Hanson

In the balance of a moment, much can happen. Or not, and instead the moment itself is all that happens, and maybe that is enough.Ready or not -- or, more likely, tired of it already -- the most anticipated New Year's ever arrives at the stroke of midnight tonight. But after more than a year of exhaustive millennium-watching and century-dissection, the year 2000 begins with something less than clarity.It means something, but what? It should be noted, but how?"There are so few moments that touch our lives this way. People are searching: What is the way to mark this?"

Katherine E. Hanson, 78, gift shop ownerKatherine E. Hanson, retired owner of an Annapolis gift shop, died of heart failure Sunday at Anne Arundel County Medical Center. The Annapolis resident was 78.In 1952, she opened the Bonnie Lynne gift shop, offering cards and jewelry, at the old Carvel Hall Hotel on Prince George's Street. The business closed in 1972 when the hotel was torn down to create the William Paca House Garden.Born in Painter, Va., the former Katherine Hickman moved to Baltimore as a child and lived on Kossuth Street in Irvington.

At least two Air Force planes were to leave the West Coast today on a risky mission to carry medicine -- and hope -- to a woman at the South Pole who has found a potentially cancerous lump in her breast.A medical evacuation is impossible in the bitter, 80-below-zero cold. The airmen will have to penetrate the storms and darkness of the Antarctic winter and drop the drugs and other medical gear by parachute."People were really motivated to do this because it's about saving a life," said Capt.

To public defender Carol A. Hanson, winning is a matter of perspective -- and being prepared.In a recent case, Hanson didn't argue for leniency after her client pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. Instead, she did her homework, recommending that the man serve 36 consecutive days and one weekend a month in jail for a year, to drive home the reminder that drinking has consequences.Though prosecutors pushed for a six-month jail term, the judge sided with Hanson."You have to have credibility with the court," said Hanson, 46, the district public defender for Howard and Carroll counties.

Cecil Bray stopped just short of one of Howard County's red light camera intersections one wet September morning, but his car went over the white pedestrian crossing line, so he got a $75 ticket.Genevieve McCardell stopped properly at another camera-monitored crossroads while the driver in the next lane screeched to a halt in mid-intersection. But she got a ticket -- because of a case of mistaken identity.As Maryland communities from Bladensburg to Bel Air move to adopt the automatic camera method of discouraging red light runners pioneered by Howard County, a few people want you to know something -- the camera isn't always right, nor the photos unassailable in court.

As swift and sudden as lightning, disaster struck yesterday at the corner of Willard and Lombard streets, shredding Gerrell Shorter's small world right before his eyes.As the anxious 4-year-old looked on, beefy men in T-shirts and ball caps tossed his purple Barney doll into the gutter. Next came his bike. Then his basketball. Then his clothes. An hour later, the entire contents of his mother's rented rowhouse at 2400 W. Lombard were dumped outside on the pavement."Where we gonna live?" Gerrell asked a concerned neighbor, his voice trembling.

A family confrontation over an adult son's recent sexual behavior might have triggered last week's double homicide in Frizzellburg, authorities speculated in charging documents filed yesterday.Gary Douglas Starnes, 48, was arrested by state police late Wednesday on double murder charges in the deaths of his mother, Barbara Lorraine Ries, 67, and stepfather, Joseph Sidney Garrity, 68.At yesterday's bail review hearing in Carroll County District Court, Judge Marc G. Rasinsky ordered a psychological evaluation of Starnes, who was taken after the hearing to Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center in Jessup, the state's secure facility for those in the criminal justice system with mental health issues.

Blue Jays: Roger Clemens did some light throwing and continued receiving treatment on his injured groin. He is scheduled to throw off a mound today in Texas and will be re-evaluated to determine whether he will stay in the rotation for his scheduled start Sunday. If Clemens can't pitch Sunday, the Blue Jays might go with Erik Hanson, who made a rehab start with Single-A Dunedin yesterday. Hanson will join the team tomorrow in Texas.Rangers: Aaron Sele's previous low-hit game was a seven-hitter, accomplished three times, most recently last July 3 against Chicago.

Bryan Hanson built his Scaggsville home during weekends and after work.A two-alarm fire yesterday evening swept through that house, destroying in minutes what it took Hanson 107 days to finish four years ago.The blaze caused about $500,000 in damage to the two-story residence in the 10400 block of Scaggsville Road, according to Capt. Chris Shimer, a spokesman for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.The cause of the fire was under investigation, Shimer said."It's not so bad for me," said Hanson, watching firefighters roll up VTC hoses snaking across his lawn.

Africa FeteImmerse yourself in Africa's rich culture through this traveling community of performers, with a lineup including Salif Keita and the Wanda Band from Mali, Cheikh Lo from Sengal and Maryam Mursal from Somalia. Africa Fete presents a sampler of African music from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday on the Outdoor Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Admission is free. Call 800-444-1324.Gettysburg battle re-enactmentThe battle of Gettysburg ended 135 years ago. But this weekend, the rolling hills surrounding the Pennsylvania farm town will once again thunder with the roar of artillery when thousands of re-enactors gather to commemorate the battle anniversary and participate in what is believed to be the largest gathering of the blue and gray since the Civil War itself.

Hanson Ellsworth Fossett The Taliaferro family circle will receive friends on Friday, October 2, 2009 from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Berry Waddy Funeral Home in Lancaster County, Virginia. The Wake will be held at First Baptist Church of Heathsville, Virginia. Services to follow Interment at First Baptist Church Cemetery in Heathsville, Virginia. A memorial in Baltimore will be announced at a later date.

All-Metro senior forward Paige Hanson and her No. 5-ranked Bryn Mawr teammates knew their regular-season opening game at No. 8 Fallston would be difficult. The Cougars were looking to win their third straight field hockey championship and were inspired to be playing their first game at home for new head coach Megan Grant. But with 11:39 to play in the second half, Hanson picked up where she left off last season, making the most of a corner opportunity (one of 15 for the Mawrtians] to put the ball past Fallston goalie Anne Morgan Milchling.

THREE AND DONE Adam Jones' at-bat in the sixth inning crystallized the Orioles' recent offensive struggles. Trailing 4-2, the Orioles had finally knocked Braves rookie right-hander Tommy Hanson out of the game. They had the bases loaded and two outs and one of their best hitters at the plate. But Atlanta reliever Peter Moylan, who entered the game with a 5.09 ERA, needed just three pitches to strike out Jones. That kept Hanson, who allowed 14 base runners in 5 2/3 innings, in position to notch his first major league win. STAY RIGHT THERE Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis and Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur are good friends, having played together on the same Amateur Athletic Union team while they were growing up in Georgia.

Blanche D. Hanson, a retired registered nurse and World War II veteran, died of complications from multiple sclerosis May 21 at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. She was 86. Blanche Dorfler, a daughter of a carpenter and a nurse, was born and raised in Towson. After graduating from Towson High School, she earned a nursing degree from the Maryland General Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. She enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps and in early 1945, she joined 700 other nurses traveling aboard the SS Marigold, an Army Transport Service hospital ship, to Pearl Harbor.

When Carroll County resident Donna Hanson went to see a doctor about chronic gastrointestinal pain in October, she discovered that her misery had been triggered by a life-threatening heart condition. Doctors unclogged a right artery that was more than 90 percent blocked and inserted a stent. Then they sent Hanson, who had no medical insurance, away with a new lease on life - and no bill. Instead of going to a doctor or emergency room, the Westminster resident visited Access Carroll - a medical nonprofit organization that offers free health care to county residents with low incomes and no health insurance.

Player of the Year Paige Hanson, Bryn Mawr The junior forward made a difference in all aspects of the No. 8 Mawrtians' scoring game. With her strong stick skills and quick moves, Hanson could initiate the attack with a play that resulted in a goal several passes down the line. Her play in transition often put the Mawrtians in strong position in the circle, but she was just as effective at the end of the play, finishing with eight goals and six assists. Coach of the Year Alex Chambers, Mercy In her third year with the Magic, Chambers led it to a rare feat - an undefeated season (17-0-2)

Nonrefundable airfares make unwelcome travel companions I tolerate only because they save me hundreds of dollars. And at least with most cruises and tours, thanks to deposit schedules, I lose my stake gradually. Not so with nonrefundable hotel rates. Popping up as "Internet-only" or "advance-purchase" rates on Web sites of big lodging chains, these offer generally modest savings in return for taking a hefty risk: forfeiting the total cost of your stay (not just the first night) if you change or cancel your reservation.

General manager Frank Wren insists the Braves won't trade their most valued prospects, apparently not even to bring Jake Peavy to Atlanta. Speculation about the Braves' interest in Peavy has grown since the San Diego Padres confirmed they were fielding offers for the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner. On Sept. 29, one day after the Braves completed their first 90-loss season since 1990, Wren said he wouldn't part with the organization's top prospects. Wren made that proclamation before knowing the Padres would consider trade offers for Peavy, but he affirmed his stance yesterday.

A Montgomery County man accused of drowning his children in a bathtub at an Inner Harbor hotel is competent to stand trial, dismiss his attorneys and plead guilty to the killings, a Baltimore Circuit judge ruled yesterday. Mark Castillo, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, requested and was granted time to decide what he wants to do. Judge Gale E. Rasin, however, said that she was reserving judgment on whether she would allow Castillo to represent himself at a trial, should he choose to plead not guilty.

On July 2, 2008, Mary GIBBONS Hanson Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26), on Sunday from 1-3 and 6-8 P.M., where a funeral service will be held on Monday at 1:00 P.M. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.