Celebration

John Wood has a room filled with junk: steel pots, a wooden foot massager, heavy safe, TV antenna, plates, silver-plated brush, rolling pin, can opener, assorted gold-colored chains, lamps without shades, a New York Yankees baseball hat adorned in glitter. Everyone else's trash became his treasure, which came easily for Mr. Wood, who worked as a city sanitation worker for more than 35 years. He became one of the nation's most celebrated trash collectors, inspiring the television sitcom "Roc," but he also developed a reputation at home as an anchor for his Northeast Baltimore community.

Wedding date: Feb. 9, 2013 Her story: Dana Perzynski, 28, grew up in Columbia. She is an associate planner with Ayers Saint Gross, an architectural and planning firm in Baltimore. Her mother, Karen Kurzawa, is a commercial interior representative; her father, Paul Perzynski, died in 1996. His story: Graham Johnson, 30, grew up in Davidsonville. He is a vice president and commercial relationship manager at SunTrust Banks. His father, Todd Johnson, is managing director of investor relations for National Real Estate Advisors; his mother, Gail Johnson, died in 2008.

When they introduced him at Camden Yards on Friday, Brian Roberts walked out like a 70-year-old man to slap hands with his teammates during the Opening Day festivities. One by one, the rest of the Orioles' starters jogged in from center field on a bright orange carpet to a rousing ovation from the capacity crowd. Roberts watched it all with a wistful look on his face. "I had to kind of nudge him to go out for the introductions," Buck Showalter said after the Orioles' 9-5 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will not be facing a challenge from actress Ashley Judd when he runs for re-election next year. Though he may be happy to have avoided the physical comparison -- she, after all, played Marilyn Monroe in a movie, while he looks like an ancient sea turtle dressed in a $1,000 suit -- the Kentucky Republican may miss having such an attractive target for his attack machine. Mr. McConnell is not all that popular back home. Democrats, of course, can't stand him, and tea party Republicans may like him even less.

Wedding date: Feb. 9, 2013 Her story: Rebecca Bressi, 28, grew up in Middle River. She is a senior business analyst for T. Rowe Price. Her mother, Barbara, is an executive secretary at Alban Tractor and her father, Joseph, co-owns Portside Pub in Essex. His story: Eric Wozniak, 28, grew up in Edgemere. He is a crane operator at the port of Baltimore. He was raised by his aunt and uncle - Pam and Victor McQuay, who also work at the port of Baltimore. Their story: Rebecca and Eric were introduced through mutual friends in fall 2006.

The second Eddie's of Roland Park store opened Sept. 22, 1992, so the store's 20th anniversary was actually last fall. But the store on North Charles Street is celebrating its 20th year officially April 13. "Spring is a nice time," owner Nancy Cohen said, smiling. "It's around the Jewish holidays. Kids are back in school. " The store at 6213 N. Charles (the original, 69-year-old store is on Roland Avenue) will mark its anniversary with a Shop Local event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring specials, tastings and a meet-and-greet with local vendors.

There was plenty to celebrate when the Howard County Arts Council held its 16th annual Celebration of the Arts. Besides the awards handed out in various categories, there was an announcement that wasn't on the scheduled program for this festive event held Saturday, March 23 at Howard Community College's Smith Theatre. Addressing the well-dressed crowd of arts advocates, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said: "It's time to have a wonderful, state of the art, 21st-century arts center here in Howard County.

Bold Affair broke for the front and raced comfortably on the lead the remainder of the way in defense of her title in the $100,000 Conniver Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Laurel Park. Bold Affair carried Abel Castellano to a two-length victory, beating four other Maryland-bred fillies and mares. She completed the seven-furlong distance in 1minute, 25.14 seconds. It was the second stakes win in as many starts this year for the Howard Wolfendale trainee. Howard Wolfendale She opened her 5-year-old campaign with a victory in the What A Summer Stakes on Jan. 12. "I started to hustle her a little bit and she started going so I let her do her own thing," Castellano said.

While several homeless people gathered on benches on the plaza outside City Hall on Palm Sunday, a crowd of 60 churchgoers from congregations around Baltimore stood at the front door to pray for them - and for other needs facing the community - at the 10th annual Blessing of the City. "Thank you for letting us pray for the homeless today," said Kealiel Collins, 11, a parishioner of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Lafayette Square, to God and the crowd. "Give the homeless their place in the world.

Wedding date: Feb. 16, 2013 Her story: Abby von Kelsch, 37, grew up in Stafford, Va. She works for Booz Allen Hamilton as a disaster consultant. Her mother, Linda, is a retired librarian and her father, Hank, is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer who owns a construction company. His story: Chad Omweg, 35, grew up in Charlottesville, Va. He is a welder. His parents, Beth and John, are retired. Their story: Abby and Chad met in October 2007 in Park City, Utah, after Abby left Baltimore to become a member of the U.S.A.