Westminster Community Times

American Legion Post 116 , at 1090 Westminster Road, is selling Christmas trees at the post. www.Post116.org . Full Story »

The Owings Mills Volunteer Fire Co. is selling Christmas trees at the station, 10401 Owings Mills Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 25. Full Story »

Immigrants in the Baltimore area are contributing more to the local economy than their population numbers would suggest, according to a new report on their impact. Full Story »

President Obama’s announcement to send an additional 30,000 troops into Afghanistan has drawn a mixed reaction, especially among Democrats who want to support the president but may generally be against troop escalation. Full Story »

A black women’s civic and social organization is praising a new Disney animated film as ground breaking because its lead character is a black girl. Full Story »

As holiday shoppers head out to catch bargains at the malls, big box stores and neighborhood shops, many will whip out their credit cards and add to a growing mountain of debt. Full Story »

The county has been developing a master plan with public input for the remaining Rosewood Hospital property in Owings Mills. The county planning department is holding a meeting tonight at Stevenson University to present the plan. Full Story »

The county health department is holding an H1N1 or swine flu clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 9. It is an appointment and walk-in clinic, and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Timonium Fairgrounds. Full Story »

Baltimore County police in the Franklin and Woodlawn precincts recently recorded the following reported incidents, among others, in the Owings Mills, greater Randallstown and greater Reisterstown communities. Full Story »

It’s nice to receive an early holiday gift. Just ask Gov. Martin O’Malley, who recently announced a lucrative deal that could lead to a big increase in business at a vital economic center – the Port of Baltimore. Full Story »

Now is the time for all of us to take stock of what is in our hearts, and what comes out of our mouths, when we speak to someone who has lost their job, particularly from a workforce reduction, when it is through no action of their own. Full Story »

The first snowfall – and what a beauty. Stark black branches rimmed with white. Evergreen branches bowed under a mantle of snow. Bushes and small trees show a lacework of snow on their branches. Red holly berries shine through a jacket of green and white. Full Story »