Bellona

IT'S BEEN NEARLY TWO years since your wheelster highlighted the woes of a tres dangerous curve on Bellona Avenue just off North Charles Street where most drivers make the steep descent into the belly of Ruxton.Here is a two-lane road that holds a pair of sharp curves that make driving a white-knuckle experience. When it rains, that experience takes on religious proportions as vehicles begin to slip and slide everywhere.In early 1997, Intrepid interviewed Kate Chittenden, a neighbor of this danger zone, who warned the curve is a magnet for accidents -- and State Highway Administration statistics showing 22 reported wrecks there since 1995 back her up.Recently, though, fate caught up with Kate.

HOWARD COUNTY residents can hop an additional daily bus from Columbia to the Silver Spring Metrorail station beginning today.It's part of a state effort to help those in Howard get to Washington, says Mass Transit Administration chief Ronald L. Freeland.The bus will leave Columbia at noon and arrive at the Silver Spring Metro station at 1: 05 p.m. It will depart from the Metro station for Columbia at 1: 10 p.m. The trip is an expansion of bus line No. 929, which offers Columbia commuters express trips to the Metro station, where riders can catch Metrorail's Red Line to Washington or Shady Grove.

Hoping to streamline the flow of nearly 18,000 vehicles that pass through a choked Lutherville intersection daily, State Highway Administration engineers say they will install the Towson area's second roundabout in the spring.The loop -- to be a miniature version of the new landmark at Allegheny Avenue and York, Dulaney Valley and Joppa roads -- will be built at North Charles Street and Bellona Avenue, just north of the bridge that spans Interstate 695 on Charles.SHA officials hope it will end constant gridlock at the intersection, which has been the site of 10 accidents -- some nearly fatal -- since 1993.

THE COMPLEX corner of Bellona Avenue and North Charles Street is a holy place.This is where cynical drivers instantly get religion upon safe passage through what is generally known around Lutherville as the intersection from hell.Last week, a midsize car lay on its hood after a horrid rush-hour accident at the intersection that also gives access to Nightingale Way. Baltimore County police, reacting to the backup of nearly 100 cars in all directions, closed the ramp leading from Bellona to the outer loop of Interstate 695, causing even greater tension.

THERE'S A stakeout going on along the Bellona Avenue ramp of Interstate 695.State Tfc. Bryan Sporrer, a 13-year veteran, has aimed his radar gun at the top of the ramp to catch eager lead-footers entering the Beltway. And he's nabbing them left and right."I've had them come over that hill almost airborne," Sporrer said. "I'm clocking them at up to 62 mph."Problem is, drivers turning off Charles Street onto the ramp have no idea about the posted speed limit -- the only signs listing the 30 mph limit are around the bend on Bellona toward York Road.

WANT TO SEE the city's newest version of a maze? Try driving through Homeland.That's where Baltimore's Department of Public Works officials have reconfigured most of the tony neighborhood's streets as a private contractor refurbishes the area's main drag, Homeland Avenue.The $1.4 million project was kicked off this month as a fleet of construction vehicles arrived to begin drilling holes in the pavement, digging up utility lines and busting up sidewalks and gutters.But what about the poor folks who have to live there?

It began developing in the late 1700s as a stopover on the York Turnpike and as a rural community.A hundred years later, it became a suburban community that was eventually linked to the downtown area by streetcar.And in the last half-century it has become one of Baltimore's most mature urban communities.Govans, with its hub being the area around York Road and Bellona Avenue -- is a rich blend of residential homes and home-grown businesses.The area takes its name from William Govane, who in the mid-1700s received a grant of land from Frederick Calvert, the last Lord Baltimore.

OUT ON Interstate 695, that Beltway Banshee is still wailing.You know the sound: A resonant hum that seems to invade your vehicle around where the Beltway crosses Interstate 83, causing either extreme anxiety that the wheels could explode or an inner serenity brought on by the sound that resembles a Zen monk's chant.The wail is actually the result of air trapped between tires and the grooves milled early last year into the Beltway as part of a $55 million widening project between Towson and Pikesville.

On the edge of Historic Lutherville, a prime commercial site that once served corned beef soon will be offering used cars.William H. Schaefer, owner of Nationwide Motor Sales Corp. in Timonium, recently received zoning approval to sell late-model, low-mileage used vehicles at the York Road and Bellona Avenue corner that once was the site of Jack's Corned Beef.Many residents applaud the ruling, which includes several covenants to safeguard the historic neighborhood, one of Baltimore County's oldest settlements.

WHAT DOES a nightingale have in common with Bellona Avenue and Charles Street?Certainly not a sweet song. In this case, Nightingale is a place, as in little Nightingale Way in old Lutherville where you're likely to hear screeching brakes and horns as drivers attempt to navigate the very dangerous intersection of Charles and Bellona.Actually, there are three intersections of Bellona and Charles, but the hot spot in question is the one just north of the Beltway's Charles Street exit. At that intersection, cars traveling north and east are required to stop and yield to vehicles heading west around a tricky curve on Bellona.

On August 19, 2009, SR. M. ELAINE COSTELLO, RSM; beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy; daughter of the late Michael and Anna Costello. Pre-deceased by siblings, Dan and Anna. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and great- nieces and great-nephews. Friends may call for a Christian Wake Service at The Villa, 6806 Bellona Avenue, on Friday at 7 p.m. Visitation will be held at The Villa Chapel on Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.

On April 28, 2009, RICHARD L., SR.; beloved husband of the late Frances H. Sembly; devoted father of Jarvis Garrett, and the late Richard L. Sembly, Jr. He is survived by a host of other relatives and friends. There will no viewing of Mr. Sembly's remains. The family will receive friends at Edgewood United Methodist Church, 1434 Bellona Avenue, Lutherville, MD, Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10:30 A.M. Memorial services will begin 11 A.M. Arrangements by CHATMAN-HARRIS FUNERAL HOME.

On November 22, 2007, SISTER. M. MARCIA McKINLEY, in Savannah, GA, beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy; devoted daughter of the late Lowell and Margaret McKinley; dearest sister of Dorothy Horner. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call for a Memorial Mass at The Villa Chapel, 6806 Bellona Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21212, on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, c/o The Villa.

Arctic refuge At 6:30 tonight, Jonathan Waterman discusses and signs Where Mountains Are Nameless: Passion and Politics in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The reading takes place at the Govans branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 5714 Bellona Ave. Call 410-396-6291 for more information.

On September 6, 2007, FRANCES H., beloved wife of Richard L Sembly Sr. There will be no viewing of remains. Memorial services will be held at Edgewood U.M. Church, 1434 Bellona Ave., Saturday, Wake 11am, Funeral 11:30am. Arrangements by CHATMAN-HARRIS FUNERAL HOME.

Friends may call on Monday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM at The Villa, 6806 Bellona Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21212, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in The Villa Chapel on Tuesday, at 11 AM. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery. Contributions may be made to The Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund in c/o of The Villa. Arrangements by Bradley Ashton Funeral Home, P.A..

On June 6, 2006 EVELYN LILLIAN WILLIS (nee Moore) entered larger life. For 52 years she was the beloved wife of the late David E. Willis, Sr. She is the devoted mother of David E. Willis, Jr. and his wife Susan, loving grandmother of Jennifer Colleen Willis, and caring friend of many. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m. at the Church of The Holy Comforter, 130 W. Seminary Avenue, Lutherville, MD 21093 (corner of Seminary and Bellona - 410-252-2711)

On April 15, 2006, SISTER M. BENEDICT BRADY, RSM; beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy; devoted daughter of the late John and Ada Brady; sister of Norman C. Brady, Sr. of Seal Beach, CA and the late John, Edwin and Donald Brady. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Villa, 6806 Bellona Avenue (21212), on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M., where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Villa Chapel on Friday at 11 A.M. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.

On April 13, 2006, SR. M. CECILIA COLEMAN RSM; beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy; devoted daughter of the late John and Mary Coleman; aunt of Dave Ryan, of England. Friends may call at The Villa, 6806 Bellona Avenue, on Tuesday from 7 to 9 P.M., where a Christian Wake Service will be held on Tuesday from 7:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Villa Chapel on Wednesday at 11 A.M. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund.

On March 22, 2006, AGNES of Bellona Avenue. Family will receive friends Wednesday 10:30 A. M at the William C. Brown Community Funeral Home, 1206 W. North Avenue. Funeral services 11 A.M. Interment King Memorial Park.