Hamlin

Just as doubts began to arise about his potential and whether he could challenge Jimmie Johnson for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, Denny Hamlin showed just how much he wanted it. Were you in utter shock when the two Joe Gibbs Racing cars, Hamlin's and Kyle Busch's, pitted while leading Monday's race at Martinsville with 10 laps to go, and nobody went with them? Did you gasp when Hamlin bulldozed his way to fourth by the time another caution was called? That No. 11 team sure has a flair for the dramatic.

You'll excuse the Greg Oden jokes that followed Denny Hamlin's disclosure that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee playing basketball over the weekend. Oden, a former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, has spent most of his career with the Trail Blazers struggling through knee injuries. Hamlin has had his share as well. But the difference is Hamlin doesn't need healthy, functioning knee ligaments to succeed at his sport. Hamlin drove half of last season on a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, which he had surgically repaired last month.

A week after going on trial on charges that he killed a man in a botched holdup and tried to kill another, Juvon C. Harris was found guilty Monday by a Baltimore County Circuit Court jury of all eight counts against him, including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Harris, 28, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole when he is sentenced July 30 by Judge John O. Hennegan, who presided over the trial. Prosecutors dropped their earlier intention to seek the death penalty for Harris, who was seen in a surveillance video fleeing the parking lot of Woodlawn's Windsor Inn early on July 1, 2007, immediately after two men had been shot there.

When a man he didn't know pointed a gun at him outside a club, Howie Hamlin said, he thought it was a joke. He and a friend, Taavon Chambers, had been talking in the parking lot of Woodlawn's Windsor Inn early on July 1, 2007, as the bar was closing for the night. Suddenly, a third man appeared and, brandishing a pistol, ordered them both to lie on the ground, Hamlin testified Tuesday in Baltimore County Circuit Court. They ignored him. The gunman reacted by shoving the muzzle of his weapon into Hamlin's face, under his left eye. "Then I knew he was serious, that he was trying to rob us," Hamlin said.

On October 1, 2008, EDWARD L. HAMLIN, J.D.; survived by loving wife Rosa Hamlin; four sons, and a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends Tuesday 10 A.M., at Ames United Methodist Church, 112 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, MD. Funeral service 11 A.M. Interment Garrison Forest.

On August 5, 2008, DENNIS LEONARD HAMLIN; beloved husband of Debra D. Hamlin. A memorial service celebrating Mr. Hamlin's life will be held today, Friday, August 8, at Huber Memorial Church, 5701 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11 A.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES-RANDALLSTOWN (410) 655-0015. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mr. Hamlin's name to the American Cancer Society.

On February 16, 2008 PATRICIA HAMLIN, mother of Donya Houston, daughter of Annie Thomas, sister of Darlene S. White and Janice C. Doggett. Also survived by step-father James N. Thomas, Sr. and other relatives. Friends may call at PHILLIPS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 1721-27 N. Monroe St. (Westwood Ave.) Sunday 12 noon to 6 P.M. Family will receive friends Monday 11 to 11:30 A.M. with service to follow at Kingsway Christian Center. 7403 Gumspring Rd., Interment Arbutus Memorial Park.

Howard Hamlin wouldn't cross the street to vote yesterday. Literally. Well, he would have had to cross more than one street and round a couple of corners, but the 49-year-old Govans resident was just a short walk from his polling place yesterday when I came across him. The polls were open and there probably wouldn't have been a wait for a ballot booth, but, nope, Hamlin had no plans of voting. "I've given up because of so many disappointments," Hamlin said. "They say one thing and do another."

Suddenly on February 1, 2007, JAMES C. HAYES, beloved son of Earl J. Hayes and his wife Debra and Ellen Koppenhaven and her husband Christian, loving brother of Belinda Hayes and her husband Jim Hamlin, E.J. Hayes and step-sister Tara Koppenhaven, loving grandson of Carroll Tracey, loving fiancee of Sara Brown, cherished uncle of Connor, Pierce and Reese Hamlin. Friends may call at the Connelly Funeral Home of Essex, 300 Mace Avenue, Wednesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, POB 5216, Glen Allen, VA, 23058-5216.