Baltimore Mom

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Another recent consumer protection bulletin from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland is bringing major financial relief for local drivers trapped in predatory auto financing. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside a multistate coalition of attorneys general across 40 other states, announced a landmark $694 million multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC), one of the nation's largest subprime auto finance companies. The resolution targets high-risk, unaffordable vehicle loans and deceptive add-on practices that caused thousands of consumers to default on debt and lose their primary family transportation. Here are the takeaways: * Massive Debt Relief & Restitution Package : Under the settlement agreement , CAC must provide $634 million in total debt relief to consumers, alongside $60 milli...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I just received the latest e-newsletter from the Hersheypark Season Pass team, and it’s packed with exciting news for families looking to get a head start on autumn thrills. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to plan your fall outings, this announcement about securing your 2027 pass is the ultimate reason to start the season early with some spooky, family-friendly fun!   * Unlock the Rest of 2026 for Free When you purchase a 2027 Full, King, or Giant Size Season Pass now, you receive the remainder of the 2026 season at absolutely no extra cost. This is a fantastic way to stretch your budget while ensuring your family can enjoy all the upcoming fall and winter festivities without paying for a separate admission! (Compare perks, here.)   * Experience Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights You...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I just reviewed the latest press release from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland , and our state is co-leading a nationwide legal push to protect essential food safety, nutrition, and environmental programs. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined attorneys general from California and Washington—alongside a broader 19-state coalition—to file an amicus brief in federal court challenging a proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reorganization that seeks to force widespread employee resignations and relocate critical scientific operations away from our region. * Support for Federal Lawsuit Injunction : Maryland co-led the filing of an amicus brief  in American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Trump, et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The coalitio...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I just received the latest community announcement from the Irvine Nature Center  in Owings Mills, and one of Baltimore County's favorite autumn traditions is officially returning next month! On Fri, Oct 23rd, Irvine will host the 18th annual Pumpkins on the Green , its signature evening celebration bringing our local community together under the autumn sky. Set against Irvine’s scenic 211-acre campus, the event pairs fantastic local food and craft spirits with live music, live animal ambassador encounters, an extensive silent auction, and plenty of fall festivities. * Event Mission & Critical Conservation Funding Pumpkins on the Green serves as Irvine’s premier annual fundraiser directly supporting environmental education for children and adults across the region. Proceeds help sustain hands-on nature classrooms,...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I just reviewed the latest consumer protection bulletin from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland, and it serves as a critical warning for local investors. In it, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown’s Securities Division announced that the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County has upheld a permanent industry ban and a $5,920,000 fine against local promoter Stanley G. Richards for his role in the worldwide cryptocurrency and foreign exchange pyramid scheme known as NovaTech. Here are the main takeaways: * Court Upholds Major Financial Penalties: The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County affirmed the Maryland Securities Commissioner’s Final Order after oral arguments, permanently barring Stanley G. Richards from the state’s securities industry. Along with the lifetime ban, Richards was assessed a $5.92 million civil pena...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I just received the latest edition of the Beyond Recycling e-newsletter from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Office of Waste Diversion, and it's packed with helpful ways our community can rethink everyday waste. This month, the city is introducing the Zero Waste Hierarchy —a practical framework designed to prioritize waste prevention, repairing, and reusing before materials ever even reach the blue bin. From upcoming community shred and repair events to expanded food scrap drop-offs and textile recycling, Baltimore City is sharing valuable tools to help families keep usable goods out of local landfills. * Food Waste Prevention Week & Drop-Off Centers: Running from September 28 through October 4 under the theme "Food Heroes in Your Neighborhood," this national awareness w...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. As a local mom who loves spending time on the water, I susbcribe to updates from Chesapeake Bay Media to stay informed about our beautiful local environment. In their latest e-newsletter, they highlight some fascinating developments ranging from the health of our underwater ecosystems to exciting new learning opportunities for families heading out on the water this season.   * Positive Signs for Chesapeake Bay Grasses: Underwater grasses across the Chesapeake Bay have officially reached their highest point since 2018, which is a fantastic indicator of the ecosystem's resilience. While this trend is encouraging for the overall health of the Bay, researchers note that some specific rivers are still experiencing troubling declines that warrant further attention. Read more here .   * Community Efforts to Chart the Bay ...

I just got the latest community update from Baltimore County Public Schools, announcing the return of one of their annual fall family events! The BCPS Department of Special Education and Early Childhood Programs, alongside Family Support Services, is hosting the BeLEAF in What’s Possible Fall Special Education Resource Fair on Saturday, October 24, designed to connect families directly with regional providers, developmental tools, and school district specialists. * Comprehensive Support for Ages Birth to 21 : The fair brings together Baltimore County Public Schools staff and numerous local organizations to provide free, actionable resources for children and young adults with special needs. Attendees can explore a broad range of developmental aids, school accommodation guidance, therapy options, and transition planning services tailored to every stage of growth. * Event Date, Time, and Central Location : Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 24, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM...

I just reviewed the latest legal update from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland , where Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a major legal filing to protect residents from unlawful enforcement practices. Attorney General Brown has officially filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland supporting a preliminary injunction to halt U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from executing warrantless arrests without meeting statutory legal standards across our state. * Support for Guzmán v. DHS Lawsuit: The state's amicus brief directly backs a class action lawsuit filed by Annapolis-born plaintiff Samuel Guzmán, three other individuals, and advocacy organization CASA against the Department of Homeland Security. The lawsuit challenges a widespread pattern of ICE officers apprehending individuals across Maryland without warrants and without the individualized probable cause required by law. * Statutory Standards for W...

Finding the right community support can be a challenge, but you don't have to navigate it alone. I just received the latest e-newsletter from  Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth , who had has been hosting local resource fairs across the region, bringing essential services directly to our neighbors to help tackle everyday hurdles.   * Expanded Access to Community Services: Congresswoman Elfreth’s team has hosted successful Constituent Resource Fairs  in both Howard and Anne Arundel Counties. These events featured representatives from dozens of federal, state, local, and nonprofit partners who are available to assist with a variety of needs, ranging from veterans affairs to health care and utility assistance.   * A Track Record of Results : Beyond these events, the Congresswoman’s office has actively worked to resolve constituent issues by closing over 3,000 cases to date. This direct intervention has resulted in more than $4 mi...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Fall is finally in the air, and there's no better way to kick off the season than a trip to Western Maryland's beautiful mountains! Whether you're looking for a fun day trip or a full weekend escape, Wisp Resort is hosting their annual Oktoberfest, and it is shaping up to be the perfect way to embrace all things autumn with your family.   * The Details for Your Calendar: Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 3, from 12 PM to 6 PM at Wisp Resort . This annual tradition is a wonderful excuse to enjoy the crisp mountain air and stunning early fall foliage that Western Maryland is famous for.   * Sip and Savor with Tasting Tickets For those who want to fully embrace the spirit of the day, advance tasting tickets are available for $24.99 , which include a souvenir beer stein and three 12 oz. pours from a selecti...

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Mid-September brings cooling water temperatures across Maryland, signaling an exciting seasonal transition for freshwater and tidal anglers looking to get out on the water. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources  has released its latest weekly fishing bulletin , spotlighting prime late-summer and early-fall patterns for targeting aggressive sportfish in regional tributaries. * Chesapeake Channa (Northern Snakehead) on the Hunt : Northern snakeheads are feeding aggressively throughout September, creating prime conditions for sight-casting and topwater blowups. Anglers are finding the best success working lures over and along shallow submerged grass flats in Maryland’s tidal river systems, as detailed in the full Maryland Fishing Report . * Largemouth Bass Seasonal Shift : Largemouth bass are currently holding to t...

Planning a weekend outing in Baltimore can be tricky, but this Sunday, September 20th, requires a little extra preparation. With the Baltimore Ravens hosting their home opener at M&T Bank Stadium and the Orioles playing at Camden Yards on the same day, downtown is going to be exceptionally busy. The City of Baltimore Department of Transportation is warning residents and visitors to expect heavy traffic and significant road closures as thousands of fans converge on the stadium complex, making this the perfect time to plan your route well in advance.   * Plan for Major Traffic and Road Closures: Traffic modifications will be in effect throughout the day and evening, with Ravens-related road closures beginning at 8:00 a.m. and Orioles-related closures starting at 4:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate delays and are strongly encouraged to avoid the immediate stadium area if they are not attending either game to prevent getting caught in the congestion.   * Use Pu...