With Winning Barbecue Recipe, Teen Gets to Dish With O'Malley

A 16-year-old Huntingtown High School student will be preparing barbecued pulled pork and coleslaw today at a cookout at the governor's mansion in Annapolis.

Edward Bowen of Sunderland was one of several Southern Marylanders whose recipe was selected for the first annual "Buy Local" cookout at the mansion. His recipe was one of six main dishes chosen from around the state.

The cookout kicks off a week of events aimed at encouraging Maryland residents to support farms by eating one locally grown or made product each day. This year's recipe competition was open to teams composed of one chef and at least one farmer, waterman or producer.

Edward came up with the pork recipe with help from Katie Burroughs, a 4-H member and Calvert County elementary school student who raises pigs. She will also head to the mansion today. Dee Hardesty of Hardesty Haven Farm and Garden in Prince Frederick provided the vegetables for the slaw that Edward prepared.

Edward, a student in the culinary arts program at Calvert Career Center, said he was anxious about visiting the mansion.

"I don't know what to actually say to the governor," he said. "What I'm really looking forward to is the fact that I'm doing this and it will look great on my résumé to go to college."

Others in Southern Maryland whose recipes were selected for the cookout: Ken Korando of the Solomons Island Winery in Calvert, the Land O'Lakes Farm in St. Mary's County and Rob Plant of the Blue Wind Gourmet shop and eatery in St. Mary's.

Groups Want Review Of Power Line Projects

More than two dozen national, statewide and local groups have called on Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to establish a comprehensive process for evaluating transmission lines proposed to deliver electrical service.

In a letter, the groups focused primarily on the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway line but also said the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline is a concern.

The proposed Mid-Atlantic project is a 230-mile line that would begin in Virginia. It would cut through Southern Maryland, cross the Chesapeake Bay and the lower Eastern Shore, and end in Delaware. The 276-mile Potomac-Appalachian project would begin in West Virginia, cross Virginia and end near Kemptown.

The Maryland Public Service Commission is reviewing both projects.

The 26 organizations writing to O'Malley said the current review process does not allow enough time to thoroughly evaluate proposed projects. The groups also said that regulatory officials often see transmission lines as the only options and don't explore others, such as wind energy.