BROOKLYN PARK and Baltimore, Orchard Beach and Curtis Bay - odd couples, some believe, in sharing cross-border city ZIP codes of 21225 and 21226, respectively.
Elected officials from south of the border are continuing efforts to get new ZIP codes for their constituents.
The four-member District 31 legislative delegation and County Councilwomen Pamela G. Beidle and Shirley Murphy met recently to discuss the issue with William Neal, manager of customer service programs for the U.S. Postal Service's Baltimore District.
Del. Joan Cadden, one of the district legislators, said residents who want a new ZIP code should lobby their community associations to send a request in writing to the Postal Service.
"This is how the process needs to begin," said Cadden, a Democrat. "It will be difficult to get a new ZIP code, but not impossible. The community associations need to write and get the word out."
David Lewin, a spokesman for the Postal Service's Baltimore office, said a request for a ZIP code change is a formal process.
Requests must be received in writing.
If the change is considered, proponents will meet with the local postmaster.
If both sides agree on a change, the Postal Service would conduct a survey of every resident in the area.
If a majority agrees, the ZIP code would be changed.
"As of today, we have not received a formal request," Lewin said.
Cadden agrees that a city ZIP code can cause confusion.
"When I was president of the PTSA at Brooklyn Park [High School] in 1978-1979, people thought that we were an inner-city high school because of our ZIP code," she said.
But with no numerical change imminent, residents south of the city line can at least declare their address independence with "Brooklyn Park 21225" instead of "Baltimore 21225," and "Orchard Beach 21226" instead of "Baltimore 21226."
Letters on the subject may be addressed to Bill Miner, District Manager, U.S. Postal Service, 900 E. Fayette St., Baltimore 21233-9321.
Songwriting workshop
Those who are interested in learning how to blend melody and lyrics can attend a free songwriting workshop at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Brooklyn branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Songwriter Sue Trainor will explain her craft as a method of discovering, defining and expressing thoughts and feelings.
Trainor will use songs, games and creativity exercises to help participants generate ideas for songs.
Topics will include the use of meter, lyrics and melody to create songs.
An accomplished musician, Trainor received the 1996 Washington Area Music Association award for Best Female Vocalist for Children's Music.
Her self-produced album, "In a Closeup," was named the association's Album of the Year, Debut Album of the Year and Contemporary Folk Album of the Year.
The Brooklyn library is at 300 E. Patapsco Ave.
Information: 410-396-1120.
Scouting merit
From exploring space to exploring the outdoors, members of Boy Scout Troop 188 have been busy earning badges this summer.
First-aid merit badges were awarded to Harry Anuszewski, Alex Bahus, Alan Bailey, Milton Broseker, A. J. Francis, David Fuller Jr., Jonathan Hedrick, Young Kim, Adam Paik, Stephen Romey and Danny Smith Jr.
To qualify, the Scouts had to demonstrate expertise in a mock emergency situation.
Jeremy Davis earned an orienteering merit badge for skill in compass reading.
Broseker earned a space exploration merit badge for his study of the universe and a badge in wood carving for his creative work in design and form.
Romey and Bahus were named to the Troop Court of Honor for demonstrating knowledge in computer science and outdoor skills.