne station. Bally’s will be on the top level of the parking garage. The gym should be opening for …

Kibby’s restaurant held a benefit last Sunday to support the fight against breast cancer. The event, hosted by the St. Agnes Oncology Fund, was a huge success according to Pat Manoto and her team. The owner of Kibby’s, Shawn Casserly, shut down half of the restaurant for the occassion and provided a large majority of the food.  Local businesses donated gift certificates, baskets, parties, cakes and many other items. There were raffles, 50/50’s, and a chance auction table.  Among the raffle prizes was cash, Ravens memorabilia and a night at the Tremont hotel, as well as gift basketsm which …

George Panchigar has owned the BP station on Hammonds Ferry Road for 21 years. The gas station also has a repair shop that many Lansdowne citizens have frequented. Three years ago, George decided to open up a car wash next to his BP station. The car wash is cheap, quick and gets the job done. Last year, while on a trip in San Francisco, Panchigar saw a self-serve dog wash. It was the first one he had ever seen. Months later, he decided to open his own.  Located next to his car wash,the dog wash has been open for two months, and has received many patrons. Similar to a car wash, the dog wash is…

Spring is here.  The kids are starting to play outside more, and adults are out walking the family dog.  There are many activities to get your children involved in when spring hits.  Two of the most popular sports for children to get involved in are baseball and softball. Last week was the first practice for both.  There are many children that want to get out and play sports when the nice weather comes around and this is a great league to start your kids in.  The Southwest Area Girls Softball league is for ages 5-16.  The registration dates are already over with, but if you come up to the …

When meeting Capt. John Spiroff, you would probably never guess he has a background in a terrorism task force.  He was a part of putting together the Maryland Coordination & Analysis Center, which is a center that offers resources to law enforcement to gather information and act on terrorist acts.  On MCAC, he served as Director FBI Joint Terrorist Task Force. He has been a police officer for 29 years and a Captain for 13 of those years. Spiroff is a very hands-on commander, and helps others any way he can.    Spiroff is a firm believer in the community.  He works strongly with the …

A few weeks ago Phil the groundhog predicted spring was quickly on its way.  Most of us are still waking up every morning and grumpily mumbling our complaints about the cold weather still lurking around the neighborhood.  Recently, we’ve had a few teaser days that showed us how nice it could possibly get when Mother Nature makes up her mind. Other than the cold weather there are a few things going on around here in Lansdowne.  I’m sure many people in Lansdowne and the surrounding communities have heard the news about Kaiser Permanente building a new medical center on the open space on …

When I first met Mrs. Pat Manoto, I could tell she was a very passionate woman in all things she did.  Then I found out that she has a benefit each year (started last year) for Breast Cancer in honor of her mother, Mary Burke Darcey, and many other women who have fought the brave fight against breast cancer. The benefit helps St. Agnes' foundation against breast cancer and oncology.  This year the benefit will take place on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Kibby’s Resturant from 2-5 p.m.  The ticket price/donation is $15 per person.  Shaun, at Kibby’s restaurant, is a huge supporter of this benefit …

Most people in the community know of Chief Douglas Brinkley at the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department. Many people know him from the school his children attend, or just see him around the neighborhood. I had the chance to sit down and chat with him. This is the lowdown on the fire chief of Lansdowne. Chief Brinkley has been married to Dawn Brinkley for almost 7 years. They have two children, Jake and McKenzie. Brinkley started riding in 1987 when he was only 16 years old.  In 1993, Brinkley started volunteering at the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department.  This will be his second full term as…