Parade Committee

With all the pomp surrounding Winfield-area residents Judy Gray and Naomi Durdock as they ride their paso fino horses in today's inaugural parade, it should be easy for them to feel tall in the saddle.But since Ms. Gray is a beginning rider and Ms. Durdock is nervous about the whole thing, they'll be satisfied just to stay on their mounts."This is a very nerve-racking situation, but we are looking forward to a good time," said Ms. Durdock, a purchasing agent for a biotechnology firm in Gaithersburg.

The committee sponsoring Catonsville's Independence Day parade won't let gay veterans march down Frederick Avenue this year, which is exactly why the vets are determined to march.The result, so far, is the second annual standoff over whether the vets will march in the parade, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. July 3.This year there's a new twist. The committee changed its bylaws so that any group wishing to apply to march must be sponsored by a committee member. The Gay and Lesbian Veterans of Maryland Inc. could not apply because no one on the 20-member committee was willing to sponsor them.

Sometimes, it pays to live -- and parade -- in Charles Village.Because of the generosity of Philadelphia photographer Neil Benson and his fellow "Dumpster Divers," the American Visionary Art Museum is offering free admission tomorrow through Sunday to Charles Villagers and others in North Baltimore's 21218 ZIP code.The relationship between the City of Brotherly Love, Charm City, and the museum was launched in the spring when Benson and his team of recyclers -- the Dumpster Divers -- came to Baltimore to enter the first East Coast kinetic sculpture race, which involves creative vehicles that can move on land and float on water.

Mayor Bob Davis of Alexandria, Mo., is busy rebuilding his house, which was damaged in last summer's Midwest floods.But he's taking time out for a trip to Mount Airy to be grand marshal in the town's centennial parade Sept. 24.Originally, Mr. Davis said he declined the invitation to be in Mount Airy's parade because he needed to finish his house. But the connection between Mount Airy and Alexandria changed his mind.The town of Mount Airy adopted the small Missouri town last summer after it had been nearly destroyed by flooding.

After 30 years of low-key homecoming parades, Towson State University will go big time today, with giant "Macy-type" balloons, elaborate tiger-striped floats and an explosion of bands and marchers.And the neighbors are cordially invited."It will be a celebration of Towson -- not just Towson the university but of Towson the community," said Tom Cascella of TSU's theater department and a member of the parade committee. "It will tie Towson State and the community together."The parade, which for the first time will travel along county roads instead of just on campus, will feature TSU faculty on revved-up motorcycles and in costumes, musical bands and wild-and-crazy Shriners in go-carts.

Are you concerned about teens who drink and use drugs? Glenelg High School's PTSA will try to help you sort out this important issue next Monday . Interested parents of children of all ages are invited to attend a panel presentation about the dangerous combination of youth and alcohol. The discussion entitled "Partytime -- What are Parents Legal Responsibilities?" begins at 7:30 p.m.Representatives from the Howard County Police Youth Division, health department's Alcohol and Drug Prevention division, the insurance industry, the alcohol education office of the Howard County Public Schools, and MADD will talk, not lecture, to parents.

Rob Tyner, lead vocalist for the rock group MC5, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack. He was 46. Mr. Tyner, whose legal name was Robert Derminer, was the lead singer of the group that critics called a precursor to punk and heavy metal. The Detroit-based band played the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago to raise money for the revolutionary White Panther Party. MC5's biggest hit was "Kick out the Jams," from their self-titled 1969 album. Many record stores initially refused to stock the album because of its incendiary lyrics.

James A. Jones, a retired Maryland State Police lieutenant colonel who was an early advocate of alcohol and drug testing to reduce highway accidents, died of an embolism Dec. 19 at his Perry Hall home. He was 78. Born in Baltimore and raised in Overlea, he was a 1948 Calvert Hall College High School graduate. He joined the Navy and became an aviation electrician aboard an aircraft carrier. Among other decorations, he received the Korean Service Medal with two battle stars. He joined the Maryland State Police in 1957 and was stationed at Waldorf, Upper Marlboro, Bel Air and Golden Ring, before moving on to the state police headquarters in Pikesville.

LIBERTY HIGH School has a tradition of celebrating homecoming weekend in a big way, and this year's festivities were no exception. Diane Krainak, 17, and Robyn Surette, 16, said work on the event began in June with 50 members of Liberty's Student Government Association. Their first task was to choose a theme. They chose a patriotic theme, "America the Beautiful." They also divided into groups, forming a dance committee, court committee (which had the task of choosing nominations for homecoming king and queen)

Time for a truceFrom: John F. McKeown Jr.Bel AirEnough is enough! After several weeks of childish bickering, I think the time has come for an agreement between the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company and the July 4th Parade Committee.As a decorated career fire officer and former volunteer, I know the importance of recognizing the service provided by fire and medical personnel.However, I also know the responsibility of the fire company to attend community events, while not overwhelming the public with their apparatus.