Baltimore Sun

Other achievements bolster Bush's record I found the editorial "Happy warrior Bush" (Jan. 13) most disturbing. The Baltimore Sun should be commended for acknowledging two of President George W. Bush's accomplishments, treating AIDS abroad and protecting much of the Pacific environment. But the editorial ignored many other accomplishments such as demanding a more rational approach to global warming, enhancing the interrogation of terrorists, unswerving support for Israel, the No Child Left Behind program, his focus on promoting democracy around the world, achieving a Medicare prescription drug benefit, the surge in the Iraq war and, perhaps greatest of all, preventing further terror attacks in the United States since 9/11.

Breakdown of family real key to violence The subtitle to Sunday's editorial regarding juvenile homicides noted that "officials need to recognize that this isn't just a policing problem" ("Death at an early age," Jan. 4). However, our society, as well as The Baltimore Sun, needs to recognize the primary source of the problem - the breakdown of the family. While I recognize the importance of government programs in the fight against violence in our urban, poor communities, many of those same well-intentioned programs have, over the last five decades, played a deadly role in undermining intact families among the poor.

I live in Owings Mills and traveled last fall to South Africa. This photo was taken on a visit to the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve near Kruger National Park. This leopard had just eaten some of its "kill," hence the red around its mouth. He was stunning to watch and never cared that our jeep was so close. A magnificent experience. The Baltimore Sun welcomes submissions for "My Best Shot." Photos should have been taken within the past year and be accompanied by a description of when and where you took the picture and your name, address and phone number.

Alonso series reflects local press at its best It seems that we are always hearing about the demise of newspapers, and about how readers are coming to rely on national newspapers, often online. The three-part series on Baltimore schools CEO Andres Alonso is a perfect example of why cities need a local newspaper ("Andres Alonso," Feb. 8- Feb. 10). The success or failure of Baltimore's schools is one of the biggest issues affecting the reputation of Baltimore. Mr. Alonso is grappling with the school system's many problems.

No special license for illegal aliens How can The Baltimore Sun seriously suggest there should be a "second-tier" driver's license for people who cannot prove they are in this country legally ("License to survive," March 31)? Illegal immigrants are too often the scapegoats for our social and financial ills. However, I can't help but raise an eyebrow at the notion that illegal immigrants have some sort of right to government services or to operate a vehicle. It is an affront to the people who enter this country legally and follow the rule of the law that people who come in illegally receive the number of free government services they already enjoy, and adding the right to drive to that list would only exacerbate the problem.

The vast majority of scientists who study climate change for a living have concluded that human activity is contributing to global warming. Heck, even the Bush administration admits it, having listed the polar bear as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. And yet Ron Smith trots out maverick scientists and even Michael Crichton, the science fiction writer, as "experts" on the subject who suggest that climate change is solely the result of...

I live in Owings Mills, and in December, I took an expedition to Antarctica with National Geographic and Lindblad cruises. It was a 25-day trip to Antarctica, South Georgia Island and the Falklands. This photo was taken on South Georgia Island, specifically at St. Andrew's Bay, home to the largest king penguin colony in the world. The Baltimore Sun welcomes submissions for "My Best Shot." Photos should have been taken within the past year and be accompanied by a description of when and where you took the picture and your name, address and phone number.

GOUCHER Coach: Kyle Hannan, ninth season (76-54 at Goucher, 129-102 overall) 2008 record: 11-5 Conference: Landmark The Baltimore Sun's take: Although the Gophers return five of last year's top nine scorers - including senior A Sam Fitzpatrick (28 goals, 22 assists) - there are still some holes to fill, especially on attack. The offense could get relief from senior G Austin Main, who ranked third in the nation with a 6.04 goals-against average. HOOD Coach: Curt Foxx, first season as college coach 2008 record: 0-17 Conference: Capital Athletic The Baltimore Sun's take: Foxx, who succeeds Eric Dummann, takes over a program that is searching for its first victory in its four-year history, a span of 46 games.

Baltimore's Senator Theatre, the last of the city's grand movie houses, means a lot to people in these parts. For some, it's one of the last connections to a sadly bygone era. To others, it's simply a great place to see a movie. We want to hear from you about what makes the Senator so special. Why is it worth preserving? Why would the city be a lesser place without it? Keep your thoughts to about 150 words or so, and e-mail them to arts@baltsun.com. Please include "The Senator" in the subject line.

R ay Lewis paid a visit to Baltimore police headquarters recently, but it's not what you're thinking. The Ravens linebacker, who beat a double-murder rap a few years back but pleaded guilty to obstructing justice, wants to be on the right side of the law. He showed up at HQ a few weeks ago - during the season - and asked what he could do to help the city fight gang violence. "Ray Lewis was in here ... asking, 'What can I do to help?' Police Commish Fred Bealefeld told The Baltimore Sun's Justin Fenton.

Two years ago, it would have been much easier to name the 10 best unsigned Baltimore bands. That was before the word got out about Baltimore's boiling-over music scene. Since then, record labels such as Sub Pop, Thrill Jockey and Merge have swooped in and signed several of the city's best bands. But there are still groups that deserve some recognition. Here are 10 of the most promising Baltimore bands. J-Roddy Walston and the Business Nobody rocks quite like J-Roddy. It serves up blistering, old-time rock 'n' roll, complete with big riffs and big hair.

I live in Millersville and in July I took a trip to Canada. The Montreal Botanical Gardens is an amazing place. I took this shot at the Japanese Garden during my visit. The Chinese Garden and other gardens are equally as amazing. The Baltimore Sun welcomes submissions for "My Best Shot." Photos should have been taken within the past year and be accompanied by a description along with your name, address and phone number. Submissions cannot be returned and upon submission become the property of The Baltimore Sun. Readers who have their photos published will receive a travel book.

Anne Arundel to start swine flu vaccinations 1 The Anne Arundel County Department of Health will distribute its first batch of H1N1 vaccinations free of charge to county residents today and Friday. The Health Department has received about 1,400 doses of the nasal spray vaccine for the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, for distribution to county residents. The vaccines will be available at the Annapolis Health Center, 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Call 410-222-4896 for an appointment, which is required.

Appeal of sentence is denied A Columbia man who was sent to prison for 60 years after being convicted in 2004 of second-degree murder and physically abusing his then-2-year-old stepson was denied an appeal to have his sentence reduced. Marcus Owens, then 33, was found guilty in June 2004 of killing Kevonte Davis and received the maximum sentence - 30 years for murder and 30 for abuse leading to the child's death - from Howard County Circuit Judge Diane O. Leasure, who also presided over the reconsideration hearing.

A 48-year-old newsroom executive at The Baltimore Sun died Monday in a traffic collision in northern Baltimore County that left his 9-year-old daughter in critical condition. Timothy M. Wheatley, former assistant managing editor for sports who since May had been business editor, lived on Corbett Road with his wife, daughter and two teenage sons. Mr. Wheatley was driving his youngest child, Sarah, to school when the accident occurred at York and Corbett roads, two miles from the family's home.

'Meatless Monday' in city schools earn kudos from PETA 3 An animal rights group has declared Baltimore schools the "Most Progressive Public School District of 2009" for going vegetarian in school cafeterias once a week. The "Meatless Monday" menu that Baltimore City Public Schools adopted this school year earned it a "Proggy Award" from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "Proggy" is PETA shorthand for "progress." Tapping into a national campaign, the "Meatless Monday" program is intended to make lunches more healthful, stretch the district's food budget and raise awareness about the environmental impact of large-scale meat production, Tony Geraci, the district's food and nutrition director, has said.

I live in Sunderland, Maryland and traveled to Canada and New England this summer with my family aboard Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore. Our itinerary included stops in Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, St. John New Brunswick, and Halifax Nova Scotia. We enjoyed nine nights on the ship and loved seeing all of the different cities. This was our third cruise with Royal Caribbean. This picture was taken in Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia, Canada. Peggy's Cove was a wild, beautiful place.

I live in Bel Air and when I was a child, my parents took our family on a 6,000-mile, coast-to-coast camping trip. I have many memories of the journey, but what stayed with me the longest was the boundless magnificence of the Western sky. I longed to see the West again and share its beauty with my own children, so in late July we spent eight days touring Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Our primary destinations were the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Monument Valley, on the Arizona-Utah border.

UM educator lauded for teaching personal finance skills University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources educator Megan O'Neil-Haight has received national recognition for her work teaching personal finance skills to children and their parents. She was recently honored with the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Dean Don Felker Financial Management Award. She teamed with It's a Habit, a company dedicated to spreading financial literacy among youth in Maryland.

I live in Bel Air. In February I traveled to Antarctica following the path of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 expedition. This shot of a King Penguin colony was taken at Gold Harbor on South Georgia Island. The day was sunny and bright and the katabatic winds of the morning had completely abated. I like this picture because it captures the activity of the adults. To the right you can see a couple of the fluffy brown juveniles. You get some idea of the size of the colony and the mountainous, glacier covered background is spectacular.