Nanny

Re: The Baltimore Sun article about the unusually violent projects in Reservoir Hill ("'The ugly just won't go away' at troubled apartment complex," Aug. 18): One woman was complaining that she kept trying to get the government to find her housing somewhere better and she was afraid to let her children play outside. This individual was 27 and had seven children from 9 years to 4 months. Was the father(fathers?) of these children providing financial support? Or in the picture at all?

Meet "Julia. " She is the star of an infographic created for President Barack Obama's re-election website to illustrate the policy differences between him and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. The slide show follows Julia from the age of 3, when her parents enroll her in a Head Start program, through college, paid for by government-subsidized loans, through the birth of her own child, with lots of free maternity care, to a retirement cushioned by Medicare and Social Security.

A 23-year-old nanny was arrested yesterday and charged with assaulting a 16-month-old boy under her care in a Sykesville home after a concealed video camera showed the child being shaken, pushed, slapped and thrown against a wall, state police said. The investigation began in March, police said, after the parents - "suspicious" of bruises they found on the boy - installed the camera. An examination at Johns Hopkins Hospital indicated that abuse had been occurring for some time, but no medical treatment was required, police said, adding that a doctor who viewed the tape concluded that the actions against the child could have resulted in serious injury.

Gov.Martin O'Malley's wind power bill is the economic hocus pocus play that you guys back up for whatever reason ("A better wind bill," April 2). You start by portraying the finances as positive - "wind will remain free" and "cost overruns will be borne by the developers not the ratepayers. " Then in the last paragraph the truth comes out: "the deal likely depends on the extension of federal subsidies and loan guarantees. " Once again, the middle class and our children will be responsible for paying this bill.

A 23-year-old woman was raped Sunday by a man who let himself in through an unlocked door in an Annapolis-area home where she was workingas a nanny, county police reported.Investigators said the children were not in the house, in the 1800 block of Ritchie Highway, when the woman was attacked between 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m."She had taken a shower and was drying her hair when she saw the guy standing in the hallway," said Sgt. Robert Jaschik, head of the county police Sex Crimes Unit. The man ordered her to lie face down onthe floor and pinned her arms above her head and raped her, Jaschik said.

One week ago, CBS unveiled its newest prime-time series "South of Sunset." After that one showing, "South of Sunset" already has faded into the sunset, which can't be an encouraging sign for "The Nanny," a new CBS series that premieres tonight.* "Scientific American Frontiers" (8-9 p.m., WMPT, channels 22 and 67, WETA, Channel 26, and WHMM, Channel 32) -- Alan Alda is in the driver's seat as host of tonight's "Scientific American Frontiers," but he's not steering: One of the stories concerns a "driverless" car, and shows him tooling down the road with a nervously "hands-off" attitude.

Q. My husband and I have two children, ages 4 and 1, and we both work outside the home. We've had the same nanny living with us since our first child was born, and both children are very close to her. Unfortunately, she will be leaving us soon to return to her home country. We're concerned about how her departure will affect the children. What is the best way to prepare them for this? A. It will be a difficult separation for all of you. The children are bound to miss her. Start preparing them now by talking about her leaving.

Tonight's most compelling program, on an otherwise uneventful evening, is an episode of the PBS series "The American Experience," examining America's slow reaction to Nazi atrocities during World War II.* "The Nanny" (8-8:30 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Guest star Rita Moreno is a bossy gym instructor whose career has spanned two generations: first Fran's, and now Maggie's. Fran Drescher stars. CBS.* "Beverly Hills, 90210" (8-9 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Donna and Kelly (Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth)

Position Wanted: Manny My husband the sportswriter is considering a midcourse career correction, which is what you call a midlife crisis that doesn't involve hair plugs or sports cars. Taking a page from the child-rearing practices of Britney Spears, who hired a former Naval Academy lacrosse player to help with the groceries and the kids, my husband has decided that he would make a terrific nanny - or, in his case, manny - for the children of the rich. Very rich. Because he is not going to work for minimum wage and bus fare home.

They are often underpaid and overworked. They get saddled with menial chores. Sometimes, they are secretly videotaped.But maybe worst of all, they are misunderstood.America's nannies say they deserve a little more respect -- as teachers, not baby sitters, child-care professionals, not maids."When a nanny walks in the door, parents think they've just hired a substitute mom," says Sheilagh Roth, executive director of the English Nanny and Governess School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio."They are expected to shovel the sidewalk when it snows, cook the meals and clean the house.

The Sun's argument that an outdoor smoking ban is not the government as nanny is circular and wrong-headed ("Smoking ban: A Howard County nanny state? Hardly," July 12). On one hand The Sun allows that there is little if any possibility of secondhand smoke health problems for nonsmokers in outdoor parks. In the next breath The Sun suggests that it still is in the government's best interest to not even tacitly condone an individual's poor choice. The reasoning here is that government knows best, or what is commonly referred to as government as nanny, despite what The Sun says.

"We are taking away a choice that continues to let people waste their own money. " With that comment, Energy Secretary Steven Chu demonstrates his elitist arrogance concerning the pending Energy Independence and Security Act's incandescent light bulb ban. Citizens should take great exception to the nanny state telling us what to do with our own money. If the cost-savings of new-tech lights are real, the market will move to them with no interference from the government. This however, is another "we know best" strong-arm attempt to dictate personal choices.

Banning smoking in most workplaces, as Maryland did in 1995, was a major public health advance. So were the decisions by several counties and, in 2008, the state, to extend the ban to bars and restaurants. The ban on smoking in Howard County's parks, which County Executive Ken Ulman plans to announce tomorrow, not so much. Bartenders and waiters faced a real risk of health problems from secondhand smoke as a result of their work conditions, but a family going for a picnic in Centennial Park faces little or no danger from someone taking a puff 100 yards away.

I agree with Dan Rodricks ("O'Malley shows more ambition than leadership," March 15) and this does not happen often. Our alabaster nanny Martin O'Malley or "MOM," is very ambitious, and he is also a good politician, but he is very weak in management and is a poor leader. By the way, these are all traits he shares with President Obama. Lyle Rescott, Marriottsville

Re: The Baltimore Sun article about the unusually violent projects in Reservoir Hill ("'The ugly just won't go away' at troubled apartment complex," Aug. 18): One woman was complaining that she kept trying to get the government to find her housing somewhere better and she was afraid to let her children play outside. This individual was 27 and had seven children from 9 years to 4 months. Was the father(fathers?) of these children providing financial support? Or in the picture at all?

The wife of former Baltimore Raven Michael C. McCrary was granted a temporary protective order Monday against the retired defensive end. A Baltimore County District Court judge accepted Mary Haley McCrary's position that her husband had threatened her and the couple's nanny who cares for their young daughter. Since it was an ex-parte hearing -- meaning that just one side can argue the case without the defendant being present -- Michael McCrary did not appear in court Monday, but will have an opportunity to do so at a hearing next week.

CAITLIN FLANAGAN has twin sons, a husband, an advanced degree, a book contract and - here is the important part - a nanny. She also has a job writing for The Atlantic magazine, most often about women's issues, and this month she has written the cover story: "Dispatches from the Nanny Wars: How Serfdom Saved the Women's Movement." Flanagan is writing a book about modern motherhood, and this article appears to be a sort of dispatch on "what I have learned so far." In it, she indicts women, and the women's movement, for the poor pay and treatment of the immigrant women some of us hire to clean our houses and take care of our kids while we are out seeking self-fulfillment in the workplace.

Unfortunately, there's no "EZ Streets" tonight, as CBS has deep-sixed the critically praised but ratings-panned series (it ranked 110th out of 151 series). Viewers looking for a poor substitute may watch the repeat of "Walker, Texas Ranger" at 10 p.m. instead."The Nanny" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m.) and "Temporarily Yours" (8: 30 p.m.-9 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- Earthy, wise-cracking New York gals show us all how it's done, and thank goodness for that. First, The Woman With the Most Irritating Voice in the World is jealous of her high school rival, who's been cast in Maxwell's new play.

On January 12, 2010, NANNIE L. Friends may visit the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME EAST, 1101 E. North Avenue on Friday after 8:30 AM, where the family will receive friends on Saturday at 10 AM. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 AM.

On September 19, 2009, NANNIE MANN; loving mother of Barbara Mann; devoted grandmother of six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, quietly passed away. Friends may call at the JOSEPH L. RUSS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 2222 W. North Avenue on Thursday from 3 to 8 P.M. Family Hour Friday 10 A.M., with funeral to follow at 10:30 A.M., at Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church, 3100 Walbrook Avenue.