So, the most recent Grand Prix news is that Michael Andretti, and his marking team are taking over the Grand Prix for Baltimore.

You know, Michael Andretti, I’m GLAD you got fired from Celebrity Apprentice. Sure, I envy your high speed driving skills on a closed course–what girl doesn’t want to drive fast?–but I am disappointed that you plan to come in at the 11th hour and try to rescue something that was dead in the water months ago.

Let. It. Go. Please.

Just let the Grand Prix go. It’s not worth it.

Obviously, noone wants this race. You can’t get a title sponser to save your life. I like not having to avoid fencing and walls when I go walking. I enjoy not feeling like Baltimore is stuck inside a game of Mario-Kart. Put this baby to rest, and try again next year (when the Brain and I have moved out of this God-forsaken city and live somwhere with a guaranteed parking spot).

This appeared in the Balt Sun. I cut it out and kept meaning to post it. So better late than never, expecially since it’s on the news that Indy Car might have to come in and take the Grand Prix back and run it themselves.  SRB really dug herself into a hole with this lose/lose Grand Prix situation. Keeping my fingers x’d that it ends up being a total wash so that I can save my PTO days for time I actually WANT to take–and not mandated vacation because I won’t be able to get into/out of the city, or to work (even via public transit).

900 block Bayard St., Wednesday, April 11, 2 p.m.: Someone got into a house through an unlocked door and stole a Dell laptop, 40 DVDs and a Bible.

Do you think that they meant to steal a bible?

Larceny from Auto
This is a mere sampling of goods from various vehicles parked in various places.
A case of gatorade
A rear license tag with new sticker
Gasoline
GPS—several
Laptops—several
A breathalyser,
Bookbags—several
Two handicap hang tags
A bottle of perfume
Wine
Cash

Sorry–it’s a slow news day.

According to the latest in the Balt Sun, there are issues galore with the Downforce Racing and the city in regards to the 2012 Baltimore Grand Prix.

On reading the article, I have to say that I was astounded by these little facts that, until now, weren’t really publicized.

1.  Felix Dawson of Downforce Racing, was the former head of the commercial trade division at Constellation Enegery, “which had significant financial difficulties” while under his management.

2.  Dan Reck of Downforce Racing, reported to Felix Dawson while employed at Constellation Energry, and also was a VP at Enron when it fell to scandal in 2001.

Seriously, does it sound like either of these gentlemen should be trusted to head up a muti-million dollar project?

Oh wait–it doesn’t really seem like they are! With only five months to go, NOTHING has been done, benchmarks have been missed by more than a month, and contracts have fallen to the wayside.

I guess that’s what you get when you elect a Mayor whose only platform was “Grand Prix”.

The Baltimore Sun has launched a new feature–Investigative reporting.  And the first story? About the bane of my city existence–the Grand Prix (not to be confused with the reason I hate living in the city–parking!).

It sounds like there are more than just some missed deadlines—almost like a coverup going on? 

Well–it’s almost May–so with approximately 4.5 months until the Grand Prix is slated to be held–nothing has been done.  No title sponsor obtained. Signatures still missing.  And oddly enough, no paving or wall building, or grand stands going up—-nothing to make it look like there is a race being held here on Labor Day weekend.

Oh, I’ll be SO SAD if it fails (yet again).  And if it does, SRB had better put this baby to rest, move on, and use city money towards more dire needs.

So, as predicted, the Ridgelys Rag showed up in the mailbox.  And it was disappointing to say the least.

No flowery praise for the harbingers of the Grand Prix. No mention of anything blogworthy, except for the little reminder that tomorrow is Oriole’s Opening Day, and that you might have trouble parking your car when you get home from work. 

Really? Like we don’t have trouble finding parking the remainder of the 364 days of the year?

Oh yeah, and ANYONE who has lived in this neighborhood knows that only stupid people go to work on opening day.  Those of us who actually live in the ‘hood, and call it home, know that you take the day off and sleep in–thereby negating the need to move your car at all.

So suck it, all you UMB and Shock Trauma employees. I’m not moving my car so you can park here illegally. Go home.

Yes, I have been remiss in posting lately. Really, no reason–just haven’t been feeling like my normal bitchy self.

I’m sure that my harshest critics (the RDA) are rejoicing at my lack of scathing words. But don’t worry–a new Ridgely’s Rag will be on the way this week–and I’m sure that I can find SOMETHING worth bitching about.

Faithful readers–all three of you–hang tite.  I’ll write something soon.

According to the BaltSun, the new Grand Prix racing company is already having trouble keeping promises.  

Suprise, suprise.

Does anyone else foretell another crap-tacular event like last year? Big on promises–but not delivering the expectations?

There are so many other projects that SRB can be spending money on–like keeping rec centers open for kids, maybe paying to have the pools open this summer for inner city families to cool off in, and oh, I don’t know–maybe throwing some of that money to having schools fixed and brought up to code, and maybe, just maybe, some actual parking enforcement.

I don’t have gradiose dreams for the city–I have reality dreams. And we all know that, in the end, reality bites.

Why yes—yes, I did! I DID let my domain expire there for a few days.  But don’t worry–noone else snarfed it while I was gone–so it’s MINE MINE MINE for another year, at least.

I know, you’re SOOOO disappointed, Ridgelys Delight Association. I’m sure you thought, “yes, the bane of our existence is gone.” Ohhh, so sorry. I’m still here.

 And guess what? I have MONTHS to bitch about the Grand Prix again.

Welcome back.

Then see the latest from the Baltimore Guide crime watch below:

Burglary

N. Lakewood Avenue, 400 block, February 2, 2 a.m. Someone broke into a house and took jewelry and ladies underwear, described as a thong panty, red in color. A suspect was named to police. The victim was able to confirm the identity of the thief because he texted a photo of the thong to her cell phone. He continued to send her taunting texts and she eventually made arrangements to meet him and retrieve her thong. The man, whom she described as just a friend, showed up with the panties, while she showed up with uniformed officers, who arrested him.

N. Streeper Street, 500 block, January 30, 10:50 p.m. Police reponded to a report of two men committing a burglary, and saw two men pushing a refrigerator up an alley. They were stopped and questioned, and told police they had bought the fridge “from a white guy for $5.” Police did not believe they had entered into this transaction, and arrested them.

Unit block E. Randall St., Saturday, Feb. 4, 11:53 p.m.: A man rifled a six-year-old boy’s pockets for cash.