Saturday, May 19, 2012
We know you're proud of your Terp graduates. Show it by sharing their photos on Patch!
On Sunday afternoon, University of Maryland students will strut across the Comcast Center stage, proudly receiving their diplomas. We know that, as their friends and family, you are proud of them, too. There are ways to show it... with flowers and balloons, perhaps. And of course, a little cold, hard cash in a card is always appreciated. But why not make a public statement, and tell the world about your graduate's stellar accomplishments by sharing a photo on Patch? Here's how:
Friday, May 18, 2012
Carlos Biaou recently received a Jack Kent Cooke scholarship to continue his education in electrical engineering at the University of Maryland.
Carlos Biaou grew up in Benin, West Africa, where the power at his home was sporadic. Benin had—and still has—an energy crisis, that causes the government to schedule energy shutoffs and look to neighboring nations for power supply, Biaou said. “Sometimes we would be out of energy for five hours, sometimes for half a day, sometimes for a whole day, sometimes for five days … It was quite random,” said Biaou, who now lives in north College Park with his two sisters. The scheduled power outages would often occur during nighttime, but that forced students like Biaou to study in the later hours by candlelight. He might have had an easier time of it than his peers—his dad bought a generator—but the experience led him to a career that could …
The scandal brought changes in child abuse reporting policy for the University System of Maryland.
By Jakob Engelke and Jeremy Schneider Capital News Service When Bowie State Athletic Director Anton Goff first heard about the Penn State football child molestation scandal, he shared the same reaction as much of the country—shock and horror. With a college athletics program in his charge, however, his thought process quickly went deeper. "I think most of us in athletics kind of felt a little differently because it kind of hit a little closer to home," Goff said. "A lot of us who are athletics directors, we talk and we all say, 'Hey, that wouldn't happen at my place, because I would have got wind of that, I would have tried to handle it differently.' But you never know in that situation." Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Where do you plan to eat with your family to celebrate graduation day?
Whether it be a parent or two, a few friends, or your entire 30-member family who are coming in to watch you graduate, one thing is for sure—they'll need to be fed. Chances are you've been bogged down in finals and haven't given much thought to where you'll take your gang for the celebratory meal. Find ideas in the Patch directory of "food and dining" options. Share your suggestions in the comments below. Will you take the fam to an old College Park favorite of yours where many memories were made over four years? Or will you introduce them to a new joint like Big Play Sports Grill or Fishnet? Have you heard about any great meal deals for graduates? Share your ideas suggestions in the comments below, and happy graduation!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
For the non-graduates, these are the places to avoid and when to avoid them.
University of Maryland students are preparing for graduation, coordinating with their families and friends where and when to be for upcoming commencement ceremonies. College Park residents might be interested in the details, too, to know exactly what locations to avoid. The school-wide commencement ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Comcast Center on Paint Branch Drive. Doors open at 11 a.m.; graduates are to report by 11:45 a.m.; and the procession of graduates begins at 12:15 p.m. (Check the University of Maryland website for more info about the campus-wide graduation.) Individual colleges and departments will also hold their own programs between Sunday and Monday evenings. Below is an easy-to-read schedule of where and …
Here are some local pools area families may want to join this summer.
The weather is already warming up out there and summer is mere weeks away, so for families considering joining a pool, now is the time. There’s a large variety of pools and splash parks, both public and private, in Prince George’s County. Here are options in College Park. Be sure to check out the website for each, as the memberships often include access to special classes, discounts or guest passes: Swim hours are from noon to 6 p.m. during the week, and noon to 7 p.m. on the weekends. Call 301-277-3717 with questions. The facility is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday, and 1 to 6 p.m. on holidays. Contact Carolyn Bernache at 301-935-5617 with questions. Annual Membership with CRS is $465. Semester memberships (fall, spring and …
Monday, May 14, 2012
University introduces "Senior Swirl."
Caps, gowns and ice cream—what else would you want to celebrate graduation from the University of Maryland? In honor of commencement, The Dairy began selling "Senior Swirl" ice cream on Monday, according to the university's office of communications. The flavor is a mix of vanilla with chocolate swirl, red and yellow sprinkles and brownie pieces. Senior Swirl will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Monday, May 21. If that doesn't strike your fancy, The Dairy is also commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, starting on Sunday, with its "Star Spangled Explosion." Strawberry ice cream is spiked with sherry and dotted with red, white and blue sprinkles, and milk chocolate malted…
The Diamondback writes a retrospective piece about the events and decisions that led to the possible athletic cuts at the University of Maryland.
University of Maryland President Wallace Loh announced in November that eight athletic programs would be cut from the school to help balance the athletic department's budget. For the ensuing months, student-athletes had more on their plates than academics and competing, as they also tried to raise eight-years of operating funds to save their programs. “Raising money [has] definitely been a challenge because normally this time of year is dedicated to school and playing our best since we're in season,” Shelby Reyes told Patch in March. She is a co-captain for the women's water polo team, one of the vulnerable programs at the university. “But the fact that it's for something that means so much to all of us makes the difference. We are …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
This week's top Prince George's County news.
Speed, Buzzard Contributing Factors in Sunday's Motorcycle Fatality David Christopher Norris, of Upper Marlboro, died Sunday after his motorcycle struck a buzzard causing him to veer off the road. Engine Overheats in NASA Goddard Building Containing Radioactive Material An engine at NASA Goddard overheated and smoked in a building containing radioactive material Thursday. Cafritz Hearing is Adjourned After six days, the Prince George's County District Council ended the evidentiary hearing for the Cafritz rezoning request. The developers want to rezone about 37 acres just south of College Park, in Riverdale Park, to Mixed-Use Town Center so that they can construct a Whole Foods Market, almost 1,000 residential units, and both retail and …
Lynda B
12:11 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Congrats Carlos!!! May you be an example to all young Men and Women out there that went you put your mind to something you can achieve it. Much success in all your future endeavors. As for Mr. Bender, it's so sad to see that hate fuels people to cloud their judgment. Too bad you were not fortunate enough to acquire such a prestigious award when you were in undergrad. Mr Biaou worked hard for his … more ›