Absence

WASHINGTON -- For the first time in six years, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was not at her place in the Supreme Court's private conference room yesterday when the justices returned to work after their summer recess. She remained hospitalized, recuperating from cancer surgery.Lyle Denniston of The Sun's national staff examines what her absence may mean to the court.Q. What is known about her illness and her prospects?A. Ten days ago, the 66-year-old justice was operated on for colon cancer at Washington Hospital Center.

What could have mushroomed into a disastrous week for the Ravens' offensive backfield merely wound up as an unsettling one.Of all the disturbing moments from Friday night's 39-29 preseason loss to the New York Jets -- and the Ravens had their share with three turnovers, seven penalties, blown pass coverages, missed tackles, under-thrown passes and dropped passes -- the sight of rookie running back Jay Graham getting carried off the Meadowlands field early...

With their coach away for most of last week because of a death in his family, several Lake Clifton players said that staying focused has been difficult.But the No. 4 Lakers needed to be at full attention yesterday against visiting Douglass, the area's No. 14-ranked team and a squad that on the road had pushed Southern-Baltimore and No. 1 Southwestern to the brink earlier in the season.Once again, Douglass was still fighting late in the game, but the Lakers were able to collect a 76-69 victory in a Baltimore City non-divisional game.

For those 50 and over who are the main caregivers to relatives or friends, traveling presents a problem: Who will take over in their absence? The Visiting Nurse Service of New York has provided these Eldercare Services Travel Tips:Select a substitute caregiver or visitor to perform necessary duties during your absence (food shopping, accompanying the older adult to doctor's appointments, etc.). If he or she relies on a home care worker, carry with you the name and phone number of a reputable home care agency that can guarantee a replacement on short (two to four hours)

Two children, one glassIn the absence of sharing.Two full-bodied whines.

BERLIN -- So many world leaders went to the United Nations celebrations this week that it has taken a few days for Germans to realize Chancellor Helmut Kohl was not among them.Because Mr. Kohl is one of Europe's veteran leaders, and because Germany is a possible candidate for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, his absence has raised eyebrows here.The grumbling spilled over into Parliament on Wednesday, with several members criticizing Mr. Kohl for choosing to stay home."Was it arrogance, error or simply indifference to the U.N. that kept you away from the celebrations?"

MOSCOW -- President Boris N. Yeltsin appointed a conservative-dominated Cabinet yesterday, provoking the departure of yet another economic adviser trusted by the West and leading to predictions of economic chaos from advocates of rapid market reforms.The Cabinet formation also generated unhappiness in Washington, where a State Department spokesman said that "the absence [in the government] of those known in the West as proponents of reform is a source of concern."The new Cabinet was a clear victory for Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, a centrist with strong ties to agrarian and industrial interests.

Theatre Project patrons will realize they're in for something different as soon as they see the physical set-up for Double Edge Theatre's "Song of Absence in the Fall of the Ashen Reign," which opens Wednesday. Instead of the usual bank of seats at one end of the room, the audience sits on elevatedbenches on either side of an elongated playing area.Doing things differently is practically a way of life for Double Edge founder and artistic director Stacy Klein, a native Baltimorean whose work is being seen in her hometown for the first time.

School officials will try Thursday to resolve a dispute with the Maryland State Department of Education over a local attendance policy that excuses student absences for family trips.The committee that drew up the attendance policy will bring the school board a revision that committee members hope will meet state officials' objections.The board will meet at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108.State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick warned in December that Howard's policy was out of line because it allowed five days of excused absences for students "at parental discretion"for family trips or college visits.

"Song of Absence in the Fall of the Ashen Reign" is like an over-ornamented, darkly woven tapestry in which bright imagesoccasionally shine through the busy stitching.Conceived and directed by former Baltimorean Stacy Klein for her Boston-based company, Double Edge Theatre, the 65-minute piece -- currently at the Theatre Project -- is intended as an hommage to the Eastern European Hasidic culture that perished in the Holocaust. However, the nightmarish tone of this impressionistic work accentuates death and destruction more than that which was destroyed.

Opening Day was like a holiday in my house. My parents didn't think twice about taking us out of school with a note that said: "Please excuse the Connolly children for their absence. They got Opening Day tickets." (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/cornersportsbar)

The lesser-known Republican presidential candidates had the stage to themselves last night at Morgan State University, taking advantage of high-profile absences to pitch themselves to a national audience. The no-shows meant a larger share of the spotlight for contenders all polling in single digits. But it came with challenges: The event's hosts and some questioners voiced skepticism that the Republican Party offered any opportunities for people of color. "I admit I'm a little bit out of my comfort zone," said radio host Tom Joyner, who kicked off the event.

The Whole World Over By Julia Glass In Glass' sprawling follow-up to her award-winning novel Three Junes, a dozen or so characters are plunged into the tumultuous dissatisfactions and challenges of middle age, their paths crossing and recrossing with a pleasing mixture of chance and inevitability. While this work is less emotionally gripping than Three Junes, Glass brings the same assured narrative drive and engaging prose to this exploration of the quest for love and its tests - absence, doubt, infidelity, guilt and loss.

HOLLYWOOD -- Laura Spencer -- who in 30 discontinuous years as a lead character on ABC's General Hospital, has gone from an ingenue to a catatonic mental patient -- is about to wake up. In grandiose soap-opera style, Laura, famously played by Genie Francis, will come out of her state of "psychomotor disassociation," to use the show's diagnosis. Laura's revival on today's episode -- and Francis' return to the show after a four-year absence -- will no doubt have repercussions for her three troubled children: Lucky is recovering from a nasty pill addiction, Lulu feels guilty about her recent abortion and Nikolas' life is being undermined by his son's psychotic nanny.

Air McNair officially took flight last night. In a near-flawless debut that headlined the Ravens' preseason 17-16 loss to the New York Giants, Steve McNair energized a dormant offense and electrified an M&T Bank crowd of 70,249, leading the Ravens to a touchdown in his first and only drive. Next preseason game Eagles@Ravens, Thursday, 8 p.m. Highlights How McNair did -- Quarterback Steve McNair raised expectations even higher last night, completing four of five passes for 45 yards before running for a 6-yard touchdown.

Concert RobinElla performs FYI Edward Gunts is on sabbatical. In his absence, the architecture col umn will not appear.

BARCELONA, Spain -- In a summit marked as much by who was not there as who was, the European Union opened a two-day conference yesterday aimed at renewing its commitment to developing and democratizing Muslim nations on the Mediterranean's southern rim. Many of the North African and Middle Eastern leaders who had agreed to come to the meeting in Barcelona announced last week that they could not attend. Their absence weakens European claims that their approach to the Muslim world - based on economic development, dialogue, strengthening the rule of law and other forms of soft power - has greater credibility with the region's leaders than what they see as the Bush administration's more aggressive approach.

DETROIT - Along with answering question after question about what it's like to be at the All-Star Game, three of the Orioles' four representatives also fielded inquiries about a teammate who wasn't here. Several national writers talked to B.J. Ryan, Brian Roberts and Melvin Mora about Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, who is on the doorstep of history. He needs only two hits to become just the fourth major league player to record 3,000 hits and more than 500 home runs. He likely will reach the milestone during the team's upcoming 10-game road trip, which starts tomorrow in Seattle.

SAMMY SOSA, fresh off the disabled list and facing reporters on the heels of another significant Orioles challenge, put it best last night. "One comes in and one comes out." Several of his teammates and his manager added this footnote: "That's baseball." A fast start makes a nice story. Keeping the momentum sustained through a long summer pocketed with inevitable injuries makes or breaks a season. The Orioles survived their first major test, remaining atop the American League East while Sosa missed 16 games with a staph infection.

THE ORIOLES knew this wasn't going to be easy. A fast start is one thing. Keeping the momentum sustained through a long summer pocketed with inevitable injuries is another. The Orioles have survived their first major test, remaining atop the American League East while slugger Sammy Sosa missed 16 games with a staph infection. Now they must prepare for another - one perhaps much more daunting than the 16-game loss of Sosa. How this team responds to losing starting catcher Javy Lopez to a broken bone in his throwing hand will go a long way in determining whether the Orioles are in a late-season pennant race.