The Daily Record’s “Photo of the Day” is a chance for our photographers to capture slices of life in their travels across Maryland. But we know there is much more going on in the state than what their lenses find.

That’s where you come in.

The Daily Record wants your photographs of what’s happening in Maryland for a new feature, “Maryland Moment.” The photo could be related to the news of the day or it could be a shot right outside your window. It can be an action shot (left) or just something very adorable.

You can send us your photos by using the form here. We ask that the photos be of something from the last week or so; we don’t want photos of Fourth of July fireworks in February.

If we like your Maryland Moment, we’ll post it online where our Photo of the Day normally resides and might publish it in the print edition as well.

So happy picture-taking. We can’t wait to see what develops.

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The Daily Record will release next week our list of the top stories of 2011. But before we do, we want to hear from you. What do you think were the top stories of the past year?

If you’re looking for suggestions from us, sorry. We don’t want to influence your choices. Besides, as a loyal reader, you already know the big business and law stories from the past year.

Leave your nominees as a comment on the blog or, if you prefer, send me an email with the subject line “Top stories of 2011.” We need to hear from you by Tuesday; our list will appear in Friday’s paper.

Thanks and happy holidays!

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Today, I’m on the hunt for Woody Harrelson.

“Game Change” is filming at the Tremont Grand, right around the corner from TDR’s offices, and security and set people have told us that Harrelson’s supposed to make an appearance Monday to shoot a scene.

The made-for-TV movie about the 2008 presidential election is filming around the state, and has made its way to downtown Baltimore. Harrelson plays Steve Schmidt, a senior campaign adviser to Sen. John McCain. Also set to star in the movie is Julianne Moore, Ed Harris, and a bunch of other people.

In case you’ve been walking around Charles Street lately and noticed the orange and black “Denali” signs, it’s for Denali Productions Inc., a commercial production company. If you’re curious, president Bob Carmichael’s site is here, showing the array of other work they’ve done.

While a few of us TDR staff walked right through a scene shortly before 11 a.m., none of the actors were him. One set man quipped that  Harrelson hadn’t woken up yet, while a security guard told us that we may not get to see him on account of his entourage.

The day is still early, Mr. Harrelson.

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So, I was checking out the pandemonium next to TDR‘s offices Wednesday morning for Gov. William Donald Schaefer’s funeral service at Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Lots of police and lots of citizens lining up to be seated — well before doors opened to the church at 9 a.m. I couldn’t even cross Charles Street without tripping on a microphone cord for TV crews.

While I’m taking it in and leaning against the Tremont Grand hotel, some of its employees come out with four gold-colored, nicely cushioned chairs and lined them up on the sidewalk just next to me. One employee tapes on printed sheets of paper: “Reserved For Art Donovan.” Another employee sets up a velvet rope barricade around the chairs.

So I asked the friendly doorman what the deal was. He said that apparently Art Donovan, of Baltimore Colts defense fame, wanted a reserved outdoor view of the procession. He then asked me if I knew who Art Donovan was, just to make sure. Of course I know who Art Donovan is, he was on Nickelodeon’s Pete and Pete one time!

Kidding. I think almost anyone who’s grown up in Baltimore, even after the Colts left the city, has still seen Donovan if they’ve ever watched a little WJZ.

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When the vending machine in our break room was replaced recently, I quickly noticed a revolutionary feature of the new machine: my candy bar never gets stuck.

No more gripping the big box by its shoulders and rocking its tasty treats free. No more leaving notes for the stocker to pay me back my loose change.

Allow me to explain. Our vending machine is equipped with iVend technology, a lattice of infrared beams just above the tray where the candy falls.

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