Prying Open

Selling a home can be incredibly stressful, which is why many of us can appreciate aggressive real estate agents who work hard to make a sale. That said, there is a major difference between assertive and unethical. Anita Grey wasn't quite sure what to do upon discovering that a potential buyer's real estate agent had used a butter knife to pry open a storm door to show her Odenton home while the 53-year-old retired office worker was out visiting friends. "No one had called to set up an appointment," Grey said.

HEFEI, China -- Whether it's growing too fast or just fast enough, China's booming economy is creating huge opportunities for Maryland businesses. The problem is how to take advantage of them.Last week's tour of three Chinese cities organized by the state of Maryland shows some of the problems and successes facing small- and medium-sized companies that try to invest in the world's fastest-growing economy.The tour also illustrated the value of government-sponsored trade delegations, which carry the clout that opens doors in China.

Police logJessup: 7900 block of Oceano Ave.: Someone stole a fax machine, tools and an answering machine from Stephen Noll Construction Wednesday night after prying open the door to a construction trailer.Pub Date: 10/15/96

Police logWilde Lake: 10500 block of Twin Rivers Road: Someone tried to break into a home Wednesday by prying open a door with a screwdriver.Harper's Choice: 12200 block of Green Meadow Drive: Jewelry was stolen from a home Wednesday, but police said they found no sign of forced entry. A computer and televisions were not taken.Pub Date: 6/07/96

Police logNorth Laurel: 9200 block of North Laurel Road: Someone tried to break into Laurel Woods Elementary School Wednesday or Thursday by prying open the front and rear doors of a portable classroom.North Laurel: 9800 block of Whiskey Run: Someone stole a white 1996 GMC truck, Maryland license 65D668, Thursday.Pub Date: 12/16/96

Felice N. Schwartz, 71, a women's rights activist who spent three decades prying open corporate America's male-dominated boardrooms in a struggle that spawned the phrase "mommy track," died of a heart attack Thursday at her New York home. In 1962 she founded Catalyst, a nonprofit company that helped women entering the work force, and built it into a nationally recognized group.

POLICE LOG* Woodstock: 9700 block of Bridgewater Court: Butter and ketchup were smeared on a 1990 Buick Skylark between 9 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The owner washed the car and reported no damage, police said.1800 block of Quarter Horse Drive: Someone attempted to break into a dwelling by prying open a window between 6 a.m. Sunday and 3:30 p.m. Monday.

POLICE* Owen Brown: 9000 block of Snowden River Parkway: A construction trailer was broken into Thursday or Friday, but nothing was reported stolen, police said.9800 block of Broken Land Parkway: Someone attempted to break into a suite of an office building by prying open a door latch some time between Friday and Sunday.* Oakland Mills: 5600 block of Stevens Forest Road: A blue 1991 Chevrolet Starcraft with Maryland tags 471062M was stolen sometime Saturday or Sunday morning.

Police logEllicott City: 3400 block of Jay Court: Someone tried to steal TC 1987 Acura Legend after prying open its door Friday or Saturday, police said.Ellicott City: 5300 block of Sunnyfield Court: Burglars broke into a house under construction and stole a whirlpool tub and a patio door Nov. 15 or 16, police said.Ellicott City: 10000 block of Autumn View Lane: A gray 1986 Acura Legend with Maryland tags AZL-436 was stolen Friday or Saturday, police said.