Courtroom banter delves into nuances of gun violators

THIS ‘N' THAT

Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

St. Mary's Circuit Judge C. Clarke Raley read an indictment charging the arrested man with participating in the illegal sale of a firearm last June, and the judge observed that Assistant State's Attorney Daniel White was at the prosecutors' table to suggest requirements for the suspect's pretrial release.

"He's like an anti-gun fanatic," Raley said in an impromptu description of the prosecutor.

White sought to clarify that portrayal.

"I'm anti-bad-guys-with-guns," the prosecutor said.

White suggested that the suspect be held in lieu of $5,000 bond. The Virginia man said he'd turned himself in on the St. Mary's charge, and could neither afford that proposed bond nor to stay here as he needed to get home to his job and care for his family. The judge set the bond requirement at $2,500.

Presidential mother-in-law helps mark local birthday

Betty Currie of Hollywood was surprised multiple times Sunday, Nov. 8.

The former private secretary to President Bill Clinton walked into a surprise 70th birthday party organized by her husband, Bob Currie, at a neighbor's home. Bob surprised her again by suggesting that they renew their wedding vows during the party, which they did.

In addition, the approximately 80 family members and guests who attended the event included a current resident of the White House — Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson.

"Yes, we're sort of best buds," Betty said told staff writer Susan Craton on Wednesday afternoon.

During the transition period between the Bush and Obama administrations, which Betty Currie assisted in Washington, she and Robinson sort of hit it off, according to Currie, perhaps because they are similar in age. They would often go out to lunch together.

"She's a nice, nice, nice lady," Betty said.

So what does Robinson say about how life is going at the White House?

"Things are fine," Betty said, and laughed.

Currie said she was shocked by the surprise party. "It was just wonderful," she said.

The Curries moved to St. Mary's County after the Clintons left the White House in 2001, and in their retirement were caretakers for Socks, Chelsea Clinton's cat during the Clinton Administration. Socks died earlier this year.

Sotterley holiday tours to have wartime theme

Candlelight tours to be held Dec. 4 and 5 at Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood will feature a historical dramatization of life at Sotterley during The War of 1812, and be conducted every 10 minutes starting at 6 p.m. each day. The tours will include the 300-year-old historic mansion, which will be graced with period decorations.

Live musical performances from local high school choral groups and complimentary cookies will be available in the historic barn, prior to reserved tour times.

Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 301-373-2280.

Go online to www.sotterley.org for more details.

Greenwell to shift nature time in December

The Greenwell Foundation's Nature Time outdoor program for young children and their families or caregivers will shift to a different schedule in December, and be held twice a month on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The program on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Tuesday, Dec. 15, will explore the question "How do you winter?" It will be followed on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and Tuesday, Jan. 19, by "Ice and snow, what do you know?" and on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and Tuesday, Feb. 23, with "Baby, it's cold outside!"

Nature Time events begin at 10 a.m. and end at about 11:30 a.m. Participants are welcome to pack their own picnic lunch and explore the park on their own after the program.

Preregistration is required. Send an e-mail to lpranzo@greenwellfoundation.org or calling 301-373-9775.

For more information, go online to www.greenwellfoundation.org.

SMECO offers four scholarships

The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative offers $1,500 scholarships to four high school seniors who live and are schooled in its service area.

Seniors must be enrolled or plan to enroll full time in an accredited college or university. To be eligible for SMECO scholarships, students must have maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Scholarships will be awarded based on scholastic achievement, financial need and community and school involvement.

As part of the application process, students must submit an essay on "Why is a college education important to completing my lifetime goals?"

To obtain an application, see a school career counselor, call SMECO at 1-888-440-3311, ext. 4340, visit any SMECO office, or print an application at www.smeco.coop. Completed application packages may be taken to any local SMECO office or mailed to SMECO Headquarters, P.O. Box 1937, Hughesville, MD, 20637, Attn: Bernadette Lewis.

The deadline for students to apply for college scholarships is March 5, 2010.

For more information, or to obtain an application, go to www.smeco.coop.

University offers turkey safety tips

The University of Maryland's College of Agricultural and Natural Resources has some advice on safely preparing a turkey and other foods for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

When choosing the size of the turkey for the feast, allow about one pound per person. A frozen turkey should be safely thawed in a refrigerator, in cold water or with a microwave oven.

In the refrigerator, allow approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds. To thaw in cold water, allow approximately 30 minutes per pound.

To thaw a turkey in a microwave oven, check the owner's manual to calculate minutes per pound and appropriate power settings, and cook immediately after thawing.

Bacteria can spread throughout a kitchen and get on hands, cutting boards, knives and countertops. Frequent cleaning can keep that from happening. Always wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling food. Run cutting boards and utensils through the dishwasher or wash them in hot soapy water after each use. Keep countertops clean by washing with hot soapy water after preparing food.

Cross-contamination is how bacteria spread. Use one cutting board for raw meat, poultry and seafood and another for foods that will not be cooked — such as vegetables, salads and other ready-to-eat food.

Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood and their juices apart from other food items in the grocery cart and away from ready-to-eat food at home.

Keep raw turkey separate from side dishes. Store raw meat, poultry and seafood in a container or on a plate, so its juices won't drip on other foods.

The improper heating and preparation of food means bacteria can survive. Use a food thermometer, because how food looks doesn't tell if it's safe to eat.

Every part of the turkey and the center of the stuffing should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. Stir, rotate the dish and cover food when microwaving to prevent cold spots where bacteria can survive. Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating.

Bacteria spread fastest at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees, so chilling food properly is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of food-borne illness. Keep the refrigerator at 40 degrees or below to keep bacteria from growing.

Perishable foods should not be left sitting out at room temperature for longer than two hours.

Chill leftovers and takeout foods within two hours, and divide food into shallow containers for rapid cooling. Thaw meat, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator, not on the counter, and don't overstuff the refrigerator.

Attorney general warns of cell phone identity scams

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler has warned Maryland residents to be on the lookout for new scams that are using cell phones to obtain sensitive personal bank information.

There have there been many reports of scammers calling residents' cell phones, according to the attorney general's office, and culprits also have started to send text messages that appear to be from a bank or other financial institution, similar to "phishing" e-mails. The text messages appear to be from a bank and ask the recipient to call a toll-free number to resolve a conflict with their account.

The number is often an automated message service that asks the potential victim to input bank account numbers or other sensitive personal information.

Gansler urged that anyone who receives an unsolicited call, text message or e-mail should not give out any personal information. People should never give out sensitive personal information unless they initiate the contact with a financial institution, and are certain that they can trust the person on the other end of the phone.

Identity thieves use their tactics, the attorney general's office reports, to obtain account numbers, Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information from unsuspecting victims who believe the communications to be from their bank or other financial institution.

The culprits will then use the information to drain the victim's bank account, or open new credit accounts in the victim's name.

Most financial institutions will not contact their customers by text message, or ask for personal information through an e-mail.

Anyone who receives a suspicious text message, phone call, or e-mail should verify the sender by going to the financial institution's Web site or looking at their account statements to confirm the phone number or Web address. Never click on a link in a suspicious e-mail as this could download a virus onto a computer.

Suspicious communications can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission or the Identity Theft Unit of the Office of the Attorney General online at idtheft@oag.state.md.us, or by telephone at 410-576-6491.

Aviation talk set for Nov. 18 at museum

The Patuxent Partnership and the Association of Naval Aviation's Squadron No. 18 will hold a program on "Marine Aviation in Transition: A Rotary-Wing Perspective" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on Route 235 in Lexington Park.

The program is being presented in collaboration with the Marine Corps Aviation Association, John Glenn Squadron, Pax River.

CalvART gallery show continues to Nov. 22

A showing of new works by Southern Maryland artists Abbey Griffin and Mimi Little will continue through Sunday, Nov. 22, at the CalvART Gallery in Prince Frederick, with a Nov. 21 champagne and chocolate reception.

The gallery is located in the Prince Frederick Shopping Center at the intersection of routes 2-4 and 231.

jwharton@somdnews.com