Badger

When Food Network Magazine named the Heart Attack on a Plate sandwich at Mother's Federal Hill Grille as the ultimate burger in Maryland, I had to try it. The magazine's June/July issue, now on newsstands, picked 50 favorite burgers, one in each of the 50 states. After all, almost every American eats burgers, including two guys at the top of the nation's food chain, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. The other day, these two leaders of the free world scooted out of the White House to chow down on burgers for lunch at Ray's Hell-Burger in Arlington, Va. Ray's was the magazine's top burger joint for the state of Virginia.

Anne Arundel County leaders looking to create jobs have again turned to the emerging field of homeland security, announcing that the county's first government-sponsored business incubator will focus on assisting security start-ups. The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp., a county government-funded nonprofit, will open the Chesapeake Innovation Center in June, county officials said. The 24,000-square- foot facility being leased on Admiral Drive near Annapolis will be able to hold up to 15 fledgling companies.

William A. Badger Jr. had a premonition that Anne Arundel County was destined for business success, and he wanted to be a part of that future when he joined the county's economic development arm. More than a decade later, Badger - who is stepping down tomorrow as president and chief executive of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. - can look back on steady growth and a broadening of the county's economic base, including high-tech, defense and homeland security ventures. From 1999 to 2005, the county has netted more than 30,000 new jobs and $1.3 billion in capital investment.

So this hilarious video trailer came out back in May, but since it's finally "time to face paint Joel Edgerton!" for real, we're featuring it again. Here's the trailer for "Warrior," out Friday, featuring narration by Randall of "Honey badger don't care" fame. Enjoy!

What was once a neglected, arson-damaged, old Ellicott City school building has been renovated into 20 Jacuzzi-equipped, "luxury" condominiums that will be auctioned Sunday.The former Ellicott City Elementary School, a granite, castle-like building, has been bought and sold frequently in the past decade by developers who failed to complete renovation and development plans. The Brightwater Group Inc. purchased the property at a foreclosure auction last summer and plans to complete the project, known as the Greystone development.

Dear Mrs. Badger, I hope you and your loved ones all have a safe and wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. You sent me a card like this one last year. I'm also enclosing a photo of myself. It makes me look fat. Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I. Love, Billy Kreutzer Billy Kreutzer, it should be known, is not just a friend to Diane Badger, not just a "soul mate," as he has said, not just a person sending warm wishes and reminders of the love of Jesus. William J. Kreutzer Jr., 31, of the Maryland town of Clinton, is also a convicted murderer who could become the first serviceman to be executed in the United States since 1961.

A county government advisory panel has severely criticized a former economic development chief for alleged mismanagement, misappropriation of funds, political favors and abuse of power, catching county officials and business leaders by surprise. The panel of 14 business and community leaders was appointed by County Executive John R. Leopold to advise him on economic development and military expansion at Fort Meade. But its confidential report - completed in late January and obtained by The Sun last week - takes aim at the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp.

Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens said yesterday that the county is being considered as a potential headquarters for President Bush's Homeland Security Department and has asked county economic development officials to be ready to respond immediately to any federal proposal. "People are looking at us," Owens said yesterday, but that was all she would say - or could say, she added. Owens and other officials, including the head of the county's economic development agency, were alerted recently by real estate professionals who said they were taking calls from government employees looking for land to buy or office space to lease.

Anne Arundel County is back in the running for a used-car superstore and an auto restoration center to be built by AutoNation USA, the second-hand auto seller launched by Florida billionaire H. Wayne Huizenga, a county official said yesterday.William Badger, director of the county economic development office, said AutoNation has expressed a new desire to build the two facilities in Anne Arundel, provided it receives the necessary permits."They are telling us they want to come, they just need an air quality permit," Badger said.

Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens has asked a team of top advisers with access to career training and social services to help residents who might be out of work because of cuts at Ciena Corp. in Linthicum. Owens' recent decision to activate the county's Critical Response Team and to promote a work force hot line followed Tuesday's announcement that Ciena had laid off 650 employees, most of whom were assigned to offices in Anne Arundel and Howard counties. "This is a very significant layoff," Owens said yesterday, adding that it might be the largest job reduction by a company in Anne Arundel since US Airways eliminated its Metro Jet division at BWI in December.