Cotton

Anyone shopping for athletic socks these days may be overwhelmed at the staggering number of choices boasting the latest technology and fibers with names such as Coolmax, Thermax, ClimaLite, Thorlon and on and on. Today, there are socks for running, golfing, hunting and snowboarding - one can even purchase a $250 "exercise walking system" consisting of sock, shoe and shoe-liner sold together. Sales of sports socks are robust, with "premium sports hosiery" representing, conservatively, 50 percent to 60 percent of the $1.8 billion sock industry, estimates Mike May, spokesman for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.

FSA announces program changes The Farm Service Agency has announced key changes to programs authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that call for changes to the milk income loss contract program, special marketing loan provisions for upland cotton, and the direct and counter-cyclical payment program. The act extends the authority to issue milk income loss contract payments through Aug. 31, 2007, reduces payments from 45 percent to 34 percent of the difference between $16.94 per hundredweight and the monthly Boston Class I milk price, and eliminates provisions for transition period payments.

Article, Page 2C New York Yankees "God Bless America" They went the patriotic route during the seventh inning after Sept. 11 and have no intention of stopping. That bumped "Cotton Eyed Joe" from the seventh to eighth inning. However, the Yanks are best known for cranking up Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" after every home game. They sometimes play Liza Minnelli's version, but there's no comparison. It's like sending Barbra Streisand up to pinch hit for Babe Ruth. Baltimore Orioles "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" Dee Belanger, wife of glory-days shortstop Mark Belanger, knew John Denver.

On Friday, February 17, 2006 James Cotton of Stewartstown, PA and Ellen Womer of Baltimore, were married in a private ceremony at their home in Sparks, MD. Their loving dog Bristol was in attendance. They spent a quiet evening with friends Anne and Grant at the Worthington Tavern. Friends and family will be joining them for a formal reception on June 10.

On December 25, 2005, PATRICIA YVONNE EVELYN devoted mother of Sean Patrick Evelyn and her future daughter-in-law Pam Surette, survived by loving siblings Veronica Carrington, Iris Cotton, Donald Alston and Stephen Alston, brothers-in-law Wilbert Carrington Jr., and Alvin Cotton, sisters-in-law Alice Faye Barnes Alston and Elaine Alston, adored aunt of Sherida, Sharonda, Melissa, Melanie and Khia, great-aunt of Ziara and Tavon. Predeceased by her parents Ethel Cunningham Alston and Albert Lee Alston and older brother George.

Please don't make a big deal of it, OK? Danielia Cotton is a black chick from New Jersey: pretty, svelte, the camera loves her. But she isn't trying to be the next Mariah or Beyonce. Armed with her guitar, a take-no-mess attitude and a blues-rich voice, Cotton is an AC/DC-loving rocker determined to make her presence felt in a melanin-challenged arena. Besides, the singer-songwriter-musician isn't the first black woman to rock out - and do it well. Surely, you've heard of a force of nature named Tina Turner.

Cotton for sheets is, like, so five minutes ago. Several new fabrics have been warming beds for some time now, and many of them are kind to the earth, too. Try bamboo fiber. It's new and soft and harvested from farms, meaning no forests were decimated. Mixing the sensual drape of silk with the warmth and softness of cotton, bamboo fiber sheet sets are available at Bed Bath & Beyond in a variety of soft colors, from $39.99 to $99.99. Linens-N-Things also sells a bamboo fiber duvet for about $150.

55 -- Yards that Perry Hall's James Cotton returned his fumble recovery for the game's first touchdown in Friday's 29-6 rout of Patterson in a Class 4A North regional semifinal. Cotton also made his fourth interception of the season in the game. 100 -- Yards that Western Tech's Jimmy Ravenscroft returned the game-ending interception for a touchdown in the Wolverines' 35-12 rout of Catoctin of Frederick County in Friday's Class 1A North regional semifinal. Ravenscroft's eighth interception of the season and the return distance are both school records, eclipsing the previous marks (seven interceptions and 99 yards, respectively)

You're giving a Fourth of July party tomorrow. With food and drink. Friends and family. Fun and fireworks. It'll be a great party, if you can get it together in time. There's still some decorating to do and a few things left to buy. So, to help, we've come up with a few adorable, decorative and functional products you still might be needing for your little shindig. All products should be available in shops and stores today. Sip and stir your drink with these whimsical Starburst Straws ($2 for a pack of 12)

What: Jazz at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion Where: 11 W. Mount Vernon Place When: 2 p.m. Sunday. Why: Because Chris Calloway Brooks and the Nu Yook City Cotton Club Ensemble are playing in one of the prettiest rooms in Baltimore. Brooks is the grandson of band leader (and onetime Baltimorean) Cab Calloway. At the concert, Brooks will talk a bit about his grandfather's work and how it changed American music. Information: Call 410-433-0354. Admission: Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.missiontix.