Abingdon Community Council eNews

Volume I Issue #11 August, 2012 C. David Copenhaver, Editor

Welcome to our latest issue of the ACC eNews. This eNews has been developed in an effort to reach out to the residents of Abingdon. Our purpose is to provide you an opportunity to become more informed and to encourage more participation at our monthly meetings! Please share this eNews with your neighbors. Why not plan to join us at our next meeting on Monday, August 27, 2012 from 6:30pm -7:30pm at the Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009? Join us and participate; take that leap of faith, you may find it rewarding! (For additional information,
contact me at abingdoncc@gmail.com.)
(If at any time you wish to have your eMail address removed from our data base, just reply remove.)

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Abingdons Treasures: Jones Family Farm

(Jones Farm Market is located at 2100 Philadelphia Road, Edgewood. MD 21154) (Editors Comment: Jones Family Market technically is not within the Abingdon zip code, 21009. Nevertheless, as results of an unscientific survey, it is clearly a favorite destination of numerous Abingdon residents to purchase farm products.)

As far back as the 1950s, Jones's has been "the farm" to buy directly from the farmer in the Baltimore-Harford County area. Today, the farm is run by Maurice and Deborah Jones, 5th generation farmers, plus their three children, and with the help of Grandpa Maurice, Sr., and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. The first Jones arrived in the area before 1900, coming to America in their own boat from Wales. They settled on 300 plus acres bordering the Gunpowder River in Baltimore County. Maurice's great grandfather Samuel (1 of 13 children) and his grandfather Clarence would take vegetables to the wholesale food markets then located on Pratt Street in Baltimore City. The present market location on Route 7 (intersection of Philadelphia Road and Edgewood Road) was the first market in the area where you could buy directly from the farm. Kenny Jones started this market stand in 1956, and then his son Wayne Jones continued it until Maurice and Deborah became the owners. In 2005, they opened a little wagon on the corner of route 543 and route 646, which operated on the old-fashioned "honor system" of payment. Today, the farming operation has grown extensively to accommodate greater retail selections and services, with numerous retail greenhouses for plants and flowers, 2 farm markets, pick your own strawberries, Christmas trees and wreaths, and in our third year of offering a 16 week, summer/fall Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. They are family owned and operatedtheir daughters, aunts, or cousins will be the family serving you fresh and tasty produce, and sharing ideas for cooking and preparation. Click here to view a harvest schedule for the vegetables and strawberries grown here at Jones Family Farm. They also showcase other locally grown produce such as peaches, plums, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, cherries and much more! Allison Jones, Miss Harford County Farm Bureau 2010, said, Agriculture has an impact on everyones life, whether you are sleeping on cotton sheets or writing on a piece of paper ... The sooner people realize that, the better off we will all be. Allison is entering her Senior year at Virginia Tech where she is studying Argibusiness. In the future she hopes to attend Medical School but still wishes to be a part of the family farm.
(Sources: jonesproducefarm.com and Harford County Farm Bureau Newsletter, June, 2012, some changes have been made.)

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Think Zoning is Boring? About 800 Angry People at Last Weeks Walmart Community Input Meeting Used to Think so, Too
From Morita Bruce, President, Friends of Harford, Inc.

Think zoning is boring? About 800 angry people at last weeks Walmart Community Input Meeting (CIM) used to think so, too. Theyve been rudely awakened. The property where Walmart will be built was zoned R4 residential. However, in 2009, the owner asked for B3 business zoning during Harfords Comprehensive Zoning. Friends of Harford (FOH), an all-volunteer citizens group working for responsible land use, opposed the change saying Additional commercially-zoned land is unneeded, and intense business uses would be incompatible with surrounding homes and small businesses. In contrast, there is a shortage of R4 (residential) properties in this vicinity, particularly ones of any significant size. To the best of my knowledge, no one else objected, nobody sent letters, and nobody objected during the public hearings. Seeing that no one besides FOH wanted it to stay residential, the County Executive and County Council approved the change. And thats why Walmart will be built. Its too late now to yell at county officials. We hate saying that because we dont believe high-traffic businesses belong there either. But with the B3 zoning it now has, I know of no way for officials to stop it. Its perfectly legal for the property owner to do what he wants with his property, and he wants a Walmart. That Walmart is coming. The only chance you have to make a difference now is go over the drawings and the traffic impact study with a fine tooth comb when they are available through the Department of Planning & Zoning to see if you can tell the county at the upcoming Development Advisory Committee meeting that theres something in the design or the study that violates the zoning code, or you can try to convince Walmart to be a good neighbor and improve what theyre proposing. GET INVOLVED. Check for new zoning requests or requests for additional uses for a zoning category on the County Council web site. They happen all the time and sometimes at a place near you. (http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/council/Zoning.cfm) Good luck. And remember: when it comes to zoning, you snooze you lose. Stay awake and watch for proposed zoning changes. Morita Bruce, President Friends of Harford, Inc. For useful lists of what can be done on properties with different types of zoning, please refer to www.FriendsOfHarford.com/zone-class.html
(Reprinted, with permission from The Dagger, www.daggerpress.com, some changes were made)

******************************************************************* Your input is needed! No Walmart at Plumtree/924 strategy meeting

Abingdon Community Council, August 27, 2012 at the Abingdon Public Library 6:30pm 7:30pm
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SARC Seeks Volunteers for Balloon Festival

SARC is looking for volunteers to assist with the nonprofits biggest fundraiser of the year The 3rd Annual Rising Above It Hot-Air Balloon Festival Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 22, at the Harford County Equestrian Center, 608 North Tollgate Road in Bel Air. Volunteers are needed to help with admissions/registration, main stage entertainment, exhibitors, vendor hall, food vendors, hot-air balloon interactive demonstrations, horse ring and feinting goats, activity areas and overall festival operations. Adults 18 years of age and over (or youth 14 and older, with parental permission) are invited to sign up for one of three shifts: 8 a.m. to noon; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For those who are unable to work a full shift, volunteers will be accommodated based on their availability. Volunteers will be able to enjoy the festival before or after their shifts and will receive a T-shirt. Family Fun Day attracted nearly 2,500 visitors last year and features a mix of activities for kids and adults alike. Volunteers from the community have been so generous with their time and talents at the festival over the past two years, said Luisa Caiazzo-Nutter, executive director of SARC. We are hoping that additional volunteers are willing to help us so that we are able to provide a great experience for what we hope will be 2,500 or more visitors at Family Fun Day. The festival is SARCs biggest fundraiser of the year, and volunteers are vital for a successful day. The funds raised by the festival are critical to helping SARC provide hope and resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking. People interested in volunteering at the event should click Website below, email volunteer@sarc-maryland.org or call 410-836-8431. Website
(Source: Harford Neighbors.com, some changes made.)

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11th Annual Maryland State BBQ Bash in Downtown Bel Air

Friday, August 10, 4:00pm - 10:00pm and Saturday, August 11, noon - 10:00pm Promoted by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance - Creating a vibrant business community and visitor friendly destination in Downtown Bel Air, MD since 2001! The Bel Air Downtown Alliance is pleased to announce the return of one of Harford County, MDs most anticipated events of the year: The MD State BBQ Bash. The MD State BBQ Bash is a barbecue themed street festival featuring the Maryland State BBQ Championship, on August 10 and 11 where more than 50 competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond will compete for $12,500 in cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN and The American Royal in Kansas City, MO. In addition, more than 36 amateur teams will compete in the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge on Friday, August 10 to see who has the best ribs and will compete for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For the past ten years the MD State BBQ Bash has grown to be one of the largest, most fun, and most anticipated events of the year in Downtown Bel Air. Great food, great music, great people, the Maryland State Barbecue Championship, and the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge, have combined to create a tradition that we hope you will want to be a part of this year and in the years ahead.

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The MD State BBQ Bash features live music with local and Nashville acts, top quality barbecue and other food vendors, sponsor displays, crafters, various merchant vendors, the Bel Air Farmers Market, and childrens entertainment in the Little Piggies Fun Zone. This year, we are pleased to announce that we will once again be bringing Downtown Bel Air to the MD State BBQ Bash with our Downtown Bel Air at The Bash tented areas featuring a variety of our Downtown Bel Air shops, boutiques, salons, and spas. If we cant move The Bash back to Main Street, we wanted to bring Main Street to The Bash. This is a great way for some of local businesses to gain exposure and a great way for our loyal patrons to see just what Downtown Bel Air has to offer, reported Scott T. Walker, Executive Director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. Once again, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance has partnered with Natty Boh Gear to bring in some of the most exciting and fun Official MD State BBQ Bash Merchandise ever! In addition, Natty Boh Gear is providing all of the Official MD State BBQ Bash Staff T-Shirts. To me, nothing says local more than Natty Boh, stated Mr. Walker. Natty Boh belongs to Maryland and makes everyone in Maryland feel like they are part of a unique community. We are extremely excited to be working with Natty Boh Gear, he continued. Todd Unger, President of Natty Boh Gear, reports, We're excited about working with the Bel Air Downtown Alliance on sponsoring one of their many signature events in Harford County. The BBQ Bash is a highly regarded and highly attended event. We're honored to be a part of it. You can pre-order your Official MD State BBQ Bash Merchandise online --- click More Information below or visit them at the MD State BBQ Bash. This year also features the 3rd Annual MD State BBQ Bash Grill Raffle and is being sponsored by Char-Broil Grills. There are TWO chances to win and tickets are just 1 for $5.00 and 3 for $10.00. You can purchase your raffle tickets BEFORE the MD State BBQ Bash at the Outdoor Movies at Shamrock Park on August 3, as well as, at First Fridays on August 3. You can also visit the Bel Air Downtown Alliance at the MD State BBQ Bash in the Downtown Bel Air at The Bash tented area to purchase your tickets. The winners will be drawn on Saturday, August 11 at 7:30pm. You can also expect another great year of fun and excitement with LIVE music from great local bands, as well as, a Nashville rising star. Once again, WXCY 103.7 FM is sponsoring the Main Stage with great performances planned from Walk-Ins Welcome, The Klassix, Head Rush, Fiction 20 Down, and Nashville recording artist, Jon Pardi. WXCY has been a great friend and partner to the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. We love working with them throughout the year to promote all of the great events in Downtown Bel Air, but we always have the most fun at The Bash, said Mr. Walker. A complete schedule of events is available online --Click Website below. Website More Information
(Source: Harford Neighbors.com, some changes made.)

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Dates to Ponder:
Walk-In Computer Instruction at the Library August 1, 2012 2:00pm - 4:00pm Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009 Learn basic computer skills and web search techniques to boost your know-how. All ages. Website

Summer Concert Series August 1, 2012 (Wednesdays) 7:00pm Wm. A. Humbert Amphitheater, Shamrock Park. Outdoor concerts in the park feature local community bands, chorus, ensembles and military bands. Sponsored by the Town of Bel Air and Harford County Cultural Arts Board. FREE. 410.803.9784

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First Fridays August 3, 2012 5:00pm 8:00pm Office and Main Streets Outdoor celebration of live music downtown; beer & wine garden; refreshments; merchants participating with specials. Sponsored by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. www.downtownbelair.com

St. Mary's Peach Festival August 4, 2012 11:00am - 2:00pm St. Mary's Church Road Fresh orchard peaches, peach baked goods! Shop our many vendor tables! Pit Beef, Church tours, Brooms Bloom Ice Cream, Country Fair games, family fun, huge bake table, hot dogs, fresh sliced peaches. Enter a raffle to win a beautiful handmade and hand painted wagon. judirobilotta@comcast.net

Summer Concert Series August 5, 2012 (Sundays) 7:00pm Wm. A. Humbert Amphitheater, Shamrock Park. Outdoor concerts in the park feature local community bands, chorus, ensembles and military bands. Sponsored by the Town of Bel Air and Harford County Cultural Arts Board. FREE, 410.803.9784

War of 1812 Bicentennial Observance Exhibit August 7, 2012 1:00pm 3:00pm. The Hays-Heighe House at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. The exhibit will showcase the local history as it relates to the War of 1812, as well as daily life in the early Republic period. New displays and updated information will be added throughout the exhibit run, which will close in December 2012. Refreshments will be served. 443.412.2495 http://haysheighehouse.blogspot.com FREE

Get a Haircut, Help an Animal: The 50 Haircuts in 50 States Tour Coming to Baltimore August 10, 2012 9:00am - 9:00pm Ultimate Road Trip Tour Stops at Bel Airs Domani Studios. Domani Studio, 1212 East Churchville Road, Bel Air. Need a haircut? Love animals? On August 1st Patrick Lomantini, owner of Lomantini The Salon, is embarking on a 50-state tour to complete 50 haircuts per day in 50 days to bring attention to and raise money for the many wonderful animals in shelters across the country. Lomantini will stop at Bel Airs Domani Studio on August 10 for a day-long cutting extravaganza. All haircuts will be free, however a suggested donation of at least $20 per person is recommended. That money will go to a local humane society in each state with the Maryland stop supporting The Humane Society of Harford County. Make an appointment now and help support the programs and services of The Humane Society of Harford County. Call the salon at 410.838.4294 to be one of the lucky 50 people included in this life-saving event. Its expected to take 12 hours for Lomantini to complete 50 basic haircuts. Staff, volunteers and a few adoptable animals from the Humane Society of Harford County will be on hand to help cheer on Lomantini and support the team at Lomantini set his first Guinness World Record for cutting hair for 72 straight hours in 2010. He finished 227 haircuts and raised $1,625 which he donated to the Kansas Humane Society. In 2011 Lomantini launched the inaugural 50 States Tour and set another Guinness World Record. According to Lomantini, he is a big animal lover and hopes to help bring awareness across the country for the many animals the Humane Societies save on a daily basis. You can follow Patrick on his journey on his Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/pages/50-States-Tour/205448072856534?ref=ts, http://domanistudio.com www.harfordshelter.org, 410.836.1090 Like Us! www.facebook.com/thehumanesocietyofharfordcounty

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Maryland State BBQ Bash August 10, 2012, 4:00pm - 10:00pm and August 11, 2012, 12 Noon - 10:00pm. Bond and Thomas Streets The BBQ Bash features live music, top quality BBQ, sponsor displays, crafters, merchant vendors, Farmers Market, and children's entertainment, not to mention the County's biggest beer and wine garden! Sponsored by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. www.mdbbq.com Havre de Grace Seafood Festival 32nd annual August 10, 2012, 4:00pm 8:00pm, August 11, 2012, 10:00am 8:00pm, and August 12, 2012, 10:00am 6:00pm Marylands longest running seafood festival! Over 100 arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and an abundance of seafood and other great foods. Tydings Memorial Park, Havre de Grace. 410-939-1525 Reba in Concert, The Cal Ripken World Series Concert August 17, 2012 8:00pm - 11:00pm Ripken Stadium, 873 Long Drive, Aberdeen. The "Queen of Country" Reba McEntire is coming to Ripken Stadium during the Cal Ripken World Series. Gates open at 6:00pm, concert starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.ironbirdsbaseball.com, Ripken Stadium Box Office or by calling the stadium at 410-297-9292

Shred it Day! August 18, 2012 9:00am 1:00pm Point Breeze Credit Union, 410 S. Atwood Road Bel Air. Remove all your paper clutter! We are hosting our annual Incred-a-Shred Day at our Bel Air Branch. Bring up to 4 filing boxes or 4 grocery bags to shred. Paper only-no plastic. No need to remove staples, paper clips or bindings. No separation needed, just bring it and shred-it! 410.584. FREE mail@pbcu.com or www.pbcu.com Joe the Monkey's Birthday Bash! August 18, 2012 9:00am - 1:00pm Point Breeze Credit Union 410 S. Atwood Road Bel Air. Please join Joe the Monkey at his Annual Birthday Bash. Joe is the lead singer in the Money Mammal band that teaches children to "Share and Save and Spend Smart Too". First 100 children receive a goody bag, available while supplies last. Lite Fare available for purchase. Ages: Infant- 11. www.pbcu.com/news or mail@pbcu.com

48th Annual Havre de Grace Art Show August 20 and 21, 2012 10:00am - 5:00pm Tydings Park and presented by the Soroptimist International. Over 250 artists and crafters from throughout the U.S. display and sell their work. Food and entertainment all weekend. Free shuttle from designated parking to show, downtown, and attractions. Boat accessible on Saturday and Sunday. FREE hdgartshow@hotmail.com

Astronomy Open House August 25, 2012 8:00pm 10:00pm Harford Community College Observatory. Members of Harford County Astronomical Society will set up telescopes and binoculars for a public viewing session. Parking at Harford Technical High School. Email harfordastro@yahoo.com for more information. harfordastro@yahoo.com Website: http://www.harfordastro.org

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Abingdon Community Council Meeting August 27, 2012 6:30pm - 7:30pm Abingdon Community Council meets on the 4th Monday of each month at the Abingdon Public Library from 6:30 p.m.7:30 p.m. Public invited! abingdoncc@gmail.com

Harford County Public Schools - Opening for Schools for Students K-12 August 27, 2012 http://www.hcps.org/

Harford County Public Schools - Opening of Schools for Pre-K Students. August 29, 2912 (See attached for 2012-2013 School Calendar)

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Your input is needed! No Walmart at Plumtree/924 strategy meeting

Abingdon Community Council, August 27, 2012 at the Abingdon Public Library 6:30pm 7:30pm
2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD.

Members:
Cynthia Hergenhahn, Chairperson C. David Copenhaver Carlin Cook Earl Grey Gregory A. Beaty Recording Secretary: Donna Copenhaver

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