(File photo)

Governor Hughes, Johns Hopkins, Birdin Hand and more

Former Md. Governor Harry Hughes dies

Former Maryland governor Democrat Harry Hughes has died. He was 92. Hughes led the state from 1979 to 1987, as Maryland’s 57th governor. Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered state flags to fly at half-staff, until sunset on the day of Hughes’ interment. Hogan said in a statement March 13: “The First Lady and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Governor Harry Hughes, a longtime friend and Maryland legend whom I deeply admired. His dedication to our great state — as a distinguished member of the Maryland General Assembly and as our 57th governor — and his service to our nation as a member of the Navy Air Corps during World War II leave a legacy behind that will be forever remembered. Our most sincere prayers are with his two daughters, Ann and Elizabeth, his family, friends, and loved ones in this time of grieving. We will give him the celebration of life that he truly deserves.”

Half of American Jews identified as Democrat in 2018

State of the Union
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address at the Capitol, Feb. 5, 2019. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Pool/Getty Images)

About half of American Jews identified as Democrat in Gallup polls in 2018. Some 52 percent of American Jews identified as Democrat, 16 percent as Republican and 31 as independent in combined Gallup tracking poll data for 2018, which encompassed over 75,000 interviews with U.S. adults, including 938 self-identified Jewish Americans. Jews were the religious group with the highest percentage identifying as Democrat. By contrast, 30 percent of Catholics and 27 percent of Protestant and other Christians identified as Democrats, as well as 29 percent of all Americans. Meanwhile, Gallup polling found that Jewish Americans were among the least likely in 2018 to approve of President Donald Trump of all religious groups in 2018, with just 26 percent approving and 71 percent disapproving. By contrast, 50 percent of Protestants and other Catholics, and 61 percent of Mormons approved of Trump’s performance, compared to 40 percent of all Americans. —JTA

U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report’s Best Grad Schools (Screenshot)

Johns Hopkins Named Best PublicHealth School

U.S. News& World Report‘s latest list of the country’s best graduate schools wasreleased March 11. Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health earnedthe top spot of Best Public Health Schools — a position it has held since therankings began in 1994. Harvard University, University of North Carolina–ChapelHill, Columbia University, and Emory University and University of Michigan-AnnArbor (tie) round out the top five. The school also ranked Number 1 for BestNursing School: Master’s and in second place behind Harvard University for BestMedical Schools: Research. University of Pennsylvania and Stanford Universitytied for third in the category.

Read more: Johns Hopkins Named Best Public Health School

Emma Snyder
Emma Snyder is part owner of The Ivy Bookshop in Mount Washington. (Photo by Vincent Lupo)

Bird in Hand applies for liquorlicense

Upon joiningas a co-owner of Bird in Hand in 2017, Emma Snyder said she saw the then-newbusiness “was a really terrific model of merging a bookstore with a trulysocial space.” Two years later, Snyder has fresh plans to capitalize on itssocial-literary potential, according to Baltimore Fishbowl. She recentlyapplied for a license to serve beer, wine and liquor, a move she says can helpmake Bird in Hand “a more active space in the evenings,” particularly withlonger hours and more events. She also some alterations planned for the space,including adding more seating inside to address what she calls “a lovelyproblem of it being very popular and crowded” throughout the week. And outside,she’s eyeing a beautification plan for the patio, including enclosures andcreating “more of a green space and making it feel like more of an extension ofthe interior.”

Read more: Bird in Hand applies for liquor license, plans more events and a few upgrades

Also see: Emma Snyder on Facebook Live

Nordstrom Rack coming to Canton

 Amajor new clothing store is set to open this week in a Canton shopping center,according to Fox45. Nordstrom Rack will officially open March 14 at CantonCrossing, on Boston Street near South Conkling Street. A grand opening for the32,500-square-foot store will start at 8 a.m., according to a press release. Thecompany noted: “Customers can enter for a chance to win one of 20 $100gift cards and one lucky customer will win a $1,000 shopping spree and earlyaccess to shop the store.”

Read more: Nordstrom Rack to open in Canton

Amar’e Stoudemire
Amar’e Stoudemire speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, August 8, 2016. (Flash90)

AmareStoudemire granted Israeli citizenship

Former NBAstar Amare Stoudemire received his official Israel identity card in a ceremonyat the Interior Ministry on March 13. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said he wasgranted citizenship due to his “unique contributions” to Israeli society. “It’sa very exciting moment for me. My body is flooded with emotions now, my lovefor Israel has been with me for many years, and being part of Israel issomething very special,” Stoudemire said at the ceremony, the Hebrew languageYnet reported. “I would like to say thank you also toHapoel Jerusalem for giving me the opportunity to play on the team and to helpme in this process.” Stoudemire has been playing professional basketball forthe Hapoel Jerusalem team since 2016, though he left briefly in mid-2017 to tryfor a return to the NBA. He was granted residency rights in January. Havingcitizenship will free up one of the team’s few allowed slots for non-citizensin Israeli League competition. He identifies with the HebrewIsraelites, African-Americans who believe they are connected to thebiblical Israelites, and observes Jewish holidays. He told HBO sportsreporter Jon Frankel at an event at Harvard University in April 2018that he is “in the process” of converting to Judaism. Stoudemire played for theNew York Knicks and Phoenix Suns among other teams in a 16-year NBA career. Hehad to suspend his part ownership in Hapoel in order to play.–JTA

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