Contests

The 38 high school athletic contests scheduled for Sept. 19 all must be rescheduled following Superintendent John O'Rourke's directive issued Tuesday that changes the county school system's observance of the Jewish holy day, Rosh Hashana. The directive extends a previous two-day ban on all athletic events to a third day - joining Baltimore County with a three-day ban. Schools are closed Sept. 18 in observance of the holy day, but because it begins at sundown on Sept. 17 and ends at sundown on Sept.

Despite injuries that have sapped the Ravens of the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs and defensive end Pernell McPhee for several games, the defense has put a fair amount of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The unit's 32 sacks are tied for 16th in the league. Adding to that number this Sunday when the New York Giants visit M&T Bank Stadium won't be easy. Thus far, the Giants offensive line has surrendered NFL lows in both sacks (16) and quarterback hits (42)

On the count of three, Nathan Storm lurched forward across a field at the Naval Academy, pulling a rope tied to a truck-sized tire. He heaved and grunted, dragging the tire across the grass. Beside him, dozens of fellow midshipmen performed push-ups and tossed a rock the size of two bowling balls as far as they could -- all in the name of sportsmanship, competition and titles, such as "Best Rock Thrower." Almost every year since the late 1800s, the rivalry between West Point and the Naval Academy has flared during the weeklong festivities that precede Saturday's annual Army-Navy football game.

This week's question Which movie do you think will fare best at the Oscars? "Cold Mountain" "The Human Stain" "The Last Samurai" "Master and Commander" "Mystic River" "The Return of the King" Last week's question What is your favorite Halloween activity? 25 percent I hate Halloween (14 votes) 19.6 percent Eating candy (11 votes) 19.6 percent Trick-or-treating (11 votes) 14.3 percent Scaring little kids (8 votes) 12.5 percent Watching horror flicks (7 votes) 5.4 percent Hanging out in graveyards (3 votes)

ISSUE: At Navy away games, with the exception of the Army-Navy and Notre Dame contests, a raucous band of cheering Mids, clad in white, will no longer fill the stands. The Naval Academy superindent, Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, has ended the practice of offering midshipmen special incentives, including travel reimbursements in some cases, to attend out-of-town football games. Capt. Margaret Klein, the commandant, said some activities must be cut back to allow midshipmen to fulfill their military obligations.

ISSUE: At Navy away games, with the exception of the Army-Navy and Notre Dame contests, a raucous band of cheering Mids, clad in white, will no longer fill the stands. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler has ended the practice of offering midshipmen special incentives, including travel reimbursements in some cases, to attend out-of-town football games. Capt. Margaret Klein, the commandant, said some activities must be reduced to allow midshipmen to fulfill their military obligations.

For nearly three decades, Rudy and Lois Schuetzler have been going their separate ways when they head out to shoot the nature photos that have earned them national awards. It's what has kept them together all those years, they say."Our marriage has lasted because our lenses are compatible," said Mr. Schuetzler, 65, who helped his wife learn the trade in 1966."He's taught me everything I know, but not everything that he knows," added Mrs. Schuetzler, who also is 65.He must have taught her a lot because the couple's pictures have been hung in camera clubs, galleries and shows for almost 30 years.

Love a fair? The lowdown -- Today through Sunday, the St. Mary's County Fair comes to the St. Mary's County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. Livestock will be on display, as will 4-H exhibits. There will also be contests, vendors and food. If you go -- The fair is 3 p.m.-9 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. The address is 42455 Fairgrounds Road in Leonardtown. For more information, call 301-475-8434. Fun in the sun The lowdown -- A number of bands and other performers come to Ocean City's inlet parking lot this weekend for Sunfest.

It might be the most honeyed phrase a home cook can hear: "This [your recipe here] tastes like a million bucks!" If it won the Pillsbury Bake-Off, it would taste like a million bucks, because that's the grand prize. Just ask a prize-winning cook like Josie A.G. Shapiro of Chicago what she has won: "a honeymoon in France!" Or ask seasoned contest cook Gloria Bradley of Naperville, Ill., what pleased her most: "Impress the kids by appearing in the National Enquirer!" And there's still more!

GOT THE Super Tuesday blues? Feeling like your vote today in the Republican or Democratic party primaries won't matter because some races seem already decided and others were never a contest? That's an understandable reaction to a system badly in need of several reforms. But not an accurate one. There's still time to influence the presidential nominating process, even on the GOP side, where President Bush is running unopposed. And in many parts of the state there are some hot local races that could be decided by a few votes.