Chalk

Chalk-a-thon! Head out to Annmarie Garden in Solomons, and be one of the many people to decorate a piece of the gardens' wooden path with chalk. Anyone is welcome to come get a bucket of chalk and draw whatever inspires them. After chalking is done, prizes will be awarded in different categories and age groups. The Sidewalk Chalk-a-thon! finishes up today and tomorrow. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Annmarie Garden is at 13480 Dowell Road in Solomons. Free. Call 410-326-4640.

Five-year-old Taleah Ahmad pressed her hands onto the white moon that her father had drawn and then rubbed the chalk in circles to make it appear more iridescent and smooth. Craters weren't necessary. The rocks packed into the pavement took care of that as the family of three worked on a space scene yesterday at the Creative Alliance's Chalk It Up event in Highlandtown. All types of artists - from professionals to toddlers, solo or in groups - lined up along Baltimore's Eastern Avenue and East Avenue to create fleeting canvases that today will either be driven over, walked on or washed out. "Dad, don't you think we have enough stars?"

TORONTO -- It can be a slight twitch or a subtle gesture that's almost imperceptible to the naked eye. A pitcher moves his glove a fraction of an inch, turns his shoulders, bends a knee, does something that the plate umpire rules an attempt to deceive the base runner. The Orioles are regular offenders, and it's becoming costly. Starter Daniel Cabrera committed a balk in the fifth inning last night with the bases loaded and two outs, rocking forward slightly and allowing Russ Adams to score the tiebreaking run in the Toronto Blue Jays' 3-2 victory at Rogers Centre.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The last time the Orioles played a team from Washington, D.C., Frank Robinson hit a home run and Memorial Stadium was more than half empty. If there was a trace of excitement in the air, it must have been passing through the city on its way to someplace else. Yesterday's rematch took almost 34 years, and it unfolded in a modest setting -- an exhibition game in early March. But the stands were mostly full at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, and the relocated Montreal franchise, now known as the Washington Nationals, struck the first blow with a 9-6 victory over the Orioles.

On January 9, 2005, NORMAN T. CHALK, SR.; beloved husband of the late Janice L. Chalk (nee Wann); loving father of Norman T. Chalk, Jr.; devoted brother of Osman Chalk, Mitzie Bunn, Madeline Baublitz, Louise Henderson and Guy Chalk. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to call at the Burgee-Henss-Seitz Funeral Home, Inc., 3631 Falls Road, on Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Services on Wednesday at 10 A.M. Interment in Lorraine Park Cemetery.

On December 14, 2004 JANICE L. CHALK; beloved wife of Norman T. Chalk Sr. and devoted mother of Norman T. Chalk Jr.; loving sister of Mildred Finn, Edgar Wann, the late Shirley Wann and the late Thomas Wann. Also survived by many neices and nephews and other relatives. Friends are invited to call at the Burgee-Henss-Seitz Funeral Home Inc, 3631 Falls Road, on Thursday, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Services on Friday, at 10 A.M. Interment in Lorraine Park Cemetery.

The owner of Maryland's largest power plant was talking to federal regulators about installing pollution-control equipment in 2002, when the Bush administration began weakening cleanup requirements for old coal-burning utilities. So the plant's owner, a subsidiary of Mirant Corp., walked away from the table, leaving the Chalk Point power station in Prince George's County belching pollutants that cause smog, acid rain and asthma attacks. "Mirant was talking about cleaning up their plants.

Scores on Maryland's high school end-of-course tests increased significantly this year, pleasing officials who had predicted a spike in performance once the exams were linked to graduation. Students in 20 of the state's 24 districts improved scores on all four of the tests in English, biology, government and algebra. Nevertheless, four in 10 Maryland students failed the exams - which will be required for graduation with the class of 2009. Fifty-three percent of the state's high school students passed the English test, a surge of 13 percentage points over 2003.

On March 22, 2004 JOHN "MICKEY" REYNOLDS; loving husband of Nancy M. Reynolds nee Toscano; beloved uncle of Linda and Bob Chalk and many other nieces and nephews; Pop Pop of Eddie and Michelle Chalk; cherished brother of Esther M. Harbert. Friends may call at the family owned Evans Chapel of Memories - Parkville Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Friday 10 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 4414 Frankford Avenue, Baltimore. Interment Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.