Since Friday at 4:19 p.m. marks the start of the summer solstice -- yes, that technically has been spring we have endured the last few weeks -- I thought I'd offer up my salute to summer with a few questions to think about over the next few weeks.
* For example, why does a person's nose always get sunburned before the rest of the body? If the sun's rays are traveling 93 million miles to reach someone, what possible difference can an extra one-inch protrusion from your face make?
* And why are knees so hard to tan? No matter how hard I try to get just a little color on my legs, I always look like I tied paper plates to my knees to deflect the sun.
* Shouldn't we celebrate the birth of whomever invented air conditioning with a really big party?
* Was it my imagination or did I hear cheering when the last school bus pulled away on Thursday -- coming from inside the building!
* If the people on the B & A Trail are really concerned about the proliferation of illegal signs, why don't they just take them down everytime they see them? Wouldn't that eventually discourage the offenders? Or maybe fine the company that put it up? But selling ad space on the trail as a solution? I don't think so.
Oh well, summer is almost here and that means the Fourth of July fireworks, the Glen Burnie Carnival, trips to O.C. and the summer clothing sale at the AnnapolisClothing warehouse. Life can be fun.
Unfortunately, one of the highlights of the past three summers has been canceled due to (when will we ever stop hearing this phrase?) "budget cuts."
The annual visit by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to Kinder Park in August has been killed. How sad. It was truly one of the most wonderful evenings:music, stars, fireworks and a sense of pride in a community that sees the value of sharing a musical experience. What a shame.
Fortunately, I have other projects to tend to. Like maybe my knees.
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The summer solstice is being celebrated with a youth dance 7 to 9:30 Friday night at the Country Club Estates Recreation Hall, Paul Marr and Country Club drives.
Friday's dance offer kids from 6 to 15 thechance to catch up on all the gossip and news that's been happening since they got out of school a week ago. Music will be by DJs Tim Konig and Joe Connell.
Admission is $2; refreshments will be available throughout the evening. Parent chaperones are always welcome.
For more information, call 761-0317.
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For the onset of summer, maybe Joey and the Jammers will play a few Beach Boys' tunes from 7 to9 p.m. tonight in the Arundel Center North Plaza.
The band will play a free concert of music from the '50s and '60s as part of this year's Summer Concert Series. The audience should bring lawn chairs, asseating is limited.
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Eleven workers from the Holy Trinity parish youth group are preparing for a visit to a work camp in Moorefield, W.Va., in a poor mountain community next week.
The work camp ispart of the Group Work Camps program, which offers youths the opportunity to observe a different aspect of our society, while teaching them that they can make a difference.
Sixteen-year-old Robin Demers is one of those scheduled to make the trip. Robin was part of a groupthat went to Baker, W.Va., last summer.
"We built a porch for a family with three kids and then we did the (weatherization) for the trailer they lived in," he said. "We also built a handicap ramp for a family who had a son with epilepsy. The ramp makes it easier for them to go places like the store."
On the last day of their trip, the mother of the family in the trailer had an accident. When the youth workers went into the trailer to see what they could do to help, they discovered there was no food in the home.
"We went back and talked to the manager of the camp and everyone decided to pitch in and buy the family food. We wanted them to have something when they came home from the hospital," said Robin, adding that the trip changed her perception of her own lifestyle.
"The people there don't even have running water. There is only one person with a hose connected to water. Everyone uses the creek for water. The first night we got there we ran out of water at the school where we were staying. We had to use theport-a-pots and wash in the creek. It made us understand a little more what it's like for the people that live there.
"The first nightwe came home I wanted to take a long shower, but I didn't because itwould be wasting water. I remember those people and try not to wastethings like water and food anymore."
Buck Dewling, Rich Haas and Steven Thomas are three of the adult volunteer workers taking their vacation time from work for the trip. Other youth group workers are Jason Homens, Keith Myers, Gary Teal, Amy Demers, Kevin Morgan and DawnHaas.
Parishioners of Holy Trinity will be sending the group off with a special blessing and liturgy at 7 p.m. Saturday in the church,7436 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd. The community is invited.
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Theroad to Broadway starts in Annapolis for one 11-year-old Glen Burnieresident.
Christine Blewett, daughter of John and Susan Blewett, will be featured in the upcoming production of "Talent Machine" at the Annapolis Summer Garden Theater. This is her first performance withthe company; she will perform a solo in the number "Triplets."
Students at Richard Henry Lee may remember Christine for her performances in the school talent show. She won first place in the county fair talent show last summer for her performance with her dad, John, and her brothers, John and Joseph.
"Triplets" is a musical about a group of young people who find talents they did not know they possessed, with the help of an eccentric professor. The play is directed and choreographed by Bobbi Smith.
Showtime for this outdoor theater is at8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting June 25 and continuing through July 17. The theater is located at 143 Compromise Street, across from the City Dock in Annapolis. Parking is available at the Board of Education lot.
Tickets are $4 for children and $5 for adults. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 268-0809.
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St. Alban's recent Spring Fair was a financial success,netting almost $6,900 for charity.
A vintage car show at the fairraised $1,500 to benefit United Service Organization's families. Organized by Bob Anderson and Nelson Cross, this was the church's first attempt at a car show.
Members of the Vestry and Social Ministry committee are working on identifying projects within the community that will share the remaining $5,394.
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Once again it's time for the "Blood Assurance Program" at two area churches. Members of the congregations of Glen Lutheran Church and the Church of the Crucifixion should note that the Red Cross bloodmobile will be in the parking lotof the Church of the Crucifixion, 100 Scott Ave., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
A minimum of 40 donors are needed to insure continued visits to the church.
For more information, call Glen Lutheran at 766-6534 or Crucifixion at 768-4880.