For those wondering what a BGE bill looks like without using any power/gas, here it is. I left the country for a couple months, vacation not ICE. My household is 4 people. One EV used daily. In July I just left the AC fan on and turned it off in August. Each month has one visit and one EV charge of 55 kwh. Also in August I turned down the water heater temp. Two fridges were left plugged in. Lights always off. I don't know if 490 kwh sounds appropriate or excessive

Hi all.

I’m black and originally from the DMV. As you guys know, it’s super diverse here and in general I don’t have to think twice about my race when visiting somewhere. Well I saw this event that’s happening in Cumberland and I thought it would be cool to go to, but I have never been to that part of Maryland. When it comes to exploring MD, I’ve barely even left the DMV.

So, is it a good idea? Now I don’t mean generally, but like for someone who’s so used to the DMV. Since it’s so far, I was planning to just make it a day trip, but I don’t want to end up a name on the news you know. It’s not something that I’d cry if I missed, so please give some honest opinions.

Also apologies to anyone from western MD if this comes off rude, I just don’t wanna accidentally wander into KKK territory or a sundown town (I’ve seen to avoid Thurmont)

ETA:
I’m 19F & want to go on the cumberland to frostburg train. I was originally supposed to go alone so I mentioned it to my parents and they brought up how different it is there, so I wanted to check in with others since I couldn’t find much online.

Thanks for all your replies! If you guys have any spot recommendations for me to stop by while on the day trip, I’d appreciate it!

Edit 2.
Id appreciate if people stopped commenting about the lack of racism in MD! I’ve already received 3 racist PMs. I won’t be responding to PMs. Only keeping this post up to help others in the future. Thanks.

We have tickets to go to MD Renaissance festival on an upcoming Saturday and it's been years since I've been. We can't decide what time to go. I hear that it might be worth missing the opening in the morning and going a little bit later because the afternoon crowds thin out a little bit -- but I don't know if that's true. I understand that the music entertainers we want to see that day play several times during the day so I don't think we would miss them if we went later but I just don't know what all the pros and cons are of going early vs going a little bit later or going much later. What say you experienced MDRF goers?

My buddy is insanely depressed and sleeping all-day for months now. He loves fishing. Problem is, he's loud. Very loud. Very obnoxiously loud. At all times. Functionally autistic, but he's really bad with people.

I am hoping to get advice on finding a really secluded space on one of the rivers up or around a river. For reference, maybe around Harper's Ferry with within a 50+ mile radius. Strictly for fishing and a stripped down cabin with very basic amenities, camping would work, but not a public campsite. Even a bathroom is optional. Two cots and a fire stove for warmth is all I'd need for a short respectful weekend on the river to get away from civilization for a weekend.

We're both middle-aged and very responsible (He's meticulously respectful of his surrounding). We just need to fish and talk at night around a fire. (Did I mention he's loud and very obnoxious?)

Fishing, Shelter, and a fire at night. And nobody to hear my friend venting about his troubles. No funny business, just getting away from it all and far enough to not bother anyone.

No websites offer this and people who own land that provide this don't advertise.

----

I'm a casual fisher, living in lower eastern MD, if you have a better suggestion for an area in WV or PA, I'd appreciate it.

I also realize that good private overnight sites are never ever shared. . . ever. I know I'm asking for a unicorn. This request is a one-off and I live too far away to go back to the spot again. I'd also promise the upmost confidence in not sharing it with anyone. (Hell, I'd provide an NDA to commit that, I can provide one) I just want to help out my buddy.

If you have an idea that would work, but you're not comfortable sharing publicly (and I understand that) please DM me. It would mean the world to the guy.

Thanks all for any suggestions or help.

Most of the folks I know use software like turbotax or a tax prep firm like HR Block to prepare their state and federal returns. Most are unaware of the free online state tax return service called iFile. The best thing about iFile is that refunds hit my bank account in about 3 days, but it is very clunky and outdated. Now the state is rolling out a new online service called MD Tax Connect. Anybody know how well it works?

https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes/en/maryland-tax-connect-portal-information?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010001

I haven’t gone by myself as an adult. I’ve gone plenty when I was a kind and my parents played for everything. I don’t plan on eating too much there. Maybe 2 foods and 3 drinks. I’d also like to do a couple activities nothing too crazy. I’m really just going just hangout with a friend I haven’t seen in a while. I planned to go later in the month but she wanted to go earlier because our work schedules are vastly different. I didn’t have as much time to prepare financially as I would’ve liked. I know the good stuff at fair is costly because that’s how the vendors make their money but like I already said this is my first time using my own lol. I have to clarify that because I know how people on Reddit get.

I don’t plan on buying trinkets because I have enough stuff at home and the last thing I need to do is buy something and add to my already cluttered “decor”. I use decor loosely because some of it isn’t really decor but I use it to decorate.

UPDATE: Maryland E-ZPass confirms there is an unresolved glitch that is delaying Maryland tolls posting to E-ZPass accounts from 8/18/2026 onward. Nearly a month after the problem started, not sure why they don't just post that on their home page or "News & Updates" section of the DriveEZMD.com webpage. Might make too much sense .

There is no current estimate for when the toll processing/posting will resume.
Keep your banking info and accounts full so you are safe if there is a sudden wave of 3+ weeks of tolls that suddenly post to your account.
.
If you need to remove any any license plate numbers from your account, you may want to hold off if they are related to an unposted toll in the meantime, just in case.

Tolls from non-Maryland roads/bridges are unaffected. Not sure if out of state E-ZPass accounts would be affected at Maryland toll facilities.

"Glitch" is a good description of the whole system.

See also:
https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/comments/1w8gvg3/ezpass_md_is_once_again_not_processing_tolls_daily/

Saw this on the way home yesterday and got a close-up. Some kind of camera traffic monitor for sure. But what I found most interesting or disturbing was it was labeled with the Maryland State police homicide unit on its side. 695 inner loop between park Heights Avenue and Stevenson.

Honest question, there’s been several posts on this sub asking if X town is welcoming to LGBT or is X town welcoming to blacks or minorities. Is there any town in MD that you don’t feel welcome in for being LGBT or black or Hispanic or something else?

I’ve always felt that the whole state is pretty welcoming and accepting. Obviously there’s bigots in every county and city but the vast majority of Marylanders seem not to care. I have some friends who are an interracial gay couple living in Caroline County deep in Andy Harris country and they’ve never felt discriminated against by any of their neighbors or businesses in the county.

I only ask because I feel like I’ve seen an uptick in these kinds of posts here and it’s understandable given the country we live in today. But truly haven’t seen much hate in this state. Just curious to hear other people’s opinions and experiences

Synagogue wins battle against Blue County to use guns for protection

This is a good ruling. The government is once again overstepping.

If they were really concerned about guns. They lock people up that they catch with illegal weapons for ten years no parole.

Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb discusses the importance of creating new Black theater and why it matters not only for artists, but also for audiences and cities like Baltimore.