Thirteen

WASHINGTON -- The release of the Kevin Costner film "Thirteen Days" will accurately enlighten a new generation about how horrifyingly close the world came to annihilation in October 1962. While the film brilliantly captures both the drama of the moment and the canniness of the brothers Kennedy to forge a plan that succeeded in pulling us back from the brink, the producers' zeal in amplifying John and Robert Kennedy's heroism obscures the vital truths of mid-century's Cold War hysteria.

A win this Saturday against No. 13 Johns Hopkins would strengthen No. 7 Loyola's bid for an at-large spot in next month's NCAA tournament. It would also do away with this pesky matter of a 13-game losing streak to the Blue Jays. The Greyhounds haven't won a contest in this series since 1999 - a slide that includes last year's 10-9 overtime loss en route to capturing the school's first Division I national championship in any sport. Ending that skid is a weighty motivation for the players.

THIRTEEN, A SAVAGE film about a middle-school girl gone horribly, horribly bad, has everyone buzzing. Movieland is buzzing about first-time director Catherine Hardwicke, who took top honors at the Sundance Film Festival of independent films. About 15-year-old Nikki Reed, who co-wrote the screenplay based on her own life and who portrays the seductive but toxic Evie. And about young Evan Rachel Wood, who plays the part of Tracy, whose semi-normal life is hijacked way out of bounds by Evie.

About a dozen Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers, consumer advocates and a City Councilwoman faulted the utility Tuesday for lack of preparation before and poor communication after a derecho storm struck the region in June. At a Baltimore public hearing on the utility's storm response, a crowd repeated concerns that BGE officials didn't provide them with an estimated time their power would be restored. Others questioned why the utility hadn't cut back mature trees to prevent branches from knocking out power lines — to which BGE officials responded by pointing to recent efforts at more aggressive trimming.

They march in place, punching the air like prizefighters, their feet slamming the stage to the pulsating disco beat.Dressed in gym clothes, the cast of West Side Story begins tonight's first practice at North County High School in Anne Arundel County with an aerobic workout. They must get in shape for the dance numbers.But foreboding has replaced the normal adrenalin rush.Angie Guido is missing.When another girl was cast as Maria, the lead role, Angie bolted school for the day and tearfully vowed to skip the spring musical.

Jan. 30 1972 Thirteen Roman Catholic civil rights marchers were killed by British soldiers in Northern Ireland on what is known as "Bloody Sunday."

On March 19, 2003, CLARENCE S. JR. beloved husband of Margaret Griffin; devoted father of Clarence Griffin, Sylvia Taylor, Gloria Wilson, Wanda Adams, Delores Smith and Sharon Foreman; he is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, one brother, three sisters and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral Services for Mr. Griffin will be held on Tuesday at Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, 6000 Radecke Ave, where family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11 A.M., followed by Funeral Services.

On February 8, 2003, CATHERINE E.; beloved wife of the late James E. Robertson; devoted mother of Harvey Robertson and wife Mary, Anna Robertson, James E. Robertson Jr. and wife Marilyn, Evelyn Reed and husband Charles and the late Henry G. Robertson. Also survived by thirteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren and thirteen great great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the family owned Bruzdinski Funeral Home P.A., 1407 Old Eastern Ave, Essex at Rt. 702 (beltway exit 36), on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Funeral Services on Thursday at 11 A.M. Interment Holly Hill Memorial Gardens.

News of the dayBud Selig's threat to cancel the baseball season didn't spark any new bargaining.Games lostThirteen games were canceled yesterday. The total number missed is 297. Only 372 games remain on the schedule.Today in the minors* Harrisburg at Bowie, 2:05 p.m.* Wilmington at Frederick, 4 p.m.

On December 3, 2004, MARY L. YOUNGQUIST (nee Ditty); beloved wife of the late Harry M. Youngquist; devoted mother of Robert and Richard Youngquist, Sandra Quick, Harry L. Youngquist, Peggy Gayo and the late Raymond Youngquist; loving sister of Teddy Ditty. Also survived by thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Being in Baltimore apparently has its privileges for Loyola. Not only did the Greyhounds have to make just a 34-mile trip from their campus to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis for Saturday's NCAA tournament quarterfinal against Denver, but they also got a visit from Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. In a video posted by the school, the 13-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year spoke to the players before Wednesday's practice and encouraged them to play with passion and cooperation.

Riley William Davis, whose sunny personality and quick wit sustained him and his family through his four-year battle with leukemia, died Wednesday at Johns Hopkins Children's Center. He was 13. Diagnosed with cancer at 9, Riley's life was turned upside down by treatment — including two bone-marrow transplants and hip surgery — but was not defined by it. The Hunt Valley resident loved to draw, creating his own comic strips and sketching characters such as Spider-Man with such skill that adults thought he'd traced them, said his mother, Mary Healy Davis.

You have 13 days left to go to Obrykci's. Obrycki's, a bona fide Baltimore dining institution has always closed down sometime around the first week of November, when the crab supply ran out. But when the Pratt Street doors shut after the dinner service on Saturday, Nov. 5, it will be for good. Announcing the closure last December, the Cernak family said that they would focus their efforts on Obycki's mail-order business as well as the small year-round restaurants that they have opened in airports in Baltimore and Cleveland.

An op-ed by former Oriole Brady Anderson in defense of club owner Peter G. Angelos published Tuesday on baltimoresun.com generated a tremendous response, with about half of the readers glad that someone is finally sticking up for the O's owner and the other half saying Mr. Anderson has it all wrong. Here are some highlights from Mr. Anderson's article: "I find it laughable that someone who has achieved the type of success that enables one to purchase a Major League Baseball team can be casually dismissed by many as a 'meddler.

On June 7, 2008, DOLORES A. VRHOVAC of Edgewood, MD, beloved wife of the late John Vrhovac; devoted mother of Jo Ann Larkin and her husband, William, Jr.; loving grandmother of Robin Kahl, William Larkin III, Michael Larkin, Allen Larkin; thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great- grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at McComas Funeral Home, P.A., Abingdon, MD on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 11 A.M. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 to 11 A.M. prior to service.

Jan. 30 1972 Thirteen Roman Catholic civil rights marchers were killed by British soldiers in Northern Ireland on what is known as "Bloody Sunday."

On April 10, 2003, ELFREDA L. WORLEY; beloved mother of Nancy Heath and Albert Worley. Also survived by six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Services to be held at the Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro, DE, 19966. (302-934-7842), on April, 16 at 12 P.M.

On June 19, 2005, JOHN HENRY PULLER SR. of Owings Mills, beloved husband of Shelby Puller (nee Van Over); father of John Puller Jr., Ricky Puller, Jerry Van Over, Eric Eberhardt, Dawn Hapbell, and Jamie Puller; brother of Mary Wareheim, Cynthia Adcock, Donald Puller and the late Hubert Puller Jr.; also survived by thirteen grandchildren. Services from ELINE FUNERAL HOME, 11824 Reisterstown Rd at Franklin Blvd, Wednesday at 1 P.M. Interment Lake View Memorial Park. Friends may call Tuesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M.www.

On January 27, 2008, RAYMOND D. CRONHARDT; beloved husband of the late Helen Cronhardt; devoted father of Raymond, Gary, Keith, Pam, Bonnie, Steven, and stepfather of Karen, Virginia and Leslie; loving grandfather of sixteen and great-grandfather of thirteen; dear brother of Sally Ashton, Vivian Deters and William. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, 4 to 7, Thursday, 4 to 8, at Cremation and Funeral Alternatives, 8717 Greenpastures Drive Baltimore, MD 21286. Inurnment will be held on Monday, February 4, 2008, at 2 p.m. in Parkwood Cemetery.

Ocean's Thirteen hit movie screens last week. Ocean's Twelve was met with lukewarm reviews. Besides the all-star cast, what makes this third Ocean's intriguing? WHAT YOU SAY The music from the Ocean's trilogy is most intriguing to me. Have you ever listened to the soundtracks? They are phenomenal. The music is what makes the movies compelling and memorable. Kudos to the composers, producers, etc.! Beth Clark, Port Matilda, Pa. THE NEXT QUESTION Nancy Drew, the 1930s teenage sleuth, has become a media franchise with books, a television show (during the 1990s)