Survey

The last statewide map of Maryland geology, published in 1968, is out of print. Online versions of it are marked with a disclaimer that it's too imprecise for anything but "historical and illustrative purposes. " But a push to drill for Marcellus shale could help bring it into the 21st century. The Maryland Geological Survey this month published a new map of Western Maryland that could guide potential shale exploration there and be a first step in redrawing a statewide map. Geologists say it's a sign of the state of the industry — over the decades, funding going toward geology research and mapping for its own sake has dwindled.

Shortly before the season began, Maryland men's basketball players sat down at computers, logged in with special passwords and began answering seven probing questions not only about basketball, but about themselves. "From whom do you seek input and opinions before making personal decisions?" said one question. "Whom do you rely upon when your team needs unity and motivation?" said another. The exercise, overseen by a consultant, might not be as important as practicing ball-screen defense or running breaks.

Tisa L. Silver-Canady, who counsels University of Maryland, Baltimore students about loan repayments and runs other financial education programs at the school, realized toward the end of last year that she had not used about a third of her vacation time. Last year, the assistant director of financial eduction and wellness in the university's office of student financial assistance and education took two brief trips, one for work, the other a vacation that included a conference related to her job. And she took two days off to move to a new house.

While it's bustling with activity every weekend, the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Abingdon is going to be particularly busy on Jan. 12, with three major programs that will offer something for all ages throughout the day. The white-tailed deer survey kicks off the day at 9 a.m. and continues until 11. Harford County seems to be experiencing explosive population growth - and not just with humans. So, estuary center managers need help from anyone 16 or older to determine if the deer population of Leight Park is a healthy size.

Author's disclaimer: Today's piece may cause my center/right readers severe irritability, sleeplessness, and a strong desire to limit your cable television options to Fox. The antidote may not arrive until the midterm elections of 2014. Fiscal cliff negotiations: a real bummer. An empowered president intent on fulfilling his progressive inclination to raise taxes. An emboldened Harry Reid strangely silent about his inability to pass a budget through a Democratic Senate over the past three years.

More Americans hunted, fished and watched wildlife in 2011 than five years earlier, according to final statistics released last month by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "This is good news for our lifestyles and our economy," said Dan Ashe, director of the service. The results are from the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, an outdoor participation survey the agency has conducted since 1955. The survey results are released every five years.

  Thousands of retailers are offering free shipping today, with delivery guaranteed by Christmas Eve. But which retailers are the most reliable when it comes to shipping during one of the busiest weeks of the year? One survey, based on shipping times in November, shows Zappos, Staples and OfficeDepot.com leading the way, delivering packages in one day, on average. The survey shows that JCPenney.com took the longest, an average of nine days. Others on the slower end of the spectrum included store.Apple.com, with a six-day average, Target.com, with six days, seven hours, and Walmart.com, with six days, 16 hours.

Domingo Catalan powered through the Thanksgiving night crowds to get his children toys. He methodically checked all the boxes on his relatives' wish lists on Black Friday. And before he goes to work as a data analyst for a government contractor on Cyber Monday, he expects to look for online deals to have shipped to his brother's family in Germany. So whom was Catalan, a Crofton resident, shopping for on Sunday morning at Bass Pro Shops at Arundel Mills? "Me," he grinned, pausing to jerk his thumb toward his chest as he put an Under Armour winter jacket and fishing gear into the back of his Ford pick-up truck.

Carroll County's Department of Social Services, Health Department, and the Office of Public Safety Support Services, Emergency Management this week launched an effort to gather input on emergency shelter services. The departments want to gain a perspective on individual and family actions regarding sheltering during a significant or catastrophic event in the county. Officials said the information will help guide the county in the development of shelter and recovery plans. The plan asks residents for information such as how long they would stay in their home if power was lost; whether they would seek shelter with friends, at a hotel or in a county shelter; and what services they would seek from the county in an emergency.