Van Buren

To Susan Van Buren, the city-owned Cylburn Arboretum is "Baltimore's secret garden." "Even many people who live near here don't realize it's public property," she said of the secluded space that includes carefully cultivated gardens, a nature preserve and a 19th-century mansion not far from Pimlico Race Course in Northwest Baltimore. Van Buren is on a mission to change that unofficial designation. As the newly named and first executive director of the nonprofit Cylburn Arboretum Association, she wants to raise the arboretum's profile beyond the avid gardeners and birders who are regular visitors, and help fund improvements to the grounds and buildings.

Like the lingerie she sews, the African-American seamstress at the heart of Lynn Nottage's new play, Intimate Apparel, is a woman whose existence is largely unrecognized and concealed from view. But we get to know this early 20th-century seamstress - perhaps better than she knows herself - in Nottage's distinctive drama, which is receiving a captivating world premiere at Center Stage in a co-production with California's South Coast Repertory. A single woman who has just turned 35, Esther Mills worries that she will spend the rest of her life alone, tethered to her sewing machine.

Charles M. Powell Jr., a retired Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority supervisor, died of a heart attack Aug. 6 at his Mitchellville home. He was 70. Mr. Powell was born in Lutherville and raised on Druid Hill Avenue. As a youngster, he began singing with the Baltimore Boys Choir and his dream was to be a member of the boys choir at Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Nebraska. Though not an orphan, Mr. Powell, a tenor, was allowed to enroll at Boys Town, from which he graduated in 1951.

From The Sun March 10-16, 1841March 12: There is very little anthracite coal in our city, and those who have it on hand, are taking advantage of the scarcity and are charging the enormous price of $10 per ton!March 16: Mr. Van Buren -- On Saturday evening last, the late President arrived in town, accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Poinsett, late Secretary of War, and the Hon. Mr. Forsyth, late Secretary of State, and took lodgings at Barnum's City Hotel.From The Sun March 10-16, 1891March 10: President Harrison is duck shooting on the Chesapeake Bay, near Bengies Station.

* Michael Clarke, 49, the original drummer for influential rock band The Byrds, died of liver failure Sunday in Treasure Island, Fla. The Byrds, who formed in 1964, consisted of Mr. Clarke, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and Gene Clark. Mr. Clarke performed with the band until 1968. The group broke up in 1972 after producing 11 albums and some of the 1960s' most well-known recordings, including "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Eight Miles High" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!"* Joseph Ball, 89, a former Republican senator from Minnesota who lost his seat to Hubert Humphrey in 1948, died of a stroke Saturday in Washington.

The 2nd Star folks have hit one out of the park - Whitemarsh Park, that is - with their current production of Damn Yankees, playing weekends through June 26 at Bowie Playhouse. Winner of numerous awards for its musicals, 2nd Star won the coveted Ruby Griffith Award for last season's spectacular Mame. This production of the classic feel-good show has winner written all over it: from the great tunes delivered by terrific pit musicians, to the spirited chorus and soloists on stage, to the champion execution of fantastic choreography, and finally to a strong cast from top to bottom.

WASHINGTON -- It's a long way from the Democratic National Convention being held in Los Angeles this week, but in the 1830s, Democrat Simon Cameron suggested his party hold its national convention the third week in May of each presidential election year in Baltimore. His suggestion was never formally adopted, but 15 national political conventions were held in Baltimore during Cameron's lifetime, most of them involving the Democrats. Even so, the Democrats weren't the first to hold a convention in Baltimore.

CUB SCOUT Troop 459 from Union Bridge shared holiday cheer with residents of Brookfield Manor Resident Care Inc. recently when the Scouts read Christmas stories and played "Jingle Bells" on their trumpets. The Scouts' visit to the assisted-living home in Middleburg is an annual event that began nearly a decade ago, according to Pat Keeney, the Scouts' den mother. One Scout's mother said that her son didn't have grandparents close by and that it would be nice to pay a visit to elderly people.

IN THE NEWSPAPER the other day was a disturbing letter that underscores the deteriorating relationship between men and women in this country.The letter appeared in Dear Abby. This is the syndicated advice column written by Abigail Van Buren, who, while not quite as famous as Ann Landers, enjoys the same impressive helmet of kiln-hardened hair as her twin sister, judging by their pictures.Anyway, the letter read as follows:"Dear Abby: What does a wife do when she gets a really ugly (my emphasis)

Given his political bloodlines, it is not surprising that Martin Gerard Madden is making a name for himself in Annapolis after only one year of representing Howard County in the state Senate.The grandson of prominent Democrats, the 46-year-old Clarksville Republican is a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on Welfare -- rare accomplishments for a freshman senator, much less a member of the minority.Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller calls Mr. Madden "a conscientious, hard-working senator who responds to the problems and needs of the legislature."