Good afternoon, Baltimore: Wednesday lunchtime lowdown

ON THE SITE...

Ships begin to arrive for Sailabration: A welcoming wind and warm sunshine greeted the first ships arriving at Baltimore's Inner Harbor just after 8 a.m. for the weeklong commemoration of the War of 1812.

After fire in Fells Point, residents eye options for gutted space: Crews began clearing the rubble left behind by a five-alarm fire Monday. No cause of the fire or damage estimates have been determined.

Baltimore gay rappers are loud and proud:  For several local rappers who are out, there are lingering stigmas and other obstacles to being accepted by some of their peers in a musical genre known for homophobia.

Loyola freshman attackman Adam Pomper dies: Pomper, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound freshman, played in just one game for the national champion Greyhounds, spending a few minutes on the field in the team’s 17-6 victory over Hobart on April 21.

Battered Baltimore buoy gets some Sailabration love: A replacement is in the works for a two-ton star-spangled marker that has been on duty each summer since 1976. The buoy marks where Francis Scott Key watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

 

COMING LATER...

• More coverage of the Sailabration, with the rest of the tall ships slated to arrive by 5 p.m. The Pride of Baltimore II, with local dignitaries on board, will lead a flotilla of ships to the Inner Harbor this afternoon.
• Political consultant Julius Henson has been sentenced for his role in Election Day 2010 robocalls.
• The Maryland Court of Appeals has ordered a referendum on the Dream Act to remain on the ballot for November's elections.
• More on bear sightings across the region.
• Coverage of the second day of the Ravens' minicamp, including more on the absence of Ed Reed.