30th Anniversary

The last two "Fridays after Five" discounts in honor of the National Aquarium in Baltimore 's 30th anniversary are tonight, March 18 and next Friday, March 25. As we've told you before , buy a ticket to enter after 5 p.m. and pay only $8 per person; dolphin shows cost an additional $4. And tonight is the Target Family Fun Night at Port Discovery , with $2 admission from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. You'll also be able to...

Mothers are very important people. They give us hugs and kisses; they put Band-Aids on our wounds; they hide special notes in our lunch boxes. They're so special and important that they even get their own day. Today, my two brothers - Matthew and Jacob - and I will celebrate our mothers for Mother's Day. We'll plot how to surprise our moms and talk about what we should make for a special breakfast, then go do something fun with them. But this Mother's Day will be even more special than all of the others because we'll plan all our surprises knowing that soon after, on May 18 (one week before their 30th anniversary)

Need a reason to get out the party hats, bake a cake and invite people over? Not to worry -- with a good reference book at your side, you can come up with meaningless milestones every day, just like the professionals in marketing and media.Take, for example, Elvis Presley. Is it possible to find a reason to write about him every year through 2000 A.D.? Is Graceland in Memphis?We were able to do this exercise in 10 minutes, without even referring to "The Ultimate Elvis: Elvis Presley Day By Day" (Simon & Schuster, $30)

Edward C. Papenfuse, an Annapolis icon who has presided over the Maryland State Archives for almost 38 years, announced this week that he will retire as of Nov. 1. Papenfuse, a leading authority on Maryland history, announced his intentions at Monday's meeting of the state Hall of Records Commission. A decade into his tenure as state archivist and commissioner of land patents, the archives moved to the building it now occupies on Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. In 2005, to commemorate Papenfuse's 30th anniversary in his job, the Board of Public Works named the building for him. A white-bearded man with a jovial manner, Papenfuse has long been a familiar figure at Maryland historical commemorations and other public events.

PHILADELPHIA -- They were again in close quarters, sharing popcorn and laughs rather than punches and nasty looks. Ali-Frazier IV was much different from I, II and III. This wasn't the Thrilla in Manila, but the most public detente between these two former world champion boxers and longtime arch-enemies. That it came in the City of Brotherly Love seemed a fitting way for Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to finally put their 30-year feud behind them. "Absolutely," said Miya Ali, who sat behind her legendary father at courtside during yesterday's NBA All-Star Game at the First Union Center.

Kick-start your fall at the annual Oktoberfest at Bob's BMW Motorcycles in Jessup. The festivities last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29, and authentic German foods will be offered. “This is a family-oriented event,” says Hanna Creekmore, marketing manager at Bob's. “And vendors will be on-site to answer any questions (motorcycle) riders may have.” The event attracts riders from all over the region, she says, adding that 2012 is also the year that Bob's BMW celebrates its 30th anniversary.

In marking the 30th anniversary of the riots that left scars on Baltimore that linger today, The Sun will devote its Opinion Commentary page April 3 to firsthand memories of the riots.We are soliciting recollections of about 200 words, which will be subject to editing. A selection will be published.The deadline for receiving these submissions is March 20. They should include the name and address of the writer, along with day and evening telephone numbers.'Send articles by mail to: Opinion Commentary Editor, The Sun, P.O. Box 1377, Baltimore 21278-0001.

Edward C. Papenfuse, an Annapolis icon who has presided over the Maryland State Archives for almost 38 years, announced this week that he will retire as of Nov. 1. Papenfuse, a leading authority on Maryland history, announced his intentions at Monday's meeting of the state Hall of Records Commission. A decade into his tenure as state archivist and commissioner of land patents, the archives moved to the building it now occupies on Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. In 2005, to commemorate Papenfuse's 30th anniversary in his job, the Board of Public Works named the building for him. A white-bearded man with a jovial manner, Papenfuse has long been a familiar figure at Maryland historical commemorations and other public events.

Isn't it about time we all stopped wallowing in the death of John F. Kennedy?The media can dress up all their specials this week as "celebrations" or "investigations," but to me they are just exploitations and titillations.They are just an excuse to drag out old clips of Marilyn Monroe singing "Happy Birthday" and the Zapruder film and John-John saluting.Monday will be the 30th anniversary of John Kennedy's death, and to that I say: So what? What is so special about a 30th anniversary?A 25th anniversary, OK, I will grant you a certain significance to a quarter of a century.

Local pools will be opening their doors next weekend, the first weekend of the summer. Crofton Country Club will open its pool's doors at 11 a.m. for its members. A lot has been happening at the club pool this winter and the season is sure to be a big hit with everyone.Let's start hoping for great weather next weekend. And whatever you do, have fun and be safe.*Spring is a good time to clean out the attic, garage or basement. And once you've finished, you can take all those treasures you no longer want to keep around to the Crofton Goodwill Donation Center in the parking lot of the Crofton Shopping Center on Route 3. The truck is there from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month through December.

Thursday is release day for 2012 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the big release, always scheduled for the third Thursday of November. Metropolitan Coffeehouse and Wine Bar in Federal Hill is having its 6th annual "From the Barrel" Beaujolais Nouveau release party on Thursday, featuring all-you-can-drink Beaujolais Nouveau and "tons of classic French cuisine," including boeuf Bourguignon, coq au vin, duck confit casserole, ratatouille and "killer French cheeses.

The Believe In Tomorrow annual Benefit & Auction pulled in the largest crowd ever -- some 800 people -- at M&T Bank Stadium Saturday night. Yes, it was the non-profit's 30th anniversary of providing support and housing to critically ill children and their families. But this year the party was also dedicated to the late Patrick "Scunny" McCusker, who was a passionate supporter of the charity. The owner of Canton's Nacho Mama's and Mama's On The Half Shell was killed in an Ocean City accident Aug. 24. "[This turnout]

Kick-start your fall at the annual Oktoberfest at Bob's BMW Motorcycles in Jessup. The festivities last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29, and authentic German foods will be offered. “This is a family-oriented event,” says Hanna Creekmore, marketing manager at Bob's. “And vendors will be on-site to answer any questions (motorcycle) riders may have.” The event attracts riders from all over the region, she says, adding that 2012 is also the year that Bob's BMW celebrates its 30th anniversary.

It wouldn't be Christmas in Harford County without a visit to the annual Christmas Train Garden sponsored by the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company. The train garden is up and running at the firehouse at 3825 Federal Hill Road in Jarrettsville. The train garden, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is open to the public. There's no admission charge. There is a scavenger hunt for pieces inside the gardens. If someone can find the snowman with the bird nest hat, then they will receive a voucher for Keyes Creamery.

Five artists, including two photographers, a sculptor, a film director and one who works in multimedia, will be competing for this year's $25,000 Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape prize. The five include Baltimoreans Stephanie Barber (multimedia), Matthew Porterfield (film) and Rachel Rotenberg (sculpture), along with two Washington photographers, Louie Palu and Mark Parascandola. Works from the five finalists will go on exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art 's Alvin and Fanny Blaustein Thalheimer Galleries beginning June 25. The winner will be announced July 9 at the BMA. This is the sixth year for the award, which is presented annually to a visual artist living and working in the Greater Baltimore area.

The last two "Fridays after Five" discounts in honor of the National Aquarium in Baltimore 's 30th anniversary are tonight, March 18 and next Friday, March 25. As we've told you before , buy a ticket to enter after 5 p.m. and pay only $8 per person; dolphin shows cost an additional $4. And tonight is the Target Family Fun Night at Port Discovery , with $2 admission from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. You'll also be able to...

Severna Park United Methodist Church celebrates its 30th anniversary Sunday with services at 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. An outdoor reception will be held after each service.A helium-filled balloon above the church will announce the celebration. At each service, children will carry red and white balloons in a "procession into the future," said the Rev. Warren Ebenger, the church minister.The Rev. Wesley Dodge, SPUMC minister from 1970 to 1980, will preach at all three services. He and his wife, Mary Lee Dodge, will greet friends during the receptions.

Thursday is release day for 2012 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the big release, always scheduled for the third Thursday of November. Metropolitan Coffeehouse and Wine Bar in Federal Hill is having its 6th annual "From the Barrel" Beaujolais Nouveau release party on Thursday, featuring all-you-can-drink Beaujolais Nouveau and "tons of classic French cuisine," including boeuf Bourguignon, coq au vin, duck confit casserole, ratatouille and "killer French cheeses.

Few live music clubs have been as celebrated for as long as the 9:30 Club. Soon after the Washington club opened in 1980, it became the go-to spot for influential bands of all stripes, from the local dance group Tiny Desk Unit to alt-rockers R.E.M. It's been named the Nightclub of the Year multiple times by the influential trade magazine Pollstar and sells more tickets than any other club of its size. Ask any number of nationally touring musicians to name their favorite clubs, and the 9:30 Club is bound to be near the top of their lists.

She probably could have done it years ago, but the timing seems perfect now. Singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock 'n' roll king Elvis Presley, has finally connected her musical skills with those of her legendary father. On "In the Ghetto," a "departed duet" in the vein of Natalie Cole's 1991 Grammy winner "Unforgettable," Presley adds her vocals to a slightly reconfigured version of Elvis' famed 1969 recording. The song and video were released this week to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, and all proceeds from the project will benefit a new Presley Place transitional housing campus in New Orleans, one of the late singer's favorite cities.