Chalk

Less than a week after a Pasadena man died in a motorcycle accident, his new business, Beltway Cycle, was burglarized.Edward Chalk, 44, died Saturday night. On Tuesday, his father, William Chalk, packed boxes at the now-closed motorcycle shop, at 6027 Ritchie Highway in Brooklyn Park, then returned yesterday morning with his other son, John.Entering the store at 8: 30 a.m., the men noticed that several large stones had been thrown through a front window, county police said. Three 1999 Suzuki motorcycles, valued at a total of $4,500, were missing.

Forty-nine rare poker hands hang from the walls of Buzz Chalk's North Baltimore basement. Each is framed and sealed under glass, splayed against white mats inscribed with names of the living and the dead. Some of the hands belong to Chalk. But most belong to his Hampden-area neighbors. The oldest is a royal flush of diamonds dealt to Chalk on Jan. 23, 1976. One of the most recent is a straight flush of diamonds, nine high, that won George Lopez a pot of plastic poker chips on March 20, 1999.

On March 22, 2004 JOHN "MICKEY" REYNOLDS; loving husband of Nancy M. Reynolds nee Toscano; beloved uncle of Linda and Bob Chalk and many other nieces and nephews; Pop Pop of Eddie and Michelle Chalk; cherished brother of Esther M. Harbert. Friends may call at the family owned Evans Chapel of Memories - Parkville Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Friday 10 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 4414 Frankford Avenue, Baltimore. Interment Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Chalk Point in Galesville was the sole site in Anne Arundel County of Revolutionary War action. On March 31, 1781, British ships proceeded up the West River in hopes of destroying patriot Stephen Steward's shipyard. When they arrived at Chalk Point about a mile from their destination, they were led by a runaway slave. There they burned a ship of 20 tons that would have been ready to launch in three or four days. [Source: Elihu S. Riley, author and historian, 1905]

For the past three years, Maryland has experienced an unprecedented crime wave of political corruption. The only comparable period in memory would be the 1970s, when a governor was jailed and a sitting U.S. vice president (who had served as governor and Baltimore County executive) resigned in shame. The current offenders have been high-ranking elected officials, and the offenses have been far more serious than simple lapses in judgment. They have involved a level of hubris and ethical depravity that are shocking by any standard.

The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit yesterday, charging that a New Windsor food distributor refused to hire women as drivers. The suit accuses Carroll County Foods of refusing to hire Rhonda L. Chalk of Westminster and several other qualified applicants. "They told me point blank they wouldn't hire females as drivers," Chalk said, according to an EEOC release. Chalk complained about her experience at Carroll County Foods in August, and an investigation found seven other women with similar complaints, said Gerald Kiel, acting director of the EEOC's Baltimore office.

1998 Sartori Pinot Grigio delle Venezie ($9). There's nothing especially complex or weighty about this bone-dry white wine from Italy. It's simply a refreshing, crisp wine with appealing flavors of nuts, lemon, green apple and chalk -- with an appealing hint of tart cherry. While it's a delicate wine, it shows an impressive grip. It's perfect for lighter seafood dishes or simply to quaff on its own.

Chalk-a-thon! Head out to Annmarie Garden in Solomons, and be one of the many people to decorate a piece of the gardens' wooden path with chalk. Anyone is welcome to come get a bucket of chalk and draw whatever inspires them. After chalking is done, prizes will be awarded in different categories and age groups. The Sidewalk Chalk-a-thon! finishes up today and tomorrow. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Annmarie Garden is at 13480 Dowell Road in Solomons. Free. Call 410-326-4640.

Here's to all the clever high school seniors in the Class of 2009 who were not disappointed in their recent college acceptance mail - because they hadn't even considered applying to Harvard, Princeton or Yale. I just realized that opening paragraph rhymes. Serendipity. After reading a recent front-page story on the academic pressures on (and subsequent crushing rejections of) high achievers in Montgomery County public schools - and having witnessed similar wrenching tales among my children's friends in Howard County public schools - I would like to say to all of you bright, motivated students: Take heart.

Terrell Suggs had the most productive season of his career in 2011. The Ravens outside linebacker made 70 tackles, racked up a career-high 14 sacks and set a single-season franchise record with seven forced fumbles. Suggs was awarded for his effort by being named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year at season's end. So to what does Suggs chalk up his success in 2011? The NFL lockout. “Last year, to be totally honest with you, I had the time of my life during the lockout and wasn't in a hurry to get back to work.