Community Corner

Animal Cruelty Close to Home, SAT Prep Tips, Holiday Recipes: Top Local Voices

Get some new recipe ideas to change up your holiday menus and learn when is the right time for students to study for the SAT.

Puppies Rescued from Who Knows What Fate

The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is caring for 24 dogs rescued from a recently busted dog-fighting operation in west Baltimore. “Three men have been arrested following a drug investigation that led to fighting dogs and puppies just weeks old,” wrote Skye Anderson in her blog. Read more about the incident in the blog Animal Cruelty Hits Close to Home and contact BARCS for more information about how to help.

It's All About the Pumpkin

Find out what's happening in Parkville-Overleawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Everything has to have pumpkin in it this time of year,” wrote food blogger Carol Woelfel Thames. Here’s an idea for a two-fer holiday recipe: Banana Pumpkin Bread that can later be made into French toast—that is, if there is any left over! Find a link to the recipe in the blog Love at First Bite. If you have a favorite recipe to share on Patch, click here.

Unless It's About Winter Squash

Find out what's happening in Parkville-Overleawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Looking to add some winter squash to the holiday menu? Click here for a primer on the most common types of winter squash: acorn, butternut and spaghetti. "Mash or puree squash to use in pie, cookie, or muffin recipes," according to the blog Healthy Ideas by Elisabeth D’Alto. "You can even mash it up with a drizzle of olive oil, maple syrup and ginger, or add some of your favorite holiday seasonings like allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, ginger or tarragon." Click here to read more in the blog.

Stylin' for a Good Cause

Do you know a man who could use some new stylish clothes for the holidays? What if you could order those clothes online and have a portion of the purchase donated to a good cause? Blogger and menswear consultant Patrice Craig tells the story of a family whose son was born with Peroxisomal Disorder, a rare genetic disease. She is donating 100 percent of her commissions from clothing sales to help this family. Read more in her blog Best on the Bay Holiday Donation.

Is It Too Late to Start Studying for the SAT?

Many parents wonder: When should high school students take the SAT? “There is little to nothing in the average school's curriculum after sophomore year that directly addresses SAT skills,” according to Mark Greenstein's Blog. If your child is a member of the class of 2015, see the tips in this blog: Advice for juniors starting SAT prep late.

Above are highlights from the best of this week's blog posts from our Patch sites across Maryland. Want to share your thoughts on local politics, sports or entertainment? Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Start a Blog" under "Post Something" on your Patch homepage. If you need help getting started, email community editor Susan Jenkins at susan@patch.com.


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