Noise

Several decades ago, sprint cars raced inside the Atlantic City Convention Hall. The noise reverberated off the walls, as the small, open-wheeled cars dashed around the short course lined with bales of hay and straw.These days, monster trucks and motorcycles perform inside civic arenas, including Baltimore's.But nowhere has anyone undertaken to build a super-speedway indoors and stage a Winston Cup stock-car race.At least, until now."The idea was motivated by a lot of beer," said Bob Brant, laughing.

The U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground plans to conduct a firing program beginning on or about Monday, May 20, and ending on or about Friday, May 24. This firing program is likely to generate sound and/or vibration outside the installation boundary. If weather conditions are not favorable in minimizing noise off of the installation, firing will be rescheduled. The U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, a test center under the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, provides test and test support services for authorized customers, within the Department of Defense and outside the DoD, including government and non-government organizations, both foreign and domestic.

For something that is colorless, odorless, shapeless and pretty much tasteless, water can be awfully noisy.Even the smallest water noise -- a dripping faucet, for instance -- can sound like a jackhammer in an otherwise quiet house. And when water teams up with air in a confined space, it can sound like "The Anvil Chorus."Old houses often have one or more of these watery sprites. If you can pinpoint it (and it isn't always that easy), the solution may be fairly simple.Banging pipes are a common water-noise problem.

One of the ironies of the art world is that for all its important holdings the Baltimore Museum of Art is laying off 14 people in order to balance its budget (" Baltimore Museum of Art lays off 14," April 9). Yet right over the city line, in Towson, the federal government is funding the construction of a new museum to house a collection of unknown value - the artifacts of the Ridgley family of Hampton. To make matters worse, the site chosen for the building is in an area of running streams and granite deposits.

As a visitor to Charm City aboard a boat for Sailabration, I am disappointed with the excessive noise pollution. The Blue Angels are one thing, but helicopters hovered for hours at low altitude, and it was difficult to have a conversation while visiting the tall ships. Visitors should remember the great sight of the tall ships, the Blue Angels, and the great sights of downtown Baltimore and not that helicopter 500 feet above. Ward Anderson, Annapolis

One of the ironies of the art world is that for all its important holdings the Baltimore Museum of Art is laying off 14 people in order to balance its budget (" Baltimore Museum of Art lays off 14," April 9). Yet right over the city line, in Towson, the federal government is funding the construction of a new museum to house a collection of unknown value - the artifacts of the Ridgley family of Hampton. To make matters worse, the site chosen for the building is in an area of running streams and granite deposits.

The U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground plans to conduct a firing program beginning on or about Monday, May 20, and ending on or about Friday, May 24. This firing program is likely to generate sound and/or vibration outside the installation boundary. If weather conditions are not favorable in minimizing noise off of the installation, firing will be rescheduled. The U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, a test center under the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, provides test and test support services for authorized customers, within the Department of Defense and outside the DoD, including government and non-government organizations, both foreign and domestic.

We just bought a house in Owen Brown and are concerned about the noise coming from Merriweather. We knew about the concerts and were told it has not been an issue in our area. Two weeks ago, we did not hear much noise from two concerts. However, the night of July 15 until 11 the noise was coming into our house, even though all the windows and doors were closed. We live almost two miles away in the opposite direction of where the pavilion faces. Most concerning was the noise disturbed sleep for our 16-month-old.

The U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, is once again conducting several large detonations likely to generate sound and/or vibration outside the proving ground boundary. The testing began Tuesday and is expected to end on or about Dec. 7, according to a news release. If weather conditions are not favorable in minimizing noise off the installation, firing will be rescheduled, the Army said in the release. Any questions should be directed to 410-278-1147 or 800-688-8705.

I'm responding to the June 14 letters to the editor and the editorial regarding Merriweather. Not a "relative newcomer," I exercised "due diligence" in choosing my home in Columbia: Key factors in my choice were its excellent school system, close commuting distance to both Baltimore and Washington, and all the amenities that come with neighborhood-friendly, suburban living. Choosing to live close to an outdoor venue, I did expect to "hear occasionally the sounds of their concerts," key words being "occasional" and "sounds.

Citing numerous accounts of neighborhood disturbances, the Baltimore Board of Liquor License Commissioners ruled not to renew the license of the Museum Restaurant and Lounge in Mount Vernon after four hours of deliberation Thursday night. Liquor board chairman Steve Fogleman said management of the Museum - which set up in the former Brass Elephant space - presented the business as an “upscale restaurant” when applying for the license, but it was in reality a nightclub. He refuted Museum owner Walter Webb's claims from earlier this month that Webb had been unfairly targeted because he is one of the few African American business owners in Mount Vernon.

There will be a contested election for CA Board of Directors in Oakland Mills this year, but there is only one candidate that fully understands the concerns of Oakland Mills residents and stands by them. Alex Hekimian has been a strong advocate for Oakland Mills in fighting for civility, and ensuring that the community's issues are addressed. Alex has stood by Oakland Mills residents dealing with Howard County Recs and Parks on Blandair Park issues. He has fought to address the lights, parking and amplified noise issue at Blandair Park.

At first glance, the Metro Gallery's Saturday night bill seems like an odd pairing: Dope Body - one of Baltimore's noisiest, most abrasive bands in years - and Mykki Blanco, a gender-bending, impressively nimble rapper from New York. But watch some live YouTube clips of each act, and the show makes more sense. Dope Body and Mykki Blanco command attention immediately, and both are capable of consistently winning over new audiences through sheer force and charisma. It doesn't matter that their albums would be categorized at opposite ends of the store.

Alternative rock group Chevelle, Nashville country duo Florida-Georgia Line and Philadelphia-based cover band Kristen and the Noise will perform on the Jagermeister Stage at this year's Preakness InfieldFest on May 18, the Maryland Jockey Club announced today. The addition of two rock bands and a country act makes sense after the Club announced last month Top 40 staple Pitbull and rising hip-hop star(s) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis would headline InfieldFest. Kristen and the Noise, who will kick-off the Jagermeister Stage, are scheduled to play Claddagh Pub's Meet in the Street in Canton on Saturday.

Although I can see how the Merriweather sound exemption aids the venue, I am not convinced that it is economically advantageous for Columbia residents and developers. In recent years a growing number of us in Columbia and adjacent Ellicott City now hear Merriweather sound (especially the drums). The problem will only increase as Town Center expands housing and also, perhaps, adds a new amphitheater to be used by Merriweather. Older residents (a fast growing demographic) and others who might otherwise be attracted to the amenities that Town Center offers, may hesitate to buy here because of proximity to Merriweather. Columbia home buyers should not be limited solely to those who like loud rock concerts.

 In many of the letters that have been published, the statement has been made that if you move close to Merriweather, you should not complain about the noise. Let me tell you the other side of the problem. Fifteen year ago, my lady and I thought we had found our perfect retirement home at Wyndham Condominiums. We perceived no problem with Merriweather; and at first, there was none. Sometimes you could not tell there was even a concert. Over the years, the volume of Merriweather has gotten louder so that even with the doors and windows closed, the noise is barely tolerable, but this is not the main problem.

Although I can see how the Merriweather sound exemption aids the venue, I am not convinced that it is economically advantageous for Columbia residents and developers. In recent years a growing number of us in Columbia and adjacent Ellicott City now hear Merriweather sound (especially the drums). The problem will only increase as Town Center expands housing and also, perhaps, adds a new amphitheater to be used by Merriweather. Older residents (a fast growing demographic) and others who might otherwise be attracted to the amenities that Town Center offers, may hesitate to buy here because of proximity to Merriweather. Columbia home buyers should not be limited solely to those who like loud rock concerts.

The high-technology company engaged in noise and vibration control posted sharp gains in revenues for both quarterly and annual earnings but chalked up losses in both reporting periods.Chairman John J. McCloy II said the revenue increases reflect alliances with other companies to apply its technology to product development, including a joint venture with Walker Manufacturing Co. on the development of an electronic muffler.Noise Cancellation, with its product-development plant in Linthicum, also reported a $3 million product-sales agreement with Siemens Medical Systems Inc. to apply its technology in the development of magnetic resonance imaging systems.

Merriweather Post Pavilion has been in Columbia since 1967. Howard County has only had a noise ordinance since 1985. Why Merriweather wasn't exempted from the ordinance in the first place is absurd. This issue involves legal complexities that cut along county, state and even federal lines. Being the state already has the ability to decide on local issues and the county's noise ordinance is adopted to mirror that of the state's, this exemption should be governed by the state. The proposed exemption would legally codify Merriweather's operation as it has been for 45 years.

I am strongly opposed to this proposed legislation. I respectfully urge the Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly, chaired by Del. Guy Guzzone and Sen. James Robey, to reconsider and withdraw this unfair piece of legislation that is not in the best interests of the residents of Howard County.  This proposed legislation would allow harmful levels of noise, without any restrictions, from the Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP)...