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Requiring senators to file their campaign finance statements electronically rather than on paper seems like such an obvious update that no one could object. And yet someone has. Maybe lots of someones. At least twice last week, Republican senators blocked action on legislation that would conform Senate campaign filings with the electronic measures used by House candidates and presidential hopefuls. In each case, the senator said he was acting for an unnamed GOP colleague. But the absence of outrage from anyone but sponsors of the change suggests broader complicity.

On July 1, 2007, F. LOURENE COOPER of Whiteford, MD, beloved wife of the late Eugene R. Cooper, loving mother of Douglas Cooper, Diane Rinaca and Donna Rinaca, dear sister of Jean Lentz and Lowell Garrett, loving grandmother and dear friend. Visitation on Thursday, July 5, from 2-4 and 7-9 P.m., at Harkins Funeral Home, 600 Main Street, Delta, PA. Funeral service on Friday, July 6 at 11 A.M., at Mt. Vernon UM Church, 1510 Deep Run Road, Whiteford, MD, with interment in adjoining church cemetery.

THE LIGHTS and excitement of New York come to Glen Burnie this weekend when Arthur Slade Regional Catholic School again presents "Manhattan After Dark" Friday and Saturday at the school on Dorsey Road.The clubs open at 6 p.m. and the shows at 7 p.m.There will be entertainment for everyone as the school building is transformed into New York clubs that showcase dancing, music, karaoke and a chance to test your luck at the Big Apple Casino. Stand-up comic Koli Tengella will perform.This is one of Slade's largest and most elaborate annual fund-raisers, with more than 250 volunteers working to re-create a slice of the Big Apple, says Jackie Olson, co-chairwoman of the event.

Q. There are little bits of white fluff growing all over two of my yew shrubs. I don't see anything moving around on the foliage. What should I do?A.You're describing the white, waxy egg sacs of cottony camellia scale. The immature versions (known as crawlers) of this insect pest are feeding on the leaf undersides. They are not a serious pest, but their feeding may lead to an accumulation of excreted plant sap below the feeding sites. A black fungus, known as sooty mold, may then grow on the honeydew, detracting from the shrub's appearance.

North American Vaccine said yesterday that it has turned over to the Food and Drug Administration all of the additional information the agency had requested about its new whooping cough vaccine for children and is confident the drug will win U.S. marketing approval soon.Shares in the Beltsville-based vaccine developer closed higher yesterday at $18.125, up $2.375, on the news."We feel very confident we'll have approval very soon," said Stephen M. Keith, vice president for sales and marketing for North American Vaccine.

Q.I moved into a house with some large, healthy-looking shade trees. The leaves on the sycamores and maples are developing brown spots and some of the leaves seem to be curling and dying.Does this sound like a disease? Is it serious?A. You're observing the symptoms of a very common shade-tree disease - anthracnose. Spotting and curling occurs on the leaves of ash, oak, maple, sycamore, hickory and beech. This fungal disease is most severe during cool, wet springs.Mature trees can recover from the infection and leaf loss without fungicide treatments.

GUESS WHAT'S in the trash can," my husband said gleefully as I pulled my car into the driveway.Twenty-two years into the marriage, I knew better than to guess at the answer. Exiting the car, I peered into the container."It's a black snake. I moved the trash can and it jumped right out," he continued. Shoving his hand in my face, he announced, "It bit me. Twice."Seconds later, back in the car, I questioned his decision not to seek medical care instead of waiting for me to return home and share his adventure."

Seminar to explore incentives for buying a home in BaltimoreThe Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors and the Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development will present a briefing on the home-buying incentive programs available in the city from 9 a.m. to noon Friday on the 13th floor of 417 E. Fayette St.Called "Tour of Baltimore City: In Action," the event will include information on the Settlement Expense Loan Program, Live Near Your Work, Buy...

Shares in North American Vaccine Inc. tumbled more than 16 percent yesterday as word hit Wall Street that the Food and Drug Administration has requested more information about its whooping cough vaccine, Certiva.The stock closed at $18.56, down $3.62 a share.Neither the FDA nor the Beltsville-based company would disclose what information has been requested. But Dr. Sharon Mates, the company's chief executive officer, said the company wasn't asked to conduct additional costly and time-consuming human clinical trials to show that the drug is safe or effective.

Q.I got my potatoes planted on St. Patrick's Day, and last week I dug up loads of spuds. Some are rather small, and I wonder if I could plant them and get a second crop.A. Yes, you can. Cut the potatoes into seed pieces (two to three "eyes" per piece). Keep them indoors for a few days while the cut ends heal over, or dust the pieces with sulfur.Either method will lessen the chance that the potatoes will be infected by disease after plant-ing. Space the seed pieces 12 inches apart in a 3- to 4-inch-deep trench.

FluMist vaccine for students Free FluMist vaccine will be offered to all Anne Arundel County public school students through a partnership with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Oct. 5-15. Administered to healthy children between the ages of 5 and 11, the nasal spray vaccine contains the live but attenuated flu virus. Students must provide a written parental consent form. Permission forms must be returned to the school no later than Sept. 25. Forms can be found on the schools Web site at aacps.

Dining out to support multiple sclerosis society The Original Steakhouse and Sports Theater at routes 2 and 214 in Edgewater will sponsor a benefit for the MSbusters fundraising team, Maryland chapter, on Tuesday. Throughout the day, the restaurant will donate 10 percent of the day's sale (dine-in and carryout) to the national society. Call 410-956-0790 for reservations or additional information. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is the only voluntary health organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, alleviation and cure of MS. The Maryland chapter serves more than 5,000 men, women and children living with the daily challenges of MS. Volunteer honored Martin "Chip" Doordan, president and CEO of Anne Arundel Health Systems, was awarded the United Way of Central Maryland's Bernard Cook Meritorious Leadership Award for his volunteer work throughout the county.

'Prepare for Success' needs supplies Program sponsored by the Community Action Council of Howard County raises funds to purchase backpacks and collects donations of school supplies from around the county. Donors will be able to drop off pencils, paper, scissors, rulers, crayons, notebooks and other supplies Monday through Aug. 28 at boxes throughout the county, including the Columbia Village Centers, all library branches, Columbia Association gyms, the George Howard Building and the Columbia Gateway Building.

Senior services directory The free 2009-2010 edition of Services for Seniors, Adults With Disabilities and Caregivers is available at the Heritage Office Complex, 2666 Riva Road, fourth floor, Annapolis, and the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities' seven senior activity centers, county public libraries and Giant Food stores. For additional information, call Maryland Access Point/Information and Assistance at 410-222-4257. Calendar Home safety workshops : The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will hold home safety workshops from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and June 18 and 25 at the Brooklyn Park Senior Center, 202 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park.

On April 30, 2009, PETER G. LIACOPULOS, of Marlboro, Massachusetts; beloved husband of 49 years to Patricia (Papaminas). visitation at the Chapel of the Holy Resurrection at the Greek Orthodox Cemetery, Baltimore, Monday, May 4 from 11 A.M. to 12 noon. Trisagion at graveside to follow. Donations in his memory may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 7004 Ridge Avenue, Egg Harbor, Township, NJ 08234. For additional information, tributes and guestbook, please visit www.mem.com

Esther Louise Cornell, In lieu of flowers a memorial has been set up at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira. The Kietzer-Miller Funeral Home in Lomira has been entrusted with Esther's arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.millermartinfh.com.

When Bobby Prigel took over his family's Glen Arm dairy farm some years back, he shooed the cows out of the barn, cut his milk production by about 30 percent and planted grass on the cornfields. Prigel is considered a leader in Maryland among dairy farmers who have turned to what people in the industry call "grazers." His cows feed on grass out in the pasture instead of being kept in barns and fed a diet of grain. He says that turning back the pages of history to an earlier form of dairy farming has boosted his profits and reduced his workload.

Product recalls for the week beginning Jan. 28: Jan. 29 Name of product: Crafters Square Hot Melt Mini Glue Guns Units: About 253,000 Retailer: Dollar Tree Stores Inc. of Chesapeake, Va. Importer: Greenbrier International Inc. of Chesapeake, Va. Hazard: The recalled glue guns can short-circuit, causing the gun to smoke and catch fire. This poses fire, burn and shock hazards to consumers. Sold at: Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1, and Deal$ stores nationwide from February 2007 through August 2007 for about $1. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled glue guns and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

On January 18, 2008, JACKSON VAUGHN STARR, SR., of Delta, PA. Loving father of Joseph L. Starr, Vincent M. Starr and Vicki Lynn Starr. Loving grandfather and dear brother of Carol Burdett. No Services are scheduled at this time. For additional information, please contact Harkins Funeral Home, Delta, PA. www.harkinsfuneralhome.com

Product recalls for the week beginning Jan. 14: Jan. 15 Name of product: Toy wrestler figures Units: 5,400 Manufacturer: A.A. of America Inc. of East Brunswick, N.J. Hazard: The surface paint contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. Sold at: Dollar stores and discount stores nationwide from January 2007 through December 2007 for about $1. Remedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.