Annapolis

The Annapolis mayoral candidate whose spokesperson announced her withdrawal from the race Friday amid revelations of personal financial problems said Saturday that she is staying in the contest. Zina C. Pierre won the Democratic nomination Tuesday, putting her on track to become Annapolis' first African-American mayor. Her campaign abruptly announced her withdrawal Friday amid questions about a foreclosed home, bounced checks, state liens for unpaid income taxes and other problems. But less than 24 hours later, Pierre said she was staying in to "continue to fight for all residents, many of whom are calling, texting and e-mailing me with extraordinary support."

Zina C. Pierre, the Democratic candidate for Annapolis mayor, attempted to right her beleaguered campaign Monday by reassuring a closed-door gathering of local party leaders that she could overcome the disclosure of personal financial problems. Pierre, a 44-year-old political consultant whose win in last week's primary put her on track to become the city's first African-American mayor, offered a sort of preview of a planned news conference on Wednesday, when she is scheduled to discuss for the first time her foreclosed home, state tax liens, bounced checks and other financial difficulties, those attending the breakfast meeting said.

Patrick James Rhodes Sr., a retired real estate agent and an avid golfer, died of congestive heart failure March 1 at his Annapolis home. He was 82. Mr. Rhodes was born and raised in Washington and was a 1944 graduate of St. John's College High School. After serving in the Marine Corps during the waning days of World War II, Mr. Rhodes attended the University of Maryland, College Park. He earned his real estate license and worked for Eugene Fry Co. in Bethesda, and later with the Roger H. Spencer Co. in Rockville.

Overshadowed by the government, historic and Naval Academy features of Maryland's capital city are intertwined communities that lie along Weems Creek. The development of the West Annapolis area dates to Elizabeth and Catherine Giddings, each of whom received a section of their father's land, now the sought-after neighborhoods of West Annapolis and Wardour. Though distinct, the neighborhoods join together for such activities as holiday caroling, the West Annapolis block party and a July Fourth parade.

Man who scalded boy, 3, is convicted of child abuse An Annapolis man, 25, was convicted yesterday in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court of first- and second-degree child abuse for placing his 3-year-old stepson in a tub of scalding hot water after the child wet his pants. The boy spent nearly a year undergoing treatments for burns that covered about 45 percent of his body. Clarence Bennett was also found guilty of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, but he was acquitted of first-degree assault.

Healthy food program at Pasadena Lauer's Lauer's Supermarket will be host to the Anne Arundel County Health Department's Learn to Live Program 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 8095-A Edwin Raynor Blvd., Pasadena. The Good Food for Good Health Weekend offers consumers help in selecting nutritious low-fat, high-fiber foods. Booths staffed by health educators will offer healthy recipes, brochures and magnets. Information: 410-222-7979. Museum's Irish Night The Annapolis Maritime Museum will hold an Irish Night 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow at Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub, 63 Maryland Ave., Annapolis.

He was a community organizer, rallying for tenants rights in Annapolis' public housing. Later, he was elected to local office, serving on the Annapolis City Council. And 21 years ago, Carl O. Snowden established the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee Inc., which sponsors a dinner in Anne Arundel County honoring community members in the name of the slain civil rights leader. This year, Snowden said, the event will be particularly poignant as the inauguration of the nation's first black president - Barack Obama - will follow.

Pasta class -- A cooking demonstration highlighting summer pasta dishes will include wine and food tastings at 6 p.m. June 22 at Donna's of Columbia, 5850 Waterloo Road. $40. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy. Reservations are required; call 410-659-5248, ext. 112 or visit donnas.com. Ice Cream 101 --Learn how to make different types of ice cream at Williams-Sonoma stores on June 24. At 10 a.m. in Cross Keys, 70 Village Square, and 11 a.m. in Annapolis, 1705 Annapolis Mall. Free. For more information, visit Williams-Sonoma stores.

Tiny Aleph Bet Jewish Day School does not have a library, art room or science lab. School officials affectionately refer to the fifth-graders' classroom trailer as the "learning cottage." But they know that the euphemism doesn't register well with parents scouting out the Annapolis private school. "As loving, as wonderful [as this school is], look who you are competing against," said Cheryl Krushat, a trustee. "People are attracted to modern facilities." As Anne Arundel County's sole Jewish school marks 18 years - a milestone number in the religion - the board of trustees has decided it's time to make Aleph Bet more modern.

The federal case against an Annapolis man accused in a carjacking-slaying near the State House moved toward its conclusion yesterday, as the prosecution rested and the defense indicated it would call one more witness today. Leeander Jerome Blake, 22, is charged with murder and four related counts in the Sept. 19, 2002, slaying of Straughan Lee Griffin, 51, a businessman shot in the forehead in front of his house and then run over by his own Jeep Grand Cherokee as the assailants sped out of the cul-de-sac.

Annapolitans head to the polls Tuesday to elect a new mayor. This year's race has had its ups and downs, with one primary candidate accused of sexual misconduct and another dropping out after revelations of debts and other personal financial problems came to light. The Baltimore Sun profiled each candidate before the primary. Here are summaries of those profiles for the three remaining candidates. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Josh Cohen Democrat Josh Cohen is an Annapolis native who studied music at the University of Maryland before switching majors and graduating with a degree in economics.

Annapolis voters have grown increasingly dissatisfied with a city leadership that has experienced notable failures of civic management and seen a ballooning of spending while developing a reputation for divisiveness. On Tuesday, they have an opportunity to turn the page by electing a new mayor. They have three good choices - Democrat Joshua J. Cohen, Republican David H. Cordle Sr. and independent Chris Fox. Josh Cohen Pros: Young and ambitious, Mr. Cohen has served five years as an Annapolis alderman and three as a county councilman.

Annapolis is pretty as a picture, according to "Forbes Traveler" magazine, which for the second year in a row named Maryland's capital among "America's Prettiest Towns." Annapolis was the only Maryland city to make the list, which highlighted 20 U.S. cities, including nearby Cape May, N.J. "It's nice to have a publication say what we've known here for a long time. That it's strikingly pretty," said Connie Del Signore, president and CEO of the Annapolis and Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

Even before they have an address, the future residents of an Annapolis elder co-housing project have what so many senior citizens long for: a community they've designed, with shared spaces and a social compact that keeps them in charge. Striving to balance independence and interdependence, Bob and Diana Corbett are a driving force behind a dream to build what could be the first elder co-housing project in Maryland. The Annapolis project is part of a niche trend: community-style condo living for senior citizens that they run by consensus.

It's a breezy morning in eastern Annapolis. Sea gulls squawk overhead. Boats bob beside a dock. And on the deck of a tied-up charter vessel, two folk musicians in ball caps strum a shuffle on a banjo and ukelele, looking every inch the easy-living Jimmy Buffetts of the Chesapeake. It's the final day of shooting for "Seize the Bay," the latest creation from Daphne Glover and Bob Ferrier, filmmakers from Severna Park, and as the two roll videotape, neither one can suppress a smile. "Fantastic," says Ferrier, the director, clapping his hands as the music ends.

A 26-year-old man was ordered jailed in lieu of $1.5 million bail Monday after Annapolis police charged him with raping a teenager at a party early Sunday. Police charged John Walter Jennings III of the 800 block of Carrollton Ave., Annapolis, with 11 counts. Court records say he is on probation for assaulting his fiancee and awaiting a court hearing in January for a possible probation violation. On Sunday, Annapolis police were called to Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore about a rape.

Oktoberfest celebration An Oktoberfest celebration will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Glen Lutheran Church, 106 Carroll Road, Glen Burnie. The "Rheinlanders," who play both authentic German and popular dance music, will be featured. The event will include a menu of roast pork, sauerkraut, sauerbraten, bratwurst, turkey sausage, mash potatoes, corn and dessert. Tickets are $24 for adults (2 for $40), $12 for children 5-12 and free for ages 4 and younger. Information: 410-766-6534.

Mt. St. Joe tops No. 1 McDonogh:: Playing without three starters, the No. 3 Gaels soccer team upsets the Eagles, who are ranked No. 1 in the nation, 2-1. The win avenges a 1-0 double-overtime loss to the Eagles. PG 10 Broadneck edges Severna Park: : Ryan Bugarin scores with 10:55 to play to lift the No. 4 Bruins boys soccer team to a 1-0 win over the No. 2 Falcons. PG 10 Dunbar shuts down City:: The 12th-ranked Poets score three second-half touchdowns after playing to a scoreless tie at halftime in a 22-0 win over the Knights.

Russell Kirk Agnes September 24, 2009 after a year battle with head and neck cancer. He is survived by his wife Michele Anne Agnes, two children Brooke Elizabeth Agnes and Timothy James Agnes. His parents Joe and Susan Agnes, one brother Peter C. Agnes and grandmother Virginia Pigott. A memorial service will be held Saturday 1:00 P.M. at DONALDSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, P.A., 1411 Annapolis Road, Odenton, Maryland. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to University of Maryland, Dr. Robert Ord, 650 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, Attn: Debbie Wojcik

Gov. Martin O'Malley stopped by a Coca-Cola bottling plant in East Baltimore on Wednesday - not for a drink, but to promote the company's environmental efforts and urge more Maryland businesses to jump onto the green bandwagon. After touring the plant and trying his hand at crushing a batch of aluminum cans for recycling, the governor praised Coca-Cola Enterprises, a distribution arm of the giant beverage company, for its efforts to reduce its waste, energy and water use. And he used his visit to plug his administration's "Maryland Green Registry," a self-nominating who's-who of businesses, universities and government agencies seeking recognition for voluntarily recycling waste and reducing energy use or pollution.