Creed

When a New York book agent approached Monique Greenwood about updating Helen Gurley Brown's 1980s manifesto about "having it all," the then editor-in-chief of Essence magazine thought it over. And she decided that women today wanted more than what the Cosmopolitan editor's straight-talking guide to love, success, sex and money had to offer. Brown's best-seller suggested, among other things, that, "she who has the most toys wins" - an idea Greenwood felt did not suit today's woman. So she found another publisher and crafted her own take on Brown's 1980s creed - "She who has the most joy wins."

The adjective "hot" can't even begin to describe the season the McDonogh girls basketball team is having. The No. 17 Eagles, fresh off Monday's stunning upset of top-ranked St. Frances, won their ninth straight game yesterday by edging No. 8 St. Mary's, 42-40, in Annapolis. McDonogh (10-2 overall, 7-1 in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland's A Conference) hasn't lost since Dec. 7. "I think coming into the season, we were underrated," said forward Camrell Gholston (seven points, eight rebounds)

If St. Mary's girls basketball coach Harry Dobson isn't familiar with McDonogh's roster, Eagles coach Jon Washington has plenty of notes on Dobson's lineup. Washington, whose No. 17 McDonogh team will challenge the eighth-ranked Saints in an Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference contest tomorrow in Annapolis at 4 p.m., is well aware that the Eagles must contain St. Mary's freshmen guard tandem of Bridget Noon and Bri Gauthier. "We can't let them get hot and get open looks at the basket," Washington said of Noon and Gauthier.

Venture capitalist Steve Gorlin planted himself in a classroom at the Johns Hopkins University's medical school and listened for two days as, one after another, nearly a dozen top researchers pitched ideas and promoted discoveries. Gorlin quickly cut deals to launch two companies to exploit the most promising work. The Florida investor routinely scouts academic labs, seeking new medical technology or products that could be turned into money. But Hopkins particularly impressed him. Its scientists were world class; its administrators could not have been more obliging.

MEMBERS PAST AND PRESENT celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Optimist Club of Severna Park and its civic contributions Friday night with a party at Club Meade. "I joined Optimists for purely selfish reasons," said Brad Everest of San Antonio, a charter member who traveled from his home in Texas to attend the affair. It was item No. 7 of the 10-part Optimist Creed that persuaded Everest to join an organization that, along with many worthwhile goals, encourages members "to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future."

One corner kick made the difference between McDonogh and the fourth-ranked girls soccer team in the nation yesterday. Jessica Golibart's header in the 56th minute gave Good Counsel a 2-1 victory at McDonogh, The Sun's No. 4 team. Eagles goalkeeper Mariel Wilner punched Danielle Malagari's corner kick off the crossbar, but Golibart was in perfect position to head in the rebound. Golibart's goal gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead before Eagles midfielder Mary Beth Creed, working the give-and-go with Jeanetta McGettigan, nailed a 25-yarder to cut the margin to 2-1 in the 61st minute.

WASHINGTON -- Al Gore numbers the automobile among mankind's afflictions -- he said so in his 1992 book, which he says still convinces him. Now he is afflicted by Ralph Nader, whose ascent to his iconic status as conscience of the consumer culture -- Cotton Mather comes to the supermarket -- began when, in 1959, his essay for The Nation magazine launched him as scourge of the automobile industry's indifference to safety. Mr. Nader regards Mr. Gore as unsafe for the liberal creed -- as embodiment of the Democratic Party's moral bankruptcy.

WASHINGTON - Ever since the Know Nothing Party of the 1850s sought power with a message of virulent anti-Catholicism, religious prejudice has been a factor in presidential politics. Anti-Catholic bias was a major element in the defeat of New York's Democratic Gov. Alfred E. Smith, a Catholic, by Republican Herbert Hoover in 1928. In 1960, the prejudice was overcome by Sen. John F. Kennedy in his narrow victory over Vice President Richard M. Nixon. Since then, Catholicism has not been a bar to election at any political level.

Sparing the life of Colvin-el stays the hand of justice When Gov. Parris N. Glendening commuted the death sentence of Eugene Colvin-el, he once again proved that he has a running tongue and a spine of dust so far as violent criminals are concerned. Why was Colvin-el allowed to live when he didn't give his victim the same option? Justice was not served, and neither was honest compassion, as even the governor said he believed that Colvin-el was guilty The only people who seem to oppose capital punishment are a vocal minority of cause groupies, politicians such as Rep. Elijah Cummings who can find no wrong in those who do no right and the media, which exists to make policy for everyone but the majority.

NEW YORK -- In their biggest, most intense protest yet, hundreds of demonstrators directed their rage at New York City officials yesterday over what they say was the racially motivated police killing of an unarmed African immigrant six weeks ago.They marched under sunny skies and blocked the entrance to police headquarters in lower Manhattan, demanding that the four white officers who fired 41 bullets at Amadou Diallo be arrested.Fifty-nine people -- including NAACP President Kweisi Mfume -- were charged with disorderly conduct.