Night

WASHINGTON -- Everything about the atmosphere at RFK Stadium for last night's series opener between the Orioles and Washington Nationals spoke to just another game over the course of a long baseball season. There was no evidence of a neighborhood rivalry, no big-game environment, no prolonged excitement for the first eight innings. It was what you'd expect when Game 42 of the season brought together two clubs that entered last night in last place in their respective divisions. Orioles@Nationals Tonight, 7:05, MASN, 105.7 FM Starters: Jeremy Guthrie (2-1, 3.34)

If you could pick up Baltimore and give it a good shake late on a Saturday night, a lot of the odd pieces would wind up at the Papermoon Diner in Remington. Since 1994, when Un Kim and her partner opened the Papermoon, it has become one of the city's most popular after-hours hangouts. They turned this old coffeehouse in the 200 block of W. 29th St. into a child's playhouse where things seem a bit off-kilter. Ceilings are purple. Walls are green. Dozens of action figures, dolls and model planes line the interior.

It was Christmas in the New York subways last week, musicians heading off to play Christmas gigs, and in the Times Square station, a wild-haired old man out of a George Price cartoon pounded out "Winter Wonderland" on an electric organ, a rhythm attachment going whompeta-whompeta-whompeta, and two crazed, battery-powered Santas dancing the boogaloo nearby a young trumpeter giving "O Holy Night" a good working over. Then the doors closed and we racketed uptown as an old codger came into the subway car and launched into "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" as he limped up the aisle, jingling his Styrofoam cup. I am pretty much hardened to Christmas music, except at the end of the Christmas Eve service when the lights dim and the glories stream from heaven afar and the heavenly hosts sing Alleluia and then, from long habit, tears well up in my eyes and I weep for the dead who enjoyed Christmas so much and for humanity in general, and then we go sashaying out into the cold, starry night and walk home.

Before the game last night, the Philadelphia KiXX hung their second straight division title banner from the rafters of the First Union Spectrum.In its attempt to win a third straight, the KiXX may have found its biggest challenger in an improved Blast team.The Blast (2-0) defeated Philadelphia (0-2) for the second time in as many nights, 16-15, in front of 10,529 in Philadelphia."They are the defending champions the last two years," Blast coach Kevin Healey said. "They brought up the banner tonight.

For only the second time this season, Orioles catcher Charles Johnson was out of the starting lineup for consecutive games, with Mike Figga getting the assignment again last night.Johnson had started 10 straight games before Thursday, when he got the night off while Figga went 1-for-4 in the Orioles' 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox."I'm fine. It's just a couple days off," Johnson said, adding that the decision was made mutually by himself and manager Ray Miller."We both agreed on it. [Thursday]

The Ravens intensified efforts to rebuild their offensive line with visits from New Orleans Saints tackle Clarence Jones and Seattle Seahawks tight end Christian Fauria yesterday, and the club was close to reaching a multi-year agreement with Denver Broncos right tackle Harry Swayne last night.A league source said last night that the team also has interest in signing Tennessee Titans All-Pro center Mark Stepnoski, who was visiting his old Dallas Cowboys teammates yesterday.An announcement on Swayne could come as early as this morning, and his acquisition would provide a big lift for an offensive line that has lost two starters, tackle Orlando Brown and center/guard Wally Williams, to free agency this off-season.

Before the game last night, the Philadelphia KiXX hung their second straight division title banner from the rafters of the First Union Spectrum.In its attempt to win a third straight, the KiXX may have found its biggest challenger in an improved Blast team.The Blast (2-0) defeated Philadelphia (0-2) for the second time in as many nights, 16-15, in front of 10,529 in Philadelphia."They are the defending champions the last two years," Blast coach Kevin Healey said. "They brought up the banner tonight.

PHOENIX -- Connecticut won the game, but Tom Davis took the night -- his last night, and his last game, as coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes.Forced to resign by athletic director Bob Bowlsby, Davis walked out of America West Arena last night after a 78-68 Sweet 16 defeat and into Hawkeyes history. He departs with 269 wins in 13 years at Iowa. He never reached the Final Four and made the Elite Eight once.He won, but not enough, and because of it endured a season unlike any other."I'm just sorting things out," Davis said after the West Regional semifinal loss.

How loud was it? So loud that you couldn't even hear Coppin State coach Fang Mitchell's resounding sideline show. That's loud.It was so loud at Hill Field House last night, so loud and hot and packed with fans, that every basket was a holiday, a celebration, a day off from school.Early, the public address announcer warned fans not to lean on any railings. Late, he asked them not to throw ice at the cheerleaders.It was that kind of night.The NBA's Wizards were playing at the MCI Center, just an hour's drive away, and the usual array of Division I big-timers were dribbling away on ESPN, but you could have all that for a nickel.

Elise H. Cheslock, who opened her kitchen and home to renowned Evening Sun journalist H. L. Mencken and other members of the famed Saturday Night Club, died Saturday of heart failure at Sinai Hospital. She was 91.Since the mid-1980s, Mrs. Cheslock, a charming woman with a welcoming demeanor, had resided in Belvedere Towers Apartments in Roland Park.At the Cheslock home on Sulgrave Avenue in Mount Washington, she and her husband entertained some of the most prominent members of Baltimore's literary, medical, legal and cultural community during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

14- or 16-night Peter Deilmann cruise from Baltimore What's the deal?: Peter Deilmann Cruises is bringing its luxury German liner the MS Deutschland to Baltimore, offering two fall cruises aboard the 520-passenger cruise ship known for its elegant style of the Edwardian and 1920s eras. The cruises are a 14-night round-trip exploration of the "Old South" or a 16-night cosmopolitan outing with stops in New York; Miami; New Orleans; Cozumel, Mexico, among others, and ending in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

If you're keeping track, it's Cam Cameron 1, Rex Ryan 0. The big showdown lasted for only about two quarters last night, but Cameron, the Ravens offensive coordinator, won his quick matchup against Ryan on Monday night in the Ravens' second preseason game against the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium. Ryan is listed as the Jets' rookie head coach, but don't be fooled by the title. Mike Pettine is New York's defensive coordinator, but he's just a figurehead and computer geek. We all know who calls the Jets' defenses, and Ryan was usually a step behind Cameron on Monday night.

Travelers looking for lodging can find bargains this year. Occupancy has been down at many destinations, and the deals keep coming to fill those empty rooms. Orlando-area hotels have felt the slump, and rates have dropped compared to years past. When we recently priced rooms for mid-August travel, we found rates at three-star properties for as low as $65 per night and at four-star properties for as low as $74 per night. Sample Orlando promotions include two free consecutive nights when you pay for three nights at the Nickelodeon Family Suites.

"Friday is Freeday" at Radisson Hotels What's the deal?: Friday night stays are free at participating Radisson Hotels when guests stay an additional night - either Thursday or Saturday night - for a minimum of two consecutive nights. So it's basically "buy one, get one." The deal is available at Radisson hotels and resorts properties in North, Central and South America; Asia Pacific; and at Radisson Edwardian Hotels in the United Kingdom. The offer is good for stays through Sept. 15. What's the savings?

Free Disney dining plan from Southwest What's the deal?: Book a Southwest Airlines Vacations package, including flight, hotel and Magic Your Way Tickets, for three or more nights at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., and receive the Disney Dining Plan free or 50 percent off the Deluxe Dining Plan. What's the savings?: The dining plan includes one table-service meal, one counter-service meal and one snack per guest per night at Disney World restaurants. The dining plan covers a family of four, including two adults and two children.

ATLANTA -As Maryland men's basketball strives to recapture some of the magic that once made every March day feel like a holiday, it's almost as if we're watching a scene from Back to the Future. There are the Terps in the NCAA tournament photograph, their hopes of an invitation fading, fading, fading. And then suddenly color. The Terps back in the picture. With last night's 74-69 win over North Carolina State, Maryland advances to the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, which means it has a date tonight with Wake Forest - less than two weeks after the Demon Deacons eked out a victory in College Park.

Gary Williams on Cliff Tucker: "He got a little bit behind this year after the start of the season, but after what he did [Tuesday night] he has certainly pushed himself back into the rotation. I'm glad to see that." ( For more, go to baltimoresun.com/terpsblog)

Last night was like old times, like back in 2000. Once the Ravens got their 14-0 lead in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins, you knew it was over, didn't you? Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger can lead comebacks against the Ravens, but not Jason Campbell, even if the Ravens' offense kept turning the ball over. If you give a team like the Ravens the early lead, it allows Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to play his safeties deep while turning his linebackers loose to bring pressure.

It was Senior Night at Byrd Stadium, which meant an evening of emotional goodbyes. Goodbye, Jaimie Thomas and Edwin Williams. Goodbye, Obi Egekeze and Kevin Barnes, Dave Philistin and Danny Oquendo. Oh yeah, and goodbye, Atlantic Coast Conference title game; goodbye, Orange Bowl; and goodbye, promising conclusion to a hopelessly erratic season. The Terps awoke yesterday with visions of oranges dancing in their heads. To clinch the conference championship game in Tampa, Fla., they needed a win over Florida State, coupled with a Wake Forest victory over Boston College.

People tend not to change unless they have to. Right now, we're still going out, spending money and keeping the economy humming, maybe just a little more cautiously. But if things do get tougher, the time to start implementing good behaviors is right now. Some good habits have as much to do with maximizing your fun and budgeting your energy as they do pinching pennies. Adopting them will serve you well even in flush times. And if things do get worse, you'll be prepared. The Baltimore weekend we've outlined tells how and where to spend a wise penny and save a foolish dollar.