Michael Johnson

Meet Michael JohnsonMichael Johnson has become one of the greatest sprinters of all time. Michael has dominated the 200-meter and 400-meter events since 1990.Michael ran his best race at the 1996 Olympics. No man in history had won the 200-meter race and the 400-meter race at the same Games. Michael was the first.And he's not finished yet. Michael plans to set more records and win more medals at the 2000 Olympics, in Sydney, Australia ."I was good at arguing when I was a kid, so I wanted to become a lawyer.

What Marilyn Knight remembers most about the 1996 Summer Olympics is how little sleep she got. Knight would go to bed early to get up for her job as a licensed practical nurse at a Baltimore nursing home, only to be awakened a couple of hours later by her son, James Carter.Carter, then a recent graduate of Mervo and on his way to Hampton (Va.) University later that summer, could not contain his enthusiasm in watching Michael Johnson and Allen Johnson on television during their gold-medal performances in Atlanta.

I knew this would happen, and I'm a most happy fella because of it. Monday, I asked readers to fill in the blank: "You know you're from Baltimore if . . . "Now look: A stack of mail the size and shape of Turkey Joe Trabert. In fact, the big, bearded, lovable beer-can collector and bon vivant of Batavia Avenue leads off.You know you're from Baltimore if . . .Turkey Joe: "You eat sauerkraut with your turkey on Thanksgiving. . . . You save extra-large frozen orange juice cans, cut out the tops and bottoms, and use them as hair rollers.

Baltimore will have to wait a little longer for the opening of the Heritage Shadows of the Silver Screen Museum & Cinema, which has been beset with financial difficulties since founder Michael Johnson started the project nearly a year ago.The museum and theater, which will showcase African-American films and movie memorabilia, was scheduled to open at 205 W. North Ave. as early as October.Most recently, it was scheduled to open Feb. 5 with a Dorothy Dandridge exhibit, screenings of "Porgy and Bess" and a visit from Sidney Poitier, who will be receiving a lifetime achievement award.

The ball didn't bounce their way, the close calls seemed to go against them, and they committed too many turnovers. Despite it all, the resilient City Knights still had an opportunity to win yesterday's Class 2A state semifinal against Cumberland's Fort Hill at Poly.What they couldn't overcome was the performance of Fort Hill running back Josh Page.After the No. 4 Knights had pulled to within seven points with 8: 06 remaining, Page anchored a 14-play, 64-yard drive that consumed 7: 04 and culminated in his game-clinching 4-yard touchdown run.Final score: Fort Hill 27, City 14.With the win, the Sentinels (10-2)

The ball didn't bounce their way, the close calls seemed to go against them, and they committed too many turnovers. Despite it all, the resilient City Knights still had an opportunity to win yesterday's Class 2A state semifinal against Cumberland's Fort Hill.What they couldn't overcome on Poly's field was the performance of Fort Hill running back Josh Page.After the Knights, No. 4 in metro Baltimore, had pulled to within seven points with 8: 06 remaining, Page anchored a 14-play, 64-yard drive that consumed 7 minutes 4 seconds and ended in his game-clinching 4-yard touchdown run.Final score: Fort Hill 27, City 14.With the win, the Sentinels (10-2)

St. Mary's built a 17-0 halftime lead and relied on its defense led by linebacker Monte Graves (12 tackles, one interception) to upend unbeaten, No. 3 City, 23-12 at Anne Arundel Community College yesterday.The No. 8 Saints (4-2) got two first-half touchdown passes from Ryan Metzbower (11-for-21, 19 yards), a 16-yarder to Bryant Airey and a 13-yard toss to Jamison Mullen, who also kicked a 27-yard field goal and two extra points.City (5-1) came in averaging 35 points a game but was held to a total of 30 yards rushing while the Saints controlled most of the game with the running of Rashi Reed, who carried 30 times for 102 yards, including a one-yard touchdown late in the final period.

No. 4 Poly (4-0) atNo. 1 Dunbar (3-1)When: Today, 3: 30 p.m.Outlook: This is the third time these two programs have met in the four-year tenure of Dunbar coach Stanley Mitchell (36-5 career), and each season, the winner has reached the season-ending state finals in its class. Dunbar has won two straight state titles. "They're state champs until somebody beats them, especially with No. 44 [RB Ali Culpepper,]" said Poly coach Augie Waibel (256-57 career). "But they're not a one-man team." Culpepper, an All-Metro pick, rated No. 4 nationally by tTC The National Recruiting Advisor.

ATLANTA -- Michael Johnson wrote the script, rehearsed the lines, even scheduled his performances in his quest to become the leading man of the Centennial Olympics.But in the end, it wasn't enough for him to accomplish the unprecedented feat of winning the men's 200 and 400 meters.Johnson had to break a world record last night.Had to, because it was the only way he was going to become a star.You can't orchestrate history. You can't manufacture stardom.It just happens.Happens spontaneously.

ATLANTA -- The waiting is nearly over for Michael Johnson, who cruised through his final qualifying heat yesterday and will go for his first gold medal of the XXVI Olympiad in the 400-meter final tonight.He is making it look almost too easy, pulling up at the end of each heat to conserve energy and -- perhaps unintentionally -- let it be known to all of his opponents that he is so fast that there isn't any point in dreaming.Tonight, he says, will be different."I won't be looking around [tonight]

1 MIAA soccer clash: The No. 4 McDonogh boys get back on the field after falling to Perry Hall and losing their top ranking. The Dons travel to No. 2 Mount St. Joseph for a 4 p.m. match. 2 No snap : Football coach Ralph Friedgen has his weekly news conference today, when he'll try to explain how he'll keep his Terps up for Eastern Michigan after their upset of California. 3 Same old September: Stumbling toward the finish again, the Orioles start their last road trip of the season tonight in Toronto (7:07 p.m., MASN2)

Paul Navarro "Weedy" Johnson, a retired city worker and music fan, died of a stroke Feb. 11 at his Southwest Baltimore home. He was 68. Mr. Johnson was born in Baltimore and raised in Cherry Hill. He attended city public schools. Mr. Johnson was a supervisor for 28 years for the city Department of Housing and Community Development. He retired in 1986. In recent years, Mr. Johnson worked at St. Peter Claver Hall in West Baltimore as a floor technician. He enjoyed visiting Atlantic City casinos and was an avid fan of jazz and soul music.

For more than half a century, the Arbutus Social Club in southwestern Baltimore County has hosted bull roasts, baby showers and weddings. The brickfront building on Stevens Avenue is often booked throughout weekends, with sometimes two events a night. But the head of the club says there's never been an event like the birthday party that carried into yesterday morning. That gathering ended abruptly in gunfire, with two men dead and three people injured - and police imploring witnesses to break their silence.

On Tuesday, September 7, 2004, JOHH C., beloved husband of Betty (nee Fallin), devoted father of Michael Johnson and his wife Toni and the late James Johnson, and former father-in-law of Beth Johnson-Williams. Also survived by four grandchildren. Friends may call at Loring Byers Funeral Directors, Inc., 8728 Liberty Road, (2 miles West of Beltway Exit 18-B) Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Where Services will be held Saturday 12:30 P.M. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery.

On April 10, 2004; EVELYN A. JOHNSON, loving wife of James Johnson, Sr.; step-mother of James, Jr. and Michael Johnson; special son Shawn Credle; sisters Doris Jefferson and Ruth Pratt and other family and friends. Friends may call at the JOSEPH L. RUSS FUNERAL HOME, 2222 W. North Avenue. Family hour Tuesday, 10:30 AM with Funeral to follow at 11 AM

Ninety-four state football players will be honored tomorrow at the 41st annual Scholar Athlete Awards dinner at Martin's West in Woodlawn. Five regional scholarship winners will be selected, with one chosen as the grand prize winner. A total of $10,000 will be awarded to the winners. The event, which will start at 6 p.m., is sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Special achievement awards will be presented to Class 3A champion Linganore, Class 2A champion Aberdeen and Class 1A champion Joppatowne.

On December 13, 2003, JAMES A.; beloved husband of Marlene E. Parker (nee Hanna); father of Easter Johnson, Ronda Smallwood, Joanne Knox and the late James A. Parker, Jr. and James E. Parker; father-in-law of Michael Johnson and Robert Smallwood; grandfather of Jeremy, Sylvia, Jessica, Philip, Derek, Robert, Julius, Sasha and Tyler Knox; great-grandfather of Jeremy and Jacob. Services at ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, Tuesday at 11 A.M. Interment in Lake View Memorial Park.

On August 25, 2003, ALBERT, SR.; husband of the late Keevie Carrie Johnson; devoted father of Albert, Jr., William, Ronald and Michael Johnson, Naomie Wainwright and Sinia Person. Also survived by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the CHATMAN-HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, 5240 Reisterstown Road, Thursday, after 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. The family will receive friends at New Pilgram Baptist Church, 629 N. Washington Street, Friday, 10:30 A.M. Funeral services will begin 11 A.M. Interment Lorraine Park Cemetery.

For five years, Michael Johnson, with his Heritage cinema house, has been the vagabond son of Baltimore's movie scene, moving from place to place, struggling to show movies on a regular basis, operating sporadically for two years out of a former nightclub on North Avenue that Johnson admits was woefully inadequate. This time, Johnson says, he's got it right. Tomorrow at Towson's old Hillendale Theatre, 1045 Taylor Ave., Johnson will open the latest incarnation of his dream for a theater dedicated to African- American films and filmmakers.

On April 19, 2003, BARBARA J. JOHNSON, beloved wife of Robert Johnson; devoted mother of Dan Johnson, Susan Kulakowski and Michael Johnson; dear grandmother of Jessica Lynn Stahl, Jennifer Johnson, Michael Johnson Jr., Joshua Johnson and Charles Kulakowski; great-grandmother of Kaysie Stahl. Barbara was a long time volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Reach to Recovery Program and counseling breast cancer patients. Memorial services will be held Friday, April 25 at 2 P.M., at North Point Baptist Church, 4201 North Point Blvd.