F ³: Making a Big Deal Over a Gaudy Gherkin

In Maryland news that only the current Baltimore Sun would cover…

Anne Arundel’s safe-sex mess has councilman in a pickle, or “Anne Arundel posted a Christmas-themed safe-sex message. A councilman had thoughts.” Benjamin Rothstein, Baltimore Sun

In a moment that feels oddly reminiscent of the Howard County School Board’s Condom Kerfuffle, a member of the Anne Arundel County Council is offended by a pickle.

From a post on Facebook promoting the article:

Photos from Baltimore Sun social media. They do not credit the photographer.

And now for a closeup.

Anne Arundel Department of Health:

Tis the season of giving, but don't forget to wrap it! Free safe sex kits are available now. Get yours today! https://ayrs.io/u4nhXQ

Councilman Nathan Volke:

Really hope the next county administration appoints people in the Anne Arundel County Department of Health who have some respect for one of the holiest times of the year... smh

Yes, of course I responded.

Public health initiatives are far more successful if they are able to catch the public’s attention and encourage engagement. Mr. Volke isn’t a public health expert, I’m guessing.

I was surprised and gratified that the vast majority of commenters on this article understood the point of the health department’s initiative and found Volke’s response to be ignorant and just plain silly. Not a few pointed out the the Sun’s coverage of the matter was ridiculous unto itself. As of this morning, this story has not “caught on” to other news outlets.

This pickle does not have legs, folks.

I don’t know if the Councilman knows the legend of the Christmas pickle or whether he’s freaked out that it looks like a penis. Or maybe he’s just upset that the Health Department is talking about sex. I don’t care.

I do care that he’s equating a commercially made tree decoration with holiness. That offends me. Plus, the sanctity of God’s incarnation in human form is not defiled by people taking care of their sexual health. It just isn’t.

The big joke about the legend of the pickle ornament is that there isn’t one. It was made up by the Woolworth company to sell more Christmas ornaments. Perhaps Volke should be indignant at the mercenary trickery of Woolworth’s who clearly lacked respect for one of the holiest times of the year…smh.

I wonder if Old Ellicott City needs a pickle statue?

Thoughts? Let me know.

Village Green/Town² Comments

Comments

Getting Fresh

One of my favorite days in the Spring comes when this year’s list of Farmer’s Markets is released. That happened this week. New this year are markets in Old Ellicott City and the “Merriweather Market” which, according to the address, will be located here . I mistakenly thought at first glance that it was in the new-construction part of the Merriweather District. I find the name confusing considering its actual location. I’m going to guess that this market is an initiative of the Howard Hughes Corporation because the name seems chosen more for branding purposes than anything else. Alas, the market in Maple Lawn is gone. The thread on the markets on the County Executive’s FB page will provide you with quite the education in who actually runs the Farmers Markets vs what people often think is going on. Short answer: they are not chosen nor run by the county. Each market is an independent entity, sometimes started by community volunteers, other times supported by local businesses...

They Can Wait

This is not a typical Saturday post. That’s because, in my community, it’s not a typical Saturday. Oakland Mills High School, after years of deferred repair, needs massive renovation. It’s pretty simple: when you don’t fix a problem it gets bigger. The school system itself said the the OMHS school building was "no longer conducive to learning" back in 2018. 2018 . But Thursday the Boad of Education voted to push it out of the lineup of important projects which will be given the go-ahead to proceed soonest. In my opinion it’s a terrible decision and sets a dangerous precedent. To explain, here’s the advocacy letter I sent in support of Oakland Mills High School. I was rather proud of it. I am writing to ask you to proceed with needed renovation at Oakland Mills High School in the most timely and comprehensive manner humanly possible. I have read the letter sent to you by the Oakland Mills Community Association and I am in complete agreement. You are extremel...

Teacher Gifts

Today is the last day of school before the Winter Break. It’s a good time to remember the far-reaching nature of our public school system. You may not have children. You may have sent your children to independent schools. It matters not. You will be impacted one way or another. Yesterday I read a long thread on Facebook about several waves of illness in the schools right now. There’s influenza A and norovirus, I believe. And of course there’s COVID. Apparently in some individual schools the rate of illness is high enough for school admin to notify parents. When I was little the acceptable holiday gift for a teacher was one of those lovely floral handkerchief squares. (I don’t know what it was for male teachers. They were rare in my elementary years.) These days the range of teacher gifts is wider and I have fond memories of Target gift cards which I have written about before. I think it’s safe to say that giving one’s teacher Influenza, norovirus, or COVID is not the ideal holiday...

Village Green/Town²

Search This Blog