Skating

Hello, Top Cheffers! Tonight's episode felt like the quiet before the storm. The final three chefs, Lindsay, Paul and Sarah, are very friendly toward one another. Usually there is a little infighting or a passive-aggressive “good luck” here and there within the final cheftestants, but these three sincerely seem to enjoy each one another's company. That is lovely in real life but leads to a bit of a boring episode. With that said, the episode didn't completely fall flat, so let's get into the good stuff, shall we?

Baltimore County police report that two teens were attacked when an assailant hit them with roller skates in the 8800 block of Orchard Tree Lane , Towson, at 2 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. In addition to that incident, the following items were compiled from police reports from the Towson and Cockeysville precincts. Our policy is to include descriptions when there is enough information to make identification possible. Cockeysville Boxer Hill Road, 12100 block, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Feb. 17. Money stolen after door kicked in and house ransacked.

100 Years Ago Serious skating Headlining the Laurel social column was this marital tidbit: "Mrs. Marie Martin, wife of Mr. Roger Martin, who disappeared from her home over ten days ago, has returned to her home, she having been located in Philadelphia, where she had stopped with her brother-in-law and later going to the home of her parents. It is stated that Mrs. Martin left her home on account of her husband going skating, which she had forbidden.

Nick Collins and Todd Collins share a great deal - last names, for one, even though they are not related. They've also known each other since they were in first grade at Manchester Elementary, and also attended North Carroll middle and high schools togather. They are both are Carroll County natives, are both 33 years old, are both married and each have a son. The've also shared a passion throughout their lives - for skating and snowboarding. So when the two friends decided to go into business together, they tapped into their friendship and common interests - and the result is Kliq Board Shop, scheduled to open Saturday, Jan. 28, at 85 W. Main St., in downtown Westminster.

Just when it seems skateboarding is picking up in popularity again, the City of Havre de Grace razed the public skate park on Seneca Avenue. When our office was on Hays Street in Bel Air, I could drive by the Skateology shop on Thomas Street virtually any given day of the week and see at least half a dozen boys outside on their boards. Sometimes, they'd be in the middle of the road, creating a traffic hazard, but they were always there, boards in hand. It was obvious they were enjoying their hobby.

Here's something Howard County can brag about: It hosts the state's only "Nutcracker" holiday extravaganza on ice, perhaps even on the entire East Coast. Presented each year by the Columbia Figure Skating Club , it's a pretty cool show in more ways than one. Dozens of darling little skaters share the ice stage with some real pros, making this a must-see family outing for all "Nutcracker" fans. My family wouldn't ream of missing a production. I actually prefer the Sunday-before final dress rehearsal.

Alexandria, Va. Holiday Boat Parade Enjoy a parade of brightly lit sailboats and powerboats at the 12th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Some 50 decorated vessels will sail from Washington to Alexandria, Va., to showcase their creativity and Christmas spirit while a panel of judges will award prizes in dozens of categories. The morning of the parade, families can enjoy a sightseeing tour at the Potomac Riverboat Company, historical tours and also enjoy shopping at the many designer boutiques in town.

100 Years Ago Hiring a farm guy In the classified section of the Times : "Wanted; To hire by the year a young and industrious Farm Hand, with small family. Good opening for permanent place and future. W.S. Powell, Times Office Ellicott City. " Seems there's potential here for the right person. Powell probably hoped with his "family" criterion he'd find a family man to work his farm, one more settled than a bachelor and not interested in carousing, drinking or taking too much interest in any of the farmer's daughters.

NORTON, Mass. — Ernie Els waited for his TV interview slumped forward in a plastic chair, spent from another week of living on the edge. "It's been a hard couple of days," the Hall of Famer said wryly. More like a hard three weeks — this one going down to his final putt Monday in the Deutsche Bank Championship. Needing a birdie to keep his PGA Tour season alive, Els went long with his second shot at TPC Boston's par-5 closing hole. His chip rolled 6 feet past the pin — long enough to jangle the nerves — but Els holed the putt.

Dundalk native Bucky Lasek made history Sunday night, winning his Dew Tour-record 10th skateboard vert final. The 38-year-old bested some of the biggest names in vert skating, Pierre-Luc Gagnon and Shaun White, in front of the largest skate vert crowd in Dew Tour history at the Pantech Open on the beach in Ocean City . "Words can't explain how I feel right now. I went all last year without a win. To come back this year to win the first...