Jeannine Reardon’s Book Signing at Borders

By Susan Lavin
Posted: August 7, 2008

Elkridge resident Jeannine Reardon will have a book signing for her novel, “Confidential Communications,” Aug. 30, 2-4 p.m., at Borders bookstore, in Columbia mall. (Photo by David Reardon).

Move over, John Grisham, here comes Jeannine Reardon!

Reardon, a lawyer who lives in Elkridge, recently published her first novel, “Confidential Communications.”

This exciting, legal thriller is about a young lawyer with a plot filled with conspiracy and deceit. The book jacket states, “Attorney Rebecca Lawson must find the mastermind and expose the truth before innocent people lose their money, or worse … their lives.”

Reardon started writing the book more than a decade ago after graduating from law school, in Massachusetts. Friends and family members read what was then a short story and encouraged her to have it published. Life went on and the manuscript ended up sitting in a file drawer on a very old computer disc for a many years, until recently.

“Publishing a book was always on my ‘to do list,’ although it still seems surreal to be able to actually hold it now and see people buying it,” Reardon said. “… Here’s my philosophy in life: I don’t want to turn around at age 80 and say I wish I had done that.”

The characters and story in “Confidential Communications” are all fictional. Although Reardon added, “The character Justice McNaught is based in part on my late grandfather who sat on the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He was the person who originally inspired me as a child to pursue a degree in law and he really was an inspiration to many to live a good life as a good person.
“I figured, heck, why not ‘tip my hat’ as a little thank you to him and make him a Justice of the United States Supreme Court.”

Reardon has a book signing scheduled for “Confidential Communications” at the Borders bookstore in Columbia mall, Aug. 30, 2-4 p.m. Her book can also be purchased online at the Xlibris, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Target Web sites.

Additional information about the book can be found on Reardon’s Web site, jrreardonconfidentialcommunications.com.

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Watermont Swim Team’s Impressive Donation

By Susan Lavin
Posted: August 4, 2008

The Watermont Swim Team, in Elkridge, raised more than $5,000 for the American Cancer Society through a recent Swim-A-Thon.

Eileen Bednar and Donna Smith organized this successful event as 79 swimmers participated. The members of the team that earned the most for the society were Molly Cronin, who raised $329; Giff Polinsky, who raised $320; and Alex Polinsky, who raised $242. The swimmers who completed the most laps include Andrew McKissick, who swam 175 laps, and Alisa Caulfield, who swam 122 laps!

“What makes these results particularly impressive and amazing this year is that the team choose to participate in outreach for the community even though they are still recovering from a substantial loss,” said Smith, referring to a fire which caused significant damage to the team’s clubhouse, shed and all of its contents. “Sadly, the insurance coverage was not adequate for the contents and the team was hit hard ,having to replace things like lane lines and reel, starting blocks, time clocks and other items essential for the meets. But that did not stop them from reaching out to help raise money to help fight cancer. What an inspirational group of athletes!”

Congratulations to these amazing swimmers and to everyone who participated.

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Urgent Planning Board Meeting Tonight

By Susan Lavin
Posted: July 31, 2008

The planning board meeting regarding Oleo Acres is scheduled for tonight, July 31st at 7 p.m. in the Ellicott City Room of the George Howard Building.

The technical staff report is ZB 1068M. Brantly Development will be presenting its case for change and mistake for Oleo Acres during this hearing. The petition is to change the zoning from R-ED to RA-15 with a specific site plan.

DPZ is urging denial of the request. To read the ZB 1068M petition, go to www.howardcountymd.gov and go to Planning and Zoning, then click on Planning Board.

“We need a good crowd to show up at this meeting. Please try to attend,” said Laura Bauman, GECA’s corresponding secretary.

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Alyssa Shouse Won Teen Idol Competition

By Susan Lavin
Posted: July 30, 2008

Mix 106.5 disc jockey JoJo Girard, background, stands with Howard County Library Teen Idol finalists Alyssa Shouse, Katie Rasmussen and Marissa Zechinato, from left. Alyssa won the event while Katie was first runner-up and Marissa won second runner-up. (Photo by Fritzi Newton).

Alyssa Shouse is making headway toward that “American Idol” stage, by winning the title of Howard County Library Teen Idol. The competition was held at the Baneker Room, in Ellicott City, earlier this summer. Shouse, an eighth-grader at Elkridge Landing Middle School, performed “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride.

Hooray also to Katie Rasmussen, who is a home school student in the area, and was named first runner-up and received $100 for her performance of “Be By My Side,” from “Godspell.” Second runner-up was Marissa Zechinato, a Mayfield Woods Middle School student, who received $75. Way to go, Marissa!

The competition has grown in popularity each year. This year’s competition featured about 50 middle and high school students who auditioned at the Miller Branch Library in late June.

After two nights of auditions, 10 students were selected as finalists, where they faced judges Amy Fadool, of Fox’s WBFF-TV, channel 45; Carmen Albuerne, Howard County Library teen time specialist; and Justin Custer, of Squaaks. JoJo Girard of Mix 106.5 returned as celebrity emcee, according to a press release.

Howard County Library Teen Idol competition is a component of the A+ Partners in Education initiative. Each year it has expanded to include more participants. Being involved in Teen Idol enables students develop musical talents, build self-confidence and self-esteem, and learn communication and performance skills.

For more details about Howard County Library, go to www.hclibrary.org

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Elkridge Shell has Low Gas Prices

By Susan Lavin
Posted: July 29, 2008

The Shell station at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Montgomery Road, in Elkridge, is selling regular gas is $3.86.9 a gallon.

I was traveling around Howard County today running errands, and when I returned home to Elkridge, I noticed the Shell gas station sign on the corner of Washington Boulevard and Montgomery Road. Wow! The price of regular gas is $3.86.9 at the Elkridge station, which is much lower than I noticed anywhere else. Let me know if you see it cheaper somewhere else.

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