At least we can always freelance.
All aboard! We're headed for the mansion
It just wouldn't feel like Christmas without a look at some model trains and a word with the governor. You can get both tomorrow at an open house at the governor's mansion from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Martin and Katie O'Malley will share the spotlight with an elaborate train display created by members and friends of the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department.
Yes, Arbutus.
Bob and Kendel Ehrlich first invited his hometown firehouse to do the honors when he was in office. After a year off last Christmas, O'Malley's first in Government House, the trains have returned. (Take heart, Bob and Kendel: Arbutian comebacks can happen.)
Working in the firehouse, Connie and Chuck Atkinson started assembling the train layout in mid-July, spending every night there, from about 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. They finished in September, took it all apart, carefully boxing and labeling everything so it could be reassembled in Annapolis.
Using a truck borrowed from a friend with a courier service, the Atkinsons and three other volunteers carted the stuff to Government House and put it up. Between the time they set up the platform and sprinkled the finishing glitter atop the faux snow, eight full hours had passed.
They did take a few minutes off here and there to hobnob with the first family, who came through a few times to check it out. One of the young O'Malley sons was particularly impressed.
"We got an 'awesome,' out of one boy," Connie Atkinson said.
Connect the dots
Swept up in the spirit of giving, the mayor of broker-than-usual Baltimore decided yesterday to give up her raise after all. Before the season of miracles worked its magic on Sheila Dixon, reader Don Nippard created a holiday spoof, "Sheila the Red-Faced Mayor." Here's a snippet: "Back in Christmastown ... the Jimmy Choo elf sector is busy cobbling several new pairs for Mayor Slixon since she's got an extra $3,700 burning a hole in her new Prada bag. And that burning hole is a fire the Charm City Fire Dept. cannot put out because, you got it, Burl Ives, they ain't no more money for the firemen." ... The Mitchell School of Fine Arts in Baltimore County holds its first retrospective of the gal who founded the place, Elizabeth "Polly" Mitchell. About 20 paintings by the prominent portrait artist, who died in 2002, will be on display. The exhibit opens tonight at 5 p.m. ... Jamie Kendrick, Baltimore's deputy transportation director, is said to be in the running for a job in D.C. Kendrick confirms it, but says he isn't making tracks. "It's an honor to even be considered to head the D.C. Department of Transportation, but I get great professional satisfaction in helping to advance Mayor Dixon's progressive transportation agenda. I deeply enjoy working in the City of Baltimore and have no plans to leave."
