Happy Birthday

("Diamonds and Wood" contains explicit language.) Today, Chad Lamont Butler, bka Pimp C and one-half of the legendary rap duo UGK, would have turned 38 years old. The godfather of trill is responsible for not only many of Texas rap's defining albums ("Super Tight," "Ridin' Dirty," "Underground Kingz") but also arguably the sound of Southern (read: most popular) rap today. Besides his effortless, forever-quotable rapping, Pimp remains one of hip-hop's most important producers ever, crafting the ride-slow sound of the South through smart samples, trunk-eviscerating basslines, bright horns and rusty, blues guitar licks.

The first Port Palooza of the season was a grand success Saturday. There were lots of folks in town listening to music, browsing the vendors, eating along the river, strolling Main Street and enjoying the beautifully sunny day. The next Palooza on June 2 will feature a collection of various medium titled "Creatures of the Susquehanna, Real and Imagined" in the historic Bank Building. These original works of art are contributed by the Cecil County Boys and Girls Club. Martha Barchowski, past president of the CCBGC, will be on hand that day to answer any questions concerning this project.

Did you know that the Affordable Care Act (ACA ) - aka. "Obamacare" - made it illegal for health insurance companies to deny coverage to children due to preexisting conditions? Think about what that means. I am a practicing pediatrician. The second birthday of the ACA reminds me of the bad old days: "Your child has asthma," I would say - and also, I would think to myself, a preexisting condition. Two crushing blows at the same time. Your child is sick, and your child may now be uninsurable.

Linda Read was kind enough to send me information about this season's Port Paloozas. The event is a monthly street festival, held on the first Saturday of each month from May through October. Crafters and vendors set up shop in the town square and live music is provided. This Saturday, May 5, an exhibit will be on display in the historic Bank Building from noon until 4 p.m. featuring photos from Exelon's Annual Bald Eagle Photo Contest. The photos were taken at the Conowingo Dam in December 2011.

It's Mencken's birthday, and everyone in the newsroom is starving for terrapin stew. And a beer. It took about three seconds to find some good Mencken writing on food and restaurants. He begins the essay "A Genial Restauranteur," from the collection "Newspaper Days, 1899-1906," with a defense of spelling: "I am well aware that the word restauranteur , as it appears in the title of this chapter, contains an n that the French eschew; my plea in confession and avoidance must be that I am not writing in French but American, and, specially, the American in vogue on the newspapers of my native Baltimorean in my salad days as journalist.

Within the next week, please send old photos of people feeding ducks or other waterfowl to Way Back When, Sun Magazine, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21278. You must include caption information and your daytime phone number. Also, enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you'd like your photo returned. If your photo is your only copy, please send a good-quality duplicate, not the original. No faxes or newspaper clippings, please.

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. This is just one of hundreds of memorable rhymes created for children by Dr. Seuss, who began writing books in the 1940s. Monday marks the 99th birthday of Dr. Seuss, which will be celebrated at libraries across the country, including the North Carroll Branch Library, which will present a night called "Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss." Children are invited to learn fascinating facts about the author. For example, Dr. Seuss -- or Theodore "Ted" Geisel -- was not a doctor.

Join the chorus of "Happy Birthday" to North Carroll Library, which celebrates its first anniversary from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.Treat the family to all the festive activities, including entertainment, visits by storybook characters, face painting, free pizza and door prizes.Children age 3 to 8 are invited to a special program at 1:30 p.m.North Carroll Middle and North Carroll High School will join the gala, striking up their bands at 2:30 p.m.The staff also plans a "Forever Friends" program for area families at 11 a.m. Saturday.

A community-minded church nestled on Mount Airy's Main Street has found a secret to keeping enthusiasm for each year's Christmas celebration, even after Dec. 25, through bells, baby gifts and birthday cakes.For the past six years, Calvary United Methodist Church has sponsored a Happy Birthday Jesus celebration on the Sunday after Christmas at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services.The tradition will continue Sunday, and the community is invited.The Sunday after Christmas is "often seen as a let-down Sunday in the life of the church," said the Rev. Carol Yocum, pastor of Calvary UMC."

Southwest Airlines is saying happy birthday to you with its 40th Anniversary sale offering fares starting at $40 one-way. For the next 72 hours or so, customers can purchase one-way tickets for $40, $80, or $120 to select destinations, based on length of travel. One-way fares are $40 for travel up to 450 miles; $80 for travel between 451 and 1,250 miles; and $120 for travel more than 1,251 miles, fares are $120 one-way. The fares are good for travel from Aug. 23 to Nov. 16. And it's a twofer for Baltimore travelers since Southwest is offering a parallel sale with its new subsidiary AirTran, with fares starting at $40 one-way.

I saw the Easter Bunny Saturday at the Perryville Outlets with several members of the Perryville Lions Club. Lioness Peggy Morrison advised that you can have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at the Outlets in Store 19 on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $5 and your donation supports Lions Club projects in our community. Speedy recovery to Margaret Cifaldo, Perryville, as she has been on the sick list lately. Happy birthday to Sarah Bryanne Stanley, daughter of Steve and Michelle Stanley of Conowingo, as she celebrated March 31. Mike Lowe, North Main Street, enjoyed birthday greetings April 1. And his cousins, Jim Sice and Alice Sice, celebrated their birthdays April 2. The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 8185 sponsored the quarterly dinner meeting of the District 10 Ladies Auxiliary on April 3. Post 8185 Auxiliary President Janet Mortus welcomed District President Dee Russo of Earlville along with the other officers of District 10. Following the dinner and short business meeting, the election of officers was held for 2012.

Did you know that the Affordable Care Act (ACA ) - aka. "Obamacare" - made it illegal for health insurance companies to deny coverage to children due to preexisting conditions? Think about what that means. I am a practicing pediatrician. The second birthday of the ACA reminds me of the bad old days: "Your child has asthma," I would say - and also, I would think to myself, a preexisting condition. Two crushing blows at the same time. Your child is sick, and your child may now be uninsurable.

("Diamonds and Wood" contains explicit language.) Today, Chad Lamont Butler, bka Pimp C and one-half of the legendary rap duo UGK, would have turned 38 years old. The godfather of trill is responsible for not only many of Texas rap's defining albums ("Super Tight," "Ridin' Dirty," "Underground Kingz") but also arguably the sound of Southern (read: most popular) rap today. Besides his effortless, forever-quotable rapping, Pimp remains one of hip-hop's most important producers ever, crafting the ride-slow sound of the South through smart samples, trunk-eviscerating basslines, bright horns and rusty, blues guitar licks.

October and Halloween are now ancient history, but a little retroactive catch up is needed on a couple of last month's milestone celebrations. Evelyn Walter, longtime member of the Parkville Senior Center, was surprised by a 98th birthday party at the Center Friday on Oct. 28. Another birthday girl was Helen Molloy, a dedicated volunteer at St. Isaac Jogues Church who turned 90 on Oct. 21. Helen was surprised by a chorus of "Happy Birthday"...

It's Mencken's birthday, and everyone in the newsroom is starving for terrapin stew. And a beer. It took about three seconds to find some good Mencken writing on food and restaurants. He begins the essay "A Genial Restauranteur," from the collection "Newspaper Days, 1899-1906," with a defense of spelling: "I am well aware that the word restauranteur , as it appears in the title of this chapter, contains an n that the French eschew; my plea in confession and avoidance must be that I am not writing in French but American, and, specially, the American in vogue on the newspapers of my native Baltimorean in my salad days as journalist.

Sunday, Aug. 7 Baysox The Bowie Baysox will hold a "Un-Birthday Bash" as the team takes on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 7:05 p.m. Event serves as a birthday celebration for everyone whose birthday falls outside of the baseball season and features a ticket offer that includes an ice cream buffet. Tickets for bash are $17, $13 for Baysox season ticket holders. Every ticket includes admission to the Bud Light Picnic Pavilion for a one-hour sundae bar, beginning in the top of the fourth inning.

The Laurel Mill Playhouse presents "Les Miserables" School Edition as its 2011 Summer Youth Production. Young West Laurel thespians Michael Baeder, Tim Baeder, Jeanette Brown and Jocelyn Knazik shine in this well-known musical. The show runs from July 29 through Aug. 21. For information, go to http://www.LaurelMillPlayhouse.org and for reservations, call 301-617-9906 and press 2. This is the last year Caitlin Raynor can compete as a West Laurel Swim Team Wahoo because she has turned 18. Raynor, a former Laurel High School Spartan star swimmer, just finished her first year at Coastal Carolina University, in Conway, S.C. Raynor has developed as a swimmer since she was a wee little Wahoo, and progressively placed in - and won - races for her team while leading with spirit, energy and skill.

Southwest Airlines is saying happy birthday to you with its 40th Anniversary sale offering fares starting at $40 one-way. For the next 72 hours or so, customers can purchase one-way tickets for $40, $80, or $120 to select destinations, based on length of travel. One-way fares are $40 for travel up to 450 miles; $80 for travel between 451 and 1,250 miles; and $120 for travel more than 1,251 miles, fares are $120 one-way. The fares are good for travel from Aug. 23 to Nov. 16. And it's a twofer for Baltimore travelers since Southwest is offering a parallel sale with its new subsidiary AirTran, with fares starting at $40 one-way.