Bellona

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.

The following is compiled from police reports. It is the Baltimore Messenger's policy to include descriptions only when there is enough information to make identification possible. If you have any information about these crimes, call the Baltimore City Police Department's Northern District at 410-396-2455. Art Museum Drive Unit block, between 1 and 2 p.m. July 3. Garmin GPS stolen from vehicle. North Calvert Street 2700 block, between 1 p.m. July 3 and 9:30 p.m. July 4. Garmin GPS stolen from Supreme Cab Company taxicab.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On January 31, 2005, SR. M. ALOUSIUS KERCHNER, R.S.M., beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy, devoted daughter of the late Charles F. and Mary F. Kerchner. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Friends may call at The Villa, 6806 Bellona Ave., on Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 A.M., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 A.M. Interment in Woodlaw Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 6806 Bellona Ave., Baltimore, MD 21212.

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.

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.

Friends may call at the CHATMAN-HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, 5240 Reisterstown Road, Thursday 3 to 8 P.M. The family will receive friends at Edgewood U.M. Church, 1434 Bellona Avenue, Lutherville, MD, Friday, 11 A.M. Funeral service will begin 11:30 A.M. Interment Pleasant Rest 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..

Robert Levine is a jeweler by trade. His dream home on Baltimore's northern line reflects an environment that, in his words, "was treated as though it was a piece of fine jewelry." The pink brick, chateau-style house rests at the center of a semi-circular driveway, its periphery emblazoned with lush azalea bushes, in contrast to spiral topiary at the double-door entrance with its wrought-iron outer doors. Visitors are often greeted at the marble-floored entrance hall by the deep resonance of a large brass Indian gong that stands next to a 19th-century teak Buddha from Burma.

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.

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.

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.