Action Agency

WASHINGTON -- The Clinton administration, responding to public alarm over the safety of meat and produce, will propose a significant increase in spending for food inspection and safety research in the budget to be presented to Congress early next year, administration officials say.After a year that saw outbreaks of food-borne illnesses from tainted Guatemalan raspberries, Louisiana oysters and Midwestern ground beef, President Clinton is seeking an additional...

CLEVELAND - Gliatech Inc. shares fell as much as 27 percent after the surgical products maker said U.S. regulators suspended the review of an anti-scarring gel as they questioned the validity of data Gliatech submitted with applications to expand the gel's use. Shares of the Cleveland company closed down $1.25 to $5 yesterday, after dropping as low as $4.56. The Food and Drug Administration suspended its review of pre-marketing applications for ADCON-L gel, used to prevent internal scarring and pain after spinal surgery, until questions about testing are answered, the company said Saturday in a statement.

WASHINGTON - Mixing threat and persuasion yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration gathered dozens of executives from 15 airlines that fly into O'Hare International Airport and asked them to cut their schedules by about 5 percent to reduce delays that are so extensive that they ripple from Chicago through the whole country. Agency officials said they had never tried negotiating landing slots among so many airlines before. O'Hare can handle without delay 86 arrivals an hour from domestic airliners, and up to 22 in any 15-minute period, but more than 40 are scheduled to arrive between 8 a.m. and 8:14 a.m., and much of the rest of the day is also overcrowded, according to the FAA. "The gridlock situation at O'Hare is not good for anyone," said Norman Y. Mineta, secretary of transportation.

Arundel Habitat for Humanity's Family Nurture Committee has rescheduled its free "Understanding Budgeting" seminar for 7 p.m. tomorrow at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park.Maxwell Ochs from the Community Action Agency will discuss the importance of establishing and committing to a budget.Information: 956-5459.

Harford County Executive David R. Craig and Harford County Government are partnering with the Postal Service to support the Harvest for the Hungry campaign. The local campaign is coordinated through the Harford Community Action Agency. "The annual Harvest for the Hungry campaign is a great opportunity for county employees, their families and friends to help support members of our community," Craig said in a press release. "The Harford Community Action Agency and the Harvest for the Hungry campaign do an outstanding job gathering food to support those in our community who turn to us for help in time of need.

The Annapolis Community Partnership recently elected officers for 1992 at its annual meeting at Lowes Annapolis Hotel.Carlesa Finney,deputy chief executive officer of the Family and Community Services Community Action Agency was named chairwoman, while Bonnie Holmes, substance abuse specialist from the Mayor's Office of Community Services and Substance Abuse was named vice chairwoman.Lt. Gary Simpson of the Annapolis City Police was elected secretary, and the new treasurer is David Woodward, executive director of Pathways.

After 21 years with the Community Action Agency, 14 of which she served as executive director, Yevola S. Peters is retiring to go into business as an organization consultant.The public is invited to a farewell dinner in her honor at the Fontaine Bleu in Glen Burnie, 5 to9 p.m. July 14. A number of current and former elected officials will be present to present citations and give brief remarks about the impact Peters has had on their lives.The evening will conclude with music and dancing.Information:626-1919.

The Harford County Community Action Agency will sponsor a chili dinner to benefit the Harford County Fuel Fund from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Churchville Presbyterian Church, at routes 22 and 136. Snow date is Feb. 8. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children younger than age 12 for buffalo chili, venison chili and a variety of other hot and mild blends, cornbread, peach cobbler and beverage (fruit drink or coffee). Take-out orders are available. For tickets and information: 410-638-3240 or 410-734-7934.

The Harford Community Action Agency and Harford County government are again spearheading the Harford County part of the annual Harvest for the Hungry Campaign that began Saturday and runs through Saturday, March 9. In its 27th year, the Harvest for the Hungry week-long food drive helps restock the shelves of local food pantries that have been depleted during the winter. The campaign is run in conjunction with the nonprofit Maryland Food Bank. The official kickoff for the regional campaign was held in Baltimore Friday, where Harvest for the Hungry founder Larry Adam, of Fallston, was joined by community leaders, sponsors and local government officials, including Harford County Executive David Craig and his wife, Melinda.

Jennie M. Jenkins, a retired social worker and official of Baltimore's old Community Action Agency, died of congestive heart failure Dec. 30 at Northwest Hospital Center. The Liberty Heights resident was 87. Born Jennie Murphy in Baltimore, she was raised on Druid Hill Avenue and was a 1934 graduate of Frederick Douglass High School. She earned her undergraduate degree from what is now Morgan State University and a master's in social work from Howard University in Washington. Mrs. Jenkins became a case supervisor for the city's Department of Public Welfare and later was director of volunteer services for the anti-poverty Community Action Agency.