Meatballs, Marijuana, Pit Bulls, Gym Etiquette: Top Local Voices

Playoff Party Food: Meatballs, Old Bay Wings, Venison Chili
Are you ready for some "thick, hardy, bone stickin’ chili" served with jalapeno cornbread? Maybe sweet ‘n’ sour meatballs or Old Bay wings would delight the sports fans you know. Get these game-ready recipes and more from local chef Carol Woelfel Thames in her blog:Kooky Carol's Kitchen Concoctions.

What Happens When Pit Bulls Attack
“Pit bulls are a public safety issue that demands a higher standard than those who own poodles,” writes Annapolis-based attorney Drew Cochran. He detailed two specific situations where pit bull owners could be legally liable in his blog. Read more about a bill in the state senate that aims to remove pit bulls from breed-specific restrictions that make owners liable if pit bulls bite. Read the full post here.

Just Joined a Gym? 13 Rules to Follow in Class
Whether you’re a gym rat or an exercise newbie, these 13 rules from Patch blogger Diane McCade Smith will help make your next class at the gym easier. Trying Zumba? Don’t worry if you can’t keep up, just keep dancing. Getting your zen on with yoga? Get there early so you have time to roll out your mat. For more tips, check out the blog: Gym Etiquette.

Yoga Speak: Yoga, My Son And Me
“Letting go is not a loss … letting go makes room for abundance.” Make room in your day to read this beautifully written blog post by Anne Samit. She reflects on how her relationship with her son has changed as he has grown and the lessons they’ve learned from their yoga practice. Follow Samit’s blog, Yoga Speak, here.

Keep Your Financial Resolutions This Year
Did you resolve to manage your money better in 2014? Nancy Stark shares tips from the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland to help you keep that resolution this year. From budgeting to saving for retirement to using credit wisely, this post is full of good tips to improve your money management. Read the full post here.

Get Organized One Step at a Time
"All this talk about resolutions has got me thinking about that one I hear the most, 'I resolve to ‘Get Organized’ this year.' But what does it mean?" wrote professional organizer Nettie Owens in the Sappari Solutions blog. She recommends in her blog that people take small steps to accomplish what they want so it seems less overwhelming. For more advice, read Get Organized for the New Year.

Marijuana, Common Core, Rain Tax, Minimum Wage: Hot Topics for Maryland Lawmakers
Who better than a state delegate to provide a preview of the hot topics to be discussed in the 2014 legislative session in Annapolis that convened Wednesday? Read what's in store for the Maryland General Assembly from Del. Eric Bromwell, who represents Maryland's 8th Legislative District, and blogs on Patch: Click here to read the full post.