Bright Spots

Fans had many expectations heading into Sunday night's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, fueled largely by Internet speculation. Rumors had been running rampant of returning superstars, changes to the world title matches and the addition of undercard bouts to round out a four-match card. In the end, some of the expectations proved true while others ultimately failed to materialize. Two injured superstars returned from injury -- albeit in an in-ring segment rather than matches -- while Santino Marella proved doubters wrong and Jack Swagger defended his United States Championship for the first time on pay-per-view.

- Ultimately, it was a special teams play that lifted the Ravens into the AFC championship game. For much of Saturday's 38-35 double-overtime win over the Denver Broncos, however, it appeared that special teams would be the Ravens' downfall. The Broncos' 5-foot-5 Trindon Holliday became the first player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the same postseason game. He also set NFL records for the longest kickoff return (104) and punt return (90) in postseason history.

LANDOVER -- Ready or not, let the regular season begin. The Washington Redskins mercifully ended their most miserable preseason in nearly a quarter-century, maybe their worst ever, with a 17-10 loss to the Ravens last night at FedEx Field. Season opener Vikings@Redskins, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., ESPN, 1430 AM

For all of Towson's struggles in its last three contests - all losses to Colonial Athletic Association foes - the team has been buoyed by the play of Andrew Wascavage. The junior goalkeeper has turned aside at least 15 shots in each of his last four starts, including a career-best 21 saves in Saturday night's 13-5 setback to Drexel. Wascavage, who has made 70 stops during this torrid stretch, ranks 12 th in Division I with a .565 save percentage. “It's been a long time since I've seen a goalie play the way Andrew's been playing,” Tigers coach Shawn Nadelen marveled Monday.

At Baltimore and Eutaw streets, you will find a powerhouse redevelopment lineup led by the Hippodrome Theatre's $62 million revival and Bank of America's $80 million Centerpoint complex of shops and apartments. Three blocks north on Saratoga Street, you've got Hany's Hardware, $6,000 and counting. Elhamy Ibrahim, or "Hany" to friends, is opening the tiny hardware store at 212 W. Saratoga St. An effervescent Egyptian who insists on giving guests a seat and a cup of coffee, he sees the planned shop as his small contribution to jump-starting the once-thriving commercial strip.

No question, the job market is grim. With employers continuing to lay off workers in droves, the national unemployment rate climbed to 8.9 percent in April. But job seekers are finding some hiring bright spots amid the drumbeat of discouraging news. Industries such as education, health care and the federal government are adding jobs nationally and in Maryland. And there are signs that hiring activity is picking up in the Baltimore region, employers and recruiters say. Howard County General Hospital is looking to hire 220 health care professionals, including 140 medical nurses, patient care technicians, secretaries and other support staff for its new patient pavilion that's scheduled to open in August.

A year ago, the biggest question facing businesses in Maryland was how to find qualified workers. Today, employers in the state are grappling with another question - whether or not to fire them. While the country has been in recession since March, economists are divided as to whether Maryland also is in a recession or if it can sidestep falling into one this year. But there is no dispute that this will be a difficult year for the state. Economists, industry leaders and analysts predict that 2002 will be marked by: Virtually no job growth.

Looking for hope I'm starting to sense that many of you are resigned to a poor 2009 for the Orioles, as long as you see bright spots. I think that's the way you have to look at the coming season, and any extra is gravy (the good type). (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/cornersportsbar)

Food ** (2 stars) Service *** (3 stars) Atmosphere **1/2 (2 1/2 stars) Towson is an area that never seems to have as many good, reasonably sophisticated eating places as I think it should, given the disposable income of the people who live around there. One of the bright spots has al ways been Paolo's Ristorante, a local chain -- sorry, restaurant group -- that defined Cal-Ital for Baltimore in that trend's heyday. You remember: light, bright, fresh takes on Italian food in a contemporary, high-energy bistro atmosphere.

On Monday, we looked at whether the Orioles are better off now than they were in April. I'd say they are, but barely. There are more bright spots, but the starting pitching is so much worse than expected. Based on 2008 performances, only Jeremy Guthrie can be counted on for 2009. And it's possible Adam Loewen and Daniel Cabrera will never pitch for the Orioles again. Ouch. (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/cornersportsbar)

Coming into spring football practice, Navy's Noah Copeland and Travis Bridges were relatively unknown commodities. Copeland, a sophomore fullback, had played exclusively on special teams during his first season at the academy. Bridges, a junior noseguard, had spent his first two seasons in Annapolis trying unsuccessfully to make his way up the depth chart on an experienced and talented offensive line. After three weeks of practice and Saturday's spring game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Copeland and Bridges are among the bright spots for a team looking to reverse course after last season's disappointing 5-7 record, the first losing mark for the Midshipmen in nine years.

Fans had many expectations heading into Sunday night's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, fueled largely by Internet speculation. Rumors had been running rampant of returning superstars, changes to the world title matches and the addition of undercard bouts to round out a four-match card. In the end, some of the expectations proved true while others ultimately failed to materialize. Two injured superstars returned from injury -- albeit in an in-ring segment rather than matches -- while Santino Marella proved doubters wrong and Jack Swagger defended his United States Championship for the first time on pay-per-view.

One of the biggest bright spots on offense in 2011 was the emergence of second-year tight end Ed Dickson, who in his first season as a starter had 54 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns. But Dickson's production dipped in the final month of the season and he had critical drops in both of the team's playoff games. On Monday, Dickson vowed to improve his game in all aspects. "I'm going to look at all the games, at all my drops,” he said. “I'm my worst critic. I'm going to look at the bad plays, I'm not looking at the good plays.

COLLEGE PARK - Just a few minutes had elapsed when Maryland coach Mark Turgeon's holiday present emerged from the bench, stretched and entered the game. It took Pe'Shon Howard - the injured point guard whose return was eagerly awaited by Turgeon - all of four seconds to dish out his first deft pass of the season. But while Turgeon hopes Howard will be the gift that keeps on giving - he had seven points and three assists Friday night - Maryland struggled before defeating Radford, 65-60.

USDA Maryland Farm Service Agency USDA Maryland Farm Service Agency Last week, we learned that farm income in 2011 is forecast to reach an all-time high, up 28 percent over 2010, signaling that American agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation's economy. The growth in farm income is also making a real difference for America's farm families, whose household income was up 3.1 percent in 2010 and is forecast to increase 1.2 percent in 2011. And despite marginal increases in retail food prices, all American families still pay substantially less for food at the grocery store than residents of nearly every other country thanks to the productivity of our farmers.

Bright Spot Wellness Community — Hosting its grand opening. Featuring owner, lead kettlebell trainer and acupuncturist David Beares, who will speak about "Building Your Health Portfolio"; group acupuncture demonstrations, small group personal training using Kettlebells, pilates, massages and nutrition information. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 19, 9160 Rumsey Road, Suite B-4, Columbia. Business Succession Planning — Offered by Adelberg, Rudow, Dorf and Hendler LLC and RCM&D. Designed for business owners and entrepreneurs.

Indianapolis (2-3) at Kansas City (1-5) Time: 8:30, ESPN. Line: Colts by 3. Outlook: Both teams will be trying to end a three-game losing streak. The Colts have been blown out twice by New England this season, and their beleaguered defense gave up 385 yards in Sunday's 38-17 loss to the Patriots. The Chiefs, off to their worst start since 1988, when they were 1-8-1, haven't fared well vs. Indianapolis, losing the past five meetings. One of their few bright spots has been ex-Ravens RB Priest Holmes (475 yards, 5.3 per carry)

One of the biggest bright spots on offense in 2011 was the emergence of second-year tight end Ed Dickson, who in his first season as a starter had 54 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns. But Dickson's production dipped in the final month of the season and he had critical drops in both of the team's playoff games. On Monday, Dickson vowed to improve his game in all aspects. "I'm going to look at all the games, at all my drops,” he said. “I'm my worst critic. I'm going to look at the bad plays, I'm not looking at the good plays.

The number of home sales in the Baltimore metro area is still falling far short of the tax-credit-fueled days of a year ago, depressing prices to levels not seen in seven years. One bright spot for sellers: Buyers are picking up the pace on new offers. But a significant share of those buyers are bargain-hunters chasing foreclosures. "It feels like a lot of the sales now are investors," said Pat Hiban, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Crossroads Realty in Columbia, who is himself renovating three homes to resell.

The Orioles' much-maligned bullpen has rarely been singled out for praise this season, but that was the case Monday after the team's 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. That the Orioles even had a chance to win the game was because the bullpen came in after Jake Arrieta lasted just 21/3 innings and pitched 52/3 scoreless frames. Making his third appearance since being activated from major league baseball's restricted list, right-hander Alfredo Simon inherited Arrieta's bases-loaded-and-one-out jam in the third and struck out Carlos Peguero and Chone Figgins . Simon allowed just two hits, walked one and struck out four over 32/3 innings.