High Flying Finns Were in Frederick Last Night

Last night my family and I watched Finland’s Circo Aereo perform live at the Weinberg Theater in historic Frederick. The best part by far was the rope arobatics work performed by Sanna Silvennoinen, who is best described as a graceful aerial contortionist. The group plays with movement, light and sound to present the audience with an avant garde circus experience. I was especially impressed when one of the performers juggled silver bowling pins with such speed it looked like he was juggling with flames and sparks. Fun show!

What Happened to Sputnik the Kitten

I promised everyone a Sputnik the Kitten update a few weeks ago, but I did not have the heart to post about this subject until now.

While Sputnik was still in foster care, he unexpectedly died from an unknown illness. He had been tested for the usual culprits such as FIV, feline leukemia, etc., and he did not have any of these diseases, so it truly is a mystery whe he passed away.

I have not been able to pick another cat to adopt from Animal Control because this loss really hurt, especially coming on the heels of our sudden loss of Redbud the Kitty almost 3 months ago.

Poor little Sputnik. It is such a shame that such a personable cat had to die so young.

If we end up adopting another cat, I will certainly blog about it here when we do, but at this point I am not sure I can fall in love with another cat for fear it might somehow get sick or lost.

November 2009 Banner: Cunningham Falls State Park

The November custom banner is up! 2008 image shot at Cunningham Falls State Park.

Still Pulling for Team Voltaggio…

Wow, the Top Chef contestants are doing a good job of remaining close-lipped about how Bravo’s  culinary challenge ends (the final episode is due to be broadcast on December 9, 2009.)

I have not had the time to scour the Internet to get the scoop on who wins (a recent E! Network post claims the information is already public), so I’m still pulling for Team Voltaggio!

For those who are late to the game, Frederick’s own Bryan Voltaggio and his brother are featured contestants on the show this season. Bryan is the co-owner of VOLT Restaurant, which truly does serve awesome chow. Your brain might say “That food combo can’t possibly work!” But just taste it. Trust me.

Finnish Christmas Bazaar November 21, 2009 in Bethesda

Terveisia Finns, Finnish Americans, and Finn Friends!

Come to the annual FinnSpark (Kipina Kerho) Finnish Christmas Bazaar, to be held November 21, 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland.

River Road Unitarian Church
6301 River Road in Bethesda, Maryland
11 AM to 3 PM

Features: Finnish breads and cheese; Finnish jewelry, ceramics, and art; Finnish folk music; Finnish Christmas decor; and much more!

Enter the raffle to win tickets to Finland!

Click the following link to view the complete event flyer:

http://www.scandinavian-dc.org/FinnSpark_flyer_2009.pdf

Fall Foliage in Frederick County

Help Just Wait and See Farm of Union Bridge Win a Barn Restoration From Campbell’s

Campbells’ Soups is running a contest to help a family owned farm restore its historic barn. Frederick County’s own Just Wait and See Farm located in Union Bridge, Maryland needs your vote to win! You can vote once a day at http://helpgrowyoursoup.com

Simply scroll through the barn images until you see Just Wait and See farm; move your mouse over the photo of their barn; then click to vote!

Frederick County, What is Up With All These Car Crashes Lately?

Am I being paranoid, or has there been a recent surge in catastrophic, even fatal, car crashes in and around Frederick County, MD?

I just sifted through a pile of Brunswick Citizens from recent weeks, and nearly every weekly issue featured dramatic photographs of gnarled wreckage spotted on area roads.

Last weekend’s Frederick News Post featured details on a particularly horrifying and fatal one-car wreck on Maryland Route 464, and a few weeks ago when I returned home from picking up my in laws from BWI Airport one night, I witnessed the crumpled aftermath of the high-speed truck crash that killed 2 senior citizens from Frederick over in Rosemont.

Perhaps this is all truly random and I am making a pattern out of nothing. But in my opinion, it seems like the number of truly devastating car crashes in the area has increased in recent weeks, and I wonder why.

Is it because more deer are leaping out onto the roads? I myself struck one with my car back in October 2008, so I know how they can run into your path so suddenly you have no time to react other than to swerve madly.

Is it because there are more people living and working in this county than ever before? Is it because aggressive driving patterns–common around the Washington, DC Beltway–are slowly creeping northward as the population increases up here?

All I know is: We all have to drive defensively and attentively around here to protect ourselves and our passengers.

By the way, it’s a rainy weekend in the County this week, and the falling autumn leaves are coating the roads now, so give yourself extra braking distance and brake carefully, bearing in mind the wet leaves can reduce your traction.

Lost a Pet in Frederick County, Maryland? Some Tips to Help Find Your Pet

If you live in Frederick County, Maryland, and your pet is missing, here are some things you can do right away to help get your pet back as fast as possible:

1. File a missing pet report and pet description at Frederick County Animal Control on Rosemont Avenue.

2. Start visiting Animal Control every few days to see if your pet has been picked up on the street.

3. Check the Animal Control website to see if your pet’s photo has been posted there.

4. Tell your neighbors your pet is missing right away; cats are usually located within a 3-house radius of your home within 3 days, and dogs are often found quickly nearby as well.

5. Put a classified ad in your local newspaper. For example, the Brunswick, Maryland Citizen newspaper will print a missing pet classified ad for free once and for $5 each time thereafter.

6. Blanket your neighborhood and the surrounding blocks with missing pet flyers right away. Be sure to list the date your pet went missing on the flyer and don’t forget to list your contact information.

7. Walk your neighborhood calling for your pet. Bring a recent photograph of your pet with you and ask anyone you meet along the way, such as the mail carrier or the meter reader, if they have seen your pet hiding nearby.

8. Ask your neighbors to open and check their sheds and garages to make sure your pert is not hiding in one. I have heard of cats being stuck in sheds for 2 weeks because no one realized a cat slipped inside.

9. Check local online listings on Craig’s List and similar regional websites (such as the website for your local newspaper) where people often post “found pet” classified ads.

10. Try not to give up hope. Some pets can be gone for months and suddenly return many weeks later. My sister’s cat was missing for 3 months, for example, and suddenly came strolling home one afternoon. Look at websites like www.petfinder.com periodically to see if someone found your furry or feathered friend.

Sputnik the Kitten Update #1

Well, it has been 2 weeks and 2 days since we were last able to see Sputnik at the pound. He is living in a foster home with some other kittens and hopefully has gained about 2 more pounds by now; we were told kittens average about a pound of growth per week when they are very young. So that would theoretically put Sputnik at 3 pounds, 4 ounces right now. Only 4 more ounces to go, in theory, before he can be neutered and released to us. WE get another update on November 1, 2009.