SPORTS
By Matt Vensel, The Baltimore Sun | March 24, 2014
While he was once a top-10 selection in the NFL draft, Eugene Monroe might not be in Baltimore today if not for compensatory picks. Back in October, when the Ravens acquired the left tackle in a midseason trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, they did not balk when the Jaguars insisted the Ravens surrender two draft picks. That's because while the Ravens covet draft picks, they figured they would have a couple to spare because they would be rewarded with four compensatory picks after losing several key free agents after their Super Bowl win. They also figured that if they were to lose Monroe, too, this offseason, they would likely receive a prime compensatory pick for him next offseason.
NEWS
February 20, 2014
Comments and observations about the U.S. Olympic speed skating team should cover the gamut of possible influences as to the unexpected results of the competition ( "In Sochi, Under Armour skates into some sturm und drang," Feb. 15). It seems very strange to me that so many are quick to point to a very thin, sleek, and I am sure almost weightless, suit as being the culprit for outcomes that have not resulted in winning Olympic medals. I have competed in athletics for many years, not anywhere close to the Olympic level, but regardless of the level, I do know that for each and every sport there is a myriad of areas that influence outcomes.
TRAVEL
By Scott Dance, The Baltimore Sun | February 7, 2014
Michael Maykrantz was on duty at a fire house on 74th street in Ocean City when the floor began to shake and the doors started to rattle. At Bart Rader's house in Ocean Pines, a loud boom “like somebody blew something up” preceded shaking so heavy that it rattled a 50-pound metal sculpture against the wall. Miles away in Annapolis, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan was meeting in state Sen. James Mathias' office when he got a text message from his daughter: “What the heck was that?
SPORTS
By Eduardo A. Encina and The Baltimore Sun | December 19, 2013
Over the past two days, the Orioles have filled two needs -- signing right-hander Grant Balfour to become the new closer and trading for outfielder David Lough to help fill the team's need for a left-handed hitter in left field. I like the deal for Lough. It did cost the Orioles a capable hitter in Danny Valencia, who was one of the club's hottest batters over the final month of the 2013 season. And while Lough gave the Kansas City Royals some spark last season, he isn't yet the spark plug that Nate McLouth was atop the Orioles' lineup.
BUSINESS
By Natalie Sherman | November 21, 2013
The parking lot across from Harborplace, once called the "last piece of the Pratt Street puzzle," sold this summer for $16.4 million. The brokerage representing seller UrbanAmerica Advisors LLC announced the sale to Chicago-based parking garage operator and developer Interpark Holdings in August without disclosing the sum. The sale of the property, located at 300 East Pratt Street and identified in state and city records as 301 East Lombard...
ENTERTAINMENT
By Mary Carole McCauley, The Baltimore Sun | September 26, 2013
The man in the red turban is a mystery, and not only because his expression is grave, alert and slightly anxious. He is richly dressed, which clearly makes him a person of some importance. There weren't a lot of black people living in Europe in the 1600s, and even fewer displayed, as this man does, signs of princely favor. It's even more unusual that he was singled out for a painting of his own instead of being included as part of a larger group. Joaneath Spicer, the curator of Renaissance and Baroque art at the Walters Art Museum , thinks she might have uncovered subtle clues in the painting itself that might explain, if not the man's name, then his role, social status and even where he was born.