Sponsors

Chances are good that when the Volvo Ocean Race fleet sets sail on Sunday, you will still be unfamiliar with Dubarry, djuice, ASSA ABLOY and many of the other corporations that have paid a fortune to become sponsors. That won't come as a surprise to the companies, or be necessarily a disappointment. The Volvo race is unlike traditional sports sponsorships in which a business pays millions of dollars to draw attention to its products. Most of the action in the round-the-world race takes place on the high seas, far from spectators and the media.

ANNAPOLIS - A bill being sponsored by eight Republicans in the House of Delegates to exempt college textbooks from the sales tax had its first hearing this past week in Annapolis. House Bill 38 calls for no sales tax on textbooks purchased in Maryland by part- or full-time students attending a college or university. It's initial hearing was held Jan. 25. "The price of textbooks of $500 for a semester is not unusual, and this is a tremendous burden, especially on middle-income families," said Del. Wade Kach, who represents District 5B and is a co-sponsor of the bill.

Ellen came out of the closet last night, and the crowd at the Hippopotamus was right there to cheer her on -- in a way usually reserved for World Series champions and rock stars.When Ellen DeGeneres' TV character Ellen Morgan finally said the magic phrase, "I'm gay," at 9:26 last night, a crowd of more than 200 revelers, drawn to the Mount Vernon club for what was billed as "Ellen's Coming Out Party," whooped, shouted and clapped their approval for a good 30 seconds."I think it's great, what's happening," said a smiling Jan Cohen.

Each year, the Ravens and other NFL clubs sell millions of dollars in commercial space for their TV and radio shows, Web sites and electronic scoreboard signs. But they don't offer it all up right away. Like canny stockbrokers waiting for an opportune moment to sell, the franchises often hold up to one-fifth of their product until after the season begins. That way, they can increase the rate and reap a modest windfall of as much as 15 to 20 percent if the team happens to perform particularly well on the field.

After six months of revisions and heated debate, three Baltimore County councilmen have withdrawn legislation that would have required landlords to register their properties and agree to inspections. The co-sponsors, who had argued the bill was necessary to halt the decline of older neighborhoods, promised to seek other ways to augment enforcement of county zoning and safety codes. And it appears they will get help from the Ruppersberger administration, which has become involved for the first time, promising to devote more resources to the issue.

Good morning -- Peyton Manning -- If you go to Disney World, will you take all of your sponsors with you?

USNA Plebe sponsors soughtThe U.S. Naval Academy is looking for area families to sponsor midshipmen from the Class of 1996.This year, about 220 midshipmen from around the country will enter the academy. The academy recommends that potential sponsors live within 22 miles of the academy.The deadline to apply is July 1. Sponsors will be notified during the last two weeks of the month. Academy officials will meet with the sponsors to answer questions Aug. 1.They will meet their mids during Plebe Parents' Weekend, Aug. 14-16.

The Laurel High School Class of 2013 graduates on Monday, June 3, 2013. That evening, in celebration of our graduates' achievements, the Grad Night Committee of the PTSA of Laurel High School will hold the 25th annual Grad Night. The city of Laurel co-sponsors this unique all-night, alcohol- and drug-free, chaperoned event. Graduates are entertained with music, games, door prizes, food, drinks, memories and much, much more! We anticipate that approximately 200 of our graduating seniors will attend this year's celebration.

The Baltimore-Washington Corridor is sponsoring the 21st Baltimore-Washington Region Government Procurement Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to noon at Martin's Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive, in Greenbelt. The event offers opportunities for businesses and government agencies to help businesses learn to successfully work with government agencies. Matchmaking sessions will be offered so businesses can meet one-on-one with agency contacts and buyers to discuss opportunities specific to each business.

Steve Owings of Westminster is on a roll. The 26-year-old has won four of the past six races in the micro-sprint division at the Trail-Way Speedway in Hanover, Pa.He gives all the credit to his sponsors, who helped him purchase a new chassis.Owings did not get out on the track until late June and has run in only nine races. But in those nine races he has won four and finished second twice.He has won every qualifying heat he has competed in, so he is enjoying his best year since he began micro-sprint racing four years ago."