Loch Raven Reservoir

When it comes to allowing mountain bikers to ride the narrow trails around Loch Raven reservoir, Baltimore officials have waged a two-year campaign of sticking their fingers in their ears to avoid the voice of compromise. Let's be clear: Their concern for maintaining the watershed's integrity is admirable given that the reservoir is part of a drinking water supply that serves 1.8 million customers. Loch Raven is not a park. But these officials act as if they alone possess the wisdom to protect the watershed.

Send sports notices a minimum of two weeks before the requested publication date to Patuxent Publishing/TT Sports Notices, Third floor, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; e-mail tworgo@tribune.com . Include date, time, location, contact information and subsection. Competitive Lutherville Timonium Rec men's slow pitch softball seeks teams for spring league. Program runs from May to mid August. tjharrington51@netscape.net or 443-847-1072. 12U Towson Tigers baseball team seeks players for 2012 season.

Baltimore County fire and rescue teams have recovered the body of a Baltimore man who drowned while swimming in the Loch Raven Reservoir Thursday morning, according to county fire officials. Quentin D. Robinson, 23, was fishing on the shore with two friends but went into the water, according to authorities. He experienced distress but the other two were not able to reach him before he went underwater. Emergency crews responded at about 9:58 a.m. Specialized dive units from the city of Baltimore and Baltimore County are assisting with the recovery, according to county fire officials.

Dozens of local running enthusiasts greeted the new year bright and early on Jan. 1 by taking part in the Father Time Frolic, a 5-mile road race run that's held annually in the Loch Raven area beginning at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day. Hosted by the Baltimore Road Runners Club, the race winds its way around Loch Raven Reservoir Peerce's Landing on Dulaney Valley Road, to Providence Road, and back. The race is a "predicted time race" - meaning participants are not allowed to wear watches, and winners are determined by those closest to their predicted time.

Bob Cwalina of Towson asks: Why is it that fishing enthusiasts have not been allowed to park on the many available spots along the eastern side of Dulaney Valley Road at Loch Raven Reservoir? The only place you can park and hike back to the water is one spot just below the Dulaney Valley bridge. But, now all the "No Parking" signs have been removed strictly for the convenience of deer hunters. If the previous denial of parking was for auto safety, then, obviously, there are now no such concerns.

It's a problem that's not older than dirt. It is dirt. Specifically, how you divvy up public dirt among all the folks who rely on it and like to play in it. Such is the case at Loch Raven Reservoir just north of the Baltimore Beltway, where competing interests are clashing. On the one hand, you have public officials charged with protecting the water supply for 1.8 million customers. On the other hand, you have thousands of outdoors lovers who revel in the recreational opportunities afforded by its 50 miles of shoreline and thousands of surrounding acres.

Baltimore County police are investigating a shooting Sunday afternoon near the Loch Raven Reservoir in Cockeysville, where windows on several vehicles were shot at by a BB gun as the drivers slowed to navigate a bend in the road, said Baltimore County Police spokesmen. At least two vehicles were struck as they drove near the Warren Road Bridge, Cpl. George Erhardt said Sunday, and one man in his 20s was taken to a medical center for treatment after glass flew into his eyes. The shooter, who used some kind of pellet gun, struck another person in the leg, though it didn't cause injury, Erhardt said.

Dozens of local running enthusiasts greeted the new year bright and early on Jan. 1 by taking part in the Father Time Frolic, a 5-mile road race run that's held annually in the Loch Raven area beginning at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day. Hosted by the Baltimore Road Runners Club, the race winds its way around Loch Raven Reservoir Peerce's Landing on Dulaney Valley Road, to Providence Road, and back. The race is a "predicted time race" - meaning participants are not allowed to wear watches, and winners are determined by those closest to their predicted time.

An estimated 40,000 gallons of sewage overflowed from a broken line in Timonium before it was repaired late Sunday, according to county officials. The break in the 12-inch sewer line beneath East Padonia Road, between Quiet Stream Court and Sunnylake Place, was detected about 9 a.m. Sunday and was repaired by that night, according to Baltimore County officials. The county's Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management has posted signs advising residents to avoid contact with the waters of Merryman Branch, a tributary of Loch Raven Reservoir.

A new bridge soon will span the Loch Raven Reservoir at Paper Mill Road, giving drivers a safer commute through Hunt Valley, but leaving Baltimore County officials stumped over what to do with the 78-year-old bridge it will replace. Baltimore City owns the old bridge -- part of the reservoir watershed -- and will give it to the county when the new span opens in May. There were plans to dedicate the old structure to a recreational use, making it part of a hiking or biking trail, or even using it as a fishing pier.

Send sports notices a minimum of two weeks before the requested publication date to Patuxent Publishing/NC Sports Notices, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email tworgo@patuxent.com . Include date, time, location, contact information and subsection. Rec Councils Prettyboy Rec meets second Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Prettyboy Elementary School. 410-887-1938 or prettyboyrecreationcouncil.com. Hereford Zone Rec meets fourth Wednesday, 7 p.m., Hereford High.

In his talk this month regarding the history of Liberty Reservoir, James Slater Jr., water resources program manager for the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, said most of the water in Carroll County stays here a while, but not for long. Slater, a Finksburg resident and former compliance and environmental programs director for the county, spoke Nov. 17 at the Finksburg Library, at the monthly meeting of the Finksburg Planning and Community Council. He said Carroll's outward flow of water is because of a geological formation called Parr's Ridge, which intersects the county at a southwest by northwest angle.

Send sports notices a minimum of two weeks before the requested publication date to Patuxent Publishing/NC Sports Notices, Third floor, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; e-mail tworgo@patuxent.com . Include date, time, location, contact information and subsection. Competitive Cockeysville Rec offers aerobics . Classes held at Padonia International and Pot Spring Elementary schools. 410-887-7734 or http://www.cockeysvillerec.org. Team registrations are being accepted for the Northwest Area Tip-Off Youth Basketball Tournament, Dec. 2-4, in 7-8 to 13-14 age groups.

Send sports notices a minimum of two weeks before the requested publication date to Patuxent Publishing/TT Sports Notices, Third floor, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; e-mail tworgo@patuxent.com . Include date, time, location, contact information and subsection. Competitive Kelly Post girls lacrosse registration opens for returning players Dec. 1 on first-come, first-serve basis. Open registration for new players begins Dec. 15. Registration closes when teams are full or on Jan. 31. http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?

Bicyclists have been riding at Loch Raven Reservoir for more than 20 years while the water quality at the reservoir has consistently improved. Although the existing trails used by hikers, fishermen, cyclists and equestrians do not conform to the outdated "approved" trail system, they have evolved without detriment to the water quality. The cycling community is asking for a comprehensive review of the trail system in order produce a state-of-the art, sustainable trail system that can accommodate all. My organization, MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts)

Sparks story time Wednesday , 10-11 a.m., Gunpowder Falls State Park, 1207 Sparks Road, Sparks. Bring the youngsters out to the Sparks Bank Nature Center every Wednesday to listen to a nature-themed story. After hearing the story, make a related craft. Cost: Free. Phone Brenda Lee at 410-592-2897 or email blee@dnr.state.md.us . Critter encounters Thursday , 10:30-11:30 a.m., Soldier's Delight N.E.A., 5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills. Join a naturalist and learn why ducks don't get wet. Hear a story, take a short walk and meet a native duck from Maryland.

Send sports notices a minimum of two weeks before the requested publication date to Patuxent Publishing/MS Sports Notices, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email tworgo@patuxent.com . Include date, time, location, contact information and subsection. Competitive Central Maryland Soccer Association sponsors Baltimore 6v6 Summer Shoot-Out, July 30–31. Registrations for boys and girls teams ages 7-8 to 17-18. 410-363-8610, scorenews@aol.com or http://www.cmsasoccer.com.