Ranges

John Harbaugh is beginning his fourth training camp as the Ravens head coach. He became the first Ravens coach to lead the team to the playoffs in three straight seasons and was rewarded with a three-year extension in February. Harbaugh spoke with The Baltimore Sun's Jamison Hensley on his expectations for Sergio Kindle, his reaction to the criticism of Joe Flacco and his take on the heated rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Question: What role do you foresee for Sergio Kindle this season?

Knee and hip replacements have been common for decades, offering patients who suffered from degeneration a full range of pain-free movement. But spines and backs have been more problematic. Spinal fusions, the gold standard, have meant a limited range of motion for patients and even future procedures on adjoining discs. But a newer procedure that involves inserting an artificial disc, called total disc replacement, means patients can get that range of motion and pain relief without the drawbacks of fusion.

Want a frothy, sweet, confection that's perfect for the balmy days of spring and summer? Then shake up your taste buds with the cold, creamy goodness of a milkshake. The Baltimore region is home to a plethora of ice cream parlors, restaurants and diners that feature shakes for most every palate. Retro malted milkshakes. Classic chocolate and vanilla shakes. And exotic varieties made with ingredients like spinach or nuts. Come along as we sample 10 milkshakes from Baltimore to Annapolis, with stops in between.

The increases would start in the cradle, with a boost in the cost of obtaining a birth certificate. They would hit passengers on a train or a bus, students paying for college, and residents buying a car or a house. Hospital patients could would see their health insurance premiums go up, homeowners would pay more for energy, drinkers would owe more for that beer. With two weeks left in the 2011 legislative session, the General Assembly is focused on the state's operating budget.

It's spring break this week at Oklahoma State, giving U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein a chance to test his skills against PGA Tour competition. Just don't get accustomed to seeing him moving in those circles yet. "Life's not really a sprint," Uihlein said Wednesday, his final practice day for the Transitions Championship. "It's more of a marathon. " Tell that to Matteo Manassero , four years younger than Uihlein but already with his name on a European Tour trophy.

The condos at the Ritz-Carlton Residences offer "luxurious waterfront living" — with breathtaking views of Baltimore's Inner Harbor and amenities that include marble baths, landscaped terraces and butler's pantries with access for the help. But that's not enough for one resident. An architect has been talking to city officials about permits that might be needed to build a gun range in one of the penthouse-level condos on Key Highway, at the foot of Federal Hill. Inquiries about the gun range were meant to be hush-hush, but word about the unusual request got out quickly.

While everyone's busy watching James Franco and Anne Hathaway yukking it up on Sunday's Academy Awards, consider going to see something a bit more low-key at the 8x10. Jonathan Richman will perform there in support of his latest album, "O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth. " Richman has been playing guitar since he was 15, according to his biography on Vapor Records, which is releasing his new album. But he came to prominence in the 1970s with his band the Modern Lovers. As a solo artist — a career he started in 1983 with "Jonathan Sings!"

Former Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson accepted more than $200,000 in bribes and played a central role in a broad corruption conspiracy that involved other county officials, candidates for public office and at least three developers or business leaders, federal officials alleged in new charges filed Monday. A 31-page indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt for the first time charges Johnson with soliciting and accepting bribes. It comes three months after Johnson and his wife, Leslie Johnson, were arrested at their home after they allegedly conspired to hide $79,600 in cash in Leslie Johnson's bra and flush a $100,000 check from a developer down the toilet.

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail wanted to make a larger point about risk and about baseball's financial imbalance Thursday during a question-and-answer session with a group of Baltimore School of Law students. So at one point, after taking questions for more than 40 minutes, MacPhail decided to throw out a query of his own. "Who is the worst free agent signing in baseball history?" MacPhail asked. "I invite all of you to think about this for two minutes. " The answers shouted back at MacPhail were varied.

President Barack Obama's speech in Tucson last month and others' eloquent calls for civility since have been heartening. It seems de rigueur these days to call for "bipartisanship. " However, good intentions and individual commitments to behave better can — like New Year's resolutions — fade quickly. We need to employ proven approaches that foster sustained civility and actually bring results on key national issues. And not only elected leaders must make this commitment.