Daily Record (Baltimore, MD) articles from June 2003

Daily Record (Baltimore, MD) archives from June 2003

Commentary: Mapping the human genetic blueprint.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Daily Record Staff Business Writer The Human Genome Project, the "mapping" of the entire human genetic blueprint, began in earnest in the United States in 1990 with increased funding from the National Institutes of Health and the...

MD Legal Briefs June 2, 2003.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports 15 years for rustling A cattle rustler has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing 12 calves during nighttime raids on two Frederick County dairy farms. Robert S. Painter Jr., 40, who lists...

Villa Julie launches biz institute.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Heather Coppley "If you participate in your employees' professional growth, you are likely to retain them." The philosophy of Jean Blosser, dean of Villa Julie College's School of Graduate and Professional Studies, is hardly...

Commentary: Life insurance offers tax-free fiscal protection.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Dena Shapiro Frenkel Life insurance has long been considered a vital building block of financial security because it protects those most important to you in the event of a death. Although it comes in many forms, it has one core...

D.C. region only area to add jobs in '02.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Robyn Lamb The greater Washington region was the only major metropolitan area in the country to make it through last year with positive job growth, according to a new report. With an increase of 10,100 jobs and the nation's...

Some MD lenders targeting Christian institutions as clients.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Andrea Cecil Some lenders in Maryland are targeting Christian institutions as potential clients through loan programs for churches. Bond Street Capital, a commercial real estate lender with a regional office in Towson, recently...

Reversal leaves federal case intact, prosecutor says.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Lawrence Hurley Federal drug-ring charges filed against an Anne Arundel County man last week will not be affected by a Court of Special Appeals decision to overturn the drug possession conviction that kick-started the federal...

Real estate co. plans to move.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Ezra Fieser Alex. Brown Realty plans to move from its downtown Baltimore home of 19 years, but it is not going far. The real estate investment company, which opened in 1972 as an arm of the Alex. Brown & Sons investment bank,...

Plaintiff/lawyer's anxiety didn't require postponement.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Barbara Grzincic A breach of contract suit brought by a lawyer who failed to appear for trial was properly dismissed with prejudice, the Court of Special Appeals held Friday. Dushan Zdravkovich, of Riva, had sought a...

Patient advocates urge nursing home family councils.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Patrice Dickens Maryland's nursing home officials are hoping to get more family members involved in existing family councils or create new councils in nursing homes that don't currently have them. About half the state's nursing...

Study shows Maryland is 15th in broadband subscribers.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports The American Electronics Association released a study based on Federal Communications Commission data showing that Maryland had 317,000 broadband subscribers in June 2002, ranking 15th nationwide.

Sen. Hogan named recipient of Higher Education Advocate Award.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Sen. Patrick J. Hogan, D-Montgomery, vice chairman of the state Senate's Budget and Taxation Committee, was named as the inaugural recipient of the University of Maryland Foundation's Higher Education...

American Society of Civil Engineers names Engineer of the Year for 2002.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Thomas E. Mohler, an associate with the Baltimore-based consulting engineering firm of Rummel, Klepper & Kahl LLP, was named Engineer of the Year for 2002 by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Maryland...

CEO of Constellation Energy to keynote annual New England Energy Conference.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Mayo A. Shattuck III, chairman, president and CEO of Baltimore-based Constellation Energy Group, is the keynote speaker today at the 10th annual New England Energy Conference and Exposition in Groton, Conn....

Univ. Systems of MD chancellor says tuition increases to average 14%.
June 2, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. Kirwan, in a report to the General Assembly, said fall tuition increases at USM institutions will average 14 percent, and could rise to 20 percent if more...

Latest harbor attraction anticipates smash debut.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Andrea Cecil The Inner Harbor's newest attraction not only will bring new visitors to Baltimore, but likely will be one of the city's top 10 draws, a Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association official said yesterday. ...

Aramark payment practices at center of dispute.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Daily Record Staff Business Writer Aramark food service employees and their union said they will walk the picket line tomorrow afternoon at the Baltimore Convention Center in protest of alleged underpayment practices. At least...

Sylvan Learning Systems buys two more universities.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Kathleen Johnston Jarboe Just months after selling off its tutoring division to focus on higher education, Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. yesterday announced the acquisition of two Chilean universities for $68.2 million. The...

MD House Minority Leader candidate chooses running mate.
June 3, 2003... Byline: John O'Connor Del. A. Wade Kach, a candidate to become House Minority Leader, has chosen Del. Adelaide C. "Addie" Eckardt to be his whip as the two wait on a June 17 vote to select new House GOP leadership. Kach,...

South Carolina man had no constitutional right to display Confederate flag decals at work.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Carolyn Magnuson A South Carolina man had no constitutionally protected right to display Confederate flag decals on the toolbox he used at work, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has held. The decision affirms the dismissal...

West Virginia woman's money laundering conviction upheld.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Lawrence Hurley A West Virginia septuagenarian who altered the will of her deceased lover in an attempt to seize almost $5 million in cash plus other assets has failed to convince the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the...

Marriott teams with Financial Capital in bid for bankrupt Aladdin Resort & Casino.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Robyn Lamb Marriott International Inc.'s reported attempt at a Strip landing in Las Vegas is a good move, industry experts say. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Bethesda-based hotel chain is partnering with Financial...

CareFirst, MD officials negotiating reforms signed into law by Gov. Ehrlich.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Patrice Dickens Some lawmakers and health care advocacy lobbyists are speculating that one possible compromise between the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and Maryland officials could be a reduction in the number of members...

Judge strikes down jury award of $550K.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Peter Geier A Baltimore judge has struck down the jury's award of $550,000 in an informed consent case against Johns Hopkins Hospital Inc., giving the plaintiff the option of accepting just over 20 cents on the dollar or taking his...

Baltimore County Council considers four county exec. appointees.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Heather Coppley Just as Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith had hoped, the county council put his four-pack of department head appointees on the first full legislative session to be held since the names were announced. ...

Displeasure voiced over FCC's decision on media ownership.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Bobby White The Federal Communications Commission's decision yesterday to rewrite the rules governing local and national media ownership was met with an array of individuals announcing their displeasure. "Today's FCC ruling...

Objective Data Storage acquires assets of Filelink Corp.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Objective Data Storage, a Columbia-based developer and marketer of data storage software, acquired the assets of Filelink Corp., a Bloomington, Minn.-based software development firm. Financial terms were not...

Frederick public art task force selects first piece of publicly financed sculpture.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports A public art task force in Frederick has selected a nearly 20-foot metal spire made of car parts, farm implements and building materials as the city's first piece of publicly financed sculpture. The work by...

Gene Logic names new senior director for regulatory affairs.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Gaithersburg-based Gene Logic Inc. named Anne M. Pilaro, a gene therapy expert and former executive at the Food and Drug Administration, as senior director for regulatory affairs at its TherImmune Research...

WorldCell Inc. launches new Web site for travel agents.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports WorldCell Inc., a Silver Spring-based provider of international cellular service, launched a new Web site, http://travelagents.worldcell.com, that allows travel agents to securely rent or purchase...

Vanguard Realty Group established.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Vanguard Realty Group, a real estate company based in Bethesda and specializing in commercial and multifamily residential property management and commercial leasing among other things, has been established...

American Couplings unveils new line of compression fitting products.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports American Couplings, a division of Chestertown-based Dixon Valve & Coupling Co., unveiled a new line of compression fitting products that includes a full range of connectors, tee and elbow models, as well as...

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, FishAmerica Foundation solicit restoration proposals.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports The Chesapeake Bay Trust and the FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation and research arm of the American Sportfishing Association, are soliciting proposals from Maryland nonprofit organizations for projects...

MD Agency Financial Group opens new office in Olney.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Maryland Agency Financial Group, a Towson-based financial management company for individuals and businesses, has opened a new office in Olney responsible for assisting business owners, professionals, high...

A&G Pharmaceutical Inc. wins first place in business venture competition.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Columbia-based A&G Pharmaceutical Inc., a cell-based drug discovery and biotechnology company, was the first-place winner in the Beyond Great Science Business Venture Competition held by ASM Resources Inc., a...

The Finzel Swamp to receive $23K federal grant.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports The Finzel Swamp, a wetland in Northeastern Garrett County, is slated to receive a $23,913 federal grant to help restore the swamp's natural hydrological function, improve the water quality and improve the...

Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. to address Greater Washington Board of Trade.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is scheduled to address the Greater Washington Board of Trade at noon today. On Thursday, he will visit the leading bonding houses in New York along with Comptroller William Donald...

Sodexho USA, DC Central Kitchen launch The Campus Kitchens project.
June 3, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Sodexho USA, of Gaithersburg, a provider of food and facilities management services to the corporate, education and health care markets, and Washington-based DC Central Kitchen launched The Campus Kitchens...

Baltimore County gets its own Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Heather Coppley When James T. Smith became Baltimore County Executive, one of the former judge's first appointments was Criminal Justice Coordinator Sheryl Goldstein. Goldstein, in turn, found agency leaders, all of whom wanted...

MD Judiciary holds outreach event for small businesses.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Andrea Cecil The Maryland Judiciary is reaching out to small and minority-owned firms in an effort to shatter notions that there is no business to be had with the court system, said the group's minority business enterprise manager....

Brokerage can't compel arbitration.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Barbara Grzincic The last fraud and negligence suit in Baltimore County against stockbroker Michael P. Keating Sr. and his employer belongs in court, not in arbitration, the Court of Special Appeals held yesterday. The...

New promotional program to allow motorists to cross Bay Bridge without toll on Friday.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Daily Record Staff Business Writer Travelers will drive "downy ocean" toll-free this Friday evening, courtesy of the Maryland Lottery. The Bay Bridge will throw open its toll booths as part of a new promotional program designed...

Commentary: How will Bush's latest tax cuts affect you?
June 4, 2003... Byline: Julius Westheimer Although print and broadcast media have done a credible job in reporting the nuts and bolts of President Bush's tax-reduction proposals, now is the time for each of us to sit down with our tax expert or financial...

4th Circuit rejects Barcelona's claim to Web site name.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Lawrence Hurley The city of Barcelona, Spain, cannot claim ownership of the Internet domain name www.barcelona.com -- which is registered to another user in the United States -- simply because it holds trademarks to similar names...

Provident Bankshares preparing for an expansion.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Kathleen Johnston Jarboe Provident Bankshares Corp. could be finalizing plans to acquire an insurance agency or real estate brokerage in the central Maryland region. The Baltimore bank filed application papers with state...

Caterer claims condo board's decision will create health hazard.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Peter Geier Truffles, the caterer based at Baltimore's Belvedere Condominium, claims that a condominium board decision to remove a trash compactor and eliminate additional garbage collection will create a health and safety risk for...

Stay tuned: FCC's ruling likely to face legal and legislative challenges.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Bobby White The Federal Communications Commission's decision this week to scale back some of the rules governing local and national media ownership has ignited a brawl that many believe will continue for months, if not years. ...

The Rouse Co. to design community near Houston.
June 4, 2003... Byline: John O'Connor Columbia-based developer The Rouse Co. will design a community near Houston with 17,000 single-family residences and 900 acres of multi-family and commercial space. The new Rouse community, its third following...

Dundalk's Sollers Point High asserts its quality.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Heather Coppley Companies around the world covet something a high school in Dundalk has -- ISO registration. This morning, Sollers Point/Southeastern Technical High School celebrates an upgrade of its registration from ISO...

National player acquires Baltimore-based real estate co.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Ezra Fieser After three months of scouring the marketplace for a national real estate company to align itself with, The Miller Group will be acquired by NRT Inc. for an undisclosed sum. The purchase will complete a...

BroadSoft Inc. supplies platform to Czech Republic-based IP service reseller.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports BroadSoft Inc., of Gaithersburg, a provider of hosted communications platforms, supplied its BroadWorks platform to Unient Communications, a Czech Republic-based reseller of IP voice services, which will...

Univ. System of MD names new Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Irwin L. Goldstein, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland College Park, has been named University System of Maryland Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs....

Nat'l Aquarium at Baltimore launches new overnight sleepover program.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Ever wonder what sharks do at night? Find out by taking part in "Sleep With the Sharks," a new, overnight sleepover program launched by the National Aquarium at Baltimore. The program includes dinner, a...

U of MD business school, MD Public Television to produce TV segment.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland has teamed up with Maryland Public Television to produce a regular television segment focusing on today's best business practices and other...

Nat'l Assn. of Industrial and Office Properties honors North Bethesda Town Center.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports The Maryland/DC Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties honored North Bethesda Town Center, a planned transit-oriented, mixed use development in Rockville, for "Best Smart...

Nextel Communications announces Nationwide Direct Connect available by mid-June.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Nextel Communications Inc., Nextel Partners and Motorola jointly announced that Nationwide Direct Connect, the first and only wireless walkie-talkie service to allow users instant communication across the...

I/Tech Inc. acquired by Computer Education Services Corp.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports I/Tech Inc., of Frederick, a provider of college and community college-based educational content and instructional services, has been acquired for an undisclosed amount by Albany, N.Y.-based Computer...

Army Corps of Engineers begins bridge maintenance of Chesapeake City bridge.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports The Army Corps of Engineers is beginning a bridge maintenance project of the Chesapeake City bridge over the C&D Canal that is expected to last about two months, which will result in sporadic night closings....

Merkle Direct Marketing to provide customer acquisition, mktg. support for Ross-Simons.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Lanham-based Merkle Direct Marketing Inc. was selected by Ross-Simons, a Rhode Island-based retailer specializing in jewelry, tableware, home decor, gifts and collectibles that sells to customers via...

American Capital Strategies invests $10M in Money Mailer Holdings LLC.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Bethesda-based American Capital Strategies Ltd. invested $10 million in senior subordinated debt and common equity in Money Mailer Holdings LLC, of Garden Grove, Calif., a shared mail direct marketing company...

Vocus Inc. selected by Gibson Guitar to automate corp. communications efforts.
June 4, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Vocus Inc., of Lanham, a maker of Web-based software for the corporate communications and public relations markets, was selected by Nashville-based Gibson Guitar to automate and direct its corporate...

Port Discovery museum has plan to break even next year.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Ezra Fieser The head of Port Discovery said after floundering financially for five years, the Baltimore children's museum can break even next year by cutting staff and subleasing half of its building. President and CEO Alan M....

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gives $40M to JHU health school.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Andrea Cecil The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will use a new $40 million grant to improve reproductive health programs in developing countries, school officials said. The money comes from the Seattle-based...

Mercantile Bankshares seeking share of northern Delaware market.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Kathleen Johnston Jarboe Mercantile Bankshares Corp. of Baltimore is eyeing a move into Northern Delaware. The bank has filed an application with state regulators to purchase a small building and loan institution in Townsend,...

Before financing homes, Marylanders do background checks.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Daily Record Staff Business Writer Propelled by low interest rates, prospective and current Maryland home owners flocked in April to the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland in search of information about mortgage and escrow...

CSA reinstates verdict against lawyer who lost will.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Carolyn Magnuson A woman who lost her inheritance when a Cambridge lawyer lost a will could sue the attorney for negligence, the Court of Special Appeals has held. In an unreported opinion this week, the court effectively...

Court enforces provision in subdivision covenant allowing waterfront access.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Carolyn Magnuson Neighbors of a famous brain surgeon's Calvert County weekend retreat have won the latest round of a four-year legal battle over use of the waterfront, with the Court of Special Appeals affirming a circuit court...

Maryland leaders get face time with bond raters.
June 5, 2003... Byline: John O'Connor Maryland's government leaders are taking a field trip to New York City today to discuss what the state must do to maintain its coveted AAA bond status with the nation's top bond rating houses. While no one expects...

Ciena Corp. bumps toward recovery.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Bobby White It has been a bumpy ride of late for Linthicum-based Ciena Corp. The fiber optic company's controversial approach to weathering the downturn in telecom spending, coupled with rumors of losing a highly sought-after...

CareFirst settlement stalled amid anticipation of reform agreement.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Patrice Dickens Maryland lawmakers and heath care advocacy officials said yesterday they were ready to get to the business of reforming CareFirst, after state and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association officials announced a...

Candidates to replace U.S. District Judge Garbis narrowed to list of six.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Peter Geier Two federal judicial profiles are soon to be unveiled in Maryland - one, the official portrait of U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis, slated to take senior status on his 67th birthday next week. The other will be...

Manugistics Group furnishes Petronas with strategic supply chain products.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Rockville-based Manugistics Group Inc., a manufacturer of supply chain management software, furnished Petronas, Malaysia's national petroleum corporation, with products to power a strategic supply chain...

Prometric releases study results on reasons for pursuing IT certification.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Baltimore-based Prometric, a provider of computer-based testing and assessment services, released study results showing that the principal reason individuals pursued IT certification in 2002 was to enhance...

Essex Corp. switching to the American Stock Exchange.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Essex Corp., of Columbia, a maker of computerized optical processing equipment, whose stock has traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, is switching to the American Stock Exchange. Essex's stock began...

McCormick & Co. completes purchase of Zatarain's.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Spice maker McCormick & Co., of Sparks, completed its previously announced purchase of Zatarain's, of Gretna, La., a maker of New Orleans-style food and Cajun rice dishes, from Citigroup Venture Capital and...

Constellation Energy Group names new manager of corporate communications.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Baltimore-based Constellation Energy Group named Robert L. Gould as manager of corporate communications. Gould was a White House appointee responsible for directing communications and public affairs activities...

Aquilent supplies National Park Service with Web-based collaborative system.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Aquilent, of Laurel, a provider of Web-based services to the public sector, supplied the National Park Service a Web-based collaborative system to facilitate conservation planning, environmental impact...

U of Baltimore to offer MBA degree program at new Arundel Mills facility.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Beginning this fall, the University of Baltimore will offer its Masters of Business Administration degree program at Anne Arundel Community College's new Arundel Mills facility in Hanover. Courses are offered...

Sourcefire Inc. unveils Real-time Network Awareness appliances.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Columbia-based Sourcefire Inc., a developer of Internet security technology, unveiled the Sourcefire Real-time Network Awareness appliances, an extension of its widely adopted Intrusion Management System....

Global eXchange Services acquires Celarix Inc.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Global eXchange Services Inc., of Gaithersburg, a provider of supply chain automation services and software, acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based Celarix Inc., a provider of logistics integration and shipment...

BioPort Corp. completes acquisition of Antex Biologics.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports BioPort Corp., of Lansing, Mich., completed its acquisition of the assets of bankrupt Antex Biologics Inc., of Gaithersburg, for $3.4 million, following approval by the bankruptcy court. Antex develops and...

U of MD College Park coalition to hold public forum.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports A coalition of campus and community groups at the University of Maryland College Park will hold a public forum on the university's financial situation, at 12 p.m. on June 11 at the Nyumburu Cultural Center,...

Microlog Corp. awarded $10.6M contract by Dept. of Defense Military Health System.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports Germantown-based Microlog Corp., which designs interactive communications software, was awarded a five-year, $10.6 million contract by the Department of Defense Military Health System for an automated...

Owner of Salisbury's only classical music station considers selling to WYPR.
June 5, 2003... Byline: Staff and Wire Reports A foundation that owns the Salisbury area's only classical music station is considering selling it to Baltimore station WYPR. Board members of the Salisbury University Foundation are scheduled to meet today...