George Washington

People made fun of Hillary Rodham Clinton for channeling Eleanor Roosevelt, but yesterday President Bush went to Mount Vernon and compared the war in Iraq to the American Revolution and himself to George Washington. Is there something in the water over at the White House? Thursday is the 275th birthday of the Father of Our Country, and somehow the current President of Our Country seems to have felt a need to show that he's living up to the old man's standards. "I feel right at home here," he told a crowd at the Washington estate.

Will Holland and Chris Vann combined for 46 points for Mount St. Mary's, but it wasn't enough in a 77-62 loss to George Washington. Rob Diggs led George Washington (1-0) with 21 points and six rebounds, and Wynton Witherspoon added 15 points and 11 boards. Maureece Rice added 15 points while Damian Hollis chipped in nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds in the victory for the Colonials. Holland scored 18 of his career-high 25 points in the second half to pace Mount St. Mary's (0-1).

When Martin O'Malley takes the oath of office today, he will bring an end not just to Maryland's brief experiment with two-party politics. He'll also conclude our long, national history lesson on the War of 1812. O'Malley's inaugural address contains a shocker, according to a copy leaked to The Sun, and it is this: There is no mention Fort McHenry. Maryland's new governor has been in a star-spangled rut since at least 2002, when he unfurled his 19th-century battle shtick at a U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.

GEORGE Washington, America's first president, died in the last month of the last year of the 1700s -- exactly 200 years ago this week.Just as we eagerly anticipate 2000, the 67-year-old Washington dearly wished to see 1800 dawn on his Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon. But as any stroller passing by the Washington Monument in Baltimore's Mount Vernon -- the country's first such monument -- can see, it was not to be.Yet it's just as well that Washington died in 1799, for he was the quintessential 18th century gentleman (and the only U.S. president to have lived entirely in that century)

Whoever came up with the terminology for at-large teams teetering between an invitation to the NCAA tournament and an early spring break -- or for those lucky souls who get neither and play in the No Interest Tournament -- might have to figure out a new word.Or at least make the so-called bubble out of plexi- glass.In some cases, such as the Big 12, entire leagues might be in jeopardy of sliding into oblivion at any given moment. Others, such as the Big Ten, have a lot of good teams but no great ones and could, as a result, get more bids than any league in history.

Five hours on horseback in snow, sleet and chilling rain had left George Washington soaked. It was the old general's custom to ride out daily to inspect the operations at Mount Vernon. But his secretary worried that the great man would catch his death of cold.The next day, Washington complained of a sore throat. Two days later, on Dec. 14, 1799, Washington died of what his distraught doctors diagnosed as "quinsy," a severe inflammation of the throat that slowly closed off his airway and suffocated him.They had done all they knew how to do, but their famous patient died.

WASHINGTON -- Fordham guard Bevon Robin meant no disrespect. That's because he had already heard about the reputation of the George Washington players, about how this smallish point guard was somehow dominating the Atlantic 10 Conference.Still, there's something about first impressions. And the first time Robin faced George Washington and saw Shawnta Rogers -- all 5 feet 4 of him -- walking onto the court for the opening tip-off, his eyes got wide and there were two words that immediately entered his mind.

BOLLMAN BRIDGE Elementary School held a disability awareness day yesterday.Members of dAp -- the disAbility Awareness project -- were on hand to discuss and show how physical challenges can be met.There were wheelchair basketball games with Bill Demby, Larry Hughes and Andy Tacka, who demonstrated how to play using their wheelchairs.Fidos for Freedom, an organization that trains dogs to serve the deaf and disabled, showed what their dogs can do, including alerting hearing-impaired people to fires and other hazards.

Scottish and Irish Music Festival and FairBring the family to the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pa., this weekend to celebrate the songs and sounds of Ireland and Scotland. The entertainment includes Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, Misty Isle, Seamus Kennedy, the Delmar and District Pipe Band, dance groups of Scottish Highlands and Irish step dancers. Each day starts with the skirl of bagpipes. Also, explore the history and heritage of the Celtic lands, find your tartan, sip "the water of life" at the whiskey tasting, trace your family roots at the Clan and Family Center, and feast on fish and chips, meat pies and pastries.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- On weeknights in midwinter, when the hearts of other cities are dark and lifeless, people are strolling down the brick sidewalks of King Street in Alexandria.Many upscale stores are open on the charming street. And restaurants are bustling, many with couples dining at candle-lit tables. In addition to more than a dozen small museums and historic sites, it claims 50 antique and fine arts galleries, 300 specialty shops and 200 restaurants.Alexandria is celebrating its 250th anniversary throughout 1999.

WNBA Langhorne's double double powers Mystics over Lynx Crystal Langhorne (Maryland) had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the host Washington Mystics to an 81-75 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. Alana Beard added 13 points as Washington ended a three-game losing streak to Minnesota. Six Mystics scored in double figures. Colleges Bowie State falls to Slippery Rock in football opener Andre Johnson completed 10 of 21 passes for a game-high 156 yards and Rodney Webb rushed for a game-high 79 yards, but Bowie State lost, 31-27, to Slippery Rock on Saturday.

Chanting "just say nay," protesters have been disrupting town hall meetings across the former colonies, as lawmakers try to rally support for the proposed Federal Constitution. Attendees have been carrying signs showing a likeness of a bald Thomas Jefferson above the caption "he's flipped his wig," and at one meeting, a James Madison bobblehead doll was seen hanging from a noose. The protesters characterize their cause as a fertile soil uprising, while critics claim that it is a cobblestone effort, a term used to denote a manufactured social movement.

Senior attacker Meggie McNamara scored two goals and added three assists to lead Towson to its second win in a row, a 13-7 nonconference victory over George Washington at the Colonials' Mount Vernon Athletic Complex yesterday. The reigning Colonial Athletic Association Co-Player of the Week, McNamara scored both of her goals during the first half as the Tigers (4-1) built a 10-2 advantage and earned their first victory at George Washington. The Colonials had won all three previous meetings against the Tigers on their home field.

George Washington's 277th Birthday Celebration Where:: Welcome Center at Valley Forge National Historical Park, Route 23 and Gulph Road in Valley Forge, Pa. When:: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. tomorrow. What:: Visitors can meet portrayers of George and Martha Washington while listening to period music by the Colonial Revelers. Children can make their own three-corner hats and design birthday cards for the first president in the Encampment Store from 10 a.m.-noon. Afterward, there will be a presentation and tasting of a birthday cake baked using Martha Washington's original recipe.

When Susan Luery competed for the right to sculpt the Babe Ruth statue at Camden Yards, she didn't know much about pro baseball and had never been to a game. Just before earning the commission, she met Hall of Fame player Reggie Jackson and was later told that he was nicknamed "Mr. October." "What calendar does he pose for?" she asked. Yet by the time the16-foot Babe's Dream was unveiled in 1998, Luery had researched his life and persona, and could even recite his baseball stats. A former Northwest Baltimore resident who now lives in Hingham, Mass.

Alex Ruoff scored 17 points, leading visiting West Virginia and coach Bob Huggins to a 76-48 victory over No. 15 Ohio State yesterday. Da'Sean Butler scored 16 points - all but two in the first half - with Darryl Bryant adding 11 and Devin Ebanks 10 for the Mountaineers (10-2), who gave the Buckeyes (9-1) their first defeat of the season. West Virginia has won four in a row since a 68-65 loss to Davidson in the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 9. Up by seven at halftime, the Mountaineers extended the lead to more than 20 midway through the second half and poured it on the rest of the way. William Buford and Jeremie Simmons each scored 11 points, and Evan Turner had 10 for Ohio State.

WASHINGTON - Ignited by junior guard Eric Hayes' three-point shooting in the first half, Maryland put away George Washington early and cruised to a 76-53 win last night in the second game of the BB&T Classic doubleheader. It was Maryland's first win in the BB&T Classic at the Verizon Center after four losses dating to December 2004. In the first game, Virginia Tech beat Navy, 79-70. The Terrapins shot 47 percent from three-point range (9-for-19) and got 13 points from Hayes, who hit three straight from beyond the arc to put Maryland (6-2)

As I was walking out of Comcast Center on Wednesday night, I mentioned to a member of the Maryland sports information staff that the Terps had lost seven of their past nine games in the BB&T Classic. He assured me that I wouldn't read that particular note in the pre-game media notes for Sunday's matchup with George Washington. ( For more, go to baltimoresun.com/trackingtheterps)

BB&T slide ends Before last night's Maryland win over George Washington, 76-53, in the BB&T Classic, the Terps (6-2) had lost four straight (including two to the Colonials) in the Washington showcase dating to Dec. 5, 2004. Hot hands The Terps shot 58 percent (7-for-12) from three-point range in the first half on their way to a comfortable 19-point halftime lead, and George Washington never threatened the rest of the game. Cooling heels For the second game in a row, Maryland sophomore center Braxton Dupree essentially sat. He was held out of the previous game against Michigan after missing a class.

George Washington vs. Maryland 7:30 p.m. [MASN] With the two favorite NFL teams of the fan base for both teams playing tonight, maybe this basketball game can draw an audience for part of the first half. However, you can always catch the replay at 11 a.m. tomorrow.