Cowles, assistant director of the school’s high-energy, animated comedy, “The Commedia: Princess and the Pea,” which opens Thursday at Liberty High in Eldersburg, was looking for students with cartwheeling abilities to entertain audiences at the top of the show.

Cast members — consisting of 25 students — wore costumes decked out in rainbow patches and had their hair in bubble braids tied with multicolored ribbons. A crew of about 50 students supports the show.

Performances will be held Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Each runs for about an hour.

The show is a unique retelling of the classic fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” in the style of old Italian theater, leaning heavily on physical comedy. The show is undoubtedly engaging for kids and adults alike.

Danielle Dickstein, theater teacher and director of Liberty’s drama program, said she wants her students to have experience performing a wide array of themes and styles.

This show, which has a captivating set design and impressive ensemble,  gives the Liberty students an opportunity to perform children’s theater.

Student designers were involved in every element of the show, said Dickstein: “My goal is for students to be able to walk away with as many skills as possible. That doesn’t have to be in theater, but transfers to all kinds of different walks of life and careers.”

Jamie Poczekaj, 16, is an 11th grade sound designer for the show. She worked on the soundboard for last year’s productions of “Cinderella” and “Eurydice,” but this is her first time doing sound design. She appreciates the opportunity to learn new skills and said she wants to work in sound design again for the school’s next production, “Guys and Dolls.”

This production makes use of Kelsey Alexander’s crochet and theater skills. Alexander, 16, is a junior who plays Columbine, one of the show’s narrators. She volunteered to crochet the pea for the show. She said that Liberty’s theater company is the best one she’s ever been a part of. “We just have so much fun doing everything,” she said.

“There’s a notion about bad high school theater,” Dickstein said, but she rejects that as a premise for high school shows. She wants her students to be proud of the work they’ve done, and she knows the students can achieve high standards of performance, she said.

Her students agree and appreciate the quality of the shows and the energy and enthusiasm of the participants.

“It’s so fun and bright and colorful,” said Connor Reinartz, 15, who plays the prince, describing the show and the environment. “If I’m feeling like sad in class, I look forward to coming to rehearsal afterwards,” he said.

Maxwell Karper, 17, is a junior who initially started performing theater in first grade. He plays Punchin and Mezzetino in the show, the “absent-minded” adviser to the queen. He was one of the students chosen to perform a cartwheel and round-off. “This drama program is so fun. One of my favorite parts is absolutely just how accepting everybody is,” he said.

Zoe Layton, 17, is a senior who plays the queen. “I love being a different role than I am in real life. I love being evil. Like evil roles are my favorite kind of roles because I’m usually super sweet in real life,” Layton said.

Unlike Karper and Layton, Brooklyn McCulloh, 14, has never performed theater before. “I’ve definitely found out that I love acting, and I want to be an actress when I grow up.” She said she learns a lot by observing her fellow students who have years of experience, and was thrilled when she was accepted to the program. She encourages all students to try performing.

Show performances will be held at the Liberty High School auditorium at 5855 Bartholow Road in Eldersburg. Tickets can be purchased online at libertylionsprideplayers.com/tickets. Priority access tickets cost $15 and allow ticket holders auditorium admission 40 minutes before the show time and 10 minutes ahead of general admission. General admission tickets cost $10 and allow entrance 30 minutes before showtime. $12 general admission tickets can be purchased at the door.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriella Fine at gfine@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1296. 

We host Thanksgiving at our house each year and, while I don’t particularly care for this couple, I have always invited them to join us. I do this to make things easier for my daughter, so she doesn’t have to trek to both our homes. I realize she could also alternate holidays, but to be honest, I would miss celebrating Thanksgiving with her and my son-in-law and grandkids, so I have just sucked it up each year and try not to get grossed out at the dinner table.

Is there an alternative solution I haven’t thought of? I’m assuming it would not be appropriate for me to make the request that he trim his nose hair before coming over

– Grossed Out

Dear Grossed Out: Often, we work through major and minor holiday conflicts and quibbles by reminding ourselves, “it’s only one day.” Sometimes that works. Other times… one day is too much. And, in a case like yours, it’s not just one day; it’s the cumulation of years of one days. In short, you’ve had your fill of nose hair.

Alas, short of changing the seating arrangements so that you’re never catching a glance at it, I think your hands are tied as long as he remains on the invitation list. This, like so many other aspects of people’s bodies, falls into the category of personal preference. It’s not endangering him or others. While nose hairs, in general, trap dirt and pollen, overly long nose hair can accumulate debris and cause problems if not properly maintained. But it sounds like that’s not the concern here.

If he’s unmoved by his wife and kids’ requests, I daresay that your ask will probably also go unanswered. You mentioned that you don’t really care for the couple anyway, so your energy may be better spent focusing on enjoying your grandkids, your daughter and your son-in-law..

Dear Eric: Regarding the letter writer who was giving a $100 gift card for patching up the injured friend of her daughter (“Mom of a Wild Child”). I was taught during Community Emergency Response Training that bystanders are protected under Good Samaritan laws if we voluntarily provide emergency assistance to others – they cannot be sued for anything they do or attempt to do. However, the Good Samaritan cannot accept any compensation whatsoever to be covered by the law. We were told not to accept a stick of gum or a nickel for our help, or we could potentially be sued for damages. I doubt this person would be sued by the grateful mom, but it is possible.

The $100 gift card should be returned.

– Good Samaritan

Dear Good Samaritan: Thank you for this insight. It will definitely help in the future when/if I want to express my gratitude. The letter below is also in response to this question and offers a lovely alternative to monetary gifts.

Dear Eric: I had to smile when I read your article about the Good Samaritan receiving $100 for helping an injured child. While growing up in the ‘40s and ’50s I lived on a single block long, dead-end street where we must have had at least 15 or 20 kids. Someone was always getting hurt, mostly scratches and bruises, but once in a while a broken bone. My mother, the only nurse on the block, was the local emergency room.

I don’t believe she ever received money for her efforts, and I doubt if she would have accepted it, if offered.

Although she didn’t reap the benefits of her work, I was the beneficiary. At her death I received a number of letters telling me how grateful they were for what she had done. She also was the den mother of a cub scout pack that was so popular that she had to restrict the number of kids. She ran a disciplined pack that included crafts, games and learning and not the typical baby-sitting den. I also received letters from mothers telling me what an influence she had had on their son’s life. Talk about being rewarded. No amount of money could replace the thanks she received even though I was the beneficiary.

– Grateful Son

Dear Son: Thank you for sharing. And what a beautiful reminder to us all: it can be so impactful to tell those who mean something to us what they mean while they’re alive, and it can be equally impactful to share those stories with those they leave behind.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com.

Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency

In 1936, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in Washington, D.C., and gave the green light to traffic.

In 1936, American playwright Eugene O’Neill received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

In 1948, Japanese general and former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and several other World War II Japanese leaders were sentenced to death by a war crimes tribunal; he was executed in December 1948.

In 1954, Ellis Island officially closed as an immigration station and detention center. More than 12 million immigrants arrived in the United States via Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954.

In 1970, the Bhola cyclone struck East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The deadliest tropical cyclone on record claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000-500,000 people.

In 2001, American Airlines Flight 587, en route to the Dominican Republic, crashed after takeoff from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing all 260 people on board and five people on the ground.

In 2019, Venice saw its worst flooding in more than 50 years, with the water reaching 6.14 feet (1.87 meters) above average sea level; damage was estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

In 2021, a judge in Los Angeles ended the conservatorship that had controlled the life and money of pop star Britney Spears for nearly 14 years.

In 2024, a federal judge sentenced Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, to 15 years in prison for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine; Teixeira had pleaded guilty to willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, nearly a year after his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor-playwright Wallace Shawn is 82. Rock musician Booker T. Jones is 81. Sportscaster Al Michaels is 81. Singer-songwriter Neil Young is 80. Author Tracy Kidder is 80. Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island is 76. Actor Megan Mullally is 67. Olympic gold medal gymnast Nadia Comăneci is 64. Olympic gold medal swimmer Jason Lezak is 50. Pakistani filmmaker and journalist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is 47. Actor Ryan Gosling is 45. Actor Anne Hathaway is 43. Golfer Jason Day is 38. NBA point guard Russell Westbrook is 37.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Nostalgia for a childhood experience of safety or carefree fun could surface, whether you actually got that back in the day, or not. It’s never too late to build these for yourself — building builds power, yearning gives it away.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Harsh words are hard to make right going forward, try not to say [or take personally] any message that could poison something good. Ground down into your roots, the core of your own self, your truest home.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Communication goes better with a receptive audience. Even if you’re speaking from the heart, someone or a group could be just too weary to hear you or take anything more in now. Adjust your expectations, it’s not you, just the moment.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A financial feeling might not be worth acting on, it’s more likely to be an old fear than a new intuitive hit. Reactivity can tear down what is built with careful planning — let emotions recede before you take action.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your inner foundation could feel a little tippy today. Lean on a friend if you can, other support can come from a housemate, a pet, a book, or online inspo. The goal is staying regulated from within, but sometimes a little help can help.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A true, real, deep friend is a rarity, above all the shouting and pretending. Though they could feel more intense lately the bond should remain strong. A financial mutiny could begin to build up.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Working with warmth and caring can satisfy you within yourself, but too much emotional vulnerability can be a detriment in the workplace. This is a balance to walk: How to calibrate your openness for your best experience of the day.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Ultimate answers are always within, though inspo and ideas can be found out in the world. Grab what feels aligned but nurture yourself from within as your primary source of courage and strength.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Revisit your ideas around a situation: Is sharing even possible? Or is competition the only way? Try to untangle by assessing facts rather than letting emotion carry you away. A friend could have helpful advice.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A partner might express intensely then flip and expect tender loving care. How you respond could be any of these: Confidence, skepticism, analysis and planning stretching loyalty, pessimism, or self-doubt.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You give your all to life, sometimes you may just want a corner of comfort to call your own. Give yourself some basic nurture today, it’s likely needed. Seed your ideas out into the world — your light, every light, is needed.

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: November 2025 is a gift month that keeps on giving, overall excellent stars can offer help to everything you do. Next week will bring one of the biggest opportunity days remaining in 2025, if you’ve got something ready to officially begin, and your individual cycles line up, this could be your moment. You might need to work around some frustrating moments or people, but it should be very worth it. A friend or collaborative effort could work miracles in December, it could be a magical month for you personally, not just because of the holidays. Your spirit guides are on the job and on point, healing is in the food and water, and your career could reach new heights. Even if you don’t work outside the home, your efforts should receive much-deserved rewards. Come out of the gate strong in the new year, stay true to your plans. January can be powerful, February and early March can be a challenge to keep the faith. Beyond that, the sky is the limit.

General Daily Insight for November 12, 2025

Big ideas want action, yet patience still helps. Early on, the flighty Moon squares the pushy Sun, pulling comfort and purpose apart, which can make us sensitive and defensive. By 6:15 PM EST, clever Mercury boosts courageous Mars, blending thought and drive so we can secure firm decisions that clarify our paths. When we listen before speaking, conversations land better. Small adjustments are more easily made, allowing teamwork to become even more efficient. Firmness and kindness can coexist to build shared goals.

The café, known for its modern take on Mediterranean dining — including inventive hummus varieties, lamb tagines, and fresh panini and salad platters — will open inside the Anthem House apartment complex at 900 E. Fort Ave. in early spring 2026, according to a Tuesday news release.

“We’re thrilled to bring Cafe Fili to Locust Point and become part of the Anthem House community,” said owner Ziad Maalouf in the release. “Our vision has always been to create gathering spaces that enhance the neighborhoods we serve, and this expansion represents an exciting evolution of our concept with the addition of our evening mezze program.”

Founded in 2017, Café Fili first opened at 816 Cathedral St. in Mount Vernon before expanding to Washington, D.C. The Riverside café will offer all-day service, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, in what the company describes as “a welcoming atmosphere designed to serve both residents and the broader Locust Point community.”

Maalouf said the company plans to open two additional Baltimore locations later in 2026, with broader regional growth expected in 2027.

Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @Jane.Craves.

On Friday, Skipjack’s Crab House took to Facebook to share that its location at 7703 Belair Road will close as a result of the property’s lease not being renewed. Open since 2009, the restaurant will shutter Dec. 7.

“This place has been so much more than just a restaurant. It’s been a home — where families gathered, friends celebrated, and so many special memories were made around great food & crabs and of course laughter,” the post reads. Addressing the restaurant’s staff, the post adds, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You’ve been the soul of this restaurant.”

The brand’s other restaurant under the Skipjack’s name, Skipjack’s Crab Deck at Middle River’s 818 Bowleys Quarters Road, will remain open.

“While this chapter is coming to an end, our story isn’t over,” the post reads. The team added that in Middle River, “you will find a welcoming atmosphere that made our original spot so special.”

Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @Jane.Craves.

The Horse You Came In On Saloon, located at 1626 Thames St., was the backdrop of a series of pictures shared in a now-deleted Instagram post, depicting two people dressed as Nazi soldiers and performing salutes both inside and outside the bar, captioned “The woke reich.”

The post quickly circulated on social media, with several Facebook reviews referring to The Horse You Came In On as a “Nazi bar” before reviews became disabled.

Owner Eric Mathias confirmed the visit in a Saturday Facebook post, in which he reported that “They took photos of themselves saluting, and were courteous enough to tag us and associate us with their stupidity.” He wrote that the costumed patrons have “zero connection” to the bar, adding that “it’s obvious that they came to provoke, antagonize and unfortunately heist quality oxygen that others could be using.”

“My staff is not to blame for the beliefs of these people …” reads the post. “This too will pass and the truth + forward action always win. We’re open for business, come visit us, meet my incredible people and make your own judgement.”

On Yelp as of Tuesday afternoon, reviews were temporary disabled as the company “work[ed] to investigate the content you see here reflects actual consumer experiences rather than recent events.”

Established in 1775, The Horse You Came In On is known as Baltimore’s oldest saloon, as well as the scene of the last sighting of Edgar Allan Poe.

Neither the social media user, nor representatives from The Horse You Came In On, responded to requests for comment.

On Sunday, the user reposted one of the photos, writing in her caption that Instagram had removed the original post.

Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @Jane.Craves.

Messina and The Road Runners will be performing music associated with their latest live album, “Here, There and Everywhere,” at 8 p.m. Nov. 25, according to a news release. Messina has described the album as an eclectic mix of folk, country, rock and Latin from different phases of his career.

He is perhaps best known for playing the bass guitar for the seminal 1960s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Buffalo Springfield. After Springfield disbanded in 1968, Messina co-founded the pioneering country rock band Poco. In 1971, he joined forces with the then-unknown Kenny Loggins to form one of rock’s most successful recording duos.

Over the next eight years, Loggins & Messina released eight albums, selling more than 16 million recordings of such hit tunes as “Danny’s Song” and “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” the release says.

Tickets to the Annapolis concert cost $71 to $96, including fees.

Have a news tip? Contact Mary Carole McCauley at mmccauley@baltsun.com and 410-294-0169.

The holiday promotion is meant to encourage visitors and city residents to shop downtown this holiday season.

From Nov. 28 through New Year’s Day, the first two hours of parking at metered or kiosk spaces in downtown are free when parkers use the ParkMobile app. Parkers can then extend the time by an hour for the normal parking cost.

At Mills-Hillman Garage during the same time period, the first hour of parking will be free when visitors use the ParkMobile app. Two hours of free parking at the Mills-Hillman, Gotts, Knighton or Park Place garages are available to visitors who shop or eat at one of the businesses that are a part of the city’s Park Shop & Dine program and pick up validation coupons.

On Dec. 4, 11 and 18, there will be $5 parking at the Park Place garage during Midnight Madness, an annual late-night shopping event in downtown, and a free shuttle to downtown and back.

City residents are eligible for two-hour free parking with a resident promo code at any time of the year at four downtown garages: Gotts, Knighton, Park Place and Mills-Hillman. The Calvert Street garage is free from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weeknights.

As of Oct. 31, fines for garage ticket violations have been reduced from $50 to $33.50. The lower fee was approved by the City Council and accounts for hourly rate of $3.50, a $5.25 administrative fee and a $25 violation.

Eliminating unnecessary fines at city garages, and instead charging only for time used, is one of the parking issues presumptive Mayor-elect Democrat Jared Littmann said he plans to work on once he takes office in December.

At the Mills-Hillman garage, these fees have been criticized for punishing visitors who misjudge how long they plan to park in the garage. Visitors are asked to pay for the parking they estimate they will use once they park in the garage, and may be charged a fine if they overstay if they do not extend their stay through the app or text-to-pay.

Have a news tip? Contact Katharine Wilson at kwilson@baltsun.com.