Ratcliffe

WALDORF -- They came to the parking lot outside Nick's of Clinton grocery and deli here expecting a chance to ask President Clinton about his proposed tax increases -- and got neither the president nor the chance to ask questions.Some didn't even get in.These quickie trips across the D.C. line into Maryland have served as effective props for the Clinton administration, but yesterday's appearance by last-minute stand-in Al Gore left a little to be desired."It was extremely disappointing, and I'm sure I speak for all of Charles County," said Mickey Ferrante, Nick's wife.

Maryland's congressional delegation is lobbying to keep Baltimore and Washington together as a single metropolitan area in the eyes of the federal government, preserving the area's rank as the fourth-largest market in the nation. In a letter to Mitchell E. Daniels Jr., director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, both of Maryland's senators and all eight members of the House of Representatives said they lent "strong support" for the continued designation of Baltimore and Washington as a combined statistical area.

No words were needed last night when UMBC lacrosse coach Don Zimmerman entered the locker room to face his players after a 12-11 upset victory over ninth-ranked Georgetown at UMBC Stadium."

River Hill, newly anointed this week with the area's No. 1 ranking, played at Wilde Lake yesterday like a team intent upon keeping that position.The Hawks (5-0 overall, 2-0 league) knocked off fourth-ranked Wilde Lake 1-0 on a penalty kick by team co-captain and sweeper Sam Salganik 12 minutes into the game.The goal was Salganik's third in two games this week, and was a good personal tonic in the wake of the death of his mother's sister Saturday. She was buried Tuesday. Salganik also scored twice in Monday's 4-1 win over Good Counsel.

The psychology of soccer is sometimes as important as the skills, strategy and individual matchups.An example of the importance of the mental aspect was No. 1-ranked River Hill's 14th straight victory yesterday.After playing a dominant but scoreless first half in which the Hawks held 10th-ranked Wilde Lake to one shot while hitting two crossbars and one upper post, River Hill had to battle its own complacency in the second half before achieving a 3-1 victory."I'd like us to be more focused than we were today because then we play faster and crisper," River Hill coach Bill Stara said.

After years of fighting over repairs, condominium owners at The Club at McDonogh Township have sued the developers and others this week for millions of dollars in damages on 36 allegations ranging from negligence to racketeering.The owners' council for the community at Reisterstown and Greenspring Valley roads filed suit in Baltimore County Circuit Court, seeking damages of $2 million to $36 million from various defendants on different counts.Named as defendants are the developer, Bancroft Homes of Greenspring Valley Inc.; its co-owners and officers, Terry M. Rubenstein and James Rubenstein; the Residential Warranty Corp.

Kathy Altemus and Sheila Dagucon advanced to today's final of the championship flight of the Maryland State Golf Association's 73rd Women's Amateur Championship at Eagle's Nest.Altemus (CC of Maryland) defeated Cindy Carlin (Montgomery Village), 1-up, and Dagucon (Montgomery CC) beat two-time finalist Bonnie Fry (Maryland Golf and CC), 2 and 1, in yesterday's semifinal play.Altemus and Carlin were even after 17 holes, but Altemus parred 18 to win.Dagucon was 2-up after the front nine, but Fry made par on the 11th to come within one. Dagucon regained her two-stroke lead after she birdied the 13th and held on to win.Carlin beat medalist and two-time winner Jane Mason (Green Hill Yacht and CC)

Manchester to discuss raising water, sewer feesThe Manchester town council will discuss an ordinance raising water and sewer connection fees at its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. today in the town hall.Mayor Earl A. J. "Tim" Warehime Jr. vetoed an ordinance in July that would have raised town water and sewer connection fees because it did not include a way to spread payments over several years. The mayor and council agreed that there should be a provision for extended payments, but they disagreed over how to make such a provision.

Qualifying medalist Jane Mason, a two-time winner, beat Joanne Salerno, 7 and 5, in the championship flight of the Maryland State Golf Association's 73rd Women's Amateur Championship yesterday at Eagle's Nest.Championship flightJane Mason def. Joanne Salerno, 7 and 5; Cindy Carlin def. Susan Schuh, 1-up; Kathy Altemus def. April Hardisty, 2 and 1; Sandy Pelisek def. Renee Baugh, 4 and 3; Stephanie Kell def. Geri Vartabedian, 1-up; Sheila Dagucon def. Bailey Scheurer, 5 and 4; Andrea Kraus def. Carole Ratcliffe, 2 and 1; Bonnie Fry def. Young Ja Kim, 3 and 2.Second flightLeigh Farrell def. Connie Pifer, 1-up; Pressie Hoffman def. Karen Lynn Smith, 1-up; Joan Lins won by default over Katie O'Neil; Mallory Crosland def. Joy Kirk, 4 and 3.Third flightCindy Peterka def. Eleanor Appling, 7 and 6; Mary Stuart McKenzie def. Laura Pierson, 6 and 5; Beth Plecker def. Shelly Sovero, 3 and 2; Nancy Chance def. Lynne Hunter, 1-up, 19 holes.