City of Mount Rainier MD

01/15/2024

This is my view of the world out front of my door, looking North, South, East, and West! Not much snow, but enough to make it dangerous for travelers. Be careful out there.

01/15/2024

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- wow! I remember working to make this day a holiday. I did fundraisers to help create the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta. I attended meetings after meetings and ceremonies, all to make this day a reality.

It was always the goal to make this day a day of service, recognition, honor, and celebration, not another holiday for shopping or to focus on the man, Martin Luther King, Jr., but to remember and strengthen our resolve to fight on for justice, equity, inclusion, and recognition of Black contributions to America. So, today, as you have the day off from work or other activities, take the time to remember why this holiday was created and resolve to continue to make a difference in your community and America.

Remember that speeches are great, but service to our communities will make the most difference.

Honoring your family and your family's contribution(s) to the Civil Rights movement would be a great place to start. Resolve to stop the drugs, ruthless killings, carjackings, poor housing conditions, and other conditions in our Black neighborhoods. Become active YEAR ROUND with groups and organizations making a difference in the Black community. Help to end Black-on-Black crime.

Let's not attend all the ceremonies today and tomorrow and return to business as usual, thinking the battle is won and Blacks have arrived.

Changes and real inclusion in our American society and culture are still high on the agenda. Equity in pay, housing, education, and so much more are still issues today. Yes, they are better than they were, but there is still LOTS of room for improvement.

THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE, and we must do it.

P.S. Let's not continue leaving our children ignorant of why and how they have come to live, work, and participate in today's society. Less than sixty (60) years ago, dogs were being sic'd on us for just wanting better schools, sitting at a lunch counter, going through the FRONT DOOR of a business, drinking from any water fountain, or even using an indoor bathroom! Neighborhoods were segregated.

P.S.S. No, I will not forget until the time comes when all of the walls to equity and equality are torn down and truly open to all, not just a few, i.e., the best educated, the great superstars, those deemed exceptions to the rules/standards, etc., BUT TO ALL!

01/03/2024

If you live in Maryland or have a business in Maryland (Mount Rainier, Prince George's County, etc.), then the following information may help you. This information was provided to me by the Mount Rainier Business Association!

New Laws Effective January 1, 2024

Minimum Wage Increases to $15/hr.

Minimum Wage in Maryland goes to $15/hr. starting January 1. It is estimated that this will affect over 160,000 workers.

Tipped workers, such as servers and bartenders, will not have a required increase to their base wage. Tipped workers are allowed to be paid as little as $3.63 per hour (half of the federal minimum wage of $7.25), though their total pay and tips must exceed $15 per hour. If they don’t, the employer has to make up the difference.

Workers younger than 18 can be paid 85% of the state minimum wage, which would be $12.75.

People incarcerated in prisons are paid an average monthly compensation of about $183 (or 4.50/hr.).

Stop The Spam Calls Act

Puts new restrictions on telephone solicitations in Maryland. The law essentially bars the use of automated systems to make such calls to:

· solicit people to purchase, lease, or rent goods or services.

· offer a gift or prize.

· conduct a poll.

· or request survey information if the results will be used directly to solicit persons to purchase, lease, or rent goods or services.

Those caught violating the law face a fine of $1,000 for the first offense and up to $5,000 for each subsequent offense.

Biomarker testing coverage

Health insurers in Maryland - except Medicaid - will be required to cover biomarker testing starting January 1. Biomarkers are genes, proteins, and other substances that provide information about cancer. Testing for biomarkers can not only detect cancer but also help formulate treatment plans. Medicaid will start covering biomarker testing in Maryland on July 1, 2025.

And insurers must also provide coverage for certain lung cancer diagnostic imaging and limit the copayment, coinsurance, or deductible that the entities can require for lung cancer screening and diagnosis.

Medicaid covers transgender patients’ gender-affirming treatments.

Medicaid, or the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, will be required to provide medically necessary gender-affirming treatments on Jan. 1, 2023. The Trans Health Equity Act expands the number of procedures prescribed by a licensed health care provider that are covered by Medicaid in the state.

Expansion of Financial assistance for energy bills

Starting in 2024, the State office will enroll any resident who meets the eligibility for certain social support programs in a fuel and utility assistance program. The law also expands electric bill assistance to Marylanders with an annual income of 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Plastic Bag Ban Expanded to Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties

Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, as well as the city of Frederick, all have plastic bag bans taking effect on Jan. 1. The Anne Arundel law excludes the city of Annapolis from the countywide ban. In Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, and Frederick, plastic bags will still be allowed for certain items like raw meat and bulk goods, such as nuts. Retailers in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties will have to charge a minimum of 10 cents for paper or reusable bags in most cases.

This summary of new laws has been gathered from various news sources, including the Baltimore Banner, Baltimore Sun, WTOP, and Washington Post.

Mount Rainier Business Association

12/31/2023

It is not time to celebrate just right now, but because I know that time is coming, I wanted to be one of the first to wish all of my friends, family, and associates an absolutely wonderful and amazing new year and the best in the world for 2024!

12/24/2023

As I rushed around trying to make Christmas for others and be in multiple places, this angel showed up with more gifts for families and a lovely bouquet of flowers just for me!

I have had the pictures and the flowers for a few days now, but just got around to taking pictures and posting this GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO GELETA GRANDISON.

You made my day AND HELPED me find my phone (LOL)!

12/24/2023

Nothing but smiles will be at this family's home on Christmas day. Thank you to the loving and caring family that adopted them for this Christmas season.

12/24/2023

A comment about the adopted families and the adopters at The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM).

The families that were adopted at The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) were families who work very hard every day or worked hard every day until they lost their jobs for many reasons (sickness, laid off, COVID-19, etc.).

They are members of our community who were willing to step forward and say, "I need help!"

Those families were adopted by people in our community, outside our community, and even out of state who said, "I can help!"

Both groups demonstrated the meaning of the season -- back then, baby Jesus needed a place to be born, and there was no room in the Inn. Yet, there was a place available -- a crib and a stable.

Please do not question the integrity of the givers or the recipients. Both are God's children, and the demonstration of love and trust is part of the reason for this season, regardless of how you choose to celebrate it.

I am proud to be in this community. I am proud of the people in this community AND MY FRIENDS outside of this community who always respond to my requests for help for others who are going through life at its most challenging, best, or whatever term is appropriate.

None of us are an island or fully self-contained. We need each other.
You are the unsung s/heroes because you keep on living. You keep on striving, and yes, you keep on giving. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Thank you.

The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) is taking this moment to thank you and wish you the best this world has to offer, the people to share it with, and the wisdom to understand how blessed you are no matter where you fit on the spectrum of life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! BEST WISHES FOR THE COMING YEAR!

12/24/2023

All of our families did not take pictures or pictures of their gifts. However, here are pictures of some of the gifts received by another family.

Pictures of the Nintendo Switch, one of the gifts most desired by one member of this family, are not shown on purpose.

12/24/2023

12/11/2023

This is one of my favorite things to do during this holiday season! If you have never been, consider going. It's a nice ride, and the lights are dazzling.

Annual Festival of lights at Watkins Park Regional park.From the comfort of your own car, bring the family to experience dazzling scenes that celebrate the magic of the holiday season!

07/08/2021