Dap

Sharon Jones will close out the inaugural Silopanna, a new music festival organized by Rams Head Promotions. On Friday, organizers released the official schedule. Jones will perform at 9:30 p.m. August 27 on the main stage, preceded by Trombone Shorty (7:30 p.m.) and Matt & Kim (5:50 p.m.). The festival, which takes place at Ann Arundel County Fairgrounds, will play out over two other stages as well. As Trombone Shorty is performing on the main stage, Jimmie's Chicken Shack will be on at the Lawn Stage and Michael McHenry Tribe will be on at the Pavilion Stage.

A DIVERSE East Baltimore coalition, from community NTC organizations to business owners and churches, has won state funding to turn two boarded-up movie theaters and two former department stores into anchors of Eastern Avenue redevelopment."

Acquisitions DAP Inc., the Baltimore-based subsidiary of RPM International Inc., acquired the Patch & Repair line of ready-to-use products from Custom Building Products of Seal Beach, Calif. No terms were disclosed. CTR Investments & Consulting Inc. of Pasadena acquired International Identification Group, a visitor tracking management company, for shares of CTR stock plus a performance-based incentive package. Awards Jerry Fader, founder of Allstate Leasing and president and chief operating officer of the Atlantic Automotive Corp.

I have a friend who has an adorable, unneutered 2-year-old male cocker spaniel. The dog is completely housebroken but is continually marking his territory in my house. My friend has begun to put doggie diapers on him when she takes him to anyone's house. I have found that there is no scientific proof that neutering a male dog does anything concerning his behavior. What can be done to make him stop? Actually there are several studies (University of California, Davis, ASPCA, and others)

Compiling an end-of-the-year list always makes me a little nervous. I worry I'll leave off an artist whose work was tight, whose effort deserves a mention. But for some reason (chiefly space limitations), I can't get everyone in. This year wasn't so hard, though. When thinking about the "best" CDs of the year, sales and critical buzz don't matter much to me. "Best" means that the artist stepped his game up and, in the process, set a higher standard within his genre. It's music that either added something fresh to current trends or bucked them altogether with a vibrant and memorable approach.

Don't Re-Zone For Wal-MartAfter reading the editorial titled "War of Words in Wheatfields" (Nov. 29), I feel obligated to reply. The editorial dealt with the proposed rezoning of property near Routes 29 and 103 in Howard County which, if approved, would allow the building of a Wal-Mart type regional shopping center in the midst of the Wheatfields residential area. . . . I believe The Sun is wrong to support this proposal.The editorial stated that "the demand for such a retailer in Howard is undeniable.

Vedder rocked with Who idol TownshendA recent performance by Pete Townshend and Eddie Vedder at Chicago's House of Blues was a total rush! It was exciting to witness rock heroes from two generations working side by side to make music -- and help kids.This invitation-only event benefited Maryville Academy, a charity that helps physically, sexually and emotionally abused children.Pete kicked things off with a ripping version of his Who classic "Won't Get Fooled Again." He jabbed at his guitar with a force that would make any grunge guitarist green with envy.

Sunday, July 29 Onstage, outdoors The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents "Romeo and Juliet" and "Pride and Prejudice" at 6 p.m. at Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, 3691 Sarah's Lane in Ellicott City. Admission is $15-$36; free for children younger than 18. Tickets and information: 410-313-8661 or chesapeakeshakespeare.com . Music by the lake The Richard Walton Group takes the stage from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as part of the Columbia Lakefront Summer Festival at 10275 Wincopin Circle.

The Knox Financial Group, a Baltimore-based residential mortgage loan company, will move its headquarters from downtown to the American Can Co. in Canton, and add 85 jobs over the next six months. Knox, which owns and operates a building in Mount Vernon, signed a five-year lease and will move into the second and third floors of American Can's signature building on March 22, said Julie C. Martin, Knox's chief financial officer yesterday. The total space is 25,550 square feet, she said. Knox operates in 13 states and has 120 workers in Baltimore, she said.

Monday: 2009 Schedule and Car Magnet (All fans) Friday: Fleece Scarf (first 10,000 fans 15 & over) April 21: Koji Uehara T-Shirt Tuesday (first 10,000 fans 15 & over) April 25: Draft Day O's Ravens Rally Cap presented by MASN (first 10,000 fans 15 & over) April 26: Little League Day (preregistered Little Leaguers) April 29: Field Trip Day presented by MASN & WJZ (preregistered school groups) May 10: Mother's Day Picture Frame presented by AT&T (first 10,000 females 18 & over) May 12: T-Shirt Tuesday (first 10,000 fans 15 & over)