Fantasy Camp

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke today officially named a local group known as Sports Center USA Inc. to be the next developer of the Pier 4 Power Plant, ending 2 1/2 years of uncertainty about the future of the Inner Harbor landmark.Headed by Lynda O'Dea, Joseph De Francis and Henry Rosenberg, the team has proposed to create a $30 million sports museum and entertainment complex that would simulate all kinds of sports events and experiences through a combination of high-tech exhibits and memorabilia.

The Sun's Jamison Hensley spoke with Ken Nigro, who runs several fantasy baseball camps in Florida.Q: How did you become involved with fantasy camps?A: When I worked with the Orioles, an outside company handled their fantasy camps and I was like a liaison between the two. The more I got involved, the more I liked it and I felt I was good at it, too. Then I said: Well, I should go out on my own and do this.Q: How do you get ideas for making each camp unique?A: My philosophy is that if it is good, only make subtle changes.

Bearing the stigmata of the unpreviewed film -- a dead give-away that the studio doesn't give a hoot -- "Camp Nowhere" sneaks into town with at least one advantage: no one seeing it has any expectations whatsoever.That helps. The film isn't a dog; it's a mild little puppy that now and then uncorks an amusing surprise. It's best thing is a star who seems to have fallen from grace, but who nevertheless is one of those persistently amusing personalities -- the zany, the irrepressible, the anarchistic Christopher Lloyd.

It's not surprising that fans voted Brooks Robinson the best defensive third baseman ever in balloting conducted by Rawlings last year. What might surprise some is that the Orioles great will accept his all-time Gold Glove in York, Pa., instead of in Baltimore, the town in which he dazzled at the hot corner. He is the only living honoree who will accept his award at a minor league park. The decision might further the perception of an uncomfortable relationship between the Orioles and one of their most beloved former players.

Rushing to judgment In The Sun's Feb. 2 edition, I couldn't believe my eyes. Sports columnists John Eisenberg and Ken Rosenthal each wrote about the arrest of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis on double-murder charges in Atlanta. Eisenberg opened his column with an astounding sentence: "Maybe you're surprised at the severity of the crime, or that one of the Ravens' best and most popular players was involved." How does he know that Lewis was "involved?" What does that mean? Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty?"

I had a nice chat this week with the O's official cruise director Ken Nigro, who's in Florida getting ready to lead a group of 200 true blue Orioles fans on the 8th annual Orioles Caribbean Cruise. Nigro and his charges will board the Regal Princess in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 8 for a weeklong cruise to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Princess Cays.This is the largest group they've ever had and I would guess that has something to do with the celebrities who'll be sailing with them. Imagine dining with O's players Brady Anderson, Mike Devereaux and Paul Carey; O's hitting coach Greg Biagini; Hall of Fame broadcaster Chuck Thompson; O's assistant general manager Doug Melvin, and former O's Boog Powell and Pat Dobson.

Closer Jim Johnson has been named the Orioles' nominee for the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes a player "who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. " Beginning today, fans can vote for the national Clemente award recipient at MLB.com/ClementeAward and register for a chance to win a trip to the World Series. The award is named for the Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.  “I don't really do things for name recognition,” said Johnson, who will be recognized as the club's award recipient at a ceremony Monday at Camden Yards.

THE "PENNSTATION Sensation" is coming your way Dec. 2. Hundreds of city and county residents are expected to gather that night at our wonderful old train station to toast its revitalization and celebrate the opening of the new parking garage. Wait 'til you see what they are doing at the station!If you'd like to hobnob with Baltimore politicos and movers and shakers in the business community, come on down. The black-tie event is being chaired by Kay MacIntosh, editor of Style Magazine, and Paul Wolman, president of P.W. Feats.

I'll never forget the big old buck with a hairy eyeball that used to stare down at me from above the mantel at my great-uncle Walter's fishing and hunting cabin. Or the eggs fried in 30-weight oil and coffee from the Mister Mud Machine that jump-started every morning. Or the copperhead snakes that used to hide in the outhouse or under the rickety dock that hung out over the Susquehanna River. Good thing the bats kept them from getting too comfortable. Memories. I have them. You have them.

"I'm so happy my husband doesn't know who I am," Carolyn Williams said. No, she's not a misbehaving housewife on some tacky TV show. Williams was attributing her fresh rush of cheer to her participation in the inaugural BSO Academy, which will wrap up an intensive week of activities for adult amateur musicians with a "donor appreciation concert" and party on Saturday at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Nearly 50 people from around the region paid up to $1,650 for this new community outreach venture by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, a camp for grownups who wanted to take their musical interests to a different level.