Aura

The Presidential Commission on Space Exploration Policy At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians are busy preparing Aura -- NASA's $800 million atmospheric research satellite -- for a July 10 launch. It's been a long time coming. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration conceived the mission 18 years ago. The Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt awarded the Aura contract a decade ago. And Northrop Grumman Space Technologies began building the spacecraft three years ago. Fast enough for the old NASA, perhaps.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Let there be no revisionist history on this one. So the Orioles overpaid for their major offseason acquisition. Right here, right now, the price was right. Can you tell something about a baseball player by the way he dashes out of the dugout on his very first trip to the field on his very first day of spring training with his new team? Miguel Tejada didn't have to scamper up the steps at Fort Lauderdale Stadium like it was Opening Day yesterday, but he did, bats in one hand and the other waving to the applauding crowd in the stands.

TURN ON THE TV, go to the neighborhood tavern and watch some of the Women's World Cup, whose broadcasts start today with the U.S. team's 12:30 p.m. opener against Sweden at RFK Stadium on ABC. That's the advice from defender Joy Fawcett. The 35-year-old U.S. national team veteran believes it's again time for everyone to take a look. Mia Hamm is better fit and a better player than ever before - if that's possible. The Swedes should give the United States a good match. And if Germany and the U.S. team advance to their destined semifinal, it should prove an epic showdown.

On June 5, 2003, Aura L. (nee Bowen) of Oak Crest Village. Beloved wife of Charles "Bud" E. Wagner, Sr., devoted mother of Nancy V. Riley and husband Bob, Charles E. Wagner, Jr. and wife Fran. Loving grandmother of Zachary, Stephen and great-grandmother of Amanda, sister of Anna Young, Oliver Bowen, Alfred Bowen and the late Thomas Bowen, Agnes Cadden and William Bowen. Friends may call at the JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME, P.A, 8521 Loch Raven Blvd. (beltway exit 29B), on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Family and friends are invited attend Services on Saturday in the Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 10 A.M. Interment Bel Air Memorial Gardens.

On February 25, 2003 AURA E., beloved mother Adelinda Gonzalez, she is also survived by son-in-law Gilberto Gonzalez and grandchildren Ashley, Erick and Jacqueline. Friends may call at the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST INC., 4300 Wabash Ave., on Monday after 9 A. M. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday at 10 A.M. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 27 Melvin Avenue. See www.marchfh.com

SANTA ANA, Calif. - New homebuyers Mike and Shannon Clarson have looked at more than 50 houses in the past two years, so they know there's no place like a model home. "I think when a house is decorated as they do the models, it's eye-appealing. That's what makes you want that home, the way it's decorated," said Shannon, who was waiting to meet with a salesperson at one such model home. Seated next to her and their infant son on a sofa, Mike nodded: "The details and nice touches really sell the home."

Francis Cain knows the story by heart. In 1993, two Baltimore police officers visited his Southeast Baltimore neighborhood as part of a community relations effort. "They asked, `What do you want to name yourselves?' "We said, `Well, we don't know.' "And they said, `How about Brewers Hill, because of the two breweries?" It made sense. The neighborhood houses the remnants of National Brewing Co. and the Gunther brewery. And so Brewers Hill came to be. A traditional, working-class neighborhood, Brewers Hill was once considered part of Highlandtown, stretching from Fleet Street to Dillon Street and from Conkling to Haven.

CHASKA, Minn. - The story line for the 84th PGA Championship might have changed on that stormy Saturday at Muirfield in last month's British Open, when Tiger Woods saw his chances for a possible single-season Grand Slam disintegrate with a windblown, rain-soaked 81. The subplots and characters - particularly the main character - remain as untouched at Hazeltine National as Woods seemed untouchable until the world's top-ranked golfer played the role of...

It was nearly three years ago that Archbishop Demetrios took over a deeply divided and troubled Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, racked by dissension over the autocratic style of his predecessor. Since then, many in the 2 million-member archdiocese say Demetrios has brought a spirit of healing, calm and unity, even as he guides it through contentious issues such as possible autonomy from authorities abroad and the church's increasing Americanization. Demetrios came to town yesterday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Baltimore-based International Orthodox Christian Charities with a solemn vespers service and a gala dinner at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.

WIMBLEDON, England -- Here's the thing about predicting if Pete Sampras will ever lose his Wimbledon crown. Who, exactly, is going to beat him?. . . Still thinking? As Sampras prepares for tomorrow's opening-round Wimbledon match against Spain's Francisco Clavet, he remains the nearly unconquered, unchallenged grass-court king. Sure, the usual contenders will be trotted out, such as Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter, Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman. The fans also will cast long looks at the new American phenom, Andy Roddick.