Week in Review - July 8, 2011

The first week of July has been a hot one, and even the sky sizzled with lady-fingers, fuzz-buttles, snicker-bombs, church-burners, finger-blasters, gut-busters, zippity-do-das, spleen-splitters and whisker-biscuits.

Yes, I copied and pasted a list of colorful-sounding fireworks names from a particular pyrotechnic Facebook friend. Hey, I never claimed to be an explosives expert, just your guest editor for the week while my esteemed colleague, one Nick DiMarco, vacationed in California.

Let's go over what you may have missed, in case you were were blinded by the lights on the 4th of July.

• , The Challengers, geared up their July practices with a full compliment of volunteers who keep the team running.
• started teaching a five-week seminar at Magooby's Joke House on the art of comedic storytelling. Patch is covering each class, so you can vicariously feel the stage fright and, we hope, the triumph, of 10 up-and-coming local performers.
• came to the fairgrounds for its 47th annual display of all things agricultural. It's still open this weekend—go check out the kids can do when they're not in front of a video game.
• A mountain bike was from a Lutherville carport, and a in a Green Spring Valley garage threatened to damage a home.
• is back on track after a Baltimore County Council vote.
• Our columnist felt guilty about the week her kids attended camp since she spent the time writing a column for us, and not shampooing her carpets.
• The Star Trek Association of Towson got ready to host . Can we be beamed up 83 North?
• for a singing competition, now called "Baltimore's Best Talent." They are no longer allowed to call their 11-years-running competition "Baltimore Idol." Can you guess why? Here's a hint: it might have something to do with lawyers in California and a really popular television show...
• Mary Beth Marsden, best-known as a WMAR-TV channel 2 anchorwoman, to promote troubleshooting strategies for kids on the spectrum.
• A Lutherville man from a judge for the murder of his girlfriend in 2009.
• addressed community members' concerns about the non-accountability of the county school board. Frustrated teachers and parents sounded off on a panel of current and former elected officials and school board members. 
• Our historical column continued its look at the and its changes over the years.
• Michael Olesker weighed in on , and how his career with the Baltimore Colts catapulted him to the heights of athletic stardom even while his body was sustaining the damage that would ultimately destroy him.
• Our bloggers shared tips about bison burgers, iPhone apps and the diets of 5-year-old.
• And finally, —we can tell you with aplomb that your next breakfast in Parkville should be at the Bel-Loc Diner.

And ... that's a wrap! Stay tuned for   It's been a pleasure, Lutherville-Timonium. Thanks for reading this week.

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