On September 14th my retirement dinner was held at Michael’s 8th Avenue and over 200 showed up thanks to the fine efforts by Cynthia Marbury, Barbi, Chris Falkenhagen and some members of my family. State Senate President Mike Miller was the MC, Tim Maloney added some very good remarks, other speakers included Senator Roy Dyson, Delegates Joe Vallario and Jim Proctor, Cathy Waters, Colonel Bud Suraci and one who really impressed me was Lynn Krahling who gave a great talk and of course my good friend Governor Marvin Mandell.

Miller did a super job as the MC and kept the program running smoothly. I appreciated Bunk Athey coming and Krahling and other members of Encore’s Womens ASA National Slow Pitch champions including Mary Kucharski, Carol Byrd Lewis, Beth Bussler, Mary Anderson, Penny Butler, Alice Deppe and Lnda Curry.

Not enough space to include all the names, here’s a few more Ben and Betty Alperstein, Joe and Suzy Duff, Ed Cole, Earl Hawkins, Bruce Bereano, Mike and Denise Bassett, Ron Freeland, Sam Triansos, Beverly Hill, Noni and Jerry Stermer, Delegate John Wood, Nancy Lord, Delegate Melvin Stukes, Danny Rosemary, Ron and Drew Droze, Joe Mona and his wife, Delegate Ted Sophocleus, Delegate Mary Ann Love, Ray Banks and his wife, Donald Grant and his wife. I thank all (including ones who I couldn’t mention here), I love you all!

I received a telephone call from a man, Philip Kapneck, who I hadn’t talked to in many years. When I was growing up in DC his family and Phil treated me so well it was almost unbelievable. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and contributed to the citizens of Maryland in many ways.

Attended George Washington University, elected to the Maryland State Convention, appointed special advisor on Higher Education to the Governor’s office and named:

Man of the Year 1970-71

Humanitarian of the Year 1972-73

Man of the Year 1973-74

Appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to open Maryland’s first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium as State’s Trade Ambassador and he also assisted the Federal Government in "Invest in the USA". He was appointed by Secretary of Business and Economic Development to represent the State of Maryland with international companies in Asia and the South Pacific. He was appointed by former Prime Minister Rowlings as Special Advisor/Maryland Trade Ambassador to assist companies in New Zealand and Australia doing business in the USA. He received Governor’s Citations for his service to the State from two Governors and chaired fund raising events for the American Diabetes Association and Children’s Hospital.

Not only has he been a great citizen of Maryland bur he is a good person who I am proud to say is a loving and loyal friend of mine.

Well the New York Giants spotted the Redskins a 17-3 lead then blew the Skins out in the second half outscoring to chalk up a 24-17 upset win. Clinton Portis and Jason Campbell better practice handoffs or they’ll continue their fumbles. Jason has a strong arm but he better learn how to use it.

Tomorrow (Sept. 30th) the Ravens play at Cleveland. This is the bye week for the Redskins.

I didn’t see Randle El doing any celebrations when the game ended like he was doing earlier.

Ex-Terp Lamont Jordan had 121 yards rushing, 32 yards receiving and a TD in Oakland’s 26-24 win over Cleveland.

Donovan McNabb answered his critics with a 21 for 26 (381 yds and 4 TD’s) performance as the Eagles beat Detroit 56-21.

DC is still trying to lure the Redskins back to DC from Landover and I hear Danny Snyder and the Skins have an escape clause that let’s them leave Prince George’s County.

I don’t think Norv Turner will last as coach of the San Diego Chargers, he’s a good assistant coach but a failure as a head coach. He has Phil Rivers and L.T. ‘arguing" with each other.

Kansas City won their first game of the season 13-10 over Minnesota despite an inept game by Larry Johnson (24 carries, 42 yds).

Navy slipped by Duke 46-43 (not a team like they were when Sonny J. quarterbacked then or when the ball coach was there). Duke is a cut above teams like McDaniel or Frostburg State so I would not think the Mids should see as a BIG win.

Next game for "Little Ego" and his merry men of Annapolis is October 10th at Pittsburgh.

Unless Maryland comes up with a big time quarterback real soon they will remain as a so-so team. They lost in OT to Wake Forest 31-24, after blowing a 24-3 lead. Now they host Georgia Tech on October 6th.

Notre Dame is 0-4 for the worse start in Irish history and not until November does it look like the Irish will pick up a victory and that’s when they play Navy, Air Force and Duke in a row. I wonder how long Charlie Weis will last in South Bend.

West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma scored easy wins.

Towson lost to Delaware and takes on Richmond on October 6th.

Hampton topped Morgan State 24-17, the Bears on October 6th will host N.C.A.&T.

Salisbury 36 Delaware Valley 16, Dickinson 37 McDaniel 20, Moravian 44 John Hopkins 41, SUNY-Brockport 38 Frostburg 7, Michigan 14 Penn State 9, BYU 31 Air Force 6, Holy Cross 55 Georgetown 0, Wolford 42 Appalachian State 31, Boston College 37 Army 17

BULLDOGS EDGE BRONCOS 10-7

One thing was a certainty in tonight’s Bowie State / Fayetteville State football game … One of the teams was going to snap a three game losing streak and win its first game of the season. Well, the bleeding finally stopped for Bowie State as the Bulldogs walked out of the Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium with a narrow 10-7 victory.

BSU junior Isaac Redman capped off a 10 play-74 yard scoring drive, scoring his first TD of the season from one-yard out. Senior Ronald Walls added the extra point, giving the guest a 7-0 advantage. Fayetteville State’s Geron Harper blocked a Walls punt and recovered it himself for a Broncos touchdown. Eric Lamourex converted the extra point, tying the game at 7-7 with 2:58 left in the first quarter.

With 7:14 remaining in the third quarter, BSU’s Walls booted a 25-yard field goal, giving the Bulldogs a 10-7 lead. Fayetteville State penetrated deep into the BSU red zone (six yard line), before Bowie State freshman Delano Johnson picked off the pass in the end zone, killing the Broncos drive.

Offensive stats were not big for either team as Bowie State and Fayetteville State combined for 340 total yards on the night. Fayetteville State managed only 133 yards in total offense, (111 passing and 22 rushing). Bowie State managed only slightly better , accounting for 207 total yards (149 rushing and 58 passing). Freshman Rodney Webb rushed for a season high 106 yards on 19 carries. Bobby Wilder led Fayetteville State on offense, catching five passes for 56 yards.

Eric Conway and Joel Kuvuna led the FSU Broncos on defense with 11 and 10 tackles respectively. Bowie State’s defense was led by freshmen Alvin Cox and Alexander Payton. Cox and Payton racked up seven total tackles each for the Bulldogs.

Bowie State will return to the gridiron – Saturday, September 29th at home against the Tigers of St. Paul’s College in the 4th Annual Prince George’s Classic at 2 p.m.

Josh Haden ran for 2 TD’s to lead Friendly to a 36-0 win over Crossland in the battle of Allentown Road.; Hopson threw 3 TD passes as Patuxent rolled over Northern 36-15 to remain unbeaten at 3-0.; Westlake scored 37 second half points to top McDonough 50-28 and up their record to 3-0.; Antwon Bailey scored twice to lift St. John’s to a 14-11 victory over Good Counsel.

OTHER SCORES:

DeMatha 42 Paul VI 7, Surrattsville 35 Potomac 8, Eleanor Roosevelt 25 Parkdale 0, Cardozo 55 Eastern 14, Wilson 25 Tech 6, Riverdale Baptist 25 C.M. Wright 14, Gwynn Park 55 Fairmont Heights 6, Douglass 44 Central 0, Suitland 21 Oxon Hill 0, Boys Latin 21 Pallotti 12, McNamara 33 O’Connell 28, Gonzaga 28 Carroll 0, Loyola 35 Fork Union 14

With the establishment of the Michael J. Gilbert Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting efforts to treat and eradicate the impact of HIV/AIDS in our community, the 2006 Michael J. Gilbert Benefit Basketball Tournament was held December 29-30, 2005 at Trinity University, 125 Michigan Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC. We were able to raise $2,000.00 for African American Coalition Against AIDS. AACAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to promoting HIV/AIDS prevention education.

The tournament featured eight teams representing well-known high schools from the Washington Metropolitan area including Boy’s Latin (Baltimore), Pallotti (Laurel), McDonogh School (Baltimore), Anacostia HS (DC), Archbishop John Carroll (Pennsylvania), Tampa Catholic (Tampa, FL) and Riverdale Baptist. McDonogh walked out with the championship and the right to be crowned the champion of the 2006 Michael J. Gilbert Benefit Basketball Tournament.

It is my pleasure again to serve as chairperson of the 2007 Michael J. Gilbert Basketball Tournament to benefit HIV/AIDS awareness. This tournament will be held on December 28 -29, 2007, at Trinity University in Washington, D.C

This year’s tournament will feature eight boy’s and four girls’ teams representing well-known high schools from the Washington Metropolitan area including : Boys’ Teams: Anacostia High School (Washington, DC), McDonogh (Owings Mill, MD), Wing Academy (Bronx, NY), Dunbar (Baltimore, MD), New Town (Owings, MD), Riverdale Baptist(Largo, MD),Jericho Christian Academy (Landover, MD), Dunbar (Washington, DC),

Girls’ Teams: Anacostia High School (Washington, DC), Booker T Washington PCS (Washington, DC), Walt Whitman (Bethesda, MD), The Neighborhood Academy (Pittsburgh, PA)

The tournament schedule is as follows:

Friday, December 28, 2007

Game #1 (2:30 p.m.) – Anacostia vs. Jericho, Game #2 (3:45 p.m.) – Riverdale Baptist vs. Dunbar (DC), Game #3 (5:00p.m.) – Anacostia (Girls) vs. Neighborhood Academy (Girls), Game #4 (6:15 p.m.) – Booker T. Washington (Girls) vs. Walt Whitman (Girls), Game #5 (7:30 p.m.) – Dunbar (MD) vs. Wings Academy, Game #6 (8:45 p.m.) - New Town vs. McDonogh, Saturday, December 29, 2007, Game #7 (10:00 a.m.) – Winner Game #1 vs. Winner Game #3, Game #8 (11:15 a.m.) – Winner Game #5 vs. Winner Game #6, Game #9 (12:30 p.m.) – Neighborhood Academy (Girls) vs. Booker T. Washington (Girls) , Game #10 (1:45 p.m.) – Loser Game #1 vs. Loser Game #2, Game #11 (3:15 p.m.) – Loser Game #5 vs. Loser Game #6, Game #12 (4:45 p.m.) – Walt Whitman (Girls) vs. Anacostia (Girls), Game #13 (5:15 p.m.) – Loser Game # 7 vs. Loser Game #8 Third Place, Game #14(7:00 p.m.) – Winner Game #7 vs. Winner Game #8 Championship

The purpose of this new basketball initiative is to increase the opportunity for more area high school athletes to play in an organized, professional caliber tournament and, at the same time raise awareness and educate students and their families about this urgent public health issue in our region.

The foundation was recently established in memory of Michael J. Gilbert, a beloved son, husband, and father who died in 1994 from HIV/AIDS. Michael was a champion of mentoring young people in the metropolitan DC area for many years. He was a tutor, counselor and basketball coach who emphasized during his lifetime, the importance of providing guidance and leadership in the development of our next generation of young people. This tournament will bring attention to the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in our area and showcase the wealth of young talented athletes and committed students who live in our neighborhoods and communities.

Proceeds from this event will benefit African American Coalition Against AIDS. AACAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to promoting HIV/AIDS prevention education. Through the assistance of uncompensated volunteers, they carry out prevention-based programs throughout the northeast with a specific focus on the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Through programs and efforts, they have distribute educational materials, resources and literature aimed at promoting the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention. They sponsor educational workshops for colleges, schools, churches and communi ty groups.

Admission per day: $8 - Adults; $5 - ages 10-17 Student/Youth; Free - Children 9 and under

For information about sponsorships, donatations to raffle off during the games and /or making contributions, please feel free to contact Roderick Dunston at 202-439-2703 and /or Roderick.Dunston@ost.dot.gov or make checks payable to: "Michael J. Gilbert Foundation" P.O.Box 121, Oxon Hill, MD 20750

Donnie Neuenburger finished 25th in the Dover Busch race this past Saturday after starting 38th. Donnie finished going the entire race that brought cheers from his many fans at Dover which shames Maryland in may ways NASCAR track, Five star hotel and exhibit hall and slots emporium) that brings in many, many dollars (a lot from Maryland taxpayers).

One thing that keeps NASCAR minor league is their okay for the NEXTEL drivers to compete in the Busch races, if that isn’t BUSH LEAGUE I don’t know what is. Keep the drivers separate! Busch for Busch and NEXTEL for the NEXTEL only, let the young and new drivers develop in the Busch series and not allow the NEXTEL drivers to step down to get seat time and steal money from the true Busch drivers, Until NASCAR does this they are minor league!

#2 Terp Field Hockey Topples #5 Wake Forest, 3-2

Terps set ACC attendance record

The second-ranked Maryland field hockey team edged past ACC-foe and fifth-ranked Wake Forest, 3-2, in front of an ACC record attendance of 1,734 at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on Saturday afternoon. Terrapin high-scorer freshman Katie O’Donnell scored two unassisted goals, leading Maryland to its 13th-consecutive victory, dating back to last year’s NCAA Tournament.

In what has turned into the one of the ACC’s biggest rivalries, Maryland (9-0, 2-0) never trailed in the game, taking an early lead, just over one and a half minutes into the game, 1-0. Despite being covered by two defenders, freshman Katie O’Donnell found an opening between Wake goalkeeper Crystal Duffield’s legs and scored the game’s first goal.

Exactly four minutes later, the Demon Deacons (5-3, 1-1 ACC) responded. On one of its three first-half penalty corners, Michelle Kasold took a hard shot towards the goal cage and Aileen Davis deflected the ball into the back of the net for the equalizer. It was the first goal the Terps had allowed in nearly 219 minutes, dating back to Sept. 8.

Maryland took advantage of its own penalty corner in the 15th minute on a similar play. After senior Janneke van Leeuwen inserted the ball into play, the shot on the corner came her way and she put her stick down for the deflection. WFU’s Duffield made the save, but could not stop van Leeuwen’s second shot off the rebound, giving Maryland back the lead, 2-1.

The one-goal advantage would stand until late into the game. With 20 minutes left in regulation, it was Kasold, again, who would do the damage. A shot from inside the circle was blocked by a Terrapin defender, but the rebound landed in front of her and she knocked it in for the tying goal, 2-2.

After Maryland head coach Missy Meharg called timeout, the Terrapins’ intensity seemed to shoot up. Controlling the game down the stretch, the Terps had an opportunity to take the lead on a breakaway and a 3-on-1 situation with the Deac’s goalkeeper. Sophomore Ameliet Rischen passed off towards a breaking O’Donnell. But before the pass could get to O’Donnell, sophomore Nicole Muracco touched the ball, slowing down the speed, which O’Donnell was able to better control. Facing only the goalie, O’Donnell faked one way, then took off the other way, leaving the Duffield behind and finding a wide open cage for the eventual game-winning tally.

O’Donnell has recorded at least a point in every game this season and was leading the country in points per game entering the week.

Maryland has had four attendance’s over 1,000 since the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex opened four years ago. The previous ACC record was 1,306 when Maryland hosted Wake Forest in the 2005 ACC Championship game, which the Terps won.

The Terps return to action this week, hosting Ivy League Champion Princeton on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

#5 Wake Forest(5-3, 1-1) 1 1 - 2, #2 Maryland (9-0, 2-0) 2 1 - 3

GOALS: WF, Aileen Davis (Michelle Kasold), 49:35; Michelle Kasold (un), 49:35. MD, Katie O’Donnell (un), 1:35; Janneke van Leeuwen (un), 15:27; Katie O’Donnell (un), 58:49. SHOTS: WF 13, MD 18. PENALTY CORNERS: WF 4, MD 10. SAVES: WF, Crystal Duffield 10 (3 GA, 70:00); MD, Kathryn Masson 6 (2 GA, 70:00). ATTENDANCE: 1,734 - ACC Record.

Auction Items and Sponsorships Wanted!

Hall-of-Fame former Oriole Brooks Robinson will headline the ninth annual Big Train Base Ball & Auction on Sunday, November 18th, 2007. Please join us at the Pooks Hill Marriott for a memorable evening of all things baseball! If you are interested in attending, donating an item for auction, or becoming a sponsor of the Base Ball & Auction, please click here for more information.Because of your loyal support of our annual Big Train Base Ball & Auction, we have been a ble to raise $400,000 during the past eight years. We have used every dollar to improve the community baseball and softball fields where our children and grandchildren play. Once again, we need your generous support. Please sign-up to be a Sponsor of our Ninth Annual Big Train Base Ball & Auction. Those who sign-up by October 12 will be listed in the formal invitation that will be mailed to 4,500 families.

Thanks to these organizations for their generous support of Big Train baseball for the 2007 season: Chevy Chase Bank, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, Grossberg CPAs, Hopkins & Porter, Ledo Pizza, Miller & Long Co., Ourisman Automotive, and Sandy Spring Builders.

2007 was the third season of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The league consists of seven teams, Bethesda Big Train, College Park Maryland Bombers, Herndon Braves, Maryland Redbirds, Rockville Express, Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, and Youse’s Maryland Orioles. The Alexandria Aces will join the league in 2008. The teams play a 42-game regular season from early June to the end of July. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League has a license agreement with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for the use of the name Cal Ripken, Sr. and is not affiliated with nor sponsored by the Foundation or Ripken Baseball. For information, please log onto www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org.

CRSL 2007 REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS

Team W/L GB

Orioles 26-14 —-

Express 27-15 —-

Big Train 24-18 3

Thunderbolts19-19 6

Braves 19-22 7.5

Bombers 15-24 10.5

Redbirds 12-30 14

Bad news for Gary Williams – 6’10 power forward Terrence Jennings has withdrawn his oral commitment to Maryland.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Alice Ghostley ("Bewitched", "Designing Women", Mayberry R.F.D. among others) who passed this week.

Isn’t it something when the President of Iran (who hates the USA, trains terrorists and says the holocaust never happened) can be welcomed to this country, that’s like welcoming Hitler to the USA in the 1930’s. Who thinks now that we should have helped to dispose the Shah? Where was Amasty International when the terrorists were taking over Iran and torching and killing thousands?

Look-a-Likes: Kevin Maxwell and Mike Canning, Blimp Brother 2 and Haystakes Calhoun, Rick Dempsey and Howdy Doody.

Man oh man does Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold need someone to lobby the counsel and legislature because his current gopher just doesn’t cut it. I suggest he hire Annette Sheike, Paul Weisengoff or Nancy Hill and get some real lobbying talent.

Colonel Phil is starting a Britney Spears Fan Club – if you want to join contact the Colonel now.

Joel Osteen will be in Baltimore on October 26th at the 1st Mariner Arena, the 7:30 p.m. event is sold out and a second one at 1:30 p.m. has been added.

How many of you remember the Charles Hotel in Hughsville, how about Oak Grove?

Thanks to Tom Martin and the Memories for their kind letter, CD’s and DVD – I love you all.

WOW MARC is now doing what we proposed 10 and 20 years ago and now its going through. OH, wait a minute it’s a 28 year plan. How many of you are going to be around in 2035? Come on get started now and get in gear for now not when you MTA folks will forget you ever had a plan like this.’

Governor is touring the State to rev up his nitch to tax everyone, I guess no one in his inner circle remembers "Pennies for Lane" that greeted then Governor William Preston Lane when he toured the State for his one cent sales tax. Yes and the increase of 10 to 25 cents on gas at the pump affects everyone.

House Majority Leader Kumar Barve is having a fundraiser on October 16, for more information call 410-547-8884 ext 208 or email george@martin/aver.com. Its Kumar’s 8th annual "Night of Comedy".

A couple of events are coming up for Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney who’s running for U.S. Congress in the First Congressional District:

September 30th Kent Island Yacht Club 3 to 6 $25 per adult, $5 for children, call 443-249-0607

October 5th 6 to 9 p.m. It’s free! 8909 Winged Foot Drive, Pasadena, MD hosted by Tom & Kristin Fleckenstein, meet and greet Frank Kratovil, Jr. running for Congress from the 1st Congressional District

I back Frank Kratovil, Jr. for this position because he’s honest and will do a great job for citizens of the 1st Congressional District.

I think Marilyn Jacobs Ott would be great on "Dancing with the Stars", she’s a St. Mary’s College and University of Maryland grad. She would be sensational as Wayne Newton’s partner.

Andy McPhail says the Orioles want no part of Barry Bonds. WOW the Orioles swept Kansas City this season. Kansas City is the Tampa Bay of the West.

Will the MARC baseball trains be coming back next season?

They have a walking tour in Annapolis that shows you where the theatres were in the Capital City.

Some of my favorite eating places are Henry’s Soul Café (Ft. Washington), Bella Napoli (Pasadena), Galaway (Annapolis), G&M (Linthicum), TGIFridays (Bowie), Sunset (Glen Burnie), Olive Gardens (anywhere), and Catus Willies (Glen Burnie).

Word to the Orioles—Do not trade Miquel Tajada!! Trade Ramon Hernandez, now you know why three teams let him go. He’s a clubhouse lawyer.

How many murderers live in Washington Highlands and Condon Terrace? Isn’t it about time to relocate these folks to Montana or North Dakota and level this place? When I was young it wasn’t that bad a place.

How many remember the Pacific Restaurant, the Fort Carroll Tavern and the Bucket of Blood?

I wonder where Joan Scott Thorne, Jean Smith Heenan, Pat Hayes, Charlie Wright, and Judy Hurst are today?

Do you really think Jason Campbell will become a solid NFL Quarterback?

Where is Marc Fitzpatrick hanging out these days?

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!!