Jump In Food Costs Affecting Baltimore Restaurants. Food prices made their biggest jump in nearly 40 years last month, affecting home chefs and the professionals.Food prices rose 3.9 percent last month — the biggest jump in 36 years. According to the Labor Department, about 70 percent of the rising costs is from higher prices for fresh and dry vegetables. The cost of corn, for example, rose 100 percent in February, the department said.
State Considers Billing Medevac Patients. The Maryland State Police unit is getting the biggest, fastest and one of the most expensive fleet Medevac helicopters available.Now, the Gov. Martin O’Malley administration is scrambling to come up with the money to keep the program aloft.The state is looking into the possibility of billing each patient transported, according to 11 News reporter David Collins. This would be a huge departure from current policy, which uses tax dollars to fund the program, without charging patients.
Cherry Blossom Festival To Show Support For Japan. Organizers of the National Cherry Blossom Festival said they’re planning a fundraising walk to show support for survivors and victims of last week’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.The Stand with Japan event is scheduled for the evening of March 24 around the Tidal Basin. The cherry blossom festival starts March 26 and runs through April 10. This year is the 99th anniversary of Japan’s gift of the trees.Spokeswoman Danielle Piacente said organizers had received an outpouring of support for the Japanese victims and wanted to find a way to help. She said there’s no fundraising target in mind, but she said that every little bit will help.
Quake Aftermath Could Affect Car Sales. The aftermath of a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan on Saturday could halt car sales worldwide.Baltimore-area dealerships said the supply of cars is OK, but the rest of year largely depends on crisis in Japan.With factories, ports, roads and railways shut down or damaged in northern Japan, many auto and technology companies are cut off from their suppliers in the disaster zone, which could cause a shortage of auto parts and even some vehicles that are made in Japan.
