Polaris

Contemporary music concerts are best when they represent 20th century composers in both their historical breadth and their aesthetic diversity. The performing ensemble Polaris, which performed last night at the Baltimore Museum of Art, was successful on both counts.Recent works such as Meyer Kupferman's "Five Flings" (1980) took their place alongside two sturdy "classics" of modernism, John Cage's Amores (1943) and Luciano Berio's "Circles" (1960).The Amores was written during the period of Mr. Cage's heavy involvement with percussion and with the "prepared piano" -- a grand piano fitted with screws, pieces of rubber and other materials that transformed its characteristic sound into one evocative of a Balinese gamelan ensemble.

Product recalls for the week beginning Nov. 5: Nov. 6 "Skippy" Pool Toys Units: About 31,000 Manufacturer: Swimways Corp. of Virginia Beach, Va. Hazard: The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users' hands during launching of the toy. Sold at: Mass merchandisers and independent pool supply stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for about $10. Remedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children...

Polaris, Baltimore's newest 20th-century-music ensemble, in performance last night at the Baltimore Museum of Art, is one of many groups that seem always to be searching for ways to bring in new, and larger, audiences.One imaginative solution to this perennial problem is Polaris' commitment to area charities -- the group donated part of the proceeds last night to the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland.Another -- the opening improvisation by the ensemble members -- was not nearly so successful.

Werner Wilhelm Hohenner, a mechanical engineer and physicist who worked on the development of Germany's V-1 rocket during World War II and later played a major role in the design of the Polaris missile program for the Navy, died Friday at his Ellicott City home. He was 93. Family members said that Mr. Hohenner, who had suffered a stroke the previous day, took his life. His career spanned the pioneering days of rocketry in his native Germany to the development of the modern intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

Someone stole a $6,500 Polaris all-terrain vehicle from the 1200 block of Old Dorsey Road last weekend, police said.Jim Tuck, a neighbor, told police he saw a brown pickup truck parked in the driveway of the all-terrain vehicle's owner around 5 p.m. Saturday.Mr. Tuck said that because he thought his neighbors were at home, he did not question the person in the truck.

Trainer Eddie Gaudet alleges that the Laurel stewards made a bad call on Sunday when they failed to disqualify the gelding Glenbarra in the Sir Ivor Stakes and he appealed the judges' decision yesterday to the Maryland Racing Commission.Gaudet originally claimed foul after Sunday's race, citing interference by Glenbarra against his runner, Polaris Star, in the stretch.Gaudet claims that Glenbarra's jockey, Mario Verge, "crashed" his way between horses, ripped a bandage off the hind leg of Polaris Star and could have caused Gaudet's horse serious injury en route to winning the race.

A North Baltimore man was charged yesterday with killing his 5-month-old son, who police said died a month after being bathed in scalding water.Marquis Matthews, 22, of the 2600 block of Miles Ave. was charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center, pending his next court appearance Friday. He had been in custody on child abuse and related charges since Feb. 7, two days after the scalding incident.The infant, Polaris Matthews, suffered second-degree burns on 25 percent to 30 percent of his body and had been on life-support at Johns Hopkins Hospital until he died March 6.The state medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide Thursday.

Police Blotter is a sampling of crimes in Baltimore city and county.Central DistrictBurglary: Residents found no property missing after someone forced open a door and ransacked a house in the 1700 block of Eutaw Place between 1 p.m. Sunday and 1: 30 p.m. Monday.Northeastern DistrictBicycle thefts: Three boys reported being robbed of bicycles Monday -- in one incident a 9-year-old who said his bike was taken about 11 p.m. in the 3600 block of Elkader Road, and the other with two boys, ages 7 and 11, around 5 p.m. in the 5200 block of Belair Road.

Product recalls for the week beginning Nov. 5: Nov. 6 "Skippy" Pool Toys Units: About 31,000 Manufacturer: Swimways Corp. of Virginia Beach, Va. Hazard: The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users' hands during launching of the toy. Sold at: Mass merchandisers and independent pool supply stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for about $10. Remedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children...

Robert Johnson captured the spirit of the 1994 Vollie Awards when he accepted the Best Producer prize from Carroll Community Television on Friday."We are all winners tonight," he said to the audience of nearly 100, many of whom volunteer for Channel 19, the community access channel. "This evening is basically a recognition of and appreciation of volunteerism. If I got paid, I wouldn't do this."Mr. Johnson, the president of the Carroll Communications Guild, also won Best Documentary Program for his film "Carroll Cam Tour V," which follows a statewide bicycle race through the county.

A North Baltimore man was charged yesterday with killing his 5-month-old son, who police said died a month after being bathed in scalding water.Marquis Matthews, 22, of the 2600 block of Miles Ave. was charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center, pending his next court appearance Friday. He had been in custody on child abuse and related charges since Feb. 7, two days after the scalding incident.The infant, Polaris Matthews, suffered second-degree burns on 25 percent to 30 percent of his body and had been on life-support at Johns Hopkins Hospital until he died March 6.The state medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide Thursday.

Police Blotter is a sampling of crimes in Baltimore city and county.Central DistrictBurglary: Residents found no property missing after someone forced open a door and ransacked a house in the 1700 block of Eutaw Place between 1 p.m. Sunday and 1: 30 p.m. Monday.Northeastern DistrictBicycle thefts: Three boys reported being robbed of bicycles Monday -- in one incident a 9-year-old who said his bike was taken about 11 p.m. in the 3600 block of Elkader Road, and the other with two boys, ages 7 and 11, around 5 p.m. in the 5200 block of Belair Road.

Trainer Eddie Gaudet alleges that the Laurel stewards made a bad call on Sunday when they failed to disqualify the gelding Glenbarra in the Sir Ivor Stakes and he appealed the judges' decision yesterday to the Maryland Racing Commission.Gaudet originally claimed foul after Sunday's race, citing interference by Glenbarra against his runner, Polaris Star, in the stretch.Gaudet claims that Glenbarra's jockey, Mario Verge, "crashed" his way between horses, ripped a bandage off the hind leg of Polaris Star and could have caused Gaudet's horse serious injury en route to winning the race.

Someone stole a $6,500 Polaris all-terrain vehicle from the 1200 block of Old Dorsey Road last weekend, police said.Jim Tuck, a neighbor, told police he saw a brown pickup truck parked in the driveway of the all-terrain vehicle's owner around 5 p.m. Saturday.Mr. Tuck said that because he thought his neighbors were at home, he did not question the person in the truck.

Robert Johnson captured the spirit of the 1994 Vollie Awards when he accepted the Best Producer prize from Carroll Community Television on Friday."We are all winners tonight," he said to the audience of nearly 100, many of whom volunteer for Channel 19, the community access channel. "This evening is basically a recognition of and appreciation of volunteerism. If I got paid, I wouldn't do this."Mr. Johnson, the president of the Carroll Communications Guild, also won Best Documentary Program for his film "Carroll Cam Tour V," which follows a statewide bicycle race through the county.

Contemporary music concerts are best when they represent 20th century composers in both their historical breadth and their aesthetic diversity. The performing ensemble Polaris, which performed last night at the Baltimore Museum of Art, was successful on both counts.Recent works such as Meyer Kupferman's "Five Flings" (1980) took their place alongside two sturdy "classics" of modernism, John Cage's Amores (1943) and Luciano Berio's "Circles" (1960).The Amores was written during the period of Mr. Cage's heavy involvement with percussion and with the "prepared piano" -- a grand piano fitted with screws, pieces of rubber and other materials that transformed its characteristic sound into one evocative of a Balinese gamelan ensemble.

Werner Wilhelm Hohenner, a mechanical engineer and physicist who worked on the development of Germany's V-1 rocket during World War II and later played a major role in the design of the Polaris missile program for the Navy, died Friday at his Ellicott City home. He was 93. Family members said that Mr. Hohenner, who had suffered a stroke the previous day, took his life. His career spanned the pioneering days of rocketry in his native Germany to the development of the modern intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

On March 12, 2006 DENNIS LLOYD PRUITT of Walkersville; son of Harold and Eleanor Pruitt of New Smyrna Beach, FL; beloved husband of Marlene E. Pruitt; devoted father of Michael D. and Elizabeth A.; brother of twin Donald L. Pruitt, Hagerstown and Jennifer Beemer of Deland, FL. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Hartzler Funeral Home, 11802 Liberty Road, Libertytown. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Parish Center of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Libertytown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a scholarship fund for daughter, c/o Marlene Pruitt, 117 Polaris Dr., Walkersville, MD 21793.

Polaris, Baltimore's newest 20th-century-music ensemble, in performance last night at the Baltimore Museum of Art, is one of many groups that seem always to be searching for ways to bring in new, and larger, audiences.One imaginative solution to this perennial problem is Polaris' commitment to area charities -- the group donated part of the proceeds last night to the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland.Another -- the opening improvisation by the ensemble members -- was not nearly so successful.