Pride

FAITHFUL listeners are saying kaddish at the grave site of Sam Moss' radio program. Dead at 30-something, hardening of the ratings. You hear the mourners gathered at Miller's Deli at the Greenspring Shopping Center, and at Field's Pharmacy in Pikesville, and the laments echo along the aisles at the Giant on Old Court Road. "Did you hear?" the survivors ask. "Did you hear?" But there's nothing left to hear. Moss' radio program, an hour of Jewish humor and song and history, has been silenced after more than three decades as a staple of local radio.

Twenty-six years ago this month, Roma Foti's daughter, 23-year-old Nina Schack, was one of four crew members who lost their lives when the Pride of Baltimore, a replica of a 19th century sailing vessel, sank in a sudden storm in the Bermuda Triangle. Foti has always found comfort, she says, knowing that a memorial to the lost stood in Rash Field on the Inner Harbor. That's why she felt so let down last fall when she visited the site and saw it was in disrepair. Two panels bearing the names of the dead were four inches out of alignment, a corner was chipped off the facing, and two large cracks bisected a granite base nearby.

That Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blakewould respond to a letter from constituent Jada Pinkett Smith expressing concern about the welfare of circus elephants with a complaint that the actress had not returned the mayor's earlier calls, demonstrates an upside down understanding of public service ("SRB miffed that Pinkett Smith hasn't returned city's calls," March 8). The mayor works for Ms. Pinkett Smith and the rest of us, not vice versa. When a citizen calls the police for help, the 911 operator doesn't respond, "What have you done for us lately?"

MayorStephanie Rawlings-Blake's office recently issued a press release applauding the restoration and preservation of the Baltimore Battle Monument honoring the sacrifices of Baltimore's citizens through the War of 1812. But overlooking the Inner Harbor there is another memorial, one dedicated to the Pride of Baltimore and to four adventuresome crew members lost at sea on May 14, 1986 - captain, engineer, carpenter and deck hand. Eight crew members were rescued after four days adrift in one life raft.

With all of the attention being given to the new uniforms of the University of Maryland football team, has anyone considered the fact that Maryland's state flag is the only one in the country based on the coat of arms of a state's founding families? The black and gold represents the Calverts, while the red and white represents the Crossland family. Leonard Calvert married Alicia Crossland. As the grandmother of two Calvert descendants, I know they are proud of their heritage, and there are many Calverts in Maryland who might also be dismayed by the criticism of the team's uniform.

I am responding to a letter to the editor("Social Security employees deserve a pay cut or two. " March 9). I have been employed by the Social Security Administration for the past several years. Prior to that, I spent over 15 years in private industry. In both sectors I have witnessed employees who do not do their fair share of work. However, the vast majority of individuals at SSA are hard working folks who take pride in their role of public servants and know that the work they do helps make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.

A decade ago, it was wildly popular for real estate experts, elected government officials and professional opinionists to claim that homeownership was patriotic. Today, post-housing bubble, claims that renting a place to live is the smarter value have become just as popular. The problem with the current home ownership conversation, it seems, is that everyone wants to talk about houses only in financial terms: good investment, bad investment. Haven't we gotten over that yet? What we need to consider is not whether home ownership or renting a home is a better financial move, but how a well-maintained, well-loved home contributes to the civic good.

Baltimore County government this week unveiled a little hometown pride - and its sports preference - when it turned Towson's Historic Courthouse signature dome purple on Friday, Jan. 6. County officials said the gesture is meant to support the Baltimore Ravens march to this year's Super Bowl, and also make it clear that the county considers the Ravens its team because of the franchise's headquarters in the county. "We are very proud that the Ravens corporate headquarters are located in Owings Mills," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz in a press release about the courthouse tribute.  "While we are delighted to share 'our' team with the entire region, we take special pride in knowing that the Ravens call Baltimore County home.

The Corner Bistro & Wine Bar in Ridgely's Delight is observing the 30th anniversary of the University of North Carolina's NCAA basketball championship with a three-course "March to Wine Madness" menu. No, you haven't been re-routed to the Daily Tar Heel. Ridgely's Delight, and the Corner Bistro, are right here in the Old Line State. It's a free country. The menu includes "tip-off" appetizers, a "full-court press" house salad, "3-point play" entrees and "highlight jam" desserts.

On Friday, February 3, 2006, RALPH Mc KERNEY, JR., departed this life. Beloved and devoted husband of Priscilla Pride, loving son of Earline Pride and the late Ralph Pride, Sr., adored brother of Jennifer Stockton and the late Vicki Lynn Jackson. Services where held on Wednesday February 8, 2006 in Baltimore, MD.

Navy is 5-6, no longer in contention for a berth in the Patriot League Tournament and on the cusp of ending its season against Johns Hopkins for the second consecutive year. But Blue Jays coach Dave Pietramala said he has no intention of overlooking the Midshipmen, who welcome No. 9 Johns Hopkins (9-2) to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis this Saturday. “Whenever we've stepped onto Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, we're playing against the United States Naval Academy,” he said Wednesday.

Navy's 9-6 loss to archrival Army on Saturday means that the team's season will end after Saturday's home contest against No. 9 Johns Hopkins. And while that finality is disappointing, Midshipmen coach Rick Sowell said the team still has much to play for. “It was a tough loss on Saturday. Emotionally, our guys spent a lot of energy, but we've got one more game,” Sowell said Tuesday. “Of course, I'm going to push the pride button and the this-is-the-seniors-last-game button.

Both Johns Hopkins junior Pierce Bassett and Maryland redshirt sophomore Niko Amato rank in the top 10 in Division I in goals-against average and save percentage. Bassett is fourth in goals-against average (6.70) and 10th in save percentage (.578). Amato ranks seventh in goals-against average (7.16) and eighth in save percentage (.586). Only four other goalkeepers rank in the top 10 in both categories. They are Notre Dame junior John Kemp (first in goal-against average and first in save percentage)

When the Orioles open their season Friday, it's a safe bet that while many in attendance will be rooting for the home team (and some for the visitors, alas), all will appreciate the venue. Oriole Park at Camden Yards has remained one of the great showplaces of Major League Baseball even 20 years after its first opening day game. Yet even today, some naysayers still question whether the public investment in Camden Yards was worthwhile. Economists point out that the direct financial return on stadiums is not particularly good - a criticism heard two decades ago, as well, by the way - and that some alternative public investment of $110 million might have served downtown better.

When boxing promoter Jake Smith was approached last month by the American Red Cross Gala of Central Maryland to put together a charity event, he thought about a card he organized eight years ago in Ocean City and thought it would be a natural for this region. Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh. "I know how big of a rivalry there is between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I wanted to find a way to put it in the boxing ring," Smith said. "I think when we hear about Pittsburgh [in Baltimore]

What do you get with some marital conflict, product placement, joking around and weepy, back-slapping man hugs? "The Amazing Race"in Italy, obviously.   Hamartia I finally get to use the word hamartia in a recap to show off my knowledge of old terminology from Greek literature! Check that off my bucket list! It means fatal flaw, and it frequently points its hamartanein finger at pride.   Ralph and JJ, the Border Patrol Agents, are full of pride (or hubris, if we are still flinging fancy words around)

On December 13, 2004, JOHN E. PRIDE, SR.; devoted father of Bernetta Wright, Sandra, Joy and John Pride, Jr.; loving son of Anna B. Rhyne; dear brother of Barbara Harrison and Maxine Bond-Johnson. He is also survived by five grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives and friends. On Sunday, friends may call at the VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICE, 5151 Balto. Nat'l Pike, from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. On Monday, the family will receive friends from 12:00 to 12:30 P.M., with services to follow.

ANNAPOLIS -- A sliver of moon rode low in a sky streaked with magenta and orange as the crew of Pride of Baltimore II prepared to weigh anchor in St. Michaels harbor yesterday for the penultimate leg of their journey home.You see spectacular sunrises and sunsets all over the world, said ship's engineer Andrew Kauffmann, who was up before most of the rest of the crew, but none so pretty as those on Chesapeake Bay, the ones that tell you that you're home.After 13 months at sea, traveling the Americas and dodging two hurricanes, Pride II -- a replica of a 19th-century Baltimore Clipper -- has returned to safe harbor.

That Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blakewould respond to a letter from constituent Jada Pinkett Smith expressing concern about the welfare of circus elephants with a complaint that the actress had not returned the mayor's earlier calls, demonstrates an upside down understanding of public service ("SRB miffed that Pinkett Smith hasn't returned city's calls," March 8). The mayor works for Ms. Pinkett Smith and the rest of us, not vice versa. When a citizen calls the police for help, the 911 operator doesn't respond, "What have you done for us lately?"

The Corner Bistro & Wine Bar in Ridgely's Delight is observing the 30th anniversary of the University of North Carolina's NCAA basketball championship with a three-course "March to Wine Madness" menu. No, you haven't been re-routed to the Daily Tar Heel. Ridgely's Delight, and the Corner Bistro, are right here in the Old Line State. It's a free country. The menu includes "tip-off" appetizers, a "full-court press" house salad, "3-point play" entrees and "highlight jam" desserts.