Upfront

The subject of closing costs is frequently raised in Mailbag inquiries -- how they are calculated, the major components, and whether they vary among Maryland's 24 subdivisions -- the City of Baltimore and the 23 counties.The best way to calculate closing costs is simply go to a lender, real estate agent or title company -- they are usually happy to do the math for a potential customer.In general, closing costs in Maryland are about 5 percent to 6 percent of the purchase price.Major components of the closing costs are the state and local transfer and recording costs, lender charges and about 13 months' escrow for real estate taxes.

Island taste Take a quick trip to the Caribbean Islands - not by plane, but by taste. Stop by Judy's Island Grill and Bake Shop for a taste of authentic Jamaican cuisine. Family owned and operated, Judy's Island Grill has been serving the Park Heights community since October 2004. "I love cooking," said owner Judy Smith, who is originally from Clarendon, Jamaica, but has lived in the United States for 24 years. "I love what I do. I do everything from scratch." Her menu features smoke-flavored St. Thomas Jerk Chicken and savory curry chicken (her two top dishes)

Every day, thousands of people type the words "credit repair" into an Internet search engine. Thousands more type in phrases like "bad credit" or "bad credit repair." Figuring out how to repair your credit is on the minds of homebuyers, sellers and owners, each of whom has realized that having stellar credit gives you financial options that simply aren't available to those with low credit scores. Unfortunately, some of the Web sites that come up in a search for "credit repair" can do more harm than good.

Filming of the second season of the Netflix production “House of Cards” began in the Baltimore area Monday, and with it came an announcement from Gov. Martin O'Malley that the first season of the political thriller starring Kevin Spacey had brought $140 million in economic impact and 2,200 jobs to the state. The state's Film Production Tax Credit helped bring “House of Cards” here, according to O'Malley. “Together with our leaders in the General Assembly, we've expanded the Film Production Tax Credit,” O'Malley said in a statement, “and as we welcome the cast and crew back, we also look forward to more job creation and economic opportunity to come.” Both the dollar figures and the politics behind them in O'Malley's statement were quickly called into question by critics of the incentives program.

Animal Kingdom was a long shot in the Kentucky Derby, and those who took a $2 gamble on the chestnut colt to win received a $43.80 payout. That's a good profit, but also a taxable one. Gambling winnings, no matter how small, are subject to ordinary income taxes. The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, the second jewel of racing's Triple Crown, is less than two weeks away. For those feeling lucky and planning to bet, now is a good time to brush up on the tax implications. But it's not just about paying taxes.

The coming week marks what used to be among the most exciting in television. Each day, one or two networks will parade their fall schedules for buyers, in this case, Madison Avenue. The frantic few days are dubbed "the upfronts," because it's when TV networks get advertisers to commit billions of dollars up front to sponsor programs that won't appear until fall. The networks wine and dine sponsors, and bring their biggest stars to New York to schmooze. Every new comedy is the next Friends, every new drama the next CSI or Law & Order.

There is no quarterback controversy, not after two preseason games, not when Scott Mitchell is becoming increasingly efficient, not when Tony Banks is facing only second- and third-team defenses.There is no quarterback controversy, and Brian Billick said that there will never be one, not as long as he is Ravens coach, no matter how much fans and media protest."I have final say," Billick proclaimed after yesterday morning's practice at Western Maryland College. "There is no controversy unless I become schizophrenic."

The new pier at Baltimore-Washington International Airport is drawing airline executives from around the world. They come in small groups, at least 20 in the past year, to inspect the whitewashed architecture and hear the state's marketing pitch.But one thing is still in short supply at the $140 million Gov. William Donald Schaefer International Terminal at BWI these days: More airplanes.Maryland's newest international gateway is a year old this week, and state officials say the facility hasn't blossomed into the bustling payoff they would have liked.

Q: I recently heard something about a new law that would allow homebuyers to pay their real estate taxes semiannually. Where and when does this law take effect, and how will this law help homebuyers?D. Huntermark, BaltimoreA: The General Assembly passed a law in 1993 that let all Maryland counties and Baltimore allow homebuyers to pay real estate taxes six months in advance, instead of the current 12 or 14 months in advance -- the practice in Maryland since 1967.This requires homebuyers to come up with less cash at settlement -- six to eight months' worth instead of l2 to 14 months' worth.

When Louis Farrakhan speaks, America listens.Whether he is asserting the need for black economic development or accusing Jewish people of a media conspiracy against him, he has the power to pull worshipful cameras into his orbit, the power to take his words from the periphery of African-American thought to center stage.And he has the power to move black people. According to a Time/CNN poll, nearly three-quarters of all African-Americans are familiar with Mr. Farrakhan, and more than 60 percent of those view him in a positive light.