Special Olympics

When the 2012 Westminster Fallfest celebration kicks off on Thursday night, Sept. 27, with the annual parade, Woody Higgs will be right at the front. Higgs, along with five other residents representing Special Olympics-Maryland, Carroll County, will carry the Fallfest banner. "We're really excited," said Donna McGuire, assistant volunteer coordinator for Special Olympics, and Higgs' mother. "This is our first time in Fallfest. " Special Olympics, along with Carroll Hospice, the Taneytown Lions Club and the Stacey Davis Breast Cancer Fund, was selected to be the partners for this year's annual Fallfest.

Carroll County is launching the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program, which helps children ages 2 to 7 build and develop motor and foundational skills through play activities, and a session will be held Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Finksburg Library, Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg. Young Athletes is designed for children with intellectual, developmental and related disabilities, but is open to family members and friends who are also under 8 years of age. For more information, contact Anna Curtis, Young Athletes program coach, at youareSOCRspecial@gmail.com or 410-207-2094.

John Maroon is uniquely positioned to offer an opinion on the superstar athlete turned businessman. His firm, Maroon PR, represents Cal Ripken Jr. He's worked with the former Orioles star on and off since 1995, in the process ushering perhaps the most endearing sports character of the last two decades through a transformation from relentless ball player to business owner, baseball advocate, television personality and book author. But even Maroon, who like any Baltimorean has watched Michael Phelps grow from awkward kid to one of the most accomplished athletes of all time, wonders what the future holds for the Charm City's swimming virtuoso.

They streamed into the Speedo-sponsored party, world-class athletes set free after four years of training and one week of competing on their sport's biggest stage. Now that their Olympics were over, swimmers from around the world would spend this night letting go. "Most of 'em looked like they were headed off to some disco party," said Evan Morgenstein, an agent for 13 current Olympians. "But not Michael Phelps . He comes in wearing a blazer, looking fresh. He went right to the corporate heads, greeted them.

For those of you who are worried that Joe Flacco might be overwhelmed and overtired after the birth of his first child, the Ravens quarterback wants you to know that he's sleeping just fine these days. "My wife does a great job. I can't complain. Everything's pretty good," Flacco said Saturday night while appearing at a benefit for the Special Olympics of Maryland at Al Packer Ford in White Marsh.  Flacco's wife, Dana, gave birth to their son, Stephen, on June 13. The child was named after Flacco's father.

There was a time when John Worley could keep up with his boys. They would run together and as Worley slowed with age, his twin boys, Mark and Bruce, kept on running, accelerating out of the back of the pack, striding on to Special Olympics Maryland medals and into manhood. It has been a while since those days, 12 years now. And as Mark and Bruce trained for another Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games, John took on what he calls more of a "transportation and inspiration" role.

Officers representing the police agencies throughout Carroll County will be on the streets of Sykesville, Taneytown, Manchester, Westminster and Mount Airy on Wednesday, June 6, beginning at 8 am, taking part in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics Maryland. The officers will escort and protect the Special Olympics 'Flame of Hope' as it makes its way toward the opening of the 42nd anniversary Summer Games at Towson University, June 8-10. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Maryland Torch Run, a movement that began in 1986 with a handful of officers raising $5,000.

Special Olympics Maryland will host its annual Summer Games at Towson University, June 8-10. The games include more than 1,400 athletes and 200 partners, as well as 800 volunteers who come to help run the event. Athletes compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, cheerleading and softball. Residents are invited to join the festivities and the celebration — all events are open and free of charge. Highlights include a pep rally Friday, June 8, 5 to 7 p.m., at the university's Auburn House Pavilion, followed by an opening ceremony, 7:30-8:45 p.m., at the Towson Center.

Submitting sports notices The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. Monday. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). Questions? Call 410-332-6578. Special Olympics Orioles fans who plan to attend games at Camden Yards this year have the opportunity to help Special Olympics athletes at the same time. Special Olympics has obtained vouchers for $15 tickets to all Oriole games except the prime games. Five dollars from each ticket purchased will go to Special Olympics.