Bethesda

BETHESDA - In a tiny grove of pine trees not far from the tangle of Beltway traffic is a sweet spot. There's the sweet sound of cowhide on wood. The sweet smell of cotton candy and freshly mowed grass. The sweet faces of little kids in oversized jerseys and big kids chasing a dream. And here's perhaps the sweetest part of all: It only costs $5 to join in. The Clark C. Griffith Collegiate Baseball League is the national pastime without the commercial interruptions, the overbearing egos and the overpriced hot dogs.

Sailing Elliot leads J/70 class at NOOD in Annapolis Brian Elliot of Sayville, N.Y., sailed B Squared to the lead in the 49-boat J/70 class after four races on the first day of the three-day Sperry Top-Sider NOOD (National Offshore One Design) Regatta stop in Annapolis on a breezy Friday. Elliott has 19 points. Willy Comerford of Annapolis, sailing Northerly, is second with 22. Competition in the 15-class event continues 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

BETHESDA (AP) -- Delegate Patricia Billings, D-Montgomery, a longtime Democratic activist and abortion-rights advocate, has died of lung cancer.Mrs. Billings died Saturday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. She was 54.Mrs. Billings' 18th District included Chevy Chase and Kensington. She was named to the House in 1989 to fill the seat vacated by Donald Robertson, who retired, and she was elected to the seat in November.Her family said Sunday that Mrs. Billings had fought lung cancer for the past 3 1/2 years.

Funeral arrangements were being made yesterday for a Bethesda youth who died after lightning struck him Friday during a lacrosse match at a private school in Washington. Also, the conditions of seven people hospitalized after the incident improved markedly.Fifteen-year-old Noah Eig, a freshman at the Landon School, in Bethesda, was killed by a bolt of lightning about 4:50 p.m. during a thunderstorm that had led school officials to halt the lacrosse game between Landon and St. Albans School, near Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues.

AT&T National Today-Sunday, Congressional Country Club, Bethesda TV today: 3-6 p.m., Golf Channel

On Thursday December 2, 2004, PHYLLIS H. LUCKENBAUGH, of Bethesda, MD., beloved wife of Paul E. Luckenbaugh; mother of Lisa J. Luckenbaugh and Pamela E. Luckenbaugh; sister of Lois M. Hyson and L. James Reynolds. She is also survived by 6 nieces and nephews. Memorial Meeting for Worship will be held at the Bethesda Friends Meeting, Edgemoor Lane and Beverly Road, Bethesda, MD., on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in her name, for nursing scholarships to the Suburban Hospital Foundation, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD., 20814.

In Tuesday's editions, two Maryland girls teams were omitted from coverage of the 21st Columbia Invitational Soccer Tournament. The Bethesda Broncos won the under-15 title and the Bethesda Fury won the under-12 championship in the tournament, which included teams from 19 states and Canada.The Sun regrets the errors.Pub Date: 5/30/96

Bowling Night Strike Enjoy unlimited glow-in-the-dark bowling and DJ music at Strike Bethesda. Unlimited bowling is 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $15. Shoe rental is included. 5353 Wesbard Ave., Bethesda. 301-652-0955. FYI Kevin Cowherd is on vaca tion. His column returns next week.

On Memorial Day, May 31, 2007, J oseph Aloysius Barber Donations in his honor may be made to: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, P.O. Box 556, Bethesda, MD 20889.

On May 8, 2005, VIOLET M. COLLINS, of Bethesda, Maryland. Wife of the late Frank D. Collins; beloved mother of Gregory M. Collins, Mary Collins Dugan and her husband Thomas J. Dugan, Richard E. Collins and his wife Stasia Collins, and the late Timothy V. Collins. Grandmother of Thomas, Jennifer, Brian, Patrick, Teresa, and Robert. Friends will be received at PUMPHREY'S BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE FUNERAL HOME, 7557 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland on Wednesday, May 11, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10 A.M. Thursday, May 12 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 7500 Pearl Street, Bethesda, Maryland.