WBAL.com

The online search giant launched a project called Google Fiber for Communities, where it plans to develop ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more locations across the United States. Google has said that its new fiber-optic network would deliver Internet speeds “more than 100 times faster” than what most people have access to today.

[Mayor] Rawlings-Blake picked Tom Loveland, chief executive officer of technology company Mind Over Machines, to be the volunteer “Google Czar.” Loveland will be working with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Neighborhoods to complete and submit details on Baltimore’s proposal to Google by the March 26 deadline.

Loveland said the Baltimore region has world-class resources in its universities, hospitals and private industries, and “a growing population of entrepreneurs who are trying to make a difference in the community.”

Technology advocates in Baltimore have also launched their own Website – BmoreFiber.com – which is documenting the support for bringing the project to Baltimore. So far, more than 1,600 people have expressed their support through the site, which also features supporting videos by Gov. Martin O’Malley and Dr. Andres Alonso, chief executive officer of Baltimore’s public schools.

Topeka, Kansas changed the city name to Google for the month in an attempt to get Google Fiber. Greenville, South Carolina is planning an event March 20 with what some are calling a “flashmob” with glow sticks spelling out a message for Google that will be photographed from the sky.

WBAL.com

ACORN has voluntarily dropped a lawsuit stemming from a hidden-camera video that showed its employees giving advice to a pair dressed as a pimp and a prostitute.

The multimillion-dollar lawsuit was filed last year in Baltimore. It contends the audio portion of the video was obtained illegally because Maryland law requires the consent of both parties to record private conversations.

ACORN attorney Andrew Freeman says the activist organization is still plotting its legal strategy, and he will likely refile the lawsuit. It was withdrawn before a deadline for serving it on the defendants.

Some good deals and other fun stuff at Baltimore’s best boutiques:

Doubledutch Boutique is offering 20% off (including winter items that are already 70% off!) from 6-9pm.  Stop by and take a look at their new spring arrivals.

Red Tree will be having small bites and drinks from 6-9pm.  While you mingle be sure to look at the sets they created for Baltimore Magazine’s spring fashion shoot.

Shine Collective will be having a party to celebrate the installation of works by artist Xavier Schipani from 7-10pm.

I learned today that Mike Netherland passed away yesterday. I came to know Mike through his MARC blog and then his political one. We got to the point that we exchanged emails and talked on GoogleTalk enough that we found out that we often were on the same train home in the evenings. So, we eventually wound up meeting up at Union Station waiting for the same MARC train home one night and we would occasionally catch up on that train when both our schedules matched up. Sometimes, we’d talk about it ahead of time. Other times, I’d just look for his hat on the platform or look for him in his usual seat on his usual car.

I knew he was married and had a son who went to Severna Park because he talked about going to a production of a play one weekend when we were sitting across from each other on the train ride home. I knew he was active in the Anne Arundel County GOP and Republican politics in general. I never knew any details about things like his age or other facts from the major to the mundane.

I knew he was working at a federal agency and he got to work from home more often as things progressed. I ended up not making the commute for several months. The last time I saw him was probably sometime prior to July of 2009. We kept talking online and emailed each other and ocasionally traded messages on Facebook. He was on Twitter too (@netherman79) but hadn’t updated in awhile there.

His MARC blogging inspired me to cover MARC issues on this blog when I started my original commute to DC in 2008. I had lots of good talks with Mike whether it was about politics, beer or a number of other subjects. I will miss him and I’m praying for his family and friends.

I don’t know what happened that led to his passing and I’ve scoured the local papers online and the funeral home websites looking for announcements of any arrangements but haven’t found anything yet. If you find an obituary or other announcement online somewhere, please post a link in the comments below.

After my post Tuesday evening, I received a great deal of feedback on recent MARC issues at Union Station.

I received the following reply from Deputy Chief Bruce Faust of the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services:

I am aware of this on-going issue with MARC and the management of the Union Station terminal. We are woking together to develop a reasonable solution that meets the needs of all interested parties. I hope to have
some resolution in the near future.

If you do not see improvements, please let me know.

Thanks to Chief Faust for his quick reply on this matter. We have not heard back from anyone with MTA or MARC even though we did send them a link to the original post.

I had an email from one reader who had encountered David Johnson with MARC before at Union Station. This reader described Johnson as “unbelievably rude” and said “he is a textbook example of poor MARC customer service and a sloppy, ignorant culture in middle management at MARC.”

One commenter on the previous post discussed several issues pointed out and confirmed that the barricades blocking exits were originally used for security holds related to Joe Biden’s travel, but that officials at Union Station started using them more and more in other circumstances. This commenter also mentioned issues with posting times for departures as a possible cause for the problems. This commenter also concurred with the first commenter on the first post.

The first comment on my previous post mentioned problems with Camden or Brunswick line trains being on tracks that required passengers entering at Gate A to cross in front of gates B and C while Penn Line passengers were crossing in front of them.

Anyone with the MARC or MTA wishing to make a comment can send it to mail@insidecharmcity.com.