Leisure

Pull up your pants and cut it out with the thrift stores, people -- Baltimore is among the worst dressed city in the country, according to Travel + Leisure. In a report from its June issue, the magazine says Baltimore should be ashamed of itself. Anchorage is the No. 1 worst-dressed city. Salt Lake City rings in at No. 2. But poor Baltimore. The magazine apparently doesn't care for the Hon look. Here's what they say: "In a city judged to have fairly offbeat residents, there are bound to be questionable fashion choices.

Baltimore's Public Works department is asking city residents to vote to assure Baltimore a good showing in a new Travel + Leisure poll. But what they seem to be forgetting is that voting residents seems to be the very thing that doomed Baltimore's standing in the America's Favorite Cities survey last year. "Public Works sanitation workers work very hard to keep this city clean," department director Alfred H. Foxx said in an email blast on Friday. "Please send this flyer to your family and relatives -- let's get a true reflection of Baltimore in the news and not let such a small number of people cast Baltimore in a negative light!"

On Monday, May 10, 2004, CHARLES LEISURE, loving husband of Urszula Wlodarczy Leisure and the late Hannah Leisure, beloved father of Leah Schulman Caldwell of Bowie, MD, Rebecca Berkeley of Baltimore, MD and Ada Leisure of St. Michaels, MD, loving grandfather of Hillary and Lewis Berkeley, loving great-grandfather of Savannah Berkeley Matthews. Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Rd., at Mt. Wilson Ln., on Wednesday, May 12, at 9 A.M. Interment at Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery, Berrymans Ln. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Rd., N.E, Atlanta, GA (30329)

Pull up your pants and cut it out with the thrift stores, people -- Baltimore is among the worst dressed city in the country, according to Travel + Leisure. In a report from its June issue, the magazine says Baltimore should be ashamed of itself. Anchorage is the No. 1 worst-dressed city. Salt Lake City rings in at No. 2. But poor Baltimore. The magazine apparently doesn't care for the Hon look. Here's what they say: "In a city judged to have fairly offbeat residents, there are bound to be questionable fashion choices.

On January 3, 2004, JEFFREY J.; beloved husband of Theresa G. Leisure; devoted father of Nicole L. Leisure; loving son of Earl D. Leisure, Jr., and the late Edna Leisure; dear brother of Edith M. Etzel and Richard P. Leisure; brother-in-law of William E. Etzel; uncle of Kelly L. and David J. Etzel. Relatives and friends may gather at MILLER-DIPPEL FUNERAL HOME INC., 6415 Belair Road, on Monday 7 to 9 P.M. and Tuesday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 8 P.M. Interment Private.

On February 25, 2005, HOMERETTA HELEN (nee Dannettel) of Bel Air; beloved wife of the late Harley Leisure; devoted mother of William E. and his wife Cheryl Leisure, David L. Leisure, Vicki J. and her husband Lawrence Ellinghaus; dear sister of Dorothy Nicoll, Charlotte Fiorino and Millicent Kirk; loving grandmother of Jason L., Regina M. Adams and Michael J. Ellinghaus. The family will receive friends at The Evans Funeral Chapel-Bel Air, 3 Newport Drive, (Rts 23 & 24-Forest Hill), on Sunday 3 to 8 P.M. Funeral services on Monday at 11 A.M. Interment Bel Air Memorial Gardens.

LABOR DAY: An increasingly inconsequential national holiday, signifying little more than the end of summer and the beginning of school, on which union officials attempt to recapture their lost relevance and C-SPAN viewers endure gratuitous appearances by the U.S. secretary of labor mouthing canned platitudes about how much all of us faceless little human cogs mean to the smooth functioning of America's economic engine. Leisure Day: An imaginary holiday, not yet declared, on which discerning individuals celebrate leisure as the essential precondition for the nourishment of mind and spirit, the betterment of human life, the attainment of earthly happiness.

Leisure Health Spa of Westminster has complied with state registration guidelines, but paid a fine for missing the Sept. 1 deadline.Steven Sakomota-Wengel, administrator for health club registration in the state Attorney General's Office, said last week that Leisure submitted its registration before a Dec. 13 public hearing scheduled to discuss the failure to register of Leisure and 21 other similar clubs in the state.While Leisure had filed some registration paperwork, it had not filed a statement from a certified public accountant verifying it had enough bonding to cover membership refunds in case the club went out of business.

The owner of Carroll Fitness Center in Finksburg said Friday he willtake over management of Leisure Health Spa, which filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code last October.DougEmel, owner of the Finksburg center since May 1990, said he plans tosend a three- to five-member management team to the spa by Wednesday.Emel will not honor current Leisure memberships, but said he willwaive a $100 initiation fee for current members who join by Feb. 15.The monthly fee will be $20, said Emel, owner of Omni Management Co.The spa, at Route 27 and Goldenrod Terrace, will continue to operate under the Leisure name.

Readers of a major travel magazine ranked Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport sixth out of the 22 largest U.S. airports for customer service and convenience. Travel + Leisure graded airports in seven categories: flight delays; design; amenities; food and drink; check-in and security; service; and transportation and location. Minneapolis was rated No. 1, followed by Charlotte, N.C.; Detroit, Orlando, Fla.; and San Francisco. Of BWI, the magazine said: "Fly through Baltimore, and you stand one of the best chances that your flight will take off and not be canceled.

Do you ever find yourself wishing for a stylish and luxurious beach resort within a reasonable drive from home? Meet the new Revel Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. Atlantic City? Seriously. Ditch the image of a traditional casino packed with cigar-puffing high-rollers and day-trippers wielding free buffet coupons. Atlantic City's 12th casino opened its oceanfront doors to the public April 2, pioneering an innovative concept: a health-minded resort that also happens to have a glamorous casino targeted to the "beautiful crowd.

If the julep ceremonial previously described is too fussy for you, I offer a traditional drinking game from the Commonwealth.  Two people go into a room. Each has a bottle of bourbon.* They sit at leisure, drinking and talking.  When the whiskey has been consumed, one of them stands up and walks out of the room. The other tries to guess who left.    *Please, no Tennessee whiskey. 

Readers of a major travel magazine ranked Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport sixth out of the 22 largest U.S. airports for customer service and convenience. Travel + Leisure graded airports in seven categories: flight delays; design; amenities; food and drink; check-in and security; service; and transportation and location. Minneapolis was rated No. 1, followed by Charlotte, N.C.; Detroit, Orlando, Fla.; and San Francisco. Of BWI, the magazine said: "Fly through Baltimore, and you stand one of the best chances that your flight will take off and not be canceled.

The Shore Leave 32 science fiction convention returns Friday-Sunday, July 8-10, at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn. This event will include workshops, a film festival, a masquerade contest, an art show and a host of dealers selling memorabilia. There will also be guest appearances by actors including Christopher Judge, Tricia Helfer and Sally Kellerman. Registration at the door is $85 general for a weekend pass (and cheaper for kids and individual days). For a full slate of events, go to http://www.shore-leave.com . Living history The Community College of Baltimore County will host its living history program, Chautauqua 2011, this year subtitled "The American Civil War: A House Divided.

Residents of Leisure World in Silver Spring might be forced to abandon the long-standing name of the "active adult" community and its landmark steel globe if they aren't willing to pay for the right to use them. Leisure World has been a Montgomery County fixture for 44 years, and its 8,500 residents are considered one of Maryland's most potent political forces. But the daughter of Leisure World's developer says her company owns the trademark to the globe and name. After providing more than 40 years of free use, the company needs to protect its rights to the brand, which earns fees from real estate agents around the country who advertise themselves as "Leisure World specialists," she says.

Well, there's no place for Baltimore to go but up — at least according to the America's Favorite Cities 2010 survey recently released by Travel+Leisure magazine. The annual ranking included Charm City this year for the first time since 2003. Alas, the results show visitors were not charmed by Baltimore. Of the 35 cities in the survey, Baltimore ranked at or near the bottom in a host of categories, according to visitors — and residents. Categories included culture, food, nightlife, shopping, people and quality of life.

LABOR DAY LEISURE Find a fun way to spend your Labor Day at www.baltimoresun.com/features WEATHER Get updated weather information for Maryland, the nation and the world at www.baltimoresun.com/weather

On December 21, 2005, RUSSELL RAY STONE; beloved husband of the late Virginia Stone (nee Gragg); devoted father of Bonnie Lou Leisure (nee Clair) and her husband Thomas; dear brother of Guy Stone; loving grandfather of Terri Taylor and her husband George and Sue Leisure; cherished great-grandfather of Lyndsey, Thomas, Chase, Evan, Sydney and Little Lindsay. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends may call at CONNELLY FUNERAL HOME OF DUNDALK, P.A., 7110 Sollers Point Road, Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday 10 A.M. Interment Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery.

Amid stubborn rumors that she would soon be replaced, Anna Wintour, the legendary editor of Vogue magazine, was asked, while sitting on a journalism panel, what it would take for her to quit the business. Wintour answered that her journalist father told her she would know when it was time to quit when she became "too angry" to continue, by which I think she meant "frustrated," but it wasn't clear. But this was the rest of her answer: "The day I get too angry is the day I take up gardening."

News item: The Ravens could clinch a playoff berth before they take the field for today's late-afternoon game against the Jacksonville Jaguars if the New England Patriots lose their 1 p.m. season finale in Buffalo. My take: That would be nice because there are several banged-up Ravens players who would look good relaxing on the bench all afternoon, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Related news item: Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is expected to miss today's game against the Bills, and defensive end Richard Seymour is out. My take: Losing two key defensive players would make it that much tougher to win on the road, but I agree with John Harbaugh.