Retreat

What began four years ago as an idea for a small weekend retreat soon morphed into plans for a full-time, lodge-style homestead where Kip Fulks, one of the founding partners in Under Armour sports apparel, and his wife, Beth, could find permanent refuge. "We wanted to build a house where we could grow old together," said Kip Fulks, the 39-year-old senior vice president of outdoor and innovation for Under Armour. "[So] we had to build a home that would be exciting to wake up to every day. " Susan Major, owner of the Hestia Design Group in Columbia, was a key player in the house's story from the very beginning, as the Fulks admired her work and took her on board as decorator and adviser.

Most of the horses in the stakes barns at Pimlico Race Course had cleared out by 8:30 Sunday morning, having loaded into vans under the cover of early-morning rain. Plates with pieces of cake left over from last night's victory party for Oxbow dotted the ground near trainer D. Wayne Lukas' temporary office, as did a few emptied beer bottles. As he said he would, Lukas began loading his horses into a van bound for Louisville less than 12 hours after winning his 14th Triple Crown race, a new record.

I can't understand all of the press given to the local Occupy movement ("Baltimore officials kept watch on Occupy protest," Jan. 18). The only thing they have accomplished is that when the TV lights go out, they return to Red Emma's and congratulate one another on how they fought the good fight in 2011-2012. C.D. Wilmer, Baltimore

Foremost on my mind as the days lengthen is where I might get my ocean "fix" once summer arrives. Sometimes I crave the New Jersey shore where I vacationed as a kid, other times the Maryland beaches since I lived there during summers in college. This year, I am wondering how these places fared during superstorm Sandy. The news can't be good, since Congress recently dispensed the first infusion of $50.5 billion approved for recovery efforts related to the devastating storm. That's right: Billions and billions of dollars were dedicated to one big storm.

President Barack Obama will visit Baltimore next Friday - his first trip to the city since taking office - when he addresses a House Republican retreat at an Inner Harbor hotel. The president's trip to Baltimore is his first since he spoke at War Memorial Plaza on Jan. 17, 2009, when his inaugural train stopped en route to Washington. Unlike that speech, which attracted an estimated 40,000 people, this visit by Obama will take place before an invited audience only. The House Republican retreat is scheduled for Jan. 28 through Jan. 30 at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel.

A former plastics salesman, House Speaker John A. Boehner stood before the GOP majority with a pitch: Members must stick together like never before, not only for the sake of their agenda in Congress, but for the larger prize of reclaiming the White House this fall. It was a complicated sell at the GOP's annual retreat, held Friday at the Marriott Waterfront in Harbor East, as Boehner faced rambunctious lawmakers still intent on changing how Washington does business. Though Republicans said they were humbled and frustrated by last year's bruising political warfare, some in the tea party-powered majority are ready to go at it again.

In politics as in war, it is more difficult to execute a retreat than to go on the offensive. President Clinton's retreat from ill-conceived attempts to base U.S. trade policy with China on the human rights record of the hardline Beijing regime is one of the most difficult calls he has made since taking office. But his decision was correct and courageous. It shores up the U.S. position in Asia and actually promotes a trend toward individual liberty in China that is linked to a booming economy.

Whether a matter of appearance or of ethics, the Harford County school system should have had ample warning that funding an administrator retreat with donations from vendors who supply the county schools was improper.Yes, it may save $20,000 from the education budget to hold the leadership meeting for 180 people in Harper's Ferry, W.Va., today and tomorrow. But it will cost the school administration and school board at least that much in credibility during future debates over awarding contracts and purchases and other business-school relationships.

The County Commissioners approved a new law Thursday that would allow retreat or conference centers to be built in agriculture and conservation zones.The change would allow centers for professional, educational or religious groups to be built in those zones after the owners obtain permission from the County Board of Zoning Appeals.Commissioners Julia W. Gouge and Jeff Griffith voted for the change.Commissioner President John L. Armacost was not at the meeting.Assistant County Attorney Laurell E. Taylor said the change was made at the request of a Westminster attorney acting on behalf of a client.

Sykesville is reviving its annual retreat for municipal officials Saturday."The retreats were always helpful to us in the past," said Councilman Jonathan Herman.Once an annual tradition, the retreat has not been scheduled for several years. Mayor Kenneth W. Clark said he decided the time had come to review the past and plan the future in an informal atmosphere.The retreat, which is open to the public, will take place in the Cox Room at Fairhaven Retirement Center, 7200 Third Ave."We are making an attempt at an informal gathering," said Mr. Clark.

U.S. Senate Democrats will hold their annual retreat beginning Tuesday in Annapolis, giving lawmakers a chance to strategize about gun control, immigration and the latest fiscal crisis. The meeting, which will end with a closed-door address Wednesday by President Barack Obama, comes as federal lawmakers have made little progress on addressing more than $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that will kick in at month's end if Congress does not act. Leadership aides declined to release an agenda for the gathering, but Maryland Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, the new chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is expected to speak to the caucus along with several of her colleagues about the automatic spending cuts, known as sequestration.

President Barack Obama will arrive in Annapolis on Wednesday to speak to U.S. Senate Democrats who plan to gather at the Westin hotel next week, the White House said Friday. The address will not be open to the public or to reporters. Democratic senators plan to meet in Annapolis on Tuesday and Wednesday for an annual retreat. The meeting is also largely closed to the public and reporters. Obama frequently visits the congressional retreats, such as last year's meeting of House Democrats in Cambridge.

Neil Simon's commentary, "Cardin stands for rights" (Dec. 13), correctly depicts U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin's steadfast pursuit to hold accountable violators of human rights in Russia with the killing of attorney Sergei Magnitsky. Our concern is that the U.S. Department of State will find excuses to avoid imposing sanctions or simply not acknowledge or respond to violations in Russia or elsewhere. This they have done often. For example, the British have just released a report admitting their security forces murdered attorney Patrick Finucane in Northern Ireland.

Other than paint, what are some things that I can do to give my home a fall makeover? Throws are a wonderful way of making your home cozy and warm for the fall. We are loving chunky woven knits and amazing faux fur throws from Fabulous Furs — we have several in the store plus all of the samples. Along with the chilly fall weather I look forward to adding extra layers to my beds. Stuffing your duvet covers with heavier weight down inserts and adding a soft matelasse over your sheet makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning.

A few years ago, Tyson Ritter, the lean lead singer of the All-American Rejects, was a walking rock 'n' roll cliche. After experiencing "life-changing" success thanks to "Gives You Hell" — his band's 2008 single that sold more than 4 million copies and catapulted the quartet into the Top 40 stratosphere — Ritter moved to Los Angeles and quickly fell into a life focused on beautiful women and all-night partying. The Oklahoma native, now 28, says his quarter-life crisis had its "dark" moments, but he was able to come out the other side because of the Rejects' long-standing writing ritual: They find seclusion.

Envision escaping to a secluded island destination where even your iPhone doesn't roam. Paradise. Images of idyllic, uninhabited beaches and authentic local fare instantly flood your brain. Then you start thinking about long flights, passports and pricey accommodations, and the idea quickly flees your mind. Wait — come back! Did you know that there are exotic islands just off the coast of Maryland? Yes, really. We've uncovered three remote retreats, all within a three-hour drive from Baltimore, where you can unplug, recharge, and, blessedly, not know a soul.

The Columbia Council and Columbia Association executives will take their annual retreat this weekend -- this time to the Eastern Shore at a cost of about $5,000 to Columbia property owners -- to debate budget priorities.The council will discuss proposals for the 1996-1997 association budget -- among them two new recreational facilities, crime-prevention programs and revised athletic facility rates -- during a two-day retreat at the Wye River Conference Center in Queen Anne's County.Before the retreat, council members will decide tonight whether to alter the association's liquor-license request for the new Fairway Hills Golf Course and whether to enact an internal policy prohibiting alcohol sales from mobile beverage carts.

Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Marriottsville is offering the following programs that are open to the community: Holy Week Journey with Diarmuid O'Murchu. An eight-day retreat beginning at 5 p.m. April 4 and ending at 10 a.m. April 11. Activities include liturgies for Holy Week, Easter Sunday Eucharist, small-group meetings, and discussions on death and resurrection. O'Murchu is an author and a priest and social psychologist with the Sacred Heart Missionary Congregation. The cost is $350, including accommodations at the center.

Ellicott City residents Rosario and Maria Di Marco never lost their desire to have a second home by the sea in Lewes, Del. To this day, the quiet resort town holds happy memories of summer vacations at Fort Miles near Cape Henlopen Park when their children were growing up. "Three years ago, while Googling for properties in the Lewes area, Rosario came across an abandoned home," Maria Di Marco recalled. "The house was in deplorable condition. The roof had caved in, snakes were hanging from the ceiling, and other creatures had decided to make it their home.

The scene at Hashawha Environmental Center in Westminster Friday evening was filled with the friendly chaos typical of the start of summer camp. Parents unloaded gear and gave last-minute instructions. Ubiquitous counselors welcomed visitors and ushered them to cabins. And chatty children seemed eager to be on their own. Well before the dinner bell, one girl was so enthralled with her bunk that she spread her sleeping bag across it and laid down to test the accommodations. She was so comfortable that only the promise of craft-making with her older sister could draw her away.