Energy Bill Assistance

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 29th, 2009 | 28 Comments

The Community Action Agency is holding a Energy Assistance Expo on Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 10 AM to 3 PM.
It will be held at the Resurrection of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church located at 8402 Brock Bridge Road in Laurel (map below).
Those requesting assistance can apply there and will required to provide I.D., proof [...]

Maryland Hospital Bill Passes House of Delegates

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 29th, 2009 | 27 Comments

A bill I support is moving along, having been passed by the House of Delegates.
If the bill is signed into law, low-income Maryland patients (approximately $33,000 income for a family of four) who lack health insurance would be guaranteed free care at Maryland hospitals.  
The bill would require that hospitals develop a financial assistance policy [...]

Clutter in the Chesapeake

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 29th, 2009 | 13 Comments

They say there is a huge uptick in tent cities.
Now we have an uptick in ship cities.
The Annapolis Anchorage, just south of the Bay Bridge, is filling up with cargo ships.  There have always been ships here — this is where they relax before heading to the Port of Baltimore.  Regularly, there are only one [...]

Last Minute Tax Tips

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 29th, 2009 | 63 Comments

(ARA) – If you have yet to file your 2008 tax return, don’t panic. The key to getting it done quickly and efficiently is to have a game plan and know what to look for before starting. Use these tips to make doing your taxes easier this year.

The new stimulus plan does not affect [...]

Teaching Kids Lessons Beyond Dollars and Cents

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 29th, 2009 | 3 Comments

(ARA) – To say that money matters have been getting a lot of attention as of late is an understatement. It’s hard to turn on the television, read a newspaper or surf the Web without the topic coming up in one form or another. While many of us have grown used to the constant chatter, [...]

The Annapolis Anchor’s New Content Partner

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 29th, 2009 | 18 Comments

The Annapolis Anchor has added ARAcontent as a partner.
They have a lot of great articles, some of which will be appearing right here.  I just posted the first, “Five Kitchen Fix-ups for $500 or Less.”
I posted three today because I found them to be timely and interesting but asure you that I will go moderately [...]

Five Kitchen Fix-ups for $500 or Less

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 29th, 2009 | 37 Comments

(ARA) – After years of telling yourself you can live with the outdated hardware, the ugly orange laminate countertops and the daffodil-yellow wall paint, you’ve finally admitted to yourself that your love affair with your kitchen decor is over.
But leaving is simply out of the question and you don’t have the budget for a [...]

My Saturday Headline Mish Mash

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 28th, 2009 | 89 Comments

Here is some of what I’ve been reading today:

The Jewel Trade’s Fading Luster [Washington Post]
Have You Ever Tried to Sell a Diamond? [Atlantic Monthly - February 1982]
Over the Hedge [Vanity Fair]
Candy Spelling Officially Asks for $150,000,000 [Real Estalker]
Friend of Bidens Daughter Shopping Tape of Her Allegedly Doing Cocaine [New York Post]
Spanish Court Weighs Inquiry on [...]

Why I Love Junk Mail (and you should, too)

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 28th, 2009 | 42 Comments

Yes, you read that right.
In the late 90’s and earlier this decade, I worked for Clear Images, Inc. in Baltimore City.  The company was acquired by Corporate Mailing Services Inc. (CMS) — a larger firm — and I was laid off since they were mostly interested in buying our customer list.  As is the case [...]

Maryland Drought

Written by Jesse Barron from on March 28th, 2009 | 6 Comments

Although some of us don’t like ruining the perfect start to spring with lots of rain (especially after a very cold winter like we had), Maryland desperately needs rain.
So far, this calendar year has been the driest of 138 years, which is as long as they have been keeping records.  It began in October.

There are [...]