In this area it seems new businesses are always coming. Sadly, they also go. We recently noticed there is no Blockbuster in Clarksville. When did that happen? Where did they go?

An intimate little children's store in Highland is in the process of going out of business. Debbie Gunkle has decided she must close Raggamuffins by May 31. Gunkle has greatly appreciated your patronage and hopes you will come clear out inventory. You'll find lots of cute things at 13440 Route 108.

Just a quick reminder of the Strawberry Festival at Linden-Linthicum Church Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. While you're there, you may want to register the kids for vacation Bible school July 13-17. There's a price increase Sunday, May 18. Or make an appointment to donate blood June 1.

The Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra will present the last concert of its 44th season Sunday, May 18 in the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre at the Community College of Baltimore County (800 S. Rolling Road, in Baltimore).

Margaret Gatto suggests you be on the lookout for Clarksville residents Felix Lee and Seonho Park and River Hill High students Elise Ansher and Kelsey Balimtas among the musicians. Tickets available at the door are $12 or $8 for students and seniors. For more information, call 410-442-5645 or go to www.myso.info.

Once again a local young person is making parents, teachers and the rest of us proud of his accomplishment. After competing at the county level, River Hill freshman Tim Higgins moved up to the state History Day competition where he received the Excellence in Ethical Issues in History Award for his project on the Indian Removal Act.

Approximately 400 student projects were presented at the state level. Higgins has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average all year along with playing junior varsity football and lacrosse for River Hill High School. He credits history teachers Leslie Topus and Diana Alvarado (Howard County Rookie Teacher of the Year) as key to his success. You can learn more about History Day at www.mdhc.org.

Congratulations, Tim. Keep up the good work.

Some recent birthdays were overlooked. Camille Higgs turned 17 May 1, Megan Essman was 15 May 2 and Shelby Scott will be 10 May 21. Happy birthday, girls. May you all enjoy a wonderful year.

They had a bit of excitement at Clarksville Middle School recently when visitors including state Comptroller Peter Franchot came to see what state construction dollars fund and don't fund in Howard County school renovations.

Two students, Paul Kinkead and Asmi Panigrahi, served as tour guides. Students and staff are proud of CMS and appreciate the funds awarded by the County Council for their two-year renovation. There were no state funds involved. The CMS modernization was completely funded by local capital. Take a look.

Kudos to the River Hill Champion PC Olympic Team on its first-place award. The two top students were Jing Wang and Chul Kwon, both River Hill students. Wang and Marshall Peters took top programming team. The top hardware team was Hunter Sommerville and Sam Gill. Way to go, guys.

I know how to spell Schooley Mill Park. One might think Betty Schooley Ellis would be spelled correctly. It wasn't. Maybe a finger lingered too long on the l. Ellis also noticed that the wrong girls were credited as organizing class reunions. Sorry, ladies.

Janet and Dixie Everhart have done a lot of work through the years to keep the class of 1959 together. They were the first Glenelg High School graduating class. The girls are planning a memorable 50th class reunion. Be sure to get in touch with them to be sure you are on the contact list, share contact info about classmates no longer in the area and maybe offer to help. It's fun to anticipate and be with old friends.

The first annual Kevin Ryan's Gift Golf Memorial and Silent Auction will be held May 28 at the University of Maryland Golf Course. Proceeds will go to the Kevin Ryan's Gift scholarship fund for deserving students at Towson University. Ryan, a 2007 graduate of Atholton High School, was killed when he was struck by a drunken driver while walking back to his dorm room at Towson University. Go to www.KevinRyansGift.org to learn more.

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