Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes is expected to unveil a new loan forgiveness program geared at encouraging more young people to consider careers in public service.

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{Thanks, Baltimore Sun}

Ronald Lipscomb the prominent city developer at the center of two scandals that have rocked Baltimore’s City Hall today pleaded guilty to one charge of violating campaign finance laws, in a plea deal arranged with the Maryland State Prosecutor’s office.

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IF YOU’RE FEELING ANGELIC THIS WEEKEND…

fri
LIVE THE GOOD LIFE GALA
THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND
304 International Circle, Cockeysville
6:30-11 p.m. Good life, good health — it’s just all good. The American Diabetes Association of Maryland is holding the Good Life Gala to celebrate everything spectacular life has to offer, such as fine dining, cocktails and dancing to the Mood Swings Band. There will also be a live auction with items including a pendant necklace specially designed for the event. Good. | $200 | diabetes.org

sat
PILE OF CRAFT
SAINT JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2640 St. Paul St., Charles Village
10 a.m.-5 p.m. In case you haven’t heard, there are a lot of hipsters in Charm City. This weekend the crafty ones are coming together for this DIY extravaganza. Over 50 vendors will be selling handmade T-shirts, jewelry and paper goods. | charmcitycraftmafia.com

sat&sun
IAMPSFEST 2009
ACROSS FROM IAMPIERI’S BAR
5301 Edmondson Ave., Catonsville
11 a.m. gates open. Started by Steve Iampieri, this two-day benefit raises money for awareness in youth suicide as well as a scholarship foundation named after his sister who was killed in a car accident. Local groups the Kelly Bell Band, Three Fifths, Coloring Lesson, The Bridge and Can’t Hang donate their time and rocking ability for a good cause. It’s never felt so good jam out. | 1-day tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of; 2-day tickets $25 in advance, $30 day of | iampsfest.com MARISSA RICHARDSON, B
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Maryland’s political leaders in Washington have been very busy this week:

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings continues his fight to give states more funds to protect witnesses by fighting witness intimidation.

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{Thanks, AP}

Award-winning journalist Gwen Ifill and respected law professor Sherrilynn Ifill are teaming up to kick off a new lecture series at Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library next week.

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A few months back I wrote about how the show “Parking Wars” is one of my faves.

I know a lot of people found that the real life parking wars they face here in Baltimore are a little less than funny.

First, you can’t find a spot.

Second, just when you think you’ve found the perfect place to park it turns out you’ve parked illegally.
There may however be some good news as our partners at The Sun report that the city could soon cap the fine on parking tickets.

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Washington is still abuzz about last weekend’s White House Correspondent’s Association Dinner.

The annual confab brings together the President and First Lady, senior government and White House officials, members of Congress, the media including esteemed White House correspondents, and tons of celebrities.

And there’s always a comedian which was this year Wanda Sykes, who most certainly stirred up some controversy.

Sykes more controversial jokes were targeted at radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Take a look for yourself to decide if you thought Sykes was funny or not.

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Maryland’s junior United States Senator Ben Cardin is set to play a major role in a hearing set for today on “The Future of Journalism”.

Cardin is the author of “The Newspaper Revitalization Act” a proposed bill which would allow newspapers to operate as non-profits in order to save themselves.

The newspaper industry has struggled for years amid declining ad sales and a dwindling number of subscribers.

Recently several publications have ceased publication or announced plans to end publication.

Just this week The New York Times Company announced it may have to close The Boston Globe due to financial concerns. Those plans are on hold as the company and union, negotiate ways to cut costs on salaries, and benefits packages among other things.

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{Thanks, AP} 

Today is President Barack Obama’s 100th day in office.

You can expect to see the cable networks go crazy over the occasion all day long with continuous wall to wall coverage. One of the cable networks CNN says they’ll have a report card which critiques the President’s time in office.

Some agree and some disagree with grading the President on his performance in office thus far.

Princeton professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell said in a Tweet on her Twitter page earlier today, “To the press: as a college prof, grades are silly, blunt instrument 4 feedback. Stop grading my president. Say something substantive!”

President Obama maybe intends to defend his own record as he’ll hold a prime-time press conference at 8pm on all of the broadcast networks except Fox (they’ll air a regularly scheduled program), but the numerous cable news outlets are expected to carry the speech.

Remember the President’s prime time news conference begins at 8 p.m.

To find out more about our connection to Washington, continue reading.

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Each week we highlight some of the big headlines out of Washington particularly those with some interest to Marylanders.

Maryland’s Veteran U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski Sets Eyes On Another Term

Maryland’s senior United States Senator Barbara Mikulski is set to go for another term in the U.S. Senate what could be her fifth six year term.

Mikulski was the first Democratic woman to be elected to a United States Senate seat not previously held by a father or a husband.

You can read The Sun’s article on Mikulski’s next campaign which is linked above.

White House Rejects Antitrust Relief For U.S. Newspapers

It’s no secret that the newspaper industry much like other industries is suffering in this current economy.

The AP article on the administration’s position available on The Baltimore Sun website highlights the core problem facing the struggling papers. The article reads in part, “At issue is whether to loosen laws governing joint operating agreements designed to save dying publications in two-newspaper cities.”

Strip Searches Of School Kids

The Supreme Court heard a case yesterday which asked what are the grounds for a strip search of school children?

The justices might decide what gives school officials grounds to perform such an invasive search.

School officials say they need to preserve the right to protect students who could be threatened by students who carry illegal drugs.

“Making Good On A Campaign Promise, Making America As Good As Its Promise”

President Obama made good on another campaign promise. He signed into law a bill which expanded national service programs.

During the presidential campaign Obama said he would look for ways to encourage college students and young people to give back using service.

The bill adds an additional $5.7 billion dollars tripling the size of AmeriCorps.

The hope is that not only will programs help young people contribute to “making America as good as its promise” without having to make costly sacrifices such as pursuing an education above their means.