Andrea Fujii has the story.

Frederick native Bryan Voltaggio is a world-renowned chef and finalist on season six of Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

His passion is now at his hometown restaurants, Lunchbox and Volt, and also making sure children don’t go hungry.

“Nutrition is the most important thing that has to do with starting a child’s day at school,” said Voltaggio.

On Monday he testified in front of a House of Delegates subcommittee, supporting the governor’s 2013 budget that includes an additional $560,000 for school breakfasts.

Right now under the state-run program, 228 schools participate. The additional money would bring the total schools receiving breakfast to 274, but there are 780 schools statewide.

“Maryland families are struggling.  I know you have difficult economic decisions to make, but Maryland families are in fiscal crisis,” said Cathy Demeroto, Maryland Hunger Solutions.

Supporters say one in five Maryland families can’t provide enough food for the children.

Voltaggio testified that this funding is a good start, but a drop in the bucket.

“It bothers me that in a country with so much wealth, we can’t feed our own children,” said Voltaggio.

If the additional school breakfast is approved, it would help 20,000 more Maryland students.

Cardin made the announcement Tuesday at the airport, where he also toured a new, $5.3 million air traffic control tower.

The technology called ADS-B relies on global positioning satellites instead of radar to track aircraft. It also enables pilots to see other aircraft in the sky around them.

The FAA says ADS-B is superior to the current, radar-based air traffic control system.

An FAA funding bill signed into law earlier this month requires most aircraft operating within U.S. airspace to be equipped with some form ADS-B by Jan. 1, 2020.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Frederick News-Post

NEW MARKET, Md. (AP) — Paul Hill grew up in New England, where it was customary to see old churches being reinvented for use as homes and bars and art galleries. In Frederick County, one such venture immediately comes to mind — Beans in the Belfry, a church-turned-coffeehouse in Brunswick — but there’s soon to be another.

Under the care of owners Paul and Kelley Hill, the old Episcopal chapel on East Main Street in New Market will become the Hill Chapel, an acoustic music venue, featuring acts from around the U.S., beginning this week. It will also serve as a space for weddings, vow-renewals, baptisms and other small receptions.

The couple visited the chapel in December for a children’s music recital and realized its potential. These were young kids, still learning their instruments, but the acoustics were phenomenal.

“We stood in the back and just thought, `wow,”‘ Kelley said.

They hung around after the show just to sing Christmas carols in the room.

The chapel was used as Grace Church since it was built about 140 years ago. The last service was held on Easter 2009, before the congregation moved to a new, bigger location, the Hills said.

The couple lived a few miles down the road but always had their eye on the chapel, as it’s been for sale for eight years or so, they said, and they passed by it nearly every day.

The building was gutted by fire in 1902. Its stained glass windows were donated shortly thereafter, and by the 1920s, electricity was hooked up, Paul said. It was renovated in the ’50s and remained in good shape when the Hills purchased it in October (meanwhile, the parish house next door — where the Hills would live — was a disaster).

“I wasn’t sure what to do with it,” Paul admitted, “a restaurant, a bakery, a bar.”

Its fate seemed to show itself quickly as a music venue, as well as a place for ceremonies on the weekends.

Guests will sit on the original wooden pews on Thursday evenings, reserved for the House Concert Series, the first of which will feature the Boyds-based Martin Family Band, on Feb. 23, a favorite traditional group in the area and beyond.

In the small town of New Market, the Hills quickly met Walt Kuhlman, who moved to the area recently from Arizona. A longtime luthier with music connections throughout the country, he was the perfect man to book gigs at Hill Chapel. Within a week, they had 10 artists ready to go, Kelley said. Now they’re booked through June, with the exception of a couple of Thursdays.

They gave him the title “talent procurement director,” the Hills said.

Some of these musicians are internationally known; all of them are gifted and acknowledged in the industry, they said. Kuhlman is booking performers on a blend of acoustic instruments — mandolin, guitar, fiddle, hammered dulcimer.

Kuhlman started listing the upcoming acts recently, his excitement clearly audible in his voice.

Bob Zentz, a folk storyteller. “He’s gonna sit here and he’s gonna entertain you from a historical aspect.”

Walt Michael, an icon in the area as a virtuoso on hammered dulcimer and as the director of the annual Common Ground on the Hill in Westminster.

Woody Lissauer, dubbed an astro-folk artist for his blend of tradition with modern tricks.

Chris Acquavella, a classical mandolinist who, according to Kuhlman, is killer. He has his roots in punk music and played for pennies when he was starting out. Now he plays with such big names as David Grisman and Mike Marshall.

With seating capped at 120, though most comfortable at 100, the idea is to make the venue acoustic and intimate, Kuhlman said, “a get-to-know-the-artist kind of thing.”

He noted the 20-minute intermissions during shows are hoped to be “mingling” intermissions, when guests can talk to the performers.

There will be no amping, no soundboard. “These people know how to play an acoustic house,” Kuhlman said.

“We’re coming out of a recession,” Kuhlman said. “Everyone’s rebuilding.”

They suggest a $15 to $20 donation for shows but no one will be turned away. Seating will be first come, first served, although guests have the option of reserving seats online in advance through Eventbrite.com with a donation.

Hill Chapel plans to partner with nearby restaurants in the future for combination deals, so folks can grab dinner and be entertained for an evening in the quaint town.

“There’s a great synergy going on in the town,” Kelley added.

Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Senate is putting together a “doomsday” budget plan, which focuses on making steeper cuts in case lawmakers can’t agree on the Democratic governor’s budget plan, which includes a variety of tax increases, Miller said.

“We’re going to give the body the opportunity to do either one, either doomsday or continue to have the state make progress,” Miller, D-Calvert, told reporters after session.

Senators also are looking at different revenue proposals than the ones proposed by the governor, the Senate president said, underscoring the difficulty of addressing a $1.1 billion budget deficit after years of lean times in the aftermath of the recession. In addition to balancing the budget for the next fiscal year, lawmakers also are aiming to cut the state’s ongoing deficit in half this year.

“This is going to be a session where it’s going to be profiles in courage or profiles in hell, one of the two,” Miller said.

The Senate is taking up O’Malley’s budget proposal first this year before sending its version of the next fiscal year’s budget to the House of Delegates. Differences between the two chambers will have to be addressed before the General Assembly adjourns April 9.

Miller specifically mentioned reluctance to embrace O’Malley’s plan to cap state income tax deductions for people who make more than $100,000. In O’Malley’s budget, a Maryland taxpayer whose federal adjusted gross income is more than $100,000 would see a 10 percent reduction in the amount they could claim in state income tax deductions. An earner making more than $200,000 would see a 20 percent reduction.

Mortgage interest accounts for the largest amount of Maryland itemized deductions, comprising about 51 percent of them.

Charitable contributions make up the second highest amount, or about 17 percent. Property taxes come next at about 14 percent.

O’Malley says while he doesn’t like reducing the deductions, the changes would only affect about one in five Maryland taxpayers.

Miller also noted that Maryland counties are unhappy with the governor’s proposal to split teacher pension costs with counties.

The plan would shift about $239 million in teacher pension costs to the counties. The state currently picks up the whole expense of teacher pensions.

The Senate president said the budget debate is very challenging, because the executive branch, the House of Delegates and the Senate have different ideas about how to tackle the state’s budget deficit.

“Unlike in yesteryear, democracy has sort of come to the state of Maryland,” Miller said. “It’s not one person saying this is what’s going to happen and that’s what happens, so we’ve evolved to now everybody has their own independent thinking.”

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Maryland State Police arrested Gery Jordan, 54, Monday for allegedly assaulting Luke Turner, 25, on Route 65 near the Interstate 70 interchange.

Police say Jordan was driving a 1985 Oldsmobile Royale when he tried several times to run Turner’s Ford Ranger pickup truck off the road.

Police say both cars stopped and Jordan assaulted Turner with his fist and a walking stick.

Jordan was released on $7,500 bond. He couldn’t be reached for comment because he has no home telephone listing. No defense attorney is named in online court records.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Cumberland Times-News reported Monday that CHPHC Hotel LLC of New York bought the 130-room property Feb. 8 from Maryland Motel Management Inc.

State tax records list the sale price at $3.6 million. That’s $1.3 million less than the 2005 sale price of $4.9 million.

The 40-year-old hotel is located near the downtown pedestrian mall and the Amtrak station. It was the city’s only major chain hotel for many years until a Fairfield Inn opened in 2009.

The Holiday Inn had a workforce of 53 late last year.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Cumberland Times-News reports that the Garrett College Adventure Sports Institute, the county health department and the local school board will offer the activities starting April 19. The program is funded by a United Way grant.

The kids will attend weekly after-school classes on the campuses of Grantsville and Accident elementary schools and Southern Middle School in Oakland. They’ll also spend a Saturday practicing their skills at New Germany State Park.

The community college says the program is aimed at boosting school attendance and high-school graduation rates.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The chamber’s Judicial Proceedings Committee sent the Civil Marriage Protection Act to the full Senate on Tuesday and a final vote on the bill could come by the end of the week, said committee chairman Brian Frosh, D-Montgomery.

The committee voted seven to four to approve the legislation.

“We’re grateful to the members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee – particularly chairman Brian Frosh (D-Montgomery) – who today approved Civil Marriage Protection Act,” said Ezekiel Jackson, political organizer of 1199 SEIU, a member of the Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition. “Members who support the bill understand that this is about making all Maryland families stronger – that it’s about protecting them equally under the law while preserving cherished religious freedoms.”

The bill would allow gay couples to marry in civil ceremonies, but has met opposition from lawmakers and clergy who say it does not adequately protect religious liberties.

Last week the House of Delegates cleared a long-standing hurdle and passed the bill by a slim 72 to 67 margin, earning only one more vote than needed to gain a majority.

The Senate passed a similar measure last year 25 to 21, but opponents are still lobbying senators in hopes of killing the bill.

Following the bill’s passage in the House, leaders from the Maryland Catholic Conference urged senators to reject the measure, suggesting the House passed the bill with a significant amount of “political pressures and legislative maneuvers.”

Carrie Evans, executive director for the gay rights organization Equality Maryland, said her group is confident they still have the support of the 25 senators who voted in favor the issue last year, but with their focus in on House members in recent weeks, advocates have not courted any new supporters.

“Truthfully, we’re just working on preserving the 25 (votes),” Evans said Monday.

Sen. James Brochin, D-Baltimore County, who sat on the fence last year before ultimately deciding to support the gay marriage legislation, said his position has not changed and he thinks Republicans won’t drag out the voting process.

“I think Republicans have just realized that a lot of attitudes have changed over the last four or five years and it’s not as polarizing as it once was,” Brochin said.

Eleven of the 12 Senate Republicans and 10 Democrats voted against same-sex marriage last year. One Republican, Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-Howard, supported the bill and was called upon to encourage House Republicans to support the measure before their vote Friday evening.

Opponents have vowed to take the measure to referendum should it pass the Senate and be signed into law by Gov. Martin O’Malley who threw his name behind the legislation this year.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Weijia Jiang reports it happened just before 10 p.m. Monday on Route 543 near Bel Air.

Police say 29-year-old David Bauguess, 24-year-old Ashley Bauguess and 17-year-old Joseph Bauguess, all of Fallston, were killed when the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier they were traveling in crashed on Rt. 543.

Investigators say the threesome was heading southbound when, for an unknown reason, the car crossed the center lines and sideswiped a Toyota in the opposite lane.  That’s when a third car T-boned the Bauguess’ car, and split it in half.    

Two others were injured and taken to a hospital, where they were in stable condition.

Investigators are waiting for the results from toxicology tests to determine if alcohol was a factor.

Authorities are also investigating why one of two engines on a state police helicopter malfunctioned and caught fire while landing at the scene. No one was injured.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

UMBC officials learned of the possible case weeks ago and moved to quickly isolate the person, who is now getting treatment.

Health officials stress that the respiratory disease is very difficult to contract through typical campus life, and requires prolonged, sustained close contact with an infected individual.

Police say the incident occurred early Tuesday morning on Rosemont Avenue in the city’s north end.

Authorities say the vehicle was stolen from the Rosemont Service Center. They say the driver then ran it into an ATM kiosk at a BB&T Bank branch a block away.

They say the vehicle was found on Baughman’s Lane, a short distance away.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

It happened Tuesday morning in the 1300-block of Harlem Avenue.

Officials say there were no injuries in the rowhome fire.

Investigators are still looking for a cause.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown is scheduled to testify in favor of the legislation Tuesday in front of the Senate Finance Committee.

It would apply to someone who leaves a job because continued employment could jeopardize the safety of the person or the person’s spouse, child or parent.

Brown has made legislation to battle domestic violence a priority in recent years. In August 2008, his cousin Cathy was murdered by her estranged boyfriend.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The proposal is up for a public hearing Tuesday night in Frederick.

Board President Blaine Young says it would help deter illegal immigrants from settling in Frederick County.

It would require official actions of Frederick County to be taken only in English. But there are so many exceptions that opponents say nothing will be gained by passing the measure.

For example, other languages could be used to protect public health and public safety; to protect the rights of criminal defendants; and to promote trade and tourism.

The county commissioners proclaimed English the county’s official language in 2008. Proponents say an ordinance would have more staying power.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Advocates, family members and people who provide care will meet Tuesday in Annapolis.

Gov. Martin O’Malley is scheduled to address advocates before they hold a rally on Lawyers Mall near the Maryland State House.

Advocates say they will be thanking the Democratic governor for signing an increase in the alcohol tax last session and restoring funding that was lost in the past year. They also will be reminding O’Malley that there is more to do.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Police say they were called to the 700-block of Olivia Street in Salisbury about 6:30 p.m. Monday for a report of shots fired.

Authorities say officers found a man with apparent gunshot wounds inside a 1991 white Oldsmobile convertible parked along the road.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not yet been identified.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

My guess is that this will get done. However, it’s not as easy as everyone thinks. Linta has said that if it’s all about winning, Flacco needs to be paid like a top 5 quarterback. Well, that’s ridiculous. He’s not Brady, Brees, Rogers, Manning or Manning…..or Roethlisburger for that matter. And I think he’s behind Rivers, but, as far as wins, he has an argument.

So where do you put Flacco? Vick got $40 million guaranteed in a $100 million dollar deal. Vick may have more talent, but who stays on the field more and gets his team to the playoffs more? Flacco. I don’t think the Ravens want to go that high. My sense is they want Flacco somewhere between the Vick, Manning, Brees level, and players like Cassel and Fitzpatrick, who just got $60 million dollar deals with $22-24 million guaranteed.

I am okay with Flacco getting $30 million guaranteed, but if his agent wants more, and believes he can get more on the open market, this might not get done as quick as everyone wants.

I preface this by saying that Rice is invaluable to the Ravens but we live in a world of comparables and Rice and Peterson just don’t compare.  Rice is a better receiver than Peterson but Peterson is a far superior running back.

I know its all part of negotiating and the agent needs to start by asking for the moon, but I don’t think Ozzie Newsome will be paying that freight.

I checked out the new Heavy Seas Ale House and I love how chef Matt Seeber incorporates many of the local Heavy Seas ales into his dishes. The housemade beer nuts are the perfect start to your meal, and I thoroughly enjoyed the frisee salad w/ poached egg and as my main course, the “peg leg” beef shortribs, which were so tender. Of course, you will find plenty of Heavy Seas beer to accompany your meal and also some very creative cocktails. I loved the Sea Shandy. Check out the full menu here http://heavyseasalehouse.com/.

Want A Free Zagat Guide?

Here’s your chance to be a “food critic” and earn a FREE 2013 Zagat Guide. Rate Baltimore & D.C. area restaurants and Zagat will mail you a copy of their new guide when it comes out. You may even be quoted in it! Visit http://www.zagat.com/rateBaltimore and begin your critiques.

Oyster & Beer Fest This Weekend

Take a short ride to beautiful National Harbor and enjoy the Oyster & Beer Fest this weekend. Enjoy all you can eat oysters prepared many ways paired with plenty of beer. There’s live entertainment and you can even make a night of it with special packages. Here’s the details http://www.beerandoyster.com/national-harbor/show-info.

Joe Squared: Baltimore Chooses New Menu Items & Coming Up: Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

Joe Squared, voted one of Baltimore’s Best Pizzas, will add 13 new menu items voted as favorites by the public. Also, look for Joe Squared on the popular Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with Guy Fieri on March 5. Here’s the details on the new menu & screening party http://www.joesquared.com/powerplant/

Come Fly Away…Feb. 24-26

If you are a fan of Frank Sinatra, check out Come Fly Away this weekend at The Lyric. This new Broadway musical features Sinatra’s classics with a live band and Twyla Tharp’s choreographed dancing. Visit  http://www.lyricoperahouse.com/ for tickets and further information.

Rockfish Celebration in Baltimore Continues Through Sunday

Fan of rockfish? Many downtown Baltimore restaurants are offering rockfish specials as part of the “Celebration of Rockfish.” Check out the participating restaurants and their specialties here: http://www.dinedowntownbaltimore.com/docs/rockfish2012.pdf 

Olive Room at Inn at Black Olive Gets New Chef

One of Baltimore’s most talented chefs, Bill Crouse has left Chef’s Expressions and is now the Executive Chef at Olive Room at Inn at Black Olive in Fells Point. He’s working on adding new menu items with his personal touch within a month. Crouse and owner Pauline Spiliadis are working together to create a nouveau style of traditional Greek fare. Check out the website here http://www.theblackolive.com/Inn/Olive_Room.html. I love the water view from the dining room.

 Make it a special week!

Downtown Diane is a Baltimore Area Food, Travel & Entertainment Reporter, appearing Fridays on 105.7 The Fan  Norris & Davis Show with her Entertainment Report. Follow her for Daily Dish on Twitter @DowntownDiane & Check Out Upcoming Events at www.DowntownDiane.net.

Where:
Buffalo Wild Wings White Marsh
8200 Perry Hall Blvd.
Nottingham, MD 21236

Authorities say the vehicle left the roadway and went through the large glass windows of the restaurant at Sheriff Road and Martin Luther King Highway about 6:30 p.m. Monday. Julie Parker, a spokeswoman for the police department, says investigators believe the driver of the BMW was killed in the crash.

Authorities say several people were also injured, but their injuries did not appear to be serious.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)