Christian

It's noon, and Christian Siriano has already accomplished a lion's share of work on what he calls his "laundry list. " With his spring collection fashion show a little more than a week away, he started the day with a quick trip to his Manhattan boutique, which he opened less than a month ago. Then shoes for his spring show arrived a few hours ago and needed to be matched with garments. Also on the day's list: shipping out his fall collection to international retailers and getting ready for the looming awards season - the Emmys, to be exact.

Ravens safeties Christian Thompson and Omar Brown were stretching after a recent practice when Thompson realized that they might be asked to play the entire preseason finale against the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night. “We were just joking about it while we were stretching,” Thompson said. “We were saying, 'We've got to get ready,' because that includes special teams. So it could be a long four quarters on Thursday. But if that's how it's going to play out, we've just got to prepare and make the most of our opportunities.” Added Brown: “It kind of hit me today, and that's why we were doing a little bit of extra running after practice.” Thompson and Brown might be pressed into lengthier duty because of a sudden lack of depth in the safety corps.

It took just eight years and four jobs for Jamion Christian to get back to where he wanted to be. The first-year Mount St. Mary's men's basketball coach was a three-year captain at the Mount who graduated in 2004 and immediately started his climb up the coaching ladder with stops at Division III Emory & Henry, Bucknell, William & Mary and VCU. But now Christian is back at his alma mater, where he has replaced Robert Burke and is tasked...

Wedding Day: August 18, 2012 Her story: Nola Dobratz, 33, grew up in Chicago, Ill. She lives in Fells Point and is marketing director for Radcliffe Jewelers. Her father, Walter Dobratz, is deceased. Her mother, Nola Dobratz, is a retired accountant. His story: Christian Martin, 34, grew up in Reisterstown. He lives in Fells Point and is global category manager for DSM Nutritional Products. His father, Dave Martin, is a University of Maryland senior extension agent. His mother, Rose Martin, is a Carroll County family and consumer science high-school teacher.

St. John's United Methodist Church in Lutherville boasts just 40 parishioners, but its members are proud of the large impact they can make with their volunteer efforts. The most recent, the Baltimore County Christian Workcamp, provided a team of parish volunteers that has traveled the county and country doing service work in the past with the unique opportunity to give back close to home. "It doesn't matter where you are," said Carol Anders of Lutherville as she stood in front of this year's work site, on Stanmore Road in Towson.

Elvis Dennah   has always been filled with hometown pride. For as long as the Lanham native can remember, he has embraced his Maryland roots and cheered on “every home team - Redskins, Washington Wizards [and] Maryland.” So when Dennah had a chance last week to audition for the Terps, the Annapolis Area Christian School linebacker-defensive end didn't take the opportunity to potentially play for his hometown team lightly. “I already had the mindset like, man, I just want to come blow this thing out the water, run fast, perform and just show the Maryland coaches what I got,” Dennah said.

Wedding Date: October 6, 2012 Her story: Lacey Morley, 32, grew up Fork, Md., and currently lives in Federal Hill. She is a member of the leasing team for St. John Properties. Her parents, Paul Morley and Barbara Morley are accountants and partners in Morley & Morley, Inc. in Fork. His story: Christian Johansson, 40, grew up in Sweden and Omaha, Neb., and currently lives in Federal Hill. He is the Secretary of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

There are few issues as contentious in American society today, including here in Maryland, as immigration. While immigration is inherently an economic issue, a cultural issue and a political issue, at Baltimore-based World Relief we view the issue first and foremost from the perspective of our Christian faith. As an organization that empowers churches to serve vulnerable refugees, human-trafficking victims and other immigrants throughout the United States, we believe the Bible has a lot to say thatshould inform our thinking as we confront the challenges and opportunities of immigration.

Ravens rookie safety Christian Thompson knows that most of the playing time he earns this season will be on special teams. That's how most rookies first make their mark in the NFL, but it will be especially true for Thompson here in Baltimore. The Ravens, who are deep in the secondary, struggled on special teams last season. “That's going to be my main way of getting on the field,” Thompson said Sunday. “I'm only a rookie. I've still got a lot to learn in this defensive scheme, so that's probably going to take me the whole season.” A few of the team's draft picks talked about how last weekend's rookie minicamp was a bit of a rough transition . Ravens coach John Harbaugh had his practice moving at a high pace Sunday, the one day that the rookie minicamp was open to media.

Christian Thompson at a glance Safety, South Carolina State Ht./Wt.: 6 feet,  211 pounds Born: June 4, 1990 High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale) College highlights: Had 86 tackles (14 solo) in 33 games at South Carolina State. ... Started all 11 games at free safety as a senior. Returned two interceptions for a total of 79 yards, and four kickoffs for 82. ... Had seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and deflected a pass against Appalachian State in the FCS playoffs as a sophomore.