Concourse

THE FIRST TIME I met the bedazzlingest crab I ever saw was an afternoon in the mid-1980s, just off a flight into Baltimore-Washington International Airport. There in the main concourse, large as a small car, it balanced delicately on claw tips and the points of its swimmerets. The afternoon sun streamed warmly through the creature's jewel-like body, kindling olive and ivory, cerulean blue and jade and ruby-red. The stained-glass creation was an accurate crab, faithfully rendered down to the differing serrations of either pincer - the one adapted for slicing you up (for indeed, one felt like prey in its massive presence)

At Camden Yards on Friday, baseballs, the scent of sizzling hot dogs and a beautiful blue sky were in the air as the Orioles played the Minnesota Twins in their home opener. The smell of cigarette smoke was not, though, as the Maryland Stadium Authority began the enforcement of a smoking ban at the Camden Yards Sports and Entertainment Complex, which includes Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. Friday's game was the first since the smoking ban was put into effect. It prohibits smoking or carrying lit tobacco products - including cigarettes, cigars and pipes - within 25 feet of the stadium and the Warehouse, as well as in the outdoor space along Eutaw Street between gates A and H. Camden Yards was one of 10 Major League Baseball ballparks that had designated smoking areas within the ballpark last season, according to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.

The John Unitas plaque is headed back to the main concourse at Memorial Stadium.Baltimore CFLs owner Jim Speros said yesterday that he will move the plaque that honors the Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback from the team's lobby entrance to its former spot in the concourse."

For last year's 20th anniversary season at Camden Yards, the Orioles and its concessionaire, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, brought in local favorites Gino's Burgers and Chicken and Stuggy's to the yard along with Dempsey's Brew Pub and Restaurant , a year-round restaurant located in the stadium's warehouse, and the Roof Top Deck in centerfield, an instant fan favorite. And then the Orioles did what they did. This year is more about tweaking, upgrading and responding to requests from fans — including, the Orioles acknowledge, vegetarians who were still making do with french fries and pizza.

The four new LED boards will give Ravens' fans constant updates of out-of-town scores and fantasy football stats, along with different vantage points on replays. Two new high-definition boards will greet those who enter M&T Bank Stadium from Gates A or D, showing live game broadcasts and Ravens' highlights. The lower concourse will have a completely new look with open-kitchen styled concession stands, expanded team retail stores, wood and steel columns and purple lighting. The upper concourse will undergo a similar transformation one year later.

Come tomorrow, when a federal law will require airlines to screen all checked luggage across the nation, those responsible for enforcement will be watching Baltimore-Washington International Airport. But what they will see there is anyone's guess. For weeks, airlines and airports have been preparing for tomorrow's deadline. Yesterday, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced that his department chose a single concourse at BWI as the template for how luggage screening and other security measures will be handled at 429 airports.

At Camden Yards on Friday, baseballs, the scent of sizzling hot dogs and a beautiful blue sky were in the air as the Orioles played the Minnesota Twins in their home opener. The smell of cigarette smoke was not, though, as the Maryland Stadium Authority began the enforcement of a smoking ban at the Camden Yards Sports and Entertainment Complex, which includes Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. Friday's game was the first since the smoking ban was put into effect. It prohibits smoking or carrying lit tobacco products - including cigarettes, cigars and pipes - within 25 feet of the stadium and the Warehouse, as well as in the outdoor space along Eutaw Street between gates A and H. Camden Yards was one of 10 Major League Baseball ballparks that had designated smoking areas within the ballpark last season, according to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.

For last year's 20th anniversary season at Camden Yards, the Orioles and its concessionaire, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, brought in local favorites Gino's Burgers and Chicken and Stuggy's to the yard along with Dempsey's Brew Pub and Restaurant , a year-round restaurant located in the stadium's warehouse, and the Roof Top Deck in centerfield, an instant fan favorite. And then the Orioles did what they did. This year is more about tweaking, upgrading and responding to requests from fans — including, the Orioles acknowledge, vegetarians who were still making do with french fries and pizza.

Concourse D at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport was closed for about an hour Friday afternoon while police investigated a suspicious item in lower level airline space on Concourse D. The focus was in an airline office space located just off the tarmac — not in public areas, said airport spokesman Jonathan Dean. As a precaution, travelers were cleared from the airline gate area on Concourse D nearest the location and the security checkpoint was closed for a few minutes shortly after 4 p.m. to alleviate congestion in the concourse.

* Linthicum: Money was taken from the Gateway Deli in the 1300 block of Concourse Drive between 10 p.m. Friday and 6:40 a.m. Monday.* Linthicum: Computer equipment valued at $5,819 was taken from Street Traffic Studies Ltd. in the 1300 block of Concourse Drive between 10 p.m. Friday and 6:40 a.m. Monday.

The four new LED boards will give Ravens' fans constant updates of out-of-town scores and fantasy football stats, along with different vantage points on replays. Two new high-definition boards will greet those who enter M&T Bank Stadium from Gates A or D, showing live game broadcasts and Ravens' highlights. The lower concourse will have a completely new look with open-kitchen styled concession stands, expanded team retail stores, wood and steel columns and purple lighting. The upper concourse will undergo a similar transformation one year later.

Philadelphia Jeff Dunham Stand-up comedian Jeff Dunham has carved a career out of ventriloquism with popular puppets like Walter, Peanut and Achmed the terrorist. Dunham has appeared on Comedy Central Presents and specials titled "Spark of Insanity" and "Controlled Chaos. " This time, Dunham will bring his "Disorderedly Conduct" tour to the Wells Fargo Center. The show starts at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets are on sale starting at $69 on stubhub.com.

Concourse D at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport was closed for about an hour Friday afternoon while police investigated a suspicious item in lower level airline space on Concourse D. The focus was in an airline office space located just off the tarmac — not in public areas, said airport spokesman Jonathan Dean. As a precaution, travelers were cleared from the airline gate area on Concourse D nearest the location and the security checkpoint was closed for a few minutes shortly after 4 p.m. to alleviate congestion in the concourse.

Officials at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport shut down two concourses for about an hour Monday morning, while investigators tried to determine the nature and source of an unusual odor. All checkpoints reopened by 10 a.m., after investigators removed what they believe was a can of pepper spray from a trash bin. Investigators discovered the item, which they are still processing, discarded in a trash can near the security check point at Concourse B. A passenger may have tossed the aerosol can before going through security, officials said.

The threat of lightning brought a public address directive to leave the ever-dampening seating bowl, and we had all taken refuge in the concourses of Oriole Park to wait out the rain delay. Red Sox fans were ubiquitous, each wearing some form of team logo, along with the smug visage that accompanies a $160 million payroll. For several years, as attendance has dwindled in the face of what now seems to be endless losing by the hometown team, the appearance of swarms of Boston fans has been as predictable as a periodic cicada infestation, as, in droves, they have taken over our lovely ballpark with a haughty air of entitlement.

Travelers passing through Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport will see extensive changes over the next two years as officials launch a $100 million renovation project that will transform the central section of the airport — including parts that date to its opening in 1950. The project, set to begin next year and to be finished in summer 2013, will allow passengers to move among concourses A, B and C without having to pass through security a second time. It will also replace a narrow checkpoint with a much larger one, which is expected to help relieve congestion during busy travel periods.

POLICE* Brooklyn Park: Thieves stole the tire rims from a 1981 Plymouth station wagon Monday while it was parked in the 4700 block of Belle Grove Road.* Linthicum: Someone stole $250 worth of jewelry Monday from a suitcase in a room at the Guest Quarters Hotel in the 1300 block of Concourse Drive.

A memorial service for Dr. Moses Paulson, professor emeritus of gastroenterology at the Johns Hopkins medical school and an expert on digestive diseases, was being held today in the Tilghman Room of the medical school's Turner Concourse at 720 Rutland Ave.Dr. Paulson, 95, died Nov. 24 at Roland Park Place of complications from heart disease.

Promising to redefine the airport experience for the flying public, Airspace Lounge is opening its doors in May at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Located at BWI's Concourse D, Airspace Lounge will provide customers a place to relax and work near their gate. For a day pass starting at $17.50 and topping out at $40 — the price rises as the lounge fills up — the facility will offer passengers with tickets on any airline the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable facility with complimentary food, coffee, soft drinks, wireless Internet, computers and access to a cash bar. Baltimore-based Airspace Lounge is led by Anthony Tangorra, a former airline transportation consultant who began his career at Continental Airlines.

WHERE -- Oriole Park WHEN -- Tomorrow. General admission starts at 10:30 a.m. at Gate C. Fan forums begin at 10:45 a.m. and last throughout the day. A two-hour autograph session with current and former Orioles begins at 11 a.m., followed by a team workout at 1:15. Fans can pose for photos with the 1983 World Series trophy in Championship Cafe from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Other activities -- The main concourse will have a speed pitch, moon bounce and other activities. Photos with the Oriole Bird and free giveaways will take place on the club level.